The Moving picture world (January 1926-February 1926)

166 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 9, 1926 Big Circuits Book Buster Brown Comedies THE BUSTER BROWN COMEDIES entered in The "Laugh Month" classic with other comedies hit the top of the ladder last week when "Buster's Bust-Up," the current two-reeler of the series being released by Universal, was shown in the Capitol Theatre, New York. The comedy was a decided hit with the Capitol audiences and consequently is rated as a first-run subject of the highest quality. "Buster's Bust-Up" is the second Buster Brown Production to play on Broadway in the last few weeks. "Buster's Nightmare," the previous two-reeler in the series, was shown in Warner's Theatre late in November and was a great success. "Naturally, we are greatly pleased with the success of our little feature in the New York Capitol." said Mr. .^be Stern, VicePresident of the Century Film Corporation. "Frankly, the 'break in' to the Capitol is just a step in the onward progress attending this delightful feature. The rest will take care of itself. We are going right on making better comedies in this series, and we shall add to our plans from time to time, as we have determined to give the theatre owners only the best that can be made. "We have found that by merely introducing this series to the showmen, the 'Buster Brown' pictures sell themselves. I am not at all afraid of the outcome, now that the big circuits have decided to book 'Buster Brown.' " The Universal home office report that the several succeeding comedies in the series, which have been completed and shipped East are even better than "Buster's Bust-Up" and "Buster's Nightmare." These two-reelers are being made by the Stern Brothers, with Gus Meins as directoi. "Buster" is played by little Arthur Trimble, "Mary Jane" by Doreen Turner and "Tige" by Pete, the dog comedian. This series marks the initial step of the Stern Brothers into series comedies. So successful have the Buster Brown Productions shown themselves, tlie Sterns are planning additional series releases. Simultaneously with the showing of the Buster pictures in the Capitol, New York, comes word that they will be shown in the Capitol Theatre, Detroit, the series having been signed up by the Kunsky interests for their circuit. Also, they are to appear on the screen of the Empire Theatre, Syracuse, and over the A. H. Blank circuit of Des Moines, with a big first run in the Rialto Theatre, Des Moines. An indication of the popularity of the Buster Brown Comedies with exhibitors and the public is included in the following letter, written by O. L. Meister, manager of the Whitehouse Theatre, Milwaukee, Wis.: "In my estimation, there is no two-reeler that can approach the high standard of Univcrsal's latest achievement in the comedy field — the Buster Brown series of comedies," he says. "With the numerous types of two-reel subjects on the market, it is, indeed, a decided hardship for the exhibitor to choose and choose wisely. However, my faith in Universal as the leader in the short subject field has always been fully justified, and hence I lost no time in contracting for the Buster Brown series and incidentally for the balance of the Universal current comedy output. "The first of the Buster Browns, "Educating Buster" was presented amid one continuous round of applause, and I, in unison with my patrons, am looking forward with extreme pleasure to the succeeding releases. These comedies have a most pleasant reaction on the theatre going public because of their clean, wholesome entertainment qualities, and as for invigorating tonic at the boxoffice, they are second to none." "Shorts" on Opening Bill Three Pathe Featurette* on Program of New Keeney Theatre in Elmira, New York The new Keeney Theatre in Elmira, New York, opened by Frank A. Keeney, wellknown theatre owner, on December 21st, presented three Pathe short-feature subjects on the initial program. Pathe News, Pathe Review and a Grantland Rice "Sportlight" were played on a bill that included as the feature "The Ten Commandments." The Pathe feature, "Black Cyclone," starring the noted Hal Roach equine. Rex, will be shown at the Keeney Theatre on the second week's program — December 31, January 1 and 2. HERE WE SEE THE CHARMING AND WINSOME Wanda Wiley doing her "Daily Dozen" in a few scenes from her latest Century Comedy, "A Winning Pair." Charles King and Tony Hayes support Miss Wiley.