Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

28 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD March 30, 1929 Spring Is Here SPRING is doing something to the motion picture industry. There is more in the air now than there has been for months past. More mergers are coming. Heavy conversations are going on in every corner of the business ; one business deal of outstanding importance stretches all the way across the ocean. An extraordinary number of fine pictures are showing or on tap. "The Divine Lady," just brought into the Warner theatre, is a lovely piece of work. "The Iron Mask" is breaking records, at the Rivoli. "The Broadway Melody" is an institution at the Astor. "Speakeasy," which has its points, was held over for a third week at the Roxy. "The Letter" is a distinct hit. And look what's on tap ! "Show Boat" and "The Cocoanuts" are racing here; the Edna Ferber novel is reported to have been made into an extraordinarily beautiful picture by Universal and the Marx Brothers all but made a wreck out of the Paramount establishment with their hilarious musical comedy. "Coquette" promises to be a sensation. "Broadway" will be worth waiting for. These are only the outstanding smashes. General business is just as good. Just consider that the Capitol held over "Alias Jimmy Valentine," that the Paramount kept "The Canary Murder Case" a second week, that Lupe Velez is still packing the Rialto for five shows a day with "Lady of the Pavements," and the Strand kept "My Man" over a second time. This ought to be some kind of a record. * * * This is the perfect answer to the old question as to why business is punk. When business is bad bring in a few good pictures and the whole scale of living jumps up. Pictures are the answer to every important question in the industry and always will be. Incidentally, this might be a lesson to the producers of legitimate drama. They are in the doldrums, with business worse than it has been m years and years. What they need is tewer tears and more good plays. * * * A Long Run House '"THE plan of the Erlanger theatres, whereby A sound equipment is to be installed, is another bit of evidence of the importance of this new mode of entertainment. Erlanger's name is famous in American entertainment and his foresight in preparing for the future is something not to be overlooked. His huge string of theatres will be available for long runs. Incidentally, the Cameo, which has played an interesting role in New York pictures, is to be made into a long run house beginning March 30. * * * "Piccadilly" '"PHE World Wide organization is riding the -1 heights of enthusiasm as the result of along look at "Piccadilly." This picture, which I have not seen as yet, is proclaimed as the best yet brought out of England and such a smashing hit that it will give World Wide a new ranking. The National Board of Review all but burst into song over "Piccadilly," calling it one of the finest pictures to reach this country from anywhere, a production that is all American standards and American picture taste demand. It was directed by DuPont of "Variety" fame. Of course, J. D. Williams let this information out quite reluctantly. PETER VISCHER. Preparing RKO for 1929-30 C OME of the nation's most talented authors have been engaged by R K O Productions to O write the stories for the 1929-30 program of Radio Pictures. Of the writers pictured here, Eugene Walter is the author of "The Easiest Way" and other stage successes; Charles MacArthur collaborated with Ben Hecht in writing the recent legitimate hit, "The Front Page"; Samson Raphaelson is the author of "The Jazz Singer," and John Brownell is a Waff writer. Upper left Joseph I. Schnitzer President RKO Productions Upper right: William LeBaron Vice President Production Director Below: Lee Marcus Vice President Distribution Director 1 Eugene Walter If \ John Brownell Samson Raphaelson