Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1927)

Afril S, 1^27 Ne\^ England Bi:\ L\().\, I'irst National >tar. was introdiici-d about l-'ilm Row (luring the week on a visit to Boston. He first called at First National exchange and later at several of the other exchanges. According to Chairman W. H. Erbb, of the Transportation Committee of the New England Film lUiard, compliance with the conimittce's recent ruling regarding insuring all fdms from fire and theft while in transit, has been generally complied with. This moveinent was started by John J. Scully when chairman of the Transportation Committee last year and was completed by the new chairman when lie assumed the office. M. A. Lavinc. formerly of Norwich, Conn., is managing the Olympia at Bristol. R.I. Charles Israelson, who runs the Island I-edge Casino at Welle Beach. Me., and the Strand at Kennebunkport. Me., was in Boston during the week, making bookings for his houses which are operated during the summer season. lie was the earliest of the summer theatre owners to start his buying. Miss Sarah Laurie entertained the girls of the Independent Films, Inc., at a tea and bridge-party at her home during the week. Miss Eleanor .A.*Hearn captured the first prize at bridge. Rids closed this week for the new theatre in Haverhill to be erected bv Samuel Jenslo from plans by Rlackall. Clapp & Whittemore. The building will be all on one floor and will be 130 by 80 feet. Contracts will probably be awarded within a week or ten days. The Victoria Theatre at Greenfield. Mass., was robbed recently by yeggs, who entered by forcing a rear window and then cut away a section of cement and brick wall 111 ui-t into till' .lilm. wluri. the safe was forced and a little more tiian $300 in cash was stolen. The Pine Point Theatre at Springfield is preparing to open within a few weeks, work rapidly Hearing completion. A. M. Porcheron, of the Empire Theatre at West Springfield, .Mass., was a visitor to Film Row during the week, the first time in many months. Another harbinger of summer to appear in Film Row during the week was Wilfred Duffy, who operates the Casino and Seashore theatres at Old Orchard Beach, Me. Mr. Duffy is building a new theatre at Old Orchard, which will he added to his present chain and which will be ready for opening about July 1st. John Dineen, of the Modern Theatre. I^wrence. Mass.. has taken over the Casino at Hampton Beach. N.H. Thomas I.evine has been appointed manager of the Co'umbus Theatre, at Providence. R.I., succeeding William Harding. Philip Smith, who recently took over the Strand at South Boston and the Warren Theatre at Roxbury. Mass., is preparing for the opening of these tw'o new houses carlv next month. William "Rill" Laycock. who runs Durrell Hall at Cambridge. Mass.. is able to be out again after a month's serious illness. Fred J. Murphy, who operates several theatres at Quincv. Mass., is about again after a serious operation, much improved in health. W'ernick Brothers, who are to build a new theatre at Chicopee Falls, Mass., have received bids for the building with the proviso that the theatre be ready for occupancy bv I^bor Day. The structure will cost about $7'5.000. Hi(U are being receiveil for the new .Auditorium, to be erected by the city of Burlington, Vt. The auditorium will have complete molion picture etiuipnient and will be used part of the time for showing motion picture films. C. -M. ClifTord. 106 Main Street, Brockton, .Mass., is having plans drawn for a theatre and stores on Broad Street, Bridgewater, Mass. Plans have been drawn and arc now being figured for a new theatre for James J. Donovan, of the Park Theatre. Taunton, Mass. Plans call for a building 150 by 70 feet with one balcony, erected of brick and cast stone at 30-32 Broadway, Taunton. Following are a few recent news items received from Providence, R.I. The Modern Theatre, which has been playing stock, clo.sed last wek. Emery Brothers, who recently sold their five downtown houses to the Fay's, are reported as ready to build three new neighborhood theatres in Providence. Plans have already been approved for their 1,200-seat house on Hope Street. The Columbia Theatre, said to be one of the finest in Rhode Island, which opened last November with Keith vaudeville and subsequently changed over to pictures on January 1st, has recently announced a program of pictures and vaude\ille commencing the week of March 27. .-\dmission will be 10. 15 and 25 cents with a special Saturday morning show for children at 5 cents. The new million-dollar .\llyn Theatre on Asylum -Street, will open on .\pril 18 with a program consisting of first-run motion pictures, vaudeville acts from the -Amalgamated exchange and music by an orchestra of at least ten pieces. ■| lit; tlli-atli w ill ll.lM .1 r.iip,! ity of 2..?(H» with 1,235 M-ats on the main tl.or, 774 in the balcony and \47 in the loge. The JA-e Ijish Studio tumpany of .\ft. X'ernon, .\.