The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

13 Pathe Stockholders Say “No"on Dissolution Plan President Briggs Will Offer New Idea Inasmuch as only 60% of the stockholders voted in favor of the plan, the proposed dissolution move of Pathe Film Corporation met defeat when a vote was taken December 13. Approximately 80% favorable vote was necessary for adoption. President O. Henry Briggs indicated that a new plan would be offered, with a new offer to stockholders to take over the laboratory business. Previously, an attempt of DuPont interests to stop the vote was denied by the courts, paving the way for the meeting. Davee Given Motiograph Post Appointment of Lawrence W. Davee to the post of eastern sales manager of Motiograph, Inc., was announced last week by Joseph B. Kleckner, president. Davee, who has been variously engaged in the production, exhibition phases of motion pictures since the advent of sound, is widely known in the industry. At present, he is a member of the board of governors, treasurer of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers. In his new duties with Motiograph h? will concentrate on field assistance to th? company’s dealers in the eastern section of the United States. Anthem in Warner Houses "The Star-Spangled Banner” is now being played in every Warner theatre every day, following an announcement last week by general manager Joseph Bernhard. “Carnet de Bal” Sets Record "Life Dances On” (Un Carnet de Bal) , released through the Columbia Famous Foreign Features Department of the company last week is setting a record for playdates. The production has been booked for first-run bookings in 1 8 key spots. December 21, 19)8 Lawrence W. Davee Newly appointed Motiograph eastern sales manager WEEKEND GROSSES Weekend grosses as reported to The Exhibitor by wire from the offices reveals the following: PYGMALION (Metro): Handled 45,500 admissions first week at Astor, with capacity reported every show during first few days of second week at Astor on grind policy. Plenty of standees. OUT WEST WITH THE HARDYS (Metro): Capitol reports good business in second week of run. FLIRTING WITH FATE (Metro): Criterion reported a fair weekend with picture. THE DUKE OF WEST POINT (UA) : Radio City Music Hall reported doing a "very good” $52,000 weekend. THANKS FOR THE MEMORY (Paramount): Paramount reports $30,000 second weekend, fair business. ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES (Warners): Friday through Sunday business of fourth weekend of New York Strand booking has $21,000 as the business. Four weeks gross is estimated at $170,000. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING (20th Century-Fox) : Roxy reported nice second week opening business. Stage shows at Paramount, Music Hall, Strand, Roxy. Business generally was affected by the preChristmas lull. ...HINTS ON OPENING DAY ADVERTISING ON PAGE 18, IN THIS ISSUE WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS The New York City ITOA, in a letter to Metro sales manager W. F. Rogers, indicated that the trade memorandum does not satisfy it, inasmuch as the proposals fail to meet even those minimum points on which we appeared to be in agreement with your committee at our joint conferences.” Weekend hearing pointed to RKO’s not being out of receivership before well into 193 9. Further progress in the stockholders’ suit against Metro, Loew’s officials brought president Nicholas M. Schenck to the stand, who testified the reason for the company’s success is the brains, personalities in the organization. FFe said these were sold to exhibitors. Fie also defended the salaries given to certain executives because of their merit. Meanwhile, another suit was filed for an accounting on behalf of two stockholders. Paramount, through Neil F. Agnew, sales manager, announced 18 pictures completed, eight in production, with 26 feature attractions in its January to May release schedule. E. W. Hammons, president, Educational-Grand National, announced completion of negotiations with David Beidermann for a series of cartoons to feature monkey, chimp nephews appearing on various magazine covers, posters. Eight will be released this season , 12 each season thereafter . U. B. Iwerks will direct. Three have been finished. National Board of Review selected 193 8 bests: "The Citadel” best of the year; "Grand Illusion” best foreign, best from any country. Tops, English: "The Citadel,” "Snow White,” "The Beachcomber,” "To the Victor,” " Sing You Sinners,” "Edge of the World,” "Of Human Hearts,” "Jezebel,” "South Riding,” "Three Comrades.” Foreign: " Grand Illusion,” " Ballerina ,” "Un Carnet de Bal,” "Generals Without Buttons,” ” Peter I,” " Professor Mamlock.” Philadelphia exhibitors took steps to fight film footage tax bill introduced to help relieve city’s financial jam. Bill is similar to that introduced a few years back. Weekend reviews included Paramount’s "Paris Honeymoon,” with Bing Crosby, Franciska Gaal, Akim Tantiroff, Shirley Ross, Edward Everett Horton, Ben Blue, (84 m.) not in the best Crosby tradition; "The Duke of West Po’nt,” with Louis Hayward, Tom Brown, Richard Carlson, Joan Fontaine, Alan Curtis, (105 m.) a high rating service school production ; 20 th Century-Fox’s "Kentucky,” with Loretta Young. Richard Greene. Walter Brennan, Douglas Dumbrille, {96m.) rated a fop box office picture with plenty of selling appeal along all lines, including technicolor; Warners’ "Wings of the Navy.”’ with George Brent, Olivia de Havilland, John Payne (90m.) an exploitable programmer with the service angles for the main values. Stanley Company of America, Warner subsidiary, reported profit of $2,063,703 for the year ended August 27, 193 8. David E. Rose was appointed manager director of Paramount in United Kingdom, Ireland. Ben Agren was appointed comptroller of Monogram Pictures Corporation. He succeeds J. P. Friedhoff, who recently became treasurer. THE SHORTS. • • CHECK-UP A Regular EXHIBITOR Service TRI