The Film Daily (1929)

DAILY Sunday, November 17, 1929 Fox Expanding in Mid-West {Continued from Page 1) ness of the veteran leader. The Fox West Coast moves have been the biggest news of a week marked by a cessation of the usual merger reports and two arbitration cases oi transcending importance. One involved the procedure of Vitagraph and Vitaphone in selling sound films and discs separately, while the other, which still is pending, is to test the legality of the clause in the contract which relieves distributors from liability to deliver pictures on schedule which are not produced. But to detail it day by day. Monday: Lawmakers in Tennessee are reported preparing to enact a ten per cent tax on admissions. It seems that the administration is in the red, so theaters must be penalized, even though Tennessee is a six-day state. Encouraged by the sensational success of the experiment at the Embassy, New York, Fox is understood to be planning a chain of theaters devoted exclusively to sound newsreels That's good news, for it will have a healthy effect on all show business Just when it seems that the French dispute was all washed up, as a result of abandonment of plan to raise the quota, comes the news that a secret society has been formed in Paris to boycott American films and other products. Those kind of tactics won't get far, for the French public will continue as before to patronize the American pictures it likes Tuesday: This Ohio affair is looming as a really big thing, with M. A. Lightman, M.P.T.O.A. president; Abram F. Myers, president of Allied States Ass'n, and Charles C. Fettijohn of the Hays office slated to address the sessions. The Ohio organization is unaffiliated with either the M.P.T.O.A. or Allied group, so a strong bid for allegiance may be expected to be made by both. The Columbus meetings promise real developments Silent pictures are not passe, despite the tremendous vogue of sound pictures, it is emphasized in the Cleveland territory where a strong demand for silents is reported. It will be some time before all houses are wired, and even then it is doubtful if the silent film will become extinct. Split policies, half sound and half silent, are being offered in the Cleveland zone. This method offers a close comparison between sound and silent pictures, which may prove a factor in shaping later developments Now General Talking Pictures is planning a series of patent suits, which may mean a further upheaval in the sound equipment field Wednesday: One hundred fifty theaters in the St. Louis zone are reported being sought for Fox, which is said to be dickering for five circuits. How that company is expanding, with the Middle West the theater of activity. There are going to be real headlines in the impending clash between Paramount and Fox in the Mississippi Valley states Ironing out of points of difference in the arbitration system is the purpose of discussions now under way between counsel for distributors and the Dept. of Justice. One confab has been held to date and more are scheduled. Meanwhile, there is considerable anxiety in the industry over the decree expected to be issued soon after the first of the year by Federal Judge Thacher Thursday: Sound film contracts are not contingent upon contract for scores, the Pittsburgh arbitration board has decided in a case which necessitated a seventh arbitrator. Exhibitors have raised the issue manytimes, but the decision is the first to establish right of Vitagraph and Vitaphone to sell pictures and discs separately Famous Players Canadian, which chain has been in the limelight as the result of efforts of Gaumont British to acquire control — a move which was blocked by Adolph Zukor — reports its most successful year's earnings, with an increase of 124 per cent noted. Sound pictures and sound expansion are the reasons for the sensational increase In Michigan, the powerful Butterfield chain, which is allied with Publix and Radio-Keith-Orpheum is continuing its rapid expansion. With SO theaters in the circuit, the firm Is spreading out into the Upper Peninsula of the Wolverine state. Meanwhile, reported effort of Paramount to secure control of the chain is being discounted The function of the motion picture in aiding trade, science and art is graphically emphasized by Will H. Hays in addressing the New York Board of Trade. The importance which films have come to assume should be a source of pride to everyone in this industry And now Sidney R. Kent, general manager of Paramount, has been added to the list of speakers at the Columbus exhibitor convention. As he is chairman of the distributor committee on adjustments, Kent's presence should do much to enliven the Columbus meetings Friday: Whether a distributor is liable for delivery of pictures which are not produced is a point at issue in a Washington arbitration case, now in the hands of a seventh arbitrator. A lot of contracts are contingent upon the outcome, for there seldom is a year when producers do not change production plans. In this instance, RKO