Variety (May 1926)

Wednesday, May 5, 1926 PICTURES GOD HELP US IF YOU DON'T BRING HOME THE BACON," SAID SPRING TO SALESMEN First National's Secretary's "Hot" Advice —Tells Convention in Chicago to Get Better Prices for Film—"Good Salesman One Who Can Sell Bad Pictures." Spring Also Said—Talks 'Cold Turkey* Chicago, May 4. Spring, secretary-treasurer ,(first National Pictures, made a ggtch in the ballroom of the Drake Botd on the opening day of the con- vestion of its salesmen here. Mr. gprtaf made a long speech "steam- iaf up" ths boys, promising rewards for tbi real go-getters and hinting at the axe for the non-producers UDonf the sales force. He stressed totter prices for First National product "Make the exhibitor squeal, holler and yell, make him call for the po- liot and the Are department but get batter prices," Mr. Spring said, and continued, "the good salesman Is the om who can sell the poor pictures; anyone can sell the good ones." Numerous speakers including Robert Lelber of Indianapolis, presi- dent of First National. Mostly the speeches were the usual line of hok- um dished out at "pep" meetings. GEORGE GIVOT The Panting Singer" But Spring talked cold turkey. He admitted Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer had eclipsed First National of late in specials but claimed they were going to see it "didn't happen again. He concentrated a lot of attention on the new series of " action" pictures saying, "the selling force asked for westerns and were giving them what they want; God help us all if you don't bring home the bacon." Popular First National Actors Speaking of First National con- tracts with actors he referred to Charlie Murray as a featured player they were going to plug. The sales- men applauded loudly for Murray, also for Jack Mulhall. Eulogistic mention of Ben Lyon as the "sheik" didn't enthuse the sales boys. Mr. Spring conceded that success- ful salesmanship involved a large degree of "murder'' but told the salesmen not to be sorry for the exhibitors as "if you gave them a picture for nothing they would want you to throw in a projection ma- chine to run it.' SHEA'S OUTSIDE PICTURE GOT BUFFALO $30,000 screening, was substituted and sent in cold to finish the week. Estimates for Last Week Isis (700 ; 40) —Sally ONeil suf- fered from too much Charley Mur- ray, latter stealing the picture, but Tnpoka fans like Murray. Result little better than average, though not as good as expected. About ! $1,700. Orpheum (900; 30)— "Moana" did not hit spot, with Topekans liking its predecessor, "Nanook." Failed to outbid fine summer weather. Last half, mix on Mix picture re- sulted in more of name. Business bare $1,0C0. Cozy (400r 30)—"Oh! What a Nurse" proved oh what a flop. Dis- appointed everyone, even the box office. Total, $900. Gem (500; 15)—"The Air Mall" and Adolphe Me-njou" in second run of "Lost—A Wife." got about $S00. (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) Warners' "Sea Beast" Used as Example for Local Control of Picture House Operation TOPEKA'S SOUR WEEK- LlSr TO THE SQUAWKS Laying Off Syd Chaplin—Tom Mix's Mix-Up—$1,700 High at Isis Home Again Whsre I Started HcVICKER8\ CHICAGO Opened May 3rd as Master of Ceremonies With New Trousers "•AT IT WITH PANTS" (Drawing Population, 70,000) Topeka, Kans., May 1. First break into summer weather brought almost summer business. Syd Chaplin in "Oh! What a Nurse," may have had the weather to buck and then again he may have only had the fact that the fans are tired of seeing his almost vulgar slapstick In women's clothes. While ' Mike," over at the Isis, waa piling up a little prolit, the Cozy went into the red on what was supposed to be one of Warner's specials. A bad break in the booking was given as the reason for a 40 per cent falling off in business at the Or- pheum. Tom Mix's "Yankee Senor" was booked In for the last half and advertised big with special stunts and good newspaper space, free and paid, but a tangle in the method of shipment from the Fox exchange resulted in it not reaching the screen In time for the opening matinee. "His People," in the booth for Ceiling Falls Down At Savoy, Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre, Ta., May 4. A dozen people were injured here Monday when a section of the plas- ter ceiling of the Savoy fell, a few minutes after 1 p. m., during the showing of the Thomas Meighan film. "The Klondike." The first afteanoon show had just about got under way when, with- out warning, a ripping sound was heard overhead and muscles of plaster were seen showering down from the dome of the house. A mo- ment later the entire strip ripped loose. The quick thinking of policeman