The Film Daily (1931)

THE THE NEWSPAPER OF FILM DOM All THE NEWS ALL THE TIME VOL. LV NO. 12 NEW TCCr, THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1931 5 CENTS Jewish Talker Units Slated for Erlanger Circuit U. A. CIRCUIT STICK1NGT0 WEST— SCHENCK Gen. Elec. Goes Commercial — Asks Rental for Shorts Mr. Franklin — talks about theaters ^-^By JACK ALICOATE-^ We like to New Views on lunch with an Old Subject Harold Franklin. First because of his congenial companionship and second because of his sane, sound and sensible views on the constantly changing complexion and problems of modern theater operation. In case you are not entirely familiar with the background of this young man, let us suggest that Mr. Franklin, many years ago, gained his apprenticeship with Shea in Buffalo, took the entire course and was graduated from the Paramount School of Theaters with highest honors, and as professor of showmanship, theater economics and box-office magic, built West Coast Theaters from an idea to probably the most successful localized circuit in the country. He is now president and general manager of the recently organized Hughes-Franklin Theaters. When he talks about theaters he usually says something. * * * . n ,, For instance, in A Problem a nut-shell, Mr. in Economics Franklin thinks the present producerexhibitor set-up is considerably damp. He believes that a circuit that is completely independent and without producer dominance is more flexible and economically sound than the present-day string of producerowned houses. He thinks that a big organization having as high as 85 per cent of its assets in theaters and real estate should give that same proportion of its collective brains, analysis, determination and time to the protection of those theaters and not reverse the order by making (.Continued on Page 2) 12 Subjects Offered to RKO as Regular Theatricals A series of 12 short subjects produced by General Electric and titled "The House of Magic" have been offered to RKO by John Klenke, G. E.'s motion picture manager, to be sold to exhibitors under the same (Continued on Page 12) WARNER-KENTUCKY DEAL Negotiations Ly Warner Bros, for acquisition of the Strand Theater Corp. of Kentucky are near the point of being closed, it was stated at the Warner offices yesterday. Theaters involved are the Empress, Opera House and Bleich Opera House in Owensboro; Savoy, Princeton; Princess, Dixie and Lincoln, May(Continued on Pane 12') Fred Niblo is Elected M. P. Academy Secretary West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Fred Niblo has been elected secretary of the Academy of M. P. Arts and Sciences to succeed Frank Woods, resigned. The secretaryship has been changed to a nonsalaried post. Woods has been awarded a life membership in the Academy. 18 From U. A. United Artists will have 18 features on its 1931-32 schedule, said Joseph M. Schenck yesterday. Total of IS will be made for the current year releasing program. E. R. P. I. F0REIGNJXECUTIVE8 Under Electrical Research Products' two-year plan, a number of foreign executives are being brought back to the home office preliminary to assigning them to other posts. Supplementing this reason is the fact that in view of the limitations of the present foreign sound market, a great portion of all installations possible at the moment has been completed. R. M. Hatfield, Australian manager, is back in New York. J. W. Roberts, financial accountant stationed in London has also returned. William Bach, Continental sales manager, returns from London late this month. Expansion Program Will Not be Carried East of Mississippi Theater circuit expansion planned by United Artists will be concentrated on territory west of the Mississippi, Joseph M. Schenck told The Film Daily yesterday. The company's schedule, which provides (Continued on Page 12) Francis Ziesse Resigns From Cameramen's Union Francis E. Ziesse, business representative of Local 644, cameramen's union, has resigned after occupying the post for the past four years. (Continued on Page 12) Erlanger Theaters To Play Jewish Talking Picture Units SENNEn COMPLETESPLANS FOR NINE NEW COMEDIES West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Mack Sennett has completed production plans for nine new comedies on his season's schedule for release by Educational. Marshall Neilan has been signed by Sennett to direct one of the first to be made in the new crop, a comedy takeoff on the "Ex-Wife" and "ExMistress" themes. The comedy will (Continued on Page 12) "Cimarron" Opens Jan. 26 For $1.50 Run at Globe RKO will open •"Cimarron" for its world premiere Jan. 26 at the Globe (in Broadway, where the picture will be presented as a roadshow attraction of two hours' running time at $1.50 top. The house will be closed Jan. 21 for redecoration and sound improvements before the special run opens. $1,000,000 on Mitzi West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Negotiations for $1,000,000 insurance on the life of Mitzi Green, Paramount's 10-year-old star, have been completed by her father, Joe Green. The premium will be $15,000 annually. Under a deal now being negotiated, Jewish talking picture units produced by Judea Films will play Erlanger houses throughout the country The talkers, being made .ii the R. [,. A. studio in Xew York, are being turned out at the rate of a unit a month. Each unit comprises (Continued on Page 12) William Fox Again Dopesters working Times Square have it figured out that William Fox is the money man back of the proposition made by Jake Conn, Providence exhibitor, to buy Pathe for a million bucks more than the RKO deal furnishes. Conn yesterday, in replying to a wire from THE FILM DAILY, again declined to reveal the identity of his backer.