The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

11 WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY OPTIMISM REIGNS IN PARLEY NEW YORK CITY— A statement from William F. Rodgers, for the distributors committee, indicated a hopeful attitude, following conferences with units from Virginia, New York, Salt Lake City, Denver, California and Arizona. A release from Ed Kuykendall, president, MPTOA revealed that the body was optimistic over the rewriting of the proposals, particularly in the matter of cancellations, conciliation boards. No new meetings will be held until after the distributors get together with their lawyers. Kuykendall asked co-operation from all exhibitors in putting the proposals into effect. PIZOR REVEALS ANGLES PHILADELPHIA— UMPTO president Lewen Pizor, who participated in the parley between representatives of the MPTOA and the distributors in New York, declared that any memorandum agreed upon would be made retroactive to the beginning of the 1939-1940 season. Pizor declared that it was believed percentages on outright buys would be abolished and that a clarified, easier-tounderstand-memorandum would be available within the next few weeks. FOREIGN REVENUES DROPPING WASHINGTON — Revenues from foreign distribution of American pictures dropped eight per cent during 193 8, according to Nathan Golden, Department of Commerce official. He predicted an even more drastic drop during 193 9 because of political developments. RUSH FOR LEIGH PICTURES SEEN NEW YORK CITY— News that Vivian Leigh had been selected as Scarlett O’Hara in David O. Selznick’s "Gone With the Wind,” to be distributed by Metro, got an immediate reaction among exhibitors, with a rush expected for any pictures in which Miss Leigh had a prominent part. Two recent ones were Metro’s "A Yank at Oxford,” and UA’s "Fire Over England.” APRIL 17 SET NEW YORK CITY— Meetings between major companies’ representatives and the American Federation of Musicians in an effort to put musicians back to work ended, with the next sessions due April 17. Discussions lasted two hours, with 20th Century-Fox’s Sidney R. Kent, Paramount’s Barney Balaban, Universal’s Nate J. Blumberg, RKO’s George J. Schaefer, United Artists’ Harry Buckley, Columbia’s Leonard Picker, Warners’ Joseph Hazen conferring for the majors, with Pat Casey as chairman. Casey will meet with the musicians’ heads in the April get-together. UNITED ARTISTS MEETS HOLLYWOOD — Stockholders of United Artists Corporation, Samuel Goldwyn, Alexander Korda, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin, met here, with Murray Silverstone, chairman of the executive board, presiding. Discussion of future product and current matters occupied the attention. Production schedule will see the following pictures for 1939-1940: Sam Goldwyn, eight; Fairbanks-International, three; Charles Chaplin, one; Alexander Korda, two; Edward Small, five; Walter Wanger, six; Selznick-International, six. Plans to make a play for the South American market as well as arranging for a producers fund were also discussed by the company executives. “Jesse lames” Leads New York City Grosses 20th Century-Fox Entrant Close to "Alexander” Weekend reports on New York City business revealed that 20 th CenturyFox’s "Jesse James” led the town, with the opening days at the Roxy approaching the sensational business set by "Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” Theatre played to 83,300 people on the weekend from Friday through Sunday, with the gross $40,024, only $1000 less than "Alexander” in the same period. Alexander” also had the advantage of weather, "Jesse James” opening during the worst snowstorm of the year. Saturdays’ attendance was 17,402. Credit for the business was given the outstanding ad campaign. Other gross reports are: GOING PLACES” (Warners) Strand — $21,000 Friday through Sunday on the second weekend. "THE LADY VANISHES” (GB) Globe — $45 00 Saturday through Sunday, good business. 'PYGMALION (Metro) Astor — In the seventh week of the run, $1 5,5 00, good business, near capacity. "TRADE WINDS” (UA) Radio City Music Hall — $54,000 Thursday through Sunday. "MARIE ANTOINETTE” (Metro) Capitol — In the first week of the popular priced engagement, "nice business” reported. "THE BEACHCOMBER” (Paramount Rivoli — $9,0000 Saturday and Sunday of the fourth week, good business. "KING OF THE UNDERWORLD” (Warners) Rialto — No gross given but house indicated business is good. "ZAZA” (Paramount) Paramount — $21,000 for the second weekend, with Benny Goodman’s band. Weather was not so good, generally, with the heaviest snow of 193 9 cutting into grosses generally. Stage shows at Strand, Radio City Music Hall, Paramount. WEEKEND PREVIEWS Last minute reviews from the Coast and eastern projection rooms are as follows: FIGHTING THOROBREDS (Republic)— Ralph Byrd, Mary Carlisle, Robert Allen, 6 5 m. Nicely told horse race story is a pleasant dualler, particularly for nabes. CODE OF THE FEARLESS (Spectrum)— Fred Scott. Claire Rochelle. 66m. Typical western. THE MYSTERIOUS MISS X (Republic)— Michael Whalen, Mary Hart, Chic Chandler, Mabel Todd. 62m. Tongue in cheek murder mystery is a pleasant dualler. CONVICT’S CODE (Monogram) — Robert Kent, Ann Nagel. 62m. Just a dualler, for the lower half, a tale of a paroled convict who eventually clears himself. DOUBLE DIVING (Metro)— 8m. Pete Smith again goes to town with an aquatic short. January IS, 19)9 TRI