Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1926)

July 17, 1926 213 Loew Plans de Luxe Picture Theatres Separate Circuit Not to Interfere with Regular Vaudeville; Twenty New Theatres Involved, Four to Cost $7,500,000 DEFINITE plans are n o w under way, according to a statement from Marcus Loew this week, for a national circuit of de luxe motion picture theatres in which leading artists will be given Louis K. Sidney engagements of many weeks with a colorful background of elaborate productions. This new de luxe attraction plan will not interfere with the regular vaudeville circuit. Included in the list of twenty new houses will be foiir mammoth theatres to be erected at a cost of $7,500,000. These new theatres will be built in Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Syracuse and Columbus. An additional $750,000 will be spent for the proposed Loew's Valencia atop Loew's Century Theatre in Baltimore. The Valencia will be constructed along the lines of the Capitol Theatre in Chicago and the Olympia Theatre in Miami. It will be devoted to a long run policy and the Century will present the de luxe attraction programs. Following a conference with Nicholas M. Sehenck, general manager of Loew's and E. A. Schiller, general representative of Loew's, Inc., Mr. Loew announced that Louis K. Sidney, former mid-west director of Loew theatres, would be appointed head of the new production department to handle the de luxe circuit. "It is my definite idea in creating this new circuit of de luxe theatres in addition to my vaudeville circuit, to create a nationwide sweep of houses sufficient to induce the greatest artists to join in the motion picture field, ' ' said Mr. Loew. ' ' The idea of having their engagements helter skelter throughout the country is not conducive to good results. The de luxe attraction plan which we have been experimenting with for a number of years is now a definite success. It takes its place in the world of theatricals as surely as vaudeville has its niche. ' ' The new theatres, as well as many of the ones a few years old, will be generously supplied with talent of international fame. We intend to embellish the offerings of our native and famous artists and import any and all foreign talent of reputation that might find favor with the moving picture audiences of America. "With the erection of Loew's State in Pittsburgh, that city will boast the largest ■theatre in the State of Pennsylvania, as will the residents of Kansas City when Loew's Midland will have been completed. "I do not want artists or the theatregoing public to confuse our combination vaudeville and picture theatres with the proposed de luxe theatres. The combination policy is a success and will forever remain so, in my opinion. The two circuits will be operated separately as their scope of work makes that necessary." With the new year the Loew holdings throughout the United States will he con siderably increased with new theatres in Fordham, New Rochelle, Woodside, Yonkers, Brooklyn, three in New York City, one on Canal Street, 4th Street, and 72nd Street and 3rd Avenue, Richmond, Ya., Canton and Akron, Ohio, Houston and San Antonio, Texas, Baltimore, Evansville, Tnd., Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Columbus. U U" Ties Up with Hastings Circuit Gets Half Interest in Rivoli, Omaha, for Equal Percentage in Three Houses Which It Operates; Other Theatre Deals UNDER the terms of a contract entered into this week between Universal and the Hastings Theatre and Realty Corporation, Omaha, Universal secures a half interest in the Rivoli Theatre, now under construction in Omaha, and the Hastings firm in turn acquires a half interest in three houses operated by "U' in that city. Meanwhile the Blank interests, in affiliation with Blaine Cook, of Beatrice, Neb., are preparing to invade Hastings with a $100,000 house. When this is completed, although "U" will abandon plans for the Universal Theatre, Hastings, with a population of 11,650, will be one of the most overseated cities in the nation. Latest rumors are that Fox interests have obtained options on two sites for a Boston playhouse. At Fox headquarters in Boston it was said they have no information regarding any options in Boston. It is reported in St. Louis building circles that William Fox, through his architects, will be ready to take bids for the actual construction of his 4,500-seat motion picture theatre at Grand and Washington Boulevards in the early Fall. Final drafts of the plans are said to be under way in the architects' offices in Detroit. Definite details as to the construction have not become public, but it is generally accepted in financial and building circles that the construction will also include a modern skyscraper office building on the Grand Boulevard frontage with a very large hotel-apartment structure on Washington Boulevard. It is also reported that the Universal Chain Theatres Corporation will take over the five houses in Moberly, Mo., and Sedalia, Mo., operated by the circuit organized by Jack Truitt and Lee Jones. The deal is said to have been completed and an official announcement from Universal is anticipated. The houses are the Baby Grand and the New Grand in Moberly, Mo., and the Sedalia, Strand and Liberty in Sedalia. Adolph Reiben New Sales Manager for Chadwick Adolph Reiben, motion picture executive, who was until recently associated with United Artists, is now general sales manager for Chadwick Pictures Corporation. Willard C. Patterson Joins Universale Southern Theatre Department WILLIARD C. PATTERSON, for the past ten years connected with Sig Samuels in his two Atlanta theatre enterprises, will join the Universal Southern Theatre Department where he will be associated with Dan Michalove, vice-president and general manager, in the acquisition of theatres and supervision of the entire Universal chain in the South. Patterson will make his headquarters in Atlanta, following a short vacation. His connection with Universal will place him in charge of the physical operation of the entire chain of Universal's Southern theatres and he will personally supervise the opening of the Capitol Theatre in Atlanta, now under construction. The Universal chain at present comprises twenty-three theatres and five more under construction. Patterson entered the picture business thirteen years ago, coming from the legitimate and vaudeville field where he was associated with Jake Wells for fourteen years. He was a leader in the movement which resulted in the formation of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, serving for several years as vicepresident and member of the board of directors. Previous to joining Universal Patterson managed the Metropolitan Theatre, Atlanta, for Samuels.