Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

KMTR Sets Preview Hour to Scout Radio Talent Looked upon as a close parallel to the Little Theatre groups so avidly scouted by motion picture producers in search of talent, Victor Dalton, owner of Station KMTR, has announced plans to set up a “Preview Theatre of the Air” in connection with his new radio “village” to be constructed shortly in Hollywood. In reality constituting the highest plane of development of the ether’s “amateur hours,” which have soared to a high popularity level during the past two years as radio entertainment, the Preview Theatre will be a tryout spot for professional and amateur radio talent, with the public, sponsors and commercial agencies invited to the shows. The theatre will be a major innovation in Dalton’s $150,000 radio center. WBC TO Enter Local Field The Hollywood radio scene continued to grow in importance during the past week, with the announcement that the World Broadcasting Co., largest producer of radio transcriptions, will enter the local field. Plans have been set for the establishment of production and executive facilities here, and P. L. Duetsch, head of the company, has closed a deal for property at Beverly and La Cienega Blvds. for the construction of the plant. The new manufactory will go into production next October, and will be used as WBC’s chief recording center. Station KMPC, independent outlet in Beverly Hills, last week was transferred to G. A. Richards, Detroit capitalist, with the approval of the Federal Communications Commission, and plans have already been launched for enlargement and re-equipment, at a cost of $75,000 or more. Construction of additional studios and offices, overhauling of equipment and the installation of a new 5,000-watt transmitter will get underway immediately. Leo B. Tyson is general manager. Richards, who owns a station in Detroit and one in Cleveland, purchased KMPC from the S. A. Scherer estate. Hollywood Bowl Ban Lifted Meanwhile J. F. Burke is still awaiting an answer from the Federal Communications Commission on the transfer of Station KRKD to him, as well as a reply to his application for the construction of a new station in Pasadena. Burke also owns Station KFVD here. One of the most important of recent announcements concerning new programs emanating from Hollywood was disclosed last week when the Hollywood Bowl management lifted its perennial ban on broadcasting from that music center. The National Broadcasting Co. has scheduled two airings — July 22 and 23 — and is now negotiating for further programs from the spot. Heretofore, broadcast privileges have been refused. Latest of the national programs coming from the Hollywood radio center got off to a flying start when the new Chase and Sanborn program, with Don Ameche as master of ceremonies, went on the air early this week over NBC channels. Among film figures on the program are W. C. Fields, Dorothy Lamour and Ann Harding. It will be a weekly feature, with Nelson Eddy set to join the program August 8. KNX Gets Gossip Columnist Another radio gossip columnist relating doings in Hollywood will join the fold May 26 when Lloyd Pantages, former newspaper columnist, goes on Station KNX for a quarter-hour stint weekly. His program will be called “Lloyd Pantages Covers Hollywood,” and will go out over the Columbia Broadcasting System’s Pacific Coast network. Jerry Cooper made his debut as the Hollywood Hotel’s singing entertainer this week, replacing Fred MacMurray. Navy Demands Strict Observance of Rule Apparent laxity in production circles in regard to cooperation with the navy department in certain regulations governing the handling of pictures made with naval assistance has caused the department, through Joseph I. Breen of the Production Code Administration office, to request a more stringent observance of the rulings. The navy demands specifically that producers pay more heed to the regulation declaring that pictures made with naval cooperation are to be delivered to the department for final approval of scenes, dialogue and titles before general release. Naval scenes made with official approval for any one picture are not to be used in any other production until the second scenario and finished vehicle has been submitted for the navy’s okay. Specific instances for the navy’s decision to clamp down were not revealed by Breen. MARCIA REMY UPPED BY ROACH STUDIOS Marcia Remy has been promoted to assist Joe Collum, casting director for Hal Roach, after serving as secretary to S. S. Van Keuren, vice-president in charge of Roach’s production. Miss Remy was formerly in Universal’s publicity department. Writing Pact Extended Adele Comandini has had her writing contract extended by Universal. The writer is currently working at Selznick International on a loan-out deal. Peace Proposals Meet Union Favor Proposals to end the craftsmen’s strike submitted by the motion picture producers Thursday, to the union’s executive board, were termed “satisfactory in many ways.’’ The proposals, if approved, were to be submitted Friday to the striking craftsmen. RKO INSTITUTES A "FARM OUT" PLAN Reversing the usual procedure, RKO Radio has announced plans to “farm out” its younger contract players to Little Theatre groups throughout the country so they can garner acting experience. First to go is Diana Gibson, contract actress, who left this week to play in summer stock at the Muckers Playhouse in Idaho Springs, Colo. Custom in the past among most major picture companies has been an exactly opposite procedure — to scout the Little Theatres in the hope of finding talent to bring to the screen. The RKO Radio plan, under which many of the company’s players will follow Miss Gibson to stock companies, parallels the method used by major league baseball clubs, which farm out their “rookies” to the minor leagues for experience. Miss Gibson will make her Colorado debut in Geo. Bernard Shaw’s “Candida.” Her last film for RKO Radio was “Behind the Headlines,” with Lee Tracy. FRANCES MANSON IS MAJOR STORY EDITOR Emanuel Cohen has appointed Frances Manson as story editor for Major Pictures, replacing Leonard Spigelgass. Spigelgass was recently made an associate producer for the company. Miss Manson had been with Columbia until a short time ago. Lead to Beauty Winner Marjorie Weaver, beauty contest winner from Louisville, draws the feminine lead opposite Ricardo Cortez in “The Californian,” Principal production of the Harold Bell Wright story. Shooting started last week under Gus Meins’ direction. 20th Century-Fox will release. Termer to Reeves Theodore Reeves, writer, has been signed to a long-term contract by B. P. Schulberg. He will prepare an original screenplay for the 1937-38 schedule, joining Edward Anderson, novelist, who was added to Schulberg’s staff recently. “COLLEGIATE SWING” FOR PARA. Paramount’s collegiate musical for the 1937-38 season will be “Collegiate Swing,” with Harlan Thompson set to produce. An all-comedy cast will be used. 42 BOXOmCE May 15, 1937.