Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

16 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD November 8, 1930 Publix Kicks Over Traces on Zoning Plan Outside New Orleans Fact of Not Providing Protection in Towns Under 20,000 Is Believed Cause — Columbus Zone System Approved [By Special Correspondent to the Herald-World] NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 6. — Rejection of a suggested plan for protection for the country districts by Paramount Publix after it was understood that the plan met with approval of all parties, comes as a surprise. The Louisiana Allied Association had endorsed the plan, which called for a maximum of 30 days protection on all cities of 20,000 or over, within 40 miles. Towns under 20,000 received no protection. It is understood Paramount Publix would have accepted the plan if a concession had been made to extend the same protection to towns under 20,000 in which Publix had affiliated houses. PARAMOUNT, however, has signed a contract with Beres-on Brothers' State theatre, Bogalusa, La., a firm with which it was having a misunderstanding. E. J. Bethancourt, president of the LA AMPE, arrived here especially to discuss protection in the country and approved the suggested plan. While the matter of protection on second runs in the city and of protection on first runs in the country is still unsettled, local exchanges are doing their selling and at least one theatre group — United Theatres, Inc. — is buying. Present protection is granted under the new contracts, with a clause specifying that any plan which may meet with the approval of the majority of exhibitors and exchanges will supersede present protection. But while United Theatres, Inc., is buying and receiving the sixty days protection it was receiving heretofore, Louisiana Allied is apparently holding back The latter group operates all second run houses, independently owned, and in matters of zoning follows the houses operated by United. Hence its refusal to accept 60 days protection for pictures playing United houses. Columbus Zoning Plan Agreed Upon (Special to the Herald-World) COLUMBUS, Nov. 6.— Protection ranging from thirty days over eight towns to fourteen days over two others (Circleville and London) is given Columbus under the plan agreed upon by the committee of exhibitors and distributors. Dayton first-runs have fourteen days over eight towns and seven days over three others._ Sixty days grace is granted exhibitors in the event that the plan interferes with "the recognized practice of any exhibitor" in such a way as to prevent his immediate adoption of the new system. Following is a resume of the plan: COLUMBUS: Thirty days protection given first run theatres from end of run over theatres in Westerville, Grove City, East Columbus, West Jefferson, Worthington, Reynoldsburg, Canal Winchester and Plain City. Drop Radio Listings In Justice to Theatres (Special to the Herald-World) VANCOUVER, B. C, Nov. 6.— Newspaper publishers have made an agreement to discontinue publication of radio programs because of lack of business from radio advertisers. The newspapers have taken this stand, it is said, in justice to local theatres which carry regular display space. Fourteen days protection over Circleville and London. Delaware, Lancaster and Newark shall not play pictures prior to Columbus, but pictures for said cities shall become available to them on the days on which they are first shown in the first run theatres in Columbus. DAYTON: First run Dayton theatres to have seven days protection from the end of run over Troy, Piqua and Xenia. Pictures to become available to Sidney, Ohio, at the same time they are available for Troy and Piqua. First run Dayton theatres have fourteen days protection from end of run over Tippecanoe City, Franklin, Jamestown, Osborn, Germantown, West Milton, Miamisburg and Covington, Ohio. Thirty days protection from the end of run over West Carrolton, Ohio. SPRINGFIELD: First run Springfield fourteen days protection from end of the run over theatres located in Urbana, New Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, Cedarville and South Charleston. Thirty days protection over Yellow Springs. PORTSMOUTH: First run theatres in Portsmouth have thirty days protection over subsequent runs and the theatres in Sciotoville and New Boston. HAMILTON: Seven days protection from end of run over Oxford, Ohio. CHILLICOTHE: Thirty days protection from end of run over Frankfort and Waverly. On the committee which reached the agreement were: Exhibitors — F. E. Ruth, chairman; E. J. Heihle, C. F. Pfister, Harry Silver, Theo. C. Chifos, A. G. Hettesheimer, and P. J. Wood, secretary; Distributors — G. A. Smith, M. Gottlieb, R. F. Cloud, and E. McNamee, secretary. Wins Long Contract (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Nov. 6.— Boris Karloff, a graduate of the legitimate stage, has been placed on a long term contract by Columbia. His outstanding work in "The Criminal Code" is said to have won him his new contract. a Gus" Harms Now Branch Manager at Omaha Pathe (Special to the Herald-World) OMAHA, Nov. 6.— E._ A. Harms, better known as "Gus" Harms, is now branch manager of the Pathe office here, succeeding R. S. Ballantyne, who was recently appointed Midwestern division manager with headquarters in Chicago. Harms has been connected with sales work for Pathe in Omaha, western Iowa, northeastern Nebraska and southern South Dakota. Associated with Harms are two salesmen, W. C. Wallace, who represents Pathe in the territory formerly covered by Harms, and H. F. Lefholtz, who handles Nebraska. DAR Executive Lauds Griffith Film (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Nov. 6.— Upon the request of the MP PDA, Mrs. Brooke G. White, Jr., of Jacksonville, Florida, saw the Griffith Elm, "Abraham Lincoln," and wrote a letter about the way it impressed her. She is, incidentally, vice president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has nothing but praise for the picture, and the way in which David Wark Griffith handled it "is true artistry," according to her statement. In closing her letter Mrs. White said : "Whether 'Abraham Lincoln' will prove a box office success or not Is a test of American appreciation of true art." Broadcast of Talking Pictures from Theatre Popular with Shut-ins (Special to the Herald-World) MADISON, WIS., Nov. 6.— Broadcasting of talking pictures from R K O's Orpheum theatre in this city over station WIS J, for the benefit primarily to enable shut-ins in hospitals, homes and sanitariums and partially deaf people to hear talking pictures, has been meeting with considerable success, according to John Scharnberg of the R K O theatres in Madison. Announcers from the station give the names of the cast and explain what takes place between the talking of the characters. Numerous letters, cards and telegrams have been received by the radio station commenting favorably on the broadcast. San Francisco Police In Charge of Putt-Putts (Special to the Herald-World) SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 6.— Jurisdiction over miniature golf courses, whether indoor* or outdoors, has been placed in the hands of the police commission by the Board of Supervisors here. All operators of courses will be required to secure permits. The board has ruled that all outdoor courses within 100 feet of homes, apartment buildings, hotels or hospitals shall be closed from midnight to 7 a. m., and all other outdoor courses shall be closed from 2 to 7 a. m. Sound amplifying devices will not be tolerated from 10 o'clock in the evening to 7 o'clock in the morning. There are no restrictions on indoor courses. A Putt-Putt Deluxe (Special to the Herald-World) ST. LOUIS, Nov. 6.— Indoor golf has invaded this city in deluxe style. A nine-hole course has been opened on the first floor of the International building, in the heart of the St. Louis real estate district, with special telephone service at hand so players can keep in touch with their business offices. Henri Chouteau, owner of the International, owns the course, while Marie Hoerr is manager. Chouteau also owns the Liberty theatre building. Klangfilm Gets Studio (Special from Department of Commerce) WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.— Klangfilm has entered the production field in Berlin and has rented the Staaken studios, which were vacant for several months. The company's first picture will be "Two Kinds of Morals."