The Film Daily (1936)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought -1PDAILY The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Seventeen Years Old VOL. 69. NO. 76 NEW YORK, TUESDAY. MARCH 31. 1936 TEN CENTS Trade Practice Confabs Starting Late Next Month SCREEN CAN STILL DEAL WJTH VITAL PROBLEMS-HAYS Over 1,000 Attend Dinner Tribute to George J. Schaefer N ewsreels . . and other things By JACK ALICOATE = THE modern newsreel is the most effective disseminator of dramatic news in the world. No number of printed words seem able to take its place in the reflecting of certain news events. The other day as we sat talking to genial Jack Connolly of Pathe News, while looking at some hail raising and unusual flood shots, we wondered how many exhibitors realize the ramifications of these alert newsreel outfits that supply the news of the world to the screens of the world. The preparation, extreme care and expense involved from shot to screen. The risks, taken as part of the game every day by daring cameramen, that the traditions of this colorful and legionary branch of the motion picture industry may carry on. The newsreel has finally reached that point where it is a "must" on every program. We know of folks who go to the movies to see nothing else. Its exploitation possib lities should never be overlooked. — • — CINEMATIC observation, outside of the metropolis, leads us to the rather definite conclusion that most theaters, particularly those in the middle brackets, are not keeping up in appearance with the product they are showing on their screens. We mean that many houses are now lacking in modern modishness, comforts and attire. About a year ago this industry put on its collective overalls, punched the time clock, and went back to work. It had a double job to do. To furnish wholesome, cheap amusement to its millions of fans and to make an occasional honest dollar for itself. Production has jumped back with a bang but theaters are standing still. Those wise in such matters tell us we are n for several years of good times. If that s so the showman who invites new patrons ind holds old ones is the one whose theater eflects all that is new and modern in comfort, appearance and convenience. -• A N exhibitor in a little town in the ^* South writes us that the political pow:rs that be have suggested uncomplimenary consequences if he does not allow {Continued on Page 2) Show Is Also the Highlight of Party Honoring U. A. Exec With the most impressive turnout undoubtedly in its annals, the motion picture industry paid tribute to George J. Schaefer when a dinner was given him last night at the Hotel Astor. More than 1,000 film men, including virtually all of the outstanding executives now in the East, were present at the generally {Continued on Page 5) ASCAP GROSS INCOME UP BY $1,129,899 Ascap's gross income for 1935 was $4,505,829, an increase of $1,129,899 over 1934, when $3,375,930 was paid into the society, according to an annual statement prepared by the society. After administrative {Continued on Page 4) Brandt, Bolignino Pool Three N. Y. Theaters Harry Brandt, in conjunction with Lawrence Bolignino, announced that they have pooled their interests in the Circle, Columbus and Park theaters. Brandt said yesterday that they intend to close the Columbus. Setting Releasing Deal David L. Loew, who has arrived in New York from the Coast, is working out distribution arrangements on the three Joe E. Brown pictures he is going to produce. He may confine his initial program to this group of features. COURT DENIES STAY ON K. G. ZONE PLAN Kansas City — A temporary injunction asked by Rolsky and seven other independent exhibitors to prevent operation of the Kansas City clearance and zoning plan has been denied by the Federal Court here on the grounds that the stay should not ,be issued except in a clear case. The judge, however, left open for further debate the question of whether the matter complained of is in in {Continued on Page 4) Lincoln Conspiracy Case Trial Set for April 27 Lincoln — Action of the State Theaters vs. Lincoln Theater Corp., J. H. Cooper, of New York, Bob Livingston, Lincoln, Fox, Universal, United Artists, Paramount, RKO, Warners and Metro for $444,000 damages, charging collusion and conspiracy, will come to trial April 27. Immediately after this trial will {Continued on Page 5) Confabs On Trade Practices To Begin Late Next Month Para. Closes Two-Year Fox Circuit Film Deal Paramount has closed a two-year product deal with the Fox theater circuit, operated by Skouras Brothers, Neil F. Agnew, general sales manager, announced yesterday. Buy covers 1936-37 and 19371938. Trade practice conferences between the M. P. T. O. A. and major distributors will begin in New York late next month. President Ed Kuykendall of the exhibitor organization has already informally discussed the matter with {Continued on Page 4) The 1936 Film Daily Year Book is now being distributed to all Film Daily subscribers. — Advt. President And All Other Officers Re-Elected At Annual Meet "The character of pictures produced during the current season demonstrates the ability of the screen to deal with vital subjects of the day, with strong dramatic scenes, with social problems and with all dramatic forms on which honest entertainment can be built," said Will H. Hays in his annual report submitted yesterday at the yearly meeting of his association in New York. "This is asserted, notwithstanding such artificial controversies as may (Continued on Page 4) LAEMMLE MAY RETURN TO PRODUCING LATER There is a possibility that Carl Laemmle will return to producing after his scheduled return in the Fall from a European trip on which he will sail June 24. Under his contract for the sale of Universal, however, Laemmle is restricted to the {Continued on Page 5) Stage Producers Insist On Contract Negotiations Contract committee of the League of N. Y. Theaters met yesterday and decided to hold no further conferences with the Dramatists' Guild on revision of its new basis agree (Continued on Page 4) It Wasn't a Gag West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Roy Del Ruth's winnings in the Irish Sweepstakes, about $500, will be awarded to an institution for crippled children. When the Twentieth Century-Fox director was first notified that his ticket represented money, he laughed it off as a gag perpetrated by Darryl Zanuck, who is a chronic kidder.