The Film Daily (1934)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Sixteen Years Old VOL. LXVI. NO. 81 new rocr, fciDAy, cctcbec 5, 193* <5 CENT* Organization is Formed to Finance 'Moral' Films STATE COURT RULING UPSETS FILM CONTRACTS B. I. P. Gaumont British Deal Declared Definitely Off N ewsreels . . . get new lease on life = By DON CARLE GILLETTE — A REVIVAL of interest in the newsreel ** is taking place this week with the debut of Edwin C. Hill as commentator for Hearst Metrotone News and Lowell Thomas for Fox Movietone News. In their new dress, Metrotone and Movietone exemplify trends that should eventually make newsreels different I enough from each other to assure movie {fans that they can go to several theaters i weekly without having to sit through the same topical matter in each of the reels. Personality and individuality are the new aims in the newsreel field, and the competition for supremacy along those lines is I going to be keen and constructive. /"\F THE two new setups unfurled this ^■^week, Fox Movietone with Lowell Thomas is the most cclorful and varied. Hearst Metrotone with Edwin C. Hill sticks fairly close to former custom in the compilation of its subject matter, relying upon Hill's vibrant voice and editorial interpretation to give the reel its distinguishing mark. But Movietone, longer than usual, presents almost a complete newspaper, starting with a limited number of the leading news highlights and embracing departmentalized clips on fashion, sport, personals, an interview and even a bit of a travelogue. 'It would not be at all surprising to see the reel eventually topped off with an animated cartoon. THERE is just one danger in the situa' tion, and that is the possibility of overdoing the editorializing and moralizing aspects. Illuminating comments, especially when voiced by erudite students of affairs, are bound to prove interesting to millions of persons, but the foundation of a newsreel will always be its pictures. Merger of Big British Organizations Fails To Materialize London — After weeks of negotiations, the deal whereby GaumontBritish would become affiliated with John Maxwell's British International Pictures and Associated British Cinemas is regarded as definitely off. Official announcement of "no deal" was made yesterday by G-B officials. DUAL BILLS AND VAUDE GAIN IN MILWAUKEE Milwaukee — Twin bills and vaudeville are making a strong comeback here. Saxe has announced stage attractions in addition to films for its Uptown every Monday and Tuesday, while George Fischer's Milwaukee has {Continued on Page 4) Columbia to Distribute 30 Features in Europe Columbia plans to distribute about 30 features from its 1934-35 lineup in continental Europe and will sell its entire program in England, said Joseph H. Seidelman, in charge of foreign distribution, upon his arrival in New York yesterday on the {Continued on Page 4) Exhibs Aid Housing Move Wash. Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Exhibitors are responding enthusiastically to the Federal Housing Administration's call for cooperation in putting over the Better Housing Programs in communities, the Administration states. One theater owner, Fredric Leopold of the Locust Theater, Philadelphia, prepared a sample trailer which he suggested for distribution to exhibitors. A number of theaters already also have obtained improvement loans. 30 OF FOX LINEUP READY IN NOVEMBER By Nov. 19, the Fox studio at the Coast will have delivered negatives of more than 30 pictures, according to Winfield R. Sheehan, who leaves New York within a few days on his return to Hollywood, following a European trip. Shee(Continued on Page 11) Fox Release Schedule Is Set Up to January Fox feature release dates are now set to January. Schedule is as follows: today, "Caravan," Oct. 12, "365 Nights in Hollywood"; Oct. 19, "Peck's Bad Boy"; Oct. 26, "Marie Galante"; Nov. 2, "Music in the Air" and "Gambling"; Nov. 9 "Elinor Norton"; Nov. 16, "Hell in the Heavens"; Nov. 23, "24 Hours (Continued on Page 4) Motion Picture Foundation Will Sponsor Family Bills NRA to Hear Appeal Against Aug. 23 Ruling Detroit — Appeal of Lew Wisper and Frank Wetsman against the NRA ruling that employees in theaters on Aug. 23, 1933, cannot be discharged without being replaced is scheduled for hearing by the NRA in Washington on Saturday. Creation of the Motion Picture Foundation of the U. S. A., a nonprofit agency to sponsor and financially assist in the production of motion pictures of high moral tone, was announced yesterday. The Foundation, incorporated in the State of New York, has its headquarters at 247 Park Avenue, with (Continued on Page 11) Arbitration of Contract Made in '33 Ordered By State Court Buffalo — What is hailed here as an unusually important decision to the industry in New York State was handed down by Justice John V. Maloney in Supreme Court here when he granted an order for a motion calling for arbitration of a dispute over an exhibition conr tract made in October, 1933. Counsel for the exhibitor contended that the state censorship law made the contract unlawful and r>f no force and effect because the films referred to in it had not yet (Continued on Page 4) DATE OF PATHE MEET TO BE SET MONDAY Dale for the extraordinary meeting of Pathe Exchange stockholders will be set Monday by the Supreme Court acting on the application of the Pathe attorneys. The petition requests calling of the meeting under Section 52 of the New York State Corporation Laws which permits two-thirds of the stock repre (Continucd on Pane 4) Denver City Council Lifts Giveaway Ban Denver — By a vote of five to four the city council has removed the city ban on giveaways in theaters. The city clamped down on them recently as an aftermath of a drive on gambling by the daily papers. At the same time it was discovered that giveaways of any sort were (Continued on Page 4) Film Carriers Adopt Insignia Detroit — A sticker showing membership, as well as a uniform color, olive green, and lettering for member trucks throughout the country were adopted by the National Film Carriers at their convention here this week