Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Lasky Holds Unit System Quality Hope {Continued from page 1) realize that there must be some form of modified quantity production to supply some 20,000-odd theatres in America alone. "Most of us feel that mass production is responsible for some of the poor pictures being produced. Mass production, with its handicaps of company policy, release dates, minimum budgets, set schedules of production and star assignments, gave birth to the program picture. "Its existence can be made worthwhile and the quality average raised immeasurably through the fostering of unit or independent production. Also by placing the blame for mediocre product not upon the producing company, but upon the shoulders of those who make it. As the movement gathers momerftum, and responsibilities become more clearly defined the program picture of today will vanish and in its place will come its quality offspring — a picture intelligently produced that represents full value in story, cast and production for the amount expended. "Unlike Goldwyn, I believe there are many times 50 good story possibilities hovering around Hollywood. After all, there is nothing original in stories. All of the tremendous hits of today and the past have plots and themes centuries old. Therefore, we don't lack stories so much as we lack novelty of treatment and the moulding of those stories into new forms and patterns." Globe Plans Twelve Hollywood, Feb. 13. — Globe Pictures, Inc., newly formed by Larry Darmour, in association with H. C. Hopper, managing director of the Cinema Mercantile Corp., plans to produce 12 features, starting work around April 1. The company will conduct its own exchanges, with offices opening first in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington. Four more exchange cities will be selected later. FitzPatrick on Trip James A. FitzPatrick, shorts subject producer, is on the seas bound for North Africa and various Mediterranean ports to gather material for five "Travel Talks" he has yet to deliver to M-G-M on the current season's line-up. Seven already have been delivered. He is aboard the Columbus and will be gone for about two months. King's First Is Set Hollywood, Feb. 13. — As his first picture under his new contract with Fox, Henry King will direct "Marie Galante," from the novel by Jacques Deval. The picture will have an allstar cast yet to be selected. William K. Howard was scheduled to direct. Columbia-Niblo Deal Hollywood, Feb. 13. — Columbia and Fred Niblo are reported getting together on a deal for the latter to direct two pictures. Wagner Bill Seen Touching K. C. Row Kansas City, Feb. 13.— Announcement in Washington by Senator Robert F. Wagner of New York that he has prepared a bill for Congress to make the National Labor Board a permanent government agency with unquestioned authority for the settlement of labor disputes is of particular importance to Kansas City. Several attempts to arbitrate differences between exhibitors and union crafts have been fruitless because of the assumption that the Regional Labor Board, under jurisdiction from the National Labor Board, has no power to enforce its decisions. That view has been persistently held by Ed Dubinsky, who is involved in disputes with the operators and stagehands in Kansas City and St. Joseph, Mo. Despite the fact he recently submitted to arbitration of the St. Joseph muddle before the Regional Labor Board at St. Louis, he still maintains that body is powerless to enforce its findings and that, as a result, arbitration or mediation will lead nowhere. A dispatch to the Kansas City Star says Senator Wagner's bill apparently has administration approval, and continues : "Under the Wagner bill the labor board would be given the power to subpoena witnesses, to hold hearings, and to act in arbitration matters. But both parties would have to agree in advance to abide by the decision. Senator Wagner believes the publication of the board's decisions would be sufficient in many cases to force compliance." Plans Regional Codes For Local Industry Washington, Feb. 13.— A new policy to govern the handling of local trade and service industries, contemplating the development of regional codes to supplement national agreements "in order to foster fair competition and eliminate unfair competitive practices between local trade and service enterprises," was enunciated today bv Hugh S. Tohnson. The administrator explained that national codes will in general be applied to those partially local trades and industries which provide necessary outlets for productive enterprises of a national character. But that other local trade and service enterprises "will be encouraged to organize themselves for regional self-government and to adopt resrional codes or agreements with the President effectuating the policy of the NRA, which, when aonroved by the President, will entitle those signing and complying with the agreements to the Blue Eagle." "To avoid any possible misunderstanding," _ Tohnson stated, "it should be emphasized that we propose by the means suggested to supplement and not to depart from the renuirements of existing codes. The effect of establishing national standards in trades and industries of a Partially local character has been highly beneficial to the public and private interests involved, and these gains must be preserved." So far as the film industry is concerned, it is