The Film Daily (1930)

24 THE s^fr* DAILY Monday, July 21, 1930 © NEWS OF THE DAY © Reading, Pa. — Mayor J. Henry Stump again has refused to place a ban on the Sunday night matinees held in his various theaters under the auspices of various war veterans' posts for charity purposes. Members of the Reading Ministerial Ass'n presented a petition against the shows for the second time in two months, but the mayor stood his ground on the contention that the benefits are bona fide. Brookings, S. D. — In the absence of Manager J. J. McCarthy of the Fad, Frank McCarthy is in charge of the house and is also supervising work on the new State. San Francisco — Tilden Wiley succeeds J. J. Donahue as salesman at Paramount. Donahue has been transferred to a sales position in the Portland territory. Brockton, Mass. — The Rialto has been darkened for the summer. Aggieville, Kans. — Manhattan Building, Loan and Savings Ass'n has leased the Miller to Blair Cook, exhibitor from Tonganoxie, for a period of five years. The house, closed for installation of sound, is expected to open Aug. 1. Omaha — Nate Furst, formerly with Bristolphone in Minneapolis, is now salesman for the local Warner branch. Pittsburgh — Following an illness of five and a half months at the Mercy Hospital, Frank Bonistall, Educational salesman, has sufficiently recovered to return to his home. San Francisco — Ray Kelsall, former manager of the Daily City, is now filling a like capacity at the Lorin. Minot, N. D. — This town went on record against Sunday motion pictures 1,705 to 1,549 in the recent state election. THE HB NEWSfUfk Of IIIMtOM Congratulates: -a— LOWELL SHERMAN for a smart job of direction, besides a suave performance in a principal role, in the RKO production of "Lawful Larceny" No. 17 of 1930 "Good Deeds" Series Pittsburgh — Lou Engel has severed his connections with Columbia Pictures here. Atlantic City— Edward J. O'Keefe, at one time proprietor of the City Square in Philadelphia, is now booking for the Million-Dollar Pier. George Young, formerly manager of Keith's in Philadelphia, is managing the Garden Pier theater throughout the summer. Philadelphia — A physical merger of Penn Productions with Success Exchange has been accomplished. Oscar Neufeld is president of Success. Mike Levinson, head of Penn, will have an important executive post in the organization and Penn will continue as an individual entity with release through Success. San Francisco — Sam Sirber, formerly connected with the local All Star office, is now affiliated with the Columbia exchange in the booking department. Reading, Pa. — Closing for the first time since it was built several years ago, the Park is dark for about a month. The house will be renovated, it is stated and it is reported that a change of policy from straight pictures to vaudeville is contemplated. Audubon, N. J. — J. B. Amusement Corp., which operates the Regis and Venus, has bought the Highland here and plans to renovate the house. Baltimore — Stanley Gosnell, manager of the Valencia, is pinch-hitting for Sam Gilman at the Parkway while Gilman is vacationing in Cleveland. St. Louis — The State Supreme Court has decided that the estate of Joseph Mogler, owner of the Mogler, Bremen and Excello, who was murdered by bandits last December, is liable for $5,000 on the forfeited bond of Clyde Mitchell. Baltimore — Keith's, first-run, is booking Paramount pictures now that the Hippodrome is closed. Philadelphia — After holding out till now on a silent policy, the Family, Market St. house on which the Stanley Co. has renewed its lease, is announced as going sound about the middle of next month. This leaves only the Princess and Savoy as silent houses on Market St. Wilmington, Del. — The Avenue, closed for the summer, is scheduled to reopen in September. Short Shots from New York Studios By HARRY N. BLAIR UARRY RICHMAN and Gina Malo are among the latest batch of stage personalities to be signed by Larry Kent to appear in Paramount short subjects. Miss Malo, a former Parisian favorite, succeeded Lily Damita in "Sons O' Guns," current Broadway musical. * * * Olive Shea has been loaned by Warner Bros, to Crosby Gaige for a role in "Saturday Night," a stage drama directed by Winifred Lenihan, to be presented here in the fall. * * * Howard Bretherton has just finished a two-reel farce called "The Headache," with Bill House featured and will direct two one-reelers this week, at the Paramount studios, one of which will feature Marion Harris, musical comedy favorite. * * * John Doran and Arthur Cozine of the Paramount New York studios will take their vacations in Sundays this year. Both are getting every other Sunday off during the summer and are wondering what to do in their spare time. * * * Mort Blumenstock has just completed "Her Story," a musical short with a "Madame X" theme. Ethel I Merman and Al Siegel are featured, the latter having also composed a special score, while both story and sets are by Blumenstock. * * * Rube Welch, staff writer at the Paramount New York studios, dashed out to the Yankee Stadium to see the Singer-Mandell bout, and arrived just as the referee was counting ten. So there was nothing else to do but go home again. * % * Dudley Hawley, who appears in "Seeing Helen Home," a Paramount short, recently closed a successful tour in "Congai," in which he was the last of Helen Menken's six lovers. His specialty is playing old men with young ideas. * * * Walto?i Butterfield has completed original scripts for Helen Lynd, the Three Swifts and Wee Willie Robyn, all of wham will be featured in Paramount's short subjects. An instance of the realistic note now prevelant in films is the artist's studio set used in "Laughter." In contrast to the usual abundance of oriental rugs and elaborate trimmings, the setting is a real working studio, cluttered up with plaster cast models and containing only the bare necessities. Philadelphia — Frank Jordon is back! on Market St. as manager of the Victoria, succeeding Harry Rose, who was transferred to the Sedgwick to replace Ed Wick. Jordon is one of the Stanley oldtimers. Landisville, N. J. — Frank Kotak and Samuel Gotz have taken over the Landisville from McAllister and I Robinson. Reading, Pa. — Site for the new Hollywood is being cleared. Wilmer & Vincent will control the house. It is reported that the Rajay, Orpheum and Park, as well as some other houses that are not favorably located or have not been doing satisfactory business, may be eliminated. Philadelphia — William Smelo has been awarded the general contract for the erection of a film exchange building at 1228 Winter St. for Edward J. Swotes. The new quarters will be occupied by Metro, ■ Nazareth, Pa. — The Royal has closed. New Greta, Pa. — Gus S. Burley.j formerly in charge of the Grand in Philadelphia and at one time assistant manager of the Steel Pier, is] now managing an outdoor theater here. Littlestown, Pa. — A. C. Mayers has! acquired the Regent from M. C| McClug. Philadelphia — Gus Becker, orl Becker Bros., is dead. He had beertf in business here for about 20 years. Trenton, N. J. — I. Levy is doinf the booking and buying for the nev owners of the Garden, recently ac quired from the Stacey Amusemen, Co. TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY IN THE mi mwspapm Of FILM DOM asic i Bf^VDAILY Theater Owners Chamber of Com merce will go into courts to uphol< validity of Charles Ray First Na uonal contracts. * * * M. P. Exhibitors of America, Inc to meet Aug. 31-Sept. 1 at Hote Congress, Chicago. * * * Texas Exhibitors Ass'n formed i: Dallas, to be affiliated as bookin circuit with exhibitors in Texas.