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(THE
:SfeHEWSPAPER
oiTfilmdom
ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 1
Thursday, January 2, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Non-Theatrical Producers to Attend Conference
HAYS W INSIST ONIBRAMSON SUff| TRIAL
24 Columbia ^^tures Now Set for '30 Production
Bad Sound
-is synchronized murder
=By JACK ALICOATE^^^=
OF late we have received sd many letters from exhibitors in various stages of irrita- tion, heated resentment, ire and constant unrest that we have come at least to the temporary conclusion that- thev are entitled to speedy re- lief and consideration, now that tl J talkers are with us permanent- ly, from the exchange man that sends them prints and records unfit for use. Talking pictures are a little bit of hotsy totsy for the ex- hibitor when they are clicking mechanically and everything is running O.K. but, when in place of oi-dinary even projection you have a constant rain storm on the screen and instead of pleasing voices and tuneful melody you get from the loud speaker a symphony of squeaks, scratches and air pock- ets, the effect upon the customer regarding his future and continued patronage is apt to be most dis- couraging for the exhibitor.
The indictment before us that con- fronts the exchangeman aforemen- tioned is rather long and consists of several counts. Here are a few: Oily prints^Scratched prints — Prints out of sink — Poor patches — Broken sprocket holes — Old and worn out records, and divers and sundry other abuses too numerous to mention. The above is inserted as hearsay evi- dence merely as a matter of record. Seriously, here is a situation that no doubt is a grave problem to nine out of ten small town houses. It is a big enough thought to deserve the immediate attention and considera- tion of every sales manager and su- pervising exchange executive in the business. In former days an old print was bad enough but under the new order of things bad sound from either print or records is nothing short of synchronized murder.
1.
ictures Now in Work t Columbia Studio — Preparing Others
Two roadshow pictures, one from a David Belasco stage play and the other a Jack Holt starring vehicle, "Hell's Island," head the list of 24 features already scheduled for pro- duction by Columbia in 1930. Four of the pictures now are in work, while an equal number awaits cast- (Contitiued on Page 6)
"Weekly Film Review" Sold to Associated Pub.
Atlanta — "Weekly Film Review" has been consolidated with "Ex- hibitors' Tribune" as the Southeast- ern unit of Associated Publications, Inc. Anna Aiken Patterson, founder of "Weekly Film Review," continues with that publication in an editorial capacity.
DEPT. OF COMMERCE TO HOLD CONFAB ON FEB. 1
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Final arrangements have been completed for a confer- ence of leading producers and dis- tributors of industrial and education- al films to take place here Feb. 1, under the auspices of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, (Continued on Page 6)
Civil Service Examinations for Universal Chiefs
Branch managers and head book- ers of Universal will be given writ- ten and oral examinations, of the civil service type, to determine their fitness for promotion, it is announced (Continued on Page 6)
66
By Special Arrangement
JflEIEAVNiDlHIEAlP"
Br WILL M. HATS
Just Published — A Brief History of Motion Pictures and the Development of Sound.
T J-*^ Will Appear In Serial Form
EVERY DAY IN THE FILM DAILY
STARTING NEXT MONDAY
A Daily Feature of Universal Interest to Every- one In or Out of Pictures — Don't Miss It!
C. C. Pettijohn Replies to
Actions Seeking
$1,300,000
The Hays office will insist on trial of the suit filed Tuesday by Ivan Abramson and the Graphic Film Corp. against 47 corporations and individuals in the motion picture in- dustry, said C. C. Pettijohn, general counsel of the Hays organization. In the Abramson action, brought against 13 major companies, five im- portant executives, Film Boards of (Continued on Page 6)
72 DEAD, 150 il IN SCOTLAND FIRE PANIC
Paisley, Scotland (By Cable) — Seventy-two are known to be dead and about ISO injured in a fire panic at the Glen Cinema Tuesday. Most of the victims were children. The fire started in the projection room but did very little damage, the heavy casualties being mostly due to a wild rush from the balcony to the main floor.
IT'29 MAY REAC|$15,000,000
Earnings of Paramount for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 1929 are estabUshed at about $5,500,000, which is approximately 100 per cent greater than the net for the cor- responding peritod of 1928 when the (Continued on Page o)
Proposed K. C. Padlock
Ordinance is Killed
Kansas City — Proposed padlock ordinance to prohibit indecent shows has been defeated. It was believed that the measure was too drastic because it would repeal the present license ordinance and subsequently close local theaters.. Officials felt that the present ordinance and state laws are sufficient to regulate mat- ters.
Vol il No. 1 , Jbmiii January 2, 1930 . Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE .
: Editor and Publishir
Published daily except Saturday and holidays at lt)50 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and copyright (1929) by Wid's Films and Film Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President, Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau, Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager; Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En- tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918, at the post-office at New York, N. Y.. under the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage tree) United Sutes outside of Greater New Vork $1U.UU one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3 months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers should remit with order. Address all com- munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle 4730 4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday, New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite 6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W. 1 Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne, FrieUrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle, La Cuiematographie Francaise, Rue de la Cuur-des-Noues, 19.
NEW V ;...RKET
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.m. Seat. U^ 17H '.m 1.800
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loews Inc. 43^ 42^ 43 2,400
do pfd. WW (6/2) 87 87 87 100
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NEW YORK CURB MARKET
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DAILV
Thursday, January 2, 1930
SAYS MEXICO TO BE 12 P. C. WIRED IN 6 MONTHS
More than 12 per cent of theaters in Mexico will be showing sound pictures within the next six months, says George Pezet, Mexican sales representative for Pathe Internation- al Corp., now in New York. "There are about 500 theaters in Mexico, and of this number only 35 are wired. Four months ago only one house was wired in Mexico City whereas today 21 have sound equipment. Eight houses in Mexico City are equipped with Pacent, five with RCA Photo- phone, three with W. E., one with DeForest and others have various systems. In the Interior five have RCA and the rest are either DeFor- est or Pacent," declared Pezet.
Visugraphic Volume of Business Increases
An increase of 80 per cent over 1928 in total volume of business was recorded by Visugraphic Pictures, Inc., New York, for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1929, according to the annual report to be presented to Its directorate today by Edward F. Stevenson, president.
The statement shows that the sur- plus earnings in 1929 were invested in the building and equipping of a modern sound and recording studio, the development of portable sound apparatus and for the expansion of the company's branches in Boston and Philadelphia.
Irving Rossheim Joins Thilly* Brokerage Firm
Irving Rossheim, former president of First National and the Stanley Co., has joined the Philadelphia brokerage firm of Newburger, Hen- derson & Loeb as a general partner. Rossheim remains an active director of the board of Warner Bros.
"Sally" For Boston Jan. 24
Boston — Plans already are under way for the opening of First Na- tional's "Sally" at the Publix, Wash- ington St., Olympia and Uptown the- aters Jan. 24.
Sargent at Strand
Waterville, Me. — George W. Sar- gent now is manager of the Strand here. He was last at the Haines.
COAST ENCINEERS PLAN TO STUDY DEVELOPMENTS
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — Ten meetings, run- ning through 1930, have been plan- ned by the Pacific Coast Section of the Society of M. P. Engineers for the purpose of studying the latest developments in the industry. The first discussion, already held at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, was devoted to light and color, and there will be further talks on color, wide film, laboratory pro- cedure, stereoscopic depth and tele- vision.
Canada Government Row Stops Sunday Premiere
Ottawa — A clash occurred between the Dominion Government and the Ontario Government here recently when the Ontario officials re- fused to issue a permit for the show- ing of "The Arctic Patrol," five-reel picture made by the Dominion Gov- ernment on a Sunday at the Ava- lon. Cancellation of the theater and operators' license was threatened, according to a notice pasted on the Avalon's doors. About 1,000 per- sons were awaiting the opening of the house. Back of the incident is trouble involving Blue Laws en- forcement.
Karl Freund Perfecting Color Process in N. Y.
Karl Freund, who photographed "Variety," "Metropolis" and "The Last Laugh," is perfecting a new color system, using the Paramount Long Island studio for his experi- mental work. The process is known as the Keller-Dorian color system and is said to bq the first to use the primary colors. Freund intends to make a color film entitled "New York."
First German Talker Arrives The first German talker feature, "Because I Love You" produced by Aafa Film Co. at the Tobis studios in Tempelhof, Germany, has arrived in New York and will be released by American General Film Co. after the first of the year. The cast includes Mady Christians, Hans Stuwe and Karl Platen. Music is by Ed May.
Let Us Solve Your Frohlems I
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
The Industry's Date Book
Jan.
Opening of "No, No, Nanette" at Mark Strand, New York City. AMPA Luncheon at the Paramount Hotel, New York City.
Jan. 15 Warner Coast studio to resume ac- tivity.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic Club, Hotel Commodore, New York City.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball at the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at Brussels.
Jan.
Feb. 7
Gourdeau in N. Y. E. R. Gourdeau, managing direc- tor of Australasian Films, (East), now in New York, has received a cable announcing the first installa- tion of RCA Photophone in Java in Sourabarga. Talking pictures are getting across successfully, he says.
AD -VANCE -AD
"I can say that your trailer service has been very satisfactory."
— Glendale TIteater Glenwood, Ark.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for Picture Tlieatret
Standard Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City Phone Penn. 3580
"WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
\CASOmOM
INCORPORATED
220 WEST 42^-° STREET
NEW YOPK
Phone: Wisconsin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES.CEN.MCR.
1930 comes in
a LION!
RAMON NOVARRO in
DEVIL MAY CARE
Thrilling Musical Romance S. R. O. at $2 Astor, N. Y. "The Pagan" was a winner, but wait till they see this !
CHARLES KING BESSIE LOVE in
CHASING RAINBOWS
The "Broadway Melody" pair click again in another road-show'Size audi- ence hit! With Technicolor.
DUNCAN SISTERS in
ITS A GREAT LIFE
A grand show of loves, lau^s, tears and Well songs. With Technicolor.
NORMA SHEARER in
THEIR OWN DESIRE
It's got the class of "Mrs. Cheyney" plus a box office quality that Norma gave you in "His Secretary." Sure-fire!
WILLIAM HAINES in
NAVY BLUES
All the fun of Bill Haines combined with the strongest dramatic love story he's ever had !
VAN & SCHENCK in
THEY LEARNED ABOUT WOMEN
These Big Time headliners in a thrill- ing romance of the baseball wQrld. How these boys sing! A natural !
And More Big Ones on the Way!
Happy METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER New Year
DAILY
Thxirsday, January 2, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of Current Opinion
€
•
THEIR FIRST JOBS
PAUL STEIN
engagement with Max
Reinhardt in Berlin
A British Plea for Product To Keep Unwired Houses Open
WHAT strikes the big men of the industry as a matter of secondary importance, the sup- ply of siLent pictures for the houses which are not yet wired, is actually, to the halls concern- ed, a question of life or death. The big circuit houses and the leading kinemas throughout the country are running talkies; those of the next rank of impor- tance are installing equipment as quickly as ever they can. What remains? A tremendous number of small houses which have not the slightest prospect of being able to afford the ex- pense of a high-class equipment. What we have to recognize is that these halls are really en- titled to continue. Their pro- prietors form the majority of the C.E.A. membership, and they are essentially the people who need its protection most. Until they can be provided with sound installations of good quality and low price they must run on si- lent films.
"Kinematograph Weekly,"
London
Screen Has Gained, Not Lost, By the Addition of Sound
THE vast majority of intelli- gent observers, who go to the movies regularly and appre- ciate them, will now cheerfully concede that not only has the screen lost nothing by the ad- dition of sound but it has gained a great deal and stands to gain a great deal more. Hollywood has had to work terrifically hard to achieve this recognition, and be it said that Hollywood has work- ed with thoroughly unexpected and uncharacteristic intelligence. Robert E. Sherwood in "New York Evening Post"
Along The Rialto
with Phil M. Daly, Jr.
You know, a good number of years ago if some fellow made a name for himself in a big way or other, the community or other generally named a cigar, a street or avenue after the dear fellow — but in these modern times it's different. Fannie Brice, in the U. A. "Be Yourself," pitches Otto Kahn the berry in the form of labelling a soHg after him, titled "Is Something
the Matter With Otto Kahn?" Monte Blue and Joe E.
Brown, two of Hollywood's favorite sons, are still lingering
around Jimmy Walker's city
4> * * •
Again she is going to blossom forth, but not on the screen this time, Marilyn Miller, that gorgeous morsel, will attend the premiere of F. N.'s "No, No, Nanette" at the Strand, tomorrow.
Vina Delmar has been corraled by Warners to write
originals for Vitaphone specials and will shortly shove off for the Coast
* * • *
Two Mack Sennett comedies are playing on Broadway with indefinite run pictures, "Scotch" with Bevan and Clyde is at the Geo. M. Cohan with "Blaze O'Glory" and "Uppercut O'Brien" with Andy Clyde and Harry Gribbon is doing its
stuff with "Party Girl" at the Gaiety Harold J. Mirisch,
formerly with the Warner home office, has been transferred to the Metropolitan division under Harry L. Charnas, general man- ager. Mirisch will work on booking for Warner houses
* • • •
Eddie Dowling, whose second picture, "Blaze O'Glory" is the attraction at the Geo. M. Cohan, is one of Rhode Island's favorite sons. Little Rhody, the smallest state in this great big land of ours, hasn't fallen down on the job of producing actin' material, providing Geo. M. Cohan, Ruth Clifford, Jane Winton, Kate Price, Rae Samuels, etc., etc
* • • •
One of the snappiest house organizations which Uncle Sam's mailmen bring into our office with regularity is "Now," edited by Eddy Eckles, with K W. Calvin as ye associate ed. Frank Whitbeck, director of advertising for West Coast Theaters, whose publication it is, keeps a watchful eye over the works.
* * * *
George K. Arthur has left St. Louis and now is on the last lap of a vaudeville tour upon completion of which he is sched- uled to trek to Europe. The dashing George last appeared in M-G-M's "Chasing Rainbows."
* * * *
Word penetrates Times Square from Paramount's Long Island studio that "He Was Her Man" is the new title given Gilda Gray's two-reel talker produced as "Frankie and Johnny."
Dudley Murphy did the megaphoning Harry Green, who
plays the title role in "The Kibitzer," will send his voice over the ether via the Columbia system Saturday night during the Paramount-Publix hour
* 4' « 4i
BET YOU COULDN'T GUESS WHAT COMPANY GAR-
NERED THE BIGGEST YEARLY NET?
THE FINANCIAL SECTION OF THE FORTHCOMING
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK HAS THE DOPE.
JANUARY 2-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula- tions are extended by THE FILM DAILY to the foUow- ing members of the industry, who today are celebrating tiieir birthdays
Walter Futter D. W. Griffith
W. Ray Johnston Allene Ray
-AND THAT'S THAT
By PHIL M. DALr
FRANK WILSTACH has garner- ed his ninth annual crop of the best similes of the year and shoots us an advance copy. Frank gets as great a kick out of collecting 'em as everybody does in reading 'em. And that's our simile for enjoyment. Now tear into a few pips culled from his "Dictionary of Similes," and get your
share of enjoyments.
* * *
About as safe as leaving your wife in the Navy Yard — Fred Allen.
As happy as an old maid being held for ransom. — Anon.
Innocent as a bee on a paper flower. — Arthur (Bugs) Baer.
No more use than a Roxy pass at the Paramount theater — Jack Ali- coate
Final as a period. — Louis Monta Bell.
As superfluous as a shooting gal- lery in Chicago. — Ibid.
Busting along with all the speed of a spavined snail. — Kenneth Camp- bell.
Overworked as a floorwalker's in- dex finger. — I. Elinson.
Shut up as tight as a tabloid col- umnist at five a. m. — F. P. Adams.
Dull as an illustrated lecture on Barnacle Breeding. — Pere Lorentz.
Married people have labels . . . just like a trunk on a railway that belongs to somebody. — D. H. Law- rence.
As futile as skywriting in Pitts- burgh.— Life.
He made a clatter like a shower of feathers. — O. O. Mclntyre.
Disconcerting as a cross-eyed mud- dle-winker.— Sidney Munde.
Cheerful an' uncomplainin' as a California grape farmer. — Abe Mar- tin.
Meek as a glass-eyed wooly lamb. • — Don Marquis.
She is thin enough to do hand- springs in a flute. — Edward Schack- ner.
About as happy as a toothless guest at a peanut brittle party. — Raymond S. Tompkins.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Herbert Hoover's American Re- lief organization film, "Starvation" to open Jan. 9 in New York.
C. B. Price, Inc., secures Ameri- can distribution of German subma- rine film.
A. S. Black to build new Portland, Me., house.
Mary Marsh Allen, prominent English actress, arrives in New York.
Effective January 1, 1930
WEEKLY FILM REVIEW
of Atlanta, Georgia is consolidated with
EXHIBITORS' TRIBUNE
of Atlanta, Georgia
as the Southeastern Unit of Associated Publications, Inc*
Anna Aiken Patterson,
founder of the Weekly Film Review,
will continue in an editorial
capacity with this unit.
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS, INC
National in Scope '^m Local in Service
FILM TRADE TOPICS, San Francisco; MOTION PICTURE TIMES, Dallas; MOVIE AGE, Minneapolis; THE REEL JOURNAL, Kansas City; MOTION PICTURE DIGEST, Chicago; MICHIGAN FILM REVIEW, Detroit; EXHIBITORS' FORUM, Pitts- burgh; THE OHIO SHOWMAN, Cleveland; NEW ENGLAND FILM NEWS, Boston; EXHIBITORS' TRIBUNE, Atlanta.
"EACH IN ITS FIELD — THE EXHIBITOR'S HOME PAPER"
THE
-SBim
DAILY
Thursday, January 2, 1930
It's PublixAve. Nozv
Portland, Ore. — In honor of Publix Theaters, property owners here have petitioned the Portland City Council to change the name of Main St. and Broadway, where the Publix theater stands, to Pub- lix Ave. The move for a change came about when a complaint was registered that the present name typified an idea of a small town village street.
DEPT. OF COMMERCE TO HOLD CONFAB ON FEB. I
(.Continued from Page 1)
according to E. I. Way, of the mo- tion picture section of the Dept. of Commerce. Among the problems to come up for discussion are: coopera- tive sales efforts, sound pictures, in- dustrial advertising and production policies.
At present there are more than 375 companies in this country using or producing and distributing non- theatrical pictures, either for adver- tising of educational purposes, ac- cording to Way.
Civil Service Examinations for Universal Chiefs
(Continued from Page 1)
by Carl Laemmle. The written test will be sent to each exchange man- ager and booking chief for comple- tion, after which the papers are to be returned to Lou B. Metzger.
Oral examinations then will be conducted at the home office by an examining board composed of Metz- ger and other high officials of the company. Average of the combined tests will constitute the promotion rating of each man.
Bids Taken for Philly House
Philadelphia — Bids have been taken for the new 4,000-seat theater Samuel Shapiro is building at Alle- gheny and Kensington Aves. The estimated cost of the structure is $650,000. The house will be named Midway.
Rosenthal at Duluth House
Duluth, Minn. — M. Rosenthal has been appointed manager of the Ly- ceum, a Publix house. Before com- ing to this city Rosenthal managed theaters for the past IS years in the East where he also conducted a vau- deville booking agency.
Warner Revises Plans
Ridgewood, N. J. — Construction on new Warner theater to be built here has temporarily been held up due to a revision of plans which are being made by the company's architects.
Install Phonofilm at Aberdeen Aberdeen, Miss. — DeForest Pho- nofilm has been installed at the Tem- ple here, according to Manager El- kin.
Hays Organization to Insist on Ivan Abramson Suit Trial
(Continued Trade and the Hays office, damages amounting to $1,300,000 are sought. Allegation is made that the "lead- ing producers in this country en- gaged the services of William H. Hays for the purpose of organizing the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America, Inc., and the various Film Boards of Trade. for the unlawful purposes of destroy- ing competition of the independent producers and of monopolizing for their own benefit the exhibition of motion pictures." The plaintiff al- leges that members of the Hays or- ganization control "not less than 95 per .cent of all picture production in the United States and supply 22,000 theaters" with product.
from Page 1)
The Pettijohn statement, replying to the action, in part, follows:
"The allegations in the complaint are so ludicrous that notice of the filing of the suit would be taken if it was not for the interesting fact that Senator Smith W. Brookhart appears as trial counsel. In all of his agitations against the orderly conduct of the motion picture industry the Senator has professed that his interest was to en- courage wholesome entertainment.
"The issue is clean-cut — shall exhibitors of the country be encouraged or required to show pictures of the kind Mr. Abramson produced or shall they not? This associa- tion and exhibitors' associations and all the responsible factors of the industry are against it. We welcome the showdown.
"Whatever misfortune and cessation of importance has come to Mr. Abramson in the motion picture industry has come entirely through the type of picture which he per- sistently produced and offered for exhibition."
24 Columbia Features Already Set for Production in 1930
(Continued
ing or a chance to begin shooting, and several more are in preparation. Only one, "Mexicali Rose," is ready for release, while "Murder on the Roof" is in the cutting room.
Following is the list as it now stands, with additions to be made in the course of the vear:
A David Belasco stage drama with a well- known woman star, directed by Frank R. Capra. Now being adapted.
Jack Holt in "Hell's Island." directed by Frank R. Capra. Preparing to go in work.
Three specials starring Evelyn Brent. First storv being written.
"The Melody Man" (Technicolor sequen- ces), by Herbert Fields. T.orenz Hart and Richard Rodcers; with William Collier, Jr., Alice D.TV. John St. Polis; directed by R. William Neil. Practically completed.
"For the Love o'l.il," from Liberty Mag a?ine's cover serial; with Johnnv Arthur. Sallv Star. Lee Kohlmar, John T. Murray and Vivian Oakland; directed by Victor Heer- man. In work.
