The Film Daily (1931)

THE Tuesday, March 17, 1931 JWl DAILY OIL BOOM IN EAST TEXAS ATTRACTS CIRCUIT SCOOTS (Continued from Page 1) most overnight, the old Dixie operated by C. O. Murphree, has been renamed the Crim, in honor of L. M. Crim, who owned the house and who has made a million in oil, and the house is doing such a lively business that two bouncers are on duty to handle the boisterous clientele. Murphree formerly was associated with the Griffith Amusement Co. Crim is understood to be planning to spend some of his oil money on an elaborate modern house for the town. C. T, Thompson, who recently bought the Aladdin in Longview from G. H. Mercer, is taking in plenty of money with the house. Longview is another community that has blossomed out big since oil came in. Tracy Flanagan is negotiating to build a large house in Longview for the East Texas Theaters circuit, which has various expansion plans under way in the newly prosperous region. The little town of Gladewater also is looked upon as a coming show town. Dallas and other places in the surrounding region are likewise benefiting from the boom. Hotels, merchants and theaters all report a lively pickup in trade. Gaumont British Rejects 50-50 Deal on "Lights" London — Gaumont British Corp.. largest circuit in England, has rejected "City Lights" under Charlie Chaplin's terms of 50 per cent. The Cinematograph Exhibitors' Ass'n has advised exhibitors to not pay more than 30 per cent for the picture, and that in the case of smaller houses 25 per cent is sufficient. Chaplin is now in Vienna visiting Prof. Albert Einstein. Boston Studio for Commercials Boston — East Coast Sound Picture Corp., organized to produce talkers for the advertising and educational fields, has opened a studio at 45 Broadway. A laboratory may be added later. F. W. Adams is president and treasurer of the company, with Robert Duncan and Frank B. Wallis as directors, James W. Clow as business manager, and F. H. Herrick in charge of the studio. Melrose Auditorium Burns Melrose, Mass. — Fire destroyed the Melrose Auditorium, owned by Irving Green. Still Sunny Ralph Staub, director of "Screen Snapshots," photographed several screen celebs during the recent Hollywood rains, and being a loyal native son, he gagged up the dialogue to make audiences believe the rain was "the sun's perspiration." Exhibs Go for Action Sono Art-World Wide has already signed 2,000 theaters for its series of 10 Thrill-oDramas. First to be released, "Air Police," was trade-shown yesterday. It features two air fights with machine guns and falling planes — just a sample of the action stuff that's coming in this series. ALLIED NAY LAUNCH OWN .EXCHANGE SYSTEM (Continued fiom Page 1) .ncluded in each reel, the remainder of the issue being devoted to news events oj national and international significance. An explanatory voice will be dubbed in with the industrial sequence. All advertising contracts will be handled by Kinograms. The reel will be turned over to the various Allied state units, said Oscar R. Hanson, agent of Allied, and they in turn will distribute them to their members. Exhibitors will pay a minimum of 50 cents a week for the reel. All rentals go to the state organizations. Sample reels are now being sent to each unit. Hanson's contract with exhibitors covers five years. After three years, agreements may be cancelled by mutual consent. Sealing Ship Blows Up With Film Men Aboard (Continued from Page !) lease, and "Vikings of the North," in association with W. C. Chanler of New York. Another picture, "White Thunder," was started about a year ago, but the expedition had to be abandoned on account of the ice, and the present trip was for the purpose of getting atmospheric sequences to complete the production. Harry Sargent, Boston explorer, also was in the party. The Viking had more than 100 aboard in all. Tugs were rushed immediately to the scene of the disaster, and at last reports about 70 had been saved and about 20 reported lost. The fate of Frissell, Penrod and Sargent was unknown late last night. Taking Over Racine House Racine, Wis. — The Uptown Majestic Theater Corp. has been formed for the purpose of operating the Uptown, which together with the Capitol was formerly conducted by the Racine Amusement Co. The latter concern recently filed a petition in bankruptcy. Incorporators of the new concern are Mr. and Mrs. Anton Draginis and Bryan Draginis. Rebuilding in Huntsville, Ala. Huntsville, Ala. — Lyric Amusement Co. has leased the site of the Lyric, destroyed by fire last Christmas, and will erect a 1,000-seat house on the premises. Charles A. Crute is manager of the Lyric Amusement Co., which is a subsidiary of the Crescent Amusement Co. of Nashville. LAEMMLES AID OF INDIES REVEALED IN CANADA PROBE (Continued from Page IJ ironi M. \ an Praag, then general .-.ales manager of Universal, to Clair Hague, Universal man in Canada, advising him to give fullest po>siule and immediate relief to any small exhibitors whose business existence was threatened by excessive rentals on sound pictures. "What is the reason for this intense interest in the small exhibitor?" asked the commissioner. "Our president. Carl Laeimnle, has always been a very strong supporter of the independent exhibitor," replied witness. Commissioner White leaned over his desk and slowly surveyed the court. "I find great difficulty in understanding this business," he said. "The other day we were told it was not a paying proposition to supply the independent. Now we get a letter moving heaven and earth to keep niin in business." "It looks like a conspiracy against Famous Players," suggested Strachan Johnston, K. C, counsel for that corporation. There was the "very keenest of competition" between Universal and other film exchanges, witness declared. In the final taking of evidence, Frederick Ravell, Canadian representative of British International Pictures, said it was practically impossible to distribute British pictures in Canadian key centers, due to the existence of theater combines. On cross-examination, R. H. Parmenter, representing Famous Players, sought to produce evidence to show that British productions did not have the box-office value of American pictures. Overseating in Philly Indicated by Survey Philadelphia — Emphasis on local overseating conditions is placed by a theater survey just made which indicates that this city has 175 theaters with an aggregate of 194,778 seats. Population of Philadelphia is slightly under 2,000,000. A. C. Added to Goldman Territory Philadelphia — William Goldman, Stanley-Warner district general manager, now includes the Atlantic City territory in this jurisdiction. This district had been under General Manager Marks, who has returned to Chicago. Fight Pictures in Brooklyn First showing of pictures of the fight between Primo Camera and Jim Maloney in Miami will take place starting Friday at the Warner Strand in Brooklyn. Beedle, Panoplos Made Directors Pittsburgh — Eddie Beedle of Canonsburg and Frank Panoplos of McKeesport have been added to the board of directors of the M.P.T.O. of W. Pa. and W. Va. The board now includes 11 members. THE LUCKY RABBIT iwtf fcDOtf ling a\ for V>o* i p\oy for « uic k « ore an a \ou9 or v/ b o ay k * ° hea \thy re cev >a6 i produ ced un<»*r jslon °> Nothing But BoxOffice In UNIVERSAL Short Subjects!