Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1935)

4 M**-M. M. JUS M. Thursday, August 8, 1935 MOTION PICTURE n A I T V Move to End Chance Games Senate Passes Copyright Bill; House May Not Act Is City-Wide (Continued from pane 1) who, in turn, passed it along to the police headquarters in that borough for action. Yesterday Motion Picture Daily learned Commissioner Moss had forwarded to Foley the names of four theatres with another request that action be taken to end games of chances which these houses allegedly had been running. Specific detail as to practices as well as the names of the theatres could not be learned either at Moss's office, Foley's or at police headquarters in the Bronx. Exactly how diligently city officials will pursue the order is understood to revolve around the outcome of the impending action against the four unnamed houses in the Bronx. In the meantime, I. T. O. A. members and distributors of games of chance and giveaways with a lottery slant declare they would welcome a test case. Set Seattle Policy Under Merger Pact (Continued from page 1) will show the top attractions from Paramount, M-G-M and Fox, as at present. The Paramount will draw from United Artists, Warner-First National, Universal and Radio. This will replace the present dual feature policy at the Paramount. Hamrick's Blue Mouse and Music Box will become "extended run" houses, playing attractions after one week at the other key houses. This policy will be varied, with original first runs in from time to time. The Orpheum, originally scheduled as the vaudeville-film house, will probably remain on its current dual feature policy without stage shows. Independent Circuit Now Up to 75 Total (Continued from page 1) committee in charge is giving these exhibitors additional time to study the matter. According to a spokesman for the circuit, "plans are set and the outfit is ready to function, but it takes a little time to get the various exhibitors to make up their minds." It is understood the organization will not begin functioning for another month. Springer, Cocalis Expand Separately (Continued from page 1) house will be in opposition to the Park, which Brandt recently added to his circuit. Both Consolidated and Brandt are planning to build three theatres in the Bronx. Charles Scmalstig Dead Cincinnati, Aug. 7. — Charles Scmalstig, 77, formerly business agent for the Taft and Sinton estates, but since retired, died at the Good Samaritan Hospital yesterday. He supervised the construction of the Grand Opera House, now the RKO Grand, many years ago. One brother survives. Schreiber Is Victor In New Prize Battle (Continued from page 1) house operated by Ben and Lou Cohen. Judge Merriam, in refusing to hear arguments on the injunction, ordered attorneys to file briefs. Schreiber resumed cash prizes last week after he received a hearing before Recorder's Judge Christopher E. Stein on charges of violating the state lottery laws. Judge Stein took the matter under advisement until Sept. 2. On June 28 Judge Clyde I. Webster denied Schreiber a permanent injunction restraining Prosecutor Duncan McCrea from interferring with the giveaways. His arrest on the state charge followed that action. Charges of discrimination and political wire-pulling have entered the case, Schreiber alleging that the prosecutor singled out the Colonial and Majestic to attack and told him that other theatres had "put the heat on him" to do so. McCrea denied this, at the same time charging that Schreiber has used every political influence possible to get him to permit use of the prizes. In the meantime, Schreiber is continuing to use them. U. S. Films Gaining In the Netherlands Washington, Aug. 7. — American films gained in the Netherlands during the first half of the year, according to a report from Consul W. M. Chase in Amsterdam to the U. S. Department of Commerce. American features accounted for 52 per cent of those exhibited, compared with 43 per cent in 1934. The popularity of locally-produced pictures in the Dutch language declined. When these pictures were shown in the first part of 1934, throngs of curious people, eager to support a national film industry, patronized theatres. The end of 1934 and the beginning of 1935, however, brought a waning of the curiosity. Following the United States, the countries which account for films in the Netherlands are, in the order of their importance : Germany, France, Great Britain, Austria, Czechoslovakia. "Ecstasy" Destroyed Samuel Cummins has learned that the film "Ecstasy," banned recently by a jury in U. S. District Court, has been destroyed by the U. S. marshal in spite of the fact that an appeal is pending. He says it will cost $5,300 to import a new print for prosecution of the appeal before the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in October. Randforce Drops Utica Randforce is dropping the Utica, Brooklyn, which will revert to Louis Blumenthal. RKO had the house on a year's lease, but turned it over to Frisch & Rinzler late last year. Randforce has dropped the Stratford, Brooklyn, and