Exhibitor's Trade Review (Nov 1925 - Feb 1926)

Page 26 Exhibitors Trade Review News of Exhibitor Activities N. J. M. P. T. 0. Gets Famous in Decision Over "Conquered" Case The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New Jersey scored this week one of their greatest victories in the court of arbitratioi, when the Philadelphia Film Board of Trade on Tuesday decided for them in a test on exhibitor contractual rights regarding Famous Players-Lasky's "Conquered." The significance of the Philadelphia board's ruling should elate every exhibitor holding a Famous Players contract throughout the country, since it establishes a precedent upon which they can obtain the release and delivery to them of the next Swanson picture produced or released by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, instead of paying an increased price. The decision establishes that it was not the picture "Conquered" which induced the exhibitor in this test case, I. M. Hirschblond of the Tracco Theatre, Toms River, New Jersey, to buy the Paramount output. On ±he contrary it specifically relates that it was the magnitude of the star, Gloria Swanson, which was chiefly instrumental in getting Hirschblond's signature to the contract. The decision thus substantiates in every respect the contention of Joseph M. Seider, Business Manager of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, who vigorously prosecuted the action after procuring and making a thorough study of the evidence. Under the terms of the Philadelphia Board's verdict, Famous Players-Lasky must deliver the next picture which Miss Swanson makes for that company. This does not mean any picture which the star has already made and which has not been generally released but any feature which may be made with Miss Swanson in the starring role in lieu of "Conquered," production plans for which were recently abandoned and the release from delivery was sought by Famous Players. * * * Grauman To Be Honored LOS ANGELES.— A testimonial dinner patterned along the Unes of the famed Gridiron Club dinners in Washington and the nationally celebrated Lambs Gambol of New York, to be given in honor of Sid Grauman at the Biltmore Hotel the night of December 3 by the motion picture industry promises to be the most brilliant affair of its kind ever attempted in the West. The affair, which is to be given in recognition of Grauman's activities in Los Angeles and Hollywood and of his interest in the motion picture industry throughout the country, is sponsored by the Wampas. It will be the first time the organization has ever accorded such an honor. ^ Gobel Closes Columbia BRISTOL, Va.-Penn.— Due to what he terms excessively bad business, C. A. Gobel has closed his Columbia Theatre, which was located on the Tennessee side. Gobel has consolidated his efforts on his two remaining theatres in Bristol which are situated in close proximity on the Virginia side of the town. , ; t Mr. Seider could not personally attend the hearing because of an urgent meeting of the administrative committee of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America which was attended by men who had traveled great distances. Mr. Seider assigned his personal representative, Leon Rosenblatt and Norman Samuelson, counsel for the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New Jersey to appear before the Philadelphia Board. Commenting upon the decision Mr. Seider declared : "The entire procedure and the verdict is the greatest emulation of the principle of arbitration when fairly conducted. It will be recalled that the Philadelphia Film Board of Trade offered to us the right to select our own exhibitor arbitrators. Because of this offer we were convinced of the sincerity of the Philadelphia Board and instead, presented the case before their usual board. This vouches for the fairness of the verdict and, as Business Manager of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, it is my hope that this will settle the matter for the country and that Famous Players will release the next Gloria Swanson picture that they produce, or release, to contract holders of the picture 'Conquered' at the present contract price, and further, that they will release all those present contract holders who so desire it, from the playing of the picture 'Conquered' if produced with another star." Richey On Tour DETROIT.— H. M. Richey, business manager of the M. P. T. O. of Michigan, will leave this month for a tour through the state with the view of increasing the enrollment of the state organization and with consulting exhibitors on their various problems. He plans to visit ten exhibitors a day on his trip. His word to them is "get your questions ready." Richey promises that if he cannot answer these himself he will take the questions up on returning to Detroit and use the mails for replies. Seattle Film Board SEATTLE.— At its regular Monday meeting the Northwest Film Board of Trade elected three exchange members to the Seattle Arbitration Board. Appointments were : Jay A. Gage, Seattle Educational manager, three year term ; W. J. Drummond, Producers, two years, and C. M. Hill, Metro Goldwyn, one year. * * * New Management LA GRANGE, Ga.— The Strand Theatre which was recently purchased by R. T. Hill, of Tullahoma, Tenn., will have its formal opening next Monday under the name of the New Fairfax Theatre. * * * Theatre Destroyed The Scenic Theatre in Appleton, Minn., operated by R. G. Risch, was destroyed by fire recently. E. G. Taylor, a fireman, was hurt. No lives were lost. Metro-Goldwyn's "Merry Widow" Rolling Up Impressive Grosses Advance reports of big grosses being rolled up by pre-view showings of Erich von Stroheim's "The Merry Widow," starring Mae Murray and John Gilbert, are pouring into Metro-Goldwyn's offices from enthusiastic exhibitors. Small towns and large are greeting this Metro-GoldwynMayer production with the same unequalled applause and enthusiasm which the film aroused at its Chicago premiere at the Roosevelt Theatre, where it is in its fifth big week, and in New York at Gloria Gould's Embassy, where it has been playing since opening in August. "Von Stroheim's 'The Merry Widow' opened at my Paris Theatre yesterday," wires Don Nichols, Manager of the Durham Amusement Company in Charlotte, N. C, "with the weather man against it. We had the worst weather we have had this year. In the face of this we had to use the S.R.O. Today, with weather not much better, we topped the opening day. All the flowery things Gloria Gould has said of 'The Merry Widow' does not tell the half of it. Congratulations to you and to the 'Widow.' " A wire from Metro-Goldwyn's exchange in Cleveland, O., reports that the film has been held over a second week at the Valentine Theatre in Toledo and also at the Allen Theatre in Akron. Also that on opening at the Stillman in Cleveland the picture has equalled the house record and is building daily, and that the film has been held over at the Grand Opera House in Canton, O. Another wire, from M-G's Oklahoma Exchange, reports that the film is being held over for a second week at the Sun Theatre in Omaha, Neb. Variety, theatrical trade sheet, heads its report on the financial returns being registered in Chicago for the week with the statement that "The Merry Widow" alone among pictures in the Windy City showed life in the box-office, and continued to draw capacity audiences to the Roosevelt Theatre. These reports on pre-view showings foreshadow unequalled success for the film throughout the country. "The Merry Widow" is a picturization of the Lehar-Leon-Stein operetta as produced by Henry W. Savage on the stage and as adapted to the screen by Director von Stroheim and Benjamin Glazer. We are proving in every issue that the real value for the Advertiser as well as for the Exhibitor is found in Exhibitors DAILY REVIEW. Subscription rate is $5 per year, including 52 issues of EXHIBITORS TRADE REVIEW.