The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

16 ikYiLiii:: HOLLYWOOD NEWSREEL • HELLO FOLKS! This is WARREN STOKES speaking to you from Hollywood over the JEP network. Speaking of networks, local exhibitors are airing a few squawks about the radio-picture situation. Despite the fact that a concerted movement was apparently started to rid the air lanes of motion picture personalities, exhibitors in this territory are far from satisfied with the present progress. ITO Squawk. • ITO OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, long on record against rad.o competition, turns a skeptic 1 eye in the direction of Hollywood, dubious of the producers sincerity and the ultimate outcome. Exhibitors voice the opinion that while certain producers have withdrawn picture personalities from the air others are retarding the movement by signing up for new programs, replenishing the ether waves with picture names until they have increased rather than lessened the number of guest appearances. With a final tabulation, they opine that the situation remains unchanged. Hollytvood Plan • LOCAL EXHIBITORS’ PLANS drafted for the purpose of holding Hollywood to its promise to withdraw its stellar names from the air may furnish a pattern to be followed on the national battle front to save the people of this industry from defeating their own purpose and restore more public interest in celluloid entertainment. The consensus of opinion within local exhibition circles evidences a fight to the finish with a fight for lower rentals with the arrival of the new buying season based upon the assumption that worn out names over the radio have lost their value at the theatre box office. In other words, exhibitors buying product will first consider that which does not compete with itself on the radio and demand lower rentals on the product featuring competitive personalities to offset the box office loss occasioned by day and date competition of these personalities. Barrage • THE CAMPAIGN BARRAGE will also contain a playing down of names on the airways in theatre publicity and exploitation, with the buildup going to pictures with screen personalities devoting their time and work exclusively to the celluloid medium unless the producers co-operate with the exhibitors and make good their promises to clear the airways of box office competition. Southern California showmen are loud in their praise of Darryl Zanuck for taking the lead in this picture-radio campaign and they are determined to follow through for a successful culmination of his drive to eliminate this competitive force. From other parts of the country, exhibitors voice the same opinion. The voice of protest is no longer that of a few individuals but that of the nation’s showmen at large. It is up to the exhibitors to follow through and there is every indication that they are uniting for that purpose. The Radio Side • RADIO BIGWIGS have descended upon Hollywood to iron out the situation, naturally to their own advantage. They will point out the value of radio publicity but, Hollywood, armed with the facts and figures proving otherwise, should not hesitate to follow the lead of Darryl Zanuck — leave radio to develop its own talent, its own future by its own efforts, and co-operate with the exhibitors while they still have theatres in which to screen what can still be made, and only through a complete divorce from radio, " The World’s Greatest Entertainment.” A New Star * JOHN WAYNE rates a close-up in this week’s edition of your "Hollywood Newsreel” by virtue of h is outstanding performance as the Ringo Kid in Walter Wanger’s "Stagecoach.” He took the trail to Hollywood from Winterset, Iowa, in 1930 and crashed the movie gates as a property man. He was carrying a table onto a set whe i he was spotted by Raoul Walsh the director who told him to let his hair grow. A test follwed and he made his screen debut in "Big Trail.” As a western star he rode the range in the popular horse operas with Republic, Warners, Columbia, John Wayne Monogram and Paramount. He is now back under the Republic banner heading the trio of "Mesquiteers.” His loan out to Walter Wanger for the role of the Ringo Kid resulted in a performance which merited raves from the critics and one destined to move him higher up the cinema ladder of fame. He has definitely proved himself capable of bigger things. No ordinary cowboy hero is John Wayne but a finished artist who rode the trail looking for a real opportunity — and made the best of it when it came along. John let his hair grow but he still wears the sam? sized Stetson. His is a marquee name worth remembering. And this is WARREN STOKES remembering to say, "So long, Folks!” Wong Title Righted "North of Singapore,” is new title for Paramount’s Anna May Wong — J. Carrol Naish picture formerly known as "Island of Lost Men.” Kurt Neumann is directing. Team Rogers-Hart Roy Rogers and Mary Hart have again been teamed up by Republic as the romantic leads in "Frontier Express.” Supporting cast includes movie veterans Raymond Hatton and Monte Blue. Bath Tub Billie Billie Burke will join the ranks of the bathtub singers in Metro’s "Maiden Voyage.” As Robert Young’s fluttering mother, she breaks out into "Ciri Biri B;n” whenever the faucets start to run. Her voice is described in the script as an "untempting soprano.” Lubin Gets Czar Arthur Lubin has been assigned direction of Universal’s ‘ Big Town Czar,” melodrama of metropolitan political racketeers. Story was written by Columnist Ed Sullivan, who will also play himself in the film. Barrymore Votes Again John Barrymore has been signed by RKO-Radio for the star part in "The Great Man in Politics.” This will be an original by John Twist and a sequel to "The Great Man Votes.” Picture will unite the same company that made "The Great Man Votes,” including Twist, Garson Kanin, director, and Cliff Reid, producer. Sherman Is Ready Harry Sherman announces two Hopalong Cassidy pictures ready to go into production. One of them is "Argentina” a story with a South American background, and the other "Cheyenne Days.” According to Sherman, these pictures, both starring William Boyd, will be made on a more elaborate scale than any previous Hopalongs with the budget for each materially increased by Paramount. Ann Sheridan Lead Ann Sheridan will have the feminine lead originally scheduled for Jane Wyman in Warners’ "Battle of City Hall.” Switch was made to permit Miss Wyman to start work in "Dead or Alive,” next in the Torchy Blane girl-reporter series. Dorothy G-Lamour Dorothy Lamour gets her wish to wear pretty clothes in her current picture with Jack Benny, "Man About Town.” Movie patrons will still get their wish however because Dorothy wears an abbreviated silk harem costume in at least one scene. We saw it and liked it even better than the sarong. March 8, 19)9