Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

(Hollywood Office — Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.; Ivan Spear, Western Manager) SERIAL SECTOR SHARES IN RAPID PRODDCTION PACE SET BY FEATURES AND SHORT SUBJECTS Quota of 12 Is Two-Thirds Complete; Three Are Chief Producers Ousted IA Studio Officials Take a Court Beating By IVAN SPEAR While occupying a comparatively small segment of Hollywood’s production front, activity in the serial-making field has apparently kept well apace with the progress being made by its lustier comrades — features and short subjects. The quota of cliffhangers for the 1938-39 season is, to date, two-thirds completed, with four months of shooting time remaining to clean up the balance before the new season is officially underway. The burden of serial production has been shouldered by Universal, Republic and Columbia, each of which announced plans to produce four chapter-plays during the year. Of this total of 12, eight are finished and another one is in production, while two more are scheduled to start within the month. In the most advantageous position is Universal. Its quota for 1938-39 has been completed for more than two months and, of the four it has announced it will make for 1939-40 distribution, one is already in the cutting rooms. Those made for the current season include “Buck Rogers,” with Larry Crabbe; “Scouts to the Rescue,” starring Jackie Cooper; “Red Barry” and “Flaming Frontiers,” the latter featuring Johnny Mack Brown. For next year’s slate, “The Oregon Trail” is being edited; “The Shadow Creeps” is to be gunned this month with Bela Lugosi starred; while the balance will comprise “Conquering the Universe” and “Perils of Haunted Island.” Henry MacRae is the producer. Columbia has completed three of its four — “Mandrake, the Magician,” with Warren Hull; “The Spider’s Web,” also with Hull; and “Flying G-Men,” featuring Robert Page. Slated to get underway shortly as the remaining vehicle is “Overland With Kit Carson.” Jack Fier is the associate producer, working in the Irving Briskin unit. Although no official announcement has been forthcoming yet Ousted officers of Local 37, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, were soundly beaten in their Superior Court encounter with the international officers when Judge Emmet Wilson sustained the demurrer of the IA officers against the ousted group’s complaint that control of the local had been unlawfully usurped; overruled the Hollywood officers’ demurrer to the international’s temporary order restraining the local faction from interfering with operations of the union; and converted the international’s temporary restraining order into a temporary injunction. The local faction was granted ten days to file an amended complaint, with the international granted complete control of the union’s activities until that time. Guilds Are Active Previously, the business representatives of six Hollywood unions — painters, plasterers, machinists, utility workers, electricians and carpenters attended a mass meeting sponsored by the painters and pledged support to the local IA officials, on the “outs” since the international, after an investigation, took over operation of Local 37 and suspended its directorate. Support of other unions was pledged despite notification from their international executives not to participate in the meeting. concerning plans for serial production during 1939-40, studio attaches expressed the opinion that the four-picture schedule would be adhered to, in all probability. Details as to titles and cast are not available. Admittedly a little behind schedule for 1938-39, Republic has completed but one of its announced four, and has just started production of the second, “Daredevils of the Red Circle,” featuring Charles Quigley and Herman Brix. Initialer was With peace possibilities appearing strong, negotiations between the Screen Writers Guild and producers were resumed when the SWG executive board so voted. Previously negotiations had hit a snag when the opposing factions could not compromise on certain points involved in the tentative bargaining agreement and the case was to have reverted to the national labor relations board. At the same time the SWG sent Ralph Block back to Washington to appear before the Congressional committee investigating the Wagner Act. The Screen Directors Guild and the producers were expected to meet to smooth away the last details of a working agreement, which is nearing the signature stage. The pact already has been approved by the producers’ association. The Screen Actors Guild is devoting its energies to the coming election of Class B council members, for which 60 candidates have been nominated to fill 17 vacancies. Election will be held April 16. A bill permitting the SAG to arbitrate disputes between agents and their Thespic clients went to the state senate with a recommendation from the capital-labor committee that it be passed. Passage of the measure will, it is expected, assure the signing of the SAG-Artists Managers Guild licensing agreement. “The Lone Ranger Rides Again,” with Robert Livingstone in the title role. Yet to be made are “Zorro’s Fighting Legion,” uncast, and “Dick Tracy’s G-Men,” with Ralph Byrd, this to start this month. Republic’s chapter-plays are produced by Robert Beche, with William Witney and Jack English as co-director. The company will pursue its four-serials-annually policy during the coming year, but plans for the 1939-40 output have not been broadcast. BOXOFFICE :: April 8, 1939 H 31