The Film Daily (1933)

Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1933 It* TlllKIJrV A Healthy Sign *T*HAT the independents of the country have their ears to the ground and that they are ever ready to combine in fighting what they consider a monstrous evil is evidenced by the campaign against exclusives. Although the territory covered includes only part of the east, applause came from all parts of the country. This goes to prove, too, that remark about "building a better mouse trap than one's neighbor." In this case, because exhibitors are seeking every weapon to fight against exclusives, the campaign against this new practice has been blown to the four corners of the industry. This is as it should be. The exclusive idea must be nipped -t. be barred fror .e indus : say • can charge the dis.id producers' a: except the box-office. Then, in this case, the wait will be costly. The producers and distributors will find that the public, in add.tion to the trade, itself, does not want exclusives. As one exhibitor puts it, exclusives are a sign of producer ingratitude. The public will not be so modest in its terms. It will express its indignation through the boxoffice, and that is one language the producer can understand. Some producers have already pledged themselves to the exclusive policy this year. This, unless there is a change of heart on the part of its sponsors, means that the exclusive idea will exist for one year, anyway. And the exclusive run has no place in this industry. As long as it exists, this department, for one, will not stop fighting it. — Jay Emanuel New Incorporations NEW YORK CHARTERS Spelgro Corp., theatricals. C. W. Groll. 67 West 44th Street, New York. $2,000. Commercial Radio-Sound Corp.. H. G. Marks, 232 Madison Ave., New York. $20,000. Devon Film Corp., theatricals. S. Hammer, 1540 Broadway, New York. 100 lhartt of common stock. —. £Efr* DAILV • • • ONE OF the most encouraging factors that brightens the coming year for the industry is the splendid work accomplished by the Academy of M. P. Arts and Sciences during 1932 which has developed into a tremendously constructive and influential force not only solidifying and fusing harmoniously many major branches of the business itself but reaching out to the public and renewing and revivifying their interest in the Motion Picture • • • THE LATTER phase has been accomplished through the Academy Awards which were given wide and intelligent publicity through many channels the reaction from the public generally has been most gratifying for the Awards were so. intelligently made that they immediately created in the public mind a sense of the Integrity of the Academy's purpose and this is only the beginning ol a plan to enlist the enthusiastic support ol motion picture patrons and cause them to realize that they are a vital part of the picture scheme of things and not merely box office patrons in whom our interest ceases with the garnering of their dough • • • AND THE Conciliation System of the Academy has accomplished far-reaching results it is evolving a Trade JLaw tor the industry in general precedents have been established in practically all phases of the business which can be applied on tuture problems yes, we seem to be getting some place at last the Academy looms large as a tremendous stabilizing force whose potential power and possibilities are just beginning to be appreciated * * * » • • • AT LAST Neil McGuire is getting a chance to show what he really can do with his miniature sets and painted backgrounds Neil now has his own studio in Hollywood ne projects living actors against these painted backgrounds and miniature settings he also creates animated cartoon figures that are cleverly blended with the flesh-and-blood actors McGuire's motivating thought is the creation of illusion lor he is sold on the idea that there is too much realism in pictures and not enough of the fantasy and airyfairy quality "Folks want the dream-stun," sez Neil "That's the principal reason they attend the motion picture theater." • • • ALONG COMES Frank YYilstach with his Annual Dictionary of Similes. ...... it has been our time honored custom to cull from these each year, and let you judge for yourself so here goes My salary looked as if it had been made up in the miniature department — Fred Allen Arguing with the wile is like lathering a mirror and shaving your reflection — Arthur "Bugs" Baer She kissed him with the warmth of one sticking a stamp on a letter — Dorothy black Surprised me like a PJ32 dividend — Gelett Bur llappy as a radio announcer who is asked it he ii English — Ted Cook Modest as a billboard — Arthur Eddy Forgotten as the winner of last > ear's Pulitzer Prize — Robert Garland No more chance llian a blonde at a mo tion picture exhibitors' picnic — Jack Attcoatc Head as night dubf — Karl K. Kitchen Bnviooa as fanny Ward's ■cnool uirl chums — IJert I, > tell Kagcr as a cub repoil.i lor ■ police card — O. O. Mclntyre Tie-up with Sears-Roebuck On "Prosperity" Campaign CEARS-ROEBUCK put on a prosperity week, using several hundred assorted banners in all departments of their store, as part of the campaign for "Prosperity," which was being shown at Shea's Buffalo theater. "Prosperity bonds" were given away with each purchase and 25 tickets were awarded to the holders of lucky numbers. Sixty Deco Restaurants tiedup, carrying copy reading: "Bring back prosperity — eat at Deco's and spend the money you save to see Marie Dressier and Polly Moran in 'Prosperity'." Also, they had pn specials each day or menus. A ballyhoo truck with was placed on the st three days. It was s the busy section of the city at noon and early even kept on the move along U cipal streets in the surrounding suburbs and one day the Ply mo: i Company brought in number of Plymouth made arrangements through Main Str. showroom. — Shea's, Bu New Gag For the Herald A NOVEL departure in the use of the back page of a herald was carried out by Mr. Graburn, manager of the Strand theater, Calgary, when he printed the line-up of a championship rugby match on the back of his regular "So Big" herald. The heralds were distributed to all the rugby fans attending the game and created no end of favorable comment to the picture and theater. — Strand, Calgary MMM [MANY UAPPY RETURNS) « « « » » » Best wishes are extended by THE FILM DAILY to the following members of the industry, who are celebrefln( their birthdays Jan. 1-2-J William Fox Charles Blckford J. Don Alexander W Ray Johnston Moe Silver Paul Benpmin Eddie Gnbbon George B. Seitx William Hiliwt Al Martin William Koenlg Walter Futter Mark A. Luetchtr Marion Diviea Dorothy Ariner