Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1927)

THEATRES RISING FAST IN NORTHERN NEWYORK Albany — The excellent business being done by picture theatres in this part of New York State may be responsible for the several new theatres in course of construction or about to be opened. More theatre building has been done in central New York this year than durin any previous year in some little time. One of the outstanding houses will be a neighborhood theatre being erected by Nate Robbins of Utica, a veteran in the business. This house will represent an investment of about $250,000. Harry Heilman will open a new $150,000 theatre in Albany this month, while George Dwore’s new theatre in Schenectady was opened last week. New houses are being built in other villages and cities, and the total investment in these houses will probably come close to $750,000. MINTZ NOW TOURING KEY CITY EXCHANGES Nat L. Mintz, vice-president of Charles B. Mintz, Inc., which is producing a series of 26 “Krazy Kat” single-reel cartoon comedies and 10 two-reel novelties for the Paramount 100 per cent, program for 1927-28, left Saturday on a tour through the key city exchanges of the United States. Mr. Mintz expects to be on the road until Christmas. While away he will interview branch managers and exhibitors with regard to the Paramount-Mintz product. Sterling Adds 5 States The addition of 5 states to the chart of domestic Sterling distributing fields has been made with the settlement of a contract negotiated between B. M. Shooker and Henry Ginsberg, president of Sterling. This calls for the distribution by the Shooker Film Exchanges of Denver of 12 Sterlings and 6 Banners in the territory covering Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and southern Idaho. Haskin With Columbia The fifth name of prominence to be added to Columbia’s growing roster of directors is Byron Haskin, who will handle the megaphone on several of the company’s future productions. The others are George B. Seitz, Edward H. Griffith, Walter Lang and Albert Kelly. Wins Loew Booking “Pretty Clothes,” second big gun on the 1927-28 program of Sterling Productions, has been booked for the entire picture circuit of Loew’s in New York. It began its round of Loew houses on November 1. Conrad Nagel and May MeAvoy, stars of Warner Bros.' “Slightly Used,” with Abe Lyman, band maestro of the West Coast Boulevard Theatre, Los Angeles, California. Leni World Premiere Milwaukee — “The Chinese Parrot,” Paul Leni’s Universal photodrama from the Earl Derr Biggers’ novel, had its world premiere last week-end in the Kenosha Theatre, Kenosha, Wis., and registered a hit. Rogers Has New Star Louis T. Rogers has signed a long term contract with Elinor Gilmore, “the girl with the most beautiful set of teeth in the world,” for a series of tworeel subjects. Production will start in the next 30 days. Stories are being read. McELWAINE NOW HEADS FOX PUBLICITY FORCE Donn McElwaine has taken charge as Fox publicity manager, succeeding Daniel M. Doherty, who has joined Fox News as an associate editor. A. P. Dickson will be responsible for lithographic posters, and J. G. Fine will have charge of producing other accessories. Mr. Fine will continue his present work in advertising and production costs. Earr Smith has succeeded Mr. Dickson as manager of the art department. Beth O’Shea, has resumed charge of fan magazine publicity. Joel Swensen continues in charge of newspaper publicity and on special assignments. Albert S. Nathan is responsible for trade paper publicity and exploitation from exhibitors. Thomas L. Cummiskey, formerly on the New York American, has resumed the editorship of the Fox Newspaper Service. Guy Fowler, Edward E. Schiff and Fred Bulock complete the staff of the department. Represents Leipzig Fair H. A. Johnson has been appointed to represent the Leipzig Trade Fair in America to succeed E. A. Boettcher, who recently died. He has headquarters at the office of the Leipzig Trade Fair, Inc., 630 Fifth avenue, New York. “Pajamas” at Roxy “Pajamas,” a Fox picture, will replace “The Main Event” at the Roxy Theatre on Saturday, November 5. Virginia Lee Corbin, First National featured player, believes Santa Claus doesn’t think her quite grown up yet. Santa (so Virginia dreamed) left her a lot of things that a “little girl” would be wild about, but Virginia is a “big girl” now. PRIVATE I Ft op WtLtfl rTRoy H>kn Irji uvns now AiAPIACORBA woRiio cotn ciRiYviriiK* k HC*I NUIONit UCIIM There is something snappy about the “paper” Charlie Einfeld has mapped out for First National’s “The Private Life of Helen of Troy.” This is a sample of the 1sheet that ought to arrest the attention of anyone seeking theatrical amusement. Full Movietone Magazine Anticipating the regular releases of news reels with sound reproduction through the Movietone which has been announced by the Fox News for the near future, a full Movietone Magazine is being shown at the Rozy Theatre this week. It contains several subjects, including a scene at Niagara Falls, a football game and some pictures taken at the Baltimore and Ohio Centennial. This is the first time that a full magazine has been offered with sound reproduction. Trophy Now in Exchange The silver cup offered by First National's New York exchange to the branch office making the best sales record last January, which was won by the New York exchange itself, has now been sent to Jules Levy, manager of the branch office, and rests upon his desk, a testimony alike to the sporting blood of his office force and the ability of his salesmen. “Buster” Collier to Wed William (“Buster”) Collier. Jr., will marry Dorothy Vincentella McCarthy of George White’s “Manhattan Mary,” within a few days, it is announced. Dempsey at AMPA Jack Dempsey will be tbe guest of honor at next Thursday’s meeting of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers. At the suggestion of President Bruce Gallup, the “champion” was invited to meet the boys and accepted with alacrity.