The Film Daily (1934)

THE ■c&m DAILY Friday, Sept. 14, ill TIMELY TOPICS Ivy Lee Urges Use of Films For World Understanding '"THE habits and practices of social and commercial life are today being profoundly influenced by the motion picture. Why should not this medium be utilized by governments in telling abroad on behalf of their own people their own story and purposes ? How interesting and effective it might be if Italy should present its problems to the whole world in the form of a motion picture, or a series of motion pictures, and if at the very beginning of each picture Mussolini himself should sign a message saying, in effect: "I have caused this and other pictures to be made and offered to the world as Italy's own interpretation of itself." Such frankness would itself be refreshing. If there was any special problem between Italy and, say, France, what more effective way than this for Mussolini to present his special case to the peoples of those countries? The motion picture is chiefly used today in places of entertainment, but its use is extending to the school, the church, even the home, and to all places where groups of people gather together. The technique of presenting with the film any kind of story, argument or scientific demonstration is being perfected with astonishing insight and originality. If the nations were consciously to adopt and incur the expense incident to a widescale use of this medium with which to reveal almost their very souls, as represented by their culture, purposes and aspirations, the beneficient results might be beyond all compare. Ivy Lee Technical Developments Help Screen Writer JUST as advanced technical methods have made things easier for the director and the actor, they have relieved the writer of many worries as well. In the early days of sound the dialogue writer had always to be on the alert to guard against innumerable sounds, words, and phrases which the earlier microphones could not handle. As a consequence, the writer was often hard put to create a natural-sounding dialogue, since he nmst either eliminate a good portion of natural speech, or else leave them in and take a chance that they would emerge from the sound track sounding more like a cat-fight than polite conversation. — Casey Robinson "U" Rushes Morro Scoop to Havana While other newsreels were rushing to make scoops in New York, Chicago and the coast with pictures of the Morro Castle fire, Universal Newsreel chartered a plane and rushed prints to Havana, where 10 theaters are showing the scenes of the tragedy. Nate Manheim, "U" export manager, was responsible for the Havana idea. Hollywood Exchanges Adds to Sales Staff As a result of closing the Loew circuit deal for the entire Liberty product, Jack Bellman of the Hollywood Film Exchanges has increased his sales staff in Buffalo, Washington and Philadelphia offices. Frank Loftus, "Chief" Powell and Ray Smith have been assigned to work under John Golder, out of Philadelphia. Bert Freese has been added to George H. Moeser's Buffalo organization, and an additional salesman has joined the Washington office, managed by Nat P. Fleischer. Detroit News Detroit — Max Blumenthal, owner of the Film Exchange Projection Room, plans a 250-seat auditorium in place of the present small room. Carl H. Shalit, Columbia branch manager, is back from New York. Chester J. Williams, operator of the Zellah, Highland Park, is running for Wayne County treasurer. B. A. Morthorst has resigned from the Klatt circuit and is leaving for Indiana, where he plans to get a house of his own. The State, just reopened with Asher B. Shaw as manager, is go ing from singles to a dual bill policy. Joseph La Rose, manager of the Eastown, drew 6,000 entries from kids for a Betty Boop party as a Saturday matinee. He is repeating the stunt with a Shirley Temple party. J. G. Portell is remodeling the Virginia Park Theater. Ernest E. Forbes has opened a new theater supply house in the Film Exchange. Shamrock Film Exchanges is opening an office in the Film Exchange with Louis A. Osrin in charge. Morris Dudelson, U. A. branch manager, is mourning the death of his father. Nebraska Theater Changes Omaha — Recent theater changes in this area include: Uptown, Omaaa, acquired by Avon Theater Corp. irom R. D. Goldberg; Dean, York, now operated by Ross Lobart; Orleans, Orleans, now operated by F. \V. Anderson; Bancroft, Bancroft, formerly