The Film Daily (1930)

OAILV Monday, July 21, 193d Talker Comedies Emerge From Experimentation Straight Comedy Has Won Strong Hold, Says S. W. Hatch Talking comedies have been through a year of experimentation and have emerged with an improved technique, besides having won a new place in the sun for themselves, declares S. W. Hatch, general sales manager of Educational. "Comedy production is now on an infinitely more stable plane than ever before," says Hatch, "and with the benefit of the past year's experimentations behind us I believe we may legitimately look for the biggest comedy year in our history." Hatch recently made a countrywide survey and heard exhibitors vociferously expounding the theory tha tstraight comedy is more than ever the big thing in short features. Dr. Lee De Forest Goes West Jan. 1 Dr. Lee De Forest announces that he will move his entire organization on Jan. 1 to Hollywood, where he intends to devote all his time to laboratory work on apparatus used in the film industry, television and ultra short-wave radio. Renovated in 40 Hours Baltimore — Morris A. Mechanic, owner of the New, a 1,500seater, had the house renovated and redecorated in 40 hours. The work began at midnight on a Friday, stopped at 10 a.m., resumed Saturday midnight and continued until 10 a.m. Monday. Scaffolding in the auditorium was built so patrons could sit in the center and see the screen for Saturday shows. New $2,000,000 Project Planned for Bronx A theater and office building representing an estimated investment of $2,000,000, is planned by Cohen and Gold, realty operators, on the site at the southeast corner of Southern Blvd. and Westchester Ave., Bronx The plot has just been purchased and the present structures will be torn down when leases expire in about a year. Wardour Films Re-Issuing Two London — In response to the demand of exhibitors, Wardour Films, Ltd., have re-issued "Vaudeville" and "Metropolis," two of the company's strongest releases of their year. I. H. Cohen is handling distribution of these and other silent productions released by Wardour in the London territory. "Hell's Island" Booked in 23 R-K-0 First Runs "Hell's Island", Columbia special with Jack Holt, Ralph Graves and Dorothy Sebastian, has been booked for showing in 23 RKO first-run houses in the major key cities. The picture is now playing at the Globe on Broadway. "Swing High" for Long Beach Long Beach, L. I. — "Swing High," Pathe circus thriller, opened at the Castle Saturday for a run. G. R. O'Neill of Pathe has assigned Joseph Rivkin to exploit the engagement at the boardwalk house. "Dawn Patrol" Clicks in Philly Philadelphia — Richard Barthelmess in "The Dawn Patrol" had a smash opening at the Boyd, going over Strong with the fans and critics. Stanley-Crandall Houses to Play Pathe Comedy Warner Bros, have booked "ParT don My Gun," Pathe western comfl edy feature with the McFarlan* Boys, champion riders and ropers! Lee Moran, George Duryea, Salljl Starr, Robert Edeson and MonaJ Ray, for their Stanley-Crandall houses in Washington, Virginia ana Maryland. Included in the list of theaters to show this western area the Savoy, Washington, D. C. ; Lib-1 erty, Bedford, Virginia; Opera House! Frederick, Md. ; Colonial, Wichita] Va. ; Colonial, Hagerstown, Md.j New, Lexington, Va. ; Virginia, Han risonburg, Va.; Masonic, Clifton Forge, Va., and the Strand, Staunton, Va. Judea Signs Mildred Block Judea Film Company, producers of Yiddish talking pictures, has placec Mildred Block, Jewish actress, unl der contract to be starred in a series of talkers under the direction of Sidney Goldin. Miss Block will make her screej debut in the title role of "Natasha,J a dramatic version of the interna tionally famous Russian folk-song the same name, which is now in pre duction. Pincus Lavenda, Russian singer, will be Miss Block's leadi« m?n. Personnel of Educational Film and Affiliated Studio: EDUCATIONAL FILM EXCHANGES President and General Manager E. W. Hammons Vice President Bruno Weyers Treasurer D. L. Faralla Assistant General Manager A. S. Kirkpatrick General Sales Manager S. W. Hatch Sales Promotion J. R. Wilson Special Sales Representative Harvey Day Director, Advertising and Publicity Gordon S. White Secretary and Assistant Treasurer C. F. Catlin Distribution-Purchasing B. J. Kearney Department of Production and Sound R. W. Doidge EDUCATIONAL STUDIO— Hollywood Chief Studio Executive E. H. Allen Executive Assistant to Studio Executive H. A. McDonell General Studio Manager H. A. McDonell General Production Manager F. H, Allen Chief Sound Engineer "W. C. Smith Recording Engineers W. C. Smith, Fred Lau Camera Department Head Dwight Warren Property Master Van Taylor Location Chief Ralph Nelson Music Department Head E. H. Allen Publicity Director ".R. L. Hoadley Purchasing Agent. Ralph Nelson Chief Studio Electrician George Mitchell Paymaster r. D Luplow Transportation Manager H. A. McDonell Directors William Goodrich, Stephen Roberts MACK SENNETT STUDIO— Hollywood President Mack Sennett General Manager , jGhn A. Waldron General Production Manager H. Lee Huguni: Chief Sound Engineer Paul Guer Recording Engineer A. F. Blin Laboratory Chief Henry Fische Property Master William Gilbe Casting Director Walter Klinger Music Department Head Walter Klinger i Publicity Director % Jed Buell j Purchasing Agent John Huff Chief Studio Electrician Paul Guerin Paymaster Ray Bearly Transportation Manager Earl Davey METROPOLITAN SOUND STUDIOS— Hollywood President Charles H. Christ Treasurer and General Manager William S. Holma Secretary and Studio Manager Leo Caha Chief Sound Engineer R. S. Clayto Recording Engineer A. M. Granic Camera Department Head A. U. Na Costume Department Mistress Edith Cla Miniature Department Chief Howard Anders Laboratory Chief Frank O'Grady Property Master F. W. Widdowsoi Art Director Charles Cadwallader Music Department Head Harry D. Lawla Purchasing Agent James P. Ryai Chief Studio Electrician Walter Oette Paymaster H. P. Ratliff Publicity Director Billy Leys J Division Manager, Industrial Pictures Pat Dowlingj Directors, ,,,,,..,...,,, .William Watson, Nat Rosj)