Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

October 2 5 , 19 3 0 Motion Picture News 79 Balaban & Katz Not to Take Over Woods Theatre Chicago — Balaban & Katz is not interested in acquiring the Woods theatre, which is to be relinquished by RKO next Monday, Walter Immerraan, successor to John Balaban as director of the Chicago and Detroit Publix theatres, told a Motion Picture News representative this week. Immerman also denied a trade paper report that Balaban & Katz contemplated making a vaudeville house of the Oriental. The latter report originated when RKO changed the State-Lake, vaude-film spot, to a straight picture house, which eliminated vaudeville from the central theatre district in which the Oriental is situated. "We are not interested in acquiring or operating the Woods," Immerman stated. "Nor is there any truth in the report that a change to straight vaudeville policy is contemplated for the Oriental." The Chicago office of RKO was definitely advised by New York this week that the circuit would cease to operate the Woods after Oct. 27. "A Lady Surrenders" is current at the Woods and only one other booking. "East Is West," has been made for the house. The Shuberts, original lessees of the Woods, will operate it as a picture house, thereafter, it is believed. RKO Ad Heads Add Headaches Chicago — RKO's local newspaper advertising was obliged to bridge two extremes of public taste this week, when vaudeville was discontinued at the State-Lake and simultaneously a 12-week policy of name acts was inaugurated at the Palace. "In response to the insistent public demand for 'in-the-flesh' entertainment," began the Palace ad, while, next to it, the State-Lake copy read : "A change of great significance to motion picture fans! In the future this theatre's entertainment will consist solely of the extended run showing of the most important talking pictures produced." Universal, Judell Start Hot Serial Sales Race Chicago — Universal and Judell Pictures are running neck and neck in a race for the lion's share of the serial picture business in Chicago. The race is largely between Universal's "The Indians Are Coming" and "The Lone Defender," distributed locally by Judell. Both are getting a tremendous play from exhibitors, though "Defender" appears to have an edge on the bookings to date. The remarkable popularity of this type of picture is giving other exchanges something to think about. Exhibitors here find they go over with almost any type of audience, and have been particularly effective for matinees and kid busines. Wabash Ave. — South (Continued from page 78) . hope — whether it's necessary or not — that business during his regime is swell. * * * Ken Leach, formerly business manager here for the Moviephone Corp., is now Seattle manager for General Talking Pictures Corp. * * * Hal Opperman, formerly of Pontiac, is now operating Pearson's old Apollo at Princeton. * * * Lee Marcus, Charles Rosenzweig, Jules Levy, Joe Plunkett and other RKO execs here early Sunday morning to catch the screening of "Danger Lights" with Spoor equipment at the State-Lake. All returned to New York the same day. * * * Who has been thinking about leasing the Auditorium, old homestead of Chi Civic Opera, since the minnow golf deal fell through, and turning it into a weekly change picture house? * * * Sam Gorelick is working Frank Young's former north side territory for United Artists with Ernie Pickler moved down here from Milwaukee to help out. Sam retains his position as office manager, in addition. * * * Mike Kahn, RKO salesman, left his office at 2 o'clock one cold morning recently, got into his car and started for home. He had driven about three blocks zuhen he zvas startled by a few deep bass snores emanating from the tonneau of the ear. He looked around and discovered a companion — one of those knights of the road zeho had drifted over from South State Street and mistook Kahn's machine for a municipal shelter. * * * Tom Gilliam completed a delightful trip to Lincoln, 111., recently. After closing a big deal there he was generously supplied with Steve Benis's justly famed Greek wine. * * * Tommy Greenwood, formerly Pathe Milwau Confessions Chicago — This city's railroad terminals were full of picture luminaries in recent weeks. Here are a few of the errands on which they were bent: Sharon Lynn, Fox featured player: "I'm going to New York for tryouts with both the Selwyn and the Woods interests. I want to improve myself with actual experience on the talking stage. Since the talkies a lot of ns girls have just been getting away with it as far as voice is concerned. This experience in New York will help me immensely, whether I will be on the stage for a month or six months." Ruth Roland, who recently completed "Reno" for Sono Art-World Wide: "I want to see the New York opening of my new picture. It will be more thrilling to me than my old serial thrillers were to their audiences. I'm crazy about talkies, and hope to make a lot more of them." Charlie Mack, co-star of "Anybody's War": "I'm taking three new 'Morans' along with me to New York. There is no use telling you their names because you may not hear of any of them again. There have been seven 'Morans' so far. They come and go; but I'm always 'Mack'." Oo La La Gal's French Roused In Pose Flare Chicago — Posing a French actress for newspaper pictures requires a technique different from that commonly applied to the professional dames of our native heath, photographers for the local sheets learned to their dismay. The occasion was the arrival here of Pierette Caillol, Parisian comedienne, en route to the Coast for picture work with M-G-M. Mile. Caillol, a stranger to the English language, was all for popping one exasperated photog in the snoot when, after vainly trying to explain the quaint American custom of leg-crossing to her, he endeavored to assist her personally in striking the approved newspaper pose. Pierette, quite naturally, thought the mugger was getting fresh and properly resented it. She drew back a business-like right, but the photographer evaded it and returned to his office. In consequence, no one in Chicago is absolutely certain whether or not Pierette has knees. Lorch Resigns Pathe Post; Ballentyne In Chicago — Harry Lorch, for the past six years mid-west division manager for Pathe, with headquarters here, resigned that post this week, and left for New York where arrangements for a new post will be completed. Though Lorch stated before leaving Chicago that he was not at liberty to announce what position he would occupy, it is generally conceded here that it will be as a sales executive with Universal. R. S. Ballentyne, former Omaha manager for Pathe, was named to succeed Lorch as mid-west division manager, and assumed his new office here this week. kee manager, will be assigned to the Chicago exchange. * * * M. & M. Film Exchange had an "M" amputated recently. H. O. Martin withdrew. * * * Joe Hartman now on country territory for First National here. * * * Frank Ishmael sharing a jar of gargantuan dill pickles with Max Schwartz and "Castle" E. Beck at the M-G-M exchange. * * * Tess Heraty and "Vinee" Brady heard that tune from Lohengrin played last Saturday. * * ' * M-G-M moves into Paramount's former exchange building this week end. John MacLeod from the home office completed arrangements for the migration earlier in the week. * * * Tiffany will move into the "U" exchange buildina soon. * * * Carl Laemmle through town a week ago in a hurry. Too cold to stop. * * * Paramount threw a housezuarming party at the new exchange buildinq recently. * * * Irving Mack's wife says his hands are more eloquent than his tongue. And none to deny it Kane.