Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1929)

.1/ o t i on P i c I ii r e N e zv i MANAGER!' ROUND TABLE CLUB Jack O'Gonnell Back At Helm Of Vita-Temple We are sure that it will be great news, not only to the other members of the ROUND TABLE CLUB, but showmen in general, especially out through the ^ ^^^^~ ' Middle West, that our friend, Jack O'Connell, who made theatrical history when he put over the Vita-Temple Theatre, Toledo, is once more back at that post, having signed up for another year. It was only a short time ago, at the beginning of the summer season that we announced that Jack had resigned and was going to Europe for a much needed rest, upon his return he was prevailed upon to once more take a hold of the Yita-Temple. and so we can again look forward to reading from time to time about the fine stuff he is engineering in that theatre. The MANAGERS ROUND TABLE CLUB, through its Chairman, presents to Jack their best wishes for another great season and hope that he keeps us informed of his activities via the CLUB pages. Al W. Gillis Was Responsible For Fox-Poli Opening FOX-POLI THEATER OPENS TOMORROW o™ c«.pW. ( Al W. Gillis has certainly measured to the task which Hershel Stuart placed upon his shoulders in preparing all the opening exploitation and advertising for the rejuvinated Fox-Poli Theatre, in Springfield, Mass. .Mr. Gillis. as you will recall, handles the theatres in Meriden, Conn., and through his ability to handle big openings. .Mr. Stuart drafted him for Springfield. How well he handled his job can be best answered by calling your attention to the reproduction of the newspaper tie-ups which he effected in a special supplem e n t of the Springfield Union. This supplement, in addition to the full page we are showing, carried interesting photographs, readers, cuts and advertisements — all pertaining to the new house. Prominent on the s e c o n d page of tin supplement is the credit fur the exploitation work done under t li e direction of \1 i iillis, t< igether with h i s own photograph, and we arc sure he was entitled to this recog nit ii .n foi the hard work that In put into the job. He did not lose sight of any angles and among the pictures in the special section was one taken in a nearby park showing the IS usherettes and (and every one a little beauty), all dressed in their natty uniforms. Tin manager for tin rebuilt theatre will lie Samuel ii. a native Xew F.nglander, who was born in Xew Bedford and a reside-in ol Providence, K. 1.. for mam u |A MIGHTY MOTION FHTURjE PALACf OMUtt fARAfctt » WJTA'iMiA'MvOt ■ ,-f '■ ;" . /)• £VEP.¥BC3YWAH7f TO ATTEND THE lATURDAYsrllQOAM In this respect he has a tin (rough understanding of the Xew England viewpoint as regards theatrical and stage shows. Mr. Torgin was discovered, if we may use that word, by Mr. Stuart, and under his guidance has developed into a marvelous showman. We are certain that he will carry on the fine start that Al had left in the advertising and exploitation of the reopened It nisi With the Springfield Theatre now under way, and headed for a big season, Mr. Gillis has returned to look after the Meriden houses and from that city we expect to hear frequently about his various activities in the show world. There is one feature about Mr. Gillis' advertising and publicity experience that many other .showmen could well afford to copy, that is: in all the reading matter he prepares for his various stories, he uses as little salve as possible, he confines it mostly to news the average citizen would like to know about his local theatre, and in this respect Al certainly shows that he is what we have always claimed him to be — a darned good showman. More about Al as fast as he keeps us posted. THEATRE Formtrty The PALACE ALL NEW FROM PIT TO OOME , i. id tAttz'U £e Mxnm. &t^u^K \£n.£tf/ 3000 LH££riVs Nothing has hc-.fi left undone to make this l heal re a Palace of Splendor. IIS YOUK-YOD1X IOVE \Y 'THE «IGN OF A GOOD TIME' William ¥o\ Pres«nts JANET GAVNOR u| llpf/V CTAD" CHAS. FARRELI. LUURT 0 I Art Fanehon and Marco's Revue Changing Main St., To B'way, A Good Gag For Salt Lake requesting that they change Broadway. We will give you ten gue were plugging, but at an\ rate, it was a good gag and the picture which we arc sh< ivv tng with this sti TV will give ymi some idea of how the good looking girlies corralled names for the petitii m. We have heard some interesting things about the Capitol at Salt Lake City, and we are wondering why they keep themselves so deep and dark a mystery, when the eyes of the industry are now directed at every theatre and showman with ability to put things over. The Capitol Theatre, in Salt Lake City, Utah, hit upon a novel idea, (under the direction of Universal Exploiteer McBride), when they turned out 4,000 petitions to the citv government the name of Main Street to >ses as t" what picture they