Hollywood Filmograph (Jun-Aug 1929)

MAYBE I SHOULDN'T HA VE MENTIONED IT SAYS AL SHERMAN WATCH THIS BUMOBt There's a consistent rumor that one of the largest of the theatrical producers here in town is now negotiating to turn all his theatres outside of New York into motion picture houses, intending to play the pictures shortly to be produced by another combine of former legitimate theatrical producers. The report, it is said, will cause an upheaval in stage and picture circles and may have a distinct bearing on the present uncertain Equity situation that will tend to a "showdown" in almost double-quick time. '•&* v* v* EAST SIDE RIVALRY Here's a series of coincidences affecting Jennie Goldstein, pride of Max Gabel and popular Yiddish tragedienne, and Molly Picon, the idol of Second avenue and favorite Yiddish comedienne. . . . Molly signs for a few weeks in R-K-O vaudeville. . . . Ditto Jennie. . . . Molly signs for a talike. . . . Ditto Jennie, or soon, anyway. . . . Molly hires a press agent. . .. Ditto Jennie. . . . Jennie takes dancing lessons. . . . Ditto Molly. . . . Jennie packs 'em in. . . . Ditto Molly. . . . ^» ^» ^» STOCK MORS. SCORN SEX The Theatrical Stock Managers met this week and they're giving the prevailing mode for "dirt" on Broadway a real first-class and honest-toGawd panning. In fact, they're attributing every ill, including talkies, to the sex shows on the Sinful Street and some of the managers, while in conclave, declared that they'll call it quits and go back to the haberdashery business if business doesn't pick up. So far, out of all of Broadway's offerings, the only plays that seem to click with the pure-minded more than forty-five minutes away from sin are "Skidding" and "Jonesy." The chattering chintypes are also causing the stock managers several headaches, but they feel that it will only be a matter of time before audiences will be back again eager to watch flesh-and-blood performers instead of shimmering shadows. And, personally, the wise stock manager who follows up a talkie with the right play, stands a very good chance of overcoming the talking picture bugaboo. As for sex dramas, "My Gawd, Maggie," exclaimed Charles Blaney, peer of them all, " 'Rain's' a flop in stock, but you should see how 'Not Tonight, Dearie' gets over!" &5* &?* ^w Harry Lee Here Harry Lee, who has appeared in three Paramount all-talkers, made at the Long Island Studios, is now in Hollywood for the first time in 19 years. NEW YORK SECTION HOLLYWOOD ilmograph NEW YORK OFFICE— 236 WEST 44TH STREET— ROOM 903 Shubert Claims Talkers Will Help Stage Talkie Patent War Still On Western Electric Line Up For New Suit Against Pacent; Also Attacking Patent Rights of Biophone Device NEW YORK, June 19.— The war of the talkie patents is still on. The second suit of Western Electric and Electrical Research Products against Pacent Reproducer Corporation has been dismissed in the Federal Court in Buffalo. The dismissal came about through an application by the plaintiffs to have the suit taken off the calendar. S. Wallerstein, owner of the Broadway Theatre in Buffalo, was the defendant in the suit, which charged violation of eight patents by him in the use of the Pacent Reproducer for the projection of sound pictures. This action followed four days after Judge Bondy in the Federal Court in New York had dismissed an action by the same two plaintiffs against the Pacent organization itself, based upon the same allegations. Martin W. Littleton, attorney for Pacent showed that Western Electric and Electrical Research Products had no ownership of the patents but had a non-exclusive license from the American Telegraph and Telephone Co. for their use, and therefore had no grounds for bringing a suit for infringement as they were not the legal owners. The following was issued by John E. Otterson president of Electrical Research Products, Inc., relative to the dismissal of the suit against Pacent. "At the time this suit was filed the patents involved were held in the name of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, and the Western Electric Company and Electrical Research Products, Inc., were licensees thereunder. The court, in dismissing this bill of complaint, held that it did not show that the two latter companies were, at that time, legally qualified to institute action for violation of these patents. "Since that time, however, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company has assigned to Western Electric Company and Electrical Research Products, Inc., the right to sue for all infringements, past and future, in this field. "Accordingly Western Electric Company and Electrical Research Products, Inc., have filed a new bill of complaint against the Pacent Electric Company and the Pacent Reproducer Corporation for infringements of patents. The suit in all details is identical with the one filed last April ex Labor Bulletin Favors Equity NEW YORK, June 19.— In its weekly bulletin addressed to editors of labor newspapers, the American Federation of Labor endorses the present action of Equity, and says: "As labor stood by Equity in 1919, so Equity can have every assistance from labor today." Several New York actors who have been offered producers' contracts to go to the coast for talking pictures reported at the Equity office that they had refused to sign, according to Alfred Harding of the actor organization. cept that the rights of the Western Electric and Electrical Research Products, Inc., to sue are fully set forth. "Eight patents are involved covering important features of the Western Electric Sound System of recording and reproducing sound with motion pictures. These patents were granted over a period of nine years from 1015 to 1924. "A similar new suit is also being brought against Sol Wallerstein of Buffalo as a user of the allegedly infringing Pacent equipment. "The situation does not affect a similar suit brought against the Stanley Company of America, as this suit was brought after the American Telephone and Telegraph Company had assigned to Western Electric Company and Electrical Research Products., Inc., the right to sue for patent infringements." Western Electric and E. R. P. I. have also started suit against the Biophone Company (a disc device of some small prominence), charging violation of sixteen patents. Statement from Biophone states that suit will be fought to a finish. 111 Summer Setting A pair of beach cottages have been erected on Warner Brothers auxiliary lot for Charlotte Greenwood and other members of the "So Long Letty" company now being directed by Lloyd Becan. The action of the farce takes place in large part in two adjoining beach cottages. Bigger, Better and Fewer Plays to Be Result NEW YORK, June 18.— J. J. Shubert of the Shubert enterprises has made the statement that the talkers will aid the stage instead of harming them. Shubert looks forward to seeing healthier conditions for the stage. More uniform playings, finer plays and fewer plays will be in force from now on. Shubert in his statement maintains that the talker is educating new groups to an appreciation of the stage; many who have seldom seen the legitimate performance are now flocking in to the legitimate houses. The stage, however, will have to produce the finer plays to attract audiences, since the movies will be playing to the greater masses their plays must have the more popular appeal, with the result that the producer of plays will have to be a keener individual and one having a greater appreciation of the true drama. The day of the small producer with the tiny bankroll, is over, according to Shubert. 111 Publix Acquires Half Interest in Marcus Theatre Chain NEW YORK, July 19.— Publix has acquired a one-half interest in the Marcus theatres in Utah and Idaho, through a deal announced this week. Complete operation of the Marcus theatres will be in the hands of the Publix by July. Louis Marcus will be retained in an advisory capacity and there will be no change in the present personnel of his theatres. Houses involved include four in Sait Lake, totaling 7000 seats; two in Ogden, totaling 3500 seats; one in Provo, ottaling 1300 seats; one in Boise, totaling 1200 seats, and one in Twin Falls with 500 seats. All of the Marcus theatres are equipped for talking pictures. 111 To Conduct Benefit Drive Beginning Saturday evening, and all-day Sunday, the local Jewish National Fund Council will conduct its 1 6th Annual Flower Day. The Board of Police Commissioners of Los Angeles has issued a permit to conduct a city wide sale of flowers throughout the streets of Los Angeles for this purpose.