Publix Opinion (Oct 4, 1929)

SEPTEMBER ANTI-SLUMP CAMPAIGNS SAVED MANY: SEQUEL FOR “SLEEPERS” Despite the ample advance warnj . ; i : yarning and collec gntidotes provided to Publix theatres for the mon “OE first two weeks of this month indicated th again asleep at the switch. Their repo gudden turn of community interest which is sufficient evidence that the prope The September school slump was the subject of a vigorous order from Mr. Katz one year ago, when the entire circuit was caught napping. This year he again called attention to it, late in July. By his direction, PUBLIX OPINION presented the best ideas on the subject that were available from the most experienced ticket-sellers. Those theatres that took the warning to heart and started immediately to apply prevention measures against the impending slump, pulled thru the two weeks in splendid shape. Those theatres that regarded the information as merely amass of words and type, are reyealed to the gaze of Messrs. Katz, Dembow, and Chatkin, as grossly negligent of duty as well as guilty of disobedience of direct orders. LOOK OUT FOR THESE CHISELERS Broadway “gyps” have discovered an ingenious way of getting $1 seats for 75 cents at one of the great movie palaces along the Rialto. The gag is to save the torn stub from the $1 admission ticket which the doorman gives them; until next time. Then, on the second visit, they purchase a 75 cent ticket, which admits them to the foyer: Once there, they pull out the carefully preserved $1 stub from their last attendance, show it to the usher on the orchestra floor and get a dollar seat. SYMPHONY ARTIST His first appearance awayfrom the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, of which he is concert master, will be made by Jacques Gordon at the Publix Paradise Theatre in Chiia during the week of October staetneunsaynsasanunnuvvenuenengeageeaegeangguquuannaangngggnereeay earraaess tegen ‘MR. FRIEDL’S IDEA IS AGOOD ONE ereannaaererTtn otniuamnnunptengnanacnavageugaeuaegueceuengaeeene sna ae Division Director John Friedl Properly sends the following note to the showmen in his district. Doubtless his good idea will be Quickly endorsed by everyone else in Publix, too. Gentlemen: ; It has come to my attention that in one or two instances managers have worked up Special contests on pictures with an aviation background and the prizes on these contests have been free airplane rides, Definitely instruct your managers to discontinue contests with such prizes as a reward to successful contestants. This sort of publicity carries with it too great a hazard. If an accident should occur the theatre would be involved in more trouble than the Legal Department could get Us out of and we cannot take Such chances. Even if there is an understanding as to where the responsibility rests, we do not want to be involved in this sort of thing anywhere, : Please be guided accordingy. of anti-slump th of September, the at some Publix theatres were rts showed the effect of the to the home and school problems r remedies were not supplied. RUGGLES TAKES POST AS AIR MOF -6 Charles Ruggles, popular Broadway comedian and now a featured player in Paramount Motion pictures, assumes his new duties as regular master of ceremonies for the weekly nation-wide broadcast of the Paramount-Publix hour over the network of the Columbia Broadcasting System at 10 p. m. tomorrow night Oct. 5. (Eastern Standard Time). ‘The funny man of the stage and the screen, who has an important role in ‘‘The Lady Lies,’’ a recent Paramount release, and who soon is to be seen in “The Battle of Paris,’ will first introduce players who will present a radio dramatization of ‘“‘Applause,’”’ starring Helen Morgan. He will then call upon Nino Martini, the Italian Opera star, who was brought to this country a short time ago to make his debut in motion pictures. Martini will be followed by an interesting. novelty, the Paramount Sound News man, a member of that vast assemblage all over the world which brings to the screen picturizations of the live news events of the day. He will introduce to the radio audience interesting personalities who figure in the day’s news. David Mendoza, musical director and conductor for the organization’s broadcasts will provide music with the Paramount-Publix Orchestra. Popular radio entertainers who will make up the balance of the program are: ‘The Paramount Four,” consisting of Frederick Vettel, first tenor; Willard Amison, second tenor; John Quine, baritone; Emerson Williams, basso; also Anne Dorothy Boughman, soprano’ and Veronica Wiggins, contralto. Trio of Comedians Sign for Pictures ) Clayton, Jackson and Durante, popular Broadway comedy trio now starring in Ziegfeld’s, “Show Girl,” have been signed for two full-length Paramount pictures, to be produced at the Long Island