Publix Opinion (Dec 27, 1929)

‘Street Of Chance’ Proves Sensation At Pre-View The following telegram was received by Charles E. McCarthy, Director of Public Relations for Paramount and Publix, from Arch Reeve, Paramount Publicity Director on the West Coast: “Street of Chance” is a Hit, it is even more important than that, for not only should it pile up big grosses, but it should also establish William Powell in the position to which his great ability entitles him. A rapt and enthusiastic audience at the Glendale preview on Monday clearly proved the picture’s appeal. It is a gripping drama, holding interest, building terrific suspense and ending in powerful, unusual finish. Powell, playing big city gambler, makes the character a real man with both strength and weak nesses, a man warmly sympathetic, yet ruthless, living dangerously, yet within strict code of gambling life. The entire supporting cast is splendid, with Jean Arthur, Kay Francis, Regis Toomey and Stanley Fields outstanding. John Cromwell's direction is excellent. All factors of production merge into one dramatic whole which is pervaded with a flavor and spirit not unlike that intangible quality which made ‘“Underworld’? such a smash hit. Remember that when ‘Underworld’? was released, Bancroft was unknown, while today Powell is already a substantial box office magnet. My personal opinion is that this picture easily deserves special handling and should get a Rivoli or Rialto booking as it will have particularly great appeal in New York. You can probably guess that Iam sold on this one. I am, Arch Reeve. Get Started Now On PUBLIX OPINION, WEEK OF DECEMBE SWEETS SELL ‘SWEETIE’ Here are exhibits from the smashing campaign which Art Schmidt in Detroit. culminated in the “Sweetest Day,’ when Detroit orphans were guests at the Paramount theatre to see Nancy Carroll in “Sweetie.” engineered for “Sweetie” ae for Candy Week OW RETIN’ — This is Candy Week. next Saturday in “Sweetest Day” when Detroit orphans will) be guests at a party at the Paramount Theater to see Nancy } Carroll in “Sweetle.” A tieup with Candy Week It will culminate TALENT ENLIVENS | THEATRE LOBBIES Enlivening the lobbies of theatres for benefit of ‘“‘standees,’’ by using ‘‘live’ talent singers, pianists, instrumentalists, etc., in addition to colorful posters, is “Vagabond King’’ Songs Every radio station and ballroom ought to be playing ‘‘Only A Rose” and ‘‘The Song Of The Vagabond,’ with announcements that they’re the hits of “The Vagabond King’’ which comes to your theatre in February. That haunting, rememberable music will sell a lot of tickets for you if you launch it early enough, and tie it up definitely. Members of theatre staffs of all of the plaque to A. J. Balaban, one of the founde from Chicago to take charge of the Stage a beloved great men, in the industry, spirit that is echoed by everyone in successfully developed throughout the circuit. “Of course there are theatres so constructed that the ‘live’ talent would conflict with the sound in the theatre auditorium, and in such cases, of course, it is not practical,’ says David J. Chatkin, General Director of Theatre Management. Local talent is being used successfully in many theatres, and developed to such a degree of popularity as to become powerful box office lure. In Boston several “lobby” acts have developed theatre-following to such an extent as to warrant being used on the stage also. “Applause” Song Best Seller on the Discs “What Wouldn’t I Do For That Man,” song hit from ‘‘Applause,”’ is reported on the best seller list by the Columbia Recording Company. The song has been released under No. 1989-D, played by the Charleston Chasers, and No. 1998D, sung by Ruth Etting. Might prove helpful to mention the song in newspaper ad copy. and the token of appreciation given by his Publix who has hid the privilege of knowing him. ee 00_0—0—eeeeeeee eT MEMENTO FOR A. J. BALABAN Publix-Balaban & Katz theatres recently presented a_ beautiful rs of the Balaban & Katz theatres, nd Short Subject Production Department. “4.J.” is among the most who recently came to New York Chicago associates denotes a R 2/tH, 1929 SELLING “THE LAUGHING LADY” By Russell Holman, Advertising Manager, view it. Audiences are going to Names are Ruth Chatterton “Madame X,” the sinning lady ING LADY” Or group the two names: The