Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

October IS, 19 3 0 M o (ion P i c t u r c X e w s 27 Wide Film Race Won by Realife In Detroit Run With several companies rushing to bring wide films to the screen, "Billy, the Kid" opened Thursday night at the Paramount. Detroit, marking first presentation of Realife. M-G-M process. The film opens its New York run at the Capitol, Friday. A last minute switch prevented a start-fromscratch test between draw of Grandeur and Realife, for showing of "The Big Trail" at the Capitol has been postponed until Oct. 24. Meanwhile, First National soon will open "Kismet" in Hollywood to introduce a new process on which the Warners have been working, RKO has "Danger Lights" completed, to introduce the Spoor-Berggren process, and Universal has completed a short on wide film. Process on 35 mm Film Universal City — Universale wide screen pictures are filmed on standard film with one-half of the frame blocked out. W. E. Installations in World Now Total 6,870 Revolutions notwithstanding, Brazilians must have their talking picture entertainments. The latest report of installations of Western Electric Sound Systems throughout the world shows a total of 6,870, of which 4,549 are in the United States and 2,321 in the foreign field. The installations in Brazil show an increase of four, from 19 to 23, with the last report. The installation in Spain have also increased substantially, from 25 to 32. McGuire and Barrows Confer on New Print P. A. McGuire, advertising and publicity director of International Projector Corp., has returned to New York from Boston, where he conferred with Thad Barrows, head of the Projection Advisory Council on the new standard release print. To Play Opposite Maynard Hollywood — Jeanette Loff is to play opposite Ken Maynard in the series of six pictures he will make for the 1930-31 Tiffany program. Thanksgiving Short National Screen Service has completed a special Thanksgiving short subject for use during the week of the holiday. It is available for sound-onfilm onlv. Seidelman Returning J. H. Seidelman, of the Paramount Publix foreign department, is returning on the Aquitania Friday from a six-weeks' trip to Europe. Radio Gets "W Plan" "The W Plan," a British International Production revealing the activities of spies during the World War, has been acquired by Radio for distribution in this country. Danish Dough Out Hollywood way, Jim Tully tells the yarn about Karl Dane, who, after lengthy deliberation decided to hit up Louis B. Mayer, M-G-M studio chief, for a salary tilt. During the course of a heart-totalk with the boss, Karl made a long spiel on how his work had benefited the company, etc., etc., to which Mayer agreed — more or less — and signified his willingness to make an amicable adjustment. The climax arrived and, expecting a reply in the four-figure class, Mayer queried: "How much more money each week would make you happy, Karl?" The great Dane pulled himself together, gathered every ounce of nerve he possessed, and meekly replied: "Oh, about twenty-five dollars." Mary Lewis Wants To Know If Pathe Pact Is Phoney Hollywood — Whether the Photophone recording of the ceremony depicting Mary Lewis, opera star, signing a $25,000 contract with Pathe is phoney, is to be determined in court. She declares the company paid her only $2,500 and has refused to make the picture. Pathe officials are said to have changed their minds about the picture, because no suitable story was available. Publix Completing Expansion Plan Paramount Publix is nearing the windup of the extensive building program launched three years ago. With 27 houses in construction, six of which are to be opened by Christmas, plans for six others are in work. When these are completed, there will be no general expansion for some time to come, the circuit being scheduled to build only in isolated spots. The name Paramount is to be used exclusively unless a theatre of that name is already in operation in the situation. "Bill" Sistrom Quits RKO to Recoup Health Hollywood — William Sistrom now is winding up his affairs at the RKO studio, preparatory to taking an extended rest, after which he will undergo a stomach operation. He resigned his position with the company on orders of his physician. Chinese Censorship Nanking — Showing of pictures in the interior, except by authorized persons, has been banned by the Nationalist government. All films going into the interior are censored. New Spoor Wide Film to Stage Debut in Chicago Chicago — New wide film pictures of the Spoor-Berggren process will make their debut at the RKO State-Lake here as soon as installation of the projection equipment and screen are given a final O. K. "Danger . Lights" will be the picture which will introduce the process, upon which George K. Spoor, veteran producer, has spent a fortune and more than ten years of effort. The State-Lake dumped vaudeville this week, opening its straight picture policy with "Half Shot at Sunrise." The house is one of the oldest vaude spots in this section of the country. On the new policy, the house will grind eight shows daily, nine on Saturdays, and seven on Sundays. Fox Casts Three Hollywood — At the Fox studios Zasu Pitts has been engaged for a part in "This Modern World," directed by Chandler Sprague. Peter Gawthorne has been signed for "The Man Who Came Back." in which Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell will be co-starred under the direction of Raoul Walsh. Clara Blandick will appear in "Once a Sinner," directed by Guthrie McClintic. Davis Resigns Winnipeg, Man. — Outstanding in Western Canada for the past five years as a Famous Players' manager, Walter F. Davis of Winnipeg, has resigned and has gone East to undergo medical treatment. He was successively exploitation supervisor at Toronto, manager of the Winnipeg Metropolitan and more recently manager of the Capitol Theatre where he was associated with W. M. Thomas, Western Division general manager. Marguerite Churchill Cast Hollywood — Marguerite Churchill, who had been assigned the leading role opposite George O'Brien in "The Seas Beneath," will forego the part to be leading lady in "The Spider," opposite Warner Baxter. Henry King, who will direct "The Spider," is ready to begin work on the picture sooner than expected, having finished "Lightnin'," starring Will Rogers, ahead of schedule. Receiver at South Bend South Bend, Ind. — Fred L. House of this city has posted bond as receiver for the Anno Theatre Corp., operator of the Anno. He was appointed by the judge of the Superior court where petition for a receiver was filed by a local firm asking judgment for $800 on an overdue account. Promoting "Tom Sawyer" The Paramount sales promotion department has effected two national tie-ups on "Tom Sawyer." During November it will have the Philco radio tie-up. and the makers of "Tom Sawyer Wash Wear for Real Boys" will institute a national advertising campaign which will be hooked up with bookings.