Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

October 4, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 33 ^^■^BHM^BHWm W HOLLYWOOD A Cow, Daylight Saving and a Beau (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 2.— On the heels of M G M's contribution to the Bght against daylight saving in California, Warner Brothers and First National have released a one reel comedy starring Walter Huston, Lucien Littleheld, Evalyn Knapp and a cow, as an argument against the plan. The plot reveals that the cow won't give milk an hour earlier and that Evalyn's sweetie won't propose at night because he can't get romantic in the sunlight and because by the time the sun goes down he's ready for bed. Walter Huston shoots Littlefeld, who advocates daylight saving, and the cow and Evalyn and her sweetie all are content. Wide Film Cost Is $8,000 to $40,000, Expert Estimates 65 Mm Negatives and 35 Mm Prints Will Be Result, Is Dreher s Belief (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 2.— With the wide film controversy still raging, Carl Dreher, head of the sound department at RKO, in an exclusive interview with a HeraldWorld reporter, estimated that it would cost large theatres from $8,000 to $10,000 for suitable installations, and that the cost to the largest houses in the country might range from $25,000 to $40,000. Douglas Shearer, MGM executive, estimated the national cost of wide film installations at $40,000,000. Dreher, however, forecast that wide film can be adopted generally in only the largest theatres of the country and is inclined to believe that the industry would adopt 65mm negatives and 35mm prints for general distribution. This would mean only an alteration of the screens in theatres showing them. "Deluxe houses could install equipment optionally at approximately the above prices," Dreher said. "I would say that an installation of wide film equipment in a house like the Roxy would represent an investment of between $25,000 and $40,000. Theatres in medium sized cities, with better than average seating capacity, probably would have to spend between $8,000 and $10,000. "However, the exhibitor has nothing to worry about at this time, for there has been no decision of any kind in regard to the matter. Most of the executives with whom I have spoken favor the 65mm-35mm proposition as the logical solution to the problem, if it is technically practicable." Independents Maintain Lead In Coast Production Activity James Cruze Completes Tiffany Special and "Aloha" Goes Into Work — First National Quiet Except for Foreign Versions— Novarro to Direct Another for MGM (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 2. — Independent production again tops the shooting schedules this week with the finishing of James Cruze's "She Got What She Wanted" and the starting of Tiffany's "Aloha." Betty Compson essays the featured role in the Cruze film and Ben Lyon has signed for Al Rogell's "Aloha," by Thomas H. Ince. First National has shut down entirely with the exception of foreign versions in German, Spanish and French. These films are foreign talker versions of "The Bad Man," "Sinflood" and "The Sacred Flame." Novarro to Direct Another MGM will let Ramon Novarro direct other Spanish and French foreign versions. The star recently has completed the Spanish translation of "Call of the Flesh" and is preparing the same story in French. He both acts and directs. Upon the completion of this he will do "Daybreak," from a novel by Dr. Arthur Schnitzler. And still they come. Universal signed Marcel de Sano and Ernest Laemmle for more foreign versions this week. The French and German talkers of "Boudoir Diplomat" will be directed by de Sano and Laemmle, respectively. Ruth Chatterton will have Richard Wallace as her next director. Paramount's "Right to Love" will go into filming this week. It is the first that Wallace has directed since his trip around the world recently. LeRoy Moves to M G M Mervyn LeRoy has moved his megaphone to M G M for "Girls Together," a comedy of flapperdom based on a story by Mildred Cram. LeRoy has been borrowed from First National. "Dracula," from the stage play, has started under Tod Browning's direction at Universal. Bela Lugosi has the leading role. Luther Reed, who originally was slated to direct "Hook, Line and Sinker" for RKO, has been replaced by Eddie Cline. Reed is preparing to direct another big feature. The Cline film stars Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey and Dot Lee. Amos and Andy Prints Go East Negative and working prints on "Check 'n' Double Check" are on their way East in great style. Guarded by the stars themselves and Pandro Berman, assistant to William LeBaron, the films left here in a special observation car. New York is the destination. Phil Ryan will produce a series of tworeel comedies starring Chester Conklin for Paramount release. Arvid Gillstrom will direct. Production will be at the Metropolitan studios. Grant Fills Sills Post On Academy Directorate (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 2.— L a w r e n c e Grant has been named to serve three years representing the Actors branch on the board of directors for the Academy, in place of the late Milton Sills. >t hoffalo herd -one of the memorable climaxes in the forthcoming Fox product! Walsh's "The Big Trail." drama of pioneer thrills.