Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

8 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Tuesday, March 20, 1934 F.&M. Tips Prices; Others May Follow (Continued from page 1) ing evenings the former 40-cent figure is now 55 cents. In San Francisco the price list at the Orpheum has been upped from 25 cents to 35 cents for matinees and from 40 cents to 55 cents for evenings. The coast move may be followed by F. W. C. and suburban exhibitors. Charles Skouras already is said to have given his whole-hearted approval to the move and will institute the changes shortly. Independents .and suburban operators may also join the band wagon. Because of the devaluation of the dollar and definite indications of an upward trend in business, F. & M. executives hold that prices must be raised to the level of present economic conditions. Signs of business uptrend are conclusively evidenced in the run of "It Happened One Night," at the Fox, St. Louis, F. & M. officials state. The usual policy of week runs was broken down last week when the Columbia picture ran 19 days. On one of the days there was a snowstorm and the following day business more than doubled the usual day's receipts. In this connection, circuit heads take the stand that future releases will stand on their own merits. They figure that if a picture stands up for more than a week the booking will last as long as the cashier continues to show favorable reports. This policy is only for the Fox and St. Louis, in St. Louis, but will be continued in all F. & M. nouses shortly. Four pictures dated to follow "It Happened One Night" are expected to run more than nine weeks. The films are "David Harum," "George White's Scandals," "Wild Cargo" and "Stand Up and Cheer" in the order of bookings. Attitude of F. & M.-ites is that the public will flock to good pictures and the bad ones will get no money at all. If the product is good, increases in admissions will not keep away patronage, is the way the situation is viewed. Majestic Men Here For Company Talks (Continued from page 1) pected, a successor to Phil Goldstone, producer, will be set. Attending the meet are Ben Judell of Chicago, Anthony Luchesse of Philadelphia, Jack Berkowitz of Buffalo, Bernard Mills of Albany, Jack Jossey of Cleveland and Jim Alexander of Pittsburgh. "Unknown Blonde," formerly known as "The Divorce Bed" is the last picture Goldstone made. It's now ready for release. RCA Men Silent on London Radio Story (Continued from page 1) control of the British Broadcasting Company's radio monopoly by RCA, David Sarnoff and S. L. (Roxy) Rothafel. "We know nothing about the report," one RCA official said, "and do not care to make any statement, even in denial." To Show Test Shorts A public showing of experimental shorts will be given by the Film & Photo League at the New School for Social Research on March 31. All pictures on the program have been independently produced and have been displayed only before private film societies. Goldwyn Gets Going On 1934-35 Lineup Hollywood, March 19.— Returning from New York, Samuel Goldwyn has thrown himself into preparation for the new season's program, which will include two films with Anna Sten and one with Eddie Cantor. "Resurrection," the first, will be placed in production April 15 with Fredric March and Miss Sten co-starred. Then will come "Barbary Coast," in which Gary Cooper will have top billing. This will be followed by the Cantor film. Look for Choice of Wage Group Friday Naming of the committee to set up the basic wage scale for local theatres is expected this week when Division Administrator Sol A. Rosenblatt arrives from Washington to attend the Code Authority session. Rosenblatt gets in Friday and is expected to name the personnel following the meeting. Vidor Clinches Deal With U. A. as Indie (Continued from page 1) United Artists. He is financing the entire production himself and will make it on the United Artists lot. Tom Keene, Karen Morley, John T. Qualen and Barbara Pepper comprise the cast so far. Lehman Decides to Accepts K.C. Post Kansas City, March 19. — Lawrence Lehman, manager of the RKO Mainstreet, who was quoted as saying he would be unable to serve on the local grievance board because of illness, has decided to accept the appointment. Lehman is convalescing from a serious illness which confined him for two weeks in Menorah Hospital. Objection has been expressed to placing Lehman on grievances on the ground that since most grievances are expected to emanate from subsequent run and small-town sources, he is handicapped by lack of familiarity with these operations. The suggestion has been made that he switch positions with Elmer C. Rhoden, Fox Midwest division manager, who is on clearance and zoning, but is considered qualified to serve on grievances. Jay Means, president of the I. T. O.,: still protests he will not serve as a member of grievances unless he receives formal and official notification. Returned from Tour E. W. Hammons, president of Educational ; Jack Skirball, sales manager, and Harvey Day, special representative for "Terry-Toons," returned yesterday from a tour of the Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland and Cincinnati Fox exchanges. Flinn Talks on Radio Executive Secretary John C. Flinn o Code Authority yesterday spoke over WINS for 15 minutes at the request of the XRA. Flinn went on at P. M. and discussed his report recently submitted in Washington. f ITOA Directors to Meet Directors of the I.T.O.A. meet today and the regular meeting set foi tomorrow afternoon has been callec off due to the installation banquet tc be held at the Astor tomorrow night Mayor LaGuardia is expected to at tend. a n by HAM FISHER with JIMMY DURANTE LUPE VELEZ STUART ERWIN PRODUCED BY EDWARD SMALL Presented by Reliance Pittvret 7 «J