Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

324 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 29, 1927 The Whole Veidt Family Arrives Conrad Veidt, noted European star, his wife and daughter, Viola, arrive in the U. S. to join the Universal forces in California. Race Equality Bills Hit Missouri Houses Race equality bills which John A. Daviss, negro representative of St. Louis, Mo., plans to piesent to the Missouri General Assembly to force the better picture theatres of St. Louis to admit negroes to any seat in the theatre may result in the enactment of Jim Crow laws in the state. Daviss has told fellow members in the House that it is necesssarv for him to go to Chicago whenever he wants to see a big picture or a legitimate stage attraction. He also proposes to abolish the Lincoln State University for negroes and to admit blacks to the Missouri University at Columbia. T. O. C. C. Ball Feb. 21 Benjamin Knobel, chairman of the Committee on Entertainment of the Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce, New York, announces the practical completion of the plans for the annual ball and supper to be held at the Hotel Plaza on the evening of February 21. Tickets may be obtained at the headquarters of the Chamber, Room 905, Times Building, or at the office of E. R. Behrend, 729 Seventh avenue. Name Convention Heads The seventh annual convention of the M. P. T. O. of W estern Pennsylvania and West Virginia will be held at the William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, April 24, 25 and 26. M. A. Rosenbeig and N. Friedberg head the general commitee, H. Hendel the entertainment committee, Morris Roth the speakers’ committee, L. M. Jones the credentials, N. Friedberg the legislative, M. A. Rosenberg the ways and means, D. L Harris the resolutions and John Newman the grievance committee. Goldsmith a Justice Irving I. Goldsmith, owner of the Palace Theatre, Saratoga Springs, N. Y., was this week appointed a justice of the Supreme Court by Governor Smith, according to a telegram from B. J. Strauss, manager of the Palace. “Cheaters” the New Name Tiffany Productions, Inc., announces that the production temporarily called “The Tiger” has been changed to “Cheaters.” Last Minute News Flashes Famous Players virtually has defeated the Federal Trade Commission charge of “ monopolistic control of the motion picture industry.” Counsel for the commission declared at Washington, D. C., that he is not seeking to have the company divested of title to firstrun theatres, but simply wants it to stop requiring exclusive contracts from exhibitors. The original complaint asked to have the company excluded from the exhibition field. The case is in its fifth year. Final arguments now are being heard. Dick Talmadge With “U” Richard Talmadge, daredevil star, will make six features lor Universal. The first, now in production, is “The Speed Boy” and is being directed by George T. Melford. The pictures are to be of a super -quality, it is announced. The series will be one of ‘‘U’s” principal offerings for the late spring and autumn. Coordinating Release Dates A plan by A1 Lichtman of United Artists provides first-run exhibitors with the opportunity to play United Artists pictures while national publicity and advertising through key city runs is still fresh in the minds of the public. It is in operation with service between salesmen, exhibitor and -exchange greatly amplified. Asks Discharge from Debts Clifford S. Elfelt has applied to the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, for a full discharge of all debts, he having been adjudged a bankrupt on November 24, 1926. A hearing has been set for February 23. Spike Newsreel Rumor Carl Laemmle, president of Universal; E. B. Hatrick, vicepresident of International Newsreel, and R. V. Anderson, sales manager of the newsreel, all deny any foundation to the rumor that Universal and International Newsreel will split next season. Seek Sunday Shows Led by the student body of St. Lawrence University, the village of Canton, N. Y., is waging a campaign for Sunday picture shows. A vote taken by the student body last week showed 305 favorable and 85 against. A petition will be shortly presented to the village board. One Arrest in Albany Authorities in Albany, N. Y., are checking the picture theatres in that city to see that unaccompanied children under 16 years of age are not being admitted. Alfred Bourgeau, a ticket taker at the Rialto in that city, was arrested last week on a charge