Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1930)

September 27 , 19 SO Motion Picture News 33 Depression on The Toboggan In Pacific N. W. Seattle — In statements issued here, executives of the Pacific Northwest's four leading chain and independent theatre organizations were unanimous in their reports of improved business conditions, and all expressed optimism for the coming season. Earl L. Crabb, Pacific Northwest division manager of Fox West Coast Theatre, said: "Business is on the upgrade. The present depression is all mental in this territory, and with people now thinking that times are normal things are going to be all right. It is true that our theatres have been affected by the national depression, but at that I'd say business was only 10 or 15 per cent under 1929 so far this year, and it's better than 1928." Robert Blair, Pacific Northwest division chief for Paramount Publix, was even more optimistic. "During the last few weeks our business has been far better than it was at any time during the last season," he said. "It's about the same as it was last year at this time, and better than in 1928. Last spring, conditions in Portland were supposed to be nearer normalcy than in Seattle, and our Portland house outgrossed our Seattle business for 10 weeks consecutively. But Seattle has beaten Portland for the last three weeks, with the same attractions." Vic Gauntlett, director of advertising and publicity for John Hamrick's chain of houses in Seattle, Portland and Tacoma, said, "Sure, business is getting better. While it hasn't been as good as in 1928 or 1929, it is showing rapid signs of continued improvement." And Leroy V. Johnson, general manager of Jensen & VonHerberg's string of downtown and suburban houses in this territory, remarked: "Business has been good with us all year, far above former averages. And it's improving now. We look for a very strong fall and winter season." Rearranges Seattle Band Seattle — Milt Franklin, former Seattle musician, is back here as master of ceremonies at the Paramount succeeding Paul Spor, who has been moved to a Publix house in Toledo. Franklin has entirely rearranged the stage band at the local house, replacing about 12 of the 14 musicians with younger players recruited from small dance bands. Franklin plays practically every instrument in the orchestra himself. Books Canadian Scenics Toronto — The series of 26 sound scenics recently produced by the Ontario government under the direction of G. M. Brownrigg has been booked by Regal Films, Ltd., largest distributor in the Dominion. They will shortly receive world distribution. Special French prints have been made also. Mellor with Technicolor Hollywood — Louis Mellor has been added to the staff of Technicolor's Coast plant. Mellor was formerly with the Bureau of Standards as a lens expert. Sound In Russia Moscow — The American firm, AudoCinema has contracted to provide technical assistance for the wiring of 1,000 motion picture theatres ih the Soviet Union for talking pictures in the next year. The firm also will assist in production of at least 50 sound pictures in the Soviet in the forthcoming year. Only one Moscow theatre has been wired for sound pictures so far. It has presented some inferior homemade sound films and a few musical pictures imported from America. Singapore Board Passes New Rules Singapore — Board of censors has established new rules for censoring pictures, in line with its plan to revise all regulations to cope with situations brought about by sound. A fee of $1 for censoring will be charged for original sound negatives. Without sound, the charge is 60 cents for every 100 ft., or part thereof. For censoring prints, the charge is 30 cents for sound and 20 cents per 100 ft. for silents. Where appeals are made, the following rules have been adopted: Upon appeal without approval of the censor board, a fee of $1 is levied, and unless the committee declares that the appeal has been substantially successful, a further fee of $10 per reel up to five reels and $5 per reel thereafter, will be levied. Upon appeal with the approval of the censors, the fee is $1, and unless the appeal is substantiated, a further flat fee of $10. First Run Reopens at Peg Winnipeg — After a general overhauling costing $50,000, the Metropolitan, one of the largest Famous Players houses in the Canadian West, has reopened under management of F. L. Willis. Under a new policy. the picture week will start on Monday and not on Saturday as before. Jones at K. C. Kansas City — C. M. "Red" Jones, formerly a salesman for Columbia, has been appointed assistant manager of the Universal branch here. Jones for several years was Educational manager in Kansas City and later was branch manager for Tiffanv. Oakie's "Big Shot" Hollywood — Jack Oakie's next for Paramount will be "The Big Shot." an original by Herman Mankiewicz. Eddie Sutherland will direct the production, which will be started about the middle of October. "U's" Foreign Language Plans Hollywood — At least one French and one German talker, and a series of Spanish versions will be made this year by Universal, which plans an even dozen foreign versions. Warner with Liberty Hollywood — H. B. Warner has signed with Liberty Prod, for two talkers, as yet unscheduled. "Beam Mike;' New RKO Invention, Sound Selector Hollywood — An ear that hears only as much as it wants to is a recent development of the RKO Radio Pictures sound department. Known as a "beam" microphone, it was developed under the supervision of Carl Dreher, director of the RKO sound department, and is playing an important part in the recording of "Cimarron," starring Richard Dix. Unlike the ordinary microphone, the "beam" mike is particularly directional, RKO says. A parabola, something akin to the reflecting surface of an automobile headlight, only five or six feet in diameter, serves as a collector of the sound. Facing the center of this parabola is the usual microphone. Only such sounds as strike the parabola, or reflecting surface, and, rebounding, hit the microphone disc, are picked up and recorded. Regardless of the amount of noise in a vicinity, it is said, the "beam" microphone picks up substantially only that within the area at which it is pointed. First Used in War Something similar to the "beam" microphone was used in the World War to detect the presence of enemy planes. Later forms of the device were developed by RCA and its associated companies. The concave reflecting surface, while detecting only sounds that reach it at a certain angle, intensifies those sounds. Thus, in making long shots, the microphone can stay out of camera lines and still "hear" dialogue a considerable distance away. The "beam" microphone, was first used by RKO Radio Pictures to record "Danger Lights," in which much dialogue took place in railroad shops and around locomotives and moving trains. Because of characteristics that make it possible to blanket out practically all unwanted sounds, it is being used by RKO Radio Pictures for scenes having large groups of players in movement. Sono Art Completes Film Hollywood — Sono Art has completed production of "Rogue of the Rio Grande," which features Myrna Loy, Raymond Hatton and Joe Bohr, Spencer Gordon Bennett directed. Fire Panic at N. Y. House Although no one was injured, 400 patrons attending the Windsor Theatre, Grand Street, New York, fled in panic when fire started in the projection room. Acquire Ohio Theatre Dover. O. — The State theatre, closed since last May, has been taken over by Messrs. Spidell and Hubrich. Seastrom in Sweden Stockholm — Victor Seastrom, former Hollywood director, is to produce and star in a feature for a local company.