Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-29
FOX NOW SEEKING
RADIO NETWORK
Movie Producers Have Keen In.
terest in Broadcasting
for Talkies.
BY MARTIN CODEL.

Movieland's keen interest in radio,
stimulated by the joining of Paramount
with the Columbia Broadcasting Sys-
tenn, is further evidenced by the pro-
posal of the Fox film organization to
establish a network of broadcasting sta
tons OF its own. The Fox interests
propose to begin their radio activities
with station to be erected atop the
large new Fox Theater recently opened
In San Francisco.
Having struck a Snag in their efforts
to obtain licenses for new stations OH
account of the scarcity of wave lengths
and the overcrowded condition of the
ether the Fox executives are now cast
ing about for another way to enter the
radio field. Whether they will purchase
existing stations and link them or
choose to work with one OF the other
chains is development that Is being
watched with interest in both radio and
motion picture circles.
The Fox organization is not alone in
wanting to enter the radio field since
Paramount bought into Columbia, OBJ
tanning half interest in the chain at a
reported price Of $5,000,00O, but other
large producers have been inquiring
into the feasibility Of radio for their
purposes. Although there has been
much fanfare about the prospect Of
trlevisioning talking movies into the
theaters and then into the homes, it
Is generally agreed that radios present
value to the motion picture industry
rests in its Potentially as a medium for
exploiting new feature pictures.
Runs "Talkie" on Air.
One important producer experimental
with radio to the extent OF putting a
full-length "talkie" on the air over q
Hollywood broadcasting station. running
the voices off the sound track of the
him directly into the microphone. The
response was enormous. Local box
office receipts were not in the least af-
fected, 1t was stated.
Another producer sent the cast of a
picture to the New York studios of the
Columbia Broadcasting System, where
radio audience. This also proved to be
popular feature, although the play
was left dangling and the audience
was advised to go to the theater to see
and hear the outcome Of the mystery.
This way Of exploiting picture is gem
orally believed to be the most effective
Use OF radio available TO the motion
picture industry.
Paramount has chosen to enter the
industry directly. The other producers
must either buy their own stations or
buy time OH the chains. II Columbia
refuses to sell time to rivals OF Para
mount, the rivals will have recourse
only to the two other chains, namely
the National Broadcasting Co. and the
American BroadcaSting Co. There has
already been some talk of a merger OF
the American Broadcasting Co. with
the Fox company or one Of the other
big photoplay companies.
n. b. G. Wants ~ Sell Time.
The National Broadcasting Co.. q SUBJ
sidiary OF the Radio Corporation OF
America, will probably not deal with
any single film company exclusively
not even with RadiO-Keith- Orpheun
Pictures, also a subsidiary of the Radio
Corporation of America. Nor is 1t likely
that any of the big film organizations
powerful as they are financially, viii
be able to buy into the National Broad
casting Co.
The National chains game" is Il
sell time to all the producers that want
to buy on the same basis that 1t sell,
time to the radio manufacturers who
are trade rivals Of its parent radio
company.
The Paramount and Columbia com.
panieS have acclaimed widely that theiI
purpose in joining was to make Para.
mount stars available for broadcaSting
InaSmuch as such q large sector OF
Broadway is. moving to Hollywood fol
the "talkies," the advantages to both
industries are obvious. This joining OF
movie and radio interests will also have
the advantage Of developing motion
picture stars among the broadcast
ranks. Voice, along with looks, Is nov
prime requisite In the movies.
copyright. 1929 by North AMERICAN News
paper Alliance.l