Movie Age (1927)

DECEMBER 31, 1927. PAGE 21 DES MOINES FILM MARKET George F. Adams, who recently opened up offices at 321 Security build¬ ing, reports the sale of a Reproduco or¬ gan to E. T. Dunlap of the Dunlap Theatre at Hawarden. The organ was installed last week. * * * Two Powers machines were added to the equipment of the theatre at Winterest, la., last week. Mr. Pettit has the theatre at Winterset. * * * The new president of the Kiwanis Club at Burlington, la., is Harold D. Barnes, manager of the Rialto Theatre for A. H. Blank. Mr. Barnes co-oper¬ ates in community organizations and has added much to his success in the film game by his pleasing personality. * * * At Cincinnati, la., there was a change of ownership last week when the Royal Theatre there was bought by H. F. Corder. Charles Vest was the former owner of the Royal. * * * R. M. Wilson, assistant to Charles M. Steele, supervisor of exchanges for First National, was in Des Moines last week and spent some time in inspecting the office here. He returned to New York for the Christmas holidays. * * * The Gem Theatre at Webb, la., was sold last week. The theatre has been operated for some time by the American Legion unit in the town. It was bought last week by Campbell & West who are local men and who will immediately take possession of the theatre. * * * Among items of interest in the Christ¬ mas news is the fact that Harry Lom¬ bard, accessory clerk of the First Na¬ tional office, spent Christmas with his relatives at Bouton, la. Clyde Pratt, also of the First National office, spent Christmas and New Years at Washing¬ ton, la. * * * Visitors in Movie Row were Jake Coh¬ en of Ottumwa, Mr. Grossman of Ne¬ vada, and Mr. Walters of Oskaloosa. Mr. West of Grinnell was a visitor at the office of Paramount. * * * P. B. Wallace, cashier of the Uni¬ versal office, was badly hurt last week when he slipped and fell on the ice while on his way to his office in the Film Ex¬ change building. Several ligaments in his leg were torn loose and he has not been able to be down to work for a week. * * * E. J. Tilton, branch manager for First National at the Des Moines office, was presented with a beautiful traveling kit as the gift of the members of the staff, as well as their wishes for a very happy Christmas. * * * The highest score made yet in the bowling contest held each week by the teams from the film exchanges, was made by Tim Evans of the office of FBO. His score was 235. The ex¬ changes rank as follows in the contest: Pathe first and First National second, with the other exchanges contesting weekly as to their succession. * * * A big box of candied fruit, raisins, prunes, bananas and all other products of California was sent to the First Na¬ tional office at Des Moines from the west coast with the compliments of Charles Rogell, production manager. * * * Kenneth Thompson, manager of the King and Rex theatres at Albia, la., has been showing at the Rex on Saturdays only and has now closed that theatre while retaining the usual schedule at the King. * * * Theodore L. Stark & Company are to build a theatre at Cedar Rapids for Charles B. Zalesky. The house will be one of the Universal chain of theatres. * * * Alexander Frank, who is general man¬ ager for Universal theatres in Iowa and Nebraska, has appointed a new manager for the theatres at Marshalltown, la., in Carl V. Baker, who was formerly at the Plaza and Rialto at Waterloo. Riviera at Waterloo Has Opening Thursday The Riviera Theatre at Waterloo, la., which opened on Thursday, December 29, is considered a real gem of smaller houses, being a replica of the Riviera Theatre at Omaha, heralded as one of the most beautiful theatres of the coun¬ try. The theatre is furnished very elabo¬ rately, surprisingly so for a theatre not situated in the largest city of the state, although not too ornate. The interior of the theatre gives the effect of an Oriental garden. The sidewalls give the effect of a garden wall, with shrubs and trees and flowers against the walls, while the roof and canopies from the walls are pictured as they would look over the garden walls. The lighting effects are carried out in agreement with this idea of decoration. The side lights are Oriental lanterns, while the ceiling is made to represent the sky. The effects of clouds and stars is car¬ ried out very realistically and the pros¬ cenium arch carries out the same effect. The exterior of the theatre also is rather unusual in design and is made of dark stone. The opening of the Riviera was mark¬ ed with ceremony. There was a guest list headed by the governor" of the state, Mr. Hammill, and there was a group of exceptional stage acts. The theatre is to have a stage band policy and a program of stage acts each week. The Riviera seats 2,000. Herb Grove, who has been with A. H. Blank for about ten years, will have the management of the Riviera. He first came to the notice of executives when he proved himself a motion picture op¬ erator of unusual merit. Mr. Grove has several mechanical inventions to his credit. His work with the A. E. F. was in keeping the machinery and films for a large number of shows in line. Mr. Grove is a splendid type of theatre man¬ ager and one who wins the highest re¬ spect because he knows his business from the beginning, as well as retaining the personality which makes him a good connecting link between the theatre staff and the public. Buys Mt. Vernon Theatre The Strand Theatre at Mt Vernon, Iowa, which has been run by L. D. Hendricks for a number of years, changed hands last week. D. L. Sterns is the new owner of the Strand. Report has it that Mr. Sterns is a new man in the theatre game.