The Film Daily (1938)

ST Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought FILE COPY ^O NOT REMOVE' The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Twenty Years Old h J. 74, NO. 35 NEW YORK, THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 1938 TEN CENTS Minn. Exhibitors Give 100% Support to Film Biz Drive KO RADIOLISTS 25 TITIK0F54PIANHEDJR '38-39 Schaefer Names Blumenstock to Head Drive Radio Com. Showman s Pix . . . "Four Daughters" = By CHESTER B. BAHN = TOUR DAUGHTERS," caught at a War' ner home office screening for Fannie ■lurst, author of the story upon which it s based, is a picture for the showman. Perhaps showman should be in italics, lius, showman, to get over the thought For it is the exhib. giving this very hulan story the full benefit of showmanship, xpressed through advertising, exploitation nd publicity, who will cash in most generusly.. "Four Daughters" will make money for ny exhibitor, even the laziest, but for tie showman who gets behind it, this First National release will prove a gold mine, ust that. — • — T'S essentially a selling job. That applies ' to the distributor as well, of course, and Varners may be counted upon to take care f their end. If the exhibitor follows through vith advertising space and budget in kind, 'Four Daughters" should write a bright lew chapter in box-office history. And while on the subject of advertising, here's plenty of ammunition in the picture or a telling barrage — wholesome, down-to■arth story, peopled by wholly natural and ympathetic characters and effectively told igainst an inspired musical setting by a .ast that brings new faces sharply to the ore. THERE'S quite a bit been said and writ' ten of late about the need for new . aces on the screen. Whether by accident or design, "Four Daughters" qualifies s a Warner answer. The picture introluces John Garfield and further places the esponsibility of leads upon Jeffrey Lynn, Sale Page and the three Lanes — Priscilla. csemary and Lola. That gamble undoubtedly required courage, but the results iromise to be most happy for all concerned. These young players all establish they lave something to contribute, and make 10 mistake about it, they are going places, •tars have been made by far less effective terformances than those given in "Four (.Continued on Page 2) Will Appoint Own Aides; Rubine in Charge on West Coast Mort Blumenstock in charge of Warners' publicity and advertising in the East, was appointed to the chairmanship of the industry business drive radio committee yesterday by George J. Schaefer. Blumenstock swung into action immediately by designating Irving Rubine to assume direction of the (Continued on Page 6) PHILLY GETS BEHIND INDUSTRY BIZ DRIVE Philadelphia Hundred per cent co-operation with the industry's business campaign was pledged here yesterday by all branches at a meeting held under auspices of the UMPTO and actively directed by (Continued on Page 6) Chicago Exhibitors Over Top in Raising Film Ad. Fund Chicago — Exhibitors in the Chicago area have gone over the top in raising the fund for the advertising drive in the motion picture business campaign. The committee, headed by Eddie (Continued on Page 5) Metro's Choice Metro, which set an exploitation precedent with its "Marie Antoinette" museum at the Astor Theater, will establish still another there when the pix bows in for a roadshow engagement Tuesday, night. Instead ot the traditional "Hollywood premiere" trimmings, opening will be characterized by simplicity, it was said yesterday. Ruled out are exploiting of society names, emphasis on celebs, and stars and ostentatious balylhoo. Idea is to make the lobby accessible for patrons. EXTENSION OF PRESS FREEDOM TO PIX LOST Albany — Movie censorship's perpetuation in New York State loomed last night as a result of the action of delegates to the Constitutional Convention in voting against extension of freedom of the press to the films, stage and radio. Rejection of the proposal to extend freedom of the press, as well as (Continued on Page 5) 60 Fleischer Artists Due in Miami Sept. 7 Sam Buckwald, general manager of Max Fleischer studios in New York, leaves Saturday for Miami where he will inspect the company's (Continued on Page 6) Minnesota Exhibs. Respond 100 % To Al Steffes, Andy Smith's Drive Plea Screen Actors Guild Pledges Support to Film Biz Drive West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Enthusiastic support of the "Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment" campaign now in progress was pledged by executives and members of the board of (Continued on Page 5) Minneapolis — Nearly $4,500 was pledged in the 100 per cent response of exhibitors present at a meeting in Nicollet yesterday to organize Minneapolis exhibitor support for the motion picture business drive. W. A. Steffes accepted "with pleasure" the permanent chairmanship of the Northwest campaign. He appointed committees as fol(Continued on Page 5) Number of Big Pix Ready for Early Fall Sets Company Record With 25 titles set, 54 features, including six George O'Brien westerns, and 199 short subjects will comprise the RKO Radio program for the 1938-39 season, it was announced yesterday by Ned E. Depinet, vice-president in charge of distribution. It was further said by Depinet that Pandro S. Berman, vice-president in charge of production, has greater number of outstanding pictures in production and completed for early Fall release than at any time in the company's history. RKO winds up its 1937-38 program with the release of the Ginger Rogers-Fred Astaire-Irving Berlin musical, "Carefree," which will be ready for showing on Labor Day. First picture on the new season's (Continued on Page 4) MIGHALOVE TOUR MAY BRING HOYT CHANGES Leaving Sunday night for the Coast, where he sails on the Monterey Wednesday night for Australia, Dan Michalove, assistant to Sidney R. Kent, president of 20th-Fox, will (Continued on Page 4) Pascal Financing Report Brings Giannini Denial Current reports that he was financially interested in productions of Gabriel Pascal, English producer, were described as without founda (Continned on Page 4) Expect "Alexander" to Hit 200,000 Mark in Roxy Week Breaking Tuesday and Wedsenday attendance records at the Roxy, 20th-Fox' "Alexander's Ragtime Band" starts the last two days of (Continued on Page 5) i