The Film Daily (1930)

THE THE MUM \j LI. OF FILM DOM All THE NEWS ALL THE TIME VOL. LII No. 77 Monday, June 30, 1930 Price 5 Cents Big 5-5-5 Drama Reopens Today in Atlantic City N. J. exhTbs act on contract sorespots 14 Independents Active at Metropolitan Studios The Mirror a column of comment KANSAS AND Western Missouri exhibs have adopted a resolution directing producer attention to the need of product which appeals to juvenile and family trade. They are keenly cognizant of the fact that these classes of patrons must be cultivated if motion picture theater attendance is to be insured for tomorrow and the next day. There's no question that sophisticated stories pull in business from a certain element of picture-goers but this element, compared with that embracing mother, father, sister and brother, is indeed unimportant. Trite but true is the statement that frequently the stuff that Broadway audiences gulp down with relish proves an offensive Brody in the hinterland. Product hoping to garner big grosses must be nationwide in appeal — not Broadwaywide. The adopted resolution serves to place emphasis on a need which has already received some consideration from the producing fraternity and is likely to receive more. * * * PRESIDENT LIGHTMAN of the M.l'.T.O.A. tells conventioneers that greater efficiency must be exercised to improve business. A timely message at this moment when the battle against heat, general business depression, Tom Thumb golf courses, etc., is raging full force. Efficient operation at least helps slice the overhead. * ' * * EUROPEAN AUDIENCES go for broad comedy, informs Jack White. Dialogue or no dialogue foreign theater-patronizers savvy this kind of entertainment. Anyway you look at ■t, a laugh's a laugh in any man's language. Demand for Space Likely to Cause Expansion of Coast Plant Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — With 14 independent producing organizations now located in the plant, and additional units negotiating for stage and executive office space, the Metropolitan Sound Studios have achieved the position of the largest, most important and most active independent studios in the world, according to William S. Holman, general manager of the organization. Nowhere else is there to be {Continued on Page 8) 68 VETERANS' HOSPITALS TO CET W. E. El A government contract for the installation of Western Electric sound equipment in 68 Veterans' Hospitals has been awarded to Electrical Research Products, it is announced by E. A. Eschmann, general sales manager of the ERPI's Educational Division. E. H. Morris Takes Over Direction of Witmark Firm Direction of M. Witmark & Sons has been taken over by E. H. Morris, who will continue as general manager of the Music Sales Corp. and vice president of the Music Publishers Holding Corp. Plugging for Biz Minneapolis — A phone switchboard and two relays of four pippin operators have been installed in the RKO Orpheum lobby. The girls, besides attracting much attention, actually are at work calling up folks and telling them about next week's show. WEST COAST ATTENDANCE 25 P. C. OVER PAST YEAR Denver — An increase in attendance of 25 per cent over the 1929 period, with prospects that the increase for the entire year will be about 33 per cent, was reported by Max Kravetz, representing Harold B. Franklin, at the convention of Fox West Coast managers for ' the Rocky Mountain district. Howard Sheehan also attended the confab. East year $3,000,000 was spent in acquiring and im(Continued mi Page 8) Philly Councilman Asks Hearings on Sunday Shows Philadelphia — A resolution calling for the creation of a committee to crystallize public opinion against Sunday blue laws has been introduced by City Councilman Roper. The resolution provides for the committee to hold public hearings on the question* 5-5-5 Faces Heavy Task In Atlantic City Meet Today $50,000 Banquet Chicago— Sale of about 5,000 tickets at $10 each resulted in a $50,000 banquet being given last Saturday night to Thomas Malloy, of the local operators' union, who is to sail July 11 for England to attend the labor convention. Atlantic City — The stage is set for what is probably the biggest film industry drama of the year — perhaps oi leveral years. Representatives of each division of the business have assembled here for the reconvening today of the 5-5-5 conference at the Hotel Ambassador to draft a stand (Continucd on Paae 2) Sidney Samuelson Is Now Head of Jersey M.P.T.O. Atlantic City — Resolutions protesting against distributors extending release time in new film contracts, in eliminating the 10 per cent rejection clause and in playing pictures under a guarantee and percentage were among the highlights of the 11th annual convention of the M.P.T.O. of New Jersey at the Traymore Hotel. Officers of the organization also were directed to lay unreasonable circuit protection before the proper govern{Continued on Page 2) E MAY HINDER PARIS CONFAB Paris (By Cable) — Headway toward a settlement in the patent talker situation is likely to be hindered by the new German government bill which seeks to place the control of importation of films in the hands of the Department of the Interior. The measure is now before the Reichstag and the outcome is being awaited with particular interest by the American delegates, who last week asked the recall of the German kontingent and a dutv substituted. Southeastern Theater Men Meet Aug. 11-12 in Atlanta Atlanta — Annual convention of the Southeastern Theater Owners Ass'n will be held lure Aug. 11 and 12, it has been decided by the board of directors. A large number of ex(Continued on Page 2) Back to Normal A mid-west exhib, sensing that the lull in receipts was due to his trade being weary of double feature nights, amateur nights, young folks' nights, merchandise nights, and whatnot nights, hit upon the brilliant idea of advertising "Ordinary Night."