Exhibitors Herald (1927)

November 12, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 15 Movietone Proves Hit on Coast Fox Talking Film Device Makes Bow at Tower Captures Los Angeles While Being Used at Third Showing of uWhat Price Glory ” (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 8. — William Fox’s Movietone has taken the West by storm. This new talking picture device was given its first Los Angeles presentation November 2, at the new Tower theatre and proved an instant hit. This, in spite of the fact that it is used in connection with “What Price Glory,” which is being shown for the third time in downtown theatres. Gives Complete Orchestral Accompaniment The Movietone is used for Fox newsreels and as a complete orchestral accompaniment to the big spectacle. The synchronization of sound and sight gives new life to the newsreel and helps immeasurably in putting over the spirit of the great war play. Airplane Delivery For Films in South (Special to the Herald) DALLAS, Nov. 8. — Entering the motion picture industry from the air, Capt. Ralph Stone has inaugurated an air delivery for films in the states of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, with headquarters in Dallas. Stone asserts that air delivery of films will insure the exhibitor against blowups in transportation, and believes that a great future lies behind this comparatively new enterprise. Thirty cents per mile will be the standard charge. This price includes both delivery and return of the film, which makes a charge of 15 cents per mile each way. Report Paramount Makes Proposal to Trade Commission (Washington Bureau of the Herald) WASHINGTON, Nov. 8.— Proposals for an agreement for the carrying out of the order issued last July by the Federal Trade Commission were filed with that body this week by Paramount, it is understood, and have been taken under consideration. At the insistence of Commissioner Humphrey, acting chairman, nothing has been made public regarding the suggestions believed to have been made by the film company. But it is understood that they coincide to a considerable extent with the results of The Trade Practice conference. If the concessions urged by Paramount are not agreed to, and the commission insists upon implicit obedience of its orders, it is probable that the case will have to go to the courts. The commission now is engaged in preparing its report on the New York conference and, despite some delays which have occurred, is hopeful of making it public November 16 at the Ohio M. P. T. O. convention. These delays are due to technical points, and the recent decision of the comptroller general holding Commissioner Nugent’s place to be vacated has no connection. The ruling in no way affects the activities of the commission, since Mr. Nugent has not voted on any close problems since the question as to the date his term of office terminated was raised. Film Exports of August Greatest in 17 Months (Special to the Herald) WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. 8.— Exports of motion picture film in August were the highest since April, 1926, with a total of 30,309,622 feet valued at $936,705, according to figures just issued by the Department of Commerce. As compared with July, the month’s shipments showed an increase of more than 2,000,000 feet in quantity and nearly $200,000 in value. Exports by classes included 20,091,944 feet of positive film valued at $552,433, against 20,427,892 feet valued at $493,983 in July; 923,921 feet of negatives valued at $123,267, against 748,270 feet valued at $94,473; 7,951,505 feet of raw stock valued at $233,715, against 5,382,746 feet valued at $136,124, and 1,342,252 feet of film to noncontiguous territories, valued at $27,290, against 1,344,497 feet valued at $17,251. In the newsreel the speeches of Pershing and Marshal Foch are heard at the A. E. F. convention in Paris, as well as the cheers of the audience, music and applause. The Navy-Notre Dame football game is another striking example of its value, with the dull roar of the crowds coming to the hearer. Glen Alvine is here from New York doing. the special work on Movietone during its Los Angeles engagement and is working on a campaign for other Movietone equipped theatres. Winfield Sheehan states that within the next two years 30,000 theatres throughout the world will be equipped with Movietone. Fox News is assembling a library of Movietone subjects. So successful has it proved at the Tower theatre, of which H. L. Gumbiner is owner, that the theatre has raised admission prices from 25 and 35 cents to 35 and 50 cents for all performances. Hoot Gibson to be Own Producer for 35 “U” Releases (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 8.— A deal reported to involve $4,250,000 has been made between Hoot Gibson, Western star, and Universal, whereby Gibson will now be his own producer, but will continue to make Western features for Universal release at Universal City. The contract, covering five years, was signed October 19 and takes effect immediately upon the completion of Gibson’s current picture, “Hey Rube!” After finishing two more productions, “A Society Cowboy” and “Riding for Fame,” he will be gin a seven feature a year schedule, for the next five years. The new pictures will be super-westerns. Reaves Eason, director for many of the Hoot Gibson pictures has been signed to direct these productions. Congress Travels by Stage Coach, Says Fight Film Editorial (Special to the Herald) KANSAS CITY, Nov. 8.— The “Star,” in an editorial concerning the interstate transportation of fight films, under the heading, “Congress still travels by stage coach,” said: “This law, like a good many others, seems to have no purpose except to illustrate how far Congress lags behind the march of the age. . . . Millions of people outside Illinois got a picture of the fight while it was going on. It was called a word picture and was transported across state lines by radio. . . . We suggest that Congress either oueht to catch up with the age or not attempt to challenging commercialism with laws that can be laughed at.” F B O Ends Schedule in December; 20 Stories Purchased for 1928-29 (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Nov. 8.— F B O’s schedule for 1927-28 will be completed in December, and 20 stories have already been purchased for the 1928-29 program, which is due to start before the first of the year, it has been announced by William Le Baron. Forty-three features and 74 reels of short subjects on the 1927-28 program are ready for exhibitors. Bomb Kills Man , Wrecks Theatre , Does $285,000 Damage; Police are Baffled (Special to the Herald) DETROIT , Nov. 8. — The police have been unable to find the motive for the bombing of Joe Coscos’ Tivoli theatre last Wednesday in which one man was killed, the theatre completely wrecked and in which damages are estimated at $285,000. Nearly half this sum was invested in the building and theatre while the remainder represents property destroyed in the vicinity. Police suspect an unidentified man who was found unconscious in the wreckage. He died shortly after being taken to a hospital. The entire house was destroyed with the exception of the lobby which was damaged beyond repair. According to the owner, less than one-third of the value of the building was covered by insurance.