Variety (Sep 1938)

Wednesday, September 28, 1938 PICTURES VARIETY ACAD MAY DROP 'OSCARS England's Own 'Best Entertainment' Drive Tees Off with Historic Film London, Sept. 15. In a 'Make the Cinema Your Sec- ond Home' movement here, Arthur Dent is first off the mark by spon- soring the distribution, through As- sociated British Corp., of a survey film title 'March of the Movies.' Study epic traces the growth of pictures from the lantern slide, through the kaleidoscope, the early niotion dramas, the silent flickers, etc., into 'sound, talkers and the current color development, In- cluded is info on the coincident prog- ress of camera, film technicalities, etc., and the men who made all this possible. Howard Gaye, film editor of ABC, delved deep into the bins for this material. Into 40 minutes has been skillfully crammed some highly interesting data. Audience reaction has been ^doubly assured by the inclusion of those excerpts from the real old 'uns and onwards. Charles Cochran will shortly pre- sent at the Palace a flashback film showing the first lantern slide dated 1838, and the first silent of the vin- tage of 1885. It will include the 1896 film, where an engine is headed straight for the audience. As far back as 1893 Cochran was an exhibitor in Great Yarmouth, where he took in as much as $1,500 weekly at 25c. top, and was the first exhibitor here to place the names of the stars outside the theatre. SAG'S EASTERN DIV. CLOSES MEMBERSHIP Books of the eastern, division of the Screen Actors Guild will be closed Oct. 15 to new extra mem- bers. That was assured Sunday (25) by a vote of the Guild senior board on the Coast, approving the recommendation of the eastern ad- visory council. Although the books are closed to routine applications for extra work, veteran actors and beginners 'with training for a professional career' will be accepted. Explained that the closing is intended to apply to 'casuals.' Those applying by Satur- day (1) may get in for the payment of a $10 initiation fee (this applies only in the New York area) and the regular dues, provided payment is made by Nov. 1. Those applying after this Saturday or paying after Nov. 1 will be charged the regular $25 initiation fee and normal dues. Last eastern advisory council meeting sent a resolution to the senior board expressing 'apprecia- tion' for the 'fairness, skill and wis- dom' shown by the administration of the eastern division. Malvern's Mono Spinners Hollywood, Sept. 27. Paul Malvern, currently producing at Universal, has signed to make six aviation pictures for Monogram, based on the newspaper strip, 'Tail- spin Tommy;' Star of the series will be John Trent, former TWA pilot. Malvern has three Bob Baker westerns to make for U before he moves to Monogram, around Dec. 1. He recently formed an independent producing unit, Paul Malvern, Inc. RAFT IN 'KAIflTUCK' Hollywood, Sept. 27. George Raft, who goes back On the Paramount payroll Oct. 5, is en route east for the World Series after agree- ing to return by Oct. 24 to start work in 'The Lady's From Kentucky.' Raoul Walsh is set to direct from script by Malcolm Stuart Boylan. BUCK TROTS OFF Hollywood, Sept. 27. Last of the Buck Jones westerns *or Columbia release went into pro- auction on location at the Monogram Ranch, with Elmer Clifton directing. Next Jones picture will be 'Vice kquad,' a non-western at Paramount Free Answers Birmingham, Sept. 27. A trailer in a local nabe, chain-operated, reads: Ladies and gentlemen, this theatre will show nearly every one,- of the Greater Movie Campaign pictures . . . You need not go elsewhere to see a single one of them ... The questions are a minor part of the campaign, the es- says being the controlling factor ... as a special con- sideration for our patrons we • will list on our screen and in the lobby on or before Dec. 15 the correct answers to 30 or more pictures ... at which time you will be given a cam- paign book permitting every- one in this territory the privi- lege of participating in the awards . . . Remember, you need not go elsewhere to see a single Greater Movie Campaign Pic- ture. PROSPERITY NOTED IN MORE NEW BLDG. Minneapolis, Sept. 27. Here's evidence that things are looking up in the film industry here- abouts: St. Louis Park, Minne- apolis suburb with a population of 5,000, never has had a film the- atre. Now no less than four the- atre projects are planned for the town. Four different interests are fighting to obtain permits, with in- dications that the local council will grant only one license. Those in the fight are Charlie Winchell, advertising and publicity head for the Northwest Paramount circuit; Harold Field, who owns a large circuit of Iowa independent houses and has offices here; Ben Friedman, who operates two in an- other nearby suburb as well as a house at Albert Lea, Minn., and Stanley Cohen, owner of the Minne- apolis Uptown, leased and operated by the Paramount circuit. Par Relinquishing Minn. The Minnesota, Minneapolis, larg- est picture house in that key, will not be taken back by Paramount, ac- cording to Y. Frank Freeman, v.p. over theatres. House, presently closed, ever since its opening about 10 years ago has been a problem to Par. Company cancelled its