Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

30 Motion Picture News October 4 , 19 3 0 Musicians End Montreal Strike; Wages Boosted Montreal — Strike of musicians here has been settled and the orchestra and vaudeville will be resumed Sunday at Loew's. The musicians have obtained a year's contract without a cancellation clause. Orchestra of the Capitol also will return, to be augmented by 20 pieces, with stage shows to make their appearance Oct. 11. The agreement with the Capitol includes a cancellation clause with four weeks' notice. The Imperial is continuing without an orchestra and stage shows have been dropped permanently. \\ age scale of the Capitol provides for an increase, the new rate being $70 weekly. The strike dates back to Aug. 31 when the Capitol musicians refused to consider a new contract which included a cancellation clause with two weeks' notice. The other orchestras walked out in sympathy Oct. 11. Renews with Fox Pat J. Flaherty has renewed his contract as Vice-president and general manager of Red Star Music Co., Fox music publishing subsidiary. Coincident with this announcement comes word of an immediate expansion program calling for the augmenting of the Red Star branches in Boston, Detroit and Chicago, toward which end Pat Flaherty leaves shortly for these national centers. Renew Negotiations of Chicago Union Demands Chicago — Consultations between Jack Miller, president of the Exhibitors' Association of Chicago, and Tom Maloy, business manager of the Chicago Operators' Union, on modification of the union's demand for two men in the sound booth were resumed here this week. Chicago exhibitors contend that only one man in the booth is required, and are seeking an adjustment with the union which will validate the reduction. The consultations began in mid-summer, but were interrupted by Maloy's trip to London as one of the American delegates to the International Trades Unions' conference there. Police Gathering More Evidence in Labor Fight Hamilton, Ont. — As police are collecting additional evidence, W. P. Covert, third international vice-president of the stagehands' and operators' union, has been further remanded. He is charged with intimidation by Anthony Patzalek, proprietor of the Playhouse, following bombing of the Queen's theatre here. Musicians Face Seattle Blowup Seattle — Whether the symphony orchestra here was to have its season contract cancelled and be disbanded was being awaited following ultimatum to the musicians that they must abandon their position in refusing to rehearse because Conductor Carl Krueger employed a first 'celloist from another city. The majority of the symphony musicians are employed regularly in local theatre orchestras and are attempting to invoke a rule that applies in all theatres, namely that out-of-town musicians cannot be employed while local musicians are available. No Strike Parleys Montreal — Strike of the musicians at the Imperial anticipated the dropping of vaudeville there by only thre weeks, it is intimated by Manager Howard C'onover. Therefore tin "strike" is permanent and no iations for the return of the orchestra an being madi Sympathy Strike Looms in St. Louis St. Louis — With threats heard of a sympathy strike of stagehands and operators, conferences are being held in an efifort to break the deadlock in the musician-' strike here. All orchestras in the city are out, following argument over the number of men to be employed in the pits of the St. Louis and Fox. Following this jam. the Skouras Embassador and Missouri and the St. Louis Amusement Co. dropped musicians. "Billy, the Kid" Hollywood — Previewed for the first lime on wide film, M-G-M's "Billy, the Kid" had the audience wild over the Bcenic effects and the depth of the images. The long scenic shots show increa-cd depth over standard-si/e film. The picture has been cut greatly and a new ending added, making the stor\ much better and more complete. CROUCH Ultimatum to Operators Issued at Tacoma, Wash. Tacoma, Wash. — Exhibitors here have issued an ultimatum, expiring Saturday, demanding a one-man-in-the-booth policy. If the union refuses, non-union operators will In' employed. Chevalier to Lunnon in Nov. London — Maurice Chevalier is due here Nov. 28 to appear on a vaude bill at the I union, which opens Doc. 1. Office Workers' Union Launches Drive in N. Y. Organization of office workers in the film industry, together with those similarly employed in other lines, is being undertaken by t.he Office Workers' Union, New York, following wholesale slashes of office personnel by various home offices. An appeal directed to office workers of United Artists was being circulated this week following retrenchment moves by that company, which resulted in the gate for some office workers. The union is urging office workers to battle against overtime without pay, demanding shorter hours and time and one-half for extra work. Unemployment insurance also is provided for under the union's plan. Terre Haute Gets Tough With Miniature Courses Terre Haute, Ind. — Miniature golf courses here were taken under the jurisdiction of the city council and an ordinance was passed fixing a license fee, closing the links at midnight. The ordinance places an annual fee of $75 on the courses and was passed by unanimous vote of the council. The courses shall open no earlier than 5 o'clock in the morning and close at midnight. It is required that order must be maintained at all times and that no radio may be operated on the courses after 11 at night. For violation of the ordinance the operator may be fined from $25 to $250. Tom Thumb Golf Hits Skids at Tampa, Fla. Tampa, Fla. — That "tiny putter" golf is on the toboggan in this city is evident by the yelp of protest against a $50 a year license tee which was handed 'em by the city council last week, while theatres have to pass over live hundred berries each year to satisfy the state, county and city. Further evidence of the way the straws are blowing showed up in the advertising of "The Hub." a neighborhood course which has been taken over by two girls, and who are operating the course FREE of charge to the public for the remaining ten days of the month. Hurt Building Iota Course Two workmen were injured in constructing an indoor miniature golf course at the old Lenox theatre, Lenox Ave. and 11th St., New York, when the theatre ceiling fell. Status Quo for Fox Hollywood — "There is not going to he any reorganization in manpower of Fox West Coast Theatres," declares Oscar Oldknow, executive vice-president, who is here in personal charge of the circuit. Policy changes, it necessary, will he made, he declares.