abandoned plans to make a number of silents, due to the sound upheaval, and an exhibitor has sued for damages. Decision in the case will determine a point of supreme importance to the entire business Twenty pictures are to comprise Richmond Public Schools to Continue Educationals Richmond, Va. — Educational films are to be shown in the public schools of Richmond throughout the remainder of the 1929-1930 session, it is announced at the office of Albert H. Hill, superintendent. "Meat From Hoof to Market" and "America's Granary" are the titles of the pictures shown recently. Motion pictures are also shown in many other schools in Virginia. Radios are also being used to aid educational workin the state. French Musicians Seek Film Work on Own Terms Paris — ■ French musicians at a meeting here voted not to accept employment in sound or talking pictures except on their own terms. Baltimore Showmen Hurt Baltimore — E. E. Pensel and Stanley Cosnel, managers of Loew's Stanley and Valencia, suffered bruises and cuts recently while motoring to Baltimore from New York. The accident occurred at Trenton, N. J. Hurt by Burning Film Saskatoon, Sask., Canada — Gerald Dealtry, operator, was burned when film ignited in the projection room of the Bijou here. Gets New Ottawa Post Ottawa — Robert Gellatly has become identified with the Franacis. He was formerly at the B. F. Keith Fred Hand at Hall Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Fred Hand has been named manager of the Daughters of American Revolution Hall here. He was former! v at the Earle. Gillman Promoted at Cleveland Cleveland — Sam Gillman, assistant manager of Loew's Cameo, has been appointed manager of the Alhambra which will open shortly with sound recording apparatus installed. the first year's output of Affiliated Exchanges, co-operative distributor association. The new organization starts functioning Dec. 15. Here's prediction for success of the group, based on the reputations and integrity of its membership Abram F. Myers, Allied head, recently married an assistant attorney general of the United States. There may be a political significance in the union, and again there may not St. Louis exhibitors and musicians have reached practical accord on the strike in the Missouri city, we hear. The final outcome is expected to prove a precedent in this day of sound pictures and musicianless theaters Today: It's Fox again, this time in Milwaukee, where a 5,000-seater is planned. That should strongly entrench the company in the Beer City, where Fox has a strong hold on the situation. Meanwhile, however, Publix, is reported to be dickering for (or have taken over) the Universal Milwaukee houses Musical Notes •By CLEF* WHISPERING BILL COLLINS, Detroit representative for M. Witmark & Sons, was recently declared the winner of the popularity contest conducted by Station WJR. As this is the third time that "Bill" has won the WJR contest, he naturally must have an alibi. He says, "How can I go wrong when I sing Witmark songs?" Yep, he sure is good to his boss. "Wanting You," sung by Belle Baker in her first Columbia flicker, "Song of Love," is published by Shapiro-Bernstein & Co., and after hearing Miss Baker render the song it's a pretty safe bet that you can chalk up another hit for the publishers. Written by Arthur Sizemore, Bernie Grossman., Mickey Kippel and Maurice Abrahams, this number just proves the truth of the old adage, "Two heads are better than one." By substitution, ive find "Four heads are better than two" Quad Erat Demonstrandum or words to that effect. Whetv-w-w. Hereafter I'll stick to music. "Billy" Fagan, formerly with Milton Weil Publishing Co., is now Middle West representative for Charles Bayha Music Co. "That's when I Learned to Love You," written by "Billy" Baskette and Bartley Costello. It will help considerably towards paying the rent, buying food for the baby, and and so on. Even Charles K. Harris has one. Sure. A theme song. "Honey Moon," written by Will M. Hough, Frank R. Adams and Joseph E. Howard (is it absolutely necessary for songwriter* to have middle initials?) is themed in the Warner Bros, picture, "Time, Place and the Girl," starring Betty Compson. "My Dream of Paradise," "I'm Lonely Only for You" and "Starlight, The Roses and You," all written by Charles K. Harris, round out the Harris catalogue. "I'm So Happy" (when the sun is shining), written by Clarence Gaskill and George B. McConnell and published by the Song-hit Publishing Co., has in the short space of two weeks been featured by Phil Spitalny, B. A. Rolfe, Roy Ingraham and Paul Tremaine, it must be a good song. Hicks Buys Madisonville House Madisonville, Tenn. — Ray Hicks has purchased the Moneta from Berry and Basil White. The new owner has changed the name of the house to the Little Theater. Columbia Pythian Reopened Columbus, O. — The Pythian has reopened here with Henry F. Eger continuing as manager of the house. Al Lyons at San Diego San Diego — Al Lyons has returned here to become master of ceremonies of the Fox house.