The Film Daily (1930)

THE iSunday, January 12, 1930 DAILY 11 Newspaper Opinions "Seven Keys to Baldpate" 5 I RKO Earl Carroll, N. Y. * ' AMERICAN—* * * The audience seemed ilhoroughly to enjoy the show, and it, in turn, should enjoy a pleasant run on Broadway. DAILY NEWS—* * * It dashes on its way from first reel to last without a letup lin action. Smooth, suspenseful script, snapI'py dialogue and swell performances — of which [Richard's is just one of many. It doesn't lindeed seem like a Dix starring production, ihecause Director Reginald Barker has given [everybody such a good break. * * * EVENING GRAPHIC—* * * Dix is, as usual, enthusiastic in his work and has that easy, informal way of delivering his dialogue which suggests a little Dix extemporizing to good advantage. Miriam Seegar, the blonde. I who played a second role in "The Love Doc I tor," is a cute ingenue.* * * ! EVENING WORLD—* * * This old Earl ! Derr Biggers story, which was dramatized i by George M. Cohan and which has also been : seen upon the silent screen, still has its I comic appeal, although there are times when it does display a slight senility. There are times when it creaks a bit, but Dix and his very good company put it over here with a bang. * • * EVENING SUN—* * * Yet this talkie is an excellent transcription of the affair. Who can tamper with a near masterpiece? Mr, Dix has helped it in more ways than one. Going into the S. R. O. regions of RKO, he has become a very admirable actor for this sort of thing. ♦ ♦ • TELEGRAM—* * * Mr. Dix gives a smooth and finished performance and demonstrates that he is an accomplished impersonator of light comedy roles. His work in the film is ot all times natural and convincing. TIMES—* * * In its present form it is far more effective than it was as Douglas MacLean's silent picture of three years ago. It is one of those fanciful flights that compels one to withhold crticism until the de nouement. In fact, it is an adventure which virtually defies derogatory comments. • « * TRIBUNE — * * * The direction is smooth and generally expert, the acting is in the proper mood of semi-serious make-believe, and the production, while it lacks the atmospheric brilliance of, say, "Bulldog Drummond," is shrewd and sprightly. The only trouble is that there is reason to fear that the story is beginning to wear just a trifle thin from constant use. * * * WORLD—* * * Mr. Dix, when he as sumes an attitude of mild derision in handling his role, is at his best. He is a competent young player, and should do well as Kadio's fair-haired boy. ♦ * * Mrs. Harris Continues Managing Elkhart, Ind. — Mrs. A. M. Harris remains as manager of the Orpheum with the acquisition of the house by Harry Lerner. Sound equipment was recently installed. Forest Installs RCA Roonville, Ind. — RCA Photophone has been installed at the Forest's "Temple of Shadowland" theater. St. Joseph Rialto Improved St. Joseph, Mo. — After having been closed for improvements and installation of sound, the Rialto has reopened, according to manager Fred Greenberg. Huntley Orders Sound Sebastopol, Cal. — Manager Huntley of the Starland has ordered sound equipment. Cowan Quits Fox St. Louis St. Louis — Lynn Cowan, master of ceremonies at the Fox, has departed for the Coast where he is considering offers to make talking pictures. A DIRECT NEWS SBRVICB COVERING DEVELOPMENTS IN AMERICA'S IMPORTANT OVERSEAS MARKETS RIGHT TO CENSOR TALKERS IS SOUGHT IN GERMANY Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Censorship of talkers is provided in one of the important amendments to the Cinema Law now before the Reichstag in Berlin, according to the M. P. Division of the Dept. of Commerce. Other amendments include the imposing of heavier penalties for the admission of juveniles to "A" pictures, and giving local authorities the power to ban a film temporarily for reasons of public order pending a new decision of the censors. Banned pictures can be exported if they do not impair German prestige, the amendments state. SOVKINO NEGOTIATING FOR RCA SOUND-ON-FILM SETS Moscow — Sovkino, official producing film company, is understood negotiating with RCA for the purchase of a quantity of sound-on-film machines. E. O. Heyl, London executive of RCA will soon leave for New York where negotiations are being conducted. "White Shadows" Now Silent Berlin — "White Shadows in the South Seas" will now be distributed in Germany as a silent film, it is reported. India Taxes Imported Films Calcutta — The government of Nizam of Hyderabad has decided to levy a tax of a little over six cents per foot on all films imported to India. The trade is expected to be hit heavy by this new tax. 56 Censored in Great Britain