Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1938)

Well-Financed, "U" Putting on Steam Hollywood — Universal has $2,500,000 available for production purposes and is now shooting full blast on the first batch of pictures in its new lineup. When J. Cheever Cowdin, chairman of the board, was in England he consummated a deal with Lord Portal and Maurice Woolf, and other interests identified with Universal, for $1,750,000. Prior to that. Commercial Bank and Trust Co. of New York extended $600,000. These sums, in addition to the steady flow of income from product now being released, gives the company strong financial support for carrying on at top speed. Cowdin returned to New York Tuesday by plane after a weekend visit with studio executives. Cowdin "Highly Pleased" With Studio Progress New York— Optimistic over studio operations, J. Cheever Cowdin, chairman of the Universal board, on his return from California, stated he was “highly pleased with the progress at Universal City” and took occasion to praise “Youth Takes a Fling,” already completed, and “That Certain Age,” “Service De Luxe” and “The Storm, in production. He also was enthusiastic about the next group .to go before the cameras, “You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man,” with W. C. Fields; “Rio,” to star Danielle Darrieux; “Three Smart Girls Grow Up,” to star Deanna Durbin, and “Destry Rides Again,” to be produced by Joe Pasternak. Director Has Praise For Universal Pace New York — Praise for the accomplishments made by Universal were made by Archie Mayo on his arrival from California after completing direction of “Youth Takes a Fling.” He sails Tuesday on the Statenda?n for a six-week vacation visiting the Scandinavian countries. “They have proved in 14 weeks that there is no mystery to this business,” he comments. “They are a swell bunch of guys out there and I hope they put it over.” His references are directed to Cliff Work, Matthew Fox and Milton Feld. “When I say this you understand I only made one picture for them and when I return from my vacation I report back to Samuel Goldwyn. Further, here’s a director saying this when usually he is at odds with producers. “I have nothing but praise for Universal. I believe exhibitors are going to get a shuffle from the company. What do you think about that?” 200 "Carefree" Dates New York— RKO reports 200 day and date bookings for “Carefree,” AstaireRogers musical, beginning Labor Day. The bookings are for key cities and resort towns. Does It Mean the Jackpot Drops? New York — Consolidated's Tivoli on Eighth Ave. had a thrilling marquee layout the other day. It said: "One Wild Night" "Accidents Will Happen" Screeno Tonight, $1,520. Successor to Drake Bg Erpi Board Due New York — Erpi will probably decide on a successor to the late Whitford Drake when the board meets the second week in September. Drake passed away at his summer home in Chatham, Mass., of a heart affliction after a lingering illness. He was 55 on August 19. During a recent trip abroad his condition took a turn for the worse and whitford drake forced an extension of his visit. Retiring from the navy in 1919, Drake became associated for three years with the Baltimore Drydocks Co. He then served for three years as factory manager for Winchester Repeating Arms Co. In 1925 he joined Western Electric, and later became vice-president of the newly formed Erpi. He was elected president two years ago. Drake married Evelyn Beardslee Rockwell in 1908. She survives, with a son, Rockwell, and a daughter, Helen; two brothers and two sisters. Funeral services were held Friday at the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest here. Meet on Dividend New York — Paramount’s board of directors will meet Monday to act on the first and second preferred dividend. The regular meeting was scheduled for last Thursday but due to several board members being out of town, it was put over to August 29. Frank Hawks Rites Redding, Conn. — Funeral services for Commander Frank Hawks, noted flier, were held here Friday. Hawks, who was killed in a crash at East Aurora, N. Y„ was starred in Columbia’s serial, “The Mysterious Pilot.” He was 41. Rites for John Capra Hollywood — Burial rites for John Capra, three-year-old son of Frank Capra, director, who died Wednesday night after a tonsillotomy, were conducted here over the weekend. Legion Is Warg of Films' Moral Tone New York — While recognizing the “improvement made in the moral character and tone” by the industry as well as its “progress by giving attention to the moral influence of its films,” the National Legion of Decency “views with grave apprehension those efforts now being made to utilize the cinema for the spread of ideas antagonistic, not only to traditional Christian morality but to all religion.” The Legion, therefore, “with every resource at its command, shall challenge any program using the popular theatre screen to exploit such insidious doctrines.” The warning came in the form of a statement issued by the Most Rev. John T. McNicholas, Archbishop of Cincinnati, chairman of the Episcopal Committee on Motion Pictures, on the occasion of the announcement that the industry “plans to increase attendance at theatres.” The statement declares the Legion is “concerned solely with the moral issue found in the subject matter of motion pictures and in its treatment. It must oppose the efforts of those who would make motion pictures an agency for the dissemination of the false, atheistic and immoral doctrines repeatedly condemned by all accepted moral teachers.” Seider Closes Deal lor Hall Interest in Three New York — Joseph M. Seider, head of Prudential Playhouses, has closed a deal for a half interest in three Rapf, Rudin and Lederer houses in New Jersey, the arrangement becoming effective September 1. The theatres are the Hawthorne, Hawthorne; Park, Caldwell; Cort, Somerville. Both circuits will jointly manage. Prudential for many years has operated in Princeton, N. J., although the bulk of its circuit is spread out over Long Island. RKO Palace Marks Silver Anniversary September 1 New York — On September 1, the RKO Palace on Broadway celebrates its 25th anniversary. The theatre was built by Martin Beck in the spring of 1913 and on September 1 of that year was taken over by E. F. Albee to become a pivotal part of the B. F. Keith circuit. In 1933, the policy was changed from straight vaudeville to two-a-day pictures and two years later double features were inaugurated, a program which continues to this day. Installs Kameragraph New York — The Chaloner, of the William Yoost circuit, has installed Kameragraph from the United States Premium Corp., national distributors. 22 BOXOFFICE :: August 27, 1938