The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

November 14, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 141 Hornelly Y^, Exhibitor Critically III Charlie Bird, former manager of the Shattuck Opera House in Hornell, N. Y., who has been confined to the hospital in that town for several weeks, is reported to be in a critical condition. Mr. Bird formerly was manager of the Fox West Coast studio and at one time was general manager of the Shubert theatre interests in New York. Al K. Root expects to have the new Thurston Theatre in Rochester ready for opening about Thanltsgiving time. The theatre will be one of the most attractive community houses in this neck of the woods. It is reported that Joe Brown soon is to start construction of a new theatre in Brooklyn Square, Jamestown, N. T. Shea's North Park, Buffalo, is installing a new orchestral organ. Much redecorating has also been done in this popular house, which is ably managed by Johnny Carr, brother of the late Henry Carr, former manager of Shea's Court Street Theatre. M. Shea and Vincent McFaul accompanied H. B. Franklin, director of the ParamountB. & K. Theatre Department, to Chicago the other day to confer with C. W. and George Li. Rapp on decoration plans for the new Shea, Buffalo. "The Story Without an End" is the title of a local film to be made by Globe Films in Niagara Falls in co-operation with Manager Herman Lorence of Bellevue Theatre and the Gazette. J. B. Launt and Roy B. Jones are now in the Cataract City preparing for the first shots. A local cast will be used. When completed the film will be shown on the Bellevue screen. There seems to be much speculation in Bata\ia , N. T., as to whether or not the Dellinger Theatre will comply with the new building code of the state building department. Being on the second floor the house is subject to drastic requirements and William P. Haitz, owner, seems to be uncertain as to the future of the place. The house has been closed several weeks. It had been used of late as a pii'ture theatre by Harry D. Crosby under a temporary certilicate Issued by the state labor department. When the theatre was closed the order was revoked and now the owner must comply with pending orders, twenty-two in number, before he can again open the place. The Dellinger has been a Batavia institution for fifty-one years. Janicx Cardina bcllevex in being his onvn liOHs. The owner of the KenHlngton and Varsity Theatres in Biiftalo, although he has had several offers and l.s getting more dally from companies desiring to take over his hoiisrs, has turned them all do^m. Jim also, is iMiilding a new theatre in Williamsvllle and has purchased a site for a house at Baileynear Delavnn avenue, Buffalo. AI Beckerich, Loew's State manager, and' Mrs. Beckerich put on a great Hallow'en party for the children in honor of their daughter, Viola. The children had the time of their lives, there was enough to eat to last a week, many prizes and fun galore. Strachan Aids Brown Two Openings Staged Detroit Opening Sets In Pittsburgh J. Knox Strachan is the new assistant to Manager Ray C. Brown of the Cameo in downtown Pittsburgh, succeeding Harold J. Turner, who resigned after three years' services. Mr. Strachan formerly served in a similar capacity at the Olympic, BufTalo. Mr. Turner, who expects to stay in the local territory, has not as yet made known his future plans. F. A. Plader, assistant general manager for the Universal Theatres, spent several days in Pittsburgh and the surrounding territory recently. Among the out-of-towners seen on the Film Row recently were: Fred I. Thompson, Curwensville; Charles Feinler, Wheeling; Walter Silverberg, Greenville; Jake Smith, Barnesboro; Paul Thomas, Greensburg; Carl Becker, Butler; Nat Walken and B. E. Cupler, Washington; Harry Petz, Youngwood; Jimmie Retter, California and T. V. Barnes, Ellwood City. "Tommy" Thompson, after having spent several years on a vineyard at Ripley, New York, is back in Pittsburgh, and expects to connect either with the theatre or the exchange end of the business. Years ago "Tommy" was manager of the old Columbia in downtown Pittsburgh, at which time he was nicknamed "Keystone Tommy." This was because he never played a single program that did not have a Keystone Comedy on the bill. Connecticut Theatre News A new theatre to cost $225,000 is under construction in Middletown, Conn., and will be finished early in February. It wil be a twostory building 287 feet long and 85 feet wide. Leading to the auditorium, which will seat 1.500 in the orchestra and balcony, will be a lobbby 25 feet wide and 100 feet long. Tlie stage will be 50 feet wide and 35 feet deep. A prize will be offered for the best name. Besides the Saraceno brothers, the builders, Harry C. Browning, formerly of Middletown and now of New Haven, is interested m the building. , .