story? paper reporter. Her husband, for divorce. Brook, as his the custody of the child. nearly nuts. ons determined to vamp ruin him as he did her. Brook venge complete. engaged pair. view audiences. Selling angles? SCANDAL! etc. Sell the stars; adult, sophisticated lovers. Copy: She laughed of society, but in the Society branded her Men! dangerous kind of all! Her reputation ruined, her and see and be thrilled. The picture is based upon same name by the w. k. British Schertzinger directed. Merchant tie-up: With any happy, Laughing Lady. —— | A good show. You'll recognize it as such when you prei {| drama with liberal dashes of love and comedy. Here’s a hunch on selling Chatterton: The fighting lady in loving lady in “Charming Sinners’’—now she’s “THE LAUGH in her greatest role of all. RUTH CHATTERTON as THE LAUGHING LADY in love with CLIVE BROOK. Talking Screen’s Two Most Polished Performers—Together! (If you can forget Bill Powell for a minute.) Chatterton is a i smart beach hotel because of a scandal with a husky life guard. | She is wholly innocent, a victim bank merger and fearful of the effect of the scandal, sues her lawyer, wins him the divorce and Losing the kid drives Chatterton She goes after Brook with all her woman’s weaphim into a compromising The big vamp scene goes through on schedule, with the tab photographer shooting the warm clinch and Chatterton’s reBUT she finds she loves Brook. things by proposing marriage and ’phoning the tab editor to send the photographer back for a REAL A comedy touch at the end that convulsed pre Obvious possibilities in fake tab newspaper with photos of Chatterton and Brook and the life guard, who is i Nat Pendleton, ex-wrestling champ. Brook and Chatterton. gether before in “Charming Sinners.” at death, face of an overpowering love—! is the angle followed effectively in the trailer.) an outcast and she laughed at them! But “The Laughing Lady” found she couldn’t laugh at love! Look out for The Laughing Lady! man she loved turned her enemy—why did she laugh? Come “You branded me bad and made me an outeast! newspaper will print the picture of you here in my arms! how good you are at explaining that!!” the famous stage drama of the The Laughing Lady trades at Schultz’s. Paramount Pictures be happy over it. It’s red meat i and Clive Brook. Hl in ‘“‘The Doctor’s Secret,” the Or: The society wife thrown out of a of an over-zealous tab newsslated for the presidency of a position’ and i falls sincerely in love with her. He fixes clinch photo of the Headline like SOCIETY i Well known. ToThey’re a swell team of a she laughed at the conventions (This She’s the most child torn from her arms, the ij Now every See FH dramatist, Alfred Sutro. Victor H store selling to women. Copy: That’s why she’s the 1M Pata aaeaaaaeae MUSIC NOTES Lou Breese opened as master of ceremonies at the Saenger Theatre, New Orleans, on December 20th, and Dave Rubinoff began a five weeks engagement there as guest pit conductor on the same day. Con Maffie, organist, has been transferred from the Denver Theatre, Denver, to the Paramount Theatre, Omaha. in Denver by Billy Muth, formerly of the Palace Theatre, Dallas. Johnny Winters, former organist at the Capitol Theatre, Cedar Rapids, took Muth’s place in Dallas. Alex Keese, formerly at the Metropolitan ‘Theatre, Boston, has been assigned as pit conductor at the Palace Theatre in Dallas. Herbie Koch, organist, has been transferred from the Paramount Theatre in Omaha to the Paramount Theatre in Des Moines. Billy Meyers, the new master of ceremonies at the Paramount Theatre in Omaha, is being very well received. Harold Ramsay is making a sen sational success as organist at the Minneapolis Theatre in Minne apolis. I re a ee sO He was replaced | AROSY TIE-UP | | A combination florist and telegraph company tie-up netted | Les Kaufman of Publix-Balaban " & Katz more than one hundred windows and some newspaper space in addition for “The Kiss” at the Chicago Theatre. A wire from Greta Garbo, ordered a j basket of roses sent to the thei atre for the premiere. An en| largement of the telegram was | placed in all Postal windows, | Hl the florist furnished a special H window display, and by sending the basket to a home for cripi pled children, the special newspaper feature, also reproduced, i was obtained. i from h 40 be sent for the ane