The Film Daily (1927)

^NEWSPAPER oSFILMDOM ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME VOL. XL No. 35 Wednesday, May 11, 1927 Price 5 Cents Tolerance RECOGNIZING the fact that in the actual operations of this industry, skilled workers play a most essential role, it seems to us that a better understanding of the employer's obligations toward his business and toward his public might prevail on the part of unions. In an adjoining column will be found an account of a situation in B r i d ge p o r t which prompts this comment. It is our understanding that the condition has become rather widespread. Clarification of the atmosphere is therefore well in order. We fail to understand why an organist in good standing in his local union proves unacceptable to a union in another town when, in the eyes of the layman at least, none of the union regulations has been violated. This circumstance exists in Bridgeport. The theater in question determined to secure the best. Within the town that best was not to be had. And so the manager reached out further and imported an organist. Storms from the local chapter. The result: No music at the theater while the $25 which would have been paid in wages daily, are turned over to charity. We hold the procedure of the union to be childish. Why a bill of rights for employer and employee outlined with a definiteness that is unmistakable cannot be drawn up is something which we fail to comprehend. The Business of Golf The veterans and the hopefuls are at it today, weather permitting. The twelfth semi-annual golf tournament is under way at Sound View. The important business of playing golf is the order of the day. When business interferes with golf give up business, some soothsayer hath said. About two hundred disciples are slamming the pill and slashing the terrain into fancy patterns today. They will be the better for it. A Jmental and physical stimulus will be j jheirs. Their business machinery I vill function more adequately beJ ause the human machinery, always iminant, will feel more fit for its 1. 'ly task. KANN Red Cross Thanks Industry Appreciation of the cooperation of the industry throughout the United States in aiding the flood relief fund is expressed by the national headquarters of the Red Cross in a letter to the Hays office. Special mention was made of the work of the news reel companies for the Red Cross captions on flood pictures. The letter concludes with this statement: "It is most gratifying indeed to know that in the time of such a grave national emergency the American Red Cross can rely upon the motion picture interests of the country." LOEW ST. LOUIS HOUSE? SKOURAS BROS. SEEKING BRIDGEPORT ORGANISTS There is absolutely no truth to St. Louis despatches stating that a deal for leasing of Loew's State by Skouras Bros, is nearing completion, E. A. Schiller, general representative of Loew's, declares. "I cannot be too emphatic in denial of this false report," he declared, adding that telegrams of denial have been sent to all St. Louis newspapers. St. Louis — A deal is reported under way which may result in Skouras Bros.' Enterprises taking over management of Loew's State. If the deal goes through Skouras Bros, will control the first run situation practically 100 per cent. The only big houses not now under their (Continued on Page 6) Cosmopolitan's Plans Six features and one special will be produced by Cosmopolitan for release by M-G-M next year. The arrangement will include exploitation in the 25 Hearst newspapers of the country in addition to the promotion accorded Hearst serializations, which (Continued on Page 6) 40 from British Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Estimates of films to be produced in England during the coming year vary from 35 to 50, with a fair average of opinions naming 40, according to advices to the Dept. of Commerce. The pessimistically inclined set the number at around 20. The subject is in the limelight, particularly in view of the proposed quota. OUT IN UNIQUE ROW Bridgeport, Conn. — Balking at what he termed was the unjust attempts of the local musicians' union to control operation of the theater. Manager Moore of the Cameo is showing without music, in one of the most unique situations developed in recent labor controversies. The difficulty centers around the right of the theater to book musicians from outside the city. The (Continued on Page 6) Columbia Deal Showing of all Columbia releases for the next five years in the 14 Chicago theaters of the Cooney Bros.' chain is assured in a contract just closed. The arrangement was engineered by Henri Ellman, gen (Continued on Page 6) Pathe Deal Up Stockholders of Pathe meet tomorrow to ratify plans for recapitalization to enable the company to close contracts with P.D.C. and Keith-Albee-Orpheum, which, in effect, amounts to a merger of the three companies. John J. Murdock, vet eran Keith-Albec executive, is slated to become president of the expanded Pathe company. Oy, What Plans! There'll be fireworks aplenty today weather permitting, at Sound View Club, when the Who's Who of the film business forget rackets for a day and compete in the Spring Film Golf Tournament. The hardest (Continued on Page 3) EOXRELEASESOUTLINED EOR 1927-28 SEASON 12 Specials Among 52 New Features and 156 Short Subjects Issues Twelve specials, the largest number ever placed on the company's schedule, head the list of 52 features to be released by Fox next year, James R. Grainger, general sales manager, will tell branch managers of the organization at the annual convention which gets under way tomorrow at Atlantic City. Supplementing this schedule, will be 156 issues of short subjects, embracing 26 comedies, 26 varieties and 104 issues of Fox News. The company, Grainger will tell the meetiag which extends until (Continued on Page 11) Philadelphia Pool Philadelphia — Equity Theaters is the name of the new circuit formed by independent exhibitors here through pooling of interests in a deal involving $9,000,000 and 28 theaters. Four new houses are to be built immediately by the combine. William Cohen is president of the new company; Louis Korson, vicepresident; Harry Green, treasurer; (Continued on Page 6) Studios Doing Bit Los Angeles — Douglas Fairbanks heads the citizens' committee of 1,000, which tomorrow night will stage a flood benefit show at the Hollywood Bowl. Fred Niblo is to be master of ceremonies of the motion picture division, and George Eastman of the business division. Special call to the studios to cooperate has been issued by Will H. Hays. Heavy Losses Kansas City — Tornadoes are adding new terrors to flooded districts in Middle West and southern states, with five states hard hit by storms which caused 190 deaths and injuries to upward of 600 persons. Property damage will run into the millions. Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Kansas and Illinois were visited by the twisters, accompanied by torrential rains. Poplar Bluff, Mo., was hard hit with 60 killed and damage estimated at $4,000,000.