Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

October IS , 19 BO M o lion P i c t u r e N e w S 33 Police Guarding Portland Houses In Union Row Portland — Due to labor troubles between theatre owners and operators, and the increased activity of thieves who have recently specialized in theatre robberies, Chief of Police Jenkins and staff ordered that all suburban houses be placed under guard. Answering the gesture of the police department, one neighborhood house was almost bombed, and another was successfully robbed. Miss Elma Running, cashier of the Granada, had left the structure only 10 minutes, when she heard a heavy explosion, and rushed out of her home in time to see a huge column of smoke arising from the rear of the theatre. Police investigation disclosed that a charge of black powder had apparently been placed by the perpetrator and the "touching off" proceedings required little time. "I have no serious trouble with organized labor," declared Stephen Parker, owner of the Granada. "Under the silent scale, which was $1.37 per hour, when sound was installed the union established a new scale of $2.22l/2 per hour, and demanded two men to be placed in the operator's booth. I agreed to that pending arbitration which began in April, 1929. "Proprietors of independent theatres of Portland met with the operators and all agreed to arbitrate the matter. In August, 1929, however, they refused to arbitrate and pulled their men out of one of the theatres which was considered the 'bone of contention.' That action brought about a controversy involving the other independent theatres. As far as the Granada theatre is concerned, I never have had any arguments with the union and. although it has had a picket in front of the establishment, things have been very peaceful." "Rubber Check" Warning Is Sounded by Metzger Columbus — Ohio exhibitors have been warned against Gene Layman or Jean Laymon, alleged bogus check passer, in a message relayed by the state organization from Charles Metzger, secretary of the Associated Theatre Owners of Indiana. A warrant for his arrest has been issued at Brazil, Ind., says Metzger. A number of rubber checks were passed on Indiana exhibitors, it is stated. Layman formerly had a ballyhoo featuring a live lion for theatres and more recently has sold films. Harry Sherman Grooming Raymond Griffith as Star Raymond Griffith has been signed to a term contract by Majestic Pictures, according to Harry Sherman, company president. Griffith will be groomed for stardom by the company, Sherman indicated. Brunei Returns Henry P. Brunet, manager of exchange operations, has returned from a two weeks' tour of Columbia European offices. Business Better Dallas — Exhibitors throughout the Middle West are in a favorable frame of mind and even optimistic concerning the picture situation this winter, states Jack K. Adams, chief of Allied Film exchange, who has returned from a survey trip of local territory. That the worst of the depression has been passed with business on the upgrade, Adams stated, is evidenced by the Jack K. Ada™ few personnel cuts at theatres and steady support of independently owned houses in this territory. Adams closed with Robb & Rowley, Lytle circuit and Publix Texas houses for the Big 4 Westerns. Chains Concede $2.50 Wage Boost Seattle — Although the downtown circuit houses have settled with operators and stagehands, granting a $2.50 weekly increase, the smaller theatres are continuing their fight for only one man in the booth. Meanwhile, negotiations still are pending with musicians and houses large and small. The present downtown scale for operators and stagehands ranges from $65 to $85 a week. The agreement, effective in 1931, was signed by Fox West Coast, Paramount Publix, RKO and A. L. Erlanger Enterprises. Indianapolis Showman Is Kidnaped and Robbed Indianapolis — Found tied and gagged in the fan room on the second floor of the Alamo, in the heart of the business district here, Maurice Magers, manager, told police two bandits kidnaped him and forced him to open the safe from which they took $2,200. The money was week-end receipts of a chain of four small theatres owned by Manny Marcus, formerly of Fort Wayne. Big 4 Starts Western Hollywood — Using Harry Carey's ranch on the Santa Clara River for exteriors, Big 4 Prod, this week commenced work on "Red Fork Range," a talker Western starring Wally Wales, with Ruth Mix. Shooting was delayed because many of the cast were working on "Cimarron," on the RKO lot. Hays in Radio Speech "Forging an Industry Out of Shadows and Sound" is the title of a radio address to be made Oct. 24 over the Columbia network by Will H. Hays. "War Nurse" Opening "War Nurse" is to replace "The Big House" Oct. 23 at the Astor, New York. "The Big House" has been running nearly four months. Zoning Plan Out In Ohio on Raps From Affiliates Cleveland — Rewriting of zoning schedules lor this territory is under way following rejection by home offices of the plan adopted by the zoning committee. The rejection was made because the representatives of the Loew, RKO and Publix theatres were not on the committee. Phil Gleichman, representative of the Warner theatres in this district, was the only affiliated theatre representative who attended the zoning committee meetings and Gleichman accepted the plan, calling it fair. Fred Desberg and W. J. Finney of I-i lew's, J. E. Flrnkness of RKO, and Louis Notarious of Publix were notified of committee meetings by registered mail, according to the local Film Board. They did not attend the meetings, it is stated, until the situations in which they were interested were already zoned. They then registered objections in each instance. Affiliated Objections Representatives of affiliated theatres, on the other hand, state that they had been informed that they would be notified when situations affecting them would come up for discussion, so that they could participate in the discussions and make known their demands. They were not notified, they claim, with the result that the zoning was completed without any participation by them. They were present at the final meeting of tlic committee when the plan was accepted by both distributor and exhibitor members. They then went on record as objecting to the clauses which covered situations in which they are interested. It was understood by both distributor and exhibitor members of the zoning committee that the plan, when accepted by both parties, was final. It was not to be submitted to New York for approval. In the final analysis, however, New York assumed the prerogative of passing on it. Exhibitors had signed the plan with the complete understanding that it was final. It was submitted to New York only to be put into formal and legal form. Sono Art World-Wide Gets New Kale Via Geo. Norton George C. Norton, banker and attorney, has been elected a vice-president and treasurer of Sono Art-World Wide and, it is reported, is arranging new finances for the company. Mrs. Weisfeldt Recovering Detroit — Mrs. Paulina Weisfeldt, mother of M. J. and Eddie Weisfeldt, veteran film men, is recovering after amputation of her left leg. Eddie is managing the Michigan and Fischer here, while M. J. Weisfeldt is head of distribution for Talking Picture Epics. Buy Educational Lineup Contracts were signed this week by Warners for Educational's 1930-31 releases.