The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

Coast Strike Averted As Studio Heads Meet Many Filins Scheduled To Highlight World's Fair 1940 Exhibition Will Be Announced Soon New York City — Tentative plans regarding exhibition of films at the 1940 New York World’s Fair revealed this week that it is expected that many of the best films shown in 1939 will again be exhibited, and, in addition, there will be hundreds of new and even more interesting informative films available for those attending. Compendium prepared by the newsreel and film department, which officially reviewed and censored all films exhibited, shows a total of 612 motion pictures including every known type of production. Of these films, 404 were standard 35mm and 191 were 16mm. Majority were projected with sound. British Pavilion led in the number of films exhibited, with a total of 141. Brazil was second, with 82 films. France exhibited 72. Pictures were shown in 34 different auditoriums, the largest of which was the motion picture theatre in the General Motors Building, seating 612. A theatre in the Russian Pavilion was third, with a seating capacity of 350. Little Theatre in the Science and Education Building, under the jurisdiction of the World’s Fair management, seated 253. A general survey indicates the cost of these productions runs close to a billion dollars. This is best illustrated by the fact that the official motion picture titled, “Land of Liberty,” produced by the combined efforts of the motion-picture industry for showing in the United States Government Building, included material taken from 125 different motion-picture productions and shorts estimated to have cost more than $25,000,000. Those who have seen the MPPDA picture have been lavish in their praise, believing that this great documentary film should have general public showing. Block Booking NEW YORK CITY— Latest issue of The Rotarian, Rotary Club magazine, revealed last week a written debate between James Roosevelt and Ned E. Depinet. The former favored the end of block booking, while the RKO sales chief defended the block booking practice. “Chips” No. 1 Show In Film Daily’s Voting Critics of Country List Preferences New York City — Polling 87.3 percent of the vote, Metro’s “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” was announced last week as the No. 1 picture in the annual Film Daily balloting of the nation’s motion picture critics. The other winners, in order, were Columbia’s “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” Metro’s “Pygmalion,” United Artists’ “Wuthering Heights,” Warners’ “Dark Victory,” Metro’s “The Women,” Metro’s “The Wizard of Oz,” Warners’ “Juarez,” 20th Century-Fox’s “Stanley and Livingstone,” and Warners’ “The Old Maid.” (In 1938, RKO-Radio’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” polled a winning 87 percent; in 1937, Warners’ “The Life of Emil Zola,” 85.3 percent.) Poll sidelights, according to Chester B. Bahn, editor, were (1) Six were properly in the costume class; (2) Only “Stanley and. Livingstone” was based on an original story; (3) five were adapted wholly or in part from stage plays; (4) only one (“The Wizard of Oz”) was wholly in Technicolor; (5) there were no bona fide musicals, although “The Wizard of Oz” had song-and-dance numbers. Also, for the first time in six years, two Britishmade productions were included in the “Ten Best.” GN Assets On Market New York City — Personal property and fixtures of Grand National Pictures were to have been sold at auction January 15. However, other assets were not to be included. Joseph Dannenberg, representing the creditors’ committee, is now attorney for Harry Fromberg, trustee. All employees of the Company were discharged as of January 10, with the company stopping operations at that time. Meanwhile, branch managers and other attaches had closed local doors, but were busy putting affairs in orders. "Angels” Winners Picked New York City — Judging and selection of the winners of Columbia’s nation-wide campaign contest on behalf of “Only Angels Have Wings” took place January 10 at a luncheon in the College Room of the Hotel Astor. Disposition of $4,000 in prizes was decided upon by the judges at this luncheon and announcement of the awards will be made in the near future. Further Parleys Prevent Action By Bioff Hollywood — Motion-picture producers, after a conference with representatives of the IATSE, last week said that “certain craft jurisdictional disputes” were discussed. William Bioff, leader of the Alliance, had threatened “economic action,” which he explained was another term for strike, unless the producers met at noon to negotiate “the matter of working conditions.” Union won a 10 percent wage increase September 23, at which time Bioff said the producers agreed to negotiate further within 30 days. “Since that date your organization has made no effort to begin such negotiations,” Bioff stated in a letter to Joseph M. Schenck, of the producers, “and in addition has ignored the established and recognized jurisdiction of our studio locals.” The producers said that committees would be appointed “to gather the facts involved and report back to their respective groups.” Bioff said the producers had agreed to recognize and enforce his organization’s jurisdiction over studio locals. "Cue” Gives Metro Award New York City — Cue Magazine, entertainment guide, in selecting the best motion pictures of 1939 last fortnight, chose three Metro short subjects as the outstanding productions in their field. They are “Nostradamus,” a Historical Mystery; “Forgotten Victory,” Passing Parade series, and “Peace On Earth,” cartoon in Technicolor. Sam Sax Resigns Hollywood — Sam Sax, Warner production executive, resigned last week. Before going to Hollywood, he had been in England on production matters and was also Vitaphone shorts production head. "My Son” Contest Bows NEW YORK CITY— United Artists came forward last week with news of a nation-wide contest in connection with “My Son, My Son,” which offers an excellent tie-up opportunity along civic lines. In major cities throughout the country, local contests will be held to decide the perfect son for each community. The winner in the final judgings will receive a prize of a scholarship in a leading preparatory school or university, depending on age, and in the institution he selects to complete his education. Parents Magazine is also tied in on the idea and complete broadside has been made available with further angles. As an institutional good-will builder, and something off the beaten track, this seems to have plenty of angles. January 17, 1940 THE EXHIBITOR