The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

7 See Way Clear for GN Reorganization Plan Hammons Waives Salary During Period New York City — Grand National creditors met last week here and agreed to accept a plan for payment based on the assurance that the company’s refinancing negotiations will be completed. Amounts claimed by the creditors represent money due from both the present GN organization and the old Grand National Films, Inc. In a formal statement to Peter B. Olney, Jr., referee in bankruptcy, the creditors are agreeable to a schedule of payments as follows: (A) A sum equal to 25 percent of the respective claims within 45 days after the confirmation of the plan. (B) A sum equal to 15 percent within seven months after the confirmation of the plan. (C) A sum equal to 10 percent within 10 months. (D) A sum equal to 25 percent within 14 months. (E) A sum equal to 25 percent within 18 months. E. W. Hammons, president, Grand National, went before the company’s creditors last week end and announced that $150,000 has been pledged to be added to the $450,000 RFC loan. This means that the $600,000 formerly announced by GN to be forthcoming has been assured and that the process of paying off indebtedness will begin. All the unsecured creditors have agreed to accept the company’s payment plan. Creditors of the company decided not to interfere with the operation of the company, pending completion of the refinancing plan. Hammons said that the company was losing between $2,000-$3,000 weekly, that the overhead is being reduced until financing is complete and that he will not draw any of his $60,000 annual salary until the $600,000 additional financing and present creditors are paid in full. The $600,000 would be secured by an RFC loan for $450,000, $100,000 from ERPI, $10,000 from DeLuxe Lab, $15,000 from National City Bank, and $25,000 from Lloyd Wright. A continued first meeting of creditors will be held November 22, with hearing on the plan’s confirmation December 4. Dickson with Paramount New York City — Gregory Dickson, formerly Samuel Goldwyn’s publicity representative, last week joined the Paramount publicity department. Harry Brandt Travels With Many Stops Enroute ITOA Head Visiting Several Cities New York City — ITOA head Harry Brandt was scheduled to begin his trip to the Coast early this week, after revealing that he would make several stops along the way to contact exhibitor leaders in various cities and discuss industry problems with them. Brandt will make Pittsburgh his first stop, continuing to Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, and New Orleans. Brandt’s decision was announced in the wake of an ITOA meeting in the Hotel Astor, at which the organization members expressed satisfaction with the arbitration board’s award of 10 percent wage increase to members of Local 306 operators. Hart Award Upheld New York City — Appellate Division of the Supreme Court last week end affirmed an award of $278,209, including interest, in favor of William S. and Mary Hart against United Artists Corporation. The case will be carried to the Court of Appeals, it is said. Argument was over distribution of “Tumbleweeds.” THE EXHIBITOR Volume 23, Number 2 November 22, 1939 Advance Shots 14 Better Management 16 Check-Up (The Exhibitor Servisec tion) Yellow Section Editorial Page 3 Hints on Newspaper Advertising 17, 19 In the Spotlight 6 Late News Highlights 7 National Mirror 9 National Picture Pages 20 National Release Date Guide Inside Back Cover News of the Territory 21 Production Notes 13 Territorial Highlights 5 Tip-Off 15 Warren Stokes Hollywood Newsreel . 12 Material contained on this and the following pages often represent new developments in stories to be found on other pages of this issue. If the reader will bear this in mind, it will avoid possible confusion. This section of The Exhibitor goes to press last, with latest developments within the industry, where available. Metro Smiling Aplenty as “Ninotchka” Leads B’way "Drums,” "Twenties” Also Do Rather Nicely New York City — With its second week end very big, “Ninotchka,” at the Radio City Music Hall, continues to be the Main Stem’s outstanding attraction, with, however, “Drums Along the Mohawk” at the Roxy and “The Roaring Twenties” at the Strand still going strong. Probably because of the “now it can be shown” angle, “Beasts of Berlin” got off to a strong start at the Globe. At the Astor, the third picture in a year — “Mill on the Floss” — was also off to a nice start. The complete report to The Exhibitor follows: BEASTS OF BERLIN” (Hitler — Beast of Berlin) (Producers) — At the Globe, opened November 18, claimed $5,000 Saturday, Sunday, good. “DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK” (20th Century-Fox)— At the Roxy, opened November 3, with a stage show, did $25,352 on the third Friday, Saturday, Sunday, good. "FIRST LOVE" (Universal) — At the Rivoli, opened November 8, did $22,000 on the second week, good. MARX BROS. “AT THE CIRCUS” (Metro)— At the Capitol, opened November 16, is expected to do $28,000 on the week, good. “THE MILL ON THE FLOSS” (Standard)— At the Astor, opened November 14, is estimated to have done “well” on the first week. “NINOTCHKA” (Metro)— At the Radio City Music Hall, opened November 9, with the stage show, “Tempo,” did $65,000 on the second Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, very good. “THE ROARING TWENTIES” (Warners)— At the Strand, opened November 10, did $28,000 on the second Friday, Saturday, Sunday, good. First week's take: $52,600. “RULERS OF THE SEA” (Paramount) — At the Paramount, opened November 8, with Martha Raye, Bob Zurke & His Delta Rhythm Band, did $15,000 on the second Saturday, Sunday, fair. “TORTURE SHIP” (Producers) and “OUTPOST OF THE MOUNTIES” (Columbia)— At the Central, opened November 18, did $1,700 on Saturday, Sunday, slow. Coast Unions Back in Fold Hollywood — Seceding motion picture technicians unions were reinstated last week end by the IATSE. They broke with the alliance several months ago and, with Congress of Industrial Organizations backing, forced a vote on the bargaining agency for film workers. The move came as a surprise and was interpreted as a step toward bringing about harmony within the ranks of film labor. Under the reinstatement decree issued by George E. Browne, president of the Alliance, virtually all rebel unions may reenter the alliance ranks. Momand Drops Equity Action Oklahoma City — Attorney for Oklahoma Theatres, Inc., last week end filed a motion to dismiss the equity action instituted by Oklahoma Theatres, Inc., (Momand) against the Griffith Amusement Company and the majors, without prejudice. The judge granted the application. Local 702 Drive Begins New York City — Local 702, labor technicians, last week-end began a drive to have all film editors, newsreel and free lance cutters, librarians, etc. join the body. MPPDA Board Meets Again New York City — A board meeting of the MPPDA was scheduled for November 21. November 22, 1939 THE EXHIBITOR QUAD.