Exhibitors Herald (1926)

40 EXHIBITORS HERALD September 4, 1926 A.M.P.A. Fetes Eddie Peabody; Sam Katz Signs Ban joist Entertainer Takes Personal Contract with Publix President for Six Years — Will Hays Sets Record in “Who's Who ” By JOHN S. SPARGO NEW YORK, Aug. 31. — Last week was a big one for Eddie Peabody. If you don’t know Eddie Peabody, you’ve missed something. If you haven’t heard him play his banjo, you’ve missed something else, and those two things now out of your life should be rectified without delay. For Eddie Peabody is probably one of the most likable fellows, and surely is the most remarkable musician that ever showed his wares to an A. M. P. A. audience. And all this in spite of the trick pants he wore. E'DDIE strutted his stuff at the A. M. P. A. last Thursday and received a reception such as has never before been given to an entertainer. And that’s part of Eddie’s big week. The other part is that the following day Eddie signed up a personal contract, at real money, with Sam Katz, president of Publix Theatres, for a period of six years. Discovered by Partington “This contract,” said Mr. Katz, “is a personal one between Eddie and me and with the knowledge that we are to be together through the next six years. I have been happier in making this affiliation with Eddie than in almost anything I have done since I entered the amusement business. I consider Peabody in personality and ability one of the greatest figures in the amusement world. He is a thorough gentleman, extremely likable, and in his ability comes close to genius. The arrangement made today with Eddie, Mrs. Peabody and myself makes this a red-letter day for Publix Theatres.” Peabody, admittedly one of the greatest banjo virtuosos in the country, was discovered by Jack Partington and started his theatre career at the Granada, San Francisco. There he achieved tremendous success and some months ago was transferred to the Metropolitan in Los Angeles where he has since shared with Mr. Partington and Managing Director Frank Newman the responsibility for putting the house over to tremendous receipts. With a fine personality, pep and the drawing power of a Paul Ash, he has proved a real sensation in Los Angeles. * * * Since the death of Valentino there has been much guessing as to the amount of insurance carried on his life, one of the stories being to the effect that Joseph M. Schenck had placed a million dollar policy on the star. This was seemingly exploded by a statement accredited to Mr. Schenck to the effect that only a $200,000 policy had been taken out to protect the company on production costs. In addition to this the Wall Street Journal one day last week printed the following: Since the death of Rudolph Valentino, estimates as to the amount of insurance carried on his life varying between $250,000 and $1,000,000 have been seen. As security for a personal loan, however, Motion Picture Capital Corp. held policies for $125,000 and other collateral valued at more than $300,000. The loan was $156,000. * * * And speaking of the Wall Street Journal, which is paying considerable attention to picture matters just now, it said: “Consider the permanence of moving picture fame; pull a stick out of water and measure the hole.” “Variety” is still going great guns at the Rialto, being now in its tenth week and not showing much signs of a letup, during this time having been seen by more than half a million persons, according to Lou Lusty, who just dotes on big figures. And says Lusty: “That the engagement has been the most phenomenal in the annals of motion picture presentations on Broadway is evidenced by the fact that a great percentage of this attendance has seen the picture not only twice, but in many cases three and four times.” Lusty doesn't say how he dopes this “great percentage” but he likely knows personally most of the half million. * * * OMIGOSH! Note gleaned from a review of Columbia’s “The Lone Wolf Returns,” as printed in a London trade paper: Synopsis — The daring master cracksman, Lone Wolf, trapped in a house by the police, escapes by donning pajamas and appearing agitated. Doffing them again, he enters the mansion of Marcia Mayfair, and dances with the heiress. * * * Far be it from us to encourage, condone or indulge in the sin of speculation (galloping dominos barred from this), but we’re willing to lay a small bet, and won’t ask odds, that General Will Hays holds the championship at all weights, ages or distances as the film man belonging to the greatest number of lodges, secret orders and clubs. If you have any aspirants for the honor, come along with the bet, but first take a peep at this record, reprinted from “Who’s Who In America”: “Mason (32 deg., K. T., Shriner), K. P., Elks. Clubs: University, Columbia, Marion, Indianapolis Country (Ind.); Terre Haute (Ind.) Country; Sullivan Warner Stock Makes New High; Vitaphone Is Force ( Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Aug. 31.— "Warner Brothers stock established a new high on a move expected to take issues of the company to higher prices, says the Wall Street Journal. “ Vitaphone is the Diesel engine of Warner Bros. When Warner A started its current move at 30 last week, enthusiastic students of Vitaphone’s possibilities predicted 60 for the stock, which is listed on the Stock Exchange. Its rapid rise in the last few days to above 38 encourages belief that the prediction was based upon something stronger than hope.” (Ind.) Country; 111. Athletic, Chicago Athletic (Chicago) ; Metropolitan, Nat. Press, University (Washington, D. C.); Chevy Chase (Md.) ; Lffiion League, Nat. Republican, Bankers’, Army and Navy, Friars (New York); Hudson River Country.” * * * Marie Dressier Brings Films Marie Dressier who has been touring Europe the past five months, making a series of short features, returned on the S. S. France last Friday, bringing a number of films with her. The pictures are a combination of travel, scenic and comedy matter, and were staged at Paris, Versailles, Fontainbleu, Deauville, Vichy, Venice, and Rome. Numerous important personages are in the films, including Poincaire, Caillaux, King Alphonso of Spain, Sultan of Morocco, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Jean Patou, Jeanne Lanvin, Lady Colebrook, Anne Morgan, and others. Miss Dressier will probably appear in person at a number of film theatres in conjunction with the showing of the films. Harry Reichenbach, under whose direction the pictures were produced, created the stories and scenarios, and accompanied the comedienne during their making. Nella Webb, former stage star, and a number of French, Italian and Belgian artists complete the cast. * * * After reading the following invitation there is a suspicion current that Dave Lustig, who is responsible for it, is the fellow who used to write that scintillating circus literature that we were wont to wonder at: Like a Magic Jewel Chest Aflame with Wondrous Splendor The Beauty of the Mecca Theatre East 14th Street at Avenue A will be revealed on Friday Evening, August 27th, 1926 Doors Open at 7:00 P. M. At the Glittering Gala Premiere Performance Romance A-Gleam with Modern Theatre Magic. You are cordially invited We know you’ll enjoy it! Charles Steiner Harry Blinderman Managing Directors * * * A1 Boasberg, Buster Keaton gag man and scenario writer on “The General,” Buster’s first United Artists’ picture, is en route to New York for a month’s visit with friends before returning to Hollywood. Boasberg is a former writer of New York stage acts and vaudeville sketches. He has been working on “The General” for several months and recently returned with Keaton from Oregon location scenes on the Civil War laugh feature. Although Boasberg has offers to return to New York permanently, it is understood he is returning to Hollywood in several weeks. * * * Arthur Zellner, for three years one of the representatives of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in the East, following ten years of experience with other motion picture companies, has accepted an executive post with the Longacre Press, New York. John Boles Signed (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Aug. 31.— Gloria Swanson has signed John Boles, son of a Texas banker, as leading man in her first picture for United Artists. He has been in musical comedy.