Variety (Dec 1926)

10 VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, December 1, 1926 POOL OPERATIONS ARE RESUMED INSPIRED BY CHEAPER MONEY Amusement Cliques Side Step General Movement— Fox Rallies Sharply on Exploitation of Talking Device—Eastman at New Peak Above 124 Although the two amusement stock leader* are known to be : '.ed by strong pools, both were stationary and quiet during a week marked by the resumption of pool operations all over the list. The new bull campaign of cliques was figured to be inspired by a call loan rate of 4^ up to Friday when it moved for the time being to 5. Cai-ital for the financing of stock market operations is expected to be cheap for some time to come and this always encourage* bull cliques. Fox Gets Under Way Whether the Loew and Famous Players pool will get into the move- ment of course remains to be seen In the absence of any definite stand on the part of these two issues, attention was turned to Fox which gained about 3 points in a single session apparently based on pros- pects when tho new talking device owned by the Radio Corporation of America gets into general opera- tion. It is being marketed by Fox. Radio already has done something by way of discounting profits from this source, but until this week F«»x seemed to pay little attention to it. The other development was the brisk climb of Eastman Kodak to a new top for the year above 124. At its best it met profit taking from holders who had awaited impatient- ly lor some definite policy as to distribution of the enormous bur- plus and were apparently glad to get out after the disappointment of the recent declaration of a 75- cent extra when something much more substantial was looked for. 8upport for Eastman This selling having been accom- plished there appears to be a large following ready to stand by or even Increase its long lines, satisfied to wait patiently for its reward. At 125 the stock pays about 8 per cent, and its partisans feel that they are secure in their prospects. Much of old Kastman holdings were ac- cumulated around 110 and below. It was a fixed tradition up-state that Kastman was a buy below that level. Warner operators made their Usual gesture Wednesday, taking advantage of the coming holiday to threaten the shorts. The stock got above 50 on covering, but eased off promptly on the reopening. 'QUARTERBACK' PLUS REVUE TOPS PORTLAND Portland. Ore., Nov. 28. One of tho worst weeks in Fort- land's theatrical history. Rain- storms and winds doing their stuff all day long. Hal Horne (North American) is expected in town shortly, to Install a presentation idea at the Liberty. Tentativo plans have it that a 14-piece band is to be led by Ollie Wallace, organist at the Broadway. Eddie Hitchcock, manager of the Liberty, is planning upon starting a special Saturday Midnight Frolic. Estimates for Last Week Broadway (2,500; 40-60)—"The Quarterback" (F. P.). Well bal- anced, all-round show, including Fanchon and Marco revue, big. $13,000. Pantages (2,300; 35-60) — "The Family L T p Stairs" (Fox). Expen- sive bill on stage, headed by Charlie IIoff and Cantor Rosenblatt, but local folks kept away on account of rain. Pan has cut matinee price to 35c. $11,000. Liberty (1,900; 35-50)—"Synco- pating Sue" (F. N.). Patrons got money's worth, aside from popular picture. $5,000. Rivoli (1,210; 35-50)—"The Ace of Cads" \F. P.). Menjou popular hero, but probably change of policy at this house, which formerly- housed Association vaudeville, to straight picture program, cause. House has yet only one motion pic- ture to play. "Paradise," before it closes for remodeling. Majestic (1,000; 50)—"Eagle of Sea" (F. P.). Did not take to this picture. Pulled out Wednesday, failing to complete second week. $2,000. People's (936; 30-45)—"The Lady of Harem" (F. P.). Opened very- slow. Picture taken off Wednes- day; $2,500. Columbia (850; 50)—"Sparrows" (U. A.). Mary Pickford did not do so good. Picture scheduled for minimum of two weeks but pulled after first week. Orchestra at this house has been entirely reorganized under the leadership of Henry Linden, $4,800. Blue Mouse (750; 25)—"Million- aires" (Warner). Vera Gordon and George Sidney local favorites. Re- sult this Jewish production did profitable week. $2,800. (Ccpyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) Henry and Dugan have dissolved with Jack Henry returning to the management of George Choos who will feature the comic in a tabloid musical "Stop Thief!" Cooke and Kosevere and the Hope Sisters will comprise the support cast. A/b Sincere Best Wishes to MR. ADOLPH ZUKOR from AL FAUN "Comedy Dancers' Now Flaying Balaban & Katz Wonder Theatres of Chicago Li * rhanks to PAUL ASH and LOUIS McDERMOTT MAX TURNER Representative Alex Gerber has withdrawn from the Harry Pearl Agency and will go It alone concentrating upon ids vaude productions. VAUDE—'30 BELOW AT FAY'S PROVIDXE $9,800 Hoot Gibson Growing Popular With Women—'Buckaroo Kid' Did Well (Drawing Population, 300,000) Providence, Nov. 28. Outside the holiday, average week. Thanksgiving lifted most of grosses to what in an undistin- guished week would be good figures. Competition, as usual, in this town, where all the houses offer