Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

March 2,1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 23 Advent of Sound Is Boosting Short Feature, Says Hammons Admirably Suited to Comedies, Educational^ President Finds Frank Keenan, Film And Stage Veteran, Dies of Pneumonia (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 26.— The film colony again is bowed in grie£ over the death of one of its most eminent and popular members. Frank Keenan, veteran of the stage and both a director and actor for the screen, passed away of pneumonia at his home here Sunday. He was 70 years old. Keenan was born in Dubuque, la., and at the age of 22, began his stage career. He played in stock for awhile, then was given starring roles in many stage productions, including Shakespearean plays. Ten years ago he played his first part on the screen, and since then has also been a director. His last stage appearance was on his 68th birthday in Chicago. He is survived by his widow, who was his leading woman prior to her marriage ; by Mrs. Ed Wynn, wife of the stage comedian; and by Mrs. Frank Sloane. At the time of his death his wife was beside him. Mrs. Wynn and Mrs. Sloane were on their way from New York to his bedside, but he died before they reached him. The passing of Keenan adds another to the list of recent deaths which have robbed Hollywood of such outstanding and beloved film personalities as William Russell, Fred Thomson and Theodore Roberts. Frank Keenan Amkino's "Krassin" Opens At Carnegie Hall After Address by Stefansson (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Feb. 26.— A combination of jeering and cheering marked the opening at Carnegie Hall on February 20 of "Krassin," the original film of the Soviet Expedition which rescued the crew of the wrecked Italia. The film presented by Amkino and released by Sovkino, was preceded by an informatory introductive address by Vilhjamur Stefansson, the Arctic explorer who edited it. Stefansson was jeered by the Italians and cheered by the Russians, but preserved his poise and made his points unhurriedly. A little later at the Lyric theatre, the explorer made another speech before the premier of "At the South Pole," a picture made up largely of views taken by members of the ill fated Scott expedition. Stefansson had also edited and titled this film which will continue to be shown twice daily. Joins RKO Publicity Staff PORTLAND, ORE. — Marc Bowman has joined the publicity department of RKO Productions. Declared Boon to Genius of Mack Sennett — Company Giving Silent Films Equal Attention By PETER VISCHER NEW YORK, Feb. 26. — The advent of sound has been a boon of immeasurable value to short features. The authority for that is none other than E. W. Hammons, president of the Educational Film Exchanges, whose eminent position in the industry is world-wide and long established. "Not so many months ago, Educational had more than 13,500 theatres on its lists buying short comedies," said Hammons in an engagingly frank and exclusive interview with the HeraldWorld. It is no secret that the sudden popularity of presentation acts cut into that figure to a considerable extent. "Big theatres in the large cities found it exhibitors sound pictures made by both of profitable, or thought they did, which amounts to the same thing, to drop short pictures from their programs and substitute vaudevillians of various sorts, singers, dancers, stagehands, masters of ceremonies. The smaller theatres followed suit, or wanted to, because this seemed profitable enterprise. "When sound became available, we promptly looked into the situation. It seemed to us that sound was admirably suited to the presentation of comedies. I can think of any number of programs in which sound would be a detriment rather than an aid. I can think of Portable Sound-on-Film Projector Is Exhibited A portable sound-on-Glm projector was exhibited for the first time Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Western Electric plant in Chicago. Although meant primarily for churches and clubs, this new Electrical Research Projector will be suitable for smaller theatres. Complete announcement of this new projector will be published in the Herald-World next week. any number of audiences unwilling to subject themselves to the strain of close attention for the length of a full picture. "But I cannot imagine a comedy in which sound could not be used to advantage. "We studied the situation carefully, inspecting not merely possibilities but as well methods. As a result, we are now presenting to the leading methods, Western Electric and R. C. A. This is, I believe, rather a unique situation and one which seems to have been handled rather well. "We found that sound pictures were good. We found, for instance, that sound revived all the genius in Mack Sennett; he had been making his particular brand of comedies for years and had certainly investigated every possibility open to him. Now, with sound, he is like a child with a new toy. His pictures are better than ever, fresh, lively, bright. Certainly sound has been a boon to this famous producer. "We find a growing disinterest in the presentation of a singer. It is not -highly entertaining to watch a man open his throat, no matter how lovely the sounds that issue forth. The people who seek entertainment want something brighter. As a result, the short features are coming back into their own. They are more popular today than ever before, and are back in practically all the big theatres." Hammons made it plain that his company will not relax in its efforts to provide short comedies for silent theatres. "More than that," he said, "we will make silent pictures as we have always made them. We are not going to take a sound picture, remove its sound, and call it silent. That won't do. We know there is such a thing as killing the goose that lays the golden eggs and we are going to make silent pictures in their own way, separate and apart from those we raake in sound." Electrical Financiers Predict Reduction Of Operation Costs for Sound Pictures (Special to the Herald-World) SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26. — "When the electrical companies manufacturing equipment for the presentation of sound 61ms, determine definitely that the 'talkies'^ are here to stay, it is logical to expect that they will gradually reduce prices," declares a report of financiers interested in the electrical industry, made upon completion of a tour of inspection of theatres in and around San Francisco. "During 1928," the report states, "there was a wild rush on the part of big and little exhibitors to obtain equipment for their showhouses. Those who were fortunate in being able to announce to the waiting public that they were now able to offer all the big 'talkie' hits, found that attendance immediately picked up." The financiers declare they found that operating costs have also gone up, which led to their statement that as soon as the innovation becomes a settled thing, the electrical industry will endeavor to correct this.