The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

THE EXHIBITOR 11 20th-Fox’s “Russell” To Get Special Selling Zanuck Reveals 193 9-1940 Ideas in Conference New York City — Darryl F. Zanuck intimated last week end that he expects to get much more than the usual high bracket percentage for “Lillian Russell” when that 20th Century-Fox special is ready for release. After arriving from the coast to attend the premieres of “The Blue Bird” and “The Grapes of Wrath,” the 20th CenturyFox production chief held sway during an informal press conference at the Hampshire House. In explaining his reasons he claimed that “it’s only reasonable to ask a higher percentage on a picture into which I’m putting more money than I ever spent before. You must also realize the great foreign market loss and it has to be made up some way.” He expects “Russell” to run about three hours and 20 minutes and is investing more than $2,000,000 in its production. Twentieth Century-Fox will have three road-show productions Zanuck said. “Brigham Young,” “Lillian Russell,” and “Down to the Sea in Ships.” The latter, originally made some years ago as a Clara Bow starrer, will take 14 or 15 months to produce and will go before the cameras during the summer. Queried as to whether he had received a reply from Si Fabian regarding the “Drums Along the Mohawk” extended playing time controversy, Zanuck replied in the negative. However, he stated that the new contracts will be revised to provide for extra playing time for top bracket films. While in New York, Zanuck will discuss forthcoming production plans with Sidney Kent, Joe Schenck, Herman Wobber, et al. Whether or not there will be a curtailment of output will be decided this week. In any event, he said, “we will continue to make the Jones Family and Charlie Chan series, both of which have proven extremely popular.” “I don’t see why,” stated Zanuck, when someone posed a question concerning the feasibility of Mayor LaGuardia’s New York production scenes, “pictures can’t be made here or anywhere else. But only in Hollywood can good pictures be made with a decent amount of consistency.” Other points of information garnered during the conference were “Jesse James” was the biggest grosser in the company’s history with the exception of “Alexander”; pictures on the “heavy” side will be the next trend; 20th Century-Fox will do as much radio advertising as possible; there will be as few 20th Century-Fox stars as possible appearing as radio performers. Zanuck arrived, appropriately enough, on the 20th Century. The train was more than two hours late, and Zanuck caught cold en route. Accompanying him on the trip were Mr. and Mrs. Gene Markey (Hedy LaMarr). Meeting the group at Grand Central besides the usual autograph hounds, cameramen and reporters, were 20th Century-Fox executives. "Little Old NY” Set New York City — Nineteen special prerelease engagements of “Little Old New York” have been set by 20th Century-Fox, to follow the premiere in Miami January 21, it was announced late last week. In the territory served by The Exhibitor, the pre-release engagements are as follows: February 2— Roxy, New York City; and the Loew theatres in Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford, Connecticut, and in Worcester, Massachusetts. February 3 — New, Baltimore, Maryland. February 9 — Colonial, Elmira, New York; York, York, Pennsylvania: Majestic, Providence, Rhode Island. February 11 — Strand, Portland, Maine. "Flotsam” First From L-L New York City — First production plans of the David L. Loew-Albert Lewin Producing Company, which will make pictures for release by United Artists, were disclosed last week. The Company has purchased screen rights to Erich Maria Remarque’s novel, ‘Flotsam,” from Metro and will swing into production as soon as the script is readied and the cast chosen. The head offices are now located on the Selznick International lot. "Pot of Gold” Protested Detroit, Michigan — Members of CoOperative Theatres of Michigan do not feel that the answer to the “Pot of Gold” competition is to “double” the prize or even to offer to match it, but rather to drive the “aerial gambling” off the airways and to that end have filed a formal protest with the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, they announced last week. Paramount Host to 17 Misses New York City — Seventeen of the prettiest and most popular 17-year-old girlsfrom 17 cities of the United States will go to Hollywood February 15 to attend the press preview of Paramount’s film version of the famous Booth Tarkinton story, “Seventeen,” it was announced last week. Kingsberg Vice-President New York City — At a meeting of the board of directors of Keith-Albee-Orpheum Corporation and B. F. Keith Corporation held January 18, Malcolm Kingsberg was elected executive vice-president. He will continue to serve as vice-chairman of the board of both of these corporations. MPPDA Meets on Fair New York City — Top executives of the various film companies met with Harvey Gibson, president, New York World’s Fair Corporation in the board room of the MPPDA yesterday (23) to discuss the industry’s part in the Fair’s second year. "Village Barn” Premiere New York City — World premiere of Republic’s “Village Barn Dance” takes place January 26 in Greenwich Village’s famous Barn. The rural-type nitery will provide eats and entertainment for those attending. Gene Autry will be present. Circuit Court Hears Appeal in Mori Argument Kirkpatrick Decision Attacked by Defendant Philadelphia — Attorneys for the defense in the anti-trust suit filed by Eugene Mori, Vineland, New Jersey, and others against the distributors and Stanley-Warner pleaded their case before the United States Circuit Court of Appeals last week end, and asked it to set aside a temporary injunction issued last November by United States District Judge William H. Kirkpatrick. The Kirkpatrick ruling was attacked as “vague and indefinite.” The ruling was defended by State Senator Harry Shapiro, counsel for the Landis, Vineland, New Jersey, which with the aid of many Vineland civic leaders took up the battle. Judge Kirkpatrick’s ruling, a precedentmaking one, was called “invalid and unenforceable” by the counsel for the movie companies, former Pennsylvania Attorney General William A. Schnader, and Morris Wolf. For the “good” of the industry, they contended, the major companies should have the “right to choose their customers.” If allowed to stand, they argued, the ruling would “upset” the motion picture industry. The Landis brought the suit under the Sherman and Clayton anti-trust laws, charging the major companies with creating a monopoly. Art Pictures Nominated Hollywood — Twelve pictures — one each from the major producers — have been nominated for the Art Direction oscar of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The nominees: Paramount’s “Beau Geste,” Hal Roach’s “Captain Fury,” Universal’s “First Love,” Selznick International’s “Gone With the Wind,” RKO-Radio’s “Love Affair,” Republic’s “Man of Conquest,” Columbia’s “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington ” Warners’ “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex,” 20th Century-Fox’s “The Rains Came,” Walter Wanger’s “Stagecoach,” Metro’s “The Wizard of Oz,” and Samuel Goldwyn’s “Wuthering Heights.” At the first meeting of the Art Direction Award Committee, Warners’ Max Parker was elected chairman. NY Exploitation Threat Up New York City — Another threat to Broadway movie exploitation cropped up one day last week when Walter LaM. Sparry, first vice-president of West of Central Park Association, suggested the elimination of projecting signs as a means of improving and beautifying the Broadway district. His remarks were made at a luncheon meeting of the association at which several city officials, including Newbold Morris, president of the City Council, were present. January 24, 1940