Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1934)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Business Revival Forecast; One Exhibitor Body Urged 6 Mexico Is Hit By the Start Of Free Show (Continued from page 1) bank's depositors and exhibitors are worrying about a spread of the idea. Cinelandia, devoted exclusively to shorts from noon to midnight, has been opened in a business building. This is the first house of the kind in Mexico. French and German two-reelers have made up the programs so far. Arcady Boytler, French actor and director, heads a group of Mexican men behind the venture. * ■ **' $ Mexican producers are continuing to show a fancy for 10 and 12-reel historical films. The latest to be announced is a drama based on the life and deeds of Netzahualcoyotl, poet and king of the Texcocans. Shock pictures are going over big here. An outstanding example is the reception being accorded "Forgotten Men" at the Cine Principal. Capacity crowds are the rule day and night at 28 cents. A heavy exploitation campaign preceded the showing. Free Shows Stopped In Boston Theatres (Continued from page 1) home after three days in New York. He said an agreement has been reached with Scott's Furriers to switch tryouts for ether shows from the Boston Opera House to one of the local theatres with the completed air program staged in a radio broadcasting station. New England independents objected to Scott's free admissions to the opera house during the tryouts, claiming that this type of gratis show has hurt theatre attendance. The fur concern has agreed to put on the tryouts at one of the local theatres where admissions are charged for the regular show. The tryouts will be an added attraction for which no increase in admissions will be charged, Levinson said. Whether the test performances will be put on at one theatre or routed has not been determined. Stanley Returns to Shows in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Dec. 30. — After two months of straight pictures, the Stanley will return to stage shows, temporarily at least, the week of Jan. 11 when Jack Benny comes here at the head of his own unit. His wife and air partner, Mary Livingston, will be with him. Marcus Takes House Indianapolis, Dec. 30. — Manny Marcus has taken over management of the Capitol. The house is operated by the Central City Amusement Co., of which Carl Niesse is general manager. Oscar Bradley to Coast Hollywood, Dec. 30. — Oscar Bradley, recently signed as musical supervisor by Fox, arrives here within the next two weeks to assume his new duties. By EMMETT THURMON (Continued from page 1) ture success of the industry, that the children be brought back to the theatre in order that they may grow up "movie-minded." The theatre code has moulded a few of the broken links in the production, administration and exhibiting ends of the industry. The code is not perfect by any means and has not accomplished all it was hoped for. There has been much chiseling and manipulation to avoid the spirit and purpose thereof. Local exhibitors should be given a greater reign and control of the exhibition end of the industry. Local conditions are different and, therefore, need the ingenuity, experience and knowledge of local exhibitors to formulate plans, methods and means of better handling the situations. The various boards set up under the code are not rendering the impartial and fair administration of the various things that come within their jurisdiction as was anticipated. It is hoped that these errors and mistakes may be corrected in the near future. It is evident that the various representatives of the producers, distributors and exhibitors are beginning to more thoroughly understand and appreciate the necessity of a close and mutual interest of each other than ever before. Yet, there is much to be accomplished along this line. Live and let live is still a fundamental necessity in the industry. Urges One Exhibitor Body One of the greatest necessities, insofar as the exhibitors are concerned, is one national organization that will represent the exhibitors honestly, fairly and for the interest of all. It is quite difficult to accomplish any great good when the exhibitors fuss, fight and disagree among themselves as to a national policy. A united front with all guns directed on a strategic point is vital. The Federal laws pertaining to copyrighted music should be changed in order that the exhibitors and producers should not be overburdened with unreasonable, unjust and detrimental fees, licenses and taxes. This can be accomplished when our senators and congressmen thoroughly understand the situation and they can be made to understand if the exhibitors co-operate in a body to present their cause. Fundamentally, there isn't anything wrong with the industry. It is a wonderful enterprise and essential to the welfare and contentment of the public. It affords the cheapest and best entertainment possible. The business is not a racket, but a legitimate industry, worthy of the most serious consideration of our best minds. Many individuals deserve much credit for the valuable work, effort and good judgment which they have used in building up this great business thus far. If we profit by the mistakes of yesterday, tomorrow will be filled with pleasant surprises ; if the unworthy can be eliminated and quality substituted therefor, the industry will survive and build on to greater heights. By M. E. COMERFORD (Continued from page 1) I feel, however, that we will experience a real revival in business during the coming year. Every indication now points that way. The appreciation in