Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

Friday, February 16, 1934 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Smith Named Head of Ohio Independents Columbus, Feb. 15. — The Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio perfected its organization at a meeting today at the Deshler-Wallick Hotel here with the election of officers. Martin G. Smith, Toledo, was named president ; Elmer Shard, Cincinnati, first vice-president; Sam Lind, Zanesville, second vice-president; M. B. Horwitz, Cleveland, treasurer; Pete Wood, secretary and business manager. Named as directors were Henry Greenberger and John D. Kalafat, Cleveland; Willis Vance and Frank W. Huss, Cincinnati; Max Stern and J. Real Neth, Columbus; Robert Menches, Akron; Xat Charnas, Toledo; John Schwalm, Hamilton; L. F. Eick, Martin's Ferry; Henry Bieberson, Delaware; Earl Myers, Chillicothe, and Paul Ellis, Warren. Headquarters will be maintained permanently in Cleveland and Cincinnati, with a temporary office in Columbus when the Legislature is in session. Some 100 exhibitors were present These represented approximately 250 theatres, practically a 1 1 enrolled. Every independent in the state is eligi ble, with producer-controlled and cir cuit-affiliated houses excluded. The prime purpose of the organization is to fight the present admission tax and secure a square deal for its members under the code. The Cleveland M. P. Exhibitors Ass'n. and the Ohio Valley Independent Exhibitors' League, which are parties to the new organization, will continue to function as heretofore Dues of $25 for houses up to 500 seats were decided upon with seven and a half cents per seat for houses of 500 to 1,000 seating capacity and 10 cents per seat for those seating more than 1,000. Dues are payable semi-annually in advance. Horwitz, who was Cleveland delegate to the code meetings in Washington, discussed the good and bad features of the code from the point of view of the independent. He said 80 per cent of Cleveland's independents had refrained from signing the code because they believed it "incomplete" and were waiting to see what changes, if any, would be made by the Code Authority. Philadelphia Cut Rates Cause Worry (Continued from page 1) w ith a "pit," throwing onen large portions of the orchestra, balcony and gallery on an unreserved seat basis at half-price. Box-office scales at both theatres range from 25c to $2, with the bulk of the seats under one dollar. "Among Those Sailing," "By Your Leave," "Her Majesty, the Widow" and "Dangerous Corner" have played at these houses to large crowds, grossing between $5,000 to $8,000, which means plenty of profit. Before these shows clicked at the Erlanger, the house was rumored for pictures as an inde outlet, with Majestic mentioned as being interested. Nirdlinger, however, has decided to run through the season with legit shows, having several bookings to draw from. F. & M. Line Up Product St. Louis, Feb. 15. — The recently formed Eden Theatre Co., operating subsidiary for Fanchon & Marco, have signed film contracts for the Fox and St. Louis said to involve upwards of $100,000. First of the series is "Carolina," current attraction at the Fox. and "The Ninth Guest" and "The Song You Gave Me" at the St. Louis. Film K. C. Polling Kansas City, Feb. 15.— Motion picture cameras were brought into play in Kansas City's municipal election registration. Members of the National Youth Movement, a reform organization owning cameras, stationed themselves at the polls to obtain visible records of the "ghost vote" or registration repeaters, as well as make records of any rough action at registration places. This vigilance will be repeated at the spring elections. Academy Invites 20 For Shorts Awards Hollywood, Feb. 15. — More than 20 short subjects producers have been invited to submit their releases between Aug. 1, 1932, and Dec. 31, 1933, for consideration of the Awards Committee of the Academy. This will be the second short subjects award and will be made at the annual banquet March 16. The first screening for nominations will be on Feb. 22. Fifteen members of the Academy, including actors, directors, technicians, writers and producers, will be represented. Behind the Make-Up By F. J. NEIDIG DuWorld, Judell in Deal DuWorld Pictures, Inc., have contracted with B. N. Judell of Chicago for distribution of "Dawn to Dawn" in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Va. Sunday Bill Loses Richmond, Feb. 15. — Sunday theatre openings have been defeated again by a vote of 62-28 in the House. Amity Pictures Moves Amity Pictures has moved into arger quarters in the Godfrey Building at 729 7th Ave. M-G-M Signs Lederer Hollywood, Feb. 15.