Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1934)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Thursday, November 22, 1934 Para. Plan in Few Days Now Is Indicated {Continued from page 1) contesting the claims. Yesterday, Arthur A. Ballantine, of trustees' counsel, consented to the further adjournment asked by Morton G. Bogue, of counsel for the creditor bank group, without objection. "The representation that the filing of a reorganization plan is imminent is satisfactory to us," Ballantine said, "If the plan is ready we don't want to press our action. If it isn't forthcoming, as represented, in the very near future, we can consult on new procedure against the defendant banks." An original agreement to adjourn only until Nov. 28, presumably with the expectancy of the reorganization plan being filed prior to that date, was changed to Dec. 3 because of the nearness of the first date to the Thanksgiving holiday. There was some indication that the plan might be filed with Judge Coxe on Saturday, as disclosed yesterday in Motion Picture Daily. In the meantime, in preparation for the anticipated withdrawal of the trustees' action, counsel for the bank group will prepare a stipulation agreeing to the withdrawal of their objections, without prejudice for renewal, to examination of officers of the defendant banks by trustees' counsel. This will merely place the trustees in a position where their motion asking the examination may also be withdrawn later. Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard today will hear creditors' attorneys and counsel for the trustees on the recent report and recommendation of Special Master John E. Joyce which reduced the applications for fees aggregating more than $700,000 to approximately $370,000. The report was referred to Judge Goddard yesterday by Federal Judge Robert P. Patterson. It involves the allowances to the trustees, their counsel, special counsel and accountants for services rendered during the Paramount bankruptcy. Zirn Move Defeated Albany, Nov. 21. — The Court of Appeals here affirmed without opinion today the ruling of the Appellate division in New York denying to petitioning Paramount Publix bondholders represented by Samuel Zirn authority to institute actions against directors and officers of the company for recovery of assets independent of actions brought by trustees of the company. Zirn, asked to comment yesterday on the Court of Appeals ruling, described it as "inconclusive" except on the question of his clients' right to sue former Paramount directors if they first obtain a judgment. In other respects, he maintained, his case is unchanged by the higher court's ruling. Feist Lands Today San Francisco, Nov. 21. — Felix F. Feist arrives from Honolulu tomorrow and will repair to the M-G-M studio for a couple of weeks. Looking 'Em Over "The Battle" (Leon Garganoff) This film leaves the reviewer with a series of mixed impressions. Viewed as a straight piece of entertainment, it is exceptional. The drama of the story is built up with cold logic, the tempo shifting and gaining pace until it reaches a climax in a stirring naval battle and tapering off to an end which finds both the principal characters — an English and Japanese naval officer — dead. One is killed in battle, the other a suicide. The story is concentrated on the sinister fatalism of a Japanese officer who is ready to sacrifice his wife's honor to gain secrets from a British naval attache. At the height of the battle the Japanese officer is wounded, the Englishman takes command and is killed, and the Oriental commander ceremoniously kneels before an altar robed in white and stabs himself. Back on land a new type of Madame Butterfly waits, knowing that her husband will not return. The naval scenes are thrilling. The work of Charles Boyer as the Japanese officer, of John Loder as the Englishman and of Merle Oberon as the Japanese wife is splendid. The picture was directed in France by Nicolas Farkas with the dialogue in English. But some angles that stir this reviewer's curiosity are : Was it timed to fit with the insistent Japanese demand for naval parity at the London conference ? Was the fact that the Englishman took command tinged with any deeper meaning? Was there any purpose in making the targets of the Japanese guns American warships with the familiar basket masts ? This picture, intentionally or not, seems to get into the field of international relations at their most sensitive point. Every big navy man and armament maker will think it's a film masterpiece ; others with no interest in these angles will think it an interesting piece of entertainment. But how a Japanese victory will set with the American public is something else to engage the consideration of exhibitors here. No code seal. Running: time, 87 minutes. "G." MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW 'Father Brown, Detective' (Paramount) Hollywood, Nov. 21. — "Father Brown, Detective," is a story of a small town parish priest whose knowledge of human nature arouses his uncanny detective instinct in regenerating a shrewd jewel thief, a novel twist that should command attention. The picture gets away from the formula of ordinary detective dramas, adding down-to-earth human interest which is made impressive by the fine characterizations of the principals. Walter Connolly, as the priest, arouses sympathy and feeling as Paul Lukas, the crook, and Gertrude Michael, an heiress, are enmeshed in a delicate romance that pulls the heartstrings. Contrary to the hangup, fast continuity found in the usual detective yarn, this moves slowly, playing more for an understanding of the characters, yet never becoming boresome. It contains many surprising situations in a battle of wits between the crook and priest. Connolly's final reformation of the crook does not clear Lukas from the law, but it leaves a pleasant impression that through his regeneration Lukas' sentence may be reduced, enabling him to return to his waiting sweetheart. The production is artistically mounted, contrasting modern Paris environment with lavish settings photographed well by Theodore Sparkuhl under the able direction of Edward Sedgwick from Gardner Sullivan's treatment of Gilbert K. Chesterton's original. Production Code Seal No. 374. Running time, 65 minutes. "G." "College Rhythm," tonight's preview at the Paramount, ivas covered jrom Hollytvood by mire on Oct. 29. "Imitation of Life," being previczved tonight at the Roxy, was reviewed on Nov. 20. Tries Huge Invitations Los Angeles, Nov. 21. — Invitations to a preview of "The Mighty Barnum" have been Barnumized by Harry Brand, publicity head of 20th Century here. They are one sheets in blue and red. The studio gateman will wear stilts so he will not be buried beneath them when the guests unfold the sheets. Conferences Here to Iron FWC Details (.Continued from page 1) contract with his brother Spyros as the other signer. Spyros also will play a part in the meetings. S. R. Kent, president of National Theatre.*Corp., new holding company, and head of Fox West Coast, will not return from England for another three weeks and will not attend the downtown meetings. Charles is vice-president and general manager of Fox West Coast. Bert Shipman, attorney for Chase, who accompanied Skouras when the 1 latter left for Los Angeles two weeks ago, returns in about three days. He is cleaning up several incidental matters in connection with the reorganization. Wisconsin Amusement Co., which is the name for the reorganized Fox Midwesco of which H. J. Fitzgerald is head, was taken out of receivership about a year ago. Fox West Coast will be all set to go about Jan. 1 from present indications. National Receives No Word from MPTO National Screen has not as yet received word from the M.P.T.O. of Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware, which is reputed to be in a move to urge a reduction of 15 per cent in the blanket rates for service. The denial came from Morton Van Praag, general sales manager, when queried by Motion Picture Daily yesterday on the story. Van Praag said that this was the first he had heard of it. George Dawes Made FarnoVs Successoi (Continued from page 1) ing Lynn Farnol, who resigned re cently to become associated with th< advertising firm of Donahue and Coe handling its Music Hall account Dawes will work in association wit! Hal Home, United Artists publicit? and advertising chief, in the exploita tion of Eddie Cantor and Anna Stei productions. Dawes comes from the newspapei field. For the last four years he ha; been connected with the World-Telegram here and with other ScrippsHoward papers. Industry Measures Seen in 43 Statei (Continued from page 1) in need of new taxation to finance re lief programs and recoup deplete' treasuries, indicating that the intro duction of new industry tax measure may be expected from many quarter; Regulatory measures are also be lieved likely to be introduced with th opening of the legislative season as result of the widespread publicity ac corded the church decency campaig during the past year. Reissuing Arliss Films London, Nov. 21. — Warners are re issuing all of the Arliss pictures hen