Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1929)

October 19, 1929 Motion Picture News 31 Westerns Sure To Come Back (Hollywood Bureau, Motion Picture News) Hollywood. — The return of the western this time in sound seems assured judging by plans underway for the "horse opera." Universal officials claim a tremendous response for Ken Maynard's first in sound, "The Wagon Master." They prophesy much for Hoot Gibson's first in sound, "The Lone Star Ranger." The latter has plans to make the remainder of the two stars' series in dialogue. Fox is filming "The Cisco Kid" and "The Lone Star Ranger," the latter has been made several times before by this company as a silent. On the Paramount lot, work is proceeding on the first of Gary Cooper's talking westerns. Leo Maloney has completed an all-dialogue western and is now reported negotiating with Columbia it is said. Production on westerns is also being revived by various independents who made a livelihood out of this type of film for the many years past. Maloney Deal With Columbia For Sound Western Production Leo Maloney, western star, who has completed an outdoor sound western, is in New York negotiating with Columbia for a release. Columbia may take over the picture outright and make a deal with the starproducer for three others or a series of four in all. J. J. Harwood Re-Elected Head Cleveland T. O. Unit Cleveland. — For the fifth time the Cleveland M. P. Exhibitors Ass'n has unanimously elected J. J. Harwood president. Other officers elected at the annual meeting here were: George Paulda, vice-president, succeeding the late Henry L. Lustig; George W. Erdmann, secretary; B. Z. Levine, treasurer. Elected for three year terms as directors of the board were Martin P. Brown and Henry Greenberger. The other five members are Paul Gusdanovic, Albert E. Ptak, John D. Kalafat, Harry E. Horowitz, J. A. Schwartz. Barrist Retires As Head Of 3 Regional Publications Philadelphia. — David Barrist has withdrawn from the editorship of his three regional publications, "The Exhibitor," "The National Exhibitor" and "The New York State Exhibitors." Jay Emanuel, independent theatreman of Philadelphia and national treasurer of the M. P. T. 0. A., becomes publisher. Barrist retires to take care of personal interests. The publications will be known as the EmanuelGoodwin Publications, Charles Goodwin remaining as business manager. Rembusch To Sell Franchises; New Unit After 6,000 Houses Britain Censored 36 Films During Month Of August Washington — Thirty-six features of 3,000 feet or over were censored in Great Britain during August, 1929, Trade Commissioner George K. Canty, informs the M. P. Division of the Dept. of Commerce BVay Theatres Have Quiet Week There was no outstanding wallop at any of the Broadway box-offices last week. Business failed to come up to expectations in several of the houses, this perhaps due to the proximity of the Jewish holidays. However, it was thought that the holiday of the previous week would have sent receipts up, but this did not materialize. In the grind houses the Roxy with "Salute" topped with $98,312, which was way under the average business for that house. The Capitol showing John Gilbert in his first talking production did $S2,598.55, whereas it was believed that the "great lover" would have pulled stronger than this. At the Paramount, "Fast Company," a baseball story that was timely because of the world series, managed to get $74,400. The Rialto, which tried the first 24 hour run over the first week-end of "Why Bring That Up," did but $56,500 on the week of which $23,500 was secured over Friday and Saturday. The second week of "Three Live Ghosts"" at the Rivoli brought $24,300, the picture leaving tonight and Harold Lloyd's "Welcome Danger" opening tomorrow morning. "Big News," a Pathe release at the Colony, drew $13,732, while "Afghanistan," in its second week at the Cameo, got $4,127. There are ten extended runs on Broadway at present, the two latest arrivals being "Sunny Side Up" at the Gaiety and "Rio Rita" at the Earl Carroll. Neither is attracting strong matinee business, but the night returns are high. The former played to $16,678 while the latter got $21,173 on the initial week. Surprising is the strength shown by "Disraeli" at Warner's where business was $25,700 for the first full week. "Applause," another of the new arrivals, did better than $12,800 on six days at the Criterion. "The Hollywood Revue," in its eighth week, drew $18,862 at the Astor, while at the Winter Garden, "The Gold Diggers of Broadway" came through to the tune of $26,120.25. "The Great Gabbo," which moved up to the Globe from the Selwyn, climbed terrifficly and got $12,451 on the week, while "Blackmail" did a complete nosedive with $3,800 at the Selwyn. "Flight" at the Cohen is entering its final week. Last week the business was $13,500, and ' ' Young Nowheres" at the Central played to $9,950. "Hallelujah" at the Embassy got $7,924 in its eighth week and is to end its run a week or so with the house to be devoted to a grind policy showing nothing but news reels. "Broadway Scandals" is due at the Cohan on Tuesday a week, succeeding "Flight." A profit-sharing five year franchise for exhibitors in a plan linking coast producers together on a schedule of 30 pictures annually is the objective of the M P Congress of America, now in process of incorporation at Dover, Del., by Frank J. Rembusch. Arthur S. Fried, at one time treasurer and a director of Paramount, has drawn the contract under which Rembusch will function. Six thousand exhibitors will be sought in the national drive about to get under way. The company intends organizing exchanges in key cities and expects to release its first picture in April, Rembusch told Motion Picture News last night. Each program will consist of a unit show, probably embracing a feature of seven or eight reels and two or three short subjects, in sound or silent as the franchise holder desires. Rembusch, now in New York, will attend the Michigan exhibitor convention to be held shortly and will also address those attending the national convention of the M.P.T.O.A. in Memphis the end of this month. Producers, directors and stars in Hollywood are already lined up, Rembusch declares, but at this time he refuses to divulge names. "We expect to sign Allied and M.P.T.O.A. members both," he said. "There is no conflict with any other plan. There is room in the field for this proposed franchies and several more." Type G RCA Photophone Now Ready For Ordering RCA Photophone is now taking orders for the new Type G reproducing equipment priced at $2,995, states Sydney E. Abel, general sales manager. Price does not include installation cost. Campbell Feted In Boston Boston. — As a testimonial to his 25 years in the film business, 15 of them with Fox, Harry F. Campbell, district manager here for Fox, was guest of honor at a dinner tendered him at the Statler when several hundred exhibitors presented him with a diamond ring. E. C. Grainger and Harry Buxbaum of the Fox home office were present. Seek Stench Bomb Hurlers Cleveland. — Stench bombs thrown in orchestras and lobbies of nine Cleveland theatres this week cap local indignation in an offer of reward for information leading to the discovery of the perpetrators. Several suspects are being carefully watched. Jackter Leads Columbia Drive The second week of the Joe Goldberg Testimonial Drive being conducted by Columbia during October shows Rube Jackter's Western and Mid-West divisions are in the lead. Helen Kane Back In New York Helen Kane arrived in New York yesterday from the Paramount studio, Hollywood, where she completed a featured role in "Sweetie."