Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

6 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN R E V I E W S (Continued from Page 8) names for his support, make this a poor bet for box-office honors. The picture is shaped in the pattern of Grace Moore musicals, with the inclusion of several operatic arias and some newly written songs. The singing of Mr. Martini is really stirring, in both operatic and popular numbers, but his debut performance suffers immeasurably because not sufficient time was taken to give him even a rudimentary training in histrionics. He is young and photographs well, but carries the burden of a heavy accent, which makes his performance seem even worse than it really is. Added to Martini's acting deficiencies is the uninspired and unoriginal direction, and a plot that lacks the humor and verve needed in such films. Schumann-Heink is delightful in her role, adding great charm to the scenes in which she appears. She will be seen and liked very much in the future. Better class spots, where Martini is known, should do at least average with this. But it is a below-average attraction for other theatres, rating poor for rural towns and action neighborhoods. PLOT: A struggling young vocal student, Martini, finds a patroness in Genevieve Tobin, through the aid of Schumann-Heink. She sends him to Paris to study, where he falls in love with Anita Louise. Genevieve comes to Paris, interferes with his romance and, trying to push his career too fast, ruins it. He disappears for a while, Anita discovering him again as a song-plugger. She sets about rebuilding his career and lands him on the stage of the Metropolitan. AD TIPS: Sell Martini as the great new singing sensation, star of the Metropolitan Opera Company and the radio. Also deliver him to the ladies as a new romantic troubadour. Mention him in connection with Grace Moore, as being the male counterpart of that star. ELK. Variety Club Ladies Masque The Ladies' Auxiliary of Variety Tent 13 (Philly) are holding their first annual Bal Masque this Saturday night. The Hallowe'en Party is expected to attract a big turnout. Oscar Neufeld is aiding the ladies with the preparations. Chance Games Charges Dismissed By Grand Jury The Philadelphia Grand Jury dismissed the lottery cases pending against four local exhibitors arrested several weeks ago for operating chance game business stimulators. Consequently, Allen Lewis, Emanuel Lewis, John Enrlich and Isador Schwartz, who had been using "Lucky" and ''bank Night," were discharged. It is unlikely that any further action will be taken to interfere with these theatre prize games, which have made considerable inroads in the territory. It has been learned, however, that Philadelphia police have been instructed to keep an eye on theatres using games to see that they do not overstep bounds construed to be within the law. Some feel that this action is directed against games in which cash is used as prizes, but there has been no special ruling on this phase. Preferred Gets Imperial 7 The Philadelphia and Washington exchanges of Preferred Pictures, Inc., will distribute the seven Imperial Exploitation Specials, which are being released nationally by William Pizor and Lew Berinan. The deal was concluded latt week with Ed Waters, Murray Beier and Herbert Taylor representing Preferred in the negotiations. The Imperial Seven presents a group of features that lean heavily on the exploitation side. Such titles as "Murder By Television," which stars Bela Lugosi; "Manhattan Butterfly," and "Second Choice," by Rob Eden, author of several successful novels, indicate that the product wiil be real showmen's pictures. In addition to the feature group, Imperial is producing 13 Poetic Gems by Edgar A. Guest, one of the most widely read newspaper feature writers in the country, and 13 Color Classics, which are novelties and travelogues done in the latest color process. N. Y. Circuits Operators Settle The three-month-old wage dispute between Loew's and RKO Theatres in Njw York and Local 306 of the Operators' Union was settled at the end of last week when seven-year waga contracts were signed. Terms as reported by the union are: #1.86 per hour in circuit neighborhood houses and #2.55 in central city de luxe theatres. Pact also provides for a week's vacation with pay for each bocthman. P E N N THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. Dependability Lowest Prices Let Us Quote On Your Next Requirements 309 N. 13th St., Phila. RIT. 3273 ERRITT CRAWFORD (Continued from Page 5) This has a significance for every independent producer and theatre owner that should not be overlooked. Unless recent reports are wrong, the fingers of that same financing group is reaching into the independent production field and may soon dominate it. It must be remembered that the lords of Wall Street never want a complete, 100% monopoly in any industry. This has proven again and again to be undesirable and provocative of trouble from legal and governmental sources. The ideal set-up is a dominant control of about 70% of the business in an industry, with the practical control, through allegedly "independent" and "competitive" companies, of the remaining 30%. If they are able to effect this in the film industry (and it appears quite likely), they will have no danger of government interference and the independent theatre owner and film producer will have to tie up to the tail of the kite or fall to the ground. This is certainly not a hopeful prospect taken by and large. But, it must be uttered and reckoned with, for, unless exhibitors really learn and believe in cooperation, their days as an influential factor in this industry are numbered. In which Bob tips off Joe on a new film October 23, 1935. Dear Joe: Even after I read all those rave reviews on "Harmony Lane" in the trade and newspapers, I was still a bit skeptical, so I hied myself off to the Capital city to take a peek at it. Listen, Joe, I saw one of the grandest shows that has been produced this year. It's a honey that has everything, drama, comedy (and how) and those great songs by Stephen Collins Foster. It's the story of his life, you know, and Old Black Joe, Swanee River, My Old Kentucky Home, Oh Susanna, and his other melodies are played as the background for a swell story. Get this one for your house, Joe, but don't wait till you play it — go down to see it yourself first. The Old Side-kick, Bob. HARMONY LANE A MASCOT PICTURE — With — DOUGLASS MONTGOMERY EVELYN VENABLE ADRIENNE AMES WILLIAM FRAWLEY JOSEPH CAWTHORN • COLD MEDAL FILM CO. 203 EYE ST., N. W., WASHINGTON Metropolitan 2133