PERSONAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18009, 20 November 1926, Page 24

PERSONAL AND GENERAL.

(Supplied by the Film Exchange Asspeiation of New Zealand.) WELLINGTON. November 17. Mr John \Y. I licks, jun., chief of the Famous _ JLaskv Film Service in Australia. i<r!at present on a visit to New Zea--1 aMr I licks arrived in Auckland last# oweek, and after spending a few da\tf*i§a that city, proceeded to New PhiHiiuth. where he was met by Mr NY. NY: Dull. NYellington manager of Famous Lasky, who accompanied him through to NYellington. reaching here on • -Wednesday. Mr flicks will probabfv visit the'main centres in the Dominion before returning to Sydney. Faeia's , amusements have secured th££*Wfew' Zealand distributing rights of tfifex recently released British film ' "Nelson.” the story of one of England's famous heroes. The film depicts the stirring battles that made the hero famous and also the romantic episodes of bis-fife—the struggle between his affectfo'h and duty to his country. The picture will be released in New Zealandrearly in the New Year. United Artists seem to have an epitl!!lllllllllUllllilllIllll{lllllilllllllllllllllll|llll!lll!lllilll!lllllillillHlllllllllilllllillillill

lllHllpllilHnililllllllHllllllllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllillllltllllllliillilllllllllllllll rleipic of breaking records these days. Thgijr latest big mystery comedy drajxya. "The Bat," opened at the De Luxe. Theatre. Wellington, on Friday last* to record business for the theatre. Th£ ( house was packed full and many disappointed people were turned away. They-same thing happened on Saturday', Except that the number of people tunned away was about six times as many as on the Friday. The business since" then has been wonderful and it is a pretty safe bet that this production is going to prove one of the biggest- -box office winners released by United Artists. Nfr Cecil Mason, assistant general manager of ■ First National Pictures. Ltd.-left for Sydney \ r esterday by the U lipiaroa. NJ-s- B. Freeman, managing director of Pietro-Gold wyn Films, Ltd., is expected to visit New Zealand early in December. Ntr*. E. L. Rutledge. Wellington managed 'of Fox Films, is at present touringv.the Taranaki district. The following exhibitors visited Wei-

ling-ton during the week —Mr II Thompson. Rae'tihi: Mr 11. Gore, Roslyn: Mr A. Graham. Millerton ; and Messrs Wilkinson and- Hyde, of the Maori land Pictures, Shannon. Mr Laurie Quinn'.-qf United Artists, returned to Wellington on Wednesday from Christchurch, where he was present at the opening of this firm's production, "The Son of the Shrek," at the Grand Theatre. Further advice from England has been received from Fox Films, wherein it is stated that Harry. Beaumont, and his company have now completed the exterior scenes for "One Increasing Purpose," and are expected to sail for America this" week. The author.: Mr A. S. M. Hutchinson,'expressed‘himself as very well pleased by the way in which-his originab story had been ad-, hered to. Mr A. M'Gowan. manager of Australasian Films, Ltd., has returned to Wellington, after an extensive tour of the North Island. The big Universal attraction, “The Midnight Sun." featuring the popular Laura La Plante, opened at the De Luxe. Theatre. Wellington, last night to a big house. This picture has been given plenty of publicity and it is llll!tlllllllllillllll!!lillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillli!lllllfllllllllllllllHIIIIIIIIIIII

llllilllillllilliiilllllllllill!lllllllllllllll!llillllll!ll!illlllllll!lllllillllill!lilillllll|fll anticipated that a big week will- result. Mr A. Durham, Wellington manager of First National, is at present in the South. Island on business. It is reported that the Paramount Theatre, Wellington, will close in about three weeks to enable extensive alterations to be made. Mr Beaumont Smith, general .manager of 7. U. Williamson Films, Ltd. is very busy these days preparing for the opening of- the new Regent Theatre on December 3. v Mr Mat Dixon, who has been, appointed musical director of the Regent Theatre. Wellington, was the recipient of a handsome presentation from the staff of the Empress Theatre on Saturday last after the performance. Mr R. Haddow, manager of the Empress, spoke in glowing terms of Mr Dixon’s capabilities as a musician and also of the esteem in which he was held by all the staff. He was indeed - sorry to lose Air Dixon's services. On behalf of the staff of the Empress, he asked Mr Dixon to accept a handsome - set

of cake forks and a case of silver teaspoons as an expression of the esteem in -which he was* held by all his associates. Other, members, also spoke of Mr Dixon’s fine qualities and wished him all sorts of happiness and prosperity. Mr Dixon suitably responded.