Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1935)

10 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Thursday, September 26, 1935 MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "Little America" {Paramount) Hollywood, Sept. 25. — Adventurous souls, exponents of courage and youth reaching for the unattainable will find a good deal of thrill and education in Byrd's second Antarctic expedition with sound. As a pictorial record of one of the world's great feats of exploration, its newsreel quality and "March of Time" flavor, serve to maintain interest that assumes bigness by virtue of its modesty. Well publicized via newspapers and pictures before, during and after the expedition, audiences should be ready for this film which so admirably depicts valor and guts in so simple a manner. The film is complete from the start of the trip to the return from the Pole. It shows intimate human interest incidents revealing daring, danger and humor, bringing in men, airplanes, huskies, penguins, whales and seals. A marching song in torchlight against the snow of men going to the rescue of Byrd is a highlight of the film. Admiral Byrd is a good screen personality, at moments resembling John Barrymore. His lonely vigil of seven months at the Pole brings patrons close to his immortal deed. The narration written by Charles J. V. Murphy, radio man on the trip, is tense, factual and novel. The photography conveying peril with beauty is by John L. Herrmann and Carl O. Peterson. Gayne Whitman is the narrator. The production supervised by Dario Faralla and edited by Ewing Scott, who himself once filmed a North Pole production, ''Igloo," is a noteworthy achievement. Properly publicized, the picture should be self-selling with foreign appeal particularly good. Production Code Seal No. 1,270. Running time, 57 minutes. "G." Dismiss Lucky Case In Brooklyn Court Another court complaint against Lucky has been dismissed in Magistrate's Court, Brooklyn. This time it is the Rivoli, Brooklyn, operated by Dave Weinstock. The case was heard about two weeks ago when decision was reserved in order to give the district attorney and the legal bureau of the Police Department time to submit briefs. Bernard Barr, representing the Rivoli, also submitted papers. After a study of the briefs, the case was marked off the calendar in favor of the defendant. Continue Rochester Game Rochester, Sept. 25. — Pending filing of briefs, the Liberty, North Side Schine house, is free to operate its disputed Screeno game every Friday night under an injunction restraining police from interfering. The stunt was dubbed a violation of the lottery laws by Deputy Corporation Counsel Charles B. Forsyth. Supreme Court Justice William F. Love issued a restraining order against police pending decision on the game's legality and Justice Floyd W. Annabel subsequently reserved decision pending filing of briefs. Allied Union Loses On Injunction Plea Allied M. P. Operators' Union yesterday was denied a preliminary injunction against Estate Operators, controlling the Garfield, Avon and 16th St., Brooklyn, by Supreme Court Justice Frank C. Adel. The union tried to stop employment of other operators until its action against the circuit comes to trial. In denying the stay, Justice Adel said : "This action does not appear necessarily to involve a labor dispute as contemplated by section 876 A of the Civil Practice Act, but it is an action for breach of contract between an unincorporated association and a corporation for which there might very properly be an adequate remedy at law in the way of money damages. Another compelling reason for the denial of the release asked for is that the contract sued under was not executed by the defendant, but by a third party under an alleged power of attorney." Warners Plan 1,800 Seater in Paterson Warners will build a new 1,800-seat theatre in Paterson, N. J. Negotiations for construction work have been closed and building will be started within the next week or so. The circuit now operates the Fabian, Garden, Regent and Rivoli in Paterson, but on June 1 next will drop the Garden from the list. Harry Brandt, president of the I.T.O.A., has made a deal with the owner of the Garden and will assume operation on June 1. The new theatre will probably be ready by the time Warners cross off the Garden from its circuit list. The American and Cameo in Newark were recently turned back to Al Gottesman by Warners. "Ship Cafe" New Title Hollywood, Sept. 25 — "Ship Cafe" has been definitely set by Paramount as the title for the Carl Brisson picture known as "The Bouncer." Theatres Nosedive On Fight Broadcast Theatre business Tuesday night took a complete nosedive throughout the country, major and independent theatre heads stated yesterday after a checkup on box-office receipts. Reason for the sudden drop in grosses is directly attributed to the Louis-Baer fight, which, it was said, kept theatre-goers home listening to the radio account of the fracas. One major circuit reported that last Tuesday night's receipts were the lowest in the last 52 Tuesdays. However, business