Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

14 MOTION PICTURE HERALD May 3 0, 1931 MAMMONS TO CO ON WITH ALLIED FRANCHISE Educational Assumes the Contract Frowned on by Jensen in Recent Negotiations Speculation over the future of the Tiffany franchise with Allied States Association, is understood to have been cleared away at least insofar as Educational is concerned, with decision of E. W. Hammons and other Educational-Tiffany chiefs, to live up to the agreement, which was closed last year by Oscar Hanson, for Tiffany, with Abram F. Myers and Al Steffes, of Allied. Speculation over the future of the franchise has been rife since Hammons, Educational chief, concluded a deal two months ago with L. A. Young to take a plan of unified opera E. W. Hammons over Tiffany under tion. The Tiffany franchise with Allied theatre members is understood to have been the cause of considerable bickering on the part of Emil Jensen, of Inspiration Pictures, and others when they were negotiating with L. A. Young two months ago for acquisition of Tiffany. None of these deals reached more than the half-way negotiation stage, and the franchise is said to have been one reason why they were not consummated. Jensen, and others, are said to have refused flatly to take over the Allied tie-up with other Tiffany assets and liabilities. The franchise deal, Allied theatre affiliates each season, for which a rental is charged on the basis of a pre-determined exhibition value. The value is arrived at by Allied and Tiffany officials and is not permitted to reach a higher average than $750,000 for the year. The exhibitor is assessed a certain number of points according to the size of his theatre, being charged $3 per point. Since Hammons acquired operating control of Tiffany, he has not attempted to confer with Allied chiefs pertaining to the future of the contract, and as a result insiders have been given cause for speculation, no little of which is understood to Abram F. Myers basically, gives to 26 featuie pictures have crept into Allied ranks. Those on the inside of Allied are aware of a friendly attitude on the organization's part toward Educational, principally because the company is one of the few remaining independents having no theatre or circuit affiliations. On numerous occasions, Allied has fought major distributors on sales contracts which would force exhibitors to book shorts of major companies when they booked features. This fight, waged vigrously by Allied over a long period, automatically defended Educational's short subject sales by preventing major companies from "bottling up" the short subject market with their own product. Although no official mention has been made of the new season's Tiffany line-up, 26 features are understood to have been decided upon, including four from Cruze, eight each from Maynard and Steele, Western stars, and six others. These will be announced at the combined Educational-Tiffany-World Wide sales convention which takes place sometime in July. A date has not as yet been set, nor has there been definite decision to hold a national or regional confab. The latter at present finds favor in Educational's home ofiice, principally because of its lower expense. If Hammons does not deliver 26 Tiffany features next year, in line with the Allied franchise requirements, the situation may acquire another complexion. Whether or not Allied will take this as an excuse to "balk" is held to be unlikely. But Allied leaders will, it is said, explain the legal and contractual interpretation to its members and instruct them to use their own judgment. E. W. Hammons has announced that 58 features will be released by EducationalSono Art-World Wide-Tiffany, in 1931-32. There will be 18 Trem Carr Westerns, comprising eight with Maynard and 8 featuring Bob Steele. Tiffany will offer 20, and Sono Art-World Wide 10 so far, with probably another 10 to follow. Sydney Wage Scale Reduced 10 Per Cent Wages of amusement employees and musicians in Sydney, Australia, covered by federal awards, have been reduced 10 per cent by the federal arbitration court, bringing projectionists' pay down to $30 for a 38-hour working week. While the cut was expected, employees have already started a campaign to bring about a reversion to former schedule. Failing that they will agitate for a lower admission scale, believing that such a reduction will attract greater patronage, and that more jobs will be created as a direct consequence. Statistics presented to the court showed that 80 per cent of amusement emplovees in Svdnev are working for from $2 to $8 a week. "C. B." the Still Collector When Cecil B. de Mille nnoves his office from the M-G-M studios on June 1st, in preparation for a trip abroad, there will pass to other quarters perhaps the most complete collection of production still pictures in existence. De Mille has kept the full set of stills from every one of his 57 features. No other single director, it is said, has kept such a complete record of his work. Public Service Experiment is 'News' Reel Plan Viewing the coming of the Chicago Daily Neivs into the field of national newsreel production as a move of especial interest beyond the usual newspaper participation in motion picture enterprises. Motion Picture Herald sought an expression from the A'cws concerning its participation with Universal in the new newsreel enterprise announced last week. The Herald has received the following statement from James N. Shyrock, secretary and business manager of the Chicago Daily News. "1 admit that it might seem somewhat of a venture, if not an adventure, for a newspaper to undertake to enter the newsreel production field. The Chicago Daily Neii's has affiliated with Universal Pictures in such an enterprise, however, with a great deal of confidence. "The Chicago Daily News has for five years maintained its own newsreel department for the collection and distribution of newsreels in the Chicago territory, so it is not unacquainted with the problems involved. Through the Associated Press, United Press and its own world-wide news gathering organization, it is constantly in touch with the important and picturesque events in the news. These facilities will be at the command of the newsreel enterprise. "And the Daily News has had two years of very satisfactory relation with Universal Pictures in the distribution of a joint newsreel in the Chicago territory. "We do not expect a direct appraisable institutional return from this enterprise. We consider our newsreel activities in the same class as radio, television, personal service and allied activities in which the Chicago Daily Nezvs has been a pioneer . . . expt -iments in public service which a newspaper must undertake because it is best equipped to do so. "We are devoting to this undertaking the facilities of our men and offices here and abroad in the belief that the association, if successful, will be of benefit both to the newsreel and newspaper." Al Steffes 34 Distributors in Germany With majority having Berlin headquarters, the list of German distributors now totals 34. This includes domestic renters and American and other foreign companies. It is announced by Universal that Sam Jacobson, who has been identified with all Universal's newsreel enterprises for some years, will continue as editor of the new project.