"Murder on the Roof." from the mysterv serial in Liberty, with Porothv Revier. Mar- "Jiret Livintrston, Raymond Hatton. William V. Monc. Virginia Brown Faire; directed bv <^eorge B. Seitz. In cutting room.
from Page 1)
"Sweethearts on Parade," based on the popular song.
"The Squealer," from the Broadway stage play.
"Mexicali Rose," with Barbara Stanwyck. Sam Hardy and Arthur Rankin; directed by Erie C. Kenton. Ready for release.
"Vengeance," drama of Belgian Congo. with Jack Holt, Dorothy Revier, Philip Strange; directed by Archie Mayo. Almost finished.
"Last of the Lone Wolf," by Louis Joseph Vance.
"Borrowed Love," from the play by Bide Dudley.
"Ladies Must Play," marriage drama.
"Jazz Daughters".
"Sisters." starring Molly O'Day and Sally O'Neil. Story in work.
"The Black Sheep," melodrama of an exiled youth. Going in work.
"Paris Nights," drama with singing and dancing background.
"Prince of Diamonds," by Gene Markey Storv in work.
"Temptation," social drama.
"Private Property," triangle drama. Ready for shooting.
"Around the Corner," drama of New York: directed by Karl Brown and A. H. Van Buren.
"Personality." with a popular woman star.
Bert Naus at Granada; Other Puhlix Chansfes
IVert Cnnst Bnreau, THE FTTM DAILY
San Francisco — Bert F. Naus, man- ^£rer of the Rialto, Portland. Ore.. now is manadng the Granada here for Publix. Jack Gault. former otib- 1'Vitv and advertising director of the Rialto, has been apnointed manager of the house with Max Shane, for- merly of the Paramount in Los Ang- eles, assuming Gault's former duties.
Richmond Biiou Opens With W.E.
Richmond — Paramount's "The Vir- srinian" inaugurated the talker policv at the Bijou which was recentlv equipped with Western Electric ap- paratus. Georfire Kitzmiller, for- merly of Norfolk, is manager.
Saturday Change for Caoitol, Va.
Richmond— Ivan I. Rosenbaum, manager of the Capitol here an- nounces the bill hereafter will open on Saturdavs instead of Mondays, as previously.
Abe Markowitz I.«aves RKO's 'Frisco Exchange
We^t Con^. Bureau, THE FIT.M DAILY
San Francisco — Abe Markowitz manaeer of the RKO exchanere here has resigned and William G. Wolf formerly of Denver, has replaced him.
Loew's Festival Tieuo
Loew's Inc. has lined up about 25 Chambers of Commerce to and in celebration of "Loew's January Fes- tival." Tie-ups with Chambers and nierch-THts have been made in Svra- (-tise. Rochester, Reading. Davton Fvansville. Jamaica, Bronklvn. Bronx. Jersey Citv. Houston, Mem- phis and other cities.
Talk-A-Phone for Three Houses Clpveland, Tex. — In addition to the Palace here and Rex. Madison- ville, the Colonial at Clarksville. Tevns, has been equipped with Talk- A-Phone sound apparatus. All three houses opened with sound pictures Christmas Dav.
IT'29Ei MAY REflCIU15,000,000
(Continued from Page 1) net income of $2,727,318 represented the best fourth quarter's earnings in the history of the company, accord- ing to the Wall St. News, in a state- ment from Los Angeles credited to Adolph Zukor. The company's earn- ings for the entire year of 1929 should exceed $15,000,000 which compares with $8,713,063 in 1928 and $8,057,- 998 for 1927, continued the publica- tion. At this rate earnings of over $15,000,000 would be equal to over $5.65 a share on 2,647,326 shares of common stock outstanding on Sept. 30 last, or $2.65 a share in excess of the current $3 annual dividend rate.
Films to be Discussed at Rollins College Talks
Winter Park, Fla. — The role that motion pictures play in public opin- ion is considered to be of such im- portance by officials of Rollins Insti- tute here that a round table discus- sion on the subject will take place throughout the week of Jan. 6 when the college will hold its second an- nual institute of statesmanship. Among those listed to participate in this discussion are: Huston Thomp- son, formerly with the Federal Trade Commission, as chairman; Carl Mil- hken, of the Hays organization, Ab- ram F. Myers, head of Allied States Ass'n and Dr. William Sheafe Chase, of the International Reform Federa- tion.
In discussing pictures, "The Role of the Movie in Public Opinion" will focus attention on the coming influ- ence of the cinema in public opinion and the question of its control and direction.
Rippard Gets Richmond House Richmond — W. H. Rippard of Washington, has completed arrange- ments to take over the management of the Echo theater at Farmville. The house formerly was owned by the community.
Eddie Wright at Harlingen House Harlingen, Tex. — T. B. Noble, dis- trict manager of Publix, has appoint- ed Eddie Wright, former manager at Welasco, Tex., manager of the Ar- cadia, succeeding Jack Pickens.
W. E. For Wilmington House Wilmington, Del. — Western Elec- tric sound apparatus has been in- stalled at the Park here, according to Joseph De Terio, manager.
Bonner Manager at Midland, Tex. Midland, Tex. — John S. Bonner now is manager of the Yucca which recently opened here.
Publix Gets Portland House Portland, Me. — The Strand has been taken over by Publix, accord- ing to an announcement.
Harry Stone at Fox Butte House Butte, Mont. — Harry Stone is manager of the new Fox house here.
there is no mystery about advertis- ing ^ many of our greatest business enterprises have been built upon its foundation ^ successful adver- tising is simply a question of dean, honesty eye arresting copy placed in those mediums that are read by the greatest number able to buy that ivhich you have to sell ic in the mo- tion picture industry the film daily reaches ninety percent of the buying poiver of a great business that spends millions every month ^ that's ivhy this publication is proving itself every day a profitable advertising medium for those ivho use its col- umns regularly -k ask anyone of importance in the industry ivhether or not he reads the film daily regularly * a test ivill tell *
"UgfM
MMmmar
says
LZuinn Maitin
h, NY. World
"HELL'S HEROES
is the hardest-hitting melodrama . . . that has come this way since the talking films have been with us . . . first rate entertainment." — Quinn Martin, N. Y. World.
"HELL'S HEROES
is the most impressive picture to be played at the Colony since this house turned talkie. ... It brings a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye. . . . The Colony should house it for at least several weeks." — Irene Thirer, N. Y. Daily News.
"HELL'S HEROES
is an interesting and realistic bit of characterization." — N. Y. Times.
"HELL'S HEROES
PETER B. KYNE'S first storv in sound. With Charles Bickford, Raymond Hatton, Fred Kohler, Fritzi Ridgeway. Directed by William Wyler. Presented by
CARL LAEMMLE
is a dandy drama. . . . Charles Bickford's performance stands out brilliantly." — Bland Johaneson, N. Y. Daily Mirror.
"HELL'S HEROES
takes its place with the best films of the month . . . done with an extraordinarily impressive and sincere dignity. . . . Director William Wyler's understanding and thrill- ing treatment of the story holds one absorbed. . . . There's nothing conventional about this . . . don't miss it!" — Rose Pelswick, N. Y. Evening Journal.
"HELL'S HEROES i
is a thrilling talkie . . . excellent version of Peter B. Kyne's story, 'The Three Godfathers.' The important members of the cast are Charles Bickford, Fred Kohler and Raymond Hatton . . . each excels in his own particu- lar sequence." — Regina Crewe, N. Y. American.
"HELL'S HEROES
has something new and original in its method of telling a story in dialogue set entirely out of doors. . . . For the picture connoisseur, this is one to see!" — Marguerite Tazelaar, N. Y. Herald-Tribune.
PICTURES— NOT PROMISES/
GREATER UNIVERSALIS NEW SELLING SEASON STARTS NO^^^?
iTHE
o/^FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME
VOL, LI No. 2
Friday, January 3, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Western Electric Will Appeal German Injunction
FILM ^CKS REU-^LY STEADYJN 1929
Six Roadshows Among Tiffany's Output for 1930
A Cinema Opera
— and other comment
==iBy JACK ALICOATB==
MASCAGNI, best known as the composer of "Cavalleri Rusticana" has just an- nounced from Rome that his fu- ture efforts will be directed toward the writing of an operatic score exclusively for the cinema. It was only recently that the maestro first heard the talkers in Paris and im- mediately became impressed with the possibilities of this internation- al medium for quickly reaching masses. This is but another straw indicating rather definitely in which direction the amusement wind is blowing. Nothing can now stop the invention of sound from re- volutionizing the art, industry or business of amusing the peoples of the world.
Stepping Out
Once more the industry steps right up into the front row to be counted along with the press and radio as an important influence on the minds, habits and sentiments of a collective nation. Several representative pic- ture folk including Gov. Carl Milliken and Abram Myers have been invited by Rollins Institute of Winter Park, Florida to attend its second annual institute of statesmanship and sit 'round the table for the pow wow on "The Role of the Movie in Public Opinion." Next to the Williamstown conference each Spring this is prob- ably the most formidable annual forum for the discussion of world's problems and public opinion in Amer- ica. A fine and dignified tribute to (Cimtinued on Page 2)
Six Features Completed
and Similar Number
in Work
Six roadshows, "Journey's End," "Resurrection," "Mamba," "The Lost Zeppelin," "Party Girl" and a South Sea Technicolor talker, top the pro- duction schedule of Tiffany for 1930, it is announced by Executive Vice- President Grant L. Cook. In addi- (C(mtinued on Page 2)
2,000 tiBfranchise
4
More than 2,000 Tiffany franchises have been signed to date, Oscar Han- son, general sales manager, announc- ed yesterday. The Tiffany plan was launched by Grant L. Cook and Han- son at a meeting held in Chicago last August in conjunction with Al- lied States.
Edwin Carewe Cancels Negotiations with Pathe
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — Edwin Carewe has discontinued negotiations with Pathe to become production chief of that organization and will shortly an- nounce another affiliation.
Trend of Amusement Shares Last Year Was Favorable by Comparison
Motion picture stocks gave a relatively good account of themselves in 1929, according to financial statistics of the year as compared to other lines of business. Although film shares, like all others, joined in the collapse dur- ing the latter part of the year, they came through the period very creditably
considering the additional bearish factors that descended on this group as a result of several unfortunate factors not applying to the industry in general. Despite this fact, the av- erage depreciation in motion picture stocks was less than the decrease in such basic industries as foods, auto- mobiles, motor equipment, rubber, (.Continued on Page 7)
Delays Chain Plan
Montreal — Delay in the es- tablishment of the N. L. Na- thanson chain is attributed to its sponsors awaiting the court decision expected Jan. 17 in the dispute with Famous Play- ers Canadian. The case pend- ing involves possession of an important downtown theater site here.
RAPEE JOINS WARNERS AS MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Erno Rapee, for the past 12 years associated with Roxy as orchestra leader, has been signed by War- ner Bros, as general musical direc- tor at its Coast studios. Jack War- ner announces. He leaves for the Coast in about two weeks. Joseph Littau, identified with the Roxy for some time, succeeds him in his post there.
German Sound Group Scores in Patent Infringement Suit
MCDONALD WITH FUHER AS GENERAL MANAGER
Charles McDonald, recently re- signed as vice-president and general (Continued on Page 2)
Western Electric will appeal the decision of a Berlin court in which a permanent injunction is granted Klangfilm Tobis restraining the American concern's apparatus in Ger- many, it was stated by W. E. in New York yesterday. The decision eman- ates from a patents infringement {Continued on Page 2)
HAWKS AND NINE OTHERS KILLED IN 'PLANE CRASH
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — Ten members of a Fox company shooting an air se- quence over the Pacific were killed when two planes crashed into each other late yersterday. The dead are Kenneth Hawks, director; Ross Cook, pilot; George Eastman, cam- eraman; Ben Frankel, assistant cam- (Continued on Page 2)
Fox Situation
Fox Film stock dropped to a new low of $17 a share on the Stock Exchange yesterday in response to the threatened action in receivership announc- ed by Stanley Lazarus, coun- sel of Class A stockholders. To date, while there is no ques- tion of the Fox situation being complicated, no change of im- portance has been made in management, directorate or personnel. This in reply to hourly rumors, mostly un- founded, drifting up and down the big street.
u
SEE and HEAR
jy by Will H. Hays— Starts Next Mon^ day and runs every day in serial form in The Film Daily ~ Don*t Miss It
THE
DAILY
VgLLINo.2 Friday, January 3,1930 Price5C«nts
JOHNW. ALICOATE'
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film Folks, Inc. J. W. Ahcoate, President, Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau, Secretary -Treasurer and General Manager; Arthur W. Eddy. Managing Editor. En- tered as second class matter, May 21, IVIB, at the post-office at New York,^ N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage free) United States outside of p'^eater New York $10.00 one year; 6 months, JS.OU, J months! $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscr.fiers should remit with ofder Address all com- munications to THE FILM DAILY. 1650 Broadway, New York N. Y Ph°"= C"-='' 4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: F.lmday, New York. Hollywood, California --Ralph Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite 6607. Lendon-Ernest W. Fredman, The Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W. I. Berlin-Karl Wolffsohn, L'chtbildbuehne, Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans-P. A. Harl^ La Ciiiematographie Francaise, Rue <Je la tour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
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•Keith A-O
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Loew's, Inc 45 J4 42/8
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Warner Bros. ... 4^ 38^8 40
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NEW YORK CURB MARKET
Bal. & Katz 65 65 65
Columbia Pets. .. 25 J« 25 2\n
Fox Thea. "A" .. SJ4 2Vi 3
27
2Vi 26
26 .... 25
13K 13}4 ZYi 3fi .... 15H .... 27 J4
28
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"^"'"new^'Vork "bond 'market
•Keith A-O 6s 46 75}|
•Loew 6s 41ww 10^>5
•do 6s 41 x-war 92}^
•Paramount 6s 47 96
•Par. By. 5/2S 51 100^
•Pathe 7s 37 38
•LAST price quoted
100
7,200
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17,200
7,566 200
100
700
3,800
800
*i66
100
♦ •♦♦♦.♦♦.••.♦♦.•♦.•♦.♦♦.••.••.^MJ.J
New York 1540 Broadway BRYant 4712
Long Island City j'{
154 Crescent St. ft
STIllwell 7940 $
A Cinema Opera
^ — and other jiiomment
(Continued from Page 1) this industry of universal understand- ing and unlimited opportunities for moulding public opinion.
Long Distance Competition
Impresario Pyle and his trans- contmental runners, the indehnite waltzing contest and the six day bi- cycle race now have competition and trom nowhere else than withm this lil' ol' industry itself. On Tuesday the Kialto, showing "The Virginian" (Free ad; opened up at nine in the morning and stayed open continuously until 1 hursday morning at three A. M. Al- most two full days without a let up. irorty-two hours of picture without a breathing spell on the screen and only enough time out to change crews. Wonder if the experiment leally paid? i'robably did for Mons. ivatz IS rather canny about such things and usually knows whereot ne speaKs oetore putting his merry O. K. on such a venture. At any rate if it did iiotning else it probably established a record for continuous performance on Broadway.
Six Roadshows Among Tiffany's 1930 Output
(Continued from Page 1) tion to this half dozen, 20 features already have been definitely marked on the production program, witn others to be included later. Of the entire list, six are completed and the same number are nearly completed or in work. The schedule as it now stands is as follows:
"Journey's End," talker version of the Stage hit, with Colin Clive of the London tiicater cast; directed by James Whale. Prac- tically finished. "Party Girl," with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. "Resurrection," musical and talker version of the Tolstoi novel, with Wil- liam Collier, Jr. In work. "Mamba," Tech- nicolor talker, with Jean Hersholt, Eleanor Boardman, Halph Forbes. Practically fin- isned. "The Lost Zeppelin," with Conway Xeaile, Virginia Valli, Kicardo Cortez. A South Sea island Technicolor talker. Mae Murray in "Peacock Alley," with George ilarraud. Completod. "Tnoopers Three," story of U. S. Cavalry, with Rex Lease, Dor- othy Gulliver, Slim Sura'nerville. Practically completed. "Painted Faces," featuring Joe E. Brown as a circus clo-wn. Completed^ Leo Carillo in "Mister Antonio," with Virginia Valli. Completed. "High Treason," drama of the future. Completed. "Sunny Days," musical college story. "The Medicine Man," talker based on the Broadway stage play. "Love Waltz," Viennese musical romance, with Mae Murray. "Love, Life and Laugh- ter," love drama. "Luxury Girl," modem drama. "Left Over Ladies," by Ursula Par- rott. "Satin Straps," from Maysie Greig's stcry. "Senor Manana," from the novel by Stuart Page Graham, with Leo Carrillo. "Pa- per Profits," from the magazine story ot the same name. "Cyclone Hickey," story of a pugilist by A. P. Younger. Leo Carrillo in "My Brudder Sylvest." "Lasca," from the poem of the same name. "Mareea-Ma- ria" from the novel by Sophie Kerr. "Cheat the Boys," by A. P. Younger, fraturing Alice Montague. "The Torrent," by Lang- don McCormick.
% T. E. Brulatour, Inc. %
Chicago Hollywood j-j
, ,. . 6700 Santa Monica ♦•♦
1727 Indiana Ave. gj^,^ *^X
Hollywood 4121 {'j
CAlumet 2691
;:«u»»u»»i?
|(ooler-)^ire
Revolutlonires Air Conditions Summer and Winter
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
W. E. WILL APPEAL
(Continued from Page 1) suit brought by the German group.
The injunction is based on an ac- tion instituted by Telefunken Corp. against National Film Verleik, oper- ator of the Gloria Palast, Berlin the- ater, using W. E. equipment. The action apparently clears the field for holders of other patents.
At the W. E. office it was pointed out that the decision is an oral one and that no statement would be forthcoming until a written copy has been received. It was asserted that this is the only instance when an in- junction against the company's pat- ents has been sustained.
In commenting on the German in- junction General Talking Pictures stated that patents of Klangfilm To- bis have been pooled in Associated Sound Film Industries, Ltd., of Eng- land, which also owns the DeForest patents. It was further pointed out that M. A. Schlesinger, president of General Talking Pictures, is a direc- tor of the English company and I. W. Schlesinger is chairman of its directors
Budapest Court Suspends Action Against W. E.
Western Electric has been advised by cable that the infringement ac- tion against the Western Electric equipped Forum Theater in Buda- pest, has been suspended by order of the Upper Court until the nullity action is decided.
HAWKS AND NINE OTHERS KILLED IN 'PLANE (,Ri\bH
(Continutd from Page 1)
eraman and husband of Mary Astor; Max Gold, assistant director; Tom Harris, property man; Hank Jo- hannes, property man; Otto Jordon, assistant cameraman; Hallock Rouse, pilot; Conrad Wells, cameraman. A third plane, carrying Warner Baxter, a double and Capt. Horace Turner, pilot, escaped damage. Three of the 10 bodies had been recovered up to late last night. The story being filmed was Elinor Glyn's "Such Men Are Dangerous."
Friday, January 3, 1930
The Industry's Date Book
Today: Opening of "No, No, Nanette" at Mark Strand, New York City.
Jan. 9 AMPA Luncheon at the Paramount Hotel, New York City.
Jan. 15 Warner Coast studio to resume ac- tivity.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic Club, Hotel Commodore, New York City.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball at the Astor, New York.
?eb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at Brussels.
MCDONALD WITH EUTIER AS GENERAL MANAGER
(Continued from Page 1) manager of Van Buren Corp., has become associated with the Futter enterprises in the same executive capacity, Walter Futter, president of Wafilms and Futter Productions, Inc., announced yesterday before leaving for the Coast. "During the past week we have signed contracts with Sono Art-World Wide for na- tional distribution of the six-reel feature 'Fighting for the Fatherland' and with Columbia for international distribution of a seven-reel super fea- ture as well as a series of 26 curiosi- ties. McDonald is further negotiat- ing for distribution of 13 two-reelers. McDonald and I will alternate be- tween New York and Hollywood where production activities will be centered at the Columbia studios," Futter said.
The company has leased larger quarters on the top floor of 729 7th .A.ve. which they will occupy as soon as extensive alterations are com- pleted.
WANTED
Bookkeeper — expert in handling ac- counting on Road Show Film Attrac- tions.
Give complete details in letter. Replies held confidential.
BOX K-190 c-o Film Daily
1650 Broadway New Yoric City
WEISS brothers;
Deforest Phonofilm Studios
Two Large Stages fully equipped with every modern device
essential to the proper recording of Talking Pictures Specially Constructed Sets which permit the handling of every type of production with facility and ease .
REIVTAL--$500. PER DAY
WEISS BROTHERS' Deforest Phonofilm Studios
318 East 48th Street, New York City Phone: Vanderbilt 7340-7341-8157-3754
«*EASILY THE BEST PICTURE OF TRE
YEART-Liberty Magazine
{SUPREME BOX OFFICE GIFT TO PARAMOIJNT'S NEW SHOW WORLD OF 1930
"Barnum was Wrong — This is the Greatest Show on Earth."
Says M. P. News
Copy of Telegram Received from Mr. Frank Sardino, Syracuse
Syracuse, N. Y., Dec. 19 S. E, Morris, Vice-Pres. Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. 321 W. 44th St., New York
Perfectly clear that Show of Shows is greatest picture in History. Strand Theatre absolutely inadequate to accommodate Public Demand. I have following Theatres — Empire 1800 Seats. Syracuse 2200 Seats. Brighton 1800 Seats. All are DeLuxe Houses on Salina Street. Will play picture simultaneous run as Strand on percentage. Your own terms. Four houses at once will provide record gross and sensa- tional publicity in Picture History.
