The Film Daily (1931)

DAILY Wednesday, March 11, 1931 TAB ON SUBSTITUTIONS PLANNED JNM.P.T.0A (Continued from Page 1) ditectly to exhibitors. A weekly bulletin or letter will be issued to disseminate the information, with M. J. O'Toole handling the matter and Emanuel assisting. In the discussion Emanuel pointed out that M-G-M, during the current season, cancelled seven pictures and notified exhibitors to this effect, then selling seven new ones. By treating theaters in this way they developed their good-will, he said. M. A. Lightman urged that exhibitors put agreements with exchanges into their contracts so as to avoid disputes at later dates. Seek Hays Office Aid to Combat Non-Theatricals (Continued from Page 1) months after it has been played by theatrical houses. A committee was appointed to confer with the Hays organization on the matter. Members of the committee are M. A. Lightman, Frank C. Walker and Jack Cohen. The problem has been partly solved in Chicago and Washington, it was pointed out, through arrangements made with the Film Boards of Trade. In these territories nontheatrical houses are not given pictures until six months after they have been generally released in their immediate vicinity. Ed Kuykendahl said that he had spoken to the Mississippi Press Ass'n on the subject and that the organization had later voted to oppose unfair competition from non-theatricals. M.P.T.O.A. Sidelights /^HARLIE PICQUET has become a night-owl— but not for social purposes. The reason's because he's been working day and night down Raleigh way in a successful effort to help slay legislations offensive to this industry of ours. Fred Wehrenberg had intended to aviate to New York, but blizzards between St. Louis and this here town kicked a hole in his plans. Fred Desberg, who's a Loew mainstay in Cleveland, is championing the cause of contract bridge. Pete Woodhull, former national president, dropped in yesterday to see and hear. Jay Emanuel's in town with a beautiful blonde. Just for the records, she's Mrs. Emanuel. Ed Kuykendahl's report on the non-theatrical situation indicated that he's been doing plenty of missionary work in behalf of exhib interests. Frank C. Walker reported for the committee which has been taking up grievances with Erpi. The directors, as our best columnists say, "clapped calloused mitts" f-or the work of Julian Brylawski and Sidney Lust in connection with the Vestal bill. William Benton from up Saratoga way provided the info that things are pretty quiet in that pop spot owing to *he inqu'sit'veness of the authorities. M. E. Comerford was on hand, looking fit after a vacation in Havana and Florida. Riley Succeeds Weinstein As Columbia Frisco Mgr. San Francisco-— Jim Riley from the east replaced Phil Weinstein, resigned, as manager of the Columbia branch here. Robb & Rowley Retain Three Towns in Texas Dallas — Three towns were retained bv Robb & Rowley in the recent sale of the circuit to Hughes-Franklin Theaters, it has just been learned. The locations are Cisco, McKinney and Hillsboro. Billboard Zoning Bill Introduced in Albany Albany — A bill to confine billboard to restricted ones and requiring owners of signboards to pay something towards the upkeep of the highways has been introduced in the assembly by Frederick L. Zimmerman of Queens. Screen Ads Going on Spot At M.P.T.O.A. Meeting Philadelphia — Screen advertising will go on the pan when the M. P. T. O. A. meets here Thursday. Another RKO Radio Party Another radio-invitation partv for school children, similar to the one held last Saturday at the Globe, will be held next Saturday at this house for school children of Brooklyn. Long Island, Westchester and New Jersev. The invitation is extended by Mrs. Ruth King Owen, who appears on the "Stage and Screen" period at noon over WJZ, and application for tickets is made at anv RKO theater. Kill Bill Prohibiting Passes for Lawmakers Austin, Tex. — A bill forbidding lawmakers to accept passes from theaters was disapproved in a minority vote. The measure was introduced by B. J. Forbes, who also filed the state censorship bill for Will Horwitz. "Adventures in Africa" Out Soon Completion of exploitation accessories on "Adventures in Africa", new series