The Film Daily (1932)

Metro-Goktwyn Mayei LIMARY Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fifteen Years Old VCL. LX, NC. 39 NEW y©Ptt, TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1932 <S CENTS Negative Exports Increase 20% in First Six Months distribTdecline tojeet exhibsTn 5-5-5 Major Thompson Succeeding Smith as Tranx-Lux Head Business . . . is on the up By Jack Alicoate "THERE seems to be ample proof of the fact that business, at least as far as this industry of producing and distributing pictures is concerned, is definitely on the up-curve. We have just concluded a tabloid private investigation covering most of the circuit moguls, as well as a picked collection of independents from most every part of the good old U. S. A., and all tell us that business IS better. Perhaps the turn of the tide is here. This industry was the last to feel the depression. Why not the first to recover from it? THE spirit of conciliation that we find ' most everywhere within the industry seems to mark the beginning of a new era of competitive common sense. Probably nothing made this business more top heavy in its better days than a spirit of ruthless competition. The coming of adversity brought all together, under a common banner, for the working out of common problems in the spirit of cooperation and good will. This at least is progress. The industry has enough battles to fight outside its wall: without being constantly a house divided ;ainst itself. fTVEN the toughest buyer and severest *~ critic should find trouble in criticizing the product now on display for early fa i delivery. We have seen about 18 new pictures in the past two weeks, coming from every representative company and nevet have we seen a like batch of product with greater collective entertainment value. Personally we feel that the business is in for a bang-up come-back and that the next few weeks will light the way. There is still nothing to take the place of pictures as the greatest amusement, for the masses, in the world. 2 Broadway Houses Being Merged — Four Others Planned Here Major L. E. Thompson of RKO and general manager of Trans Lux Movies Corp. since Sept. 1930, will be named president of Trans Lux, succeeding Courtland Smith, following a meeting of the board of directors to be held next month, the Film Daily learns. Percy N. Furi ber, president of Trans Lux Dayl'ght Screen and chairman of the (Continued on Page 7) HAYWARD, COWAN FORM AGENCY IN NEW YORK Leland Hayward of the American Play Co. and James R. Cowan, head of the Paramount Long Island studio until its closing last Spring, have formed Leland HaywardJames R. Cowan, Inc. to handle sa"e of plays and players. New company will work in association (Continued on Page 7) RKO Sets Release Dates On Next Eight Pictures National release dates for the next eight Radio Pictures productions are: "Age of Consent," Aue:. 19; "Bird of Paradise," Aug. 26; "Hold 'Em Jail," Sept. 2; "The Most Dangerous Game," Sept. 9; (Continued on Page 7) High and Low Birmingham — Another high in amusement values and low in b.o. prices has been struck by the Temple, which is now playing double features at a nickel admission. This is the house that has been achieving fame, of a sort, as a result of its bargains. Earlier in the year it offered two features, a comedy, newsreel, sandwich and coffee for a dime. Only step left after the present policy is to give the house away. CONSOLIDATED FILM OPENS NEW PLANTIN FORT LEE Consolidated Park, the new $2,000,000 film printing laboratories and plant of Consolidated Film Industries on Main Street, Fort Lee N. J., was formally dedicated yesterday by the officers and board o' directors, who inspected the new buildings and equipment and held a regular monthly meeting in the Administration Building. The new laboratories have an annual capacity (Continued on Page 7) Lorch to Handle Sales For Security Pictures Chicago — Harry Lorch has joined Irving W. Mandel in the operation of the Security Pictures Exchange? in Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianjapolis. Security Pictures distributes the Monogram, Allied and and Mayfair programs in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Lorch will handle sales for the three offices. 20% Jump in Negative Exports Is Shown in First Six Months Only 3 Dual Bill Houses Are Left in Birmingham An increasing tendency to ship negative films abroad and have posi tive prints made there, thus reducing shipping and tariff costs, is indicated in Department of Commerce Birmingham— The Capitol, second-run, has fip-nres for thp first six months nf discontinued double features, leaving only three ''«ules lor tn? nr?t sl* £" ont rtS 01 theaters here playing dual bills. They are this year showing that 6,556,734 feet Temple, Lyric and Rialto. (Continued on Page 7) Lightman Suggestion for Joint Confab is Turned Down Indications yesterday were that major distributors would decline to meet with "a body of representative exhibitors," as suggested by President M. A. Lightman of the M. P. T, O. A., with the object of including in their individual company contracts "certain clauses of benefit to the independent exhibitor." Two of the larger companies, (Continued on Page 7) WARNERSlflOURAS READY ONCOAST DEAL Papers are ready for signing in the deal under which Skouras Bros. will lease the 15 Warner Bros, houses on the Coast. Skouras will also buy Warner-First National product. The leasing deal was negotiated by Joseph Bernhard for Warners and Spyros Skouras for Skouras. The product deal was worked out by Gradwell Sears, representing Warner Bros, and First National, and EdHie Alperson for Skouras. Erpi is Negotiating For Rights to Music Negotiations for the right to use American music in talking pictures produced and distributed by Electrical Research Products' producerlicensees are being carried on with John G. Paine, agent and trustee for a large groun of American pub(Continued on Page 7) National Trade Showing Planned for "Last Mile" World Wide's "The Last Mile" and the first subjects completed on the 1932-33 Educational program will be screened for exhibitors and the press in all key cities the week of Aug. 22.