Exhibitors Herald (1927)

16 EXHIBITORS HERALD November 12, 1927 William James Retires; Sells Theatres to J. R. Neth Started on Shoestring 18 Years Ago and Amassed $4,000,000 Property — John A. Connor Also Leaves Business (Special to the Herald) COLUMBUS, Nov. 8. — William M. James, president of the M. P. T. O. of Ohio, who started on a shoestring 18 years ago and amassed properties valued at $4,000,000, virtually retired himself from the theatrical business when he transferred his interests in a theatre chain here to a company to be incorporated by J. Real Neth under the name of the J. Real Neth’s Theatres Inc. The deal was closed Wednesday. The only connection that Mr. James retains is a small interest in the Pythian theater, which will be disposed of as soon as Henry Eger, general manager is able to finance the purchase. The purchaser, who started as electrician with the James enterprises 14 years ago and rose to become general manager, will have associated with him John James, as manager of the Grand and Maurice William M. James Sharr, the orchestra leader. Another large stockholder is Dr. Robert B. Drury, a Columbus surgeon. The deal, which gives the new company control of the Grand, State, Eastern, Vernon and Clinton theatres called for an outlay of $ 1,500,000 . All except the Grand were otvned by the Ohio State Theatres Co. John A. Connor, who started with James at the beginning of his theatrical career, also retired from the business. Plans New Theatre The new organization plans contruction of another theatre to cost $350,000 and seating 1800. A desire to benefit some of his employes, who had helped him through the years of stress and trials, prompted the move on the part of Mr. James. “Mr. Connor and myself practically took a $2 bill and ran it to a gross above $3,000,000,’’ Mr. James said “We now want to share our success with the fellows who helped us do it.” Mr. James early in the year disposed of his James and Broadway theatres to the Loew interests. The rise of “Billy” James reads like a fairy tale. From a newsboy he turned to “jerking sodas,” became a pharmacist, and then started a chain of cigar stands. Then enter the Jungle Imps, a social organization of good fellows, organized about 22 years ago. James was called upon to organize and give a minstrel show. His success was instantaneous. His next step was to take a lease on the Southern theatre. Later he added theatres at Indianapolis and Springfield, Ohio. Ill, Stages Comeback His health become undermined. He sold out everything and went to upper Michigan and lived in a cabin. Here he regained his health and also formulated plans for building the Broadway, the first motion picture theatre which he promoted. Later he purchased the Ada Meade at Lexington, Ky. The James theatre and business block on West Broad street was the next enterprise. “In all my experience I have never permitted a show or film to be put orr the stage that had any vulgarity or lewedness,” he said. A good valedictory. New 5,000-Seat Theatre Planned for Kansas City Announcement of plans for a new 5, 000seat theatre at Kansas City by a large syndicate, just following the recent opening of Loew’s Midland, was outstanding in theatre construction news of the week. The Stanley Company has started erecting the $500,000 Wedgewick at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia suburb, and will open a new 2,000-seat house in Wynnfield, another suburb, November 18. United Artists will open its new Los Angeles theatre the first week in December and one rn Chicago December 15. Harry Heilman has opened his Paramount theatre in Albany as one of the finest residential houses in Central New York. A total of 1,600,000 pounds of concrete mixture was poured in one day in the balcony of the Publix theatre in Portland, Ore. C. R. Young has leased the Grand at Peru, Ind. Phil Markel has bought the Gem at Weymouth, Mass., and is building one in East Milton. The Hope has just opened at Providence, R. I., as has the State at Milford, Mass. The 5,000seat Mosque opened at Richmond, Va., with Universal’s “Out All Night,” and Columbia’s “Blood Ship” inaugurated the Forrest at Hastings, Neb. A large suburban theatre is to be put up at Portland, Ore., for J. A. Charlesworth and associates. Bob Gary of Kansas City has become managing director of the Schine theatres in Ohio. Farmers, Not Fight Films, Worry Senator Brookhart Farmers, not light films, have been worrying Senator Brookhart of Iowa. “ I have not given this subject any consideration whatever,” declares the Senator in regard to fight films, ‘‘as I have been extremely busy trying to work out legislation that will be of benefit to the farmers. There has been no propaganda in Washington concerning legislation during the coming session of Congress as to the fight film matter. I do not know at this time whether a measure will be introduced into the next Congress prohibiting the showing of fight films or not.” The fight films are still in the lime light over the country. Barney Gelfand, manager of the Tivoli theatre at Sioux City, la., was released last week on a $100 bond following his arrest on the complaint of the Woodbury County W. C. T. U. At Atlanta a second effort to show the films came to grief last Thursday when the film was seized at the Metropolitan theatre where they had been showing since Monday. London Authorities To Permit Showing of “King of Kings ” (Special to the Herald) LONDON, Nov. 8, By Mail.— Although there has been a strong expression of press opinion against the exhibition of Cecil DeMille’s “King of Kings,” the London County Council has approved the film, although the figure of Christ is not allowed to be portrayed upon the screen in this country. This creates a precedent and is regarded as of great importance to the entire film industry here. Austin Theatres Open On Sunday as Test; Fined $20 and Cost (Special to the Herald) AUSTIN, TEXAS, Nov. 8.— Managers of seven theatres here were fined $20 and costs each in corporation court last week for operating shows on Sunday, a violation of the rigid Austin blue laws. Ezell of Warners Heads Atlanta Board 4th Time (Special to the Herald) ATLANTA, Nov. 8. — For the fourth time since its organization the Atlanta Film Board of Trade has chosen John T. Ezell of Warner Brothers president. The new directors are C. R. Beacham, First National; Dave Prince, Paramount; W. W. Anderson, Pathe ; Major John W. Quillian, Enterprise, and Ezell. Prince was named vice-president, and Anderson, secretary and treasurer. Louis Kramer , Sr., Dead Funeral services were conducted last Friday in Chicago for Louis A. Kramer, father of Lou Kramer, well known publicist and advertising manager, now on the West Coast. Burial was at Rosehill cemetery. He died Wednesday. Proceedings Against Companies Using Block Booking in Texas Is Expected (Special to the Herald) AUSTIN, TEXAS, Nov. 8. — Proceedings against certain distributing companies in the state of Texas are expected to begin in the near future, in connection with the practice of block booking. Assistant Attorney General Brown, who has just returned from the Federal Trade Commission session in New York, announces that as soon as the Commission completes its investigation of methods of block-booking, and its effects, proceedings will be started against those companies which are evidencing alleged violation of the law. Attorney Brown said that he had found several communications from moving picture theatre operators in small Texas towns complaining at their inability to obtain even good “second run” pictures because of the combine that held the strings on the booking sheets of these pictures.