Exhibitors Herald (1925)

32 EXHIBITORS HERALD September 19, 1925 Century Program Expands to 52 Comedies and Special Season's Output Grouped in Star Series — Screen Rights Obtained for Buster Broivn Novelty Pictures — Two Already Pre-released (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, September 9. — Following a threefold policy of improving stories, studio facilities, production personnel and quality of players, making a distinct grouping of the season’s output in star series and acquiring screen rights for a novelty series of two-reelers, Century Film Corporation, producer of Century Comedies, has started its most ambitious release program, with 52 comedies scheduled, one a week from Aug. 5, 1925, to July 28, 1926. In addition there will be a Century special, “Little Red Riding Hood,” with Peter the Great and Baby Peggy, a two-reeler in hand color film, scheduled for release November 21. HE list of 52 Centuries includes 12 Buster Brown-Century comedies, 12 by Wanda Wiley, 12 by Edna Marian, six comedies featuring Eddie Gordon, six with A1 Alt and four featuring Charles King. Two Buster Browns Completed R. F. Outcault, newspaper artist, has drawn the cartoons from which the novelty series of Buster Brown pictures is being made. The series consists of straight comedies, not animated cartoons. Charles Lamont is directing little Arthur Trimble as Buster, Doreen Turner as Mary Jane and Peter the Great as Tige the dog. Two completed are “Educating Buster” and “Buster Be Good.” They already have been pre-released in several large first-run houses. In the Wanda Wiley series are “Won by Law,” “Cupid’s Victory,” “A Winning Pair,” “A Speedy Marriage,” “Going Good,” “Her Lucky Leap,” “Yearning for Love” and others. Many of them have been pre-released in New York. Miss Marian’s comedies are being widely booked, according to H. M. Herbel, sales manager for Century. She recently was lent to Universal to play in a Universal Jewel picture. The Edna Marian comedies already pre-released are “After a Reputation,” “Stranded,” “Uncle Tom’s Gal,” “Nursery Troubles,” “Eighteen Carats” and “Honeymoon Squabbles.” The completed Eddie Gordon comedies include “Crying for Love,” “Officer 13,” “A Taxi War,” “Captain Suds” and “Crowning the Count.” Cooling Plant Betrays Capitol Theatre Thieves (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK , Sept. 9.— A new use for cooling plants at theatres has been found. When thieves tried to break their way into the Capitol here, Major Edward Bowes, managing editor, and his staff , who were viewing a picture in the private projection room, heard their tapping, the sound being carried along the cold air ducts leading from the cooling plant. The ducts run across the roof above the theatre lobby. The thieves had reached this point which gives direct access to the offices and auditor’s departments. While Walter Smith, him editor, chased the intruders down an emergency exit, Jack Ricker, assistant librarian, called a policeman and the thieves were headed off as they reached the street. A1 Alt’s are “Paging a Wife,” “Piping Hot,” “Scandal Hunters” and “Helpful Al.” Booking Increases Shown The decision to adopt the star series grouping followed reports early this year that showed Miss Wiley and Miss Marian have built up a strong clientele, Herbel said. The plan, which means the pictures made by each star are to be considered as a separate brand of photoplays, will be of great advantage to exhibitors because of varying box office values in different theatres, he explained. Century comedies are being booked more widely than ever, Herbel found, with increased representation in first-run houses. Centuries are being booked into such circuits as Southern Enterprises, Loew, West Coast, Ascher Brothers, Lubliner & Trinz and Finkelstein & Ruben. Many Theatres Close in Connecticut Fight ( Continued from page 29) fairly and openly, without the annoying aid and blundering interference on the part of paid attorneys representing certain well meaning but misguided persons in the motion picture business. Business Existence at Stake The motion picture theatre men of Connecticut have their business existence at stake and they foresee the sweeping away of their investments by the operation of this tax, because to them it is a problem as to how it is possible for the public to absorb the burden. For the present at least nothing can be done toward having this burden shared by the public; the motion picture theatres of Connecticut have had to expend thousands of dollars in the middle of one of the worst seasons in their history, and there is no way that they now see that they can get it back. As far as the independent motion picture exchanges are concerned some have closed their New Haven offices, not from a desire to boycott anybody, but because their slim resources are in danger of being wiped out by the tax. This association is not in favor of any carpetbagging activities, and does not desire in any way to enter into the situation except to give such aid as is necessary to keep the theatres open and the business running. If this can be made plain to the public, possibly the people would have a better understanding of the actual situation. It is the purpose of the Independent Motion Picture Association of America to cooperate insofar as possible with the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Connecticut and the owners and managers of the independent exchanges serving theatres in that state. Charles Lapworth Joins Gainsborough Pictures (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LONDON, ENG., Sept. 9. — Charles Lapworth has accepted an offer to join the board of Gainsborough Pictures, Ltd. Lapworth was formerly personal representative of Charles Chaplin and for more than three years secretary and director of promotion for Goldwyn Limited. He will be editorial director of Gainsborough Pictures. Theatre Serves As Part Time Church (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ALBANY , N. Y., Sept. 9.— There is one motion picture theatre at least in New York state, and located in Oneonta, now working in close harmony with the church of that city. For six days, the theatre is given over to the entertainment of residents of that city, but on the seventh it serves as a church for both morning and evening service. It appears that Methodists of the city are erecting a new church and after considerable discussion, decided to rent the Palace theatre for their services until the edifice could be erected. Columbia Corp. Head States Public Wants High Class Melodrama ( Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 9. — Three years ago Joe Brandt, president of the Columbia Pictures Corporation, stated that the public wants melodrama of the better type in preference to other productions. He recently stated that the experience of showmen throughout the country bears out h i s statement. “I find after visiting all parts of the country and conferring with the biggest Joe Brandt exhibitors and some of the smallest that they all shout for honest to goodness melodrama,” Brandt said in part. “Of course such pictures must have worthwhile stories. But today the public wants action, and more action, all the time.” Pathe Nets $9 in ’24 on Each of 155,000 Shares Outstanding (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 9. — Pathe Exchange, Inc., earned approximately $9 a share during 1924 on 155,000 shares of outstanding stock, according to the Wall Street Journal. This publication quotes Bernard Benson, vice-president of Pathe, as follows 3 “Profits for the first six months of this, fiscal year should be fully as large as in the corresponding period last year. “The Pathex camera and projector recently placed on the market are meeting with pronounced demand and inquiries are coming in from all parts of the United States. Business of Du Pont-Pathe Film Manufacturing Corp. is showing improvement and ratio of profits to sales is satisfactory. We look for a very good year for Pathe from every standpoint.” Lewis Manages Three Ed Lewis, formerly manager of the Rialto at Aurora, 111., has been appointed supervising manager of the three Balaban Katz Midwest theatres in that city. They are the Rialto, Fox and Strand.