Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1928)

SU8 Motion Picture News Central Perm THE deed of transfer filed in the Cumberland County Courthouse at Carlisle, on June 6, showed that $115,000 was the purchase price paid for the Strand Theatre, that city, which recently was bought from the Cumberland Valley Amusement Company, controlled by Robert A. Steele, of Carlisle, by the Mecco Realty Company which is controlled by the Comerford chain of theatres, with headquarters in Scranton. The transfer became effective June 1, and during the summer about $10,000 will be expended in improving the interior. New flooring and probably new seats will be installed, and steel girders will replace the iron posts that sustain the balcony. The improvement will be completed by September 1. The management of the Hollywood theatre, Pottsville, has appointed Wesley Gordon, of that city, as sign and scene painting artist, succeeding Charles L. Reidler, who resigned. The management of the Strand Theatre, Shenandoah, materially boosted the number of its patrons during the week of June 11, by showing exclusive locally made movies of the annual Schuylkill County high school's track and field meet, held June 2 on the Schuylkill fair grounds. The pictures were especially interesting to Shenandoah because girls from that city won the big prize for the J. W. Cooper high school. Two hundred women delegates to the recent annual convention of the Pennsylvania Motor Federation in Pottsville were guests of Samuel Friedman, manager of the Capitol Theatre, at a complimentary theatre party. A complete motion picture of the big parade held in Allentown was the most spectacular event of the recent jubilee celebration in honor of the city having reached the 100,000-mark in population, was the feature of the Chamber of Commerce Jubilee dinner held in that city on June 13. Manager Eugene Knorr, of the Pergola theatre, Allentown, has announced a change of policy whereby vaudeville will be introduced in the regular programs. The theatre heretofore has been an exclusive picture house. The Hippodrome, Pottsville, is another theatre that is introducing vaudeville, Manager Haussmann having announced that Comerford circuit bookings have been arranged. Manager Samuel Friedman, of the Capitol, Pottsville, has introduced community singing "Movietone" numbers as an added local attraction. R. H. Suits, manager of Loew's Colonial theatre, Reading, scored a "scoop" in producing local news reel pictures. Movies of the annual parade of the Pennsylvania Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, were taken for the Colonial at 11.30 o'clock in the morning, half a mile from the theatre, and the pictures were developed and thrown on the screen at 3 o'clock that afternoon, or just three and one half hours after the parade passed the reviewing stand. Flattering comment was made in the Harrisburg newspapers on the playing of the newly formed Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, composed of musicians employed in theatres of Harrisburg and vicinity, when the organization gave a ser ies of three recitals at the State theatre as an added attraction to the regular movie and vaudeville bill. Arthur H. Thorne, director of the State theatre orchestra, is conductor of the Symphony organization, which has a membership of thirty. Dorothy Woehrle, daughter of Harlan E. Woehrle, former owner of the Third Street theatre, Easton, was chosen as "the student best liked by the professors" in a recent popularity contest held by the junior class of the College of Practical Arts and Letters, of Boston University. The management of the Victoria Theatre, Danville, granted the use of the house to the graduating class of the local high school for the annual baccalaureate services recently, when the combined congregations of the churches of the city were invited to be present. A source of competition to the motion picture theatre of Lancaster was removed for the summer months with the closing on June 2nd of the season of stock presented in the Fulton theatre by the Fulton Players. Milwaukee THE Parkway theatre is about to close for a ten-day period during which time the house will be completely redecorated. The atmospheric scheme will be used. The Midget theatre, Milwaukee, has been closed for an indefinite period according to R. C. Sturm, manager. Charles Bauman, manager of the Star theatre at Oshkosh, spent last Tuesday calling on film row. Elmer Sader, formerly with F B O is now covering the territory for Pathe. The