Motion Picture Daily (Jun-Aug 1931)

Wednesday, August 12, 1931 MOTION PICTURE DAILY New Dubbing Process Held Foreign Boon (Continued from page 1) important in Hollywood today, saying it is one that very few know about or are discussing, but upon which to a large extent hangs the salvation of the picture industry. In addition to filling the demands of talker technique abroad, the new process is said to keep costs within limits necessarily set for foreign grosses. Johnston recites attempts made in the past to make successful versions and records the swing of the production wheel back to synchronization which was found to be the only solution. The reason, he says, is that foreign audiences want American stars and want them talking foreign languages, which they must talk so well that realism is not impaired. In the new process, voice doubles are selected for the tonal quality of their voices. Doubles must study the pictures and players and be able to speak not only to suit the dramatic action of the film, but also voice the personalities of the players. The process is to be available to all producers. It will introduce a decided ,economy and may even permit versions for countries heretofore out of the question. La Veillier formerly was technician for Rex Ingram and Meyer is the head of the Meyer Synchronization Service. A French dialogue film is being made with Laura LaPlante. Claude Allister and Harry Meyers. The first reel was projected several times for three voice doubles to acquaint them with the story and characterizations. Doubles were called Miss Green, Mr. Red and Mr. Black. Dialogue is preIpared carefully matching the lip movements in the English version. It then is written in longhand on a strip of positive films which also is projected for the three doubles. Words large and small indicate inflection and emphasis. Along the film edge, a black, red or green line gives the cues. The doubles can take the film home for rehearsals if necessary, needing only a small dynamo and light reflector for home projection. When rehearsals are satisfactory, synchronization is done with the mathematical exactness of the sprocket holes eliminating the human equation. The eflfect is startling, says Johnston, the observer seeing Meyers as a French and English actor, Allister steeped in Gallicism and LaPlante as a smiling, vivacious French wife. It is claimed that eight reel versions can be satisfactorily made in two days. Naturally American players must perfect themselves in elocution. Because they mouth their words better, stage players make it possible to match the ip movements more successfully in transcribing foreign words. There is every indication that once again Yankee ingenuity has successfully mastered another international film problem of no inconsiderable magnitude. "BUY RIGHT — BUT BUY NOV/" Ban Gang Films Elizabeth — Followmg conferences ivith the City Council, managers of the local theatres reached an ultiiiatum to ban gang films in tnis city. There is no slowing up to the "Buy Right — But Buy Now" movement. This is shown by the answer to it that is being recorded in the booking departments of all the producing companies. No movement in recent years has been productive of so much good both for the wise exhibitors and the producing companies. In the Warners-First National offices credit is given to the movement in stirring up more enterprise on the part of the big and little exhibitors than any other that has ever been instituted. In proof of this the Warners point to their own bookings which are now over 20% greater at this time than they were a year ago. In the last batch of contracts reaching the Warners-First National offices were the following bookings calling for the entire product of both producing