Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1935)

Saturday, June 15, I93S MOTION PICTURE DAILY Move for New Code Fails to Cheer Chicago (Continued from page 1) not want a code, voluntary or otherwise, extending beyond hours and wages for the protection of employes. No arbitrary regulation of trade practices such as resulted in frequent injustices and in decisions lacking equity is desirable to us." Edwin Silverman, speaking for Essaness houses, was equally emphatic. "If they couldn't enforce the quasijudicial code, why try a voluntary one?" he asked. "Naturally we and every reputable organization are abiding by the wage and hour standards, and will, because this is economically sound, but in Chicago the code was the cause of more trouble than the business had had in all of the 10 years preceding it. It gave the chiselers, who wouldn't abide by the board decisions, an unfair advantage." Charles H. Ryan, assistant zone manager for Warners, concurred in the thought that codes should not go beyond hour and wage regulation. Against Voluntary Code "I am not in favor of adopting a voluntary code," he said. "I was satisfied with the operation of the code as it related to hours and wages, but when regulation went beyond that it went wrong. When the code attempted to tell exhibitors how to run their theatres, and whether or not he could use bank night, screeno and such things, it was detrimental rather than helpful. We believe in and practice fair competition, but are not in favor of adopting a voluntary code which works hardship on the exhibitor and interferes with his operation of his business." Ludwig Sussman, well known independent operator, favors a code if one can be worked out for the benefit of all. "I would like to see a code of a fair and proper kind," he declared, "if it could be enforced equitably and would operate fairly with respect to the little fellow as well as the big fellow. Of course, the assurance of fair and square treatment of employes is the best purpose that a code serves, although most men in business have come to consider this as merely the honest and human thing to do. It ought not to require enforcement. "I have never used the code, personally ; that is, I have never been brought before a board or had anyone else brought before one, but if a code were to be worked out after a sufficient discussion of the pros and cons by conscientious members of the industry it could serve a worthwhile purpose." Spyros and Charles Skouras 9 Natl Theatre Pact Signed (Continued from page 1) has 40 of 55 theatres in his group now operating while Rhoden has 92 of 120 open. Conferences with Spyros on the Ricketson and Rhoden pacts start Monday and are expected to be signed, sealed and delivered by the end of next week when the operating heads will return west. Pooling of the John Hamrick units in Portland and Seattle has been completed and a new company is being formed. Hamrick will be in charge of the Seattle group, while Al Finkelstein will operate Portland. J. J. Sullivan and his assistant Edward Zabel, are staying in New York for the summer. The only product deal closed is for Fox. Next week negotiations with other companies begin. Doman to Los Angeles Los Angeles, June 14.— Bob Doman has taken over Loew's State and Grauman's Chinese for F.W.C., replacing Phil Gersdorf, who resigned to handle publicity for Sol Lesser. Doman has been handling the United Artists in San Francisco, which has closed for the summer. Doman was at Loew's State some years ago. dustry should organize self-regulation, where disputes and contractual violations could be heard by an unbiased arbitration board, selected by exhibitors to consist of three exhibitors and three exchange men and in the event of a tie both parties shall agree upon the seventh arbitrator. I rather think a setup of this kind should be welcomed by exhibitors. I do not mean the same setup as in the old Film Board of Trade days, but some kind of a tribune where industry disputes could be settled within the industry. "Won't you please sign the enclosed postcard and mail at once to this office, stating whether or not you are in favor of such a setup?" Early returns indicate exhibitors are in favor of the idea. Charles Rich, Pittsburgh branch manager; Max Factor prize, Mickey Isman, Montreal manager; Margaret Lindsay prize, Bill Warner, Kansas City, manager. The awards were made personally by the donors and by Jack L. Warner. Earlier in the day the delegates attended a screening of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." H. M. Warner will hold theatre conferences over the week-end. All next week he will preside at a series of production conferences. LeRoy to Direct Cagney Hollywood, June 14. — Mervyn Le Roy has been assigned to direct James Cagney's next, "The Frisco Kid," based on a screen play by Seton I. Miller, author of "G-Men," and Warren Duff. MPTO in St Louis Seeks Arbitration (Continued from page 1) Wehrenberg, president, has sounded out the membership on the question of setting up a voluntary arbitration board to take the place of the grievance and the clearance and zoning boards. His bulletin reads : "Now that the Supreme Court has declared the NRA unconstitutional, I think that the in Aims for Bay State NRA Boston, June 14. — A bill designed to preserve as many of the NRA features as possible in this state has been introduced by James C. Scanlon of Somerville. It calls for the appointment of a Massachusetts Commission on Interstate