The Film Daily (1935)

r 1 Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Seventeen Years Old VOL. 67, NO. 150 NEW YORK, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1935 TEN CENTS 40% Top for Film Rentals Set by British Exhibs 89% OF NOTEHOLDERS APPROVE FOX MET. PLAN Republic Lineup Boosted to 57, Including 4 Serials Enlarged Program for the 1935-36 Season is In Six Groups As a result of recent affiliations and further expansion, the Republic Pictures program for 1935-36 has been boosted from its originally announced quota of 46 attractions to a total of 57, including four serials, it was stated yesterday by President W. Ray Johnston. The lineup is divided into six groups, consisting {Continued on Page 9) SARNOFFNAMESGROUP ON TELEVISION PLANS An inter-company committee to develop plans for RCA's field test of high definition television, which it begins some time next year, has been named by David Sarnoff, RCA president, as follows: Dr. W. R G. Baker, vice-president {Continued on Page 9) RKO Seeks to Set Aside $45,000 M. & S. Awards RKO will move to set aside the $45,000 arbitration award made Tuesday to the M. & S. circuit when counsel for M. & S. moves next week to obtain judgment in Supreme Court, it was stated yesterday by the RKO legal department. The award will be disputed on several grounds, one of which is that it binds third parties unconnected with the litigation. On the Dais for Lichtman Fete Ampa committee in charge of preparing the luncheon for Al Lichtman at the Motion Picture Club today announces that the dais, tentatively set, will consist of the following executives: H. J. Yates, Harry Thomas, Neil Agnew, Jack Cohn, Ned Depinet, Martin Quigley, C. C. Pettijohn, Bruce Gallup, Al Lichtman, Jack Alicoate, Felix F. Feist, W. J. German, E. C. Grainger, George Schaefer, W. Ray Johnston, Jimmy Grainger, Arthur Lee and E. W. Hammons. Approximately 250 persons have definitely promised to attend. W. VA. EXHIB ASS'N DELAYS AFFILIATION By REGINALD H. MURRAY FILM DAILY Staff Correspondent White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. — First annual convention of the recently organized West Virginia Managers' Ass'n, representing a majority of the state's theaters, got under way yesterday at the Greenbrier Hotel with James C. Shanklin of Charleston as convention chairman. Sol Hyman of Huntington is president fo the association, William {Continued on Page 10) New Orleans Exhibs End Revolt Against Ascap New Orleans — The exhibitor revolt against Ascap, which was led by six exhibitors, came to an end, excepting for the Schulman Brothers this week, when five of the six leaders sought new contracts. Ascap re{Continued on Page 9) COMPLETE PLAN TODAY FOR INDEP'T CIRCUIT Proposed plan for formation of an independent circuit composed of New York theaters will be completed by Milton C. Weisman, counsel for the I. T. 0. A., by tomorrow, President Harry Brandt said yesterday. One hundred houses are already lined up for the project, which will involve pooling arrangements, he said, and a total of 150 is expected. Penna. Sunday Movies Signed by Governor Harrisburg — Pennsylvania's local option Sunday movie bill was signed yesterday by Governor George H. Earle. The 20 per cent Sunday amusement tax measure, after pasing the house, did not reach the Senate in time for a vote. It will come up in the next session. ( Gayr fc nor Out of "Down East" West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Due to continued illness .following a collision on the set last week that resulted in a concussion of the brain, Janet Gaynor is out of the cast of Fox's "Way Down East." Rochelle Hudson gets the big opportunity of being selected to replace her. There will be no other cast changes in the picture, which is half finished. British Exhibitors Not to Pay Over 40% Rental for Films Court Approves Purchase Of United Artists Stock Wilmington, Del. — Chancellor J. O. Wolcott in Chancery Court yesterday indicated to counsel that he will approve sale by Art Cinema Corp. of the block of 1,000 shares of United Artists Corp. capital stock it owned. The stock is to be sold to U. A. for $650,000. Art Cinema {Continued on Page 10) Fox Met. Reorganization Expected to be Confirmed Today Confirmation by Federal Judge Mack of the Weisman-Schenck reorganization plan for the Fox Met. circuit is expected today. It is understood that 89 per cent of the noteholders have approved the plan and that the other creditor classes are in favor of it. The threat of an opposition plan from S. Herbert Stern has disappeared, his attorney, Harold Aron, said yesterday. Stern collapsed from overwork in preparing his reorgani {Continued on Page 9) ATTORNEYS SKEPTICAL ON TRADE ASSOCIATION Major company attorneys yesterday took a skeptical position in regard to the proposal that an all-industry trade association be formed to draft and establish a set of fair trade practices resembling the recently defunct code. They visualized dangers of difficulties through the {Continued on Page 9) 1935-36 Product Shortage Predicted by Samuelson Boston — That nearly all major producers would be short on feature product for the 1935-36 season was predicted by Sidney E. Samuelson, Allied president, while here this week {Continued on Page 9) London (By Cable) — In a conference at Cardiff yesterday, the Cinematograph Exhibitors Ass'n passed a strong resolution definitely declaring they will not pay more than 40 per cent rental for any film in future. A penalty clause was brought in to strictly enforce the new policy on members of the organization. The Film Daily Production Guide for 1935 will surpass all predecessors in size, appearance, advertising and editorial contents. — Advt. Bartholomew in "Twvf West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Freddie Batrholomew, the youngster who scored in the title role of M-G-M's "David Copperfield," will play the name role in "Oliver Twist" to be made by the same company in the near future. Lawrence Weingarter) will be the producer. Two other Dickens stories, "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Pickwick Papers," are being made by M-G-M.