The Film Daily (1926)

U926 (iPENING FOR MTIER' TODAY tin Invents Some xploitation Stunts Bthstein is working over tl preparation for the openversal's big picture "The •ontier," which is to open ny Theatre in New York mong his other ballyhoo as gotten up a gold plated ticket for the opening ouvenir gold-plated coin f form of courtesy pass riljbe exchanged for reserved e box-office. His special and exploitation work on iJ said to be the finest cam« conceived by Nat in his it of celebrities expected to il midnight opening of Uni 'he Flaming Frontier" at tlif tonight, includes such ! General R. L. Bullard, y, Fannie Hurst, George m, Judge Rosalsky, Rear jlliarles P. Plunkett, Wilton |(Bebe Daniels and Tom )Tied for ruary Money iniued from f^aye 6) illowing, are the pictures ; ed one or more votes I'ltors who claimed these aviest earners: on the Box 0 Dance ' Hitter nted Hill Way Girl 1 of Zazan Beast y 'le and Mary/ ry Widow^'' I i s Straight Ahead t Outlaw :iry/ i the Purple Sage nderer rlasting Whisper )se Woman stice ly Express lyle Girl cient Highway ing Kid f Western Stars nona Hair thes 1 Lands Ts DAILY REVIEW is 3 the exhibitors who have is compilation possible leir interest and co-oporais for exhibitors, by exhe most authentic source nation as to box-office hiscan possibly be conceived, sion of this service is only irough their continued coa fact which is the graphic of the value they attach Calendar of Coming Events Today — F. B. O. Convention, Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif. April 5.— Start of Three-day Universal Sales Convention, Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif. April 8.— Meeting M. P. T. O. of Washington, Olympia, Wash. April 11. — Fox Convention, Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif. April 19. — Convention Pathe District Managers, Hotel Roosevelt, New York. April 19-20.— M. P. T. O. of Western Pennsylvania. Convention at Pittsburgh. April 26. — Eastern Contingent, First National Sales Convention, New York, N. Y. April 30. — Canada and Midwest First National Sales Convention, Chicago, 111. May 6. — West Coast First National Sales Convention, Los Angeles, Calif. June 1 to S. — Annual Convention, M. P. T. O. A., Los Angeles, Calif. PLAN PUBLIX STUDIO IN N. Y. Abandon Proposed L. I. Site for Times Sq. NEW YORK, March 27.— Because of the inaccessibility of Long Island City to artistes, producers and agents identified with presentations for picture houses, the plans of Publix Theaters' Corporation to erect a large studio here opposite the production plant of the Famous Players have been abandoned. A site in Times Square, or as near Times Square as possible, so that agents, artistes and others associated with Publix will not be compelled to go far out of their way, is being sought for the building, the plans of which, prepared by R. E. Hall and Company, remain unchanged. The building will be five stories in height. Page 7 BROADWAY THEATRES By Mike Simmons THE BOX-OFFICE VERDICT Astor— "The Big Parade," M-G-M, I9th week. Holy Week hasn't put the slightest dent in the S. R. O. pressure here. 100%. Apollo— "Stella Dallas," United Artists, 20th week. Running to about 85%. Marin and Depinet Back East, Start Hammering Against Summer Slump Exhibitors Pajring More Attention to Theatre Comforts Returned from trips through the West and South, Ned Marin, Western Sales Manager for First National Pictures, and Ned Depinet, Southern Sales Manager, are enthusiastic over the response of exhibitors to the call for an aggressive campaign that will dispel the summer slump bugaboo. All that is needed in order to keep patrons coming to the theatre during the months of June, July and August is a strong line-up of pictures shown in comfortably cool houses and backed by adequate advertising. It appears from the reports received from both Mr. Marin and Mr. Depinit that exhibitors are realizing the change that has come about with the physical improvement of theatre buildings. Houses constructed during the past few years and the many new ones nearing completion, are adequately ventilated and offer comfortable surroundings whatever the temperature. Visiting