The Film Daily (1936)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought -1FDAILY' The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Seventeen Years Old VOL. 69. NO. 73 NEW YORK, FRIDAY. MARCH 27, 1936 TEN CENTS Expect Resumption of Attacks on Erpi and W. E. HURLS BLOCK-BOOKING CHARGE AT ALUED CHIEFS Indies Move to Intervene in K. C. Zoning Plan Action Library The . . . and the screen = By JACK ALICOATE = THERE is a constructive movement throughout the country that is silently but steadily gaining momentum. We refer to the hundreds of public libraries throughout the United States taking an active interest in motion pictures as shown at local theaters. For instance, in Denver, when a production based upon printed literature is shown, the book is publicized and stills posted by the Denver Public Library. The Brooklyn Library constantly uses its bulletin board to list books from which motion pictures are made. Bookmarks on current films are regularly issued by the Tulane County Library in California. The School of Library Science of the Louisiana State University includes a complete discussion of films in its training of librarians and the Saskatoon Public Library issues weekly a special motion picture bulletin. These are but detached instances of what is happening all over the country today. It is important alike to producers, distributors and exhibitors. Theater owners who do not work in close and enthusiastic cooperation with their local public libraries are overlooking one of the finest and most substantial of prestige-building affiliations. IT sounds like a fairy tale but a casual glance in the general direction of 1936 production schedules forces one to the startling observation that practically every major company is not only up to but ahead of schedule. Further, believe it or not, when the present season reaches its fadeout, the number of announced pictures actually produced and placed upon display will exceed that of any year since sound made its bow. Looking back on the past season there was probably never a like period in the history of the screen when so many fine and really worthwhile films were available to the public. And this, too, in the face of no inconsiderable turmoil and transformation on several big lots. Even its most violent critics, both within and without, must admit that the industry is keeping faith both with its own and the millions of picture fans throughout the world. New Group Would Exempt Schedules If Stay is Granted Kansas City — Independent exhibitors controlling eight local theaters have moved to prevent changes in the Kansas City clearance and zoning schedule, now in effect, as regards their houses. In a petition for intervention, they request the Federal Court to except from operation and effect of any injunction or judgment their contractural rights (Continued on Page 4) 24 COLOR FEATURES PLANNED IN ENGLAND London (By Cable) — Twenty-four features will be made at the Technicolor studios under contract signed with six companies, according to a statement by Kay Harrison, managing director of the company. The (Continued on Page 4) Reply to Stockholders Suit Made By Warners Reiterating its contention that radio must pay music composers and publishers "a fair compensation" for numbers broadcast, a spokesman for (Continued on Page 2) Hoover Lauds Pix Aid Wash. Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — "Respect and cooperation of the public with law enforcement officers was materially advanced" by motion pictures, described as "a most important factor" in the matter, says J. Edgar Hoover, head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in a letter to Charles C. Pettijohn which the Hays office general counsel filed yesterday with the Senate Foreign and Domestic Commerce sub-committee at its hearing on the Pettengill anti-block booking bill. MUSIC PUBLISHERS ATTACK DUFFY BILL By GEORGE W. MEHRTENS FILM DAILY Staff Correspondent Washington — Representatives of the music publishing field, armed with briefs and testimony marshaled together in an attempt to fight entrance into the Berne convention, and the right-to-produce-and-exhibit (Continued on Page 4) Tri-State Convention At Memphis April 5-6 Annual convention of the TriState exhibitor organization is planned for April 5 and 6 at the Hotel Chisca, Memphis. M. A. Lightman is president of the organization. See Resumption of Attacks On Erpi, W. E. On Tuesday Three Changes Effected in W. E., Erpi Personnel Switches being effected in the personnel of Western Electric and Electrical Research Products, Inc., are as follows: V. B. Coster, former manager of Western Electric in Argentina, arrived in New York yesterday to assume a supervisory ca (Continued on Page 9) By ROBERT CHARLES LUNCH FILM DAILY Staff Correspondent Washington — Samuel Becker, special counsel, is expected to resume his attack on Electrical Research Products and Western Electric when the hearing on A. T. & T. is reconvened Tuesday morning by the Fed(Continued on Page 9) The Showman's Manual (part of the Year Book) contains more valuable showman's material than published anywhere else. — Advt. Pettijohn Points to Old Tiffany Franchise as Specimen Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Charges that three Allied proponents of the Pettengill bill outlawing block booking and blind buying have themselves sponsored block booking were hurled into the Committee on Foreign and Interstate Commerce sub-committee hearing, during session yesterday when Charles C. Pettijohn, Hays association general counsel, declared that Abram F. Myers, H. M. Richey and H. A. Cole had tried to sell the Tiffany franchise in 1929. Describing the franchise as the "block-bookingest" and "blind-buyingest" film contract that was ever written by anybody, Pettijohn as (Continued on Page 8) POWER RESUMPTION REOPENS PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh — All undamaged theaters here and throughout Allegheny County were given power to reopen yesterday afternoon, following eight days of inactivity due (Continued on Page 9) Loew Assets Totalled $43,392,304 on Nov. 21 Current assets, including $6,906,522 cash and U. S. Government securities, amounted to $43,392,304 as of Nov. 21, it is indicated by a state (Continued on Page 9) Golder Seeks Data Philadelphia — Soliciting cooperation and material for anti-trust prosecution, ex-Congressman Ben Golder yesterday promised all information would be held in strictest confidence. Golder was given the status of "friend of the court" by Judge George Welsh of the U. S. District Court, wheh he started investigating alleged violations of the Federal anti-trust laws.