Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1935)

10 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Thursday, August 29, 1935 Variety Club Cincinnati Cincinnati, Aug. 28. — Variety Club is taking over an adjoining room in the Netherland Plaza, making three rooms in the local quarters. The club was chartered a little less than two years ago, and the membership is increasing steadily. Kansas City Kansas City, Aug. 28. — Tent No. 8 is planning a carnival, tentatively set for Oct. 4-5. The function probably will take place in Variety Club rooms. A number of the directors met at luncheon to discuss the matter and suggest plans. Among these were R. R. Biechele, William Wagner, Charles Jones, John Muchmore, Chief Barker George Baker, Charles Schafer, F. E. Ritter, R. C. Libeau, Arthur Cole, Edward Shanberg, and A. F. ("Peck") Baker. Tentative plans call for a floor show, concessions, dancing, and drawings for prizes. Probably there will be an admission price, in addition to special charges for concessions. Purpose of the carnival is to raise money for the club. A Hallowe'en party was also suggested at the meeting and Shanberg said he thought the tent should be planning for its New Year's Eve party, highlight of the social season for Variety members. The annual charity ball will be moved forward this year until after the first of the year so as not to conflict with holiday activities and thus bring it too close to the carnival. Omaha Omaha, Aug. 28. — Sol Francis, manager of American Distributors, was chairman of the weekly luncheon. He introduced as guest speaker, A. W. Miller, warden of the Nebraska Reformatory. Miller took occasion to express his gratitude to managers of all exchanges for the use of films shown in the reformatory theatre. Danubia Acquires 10 Among 10 pictures acquired by Danubia Distributing Corp. for American distribution are "Igloi Diakok" (College Boys of Iglo), "Koszonom Hogy Elgazolt" (Thanks for Knocking Me Down), and "Lila Akac" (Purple Acacia). The company also has obtained metropolitan distribution rights for the Europa Film Co. of Cleveland which handles Hungarian dialogue films. Drop Winnipeg Pickets Winnipeg, Aug. 28.— Labor difficulties have been temporarily shelved with the giving of an understanding by the Canadian Theatrical Federation and the Winnipeg Musicians' Ass'n. that they will not continue the picketing of named theatres until applications by the proprietors for an injunction against the unions is heard in September. The labor organizations had demanded that two union operators instead of one be employed and that exhibitors discontinue the doubling of an orchestra at two theatres. The houses involved are operated by Allied Amusements. Throttle Pushing CHEYENNE, WYO. — Walter S. Smith, new city manager of the Fox houses here, is doing a bang-up job. Walter was transferred here from the Santa Ana house of the Fox Coast division. Chet Miller, Fox Rocky Mountain division manager, still has his home here. G. E. Jaynes, operating the Orpheum at Buena Vista, Colo., is remodeling the old silent house at Red Cliff and plans to open Aug. 15. M. P. Foster, who has managed Dave Hess's Granada at Monte Vista for the past five years, is busy supervising installation of a new Neon sign and present plans provide for redecoration and complete remodeling of this popular theatre this summer. Hi Bischoff, who operates the Armada, Lowell, Wyo., and the Cowley at Cowley, is busy remodeling and enlarging the Armada from 400 seats to 650 and installing an aircooling system. Just as soon as the present work on this theatre is completed, work of remodeling the Cowley will begin. Things are humming around Ross J. Keckler's Wigwam Theatre at Basin, Wyo. Modern stage equipment, sliding curtain control and modern ventilating, washed-air system are being installed. Also a new marquee, paint and all the trimmings. Ross has been five years in business in this thriving community. Speaking of real pioneers there is Tom Kirby, who operates the Elk at Worland, Wyo., and who started in show business at Sheridan in 1908. Tom has purchased ground across from the Elk and will build a 700seat house in the near future. Present equipment at the Elk has been augmented by the recent installation of new Simplex projectors and Wide Range sound. We had a fine time trying to find J. S. Ward of the Princess, Douglas, Wyo., the other day. After a couple of hours, we located the reason, who was E. M. Loy, Fox salesman, who had been busy selling the works to Ward. This deal was finally consummated in the office of our Roll-A-Home trailer. Fred Curtis, owner of the Whiting, Thermopolis, Wyo., has just returned from a trip to Hollywood, where he visited Charlie Starlett and Honey Wilcoxian of the RKO studios. According to Fred, this must have been a real binge. Tim McCoy and Isabel Jewell come from this section. Fred tells us that the "March of Time" is a 100% draw for his house and is building all the time. George Arliss is his leading star, but they walked out on "Black Fury." The principal patronage of this section is Belgian coal miners. Stark and