The Film Daily (1931)

THE Thursday, May 28, 1931 s^J DAILY COLUMBIA'S NEW PRODUCT AIMED AT LONGER RUNS (.Continued from Page 1) policy, more organized co-operation with exhibitors, and official denial by Joe Brandt of all rumors about Columbia selling out or merging with other companies were other highlights of the meet. "Our organization is amply financed to take care of its needs and to go on with an even greater stride than it has in the past," declared the Columbia president. Brandt and Jack Cohn formally opened the proceedings with their addresses, followed by talks by Al Selig, on advertising, publicity and exploitation; Maurice Goodman, on an outsider's point of view; Rube Jackter and Lou Weinber on cooperation with the exhibitor. The meeting was then turned over to Lou Metzger, director of sales, who talked on sales policies and the new product. Cohn said the company's program this year had been selected to include the class of vehicles demanded by the sales force as the sort of pictures that exhibitors wanted. Brandt enlarged on the policy of co-operating with exhibitors by stressing the importance of helping theater owners to merchandise pictures. A more extensive advertising campaign is planned by Columbia this year for both features and shorts, Selig said. COLUMBIA CONVENTION CONFAB Paramount Retires Bonds By Open Market Purchase (Continued from Page 1) in compliance with the indenture under which these bonds were issued and which provides for the retirement of $750,000 par value of these bonds on Aug. 1st of each year under a finking fund provision. The bonds were purchased in the open market, where they closed yesterday at 72, and are being cancelled now instead of on Aug. 1, 1931, leaving outstanding $14,250,000 par value of this issue which was originally $15,000,000. pOR the information of those of you who do not come from New England, that Damon and Pythias couple, who are seldom separated from each other, are McConville and Montague, better known as Joe and Abe to every individual who has ever met them. They're great scouts! * * * * And that fellow, who, in spite of his spectacles, looks like a well-fed cop, is none other than Tim O' Toole, the two-fisted whirlwind in charge of the Boston office. Being from Boston, Tim qualifies as an expert on tea parties, in addition to being able to do some tall and fancy experting in the film industry. * * * * Charlie "Albany" Johnson could never be lost in any crowd of conventioners, his bulk looming up largely wherever he may be. Set Charles down in the Sahara Desert all by himself and he would make the place look crowded. At that, every inch of him represents Salesmanship. * * * * In the event you want to locate Joe "Buffalo" Miller any time during the day or night, look around for the nearest telephone and you'll find the old eagle-eye kid right in its vicinity. * * * * And that satisfied expression on Hal "Cleveland" Bissel's face indicates his great satisfaction in presiding over what he thinks is the ace territory of the United States, particularly in view of the product Columbia has lined up for 1931-32. Jim "Pittsburgh" Sharkey listeyis to every word uttered by the speakers at the Columbia Conventions. That's how this skipper of the Smoky City office stores up ideas for use on his best friend, customer and severest critic, Johnny Harris. * * * * The Canadian contingent — five strong, and headed by Louis Rosenfeld— is here again this year for the purpose of getting 1931-32 information. A great crowd of fellows and even greater hosts. "Three Loves" at Warner The synchronized version of "Three Loves," with Marlene Dietrich, opens tomorrow at the Warner. It is a German-made picture witn English titles and was originally shown as a silent in 1929. TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY IN STHE IB NtWSIAItb \m uiniw AJIIIIII1MI sf^Vdaily Jack Pickford to make "A TailorMade Man" for United Artists. * * * Robert Brunton says Coast conditions are 60 per cent of normal. * * S. A. Lynch would welcome investigation of Federal Trade Commission. 3 Extra Versions Made On "Smiling Lieutenant" Expecting to get back its negative ;ost out of the foreign market, Paramount has made three versions of 'The Smiling Lieutenant" to supple nent the one for domestic use. The versions are silent, one specially for the United Kingdom and the other is French. It is understood that negltive cost on the picture was more han $1,000,000. Mort Shea Circuit Signs WB-FN Mort Shea has bought the WarnerFirst National product 100 per cent for his houses in Bradford, Pa., Amsterdam, N. Y., Ashtabula, Dover, Cambridge, Marietta, Geneva and Conneaut. O., and Nashua and Manchester, N. H. N. C. Ad Valorem Bill Passes Final Reading Raleigh — The film industry has definitely won its fight t<-> prevent new taxation in North Carolina. After its third reading in the Senate that body yesterday passed an ad valorem tax bill in place of an admission tax measure. PARAMOUNT MAY SHIFT SOME PRODUCTION WEST (Continued from Page 1) next picture, "My Sin," will go into production at the Long Island studio on June 15 under the direction of George Abbott and with Fredric March playing opposite Miss Bankhead. "Uncertain Women," Edgar Wallace story starring Claudette Colbert, also is to start next month at the New York plant, probably with Monta Bell directing, Lasky said. That some feature production will be shifted to the coast, however, is indicated in the departure today of Ernst Lubitsch for Hollywood to make "The Man I Killed," originally on the eastern schedule. Lasky explained that this type of picture can best be handled in the west where big outdoor locations are available. Reports have persisted that Paramount shortly would confine its eastern activities to shorts. Should this take place, it is understood James Cowan would be switched back to the home office. Before joining the studio executive staff, Cowan was with Sam Katz at Publix. It is further understood that announcement will soon be made of a major production executive leaving the company. Picketing New Haven Globe New Haven, Conn. — The Globe, managed by E. S. Raffile, which has employed non-union operators since Jan. 24, is being picketed by members of Local 278, Motion Picture Operators' Union. Raffile has emphatically denied reports of a compromise with the union, whose operators were ousted for economy reasons. Rowson Buys Himalayan Film London — Simon Rowson has purchased the British rights to "The Throne of the Gods," Himalayan expedition film made 24,800 feet above sea level. The feature will be handled in the United States by Talking Picture Epics. Larry Germaine Marrying New Haven, Conn. — Larry Germaine, short subject booker for Warner Theaters, is to be tendered a bachelor dinner at Peacock Inn, June 15. He is marrying Esther Rothbaum on June 28. Irving Simpson at South Troost Kansas City — Irving Simpson has succeeded Lee Chamberlain, resigned, as manager of Hughes-Franklin's South Troost here. . . . again operated under ownership management . . . d View Hotel AND COTTAGES LAKE PLACID, N. Y. Renowned cuisin< — trained councillors for !><>>>' urul girls' groups— unexcelled sports facilities three golf courses— swimming, boating, riding, polo, tennis ;i thoroughly modernized and fire-protected hotel, charmingly situated atop the hill, overlooking die lake catering to a carefully selected, discriminating clientele. Edgar V. M. Gilbert, General Manager