Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Wednesday, March 28, 1934 Campi to Map Review Board Policy Today (.Continued from page 1) with which Campi had not been confronted until now. One Code Authority member made considerable of the point that the review board, a government agency, had extended its request to this industry as part of its official duty, which concerns probing of code authorities in all industry from the angle of encouragement of monopolistic practices and that, because this industry was among the first to be called, it did not necessarily follow it had been singled out above all others. At Campi headquarters, it was explained it was the desire of Code Authority members to cooperate, but that it was felt further discussion with attorneys was advisable before taking any stand. The National Recovery Review Board, it was pointed out in another, but well-informed quarter, has no subpoena rights and that, therefore, Code Authority in this business would be within its scope to refuse to appear if its members so determined. Present at yesterday's meeting were Harold S. Bareford, alternate for Harry M. Warner ; Nicholas M. Schenck, Louis Phillips, alternate for George J. Schaefer ; Walter Vincent, alternate for Ed Kuvkendall ; Charles L. O'Reilly, R. H. Cochrane, Abe Montague, alternate for Jack Cohn. S. R. Kent, W. Ray Johnston and Leslie E. Thompson, the latter alternate for M. H. Aylesworth. Sales Executives Not Notified Yet (Continued from page 1) ber of Code Authority rather than as a sales executive. It is believed that John D. Clark, Fox general sales manager, may be summoned for the hearing in view of the fact that he has sat in frequently at Code Authority meetings as alternate for Sidney R. Kent. James R. Grainger, Universal general sales manager, Jules Levy, RKO sales manager, and Al Lichtman, vice-president of United Artists in charge of distribution, are out of town. Other sales executives had not received notifications to appear yesterday. Labor Arbitration Up for Discussion (Continued from page 1) the hearing on revision of the legitimate theatre code before Deputy Administrator William P. Farnsworth. Arbitration problems and proposals for the elimination of ticket scalping are expected to be points of considerable controversy. Recommendations on both questions will be contested. Chicago Sets Budget Chicago, March 27. — Local code board appointees at a meeting today set $1,000 per month as a tentative budget to cover all expenses. 800 Tickets Sold The committee in charge of the forthcoming Ampa "Naked Truth Dinner," to be held in New York on April 21 at the Astor, has received 800 reservations as of last night. Board Quiz Hangs On "C. A." Presence (Continued from page 1) ducing companies, including George Schaefer of Paramount, already summoned as a member of the Code Authority. Those asked to testify include Felix Feist, M-G-M ; Albert Warner, Warners; Abe Montague, Columbia ; John D. Clark, Fox ; Ned Depinet, RKO; Paul Burger, United Artists, and James R. Grainger, Universal As the board today switched to the subject of coal, tension between it and the National Recovery Administration became more acute, with indications that it would be one of the first matters to be brought to the attention of the President upon his return from Florida April 6. Recovery Administrator Hugh S. Johnson was made fully conversant with the situation today by Division Administrator Sol A. Rosenblatt, who yesterday refused to submit to questioning by the board. Keeps Files Closed Proceeding further with its policy of keeping aloof from the Recovery Administration, the board, which had already decided not to avail itself of the files, advice or information of the NRA, has issued orders that its files and information are not to be made available to Administration officials. Dissension among the members of the board has made its appearance, reports being current in Washington today that John F. Sinclair of New York was contemplating resigning as a result _ of the alleged haphazard manner in which investigations are being conducted. Members of the board have frankly admitted that they saw little opportunity for constructive work. Such hearings as have been held have disclosed that the complaints cover the same points and are being filed by the same persons as during negotiations of the codes. The board is entirely without technical staff, with no one held competent to give reliable and impartial information regarding trade practices and other points being brought up at the hearings. In the case of the film code. Mason does not appear to have studied or even heard of the several decisions of the Federal courts on block booking, designation of play dates and other points. Apprised of their existence by newspaper men. Mason declared he would look them up immediately before proceeding further with consideration of the points covered. Celebrity Making 24 A total of 24 color cartoons will be produced by Celebrity Productions for the 1934-35 season, with release through the independents. Schenck Starts East Hollywood, March 27. — Joseph M. Schenck. president of United Artists, has left for New York. Para.