Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

Last Minute News From Everywhere MOVING PICTURE WORLD VOL. 84 New York, January 1, 1927 No. 1 WIXG WAY HOME Constance Talmadge, making a Venetian film, declares that the modern Venetian maiden takes water-wings with her when . she goies gondoling with strangers. THE LAST WORD George Bernard Shaw says he may figure in a “talkie movie” and express opinions on U. S. films. Well, we have the subtitles for the last word. F.B.O. Program Of Expansion in Operation Soon Marcus Sales Manager For Entire U.S. In line with increased F. B. O. production, President Joseph F. Kennedy announces new divisions in sales territories and new appointments. Lee Marcus is officially designated general sales manager, covering the entire United States. Sidney M. Katz has been named eastern sales manager. His jurisdiction will extend over the exchanges at New Haven, Albany, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Washington, D. C. ; Charlotte, Atlanta and Jacksonville. For the past year he has been supervisingsales in New Haven, Albany, Buffalo and Washington. C. E. Penrod becomes central sales manager, covering Indianapolis, St. Louis, Oklahoma City. Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Memphis. Before joining F. B. O. as district manager he held the same position with Fox Films. Cleve Adams will be mid-west sales manager, covering Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Omaha, Des Moines, New Orleans, Dallas and 'Kansas City offices. He has been F. B. O. division manager. M. .1. Weisfeldt is transferred from the central west to the Pacific Coast. His territory will ( Continued on page..) Late Chicago News Notes One hundred thousand dollars was distributed by various theatre managements here for holiday gifts to employees. Balalian & Katz gave each employee a gold piece. Others made similar gifts. Walker & Angell plan a 1.000-seat movie house for Villa Park, 111. “What Price iGlory” has opened to capacity at the Garrick Theatre last Saturday. Christmas business was at capacity. The majority of leading theatres will have extra midnight shows New Year’s Eve. The Itryn Mawr Theatre was sold by the Gumbiner circuit to the Pastor chain. Lee Marcus, new F. ,1. O. general sales manager Joe Reddy, Jr., Arrives Joseph Reddy of the Harold Lloyd Productions got a Christmas present in the form of Joseph, Jr., weight, 7% poundg. Joe was rattled and said “Many happy returns” instea.d of “Merry Christmas.” Hays to Attend Banquet Will Hays probably will attend the Hollywood banquet on January 17 to celebrate Carl Laemmle s sixtieth birthday. Stanley Company Views of Since the death of Jules E. Mastbaum there has been considerable interest indicated concerning the attitude of the executors of his estate toward the Stanley Company of America. The executors have been interviewed in regard to this matter and have authorized the statement that the estate has a very large financial interest in the Stanley Company, which, under the terms of Mr. Mastbaum’s will, the estate is authorized to retain for an indefinite period. The executors have no thought except to retain the entire interest which Mr. Mastbaum had acquired during his life. They have the same confidence in the present, and the same optimism Fox Film Seeks Vitaphone For Theatres, Says Wall St. Rumored Intent May Have Influenced Suit By De Forest — No Confirmation Made By Sumner Smith FROM apparently authentic sources in Wall Street comes the rumor that William Fox is dickering with Warner Brothers for the right to present the Vitaphone in all Fox theatres of reasonable size, no matter where located. Efforts to obtain a confirmation of the rumor from either the Fox Film Corporation or Warner Brothers failed. Lending the appearance of authenticity to the rumor is the coincidence that last week Lee De Forest announced his inten London Cable Moving Picture World Bureau, London December 28. The press is making a lot of the buying of theatres here by American concerns. A bill will be introduced into Parliament in the near future to protect the British industry. Rialto is showing a different Denny picture daily for the entire week. “ Battling Butler” is a huge success and critics bracket him with none other than Charles Chaplin. Outlines Mastbaum Estate for the future, that Mr. Mastbaum had. The executors say they are delighted with the personnel of the present management, composed, as it is, of the men who worked most closely with Mr. Mastbaum. They are delighted also with the offers of continued co-operation from the important interests in the motion picture business, with which the Stanley Company has maintained friendly relations for many years, and especially with the unsolicited personal assurance of Adolph Zukor, one of Mr. Mastbaum’s closest friends, that Famous Players will continue the loyal support which t'he Stanley Company of America always received during Mr. Mastbaum’s life, and which it will be the policy of Stanlej^ Company of America to continue. tion to prosecute alleged infringements on his Phonofilm patents and warned exhibitors that they would be as legally responsible as the makers of competing machines if they installed them. Many big circuits want Vitaphone. Publix and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are among those who have sought to tie up Vitaphone-. It is believed that they have not yet abandoned their efforts, but it is said that no exclusive rights to Vitaphone will be granted any one company. Situation Involved Long before Vitaphone appeared on the market it was known that William Fox was planning to use some such form of entertainment in his theatres. Therefore the trade was not surprised when it was revealed that he was in negotiation with De Forest. Within recent weeks, the De Forest offices were credited with having instituted an action against Fox, alleging infringement. This was a complete surprise, in that newspapers had carried stories to the effect that Mr. Fox had acquired an interest in Phonofilm. The whole situation seems much involved and definite statements are lacking. O.K. Michigan Deal W. S. Butterfield, president of the Bijou Theatrical Enterprises, announces that on January 2 the deal between Famous PlayersLasky and Keith Albee Corporation find his own organization will become effective, thus necessitating a general readjustment of policies. Two new companies, the \V. S. Butterfield Theatres, Ine., and the Bntterfield-Michigan Theatres, will operate all the theatres known as the Butterfield Circuit.