Motion Picture News (May - Jun 1926)

2484 M 0 t i o n P i c t li r c N J School Orchestra Popular Attraction Local Organization and Average Picture Pack Reading Theatre rpOLLOWING closely on the heels of the ^ popular local appeal of fiddlers ' contests and Charleston dance exhibitions, the presentation at picture theatres of the leading high school orchestra of the town threatens to become one of the outstanding attractions for cinema houses. One of the most successful presentations of a high school orchestra as a theatre attraction recently reported was staged at the State in Reading, Pa., by Manager F. K. M. Plessner. The school band was featured with a program headed by a photoplay of only average appeal and the State recorded a capacity week. The orchestra of 40 pieces under the direction of a 22-year-old musical genius, is credited with attracting the bulk of the patronage drawn to tlie State during the week, and on the experience gained in this experiment, Plessner heartily endorsed the stunt as one that will prove a winner for other theatres throughout the country. Relatives and friends made up a large portion of the crowds attending the theatre during the Aveek the high school orchestra was featured. The musicians appeared on the stage in a setting which featured the school colors and pennants. The staging had tlie advantage of novel lighting effects. Drop Amateurs for Summer at Harmanus-Bleecker After the hot weather sets in, Joseph Saperstein will do away with amateur nights at Harmanus-Bleecker Hall in Albany. They will probably be resumed in the fall. In connection with his picture program this week, Saperstein staged a pretentious program including the "Vanities of Albany," in which about thirty young ladies took part. J. S. Smart Stages Revue with Local Talent J. S. Smart, manager of the Royal Theatre, Port Hope, a veteran exhibitor of Canada, turned producer for ihe first time in his life when he staged "The Capitol Follies" at his theatre during the week of April 26. This was a miniature musical revue Avliich he organized witli home town talent as an added feature for the picture programme. Des Moines Suburban House Staging Fiddler's Contest Tile Gem Theatre, Des Moines, owned and managed by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jones, is putting on a fiddlers' contest M-ith the feature fihn this week. The (lem is a new suburban theatre and something of a new venture in Des Moines, where the oiitlying theatres have not proved such a paying proposition. Amateur performances on Saturday night have proved helpful in building up busi Th« MANAGER'S OFFICE MANAGER FOUCHE of McVickar's Theatre, Chicago, has been transferred to the Oriental, the new Balaban and Katz house in which Paul Ash with his old popular tricks and new copyrighted title "Rajah of Jazz" will officiate as chief presentation attraction. HAROLD BISHOP, formerly manager of the Metropolitan in Winnipeg, Man., has been appointed manager of the Empress Theatre, Edmonton, Alberta. W ALTER F. DAVIS succeeds Bishop as manager of the Winnipeg Metropolitan. ROSS CARVER, managing director of the Indiana Theatre, Terre Haute, will have active charge of the Hippodrome in that city when it reopens in August with first run pictures and elaborate presentations after extensive remodeling and reconstruction work, which is now going on. JOE JORDAN, formerly resident manager of the Virginia, Stanley house in Atlant c City, has succeeded Ed. Scott, recently resigned, as manager of the Stanley Theatre there. FRED E.JOHNSON, for the past two and a half years manager of the Weller Theatre at Zanesville, is now manager of the Colonial and Strand Theatres, Cambridge, O., houses operated by the C. & M. Amusement Co. ness at the Gem, says Mrs. Jones. The fiddlers' contest has already occasioned considerable interest. Five or six jjerformers will ajjpear on Tuesday night and six on Wednesday, prizes of three dollars and tAvo being awarded to the first and second winners each night. On Saturday the winners of the two nights will contest for ten dollars' worth of prizes. To Continue Vaudeville All Summer at American The American Theatre in Spokane has announced that the policy of showing vaudeville two days a week, recently ex]ierimented with there, will be continued through the summer months. Vaudeville is an added attraction Avith pictures at the American on Mondays and Thursdays of each week, Avitli straight pictures other days. Orchestra Sunday Night Feature The Olympic Theatre in Watertown, N. Y., will feature an augmented orchestra each Sunday night from now on with a special concert program. It is expected that this feature will attract trade during the summer months. Barcli Now Second Kvin Theatre The Barcli, in Schenectady, is now operating as a second run house with Frank Breymaier at the helm. Other second run houses say that they feel the etTects of the Barcli 's policy. Reduce Admissions for All Shows at Montreal House Herbert Allen, lessee of the Amherst Theatre, St. Catherine and Amherst Streets, Montreal, has found it necessary to reduce the admission prices, starting Sunday, May 2. Matinees are now 15 and 20 cents and all seats at night are 30 cents, prices including tax. This is for a picture programme and five acts of vaudeville, changed twice weekly. E. Levy is the manager of the Amherst which was opened late last fall. Charleston Contest Scores at Tampa Theatre The Victory Theatre, Tampa, last week played to big houses as the result of a Charleston contest staged with the as" sistance of the Evening Globe. The event was widely advertised by the paper and in a campaign in which one of the features was a street ballyhoo consisting of a truck equipped Avith a piano, and several girl dancers, Avho pei'formed Charleston steps on street corners. Peggy Joyce Appears With "The Skyrocket" Peggy Hopkins Joyce, apjx'aring in eonjunction with "The Skyrocket" was the chief stage attraction last Aveek at the Capitol in Detroit. The engagement Avas billed as the only personal appearance of Miss Joyce in connection Avith the picture, and proved a popular bid for the patronage of the Capitol. In addition to the star and her picture, the Capitol offered John ^lurray Anderson 's "Melodies Eternal," the Publix presentation. Miss Joyce appeared at four performances dailv. Smith and Durrcll at Des Moines The Des ]\Ioines Theatre, Des ^loines, last week presented Smith and Durrell, a harmony team, in their act, "Bits and Hits from Songland," as the leading stage number of the bill surrounding "Mile. Modiste." Selections from the Victor Herbert score Avere played as an overture and an organ solo, "tamiani Trial," played by Vergne Ford, completed the musical portion of the program. Vaudeville at Broadway, Bulle Merle Davis, lessee of the Broadway, Ansonia and Orpheuni Theatres, Butte, Mont., is now combining vaudeville with his picture programs the last of the Aveek at his Broadway house, using the other days for the legitimate stage plays. The other tAvo houses are kept strictly for motion picture programs. Palace in Troy Cuts Admissions George Marcoux, nuinager of the Palace in Troy, announced this Aveek that on May 16, admission prices Avonld drop to teii cents and that this price Avould continue until Labor Day. There Avill be no more amateur nights at the theatre until early fall. I COSTUMES FOR HIRE PRODUCTIONS EXPLOITATIONS PRESENTATIONS BROOKS 1437 Broadway Tel. 5580 Pen.