Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

50 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD December 27. 1930 W Do You Remember CHICAGO PERSONALITIES By JTM LITTLE IT'S too late in the day, and also, in the year, to write a Christmas Carol. For the past half hour we've been dreaming of a sandwich, a tantalizing little sheaf of dough that will dance gayly on its earthen stage before — we thought we saw one dancing through the doorway a minute ago, but we are so tangled up in this machinery that we couldn't chase it. And we're somewhat doubtful as to the efficacy of attempting to write an appropriate comment about cherubs and new years and things — of worldly interest, no doubt, but to us — well, we're all untangled and we'll be back for a concluding paragraph in about fifteen minutes, unless we find that one sandwich will be lonesome. \17E'RE back, and we'll finish this New New Year" — add mine too." Thanks, Fred. * » Year's business in a hurry. We hope that throughout the year 1931 you can go out and get a delectable sandwich, a steaming cup of coffee (perchance a streaming stein of beah) and then puff at the fragrant weed — any time you feel life it. * * * The past year has been a pleasant one. The many acquaintances that we have made along the Row have made our weekly jaunts along that famous avenue delightful, and the verbal repasts that we have enjoyed give the year a lustre that cannot become dull merely because another year is coming to supercede it. * * * Again we must commend the ushering t'orces of the theatres within the Loop, and if we had time to attend those located in the communities, we feel sure that the commendation would include them also. It is the courtesy that is shown by these young gentlemen, and especially the way in which they aid in alleviating the hardships that attend the wearing of overcoats. It certainly is bouyant to anyone's spirit to find that the heavy piece of tailoring is slipping up onto one's shoulders as though by magic. None of that shifting and struggling that seems to be required to get a recalcitrant muffler in place. And turning to see where the magic originated, one finds a — smiling, trim figure that bows politely and goes back to its duties. * * * Ernie Pickler, who has been with United Artists for the past five or six years in the capacity of salesman, special representative and manager, is now working in the city territory. Sometimes we think we'll push through the crowd of exhibitors that jam his e just to throw in a friendly "hello," but when we see him talking to them, and see the satisfied and contented expresisons on their faces (he is a whale of a good salesman) we just haven't got the heart to do it. * * * Ired S. Meyer dropped us a pretty card from .Milwaukee, and the verse on it was dift, and that's saying something, but — that is what you'd expect from Fred. We won't put it into verse form, but even if it is written in a "prosaic" style, you'll get the rhythm. Here it is. " — the same to you. And when you awake on the first to the shouts of "Happy And now, a Happy New Year to Everybody New Year" — add mine too." You bet we will. Charlie Loewenberg — we haven't written about him tor so long that we're somewhat ashamed of the fact — has gotten out about the neatest little Christmas card that we've seen in a long time. As you all know, the destinies of the Fox Strand in Madison are under his tender guidance, and although he has added radio announcing (with an occasional song) to his list of duties, he still had time to create a masterpiece that "admits no defeat." Arriving too late to be made into a cut, we shall try to give you the gist of the affair, and still try to maintain some of its pristine dignity. . It's a manager's pass, sent out by the Joy Theatres corporation from its Happiness theatre. Santa Claus is president (there must be one) and its good for the entire year, including Saturdays, Sundays and All Days. Charlie's manager, and — well, there's not much more to be said. The Happiness theatre must be all the name implies — and just a little bit more. * * * Sono Art-World Wide's "Costello Case" is scheduled to open at the Wood's theatre sometime in the near future. * * * Having mentioned the Filmack company, we should also mention that an expansion is taking place, not as far as space is concerned, but in the matter of equipment. Irving Mack now has the rear room of his "suite" fixed up so that it looks almost like a printship, with the exception that the press is still bright and shiny, and the desks, at which artists are busy lettering, belie the fact, but one thing was particularly noticeable. There was a rush of business in the air. * * * J. Paley, who has been in the exhibiting business for — well, we won't make any conjectures, seems to have a pretty sound idea concerning so-called "bum business." And it's this. If exhibitors would only take the time to study and seek remedies, for their individual theatres, instead of wondernig what the other fellow is doing, things might be different. We think it's a good thought. "Jim," as he is known, has the Empire, Imperial and Indiana, and we hope he favors us with a chat some other day. * * * We're always amazed when we happen to drop into the projection room on the sixth floor of the Universal building, and watch Henry Igel thread film into the machines. Seems to be a lot easier than threading a needle, but when you watch him closely, and see all the little corners, and wheels and etcetra that the "ribbon" has to go When Steve Montgomery opened the Box Office Attraction Company in the Mailers Building?— 1914. When Weiss Brothers operated an inde pendent exchange on Washington Street, and Harry Weiss was a booker? — 1910. When Dave Mundstuck owned an independent exchange on Washington Street, and Si Griever was booker?— 1910. When Eddie Silverman was booker for Selz nick? When Marks Brothers opened the -Colonial theatre on Halsted Street? When the writer introduced the first Stage Production in Chicago at the New Park theatre before Balaban and Katz completed the Central Park? When Floyd Brockell was manager of the Artcraft Exchange in the Consumers Building? When Armstrong was president of the Operators' Union? When Winkler was head of the Musicians' Union ? When Applebaum operated the Wonderland theatre on Milwaukee Avenue? — 1906. When Frank Galkin opened the Paragon theatre at 51st and Prairie? — 1907. When Lipton Astracan, now foreign representative in China for Universal, came here from Russia, and worked as an errand boy in the Lamelle Exchange on Lake Street? When Alfred Hamburger was the largest theatre operator in Chicago? When operators worked in the H. & H. Film Company on Dearborn Street during the day as inspectors in place of girls? When Max Goldstein managed the Artcrafi Exchange in the Consumers Building? When Jimmie Granger was secretary to the Police Commisisoner in New York? When Felix Feist was manager of the Alco Program Exchange in the Schiller Building in Chicago, and I was his country salesman? —1912. When Clyde Eckhardt worked for a circus? When Jack Willis managed the General Film Company? When Zach Harris managed the Fox Office in the Mailers Building?— 1912. When the Fox Film Company released the first specials, namely, Dorothy Donnolly in "The Thief," Edmund Breese in "Walls of Terico," Thelma Barr and Edmund Jose in "A Fool There Was," and "St. Elmo"?— 1912. When Jimmie Coston was an elevated guard, and then opened the Federal theatre? When Jimmie Eggert and Margie O'Rourke were a sensation at the Rose theatre on Madi son Street singing illustrated songs? When Sam Katz operated the Wallace theatre? When Sam Denbow was a special representative for Fox in Chicago? When Henry Ellman was selling papers at 35th and State Streets? When (Old Pop) Lesserman was a salesman for Carl Lamelle in Chicago? — 1909. When Major Funkhauser was the head oi the Censor Board and a nemesis to the exhibitors of Chicago? When C. W. Bunn, now general sales man ager for Westinghouse Sound Department, was manager of the Pathe Office in Chicago r —1915. When Cresson Smith, now western division manager for United Artists, came here from Pittsburgh to manage the Metro Office? — 1916 " 'e are greatly indebted to Leo B. Salkin, manager of the Oriental theatre, for this delightful column. You'll all agree, no doubt, that 1905 is some time ago as time goes when measured icith a motion picture ruler. around and through — well, the only thing that we can figure is that Henry knows his business like nobody's business, and that's probably why it's enjoyable to drop in and look at a picture.