Variety (Nov 1939)

RADIO "ARIETY PRICE 25^ Vol. 136 No. 12 Publlsliea WfoUly at 1S« West 4Bth Street, New Tork, N. T.. by Varlxty, Inc. Annual nubacrlptlon, 110. SInitle copies 2S o-nti Kiiterell aa Secoiid-claaj matter December 22, 190S, at the Post Office at Keir York, N. Y., under tha act oC Marcb 1, 1ST9. COrYRIGRT, 1939, RY VARIETS, INC. ALI, RIGHTS RESERVED NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1939 48 PAGES FILMS FOR 1940-41 Report M-G and UA Not Toucidng Their Canadian Coin for Duration of the War Montreal, Nov. 28. Reported here that at least two of the major American dlstribs (Metro and'United Artists) are leaving a major portion of their rentals in Canada for the diiration of the war. As far as can be ascertained this is rot due to any currency restrictions, since industry is still being furnished with adequate American currency for normal requirements. Report is thaf distribs are not willing to ab- sorb the 10% drop in Canadian ren- tals, due to the difference in ex- change valuations and plan to invest coin, here until Canadian funds re- turn, to par. It so, this move paral- lels attitude of American distributors during the last war, when funds were invested in Canadian securities. Np difficulties in securing funds to rieet payments for American prod- uct have yet been encountered here, and for the present there is no talk of freezing film rentals. But Cana- dian war effort is only beginning, and future policy, in regard to ex- port of currency, will be determined by extent that Canada has to shoul- der the war burden. lOlher foreign coin stories on page 12.1 U. S. Cause for Alarm Abroad Discounted In Italy; War CaUed Aid Rome, Nov. 28. Hollywood's cry of alarm that the •war is giving the U. S. film business • kick down the stairs because of cut foreign receipts is all wrong, ac- cording to Italian reasoning. Con- versely, sentiment here believes the Yanks have everything to gain. Iteason is this: The four major producing countries In Europe are England, France, Ger- many and Italy. Last year 609 films ■were produced in all Europe. But as England, France and Germany !■ e at war, estimates here place the coming year's productio < at 170, or, at best, 190 films. Italians in the know point out that there are 37,000 cinemas in Europe, and with the production of the throe warring nations drastically cut, the foreign market is absolutely open to the Yank.<. They admit that such reasoning does not take into full consideration the fact that in many of these coun- tries no money can be exported, or tha the Americans have withdrawn from the market, as in the case of Italy. It i:j argued, however, that Kjllywood got its foot well inside thj European door during the last v^ar and . the countries ovci here have not been able to shut them out during the last 20 years. They be- lieve this war will prove to be a re- peater for Hollywood in getting an- other grip on the markets over here. And It Came Philadelphia, Nov. 28. Frances Faye last week cut 'I Want the Waiter With the Water' from her routine. Hot singer, now at Benny the Bum's, had 'oeen plugging the wacky tune for a fare-thee-well. The tray-carriers at the ^ spot ganged up on her: When she started to sing it Friday night (24) every waiter in the joint dashed up witti a tray filled with aqua and almost drowned Miss Faye. Artie Shaw, Jivist, Wid Do Comeback As String Dance Band Artie Shaw, who got himself In dutch with the jitterbugs by calling 'em 'morons,' will mark his come- bacl. into the business eventually with a string dance combo, backed by a hot clarinet (meaning himself). The symphonic string idea for dan- sapation is a complete switch for one of the country's topflight out-of-this world, swingologists. No secret that Shaw isn't serious about retiring professior.ally despite hiL walkout on his band at the Hotel Pennsylvania, N. Y., last week, which combo incidentally is continuing un- der tenor sax George Auld's leader- ship as a cooperative group. Tony Pastor will go through with his orig- inal plans for a band of his own, leaving soon. Shaw is en route by motor from Florida to Mexico (where all good (Continued on page 30) '40 S.F. FAIR DEPENDS ON BANKS, CREDITORS San Francisco, Nov. 28. Prospect ot a resumption of the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in '40 is now more or less up to Burton J. Wy- man, referee in bankruptcy, who will hear the reports of bankers, con- tractors, and other creditors tomor- row (Wednesday). Banking creditors have already gone over the subscriptions raised by the 1940 Exposition, Inc., commit- tee, and found them short of the re- quired $1,050,000. The contractor creditors, who stand lo get about 10c (Contiiiucd :i paso 32) ONLY 300 PIGTS. BUT LONGER RUNS 10 Distribs Have Promised 538 for 1939-40, But Prob- ably Won't Delivery-Sales Organizations Protest Not Enough Returns Realized at the First-Runs CITE COMPLICATIONS A campaign to carry home the im- portance of extending the first runs of films is likely to be launched im- mediately and plans tor smaller out- puts next season (1940-41) by all ma- jor distributors will probably re- sult. The exhibitors may de- mand this if they are to make an honest effort to lengthen all runs that merit such efforts. They have told the distributors this has to be done and they would welcome a move se- verely cutting down the number of pictures made each year, so that they will be able to find more time for each film that is bought—or at least the top ones. The desire for greater time on an average per picture, and the diffi- culty facing the exhibitor in extend- ing'his dates very far; based'on what he alread.y has bought, may result in the reduction of features for 1940- 41 to around 300 features, it is be- lieved. For the current (1939-40) semester, the 10 nationally-organized distributors have promised 538 pic- tures, one