The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

THE NATIONAL MIRROR 13 Dunlap Outlines New Monogram Program Takes Rap at New York City Critics Although the production schedule for next season won’t be officially announced until the New Orleans sales convention the first week in May, Monogram’s Scott Dunlap, vice-president in charge of production, declared last week that the company will probably produce 3 0 fulllength features, an increase of four over this season. He made no mention of westerns, 16 of which were made in 1938-39. Dunlap denied the rumor that Monogram would make some pictures in England, although he did say that he, W. Ray Johnston may go over there, study the field. He would give no figures as to the projected budget for the coming pictures, but said that Monogram’s budget is flexible enough to get the best out of what they have available. "We make the type of picture,” he stated, "that keeps us in business, keeps the theatres in business.” Dunlap then added costs have gone up at least 2 5 per cent, that there is labor unrest out on the Coast, although there is no immediate worry about a strike there. "Murder In The Big House,” inspired by the Reverend Father Patrick O’Neill’s heroic adventure during the Canon City, Colorado, prison break some years back, will be the next big picture. He expressed extreme satisfaction with the Tailspin Tommy series, of which there will be four a year. Monogram will continue to make four Wong pictures per year with Boris Karloff over a five-year span. Marcia Mae Jones, Jackie Moran, the two youngsters who impressed in "Barefoot Boy,” have been signed to take the leads in a series of film of the type of the old Charles Ray pictures. Dunlap expressed dissatisfaction with New York film critic’s unfair methods of reviewing movies. He left for the coast with W. Ray Johnston March 3, after both had appeared at the AMPA luncheon meeting. Paramount Television Trailers Taking advantage of its affiliations with the Allen DuMont Television Company, Paramount is planning to use the new DuMont transmitter now being tested at Montclair, New Jersey, and other television broadcasting units throughout the United States to merchandise Paramount Pictures through the medium of specially produced television trailers, Neil Agnew, vice-president in charge of sales, announced last week. The proposed trailers will differ materially from the regular theatre trailers. They will utilize the specially processed television” film developed by Paramount’s laboratory technicians and will be somewhat longer than the trailers now used in motion picture houses. It is planned to make these as entertaining as possible to television audiences while at the same time creating a real desire to see the parent production in the theatres of the country. Johnston Re-elected W. Ray Johnston was re-elected president of Monogram at a meeting of stockholders last week. Other elections were: Scott Dunlap, vice-president in charge of production; George Weeks, vice-president; Edward Golden, vice-president in charge of exchanges; Leon Fromkess, treasurer; Ben Agren, comptroller; Hugh Davis, assistant treasurer. Fromkess and Norton Ritchie have been added to the board, with all others re-elected. Madeline S. White was re-elected secretary. Date of the annual stockholders’ meeting was changed to the first Wednesday in October. Allied Makes Status Plain Allied States Association last we k issued a statement which explained its present position in regard to the industry parley. It said: "Inquiry has been received as to the status of the trade practice negotiations since no further proposals were received in time to permit Allied’s negotiating committee to make a final report before March I as required by the resolution of the board of directors. "1. The authority of Allied’s negotiating committee will expire at midnight, March 1. "2. The committee having no further report to make, the board of directors will not be convened. "3. The distributors are free to submit any further proposals to the general counsel who will forward them by mail to the directors for such action as they may see fit to take.” Quiz Ending Handling Novel Many circuits and indes made quite a time of the Movie Quiz announcements, it developed last week. That theatre managers might prepare for the big night, arrange appropriate ceremonies at the winning patrons’ theatres, contestants were notified by mail that they were winners, given a card indicating the fact and also bearing the statement that checks would be mailed from the MPGY’s New York bank. Copies of the letters were sent to the theatreman concerned, that he might arrange for a special night, also to insure that the winner would be present on the evening of February 27. Neither theatre manager nor winner was notified of the nature of the prize, that announcement being reserved by th1 MPGY until the fateful night. RKO-Wilcox Deal Set Herbert Wilcox, British producer, sailed last week on the Queen Mary after conferring in New York and Hollywood with president George Schaefer, RKO Radio, on the partnership between this organization and a new company to be known as Imperadio Pictures, Ltd. British interests and RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., will each nominate three directors and Dr. A. H. Giannini, the seventh and neutral member of the board, will act as chairman. Schaefer is the first nomination of RKO Radio and Wilcox is the first nomination of the British interests. He will act as managing director. Besides the three or four super-pictures to be made yearly in England, films will also be produced in Hollywood by Imperadio. Edwards GN East Head Sol Edwards was appointed sales manager for Grand National for the area east of Chicago by president Earle W. Hammons last fortnight. Morris Saphier has the other half of the country. Turn over for news of a swell TOP FEATURE for any house.. 7 March 8, 1939 TRI