Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1928)

August 11, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 23 Trio Charged with Plct But Officials Let Bout Film Run (Special to the Herald-World) NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 7.— Charged with conspiracy to violate the federal prize fight film act of 1912, afiidavits were filed Wednesday in the United States district court against Walter Dominique, operator of the Newcomb theatre, B. F. Lazarus, owner of the building, and B. F. Everett, of New York City, alleged to have brought to this city the film of the Tunney-Heeney fight. According to Edmund Talbot, assistant district attorney, no effort will be made to discontinue the showing of the picture. Some time ago similar charges were brought against a group of men who exhibited the Dempsey-Tunney fight film at the old Dauphine theatre. The film ran its length and the government imposed a minimum fine on the promoters. Capacity audiences were the rule. Paramount Stockholders Approve Capital Boost To Three Million Shares (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Aug. 7.— A proposal to increase from 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 shares the authorized no par capital stock of Paramount was approved yesterday by stockholders. The purpose is to split the stock on a 3 for 1 basis, after the record date of payment of the third quarter dividend. The stockholders adjourned until August 25 because of the possibility of changes by the corporation authorities at Albany, in the application. The directors, August 13, will decide the dates of exchange of the stock. Asher Levey Resigns As Film Purchaser of Keith-Orpheum Chain Asher Levey resigned this week as film purchaser for the Keith-Orpheum circuit, effective August 31. From his Chicago headquarters Levey stated he was considering several proposals before making a new affiliation. Before the present regime entered Keith-Orpheum, Levey was also in charge of theatre operation for the chain. His successor is yet to be named. Netoco Buys Gorman Interests in Portland; Plans 2,500'Seat House (Special to the Herald-World) PORTLAND, MAINE, Aug. 7.— The Leon P. Gorman theatre interests here have been purchased by the New England Theatres Operating Corporation, giving Netoco control of the Maine theatre and the proposed 2,500seat Netoco State, which will be done in Spanish style, with President Samuel Pinanski supervising decoration. The theatre will be fitted for sound pictures and presentations. Dolores Del Rio Given Luncheon in Chicago Dolores Del Rio and her director, Edwin Carewe, were given a luncheon at the Sherman hotel in Chicago Saturday. More than fifty newspaper people and prominent Chicagoans were present. The director and star spent several days in the city, after which they left for New York where they will leave for an extended trip in Europe. DeMille Closes Deal with MGM; Sells Studio Interest to Pathe Producer-Director Will Take Entire Personal Staff to Culver City Within Month and Start Series of Productions Soon Under New Affiliation (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Aug. 7. — Ten months of speculation as to the future affiliations of Cecil B. De Mille ended this week when Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer formally announced that contracts had been signed with the producer-director. He sold his interests in the De Mille studio to Pathe for a consideration reported at $1,000,000. Brings Entire Personal Staff De Mille will take -to M G M his entire personal staff and will make a series of super-productions, the company announced. The move from the De Mille studio will be made within a month and production will follow soon after that. The first picture will be a modern story, it was stated, but the title was not given. While it had been predicted that DeMille which scores and synchronizes pictures, anwas going to join MGM, as late as last week nounces that the company has taken over the it was said that minor details were holding fifth floor of the Mills building for its library up an agreement. These details now have of world rights music, been cleared from the path. Less than one year ago it became known that De A'lille would sever connections with Pathe-De Mille. At that time he began negotiations with Joseph M. Schenck, Nicholas Schenck and Louis B. Mayer. It was first believed by the trade that De Mille was certain to tie up with United Artists. No denials to anything were forthcoming. He said nothing, but continued to visit the production magnates. Up to one month ago little thought remained that he would accept the oifer to join MGM. Sells Studio Interests After the contracts were signed, De Mille said : "I have sold my interest in the De Mille studio to Pathe, for which company I continue to have the very highest regard. I joined MGM because I feel that organization offers the best producing and distributing facilities. This made my choice an easy one." As a producer for MGM, De Mille stated that it is his intention to specialize on productions of the size and importance of "The Ten Commandments," "The Volga Boatman," "The King of Kings," and "The Godless Girl." In commenting upon the new affiliation Louis B. Mayer, head of the MGM producing organization in Culver City, said: "The acquisition of Cecil B. De Mille to the MGM fold is one of the most important moves in the history of our company. The name of De Mille represents a type of entertainment that occupies a warm spot in the hearts of the motion picture public throughout the world." Kennedy Names Glazer Production Adviser at F N and Pathe Studios (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Aug. 7.— Benjamin Glazer has been engaged by Joseph P. Kennedy as his personal representative to be production adviser at First National Studio and Pathe studio and in sole charge of sound production of both studios. Glazer recently completed his contract at the Paramount studios where he served as a writer of original stories, adapter and supervisor. He will assume his new duties at the Pathe studio at once. Poli Stays in Advisory Capacity with Fox Chain (Special to the Herald-World) BOSTON, Aug. 7.— S. Z. Poli is to be retained in an advisory capacity with the Fox theatre circuit in connection with the purchase of the Poli circuit. Poli also states he will retain a financial interest in the chain. It is believed this means Keith-Albee will continue to supply the vaudeville and will drop its construction plans. Mills in New Offices (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Aug. 7.— Irving Mills, president of World Wide Music Corporation, John Barrymore Signed For First Vitaphone Film (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Aug. 7.— John Barrymore has been signed by Warner Brothers for his first talking picture, which is to be made as a special Vitaphone production. President H. M. Warner announced today. They Tied Bull Outside — Which Wasn't Bad Idea (Special to the Herald-World) KANSAS CITY. Aug. 7.— The other day a cattle train was wrecked in the railroad yards of Kansas City. Many hundreds of cattle were soon running loose in Kansas City. With such circumstances prevailing it remained for a large, shaggy bull to stampede down through Kansas City's him row. It was there the bull was captured. Now the point is this, as most exhibitors see it: Why the bull on Film Row.' William DeMille Returns For P F L Sound Pictures (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Aug. 7.— William DeMille, after an absence of two years, again will affiliate himself with Paramount and will work on sound pictures, Jesse L. Lasky announced today. Fire at Metropolitan (Special to the Herald-World) BOSTON, Aug. 7.— About an hour after Friday night's show closed, fire broke out backstage at the Metropolitan, operated by Publix. Damage is estimated at $20,000.