Washingtcn Burcuu of THE FILM DAILY Washington — A total of 56 new features were censored in Great Britain during 1929, according to statistics to the British Board of Censors. P. C. T. House Closed London — The Long Row Picture House on Market St. has closed as a result of talkers. The house was too small to install sound equipment and could not keep up with wired houses. P.C.T. owned the theater. Filer Appointed Manager London — S. Filer has been appointed manager of the Pallidum, Petersfield, recently acquired by Messrs. H. Filer and S. Shinebaum. He will also manage the Electric Cinema. Foreign Markets By DON C. GILLETTE Wants Sunday Shows London — Contending that workers were as much entitled to attend a kinema as other tolk were entitled to play golt on Sunday, the question of Sunday shows has again come up for consideration here. Marx Forms First German Circuit of Music Halls Berlin — Formation of the first German music hall chain has begun with acquisition by Herr Jules Marx ol three leading music halls, the Drie Linden, Leipzig; the Flora, Ham burg; the Apollo, Manheim. Marx owns the Scala and Plaza, picture houses, and has arranged to have Al Jolson appear at the Scala shortly. Advent of Sound Films Incurs Debt for Pro Patria London — That the advent of sound films hit distributors is indicated in the report of Pro Patria Films for two years ending Sept. 30, last. The debit for the past two years has reached $126,020, which was chiefly incurred during the past six months when there was no demand for silent pictures. However, the outlook for the company looks brighter now that the demand for silents has become reestablished and with the company also distributing sound and talking pictures without any substantial increase in overhead. Century Kinema Opens Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Opening of the Century Kinema in Benoni recently marked the 100th bioscope in So. Africa operated by Kinemas Ltd., according to Ass't Trade Commissioner E. B. Lawson, Johannesburg. "London Melody" in Work London. — Work has begun on "London Melody" which is being produced by British Screen Productions at Worton Hall, Isleworth. Donald Stuart is actively cooperating with Geoffrey Mailns on the picture. "Throw of Dice" Release Dates London — -Pro Patria announces that "A Throw of Dice," the allIndian film, will be released in London on May 12, 1930, and in the provinces two weeks later. "Jazz Singer" Hits 1,000th Mark Paris. — "The Jazz Singer" has reached its 1,000th performance at the Aubert Palace. French Director Dead Paris — Jean Manoussi, director, recently died. He directed "The Mirage de Paris" and "Ma Mason de Saint Cloud." FILM DAILY CORRESPONDENTS IN WORLD CAPITALS FLASH OVERSEAS NEWS BT RADIO AND CABLE EXHIBITORS WANT E GOOD SILENT FILMS Leicester, England — Demand for silent films is still strong here, a recent meeting of the C.E.A. reveals. Exhibitors, who have asked producers to continue the silent form of screen entertainment, have been successful in having a resolution passed asking the General Council, through a committee of independent theater owners, to formulate a scheme to ensure a continuous supply of good silents and to increase that of talkie product on an economic basis. CLAIMS BRITISH QUOTA ACT NOT UPHELD BYEXHIBITORS London — The President of the Board of Trade uttered a direct warning to exhibitors with regard to quota fulfillment recently when he said that certain British studios have closed down because the quota of British films had not been enforced by theater owners. He also said that if no action was taken, the Government would be forced to maintain the provisions of the Films Act. Germany Censors Twelve American Films in Nov. Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Twelve American features were among the ii censored during November by the Reichstag in Berlin, according to the M. P. Division of the Dept. of Commerce. The balance consisted of 16 German made films and 17 foreign. This compares with 16 German and 23 foreign films censored during October. Rename B. I. P. Film London — British International Pictures have put into production "Elstree Calling," a musical talkie which will star all the famous headliners of the stage, screen and radio world. Adrian Brunei, director of "The Constant Nymph" is directing this picture at the English studio. RIchmount Pictures 723 7th Ave. Inc. New York City ' D. J. MOUNTAN, Pres. EXCLUSIVE foreigi representa tives for P.ayart Pi.tures Corporation and othrr eading independent producers and distributors. Cable Address: RICHPICSOC. Paris Cable Address: DEEJAY, London Cable Address: RICHPIC. N. Y. Exporting only the best In Motion Picture*