The Film Daily (1930)

THE ME NEWSPAPER )F FILM DOM ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME /OL. LIII No. 58 Monday, September 8, 1930 Price 5 Cents Sroductand Weather Favor Upswing, Says Detnbow EIGHB0RH00DS GOJOR MIDNIGHTJHOWS France and Germany Sign Protective Film Pact The Mirror — a column of comment STORY MATERIAL of the better kind is reported rather scarce these days. So say the scouts who are charged with rounding up this commodity for film grist mill. The legitimate stage had a bad season, affording few plays of the right caliber for conversion to screen uses. Book publishers likewise fell down in the number of adaptable volumes placed in circulation. Just some more cases of depression, no doubt. Like cycles in other lines, however, this one is not apt to linger long on the downward curve. 1 he emoluments for choice screen material are too handsome not to prove an inspiring incentive for the most earnest efforts of the best writers. * * * SOVIET RUSSIA is going to draw heavily upon American technician.-, to aid it in building up a native film industry from production to exhibition. ! his is a distinct compliment to the fitness of the artisans over 'here. If, besides their labors in the line of construction, the U. S. boys can also manage to slip in a few hints 'he ultimate folly of making all pictures a medium of propaganda, they will be doing their Russian !"iiMn> and their embryo film industry an invaluable favor. * * * IMKhAMXi, ATTEXDAN'CE of a very encouraging nature is reported ox Theaters. Part of the credit for this welcome turn of events is ned to the class of pictures ■ n. Another part is ascribed to the fact that the houses have been re itioned and made more inviting. Two potent and sure-fire factor-. * * * DR. A. II. (, I. WW 1X1 declares he has absolute faith in the good old U. S. A. and in Uncle Sam's ability leer the national boat through the storm. If workers in the picture field will just hold to tin same faith with respect to their industry and its leaders, and plug hard with that conviction in mind, all will be rosy again before you know it. Agreement for Exchange of Pictures Seen As Blow to U. S. Berlin (By Cable) — An agreement covering the unrestricted exchange of films between Germany and France, and acting as a barrier against product from other countries, has been negotiated in Paris, according to word received here. The pact, regarded as a move against U. S. films, is to run for a year. Papers are understood to be now in the hands of the respective governments for ratification. $4,000,000 GROSS IN U.S. EXPECTED FROM "ANGELS" In addition to three key city engagements now current, Caddo has four more "Hell's Angels" openings definitely set and two others planned. The picture begins a run at the (Continued Pn Page ?.) All Branches Soon Ready for Vitaphone Service Every exchange center in the country will be equipped to service exhibitors with Vitaphone Varieties (Continued on Pane 2) Big Insurance Deal Arthur W. Stebbins, president of Stebbins, Lederman & Gates, insuranco brokers, has negotiated a $50,000,000 group life, accident and health policy with the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co., of Boston, covering 12,000 employees of Loew's, Inc. The insurance plan is cooperative and will be issued in various amounts from $1,000 to $10,000. 5 4 AT L He t Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Five of the new season's productions have about reached completion and four others are going in work at Universal. The finished pictures are "The Cat Creeps," "East Is West," "See (Continued on Page 2) $297,675 in 10 Weeks by "Dawn Patrol" in N. Y. First National's "Dawn Patrol," starring Richard Barthelmess, has grossed $297,675 in its first 10 weeks at the New York Winter Garden, which seats 1,400. The run, on a pop. grind policy, will continue indefinitely. Dembow Sees Product, Weather Favoring Upswing at the B. O. Soup to Nuts Several years ago a company on location had dinner at a wayside inn, and the proprietor's daughter, waiting on the table, spilled the soup down "Fatty" Arbuckle's neck. Was she embarrassed! In fact, her face registered such soupreme embarrassment that the director grabbed her for the pix. That little gal is Thelma Hill, now playing nutty comedy roles for Pathe. A rich \')M) harvest of product, auhd by favorable weather conditions, "will so violently explode the depression theory that not a single vestige will remain," Bays Sam Dembow. Jr., in a stir-up message to the Publix personnel. "Although much has hern said about hard times," Dembow adds, "our executives ha\c stead I'astly maintained that, while busil was not always at its best, it was not dm to anj basic and widespread nomic depression, because the minute thai frightful weathi i onditions be e slightly ameliorated and good pictures were available, business imntimltd on Pane 2) Late Performances Being Tried by Indies as Well as Chains Neighborhood houses in New York are starting to fall in with the downtown theaters in giving midnight shows, both independents and chains going for the idea. Three Consoli (Continued on Page 2) it G. KNOX TO HANDLE ERPI ENGINEERING DiV. H. G. Knox, vice-president of Electrical Research Products, has been placed in charge of the engineering and research division, succeeding the late J. J. Lyng, it is announced by J. E. Otterson. Knox has been with ERPI since its formation. He formerly was foreign manager in London and later in charge of West Coast activities. Carolinas Zoning Plan Completed by Committee Charlotte. N. C. — A zoning plan tor the Carolinas territory has been worked out by the committee com d of George B. Hendrickson, J. E. Simpson and W. A. Hendrix, exhibitors; Ira Furman, M. W. Davis and II. 11. Everett, for the distributors, and M. E. Wiman, H. F. Kincey and Warren Irvin, affiliated members. Everett, Simpson and R. F. Pinson constitute a continuing committee to hold office until | uary and to consider complaints on zoning and protection. Why Not? In Buenos Aires the City Council plans to divide films into three classifications, and exhibitors must note on their programs the type of show of these three, viz.: "Suitable for families," "not suitable for families," or "for physicians only." But mebbe if it's a family physician, they'll let him see the family shows also.