Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1936 HCLLYHCCD IflLIICIKEIRS By DAVID J. HANNA Pinch-hitting for Harry Blair Hollywood, August 3. Sam Goldwyn's headache won't feel any better with the two law suits against him this week. Paramount may or may not be serious about their $5,000,000, suit over their pride and joy, Gary Cooper, but it looks as though Eddie Cantor, probably Goldwyn's best attraction, means business with his attempt to tear up his contract with Sam. With a program of 20 pictures before them and Ed Halperin off to New York to arrange for distribution, including a deal for foreign releases, the merger between Maurice Conn and the Halperin Brothers has been effected. With this merger completed only two Indies, Victory and Chesterfield remain, who have gone through the season and faced all the problem's of the Independent producers. For his production of "Personal Appearance" the Mae West starrer, Emanuel Cohen, is surrounding the hour glass gal with a brilliant cast. Already signed are Warren William, Alice Brady, Elizabeth Patterson, Isabell Jewell, Randolph Scott and Etienne Giradot. Today we hear Cohen is negotiating for the services of Jack Holt in one of the top roles. Nice to hear Rod La Roque is doing a picture. He signed a one picture deal with I. E. Chadwick. No title as yet but scheduled to begin shortly. R. W. Richards, formerly production manager for Hecht and McArthur is set with Columbia for three pictures. James Cruze will direct the first. Richard's is setting up his own Independent Company at Pathe. Republic Studios staged their first national production and sales conference last week at the Ambassador, since J. J. Milstein became general manager. New season's set-up is completed and special campaign mapped out for "Follow Your Heart," the Marion Talley-Michael Bartlett opera. That swell actress, Gertrude Michael, has finally been released from her contract with Paramount, where her roles have been none too good except her two spins as Sophie Lang. Now she's free lancing and looking for better roles. Cecelia Parker and Eric Linden go into the leads in "In His Steps'' at Talisman for Grand National. Karl Brown, who also scripted is directing and Ben Ziedman will produce, this being his second production for the organization. Good news to hear that William S. Holman has ironed out his difficulties with Harry Conn. The studio manager, who was attempting to have his contract settled, stays on until the end of next year. George Hirliman's production of "Daniel Boone" left for Big Bear this week for location scenes. Jack Stern and Henry Tobias ticketed to write the musical score for the George O'Brien starrer. Martin Mooney has signed with Chesterfield to do two originals, "Missing Girls" and "Police Woman." Mooney will also handle screen treatment. Jack Young, formerly with the Shuberts, started this week at Republic as dialogue director. Hoot Gibson has completed a six picture deal with Walter Futter and has severed his partnership connections with the producer. What The Newspaper Critics Say: "SATAN MET A LADY" (Warner's) "Credulity shocker . . . By dialogue and plot you'd never know, unless informed, that Dashiell Hammett had anything to do with this production . . ." N. Y. DAILY NEWS. "Has certain amusing episodes; but the strained humor and self-conscious sophistication becomes as exhausting as the effort to follow the addled plot. Warren William gives a smirking and over-studied performance and Bette Davis walks through her lines languidly . . ." N. Y. HERALD-TRIBUNE. "... A cynical farce of elaborate and sustained cheapness . . . Causes talented actors and actresses including Warren William, Bette Davis, Arthur Treacher and Alison Skipworth to behave like numbskulls . . ." N. Y. TIMES. "THREE CHEERS FOR LOVE" (Paramount) "... A modest but snappy little musical comedy featuring several youngsters who dance and sing creditably. Eleanor Whitney, a cute trick, is fast on her toes and can put over a song number . . ." N. Y. DAILY NEWS. ". . . Most harmless picture of the year . . . An amiable and furiously innocuous screen musical short, stretched to feature length . . . Everyone in the cast is pleasant and likeable." N. Y. HERALD-TRIBUNE. ". . . Passes as a musical comedy, but the music is no great tribute to its authors, and the comedy is most elusive . . ." N. Y. TIMES. "MARY OF SCOTLAND" (RKO) "... A richly produced, dignified and stirringly dramatic cinematization of one of the most colorful periods and personalities in history . . . MUST BE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE YEAR'S NOTABLE PHOTOPLAYS . . . Katharine Hepburn's Mary Stuart shines brilliantly." N. Y. TIMES. "... A triumphant film . . . Exquisitely beautiful . . . There are many fine performances and John Ford's direction is a masterly job . . ." N. Y. DAILY NEWS. ". . . Stunning screen drama . . . Masterfully directed, splendidly cast, exquisitely written . . . A triumph for Hepburn . . ." N. Y. DAILY MIRROR. Paramount's "Advertising Material Rental Service Contract" will COST THEM from $300 to $500 MORE per year! Protect yourself by dealing ONLY with National-Kline Poster Co. 1J07 VINE STREET, PHILADELPHIA Simon Libros • Al Blofson • Oscar Libros