The Film Daily (1931)

r intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fourteen Years Old V€L. LVI NC. e3 NEWrCCr;, SUNDAY, SEPTCMDCC 13, 1931 25 CENTS Publix Houses Find Foreign Versions Profitable NATIONAL CIRCUIT OFKID MOVIES PLANNED See Defeat of Anti-Gangfilm Bills by Amendments New York State Measure Changed to Give Law and Order Break Bill introduced recently in the New York State Senate by James J. Crawford of Brooklyn to outlaw gangster pictures has been amended to permit showing of films in which the forces of law and order ultimately win over the lawless elements. Legislative guardians of the industry, it is understood, will make efforts to bring about similar amend {Continued on Page 2) MORE BIRMINGHAM HOUSES Birmingham — Reopening this week of four houses of the Birmingham Theatrical Amusement Co. with nonunion operators is expected to be followed shortly by the resumption of activity in the circuit's other six houses that have been closed since July 18 when the union refused to come to terms. Placing of the nonunion men this week was accomplished quietly, with no mention in the papers. U. A. Ratifies Deal With Col. in England United Artists has ratified a deal whereby the company will continue to handle Columbia product in Great Britain. The renewal was set for United Artists by Arthur W. Kelly, who returns to New York from abroad about Nov. 1. Warner Industrial Unit Gradually Disbanding Warner Bros. Industrial Pictures is gradually being disbanded. The organization has abandoned its offices at 220 West 42nd St. and is transacting its final business from the Warner Bros, headquarters. Mortgages Block Deali Mortgage obligations of Fox Metropolitan Theaters are understood to be the stumbling block in the consummation of several deals now pending and through which independent operators would acquire some of its houses. Fox Studios Are Operating 3 Months Ahead of Schedule West Coast Bureau, Hollywood — Fox Studios have maintained such speed on production that the company is three months ahead of the release schedule for the 1931-32 program. Every picture set for release up to Nov. 29 has been completed. These are: "Wicked," starring Elissa Landi with Victor McLaglen; "Skyline," featuring Thomas Meighan; "Riders of the Purple Sage," with George O'Brien THE FILM DAILY and Marguerite Churchill; "Sob Sister," with James Dunn and Linda Watkins; "The Cisco Kid," co-featuring Warner Baxter and Edmund Lowe; "Heartbreak," with Charles Farrell and Madge Evans in the leading roles; "The Yellow Ticket," starring Elissa Landi with Lionel Barrymore, and "Business And Pleasure," starring Will Rogers with Jetta Goudal. Joseph H. Moskowitz Appointed Executive Asst, to Joe Schenck Joseph H. Moskowitz, vice-president of Art Cinema and personal representative of Joseph M. Schenck, has been appointed executive assistant to Schenck and elected a vicepresident of United Artists Corp., it is announced following a meeting of the board of directors attended by Nathan Burkan, Dennis F. O'Brien, Harry D. Buckley, James A. Mulvey, H. T. Banzhaf and Al Lichtman, representing Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Samuel Goldwyn and David Wark Griffith. Moskowitz heretofore has devoted the major portion of his activities (Continued on Page 2) Booking of Foreign Versions Found Profitable by Publix Special bookings of foreign versions have been found sufficiently profitable by Publix to warrant the circuit in urging its managers to make further use of this policy wherever warranted as a means of getting extra business. Much of the foreign element in each community is a dead loss to theaters playing only English talkers, says Leon Netter of the Publix booking department, but this portion of the population can be turned into paying customers if pictures in their languages are presented. Nationalistic conventions and gatherings, as well (Continued on Page 9) First Miniature House on 16 mm. Shorts Policy to Open in New York The forerunner in what is expected to be a national circuit of small picture houses for juveniles will open Thursday evening at 52 East 78th St., New York City. Economical operation is provided for under the "plan of the organization, Juvenile Playhouses, Inc., which will use 16 mm. films and projection. Heading the company is David Mavity, formerly with Fox and (Continued on Page 2) PRONOTED BY PUBLIX IN FIELD DIVISIONS In a reorganization of the central and southern Publix territories for more intensive executive supervision and to aid individual operations, Sam Katz has made eleven promotions. R. J. O'Donnell, in charge of Saenger and southwest divisions, assumes in addition control of the southern de luxe division. J. J. Friedl, division manager, continues (Continued on Page 9) Paterson Union Signs At Lower Wage Scale Paterson, N. J. — Local circuit houses have signed a new contract with the operators' union and the projectionists are back on their old jobs. The new scale is somewhat lower than the one provided under the former contract. The theaters have been running with non-union operators since the strike several days ago. New Appointment Slated For Fox Film Corp. Board Next meeting of the Fox Film board of directors has been called for Sept. 21, when another executive appointment will be made, the FILM DAILY learns.