Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

Vol. 2, No. 46 %dependent EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN July 15, 193 6 THE INDUSTRY'S NEWS from An Editorial Viewpoint SQUASHING BRITISH COMPETITION G-B to Americans . . . With an alarming (for Hollywood) rush in the past two years, the British film market has progressed to the point of being a serious threat to the dominance of leading American producers. The English studios have been bidding for and buying the services of outstanding American stars, directors, technicians, oftimes at prices far in excess of what they had been earning in this country. Something had to be done about it. Latest reports from London, New York and Hollywood indicate that the deal by which Gaumont-British, leading English film firm, is to pass into American hands will be closed any day. Loew's, parent company of M-G-M, is to acquire 2 5 percent of the G-B stock and cooperate with 20th Century-Fox, holders of 49 percent, in the operation of the company, according to one report. Another has Loew's, 20th Century and the Ostrer Bros., present majority stockholders, each having one-third, with control shared by the two American outfits and operation in the hands of the Ostrers. Not-so-good for Exhibs . . . American producers will shed no tears over the elimination of the strongest overseas competitor. Stars and directors won't walk out so readily on terms offered them, because a juicy contract will be waiting for them on the other side. What tears will be shed will come from the eyes of exhibitors. G-B's product has become increasingly attractive in the American market during the past two years. In a closely held film market, another 16 or 20 features each season helped to loosen the stringency. While no mention has been made of the method of distribution for what will probably still be known as G-B Pictures in this country, it is not unlikely that, after this year, the product will be split between 20th Century and Metro, eliminating the separate sales organization maintained here by G-B. CAGNEY TO GRAND NATIONAL Scoop . . . Scoring what the trade might refer to as a star scoop, softspoken Edward L. Alperson, Grand National prexy, announced last Saturday the signing of two-fisted James Cagney, ex-Warner luminary, to appear in a series of features under the G-N banner. While one player can hardly be said to establish a film company, no one can question the fact that one as prominent as Cagney is quite a feather in the cap of a brand new outfit. Cagney, turbulent figure at the WB studio until he walked out about six months ago, because he felt he was being used more often than was good for his boxoffice value, will start on his first G-N film within six weeks. A story is being selected and the Irish boy from Noo Yawk's East Side, who gave up a promising medical career to become a grand actor, will have something to say about it. You'd hardly believe it, but Cagney would like his films to have a bit more artistic worth than the rough and tumble brawls he has engaged in in the past. Meanwhile, Alperson and Carl Leserman hopped off to the Coast to close additional deals with producers, directors, stars for Grand National's first program, probably between 42 and 5 2 features. 1ST NATIONAL VANISHES Formed by Exhibs . . . Almost twenty years ago a large group of exhibitors, faced by film terms they regarded as onerous, lent their financial and buying support to First National Pictures, Inc. The company was organized by the late J. D. Williams and Thomas L. Tally. Such outstanding stars of the day as Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and Norma and Constance Talmadge flocked to the banner of this company which had an assured outlet to several thousand theatres, an integral part of which was the Stanley Company of America. In 1929, Warner Brothers, flushed with the success of their pioneering venture in sound films, cast about for means of widening their interests and extending their power in the industry, acquired both the Stanley Company and First National. Since then F-N has been submerged beneath the Warner name and l ist Friday was entirely obliterated by a vote of the stock-holders to dissolve the corporation and distribute its assets. Allied Seeking Similar Tie-up . . . Today, with much agitation again rife in the industn against alleged monopolistic practices by the powerful producing bloc. Allied States Association is campaigning among independent exhibitors for the creation of a new First National set-up. with the present Chesterfield-Invincible organization as the source of film supply. Issued weekly at 13 23 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Phone: Rittcnhouse 7424. Mo Wax, Publisher .ind Editor; Roland Barton, George Frees Nonamaker, Associate Editors. New York Office: 1658 Broadway; phone: Circle 7-3094