Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1935)

4 MOTION PICTURE DAI LY Thursday, August I, 1935 Looking 'Em Over "After the Dance" (Columbia) Someone probably reminded Columbia that George Murphy was discovered in a Broadway smash musical and that he could really sing and dance. The result of that reminder appears to be this picture, but someone got sidetracked and the result is a mediocre, unpretentious effort whose only redeeming feature seems to be Murphy. There are several scenes where he demonstrates the dance steps that elevated him to Broadway stardom and these are almost compensation enough for sitting through the entire film. Audiences will undoubtedly comment on his performance and particularly his dancing exhibition and so it would be well to play up this angle of the picture. The story has Murphy arrested for manslaughter at the height of his career as a Broadway performer. Thelma Todd is implicated in the crime, but refuses to help Murphy so he is sent to the penitentiary. After a short time he escapes, however, and finally teams up with Nancy Carroll in another night club. Love blossoms between the two, but Miss Todd again enters to spoil everything. The end has Murphy going back to jail with Miss Carroll promising to wait for his release. This should fill the bill on dual programs, but it might have trouble standing alone. Production Code Seal No. 1043. Running time, 70 minutes. "G." "The Student's Romance" (Associated British Pictures) London, July 19. — From the operetta, "I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg," a costume musical in which the background is the German student life of legend. Musical numbers are bright and the story values are very fair. Production is not too highly finished in costume and other details. It is a program effort of medium quality. Max Brandt, musician-student at Heidelberg in 1725, falls in love with a pretty girl without knowing that she is a princess. Veronika, landlord of Max's inn, pays his debts without his knowledge. Helene, the princess, believes that Max is living on the inn-keeper, and in a revulsion of feeling consents to a marriage of convenience. When she learns the truth she breaks away from the court and joins Max*in a procession of singing students. Grete Natzler and Patric Knowles are the leads and Carol Goodner puts up an excellent performance as Veronika. Running time, 78 minutes. "G." ALLAN "The Irish in Us" which opened at the Strand yesterday morning, was previeived by wire from Hollywood on July 11. "Curly Top," this morning's opener at the Radio City Music Hall, was reviewed from Hollyivood by wire on July 16. "The Man on the Flying Trapeze," opening tomorrow morning at the Capitol, was reviewed by wire from Hollywood on June 29. "Every Night at Eight," tonight's preview at the Paramount, was reviewed by wire from Hollywood on July 27. "Mad Love," also being previewed tonight at the Roxy, was reviewed by wire from Hollywood on June 29. French Start Move for New Films9 Setup By PIERRE AUTRE Paris, July 15. — First steps toward the reorganization of the French industry have been taken with the formation of the Union des Distributors and the subsequent creation of the Comite du Film, the latter made up of producers, distributors and exhibitors. The only ones not in the new group are Pathe-Natan and Gaumont (GFFA). Producers group themselves into an association with an organization committee which includes : Felix Gandera, Marcel Pagnol, Frogerais, P. J. de Venloo and Jean Corret. They will lay out a plan for the Union Syndicale des Producteurs de Films, and the committee will confer with the committees of the Union des Distributeurs and the Union des Chambres Syndicales Francaise des Theatres Cinematographiques (exhibitors' association), so that, if it is necessary, they may, together with other organizations, be a part of an official body to deal with the government. It was agreed at a meeting of these groups that the Comite du Film board should include : Alexis Fougeret, Felix Gandera, Henri Klarsfeld, manager of the Paramount French branch ; Georges Louran, manager of Films Sonores Tobis ; Raymond Lussiez, president of the French Exhibitors' Ass'n. ; Edmond Ratisbonne, P. J. de Venloo, producers and distributors. All of the French branches of American companies are a part of the distributors' association. The old Chambre Syndicale Francaise de la Cinematographic has been left out of the new movement. The first action of the Comite was to publish a standard contract, elaborated by the distributors' and exhibitors' associations, although the work had been started by the Chambre Syndicale. A move was also made to limit low admission prices. Except in the summer, seats will no longer be less than three f ranees (20 cents) in first runs in the districts and provincial theatres, and two francs (about 