The Film Daily (1932)

—jxe^ PAILY CLOSER PRESS RELATIONS SOUGHTBYM.P.T.O.A. In obtaining Louis Wiley, business manager of the "New York Times," as the principal speaker at the convention banquet in Washington, the M.P.T.O.A. is desirous of building up closer relations with the press, says President M. A. Lightman. Wiley will talk on "News and Pictures." Jack Miller, Chicago exhibitor leader, will discuss "Score and Service Charges" at the convention, Lightman also announced. E. Van Hyning, president of th^ M.P.T.O. of" Kansas and Western Missouri, will urge the adoption o a universal system of con rolled protection and zoning similar to that employed in Kansas City. Trailer Firm Opens New Branch Offices Al Wolf, well-known independent distributor in this territory, is handling the newly opened branch of Supreme Screen Service at 308 South Harwood St., Dallas. John Hennessey, formerly United Artists branch manager, is in charge of the ti'ailer company's Philadelphia office. Supreme also has branches now in Chicago, Detroit. Indianapolis, and Milwaukee. UNION SCALE ADJUSTMENTS Reports current yesterday to the effect that Local 306, projectionists union, had agreed to a reduction in wages were denied at union headquarters last night. Incidentally statement was made that recently the local effected a reduction in the scale of 10 Skouras Bros, houses, embracing nine small theaters on Long Island and one in New York City. Readjustment was made to bring wages down to scales paid by competitor houses. BOSTON'S STATION THEA. CO. Boston — Incorporators of the North Station Theater Co., recently formed with capital of $50,000 primarily to entertain the transient "while-you-wait-for-the-train" patrons, are P. V. Amon, Quincy, Mass.; P. R. Miller, Boston; J. E. Duggan, Maynard, Mass. "ARSENE LUPIN" HOLDS "Arsene Lupin," M-G-M production with Lionel and John Barrymore, is holding over at the Capitol. Results of High Tax London — In 12 weeks since the higher Entertainments Tax has been in effect a Leeds l<incma reports a reduction of 24.210 in attendance and a drop of $2,000 in profits, while the additional ^■^x collected was about $400, it was '.tatcd by the delegate of the Leeds branch of the C. E. A. at a meeting here nn the tax situation. • • • WITH THE second annual convention of Allied States getting under way in Detroit next Tuesday attention is being focused on that Eight-Point Platform outlined by prexy W. A. Steffes which hashes over all the ole Sore Spots and entirely overlooks the On<, Supreme Issue as far as all independent theater operators are concerned first let us touch on Mister Steffes" Points and then the Main Point which would Solve practically all the Eight Points • • • THE FIRST Point is "obnoxious, unreasonable protection" there are approximately 2,500 producer-controlled theaters; as against a minimum of 6,500 theaters allied with the two national exhibitor organizations not counting more than 6,000 unaffiliated isn't it just possible if the affiliates got together and presented a Solid Front for once in their history they could easily do something about it? * * 5}: * • • • THEN COMES "unfair and unreasonable percentages" is there any law that compels any exhib *<; show a certain pix? can an exhib be put in jail for refusing to sign his name to a contract? •t* *!* ^ •!* • • • NEXT WE have "exceedingly poor quality of product" well, didn't certain independents inaugurate the "double-feature" epidemic? they got 'em double-feature celluloid in place of single feature Quality if indies want a lot for their money, they get a job lot who is to blame ? • • • NOW WE come lo Mister Steffes* Fourth PoinI "elimination of producers from exhibition" they want to tell the gents who gamble millions in production that they can't sit in the game The Game being the Theater End where the real dough is and always will be that's like asking a banker to finance your biz with his jack and you'll pay him savings bank interest of 4 per cent he takes all the risks and you cop the Big Profits sounds childish? it is. • • • THEN THERE is the Point of "compulsory block booking" here again, as in "unreasonable protection" if the independents showed a Solid Front with their powerful ct)llective voice couldn't they do something about that • • • THE POINT of the "double-feature evil" is one and the same with the Point of "poor product" you can't expect the other fellow to quit if you persist in the evil yourself either side can stop it overnight one side refuses to sell to the guilty party or the other side refuses to buy from the guilty party what could be simpler? if the independents could present a United Front? like the producers • • • SO THE Point Mister Steffes overlooked of a United Front would solve all his Points the theater biz can't be manacled, absorbed, systematized it's too much a part of the everyday life of the Public and if all the various indie forces could scrap their personal jealousies, petty politics and personal egoes and get a Strong National Leader like Sidney Kent or Joe Brandt, f'rinstance they could go places and Do Things Thursday, March 3, 1932 ONE FOR THREE EXCHANGE REPORTED FOR PARA. STOCK A reverse split-up of Paramount stock, with one new share being issued for three of the present shares, is reported being worked out. The stock was one of the most active in yesterday's trading. Vic McLaglen to Appear In British Production London — Victor McLaglen has been signed by British & Dominions for the talker version of Jeffer\ Farnol's "The Broad Highway" tibe made here. It is understood McLaglen will shortly i-eceivean eightweek vacation from the Fox studios in Hollywood during which time he is coming to England for the B. & D. production. UNIVERSAL BUYS STORIES Edna Ferber's current Cosmopol itan Magazine story, "Glamour," habeen bought by Universal. The com pany also has purchased ''S. S. San Pedro," the James Gould Cozzens Scribner's Magazine prize-winning short story, later novelized and chosen by the Book of the Month Club. The latter will be a Boris Karloff vehicle. . FIRST HOLDOVER IN MONTHS Kansas City — Marlene Dietrich in "Shanghai Express," Paramount [licturc, being shifted from the Newman to the Liberty for a continuation of its run, marks the first holdover here in months. MARX FILM SEMI-MUSICAL West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — "Horse Feathers," the new Four Marx Brothers picture for Paramount, will be a semi-musical in a collegiate locale. Kalmar and Ruby will do the words and music. Norman McLeod is director. _ ^ « « « » » » t^i). % 6^x.i*=^.^;6. 1 MANY UAPPY RETUUNS, Best wishes are extended by THE FILM DAILY to the following members of the industry, who are celebrating their birthdays: March 3 Edmund Lowe Larry Kent lean Harlow Myrtle Stedman Stanley Taylor Betty )ensen Sigmund Scheffel