The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

Further Delay Seen In Government Suit Dispute Looms Over Interrogatories New York City — Application to strike out all interrogatories of every defendant in the government’s suit with the exception of United Artists was filed by the government last week. The motion, which was to have been heard yesterday (February 6) by Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard, is based on 12 objections, identical to those made in a similar move against Columbia. The notice states that although these objections are set forth in a single motion, the government intends that the court consider these as addressed to each separate set of interrogatories. Judge Goddard, who will head the government’s motion, is slated to act as trial judge in the suit. It is understood that combined interrogatories have been prepared by the majors with a view toward reaching a compromise with the government. Neither the government or attorneys for the defendants would comment further on the government’s action. Points on which the government asks to be excused from answering the major’s queries are as follows: That the interrogatories are immaterial, and irrelevant; that they ask for evidence which has been acquired after filing of the demand; that they are hearsay and seek to classify evidence not within the pleadings; that they call for near expressions of opinion and not facts; and that they require the furnishing of names of probable witnesses. In addition, the government claims that the interrogatories would limit government evidence, while in no way materially aiding the defendants in the preparation of their case. The government also claims that the interrogatories would prove to ben an unreasonable burden, and, consequently, a violation of the Federal rules of civil procedure. It has been said that all this controversy will probably have the effect of preventing opening of the case May 1, as had been scheduled. Loew’s Net Down New York City — For the 12 weeks ended November 23, 1939, Loew’s, Inc., showed a net profit of $1,393,456, as against $2,979,943 during the same perior in 1938, it was announced last week. Earnings are equivalent to $10.19 on the preferred and 71 cents on the average common sotck. Philadelphia Hails Fried Case Settlement Think Peaceful Means Best Idea Philadelphia — Local film men viewed with favor last week the settlement of the anti-trust, clearance suit brought by Harry Fried against Stanley-Warner and the distributors. Under the reported settlement, Fried gets two additional products, Paramount and Columbia, for his Suburban, where he now has 20th Century-Fox, and also gets the same clearance for his Anthony Wayne, Wayne, as is given the S-W Ardmore. These are believed to have been the major concessions. Settling of differences in this fashion is the answer to many current arguments on clearance, product, etc., most film men believe, and the wisdom of the parties on both sides in seeing the light is complimented. Many believe the solution to the industry’s differences rests in having an industry arbiter, such as Jimmy Walker, as suggested recently in The Exhibitor. Roosevelt Speaks in Philly Philadelphia — James Roosevelt, son of the President, and now a producer through United Artists release, will speak at the annual B’nai B’rith women’s dinner February 22 at the Penn Athletic Club. It will be his first visit here since he entered the industry. It is expected that many members of the local film colony will use this occasion to pay their respects to the new UA producer. Mrs. Carroll to Coast PHILADELPHIA — Mrs. Edna R. Carroll, president of the Women’s Republican Club of Pennsylvania, and chairman of the state board of censors, was tendered a testimonial dinner here last week by her associates, friends and political leaders, with exchange managers in attendance. Highlight, as far as the trade is concerned, was her surprise announcement that she was flying to Hollywood with her expenses all paid by the producers. She was accompanied by Miss Florence Averill, Metro employee here. Censorship Rapped at National Board Meeting Speakers Discuss Pertinent Questions New York City — Discussion of pertinent problems headlined the three-day meeting of the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures here last week. At the annual luncheon February 3,. Mrs. Alonzo Klaw, chairman of the schools committee, repeated the opposition of the board to censorship, especially as to censoring movies intended for child audiences in a manner “that would destroy all life’s harshness into beauty.” Most good adult films are good for children, she said. Praise for films came from Dr. A. A. Brill, chairman, who also defended films against “gibes of the intelligensia.” He said there were few movies in which vicious influences were not far outbalanced by beneficial factors. A number of stars and writers were guests of honor at the luncheon, including Edward G. Robinson and Mrs. Robinson. Harry Carey, Burgess Meredith, Bert Lytell, Sara Allgood, Ona Munson, Edmond O’Brien, Mary Howard, Jane Darwell, Roman Bohnen, John Beal, Donald Cook, Betty Field, Van Heflin, Alison Skipworth, Ezra Stone, Robert Stack and Bertita Harding. A plea for public support of films dealing with topical and social problems was made by Arthur L. Mayer. Mayer told the 300 delegates that he favored the showings of more pictures on problems of the day. But he added that while he thought the motion picture industry had lacked enterprise in choosing themes, the real reason for the absence of such films was public unwillingness to support them. A wider and more intensive use of motion pictures in education as school budgets are restored was predicted by W. W. Whittinghill, director of the department of visual and radio education of the Detroit public schools. A warning against a blanket acceptance of documentary films as truth tellers by the public was voiced by Hans Burger, teacher at the New Theatre School. Albert S. Howson, scenario editor, Warner Brothers, traced the development of sound in the motion picture. On the first day of the threeday session, February 1, among those heard were A. A. Brill, chairman; Francis Doublier, Robert Gessner, Norbert Lusk, Elissa Landi, Richard Griffith. Attendance at a film course at New York University and screenings of several pictures were also listed. Zanuck Signs Three Hollywood — Darryl F. Zanuck, production chief at 20th Century-Fox, last week signed Lucien Hubbard, formerly with Metro, Warners and Paramount, as an associate producer on his production staff and elevated Ralph Dietrich and Walter Morosco from production assistants to full rank associate producers. February 7, 1940 THE EXHIBITOR QUAD.