Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 273, Indianapolis, Marion County, 23 January 1936 — Page 6

PAGE 6

THEATER OWNERS HIT OPERATIC MOVIES, DOUBLE FEATURES

The Times Survey Taken at Convention Reveals Film Taste of Indiana Patrons; Speaker Assails 'Block Booking 7 System

Poll Results Place Will Rogers as Leading Favorite of Indiana Audiences, With Shirley Temple Second —Interest in Pictures Gains. BY JOHN W. THOMPSON Indiana movie patrons are not opera-minded, it was shown today by results of The Times survey conducted among members of the Associated Theater Owners of Indiana. The survey questions were answered by owners whose theaters were attended by more than 10 million persons last year. In answer to the question, “What do your patrons think of Hollywood’s opera pictures?’’ 36 answered with “rotten,” “no good,” and the like. Only four chain operators said their customers liked operatic material as movie fare.

In view of Hollywood's announcement of a series of opera pictures for 1936, this is significant. However, in questioning managers frorir the larger towns and cities, we found the heavier musicals were more popular there. Interest Is Mounting Owners said interest in movies is increasing. Nearly all reported gain in movie business over the preceding year. The average gain throughout the state was 15 per cent. Average gain in Indianapolis was between 16 and 18 per cent. The highest reported gain was 33 per cent. Remember the organists who used to play at nearly ail the neighborhood theaters? They seem to be a dying race. The Hoosier theater managers report there is little or no popularity for such entertainment and that they rarely present it any more. Movie fans who have complained about double feature programs may feel comforted by the fact that Indiana's theater managers don’t like Ihe idea either. Asked “What is the general reaction in your theaters to double features?” the executives almost were unanimous in the opinion that double features tended to pull down the quality of the motion picture product. If both patrons and managers don't want a thing its pretty sure to be dropped. Westerns Declining We wondered about the popularity of “westerns,” thos>3 actionpacked “horse dramas” which attracted us as a lad. We asked the movie men about them. “Is there an increase or a decrease in ‘westerns?’ ” The Times’ Questionnaire asked. We discovered that in 50 per cent of the state theaters, popularity of western pictures is declining. Folks are awakening to reality, It seems. There still is a large group of youngsters (and oldsters) who grip their seats at Tom Mixian "drammer." The taste of the movie public is going up. according to the survey. In only three localities did theater owners report a slump in audience demand for better films. Those who pay their hard-earned money to see the “flickers” want their money's worth and they want it to be fit for their children’s eyes, as well as their own. Will Rogers Is Tops We were a bit surprised by the result of the poll in regard to “what star did the most business for you -MARTENS CONCERTS, INC. English—Tonight 8:30 Prompt MINNEAPOLIS SYMPHONY EUGENE ORMANDY Conductor Hfr this jrmt orche.tra unci It. dynamic conductor piny Bach— Beethoven Dcbmsy 1- Berlior Kite. on. Seats on .ale today until 5 p. m.. Marten, Ticket Office, S3 Monument Cirri*. Theatre Box Office after B P- m. Prices —$1.10, $1.66, $2.20, $2.75. Tax Included

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last year?” Whereas, Shirley Temple ruled the movie world in the national resume of box office attractions, the late Will Rogers drew more Hoosiers to the movie houses than any other star. Miss Temple was a close second, however. Next in'lirte were Clark Gable and Joan Crawford. In answer to the query, “Has radio helped or hurt movie business?” 21 operators said it hurt, five said it helped and 13 said it had made no difference. Several remarked they thought radio helped build movie personalities, but kept folks away from the theater. As for “bank night” or “gift night” enterprises members of the association were about evenly divided. Indianapolis theater managers strongly were agains“ it, and many of the larger out-of-t.wn owners said they thought such attraction* would lower the grade of Hollywood’s product if continued. Several said they “were sorry to say it helped their business.” Newsreels Attract Have you ever stopped to consider the newsreel you see almost every time you go to a movie? We wanted to know how other movie fans felt about it. According to most movie owners, the newsreel is indispensable in their theater programs. However, ll said it merely was a “fill in,” put there to take up time between features. The popularity of the newsreel, of course, depends greatly on its timeliness. What day do you go to the movies Most Indiana people go on Sunday, according to the poll. Thir-ty-three Indiana theater owners said Sunday is their best movie day. One said Friday.

Thorpe Is to Direct Norris Story Movie Time* Special HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 23.—Richard Thorpe, young director, who last year led a company of movie players to a lonely island in the South Pacific to film ‘‘Last of the Pagans,” is to direct “Gram,” by Kathleen Norris, to be filmed soon. The setting of the story is a New York tenement section. May Robson and Madame Ernestine Schu-mann-Heink are to be featured in the production. Mr. Thorpe now is completing “The Voice of Bugle Ann,” with Lionel Barrymore, Eric Linden and Maureen O’Sullivan. Our Gang at Work “Second Childhood,” anew Our Gang comedy, is now in production under direction of Gus Meins. Adult members of the cast include Zeffle Tilbruty, Sidney Bracy and Greta Gould.

