The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

14 THE NATIONAL MIRROR Pre-Convention Drive of Monogram Under Way Round-Up Continuing Through May 6 Last fortnight Monogram launched its Pre-Convention Sales Round-Up as a tribute to President W. Ray Johnston and with the hope of placing Monogram pictures on every screen of the country. Ending May 6, the results of the drive will be announced at the annual convention to convene shortly after that date. Prior to the opening of the Round-Up March 6, Monogram exchanges throughout the country were greeted with pep, well-wishing messages from, to name but a few, president Johnston, production vice-president Scott R. Dunlap, distribution vice-president Edward A. Golden, general sales manager George W. Weeks, Monogram stars Boris Karloff, Jackie Cooper, Tex Ritter. Enthusiasm is indeed rampant in The Exhibitors’ territories, with Philadelphia’s Samuel Rosen, Washington’s Harry F. Bachman, Albany’s B. H. Mills, Buffalo’s J. Berkson, New York’s Herman Gluckman, New Hawen’s Phil Sherman, Boston’s Steve Broidy joining their fellows to the west in pointing with pride to both the present, the coming Monogram releases. On the shelves in Monogram exchanges (if other exhibitors are not using them) are prints for such entertaining productions as "Navy Secrets,” "Star Reporter,” "The Mystery of Mr. Wong,” "Mystery Plane.” In March, exhibitors may look forward to such works as "Undercover Agent,” "Streets of New York.” Scheduled for early spring release are "Boy’s Reformatory,” "Wolf Call.” Monogrammers further point out that the Tex Ritter and Jack Randall westerns are to be reckoned with as attractions for the out-of-doors, action-loving youngsters of all ages. George A. Weeks said last week that no final decision regarding sales conventions has yet been reached by Monogram, and any statement fixing the time and place of such meetings at the present time is inaccurate. New Loew’s Suit Twentieth Century Pictures was organized as a gross fraud, it is charged in a suit filed last week in the Court of Chancery, Wilmington, Delaware, by Arnold Hermann of New York, a stockholder of Loew’s, Inc., against directors of Loew’s, others. The bill asks that the defendants be enjoined from disposing of any Twentieth Century stock, that their stock be sequestered and impressed with a trust in favor of Loew’s and be decreed the property of Loew’s. Colonel H. A. Cole Clarifies Position Makes Plain Allied’s Position on Parley A statement from Colonel H. A. Cole, Allied States Association president, last week clarified that organization’s position on the trade parley. It said: "Since casual remarks made in conversations with trade paper representatives have been misinterpreted, it becomes necessary that a formal statement to clarify my position be made. "I certainly have not stated that Allied’s position is one of "no further negotiation.” I did state that, since the distributor representatives had said at various times of late that they could go no farther in the matter of concessions, there was no further need at this time for further conversations between our committee and theirs; also that the authority of our Committee lapsed as of March 1 by resolution of our board. I did not state that our counsel, Mr. Myers, would not visit New York to confer with the distributors’ attorneys, regarding the wording of proposals made, but did state that I knew of no specific date set for such a meeting. "After all these years, Allied's position on negotiations should be well known. We stand ready at any time to negotiate with those in authority regarding fair trade practices, if and when there is definite reason to believe that substantial results can be obtained warranting the time and effort expended.” No U Schedule Yet Arriving in New York last week following production conferences on the coast, Universal’s William Scully claimed that next season’s schedule will not be ready for release until the sales convention, the date for which has not yet been set. He stated that the number of features will be about the same as the current list. That includes the four pictures to be made by the new Harry Eddington producing company which are to be released through Universal. New York filmfolk who arrived on the 20th Century with Scully include Cinema circuit’s-New York Allied’s prexy Max Cohen, his wife; Prudential circuit’s Mr., Mrs. Joe Seider; Randforce’s Mr., Mrs. Sam Rinzler. Screen players on board were RKO’s George Sanders, United Artists’ Flora Robson. Consolidated Profit $616,697 Report of Consolidated Film Industries, Inc., was revealed last week as follows: For 1938: Net profit, $616,697, equal to $1.54 each on 400,000 shares of no par, $2 cumulative participating preferred stock, on which dividend arrears amount to $2,8 00,000. This compares with $605,75 5, or $1.51 a preferred share, the year before. UA Announces Its 20th Anniversary April 1 7 Set as Official Date United Artists announced this week that it would celebrate the 20th anniversary of the formation of the company April 17. It was on that day, 20 years ago, in the office of William G. McAdoo, that Mary Pickford, Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbank and D. W. Griffith joined forces to create their own company. Plans are now being completed by Murray Silverstone, head of the worldwide operations of United Artists, for the celebration of the fif th-of-a-century anniversary. Participating will be three of the original founder-members of the company— Miss Pickford, Chaplain, Fairbanks— and Samuel Goldwyn and Alexander Korda, whose names were added to the UA roster both as owner-members and as producers, with Walter Wanger, David O. Selznick, Hal Roach and Edward Small as independent producers releasing through United Artists. Particulars Decision Heard Federal Judge William Bondy last week handed down his decision in the matter of bill of particulars, motions submitted by defendants in the government suit against the majors and other defendants. Consensus of opinion was that the decision was generally in favor of the Department of Justice. 20th-F Meets March 30 2 0th Century-Fox has scheduled its convention for March 30-April 1 instead of April 3-5, because of the Jewish holidays, it was announced last week. “LOVE AFFAIR” "Love Affair” wili take its place as one of the best pictures of 1939 and the past 10 years. Radio has a production which sets a new standard for that studio and a box office production that will cause more word of mouth than many shows seen for many years. It is a picture that deserves all the raves it will get. The bows should first go to director-producer Leo McCarey. Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer turn in performances that will be hard for them to beat. Radio has made a lot of promises. "Gunga Din” and "Love Affair” prove that the promises are being kept. Jay Emanuel. March 15, 1939