Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1934)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Monday, October 15, 1934 NRA Draws Up Own Schedule Of Code Dues (Continued from page 1) pay the lowest percentages, but nevertheless, because of their greater grosses, would contribute more in dollars and cents. The plan, based largely upon the income tax tables, but with percentages reversed so that those for the smaller companies are larger, provides for the following schedule : For each $10,000 or fraction thereof of receipts up to $100,000, the assessment is $25 : for each $25,000 between $100,000 and $250,000, $62.50 ; for each $50,000 between $250,000 and $500,000, $100 ■ for each $100,000 between $500,000 and $1,000,000, $200; for each $500,000 between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, $800; for each $1,000,000 between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000, $1 200 ; for each $2,500,000 between $10,000,000 and $20,000,000, $2,000, and for each $5,000,000 over $20,000,000, $2,300. It is said that the top rate total assessment would be approximately $20,000, as under the original plan drafted by Campi, but that the top bracket would embrace only three or four companies instead of seven, as heretofore, and that the charges upon those in the lower brackets would be more in accordance with their economic importance in the industry. The NRA Research and Planning Division is understood to have felt that the rejected schedules drafted by Campi were too cumbersome and disproportionate, as the companies in the higher brackets were taxed at a higher percentage than less important concerns, it being pointed out that those in the higher brackets are also the ones with theatre affiliates, which are assessed under the exhibitor schedule. Hayden, Stone Deal Livens Met. Bonds (Continued from page 1) following reports of the Hayden, Stone offer last week was in good volume and sent the issue up to $36.50 for Saturday's close. The bondholders' committee is scheduled to present to Skouras and Randforce, operators of Fox Met, at a meeting today a proposal to cancel the long-term operating contracts held by the two in favor of short term contracts which could be cancelled if the Hayden, Stone deal is not consummated within 60 days after reorganization of Fox Met. It is understood that Skouras and Randforce will continue as operators in the event a deal is closed with Hayden, Stone. Oklahoma Exhibitors To Fight Music Tax (Continued from page 1) convention of M. P. T. O. of Oklahoma which closed at the Biltmore here yesterday. The convention voted endorsement of and continued support for M. P. T. O. A. Morris Lowenstein of the Majestic, this city, was elected president for the coming year; L. A. White of Weatherford was elected MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW 'The Captain Hates the Sea' (Columbia) Hollywood, Oct. 14. — Here's a comedy drama which hits the bull's-eye of the entertainment target with human elements pointing to a potential box-office winner. Expert direction and portrayals force the characterizations into strong relief remembered after the fadeout. It is suitable entertainment for all classes, providing laughs galore. The story locale is a passenger steamer. Walter Connolly is a captain who hates the sea and whose whole, main ambition is to dip bewhiskered gents' foliage into soup. John Gilbert, the romantic lead, is a disillusioned writer trying to stay on the wagon by leaving Hollywood. The story takes form when Victor McLaglen, a supposedly dumb flatfoot, comes aboard looking for a bond thief, Fred Keating. The latter passes the bond to Helen Vinson, posing as a demure librarian to whom McLaglen takes a shine. Humor and pathos blend evenly in a series of situations leading up to the climax with the marital trial of Wynne Gibson and John Wray supplying the anti-climax. At the fadeout McLaglen had a rogue's gallery photograph of the girl all the time ; the married duo makeup ; Gilbert doesn't quit drinking and the captain pushes the beaver in the soup. Lewis Milestone directed with keen insight and a sense of comedy values. The cast performances are excellent throughout with Leon Errol entertaining as a bartender. It is a first rate adaptation by Wallace Smith and Arnold Belgard from Smith's novel. Production code seal, No. 329. Running time, 90 minutes. vice-president, and R. M. Clark of this city, secretary-treasurer. Plans were formulated for bringing the music tax situation before every representative in Congress from Oklahoma in the campaign to obtain legislative relief from music taxes. Other subjects discussed at the convention were non-theatrical competition, new product, theatre boycotts, overbuying, double features, code matters and the cancellation privilege. Just "Romantic Mystery" Hollywood, Oct. 14. — Walter Wanger yesterday denied "The Vanishing President," his first for Paramount, contains propaganda. Such reports