Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Wednesday, January 17, 1934 Dark Houses Drop 1,260 During Year {Continued from page 1) now 13,571 independent houses, a drop of 225, but the seating capacity has increased 363,095 to a total of 5,948,925. Sound houses increased by 431 to a total of 15,652 and silent dropped 1,361 to a total of 2,719. The number of closed houses decreased in both the sound and silent classifications. The decrease for the sound houses was 191, leaving the total of 1,979. Philadelphia Seats Up; Theatres Down Philadelphia, Jan. 16. — Although there is a decrease of 14 theatres from last year's survey, an increase of 275 seats is noted in the annual compilation of the Film Board of Trade. In this territory there are 768 houses, of which 193 are in this city alone. Total seating capacity for this area is 663,169. There are 52 theatres closed, 181 affiliated theatres, 90 unaffiliated and 497 independent houses. Asks That Boston's Teachers Pick Films Boston, Jan. 16. — In recommendations submitted to the Boston School Committee for consideration as major questions this year, Chairman Maurice J. Tobin asks for the appointment of a council of teachers who shall pass upon all films and submit an approved list monthly to the parents of all public school children. This recommendation was one of six and these are to be taken up later by the committee. Brown, Geyer Resign From Empire Films Toronto, Jan. 16. — Emanuel Brown has resigned as general manager of Empire Films, Ltd. He has been succeeded by Arthur W. Perry, formerly Ontario branch manager. Ernie Geyer, director of publicity, also has resigned. Brown lived in Hollywood before coming here. Fire Damages Ohio House Wilmington, O., Jan. 16 — Fire, believed to have started from a cigarette tossed on the stage of the Murphy, caused damage estimated at $25,000. The house, largest in this section, built in 1918 at a cost of $350,000, was given the city by the late Charles Webb Murphy, former owner of the Chicago Cubs. It is under lease to Phil Chakeres. Approximately 700 patrons left the theatre without disorder when the fire started. More on Soviet Film "Shanghai Document" will be shown at the New School for Social Research on Jan. 27 as the fourth in the series of film showings on "The History of the Soviet Film" being sponsored by the Film and Photo League. Court to Rule Soon on Erpi Vs. Vitaphone {Continued from page 1) Vitaphone is barred from any prosecuting action under three agreements entered into between the two, and that Vitaphone is compelled to submit all disputes to arbitration in New York, under the state arbitration law. Vitaphone charges Erpi violated its agreements by charging producers licensed by Erpi to use talking picture apparatus at $500 a reel royalty, instead of eight per cent of the gross profits derived from the use of the licenses. A decision has been handed down by the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals here sustaining U. S. District Judge Inch's ruling that Western Electric had not infringed on the patents of the Aleograph Co. Erpi says this case is similar to ones already decided at Dallas and New Orleans. Labor Board Defers Hearing on N. O, Row Washington, Jan. 16. — Indefinite postponement of the hearing on the New Orleans labor dispute, scheduled to come before the National Labor Board today, has been ordered by the board on a showing by both sides of an expectation of an agreement without formal action. A considerable number of compliance matters and unfair trade practice complaints have already been ironed out, it was stated by Division Administrator Sol A. Rosenblatt, who cited adjustment of 43 trade practice cases involving exhibitors and 33 labor disputes, with three arbitrations now in progress. Every extra compliance case has been settled, he said. A dispute involving an Ed Dubinsky theatre has been turned over to the St. Louis regional labor board for consideration. Delaware-Maryland Men to Sign Again Wilmington, Jan. 16 — The Independent M.P.T.O. of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland will meet at Harrington, Del., Thursday, to again sign the code. At the last monthly meeting in Harrington in December, the independents unanimously approved and signed the code collectively. NRA officials in Washington have requested them to sign individually. President A. Joseph DeFiore will preside. The organization comprises the membership of more than 30 houses throughout Delaware and the eastern section of Maryland. Seek Rosenblatt Talks Washington, Jan. 16. — Division Administrator Sol A. Rosenblatt has received a number of invitations to speak while in California, but is making no engagements until he gets there. His only present engagement in the east is to address the National Board of Review at the Hotel Pennsylvania, New York, Feb. 9. Exhibitors Praise Authority's Moves (.Continued from page 1) operating as soon as possible and the authority