Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Saturday, March 24, 1934 Scope of NRA Review Board May Be Broad (Continued from page 1) it Monday at the hearing on the film industry, it is understood that some of the complaints involve practices of which the layman has no understanding, and while, of course, both sides will be presented, members of the industry are wondering how the board will know which is right unless it calls upon and accepts the views of experts in the Recovery Administration, or members of the Code Authority, or secures experts of its own. Crowd Close to Riot At T ashman Funeral A crowd almost caused a riot yesterday afternoon in its struggle to catch a glimpse of screen and stage celebrities at funeral services for Lilyan Tashman at the Universal Funeral Chapel, Lexington Ave. and 62nd St. Three women were hurt in the milling. Among those who joined with Edmund Lowe, her husband, in mourning for Miss Tashman, who died in Doctors' Hospital Wednesday from a tumorous condition, were Mary Pickford, Tallulah Bankhead, Jack Benny, Fannie Brice, Eddie Cantor, Francine Larrimore, Bert Lytell, William Powell, Nita Naldi, Major Edward Bowes, Jack Pearl, Clifton Webb, George White, Cecil Beaton and Sophie Tucker. Cantor delivered the eulogy and Rabbi Samuel H. Goldenson of Temple Emanu-El officiated. Burial was in Washington Cemetery, Brooklyn. States "Sigmatism" Prevails on Screen Most actors and actresses are suffering from "sigmatism," according to James F. Bender of the Public Speaking Department of the College of the City of New York. It is caused by pressing the tongue against the teeth rather than the high palate. Frederic March and Ann Harding have the best screen voices, he says, with William Powell, John Barrymore, Warner Baxter and Lewis Stone following among the men, and Mary Astor, Myrna Loy, Jean Muir among the women. Katharine Hepburn has spoiled a good speaking voice by "her English affectations," he says. Garbo has improved, he says, but she is still "suffering from a lowtongue position for the articulation of nine consonants." Anna Stein and Marlene Dietrich have the same fault, he states. The remedy is a "speech dictator," he declares. Agents* Pact Signed Hollywood, March 23. — The new proposed agents' pact with the State Labor Commission, apparently settled day before yesterday, was brought back again today for changes in a few minor technical phrases and was finally signed. The document is now on its way to San Francisco for state approval. Who? What? When? ["Holiday" Is Who are the latest appointees on code boards announced by Code Authority in New York? More thumbnail sketches, gathered by Motion Picture Daily correspondents, furnish the answer : Cleveland Cleveland, March 23. — Joseph N. Ackerman, impartial member on clearing and zoning, has been practicing law in Cleveland for the past 20 years. Nine of those years were spent as a state senator, during which time he was always a champion of the industry. He was one of the leaders against the state "blue laws," and the passage of the Sunday show bill was largely due to his efforts. As chairman of the state legislative committee, he led the state prohibition repeal movement. Last fall Ackerman was elected to the municipal bench for a six-year term by the largest majority ever recorded in Cleveland. He is a graduate of Columbia University. Des Moines Des Moines, March 23. — Clyde Hulsizer, impartial member on clearance and zoning, is a native Iowan, age 56. He is a graduate of Grinnell College and a resident of Des Moines since 1901. Having first come to this city as an instructor and coach in a local high school, Hulsizer later established his present business as a manufacturer and importer of art flowers and foliages in 1903. Starting modestly, Hulsizer, Inc., does a national business. He served for two years as president of the National Display Equipment Manufacturers' Ass'n. and has been rather active as a Rotarian, having served as a director on Rotary International and on several other international committees. Hulsizer lives on a dairy and hog farm just outside of the city, owns a rather good herd of dairy cattle and is interested in agricultural problems to a degree that stamps this interest as his hobby. Washington Washington, March 23. — Edmund H. Toland, impartial member on grievances, is a graduate of Georgetown University, a former special assistant to the attorney general of the United States and is now associated in the general practice of law with William E. Leahy. He has no financial interest in the film industry. Hector G. Spaulding, impartial member on clearance and zoning, was born in North Dakota in 1879, but spent most of his boyhood in Europe. This includes one year in Breslau and eight in Paris, where his father, John H. Spaulding, was