studio, probably at the completion of their present engagement. Many persons believe the clowning of this funny trio surpasses the humorous antics of the Four Marx Brothers. ————— School Book Covers en: Exploit ‘Evangeline nager John W. McKenna diSeen his advertising to school children in exploiting ‘‘Evangeline,’ at the Publix Imperial, Columbia, S. C. One thousand book covers, With copy about the picture, theatre name, playdate, etc., imprinted upon it, were distributed at the opening of school. The expense of printing the covers was by a shoe company, who Lee Pa a on the back of the k covers, cee ree me also appealed to the children by having the picture announced in the classrooms; this privilege being granted PeOnUse the story is one of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s epics. PUBLIX OPINION, WEEK OF USE EXCERPTS FOR “LADY LIES” OCTOBER 4rn, 1929 3 Ne PARIMOUNT SHOWS TALKIE PERFECTION = 4 Ae IN THE LADY LIES’ By REGINA Chewe Motier Meture Lior NY pmericen A REAL stellar Production in every department, “The sLady Lies." at the Paramount ‘Theatre, is quite easily the best Of the sophisticated talkies yet to reach the scrcen. It ts a de Ueht to metropolitan audiences, As was well evidenced by the Teception It received at its first Performance. ! The story proves that the AA © Moyles are growing up and‘dar Ing to look life in the face: Ce NAave For here-the triangle ts com posed of a lonely widower, the gascluar, id lady he cherithes but doesn’t marry, and the man’s tro Nedging kids, distinct products : any time the desires. Her voite, of the modern ace. Areal prob-. /.u. ‘op Mf incidentally, 1s one of the most Jem presents itself and fs effective and most delightfully _— musical in the talkies. Huston charmingly solvec. Quite difs ferent, youll agree. from the usual piilk-and-mush presented f Sind yourself silly at Charles Rugon the censored ecreen. x { Gles, better age n doctor. A word, tribute to the screen. we In “The 4 Lady Lies” there ipn't an actor who really belongs ti hi o the movies. Yet the movies could get along marsciously well with av the adoption of any cast. Each gu Performance stands out 3 Yr VP clean-cut cameo of merit. and yw When one comes to Walter need Huston, Claudette Colbert and if tA ¢ é 5 mi ‘ eh , " d ing the boat. The children aro 4 ve made aware that daddy {s maintain establishments and et a} tachMi een etn i x how i neal % \ 4 , ¥ « w York critic’s w . . * critic’s words ure money in your Box Office! Localize ’em! ed ey, LUST ear De 6 ees eal t blue ed relatir on Plymouth Rock~ D < Hobart Henley has directed the plece with’ Just the proper admixture of sunlight and shadoe, he has Umed the proceedings perfectly and maintains a hich derree of suspense throughout. He must also be eredited with the fine humor which pervandes the nes, for elthvugh they werd written hy, Jotm Meehan. Hotart must have alded materially in getfing them across. As has been anid, the ecting §s all that may be desired. Miss Colbert can be s screen favorite Is a great actor on étace er screen. and if you don't laugh RNP Se 8: too for the kids who eppear an the film. They are Patricia Deering and Tom Brown, and they give the oldsters cards and Uae rH histrionics. elichtf{ul photoplay, ~rne Lac™ Lies.” is recommended to everyone above the mental age of twelve. Incidentally, it was made in the East. at fameount’s Long Island studios. RT OI er mas a ae Bs Bie EVGA Ey Pb 8 ot DAIE HE SARE BN bene eI ee Bm yr in Joa iy) To promote acquaintance, respect and mutual understanding of the splendid individuals who comprise Publix, these one-minute biographies are offered. They're not printed as vanity ticklers for the showmen here portrayed. We want the photo and biography of everyone in Publix. JOHN GORING John Goring was the first exploitation representative engaged b Para —— SEE y $e) rh’ Babee Pps noo _ em » Bits 1eo5 ea Pctas nose ‘a rs) 5 mn p a ~ Og Men fh years ‘| he was sent to Los An'igeles for engagement } in similar '} work. Two years were ‘spent in southern California by Goring, pefore he was assigned to New York as business manager of the Rivoli, Rialto and Criterion theatres. He remained in New York for about five years and then returned to Los Angeles as manager of the Loew’s State theatre and then as manager of the Forum, where unusual success was attained.. He returned to the ranks of Publix as_ manager of the Capitol in St. Paul and then to his present assignment, manager of the Criterion, a $2 house, in New ‘York. EMIL BERNSTECKER other graduate of the Publix Mana rerd Training chon} who ; as John Goring suc present manager of the National Theatre in Greensboro, Cc. who started his theatrical career as an usher York. uated School, Bernstecker was sent to Atlanta, Ga., as assistant manager of the Howard. His