Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1934)

Saturday, December I, 1934 MOTION PICTVRE DAILY Circuits Move To Fight Free Socony Shows (Continued from page 1) Shubert, a 2,000-seat legitimate theatre, and will be broadcast from WICC. From New Haven the troupe goes to Concord, N. H. Details of the itinerary are being closely guarded by representatives of Standard Oil in charge of the exploitation project and by the representatives of the participating performers. Music Corp. of America, the Guy Lombardo representative, declined to reveal the itinerary, stating that no publicity for it was desired except locally, and then only a few days in advance of engagements. It is understood, however, that the troupe will play about 40 cities throughout the country. Just what line of opposition to the Standard Oil's free shows is open to theatres was not determined by the circuit representatives at their meeting in the Hays office yesterday. W arners have already registered a protest with Compliance Director Sol A. Rosenblatt on the grounds of unfair competition. Other theatre companies are expected to add their complaints to that of Warners. Other methods of protest and retaliation suggested yesterday will be held in abeyance, it is understood, until attempts have been made by industry leaders to arrive at an understanding with high Standard Oil officials. This procedure may involve a request that admissions comparable to those of a first run theatre be charged for the performances. Theatre representatives will probably meet again next week on the same subject. B 'way Up and Going; Takes Better, Big Week-End Seen British Lion Signs Perry, Tennis Star (Continued from page 1) his playing partner. William T. Tilden, 2nd, will do the commentary in all the reels. Perry's amateur standing will not be jeopardized, since the series has the approval of the Lawn Tennis Ass'n. It is understood here that Fred Perry will turn professional and join the Tilden Tennis Tours, Inc., some time in March. The troupe includes Elsworth Vines, George Lott and Lester Stoeffen. Whether or not Warners' offer to Perry, made last summer, to make a series similar to British Lion still holds is problematical. London Flash Review By BRUCE ALLAN London, Nov. 30.— "The Iron Duke," Gaumont British production, which opened at the Tivoli tonight, is undoubted box-office and an outstanding spectacle. ft presents Wellington (George Arliss) as a man and statesman rather than as a soldier, reaching its highest pitch in the scene picturing his speech in the House of Lords for tolerance toward the beaten enemy. This is magnificently acted and produced. The Waterloo scenes are brilliant, with the charge of Scots Greys and Highlanders the highlight. Other big scenes are the ball at Brussels on the eve of the battle and peace conference at the Paris Opera. The story shows Wellington in a battle of wits with "Madame," niece of Louis XVIII, who secures Ney's execution in the Duke's absence, but is sent into exile on his return. The afterwar parallel with Europe today is emphasized in the dialogue. Running time, 90 minutes. "G." (Continued from page 1) opened big with "Gay Divorcee" yesterday. The Strand hit $10,319 with "Gentlemen Are Born" and the Rialto with "Menace" fared badly with $9,000. "The Captain Hates the Sea" opened big at the Rialto on Thanksgiving Eve and hit the second highest opening day gross since Arthur Mayer took the house. "Lost Patrol" still holds the first-day record. "College Rhythm" at the Paramount ended the first week at $27,000. Broadway operators are excited over the week-end school holiday, following Thanksgiving. The school lay-off is expected to perk, up intakes today and tomorrow. "Flirtation Walk" at the Strand is holding to capacity audiences since its opening Thanksgiving Eve. Accord ing to Warners the picture hit a new record for Thanksgiving Day business. New Schine Dividend Gloversville, N. Y., Nov. 30. — Schine Theatres, Inc., has declared a dividend of 75 cents a share on account of accumulations on the no par $3 preferred stock, payable Dec. 1 to stockholders of record Nov. 20. After this payment overdue dividends will be $5.25 a share. Jack Stebbins Better Hollywood, Nov. 30. — Jack Stebbins, who was recently removed from The Chief at Albuquerque because of a sudden illness, is making steady progress toward recovery. Move for Abolition Of Double Features (Continued from page 1) inappropriate" pictures on the same bill with recommended features, hampering efforts to improve the public taste. With the elimination of double features, the committee recommended that programs be unified so that each will consist of a single feature and appropriate short subjects, that undesirable advertising trailers be eliminated, that more informational and less sensational trailers be substituted, and the neighborhood theatre week-end programs be planned to meet the needs of the family groups. Warners Cut '34 Loss to 2,530,513 Santell Goes West Al Santell left New York for Hollywood by rail yesterday, but will be back early in the new year en route to London again