Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Two Agencies Launch Suits Against Clients First of a generally-expected series of lawsuits in which actors’ agencies are resorting to the courts in an effort to seek commissions allegedly owed them by clients were filed this week when Harry E. Sokolov, an attorney, took preliminary legal steps on no less than four such suits — two for the Hoffman-Schlager, Inc., agency, and another pair of StephensKempner, Precedent in Landau Case The plaintiffs are apparently basing their contentions on the precedental decision handed down in superior court some time ago upholding the Small-Landau agency in its suit to recover some $10,000 from Lloyd Nolan, actor, who assertedly broke his contract with the agency just before beginning work under a Paramount pact. The agency avowed that Nolan’s earnings up until the point when his agreement with them would legally have expired should be subject to the regular commission charge even though he was no longer connected with them as a client. The court upheld the contention. Sue Phyllis Brooks Sokolov has filed one action in superior court demanding $38,000 from Phyllis Brooks, actress, alleging breach of contract and wrongful discharge of the StephensKempner agency. The complaint alleges that Miss Brooks signed a contract with the agency in August, 1936, at which time Stephens-Kempner placed her in the New York stage production of “Stage Door,’’ the actress subsequently rejecting numerous picture offers. Later, the complaint charges, she discharged the agency and signed a contract with 20th Century-Fox. The sum demanded is for the commission allegedly already owed the plaintiffs, as well as that anticipated during the duration of the assertedly broken pact. Director Faces Suit Stephens-Kempner’s second suit names Charles Tannen as defendant, and seeks $450 on a contract allegedly obtained by them for the actor at 20th Century-Fox. This suit was filed in municipal court, and carries with it no implications of broken agreement as does the first. The Hoffman-Schlager agency names Richard Thorpe, director, in one suit and seeks $1,700 from him as the amount allegedly owed them on a contract obtained from Metro. In another suit the same agency demands $500 from Betty Roberts, actress, for work assertedly obtained for her at Metro. Both suits were filed in municipal court. Time of preliminary hearings on the quartette of legal actions is indefinite. Curtiz to Meg Flynn Michael Curtiz will direct the next starring vehicle at 'Warner for Errol Flynn, “The Perfect Specimen,’’ for which Flynn cut short his European vacation to return to the studio. Dick Foran and Jean Muir get leading supporting roles. DONALD H. CLARKE WITH METRO Donald Henderson Clarke has been given a writing contract at Metro. He joins the Michael Fessier production unit. ELSIE HOROWITZ LEAVES REPUBLIC Another employe severed her connection with Republic last week when Elsie Horowitz, head of the wardrobe department, handed in her resignation. Otherwise activity on the lot remained in status quo, with Ralph Poucher, assistant to Herbert Yates, executive head, continuing his preliminary survey, the results of which will be turned over to Yates. Although no successor has been appointed to fill the gap left with the resignation of Nat Levine as vice-president in charge of production, the former studio executive was making plans to leave within the next few days for a European vacation with his son. Four pictures are before the cameras. Larry Wickland also resigned his post as associate producer and left the lot. His last production was “Painted Stallion,” a serial. VICTORY LOANS USC STUDIO FACILITIES studio, technical crew and equipment of Sam Katzman’s Victory Pictures will be turned over to cinematography students of the University of Southern California when Katzman is not in production. Students will make a series of short subjects under the tutelage of J. Farrell MacDonald, character actor and instructor on the university faculty. MacDonald’s class will start shooting on the first short subject when Victory has completed its serial, “Blake of Scotland Yard,” now in production. Katzman will give a small part in his next film to the student giving the best performance in one of the shorts. DEVELOP MACHINE FOR SEPIA PRINTS A new sepia platinum toning machine for the production of prints in the color tone used in Metro’s “The Good Earth” has been completed by John Nickolaus, of that company’s film laboratory. ■Wider use of the new tone in future pictures will be possible with the device, which has the capacity of a standard print developing machine. Assigns Dolly Haas Dolly Haas. Viennese actress, will make her American film debut in “Absent Without Leave” for Columbia under terms of the contract just signed with that studio. Sidney Buchman will produce for the play by Stefan Bekeffi and screenplay by Samson Raphaelson, Miss Haas appeared in “Broken Blossoms,” an English film. WARNER ASSIGNS LEADS Tentative leads in “It Takes Nerve,” a story by Don Ryan and George Garnet to be filmed by Warner, have been assigned to Barton MacLane and Josephine Hutchinson. Frank McDonald will direct and Bryan Foy will produce the yarn based on “Seeing Eye” dogs which serve the blind. The Italian Government honored Adolph Zukor in New York Monday night at a banquet given by exhibitors in tribute to the Paramount board chairman's 25th anniversary as a motion picture industry leader. Shown is Zukor holding the decoration of Knight Cominander of the Crown of Italy, conferred by Italiaii Consul-General Gaetano Vecchiotti, second from left. Others in the photo are William Brandt, chairman of the arrangements committee i extreme left ) and Will H. Hays. 18 BOXOFFICE April 3, 1937.