Exhibitors Daily Review and Motion Pictures Today (Jan-Jun 1930)

Exhibitors DAILY REVIEW and Motion Pictures TODAY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1930 3 PROF. HARDY TO HEAD COMMITTEE ON WIDER FILM BOSTON, Feb. 18— Prof, Arthur C. Hardy of the Department of Physics of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an authority on optics, has been chosen by the Society of Motion Picture Engineers to be chairman of its committee on standards. The work of this committee has particular significance now because of the proposed increase in the width of motion picture film. AMOTHER MEDAL FOR GEORGE EASTMAN George Eastman, camera manufacturer, will be awarded the American Institute of Chemists’ medal for “noteworthy and outstanding service to the science of chemistry and the profession of chemists in America.’’ Dr. Frederick E. Breithut, president of the institute, said the medal would be given to Eastman because of the research work he sponsored in his Rochester plant and because of his demonstration of the close relationship of chemistry and industry. MIKE SIMMONS GOES TO SONO-WORLD WIDE Michael L. Simmons, well known in the film industry for his activities in trade paper work and radio broadcasting, joins Sono ArtWorld Wide Productions, Inc., as director of advertising and publicity. He assumes official charge of the job March 3. Simmons, who is better known to the industry as “Mike”, brings a broad background of motion picture experience to his task. He was on the editorial staffs of The Film Daily and Exhibitors Daily Review, and later was Motion Picture Editor of the Morning Telegraph. In 1925 he traveled abroad for Universal, in the capacity of European director of Advertising and Publicity, and for a full year studied film conditions in every country on the continent. Supreme Court Action Seeks To Compel Delivery of Eight Prints OUT-OF-TOWN CRITICS HERE FOR ^‘KING’’ FIRST RELEASE BOOKED ALLAN ENOS TRIP J. V. Allan, Southern and Western Sales Manager for Warner Bros., is expected back at his desk in New York late this week from an extended trip through the southern territory. Mr. Allan’s itinerary has included stop-overs at Warner exchanges in Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta and Charlotte. “Caviar,” the first-releaso in the new series of sound cartoons which Paul Terry is making for Educational, under the series name of “Terry-Toons”, has been booked for a run into the Gaiety Theatre, New York. Thirty motion picture critics from as many newspapers throughout the country are in town as the guests of Paramount pictures, awaiting the premiere of “The Vagabond King” at the Criterion theatre tonight. The writers are staying at the Hotel Roosevelt where they are being chaperoned by “Pinky” Wingart of the Paramount publicity staff, and his aides, Barney Hutchison and Frank Vreeland. Unusual Action Brought Against Audible Pictures Involving Receivership of Films BIG BOOKING Out of the 393 wired film houses in Canada, 366 are showing Columbia single reel novelties which include the “Columbia Victor Gems,” “Talking Screen Snapshots,” “Disney Siliy Symphonies,” “Photocolor Sensatiions” and “Krazy Kat Kartoons.” JANIS WRITING SONGS Elsie Janis has blossomed out as a writer of lyrics. According to word from the coast. Miss Janis has prepared several songs for Cecil B. DeMille’s new production with music, “Madame Satan.” MIRIAM SEEGAR SIGNS Miriam Seegar, international stage and screen star, has been assigned the ingenue lead in the “Fox MoVieton^ Follies of 1930.” She will play opposite Frank Easton, recently signed for the juvenile lead. FANNIE BRIGE PRAISED NEW M-G-M TITLE SINCERITY’ ‘U’S’ NEXT The first production which Universal will make for its next year’s program will be “Sincerity,” the novel by John Erskine which IS now enjoying a best-seller vogue. Dorothy Yost is writing the continuity from the adaptation which Helen Grace Carlisle made of the Erskine book. “Caught Short” has been selected as the final title tor the Marie Dressler-Polly Moran picture now being completed at the MetroGoldwyn-Mayer studio. MRS. JOHNSTON BETTER Mrs. W. Ray Johnston, wife of the Independent producer-distributor, who was injured a few weeks ago by being run down by a street car, has recovered sufficiently to be moved from the hospital to her home. COOLIDGE INTERESTED IN MOVIE PRODUCTION! preparin^liliom” With Harry Richman’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” starting out highly, widely and handsomely at the Earl Carroll in New York, Fannie Brice’s “Be Yourself!” brings from Detroit’s United Artists Theatre words of praise for the second musical film produced by United Artists. In the Supreme Court of New York tomorrow. Justice Bijur will hear argument in an action brought on behalf of Arthur Levey, of London, England, by Harry G. Kosch, attorney, against Audible Pictures, Inc. The attorney asks for an injunction restraining Audible Pictures from removing eight prints of motion pictures from the state of New York. He also asks for the appointment of a receiver for the prints so that they may not be taken out of the jurisdiction of the court. Audible Pictures is a California corporation with offices in New York City. Lon Young was form erly associated with the Company. Mr. Kosch states that Mr. Levey has a contract with Audible Pictures for the distribution of eight new sound pictures in foreign territories. He claims that Audible Pictures have refused to make delivery under the contract on the ground that the price arranged for in the original contract will not permit the Company to make a profit. It is an unusual action to compel a specific performance; in this instance the delivery of the pictures. Mr. Kosch obtained for Mr. Levey a temporary injunction restraining the defendant from removing the prints from the state of New York and it is the argument on the permanent injunction that will be heard tomorrow morning. MIX COMPROMISE LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18— A continuance has been granted Tom Mix, cowboy film actor, charged with defrauding the Government of $100,000 in his income tax returns for 1925, 1926 and 1927, United States Attorney Samuel W. McNabb announced. LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18— Former President Calvin Coolidge who arrived here yesterday with Mrs. Coolidge received a reception outshining any ever given to a famous picture star. Thousands cheered the couple as they drove through gayly decorated streets to their hotel. Interviewed by reporters Mr. Coolidge genially declared that although he was going to see how motion pictures are made at the big Hollywood studios, he had no intention of appearing in them or writing for them. ‘I have been in the movies for some time, but not professionally. Nor do I intend to take them up professionally,” he stated. “Any one try to sell you real estate here yet?” he was asked. “No.” “Are you in the market?” “No.” “The photographers are getting nervous,” a newspaper man suggested. “Oh, that’s chronic with them,” he returned, as he gave the cameramen the opportunity to take their pictures. Samuel N. Behrman is occupied these days with the screen preparation of Franz Molnar’s “Liliom,” which will be a Fox Movietone film starring Janet Gaynor. Behrman’s latest play, “Meteor”, is now current*in New York. “SEA WOLF” AS TALKIE HOLLYWOOD BUREAU — Fox is to remake “The Sea Wolf” with dialogue. Victor McLaglen is said to have the role originally created by Hobart Bosworth on stage and screen. FOX CHANGES TITLE “A Holy Terror” is the final title selected for the Fox Movietone production, “The Girl Who Wasn’t Wanted.” George O’Brien and Helen Chandler are featured in this drama of the north woods directed by A. F. Erickson. RIDICULOUS RUMOR Rumors of a renewal of the Paramount-Warner deal are to be taken at this time with a laugh. Nothing will be done until after the Government’s anti-trust suits are settled. RENALDO RENEWS Duncan Renaldo, who went to Africa for eight months with the “Trader Horn” company, has been given a new contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. GARNET’S ORIGINALS HOLLYWOOD BUREAU — Tay Garnet has been assigned by E. B. Derr to write original stories for William Boyd and Eddie Quillan.