Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

Decern ber 6, 1 930 M o I i o ii I' i c l ii r e X e w l'» Inspired Plot to Disrupt Iowa Allied Unit Charged in Attack on L. P. Martin Salesmanship Baltimore — J. Lawrence Schanberger, manager of Keith's here, wanted to ha\e a particularly good picture for Thanksgiving week and had "Fast and Loose" booked. Thinking that the cast of "Morocco" would appeal more to his clientele, he and his father, Fred C. Schanberger, asked Paramount to allow them to have it for Keith's, but the company demurred on the ground that it was not to be released until December. However, Lawrence and his father persuaded Paramount to let them have the picture. Loew theatres in Baltimore have other Paramount pictures booked, but it is understood that "Morocco" was bought by Lawrence Schanberger several months ago when he selected his 17 pictures for the season from that program. No New $1,600 Equipment, Is Denial of Erpi Denial that Electrical Research Products soon will place on the market a new type of equipment for small theatres priced at $1,600 is made by C. W. Bunn, general sales manager, as "absolutely without foundation." "Furthermore, no such equipment is being contemplated, nor do we believe that any can be produced at such a price and still deliver the high quality that the motion picture industry and the theatre-going public have come to expect from Western Electric apparatus. Our standard for quality has been set and set at a high point. We do not intend at any time to lower that standard, regardless of what sacrifice such a stand may entail. "\\ e also believe that with our present line of equipments we are in a position to offer the small theatre exhibitor a Western Electric Sound System installation that will not only put his house on a par, as far as quality is concerned, with the de luxe house, but will also be a business builder for him. In other words, the equipment suitable for his house is so priced that he can pay for it and still remain in business on a profitable basis." "Birth" to Buck Xmas Bugbear at N. Y. Cohan "The Birth of a Nation," synchronized, will be banked upon to combat the pre-holiday slump at the Cohan. New York, operated by British International Pictures. The film, which is being state-righted by A. Griffith Grey, goes in Dec. 18, guaranteed two weeks and longer if receipts warrant. President's "Bolshevik" Charge Stirs Members; Directors Backing Secretarg Des Moines — Members of the Iowa Allied unit are "het up" over statement attributed to Tom Arthur that he submitted his resignation recently because Secretary Lester P. Martin had "gone bolshevik." It is hinted that opposition factors, seeking to discredit Martin, because of his fight against zoning, may have inspired the statement. Martin is credited with developing the organization to its present state and has the board of directors with him. He has been working without compensation. Arthur Remaining Arthur has made up his differences and will continue in office until Jan. 1, the date for election of new officers. Martin feels he has been the victim of a political move made against him personally. There seems no reason to believe this. Arthur states that he does not wish to be quoted aside from the fact that he has no desire to disrupt the organization and that he will remain peacefully at its head until the January election. Questioned as to a report of a disagreement between Arthur and Harry Hiersteiner Des Moines member of the board of directors, he said, "Harry? Why, I haven't seen him." Hiersteiner wished to make no statement except that the board of directors is behind Martin. Tiffany Signs Sullivan To Write Racketeer Script Edward Dean Sullivan, author of "Rat tling the Cup on Chicago Crime," "Chicago Surrenders." "I'll Tell My Big Brother" and "Sold Out," has been signed by Tiffany to adapt and write the treatment and dialogue for "X Marks the Spot," which is to be the second production for Tiffany by James Whale. Marlene Dietrich Sails Outward bound on the Bremen is Marlene Dietrich, new Paramount stellar light, who is returning to Berlin for the Christmas holidays. Colman on B'way "Devil to Pay," Ronnie Colman's latest talker, will be ushered into New York with a two-a-dav engagement at the Gaiety beginning Dec. 18. Reiterate Pledge Hollywood — Pledge to supply only authentic facts and news which have been "verified at their source" has been reiterated by the studio publicity committee of the Association of Motion Picture Producers. Puffer Denounces Charge Resentment over the statement of Tom Arthur that he was resigning the presidency of the Allied unit in Iowa because its secretary had gone "bolshevik" is expressed by F. R. Puffer, Webster City, in a letter to Motion Picture News. He says the statement is so ridiculous as to "be almost laughable" and that a canvass of the membership would show, perhaps, that only one member had "gone bolshevik." Arthur used Puffer's name and of other directors in his statement, as board members opposed to the secretary's methods, and this drew fire of Puffer, who says he believes it was solely to do the organization an injury. He says the association has made phenomenal progress and has the moral and financial support of practically every independent in the state. Benefit Show Is Halted by Philly Cops in Uproar Philadelphia — Amid scenes of disorder, 7,000 were ejected from the Kent, picture house in Northeast Philadelphia, Sunday night when an attempt was made to present a film and vaudeville show for the benefit of the unemployed. A special detail of 150 police from all over the city was rushed to the theatre under orders from Director of Public Safety Schofield to clear out the theatre, which had been secured for the benefit by Allyn-Capron Post No. 22, Veterans of Foreign Wars. A permit for the showing had been obtained two weeks previously by the veterans from Superintendent of Police Mills, but at the last minute Schofield revoked the license. It was then too late to notify the ticketholders and a detachment of police was sent to disperse the crowd. Disregarding orders, the indignant crowd filed into the theatre and the show began, only to be halted by the arrival of several detachments of police. A riot of serious proportions was averted when George Winkleman, member of the veterans' committee, went to the stage and pleaded with the crowd to obey the police order. At the same time benefit shows were given in other theatres in the city, but the reason for forbidding the Kent affair was not learned. Officials of the post declared that they would stage the show next Sunday and obtain a court order if necessarv. Tiffany Signs Hamilton Hollywood — Tiffany has signed Hale Hamilton for a role in "Drums of Jeopardy."