The Film Daily (1927)

THE -.^Bg^ DAILY Wed., Aug. 24, 1917 Xtm TIPS WHICH MIAN DOOMiS FOP SUC?WMEN "Lovers" (M-G-M) Replicas of a tabloid newspaper were distributed on the streets as extras; the newsboys shouting out the sensational headline, "Husband Killed in Tragic Love Duel." The papers advertised "Lovers" and also mentioned the name of theater and plajf dates. — George T. Cruzen, Palace, Lockport, N. Y. "Metropolis" (Paramount) Knowing that picture was full of unique effects in photography and setting, as well as in theme, invited a controversy. Passes were awarded to persons writing the five best reasons why "Metropolis" would be popular and also to persons writing the five best reasons why it would not be popular. Since both sides of the question were to be argued, an unusually large number of replies was received. Since even those who didn't like the picture had to come to see it in order to write about it. — J. P. Harrison, Hippodrome, Waco, Tex. "Resurrection" (United Artists) A special banner was made for use in lobby. After the sign was painted and still wet a lot of artificial snow was put on it which made it look very cool and inviting. Board frames were made for the banner and these were treated in the same manner; putting artificial snow on while the paint was still wet. Two large trees were placed on either side of the entrance; the trees being covered with whitewash to give them the snow effect. — James H. McKoy, Rex, Spartansburg, S. C. "White Pants Willie" (First Nat'l) A sandwich man dressed in white pants paraded streets with boards carrying the title of picture, name of theater, and play dates together with "sales" copy. Two window tie-ups with merchants featured special sales on "White Pants." These windows also carried stills in large mats with suitable copy. — Chas. S. Morrison, Arcade, Jacksonville, Fla. Fox Re-Issues "Honor First" In the re-issue of "Honor First," George Gibb's war story featuring John Gilbert and Renee Adoree, Fox is preparing new paper and exploitation to meet current exhibitor requirements. Ralph Brown Returns Ralph Brown of the legal staff covering foreign markets at First National, has returned from Europe. Wiley on Sales Trip George H. Wiley, vice-president of the Peerless Pictures has left on a business trip and will visit all exchanges in key cities. W. G. Hearings End; Decision by Winter (Continued from Fage 1) connections with Rothchild, who attempted to prove, through the witnesses, that no agreement existed between West Coast and the Rothchild circuit regarding the buying or booknig of pictures. Dembow was the tirst on the stand. He was examined by William Mallard, a New York attorney, for the respondent, and cross-examined by J. Edwin Rowland, district attorney, tor the Government. J. W. Bennett, Federal Trade Commissioner, presided. Dembow, who bought product for the Rothchild theaters in San Francisco, from the fall of 1923 to 1925. described, in detail, the 'Frisco theater field while he was with Rothchild. Partington, following Dembow on the stand, collaborated the latter's statement that no agreement existed, insofar as they knew, between West Coast and Rothchild. The examining commissioner also questioned each witness regarding their testimony, none of which proved sensational. Following testimony, Mallard moved that certain testimony affecting Rothchild be striken from the records, "on the grounds that it was irrevalent, incompetent and immaterial and no evidence was introduced by said testimony," The Commissioner denied the motion and the case then rested. Testimony which Mallard sought to have ruled out of the records was made by A. M. Bowles and Herman Wobber during hearings on the Coast. The West Coast case was embodied in two complaints which were prosecuted jointly. They were issued May 29, 1925. In one. West Coast Theater, Inc., of Northern California; the T. & D. Jr. Enterprises, Inc.; Herbert L. Rothchild Entertainments, Inc., and H. M. Turner, Fred Dahnken, C. L. Langley and F. W. Livingston, partners doing business under the nanie of Turner, Dahnken it Langley, are named as respondents, and are charged with having conspired together for the purpose of hindering, restraining and preventing producers and distributors in other states from leasing their films to competitors of respondents and with having made agreements as to competition between themselves in