The Film Daily (1931)

DAILY Sunday, May 24, 1931 PRODUCTION IN THE EAST \By HARRY N. BLAIR', NEW COMPANY DEVELOPING SOUND, COLOR FACILITIES A new producing organization, said to offer improved color and sound facilities, has been organized under the name of General Pictures, Inc., with headquarters at 43-77 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, N. Y. In the field of sound recording, they are developing some inventions Of Herbert C. McKay, F.R.P.S. These inventions, it is claimed, employ standard electrical construction for recording sound on film with a minimum of ground noise, with extreme adaptability to studio practices, and without the delicacy of construction of apparatus now in use. A 35mm. recorder is now being built for test by the studios during the summer. Any reproducing system may be used. In the field of color photography, they are developing, under the auspices of the Opticolor Corp., a process designed for them by Merrill Waide, S.M.P.E. This is a threecolor additive process in which the only special requirements are a lense for the camera and a lense for the projector. General Pictures expect to furnish lenses of various focal lengths for use on the producer's standard cameras, and have the producer's own staff take pictures with the usual lighting, on standard film. It is claimed that the ordinary developing and printing system may be used and the film projected by exhibitors with the usual light. However, the lense must be placed on the turret of the projector for use when a natural color picture is shown. General Pictures state that they are now projecting these natural color pictures on a theater size screen at 165' throw, so the process may be said to have passed the laboratory stage. They are now engaged in completing their corrections to the standards in various focal lengths, suitable for studio practise. Since the film itself is the standard black and white, any system of sound on film or disc may be used with this new color process. Chevalier's Next on Coast Chevalier's next feature for Paramount, tentatively titled "Love Me Tonight," will be made in Hollywood, with Harry D'Arrast directing. It was originally planned to make the exteriors in France, which idea has been abandoned. Doubling "If the economy wave persists," says a wag of the west coast lots, "studios may compel their policemen to also act as supervisors." Short Shots from New York Studios QSCAR STRAUS, who composed the music for "The Smiling Lieutenant," Maurice Chevalier's latest Paramount picture is, perhaps, best known for having written "The Chocolate Soldier," his greatest success. Edward Ryan, juvenile actor, who scored in such pictures as "Laughter," and "Stolen Heaven," as well as numerous Vitaphone shorts, is a leading contender for the role of Penrod in the "Penrod and Sam" series which Warner Bros, are preparing to make here. Jean St. John, the little girl who attracted attention as the first girl to dance with Primo Camera on his last visit to America, again treads the light fantastic with the Italian giant in his Vitaphone film, "The Man Mountain," the story of which is by Herman Ruby. The Central Park sector is favored by a majority of the Paramount players, Nancy Carroll, Fredric March, Claudette Colbert, Maurice Chevalier and Ginger Rogers all having apartments overlooking the park. Production on "Personal Maid" was delayed for three days by Paramount, due to the illness of Nancy Carroll, who is now recovered and readv to work. WARNERS, D. W. GRIFFITH PLAN FEATURES HERE Unusual feature activity in the East during the late summer months is promised in a rumor that Warner Bros, are planning to make features in addition to shorts product at their Vitaphone studio. The studio is now being remodeled and is set to reopen sometime in July. Another report has it that D. W. Griffith will make his next feature in the East and is angling for a New York studio. Hennicke Gagging Here Clarence Hennicke has arrived at the Paramount New York Studio from Hollywood to prepare material for the Karl Dane-Geo. K. Arthur series of shorts which Al Ray is getting ready to direct. Norworths Repeat Vitaphone has definitely signed Mr. and Mrs. Jack Norworth to a contract to make six more "Naggers" shorts on next year's program. Work on the new series will begin in the Fall. FOREIGN MARKETS By GEORGE REDDY 1 SMALL EXHIBS BENEFIT FROM BERLIN TAX CUT Berlin — As a relief to the small exhibitor, a sub-committee of the municipal council of Berlin has decided, and the tax committee has approved, entertainment tax reductions for cinemas whose maximum admission price does not exceed 1 mark. Thus, for entrance orices of less than 1 mark, existing rates are to be reduced from 15 to 12 per cent, from \2y2 to 10, and from 9 to 7 per cent, respectively. The much desired special alleviations for the summer season are not provided, however. Article 1, paragraph 1 of the entertainment tax regulations is to be supplemented to read that complaints of exhibitors with regard to the nonadmission of tax reductions will be examined by a special committee including the president and one member of the district tax collection body and three members of the district council. Before taking a decision the soecial committee will have to consult an expert, i.e., a representative of the trade organization in question. Kontingent Licenses Expire on June 30 Berlin — Motion picture companies still holding unusued kontingent licenses issued for the year ending June 30, 1931, have been notified that such licenses will expire on that date. No extension either of the 1930-31 kontingent period or of the validity of the licenses allotted for that period can be expected. It is also pointed out that the exchange of previously and already censored films against other films will only be permitted in exceptional cases. Consequently, importers are cautioned only to register such films as they intend to distribute. Another Patent Suit Is Won by Klangfilm Berlin — Klangfilm has just won another law-suit in the German Courts. The company some time ago sued the Melorob-Maschinen and Apparate G.m.b.H. and a Berlin theater for infringement of its patents 304,307 and 350,501. The action was won by Klangfilm, and the further use or sale of the apparatus in question was prohibited to the defendants, who were, moreover, condemned to pay an indemnity to Klangfilm New London House Planned London — A. E. Abrahams is having plans drawn for building of a large theater on the site of the London Pavilion. Work will commence as soon as plans are completed. "Le Million" In for Run London — The French production, "Le Million," will continue indefinitely at the Phoenix, having scored decisively. EIGHT BRITISH FILMS I BYRKOPATHEANDPM London — T. S. Delehanty, foreign chief of RKO Pathe and director of P. D. C, in announcing the program for the latter company for 1931-32, stated there would be eight British pictures produced in addition to the regular feature releases of 22 scheduled. Melophon to Produce Educationals, Newsreels Berlin — Melophon Film G.m.b.H., of Germany, which recently joined the Tobis group and changed its title to Tobis-Melofilm G.m.b.H., has an ' nounced in the press that it is starting on a series of sound productions. The company will specialize on educational and newsreels, such as the Emelka sound-review The TobisMelofilm Co. is producing over Tobis-Klangfilm equipment. New Producing Company Starts Activity in Berlin _ Berlin — A new production firm has just been created here under the name of Deutsche Tonfilm-Gesellschaft m.b.H., by Erich Engels and E. E. Hermann Schmidt. Engels is a wellknown German producer, and Schmidt a specialist of film publicity. The new company plans to produce feature films of a popular character, educationals and publicity pictures. The production of the first feature, The Secret of the Red Cat," is under way. Kinoton in France ParIS — The Kinoton apparatus has made a successful start in France. The sale, agent here, Societe Contmentale de Photographie, reports that two of the best-known French casinos, in Deauville and Trouville have been equipped with Kinoton sets. Dean Launches Another London— Basil Dean, managing director of Associated Talking Pictures, Ltd., has launched "Footsteps In the Night," with the cast including Bemta Hume, Harold Huth, Peter Hannen, Walter Armitage, Jack Lambert and Francis RossCampbell. Three British Houses Sold London— A. R. Phern, Bristol theater owner, has acquired three houses in Devon, as follows: the Lyceum and Winter Gardens at Teigmouth, and the Scala at Dawlish. Alsace Favors Germany Paris — Looks as if AlsaceLorraine is swinging to Germany again, with Teutonic pictures now far more popular here than French. It's got the French distributors worried.