Exhibitors Herald (1927)

September 17, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 31 Re-Takes WELL, things were pretty quiet around Hollywood last week. Only three stars threw parties for the boys of the press. But we managed to eat enough to tide us over until the next feed. * * * At one of these affairs the host gave everyone a beautiful autographed photo of himself. And weren’t we thrilled? Oh, gee, yes, indeedy. * * * The Los Angeles school authorities have decided the girls can attend this season without wearing stockings. The girls decided this early last summer. And when they decide what is fashionable all the old pedagogues in the country can’t change the styles. * * * Will’s Bible Caught Will Rogers reading aloud to his director, Richard Wallace, the other day on the set of “A Texas Steer” and the gumchewing comedian was so interested he couldn’t lay aside the book to work in the picture. On closer inspection found it was The Herald, and he was reading “What the Picture Did for Me.” * * * He also sang a “Mammv” song as A1 Jolson never sang it. * * Free Tip But here’s a tip for First National and Chas. Rogers. They ought to have a Vitaphone record of Will working on that picture. He keeps up a running fire of conversation and has the cameraman and all the prop boys doubled up with laughter. * * * Thanks, Estelle Our mail was quite heavy again last Thursday. Got a post card from Estelle Taylor, now sojourning in Chicago, but it didn’t have a word about the fight, or who was going to win. * * * Sticking Tight Quite a few of the A. E. F. boys sailed for Paris last week. A number of them who have jobs now, didn’t go. They remember the last time they went over. * * * He’s Awful Our old pal, Don Eddy, who writes pieces for the papers about Harry Langdon, is skipping around the key cities of the country. If any of you exhibitors meet up with him, listen to him but don’t believe his golf score. I know what he shoots. * * * Hurrah for Mack Mack Sennett wants a good title for his “Bathing Girl” picture. It must be snappy and romantic, and if he likes it he’ll send you a photo of Sally Eilers. Now isn’t that nice? * * * Most of Hollywood will move to Chicago next week, so there won’t be much news. It seems there’s going to be a scrap or a punch-fest or something there, between one Mr. Dempsey, of Hollywood, and a Mr. Tunney, late of Philadelphia. “The whole town’s agog,” I hear. * * * Famous Last Words “It’s real Bourbon and only $2 a bottle.” Get out the tux., Meadows, the 233 Inaugural Ball is Tonight. R.M. Citizens Instructed With Films PHILADELPHIA. — As a method of visual instruction of citizens, motion pictures of street cleaning and waste removal are being taken by the Bureau of Street Cleaning in Philadelphia. U Returns to Broadway with “Cat and Canary” at Colony Riesenfeld Makes Picture the Largest Factor But Leads Up to It with Exceptionally Clever Program — Conducts Orchestra Himself at Opening By JOHN S. SPARGO NEW YORK, Sept. 13. — Universal Pictures got back on Broadway with a theatre last week with the opening of the Colony, under the management of Dr. Hugo Riesenfeld. The picture used for the opening was “The Cat and the Canary,” and if the picture and class of show Dr. Riesenfeld put on to accompany it is a criterion of the regular diet it is safe to say that the Colony is going to be a mighty popular place of entertainment. Picture Made Largest Factor It appears evident from the genial doctor’s first program that he intends to make the picture the big feature of his entertainment and not subordinate it to such an extent that it becomes the tail end of a pretentious presentation show. Not that the guests of the Colony are not seeing an exceptionally clever program leading up to the piece de resistance, for they are. The diversified entertainment put on is of the same sort that made Dr. Riesenfeld one of the most popular of theatre directors during his regime at the Rialto and Rivoli. Orchestra Exceptionally Good Dr. Riesenfeld has, as was to be expected, gathered together an exceptionally good orchestra, which he personally conducted on the opening night, last Friday. After the first orchestra number, a classical jazz arrangement, Dr. Riesenfeld was the recipient of round after round of applause, to which he responded by a graceful and brief speech. “The Cat and the Canary” is a picture that will likely please a lot of audiences throughout the country when it is turned loose to the exhibitors. It is the initial American effort of Paul Leni, the German director, who has injected many foreign tricks of photography into the filming of this typically American crook mystery play. Follows Stage Version The picture follows closely the stage version of John Williard’s weird mystery story, and those who shivered at the stage play will get many more chills running up and down the spinal column by watching the telling of the story on the screen. Laura La Plante heads the cast. Movietone , Vitaphone Shown at Secret Session in London Pending Deal (Special to the Herald) LONDON, Sept. 2. (By Mail) — There is nothing like a first-class mystery to set the whole trade agog with speculations, and P. C. T. this week provided one. A large meeting was held at the New Gallery Kinema and the press was excluded. It was all kept very “dark.” Demonstrations of the Movietone, and the Vitaphone were given, it is believed for the express purpose of obtaining the views of a critical audience, prior to the furtherance of negotiations which may end in the acquisition by P. C. T. of one or both of these talking film devices. Eddy Klein has recovered from his recent severe illness, and has been joined in London by Mrs. Klein. They returned to America in October. * * * Try to Bar Foreign Films The Government of India, according to a report received here, is submitting a resolution to both Houses for appointment of a committee to report on film censorship, and to consider means of encouraging the exhibition in India of British films, and the production and exhibition of films made in India, in particular. This is regarded as an attempt to shut out American and Continental productions which at the moment are strongly entrenched. * * * Cinema artists in London called a meeting this week and decided to form an association on the lines of that existing in America. jfj Pauline Frederick, Heroine Herbert Wilcox this week announces his intention of making a new film to be titled “Dawn,” in which the woman’s share in the great war will be epitomized for the first time. As to whether the choice of Pauline Frederick, to portray the principal character — Nurse Cavell whom the Germans executed for espionage — will be found a popular one is somewhat doubtful, although there will be few who will deny there is no British star who might be better cast. Fire Pops in Court When Houston Theatre Begins Run of “Big Parade ” With the playing of “The Big Parade” at the Kirby Theatre, Houston, one week before release date, fire popped in the courts. Will Horwitz operator of a string of Houston houses, hied suit for an injunction restraining the showing of the picture on the grounds that he had a contract with M etro-Goldwyn-Mayer to the second run rights of the picture. Counsel for the defense convinced the court that a road-showing is not considered hrst run, and that the Kirby was showing a hrst run, at popular prices. A supplementary clause was found in Horwitz’ contract stating that the Queen, Publix house, was to have rights to the picture before he got it, and as the Kirby takes the place of the Queen for the Publix in Houston, as the outstanding picture house, the place of showing was merely transferred. Final hearing of the case will be held in Dallas.