Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1928)

February 11, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 23 RUINS OF THE PREMIER THEATRE in Fall River, Mass. This playhouse had only recently been rebuilt and was opened with elaborate exercises. As the flames which destroyed the heart of Fall River crept slowly towards this building the audience was dismissed. Half an hour later only the smoldering ruins seen in the picture remained. The two brick chimney-like piles in the center foreground mark each side of the orchestra. ALL THAT IS LEFT OF THE ONCE BEAUTIFUL RIALTO THEATRE, Fall River. The theatre stood directly beyond the building in the left foreground of which only part of the walls stand. The Rialto was leveled to the ground. Smoke seen rising in the front foreground just to the left of the line of fire fighters is from the farther wall of the Rialto theatre. Brick, stone and metal crumbled to dust beneath the terrific barrage of flame. "Beau Geste" Named New Theatres to Rise on Sites 1927's Best Picture in Film Daily Vote Paramount's "Beau Geste" was rated the best picture of 1927 in a nation-wide poll conducted for the 1928 Film Daily Year Book, just published. This picture received 235 of the 286 votes possible, while MetroGoldwyn-Mayer's "The Big Parade" was second with 205, and Fox's "What Price Glory," third, with 179. The next seven productions leading in the vote were Paramount's "The Way of All Flesh," 167; M-G-M's "Ben Hur," 164; Fox's "Seventh Heaven," 162; M-G-M's "Chang," 146; Paramount's "Underworld," 97; United Artists' "Resurrection," 91; and M-G-M's "Flesh and the Devil," 77. No recent roadshows with showings in only a few cities were to be considered. Paramount Signs Austin And Kent, Bow Supports (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 7.— William Austin, who is soon to be seen with Clara Bow in her new picture, "Red Hair," has signed a contract with Paramount, while another agreement was signed by Arnold Kent, who will be remembered as the unlucky suitor in Clara Bow's recent vehicle, "Hula." Too Much Competition Closes Atlanta Theatre (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) ATLANTA, Feb. 7.— The Metropolitan theatre here will close February 11. Notice to that effect was given all employees early last week, confirming rumors that had gone the rounds for many days. Too stiff competition is given as the reason for closing. Of 2 Razed by Fall River Fire Yamins Rushes Home from Contract Conference to Plan Construction— Flames Engulf Structures as Orderly Audiences Reach Zone of Safety [By Special Correspondent of Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World] FALL RIVER, Mass., Feb. 7.— When dawn came in a cloudless zero sky Friday it revealed a mass of smoldering ruins where, the night before theatre crowds and hundreds of motor cars dodged each other on the main streets of a busy England city. Rialto and Premier Destroyed Two of the city's largest theatres, the Rialto and Premier, were only piles of dust. Here and there in the streets were huge piles of ice from which long lines of ice extended like the tentacles of a mythical monster. There were the pieces of fire apparatus, buried under small mountains of ice, the hose lines similarly coated. Far down among these powerful engines on Saturday, talking with a group of men who had been on the job throughout the night, was Nathan Yamins, owner of the Rialto, who, at the news of the calamity, had rushed home from Chicago where he had been attending a meeting of the uniform contract committee. He was a member of the group representing unaffiliated exhibitors. "I would like to have about ten feet more land at the rear," Yamins was saying. "It will give me better opportunity to lay out the stage and auditorium." Already Planning New Houses Nate Yamins is going to build two new theatres — two of the finest theatres in New England. As fast as men and materials can work, these modern playhouses are to go forward. While theatre crowds gathered Thursday night, a dull red glow was seen and the shrill screech of the fire sirens was heard. People watched and then, fearful of missing the early pictures, entered the theatres. The orchestras played and laughter greeted the comedy film. Then, just before the long feature was to be shown there was a delay at the Rialto. Someone stepped to the stage. The Pocasset Mill, he said, was afire. There was a high wind and as a matter of safety the show would be discontinued temporarily. The audience would be given checks as they passed out and could use them some other night, or later that night if they desired. Lights were turned on and the audience filed out, each lingering to get his check. There was no disorder, not even haste. As the last of the audience left the theatre, out of town apparatus came bellowing into the streets nearby. More and more apparatus continued to arrive. Police and then Naval Reserves and then State Troopers and National Guardsmen mingled in the crowd, directing and urging haste in giving firemen a chance to lay hose lines. Even before the zone of safety was reached there came a red glow in the Rialto theatre. Gradually it grew in brightness, like coals in a huge furnace. There was a great puff of flame, walls crumbled and the Rialto was no more. On down the street crept the flames. Audi(Continued on page 28)