Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Half Way Across the Earth With Product Troubles By DAVE GOLDING New York — Norman Bede Rydge is a chap with whom a lot of exhibitors will sympathize. The chairman of the board and managing director of the Greater Union Theatres circuit in Australia and New Zealand has product trouble. And that explains his first visit to this country. To start with, Australia presents a peculiar problem for a distributing organization since half the population resides in the three capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The importance of the first-run situations, as a result, is evident. Rydge says his circuit owns and is interested in 60 theatres. In six key cities, the chain has 15 first runs with the 3,000seat State in Sydney the flagship of the circuit. Competes With Hoyts Hoyts, in which 20th Century-Pox has a substantial interest, is the leading circuit in Australia and a former partner of Greater Union. In the race for film, Hoyts obtained franchises with 20th-Fox, Warner, RKO, Columbia and United Artists. Paramount’s product goes to its two houses in Sydney and Melbourne. Loew’s has five houses for its own pictures. Consequently, Rydge operates with Universal, Republic, Monogram and British product. He also plays some M-G-M features in the suburban spots. Rydge, who took over the reins in June, 1937, claims the company is showing a profit despite the obstacles which confront the circuit. Reports emanating from Australia had Rydge as an instrumental factor in the passage of the amendment to New South Wales quota which included among other things, cancellation provisions amounting Ontario Censors Like Original " Daughter " Toronto — The Ontario Board of Moving Picture Censors took the interesting stand that the original version of "Yes, My Darling Daughter," as turned down by the New York censors, was preferable to the revised edition, the opinion being expressed by Chairman O. J. C. Silverthorne that the second version, which had been approved by the New York board of regents, was more open to suggestion than the original print. The first copy of the feature was passed unanimously for showing in the Province of Ontario but, subsequently, the Toronto office of Warner Bros, planned to release the revised copy. The latter was withdrawn, however, at the request of the Ontario board, the chairman declaring that the picture should be released as originally made. He Sailed Without "Snow White" New York — Usually film companies are compelled to deny statements appearing in the various columns which deal with Hollywood doings. So it was with a great deal of surprise RKO learned via a BOXOFFICE reporter that Jack Miley, who writes a sports column for the New York Post, had chronicled Max Schmeling had sailed for home with the German rights to "Snow White." A RKO official in the foreign department says: "That's no such thing. Walt Disney wants a cash guarantee on the line before he releases the picture and Germany doesn’t want to put up American dollars. Until then, there won't be a deal." to 25 per cent with an additional two and a half for Australian production. Rydge wants it known that he is against cancellation at such a high percentage. He believes it places the big circuits in a position to overbuy and later dispose of their liabilities. The original cancellation clause of 12 y2 per cent, Rydge declares, was a measure which he opposed strongly. He also asserts emphatically he does not favor any move which would force American companies to produce pictures in Australia. On the other hand, he is quite enthusiastic over the government’s guarantee of overdrafts made by local producers as a stimulus in building an industry. As a result, Cinesound studios, a subsidiary of Greater Union, is planning to produce five pictures. All told, Rydge figures, there should be about 12 made this year. Rydge’s formula for operation is fairly simple. He believes in keeping costs down, having modern houses with the latest equipment and exploitation along American lines to sell the pictures. Within a fortnight, Rydge hopes to confer with all foreign managers. He wouldn’t say what his chances were of easing the product jam so it would flow more evenly. From here, Rydge goes to England where he will discuss a reciprocal trade treaty with British officials. Manila Censors Reject Warner's "Daughter" Manila, P. I. — The board of censors here banned “Yes, My Darling Daughter,” also putting its foot down on the cut version which was approved in New York state. "Routine" Meeting New York — “Routine” was the way a Paramount spokesman described the regular board meeting held at the home office Thursday afternoon. German Films Enter Despite Duty Tilt New York — Little effect on the number of German films imported by this country is seen as a result of the 25 per cent duty tax levied by the United States against Germany. As one close observer sees it: “The films are essentially German propaganda. The Nazi government will see to it that they continue to be shown here regardless of the cost.” According to a survey made by Boxoffice, there were 55 German pictures imported in 1938 and indications are the number will be slightly increased this year. This is borne out by a check at the exchanges handling German films which intimate they are not experiencing any difficulty in bringing over pictures. F utter to Coast After Sealing Finance Deal New York — With the close of a deal whereby Lawrence Fox, head of General Film Co., will finance the Leslie Howard triple-quota picture to be made in England, Walter Futter has returned to the coast. Title of the Howard film, which Futter will produce abroad shortly, is “The Man Who Lost Himself.” RKO will distribute. Fox now is completing two pictures for Universal in the Crime Club series and is negotiating with Paramount and RKO for release. William Jaffe acted for Fox on the Futter deal and is understood sitting in on Crime Club negotiations. Altec Stocks, Distributes NTS Simplex Parts New York — A deal has been completed with National Theatre Supply whereby Altec will act as their agent in stocking and distributing replacement parts for all types of Four Star Simplex sound systems. Parts now will be available from Altec stock points and warehouses during all theatre operating hours. Sees 400 "Dodge City" Easter Key Dates New York — Warner expects to go into Easter Week with perhaps 400 simultaneous key city bookings on “Dodge City.” Following the world premiere in Dodge City, Kas., weekend dates are just a shade short of the anticipated total. Kick in Conshohocken Philadelphia — The lives of John Dillinger and Tom Mooney aren’t the proper stuff for films, according to the Woman’s Club of Conshohocken. The club has sent resolutions to Hollywood protesting proposed films based on the lives of these two unusual Americans. 32 BOXOFFICE :: April 1, 1939