The Film Daily (1930)

THE HE NEWSPAPER >F FILM DOM AIL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME OL. LIII No. 47 Monday, August 25, 1930 Price 5 Cents rJghtman Sees 'Appreciable Improvement' Ahead ndustry forum Tr m. p. t. o. aTmeet Universal Studio Activity Reaches All-Time Peak The Mirror —a column of comment *OSPERITY thoughts are the der of the day. The nation's busiss generals and financial colonels e beginning to turn bullish in a Id way, and the optimism is spread{. Film industry leaders are fall,' in line to do their part. Good nes in business and industrial fields 11 mean better grosses for the their b. o. In helping to hasten the urn of prosperity you are helping urself. * * * A 1\ CINEMAS are being built in e structure over in Manchester, igland. The idea, it seems, is to tch both the high-brows and the v-brows with a double-barrel aim giving them their respective types programs in respective audito Sounds like an idea with pos ilities. And those who try it will >fit best if they see to it that their use for the masses is not too all, and the one for the classes not » large. * * * SHI" BERT, veteran producing nager of the legitimate stage, is 'Ut to grace the talker production d with his presence. This will add >ther important theatrical name to legion that has deserted that field the screen. It means only one 1 Jg— these shrewd showmen are ed the film industry has great ibilities than the spoken stage. aning, primarily, financial possi 1 EAT ER CONSTRUCTION in line with the decline in other b ei it ri ti ti a< have dropped to 15 per cent year ago. Since the rock otn of the late depression is gen ly conceded to have been reached, not likely that the cost of mate ' will go any lower. If you plan to any building in the near fu now is the time to get the intage of bargain prices. 10 Films Now in Work — Five Others Being Prepared West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Universal City has reached its all-time peak of activity with a total of 10 pictures in production and five in preparation. Films in work at the studios include seven features and two shorts. In addition to "Ourang," the Borneo expe(Continued on Page 7) SIX MOVIETONE TRUCKS TO BE ADDED IN EUROPE London (By Cable) — Six sound trucks will be added to the present Fox Movietone European fleet this month, E. L. Harvey, editor of the newsreel, stated on his departure for the Continent. The move is in line with expansion plans for Europe following settlement of the talker patents issue. Warners Buy in Bayonne Bayonne, N. J. — Warner Bros, has purchased the DeWitt theater building from Judge Bende and associates. The chain formerly held a long term lease on the 3,000-seat house. More than $1,000,000 is involved in the deal. 15 Foreigns at F. N. West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — First National has about 15 foreign dialogue pictures under way at present. CHI. EXHIBS TO FIGHT Chicago ■ — Local exhibitors, especially the smaller houses, are preparing to vigorously oppose a movement sponsored by J. W. Burton, union business agent, to unionize all ushers, cashiers and doormen in this area. Leaders of Other Industries to Speak at Convention An industry forum, with leaders of other industries as speakers, will be a highlight of the M. P. T. O. A. annual convention scheduled for Nov. 10-12 at the Hotel Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia. Noted figures will be asked to present their opinions and ideas of the film industry. All exhibitors, whether affiliated with the M. P. T. O. A. or not, will be invited to attend the sessions. Probably one exception will be made at a business session. The organization's board of directors will meet prior to opening of the convention proper. 16 MULTI-LINGUAL FEATURES PLANNED BY PATHE IN FRANCE PROJECTIONISTS SUBMIT NEW DEMANDS THIS WEEK Paris (By Cable) — Success of the Paramount studio in Joinville under the direction of Robert T. Kane has stimulated similar plans by other companies, with Pathe as the first to get ready for action. According to S. Maurice Livingston, administrator for Pathe International, this company will start producing here in a few weeks under the supervision of James Spearman. Sixteen features are planned, four each in Spanish, French, German and English. Business Pickup in 60 Days Predicted by M. A. Lightman Following acceptance last week of a new two-year agreement between the stage hands' union and theaters in Greater New York, the projection (Continued on Page 2) Old Paris Custom Paris — A custom in practice among the personnel at the Paramount studio in Joinville is to drink beer or wine with lunch and no hard stuff until work is finished for the day. American boys at the studio agree that France has its compensations. An "appreciable improvement" in theater business in less than 60 days is anticipated by M. A. Lightman, president of tlu M.P.T.O.A. In an interview with THE FILM DAILY mi Saturday he said he does not expect the phenomenal business of a year ago, but nevertheless a good, In althy volume One of til' outstanding needs of exhibitors is better product, Lightman declared. talkers came into popularity, xtoiy material hat 1" i n grooved, lie said, and plots ntinued on Page 2) "Monte Carlo" Ernst Lubitsch has done it again ! This smart opera bouffe, or musical farce, viewed at a private showing, is sure to bowl them over with its many agreeable surprises. It boasts an amusing and touching romance, witty dialogue and racy humor. The songs are comic as well as tuneful, and they don't get in the way because they are part of the plot and help to swing the story along. Photography is outstanding and recording is exceptional. In addition, it has a succession of engaging twists, both technical and in story, that keep the audience on key and in merry mood all the time. Jeanctte MacDonald scores again in a delightful performance packed with visual appeal. Jack Buchanan, opposite her, is admirable. Rest of cast is topnotch. This is sure to be one of Jhe new season's winners for Paramount. GILLETTE.