Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1935)

Wednesday, January 30, 1935 MOTION PICTURE DAILY New FWC Unit To Get Going In Few Days (Continued from page 1) Fox Midwest and Fox Rocky Mountain have reported to both New York and Los Angeles. His operating contract is not yet set, Skouras said, and it would be pre| mature to talk about it, as it will not be effected until after reorganization. Skouras also paid tribute to the operations of Elmer C. Rhoden and Rick Ricketson and said that they, and other division heads, can remain in their present posts as long as they desire. Skouras and Edward Alperson met H. J. Fitzgerald of Fox Wisconsin at Milwaukee and the three arrived here yesterday. With Rhoden, they will meet Ricketson at Las V egas, arriving on the coast Wednesday. Frank L. Newman of the Evergreen Theatres in Seattle is also scheduled to attend the coast conferences. Skouras expects to return to New York Monday, but Alperson may stay longer. New Jersey Tax May Not Reach Theatres {Continued from page 1) services may also be exempt in the light of new revenue estimates. For the second week in succession introduction of the sales and income tax bills was delayed to permit changes suggested by the Governor. One of the major changes in the sales tax is reported to be elimination of amusements from paying the tax, although details of the measure were a closely guarded secret. It will not be known definitely whether amusements are exempted until the bill is introduced and printed later this week. A major change in policy is contemplated for the income tax measure. Personal and corporate incomes are being separated by tax experts to determine whether a higher rate on corporations would be effective. The first proposal of Governor Hoffman was for a two per cent income tax with approximately the same exemptions as the Federal levy. Now the plan is reported to be a two per cent rate on personal incomes and a higher graduated schedule for corporations. Yamins Again Made N.E. Allied Leader (Continued from page 1) cers were also continued in office. They are : Max Levenson, Boston, first vice-president; Walter Littlefield, Roxbury, Mass., second vicepresident ; Ernest Horstmann, Boston, secretary; Harold Stoneman, Boston, treasurer. Members of the executive committee were likewise all reelected as follows : Morris Pouzzner, Charles Hodgdon, A. A. Bendslev and Richard Rubin, Massachusetts ; Andrew Tegu, Vermont ; Warren Nichols and A. C. Barwood, New Hampshire, and Richard Flora and Abe Goodise, Maine. Business was confined to a discussion of local topics. MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "Shadow of Doubt" (M-G-M) Hollywood, Jan. 29. — "Shadow of Doubt" leaves no doubt that the picture will get successful audience reaction in any man's town. Rich story quality and fast tempo, plus capable delivery point up a wellbalanced cast headed by Ricardo Cortez, Virginia Bruce, Constance Collier, Isabel Jewell, Betty Furness, Arthur Byron and others. George Seitz's brilliant direction extracts all possible from the story material, which was adapted by Wells Root from Arthur Somers Roche's original depicting a multiple murder with the suspects a radio solicitor, a press agent and a temperamental film star. Cortez and Miss Bruce carry the romantic interest, with Miss Collier dominating throughout by playing an old aunt opposed to her nephew, Cortez, falling in love with an actress. So many fast situations develop that the plot becomes secondary, and, although few murders are committed, unraveling these crimes makes good entertainment for the average theatre-goer. Beautiful settings and expert photography add to the splendid acting and direction. The film was produced by Lucien Hubbard. Previewed without production code seal. Running time, 75 minutes. "G." New Idea in London Automatic Theatres American tourists in London will soon have more than the fog, driving on the opposite side of the road and cockney accents to contend with. An automatic theatre is about to be installed, if dispatches from the London Sunday Express can be believed, and Americans that must have pictures, be they where they may, will probably find themselves stumped for the first time. L. J. Briggs is the inventor in the case. His idea is to have a shillingin-the-slot box-office — or six pence or half a crown, according to the seat. Automatic projection does away with men in the booth. This because three miles of film can be loaded into one machine and breakage is done away with by means of a new sprocket that works without pressure. A time switch will cause doors to open and close according to the will of the proprietor, who, in fact, need not go near his house except to collect— or in case of an emergency. In describing his plan, Briggs says : "A gate allows one patron through at a time when he or she puts the money in the slot. "When all the seats are full, the