The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fourteen Years Old VOL. LV NC. 128 NEW TOCr, MCNCAY, JUNE 1, 1931 3 CENTS $102,004,009 Gross in 1930 Sets New Fox Peak MOVIESVAID SOUGHTjN 'SAVE LEGIT PLAN Normal Number of Summer Closings in New York Area Only 200 Theaters Dark Out of 1,100 in Territory Number of houses closed in the territory served out of New York City indicated that business here is not in the same condition as in other localities throughout the country. Two hundred theaters out of a total of 1,100 are closed. This is a normal number for this season. 33 PER CENT OF GROSS NOW FROM FOREIGN FIELD Foreign accounts now make up 33 per cent of Fox's gross film rentals, says Harley L. Clarke in the company's annual report released yesterday. Increase in number of wired houses abroad promises a continued expansion of this market, said Clarke. Jolson Would Do 'Lawd' Under Griffith Negotiations for the film rights to "The Green Pastures," big Broadway hit, have been started by Al Jolson, who admits he is anxious to play the serious role of "The Lawd" in the Negro production, preferably under the direction of D. W. Griffith. Jolson says he is acting in his own behalf, without reference to any motion picture affiliation with United Artists, although he may employ the services of Morris Gest as exploitation director. Fingerlin Heads Exodus From Paramount Studio John W. Fingerlin, executive studio manager, headed a contingent of about ISO employes of the Paramount New York Studios whose services were terminated at the end of the week. Practically all departments were affected. Arthur Cozine, assistant studio manager, is understood to be Fingerlin's successor. Production in England Now Exceeds Quota Needs London — Supply of good British pictures is now so plentiful that exhibitors not only are showing the regular quota required by the Films Act, but in many cases they are showing more than the quota of English films, said W. R. Smith, Parliamentary secretary to the Board of Trade, speaking before the House of Commons. Swivel-Chair Management Ordered Out by Sam Katz Managers of Publix houses have been instructed by Sam Katz to cut down 'swivel-chair management' and get out on the floor of the theater. Declaring that this is a time when showmanship ability of managers is put to the test, Katz urges the managers to establish more personal contact with patrons, make them feel more at home and promote a more inviting atmosphere about the the ater. "The person who under-estimates the human element in show business is making a great mistake," he says. "Since our merchandise is entertainment, we are practically selling a state of mind. Therefore, anything which contributes to that state of mind is of vital importance. Nothing can take the place of a welcoming, human touch to put the patron in a receptive frame of mind for maximum enjoyment." Gross Income of $102,004,009 Reported by Fox for Last Year Exceeding all previous records, gross income of $102,004,009 and net operating profit of $10,251,827 are shown in the annual report of Fox Film for the year ended Dec. 27, 1930, issued yesterday by Harley L. Clarke. Net operating profit amounted to $4.06 on the 2,525,660 shares of A and B stock outstanding at the close of the year. Of these shares 1,600,000 were not issued until April 17, 1930. After deducting $1,046,392 of non-recurring expenses part of which were incurred prior to 1930, there remained $9,205,435 available for dividends. This was equal to $3.64 a share on the stock and compares with a net profit of $9,469,051 in the previous year. Theater receipts of direct subsid iaries in 1930 were $51,414,002, as compared with $39,962,044 in 1929. The production department of the business was put under budget control for the first time late last year and savings of at least $3,000,000 are expected to result this year, says Clarke, who adds that in 1930 administration and distribution costs were more than 45 per cent lower in comparison with film rentals than they were in 1925. Increase in foreign business, a 21 per cent jump in new-reel business for 1930 over 1929 and 14 per cent increase in newsreel account the first three month-, of 1931 as compared witli the same quarter i" 1930, arc reported by Clarke. In (Continued on Pagi Use of Dark Film Houses for Drama is Aim of Press Agents All major circuits will be requested to co-operate with the Theatrical I're-s Representatives of America in their "Save Our Stage" campaign to accumulate a sufficient number of theaters throughout the country to guarantee theatrical producers coast {Continued on Pane 4) TEC ART STUDIO EIRE CAUSES $50,000 DAMAGE West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Damage in excess of $50,000 was caused by a fire which swept through the Tec Art studios as result of an explosion in a cutting room, said to have been due to friction overheating a movieola. The machine was being used at the time by Mildred Johnson, film editor. The fire destroyed a positive print of 'Wild Horses," starring Hoot Gibson, released by Hollywood Pictures of New York. Columbia Is Establishing Foreign Film Department Columbia is forming a department to distribute foreign pictures in the United States. Successful showing in various sections of talkers made abroad has led to the plan. Publix Managers to Aid In Real Estate Renting At the request of Theodore C. Young, head of the Paramount Publix real estate department, Publix theater managers are to i with their district office in the renting of vacant store and office I in their building. A was instituted son: Theaters with good