Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

58 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD November 29, 1930 W picture that is soon to be, or already has been released, we understand, entitled "Gold Diggers of Hollywood," the theme of which, we understand is about some of the sidelights of the moving picture city that is not heard of too often. CHICAGO PERSONALITIES By JIM LITTLE THE idea of establishing Mickey Mouse clubs in the Fox theatres in Chicago is drawing widespread attention, especially among parents, and when the favorable attention of parents is drawn to the theatre as a place for their children to while away several happy hours, and at the same time get something instructive out of it, the theatre is serving an excellent purpose. In Milwaukee the plan has been tried and found to fill a need that has been apparent for sometime, that of renewing the interest of children in the motion picture, and of having parents favorable to the idea of their children spending an hour or two on Saturday morning at the theatre. AT the Terminal theatre the other day, the ** first meeting was held, and its success was assured from the start. Fox officials attending the "debut" were highly impressed with the response which came from the announcement of the forming of these clubs. For some time, theatre programs have had a tendency to be a bit tiring for children, and this effort to again establish their interest is a good thing. So well did the meeting go over, that the Fox houses are planning to establish similar clubs in all their theatres in the city, and probably elsewhere. The Sheridan theatre is to formally begin its "club" work in about a week, and in a brief talk which we had the other evening with Manager J. Keough, it undoubtedly will be a knockout. The kids are all pepped up about it, and Hal Pearl, the organist at the theatre, is busy preparing special programs for these events. * * * The Educational exchange would certainly rank high in any collection of "swanky layouts," and yet it is quite simple and very unostentatious. That is probably where its "swankiness" lies. And Freddy Martin sits like a supreme judge on his purple carpet, casting, at times, both disparaging and approving glances toward the front of his domain. Max Stahl's office is neat, and the clock that he devoted a whole table to is still neater. Take a run in sometime and look at it. It's "uni-cue." * * * But we started to write about Educational with the thought in mind of congratulating Max on his recent debut in the great Masonic fraternity. Last week he was made a member of the Isaac Cutter Lodge, and the ceremonies were conducted by many of his friends, among whom were Bill Weinshenker, Sol Goldman, V. A. Nomokos, Edward Safier and your Uncle Henry — we mean Freddy Martin. Aha! Here we are! Freddy sits at his desk, he is a regular Martinette. (We beg your pardon.) However, the ceremonies were conducted in traditional and accustomed style, and then — why, Max k everybody over to Coffee Dan's, and — the evening was a huge success and everywas happy. * * * Smith, genial division manager of ted Artists, manages to peck at his Chicago desk every once in a while, but it's usually "just getting in from St. Louis and Starting for Milwaukee in the morning." Howard M. Winner, the pleasant littlechap you sometimes see perambulating around the Educational exchange, or elsi seated at a little desk over in the corner, and, to all appearances, very, very busy, has returned to Chicago after a week spent in Philadelphia. Perhaps he went on the trip to take a few snapshots, he so seldom gets a chance to play with a camera. Who is he? We didn't know ourselves until we were introduced the other morning. He's the "guy" whose camera helps makes Kinograms so interesting. * * * And now and then, Paul Polka drops down on the Row from his numerous outside interests, interests (theatres) which are located in many places, among them being Geneva and De Kalb, 111. * * * Jack Rubel, who is sought after by "air mail special" now and then, has taken unto himself the managership of the Shore theatre. % % *H Ted Levy, special representative for the Filmack company (the company where you place your order at two-thirty, and it's ready by three) is back from an enjoyable trip to the great metropolis on the East coast. Fred Mindlin, who was formerly connected with the Little Playhouse idea in Chicago is now managing the American theatre, succeeding George Burdick, resigned. * * * Willis Kent, who has been in the picture producing game for some time has another These Ducks Didn't "Duck" Quick Enough Ted Myers, that redoubtable gentleman connected with Universal, donned the huntsman's "toga" a short time ago, and with a gun clasped tenderly within the crook of his arm, went a-hunting. Far from the much travelled trails of men went he, to the marshy spots where feathered game gavot (we wish Jaysee was here to coach us on this) on twinkling ripples. Swish! And the air was black with birds. Up went the gun, poised for a brief moment, and Ted's finger contracted on the trigger. Click! He's forgotten to put in a shell. Discovering his error, he hastily put a "lead container" into the long shiny barrel, and bang! — one duck was on its way to the platter. Bang! — and this little duck had company. Ted didn't acquit himself so badly (we understand that he'd looked at guns in sporting goods store windows) and on the way home he shot — an owl. Who-oo? Why, Ted. Ludwig Sussman, up-to-the-minute manager of the Adelphi theatre on North Clark Street, who put over such a good show the week set aside for one-third of the receipts to be turned over to the unemployment relief fund, took a brief respite from his arduous duties the other day and "sailed" for New York for a short visit. * * * Erroneously, in the issue of November 22, it was stated that Robert Gumbiner had already left to take up his manager duties at the Los Angeles theatre on the Coast. That would hardly be possible, however, for a farewell dinner was tendered him on December 1 at the Covenant Club by his brother, Max. It was a fitting gala event for such a departure, and of course a lot of well-wishing was mixed into the evening. May we add our humble hope that all success will attend his new effort. * * * At a recent "replacement" election of officers for the Illinois Cooperative Buying Circuit, the following men were voted into office. President, Nate Wolf; secretary, S. A. Mindlin and treasurer, Sol Meltzer. W. R. Mars, who has been with the Photo Play Title company for a number of years, will be in charge of the business and will handle it the same as it was handled prior to J. W. Aston's, who is president of the company, moving to his beautiful new home in Catlin, 111. * * * There is a new and very sweet voice at the R K O exchange, so sweet that you really can't receive all the delicate modulations as they float over the wire. But, if for any reason, you have occasion to wait to be announced to that very busy man, Bill Brumberg, or to someone else (they all seem to be busy down there, which is excellent) just pay particular attention to the very charming lady that takes your name, and how sweetly (you'll forgive us for overworking the adjective) she speaks (your name, whatever it is, is certain to sound "melifluous"), and now, may we introduce the young lady. She is Florence Lipschitz, formerly with Universal, now adding grace, and very much dignity to the RKO exchange. * * * A comedy king passed through town the other day but it was one of those flying trips that only permits an occasional phone call. It was Mack Sennett. Whenever we speak of football, we always are reminded of Dan Roche, not that we ever forget about him, but the fact that he can reel off football maneuvers as though he were reciting poetry just sort o' gets you, and it's almost as good as seeing a game (and from some of the games that have furnished newspapers with scores, a lot better). We had the pleasure of a short stroll with Dan the other day north on Wabash, and he philosophized a bit and told us about his sons. He's a wonderful father, and that is probably what makes his philosophy ring so true. The Liberty theatre and the Wallace theatre in Peru, Indiana, have been leased by the Miami Theatre corporation of Indiana, and it is expected that this company will remodel the Liberty, and that after the installation of the improvements, was to open the house about Thanksgiving. The lease was negotiated through Albert Goldman of Chicago. 1