Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1938)

FILM-RADIO AMITY JARRED BY KECA-METRO TIFF Charge for "Antoinette" Broadcast Causes Dispute Indicating that the closely-forged chain between radio and motion pictures as sister entertainment industries may be weakening, and presaging a possible schism in the heretofore cooperative relationships between the two, Station KECA, a National Broadcasting Co. affiliate, and M-G-M enlivened Radio Row and the film capital by engaging in a duel of considerable importance over the air time alloted to Metro’s premiere of “Marie Antoinette.” A one-hour period had been set aside by NBC to carry a commentary account of the first-night events at the Carthay Circle Theatre, available to all network stations which desired to air the event on a sustaining basis. KECA, designated as the local outlet, informed Metro through Har-. rison Holloway, general manager, that the premiere broadcast would be released locally only at the station’s regular commercial rate. Spectators conceded the victory to KECA when M-G-M, under protest, dug into its coffers and paid. Holloway’s action received the official support of Don Gilman, NBC’s western division manager, who pointed out that the network has no authority to compel its affiliated stations to release any such programs on a sustaining basis. Students of the film-radio situation are now occupying themselves by trying to predict in what way, if any, motion pictures will be able to hit back at this new ban on free air time for premieres and other film capital events, heretofore considered a natural adjunct to such Hollywood attractions. Whether other local stations, both independents and those affiliated with other networks, will fall in line with KECA’s policy was also a conversational and conjectural topic. Three radio personalities were handed new contracts by their respective sponsors during the week. Of precedental importance was the agreement signed by screenradio crooner Bing Crosby, given a straight 10-year agreement without options by his Kraft bankroller — believed to be the longest pact ever given in broadcasting history. George McCall, dispenser of Hollywood gossip, has been optioned for another 13 weeks by his Old Gold sponsors, effective August 16 and carrying him through November 10. Jean Hersholt bagged a 26week renewal of his “Dr. Christian” air series and will resume microphone activity October 18 over the Columbia network. Other preparations for a return to activity in the fall found George Burns signing Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby as a writing-composing duo to augment his radio staff when he and Gracie Allen initiate their new series under new sponsorship. Next week the mid-summer broadcasting A Big " Antoinette " Week Seen Based on M-G-M's announcement of business done by "Marie Antoinette" in the first four days of its roadshow engagement at the Carthay Circle Theatre, it is estimated that the Norma Shearer feature will finish its first week with a take between $18,000 and $19,000. lull will be disturbed somewhat by the launching of a new variety series from KNX, a CBS affiliate, starring Robert Benchley, author-actor, under Texaco sponsorship. Producer Martin Gosch handled the deal, which runs for a minimum of 13 weeks. Personnel changes found Clyde P. Scott being appointed general sales manager of KFI-KECA by Harrison Holloway, effective August 11, succeeding Carl Haverlin, who resigned late last week. Scott has been an executive with a local advertising agency. Business and vacation have called Lewis Allen Weiss, general manager of the Don Lee-Mutual network, east, accompanied by his family, for a three-week stay. Fill Relief Coffers With Sport Events The film capital is turning to the great outdoors and the world of sports as the principal sources which it will draw upon in continuing charity and relief work throughout the summer. To swell the coffers of the Motion Picture Relief Fund, a charity polo game has been scheduled for Sunday at the Uplifters Ranch, with Ginger Rogers and Joan Bennett as honorary captains of rival teams. Spencer Tracy, Jimmie Gleason, W. E. Branch and Johnnie Brandeis will comprise the first-stringers of the Rogers squad, while Tim Holt and Walter Wanger have been set to ride for Miss Bennett. Jack Benny will be master of ceremonies and a giant barbecue will follow the match. Joan Crawford, a vicepresident of the Relief Fund, is handling arrangements. On July 30 Wrigley Field will be the scene of the annual Comedians-Leading Men baseball debacle, funds from which will be turned over to the Mt. Siani Hospital and clinic. Joe E. Brown, horsehider deluxe, will captain such comics as Benny Rubin, Parkyakarkus, Charlie Ruggles, Billy Gilbert, the Ritz Brothers, Andy Devine, Jack Benny and Jimmy Durante; while Dick Powell will serve as the Crooning Captain of such film heroes as John Boles, Fred Astaire, George Raft, Edward G. Robinson and Lee Tracy. Republic Assigns Schlom Herman Schlom has been named associate producer on the Gloria Swanson comeback vehicle, “Lady in the News.” Film Chiefs Keeping Up Visits to Coast Incoming and outgoing trains were bearing their accustomed loads of arriving and departing film executives this week. New York bound after more than two weeks here was Robert Gillham, Paramount’s advertising and publicity chieftain. While here he not only checked over current and forthcoming product and mapped out exploitation campaigns for the new pictures, but also appointed Herb Moulton as his personal representative and contact over the studio’s advertisingpublicity staffs. After a few days here conferring with Scott R. Dunlap anent production and distribution schedules, George Weeks, Monogram’s sales manager, pulled out for San Francisco and a circuit of the company’s coast exchanges, after which he returns to New York. Conferences with the Monogram board of directors on details of the heavy production program for 1938-39 will call Scott R. Dunlap, production chief, to New York next week. He has been huddling with William Jaffe, company’s legal counsel, here for several days. In to discuss business and financial matters with Walt Disney are Kay Kamen, who is in charge of commercial and exploitation tieups for Disney’s cartoon characters, and Gunther Lessing, the cartoon-maker’s legal counsel. Kamen headquarters in New York. The horses at Hollywood Park will vie with production activities at Selznick International as the center of interest for John Hay Whitney, chairman of the S-I board, who trained in for a four-week stay. Weekend Call From Kent Takes Hays to New York A sudden call from Sidney R. Kent in New York over the weekend found Will Hays of the producers association interrupting his annual summer visit by planing east and leaving current business here unattended for a few days. Local Hays office spokesmen reported that Hays had been asked by Kent to sit in on conferences in New York of the committee appointed to attempt conciliation in the current independent exhibitor squawks there against alleged distribution abuses by major companies. Meanwhile, a veil of secrecy still shrouds Hays’ activities here. Aside from attending a meeting of the association soon after his arrival, he has studied current industry problems in impenetrable silence. He was expected to return from Gotham late this week. 32 BOXOFFICE :: July 16, 1938