The Film Daily (1932)

ZA Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily N Of Motion Now Fifteen ewspa per Pictures Years Old VOL. LX, NO. 117 NEW YORK, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1932 (5 CENTS Publix Home Office Reorganized Under Local Plan MPTOA-ALLIED MAKINGJURVEY ON EXCLUSIVES Independents Are Unable to Utilize New Contract Johnston Says Each State Right Exchange Must be Contacted Because most independent distributing companies do not make contracts directly with exhibitors they are unable to adopt the new standard exhibition contract just completed. As indicated in a letter sent yesterday by President W. Ray Johnston of Monogram Pictures to M. A. Lightman, M. P. T. 0. A. (Continued on Page 6) HORWITZ PRAISES HAYS AID IN CLEVELAND SETTLEMENT Cleveland — Cooperative efforts of the Hays office in settling the Cleveland zoning controversy are acknowledged and praised by Samuel Horwitz, attorney for the exhibitors, in his statement announcing conclusion of the settlement. Horwitz says in part: "I want especially to give credit to Will Hays, Gabriel L. Hess and Charles Petti jolin. They demonstrated to me their great sympathetic attitude toward eliminating con {Continued on Page 6) Mickey Mouse Gets Dis*^., Special Academy Award West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Walt Disney has been awarded the "extra special" award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his creation of Mickey Mouse. The only like awards in the past were won by Warners, for pioneering in sound, and Charlie Chaplin, for "The Circus." Gov't Restrains Zoning Los Angeles — Suit has been filed by the Government against Fox West Ccast and six other companies charging that zoning is a violation of the trust laws. Defendants have signed a consent decree. Companies Examining New Contract Although ail major companies are expected to adopt the new uniform exhibition contract, as printed in THE FILM DAILY of Nov. 11, at present they are examining copies of the agreement and none, except Fox, has formally approved it. A checkup of the situation yesterday indicated that definite acceptance of the agreement will be announced by most of the companies before Saturday, which is the specified deadline fixed by the joint Allied and M. P. T. 0. A. committee. Hertz Expected to Eliminate Long Term Contracts at Para. Four Key City Roadshows Set on "Farewell to Arms" Roadshow openings on Paramount's "A Farewell to Arms" have been set for four more cities in addition to New York. They are: Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. This is in addition to New York. West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood— Future policy of Paramount is expected to eliminate long-term contracts for various production people, including writers and supervisors, and put them on a week-to-week basis. According to studio report, this change will be effected by John Hertz, who is here from New York. Hertz is understood to be opposed to commitments covering a long period. Columbia Signs Deal With Publix Columbia has signed contracts for the playing of its 1932-33 product in 350 major Publix houses from coast to coast, it is announced by Jack Cohn, vice-president of Columbia. Assign Police Protection In Akron, Ohio, Bombing Akron, 0. — All neighborhood theaters here are under police surveillance and detectives are prepared (Continued on Page 4) Sam Dembow, Jr., Announces Publix H. O. Reorganization To facilitate the functioning of the decentralized units of the circuit and make the home office essentially an organ of service, advice and information to the field, a new organizational setup of the Publix New York offices is announced by Sam Dembow, Jr., acting head of Publix Theaters. The changed setup at the home offices in no way minimizes the local antonomy and responsibility of each division, says Dembow. David J. Chatkin and Milton H. Feld (Continued on Page 4) Three More Features Set By Hollywood P. & D. Co. West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood— "The Seventh Commandment," directed by James P. Hogan, has been completed by Hollywood Producers & Distributors Co., and the company also plans to make "Narcotic," "Arson" and "Loan Shark." Dwain Esper will supervise. The 1933 Film Daily Year Book will be Bigger and Better than ever. — Advt. Exhib Units Contacting Distribs for Views on Single Runs A survey of distributor views on the exclusive selling policy is being made jointly by the M. P. T. O. A. and Allied. Requests for expression on the matter are contained in letters sent to various distributing companies, both major and independent, in connection with the campaign toward the general adoption of a standard exhibition contract. The letter reads in part: "If these proposals commend themselves to you, we will appreciate your so advising the respective presidents of the two exhibitor associations by letter not later than Nov. 19. In your (Continued on Page 4) PLACED ON MARKET BY RCA Following development of an entirely new sound head that utilizes a rotating drum instead of a gate for sound take-off and with the existing highly successful all AC operated equipment as a basis for design and performance, RCA Victor announces the introduction of what is referred to as Highest Fidelity Photophone sound reproducing equip(Continued on Page 4) "Most Dangerous Game" For Twin Paramounts RKO'S "The Most Dangerous Game" yesterday was booked to open tomorrow for a simultaneous >-un at the New York and Brooklyn Paramount de luxers. Maurice Chevalier in person is being held over at the New York house. Katr Still Free "Nothing new yet," said Sam Katz to THE FILM DAILY last night, indicating he has not as yet made definite plans for future activities in the industry. He now expects to make a formal announcement in about a week.