PERSONAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18149, 7 May 1927, Page 24

PERSONAL AND GENERAL.

"(Supplied by the Film Exchange

Association of New Zealand.) WELLINGTON, May 4. Mr L. A. Quinn, who has resigned his position as manager of United Artists, Ltd., and as president of the Film Exchange Association of N.Z. (Inc.) to take an important position on the exhibition side of the business, was entertained at luncheon on Tuesday, May 3, at the Grand Hotel, Wellington, by the Film Exchanges Association of N.Z. Mr W. W. Huff, manager of Famous Laskv Film Service and vice-president <*f the association, presided. Mr Barrie Marschal, general manager of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Ltd., in proposing the toast of “ Our Guest,’' said that he had known Mr Quinn intimately and had always found him fair, square and honest in all his dealings. On behalf of the members of the association lie asked him to accept a camera as a reminder of the many friends he possessed in Wellington. Mr Rutledge, mani.ger of Fox Films, Ltd., Mr E. J. Righ--1-m. president of the Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association, Mr Cecil ■Mason, assistant general manager of hirst National Pictures, Ltd., Mr W. R. Kemball, managing director of the He Jmxe Theatre Company, Ltd., and /Others also spoke of Mr Quinn's sterling qualities. In reply, Mr Quinn said that he had had experience" on both .sides of the industry, and would always do what he could to bring about a better understanding between distributors and exhibitors. He was sorry to sever his connection with the many friends •he had made in the film business in Wellington. The opportunity was taken *to welcome Mr G. F. Parker, who had arrived from Australia to succeed Mr Quinn as manager of United Artists. Amongst those present were:—Messrs R. Hill (Universal), S. Oxby (Australasian Films), Robertson (Exhibitors’ Association), S. Bridgford (Paramount Theatre), R. Haddow (Empress Theatre), P. Allen (Princess Theatre), T. Craigie (Britannia Theatre), F. W. Millar (Theatre Magazine), M. Lawton '(Regent Theatre), W. Kemball (King’s Theatre), A. Butler (Queen’s Theatre), E. Shimmins (United Artists) and R. M. Stewart (Film Exchanges Association), Apologies were received from C. F. Eskell, A. C. M’Gowan, R. Schureck, H. F. Wood, 11. W. Shortt and Henry Hayward.

The funeral of the late Mr William Toliffe, film censor, took place at 'Xarori cemetery on Thursday, April 2S, the interment being private. A prior service at the mortuary chapel was conducted by the Rev O. M. Stent, of Ivhandallah, who also officiated at the graveside. The many floral tributes received included wreaths from the 'Under-Secretarv and star? of the Internal Affairs Department, the Law Drafting Office, the Cinema Censorship Office, Film Exchanges Association of New Zealand, Universal Pictures, Ltd., Pietro-Gold wyn-Maver (X.Z.), Ltd., l irst National Pictures, Ltd., Australasian Films, Ltd., directors and management of the Regent Theatre, Wellington, Wellington Picture Theatres, Christchurch Cinemas, Exhibitors Alliance Films, Ltd., Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association and the staff of the British Imperial Oil Company, Ltd. Mr Alan M'Gowan, general manager C/f Australasian Films, is at present on a business tour of the North Auckland district.

Mr Stanley Crick, managing director of Fox Film Corporation, Ltd., is expected to arrive in Auckland on Mo* <lav. Mr Crick will be met by Mr Kric Rutledge, Fox manager in New Zealand, and, after spending a few days in the Auckland branch of the company, will come on to Wellington. Mr Roy Schureck, manager of First Rational Pictures, Ltd., is at present on A business tour of the country. Mr D. Leys, assistant manager of

Fox Films, is on a business tour of the West Coast.

Mr Cliff EskelJ, general manager of Universal Films, Ltd., has extended hif* visit to Sydney and will not return to New Zealand until Tuesday next. Mr Reg Kelly, in charge of Paramount’s publicity department, returned to Wellington from Christchurch last week after having assisted in the exploitation of “ Beau Geste ” in that city. He leaves for Wanganui, New Plymouth and Napier next week, where he will assist the showmen in those towns in the exploitation of “ Beau Geste.”

Mr Lester Brown, publicity manager for Fox Films, is at present in Christchurch assisting in the exploitation of “ Three Bad Men.”

Mr R. Ilanna, Universal representative, is confined to his bed on account of having injured his knee. lie expects to be about again in a few weeks. Mr H. Morgan and his sister, Miss K. Morgan, of the Royal and Victoria Theatres. Westport, sailed from Wellington by the Tainui on Wednesday last on a holiday visit to England. Mr Morgan, who is one of the oldest picture showmen in the Dominion, states that this is his first holiday for twentyeight years, and that he intends to make the best of it. Ever since the

“ pictures ” started Mr Morgan has been an exhibitor, and he owes his success partly to the energies of his sister, who has been associated with him in his picture business for quite a number of years. Miss Morgan acted as operator for her brother, in addition to having charge of the correspondence and accounts in connection with the business. Mr Morgan is proud of the fact that most of his staff have been in his employ for years, and on the eve of his departure from Westport made him a handsome presentation as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by them. The management of Mr Morgan’s two theatres will be under the control of Mr W. Cressy during Mr Morgan’s absence.

Preparations are -well in hand for the release of the big Australasian Films release. “ For the Term of His Natural Life,” at the Empress Theatre, Wellington, on June 3. From all accounts this picture, which was made in Australia, has turned out a gigantic

success, and Bob IJaddovv, manager of the Empress, believes that it will break ail existing records at his theatre. “ The Scarlet Letter,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer release featuring the favourite Lillian Gish, will be released shortly, and is expected to do big business. Mr Barrie Marschal. general manager of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, advises that “ The Big Parade ” and “ Mare Nostrum ” are provin- very popular everywhere and are in much demand by exhibitors. lie expects “The Scarlet Letter ” to prove just as popular as those pictures.

Mr Parker, New Zealand, manager for United Artists, journeyed to Auckland last night in order to be present at the New Zealand premiere of his firm’s big attraction, “ The Night of Love,” which opens its season at the Majestic Theatre on Frida, night. United Artists office was the scene of quite a touching little farewell last week, when Mr Laurie Quinn, who has recently resigned his position as New Zealand manager for United Artists to take up an executive position with the I' tiller-I lay ward Theatre?;, was presented with a handsomely engraved gold wrisbet watch on behalf of his staff, with whom he has been associated for the past few years. MO VIS AITSV/SSS *■ thfe mercial proposition. The W/ <wl 8 fiMSMJS informat?™ Pictures, WeJJlnsrton, for J.S.—Sir Claude IT.-iigii, publicity managree of Christchurch Cinemas, informs me that the latest Tom Mix pictures will be .screened In Christchurch ill due course. It is generally admitted that Tom is one of the most popular Western stars. Possibly the most popular in AmerKa. lie lias been in pictures abouc twelve Los Angelos.—Lillian Gish tint l lcanor Board man, Metro-Goldwy n Studio, Culver City, California. Lois Moran and Alice Joyce, Famous Plaversksir £zs lo i S'v;:? ssr 3 ioui.se Brooks, Famous Players Studio, Hollywood, California. Mary Astor, First National Studio, Burbank, California. Dorothy Gish and Mae Marsh, l understand, are in England. Mildred Harris is on the vaudeville stage in America. The others 1 am unable to supply. Ages asked for must wait until next week.