Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1930)

May 3, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 29 It Seems That the Qershwins — — Are Going to Make a Fox Picture, But Getting George to Play “Rhapsody in Blue” Is Something Else Again When the Advance One-Woman Delegation of the Sobsisters Sorority Begins Spouting About Paris — And When He Finally Does Play It, Then — By HARRY TUGEND NEW YORK, April 29. — -I dashed madly up nineteen flights of stairs and burst in upon the group assembled in the Gershwin penthouse to learn all about the Gershwin-Fox contract. “Has George played the ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ yet?” I panted. No, he had not. He was fighting his way out of a corner where a Miss Gushy of the Hollywood Heartthrob was trying to learn his secret of how to be happy though single. Milliken Scoffs at Those Who Say Art Is Ruined by Code Self -Discipline Will Raise Artistic Standards, He Tells Women W riters (Special to the Herald-World) WASHINGTON, April 29— Evidence of overwhelming sentiment throughout the country in support of the recently adopted production code of the motion picture industry has been matched by indorsement from all branches of activity within the industry, Carl E. Milliken, secretary of ■ the MPPDA, told the League of American Pen Women here last Wednesday. “The ridiculous cry of a few professional liberals that the code will inhibit art,” Milliken said, “could only have come from men who talk about art instead of creating it. Conscious care and self-discipline on the part of the artist has never done anything to art but increase its virility. Death to art comes through the hatchet, the scissors or the blue pencil, applied from outside. “There is always a neurotic fringe, sitting enviously outside the circle where art is produced, which confuses art and lack of standards. The American people have no patience with such tenets and the artist finds them laughable. “Ninety per cent of the newspaper editorial comment of the country has been in commendation of the adoption of the new code. On the Coast, under the auspices of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, group meetings of directors, artists and writers are being held for discussions of the principles of the code and agreement as to uniform interpretation. The enthusiasm there has been unanimous for this commonly acceptable and commonly understandable guide adopted by and for the makers of pictures.” Keep the Peace Is Allied Policy in 5-5-5 Exchange Of Ideas t States Myers (Special to the Herald-World) WASHINGTON, April 29.— Keep the peace, is the policy that Allied States is pursuing in its participation in the 5-5-5 conference for the writing of a new contract, says Abram F. Myers, president and general counsel of the association, in a bulletin from the association headquarters. “When it appeared that a forum had been created for the free interchange of ideas and rectification of seeming abuses through the 5-5-5 Conference, this association admonished its representatives and members to keep the peace,” Myers declared. “We believe we are within the facts in stating that there has been no departure from that policy that was not provoked, and that in every such instance the erring member was brought in line as soon as possible. “This association in its relations with other branches of the industry is proceeding in utmost good faith in the hope that through the 5-5-5 Conference a constructive task can be accomplished. Our representatives have cheerfully assumed the burden incident to the work.” <*'T'ELL me, Mr. Gershwin, just what do J you think of the American girls of today,” she purred. “Well,” said George, “when I wrote ‘An American in Paris.’ ” “Hey, George,” I shouted over her shoulder, “How about playing that Rhapsody?” Miss Gushy Gushes “Oh, Mr. Gershwin,” interrupted Miss Gushy, “Don’t you just adore Paris? Isn’t it just too wicked and gorgeously free and immoral? I’ve never been there myself but my aunt was telling me that — ” He took her by the arm, saying, “Let me show you the grand view from here,” and led her out to the roof. He came back a moment later, alone, rubbing his hands and with a smile on his face. “How about playing the Rhapsody?” I asked, pushing him toward the piano. His brothers Ira and Mrs. Ira pulled me away and tried to maneuver me toward the roof but I managed to break away. I spied my colleague, who is English, in a corner talking earnestly to the English butler. Conspiracy of Conspiracies? “Aha,” thought I, “he’s taking advantage of his advantage and getting an inside story. I’ll show him.” Getting down on my stomach, I crawled to within over-hearing distance. They couldn’t see me on account of the rug being so thick. “Then,” the butler was saying, “you add two parts grapefruit juice, a little mint flavoring — ” There was a grumbling behind me. I turned and saw two men from the Hearst paper, with rage written all over their faces. “This must be a conspiracy,” one of them muttered. “We’ve got to keep King George out of Hollywood.” A tragedy was averted by the entrance of Winfield Sheehan. “Mr. Sheehan please get George to play the Rhapsody,” I begged. Enter Miss Gushy Again “Oh, boy! Look at that swell strudel on the table.” He headed for it. I left him with two hands and a mouthful, and bumped into Miss Gushy coming in the door. She was messed up a bit, but very much alive. Must have landed on her feet. “Wasn’t that just too cute of Mr. Gershwin to throw me off the roof? I just adore athletic men.” I broke away and buried myself in a modernistic armchair. But she followed and sat down beside me. “Don’t you think George and Ira are jusi too grand for words? And Ira’s little woman. Such a helpmate. She’s been such a sister to George. I’m sure they’ll just adore Hollywood and — ” * * * I awoke with a start. Miss Gushy was still jabbering beside me and George Gershwin was playing the closing bars of his “Rhapsody in Blue.” Milwaukee Theatre Circuit Is Reported Acquired by Warner (Special to the Herald-World) MILWAUKEE, WIS., April 29.— It has been reported that the Milwaukee Theatre Circuit’s string of 11 houses in Wisconsin has been taken over by Warner Brothers, despite the fact that Fred S. Meyer, managing director of the circuit has stated that any announcements would come from New Y ork. Theatres included in deal are the Lake, Kosciusko, Venetian, Downer, State, Riviera, all Milwaukee neighborhood houses, and the Venetian, and Rialto, at Racine; Sheboygan, Sheboygan and Kenosha, Kenosha. The Alhambra, local Universal downtown theatre, is not included in the deal, it is understood. It is also reported that the new $4,000,000 theatre, announced by Fox last fall, will be constructed as soon as financial conditions warrant it. RCA Rumored to Be Planning Union With British Firm (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, April 29. — Reports indicate that the world-wide activity of the Radio Corporation of America, to be controlled by the General Electric and Westinghouse companies, will be added to as the result of a deal with the Columbia Gramaphone Company, Ltd., and the Gramaphone Company, Ltd., both English concerns, according to rumors in Wall street. The Gramaphone company has full rights to the use of Marconi radio patents and operates plants in England, Spain, Germany, Italy, India and other countries. Louise Huntington Signs Fox Movietone Contract (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, April 29. — Louise Huntington, player in several Broadway productions, has been signed for work in Fox Movietone productions. She has been assigned no role as yet, but she will leave for Movietone City the latter part of May. Over $5,000,000 Invested in Sound During 18 Months by Canada Theatres (Special to the Herald-World) MONTREAL , April 29. — The total amount which has been invested by theatres in Canada in sound equipment during the past 18 months amounts to well ovet $5,000,000, according to an official statement by the Northern Electric Company, Montreal, a £rm allied with Western Electric.