The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

THE NATIONAL MIRROR 15 ‘Snow White ’Voted Tops in Trade-Critics’ Poli "Film Daily” Selections Give Metro Leadership In the Film Daily poll, wherein 5 36 critics of the nation’s leading newspapers filed their opinions on the "10 best” motion pictures of 1938, the Walt Disney production of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” topped all flesh-and -blood shadow-dramas, being listed on 419 (or 78.2 percent) of the ballots, it was revealed last week. The other nine bests, in order, are Columbia’s "You Can’t Take It With You,” 20th Century-Fox’s "Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” Metro’s "Boys Town,” Metro’s "Marie Antoinette,” 20th Century-Fox’s "In Old Chicago,” Warners’ "The Adventures of Robin Hood,” Metro’s imported "The Citadel,” Metro’s "Love Finds Andy Hardy,” United Artists’ "The Hurricane.” Other pictures, on the Honor Roll, receiving mention on at least 10 percent of the ballots, were Warners’ "Four Daughters,” Metro’s "Test Pilot,” Warners’ "Jezebel,” Paramount’s "If I Were King,” Paramount’s "Wells Fargo,” United Artists’ "Algiers,” Metro’s "Three Comrades,” Universal’s "Mad About Music,” 20th Century-Fox’s "Suez,” Metro’s "Of Human Hearts,” Paramount’s "The Buccaneer.” Thirty-nine others are listed on the Honor Roll. Warner Execs Leave for Coast A group of Warner home office executives left January 14 for Hollywood for conferences with the company’s West Coast executives on merchandising plans for forthcoming product on this season’s schedule, to set plans for the company’s production line-up for 1939-40. Executives were Gradwell L. Sears, general sales manager; S. S. Schneider, S. E. Morris, vice-president in charge of foreign distribution; Carl Leserman, assistant general sales manager; Mort Blumenstock, in charge of advertising, publicity in the east. At the Warner Burbank studios they will confer with president H. M. Warner, who will preside at these meets; J. L. Warner, vicepresident in charge of production; C. Einfeld, director of advertising, publicity. Variety Convention in April The annual national convention of the Variety Clubs of America will be held April 21-23 in Detroit, it was announced last week. Pathe Has New Plan for Stockholders’ Okay Expect to Get Approval After First Setback The board of directors of the Pathe Film Corporation will meet this week to present a new plan of corporate simplification. Under the new program no distribution of the company’s holdings of 3 5 per cent of the Du Pont Film Manufacturing Corporation is involved. E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company owns the remaining 6 5 per cent of the stock and has an agreement with Pathe Film under which it has the right to purchase the Du Pont Film shares at the same price offered by others. The 3,5 00 Du Pont Film shares will be the sole remaining asset of Pathe Film in the program of liquidation now contemplated. It is proposed to form a new company, which will receive $200,000 in cash for initial working capital, to take over the laboratories and other industrial assets of Pathe Film. Shares of the new company would be distributed pro rata among Pathe Film stockholders, as would the several other securities investments of Pathe Film with the exception of the Du Pont Film holdings. Sommerer Optimistic Over 1939 Radiating optimism for the motion picture industry as a whole, Harry L. Sommerer, RCA Photophone head, last week predicted that the trend toward theatre modernization would be accelerated during 193 9, because improved public sentiment should result in increased box office grosses, which in turn will provide the necessary funds for renovation, new construction. Sommerer reviewed RCA Photophone’s spectacular progress over more than a decade of service to the motion picture industry at the opening session of the RCA Photophone sales convention, in Camden, New Jersey, declared that the company’s plans called for a continuous program of engineering research, development to insure further progress. Anthem Reel Available In response to requests from exhibitors throughout the country who have asked for permission to use "The Star-Spangled Banner” reel, now played daily in all Warner theatres, Joseph Bernhard, general manager, Warner Brothers Theatres, announced last week that this clip will be available to any theatre operator in the United States. Number 3 of a Series: BEN AMSTERDAM Head of the ATLANTIC THEATRES, INC. Circuit of 10 key-town theatres throughout South Jersey. "I am very proud to be a life subscriber to THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITOR for the good I have been getting out of this publication. "The new policies adopted in your magazine within the last two years have been quite an improvement and helpful to all exhibitors. "May I particularly point to the editorials by Jay Emanuel which have always interested me, for the reason that they are so unbiased. Exhibitor, Producer and Distributor are all treated alike. In other words, I contend that the entire industry is benefited by the unbiased opinion expressed in your valuable magazine.” Nearly every Exhibitor reads THE~~EXHIBITOR ! AN INVITATION Throughout 193 9, expressions of praise, comment, criticism or suggestion 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. jamiary IS, 1939