-Publix Asks for End Of Bankruptcy (Continued from page 1) attack by creditors' interests for several weeks and was not finally approved by the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals until May. The petition for a discharge from bankruptcy was filed by Rosenberg, Goldmark & Colin, Paramount's bankruptcy attorneys. Its approval by the court would relieve Paramount Publix of liability for debts after the final rerganization plan has been approved by creditors and approved by the court. Paramount's reorganization plan is being held in abeyance while the large claims filed against the company are being settled. Actual submission of the plan for the approval of creditors and the Federal court is not expected before next fall. Fremont Rent Claim On Para. Is Slashed A rent claim of $21,450 filed against Paramount Publix on behalf of the Fremont, at Fremont, O., was allowed in the reduced amount of $6,500 by Referee Henry K. Davis yesterday. All of that portion of the claim which represented future rent was disallowed, while a reduced allowance on the claim for past rent was approved. A past and future rent claim for $48,714 filed on behalf of the Paramount exchange building at Philadelphia is scheduled to be heard by the referee today. Para's Entire 60 To Be Ready May 15 (Continued from page 1) in work at the Paramount studio, including "Cleopatra" and "She Loves Me Not," both of which are on the 1934-35 schedule. Six additional pictures are being edited and five are in preparation, Cohen said. The Paramount production head said that 10 pictures will go into production during April and six during the first two weeks of Mav. Sign Writers Offer Modified Contracts New" contracts are being submitted to New York circuits today by Sign Writers' Union. Local 230. which are understood to represent a compromise on the local's original demands for a seven-hour day and four-day week, with a daily increase in wages of $1.50. Circuits opposed the first contract and prepared to meet a strike. Current agreements expire April 1. with the local expecting action on the new contracts by the end of the week. Four Circuits Here Seeking Board Place* Two Loew Cleveland Houses Go to Duals (Continued from pane I) double feature policy. The Granada will play two first run features every Friday. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. From Tuesday to Thursday, a single feature, second run following the State, will be shown. The Alhambra will play duals all week, with three changes. (Continued from page 1) tioned for the New Jersey boar However, the New Jersey setups hai been discarded and now members the selection committee are trying tq;] place them on the New York setup. I A suggestions has been made that] the clearance and zoning board for the J local territory' be increased to 13 which would take care of all interests! This recommendation is under fire iri-j asmuch as the code provides for orirj| six members. While some objections are said to have been leveled at Moskowitz, which might prevent his being named, Loew's is understood to have insisted on representation because of its investmenl in about 70 theatres. It is said th< company is the largest theatre holding company in the local field. RKO's interest is heavy and it like wise is demanding a place on th< board. The company is understoo< to be insisting that Thompson named as affiliated first run exhibi tor. Warners, whose interest in Nev Jersey houses is said to run arouni $32,000,000, are after places on botl the Xew York and Philadelphi boards. Jacocks is in charge of the atres across the Hudson and is under stood to be anxious to have a say i the setting up of the clearance am zoning schedules for both territories Skouras operates about 35 houses New York and New Jersey. Whil the elimination of the Jersey boar plan removes him as a possible selec tion there, he may be named to th first run unaffiliated post on the loca board. Skouras is an independent op erator in this territory and qualifie for this post. He will most likely ge it. Edward Rugoff, Brooklyn inde pendent circuit man, was originall; scheduled for the appointment. The committee on selections is slatd to meet today, but may postpone th session because of the Washingto hearing tomorrow. Actors' Federation To Receive Charte\ (Continued from page 1) and Artists of America at a meetin in the Biltmore Theatre. Fred Keat ing, president, and Ralph Whiteheac secretary, will officiate for the actor: j Among the speakers expected arj Aldermanic President Bernard 5 Deutsch. License Commissioner Pal ! Moss, Public Welfare Commissione Stanley Howe, Judge Jacob Pankiij Eddie Dowling, Victor Moore, Hug Frayne. Elias E. Sugarman, Bird £ Coler. Charles Baum and P. YV Coulcher. Vitaphone vs. Erpi Suit in a New Mov\ (Continued from page 1) in the suit are not true. It states thcl it is ready to submit proof. This move puts the suit back i| Chancery. It has been before thj Delaware Supreme Court on the d«l fendant's plea twice, the defendar] being sustained both times. Date fc| a hearing on the replication is to tl fixed later.