Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

28 EXHIBITORS HERALD September 30, 1922 Nine Beauties Who Are Running Strong in Movie Popularity Test Miss Helen Morton Miss Lucy Wewson Here is a reproduction of one of the large pictorial displays planted by Nat Royster" of the Knickerbocker theatre during his beauty contest. Theatre's Home Talent Picture Wins Wide Publicity Nat L. Royster Popularizes Knickerbocker in Conducting Beauty Contest at Nashville (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NASHVILLE, TENN., September 19.— The Knickerbocker's home talent picture, "A Family Affair," produced under supervision of Nat L. Royster, publicity director for the theatre, was presented last week, its presentation establishing record business for the house. O OYSTER'S publicity campaign, of which the picture is a part, was launched on July 3 when more than 100 Nashville women entered a popularity contest, the winner to be starred in the three-reel production. This contest extended to August 15, the theatre doing an excellent business throughout that period. * * * During the contest Royster was given sixty good stories in the two dailies here, the articles being supplemented by large pictorial displays. Publicity did not stop however with production of the picture, for its presentation last week was heralded in the two newspapers and Royster's enterprise was responsible for virtually three months of continuous publicity in the press. The first fifty winners in the popularity contest were given prizes donated by Nashville merchants. The top winner received a diamond ring in addition to the honor of starring in the Royster film. Other awards ranged from gowns to theatre tickets. In conducting the contest ten votes were given for every ticket purchased at the Knickerbocker box office. To every candidate that sold a book of ten tickets 100 votes were credited. * * * Miss Irene Cole was the fortunate winner of the contest and to her was given the leading role in the film. Playing op posite her was Joe S. Combs. The picture was completed by Rothacker Film Manufacturing Company. Royster, through his enterprise in conducting the contest and producing the picture, was enabled to combat the weather during the hottest period of the summer. Rogers Announces Plan To Establish Exchange System of 22 Offices (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 19.— Lou Rogers, president of Rialto Productions, which has been operating in the state right field, is formulating plans to establish twentytwo exchanges and abandon his present method of distributing pictures. Mr. Rogers has associated with him Nat Levine, formerly president of Plymouth Pictures, who will serve as general sales manager. The twenty-two exchanges will be opened on a cooperative basis, each manager owning all or part of his exchange, and it is the intention to work out a similar plan of operation with producers. Negotiations are under way with a number of producers for the distribution of their product. "Oliver Twist" to Have Big Premiere Distinguished Audience and Novel Effects Features of First Showing (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 18.— Arrangements have been completed to present Jackie Coogan's latest production, "Oliver Twist," to New York in an elaborate manner, at the Broadhurst theatre this week for its pre-publication premiere of one night. Decorate Theatre The playhouse will be decorated in the Dickens period style and ushers will wear Dickens period costumes. A special Dickens lobby effect will be arranged and a novel prologue in harmony with the picture will be presented. Invitations to attend have been issued to prominent film folks as well as leading society folk, educators of large eastern colleges and the Charles Dickens Club of New York and Brooklyn. Plan Special Effects It is the desire of Sol Lesser to present "Oliver Twist" to such a notable audience in a manner never before attempted and many special effects are being planned to put the pre-view over in de luxe style. Tally in N. Y. With New Post Production (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 19.— Richard Walton Tully arrived in New York last week with a print of "Omar, the Tentmaker," starring Guy Bates Post. He is enthu s i a s t i c about the picture and predicts that it will smash box office records for a film of this type. Mr. Tully is accompanied by Mrs. Tully and their daughter, and will sail shortly for Eng1 a n d, where he will p r o d u c e "The Masquera Richard Walton Tully der" on the London stage as well as superintend the London premiere of "The Masquerader" in picture form. Show Proves Wedding (Special to Exhibitors Herald) SANDUSKY, O., Sept. 19.— Telling their friends that they were motoring over to Findlay to see Charles Ray in "Gas, Oil and Water," Hower J. Ross, assistant manager of the Schade theatre, and Miss Vaughn Martin of Dayton, kept right on going to Monroe, Mich., where they were married. "U" Engages Auditor (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 19— E. D. Leishman, formerly connected with Warwick Mitchell & Company, public accountants, has been engaged by Universal as a traveling auditor.