have been circulating persistently here, although the nature of the alleged propaganda seems to be in some doubt. The producer describes his story as a "romantic mystery." M-G-M Doubles 'Em Hollywood, Oct. 14. — M-G-M has launched what some here regard as a new idea in designating two associate producers to one picture. The producers are Charles Reisner and Jack Cummings and the picture is "The Winning Ticket" with Louise Fazenda and Leo Carrillo. Reisner will also direct. "Cleopatra," Cincy Draw Cincinnati, Oct. 14. — "Cleopatra" was one of the outstanding performers here last week with an estimated take of $13,000, one of the best at this house in quite some time. It moves to the RKO Grand for the second downtown stanza. In the Sick Bay Hollywood, Oct. 14. — Maureen O' Sullivan is at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital for correction of a stomach disorder. Betty Furness replaces her in the cast of M-G-M's "Backfield." 300 Houses Groomed To Run New Shorts (Continued from page 1) dramatic form. The releases will be handled through the M. P. P. D. A., with the first to be screened Wednesday before the general convention of the Episcopal Church at Atlantic City. Relight Dark Orpheum Cincinnati, Oct. 14. — The Orpheum. 2,100-scat subsequent run suburban opposite the RKO Paramount, reopened Friday after being dark for more than a year. Operation is two shows an evening on a grind policy from 2 to 11 P.M. on Sundays and holidays. Scale is 20 and 30 cents for balcony and lower floor. The house was an RKO operation until the title was recently relinquished. It is the property of the Martin estate and now in charge of M. Chester Martin, one of the heirs. "U" Has 3-Star Cast Hollywood, Oct. 14. — Universal has lined up a three-star combine for "Straight From the Heart" in Roger Pryor, Baby Jane and Alary Astor. The story is an original by Doris Anderson and will go into work under supervision of B. F. Zeidman. Polly Walters has arrived from New York to play the chief role in Damon Runyon's "Princess O'Hara." Grainger Reaches Studio Hollywood, Oct. 14. — James R. Grainger will check into Universal Monday. The executive has been in San Francisco for the past week. . Landi in Counter Suit Hollywood, Oct. 14. — Elissa Landi has filed suit here for $1,932.80 against Joyce Payne for damages allegedly incurred when the latter sued her in August. The suit against Miss Landi was dismissed. Pathe's Plan Seen Set; No New Changes (Continued from page 1) additional days in which to file affidavit in reply to those opposing the holding of an extraordinary meeting at which the plan could be adopted by two-thirds of the stockholders present. | If the court approves the holding of the extraordinary meeting, 90 days' notice is given to stockholders. Thus the meeting, if authorized, could not be held before January, 1935. The reorganization plan provides for an exchange of one share of convertible preferred and five shares of common of the new company for each share of present preferred stock ; two shares of new common for each share of the present Class A stock, and onetwentieth of a share of new common for each share of old common. N. O. Tax Returns Light New Orleans, Oct. 14. — The amusement tax, one cent on each admission under 50 cents, or two per cent, has brought the city only $12,539 from Aug. 30 to Oct. 8, less than $10,000 a month. May Meet Patent Issue Via Discs (Continued from page 1) regional publication, at the Lulu Country Club on Friday evening. The Warner president spoke of the possibility of the major companies returning to discs, but of a new type. This was the dinner at which Warner also presaged vital changes in the sound picture situation may be expected to follow the Supreme Court's denial of a review of the case. He also stated the situation was one of the most serious exhibitors had ever faced. Danish Company Wins Suit Copenhagen, Oct. 14.— With the Petersen and Poulsen sound patents involved, Nordisk Tonefilm is victor in a suit against Paramount and other major American film companies. Some quarters construe the decision as vesting in Carl Bauder of Nordisk the right to bar out American pictures. If this is true, it is probable he will negotiate for their entry on a licensed basis. Tips Plan for Gov't Check on Production {.Continued from page 1) helped the movies while they have exploited our children, and the time has come to quit," she declared. In a subsequent interview, she voiced strong criticism of Better Films Councils which have been organized by parents, with cooperation of exhibitors. "The councils have been made tools of the exhibitors, helping promote attendance, and have been kept busy previewing pictures over which they had no control," she said. "The councils have kept us busy picking up chips when we should have been sawing wood," which she explained as meaning that the council members have been kept from doing more effective work "cleaning up the movies."