of Vitaphone two-reelers, is expected this week, with release of the subjects to follow shortly thereafter. "Trader" Opens in London Friday London — "Trader Horn" is scheduled to open at the Empire, on Friday. A preview has already been given the trade and news press. Watch records SMASH BAD SISTER is here of course it's a UNIVERSAL "Way Down East" for Cameo After playing two weeks at the Shubert Majestic in Boston, the synchronized version of D. W. Griffith's "Way Down East" opens Friday at the RKO Cameo for an extended run. Al Grey is handling the picture. New Denver R-K-O House by Oct Denver — Work on R-K-O's new million-dollar Orpheum to replace the house torn down last winter will start in a few weeks and the house should be readv bv October, it was stated bv Joseph K. Plunkett as he passed through Denver. Downey in Return Engagement Morton Downey, who was in the New York Paramount stage show two weeks ago, nlays a return engagement at the Times Square house starting Fridav. Vanni Managing Fox House Worcester, Mass. — A. J. Vanni, for more than 23 years connected with the C. Z. Poli and Fox interests, has been named manager of the Fox-Poli Elm St. For a number of years Vanm served as booker for all pictures in the Poli houses and supervised the programs of these houses. Robert R. Portle will continue as manager of the Fox-Poli Plaza through the remainder of the burlesque season, after which he will return to the Fox-Poli Palace. 2ND SCORE CHARGE CUT TAKES PLACE NEXT SEASON (Continued from Page \) conferring with distributors on the matter. Following a conference with Electrical Research Products officials, it was announced that that company feels that at present there can be no reduction below the $15 minimum on service charges. However, in the near future a cut is anticipated which will bring the present $20 charge down to $15 and the $25 and $30 charges down to $20 when the corresponding equipment services the same capacity theater. If these reductions are carried out more than 2,000 houses will benefit. Expectations are that the costs of parts will be reduced later. The Vestal copyright bill was discussed and reports on irts career were presented by Julian Brylawski and Sidney Lust. The measure will be rewritten, it was stated, and introduced at the next session of Congress. A representative of the M. P. T. O. A. will likely sit in on the sessions at which the revised bill is prepared. Attending the directors' meeting are: M. A. Lightman, Charles Picquet, R. R. Biechele, Frank C. Walker, Jay Emanuel, M. J. O'Toole, Fred Wehrenberg, William Benton, Jack Cohen, M. E. Comerford, Fred Desberg, Edward M. Fay, Jack Miller, Ed Kuykendahl, Major L. E. Thompson and Charles Williams. The meeting will be resumed this morning. 50-Star N. v7A7Film Shown for M.P.T.O.A. "Stolen Jools," with the greatest cast ever assembled (about 50 stars, strictly on the up and up), was shown to the M. P. T. O. A. directors yesterday. It was produced through the co-operation of Coast studios and Chesterfield cigarettes as a plug for N. V. A. Week, which is to be observed by theaters throughout the country April 4-1 i. The cream of Hollywood stardom takes part in the proceedings, which burlesques a detective drama. At the finale Bert Lytell makes an appeal for the N. V. A. fund. Sued by 3 Firms for Bicycling Louisville — The Parkview Amusement Co., owner of the Captiol, the South End Amusement Co., owner of the Shelby, and Sylvester Grove, manager of both theaters have been sued by M-G-M, Universal and Pathe in three separate actions charging that Grove showed pictures at both theaters, when the contract called for onlv one. Damages of not less than $250 an infringemnet are asked. Barrist, Goodwin in Premium Biz Philadelphia — Dave Barrist and Charles Goodwin are entering the premium business. Public Service As an act of co-operation with the New York City water department to combat the serious drain on the city's water supply due to the prolonged drought, Fox Movietone released an item locally urging the public to economize on water as much as possible. A few days later the commissioner of this department reported to Fox that there had been a noticeable drop in consumption of water.