Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

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Grand National Forging Ahead in New Location ASC Re-elects Entire Office Slate Complete slate of officers, with one exception on the hoard of directors, was re-elected this week by the American Society of Cinematographers at its annual balloting. John Arnold continues as president, beginning his seventh consecutive year; and others remaining in office include Victor Milner, first vice-president, Charles Lang, second vice-president, James Van Trees, third vice-president, Fred Jackman, treasurer and Frank Good, secretary. Teddy Tetzlaff replaces Don Clark on the board of directors. BALLYHOO LIGHTS UP HUNT FOR A TARZAN The time-honored stunt of injecting an element of suspense into the casting problems of nearly every picture that goes before the Selznick International cameras — used so thoroughly by that company’s publicist, Russell J. Birdwell — is apparently contagious. Principal Pictures’ publicity director, Paul Snell, picked up the germ last week by announcing that Sol Lesser has been combing the nation from east to west for a likely Tarzan, so far without success. Snell is obviously basing his campaign along Birdwell lines. Aside from almost hourly reports from Ed Thorgersen, newsreel sports commentator, who is conducting a talent hunt throughout the east and midwest. Principal also has Edward Gross, an associate producer, on the watch in the western field. Both are empty-handed so far. Lesser had originally imported Lou Gehrig, one of baseball’s great, for the apeman chore, but because of the fact that the initial Tarzan on Lesser’s shooting schedule is due to begin work before Gehrig has completed his current baseball season with the New York Yankees, the producer has been forced to look around for another tree-swinger. CHARLES BROWN OUT OF REPUBLIC POST Charles Brown’s name was stricken from the Republic payroll last week when the producer, who had been co-supervisor with Herman Schlom on the production of “Michael O’Halloran,’’ handed in his resignation to M. J. Siegel, who is acting as studio chief pending the visit of Herbert Yates, Consolidated Film head and Republic executive, who is expected to leave for Hollywood shortly. Brown previously produced “Circus Girl,” released a short time ago. FERGUSON JOINS LIGHTON UNIT Metro has signed Harvey Ferguson to a writing contract. He goes to work for the Louis Lighton production unit. Covered with what passes for snow on movie sets, Claudette Colbert pauses in the midst of a scene in her forthcoming starrer for Paramount, "I Met Him in Paris,” to be presented with the Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Award for her performance in ‘‘Maid of Salem,” chosen by the National Screen Council as the best picture released during February. Correction Averts SP Salary Issue The newly-adopted Screen Playwrights, Inc., code, approved some weeks ago by film producers to succeed the present pact held by the writers’ branch of the Academy on dealings between scribes and film executives, met and conquered its first case last week without lifting a finger. When Jerome Chodorov, week-by-week scripter at Universal, lodged a complaint with the Playwrights alleging that he had been dismissed from the studio payroll with only a one-day notice, in violation of Section 9 of the SP agreement with producers that he was entitled to not less than a week’s salary, the film capital cocked an eagle eye on the proceedings to observe whether the SP would live up to the expectations of Hollywood as go-between for screen writers in such disputes. The Playwrights, however, did not have a chance to act on the matter, as Chodorov discovered later that his one-day payoff was due to a clerical error. He was subsequently paid in full, in accordance with the agreement, and the SP’s first case was chalked up on the books as successful. Any lingering doubts as to Grand National’s place in Hollywood's future progress and plans were definitely put to rout this week when Edward L. Alperson, GN president, gave the “go” signal to the first production to start in the company’s new home, “Small Town Boy,” marking GN’s official occupation of the old Educational lot on a ten-year lease. Alperson Approves Expansion Temporary expansion plans for the immediate production needs of GN producers have been approved by Alperson, and H. H. Barter, of Hollywood, has been commissioned as architect to draw plans for present and future rebuilding. For the time being, administrative offices will be housed in a reconstructed and refurnished twostory building, accommodating Alperson, Sidney Biddell, Philip N. Krasne, and producers Victor Schertzinger, Zion Myers and Richard Rowland and their staffs. The first floor has been converted into nine suites for writers. Additional Construction Other construction plans includes the immediate building of five bungalows, to be used by the George A. Hirliman unit, the Harry Sherman unit occupying rental space on the GN lot, two for writers and one for the general staff; two stages will be sound-proofed and reconditioned: the two-story scene dock building behind administration headquarters will be converted into two more sound stages ; three new projection rooms will be constructed: and new dressing rooms, enlarged mill and machine shops, additional film vaults, a publicity building and a photographic gallery will all grace the lot. Ten Features for April, May Construction will be under the supervision of Harold Lewis, studio manager, and A. E. Kaye, technical supervisor. Alperson this week announced further appointments to the permanent studio production and technical staff, including Sam R. "Wallis, comptroller; Robert D. Ludlow, purchasing agent; Martin Boe, construction foreman; Buford Smith, paint foreman; Ray Wolf, electrical foreman: Gaston Glass, unit manager: Joseph Shea, publicity manager; Edward R. Ager, projectionist; Tex Racoosin, timekeeper: Ted Hazzard, supply department; Edward R. Comport, first grip; Joe Brown, men’s wardrobe, and Edward Tiffnay camera department. Next picture to go before the cameras on the new lot, following “Small Town Boy,” was the Condor picture, “Marked Money.” Ten features will be filmed during April and May. 20th-Fox Borrows Harlow Twentieth Century-Fox has borrowed Jean Harlow from Metro for the lead in “Chicago Fire,” opposite Don Ameche. Henry King will direct. BOXOFFICE :: April 10, 1937. 33