Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1934)

■ MOTION PICTURE DAILY K. C. Approves Campi Zoning Modifications Hollywood Personals Hollywood, Nov. 21. — Sam Goldwyn and Mrs. Goldwyn are at Palm Springs for a short vacation. . . . Charles LeMaire has arrived from New York to design the costumes for George White's "Scandals'' for Fox. . . . Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey off on a personal appearance. . . . Paramount wants Hugh O'Connell for the leading role in "The Milky Way." . . . H. M. Harwood, author of "Cynara," and Hans Wilhelm, famous German writer, have arrived in town to begin writer's contracts at M-G-M. . . . Edmund Lowe is limping after dropping a 30-pound diver's shoe on his foot during scenes for "The Depths Below" at Columbia. . . . Fred Keating has dismissed the detectives hired to locate his dog. Fred found the pooch himself. . . . Preston Foster will play the lead in "Behind the Green Lights" for Mascot. 4 (Continued from page 1) Campi accepts or rejects it, Motion Picture Daily learned authentically that some provisions in the earlier plan attacked by the independents have been stricken out or revised in line with the recommendations of the Campi emissaries. It was said that, with only two or three changes, the clearance between runs remains the same as in the plan previously proposed. It is understood the new plan eliminates the clause requiring subsequents to maintain a fixed admission or be delayed 14 days in availability. The clause preventing subsequents from making price changes sooner than every 30 days is understood eliminated, while the minimum and maximum availability periods between runs have been retained. The Loew's Midland price reduction effective Friday caused some board members to demand lower protection than the stipulated 35 days in the event first runs fail to maintain a 40cent night price. While the board made no provisions to this effect in the schedule, it adopted a supplementary resolution recommending that Campi modify first run protection in the event of price revisions. Approval of the modifications in the Kansas City clearance schedule by factors in that territory indicates Campi will put its stamp of approval on the setup when it comes up for consideration before it today, it is understood. Campi's action is said to depend largely on the attitude of the Kansas City exhibitors toward the plan. For a while it seemed the theatremen would turn it down. Now that they have accepted the schedule Campi's approval is considered a matter of course. George J. Schaefer and Edward Golden, who went to Kansas City on the plan as Campi's representatives, will ask for its acceptance at today's meeting of the authority. See Schenck Taking Up Producer Lineup Hollywood, Nov. 21. — Nicholas M. Schenck, here for conferences on forthcoming M-G-M product, was reported today to be taking up production assignments and producer personnel involving some 15 executive and associate producers. He is said to have conferred yesterday with David O. Selznick regarding the latter's attitude on remaining with the company, but those closely associated with Selznick believe he is determined on carrying out his independent production project. Seeks Drama for Young Havke de Grace, Md., Nov. 21. — Development of community and school dramatics to save children from the influence of objectionable films was advocated here today by Mrs. A. H. Reeve of Philadelphia in an address at the 19th annual convention of the Maryland Congress of Parents and Teachers. Columbia Up 70% In Europe — Cohn (Continued from page 1) while abroad and added Joseph Seidelman, head of the foreign department, shortly will make another trip abroad. No date has yet been set. As soon as he cleared the customs, Cohn made a bee line for the Astor where a trade showing was being held on "Broadway Bill." M'. A. Schlesinger, head of DeForest Phonofilms, returned on the same boat. He went over and came back with Cohn and stated he negotiated some "important business" while in London but would not disclose the nature of it at this time. Ben Miggins, head of the European Fox Movietone News division, also arrived on the Italian liner. He is here for his annual visit and plans to stay until after the holidays. His headquarters are in Paris. Many See "Broadway Bill" Prominent exhibitors and circuit buyers as well as a number of bankers were present yesterday at a preview of Columbia's "Broadway Bill" at the Astor. About 1,000 attended. Hearing on Move to Sell 4 in Phila. on Philadelphia, Nov. 21. — Hearing on the advisability of selling four theatres belonging to the William Friehofer and Fred Nixon Nirdlinger estates started today at the City Hall before John Blessing, Jr., and Donald Hamilton, masters appointed by the court. Lionel Friedman, real estate broker, testifying on Warners' bid for the houses with the offer expiring Feb. 1, said he had been negotiating for a sale for a year and a half. He declared if the executors refuse the offer they will not receive a penny from the properties because assessments and rentals are so high he had been unable to get another buyer. Frank Nirdlinger Passes Philadelphia, Nov. 21. — Frank Nirdlinger, 69, well known theatre man and a former partner of the late Fred Zimmerman, is dead here. