Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1935)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY 14 Operator Wage Scales Talks Resume Today (Continued from page 1) last five years in comparison with other theatres throughout the country. They also claim that for years they have been paying top scales while competitive houses continue to use the same union's men at half the scale. The theatremen hold that in all parts of the country the number of men in the booth and scales are reduced when stage shows are eliminated and runs are changed, but that this is not the case here. In New York, second runs are paying the same scales as first run units, it is stated. Charles L. O'Reilly, a member of the NRA fact-finding committee, was the author of a formula for gauging scales according to seating capacity and runs, but this plan faded into oblivion with the expiration of the NRA. The circuits also are demanding long-term agreements so that they do not have to negotiate contracts from year to year. Throughout the country, theatre heads say, operators' pacts run from two, three and four years. Original circuit demands were for a 10-year contract, but it is understood they will compromise at a five-year agreement. Union officials yesterday pointed out that most of their card men are working on a 20-hour week. They said that the new administration was trying to improve conditions within the organization and that valiant efforts were being made to sign up all independent houses in this area. Local 306 is demanding $2 an hour as the minimum. Allied M. P. Operators is said to be charging $1.25. Several of the circuit men who had planned to leave town for the Labor Day week-end may be detained for the resumed conferences which are expected to last a few more days. Commenting on the numerous actions filed against Local 306 and Joseph D. Basson by Harry Brandt for alleged damages totaling $700,000, the union president yesterday stated he regards them "as nuisance suits." Basson said that "if Brandt wants to collect, he will have to serve every member individually." Milton C. Weisman is attorney for Brandt. K. C. Pacts Renewed Kansas City, Aug. 29. — Loew's Midland, RKO Mainstreet, B. & K. Newman, Tower and Fox Uptown have renewed contracts with stagehands to replace those which expire Aug. 31. The contracts are the same as those in effect during the past year, according to Felix Snow, IATSE representative. Operators' contracts also expire Aug. 31 and are expected to be renewed on the same basis. No demands for an increase were made by the union, according to Snow, and will not be made in the case of operators. The working agreement with subsequent runs, which expires in October, has not been discussed. This does not involve contracts between theatres and the union, but "an agreement" to which all subsequent runs are a party. Agree in Detroit Detroit, Aug. 29. — Present wage agreement between operators' union No. 199 and subsequent run theatres will be continued for two years from Sept. 1, an agreement having been reached this week. This scale calls for a minimum of $50.28 per week in houses of 500 seats or under giving continuous Saturday and Sunday matinees, and is topped with a wage of $85 in the larger houses. It is understood that a similar agreement has been reached with first runs. Transfer of Salem Theatres Completed Salem, Aug. 29. — -The deal has been consummated by which the Salem Realty Co., headed by John A. Deery, takes over a string of Salem theatres which have been operated by M. & P. Theatres Corp. for Publix. Philip Bloomberg, manager of the local Paramount for many years, has resigned to become city manager of the group. Considerable activity is evident here. The Plaza, long an active competitor of the Paramount units, has been taken over by the Salem Realty Co., from Joseph Morency, an independent. The Federal is being stripped in preparation for use by a sports concern for boxing, wrestling, etc. The Salem, another antiquated location, has been disposed of to a furniture concern for use as a showroom and warehouse. The Empire, closed for many years, is being remodeled and renovated. The deluxe Paramount has been equipped with Wide Range sound. Rosenzweig Adds House Dave Rosenzweig, who operates a number of Brooklyn theatres, will take over the Alpine at Dyckman St. and Broadway on Sept. 15. Take Over Park Lane Harry Brandt, in association with Jack W. Springer, has taken over the Park Lane on a 15-year lease from Isle Theatres, Harry Shiftman, president. The house changed hands yesterday. This deal has been in work several weeks and does not necessarily indicate another breach between Springer and Sam Cocalis. Louisville House Reopens Louisville, Aug. 29. — The National, closed for some time for the installation of an air conditioning system, new RCA sound and other improvements, opened today with "Brewster's Millions" and a stage revue, "Tons of Fun." B. Everett Thompson from Nashville is manager. Boston Union Still Against Long Reels Boston, Aug. 29. — The local operators' union is standing pat on its recent determination against 2,000-foot reels. Queried by Motion Picture Daily as to any change in the policy as the result of negotiations in New York, Business Manager James Burke motioned to a notice on the bulletin board that states that any member caught using more than a 1,000-foot reel will be fined $50. "It still goes," Burke said. However, a number of Boston's larger houses are splicing and using 2,000-foot