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

66 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 6, 1928 CHICAGO PERSONALITIES By Whit THE Row these days is a rather pleasant place to be. Business is running smoothly along, with nothing at the moment popping up to cause any disturbance. One sees positively beaming countenances in the exchanges, caused of course, by good business. In fact practically every exchange reports a substantial increase in business over last year. Henry Herbel of Universal says his sales ing the film, for he hails from Texas, you says are far in advance of last year, and he is especially buoyant these days because he has just seen and heard Universal's first alltalkie. Frank Ishmael says he is suffering again from writer's cramp from writing contracts, and Max Schwartz reports a similar malady. M G M sales are well above last year's, so we're told, and the boys there do look happy. Herb Washburn reports a similar condition in sales, and even has time to play golf now and then, and Eddie McEvoy, who pops in and out of Chicago quite often in his capacity as special representative in the Midwest for F B O is in such a happy mood, he's giving away golf sticks of a special make — and he's Scotch, too. But perhaps his having closed the entire Midwesco circuit made him temporarily forget he's Scotch. Harry Lorch has so many exhibitors in his office these days it's hard to catch him idle enough to get a statement out of him, but his helpers declare that business this year is riding right over last year's figures, and of course, there's "King of Kings." Tom Gilliam of First National reports additional business this year both in the city and the country. And Bill Brumberg of Columbia, who spends most of his time in the Hoosier state reports fine business for Columbia. According to Bill, exhibitors this year are after the big pictures and are paying big money, if necessary, to get them. It seems to be the general rule that business in all the exchanges is better than last year, and that the companies are getting more money for their product. And we find the exhibitors in a fairly happy frame of mind, too. None of them report unusual business, but on the other hand none of them seem to have any particular grievance. Business in the small towns and small city houses seems to be, well, not good, not bad. * * * And now that this, shall we say, analysis (?) of the film situation hereabouts is duly reported, we'll hash out the weekly news items, and what could be better than the one about King Vidor,. who's in town this week absorbing local color, or rather colors, the colors being black, high brown and yellow. Vidor is soon to direct a talking picture composed entirely of negro players, and he chose Chicago as the place to get both his inspiration and his talent. He and Delaney of the Metro exchange have been visiting all the Black and Tan joints in town. Vidor reports that he has already picked up several entertainers of promise. The picture will be made in the South. Vidor should be quite capable of mak 8».1 If You ^ant the Best PHOTOTONE [,. V. KI TTNA1 I'M S. Waba-li \vr„ Chirago Mar. 073" km iw. * * * Carl Laemmle spent 24 hours in our fair city this week, and the Universal boys were all on deck to give him the usual hearty welcome. * * ♦ The State theatre has gone burlesque with Harry Miller as manger. It is the latest to make a bid to the night-lifers with a Saturday midnight performance. Wedding vows will be spoken by Benjamin Banowitz and Miss Anne Levitsky on October 14. Banowitz is connected with his father in the operation of the Harmony theatre. * *♦ ♦ A cueing service for exhibitors has been formed by Marie Pierson and Maurine Conover, the idea being to furnish exhibitors who subscribe for the service with cues for phonographic accompaniment to motion pictures. Both of the young women were formerly connected with National Theatre Supply with duties concerning Orchestraphone. * * * A. W. Haferkamp, who operates the Hollywood, and his wife have returned from an automobile trip to Lake Superior. * * * We hear that the Blackstone theatre at South Bend is doing good business with stock these days. * * * It is reported in the paper at East Chicago that the erection of a $240,000 theatre is being contemplated there. * * * The Granada theatre inaugurated last Friday a weekly stunt which may grow into quite A real cowboy, folks! Tommie Gilliam. Jr.. herds cows every day on a farm near Warsaw. Indiana. The pony's name, you can be sure, is Tarzan. for Tommy's daddy is a First National man. If F N doesn't siiin up this young Indiana conman rind bis pony, we'll be surprised. Jack Miller Arranges Special Convention Cars Jack Miller, president of the Chicago Exhibitors Association, has arranged for special cars to carry exhibitors in this territory to the convention ol the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America to be held at Toronto, October 16-18. The special cars will be on the International Limited of the Grand Trunk Railway, leaving Chicago 5:30 p. m. Monday, October 15 and arriving Tuesday, 8:30 a. m. Fare and one-half rates have been granted by the railroad. an event on the North Side. It is a dance given each Friday evening, especially for Northwestern students, after the close of the last show. About 300 couples were seen Friday night tripping the light fantastic in the Granada lobby to the tune of Kaley's orchestra. * •* # And the Norshore, a few blocks to the North, holds a "Northwestern Night" each Friday, a policy which was begun last year. * * * Fifty or more people saw a screening last week of Columbia's picture "Submarine," of which we have heard quite a bit lately. William Mueller, V. T. Lynch and Verne Langdon are the latest to make known their intention to go to the MPT OA convention at Toronto. Tack Miller and his brother, George, were called to Buffalo last week because of the serious illness of their father. * * * The River Park theatre in South Bend is being completely redecorated, and the new Armo theatre there, a repeat house, will opei: in about 30 days. * * * Al Kent, special home office representative for Columbia, was in town last week. * * * Harry Lerner expects to have sound equipment in his Buckland theatre at Elkhart about the first of November. * * * Adolph Roscrans, formerly Columbia representative out of Detroit, is located at the Chicago exchange now, working the Illinois territory. * * * The Opera House at Mount Carroll has reopened and the new manager is B. T. Arnold. * * * Bill Heasman of the Colonial at Danville has contracted for Dramaphone sound equipment. * * * Adolph Sigfried, who has been ill for the last two weeks, was in the city last week. * * * The Gaiety at Springfield, operated by Watts and Thornton, has opened with stock with the Gifford Players trodding the boards. * * * The Majestic, a B & K house which formerly ran vaudeville, has changed to a straight picture policy and the New Orpheum, seating I around 2,900 is presenting the vaudeville in j Springfield. * » * Mr. and Mrs. Nate Wolf are happy these days with a new addition to the family. A seven and a half pound baby girl born last Thursday. * * * Last week we wrote that John Gilbert stars in "Tempest." Now you know and we know that John Barrymorc gets the honor for starring in this picture.