Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Kalmus Foresees Definite Swing to Color Pictures TWO LOEW RELEASES THROUGH COLUMBIA David L. Loew has signed a releasing deal with Columbia for two Joe E. Brown starrers on the 1937-38 schedule, to take effect following completion of the third Brown starrer, as yet untitled, for RKO Radio release. Shooting on the final film in Loew’s trio for RKO Radio starts June 7, with Edward Sedgwick directing, with the Columbia agreement providing for one Brown picture in the late fall and the second early next spring. Loew retains his independent producing setup, with his own unit and his own financing, and Columbia figures only in releasing the Brown comedies. The producer will remain on the Selznick International lot. The second Brown picture for RKO Radio, “Riding on Air,” is in the process of editing. “When’s Your Birthday?” the first, was released some time ago. LEICHTER ANNOUNCES TEN RELEASE OUTLETS Upon his return from a tour of the key cities of the United States, Mitchell Leichter, vice-president in charge of production for Advance Pictures, announced that he had secured the following independent releases: Foreign-Guaranteed Pictures, New York; Sam Decker, Detroit; Charles Tarbox, Buffalo; Lou Lefton, Pittsburgh; Bissell and Lineham, Cleveland; Lee Goldberg, Cincinnati; E. York Elliott, Minneapolis; James Jovany, Chicago; Pop Korson Philadelphia, and B. O. Millward, Seattle. Brown to Columbia New York — Joe E. Brown, after severing connections with Warner less than a year ago to become an RKO star, will become affiliated with a third distributor in 1937-38, his producer, David L. Loew, having signed with Columbia for two pictures starring the comedian on its 1937-38 program. JONES BACK AT WORK Returning to work after a year’s illness, Paul Jones has been assigned to produce the next W. C. Fields picture at Paramount. Wallace Beery (left) is one of the hosts to General Charles G. Dawes, former vice-president of the United States, when Dawes visits the Metro studios as a member of the Chicago Association of Commerce. Louis B. Mayer (right) guested the Chicago visitors at a luncheon at the studio commissary. Playwrights Elect Director Board The Screen Playwrights, Inc., met this week at the home of Grover Jones to elect its new board of directors and were to gather later in the week to choose officers for the coming year. Jones, Rupert Hughes, Bert Kalmar, Walter DeLeon, William Conselman, John Lee Mahin, Waldemar Young, Howard Emmett Rogers, Frank Butler and Bess Meredyth were selected to fill the board spots. From 30 applications for membership in the SP, the following new members were also accepted at the meeting; Malcolm Stuart Boylan, Jack O’Donnell, Morris Markey, George Harmon Coxe, Gene Towne, Graham Baker, Winston Miller, Warren Groat, Monckton Hoffe, John Meehan and Kyrill de Shismareff. New York — Some of the “more imporant” producers are “very near” the point of following Samuel Goldwyn’s lead in discarding black and white films for color production. Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, president of Technicolor, declared this week in speaking with United Artists officials by overseas telephone from the S. S. Europa, bound for London. “Important” Move Dr. Kalmus characterized Goldwyn’s move as “the most important decision reached by a prominent producer in many years.” He said he felt certain that many important producers would follow Goldwyn’s lead. Dr. Kalmus did not, however, believe that the film companies would change to color “all at once.” “But it will come before very long,” he predicted. “England will follow, I’m sure,” Dr. Kalmus went on. “British producers have been going through a difficult time and as they come out of it they will go into color and, in my opinion, substantially.” Commitments Top-Heavy He said that commitments already made by Technicolor made it impossible for the company to contract for any more color work until fall. By that time, he said. Technicolor will be in a position to handle all of Goldwyn’s productions on his 193738 program. Geo. J. Schaefer, United Artists general manager, this week expressed the belief that “motion pictures in natural color will inevitably have the same revolutionary effect in the amusement world as the introduction of sound some nine years ago.” Extra "Tarzan" Role Glenn Morris has wangled a separate deal with Metro to appear in a Pete Smith short demonstrating his athletic ability. The chore is outside of his Sol Lesser contract, for whom he will star in a series of Tarzan adventure pictures. Fred Rinaldo and Robert Lee are scripting. GRAND NATIONAL EXECUTIVES AT SALES CONVENTION E. E. AEPEKSON President of Grand National EDWAKD PESKAY General Sales Manager SOE EDWARDS Eastern Sales Manager JAMES WINN Western Sales Manager EDWAKD FINNEY Director Advertising and Publicity BOXOFnCE :: May 22, 1937. 33