Exhibitors Herald (1926)

November 13, 1926 EXHIBITORS HERALD 25 Publix In Survey of Chief Theatre Circuits A series of eight articles by John S. Spargo, New York news editor of the HERALD, on the principal theatre circuits of the country, taken up by sections, begins in this issue. The first article is on the New England states. Turn to page 29. James K. Hackett Dead; “Prisoner” His Only Picture By T. O. SERVICE James K. Hackett, famous American dramatic actor, died at his home in Paris November 8. He was to have appeared at a royal matinee fon King George and Queen Mary of England on November 9. Mr. Hackett was among the first stage stars of standing to act for the camera, producing his most successful stage play, “The Prisoner of Zenda,” under management of Daniel Frohman, then affiliated with the concern known today as Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. If memory serves correctly, records of the era being faulty, it was in 1909 or 1910 that I booked this picture “at tremendous expense” into a little Iowa town which, until then, had seen no long pictures save Sarah Bernhardt’s “Queen Elizabeth,” the box office success of which prompted this booking. Hackett’s name was magic (he had been doing “The Prisoner of Zenda” in the cities with sensational success), and the film was warmly approved by my customers despite lack of double exposure technique to cope with manipulation of the dual role. To the best of my knowledge, however, he did not appear in any other pictures. Brewster to Withdraw M. P. Fan Publications (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 9. — E. V. Brewster has denied he is to sell his motion picture fan magazines to Wheeler Reid of Hollywood Life or anyone else. He will withdraw the publications from the market, it is said, because so many erroneous reports have arisen. Hegman Faces Charge of Breaking Sabbath (Special to the Herald) AUSTIN, TEX., Nov. 9. — Manager J. J. Hegman of the Crescent theatre and four employes were arrested here Oct. 21 to face charges of operating the theatre on Sunday. They are awaiting trial and are released on $200 bonds. Affiliation with Circuit in South New Company to Get Houses in 1 2 States Saenger Chain Retains Operation and Control of Own Theatres — Will Manage New Ones ( Special to the Herald ) NEW YORK, Nov. 9. — An affiliation involving the formation of a new corporation to be called Publix-Saenger Theatres, Inc., to acquire and operate directly or through its subsidiaries, theatres in twelve Southern states, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, was announced last week by Sam Katz, president of Publix Theatres Corporation, and E. V. Richards and Julian Saenger of the Saenger Theatres, Inc., of New Orleans. The formation of this new company will result in the attracting of new capital and a tremendous new theatrical and amusement investment throughout the entire South, bringing into play a large amount of new construction work and the newer ideals of theatrical management and operation in all of the twelve states specified. Control Not Affected The Saenger Theatres, Inc., is one of the outstanding theatrical circuits of the world, owning and operating many theatres in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other Southern states. The operation and control of these theatres remain entirely in the hands of the Saenger Theatres, Inc., and is not affected by the formation of the new company. The management of the new theatres of the new company is also in the hands of Saenger, Inc. The Publix Theatres Corporation is engaged in the operation of a national circuit of high grade motion picture and other theatres which involve the business of selecting motion picture programs in these theatres, in rendering service in connection with the operation of the theatres and in developing an important standard of operation and entertainment in all theatres in its circuit, furthering the best interests of the motion picture theatrical business, says the announcement. This same service will be applied in the operation of the new Publix-Saenger Company. Formed for New Development The new company does not involve any change in the operation and management of the present theatres in the Publix circuit or in the Saenger circuit. It is formed for the purpose of new development throughout the south, in a manner which prophesies a new splendid future for the business of theatrical entertainment and of all its allied lines in the states in which the new company will operate. One of the theatres involved in the deal is a new theatre now under construction in New Orleans to be opened next January and to be known as the new Saenger theatre and to be operated by Saenger, Inc. This theatre, one of the Publix Theatres, ranks among the first three or four finest motion picture theatres in the world. In beauty of appointments, in architectural design, and other more modern features of theatrical building it is second to none and is destined to become the show place of the entire South. The new Saenger theatre will be the home of the Publix Theatres presentations in New Orleans and will receive each week the same presentation acts that are now shown in the Publix Theatres in New York, Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis and other Metropolitan centers. 3 Robbers Miss $ 4,000 in Making $800 Theft Robbers missed $4,000 contained in an inner safe when they visited the Lido theatre, Maywood, 111., Nov. 8. G. E. Thomas, assistant manager, said three robbers set upon him and forced him to open a safe in the theatre which held $800. Then they bound him. “Mountain Water and Glacial Air for Patrons” (Special to the Herald) SEATTLE, WASH., Nov. 9.— A local theatre will next summer utilize a new cooling system operated by forcing water from a bore into a glacial stream 500 feet beneath the surface of the earth. The water cooled air will reach a temperature of 50 degrees. Jackie Coogan Signs to Work at Metro Studios (Special to the Herald) CULVER CITY, Nov. 9. — Jackie Coogan has signed a contract with Metno-GoldwvnMayer by which he will work directly "for that company rather than independently as heretofore. Danish Film Firm Moves PARTS — Paladium (Dansk Film Industri) has moved its entire organization to Paris from Copenhagen because the company is to make pictures in Southern Europe.