The Film Daily (1937)

Critics in Forum I Intimate in Character ('Q^iternational in Scope | independent in Thought ess in Stories The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Nineteen Years Old VOL. 71, NO. 113 NEW YORK, FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1937 TEN CENTS esl 7( Distributors Refunding Outside N. SEE SETTLEMENT OF COAST STRI __ Three Distribution Control Bills In Pennsylvania Senate (Second installment of the Squawk Parade of the Fifth annual FILM DAILY Critics' Forum). STOCK STORIES— Aside from a few productions, films have suffered from an increased use of stock patterns. They have become stale and a good fresh breeze would liven them up. Film devotees can call every turn of the plot — every gesture of the players. Scenarists and directors have been looking at too many movies. Also, stories are too often sacrificed to stellar personalities — not enough fitting a player into a part and too much tailoring a role to a player Stories are stilf the most important ingredient for entertainment. ELSIE FINN, Philadelphia "Report, COMMERCIALS ON SCREEN— Our biggest squawk this year is the policy of most theaters to run commercial advertising trailers that "talk." You can't go to a movie nowadays without having to be bored for 15 to 20 minutes with advertising. The theater is for entertainment only and newspapers in smaller towns suffer a great deal from this infringement. ALFRED W. ROSE, Camden, Ark. "News". • NEW PLOTS NEEDED— I contend that far too many old films are being remade each year under new titles and with new casts. The stories are too much the same. The plots lack originality. Some means should be devised to establish a clearing-house for new ideas. Many people without the technical skill ^'•-"construct a scenario, and even without \fy hy to write a story may have ideas for srories which would be developed if brought to the attention of the proper persons in the industry. It seems an effort on a large scale to ferret out new ideas would add interest and spice to pictures. At least it could do no harm. To my (Continued on Page 6) Block Booking, Blind Buying, and Playdate Measures Introduced Philadelphia — Three bills prohibiting preferred playing time, block booking and blind buying have been introduced into the Pennsylvania Senate, "The Philadelphia Exhibitor" learned yesterday. Sponsored by Senators Dent and Stiefel, the measures have been referred to (Continued on Fage 4) CARL LEVI, DISTRICT MGR. FOR LOEW. DIES Carl Levi, Loew circuit district manager in charge of Brooklyn, lower New York City houses and the Astor and State on Broadway, died yesterday morning at 11:30 (.Continued on Page 8) Expect Renewal of Pact Between Selznick and U. A. Deal under which Selznick International Pictures distributes through United Artists and under which five more pictures are to be delivered is ( Continued on Page 5 ) New Copyright Bill Looms Wash. Bureau, of THE FILM DAILY Washington — A new copyright measure, representing a unification of pending Duffy, Sheppard and Guffy bills, may be introduced in Congress within the month, it was announced yesterday by Senator F. Ryan Duffy, Wisconsin Democrat. Experts, Duffy said, were now analyzing the three proposals. RATT GIVES APPROVAL TO ROXY RE0R6. PLAN Special Master Addison Pratt yesterday approved the Roxy reorganization plan with the provision that, in addition to the changes already made, another amendment be added providing for payment in full of the claims of the general creditor of the equity receiver, except the $16,454 claim of 20th Century-Fox (Continued on Page 4) Warners to Have Record Ad Budget, Says Einfeld The largest advertising budget in the history of Warner Bros. Pictures and its affiliated companies will be expended during the coming season, it was announced by S. Charles Einfeld, director of advertising and pub < Continued on Page 5) Strikers' Mass Meeting to Act on Proposals Made at Parley By RALPH WILK West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Definite steps towards settlement of the ' studio strike were taken yesterday at a conference between representatives of Federated Studio Crafts and the producers. Strike leaders and producers declined to reveal terms of the peace proposals which will be submitted to a mass meeting of Federated, members tonight or tomorrow night for decision. It is believed the proposals provide that the strike be called off, that the strikers return to work and that disputed matters be submitted to the National Labor Relations Board. Through the efforts (Continued on Page 8) WISCON! PASSES DIVORCE BILL Majors Will Not Take Appeal In Outside New York Sales Tax Rolan Names New Arnpa Committees for Season Ampa's committees and advisory council for the year were announced at yesterday's luncheon meeting at Sardi's by President Ralph Rolan. They are: Entertainment and Program — (Continued on Page 7) Having definitely decided not to appeal the Court of Appeals ruling that the New York City 2 per cent sales tax does not apply to exhibitors outside of the city's limits, major distributors yesterday were preparing to refund the levy already paid by theaters under the ordi (Continued on Page 7) Milwaukee — Despite a recommendation for indefinite postponement, the Wisconsin Assembly yesterday passed a theater divorce bill. The measure has been sent to the Senate for action. A similar bill is pending in that body. M-G-M Expects Accounts Jump of 1,000 Next Year M-G-M expects to sell its 193738 product to 9,500 accounts, as compared with 8,500 theaters playing its pictures during the current year. With return of William F. Rodg(Coutinued on Page 8) "Star" for Loew Met. Loop Loew's circuit in New York is giving "A Star is Born," Selznick-United Artists picture, a week's playing time, at least, opening May 27. Houses usually operate on a split-week policy.