Wright theatre of this city was closed recently. Morris Anderson, formerly with Paramount, is now representing Tiffany-Stahl Productions in the Wisconsin territory. Harry Perlowitz recently returned from a trip through the state with the announcement that two more houses will be added to the string of Messrs. Perlowitz and Ludwig in the near future. W. H. Siemering of the Rex theatre at West Salem has closed his theatre for an indefinite period. H. J. Fitzgerald, Fox-Midwesco manager, recently attended a conference of Fox Film officials in New York City. Francis Kadow of the Mikado theatre at Manitowoc was in the city last week. According to more recent plans, Mr. Kadow will keep his theatre open for a seven-day week rather than for two days as he previously announced. Fred E. Leiser of the Opera House at Albany has closed his theatre because of lack of business. Edwin C. Safier is now representing Fox in the Wisconsin territory. Mr. Safier was formerly associated with United Artists. F. G. Sliter, manager of the local Fox exchange returned from the Fox convention in very poor health and has been spending the past few weeks at the Moor sanitarium at Waukesha where he expects to remain for another week. In his absence the office is being handled by E. C. Grainger. C. A. Borden has closed the Regent theatre at Milton until further notice. The World theatre opened last Wednesday and met with a very gratifying response from neighborhood patrons. Chris Jasi purchased the Regent theatre at Deerfield from Russell Berge. Harry Perlowitz and John Ludwig, acting as the Van der Bilt Realty Corporation, recently purchased the Parkway theatre building. Dr. Edwards sold his theatre at Alpha, Michigan, the Majestic, to J. Eusibio, according to word received here. Jack Sullivan, recently promoted from the position of manager of the Los Angeles Branch to that of supervisor and buyer of the West Coast-Fox organization, spent some time in the city conferring with F. G. Sliter of the local Fox exchange and H. J. Fitzgerald of the Midwesco office. The Opera House at Glenwood City is now being managed by Ed. J. Haas who took the theatre over from H. H. Gleason. Mr. Haas also purchased Mr. Gleason's theatre at Boyceville. Al Robarge of the Cosmo theatre at Merrill was recently in the city for a brief business visit. Leo Grossman has been appointed manager of the Plaza theatre. He was formerly manager of the Juneau theatre. Frank Cook, one of the state's "old timers" in the theatre business has sold his theatre, the Gem. at Sheboygan to Arthur Lugg. Mr. Cook's future connections have not been announced. D. Leveque has closed the Grand theatre at Lake Linden, Michigan, and the Majestic at Hubbell, Michigan. Jack Wevwood recently purchased the Gem theatre at Amery from O. H. Steindorf. Jack Goldman, formerly with Metro, is now traveling the territorv for Celebrated. The Opera House at Cashton, Wisconsin, has been taken over by J. Bethauser according to H. Larson, former owner. Portland A MOST optimistic air prevaded the row last week, and one of the reasons for this is that it was again Rose Festival week, when thousands are added to the population and, in consequence, peps up all business generally. A number of the boys took one day off on June 13th, and journeyed to the Fircrest Country Club near Tacoma and endeavored to annex some of the prizes, which had been hung up by the Tacoma Theatre Owners and Managers Association. Film row has learned with regret of the passing of Barney Metzger, age 60, who was an old resident of Portland, and who was also interested in the Arco Theatre. Sid Shubach is now covering a territory for the sales force of I'athe. Paramount headquarters here is now presided over by Harry L. West. He was inaugurated into the duties in his new home by Jack Curry, western division ad sales manager. Salvatore Santaella and his orchestra, who have delighted thousands at the Tivoli Theatre during the past year will become scattered this week on account of change of policy on the part of J. J. Parker. Salvatore has announced that he will take a trip to Europe and it is possible he will open the new United Artists Theatre in September. A. A. Haley and Clarence Hill, representatives of Paramount Film Company, had a narrow escape from death recently when their car plunged through the railing of the Dryden bridge near Menatchee, Wash., and caught fire. The men were returning from Berne. East Portal of the Great Northern tunnel, where they had delivered films to the constructioncamp.