The Film Daily (1926)

THE Half Way Across (Continued from Page 1) has been a marked success, unmarked by any incident except an enthusiasm and conviction that the forthcoming convention will be a marked success. Accomodations on the special are parexcellent. Nothing has been overlooked so far as the luxurious comforts of of every delegate is concerned. Joseph M. Seider and George Stanton, who arranged the complete tour with the New York Central, are deserving of the credit. Almost every mile has recorded an acknowledgement of appreciation in this respect. The tour up to the present cannot be better preambled than by a word for the good fellowship which is manifested in every nook of the train. These Easterners corralled together are like one big family. Those who didn't know everybody else when the train left New York didn't take long to remedy the situation. Practically all delegates were donning their napkins in the sunset at Haripon where a steam locomotive relieved its electric predecessor. One of the outstanding events of the first meal was former President M. J. O'Toole's dissertation on his work as a newspaper man. The speech was a private communication to Nathan Yamins, of Fall River, and his family but the correspondent who was at an adjacent table, could not help but enjoy a little eavesdropping. Seider, his wife and two boys were the next to enjoy the first soup of the trip. National President Woodhull, and his wife did likewise, president observing, "between every mouthful there was a contract." Sydney Cohen, Lou Sagal, chairman of the board of directors and treasurer, respectively, selected seats on the sunny side of the train and looked longingly at passing golf links. Joe Walsh, president of the Connecticut unit, established a precedent at the first meal with a complete outfit of golf toes. Rudy Sanders, of Brooklyn, was kept busy right up to the desert explaining to his daughter about the wonderful things which were within her geographical knowledge. After cigars and candy, and somewhere a little north of Albany, the train experienced its first unified manifestation of good fellowship. Somehow or another, Clinton Weyer, an insurance man, assumed the role of community song leader. His appointment was announced, following the first get-together on the trip. "Good Night Ladies" terminated the program which was broadcast up and down the corridors of the entire train. Bright and early the next morning breakfast was enjoyed. This took place after a new dinner had been hitched to the exhibitors' special at Toledo where there was a five minute rest. After that another short stop was experienced at Elkhart, which was then a matter of but a few hours to the first official stop in Chicago. Just before : pulling into Chicago, Dave Adams, of New Hampshire, w^ho is known as a "theater owner who has never missed a national convention," pulled out his watch. "This old train is making ■^ DAILY Thursday, May 27, pretty good time. She's going just 61 miles per hour," he declared. Asked how he got the figures. Adams said they were provided by the minute hand on his watch and the passi'-~ telegraph poles. George Stanton came out to the aain's back parlor about this time and made it known that they had been "hitting it up" all along. As a comparison he said that The Westerner, which left New York four hours ahead of the special, had pulled into Toledo five minutes after the arrival of the convention train. "What's more" said George, "this special on the complete tour has Twentieth Century equipment which is the finest train on any railroad." In Chicago after dinner at the Congress the delegates split up; most of the crowd, however, reviewing the theaters for which Chicago is so noted. Louis Kramer, director of publicity for Lubliner and Trinz personally conducted some of the visitors to as many of the houses of that unit as could be seen before the train was switched to the Santa Fe to continue the transcontinental trip. Just before midnight when the train pulled out of Chicago, A. Julian Brylawski, chairman of the Administrative Committee and his wife stepped aboard, having taken a direct route from their home in Washington. The last new-comer was E. Thornton Kelly, head of the Contact Department. Kelly had left several days before the general entourage so as to take care of last minute arrangements for the other special trains conveynig Mid-Western exhibitors and leaving later in the week. On the outskirts of Chicago the delegates led by Woodhull, indulged in some community singing in the observation car, a real treat was provided by Mrs. Brylawski, who without accompaniment rendered several solos. Tuesday morning just before the special pulled into Kansas City, H. L. Lavietes aired his views on the first run situation. Lavietes owns the Pequot in Fairhaven, Conn. His experience has taught him that first runs bring in less money than second runs, arguing that the latter derive the benefit of the advertising for the former. "In my opinion," he stated, "the first run, so far as value goes, is limited to the trade." Two Join Max Hart Office Max Hart, 1560 Broadway, is planning to enter the presentations field on an elaborate scale. Walter Batchelor, formerly of Batchelor & Kemp, and Jerry Cargill, formerly with Arthur Spizzi, became associated with him this past week. Carloma Pictures Starts Los Angeles — John T. Carleton, general manager of Carloma Pictures, states the new state right producing firm has completed "The Girl in the Rain," featuring David Butler, as its first picture. Torocella Preparing Act Senorita Torocella, formerly dancer at the Rivoli, is preparing a fourperson act, musical-dancing, for film theaters. Through George Dollini she has engaged Ivan Dneproff, Seek Tax Relief (Continued from Page 1) ministration by several speakers who pointed out that Montreal exhibitors were paying a greater seat tax than was found any whet e else. Montreal theaters pay 85 cents per seat per year to the city and, in addition, an annual tax of SO cents per seat is paid to the Quebec Provincial Government, making a total annual seat tax of $1.35. This was considered high, particularly in view of civic assessments on property and business, Government profits tax, tax on dividends, poster fees, censor fees, sign taxation, taxes on equipment, apart from the civic amusement tax which the general public paid on admission tickets of about 10 per cent. The executive committee promised to take the matter under advisement and grant relief if possible. New William Morris Bookings The William Morris office has booked the following acts into the State. St. Louis: May 29, Eddie Miller Duo, singers; June 5, Clarion Trumpters and Kendall Capps, featured dancer in the "Greenwich Village Follies"; June 12, Anatole Friedlander's Club Anatole Revue. The same agency also booked Marion and Martinez Randall, international dancing team, into the Mosque, Newark. Theater for McGill University Montreal — A theater is to be a feature of McGill University, work having been started on a theater which will have a capacity of 600. The new structure will be known as the Moyse and will be completely equipped for dramatic and picture presentations. And Thafs Tha^ By "BARRY" A RE VI EWER overheard one of the Broadway The main titles were being on the screen when "Jesse L presents" came into view, he's the best director there i a woman. A want ad in "The Newar I ning News" reads "Five one ', men with stump to advert i^ Barrymore's greatest Tpictuvi Sea Beast." Apply Manage) tol theater." The United Press lists tli ; popular Americans, judged way they are treated in the ^em newspapers. Charlie Chapp fourth, ranking ahead of Pric Coolidge; Mary Pickford is sixi, .. lowing the President, while lem Ford heads the list with Jack ieini sev second. Gene Tunney and Mike Dom a: both acting at the Fine Arts, '( where Tunney is making the\ serial, "The Fighting Marine.'\Ge) mentioned an incident in a bah"" that took place several years o > Mike, who must have a ^vo : memory, recalled the date, ning, the members of both tea i, u batteries and the exact spot^ike the ball he hit landed at th\Po Grounds. i Several tons of acting abi' employed in the cornedy, "Tin ! Parade," which is held over ai > ers for another week. "Fatty K "Fatty" Alexander and "hfiy Ross are all in it. Comiii{[ GENE TUNNEY fi>rtnidable heavywei^t loser otonly one battle and thativayback inl972,ina Pateerial — -®— _ .\ />* ^t M, l-I A V^'