Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

GN Is Abandoned by Golden West Unit Another setback to Grand National’s production-distribution plans for the 1939-40 season, involving the loss of eight westerns scheduled to be delivered to GN by Golden West Pictures, has been reported from a reliable source and given confirmation through the disclosure that Golden West has pulled up stakes and abandoned office and production space at the GN studio. Although neither GN nor Golden West officials could be reached for confirmation, it was declared by the same informant that Golden West backed away from the deal because of its belief that GN’s financial condition at present and its prospects for the future are too precarious to warrant consummation of the contract. It was believed that Charles E. Goetz, head of Golden West, had returned to Phoenix, Ariz., where the company was organized and where its first picture, “Arizona Thoroughbred,” was filmed. First of the eight slated for GN distribution, it has not and will not be turned over to that company, the informant said. According to latest reports reaching the coast. President E. W. Hammons of GN has not yet secured his expected $400,000 RFC loan, upon delivery of which is based another $750,000 loan scheduled to be made by Felt & Co., eastern financiers, for the purpose of strengthening GN’s distribution system, setting up a fund for production and making payments to creditors. The studio is still being operated by a skeleton maintenance staff. Meantime detailed plans for filming “Angela Is 22” are being discussed here by Jack Skirball, former GN production head, with John Wildberg, stage impresario and Skirball’s partner in the newly-organized Knickerbocker Productions. For Columbia release, the film version of Sinclair Lewis’ play will probably be made in New York City. Another former GN associate, Ray Friedgen, also checked in from the east for an extended stay, during which he intends to lay plans for re-entering production. He was at one time an associate producer for GN. Story and Art of Telling It Stressed by Dietz New York — Films are poor when the stories are poor or poorly written, Howard Dietz, M-G-M’s director of advertising and publicity, told a New York University class taking a motion picture course. He was guest of honor at the opening lecture on “The Cinema as Literary Art.” Motion picture art will come to full flower when a film is “the unique result of a unique temperament,” Dietz said, giving as his opinion that the techniques of “cinematography and acting are subservient to the story to be told and the literary art of telling it.” He urged that films should aspire original contributions from all sources. The Winners — Four who contributed to the success of “Stanley and Living stojie" pause to admire the Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Awards presented thein when the National Screeri Council voted the 2Qth Century-Fox picture the best release during the month of August. Displaying their plaques are (top to bottom) Kenneth Macgowan, producer; Henry King, director; Richard Greene, and Nayicy Kelly, who had important roles in the adventure film. Schaefer Checks In For Conferences After twice postponing his scheduled visit. President George J. Schaefer of RKO Radio finally checked in at the studio for two weeks of executive conferences with J. R. McDonough, Pandro Berman and othei’S. The company’s outlook in relation to the European war, a parley with Harold Lloyd concerning the vehicle to be chosen for the latter’s initial production for RKO Radio release, and the course to be pursued following Berman’s scheduled departure as production chief, are on Schaefer’s docket. McDonough, called east by his mother’s illness, returned to the coast to greet the company president. Another delayed arrival was that of Herbert J. Yates, Republic head man, at the North Hollywood plant, who came in to discuss production plans with M. J. Siegel, who is in charge of the company’s output. The matter of possible budget revisions and other changes in procedure to cope with the foreign situation have been hanging fire for several weeks awaiting Yates’ arrival. Confirms Work's Announcement Confirmation of Cliff Work’s announcement, following his return to Universal after homeoffice conferences, that there would be no change in the production and personnel setup at the studio was brought from the east by Matty Fox, Work’s assistant, when he checked in from seven weeks of eastern huddles. Concluding a series of studio conferences with Scott R. Dunlap and other executives, W. Ray Johnston, Monogram president, has returned to New York, accompanied by George West, Monogram franchise holder. The executives spent the majority of their time discussing the future production lineup for the studio, which Johnston had already indicated would not be affected by the foreign situation. Also checking out was James Mulvey, New York representative for Samuel Goldwyn, who spent a week here in conference with Goldwyn and James Roosevelt. Having picked up considerable background material for “Our Town,” his first production for United Artists, Sol Lesser has returned from the east. He motored through the New England states in search of atmosphere and devoted a portion of his time to parleys with his eastern representatives. Send 200 on Location to Make "Biscuit Eater" Cited as the most elaborate location jaunt undertaken by the studio in five years. Paramount will send Director Stuart Heisler and a company of more than 200 to Albany, Ga., early in October to film “The Biscuit Eater” for Producer Jack Moss. Cordell Hickman, eight-year-old colored boy, has been signed for one of the leading roles. BOXOFFICE : : September 23, 1939 45