Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

October 18, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 23 More Than 300 Wide Screens Installed in Theatres of U. S. But General Adoption Is Not Expected for Many Months Calls Film Industry Best In Its Fire Precautions (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 16.— Percy Bugbee, chief £eld engineer of the National Fire Protection Association at the convention of the Dominion Fire Marshals Association in Ottawa, Can., said: "The motion picture industry has taken more care and pains to reduce fire hazard than any other industry in the world." Jay Witmark Now Vice President of Red Star Music Co. Joins Fox Subsidiary as Successor to Pat Flaherty, Resigned — Long In the Music Business (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 16.— Jay Witmark, one of the founders of M. Witmark & Sons, which is now a subsidiary of Warner Brothers, has joined the Fox Film subsidiary, Red Star Music Company, as vicepresident and general manager. He succeeds Pat Flaherty, resigned. Witmark has long been one of the outstanding figures in the music field. M. Witmark & Sons was founded by him and his brothers, Isidore and the late Julius, and it remained in their control until two years ago, when the company was taken over by Warners. Jay Witmark remained with the publishing house as vice-president and general manager until last July. Also, he was one of the founders of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and was long active in its affairs. Among the noted composers whose selections were published by Witmark were Victor Herbert, Ernest Ball and George M. Cohan. Horses Run Wild in Battle Scene; Injure 30 Extras; One Dying (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16.— A stampede of horses on the Herbert Brennon "Beau Ideal" location at the RKO ranch, injured 30 extras and sent four to a hospital with one at the point of death. The scene called for a troop of horses to plunge against the players who were supposedly defending a position in battle. The action was to halt while dummies were substituted, but the horses got out of control. Michigan Theatre Owners Change Association Name (Special to the Herald-World) DETROIT, Oct. 16.— Allied Theatres of Michigan is the new name of the Allied unit which for so long has carried the title of Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Michigan. This is in line with the announced plan to incorporate the word "Allied" in the official titles of all organizations affiliated with Allied States Association. Installations to Date Chiefly to Heighten Effects by Wide Angle Lens in Projecting 35 mm. Film (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 16. — There is every reason to believe that the use of the wide screen will not become general for many months. Between three and five hundred wide screens — another estimate is one thousand-— have been installed in deluxe theatres of the country, but few of these houses have projection equipment for handling wide film. These screens for the most part have been installed for the purpose of heightening effects through use of wide angle lens in projection of regular 35-millimeter film. It is understood that all circuits have installed wide screen in their deluxe houses and that provision for wide film equipment is being made in these theatres as well as in the houses which are now planned. Two types of wide projection are now in use, one using regular 35 millimeter and the other the wide stock — 65 or 70 millimeters. M G M announces perfection of a new type of wide screen picture which can be projected on the ordinary theatre equipment. The size of the projected picture may be regulated to fit the individual screen requirements. It is claimed that three-dimensional effects are definitely achieved through a greater depth of focus. As far back as 1914 D. W. Griffith first advocated use of wide screen. The first picture shown in this country on wide screen was United Artists' "One Exciting Night," at its roadshow release in 1922. Colored lights were used on enlarged screen in place of tinting and toning to heighten the effect. Introduction of a wide film picture took place at the Cameo theatre, New York, in November, 1926, in the form of a tworeeler, made by Billy Bitzer and Robert Greathouse, of what was known then as Widescope or Natural Vision Pictures. At this time Griffith termed the process "the most revolutionary and progressive improvement in motion pictures in years, which will result in a complete change in motion picture technique." Press comment noted at that time that with the process success had been achieved in producing a picture free from distortion, no matter from what point the film was viewed. The screen used was about twice the normal width. The best evidence that wide film will not be generally used for some time is the fact that Publix with its 1,100 theatres is not at this time planning immediate installation of wide film equipment. Presentation of the wide screen product of M G M, Fox, Warner Brothers and United Artists is being watched closely by company executives. M G M, Fox and Warners will be the first to bring the big screen to Broadway. 'Outward Bound9 Ban Arouses Furore on British Censorship (Special to the Herald-World) LONDON, Oct. 16.— Banning of the Warner picture "Outward Bound" by the British censor board is causing controversy over film censorship in England. Edward Shortt, president of the board, took adverse action on the film following a fixed rule not to allow showing of pictures dealing with life after death. Criticism directed against him is based on the fact that stage production of "Outward Bound" was permitted to enjoy a long run in a legitimate theatre here. This action follows closelv the recent banning of the Fox picture "Liliom." Ohio Censors Bar "Ingagi"; Say Exhibitors Broke Pact (Special to the Herald-World) COLUMBUS, Oct. 16.— Charging that exhibitors have failed to comply with the order to run leaders in connection with showings of "Ingagi" to explain that the film was produced in a studio, Dr. J. L. Clifton, head of the Ohio censor board, has announced that the picture will be recalled. Clifton declares that this recall is positively final and that the picture cannot be shown again in the state. He insisted that the advertising agreement promulgated when the film was released after its first recall has been broken. The reason for the ban is based on the board's decision that it is "not a genuine jungle production." "Ingagi" was given a clean bill of health by the Ohio censors last May. World Near End, Anyhow, So What Does It Matter (Special to the Herald-World) ST. LOUIS, Oct. 16.— Rev. W. W. Woodson, pastor of the First Baptist Church at Carrollton, Mo., has refused to comply with a health department order closing churches and all other places of public assembly under an infantile paralysis quarantine. The quarantine was put into effect after a little girl had died from the disease. Other ministers closed their churches but Rev. Woodson preaching a sermon that the world is near its end would not stop until escorted from his pulpit by sheriff's deputies. Eastman Offers City Million for Dental Clinic (Special to the Herald-World) STOCKHOLM. Oct. 16.— George Eastman, of the Eastman Kodak Company, has offered this city a gift of $1,000,000 to be used in erection of a municipal dental hospital for the treatment of poor children.