The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fourteen Years Old V€L. LV NO. €€ NEW yCEK, PCIDAY, MARCH 13, 1931 5 CENTS 6 Major Distribs Deny Shorts Tie-in With Features URGESJNDIE EXHIBSJJET CONTRACTOKAY Newspaper Advertising Tieup on Warner Industrials The Mirror a column of comment THAT SUNDAY shows sentiment is groiving nationally is] indicated by the action of various state legislatures in passing favorable bills You can attribute a certain percentage of this more congenial legislator attitude to the untiring efforts of exhibitor and other film industry agencies. But beyond this explanation the citizens ofthese United States are manifesting more and more a tendency to junk that antiquated blue law spirit, generally speaking. Broadmindness is beginning to chuckle at narrowmindness. This increasingly sympathetic treatment of the open Sundaj ' uestion is onlv one shred of evidence to this effect. Steer your eyesight over some of the box-office hits of the past few years — since talker? came roaring onto the screen. The conventional happy ending whose artificiality has ruined many a picture is no longer a requisite to every production. Subjects which were taboo a few years ago are now accepted as within the pale of motior picture propriety. All these enlargec' latitudes give the industry greate. breathing space — expansion area. OPINION THAT paid advertising is being inserted in theatrical features is being expressed by some exhibs There's nothing by way of concrete evidence at present to substantiate the opinion. It may be partially accounted for by the fact that frequently, in order to build a gag, reference to some nationally-known product is necessary. Move is Intended to Forestall Newspaper Attacks A contract for four sponsored short subjects for a total productiondistribution cost of $150,000 has been entered into between the Warner Bros, industrial film department and the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. Simultaneously with the release of he shorts, which will be travelogues, the A. & P. will conduct a newspaper advertising campaign, th s move bein°r made to forestall any at (Continued on Page 8) WANT PATHE TO DELIVER AIL 1930-31 FEATURES Philadelphia — Steps to force Pathe ;o deliver all features sold on its :urrent program were taken by the M. P. T. O. at a meeting yesterday vvhen it was decided that members will not play Pathe short subjects (.Continued on Pane 8) Bandits' Target Chicago — For the fourth time in a little over a year, and the third time in about two months, bandits have held up Alice Lewis, cashier of the Piccadilly on Hyde Park Blvd., a Negro this time getting $60. Two previous holdups took place Jan. 24 and Jan. 10, the latter haul amounting to $1,047. In January of last year Miss Lewis was robbed of $1,200. 12 FILMS IN PREPARATION AT West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — While actual production is temporarily at a standstill the Universal studio staff under Carl Laemmle, Jr., is busy preparing 12 features for production starting next month. The pictures are: "Blind Husbands," which Erich {Continued on Page 8) COMMERCIAL films are generally opposed bv members of the M.P.T.O.A.' board of directors Ideas expressed by these veteran •■bowmen warrant an attentive hearing. The problem, however, cannot be worked out in a blanket treatment. It's a puzzle for individual solution. larry L. Gold Promoted To Asst. G. M. at U. A Harry L. Gold, who has been as;istant to General Manager Al Lichtnan of United Artists since last August, has been promoted to the post ■}{ assistant general manager, Lichtnan announced yesterday before leaving for the coast. Gold has been (Continued on Paor K) Shorts Tie-in With Features Denied by 6 Major Companies Pathe Sales Convention In Chicago April 20-22 RKO Pathe will hold its sales convention April 20-22 at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, it was announce'! yesterday by Lee Marcus. Charle R. Rogers, production held, will come on from the coast and join with President Marcus; Ned E. (Continued on Pane 8) Lightman Would Clear Way for Exhibition Agreement In view of the fact that the new standard exhibition contract has not yet been put into operation, suggestion that a committee of independent exhibitors submit the agreement to the Dept. of Justice for its approval was made last night by M. A. Lightman, M. P. T. O. A. president. He based his proposal on the distributors' statement that the contract drafted at the 5-5-5 conferences has not been placed in effect because they (Continued on Page 7) SOME IMPROVEMENT IN BIZ IS INDICATED BY SURVEY Some improvement in theater attendance is indicated by a survey made by The Film Daily contacting members of the M. P. T. O. A. board of directors, representing var (Continued on Page 8) Sunday Show Measure Passes Arkansas House Little Rock— The Raney bill legalizing Sunday shows passed the house after a close fight, the vote being 31 to 30. It now goes to the Senate for consideration. Charles Flarity Managing Educational Albany Office Charles Flarity, member' of the Philadelphia branch office staff of Educational, has been made branch manager in Albany, succeed ng the late J. Howard Morgan, it was announced yesterday by Stanley VV. Hatch, sales manager. Flarity has been with Educational for nine years, Distribution heads of six feature companies releasing a majority of shorts yesterday definitely assured the M.P.T.O.A. that it is not their policy to compel exhibitors to buy their short subjects in order to uet their features. The companies stiting this Dolicj are: Pararii (tint, MG-M, Warner Bros.. Universal, (Continutd on Page 8) Indianapolis — The Indiana Legis'ature has adjourned without a single measure effecting the film industry having been passed. Tiffany's "Hell Bound" For Para. Ace Houses Tiffany's "Hell Bound," gangster oicture with a cast headed bv Leo Cnrrillo, has been booked bv Publix for simultaneous showing at the New York and Brooklyn Paramounts the week of April 17. it is announced bv Carl J. Goe. Tiffany sales manager, who closed the deal. This is the first Tiffany picture hooked for the ace Paramount houses, and one of very few indie productions ever to play either house