Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1927)

September 30 , 1927 1005 Central Penn DETAILS of an interview that was granted to him by Benito Mussolini, Premier of Italy, in Palacco Chigi, in Rome, on July 25, are told by Peter Magaro, veteran motion picture theatre owner, of Harrisburg, Pa., who has just returned from a trip of several months abroad. With him at the time of the interview was Mr. Magaro's daughter. Miss Elizabeth Magaro. The meeting was arranged by United States Ambassador Henry P. Fletcher, a personal friend of Mr. Magaro, whose boyhood home was in Greencaste, Pa., near Harrisburg. The theatre man said the ruler of Italy rose from his seat and advanced half way across the room to greet the visitors, and smiled broadly at them. He started to address them in perfect English, but when he learned that Mr. Magaro was a native-born Italian, the conversation was continued in that language. "He impressed me as the Roosevelt of Italy," said Mr. Magaro. "There is not the pomp and ceremony about him that one would expect. He listens with all the seriousness of a man used to grappling with big problems, but he waxes into broad smiles as he begins speaking of himself." Air. Magaro, who established the first motion picture theatre in Harrisburg about a quarter of a century ago, is a former member-large of the executive committtee of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. In Alay, 1925, the Loew interests bought the Regent Theatre, Harrisburg, from Mr. Magaro, and have since been conducting it as Loew's Regent. Peg Glase, cameraman of the Franklin Theatre Company, which operates nine theatres in Reading, accompanied an excursion of 3,000 Reading poor children, who were the guests of the Reading Times, on an excursion up the Hudson River, from New York City, late in August. Four special trains took the children to and from New York, and the river trip was made on board three steamboats. Movies were taken at varioits points of interest during the trip, and the pictures were shown afterward in some of the Reading theatres through the cooperation of Manager John H. Cook, representing the Franklin company. The orchestra that played all summer in the open air theatre in Rolling Green Amusement Park, near Sunbury, has been engaged for the Fall and Winter season to play in the Victoria picture theatre in that city. The arrangement was made in behalf of the Victoria by Grant F. Treon, the house manager, who announced that the music programs to be given in connection with the pictures in the coming season will be much improved. November 1 is the date set tentatively for the opening of the new Capitol Theatre which the Comerford Amusement Comnany, of Scranton, is erecting in Pottsville. The building, which is to cost about ^500,000, has been under construction since last Fall. It is a threestory brick, concrete and steel structure, and will have a seating capacity of 2,700. William H. Wentz, owner of the Majestic Theatre, Catasauqua, had a cameraman shoot pictures of the recent carnival local children held on the municipal playgrounds. Gemmell & Billmeyer, of York, have been chosen as the architects for the new $200,000 theatre to be erected in Hanover by Fred G. Bitner, of the latter city, in association with the Nathan Appell Enterprises, of York. The site has been cleared of old buildings, and the excavation work has begun. The theatre will be known as the State and provision will be made for two stores in the building. Arthur Snyder, former manager of the Scenic Theatre, York, but now manager of a chain of theatres operated by his brother, Henry Snyder, with headquarters in Philadelphia, returned to York to spend a week-end, renewing old acquaintances, early in September. Construction work is expected to start this Fall on a new theatre, which a group of Easton, Pa., capitalists, headed by Clayton Buss, an experienced theatre man, propose to erect on the site of Nos. 44 to 54 North Third Street, in that city. Two of the properties that belonged to Paris Brothers and Paul M. Thomas, respectively, are reported already to have been acquired by the Buss group, which is understood to be negotiating for the third property, owned by Ralph R. Pittinger. The proiKrties ha\>o a total frontage of 90 feet, and extend back 240 feet. Plans for the theatre are under preparation. In the same city the Wilmer & Vincent theatre company have for some time contemplated the erection of a large theatre, capable of seating 3,100 persons. The structure will include a four-story ofTice building in the front, the entrance to the theatre to be through the first floor of this part of the edifice. The leases on the properties covering the proposed site will expire between April 1 and July 1, and it is anticipated that construction work will begin shortly after the latter date. Denver BACHECHI BROS.' new theatre in Albuquerque has been named the "Kimo." The theatre is rapidly nearing completion — in fact only the finishing touches need be put on before the gala opening, which is scheduled for Monday, September 19th, 1927. The new house is replete with Indian decorations and designs. Harry Huffman has again sprung something new in the way of decorative-features at the Aladdin theatre, at least as far as Denver fans are concerned. Mr. Huffman has placed a few score twinkling stars in the blue skv ceiling of the theatre. Normand B. Bosley has accepted a position as assistant manager of the local branch of Universal. Mr. Bosley comes from the Los Angeles branch of Universal. He succeeds Chas. Gillen, resigned. The Denver Film Board of Trade and Board of Arbitration has resumed regular weekly meetings. During the summer months meetings were held every other week. A. V. E. Wessels, owner and manager of the Alden theatre, Steamboat Springs, Colo., arrived in Denver last Thursday to transact business with exchanges. The Midwest Theatres Company and the offices of Max Schubach have moved from 202 McMann Building to Suite 631 Denham Bldg., at 18th and California. The Midwest Theatres Company owns and operates a chain of theatres in the Denver territory. Denver's new Roxy theatre being built by J. S. Sanbouren at 44th and Yates Streets is beginning to look like a real theatre. It is being constructed at a cost of $100,000 and will be finished about October 15th. Tom Kirby, one of the old timers, now operating the Elks theatre of Worland, Wyo., is in Denver visiting film row. R. W. Dettman, a new-comer among exhibitors, has purchased the .American theatre of Culbertson, Xeb.. from Mrs. W. H. Burt. Mr. Dettman's home is in Imperial, N'eb., where he has operated an electrical equipment and radio store for some time. His brother owns the theatre in Imperial. He was a Denver visitor this week, getting acquainted with exchange managers and bookers. A. G. Edwards, Producers' manager, left for Deadwood, S. D., Tuesday night to spend a few days visiting exhibitors in that district. Mrs. Frank Kelley, manager of the Empress iJieatre, Salida, Colo., spent the week in Denver spending most of her time visiting film row. Able Davis, manager of Tiffany, returned from Salt Lake City Thursday after an absence of two weeks.