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Sally Nirdlinger ; a daughter, Virginia, and a nephew, Samuel F. Nirdlinger. Knox on Buffalo News Buffalo, Nov. 21. — Charles Victor Knox, formerly connected with the Fawcett magazines, now is doing the film column for the Buffalo Evening Neivs. SchuLberg to Make Films on New Basis (Continued from page 1) hand, one company may release one, some or all of the product on a competitive bidding basis. Included in the plan is said to be a possible tieup for exclusive first choice of New York publishers' complete output of novels. A strong possibility also looms of a tieup with a New York play producer, with Schulberg sharing part of the responsibility of a show and the producer assuming an interest in the picture production. All proposed pictures, it is reported, will be based on subjects having positive exploitation values, with the dramatic content of each hinging on some phase of national or international drama, current either as news or fiction. Thirty Appeals Set For Campi Hearings (Continued from page 1) Campi's inaction on clearance and zoning, will be absent at today's session. Walter Vincent will alternate for him. ^ Report of George J. Schaefer and Edward Golden on the Kansas City clearance and zoning schedule will be taken up, but action depends on the results of a session held by local exhibitors yesterday. Coast Board Again Bans a Bank Night Los Angeles, Nov. 21. — Despite the return of four appeals on bank night cases by Campi the local grievance board has ruled against another bank night. The complaint was by the Oceanside Theatre against the Escondido. A rehearing of the four cases returned from New York is scheduled for next Tuesday. Dismiss Lease Charge Albany, Nov. 21. — Sitting as an Industrial Adjustment Agency, the grievance board has dismissed the Fayette Theatres, Inc., Utica, charge against Kallet Theatres, Inc., Oneida, in which it was alleged the latter company had interfered with negotiation of a lease. Gardel to Make 2 More Carlos Gardel has been engaged to make two more Spanish musicals for release by Paramount International Corp. Both will be made by the Exito Corp. at Eastern Service Studios, Astoria. Production will start shortly after the turn of the year. Thursday, November 22, 193* j British Will Censor Parts Of Newsreels (Continued from page 1 ) ' commentaries on such films, which' may be of a "mendacious" character. J It follows recommendations to thisJ effect in the recent report of the B.B.F.C. The H.O. letter, obviously referring to scenes of the Marseilles assassina-J tions recently shown in news reel^ also includes a warning that the prohibition of films "likely to be offensive) to public feeling" applies to newsreels which are thus indirectly broughf under censorship. * * * Eddie Cantor is negotiating witl George Black of the Palladium for a stage engagement at that house earl>, in 1935. The Palladium is a Genera j Theatres property, controlled by Gau mont British. * * * J. B. Priestly, author of "The Goor Companions," will probably write ai original story for George Arliss a: the vehicle of the latter's second foi Gaumont British. * * * A strike of electricians held up pro duction on three pictures at the Brit ish and Dominions studio for a da; before differences arising out of th interpretation of a working agreemen< were settled. * * * Charles ("Buddy") Rogers ha been signed by British Internationa to star in "Dance Band" at Elstre^ This is a musical in which it is pro posed to feature instrumental music on a "biggest ever" scale. Marce Yarnel, who recently completed "Girl Will Be Boys," for B.I. P., is t direct. Pope Bans Own Picture; Vatican City, Nov. 21. — It was re ported here last night that Pope Piu XI has refused to permit pictures q himself or his sacred functions to ap* pear on theatre screens. He was quoted as saying : "It ij unthinkable that pictures of Christ' Vicar or his sacred functions shouK appear on the very screens on whic films offending the fundamental prir ciples of Christian morals and con' mon decency are projected." Drive Hard on'Writers The drive against objectionabl films is putting scenario writers t the test by necessitating a greate display of ingenuity in getting aroun risky situations, said Joseph L. Man kiewicz, scenario writer, upon his ar rival in town from the coast yesterda accompanied by his wife. The resul' he added, is better pictures. Radio Assigns Corrigan Hollywood, Nov. 21. — Lloyd Coi rigan has been assigned to direc "Buzzle of the Pepper Tree," a Radio. The film will top spot Edn Mae Oliver and James Gleason. Warners Sign McCrea Hollywood, Nov. 21. — Warner \ have signed Joel McCrea for two pic tures, starting Jan. 1. I