The Film Daily (1929)

Warners Close for 19 Connecticut Houses VOL. XLIX No. 58 Sunday, September 8, 1929 Price 25 Cent3 WARNER-HOFFMAN DEAL CLOSED AT NEW HAVEN New Haven — Warners Friday were slated to sign final papers here in deal for acquisition of the 1'' Connecticut theaters of the Hoffman Bros, chain. The purchase price is reported to be $5,000,000. Under terms of the deal, I. J. Hoffman hecomes general manager of Warner theater interests in New England. Inquiry Into Sale of Loew's to Fox Sought Investigation of sale of Loew's, Inc.. to Fox is sought in suit brought in New York County Supreme Court by Edwin M. Stanton of Plandome, L. I., acting for minority stockholders. Summonses have been served on Nicholas M. Schenck, president of Loew's; David Bernstein and Arthur M. Loew, to appear in court Sept. 13, when Stanton will ask for an order permitting him to explore into the sale by examination of witnesses. Meyer-Rieger Firm to Open N. Y. Laboratory Specializing in developing of sound and silent prints, Meyer-Rieger Laboratories Sept. 15 will start operations at 130 W. 46th St., New York. Formation of the company marks renewal of the partnership of Louis Meyer and Jack Rieger, pioneers in the laboratory field. The partners plan also to develop a new 16mm {Continued on Page 2) $30,972,162 Advance by 5 Film Stocks in Aug. Five amusement stocks advanced $30,972,162 in August, according to a compilation by the "New York Sun." Warners led with an appreciation of $12,029,967; Paramount was second advancing $8,126,487; others are Fox, $7,385,940; Loew's, $3,241,402; Pathe "A", $188,823. Paul Whiteman's Universal Picture to be a Revue Paul Whiteman's Universal picture is to be a revue, and titled "The King of Jazz Revue." Herman Rosse, who painted the Peace Panel at the Hague, and is a partner of Josef Urban, leaves soon for the Coast to design scenery and costumes. Productions starts in November. RENEWED EFFORT PLEDGED IN EXHIBITOR RELIEF PROGRAM PARAMOUNT BRITISH DEAL REPORT PERSISTS ABM London (By Wireless) — Reports persist that Paramount is negotiating a deal for control of British International Pictures. Holdings of John Maxwell are sought, involving some 70 theaters in addition to his production and distribution interests. Denial that any deal is under way for control of British International Pictures is made by Charles E. McCarthy, director of public relations for Paramount. Deadlock Continues on U. S. Film Quota in France Paris — American distributors are continuing to remain aloft from the French market, pending settlement of the quota controversy. They have declined proposal to resume under the present 7 to 1 basis pending a final settlement of the 3 to 1 proposals of (Continued on Page 2) New Spanish Tax Madrid (By Wireless) — Idea of increasing the import tax on films in a move to protect the Spanish industry, has been abandoned and instead a tax on all films is to be levied varying in accordance with length and importance of pictures. The money received in taxes is to go into national production, and activities of foreign concerns operating with Spanish capital. A technical council to control production and distribution is being created. WESTERN PA. AND W. VA. UNIT JOINS ALLIED ASS'N Pittsburgh — Affiliation with Allied States Ass'n was voted and the franchise plan drafted by that organization in agreement with TiffanyStahl and RKO indorsed, at the meeting here of the western Pennsylvania and West Virginia exhibitor (Continued on Page 2) A Close-Up or Two TUESDAY : Is it or isn't it? Everywhere you go and on all lips there is one question. What ahout Paramount and Warners? Well, there is to say : Both groups are hard at it in an attempt to work out the deal. The hitch so far has developed almost entirely over the terms under which an exchange of stock may be made. The Warners-brothers three — are trying to close on the best possible terms. Why not? You know how these multi-angled mergers are. They may look all set to go and then — blooey The ParamountWarner deal may work out that way, but then again it might not. We are betting with ourselves that the amalgamation, as planned, will become an actuality Social note: The fall film golf tournament is down for October 1. The usual good time, the usual bracing clay out in the open. You must come over It is all settled. M. A. Lightman, long prominent in exhibitor affairs in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, is to step into the president's chair which Pete Woodhull is about to vacate at the M.P.T.O.A. Lightman knows exhibition and, in particular, the small man's problem. Exhibitor trouble, as constituted today, are almost (Continued on Page 11) Petti John Assured M. A. Lightman Needed Steps Will be Taken Renewed efforts are to be made soon to make more widespread adjustments on souind. While distributors have carried out their pledge in part, the impression has been growing in exhibitor ranks that the promised relief has not been extended as broadly as the original announcement of the plan indicated. Charles C. Pettijohn at whose instance the recent Washington exhibitor meeting named representatives to serve on a joint committee of exhibitors allied with the M.P.T.O.A. and distributors for the purpose of bringing about national adjustment has made it clear in a memorandum submitted to M. A. Lightman, chairman of the exhibitor committee for relief, that the necessary steps will be taken. Lightman, in making a survey of the situation since the operating machinery was set up, came to the conclusion that, while sales executives here in New York who signed the pledge were acting in unquestioned good faith, branch managers and salesmen all over the country, fear (Continned on Page 2) Fox West Coast Deals Anticipated in West Denver — New deals in the recentlylaunched eastward expansion of Fox West Coast, are being anticipated here, as a result of the inspection trip recently undertaken by Harold B. Franklin, president of the circuit. Franklin is surveying the K. & F. chain, recently taken over, as well as proposed theaters to be built in Arizona. Meanwhile, a deal is understood to be under way for acquisition of the Consolidated chain. Increased Activity at L. I. Studio Planned With the completion of the new annex to its studio in Astoria, Long Island, Paramount is ready for increased production activities in the east, which call for the making of 18 talking features and 24 short subjects during the year.