The Film Daily (1928)

ULTHE NEWS ALL THE TIME fO SIGN AS HEAD IEATERN.Y. CO-OP Organization Is t|ied at Meeting of Exhibitors ipiro shortly is expected )ntract to head the M. P. Assn., Inc., of New York It of a general exhibitor \d at the Plaza Saturday, ing committee of 11 unleater circuits representeater New York houses ntatives of practically all exhibition interests in met Sapiro and heard his conception of the cruing from a properly exhibitor association, speeches were made by >man, Leo Brecher, Billy J. Arthur Hirsch, each ing a separate phase of >. The minimum guaranteed rer on which Sapiro has ore lending his name to s been passed. Over $2,Im rentals is represented :: lits which have agreed to ntinued on Page 3) Held Impossible Congress Tightens iureau of THE FILM DAILY ton — Fear that any tax I'ill be prevented unless ilts its liberal appropria Jlt by President Coolidge, K to use his veto power to list a deficit. Elimination |)n admissions up to $1, is 1 proposed features of the |Dn bill, action on which postponed until after Higer Arranging ti Market Phonofilm hlesinger has returned to ter a short visit here to iminary plans for marketfilm, which he recently rom De Forest. He also 5 negotiations with Engin Hollywood to return 01 and make pictures for the le rganization the Schlesingic : has launched. Schles1^ leduled to return to New i|.iJ>out six weeks, when he IJIactive marketing of the li^device. Production work y nder way at the New York id ii FOX-STANLEY DEAL OR "SOME UNDERSTANDING" PREDICTED HMLESS OBCKSTIAIIEING DEVam FOil THUB Development of a "manless" orchestra devised for small theater use is under way by W. D. Smith, inventor of the device. The invention consists of regular orchestra instruments to each of which is attached a reproducing unit. On the string instruments, the unit is attached to the different strings, while the units on the wind instruments are attached to the mouthpieces. With the instruments connected with an electrical power amplifier the principle of resonance or sympathetic vibration makes each instrument respond to tones played by its counterpart in the original band. The instruments may be connected to a radio set, electrically reproducing {Continued on Pane '^) French Commission Set to Enforce Film Bill Paris — The government commission is preparing to administer provisions of the film decree and the representatives of the American companies here are anxiously waiting to see just how drastic the action may be, as the commission is vested with unlimited power. Representatives of the Hays organization arrived Sunday, and are in conference with officials of the American organizations to decide on a course of procedure. As the decree (Continued on Page 2) Far N. W. Openings The Seattle, Seattle, opens March 1, and the Portland, Porlaind, Ore., on March 8. Publix, Loew's, Inc., and West Coast Theaters are partners in these theaters . As rapidly as arrangements can be made Publix shows will be routed in. Sam Dembow, vice president of Pubb'x, leaves Friday for the openings. Harold B. Franklin, president of West Coast, in which operation will be vested, probably will attend. 19 FOR NEXT YEAR PLANNED BY ZIERLER Nineteen features have been scheduled for the coming season by Sam Zierler. president of Excellent Pictures. Zierler has adopted a definite policy of securing outstanding British and German productions for exclusive distribution in the United States, convinced that the impending changes in foreign production to meet American requirements are going to result in a material increase in the popularity of films from these two countries . Accordingly he has purchased the American rights to Gaumont's "Roses of Picardy." From Berlin he has secured "Crime and Punishment," and "Power of Dark (Continued on Page 3) Sen. Brookhart Reported as Boomed for Vice Presidency Washington — There is no talk in Washington of Senator Brookhart of Iowa as a possible choice for the vice-presidency. Boom for Sen. Brookhart for the vice presidency of the United States is under way, it is reported. Enthusiastic supporters of the lowan, who occupies a commanding position by virtue of his leadership of the insurgent group in the Senate, are confident of their ability to place him on the Republican ticket, probably as running mate to Secretary Hoover. This, it is stated, would have the effect of a coalition between the old guard and the insurgents. Because of his sponsorship of the bill to outlaw blind and block booking and arbitrary allocation of product, his backers claim Sen. Brookhart could swing support of the screens of unaffiliated exhibitors, which might be expected to prove a powerful factor in the campaign. Competitive Building to Force a Get-Together, Philadelphia Feels Philadelphia — Despite denials that any Fox-Stanley deal is contemplated, "the belief prevails in trade circles that some understanding between the two circuits is inevitable to halt the competitive theater building program outlined by each," declares "The Exhibitor," local regional. In Philadelphia, where Fox plans a new 4,800-seat house against Staney, which is building the Mastbaum; at Newarkj where Fox intends to solidify its position with a 6,000 seater, and at Pittsburgh, where Fox is declared seeking sites, highly competitive situations exist, the regional points out. Fox's 34 per cent holding in First National, which becomes a fact with signing of the papers in the Northwest Theater Circuit (F. & R.) deal, also is seen as a "threat" to Stanley. The latter company is reported to have temporarily abandoned work on the Mastbaum here in hope of making a deal with Fox. Report persists of proposed resignation of Al Boyd, film buyer, which {Continued on Page 2) Philadelphia Houses Must Install Sentry Controls Philadelphia — Every theater of this city must be equipped with a Sentry Safety Control in order to obtain a license for 1928, the fire marshal has ruled. Nearly all local houses are equipped with the device, as a result of announcement of his stand made some months ago by the marshal. Mutual Franchise for Far Northwest Bought Seattle — Charles W. Harden, former United Artists manager, has secured the franchise in this territory of Exhibitors' Mutual Producing Corp., headed by Harry Garson. The franchise which is for five years, calls for 26 pictures a year. One half of the stock of the company is to be held in trust for exhibitors who receive one-half of the profits. Harden's territory covers Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho and western Montana.