The Film Daily (1928)

Final Papers in Fox-Poli Deal Not Signed iTHE oyFILMDOM ULTHE HEWS ALLTHE TIME VOL. XLV No. 41 Friday, August 17, 1928 Price 5 Cents 3,000 HOUSES FOR SOUND Inevitable THREE thousand theaters wired by 1930! Only sixteen months off. This is Western Electric's analysis of the immediate future. Mind you, one system only is talking. When the others — and there will be others — get started, picture for yourself how long it will be before the nation's theaters will be wired. The move toward sound is inevitable. Troubles attendant upon the adjustments which a radical departure such as this bring in their wake, certainly. Mistakes, naturally so. But out of the indecision and uncertainty, some tangible entertainment formula will develop. Initiative Beyond tlie cryptic aniiouncemeiit from Fox that Movietone News will be released twice a week beginning Oct. 3 is a story of enterprise and initiative worthy of a permanent place in the chronicles of the industry. Last October the first issue appeared. Thereafter came eight, all designed for Fox theaters alone. William Fox was endeavoring to feel the pulse of the public and also to see if it was possible to issue a talking newsreel weekly. The answers came with general distribution beginning Dec. 3. And Its Reward October thus rounds out the first year and as the second starts, releases increase from once a week to twice a week. We hold it to be a trade event of not inconsiderable importance. Fox Movietone News is an outstanding attraction everywhere. It has done much to keep the interest of the public piqued for motion pictures. The job has been a big one, in point of organizing efTort, and more formidable in point of expense. The vision is, of course, William Fox's. Of Courtland Smith, you hear little or nothing. It is he, however, who has been the organizing force behind this interesting development. Considerable recognition is his for a definite accomplishment. KANN FOXMOVIETONENEWSFOR RELEASE TWICE A WEEK Beginning Oct. 3, Fox Movietone News will be released twice weekly. Truck No. 19 went into commission vesterday with eleven more to be added between now and the date on which the talking newsreel goes into semi-weekly distribution. Extensive plans are under way for Fox Movietone News. By the first of January, there will be a total of 60 crews in the field, their activities extending around the world. Smith's Acceptance via Movietone News is Ready Five hundred feet of Governor Smith making his acceptance address have been secured in advance by ^^^x Movietone News and will be sho n in principal theaters throughout the (Continued on Page 3) KENNEDYSEEKSTORETir, SPRING FROM 1ST NAl Efforts are being made by Joseph P. Kennedy to buy up the contract of Sam Spring secretary-treasui of First National. If Spring assents he will retire Sept. 1. His contr-ct expires Jan. 1. NEW CONTRACT DEMANDED FOR FILMING ON STAGE While the ruling does not apply to productions made by regular picture producers, for which players are signed on separate contracts. Actor's Equity Ass'n., has forbidden members to appear in sight and sound recordings of current dramatic or musical plays in which they are appearing, without first consulting Equity headquarters. The edict is contained in the current issue of "Equity," house organ of the association, which points out that sound pictures are develop•ng so rapidly that "Equity has been -orced to anticipate the probable legislation which may be necessary to protect its members, in advance of its actual application." Legislation outlined in the edict is intended to be temporary and to hold good only until the producing (Continued on Page 3) Sound Novelty Soon to Wear Off, Unions Feel Novelty of sound pictures soon will wear off, Joseph N. Weber, president of the American Federation of Musicians, says that additional reports show in the survey on the subject the federation has conducted. Eight hundred locals throughout the nation report that despite the sound picture rage, three fifths of audi(Continued on Page 3) Couple of Wee *^s Needed to Close Deal; Poll Opt sition Plays F-P-L New Haven, Conn. — Final papers in Fox's deal for purchase of the Poli circuit have not yet been signed. Report that the $26,000,000 deal was to be consummated Wednesday were denied by Louis M. Sagal, general manager of the circuit. "The deal will not be concluded for a couple of weeks yet," Sagal said. He declared Poli has no contract with Keith-Albee-Orpheum to book acts, and that as soon as Fox takes control, the acts will be booked from Fox's New York office Asked whether Poli has contracted for the 1928-29 output, Sagal told THE FILM DAILY correspondent he could be arrested for asking such questions. Poli has not bought the Paramount output, and for the first time in years, opposition houses in Poli towns are playing the product first run ahead of Poli houses. In Bridgeport last week, the Cameo, operated by Alfred E. Gottesman played Paramount's "Warming Up." That Number to be Wired by 1930, Prediction of Coast W. E. Men West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — Three thousand theaters of the L'uited States will be equipped for sound pictures by January, 1930, Western Electric representatives here estimate. At that time, they believe, there will be 200 installations monthly. They estimate that there are about 16,000 theaters to be wired. FRENCH TRADE VOTES TO CUT OUT BLOCK BOOKING Paris — Bookings further ahead than three months have been banned and block booking forbidden by the Chambre Syndicate de la Cinematographic. The organization will seek to have these rulings observed beginning with the new season. First runs at seashore resorts ahead of Paris key houses are objected to as well. Unions Condemn Bombing Outrages at Seattle Seattle — Union leaders here have come out strongly in condemnation of theater bombings, which have been confined chiefly to houses operated by John Danz, since he adopted the open shop policy five years ago. The latest house to be dynamited is the Colonial, downtown theater. Reward of $1,000 for apprehension of the culprit or culprits has been offered by Mayor Frank Edwards, who formerly was an exhibitor. "The American Federation of Labor, the Central Labor Council, or an)' of its affiliated unions do not (Continued on Page 2) Burr Planning to RoadShow New Hines' Picture West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles— Roadshowing of Johnny Hines' next picture, ".\ Pair of Sixes," is planned by C. C. Burr. The production will have dialogue and sound.