Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1937)

12 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Wednesday, January 6, 1937 Station Total Of 656 Nears 1928 Figures (.Continued from page 1) seven times as extensive as that of today, there would not be made available such additional multiplication of channels, and with the advent of new services such as television and other new uses for radio, the commission would continue to be confronted with a dearth of radio facilities in the face of a large demand therefor," it was declared. While the technique of television has progressed during the past year, the commission does not feel that it is ready for public service on a national scale. "There are numerous obstacles to be overcome and much technical development is required before television can be established on a sound national scale," it was pointed out. "Nevertheless, the rate of progress is rapid and the energies of the laboratories of the country are being concentrated on the technical development of television." During the fiscal year there was a marked increase in the number of complaints received with regard to the program service of broadcasting stations, but the majority of these cases were easily adjusted, it was reported. In only 11 instances did investigation of such complaints result in formal action, these being concerned with stations that broadcast lottery programs, objectionable medical programs, stock-selling schemes and commercial fortune-telling programs. Mutual Billings Up 10.4% Over Year Ago Mutual billings for December were $193,496.23, which represents an increase of 10.4 per cent over last year's for the corresponding month. Last December's total was $175,301.27. The Mutual total of time sales for 1936 is $1,987,572.57, an improvement of 53.7 per cent over 1935. The previous year's total was $175,301.27. Latest among the Mutual programs to go coast-to-coast is the "Music From Texas" series which hereafter will be heard over the 10 Don Lee stations in addition to 12 Mutual stations which have been carrying the program for some time past. The program, sponsored by a hotel in Texas, is heard Mondays and Fridays at 1 P. M., E. S. T. Lucky Bowman is the agency. F.C.C. Grants Three New Station Permits (Continued from page 11) 1,000 watts night, and 2,500 watts day; KEHE, Los Angeles, to 1,000 night and 5,000 day; KFWB, Warners, Hollywood, to 5,000 day; KID, Idaho Falls, Idaho, to 500 night and 1,000 day; WABI, Bangor, Me., to 250 day; KVOA, Tucson, Ariz., to 1,000; KSCJ, Sioux City, la., to 5,000 day; WDBO, Orlando, Fla., to 1,000; WEAN, Providence, to 1,000, and KRBC, Abilene, Tex., to 250 day. Names Farmer and Power Last night on his regular NBC program for Luden's, Jimmy Fidler, Hollywood commentator, named Frances Farmer and Tyrone Power as the year's outstanding screen discoveries. Fidler selected Robert Taylor and Jean Arthur for the same honors in 1935. Trout Starting Series Announcer Bob Trout inaugurates a new series for the American Historical Ass'n Jan. 17 over CBS from 1:45 to 2 P.M., E.S.T. Trout will discuss important news events of the day and compare them with events of the past. More Film Names Bought The "Hollywood Hotel" program of Jan. 15 will present Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in a radio version of the stage vehicle "Swing High, Swing Low." Victor McLaglen has been set for Jan. 22. A vehicle and supporting player are now being sought. "Beauty Forum," a new program sponsored by McKesson and Robbins and featuring beauty culturist E. V. Meadows, starts Thursday at 9:45 A.M., E.S.T., over seven Mutual stations. The stations are WOR, New York; WGN, Chicago; CKLW, Detroit-Windsor ; WAAB, Boston ; WGAR, Cleveland; WHB, Kansas City, and KOIL, Omaha. Brown and Tarcher is the agency. Fray, Braggiotti Reunite Jacques Fray and Mario Braggiotti, noted piano duo separated for the past six months, have reconciled and beginning Jan. 18 will be heard Mondays at 7:45 P. M., E.S.T. over the NBCRed network. Gafifney, Venuta, Et Al Short Shots: Maurice Gafifney of CBS Trade News Division latest among the grippe victims . . . Benay Venuta leaves the airwaves for a twoweek club date in Hollywood, Fla. . . . Bill Forbes, Don Lee time salesman, has resigned to accept a similar berth at west coast CBS . . . Clyde Pangborn and Guy Lombardo have been set for the "Morning Matinee" program Jan. 14 . . . Condolences to Barbara La Marr, WOR contralto, who lost her father yesterday . . . Abe Schecter. NBC special events head, back in harness after a Bermuda cruise . . . George Burns and Gracie Allen entrain for Hollywood tomorrow, with their program emanating from the west coast on the following Wednesday . . . John Held, Jr., has been signed to act as "em cee" on the forthcoming "Varsity Show," the programs of which will be broadcast direct from the campuses of the country's leading universities under the sponsorship of Pontiac Motors. The series begins Friday, Jan. 22, at 10 :30 P.M., E.S.T., over the NBC-Red . . . W. J. Cameron, executive of the Ford Motor Co., will guest speak on the Philadelphia Orchestra program this Friday . . . Phil Baker will ofifer a satire on the film, "The Thin Man," on his program this Sunday night . . . Floyd Gibbons will contribute a monthly prize for the best of the true adventures offered on his new program which starts tomorrow over CBS . . . Grete Steuckgold makes a return appearance on Bing Crosby's "Music Hall" series tomorrow night. . . . Evelyn Laye will appear with Ed Wvnn on the latter's program Jan. 16. Kennedy's Busy Broken Bow, Neb., Jan. 5.