reels as a regular thing. There is also talk of orders for equipment to fit the longer reels. The union is closing its eyes to any infringements of its rule at present, one member said, and will accede to circuit orders for the longer reel. Such orders will be forthcoming soon, this informant believed. Fox Intermountain Meets, Sets Policy Colorado Springs, Aug. 29. — New season policies were the principal topics under discussion at the annual Fox Intermountain convention at the Broadmoor. About 30 managers from the Denver and Salt Lake territories, as well as members of the office forces at these two cities, were present. Rick Ricketson, division manager, arranged the convention, and presided. Subjects discussed included "1935 Showmanship and Its Fundamentals," such as proper policy, admission prices, booking, house operation, advertising, business stimulators and theatre trends. Several outside speakers addressed the opening session. They included Albert J. Gould, attorney for Fox Intermountain, who spoke on "Public Relations" ; Fred Soeers, Denver Post critic, "Theatre Publicity" ; J. Don Alexander, "Screen Advertising," and Duke Dunbar, former code secretary, on the Hays organization. About 200 guests were entertained at luncheon, at which Governor Johnson of Colorado was guest of honor. Several pictured were previewed, and for the first time, the wives of the managers were guests. Chaplin Files Piracy Suit in New York Charging the unlicensed exhibition of "The Kid" and "Shoulder Arms," Charlie Chaplin instituted suit yesterday in Federal court here against Mogull Bros., Inc., a Bronx firm, through Nathan Burkan. The comedian accuses the firm of "duping" and circulating prints of the two films with profits of millions realized by Charles, Leo and Peter Mogull, the members of the company. /. F. Jasper Is Dead Hollywood, Aug. 29. — John Frederick Jasper, a pioneer in the industry, recently Pathe coast representative and a partner in the Davidge Film Laboratory, died here in his sleep early today. He had suffered a stroke a short time ago, and his wife won a court appeal to be appointed his guardian. He was 59 years old and started his film career in his native New Jersey, at Fort Lee. Report Erickson a Suicide Hollywood, Aug. 29.— Carl Erickson, a writer under contract to Warners, committed suicide Tuesday on a hilltop near here, police reported today. Domestic trouble is believed to have been responsible. He was 27 years old and had started at Warners as a reader seven years ago. He had been an assistant story editor and recently wrote the scripts of "Black Fury" and "Doctor Socrates." Frank Biere Succumbs St. Louis, Aug. 29. — Frank Biere, 68 years old, a projectionist, dropped dead in the bathroom of his home at 2314 Dodier St. He had been under a physician's care for about two weeks. A son and a daughter survive. Friday, August 30, 1935 Ascap Begins Move to Fight Georgia Taxes (.Continued from page 1) made except in Georgia. The test in that state is expected to have a bearing on the enforceability of the legislation elsewhere through establishing a precedent in the event of the necessity of appeals to the U. S. Supreme Court, Mills said. The Georgia action will be a defense of the refusal of the Ascap branch operating in that state to pay the tax imposed. Suits involving the test have already been filed and may be brought to trial as early as next week. The action is regarded as Ascap's first defensive move in the legislative and court campaigns which are being waged against the society on a national front by exhibitors, radio and hotel interests. Enjoined in Washington In addition to the heavy state tax legislation aimed at Ascap in the states mentioned, the society was recently enjoined from operating in the state of Washington pending proof to the courts there that its price fixing methods were not arbitrary and illegal. In addition, a Federal anti-trust suit, brought by the government, is pending against the organization here. Mills arrived from Hollywood by plane yesterday, ending his month's trip in the organization's interests. He declined to comment on the possibility of a healing of the indicated breach between the society and the Warner music publishing interests, stating that the organization has not been notified that Warners do not intend to renew membership contracts with Ascap which expire next Dec. 31. Until this is done Mills said he could make no official comment. Warners are reported to be dissatisfied with the annual $300,000 return on its music catalogue which it receives from Ascap, and are said to be demanding a minimum annual return in the neighborhood of $1,000,000. Ascap's attitude is reported unofficially to be that it cannot triple Warners' return except by increasing its music licensing fees threefold. Providence Showmen Await End of Races Providence, Aug. 29. — Exhibitors here look to the closing of the present horse racing at Narragansett to give box-offices a considerable boost. Matinees have fallen off during the summer because many women patrons have turned into railbirds and the Discoveries and Cavalcades have transcended in pull value the Gables and Garbos — for the moment. The Little Theatres at Newport and Matunuck, which have been successful, fold Saturday. Mrs. Rogers Sole Heir Under the terms of Will Rogers' will, Mrs. Rogers receives the entire estate. One of its big assets is a Lloyd's insurance payment of $2,500,000. It is unofficially estimated that the estate will total $5,000,000.