Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1939)

October 14, 1939 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 5 KUYKENDALL CENSORSHIP FLAYS BILl THREAT FADES That puzzling war over there is not without its enigmas over here. Who has the answer as to how much it's costing the picture business in revenue? — those who say "yes you're getting a salary cut because the war is hurting business," or those who say "no losses in sight yet," with fewer bookings in some places more than offset by reduced competition from English, French and German films. Monogram's head man, W. Ray Johnston has one that he says is the answer to any shrinkage in foreign revenue — and that's a picture he regards as box office tonic. This is "Mutiny in the Big House," which is already set for important circuit bookings. Baseball fans> are saying there oughta be a law. But those Yankees are no hotter on the diamond than Frank Capra is in the studio. Poor Capra hasn't had an Academy award since last year (his third) and can't be sure of another until the next award is made for "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." A record not to be passed without notice is that which comes Sunday, when "Goodbye Mr. Chips" makes it six months continuous run on Broadway. Some of Hollywood's stars should come to 42nd St. and see the billing in which they are starred in films they'd never remember having made. Today the Lyric is showing Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert in "The Woman He Loved." Coop and Claudette haven't heard of that one. They might remember "Bluebeard's 8th Wife," name of the picture before the Lyric went to work on its title. Sees Support For Neely Law Fade Many exhibitor organizations and other groups which have supported the Neely Bill are now souring on it as a panacea for the ills of the film industry, declared Ed Kuykendall, president of the MPTOA in addressing a meeting of the Buffalo MPTO. Kuykendall claimed that nine tenths of all the pictures to which there has been objection heretofore, were sold strictly on an individual basis. Since this is what the Neely Bill would attempt to enforce, there is no need for it, he asserted. The producers could not possibly comply with the terms of the law, he declared, branding it as "unworkable". It will not affect the community's choice of pictures and will in no wise affect the morals of the screen, he added. Kuykendall urged the group to make their theatres community assets and to seek the cooperation of civic leaders to this end, in order to protect them against unfair and discriminatory legislation and regulation. Measure Would Have Covered War Films Walter Hayner Dies Toronto — Walter Hayner, general sales manager for Canada of Regal Films, distributor for MGM and Monogram pictures, died last week-end. Special Contribution to Aid Handicapped Kids Its philanthropies to perpetuate the memory of Will Rogers, late cowboy-philosopher, have been further extended through a special contribution of $50,000 for aid to institutions specializing in the care of handicapped children, the Will Rogers Memorial Commission, which supports the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital at Saranac Lake, N. Y., announced last week. This sum was allocated among 25 different communities throughout the country. Washington — With the statement of Senator Elmer Thomas, D., Oklahoma, that he would not introduce his proposed amendment to the Neutrality Act calling for a censorship board, the threat of censorship of war films faded this week. Much concern had been aroused in the film industry over the proposed legislation. ,\11 Hollywood films with a war theme or setting, as well as newsreels, would have been affected under the terms of the bill tentatively drafted by Thomas. Note of the voluntary cooperation on the part of the industry had resulted in Thomas' decision to forego sponsorship of the measure, he said. Important Dates Oct. 16-19; SMPE Fall Couventioii, Hotel Pennsylvania. Oct. 23-24 : MPTOA Board of Dn'ectors meeting, Green Briar Hotel, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. Oct. 23-24; ATO of Indiana annual convention. Antlers Hotel, Indianapolis. Oct. 23-24; MPTO of Western Pennsylvania convention, William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh. Oct. 28-29: Variety Club football game and dinner, Pittsburgh. Nov. 13 ; National Allied eastern regional convention, Philadelphia. Nov. 25 : Washington Variety Club banquet, Willard Hotel. Nov. 29 ; Motion Picture Associates dinner-dance, Hotel Astor. department heads of the theatre were hosts. Present were Gus S. Eyssell, Leon Leonidoff, Erno Rapee, Russell Markert, Florence Rogge, Hattie Rogge, Gene Snyder, Hazel Flynn, Eugene Braun, Robert Henderson, Bruno Maine, Marco Montedoro, Fred A. Cruise and Willa Van, all members of Mr. Van Schmus' "Music Hall Family" (STR, June 3). Birthday Party Honors W. G. Van Schmus A surprise birthday party luncheon in honor of W. G. Van Schmus, managing director of Radio City Music Hall, was held Tuesday at which executives and Kahn Made Sales Mgr. Of Film Alliance Henry W. Kahn has> been appointed general sales manager of The Film Alliance of the United States, Inc., newly formed combine which will distribute 25 English and French motion pictures here during the coming season. Kahn will leave shortly for a tour of the exchanges handling the Film Alliance output. "Smith" Gets Wash. Opening National Press Club Sponsors the World Premiere of Frank Capra's Picture The world premiere of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", Columbia's new Frank Capra production, will be held next Tuesday night at the D.A.R.'s Constitution Hall in Washington. The showing will be sponsored by the^ National Press Club, setting a new precedent. Newspaper representatives from practically every paper in the country will be on hand insuring a maximum in publicity. In addition to the members of the Press Club, invitations' have been sent to the President and Mrs. Roosevelt, members of the Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Many have already accepted and it is believed that the 4,000 seat hall will be filled to overflowing. Frank Capra, producer and director of the picture, will be on hand for the premiere as well as newspaper representatives from New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore. The day before the premiere, H. V. Kaltenborn will be tendered a luncheon by Columbia Pictures and the Columbia Broadcasting System to which many notables have been invited. The commentator has a part in the picture. Arrangements for the Washington affair were made by Nate Spingold of Columbia. The picture will open in New York next Thursday at the Radio City Music Hall.