The Film Daily (1928)

Pathe Production to be Moved to F. N. Studios iTHE ;i^<*NEWSPAPER o/'FILMDOM ALL THE MEWS ALLTHE TIME VOL. XLV No. 37 Monday, August li, 192» Price 5 Cents Earnest l>\ ERIOUS meetings almost ^^ daily now. New York in^'^ dependent theaters are considering consolidation. Nothing new in the idea. Talked about often all through the history of local exhibition. This time, however, many of the strings are entwined around the fingers of Ben Moss, whose reputation as a chain operator commands attention. It looks like an earnest effort to get somewhere. One large holding company in place of dozens of individual corporations, loosely knit and often as loosely operated, would mean much for all participating parties. Varied interests sprawled over the city get nowhere. Consolidated interests, functioning under a strong and efficient centralized management — that's much different. The independents have been sold this idea. It carries the earmarks of much common sense. Down South Orchestras are catching the devil below the Mason and Dixon line. "Baby Vitaphone," non-synchronous Western Electric device, plus stock records are making human fiddlers and horn tooters unnecessary. The idea is spreading. Lurking in the background somewhere or other, is the labor problem. Progress may be progress, but you can't reasonably expect musicians to sit quietly by while the annihilation is under way. Science Note Cow's hide produces the gelatine used in manufacture of raw stock. Therefore, if it weren't for cows there would probably be no motion pictures. Dr. Mees of Eastman vouches for this. It's comforting information. Enough all wet in pictures already for which the bull is to be blamed. Breaking In 'The Scarlet Lady" at the Embassy. Columbia at last breaks into the Broadway parade of extended runs, Handshakes, hearty ones. K \ N N INTERCHANGEABIUTY BETWEEN RCA AND W. L NOW ASSURED "SMET INCEL" GKSCS $4;9,!IS; IN MEKS U "The Street Angel" grossed $479,957 in its sensational run of four weeks at the Roxy, New York, playing second run after the roadshow engagement. In view of the fact that the war tax now is off, and that the picture played one less daily performance than "What Price Glory," which grossed $408,152 in three weeks at the Roxy, a new record may be claimed for "The Street Angel." Weekly figures on the run are: $125,994, $121,616, $118,947, $113,400. Some of the hottest weather of the year was bucked by the picture. TEXAS UNIT mm TO ACT ON OKLA. CASES Dallas — Demand of the Oklahoma exhibitor unit that arbitration cases involving its members be heard by {Continued on Page 4) Upshaw, Reformer, Faces Ban in Election Campaign Atlanta — Because of his outspoken opposition to the national ticket. Rep. {Continued on Page 4) FASTfR DEVELOPMENT ON SOUND SETS LOOKED FOR Speeding up of Western Electric sound projection equipment orders and installations is seen as a result of virtual settlement of the interchangeability issue, and the clearing up ot points at issue between Electrical Research Products and the Elec { Continued on page 2) STAGEHANDS, EXHIBITORS FORESEE 'JAM' AT DENVER Denver— Trouble between thea-ter owners and stagehands is anticipated here, following filing of demands for a ten per cent wage increase, with exhibitors countering for a ten per {Continued on page 2) "Godless Girl" Not to Have Sound at Opening West Coast Bureau, of THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — "The Godless Girl" will open x\ug. 20 at the Baltimore, minus sound accompaniment. Inability to complete the Photophone synchronization in time for the premiere, led to decision to present it as a silent picture. Kennedy Plans to Dispose of Pathe Plant; F.N. Overhead Cut Radio Pictures in Home Are Called Years Off Pittsburgh — Home television will not come into common usage for a few years, at least, in the opinion of Merlin Hall .\ylesworth, president of National Broadcasting Co., who attended the demonstration of radio motion pictures made here. David Sarnoff. president of RCAPhotophonc, who also attended the demonstration does not feel that radio pictures wi.l prove deterimental .L. picture or legit'mate houses. Pathe's production forces will be moved to the First National studios at Burbank and the Culver City plant disposed of. Joseph P. Kennedy told the board of directors at their recent meeting which resulted in signing of a five year contract by Kennedy, in complete charge of affairs of the company. E. B. Derr, secretary and treasurer, is to be in charge of operations of the company. He has reduced overhead about $20,000 weekly at the First National studios, and further economies are planned. Al Rockett recently was placed in charge of production. Cross Pattern Situation a Factor That Prompted Settlement Inlerchangeability oi RC.\ Photophone with W'estern Electric equipment is no longer an issue. While the latter has no conmient to make t>n Dav d Sarnoff's statement that interchangcability is a fact, no exception to RC.A's statement has been taken and it is 1-ighly dubious if there will be any contradiction. Western Electric will pn bably never issue a statement on interchangeability. It is understood that Sarnotif, determiucd. to settle the issue for all time, carried it to General Electric which controls RC.\ and that General Electric officials conferred with executives of the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. which owns Western Electric, the outcome being Sarnoff's recent statement. A cross pattern situation prevails between G. E. and A. T. and T. and so interlocking are their pattern interests on a number of matters that an open rupture over what is after all only one phase of their widespread business activities seemed highly improbable. There still remains to be defined, however, the attitude of Western Electric toward other devices. PLAN TO MERGE NEW YORK THEATERS MOVING ALONG Consolidation of New York independent theaters is several steps nearer with development of a workable formula under which such consolidation is to be effected. The groups interested are working with {Continued on page 2) SOUND PICTURE CRAZE IS SWEEPING ENGLAND B\ ERNEST W. FREDMAK Editm "The Daily Film Renter" London— All England is talking sound pictures these days. Visit to London of J. E. Otterson, president {Continued on Page 4)