The Film Daily (1931)

ALLIED IN FINISH FIGHT ON BLOCK BOOKING PLAN {Continued from Page 1) edy for block booking if we have to stay here 30 daysl" Myers opened the convention in the afternoon with the statement: "This is no occasion to rake the dead ashes of the past — we are concerned here only with present and future." The huge gathering, which surpassed expectations, "touches the emotions," he declared. Briefly outlining the problems confronting the convention, Myers stressed the music tax, the copyright taxes and block booking. He referred to the music tax as "an ancient enemy, an ancient bogey," and said that the very purpose of this tax has ceased to exist. "It remains today only as an exaction imposed on the theater owner under the cover of a copyright law," he stated. "Extortion under any circumstances is terrible, but when it is practiced under the color of the law it is intolerable." Delegates were urged to appeal to their senators to support the Vestal Bill. Characterizing protection as a "supremely important problem," Myers questioned the legality of the practice and declared that the recent West Coast decree laid down as a principle that arbitrary and discriminatory protection is illegal. Each problem is to be dealt with by a special committee, except for the big topic of block booking, on which the convention is to resolve into a whole with Steffes as chairman. Other committees and chairmen are: Protection, W. W. Whitson, California; Guarantees and Percentage, C. E. Nolte, Maryland; Theater Expansion and Mergers, F. J. Herrington, Pennsylvania; Advertising, H. M. Richey, Michigan; Checking Percentages, Sidney Samuelson, New Jersey; Quality and Length of Features, R. E. Myers. Ohio; Copyright, L. F. Martin, Iowa, Equipment. Nathan Yamins, Mass.; Salacious Advertising, Jacob Conn, Rhode Island. Following a full day's activities, a special meeting was called for late last night. Petition for Vaude. in Dayton Dayton, O. — Local citizens have petitioned RKO to restore vaudeville at the Dayton. Havana Popular Havana— This hamlet more and more resembles the region around 729 Seventh Ave., New York. You literally fall over film people who come for vacation purposes. Many of them drop in to chat with Alton Bradbury, former New York exhib, who is now identified with the Casino and Jockey Club. CHICAGO ABRAM F. MYERS, Allied "^ chieftain, arrived in town two days before the big doings started, but he had enough to do to keep him on his toes right up to opening of the meet. Film history is in the making at the Congress Hotel. Victor L. Gross of Bloomfield, Neb., was the first of the Cornhusker delegates to hit the Windy City. He is one of the youngest exhibs in the field. Immediately upon his arrival he bought a rifle, for protection while here and for use on a hunting trip later. A mammoth banner, urging the public to patronize "Allied" indie theaters, is spread in the lobby of the Congress. This is part of Allied' s campaign to carry its fight directly to the public. Dave Selznick and Fred Herrington headed a delegation of 22 from Western Penna. and W. Va. Leonard Goldstein of Pittsburgh is having a swell time at the confab. He was an undertaker before going into the exhibition field. Now, with business so dead, sez he, it looks as though he may return to his former profession. More than 300 delegates had registered at the Congress by noon Monday, 24 hours ahead of the starting time for the convention. H. M. Richey and his Michigan unit were among the early comers, together with Al Steffes and about 100 of his followers from up Minnesota way. From far off California came W. W. Woodson and a contingent of native sons, and from the opposite end of the country came Sidney Samuelson's New Jersey unit. Aaron Saper stein and his Illinois bunch were complimented for their excellent attention to the arrange' ments. Create Two Sub-Divisions In R-K-0 Publicity Shift In confirming the recent changes in the R-K-O theater publicity department, Mark A. Luescher, director of national publicity, yesterday announced that the realignment leaves two sub-divisions. National advertising is in the charge of P. J. Hess and national exploitation under E. M. Orowitz. The advertising department will include Harold Dygert, Bob Sylvester, John A. Cassidy, G. Courtney and Eunice Lefkowitz. Metropolitan and neighborhood houses will be handled by Harry Mandel assisted by Bill Usilton, Joe Cullen and Abe