The Film Daily (1930)

THE THE NEWSPAPER OF HIM DOM AIL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME VCL. LIV NC. 27 NEW YCPI\, fCIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 193C EIVE CENTS Half of British Houses Using Double Feature Bill WARNERJ.N. PLAN JOO FILMS NEXTyEAR Technicolor Ready to Make Pictures on Wide Film The Mirror a column of comment INTRODUCTION of measures affecting the picture industry is expected in a majority of the 44 legislatures which convene early next year . . . Legislators in quest of funds for the state coffers are certain to turn to the film business as a source of revenue. This has repeatedly happened in the past and is especially likely now inasmuch as their own state industries generally have suffered from business depression. Censorship prospects are sure to rear their heads in many an assembly. And when these legislative blows fall, the effects will be felt by all branches of the industry. This apprehensive situation holds a flock of evil possibilities which may become realities unless the various elements of this business present an united front in working out a preventative solution. THE INDUSTRY will co-operate in efforts to alleviate the national unemployment situation An opportunity for picture concerns and people to render an important service to the folks who support the boxs. And to further solidify the l-will spirit existent between the industry and its friends. LOBBY ENTERTAINMENT continues to find more and more popularity Chances are that it exercises but little influence over attendance. The entertainment on the screen h as been, is and will be the big draw. But it does give the customer an impression that he's getting a lot of extra entertainment — without extra cost to him. Claim 100% Better Definition with System for Wide Screen West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Technicolor has developed apparatus and is all ready to shoot on wide film of any dimension decided upon by producers, THE FILM DAILY learns. Experiments on the necessary equipment has been in progress for some time and hai now reached the practical stage. It is claimed that 100 per -ent bette. definition in color pictures is possible under the enlarged process. 125 HOUSES HOLDING OVER AMOS 1 ANDY PICTURE Additional houses requesting a holdover on Amos 'n' Andy in "Check and Double Check" brings the total up to 125 so far, it is announced by Charles Rosenzweig, RKO general sales manager. An extra 150 prints of the film have been ordered to supplement the original 300. Rogers Gives Week's Pay to L. A. Community Chest West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — Will Rogers will donate to the Community Chest his entire salary of $12,500 for a week's appearance at the State here. Honor for OeForest Dr. Lee DeForest, talking picture and radio scientist, stands a chance of being declared the winner of this year's Nobel prize in physics, according to cable advices from Stockholm. Production Resumes in 30 Days— $50,000,000 JBudget West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — With plans for from 40 to 50 features each, involving a total expenditure of close to $50,000,000, the Warner Bros, and First National studios will resume pro(Continued on Page 2) 8,000 KIDS IN 2 CITIES SEE UNIVERSAL SERIAL Drawing power of serials in getting kids back into theaters has been demonstrated in a big way by the Universal chapter play, "The Indians Are Coming," which drew 6,000 children on its opening in Pasadena, Cal., and had a line of 2,000 waiting at its premiere show at the Orpheum in Omaha, according to (Continued on Page 2) Acting School Needed by Screen, Says Howson Deploring the screen's tendency to select players because "they're the type," Albert Howson of Warner Bros., speaking at the A.M. P. A. weekly luncheon yesterday, declared that pictures need a school of acting, (luests were Lois Moran, Marian Nixon and Sally Phipps. English Patrons Demand Long Shows, Says Bernstein Pleasing All Paris — A four-language cinema is being built here. On Mondays and Tuesdays the sub-titles of films will be in French and English, on Wednesdays and Thursdays in French and German, and on Fridays and Saturdays in French and Russian. Between 40 and 50 per cent of the film houses in Great Britain are 'laying double feature bills, Sid L. Bernstein, head of Bernstein Theaters, told THE FILM DA 1 1 A' yesterday. This policy has been onsidered necessary as British patrons demand a show which runs from two hours and three-quarters to three hours, declared Bernstein, who (Continued on Page 2) First Swiss Circuit Starts with 5 Houses Lausanne — Switzerland has just seen its first theater circuit with the formation here of the Societe du Capitole to operate five houses, the Capitol, Lumen and Biograph in this city, the Scala in La Chauxde-Fonds and the Malard Cinema in Geneva. Other acquisitions are planned. There are now close to 100 wired houses in Switzerland, about half with Western Electric system. "Kismet" A classic of talker entertainment, Otis Skinner in one of his most successful stage characterizations, was presented last night by First National at the Hollywood before a smart and deeply impressed audience. The occasion had double significance. Besides being the world premiere of a picture perpetuating a notable performance by a distinguished stage artist in a worldfamous play, it marked the debut of Vitascope, the Warner Bros, wide screen, which is by far the best thing of its kind to come along yet. It reveals not only a wonderful brand of photography, but comes the nearest to third dimension so far witnessed. John Francis Dillon's production of the glamorous Arabian Nights story is an artistic achievement of note, and Skinner's work is a rare treat for those who want only the best in screen fare. GILLETTE.