Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1938)

Will Be "Blow" to Italy, Says Paper Des Moines — Attempts by Italian officials to obtain a film monopoly in their country at the expense of American companies will prove a “blow” to Italy in the long run, the Des Moines Register comments editorially. “The Italians apparently mean to take over the business for themselves sooner or later,” the paper says, “but this is too soon. According to American sources, the Italians produced less than 40 featurelength pictures last year. “For the American film industry, it would also be a blow. About 40 per cent of the profits from American motion pictures come from foreign sales, and Italy is still one of the good customers in spite of all restrictions. “The American public, however, may take it coolly. The tastes of foreign dictators indirectly influence American production. In order not to forego the ‘Gravy’ of foreign sales, many producers hesitate to put in anything that would offend the tender sensibilities of other nations. “Cornelius Vanderbilt told the recent teachers’ convention that he had made a lot of pictures of German concentration camps, and the Hays office wouldn’t let him show them. The projected films, ‘Per McManus Effects Tieup With Driving Campaign Kansas City — John McManus, manager of Loew’s Midland, tied in with an extremely “hot” local subject when he arranged with the Journal to award a complimentary ticket to careful drivers during the period between December 1 and Christmas. There has been a concerted drive on careless automobile driving in Kansas City by police, newspapers, and civic leaders for several weeks. Three drivers whose careful and courteous driving are spotted by Sgt. Barney Mahoney of the police department’s traffic division, will receive a pair of ducats each day. Mahoney is in charge of the police department’s white safety car which tours the city daily keeping an eye on traffic and warning motorists by loudspeaker. Announcements of the awards will be made daily in the newspaper. Kaycee Variety Election Slated for Monday Night Kansas City — Chief Barker R. R. Biechele asks that all members of the Variety Club attend an important dinner meeting slated Monday night, December 12. An election of officers will highlight the evening’s business. Problems and policies for the coming year will be discussed. Biechele stresses that it is urgent for every member to be present in order to help plan a successful year. Toasting and Roasting for "Greatest Year” Campaign Minneapolis — Harold Field and Bennie Berger are owners of two of the largest and most successful independent theatre circuits in this section of the country. Their opinions relative to the industry’s Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year campaign are as opposite as the poles. Field approves the campaign highly — says it has been a great thing for the industry. Berger hasn’t a single good word to say for the drive. He claims it has been a complete “fizzle.” “Any concerted move on the entire industry’s part to boost film merits complete approbation,” says Field. “We should not judge the project on the failure or success of these initial efforts, but should attempt to gauge the potentialities which are almost unlimited. “I can’t say for sure if there has been any direct boxoffice help or gain in consequence of the drive. But I do know that it’s a step in the right direction of cooperation among all the branches of the industry to promote their mutual welfare.” “A waste of time, money and energy,” is Berger’s appraisal of the drive. “Not one constructive thing has been accomplished,” asserts Berger. "Not an extra nickel has been brought into the boxoffice. Just as I predicted at the outset, it hasn’t meant a single worthwhile thing. The idea behind it was bad and the execution worse. It not only wasn’t 100 per cent successful. It wasn’t even 5 per cent so. We must move in another direction the next time.” sonal History’ and ‘Exiles,’ were dropped entirely, and ‘Men With Wings’ was toned down. “The production code adopted by the American industry in 1930 and administered by the Hays office says merely: “ ‘The history, institutions, prominent people and citizenry of other nations shall be represented fairly.’ “But the only fairness that will satisfy at once the Hays office, our melting pot public, and the foreign dictators is a blank sheet. No wonder movies are limited to so few types of stories.” Ed. Note: America’s major production companies will withdraw completely from the Italian market by December 31, according to a dispatch from New York last week. "THEY'RE HERE" THE TWO MOST OUTSTANDING THEATRE PREMIUMS OF ALL TIME. ROYAL ETCHED GOLD DINNERWARE The Most Expensive Service Ever Given in Any Theatre. 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