FRANK SARDINO, Empire Theatre
M
singin' in '^S The bath Tob
2^
"It'owr Love Is All That I Crave"
*^Singin^ In The Bathtub"
"The Only Song I A'noiv" ^^Just An Hour of Love''''
Publibhcd by M. Wilinark & Sons
"V'iiaphone!' is ihc i-fgislered Irade-iuark of .The Vitaphone Corporation designating ils products
Sntirely Bn Technicolor
Irene Bordoni
Copy of Our Reply
New York, N. Y., Dec. 19
Delighted know Show of Shows in your opin- ion most outstanding picture history industry. Demand prints this attraction such that even with two laboratories working twenty -four hours each day it is utterly impossible for us to supply present commitments or national demand. Appreciate your constructive pro- posal play this production three houses Syra- cuse together with Strand Theatre Day and Date. But regret our inability to take advan
ta^ge of it. Regards. ^ ^ S. E. MORRIS
*•
Jf * ^%^
Richard Barthetmess
VOlJ'L,L IVEVER K]\OW THE CAPACITY OF YOUR THEATRE UIITIE \OV PEAY "SHOW OF SHO^VS"
THE
DAILV
Friday, January 3, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of Current Opinion
— €—
Small Theaters Best Suited For Presentation of Talkers
TTERBERT COREY, daily newspaper columnist, recent- ly made the following prophecy: "The day of the big movie houses is over. The talkies have killed them." And he con- tinued, "Think it over. A talkie in a cathedral is a mess. Such tremendous volume is required that sensitive persons wither and go away to the speak-easies. Whereas in a small house the tone production can be con- trolled until it becomes a pure delight." There's a heap of en- couragement in those words for tlie small theater owner, who has a natural advantage to begin with when he gets ready to wire for sound.
Ben Shlyen, Associated Publications
Canned Music Will Bring About Universal Artistic Education
THE traditional concert stage, as we have enjoyed it in the past is doomed. The advent of the sound film is an established fact and film music is going to substitute for individual musi- cal artists in the immediate fu- ture. There is no escape from that, regardless of whether the average musician wants it or not. This is an evolutionary move which everyone has to ac- cept, as it is in its essentials a means of universal artistic edu- cation. The poorer classes who had no chances to pay high con- cert admission prices will have by this new turn of things an opportunity to hear an opera or a musical comedy, a symphony concert or a celebrated virtuoso for fifty cents or even less. Dimitri Tiomkin in "Today"
e
THEIR FIRST JOBS
HANK LINET
piano player in a
nickelodeon
Along The Rialto
with PhilM. Daly, Jr.
IJARRY BUXBAUM, address Fox, believes his lad Jack, age nine, holds the world's record for seeing "The Cock-Eyed World." The youngster has gazed at this Raoul Walsh pro- duction seven times and still is looking for more showings.
Herbert Rawlinson got a great big hand from the
critical newspaper boys and gals when he opened in "City Haul" the other night. Herb plays a mayor, no less
* * * *
P. A. Parsons, who left his desk at Pathe the other day, was head man at a party given by the home office crew. As a parting shot P. A. was presented with a small wagon load
of fishing tackle. Send us some Cod, will ya, P. A.?
Ben Disraeli is again back in England. At Bradford, a small provincial town, the picture was given a try-out and clicked, thus proving Ben's stuff still goes there Well, they drop- ped the 'Mark,' no not in Germany, but the Warners cut off the front label of its both Strand houses in N. Y. and Bklyn.
* * * *
RKOs scenario editor in the east, Kay Brown, is dash- ing through final consideration of a number of scripts before making her cross-country trip to Hollywood today. Kay,
they say, is the youngest scenario editor in the biz You
know, some pictures are so good that they have 'em standing five deep outside. Well, Maurice Chevalier in Paramount's "Love Parade" is taking care of standees. They've built an extra row of seats on the mezzanine at the Criterion for the gang
Yes, we knew he couldn't hold out, but at that, bet it's going to be some act. Abraham (Burney) Bernstein, of Pub- lix, and Lillian Joan Straus recently got that way sufficiently to let it go down in ink that they're engaged
Sylvia Kossach is celebrating her first year spent in writ- ing press books for Columbia — if people do celebrate such an- niversaries Roxy undoubtedly is happy over the fact
that "Christina" drew a line which extended 'way pass the Cathedral towards Sixth Ave. before noon yesterday
HOW MANY WIRED HOUSES ARE THERE IN THE
COUNTRY?
Complete information on wired theaters throughout the world
is but one of the many features of the forthcoming
1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK.
JANUARY 3-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula- tions are extended by THE FILM DAILY to the follow- ing members of the industry, who today are celebrating l4ieir birthdays
Paul Benjamin Marion Davies Eddie Gribbon
George B. Seitz Howard Truesdell Anna May Wong
Dorothy Arzner Herbert Brenon Fred Evans
-AND THAT'S THAT
By PHIL M. DALT
EDDIE QUILLAN, one of the few picture stars who does not take himself too seriouslj', airmails us his impressions of a typical start of a typical day for the poor moom pit- chur actor. Eddie quipps as follows:
He wakes up at 8 a.m. and dis- locates jaw with a prodigious yawn.
Crawls out on the wrong side of the bed.
Nearly freezes to death dressing in the cold, damp morning air. (Query: Is it possible that the air is ever cold and damp in Hollywood?)
Gets shirt on outside of suspenders.
Loses collar button under dresser.
Is forced to shave with a dull blade.
Realizes that he has but 20 min- utes to make the studio by 9 o'clock.
Gulps down hot coffee, burns mouth, and gets most of the fluid down his wind-pipe.
Rushes out to automobile and spends ten minutes trying to start it.
En route to studio, runs out of gas.
Tramps one-half mile to filling sta- tion.
Finally arrives at studio and spends five minutes looking for a place to park.
Enters studio and learns the call has been changed from 9:00 to 10:30.
Is taken to an asylum in a straight- jacket and labeled 12929 with a long- term contract.
* + *
Remember When —
Jack Fuld, handling the publicit\- on the murder thriller, "Jim the Pen- man," put it over as a fashion show? Jack grabbed an advance story from the press book telling all about the costumes worn in the British story, and opened in Boston by selling Filene & Son, the department store, the idea of a fashion show. They featured a big display window, and said the picture was "the greatest fashion show that ever visited Bos- ton." And the picture went over big — just that way.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Balaban & Katz secure Chicago First National franchise from Jones, Linick and Schaefer.
Morris Kohn succeeds Arthur Kane as president of Realart.
S.
Marcus Loew reported seeking to purchase Metro.
♦ ♦ *
Oliver Morosco entering produc- tion with six imits now formed.
Friday, January 3, 1930
f-^E^
DAILY
i*^
{Amusement Issues Were
Relatively Steady in 1929
{Continued from Page 1)
leather, chain stores, mail order and others.
The 1929 market crash undoubted- ly killed what might have been a bull movement in film stocks as a result of the sensational success of talkers. Earnings of these companies have shown sizable increases over the preceding year, and the prospects for continued increase have been favor- able.
Another pertinent highlight is that
the stock of Paramount, which leads the film issues in turnover for the year with a total of 7,875,350 shares, came out with a net loss of only 4 points, while National Theater Sup- ply gained nearly 34 points, an ap- preciation of more than 500 per cent. Details of the year, reflecting a stability in film stocks that stacks up very favorably alongside other major industries, are contained in the fol- lowing tables:
1928
High Low
45 27^
29^4 23
194}^ 163
, 132^4 123H
109 100
U9Vi 72
Div. in $
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
—I 1929-
Sales High Date Low
|
51'/. |
isvz |
|
160 |
75 K |
|
77 |
49 Vi |
|
1105^ |
9'i-'A |
21Vi 14^ 56fi 15 34 SIK 69M ,100
24J4
5 47K
2
8H 34Ji 35 91K
Am. Seating Co 211300 41 J4 Mar. IS 17
2 Con. Film Ind. Inc.. 201400 25^ Sept. 30 10
2 Con. Film Ind.Inc.pf 375500 30^4 Apr. ' 8 Eastman Kodak 839275 264^ Oct.
6 Eastman Kodak pf.. 3090 128 Mar. 8 First Nat. Pic.lstpf.. 9110 11654 June 25 104Ji 4 Fox Film "A". . .4052180 105^ Sept. 24 19}^
— Keith-Albee lOrph 51700 46 J^ Jan.
7 Keith-Albee- Orph pf. 43275 138 Jan.
3J4 Loew's Inc 2502500 84^ Feb.
6K Loew's Inc. pf 40900 11*J4 Jan.
6J4 Loew's Inc. pf.ex.w. 10300 95 Mar
1.89 Metro-Goldwyn pf... 49500 27 Feb.
— Mot. Pic. Cap 462800 60J4 June 21 12}^
3 Para. Famous Lasky .7875350 75;^ Oct. 15 35
— Patbe Exchange 2079700 14^ Jan. 9 2J^
— Pathe Exchange"A" 379400 30 Jan. 9 4J^
— Radio-Keith Orph. .6343100 46Ji Jan. 4 12
— Stanley Co. of Am.. 58200 45 May 20 20
8 Univer. Pict. Istpf.. 8550 91 Jan. 2 28 WarnerBros. Pict. .3776100 64^ A,ug. 20 30
22 2SJ4
30 15H
8 150
9 117
15/, 5 70 27 32 31 80 19 80Ji 25 21'4
S7K SIK 2.20 War. Bros. Pict. pf.. 359500 59^^ Jan.
Date
Dec. 30
Oct. 30
Oct. 29
Nov. 13
Nov. 7
Jan. 2
Dec. 30
Nov. 14
Nov. 14
Oct. 30
Oct. 29
Nov. 14
Oct. 29
Jan. 8
Oct. 29
Dec. 19
Dec. 20
Oct. 29
Nov. 14
Dec. 4
Nov. 13
Oct. 30
Net
Last chge.
nVi—\iV%
17
19J4— 6
\vly2— 5/3
126 ■
116^ + 12^ 22 —71% 2054—24/2 79/— 491^ 43 —20/ 87 —15^
86
23/— 1 15-1-5 51—4 3—8/ 5/— 20ft 20 —24/ 32 —10 33^-59%
40/
37 —liVA,
1928
High Low
CURB MARKET
2/
19/
7 40 Ji
7
60 3 17/ —
2/ 13/
Bal. & Katz vtc 9400
Fox Theaters "A" 2969100
— Gen. Theater Eq 1850900
— Griffith D. W 15300
— int. Project New 478200
— Loew's inc. deb rts 56600
— Loew's Inc. war 15200
1.60 Nat. Screen Co 112200
— Nat. Theater Sup 448000
— Tr-Lux DLPSA 1271200
— Univ. Pictures 19050
— Univ. Pict. pf rts 3200
High Low Last chge.
88% 60 63Ji— 14/ 5
37^8 66/
4/ 64 49/ 14/ 35/ 45/ 24 29
2%
5/— 29J4
24 27H
1 m-F /
19% 25
7J4 13 —13
2 3/
6 15%
7 42 -f33J4
3 4—1% 8/ 9/— 18/
High Low
1101 85/ Keith B. F. 6s
STOCK EXCHANGE BONDS, (000 omitted)
Sales High
46 523 97
jUS/ 105K Loew's Inc. 6s 1941 3075 124
(102/ 99 Loew's Inc 6s '41 ex war 2231 100/
^03Ji 100 Paramount B'way 5/s '51 1353 103
101 98% Para-Famojs Lasky 6s '47 3140 lOOii
86% 50 Patlie Ex. inc. 7s 1937 I97O 84
Low
74/
96
88
97
91/
29/
Last
75/- 102/-
92/- 100%-
96 -
38 ■
-1928
High Low
06/ 94 Am. Seating 6s 1936.. — — Warner Bros. Pic. 6s
CURB BONDS (000 Omitted)
Sales High
839 97/ 583 106
Low
66
Last 67/-
Net chge.
-18/ -12%
- 7%
- 1%
- 3/ -41/
Net chge.
-27/
OVER THE COUNTER
Roxy Theater com. do pf "A"
Technicolor Inc. .
High
Bid • 5J4 . 30
. 70/
Low Closing
Bid Bid Asked
1/ 2 2/
16/ 17 19
9 43 45
S Tiffany Signs Lindlar
for Special Exploitation
In accordance with the promise made by General Sales Manager Os- :ar R. Hanson when Tiffany's fran- chise plan was worked out, Walter P. Lindlar has been signed by this :ompany to head a special exploita- lon department just formed to co- operate with exhibitors during 1930, t IS announced by A. L. Selig, di-^ -ector of advertising and publicity, -.indlar for seven years was in charge )f exploitation for First National and or three years was assistant man-
Sam Spring Joins R-K-0 As Counsel Advisor
Sam Spring, formerly with First National and more recently asso- ciated with a Wall St. firm, has joined R-K-O as counsel and assistant to B. B. Kahane, general counsel.
ager of exploitation for Paramount. The purpose of the new depart- ment will be to provide detailed ad- vertising and exploitation on the six roadshow productions and other fea- ture releases by Tiffany.
^^^f
" m
ml
' \ t,,|, Vrrr ( f^"^ 1
,1 ' r.rr rrrr rr"^ f"^ '^' .'irrrr rrrr fir
H.
r ^ r- HOT r- - V r ,. f rn-nrr
HLM CENTER BLDG.
44"^" ST. 9TH AVENUE ^^"^^ ^'^'
over 84% rented
Designed fori the film Indus- try
74 windows to a floor
3 street front- ages
Near "L" and subway sta- tions
Fireproof vaults
Projection and
Inspection
Rooms
Unequalled shipping facili- ties
Exceptiorial- ly low insur- ance rates
MANY MORE AT- TRACTIVE FEATURES
AT NO
MORE RENTAL
ONLY 16% LEFT
THIS building was erected with one purpose in view — to supply the safest — most con- venient— best equipped building for the Film Industry that brains could create and money could build.
There is no other building like it — so don't delay in making ap- plication.
When the remaining space is leased there isn't any more like it — anywhere, at any price.
GROSS & BROWN COMPANY
AGENT 270 MADISON AVE. Tel. Caledonia 7000
Call at the building or send for illustrated booklet
FILM CENTER, Inc.
Owners and Builders ABE, N. ADELSON, President
TONIGHT Cor LONG RUK at NEW YORK STRAND
TURNED TOLEDO TOPSY TURVY IN TEST TRYOUT
"We expect at least two and a half weeks run" writes John i F. Kumlerof Pantheon,Toledo '
^
7
i
ALEXANDER GRAY - BERNICE CLAIRE LOUISE FAZENDA - ZASU PITTS
LUCIEN LiniEFIELD - LILYAN TASHAAAN
BERT ROACH MILDRED HARRIS
Directed by Clarence Badger
Adopted from mvilcol cemcdy by Frank Mandd, Otto Horboch, VIncont Yevmoni and Emil Nyitroy ♦ ♦ ♦
"Much better than one can possibly imagine" To Wo s/a</e
"Fast -moving sequences which pack a lot of laughs'^
Toledo News Bee
"Guaranteed to provoke
constant hilarity" Toledo Times
HIT-AFTER-HIT-AFTER-HIT FROM
"Sally" "Paris" "Son of the Gods" "Song of the Flame" "Bride of the Regiment'
FIRST N ATION ALl
VOL. LI No. 3
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Price 25 Cents
44
MOST IMPRESSIVE PICTURE''
"Hell's Heroes" is most impres- sive picture played at Colony since this house turned talkie, says Irene Thirer, N. Y. Daily News .... "Superbly carried out
brings a lump to the throat
and a tear to the eye." "Hardest-hitting melodrama. . . first rate entertainment," says Quinn Martin, N. Y. World. "Something new and original in telling a story in dialogue set
entirely out of doors. This is one to see." — Marguerite Tazelaar, N. Y. Tribune.
"Interesting and realistic." — Mordaunt Hall in N. Y. Times. "Fine Film. . .ably acted and di- rected."—N. Y. Telegram. "Thrilling film fare. . .audiences liking the picture." — N. Y. American. •-
With Charles Bickford, Raymond Hatton, Fred Kohler, Fritzi Ridgeway. Directed by William Wy- ler. Presented by CARL LAEMMLE.
GREATER UNIVERSAL'S NEW SELLING SEASON STARTS NOV^?
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MOTION PICTURES AND THE DEVELOP- MENT OF SOUND- JUST PUBLISHED
By Special Arrangement
ff
SEE AND (HEAR-
By WILL H. HAYS
President of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc.
will appear in serial form
Every Dav in the Film Dailv
Starting Tomorrow
A DAILY FEATURE OF UNIVERSAL INTEREST TO EVERYBODY IN AND OUT OF THE BUSINESS
tV Rare Vote of Confidened
REVIEWS in unprecedented numbers have appeared in trade papers, magazines and newspapers, during the Fall and Winter months, on Mack Sennett Talking Comedies. You could read every line of every one of them and find no dissenting voice raised in criticism. Nothing but praise! A rare vote of confidence — prob- ably without equal in motion picture history!
MACK SENNETT
iOMEDlES
"THE GOLFERS"
A "pippin" . . . Entertainment all the way through.
— Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Will make you giggle whether or not you know anything ahout >the game. - — Life
The large golfing fraternity and any number of others who don't know anything about this popular game will simply "eat" this pieture up. — Motion Picture Netvs.
Supreme entertainment, intensely amusing both to golfers and to those who never stepped on a green.
— Arthur James, Exhibitors Daily Revietv and Motion Pictures Today.
A delightful outdoor event which scored heavily because it never became technical.
— Harold Heffernan, Detroit News
''A HOLLYWOOD STAR"
Sennett continues on the upgrade. "A Hollywood Star" is un- usually funny. — W. Ward Marsh, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Exceedingly funny. • — Boston Globe.
A mighty funny comedy. — New York Daily News.
They don't come often enough like this one. . . . Grab this one. — Motion Picture Neivs.
Worth a prominent spot on any bill. ■ — Film Daily.
A pip of a satirical Mack Sennett comedy.
— Los Angeles Examiner.
Here is a really funny picture. It's Mack Sennett back in his splendid form and up to new tricks at one and the same time.
— Screenland.
THE SPICE OFTHE PROGRAM'
^^CLANCY AT THE BAT"
A corker. — Motion Picture Netvs.
It can't miss. — Film Spectator.
A thoroughly enjoyable baseball comedy. . . . Plenty of laughs all along the line, concluding with a comedy finish that is a smash. Worth strong billing. — Film Daily.
The funniest show to reach town as a talking film this week. ... I think Gribbon and Clyde are comics, in their own field, of the first rank. — Quinn Martin, New York World.
^^THE NEW HALFBACK"
Solidly packed with laughs. ... A picture you cannot afford to overlook. • — Zit's.
(Jood enough to get top billing. — Exhibitors Herald-World.
Spot this as a "special" on your program, and you'll have no kickbacks. It will goal 'em for championship laughs.
- — Film Daily.
Mack Sennett almost reaches the pinnacle of his career in this.
— Associated Publications.
An even greater laughgetter than "Clancy At the Bat" .... This comedy, played with even the weakest feature, will make the program a complete success. — Billboard.
"UPPERCUT O'BRIEN"
It has enough for two or three oldfashioned comedies. — ZiCs.
One of the funniest prize-ring themes ever screened.
— Film Daily.
(iribbon and Clyde are at the moment turning out some of the best comedies on the market. Any exhibitor that plays these and the other Educational shorts at this time is doing his patrons a great favor. ■ — Billboard.
A wow comedy. . . . Educational has a knockout of a two-reel comedy here. . . . Go the limit and promise a lot. It will lift any show right out of the average class.
— Motion Picture News.
EDUCATIONAL FILM EXCHANGES, Inc., e. w. ha mmons. Preside
i,>r . u-;n Tt n
1
iTHE
h/'fUMVOH
ANDWEEKLY FILH DIGEST
OL. LI No. 3
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Price 25 Cents
Tri-State Exhibitors Set to Fight Mississippi Tax
ISSUES^FIREPROOF SMN EDICT INPHILLY
Universal Production List for 1930 to Exceed 40
1 Features Completed, 5 in Work and 23 Being Prepared
With about 40 pictures definitely et, 11 of them already completed, ive in work and 23 being prepared, Jniversal's production schedule for 930 starts out as the most elaborate n its history. Never before, at the )eginning of the year, has the com- >any had so many pictures on its )roduction program. All of these
{Continued on Page 3)
OCHICAGOliSSOLD TO BIRD MATERS, INC.
Chicago— Trustee's equity in 10 neighborhood theaters, formerly known as the National Playhouses group, has been sold to Bird Thea- ters, Inc., it is announced by the Chicago Title & Trust Co., receiver of the National chain. Sam Howard, local attorney, is trustee.
Sistrom, Block Leave Pathe Studio Personnel
•Vest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Readjustment of the Pathe studio lineup has resulted in he departure of William Sistrom, general manager, and Ralph Block, associate producers, among other changes. Sistrom's contract expired the first of the year. Other shifts in personnel are expected.
EXHIBS PLAN UNAEFILIATED ASS'N
Chicago — An unaffiliated associa- tion is planned by a group of 40 in- dependent exhibitors who met at the Stevens Hotel recently here to dis- cuss the proposed organization. Simon Herr, who is understood to be slated tor the post of legal advisor, said that a temporary committee has been ap-
(Continued on Page i)
WARNER-STANLEY CHAIN ALL SOUND BY FEB. 1
Philadelphia — All houses in the Warner-Stanley chain will be equip- ped for sound policies by Feb. 1, when the Savoy and Family, on Market St., join the talker list. The Princess, also silent at present, will be either closed or placed on the real estate market, it is understood.
Miss., Ark. and Tenn. Showmen Seek to Defeat Proposed Levy
Court Reserves Decision in Greenewalt Color Suit
Wilmington, Del. — After hearing the final argument in the color pat- ent suit of Mrs. Mary Hallock Greenewalt against the Stanley Co.,
(.Continued on Page 16)
Hale Elected Head of Winnipeg Projectionists
Winnipeg — William Hale has been elected president of the American Projectionists Society, which recent- ly organized here for the purpose of
(.Continued on Page 16)
CEO.E.DEMBOW BECOMES VICE-PRES. OF TWO FIRMS
George F. Dembow, formerly Mid- dle Atlantic division manager for M-G-M, is now vice president of the Arctic Nu-Air Corp. and Kooler Aire Engineering Corp., with offices ,n the Paramount Bldg. He has been connected with the picture busi- ness for the last 17 years, 11 of which were spent with Fox.
