Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

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June 13, 1931 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 13 DOUBLE FEATURE RESCUES FAMILY THEATRE, DECLARE INDEPENDENTS Clearing the Books Program changes of two and three times a week are supplanting weekly changes in a number of circuit theatres, according to information reaching insiders. Several reasons are assigned for this policy change. One is that the houses originally were not in weekly change spots. Another is that the dull period has made the more frequent change of picture imperative. It is suggested also that with the 1930-31 season drawing to a close, some houses find themselves stocked with unplayed films, and find this time ripe to clear their books. Sack Resurrects San Antonio Unit Tides House Over Three Or Four Bad Weeks Following several years of dormancy, Sack Amusement Enterprises, a film distributing and theatrical booking agency established in 1920, was revived here with the opening of offices at 304 Main Avenue in San Antonio's film district. The company was founded by Alfred N. Sack, former theatre-owner, who still heads the business as president and general manager. As^ph^ f sociated with him now is his brother, ^ i Lester J. Sack, for I Jk mer newspaperman and theatre pressI agent, as vice-presi ^^^B k ยป dent and sales man ager. As southern states representatives for Alfred N. Sack United Film Agen cies, of Hollywood, and other independent producers, the firm is distributing a group of native-made Spanish talking features and shorts in the Texas-Oklahoma-LouisianaArkansas-Mississippi territory. The product also includes several talking and silent features with all-negro casts and a group of new talker "westerns." Alfred Sack heads the San Antonio civic committee to secure 250 guarantors, with a total pledge of $25,000, for the Lyric League, the local civic body which brings the Chicago Civic Opera Company to San Antonio every year. Walter B. Lovelace, who has been associated with the Sack Brothers for the past five years, is booker for Sack. Myers In Hollywood Abram S. Myers, Allied States Association chief, is due in Hollywood the end of June to confer with officers of the Southern California Exhibitors' Association, Allied unit. Only Good Attractions Bracketed, Says One Operator, With Extra Picture During Dinner Hour With the public economy-minded, the double feature in the family theatre is an asset, in the opinion of several independent circuit operators. This opinion, however, is in contrast to the one generally held by theatre men regarding a subject which has aroused a controversy throughout the trade. In discussing the question, one important circuit operator said : '"The double feature often is the difference between profit and loss. We have found it a good policy to double two good features, rather than one good picture and one mediocre film. By billing two good attractions you gather enough momentum to carry the theatre over three or four bad weeks. "We know that in one family, for example, the parents may like one type of picture and the children another. By double featuring pictures carefully chosen for the individual neighborhood you get the entire family into your house. "Of course, we seldom run the two features throughout the day, for even with a double feature the program must be well balanced with shorts. We generally show the added attraction during the dinner or some other off hour. We have found that after establishing such a policy we receive no complaints from our patrons." Nord, French Firm, Increases Capita Nord Film, French film concern, plans an increase in capitalization from 5,000,000 francs to 25,000,000. The company ""s activities include both renting and exhibiting. The large coal companies of the north of France are believed behind the increase. Nord, which owns only five houses, will immediately acquire 40 more, mainly from Franco Aubert, a Gaumont firm. Iowa Exhibitors Planning For Protection Test Cases Reports from Des Moines, Iowa, indicate that a test case on protection is planned for the near future. The United States Supreme Court decision of last year would be a factor in seeking alleged damages due to alleged unfair practices in zoning and protection schedules. The litigation is expected to be followed very soon by a number of other test cases on other phases of the contracts. Greatest Thrill: Ho Hum! Life has given its greatest thrill to Charles "Buddy" Rogers and Jannes Hall. There's nothing more to live for. They've been guests of Al Caponel At least so says Carol Frink, motion picture critic of the Chicago Herald and Exanniner. A "marvelous" host and "lavish, too," she quotes Hall. "I've never been to a Hollyv/ood party that was half as princely as AI's party. 'Bubbly' flowing like Niagara. He's so different from the movie characterizations of his type." Ho hum! Seek Settling of Wanger Contract; Negotiations are under way for settlement of the unexpired part of the contract of Walter Wanger, head of Eastern production for Paramount Publix following the announcement in the first issue of The Hollywood Herald that Wanger is definitely out of Paramount. The Astoria studios will close July 13 and all production will center in Hollywood with B. P. Schulberg in complete charge under Jesse L. Lasky, The Hollywood Herald stated. The new status follows the Denver conference which Sidney R. Kent and Schulberg attended. Recently Wanger was acknowledged as head of the production activities of Paramount. Walter Wanger Erno Rapee Joins NBC As Director of Radio Music Erno Rapee, appointed musical director of National Broadcasting Company, is placed in charge of the quality of all music broadcasts and of all musicians employed by NBC. He terminates his services as conductor of the Roxy symphony orchestra June 15, when he reports to John Royal, NBC program director. Rapee, who was born in Budapest in 1891, and played with the Budapest, Berlin and Vienna philharmonic orchestras and was assistant conductor of the Dresden orchestra, came into close association with S. L. Rothafel when he became conductor at the Rialto theatre in New York. Last year he was in Hollywood as music director for Warner Bros, and First National.