The Film Daily (1935)

THE Saturday, June 22,1935 DAILY I** PEL TO IMPORT 25 FRENCH FILMS {Continued from Page 1) headquarters in Paris to function as buying agent. Only 10 French films were imported into this country last year. Distribution arrangements for the coast have been made and the company, which has offices at 66 Fifth Ave., will first develop its selling organization in New England and in the New Orleans area. Pictures now in New York and scheduled for fall release are: "Le Dernier Milliardaire," directed by Rene Clair; "Maria Chapdelaine," based on a story by Louis Hemon, "L'Ordennance," from the novel by Guy de Maupassant, and "Charlemagne," with Raimu. Under a tie-up made with the Fifth Avenue Playhouse, the theater will become the first-run house for the company and change its name to "Cinema de Paris," beginning in the fall. It will be entirely redecorated and a cooling system installed. France-Film, through its offices at 92 Boulevard des Courcelles in Paris, will act as sales agent for American firms. Hurel is also president of France-Film Corp. of Canada, which imports approximately 80 per cent of French films shown in the United States. Distribution Deals Closed by Halperins (Continued from Page 1) perin yesterday said it is possible that Medallion may develop into the nucleus of an independent company similar to Republic. Pittsburgh Briefs Pittsburgh — For the first time in the history of the theater, the Loew's Penn is holding over a picture for a second week. Honor goes to M-G-M's "No More Ladies." Fire swept through the Ritz in Greensburg early Thursday morning causing damage estimated at $6,500. Sam Richman, Ike Browarsky, Manny Golden, Harry Handel, George Otte, Sam Dipson, Roy Rowe, Bob Higgins and Harry Michaels busy exhibitors on the Film Row this week. Pythian Mag to Have Movie Dept. Tampa, Fla. — Damon & Pythias, a new national monthly magazine fx>r Pythians, is scheduled to make Qp b°w Sept. 1 and will include a l^o-page movie department. Mrs. Z. Z. Guilfoyle, New York, has been appointed motion picture editor. The new publication has set up offices at 114 Franklin St. here. J. Clifford MacDonald is publisher. MALT T T T « • • EUROPEAN ROYALTY seems to have quite a yen for American animated cartoon comedies the latest evidence being a request received by Paramount from the Queen of Italy asking to purchase a print of the Max Fleischer Color Classic, "The Song of the Birds," for her private use Paramount will present the short to Her Majesty with its compliments and those of Fleischer Jack KJirkland, just back in this country from abroad, has completed a new play it's titled "Afterglow" and Laura D. Wilck has sold another play by Allen Boretz to Thomas Mitchell and Jessie Long V T V • • • ALTHOUGH THE Mayor has signed the ordinance making it legal to have Sunday legitimate shows in this city actual opening of Sunday legit on Broadway is still a matter of uncertainty assent of Actors Equity Ass'n to the appearance of its members in Sunday shows must yet be obtained before legit producers can make their casts work on the Sabbath and a court test is likely on the grounds that the Sunday legit bill is unconstitutional T T T • • • NEXT FRIDAY the S.R.O. sign will probably go up early at the Roxy for there is coming to the big cinema cathedral on that day no less than Henry Armetta in person the comically excitable Henry is always sure-fire with Roxy screen fans so his appearance in the flesh ought to bring out a big gang and speaking of top comedians of the screen a new Laurel and Hardy comedy, "Fixer Uppers," is on the bill at the Capitol along with the Crawford-Montgomery feature, "No More Ladies," which is expected to hold over T T T • • © OPENING THE second half of the Motion Picture League baseball season, RKO went to the head of the column by trimming Universal 6 to 2 Jimmy Boyle of RKO singled with the bases full Chick Schultz, RKO pitcher, allowed only three hits Jack Alexander is catcher and Jack White heads the RKO nine today Columbia plays a double-header against U. A. and Erpi at the James Madison High School field, Brooklyn U. A. ACTIONS RATIFIED AT MEETING OF BOARD (Continued