The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fourteen Years Old VCL. LV NO. 12C NEWyCCI\. rPIDAY. MAT 22. 1931 <5 CCN1\ Trans -Lux Houses for Television Is Possibility PARAMOUNT DROPPING SPONSOREDJHORTS Dual Bills Overdosing Public With Films — Franklin Economic Readjustment Is Industry's Need, Says H-F Circuit Head Stigmatizing double featuring as "a very stupid device," Harold B. Franklin yesterday said that what the film industry needs is a readjustment of its economic structure. Restoring this business to a sensible basis to meet present conditions must start in (Continued on Pane 2') Serials Stage Comeback in France Paris — "Mephisto," the first French serial talking film, is meeting with such striking success that producers are considering the production of others. "Mephisto" is in four parts, and has been shown in weekly instalments in 116 kinemas. Some years ago, in the days of the silent films, serials were very popular in France, and no program was complete without an instalment, but they gradually lost favor and "Mephisto" is the first to be produced in a long time. BELL-HOWELL RELEASING 25 16MM. FILMS MONTHLY Chicago — -Twenty-five new releases nf 16 nun. home talkies each month fn; 1931-32 arc planned by the Bell % Howell Co., according to an announcement made yesterday by J. II. McNabb, president. The com (Continued on Pane 6) Exchange Asks $1,350,000 From U In Court Action Alleging Overcharge Tapers were served on Universal yesterday in connection with a $1,350,000 suit brought by American Feature Film Co. of Boston alleging overcharges during a five-vear period ended in 1929. Total of $1,000,000 is asked on features and $350,000 on short subjects. Action was filed in the District Court, New York City. Plaintiff distributed Universal product in New England during the period covered in the complaint. New Natural Color Idea Discovered in England London — A new process for the production of motion pictures in natural colors and printed on noninfiainmable film has been discovered, according to the producers, who have (Continued on Pane 6) Big Money Chester D. Pugsley, vicechairman of the Westchester County National Bank, Peekskill, N. Y., has asked the National Press Club of Washington to administer an award "for the best original American sound motion picture produced in the United Stales." Mister Pugsley offers 500 smackers to the winner. Now somebody will probably tell this bio,-hearted banker that the indies pav m<->re than that for a good old American standardized Western only used 30 times a season. Hollywood Players to Tour Production, Distribution of Ad Films Being Discontinued Paramount has finally decided to discontinue the production and distribution of sponsored short subjects, The Film Daily learns. Audience antipathy toward screen advertising is said to be the reason for the move. It is also learned that the Nat Fleis (Continued on Pane 6) West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Small towns of the •ountry will have an opportunity to see a score or more of the screen's well-known players in person during1 the coming year under a plan whereby Vincent Ray and others will send, out companies of screen luminaries! on a tour of medium sized and small towns where they will appear at local theaters or halls and also ex(Continued on I'aqc 8) B.I.P. Making "Carmen" With U. S. Opera Stars London — ■ Marguerite Namara, American opera signer, has signed with British International Pictures for the title role in the film version of "Carmen." with Tom Burke, tenor, appearing opposite her. The company leaves in about a week for Spain to make exteriors. DUBBED II. S. TALKERS STIR BOYCOTT THREAT Paris — A boycott on American pictures dubbed with French dialogue has been voted by the Union des Artistes (French Actors' Union). Members of the organization are forbidden from participating in such French versions on pain of expulsion from the Union. A Utter explaining this action has been sent to all U.S. companies operating in France, as well as to French renting firms and (Continued on Pane S) Television Progress Likely As Future Trans -Lux Policy No Anti-Film Measures Being Passed in Penna. Harrisburg, Pa.— A bill penalizing theaters for discriminating against colored patrons is expected to die in committee when the Pennsylvania Legislature adjourns sine die next Thursday. The measure, sponsored (Continued on Pane 6) Ultimate conversion of Trans-Lux theaters into houses presenting television shows is understood to be contemplated. RCA interests, which' control Trans-Lux. have been experimenting with television broadcasting several years at their Camden, N. J., plant. It is generally understood that, pro (Continueil on 1'nne 6) "The Smiling Lieutenant" Take equal parts of Lubitsch. Chevalier and Oscar Straus. Add a measure of Claudette Colbert and Mariam Honkins and a dash of Charles Ruggles. Shake veil and serve in Paramount de-luxe Broadway show window and you have a right to expect just about the best in sophisticated screen musicals. And that's just about the measure of "The Smiling Lieutenant" that opened at the Criterion Theater last night. It is Lubitsch at his top. with an abundance of delicious Lubitschian moments. It is Chevalier at the height of his screen career. Piquant, delightful and effervescing. The score. part familiar, part new. is the w-rk of Oscar Straus. To us the stt.ry and tempo were uneven, reaching from the conventional to the heights The entire cast, under the masterful touch of Lubitsch gave a gay and colorful performance. We recall no screen musical that gave us an eve„i„g of fuller -i°y— 'ALICOATE.