The Film Daily (1933)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Fifteen Years Old VOL. I XI. NO. IS NEW yCRK, MONDAY, JANUAKY 23, 1933 » CENTS Jack Warner Heading CoastDelegation to Inaugural DIVISION OF THEATER TERRITORY BEING DISCOSSEO 'Official World War Film' Cycle Gets Under Way The Ostrich ...and this industry = By JACK ALICOATE^^ \A/HEN trouble comes, the ostrich com" 'placently hides its head in the sand and thereby becomes mentally free from all turmoil, worry, fear and strife. But this ostrichian philosophy does not keep the Hon. Ostrich from being torn limb from limb by the Hon. Lions if the Hon. Lions happen to be in the vicinity. Just now there are various and sundry hungry lions in the vicinity of the romantic art-industry of producing and distributing motion pictures. Continuing to hide its collective head in the sands cannot help. It can further complicate a situation rapidly becoming fraught with great danger. If this industry is to be saved, it must be thrown into the wash tub, given a thorough rinsing with clear, clean water, and then run tightly through the wringer. • The situation is chronic and obvious to every student of the economics of the industry, yet, while constantly on the lips of everyone, apparently must be spoken of only in whispered, embarrassed tones. This is no time for pussyfooting. One or several major operations are necessary. The sooner the better. There is certainly no disgrace in facing facts. Sunlight never hurt anyone or any industry. This business is losing millions every month. It cannot survive under its present set-up. • The reason is obvious and academic. While considerable liquidating has been done, this business, to all intents and purposes, is still operating in its 1928, 1929 and 1930 manner. And trying to survive in a world of 1933 that is perhaps only onefifth as productive. It cannot be either criticized or condemned for spending money freely in giving its best and trusting for a change in the general economic situation. In providing amusement to the millions of the world, it had a duty to perform and has done its work nobly. But, for the industry to continue to be a philanthropic institution is only to sign its own death warrant. Even if receiverships are necessary, let's have them. There is no disgrace in that. Practically all railroads have been through it many times. If divorce of exhibition from production is essential, let's have that, too. What is needed now is clear thinking, energetic leadership and an immediate honest facing of facts. Success of "Big Drive" Induces Others on Same Order Encouraged by the unexpected success of "The Big Drive," a cycle nf "official war films" is under way Following the surprise business done by "Big Drive," made by a veteran, A. L. Rule, when it opened in Chicago some weeks ago, another doughboy invaded New York with (Continued on Page 3) DIRECTORS ARE GOING IN FOR BUYING OF STORIES Weit Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — A growing tendency on the part of directors to buy screen rights to stories has been noted here lately. The latest is Lloyd Bacon, Warner director, who has acquired the rights to "Give Us a Ride." George Archainbaud recently bought three French properties, and others who have acquired material include Gregory LaCava and Richard Wallace. The move is interpreted as indicating that these directors intend eventually to produce independently. Motion Picture Salesmen Install New Official Slate New officers of the Motion Picture Salesmen were inducted Saturday at a luncheon and ceremonies at the Hotel Astor, with Attorney (Continued on Page 3) Duplicates Fredric March and Claudette Colbert appear on two Broadway screens this week — in "Tonight Is Ours" at the Paramount and "Sign of the Cross" just across the street at the Criterion. Edmund Lowe is in '"Hot Pepper" at the RKO Roxy and in "Devil Is Driving" at the Palace. "King's Vacation" at the Radio City Music Hall is about a King who wants to get away from a ruler's worries, and "Tonight Is Ours" at the Paramount is about a Queen doing the same thing. Charles Laughton is in "Sign of the Cross" at the Criterion and in "Island of Lost Souls" at the Rialto. "The Big Drive" at the Mayfair and "Four Aces" at the Central are World War films competing across the street from each other. SUB-RENTING OF PRINTS LATEST EVIL TO CROP UP Sub-renting of feature prints by dishonest exhibitors is the latest form of fraud facing distributors, Jack Levin of the Copyright Protection Bureau told Film Daily Saturday. Evidence of sub-renting has been discovered in one eastern and one western territory. "This prac (Continued on Page 3) Admission Cuts Effected In All Publix Situations Publix has effected admission price cuts in virtually all of its houses. Reductions range from 15 to 25 cents. Local situations are being constantly studied to observe the public's reaction to these changes in scales. Warner's "Better Times" Train Taking Hollywood to Inaugural Taking Action to Curb Non-Theatrical Inroads Salt Lake City — Growing competition from L. D. S. Ward Meeting Houses, which have had sound equipment installed, has caused exhibitors to appeal to the Film Board and to church officials for an agreement to confine the ward houses to showing of films that are non-competitive. Jack L. Warner will head a group of film celebrities in a "Better Times" trip to Washington for the inaugural ceremonies on March 4, in accordance with an invitation extended to the film industry by Franklin D. Roosevelt when he visited the coast last fall. The special (Continued on Page 3) The Film Daily Year Book will be out in February at inual. — Advt New Exhibition Setup Is Reported Under Consideration by Bankers Division of theater territory, often discussed by major circuits as a means of eliminating intensive competition, is reported to be a principal topic new being discussed by bankers having investment in circuit-owning companies. According to the plan under consideration the country would be sub-divided with each theater group assigned to operate exclusively in a section. When this plan was mulled over on previous occasions, one objection raised was that of conflict with fed(Continued on Page 3) CAMBRIA IJISOLD ROXY; STRAIGHT FILMS POSSIBLE Frank Cambria resigned Saturday as managing director of the original Roxy. Cambria joined the theater in September following the naming of Harry Kosch as receiver. A new policy for the house will be announced this week by Howard Cullman, present receiver. The "Roxyettes," identified with the theater since it was run by Samuel L. "Roxy" Rothafel, were let out last week, as were all ensemble mem (Continued on Page 3) Intermountain Exhibitors Elect Huish President Salt Lake City— C. E. Huish of the Star, Eureka, Utah, was elected president of the Intermountain Theater Owners' Ass'n at its convention here last week. He succeeds J. J. Gillette, who becomes vice-president. Join Rugar, Egyptian theater. Park City, was elected treasurer and the (Continued on Page 3) Crashing Pcnn Station first film exploitation to crash Pcnn Station ii I tieup engineered by Arnold Vin Leer In connection with the free-trlp-to-Hollywood stunt on "Air Hostess." A sign telling about this has been placed alongside the Transcontinental Airways plane on permanent exhibition in the depot.