The Film Daily (1931)

THE mE NEWSPAPER OF FILM DOM AIL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME VCL. LV NO. 37 NEH YORK, rCIDAy, fEBCtACy 13, 1931 <S « t**t% Paramount Stage Producing Unit Starts in March YEAR'SW)N-THEATRICAL protectionasked Seek Temporary Change in Operators1 Working Hours The Mirror — a column of comment THROUGH use of the noiseless recording system, projectionists are exempted from regulating sou-nd from their booths, points out Mike Levee In other words the picture is run at one fader level, without the necessity of continually readjusting the amount of sound being poured into the auditorium. The new plan knocks off one of the most exasperating of sound projection problems. Projectionists have grown gray-headed in trying to properly gauge sound volume, situation by situation. From their position in that mad-house of noises known as the projection booth, it's nearly impossible to figure out the volume the customers are hearing. Now, however, with the mechanism once set, they'll let her ride. And the audience down below will hear sound as recorded — minus distortions due to faulty regulation. CHARLIE CHAPLIN rejects a bigdough offer to do a series of broadcasts or electrical transcriptions A smart showman makes a smart showmanship decision. The great master of pantomime realizes that it would be toying with dynamite to let this picture-going world hear his voice. Because hearing his voice (which is a cultured one) would very likely destroy some of the illusion which attends his famous hobo character. OPPOSITION to the Allied plan to air its industry ills tc the public is evidencing itself, a canvass reveals. . . . The customers are interested only in good screen entertainment — not film family squabbles. The chances are a campaign along the proposed lines will serve to irritate them rather than enlist their sympathy and support. Modification is Expected in Law Requiring One Day's Rest Weekly Albany — Prior to the proposed introduction of a bill in the legislature seeking to modify the one-day of rest weekly for operators, a conference is to be held by labor and theater interests with a view to compromising on the law so that operators may work seven days in a week during the present emergency, pro(Continued on Page 2) SCRUTINY OF 'AD' FILMS URGED BYM.P.T.0. GROUP Philadelphia — A resolution calling for close scrutiny of all forms of advertising pictures before they are permitted on the screen by members of the organization was placed on record by the board of managers of the M.P.T.O. of Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and (Continued on Page 2) Still A Mystery Chicago — The Allied convention "mystery speaker," about whom a great deal of mysterious fuss was made in advance announcements from organization headquarters, turned out to be Count Ernesto Russo of Italy. NO MERGER WITH MPTOA, SAYS ABRAM F. MYERS Chicago — "There will be no Allied -M.P.T.O.A. merger. The $100,000 donation to maintain Allied speaks for itself," Abram F. Myers told (.Continued on Page 2) M.P.T.O. Would Curtail Unfair Competition from Outside Philadelphia — Letters have been sent out by the board of managers of the M.P.T.O. of Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware, to all who are supplying pictures to non-theatrical accounts, asking that no product be released to these outside exhibitors unless it is at least a year old. This action was induced by the increased nontheatrical showings, particularly among churches, clubs and various organizations, to the point where it freouently becomes unfair competition. Capital Will Release 48 Foreign Pictures A group of 48 foreign pictures, including 24 feature length subjects and 24 shorts, will be released in this country through the newly formed foreign department of Capital Films, according to Herman Gluckman, president. The pictures will be all-talking and will feature German, Italian, French and Spanish stars. In connection with the foreign department a press department has also been established. Laemmle, Jr., Retains Production Reins With Al Szekler Becoming'U'Gen. Mgr. West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAIIY Hollywood — In announcing the appointment of Al Szekler as general manager of Universal, Carl Laemmle emphatically states that Carl Laemmle, Jr., will continue in charge of (Continued on Page 2) PARA. NEW YORK STUDIO TO PLAY BIGGER ROLE The Paramount New York studio will play an increasingly important part in the company's 1931-32 production program. Seventeen features (Continued on Page 2) Para. Forms Ray-Miner, Inc. As School and Tryout Unit IT SPENDING $1,500,000 FOR SHORTS NEXT YEAR West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood— A budget of $1,500,000 has been set by Universal for short subject production next year, (Continued on Page 2) Al Rogell Reported Tiffany Studio Head West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Al Rogell will head Tiffany production, according to a report in circulation yesterday. London House for RKO London (By Cable)— RKO has leased the Leicester Square in the West End as a show window here. Ray-Miner, Inc., formed by Paramount to produce stage plays which will afterwards be talkerized, is expected to open its initial show on Broadway within a month. Execu(Continuti on Page 2) 47 "Cim" Holdovers Reports reached the RKO offices yesterday that 47 houses are holding over "Cimarron." The extended bookings include 42 week-stands and five splitweeks. At the Globe on Broadway, Wednesday night, a house attache is reported to have clocked 2,000 turnaways.