Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

April 11, 19 3 1 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 13 INDUSTRY FACES HANDICAP IF NEW FIRE PREVENTION CODE IS ADOPTED Penny Ante Chicago (QP) — The extent to which this town has gone in for double featuring nnay be gleaned from the following newest wrinkles: One house, in order to steal a march on competition, is distributing 100,000 pasteboards which may be exchanged tor three admissions for the price of one. Heretofore, the theatre heavily had plugged two-forone admissions. Teatro del Lago had to go double features when it discovered its North Shore millionaire patronage was driving over into Chicago to take advantage of the bargain bills in various North Side houses. Double featuring of "Hell's Angels," which was supposed to be the height of something or other in this town, was outclassed with double featuring of "Cimarron." The 20th Century offered a double Jewish talker program during the Passover. In addition to its triple feature programs, the New Drake stages "give-away" nights. Next? Perhaps a move by which the management would permit customers to kiss the cashier or the usher, or else take home three rows of seats and a lobby divan. Two New Color Device Firms Are Established in New York Opticolor Corporation, Merrill Waide, president, has been formed to market a new three-color, additive process, to be made at the studio in Long Island City. It involves a lens to be attached to any standard projector. T. W. Phillips of Pennsylvania and Chester Breining are the men behind the venture. Rotocolor, invented by Harold Muller of New York, has opened offices. The new device involves a shutter attachable to any standard projector, and easily removed, allowing a quick change from black and white to color. Publix Theatres in Texas Elinninate All Stage Shows San Antonio — All Publix theatres in Texas will revert to a straight sound film policy beginning April 17, with all stage shows eliminated from the entertainment henceforth. Prohibitive cost of presentations is assigned as the reason. One year ago the same thing was tried, with a drop in box office receipts which made reinstallation imperative. Proposed Change Would Cost Huge Sums Wholesale Revision of Regulations on Handling Film Is Asked As Result of Sound The industry faces considerable difficulty in wholesale mechanical changes costing tremendous sums, if the annual convention of the National Fire Protection Association, scheduled for Toronto, May 11 to 14, passes recommendations calling for complete revision of standard regulations governing measures for fire prevention in handling motion picture film in exchanges, laboratories, studios and theatres. The adoption of a new code would automatically change local ordinances throughout the country, municipal authorities and fire insurance interests' accepting codes of the N.F.P.A. as an official model for fire prevention. The association's Committee on Hazardous Chemicals and Explosives already ha« compiled the changes and will recommend their passage. This would be the first wholesale change since 1919, and is understood to be considered necessary because of sound. Ask Fire-Resistive Construction New regulations provide for fire-resistive construction wherever feasible, automatic sprinkler protection over all rooms where film is handled in quantity, standard vaults for storage, and strict control of smoking and other potential sources of ignition of film. Following a series of fires in exchanges where nitrocellulose film was handled in quantity, the association prepared in 1919 regulations for safeguarding against this hazard. These regulations were applied largely by the industry, which through the Hays organization has been co-operating (Continued on page 46) Operators Closely Watching Reopening of Golf Courses San Francisco — Theatre owners are watching carefully the reopening of numerous miniature golf courses throughout the city. One exhibitor, who installed a course near his house, claimed he was not at all affected at the box office by the other courses last year. Remarque May Aid in Filnning "Quiet" Sequel, "Road Back" Hollywood — Erich Remarque, German author of "All Quiet on the Western Front" is expected at the Universal studio in the fall for filming of the sequel, "The Road Back." Meanwhile, another Remarque story, "Fate," will go into production for June release. "LiHle Caesar" Goes Free! Chicago (QP) — Little Caesar has been ordered set free! At last, after three months, the Warner Brothers picture of that name comes out of the detention camp established by the Chicago censor board, but it took a writ of mandamus, issued by Judge Marcus Kavanagh, ordering the Chicago censor board to release the print. The court action was initiated only after the exchange had tried in vain to effect a compromise with the board on the cuts demanded. Plans were made immediately to open the picture simultaneously Thursday at the Woods and Warners Orpheum, but — The censors at latest reports were not burning up any fountain pens in issuing a permit as ordered by the court, and the exchange had visions of a move for a restraining order. The case has paralleled that of "The Doorway to Hell," in which censors, churches and women's clubs raised their voices stentoriously in protest. Judge Kavanagh's writ permits exhibition of the picture without change — no eliminations and no restriction to adults. Evans Makes Dramatic Exit From PCT at Annual Meeting London — Lack of harmony between the Ostrer brothers, bankers and owners of P. C. T., and the circuit's managing director, Will Evans, is understood to have promoted the resignation of Evans, tendered dramatically at the annual stockholders' meeting here. Evans will temporarily remain with the company, but minus the managing director's title. His resignation was followed by a request that stockholders vote employees an extra week's salary for aiding progress of the company. Stockholders, however, turned thumbs down on the proposition ; nor did Isidore Ostrer, chairman, appear favorably inclined to the bonus. Profit of P.C.T. in 1930 increased $350,000 over 1929. Gaynor and Baxter Teanned Hollywood (QP)— Janet Gaynor and Warner Baxter will star in "Daddy Long Legs" for Fox. Charlie Farrell will return from his European trip on May 1 and will make "Merely Mary Anne" with her. Laennmie Biography April 10 "The Life and Adventures of Carl Laemmle," biography by John Drinkwater, will be issued April 10. A foreword has been written by Will H. Hays.