Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-27

the motion picture trad,
papers, Film Daily, make
a suggestion that, Will,
Uncle Sam is counting noses tt
fand out just how big a >family hi
has. the movie people, through the
theaterS. determine the public de-
sires in the way of cinema enter
tainment. 1t is stated that the
theaterS are in a position to find
out, by way of a sort of census, just
what the cash customer wants.
From this angle, it would seem
that the suggestion is bit vague,
and that 1t would be rather diff.
flcult to reach an authentic re"
suit. And, even after compila-
ton was arrived at, what good
would it do? The motion picture
producers have made their own
laws. Their productions run in
cycles and vogueS (aS, for instance,
witness the backStage shows Of
many months, and they are pri-
marily interested in the box office
It was thought that the musical
picture with stage plot might go
into the discard with the i'm
provement of reproduction meth
DDS, but this one plot seems to
have found a determined lodging
place in the minds of producers
and directors. Until something
new comes along and makes a hit,
I do not see much chance OF a
change of plots. It is probable
that the successful premiere show
ingS of Cali Quiet on the Western
Front" and Journeys End" will
bring upon us a flood of war pic
lures and an avalanche Of sound
roaring cannon, popping machine
guns and airplane motors high
above the front lines.
Film Daily'S suggestion Tor a
census to determine what the pub
lie wants would amount to Just
that. It would not change the
output Of the film manufacturers.
Censorship, public relations and
background, together with the
problem Of what the patron likes
and dislikes, are features of mo-
ton picture production and ex-
hibition which time and tide will
have to shake down.
= X X \
MO less an authority than S. L.
Rothafel, better known as
''Roxy," has put his stamp Of ap-
proval on the war story, Journeys
End" In letter to the producer,
he says: I'm my humble opinion,
It is a master-work. Every Eng
Hshman, as well as every other
red-blooded person, will feel a
thrill Of pride after viewing it. I
sincerely congratulate you and
every one associated with the
company that is responsible for
such a great picture" OF course,
the picture was showing at
"Roxy's" theater.
ALTHOUGH the Fox company
has been going through a
serious reorganization plan, af-
fairs seem to be pretty well set
tied at the present time, and the
future looks especially bright. For
instance, with Harley L. Clarke as
head Of the new organization,
there will be instituted a process
Of expansion which starts with
the building of eight new sound
stages in Movietone City, on the
West Coast.
Joseph Urban, world-famous de-
Signer and architect, has con-
tracted with the Fox company to
design the sets in color for Mark
Twain's Connecticut Yankee"
with Will Rogers in. the leading
role, and Jules Eckert Goodman's
''The Man Who Came Back" It
is stated that Urban will pause in
his present work Of designing
sets for the Metropolitan Opera
Co. for 10 weeks, leaving for Hol-
lywood the latter part Of June.
If time permits, he will also work
on two musical productions in
collaboration with De Sylvia,
Brown & Henderson. 1.-THE Man
Who Came Back" will be directed
by Frank Borzage, with whom Ur-
ban made "Humoresque."
NOW that the Check and
Double Check" comedians have
signed a movie contract with
R-K-O, there is considerable spec
ulation as to just what Amos and
Andy will pay income tax on from
the venture. Around Forty-second
and Broadway, once well known
in theatrical matters, it Is stated
that If the new sound picture Is
q success, the two artists will re-
ceive, as their share, close upon
q million dollars. But If the pic
ture Is a flop, that will be some
thing else again.
~ y
WHAT has become Of the wide
~ screen?
It is possible that this may be
developed during the coming year,
as progress Is reported, but only
a few months ago preparations
were going ahead for installing
wide screens in many of the
larger picture theaters. The stand
famed ~