lease on the theatre un- der a six months' cancellation clause and if it returns to operation it will probably be run as an indie. Cleve Suburb's Duo Cleveland, Sept. 27. Suburb of Euclid Village which never has had a theatre is now facing the prospects of having two new houses by spring, unless its council stops the war -between rival exhibitors madly scrambling for the best sites. Each of the two builders, fearing results of a court fight, claims he had prior rights but it is still, a cross-word puzzle, complicated by building restrictions. First ground was broken in the battle by James Scoville, John Kalafat and Howard Reis, who are including a civic meeting hall in their Euclid Com- munity Center theatre. Although located on a corner now zoned for only apartment houses and church- es, the triumvirate got a temporary building permit and promise that ban would be lifted. Less than nine blocks away, an- other has been planned by J. Al- bert Lowell, representing Euclid Theatre Co., who says blue-prints were drawn up a year ago. Com- pany had another site picked out and optioned, but residents peti- tioned against it successfully as a 'nuisance' that would litter streets with parked cars. More protests were registered over the new site but Lowell declares he will build theatre even if it takes a court fight. THREATEN BOLT Annual Merit Awards Periled as Inter - Talent Council Asks Producer Withdrawal in Reorg— Zanuck, Wallis at NLRB - Director Hearing AGENTS PARLEY Hollywood, Sept. 27. Inter-Talent Council of actors, writers and directors will go into huddle Thursday (29) to decide on future relations with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. If the three creative groups vote to withdraw their support, annual Academy achievement awards prob- ably will be abandoned. In an effort to prevent complete collapse of the Academy the board of directors has already agreed to postpone, indefinitely its reorganiza- tion program. This action was taken after W. S. Van Dyke tendered his resignation and Frank Capra and others threatened to quit unless Pro- ducer members resigned from the Academy and turned control over to the workers. Capra and Howard Estabrook sub- mitted their resignations at the board meeting, but acceptance was refused by the board. Darryl F. Zanuck, E. J. Mannix and David O. Selznick then offered to quit, but their resignations also were refused. It was then agreed that reorganiza- tion plans would be postponed until economic differences between pro- ducers and writers and directors are adjusted. At conclusion of meeting the board issued the following statement: 'At a meeting of the board of gov- ernors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held last night, the resignations of Frank Capra, Howard Estabrook and W. S. Van Dyke were tendered and re- fused. 'Thereupon the producer members (Continued on page 19) 2-ReeI Newsreel Comes Up Again; U.S. Editors Idea With., the Inauguration of the Greatest Year campaign for the in- dustry, several newspaper editors throughout the country have come out for longer newsreels. Exhibitors in various communities have en- couraged such editorial space in hopes of securing boosts for the drive, some even asking publishers to suggest what to give the public. Boost for lengthier newsreels came as a surprise, although talk of two- reel releases has been off and on in the trade several times. Paramount was about set on a two-reel news weekly nearly a year ago and at least one other newsreel planned following suit. However, the expense problem and difficulty of spotting a longer release into a program resulted in abandonment of idea. Big problem confronting producers of newsreels is that exhibitors will not pay any more for a more com- prehensive reel and claim that a dual program alignment prevents them from using a longer subject. However, newsreel editors cite three good reasons for favoring a two-reel newsreel. These are (1) they would enhance the prestige of newsreels, (2) they would become a more important fixture on each program, and (3) the longer issues would stop criticism and contention that newsreels currently fail to tell enough, stories in an orderly, in- telligen manner. Squawks on Delayed Clearances Resulting in Extending Film Quiz Beyond Dec. 31 for Indies Benefit Sugar-Coated Hollywood, Sept. 27. Happy ending was tagged onto The Sisters' at Warners to increase its b.o. appeal. Tragic finish was dunked and Bette Davis and Errol Flynn called back for the final scene to live happily ever after. Davis-Flynn are due to re- peat as a team as result of their work in 'Sisters.' WB story department was or- dered to round up a suitable yarn for the pair. 