Public Is Urged to Support Pettengill Bill Now Before Congress. The public, if it wants the best in motion picture entertainment, must assist in demanding legislation prohibiting the “block booking” system now forced on exhibitors, H. M. Richey, director of the National Independent Association of Allied Theaters, told members of Associated Theater Owners of Indiana at their midwinter meeting in the Claypool yesterday. More than 50 delegates, representing almost all movie thoaters in Indiana, attended. Block, booking, explained as a system whereby exhibitors are forced to contract for groups of from 26 to 60 pictures, often before they are filmed, was attacked by several members of the association, as well as by the guest speaker. Booking Surprises Kern Mayor Kern, who welcomed members of the association to the city, expressed surprise that merit system does not exist for selection of movies by independent exhibitors. He praised the Pettengill bill, pending m Congress, which would outlaw block booking, making it possible for the exhibitor to buy from each producer or distributor pictures he wants. Mayor Kern urged exhibitors to contribute to good government by showing pictures which tend to increase public respect for the industry. Mr. Richey, also general manager of Allied Theaters of Michigan, led the discussion on block booking. “It is up to the individual theater owner when protests come to him about the type of picture he shows to explain to the public that under the present situation he is forced to buy from 26 to 60 pictures before they are made, in one block and most of the time without knowing anything about them,” Mr. Richey stated. “On the other hand, there are undoubtedly hundreds of capable directors and authors who would produce many worthwhile pictures if the field of competition were not closed, as it is when a theater owner is forced through block booking to clog up his limited number of play dates with ‘eye on the budget pictures.’ “Congressman Pettengill ha s opened up a vital subject which, if explored thoroughly, will bring a new era in public entertainment without increasing the cost to the industry or the public. Provisions of Bill “Under provisions .of .the. bill, which has the active support of the Indiana exhibitors, a theater owner could not be unfairly penalized in the price he pays for films, because he refused to buy all of a block, and the producer would be asked to give him at the time of sale a short synopsis of what each picture is about so he could to some degree determine its suitability to his

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Opening Tomorrow Apollo “THE WIDOW FROM MONTE CARLO”—Warren William, Dolores Del Dio, Louise Fazenda, Colin Clive, Herbert Mundin. Directed by Arthur Greville Collins; screen play by F. Hugh Herbert, based on play by lan Hay and A. E. Mason; photographed by Warren Lynch. Story—Duchess, bored by late husband’s stuffy relatives, goes to gambling house. Meets gay major who knows her age, bets on the number. Makes killing, tries to divide spoils. She likes major, but accepts proposal of young English diplomat. Major is involved in diamond theft trying to return stolen letter written by duchess. She saves him from arrest, leaves snobbish relatives and diplomat to become major's wife. Circle “ANOTHER FACE”—Wallace Ford. Brian Donlevy, Phyllis Brooks. Molly Lamont. Directed by Christy Cabanne; screen play, Garrett Graham and John Twist from story by Thomas Dugan and Ray Mayer; photographed by Jack MacKenzie. Story—Film publicity man finds noted gangster, made handsome by plastic surgery, playing bit role in picture with his fiance, also the star. Agent tries to scoop police on capture. Gets girl mad, turns armed killer loose in studio. Finally gets his man. Romance patched up. "FANG AND CLAW”—Authentic adventure film of jungle beasts’ capture; setting, Malay peninsula and nothern India; cast, Frank Buck, natives and animals. Indiana “CAPTAIN BLOOD”—Errol Flynn, Olivia de Haviland. Basil Rathbone, Guy Kibbee. Directed by Michael Curtiz; novel by Rafael Sa'oatini; screen play, Casy Robinson. Story—Young English doctor is sentenced to slavery in Jamaica for treason. Bought by niece of plantation owner. Later doctor and companions board Spanish ships while invaders are ashore, steal pirates. Doctor-pirate becomes partner of hijacking French buccaneer. Kills him when he captures girl who “bought” him. When France and England declare war, pirate rescues Port Royal, is made Governor of Jamaica. Lyric “CHARLIE CHAN'S SECRET’’—Warner Oland, Henrietta Crosman, Herbert Mundin, Rosina Lawrence. Production supervisor, John Stone; story based on the fiction series by Earl Derr Biggers. Story—Crime with 13 suspects confronts Chan. Weapons include occult science, high-powered rifles. Astute, mild mannered Oriental solves crime with usual finesse. VAUDEVILLE on stage, featuring Lee Sims and Uomay Bailey, radio pianist and songstress; Red Donohue and his comedy mule; Lynn Burno Review; Three Flames, roller skaters; Don Zelayo, the “philosophical pianist.” Also Louis-Retzlaff fight pictures, 9 minutes slow motion. Lome's “STRIKE ME PINK” —Eddie Cantor, Ethel Merman, Sally Eilers, Harry Parke. Directed by Norman Taurog; story by Clarence Budington Kelland, adapted by Frank Butler, Walter DeLeon and Francis Martin; music by Harold Arlen; photographed by Merritt Garstad. Story—Timid tailor worships night club entertainer. He becomes amusement park manager, previous managers having been murdered by gangs. Gangsters stage fake murder, use night club entertainer in plot to force use of slot machines. Manager learns of hoax, discovers records of gang’s murders in entertainer’s apartment. Escapes with recrods, mad pursuit follows. He saves records, wins hand o f shooting gallery girl who protected him from gang.