Vallet. The p.hoto and press department will be supervised by Orowitz with John Pollock, John Dowd, Robert Nagel, Margaret McGonigle and Emma Carbone assisting. Abe Brin will have charge of trailers. Floyd Scott continues as associate director of the publicity department. Pat Casey Continuing Conferences With Unions After having conferred with representatives of 37 unions composed of studio employees, Pat Casey, chairman of the producers' committee, leaves New York for the Coast Friday to continue negotiations on adjustment of working conditions. This afternoon, he will confer with representatives of the recently-formed Laboratory Technicians union who are seeking a contract. German Film for Cameo "Westfront— 1918," produced by Nero-Film of Berlin, has been booked by R-K-O for early showing at the Cameo. Hoover, Mussolini Join In Tribute to Eastman President Hoover, Mussolini, Calvin Coolidge and General John J. Pershing were among the notables who sent messages of tribute to George Eastman on the occasion of the dinner tendered to him by the Society of the Genesee at the Hotel Commodore. In recognition of his philanthropies Eastman was presented with two decorations, an officership in the French Legion of Honor, of which he already was a member, and the Swedish ordtr of Knight Commander of Wasa. Universal Will Continue Unit Production Plan West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — In renewing contracts with E. M. Asher and Albert DeMond, associate producers, Carl Laemmle, Jr., announces that Universal will continue the unit production plan which he instituted at the beginning of his regime as production chief. Arthur Ungar and Robert Harris also are under contract as 'U' associate producers. Epes Sargent Out of "Zit's" Epes Sargent has resigned from "Zit's," where he conducted the motion picture section, due to a change in editorial policy which will play up variety and go light on film news. Bert Moeller in Chicago Chicago — Bert Moeller, sales manager for Famous Artists, of the Air, is here on the first leg of a tour of key cities which he will survey in connection with his company's electrical transcriptions programs. Wednesday, February 11, 1931 SEEK TO REDUCE FEES CHARGED BY N. Y. CENSORS 1 (Continued from Page 1) that Will H. Hays and Vincent Ryan are expected to come here in an effort to have the law amended so as to reduce the fees for film reviews. Of the money collected last year, more than $150,000 went into the state treasury, and this has been characterized in film circles as "profiteering." Paramount Offers to Buy Stock of Marks Theaters (Continued from Page 1) Bros. Theaters of Chicago, whose current liabilities of $722,852 compare with current assets of $47,782, the liabilities including a $250,000 loan from Paramount. The offer is contingent upon 44,000 of the 45,000 outstanding preferred shares accepting on or before February 28 or such later dates as Paramount might fix. Paramount stock so issued is not to carry the March dividend. The preferred stockholders' protective committee has recommended acceptance of the offer. Michalove on Survey Of Warner Theaters (Continued from Page 1) in charge of all Warner theaters, will determine conditions of the various houses. Until he has looked over the situation theater acquisition activities will be suspended. Screen Advertisers Will Meet This Month (Continued from Page 1) quirements and methods of operation will be discussed. A subsequent meeting, to which the entire membership will be called, will be held Feb. 23 at which time action will be taken on the recommendations of the executive committee. Real Estate Division Split Activities of the main office real estate department of Fox Theaters have been separated into two divisions, with A. S. Kempner in charge of leasing and negotiating for new properties, as well as disposing of obsolete theaters, and C. D. Loew supervising all rentals. Closed Sunday May Close Houses Palmer, Mass. — Closing of the Strand and the new Paramount here is regarded as likely unless permission for Sunday opening is granted. In a petition for Sunday afternoon shows, recently filed with the selectmen, it was stated that the houses were losing money operating only six days a week. Easy on Announcements Advertising departments of the various distribution companies are quietly preparing announcement books for next season's product. Their policy is no loud talk on programs at the moment.