Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

I -I EXHIBITORS HERALD -WORLD December 6, 193n Seek New Orchestra Pact on Coast; All Racine Houses Dark San Francisco Downtown and Neighborhood Theatres to Make Separate Agreements with Musicians — Operators in City in Wisconsin Refuse 20 and 7% Per Cent Decrease [By Special Correspondent to the Herald-World] SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 4. — Negotiations are underway between the management of downtown theatres, represented by Fox-West Coast Theatres, Publix and Radio-Keith-Orpheum circuits, and the Musicians Union, for a new contract to clarify the present orchestra problem. The three-year agreement between the Musicians Union and the Allied Amusement Industries, Inc., expired August 31 and since then the old arrangement has been carried out by mutual agreement. The labor problems of the various houses are no longer handled by the Allied organization, according to manager Thomas D. Van Osten, and the new contracts will be made direct with individual houses and groups of houses. A. M. Bowles, manager of Fox-West Coast Theatres in the Northern California district, says that the advent of talking pictures has so changed conditions that it is no longer possible for the large downtown theatres and the neighborhood houses to act together in dealing with the union. The downtown theatre group will make its own arrangements with musicians, leaving the neighborhood houses to reach an agreement in accordance with their requirements. The old agreement required all theatres to maintain a standard orchestra which could not be discontinued or reduced. In the new agreement the theatre managers want to reserve the right to discontinue or cut down their orchestras upon giving due notice. None of the downtown theatres plans to discontinue its orchestras at this time but merely wishes it understood that it must have the privilege to do so at a future date if it so decides. All Eight Racine Theatres Go Dark (Special to the Herald-World) RACINE, WIS., Dec. 4.— As the result of labor difficulties between local exhibitors and projectionists, all eight local theatres went dark November 30 and will stay so indefinitely. Attempts have been made since September 1, when the contracts between the two parties terminated, to reach some kind of agreement, but without success. Seek 20 and iy2 Per Cent Cut Exhibitors are seeking a wage reduction of 20 per cent for the neighborhood houses and 7^2 per cent for the downtown theatres. High expenses resultant from the present system which requires two operators are said to be the cause for the request. The operators, however, refuse to take a cut, although they proposed a 5 per cent salary cut for five neighborhood theatres but none for the three downtown houses. This proposal was rejected by the theatre managers. The three downtown houses include the State, Fox-Midwesco house; the Venetian, Warner Brothers, and the Mainstreet, RKO. It is not considered probable that the theatres will employ non-union operators and the managers are contemplating appealing their case to Mayor William Armstrong. Estimate 10,000 Turned Away According to the present scale, as revealed by Max Krofta, president of the Racine Theatre Owners Protective association and manager of the Granada theatre, the wage scale in the theatres involved is as follows: Douglas and Crown theatre operators receive $50 a week for four hours a night; operators in the Granada, Capitol and Uptown theatre, $62 a week for four and one-half hours a night, and those in the Mainstreet, State and Venetian, $57.75 for five-hour shifts. It was estimated that 10,000 theatre patrons, representing a revenue of about $4,000, were turned away Sunday. All theatres had run their usual ads announcing Sunday's attractions. Vaudeville acts in three houses also were cancelled. 200 Patrons Marched to Safety as Film Blazes (Special to the Herald-World) SEATTLE, Dec. 4. — Firemen wearing gas masks fought a film fire in the projection room of the newly renovated Coliseum theatre here on Thanksgiving Day, and some 200 patrons were marched hurriedly out of the house to safety. Robert Cameron, projectionist, stated the blaze was caused by friction as he was rewinding a reel of film. Two Akron Nonunion Theatres Are Made Victims of Renewed Dynamite Attack (Special to the Herald-World) AKRON, OHIO, Dec. 4. — Dynamite bombs were exploded almost simultaneously in the Peoples and Spicer theatres, two neighborhood houses here, causing damage which, it is said, will run into several thousand dollars. Both theatres are reported to be using nonunion labor. The lobby of the Peoples house was bombed while the night watchman was in the rear of the building. The \entire front of the structure was demolished and windows in nearby structures were shattered. The explosion occurred at 1 :45 a. m. A few minutes later the blast at the Spicer took place. In this case the night watchman was standing in front of the theatre. The bomb was hurled to the roof at the rear, with the result that the rear of the theatre collapsed. Immediately after the explosion at the Peoples theatre, two men were seen driving away. The theory is that a lookout watched the movements of the watchman and signalled to his accomplices, who threw the bombs as they passed. The same houses were bombed several months ago. At that time the trouble was blamed on a union and wage dispute. Vincent Lopez Signs To Make Short Series For Theatre Service (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Dec. 4.— The Theatre Service Corporation has signed Vincent Lopez and his St. Regis orchestra for the production of a series of "Screen Broadcasts" as the first part of its program foi the making of these screen advertising subjects that are to be shown in more than 4,000 theatres, including the Paramoum Publix circuit. W. Johnson, president of Theatre Service, commenting on the Lopez contract, said. "Entertainment is necessary in screen advertising, and this is tangible evidence thai our 'Screen Broadcasts' will possess the very highest of entertainment value." The orchestra subject will go into pro duction at the Paramount Eastern studio in Astoria this week. The Dictators, radio quartette, will contribute to the musical program. Through this so-called "new use of the screen," it is claimed by executives of the company, theatre owners may enjoy an additional income from advertising and at the same time have high calibre entertain ment on the bill. H. D. Wharton Heads Tri-State; Lightman And Pettijohn Talk (Special to the Herald-World) MEMPHIS, Dec. 4.— Electing H. D. Whar ton of Warren, Ark., as its next president the Tri-State M P T O closed its annual convention here early this week. M. S. McCord of Memphis was named secretary. Regional vice presidents elected include Edward Kuykendahl, Miss. ; W. F Ruffin, Tenn., and J. F. Norman, Ark. M. A. Lightman, president of the MPTOA. and C. C. Pettijohn were principal speakers Others were Fred Wehrenberg, Dave Palfreyman, Commissioner Davis, N. E. Collins and Judge Kelly Dean. Approximately 200 attended. Fire Damages Bradley's House; Business Center Threatened; None Hurt I special to the Herald-World) NELIGH, NEB., Dec. 4.— A fire, which is thought to have started from a defective furnace, swept through the Moon theatre here, badly damaging the interior, and for a time threatening the business district of the town. The blaze occurred during the hours of 6 and 7 in the evening. Manager Bradley stated that he had started the fire about 5 o'clock, in order to have the house warm for the first show, which began at 7 o'clock. Fortunately, no one was in the building at the time, and the excellent work of the firemen checked the blaze in time to save further damage. Mr. and Mrs. Will Hays Hoover Luncheon Guests (Special to the Herald-World) WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.— Will H. Hayand Mrs. Hays were the luncheon guests of President and Mrs. Hoover at the White House yesterday. T & D Buys Lindsay Glade LINDSAY, CAL.— The T & D Jr. Enterprises. Inc., San Francisco, has purchased the Glade theatre here.