Film Daily (1931)

Thursdav. Aoril 16. lQ^l DAILV Timely Topics A Digest of Current Opinion — ©— Advocates New Unit Program Idea CPURRED on by the success of the idea at Keith's Theater, Philadelphia, Al Boyd, one of the country's leading showmen, advocates a new thought in programs, unified ideas to be distributed by producers through their present distribution units. Fundamentally, here is the plan: The feature distributors would prepare an entire show, feature, short, newsreel and other subjects, and book it to the theater after its value has been tested and balanced. In other words, if the feature were a Paramount, the shorts might include a Para newsreel, Columbia cartoon and Pathe travelogue. The producer would guarantee 400 days or more on this and guarantee distribution. In this manner, the exhib, who wouldn't otherwise know the calibre of the shorts, would be assured the right kind of a program. Locally, Keith's deserves praise for the type of program it presents. There is a balance to the show which indeed brings satisfaction. A program of this type would guarantee a good shorts program as an aid to a weak feature. Where the average exhibitor cannot see the shorts before he plays them, and there a strong show would help the feature, it would seem that an experiment might be in order. Exhibitors would be saved work and gain through the box-office. Shorts producers could get a break from this sort of idea, with a guarantee of more days and more revenue. — "The Exhibitor" A $» FILM FACT _ HjpJ A DAY The average handled daily changes in the 000 miles. amount of film through exU. S. is 25, • • • A REAL Big Note in Progressive Publicity was struck by A. P. Waxman in his introductory speech for Floyd Gibbons at the joint luncheon to the ace war correspondent and radio personality given by National Broadcasting — RKO-Pathe at the St. Regis yesterday Abe sez : "The newspapers have done so much for the motion picture industry, it's about time the empey industry did something for the newspaper boys" that's about all the advertising chief of the RKO-Pathe outfit said but it was enough considering that the luncheon tables on the roof of the St. Regis were lined with outstanding personalities in the journalistic field embracing big newspapers from Massachusetts to Maryland and mebbe that li'l speech didn't make its impress on the journalists on the big dailies we happened to be in a group of these boys who mean something in a little party staged after the main event and we got an earful of just what their personal reactions are to these motion picture ballyhoos and the main topic of conversation revolved around A. P. Waxman's remark they were frankly amazed that at last an advertising chief of a big film production outfit had publicly acknowledged the debt which the film biz owes to the newspapers this gent Floyd Gibbons needed no introduction to them he's one of their very OWN but it tickled 'em silly to have proved to 'em that one film production organization was intelligent enough to publicly acknowledge that the newspapers have done their share in putting the motion picture on the map in a Big Way it's a safe bet that this trenchant remark from A. P. has created more good will in the newspaper field for his organizashe than' any single gesture that any film outfit will make in the next year these newspaper gents are a peculiar bunch they don't give a hoot how much money the film guys spend in the advertising department they are loyal to the journalistic fraternity as a group of writers who want to see the individual writer HONORED and they sure saw it in the case of Floyd Gibbons and when that series of his talks with World War celebs is offered to the exhibitor, just watch the write-ups in the big newspapers it won't be based on the amount of advertising revenue spent with the individual paper it will be based principally on the FIRST impression created in the minds of newspaper men by the luncheon at the St. Regis and Floyd Gibbons made a typical address in his pithv, snappy gatling-gun style he sed that it was the first time that a newspaperman had been confronted with a "morality clause" in signing a contract he had to swear his young life away when he signed up with Amedee J. Van Beuren to make the series of pix for RKO-Pathe but he was very happy about it he defied the film guys to alter his personal phiz after all, what came outa his mouth was the main thing his stuff was going great with the newspaper syndicate and the radio mobs and he felt confident that the film fans would go for it. too no argument this boy Floyd sure has a PERSONALITY he's gonna bring something New and Umque into the film program and can the screen stand it? don't be silly as Floyd Gibbons remarked: "If we can transfer newspaper reporting to the screen, it will be a great opnortunity for all of us." and did that get a hand from the newspaper ladies and gents forgathered ? ask Roxy, Hiram Brown, Ned Depinet. J. H. Turner, Harrv Scott. George Enpels, C. W. Johnstone, Tom McVeigh, Mannie Goldstein, J. J. Hess, T. J. O'Leary, E. T. McEvoy, Tom Forman, Kelcev Allen, Frank Buck, Clyde Elliott, E. M. Orowitz. Arnold Van Leer, Herb Cruikshank, Regina Crewe, Irene Thirer, A. A. Sorensen, Julia Shawell, Terry Ramsaye Mark Luescher, C. F. Zittel and a host of other celebs and if they deny it, we'll personally give 'em the razberry right here EXPLOITETTES A Clearing House for Tabloid Exploitation Ideas € Advance Stunt On "Bat Whispers" JypiNAGER M. S. Suggs of the Paramount, Bristol, Tenn., greatly enhanced the selling value of his trailer with a special stunt to advertise "The Bat Whispers." As soon as the trailer opened, green clutching hands were thrown on the magnascope curtain with the effect machine. At the same time the trailer went on, all house lights were out and a bat circled the walls — made up also by the effect machine. — Paramount, Bristol, Tenn. * * * Roulette Wheel Gets A Play ^LTHOUGH the playing of a roulette wheel is illegal, Manager A. H. Vincent secured one from the police department and used it to advantage in advertising "Don't Bet on Women," playing at the Rex, Greeley, Colo. A large window in a vacant store on the business thoroughfare was secured. The roulette wheel was placed in the window. And so were six people who played the roulette wheel — and using "phoney" money. — Rex, Greeley, Colo. « « « » » » MANY HAPPY RETURNS Best wishes and congratulations are extended by THE FILM DAILY to the following members of the industry, who are celebrating their birthdays : April 1 6 Charles Chaplin Doris Dawson Fifi Dorsay Paul Sloane Marian Douglas Lawrence Fasolo