Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

4 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN THE METRO-FOX GB DEAL G. B. Out Here . . . All the rumors about the set-up of the Metro, 20th CenturyFox, Gaumont-British merger in English production were laid to rest on Monday with the formal announcement of the results of the five months' negotiation. The important thing to exhibitors in this country is that MGM and 20th Century will henceforth distribute in the U. S. product made at the GB studios, "thus greatly reducing the cost of distribution," according to Joseph M. Schenck, chairman of 20th Centruy-Fox. In what manner the split of product between the two American firms will be made was not disclosed, nor was the method of liquidating contracts now held by GB. The Terms . . . The conditions of the agreement, which must still be ratified by the boards of the three companies, provide that a new British holding company be organized. Gaumont-British and the British public will hold approximately 60S of the stock. 20th Century and Metro will each have an approximate 20' , . Chief benefits from the deal for the American firms (1) Acquisition of an established production unit in England, where they are required by law to produce at least one picture for every five or six of its American-made features it distributes; (2) Economies in distribution costs by consolidation of their British selling forces with that of GB; (3) Elimination of a strong competitor for the services of stars, directors, writers, technicians. According to Schenck, GB's selling force in this country will be "absorbed" by Fox and MGM. PHILA. THEATRICAL SCENE Changes . . . For the 1936-37 season Philadelphia will have a considerably altered scene of theatrical activities. The Shubert is going burlesk under N. Y. management. The Garrick is to be demolished to make room for more stores. The Broad Street Theatre is slated for the wrecking crew with the site to be used as a parking lot. Both the Lyric and Adelphi on North Broad Street are also to be razed. The Walnut will have Yiddish plays the same as last year and the Rcxy on South Street will reopen with more Yiddish plays. This leaves the Forrest and the Chestnut, operated by the Shuberts, and the Erlanger, under the managership of Sam Nirdlinger, as the only three houses to play legit attractions with the exception of the huge uptown Met, which w 11 occasionally pi ly the bigger production and revues. The Little may re-open with art films, as may the Locust Street Theatre. Nixon's Grand, long closed except for brief occupancy last season with Chaplin in "Modern Times," re-opens under direction of Harry Slatko, with policy of co.orcd stage shows plus pictures. The Lincoln will re-open with a similar pclicy under agcis of Sam H. Stiefel. It is understood that a booking war is now on between these latter two houses, both trying to sign up all available colored headliners. Lincoln will open with Cab Calloway and Nixon's-Grand with Ethel Waters. And current rumor has the Mastbaum slated for re-opening with an undisclosed policy. PARAMOUNT SUES GOLDWYN Gary Cooper $5,000,000 Star . . . Los Angeles. — Handsome, lanky Gary Cooper had a price of $5,000,000 placed on his head Monday. Paramount Pictures, sponsors of his film fortunes for the past ten years, entered suit m Federal Court against Samuel Goldwyn, charging that the latter, "by means of false and fraudulent representations and statements," induced Cooper to drop negotiations with Paramount for a renewal of his contract and signed with the United Artists' producer. For this, Paramount asks $4,000,000 actual and $1,000,000 punitive damages. Adolph Zukor in a personal statement to the press declared that Mr. Goldwyn had committed a "breach of good morals and ethics, and a violation of the law." He stated further that Paramount had taken the former movie cowboy when he was unknown and developed him to stardom. Cooper, it is said out here has always felt an obligation to Goldwyn, who gave him his first chance, after discovering him as a cowboy-extra in "The Winning of Barbara Worth." Cooper's present contract with Paramount runs until December. WARNERS CAN'T STOP CAGNEY Will Make at Least 4 for G-N . . . With the signing of James Cagney, former Warner Bros, star, last week, Grand National gets off to a start that will immediately place them in the running with the best of the independents. Before leaving for the West Coast Edward L. Alperson and Carl Lesse:man announced that Cagney will make at least four pictures for the 1936-37 season. "John Sullivan's Hat," "The Luck of the Irish," "Studs Lornegan," and an untitled original by Charles Buddington Kelland are the first four that Cagney will make. A total of 5 2 feature productions will constitute the G-N line-up. Producers for this product have all been set and deals made. The mere formality of signing contracts remaining. Conrad Nagel has been signed for one series. In connection with Grand National signing Cagney, Harry M. Warner stated in Hollywood that Warner Brothers could do nothing about it since the courts issued a decree giving him the right to earn a living and they can not interfere. This definitely indicates the Warner studio is no further interested at this time. DIRECTORS DIE Alan Crosland . . . Hollywood. — Alan Crosland, prominent Warner director, died here last Thursday night. He had been injured when his car overturned about a week before. Pneumonia set in and checked his fight for recovery. He was 42 years old. Crosland directed Al Jolson's "Jazz Singer," "Sea Beast," "Don Juan" and other Warner successes. Stephen Roberts . . . Stephen Roberts, another director, died suddenly of a heart attack here last Friday. He had recently signed a five year contract to direct pictures for RKO.