The Film Daily (1931)

—/Xl^ DAILY Friday, Dec. 4, ISSr producers directors executives age'nts FIND THE FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK INVALUABLE FOR THE Casting OF Pictures Attacks on Hollywood Scored by Samuelson {Continued from Page 1) try," he says. "Despite the incubus of mismanagement, back breaking executive costs, the relations racket, home office meddling and countless other abuses, the productive talent has managed to supply product that took in enough money at the boxoffice to carry the load. We should leave the solution of the production problem to the men who created it. The heads of the companies who inflated salaries by raiding the talent of their competitors, by permitting the idea to go abroad that the wealth of this business was limitless —these men should solve the problem. Independent exhibitors should confine their attention to buying film carefully, keeping down expenses and giving their state and national leaders adequate and proper organization support." With Congress meeting next week, Samuelson calls on all members of his or.'janization to write senators and congressmen immediately petitioning for amendment of the Vestal copyright bill and revision of the copyright laws. Snakes in Theaters Birmingham — Coolness on the part of Bert Gilbert, manager of the Galax, averted a riot when a snake was found in the theater. Occupants of the crowded house made an attempted rush for the doors when a woman let out a scream. This is the second time in a week that such an incident has occured. The Galax is non-union and has been attacked several times with tear gas and stench bombs. 2 Lowell Houses Reopen Lowell, Mass. — Pacific Amusement Co. has reopened the Crown and George Husson has resumed operations at the Jewel. Both have been closed for some time. Harry M. Sperling represents the Pacific Amusement Co. Husson also operates the Royal here. State Censorship Move Nipped by Texas Unit (Continued from Paqc \) address at the first annual convention here this week. Through eff'orts of the association in legislative committee, the agitation for censorship has been greatly defeated. Judge Walker told the gathering of about 100 exhibitors. "We believe censorship can be handled only through the public as its response is measured at the boxoffice," he declared. M. A. Lightman, president of the M.P.T.O.A., concurred with Judge Walker and said state censorship would never prove desirable or effective in controlling the type of pictures presented to the public. Only public support of better pictures could do that, he stated. Sunday shows were upheld by William McGraw, Dallas county district attorney, who said the closing of theaters on the Sabbath leaves thousands of persons looking for something to do and thereby increases violations of law and order. Further efforts by the government to tax theaters, it was pointed out, would bring about such decreased attendance that the outcome would be disastrous and the government itself would lose by it. Judge Walker was reelected president of the T.O.P.A. Other officers named were: A. O. Englebreath, Georgetown; Arthur A. Keyes, Quanah, and W. J. Wooten, Canyon, vice-presidents, and L S. Melche, Dallas, secretary. Board of directors are: C. H. DeWolf, San Saba; W. G. Underwood, Dallas; M. H. Gwynn, Terrell; Stanley Swift, Cameron; A. T. Muller, Seguin; W. M. Shields, Tyler; W. J. Wilkie, Houston; E. H. Patton, Kerrville; H. C. Tidball, Fort Worth, and J. Lemke, Waco. HOLLYWOOD FLASHES ,By RALPH WILK. Cleveland House Goes Film Cleveland — Great Lakes theater, formerly the Columbia, burlesque house, has opened under the management of Victor Wolcott and Bert Todd with a straight continuous picture policy at 10 and 15 cents. RCA Photophone was installed. Hamrick Plugging Shorts Seattle — As a consequence of tiie results obtained in playing up two Vitaphone shorts in advertising of the Blue Mouse last Sunday, John Hamrick, operating houses in Oregon, has adopted a regular policy of advertising all short and long pictures on his programs. Kelsall to San Rafael West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DATLY Hollywood — Ray Kelsall, following a vacation here, will assume management of the El Camino Blumenfeld circuit house in Sar Rafael. He recently was booker anc buyer for Kaliski-Harband in Sar Francisco. Leaving on Expedition Commander Attillio Gatti is leaving today on the American Banker for a gorilla expedition in Africa. He will make pictures for release on the program of Raspin Productons. Before sailing Commander Gatti will hold a press reception at three o'clock this afternoon aboard the ship. Cleveland Cameo Resumes Burlesque Cleveland — -The Cameo, operated since the first of September as an independent first run downtown house, has gone back to burlesque. House was formerly called the Star. Weppler in Dover, O. Dover, 0. — Ernest L. Weppler of Marietta has been named manager of the Bexley here, to succeed William Fenton. Before coming here he was with the Shea Circuit. New Ottawa House Opens Ottawa — The New Rideau theater was opened last week by Moorhead and Filman. It has a seating capacity of 1,200. Opening attraction was "The Star Witness." J^OBERT MILTON, despite the pressure of duties as a director and author of talking pictures, continues to maintain an active interest in his first love, the theater. "Sleeping Out," a new play by Milton and Bates Hunter, opens for a week's presentation to private audiences. Milton is directing the offering. * * * Paramount assignments : Regis Toomey and Irving Pichel for "Through the Window." next George Bancroft picture, which Louis Gasnier and Max Marcin will direct ; Josephine Dunn and Barbara Leonard for "One Hour With You," Maurice Chevalier vehicle: James Darwell and Otis Harlan for "No One Man." * * * Byi'on Morgan and Fred Nililo, Jr., have been assigned to adapt for the screen Russell Holman's original airplane story, "Sky Bride," which will feature Richard Arlen and Carole Lombard. Morgan is author of many of the early Wallace Reid racing stories. Niblo is one of the new additions to the Paramount writing ; staff. W * * * |l Clark Gable will appear with Marion Da ' vies in M-G-M's "Polly of the Circus." * * * Lily Damita will play the part of Mitzi in the French version of Paramount's "One Hour With You" place of Fifi Dorsay, originally assigned to the role. Production was begun this week on "Her Cardboard Lover," Buster Keaton's next star-^ ring vehicle for M-G-M, under direction of Edward Sedgwick. The cast for the new» picture includes Irene Purcell, Jimmy ("Schnozzle") Durante. Gilbert Roland, Polly i Moran and Mona Maris. "Her Cardboard Lover" was made once as a silent film am" is adapted from the stage play of the sarai name. Neila Perry is the latest blondd to be signed by Carl Laemmle, JrJ to a Universal contract. She ha had New York stage experience, folj lowing stock work in Somerville Mass. Her real name is Gretel Simj son. * ♦ * Radio Pictures has borrowed Irving Pichlj from Paramount to direct the dialogue fo "State's Attorney," first John Barrymore vq| hide for RKO. Tim Whelan, Radio Pictures' stafl writer, will collaborate with Jand Murfin on the dialogue and writ^ some additional comedy for "Gir Crazy." * * * Lila Lee has been signed by Harry Coh for Columbia's "Zelda Marsh." Dramas, Too, Says Cohn Lest somebody get the wrong Impression about Columbia's production plans tor next season. )ack Cohn says the company will continue Its present policy of dramas, comedies, etc.. In addition to outdoor pictures. The westerns will supplement the regular lineup, as In the current program comprising 26 features, 104 shorts and 16 outdoor pictures. As a result of the outdoor star popularity contest recently won by Buck Jones, he will appear next season In one outdoor special built on "epic" lines, in addition to his regular westerns, says Cohn. /