The Film Daily (1932)

Hint* mate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fifteen Years Old VCL. LX, NO. 75 NEW rCCr, WEDNESDAY, M I B I Ml II 28, 1932 5 CENTS Allied-M, P. T. O. Washington Confab Postponed RKO BRINGS NEGATIVE COSTS DOWN TOTZOO.OOO 50 New Members Enrolled by Motion Picture Academy 31 Technicians Included Among Additions to Roster IV est Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Enrollment of 50 new members in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is announced by President M. C. Levee. The group includes 19 in the acting, writing, directing and production executive branches, and 31 in the technical branch. In the list are: Actors Branch: Claudette Colbert. Bette Davis, James Durante, Wynne Gibson, Mariam Hopkins and Leila Hyaras. Directors Branch: Russell Mack. Producers Branch: A. M. Botsford. and Merritt Hulburd of Paramount-Publix : Ma(Continued on Page 10) OKLAHOMA CITY HOUSES REPORT ATTENDANCE JUMP Oklahoma City — An increase of 40 per cent in business at the five Regal theaters in this city has been noted in the past three weeks, according to Pat McGee, zone manager. Okla. Indie Exhibitor Appeals to Governor Oklahoma City— E. L. Johnston, independent exhibitor in McAlester, has appealed to Governor Murray for action in connection with alleged illegal competition. Johnson wrote the Governor that the product of four major companies had been tied up by a competing theater operator. The Governor referred the letter to the attorney general, who advised Johnston to confer with the U. S. district attorney in Muskogee. Publix Goes for Kid Clubs Introduction of Buck Jones Rangers Clubs on the Publix circuit will take place soon at the State, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., under the management of Ray V. Powell. Other Publix houses are expected to follow suit. RKO and many independents already are utilizing these kid clubs sponsored by Columbia. Fans to Help Pick New Name for Roxy Picking of a new name for the Roxy will be done with the aid of the theater's patrons, it was announced yesterday by Frank Cambria, managing director of the house, at a tea given in his honor at the St. Moritz. No decision has been reached yet as to what the new title may be. It has been suggested that the theater be called the Cambria, but the managing director is opposed to the personal exploitation. The names of World and Edison also have been mentioned at various times. Meanwhile, the Roxy title has gone up over the new movie house in Radio City. $1007000 in Contracts Signed By Freuler During First Week Earl Bell Entering Omaha Theater Field Pittsburgh — Earl Bell, assistant zone manager for Warners in this district for three years and president of the local Warner Club, has resigned to become a theater operator on his own account in Omaha. First week's contracts on the 24 Monarch productions announced by Freuler Film Associates for 1932-33 amount to $100,000, against a quota of $2,000,000, according to Charles L. Glett, vice-president. Releases will be at the rate of two a month and several circuits have entered (.Continued on Page 10) Studios Are Cooperating More, Says Morrison Inter-studio harmony on the Coast has reached an unprecedented degree, declared Leo Morrison in New York yesterday, pointing to the increased spirit of co-operation existing between producers as evidenced by the exchange of talent. "Better class" independents are having no difficulty in getting "name" players, said the agent, who plans (Continued on Page 10) Russian Film Industry Is Being Reorganized Reorganization of Sovkino, the Soviet State film organization, is planned, reports American Trade Commissioner George R. Canty, Berlin. Production henceforth will be handled by Rus-Film, Ukrain-Film, (Continued on Page 10) Second Allied-MPTOA Meet Is Put Off Until Next Month Motion in Momand Suit Taken Under Advisement Oklahoma City — The motion of major film producers to amend the petition of A. B. Momand in his suit charging violation of anti-trust laws, has been taken under advisement by Judge Edgar S. Vaught in the federal district court here. Request was made by the attorneys to have the court strike out parts of Momand's petition. Second conference planned between Allied and the M. P. T. 9. A. and slated to open tomorrow in Washington ha's been postponed, probably to Oct. 15. Latter date is subject to confirmation by the M. P. T. 0. A. representatives, said Abram F. Myers, Allied general counsel, in a wire to The Film Daily yesterday. Deferring of the conference occurred when President M. A. Light(Continued on Page 10) Studio Economies Brings Radio Costs $50,000 Under Estimate West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — RKO's studio economy program instigated here by Frank O'Heron and David 0. Selznick has resulted in a reduction of $50,000 under the proposed average cost for the first 14 of RKO's 193233 line-up. The original figure set for production cost was $250,000 per picture. Total costs to date are $2,800,000 for 14 out of the 41 scheduled. The figure does not include "Kong" and "The Conquerors," both costing about $500,000 and scheduled as "specials." According to an RKO executive, the (Continued on Page 10) M-G-M NOT SWITCHING TO UNIT PLAN-SCHENCK The M-G-M production setup is going along smothly and the company has no thought of any change to an independent unit policy, President Nicholas M. Schenck told The Film Daily yesterday. Schenck returned from the Coast a few d%ys ago. 2 New Branch Managers Appointed by Warners Two branch office changes in the Warner organization promotes Milton Mooney from salesman to manager in the Cleveland exchange, succeeding Sam Kramer, resigned, while Al Shmitken of Cincinnati takes the place of Ray Cloud as manager in Indianapolis. Arthur's Exclusives New Haven — Preceding and following the presentation of the feature picture in all Harry Arthur de luxe houses now is a trailer reading: "This is an exclusive never to be played in this city again. See it now or never."