The Film Daily (1935)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought VOL. 68, NO. 123 The Daily Newspai Of Motion Picturt Now Seventeen Years C UP NEW YORK. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23. 1935 TEN CENTS Swope Says KAOis Unaffected by New RKO Setup ZONING PROBLEM TO BETAKEN UP AT WASHf CONFAB Paramount Starting Nine Productions in Next 2 Weeks 2 Walter Wanger Pictures Among Group Getting Under Way Soon West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — A total of 25 stars and featured players have been notified to report for work at Paramount and Walter Wanger studios for nine features that are to go in work within the next two weeks. The number does not include those not already at work or in the casts of the films now editing under the new production program which Ernst Lubitsch, managing director of pro (Continued on Page 3) ELLIMAN ORGANIZING EXCHANGES IN WEST Chicago — Henri Elliman announces he will organize a system of exchanges west of Chicago. The project will be financed by a group of Chicago capitalists, it is stated. New Orleans Indies Cold To Voluntary Code Plans New Orleans — Ed Kuykendall's visit here this week, said to have been for the purpose of conferring with exhibitor leaders about an industry self-regulation plan, evoked little response from the independents. Allied leaders declared in advance that they woud have no part in confabs for a code, as they believed it would not help the indies. After two days here, the M.P.T.O.A. president left for his home in Columbus, Miss. Permanent Rogers Fund National circuits have agreed to annually aid the permanent Will Rogers Memorial Fund, which will sponsor a hospital at Saranac Lake, N. Y. Campaigns will be staged each year to raise $100,000 for maintenance purposes. Sues to Restrain Atlas-Paramount Underwriting Asserting that the action of the Atlas Corp. in agreeing to underwrite the $6,416,000 of Paramount second preferred stock was "a naked gamble," William F. Walsh, attorney, has filed suit in the Supreme Court to restrain Atlas from paying out any moneys in connection with the underwriting and asking appointment of a receiver for Atlas. Walsh charges that the Atlas deal to underwrite the Paramount stock was a furtherance of the ambition of Floyd B. Odium, president of Atlas Corp., to obtain a position of influence in the motion picture industry in general. RULES AGAINST AT&T IN VOGAFILM ACTION Stating that the Amer. Tel. & Tel., Western Electric and Erpi were seeking to turn the $65,000,000 Vocafilm suit against them into a vast patent infringement action and at the same time avoid paying $10,000 to Vocafilm to defend such charges {Continued on Page 7) Capitol Theater in Tieup With Thanksgiving Parade First direct theater tieup with Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which has become a big annual event, has been effected by the Loew organization. Arrangements were completed by Oscar A. Doob, the circuit's publicity director, for the Loew Cadet Band of 200 boys to head the parade. In addition a huge balloon in the likeness of Harpo Marx, held down by a whole regiment of Chicos, (Continued on Page 2) GOWDIN IS OFFERING INTEREST IN OPTION Standard Capital Co., which has a three-month option on Universal, is understood to have approached a number of important film executives concerning buying an interest in its proposition. The J. Cheever Cowdin firm is now studying the company's setup and books. As yet no completion date is in sight as regards this examination, it was stated yesterday in New York. Robert Menches Resigns As Head of Akron Ass'n Akron, O. — Robert Menches has tendered his resignation as president of the Akron Exhibitors Ass'n, a post he has held for the past six years. Menches is managing director of the Liberty Theater, deluxe neighborhood house. K A O to Show Profit This Year, Declares Herbert Bayard Swope Para. Production Confab In New York Next Month Conferences on Paramount production matters will be held in New York shortly after Dec. 3 between John E. Otterson, president; Ernst Lubitsch and Watterson Rothacker. Lubitsch, Rothacker, Chandler Sprague and Bill Pine will visit New York after attending the Chicago sales meeting which opens Dec. 1. In a statement yesterday to the staff of Keith-Albee-Orpheum, Herbert Bayard Swope, chairman of the board of directors said that the company "is untouched by the reorganization under way in RKO", that "those who do their work well need have no fears" and that KAO is moving forward and will earn profits this year after several years of heavy losses. Swope explained that he was is (Continued on Page 3) Conference Called by Maj. Berry Will Seek to Solve Clearance By GEORGE W. MEHRTENS FILM DAILY Staff Correspondent Washington — First question to come up for consideration from the film industry when Major Berry holds his conference of industry here starting Dec. 9 will undoubtedly be that of clearance and zoning, The Film Daily learned from reliable sources yesterday. It is understood that an attempt will be made to work out a standard schedule which will at the same time be flexible enough for operation in given areas. In the past, it is stated, schedules (Continued on Page 7) CHICAGO BIZ UP 25% SAYS JOHN BALABAN John Balaban yesterday said that Chicago theater business, according to his experience, is approximately 25 per cent improved over a comparative period last year. About 240 out of 300 houses in the locality are now using "Bank Night", he stated, exceptions being houses in the Loop. William M. Shirley Joins Jacob Schreiber Circuit Detroit — William M. Shirley of Schenectady, N. Y., has joined the Jacob Schreiber circuit. Some reports have it that Shirley has taken a financial interest in the Schreiber organization, but neither of the interested parties will confirm this. Meanwhile employees have received two-week notices. Modern Miracle Found: a circuit operator who doesn't use double features or giveaways. Ike Libson of Cincinnati is the man, who, furthermore, reports that business throughout his houses Is good.