Inside facts of stage and screen (May 24, 1930)

ESTABLISHED 1924 EDITED BY JACK JOSEPHS Vol. XI Entered as Second Class Matter, April 29, 1927, at Post- office, Los Angeles, Calif., under Act of March 3, 1879. Saturday, May 24, 1930 Published Every Saturday at 800-801 Warner Bros. Down- town Building, 401 West Seventh St., Los Angeles, Calif. No. 21 DATES SET FOR OPENING OF PAR. STAGE SHOWS LUCILLE PAGE Starring in Fanchon and Marcos “Goodfellows” Idea. At the New Fox Theatre, San Francisco, This Week ZONING MEET ■GS PEACE DU 4 POUTS The most significant meeting of the film and stage industry has just been brought to a satisfactory close in Los Angeles. Apparently local in scope, it was recognized of such far reaching im- portance that an observer was sent out from New York to take a sil- ent part in the deliberations and keep a watchful finger on the pulses of the delegates of the vari- ous factions represented. The results achieved are: 1. Confirmation of the fact that the film industry is reconciled to the idea that pictures alone will not profitably support class houses. Supplementary in-person entertain- ment must be provided. 2. Demonstration that peace be- tween the exhibitors and the pro- ducers and distributors can be ob- tained and maintained. This meet- ing, the first of a series through- out the nation, is to be the basis of a rapprochement between the Hays organization and the Allied States, and proof positive that there are no problems between the two interests that cannot be amic- ably settled. Zoning Problem 3. Recognition of the indepen- dent exhibitor as a factor in the industry, a source of profit and a real influence. During the last ten days a se- ries of private meetings have been held which have settled many prob- lems of zoning and protection which were formerly vexatious to the independent theatre owners and operators. It was feared that in addition to many zoning abuses claimed, a greater protection would be de- manded by the class houses be- cause of the steady loss of busi- ness to second run theatres, where the public was able to obtain the identical entertainment of the class house at a considerably lower tariff by merely waiting a few weeks. It was believed that the theatre chains would desire to hold off on the stage production busi- ness as long as possible and would exert their influence as picture pro- ducers to arbitrarily impose greater release date restrictions, (Continued on Page 3) SAN FRANCISCO, May 22.— W. B. Wagnon has dolled up the front of his Divies, installing a flashing Neon sign and a new Neon marquee. PLANS “LADY FINGERS” George Holland, manager with the “June Moon” Company, may put on “Lady Fingers,” in the role of producer. Joseph Cawthorn has been as- signed a role in Victor Herbert’s operetta, “Babes In Toyland,”. which will be filmed by Radio Pic- tures. SHIFTS MADE IN LINEUP HE PUBLimECS SAN FRANCISCO, , May , 22.— In line with 'Paramo'unt-Publix’s recently announced expansion plans, Pacific Coast executive ranks of the Paramount - Publix chain this week went through an extensive realignment. At the same time inauguration date for stage shows in three coast houses was definitely set. It has been announced that: Ralph E. Crabill, director of the Western and Pacific Coast di- visions of Publix in charge of everything west of Kansas, will be at the _ head of reorganization and expansion for the Paramount-Pub- lix chain. C. C. Perry succeeds Crabill. The entire Western division is being split up into two parties: the Pacific Coast, Idaho and Utah will form the new division under the management of Harry David. The states of Colorado and Wyo- ming will be managed by Clare Woods, with C. C. Perry captain- ing both divisions in the position formerly held by Crabill. Kurtzman Leaving Charles Kurtzman leaves Publix to take an unannounced executive position. Ed Smith, former Min- neapolis division manager, will henceforth be in charge of the Coast division. Bob Blair remains head of Publix in the Northwest. It is rumored that Herman Wobber will retire as a Western supervisor in charge of distribution but will remain on the board of directors. He is interested finan- cially in Paramount-Publix. In regard to stage shows.' A production department, with Harry Gourfain in charge, has been estab- lished in San Francisco and stage shows open May 29 at the local Paramount; June 7 in Portland, and June 14 in Seattle. Date of the initial stage show in a Publix, Los Angeles, house has not yet been set. Gourfain is assembling a production staff which he will announce later. M. C. Assignments The Paramount will have A1 Mitchell as master-of-ceremonies, bringing him from the East where he m. c.’d in some of Publix’s ace houses. Don George will conduct (Continued on Page 3)