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

18 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD May 24, 1930 M Story of Rise of Oldknow and Arthur Is Story of the Theatre Itself Executive Vice President of Fox Chain Plunged into Film Business on Graduation — General Manager Identified with West Coast WHEN you glance at the records of Oscar S. Oldknow, newly appointed executive vice-president of Fox Theatres, and Harry Arthur, general manager, you find yourself tracing the story of the theatre itself. Oldknow plunged into the film business immediately upon his graduation from Georgia Tech, ten years ago. Harry Arthur ten years ago took charge of West Coast Theatres, saw it grow to 150 theatres in five years. Oldknow Is Only 31 Harry Arthur Helped But Knows Theatres West Coast Chain Grow A BIG job for a chap of only 31 years is the one entrusted to Oscar S. Oldknow, newly appointed executive vice president of Fox Thea Oscar S. Oldknow tres, but Oldknow has proved himself an able business man, cramming a tremendous amount of exectuive experience into the ten years since his graduation from Georgia Tech, to which he returned for his degree after service in the navy in the World War.. Previously he had been graduated from Georgia Military Academy. William Oldknow, father of the Fox Theatres executive, is a pioneer in the industry, and the son, within a fortnight of his graduation, associated himself with Southern. States Film Company, later expanded into Liberty-Specialty Film Distributing Corporation. He became a principal stockholder and executive in both these companies. Interested in Theatre Equipment Oscar Oldknow’s particular enterprise, however, was Southern Theatre Equipment Company, and when this was absorbed by National Theatre Supply Company he became vice president and managing director of the southern district. This brought about his association with Harley L. Clarke, president of the Fox Enterprises. Born in Atlanta, of British descent on both sides, Oldknow enjoys the confidence of a host of officials in high places, not only in the South but throughout the country. HARRY ARTHUR, new general manager of Fox Theatres, attained national prominence in the motion picture field ten years ago, when he became identified with the organization of the West Coast Theatres. Since then, his personal record as head of chain theatre companies is a story of the theatre itself, of its growth and development, of its constant evolution to keep up with the changes made necessary by the rapid strides of science and invention in the production and presentation of the motion picture. His natural reticence and impregnable modesty, however, have kept his private life and personal habits far in the background. He says: With West Coast from Inception “From 1920 to 1925 I was in charge of the West Coast Theatres, remaining with it from its inception to its growth to a chain of 150 theatres. In 1925 I accepted the position as president and general manager of Pacific Northwest Theatres, Inc., an organization controlling 100 theatres in Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington. After the merger in 1927 which resulted in the formation of the Fox West Coast Theatres, I took over the management of the Southern California division. “My new position as general manager of Fox Theatres covers the 300 movie houses located between the Mississippi river and the Atlantic Seaboard, and includes St. Louis.” De Forest Suit Against Stanley Company Goes Before District Court (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, May 20. — The case for General Talking Pictures in its suit against Stanley Company of America, charging infringement of De Forest sound patents, is being presented to the United States district court in Wilmington, Del. The patents in question deal with sound film reproduction. Erpi is taking the defense for the Stanley Company. Habeas Corpus Writ to Release Stench Bomber Signed by Court Judge (Special to the Herald-World) CHICO, CAL., May 20.— A writ of habeas corpus, seeking to set aside the conviction in police court of Leonard E. Goodman on a charge of releasing a stench bomb in the Senator theatre, has been signed by Superior Court Judge H. D. Gregory. A bearing on the writ will be held. Western Electric Wins Decision Which Nullifies Tri-Ergon Patent (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, May 20. — Western Electric was advised by cable that the Vienna Courts have nullified the Tri-Ergon Austrian Patent No. 91097 dealing with sound pictures in which incidental music or other sounds not present in the taking of the picture are recorded on the film for reproduction. “Journey’s End” Is [ Slated for General Release This Month Paramount Publix Books Tiffany Hit for Entire Circuit Except Road-Shoxv Cities (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, May 20. — “Journey’s End,' Tiffany’s screen version of R. C. Sherriff’sil stage play, has been booked by the entire > Paramount Publix ■ circuit. This book' ing, however, excepts New York* City, where the pic i ture has been book-* ed to play the Roxy : after it has com: pleted its run at Carl J. Goe, assistant general sales manager. On May 23 “Journey’s End” will open simultaneously in Paramount-Publix theatres in 25 cities. Hanson stated that “Journey’s End” will be ready for general release during the latter part of this month. The only exception to this will be in cities where the picture is now being presented as a road-show, or is booked to go in as a road-show attraction. It is now playing as a road-show in New York, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Hanson explained that this early release schedule is due to an insistent demand on the part of exhibitors in all parts of the country. “Tiffany, being a big independent organization, feels that ‘Journey’s End’ should reach the general public at the earliest possible moment,” said Hanson. “The roadshows in New York and elsewhere have aroused an almost unbelievable public interest in the picture. The critics all agree that it is the greatest talking picture ever made. All the leading magazines are using special articles on it and are urging everyone to see it. When we stop to consider the fact that these periodicals include such leading publications as Time, The Outlook, 'The Nation and The Literary Digest, we have no hesitancy in stating flatly that ‘Journey’s End’ is accomplishing something for the talking picture world that no other picture has approached.” N ew Cooling System for Regent Theatre in Iowa (Special to the Herald-World) CEDAR FALLS, IOWA, May 20.— For the third time in eight years, improvements have been made at the Regent theatre here, the latest being the installation of a new Arctic cooling system. Incidentally, new floors are being laid and the seats rearranged. All exterior surfaces will be repainted. Some new indirect lighting will be added. Sound has been in about a year and a half. Oscar Hanson the Gaiety theatre, where it is still playing to packed houses. The ParamountPublix booking was consummated by Oscar R. Hanson, general sales manager of Tiffany, and