where he has pending a lawsuit against Toeplitz Prod. The action developed out of direction of "The Dictator" for which Santell was employed. Claiming unreasonable demands were made out of line with his contract, Santell did not finish the picture but resorted to law. Selling Tickets on Commission Stopped (Continued from page 1) the Piqua, at Piqua, O. George V, Lynch, of the Schine home office, at Gloversville, N. Y., attended this hearing. A dismissal verdict also was ren dered in the overbuying complaint of S. S. Steenwood, Majestic, Nelsonville, O., against M. S. Porter, Or pheum, same city. In the case of Steenwood vs. Porter, based on reduced admissions, respon dent was ordered to adhere to prices in contact, which specifies 10, 15 and 20 cents. Evidence showed respondent had been double featuring at a fivecent admission during the summer, but had recently advanced the admission to 10 cents. This, however, was below the minimum set forth in contract. Set Up New Clearance New Orleans, Nov. 30. — Jeanerette, Franklin and New Iberia have been zoned together by the clearance and zoning board as a result of a complaint of Laurence Lampo of Jeanerette. Lampo complained that Affiliated Theatres, which book for the houses in Franklin and New Iberia, were demanding 30 days' clearance over his house, which had not been granted in the past and that Fox, which has sold him "Judge Priest" and "Peck's Bad Boy," took the films away to give them to Affiliated. Under the new arrangement first runs get 15 days' clearance and second runs get priority over third. This cuts down the Affiliated demand for clearance, but also puts Lampo on a third run basis for the bulk of major product. (Continued from page 1) directors for investments in and advances to affiliated companies. The report disclosed that the company has $4,664,137.62 in cash on hand and that a further amount not to exceed $200,000 is expected from Erpi. The exact total will not be known before April 26, 1937. The company has speeded up its amortization of films by cutting the total amortization from 52 weeks to 30. Under the new schedule a film is devalued 74 per cent at the end of 13 weeks; 96 per cent at the end of 26 weeks and 100 per cent at the end of 30 weeks. The consolidated balance shows mortgages and funded debt totalling $86,487,734.19. Last year it was $90,627,930.73, and on Aug. 23, 1931, it was $104,898,926.97. This is a reduction of $18,411,192.78 in the funded debt in three years. Total current and working assets are listed as $168,342,026.33. Buy Terre Haute Site Terre Haute, Nov. 30.— The Scherer Theatre Co., with houses at Linton and Clinton, has purchased from J. T. Rousch and the Rousch family a site on Wabash Ave. The company refuses to disclose its plans. Dismiss Cleveland Case Cleveland, Nov. 30. — The Steinberg vs. Shea overbuying case was dismissed upon evidence today by unanimous vote of the grievance board. The plaintiff had charged inability to obtain product of this or any other year for any designated run. The board ruled no proof had been produced that the respondent was guilty of the charges. "Flirtation" Start Makes Warners Grin Warner executives went into a smile cycle yesterday when telegraphed reports on opening day engagements of "Flirtation Walk" convinced them the new Powell-Keeler musical is in the big money division. New house records were advanced for the picture by the company and the following highlights reported by the home office on Thanksgiving Day engagements in scattered spots : Albany — Opening day's take was $2,647, topping "World Changes," "Footlight Parade" and "Wonder Bar." Akron, O.— Strand played first day Thanksgiving to smash business, ahead of "World Changes," "Footlight Parade" and "Wonder Bar." Bridgeport, Conn. — Cameo reports business way ahead of "Footlight Parade" and "Wonder Bar." Charleroi, Pa.— Coyle broke 42-year house record for opening day (Thursday). Cleveland — Thanksgiving Day was first full day at Hippodrome and grossed $4,098, which is big and way above "Footlight Parade" and "Wonder Bar." New Haven — Roger Sherman topped gross of previous Thanksgiving Day by 50 per cent for a smash take. Philadelphia — Stanley had biggest Thanksgiving Day in its history. Grossed $6,995 opening days (Thanksgiving) topping first day of "Footlight Parade" and "Wonder Bar." Plainfield, N. J— Walter Reade sent following wire to A. W. Smith, _ Jr. — "I cannot resist opportunity to send wire calling attention to gross at the Strand. Never grossed as much money in one day since Spanish War." Youngstown, O. — Warner here did best Thanksgiving Day's business in years. Worcester, Mass. — Opened at Warner topping receipts recorded on Thanksgiving Day of last year by $97. Stage Show Return Set for St. Louis St. Louis, Nov. 30.— F. & M. will start stage shows at the Ambassador on Dec. 7, according to Charles Kurtzman. A 20-piece orchestra will be assembled under the direction of D'Arteaga. Negotiations with the union have been on and off for a period of six weeks. The St. Louis may be reopened, it is said, for roadshows and traveling musicals.