The Film Daily (1931)

THE NEWSPAPER OF HEM DOM ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME VOL. LV NO. 13 nih yccr, rciDAy, January 16, 1931 5 CENT* Commercial Film Trend Hits Europe — Ufa Active NEW SCREEN FIRST MOVE IN ERPI EXPANSION Review Board Will Discuss Community M. P. Support The Mirror — a column of comment TREND IN expansion programs of major circuits is to build rather than buy. . . . This is not to be interpreted as asserting that the big exhibiting companies will pass up a theater which conforms with all their requirements simply because it's already constructed. But it does mean that the keen execs are convinced that in a large percentage of cases, it's superior business to acquire houses specifically tailored to fit their needs than to buy ready-made theaters. In these highly-competitive exhibition days, when matters such as location, construction of a house and its status with ticket-buyers count more than a few years ago, this policy seems sanely sound. Another sidelight on the idea is that a theater's staff is likely to tackle the job of operation more enthusiastically in a new house than an old and perhaps comparatively obsolete one. SI!' ITCHING of titles on some product is causing some cxhibs bewilderment, reports indicate. .. .Admittedly, title-selecting is not the easiest task in the picture world and it's importance to the production to which it is attached should not he minimized. From this spot in the industry it seems that it would be better to ponder long and seriously on titles before publicizing 'em. And then stick to 'em to avoid confusion in both the exhib and public minds. GENERAL ELECTRIC is endeavoring to market 12 of its own shorts on a rental basis.... A new twist in handling pictures which carry an element of advertising. Exhibitor reaction to the plan will serve to more clearly define the status of industrials in theatrical houses. Griffith, Wanger, Lubitsch Among Speakers for Annual Meet "Community Plan of Motion Picture Support and Interest" will be the subject of this year's conference of the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, opening next Thursday and continuing until Saturday at the Hotel Pennsylvania here. Secretary of Labor William N. Doak, D. W. Griffith, Ernst Lub (Continued on Page 7) C.J.ROSSOFPiiotOPHONE DIES OF STROKE ON COAST IV est Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — Charles J. Ross, executive vice-president of RCA Photophone, died at 5 o'clock yesterday morning at the Tall Cedars of Lebanon Hospital here following a (Continued on Page 4) Conn. MPTOA Will Meet To Discuss Legislation New Haven — A meeting of the M. P. T. O. A. of Connecticut will be held before Feb. 1 in the office of the association's counsel, Edward G. Levy, to consider pending legislation which effects the industry. 15 Warner Scouts A scouting staff of about 15 men is being used by Warner Bros, in connection with their plans for building in various territories throughout the country. C. L. NILES ELECTED HEAD Of IOWA ALLIED Des Moines — C. L. Niles of Anamosa has been elected president of the Allied Theater Owners of Iowa, in convention here. E. O. Ellsworth of Iowa Falls is the new vice-president, and Lester Martin of Nevada was re-elected secretary-treasurer. Tom Arthur of Mason City, former president, becomes a member of the board of directors. $100,000 Corporation Formed by Kinograms Dover, Del. — A Delaware charter has been granted to Kinograms, Inc., of New York, with a stated capitalization of $100,000, to engage in the motion picture and motion picture machine business. It has been reported that Kinograms is to undertake extensive activity in the industrial picture field. Production of Commercials Launched by Ufa in Germany 'Caesar's' 1 1A-Day Eleven complete shows daily is the new Broadway record established by "Little Caesar," current at the Strand. Continuous programs, without intermissions, are given from 9 a. m. to 2:30 a. m. daily except on Saturday and Sunday, when the house closes at 4 a. m. Berlin — Ufa has established a commercial film department, which is extremely active. The company now lias 131 theaters, in addition to other houses which come under their supervision. Ten more stars and players have been added to the Ufa roster. They arc: Elsa Elster, Betty Bird, Willy Forst, Hans Brausewetter, Henry Garat, Dolly Haas, Renate Miller. Laurence Olivier, Lion Dyers and (Continued on Pane 4) More Extensive Activity in Equipment Field by W. E. Subsid. Further entrance of Electrical Research Products, Western Electric subsidiary, into the motion picture equipment field, beyond the distribution of sound apparatus is planned. The first product to be handled is a new type screen known as the Or(Continued on Page 4) LICHTMAN CREATES WORK SELLINC COUPON BOOKS Memphis — Malco Theaters, the M. A. Lightman circuit, in addition to putting on Sunday performances for the last several weeks for the benefit of the unemployed, will put a number of women to work selling coupon books containing $2.50 and $5 worth of admission tickets at reduced prices. The tickets are transferable and may be used at any house in the Malco circuit. Four Stage Productions Planned by Jack White Jack White, who formerly produced for Educational release, intends to stage four plays which he eventually plans to talkerize. The first one, "The Devil is a Lady," starring Olive Borden, will not reach Broadway, having closed recently out of town. ''The Bat Whispers" A highly amusing crook mystery has been turned out by Roland West for United Artists in this intriguing concoction presented yesterday at the Rivoli. It contains a big load of puzzling events, spooky doings and intermittent comedy, plus a tense performance by Chester Morris and some exceptionally interesting photography. The creepy stuff may be a bit worn out, but the comedy is strong and should prove sure-fire. The Rivoli showing was on wide screen (Magnifilm), which enhances the effect. GILLETTE.