— Charles Ledger has been signed to a writing conTact by Irving Thalberg at M-G-M. LILYAN TASHMAN, who recently finished an important role in Norma Shearer's latest, "Lady Mary's Lover," is here for a co-starring role in "Frankie and Johnny" to be produced and directed by Chester Erskine for All Star Prod, at Biograph. • All Star Prod, announce engagement of Walter Kingsford, wellknown legitimate and light comedy star; for one of the important roles in the picture. • Kingsford, currently appearing as one of the principal players in "The Pursuit of Happiness," has toured with Jane Cowl in "Twelfth Night," "Art and Mrs. Bottle" and "Camille." He played the lead in Lord Dunsany's "If" and soon after coming to this country from England made a national reputation with his work in support of Ethel Barrymore. John Drew and Mrs. Minnie Maddern Fiske. This will be his first appearance in pictures. • Al Christie has completed a semimusical comedy for Educational at the Eastern Service Studio in Astoria. Bob Hope of "Roberta" and Leah Ray were starred with the supporting cast including Jules Epailly, Francis Halliday and Vicki Cummings. The storv was written by Art Jarrett and William Watson with photography by Georere Weber and Sol Midwall and Bill Kelly. Fred Scheld and Warren Murray assisted in direction with Phil Cohen handling the music. This is Hope's first of a series for Educational. Miss Ray's first appearance in pictures was in Maurice Chevalier's "A Bedtime Story," in which she sang "Look What I've Got." B. A. Rolfe and his orchestra appear in "A Jollv Good Fellow" under direction of Joseph Henabery at Yitaphone. The supporting cast included Beverly Phalon, Dolly Arden, Sally Woodall and the quartette, Men About Town. Another Ben Blue comedy was recently completed at Vitaphone under direction of Ralph Staub. The supporting cast included Cora Witherspoon, Hugh Cameron, Vicki Cummings and Herb Warren. The cameras were handled by Ed DuPar and Ray Foster with the story written by Jack Henley and Dolph Singer. Jack Henley apparently does not suffer from writer's cramp as this is his 170th story in 23 months. Cora Witherspoon did some heavy commuting while working in this picture as she is also appearing in "Mackerel Skies" on Broadway. That's one way to keep an actress' daylight hours from growing dull. • Roy Mack is directing another Broadway Brevity comedy starring Gertrude Niesen at the same plant. The cast included Roscoe Ails, Weldon Heyburn, The Randalls (a dance trio) and Vitaphone's own chorus. The story was written by Cy Woods and Eddie Moran and the cameras were handled by Ed DuPar and Ray Foster and their assistants Sam Marino and Rav Smith. Walter Strenge and Bill Kelly expect to leave this week to shoot the winter games at Dartmouth for M-G-M. "Fashions" Is Boston High, With a Revue Boston, Feb. 15. — Grosses showed a little improvement this week over the preceding week, but were still below those of recent weeks. Extreme cold weather caused some of the drop. The Metropolitan, with "Fashions of 1934" and Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1934, pulled $34,000, over par by $6,000. "Meanest Gal in Town" at RKO Boston, where three stars were billed in personal appearances, was good for $19,000, up by $3,000. RKO Keith's with "Hips, Hips, Hooray," and "This Side of Heaven" at Loew's State were well over average. Total first run business was $107,000. Average is $95,000. Estimated takings for the week ending Feb. 8 : "THE MEANEST GAL IN TOWN" (Radio) BOSTON— (2,900), 25c-50c, 7 days. Stage: Benny Rubin, Fifi D'Orsay, Reggie Childs. Gross: $19,000. (Average. $16,000.) "FOUR FRIGHTENED PEOPLE" (Para.) "EASY TO LOVE" (Warners) FENWAY— (1,800), 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $8,500. (Average, $9,000.) "HIPS, HIPS, HOORAY" (Radio) KEITH'S— (3,500), 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $18,500. (Average, $16,000.) "THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (3,700), 35c-50c, 7 days. Yaude. Gross: $18,000. (Average, $16,000.) "FASHIONS OF 1934" (Warners) METROPOLITAN— (4,350). 30c-65c, 7 days. Stage: Blackbirds of 1934 and Lew Leslie. Gross: $34,000. (Average. $28,000.) "FOUR FRIGHTENED PEOPLE" (Para.) "EASY TO LOVE" (Warners) PARAMOUNT— (1,800), 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $9,000. (Average. $9,000.) New Theatre Opens At Asheville, N. C. Asheville, Feb. 15. — The State, a new house, was opened in Asheville this week, offering "Moonlight and Pretzels" as the initial attraction. Present for the opening were : Sam W. Craver of Charlotte, president of C. L. & W. Theatres, Inc.; T. A. Little of Raleigh, and H. B. Wynne of Greenville, S. C. Chester R. Glenn of Asheville is manager with an all-Asheville staff of employes. Remodeled at a cost of $25,000, the State will show second runs at popular prices. Griffiths Coming East Hollywood, Feb. 15. — Raymond Griffith, accompanied by Mrs. Griffith, will leave Hollywood tomorrow for New York. The associate producer will spend a week on Broadway looking for story material for 20th Century and then will sail on the Majestic for London on an eight weeks' pleasure trip. Takes Louisville House Canton, O., Feb. 15.— W. A. Smith has taken a four-year lease on the Owen at Louisville, from Harold Sherer, and is operatir it seven days a week, with four program changes weekly. Dorothy Lee Is III Hollywood, Feb. 15. — Dorothy Lee is confined to her home with a throat infection which may prevent her scheduled personal appearances in Denver the latter part of February.