The Film Daily (1937)

THE 12 &K DAILY DENY TRADE PROGAM BLOW AT LEGISLATION (.Continued from Page 1) pinet, RKO vice-president, in connection with that company's position on its 10-point program. It is up to distributors to set up the local conciliation boards in cooperation with local exhibitor associations and leading theater owners, says the communication. Following in part is the M. P. T. 0. A. letter: "Your letter of January 8th, 1937, setting forth what your company proposes to do in connection with the written proposals on trade practices presented to you on April 14th, 1936, by the MPTOA Executive Committee has been forwarded to me from our national headquarters office in New York. In the meantime, there has been sent to you for your attention our letters to Messrs. Cochrane, Kent and Lichtman, analyzing and commenting on their replies from the point of view of exhibitor reaction. Much of the comment in those communications applies to the RKO statement, because your proposals are in most instances essentially similar to theirs. "The MPTOA proposals were carefully prepared after long consideration of widespread complaints of theater owners and consultation with leading exhibitors thorughout the country. They were intended as moderate, reasonable proposals for the genuine and immediate benefit of all independent exhibitors, not as trading points to be cut down as far as possible by each distributor, nor to create artificial controversy, nor to defeat any legislation. We are honestly trying to help the small but reputable exhibitor to get a break, to remove possible abuses and prevent injustices in a complex business, to really improve trade relations in our own business which seem to generate much ill will, prejudice, hatred and bitterness. "We are glad to note that you have not closed the door to future negotiations in these matters. With your qualified acceptance of the MPTOA proposals as a beginning, as we have an opportunity to observe the results in actual operation and as we both gain more experience in voluntary self-regulation of trade practices, we hope to resume negotiations with you on those proposals which you have refused to accept in whole or in part, and on any additional proposals that may develop. At least we have made a definite start in the right direction, which will become increasingly apparent as we are enabled to secure definite, tangible benefits from these patient efforts. "It is very important that the proposed local boards of conciliation be established with adequate facilities and full cooperation of the distributors at the earliest possible date. It has developed that six or seven of the MPTOA written proposals can only be effectively accomplished Reviews of Hew TdUns Victor Moore and Helen Broderick in "WE'RE ON THE JURY" with Philip Huston, Louise Latimer, Vinton Haworth, Robert McWade (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) RKO Radio 70 Mins. LAUGH PICTURE TAKING A SATIRICAL CRACK AT THE JURY SYSTEM, WILL APPEAL TO ALL TYPES OF AUDIENCES. Here is a real laugh hit that will please all types of audiences. Several laughs are of the belly variety, with the picture reflecting much credit on director Ben Holmes, an expert in handling comedy. The vehicle is ideal for Victor Moore and Helen Broderick who head the list of fun-makers. Others who aid in the laugh making antics are Robert McWade, as the judge, Leonid Kinskey, Louise Latimer, Billy Gilbert, Sarah Edwards, Hal K. Dawson, Charles Lane and Roy James, members of the jury. Colleen Clare, Philip Huston, Maxine Jennings, Vinton Haworth, Charles Middleton, Edward Gargan, Earle Foxe, Frank M. Thomas, Jean Howard are among the other principals who do good work. The picture is rich satire on the jury system. Moore, who in the jury room tries to sell real estate to fellow jurors, and Miss Broderick, who upsets court procedure with numerous questions, but their supposedly silly deductions later prove important before the case is finally closed. Colleen Clare is on trial for the murder of her husband, and on the first ballot Miss Broderick is the only person voting for acquittal. On the jury's visit to Miss Clare's home, Miss Broderick uncovers evidence that shows that Earle Foxe is the real murderer. Franklin Coen provided a refreshing screen play. Lee Marcus, producer, and Joseph Henry Steele, associate producer, rate bows for an entertaining production. Cast: Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, Philip Huston, Louise Latimer, Vinton Haworth, Robert McWade, Maxine Jennings, Frank M. Thomas, Colleen Clare, Billy Gilbert, Charles Lane, Charles Middleton, Jean Howard, Leonid Kinskey, Sarah Edwards, Hal K. Dawson, Edward Gargan, Earle Foxe, Roy James. Producer, Lee Marcus; Associate Producer, Joseph Henry Steele; Director, Ben Holmes; From Play "Ladies of the Jury" by John Frederick Ballard; Screenplay, Franklin Coen; Cameraman, Nick Musuraca; Editor, Ted Cheesman. Direction, Expert. Photography, Excellent. through the operation of such local boards. "You will realize that the MPTOA, as a national trade association of theater owners, has gone as far as it can to secure the establishment of such local boards. It is now up to the distributors to carry the ball, to work out each such local board, where they are desired, in cooperation with the leading local theater owners and the