Jackson, Miss. — M. A. Lightman, president of the M.P.T.O.A., and R. X. Williams, Jr., of the M.P.T.O. of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, are lining up the forces of the tri- state organization to fight the theater tax proposed for this state. Although the bill has not been fully drawn nor the amount of levy definitely determ- ined, it is understood the tax will amount to 10 per cent. The exhibitor leaders have sent out pleas to show- men urging them to employ every means of creating public sentiment against the tax before the legislature meets Tuesday.
Impressing Wall Street
Motion Picture Shares Established Excellent Reputation in 1929
Market — Average Depreciation Less Than Stock of
Basic American Industries
By ARTHUR W. EDDY
MOTION picture issues established an excellent reputation for them- selves in the Wall St. sector during 1929. A checkup at the close of the year indicates that film stocks comparatively made an enviable showing, weathering the market collapse of several months ago far better than stock of many important companies engaged in vital American industries. Much to th^ credit of the industry's stability is the fact that average depreciation of film shares was less than the decrease in the stock of various basic indus- tries. The industry's financial foundation is growing firmer and firmer. The street of profits and losses (mostly the latter, some people say) should find interesting and illuminating reading in the estimate that Para- (.Continued on Page 16)
Fire Chief Gives Theaters
Two Weeks to Comply
with Order
Philadelphia — Local theaters com- ing under the jurisdiction of Fire Marshal James O. Mulhern have been ordered to install fireproof sound screens within the next two weeks or face a closing edict, in accordance with a city ordinance. It is said that if the safety official's threat is carried out practically all picture houses in this city will go dark.
Film men feel that the drastic move is unwarranted inasmuch as the num- ber of fires originating from an in- flammable screen is comparatively negligible, and also because it is ob- viously impossible to perfect and in- stall the required screen in the short period allowed.
Indianapolis to Enforce Smoking Law in Booths
Indianapolis — Strict enforcement of the state law against smoking in projection booths will be launched by the local fire prevention bureau, following a conference with the board of safety at which it was brought out that 11 fires in booths occurred in the last year.
"No, No, Nanette"
A 1930 model "No, No, Nanette" displayed itself at the Strand Friday evening to the genuine enjoyment of a pre- miere audience. Commercial- ly, it's sure-fire from neighbor- hood to de luxe house. The story of this musical farce is familiar but basically excellent comedy, splendidly enacted. First National has given it elaborate production, including color sequences. The wride screen was brought into use at the opening in the theater scenes. "No, No, Nanette" has got b. o. "It."
Eddy
D^m^
Sunday, January 5, 1930
B°B g—gar™*™
* ■'JV^^AHDWEEKLY
I FILM DIGEST
VaLLINo.S Jgiday. JaDianfS.U30 Price 25 Cents
ISBN V. ALISOATE
EDITOR AND PUDLJSHEI
Published daily except Saturday and holidays at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President. Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau. Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager; Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. Ea- tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918, at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage free) United States outside of (Jreater New York $10,00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3 months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers should remit with order. Address all com- municutions to THE FILM DAILY, 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle 4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday, New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite 6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The Film Kenter, 89-91 Wardour St., W. I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne, Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle, La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la Coiir-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET (QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sale«
Am. Seat 18 17H 18 200
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 16'A iS'A 16/8 300
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 18j4 18 18% 1,200
*East. Kodak ^78% ....
Fox Fm. "A" .... 22)4 16!4 21 2,811
Keith A-O 20'/i ....
•do pfd 79'A ....
Loew's, Inc 45 43 44 1,700
*do pfd. WW (6J4) 87 ....
•do pfd. xw (ej/i) 86
MGM pfd 24 24 24 200
Para. F-L 51 '4 495^ 50 J^ 6,300
Pathe Exch 3'A 2J4 3 3,000
do "A" 6 5 6 700
R-K-O 2054 19J4 20}i 8,100
•Univ. Pict. pfd 30 ....
Warner Bros 4\H 39Ji 40^24,700
•do pfd 3654
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
•Columia Pets 25^
Fox Thea. "A" .. 5^ 3 S 24,800
Gen. Thea. Equ. ..26 25 25 1,100
•Intern. Proj 25
Loew do deb. rts. 13K 1354 1354 100
•Loew's Inc. war 3^ ....
•Nat. Scr. Ser 155^
•Nat. Thea. Sup 2754
•Paramount new 28 ....
•Univ. Pict 954
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 75 75 75 50
Loew 6s 41ww ..102 102 102 20
do 6s 41 x-war . 92 92 92 10
Paramount 6s 47 . 98^ 98 9854 50
•Par. By. S'As 51 38
Pathe 7s 37 36 36 36 20
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
Ct
New York Long IiUnd City y
1S40 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ^
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 8
if
if if
I
Eastman Films g J. E. Brulatour, Inc. %
Chicago
Hollywood
.--» T J- » . 6700 Santa Monica fj
1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j ♦.♦
CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 fj
t:
— INDEX
IMPRESSING WALL STREET, An editiryial by Arthur W. Eddy 1
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities 2
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 4
SHORT SHOTS FROM N. Y. STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair 4
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 6
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly 6
TIM EL Y TOPICS, Digest of Current Opinions 6
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Culled from Film Daily Files 6
THEIR FIRST JOBS 6
ALONG THE RIALTO, by Phil M. DaXy, Jr. 6
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS 6
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast News by Telegraph 11
-A LITTLE FROM LOTS," bn Ralph Wilk n
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 12-13
PRESENTATIONS, by Herbert S. Berg 14
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Don C. Gillette 14
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by WiUiam Ornstein 15
WEEK'S HEADLINES, Resume of Week's News 16
|
T> pT7TT?tAr C |
|||
|
Ix. JC V 1 |
1> VV >J |
||
|
PAGE |
PAGE |
||
|
BLAZE 0' GLORY . |
12 |
PARTY GIRL |
...12 |
|
HOT FOR PARIS . . . |
13 |
PAINTED ANGEL |
...12 |
|
LAUGHING LADY . |
13 |
PARTING OF THE TRAIL |
...12 |
|
OH YEAH |
12 |
THE MIGHTY |
...12 |
|
ONE HYSTERICAL'. |
-^/GHr...l2 |
WASTED LOVE |
...12 |
|
; SHORT |
SUBJECTS |
||
|
SOUND .'. |
. ... 13 fltirf 16 |
SILENT |
...16 |
Jesse L. Williams' Novel for Henry Kings' Next
"They Still Fall in Love," novel by Jesse Lynch Williams, who won the Pulitzer prize in 1917 for his play, "Why Marry?" has been bought for the next Henry King- Inspiration Pictures talker for United Artists. Clarke Silvernail and N. Brewster Morse will do the dialogue and continuity. They will accom- pany Henry King to the Coist as soon as he has finished editing "Hell Harbor" in New York.
Joe Fisher in Hospital
Joe Fisher, Singapore exhibitor, who has been in New York for the last several weeks buying equipment and pictures for his new Capitol, is in the Park West Hospital under- going treatment for pleurisy. He was to have sailed for home Saturday.
Columbia Signs Joe Cook
Columbia has obtained the screen rights to "Rain or Shine," stage musical, and signed the star of the production, Joe Cook, to appear in the talker version.
4,212 W.E. Installations; 3,181 in United States
The total number of installations of W. E. systems now numbers 4,212, the company states. Of this number 3,181 are in the United States, 177 in Canada, 59 in Latin America, 2iX in the Far East and 564 in European countries. The figures exclude 157 review room installations that have been made in the United States.
"Hit the Deck" Jan. 14 Radio Pictures' "Hit the Deck" will open at the Earl Carroll January 14tli. Many of the scenes are done in Tech- nicolor.
"Disraeli" In 11th Week
"Disraeli" is entering its 11th week on Broadway.
nTTiTJT
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Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
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1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
ANDY WRIGHT
says
That 193 0 has brought him the ex- clusive services of
S. JOHN PARK
WHO WILL BE THE RANK- ING YOUNG AUTHOR OF
THE YEAR THAT HE IS
DOING HIS NEW TRAG- EDY OF THE South ti- tled
"COLOR BLIND" on Broadway — that his former suc- cess
"PHILADELPHIA"
is doing capacity busi- ness in Chicago — also — That he will do
"Cease Firing"
the musical romance of the A. E. F. as a Summer Show on a side street of Broadway.
he suggests — That barry burke — that great publix texan — sell his diamond lapel pin for a new toupe before com- ing to Broadway again — and —
thanks Paul Gerard. Smith for his help —
Andy Wright, Inc.
1560 Broadway, New York, N.Y. Bryant 2361 Cable Wrightbook
PAILV
The Industry's Date Book
9 AMPA Luncheon at the Paramount Hotel, New York City.
n 14 Premiere of "Hit the Deck" at the Earl Carroll.
n. IS Warner Coast studio to resume ac- tivity.
n 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic Club, Hotel Commodore, New York City.
,b 1 Meeting of non-theatrical producers at Washington, D. C.
eb 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball at the Astor, New York.
.b 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
,ne2-7 International Cinema Congress at Brussels.
/IcCormick to Join P-F-L to Handle Bow Pictures?
,,, Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles - John McCormick,
,rmerly producer for First National, reported to have joined Paramount
, handle production on Clara Bow
ictures. If the deal is completed ,s also likely Colleen Moore will
Mu the company.
Efforts towards a confirmation of le report regarding John McCor- iick joining Paramount proved un- vailable here.
ntkin Appointed Story i:ditor for Equitable Corp.
Professor Walter B. Pitkin, of the i^olumbia University School of Jour- kalism, has been engaged by Equit- ble Pictures Corp. as eastern story Editor, according to an announce- liient by George B. Stout, president ')f the company which will produce !>roduct for release through Motion ipicture Congress. Pitkin will make I Lis headquarters in New York.
Higher Theater License Proposed in Racine, Wis.
i Racine, Wis.— Increase in the the- [iter license fee, at present $150, to ?750 annually for theaters charging ■nore than 35 cents admission is pro- I'ided in an amendment to the gen- eral code introduced at a meeting |if the city council. ! —
Chicago Exhibs Plan
Unaffiliated Association
(.Continued from Page 1)
pointed to formulate plans and poli- ties. Ex-Judge Emanuel Eller is ^mentioned as the possible head of the new body.
Universal Production List
for 1 930 to Exceed Forty
(Continued ft
features are sound and all-dialogue, and each has a silent version. Ad- ditions to the schedule will be made during the year, as stories are pur- chased and new talent signed. The list now stands as follows: Pictures Completed
"Hell's Herues," from the story, "Three GoJTailieis," hy Peter B. Kyne, featuring Charles Bickford, Raymond Hattcn and Fred Kohler; directed by William Wyler.
"Night Ride," based on Henry La Cossitt's story, "Deadline at Dawn," starring Joseph Schildkraut; directed by John S. Robertson.
"Parade of the West," starring Ken May- iiard; directed by Harry J. Brown.
"The CUrnax," from the stage play by Edward Locke, starring Jean Hersholt; di- rected by Renaiid Hoffman.
"The Mounted Stranger," starring Hoot ii'ilison, story by Herbert Henry Knibbs.
"Undertow," starring Mary Nolan, based on tlie ' story, "Ropes," by Wilbur Daniel Steele; directed by Harry Pollard.
"J-ucky Larkin," starring Ken Maynard, story by Marion Jackson; directed by Harry J. Brown.
"Embarrassing Moments," starring Regi- nald Denny; directed by William J. Craft.
"The Devil's Pit," a Maori folk story of New Zealand by Lew Collins. Natives of Maori tribe in cast.
"Dames Ahoy," starring Glenn Tryon, story by Sherman Lowe; directed by William J. Craft.
"Courtin' Wildcats," starring Hoot Gib- son; directed by Jerome Storm; story by William Dudley Pelley.
Pictures in Work
"All Quiet on the Western Front," from ihe novel by Erich Maria Remarque; directed iiy Lewis Milestone, with Louis Wolheim, I ewis Ayres and John Wray.
Paul Whiteman in John Murray Ander- son's "King of Jazz," in Technicolor, with John Boles, William Kent, Grace Hayes, Jeanette LofI and Stanley Smith, Laura La Plante, Mary Nolan, Joseph Schildkraut, Ken Maynard, Hoot Gibson, Glenn Tryon, Kath-" ryn Crawford.
"La Marseillaise," story by Houston Branch, original music by Charles Wakefield
om Page 1)
Cadman, starring Laura La Plante and John
Boles; directed by Paul Fejos.
"Cohens and Kellys" in Scotland." star- ring George Sidney and Charlie Murray, story by Sherman Webb; directed by William J. Craft.
"The College Racketeer," featuring James Murray and Kathryn Crawford, story by Lambert Hillyer; directed by Reginald Bar- ker.
Pictures Preparing
"Serenade," starring John Boles, original story and music to be written by Konrad Bercovici.
"The Singing Caballero," by Houston Branch for John Boles. John S. Robertson will direct.
"Barbary Coast," by Winnifred Reeve and Tom Keed, starring Mary Nolan.
"The Little Accident," from the stage play, starring Glenn Tryon. Based on Floyd Dell's novel, "The Unmarried Father."
"Sloonlight Madness," starring John Boles.
"Czar of Broadway," the story by Gene Towne. ■*
"Sincerity," the novel by John Erskine.
"The Week End Girl," starring Laura La Plante, story by Harry Segall.
"The Song of Passion," starring John Boles.
"What Men Want," story by Warner Fa- bian, all-star with Mary Nolan.
"The Fighting Legion," starring Ken May- nard.
"Kettle Creek," starring Ken Maynard.
"Songs of the Saddle," starring Ken May- nard.
"Hidden Valley," starring Ken Maynard.
"Rodeo Days," starring Hoot Gibson.
"Ace Rider," starring Hoot Gibson.
"Montana Kid," starring Hoot Gibson.
"Scrub Oak," starring Hoot Gibson.
The following Universal successes, released as silents in previous years, will be entirely remade with sound and dialogue:
"The Storm," Langdon McCormick's stage play, originally released in 1922.
"The Flirt," Booth Tarkington's story, first released in 1923.
"Lasca," from the Frank Desprez poem, first"'feleased in 1919.
"The Signal Tower," Wadsworth Camp's story," original release in 1924.
"The Virgin of Stamboul," by H. H. Van Loan, first released in 1920.
I Famous Canadian Buys Site
Vancouver, B. C. — Famous Players Canadian Corp. has purchased the site at Broadway and Branville St., for the erection of a theater to cost [about $400,000.
Gem, White River, Reopens
I White River, S. D.— The Gem has i reopened after making repairs to imeet with the requirements of the I Fire Dept.. J. C. Langston is man- ager.
Quebec Exhibs Stirred by Police Sunday Ban
Montreal — Police action against patrons of the Elite, Granby, Quebec, for attending a Sunday show has caused a stir among exhibitors of the province, owners had agreed with the Quebec Provincial Govt, to en- force the law barring juveniles from moving picture theaters, and, in re- turn, granting that there would be no disturbance of Sunday perform- ances.
Pathe Service Pins
New Orleans — Half of the em- ployees of the local Pathe exchange are possessors of Pathe service pins, which are given in recognition of long service with the company.
New Strand Manager
Lansing, Mich. — M. Hayes has succeeded C. W. Bedel as manager of the Strand here.
Professor Hits Producers for Bad English in Talkers
Contrasting radio broadcasters with talking motion pictures. Professor Francis Powell of the Dept. of Spok- en English of the Smith College, said that film producers show no disposi- tion to realize their responsibility to the public to train their actors for correct speech. Professor Powell contends that "it is the producers' responsibility to see that their actors have good speech, for as the players talk, so their audiences react."
$770,000 Middletown House
Middletown, O. — ' Announcement has been made that a $770,000 the- ater and office building will be erect- ed here.
Shea's Seneca Shortly
Buffalo — The new Shea Seneca, seating 2,500, will be opened by Michael Shea shortly, according to an announcement from the circuit.
Lyric, Runge, Sold
Runge, Texas — The Lyric has been purchased by S. I. Lopez.
Fairbankses Return Home
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks yesterday return- ed to their home after a four months' world tour.
Sound Hits Smokers
Portland, Ore. — Upon rec- ommendation of the fire mar- shal, smoking in the balconies of the Portland and Rialto may be abolished because the glass cages built around the smok- ing sections are no longer feas- ible with the installation of sound.
Tone-0-Graph Secured by Herrell in Southern Zone
Love B. Herrell of Atlanta, Ga., has been appointed distributor by North American Sound and Talking Picture Equipment Corp. for its Tone-O-Graph reproducing devices, in the five Southern States includ- ing, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mis- sissippi and Tennessee. Herrell, who is Secretary of the South Eastern Theater Owners of America, has been connected with the industry for many years.
Kutinsky Wins Sunday Shows for Westwood
Westwood, N. J. — Sunday movies will begin today, as a result of a special election held here. The Sunday issue originally was defeated when it came up at election two years ago, but the persistence of Morris Kutinsky, now Fox N. J. dis- trict manager, in forcing the issue resulted in a successful turn of events. The result was 1800 against 600.
Theater Manager Arrested in Scotland Fire Tragedy
Paisley, Scotland — Manager Char- les Dorward, of the Glen Cinema, where 70 children died in a fire panic, has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide.
Miller Back at Buffalo as Universal Manager
Buffalo — Dave Miller has returned here as manager of the Universal exchange, replacing Al Herman, who is to be transferred to another branch. Miller was last manager of the New York exchange for the com- pany.
Albany House to Pass
Albany — Pine Hills Theater will be replaced by an apartment house, according to Harry Lazarus of Kingston, owner.
Milwaukee House Opens Milwaukee — The Radio, 25th and Fond du Lac, reopened Jan. 1 under the management of Harry Perlewitz. He formerly owned and operated the Savoy of this city.
Columbia's New Press Sheet
Press sheets of magazine propor- tions are being issued by Columbia on the company's short subject re- leases.
Imperial Changes Policy
Ottawa — Ray Tubman, manager of the Imperial, has instituted a new policy at the house with long run features taking the place of former split-week change.
THE
-S&^
DAILY
Sunday, January 5, 1930
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
EXTRA PRODUCTION MAKES P-E-L ENLARGE STUDIO
Under the pressure of greatly in- creased production plans, the Para- mount Long Island studio is being gradually enlarged. The recent re- modeling of the Long Island labora- tory makes it possible to handle more than 1,000,000 feet of film a day, making it the largest film laboratory in the world.
In addition to the remodeling of the studio proper, a large annex was added to the old building, during the past year, in which the new carpenter shops and generating plant are in- stalled. Two buildings across the street from the studio are now being made over to house the Publix or- ganization and the technical research department, respectively.
The fact that Publix stage presenta- tion acts are now being filmed at the Long Island studio has resulted in a decided increase in the number of short subjects produced. According to John Fingerlin, Executive Man- ager, 14 talking feature pictures and eighty-five one and two reel short subjects have been produced during the past fifteen months. Plans for the new season call for approximately the same number of feature pictures plus short subjects expected to total close to 200 releases.
Two of the many
good notices on
my latest re
lease
through
RKO
^
LOUIS BROCK
PRODUCER OF W XIHWHILE SHORTS 220 W. 42nd ST., N. Y. C.
Short Shots from New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
RAY COZINE is getting to be known as the "international" di- rector, at the Paramount studio. Hav- ing completed "The Rondalla Usandi- aga," entirely in Spanish, Cozine, with the aid of a translate,, made "The Golden Kimono," entirely in Japanese, the following day.
* * *
Elizabeth North, who recently joined Paramount's writing staff, is recovering from an attack of ap- Tpendidtis at the Algonquin Hotel. Miss North is the image of her mother, Carrington North, Pathe's story chieftain, who is always on the "war path" for new picture ma- terial.
0 * if
Ruth Breton, who, at eighteen, claims to have been playing the violin for over fifteen years, recently com- pleted a Vitaphone Variety at the Warner Studio, assisted by Rodolfo Hoyos, baritone.
♦ * *
Perhaps the most realistic New Year's eve celebration ever filmed is included in "Broadway's Like- That," a Vitaphone Variety, direct- ed by Arthur Hurley.
The reason why this scene is so realistic may be explained by the fact that it was made last Tuesday evening, as the ivhistles tvere blow- ing at m,idnight.
Earle Gilbert, Charlie Williams and Kitty Kelly all appear in "Hot Bridge," which begins tomorrow at the Radio- Victor studio. It's a Louis Brock production with Mark Sandrich directing.
Stewart Erwin heads the support- ing cast of "Dangerous Nan Mc- Grew," the next feature production to be started at the Paramount Long Island studio, with Helen Kane in the title role.
Tuesday was a busy day for Ben Bernie and his orchestra. After mak- ing a Vitaphone Variety at Warner Bros studio in Flatbush, Ben and his boys had to hurry away to ap- pear at the opening of the new War- ner-owned Beacon theater.
PHIL ARMAND
(Formerly urith learner Brothtrt)
Chief cameraman
American Sound Recording
Corp.
Home: Times Square Hotel
RUTH ETTING appeared at War- ners studio last week in a Vita- phone Variety entitled, "Broadway Is Like That," which was directed by Arthur Hurley. Humphrey Bogart, Mary Phillips and Joan Blondell ap- peared in support.
Something of a record has been established by Ernest Fegte, art di- rector at the Radio-Victor studio, who has designed 150 sets during the past nine months of production.
The transition from a soft spoken young woman of culture to a gruff, mustached soldier of the trenches, is made quite easily by Jane Dillon, male impersonator, who has just completed a Vitaphone Variety un- der the direction of Edmund Joseph.
Monta Bell, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Allan Dwan, was among the celebrities noticed at the recent opening of "Wake Up and Dream," at the Apollo theater.
W'alter Brooks, who recently com- pleted "The Beauty Spot" at the Radio-Victor studio, rushed produc- tion so that his crew would finish up to allow ample time for their New Year's Eve celebration. Bob Car- ney and Doris Dawson are featured.
