Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

No End in Sight for IA-Local Squabble Four weeks of testimony, examinations and cross-examinations are apparently destined to be stretched out for an indefinite period in the superior court battle between the IATSE and the ousted officers of Local 37 for control of that studio union. Neither side, from all indications, has yet gained a definite edge in the fight. Highlight of recent developments in the fracas was the deposition secured in Tucson, Ariz., from George Browne, IA international president, in which he stated he had the unanimous consent of the IA’s general executive council in declaring an “emergency” and seizing control of Local 37 last March. Testimony on behalf of the local was presented by Guy H. Cooper, deposed secretary, and by Herbert Sorrell, business representative of the studio painters’ union. Meantime, while Local 37’s ousted officers were seeking to prevent producer recognition of the five new unions created by the IA after 37’s charter was revoked, one of the quintet of new crafts held its election of officers and the remaining four were scheduling plans for immediate elections. Hearing of contempt charges against IA officials for allegedly violating injunction orders secured against them has been postponed until June 22. Protest FTP Curtailment A telegraphic protest against the Congressional proposal to curtail or eliminate the Federal Theatre Project, signed by President Ralph Morgan, was sent by the Screen Actors Guild to the heads of the Senate and House appropriations committee. Morgan’s message declared any such action would create “a most serious problem” because of already overcrowded employment conditions. A bill giving the SAG authority to arbitrate disputes between agents and their clients was, as had been confidently expected, signed by Gov. Culbert Olson, thus paving the way for expediting negotiations between the actors and the Artists Managers Guild for an agency licensing plan. Kenneth Thomson, SAG executive secretary, returns from New York next week, where he sat in on conferences concerning proposals to reorganize the Associated Actors and Artistes of America into one large union. SAG members were in receipt of the official monthly bulletin for June, which detailed various develop ments, including the work of the producer-actor standing committee, changes in work-permit rules for extras and other organizational information. A new working agreement for members of the American Society of Cinematographers has been approved by the producers and is now in the hands of the ASC. The studio carpenters scheduled their annual election, with William E. Castle nominated without opposition for re-election as business representative. The national labor relations board has set July 10 as the hearing date on the Screen Cartoon Guild’s request to be designated bargaining agent for cartoonists at M-G-M. Screen Publicists Guild and producer negotiating committees are still deadlocked over terms of a proposed working code. The executive board of the Screen Writers Guild met to discuss its forthcoming NLRB hearing, date for which has not been set. The Screen Playwrights have deferred any further membership meetings until John Lee Mahin, president, returns from his extended vacation. Produce Lite of Poe Warner has announced plans to produce “Edgar Allan Poe,” based on the life of the noted American poet, with Claude Rains set for the title role. Crane Wilbur will direct. World War Story “The Fighting 69th,” World War story based on the adventures of Father Duffy, will be produced for Warner by William Jacobs. Rosson's Films Are With Sheehan The 20,000 feet of film, shooting of which near Vienna and other Austrian cities caused German authorities to detain Director Richard Rosson, his wife and cameramen for more than three weeks, has been received byWinfield Sheehan, Metro producer. To be used in Sheehan's production of "Florian," the film had already been shipped to America, but was returned to Berlin for inspection at the time of Rosson's arrest. The director was held by German authorities on the charge he had photographed scenes outside the district covered by his official permits. 20ih-Fox's Product Parley Postponed The sales and production confabs scheduled at 20th Century-Fox between Herman Wobber, company sales manager, Darryl Zanuck and other studio executives were postponed when Zanuck and William Goetz, his executive assistant, planed east for special business conferences with Joseph M. Schenck on the new season’s lineup and other affairs. Wobber, set to leave New York June 10 for Hollywood, canceled his plans and was expected to accompany Zanuck and Goetz on their return to the coast. Wobber will remain here a week or more. He will be joined by Charles McCarthy, advertisingpublicity director, Roger Ferri, editor of the house organ. Dynamo, and Morton Levy, midwestern district sales manager. Planning to attend the Allied States national exhibitor convention in Minneapolis, Gradwell Sears, sales chief for Warner, terminated his studio visit. He planned to stop off in Omaha for conferences with Sid Rose, Warner district manager there, and goes on to New York from the Allied pow-wow. Sears spent nearly two weeks in Hollywood conferring with his western district sales personnel relevant to his announcement that Warner will sell its 1939-40 product away from the Fox West Coast circuit. Louis Hyman, head of distribution for Sol Lesser’s Principal Productions, left for New York with a print of “Way Down South,” the latest Bobby Breen starrer, for delivery to the RKO Radio homeoffice. Scouting for talent for his next directorial assignment, Andrew L. Stone planed out for Manhattan. He is slated to pilot “Victor Herbert” at Paramount, production to start July 30, with Allan Jones and Mary Martin in the top roles. Quimby Closes Cartoon Studio Until July 5 Metro’s cartoon studio, under the supervision of Fred Quimby, will shut down for a vacation from June 17 to July 5, to permit extensive alterations and additions to be made to handle the new season’s output. Deliveries are now being made at the rate of one release every three weeks. The Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising story units, however, will remain open. “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” is rapidly being completed for release. BOXOFFICE :: June 17, 1939 H 31