Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1929)

524 Motion Picture N ezvs Arbitration Hangs Fire In Indiana; Texas Exhibitors May Ask Award Injunction Indiana Body Will Put Question Up To Board; Situation Critical In Texas INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 8.— A test of strength between the Allied States Association and the Film Boards of Trade in Indiana was won temporarily at least by Allied, when, after a three hour session of a meeting called Aug. 2 by Charles C. Pettijohn, general counsel of the Hays organization, to persuade exhibitors to resume arbitration, they retired stating that the matter would be put up to their board of directors. Following the meeting, Pettijohn left for Chicago, where he expressed the opinion that he was confident the Indiana situation would work itself out to the satisfaction of all. With the exception of Minneapolis, he stated, arbitration is functioning in all of the key cities. The Indianapolis meeting was attended by approximately twenty exhibitors and all of the local exchange managers. Charles B. Metzger, general manager and attorney for the exhibitor organization, represented the exhibitors. Because of differences which could not be satisfactorily settled at the regular meetings and due to Allied 's instructions to members that they withdraw from arbitration proceedings, arbitration was suspended here four weeks ago. "Arbitration is done for," declared Frank Rembusch in a statement following the meeting. Dallas, August 8. — The arbitration situation in Texas devolped to the point where it is stated injunction proceedings will be instituted to prevent enforcement of awards made by the board of arbitration against exhibitors who were not named by the state exhibitor unit, according to Colonel H. A. Cole, head of the unit which has withdrawn from arbitration. Out of twenty-two cases heard, eight were filed by exhibitors against exchanges, with exhibitors winning most of * Hollywood Revue* N. Y. Premiere On Aug. 14 4 4fT^HE Hollywood Revue," initial I screen revue, will be premeried by M-G-M at the Aster Theatre, New York, on the evening of Wednesday, August 14. At this house it will succeed "The Broadway Melody," now in its twenty-sixth week. "The Hollywood Revue" features songs, dances, skits, tableaux and blackouts. It contains more than a score of stars in its cast. More than 1,.500 persons were involved in its making, it is said, and more than three million feet of film were photographed to obtain the final footage of 11,000 feet. Twenty original song numbers figure in the presentation. Three Theatres Drop Sound For Silents THREE theatres in the Philadelphia territory have recently abandoned the showing of sound pictures and gone back to silents. They are: Ralph Sobelson, of Bangor; S. Holtzman, at the Colonial Theatre, Millerburg, and P. Lemzelli, of the Grand Theatre, Williamstown, N. J. them. If deposit demands are made by the exchanges, the claims of exhibitors who declined arbitration are to be carried to the courts, it is stated. It is believed that the deposit system will be carried through to all exhibitors who do not abide by award decisions and it is also reported that the film board has engaged legal talent to oifer contest in even of injunction proceedings. In a test case of arbitration and the legality of the standard contract brought by M-G-M against W. R. Fairman, a former exhibitor of Bryan, Texas, the court disallowed the distributor's claims. Fairman contended that he never accepted arbitration for the reason that the board set-up was improperly made. He also charged conspiracy and that the standard contract was not legal under Texas law. M-G-M will appeal the case. The action was based on the alleged sub-renting, by Fairman, of films. Fairman contended that this was rcular practice and done with the knowledg.; of exchanges. Paramount had, with others, filed a like claim in this case but withdrew. Ben Rosenberg Is Columbia's 1st Circuit Sales Mgr. The new-created post of Circuit Sales Manager in the Columbia Pictures organization has been filled with the appointment this week of Ben Rosenberg. He will have under his immediate supervision all deals closed by Columbia with theatre chains throughout the country. ' His duties will take him to many parts of the country. His headquarters, however, will be in New York, where he now has taken up his new duties. Rosenberg, who has been connected with the fiilm business since 1914, comes to Columbia from Fox, where for the past four years he has been personal representative for James R. Grainger, and later district manager of the Pacific Coast and Intermountain States. 99 Garnett To Direct Richman In "The Song Of B'way Hollywood, Aug. 8. — Tay Garnett will direct Harry Richman in his musical film production. "The Song of Broadway" for United Artists. Western Penn. May Join Allied After Big Meeting Myers Speaks At Exhibitor Luncheon Impressing Local Organization Pittsburgh, Aug. 8. — At an enthusiastic luncheon meeting of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Western Pennsylvania held here on Tuesday, Abram F. Myers, head of the Allied States Association, appeared and made an address, speaking briefly of Allied activities. He did not urge the local body to join the Allied movement and throughout the greater part of his talk there was a plea to the exhibitors to cooperate with one another. He stated that the Allied States Association now had 1,600 members and that three additional state units were expected within its ranks within a short time. Myers was a distinct hit with the crowd, which was the best turnout that the local association has had in two years. Many of those present at the meeting gave as their opinion that Myers was working wonders for the interests of the independent exhibitors, and although there has been no definite action on the part of the body at present there is every likelihood that they will line up with the Myers movement. New Company Is Formed To Import European Talkies A new company, formed to exhibit European sound-on-disc and silent productions, has made its entrance in the United States and Canadian fields. It is the American General Film Co. The company has inaugurated its releasing schedule for the new season with two Viennese operettas, a European circus story and a detective story. The company has connection with leading motion picture producers in European countries. Dolores Del Rio's First All-Talkie "The Bad One" Dolores del Rio's first all-talking picture will be "The Bad One," from a story by John Farrow. The star will appear as a French cabaret singer. The locale is France. It is quite possible that Edwin Carewe will direct Miss del Rio, but no decision will be made until Carewe's return from Europe. Paramount Will Star Hal SkeUy In "The Show Off" Hollywood, Aug. 8. — Paramount will feature Hal Skelly in a talker film version of "The Show Off," New York stage play. Herman JMankiewicz is writing the adaptation and dialog.