Fred Ryle, nmke-up artist at the Fox-Case studios here, has just re- turned from a visit to his family, 'ivay doum in Georgia.
The popular Broadway team of Clayton, Jackson and Durante did a turn of cavorting their antics before the cameras at the Paramount, As- toria studios recently when they played with Helen Morgan and Charles Ruggles in "Road House Nights."
The spirit of good fellowship and cheer held forth at the various studios on the afternoon before Christmas. The Eastern Vitaphone studios held two parties, one given by Ed DuPar and Ray Foster, cam- eramen, and another by Murray Roth, director-in-chief.
Noel Francis in Pathe Comedy
Noel Francis, the latest Ziegfeld beauty to be lured to Hollywood, completed the lead in "Her Hired Husband," for Pathe, before leaving New York. This Harry Delmar com- edy, which also includes Harry Mc- Naughton in the cast, will be released next week.
ARTCLASS PLANNINO TO PRODUCEJM ABROAD
Weiss Brothers, producers of Art- class Pictures, announce that they will make an all-talking picture in England, with a British cast of actors.'
Max Weiss has made reservation on the "Bremen," sailing Jan. 10. He will be accompanied by Irwin Willatt, who recently completed direction of "Pleasant Sins," an Artclass produc-j tion. !
Both men have been studying thei work of various English players with a view to signing them while abroad. It is probable that they will use the DeForest Studio in London for pro- ducing.
Foreign Language Shorts Are Planned by Brock
Upon starting his second year of production in the East, Louis Brockj announces that he will make a series' of foreign language subjects in addi- tion to his regular schedule. Brock, who produced the "Ginsberg" series and other comedies for RKO, spenti 12 years in the foreign sales end of the business and speaks five languages.
"Roadhouse Nights" Fina" Title of Ben Hecht Story
"Roadhouse Nights" has been se lected as the final title for the origina. Ben Hecht story recently filmed at the Paramount Long Island studit' under the working title of "The Rivei Inn."
This talking production directed b> Hobart Henley features Helen Mor- gan, Charles Ruggles, Fred Kohlei' and the comedy trio, Clayton, Jack i son and Durante, who make their screen debut in this picture. :[
___ St. Clair Here to Direct
Mai St.. Clair has arrived here from Hollywood to direct Helen Kane in "Dangerous Nan McGrew," at the Paramount Long Island stu- dios. Production is scheduled to be- gin Jan. IS.
American Sound to Resume
The American Sound Recording Studios expect to resume production within the next 10 days. Definitely' scheduled is a short subject featuring; Rene Caron and another one of the "Schoolday Frolics'' series.
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"See and Hear" by Will Hays is really a splen- did little book. It is small enough to read in an evening. Interesting enough to put aside an evening for that purpose and important enough for every man and woman in the busi- ness, who takes the industry seriously, to spend a couple of hours between its covers. JACK ALICOATE. A Daily Feature ol Universal Interest |
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THE
DAIty
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of Current Opinion
Distributors' Troubles Small Compared to Those of Exhibitor
WITHIN our brief six months as an exhibitor we've en- countered more disappointments, more hardships, more handicaps, and more blighting experiences than fell to our lot during the sev- en years we spent in exchanges. Xow we know that the irregu- larities which upset all depart- ments, until they could be cor- rected, were but trivial incidents in an otherwise well-ordered regime.
Anna Aiken Patterson in "Weekly Film Review" « * «
Advocates Book Editions Of Talking Pictures
IT occurs to me that the first great milestone in that ad- vance will be reached when the scenario and dialogue of a film are published and offered in bookshops for purchase by the public. Students of the drama and devotees of the theater now find published plays highly de- sirable, and it is surely probable that, far in the future, there will be available for students of cine- matic art libraries of published scenarios rather than only the collections of forgotten negatives in obscure vaults.
James Gow in "Neiv York World" * * *
Talkers Will Bring Broadway Shows and Casts To the Road
I'VE gone talkie because in the future I seo Broadway shows with Broadway casts, exactly as presented in New York, put into jtalkie form and shown to the •smaller communities. It is all -part of the development of the stage, a development to arouse new interest in the spoken drama and to revive attention to the much-abused "road."
George M. Cohan in "N. Y. American"
•
THEIR FIRST JOBS
EDWARD CRONJAGER
machinist's helper
Along The Rialto
with PhilM. Daly, Jr.
A GERMAN beer garden, a la Hoboken, has been installed at the Fifth Ave. Playhouse in connection with the run of "The Royal Box," all-German talker which came into existence
at the Warner Bros, plant at Brooklyn some months ago
And from Baltimore issues the allegation that a theater in that town sports a sign like this: "Now Playing — 'Hollywood Revue' — with the original Broadway cast intact from the Astor The- ater." You can believe that or not
* * * * Eddie Klein, who presidents the Ampas as well as exports
pitchers, is mighty enthusiastic over "The Mask," starring Dun- can Renaldo, and is not afraid to say so Herbert Hoey
of the Edward Small Co. is resigning his position to take over the motion picture department of the Max Hart agency, eflfec- tive Jan. 15
* * * *
Thirteen of the Duncan dancers, (we didn't count 'em, per- sonally) were claimed to have attended yesterday's matinee at the Capitol as the guest of Yasha Bunchuk, conductor of the Grand Orchestra. After giving the fans a break the girls are
said to sail shortly for Europe Pauline Frederick in "The
Sacred Flame," copped considerable glory in the current issue
of The National Board of Review Magazine Charles G.
Garfield, manager of the Warner BeacoUj has been granted an indefinite leave of absence due to illness
* * * * Stuart Krvvin will shortly hit Xew York and it will be the
first time he ever gazed upon the wonders of Manhattan. Can you imagine what the lad would say if Whalen got his crew out for the usual welcome stufT? Stuart is scheduled to get in line with Helen Kane in her next film Jack Cohn. Co- lumbia's treasurer, is back in the States again, returning from
the first vacation in 22 years
it if * ^
Andy Wright, has signed Samuel John Park under an ex- clusive management contract to cover all his writings. Park is the author of the satire on crime "Philadelphia" which ran at the Mansfield, N. Y., and now is at the Playhouse, Chi- cago "General Crack" is still continuing its great stuff
at the Warner and it looks as though John will be on Broad- way for a long time
* « * «
Horace Heidt and his Californians have climaxed a long series of engagements with the signing of a 10 weeks' contract at Monte Carlo. Means a big thing to the boy, as only two other orchestras ever played there, they being Ted Lewis and Paul Whiteman George Harvey gave his poisonal view- on advertising in a recent issue of the Warner Club News
* * ♦ *
There's hardly a showman in the business that don't get stuck occasionally on: what stunt chi' I use? Rep'ete in every way and with an abundance of new material is the exploit-o-gram section of the
1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
JANUARY 4-5-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula- tions are extended by THE FILM DAILY to the follow- ing members of the industry who are celebrating their birth- days on these days:
lanuary 4th Sam Dembow Isaac Blumenthal
January Sth Jack Ackroyd George Magrill
J. Stuart Blackton Edward Sutherland David Lee
-AND THAT'S THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
WARREN NOLAN, doing his big blurb act for United Artists, sends his press patter out on a sheet headed: "Inforrnation from Warren Nolan of United Artists." You will note that Warren's name comes first, which shows he is a genooine pub- licity palpitator. One of his latest manuscripts is titled: "Verily A
Handful."
* * *
Glancing casually through this beautifully prepared two-page con- tribution from this rising young au- thor, we decided not to return it with the usual rejection slip we editors are so fond of using. Here is a manu- script that has real literary merit, not only because of its flowing lim- pid style, but for its substapce and content. His story is based on fact. And would you believe it, Mr. Nolan takes as his theme an actual picture now in production by United Art- ists. * * * And in a casual style that grips you with the power of a Theo- dore Dreiser novel, he tells us all about "Bride 66." That strikes us as a much better title than "Verily A Handful." The latter is okay on a book cover, but think of all the electric bulbs the exhibitor will save on his marquee with "Bride 66."
* * *
We don't want to spoil your en- joyment of the completed work, but it vAll do no harm to mention that it tells of a certain Arthur Hani- merstein producing his first film, all- talk-sing-color, with Paul Stein di- recting, Rudolph Friml music, and Lois Md'an actually singing. In- deed, Mr. Hammerstein states that her voice is worthy of grand opera. This kolyutn should really appear as an adverti^ng page. We suggest to / Mr. Nolan that he pass the thought along to Mr. Bnice Gallup, adver- tising manager. * * * But we still maintain the manuscript has liter- ari) merit.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Marcus Loew gets control of Met- ro; Richard A. Rowland to remain as president
* « «
Loew to build theater and office building in Chicago in association with Jones, Linick and Schaefer.
* « *
United States Photoplay Corp. of- fering stock for sale to exhibitors.
* * «
McKinley, Inc., gets Delaware charter; company capitalized at $300,000.
I
TECHNICOLOR has
been adopted as
standard for motion
pictures in color by
such distinguished
producers as:
Paramount
Warner Brothers
First National
Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer
United Artists
Radio
Universal
Tiffany
MARILYN MILLER
in "Sally"
(First National)
nicoior /s natural color
A year ago it was SOUND that brought big business to the box-office. Today it is COLOR. And Color means Technicolor.
The whole world is unanimous as to Techni- color. The greatest producers are making pic- tures in Technicolor as fast as Technicolor's cameras and laboratories can turn outthe prints.
Technicolor assures the same amazing repro- duction of colors, whether the sound is on film or disk. All sound systems look alike to Tech- nicolor.
Technicolor is the only process that gives perfect color values throughout the life of the film. Technicolor film is coated on only one side. It has no back to scratch. The emulsion is harder than that of black and white film and the fourth run theatre gives its patrons the same gorgeous color effects that bring unre- strained praise from the critics at the New York and Hollywood premieres.
TECHNICOLOR Is A Box - Office Name. Advertise It!
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r Technicolor is a r^rlwgle box-office name. Advertise it . . . Tlie line. |
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' 'It's in TECHNICOLOR," |
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is today as important in your advertising as that other superlative box-office phrase, "All Talking" . . . You can E guarantee any picture ^hat is photographed lin TECHNICOLOR. The Bgreat producers use it i for the best. ▼ T ▼ T |
*~fechnicolor i=._,
// natural color. .
i browght the world to lift
$34,500 for
THE most elaborate, the most effec- tive magazine advertisement that the motion picture industry has ever produced opens Technicolor's amazing national advertising campaign.
Three pages in full color— at $11,500 per page — yy^ill startle and intrigue Saturday Evening Post readers of the January nth issue. On the news-stands
Thursday, January 9th.
Fifteen million readers will be think- ing and talking Technicolor.
Fifteen million persons will be looking for motion pictures in Technicolor.
Two weeks later— $34,500 more for space in the SATURDAY EVENING POST. The issue of January 25th will carry three more pages in full color.
nice
or
I HE great producers ha spoken! Technicolor for their finest, their most ambitious pictures. Poramount! First Notional! Warner Brothers! Universal' Radio! United Artists! Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer!
i hundred productions all v |^J
Technfcolor
// natural color
one Advertisement
That's just the beginning. Throughout the year SATURDAY EVENING POST will "sell" Technicolor regularly to your patrons, creating a steadily increasing demand — making Technicolor an irre- sistible box-office name.
In the motion picture fan magazines, too. Full color in-PHOTOPLAY, MOTION
Picture Magazine, Motion Picture
Classic, Picture Play, Screenland, Screen Book, Screen Secrets and Film Fun.
Ten million more readers — every month — learning about Technicolor — twenty-five million in all— ready to go to your box-office with the money in their hand when you announce "It's in Tech- nicolor."
I
/S
ura
color
r
nicoior
X
/J natural color
SOME OF THE PRODUCTIONS IN TECHNICOLOR
BRIDE OF THE REGIMENT, with Vivienne Segal (First National); DEVIL MAY CARE, starring Ramon Novarro (Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer); DIXIANA, with Bebe Daniels (Radio Pictures); GENERAL CRACK, star- ring John Barrymore (Warner Bros.); GLORIFYING THE AMERICAN GIRL, with Mary Eaton. Eddie Cantor, Helen Morgan and Rudy Vallee in revue scenes (Para- mount); GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY, with Winnie Lightner, Conway Tearle, Ann Pennington and Nick Lucas (Warner Bros.); GOLDEN DAWN, with Walter Woolf and Vivienne Segal (Warner Bros.); HIT THE DECK, with Jack Ookie and Polly
Walker (Radio); HOLD EVERYTHING, with Winnie Lightner, Georges Carpentier and Joe E. Brown (Warner Bros.); IT'S A GREAT LIFE, starring the Duncan Sisters (Metro- Goldwyn -Mayer); LORD BYRON OF BROADWAY, with Charles Kaley and Etheiind Terry (Metro-Goldwyn -Mayer); MAMBA, with Eleanor Boardman, Ralph Forbes and Jean Hersholt (Tiffany); MAMMY, starring Al Jolson (Warner Bros.); NO, NO, NANNETTE, with Bernice Claire and Alexander Gray (First National); PARIS, starring Irene Bordoni (First National); POINTED HEELS, with William Powell and Helen Kane(Paramount);RADIO
RAMBLERS, with Bert Wheeler, Robert Wooisey and Dorothy Lee (Radio); RIO RITA, with Bebe Daniels, John Boles, Bert Wheeler and Robert Wooisey (Radio); HAPPY DAYS, with Bessie Love and Charles King (Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer); SHOW GIRL IN HOLLYWOOD, with Alice White (First National); SHOW OF SHOWS, with 77 stars (Warner Bros.); SON OF THE GODS, starring Richard Barthelmess (First National); SONG OF THE FLAME, with Bernice Claire and Alexander Gray (First National); THE KING OF JAZZ, starring Paul Whiteman (Universal); PARAMOUNT ON PARADE, all-star revue (Paramount); THE ROGUE SONG, with Lawrence Tibbett and Catherine Dale Owen(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer); THE VAGABOND KING, starring Dennis King, with Jeanette MacDonald (Paramount); UNDER A TEXAS MOON, with Frank Fay, Noah Beery, Myrna Loy (Warner Bros.).
From The Vagabond King, Starring DENNIS KING, withJEANETTEMACDON- ALD (Paramount).
TECHNICOLOR Inc.
NEW YORK
BOSTON
HOLLYWOOD
DAlLYv Sunday, January^ 5, 19.
1930
%>&f^^JaUfU^
Metropolitan Closes Biggest Year
Sound Facilities Now Available for Five Companies — P-F-L to Make "Spoilers" With Bancroft in Lead *'U" Starts Cohens and Kellys Film — Haskell for Warner Varieties — Wilk's Paragraphs and Other News
18 FEATURES, 66 SHORTS PRODUCED DURING 1929
With a total of 18 all-talking fea- tures and 66 short subjects filmed to date, Metropolitan Sound studios have just closed the first year of production since Western Electric i recording equipment was installed. ^According to arrangements made by the various producers leasing studio facilities, it is understood that this number of features will be increased •Iduring 1930.
; Christie's "The Carnation Kid," .with Douglas MacLean, was the first 'talking feature completed at the stu- I dio a little over a year ago, and since that time several productions have Ibeen recorded there, notably, "Wel- I I come Danger"; "Hell's Angels," on which interiors have been completed all in dialogue; "The Rainbow Man"; "The Great Gabbo," and others.
All of the Christie two-reel talk- ing plays for Paramount, as well as the abqye features, were recorded at this studio with Western Electric sound-on-film and disc. There are now three complete sound channels operating simultaneously for interior recording, besides the portable equip- ments which are frequently used, so that as many as five companies may be filming at once in the studios or on location.
Bruce Completes 4 More I Wilderness Novelties
Four single reel novelty pictures, filmed with dialogue and music in I scenic spots of the West have been completed by Robert C. Bruce Pro- ductions, and will be delivered to Paramount. They are: "Salt Water Ballads," "Wanderlust," "Hill Billy Harmony," and "Voices of Lonely Men." This group of releases makes 10 of the series of 12 being filmed for Paramount.
"His Womjin" Started
Production has begun on First Na- tional's "His Woman" with William Beaudine directing. Betty Compson, ' William Boyd, DeWitt Jennings, Williaxji Janney and Gino Corrado are in the cast.
Mack Sennett Signs 2 Golfers Walter Hagen and Leo Diegel have been signed for parts in Mack Sennett's new comedy "The Golf- ers."
Universal Holds Helen Wright
Following satisfactory work in her first picture, Universal has re-en- gaged Helen Wright, former stage singer and dancer.
A Little from "Lots ' '
By RALPH WILK
JANET MacLEOD, film comedi- enne, has returned from an ex- tended visit to Europe. She visited several studios while in Paris, and was offered many screen roles ow- ing to her ability to speak French fluently.
* ♦ ♦
Joseph Franklin Poland, vet- eran supervisor and writer, has been signed by M-G-M, to write dialogue and adaptation. Poland recently re- turned from Honolulu after com- pleting his contract at Pathe.
* * *
Edward I. Luddy and Ar- thur Lake comprised an ideal team, the former as director and young Lake as the star. They made several successful pictures together. Luddy is known for the human interest touches he weaves into his pic- tures.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Grace Hayes learning to play "concentration"; Arthur Hammerstein, Paul L. Stein and Horace Jackson conferring at United Artists; Myron Selznick and George Volck visiting United Art- ists on business.
JOSEPH MONCURE MARCH who worte "The Wild Party" and "The Set-Up," has been signed to a three year contract by Howari Hughes as writer, director and supe. visor. He will do four pictures ; year for Hughes and will be loane to other companies between pictures. He has been loaned to Paramount t adapt and dialogue "Civilian Clothes," which will star Gary Cooper. * * *
Harry Coffey, veteran state- right operator, is all smiles these days. He is handling "The Talk-Back," a voice re- cording device that can be at- tached to any phonograph.
Saw Taylor is believed to have established a record while on his European trip, iriasmuch as he did not study conditions abroad, did not find any stars and saw only one pic- ture—and that was "The Taming of the Shrew," which he directed. He attended the London premiere of the picture and following its initial shoiving was guest of honor at a dinner tendered him by English critics arid playwrights.
"U" starts Production on Fourth Cohen, Kellys Film
Production has started at Univer- sal on "Cohens and Kellys in Scot- land" the fourth of the series fea- turing George Sidney and Charlie Murray under the direction of Wil- liam J. Craft. Other members of the cast consist of Vera Gordon, Kate Price, E. J. Radcliffe, William Colvin and Lloyd Whitlock.
Fazenda in "Bearded Lady"
Louise Fazenda has been given the leading role in "The Bearded Lady" the Paramount-Christie talker. This is the fourth comedy in which Miss Fazenda has been starred in for the group. Her other films were: "Hot Lemonade," "Faro Nell, or In Old California" and "So This Is Paris Green."
Alice White on Vacation
Alice White, First National fea- ture player now is enjoying a two week's vacation before returning to start work on "Sweet Mamma." She recently completed "Show Girl in Hollywood" for First National.
Jack Haskell to Direct
Vitaphone Varieties
Jack Haskell, dance director now under contract for Warner Bros., has been assigned to stage and direct a special group of technicolor Vita- phone Varieties. "Evolution of the Dance" is to be Haskell's first and in addition to being filmed entirely in technicolor, the picture will contain several specialty dances.
Selected for Columbia Lead
Sally Starr and Johnny Arthur have been selected by Columbia for the leading roles in "For the Love O'Lil."
Educational Signs Holmes
Taylor Holmes has been signed by Educational for a featured role in "Dad Knows Best," a new Edu- cational-Jack White talking comedy.
writing dialogue for
"Paradise Ahoy*'
P-F-L BUYS "SPOILERS" EOR GEORGE BANCROFT
Paramount has purchased the talk- ing picture rights to "The Spoilers," Rex Beach's story of Alaska, which will be produced with George Ban- croft in the leading role under the direction of Edwin Carewe. The picture will be put in production early in March.
Monte Blue Starts Jan. 15
W'hen the Warner Studios begin activity Jan. 15, "Those Who Dance" will be among pictures to go into production. Monte Blue is the itar.
THE
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THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA HOTEL
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THE
12
sJ5^
PAILV
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Eddie Bowling in
"Blaze O' Glory"
(All-Talker)
Sono Art Time, 1 hr., 30 mins.
ONLY FAIR PROGRAM PIC- TURE. MOSTLY HOKUM TIED UP WITH THE WAR AND POST-WAR PERIOD. ACTING A HIGHLIGHT.
Comedy-drama with songs. The story is for the most part dull and lacking in continuity. It rambles about the Broadway star who enlists to serve in the World War, goes through the usual war stuff and re- turns to the U. S. A. suffering from a gassing. He kills a man whom he believes is making love to his wife. The yarn is told from a court room where Dowling is on trial on a mur- der charge and after a series of cut- backs, the jury decides that he isn't legally guilty. The best thing in the picture is the acting of Henry Wal- thall, clever Frankie Darro, the work of its star, Eddie Dowling, and Betty Compson. As far as the music goes, it's moderately good. The picture's biggest draw will be in the neigh- borhoods.
Cast: Eddie Dowling. littty Compsou, Ferdinand-Schuman-Hi'inck, Frankie Darro, Henry B. Waltliall, William Davidson, Eddie Conrad, Frank Sabani and the Rounders.
Directors, Renaud Hoffman and George J. Crone ; Author, Thomas Boyd ; Adaptor, Renaud Hoffman ; Dialoguer, Henry Mc- Carthy ; Cameraman, Harry Jackson ; Monitor Man, Ben Harper; Editor, Artlnir Hoffsmith.
Direction, weak. Photography, good.
Eddy
George Bancroft in
"The Mighty"
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 11 mins.
BOX OFFICE PLUS. SMASH- ING ENTERTAINMENT ABOUT A GUNMAN WHO REFORMS INTO A WAR AND CIVIC HERO. TALKER SCREEN AT ITS BEST.
