Exhibitors Herald (1927)

26 EXHIBITORS HERALD December 31, 1927 There Is a Santa! — He’s Gallup, A. M.P.A. Revelers Decide First National’s British Unit to Make “ The Jest” — “Troy” Leaving “Legit” House — Grainger Appoints Al Tuchman By JOHN S. SPARGO NEW YORK, Dec. 27. — There is a Santa Claus. In case there are any readers who question the truth of this new and radical statement, we refer them to any member of the A. M. P. A. Before last week’s regular session of the advertising organization there may have been some doubters, but these were converted then and there. And all as the result of one of the efforts of energetic President Bruce Gallup to put the old organization back on the map. AND let it be here recorded that if that 'bird keeps on he will soon have the old A. M. P. A. out of the slough of despond and back among the live ones — after a year or two of innocuous desuetude, whatever that is. In line with the new policy inaugurated by President Gallup of the A. M. P. A. to have each meeting full of pep, vim and vigor, the Christmas celebration, which took place last Thursday at the Cafe Boulevard, was attended by 75 AMPAS, and the manner in which the splendid entertainment went over substantiates the claim that each member is for the new policy. One of the bright lights of the meeting was the distribution and reading of the various presents brought by the members. The censors prevented the “cracks,” but the gifts ranged from a toothpick to a telegraph pole. Near the close of the meeting Gallup was given a barn lamp to help him burn the midnight oil while thinking new ideas for future meetings. Immediately after calling the meeting to order, the sophisticated rhetorician of hokum, Leon Bamberger, was given the honor role of being master of ceremonies. After spreading about a sizable quantity of new gags, “Bam” called upon Tom Wiley for a piano solo. Tom surprised everyone with his deft handling of the ivories, for which he got a big hand. So well did Tom go over that he also accompanied the singing of P. A. Parsons and Hap Hadley. George Harvey gave a demonstration of dancing which went over, with a bang of pennies from the “boys” in the gallery. Will MacRogers followed with an assortment of new “cracks” and imitations. Lon Young came in for a round of applause with a bundle of tricks which amused and baffled everyone. Lon performed in typical Houdini fashion. * * * “Troy” Leaving “Legit” House “Helen of Troy,” which opened at the Globe theatre December 9 at advanced prices, will move over to the Paramount on January 7. It will play at popular prices. According to the Publix press agent notice, the reason for this quick release of a special production is due to the fact that “a legitimate stage production is crowding the great movie-getter out.” (And where do they get that “legitimate stage production” stuff?) * * * F-N to Make “Jest” in Britain An announcement made by E. Bruce Johnson, vice-president of First National in charge of foreign affairs, discloses two pictures to be produced by his company’s British producing unit following “Confetti,” the initial Graham Cutts feature. The second will be “God’s Clay,” from an original story by Claude Askew, which goes into production immediately. Following this, there will be an adaptation oi “La Cena Della Beffe,” Sam Benelli’s internationally famous story, from which the successful stage play “The Jest” was made a season ago, with John and Lionel Barry more in the leading roles. This story won notable success as a play in Europe under the title of “The Vendetta.” No cast has been named as yet. * * * Gloria Swanson left New York last Tuesday to spend the Christmas holidays in Los Angeles and to be present at the opening of the new United Artists theatre there the day after Christmas. * * * Tuchman Handling Fox Ad Sales On his return from a transcontinental tour, James R. Grainger, general sales manager of Fox, announced that he had ap>pointed Al Tuchman to promote advertising accessories sales. Tuchman is now on a tour of the principal Fox exchanges to stimulate the more effective use of posters and other accessories. This week he is in St. Louis. * * * After her tour of the principal cities, of which her present engagement in “The Devil Dancer ” at the Rivoli is the first stop, Gilda Gray will accompany her first Samuel Goldwyn picture with a personal appearance in London, to be followed later in Paris, Berlin and other continental cities. Miss Gray’s London engagement is tentatively scheduled for late Spring. * * * Harry D. Buckley, vice-president of United Artists, left last week for St. Louis, the first stop on a tour of the United Artists’ exchanges which will keep him away from the home office about ten days. * * * Doris McElwain is responsible for the following and crosses her heart it’s true. “That this is an age of specialization was proved again by John Ford when he ordered the casting office to provide twins instead of one child to fill a role in ‘Grandmother Bernle Learns Her Letters.’ One is for crying and one for laughing, explained the director.” The production is now being edited and will probably be released under the title “Four Sons.” * t * A Russian who answers to the slightly difficult name of A. Kochetovsky will have a featured place in “Christmas Revels,” the stage revue which Major Bowes is presenting on his holiday week program. Watch him work but lay off his name. * * * A round trip to the United States from England was the Christmas present given Edward T. Carr, general sales manager of Allied Artists Corporation, Ltd., by United Artists Corporation, through Arthur W. Kelly, vice-president and general manager of foreign distribution. Mr. and Mrs. Carr are now in New York City, having arrived on the S. S. Majestic December 21. * * * C. E. Sullivan, assistant treasurer of F B O, with headquarters in Hollywood, spent a day in New York on his way to Boston to spend the Christmas holidays with his mother. Biechele Says His Offer of Co-operation to Hays Was Backed by Owners (Special to the Herald) KANSAS CITY, Dec. 28. — R. R. Biechele, president of the M. P. T. O. of Kansas-Missouri, in explaining his recent pledging of the full co-operation of his organization with the Hays group, has issued the following statement: “I have no apology to make for the telegram I sent Mr. Hays. The fact that I am a member of the contract committee appointed at the recent trade practices conference had no connection with my action. The telegram was sent by me as president of the exhibitors’ association of Kansas and Missouri, under instruction of the board of directors of that organization. I don’t deny the fact that we have co-operated with the Hays organization on legislative matters affecting the industry as a whole and hope that we will always enjoy the full co-operation of the Hays organization on all matters that concern both the distributing and exhibition branches of the industry. Without this unified effort, good results could not be obtained. As to my position on matters within the industry which concern the exhibitor, I stand on my record as an independent and unaffiliated theatre owner and president for the fourth term of the M. P. T. O. Kansas-Missouri, and as an active charter member of this organization for nine years.” First National Month This Year Is Tribute to Richard A . Rowland ( Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Dec. 28. — First National Month this year is dedicated by the distribution department to Richard A. Rowland, vice president, general and production manager of First National Pictures, “as a tribute to his achievement in giving the company the best product in its history.” First National Month is an annual affair, coming always in January, when the sales personnel puts forth its best efforts to effect the biggest amount of billed business for the entire year. “Because of the great quality of the pictures given to the sales department this season by Mr. Rowland,” the announcement says, “Ned E. Depinet, vice president and general manager of distribution and his staff of sales managers, A. W. Smith, Jr., Stanley W. Hatch and W. E. Callaway, decided that it would be fitting to show their appreciation of Mr. Rowland’s production achievements by dedicating First National Month to him.” Pearson of Pat he Sees Big Year for Pictures (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Dec, 28.— Elmer Pearson, first vice-president of Pathe, who with John C. Flinn, second vicepresident, and Phil Reisman, general salesmanager, has been on the West Coast, expresses his satisfaction with the selection of material for next year’s program, and is pleased with the rushes of film now in production. “I consider ‘Chicago,’ ” he said, “a production that will prove the season’s most sensational success.” Films Teach Soldiers PORTLAND. — In addition to the customary course of training, 47 reels of moving pictures will be used here this winter in instructing the non-commissioned officers of the Oregon national guard.