The Film Daily (1931)

DAILY Tuesday, February 3, 1931 i Kinograms Gets Contract for Six Sponsored Pictures Educational May Release Series of Ad Subjects Captain G. Baynes, president of Kinograms has contracted to produce six short subjects to be sponsored by a national advertiser, Tin .[ Daily learns. The release has not as yet been set, although Educational is the chief possibility. This series of "ad" shorts marks the entrance of Kinograms in the commercial subject held. With the demise of the silent Kinograms, a separate company has been incorporated by Baynes for the production of both commercial short subject.' and the production of a new soling newsreel, now in preparation. It i expected that production of the shorts and the synchronizing of tlv newsreel will be done at the Ideal Studios, N. J., with Carl Edouarde as musical director. 'U' Wins Final Point In "Abie" Litigation Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Universal yesterday won the final step in the "Abie's Irish Rose" case, when the U. S. Supreme Court handed down a decision denying to Anne Nichols leave to appeal the case. This finally closes the litigation, which had cost Universal a fortune to defend and has lasted nearly five years. Miss Nichols sued for $3,000,000, alleging plagiarism by Universal in the production of "The Cohens and Kellys". 10 P. C. Admission Tax Introduced in Iowa Des Moines — The anticipated 10 per cent admission tax bill has been introduced in the legislature. Proceeds of the proposed levy would go to the school districts. Ticket speculators would be required to pay the tax and 50 per cent of the amount charged by them over the ticket': face value. Walter Bowlby Dead Indianapolis — Walter G. Bowlby, 52, pioneer in the picture house business, died at his home here last week after an illness of two years. Cohn Denies Report West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Harry Cohn issued a statement last night denying the reports sent east to the effect that he is quit ting Columbia to join Howard Hughes Asked about the rumor that Harry Cohn is leaving Columbia to join Howard Hughes Joe Brandt in New York said: "It's news to me. I don't believe it." Lew Ayres Most Popular Lew Ayres, Universal star, is the male leader and highest vote-getter in this year's popularity contest conducted by Irene Thirer, film critic of the New York "Daily News". Ayres got 84,489 votes. Following him are Charles Farrell, 79,506; Buddy Rogers, 21,506; Robert Montgomery, 14,306; Gary Cooper, 7,099; Ramon Novarro, 6,850; Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., 5,433; Maurice Chevalier, 4,486; Ronald Colman, 3,076; Fredric March, 2,461. The feminine ranks are led by Janet Gaynor with 74,767 votes, followed by Joan Crawford, 54,980; Nancy Carroll, 40,187; Clara Bow, 29,509; Greta Garbo, 8,832; Ruth Chatterton, 5,336; Norma Shearer, 5,261; Mary Brian, 4,532; Constance Bennett, 3,809; Anita Page, 3^23. T AND T THEATERS CHIEF TIFFANY TARGET (Continued from Page 1) of its own, declared Rowland. He said that his company is willing to consider work of independent prolucers but will make the bulk of its product itself. Hays Office Sponsoring "Better Business" Drive (Continued from Page 1) attended by a majority of moving picture company advertising directors. The plan, which was suggested by A. P. Waxman of Warner Bros., calls for appropriations from all motion picture companies for news and tradepaper advertising boosting various industries with the direct purpose of increasing the spending power of the people. Will Hays, who presided at the first meeting, will call a meeting of company executives next week for the pur pose of receiving suggestions regarding the appropriation. 