The Film Daily (1936)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought -IF DAILY The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Eighteen Years Old VOL. 70. NO. 27 NEW YORK, SATURDAY, AUGUST 1. 1936 TEN CENTS Grand National to Seek Tieup with B. I. P. in England A. W. SMITH RESIGNS FROM WARNER EXEC STAFF Big Building Program is Mapped by Butterfield Circuit New Houses, Rehabilitation of Present Houses Planned Detroit — An extensive building and rehabilitation program next fall and winter is planned by the Butterfield theater interests, it is disclosed by E. C. Beatty, president of the W. S. Butterfield Theaters and the Butterfield Michigan Theaters. In addition to theaters recently built in Alpena and Traverse City, and the leasing of the Whitney theater at Ann Arbor and the new Eastown Theater in Grand Rapids which is being built in conjunction with Allen Johnson of that city, Beatty announces the purchase of a site in Lansing for a new theater seating 1,800. A new house seating 700 will be built in Bay City, opening about Oct. 15. Another theater is to be built in Manistee. Plans for redecorating, reseating and general remodeling of theaters {Continued on Page 3) ASCAP GRANTS GRACE ON MUSIC IN CANADA Ascap is understood to have advised motion picture producers that no punitive action will be taken against Canadian theaters until October in the event that the society withdraws from Canada. Ascap's withdrawal would leave the theaters open to injunction suits for showing pictures with Ascap music. Warner Circuit Changes In Washington District By GEORGE W. MEHRTENS FILM 'DAILY Staff Correspondent Washington — John J. Payette, general zone manager for Warner Theaters, is making several managerial changes in the Washington houses, effective tomorrow. Continuing Warner's policy of promotions, Payette has elevated Maynard {Continued on Page 8) Hungary on Single Feature Basis Budapest— Motion picture theaters here are now required to show but one feature on a program, and that must not exceed 1,200 meters in length Twenty per cent of the pictures shown must be Hungarian productions. Permit for importing pictures allows producer of at least one native picture to import eight films. The producer of a postsynchronized picture may import three foreign films. Of the 124 pictures shown here since the first of the year, 58 were American, 28 German, 10 Austrian, nine French, eight Hungarian and seven British. Signing of 8 Writers Gives M-G-M New Record of 105 Writers on Roster West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Signing of eight scenarists in the last few days gives MG-M an all-time record of 105 writers currently on the studio roster. The newly acquired scribes are John Van Druten, Ernest Vajda, James K. McGuinness, Richard Schayer, Jo Swerling, Jane Murfin, Catherine Turney and Maj. William Joyce Co wen. The latter wrote "They Gave Him a Gun", just acquired by Metro as a Harry Rapf production. M-G-M also has given a new contract to Roy Del Ruth, who is directing Eleanor Powell in "Born to Dance", and to four players, Rosalind Russell, Virginia Grey of the New York stage, Talbot Jennings and Mary Phillips also of Broadway. National Screen Accessories Plans 8 Exchanges National Screen Accessories, affiliate of National Screen Service, plans to open eight exchanges in key spots throughout the country for the exclusive handling of its display products and trailers. Majority of the branch offices will occupy buildings put up specially for the accessory firm. Reciprocal Arrangement With B.I. P. Will Be Sought by Grand National Edward L. Alperson, Grand National president, who sails today for London, will endeavor to make a reciprocal distribution arrangement with British International Pictures and may also conclude an arrangement for production of several pictures at the B. I. P. studios, Film Daily learns. Grand National plans to produce in England in any case, it is understood. In the event that no deal is made with B. I. P., Alperson may seek to effect an arrangement with Twickenham Pictures. While abroad, Alperson will also arrange for continental distribution of Grand National product. Additions to G. N. Staff Russell Bell yesterday was appointed art director of Grand National by Ed Finney, publicity and advertising director. Bell was for (Continued on Page 8) Resignation of Smith from Warner Staff Effective Immediately Andrew W. Smith Jr., vice-president of Vitagraph Inc. and eastern and Canadian general sales manager for Warner-First National, has resigned, effective immediately. Formal announcement of his resignation is expected to be made by the company on Monday. Smith is understood to be planning a vacation in Europe before announcing his new plans. Gradwell Sears, also a vice-president of Vitagraph and general sales manager for the western and southern territories, is expected to be named distribution chief for the entire country. "Andy" Smith joined First Na{Continued on Page 3) FAMOUS PLAYERS, RKO END CANADIAN POOL Under a deal on which agreement is expected in the next few days, RKO will give up operation of the five Canadian theaters it has run jointly with Famous Players Canadian, which will take over sole control of the houses under a long-term contract. The houses are the Imperial, Mon(Continued on Page 8) 3 Regional Sales Meetings Are Set by Grand National Grand National Films will hold three regional sales meetings this month. The confabs have been tentatively dated as follows: Aug. 1011, New York; Aug. 13-14, Chicago, and Aug. 17-18, San Francisco. Carl Leserman, general sales manager; Edward Finney, advertising and publicity director, and other home executives will attend the conferences.