The Film Daily (1931)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper OF Motion Pictures Now Fourteen Years Old VCL. LVI NO. 66 NE>VyOI5r,>VEDNC$DAr, SEPTEMBER 16,1931 <» CENTS Tie Up MPTOA Meet, Washington Celebration SECONDIcID CIRCUITliEADED BY^ITKEN Metro Profit Off 33% but Tops All Years Except '31 Warner Bros, — it can he done ^ ByJACK ALICOATE-^ Something less than a Seeing year ago Warner Bros. & It Thru Co. were counted right out of the picture by many grand-stand managers as the rpsnlt of R fhroni'^ attack of expansion indigestion. In the meantime what this outfit has accomplished in readjustment and progress might well be the topic of an object lesson for not only industry idlers but business in general. With the past year a matter of history, it is rather apparent that Warner Brothers would not be licked. While others wavered in Team the face of an unpreWork cedented depression, they fought on with splendid determination. While their pioneering of the musical field had cost plenty, they were not discouraged. They rolled up their sleeves and went back to work. Once more they occupy an industry key position. A team that won't be licked, can't be licked. With plenty of white The space to sell at so much Record per, we are not going tc leopardize our position with the business department by giving away free advertising in this column. However, two thoughts are inescapable. Warner Bros, have staged the most spectacular aboutface this industry has ever known, and any man's company leaving the wharf in early September with such a cargo as "Five Star Final," "Bought," "The Star Witness," "Alexander Hamilton" and "Smart Money" will be there or there abouts when they finally check up the 1931-32 box-office regatta. 50 Weeks' Net $6,231,152 Against $9,262,589 Last Year Metro Goldwyn Pictures, controlled by Loew's, Inc., reports profit of $2,213,608, before federal taxes, for the 12 weeks to June 5, against $3,186,267 in the corresponding period last year, and profit of $6, (.Continued on Paae 2) RKOPAM AGAIN UPHELD IN SUIT ONjLD CONTRACT Contention of RKO Pathe that it is not responsible for the contractual obligations of Pathe Exchange, Inc., has been upheld again in a decision by Judge Heath in the Supreme Court of Otsego County, New York. The Smalley Circuit of Bingham (ContlnKed on Pane 2) 76 Houses Embraced By Canadian Combine Toronto — There are now 76 theaters in the combine recently formed with Mayor Ernie Marks of Oshawa as president. Among them are the 17 houses of Community Theaters, 39 of Cooperative The aters, and 20 of Associated Theaters. The organization plans to ■mbrace the entire Dominion eventually. D. W. Griffith Denies New Film is Propaganda Rumors that his new picture, "The Struggle", is a Soviet propaganda picture were scouted yesterday by D. W. Griffith. Although the title may have induced such conclusions, said the producer, the picture has nothing to do with the Soviet, the Five Year Plan, politics or anything of the kind, but is a story of everyday Americans. Premiere will probably take place next month. 100 CHICAGO OPERATORS MAY LOSE THEIR LICENSE Chicago — Possibility that the licenses of more than 100 operators, mostly permit men, will be revoked on the grounds that they were obtained by fraud was a development yesterday in the fight between the operators' union and independent theaters. Charges of fraud have been placed in the hands of William A. Jackson, commissioner of gas ind electricity, who stated the licenses will be recalled if it is (Continued on Paae 2) Harry Scott With Pathe In Sales Advisor Post Harry Scott, formerly general sales manager for Van Beuren, has joined Pathe Exchange, Inc., as sales advisor. MPTOA Convention Being Tied With Washington Celebration 63 Indie Producers Now Active on Coast West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — There are 63 independent companies now producing here, it is stated by Louella Parsons, who quotes a letter from Frank Donovan saying there are 21 indies making westerns, 12 making melodramas, 25 making shorts and five preparing expedition epics. Tieing in with the Washington bicentennial celebration, the M.P.T.O.A. plans to hold its annual convention in Washington the last week in January or the first week in February. A three-day session is planned with well-known industry executives as speakers. The M.P.T.O.A. since its last eon {Continucd on Page 2) National Theater Project Will Use 16 mm. for Juvenile Shows A second natonal circuit of small houses with programs arranged for juvenile audiences is contemplated. This project is being developed by a group headed by Harry Aitken, president of Triangle. Sixteen mm. projection will be used, it is understood, as part of till:; piaii l\j jvcc^j operation costs down to a minimum. LOEWCIRCUITTO OPERATE CLEVELAND LEGIT. HOUSE Cleveland — Loew's, Inc., has taken over the Ohio, local legitimate house formerly operated by the Erlanger circuit, and will offer Erlanger stage attractions at the house. This is understood to be the only arrangement of its kind entered into by Loew. Arnold Lowry and Wife Drowned in Lake Erie Cincinnati — Eff"orts were being made yesterday to recover the bodies of Arnold Lowry, a traveling auditor for Columbia, and Mrs. Lowry, secretary of the Cincinnati Film Board of Trade, who were drowned Monday night in Lake Erie. The couple were married 11 months ago and were taking a belated honey (CoiJtittued on Paae 2) Film Colony Investors Turn to Real Estate THE FILM DAILY picture people have IV est Coast Bur ear. Hollywood — Motion turned from stocks to real estate, with their property investments now totaling approximately $20,000,000, according to the Vine Street Development Ass'n. The association's survey shows that more homes have been bought by producers, actors, directors and studio employes in the last two years than during any five-year period in the city's history.