The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

THE EXHIBITOR Para Nets $1,030,000 New York City— Paramount Pictures Inc., last week estimated its earnings after* interest and all charges for the fourth quarter ended December 30, 1939, at $1,030,000. These earnings do not include $245,000 representing the amount of dividends received by the corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries from non-consolidated subsidiaries in excess of Paramount’s direct and indirect net interest as a stockholder in the combined earnings for the quarter, such excess representing a partial distribution of share of earnings of previous quarters. Estimated earnings for the year ended December 30, 1930 are $3,870,000 including $1,110,000 share of undistributed earnings of partially owned non-consolidated subsidiaries. After deducting $1,201,074 of dividends accrued for the year on these preferred shares, the remaining $2,668,926 of estimated combined consolidated and share of undistributed earnings for the year represent $1.08 per share on the 2,465,927 shares of common stock outstanding December 30, 1939. Pasternak in Philly Philadelphia — Joe Pasternak, Universal producer, en route to New York for a short vacation after completing “It’s a Date,” his seventh consecutive Durbin success, arrived in Philadelphia March 24 to remain to attend a testimonial luncheon given in his honor at the Philadelphia Variety Club the following day. Local theatre-men as well as many of the leading city dignitaries attended. Later Pasternak played host to the Philadelphia press. Warren Conner Promoted Philadelphia — Warren Conner, local ERPIite, was last week appointed district manager of a new Cincinnati zone, including Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Kentucky, effective April 1. David Peterson was appointed district supervisor of Washington and Virginia territories. W. Russ Widener succeeds Conner in the Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey area as district supervisor. Brown Educational Trustee New York City — William S. Brown is the trustee of Educational Films Corporation, having been appointed at a creditors’ meeting last week end. Sole assets of the company are 16mm. rights to about 1000 pictures now in the Grand National trustee’s hands. Next creditors’ meeting is April 5. UA Making 3 0 New York City — UA will make at least 30 pictures during 1940-1941, Murray Silverstone announced last week end, upon his return from the Coast. Total budget will be $29,000,000, with 14 producers represented. The Charles Chaplin show, “The Great Dictator” will probably be the first feature. Empire Operators Dine New York City — The 15th anniversary dinner and dance of the Empire State Motion Picture Operators’ Union will be held at the Murray Hill Hotel March 29. It will be in the nature of a testimonial to President Abraham I. Kindler. Coast Engineers on Jaunt Hollywood — Major studio sound directors will be guests of Electrical Research Products, Inc., on a trip to New York for a week’s study of recent and pending improvements in sound film recording and reproducing, including demonstrations of improved equipment, it was announced last week. Group pulls out for the East April 5 on the Super Chief, with daily technical discussions slated at Bell Telephone Laboratories and ERPI headquarters. A highlight of the trip will be attendance by the party at the first demonstration of stereophonic sound reproduction by Tell Telephone Laboratories at Carnegie Hall New York City April 9. Visit to the Western Electric manufacturing plant at Kearny, New Jersey, and other points of technical interest are also scheduled. Clifford W. Smith, Hollywood, vicepresident of ERPI, will be in charge of the trip. "Dark Command” April 4 New York City — Republic’s Raoul Walsh production, “Dark Command,” will have its world premiere in simultaneous performances at the Granada, Dickinson, Lawrence, Kansas, April 4, it was announced last week by J. R. Grainger, president of Republic. The Board of Trade and other civic organizations are co-operating with William Saal, Republic’s representative now on the ground, in developing the program intended to focus national attention on Lawrence, Kansas, the film’s locale, and on “Dark Command.” Home Office and west coast executives will also be in attendance, as well as franchise holders and branch managers. Boston Depositions Taken Boston — Depositions of Norman Ayres, Warners’ branch head, and Harry Rogovin, Columbia exchange chief, were taken last week, winding up last week end. Move was in connection with the suit of Clarence Milett and Frank Lepage, who filed an anti-trust suit against the distributors and others recently. THE EXHIBITOR Volume 23, Number 20 March 27, 1940 Advance Shots on Coming Reviews 13 Better Management 14, 16 The Check-Up (The Exhibitor’s Servisection) Yellow Section Editorial Page 3 Hints on Newspaper Advertising 17 In the Spotlight 6 Late News Highlights 7, 8 National Mirror 9, 10 National Mirror Picture Page 12 National Release Date Guide Inside Back Cover News of Territory 19 et seq. Production Happenings 18 Territorial Highlights 5 The Tip-Off 15 Warren Stokes Hollywood Newsreel 13 Material contained in the Late News Highlights section often represents 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. Advance Shots AMERICAN GANG BUSTERS (Captain A. F. Dion) — 64m. Tacking together newsreel shots, stills, and enacted sequences, Captain A. F. Dion has readied this celluloid which can be sold to houses going in for sensational entertainment and even more sensational bally. Shown are tabloid biographies of the lives and deaths of public enemies. TEAR GAS SQUAD (Warners)— Dennis Morgan, John Payne, Gloria Dickson, George Reeves. 58m. Lacking in marquee names, but nevertheless possessing some entertaining moments, this one will fit okay as a companion feature. Outstanding is the singing of Morgan who more than satisfied the audience with an oldie, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” Audience reaction was good. TEXAS STAGECOACH (Columbia) — Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Bob Nolan. 59m. Injecting a minor novel angle, but retaining most of the tested action formula, this was well received by a fairsized audience in a metropolitan theatre. It is the fastest moving Starrett in a long time and should satisfy action fans anywhere. Shorts ANTS IN HIS PLANTS (ParamountColor Classic). 7m. Good. THE BIG PREMIERE (Metro— Our Gang). 10m. Fair. CLIMBING THE SPIRIT’S HOME (20th Century-Fox — Father Hubbard’s Adventures) . 10m. Excellent. CROSS COUNTRY DETOUR (Vitaphone — Merrie Melody) . 7m. Excellent. THE DOMINEERING MALE (MetroPete Smith Specialty). 10m. Excellent. DONALD'S DOG LAUNDRY (RKORadio — Walt Disney). 8m. Excellent. THE FLAG SPEAKS (Metro— Special) . 20m. Excellent. GEORGE OLSEN AND HIS MUSIC (Paramount — Headliner). 10m. Good. HOME ON THE RANGE (Metro— Rudolf Ising Cartoon). 9m. Good. INFORMATION PLEASE, No. 8 (Ruth Gordon). RKO-Pathe. 10m. Good. JACK POT (Metro — Crime Doesn’t Pay) . 19m. Excellent. XXXMEDICO (Metro — Passing Parade) . 9m. Excellent. MOLLY CURES A COWBOY (RKORadio — Ray Whitley Musical). 19m. Fair. PILGRIM PORKY (Vitaphone — Looney Tune) . 7m. Excellent. STEALIN’ AIN’T HONEST (Paramount — Popeye) 7m. Fair. UNUSUAL OCCUPATIONS No. 4 (Paramount) 10m. Good. VYVYAN DONNER’S FASHION FORECAST “FOR OUTDOORS” (20th CenturyFox) . 10m. Excellent. YOUNG AMERICA. Atlas. 10m. Good. March 27, 1940