the value of securities, the advance in orders along the major industrial lines and other tangible evidences of increasing public confidence sustains the conviction that as a nation we are getting back on our feet In that relation it is also very reasonable to conclude that the bigger business elements will come into more complete harmony with the announced purposes of the national government. As these policies have also been made a part of the official programs of about 43 states, including all of the major commonwealths, we can, with much hope, look for business revivals of a very definite nature. All of this will be mutual. American business leaders are reasonable. They are also patriotic and, in the main, have no desire to oppose the policies of the government. As in other lines, it is to be presumed that where changes are necessary those in charge of different major elements in the business will make readjustments to fit into the general scheme of things. As matters move generally so we must move. We can even assume a leadership and give our resources and facilities to the work of helping to guide these new movements and coordinate the prosperity trend of the nation. Sees Opportunity for Service I feel that we aie in a position to lead and our daily contact with the public will enable ms to be of much service to government, business and the people generally. In my own districts, I am putting this idea into practice as much as I can and I find that these efforts not only help the general situation along but meet with popular approval. In the specific handling of our own business, of course, we must have appealing programs. It is not only necessary to have good pictures, but the shows must be blended to meet up with the desires and emotions of the people. We could with profit give more time to that feature. In picture production attention must be given to the demands made upon us by church authorities and others. Some of these may seem unreasonable. But let us always approach the matter in a conciliatory and helpful way. It is the right of the government and the churches to insist upon certain picture standards as is the case in other things. We are in agreement with all on the desirability of having wholesome entertainment. That is our policy and will be found to be the general rule. It is only the exceptions to this which cause controversy. In 1935, I feel that every responsible element in our business should move toward aiding the trend toward prosperity. That is fundamental. We must recognize it. Then in the directing of our internal business affairs we will find that an honest, equitable and fair policy all around will beget confidence and increase our general business and bring prosperity to all theatre owners and, of course, in a corresponding degree to all others in the industry. I earnestly hope for a prosperous 1935. Monday, December 31, 1934 KMTA Closely Watching Two Legislatures (Continued from page 1) ranks, will represent the industry in this territory at Jefferson City, Mo., while R. R. Biechele, secretary of the organization, will watch developments at Topeka. Several bills inimical to the industry are reported ready to be thrown into the Missouri hopper. In addition, Governor Park has announced he will seek extension of the sales tax and a boost in the present levy of one-half of one per cent to at least one per cent. The sales, or occupation tax is at present absorbed by the exhibitor as an assessment on theatre tickets. Stapel favors a levy that can be passed on to the ticket buyer. The Missouri sales and liquor taxes, passed at the 1933 session as emergency measures, have not produced the expected or required revenue for relief, which faces a deficit of $2,500,000 for the biennium ending Dec. 31. Merchants throughout the state are reported to have organized to resist extension or increase of the sales tax, but it is pointed out that opponents must present some taxation program in order to defeat the sales levy increase. Report British Busy On Stereoscope Film (Continued from page 1) correspondent of the North American Newspaper Alliance, in an article cabled to this country. Gaumont, the article states, has equipped a special research laboratory for the experiments and hopes for definite results within the next year. One system involves embedding in the film itself two separate lenses and also requires a special screen. Details are being kept secret. Complicated processes of filming and projection are involved, the writer states. "A second process," the article continues, "involves the printing of two views of the same scene on the same positive film. The difference of the angle of the two views is the distance between human eyes. In projection the film would have to travel behind ten lenses, and the screen would have to be fitted with lines or bars to prevent the right eye from seeing the lefteye picture and vice versa. "Up to the present, most film producers here have been afraid of the introduction of stereoscopy and of color films. Their advent would involve revolutionizing their methods of photography and new projection installations. The public, however, once a stereoscopic film had been successfully launched, would turn away from the present shadow pictures as they did from silent films when the first talkie appeared." More Delay for "Sharp" Hollywood, Dec. 30. — The production of Pioneer's first picture, "Becky Sharp," which was temporarily halted by the death of Lowell Sherman, who was directing it, will be further hindered, it is thought, by a cold and eye illness that has confined Miriam Hopkins to her home.