of the highest figures ever attained on any one season. It is also believed in some circles, including among buyers, that the distribs will not come anywhere near delivering the 538 films promised and sold for '39-40. Justification for a bigger 'failure' on deliveries, when the season is over, would be felt in most quarters, it is opined, due to the eflort toward extended runs and (Continued on page 2) DeMille's Next Spec Hollywood, Nov. 28. Cecil B. DeMille will make 'Queen \ of Queens' for Paramount on a scale | comparable with his other Biblical , subjects. Story is written around . the Madonna. Camei.i start set for spring. > Joan Bennett Writes 26,600 Women's Clubs To Boycott Her Film Hollywood, Nov. 23. Joan Bennett, titTin.t; with Hal Roach over the United Artists ad campaign for 'Housekeeper's Daugh- ter,' vvhich is just going into re- lease, has written to 2G,C00 women's clubs asking them to boycott the pic- ture. Actress contends the material Ls too suggestive and has instructed her attorneys to file suit unless the ad matter is changed. She is said al.so to have rebelled against her part in the picture, but went through with it. '"Both studio and actress insi.st the current battle is no publicity stunt. Radio Bank Nite Paralyzes Phone Business for 10 Minutes in Louisville —♦■ The Injun Sign Phoenix, Nov. 28. Arizona Indians are blaming Adolf Hitler lor the sudden drop in the sale of Navajo blankets. Ancient tribal symbol looks so much like the Nazi swastika that tourists refuse to buy. Redskin chiefs, gathered for the premiere of Paramount's 'Geronimo,' declared they adopt- ed the swastika centuries before Hitler became a paperhanger. 15-20c Vandfilmer Goes to $1 Gate On Tree Bingo' Dodge Rochester, N, Y., Nov. 28. Howard G. Carroll, Strand, is de- fying the district attorney's ban on bingo by running 'free bingo' dur- ing intermission ot a special $1 re- served seat vaudfilm show Friday nights with $600 in prizes. House seats 1,500. Local Legion post got away with 'free bingo' in connection with $1 dance tickets, the district attorney holding this was legal under a court ruling on a test case involving 'bank nights.' Some lew persons hanging around who don't buy dance tickets are given cards and chance at prizes without paying anything, just to carry out the 'free' idea. Strand management reported so many inquiries for bingo, and busi- ness so bad after dropping it, that decision was made to blow the works, trusting to the technicality to avoid trouble. House's usual ad- mission is 15-20Ci NEGRO COUNTERPARTS OF ™DY FAMILY' PIX Louisville, Nov. 28 According to telephone official:! in this town, it isn't necessary to make any coincidental surveys, or house-to-house canvas to determine whether, listeners are tuned to the Turns radio broadcast or not. While no figures are available, 'phone men think they can gauge quite accurately the reaction locally to the 'Pot of Gold', show, as they have observed I hat during the last 10 minutes ot the program the switch board in the central exchange is practically black. This means that telephone calls be- ing placed during that time are practically nil, and most of the sub- scribers are taking no chances on making a phone call, thus keeping their line busy, during the period when the call is being put through for the prize winner. Whether the odds are 11,000.000-to- ono or more of winning, impression gathered is that stay-at-homes are running no risks of making or re- ceiving a phone call, in the hope of being on the receiving end of tha all-important message from the spon- sor.s of Turns. A colored version ot Metro's 'Hardy Family' series, labeled 'The Brown Family,* is being turned out with an all-Negro cast by Harry M. Popkin's Million Dollar Productions, Inc. First film in the scries, 'One Dark Night,' is currently in its world preem at the Apollo, In Har- lem. 'Two more will follow in the MDP program ot eight all-Negro films it has scheduled for 1939-40. Star-billing in the initial pic is given to Mantan Moreland, who plays the father. He was for many years a member of the vaude team of Mantan and Miller, Mickey j Rooney counterpart is handled by Robert Simmons. Lad has only a| minor role in current release, but | part will be built up in future. Other members of the 'family' are | Betty Treadville, the mother; Arthur '■ Ray, grandfather; Jessie Grayson, ! grandmother, and Josephine Pearson, ' sister. ' $5,000 Due TA on 1939 Prez Ball May Halt '40 Celebration in Capital President's Birthday Ball celebra- tion in Washington may get the red li';ht on free talent this January, unless the committee straightens out its position with the Theatre Au- thority. Latter claims that around $5,000 is due from last January's balls, parties, etc. Alan CorcUi, TA's New York rep, flew to Washington Monday (27) to confer with the President's Birthday Ball committee for the District of Columbia. This includes Hardie Mcakin, of RKO, Carter Barron, Loew's; Nelson Bell, of the Wash- ington Post, and James Hagen, Dis- trict Commissioner of Washington. Last January's President's Birthday Ball celebration included one bene- fit performance of 'Outward Bound,' that revival's cast making the trip to Washington from New York. Washington situation does not af- fect the status of other cities' Birth- day Ball celebrations, as each town has its individual committees which settle with the TA. Show Biz Munitions Cost of demolishing the New Y<jfk Hippodrome, the site <ff which be- comes an automobile parking space, was $Ii2,50p. Of this, $35,000 was sal- vaged in the sale of scrap iron and :;tccl girders. Buyer of scrap, it is reported, is a British dealer, who ha* shipped the metal to England. Steel sheetings which once com- Iji iscd the walls of the dressing room of Toto, the clown, converted into sea mines and air bombs, is • tipofT idea for short-story writers.