Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1934)

The Leading Motib Picture Industry MOTION PICTURE DAILY Alert, Intelligent jfaithfttjl: (■$ the Industry in All Branches VOL. 35. NO. 115 NEW YORK, THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1934 TEN CENTS Michael Shea Dies Suddenly In Buffalo, 75 Long III — Showman Half Century for New Code Setup Asked In Review Board Report Buffalo, May 16. — Michael Shea, pioneer exhibitor who last year observed his golden jubilee in the show business, died suddenly at noon today of a complication of diseases after a lingering illness. He celebrated his 75th birthday April 1. Shea was head of the Shea Theatres, Inc. The houses under his control were Shea's, Toronto ; Shea's Buffalo, Hippodrome, Century and Great Lakes, Buffalo first runs ; Shea's Bellevue, Niagara Falls, N. Y., and Shea's Riviera, North Tonawanda, N. Y. In Buffalo he also operated the Bailey, Elmwood, Kensington, North Park and Seneca, all neighborhoods. Born in 1859 in this city, Shea spent his boyhood on the docks, winning {Continued on page 8) Ex-Governor Bumps Ohio 10% Film Tax Cincinnati, May 16. — Decrying the imposition of the 10 per cent admission tax, Meyers Y. Cooper, former governor of Ohio, in an address before the local Variety Club, said there was less excuse for this taxation than for any of the other levies assessed by the state. "If additional revenue is needed, it is obtainable from other sources of just taxation, rather than from admissions," he declared. He characterized the lack of state funds, which had forced special taxes, as the result of unnecessary expenses in state government. Comerford, Mullin New Para. Advisors M. E. Comerford, head of the Comerford Circuit, and Martin J. Mullin, operator of Paramount New England Theatres, were named yesterday to Paramount's national theatre advisory committee by Sam Dembow, Jr., vice president of the home office theatre company. M. B. Comerford was (Continued on page 7) Rogowskys Get 22 Films From Skouras Allotment In the first overbuying case to come before the New York grievance board, Rogowsky Brothers won against Skouras Theatres Corp., which operates the Capital, Port Chester, in opposition to the independents' Embassy. According to the unanimous decision, the Embassy will be granted two pictures a week from Skouras until the total reaches 22, which, it was figured by the board, will keep the Rogowskys supplied with sufficient first run product until the new season gets under way. Further, Rogowsky and Skouras will agree between themselves what two pictures will go to the Embassy every week. In the event they disagree, the grievance board will make the decision. All companies but Paramount are affected. Despite Fox's 10-year (Continued on page 7) Equal Representation Is Urged — Block Sales Draw Criticism Public Bodies Being "Used;9 Says Schaefer Boston, May 16. — Speaking before the Women's Republican Club here today, George J. Schaefer, vice-president of Paramount, warned that efforts are being made to "use public groups as catspaws for interested trade factors." "The latest slogan that has been handed to those with a cause to serve," he said, "is 'compulsory block booking must go.' The fact of the matter is (Continued on page 4) Union Count Low; Strike Talk Flares A strike of service employes in a selected list of Loew's and RKO houses here may be called today by Local 118, Theatre & Amusement Employes Union, following disclosure yesterday of the results of a checkup showing only a small percentage of the local's membership among the circuit's employes. The union stated yesterday through Charles Levey, secretary, that the (Continued on page 6) Loans $50,000, 000; Losses Zero. GianninVs Balance By RED KANN Columbia May Hold Two Regional Meets While Columbia has reached no decision, probability is the company will hold two regional sales conventions this' vear. One is contemplated for Chicago and the other for Los Angeles. Hollywood — For years it was Broadway and 41st St., New York. Now the goings on are the same, only the address is 7th and Spring, Los Angeles. Large and small, from the days when Herman Wobber, now a power in the Fox organization, became California distributor for Geraldine Farrar in "Carmen" and Mabel Normand in "Mickey" down the line have film men turned to A. H. Giannini with their troubles and their financing. "Doc," as he is known to customers and employes alike, for years has been a sort of father confessor to a large and important segment of the production business and likes the job. Fifty millions, which is plenty of money, have been passed through the wickets of Giannini banks on both coasts to wend their way to studios that have turned out many important pictures. "Doc" has gotten it all back, at legal rates of interest, nary the loss of a solitary cent. That's been his experience in this industry. This chap Giannini, who long held forth in California before he went to (Continued on page 4) Washington, May 16.— Reorganization of the Code Authority and local boards, elimination of block booking and extension of code privileges to non-signers are among 10 recommendations made by the National Recovery Review Board in its report on the film code, it was learned authoritatively today. Administrator Hugh S. Johnsons reply to the Darrow board's charges is now in the hands of the President, but the report will probably not be made public for several days, it was learned at the White House. Meanwhile, despite all efforts of administration officials to keep the (Continued on page 6) Campi to Receive Ideas on Charges Constructive suggestions from exhibitor associations and individual theatre owners for re-allocation of assessments on a fair and equitable basis and which will not overtax any theatre are being requested by Campi from complainants. Recently the M.P.T.O. of Connecticut inquired about a reduction of assessments adopted by Campi and (Continued on page 6) Indies to Test Dual Ban in Sales Pacts Philadelphia, May 16. — Independent exhibitors, together with a number of independent exchanges, met here today with Ben Golder, who has (Continued on page 6) Daily Tells Weigel Cincinnati, May 16. — Charles Weigel, new appointee to the Cincinnati grievance board, replacing John Elliott, was notified of his appointment by Motion Picture Daily. The trade was notified at the same time. Everyone concerned was lavish in praise of this service, which constituted the first notice received here of the appointment.