Variety (Dec 1929)

Wednesday^ December 11, 1929 MUSIC VARIETY 71 Feist and Fischer Guaranteed Average Profit by Radio Music Kadlo Pictures, through Radio's newest subsidiary, Radio Musio Corp., is guaranteeing L.eo Feist's and Walter Elscher, the two music publishers now controlled by the holding company, the annual profit each firm averaged for the past five years according to Its books. Under the agrefement Feist's will, first take all of the profit it earns yearly, while of. Radio Music, up to the agreed upon average!. After that amount Feist's will equally divide any other profit with the holding company. It will operate similarly for Fischer's, : . Radio Music has been duly in- corporated with a capital of over $6,000,000. Radio Pictures or one • of the R. C. A. subs, ha? conti-lbuted $1 000,000 in cash, it is said, as thfe working capital for Radio Pictures, but neither -of the two publishing lirms receives other than Radio Mu- sic common stock to represent their Interest. What that amount of stock may be is not announced. It is said that Feist's got between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000 of Radio Music stock and Fischer about half that amount. Individual Operation . Each publishing house continues under its present direction and or ganlzatibn, with the holding com pany, of which E. C. Mills is presi- dent, having no hand or voice in the ^ Individual firm's operation Mills who promoted the Radio- music deal, is presumed to repre- cent the Radio interests. Included on the Radio end with flubsldiarieg of benefit to Feist's In music publishing are Radio Pictures, R. C. A. Photophone, also a picture producer, and National Broadcast Ing Company, besides the "Victor, an other Radio sub. The latter may also prove of some advantage to the Fischer firm. Fischer Is a "standard" music publisher, not dealing with popular music. In a press announcement sent out on the Radio Music formation the statement was made It is the in tention of the new corporation to Open Mike Dispute get away from the popular music business. "The public is tired of jazz" the announcement stated. This, was Immediately recognzed by the trade as a bpner without judg- ment, since Feist's Is among the foremost of all the worldi's popular music publishers. The. combine really formed some weeks ago as reported. All of the publicity or announcements will cpme out of the holding company's office. It. Is stated, but announcement was withheld. In the Radio family group, besides those mentioned are the Keith and Orpheum theatres under the direc- tion of R-k-O. Harms, besides the Warners as a screen aide, is publishing for Para- mount under a term agreement, as Famous players-Harms. Robblns is the music publisher for Metro- Gpidwyn' Mayer (Loew's). Fox lias started its- own music concern, Red Stair Music Co., and the indie talker makers have varioiis music connections,. none under stipulated agreements. Mills Burnmg . Crediting "Variety" with all but estabHshing the music protective association which kept him in a job for years, E. G. Mills, head of Radio's music inter-ests with. Its Feist-Fischer take-over, not only refused to amplify the details of a formal- statement, but said: "If the "Variety" building was bui-ning and I was near a fire box, I'd stahjj there until it had reached the ground." Mills boasted of being in a posi tion to explode a poisoned spleen against "Variety" among newcomers to the show Industry, probably re- fei-rlrig to his recent Radio asso elation. ^ He challenged "Variety to get anyone to talk on the Feist Fischer subject, and In the same breath accused the paper of pub- lishing "nothing but rumors" and "never attempting to check them Hollywood, Dec. 10. Opera singer in a Coast cafe began to sing an aria oyer the mike." Announcer became panic stricken and began, to announce that the number could not be broadcast as it was restricted by the Authors and Composers' Society. He kept up incidental talk and was joined by another man who stated. It was not the Au- thors' Society but the New York Music Publishers' Asso- ciation which, prohibited ethcr- ing the song. Men argued back and forth beforie the open mike with the singer, meanwhile, distinctly carrying on. Along the Coast By Bill Swigart AM. COMPOSERS' FOREIGN FEE AGREEMENT Hollywood, iDec. 10. Songwriters who in the past begged, and t>leaded v%vit.h acts to play their numbers or give them a chance to write special arrange- ments are being approached today by acts begging for spiecial harmony arrangements or gags,. Acts offei* •any reasonable amount for doiiig it, whereas in the old days the song- writer did the palming and went the limit if he thought the act would play his tunes. 