Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

28 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD November 29, 1930 Portland Censors Push Drive Despite Warning from Mayor Pendulum Will Swing in Other Direction If Board Goes Too Far, Says Executive — Hamrick Arrest Ordered on Complaint of Representative of "Cleanup" Faction, But Latter Backs Down [By Special Correspondent to the HeraldWorld] PORTLAND, ORE., Nov. 28.— The Censor Board of Portland has redoubled its efforts to "clean up" pictures following the meeting two weeks ago with Mayor George Baker and members of the council and despite a warning from the mayor against becoming unreasonably severe. All pictures were viewed in the light of what would satisfy a committee from the churches, teachers and parents. // CHIC" CHATS Despite the rigid censorship, according to Chester A. Lyon, who represents the "cleanup" faction, another picture "got through that did not meet the approval of the socalled reformers, together with a number of billboards. Lyon asked that a second conference be called with the "offending parties" in attendance, as well as the members of the censor board and exchange officers. Mayor Opposes Severity In discussing various pictures and film companies at some length, Mayor Baker pointed out that laws governing them must be reasonable and that the city cannot go too far or the pendulum will swing the other way on censorship. He also stated that the theatres have their right to appeal to the courts, and the question was just how far the city can go and get convictions unless a picture is really vicious. He pointed out that stories of real life often are as vivid as the motion pictures and that magazines that come into the city are as suggestive as any picture. "The public will not stand for too rigid censorship," he said, "and I don't want to see censorship abolished. That would be terrible. We must strike a happy medium some place if we are to continue censorship." Woodlaw Opposes Censorship G. T. Woodlaw, theatre operator here for the past 25 years, and frequently at war with the heads of the operators union, dared Lyon and his committee to have John Hamrick arrested for the advertising of "A Soldier's Plaything" and stated that he was opposed to all censorship, believing it better for the courts to determine whether the state law or the city ordinance has been violated. He predicted that no conviction would be obtained for the picture against which complaint was made. Walter W. R. May, advertising manager of the Oregonian, advised that he recently had called a meeting of the theatre managers to eliminate objectionable advertising in newspapers and found that since much of the advertising comes from a distance. Mr. May warned_ against radical steps. He suggested that it is a matter of education and said that the newspapers had brought about changes in advertising matter and had refused to run some of it that they considered objectionable. Urges Elevating Public Demand He pointed out that the payroll of the industry in Portland is $50,000 a week and that 200,000 persons see motion pictures every week. (Figures provided by Miss Ruth Doyle Evidently the Same, At the Office or at Home (Special to the Herald-World) NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 28.— Outside of Loew's State theatre here, where Rodney Toups is the guiding genius, is a blazing advertising sign which reads thus: "The Office Wife —All Talking." of Portland Film Board). He also said that highly constructive pictures have proved to be box office failures and that one job would be to elevate the demand of the public for films. Also as a last and decisive step Mayor Baker ordered the arrest of John Hamrick, owner of the Music Box and other theatres, on the complaint of Lyon that the theatre had displayed indecent advertising. However, Lyon ultimately refused to sign the complaint, stating that his was a mission of prevention and not prosecution. Other speakers suggested that if strict censorship was to be enforced to the latter, all stage productions, dances, and other forms of amusements should be curbed to conform to the blue laws. Sono Art Bills Entire Output in Seattle Chain And Part in 5 Others (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Nov. 28.— The following booking deals for Sono Art-World Wide product have been completed with circuits, according to Budd Rogers, director of sales: The entire 1930-31 product to the Sterling circuit of Seattle; "Rogue of the Rio Grande" to the Robb and Rawley circuit of Texas; "The Big Fight" to the Midwest circuit; "Dude Wrangler" and the "Rogue of the Rio Grande" to the Dent circuit; "Costello Case" to the entire Publix New England circuit; "Big Fight" and "Dude Wrangler" to the Coston circuit of Chicago. Sees Film Premier of Spoor's Natural Vision Ken W. Thompson, author of an article on theatre advertising in the Box Office Promotion department of the October 11th issue, came from Adams, Wis., to attend the Natural Vision showing of "Danger Lights" at the State-Lake in Chicago. Thompson this week has a letter in the Voice of the Industry department. All-Talker Policy for New Orleans R K O House (Special to the Herald-World) NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 28.— Opening of the Palace under the R K O banner shortly as an all-talker house has been announced by Louis Golding, new R K O division manager who is inspecting his territory. The house will operate on a policy of 25 cents top. Start Paramount Radio Program Now at 10:30 (Special to the HeraldWorld) NEW YORK, Nov. 28.— The Paramount Publix Radio Playhouse, broadcast over the Columbia chain every Tuesday, will start at 10:30 P. M. (E. S. T.) instead of at 10:15 as now, beginning with the program of December 2. NEW YORK AL SELIG, publicity boss of Tiffany, found a letter on his desk the other morning which is worth a full quote. It speaks for itself. Listen : Sir: I understand you are about to start production on a new picture (an Underworld picture). You undoubtedly have added much to your knowledge of American underworld with your visit to Chicago, but when it comes to actual portrayal of those underworld humans concerned, the directors seem to lose the true characters, there moods, actions, etc. I would like very much to help you attain a perfect picture of American underworld life. I can be of utmost assistance to you, as 1 know through living as one of those, the actualitys of the underworld life. I do not ask any reward for my services, just let me help you if I may. If you think that I can be of any use to you give me what you see fit it will be O. K. with me. I have been wanting for the longest time to help attain that near perfect picture, please try me out I assure you, that you will not have any cause to be sorry. Hoping anxiously to hear a reply, I remain, Al hasn't decided yet whether or not he should take a chance. Can't tell, it may be a find. And then again they may find something lost after he arrives around the Tiffany location. Anyway, here's a great opportunity for Tiffany to make the underworld picture of the modern age, with the unknown as chief assistant to James Whale in the production of "X Marks the Spot." The lad doesn't specify whether his specialty is stick-up, second story, rackets, or just general underworld facts. A When Frank Heath, casting director at Paramount's Eastern Studios in Astoria, needed a certain chap for a part in "Stolen Heaven," now being filmed, he found the actor's telephone wasn't working. The latter had asked for work several times, and Heath knew he needed it. He had the inspired thought of asking for help, and called the telephone company, telling the traffic manager that unless he could get hold of the actor in time to report for work with Nancy Carroll the next morning, he would lose the part. The traffic manager saw the point, sent a man around to the home of the actor, and the actor was playing his part opposite Nancy the next morning. That's good service. A From Philadelphia comes the note that a judge of the Superior Court has upheld the contention of the director of public safety that talking motion pictures are admissable as evidence in the courtroom, in just the same way that fingerprints, phonograph records and the like have been previously accepted. It will be rather tough for the boys when Television becomes an accomplished fact, and that doesn't look very far away. A More ad lines from Broadway marquees : Did you know that : at the Winter Garden in "The Life of the Partv," there are "Wild Babies Who Make Old Men Act Childish." And "Is Life and Love Just Another Gamble or Is It Just a Racket?" in "Big Money" at the Globe. An RCA sound truck drove down Broadway the other morning making music and followed by six large busses loaded with children. Four motorcycle cops acted as escort. Sign on the busses explained the big parade : "We are on our way to see Richard Cromwell in 'Tol'able David' at the RKO Mayfair." Made quite a stir on the street, but it doesn't take much to do that in this man's town.— "CHIC" AARONSON. M