Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

October 6, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 27 The Fall Buyers Number — A De Luxe Edition of "Better Theatres'' — Will Be Issued October 27, 1928 The Fall Buyers Number, which will incorporate The Buyers Index in a de luxe edition of "Better Theatres," will present the motion picture industry with its most in' formative and comprehensive volume on theatre construction, theatre operation, theatre administration, projection, etc. This encyclopaedia of the theatre will present among other things — The Fall Buyers Number of "Better manufacturer and distributor a direct (a) The usual constructive and informative material which is published monthly in "Better Theatres." (b) special features of value to every theatre owner — large and small. (c) a list of theatre architects and their accomplishments. (d) a complete list of dealers, manufacturers and distributors of theatre supplies and equipment. (e) personnel of every factor in the equipment field. (f) informative stories on theatre products. Theatres" will offer the contact with his market. The Date Is October 27 Skouras to Head Warner Chain After Selling St. Louis Control Those Interested Deny Deal of WarnerKunsky BULLETIN DETROIT, Oct. 2.— Rumors that Warner Brothers is negotiating for the Kunsky chain were declared baseless late today by George Trendle, general manager of the Kunsky circuit. "The Kunsky organization was formerly the third largest individual stockholder in First National, including the group of preferred 'B' stock. This was all sold to Warner Brothers, which probably gave rise to rumors of theatre sales." No Warner-Kiinsky deal has been made, Barney Balaban of B & K said in Chicago. As to whether negotiations were underway, Balaban said, f'l prefer that you get anything on that from Warners." (Special to the HeraldWorld) DETROIT, Oct. 2.— Warner Brothers is negotiating for the Kunsky chain, according to 'reports, but confirmation was not forthcoming at the Kunsky offices today. Authentic information was to the effect, however, that the deal was far from signed. Thirteen theatres are reported to be involved in the deal, all except one being in Detroit. The twelve in Detroit are the Adams, Alhambra, Capitol, Columbia, Kramer, Lincoln Square, Madison, Martha Washington, Michigan, State, Strand and the Kunsky-Redford. The other is the Birmingham at Birmingham, Mich. Fox Prepares for Purchase Of 44 Independent Houses Also Negotiating for Philadelphia and Chicago Theatres — Warners Still Conferring on F N Deal By PETER VISCHER NEW YORK, Oct. 2. — An extraordinary number of strategic moves are in the making in the film industry. Some have been completed, but many others are in the wind. Deals of one kind or another are fluttering like leaves in the fall. The latest is a deal now pending for acquisition of the Kunsky circuit in Detroit by Warner Brothers. Directly upon the heels of the purchase of the vast Stanley string of theatres by Warner Brothers came the announcement of the Warners' acquisition of First National. As far back as last Wednesday Maj. Albert M. Warner announced that he would have the official announcement ready on that move, but it has not yet come. Frank Borzage Signs New Contract with Fox Films (Special to the HeraldWorld) NEW YORK, Oct. 2.— Frank Borzage has signed a new contract with Fox. Borzage directed "7th Heaven" and "Street Angel." Today the Warners were still in conference with lawyers, bankers, and the holders of First National stock. However, it is confidently expected that this move will be completed shortly— maybe by the time this issue is off the press. Not content with these spectacular moves during the past few days, the Warners prepared to take over the important Skouras circuit, which dominates the film situation in the St. Louis sector. Confirmation of this stroke has not yet been officially made but it seems to be in the cards that Spyros Skouras is to be taken into_ the Warner headquarters as head of their theatre activities. Such an amalgamation would bring into Warners another whose rise in the industry has been spectacular and rapid. Skouras Spyros Skouras is distinctly self-made, starting humbly but progressing so swiftly that he and his company controlled the Ambassador, the Missouri, the Grand Central and the St. Louis Amusement Company, which has 27 neighborhood houses in St. Louis county. In addition, Skouras attained an interest in Publix so far as the Indiana, Circle, Ohio and Uptown were concerned in Indianapolis. Fox Steps Along Meanwhile, Fox was by no means resting. He was in communication and negotiation with all the members of the crumbling Sapiro organization, the Independent Motion Picture Exhibitors Association. His rivalry of the Loew circuit, which dominated the New. York market so many years, became a factor of outstanding importance in the industry. Fox began by making preparations to purchase 44 independent theatres in the larger independent circuits in New York. He laid plans to acquire the Consolidated Amusement Circuit of 17 houses, the Brandt Circuit of 12, the Springer Circuit of 8, and the Federated Circuit of 6. Fox was particularly successful in dealing with the {Continued on page 65)