The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

December 26, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 791 Watchman Foils Burglars in The Imperial, San Francisco ANIGHT watchman who lived up to his title probably saved the Imperial Theatre, San Francisco, from a heavy loss on the night of December 7. Cracksmen effected an entrance to the theatre and cut the telephone wires shortly after midnight. The watchman heard them arranging their tools on the floor beside the safe and notified the police. A squad of police was rushed to the theatre, but the yeggs scented danger and escaped through a skylight. Cecil Grissell, formerly with the Hippodrome Theatre, San Francisco, has joined the staff of West Coast Theatres, Inc., and has been placed in charg^e at Santa Rosa, where two theatres were recently acquired. He has heen succeeded at the Hippodrome as managrer by Ward Morris. Alex E. Levin, and associates, who recently acquired property on Twenty-fourth street, between York and Hampshire, San Francisco, have ordered plans rushed for a theatre to seat 1,500 and will award contracts for the construction of this early in the new year. The site is in one of the oldest sections in the Mission District and overlooks Mission Dolores, founded in 1776. AS. FRANK, who has been manager of the Paulina Theatre for the Gum• biner circuit on the Northwest Side, Chicago, has been appointed manager of the Star Theatre at 1453 Milwaukee avenue belonging to the same circuit, succeeding Frank Miller, who has become house manager of the Ambassador Theatre. Mr. Frank will look after both the Paulina and Star theatres for the Gumbiner circuit. Manager Bachman of the Randolph has introduced singers from the leading. muHtc publishers in the Chicago territory to add variety to the progrrams, and with Urst-run pictures is boosting business for the Universal Loop theatre. M. A. Hyne has resigTied as publicity director of the Ambassador and will announce his new connections in the near future. Louis and Meyer Marks of the Marks circuit have returned from a vacation trip to French Lick Springs. The Lyda Theatre at 315 North Cicero avenue has been sold by Morris Hellman to J. A. Rosik and Charles Hosnedl. Crane & Birch have taken over the Palace at Spring-field, 111., and will fix up the house. Joseph Lyman has boug-ht the interest of Carl Lowenstein in the Princess Theatre at Whitehall, 111. Guy Durbin has closed the Amusu at Chapin, 111. and will devote his time to the other houses of the circuit. Among out-of-town exhibitors seen alons Film Row the past few weeks were Oscar Hansen, Jefferson Theatre, Goshen; G. G. Shauer and J. O. Shauer, Premier, Valparaiso; Leonard Rohrer, Dixon; Charles Carpenter, East Moline, and Jimmy Adams, Wapaco Theatre, Watervllet. The Senate Theatre of Lubliner & Trinz is trying out a combination program. One week they use the regular Balaban & Katz presentation and the second week Art Kahn and his orchestra put on a stage show of their own. The Balaban & Katz theatres are planning for extra shows for Nciw Year's Eve and at the Roosevelt Theatre community singing will be staged in connection with the regular movie bill. Harry Marks has returned to Balaban & E. J. Roemheld, who came from the East recently to take charge of publicity work for the Cameo Theatre, San Francisco, and to build up an orchestra of merit, is directing the musical organization, being a talented musician. Among exhibitors noted on San Francisco's Film Row of late have been John Ratto of the Ratto Theatre, Jackson, Cal.; Charles C. Kaufman of the Gem Theatre, Colusa, Cal.; John Di Stasio of the Liberty Theatre, Sacramento, Cal.; B. Harris of the Rialto Theatre, Stockton, Cal.; Sam Gordon of the Hippodrome and Empire theatres, Napa, Cal., and Joe Kenneaster of the Mystic Theatre, Clovis, Cal. Harry Arthur, formerly with West Coast Theatres, Inc., as general manager and now with North American Theatres, was a recent business visitor at San Francisco. A. C. Karski, who disposed of his theatre interests at San Francisco some time ago, has moved his family to the east-bay suburb of Oakland, being connected with an amusement enterprise there. Charles Thall, manager of West Coast Theatres, Northern California Division, with headquarters at San Francisco, recently made a business visit to Los Angeles to confer with General Manager A. M. Bowles. Katz' New York offices and will specialize in house operation under the new management. Ben Cooney of the National Theatres Corporation has returned from an eastern business trip. Hi'Pointe, St* Louis, Incorporates A RTICLES of incorporation have been issued to the Hi-Pointe Theatre Company, St. Louis, by Secretary of State Becker. The company is capitalized for $15,000 of which $8,000 is paid up. It operates the Hi-Pointe Theatre and Airdome. Incorporators and their stock holdings are : W. Lyris, 38 shares ; N. Softis and G. Tompras, 19 shares each ; C. Tompras, 2 shares, and G. Lyris and George P. Skouras, one share each. Ed Schiller, general manager, and Louis K. Sidney, division manager of Loew's, Inc., were among the visitors of the past week. IV. S. Henrtley of the Royal Theatre, Trenton, 111., died suddenly the past week. Out-of-town exhibitors seen along Picture Row during the week include: S. E. Brady, Cape Girardeau; Mrs. I. W. Rodgers, Cairo, 111.; Tom Reed, Duquoin; Messrs. Charley Horsman and Jack Martin, Chaffee, Mo.; Bill Tigeley, Belleville, HI.; and Dr. C. A. Tutley, Farmington, Mo. Bob Cluster of Johnston City, 111., contemplates undergoing an operation. He has been complaining for some little time. Spros P. Skouras, president of Skouras Brothers Enterprises, was host to Samuel Spring, secretary and treasurer; Ned Depinet, sales manager for the Southern Division of First National Pictures, and Harry Weiss, manager of the local First National offices, on November 30, during a visit of Messrs. Spring and Depinet to St. Louis. Oklahoma Theatre ISews Sam Jones has opened his new Empire Theatre at Altus, Okla. The theatre cost $50,000 and is modern in every particular. The Regent at Marianna, Ark., has been sold to L. F. Haven and will be operated as one of a chain. Purchase price, $15,000. A* Frank ISow Managing Star and Paulina Theatres, Chicago