Michael Conway probably averted a panic. The officer was outside when the crash occurred. He quickly fought his way through the jam to throw open the doors leading to the spacious alley alongside of the the- atre. Of the 12 injured, eight were re- moved to hospitals. Four of these were later sent home. The r.ccident is believed to have been caused by the vibrations set up by a large electric motor housed under the stage and used to oper- ate the bellows on the symphony organ. F. P. May Take Nellie's "Stripes and Scars Nellie Revell has written another original story for pictures, called "Stripes and Scars." Walter Wan- der for Famous Players has an op- tion on the story, immediately taken after he had gone over the script. The first title was "Scars and Stripes," but waa reversed through the possible thought of a play upon "Stars and Stripes." Buffalo. M iy 1. Mike Shea, Buffalo's m um an showman, is right, as usual. J/ist week he plugged another hole in the argument of his opponents against allowing him free rein in the ope- ration of his Buffalo houses. Shea s attitude in favor of nanus as against presentations waa about clinched by the situation here last week. In addition it begins to look as though local option in the mat- ter of theatre operation beats cen- tralized control—and the box office is the thing that proves it. The Buffalo last week featured "The Sea Beast," the second non- Famous Players picture at the house pince its opening. Business started with a rush and continued strong all week with capacity houses the rule. The house went at leasi $7,000 over the preceding week's llgure. There is no question but what the draw was due solely to the John Barrymore feature. Last Week's Estimates Buffalo—(3,600; 30-45-60.) "Sea Beast." Picture had town talking. Business pyramiding steadily to ca- pacity at end of week. The Barry- more name and the excellence of film solely responsible for gross. $30,000. Hip — (2,400; 60.) "For Heaven's Sake" (2d week). Lloyd feature tailed to hold up in second week. Taking fell off over $10,000 from liist week. Gross for second week stands $6,000 less than second week of "The Freshman" at same house. Last week's gross $14,000. Loew's —(3,400; 35-50.) "Tony Runs Wild" and vaudeville. Tom Mixes continues sure business-get- ter. Week's figure represents steady business. $15,000. Lafayette—(3,400; 35-50.) "Gilded ButteiUy" and vaudeville. Card pre- sented splendid vaudeville, but pic- ture detracted. Business dropped under preceding week to about $16,000. (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) I III Sues Barber for $36,1 He Whirled Her 'Round Los Angeles, May 4. Mrs. Marion Talinadge entered suit against "Doc" White, Hedondo Beach barber, for $36,056, the amount she thought due her after she had been whirled around in a barber chair while getting a hair bob and shampoo. She complained that she was thrown out of the (hair and suffered a fracture of the leg. CROSLAND AND BARRYMORE Los Angeles, May 4. Alan Crosland has been engaged by United Artists to direct both the pictures in which John Barrymore will appear. * Alice Calhoun's Expiring Contract Los Angeles, May 4» Alice Calhoun's contract with Warner Brothers, which expires May 6, will not be renewed. VARIETY 9 June Math is Recovered And Starting Picture Los AngeU May 4. Jun-> Mathis returns hev front New York this week alter a long illness. She will be the first ol the Fust National executives to produce a picture at The new studied now under construelion at liurhank, with her new unit with Sylvano F'alJ.oni, her husband, directing. Work will start about June 15, mak- ing "Sinners in 1\i radise." Those who will be in the cast in- clude Anna Q. Nil son, Lewis Stone, George Sidney and Charles Murray. The second company which will get away there is to be Q B. P. Fiiieinan unit and will make his story from a current Broadway success. £. V. RICHARDS RACK K. V. Richards returned to New York last week, leaving the next day with his folks for their New Orleans home. Whilo away, the Richards re- ceived word of the death of Mrs. Richards' mother. Shortly before leaving the other Hide, E. V. waa taken ill, and had lost 14 pounds by the time he reached New York, fully recovered. The Only "New" Thing in Picture House Entertainment THE PAUL ASH POLICY a§ Presented at McVickers, Chicago By Paul Aih Presentations Produced by Louis '•CcDermott PAUL ANOTHER WONDERFUL WEEK JUST COMPLETED RIVOLI, BALTIMORE, MD. STILL A GREAT MATINEE BUILDER MAY 3rd, GRAND, STEUBENVIULE, OHIO MAY 10th, GRAND, PITTSBURGH, PA. BOOKED FOR RETURN ENGAGEMENT IN EVERY HOUSE THIS ACT HAS APPEARED Direction ARTHUR SPIZZI AGENCY, Inc.