the exhibition of films. The other complaint names West Coast Theaters, Inc.; West Coast Theaters, Inc., of Northern California; Venice Amusement Co., Hollywood Theaters, Inc.; All Star Feature Distributors, Inc., Educational Film Exchange, Principal Pictures Corp.; and the partners H. M. Turner, Fred Dahnken, C. L. Langley and F. W. Livingston, operating as Turner, Dahnken & Langley; and A. L. Gore, Michael Gore, Sol Lesser, Adolph Ramish and Dave Bershon. They also are charged with having conspired to hinder, restrain and prevent outside producers or distributors from leasing their films to competitors. Taking of testimony when the case PHIL M. SEZ/ "Well, well! Our dear old public hasn't forsaken us after all. Did you notice how Broadway business piled up last week? There's some hope left, it seems." was first launched in 1925 occupied hut one day, the hearing having been (li.scontinued in order that a stipulation of agreed facts might be drafted. The examiner's report, based on tile stipulati(jn was filed June 7 and was followed June 24 by the respondent's exceptions. The commission's brief was filed August 25 and that of the respondents Sept. 28. Further arguments were heard Nov. 8, at which time the commisssion severely criticised the stipulation and later ordered that the stipulation be ignored and the taking of testimony continued. Testimony has been taken at various times, until about two months ago when the case practically ended on the West Coast. At that time, the respondent, Herbert L. Rothchild Entertainments, Ins., applied to have the hearing transferred to New York to hear testimony of Partington and Dembow. "Shanghaied" for Hippodrome Marking total of sx pictures in Broadway houses in six weeks, FBO goes into the Hippodrome the week of Aug. 29 with "Shanghaied." Three Paramounts on B'way Paramount holds sway at three first-runs this week. "The Way of All Flesh" continues at the Rialto; "Wings" is at the Criterion and "Underworld" at the Paramount. Becker Sailing Dr. Rudolph Becker, foreign manager for Ufa, sailed for Berlin on the S.S. New York. He met the trade press at a luncheon Monday. Among topics discussed was the German "kontingent" which, Becker declared, had its advantages, since it brought into Germany only good pictures. This, he explained, was due to the fact that the buyer closed for pictures on a selective basis only and naturally picked the best. "Allah" at Embassy "The Garden of Allah" will open at the Embassy Sept. 2 for an indefinite run. No arrangements have been made for "The Trail of '98." "The Student Prince" will probably succeed "The Big Parade" at the Cohan in September. New Booking Combine Formed in Cleveland (.Continued from Page 1) of lowering film rentals, Casanave ; states. Distributors had refused to recognize Associated Theaters of Ohio as representing a group of theater owners. This refusal has been withdrawn. Casanave states that there are bout 500 independent houses in Ohio, representing an investment of $50,000,000 and that the service is planned to protect this investment. Associated Theaters of Ohio and Affiliated Theatrical Utilities Corp. of Buffalo represent 135 theaters at ' present. Gen'l Theater Strike Confronts Toronto; (Continued from Page 1) aters employ about 400 musicians. The situation is being watched by operators, electricians, stage hands and others in all theaters. Theater owners point out that the musicians have had three increases in the past five years and it is asserted that the wages of musicians run as high as $55 and $60 per week. Conductors of orchestras are also paid as high as $85 and $100 a week. Ottawa Undisturbed Ottawa — Exhibitors here will not have any differences with organized ' labor this year for the reason that business relations have been pleasant for some years. Blumenthal Returns I. Blumenthal, general manager for Paramount in Germany, sails today on the Aquitania for Berlin. Krazy Kat Get-Together Charles J. Mintz of the Winkler organization was host yesterday at a luncheon at which Paramount short subject executives and members of the Krazy Kat Studio met. Those present included Mike Lewis, Miles Gibbons, Lew Diamond, George Wultner, Ben Harrison and Manny Gould. Ready for Distribution JOSEPH B. HARRIS presents ELGAUCHO with Paul Ellis, Sally Long, Don Bensar A two reel subject done in KELLEY COLOR The firs-t of a series of twelve subjects