16 cents) in subsequent runs. Film rentals also are to be studied. The group has also started a fight against the Omnium des Spectacles, subsidiary of Pathe-Natan, which books full programs for 152 houses, among them 60 owned by Pathe-Natan and 91 owned by independents. * * * Looking toward the formation of an International Film Chamber, representatives of film organizations in 20 European countries have held a meeting in Munich and another is scheduled for Venice Aug. 21. The organization will be confined to Europe and will concern itself principally with quota problems. * * * Tax problems are still a live topic throughout France. In three months two or three French governments have promised reductions, but nothing has come of it. The latest agreement which, it is hoped, will be put into effect by edict during the Parliamentary recess, calls for a 20 or 25 per cent reduction in the state tax, and may take 25 per cent of the net receipts. Taxes on music halls, variety halls and other forms of entertainment may be cut 50 per cent. Legitimate theatres pay only two per cent in state taxes. Town councils will be permitted to reduce pauper taxes to five per cent. At present 10 per cent is paid. It is expected that the Municipal Council in Paris will grant this reduction. Publication of the decree has been delayed by an amendment from Deputy Lafont, now Minister of Public Health, which provides that theatres showing certain quotas of French pictures should receive special reductions in taxes. This amendment is being opposed. Boot to Hollywood London, July 31. — Charles Boot, chairman of Pinewood Studios, will sail for New York and Hollywood on the Bremen, accompanied by his wife. He is after technical information. Buckley Has Plans To Enter Producing Chris Buckley, Albany exhibitor who last week sold his interest in the Harmanus Bleecker Hall and the Leland in that city, plans to enter production, drawing on his 16 years of experience in exhibition as his qualification for such a post. He was in New York yesterday, but declined to comment on the organization he anticipated joining. Mass. Senate Kills Tax Boston, July 31. — A proposal for a 10 per cent surtax on corporate and individual taxes in Massachusetts has been killed in the Senate by 20 to 12 after a brief debate. The measure had previously passed the House. Governor Curley stated that unless the bill is reconsidered, he will send a demand message and keep the Legislature in session. Short Subjects "Armies of the World" (Fox) This latest member of the Adventures of the News Cameraman series is far below the average set by preceding members in the series. It lacks the thrills and entertainment packed in the other reels of this group. The basic idea is good, particularly at this time, . but the reel unfolds and discloses merely a series of shots of soldiers of practically every country of the world parading. It appears that most of these scenes were clipped from old newsreels and are old stuff to audiences. Reviewed without production code seal. Running time, 9 mins. "G." "Radio Rascals" (Educational) Evidently aimed at cashing in on the present popularity of amateur hours in theatres and on the air, this short suffers from comparison with others of the type. Austin Fairman, Elmira Sessions, the Mountain Melodeers and Ruth Denning contribute bits toward the film's entertainment but those five colored youngsters, the Cabin Kids, carry the film. Production Code Seal, No. 0475. Running time, 10 mins. "G." "Dame Shy" (Educational) Sailors on shore leave make up the humdrum plot. Tom Patricola and Buster West starting from the brig of a battleship go through an assortment of slapstick situations and entanglements with superior officers, taking their girls and windup after much of the Patricola type of dancing by being ejected from a cafe and so back to the brig. Fairly entertaining. No code seal. Running time, 15 mins. "G." Dr. Ernst Schwarz Is Made Agfa Head Dr. Ernst Schwarz, chairman of the executive committee of Agfa Ansco Corp., has been elected president of the company to fill a vacancy existing for about a year past, it was stated by representatives of the company yesterday. Dr. Schwarz, who maintains offices both here and in Binghamton, will continue as chairman of the executive committee. Herman A. Metz was the last president of Agfa Ansco. Texas Pari-Mutuel Ruling Off to Fall Dallas, July 31. — Pari-mutuel betting, new exhibitor worry, is in a state of draw in the courts. The Supreme Court, considering applications for review of two exactly opposite lower court rulings, has left each decision in statu quo until the reconvening of the court after the summer vacation. Lawton Takes Wallack Frank Lawton, who operates the George M. Cohan, has taken over the Wallack and will reopen it next month. Restrictions by the fire dopartment have been removed