Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Sixty Features, 134 Shorts onWarner's New Schedule UA Introduces Title on Print Frame New York — A method of foreign title printing which Arthur W. Kelly, vice-president of United Artists, calls ‘‘the most important technical advance since the standardizing of the 2,000-/ooi reel” has been perfected by members of UA’s technical laboratory, assisted by Technicolor technicians. The new idea, which is not patentable, is applicable both to color and black-and-white film and consists of printing the titles on the bottom ‘‘frame line” instead of within the frame as has been the practice heretofore. Only a minor adjustment in the projector aperture is needed for this new technique, Kelly said. SEARS GIVES PRIZES TO CONTEST WINNERS New York — Prizes were awarded Monday afternoon at the Warner sales convention by Gradwell L. Sears, general sales manager, to winners of the recently concluded Sears sales drive. District winners were Leo Blank, midwest district manager, Chicago, and Robert Smeltzer, midAtlantic district manager, Washington. Branch awards went to the following exchange managers who placed in the order listed: Rud Lohrenz, Minneapolis; Harry Seed, Pittsburgh: A. Shmitken, Cincinnati; R. L. McCoy; Charlotte; Fred Greenberg, Indianapolis; T. R. Gilliam, Chicago; R. T. Smith, Milwaukee: William Warner, Kansas City; Nat Furst, Boston; C. K. Olson, Omaha; Norman Ayers, Albany: R. S. Smith, Buffalo; Robert Smeltzer, Washington; W. G. Mansell, Philadelphia; L. McKenzie, St. John (Canada); J. C. Vergesslich, Atlanta: M. A. Mooney, Cleveland: John Pavone, New Haven; Byron Adams, Memphis; A. W. Anderson, Des Moines: Hall Walsh, St. Louis. OUTLINES MONOGRAM SALES DRIVE DETAILS Chicago — ^Details of the Monogram sales drive ending on July 10, announced at the convention last Friday by Eddie Golden, general sales manager, set the goal for the nine-week period at $1,500,000. All branch offices and franchise holders are set up on a percentage of quota basis, with total cash prizes amounting to $1,000 provided. First prize is $500; second, $300, and third, $200. A goal of $4,333,000 has been set for the entire 1937-38 season, efforts to attain which will be enlivened by a series of sales contests through the period. Six features will be completed and ready for delivery by June 1, according to Scott R. Dunlap, production chief. They are: “The Outer Gate,” “Legion of Missing Men,” “Blazing Barriers,” “The Thirteenth Mu®,” “Paradise Isle,” and “Boy of the Streets.” New York — An investment of approximately $5,000,000 in books, plays and original stories and screenplays for the 60 features planned by Warner Bros, and affiliated companies during 1937-38 was cited Wednesday by Jack L. Warner, vicepresident in charge of production, in announcing the lineup to the annual sales convention at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel here. Eleven Based on Plays Warner said that 11 features would be based on “successful Broadway plays,” as follows: “Tovarich,” with Claudette Colbert, Charles Boyer, Basil Rathbone; “First Lady,” to star Kay Francis; “Jezebel,” to star Bette Davis; “A Slight Case of Murder,” Edward G. Robinson with Pat O’Brien; “White Horse Inn,” not cast; “The Desert Song,” not cast; “Boy Meets Girl,” all-star cast; “Yes, My Darling Daughter,” all-star cast; “Swing Your Lady,” Pat O’Brien; “Chalked Out,” not cast; “On Your Toes,” Ginger Rogers. Seventeen From Books Seventeen pictures based on books are announced as follows: “White Banners,” by Lloyd C. Douglas; “The Story of San Michele,” by Axel Munthe; “The Story of Emile Zola,” by Geza Ilerczeg. starring Paul Muni; “The Sisters,” by Myron Brinig, starring Kay Francis and Miriam Hopkins; “A Prayer for My Sons,” by Hugh Walpole, with Kay Francis and the Mauch twins; “The Gamblers,” by Feodor Dostoievsky, starring Edward G. Robinson, Errol Flynn, Bette Davis, Basil Rathbone; “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland; “And It All Came True,” by Louis Bromfield, starring Dick Powell and Gloria Dickson; “Angle Shooter,” by Adela Rogers St. John, with Pat O’Brien, Joan Blondell, Margaret Lindsay; “Comet Over Broadway,” by Faith Baldwin. and “You’re All I Want,” by Katherine Brush, both starring Kay Francis; “Sister Act,” by Fannie Hurst, starring Errol Flynn. Olivia de Havilland; “Mr. Dodd Takes the Air,” by Clarence Budington Kelland, featuring Kenny Baker. Frank McHugh, Jane Wyman, Alice Biady; “This Woman Is Dangerous,” by Don Bryne, co-starring Jean Arthur and George Brent; “The Valley of the Giants” (in Technicolor), by Peter B. Kyne, starring Bette Davis and George Brent; “Gold Is Wliere You Find It” (in Technicolor), by Clements Ripley, starring George Brent and Olivia de Havilland. Other Productions Among the rest of the Warner features for the new season, the following were described by the production chief; “The Great Garrick,” Brian Aherne. Olivia de Havilland. Edward Everett Horton; “Return Engagement.” Fernand Gravet, Ethel Merman; “It’s Love I'm After,” Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland; “Gold Diggers in London,” not cast; “Varsity Show,” Dick Powell and Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians; “Panama Canal,” Paul Muni; “Confession,” Kay Francis, Basil Rathbone, Ian Hunter. Laura Hope Crews; “Casino.” Warner Baxter, Ruby Keeler, George Brent. Joan Blondell; “Submarine 262,” George Brent. Pat O’Brien, Ruby Keeler; “Lady With Red Hair,” Kay Francis tentatively cast; “Campus Scandals,” Frank McMugh and all-star comedy cast; “Collusion.” “The Great Lie.” and “Frenchy,” not cast; “Larger Than Life,” Hugh Herbert, Frank McHugh, Allen Jenkins; “Episode,” Miriam Hopkins; “Everybody Was Very Nice,” not cast; “Three Cheers for the Irish,” Pat O’Brien. Humphrey Bogart, Glenda Farrell, Frank McHugh, Allen Jenkins. Manpower Peak Warner enters the new season with a lineup of 13 associate producers, headed by Hal B. Wallace as executive producer, 30 directors, 72 writers and 12 song writers and music composers, described by Jack Warner as the peak of studio man power. Warner’s Vitaphone lineup of shorts for the new season totals 134 subjects, 30 of them two-reelers and 104 single-reelers. BLOW ON THIS SPOT ... IF IT TURNS WHITE YOU DON'T NEED A SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING YOUR CASH RECEIPTS. OTHERWISE, YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE GENERAL REGISTERS. GENERAL REGISTER CORPORATION 1540 BROADWAY NEW YORK BOXOFFICE :: May 15, 1937. 9