pretty similar entertainmen 4 , de- cided tho scores. Tho good films drew the biggest business. A new angle to box office appeal in westerns has come to light at the Victory. The women, according to Manager Jones, have a decided lik- ing for Hoot Gibson. That western star's pictures are a regular fea- ture at this house, drawing steady and appreciative clientele, especially among the ladies. "We're in tho Navy Now" at the Majestic rang the bell loudest, with "Upstage" at the Victory second. Estimates for Last Week Majestic (2,500; 10-40)—"Navy Now" (P. P.) packed them. Con- sidered locally not so good as "Be- hind tho Front." Big at $8,500. Rialto (1,448; 15-40)— "Josselyn's Wife" (Tiffany) got results chiefly from Pauline Frederick's name. Fair with Thanksgiving, at $5,000. Strand (2.200; 15-40). "Great Gatsby" (F. P.) liked by discrimi- nating but unusual plot and unhap- py ending marred popular appeal "Flames" (A. P.) stolen by Jean Hersholt; fire shots excellent; pic- ture liked. Holiday helped to fair figure at $6,500. Victory (1,950; 15-40)—"Upstage" (M-G-M) novel and pleasing. "Buckaroo Kid" (U.) another Hoot Gibson film, always popular in this house. Good at $7,500. Emery (1.474; 15-50—Tunis and film alike undistinguished. "Power of the Weak" (Gotham) negligible in most respects. Holiday pulled gross through to average at $8,500. Fay's (2.000; 15-50)—Good vaude and "30 Below Zero" (Fox) with Buck Jones. Business big all week. About $9,800. Albee (2.500: 15-75)—Miss Patri- cola, efficiently ballyhooed, out- standing and drew well. "Corporal Kate" (P. D. C.) appealed. Big at $11,500. This Week Maiestic. "Barbara Worth": Rial- to. "Silent Lover"; Strand, "Blonde Saint," "Better Way": Victory. "Blue Eagle." "Love's Blindness": Emery. "Money to Burn"; Albee, "For Alimony Only." (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) Paramount'* New Stars (Continued from page 6) Pommer supervised and Mauritz Stiller-directed offering. This year's Liberty magazine serial, backed by a $100,000 adver- tising campaign, will be "Love's Greatest Mistake," directed by Eddie Sutherland. It will have Evelyn Brent, Josephine Dunn, Neil Hamilton, James Hall and Phillip Strange in the cast. Tho "Glorifying the American Girl" picture, with Florenz Zlegfeld associated in the production, will be made, the story being done by Monte Bell and directed by Harry D'Arrast without cast specified at this time. Another production with the Paramount Picture School grad- uates will be made, treated as an exploitation special with tho title as yet unselected. i ACTORS. AGENTS AND ADVERTISING Within the last few weeks has come to attention numerous in- stances of several agents offering acts they are unauthorized to act for. That these agents submit to bookers at figures under what the art's duly accredited agent can deliver only makes it harder for the man who really represents the act; In one instance, an act had named its figure to the agent at $1,000. An agent not authorized offered the same act for $800. with the result that when authorised agent couldn't deliver at that figure the act lost out on the time. One way for the actor to overcome this is by advertising who his accredited agent is and imparting through that channel the fact that no other agent is authorised to offer the act. In this manner the hookers will readily learn who the fly-by-night boys are, try- ing to make themselves solid inside the hooking offices by submit- ting acts that they have no riprht to offer at prices under what the act will work for. When Actors Advertise Actors advertise when they arc bringing out a new act or when 'hey first come into the business. A great many lose slRht of the fact that it is necessary to maintain their position when they have onre reached it. i»y continuing their advertising. There are a few who hold to their advertising Ideas and they are tlw ones that remain at the lop of the heap. The constant pounding of unauthorized agents offering a $1,000 act at $S00 or $7f»0 to the bookers will soon have the bookers be- lieving that that is all that the acl is worth, and sooner or later, all thai 'he ;n t will be able to i.. i . The remedy ll to advertise and let them know who your agent is, ami keen working. ADOLPH ZUKOR, THE ARTIST By FRANK CAMBRIA (Director, Publix Theatre. Productions) It has been said by knowing ones that an organization reflects it.i head. To achieve great things is the desire of every clear thinking, en- ergetic worker, be it in the world of finance, the world of art, or .science. When an art and science are devel- oped by a great financial genius, then a great industry is developed, an industry not developed for sel- fish reasons, but developed as a fine institution for the amusement of the people. What greater service Is there than this? A man of infinite foresight and that great quality commonly known as "Stlck-to-it-ive-ness," which is a source of inspiration to all of us associated with him. As an artist, Mr. Zukor, while he may not have painted pictures on canvas, certainly painted a picture in the mind of a great institution as an outlet for artistic education and amusement. Ho is an expon- ent of artistic products which servo