gate locks itself, lights a sign announcing the fact and seals the money slot." Briggs doesn't say, however, what is done when a family, say of five, is passing through, with papa dropping shillings into the slot, and suddenly signs begin to light up telling him no more can get in when half his family is already inside. Or, if a gallant swain passes his girl friend in and finds himself on the outside. Plan Roosevelt Party Los Angeles, Jan. 29. — All studios will join in staging a Roosevelt birthday party tonight at the Warner Sunset studio. Top-line stars will appear, among them Wallace Beery and Bing Crosby. Sid Grauman and Norman Manning comprise the entertainment committee. Thirty per cent of the proceeds will go to Warm Springs, the balance to the local fund. Gusdanovic Appeals Cleveland Decision Declaring that the Temple, Cleveland, always maintained 14 days' protection over the Sun, Paul Gusdanovic, operator of the former house, yesterday appealed a decision of the Cleveland clearance and zoning board, which recently held that the two theatres were in different zones. The appellant stated that although he had bought protection over the Sun this season, it was for future film buys that he was complaining. Gusdanovic contended at a hearing before Leslie £. Thompson, Roy L. Haines and John Benas that the first decision of the local board had unanimously held that the two theatres were in the same zone and competitive, amending the decision with a clause that if the Sun stopped advertising admissions in newspapers it would consider an application to put the Temple in zone 18 and the Sun in zone 17. The Temple pays from $50 to $800 for a picture while the Sun pays from $10 to $50, Gusdanovic said. The Sun followed the suggestion and when the case came before the local board again, the two houses were put in separate zones by the board. It is from this ruling that Gusdanovic appealed. Other appeals discussed by the committee were : Charles Gottlob, Sunbeam, Cleveland, against the Sun, same city, on reduced admissions ; Joseph Litvag, Roxy, St. Louis, against the Granada and Kingsland, same city, on clearance and zoning ; Ira, St. Louis, against Mikado, Tivoli and Wellston, same city, on clearance and zoning. No Milton Sunday Shows Milton, Mass., Jan. 29. — The Board of Selectmen has voted against licensing Sunday pictures. Chairman Frederick A. Gaskins gave the reason for the dismissal as "lack of interest of the citizens." A hearing a week ago on the petition of 150 residents aroused very little interest, according to Gaskins. Theatre Heads Marshal Fight On Fee Boosts (Continued from page 1) 600 or more would be raised from $150 to $1,500. These hikes are in addition to license fees exhibitors are now paying for marquees, cooling systems, stage shows and oil burners. Important independent and circuit men met yesterday at a secret session to discuss action to be taken today. The I. T. O. A. called off its regular meeting so that members could be on hand for the downtown conclave. Some independents hold that if the proposed increases go through they will be forced to close their doors. Bitter Cold Hits Lincoln Theatres Lincoln, Jan. 29. — Bitter cold with gales pushing the thermometer down to 12 below zero hit theatres last week. "Imitation of Life" at the Stuart started well, but slipped with the mercury. Final tally was $2,700, below average by $400. "We Live Again," Lincoln, bolstered by a big short program started to wow 'em, but skidded, too. The take was only $1,700. Total for the four first runs was $8,100. Average is $9,100. Estimated takings : Week Ending Jan. 23: "WE LIVE AGAIN" (U. A.) LINCOLN— (1,600), 10c-15c-25c, 7 days. Gross: $1,700. (Average, $2,200) "IMITATION OF LIFE" (Univ.) STUART— (2,000), 10c-25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $2,700. (Average, $3,100) Week Ending Jan. 24: "MILLS OF THE GODS" (Col.) VARSITY— (1,100), 10c-25c, 7 days. Gross: $900. (Average, $1,500) "YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL" (Mono.) "BEHOLD MY WIFE" (Para.) ORPHEUM-(1,200), 10c-15c-25c. "Girls m Cellophane" stage show, 3 days, "Wife" for 4 days. Gross: $2,800. (Average, $2,300) Brief in in Tax Fight Los Angeles, Jan. 29.— U. S. District Court Judge Cosgrove today accepted the brief of United Artists, M-G-M, Fox and Paramount in their action for an injunction preventing Los Angeles County from assessing what they claim to be excess taxes on properties bordering the studios. Fall of Roof Kills 8 Medellin, Colombia, Jan. 29. — Collapse of the roof of the Alcazar during a showing of "Bolero" killed eight persons and injured 40 here last night. Many of the victims were foreigners. Nazi Law Hits Lubitsch Berlin, Jan. 29.— Ernst Lubitsch has lost his Prussian citizenship under a Nazi decree revoking the naturalization of Jews. Eyes Trouble Laemmle Hollywood, Jan. 29. Carl Laemmle, Sr., is confined with an eye ailment.