Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Honors for Zukor at Gotham Banquet New York — The Waldorf-Astoria ballroom here Monday night was the scene of a warm display of affection for one of the industry’s great leaders. It was the occasion of a testimonial banquet to Adolph Zukor in honor of his twenty-fifth anniversary in motion pictures, sponsored by New York theatre owners. Close to 1,000 were present, including many from out of town. Italy Honors Zukor It was the occasion, too, for the presentation to Zukor on behalf of King Victor Emanuel of Italy of the decoration of Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy and an oil portrait of the Paramount board chairman. Reminiscences of the time Zukor was pioneering in the business were recounted by William A. Brady, his first associate in films and once a power in the industry. Praise By Hays Will H. Hays, another speaker, described Zukor as “a good neighbor, a good American and a great leader, who had the heart to make his dreams come true.” Addressing himself to the guest of honor. Hays continued: “Never in my 15 years in the industry have I gone in vain to you for counsel. May you long, very long, be in our company. You will always be in our hearts.” Stanton Griffis, chairman of the Paramount executive committee, was introduced and paid brief tribute to his colleague. The presentation of the Italian decoration was made by Consul-General Gaetano Vecchiotti. In response, Zukor said that he accepted the citation not only on behalf of himself “but all those who contributed to making motion pictures great in the last 25 years.” A film burlesquing Zukor’s career, with Cecil B. de Mille and Bob Burns as ribbers, brought laughter and applause as Zukor’s picture was shown and made to say, in deep basso, “I can take it.” There was a program of entertainment with Jay C. Flippen as master of ceremonies. The proceedings were broadcast. Weisman Toastmaster The toastmaster was Milton C. Weisman, attorney for the Independent Theatre Owners, members of which were prominent on the committee of arrangements which included: William Brandt, chairman; George Skouras, Joseph Bernhard, Nate Blumberg, Louis Blumenthal, Lau Boyer Will Produce for Walter Wanger Hollywood — Chas. Boyer has joined production executives at the Walter Wanger studio under terms of the new contract signed by the French actor. He will continue to act, however, and his first production will probably be his own original story, “The Man With Twelve Models.” Metro Foreign Huddles Continue on Coast Hollywood — Closed doors are in order at the Metro conference rooms where Michael Balcon and Ben Goetz, of the company’s English offices, are engaged in huddles with Louis B. Mayer, Ben Thau, Bob Ritchie and Sam Katz. Nicholas Schenck, president of Metro, who sat in on the confabs last week, trained out for New York Saturday, but the meetings did not terminate with his departure. Although studio spokesmen declared they had not yet been informed as to progress of the conferences, it is understood that the chief topic involved is Metro’s projected entrance into a heavier production schedule in London, indicated by the presence of Balcon and Goetz, the former of whom recently left Gaumont British to join the Metro forces. rence Bolognino, Leo Brecher, Si Fabian, Arthur Mayer, C. C. Moscowitz, Walter Reade, Samuel Rinzler, A. H. Schwartz, Harry Shiftman and W. J. Van Schmus. In charge of entertainment were Louis K. Sidney, Harry Kalcheim, Steve Trilling and Bill Howard. Signs Opera Star New York — Kirsten Flagstad, worldfamed Wagnerian soprano who appeared with the Metropolitan Opera this season, has been signed by Paramount to sing an operatic number in “The Big Broadcast of 1938.” Miss Flagstad will work in the Eastern Service studio in Astoria, L. I., where the number will be photographed in May. The balance of the production will be filmed on the west coast. Use of Color Films in Upward Spurt New York — The use of Technicolor in positive motion picture prints increased nearly 70 per cent in 1936 over the preceding year, it is shown in the annual report of Technicolor, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary. Technicolor Motion Picture Corp. of Hollywood, released here this week. Net Profit $482,113.92 At the same time it was revealed that Technicolor sales in 1936 amounted to $2,701,228.74, “in addition to sales of positive prints,” and that the company showed a net profit, after dividends, federal taxes and surtax and all other charges, of $482,113.92 for 1936. This amounts to a dividend of 65 cents a share on 745,372 shares outstanding on December 31, 1936. The profit for the combined companies, before depreciation, amortization and federal taxes, for 1936 amounted to $880,650.49, compared with a corresponding profit for 1935 of $151,215.34. Net profit before federal income taxes for the combined companies was $591,585.23 in 1936, compared with a corresponding loss for 1935 of $3,471.78. 1937 Volume Greater Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, president, gave the following figures of shipments of Technicolor positive prints for the last three years as indicating the steady increase in the company’s business: For the year ended Dec. 31, 1936, 37,822,444 feet; 1935, 22,182,981; 1934, 11,564,771. “The year has started out on a level of volume and profits substantially better than 1936,” Kalmus reported. “During the months of January and February, 1937, shipments averaged 3,200,000 feet, whereas shipments for the same two months of 1936 averaged 2,200,000 feet per month, that is an increase of approximately 45 %• The Italian Government honored Adolph Zukor in Neiv 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. Show7i is Zukor holding the decoration of Knight Commander of the Crown of Italy, conferred by Italian Consul-General Gaetano Vecchiotti, second from left. Others in the photo are William Brandt, chairman of the arrangements committee ^ extreme left) and Will H. Hays. 18 BOXOFFICE ;; April 3, 1937.