Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

28 MOTION PICTURE HERALD June 20, 19 3 1 Enchanted Child'' Like Any BabbittExcept Different The Man of the Week in Finance William Fox, who rolled S750 invested in a nickelodeon into the Fox Film Corp., one of the leading factors in the motion picture industry, Jjroke into the financial spotlight this week when he was dropped from the board of the company he founded. Fox lost control of his enterprise early last year when financing difficulties forced him to sell out to the Harley L. Clarke-General Theatres Equipment interests. His friends say that he has no immediate plans for the future despite rumors linking him with other movie companies. [REPRINTtJD FROM THE NEW YORK JOURNAL] Dr. Becker Named Directing Officer Of Kuchenmeister Dr. Rudolph Becker, one of the leading financiers in the film industry in Germany and managing director of Asfi (Associated Sound Film Industries), at Wembley, England, has been named managing director of Kuchenmeister, which controls, Klangfilm, Tobis, Asfi, and subsidiaries. Dr. Becker has been a foremost figure in the leading producing and distributing companies in Germany. He was at one time an executive of Ufa. Hollywood Pictures Signs Goldberg To Produce Eight Hollywood Pictures Corporation has signed Jesse J. Goldberg to produce eight special features for release in 1931-32. Films will be released in New York and Northern New Jersey, by the company's own exchanges, and by independent exchanges over the country. General to Press Patent Fight in Other Districts Contending that the decisions thus far handed down in the General Talking Pictures-Stanley litigation over the Ries patent have concerned only one jurisdiction, M. A. Schlesinger, president of General, declares that the fight will be taken to other jurisdictions. The U. S. supreme court recently refused to review a decision of the court of appeals adverse to General Talking Pictures' suit to have the Western Electric equipment in Stanley theatres declared an infringement of the former's patents. Revive Tax Talk Florida legislators are considering another bill seeking to raise state revenue by taxing amusements and luxuries. The measure, introduced by Senator Turner of Cedar Key, provides for rates of from 10 to 20 per cent. Smith Succeeds Milder A. W. Smith, Jr., has been returned to his old post of Warner-First National Eastern sales manager under Claude C. Ezell. Formerly Southern sales head. Smith succeeds Max Milder. Lai Chand Mehra ! Perfect Sanskrit euphony. Suggests incense, Oriental mystery, Vedic ethics — the sublime planes of Karma and Nirvana ! Translated, the term means "The Enchanted Child." It is the name of Hollywood's leading authority on Oriental and East Indian afifairs. Lai Chand Mehra has agreed to do double duty on RKO-Radio Pictures' "The Sphinx Has Spoken" — to act as technical adviser and enact the role of a Sikh non-commissioned officer. Aside from two intense dark eyes, blueblack hair and a centuries-old sun-tan, Lai Chand Mehra is very much like any MrBabbitt from Zenith. That is, he wears latest styles and belongs to the usual clubs and lodges of the realm. He lectures at Philomathean Clubs and real estate banquets. He speaks better English than the average American, boasts a couple of American college degrees, and is principally interested in a screen career. This career, long ago, gained considerable momentum and singled him out as the leading technical adviser on Oriental matters. Lai Chand Mehra believes in monogamy. "Plural wives are for a very rich few in India. Polygamy is not generally practiced," he says. "In fact, no Hindu has more than one wife at a time." Most books written about Mother India^ he says, are based on Indian conditions years ago. When he has learned film-making thoroughly, Dal Chand Mehra is going back to India and direct educational films that will tend to bring the Old World closer to the New. But he balks at American food. He cooks his own when he cannot obtain Hindu help. His feasts of spicy meats, rice and curry sauce are the talk and envy of Celluloidia. Lai Chand Mehra wrote many titles for "The King of Kings." He conducts classes in the Extension Division of the University of California. He was technical adviser for "The Green Goddess," "Kismet," "East of Borneo," "What a Widow," and other features. MPTOA Declares Circuits Are Frightened by Weak Business The MPTOA has declared that circuits are calling for the establishment of "some fair method" of zoning, because they are frightened by the depression and slackness in business. They are demanding, according to the organization, "terrific protection." The MPTOA advocates reassembling of the zoning committees. Report Clara Plans Tour Clara Bow will shortly undertake a "farewell personal appearance tour," according to the International News Service. It is understood Publix recently negotiated for appearances in New York for her but the idea was subsequently dropped.