1 Recently an Orpheum act needed some special harmony parts to fit a new cycle of songs. Act had to make ah appointment find offer many concessions before the com- poser .would Consent to bother. for tl>e Montmarte, aci-oss the street ... Al Gale, song and dance boy from Philadelphia, is being b.r'd for a night spot,' "Tent Cafe," half way between the Los Angeles and Hol- lywood business centers.. .Another actor turning restaurant is Hank Mann, former screen comic, now operating a pot boiler on campus of the new University of Southern California.; Mai Hallett continues at the CbGoanut Grove, With engagement extended to Jan. lOv Hamp and his Kentucky Serenaders follow. Independenc6 Talkers: have not only made the I tunesters indepeindent of the stage but also within the studios where I they are employed as istaff w^'iters- I They have: much to say In regard I to the manner In which their num- [bers snould be spotted In the pic ture, and In: many cases dictate the type of artist^ best suited to interpret certain numbers. CRAWFORD IN CHARGE OF MUSIC AT STUDIOS up What the trouble was all ^abput (Continued on page 74) Inside Stulf-Music Paris Claims Funny'claims over in Paris. One nut is trading on created-the song "Ramona." alleging, but not^suing for his rights, that the international song hit was swiped from him, irrHaon not on top of America's and the world's^ tribute ta Thpmas Edison, not only for his electric lamp, but as the daddy of ^^""^^r^Pj'' the dedication of a tablet to De Martlnville, a ^^""f^^'J^"* .^^^^^ brings to light that Charles Cass, among '"f^^ f ^"^^^^.^J^^^f"*^ *° honor, antedated both by severa l mont hs with his. palephone. —> Long-Lived Pop "Nobody's Sweetheart,"'1ised In Radio's "Vagabond Lovel^ was pu^^ llshed by Jack Mills nine years ago and has ^^^"^ ^^^^^J^fJ^^^^U^^''^'' play. Due to publicity from the film, number Is bemg re-recorded. Won't Publish His Own Al Piantadosi. music writer and publislier who the six songs in "Talk of Hollywood" (Sono-Art) has turned down an offer to publish the numbers, shifting this to Joe Davis. Piantadose claims the songs were not properly handled in the pic ture. and that he Is not Interested in publishing them. Music Director Finds Out . Head of an orchestras for a picture house chain has learned how to crack through on personal exploitation. Now °tr^rl to the he always mails his pictures, a story, and his lengthy itinerary to the house manager in the next town. Publishers:Without Film Affiliations „ A^ct The point has been reached in the popular music ^r^df where the first line publishing Houses without. picture --^"^tions must be doing quite . some worrying. While, another publisher or so ^^^^^^^^ there to the present talker-music groups, none Is at present reported and that outlook Is uncertain.. . .. i , i^^i, the> indie The non-aflillated publishers at present can <>"^yJ°°; *°"'V their talker field, with the Indie makers choosing the songs for each of their musical talkers without being tied to any firm or writers. It has not been as yet announced how the Fox Red Star concern w^^^^ procure Its song J. whether all from its <>wn ^^^^^ ^^f^" organized, or also from the open music n^^''^^^t- ^^^/^^^f^.f^Talker have been made by the outside publishers as to whether the '"f 1« «J product Is sufficient to support the indie P"^"^^^^ -'pmanTm^^^^ Just now the Indie muslc^firms are equipped to sui^ply any demand made upon them by the Indie talker men. Warners Cold on Deals While admitting that Warner Bros, a--^ o"'^he lookout f^^^^ __6opd In^the^muslSjiubllshlng. bysi^ "an'dlhiLt theyl^^e stlTHntelriited-ln acquiring" & Scmrmer-&-Sori9._with_ Whom negotiations were opened, an official familiar with the music operations of Warners declared no deals are warm at present. Sinains For A Break ' . Example of how Visiting vaude acts play,up ^o Picture prpduce^^^^ Los Angeles was demonstrated at the Orpheum during ^^E^^^^^^^^^^Hl Of blg-tinie vaude when Hatry Rapf, producer ^he „Holl^oo? Revue." attended one of the performances 9^^he seven acts on the bm five played or chanted "Singing in the Ram." Acts that didnt go in for the number were acrobats .ind trained dogs. Effective after Jan. 1. all pub- lished works of American origin will be subject to license fees In England and Canada. Arherlcan Society of Authors and Composers, after years of trying, has succeeded In negotiating agreements with both the British and Canadian Perform- ing Rights Societies, protecting Anierican copyrights. Agreement is for three years. The British society, while active for years, has never jpald revenue on American works, while the Canadian organization until new had not been functioning at all. Under thie present agreement with the latter outfit, three oflacers of the American society (Gene Buck, president; .'I>ouiS Bernstein, vice- president, and J. C. Rosenthal, gen- eral manager) become members of its board of directors with full power to iact on all matters perti- nent to the society. Movement Is considered of signal Importance to authors and composers on this side. Theatre Organ Clubs Boris Morros, music head of Pubr lix, returned to New York Saturday,, cutting short his tour of Publlx houses to check tip on music, mu- sicians, organists, etc. Morros was out only two weeks, but In that time, he reported to [ headquarters, found that tiie work being done by organ clubs, such as at the Texas theatre, San Antonio, should be encouraged over the en- tire chain where organists are used. — Organ clubs are regular morning features, with talent developed among children from four to 15 years, who sing and dance to pic- ture theme songs. Morros may continue his theatre tour later. New Coast Publisher San Francisco, Dec. 10. Concord Piano Go. here has gone Into the music publishing business. Changed Its name to Concord Pub- lishing Co. POP OPENINGS Success of the Hollywood' Res- taurant (non-couvert) Is reason for opening of one club last week and of another opening tomorrow (Thursday). The M.ayfair, formerly, the Strand Roof and previously . with a $2 cover, will be opened Thursday by. Mrs. Fannie