Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

October 25, 1930 Motion Picture News 71 Supplies Money, Advice and Love; Angel Is Rubed Chicago — Suit for $50,000 will be started either here or in New York within the next few weeks by the "angel" who, after putting up what it takes to make an independent production in Hollywood, found that the fleet-minded, and as fleet-footed, producer whom he had backed, had beaten him to the sale of distribution rights on the picture; said sales having been understood to belong to the "angel" as partial remuneration for his investment. The series of misunderstandings between the "angel" and the producer originated in Hollywood, while the production was in work. The first strain on the otherwise beautiful friendship which existed between the two was remarked when the "angel" persisted in living on the set and volunteering plenty of advice and suggestions concerning production. When this deplorable behavior was eventually corrected by the producer, the "angel" transferred his attentions to certain female members of the cast, occasionally inducing one or another of the more comely of these to play "hookey" and accompany him on a Tia Juana, Ensenada or Del Monte excursion. On one such occasion, when production was suspended for 11 days due to the absence of the leading lady, the producer, undoubtedly an obtuse old meanie whose own youth had been long forgotten, became vexed and threatened to chuck the works into three fathoms of Santa Monica Bay. Whereupon the "angel" affixed his signature to a final check and departed eastward to look after his own long-neglected business affairs. The Woodpile African Now it seems the production moved to a swift conclusion thereafter ; in fact, the celluloid record was in the cans several weeks before the "angel" in the East was even aware the picture had been completed. He first suspected its status when, after three weeks had gone by without a new request for "more cash" being received from Hollywood, he became distrustful and filed the following wire addressed to the studio : "Advise at once the status of production and when picture will be ready for distribution. I have my sales organization established and waiting to start. Several contracts ready to be signed. Want first available print for screenings here. Regards to Myrtle and Ethlynne." To this business-like message — and to a volley of less complacent ones which followed it — no reply was ever received. Then Ethlynne came East and, with autumn in the air, was reminded that that last season's ermine of hers was beginning to show signs of wear across the shoulders. It would be just the thing, now, for the kid sister in Kalamazoo. Thus it was that the "angel" first learned "his picture" was already in the cans. Nervous and excited, he grabbed up his blank contracts and hit the road. His uneasiness was justified. Everywhere he went, he learned, the producer had been there before Helping the 01' Folks Here's a land where anybody who reads movie titles out loud becomes a respected citizen instead of somebody to be silenced by an usher! "In India," according to the progress report of the S. M. P. E., "it is the custom of those who can read to repeat the titles aloud for the benefit of the illiterate majority of the audience. "There are more than 30 languages and 150-odd dialects in India. An Indian film therefore has to have titles in the familiar vernacular of the locality in which it is shown. Hence the necessity of printing the titles in four, and sometimes six, vernaculars as well as English. "Love themes as in American and European productions are not understood for the simple reason that it is not part of the Indians' life. Neither the man nor the woman has anything to say about whom they marry, it all being arranged by their parents." him. Distribution rights, in every situation, had either been disposed of already, or there was no possible market for the picture in that particular territory. Sorrowfully he returned home to think things over. Papers had been drawn, he found, creating an impregnable partnership between himself and the producer. What the one signed was binding on the other. The distribution contracts obtained by the producer were valid and unassailable. The "angel's" principal cut-in had vanished in thin air. "But he will pay," shouted the disillusioned angel to a Motion Picture News reporter. "Mark my words. He shall pay dearly for his cunning. I shall start suit for $50,000 — my share of the distribution profits, and shall ask for a strict accounting of every dollar expended and every penny collected. I'm no chump." Publix "Flying Stage" Creates Seattle Furore Seattle — Coincident with the presentation of the first of the "new era" Publix stage units now being produced in their entirety in Hollywood, the Seattle Paramount introduced its "flying stages" to the local theatregoing public. Much to the surprise of local audiences, Milt Franklyn and his Band, seated on the stage, were seen to rise above the stage level on a giant hydraulic lift, while a second stage filled with performers came forward toward the footlights from the rear of the stage underneath the band. The stunt occasioned enthusiastic applause. The theatre's hydraulic stage was installed at the time the house was built about two years ago, was later removed without ever having been used, and is now installed again for weekly use. Although rising pits and organ consoles are well known in this territory, the Paramount's rising stage is the first seen west of Chicago. Whitbeck, Back At Job Peps 'Big Trail' Campaign Hollywood — Frank Whitbeck was called back to work at Fox West Coast before his vacation was over, and as a result several new forms of advertising in newspapers and on billboards have appeared in the past few days on "The Big Trail" and "Just Imagine." These talkers are showing for long runs at Grauman's Chinese and Carthay Circle theatres. West Coast has decided to spend about $5,000 extra weekly for advertising on "The Big Trail." The picture is said to have been sold on the wrong angle at the start of the campaign. Another new offering at the Chinese is the stage show which started this week. Girls from the Fox studio line-up were brought in and are offering, under the direction of Franchon and Marco, dances staged by Seymour Felix, Fox studio dance instructor. The theatre has also been dickering for the services of either George Olsen and \}\s band or Earl Burtnett and his orchestra, to support the stage show. However, the contracts held by the symphony orchestra now appearing at the Chinese calls for its appearance for the length of the run and unless the theatre can straighten this matter out with the musicians' union a dance band will not go in. Lane to Make Quota Film Lupino Lane, English musical comedy star, well known in America for his appearances in the Ziegfeld Follies and in Educational two-reel comedies, has been signed by P. D. C. of London to produce a special feature. This picture, titled "Dying to Live," will be made at the Elstree Studios of British International near London. Production on this, the first of a series of quota pictures, is scheduled to start on Oct. 27. Managers Switched Vancouver — Recent changes here in the personnel of Famous Players Canadian Corp. have sent Lloyd Dearth, formerly manager of the Capitol, to manage the Capitol in Winnipeg ; Maynard Joiner, manager of the New Orpheum, has been transferred to the Capitol as manager, and Claude Smith, assistant under Joiner, is now in charge of the New Orpheum. Leach Opens Another Hartford, Wis. — The Arcade theatre, formerly the Opera House, has been opened here after being dark for many months. The theatre has been renovated and DeForest Phonofilm equipment installed. Ralph Leach, operator of the State, also is manager of the Arcade. 631 Revisions in Month Toronto — Six hundred and thirty-one revisions were made by Ontario censors during August, according to a report just published. Five features were banned outright.