Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

28 Motion Picture New s October 4, 1930 .. 99 Clara, Behave,' Is Studio Advice Hollywood — Clara Bow must keep her red head out of mischief hereafter and her name off the Hunt pages — unless it's planted there by a bona fide press agent. I his was the ultimatum delivered to Miss It by the Paramount studio chieftains as a result of her latest escapade in which she gave $13,91)0 in checks to cover losses at gambling and then stopped payment on them. It was admitted at the studio that Clara had been given some "friendly advice," but how hut a point was reached in the lecture was not learned. But she's got to "watch her step." It was learned that her contract with Paramount, renewed Aug. 20, runs only to Oct. 11, 1931, and a year passes quickly. 1 he star's attitude in the matter was demonstrated by her continued refusals to see reporters wno would like to get some more hot copy from her. Synthetic Sport Promoters Hold Hallelujah Meet (Continued from Page 27) were greeted with yawns from the delegates. A fair start, they admitted, but only a start. Business discussions were confined to appropriate city ordinances to govern operation of the minnow courses. Delegates agreed there should be a license fee. of approximately $50 annually, that 8 A. M. to 1 A. M. were reasonable operating hours and that children unaccompanied by .parents should not be admitted to play after 10 P. Al. The question of zoning courses against residential district invasion was sidetracked. A southern delegate reported that he has just had published a book on how to be an expert at the game, a book which also includes all the rules and regulations of miniature golf so far approved. He anticipates a sale of several million copies and urged the brothers to get in on the ground floor. Tales of prosperity were numerous and unrestrained. Miniature golf, the impression of an outsider is, has made more overnight millionaires than the war, the market of 1928-29 and prohibition combined. As one delegate put it: "It's simply a matter of putt and take." And Now Mary Garden As Sound Film Recruit Paris — Mary Garden will become a talker star if screen tests to be made on her return to New York prove successful, she said upon her arrival here from the Riviera. Her decision followed a reputed $1,000 trans-Atlantic telephone conversation. The offer involves a record-breaking salary, she says. She doesn't know in which operatic vehicle she will make her talker debut if tlu tests are successful. Sound films, she said, have reached such a state of perfection that they cannot be disregarded. Bender and Frost to Coast Robert Bender, manager of the Fox Brooklyn, is to take over management of 'in. of the largest houses of the Fox West Coast chain and Rober-tX. Frost, manager of the Fox Terminal. Newark, is to be given a Coast assignment. Service Plus! Reviews on 23 new feature pictures appear in the reviewing section of this issue, beginning on page 52. Majority of these productions have only just been completed at Hollywood studios and are reviewed for the first time. Pictures included in the current group are: "Big Money," "Check and Double Check," "Steel Highway," "Barber John's Boy," "Hot Heiress," "Soul Kiss," "The Dancers," "Office Wife," "Renegades," "River's End," "Adios," "For the Love o' Lil," "Scotland Yard," 'Sit Tight," "Divorce Among Friends," "Father's Son," "Sinner's Holiday," "Virtuous Sin," "Gorilla," "Boudoir Diplomat," "Convict's Code." "Land of Missing Men" and "Young Woodley." Goldstone Not Out, Says Cook; Launches System Hollywood — Phil Goldstone still is with Tiffany, Grant L. Cook, executive vicepresident of the company, declared on his arrival here. Cook's trip to the Coast revived the report that Goldstone is to leave the company. Cook is here to launch the unit system of production calling for distribution of production activities among several executives. The company's program for the new year calls for ten pictures designed as specials, 16 other features and two series of westerns starring Rex Lease and Bob Steele. Short subjects planned include six Chimp comedies, six H. C. Witwer Classics in Slang, 26 Voice of Hollywood subjects, six one reel Color Symphonies, six one reel Jubilee Singers, six Musical Fantasies and six Multicolor '.ubjects. Grant L. Cook Glucksman Resigns as Supervisor for Publix-B-K Chicago — E. M. Glucksman, district theatre supervisor for Publix-Balaban & Katz, has resigned that position and leaves shortly for a prolonged vacation in central Europe. Glucksman was supervisory manager of the Uptown and Paradise theatres and the Publix string of Greater Talkie theatres. Les Dally, supervisor of Loop theatres, takes over Glucksman's duties in addition to his own. John Balaban, general manager of Publix-B. & K. and Publix-Kunsky Theatres, leaves for New York within the next week or two where, in the future, he will direct 1'ublix Chicago and Detroit interests from the home office. Buys Foreign Rights Distribution rights for Spain and Portugal on 12 synchronized Artclass comedies have been acquired by Hoffberg, Cornfield Co., New York. Myers Trade Meet Conduct Slammed Niagara Falls, Ont. — Conduct of the Trade Practice Conference held in New York in 1927, with the then Federal Trade Commissioner Abram F. Myers presiding, was attacked in a speech made at the Congress of Industries here by Frank J. Rembusch, Indianapolis exhibitor. Myers was a speaker at the sessions. Constance Cummings Cast by Columbia Hollywood — Constance Cummings, who came west to play opposite Ronald Colman and was dropped when Sam Goldwyn decided a new leading lady was needed to play the type he wanted, has been signed by Columbia for the feminine lead in "Criminal Code." Phillips Holmes has been borrowed from Paramount for the male lead, after Paramount refuses to allow Richard Arlen to play the role. Cantor Booking Cut From Week to a Day Cleveland — Eddie Cantor appeared at Loew's Stillman this week, giving only four performances in connection with his picture, "Whoopee." This decision came as a surprise, as former announcement had been made that Cantor would appear at the RKO Palace during the entire week of Oct. 11. Omaha Chain Opens Its Tenth Suburban Omaha — Nebraska Theatres Corp., local neighborhood chain, has opened its tenth house, the Omar. All are wired. William Bergmann, former manager of the Fremont (Publix), at Fremont, Neb., has been named press agent for the chain. American, British Units Bid for Broadhead Circuit London — Offers reaching as high as $1,250,000 from British and American chains are said to have been refused by Alderman \V. H. Broadhead for his chain of 15 suburban theatres. An offer is understood to have been made by Sam Katz in behalf of Publix. Mathews New Secretary Of Northwest Exhib Unit Portland — G. E. Mathews, manager of the Granada and Columbia at the Dalles, has been apointed secretary of the Allied Exhibitors of the Northwest. Ninety-two theatres, with a combined seating capacity of 60,000, are included in membership of the association. Expansion Continued by Omaha Suburban Firm Omaha — Popular Amusement Co. has opened its fourth neighborhood house here, the Lothrop. A fifth theater will be opened soon, according to plans. Foster to Be Featured Norman Foster is to return to New York about Oct. 15 to start work with Paramounl as a featured player. He is now abroad.