local exhibitor association. As soon as the distributors generally announce that they will participate in and support such conciliation, you and the other companies should take immediate steps to start the ball rolling in those places where the local exhibitors want this developed and offer their sincere cooperation to try it out and see what it can accomplish." "FUGITIVE IN THE SKY" with Jean Muir, Warren Hull, Gordon Oliver, Carlyle Moore, Jr., Howard Phillips, Winifred Shaw, Mary Treen. Warner Bros. 58 Mins. THRILLING AERIAL MURDER MYSTERY, WELL MADE AND ACTED, IDEALLY SUITED TO ACTION AUDIENCES. One of the best of present crop of mystery-action-thrillers, this aerial melodrama is type of entertainment that produces extraordinary wear and tear on fore-edges of theater chairs. It is admirably suited to houses whose clienteles revel in excitement. One of the mysteries, from the technical standpoint, is how screenplay's author, George Bricker, and director Nick Grinde succeeded in maintaining breakneck pace in script and handling respectively. That they did, without let-up from introductory sequences to final clinch, is praiseworthy. Warren Hull plays role of energetic newspaper reporter assigned to a large western city's commercial airport. He sees a G-man board the giant passenger plane, senses a story, and phones his editor for permission to go along. The passengers also include a prizefighter, his manager, and several men, and women who appear to be just average folks. But in the night, as the plane wings eastward, a man is murdered. The act forces Howard Phillips, playing the part of a notorious gangster and killer, to discard his female disguise and take charge of the ship. He forces the pilots to head for an Indiana city; destroys the plane's radio, and compels the ship to buck a raging dust storm that results in a perilous forced landing. Hull, the reporter, in love with Jean Muir, the airliner's pretty hostess, later overpowers the killer, while she accidentally stumbles on a fact that solves the mysterious murder that happened en route. Ted McCord's photography of unusually difficult scenes is splendid. Cast: Jean Muir, Warren Hull, Gordon Oliver, Carlyle Moore, Jr., Howard Phillips, Winifred Shaw, Mary Treen, John Litel, Gordon Elliott, Gordon Hart, Nedda Harrigan, John Kelly, Joe Cuningham, Don Barclay, Charles Foy, Spencer Charters, Lillian Harmer, Tom Jackson. Director, Nick Grinde; Author and Screenplay, George Bricker; Cameraman, Ted McCord; Editor, Frank Dewar. Direction, Swift. Photography, -Excellent. John Minturn Killed by Car West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — John Minturn, 67£ veteran actor, was fatally injured and Basil Rathbone had a narrow escape from injury or death when a hit-run driver bore down on them in front of Rathbone's home. GB Divvy Report Denied London (By Cable) — Denial is made by GB that discussions are under way which might result in deferring payment of the next dividend on the 5% per cent preference stock, due March 31. Ann Harding, Janssen to Wed London — Ann Harding and Werner Janssen have filed intention to wed at a London registry office. Monday, Jan. 18,1937 TRANS-LUX EARNINGS TO EXCEED $200,000 Earnings of the Trans-Lux Daylight Screen Corp. will be over $200,000 for the year 1936. The company reported earnings of $127,000 for the first six months of 1936 and $164,291 for the entire year of 1935. Para. Leads Production Parade With 9 in Work (Continued from Page 1) Warners and M-G-M are next in line with five each. Columbia and RKO are down for four each. Universal is making three and Republic two. MacLean, Zeidman, Reliable, Darmour and Hirliman are to be credited with one each. "Wings of Mercy" is the newest offering at RKO, while Paramount has just placed "Years Are So Long" in work. "Racing Luck" has started at Columbia and "Dance, Charlie, Dance," at Warners. "That I May Live" and "Wake Up and Live" are the newest on the 20th Century-Fox schedule. "Stones Cry Out" has just gone before Universal cameras, while "Ever Since Eve" is new at Republic. "Call It a Day" has finished at Warners and "Girl Overboard" at Universal. "Time Out for Romance" was wrapped up at 20th CenturyFox. Detroit Censor III, But Continues Giveaway War Kassler Brings "Golem" Frank Kassler has arrived here from Prague bringing with him a print of a feature, "The Golem," produced in French with Harry Baur as the star. "The Golem" is based on an old Hebrew legend and was directed by Kassler and Julien Duvier. Distribution arrangements are now being made. Detroit — Lieut. Lester Potter, Detroit film censor is on the sick list again with laryngitis, following pneumonia and three attacks of pdeurisy in a row. Directing operations from his home, however, he sent the censor's squad to the Capitol Theater, operated by Associated Theaters Circuit, to secure evidence on the use of Screeno. A ticket for violation of the city ordinance was issued to the management, but no arrests made. Potter announced that he will continue activity against cash giveaways wherever he is not blocked by an injunction, as at the Granada Theater of the same circuit, where an injunction restrains police interference with Bank Night. Potter was out of bed long enough to step into the Film Building to review Willis Kent's "Smashing the Vice Trust". He condemned the picture totally.