Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

December 6, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD -WORLD 13 Papers Signed in RKO-Pathe Deal, Herald -World Informed Only Consent of Stockholders Remains to Close Purchase "Sync" or Swim For This Manager (Special to the Herald-World) DANVILLE, IND., Dec. 4.— Patrons of the Royal theatre here recently discovered that getting two radio stations at the same time was play compared with some of the troubles of a theatre manager. Tom Barnett, manager, tried to run his picture, but the words would not fit. Another trial to adjust the film failed to improve the situation. In the meantime the audience wondered what it was all about. An examination developed that some employe of the distributor's office had sent him the film for one picture and the words for another. Gain of 40 Per Cent In Fox Bookings Is Report by Grainger Heaches Conclusion After Tour of South — To Leave for Coast To Confer ivith Sheehan (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Dec 4.— J. R. Grainger, vice president in charge of distribution for Fox Film, reports an increase of 40 per cent over the same period last year in the total number of film contracts, with domestic Dilhngs running decidedly ahead of last year as well. Grainger made this statement on his return from a trip to St. Louis, Texas, New Orleans ind Atlanta territories, during which he analyzed the first run situation in various Texas cities, where the company is scheduled to_ complete next August a 5 year franchise with the Interstate Amusement Corporation tor first run exhibition in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. He reported business rather "spotty," with theatre receipts off in some communities and ahead of last year in others. In general, however, he said he found business especially good in Texas. Grainger is expected to leave shortly for Los Angeles to discuss 1931 production with Winfield Sheehan, vice president and general manager of Fox Film. On the way to the Coast, Grainger will stop off at the company's offices in Kansas City, Omaha, Salt Lake City, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles. $1 Protection Racket On N. Y. Musicians Ends As the Police Intervene (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Dec. 4.— According to Joseph Durkin, secretary to District Attorney Crain of New York County, one of the city's many rackets, the exacting of money from musicians, has been abandoned. Musicians had complained that they were forced to pay racketeers $1 a night in order to play without being molested in various city orchestras. Durkin and several men from the district attorney's office visited one of the clubs where leaders of the "musicians' racket" were accustomed to gather. He lined up 20 men for questioning. They said they were not in that racket and that the leaders had gone to Europe. RKO Is Understood to Be Planning Expansion of Theatre Chain in Larger Cities (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Dec. 4.— Papers in the R K O-Pathe deal were signed today, it was learned tonight from an authentic source. All that remains now to bring one of the oldest producing and distributing companies into the Radio Corporation fold is ratification by the stockholders. Under the reorganization which will follow completion of the merger it is understood that Lee Marcus will be taken from his post at Radio Pictures and transferred to Pathe. Although this has not been confirmed, the report persists, making it evident that such a move is under consideration. There is little possibility that the Pathe name will pass out of existence. It is believed that the stockholders will insist upon this. The merger is a $5,000,000 deal and gives R K O certain of the Pathe assets but does not include the Dupont-Pathe Company. When called on the phone Joseph P. Kennedy of Pathe declared that any statement would have to come from the Radio-Keith-Orpheum offices. Hiram S. Brown, president of R K O, stated, however, that he knew nothing about it. (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Dec. 4. — With the Pathe merger virtually completed, it is understood from several sources that RKO next plans to concentrate on theatre expansion. The company now owns in the neighborhood of 120 houses which are returning a nice profit, whereas a year ago they were in the red. It is said that executives of Radio Corporation of America, as well as of R K O, feel that with the present circuit prospering a conservative expansion can now be carried out. The circuit, with Hiram S. Brown as presi 1,000 houses; Fox with 600, and Warner dent, has been under the general management of Joseph Plunkett. Under the latter's direction the revenue from the houses has been mounting during the last year. First intimation, that expansion plans were underway, it is said, was the realignment whereby more stress is being placed upon national campaigns of advertising, exploitation and publicity. Those who have observed these movements see in them a definite step to promote maximum revenue from each of the houses now controlled by the company, a situation which will bring about natural expansion and will put the company on a more nearly equal basis with Publix, which controls slightly more than Brothers with 400 theatres. If these plans develop as expected it is not known at this time where expansion will be concentrated. Undoubtedly the company will seek nationwide representation, although it is not likely that the smaller towns will be entered. With the big companies prepared to turn back houses in the smaller towns it is not thought probable that RKO will enter that field. Advertising, exploitation and publicity campaigns on all pictures are now being handled from the home office of RKO, with headquarters in the Palace annex. A staff is being built up for this purpose. Grosses of New Warner Features Show Film Business Is Good, Says Sam Morris (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Dec. 4. — Warner Brothers executives point out attendance figures and grosses reached by a number of feature productions throughout the country as indicating that the general depression has not affected the film industry. Sam E. Morris, general manager of Warner Brothers Pictures, said: "Reports coming to us daily prove that as much business awaits good pictures as ever it did in the past. In fact, I think there is more business today than ever, for a number of Warner and First National pictures have succeeded in establishing new records." He pointed in particular to the case of "The Doorway to Hell," which grossed $125,000 during a run of three weeks at the Strand on Broadway; and "The Widow from Chicago," which took in $22,000 in one week at the Earle theatre in Philadelphia. On Broadway, according to Morris, "Kismet" is selling out and "The Life of the Party" is playing to capacity audiences.