companies. Connecticut Alhambra, Waterbury, Nicholas Mascoli; Capitol, Waterbury, A. E. Sirica, Sr. Florida Star, Newberry, Ira J. Carter, Jr. Georgia Strand, Elberton, Georgia Amusement Enterprises, Inc.; Strand, Athens, Georgia Amusement Enterprises Inc. Iowa Capitol, Ames, Central States Theatre Corp; Ritz, Chariton, Central States Theatre Corp.; Rialto, Burlington, Central States Theatre Corp.; King, Albia, Central States Theatre Corp.; Rialto, Boone, Central States Theatre Corp.; Casino, Sac City, G. R. Norman and M. J. Kulch; Auditorium, Mt. Pleasant, M. L. Dickson; Pastime, Magnoketa, Hippler and Peake; Royal, Panora, Lauver and Son; Colonial, Clarion, W. F. Smith; Rialto, Clarinda, Herman Fields. Maine New Lincoln, Lincoln, G. Erwin; Star, Bar Harbor, Star Theatre, Inc. Maryland Apollo, Baltimore, State Theatre Inc.; State Sanatorium, State Sanatorium, Maryland Tuberculosis Sanatorium; Mt. Wilson Sanatorium, Mt. Wilson, Maryland Tuberculosis Sanatorium; Sanatorium, Henryton, Maryland Tuberculosis Sanatorium. Massachusetts Suffolk. Holyoke, C. W. Rackliffe; Academy, Northampton, C. W. Rackliffe; Majestic, Holyoke, Majestic Theatre, Inc.; Strand, Rockland, Lee A. Rhodenizer; Park, Spencer, Park Theatre Co.; Central, East Boston, E. B. Central Square Theatrt Corp.; Strand, Haverhill, Pentucker Industrial Co. Nebraska Sun, Central City, C. T. Riggs; Minnis Lusa, Omaha, F. W. Houston; Rivoli, Seward, I. N. Kuhl. New Hampshire Notre Dame, Manchester, J. Anthony. North Carolina Carolina, Elizabeth City, Carolina Amusement Co. Oklahoma Broadway, Muskogee, Hugh'es-Franklin Theatres Inc. ; Aldrid^e, Oklahoma City, Breaux and Whitlow; Liberty, Durant, Hughes-Franklin Theatres Inc.; Palace, McAlester, HugTies-Franklin Theatres Inc. Oregon Bungalow, Wood Burn, T. Poorman; Orpheum. Baker, Baker Theatres Inc. Pennsylvania Susquehanna, Philadelphia, Norris Amusement Co.; Victoria, Mahanoy City, Chamberlain Amusement Enterprises, Inc.; Victoria, Lansford, Chamberlain Amusement Enterprises Inc.; Victoria, Mt. Carmel, ( hamberlain Amusement Enterprises Inc. South Carolina .Star. Piedmont, J. C. Harper; Carolina, Winnsboro, Boyd Brown. Texas Pines, Lufkin, P^ast Texas Theatres Inc.; -Strand, Orange. Jefferson Amusement Co. ; Paramount, IVIarshall. East Texas Theatres. Inc.; Strand. Port Arthur. Jefferson Amusement Co.; Oueen, Victory, PZast Tiffany is going after sales in a big way and is a strong advocate of the "Buy Right— But Buy Now" movement sponsored by Motion Picture Daily. Following are some recent deals : Alabama Lanette, Lartette; .Strand, Alexander City; American, Sylacauga; New Lyric Brockside; Famous or Champion, Birmingham. California Los Angeles, Los Angeles; New Lyceum, New Mission, New Filmore, San Francisco; Corning, Corning. District of Columbia Lincoln, Rosalia, Broadway, Washington. Florida Victory, Brocksville. Georgia Palace or Strarfd, Athens; Royal, Summerville; 81, Atlanta. Illinois Paulina, Royal, Alger Circuit (Princeton), States, Lincoln, Mid City^ Chicago; Harvard, Harvard; Opera House, Aledo; St. Clair and Liberty, E. St. Louis; Palace, Parfa; Liberty, Vandalia; Palace, Nahomis. Indiana Angola, Angola; Dixie, Evansville. Iowa Princess, Boone; Princess, Oskaloosa; Crystal and Amuzo, Muscatine; RoyalElite, Le Mars. Kansas Royal, Valley Falls. Louisiana Bailey Circuit, Bunkie; Ferryday; Oakdale; Winfield; Opelousas, Tallula; Cedar Grove, Cedar Grove; Strand, Alexander City. La. Maryland Hippodrome, Baltimore. Minnesota Strand-Nicholas, Fairmount; Triangle, Howard Lake; Happy Hour, Jasper; State, Jackson; Rex, Watertown. Missouri Regal, Elvins; Strand, St. Charles; Royal, Pacific; Star, Senate, Rivoli, O'Fallon, Baden and Excello, St. Louis. Nebraska Betrtiett, Auburn; Auditorium, Exeter. New York