The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

16 THE EXHIBITOR Korda Sets Up Hollywood — Hollywood last week continued to expand its motion picture industry by the addition of a new company headed by Alexander Korda, noted British producer. Company, to be known as Alexander Korda Films, Inc., will make at least two high-budget pictures here this year. Korda has brought to Hollywood key executives and assistants, among them Zoltan Korda, director; Emmanuel Silverstone, business representative; Morris Helprin, assistant in production; Basil Bleck, legal counsel; Jack Okey, production manager; William Hornbeck, film editor. Korda also brought to this country three screen players under contract to him, Sabu, June Duprez, John Justin. Offices of the company will be at United Artists studios, and the first production work will be to complete “The Thief of Bagdad,” a Technicolor picture started in England. Ad Film Round Robin New York City — That a round table discussion of the sponsored picture question can be held so that an understanding can be reached was suggested to Will Hays last week by J. Walter Thompson advertising agency. The agency is of the opinion that there is no basis in the fears of some exhibitors that advertising pictures may become a menace to the industry, and wishes to come to an understanding now to avoid any future antagonism. The agency reports that the 22 sponsored movies which it has produced in the last year have been well received by exhibitors, with no record of any complaints from audiences. The MPPDA seriously discussed the problem at its last meeting. Australian Deal Set Canberra, Australia — The Australian Government has concluded an agreement with United States film companies by which half of the Australian profits, normally remitted to the United States, will be invested in Australia during the war to conserve dollar exchange, it was announced last week. The film censor, Creswell O’Reilly, in his annual report, says British films shown in Australia are more risque than American and other foreign films. He emphasized that the censors avoided controversies over cutting and rejection which probably were started to obtain publicity. Durbin Not to Met Baltimore — Universal Pictures Company last week issued the following statement: “Recently published reports to the effect that Deanna Durbin has signed a contract to sing for the Metropolitan Opera Company are completely unfounded. Neither Miss Durbin nor any of her representatives have been approached or consulted by any representatives of the Metropolitan Opera Company concerning this rumored proposal. Miss Durbin is under exclusive contract to Universal studios, and we are authorized to state for her, as well as ourselves that she has never considered a proposition from the Metropolitan or any other opera company.” "Wife” Bows in Louisville Louisville, Ky. — Governor Johnson of Kentucky and other officials participated in a home-coming welcome to Irene Dunne here along with the world premiere of “My Favorite Wife” as a phase of the Kentucky Derby ceremonies May 4. Miss Dunne’s latest Radio comedy drama in which she plays opposite Cary Grant had its premiere at the Rialto. On the junket from Hollywood came Randolph Scott, featured in the cast, producer Leo McCarey of this Leo McCarey production, Garson Kanin, director, and others. Heading a delegation from New York City were President George J. Schaefer, RKO; Ned E. Depinet, vice-president, and S. Barret McCormick, director of advertising and publicity. Sam and Bella Spewack, authors of the screenplay, also attended. PRC Announces Lineup New York City — It was announced last week that Producers Releasing Corporation will make 16 features, four exploitation specials and three series of westerns of six each, on their 1940-41 lineup. “I Take This Oath,” first of the production, went before the cameras last week, with Sigmund Neufeld producing. Second picture slated for production is “Frontier Crusader,” to be followed by a comedy-drama, “Hold That Woman.” Bob Steele and Tim McCoy, as “Bill, the Kid,” and “Frontier Marshal” respectively, will be the stars of two of the western series, while a third “Sagebrush Family” series will star a radio personality. Officers of the company are Harry Rathner, president; Harry Asher, first vicepresident; George Gill, second vice-president; Louis Rutstein, third vice-president; Bert Kulick, secretary-treasurer. Arthur Weil Passes New York City — Arthur William Weil, authority on copyright law and a member since 1919 of the firm of Frank, Weil and Strouse, died last week at his home, after a long illness. His age was 59. Weil was the author of the standard work “Weil on Copyright” and was instrumental in making the contract for the introduction of taking pictures in 1929 when he was attorney for the Electrical Research Products, Inc., a subsidiary of Western Electric. He did much work for the producers, representing Universal, Paramount and the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc., in copyright suits. He spent much time in Washington testifying before committees and helping to draft bills connected with his specialty. B and K Ruled Violators Chicago — Master in Chancery Edgar Eldredge last week filed a report in Federal District Court in which he held that Balaban and Katz had violated one major phase of its 1931 Federal consent decree. All major distributors were exonerated of complicity in the violation. As a distributor, Paramount was not guilty, although as the B and K parent company it was held jointly liable. Both units have 20 days„in which to make exceptions to the master’s report. Young Tells Everything New York City — Kenneth M. Young, Pathe Film Corporation president, told stockholders last week that the company would remain as a holding company, that DuPont Film Manufacturing earnings were up over the first quarter of last year, and that it was possible a dividend would be paid by Pathe this year. Young, successor to O. Henry Briggs, presiding for the first time at the annual meeting of the stockholders, also explained the tax problems blocking liquidation, with a representative of a legal firm explaining the legal aspect of the matter. The company now owns 3500 shares of DuPont stock and 11,620 shares of Pathe Laboratories, its sole assets. Young stated that no deal was pending with DuPont for disposition of the Pathe stock. Several stockholders criticized high operating costs and suggested dissolution of the company. While only 423 shares were represented in person, 434,273 were represented by proxy. Company’s preferred stock does not vote. The incumbent Pathe board of directors was re-elected. Meiklejohn to Paramount Hollywood — Paramount last week signed William Meiklejohn, well known Hollywood agent, to head the company’s talent and casting departments. In revealing the deal, Y. Frank Freeman, vice-president in charge of studio operations, issued a formal announcement of studio policy. Interrogate More Execs (Continued from page 12) concerned clearance situations which affected him. He said that his knowledge was general and not specific. He now has the Howard, Howard Beach, L. I. Howard Lesser, operator, Rialto, Paterson, N. J., testifying as the fourth government witness in the equity suit, said last week that he had entered a complaint with the Department of Justice after Warner Brothers allegedly attempted to force him to buy the 1939-40 product in order to obtain the last 15 features of the 193839 season. Lesser, whose house seats 540, also complained because the 1,500-seat Paterson house, the Regent, received seven days clearance over the Rialto, while the Regent had a considerably lower admission price and was too far away to be accorded such protection. On further examination, Lesser revealed that he had been aware of the Regent’s clearance when he had purchased the Rialto two years ago; and that he had made a “poor deal” in the purchase, as he had not looked into the licensing contracts. Lesser claimed that, prior to his purchase of the house, the major companies refused to discuss clearance with him until he was the owner of the theatre. Paul Williams, Special Assistant Attorney General, and his entourage moved to New York May 6 in preparation for the forthcoming trial in the government equity suit. Assisting Williams are his special assistants Robert L. Wright, John F. Clagett, James Malloy, J. Stephen Doyle and James Hayes and special attorneys Seymour Krieger, J. Frank Cunningham and William P. Farnsworth. May 8, 1940