is anxious to do this. It is anticipated that all appointments will be made before the middle of next month and operations will follow shortly after. Units of the M.P.T.O.A., Allied and members of the Federation of the M. P. Industry already have sent in suggestions for appointments to the 32 boards. Each key city is represented in the lists on file and it is felt little difficulty will be experienced, if any, in naming the best men in all territories, 'ihose selected will be chosen only from the lists submitted. Yesterday's list of suggestions found a total of 41 names, an increase of 31 over the previous day. The new group covers 12 exchange centers. The recommendations as listed by the Code Authority follow : Albany — Jane Halloran. Atlanta — Lionel H. Keone, Tony Sudekem, John Evans, Sherwood L. Astin, Mrs. Alonzo Richardson. Chicago — AJex Manta, J. Goldberg, James Fushanes, V. U. Young. Indianapolis — I. M. Halpern, Alex Manta, Ross Garver, George Heliotes, Arthur Howard, Sam W. Iveall, Frank Carey, Roy Harrold, H. P. Vonderschmitt, Maurice Rubin, Robert Scherer, Oscar Fine, Arthur Bennett, Walter Easley, Ernest Miller. Kansas City — Robert V. Marchbank. Memphis — L. F. Haven, Cecil Cupp, Jack Arnold. Minneapolis — Mabel M. Dietz. New Orleans — Mrs. J. B. Heinie. Omaha — Henry Monsky, Dean Martin. San Francisco — Rowena Foley. Seattle— Roberta B. Lynch. Washington — Samuel Wheeler, Samuel Flax, L. C. Garman, Walter Pacy, Samuel Soltz, Thomas Goldberg. NRA Deputy Hears Local 306 Charges (Continued from page 1) Board, and James H. Hodgson, regional NRA compliance chairman, for interpretation. Attending the meeting were Harry Sherman, president, and Samuel Birnbaum, attorney for Local 306 ; Harry Brandt, president and Milton C. Weisman, counsel, for the I.T.O.A. Murray Harstn, attorney for Allied M. P. Operators' Union, denied Hodgson had ruled the return of 55 operators discharged by 11 theatres when Allied men were installed. He said : "To my knowledge no such ruling had been made ordering the return of 55 Local 306 operators to the booths where they were formerly employed and where Allied M. P. Operators are now employed; that at the meeting today before Mr. Hodgson the article was called to his attention and a specific denial on the part of Mr. Hodgson as to such a ruling at this time was given." Few Outsiders Join Writers' Code Move (Continued from page 1) Miller, Gladys Lehman, Samuel K. Ornitz, John Emerson, James Gleason. Division Administrator Sol A. Rosenblatt will select five from this group. "U" Plans "Black Caf' Universal is planning an early production of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat." Edgar Ullmer has been assigned as director and Boris Rarloff will probably be starred. New Missouri Tax Hits All Film Service (Continued from page I) services, to mention a few for which the industry will have to pay higher prices as a result of the tax. Returns must be made monthly on the gross receipts, the last return under the act being on or before Jan. 15, 1936, for the month of Dec. ly35. The law, an emergency measure, becomes inoperative at that time. The state auditor is empowered to examine records and books. Delinquent sales taxes bear interest at the rate of onehalf of one per cent per month until paid. Estimates on the amount the tax will raise range from about $5,000,000 to $7,000,000. Revenue will be used to replenish the state treasury and will be devoted to the school fund and unemployment relief. St. Louis, Jan. 16 — Fred Wehrenberg, president of the M.P.T.O. of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois, is satisfied with the new one-half of one per cent sales tax, because the film business was not singled out for special taxation. One of the tax bills defeated provided for a tax of one and one-half cents on tickets up to 25 cents, and graduating from that point up to 20 cents for a $2 ticket. Virginia Governor For 5% Ticket Tax (Continued from page 1) conducting a campaign among legislators against the proposal. The license tax already produces a revenue of $22,000. Richmond, Jan. 16 — Senator George W. Layman will be among the supporters of Sunday liberalization bills in the present session of the Legislature, While he does not go so far as to predict the passage of the bills at this session he points out that there are 50 new members in the Assembly, and there is a growing feeling that Virginia towns should have local option in deciding on Sunday amusements. Roxy Cheese Club Guest S. L. (Roxy) Rothafel, Frank Buck, "Prince" Mike Romanoff, Ferde Grofe and Marek Windheim were feted by the Cheese Club yesterday. About 60 attended. "Nana" to Music Hall "Nana," the Samuel Goldwyn production for United Artists release, was booked yesterday by the Music Hall, to open Feb. 1. It marks the second U. A. film for the house. Ampa Meeting Private Due to organization matters slated for discussion, the Ampa meeting tomorrow will be a closed session.