The Film Daily (1932)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fifteen Years Old VOL. LX, NO. 1C5 NEW yCCK, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1932 > CENTS Allied-MPTOA to Meet Saturday in Washington EXECUTIVTCOMMinEE JAKES OVER KAJT DUTIES Believe Sam Katz Will Organize Company of His Own Producing Distributing Unit With Franchises Considered Likely "Sam Katz will not join RKO or any other existing company," a prominent film executive told Film Daily yesterday. "As a matter of fact, Katz's present plans point towards the formation of a company similar to First National with a (.Continued on Page 6) 435 EXHIBITORS NAMED IN DEMOCRATIC ACTIVITY Four hundred and thirty-five exhibitors have been named to represent theater interests in conjunction with the Democratic party in Congressional districts throughout the country, said Charles L. O'Reilly, head of this phase of work for the Democratic National Committee, yesterday. In addition, exhibitor representatives have been named for (Continued on Page 2) Adventure Film Policy Adopted by RKO Cameo RKO and Principal Distributing Corp. yesterday signed contracts whereby the Cameo will become the exclusive first-run house for adventure films released by the Sol Lesser-Frank R. Wilson company. Among the coming attractions are "Voodoo," "Beneath the Seas," "Mr. Noah's Home Town," "Virgins of Bali," "Amazon Head Hunters," "Matto Grosso," "Tahiti" and "Lapland." Warner Stock Revaluation New York Stock Exchange yesterday received notice from Warner Bros, of proposed change in par value of Its common stock to $5 from no par. Revaluation to this effect was authorized by the stockholders on Dec. 14, 1931. Harry Cohn Spikes Columbia Rumors Columbia plans no departmental changes in the home office and there will be no temporary closing of the company's * studios on the coast, declared President Harry Cohn yesterday in denying published rumors of these and other changes. "It would be folly to even contemplate changes in an organization as smooth running as ours," said Cohn. "It is only because I feel that I owe it to every employee that I even dignify these unfounded rumors with this complete denial. I trust that once and for all this statement will put a damper on such idle gossip." RCA Victor Demonstrates 'High Fidelity ' Recording Manhattan Playhouses Planning Expansion Expansion in Greater New York is understood to be planned by Manhattan Playhouses, which now operates about 20 houses. Circuit is strong in the lower East Side and Harlem. RCA Victor's new system of sound-on-film recording, known as the "High Fidelity," was demonstrated yesterday afternoon at the Photophone studios on Fifth Ave. before an audience of trade representatives who showed keen interest in the latest sound advancement (Continued on Page 8) Encouragement/ Not Internal Criticism Needed Now, Declares W. Ray Johnston West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Less internal criticism, less hostility between producers as well as producers and exhibitors, and more cooperation of an encouraging nature between all factions in working out mutual problems is what the film industry needs at present, declares W. Ray Johnston, president of Monogram Pic(Continued on Page 8) Sennett to Star Hamilton In Shorts for Paramount West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Mack Sennett has signed Lloyd Hamilton for a series of short comedies to be released by Paramount. First will be "False Impressions," with Marjorie Beebe opposite the comedian, and Leslie Pearce directing. Allied-MPTOA Meeting Set for Sat. in Washington Two Alliance Theaters Relinquished by Warners Alliance, 0. — Warners have surrendered control' of the Morrison and Strand, says R. S. Wallace, Warner manager here. Their options expired last Saturday. Wallace is personally interested in the Strand, dark for several months. Next meeting of committees representing Allied and the M. P. T. 0. A. will be held in Washington on Saturday morning, when consideration will be given to a report on the recent conference with Sidney R. Kent on various industry problems. Later, representatives of both national exhibitor organizations are (Continued on Page 8) First Detailed Statement in Situation Issued by John Hertz Functions formerly exercised by Sam Katz will be assumed immediately by the executive committee of the organization, says a Paramount inter-company statement issued yesterday. "The executives heretofore reporting to Mr. Katz will report to Mr. Hertz represent (Continued on Page 6) GRIFFITH READING YARNS BUT WON'T RESUME SOON D. W. Griffith will not resume active production for many months, he told Film Daily in an exclusive interview yesterday. Griffith returned to New York last week from an extended vacation in Lenox and will devote the next two months to jeeing plays, reading novels and original stories for the screen. "The time is not right for me to reenter production," he said. "As a matter of fact, (Continued on Page 8) Para. Seen Concentrating On Producing-Distributing Withdrawal of Sam Katz from Paramount Publix yesterday was interpreted by various independent exhibitor leaders as a sign that the company will concentrate more of its attention on production and distribution than on exhibition. They expressed elation at this prospect of less competition from the Publix circuit. Retaining B. & K. Interest Sam Katz is expected to retain his interests in Balaban & Katz which he helped to found. He is not expected to participate in the actual operation of the circuit, which will be under John Balaban, who recently transferred his headquarters from New York to Chicago.