PERSONAL AND GENERAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18043, 31 December 1926, Page 20

PERSONAL AND GENERAL

(Supplied by the Film Exchange Association of New Zealand.) WELLINGTON, December 29. Miss Enid Ross, of Hamilton, who has just returned from a world s tour lasting fifteen months, has been appointed exploited* for Merto-Goldwvn-Mayer Ltd. in New Zealand. In America Miss Ross gained a great deal of experience in the exploitation of pictures, and while in Los Angeles had the pleasure of meeting Mr L. B. Mayer, under whose guidance she visited the Culver City studios and witnessed the filming of scenes from several pictures. After leaving America, Miss Ross visited England, France and Belgium, and in each of these countries she made a special study of moving picture exploitation and gained further experience, which she will now place at the disposal of those exhibitors screening the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer product. She has a charming personality and will no doubt prove very popular among the New Zealand showmen. Mr Bert Bolton, publicity manager of Universal Film Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and Mrs Bolton are, I should say, one cf the happiest couples in Wellington this festive season, having been presented with a bonny son and heir on Boxing Day. Bert says that the boy is apparently going to follow* in father's footsteps as he is already making himself heard. Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller are expected to visit New Zealand early in the new year. Mr Beaumont Smith, general manager of J. C. Williamson Films, Ltd., returned to Wellington from Auckland on Monday. Mr Smith states that the opening of the Regent Theatre in Auckland cn Christmas Eve was a great success and the theatre has been acclaimed as one of the finest in Australasia. The Paramount picture, “Beau Geste,’’ was chosen for the opening and the business has been such that it will most likely be necessary to extend the season. Mr Charles Munro, special representative of Fox Films in Australia, arrives in Wellington on Monday en route for America, where he will spend some months at Fox headquarters in New* York and at the Fox studios at Ilollywood. All the film exchanges have been working at extra high pressure during the last few weeks in supplying the hundreds of additional programmes required by exhibitors for screening during the holidays. Practically all the showmen in the smaller towns require extra programmes at this time of the year and the work entailed in assuring these programmes arriving in time is considerable. Considering the pressure at which the postal and railway services have been working, great credit . is due to those responsible for the prompt despatch of the many .additional tins of film. The Fox attraction, “P'ig Leaves,” concluded a big season at the Regent Theatre on Thursdav. This picture is the first of the Fox 1927 output and was very popular with the public. The J. C. Williamson vaudeville act, “The Big Four," also proved very popular. Mr Lester Brown, head office exploiteer for Fox Films is at present in Auckland assisting in the exploitation of “Fig Leaves,’ ’which opens at the Regent Theatre there next month. Mr Alan M’Gowan, manager of Australasian Films, is busy preparing for the release of “Don Juan," which is stated to be on of the outstanding pictures of 1927. lie will also release two British pictures, “Mademoiselle From Armentieres” and “The Better ’Ole.” Both these pictures were record breakers in England and will no doubt be popular here. The Empress Theatre, Wellington, opens on Friday with the Fox picture. “The Family Upstairs," and Manager Bob Haddow anticipates big business. This is the first Fox picture screened in the Empress for some years. Mr Barrie Marschel, general manager of. Metro-Gcldwyn-Mayer Ltd., and his staff are busily engaged in preparing for the release of “The Big Parade.” ’ This picture played in one theatre in London for over nine months. Mr Phil Hayward, of the Majestic Theatre. Auckland, was both surprised and pleased last week at receiving the

following cablegram from Douglas Fairbanks: “The Black Pirate wishes you a merry Christmas and happy New Year. Douglas Fairbanks.” This cablegram was displayed in the lobby of the Majestic Theatre during the screening of “The Black Pirate.” From all parts of the. Dominion comes advice of big business at the picture theatres during the holidays. This is indeed good news and goes to prove that the movies play an important part in the entertainment of the people. United Artists’ big production, “The Black Pirate.” had its New Zealand premiere at the De Luxe Theatre, Wellington, and the Majestic Theatre, Auckland, simultaneously on Friday last, . Christmas Eve, and was a huge success in both places. Mr Laurie Quinn, New Zealand manager of United Artists, who has just returned from Auckland, states that a record crowd attended the Majestic on Boxing Day. The business at the De Luxe, Wellington, has been tremendous and Tony •Wood has been kept busy both afternoon and night in packing the people in. “The Black Pirate” opens in Christchurch on January 28. A cricket match between exchanges and exhibitors will take place at Wellington on January 21, when showmen from all parts of the Dominion will be visiting the city to attend a meeting cf the Picture Showmen's Association. It is probable that the visitors will be entertained at a cabaret evening the same night.