managerial trainIng has stood him in good stead as proven by his various assignments following’ his first™ appointment. He, has been assistant manager’ of the Palace Theatre in Dallas, Texas and also City Manager of Jackson, Tenn. Previous to his present position, Bernstecker was manager of the Metropolitan in Houston, Tex. mil Bernstecker is a New Yorker by birth and schooling, having attended the grammar and high schools of that city and having been graduated from the College of the City of New York with a degree in Science} Emil Bernstecker M. D. COHN M. D. Cohn severed his _connections with the Glen W. Dick—— ensonatheas EY FE eee} tres in or_ ‘| der to ad2 vance beyond the | limits set in | the oppor| ‘| tunities ofa small thea| tre chain. | || He entered 1} ; the employ ON of Pubiix in \ |} January, { x IZ cus ; “| manager of } & y fam| the Rialto, Denver, iGo; sis } present as1 j ‘| signment. i} Di ed | Cohn's 1 first theatre affilfation was with the Dicken |iaeies ——— M. D. Cohn son concern, as publicity director of the Bowersock and Varsity theatres, Lawrence, Kansas. He remained in this capacity for a few months, was placed in charge of the Varsity as manager, then was appointed managing director of both Bowersock and Varsity, one month later. He took charge of the Wareham in Manhattan, Kansas, for the same company, in 1927 and again his ability for theatre managing was seen and appreciated. He was appointed managing director, this time of the Marshall and Wareham theatres in Manhattan, both class A operations, He successfully managed these theatres for more than a year, when he entered the rank of Publix. GORDON E. GREENE Gordon FE. Greene, present manager of the State Theatre, Minneapolis, Minn., has been connected with the Publix Finkelstein & Rubin forces. for ‘| more than | flve years. ‘} During this ' period. | Greene has managed the Garrick, Strand and ‘} Granada ' theatres in Minne apolis and the Capitol Theatre in i} St. Paul, in ' & most satisfactory manner Gordon E. Greene When the Granada, Minneapolis’ first atmospheric de luxe operation, equipped with Vitaphone and Movietone opened, Greene was given the assignment to manage the theatre, because of his excellent managerial ability. } | =| Craig's | } “CHOPPING OF | FILMS NOW FORBIDDEN | Following complaint from pa| trons, an order has been issued by Mr. Katz against house man‘agers cutting or editing film. In most instances this has been done in order to save time, or to meget |schedules. In cases where such conditions demand cuts, Mr. Katz has designated a special procedure which requires home office discussion, or complete elimination of ; the film under discussion. “Indiscriminate cutting of film is unfair to producers, authors and actors,’ Mr. Katz declared. “It is done in the studios by groups of experts only after careful study and complete information, coupled with specialized ability. Certainly it is presumption upon the part of a theatre manager to casually chop film, and destroy its entertainment qualities for the audience, in order to save time. A better way is to switch bookings to meet time requirements. EARLE M. HOLDEN A former newspaper man who has succeeded in the theatre managerial [ET LCL. ecle Holden, | ‘ghee M. { ant, | present i ‘| manager of , \\ the Fairfax, } | Miami, Fla., i <—|| who entered ' the employ of Publix on |} ‘| Feb. 6, 1927, t ‘)! as assistant \\ manager of i /-; theOcala. h ‘ ,| He also was i : | assistant ae s manager of ; Sew. », the Florida. } Se Sa Temple and | * ae Dixie thea Ad i} tres before | he obtained his first iManagership at Earle M. Holden he Avalon Park. He remained at this theatre for a while but was transferred to the Florida in Daytona Beach, Fla. and then assigned to his present position. Prior to his entrance into the theatre game, Holden was a newspaperman .serving on numerous publications. At one time, he held the honor of being the youngest newspaper editor in the country, as managing editor of the State Register in Laurel, Delaware. C. B. CRAIG Cc. B. Craig was reared in the environs of the show business. He was born ————— in Port Jer| visi) Ne XG, and was educated in that city’s schools. parents were show folks, playing vaudeville in season and circuses dur| ing the sum mer months. } He entered | thie act which was } known as | the “Craig Family.” Years later, the troupe disCc. B. Craig banded and he went to Old Orchard, Me, entering into business in 1909. Craig left Maine in 1918 to accept a position as assistant manager of the Codman Square in Dorchester, Mass. He later became manager of this theatre. Craig, besides doing publicity work for Metro and Fox, has Managed numerous theatres_ in Boston. He joined the Gray Circuit in 1924. Craig’s present assignment is at the Strand, Gloucester, Mass., as manager. a