Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

Friday, March 23. 1934 MOTION PICTURE DAILY n MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "Take the Stand" (Liberty) Hollywood, March 22. — An entertaining melodrama-mystery story, which will keep audiences in suspense. Half of the picture deals with a columnist, having all the earmarks of Walter Winchell, whose items arouse the wrath of at least five different types of individuals who would have the "transom peeker" out of the way. The latter half pivots about the murder of Jack LaRue and the eventual solution by Russell Hopton. Thelma Todd, as the columnist's secretary, is named Sally Oxford, which is pretty close to Ruth Cambridge, WincheU's real secretary, as far as college appellations go. There is Leslie Fenton, another columnist, who is promised LaRue's job by the publisher if he can get the scandalmonger out of the way. There is Gail Patrick, who would also like to dispose of the chatterer who has been printing insinuating remarks about her father's financial affairs. Then there is the crooner and the former bootlegger, now turned "snatcher," who also have good reasons for trying to get LaRue. It's interesting and spell-binding. M. H. Hoffman has produced a swell little picture which if given the proper advertising and exploitation build-up looks destined to click. Phil Rosen handled the direction nicely and built up his situations for a swell finish. It is close to the end that the romance between Hopton and Miss Patrick develops. It starts when the former copper comes to the heroine's aid because her father is unjustly accused of the crime. The story is by Earl Derr Biggers. Warners Will Lean Heavily on Novels A large part of Warners' product for 1934-35 will be made from popular novels, said Jack L. Warner, production head, yesterday. He also said an average of SO novels a week are read and reported on by the scenario departments. Discussing the advantages of making films from published books, Warner said : "In addition to the actual readers of the book, there are thousands who never get around to reading a novel, but are anxious to catch up with current literature. Also, the exploitation possibilities on a film adaptation of a popular book are unlimited. We have found that publishers are more than willing to get behind the picture's ballyhoo." "Wild Cargo" Book Strikes Novel Note Radio's exploitation department has gone in strongly for novelty in its sales manual on Frank Buck's "Wild Cargo," produced by Van Beuren. The jacket represents a freighter carrying a cargo of wild animals with Buck at the helm. Inside is an assortment of exploitation ideas, including poster and lobby displays, advertising layouts, feature material and publicity hints. There is a liberal use of color. The book was prepared under the direction of Barrett McCormick by a staff comprising Ralph Lund, Jack Level, Fred Schaefer and David Strumpf, who did the art work. Ed McEvoy of Van Beuren cooperated in putting out the manual. See Hope of Action On Anti-Censor Bill Albany, March 22. — Prospects of getting at least one bill aimed at abolishment of the censor board before the Legislature for action are regarded as better this year than at any time during the 13 years the board has been in existence. Among those favoring abolition of the board were former Governor Alfred E. Smith, Chancellor Harry W. Chase of N. Y. University. Bishop Francis J. McConnell of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Will Irwin. All, except former Governor Smith, who wrote a letter, appeared at a hearing before the AssemblyWays and Means Committee. Bill to Levy Censor Fee Is Up in Ohio Cleveland, March 22. — A bill was introduced in the state legislature yesterday providing a nickel on each linear foot or fraction thereof of film submitted for censorship. The funds received under the measure would be used for county poor relief. The bill calls for repeal of the state admission tax. It is being opposed by exhibitors here on the ground it would automatically kill all independent distribution. Moss Promises Full Enforcement of Law (.Continued from page 1) He declares he wants to help exhibitors with their problems, and if they are solved, so are his as far as fire regulations are concerned. New Compact Made For So. Enterprises (Continued from page 1) zelle in partnership with Paramount, was substituted yesterday for the original agreement entered into last October. Terms of the agreement are the same but Famous Theatres Corp., new Paramount subsidiary, replaces Irving Trust, receiver for Publix Enterprises, as a party to the agreement and Interstate Circuit, subsidiary of Southern Enterprises, is chartered as a Delaware instead of a Louisiana corporation in order to become a party to the new agreement. The substituted agreement was approved by Referee Henry' K. Davis. Paramount was also authorized to indemnify trustees in bankruptcy and receivers for subsidiary companies in the event they incur liability under consolidated Federal income tax returns. Plan Virginia House Richmond. March 22. — Valley Enterprise, Inc., will construct a 600-seat theatre in the rear of the George Rontopoulos building on South Alain Street. Harrisonburg. Va. The structure and equiDinent will cost approximately 535,000. Fined for Sunday Show Monongahela, Pa., March 22. — Bernard H. Buchheit. manager of the Bentley. has been fined $4 for a Sunday show by Mayor F. C. Stahlman. Buchheit claimed the show was for charity. "Harum'* Big in Akron Akron. March 22.