Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

34 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD January 5, 1929 First Seven World Wide Pictures Qo to Exhibitor This Month Come from Seven Foreign Nations and Were Made in Exact Locales Called for in Stories, Says Williams By PETER VISCHER NEW YORK, Jan. 2. — The first product imported by World Wide Pictures, Inc., a series of seven photoplays made overseas, will be distributed to the American market this month. Thus the new company organized by J. D. Williams, who enjoys an international reputation in the film industry, makes its bow to the American public. """PHE first seven pictures to be released *■ bear witness to the extraordinary versatility of the World Wide product. They come from England, France, Russia, Poland, Egypt and Italy. The pictures were made on the exact locations called for by the stories, directors and principals and engaged natives shooting all scenes in their true atmosphere. Herein, Williams believes, lies the reason for the new company. Only Organization of Kind World Wide Pictures is the only organization of its kind in America specializing in imported photoplays. Leading officers besides Williams, organizer and for six years general manager of First National Pictures, who is executive vice president of World Wide, are Alexander S. Aronson, for five years general foreign representative of M G M, associate to Williams and general foreign representative with headquarters in Europe; Joseph S. Skirboll, formerly distribution executive in the United States and foreign representative for First National Pictures, sales manager. The company will distribute physically through Educational Exchanges, but will maintain its own sales and advertising staff. Instead of selling in block, exhibitors can have each picture screened and buy one or all, as they like, it is announced. Passed Upon by Board All pictures selected by Aronson abroad are passed upon by a board of review in the New York office. This board consists of men and women both in and out of the industry. The company has made contracts with British International Pictures, Ltd., largest English producing company with studios at Elstree; UFA, the largest German company with studios in Berlin, and British Dominions, Ltd., whose studios are at Cricklewood. French, Austrian and Italian contracts are pending. Active distribution will start January 15. It is understood that Gilda Gray has just made a picture in London and that Pauline Frederick has recently completed one in France which are to be brought here by World Wide Pictures at a later date. In the first series of pictures to be released this month are: "Moulin Rouge," starring Olga Chekova, directed by E. A. Dupont, produced by British International Pictures, in Paris with the principals and entire beauty ballet of the "New York-Paris Revue" and photographed in the Moulin Rouge. "A Woman in the Night," starring Maria Corda, from the daring novel by the Baroness Oreczy, directed by Victor Saville, produced by British International Pictures in Scotland. "The Bondman," starring Norman Kerry, from the famous novel by Sir Hall Caine, directed by Herbert Wilcox, produced by British & Dominions Film Corporation, Ltd., in Sicily and on the Isle of Man. "Tommy Atkins" with Walter Byron, from the stage play by Ben Landeck and Arthur Shirley, directed by Captain Norman Walker with the cooperation of the English War Office, produced by British International Pictures in London and the Egyptian Soudan. "The Woman In White," starring Blanche Sweet, directed by Herbert Wilcox, from the great mystery novel by Wilkie Collins and made in Scotland. "A Honeymoon Abroad," with Monty Banks and Gillian Deane, directed by Tim Whelan, formerly with Harold Lloyd, produced by British International Pictures in London and Paris. "Pawns of Passion," starring Olga Chekova, directed by Carmine Gallone and produced in the Montmartre section of Paris and in Poland and Russia. "We will only import those pictures which are found to have quality, novelty, unusual stories and characters; authentic and beautiful locations and scenic backgrounds," Williams said. Manager Resigns Position (Special to the HeraldWorld) ST. LOUIS, Jan. 2.— James P. Brennan, manager of the Grand Opera House for the past five years, has resigned and has been succeeded by R. F. Quinby, former Chicago theatre manager. Wizards of World Wide At the New York Theatres NEW FILMS PARAMOUNT— "The Shopworn Angel," a Paramount picture with Nancy Caroll. CAPITOL — "West of Zanzibar," a Metro-GoldwynMayer picture with Lon Chaney and Mary Nolan. STRAND — "Scarlet Seas," a First National picture with Richard Barthelmess and Loretta Young. FIFTY-FIFTH ST. CINEMA— "When Duty Calls," a UFA film with Rudolf Pittner and Olga Tschechova. HIPPODROME— "Restless Youth," a Columbia picture with Ralph Forbes and Marceline Day. HELD OVER AND REVIVED WINTER GARDEN— "The Singing Fool," Warner Bros., opened September 19. ASTOR — "Alias Jimmie Valentine," Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, opened November 15. CRITERION — "Interference," Paramount, opened November 16. EMBASSY— "The Viking," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, opened November 28. CENTRAL— "The Barker," First National, opened December 5. WARNER — "My Man," Warner Bros., opened December 21. GAIETY — "The River," Fox, opened December 22. LITTLE CARNEGIE PLAYHOUSE — "Lucretia Borgia," UFA, opened December 22. COLONY — "Give and Take," Universal, opened December 22. RIVOLI — "The Awakening," United Artists, opened December 28. RIALTO — "Abie's Irish Rose," Paramount, revived December 22. CAMEO — "Ten Days that Shook the World," revived for another week. ROXY— "Prep and Pep," Fox, held over for another week. FIFTH AVENUE PLAYHOUSE— "Gow the Head Hunter," held over for another week. Pinanski, Lourie Honored By Employes at Dinner (Special to the Herald-World) BOSTON, Jan. 2— Samuel Pinanski and Jacob Lourie, respectively president and treasurer of the New England Theatres Operating Corporation, were honored by employes of the company at a dinner. Melophone Office Opens (Special to the Herald-World) SEATTLE, Jan. 2. — George Endert, former Paramount manager and William Drummond, film representative, are heading the newly organized Melophone Talking Pictures Company of America, with headquarters in the Security Bldg. They have already supplied a number of the smaller houses with this new equipment. Named Managing Director (Special to the Herald-World) INDIANAPOLIS, IND., Jan. 2.— The Fourth Avenue Amusement Company appointed Don L. Hammer managing director of the company's four theatres in Lafayette, the Mars, Luna, Family and Lyric. Lou Goldberg Given Dinner (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Jan. 2. — Lou Goldberg, general manager of the M&S circuit of New York theatres, was given a banquet by the managers of the M&S circuit last week. J. D. WILLIAMS A " *ONSON J. S. SKIRBOLL Ritz Installs Biophone (Special to the Herald-World) INDIANA, PA., Jan. 2.— The Ritz theatre inaugurated a new policy in their theatre when it opened New Years day with Biophone. Named U A Manager (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK Jan. 2.— Charles O'Connell succeeds L. Hobson as manager of the United Artists exchange in Denver.