Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

October 18, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 35 Quick Police Work Gets Back Most of Stolen House Cash (Special to the Herald-World) PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 16.— Four armed bandits daringly entered the Stanton theatre here on last Saturday evening, while thousands of people were passing on the street, held up the manager and a girl cashier and escaped with $1,925.00 in cash which they took from a small safe. Within an hour and a half after the robbery, police had arrested two of the men and recovered practically all of the stolen money, and started a search for the two who escaped. The men drove up to the theatre in a taxicab, walked up to the ticket window, paid for admission and entered the theatre with other patrons. While the men stood near the office door, Miss Margaret Creed, cashier, left the ticket office with about $150 in her hand and walked up the stairs into the office of L. B. Graves, manager. The four men with drawn guns followed her into the office and closed the door. One of the men relieved Miss Creed of the $150 in her hand, walked over to the office safe and scooped the cash from it while his companions covered the manager and the cashier. The robbers then walked quietly out of the theatre, mingled with the crowds on Market street and disappeared. World Premiere Goes To Detroit for M G M's Three Dimension Film (Special to the Herald-World) DETROIT, Oct. 16.— The world premiere of M G M's "Billy the Kid," the picture filmed by the new Realife process, will take place tomorrow night at the Paramount theatre here. A new magnascope screen has been installed in the theatre to enable the film to be shown in its full width, height and depth, for the filming of the picture with a special wideangle camera makes this necessary. Big 4 Vice President Back from Europe Trip (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 16.— Following a month in Europe on behalf of Big 4 product, C. A. Stimson, vice president of the producing company which specializes in Westerns, arrived here last Monday. In addition to making arrangements for distribution, Stimson completed a general survey of screen conditions abroad, particularly in respect to the marketing of Western pictures. Fire Prevention Trophy Awarded to F N Exchange (Special to the Herald-World) CHARLOTTE, N. C, Oct. 16.— In examinations held here by the fire department for measures maintained for the prevention of fires in film buildings, the First National film exchange was awarded the silver loving cup for 1930. Thirty-two exchanges competed for the silver trophy. Big Features Rights Sells Sono Art About Louisville (Special to the Herald-World) LOUISVILLE, Oct. 16.— Big Features Rights Corporation, distributing firm here, has contracted for exclusive distribution of Sono Art-World Wide pictures in this territory. Budd Rogers, general sales manager for Sono Art, came here to close the deal. Columbia Gains Three Millions Over Nine Months Sales in 1929 Executives Credit Showing to Excellent Productions and Stars for Coming Season in "Superior Group" — Many Circuits Signed Since October 1 (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 16. — Columbia Pictures reports an increase in sales up to October 1, 1930, amounting to approximately $3,000,000 more than at the same date last year. Executives attribute much of the present season's success, registered in spite of supposed depressed business conditions, to the excellent lineup of productions and stars that Columbia has listed for the coming season in its Superior group. Among the circuits recently signed by the producing company for its product, a large numer of which have contracted for the Superior group since October 1, are: Greenfield Theatres and Amusement Company, Ltd., San Francisco and Honolulu. Coston Booking Circuit, Chicago. Midwest Theatres, Chicago. Schoenstadt & Sons. Chicago. Steine & Wicoff, Indiana. Vonderschmidt, Indiana. Griffith Amusement Co., Oklahoma. Lucas, Atlanta. Robb & Rowley, Texas. Mart Cole Theatre Chain, Texas. Schine Chain Theatres, New York Associated Theatres, Cleveland. Lefkowitz & Greenberger, Cleveland. Wilmer & Vincent Theatres, Pennsylvania. Century Circuit, New York. Rosenblatt Theatres, New York. Manhattan Playhouse Theatres, New York. Springer Cocalis Circuit, New York. Leo Brecher, New York. Current and forthcoming productions which are believed responsible for Columbia's prosperous report include: "Rain or Shine," "Arizona," "Criminal Code," "Sub Now Nolan Must Spike Four Rumors in a Bunch! (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 16. — "Help! Help!" implores Warren Nolan, "chief director of rumors" for United Artists, and otherwise known as publicity director for that company. Nolan, who recently organized a "rumor department" to deny all rumors before or as they were born, reports the capture, after a terriGc chase, of another Howard Hughes story. The latter, who, as every one knows, has become famous for bis $2-a-seat showings of "Hell's Angels," is turning to the Glming of "Queer People." "Well, sir, one day a coast correspondent telephones Lincoln Quarberg, publicity director of Caddo Productions, and inquires if Hughes plans to purchase United Artists, Warner's, Universal and First National, so that he may have the originals of the characters in "Queer People" play themselves in the screen version. For a time this one nearly disrupted Nolan's "rumor department" but the "chief detector" pulled himself together and whispered: "Make for the nearest port, captain." way Express,'1 "Brothers," and the adaptation of such stories as "Tol'able David," "The Lion and the Lamb," "Dirigible" and "Madonna of the Streets." Warner Creates New Zone After Acquiring S chine-Harris Houses (Special to the Herald-World) CLEVELAND, Oct. 16.— Warner Brothers Theatres, following its acquisition of a group of Schine and Harris houses in Ohio, has created a new zone to handle these houses. Phil Gleichman, formerly district manager in the Pittsburgh zone, has been appointed manager of the new zsne by Spyros Skouras. Headquarters will be here. The new zone will include, in addition to the Schine and Harris acquisitions, a number of theatres that were formerly supervised by the Pittsburgh office. The total number under Gleichman's direction is 25 at the present time. It is expected that this string will be increased this month. Personnel of the local zone office includes Arthur M. Brilant, who was transferred from Atlantic City to handle publicity for Ohio; Sam Blowitz, chief booker; Joe Lissauer, assistant booker; R. H. Giles, sound technician; James P. Faughnan, contact manager; Frank N. Phelps, George Lynch and George Riester, district managers. Duncan A, Dobie, Jr., Elected Publisher of Two Film Magazines (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 16.— Duncan A. Dobie, Jr., has been elected publisher of "Motion Picture Magazine" and "Motion Picture Classic." This announcement is made by Motion Picture Publications, Inc. Dobie has been associated with the publishing company in executive capacities for 16 years, his first position being in the advertising department. Bandit Ties Up Four, Fires One Shot, Flees (Special to the Herald-World) SHREVEPORT, LA, Oct. 16.— After capturing three negro porters and A. J. Voight, building engineer, wiring their hands and feet together and placing adhesive tape over their mouths, a lone bandit, about 35, made an unsuccessful attempt to hold up the Strand theatre in the heart of the downtown section here today. The bandit fired one shot at Harry Ehrlich, veteran theatre man and vice president of the theatre, when Ehrlich refused to open the safe. The shot missed Ehrlich and embedded itself in the wall. The robber escaped by running down an alley. No money was obtained.