neighborhood,” the speaker concluded. Morning and afternoon sessions yesterday v/cre devoted to discussion of problems of management, in addition to consideration of the block booking problem. Frank H. Shera, chief state deputy fire marshal, talked on fire hazards in theaters. Other speakers included Marc Wolf, Fred Sanders, Harry Markun, A. C. Zaring and H. A. Galloway, Indianapolis; V,’alter Easley, Greensburg; I. R. Holycross, Anderson; Leonard Sowar, Muncie; Roy Harold, Rushville; Sam Neall, Kokomo, Maurice Rubin, Michigan City; H. P. Vonderschmitt, Bloomington; Alex Manta, Fort Wayne; William Studebaker, Logansport; George Mailers, Portland; Bob Scherer, Linton; V. U. Young, Gary; Oscar Fine, Evansville, and R. R. Bair, Indianapolis, state president of the organization. Wives of convention guests were entertained in the rooms of the Variety Club during the afternoon. A banquet and entertainment in the

Claypool last night concluded the convention program.

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Their Music Goes 'Round, But Planes? We’ll Do Our Flying Over Rails, Composers Confess. Reason why Mike Riley and Eddie Farley, composers of “The Music Goes ’Round and Around,” did not fly to Hollywood with their band, is out —they are afraid of airplanes. ~ The boys were scheduled to stop over yesterday morning at Municipal Airport on their way to California, but the flight was cancelled. They are going to the coast to take part in the movie, “Rolling Along,” but they are going by rail. Mr. Farley didn’t mind so much going via the air lanes, but Mr. Riley and other members of the famous band which introduced the delirious ditty were the objectors. Riley Tells Why “I have been in the air once,” Mr. Riley confessed, “but that experience Was sufficient for a life-time. •Swing’ is okay in music, but it’s not to my liking among the clouds. Nine years ago when I was little more than a youngster I was playing in an orchestra in Washington and one of those semi-pro aviators who took all ‘comers’ at a dollar a sky-ride got me aboard his flying crate. It was an open cock-pit model and I could hear the blamed thing cracking up all around me.” “We started to come down after ‘swinging’ around the town—and boy, did we go ’round ard around.’ When we landed the crate took a final heave, ‘swung’ all over us. It turned over twice. Luckily neither the pilot nor myself was hurt. But you can figure out why I’ll do my sleeping on a train.” Harry Richman and Rochelle Hudson, stars of “Rolling Along,” are to report to the studios Sunday to w'ork with the boys in scenes for the nearly completed musical picture. Goes to New York Bruce Cabot, who has completed anew role in “The Robin Hood of El Dorado,” has arrived in New York for a brief stay.

Ends Role as Wife

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After four months of married life, Sylvia Sidney’s romance with Bennett Cerf, New r York publisher, ends in separation, the film actress announced today. She said there were no plans for a divorce, but that she saw no hope of reconciliation. Greets Swimming Coach Johnny Weissmuller had a reunion in Chicago with Bachrach, the Illinois Athletic Club coach, who taught Johnny to swim. They had not seen each other for years. During his eastern trip, Johnny is to visit his mother and brother, Peter, in Chicago; teach swimming to a class of Boy Scouts at the I. A. C. there, and then go to join his wife, Lupe Velez, in New York. jHMHf “SURPRISE NITE” 9 P. M. FREDERICK MARCH “DESIGN FOR I.IVING” PI US • OUR DAILY BREAD” MUTUAL The One Theatre and Only Bljrl6Bolie the Exclusive Middle West Dimpled Darlings With Ruth Wilson and Nancy Morris

JAN. 23, 1936

Sells Scenario to RKO Studios Kenneth Earl Shows There Is No Bar to Writers. Timm Special HOLLYWOOD. Jan. B—Kenneth Earl. 29-year-old advertising man. demonstrated there are no barriers against new authors in Hollywood when he recently sold his first scenario to RKO as a starring vehicle for Gene Raymond. “Don’t Bet on Love,” title of the picture, depicts the adventures of a young playwright who bets he can leave New York City in his underwear, penniless, ana arrive in Los Angeles in the latest style clothes, SIOO in his pocket and engaged to a beautiful girl. “I figured that if I could build up tooth picks and soap so convincingly that they would sell, I could take characters and weave them into a convincing picture,” said Mr. Earl. The plot of the story was suggested to the writer by things he saw on a recent trip to New Mexico. He wrote the script in three weeks. It was sold immediately after it was given to an agent.

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