Motion Picture News (Nov - Dec 1926)

November 27, 1926 2061 ew York and New J r .i" ^»-vm&^ ^g"^6SV-.> ON Armistice night, Nov. 11th, Walter Reade, said to be the largest individual motion picture theatre owner in the State of NewJersey, opened the doors of his new Carlton Theatre, Red Bank, to a large and enthusiastic audience. The Carlton, with an estimated seating capacity of 2,000, brings Mr. Reade's total holdings up to thirty theatres, which with the exception of one or two houses are all in various Jersey cities. Citizens of Red Bank cannot fail to take pride in their new playhouse, for the Carlton is perhaps one of the most beautiful of the Reade circuit. The interior, furnished in rich velours and velvets of contrasting shades, lend a feeling of warmth and intimacy. Headliners of Keith-Albee vaudeville and a feature picture formed the program for the opening night. The performance was accompanied by a ten-piece orchestra and this was augmented by the music from a new Marr & Colton organ. Various stage and screen stars now on the East Coast contributed to the success of the Carlton's premiere. The usual dedicatory exercises were indulged in, and among those present in the audience were many notables in the local film trade. Keith-Albee vaudeville, feature pictures and short subjects will form the house policy. Two announcements of interest to the film industry came from the Times Square office of the A. H Schwartz circuit the latter part of last week. One broadcasted the fact that the newest straight movie house of that organization in Brooklyn, the Marine Theatre, Flatbush Avenue and Kings Highway, would open Thursday evening. November 18. The other set forth that construction work has bee" started on the latest playhouse at Roosevelt and Albertus avenues, Corona, L.I. Coming almost simultaneously as they do, the announcements give an indication of the continued expansion of this chain of theatres, started in Flatbush with the small Linden Theatre, and spreading through Queens and Long Island to twenty houses, many of which will be showing vaudeville and pictures within six months. Except in capacity, having 2,500 seats, the new playhouse might be termed a "twin" of Schwartz's Mayfair Theatre, Avenue U, Brooklyn, opened a month ago as one of the most beautiful houses in the metropolitan area. It is equipped for stage presentations and all facilities will be used for the premiere performance as many theatrical numbers are scheduled aside from the feature film. With the opening of the Marine the Schwartz circuit will have eleven houses in operation, the Mayfair showing vaudeville and movies, and nine in course of construction including Freeport, Port Washington, Huntington, Flushing, and Lincoln Road, Brooklyn. After spending fifteen years in the motion picture business and at present operating a circuit of approximately six nouses in New Jersey, Louis Rosenthal has announced that he is ready to dispose of his holdings and retire, according to a report circulated among the local exchanges this week. Only recently has Mr. Rosenthal sold two of his circuit ; namely, the South Orange house to Unger, and the Passaic Rivoli, to Harry Hecht. The balance of the theatres are located in Orange, Newark and Westbrook. With Rosenthal's passing from local exhibition circles, if it comes about, the cause of they who operate the smaller circuits, suffers further loss. Irving M. Lesser, operator of several Long Island motion picture theatres, has announced that due to certain work necessarv for the proper presentation of the type of entertainment which is to be offered at the Capitol Theatre, Bayside, L.I., that house was forced to cancel its opening scheduled for Monday evening, Nov. 15th. Mr. Lesser will advise the trade of a definate opening date in the near future. Sam Perry, youthful though veteran exhibitor of Englewood, is about due for some competition in that New Jersey city, if the information be correct that the Plaza Theatre, a new house seating about 1,800, is all set for its opening on Nov. 22nd. However, observing Sam this week while that gentleman was making the round of the exchanges, all spruced up in his usual faultless attire (this time a natty necktie of old Nassau's colors and a well-tailored suit of blue) it did not appear that Samuel was doing any considerable worrying over future box-office prospects. And why should a man be worrying about theatres when he soon expects to lead a winsome New Jersey maid to the altar? Thornton Kelly, for some time prominent in local exhibitor politics, and his associates, will operate the Englewood Plaza. Mr. Kelly also operates the Grant-Lee. Ralph Clark and his associate, a Mr. Duncan, owners of the Memphis Theatre, Mount Vernon, are building a new house at 174th Street