'BLOCKADE' CANCELLED, $2,500 SUIT FOLLOWS Milwaukee, Sept. 27. As result of the cancellation of a showing of the Spanish civil war pic, 'Blockade' (UA-Wanger), the Mil- waukee, unit of the American League for Peace and Democracy filed a $2,500* damage sit in circuit court against the Oriental Theatre Corp., operator of the Oriental and Tower theatres. The complaint charges that the league had sold hundreds of tickets for benefit parties on Sept. 8-9, but the corporation failed, to show the film the second night. Harold J. Mirisch, manager of the two theatres, said that the picture was withdrawn after one night's showing because it did not draw. He said the league sold only 490 benefit tickets. He calls the charges a 'lot of bunk.' Whalen to New York For Republic; Coast Shifts David B. Whalen, publicity direc tor for Republic in New England, has been brought in from Boston to handle exploitation at the home of- fice. Addition to New York staff was made necessary by transfer of Sam Abarbanel, who handled publicity at home office, to Hollywood where he fills in Buzz Barnett's former spot. Barnett has been assigned to Repub- lic's radio show division on the Coast. New York advertising-publicity staff otherwise remains as is, headed by Al Adams. Figure-Eighters Glide Hollywood, Sept. 27. Skaters went before the cameras at Metro today (Tuos.) for ensembles and specialties in 'Ice Follies,' with Reinhold Schunzel directing. Follies troupe will do a double chore beginning Oct. 5 when they start a 17-day run on the rink at Pan-Pacific auditorium. HOP ALONG KtfTHIE Hollywood, Sept. 27. Ruth Rogers gets the femme lead with William Boyd in Paramount's next Hopalong Cassidy picture, 'Rid- ers of the Range.' George Hayes, Russell Hayden and Stanley Ridges are in the supporting cast. j E. F. McGrady on RCA B'd Edward F. McGrady, vice-president in charge of labor relations for Ra- dio Corp. of America for the past year, was elected to the RCA jard of directors last week to fill the va- cancy created by the recent death of James R. Sheffield. He also was named a director of RCA Communications, a subsidiary of. Radio Corp. Extension of the national 'Movie Quiz' contest for a period beyond Dec. 31, of sufficient duration to provide playing time for smaller in- dependent theatres which have sub- scribed to the campaign, but whose clearance terms preclude showing of all the contest films, is a move likely to be announced within the coming week. So great has been the pres- sure from smaller exhibitors that first' runs were taking unfair ad- vantage of the contest, that the man- agement committee, of which George J. Schaefer is chairman, is contem- plating a revision of the original plans. Objections from small exhibitors, many of whom in the enthusiasm of the drive subscribed to its support at the rate of 10c. p_er seat, have not been confined to a few sections of the country, but have been heard from coast to coast. Refusal of prior run houses to waive any protection or clearance and permit smaller houses to get the films earlier in order to keep faith with patrons has resulted in a mounting wave of protest.. Schaefer has taken the initiative in urging the extension of the closing date of the contest. He has stated at meetings during the past week that the 'little fellow' is as much entitled to full benefits as the affiliated or larger independent circuits. Satis- factory, solution of the problem has not yet been reached, but the mat- ter is being pressed and most com- mittee members believe the answer rests in extending the contest until late January or early February. Budget for the 'Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment' drive was set for $1,000,000, of which producer - distributors subscribed $500,000, affiliated theatre groups, $250,000, and independent theatre units, $250,000. In the last named classification are many small houses whose terms of clearances put the showings of films 90-120 days be- hind first runs. As the releases listed in the contest are for the threemonth period of August, Sep- tember and October, it was apparent that deferred second and third run houses would not get the late Sep- tember-October releases until after the contest ended. . Theatre patrons who are filling in the quiz books on information from the screens of the smaller- houses would be at .a dis- advantage as compared with patrons of first runs houses. Extended first run engagements of several- of the early season films, such as 'Alexander's Ragtime Band,' 'Love Comes to Andy Hardy,' 'You Can't Take It With You* and others, have automatically pushed back booking dates further than the origi- nal plans contemplated. National Ads Revised National newspaper advertising copy released to some 600' publica- tions early in September did not stir the enthusiasm among exhibitors which was anticipated and, as a re- sult, the second advertising splurge will carry less wordage. Word is being sent to local chair- men from headquarters that a the- atre advertising the Quiz contest as exclusive in its zone or city is con- trary to the co-operative spirit of the campaign. Some operators who buy prior runs over competition have not been backwards in an- nouncing the exclusive angles. Hence the squawks. Schenck's Pledge Hollywood, Sept. 27. Motion picture industry stands ready to join the American Legion in any patriotic cause, Joseph M. Schenck told the war veterans at a luncheon at 20th-Fox. Maj. Gen. Frank Parker said in reply: 'Motion pictures . have kept the world entertained, amused and instructed, and that's no small con- tribution in a world where sanity is becoming a rare commodity.' Studios of companies participating in the drive are being asked to sub- continued on page 21)