The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fourteen Years Old VCL.LVNC. I4( • IN TWO SECTIONS • SEH>(H. HC NIJV, JIM 1>, U tl • SECTION I • ><FS1% Repeal of All Censorship Sought by Nat'l Council FEDERAL COURTS DISAGREE ON COPYRIGHTS Fox Closes 10-Year Contract With Famous Canadian 136 Dominion Houses in Deal for Features and Newsreel A 10-year contract has been closed by James R. Grainger for the playing of Fox product in 136 theaters of Famous Players Canadian Corp., Paramount subsidiary. Arthur Cohen, managing director of F.P.C., represented the latter firm in the negotia (Continncd on Pa*.' ECKMAN STIRS BRITISHERS AGAINST DOUBLE FEATURES London — Increasing sentiment against double features, and a greater tendency to discard policy, has spread among British exhibitors following statements and warnings against the practice by Sam Eckman of M-G-M on his return from the U. S. Eckman strongly advised theater owners to get away from the evil. His re (Continucd on Pane 4) Columbia Story Dept. Transferred to Coast Columbia has transferred its scenario department from the home office to the coast studios, with the object of more closely coordinating the production and story departments. The company claims the change will speed up decisions on submitted material and give prospective screen vehicles more specialized consideration. Talkers of Notables Filed for Posterity Filing away for a period of 100 years a series of talkers covering the "ten greatest Americans of our time" is planned by the Aristogenic Society. Identity of the personages who are to be recorded in the "Biological Hall of Fame" will not be revealed before the first week in November, according to Dr. C. Ward Crampton. president of the society. The "ten greatest" men and women will deliver 250-word speeches. The films and other biological data then will be sealed in a vault not to be opened for 100 years, when posterity's verdict on them can be compared with the record. Mass. and Maryland Judges Give Opposite Decisions In Film Cases Contrary decisions on whether unauthorized exhibition of a motion picture constitutes infringement of copyright have been handed down | by the Federal Courts for the Districts of Massachusetts and Maryland, the former holding that the 'tttnucd on t'aoc ■* ) Consolidated Gets Ruling OnNameof'Magnacolor" H'ashinnton Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Consolidated Film Indus tries of New York is permitted to register "Magnacolor" as a trade mark for motion picture films, notwithstanding the prior registration by another of the term "Magnafilm," under a ruling handed down by Assistant Commissioner of Patents Millard J. Moore. He held that both marks are not confusingly similar. Indie Exhibs Highly Praised For Aid in Legislative Battles Generally successful handling of the national adverse legislation epidemic, now practically ended through adjournment of state legislatures, indicates the value of independent exhibitors, it was pointed out by exhibitor organization officials Saturday. Through local contacts scores of proposed measures were defeated without tremendously-expensive lobbies, which other industries are frequently compelled to finance. Discussing the big economy effected in behalf of the entire industry, M. J. O'Toole, secretary of the M.P.T.O.A., said that independent operators are "an indispensable part of the industry." Referring to the indie owners who worked shoulder to shoulder with major circuits in fighting for a mutual cause he said "there will be ample room for this type of independent." Drive Against All Censorship Launched by National Council An intensive campaign to rid the country of all forms of censorship, including the repeal of the six state laws authorizing advance censorship of motion pictures and the wiping out of various other forms of organized and "back-door censorship" at present ng pictures and other fornix of amusement, has been launched by the National Council on Freedom from Censorship, organized by the American Civil Liberties Union of New York. Hatcher Hughes, prominent playwright and professor at Columbia University, is chairman of tin council, which also Includes Elmer Ri< i , Fannie Hurst, Barrett H. Clark. Rupert Hughes, H. L. Mencken. George .Kan Nathan, Kugene O'Neill. Robert E. Sherwood and a long list of other literary notables. City regulation of picture shows. city ordinances authorizing advance censorship of films by municipal boards, banning of pictures on tingrounds of "obscenity among the hindrances which the organization will seek to eliminate. the courts affecting censorship of talkies also are planned. The campaign includes at i against the Posl < Hfuc Censor torn ( i nsor; radio and book 1 1 ship. UNDER EDUCATIONAL DEAL Negotiations are under way and will be completed within the next two weeks whereby the Franklin Film Co. exchanges, which for the past five years have handled the Tiffany product in six eastern territories, will turn over the physical distribution of Tiffany pictures to Educational, the Film Daily learn torneys for Tiffany are now drafting contracts, which will inclui Errangement whereby William piro, head of the Franklin retain certain nne'etions with Tiffany. Shapiro's exchances are located in Boston. Xew Haven. Cleveland, Cincinnati. Pittsburgh and Detroit. Tom Mix Signed to Make li Westerns for Universal Tom Mix. who is at present appearing with the SellsFlo to Circus, has been signed by Universal I in si\ western talker-. The an merits include M \x't hot Mix will leave for hi screen comeback with the cirrus 50 Cent Trailer Service Being Started by Semler A trailer sclline, at 50 cents will imnu diately be placed on the market by Semle' Sinema Service, it is understood The trailer which is silent will be sold oi instead of rented