picked up yesterday, particularly at local theatres where the fight pictures were beingscreened. Decision Reserved On Stay for Gotham Supreme Court Justice Edward F. Dore yesterday reserved decision on a motion made by Weisman, Quinn, Allen & Spett, representing the Gotham, for an injunction against M-G-M to restrain the distributor from releasing "China Seas" to the Dorset ahead of the Gotham. Attorneys for both sides argued the case and submitted papers. A decision is expected today or tomorrow. The picture's date has been set at Sept. 28. Offer "Time" Pamphlets RKO Distributing Co. has prepared two pamphlets for distribution through theatres to teachers and students in connection with the "March of Time." One, the Teachers' Manual, contains suggestions for classroom discussion on the contents of each issue of the newsreel, and the other, Photo Reporter, for the students, contains background information on each issue of the reel. "Dream" Opening Is Sold for a Benefit The entire seating capacity of the Hollywood for the world premiere, Oct. 9, of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" has been purchased by the English Speaking Union of New York which will re-sell the tickets at $11 top for benefit purposes. Harry M. Warner commenting on the sale, said : "The fact that the English Speaking Union will sponsor the world premiere in New York of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is one of the greatest tributes that possibly could be paid to Max Reinhardt and his production of Shakespeare's comedy." Shea Books Warner 100% Warners have closed a deal with the M. A. Shea Circuit for 100% booking of the new lineup. Robert Mochrie closed the deal with A. J. Kearny of the Shea circuit. Chicago Is Proud of Its Singles — Coston Chicago exhibitors are proud of the fact that the town is still on a single feature basis, James Coston, Warner operating head in the Windy City, stated yesterday while here to attend the Louis-Baer fight. He added the public does not want duals and theatre owners have educated patrons along single feature lines! Theatre business in Chicago is the best since 1929 and theatres play to more people than since the stock market crash. Admissions are not as high now as they were then, he said. "U" Signs Tilden Hollywood, Sept. 25. — Universal has signed William ("Big Bill") Tilden, tennis ace, for a featured role in "The Amateur Racquet." Other tennis stars may be added to the cast later. Short Subjects "Baer-Louis Fight" {Super Sports Attractions) Well photographed and edited in an expert manner this picture in its recording of the fight leaves nothing to be desired. Slow motion shots and highlights from ringside angles give it plenty of realism. There is no accompanying dialogue to divert audiences and actual sound recording maintains the excitement. No production code seal. Running time, 20 mins. Allied Leaders Fail To Confer on Photos A meeting of Allied leaders scheduled for yesterday to discuss the American Edugraphic plan for distribution of historic photos failed to materialize, due to departure of most of the men before the session was called. Al Steffes left by plane for Minneapolis after the fight on Tuesday night, while Aaron Saperstein left yesterday for Chicago by the same route. H. M. Richey departed for Detroit by plane in the afternoon and Fred Herrington got away early for Pittsburgh by train. A. K. Howard of Boston cleared out in the afternoon, leaving Abram F. Myers, general counsel, to confer with Sidney Samuelson the greater part of the afternoon. Samuelson would not discuss his session with Myers, who left last night for Washington. Richey plans to return in about a month. Samuelson, Myers, Saperstein and Richey attended the 20th Anniversary luncheon for Martin Quigley yesterday at Dempsey's. Joan Lowell to Scan Van Beuren Accounts Justice Charles B. McLaughlin in the Manhattan Supreme Court granted an order yesterday to Joan Lowell for a partial examination before trial of the officers of Van Beuren Corp. in connection with her suit for an accounting of the profits of "Adventure Girl." Justice McLaughlin ruled as follows : "The examination is limited to finding out whether the Van Beuren Corp. kept a record of income and outgo, as to this contract; whether that record shows a profit, the quantum of profit is not to be ascertained on this examination, that is for the accounting. Ascertain the facts of a profit and then stop." The defendants have filed a counter suit against Miss Lowell for $300,000. Mickey Mouse on Air Mickey Mouse's seventh birthday will be marked over the radio by the broadcasting of two programs in his honor. Bide Dudley will devote his entire period on Saturday to the rodent comedian over WOR. On the Cheerio program of the NBC network on that day, a dramatic resume of Mickey's career and a discussion of his outstanding films will be aired. Para. Shows Set Oct. 4 The Paramount is definitely set to adopt a stage show policy Oct. 4, it was decided yesterday. The picture and acts to participate in the stage entertainment will be set today.