— "D avid Harum" has already exceeded the take for 'Little Women" at the Colonial and is expected to top the 17-day record set up by that film. Friedlander in South Al Friedlander of First Division is on a tour of the south and is expected to return within a week. Indianapolis Group Starts Variety Club Indianapolis, March 22. — Local exchange men and theatre managers have applied for a Variety Club charter from the National Variety Club. Officers are: President, Joe Cantor, manager of the U. A. exchange ; first vice-president, Kenneth Collins, Apollo manager; second vice-president, Floyd Brown, Universal manager; treasurer, Carl Niesse, manager of the Ambassador and Alamo; secretary, Earl Cunningham, manager of the Fountain Square and allied houses. Says Music Shorts Gain Short subjects as a definite field for musical entertainment are foreseen by Earl W. Hammons, president of Educational. He says no program "can be entirely satisfactory without some music." Two-reelers will supply the music appeal, when the popularity of musical features fades, he says. Majestic Is About Set Production plans of Majestic will be announced today following a fourday session of the board of directors with Herman Gluckman, president. The meetings wound up late last night. Delay Federation Meet No meeting of the executive committee of the Federation of the M. P. Industry will be held until after the Monogram convention, which is slated for April 4-7 in Atlantic City. Rowley Here; Robb Due Edward Rowley of the Robb & Rowley circuit in Texas is in New York on product deals. Harold Robb arrives today. H. J. Yates on Coast Hollywood, March 22. — H. J. Yates, president of Consolidated Film industries, is here from New York. Ferguson Named for Presidency of Ampa William (Billy) R. Ferguson was yesterday officially nominated as president of the Ampa to succeed John C. Flinn. Monroe Greenthal was named for the vice-presidency, Paul Benjamin for treasurer and Harry Blair for secretary. The board of directors nominated includes the new president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary, in addition to Flinn, Lou Goldberg, Rutgers Neilson, Marvin Kirsch and Paul Gulick. Walter Eberhardt is listed as trustee for three years. Edward McNamee, Vincent Trotta and Martin Starr are up for the auditing committee and Hal Home is slated as national counsellor of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. Recommendations were made yesterday for annual awards for the best advertising copy, exploitation campaign and publicity story. "Myrt, Margeff Big Surprise in Denver ' Denver, March 22.— The success of "Myrt and Marge," refused a first run by Harry Huffman, is becoming one of the sensations of this territory. All Denver houses running the film report a spurt in business, and at the State the film broke house records for two days, the film being held for an extra day. The opening day was good, with crowds building, and on the closing day there was a line at the boxoffice almost continually, often reaching a quarter of a block. Nizer Puts Annual Pacts at a Million (Continued from page 1) well as nationally, he revealed that in Greater New York alone there are 46 more independent operators in the territory than last year. He declared the business is going back to "old timers" and away from "newcomers." He added that "old timers" know how to blend their programs and also know how to exploit them and that is why they have so successfully carried on through the years when the major circuits were finding it hard to hold on to their properties. Back to RKO Hollywood, March 22.— RKO has determined definitely to produce "The Fountain," a novel by Charles Morgan. Originally bought by Radio and then sold to M-G-M, the rights have reverted to the former. New Record for Seattle Seattle, March 22.— "It Happened One Night" has set a new record at Von Herberg's Liberty with 92,621 paid admissions during 180 performances in 29 days. The picture is being held for the fifth week. Nolan to Coast Joseph Nolan, recently appointed assistant to B. B. Kahane, president of RKO Studios, Inc., left for Hollywood yesterday to take up his new duties. /. /. Parker Here J. J. Parker, operator of the Broadway and United Artists Theatres in Portland, Ore., is in town. He traveled east via the Canal.