The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character 'International in Scope Independent in Thought -IFDAILY K'CL. LVI NC. 19 NEWrCCr, WEDNESCAy, JULr 22, 1931 5 CENTS Family Appeal Being Overlooked, Says Samuelson DRASTIC FU. TAX LM) TO "$ PUBLTcin" RKO Drops Its Plans (or Making Sponsored Shorts High-Spots — in the offing — By JACK ALICOATE ^^ ^, Now that the iiiid flOSC suninier milestone has Sn Route 'J^^" irritahly but safelv passed, we will pohsli Ip the binoculars and scan the prouction horizon to see what the ineiisa show-case holds in the way f box-office attractions for the early uiiinm. A bird's-eye OO of the loil^wood workshop brings to noce a few stand-out tid-bits of unsiial possibilities, now being readied r tabbed for early autumnal tiivery. From where we sit tho>e lat look best are: from Paramount, An American Tragedy," and from 1-tj-M, "Susan Lenox, Her Fall n.l Rise." From Fox, "Trans-Atintic," and from Warner Bros., Five Star Final." From Pathe, Devotion," and from U. A., "Street cene." From Universal, "Strictly )islionorable," and from RKO, Consolation Marriage." From Coinibia, "Hell Broke Loose," and om Tiffany "Women Go On Forver." With Hollywood production )rces on their collective toes, this roniising list should be plenty hot 'lough to temporarily keep the in-istry from the poor house as well ' keep the box-office clinking mer'y well into the fall. * * * , . . There's a spe {.elping O cial one-reeler on 'real Cause the vyay that no exhibitor should ave any fear about running. It is j-'ing produced by the Red Cross in jnnection with its 50th anniversary rid will be released to theaters, ithout charge, some time in the dl. We understand this single eler will make no appeal for funds ' assistance and that it carries a full lare of entertainment and historical ilue. The Red Cross is a non-secjrian, non-political organization that is the complete backing of the govnment as well as the better class citizens everywhere. A plug for ■ e Red Cross is a helping hand to » jl humanity. As in the past it is '3t unlikely that exhibitors everyhere will co-operate one hundred r cent. Hiram S. Brown Goes On Record Against Ad Shorts RKO has definitely dropped its proposed sponsored short subject, program according to a letter from Hiram S. Brown to attorneys representing Eugene Castle, short subject producer and crusader against sponsored films. Castle's attorneys wrote Brown on July 13, asking for RKO's stand on sponsored films. B.own's reply said in part, "We are (Continued on Paijc 15) CINCINNATI EXHIBITORS FIGHT 2-OPERflTOR POLICY Cincinnati — Local theater owners have voted against renewing the two-year contract with the operators' union expiring Aug. 31, because they oppose the present system of maintaining two operators in a booth at full paj-. With picture and sound track on one film, it is argued that one projectionist can do all the work. All Bellefontaine Houses Now Controlled by Schine Bellefontaine, O. — With the purchase of the Strand and Opera House from Milton Mooney, Schine Enterprises control all the theaters in this town. Lasky Explains Need For Family Pictures ll\:<t Coast !hiiciu(. '/'Ill: I'lLM DAILY Hollywood — Explaining the need of family motion pictures, Jesse L. Lasky explains that because of business conditions thousands of homes have had to eliminate servants, which means that youngsters nust now accompany their parents to theaters. Hence the demand for wholesome films that appeal to both adults and kids CAROLINA EXHieS TO AID IN STATE DEVELOPMENT Wrightsville Beach, N. C— A responsive movement on the part of theater owners to use their screens to help North Carolina officials develop the state through its 10-year plan was one of the highlights of the convention of the Theater Own (Continucd on Page 15) George Naylor Named Columbia Division Mgr. St. Louis — George Naylor, has been appointed middle states division manager for Columbia, with supervision over the Omaha, Des Aloines, Indianapolis and St. Louis offices. Naylor, who assumes his new duties immediately, will make his headquarters here. Jersey Exhib Leader Deplores Lack of Pictures for Family Georgia Court Upholds Sunday Charity Movies Atlanta — Sunday motion picture shows staged for charity, where all contributions are by free will offering, are declared legal in a ruling by the State Supreme Court. The judge held that such shows are "more an act of charity than the sale of gasoline to travelers is an act of necessity." Principal criticism of current picture releases is that there are practically no pictures that appeal to the family trade, says Sidney E. Samuelson, president of Allied Theater Owners of New Jersey, in a statemen for The Film D.mly. Samuelson joins the long list of exhibitors who declare that gangsters, sex themes, dialogue and sophistication have been overdone. He believes (Continued on Page 16) Measure Affecting Lower Admissions Most Is Passed by House Tallahassee — Publicity given to highly exaggerated salaries of movie people and to box-office receipts was a factor behind the passage in the House on Monday of the new Florida amusement tax bill, calling for a levy of 5 cents on all admissions from 5 to 40 cents, 10 cents on admissions of 40 cents to $1 and 10 per cent on all tickets in excess (Continued on Page 16) LIS Universal will produce a series of features in England in 1932, provided satisfactory arrangements can be made by Carl Laemmle, who sails on the Europa tonight, the Film Daily learns. The plans include the engaging of casts entirely made up of English players. Julius Bernheim, production supervisor, and Alfred Stern, assistant director, will accompany Laemmle on the trip. The tour (Continued on Page 15) Bachman-Schlank-Corson Plan Six Indie Features Jack Bachman, formerly with Paramount, Morris Schlank, independent producer, and Louis "Pop" Corson, Philadelphia exchange man, will produce six features for the independent market, the Film D.ailv learns. Production will start in a Hollywood studio within the next few weeks. Para. Breaking Ground For 2 More Sound Stages West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Paramount will break ground In the next few days for two more sound Stages, giving the company 37,500 feet of additional space and increasing the number of stages to 15. Paramount plans to start 22 productions in the next 70 days.