Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

26 MOTION PICTURE HERALD April 11, 1931 Sunday Bill Gets Right of Way In England But Faces Hard Row Shakeup al British International Studios — Garratt May Succeed Captain Auten By W. H. MOORING London (QP) — The bill to amend the existing situation in regard to Sunday cinemas and theatres will be introduced without fail in a few days, the home secretary, the Rt. Hon. J. H. Clynes, announced in the House of Commons March 26. It will be left to a free vote of the House, which means that if any really progressive step were proposed it most certainly would be defeated, since the Sabbatarians have been busy over a long period and have not only organized themselves in the provinces — among local licensing bodies — but have attained the pledges of a very large percentage of the local legislature. Furthermore, by the irony of things, their representatives are supported by the M. P.s pledged to uphold in Parliament the interests of the brewers who own Britain's Sunday opening liquor bars. The cinema industry has not attempted to organize public opinion on the question of Sunday entertainment, although there is no doubt a terrific bulk of public demand for this. Instead, the leaders of the industry have tried hard to influence the introduction of a measure compromisina; the situation, and legalizing Sunday cinemas and theatres on certain conditions. Among these is likely a statutory decree that theatres shall pay a good proportion of their profits made on Sundays — if not all — to charities. Another condition in the new bill will forbid the employment of cmema workers for a total of seven davs of the week. AAA British International Changes Indications are that big changes are likely within the next three weeks on the British International studio personnel at Elstree. For a considerable time whispers have been going that John Court Applebee Thorpe, the general manager, and John Maxwell, the B. I. P. chief, were shortly to part company. Inside matters have been much awry over the past six months — several in big jobs fighting several others in other big jobs. Walter Mycroft, former film critic and for the past three years scenario chief for B. I. P., is said to be marked for a bigger job. There is some surprise at this, though. Mycroft is known to be popular with John Maxwell. Other minor changes may come also, and although many agree that changes for the better could be made, there is some doubt whether they will be sweeping enough to get rid of all deadwood. AAA Garratt May Succeed Capt. Auten Sidney Garratt, of Inter Globe and Export Company, D'Arblay street, London, is under consideration by British International as a possible successor to Capt. Harold Auten, V. C, the company's present American representative. Garratt is said to have expressed his keen anticipation of an early trip to tj. S. A. to take over for B. I. P. there. Immediately the beans were thus spilled, B. I. P. executives declared that "it is one of those matters which is by no means settled yet." And then Garratt also said things were not fixed firmly yet. However, it is interesting to know that at least there have been thoughts of making changes in this direction. Garratt has visited U. S. A. fairly often for his own company, which is not of course a big one. He will need to be a strong man to follow the V. C, whose popularity among the trade in .America is something worth while. AAA Report Colorcraft Interested Capt. A. C. N. Dixey, M. P., a well known and respected solicitor, is exchanging overtures with Colorcraft and Hollywood International. The idea is to get American support, and presumably cash, to back a plan for erection of new film studios at Richings Park in Buckinghamshire, about an hour's trip from London A private syndicate was formed nearly a year back to run up studios at Esher Surrey, but local individuals felt superior and turned down the idea. At the time a certain Capt. Myles was doing the preliminary business, but some few weeks ago he was given a term in jail for larceny. Now it is understood he will be deported. The company, having shaken free of unpleasant conditions, may get ahead. Anyway, Capt. Dixey is working for American associations. AAA Expensive Story for Warner "Murder on the Second Floor," fairly successful on the London stage, is to be filmed by Twickenham Film Studios, Ltd., as a Warner Bros. British quota picture. .-Vs Warner paid approximately $30,000 for the rights, this is probably the costliest story ever put into British quota. Last week a well known writer offered a good work to B. I. P. and asked $15,000. He was told that they never pay more than $500 or so for an original storv. AAA Eckman for "Individualism" Sam Eckman, Jr., British chief for M-G-M, who is the newly appointed president of the British Kinematograph Renters Society, made a characteristic speech at the society's ninth annual dinner this week. He is regarded as one of the strong men among distributors over here. Top table speeches, he said, would never solve trade problems. The industry always would have problems — they are the mileposts on the road to progress, he added, but warned that those sowing seeds of discontent were not serving the industry well. We need a revival of faith and optimism, he declared. While the K. R. S. believes in working in harmony with other trade associations in solving trade difficulties, it is a fallacy, he pointed out, to think that all problems could be so settled. "You can not take away from individuals the right to do business among themselves, and to remedy evils by the same methods by which they are created." Eckman stated. The guest of honor at this dinner was Brigadier General C. G. Dawc American ambassador here. But he said nothing. Oppose Home Rule Bill Baltimore — The home rule bill, which has passed both houses and is awaiting the governor's signature, is expected to meet strong opposition before final action is taken. John R. Davies New Board Head Former municipal Court Justice John R. Davies, of the New York law firm of Davies & Lesser, wKo has been elected chairman of the National Board of Review, of which Wilton A. Barrett is executive secretary, succeeds Dr. Walter W. Pettit, who will continue as an active member of the executive committee. For 20 years Judge Davies presided In the municipal courts, and is at present one of the six official referees of the municipal courts of New York. Prior to his election to the bench he served four years in the board of aldermen, two years as chairman of the finance committee. In 1923, Gov. Alfred E. Smith appointed him as one of two judges upon the commission Including the bar association to recommend legislation for Improvement of administration of the municipal court. Judge Davies Is a member of the American, state, city and county bar associations and the Society of Medical Jurisprudence. Dr. Pettit, whom Judge Davies succeeds as chairman of the National Board, is director of the community organization department of the N. Y. School of Social work. In 1915-16 he was special assistant to the American Embassy in Petrograd, and in 1918 was commissioned by President Wilson to secure first-hand Information regarding the situation in Soviet Russia. Charell, Berlin Producer, With Ufa To Direct Film Berlin — Erik Charell, comic-opera producer, has joined Ufa to direct a film under Eric Pommer, "The Vienna Congress." Charlotte Susa, stage player, heads the cast of "Express No. 13 is Late." Ufa has opened a new 2,000-seat house in Coblenz. Two new films are in production at the Tempelhof plant, "The Merry Wives of Vienna" and "Soldiers March Through Town." Fairbanks in Europe Douglas Fairbanks has left Bombay, India, for Europe, prior to an early return home. Pola Negri Due Shortly Pola Negri, en route to Hollywood from Europe, will stop in New York for a few days before starting work for RKO Pathe. Goldburg in New York Jesse J. Goldburg, Van Beuren Coast production chief, is in New York.