believed the local boards to be set up under the code will carry out the idea of Johnson's program. Seek to Cut Down Giveaways in K. C. (Continued from page 1) movement toward stabilization of admission scales. Only one of these practices would be allowed during seven days, and only on one day a week, according to present plans. This limitation is designed for a code of fair practice among the suburbans themselves, as well as the basis of negotiations with Loew's to raise the first run Midland's price above 25 cents. While mediation by Joseph A. Cooper, Publix operating partner in the middle west, has been accepted by exhibitors, present indications are the matter will rest until the code boards are named. It is felt that action by the authorized bodies will carry more weight. The limitation of "price evasions" to one a week has been okayed by Cooper as a condition of his mediation with Loew's. Cooper informed the exhibitors they would have to agree on restrictions, following which he would present the plan to E. A. Schiller, operating head of the circuit. Cooper entered the picture at the suggestion of Ed Dubinsky. Expect to Complete Code Boards Friday First of a series of meetings was held yesterday in an attempt to complete final recommendations for personnel of the various clearance and zoning and grievance boards. The committee consists of John D. Clark, Charles L. O'Reilly, George J. Schaefer, W. Ray Johnston, Nathan Yamins and Ed Kuykendall and will meet again today at the New York Athletic Club and sift suggestions for the boards. If necessary, the committee will meet again tomorrow and try to finish up the boards' personnel so that a complete list can be presented to the Code Authority at its session Friday. The only factor which may hold up official announcement of the approved boards Friday is the sanctioning of impartial members who will sit on each of the set-ups. About 200 recommendations are now being checked by Division Administrator Sol A. Rosenblatt, who must approve the selections. Yesterday's count on unqualified assents received by the authority was 7,413. Employers Must Post Up NRA Labor Rules Washington, Feb. 13. — Regulations requiring employers operating under codes to post the labor provisions of their codes conspicuously in their establishments were issued today by Recovery Administrator Hugh S. Johnson. Official copies of the hour and wage provisions of the code to which he is subject will be furnished to each employer. These copies will include detailed instructions for the proper filing of complaints of violation of the labor provisions. Failure to comply with the posting requirement will be punishable by a fine of $500 or imprisonment up to six months, or both. The regulations also provide for registration within 30 days by employers with their code authorities of the number and locations of their establishments. Wednesday, February 14, Bank Opposed Bond Purchase] By Paramount (Continued from pane 1) with funds of Paramount Picture Distributing Corp. There is a $435, 000 bond issue outstanding, and th' plan for which approval was sougl yesterday contemplates buying up a many of these as possible at a maxi, mum rate of $33 for each $100 bonq Bonds in the amount of $205,900 ar already available for purchasing o that basis, A. A. Laporte, of counsc for the trustees, stated. The principal reasons given by Ls porte for acquisition of the Tennesse Enterprises bonds was to further th reorganization plans for that bankrui and to retain for Paramount th Tivoli, at Chattanooga, which Lj porte described as the "biggest asset of the bankrupt subsidiary. The plan was approved by Refere Davis with the sanction of a majorit of the creditors present. Counsel fc the Commercial National Bank, how ever, declared that while they woulj approve the Tennessee Enterprist plan it would, in the future, oppo;{ similar plans or any policy of "e> pending cash accumulated by the di: tribution department to salvage Pan mount's great real estate empire." "Such moves should be made in tr course of the reorganization plan fc Paramount Publix, we believe," courjl sel for the bank declared. Realty Associates Case Off to Apr. Federal Judge Robert A. Inch i Brooklyn yesterday reserved decisic on the motion of George Z. Medal for a bill of particulars in the three ii dictments against 12 officers, directoi and agents of the New York Inves ors, Inc., and its affiliate, Realty A sociates Securities Corp. Judge Inc gave the defendants until Feb. 26 ' submit briefs and set April 4th as tl date for the trial. Yesterday was the fourth time tl trial has been postponed. The 12 me were indicted on Jan. 2 on chargi of using the mails to defraud, coi cealment of assets in abaukruptcy a tion and conspiracy to defraud bon< holders through the solicitation < proxies in order to effect a reorgan zation of the Realty Associates Secur ties Corp. Seeking Outsiders Hollywood, Feb. 13. — Jesse ] Lasky is considering going off the Fc lot for topline names for "Springtin for Henry" which is slated to go in production on Feb. 19. Nigel Bru< already is set for a role. Luncheons Are Resume Get-together luncheons have bee resumed by the Miniature Movi' Institute and the 16mm. Board Trade. The gatherings are held tl third Thursday of each month at tl Hotel Victoria. Schenck Nears Coast Hollywood, Feb. 13. — Nicholas I Schenck and Mrs. Schenck are due San Diego from New York on Fi day.