The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

14 Metro Convention Ends with Speeches, Awards Kuykendall , Cole, Brandt Discuss Trade Practices As the annual convention of Metro drew to a close in Chicago last week, general sales manager William F. Rodgers announced that percentage levies during the 1939-1940 season would, whether 2 5 or 5 0 percent, be based on the picture’s returns at the box office. While formally abolishing the B designation, the company has its "Balanced Group” on which, Rodgers stated, would have to make more money. Clearance, being a company right, according to Rodgers, will not have to wait for the gestating trade-agreement plans. Rogers stated that company terms would be flexible for all theatres, independent and circuit. Highlights of the closing sessions, however, came with the addresses by President Edward L. Kuykendall, Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America; President Harry A. Cole, Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors; President Harry Brandt, Independent Theatre Owners Association (New York) . Kuykendall flayed the Dallas (Texas) anti-trust decision, the Neely Bill, theatre divorcement, called for the immediate completeion of the trade practice agreement negotiations, demanded the protection of the small exhibitor’s investment. Cole denied that Allied has been "a radical or a destructive element in the business, scored business monopoly, declared the industry "must not only repent and mend its ways, but it must also do a certain amount of penance.” Brandt lashed out against Allied general counsel Abram F. Myers, saying that Myers would never be a part of the industry because he had no stake invested in it. Brandt opposed theatre divorcement, elimination of block-booking, the enactment of laws stifling the industry, the appearance of film stars on the radio. At the annual dinner over which district manager J. E. Flynn presided, a score of salesmen were honored in ceremonies mastered by Washington branch manager Rudolph Berger. Among those honored were Washington’s Berger, Phil Bobys, Jack Goldberg; Philadelphia’s C. C. Pippin; New York’s Jack Bowen. Other convention speakers included Silas F. Seadler, advertising manager; Fred C. Quimby, manager, short subjects department; Barrett Kiesling, studio publicity department; William R. Ferguson, manager of exploitation; Sam Eckman, director of English production; district managers. THE NATIONAL MIRROR Hammons Denies Derogatory Rumors Optimistic Over GN Future Returning from the coast after a business trip. Grand National president E. W. Hammons denied derogatory rumors concerning his company, confidently stated that the coming year will be a good one for GN, in an interview last week. "We were up against a hotbed of conspiracy out on the coast,” he claimed regarding the rumors. "We don’t owe a nickel out there.” He made plain that he was referring to the new Grand National, not the old one which has to pay off $200,000 come August 11. Future production commitments, he said, will be ironed out within the next week or so, when he will know definitely as to whether a prominent, successful producer with whom he has been dickering will join forces with him. Hammons said that it is only a matter of signing papers before he releases the identity of the man who will produce better pictures of his own, fill in on any product other producing affiliates fail to deliver. Five more films are due on the current schedule after which the company will get to work on the 1939-1940 output. Concerning the latter, Hammons averred that he "has good reason to believe we will be more than amply financed for the coming season’s product.” No more shorts will be filmed, but 18 two-reelers, 26 singles are planned for the coming season. They will be sold separately from the full-length pictures. Maurice J. Wilson, Jeffrey Bernerd, operators of Grand National Pictures, Ltd., England, will be in New York next month for conferences with Hammons. When queried as to the recent personnel cuts, Hammons asserted that they were caused by shortage of product, but definitely stated that the staff reductions will go no further. ITs ‘Three Smart Girls’ Climbing Deanna Durbin, in Universal’s latest offering "Three Smart Girls Grow Up” opened to outstanding business in New York last fortnight. At the Rivoli, not even the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was enough to stop a continuous all day stream to the boxoffice. Saturday and Sunday saw a line four deep half-way round the block, starting from the box-office from almost twelve noon until the last show. According to Rivoli’s manager Wright, the film had almost a $45,000 first week, the best business done at that house during the past three years. NTS Meetings Over Earle G. Hines, president, General Theatres Equipment Corporation and International Projector Corporation, Walter E. Green, president, National Theatre Supply Company and vice-president, General Theatres Equipment Corporation, M. V. Carroll, treasurer of both companies, have returned to New York after a three weeks’ trip attending district meetings of branch managers which are held yearly by the National Theatre Supply Company. These district meetings — which began the early part of March and were held in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, etc., were conducted or addressed by officers of the companies — developed confidence in the sales outlook for the coming year. Herbert Griffin, vice-president, International Projector Corporation, was compelled to return to New York after the Chicago meeting and leaves for the Coast the latter part of this month. In addition to visiting NTS branches in Portland, Seattle and San Francisco, he will also attend the SMPE meeting in Hollywood in April. SEC Reports Announced . O. Henry Briggs has acquired 6,194 options for common stock of Monogram, it was reported last week by the SEC, in its semi-monthly report of security transactions and holdings. This amount represents all the options for common held by Briggs. Report of Trans Lux Corporation stated in an August, 193 8, filing that Robert L. Daine received 2,5 00 shares of common stock as compensation, making his total holdings at that time 2,5 51 shares. In a report for December, 193 8, Daine stated he disposed of 5 1 shares as a gift, leaving his total at the end of 1938 at 2,500 shares of Trans Lux common. Brandt Wachsberger Combine Harry Brandt, president, ITOA, and head of the Brandt circuit, and Nat Wachsberger, associated with Synimex of Paris and Les Films Triomphe of Brussels, announced last week the organization of Film Alliance of the U. S., Inc., for the purpose of distributing French and English pictures in this country. New firm has taken temporary offices in the RKO building, New York City, and plans to handle a minimum of 12 foreign productions a year. Beulah Livingstone, for three years in charge of the feature publicity department at Universal and recently associated with Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year campaign, has been appointed publicity director. Company will soon release its first picture on this side. March 29, 19)9