Solomon and Harry Mlnkoff with the largest entertain- ment personnel of any non-couvert club around town. Will open with 30 chorines, 12 principals and a 15- piece band. Freak Numbers Since "Picolo Pete" established Itself as a sensational novelty hum ber over night, two other freaks have established themselves with equally instantaneous ■ success, namely,, the new English tune of "Ever ' So Goosey," published by Campbell-Connelly of London, and "Take Off Tour Skin and Dance In Toiir Bones" by Donaldson, Douglas and Gumble. Trade Mark Trouble When. Wolfe Gilbert and Abel iBaer.left their burigalpw at Fox Movietone city, they left their coat of arms plaque of a bear and wolf remain over thie door. Initials W. Bi were at the base of. the . plaque. Studio manager, making his rounds of Inspection, spotted the sigh and asked his subordlnajte why a Warner BroSi ad was permitted on a Fox |.bullding. Explanation did not pre- , vent it from being removed and turned back to Gilbert and Baer with compliments of the Fox studio. Doubling in Paint. Good looking composers on the Paramount lot are now acting in I pictures. Newell Chase was selected ■to play an aviator In "Young 'Eagles" and Oscar Potbker picked for the heavy In "Let's Go JSTatlve." Boys would «rath<?r act than sit [around waiting for assignments. Names Billy Hall, former Coast rcpre sentatlve for Piantadosi, is now m. c. at the Orange Blossoni cafe.. ..Max Fisher opened- his "Amer- ica's Smartest Cafe" In the ritzy district of Los Angeles with a. $10 couvert....Artie Mehllnger on the Coast for Piantadosi and will ap- point a West Coast representative.. . .SIg Bosley en route to New York for a conference with Jack Rob bins... .Magldson and Cleary re- turned from New York and joined Ned Washington In work ef com- pleting the score for "Bright Lights," which Grant Clarke and Harry Akst started for First Na- tional. .. .Eddie Ward, pinch hitting for Harry Akst on "Bride of the Regiment," FN, with Akst. suddenly called east to appear Ini> a suit against Harry Richman.> . ..Louis Warner and Bobby Crawford due here around Dec. 20, at which time much speculation around. mu^c publishing row wiil come nearer to a settlement. Bobby Crawford expects to leave New York Saturday, with destina- tion the. Warner studios in Holly- wood. .■ ■ At the Warner oflflce It Is said Crawford now goes west to assume charg? of the musical end of the, Warner picture malclrig; ' The trip Is reported experimental on a three or six months basifi. dii the doast Crawford will utilize hl9 experlehce in selecting writers foi*' suggested songs in talkers, and spot the numbers after written. The Irii- portance of both ' W appreciated mostly by music hien and producerB. In New York Crawford has been directing his nluslc publishing firm of DeSylva, Brown ,& Henderson, containing those star writers. In hia absence Danny Winkler will super- Intend, as he did recently when Crawford was abroad. It Is said that if the experimental • period Is approved by Jack Warner,: who suggested It, and Crawford^ a permanent contract may be entered Into;. Copyright Bills Washington, Dec. 10. Two copyright bills troni the last session, pertaining to mechanical reproduction , of music and to pennl^ the United States to adhere to tlie Berne convention, have been intro- duced by Chalrma,nVestel the House Patents Committee. ■ NO changes are made In the me- chanical bill, although the B*m6 language has been simplified. Divisibility bill, putting Into latr the various rlBhta Under a copy- right, and general revision of the copyright law will be Introduced during the week, Mr. Vestel Is hope- ful of some action this session* • FEW RESERVATIONS Convert tap at the class New York nlte clubs for New Year's eve [is scaled from $10 per person up. -Advance reservations coming in slowly. Night Clubs After opieratlng but a fe\y weeks under terrific overhead, "Russian Bear" passed out of the night club, frame, with the Hotel Christie tak- 1 Ing It over. Now called the Christie Cafe and acts as an overflow spot Opera Cast Collects for Recording Performaiices Berlin, Dec. 2. Phonograph records made durinff the opera,, "Boheme," a year ago, without the knowledge or cpnsent o£ Maria Muller, resulted In the so- prano, formerly of the Metropolitan, New York, suing Electrola, German branch of Victor. Singer was re- ferred back to the state opera com- pany, which had given the phono- graph, company permission. State opera claimed a radio clause covered the matter, but will have to pay Miss Muller and the other cast members royalties on i disk sales. j Business Playboy S. Pierce Taylor, socially pvomli nent New Yorker, has bought a.haU interest In the Club Lido, Miami Beach, and Will operate with Frank Garlagco. Latter has part of the Club Lido In New' York. Club will have a casino attached to the dine and dance pavilion. M.C.A. COAST OFFICE: __ M. C. A. will open an .office on the- coast Jan. 15.. J. C. Stein, president, will be In charge. . Boles' Records John Boles, now with Universal, Is going to make phonograph rec- ords for Victor independent of his picture work. Bargain Xmas Qift For Two (2) Years, $15, Sent Anywhere Nothing beats "Variety" for a steady present to show folks, friends or relatives interested in the show business at home or abroad One Year's Subscription (Regular Price), $10 Two Years (Special Price), $16 HOLDS GOOD UNTIL NEW YEAR'S