The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

12 THE NATIONAL MIRROR Number 18 of a Series: ISAAC LEVY Operator of 6 Trenton, New Jersey, Theatres "I have been a subscriber to THE EXHIBITOR for years and use it as a guide knowing that I can rely on your statements being very accurate and unbiased opinion. Your editorials are very accurate for both sides and versions, and I consider the magazine very valuable at all times.” Nearly every Exhibitor reads THE EXHIBITOR! AN INVITATION Throughout 1 93 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 ini the order in which they are. received. Universal All Set for Rest of 1938-1939 Letter to Exhibs Announces Product A preview of forthcoming Universal product came last week from the coast studios in a letter to prominent exhibitors listing pictures on which the company is banking heavily. Highlights of the complete report as furnished by Matty Fox are: YOU CAN’T CHEAT AN HONEST MAN— W. C. Fields, Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, clocked with 300 laughs at a preview, sprinkled with box office dust, a February release. SPIRIT OF CULVER— Jackie Coope’r, Freddie Bartholomew, Henry Hull, Gene Reynolds, Andy Devine, with a background of Culver Military Academy, "played with a keynote of sincerity and spirit that makes one proud to be American,” a March release. SOCIETY SMUGGLERS — Preston Foster, Irene Hervey, Walter Woolf King, Frank Jenks, Fred Keating, a story of diamond smugglers, a February release. RISKY BUSINESS — George Murphy, Dorothea Kent, Leon Ames, “a fast moving exciting story of a radio commentator, a la Winchell a champion of the people,” a March release. THREE SMART GIRLS GROW UP— Deanna Durbin, Nan Grey, Helen Parrish, Charles Winninger, Robert Cummings, William Lundigan, directed by Henry Koster and produced by Joe Pasternack, "a top parcel of entertainment with box office appeal,” a March release. EAST SIDE OF HEAVEN— Bing Crosby, Mischa Auer, Joan Blondell, A. Aubrey Smith, Irene Hervey, "unquestionably the most down to earth picture in which Crosby has appeared,” an April release. HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY— No cast is listed for this story of mistaken identity, a May 'release. EX-CHAMP — George Bancroft heads the cast of this prize fight father and son story, a June release. DESTRY RIDES AGAIN — James Stewart as the lead of this modern Robin Hood tale, a July or August release. FAMILY NEXT DOOR — Hugh Herbert, Helen Broderick, Joy Hodges, Eddie Quillan, Juanita Quigley in a screwy family story, an April release. GIVE US WINGS — An action service story, listed as a summer release. BIG TOWN CZAR — Barton MacLane as the sure-thing gambler and racketeer, an August release. MODERN CINDERELLA— Irene Dunne in a John Stahl production of a young waitress who marries a socialite millionaire, a summer release. I STOLE A MILLION — Based on the life of Roy Gardner, the train robber, this will be a spring release. CODE OF THE STREETS— Frankie Thomas heads the cast of the Little Tough Guys story, a May release. FIRST LOVE — Deanna Durbin, Charles Boyer, with Koster and Pasternack handling the picture, an August release. The 1939-1940 releases will go into production beginning in late spring. The new season’s productions will be announced early this month. Credit is given president Nate Blumberg, Cliff Work and others who have reorganized the studio setup in seven months. A statement from president Nate Blumberg last week said: "We sneak previewed 'Spirit of Culver’ and the audience reaction gave me the greatest thrill I have had since coming into Universal. Over 500 comment cards were raves. A dramatic father and son story played in a military background, it has all of the zest and spirit of youth. In addition to being highly entertaining, it has the most timely theme of Americanism. The performance of the actors and the direction are superb. 1 predict this to be one of the outstanding box office attractions of the season. We are so anxious that everyone profits by its entertainment and box office values that we have advanced the release date to March 10.” Universal Branch Heads Pushing McCarthy Drive Eastern Division Chief Being Honored Film men of the eastern area are lending their support this month to the drive instituted in honor of Frank J. A. McCarthy, eastern division manager for Universal. Reason for the big push is a drive for play date and charges. It opened February 26 and continues until April 22. Frank J. A. McCarthy . . . being honored This is the first time that McCarthy has been honored in such fashion. Likewise, western division chief W. J. Heineman is the recipient of a similar drive in the west. District manager Al Herman has been traveling through the territory of late setting the branches for the big push. Furthermore, with a big assortment of U hits coming up, (see other story in this section) the drive will get another big impetus. Branch managers in the offices covered by Frank J. A. McCarthy are bending every effort to make this push a real one. 40 and 16 from Columbia Columbia will make 40 features and 16 westerns next season, it was indicated last week following a Coast parley of executives. March 1, 19)9