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

February 11, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 37 w PRESENTATION ACTS Incorporated in this department of Exhibitors Herald is the Moving Picture World Department, "Stage and Pit." New Stage Units to Carry Bands Publix Shows To Book Into Coast Houses Units Will Be Presented in Four Pacific Slope Theatres, Says Announcement Definite arrangements have been completed by which the Publix shows will be presented in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast. The first Publix unit, "The Merry Widow Revue" will be booked for the opening of the new Publix theatre in Seattle on March 1. These Publix shows will then move in rotation to the new Publix theatre at Portland which opens March 8, and then to the Granada theatre, San Francisco and the Metropolitan, Los Angeles. These theatres are operated by the West Coast Western Theatres Company owned by Loew, Paramount and West Coast. The theatres will be supervised by West Coast Theatres, in accordance with an arrangement concluded by Sam Katz, for Publix, Nicholas M. Schenck for Loew's, and Harold B. Franklin for West Coast Theatres. Ralph E. Grabill, now in charge of deluxe operations for Publix, will join West Coast Theatres in a similar capacity, and will devote his efforts particularly in connection with the DeLuxe operations in which the three companies are interested. West Coast Theatres will continue to route the Fanchon and Marco shows in the same situations, which will include the following theatres : Loew's State, Los Angeles ; Loew's Warfield, San Francisco ; Broadway, Portland, and Fifth Avenue, Seattle, and will also include the other cities where Fanchon and Marco shows are now being shown. It is felt that the Publix shows will bring to the cities involved the best efforts of both producing organizations. Jetta Goudal Sues for $42,250 Against DeMille (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World ) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 3.— Jetta Goudal, former DeMille star, has brought suit in Superior Court for $42,250 against DeMille Pictures. Miss Goudal charges breach of contract and claims the company failed to pay her salarv according to her contract. The asserted breach occurred Sept. 10, 1927. Under her contract she was to receive from $750 to $1,750 per week on a rising scale. His Reward After rotating for six years between the Uptown and Tivoli theatres, Chicago, Balaban and Katz have rewarded MILTON CHARLES by appointing him solo organist for their Chicago theatre, the Loop's class picture house. ORGANISTS! Villa Moret, Inc., have the following special illustrated slides now ready, and organists will do well to get in touch with their Chicago, New York, or San Francisco offices. The Legend of the Everglades, introducing "CHLO-E," a weird, haunting, compelling melody from the Florida swampland. ... It is both Indian and Negro in character with an underlying rhythm. The elides are in keeping with the melody and lyric, and are actual photographs of the Everglades. A real song of the swamp. A Spanish Fantasy, introducing "AN OLD GUITAR AND AN OLD REFRAIN." A truly great song, beautifully illustrated. The version by Walter Hirsch and the song by Gus Kahn and Neil Moret. A Venetian Serenade, introducing "MOONLIT WATERS," a colorful idea with slides that portray and carry out the Venetian atmosphere. VILLA MORET, INC., (The Voice of the West) New York Chicago 1595 Broadway. 504 Woods Bldg. San Francisco: 935 Market Street. Acts Will Play Universal and Other Houses Companies to Be Routed by Chain Agency to Have 12 to 14 in the Casts The expansion of chain theatre organizations, and the growing popularity of presentation among them, is gradually widening the scope of activity in this phase of motion picture entertainment. The production of acts has reached a stage where it requires skilled artists and technicians if the exacting demands of the public are to be met. Latest in the field of presentation production, booking and routing, is Chain Vaudeville Agency, which will operate under the management of William Stevens. This company, it is understood, has been organized primarily for the purpose of handling bookings for Universal Chain Theatrical Enterprises, Inc., but will also route acts into other houses. Band to Accompany Acts A new feature of the Chain Agency policy is that a stagehand will accompany each presentation company. The orchestras are being recruited in New York. An announcement of the new agency has just been issued from the offices of Universal Chain Theatrical Enterprises in New York. It follows in part : "In many instances the houses of the newvaudeville circuit will be able to do away with their house orchestras, while at the same time being assured of music by high class orchestras. "The new policy, which will be inaugurated next week, contemplates the inclusion of a special orchestra with every presentation company or group of vaudeville acts it sends out. These traveling orchestras are being made up of well-trained, high class musicians recruited in New York. They will supply various theatres with a brand of music far better than many are now able to supply in their communities. Says Plan Looks Favorable "The presentation companies to be routed by the Chain Vaudeville Agency will include casts of 12 or 14 people. "The Chain agency also announces the addition of 14 new houses to its circuit. Arrangements have been completed to book specialty acts into the Avon theatre, Utica, N. Y., the Echo theatre, Syracuse, and the Schine theatre, Watertown, N. Y., besides other houses."