The Exhibitor (Jun-Oct 1939)

10 THE EXHIBITOR Number 41 of a Series: NORMAN LEWIS Operating a String of Philadelphia Theatres "These are the days of grave im¬ portance within our industry and I find that the editorial policy of THE EXHIBITOR is one which definitely deserves the respect of every exhib¬ itor. As an independent exhibitor, I need a trade-paper which acts as a fair forum for industry issues, and THE EXHIBITOR fills the bill— in ad¬ dition to giving the 100% services every exhibitor needs." Nearly every Exhibitor reads THE EXHIBITOR! AN INVITATION Throughout 193 9, expressions of praise, comment, criticism or sug¬ gestion from our many Exhibitor Friends will be carried in similar form in every issue. W.e welcome the expression of every reader and will use them in the order in which they are received. Pioneers Club Lists Additional Members Men From Other Areas Added New York City — Three names were added to the executive committee of the Picture Pioneers at a luncheon meeting over which Jack Cohn, vice-president, Columbia, presided here last week. Additions to the committee which acts as the board of directors of the film industry’s newest club are Terry Ramsaye, Leon Netter and Harry Buxbaum. This brings the membership of the com¬ mittee up to 11 men. Success of the first "conference” of the Picture Pioneers, plus the demand on the part of the members that the second meeting be held in the near future, re¬ sulted in the decision to hold it some time during September. Acting as spokesman for the executice committee, Jack Cohn, "House Man¬ ager,” stated that the Charter Member¬ ship list would remain open until the September conference. This is because of the number of eligibles who were overlooked prior to the initial meeting. As a consequence the members of the committee acted favorably upon the ap¬ plications of 1 5 men. New members are Phil Reisman, William Fox, Joseph Roth¬ man, J. A. Hopfenberg, Charles J. Gribbon, Lou Rydell, Bert Ennis, Adolph Haas, David A. Levy, Nat Beier, Elmore D. Heins, W. N. Skirball, Henri Elman, Alan Freedman, Morris Joseph. Applications received prior to the next meeting of the executive committee, which will be held in two weeks, will be acted upon in time for the September Conference. So many requests have been received from men eligible for member¬ ship but who live out of town, that it has been decided to allow out-of-towners to join the group. 20th Century-Fox Wins Suit London — The Privy Council last week dismissed the appeal of Francis Day and Hunter, Ltd., in an action against 20th Century-Fox arising out of the use of the title, "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo.” After hearing counsel for the plaintiff The Privy Council decided it was unnec¬ essary to hear counsel for the film com¬ pany and stated that they would file a formal opinion later. The decision is considered of great importance to the American film in¬ dustry. Edwin P. Kilroe, 20th Century-Fox copyright adviser, who arrived in Lon¬ don to make a survey of European senti¬ ment with reference to the conference to be held in Brussels in 1940 to amend the Berne Convention, was present. Alliance Offers 12 On 1939-1940 Program Rogers Lists Schedule of Product New York City — Alliance Films Corporation will release a minimum of 12 pictures this season, according to an¬ nouncement from Budd Rogers, vicepresident and general manager, last week. Alliance will operate its own New York exchange in the Film Center under the supervision of Arthur Greenblatt, assistant to Rogers. Rogers is now negotiating with estab¬ lished independent distributors for terri¬ torial rights, on a franchise basis, for the rest of the country. The first Alliance release will be “The Warn¬ ing.” This will be sold as an individual subject, independently of the 12 pictures. Second release will be “Black Limelight,” star¬ ring Raymond Massey. Third subject, “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” fea¬ tures Emlyn Williams and Hugh Williams. Otto Kruger is the star of “The Housemaster.” There will be two Edgar Wallace Scotland Yard melodramas, “The Terror,” and "Mystery of Room 13.” Otto Kruger and Gertrude Michael are the stars of “The Hidden Menace.” Kruger also appears with Mary Maguire in “Black Eyes.” "Spies of the Air” is based on the celebrated stage success by Jeffrey Doll. “Just Like a Woman” is a comedy melodrama, featuring Gertrude Michael and John Lodge. “One Night In Paris” is a melodrama. Its stars are John Lodge and Hugh Williams. "Little Miss Molly” is a comedy featuring Maureen O’Hara. "Luck of the Navy” tells the story of espion¬ age in the Navy. Budd Rogers also announced that in addition to "The Warning,” and the 12 specials, Alliance wdl release a number of individual featurettes and specially selected shorts. RKO-Birdwell Deal New York City — George J. Schaefer, president, RKO, last week announced the closing of a special deal with Russell Birdwell and Associates of Hollywood and New York, whereby that firm will handle a special advance publicity cam¬ paign on one of RKO-Radio’s outstand¬ ing productions of the year. Picture singled out for special world-wide ex¬ ploitation, because of its international scope and wide-spread interest both here and abroad, is Herbert Wilcox’s "Nurse Edith Cavell.” U Sets Australia New York City — Joe Seidelman, Uni¬ versal foreign chief, announced this week on arriving in this country that a three-year deal with Associated British in New Zealand and Australia had been closed. Ten pictures are involved. Quebec Repeal Advances Quebec — The City Council last week gave first reading to a bill abolishing the 10 per cent tax which caused the 11 the¬ atres of the city to close for five weeks. July 26, 1939