twelve branches in the Southern territory, Mr. Depinet conducted meetings and conferred with leading exhibitors, whom he found to be greatly interested in the forthcoming product of First National. "Generally speaking, business seemed to be better than a year ago at this time," said Mr. Depinet, "and exhibitors are confident that they can keep it on the up-grade if they are supplied with the right sort of box office pictures such as they have been getting from First National. I found a big demand for early bookings of 'Irene' and 'Kiki,' also 'Tramp, Tramp, Tramp.' Another picture that exhibitors seem particularly anxious to see is 'The Greater Glory.' From my observation of conditions and judging from the spirit of the exhibitors with whom I talked, I am confident that First National will do the biggest summer business in the history of the company." WILL HAYS SPEAKS Will H. Hays, President of the M. P. P. D. A., spoke over WEAF at the Advertising Club of New York last Wednesday, March 3L His speech, which is of vital interest and import to the motion picture industry will be published in installments in Exhibitors Daily Review, the first of the series to appear in the issue of Monday, April 5. Capitol— "The Devil's Circus," MG-M. Excellent surrounding program kept the tickets selling at about 70% capacity. George M. Cohan— "Ben Hur," M-G-M, 14th we«k. Eager, fullsome audiences turning the ticket stiles to a 90% tune. Colony— "The Cohens and Kellys," Universal, 6th week. Makes way for "The Flaming Frontier" Sunday. Finished up to about 65% capacity. Criterion — "Mare Nostrum," M-GM, 7th week. Advance sales picking up. Hitting the 75% mark Embassy— "La Boheme," M-G-M, 6th week. Averaging about 70%. Rialto— "Bride of the Storm," Warner Brothers. Takings rose over last week's. Doing 75%. Rivoli— "The Crown of Lies," Paramount. Business slowed up here. 60%. Film Firm Confesses U. C. I. $64,969 Judgment Unity Pictures, Inc., James W. Keenan, president, has confessed judgment for $64,969.33 in favor of the Unione Cinematografica Italiana. The firm admits that $56,000 and $8,969.33 became due the U. C. I. on notes but could not be paid because of shortage of funds. The difference in the judgment includes interest and costs. LITIGATION Judgment by consent for $12,000 with interest was rendered in the case of Goldwyn Distributing Corp. vs. Newark Rialto Theatre Co.. Inc. (C. L. Hess for pi. ; T. F. MacMahon for def.) in the Supreme Court, Trial Term, Part IX, before Justice O'M alley. Suit of Peace Theatre Corp. vs. Schulnian-Goldberg Theatrical Corp. in the Supreme Court, Special Term, Part I, before Justice Glennon. The two motions to issue commissions made by Osida Pictures, plf.. in the suit of First National, was denied by Judjfc liijur, in the .Supreme Court, Special Term, Part I, Tuesday. Suit of Bliss Laboratories, Inc., vs. Levy in the Supreme (^ourt, Special Term, Part 11, before Justice Erlanger. Suit of Huguano vs. Craftsmen Film Laboratories, Inc., in the Supreme Court, Special Term, Part II, before Justice Erlanger. Suit of Palmer Photoplay Corp. vs. Handy in the City Court, Special Term, Part I, before Judge Meyers. Selwyn— "The Black P i r a t e," United Artists, 5th week. Douglas Fairbanks managing to draw them in to an 80% tune. Strand— "The Dancer of Paris," First National. Combination of Aden's story and Vincent Lopez' orchestra, filled the seats matinees and evenings to 85% capacity. Warners— "The Sea Beast," Warner Brothers, 12th week. Ends run this week with a 65% draw. Average for entire run very good. Rothacker Returns Watterson R. Rothacker, who has been on a Mediterranean trip, arrived in New York yesterday aboard the Mauretania. Koerner Resigns PORTLAND, Ore.— Charles Koerner, branch manager for First National, has resigned and will enter the theatrical field in Oakland, Calif. Herns Does Publicity PORTLAND, Ore.— Ruth Herns, of the Universal exchange, will handle all publicity for the Columbia Theatre, a Universal house. Brunette Back at Work HOLLYWOOD.— Farina, the one and only, has returned to his dressing room at the Hal Roach studios after an illness of several weeks.