will take over the Tivoli, same borough. (Continued from page 1) will be acted upon by the House this session. When it does come up for consideration in the Patents Committee, Chairman Sirovich of New York, is expected to be opposed to the State Department's measure, partly in resentment at having been ignored by the department in view of the extensive consideration he has given the subject in the effort to write an acceptable copyright measure. "Roberta" Leading Herald's Champions "Roberta" heads the list of boxoffice champions compiled by Motion Picture Herald for the past six months. Thirteen pictures are included in the list which is published in the issue out today. The list of champions is as follows : "Roberta," "David Copperfield," "Les Miserables," "Lives of a Bengal Lancer," "Forsaking All Others," "Naughty Marietta," "Broadway Bill," "Life Begins at 40," "GMen," "Ruggles of Red Gap," "Goin' to Town," "The Little Minister" and "My Heart Is Calling." Charter Two Companies Albany, Aug. 7. — George Abbott, Inc., has been formed here to conduct theatrical business. The incorporators are George Abbott, Joseph P. Bickerton, Jr., and Carl Fisher. The Syracuse Strand Theatre Co., Inc., Buffalo, has filed a certificate in the office of the Secretary of State decreasing the amount of its capital stock from $425,000 to $185,000. Troy Theatre Pool Troy, N. Y., Aug. 7. — The American and Troy, Warner operations, have been pooled with the Griswold, a Si Fabian house, with Warners in charge of management. This follows acquisition of the Buckley theatres in nearby Albany by Fabian a couple of weeks ago. Radio Buys "Lilacs" Hollywood, Aug. 7. — Radio has purchased "Green Grow the Lilacs," a play by Lynn Riggs which was done by the Theatre Guild, several years ago. It will be used as a vehicle for Richard Dix. Cliff Reid will supervise. The studio is also preparing "Mother Lode" for Dix. Buck Suing Restaurant Wilmington, Aug. 7. — Gene Buck, as president of A. S. C. A. P., has filed suit here against the Ritz Restaurant. The restaurant management is accused of infringing on two songs and Buck seeks an injunction and damages of not less than $500. Para. Has 10 in Work Hollywood, Aug. 7. — With "The Virginia Judge" and "Getting Smart" going before the cameras this week, Paramount has 10 productions shooting. Included in the other productions are : "Peter Ibbetson," "So Red the Rose," "The Milky Way" and "Rose of the Rancho." English Race For Newsreel Theatre Spots By BRUCE ALLAN London, July 30. — The race for news theatre sites in London is on, following on the recent statement of the formation of a Trans-Lux chain by Lord Beaverbrook and Will Evans. It was announced yesterday that a 450-seater would be built at the corner of Edgware Road and Oxford Street and a 350 capacity house included in Mount Royal, the residential block favored by American film visitors. This makes three news theatres scheduled for erection within the Marble Arch area. While details of the affiliations of these new enterprises are not officially released a desire on the part of Capital and Provincial News Theatres, Ltd., to get ahead of TransLux activities is being read into some of the new plans. C. & P. recently made a £40,000 public issue. * * * Ernest Brown, Minister of Labor, stated in the House of Commons, in a written reply to Sir Ernest Graham Little, that labor permits to "aliens" for the purpose of employment in the British film industry had increased during the last two years. Exact figures were not available, he stated, but careful inquiry was made in each case to insure that a British subject was not available. This official reply underlines the prevailing policy in England. Permits are obtained without difficulty for artists, directors and technicians. The ban on lower paid routine labor is as strong as ever. More St. Louis Openings St. Louis, Aug. 7. — Three reopenings, installation of new seats in another and change of management in a fifth are the latest developments on the theatre map in this territory. Dubinsky Brothers have opened the new Capitol, a 1,200-seat house at Jefferson City. It is operating on a straight film policy at 25 cents top. The old Miller has been closed. At Altamount, 111., Mak Sinowsky has opened the Alta, dark for about a year. Dick Hanser is in charge. The Lincoln at Bunker Hill, 111., has been reopened by T. A. Baker and Orin Baab, with three changes a week. New seats are being installed at the New Grand, Mount Olive, 111. Maury E. Reichman, owner of the Globe, has turned management over to John Vainiko, recently with F. W. C. and before that with Skouras Brothers here. Take Springfield Pythian Springfield, O., Aug. 7. — The Pythian, Logan, O., built by the K. of P. Lodge, has been taken over under a 10-year lease by the Chakeres Theatres, Inc., which operates the Fairbanks, State and Regent here, the State at Greenville, and another house at Wilmington, O. The local spots are operated in connection with Warners. The Logan house has been closed for remodeling and will be reopened about Sept. 1.