Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

66 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD October 25, 1930 Three notables, representing three phases of the industries, (the theatre, the actor and the distributor) join hands in Chicago. Beginning at the left we have Jack Hess, Western Director of Publicity and Exploitation for R K O houses ; Ivan Lebedeff, Radio Pictures star, who, incidentally, has just returned from a month's vacation in Europe, and Bill Brumberg, manager of the RKO exchange in Chicago w CHICAGO PERSONALITIES By JEM LITTLE USING Chicago as a background or locale for pictures is becoming quite a common practice, from all appearances, and "on location" is getting to be a rather familiar term here. The youngest, big city in the world, used for an atmosphere of real city life, and incidentally, a type of city that has no double. Perhaps it's the rare combination in a cosmopolitan center like thi9 the combination of leisure and rush, that makes it ideal for this purpose, and sometimes we wonder why more of them are not filmed here. \17HICH all leads up to the fact that as that as yet the film for which the Chicago scenes were being made has received no title. * * * Ken Leach, who we could swear we met just the other day, writes to say that he is now located in Seattle, where he has opened up an office for the General Talking Pictures Corporation, which handles the De Forest sound equipment. The territories of Oregon, Washington, Montana and Northern Idaho will be taken care of, in regard to sales and service from this office, which rHICH all leads up to the fact that as George Hill, director for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, left Chicago for home ports, taking with him the company which has been working with him here for the past fortnight or so, in comes Sidney Lanfield, director for Fox, with his company, planning to spend five or six days in this big boisterous city, filming sequences of the serial which recently closed in the Daily News, "Three Girls Lost." The Chicago scenes are to be used as a background throughout the picture, we understand. As for the work of George Hill, it seems has installed a staff of engineers to make this new project the last word in service. We might add (in a very «oft whisper) that if Ken has got anything to do with the state of affairs, that there doesn't seem to be anything for them to do but prosper, so (without any whispers) the very best wishes for luck from all your Chicago friends, Ken. * * * The Theatre Development Corporation, located at 910 South Michigan avenue, of which A. G. Spencer is president and A. Freeman, vice president, has recently been formed to take care of what is felt to be a need in the industry. This company is organized to supervise and handle the general management of theatres and is also engaged in the financing of theatre projects, as well as the leasing, buying and selling of theatres. In addition to this, the company engages in the contracting for interior and exterior decorations, offering architectural service, and is, generally speaking, fully equipped to do anything in the developing line. * * * Murray Bradshaw, manager of the Tivoli theatre in Downers Grove, 111., and who recently suffered a nervous breakdown, is, we are happy to announce, once more back at his desk. * * * Those few who were privileged to see the sound version of "The Birth of a Nation" are all enthused about it. During the past week, a print came through Chicago on the way to New York, and stopped off here long enough to be shown, and then it was on its way again. From the reports, David Wark Griffith has enhanced the picture in every way by the insertion of sound. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is ready to move at last. We say that because we have been endeavoring to ascertain as to the exact date for some time, and, by the time you receive this book, the M G M exchange will be located at its new home, which has been appointed to the king's taste. In fact, you would hardly know the old Paramount headquarters, except that the building front is practically the same. The only change is "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer" in large green letters over the entrance. * * * Ted Levy, sales representative for the Filmack company, left last Thursday for New York, on a combined business and pleasure trip. He told us he was planning to drive, and we don't believe he could have picked out a more beautiful time of year to undertake such a trip. Just imagine driving through the multi-colored Adirondacks with crisp, clean air whistling all around. L. C. McHenry, well known state-right operator of Atlanta, Georgia, has just closed a deal with Al Dezell of Road Show Pictures, to handle "The Primrose Path" in Alabama, North and South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida. McHenry's initial run in his territory opens at the Ideal theatre, Winston Salem, N. C, where the picture, which features Helen Foster, has been booked for an indefinite run. * * * Back on the old stamping grounds again is J. Feldman, who is once more signing them up as a member of the Universal sales force, handling country assignments. It will_ be remembered that he was connected with the Chicago branch of Universal a few years ago, and that during the interim he has been engaged in St. Louis. * * * "East Is West" is doing what is sometimes known as a "whale of a business" at the Woods theatre, we understand, such a business, in fact, that the picture is already scheduled to play the Palace the week of October 25. Incidentallv. it is the last picture to play the Woods theatre as an R K O house.