Rivoli, Syracuse; American, Canton. North Carolina Seabreeze, Beauport; Wades, Morehead; Masonic, New Bern; Strand, Monroe. Ohio New Rex, Steubenville; Alhambra. Canton; Harris, Findlay; Ohio-Majestic, Mansfield. South Carolina Lyrica, Honea Path. Texas E. Texas Theatres Circuit, Beaumont; Pt. Arthur; Orange; Nacogdoches; Jacksonville; Herfderson; Kilgore; Longview; Marshall. Virginia Capitol, Portsmouth; Olympic, Alexandria; Attucks-Regal, Norfolk; Manhattan, Norfolk; Rialto, Newport News. Wisconsin Star, Fudenick. Wyoming Crystal, So. Superior; Hanna. Hanna. "Star Witness" Strong Card at Winter Garden Texas Theatres Inc.; Palace, Henderson, East Texas Theatres Inc. ; Jefferson, Beaumont, Jefferson Amusement Co.; Progresso, San Antonio, Paul Garza; Grand, Electra. Grand Theatre Inc.; Obrero, San Antonio, Paul Garza; Strand Longview, East Texas Theatres Inc.; Strand, Kilgore, East Texas Theatres Inc.; Palace, Jacksonville, East Texas Theatres Inc., and Austin, Nacogdoches, East Texas Theatres Inc. Canada Opera House, Orilla, Moorehead and Filman; Capitol, Brampton, Moorehead and Filman; Royal, Toronto, Charles Bailey; Columbia. X'ictoria, B. C. H. Allen; Dauphin, Dauphin, Manitoba, Mrs. G. Peebles. Total $357^72 for 12 Theatres "The Star Witness," is showing real strength in its second week on Broadway after its big opening last week, "Politics" is holding up well at the Capitol, Broadway, and "An American Tragedy" is off to a good start at the Criterion. "The Star Witness," breaking in the heels of New York's baby massacre, was good for $44,969 in its ope,ning six days and this week is continuing its good draw. "Politics" boosted the Capitol to $78,280 last week and is holding up nicely this week. "Transatlantic" helped the Roxy to around $85,000, after its sharp dip on the return showing of "Sunny Side Up," which cut the gross to an estimated $39^800. "Honeymoon Lane" slipped at the Paramount to $46,200. Estimated takings for the week ending August 6. "A FREE SOUL" (M-G-M) ASTOR (1.120), 50c-$2, 9th week, 7 days. Gross: $12,688. "POLITICS" (M-G-M) CAPITOL (4,700), 35c-$1.50, 7 days. Stage show. Gross: $78,280. "AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY" (Para.) CRITERION (850)-50c-$2.00, 4 days. Gross: $10,700. EMBASSY (All Newsreel) EMBASSY (598), 25c, 7 days. Gross: $8,011. "THE PUBLIC DEFENDER" (Radio) MAYFAIR— (2,300), 40c-$l, 7 days. Ooss: $23,000. "HONEYMOON LANE" (Para.) PARAMOUNT— (3,700), 40c-$l, 7 days. Stage show. Gross: $46,200. "THE TRESPASSER" (U. A.) and "BULLDOG DRUMMOND" (U. A.) RIALTO— (1,904), 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $5,800. "THE SMILING LIEUTENANT" (Para.) RIVOLI— (2,103). 40c-$l, 3rd week, 7 days. Gross: $20,200. "TRANSATLANTIC" (Fox) ROXY— (6.200). 50c-$1.50, 8 days. Stage show. Gross: $85,000. "THE RECKLESS HOUR" (F. N.) STRAND— (3,000), 35c-$l, 7 days. Gross: $20,342. "THE IMMORTAL VAGABOND" (TcJkiiig Picture Epics) WARNERS— (1,490), 35c-75c, 7 days. Gross: $2,382. "THE STAR WITNESS" (Warners) WINTER GARDEN— (1,493), 6 days. Gross: $44,969. "BUY RIGHT— BUT BUY NOW" Arthur in New Low Cost Feature Project George K. Arthur who is again teamed with Karl Dane in a series of four two-reel comedies, completed this week at Paramount's New York studio, sails August 26, for a sixweeks sojourn abroad. While enjoying this vacation, the comedian will combine pleasure with work. In association with several independent Hollywood workers, Arthur is planning to produce another inexpensive feature on the order of "The Salvation Hunters." It is tentatively titled "The Crossing" and many of the scenes will be shot on shipboard while en route to Cherbourg. Arthur will be accompanied by a sound cameraman. He expects to join his wife and daughter at the French port.