and Jamaica Avenue, Richmond Hill. It is well advanced in construction and is expected to be ready about January 1st. Although Joe Hornstein, vicepresident of the National Theatre Supply Company and in charge of the Eastern division of that concern, found it necessary to take a trip to Boston, he will be back in time to be one of those to attend the New Jersey M. P. T. O. convention at Atlantic City, Nov. 1819. It is said that Joe will make his usual careful and thoughtful preparations which are always thoroughly approved of by visiting exhibitors. In addition to being responsible for the projection which will attend the opening performance of the new Paramount Theatre, Times Square, New York City, on Friday evening, Nov. 19th, the National Theatre Supply Company has recently supplied equipment for the following: A. H. Schwartz's Marine Theatre, Brooklyn ; Heights Theatre, New York City; Boston Road Theatre, Bronx ; Harry Hecht's Rialto, Passaic; Tip Top Theatre, Brooklyn, and the Band Box, New York City. Although this item of news is somewhat belated, we failed to mention last week that Irving Lesser sold his interest in the Memorial Hall, Beacon, N.Y., to Morris Ginsberg. Mr. Ginsberg also operates the Majestic Theatre, Beacon. It is reported that Julius Joelson has taken a lease on a theatre property located at 184th Street and Webster Avenue, Bronx, New York City. Ground is expected to be broken within the next week or so. Completion of this house will bring the Joelson circuit up to ten. With the advent of the added attraction stunts in neighborhood houses during the past year, it is interesting to note the progress made by two of our well-known film boys, Al Moley and Eddie Seider. These boys started out with one or two houses on their list and now have a considerable amount of business to look after in the line of providing acts for motion picture theatres. Their friends all wish them continued success. : Brandt Brothers' Sutter Avenue is scheduled to open on Thanksgiving Day; likewise, the Cameo, Jersey City. Grobe & Knobel's new theatre at Sunnyside, L.I.. is to be ready about December 15th, according to report. St. L OU1S St. Mcdonald of Okia• homa City, Okla., has assumed his new duties as manager of the Capitol Theatre in Little Rock, Ark., operated by the Publix organization. He will also serve as city supervisor for the Royal Gem, Kempner and Rialto theatres in Little Rock, which are also under the same management. He suc ceeds James A. Haas, who resigned recently. McDonald formerly managed the Capitol Theatre in Oklahoma City and has been with the Publix organization since it started. James Lawrence opened his new theatre in Fairmount City, 111., on Saturday evening, November 13. Fairmount City is a suburb of East St. Louis. P. B. Mason, formerly with Universal, is now traveling southern and eastern Missouri for Warner Bros. He succeeds George McBride, who resigned. Rex Barrett has taken over the Princess Theatre in Alton, 111. He formerly operated houses in Columbia, Mo., but sold his interests there to William Karstetter. Fred Bosking is now traveling northern Missouri for United Artists. Visitors of the week were Jim Reilly, Alton, 111.; Doc Tetley of Farmington, Mo., and S. E. Brady of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Bill Barron, manager for United Artists returned this week from a very sucessful trip through Southern, 111. ALBERT FINKLESTEIN, rep• resenting North American Theatres for General Manager Harry Arthur, Jr., is in Butte for a period of two weeks from Seattle headquarters. During his stay in the Mining City he is getting in closer touch with the theatre public as seen in the North American theatres recent buy of the American and Rialto playhouses. He is in daily conference with manager C. P. Scates, of the American, and Manager W. J. Sullivan, of the Rialto. Among other important attractions for Butte fans, he seems inclined to consider the idea of having juvenile movies on Saturday mornings for the kiddies. There is every indication that this will be arranged while he is in Butte this time. Clarence Severson, local manager of the Universal office, who has taken the place of W. J. Heineman on W. J.'s promotion to the management of the Salt Lake City branch, is in Butte this week. He says he will continue to keep the personnel of the office as it is now. Manager Severson was formerly head salesman for Universal under Mr. Heineman, and he also is the owner of the Liberty Theatre at Wolf Point. Mrs. Severson and a wee daughter live at Wolf Point and Mrs. Severson has charge of the playhouse. R. D. Boomer and Joe Warren, covering the Montana territory for Universal out of the Butte office report film business booming. They are both peppy salesmen and always report good business.