Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1928)

June 30 , 19 28 2201 Canada THE net result of two sensational theatre hold-ups in Montreal, Quebec, during the week of June 18 was one dead bandit ; the loss of $2,240 and the recovery of $400. Charles J. McKenzie, who attacked the cashier of the Strand theatre, a few doors away from Loew's theatre, which has been robbed of $2,240 two nights previously, was shot by Constable A. Edgecombe as he ran from the theatre with a box containing $400 and died a short time later in the Montreal General Hospital. At the inquest, Manager Frank Warnicker of the Strand testified that this bandit twice applied for a job as usher on the day that he committed the crime. The next time he appeared at the theatre he robbed the box office, flourishing a revolver as he did so. The police officer gave chase and fired at him, the bullet passing through his stomach. The cash box was quickly recovered. No trace has been found of the armed bandit who held up the cashier and doorman of Loew's theatre, Montreal, who made his escape through a nearby house with the $2,240, although two policemen were right on his heels. A feature of the annual convention of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire, Service League of St. John, N. B., which was attended by war veterans from all parts of Canada, was the private screening of "Dawn," the British picture depicting the life of Edith Cavell. These former warriors were of the opinion that the feature was an outstanding British release and that there was nothing in the film to offend the sensibilities of any nationality. The incapacitated children of the Sunshine Class at Devonshire School, Ottawa, in charge of their teacher, Miss Winnifrcd Hunt, were the guests of Manager J. M. Franklin at B. F. Keith's theatre, Ottawa, for the matiness on June 22. The class is conducted under the auspices of Rotary and Mr. Franklin is a director of the Ottawa Rotary Club. Two new neighborhood theatres are under way in London, Ontario. One is being erected by the Orient Amusement Co., 711 Dundas street, under the direction of Max Lerner, 585 Dufferin avenue, with W. Hawkins, 207 Windsor avenue, as architect. The theatre will cost $65,000. H. C. McBride, Molson's Bank Building, London, has drawn the plans for the second local theatre, which will have 55 feet frontage and depth of 100 feet, costing $25.000. It will be of brick and 'steel with concrete foundation. The Canadian International Films, Limited, Toronto, has turned to the production of comedies, according to formal announcement by Col. W. F. Clarke, vice-president and general manager of the company. The leading players will be Bozo Snyder and Mona Kingsley, with Douglas Bright, formerly with Harold Lloyd Productions Corp., as director. The policy of the Palace theatre, Calgary, Alberta, has been changed by Manager C. L. Dowsley to take in five acts of Pantages vaudeville. The new policy started June 23. Manager Thomas Daley of the Tivoli theatre, Toronto, was of the opinion that the first run of "Ramona" would conclude nicely at the end of the fifth week but the throng continued so great that the feature was held over for a sixth week, starting June 25. A repeat engagement of "The White Sister" has followed "Ramona" and this production may also have an extended run. Jerry Ross, formerly' with the Skouras Bros, theatres in St. Louis, Mo., has become master of ceremonies at the Capitol theatre, Hamilton, Ontario, succeeding Eddie Loughton. who had been with the Capitol for 40 weeks. Prior to his departure, Mr. Loughton was the guest of honor at a banquet arranged by Manager Robert Knevels, which was attended by many prominent theatre men, including Jack Arthur, Harry Sedgwick, N. G. Barrow, Ben Geldsaeler and Harold Ash of Toronto and George Stroud from the Hamilton Pantages. Mr. Loughton was presented with a club bag. A. P. Drohan, manager of the Griffin theatre, Chatham, Ontario, had the laugh on the carnival company which visited that city last week. It rained, the carnival grounds became a swamp and the people crowded the Griffin house. In the Lost and Found Department at the Uptown theatre, Toronto, a regular registration system is being followed as a special service to patrons. All articles found in the theatre are indexed and filed away and all inquiries which are not immediately satisfied are