Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Capra May Continue On Columbia Lot Los Angeles — Despite reports to the contrary, Prank Capra, ace producer-director on the Columbia lot, may continue with the company after making “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” That is the general sentiment which prevails as the third and final regional Columbia sales meeting got under way Saturday at the Ambassador Hotel with A. Montague, general sales manager, wielding the gavel. Jerome Safron, western division head, is assisting. Rube Jackter, Montague’s assistant, also is here. Capra, according to reports around convention hall, receives a flat guarantee of $100,000 a picture plus a percentage of the profits. The guaranteed salary is said to be charged against production costs. Another point brought up which is understood to have considerable significance is the special reel being shown to the delegates. In the reel, Capra calls Harry Cohn, president, on the telephone and asks for something. The response indicates Capra can have anything on the lot while working for Columbia. Considerable importance is attached to the exclusive signing of Wesley Ruggles to a three-year contract for two pictures a year. The first under the pact is “Arizona,” the Clarence Budington Kelland serial which ran in the Saturday Evening Post. The first Prank Lloyd picture under a deal to make two a year is “Tree of Liberty.” Howard Hawks is set to make “The Bigger They Are” with Cary Grant. There are several other directors, including Rouben Mamoulian and Alexder Hall from whom important films are expected. Government Still Shies From Listing Witnesses (Continued from page 5) ly to be subject to reprisals by the defendants or encouraged to testify reluctantly, if at all, at the trial.” The government adds Erpi sold its servicing business and that since this company had no economic power over those whose names were to be furnished, the parallel does not apply in the all-industry suit. In opposing a reconsideration by Judge William O. Bondy with respect to his decision the defendants were entitled to more information than contained in paragraph eight of the bill of particulars, government counsel adds, actual experience by department of justice agents who have contacted exhibitors convinces them submission of names and properties would pave the way for dire consequences. Absence of Attorneys Is Snag to Plea Filing New York — Absence from the city of various major company attorneys on Monday delayed filing distributor motions for a further bill of particulars in the government suit until the latter part of the week. (Continued from page 6) many who are, and don't know it, or who are on the verge and awaiting the slightest of shoves to enroll them in the already generous ranks. There is, further, no way now of learning whether Schertzinger, who could not shake off directorial credit for "One Night of Love," if he tried, had fun doing "The Mikado" or not. As a musician, he no doubt did. As one who is supposed to have a knowledge of what the public might like, we know we did in the looking and the hearing. For there is genuine enjoyment here, and along different and refreshing lines. Shown on the same day as "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," Universal's new release chalks up two for England in the one week. That would be a very swell average, even for Hollywood. It Is the Thing An imperishable by the name of Shakespeare seems to have started it. "And Molnar managed a pretty good job in keeping the 'play's the thing' tradition alive, too," adds Gene Towne. "That gives me two pretty good predecessors to go by." Towne, who has a reputation among studios as an up-front guy in the scrivening business, is making regular appearances at "21," talking excitedly and volubly, also at the drop of a hat about his new deal. The news columns already have reported that he and his oldtime running mate, Graham Baker, have organized "The Play's the Thing Productions" and that George J. Schaefer, strong on independent production at RKO in the early days of his presidential regime there, has decided to give them a chance. A couple of quizzical looks are around. But the whole idea of permitting the play, the story or the script to dominate is not nearly as harum-scarum as may appear by initial scanning. The instances defy Expect Approximately 250 At Annual RKO Meeting New York — About 250 division and branch managers, salesmen and chief bookers will attend the RKO international sales convention slated June 19-22 at the Westchester Biltmore Country Club in Rye. Home office executives also will be on hand. Several foreign heads now are en route for the meetings. Ned E. Depinet, vice-president in charge of distribution, is (K&JL count in this industry where indifferent stories, shoddily prepared, have been permitted to slide through because of complete reliance upon the weight of the star. This idea, an old diehard custom, has further perpetuated the star system without which the business would have tough going, it is true, but it also ought to be remembered that the system has placed a drag on boxoffice names far beyond the load those important names should have to carry for their own sake and in the cause of the industry which so heavily depends upon them. The perfect answer, naturally, is the combination of good material and topflight name and the difficulty is the job of finding the vehicle to fit that name. Along comes Towne now with the idea that the cast ought to fit the story, not the story horsed around to fit the cast. This is the way it is normally done in the theatre and, while it may not be the routine in pictures, something approaching the logic of the idea ought to be attempted. It does not necessarily follow that the Towne-Baker combination will! seek its mark by any concentration on a buildup of unknown, or little known, players. This is a part of the plan, but also a part of it is a selection of material which encompasses the opportunity to use established players provided they fit. Towne, as per example, likes to fall back on the case of Erich Von Stroheim about whose low estate, in Hollywood eyes, this column turned somewhat mournful a few months; ago. "If a part clearly calls for Von Stroheim, why rewrite it, or mess it up, merely to fit in Joe Zilch who happens to be under contract?" is his manner of presenting it. Why, indeed? This column has never found a completely satisfactory reply. It's getting too nice outdoors now to keep trying. expected to leave for the coast the end of the month for studio conferences with George J. Schaefer, president, Pandro Berman, in charge of production, and other producers. Paramount’s home office and eastern sales force will leave June 4 for Los Ahgeles for the annual sales sessions which get under way four days later at the Am-, bassador Hotel. These meetings also wilt be attended by at least seven foreign ex-, ecutives, exclusive of home office personnel. BOXOFFICE ;; May 20, 1939 n