the Owl, reopened and now managed by Mrs. Charlotte Ripp. Discuss Non-Theatrical Plans Detroit — Plans for a new national combination of non-theatrical exhibitors and interests were discussed this week by Dr. David G. Latshaw, religious and youth organization figure, and Alban J. Norris of Michigan Film Library. La. Units Won't Join Court Fight on Music New Orleans — Neither Gulf States Theater Owners' Ass'n nor Allied Theater Owners of Louisiana will take part or contribute in the proposed exhibitor court case against Ascap, it is learned. Allied Secretary Henry Lazarus pointed out it would be difficult to raise funds, while G. S. T. 0. A. President H. S. McLeod said his organization would have nothing to do with the court case now but would be ready about January to join and contribute to any reputable organized movement to carry the exhibitors' cause to Congress. Para. Stage Shows Out for Good Stage shows have been definitely abandoned by the New York Paramount, which has consequently reduced its overhead by approximately $5,300 per week. Estimate is made that the deluxer has been spending an average of $4,000 weekly for stage talent. Balance of the economy is represented by salaries of producers and their staffs. Producers to sever their connection with the theater are Clark Robinson, Danny Dare, Robert Alton and Leo Morgan. Amkino to Show Documentary Film Amkino will hold two invitation showings at the local Soviet consulate on Sept. 27 and 28 of "Chelyuskin," a documentary record of the Soviet expedition to find a northern sea route. Episcopal History in Film A picture depicting the history of the church in this country will be shown at the triennial General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, opening Oct. 10 in Atlantic City. The picture has been in preparation for nearly a year. After the Atlantic City showing, it will be made available for diocesan heads throughout the country for exhibition in churches. New House for Bogota Bogota, Colombia — A local architect is drawing plans for a 990-seat movie house on which construction is expected to start in two months. Vaude Pickup in New England Boston — A pickup in vaudeville exceeding seasonal proportions is seen by Lou Golden, head of one of the large booking offices in this section. Rumanian Producing Company Bucharest — Filmul Romanesc (Rumanian Film) was formed recently with the object of producing pictures. EXPLOITETTBI "Drummond" Gets Big New York Play 'T'HE local premiere of "Bui dog Drummond StrikJ Back", was ushered in at m Rivoli, N. Y. City, with I outstanding exploitation can paign. The highlight of the can paign was a tie-up arrange with the American Kennel Clii Prizes were offered for the bsregistered bulldogs in all clas es. This stunt resulted considerable newspaper publi ity and newsreel coveraf Fashion and book tie-ups, wl attractive window displays w«r arranged with R. H. Macy ' Co. Each window contained i assortment of 8 x 10 stills at attractive cut-outs with ■ proximate cards mentioning t theater's playdate. Fifty sp cial window card cut-outs wfi] placed throughout the Tinrj Square district. Ten thou.ianovelty finger-print thro' aways were distributed at t theater a few days before 1 opening and to every pers returning the novelty with th finger-prints was given an 8 10 still of Ronald Colman tie-up with Postal Telegra resulted in the distributr with each message, of 50,1 tie-up cards suggesting the of Postal Telegraph service "Bulldog Drummond" at tha ' voli for motion picture enf " tainment. Rivoli, N. Y. Tie-Ups Help Push Over "Cellini" A SERIES of tie-ups among the highlights o: exploitation campaign arra: by Cecil Vogel, Loew's city ager in Memphis, for the o ing of "The Affairs of Cell; at the Palace theater. Anf his tie-ups, Vogel secured cooperation of the local trc company for 100 cards on H. dashboards; Greyhound bli used special cards in their hides and at all of their minals; a Lux soap tie-up suited in 150 local store disp] on Fay Wray, and 3,000 < knob hangers were placed all parked autos. Additii tie-ups were put over with I erty Magazine" for the dli bution of 3,000 dodgers pll> in their issues; "Romance IV azine" got out 150 special ] 22 cards which were placec all newsstands and the News Co., distributors of n<i papers and magazines, special banners on all trucks announcing the opei — Palace, Memphis, 7