kept in a special record for future reference. There is also a uniformed nurse in charge of the ladies room at the Uptown, where first aid comforts are at the disposal of patrons. For the summer months, fountains, ferns, flowers and green lights have been used to effect a transformation in the lobby and on the mezzanine floor. "Photograms," a local news weekly produced under the direction of Manager W alter F. Davis, is again being presented regularly at the Metropolitan theatre. All scenes are local. Manager Davis finds it an excellent attraction during the summer and fall months. Baltimore WHEN the indefinite run of "The Lion and the Mouse," with Yitaphone dialogue and sound accompaniment is finished at Warners' Metropolitan theatre here, that play house will be closed by the Equity Theatre Corporation, of Philadelphia, operating it, for alterations, remodeling and redecorating. The Gayety theatre, a burlesque house here, and Ford's theatre, a legitimate house which has been having stock company shows, closed for the summer Saturday night, June 23. On the other hand, the Palace theatre, Fayette, near Eutaw, a burlesque and picture house, which has been closed, reopened Monday, June 25, with Sam Cummins' show, "The Naked Truth," which was shown for women only for four days and for men only for two days. Special hygienic films and lectures were presented for the segregated audiences. "Pep" Kaufman, who has been acting as master of ceremonies of the stage presentation acts at the Stanley theatre here, has left Baltimore to appear in another city. The Grand theatre, Baltimore and Holiday streets, operated by Pierce and Scheck, is now having its music furnished by a phono twelve records, being changed automatically. Gilbert Rcddisch, office manager of the Frank H. Durkee Interests, operating a number of Baltimore theatres, has returned to his work at the Palace theatre building, Gay and Hoffman streets, having entirely recovered from an operation performed on him recently. Alterations designed by S. M. Smith, architect, will be made on the Republic theatre, Washington, D. C, in the near future. A new theatre is to be built at 130 West Mt. Royal avenue, here, by the Lyric Theatre Company, J. Albert Young, manager, to cost about $50,000. The design was drawn by Taylor and Fisher, architects, and the Consolidated Engineering Company will build the structure. The eastern Virginia territory for Film Booking Offices, Washington, D. C, office, will be covered hereafter by Tom Smith, who was recently promoted to that position from booker. He has been succeeded by Jimmy Kelly as booker. The assistant booker is Robley Kincaid. Joe Walsh, salesman for Pathe, Washington, D. C, Exchange, and Miss Grace Martin will be married in the near future, it has been announced. William Collier, formerly treasurer at the Rialto theatre, Washington, D. C, has succeeded Frank Steffy as manager of that playhouse. A theatre is to be built at Marion. Ya.. by C. S. Wassum, who has bought property on Main street, including a large store and dwelling for the purpose. It will be a theatre and apartment building and the theatre will seat about 1200 persons. The design will be drawn by Eubank and Caldwell, architects, of Roanoke, Ya., and the cost will be about $100,000. Robert Slote. manager of the Strand, Cumberland, Md.. has engaged two organists, John Metz and J. Atlee Young, to give organ solos and novelties at that playhouse daily in the future. J. Edward Fowler, 52. who for fifteen years has been Washington Film Exchange Managers' Association's representative on the Maryland and Yirginia censor boards, died recently after being ill two weeks. The mother of Robert and Jack Smeltzer, film men of Washington. D. C, died at her home recently in that city. Robert is manager of tlv.' First National Exchange there, while Jack is connected with the Capitol Theatre Supply Company. The first performance of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta to be presented by members of the Play Arts Guild, of Baltimore, was given at the Ambassador theatre. New York, Monday night, June 25. where it opened for an indefinite run. EMPIRE FILM MODERATE PRICE I to 10 Containers $ .75 I I to 50 " 50 51 to 100 " 40 723 Seventh Avenue, N. Y. VAULTS, INC. FILM STORAGE Over 100 Containers $ .35 Cases per month 2.00 Cases per month over 10 cases 1.75 Bryant 5437-5736-2180