Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

VOLUME XLII NUMBER 23 DECEMBER 6, 1930 NEW YORK CITY Marcus in Saddle as "On-and-Off \ Deal Finally Places Pathe Under Radio Wing Equipping The Modern Picture House Throwing the spotlight on the present wholesale remodeling and re-equipment trend in the theatre field, THE SHOWMAN & MODERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT section, which starts on page 27 in this issue, features an exhaustive survey of new and improved theatre devices marketed during 1930. The Buyers' Guide — a compilation of what to buy and where to buy it — appears as another feature, supplemented by interesting discussions and articles by authorities, all vitally important to showmen in the successful operation of a modern theatre. .» Lottery Bride" Breaks Record For Rialto Low It's just about three years since the Rialto and Rivoli on Broadway switched from week stands to their present extended run policy, but it took "The Lottery Bride" to cop all honors for brevity of engagement and low dip in grosses since the change was made. The picture, a musical, was in and out in one. Opening at the Rialto on Friday, it closed Thursday night and terminated its lightning engagement with a gross of about $20,000, or the lowest gross in the extended run history of either theatre. The houses are 50 per cent owned by United Artists and Publix, with the latter handling operations. Litchtman Back At U. A. Desk on New 3-Year Pact With a three-year contract tucked in his pocket, Al Lichtman is back at his United Artists desk in New York, where he will continue as vice-president in charge of distribution. His deal with Warners on a five-year contract basis is consequently completely cold. It is understood his duties there were to control sales with Sam E. Morris moved further up the executive ladder into a position closer to H. M. Warner. Fox, Raskob, Al Smith Picture Alliance Looms "Don't be surprised to see William Fox back in the film business with both feet." This was the substance of a statement emanating from Albany, where a series of conferences were held between Fox, former Governor Al Smith, John J. Raskob and Lieutenant-Governor H. H. Lehman. The Albany reports tie in the conferences with RKO and Warners, in both of which firms Raskob is heavily interested, along with the duPont interests. Just what Fox's connection would be, as well as that of the former governor, is 'obscure, although for months there have been reports of the possibility of an RKO-Warner deal. Such a step would take a year or more to complete. Warner stockholders meet Monday at Wilmington, Del. No changes in the board are expected. Some time ago, reports say, Raskob was offered a position on the Warner board, but declined. "D. A." to Dig Into Racketeering Charges Charges of racketeering against New York theatres, in which tribute is allegedly levied in return for protection from hoodlums, are to be investigated by the district attorney's office. Charges and counter charges of racketeering in the operators' local, both denied, also are under surveillance. Theatres which have refused to pay gangster tribute have been subjected to stench bombing, slashing of upholstered seats and other outrages, it is alleged. Gets News, Studio, Players in $5,000,000 Buy; du Pont Interests Not Included Pathe goes to RKO under the terms of a deal, set for signatures early Thursday morning, but delayed because of differences in opinion over one schedule of figures and now slated to be signed momentarily. Approximately $5,000,000 is involved in the sale, which embraces all of the Pathe assets except its 49 per cent interest in Pathe-du Pont. RKO is assuming the leases on the Pathe exchanges throughout the country, Pathe News, the laboratory at Jersey City, the building at 35 West 45th St., the studio in Culver City and all product, feature and short subjects, beginning with "Sin Takes a Holiday." Pathe retains its equities in all pictures made or acquired for distribution on its own prior to release of the Bennett picture. RKO acquires the right to use the Pathe trademark and is expected to release the company's newsreel as RKOPathe News. Radio also acquires the services of Constance Bennett, Ann Harding and Helen Twelvetrees as the three biggest Pathe drawing cards, and contracts with Bill Boyd and Eddie Quillan. Directors involved are Tay Garnett, Paul Stein, E. H. Griffith. Russell Alack, Joseph Santley and Howard Higgin. Pathe's complete short subject line-up, including eight series of comedies, the Van Beuren product and other series, likewise figure in the sale. Pathe Exchange, Inc., as a corporate entity, remains in business. Strengthening the values of its $7,000,000 bond issue, of which about $2,000,000 has been retired since Joseph P. Kennedy assumed management of the company two years ago, is one of the jobs on hand. The company also regards its large interest in Pathe-duPont as extremely valuable. Ted O'Leary, now Pathe sales manager, will handle this end of Pathe's affairs, while Pat Scollard, now New York operating head, will assist Lee Marcus in the operations of that end of the business about to be acquired by RKO. (Continued on page 18) Nonchalant Hollywood — Pathe would lose by a merger, local executives believe, pointing out that its production plans and recently completed productions will make the company worth a great deal more next year.