Rahrer, who are operating the Liberty, Fromberg, Mont., told us a funny one. We have often suspicioned that editorials of our dynamic editor, Red Kann, carried a mean wallop, but it fell to the lot of F. W. Stark to verify this fact. He tells us that when the issues of Motion Picture Daily are of no further use to his theatre, he gives Yellen Yells Sam Yellen, general manager for the Leff & Meyers circuit, had a trying and somewhat unusual experience the other day when he was arrested for playing Screeno at the De Luxe, Bronx. Unable to get $500 bail for three hours, Yellen was thrown into jail. The first thing the cops did was remove his tie and belt. This is the same procedure when crooks are locked up, the police fearing suicide if the articles are not taken away. Yellen was more interested in getting his tie and belt back than the necessary bail, but as it happened he got all three after three hours behind bars. them to the different coal miners around here to use for wadding for their "shots" in the mines. Bill Kyle is receiving bids for the general overhaul and remodeling of his Oasis Theatre at Columbus, Mont. This is a thriving community in Yellowstone Valley where crop conditions are very good. Conditions throughout this section are the best they have been for the past five years. Metro Develops New Portable Sound Unit Hollywood, Aug. 28. — M-G-M will use new portable sound equipment on location for "Rose Marie." The equipment was designed by Douglas Shearer, head of the sound department, and was constructed at the studio. It is light enough to be transported by two pack mules and powerful enough to record a full symphony orchestra, it is claimed. 'Change by November Los Angeles, Aug .28. — The new Paramount exchange, now being constructed at 20th St. off Vermont, will have the last word in equipment. Eight vaults with blowout chambers and drainage pipes for sprinklers are being built into the foundation. The structure will be two stories high, thoroughly fireproofed, and will give the exchange an area of 11,500 sq. ft. It will be ready in November. Short Subjects "Rah, Rah Radio" ( Vitaphone) Several radio performers, including Ralph Kirberry, Jack and Loretta Clemens, are presented in novel manner. Harry Burns is conducting a radio technique school and advertises the established stars as his former pupils. He presents them as examples of his work, introducing several gags while doing so. A bit of entertainment that should please. Production Code Seal, No. 0374. Running time, 7 mins. "G." Oklahoma Firm Expands Oklahoma City, Aug. 28. — The Film Speaker Co. here has changed its name to the Oklahoma Theatre Supply Co. The name was changed because the company, which formerly sold only sound equipment, now carries a com' plete line of theatre equipment. To Build at Waynesville Waynesville, N. C, Aug. 28. — James E. Massie, proprietor of the Waynewood here and the Colonial in Canton, will begin work soon on a new $40,000 theatre here. "How to Sleep" (M-G-M) Hollywood, Aug. 28. — Offering Robert Benchley in a wild mood, this short is one of the funniest Benchley has made. In his familiar role of lecturer, he gives a satirical talk on insomnia, at the same time illustrating his remarks with bedroom gymnastics. Every problem that has ever confronted a person unable to sleep is offered in Benchley's most amusing manner. Production Code Seal No. 1,120. Running time, 9 mins. "G". "Lady in Black" ( Vitaphone) This is a very good musical short that combines a romantic episode with the presentation of several night club performers. Countess Olga Albani and Albert Van Dekker are featured with the vocal numbers of the countess the highlights of the picture. Most audiences will more than appreciate this one, and where radio fans know the singer it should increase the appeal. Highly recommended. Reviewed without production code seal. Running time, 20 mins. "G." "Pitcairn Island Today" (M-G-M) Hollywood, Aug. 28. — Although smacking strongly of being a glorified trailer for "Mutiny on the Bounty," this short is pictorially effectual and comment by Carey Wilson is interesting. Starting with a shot of H.M.S. Bounty, the picture shows shots of the island and its presentday inhabitants, while the voice of Wilson tells the story of the mutiny. Those who do not object to advertising in this form will find it an interesting subject. Production Code Seal No. 1,069. Running time, 9 mins. "G". "Trained Hoofs" (M-G-M) Hollywood, Aug. 28. — A Pete Smith "Sports Parade." Tracing the career of a thoroughbred colt from the time it is foaled until it faces a racing barrier for the first time, this short will hold interest for all animal lovers. Nice touches, showing the affection between mare and colt, and a gripping scene showing the young horse being nursed through pneumonia have been cleverly inserted by Director David Miller. The Smith comments mix sympathy with humor. Production Code Seal No. 1,148. Running time, 9 mins. "G". Report Sound Sales Up Kansas City, Aug. 28. — Indicating better times, the RCA Photophone division here is working on 12 new jobs, according to Don Davis.