The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

24 THE NATIONAL MIRROR Scully Announces Universal ’40 Plans Points Also to "Yon Can’t” Re act ion Universal will make 17 "A” budget pictures out of a total of 43 productions on its forthcoming program, it was revealed by William Scully at a press conference last week. Fourteen "outdoor” pictures, seven starring Johnnny Mack Brown, seven with Richard Arlen, Andy Devine will also be made. Because all 14 films will be budgeted over $100,000. Scully feels they are more than "just westerns.” Also on the new program will be 81 reels of short subjects, three more than in the current lineup. Fifty-two one-reel shorts, 1 3 two-reelers, one threereel Americanization subject will be the output. When asked what he believed to be the coming theme trend, Scully repeated what Prexy Blumberg asserted last year: "What’s the use of making doughnuts when they want ice cream?” He claimed the program is flexible enough to allow for meeting what the public wants. "The Mikado” will play in key spots following the American premiere. Despite bad press notices, consequent exhibitor cancellations, Scully stated that "You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man” is doing record business throughout th; country. Now, he said, the same exhibitors who turned it down are rushing to get it. He also predicted a successful year because of some excellent forthcoming films. He paid special tribute to the new Deanna Durbin feature which is said to top her four other successes. Universal will enter into competition with the Hardies, Joneses, Higginses, etc., by inaugurating a series starring Hugh Herbert, Ruth Donnelly. Loew’s Title Change Loew houses still to play "Let Freedom Ring” were last week reported using "Song of the Plains” for the show in several spots. DecoratWe Lighting • Glass and Metal Work Exit and Direction Signs # Ornamental Plaster Drinking Fountains # Air Distribution Plaques 36 Years in Business Is Your Assurance of Our Reliability. VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS OR WRITE US m m 0^ m 0* ■ DeeiernerB-Enprineers-Manufacturers VOIGT 1745 N 12th Street Phila. KEEP FAITH WITH YOUR PATRONS, BY USING . . . Republic Dropping Cheap Pictures Republic revealed last week in an announcement from the coast that it was dropping its lowest bracket pictures, concentrating on more costly productions in the future. 1939-1940 lists includes: Four Anniversary Specials, six De Luxe Jubilee Specials; 16 Jubilee productions; eight Roy Rogers westerns, eight Three Mesquiteers westerns, eight Gene Autry westerns; four serials. James R. Grainger, president, left New York last week by way of Dallas and St. Louis to make arrangements for four regional sales meetings definitely set for Houston, April 7, 8; Chicago, 11, 12; New York, 18, 19; San Francisco, 27 and 28. The entire southern sales organization of the company will arrive in Houston, Texas, April 6 to attend the premiere of "Man of Conquest” at the Majestic. The program of 26 features, 24 westerns and 4 serials will be outlined to delegates. The company announced over the week-end decision to drop th; lower bracket group of "Showman” pictures, concentrate on quality product which would add over a million to budget. The move was outcome of screening of the rough cut on "Man of Conquest.” Herbert J. Yates and Grainger described the picture as exceeding their highest expectations. Special key city runs are being arranged on "Man of Conquest,” it has been indicated. The picture is the most costly in the company’s history. RKO Announces New Deal An important two-year producing and distributing agreement that involves th; translation to the screen of outstanding Broadway stage properties was announced March 15 by George Schaefer, president, RKO, and Harry M. Goetz, president, Max Gordon Plays and Pictures Corporation. The deal, which concludes two months of negotiations, calls for the production by the Max Gordon Plays and Pictures Corporation of two pictures annually for the next two years, and for the production services of Max Gordon and Goetz. Columbia Shows $268,209.29 Six months report of Columbia, for the three months ended December 31, 193 8, after all charges and provisions for federal income and other taxes, net profit of $268,209.29 and for the six months ended on that date after similar deductions, net profit of $34,5 96.79 which compares with the $45 1,061.20 reported for the six months ended December 25, 1937. No provision has been made at this time for the tax on undistributed profits, Universal Directors Elected Charles Prutzman was elected a director of Universal Pictures Company, Inc., at the annual meeting of stockholders held in Wilmington, Delaware, last week. Prutzman, who for many years as an attorney has worked closely with th; motion picture industry, has served his legal affiliations to become vice-president and general counsel of the company, in which capacity he will henceforth devote all his time to its affairs. Following members of the board were re-elected for the ensuing year, Nate J. Blumberg, Paul G. Brown, Daniel C. Collins, J. Cheever Cowdin, Preston Davie, William Freiday, John Dabney Penick, Samuel I. Posen, Ottavio Prochet, Budd Rogers, Daniel M. Sheaffer, W. H. Taylor, Jr. J. Cheever Cowdin, chairman of th; board, told stockholders that on the basis of reports for the first four months of the present fiscal year and pictures already completed and awaiting release, he anticipated that the company’s volume of business would be increased. Universal Pictures Company, Inc., last week reports for the 1 3 weeks ended January 28, 1939, a net profit of $1 57,990 after all charges but before providing for Federal income taxes. This compares with a net loss of $3 8 8,797 for the 13 weeks ended January 29, 193 8. Profit for the quarter follows a net of $161,929 in the final quarter of the company’s last fiscal year. “Gulliver” Merchandising Drive Lou Diamond, head, short subject department, last week announced the formation of a new licensee department under the supervision of Harry Royster. This department will arrange merchandising tie-ups with leading novelty and toy manufacturers for the exclusive use of Gulliver character items which will be sold in leading department stores throughout the nation. SMPE Set for Hollywood Elaborate plans were being made this week for the 1939 spring convention of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers to be held April 17-21 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood. The five-day conclave will include conducted tours of the Paramount and Warner studios. E. A. Williford, president, will preside at all sessions. Myers Confers with Distribs Abram Myers, Allied counsel, conferred last week with major distributors regarding the industry trade plan. Arbitration was also discussed. March 22, 19)9