Between John Cromwell's masterly direction, superb acting of Bancroft, Miss Ralston and others, and efficient work in every department, this is an all-around triumph. Story is of a fighting fool gunman who has to be knocked down and dragged into the war, from which he emerges a ma- jor and hero; then is inducted into public service as police chief, cleans the town of criminal gangs and wins a nice girl for himself. The best stage technique has been combined with the finest in picture art to make it a powerful tale, skillfully knitted together, with tense dramatic punch- es frequently giving way to biting humor like the crack of a whip. Every spoken word and every foot of film is made to count. Dialogue record- ing is among the finest yet. A pic- ture to rave about.
Cast: Ci-orgc liancioft, Ksthtrr Ralston, Warner Oland, Raymond Hatton, O. I'. Heggie, Morgan Farley, Dorothy Revier, Charles Fellon, E. H. Calvert, John Crom- well.
Director, jolin Cromwell; Author, Robert N'. Lee; Adaptors. William Slavens, McXutt Grover ; Dialoguer, Same ; Editor, George Nichols Jones, Jr.; Cameraman, J. Roy Hunt; Monitor Man, Not Listed.
Direction, the best. Photography, excellent.
Gillette
"Party Girl"
loith Dougkis Fairbanks, Jr. (All-Talker)
Tiffany Time, 1 hr., 7 mins,
FAIR MOB APPEAL STUFF. SEMI-SENSATIONAL JAMBO- REE ABOUT GALS WHO HIRE OUT AS HOSTESSES AT BUSI- NESS MEN'S PARTIES.
Comedy-drama of the jazz type. According to the authors of this opus, big-time salesmanship nowadays is accomplished by throwing snappy girl parties which place the prospec- tive customers in the right mood to ,sign heavily on the dotted line. By bringing out the moral ramifications of the system, the picture has open- ings for some pretty good exploita- tion. This together with the box- office title should succeed in baiting the mob, particularly those who have a yen for the flaming youth brand of entertainment. A fairly neat love episode runs through the story, with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.. and Jeanette Loff as the heart team, and the names of these popular players ought to help the draw.
Cast: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.. Jeanette Lolf. Judith Barrie. Marie Prcvost. John St. Polis, Lucien Prival, Sammy Blum, Harry North- rup, .Mmeda Fowler, Hal Price, Charles Giblyn. Sidney D'Albrook, Florence Dudley.
Director, Victor Halperin; Authors, Monte K;itterjohn, Victor Halperin ; Adaptor, Monte Katterjohn; Dialoguers, George Draney, Vic- tor Halperin. Monte Katterjohn ; Editor, Rus- sell Schoengarth ; Cameramen. Henry Cron- jager, Robert Newhard ; Monitor Men, Roy Clayton, Alfred Granich, Ben Harper.
Direction, snappy. Photography, excellent.
Gillette
JaTnes Gleason in
"Oh, Yeah!"
with Robert Armstrong, Patricia Carou, Zasu Pitts
(All-Talker)
Pathe Time, 1 hr., 16 mina.
GENERALLY SATISFYING COMEDY WITH GLEASON AND ARMSTRONG CONTINU- OUSLY DIVERTING AS A PAIR OF WISECRACKING RAIL- ROAD WORKMEN.
Comedy of two tramp railroad trainmen who become smitten by a feminine timekeeper and a waitress in a tank town. One of the boys (.\rmstrong) totes a mandolin as his sole piece of baggage and knows how to troubador with the instrument in accompaniment to a pleasing vocal ditty. Most of the footage is de- voted to repartee between Arm- strong, as a slow-wit, and his pal Gleason, the ever-ready wisecracker. Considering the slimness of the ma- terial, Tay Garnett did a mighty good directorial job, succeeding pret- ty \yell in making the proceedings continuously diverting and putting a dramatic punch in the finish through- out the medium of a runaway box- car. Has fairly general appeal.
Cast: James Gleason, Robert .Armstrong. I'atrici^ Caron. Zasu I'itts, Bud Fine, Frank Hagney, Harry Tyler, I'aul Hurst.
Director, Tay Garnett; Author, A. W. .Somerville; Adaptor, Tay Garnett; Dialogurs, Tay Garnett, James Gleason; Editor, Claude Berkeley; Cameraman. Arthur Mi.ler; Moni- tor Men, Karl .\. Walcott Hal Stine.
Direction, good. Photography, satisfactory.
Gillette
Reginald Denny in
"One Hysterical Night" (All-Talker)
Universal Time. 1 hr.
SATISFYING COMEDY FOR THE GENERAL RUN OF HOUSES, DENNY, AS NAPO- LEON, DISPORTING IN A SAN- ITARIUM FILLED WITH NUTS.
Comedy based on an idea somewtiat off the beaten path. Denny, in the role of a prospective heir to millions, is railroaded into a bug house by some relatives who want the dough for themselves. Denny is made to be- lieve that he is attending a masquer- ade party and is cautioned to stick to his role of Napoleon. There be- ing no "Josephine" among the in- mates of the booby hatch, it is up to the doctor's pretty assistant to as- sume this part. She does so think- ing the newcomer really cuckoo, and he in turn, upon realizing that he has been tricked, figures her out for a daffydil. Humorous situations are plentiful and the action, despite its absurdity, is held very nicely in a comedy vein, which speaks well for the director.
Cast: Reginald Denny, Nora Lane, E. J. Radcliffe. Henry Otto. Joyzellc. Fritz Fcld, Jules Cowles. Flin .Sommerville, Rolfe Sedans, D. R. C. Hatswell. Walter Brennon, Henry Herbert.
Director, William James Craft; Author, Reginald Denny ; Adaptors. Earl Snell, Regin- ald Denny ; Dialoguers. same ; Editor, Not listed; Monitor Man. C. Roy Hunter; Camera- man, .Arthur Todd.
Direction, Good. Photography. Good.
Gillette
"Painted Angel"
with Billie Dove, Edmund Lowe
(All-Talker)
First Nat'l Time, 1 hr., 11 nuns.
NOT FOR FAMILY TRADE. SNAPPY NIGHT CLUB STORY WITH PLENTY OF SEXY AT- MOSPHERE BUT A SLIM STORY.
Drama of night club life. Billie Dove appears as a cabaret hostess, and she is in love with Edmund Lowe, but he thinks she has fallen hard for a rich and elderly patron of the club. With this misunderstanding as the basis, a slim plot is built up that holds little interest, for it is too obvious. Most of the footage is de- voted to some really gorgeous set- tings and fancy costume numl)ers with the dancing girlies. Several spe- cialty acts are dragged in to help out, so that the whole affair seems to have been designed with the idea of giving the customers in the hinter- land an idea of how the big town makes whoopee in its night life. Sev- eral near-undressing scenes are jam- med in quite obviously for the sexy kick.
Cast: Billie Dove. Edmund Lowe, J. Far- rell McDonald. Cissy Fitzgerald. George Mac- Farlane, Nellie Bly Baker, Will Stanton, Sliep Camp, Norman Selby.
Director, Millard Webb; Author, From the story Iiv Fannie Hurst; Adaptor. Bradley King ; Dialoguer, Bradley King ; Eklitor, Not Listed ; Cameraman, John Seitz ; Monitor Man, Not Listed.
Harrower
Bob Custer in
"The Parting of the Trails" (Silent)
Sj/ndicatc Time, 1 hr., 5 mins.
HAS PLENTY OF ACTION. BREEZY WESTERN WITH BOB CUSTER PULLING THE GOOD OLD HEROICS IN A WAY TO PLEASE THE FANS.
Western. The veteran combination i>t Director ^IcGowan, storywriter .Sally Winters and Bob Custer star- ring, put this over in a way that will please the western fans. 'The plot is well handled, and works up to a peppy climax. Nothing particularly new, but the direction oi J. I'. Mc- (lowan keeps it moving all the way, and the hard working Bob Custer is in evidence most of the time with his riding and fighting, and that's what the fans like. .\s a roving cow- hoy he meets up with a pal. and they join forces with a wealthy Easterner who has the inevitable pretty daughter. The rustler gang kidnap the millionaire for ransom but with the help of the girl. Bob Custer does the big rescue act and everything works out to a thrill finish in regula- tion western style. Vivian Bay. the girl, is unusually good looking as western heroines go.
Cast; Bob Custer. Bobby Dunn, Henry Roc|iuniove. George A. Miller, Tommy Ray. Vivi.in Bay.
Director, J. P. McGowan; Author, Sally WmUi-is ; Scenarist, the same; Editor. Not Listed ; Titler. Not Listed ; Cameraman. Hap Depcw.
Direction, snappy. Photograp^'v. clear.
Harrower
"Wasted Love"
with Anna May Wong
(SUent)
Time, 1 hr., 11 mins.
JUST A FILLER. FOR UN- WIRED HOUSES. INDIFFER- ENT FOREIGN PRODUCTION HOLDS LITTLE INTEREST OUTSIDE OF THE ATTRAC- TIVE MISS WONG.
Drama. An English production made in Germany by Richard Eich- berg. This is a very flimsy produc- tion from all angles^, and has noth- ing to recommend it outside of the appearance of Anna May Wong in the principal role. Miss Wong's per- sonal cha^m is always in evidence whenever she appears, and she suc- ceeds in making the weak offering passably interesting. The plot is slight and the theme hackneyed. The directorial treatment is ordinary, and it moves along very mechanically. Even in the days of the silent film it would have been classed as a weak sister. It is the story of a down- and-out vaudevillian who befriends the little waif, and she in turn in- spires him to get back in his stride and resume his knife-throwing act. The usual complications develop in the u.sual manner. Rates daily change schedule, and a filler for un- wired houses.
Cast: .-\nna May Wong, Mary Kid. Henry George.
Director, Richard Eichberg; Author. Not Listed; Scenarist, Not Listed; Edito:. .\. i Listed; Titler, .\ot Listed; Cameraman, N. : Listed.
Direction, pnor Photography, spotty.
Harrower
THE
Sunday, January 5, 1930
j2^
DAILV
13
"Hot For Paris"
Imth Victor McLaglen, Fiji Dorsay, • El Brendel
1 (All-Talker)
iFox Time, 1 hr., 11 mins.
I WORTHY BOX OFFICE SE- QUEL TO "COCK EYED WORLD" WITH ELEMENTS OF APPEAL FOR PULLING THE SAME TRADE.
Robust comedy of a lusty sailor on 'ehore leave in France. Has the ear- marks of a thoroughbred right from the start, and stacks up strong as a !follow-up to "The Cock Eyed World." I McLaglen, without rival opposition, wades through the picture as a heavy I woman-killer who falls for a chic icabaret queen (Miss Dorsay). Bren- idel tags along as his sidekick and feeds in the comedy. For incidental action, there are two distinguished 'gentlement chasing the sailor from I place to place. He thinks they are [after him for breaking jail some years [before, but they actually are trying to present the sailor with a million bucks I won by him in a racetrack lottery, land they don't catch up with him till the end of the picture. Full-strength entertainment, directed with a punch. Bound to click far and wide.
j Cast: Victor McLaglen, Fifi Dorsay, El 1 Brendel, Polly Moran, Lennox Pawle, August Tollaire, George Fawcett, Charles Jude'.s, Kddie Dillon, Rosita Marstini, Agostino Bor- : gato, Yola D'Avril, Anita Murray, Dave I Valles.
Director, Raoul Walsh; Author, same; I Adaptor, Charles McGuirk; Dialoguer, Wil- I Ham K. Wei's ; Editor, Jack Dennis ; Camera- man, Charles Van Enger; Monitor Man, ' George Leverett.
Direction, Great. Photography, Fine.
Gillette
"The Laughing Lady"
with Ruth Chatterton, Clive Brook (All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 14 mins.
CLASS PRODUCTION WITH POWERFULLY DRAMATIC STORY FINELY DIRECTED AND ACTED. FIRST-RUN QUALITY.
Drama of society life. This pic- ture seems strong enough to go in on an extended run, although it was booked for a week at the Paramount in New York. It has everything. Ruth Chatterton does top notch work. Clive Brook divides the hon- ors with her. Credits go to author, director and dialoguers for one of the most entertaining program pictures seen for some time. Classy sets and tensely dramatic story niake it a natural for the women everywhere. Sutro's stage play proved ideal ma- terial for the screen. Supporting cast from the stage was cleverly selected. The story is that of the wife of a banker who divorces her on purely circumstantial evidence, and the law- yer who flayed her reputation at the trial later falls in love with her.
Cast: Ruth Chatterton, Clive Brook. Dan Healy. Nat Pendleton, Raymond Walburn. Dorothy Hall, Hedda Harrigan, Lillian B. Tonge, Marguerite St. John, Herbert Druce, Alice Hegeman, JerKing, Helen Hawley, Betty Bartiey.
Director, Victor Schertzinger; Author, Al- fred Siitro; Adaptors, Bartlett Cormack, Arthur Richman; Dialoguers, the same; Edi- tor, Emma Hill ; Cameraman, George Folsey ; Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, excellent. Photography, the best.
narrower
Short Subject Reviews
SOUND
"The Voice of Hollywood"
Tiffany Time, 10 mins.
Interesting
More or less informal views of Bobby Vernon, Julian Eltinge, Paul W'hiteman being initiated into the Hollywood Breakfast Club, Mack Sennett, Anita Page, Julia Faye and other screen personalities, with Rich- ard Dix as announcer. Interesting to fans generally.
"Mickey's Big Moment"
RKO Time, 20 mins.
Fine Juvenile Comedy A Larry Darmour "Mickey (Him- self) McGuire" comedy, with a host of clever youngsters and some adults putting over a couple rounds of satis- fying entertainment. Some good slap- stick by the adults and a barn cabaret by the kids topped off by a travesty on the balcony scenei with little Romeo doing his stuff to a colored Juliet. Lots of laughs, plus a few screams. Will please anywhere.
"Dance of the Paper Dolls"
Vitaphone Time, 11 mins.
Delightful About 40 smart tots singing, danc- ing and making merry in an unusu- ally delightful and entertaining man- ner. Made additionally charming by being in color. Fine direction by Roy Mack. A choice dessert on any bill.
"Wild Waves"
Celebrity Productions Time, 7 mins, Mickey as Life Saver "Mickey Mouse" is at his best as a life saver in this Walt Disney car- toon, which is made additionally fun- ny by the antics of singing seals, dancing penguins, baritone sea lions and other amazing creations of the moving cartoon kingdom. Actually great.
"The Haunted House"
Celebrity Productions Time, 7 mins.
Fine Comic The "creeper" idea, as the title im- plies, injected into a "Mickey Mouse" comic, with the usual storm, light- ning ghosts, dancing skeletons, etc. Also a flash simulation of Al Jolson, produced by a black-and-white char- acter silhouette, with a sinmltaneous cry of "Mammy," that is a knockout.
"The Unwritten Law"
International Photoplay
Dist. Co. Time, 29 mins.
Decidedly Meller Melodrama of love-crazed peasant who kills the husband of his former sweetheart and is in turn killed by her. Produced in England with actors speaking in decidedly British dialect. Rosalinde Fuller, of New York stage, has leading feminine role. Sinclair Hill directed.
"Land O' Lee"
Castle Films Time, 11 mins.
Travelogue in Color Series of pictorial shots in color embracing historical and other locales of the South, the Mississippi, New Orleans, Cuba, Panama, Florida, etc., put together so that a practical trave- logue results. Unusually good photog- raphy enhances the interesting scenes.
"The Moon Bride's Wedding"
Paramount Time, 10 mins.
Good Indian Whoopee U. S. Indian Band, which has been scoring in vaudeville, in a particular- ly entertaining program of music, singing, dancing and general whoopee. Good music, good voices and general snappiness of presentation.
"The Fatal Forceps"
Paramount Time, 18 mins.
Robust Comedy Ford Sterling starred as a dentist, driven to distraction by a saxophone player, who later calls for dental at- tention— and then the fun begins. Bert Roach is the sax pest. Will King and Natalie Joyce also in the cast, and William Watson directed. Real ro- bust comedy of the type that made Sterling popular years ago.
Horace Heidt and His Californians
Vitaphone Time, 10 mins.
Snappy Number Horace Heidt and his orchestra will set any audience swaying and humming with their peppy, rendition; of a group of popular tunes. If the customers want their music light and fast, they ought to find enough tc please them in this one. The gang plays with genuine abandon such numbers as "Tiger Rag," "Painting the Clouds with Sunshine," "Carnival of Venice" and "I'll Never Ask for More." The customers, however will ask for more.
"Before the Bar"
Vitaphone Time, 9 mins.
Corking Vaudeville A snappy vaudeville skit presented by Hurst and Vogt. Opens with some effective patter, then the boys go into their standby bit wherein one of them stands directly behind the other and the front lad does a law- yer spiel while his rear support ges- ticulates with his hands to suit the words. A scream for theaters thai have never played this bit.
Oswald in "Ozzie of the Circus"
Good Circus Cartoon A synchronized cartoon in which Oswald runs the gamut of amusing antics in a circus setting. Plenty of odd tricks by the strangely-shaped animals. Fills the bill very nicely. Seven minutes.
"The Trumpeter"
Pathe Time, 10 mins.
Mild Entertainment A flock of stock and studio war shots tied up with James Stanley, vocalist, comprise this subject, which is mild entertainment. Stanley's voice is the best thing in the pic- ture. Oscar Lund directed for Van Buren.
"Scotch"
Educational Time, 12 mins.
Swell Comedy Mack Sennett has turned out a swell comedy knockout in this one — a picture that ought to make 'em lau_gh anywhere. The story con- cerns a newly-wed couple, whose relatives move in on them directly after the wedding ceremony an^ make their lives miserable. Andy Clyde and Billy Bevan are the com- ics— and how. The cast includes Ad- die McPhail, Ernie Wood and Bert Swor. Dialogue, recorded by RCA Photophone, is by John A. Waldron and others.
"Who's Who"
Vitaphone Time, 10 mins.
Silly But Funny Harry Lang and Bernice Haley, vaudeville headliners, squeezing a lot of fun out of jumbled pronouns "What's his name?" "That's it." "Well, what is it?" "But I'm telling you — Watt." Sounds familiar, no doubt. It's been in the repertoire of the vaudeville stage these many years. Notwithstanding, it still manages to call forth loud guffaws. There can be no surer laugh-getter. With Harry and Bernice doing it on the audible screen, it sounds more ludi- crous than ever.
"Springtime"
Columbia Time, 6 mins.
Good Cartoon A Disney cartoon on the theme of the Mendelssohn music. Frogs, birds, trees, flowers, etc., are made to cavort in harmony with the famous melody and its variations. A good comic of its kind.
"Revival Day"
Vitaphone Time, 9 mins.
Good Negro Humor "Slim" Timblin, popular blackface comic of the stage, featured in the role of a colored parson conducting a religious session in a way that keeps the risibles of the audience in action most of the time. Will click any- where.
"Ave Maria"
Vitaphone Time, 4 mins.
Artistic An artistic rendition by the noted opera star, Frances Alda, of one of her most popular numbers, sung in an appropriate cloister setting. Mme. Alda's voice records beautifully. (Continued on Page 16)
THE
■I
14
■^m
DAILV
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Presentations
I By HERBERT S. BERG i
HOULIN ROUGE SEHING IS HIGHLIGHT AT ROXY
In keeping with the screen feature, "Hot For Paris," the current stage bill at the Roxy has a French flavor and is highlighted by a colorful Mou- lin Rouge set, with gala signs, elec- trically studded windmill paddles in action and appropriate inhabitants. In front of this setting is presented a most diverting group of dances- Apache, Russian, Spanish and what- not— as well as some pleasant sing- ing- . ,
Cortez and Helene, m a terpsichor- ean travesty, cop the honors with their ingenuiously funny routine. Dor- othy and Harry Dixon do the Apache bit with gusto. Then there are two nifty colored steppers, Keene and RufRn. The other artists in this "Bon Soir Paree" number include Viola Philo, Angelita Loyo, Youry Yourlo, M. Vodnoy, the Roxy chorus and ballet corps and Markert's Roxy- ettes. Another interesting luminous effect by A. Strobl climaxes the scene.
The first part of the stage program is a series of divertissements, open- ing with "Friese Antique," a white statuary scene with the figures do- ing garland dances and the Patricia Bowman-Leonide Massine team con- tributing a few pleasing p^rations. This is followed by "Miserere," sung before a prison gate, with the voices of Viola Philo, David Drollet and the Roxy Male Chorus doing the operatic bit full justice. Then comes "Le Re- veille," the scene being an immense pink bed enfolding the Markert Roxy- ettes. Lillian La Tonge, in alarm clock costume, wakes up the gang and they go into a fancy pyjama dance for a fluffy finish. An organ specialty, with Lew White, C. A. J. Parmentier and George Epstein playing the three consoles simultaneously, also is on the program.
Publix Buys Aztec, San Antonio
San Antonio — Publix has bought the Aztec, local de luxe house, from William Epstein. It is announced that in the deal the New State will be added to the list of local talker houses.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions tor Picture Theatres
Standard Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City Phone Perm. 3580
RUDY VALLEE IN ORIENTAL SEHING AT PARAMOiT
Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees are the big splash in C. A. Niggemeyer's musical revue at the Paramount. Styled "Streets of Bom- bay," it is one of the classiest stage shows the Paramount has had in many weeks. The scene is a street in Bombay, with a wide staircase in the foreground. Dancing girls in Oriental costumes do a number, fol- lowed by a fine atmospheric bit with a snake dancer. She emerges from a basket, and twines and weaves her way across the floor to the accom- paniment of weird music till finally she overcomes the charmer. A class act that rates a headline.
