Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

SEES CHANCE OF TRUCE IN STRIKE Formula for Settlement of Studio Walkout Is Believed at Hand (More details on puffe (>, this issue) strike developments along the motion picture front during the first three days of the week crystallized the general opinion during the first days of the walkout indicating that present labor difficulties would be short-lived. This belief was given further impetus with the release of a statement by Pat Casey, representing the producers in negotiations with striking crafts, declaring that a peace plans had been drawn up and would be presented producers by the Los Angeles Central Labor Council. A CLC committee including J. W. Buzzell, C. T. Lehman, Elmer Letz and Nate Spaer presented its plan to Casey early this week. He is withholding its details until producers have had an opportunity to study it. "If all parties find the terms of the proposed agreement satisfactory," Casey declared, “I feel justified in asserting that the strike will be called off." The CLC action followed a meeting of the council with Charles Lessing, head of the Federated Motion Picture Crafts, at which Lessing’s demands that picketed studios be placed on the unfair list were rejected because, CLC members declared, American Federation of Labor sanction could not be obtained. Two More Withdrawn Two more affiliates of the FMPC withdrew from the group this week to petition producers for an opportunity to bargain independently, cutting the total membership in the labor organization to eight — painters, scenic artists, makeup artists and hairdressers, stationary engineers, plumbers, utility workers, boilermakers and culinary workers — all of whom are on strike. FMPC members were cheered by the announcement that the CIO had indicated its willingness to join the strikers’ picket lines, to lend physical as well as moral support to the walkout, but extent to which the CIO can aid is problematical at this stage. Indicating that there is little likelihood that the Screen Actors Guild will throw its support to the strikers, despite the Guild’s affiliation with the FMPC, a Guild committee conferred this week with Casey in independent negotiations for closed shop, wage demands and improved working conditions. Another mass meeting of the Guild was to be held late this week at which a definite stand was expected to be taken on support of the walkout. Violence Enters Picture Violence flared on two occasions this week to enliven an otherwise peaceable strike situation. First flareup occurred when the House of Westmore, makeup artists, was invaded Monday night and rugs, drapes, chairs and other furnishings damaged to the extent of an estimated $10,000. The watchman, slugged by the intruders, could not identify the vandals, and FMPC headquarters, investigating the disturbance, No lATSE Support for Studio Strike New York — Crafts affiliated with the lATSE will give Charles Lessing, Hollywood strike leader, no support said James Brennan, lATSE vicepresident here. Commenting on Lessing’s wires to various crafts asking for boycott of theatres throughout the country, Brennan declared to Boxoffice, “ . . . lATSE will have nothing to do with it . . .’’ He went on further to say that none of the AFL unions included in the five year basic studio agreement will join the strike. Former Congressman ’Vito Marcantonio, counsel for the Independent Film Technicians union, has wired Lessing offering “to tie up production at eight eastern film laboratories, where we have majority representation.” This new union is seeking CIO affiliation. Meanwhile, William Green, AFL president, said here he was uncertain whether he would support the boycott move against theatres in sympathy with the Hollywood strike. Green refused to comment on the offer of the CIO to intervene in the strike, terming the situation “unfortunate.” declared itself to be satisfied that the invaders were not members of that organization. The violence is believed to have been caused because the Westmores have been crossing picket lines to continue their contract work despite withdrawal of permission to do so by the FMPC. Offices of the lATSE were also made the victim of a riot Tuesday when a mob of thirty burst in the glass doors and assaulted lATSE men in the room. Police arrived too late to capture or identify the intruders. Five were injured. Another flareup occurred when Clarence H. Kline, Universal grip and member of a craft not on strike, was set upon and beaten across the studio. He was treated for a broken nose and bruises at the Universal studio hospital. Three Studios Bear Brunt Aside from these disturbances picketing was calm, with Paramount, United Artists and Metro bearing the brunt of strikers’ picketing activities. Columbia, RKO Radio, Hal Roach, Warners and 20th Century-Fox, all picketed, reported no trouble. New Para. Ad Agency Paramount’s advertising contract has been transferred from Lord and Thomas to the Hanff-Metzger, Inc., agency. Decision was reached following conferences last week among Adolph Zukor, Robert Gillham and A. O. Dillenbeck, vice-president of Hanff-Metzger. Dillenbeck left last week for New York after the confabs to begin preparations for Paramount’s forthcoming campaign. New Firm Formed; to Produce Twelve The ranks of Hollywood film production swelled last week with the incorporation of Phoenix Productions, Inc., which will make a dozen pictures for release during the 1937-38 season. The company is headed by Lawrence C. Lee, and lists as directors Robert F. Hill, who has been directing for Victory Pictures: Charles E. Coe, Montana; George W. Campbell, Los Angeles; Jack M. Gardner, Los Angeles; L. G. Wilky, Los Angeles; P. T. Coe, Arizona: Roy Sullivan, Glendale; and R. W. Katerndahl, Pasadena. Pending final decision as to release channels for Phoenix product, Lee, who is in charge of production, will not give the go signal to the first film, “Bold Heritage,” for several weeks. Space has been taken at Hollywood Studios for the full production quota. “Bold Heritage,” an historical drama from a screenplay by Thiele Lawrence, will be followed by “The Gold Rider,” a western, and by ten others for which story properties and titles have not been acquired. Hill will direct the series with George W. Campbell acting as associate producer. Incorporation papers provide for the issuance of 10,000 shares of stock with a total par value of $100,000. No cast or other technical personnel have been signed as yet. COMEDIANS, LEADS BASEBALL GAME SET Movie comedians and leading men will renew their baseball feud, a yearly event, July 17 at Wrigley Field, according to present plans, with the proceeds from the battle to be turned over to the Mount Sinai Hospital as per custom. Already on file as applicants for positions in the lineup are Jack Benny, Fred MacMurray, Clark Gable, Leo Carrillo, Benny Baker, Larry Crabbe, Charles Starrett, George Raft, Mack Grey, Eddie Cantor, Walter Abel, Jackie Coogan, James Cagney, Sam Briskin and Darryl Zanuck. GN Building Quarters The Harry Sherman, George Hirliman and M. H. Hoffman producing units — the latter two Grand National producers — will occupy two new bungalows being construct on the GN lot. When the structures are completed, in about two weeks, GN’s publicity department will move into the present Sherman quarters. CONN SIGNS MARSHALL NEILAN Maurice Conn has signed Marshall Neilan for a directorial chore. 40 BOXOFFICE :: May 8, 1937.