\'., i^ putting the finishing touches on the stage. The owners of the theatre, Robert J. .Mlyn and Colonel Clarence W. Seymour, are prei)aring for .i gala first night. M. E. Comerford, president of the .Vmalgamated Exchange, will l)c among the guests who may indutle Governor Trumbull, his >Uiff. members of the State legislature, city oflicials, and fithers. Colonel .Seymour will take an active part in the manairemein of the theatre with William D. .Xscough. Julius Le\cnson of the Elm .Amusement Co. of Boston announced today that plans had been completed for the remodeling of the Elm Theatre. The entire plant will be remodelcl. The proposed changes will call for an expenditure of approximately $35,000 and when completed will give North .Attleboro one of the most modern and up-to-date moving picture houses in any town of its size in the state. Work on the changes will be started next month. I-ester S. Tobias, who has been associated w'ith various film enterprises in Connecticut for the past fi fteen years, has been appointed New England representative of De Forest Phonofilms by Lowell P>rown, president of the corporation. Mr. Tobias has already taken up his duties in behalf of the talking fifms. but is still to supervise the distribution of films through his present exchange, the Ritz Film Exchange at New Haven, Conn. Several important circuits in NewEngland were represented at a special demonstration of Phonofilms on last Tuesdav. Salt Lake City Vi'l"-^l'l">>-'l' CO.MPANV i-:n▼ gineer Mueler is in this city at the present time going over the installation at the American Theatre. It is announced that a special Vitaphone attraction will Ix; offered at this house. .After this engagement the Vitaphone will be temporarily discontinued at the American, it is reported by Manager C. F. Montgomery, of this theatre. A Wurlitzer pipe organ has just been installed in the Princess Theatre, of Provo, Utah, by R. F. Pulham, technician here, under the management of L. N. Strike, who has recently taken over this house. D. J. McNerney, United .Artists sales manager, is now on an extended trip throughout Idaho. Kenneth Hodkinson. Division Manager for United .Artists, will soon be in Salt Lake City from California, at which time detailed arrangements will be made relative to equipping and moving into the new film building. Fred Lind, local manager for F.B.O., returned from Southern Utah. L. F. Brown, of the Oak and Isis theatres at Preston, Idaho, is in this city, calling on the various exchange managers. The Oak Theatre has been closed for a period of about two weeks, and it has now been moved into a new building and will open within one week, according to reports. Ray Hendry, manager of the Paramount Theatre at Ogden, Utah, is in Salt I.^ke City for a brief stay, as are the Peery Brothers, of the Egyptian and Ogden theatres, at Ogden. L. T. Fidler, local manager for Columbia Pictures, returned last week from a swing throughout Idaho. The new Paramount Provo house, which held its formal opening last week in a very successful manner, has been completely redecorated and remodeled, making it a strictly high-class, cozy and comfortable house. About $25. 000 has been expended in remodeling this house, and the new W'urlitzer organ which has been ordered will be installed within about the next sixty days. Louis Marcus, District Manager here for Famous Players-I-asky. and of the Louis Marcus Enterprises, states that conditions for the balance of the year look favorable. Branch Manager L. J. McGinley has been ill with neuralgia the past few days. Russell F. Elgner, Home Office Representative for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is in Salt Lake City for a visit of about two weeks' duration, after having spent the past two months in the Mississippi A'alley exchanges. T-ocal Manager L. C. Wingham. of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer office, is in Montana territory. Hal Elias. Exploitation Manager for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is in this city. J. A. Epperson, manager here for Pathe, is leaving for the Idaho branch within a day or two. Branch Feature Sales Manager Able Davis is in the Montana territory, having recently had this section added to his allotted duties. Mr. Barnard, of the Gem Theatre, at Bingham, Utah, was a Film Row visitor last week. The employes of the Universal office here have been provided with life insurance taken out by the company. W. J. Heineman. local manager for Universal, is in from a series of short trips into the nearby key cities. Joe Goss. of the Orpheum Theatre, at Ogden, L"tah, spent a few days along the Row here last week. Goss has just returned from a trip • to San Francisco. Sam P.. .Sturtevant. of the Majestic Theatre at Fruita. Colo., is a Salt I^ke visitor, renewing acquaintance with his many friends in the film colony here. H. O. Ilalstead. oi the Cozy Theatre, at Duchesne. Utah, rccentlv had a film fire.