Rudy Vallee sang three numbers, the best of these being "Sweeter Than Sweet." He was on for only a small part of the time, but the fans seemed satisfied. He was fol- lowed by a stair dance with mixed ensemble. A beautiful dance num- ber was done to "On the Road to Mandalay." Comedy was supplied in large gobs by fat John.'v Perkins as the visiting American out for a good time with the girls. He had some good chatter that went over strong. Pasquali Brothers were three fast acrobats with some whirlwind turns and falls. Dave Gould's Girls and Boys had some good routines with colorful costume changes. Looked as if some real dough was spent on this unit.
Fox in Centralis Centralia, Wash. — Plans are being drawn for the construction of a new house here to cost in the neighbor- hood of $200,000, it has been an- nounced b^ R. E. Charles, resident manager for Fox Theaters. Con- struction is expected to start shortly.
Southern Amusement Takes Lease
Atlanta — Southern Amusement Corp. has secured a lease on the new theater to be built here at Peach- tree Rd., the total rental amounting to $65,400. The house is expected to be completed by March 1, and will have a seating capacity of 1,000.
O'Brien Plans House
Renfrew, Ont. — Arrangements hav« been made by M. J. O'Brien, millionaire theater owner, for the erection of a house to be equipped for audiens. The house is expected to be ready June 1.
Huit Succeedi Lanagan Longvicw, Texas — D. H. Hust, formerly of Beaumont, has been ap- pointed successor of W. A. Lanagan at the Rembert. Lanagan recently was made city manager of East Texas Theaters.
Foreign Markets
By DON C. GILLETTE
m CHANGES SOUGHT BY LATVIAN EXHIBITORS
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Two changes of great importance to the exhibitor in Latvia, await the approval of Parlia- ment before they become effective shortly, it is anounced by the M. P. Division of the Dept. of Commerce. One change provides that the govern- ment shall have no regulation over local news events shown at local the- aters, and the second proposes elimin- ation of other forms of entertainment than the showing of films on the ground that they create unfair compe- tition for picture theaters.
German Newspaper Selects Best Productions of 1929
Berlin — In completing its poll for the best group of pictures shown in Germany during the past year, Der Deutsche, local newspaper, announced the following: "New Gentlemen," "Hallelujah," "The Singing Fool," "Riz Palue," "The Living Corpse," "Lonesome," "Storm Over Asia," "Love Parade," and "Atlantic."
To Make German Bi-Lingual
Berlin. — Imperial Film Co. has rented space in an English studio where they will start production shortly of a bi-lingual talker in Eng- lish and German. Elizabeth Bergner will be starred, and the feature will be directed by Dr. Paul Czinner.
Betty Balfour 111
London — Betty Balfour was taken ill with influenza while making "Raise the Roof." This picture will be fin- i.'^hed without the star, who completed her part in the film.
Filmophone in Scotland Edinburgh — With the wiring of Pringle's Palace in this city, Filmo- phone has made its first installation in Scotland.
Wilton Appointed
Ireland — Harry Wilton has been appointed to represent Edibell in this territorj'.
Melotone Installed
Dartford — The Rialto here has in- stalled Melotone sound equipment.
Greco New Musical Director
Manchester — Bernard Greco has succeeded Albert Dunlop as musical director of the Ardwick Empire here.
Lawrence Returns to Paris
Paris — L. L. Lawrence, M-G-M di- rector in Europe, has returned after a lonp visit to the United States.
3,500 Seater in Birmingham
Birmingham, England — A film the- ater seating 3,500 will be built here by Alf Levy of Liverpool.
ELECTRO VOX TO MAKE SERIES OE SOUND SHORTS
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Electro Vox, sound- on-film manufacturers, a French firm, is now preparing to make a series of Sound shorts on Spanish themes, it is announced by the M. P. Division of the Dept. of Commerce. The series will be made in collaboration with the company's agents in Spain and Portugal.
Pittaluga Is Planning Multi-Linguals in Italy
London (By Cable) — Production of Anglo-Italian and multi-lingual pictures in Italy is planned by Sig- ner Pittaluga, head of the leading film company in Italy, who has been here negotiating for British and American features in Italian and six multi-linguals at the Cinaes' studios.
Pittaluga has been negotiating al- liances with leading continental pro- ducers for joint talker production and has effected an agreement with S. Juan Verdaguer, head of a Span- ish company, with other affiliations expected to follow. As a result, An- glo-Italian talkers are likely to be made in both Rome and Elstree. The Italian film chief plans to visit New York in about a month.
Klangfilm to Manufacture New Small Sound Machine
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Because there is an urgent need for cheaper priced sound machines in Germany, Klangfilm has announced its intentions to manufac- ture a device designed for smaller theaters, according to the M. P. Di- vision of the Dept. of Commerce.
Increases Capital
Paris — The Society Anonyme des Establissements Gaumont is raising its capital from 12,000,000 to 24,000,- 000 francs by the issue of 100,000 "A" shares of 100 francs at 215 francs and 20,000 "B" shares at par.
Color for "All's Button"
London — Some of the special se- quences in "Alf's Button" will be made in color. The picture is in pro- duction at the Gaumont studios.
Riciimount Pictures
723 7th Ave. |nc. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAN. Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreigi representa tives for Rayart Pi;tures Corpo- ration and other eading inde- pendent producers and distributors. Cable Address: RICH PICSOC. Pans Cable Address: DEEJAY. London Cable Address: RICH PIC. N. Y.
Exporting only the best in Motion Picttiret
1
THT
Sunday, January 5, 1930
DAILY
15
Theater Equipment
By WILLIAM ORtfSTBIM ,
DOWSER CO.PUTTING OUT SHUHER CONTROL DEVICE
In addition to other product, Dow- ser Manufacturing Corp. of New York is featuring a device known as an "Automatic Shutter Control" and la "3 wire circuit" foot switch. The foot switch, it is claimed, enables the projectionist to make the simplest in- stallation requiring only three wires, for any number of changeovers in- stalled on the projector.
The entire switch mechanism is mounted on a panel with contacts sufficient to carry more current than \vill be necessary. The panel has binding posts to which wires may be fastened, thereby eliminating soldering and spice boxes.
The automatic shutter control jives projectionists easy control of ooth machines and at the same time assures a continuous show with in- vfisible changeover, thus reducing fire lazards, in the event of a break in film. Another feature of the product is the fact that the company furnish- es coils for the different types of :urrent used, namely 110 volts AC and DC and 220 Volt AC and DC.
New Arc "Choke Circuit" Devised by Templeman
Paris — Invention of the "choke cir- ;:uit," whereby arc lamps can be ^silenced for use in talking pictures, ;ias been made by Stanley C. Temple- nan, chief engineer of Gaumont. The ntroduction of the new arc "choke" will eliminate expensive purchases of ;ncadescent lighting and re-wiring bften causing delay in production, it 's claimed.
Tone-O-Graph in Youngstown
Youngstown — The Rialto, Joe Trunk's house, has Tone-O-Graph in- .talled, as well as the Uptown, owned jy the same exhibitor.
Sound at Victory, Tacoma
I Tacoma — Whitney Merwin has in- stalled Monarch film and disc ma- chines in his Victory.
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Instructions on Threading Projectors for Sound Pictures
Instructions on proper threading of projectors for exhibition of sound pictures, as featured in "Now," house organ of Fox West Coast cir- cuit, is herewith outlined by R. C. McCullogh, the circuit's sound ex- pert. The article contains many use- ful tips to showmen.
Great care must be exercised in threading the projector for film reproduction — other- wise, lack of sjmchronism will be the re- sult. First of all, see that the sound-track mask, at the aperture, is in position. When threading a Simplex Projector for film re production, thread in the usual manner, with the exception that the loop between the In- termittent sprocket and lower sprocket should be such that the film just comes in line with the edge of the mechanism. For Powers anu Motiograph Projector mechanisms, allow a two-finger loop between the intermittent and lower sprocket.
There should be a length of 19 1/3 frames or lAYi" between the center of the projector aperture and the light gate aperture in the reproducing mechanism. In threading from the projector mechanism lower sprocket to the sprocket of reproducing mechanism al ways allow the slack of two sprocket holes.
During a recent visit to a theater, I noticed a very bad flutter on one sound pro jector, which absolutely ruined the reproduc tion. Neither the management nor the pro- jectionists were aware of the fact. Upon investigation, I found that the couplings on the 705-A shaft, which drives the Movietone mechanism on the Western Electric Univer sal Base, had become loose, and, after tight- ening same, the flutter was eliminated.
Every theater with sound equipment has experienced the replacement of the 555-W Western Electric Receiver, and there has al- ways been a question as to just what was the nature of the trouble, and why the unit ceased to function. Gun shots, cannon shots, bombs, blasting, and other effects produced with increased volume have been the cause of replacing many receiver units. Audio current circulates through the actuating coil, interacted with a steady magnetic field, forc- ing the diaphragm in and out. This coil is mounted rigidly on the diaphragm, and the diaphragm is corrugated between the coil and the clamped edge to prevent resonance.
However, I have found that the internal connections, connected to L No. 1 and L
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TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK
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No. 2 of the speech circuit, break ofl at the terminal, which leaves the speech circuit open.
High-voltage filter condensors are capable of holding a charge for a considerable length of time. It is possible, while checking over the amplifier and component parts, that you will receive a severe shock from one of the condensors. A simple method of avoiding such shocks is to make it a practice to al- ways discharge such condensors before han- dling them. To eliminate the possibility of shocks, take a screwdriver, or any other metal conductor, and short both terminals, which will discharge the condenser.
The management of one theater complained because the volume on disc was so much louder than film reproduction on both pro jcctors. Of course, we assumed that at this day of sound picture success that every pro jectionist took active interest in securing knowledge about sound equipment, and also we do not expect to find equipment generally neglected.
However, in this particular instance, ] found both exciter lamps very dirty, and not focused properly — besides, oil had com pletely covered the front lens of the Movie tone Lens Assembly.
There is positively no excuse for these conditions to exist. If the reading on the .Synchronous motor control box meter does not stay within specified limits, check the projector mechanism immediately, and alsg the working parts of the driving attachment Excessive friction at some point in the mechanism will cause the meter reading to read high on AC, or too low on DC. See
J. W.ERECH 18 ELECTED HEAD OF RCA RADIOTRON
Schenectady — T. W. Freeh, of Cleveland, vice-president of General Electric, has been elected president of the newly formed RCA Radiotron Co., makers of special tubes for sound machines. Other officers are George C. Osborn, general sales man- ager of the Edison lamp division, and W. T. L. Cogger, in charge of vac- uum tube department of the lamp works at Harrison, N. J., have re- signed from General Electric to be- come associated with the new com- pany as vice-presidents.
that the projector working parts are lubricated It regular intervals.
One of the most important items to check -in disc reproduction is the condition of the records. If the record is all right, and the needle jumps the groove, check the repro- ducer to see that it is tracking properly. On many occasions the reproducer has been found to be dragging on the record. Under these conditions, try a new needle, and, if trouble is persistent, block up reproducer arm by in- serting small piece of rubber eraser between under side of arm at rear end and pivot ase, so as to raise reproducer clear of record nd allow it to swing freely by itself.
No unsightly Perforations
Clear, realistic pictures, freedom from eye-strain, and natural tone quality is necessary to win and hold your patronage.
To insure projection as good as you had before Sound, to get the best reproduction from your sound outfit, you must have the right kind of a screen.
Vocalitc Sound Screen is proven best by scientific test. Many successful installations have proved it to be superior in light, definition, and tone quality. It is the only screen optically omd chemically correct for the projection of Colored Pictures.
Full information will be sent on request, cost no higher than any good screen.
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Atfrovti by EUetrietd Rt- starch Producit, Witttru Eltciric Co., Inc.. omd tthtr makers of Sound Equi^mtnt.
ViTt Proof Non Inflosunable
16
fj^^
DAILY
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Impressing Wall Street
(Continued from Page 1)
mount's earnings for 1929 may exceed $15,000,000. That's a note for your financial memory book.
Monday : Probing into the future The Film Daily canvasses important executives in every phase of the busi- ness to get their opinions as to what's on the cards for 1930. Generally speaking, the forecasts are highly optimistic in tone. Highlights of the year will be further development of sound and color is the concensus of opinion With producers pri- marily interested, at the moment, in sound and color, wide film is tem- porarily placed on the shelf as far as commercial use goes. The industry at present has enough problems to battle with without this one. In the meanwhile, however, the major companies are quietly experiment- ing
Tuesday: Sound installations abroad are gradually gaining momen- tum, indicates figures supplied by C. J. North, chief of the Motion Picture Division of the Dept. of Commerce. Despite the obstacle presented by the multiplicity of languages spoken, countries on the other side of the oceans now have 1,800 houses wired. Naturally enough, theaters in Eng- lish-speaking lead the list. Wiring of theaters is bound to go forward with increased rapidity in 1930 with the public appetite sharpened for dia- logue pictures and production plans made for multi-lingual pictures to
satisfy it In these days, try
and write a column without constant- ly referring to sound — or color. From William F. Canavan, head of the stagehands and operators' union and an official of whom organized labor may well be proud, says that sound pictures have provided about 4,000 new jobs for projectionists. Great for the operators but a head- ache for the men trying to keep the overhead near the ground
Thursday: Ivan Abramson, who has been mixed up in the picture in- dustry for some years back, focuses a $1,300,000 action against 47 corpor-
ations and individuals alleging mon- opoly, etc. The Hays office comes back strong with a statement that it will insist on a trial of the action. .
Universal announces that
branch managers and head bookers will be given examinations of the civil service type to determine their fitness for promotion. A mighty sen- sible idea Sound continues to
pump up company grosses. Follow- ing Warner estimates which promise earnings of approximately $17,000,000 for 1929, come Paramount figures compiled by the "Wall St. News," to the effect that its intake may exceed ^15,000,000
Friday: Western Electric receives a setback abroad through a perman- ent injunction granted to Klangfilm Tobis. The American reproducing device outfit, however, is not inclined to take the count lying down. An appeal will be taken to a higher Ger- man court in an attempt to have the order vacated. W. E. has been suc- cessful in killing an injunction in sev- eral other European countries
Inauguration of the Canadian battle of theater giants has been postponed. Work of establishing the chain spon- sored by N. L. Nathanson will mark time until the theater site dispute in Montreal is settled between his or- ganization and Famous Players Can- adian Warner Bros, further
build the musical end of their busines'- by engaging Erno Rapee as general nusical director. The man who rom- oosed the music for "My Diane" and "Charmaine" is an asset for any or- <2fanization.
Today: More exhibition grief looms in Mississippi where a theater tax is in prospect. But the Light- man-Williams combination, not to mention other agencies, are at work
on this problem Philadelphia
exhibs are confronted by a fire de- partment edict compelling them to in- stall firenroof screens within two weeks. If they fail, or are un- able to comply with this order, their houses mav be closed.
Two Applications Heard
Minneapolis — R-K-O has made ap- plications for a license to conduct vaudeville at the Seventh St., which has been closed for two years. Other applications include the proposal to reopen the old Gaiety by R. L. Orthy of Milwaukee who said he planned to show pictures in the house.
Changes Opening Policy
Lynn, Mass. — With a view of keeping the Mark Strand in line with business policies, Managing Di- rector John J. Scanlon has intro- duced a new policy of changing opening day of the week's show to Saturday instead of Sunday. Split week programs opening on Satur- days will run through to Tuesday and give way to an entirely new show on Wednesday to extend to Friday evening.
Grand, Pullman, Closes
Pullman, Wash. — Because it would not pay to convert the house into a "talker" and due to unprofitable op- eration as a silent house, the Grand, one of the oldest theaters in this town has been compelled to close its doors.
J. H. Murphy Made Office Mgr. Philadelphia — James H. Murphy, formerly Western Division play-date manager, has been made office man- ager of the local Universal exchange, succeeding Gus Kohtz, resigned.
Dewees Leases Pantages Vancouver, B. C. — The Pantages has been leased to U. P. Dewees, owner of the Strand. The name of the house will be changed when it reopens with a new policy.
REGAL BUYS RIGHTS TO VAN 6UREN SONG FILMS
Regal Films of Canada have con- tracted with the Van Buren Corp. to distribute all the company's song subjects in the Dominion of Canada, Amedee J. Van Buren, president, an- nounces. L. Ernest Ouimet, Van Buren special representative, will tour all the provinces in Canada in a special sales campaign
Court Reserves Decision in Greenewalt Color Suit
(Continued from Page 1)
the U. S. District Court reserved de- cision on the request of Frank R. Busser, Philadelphia attorney for Mrs. Greenewalt, for a permanent injunction. Litigation is based on the plaintiff's released patent for the association of color with music to produce an emotional or esthetic ef- fect. Defendants claim the idea has been used for ages.
Short Subjects
(Continued from Page 13)
SOUND
"The Prince of Wails"
Vitaphone Time, 8 mins.
Good Blackface
Amusing burnt-cork monolog by Mel Klee. Follows the usual lines of gags and songs finish, but is good all the way and should prove a sat- isfactory number in any house.
'On the Levee"
Columbia
Time, 7 mins.
Fine Negro Singing
Jules Bledsoe, noted Negro singer, is featured in this Southern locale number, devoted mostly to three numbers by himself, with an ensem- ble of colored confreres contributing a few chords. Bledsoe has a power- ful good voice of the type that usu- ally is applauded anywhere. Basil Smith directed.
SILENT
"Outdoor Sports"
Universal Time, 21 mins.
Rip-Roaring A Sid Savior comedy that is a sure laugh-provoker. Plenty of good clean fun. Wifey is making a dress for auntie. She uses hubby as a dress- maker's dummy, thereby keeping him from keeping a bridge engagement. He gets his chance to escape when auntie comes to try on the dress. Donning her clothes, he steals out of the house. Imagine for yourself the complications that follow. Final- ly he manages to get rid of his fem- inine apparel but not before the cus- tomers have laughed themselves sore.
Week's Headlines
Monday
Sound and color seen as highlights of 1930 by leaders of the industry, who also view the coming year as the most prosperous one in its history.
Producers are marking time on wide film pictures, waiting until color and sound are digested by the public.
Fifteen of 27 yejt to come now in produc- tion at Fox studios for 1929-30 release program.
Will H. Hays in a report on conditions says that more expansion is planned by the film industry in 1930.
Tuesday
C. J. North, chief of the Motion Picture Di- \ vision, Dept. of Commerce, estimates that ' 1,800 foreign houses are now wired. '
About 4,000 new projectionists have been i added since the advent of sound, William F. Canavan, president of the I.A.T.S.E. 1 & M.P.O. states, also adding that talkers i have cut union troubles over contracts.
M O-M has 29 releases definitely set for 1930 with the addition of "The Circle," Good News" and "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" to the schedule.
(Heanings from the conference of provincial censors held in Toronto show that no Fed- eral censorship is planned in Canada.
Thursday
F-Iays to insist on trial of the suit brought by Ivan Abramson against 47 corporations and individuals.
Non-theatrical producers will attend the con- ference to he held in Washington, D. C, by the Dept. of Commerce on Feb. 1.
Twenty-four Columbia features set for 1930 production, with four now in work and others being prepared.
Earnings of Paramount for 1929 are expected In reach $15,000,000. The company's fourth quarter figure is established at $5,500,000, which is approximately 100 per cent greater than the net for similar period last year.
Friday
Film stocks relatively steady in 1929 as com' pared with preceding year. Depreciation in picture issues was less than the decrease in other basic industries.
Western Electric will appeal German in- junction in which Klangfilm Tobis scored in the patent infringement suit.
Six roadshows among Tiffany's output for; 1930; six features completed and similar! number in work at the Coast studios.
Tiffany signs 2,000 franchise holders in fout months.
Erno Rapee joins Warner Bros, as musicaij i director. .i
Today
Issue fireproof screen edit in Philly.
Universal production list for 1930 to ex-|
ceed 40. ]
Tri-State exhibitors set to fight Mississippi tax-.
Hale Elected Head of Winnipeg Projectionists
(Continued from Page 1)
schooling themselves in the sound projection field. Joseph Cooper has been named secretary while E. W. Ross was made treasurer. Meetings are being held bi-monthly.
To Build in Martinsburg
Martinsburg, W. Va. — Warners will build a new 3,500-seat theater here within 18 months, it was learned here. H. A. Doman, manager of the Apollo, a link in the Warner chain, stated that the company contem- plated building a theater but no site had yet been selected.
Fox Liberty Sign Herkimer, N. Y.— The Fox Lib- erty has erected a new electric sign in front of the theater.
9J<f\lHf>OH
ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME
/OL. LI No. 4
Monday, January 6, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Aaron Saperstein Heads New 111. Unaffiliated Unit
ESTIMATE 57,000 THEATERS IN~WORLD
20 Warner Specials in First Six Months of 1930
Short Thoughts
— on long subjects
=^By JACK ALICOATE^=
"HOSE WHO are devoting time nd attention to the matter say that le medium sized and semi-intimate ouse is so far superior to the large iiper-theater in the matter of sound eproduction that the present era lay see the end of the six thousand eat house.
low THAT the year end festivi- es have been wrapped up and put ack on the shelf for future refer- nce it's about time for the Kent onference of S-S-5 dimension to rting into action. Both Allied and I.P.T.O.A. seem optimistic, so, lere you are but where are you? * * *
ARL LAEMMLE has just been iiade a fellow of the Royal Society |f Arts in London. This is a dis- hiction that has been conferred up- n but few Americans. Carl Laem- ile has been an outstanding exam- le of "What's right with the Indus-
y" ever since his first store show.
o honor can be too great for his
.St achievements.
;• ONSENSUS OF opinion of theater ]wners from many sections of the Ctuntry is that features could well
■ , pford to be trimmed a bit so as to .five more time for balancing pro-
: pms with short subjects. The his- i)ri^ of every branch of the show jLisiness is that varied programs are lie safest. Pictures are no excep-
, |0n to the rule.
ROFESSOR POWELL of Smith ollege makes it known in plain and iimistakable language that the talk- s are no aid whatsoever to the uni- ;rsal use of good speech. Of course this, as in all other matters, the 3od professor is entitled to his opin- n. Perhaps the next assistant to ke his place alongside of the direc- ir will be the professor of spoken nglish.
