The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Of Dai Mo ly N tion e ws pa p er Pictures Now Fou rteen Years Old VOL. LV NO. 138 NEWTCCr, fRIDAy,JLNC 12, 1931 HIMS Publix Acquiring Half Interest in Mort Shea Circuit $18,750,000 SAVING WITH DISC OUT D. W. Griffith Obtains Backing for Eastern Venture Emerson-Loos Story To Be Filmed by Producer — Seeks New Faces D. W. Griffith is all set to do for (he talkies what he did for the silent drama years ago, the producer told The Film Daily yesterday. He has secured the necessary backing and is now preparing to film an original Story by John Emerson and Anita Loos. This picture will be made in (Continued on Page 8J WORLD FILM CONFERENCE PROPOSED IN LONDON Lonon — Preliminary plans have been placed under way for a world conference of all branches of the film industry, to be run in conjunction with an international exhibition, it is announced by R. V. Crow, president of the C.K.A. Representatives from America and the continent will be invited to attend the confab, which would be held in London next year in place of the usual Summer Conference of Exhibitors Wm. Fox Denied Access To Grandeur Records Application of William Fox for a writ directing Grandeur, Inc., holding company of Mitchell Camera Co., to permit an inspection of its po (Continued on Page 8) Talkers Given 5 Years By George Jean Nathan Talkers have just five more years to live, declared George |ean Nathan, the hardboiled drama critic, just before sailing for Europe. He based his predictions on "staff and salary cuts, and smaller profits" among film companies, but failed to say if the existence of these same conditions at present in all other lines means the end of all those industries as well. I Live-Wire Exhib Rewarded Sylva, N. C. — When Harry Buchanan, owner of the Lyric, returned from the legislative wars at Raleigh, he found that he had been elected mayor. Now he's being talked of as the next state senator from this town. Buchanan went to Raleigh to battle the theater tax bill, which died in the legislature. Maintaining Wages More Important Than Dividends, Says Joe Brandt In times of business depression, dividend reductions are better than wage-cutting, said President Joe Brandt of Columbia yesterday. Paycutting only serves to prolong busi ness depression, he declared, and said that the industry should maintain its regular expenditures. Reduction of salaries, Brandt asserted, is injurious to an organization because of the depressing effect upon its morale. New Big Circuit for France I»aris — Organization of another huge theater circuit in France, to rival the Pathe Xatan group, is being engineered by I. eon Brezillon, who is reported buying 60 or more houses to add to his present string of 18. An important financial group is understood to be working with Brezillon. Houses are to be of the super type. Goldburg to Make Eight For Hollywood Pictures Jesse J. Goldburg, who recently left the Van Beuren Corp., has signed a contract with Adolph l'ollak and Jack Bellman of Hollywood Pictures Corp. to produce eight features for 1931-32 release. Hollywood will dis(Continued on Page 8) Unions and Circuits Get Together on Eliminating Extra Men With the co-operation of the heads of projection operator and hands unions throughout the country, major theater circuit will el: combined yearly saving of approximate!) $18,750,000 following negotiations scheduled to take place late this summer. Since the decrease and practical abandonment of SOUnd-on WILLIAM HAMM DIES; LAST F. & R. Mort Shea Negotiating Partnership With Publix Stricter Censorship Asked for Gang Stuff Harrisonburg, Va. — Resolutions i ailing on the State Board of M P. ( ensors for a more rigid censorship of and news dealing with gangster and crime activities in general was adopted by two groups of World War Veterans here. The resolutions will be presented to the state encampment. the <l;i> ef tpecitlistt. Watch foi the 'ilized Short Keattirc announceme'nt. . . Monday.— Advt. Negotiations arc nearing co lion whereby Publix will make a partnership arrangement with Mort Shea lor the hooking and operating of the Shea houses in seven cities in Ohio, Pennsylvania and \c\\ York State. Tin Film I) mm learns It is understood that some cash is involved in the deal and that Publix One of ii>' menu Edui otional • Shoi : itory, . .out Monday.— Advt St. Paul — William Hainm. last ol the three partners in the Finkelstein ct Ruben circuit, died last Wednesday night after a long illness He was 72 years old. Though his name did not figure in the circuit's t.tle, llamni was the chief linanc ai brains of the Finkelstein & Rub< /ation. He was one >t the pi capitalists and bin' the north west, and before prohibition he headGraham IJakir Resigns From First National II est Coast .A1LY Hollywood i'..iker. who was madi department at First \ H the time of tin ISI month, has resigned. Public Relations Dept. Planned by Warner Bros. Formation ot a department of public re lafions is planned by Warner Bros Willird Patterson, who arrives in New York Sun day. will be in ch.it.