The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fourteen Years Old VOL. LV NC. 8<5 NEW yCCI\, SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1931 25 CENTS 10 New York Sites Lined Up for Trans Lux Houses crimeTnd sex filnToutput dropping Sponsored Vaude Looms as Sponsored Film Competition Commercial Advertisers Using Stage Ads for Exploitation Sponsored vaudevile, paid for by commercial concerns as in the case of advertising films, is the latest entertainment-plus-advert sing hook-up likely to invade the theater field in a big way. Nationally-known radio acts are in I ine for this kind of booking. Loew is experimentingwith the idea with Bosch radio band which opens at the (Continued on Page 26) DELAHANTY TO SET UP PATHE BRANCHES ABROAD T. S. Delahanty, general manager bf RKO Pathe Export Corp., leaves next week for Europe to establish jranch offices for the new company in ill important centers on the continent. In London he will complete plans to launch production of British quota pictures by P.D.C., the RKO Pathe releasing unit in Engand. Governor's Okay Awaited On Ohio Sunday Measure Columbus — Having passed the i House of Representatives by a vote >f 12 to 42, after a favorable vote of 3 to 1 in the Senate, the bill legalizng Sunday shows in Ohio is now awaiting the Governor's signature, vhich is expected shortly. William J. James and P. J. Wood of the l.I'.T.O. of Ohio have been leading he fight for passage of the bill. Arliss Clicks Again In its first full day at the Winter Garden, the new George Arliss vehicle, "The Millionaire," smashed the house records by grossing $8,000, the Warner office reports. The theater, seating 1,400, did S.R.O. at nearly all of the seven shows. The Real Thing A world's record for fast shooting is claimed by the Paramount New York Studio. A thrilling underworld scene, in reality, was shot extemporaneously in the street outside the studio on Friday as a result of a bandit chase by armed payroll guards of the Dennison Co., whose plant is near the studio. Larry Williams, cameraman, instead of shooting, was shot at. Gus Anderson, electrician, was wounded in the shoulder, and another man was pinked in the ear. 100 One -Reel Novelty Shorts Being Made at Eastern Studio Contracts for the production and synchronization of more than 100 single reel subjects during the coming season have been signed by the Ideal Studios, Hudson Heights, N. J. Van Beuren, will make or synchronize 65 subjects there for release through RKO and RKO Pathe. The list comprises 26 Aesop's Fables cartoons, 13 Clay modeling shorts, 13 novelty sketches and 13 single reelers. the nature of which has not as yet been announced. Several industrials also will be produced at Ideal, in addition to the contract with National Screen Service for trailers being carried out. The Ideal studio is equipped with RCA sound and a cathedral pipe organ with Emil [Velazco, radio organist. Trans Lux Has 70 Locations Already Lined Up in New York Trans Lux has so far selected about 70 locations in the metropolitan district as sites for newsreel theaters seating less than 300, The Film I )aily lea ns. With the Trans Lux house at 58th St. and Madison Ave., playing to satisfactory business since its opening three weeks ago, it (Continued on Page 26) has been decided to open the two Trans Lux houses at Broadway and 50th St. on May 2. One of the latter will show newsreels exclusively, while features or a short subject program will comprise the bill at the other theater. Courtland Smith, president of SHORT SUBJECTS — long on value By DON GILLETTE NO STRONGER commentary has sprung up lately in favor of shorts than the growing practice of playing two, three and even four features on one bill. A plurality of features constitutes variety. The more variety, the wider the appeal. The wider the appeal, the greater number of tastes it will cover. More tastes covered, more customers attracted. And shorts can embrace from three to six times (Continued on Page 23) 90% of Gang Pictures Get Public Endorsement, Says Dr. Wunder West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Production of pictures with crime and sex themes is taking a drop, according to figures cited in an address by Dr. Clinton Wunder, executive manager of the Academy of M. P. Arts and Sciences. In January and February of this year, out of 48 features released by studio members of the Hays group, only nine contained crime or sex in any degree of prominence, says Dr. Wunder, and of these nine, eight received endorsement by one or more of the official reviewing groups representing great national organizat'ons including the D.A.R., University Women's Ass'n, Y.M.C.A., Federated Women's (Continued on Page 26) 10% GROSS RECEIPTS TAX REJECTED BY N. C. SENATE Charlotte, N. C. — After eight hours' debate, the Senate has refused to place the Hinsdale "luxury" sales tax in the biennial revenue bill. The measure called for a 10 per cent levy on gross receipts of theaters. Levee Given New Contract As Paramount Studio Mgr. West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — M. C. Levee has been presented by B. P. Schulberg with a new contract as executive manager of the Paramount studios. A Wiz Dave Bershon, newly appointed chief film buyer of Hughes-Franklin Theaters, is credited not only with knowing the value of pictures, but also the location, condition, type and b. o. price of every theater west of the Mississippi.