Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

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50 Motion Picture News November 2 2, 1930 Earnings Being Maintained, Savs Financial Organ Film companies generally are maintaining earnings, reports thus far released, covering the first nine months of the year, show, it is pointed out by Barron's, financial weekly, in summarizing the position of various companies. These reports "fail to bear out the pessimistic prediction? rampant during the spring and summer." the publication observes. "While September quarter earnings of Fox Film and Radio-Keith-Orpheum are below a year ago, the showing may be considered gratifying in view of prevailing conditions," Barron's states. "Fox reported net after all charges of $3,028,779, against $3,200,121 a year ago, while RKO's net of $886,438 in the third quarter was only $120,893 under the showing for 1929. "Paramount Publix reported for the September quarter net of $5,100,000, the largest for any comparable period in its history and an increase of 11% over last year. Nine Months' Record Earnings "Nine months' figures of the above companies set new records. Paramount turned in net of $13,541,000, an increase of 39% over 1929. Fox increased its net from $8,337,196 a year ago to $10,104,194, while RKO showed an increase of 86%, bringing net to $3,052,571. "Of the big producers, Warner Brothers undoubtedly will present a disappointing report for the summer months. At the time of financing last August it was stated that the August 31 quarter, last of its fiscal year, would show a substantial deficit. "Loew's, Inc., report for the fiscal year ended August 31 showed record net earnings of $14,600,332, or $9.90 a share on average stock outstanding during the year. This compares with $11,756,956 net a year ago. Indications are that the 24 weeks ending August 31, embracing the warm weather months, showed net of $6,356,748, against $6,504,998 a year ago. Experimenting with the Wide Film "Among the smaller units, Columbia Pictures continues the growth which resulted in record earnings for the year ended June 30, last. Universal Pictures is enjoying a more prominent position in the field. While this has been largely due to the success of its "All Quiet On the Western Front," company has since turned out a number of successful feature films. Its position in the industry has been further strengthened as a result of a booking agreement with RKO. "The big producers, Paramount excepted, are now experimenting with wide film pictures. RKO is using the Spoor process; Metro, subsidiary of Loew's, has "Realife" reported as being the least expensive ; Warner has the "Vitascope" ; and Fox Film the "Grandeur." Grandeur films were shown earlier this year and were favorably received. "The wide film gives the illusion of depth, the much sought third-dimension. Among other reported advantages are better sound reproduction and inclusion of more characters on the film. At the present time, producers by agreement are to show the wide films only in 10 key cities. Prospective 1931 Earnings "The amusement industry is adjusting itself to the fact that the attraction of sound films as a novelty is losing its appeal and earnings as large as in 1929 and in first half of 1930 cannot reasonably be expected next year without some new attraction. While feature pictures that are hits are capable of returning What Price Realism? Hollywood — At Radio they're doing some talking about what is heralded as a unique camera shot obtained by Herbert Brenon for "Devil's Battalion." He managed to "dolley" his cameras on special cars to nab a slowly moving shot of a line of pseudo Foreign Legion soldiers a mile long. It was necessary to build a special highway across the sand dunes to do it. Radio thinks it's a swell stunt, but doesn't mention the cost. record income, revenues from ordinary run of pictures have been disappointing. "In other words, when sound films were new practically any production was sure of record crowds, regardless of merits. Now earnings will depend more than ever on success in gauging changing popular tastes. As a spectacle, it is attracting large crowds, but there is no reason to believe it will add greatly to the amusement value of a film. Neither is there any reason to believe earning power will be greatly increased for any extended period. Also the wide screen may prove an adverse factor in additional expense to equip theatres for projection. De Luxe Theatres Lose Patronage "A number of amusement companies during the summer abandoned stage shows given in the larger theatres. It has been found the falling off in income has been relatively greater in the large de luxe theatres than in the smaller play-houses. This is presumably due to the fact that the public will not pay additional admittance to see a film at a large theatre when it can be seen a few weeks later at lower prices in neighborhood houses. Paramount now is restoring the stage shows and revues formerly given, and also have added personal appearances of stage stars. This has met with substantial success and has increased boxoffice receipts, wherever tried. The larger companies in preparing stage shows present them in a chain of 30 or more houses so that the additional cost for each house is small in comparison with additional income received. Attempts also are being made to bring back the juvenile trade driven away to some extent by the more sophisticated films shown recently. A number of film versions of popular juvenile books are planned for next year. "All the larger companies the past year or so have added greatly to their theatre chains, and have considerably increased operating officiency while costs have been pared down. The sound film in itself has helped in controlling expenses since a dialogue script means a picture must be carefully planned in advance, not made by the old uncertain methods. Drastic economy programs have been enforced by all leading producers. Theatre Chains Expanded "As a result, even with the new problems that have come before the industry there is no reason to think earnings are likely to decline to a 1928 level, barring, of course, a very big increase in unemployment. At the same time, the upward trend in profits which carried through the first half of 1930 is likely to be interrupted. "In a situation in which the public will be attracted to only outstanding successful films, there is danger that the industry may not have sufficient films of superior quality. A good film, even when produced by an independent, has no difficulty in selling itself to the industry. There is also general co-operation among all larger producers who would rather present a good film made by a competitor than a poor film of their own make, since good film means profitable theatre operations. "The present situation thus gives the smaller independent film producers, including such companies as Pathe Exchange and Columbia Pictures, which are entirely without theatrical affiliations, a good opportunity to increase their revenues." Pictures Outdo Justice; Always Spank Criminals Toledo — Another old reliable exploitation angle bites the dust. Into the discard goes that once serviceable gag line, "Not recommended for children," which so often had the desired effect of making 'em cry for it. No, sir, there's no valid excuse for using it. At least not in connection with pineapple-tossing, jail-breaking, safe-blowing filmellers of the underworld. Dr. A. W. Trettien, professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, declares flatly that movies depicting crime are NOT harmful to children. Addressing the Toledo Motion Picture Council, Dr. Trettien said: "The criminal in the picture always gets caught and is punished. Thus the movie teaches a better lesson than life itself, since the American criminal is often successful in evading justice." The speaker pointed out that the screen's soundest defense is the fact that public sentiment is not against it. And public sentiment he characterized as "the highest and finest product of any democracy." "When public sentiment breaks down," he declared, "we will become an anarchy instead of a peace-loving nation." The professor told his audience that the movie, like the pulpit and the press, is optional with society, yet it exercises great influence upon the home, the school and the state in modern civilization. Sunday Shows Not Being Molested at Dover, O. Dover, O. — Picture houses here are now playing seven days a week, without interference. Ashland is also open on Sunday following a general election in which the Sunday issue was included and won by a good margin. This was the third time the issue was put up to the people. The first time it was defeated by a large majority. The second time it was defeated by a narrow margin, and the last time it won easily. There are three houses in Ashland affected by this. They are the Opera House, operated by John Damm ; Ohio, operated by John Blahas, and the Palace, operated by Clark & Edwards. Stench Bombers Busy Portland — Local press declares in big headlines "The Stinkers Are Still Busy" in describing the activities of men who have varied their program every other night by placing several stench bombs in the Capitol. This, in spite of the fact that double guards have been placed in the theatre until a late hour. The Moreland, in the suburbs, in addition to being regularly picketed for the past nine months, was again subjected to odor bombs, with resultant loss of patronage. RCA in New Coast Quarters Hollywood — RCA Photophone has moved into its new Coast headquarters at 7000 Santa Monica Blvd. The new building houses the company's commercial, engineering, educational industrial, installation, service and recording departments.