Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

14 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Friday, March 16, 1934 Only two other pictures have been accorded this honor in history of this circuit! Entire RKO Metropolitan Circuit of 40 theatres plays CLARK GABLE and CLAUDETTE COLBERT in Frank Capra's "It Happened One Night," day and date, Easter week, the best week in show business! Decision on Prices Stirs K. C. Interest Kansas City, March 15. — The trade here is speculating whether a recent decision by Federal Judge John P. Nields of Wilmington, Del., has any bearing on minimum admission price stipulations in film contracts. The decision was in a case involving a Kansas City drug concern, the court refusing an injunction to a manufacturer of a food mixer, who sought to prevent sale of the machine at a retail price less than he is striving to maintain. The court held price-fixing by contract or agreement unfair competition, in restraint of trade and contrary to public policy. Try Phone Reports On Plane Shipments American Airways, Inc., has devised a system for checking on film shipments so that consignees will receive telephone reports. Films leaving the coast at 9:30 P. M. are supposed to be delivered in New York the following evening. Under the reported plan key cities along the route report arrivals to both New York and Los Angeles. Reports are also furnished on arrivals at Ft. Worth, Memphis, Nashville, Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. Saengers Lose Tax Case New Orleans, March 15. — Petitions of A. D. Saenger, formerly associated with Saenger Theatres, Inc., and Mrs. Bertha H. Saenger for a review of the decision of the U. S. Tax Board of Appeals for Louisiana in connection with exemption claimed in income tax returns have been denied by the U. S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. and Mrs. Saenger claimed exemption on two insurance policies on Julian Saenger, who died several years ago, each having a cash surrender value of $5,725, which were paid to Saenger in 1929 by Saenger Theatres, Inc., as extra compensation in addition to his salary. Color Pictures May Quit Dover, Del., March 15. — Stockholders of Color Pictures, Inc., of New York will meet in the offices of the corporation, 15 Broad Street, New York, on April 3 for the purpose of taking action upon a resolution to dissolve. The resolution was adopted at a meeting of the board of directors of the company here. Universal City Is 19 Hollywood, March 15. — Universal City today celebrated its 19th birthday. The occasion was observed by placing six productions in work. Five were completed during the day. To Star Miss Sullavan Hollywood, March 15. — Margaret Sullavan is to be starred in her second picture for Universal, "Little Man, What Now?" Small Signs Colbert Hollywood, March 15. — Edward Small has signed Claudette Colbert to a one-picture contract with Reliance and is looking for a suitable story for her. A New Role Newburyport, Mass., March 15. — Twelve armed policemen emptied the contents of their revolvers into James Cagney, riddling him with bullets from head to foot — and still Cagney stood without moving, erect as ever, to be the target for revolvers of twelve more policemen tomorrow. It was a life-sized portrait of Cagney and the only one police were able to dig up to paste on the boards for their regular revolver practice. FitzPatrick Plans New Type of Short The present cycle of travelogue is over and the new selling season will find a different twist in this type of shorts, J. J. FitzPatrick states. The shorts subject producer would not reveal his plans, but says he has a different idea which he intends to use in next season's releases. More intelligent criticism of shorts would improve their quality, he believes. "Instead of moaning about the double feature evil," FitzPatrick suggests, "a better type of short should be substituted for the second picture on twin bill programs." Short subjects producers are bringing on duals, due to the decided dearth of good featurettes, he adds. He holds that two or three more novelty shorts of the Walt Disney type would kill off the dual craze. Radio Wants Doug, Jr. Hollywood, March 15. — Following several recent cables between Radio and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., in England, it is reported likely the actor will sail for the United States soon to take the lead spot in "Green Mansions" at that studio. Although Radio is ready to sign him on the dotted line, Fairbanks is undecided whether or not to leave England at this time. Form Producing Unit Hollywood, March 15. — Alexander Brothers, operating the Alexander studios here, have formed a new producing corporation to be called Beacon Productions. They will produce a series of six topical dramas, the first of which will be called "I Can't Escape.' Release in this country will be through state rights with Universal handling foreign distribution. Mansfield House Sold Mansfield, March 15. — A Cleveland court today ordered the sale of the Skirboll operated Madison here for $40,000 to sa_tisfy a mortgage given the Guardian Trust Co., of Cleveland, now in liquidation. The sale was considered preferable to the State Banking Dept's assuming the operation of the house under a 21 -year lease. Charter Emmons Corp. Dover, March 15. — The Emmons Corp. has been chartered here to deal in cameras, projecting machines, transformers, etc., listing capital of 1,750 shares, no par value. The incorporators are Emile Bonnott, F. F. Kane and J. A. Lauridsen of New York City. Films Aid Nations' Sanity, Says Hays "Motion pictures have made their contribution to the courage and sanity of nations," declared Will H. Hays over a countrywide NBC hookup from WEAF last night which was rebroadcast in England. The broadcast was for the benefit of the Cinematograph Trade Development Fund of London. It began in London at 6:45 Eastern Standard Time. At 7 o'clock the London end of the broadcast was concluded and Hays began his address here. Hays was followed in New York by Mary Pickford and Richard Arlen. When they finished speaking Hollywood was cut in and Leslie Howard, Jean Harlow and Ann Harding spoke. Among other things Hays said: "In the dark days of depression, the motion picture has been a great refuge for humanity. The doors of a cinema theatre are magic portals beyond which lie the restful country of our dream. There, for a little time, one can lay aside worry and reality and live in a blessed land of make-believe. Motion pictures have made their contribution to the courage and sanity of nations. "So I feel amply justified in asking all within sound of my voice to give as generously as they can to the aid and support of some of those who have labored to make the lives of others more pleasant and endurable. Our own Motion Picture Relief Fund has done splendid work in this country and I am sure the Cinema Charities of London will receive all the help they need and so amply deserve." Kansas City Men in New Indie Exchange Kansas City, March 15. — Consolidated Film Distributors, Inc., of Kansas City, state rights exchange, ha; been organized here for independem i distribution in Kansas and westerr Missouri. Franchise deals are being negotiated with several companies, including Amity, Astor, Goldsmith anc. Chesterfield, according to the com pany. These releases have been dis tributed by Associated Film Distribu tors, which last week ceased to func tion, the reason given being lack oj capital. The new concern also will distribute' Master Arts releases, hitherto handleO by Russell C. Borg, who has joinet the organization as vice-president an>. sales manager. Borg formerly wai Educational branch manager nere fo, 10 years and more recently was wit! Columbia. W. L. Norn's is president of Con solidated and W. P. Humston secre tary-treasurer. The latter two ow the K. C. Sound Service Co., distrih' uting Syncrofilm sound equipmenand also operate the suburban Stat Samuelson Has Four Of His Aides Picket Four of the six regional vice-pre j idents in Sidney Samuelson's advisoi cabinet as president of Allied are s and the other two territorial hea< will be appointed as soon as an A lied leader makes a survey of tl western part of the country. Sar uelson may make the trip vest No names will be announced un' all six territories are represe ed wi leaders who will play an a pa in Allied's expansion camp£ I A powerful story, a grand cast, gorgeous sets and ace entertainI ment! Soon on its way— rELISSA ILANDI in "Sisters Under The Skin," with Frank Morgan and J Joseph Schildkraut. Directed by David Burton. The star of stars in the hit of hits! JOHN BARRYMORE in "20th Century," with Carole Lombard, Walter Connolly. Roscoe Karns, who did such outstanding work in "It Happened One Night," has been added to the cast. A Howard Hawks Production from the play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. y 1