The Film Daily (1932)

Metro-Go:"\vyn Mayer LIBRAR7 Culwer City. • Calif. Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought V> The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictu res Now Fifteen Years Old VCL. LX, NO. 23 NEW yCCr\, THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1932 <S CENTS Films Too Sophisticated ? Most Critics Say No ! FILM STOCKS AT NEW HIGHS AS CHEER SPREADS Politics Will Figure in Ten Features This Year Presidential Election Year Reflected in String of Films At least 10 features with a presidential election or other political background will be released this year, a checkup of producing plans shows. Two already in release are Warner's "The Dark Horse" and M-G-M's "Washington Masquerade." Paramount is making "The Phantom President," Columbia has announced "Washington Merrv-Go-Round" and "Night Mayor." RKO has "Sweep (Continucd on Page 4) IS RKO DIRECTORS BUSY ON BIG SUMMER PROGRAM West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — In carrying out its unusually heavy summer producing schedule, which calls for about 20 features, RKO Radio Pictures has 18 prominent directors busy at work (Continued on Page 4) San Antonio Union Strike Settled After 20 Weeks San Antonio — The 20-week local operators' strike, involving six houses, has been settled. Three of the houses are Publix, one RKO and two Duel. Under tbe new agreement theaters wili get six hours' screenings each week without operator cost. Critics' Forum QUESTION No. 3 Are motion pictures becoming too sophisticated in their subject matter? HOW THE CRITICS ANSWERED: Yes -36.3% No -63.7% Amusement Shares Join General List in Brisk Rise Responding to more cheerful reports on the general trade outlook, as well as to improvement noted in the film industry over the last few weeks, amusement stocks yesterday joined the list in a brisk rise that carried most issues into new high ground on the current advance. Loew touched 24%, up more than 11 points from its year's low; Para,mount closed at 4, against its low (Continued on Page 4) Bischoff Says Public Wants Emotional Tonics West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Defending his decision to produce "The Last Mile," all male cast prison play, with the same relentlessness as the stage version, Sam Bischoff declares that moviegoers today demand start realism and want something that will make an impression on them, emotional or mental, instead of merely something to help them pass away the time. There is no love interest or comic relief in "Last Mile," which is a KBS production for World Wide release. Upsetting the dope and contradicting the widespread hue and cry about motion pictures becoming too sophisticated, 63.7 per cent of the nation's leading film critics participating in THE FILM DAILY questonnaire express the opinion that pictures are not over-sophisticated while 36.3 per cent give an affirmative answer to the question. A few critics among the several hundred responding made some point about the definition to be placed on the word "sophisticated." The term obviously was intended in its most generally accepted sense of "worldly wise," and the big majority of critics interpreted and answered it on this basis. Even the youngsters today are far more advanced in knowledge than much older persons were 20 years ago, it is pointed out. Several questions are raised, however, on the advisability of feeding the public too much "worldly wisdom," especially in matters of sex anc crime. Some critics argue that this is morally undesirable, while others think it unwise on the ground that it will eventually make audience: so blase and "thrill proof" that producers will have a tough time findinf stories to satisfy them. There is a feeling among many critics that the sophistication in films thus far has been largely of an exaggerated, illogical nature, and that the studios should try harder for truth, naturalness, probability and a more wholesome handling of worldly wisdom. Quite a number of interesting comments accompanied the answers to this question, and a few excerpts are quoted herewith: W. WARD MARSH, "Cleveland Plain Dealer "—"Hollywood as a whole is not sufficiently brilliant to handle sophistication without permitting the decadent to enter. The stage could do no better, but Hollywood failed to take a tip from the stage. It should also have taken a tip from the reception of the present day novel. We need good old hokum, all dressed up, smart, intelligent, modish but not in the process of moral decay." ROBERT G. TUCKER, "Indianapolis Star" — Films are too sophisticated only when (Continued on Page 2) NO EXCLUSiVES CLOSED BY M-G-M _S0FMt— IBST Although M-G-M has exclusive first run deals under way in all territories, none have been closed as yet, Felix Feist, general sales manager, told The Film Daily yesterday. As in the instance of other major distributors M-G-M will consider the deals in an experimental light. Opening Date for Roxy Now Set for August 17 Date on which Fox Film, in conjunction with Spyros Skouras, will take over the Roxy is now understood to be Aug. 17, with Frank Cambria slated as managing director. A. P. Waxman starts next week as head of advertising and publicity, with Bert Ennis as his assistant. Miss. State Tax Brings $33,233 in Two Months Jackson. Miss. — The state tax on amusements has brought a total of $33,233.78 into the coffers of the state since May 1, according to reports filed with state officials. Receipts have greatly exceeded ncpectations.