Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1930)

58 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD April 26, 1950 w CHICAGO PERSONALITIES By JIM LITTLE HAS everyone got his dollar ready for the Motion Picture Almanac? If not, scurry around and sell a few papers, for this compendium of information, gathered from every conceivable source, will give you practically any detail which you wish to know concerning the industry. Fifteen hundred biographies of players and their work may be found within its pages; a list of the various companies and their personnel; a list of pictures prior to 1929, followed by those for 1929 and 1930, as far as they go. Robert Speck has closed his Kenwood theatre to enter the barber business. * * * THERE are many little detailed accounts which you will find of interest, but beside all this, it is a beautiful book, one you will be proud to have lying on the library table. The cover alone is a knockout, and the layout — well, we can’t say too much about that, for it is one of our pet delights. Hectic days and nights have been spent over it, and the finishing touches are now being applied. It will be ready by May 1, and we can assure you that we can think of no better way in which to spend that dollar. Be sure to get your order in early, and don’t forget — $1 (one dollar) to the Trade, just one little dollar. * * * Ralph Bradford, manager of the Bridgeport theatre, received quite a bit of commendation from his neighborhood when he gave a benefit show for a local basketball team. * * * The Stockton theatre, Stockton, 111., and Electric theatre, Walnut, 111., have installed Continental Sound Equipment, Red Johnson tells us. * * * Max Asher has purchased the Vista theatre from M. O. Wells. The house has been redecorated and Western Electric equipment installed. * * * The Hippodrome theatre at 63rd and Cottage has been opened by Abe Cohen and J. Feldman. * * * V. T. Lynch, of the Lynch theatres, sent a postal card from Miami to Jack Miller reading, ‘‘Don’t understand how anyone can spend the winter in Chicago. Fishing good here.” Whereupon there was a rasping sound suspiciously like gnashing of bicuspids. * * * Leo Salkin, member of the great Salkin family, is managing the Century theatre for Balaban and Katz. Getting Rich From Losses A group of exhibitors gathered in the Universal lobby — a quaint custom they have — and began to discuss the theatre business (another common procedure). When someone came to the conclusion that it was just one loss and another, Joe Paley, of the Rose theatre, came to the front with this comment: “We have several exhibitors riding around in Lincolns, some in Cadillacs and others in Packards— this is the only business where people are getting rich from losses.’’ Earl Johnson, the ‘‘Swedish ambassador” and former owner of a chain of Chicago theatres, is now handling distribution of “Her Unborn Child” in the Indianapolis territory. H= * * A three-reel all-talking fight picture, titled “Seeking a Champion,” owned by Jerry Abrams and mother, is being distributed in this territory by Jim Murtaugh of the M and M exchange. * * * A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Abe Feder. Papa Feder is operating the Metro theatre. * * * Tommy Gilliam, who was named field captain for the Sam E. Morris drive, reports that the sales are numbering many. It looks like it will be a very successful drive, Tommy said. * * * Joe Pastor has sold his Bryn Mawr theatre to Harry Tague. Tague will install sound equipment in the theatre. Pastor just completed installing DeForest in his Ardmore theatre. * * * Bob Stobel, formerly of Goetz-Moviephone organization, who is selling “Her Unborn Child” in the Omaha and Nebraska territories, was in town receiving congratulations on the arrival of a baby boy at the Stobel home. * * * The father of Miss Edna Frank, booker at M G M, passed away in Chicago. * * * Exhibitors were fretting over the announcement of large hats for women this spring. Many of them, in theatres where women refuse to remove their hats, were moaning at the prospect of roars of protest from the back-seaters. * * h= The election in which Judge Herbert Immenhausen, former exhibitor, will seek a return to his job, will take place April 8. He * * Universal will remake “Where Are My Children” for State Right release. He He He Mae Murray, star of Tiffany’s “Peacock Alley,” was in Chicago Friday bound for Broadway from the Coast. Miss Murray sought the assistance of one of Chicago’s policemen to get across the snowy streets. There is the little matter of that trifling On the (Film) Banks Of Wabash Wherein is continued this departments Confession Column on the folk who make Film Row what it is today and hope everyone else is as satisfied as they feel they have a right to be. ARL LESERMAN,' perhaps the youngest manager in Chicago, was born in Manitowoc, Wis. The careers of Leserman and Grad Sears run a curious parallel. When Sears was named St. Louis branch manager for First National some years ago, Leserman was made his assistant. Sears was transferred to Chicago and Leserman filled the gap as manager of St. Louis. Then Sears was made western sales manager and Leserman brought to Chicago as manager, thus stepping into the shoes of Sears four different times. Sears and Leserman are real buddies and when Grad has a few minutes to spare he hops over to see Carl, whereupon ensues a session of horseplay reminiscent of their first years ago. But now to the Q and A stuff. Below are the questions answered by Carl Leserman in his own original way. DATE OF BIRTH: In March. (Oh, what weather we had in March!) HEIGHT : 7 feet 8 inches. (On a stepladder.) Married: And how. WHEN MARRIED: Trying to forget. SCHOOLS ATTENDED: John Worthy. FIRST POSITION: Reclining. FIRST FILM POSITION : Salesman, Universal. OTHER FILM POSITIONS: First National. CHILDREN : Barbara and Ruth. PET PEEVE: Reporters. HOBBY: Horses. FAVORITE PRESIDENT: Von Hindenburg. FAVORITE SPORT: Censored. FAVORITE PICTURE STAR: Herman Starr, of First National. $1,800,000 suit against Tiffany to engage her attention in the East. * * * The New Home theatre is installing Dramaphone. John Semmon is the operator of the New Home. * * * A. Gundling, formerly of the Bryn Mawr theatre, is now selling real estate, in one hunk or sliced. * * * Samuel C. Mack, brother of Irving Mack, has joined the Filmack company as treasurer. Sign Shielding Box Office Helps Robber Taking advantage of a large sign which shielded the box office from street view, a Negro bandit, held up the cashier of the Fashion theatre, Chicago, and escaped with $100. Dinner for American Legion Commander NEW YORK. — Major O. I. Bodenheimer, commander of the American Legion, will be the honored guest at a dinner to be given May 3 at the Hotel Astor. Major Edward Bowes, managing director of the Capitol theatre, will be in charge of the entertainment. A notable list of national and civic leaders have signified their desire to be present at this occasion.