Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

24 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD November 15, 1930 Quigley' s Proposal of Exhibitor Aid At Studios Wins Commendation Suggestion of Establishing Rotating Committee at Hollywood Available to Producers Is Fine Idea, W rites Philip Rand MARTIX J. QUIGLEY'S suggestion of establishment of a rotating committee of exhibitors available at Hollywood for consultation with producers for the betterment of motion pictures is winning widespread commendation from exhibitors as a factor toward complete cooperation in improving the popular appeal of productions. uT^HIS is a fine proposal," writes Philip -* Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. Rand adds this suggestion : "If such ideas as these or others along the same line appeal to you exhibitors reading the magazine, won't you please write to the Herald-World and express your sentiments?" F o 1 lo w i n g is Rand's letter: "I wish to congratulate Mr. Quigley on his editorial in the „ ... „ , A~ , Philip Rand .November issue headed 'Aid from Exhibitors.' Mr. Quigley hits the nail squarely on the head when he says 'The only problem confronting the motion picture industry is the question of product — the quality of the product.' "Exhibitors are unanimous in their desire for big pictures, for the people are shopping for their entertainment; fair pictures bring out only fair attendance, and fair attendance does not pay at the box office." "Fine Proposal," Says Rand "Producers of course are anxious to please the public and to make pictures that the public wants, but, as Mr. Quigley states, the producers, in ascertaining what the public wants, do not go far enough away from Broadway and the largest cities, nor to a sufficient number of independent exhibitors over a wide area. "Mr. Quigley suggests a rotating committee of exhibitors at Hollywood available for consultation with producers. This is a fine proposal. I had suggested in a previous letter that the Herald-World send out a questionnaire to exhibitors and to publish the results. Probably Mr. Quigley's idea is the better. Urges Expression of Sentiments "If such ideas as these or others along the same line appeal to you exhibitors reading the magazine, won't you please write to the Herald-World and express your sentiments? "We need more box office attractions. Won't you help get behind this and perhaps we may work out some favorable solution." German Film Industry "Annoyed" by Sarcasm Of Harassed Critics fBy special correspondent to the Herald-WorldJ BERLIN, Nov. 13. — Repeated attacks of the press upon the new domestic productions resulted in adoption of a resolution by the Spitzen organization, directing body of the German films, condemning the attitude of the Berlin lay press reviewers and expressing the producers' and exhibitors' "annoyance at the sarcastic tone of these reviews." The critics have answered by forming an association to protect their interests against the attacks and their attitude re mains unchanged. A typical statement on the condition of German talking pictures was made in a recent issue of the Berliner Tageblatt as follows: "People who make such pictures are the same who grumble against Russian art, who want to keep embarrassing foreign competition through kontingent carriers, and who take care that one hardly gets a chance to view the fine new talkers produced in America, France and Russia." The patents war still continues and about 200 exhibitors who installed Kinoton sound equipment are the latest victims of legal entanglements. Although Kinoton successfully defended its _ patent rights against Klangfilm in the High Court some time ago, the Berlin Court of Appeals has reversed the judgment. The latter court found Kinoton guilty of illegally using Lieben amplifying tubes, the patent rights of which are owned by Klangfilm. It is believed that Klangfilm will now ask for damages. World Premiere of Spoor Depth Film in Chicago State-Lake R K O's State-Lake theatre in Chicago has been chosen for the world's premiere presentation of George K. Spoor's third dimension film. The picture to be projected with the new film is R K O Radio's "Danger Lights," with the first showing scheduled to take place on the evening of November 15. Spoor's invention is called "Natural Vision," a system by which not only height and width, but also depth are portrayed on the screen. A wide screen will be used. The third dimension device was perfected jointly by Spoor and P. John Bergren, engineer and physicist. The projected picture is said to retain all the natural imagery, shading and proportion of the original objects photographed, elimininating the flat, shadowy black and white images. Western Electric Wins Court Fight To Equip Theatre (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Nov. 13.— E R P I is proceeding with the installation of a Western Electric sound system in the Monroe theatre here as a result of the decision handed down this week by Judge McGoldrick of the Supreme Court. Previously a DeForest equipment had been installed in the theatre. General Talking Pictures asked for an injunction to prevent the Rhinelander Amusement Company, operators of the house, from removing the DeForest equipment. In his decision Judge McGoldrick denied this request and paved the way for the installation of the Western Electric system. FN Studios Will Be Executive Centers of All WB Companies Neiv Building Erected — Production Will Still Be Separate — Ad Departments Are Combined (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Nov. 13.— Following the announcement of the consolidation of the Warner Brothers and First National sales forces, Jack L. Warner has issued a statement to the effect that the executive headquarters for all Warner Brothers, First National and Vitaphone productions will be centralized at the First National Studios in Hollywood, Cal. Since his arrival here several days ago, Tack L. Warner, in charge of production for the producing company, has been in conference on the plan. Publicity Departments Merged Hal B. Wallis and C. Graham Baker are to be co-executives in charge of production for First National pictures, and D. F. Zannuck will have a similar position with respect to Warner Brothers releases. It is understood from Warner's statement that the production units of the two companies will be kept absolutely separate and will function as two distinct organizations, though included in the plan is the establishment of an operating department to be headed by William Koenig with the title of studio manager. His position will entail supervision over the physical and mechanical details of production for both companies. A new building has been erected on the First National lot to house the executives. Warner stated that in thus consolidating the executive headquarters in one location, he may best take advantage of the excellent facilities of the First National Studio, which has come to be known as one of the model motion picture plants of the industry. The studio occupies an area of 1,075 acres. Co-executives Named The publicity, advertising and exploitation departments of the two companies have been mereed to take effect Monday, November 16. S. Charles Einfeld, the present advertising and publicity director of First National, will head the combined department. A. P. Waxman, head of Warner Brothers publicity, has been promoted to publicity counsel for Warner interests and will engage in special work concentrating on promotion of Warner Brothers product in New York and throughout country in the capacity of manager of the newly formed roadshow department. This consolidation does not affect present staff personnel of either company. Butterfield House Is Opened; Better Times Seen in Gross Returns (Special to the Herald-World) BAY CITY, MICH., Nov. 13.— The Bay theatre, formerly the Bijou, and now belonging to the W. S. Butterfield Theatres, Inc., was opened recently, after having been almost wholly rebuilt. The contractors left only three walls standing, putting in an entirely new front and completely readjusting the house into a motion picture theatre only. The seating capacity was increased from 750 to 1,050. Also, the Lansing theatre, rebuilt, has opened its doors. ' It is reported that the gross revenues of the 80 theatres which are included in the Butterfield interests are on the increase.