^^ „ Israel B. Finn of Boston, formerly with the New England circuit of Loew's theatres, has been named manager of the Palace Theatre in New Britain, which Is operated by the Contaras Brothers and Perakos and the Hon:man Brothers of New Haven and Ansonia. In Hollywood Two noteworthy openings were staged by the Paramount theatres this week. "Little Annie Rooney" had one of the largest openings of the season at the Million Dollar Theatre, where it is doing a land office business. "The Phantom of the Opera" went over with a bang at the Rialto. Director Newman is being congratulated on the artistic manner in which he is presenting prologues at the Metropolitan, Million Dollar and Rialto. Sid Grauman acted as host to 1,500 orphans at a special matinee of "The Gold Rush" this week. Each and every orphan institution in Los Angeles was invited to send all their inmates to this special performance at which souvenirs of candy were given. A large Arctic wolf hound acted as assistant master of ceremonies to Sid. "The Gold Rush" will close at the Egyptian in two weeks after a run of twenty-one weeks. The next picture to be shown at this theatre will be MetroGoldwyn-Mayer's "The Big Parade," directed by King Vidor. M. J. Brock is planning for the erection of a small suburban theatre on Moneta avenue near Vernon, to cost approximately $35,000. Weld Joins Circuit in Waterloo, la* Alexander Frank, president and directing general of the Frank Amusement Company, Inc., of Waterloo, Iowa, announces aquisition of the services of Arthur B. Weld, who will be in charge of the concern's general Headquarters. He will also be booked for the Frank circuit in Clinton, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City and other localities, directing thi.o angle of the business from a suite of offices in the Paul Davis building. Mr. Weld brings to the organization a wealth of experience obtained through sixteen years of close association with theatres while a newspaper reporter and editor and seven years of active theatre management. He was manager of a Cedar Rapids theatre for three years, going there from the Los Angeles Evening Express, then was transferred to Waterloo and spent four years as manager of a local motion picture house. Nebraska Theatre News New Louisville Theatre W E. Dyer has told the Gretna at Gretna, Neb., to John A. Martens. Fred C. Taylor, Riverton, Neb., has sold the Lvric to W. H. Cline. O M Bllvens has sold the Auditorium at Osceola. Neb., to Harry Musselman. TTie Dixie Theatre, for negroes, was opened Sunday night at Preston and Caldwell streets, Louisville. The theatre is owned and will be operated by Jackson Brothers, a firm long engaged In the grocery business In the neighborhood. Building Record The opening of John H. Kunsky's new State Theatre probably set a record for speedy accomplishments. On noon of the day of opening it did not appear possible for the house to open, yet a great crew of workers succeeded in performing what appeared to be a week's work inside of twelve hours and everything was ready for the opening whistle at 7:30 p. m. Mr. Kunsky arrived back from Europe just in time to attend the opening. The first attraction was Corinne Griffith in "Classified." Members of the film fraternity have entered politics with a vengeance at this election and have formed an organization to back John W. Smith in his fight to be reelected mayor. Mayor Smith has been very friendly to the film industry, not only as mayor but in the past when he held other public offices. The membership of the organization is over SOO. The George F". Koppin Co. has completed negotiations whereby it takes a fifteen-year lease on the new I.asky Theatre being erected on Joseph Campu street at Davidson avenne. The house will seat 1,R04> and will be one of the most elaborately appointed theatres In the city. Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Koppin are receiving congratulations on the birth of a baby boy two weeks ago in New Orleans. The happy parents arrived In Detroit only a few days ago. *^Doc'* Cook of Kansas Still on the Run "Doc" Cook, energetic business manager of the M. P. T. O. A. -Kansas-Missouri, darted in after a week's trip through Kansas, attended several meetings, said "hello" while on the run and then departed for the territory again. tiiistav lOyssell* house manager 4»f the Newman Thc-atre, who was opcrnteil iip<»n recently'. Is so far Improved he Is taking an Interest In movie matters again. "Little Annie Rooney." M.ary Plckford's offering, set a new record at the Liberty Theatre. With the exception of two days the picture demolished all past records for a single day's performance. It opened at the Liberty October 10. "Give me twelve pictures like this." pleaded Manager Sam Carver. Among out-of-town exhibitors along Movie How: L. W. Hooper, Orpheum, Topeka, Kas.; Herb Welsh, Orpheum, Atchison, Kas.; L. Wagner, Princess, Eureka, Kas.; J. W. Davis, Lyric, Holden, Mo.; Ben Hill, City Hall Theatre, Reldon, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Christian, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; A. R. ZImmer, Royal, Atchison, Kas.