The Film Daily (1930)

THE -^3 DAILV Wednesday,. December 31, 1930 tability of Film Industry Demonstrated in Past Year ahilization of materials, stabilizami of organization, stabilization of lancing." * * * arry H. Thomas': "he film horizon for the coming ar promises the clearing up of inv-' cloudy spots and an infusion considerable sun-light This I't entirely a prophecy, for next ar's fair weather is indicated in 2 way the business barometer is rking up right now." * * * \ H. T. Kalmus: believe greater discovery and eater recognition of a diversified blic taste which is trending upird will characterize the next fortrd movement in the motion pic-e industry." * * * E. Otter son: t least a third of the American >lic doesn't know how good talk; pictures really; are because five nisand poorly equipped theaters /e sent them away dissatisfied, i they don't come back for more. ith the studios steadily improv; their work, exhibitors in 1931 /e got to keep up with the pro*■ ' -i or drop out." ■ ■* .* * , Ray Johnston: he independent producers and tributors look forward to 1931 a period which will see the stabi No Time for Taxation Welfare of the film industry in 1931 will depend largely upon its ability to ward off any burdensome measures appearing in the state legislatures starting next month, says C. C. Pettijohn, who urges united effort in making legislators realize that 1931, of all years, will be no time to attempt overtaxation of the industry. lization of their market and a growth in independent production second to none in the past. That the better independents have been able to survive the storm and emerge with a strengthened organization and stronger backing than ever before is an indication of the stamina and courage of those leaders in each zone." William R. Fraser: "The box office during the past year has reflected not only the depression but public) distaste for bad pictures. We are now in the same position we were before the coming of sound. With no novelty to appeal to public fancy, we must depend for our appeal at the box office on quality pictures and personalities. Good pictures did their proportionate share of business in 1930, but poor pictures recorded very bad grosses. With greater opportunity to relate good stories in talkies than in the silent pictures, producers must depend more than ever on those who develop plots, and it is my opinion that the man who can create directly for the screen will have a big sway this year." * * * F. Wynne Jones: "So rapid were the strides in the film industry during 1930 that it would be very difficult to opinionate the possibilities for 1931; however there is not the slightest doubt that the industry will further advance, more particularly in the technical treatment of control and amplification of the v.oice in recording active scenes. I believe 1931 w'll return to the field of motion pictures with improved sound and dialogue as accessories." * * * Terry Ramsay e: "Forces which now find their expression in the electro-financial groups will increasingly impress and express dominance of the amusement world. Civilization follows the tools. That is the law. the law of art, industry and economics. The tool concerned right now is the electron. Napoleon used to say the Lord was on the side of the big guns. The electron is bigger. The men who can hire the men who enslave the electron are going to run the world — and the movies." * * * C. C. Pettijohn : "Business in the United States i> intelligent; it is resourceful and, being typically American, if lei alone and permitted to do it, can safely be expected to work out its own salvation. All forms of business will do that very thing for themselves if the Federal and State governments will give them a chance to do so." * * * James A. FitzPatrick: "It isn't a case of 'getting together'— it's a case of 'getting apart' 'Individualism' and not 'unionism' will restore the prosperity of this country" * * * A . J. Van Beuren : "In the face of the so-called wave of depression, I consider the outlook for 1931 to be clear, bright and inviting." * * * Oscar R. Hanson: "What will happen in 1931, when unrest has ceased, when organizations are more closely knit, when the wealth of talent from the older stage and newer screen has crystallized its powers — what will happen will be inevitable bigger and better business." 's Quiet Thus Ear In Pennsy Legislature rranfonV Pa.— So far all's quiet he Pennsylvania legislative front, the session scheduled to open iday. No measures adverse to industry have been proposed up the present time. Opening of session will be attended by M. pi .merford: and M. J. O'Toole. — A Happy New Year— ■-• Fox Theater Assignments elsbn. Bryant, has been promoted i assistant manager of the Fox dIi, "Jersey City* to manager of Fox Cameo, ! Jersey City.. Stai. Jersey is now pn jh"e managerstaff of the Tivoti, Jersey City was formerly manager of the : Plaza, Englewood, N. J. George iby replaces Jersey at the Plaza, [by was formerly manager of the neo, Jersey City. A Pathe a Day Crowley, La. — A Pathe picture of some kind will play ♦he Opera House here every day of the coming year under the terms of a contract whereby the. house has booked P? the's 30 ; , features, 52 comedies, 26 Audio Reviews and alt issues of Pathe News. N-E-W-S OF T-H-E D-A-Y Somerville, Mass. — The Capitol, formerly owned by the Interstate Theater Corp., has been sold to Tulius Joelson, proprietor of the Ball Square. Toronto — Forty-six Co-Operative ♦heaters in Toronto gave benefit performances in aid of the unemployed of this city. — A Happy New Year — -Dallas— Two large R. & R. houses now under construction at Sherman and Oak Cliff will be opened around March 1. Mexia, Tex. — B. F. Mvers of this city has succeeded L. E. Berrv as manager of the Liberty at Rising Star and the Liberty at. Cross Plains for E. E. Lutz. — A Happy Nctv Year — Barlesville, Okla.— A. C. Tackett of Coffeyville, Kansas, has secured a 10-year lease on a theater building now being erected here. Dallas^— After several months of special detail work at the Pathe home office, W. E. Callaway, district man ager in charge of the local branch, is again back at his desk. — A Happy New Year — Fitzgerald, Ga. — At a recent meet"ng of the Southern Association of Sound Projectionists, plans for expansion of the organization were dis cussed. Screen Course at Night By So. Cal. University West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — A new evening course n motion picture technique, coverng 'resources and contribution of et dressing, lighting, sound effects, wardrobe, camera, directing and cenario writing, will be opened Jan. ' at the University qf Southern Caliornia. The class will meet Thursday evenings from 7 to 9:20 and vill give University credit. Council Bluffs, la. — The Broadway has closed, due to the failure of theater owners and operators to come to an agreement. Manager R. K. Fulton has gone to Sioux City to manage the Princess. — A Happy New Year — Salem, Ore. — The Elsinore and Capitol have been taken over from Fox by Warner Bros. It is reported a cash payment of $85,000 was made, with $575,000 to be paid in rentals. Columbus — W. M. James, president, and P. J. Wood, business manager of the M. P. T. O. of Ohio, have sent a form letter to exhibitors warning them against two men who attempted to contract the exhibitor to a sales promotion contest that costs the exhibitor $900 in prizes. TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY IN , m Kcmua OfniMDOM Secretary of Lord's Day Alliance threatens action unless Pathe eliminates certain scenes in Pathe News No. 101. * * • Ontario Censor Board appointed. No film man on it. ♦ * * Irish films to have two weeks' engagement at Lexington theater, New York.