Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1935)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Alert, Intelligent the I in All Branches VOL. 38. NO. 74 NEW YORK, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1935 TEN CENTS President to Ask Views on New NRA Rule Will Begin Upon Return From Western Trip By BERTRAM F. LINZ Washington, Sept. 25. — Opinions as to the desirabilty of new NRA legislation will be sought of business leaders by President Roosevelt upon his return from the western trip on which he starts tomorrow, it was indicated at the White House today. Reluctant to abandon his plan for continuing the NRA, the President is still hopeful that industry will rally to the support of his suggestion, made just before the adjournment of Congress, that new legislation be written this winter to resuscitate the Government's control of wages and hours of labor. The reaction to that suggestion, it (Continued on page 2) Amalgamated, New Producer, Formed An independent producing company, Amalgamated Prod., Inc., is beingformed, with a basic financing of $900,000 for the first six months, to be provided by a group of Wall St. bankers who are backing the enterprise, according to Alfred J. Krellberg, attorney for the sponsors. The first year schedule calls for 36 features and four serials for distribution through state rights exchanges. Production is expected to start in Hollywood Oct. IS. Features are being budgeted at $50,000 to $60,000, with 12 westerns, six melodramas and six Northwest Mounted films included. Arrangements are being discussed for British distribution, probably through B. I. P. Krellberg said an official announcement will be made in a few days. Executives now connected with film companies will head production. 100 Houses, Aim of Butterfield Chain The Butterfield circuit, Michigan's mightiest, has set an objective of 100 houses by the end of 1936. Now at a total of 88 in 33 cities and towns in that state, the plan is to rehabilitate some houses and construct new ones. Colonel W. S. Butterfield yesterday detailed the program, preluding it with a statement that his circuit had been dormant for the last five years because of the depression, but now was ready to step out. New theatres will be built in East Grand Rapids, Midland and Mt. Pleasant. Leaders of Industry Turn Out in Tribute to Quigley By J. M. JERAULD It was an industry turnout, that 20th anniversary Ampa tribute to Martin Quigley at Jack Dempsey's yesterday. Also it was an industry turnaway. After Dempsey's waiters had seated 268 men and women by bringing extra tables, approximately 63 were given places near the doorway to the supper room, and others who couldn't get within hearing distance sat where they could. Al Lichtman, acting as master of ceremonies, said he would introduce presidents "as individuals, vice-presidents by battalions, and the others would just have to sit." He did, and they did. Among the presidents he mentioned were : Philip L. Thomson of the Audit Bureau of Circulations, also acting in a "dual capacity as representatives of W. E. and Erpi," he said; Earle Hammons, Educational; H. M. Warner, Warners; Jules E. Brulatour, Ned E. Depinet, Dr. A. H. Giannini, Hal Roach, John Flinn, as second president of Ampa ; Gene Buck, Ascap, and, representing presidents, R. H. Cochrane, Jack Cohn, David Bernstein. Among the speakers were: Will H. Hays, Charles C. Pettijohn, J. Edgar Hoover, Terry Ramsaye, Howard Dietz, and Mr. Quigley. And seated on the dais, in addition to those named above, were : Herman Robbins, Robert H. Cochrane, Dr. A. H. Giannini, David Bernstein, J. Robert Rubin, Sam Dembow, Jr., Phil D. Cochrane, Gordon S. White, Ned E. Depinet, Earle W. Hammons, Jules E. Brulatour, Colvin W. Brown and Jack Connolly. At a second dais immediately below were J. J. McCarthy, S. Charles Einfeld, James R. Grainger, Charles E. McCarthy, William German, Louis Nizer, Arthur A. Lee, W. Ray Johnston, James FitzPatrick and Red Kami. Responding to eulogies Quigley said that after the Louis {Continucd on page 9) Martin Quigley and Publications Praised in Sweeping Resolution The industry, cross-sectioned in a record Ampa turnout of executives— big, little and in between — yesterday by a rising and unanimous vote, passed a resolution of tribute to Martin Quigley, his publications and his "own character and personality." Prepared in pencil by Will H. Hays on a menu of Jack Dempsey's Restaurant and then read aloud by him, the resolution follows: We delight in paying tribute to the guest of honor Because Martin Quigley and his publications have been, for two decades, a symbol of what is right and decent in all branches of the industry; Because during all that time he has devoted his life to aiding, as well as recording, the growth and development of the art and industry; Because he was among those first to realize the value of motion pictures and vision their influence; Because he has always directed his efforts that they might be of service to the industry and the public alike; Because his contributions, his unfailing interest and his sturdy insistence upon the best standards of entertainment and high ideals of public service have been of constant benefit; Because his service to the industry has gone far beyond the extent to which his duty as the publisher of a trade journal might carry him and have extended to the most far-reaching consequences, unrecorded and frequently unknown except to a few — which is the essence of service of quality; Because his own character and personality exemplify the splendid things for which he has always stood; and Because he knows the full meaning of friendship and we are proud to call him friend. ITOA Moves To Sue Over Film Delays Say 1934-35 Features Are Being Held Up Nettled somewhat over the number of pictures unreleased by distributors on the 1934-35 contracts, members of the I.T.O.A. yesterday empowered Milton C. Weisman, attorney for the organization, to prosecute individual cases against exchanges. The move to take legal action was adopted in the form of a resolution which was agreed to by 100 members attending the regular session of the unit at the Astor. Harry Brandt, president, acted as chairman. The general complaint of exhibitors was that exchanges are releasing so-called sluff pictures and holding off the good films for distribution this season. One particular case cited is {Continued on page 2) Circuit -Union Meet May Be Held Today A meeting scheduled between union and circuit representatives yesterday to continue grading of neighborhood houses and setting a scale for nine Broadway first runs was not held due to various committee members being tied up with other business. It is possible a session will be called today. Circuit representatives commenting on the reported dissension with the ranks on Monday regarded the incident lightly, declaring "such incidents are bound to happen at meetings of this sort with the boys getting over it without serious consequences." Randforce yesterday denied it had any intention of breaking away from the circuits to negotiate a scale independently. Representatives of the independent circuit have not attended any of the conferences, but are expected to be called in when a wage pact is ready for approval. "Here's to Romance" To Be Center Opener "Here's to Romance," a Twentieth Century-Fox picture, will reopen the Center on Oct. 2 under its new long run policy, it was announced yesterday by Center Theatre Corp. There will be only one showing next Wednesday evening with continuous shows starting Oct. 3. No stage show policy has been set, but theatre executives continue to mull over a plan of inaugurating a 15 to {Continued on page 2)