Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

Tuesday, March 20, 1934 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Peru Unit Charter Secured by Warners Dover, March 19. — Warners have filed a charter of incorporation here :odav for Warner Bros.-F. N. Films if Peru, Inc.. capitalized at §10,000, :o distribute films in Peru. Incorporation of the new Warner South American subsidiary is in anticipation of the opening of a branch jffice in Lima, Warners foreign department said yesterday. Council Meets Tomorrow The M. P. Research Council holds ts first national conference at the Hotel Roosevelt tomorrow. Among the speakers will be Mrs. August Belmont, president ; Herbert S. Houston, former publisher of World's Work, md Dr. Frederick Peterson. Mrs. James Roosevelt, mother of the President, recently appointed honDrary vice-president of the Council, is urging American parents to support its campaign for better films. Pick Arliss Title Hollywood, March 19. — "The Last Gentleman" has been picked as the title of George Arliss' second for 20th Century. It is now in production with Sidney Lanfield directing. Radio Borrows Boles Hollywood, March 19. — Radio has borrowed John Boles from Fox to play the lead opposite Irene Dunne in Age of Innocence." "Wild Gold" Final Title Hollywood, March 19. — The final title on Fox's California gold rush film, now in the cutting room, is "Wild Bold." Tries Trick Fountain Rochester, March 19.— It may be a small playhouse — the neighborhood Rexy — but it has ideas. Manager Carol Fenyvessy has stirred up plenty of curiosity and some publicity on his two magic drinking fountains in the lobby constructed by the theatre's engineers. The fountains spout automatically at the approach of a prospective drinker. The secret lies in the reflection of lobby lights from a tilted mirror focussed on a photoelectric cell. No Seattle Time Change Seattle, March 19. — Citizens of this city have decided that there will be no "daylight saving" here during the summer of 1934, or any other year. The proposal was submitted on general election ballot, and was beaten by almost 50,000 against, to $32,000 in favor. The campaign against the measure was conducted by the theatre and film interests, and included trailers in more than 40 theatres, billboards and radio addresses. Lease Wilmington Hall Wilmington, N. C, March 19. — Howard Theatres, Inc., of Wilmington have leased Thalian Hall from the city and plan to start films there April 1. Members of the firm appearing before the board were James H. Howard and P. W. Wells, formerly operators of the Bijou here, and L. B. Hannah, all of Wilmington. Junior Operators of Jersey Win in Court Trenton, March 19. — Junior members of Operators' Local 384 of Jersey City have won an injunction from the Court of Errors and Appeals preventing the 74 senior members of the union from infringing upon their rights. They have been trying to get an accounting of union funds. They claim they have to pay 10 per cent of their salaries to the union and have been prevented from obtaining full membership by a $3,000 initiation fee. Their salaries are below the union scale. Novarro Plans Tour Hollywood, March 19. — Ramon Novarro will return to New York on March 26, from where he will sail for South America on April 2 on the first leg of an international concert tour. He has been granted a year's leave by M-G-M. Roach Title Changed Hollywood, March 19. — Hal Roach Studios have changed the title of their current comedy-musical from "Hollywood Girl Made Good" to "Duke for a Day." James Parrott is directing. James on New Ticket Hollywood, March 19. — Rian James has signed a three way ticket with Universal and will act as an associate producer, writer and director in the future. Goes Double For Week Los Angeles, March 19. — Loew's State will go double bill here for Holy Week, showing "Lazy River" and "Murder in Trinidad," doing this to capitalize on school vacations. Urges Catholics to Boycott Bad Films Buffalo, March 19. — National use of the boycott against films considered to be objectionable apparently is the aim of the Catholic Action Society. More than 3,000 Catholic young people at a convention here unanimously adopted a resolution to stay away from morally objectionable films, to persuade others to do likewise and to send personal protests to producers who make them. Rev. Daniel A. Lord, S.J., author and frequently an assistant in direction of films having religious themes, addressed the assembly, urging the boycott and citing an organized boycott against "The Sign of the Cross" in Chicago which he said caused Paramount a $125,000 loss. Mayor George J. Zimmermann, present at the convention, endorsed the boycott idea for Buffalo. King and Lesser Split Hollywood, March 19. — John King, formerly connected with the BennettKing Productions and now owner of the dog Kazan, has cancelled his distribution contract for the Kazan series with Sol Lesser and Principal Pictures. While negotiating a new release, King will state right his product. Oliver Drake is writing the screen treatments and will also direct. Schulberg Signs Wells Hollywood, March 19. — Jacqueline Wells has signed a seven-year contract with B. P. Schulberg at Paramount coincident with her nomination as a 1934 Wampas Baby Star. The actress is currently appearing in "The Black Cat" at Universal. .and ALEXANDER KORDA'S PRODUCTION OF CATK€RID€ TKfc CR€AT Hzoo. DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, Jr. ELIZABETH BERGNER Directed by PAULCZINNER ^^^^ [,40 _ £4 °>A £oV°' top this