Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

26 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 6, 1928 Report of K A O Sale Prompts Smile of Denial from Kennedy Sees Difficulty in Making Sound Pictures for Foreign Countries — Announces Vodvil Chain in Deal for RCA Photophone (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 2. — Joseph P. Kennedy, still the director of many film enterprises, despite his disagreement with First National, returned from Europe last Friday and was only slightly more communicative than usual. The nearest he came to any announcement of plans was an address over the radio in which he commented that "the entire amusement business is in a state of flux and experimentation." Expresses Surprise at K A O Rumors \\ hen Kennedy first landed he expressed surprise at recent reports that the Keith-Albee-Orpheum circuit, which is in his charge, was in the process of sale. He said he knew nothing about any sale of that important amusement circuit and stated rather cryptically that if anything was going on certainly he would know about it. To reports that he would promptly be plunged into a series of bitter discussions and debates with the backers of Pathe and F B O, to say nothing of Keith-Albee-Orpheum, Kennedy only smiled a redheaded smile. He gave no intimation that his position in the film industry is precarious as so frequently and gleefully reported in certain publications violently opposed to him and his banker-like theories of economy in business. Interested in Sound Kennedy was more interested in talking pictures than anything else, judging from his conversation upon arrival. He made much of the difficulty that will undoubtedly be experienced in making talking pictures for English, French and Germans, to say nothing of the Argentines and the Greeks. Just exactly how his ideas on talking pictures and synchronized pictures would affect the companies in which he was interested was not brought out. However, soon after his arrival official announcement was made to the effect that the K A O circuit has been signed for RCA Photophone equipment RCA to Make 200 a Month According to E. E. Bucher, vice-president of the company, RCA will begin the manufacture of 200 sets a month in the middle of October, to the end that the K A O chain will be entirely equipped in about four months. Kennedy had a few words to say on television when he landed, commenting as follows: "Television is one of those scientific developments which must be taken into account. The RCA company claims to have an instrument that you can carry in a suitcase which will provide both pictures and music in one's own home. That is going to have a big bracing on the newsreel business." While Kennedy was a little more reticent than usual, the feeling in the trade is that the next few weeks will be critical ones for him if he intends to remain an influential figure in pictures. Patron Who Chews to Ruin Object of Battle On Gum and Popcorn (Special to the Herald-World) ALBANY. Oct. 2 — Has the theatre owner any legal right to ban chewing gum and popcorn in his house? This is a question that is causing some concern these days among certain exhibitors in Albany, Troy and Schenectady, who declare they are "sick and tired" of having seats repositories for wads of gum and rugs and carpets greasestained from popcorn. One theatre owner has gone so far as to suggest that he may have a slide made requesting his patrons not to chew gum, or if they do persist in chewing to keep it in their mouths rather than to "park" it beneath the seats. And as for popcorn, it now looks as though it would be taboo this winter in several of the theatres which take pride in their rich carpets and furnishings. Two Get 60 Day Terms In Film School Fraud (Special to the Herald-World) CLEVELAND, Oct. 2.— A fake film producing company was brought to light here, through the efforts of Harriet Schneider and Tames Kirby, reporters for the Cleveland Press. Two men under the names of Frederico Viola and C. M. Blackie, the promoters, were sentenced to 60 days in the workhouse and fined $50 by Judge Oscar C. Bell. Later it was discovered that Viola's real name is Michael Peros, and Blackie is Archibald Black. The two men, using the name "Cleveland Film Producing Co.," ran what was advertised as a school for screen actors. In reality, it was a ruse to get people into the office. Miss Schneider, who discovered the fake, answered the ad and was offered stock in a $100,000 production, and the leading part in the film. Unmasked Bandits Pick Victim in Theatre Lobby (Special to the Herald-World) NEW CASTLE, IND., Oct. 2.— Two unmasked bandits held up W. E. Greene in the lobby of the Ideal theatre here, escaping with $60. One hundred theatre patrons were not aware of the holdup. The bandits escaped in a stolen automobile. Reilly Named Head of U A Buffalo Exchange (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 2.— J. D. Reilly has been appointed sales manager of the Buffalo exchange of United Artists. Reilly succeeds George Moeser. Murray Manages Grand (Special to the Herald-World) ATLANTA, GA. — W. T. Murray, manager of the Kialto for five years, is now manager of Locw's Grand here. J. C. Ovcrstrcet goes from Loew's Grand to Loew's Capitol as assistant to Manager Thomas H. James. Old Salt Lake Theatre Given Real Farewell (Special to the Herald-World) SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 2.— With a performance which appropriately will climax the many illustrious days of the venerable Salt Lake theatre, residents soon will say farewell to the building which has housed so many hours of delightful entertainment. Citizens are working on plans for the last show and it is hoped that Maude Adams, the greatest of all stage luminaries to call Utah her home, may come for the farewell performance. The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph company, owners of the building, have deferred the dismantling until October 15, so that the farewell performance may be given. "The King of Kings" was the last roadshow picture shown at this historical house. This Is 1928— So Bill For Sunday Food Shops Passes Over Veto 22-4 (Special to the HeraldWorld) ST. LOUIS, Oct. 2.— Mayor Miller's veto of a bill permitting delicatessen stores to remain open for business Sundays was overridden by the board of aldermen last Friday by a vote of 2 to 4. The action of the aldermen eliminates the threat of a general "blue Sunday." Some of the delicatessen men, resenting police activity, had stated that if a final show-down came they would insist on the authorities enforcing to the letter ancient statutes that prohibit all forms of business or amusement on Sundays. Albany's Theatres Doing Midwinter Business Now (Special to the HeraldWorld) ALBANY, Oct. 2.— With the mercury in the forties, business picked up at the motion picture theatres in this city during the past week to the extent that it assumed midwinter proportions. Theatre owners already are predicting a winter that will exceed any previous one in the history of the motion picture theatre. The Mark Strand in Albany played to tremendous business with John Barrymore in "The Tempest" while the Mark Ritz used John Gilbert in "Four Walls" to business that practically compelled hundreds of persons to attend the matinees if they cared to see the picture. There is still a great deal of discussion among the theatre owners of Albany as to the advisability of installing talking apparatus, despite the fact that on four occasions talking pictures have demonstrated, beyond any question of doubt, their tremendous drawing power. Consul Sues Risk Firm For Theatre Storm Loss (Special to the HeraldWorld) ST. LOUIS, Oct. 2 — Hector M. E. Pasmezoglu, Greek consul in St. Louis and owner of the Delmar Theatre building, has filed suit in the St. Louis Circuit Court for $2,268.20 against the Hartford Fire Insurance Company for damages to the theatre building caused by the tornado of September 29, 1927. Pasmczoglu is also asking an additional 10 per cent for vexatious delay and $500 for payment of his attorneys.