Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

54 MOTION PICTURE HERALD June 2 7, 1931 MU§IC AND TALENT MUSICIAN EMPLOYMENT ON UPGRADE Houses on Straight Sound Fewer This Year DAN RUSSO American Federation Votes to Continue Its Advertising Campaign To Place Members By ED DAWSON Conditions are on the upgrade for musicians. Fred W. Birnbach, assistant to Joseph Weber, president of the American Federation of Musicians, who has returned from the national convention at Chattanooga, is authority for the statement that theatre employment of musicians (which means motion picture houses), increased 50 per cent during the first four months of 1931. Optimistic, too, is Birnbach's statement that there has been a decrease in the number of houses turning to straight sound pictures this summer. RKO, he said, is putting fewer houses into exclusive sound entertainment than in 1930. "That," he said, "is a highlight of the whole situation. It shows that our plan of action during the past year was justified." In that statement, Birnbach referred to the advertising campaign of the Federation, which, by a vote of the convention, will be continued. To conduct this campaign musicians in theatres pay a defense fund of 2 per cent of their salafies. Supporting Birnbach's statement of better conditions in the musician employment situation, the Herald has learned, through a survey, that there is an upward trend in employment conditions in sight for this fall. Attending the national convention were 290 delegates, representing 250 locals in the United States and Canada. Joseph N. Weber was re-elected president. The complete executive personnel, as named at the conventiorij follows : President, Joseph N. Weber ; Vice president, Charles L. Bagley; Secretary, William J. Kerngood ; Treasurer, Harry E. Brenton. Member of the executive board from Canada: G. Bert Henderson. Members of the executive board from the United States : Fred W. Birnbach, who is also Weber's assistant ; A. C. Hayden, Chauncey A. Weaver, A. A. Greenbaum. Delegates to the American Federation of Labor: Joseph N. Weber (as provided in the By-Laws), Edward Canavan, W. Ralph Fettermann, C. A. "Weaver, J. W. Parks, Charles L. Bagley. Smilirvg Danny Russo is one of the best lilted and best known orchestra directors in the business. Danny, with his Orioles Orchestra, was one of the first units of this kind to be featured over the air. This was way back in 1926 over the Edgewater Beach Hotel station WEBH, and Danny holds the record for being held-over at this hotel longer than any other individual or band. When he first started there, Mark Fisher and Ted Fiorito were working for him and both these boys really owe their personal successes to him. Danny and his Orioles are now the main features at the Canton Tea Garden, Chicago, and their broadcasting over the KYW (NBC chain) is enjoyed by probably millions of people all over the country. Fox Films Keeps Witmark Despite Sale of Red Star Jay Witmark, vice president and general manager of Red Star Music company, will remain with the Fox Film corporation despite the sale of Red Star to the Sam Fox Music company. Just what will be his capacity, however, has not yet been decided. His contract has a year to run. Red Star will soon give up its offices at 729 Seventh avenue, New York. Morros in Charge Of Publix Music And Productions Starting on July 1, Boris Morros, who for the past two years has had charge of the Paramount-Publix musical activities, will have complete charge of both the music and production departments, maintaining offices both at the Paramount theatre building, New York City, and also at the Presentation studio in Astoria. Morros started his career with this corporation as a musical director, doing orchestral productions at the then Paramount house in Memphis, Tenn. His work showed such ability that when the first bandshows started to be produced in Des Moines, Iowa, he was sent there as musical advisor and assistant producer. After two years he was brought on to New York and given the post of head of the music department, which included not only full charge of musicians in all Paramount theatres but also charge of all music on the stages. Paramount's selection of Boris Morros is a "natural" one, inasmuch as his ability has shown him to be the man for the job. L M. Halperin, who has been in charge of production, leaves shortly for Detroit where he will assume charge as city manager of the 27 houses under Paramount control in that city. It is reported that Nat Kalcheim, who was formerly booking for the Wm. Morris Agency, and recently succeeded the late Earl Sanders, is to be Morros' assistant in booking of acts, though Sam Shayon continues as his right-hand man in all activities. Community Sing Club The Brooklyn Paramount has inaugurated a series of special summer activities. A new club, to be designated as the Judnickites, has been organized. Frankie Judnick, popular lobby accordion player, will lead a new kind of community singing every morning before the first show. Celebrates 16th Anniversary Al Dubin and Joe Burke, writers of popular songs, are celebrating the sixteenth anniversary of their partnership as a songwriting team. Coincidental with celebration of this anniversary comes publication by M. Witmark & Sons of their latest composition, "Many Happy Returns of the Day." UNIFORMS iMf COSTUMES js^sIVt^ohs BROOKS r^ss