The Film Daily (1930)

THE HE N£WSR4PIR IF HLMDOIM ALL Till NEWS ALL THE TIME VL. LIII No. 49 Wednesday, August 27, 1930 Price 5 Cents ,'4,585,576 in Sound Devices Exported This Year FOX FILM ASSETSTUMP 54 PERCENT 1KO Features Going Into Production By Trios The Mirror -a column of comment :ADERS OF other industries 1 give their views on picture . at the coming M.P.T.O.A. civention. The speakers, natnal figures of tested judgr nt, no doubt will contribute s lie observations which will tible our industry to get a i ire accurate perspective on 'It. Frequently an analysis m a comparatively-disinterestparty, standing a little fur:r away, is much more honand searching than self•ulysis. These industrial celebs r.y provide a diagnosis which i not only revealing but to a ( *ree corrective. * * * l I. SI DENT LIGHTMAN of M.P.T.O.A. forecasts an "app iable improvement" in theater I' mess within the next 60 days. I uugh constant contact with exorganizations throughout the I ntry, "M. A." ought to be in a [ ition to gauge the situation with possible accuracy. It's a fact t conditions are better than they e a month or two ago. If theater n i face the new season optimistic y, and couple that optimism with a up-and-doing brand of showmans i, it's likely that the improvement 1 be rapid and marked. * * * ■ N CHANEY'S passing will be mourned by the millions, was a vast world-audience als'er to be entertained, thrilled 'Unded by the versatile talents inique artist. No one can take <-'. Legions of fans knew Lon only for his ability as a clever ■rtainer. Others, particularly 'in the industry, knew him also conscientious interest in his and his exemplary mode of livThe untimely death of Lon "ey is a great loss to the screen. Second Set of Three Due to Get Under Way Next Week West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — RKO appears to have adopted a policy of putting its productions in work by trios. Three pictures now being completed, Amos 'n' Andy in "Check and Double-Check," Rex Beach's "The Silver Horde" and Lowell Sherman in "The Losing Game," will be followed in about a week by three others, "Cimarron," Victor Herbert's "Babes in Toyland" and Herbert Brenon's "Beau Ideal." A third trio is expected to be ready when, this group is finished. CHANEY DIKOlTCOAST West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — Lon Chaney died at St. Vincent's hospital here early on Tuesday from a throat hemorrhage following .a fight against anaemia and congestion of the bronchial tubes. The hemorrhage came unexpectedly after he had been reported on the road to recovery. Chaney entered the hospital Aug. IS for treatment of an anaemic condition following pneumonia contracted while in New York earlier in the year. Failing to respond to treatment, three blood transfusions were made, and on Monday the doctors issued a statement that he was resting easily. The noted actor, known internationally as "The Man of a Thousand Faces," was 47 {Continued on Page 7) Better Tone Responding to several developments of a favorable nature, including principally the announcement of the 54 per cent increase in Fox assets and the dismissal of the Warner receivership bill, amusement stocks yesterday were again in the van of a healthy advance. Wall St. is keeping an eye on film issues as the keynote of decided betterment in business. Resources Rise 54 per cent — Liabilities Are Reduced An increase of $68,280,597, or 54 per cent compared with $124,243,716 at the end of 1929, in the. assets of Fox Film for the first six months of this year is shown in a statement mailed yesterday by Harley L. Clarke to stockholders. The total at the end of June was $192,524,313. Current assets are given as $30,444,121, (Continued on Page 7) WARNERS WIN IN COURT Dover, Del. — Warner Bros, emerged victor in the Delaware Supreme Court yesterday, when Chief Justice James Pennewill dismissed the receivership bill fixed by Ira Nelson of Boston against Warners and Renraw, Inc. Dismissal was made on the motion of Hugh M. Morris, Warner counsel, who said the bill as filed was neither signed nor verified by the complainant as required by the court. Union-Para. Deal Out Acquisition by Paramount Publix of an interest in the Union Theaters circuit of Australia is scouted in a cable received by Millard Johnson, American representative, from Stuart Doyle, managing director of the chain. The reports are said to have arisen through Paramount investigating the Australian position with a view to a further reduction of film rentals. Large Increase Is Shown In Exports of Equipment Early Bird Shows Matinees at 10:30 a.m. daily, except Sunday, will be inaugurated Aug. 30 at R-K-O's 86th St. The showings will be at reduced prices. Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Exports of sound equipment for the first six months of 1930 amounted to $4,585,576 in value, it is shown in a compilation by N. D. Golden of the M. P. Division of the Department of Com(Continutd on Page 7) S. M. P. E. TAKES IN 84 MEMBERS SINCE MAY Eighty-four new members have joined the Society of Motion Picture Engineers since May, the organization announces. Location of these members are: 1 S., 56; England, 11; France, 3; New Zealand, 2; South Africa, 1; India, 2; Scotland, 1; Poland. 2; Norway, 1; Germany, 2; Japan, 2; Brazil, 1. "The Sea Wolf" "Mighty" is the word that best describes Fox's talker version of the famous Jack London story, viewed yesterday at a special showing. Milton Sills, in a powerful performance that will stand out as one of the year's best, dominates every foot of the film. Those who like their action as rough as it is humanly possible to make it, will revel in his robust exhibition as the terrifying master of a sail-ship in Far Eastern waters. The romanticallyminded also will find plenty to enjoy in the love affair between Raymond Hackett and Jane Keith, outcasts who meet in an Oriental den and find eventual happiness despite the "Wolfs" designs to crush the lad and take the girl for himself. Alfred Santell directed. Any exhib can put a check alongside of this one. GILLETTE.