The Moving picture world (March 1925-April 1925)

April 4. 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 461 News of Massachusetts Field Charles Gorman, owner of Gorman's Theatre in Roslindale, is a pioneer in the film realm of New England. He opened the first vaudeville agency in this section. When pictures became popular Mr. Gorman opened a theatre and nothing short of an earthquake could cause him to abandon his chosen field. He maintains his theatre in a strictly firstclass manner and gives the best of shows. Charles A. Newhall, Boston real estate man, has announced plans for the construction of a modern theatre on the site of the Old College House in Harvard Square, Cambridge, opposite Harvard University yard. The entrance will be on Massachusetts avenue. Mr. Newhall heads the corporation formed for the purpose of conducting the theatre. From a theatre to the ministry. Well, in the case of William Dawes Veazie it's true. He now is the pastor of the First Universalist Church at Norwell. Rev. Mr. Veazie formerly was connected with Boston theatres. He was ordained to the ministry two years ago. He now is engaged in personally superintending the construction of a community house for his parishioners. Larry Berg, manager of Gordon's Capitol Theatre in Allston, presented a fashion show during the week of March 23. Ten models appeared. For several weeks there have been rumors Fred Taylor, proprietor of the Ideal Theatre, Toronto, fell foul of the law on March 19 when he was fined $20 and costs for breaches of the Amusement Tax Act of Ontario. Inspector Boll, Provincial Government theatre inspector, entered the charges against Taylor, declaring that the theatre had failed to sell the amusement tax with admission tickets on four different occasions recently. Taylor pleaded illness as his defense, but Magistrate Cohen entered a conviction. Joseph M. Franklin, manager of B. F. Keith's Theatre, Ottawa, Ontario, is a proud father — not that there is anything new in his family but because of the showing which his daughter made on March Hi with the Ottawa .Symphony Orchestra. His daughter, Miss Lillian Franklin, is hut J2 years of age, yet she played first violin in the annual local concert of the Ottawa Orchestra, which has a pci sound of 75 pieces. She is the youngest by far of all the orchestra members. Two years ago she was a gold medallist at the Halifax, N. S., Conservatory of Music. Mr. Franklin's son, Mitchell, is an accomplished pianist. The Imperial Theatre, Ottawa, one of the large houses of the Canadian Capital, reduced prices of admission on March 21, the general reduction being 5 cents. General admission for adults at evening performances now stands at 20 cents. The theatre was taken over by A. H. and Solomon Coplan a few months ago from the estate of the late Harry Brouse. The new proprietors put in a concert orchestra, added to the film programs and have now reduced the admission scale. Kenneth M. Leach, proprietor of the Regent Theatre at Calgary, Alberta, made quite an impression with a published announcement in local newspapers that he had booked the whole group of 21 special Universal pictures for 1925, known as the "White List." No less than three of the theatres of Ottawa, Ontario, had "performances" on Sunday evening, March 22, for special purposes, although the law in Ontario prohibits the presenting of Sunday shows. At B. F. Keith's Theatre there was a performance in aid of the striking miners in Nova Scotia, the theatre being loaned for the occasion by Manager J. M. Franklin, who himself is a Nova in Boston that Joseph M. Schenck and Sid Grauman intend to build a house in the Hub, but no one in theatrical circles of the city seem to know any details. The new skyscraper at the corner of Tremont and Hollis streets in Boston virtually has been completed. The theatre, which occupies the larger part of the structure, probably will be ready for an opening during this summer. Al Newhall, managing director of the MarkStrand Theatre in Lynn, learned that President Calvin Coolidge planned to pass his summer vacation at Swampscott, near Lynn, and wrote, inviting him to occupy a box at the Strand while vacationing. Mr. Coolidge's secretary in a communication to Mr. Newhall has accepted the invitation and assured the Lynn showman that if the President comes to Swampscott he would bear in mind the courtesy extended. B. I. Coonen has plans for the construction of a theatre on Portland street in Worcester. Leading photoplays in Boston the week of March 22 were as follows: Fenway and Modern and Beacon, "Charley's Aunt"; Loew's Orpheum, "Cheaper to Marry"; Boston Theatre, "The Roughneck"; Gordon's Scollay Square Olympia, ''New Lives for Old"; Gordon's Olympia, Washington Street, "Her Husband's Secret"; Lancaster, "School for Wives," Excuse Me," "Enticement," "Price of Pleasure"; Loew's State, ''Sackcloth and Scarlet." Neil Hamilton and Paul Doucet in a scene from Paramount's production, "The Little French Girl." Maine Church officials of Rumford have lodged a protest with the board of selectmen against the Sunday benefit picture shows which have been conducted by various Rumford organizations in the Opera House virtually every Sunday during this winter. The use of the expressions "for charity" and "for the benefit of" are said to have been rather loosely con Canadian Exhibitor Activities Scotian. At the Rex Theatre, the owner of which is Ex-Alderman P. J. Nolan, a show was held for the unemployed of Ottawa, with Mr. Nolan in charge. At the Francais Theatre a performance was held by the St. Brigid's Society of St. Brigid's Parish. The proprietor of the Francais Theatre is A. Donaghy. Harry Dahn has decided to revert to Sunday openings for new shows at the Capitol Theatre, Montreal, a leading house of that city. Mr. Dahn made this decision when he returned to the management of the house following a brief stay in Toronto. For some months past the Capitol programs have been starting on Saturdays. Rhode Island Ira Lloyd Letts, counsel for the Emery Amusement Company of Providence, has been appointed assistant United States district attorney. H. R. Hogan, manager of the Opera House in Newport, is one of Rhode Island's livewire exhibitors. His vast experience in the realm of dishing out amusement never fails him in putting over his shows. The Park Theatre Company of Portland has been authorized to do business with a capital stock amounting to $10,000. Harold D. Young is named president. • William P. Gray, president of the Maine and New Hampshire Theatres Company, who recently underwent an operation at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., is now reported to be regaining his health rapidly. Connecticut The Connecticut State Senate has rejected a bill aimed at race, creed or color discrimination in places of amusement, restaurants, etc. The senate committee on judiciary reported that it was of the opinion that there was no necessity for amending the present law and that Connecticut was liberal in regard to the rights of people without considering color or race. , Theatre managers in Bristol have cause to be jubilant. The city council has decreed that no traveling carnivals shall show in the city this year. Carnivals have been barred from Bristol for several years. Now Booking) a FRANK. WOODS SPECIAL PRODUCTION ^EAUTYand the Bad Man Sy FETER B. KYNE Directed by WILLIAM WORTH INOTON HtUased by -_p.no/) ■ nfsrn i n ar/Na connofiAtiosi