the people of all countries. A greater service could not bo ren- dered to the people. As a cementer of international friendship, this institution of para- mount picture making has dono more than diplomats could ever have accomplished. The Ambassa- dors of Paramount are today rep- resenting It in 39 countries. Among Latins, Teutons, Anglo Saxons, Norsemen, Chinese, Japanese, Aus- tralasians and among the aborig- ines of the North—all accept the art and its founder. Nothing in history can equal its greatness and meteoric; rise In the hearts and minds of all people. Art has Indeed found its cham- pion. ALL U WEEK Opera House, 8t. John, Tries it Upon Return to Film Policy St. John. N. B.. Nov. 28. One of the regular picture houses was closed to tho films for two days, housing a traveling revue. An irregular house returned to pictures after two weeks of dramatic reper- toire. Estimates for Last Week Imperial (1,600; 15-35) — 22-23. traveling revue; 24-25. "Ladles at Play" (P. N.); 26-27, "So's Your Old Man" (P. P.). $1,00. Unique (850; 25) — 22-24, "Sea Beast" (Warners). Picture suc- ceeded in stimulating patronage, al- though nothing unusual in advertis- ing or exploitation; 25-27. "Man From the West" (U), usual western. $1,600. Queen 8q. (900; 25)—22-24. "My Official Wife"; 25-27, "Across the Pacific" (Warners). Irregular poli- cy in length of showing; List week 3 and 3. First week for Warner pictures, indications being these re- place P. D. C. pictures, screened regularly at this house for some months. $1,000. Palace (550; 20)—22-23, "Why Women Love" (F. N.); 24-25. "Where Was I?" (U.). $550. Gaiety (500; 20)—22-23, "Combat" (U); 24-25, "Why Women Love" (F. N.); 26-27, "Where Was I?" U.). $350. Opera House (1,200; 15-35)—22- 24, "Outside the Law" (U); 25-27, "Flaming Frontier" (U). Legit house returned to pictures with all- Universal week, only first line local house showing U pictures other than westerns. U pictures except west- ern, one at week ends quite regu- larly in Unique, have apparently been dropped locally among city houses. In past Opera House has not been success.ul picture house, although location satisfactory. $1,200. (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) "War Paint" Didn't Hit In N. O.—State, $13,000 New Orleans, Nov, 28. Loew s State showed a drop in business last week. The big Canal street house, which has been show- ing its heels to all competitors, is still out in front, but the house is off $3,000 from the pace it had es- tablished, due to a recent run of inferior pictures. One Tim McCoy, unknown to tin local fans through being a new- comer, was featured last week in the State's "special," called "War Paint," and Tim did not help the box office any. The theatre barely passed $13,000. It has been run- ning around >>i«;.ooo. The football fans turned out for Red Orange in "One Minute to Play" at the Strand, that house going abovo $6,000, helped by Thanksgiving, and its football games. Milton Sills In "Paradise" did something for the Liberty, the star and plctUrt h*'ing generally ac- claimed. "Variety," in its fourth week, es- tablished a long run record for a southern picture iiouse, and is be- ing retained for a fifth week. Estimates for Last Week Loew's 8tate (8,600; 60)—"War Paint." Did not help business any. approximating $19v200. Strand (2.200; 75)- "One Minute to Plsy." Put in «1hv ahead du to flop of Mary Pickford! in "Spar- rows" $6,100. Liberty (1,800: 50)- "Paradise." Better than usual film. $3.imio. Tudor (800; 40)--"Variety." Still sensation in local picture circles. $4,200 last week. (Copyright. 1926, by Variety, Inc.) THE GERMAN VIEW By DR. EMIL GEORQ VON 8TAU83 President of the Universum-Film Aktiengesellschaft (UFA) and Director of the Deutsche Bank, Berlin Berlin, Nov. 16. When I first had the pleasure of meeting Adolph Zukor and hearing him tell of the early period of Famous Players, my first reaction was that of amazement at his dar- ing and enterprise. Hut when I became acquainted with the full story of the Paramount organiza- tion, I realized that only the most astute financial mind could have guided the company on its world tour of financial success. Now the new Paramount Build- ing, erected after 15 years of hard work, signalizes to tho world that Adolph Zukor has a house fitting his genius. He has shown the world that the motion picture is not a gambling venture, but a solid busi- ness enterprise. He has proved, by his own example that a good prod- uct will always find supporters in the banking community on the one hand, and among the people on the other. With business methods such as Adolph Zukor has used, he has gained the confidence and the re- spect of everyone with whom he has come in contact, for he is a man who builds his house upon solid rock. It is peculiarly symbolic, there- fore, that his new Paramount Building should be built upon the rocky sub-soil of Manhattan; for It Is a permanent testimonial to his guiding financial genius and to is unswerving integrity of purp On this happy anniversary, I send my heartiest congratulations and my best wishes for ever-increasing success. ART PREMIER STAGE ATTRACTION of tfe „ BELMONT I SENATE /. HAQOI/MO I THEATRES' /ICMiCAOO