practicing dentistry. Professor Spaulding is descended from Edward Spaulding, who settled in Jamestown, Va., from England, in 1619. In Paris he attended the Lycee Janson de Sailly and received his higher education in Minneapolis, where he graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1900 with a B.S. degree. He was given a law degree at Harvard in 1903, and thereafter practiced law in New York, Minneapolis and Chicago. At present a member of the faculty of the law school of George Washington University. Professor Spaulding's law teaching experience consists of one year at Stanford University (1914-15), and at George Washington since 1920. In 1923-24 he had another year at Harvard, where he received his degree as doctor of juridical science. In 1922 he married Augusta de Laguna of Oakland Cal., and from that union there has been one son, now aged eight. Mrs. Spaulding also is a lawyer and, like her husband, tutors at law. Professor Spaulding has lectured on contracts, equity and administrative and constitutional law. but his avocation is music, piano and voice. Additionally, Professor Spaulding is a director of the Juvenile Protective Ass'n in Washington and, as such, has been active in a move to arrange appointment of a person well qualified, in his opinion, to handle juvenile court matters. He is a member of the Cosmos Club, American Law Institute, the Masonic fraternity, the American Bar Ass'n, the Acacia fraternity and the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, as well. Finnegan May Be Replaced in K. C, Kansas City, March 23. — Inquiry today by the Code Authority whether Dr. Paul Lux, local physician, would be acceptable as an impartial member of the grievance board indicates that Thomas J. Finnegan may be removed. Jay Means, I. T. O. president, and two others also received telegraphic inquiries and wired their approval. Means, who is a member of the grievance board, feels that Lux is more acceptable than Finnegan, and has filed a mild protest with Division Administrator Rosenblatt against the latter's appointment. Others have also questioned his appointment. "All Quiet" Date Set Hollywood, March 23. — "All Quiet on the Western Front," which is being reissued by Universal, will open here March 29 at Pantage's Hollywood. Boston Smash With ,$34,000 Boston, March 23. — Boston grosses continued well up during the week, although showing a slight decline in the total from the previous week. "Death Takes A Holiday," with a stage show, at the Metropolitan was high for the week, filling the theatre at all performances and rolling up a total of $34,000 for one of the best weeks in a long time. Both RKO houses grossed well, Keith's going $5,000 above par with "It Happened One Night" while the Boston was up $4,000 with "Coming Out Party." Total first run business for the week was $110,500. Average is $95,000. Estimated takings for the week ending March 15 were : "COMING OUT PARTY" (Fox) BOSTON— (2.900), 2Sc-50c, 7 days. Stage: "Midway Nights" and "Streets of Paris." Gross: $20,000. (Average. 516.000.) "DARK HAZARD" (F. N.) "SHE MADE HER BED" (Para.) FENWAY— (1.800). 50c-50c, 7 davs. Gross: 58.500. (Average. $9,000.) "IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT" (Col.) KEITH'S — (3.500). 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $21,000. (Average. $16,000.) "LOOKING FOR TROUBLE" (U. A.) LOEWS STATE— (3.700), 35c-50c, 7 days. Vaude. Gross: $18,000. (Average. $16,000.) "DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY" (Para.) METROPOLITAN — (4,350). 30c-65c, 7 days. "Carnival Capers" revue. Gross: $34,000. rAverage. $28,000.) "DARK HAZARD" (F. N.) "SHE MADE HER BED" (Para.) PARAMOUNT— (1.800), 30c-50c. 7 days. Gross: $9,000. (Average, $9,000.) More Code Boards Set Changes and shifts of personnel in the Philadelphia, Boston, Minneapolis, Portland and New York code boards were practically completed by the committee on selections yesterday. Some of the boards are now definitely set, and it is hoped that the balance will be designated next Wednesday at another meeting, before the Campi meets again. "U" Buys "Swiss" Hollywood, March 23. — Universal has bought "Swiss Family Robinson." Opportunity Desired with Miijor Producer New York attorney thoroughly experienced in legal business and negotiations in conjunction with production department, associated with and handled important motion picture transactions and accomplished things in this industry; also admitted to the California bar and practiced in that state. Seeks an opportunity with production department of major company in studios at West Coast to handle company business in conjunction with home office. Want opportunity of studying and acquiring the production knowledge of business. Highest references. Box RAS, MOTION PICTURE DAILY I 790 Broadway New York, N. Y.