from Page 1) David 0. Selznick will produce a series of pictures for the concern. Control of the company is in the hands of Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charles Chaplin and Samuel Goldwyn, it was stated. Chicago Chat Chicago — Screeno will be put in all of the Great States houses next week. Henri Ellman is now district manager for Master Arts in addition to his duties with Capitol Films. Harry Kunze, owner of the Panorama theater, was married a few days ago. Sam Myers, owner of the Teatro del Lago and Wilmette theaters, is on a three-week fishing trip in Colorado with his family. Harry James, head booker for United Artists, is on his vacation. Sam Horowitz, office manager; Steve Montgomery, Ernest Pickler, Harry Goldberg, Joe Hartman and Frank Young of United Artists office here, will attend the convention in Los Angeles. Charlie Kemp will have charge of the U. A. office while they are away. Novarro for London Play Chicago — Ramon Novarro has been signed to sing the leading role in "All the King's Horses" when that musical comedy is produced in London next fall under the title of "Royal Exchange." Negotiations are in progress with Kitty Carlisle to play the role of Queen Erna. Detroit Doings Detroit — Butterfield circuit has closed the Regent, Battle Creek, and will close the Garden, Saginaw, and Palace, Flint, tomorrow, according to Ollie Brooks, head booker. A new Butterfield house, the TraBay, Traverse City, has opened with Con Foster as manager. He also manages the Lyric. Plans for alterations on Butterfield's Majestic, Ann Arbor, have been prepared. W. P. Harbough has formed RCA Sound Systems Co., handling sales and service of RCA public address systems. Roy Ruben reports 100 attended the Screen Craft Club's annual party at the Book Cadillac. William M. Marley, general manager of National Theater Engineering Co., says his office has taken over servicing of W. E. equipment from Erpi for most Detroit houses. Services Tomorrow For Lee A. Ochs (Continued from Page 1) in Cincinnati on Nov. 30, 1880. He was a pioneer exhibitor in New York City and at one time was engaged in production at Fort Lee. Another phase of his early film industry activities was the management of stars. He was the founder and publisher of the "Exhibitors Trade Review" and was active in national theater affairs as president of the M. P. T. O. A., in addition to New York City exhibitor activities. In 1924 Ochs built the Piccadilly on Broadway and a year later, sold the house to Warner Bros., who changed its name to the Warner. A year ago he retired from active management of his New York City circuit with RKO taking over operation of four of his houses and Lawrence Bolognino the other five. He retained a large interest, however, in each group. Ochs was a member of the Shriners and Elks. He served as foreman of the April Grand Jury. Ochs is survived by his widow, Mrs. Nana Ochs, a daughter, Willa, and a son, Millard. Denver Doings Denver — O. K. Bourgeois, representative of Atlantic Pictures, was here for a few days. Jack Krum of Distinctive Screen Attractions is back from a business trip in the Black Hills. Herbert Griffin of International Projector visited recently at the National Theater Supply with Jap Morgan, manager. W. W. Caldwell in charge of the ad sales department of the Fox exchanges west of the Mississippi, was in Denver for a week. Wayne Ball, Columbia exchange manager, on vacation in Chicago, will return about the latter part of June. Fox Stockholders to Meet Fox Film stockholders will hold a meeting next month to approve the merger of the company with Twentieth Century under name of Fox-Tweiitieth Century, Inc. No opposition is expected to the move. British Color Film for U. A. United Artists will distribute what is described as the initial allcolor feature to be produced in England. The picture will be produced by Tower Productions, new company formed by Sir Adrian Bailey, and the Technicolor process will be used. Bergner Film 3 Weeks in Philly Philadelphia — "Escape Me Never," B. & D. production starring Elisabeth Bergner and released through United Artists, has just completed a three-week run at the Aldine.