The Film Daily (1928)

lemming the "Raid" There is no doubt that talking pic ires have a big future, and we feel are that the pubhc as well as the wners of picture theaters want plays ith the spoken words more than ny other type of screen entertain ent. "By forming an arrange ent with the New York theaters and [ther producers, we will be able to em the raid that is now being made y the prominent picture companies [pen the ranks of actors and direc prs of the spoken drama. It will so work to the best interests of the [ramatists as well as to the produc rs for the reason that stage plays ow will no longer be mutilated when ansferred to the screen." — A. H. Voods, outlining reasans for en rance of New Yo7-k legitimate stage roducers into sound pictures. * * * ound the Thing There is no limitations for sound. The public is hungry for it. The potentialities are enormous. The whole future is before us. — Max Balaban of Balaban and Katz. * * ♦ he Future of Sound We are so convinced of the ultilate success of this form of enterainment (sound pictures) that we )redict that they* will double the iresent motion picture audience in he United States. They will bring to the screen new (ersonalities from the theater, vauleville and grand opera. They will relegate to second place iome of our most popular screen itars. They will force the dropping of nany effectations of speech. They will revolutionize the news i-eels. — James R. Quirk, editorially n "Photo-play." * * * 528, A Prosperous Year With unmistakable signs of record breaking activity in the steel industry, improvement in retail trade, higher agricultural prices than a year ago and a betterment of the employment situation the (National City) bank seems confident that 1928 will go down in history as one of the country's most prosperous years. — Paid Willard Garrett, financial editor, "N. Y. Evening Post." * * * Why He Quit Films I was a studio critic and expert production adviser. I never could find anyone who wanted to listen to advice. * * * Once I was scenario editor in a big studio. I read and analyzed and filed and pondered; then found it was all wasted time. The directors got their stories from cigar drunnners, old magazines, Broadway plays and lady friends. What I hated about the movies was their lack of courage. — Harry Carr, writing in "Photoplay" of his reasons for quiffivq motion pictures. The Values in Cooling Systems In this modern day, the theater patron demands more than entertaniment— he demands comfort, as well. And, if the box-office is to be kept busy and theaters kept from closmg down in the summer time, the patron's demands must be granted. Modern inventions have made It possible for all theaters of all types and sizes to be kept cool and comfortable in the hottest of weather. There is a size and a price that puts the cooling system within reach of even the smallest theaters. The good cooling system is the solution to the hot weather problem. It is the exhibitor's means of making money while the sun shines.— "T/ie (Cleveland) Ohio Showman." * * * A Producer Speaks Your paper was born in response to a need. There was a definite place for it in our business. It has filled that place efficiently and well. The daily is an unfailing guide to current film news. The Year Book is the most valuable publication of its kind, — Samuel Goldwyn in a letter to the editor. * * * A Teacher in Manners Just so, the talking picture version of a play will bring drama to cities that can not support it in the flesh, and will again become the teacher of manners and customs it was long ago. "The Wall Street Journal" on the advent of legitimate stage producers into sound. * * * Color Comes to Shadowland What the fruitage will be it is impossible to divine. But it may be said that, great as Mr. Eastman's gift has been, it will be multiplied a thousand times by what color will add to its black and gray idols of the real, especially as television will no doubt in time also take over what is promised to the near-at-haiid. Spring with all its glory of color has come to shadow land. — "N. Y. Times" editorial on Eastman natural color film. * * * Four Cardinal Principles No Universal picture must depend upon the novelty of sound and dialogue to get by. Each picture must stand on its own feet as excellent entertainment. This warning is addressed to you, Mr. Scenario-man, and to you, Mr. Director, and to you, Mr. Cameraman, and to you, and you and you, whatever your job is. With or without sound and talking. Universal pictures must have good stories with suspense and appeal, they must be well conceived, well directed, well enacted anrl well photographed. All the music, or sound or talking in the world will not take the place of the four cardinal principles of the motion picture — story — direction — action — photography. ■ — Carl LaemmXe in a message to the Universal studio. Foreign Markets By JAMVS P. CUNNISGIIASt FIRE PREVENTION DEVICE DEVELOPED IN El^GLAND Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Chief Inspector Wells, of the Huddersfield Borough police force (Great Britain) who has been making preliminary experiments on an appliance for preventing films from catcliing fire while being projected, has now completed his invention and has demonstrated it. states advices to the M. P Section of the Dept. of Commerce. The demonstration was made on an Erneniann projector and was carried out without a hitch, it is claimed. Wells set light to the film as it was in motion, allowed the flame a good start, and then released the catch which operates the device. The result was that the film was severed instantly and sinmltaneously at the traps of both spool-boxes, which were automatically closed. Only about 18 inches of film is thus allowed to burn. While the short length of film was still burning Wells applied a flame to the traps of both spool-boxes without the film inside being in any way affected, the box being tightly closed. Inventor's attachment embodies a slide which is fixed to the traps of both spool-boxes. To the moving portion of the slide is attached a sharp cutter, which works across the mouth of the trap. When not in use the cutter is secured so as not to interfere with the smooth running of the film. It is connected with the small release lever by Bowden cable, and in the event of the film being ignited, the operator needs only to touch the lever to release the two cutters and close the boxes. Monty Banks to Make Another B. I. P. Comedy London — Monty Banks will make another comedy for British International Pictures. He will write the story and direct it. He recently completed "Adam's Apple" for the same company. Banks' new contract will delay his return to Hollywood for several months. Aafa Distribution Set Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — • Product of Aafa. German firm, will be distributed through Greenbaum G. m. b. H. under a deal recently closed which provides for joint production, states the Dept. of Commerce. Schwarz Starts "Rhapsody" Berlin — Director Hanna Schwarz has started production on "Hungarian Rhapsody," Ufa production with Li! Dagover, Dina Parlo and Willy Fritsch. It is being made under the supervision of Erich Ponuner. STOLE MERGES INTERESTS IN $11,000,000 EIRN London — Consolidation of companies in which Sir Oswald Stoll is interested is now under way The new company will have nearly $11,(X)0,000 in capital. Firms embraced in the combine are: The Coliseum Syndicate, Ltd., the .Mhambra Co., Ltd., Hackney and Shepherd's Bush Empire Palaces, Ltd., Manchester Hippodrome and Ardwick Empire, Ltd., Leicester Palace Theater, Ltd., St. Augustine's Parade Hippodrome, Br-'stol. Ltd., Stoll Picture Prod., Ltd., Chatham Empire Theater of Varieties, Ltd., Stoll Picture Theater (Kings way). Ltd British Films for Australia London — Hoyt's Theaters, Ltd., has invested $50"0.(K)0 in rentals of British films which will be shown in its Australian houses. Completing Marmont Film London — Percj' Marmont is featured in "Yellow Stockings," WelshPearson Elder production which Theodore Komisarjevsky is completing. May Seek Cancellations Berlin — Right to cancel 25 per cent of contracts in cases of blind and block booking may be sought by the Berlin and Brandenburg branch of the Exhibitors' Ass'n. German Censors See 55 Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Of the 55 features censored in Germany during May, 24 were German-made while 20 of the 31 foreign pictures came from America, states a report to the M. P. Section of the Dept. of Commerce. Richmount Pictures 723 7th Avenue Inc. New York City D. J. MOUNTAN, Pres. pXCLUSIVE foreign representatives for Rayart Pictures Corporation and other leading independent producersanddistributors Cable Arldress; RICHPICSOC. Paris Cable Address: DEEJAY. London Cable Address: RICH PIC. N. Y. Exporting only the best in Motion Pictures