Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

60 EXHIBITORS HERALD -WORLD October 4, 1930 W Home Again CHICAGO PERSONALITIES By JIM LITTLE THE outstanding event of the past week was the "great matrimonial dinner frolic" given at the Congress hotel on Tuesday in honor of "Film Row's Sweetheart," Tess Heraty, who will soon be known as Mrs. Vincent Brady, A more representative gathering has perhaps never gathered in such entirety to pay tribute and respect to one who has been so integral a part of the film industry in Chicago. THE toastmaster of the evening was Felix Mendellsohn, and we have a faint idea that it would be somewhat difficult to find anyone who 4 '; : € k Tees Heraty could fill such a capacity with more adroitness. Among those who were honored by being called upon to speak were Mrs. Hight who told a very delightful Irish fairy story, Jack Miller who charmed everyone with his delightful spontaneity, Frank Schaeffer, Clyde Eckhardt, Joe Pastor, Tess, "Vince" and Myrtle Collins. The dinner was excellent, the speakers good, the entertainment unusual. The crowd was jolly, and the affair wore on into the wee small hours. Wishes for happiness for the two about to take that step, which, from all appearances, will be anything but fatal, were rampant, and may we say, in closing this brief recital, which, incidentally, is not written as it should be, that we speak for everyone connected in any way with the industry, especially those who are fortunate enough to be acquainted with the couple, though ever so slightly, in wishing Tess and Vince all the happiness which this world sometimes bestows upon those who are deserving of it. In this instance, there isn't a bit of doubt as to whether this should be so. It couldn't be anything else but. £ Hf * Al Lyons, formerly owner of the People's theatre, was seen along the Row the other day, after an absence of about — well, we'll be conservative and say three years. * * * L. E. Goetz, together with Al Dezell, are located in their new and very comfortable quarters at 804 South Wabash. Incidentally, Al informed us that a deal has just been closed with Jack Greenbaum, of Cleveland, who now has the rights to "The Primrose Path" in Indiana, Maryland and West Virginia. * * * Who did we bump into but Dan Roche, who has been a stranger to us, it seems, for a couple of months. One reason is that he has been under the weather, and another is that he has been extremely busy. He's what you'd call a much traveled man. We met him in Universal's screening department, during a showing of Pathe's "Her Man." (It's some picture.) It seems that Tom North is now selling Pathe shorts, Charlie Lundgren has gone to St. Louis as manager, Walter Reed Branson is in New York, connected with the short department, Lou Ellman, formerly branch manager in Des Moines, is now holding that position in Milwaukee, and Nate Sandler is filling Lou's former position. Tommy Greenwood, who was branch manager in Milwaukee, is now on the sales force working out of the Chicago office. (This is a sort of garbled resume, but the information's all there, anyhow.) * # * Sam Schaffer, that redoubtable man that makes theatre seats sit up on their hind legs and beg, was busy, as usual last week, but gave us a few minutes of his valuable time. By the way. He has a most interesting display in the window front of his new offices, a display that goes back for — well, it must be at least fifty years. Seats that were used way back when, right up through to those used in this day and age. And does it attract attention? Four policemen and a posse were needed to keep the crowd in order (we say this most advisedly) and we imagine all the school children that come anywhere near the window have had to write themes about it. Sam left for New York last Friday upon one of his frequent visits, so it seems of late, but he said that it was just for a few days. We wouldn't be a bit surprised if he came back with an order for a million chairs. Sam is like that, you know. * * * E. W. Hammonds, president of Educational, passed through Chicago last week on his way to the Coast, to look things over. * * * Milt Kruger, formerly connected with Educational, is now working in Milwaukee, connected with Pathe. * * * Harry Graham, former division manager for Pathe, is associated with Universal, doing special work. We understand that he drove here from Cleveland, and that en route, somebody tried to put the finishing touches to the Graham family by running smack into the car. However, they all arrived safe and sound, and Harry has his desk all swept off, ready for action. * * * Alice Dubin, formerly with Tiffany, is now with Universal, connected with the contract department. * * * Miles of smiles are seen around the Universal office on the reviews of the latest release, 'A Lady Surrenders." This picture, by the way, follows "Africa Speaks" into the Woods theatre, the date being October 4. * * * A newcomer, and a welcome one, in the Chicago office of Pathe is Miss Fern Cummings, recently appointed stenographer to Bill Drake, head booker. Miss Cummings comes to Pathe from the Commonwealth Edison Company where she occupied a secretarial position. * * * Benny Benjamin hasn't decided as yet to his future plans, but we do know one thing William Brumberg We looked through our files, and this is what we found. We weren't going to put a caption on it, but as long as this gentleman isn't known to more than two or three or maybe more (thousand) people in the film business, we thought it advisable. However, despite, etc., Bill's got a smile that — b u t what's the use. Now when you go into the R K O exchange, you have to call for Mr. Brumberg, as he's the man who sits at the desk formerly occupied by Benny Benjamin. We found Benny and Bill together when we went in, and we learned that being in the film business doesn't necessarily preclude being adept at other things. Bill demonstrated that conclusively. But all in all, or taking everything into consideration, a famous man has. returned to a street of famous men, and we're rather happy to know that we've got someone else to bother. We might end this dissertation by a few remarks about cigars, but we'll let that go until we have something tangible. and that is — a golf bag is going to see a good deal of service for a few days. You know, to talk to Benny, you'd almost think that he liked the game — especially when the wind blows hard. Incidentally, Sam Gorelick and Frank Young like to shoot golf in a high wind so they can bank their shots. * * * We heard that A. S. Frank is now former manager of the Paulina theatre, having handed in his resignation last week. Henry Igel, chief projectionist of Film Row, whose habitat is the sixth floor of the Universal Building, is a pretty busy man. Every time we see him, he is either going into the booth, or coming out of it. It's just one show after another with him. * * * Louis Brecka, owner of the Eastern, Standard and Homan theatres has taken over the La Salle on Division street, and the opening was set for October 1. * * * Vera Rawley, formerly with Publix, is now working in Louis Reinheimer's midwest office. * * * Now that the summer is over, and the possibility of flying dust is rapidly diminishing-, dust strips are being put on all the windows of the United Artists exchange. * * * Ben Piazza, now associated with Irving Thalberg, of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, in selecting casts and material for pictures, paid Chicago a very brief visit last week on his way from the Coast to New York City. * * * Frank Young, whom we fear we have grossly accused in mentioning going into his office at 10 o'clock and not finding him there (he was probably up long before us, out selling some sleepy exhibitor), was at his desk at 9 o'clock sharp last Thursday morning, and practically no one else was around. Why was nobody there? The date was October 2. * * * "Whoopee" opened at the United Artists theatre on October 3. People may change their minds about musical comedies in pictures after seeing that.