Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Blumberg Arrives on A Product Checkup Planning an indefinite stay which may extend through the summer. President Nate J. Blumberg has arrived at Universal to look over pictures currently in work at the plant and check on the lineup of films being prepared to start during the next two months. He will confer with Cliff Work, Matty Fox. Milton Feld and other studio executives concerning plans for continuing the construction program at the plant. The expansion project, since Blumberg’s first Hollywood visit more than a year ago. has mounted to an investment of $300,000 including new writers’ quarters, hospital, projection rooms, storage buildings and roads. Two new sound stages will be completed by July 1. Payroll now comprises 2,500 names, an alltime high in the history of the lot. After three weeks in New York scouting for story properties for his newly-formed ‘•The Play's the Thing" production unit. Gene Towne has reported back to RKO Radio, which will release his films. Production start on the first vehicle, as yet unannounced, is still several weeks away. Technical information concerning “Stunt Pilot.” second of the "Tailspin Tommy " series which Paul Malvern is producing for Monogram, was supplied the producer by Hal Forrest, creator of the comic strip on which the series was based, in a series of huddles with Malvern here. Forrest came in from New York for a short stay on business matters pertaining to his cartoon strip. Michael Shathin, Warner distribution manager in Japan, arrives at the Burbank studio, June 14, from Tokyo He will stay a few days for conferences with local executives before continuing to New York for parleys at the home office. Frank Seltzer, publicity director for Hal Roach, trekked to Phoenix to handle the opening of “Captain Fury” there Memorial Day. He was accompanied by Jim Lundy, United Artists exploiteer working out of the local exchange. After he had reached New York en route to England, Ben Goetz, in charge of Metro’s British production unit, was recalled to the studio to resume discussions concerning two forthcoming pictures to be made abroad with Robert Montgomery starred. Victor Saville, producer in the unit, has been here in conference for several weeks and will remain at least another ten days. Gradwell Sears, general sales manager for Warner, has checked in at the Burbank plant for conferences with Jack L. Warner and Charles Einfeld, advertisingpublicity director, concerning plans for forthcoming production activity. The company has announced plans to increase its advertising budget for June, July and August to combat the usual summer boxoffice lull, the additional appropriation to be applied particularly to “Juarez,” "Daughters Courageous,” “Each Dawn I Die,” “The Kid From Kokomo,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Naughty But Nice” and “The Devil on Wheels.” " Intermezzo " to Ratoif. Succeeding Wm. Wyler Selznick International has borrowed Gregory Ratoff from 20th Century-Fox to direct "Intermezzo,” replacing William Wyler. The latter bowed out because of a commitment to Samuel Goldwyn for which he must report July 1, and because of which he believed he would not have time to fulfill the S-I assignment. "Intermezzo” rolls next week with Leslie Howard starring and functioning as associate producer. Sherman Takes More Space Harry Sherman has taken over additional office space at General Service studios to accommodate his increased writing staff, currently numbering four. Slate “Parts Unknown" “Parts Unknown,” a story by Frances Parkinson Keyes, will be produced and directed for RKO by George Stevens. "Young Mr. Lincoln" Bows in ihe West Civic and cultural leaders mingled with the elite of the film colony in one of the important social events of Hollywood’s spring season when 20th Century-Fox’s “Young Mr. Lincoln” made its western bow at the Fox Wilshire Theatre. The event followed only shortly after the picture was given its world premiere in Lincoln’s birthplace, Springfield, 111., on Decoration Day. The affair here was embellished with all the swank, ballyhoo, distinguished guest lists, spotlights, orchids, ermines and tails that are customarily associated with a Hollywood opening. Traffic along Wilshire Blvd. was diverted before curtain time, and studio publicists arranged for a special lobby display of Lincolniana to enhance the atmosphere. Because of the theatre’s location, however, it was found impossible to construct grandstands for the benefit of rabid premiere fans and autograph hounds, who winged their prey from vantage points along the sidewalk. As a highlight of the program, Marian Anderson, noted colored singer, presented a concert of folksongs and classical selections, repeating the stint which she had already performed at the Springfield opening of the film. In the vanguard of the guests were Binnie Barnes, Alice Brady, Cesar Romero, Arleen Whelan and Eddie Collins, members of the “Young Mr. Lincoln” cast, who had just returned from appearing in a similarly honored capacity in Springfield. Henry Fonda, star of the production, was not among those, present, however, having left some weeks ago for a South American vacation. First-nighters included: The Darryl Zanucks, Y. Frank Freeman, Louis B. Mayer, Jack and Harry Warner, John Ford, Michael Curtiz, Mervyn LeRoy, Harry Cohn, Pandro Berman, W. S. Van Dyke, Raoul Walsh, Charles R. Rogers, Herbert Yates, Sol Wurtzel, Cliff Work, Walter Wanger, Samuel Goldwyn, Tyrone Power and Annabella, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck, Douglas Fairbanks jr„ and Mrs. Fairbanks, Alice Faye, Arthur Hornblow jr., and Myrna Loy, and literally hundreds of other film names. Picture was slated to go into its continuous run at regular prices June 3, day-date with Loew’s State Theatre downtown, Top prices for the premiere were $5.50. Cinematographers Hold Sixth Annual Banquet The American Institute of Cinematography was to hold its sixth annual banquet late this week at the University of Southern California with Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Eddy and Norma Shearer among the honored guests. Others attending were to include Jack Warner, William de Mille, Mervyn LeRoy, Sol Lesser, Charles Skouras, Boris Morros and May Robson. Pommer and Rogers Confer — Erich Pommer, Mayflower Productions producer-director upon his arrival in New York, confers with Budd Rogers, American representative of Mayflower films which are released through Paramount. Pommer is in Hollywood to attend the Paramount sales convention. He will return to England within two weeks. 34 BOXOFFICE :: June 3, 1939