The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The L ;wspaper ! Of Motion Pi ctures | Now Fourteen Years Old (VOL. LV NC. 41 NEW y€Cr. WEDNCSDAy, rCBCDACy 18, 1931 ■> cr*is Ad Campaigns Boost B. O. 20-40% — Samuelson SENATElGNORES ALLIED'S copyright~pleas 21 Features from Pathe in 1931-32, Says Lee Marcus The TsAirror — a column of comment THIRTEEN State Legislatures have under consideration bills Which would prohibit sale of standing room. . . .Another illustration of "interference legislation" — the kind that even picturegoers don't want. Theaters operated on a highgrade scale don't misrepresent to their customers that they have vacant .-eats when there aren't any. They mighty well know that such a policy is one which will irritate patrons and impair their houses' status with them If there are any theaters which make it a practice to do this, they certainly constitute an unimportant and foolish minority. Passage of these proposed measures would impose an unfair and unnecessary restriction upon hundreds of exhibitors who are playing the game squarely with the public. Such statutes are sure to inconvenience theater customers and, in many instances, tend to discourage their attendance. WTANDARDS for laboratory processing of sound films and a language governing this work arc being drafted by the Academy of M. P. Arts and Sciences. . . .A commendable effort to lessen the conflict between studios and labs. With lab treatment of sound specified along uniform and proven lines, and with a dictionary of universally-understood terms available, another kayo blow will be dealt this particular industry friction. BUSINESS men of Olathe, Colo.. have found it necessary to operate the local theater in order to stimulate trading in their town. . . .History repeats itself here. Picture shows are the world's greatest business-attracter for any community. Exhibs ought to make merchants in their towns conscious of this indisputable fact New Head of Organization Enthusiastic Over Outlook In hi first statement since returning from the coast, Lee Marcus, president of Pathe announced yesterday that 21 features will be made for the 1931-32 selling season by Pathe and that unusual vehicles have been -elected for Constance Bennett, Ann Harding and Helen Twelvetrees. Marcus also stated that the present Pathe organization would be (Continued on Page 12) CHI RKO MANAGER ATTACKED Chicago — In a renewal of labor union warfare here yesterday, Louis Weil, manager of the State-Lake, RKO key house, was dragged behind the theater and beaten into unconsciousness. This is the second attack of it, kind, Weil's predecessor, William Singer, also having been victimized last fall. Yesterday's in( Continued on Page 12) E. H. Goldstein Joins Pathe Home Office Staff E. H. Goldstein, formerly vicepresident and treasurer of Universal and later connected with Tiffany, has been engaged by Pathe to act in an official executive capacity at the home office. He is now' making a survey of all departments. Protection Bill Doomed Raleigh — Following a brief hearing held yesterday by the State Legislature on a bill to outlaw protection, indications were that the measure will never reach the voting stage. PARAMOUNT AND WARNERS IN JERSEY THEATER WAR Paramount and Warner Bros, are again in conflict in theater buying campaigns now starting in New Jersey. Spyros Skouras is acting for Paramount in the campaign, which will be concentrated on a period of between two and three months. Objections by Exhib Unit Fail to Bring Changes At Washington Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Although the Vestal copyright bill, when it is reported to the Senate today or tomorrow, will be considerably different from the measure passed by the house, it is understood that the matters complained of by the Allied States organization will not be changed. Vicepresident Curtis yesterday presented to the Senate a letter addressed to him by Abram F. Myers, Allied head, calling attention to the resolutions adopted at last week's meeting in Chicago with respect to the pending copyright legislation. Myers told the Vice-President that Allied passed (Continued on Page 12) No Foreign Talk for Educational; Hammons Sees More Profit in English Foreign language versions will not be made of any Educational shorts, Earle W. Hammons, told the Film Daily yesterday. Claiming that {Continued on Page 12) $100,000 Fire Destroys Publix Charlotte House Charlotte. X. C. — Fire that raged through the Imperial building for more than an hour Monday morn ng destroyed the Publix house, with approximate loss of $100,000. 20-40% B. O. Increase Results From Ad Campaign — Samuelson Wyoming Escapes Cheyenne, Wyo. — Deadline for new bills in the Wyoming legislature was passed without any measures unfavorable to the amusement industry being introduced. Institutional advertising campaigns carried on by Allied States Ass'n members in Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa have boosted their the. iter grosses between 20 and 40 per cent. declared Sidney Samuelson, president of the New Jersey M. P. T. O.. at a luncheon yesterday at the Hotel (Continued on Page 10) KANSAS LEGISLATURE KILLS LOCAL OPTIONSUNDAYBILL Topeka, Kan. — By a vote of 86 to 29, the House has killed a bill to repeal the 63-year-old Kansas blue la\\> and provide local option regulation of Sunda; business and amusements. M-G Profit $1,211,808 In 12 Weeks to Nov. 21 Net profit of Metro-Goldwyn Pictures Corp. for the 12 weeks ended 21, after deducting Federal {Continued on Pane 1-') Gives In Chicago — Realizing the futility of being artistic and starving, the Cinema, sole local artie, has surrendered to sound.