Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

4 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN KENNEDY REPORT SECRET—PAR. AUTRY-REPUBLIC KISS Pay Him $50,000 . . . Paramount gave Joseph P. Kennedy $5 0,000 and thanked him for his report on the company's shortcomings, but refused to make its contents public. Generally, it is assumed in the trade that the former SEC chief took a lusty smack at the company's production bosses during the past year and might even have gone so far as to have accused them of negligent spending of Paramount cash. The directors believe that publication of such a report won't do anyone good and might do the company much harm, so it shall remain buried in the archives, while Adolph Zukor goes about his business of attempting to rehabilitate Paramount's production prestige. Otterson Will Have to Sue . . . Meanwhile, the directors temporarily disposed of the question of John E. Otterson's contract by advising Mr. Otterson that, since he is no longer president of the company, he won't get paid. Of course, there is the matter of a five year contract cheerfully granted to the former Erpi president a year ago. $4 5 0,000 is still due Otterson under the terms of this pact and if he expects to collect it, which he undoubtedly does, he'll have to sue. BETTE DAVIS SNUBS W. B. Suspended . . . Hollywood. — The breach between academy-award winner Bette Davis and her employers, Warners, reached an impasse this week when the star ignored the studio's ultimatum to come back to work or suffer suspension. She was suspended. Beverly Roberts, who is getting an energetic build-up by W-B, was given Bette's role in "God's Country and the Woman." Out here there is a rumor that Miss Davis will follow exstudio mate Jim Cagney to Grand National. FINNEY JOINS G-N AS ADVERTISING CHIEF Edward I'inniy Edward Einney last Saturday resigned his position as head of Republic's advertising and publicity department to occupy the same post with Grand National. One of the most popular of the film ad men, Finney has been in the industry for 15 years, having been, prior with his association with Republic, assistant advertising manager of United Artists and press sheet editor for M-G-M. 8 Per Year . . . Hollywood. — The squabble between Republic and Gene Autry which left this outfit without an outstanding western star has been patched up, the singing cowboy getting a heavy increase in salary. He will make 8 pictures per year for 7 years. The saddle yodler walked out on the studio several weeks ago, claiming that his greatly increased popularity had not been recognized by Republic with a boost in his stipend; and because he could make ten times as much on the radio. Under his new deal he is allowed to make personal appearances and appear on the air, retaining all he earns from these sources. He goes into work this week on "Oh, Suzanna." G-MEN PROBING WEST COAST Exhibitor Complaints . . . Los Angeles. — Fox West Coast Theatres, storm center of numerous previous investigations, inquiries, legal actions, is again the subject of a probe by the Department of Justice. This outfit has been a veritable nightmare for independent exhibitors on the Coast for several years, if one is to judge by the number of complaints registered against it. This time, the G-men are looking into the charge that the Skouras-operated circuit is engaged in a conspiracy with several major film firms to restrain the free flow of trade. Pierson M. Hall, U. S. d.a., promises that the facts will be turned over to Homer S. Cummings, Attorney General. EIGHTEEN FROM C.-I. 3500 Allied Bookings Guaranteed . . . Subsequent to the one year arrangement negotiated by Edward Golden, general sales manager for Chesterfield and Invincible pictures, and Nathan Yamins, Sidney E. Samuelson, Aaron Saperstein and H. M. Richey, of Allied States Association, wherebyAllied guaranteed these producers 3 5 00 bookings on each picture they made of Class A quality, on budgets far in excess of what their companies had previously fixed for product — comes the announcement from George R. Batcheller, president of Chesterfield: and Maury M. Cohen, president of Invincible, of the titles of the 1 8 they intend to make. The list follows: "Alone," "Born Lucky," "Betrayed," "House of Secrets," "The Only Way," "Red Lights Ahead," "Dancing in the Dark," "Great Ballyhoo," "Shadow Speaks," "Adorable Cheat," "Narrow Road." "Beauty Racket," "Mysteries of Paris," Professional Model," and four specials: "Ellis Island," "Missing Girls," "Return of Raffles" and "Fugitive from Justice." Says Batcheller: "We approach the new season with a sincere appreciation of the responsibility of independent leadership and with a full understanding of the obligations which that responsibility places upon us. As in the past, we shall do our utmost to fulfill your expectations." Cohen adds, "It is our purpose and intention to make motion pictures that will provide wholesome entertainment for the entire family." Golden remarks, "Chesterfield and Invincible will deliver on schedule with definite release dates, these eighteen features. We fully expect to come to you again one year from now with a record of 1936-37 accomplishments that will warrant your further encouragement and support."