Exhibitors Herald (1927)

October 8, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 33 K. C. Through with Publix Units Lacks Means of Obtaining Proper Acts Small Town Exhibitor Believes Stageshow Would Pay Him Dividends Returning again to the HERALD survey relative to stageshows in small towns, it seems apparent that there is a demand for better facilities through which the small exhibitor may obtain the proper acts for his theatre. It would seem that in this one respect the booking and routing situation falls short of perfection. PRESENTATION ACTS— To the Editor: We are only in a small town and most people would think us crazy to talk about vaudeville. However we are quite a distance from any large town and have a good territory to draw from with hard roads. We run only one show a week on Saturday night, but believe we could put on one act of vaudeville and make it go. The trouble is we do not know where we can get the talent. Of course we wouldn’t expect talent like the big shows but believe there is a field in the small towns for good talent at a fair cost. I would thank you for any suggestions. — H. K. ALLEN, American Legion theatre, Broadlands, 111. * * * PRESENTATION ACTS— To the Editor: In answer to your letter in regard to vaudeville, etc., will say we do play vaudeville whenever we can get good acts but have no special times we run them as they are mostly road shows and only play a one night stand. We play one, sometimes two, acts an evening when they are good. We have no special place we book from but it would be a big help to the small town exhibitor if there was some dependable booking agency where he could book a good act when he wanted it. I always play the vaudeville in conjunction with pictures, sometimes pictures over vaudeville and vice versa. We do not have an organ, but piano and orchestra on specials. May put an organ in later if we can sell this Seeling Electric I have. — WM. S. WHITFIELD, Crystal theatre, Peru, Neb. * # * PRESENTATION ACTS— To the Editor: I play some independent acts whenever I can get a good act. I play one and two acts. Yes, I play them in conjunction with the pictures, but do not play the acts over the pictures in my advertising. Do not believe that the facilities for routing acts to smaller theatres are inadequate. The trouble I find is that it is so hard for the smaller towns and theatres to get good acts ; that the most of us are afraid to book them, but if we could be assured good acts, believe that most of the small town exhibitors would use a few acts. I have a style of 45 Foto Player Pipe Organ.— W. S. WILKINSON, Royal theatre, Hoisington, Kan. # * * PRESENTATION ACTS— To the Editor: Replying to enclosed will say I play straight picture only. — J. W. SCHMIDT, Grand theatre, Breese, 111. WAY BACK WHEN— In the good old Summertime, when all the world is wearing a happy smile, and — “Hold on there,” says MARK FISHER, popular band leader of Lubliner and Trinz presentations, “one look at that snap-shot is enough to make you want another vacation, let alone reminding one of Summer”— so against the wish of Mark we are publishing his likeness at a recent “fishing scene” — we just couldn’t help it Mark, you look so restful and happy we had to do it, so please have a heart and don’t sue us. rtnan ? l % ; <5 % OUT-OF-TOWN MANAGERS Get in Touch with Me Your NOVELTY NIGHTS! CALL — WIRE — WRITE ! 1001 Woods Theatre jN Bldg., 54 W. Ran N. dolph St., Chicago ~ Tel. State 2147-2148 » 111 Specht Heads Bands how on Capitol Stage Chicago Theatre Makes Presentation Change Without Any Ballyhoo — Buffano Leads Band By A. RAYMOND GALLO Further developments in the elaborate entertainment plans of the Capitol theatre, New York, have formulated with the selection of Paul Specht who is to direct the new stage bandshows at this one time world’s largest theatre. According to an announcement made in this section some few weeks ago the Capitol will continue the present form of high class stage entertainment in conjunction with the new “Paul Ash policy.” Paul Specht who is well known in the music world as a band leader and record artist makes his debut this week on Broadway after an absence of almost one year and occupies almost the same position in New York as that now occupied by Paul Ash in Chicago, the originator of the bandshow form of amusement. Specht has organized one of the finest hands in the country and under the expert direction of Major Edward Bowes will offer to New Yorkers the best musical and stage entertainment that money can buy. Already Pat Rooney and Marian Bent, including Pat Rooney the third, have been selected as one of the feature attractions, together with Keller Sisters and Lynch. Chester Hale, who has become quite popular in New York for his ballet girls, has prepared one of the most well trained choruses to work in through the bandshows that New York has ever seen. In addition to David Mendoa who directs the overtures and elaborate prologues from the orchestra pit. Dr. Mouro-Cottone will also offer classical interpretations on his organ, at this theatre. According to further reports received by the editor of this department it is learned that all future Publix units will be produced in New York until further notice. Starting on October 22nd the bandshow units which first opened at the Paramount theatre, New York will jump to Boston and then to Detroit and from Detroit will play three weeks in Chicago after which they start the Southern — Middle Western tour from Des Moines, omitting Kansas City after that date, which will no longer play Publix units. ( Continued on next page)