Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

NEW WEAPONS IN COAST STRIKE FMPC Extends Ultimatum to Independent Units in Struggle Planning a last ditch drive in an obviously desperate effort to carry its walkout to a successful conclusion, the weakened ranks of the striking Federated Motion Picture Crafts introduced two new weapons in its labor fight this week. Two Major Unions Petitioned The first blow was aimed at independent producers by Charles Lessing, FMPC strike director, who delivered an ultimatum to independent units declaring that the strike would be extended to all which do not consent to a 100 per cent closed shop, with the deadline for capitulation set for later in the week. Second new development came when the FMPC appealed to both the American Federation of Labor and to the Committee for Industrial Organization. asking those bodies to lend their aid to a proposed boycott of current and forthcoming pictures in which appear five Screen Actors Guild leaders, whom Lessing terms responsible for the asserted “double cross” by the SAG of the strikers. The quintet named as boycott targets are Robert Montgomery, president of the Guild; Franchot Tone, Edward Arnold, Frank Morgan and Humphrey Bogart. The strike move against the independents will threaten a walkout of approximately 3,000 additional workers. Those which may be affected include Walter Wanger, Republic, Samuel Goldwyn, Selznick International, B. P. Schulberg, Harry Sherman and Monogram — all hitherto free from strike activity. When machinists and culinary workers left the FMPC ranks this week, leaving only seven crafts remaining under the strikers’ banner, violence flared on at least one lot — Columbia — when returning workers were set upon, their car overturned, and a quartet of passengers beaten. The assailants were not captured. Refuting his earlier negotiations with Pat Casey, representing the producers in the labor difficulties, Lessing told Casey this week that the strike would not be called off unless a union shop is guaranteed and men employed since the strike are discharged. Casey has framed no reply. Pickets March Again FMPC pickets returned in increased force to their chores in Hollywood and Los Angeles theatres after a quiet weekend, and Lessing’s threat to carry on the theatre picketing on a national scale came closer to realization with the sending of W. B. Cullen, of Studio Painters’ Local 644, to Chicago and New York to assist in organizing picket lines in those cities. Cullen will also present FMPC charges of “strike breaking” against the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes to the AFL executive board in Cincinnati early next week. Another craft aligned itself in organized form this week when the Society of Motion Picture Artists and Illustrators came into being and announced plans to nego tiate for recognition by producers. R. F. James has been elected president, and bylaws are now being drawn up. The Society of Motion Picture Film Editors, recently organized craft, has submitted its demands to Casey, with an executive board scheduled to be elected later in the week. I. J. Wilkinson is temporary chairman. SAG Plans Changes Present plans of the SAG, following the body’s recognition by producers, are to incorporate minor changes in its JuniorSenior membership structure, with a proposed boost in dues for junior members to take effect June 1 and a beginning of the projected purge of extra rolls as called for in the SAG-producer agreement, details of which were announced earlier in the w’eek. Principal points in the Guild contract include: Adjustment of wages and working conditions for contract players; guaranteed minimum salary of $50 per week and other adjustments for stock players; Guild conciliation and arbitration, and a written contract, for freelance players; definite minimum wage of $25 per day and other adjustments for day players; a $35 daily minimum for stunt men; $5.50 minimum. Guild arbitration and NRA rules for extras: and other specifications under a ten-year contract with producers, during which the Guild agrees not to strike unless the agreement is abrogated without warning by the producer-members. Lesser Organizes Radio Department In keeping with the trend toward giving recognition to the allied relationship of motion pictures and radio, a policy adopted by several of the major studios, Sol Lesser this week led the way for independent producers by announcing the organization of a radio department at Principal Pictures. The bureau will be operated by Louis Hyman, and has as its nucleus of radioscreen performers such Principal contract players as Bobby Breen, Marion Claire, Smith Ballew and Glenn Morris, whose first radio work will be a twice-weekly national broadcast dealing with the adventures of Tarzan. Hyman has assembled a staff of writers including Gertrude Berg, Forrest Barnes and Clay Osborne, all radio scripters, and will attempt to coordinate radio-motion picture talent activities. Connie Boswell Cast Connie Boswell draws a singing spot in “Artists and Models” at Paramount, joining a musical crew including Martha Raye, the Yacht Club Boys, Judy Canova, and the orchestras of Andre Kostelanetz and Louis Armstrong. Standard Takes Selznick Space With a production schedule of eight pictures set for the first year. Standard Pictures Corp. has taken space at the Selznick-International Studios and announces the starting date on its first feature, “Deerslayer,” for June 1. The newly formed organization, under the direction of B. W. Richards, president, and Lou O’Brasky, general sales manager, has already arranged for its own distribution units in 10 of the 36 key cities, and expects to have the remaining situations ready to open within a month. Well known stars and name directors will be borrowed, said Richards, for the first year’s productions. In addition to “Deerslayer” the following pictures were announced: “First Woman,” “Daughter of Ramona,” “Big Business,” “Argentine Take-Off,” “Night School,” “Lone Star” and “Bet a Million.” It is planned, according to Richards, to sell each of the pictures individually, instead of on a bloc basis, as is the practice among other firms. EMANUEL COHEN TAGS DuPONT FOR "NIGHT'' Emanuel Cohen has signed E. A. DuPont, who recently terminated his Paramount contract, to direct “On Such a Night,” in which Karen Morley, Alan Mowbray, Roscoe Karns, Eduardo Ciannelli and Mille Monti will be featured. DuPont will direct from the original by Morley F. Cassidy, S. S. Field and John D. Klorer, and the script by Doris Malloy and W. R. Lipman. Edward G. Robinson and Mike Roth, midwest exploiteer for Columbia, discuss Robinson’s starring vehicle, “Thunder in the City,’’ behind the covers of Boxoffice aboard the Santa Fe Chief at Kansas City. Roth gets a few pointers from Robinson who plays the role of a high-pressure salesman in the British-made production released through Columbia. (Boxoffice photo) . 28 BOXOFnCE :: May 22, 1937