of admitting children. Tt is the first arrest of its kind in the history of the city. Fox Figures in New Rumor The rumor persisted this week that Fox Film will concentrate all production hereafter at the immense eastern studios at Tenth avenue and Fifty-fifth street, New York City. Winfield R. Sheehan, so the story runs, is now in Hollywood arranging to end all western production. The probable source of the rumor lies in the fact that Mr. Sheehan is well ahead on production and may temporarily curtail it in the West. Goldstein Joins Tiffany Tiffany Productions, Inc., announces that Harry Goldstein of Boston has been appointed special representative. Mr. Goldstein was associated with the Franklin Film Company for four years. Marcel Mekelburg has joined the Boston Tiffany exchange as a special representative with headquarters in Boston. Piccadilly Opens The Piccadilly Theatre of the Schoenstadt circuit in Chicago opened at noon on January 24 with an elaborate stage program. Mayor Dever officiated at the advance trade opening on Sunday night. Four thousand visitors were enthusiastic over the beautiful $2,000,000 theatre. Louis Lazar is managing director. Evans New Picture Chief The appointment of Raymond Evans_ as chief of the Office of Motion Pictures, United States Department of Agriculture, has been announced by C. W. Warburton, director of extension work. Mr. Evans will bear the title in charge motion pictures. He succeeds F. W. Perkins, who recently resigned this post. Two New F. N. Stages Richard A. Rowland, president of First National Productions Corporation, has authorized the immediate erection of two additional stages at Burbank, Cal., to cost in excess of $200,090. There already are four stages. Schramm Contract Manager M. H. Hoffman, vice-president. Tiffany Productions, Inc., announces the appointment of William P. Schramm as manager of the contract and sales promotion departments. Our Stock Market By Ervin L. Hall The quotations used in this summary are compiled daily by Newburger, Henderson & Loeb, 100 Broadway, New York City, exclusively for the Moving Picture World. This week at least showed a little action on the exchanges. On Jan. 11 a considerable drop in prices was recorded, almost all issues declining from one to three points. This decline was occasioned by the weak condition of the market, and was materially'assisted by sales orders that had been put in by those who wished to limit their losses in case of such a decline. The market recovered part of its loss the next day, but it is showing no more activity than it has for several weeks past. We do not believe that there will be any extended bear movement, but the market is susceptible to such setbacks as mentioned. Because of this condition, and the fact that the market appears to be getting nowheres on the constructive side, we still feel that speculative stocks are a risky purchase. Warner Bros, was fairly active during the week, but like all other stocks registered quite a loss, going down to 37%. Famous Players also exhibited some weakness, although it came back again. The low for the week was 108, which is the lowest point reached in some weeks. Loew’s, Inc., was an exception to the general rule, and although it declined with the rest of the stocks, quickly came back and ran up as high as 50%, which is a new high for this year and last year. The stock closed the week quite active, with a turnover of 27,000 shares. JUST BEFORE GOING TO PRESS, WE WENT OVER THE GENERAL SITUATION AND CAN FIND NO CHANGE FROM THE LISTLESS ATTITUDE OF THE LAST FEW WEEKS. CALL MONEY REMAINS AROUND 4% WHICH, OF COURSE, IS A CONSIDERABLE ASSISTANCE TO SPECULATION. ALL STOCKS ARE AROUND THE SAME LEVELS AS YESTERDAY AND SHOW NO DISPOSITION TO MOVE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. New La Plante Vehicle Laura La Plante, Universal star, who now is making “Beware of Widows,” under the direction of Wesley Ruggles, will be starred in “Thanks for the Buggy Ride” as her next Universal Jewel. It is being adapted from an original by Byron Morgan. State Rights Sold The Ritz Film Exchange, M. Tobias, manager, of New Haven, has bought the Connecticut rights for “The Girl in the Rain” from Edward Solomon, 220 West 42nd street. The picture is a Lloyd Carleton production and stars David Butler. More Censorship Sought Censorship of Broadway productions and books is provided in bills introduced in the New York Legislature. Another bill provides for the repeal of motion picture censorship.