70 Per Cent of U. S. Sold on Hoot Gibson West Coast Bureau, The Film Daily Hollywood — Nearly 70 per cent of the U. S. lias been sold on the Hoot Gibson westerns to be made by M. H. Hoffman, Jr., the producer announces. The territory was booked within two weeks after announcement in the trade papers, Hoffman, says, thereby setting something of a record in the independent field. Floyd St. John of the Co-operative Film Exchange of San Francisco bought California, Arizona and Nevada. Syndicate Pictures of Dallas bought the entire South. Stern Brothers of Omaha bought Iowa and Nebraska. Joe Silverman of the Affiliated Producers Exchange bought Kansas Citv territory. B N. Judell bought all the territory represented by Chicago, and Milwaukee and Indianapolis. "Pop" Corson of Masterpiece Attractions secured all the territory handled from Philadelphia and Washington. Deals for the remaining territories are now pending. ROXY MEET A LOVE-FEAST; CLARKE HEADS NEW BOARD (Continued from Page 1) share on Class A stock. No divdend on common will be declared That the Roxy grossed $4,738,616 during the 1930 fiscal year was indicated by the statement, presented by Arthur A. Jones, assistant treasurer. "Roxy", who ends his connection with the corporation March 29, will continue as a member of its board of directors, which was elected yesterday as follows: Harlev L. Clarke, W. C. Michel, Harry C. Arthur, S. R. Burns, Felix Jenkins (all new members) and S. L. Rothafel, Saul E. Rogers, Arthur A. Jones, Ernest W. Niver, Frederick W. Pope and William C. Chandler. "Roxy" waxed eloquent in his plea for common stockholders to hold onto their shares. "I'll take off my coat any time and return to help you," he told them, and pleaded with them to retain their faith in the Roxy project. His remarks drew applause generally from the 300 persons who attended the meeting. Expectations are that Harlev L. Clarke will be elected president of Roxy Theaters Corp. to succeed "Roxy", who will continue to head the company until he quits March 29. The new board of directors will meet immediately to name the company's officers. Roxy's $1 Concert Idea Spreading Around Country Plans are under way in various cities to emulate the Sunday morning "Dollar Concerts" instituted by S. L. Rothafel at the Roxy for the aid of unemployed musicians. "Roxy", who leaves shortly on a concert tour with his "Gang", attended his last concert on Sunday. at which time officials of the American Federation of Women's Clubs, representing 100.000 women, presented him with a statue symbolic of "Romance" in recognition of his work. Stage Show at Capitol, Atlanta Atlanta — The Capitol has augmented its bill with a stage show, orchestra and organist. 7,865 U. S. Tf IEATERS STILL IN SILENT CLASS (Continued from Page 1) Year Book, due o ff the press about the middle of February. A tabulation of the houses accord ing to states and the number wired is given herewith: No. of No. Wired State Theaters (Jan. 1, 1931) Alabama 296 169 Arizona 97 51 Arkansas 354 152 California 981 741 Colorado 298 138 Connecticut . . 205 170 Delaware .... 39 23 Dist. of Col... 57 52 Florida 278 131 Georgia 242 176 Idaho 192 100 Illinois 1,444 743 Indiana 708 335 Iowa 749 426 Kansas 655 370 Kentucky 493 162 Louisiana 249 180 Maine 271 137 Maryland 221 152 Massachusetts . 567 437 Michigan .... 715 545 Minnesota .... 571 369 Mississippi . . . 183 108 Missouri 982 418 Montana 191 98 Nebraska .... 527 239 Nevada 42 23 New Hampshire 149 94 New Jersey .. 511 363 New Mexico . 93 40 New York ....1,778 1.183 North Carolina 366 227 North Dakota . 342 131 Ohio; 1,200 807 Oklahoma .... 373 314 Oregon 182 152 Pennsylvania .1,271 970 Rhode Island. . 100 74 So. Carolina . 168 89 So. Dakota . . 294 158 Tennessee .... 315 155 Texas 988 605 Utah 281 101 Vermont 153 70 Virginia 336 173 Washington . . . 374 247 West Virginia. 499 138 Wisconsin . . . 538 352 Wyoming .... 75 40 Totals 20,993 13.128 "Illicit" Release Feb. 14 \\ arner Bros, have set Feb. 14 as the release date for ' Illicit." New Incorporations Cervantes Theater; P. Bajardi, 1855 Sev enth Ave., New York. $20,000 pfd., 1,000 shares common. Mirth Theaters; A. K; ufman. 66 Court St., Brooklyn. N. Y. 100 shares common. Edward Rilev. theatrical ; M. S, Salzman, 271 Madison Ave.. New r'ork. 200 shares common.