Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

January 26, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 19 First National Offers Imposing Product with Vitaphone a Star Ten Pictures Will Be Released Between Feb. 10 and April 14 Same Productions in Silent Form Will Go to Exhibitors Between January 27 and March 31 Three Radio Hookups for "Weary River" Premiere (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Jan. 22.— Three national and international radio hookups have been effected by First National for the premiere of Richard Barthelmess' Vitaphoned "Weary River" at the Central theatre Thursday. The Erst tieup was the singing of "Weary River" Sunday over the Blue Network of the National Broadcasting Company. The second was last night in the Warner Jubilee Hour. The third is for the night of the premiere with stations WRNY, W2SAL, and a rebroadcast by 2LO in London, AFT in Berlin and FL in Paris. Among those who have accepted invitations to the premiere are: Rear Admiral Fiske. U. S. Commander J. B. Klein. V. S. Governor General If. W. Gilbert. General Louis T. Stotesbury, Bon. John Barrett, Sir Joseph and Lady Duveen, Fortuno Gallo, Lueresia Bori, Frieda BempeL, Marie D'Alvare*. Prince and Princess Matchabelli, Princess Ghiha, Prince and Princess Oblenshy, Prince Lobcovits, Prince Muhys Edden, Prince and Princess Chavaehaxadse. Prince Ferdinand Lobkonc*. Countess CasteUi, Count and Countess Facchetti-Guilo. Count and Countess Dru De Mongelas. Count Baranaovsky, Count Carl Arnfelt. Baroness Von Schoen, Countess de ProroJe, Lady Molra Bathurst, Mrs. Richard T. Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. George Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Gernsbock, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Demorest, James Wolfe, Mr. Rafael Dias, the consuls of France, Germany, Italy, China, and the vice-consul of Great Britain. Finds Town Unfavorable To Sound Films and Drops Them, Says 3-Column Ad Decision of the Strand theatre at Huntington, W. Va., to discontinue sound and talking pictures was announced last week in a three-column newspaper advertisement. The ad, a tear-sheet of which was mailed to the Herald-World by the Smith Amusement Company, carried this unusual statement: "Important announcement from the Strand. Realizing that sound and talking pictures are not being accepted generally by the people of Huntington and being anxious to please our patrons, sound and talking pictures have been discontinued. Beginning Monday, January 14th, on the main matinee and evening performances pictures will be accompanied by an orchestra of real live artists under the direction of Prof. Gaither, former assistant conductor at Roxy, New York." Rosenzweig Names Three R K O Branch Managers (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Jan. 22— Charles Rosenzweig, general sales manager of R K O productions, (FBO) announces three new changes in the personnel of R K O branch managers. W. E. Matthews will go from San Francisco office to manage Seattle, replacing A. H. Huot. E. A. Lamb will go to Portland, replacing W. T. Withers, while George Seach has been appointed acting manager in San Francisco. (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Jan. 22. — With Vitaphone as one of its biggest stars, First National has announced for release during the next three months the most imposing list of pictures for such a period in its history. Beginning February 10 with the release of "Weary River," the 50 per cent dialogue and singing picture starring Richard Barthelmess, 10 pictures will be released between this date and April 14. The same pictures in silent form will be released between January 27 and March 31. This releasing list was effected by a revision of the schedule so that exhibitors might have immediate benefit of the arrangement between First National and Vitaphone, according to Ned E. Depinet, First National's general sales manager. Following are the First National-Yitaphone productions: "Weary River," February 10, starring Richard Barthelmess, is a more than 50 per cent dialogue and singing picture which opens January 24 at the Central theatre, New York, at $2 top. It gives Barthelmess the most appealing role of his entire career and is expected to be a sensation both with and without sound. Mystery Melodrama "Seven Footprints to Satan," February 17, is a mystery melodrama, called better than "The Haunted House." The cast includes Thelma Todd, Creighton Hale, William V. Mong and Sheldon Lewis. There is no dialogue, but a creepy, spooky succession of sound effects. "Children of the Ritz," February 24, features Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill. This Vitaphone production is strengthened by a peppy musical and sound score. Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill are called one of the most popular teams on the screen. "The Divine Lady," March 30, starts Corinne Griffith in the alluring role of Lady Hamilton. It has spectacle, romance and drama, all enhanced by the Vitaphone score. Talking sequences are not used in "The Divine Lady" because the story does not lend itself to dialogue. Another Sills-Mackaill Vehicle "His Captive Woman," March 10, has Milton Sills and Dorothy Mackaill and is a George Fitzmaurice production. Both dialogue and sound add to the effectiveness of this story of the South Seas. In an entirely different type of role. Miss Mackaill and Sills are declared fully as effective as they are in "The Barker." "Why Be Good," March 17, is made from a story especially written to suit Colleen Moore's personality, and is enlivened by music and sound effects. "Why Be Good" will show the star at her peppiest. "Love and the DeviL" March 24, with Milton Sills, is a colorful romance of Venetian night life in which Sills is supported by the exotic Maria Corda. Vitaphone effects are a feature of this production. Adapted Stage Play "Saturday's Children," March 31, is an adaptation of the famous stage play, in which Corinne Griffith is supported by Grant Withers. "The Man and the Moment," April 7, with Billie Dove, is a George Fitzmaurice production. This is an Elinor Glyn story in which the famous author weaves an exciting romance around the fast young set of today. "Hot Stuff," April 14, has Alice White in a jazzy story that promises to surpass both (Continued on next page) Here are the principals and the technical staff of Richard Barthelmess' "Weary River." In the front row, left to right, are Frank Lloyd, director; Barthelmess, and Betty Compson, his feminine lead.