— December went down on the books as a very important month for H. F. and C. Howard Kennedy. Dec. 18 the Kennedys opened their new Bow theatre here, H. F., the father, celebrating his 25th anniversary as an exhibitor at the same time. Dec. 31 they became a grandfather and father, respectively. Monogram in Studio; Initial Film Is Ready Hollywood, Jan. 5. — A Monogram production unit under the direction of Scott Dunlap, vice-president, on Wednesday will establish headquarters at the Talisman Studio which will thereafter be known as the New Hollywood Studio. The company program of 30 pictures will be produced by I. E. Chadwick, Ken Goldsmith, Lon Young and Dorothy Reed. "Paradise Isle," first, is set to start March 15. The company will buy outside product. Chadwick has already completed two films on his program. No Threat Seen in Calif. Legislature Sacramento, Jan. 5. — Opening of the legislature today presaged no direct threats to Hollywood studios with only one of 65 bills introduced directly affecting motion pictures, and that an amendment to the state Fair Trade Practices Act, which specifically exempts films from its terms because they are leased and not sold. The only serious opposition is the possibility of the passing of an increase in the income tax law. Baltimore Ads Are Cut Baltimore, Jan. 5. — Sunday theatre advertising fell off sharply as a result of the boost in rates from 25 cents to 45 cents per agate line by the Sunday Sun and Sunday American. Six of the first runs took about 25 lines each, five neighborhoods took small space and the two principal circuits, Durkee and Rome, were entirely absent. The New happened to have a national ad running. Settles Suit for $70 N. Y. Supreme Court Justice John E. McGeehan yesterdav approved the terms of settlement of a suit of Harry Cook against 20th Century-Fox. He accepted $70 and $15 attorneys' fees. Cook had sued on the ground that his rights had been infringed when he was filmed in front of 15 Maiden Lane for a scene in the picture of that Meeting in Chicago Herman Robbins, Sam and George Dembow left for Chicago yesterday to attend a brief midwestern meeting on National Screen Service business. "Spain" Out in July United Artists plans to release "The Kid From Spain" some time in July. The picture was produced about four years ago. Kallet Plans Heavy Expansion Program Oneida, N. Y., Jan. 5. — An ambitious expansion program will be decided upon by Kallet Theatres, Inc., at the annual meeting to be held here Jan. 28. The circuit closed the year with 21 houses. During 1937 dark houses will be opened and 10 new ones will be built or leased, according to M. J. Kallet, president. A modernization program calls for an estimated expenditure of more than $500,000. The Regent, Syracuse, is to be rebuilt as an ace house. In this town the Madison and Regent are to be remodeled and a new house constructed on Main St. on a site acquired recently. Two or more of the seven Utica houses will be remodeled. In June remodeling will be started on the Strand at Canajorharie. This house was purchased Dec. 15, but possession will not be taken until June 1. During December the company opened the Avon at Fulton. Waynesboro Votes In Sunday Performance Waynesboro, Va., Jan. 5. — Following special voting here today, registered voters ballotted 344 for Sunday shows against 294 in opposition. As a result of the referendum, Sunday shows are legal here as far as local ordinances are concerned. Precautions Taken Chicago, Jan. 5. — Dr. Howard N. Bundeson, president of the Board of Health, ordered the police c®mmissioner to station a policeman in every theatre here to enforce the ordinance against standing in the aisles. In addition, the police have been ordered to keep the lobbies clear and allow no one inside unless a seat is available. This action was taken to avert the spread of an influenza epidemic which is increasing rapidly. Wall Street Para. Issue Hits New High Net High Low Close Change Columbia 35 35 35 + % Columbia, pfd. . . . 43% 43J4 43% + % Consolidated 5% 5% 5% + % Consolidated, pfd.. 17% 17% 17% + % Eastman Kodak.. 174 173J4 173% —1% Gen. T. Equip.... 30% 2934 29% + % Loew's, Inc 6654 64% 66 +1% Loew's, pfd 106% 106% 106% — % Paramount 25% 24% 25% +1 Paramount 1 pfd.. 178% 170% 178J4 +8% Paramount 2 pfd.. 22 23 +1 Pathe Film 10% 9% 9% — % RKO 8% 8J4 8% — % 20th Century-Fox. 35% 35 35% + % 20th Century, pfd.. 44 43% 43%. + % Universal, pfd. ..100 100 100 Warner Bros 18 17% 17% + % Warner, pfd 67%, 67% 67% — % Curb Gains Lightly Net High Low Close Change Grand National . . 3% 3% 3% + % Sonotone 2 2 2 Technicolor 21% 21 21 + % Trans-Lux 4% 4% 4% + % Universal Pict....ll% 11% 11% — % Bond Prices Increase Net High Low Close Change Keith B. F. 6s '46 98 98 98 Loew's 3%s '46... 101 101 101 — % Paramount Pict. 6s '55 100% 100% 100% + % RKO 6s '41 pp.... 117 116 117 +1 Warner Bros. 6s '39 wd 99% 99% 99% + % (Quotations at close of Jan. 5)