The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

Cihe Theatre oP To-Dau J J^resentaUons '^froLogues '^cMusic ^ Sdited bij CoLbij dfarrimaa A Second beginning THE year is passing but tlie season is in its prime. However, there is something magical in the approach of the New Year. There is a psychological effect which we unconsciously reckon with. The New Year gives us an opportunity and an excuse for another beginning. Many of us have started out on this season with high hopes, ambitious plans, and in many instances found ourselves against a stone wall of patron opposition; we have encountered certain economic obstacles — we have miscalculated in our buying of pictures — we have misjudged our ability as purveyors of entertainment. In fact we can go down the whole length and breadth of managerial litany and find reasons why we should begin again. , The New Year gives us an opportunity. It is our second breath so to speak, and it gives us time to catch up with ourselves and get down to business. During the last year, and since the opening of this new season of 1925-26 we have been privileged to sit on a sort of pinnacle and watch the activities of producers in general. Such a department as this gives us that rare privilege, as it is a meeting point of ideas; it is a junction for suggestions, and as we look back upon the entire year and as we take cognizance of the startling innovations which have marked this present season so far, we are encouraged more than ever that the presentation business will soon be one of the best businesses in the theatrical category. Managers are realizing more and more that they must offer something more than a picture, and are busily casting in the river of ideas in the hope that they will pull out a policy that will help them to successfully compete and win for them the benefits of good business. One of the salient features of the large theatrical combine which has just taken place is not so much the picture as its surrounding program. More attention has been focused on the stage features, and music, than on the selection of proper pictures. We are not attempting to summarize the year's business nor to analyze certain features and identify the outstanding mistakes of the year. • We want to save that for next week. This is a preparatory retrospect. To successfully accomplish the things we have started out to do it will be necessary for us to believe in our own ability to accomplish these things, to hold fast the faith that the right things, the good things, the artistic things always succeed and get over. And then, after we ha^■e a grip on the situation we must take note of the faults we have made, so let us prepare to reason together, and let us not be afraid of the future days nor the shadows of a foreboding competition that may threaten to engtilf us. The producers and managers who have consistently developed this presentation business are in on the ground floor. Possession is not only nine points of the law, but it's nine points in success. ' Elkins to Appear at Rivoli EDDIE ELKINS and his orchestra will I)e one of the I permanent new attractions at the Rivoli Theatre when that house, following its closing for alterations, reopens on Christmas Day with the new policy of which the John Murray Anderson presentations will be an outstanding feature. The contract with Elkins, according to the announcement from Publi.x Theatres Corporation, was closed Wednesday through the William Morris Vaudeville Agency. Elkins and his orchestra have been Night Club favorites in New York for some time. They are at present the chief attraction at a New York City club, and for several months were featured at the Club Richman. The engagement at their present club will terminate just prior to Christmas week. The Rivoli contract calls for an orchestra of twenty-five pieces, nearly twice as many as Elkins has been conducting during his Night Club engagements. Elkins is one of the foremost artists in his line in the country, with a tremendous local following. His appearance at the Rivoli in a new type of musical divertissement 5 certain to further popularize the entertainment to be provided under the new policy. Wenger to Europe Wli are in receipt of announcement that John Wenger has been placed under contract with Famous Playcrs-Lasky to design the sets and supervise the lighting effects for the various stage units and musical accompaniment surrounding the programs of motion pictures for the Capitol Theatre in London. Mr. Wenger will embark on this mission early in January and he is expected to take three months for the execution of his work. Mr. Wenger will introduce his new scenic ideas which have met with the metropolitan approval, and may enjoy the distinction of being the first American designer to be engaged for a European motion picture theatre. Personalities AMON(] the interesting items which we have noted in the mail and reported through various sources, we learn that EDDIE ELKIN.S AND HIS ORCHESTRA, who are exponents of a policy similar to that of Paul Ash will be presented at the Rivoli Theatre during the holidays, and that Ben P)crnic will undoubtedly leave the Rialto. HUGO RIESENFELD is taking a flyer into vaudeville for a limited engagement and is appearing at the New York Hippodrome with his symphony orchestra.