Cooperation. Warner Men Given Sale Drive Awards (Continued from page 1) Warner convention banquet Thursday night. The prizes and the winners were : Jack Warner prize to M. A. Mooney, Cleveland branch manager; William Koenig prize to Harry Paynter, Canadian district manager; Bob Mochrie prize, F. H. Hathaway, Cleveland; Carl Leserman prize, Luke Conner, New Orleans branch manager; A. W. Schwalberg prize, R. H. McConnell, Kansas City; H. M. Doherty prize, P. Krumenacher, Pittsburgh. Rudy Vallee prize, William Kahl. Chicago; Dick Powell prize, Cy Young, Seattle; James Cagney prize, Leo Jacob, New York; Paul Muni prize, John Pavone. New Haven; Joe E. Brown prize, P. L. Spindler, Los Angeles; Ruby Keeler prize, Leo Jacob, New York; Al Jolson prize, Art Bailey, Los Angeles; Dolores Del Rio prize, W. B. Collins, Detroit; Kay Francis prize, T. R. Gilliam, Chicago; Pat O'Brien prize. Jack Magann, Boston; Joan Blondell prize. Dean House, Charlotte; Warren William prize, Joseph Plottel, Vancouver. Mervyn LeRoy prize, Newt Levi, San Francisco; Al Green prize. C. L. Theuerkauf, Seattle; Busby Berkeley prize, F. Beiersdorf, Washington; Frank Borzage, prize, T. M. Eckert, St. Louis; Bobby Connolly prize, R. H. Dunbar. Pittsburgh; Lloyd Bacon prize, J. R. Eifert, Cincinnati; Sam Sax prize, Oscar Kuschner, Indianapolis; E. M. Newman prize, C. C. Diamond. Kansas City, and Leon Mendelson. Omaha; Leon Schlesinger prize. Jack Groves, Dallas; George Bilson prize, P. L. Spindler and Homer Hisey. New Orleans; Michael Curtiz prize, R. R. Bryan, Atlanta ; Harry Warner prize, Nat Furst, New Haveni branch manager; Al Dubin prize. R. L. McCoy, Dallas; Sam Bischoff prize. Howard in "Green Light" Hollywood, June 14. — Leslie Howard will play the lead in "The Green Light," a Cosmopolitan Prod., which is being planned as one of the most important productions on the company's schedule. Short Subjects "Baer-Braddock Fighf' {Oliver) Dull may sound like a strange criticism to make of the film record of a heavyweight championship fight. But a picture such as this is one bit of celluloid that can never be better than the cast. The producers have made a fine job of filming the Baer-Braddock bout. If the two gladiators had made as fine a job of trying to annihilate each other this would have been a swell film of its kind. As revealed by the camera (and there is a no more candid camera than a motion picture camera at a ringside) the fight was devoid of any real excitement. Sometimes it was so downright bad that an audience at the Palace here broke out into guffaws. The picture leaves no question of Braddock's supremacy. Every blow is clearly captured by the camera. All that this picture suffers from is actor trouble. And that in a fight picture is a pretty serious fault. No production code seal. Running time, 30 mins. "G." < I \>\l f I ED PCSTCCS CASH PAID FOR USED ADVERTISing. Please send via express, charges collect. INDEPENDENT POSTER EXCHANGE, 108 West 18th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. BCCrS Darro in "Real McCoy" Hollywood, June 14. — Frankie Darro has been cast in "The Real McCoy" at Warners. James Dunn, Claire Dodd and Patricia Ellis have leading roles under direction of Robert Florey. ORDER NOW! RICHARDSON'S NEW Blue Book of Projection — 6th edition, complete in one volume, more than 600 pages, over 100 illustrations. Full text on projection and sound combined with trouble, shooter. $5.25. Mr. Richardson will autograph the first two hundred copies ordered. QUIGLEY BOOKSHOP, 1790 Broadway, New York. Blondell, Farrell Again Hollywood, June 14. — Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell, who recently completed "We're In The Money," will be again co-starred in "Gilt Edge Blondes," an original by Hazel Dawn and Boyce Degaw. Checker Is Ejected; House Manager Fined John Mounds, manager of the Park, Valley Park, Mo., has been fined and assessed court costs on a charge of assault preferred by Charles Elbreder, Ross Federal checker, according to Claude Saunders of the home office. Elbreder was ejected from the theatre by Mounds because, he charged. Mounds objected to being checked. The checker carried credentials from M-G-M for checking "Forsaking All Others." Home Coming by Train Hollywood, June 14. — Hal Home decided not to fly east with Al Lichtman yesterday and took the train instead. He is due in New York Tuesday. 10,000 SHORT, PRECISE BIOGRAphies of motion picture personalities — thousands of pertinent facts about every phase of the motion picture industry — the book to have at your hand every minute of the day — Motion Picture Almanac, the industry's book of facts. 1935-36 edition now in preparation. Order your copy early. $3.00. QUIGLEY PUBLISHING CO., 1790 Broadway, New York City. ACCOUNTING $y$TEH$ A TIME-SAVING, SIMPLIFIED, totally accurate system of accountskeeping for theatres. Full explanatory text combined with blank record pages for a 12 months' service, $3, postage prepaid. Order Morris Theatre Accounting, direct from QUIGLEY BOOKSHOP, 1790 Broadway. New York. TRAILER SERVICE SPECIAL SOUND TRAILERS MADE to meet your present budget. Send us copy and we will quote prices. Box 130A, MOTION PICTURE DAILY. AGENTS WANTED AGENTS IN EVERY CITY IN AMERica to represent reliable concern furnishing necessary services to theatres. Those experienced as film or premium salesmen preferred. Must have car and willing to work on commission basis only. State all requirements in first letter. Box 136-A, MOTION PICTURE DAILY.