Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

HITLER FILM AGAIN IN LIMEUGHT A1 Rosen Forms New Firm to Produce Controversial '"Mad Dog of Europe" The “Mad Dog of Europe” has re-entered the limelight to disturb the tranquillity of Hollywood’s production policy again, with the announcement by A1 Rosen of the formation of New Era Productions, Inc,, to start shooting early next fall on the film which has raised such a storm of controversy in film circles ever since the first announcements of its preparation were made by Rosen and his associates in 1933. Through Welter of Litigation Behind the current plans for early production lie a welter of lawsuits, rebuffs and difficulties which, Rosen declares, have beset him ever since he conceived of the story four years ago and planned its production as a “cavalcade of the German people, from 1914 until the present time,” according to his own description. New Era was organized last April, and Rosen, who has not yet set a deal for studio space nor for production names on the film, is currently selling shares in the $240,000 capitalization of the company to obtain sufficient financial backing for the film-making venture. Recites Difficulties In 1934, after Rosen had spent eight months in Europe in research work, he declared, he returned to this country with almost 4,000 feet of film depicting scenes in German concentration camps, street riots and other activities in that country, purchased from newsreel companies there and brought into the United States. These shots were to form the nucleus of the screenplay on which Sam Jaffe, once a Paramount executive, Herman Mankiewicz, screen writer, and Linn Root, also a scenarist, collaborated. It was at this point that Rosen, according to his statement, met his first stumbling-block. The films were confiscated at the port of New York, he alleges, by A1 Cohn, port collector, and it was only through the threat of a writ of mandate against him after the treasury department had ordered the reels released to Rosen that they were returned to Rosen’s possession. “Prom this time on,” Rosen told Boxoffice this week, “I was made the focal point of the attentions of scores of influential persons in the motion picture business, who all told me that although such a picture would undoubtedly make money it would jeopardize the German market to such an extent that its making would be inadvisable.” When Rosen launched preparations in 1934 to shoot the film, he declared, his contract for rental space with Talisman Studios was broken. At that time he, through his brother Joseph Rosen, an attorney, filed suit against Will H. Hays and the producers’ association alleging interference and conspiracy. Whether individuals in high places in Hollywood are taking or will take cogni zance of Rosen’s renewed efforts to produce the film is problematical. Rosen declared, however, that even though further obstacles are placed in his path he is determined to carry out his plans for the production of the picture at this time. The plot of “Mad Dog of Europe” deals with the changes in Germany during and after the World War, painting a picture of Hitler’s rise to power and the effects of his government on the people of that nation. Rosen has prepared a synopsized version of the story in folder form which is being distributed to independent exhibitors. Directors of New Era Productions include Samuel Gach, president, also president of the city board of health commissioners of Los Angeles and publisher of the Jewish Voice; John J. Boland, vice-president, a film director; Dr. Eugene N. Rosenberg, treasurer, rabbi of Temple Beth-el of Hollywood and in the insurance business; J. Frederick Rosen, secretary, an attorney, and Franklin B. MacCarthy, assistant secretary, also an attorney. An $80,000 production budget has been set up, and legitimate stage Thespians will be recruited for the principal roles, Rosen declares. RAY KATZ HEADS NEW SCHLESINGER UNIT With a heavy 1938 production schedule including 36 short subjects getting underway, Leon Schlesinger, producer of the “Merrie Melodie” and “Looney Tune” cartoons for Warner, has organized a fourth unit. The new studio is located at 9713 Santa Monica Blvd., with Raymond G. Katz, formerly an assistant at Schlesinger’s Sunset plant, set to supervise. Katz and a staff of 35 will turn out 10 “Looney Tunes” in black-and-white, while the Sunset unit will deliver 20 “Merrie Melodies” in Technicolor and six “Looney Tunes.” "COURAGEOUS" WILL NOT JUMP ROADSHOW Refuting reports that “Captains Courageous” would be made available to exhibitors throughout the country prior to the completion of its roadshow bookings, Metro this week announced that the Rudyard Kipling story would be withheld from general release until the season after its roadshow engagements. The financial success of the policy as recorded in previous two-a-day bookings of Metro films caused the studio to continue the policy, begun when “The Great Ziegfeld,” which opened at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles April 15. 1936, and closed July 26, was not given a downtown showing until November 4. “Romeo and Juliet” opened September 30 and closed November 15, but was not to be given a regular showing until this week, when it was due to move into Loew’s State and Grauman’s Chinese. Set "Hoosier Schoolboy" ■William Nigh will direct “The Hoosier Schoolboy” for Monogram, which Ken Goldsmith will produce. Mickey Rooney, on loan from Metro, has the title role. Robert Lee Johnson adapted the script from the novel by Edward Eggleston. Shooting will start early this week. Start Jungle Serial Columbia started production last week on the 15-chapter serial, “Jungle Menace,” in which Frank Buck has the starring role. George Melford is directing, with Louis Weiss producing. Supporting Buck are Reginald Denny, Esther Ralston and William Bakewell. TO RKO WRITER STAFF Richard English has joined the RKO Radio writing staff. Visiting the United Artists studios in Hollyioood is Charles Munro, managing director of Hoyt's Theatres in Australia, accompanied by his wife and two daughters. In the center is Samuel Goldwyn arid on the extreme right Arthur W. Kelly, vice-president of U A in charge of foreign sales. 30 BOXOrnCE ;; May 22, 1937