Exhibitor's Trade Review (May-Aug 1925)

August 29, 1925 Page 21 F. & R. Company Buys Into Three Theatre Chains MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Aug. 21.— Finkelstein & Ruben are increasing their interests in Minnesota. The firm recently acquired a half interest in the Rochester Amusement Company, Rochester ; the Colonial Amusement Company, Winona, and the Owatonna Amusement Company in Owatonna. The three firms operate eight houses in the three cities mentioned. $ s£ $ M. P. CAPITAL HEAD IN THEATRE MOVE WATERLOO, la., Aug. 21. — Frank R. Wilson, president of the Motion ficture Capital Corporation, the company whicn finances a number of Producers Distributing Corporation subsidiaries and other producers, is entering the exhibition field. He is listed as the president of the Frank Amusement Company of Waterloo, la., and is seeking control of ten or a dozen theatres in the territory here. Six theatres have already beerr acquired in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Clinton and Oelwein. * -* * MOVIE PARADE IN MINNEAPOLIS MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Aug. 21.— Minneapolis ushered in Greater Movie Season August 15 with a parade a mile and a half long in which unique and elaborately decorated floats a'.'! scv<tn lands took par" i're 1 arade vvar spoil ;<?eJ by local exb'Li'ors aid included fL.ats rtpr'.f enting the progress of motion pictures, various departments of the theatrical craft, and productions of the coming season. Theatrical attaches and officials took part in the parade and 5,000 free theatre tickets were distributed along the line of march. Among the organizations participating in the parade were Paramount, First National, Universal, United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn, Pathe, Fox and Vitagraph. Theatres represented included the State, Strand. Garrick, Hennepin-Orpheum, Pantages, Gayety, New Lyric, New Astor, New Grand, New Unique, New Garden and several suburban houses. * * * Rialto Theatre R. M. Kennedy Buys BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 21.— Richard M. Kennedy, for some years general manager of the Marvin Wise theatres here, purchased the Rialto theatre, from Messrs. Mudd and Colley, former owners. Mr. Kennedy has assumed management and will continue the theatre's policy of presenting second run pictures. Associated with him in his new house is R. B. Wilby, who owns an interest in the Cameo Theatre here. * •* * E. A. Eschmann, general manager of distribution of First National Pictures, announced the appointment of Gradwell L. Sears as manager of the Cleveland branch. Mr. Sears has been with First National for a number of years as city sales manager and circuit sales manager in Chicago, positions that he held at the time of his transfer to Cleveland. DELIVERY OF FILMS GETS ATTENTION HP HE Motion Picture Theatre Own■*■ ers of America, through its President, R. F. Woodhull, has petitioned the United States Postal Department, for prompt and careful handling of film accessories sent through Parcel Post. The letter is from Mr. Woodhull to Hon. Georga H. Moses, Chairman of the Specir-.l Joint Sub-committee on Postal Rates and speaks in behalf of the smaller exhibitors of the United States. In the meantime the Hays office has received an offer from one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the United States to inaugurate a national system of film delivery by uniform automobile trucks operating out of the larger key cities. The manufacturer would start with the eastern half of the United States in such cities as New York, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. The Hays office was requested to forward data concerning all the ramifications of film distribution. It favors the scheme if it can be worked feasibly. Bishop Manages Metropolitan in Winnepeg, Can. WINNIPEG, Man., Aug. 21. — Harold Bishop, the new manager of the Metropolitan Theatre, has gathered about himself a strong group of staff, executives who are holding sway since the re-opening of the theatre. The new musical director is Albert Demkier, formerly assistant to Earle Hill, conductor of the orchestra at the Capitol Theatre here. George Parker, also formerly at the Capitol, has charge of the mechanical staff, while Harold St. John Naftel, well known in Western cities as well as formerly in Detroit and other American centers, is appointed the organists. On ordinary days there are two periods of performances, one from 1 to 5 p. m., and the other from 7 to 11 p. m. Every Saturday afternoon children are admitted for 15 cents, but the regular prices range from 23 to 68 cents. * * * SILLS OPENS PHILADELPHIA GREATER MOVIE SEASON Greater Movie Season in Philadelphia was officially opened by Milton Sills, First National star, who was the guest of honor and chief speaker at the formal opening held at Gimbel Brothers' Radio Station, WIP. Vacation in Europe For Sig Samuels, et al ATLANTA, Ga., Aug. 21.— Mr. and Mrs. Sig Samuels are the latest members of local film circles to turn Europeward for a vacation. They left New York on the S. S. Reliance, bound for two months on the continent-. Their first visit will be to Mr. Samuel's mother in Breslau. Later they will spend several weeks in Paris and it is expected that October 1 will find them returning to the States. Seattle Censors Would Shut Down All Night Houses SEATTLE, Wash., Aug. 21.— The beard of censors in Seattle is still trying to close up the all night moving picture houses. The board seems to be undaunted by several failures to carry through their program. They recently presented their case to the Religious Educational Workers at their weekly luncheon. The board does not give any direct statements or examples of why the theatres should be closed on indecency grounds, but rather hints at it. Public opinion seems to be with the exhibitors. The general idea is that the houses are properly patrolled by a matron and shelter people who might otherwise be walking the streets and getting into trouble. Jack O'Bryan has been added to the sales staff of United Artists out of the Seattle office. * * * Frederick Babcock, formerly dramatic editor of the Denver Post, has joined United Artists Seattle staff as exploitation manager, assisting exhibitors in putting over the company's "Big Six." * ♦ ♦ L. W. Weir, western district manager for Producers Distributing Corp., is in Seattle. Mr. Weir has installed W. J. Drummond as local manager succeeding Chas. Feldman who resigned to enter business for himself. Mr. Drummond is an old timer in Seattle, having been representative for the Kleine interests (the old V. L. S. E.) in Seattle some five years ago. He has been with First National in Canada and produced pictures in California since that time. * * * W. K. Beckwith, former assistant manager of the Seattle Vitagraph exchange, has been installed as" manager of Warner Brothers newly opened Portland branch, at 401 Davis Street. These quarters are temporary as the exchange will move into the new exchange building as soon as it is completed. # * # Warner Brothers have opened a new Branch exchange in Vancouver, B. C. under the management of A. Farquahar, who was formerly in charge of the Oregon territory for this company. Division Manager Harry Lustig, of Warner Brothers, was in Seattle last week. Together with Manager H. A. Black he visited Spokane and Missoula, and is now in the Denver territory. W. H. Rankin, an old timer in the Pacific Northwest territory has been appointed a member of the Seattle Warner Brothers sales staff. * * * Mr. Lawrence has arrived in Seattle from Los Angeles to become exploitation manager for the Seattle Fox Exchange. :{s $ $ Greater Features, Inc., has transferred from its Denver territory, W. K. Millar, who has been in that branch of the company's activities for some time. Mr. Millar will have charge of the saleswork in the Montana district. He will headquarter in Butte. Manager J. T. Sheffield of the Seattle headquarters, leaves for Butte where he will meet Mr. Millar. * + * KANSAS CITY, Mo. Aug. 21— Ground was broken for the construction of the new $275,000 theatre at Thirty-eighth and Main streets. Jack Roth is to be manager.