FOR ONE YEAR BY RKO
Herbert Brenon, who recently completed "The Case of Sergennt Grischa" for RKO, has been giv< a a year's contract by this compan; . it is announced by Joseph L Schni' Brenon is now on his way to Coast where he will work in operation with William Le Bare ■
aECT DAVID SARNOFF PRESIDENTfRCACORP.
David Sarnoff has been elected president of the Radio Corp. of America, succeeding James G. Har- bord, who becomes chairman of the board of directors in place of Owen D. Young, who has been named chairman of a new executive commit- tee. As vice president and general
(.CotUinued on Page 4)
tpimpsonIppoInied ')s't general manager
Appointment of L. E. Thompson of R-K-O as assistant general man- .'g.r of theater operations was announced Saturday by Joseph ^Itinkett. Thompson will be con- 'i man for Plunkett a. id also in ■ irge of rehabilitation of the na- i-.uiial chain.
150 Independent Exhibitors
Enroll; 50 More Expected
OPERATORS' m\m
Respective committees of the E : hibitors' Ass'n of Chicago and tl International Alliance of Motir Picture Operators, Local No. 11
(Continued an Page 8)
Chicago — The unafifiliated exhibi- tor organization formed at a meeting here recently will be state-wide in ^.ccpe and will be known as the Illinois Independent Theater Owners, Inc. Permanent officers have been elected as follows: Aaron Saperstein, .'resident; Fred Gilford, vice presi- '■^nt Sam Halper, secretary, and Sid
li ■, treasurer. Ex-Judge Emanuel (Continued on Page 2)
**JrlEIEA^.li iniEAIP
««
DT wi^.e.
fiATJ-
Starts To-Day As A > >l In The Film Daily
Figure Investment in World Industry at
$4,000,000,000
Geneva — Motion picture theaters throughout the world approximate 57,000, according to a survey made by the International Labour Office, which also estimates that capital in- vested in the world film industry ag- gregates $4,000,000,000. Half of this total is invested in American com- panies. Investment in the British industry represents $350,000,000.
Of the 57,000 picture houses, 25,- 000 are in Germany and 4,000 in England, says the Labour Office. Estimate is made that American the- aters can accommodate 100,000,000 persons weekly.
R-K-0 ACQOIRES QUIMBY CHAIN AT FORT WAYNE
Chicago — R-K-O has acquired the Quimby chain of three houses at Fort Wayne. Henry Kaufman on Jan. 12 becomes general manager of tjie group, it is announced by Nat J. Blumberg, divisional manager for R-K-O. He succeeds M. Marcus. Comprising the chain are the Palace, Emboyd and Jefferson.
Ask Legislative Inquiry Into Storage of Films
Albany- — A legislative inquiry into the manufacture and storage of films in New York City has been asked by Leon Leighton, of the Bar Ass'n. Republican leaders, to whom the de- mand has been made, are consider- ing the matter but have no state- ment to make at this time.
Frances Dade, Newcomer, to Be Starred by Goldwyn
Frances Dade, stage actress with no picture experience, has been signed for five years by Samuel Goldwyn and \vill first appear as Ronald Colman's leading woman in "Raffles."
THE
DAILV
Monday, January 6, 193(
VoL II No. 4 Monday, January 6, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and copyright (1930) by Wid's Fi.ms and Film Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President, Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau, Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager; Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En- tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918, at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage free) United States outside of Greater New York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3 months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers should remit with order. Address all com- munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle 4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph Wilk 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite 6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St , W. I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne, Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle, La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET (QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 19 IS'A 19 200
Con. Fm. Ind 16yi le/g 16/. 200
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 19 187/8 19 400
East. Kodak 179^4 178K 178^ 200
Fom Fm. "A" .... 23/g 21/8 22 40,400
♦Keith A-0 2054 ••••
♦do pfd 79/a
Loew's, Inc 44H 43 Ji 44^ 200
*do pfd. WW (6J4) 87
*do pfd. xw (6}4) •-• 86
*M-G-M pfd 24
Para. F-L 50^ SO SOS/g 6,900
Pathe Exch ZH ZYa 27A 100
do "A" .5/2 S/i 5/2 200
R-K-O 20J4 20 20J4 1,200
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 30
Warner Bros 40% 40'4 40?^ 2,200
♦do pfd 36ya
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 65 ....
•Columia Pets 25%
Fox Thea. "A" .. SJi 5 5 5.200
Gen. Thea. Equ. ..27 26 26 300
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
♦Loew do deb rts 13^ ....
♦Loew's Inc. war 3Ji ....
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 15Ji
♦Nat. Thea. S..p 27}4
♦Paramount new 28 ....
♦Univ. Pict 9!/2
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-0 6s 46 75
♦Loew 6s 41ww 102 ....
♦do 6s 41 x-war 92 ....
Paramount 6s 47 .. 98^ 98^ 98/ 130 Para. By. 5/2s51 .100^ lOOJi 100% 20
♦Patha 7s37 36
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
.♦:•::•::•:«:•::•::•::•:«:•::•:«««««:•:«:•::•::•:««%>
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ft New York Long Island City ♦{
ft 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. y
ft BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 «
ft ft
§ 1-^
I Eastman Films i
ft y
i{ L E. Brulatour, Inc. Ij ft *^ M
\i I
H Chicago Hollywood .'j
» -«_ T J. » . 6700 Santa Monica ♦>
».♦ 1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j *.♦
ft CAlumet 2691 Hollywood 4121 §
K •♦•♦♦••♦•♦ ♦♦.•♦.♦♦.♦•-•♦.♦•.•♦♦.♦•.♦•.'•♦Af It*/ — ---*"■-"■--«-
The Broadway Parade
THERE are no changes in the long-run schedule along Broadway this week. Only one added starter, that being First National's "No, No, Nanette" at the Strand, which opened Friday with its inauguration of a long-run policy.
Pictura Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"Rio Rita" RKO Globe Oct. 6
"The Love Parade" Paramount Criterion Nov. 19
"General Crack" .Warners Warners Dec. 3
"The Virginian" Paramount Rialto Dec. 21
"Devil May Care" M-G-M Astor Dec. 22
"Sally" First National Winter Garden. . . .Dec. 23
"The Mighty" Paramount Rivoli Dec. 28
"Seven Keys to Baldpate" RKO Earl Carroll Dec. 25
"Blaze O' Glory". Sono-Art Cohan Dec. 30
"Party Girl" TilTany Gaiety Dec. 30
"No, No, Nanette" First National. . . . Strand Jan. 3
AARON SAPERSTEIN HEADS NEW ILL. EXHIBITOR UN
(Continued from Page 1)
Eller and Simon Herr will act legal advisers.
With about ISO independents al ready enrolled, it is declared, at leas 50 more members are expected. E timate is made that 90 per cent o Chicago independents have signed up. The roster includes the Coston chain of 24 houses.
WEST COAST PROMOTIONS
X
. AWMlVMH^pallV, iTZ
issociation of color with music to produce an emotional or esthetic ef- ect. Defendants claim the idea has )een used for ages.
Short Subjects
(Cont\»ued from Page 13)
SOUND
42 Houses Installing '
New Type Photophone
Forty-two houses in various partb of the country are installing the new Type G model RCA Photophone, it is announced by General Sales Man- ager Sydney E. Abel. Distribution of the device, which is designed ex- pressly for houses of small seating capacity, began about 10 days ago.
Universal Pays Off
Six Per Cent Notes
Universal has paid off its outstand- ing issue of $2,500,000 in 6 per cent notes, floated two and a half years ago for maturity on Jan. 1, 1930. Funds for retiring the obligation w?re supplied by the company without further public financing. ,
Rauh Joins Warners'
Eastern Writing Staff
Stanley E. Rauh has been signed as a staff writer for Warner Bros, to do originals and special material for Vitaphone Varieties. He is co- author of such revues as the "Music Box," Earl Carroll's "Vanities" and others. He has also written vaude- ville sketches for Victor Moore, Sally Ward, Harry Connelly and many other headliners.
London Alhambra Goes Talker
London (By Cable) — British Inter- national Pictures are taking over the Alhambra, one of the oldest music halls in England, and putting in a talker policy, with "Atlantic," British production, as the first offering.
"The Prince of Wails"
-i^IlClS, XlldUC LiCetdUlttr
George Fors 'the, chief usher at the California, r^med treasurer at the Granada; Bei- Naus, former manager of the Portl; id Rialto, to be house manager of . le California, assisting Nat Holt; E A. Foster, added to the Granada )ublicity staff.
Ray Moon Resigns from Universal in Detroit
Detroit — Ray Moon, local manager for Universal, has resigned, and has accepted another position in this ter- ritory.
Fire Destroys Wis. House
/.niery. Wis. — -Fire destroyed the Gem here recently. O. H. Stein- dorff was manager. The theater will not be rebuilt.
Star, Monessen, Shows Talkers Monessen, Pa. — With Westen Klectric installed at the Star, talk ing pictures have made their l)o\ here.
To Build in Pearisburg, Va.
Pearisburg, Va. — A coiiibinatioi theater and apartment building is t be erected here by Mrs. Frank B Miller.
Lasky in Mexico City
Mexico City — Jesse L. Lasky is here on a short vacation with his son.
House Renovated
Massillon, O. — Renovations at the Lincoln have been completed, ac- cording to manager Albert E. Met- calf.
The Industry's Date Book
Jan. 9 AMPA Luncheon at the Paramoun
Hotel, New York City. Jan. 14 Premiere of "Hit the Deck" j
the Earl Carroll. Jan. 15 Warner Coast studio to resume k
tiyity. Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athleti
Club, Hotel Commodore, Ne
York City. Feb. 1 Meeting of non-theatrical produce;
at Washington, D. C. Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball
the Astor, New York. Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Cathol
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles. June 2-7 International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
Will Evans Now Head of New Film Preservative C(
London — Will Evans, joint manaj ing director of Gaumont-British an ". C. T., has been named chairma of the recently formed Developmei of Industries, Ltd., which is to d velop a process for the coating ! films and kindred materials. Ass ciated with Evans are J. Lever and' Jooper. J. F. Parsons is secretary.
New Engineers' Journal to Be Printed Monthl
Following the first issue of tl new Journal of the Society of M. '. Engineers in the early part of Ja: uary, the publication will be put o monthly in place of the semi-annu Transactions formerly published 1 the Society.
Cancel Reproducer Order
IVashington Bureau of THE FILM DAll Washington — Plans for the wirii of the newest and largest theater Berne, Switzerland have been c celed, according to advices from t .\L P. Division of the Dept. of Cos merce. Prohibitive cost of the soif. .iiachine necessitated the change plans, which, incidentally leaves t., city with only one sound theat* Only American sound films have be shown at the exclusive sound hou in Berne, it is reported.
Lehar to Write Swanson Talker
Berlin (By Cable)— Franz Leh composer of "Merry Widow" ai other famous operettas, has been pe suaded by Gloria Swanson's husban the Marquis de la Falaise, to wri a musical score for a talker in whii Miss Swanson will appear.
Talkers for Washburn
Washburn, Wis. — The Rex will i stall sound equipment, according C. Mitchell, manager.
Collinge Doing Script
Pierre Collinge is doing the ada tation, continuity and dialogue * "Dangerous Nan McGrew," whi will be produced by Paramount the Long Island studio with Hel Kane starred.
The Cream of Short Length Features. Gor- geous, Glamorous Tabloid Singing, Dancing Musical Entertainments. Singing Stars, Com- edy Stars, beauty Choruses. Lavishly pro- duced in full Natural Color (Technicolor.)
echnicolor Musical
SOUTH SEA PEARL"
Gaston Glass, Charlotte Mer- riaiD. Native danc- ing in the South Seas — crooning native melodies — native women — all in beautiiul color. Directed by Roy Mack.
**THE SULTAN'S JESTER"
Technicolor flash with Edward Lan- kow.Roger Davis. Joyzelle. famous Oriental dancer, Randall Adagio Four, and gor- geous harem girls. Singing, Dancing. Directed by Ro^ Mack.
"THE MILITARY POST"
Rdberto Guzman singing "La Gol- ondrina" and "La Luz de la Luna". Pictiuesque cos- tumes and settings of early Caliiomia days. Entirely in Technicolor.
HOLIDAY IN STORYLAND"
with the Vita- phone kiddies. An all Technicolor musical fantasy in- troducing cele- brated characters of storyland. Sing- ing, Talking, Dancing. Direct- ed by Roy Mack.
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a fantasy of old Japan entirely in Natural color (Technicolor). Smart, modern, beautifully cos- tumed ch< Singing, Dancing. Directed by Roy Mack.
CONTRARY MARY"
THE
•s^m
DAILV
Monday, January 6, 1930
K.
ELECT DAVID 8ARN0FF PRE81DENT0[RCA CORP.
(Cemtinued from Page 1) manager of RCA for several years past, Sarnofif has been active execu- tive in developing and co-ordinating the world-wide activities of the cor- poration and its various subsidiaries, including lately the R-K-O theaters, Radio Pictures, RCA Photophone and Radio-Victor.
New Cutting Department an Economy at Warners
Negative economy has been brought about by Warner Bros, with establishment of a new department at its Eastern studio in charge of William Starr. The department uses a process whereby dialogue is elimi- nated from features and replaced with titles in the language of what- ever country desired. This does away with the necessity of making silent versions on various Vitaphone fea- tures.
Garrick Changes Management
Winnipeg, Manitoba— The Garrick, owned by syndicate of local resi- dents, has been acquired by Henry A. Morton under a five year lease.
Big Springs House Robbed
Big Springs, Texas.— The Ritz here was recently robbed when a lone ban- dit held up the cashier and made his escape with $100.
Kuykendall Wires School
Columbus, Miss.— This city is to have its second sound theater when E. L. Kuykendall, owner of the State wires the house shortly. The Prin- cess, owned by the same exhibitor, was wired some time ago.
Jordan Managing in Wis.
Carcadia, Wis.— Bert Jordan has taken over the management of the Strand, and has installed sound equipment.
i Brin's Appelton House Opened
' Appelton, Wis. — The Brin was
opened last week by L. K. Brip Enterprises, Inc. L. K. Brin, presi- dent. Henry Goldenberg, secretary and Stanley Brown, general manager, were present at the opening.
Fire in Pitts. House
Pittsburgh, Pa.— A fire which started in the projection room of the Palace did a damage of $500. Al- though there were patrons in the house at the time no one was in- jured.
Coast Wire Service
}lollywood Happenings
14 Directors Engaged by Columbia for New Product
Columbia has augmented its di- rectorial staff and now has 14 direc- tors engaged for production on the company's forthcoming program. In- cluded in the list are: George B. Seitz, Earle C. Kenton, Frank R. Capra, Ira Hards, Patterson McNutt, Phil Rosen, R. William Neill, John P. McCarthy, Frank Strayer, George Archainbaud, Archie Mayo, Victor Heerman, Karl Brown and A. E. Van Buren.
Marguerite Padula for "Dixiana"
Marguerite Padula, singer, has been signed for one of the principal roles in "Dixiana," first wide screen production by Radio Pictures. Miss Padula already has appeared in RKO's "Hit the Deck," playing the same role she filled in the Chicago stage version.
Fox Title Changed
"Fast Workers" now is perman- ently titled "Hollywood Nights." It's a Fox production directed by Frank Strayer with Lola Lane, Joseph Wagstaff, Frank Richardson, Dixie Lee, Walter Catlett, Sharon Lynn and Ilka Chase.
Robson Student Director
William N. Robson has been named a student director by Para- mount.
A Little from
'Lots"
Exhibitors Daily Heminder
Mi» By RALPH WILK ^^
HoUynvood
WHEN George O'Brien, Rex Bell Edward Marin, Ad Schaumer and Max Gold go into a huddle the subject is usually basketball. « * *
Joseph Jackson is believed to have hung up a writing record dur- ing 1929. He wrote the dialogue for 19 features and three shorts He also wrote "Be Yourself," ar original, which served as a starring vehicle for Fannie Brice. "The Sing ing Fool," "Mammy" and "Say I' With Songs," starring Al Jolsov were among the pictures for which he fashioned the dialogue. * ♦ *
Grace Hayes is busy at Uni- versal, where she is working in "The King of Jazz" revue, starring Paul Whiteman. The singing comedienne has long been a vaudeville and revue favorite.
Hersholt for Vitaphone Operetta
Jean Hersholt has been signed by Warners for a prominent role in the first operetta written directly for the screen. The title is "Viennese Nights" and is the work of Oscar Hammerstein II and Sigmund Rom- berg. .A.lan Crosland will direct.
A good time to join that Civic Club. Get friend- ly with the busi- ness men whose friendship mean something.
Monday, January 6, 1930
William Wolf Managing RKO Branch in 'Frisco
IVcst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
San Francisco — William G. Wolf, formerly of Denver, has replaced .A.l)e Markowitz as manager of the local RKO exchange. Markowitz resigned, and has not announced his new connection.
Paquin Buys Fifth Theater
Hull, Quebec — Donat Paquin lia^ purchased his fifth theater with the taking over of the Regent, Gatineau. Quebec. The exhibitor has three houses in this city and one in Ot- tawa. The Regent will be reopened shortly.
N-E-W-S OF T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Los Angeles — Max B. DuPont Vitacolor Corp. has filed suit against Multicolor Films, Inc.; Binocular Stereoscopic Film Co., and several individuals alleging that the defend- ants have infringed a patent held by the plaintiffs relating to coloring of photographic images. Preliminary and permanent injunctions are sought as well as an accounting of past profits.
O'Brien Improved Pembroke, Ont. — The O'Brien has been enlarged, remodeled, wired and improved.
Johnson at Janesville, Wis.
Janesville, Wis. — The Myers re- opened under the management of Joseph Johnson.
Select Installs Sound
Mineola, Texas — Sound has been installed at the Select.
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — John Kirby, lo- cal representative for Paramount, has been transferred to the Philadelphia exchange to take over work formerly done by Mike Landow, who has joined Louis Appell in York.
New York
TheWagnerian Opera-Tone Co. has been formed and has entered into an agreement with Melodv Productions, Inc., for filming the works of Rich- ard Wagner at its New York stu- dios. Translations are being arrang- ed for presentation in English.
Troy — Oscar G. Horowich has leasing the Astor from William T. Shyne and will reopen the house for the first time in many years. Sound will be installed.
Jamaica — John Jacobs, who for- merly managed the Fairmount in Philadelphia, is now with the R-K-O Rand here.
Foreign
Sydney — Two changes have been n'.ade in the Union Theaters' organi- sation. Harry Strachan, recently in cliarge of the vaudeville department, now is assistant manager of the State, succeeding E. Halls, Ferg B. Mason has been placed in charge of the Crystal Palace following his transfer from U. T. houses in Tasmania.
Four Kipp Installations
Dallas — Kipp sound equipment is now installed at the Palace, Loving. N. M.: Queen, Crosby ton; Palace, Grapevine and Princess at Vassalc, Texas.
Machines for Every School
Cleveland — .Although there arc about 30 motion picture machines in local schools, R. G. Jones, superin- tendaiit of schools, has promised tlic installation of a machine in ever\ building very soon.
Luton House Opens
London — The Alma Super Kinema, owned by Leicester Square Estates, Ltd., of which Sir Walter Gibbons is chairman, and Adney Gibbons managing director, has opened al Luton. Western Electric and Mag- nascope have been installed.
Rio de Janerio — The Roy Chandler Co. has just sold to *he Federal Govt, of Brazil stage and house lighting equipment for the new theater being built by the government.
Johnson at Neillsville, Wis.
Neillsville, Wis. — C. L. Johnson has been appointed manager of the .'Kdler here.
Sound for Colby House
Colby, Wis. — The Badger has re- opened following the installation of sound eciuipment.
National, Cleveland, Goes Sound Cleveland — Tone-O-Graph has
been installed at the National, E. 55th
-St., owned by Sam Barck.
THE
Monday, January 6, 1930
-.ggg^
DAILV
««SEE A^D HEAR
•' A Brief History of Motion Pictures and the Development of Sound
95
Chapter" I
1
The Genesis of the Motion Picture
/^NE stands on a high mountain and sees long lines of men, tvotnen, \J and children moving slowly forzvard. They come from every- where. They are rosy-cheeked girls from the farms, and their paler- faced sisters from the cities tvhose feet ache from long hours of stand- ing behind bargain counters. There are plow hoys, and sons of mil- lionaires, and boys with the sallow cheeks of the tenements. There are old zvomen with hands reddened and coarsened by work, and with eves grown listless zvith long zvaiting. There are old men who hobble oil crooked sticks, and children zmth the flash of the sun's gold in their hair and the happy laughter of innocence in their voices. There are the schoolboy, and the savant, and the man of no learning at all. There arc men and women of every race and of every tongue, moving slowly forzvard, seeking something, seeking, searching, yearning — asking for a place to dream. All about them is the roar of the cities, the confused, jangling noises of life that is hurried, rushed, propelled forzvard at a breathless speed. Every minute of every hour of every day they come — millions of them. And over and above thetn, and in front of them, attracting them on, offering that which they desire, are billions of flicftering sliadozvs — the motion picture. Who shall estimate its im- portance? Who shall attempt to say what it memis to the world?
have given thought and research and study to the motion picture for itself in its broader aspects. That is nat- ure enough. In parallel, most of u want to experience and enjoy health but we are not on the whole vastlv interested in physiology. But if wc are to realize what the motion pic ture is and endeavor to think about it intelligently, we must give some heed to its inner facts. No superficial judgment of the motion picture haf ever proved correct. Excellent rea sons can be found for even its most bizarre manifestations, if one can see the screen from a broad angle, broad enough to take in all the facts.
Civilization follows the tools. The motion picture is the newest, and maybe the best, tool or instrument of the art of expression — and expres sion is the all of art. By art, mar lives the fullness of life. Art is hi' triumph and release from all limita tions of time and place and every manner of awkward fact. Art give him many lives by vicarious living.
No one can fairly draw the line'