The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

Last Minute News From Everywhere MORE SHORT FILMS on theatre progrrams will make MORE LONG LINES at thtir box offices, verdict of "Laugh Month" Luncheoneers. MOVING PICTURE WORLD "LAUGH — AND GROW FIT," slogan suggested by Simon Rowson, of Ideal Films, Ltd., London, for "Laugh Month," might be grabbed by Bernarr MacFadden. Val. 83 New York, November 27, 1926 No. 4 Sol Weakening Over in Paris; Plans New Coup Lesser Just Cannot Forget Movies (Shccial to Moving Picture World.) Paris. November 18. Sol Lesser is weakening. After prowling over Europe for three months, freed of all ties with Hollywood for the first time in twenty years, he confesses that he saii't keep his mind off motion pictures. "I came over to stay six months,'' remarked Sol as he strolled up the Boulevard des Italiens. He paused in front of the display for "Incognito" at t'he Electric Palace. "But forgetting about the movies is easier said than done," he said with a sigh. Sol strolled on to the gaile Marivaux, where Doug is kaleidoscoping in "Le Pirate Noir." He glanced across the boulevard to where the Cameo billed "Le Charleston et Marion Davics," and commented, "Kxhibition in Europe has progressed far less than production. I wonder how soon I'll surrender to this urge to return." Then Sol Lesser, who went abroad for six months to forget all about pictures, hot-footed it to see the display on "La Chatelaine du Liban'' at the Aubert Palace and the hoie-in-the-wall Corso Opera's display for "Monsieur Beaucaire." Half an hour later, at the Ritz bar, Sol was utterly disconsolate. "I've got to go home soon," he (Continued on paye 2) Stanley Buys Davis Control of the picture niid vaudeville theatres of the Harry DaviN Knteri»rlM*M i>a««eN to the Stanley Co. of Amerlea on Deeeniber 1, tvhlch i>atd in exreMK of !|t:{,000,0(H> and thus inereased the number of its theatres to a33, located chiefly in I*enn.«iylvania, JVew York, iVew Jersey, Delaware, Mar>-land and the District of Columbia. The deal Included the recent taking: over of the "4 houses in Pittsbur^irh and Western Pennsylvania of the Itowland & Clark interests, including: the splendid .\Ixon Theatre. Late Chicago News Notes Great States Circuit has taken over the Theatres Operating: Co. houses at Peoria, 111., including the Madison, Palace, Orphenni, Majestic, Hippodrome, Duche.s«, Apollo, Lyceum, The iCompany has been reorganized with, Herbert Stem, of Balaban & Katx, president; George Mitchell, first vice-president ; Jules Rubens, vice-president and )?eneral managrer, and Morris Leonard, secretary. Rubens Is sui>eri'ising the transfer. Great States has added the Lyric, Kankakee, III., and will start work on the new D'ecjitnr house soon and add another theatre in duincy. It has organized a new company at Rockford to run the Orpheuni there aitd build a new theatre. International to Move After twelve years at 226 William stret, the Motion Picture Department of International Newsreel will on November 27 move to new quarters at 251 West 19th street, New York City. Not only will the executive, editorial, accounting and otlier motion picture departments be moved, but the laboratory at Long Island City, tog'ether witli the vaults will he housed under the one roof at 251 West 19th street. Lichtman Given Presidency Week Before Abrams' Death Was to Wield Gavel For Six Months While Late Head Took Rest Cure,Jtudio Admits By Tom Waller (From Moving Picture World's Hollywood Bureau. Filed 4 P.M., Nov. 17.) That Al Lichtman had occupied the presidency of United Artists Corporation for an entire week before the death of Hirana Abranis was gleaned today by Moving Picture World from an official source at the Pickford-Fairbanks studio. Mr. Abrams, according to reliable information, had been ordered by medical specialists to take an immediate rest for a minimum period of six months. This order has been given several times during Mr. Abrams' illness, which had been apparent for approximately three years, it was stated. The late president of United Artists decided recently to conform with the demands of his physicians. It was then that Lichtman was entrusted withe the gavel for a period of six months, or during the time period for Mr. Abrams' rest cure. Schleiff Rejoins Bachmann Joe Schleiff has rejoined J. G. Bachmann's studio force in Hollywood as production manager of Preferred Pictures. N. C. Meets December 13 The annual meeting of the M. P. T. O. of North Carolina will be held on December 13 at Charlotte, N. C. Inquiries by this paper all yesterday at the Pickford-Fairbanks studios regarding Mr. Abrams' successor met with little satisfaction. Formal statements regarding Mr. Abrams' death were secured earlier in the day, but repeated efforts to see Joseph London Cable Moving Picture World Bureau, London, November IS, At the Capitol "Gigolo" and "Young Aprit' registered immediate success. "Beau Geste" continues at the Plaza. A number of English companies are paying particular attention to, the production of the short interest film. An all-British news weekly is established here showing only items happening within the Empire. Two Killed, Seven Injured, When Exhibitor Resents Theatre Deal Two men were killed and seven wounded in Chicago because the purchase of a neighborhood motion picture theatre did not prove a profitable investment. Albert Sc'hmidt, who bought the Grayland Theatre at 304i) North Cicero avenue from Samuel Wertheimer, became lUssatisfied because busiiiea.s did not pan out as expected. He sent for Wertheimer on tlie pretext that the ventilating system was out of order, and wlii'c Wert heimer was inspecting it 'n the basement of the theatre, Schmidt, police say, flred two shots at him and wounded him. The noise of the shooting caused a panic amoag tlio 200 patrons of the theatre. Schmidt then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide. A police car responding to an alarm turned in at the theatre collided with another automobile. Walter Riley, a policeman, was killed and six people were injured in the accident. M. Sohenck, chairman of the Board of Directors of the corporation, were unavailing. In It is generally gathered at the studio that Mr. Abrams' death will cause no change to be made in the corporation's policy. Work is well under way there on improvements estimated to cost $1,000,000, which were effected during the Abrams regime. Arthur W. Kelly, described here as a vice-president of United Artists, has been assigned to look after foreign distribution from now on, it was said here. Mr. Lichtman's activities include the United States and Canada. Messages were also sent to the press last night by Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Miss Pickford stated: "The news of Mr. Abrams' death was a great shock to me. (.Continued on paye 2) Aids in Conciliation Richard A. Rowland uf First IVationnI, Imck from Kurope, believew that the International stock company plan may l>e developed as a Iog;lcal solution of the problems of American distribution nbroad and of Buropean distribution here. He finds a more conciliatory spirit abroad now than a year bko. He en^tiered Alextiniileir' Kordi< UF.V director; Maria Corda, German star, and 'Satalle Barruche, Itussla actress, and brouKht them back with him. It will be remembered.