Exhibitors Herald (1926)

November 13, 1926 EXHIBITORS HERALD 29 First Theatre Chains Begun in New England by Gray, Black These and Gordon Chain Purchased by Paramount and with New Metropolitan Theatre in Boston Make Famous Players Circuit Dominant Factor in Territory (This is one of a series of articles by John S. Spargo, New York news editor of the Herald, on the chief theatre circuits of the country, treated by sections. The eight articles are on the situation in the Nezv England states, Middle Atlantic (New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania), South Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida), Middle West (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin) , South, Southwest, Northwest, and Pacific Coast. The first story is on the Nezv England states. The next will appear in an early issue). By JOHN S. SPARGO NEW YORK, Nov. 9. — The tendency of the motion picture industry during the past few years has been towards a centralization of power — in production, in distribution and in exhibition. Two Kinds of Circuits This centralization of power in the latter named end of the business — manifested by the formation of theatre circuits — has caused probably more serious thought on the part of all three branches of the industry than anything else that has come up since pictures became the popular form of entertainment for the great masses of people throughout the country. Fake Chaplins and Lloyds Accepted in Lieu of Real Thing (Special to the Herald) MOSCOW, Nov. 9. — Difficulty in obtaining original Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton and Fairbanks films have brought about the practice in Russia of producing imitations of the American comedies. Obscure Russian players are attempting to satisfy the public’s demand by their own slapstick gags. Only the guileless are deceived by the impersonations say Americans who have seen the pictures. But Russians are accepting them with satisfaction. Fredman, Marcus Loew and Party Are Guests of Quigley at Luncheon Ernest W. Fredman, editor of the Film Renter, London ; Marcus Loew and party were guests of Martin J. Quigley, editor and publisher of the Herald, at a luncheon last Thursday at the Drake hotel. The group were on their way to the Coast. Attending the luncheon besides Mr. Fredman and Mr. and Mrs. Loew, were R. H. Gillespie of London, managing director, Moss Empires; Mrs. Gillespie; R. H. Hyde, London, industrial welfare representative; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Michels; B. Englander; Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Jones; E. S. Clifford and George Clifford. Mary Brian in F.B.O’s “Her Father Said No” (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Nov. 9. — Mary Brian will be a fullfledged star in “Her Father Said No,” which F. B. O. will make from “Charlotte’s Ruse,” H. C. Witwer story. Miss Brian has been borrowed from Famous Players, for whom she appeared in “Behind the Front,” “ Tlh e Street of Forgotten Men” and “The Little French Girl.” A1 Cooke and Kit Guard, whose team comedy Mary Brian antics have been seen in a number of short features for F. B. O. and in “Red” Grange’s “One Minute to Play,” will appear in “Her Father Said No,” as will Frankie Darro and the dog Beans. A1 Boasberg was signed as comedy constructor for the picture. Lee Contracts for British Films in U. S. (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Nov. 9.— Arthur Lee of Lee Bradford company says he has obtained contracts in 20 independent centers for a series of six pictures to be released in those territories at the rate of one a month. Lee represents Gaumont and Gainsborough pictures of Great Britain. Vets Install M-G-M Post LOS ANGELES. — Veterans of Foreign Wars have installed a new post here named MetroGoldwyn-Mayer Post. There are two kinds of circuits, each good and each bad, according to the viewpoint. Several of the larger producing and distributing companies have gone into the theatre business to such an extent that exhibitor organizations are looking askance at the possible results. Exhibitors Also In Circuits On the other hand exhibitors themselves, either by outright purchase, amalgamation of owned interests, or by a booking agreement, have banded themselves into circuits, until the growth of some of these are looked upon with something akin to fear on the part of many producers and distributors. Just what it will all lead to only time will tell, but judging from what has happened in the way of a “getting together” of the theatres in the past couple of years, the time appears not far distant when the Independent theatre owner with his one house — once the bulwark and at the same time the gold mine of picture makers — will be a rara avis in the industry. An analysis of the theatre circuit situation throughout the country reveals many interesting things, not the least interesting of which is that while several of the producer owner circuits have grown to overwhelmingly large proportions, a number of strictly exhibitor owned circuits throughout the country are so firmly intrenched that they are in a position to resist dictation as to buying and to a large extent as to prices. First Chain in New England New England was the locale of the establishment of the first large circuit of small town theatres, when about six or seven years ago W. P. Gray and Albert S. Black each commenced to gather together a lot of houses in the smaller cities of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. A half interest in the Black houses was sold to Famous and finally the complete circuit. This late'r was consolidated with the W. P. Gray circuit, which numbered about sixty-five theatres, and about four years ago the controlling interest passed to Paramount, with Gray handling the business. In the meantime Nathan Gordon had built up a circuit of first class theatres in Boston and surrounding cities. About two years ago the Gordon circuit was purchased by Famous Players, and these, combined with the Gray circuit and the new Metropolitan theatre make the Famous Players circuit the dominant factor in New England. The theatres of this circuit, with the exception of the new Metropolitan, have not yet been placed in the official list of Publix theatres. Famous Players-Gray Houses Following is the list of Famous Players-W. P. Gray houses in New England : Boston, Mass. — Metropolitan, Fenway, Capitol-Allston, Washington, Olympia, Scollay Square, Codman Square-Dorchester and Fields Corner-Dorchester. Chelsea, Mass. — Broadway, Olympia. Lowell, Mass. — Merrimac Square. Pittsfield, Mass. — Capitol. Fitchburg, Mass. — Cummings, Lyric, Universal. Brockton, Mass.— Gordon, Rialto. Cambridge, Mass. — Central Square, Harvard. Gloucester, Mass. — North Shore, Strand. Haverhill, Mass. — Colonial. Lynn, Mass. — Olympia. New Bedford, Mass.— Gordon, Empire. Somerville, Mass. — Union Square. Salem, Mass. — Salem, Federal. Woonsocket, R. I. — Laurier. Pawtucket, R. I. — Strand. Bangor, Maine — Opera, Park, Bijou, Graphic. Bath, Me. — Liberty, Opera. Belfast, Me. — Colonial, Strand. Biddeford, Me. — Central, Opera. Ft. Fairfield, Me. — Park. Ft. Kent, Me. — Gem. Hallowell, Me. — Acme. Houlton, Me. — Temple. Rockland, Me. — Park, Empire. Waterville, Me. — Haines, Opera. Westbrook, Me. — Star. Augusta, Me.— Colonial, Opera. Gardner, Me. — Strand, Opera. Lewiston, Me. — Empire, Strand, Music Hall. Livermore Falls, Me. — Dream. Norway, Me. — Rex. Rumford, Me. — Majestic. South Berwick, Me. — Strand. South Paris, Me.— Savoy. Winthrop, Me. — Acme. Dover, N. H. — Strand. (Continued on page 38)