The Film Daily (1934)

w fi Intimate in Character Internationa! in Scope Independent in Thought TTC >J\ The Dai ly N ewspe iper Of M : i o n Pi ct ures Now Six teen Years Old VOL. LXV. NO. 148 NEW YCCr, TIJESDAy, JLNE 26, 1934 <5 CENTS RKO Reported After 10 Consolidated Theaters MEYER-SCHNEIDER GET 22 MANHATTAN THEATERS Code Authority Meets Bi -Weekly Under New Schedule Five Cents . . . from prosperity By JACK ALICOATE AS WE wander hither and yon we seldom find an exhibitor more than casually interested in the moral and economic problems of the industry that do not directly concern his theater. Not so, however, with Charlie O'Reilly, exhibitor member of the Code Authority. He carries the respect of the entire industry, knows the business forwards, backwards, and sideways in case of a tie, and speaks with authority regarding it. We like this Turk because he is a fighter, a polished diplomat and a born politician. Further, he is not afraid to speak his mind regardless of his audience. He believes that this industry is thoroughly overseated. That a building moratorium of two years would be a great economic bless-, ing. He says that this industry is selling its great programs of entertainment too cheaply. That if every theater in the country, regardless of present admission price, would raise its prices overnight, and but one nickel, it would be the difference between red and black ink all around. In other words, that we are just "Five Cents From Prosperity." AFTER years in reverse English, motion picture editors of newspapers throughout the country are telling us that for the first time they are getting the proper sort of co-operation from most home offices and that motion picture matter reaching their desks is at last reflecting intelligent appreciation of their requirements. That's a good sign. The proper sort of studio matter going out over the coming few months can go a long way toward overcoming the extreme sensitiveness now besetting the cinema. THE safest course for an exhibitor is a non-political and non-sectarian policy. However, every theater owner should protect himself, through his screen and every agency at his command, from the stand of Rev. Dr. Short and his Motion Picture Research Council on non-theatrical distribution. No one is subject to more and {Continued on Page 2) Decision on Cancellations of U. A. Product Being Given This Week Beginning Thursday, the Code Authority will adopt a meeting schedule which calls for sessions every two weeks. A decision on whether or not the code provisions for a 10 per cent cancellation applies to United Artists will be rendered at the meeting this week. The committees on local zoning (Continued on Page 3) FEDERAL COURT HEARS RKO PETITION TODAY RKO's recent petition to Federal Court for permission to reorganize under the new bankruptcy law will be heard this afternoon. It is expected that Judge Alfred C. Coxe, who will hear the petition, will instruct the company to file a reor (Continued on Page 24) Anti-Premium Measure Pending in Louisiana Baton Rouge, La. — Senate Bill 70, directed against giving of premiums by stores, has been amended to cover movie theaters as well. The measure is now on the Senate calendar.; Independents plan a vigorous fight.; Closer Scrutiny for Plays In a further effort to strengthen its plan for controlling screen material produced, the Hays association is giving renewed attention to its system of reviewing stage plays. Under the plan material is either okayed for picture production or rejected. These recommendations are sent to the story editors of companies identified with the association. SINGLE WIS. EXHIB UNIT STATEWIDE MEET AIM Milwaukee — Arrangements have been set by Allied for a two-day statewide meeting of independent exhibitors to be held June 28-29 in Lake Geneva with the intention of forming a single big organization in the state and to discuss other current problems. President Sidney E, Samuelson of Allied States Ass'n is expected to attend. Para. Trustees' Tenure Up for Hearing July 10 Stockholders and creditors of Paramount will meet the morning of July 10 before U. S. District Court Judge Coxe at a hearing to determine whether the appointment of Charles D. Hilles, Eugene W. Leake and Charles E. Richardson as temporary trustees shall be made permanent. The move comes under provisions of the new bankruptcy act. Report RKO is Negotiating For 1 0 Consolidated Houses Allied Apprehensive Apprehensive over possibilities that the proposed church boycott on socslled immoral pictures may hurt independent exhibitors, Allied units throughout the country are communicating with producers, both major and independent, as regards their programs for the new season. The letters seek suggestions as to means of handling the situation. As a further move to strengthen its Greater New York theater holdings, RKO is now understood to be negotiating for at least 10 houses of the Consolidated circuit with the possibility of RKO taking over the entire group, the Film Daily learns. Conferences have been held between Laurence S. Bolognino of Consoli (Continued on Page 4) Buy Controlling Interest in Circuit of New York Houses Meyer and Schneider yesterday purchased the controlling interest in the 22 Manhattan Playhouse Circuit theaters, the Film Daily learns. For several months past the circuit has been in difficulties due to delayed bookings and financial matters, and was reported to be one of the circuits being bid for by Si Fabian in the interests of Warners. Last week Manhattan Playhouse moved out of its offices in the Bond Building and took temporary quarters at the Apollo. Theaters in (Continued on Page 4) FOX PLAYHOUSES DEAL STILL HANGING FIRE For a second time, the Fox ropolitan Playhouses' notehc committee yesterday failed to an agreement on the Loew-W: (Continued on Page 24) Para. Regional Confabi Get Under Way To Regional sales conventions in amount exchange centers, as lined by Vice-President Georj Schaefer at the company's co; tion in Los Angeles last week, today with a conference in Francisco, with Los Angeles, (Continued on Page 3) Seize Records of Unions Offices of three operators' unions, including the Empire State M. P. Operators Union in Brooklyn, Local 306 in Manhattan and the Brooklyn branch ot Local 306, were raided yesterday bv 18 detectives, who seized records and rushed them to the Kings County Grand jury which is hearing testimony in an investigation of the unions «"'™«^d by Assistant District Attorney William Kleiman.