The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pi ctures Now Fourteen Years Old VOL. LV NO. 87 NEW yCEK, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1931 5 CENTS M. P. T. O. A. Wins Reduction in Score Charges BROADWAY HOUSES LOOK FOR RECORD WEEK Dual Bills and Cut Prices Flop, Says Exhib Leader Texas Ass'n Head Averse To Longer Programs and Lower Prices Dallas — Double-feature polxies and cutting of admission prices are failures as business stimulators, declares Judge Roy L. Walker, president of the Theater Owners' Protective Ass'n, after giving both a fair trial. "A two-hour show is long enough," says Judge Walker. "A 10-cent day now and then is O. K., but not as a regular thing. I was advised by good (Continued on Page 8) EQUIPMENT INTRODUCER BY PACENT New models in standard sound reproducing systems, known as the "Z" series and designed primarily to meet the small exhibitor's requirements for low cost sound, have just been placed on the market by Pacent Reproducer Corp. This complete A. C. operated sound-on-film device for small houses (Continued on Page 8) Legal Arbitration Plan Provided in Ohio Bill Columbus — The way for a film arbitral >n system in which decisions may be legally enforced is provided by a b;ll which has just been passed by the Ohio legislature. It now goes to the governor, who is expected to sign the measure. Word of the passage of the bill was received at the Hays office in New York late yesterday afternoon. Asked if distrbutors might set up an arbitration system in Ohio, C. C. Pettijohn said that as far as he knew «uch a plan has not been contemplated. Thurs. Opening in Dallas Dallas — With the change of openrng day at the RKO Majestic from Friday to Thursday, other houses here are expected to follow suit. Amos 'n'Andy To Make Two More West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — RKO is planning another "Amos 'n' Andy" feature along different and classier lines than their first production. Negotiations are now under way between Joseph I. Schnitzer and H. M. Aylesworth of the National Broadcasting Co. A third feature, of elaborate proportions, also is contemplated. Jason Plans 40 Pictures Honoring Nation's Heroes West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — A series of 40 pictures honoring the winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor will be made by Leigh Jason, producer at the RKO studios, who has just completed an exhaustive survey of heroism in the United States mili tary service. Individual stories about the national heroes will be written by John Peere Miles, winner of eight war-time citations. Among the heroes whose bravery will be made permanent on the screen are Major General Smedley Butler, Sergeant Alvin York and Frank Luke, Jr. Film Industry Doing Its Part In Prosperity Revival, Says Hays Washington Bureau of Washington — All branches of the film :;dubtry have cooperated to the fullest extent in relieving depression, according to Will H. Hays, in a letter made public today by the President's emergency committee for employment. "The industry," Hays declared, "js mobilized for vigorous cooperation in THE FILM DAILY the national emergency program," with producers not only keeping employment and wage levels as nearly normal as possible, but also seeking to contribute to return of prosperity by placing orders for materials which would affect other groups, including building of new houses and studios, (Continued on Page 7) Reduction in Score Charges Won by M.P.T.O.A. from Erpi A reduction of from 30 to 40 per cent in score charges that will mean a saving of about $750,000 to 2,000 small exhibitors has been placed in effect by Electrical Research Products, following continued efforts on the part of the M.P.T.OA. to bring lower these charges. On March 10 a committee from the national exhibi tor organization called on C. W. Bunn, general sales manager of Erpi, and after several hours' conference concluded an arrangement for reducing the score charges. As a considerable number of installations were effecte-1, the work of making the readjustment fit into each case was be (Contiiuicd on Pane 8) Strong Line-Up of Good Films Bringing B. 0. Joy Week-end grosses in the Broadway houses indicate that receipts for the current week will make one of the biggest aggregates in a long while, according to statements of house managers yesterday. The lineup of pictures being presented is among the strongest in months, the attractions including: Paramount, "Skippy" (second week); Strand, "The Finger Points," (third week); Capitol, "Strangers May Kiss"; Winter Garden, "The Millionaire": Rialto, "Reaching for the Moon"; Cohan, "City Lights"; Astor, "Trader Horn"; Central, "Di(Continned on Page 8) WALT DISNEY REPORTED RELEASING THROUGH U. A. Wert Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Papers were expected to be signed last night, whereby Walt Disney will release 18 "Mickey Mouse" cartoons and 18 "Silly Symphonies" through United Artists on next -eason's program. Loewenberg Supervising Fox Midwesco Theaters Madison, Wis. — Charles Loewenberg, for the last six months manager of Fox's Strand here, has been named state supervisor of Fox Midwesco theaters in Wisconsin. Loewenberg formerly handled publicity for Universal in Chicago. He fills a vacancy caused by the resignation some time ago of Robert S. Guitcrman, now operator of the Capitol in Manitowoc. Kill Admission Tax Des Moines — The State Senate yesterday killed an admission tax bill by a vote of 29 to 21. Passage of this measure had been thought likely.