Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1938)

Plenty for the " Greatest Year" Concrete proof of the wholehearted exhibitor support being given the “Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment” drive is supplied by Olivia de Havilland as she receives a special shipment of “Movie Quiz” books for the $250,000 contest from First Officer Ansley Watson of the United Airlines at Burbank, Calif. Right next door is the “jalopy” which, brought to Hollywood by Jack Pinney, left, Last-minute electioneering for the first rival slate of candidates in the Screen Actors Guild’s history vied with the opening of the long-delayed arbitration sessions over new Guild contracts with the producers on the SAG’s calendar of “things to do” during the week. First meeting of the three-man arbitration committee, which will endeavor to break the deadlock which was created during the recent Guild-producer conferences anent changes in the SAG contract for the coming year, was held Monday. In a brief session, Murray Kinnell, for the SAG, B. B. Kahane, for the producers, and Charles Baird, a non-industry businessman, adopted methods of procedure and recessed until next Monday. Of chief concern to the arbiters in the preliminary session was the absence of independent producer representatives, in regard to which Kahane sent out an insistent letter to the independents pointing out that many of the SAG demands are of particular interest to them. Meantime, Guild officers were preparing for the mass membership meeting on September 18 at which, it is anticipated, spirited balloting will ensue before either Gene Lester, center, and Frank Pinney and autographed by scores of top film names. It soon is to hit the country’s highways again advertising the campaign. While the “family” lineup shows the cast of the united film industry short subject, “The World Is Yours,” on their way to the set. Left to right: Johnny Walsh, Dorothy Peterson, Charley Grapewin, Samuel S. Hinds and Anne Shirley. the Guild slate, headed by Ralph Morgan, or the independent faction, led by Melvyn Douglas, is chosen to hold office during the coming year. Also to be voted on at that time will be a proposed amendment calling for a revision of actor-agent relationships. The SAG board met Monday night to discuss the election and to hear the report on the first meeting of the arbitration board. Results of the balloting are not expected to be completely tabulated for several days after the voting. Reports concerning an imminent revolt of the Junior Screen Actors Guild, which again made themselves heard in various quarters during the week, met with a stinging denial on the part of Guild spokesmen, who reiterated the comment they have made several times in the past that no such schism had been officially brought to their attention by Junior Guild leaders. " Tombstone " to Try on RKO Radio has signed Glenn Tryon, comedian, writer and director, to wield the megaphone on “Law West of Tombstone,” which Cliff Reid will produce. Hollywood Bending Over for Campaign Paced by the nationwide radio plug given the “Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment” campaign by Will Hays in his guest appearance on Cecil B. DeMille’s Lux Theatre broadcast, and with Governor Frank F. Merriam issuing an official proclamation setting aside the period from September 1 to December 31 as “Greater Motion Picture Period” in California, Hollywood’s campaign committee is bending its undiminished efforts to cooperate with the national better business campaign. Latest development of the campaign committee is the laying of tentative plans for an all-Hollywood parade, probably to be held early in October. Studio business managers have given their endorsement and have pledged cooperation in supplying lights, props and personnel. Plans were submitted by Fred Beetson, executive vicepresident of the producers association, at a committee meeting attended by Pat Casey, Rodney Pantages, Thornton Sargent, of Fox West Coast, and Gabe Yorke, chairman of the campaign’s local publicity committee. Merriam’s proclamation cited the “important part in American life played by motion pictures,” and declared it was “particularly fitting that the motion picture industry assume leadership at this time.” Hays, in his radio address, summed up the campaign’s aims and ambitions by declaring “we are endeavoring to speed up business already in high gear,” and explained that the industry has launched the drive for the purpose of “bringing about rather than waiting for a boxoffice upturn.” “The support of the public,” Hays s^id in his interview with DeMille, “has enabled Hollywood to employ the finest actors, the best directors and writers and the most capable representatives of the 276 different arts, crafts and sciences that enter into every major film produced.” “Where there’s a Will, there’s a way,” commented DeMille in closing the interview. Hays wound up his annual summer visit here the following day and trained back to New York, accompanied by Mrs. Hays. The all-industry short subject, “The World Is Yours,” was pointed to the editing stages, with Frank Whitbeck, its producer, training in from Omaha to supervise the cutting. Basil Wrangell is the director. James Whale to Direct ", Iron Mask" for Small James Whale has signed with Producer Edward Small to direct “The Man in the Iron Mask” as one of Small’s productions for United Artists release. Small plans to get the picture rolling early in January. It was filmed in 1928 as a Douglas Fairbanks starrer, also for UA. Spirited Election, Parleys With Producers Hold SAG 90 BOXOFFICE :: September 17, 1938