Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1938)

AUGUST 27th, 1938 L3 mm mm mm miu mi) mm , , . BY YOUR HOLLYWOOD CORRESPONDENT Tut tut is our comment on the recent declaration by M-G-M that it had cancelled its plan for elaborate road show engagements of "Marie Antoinette" and was putting the film on general release immediately. "This," says Metro, "is its sincere contribution and gesture of cooperation with the united industry drive." It really reguires no Sherlock Holmes to fathom the underlying reason for Metro's generosity. The hard fact is that "Antoinette" is taking a boxoffice nosedive both here and in New York. Bennie F. Ziedman, one of our ace independent producers, has become executive vice-president of Malcolm Browne Pictures, a new company founded by the laboratory organization of the same name. Space has been taken in the Talisman Studios, where Ziedman is readying production plans for a group of 26 pictures. First on the schedule is "Prison Train," an action film. Also planned is a series of westerns starring Monte Rawlins. Yarns are based on the "Masked Phantom" stories. A favorable angle of George Raft's suspension at Paramount because of his refusal to play in "St. Louis Blues" is that it gives Lloyd Nolan, one of Hollywood's better actors, the first real break of his film career. His break almost came a year ago when Raft balked at his role in "Souls At Sea." Nolan was skedded for the part, but the studio and Raft patched up their differences and Nolan went back to essaying villains in B action pictures. Speaking of Raft and his latest tiff with Paramount, a singularly commendable feature of the occurrence was the handling of the story by the studio publicity department. The press was simply given a complete, comprehensive and forthright statement of the company's position in the matter. To my knowledge, this is the 'first time such a course has been followed m the dissemination of such ticklish news. Possibly it was handled thus because the studio was confident it was right. Nevertheless it is a worthwhile idea, one that should be followed by all studios to end the diverse, exaggerated and ofttimes damaging reports in similar situations. Since the re-selling of "Spawn of the North" was one of the sore points of this paper's tiff with Paramount last season, it certainly behooved its Hollywood correspondent to get to the preview of said picture last week. But a mix-up at the theatre found me sitting glumly in an automobile while my guests for the evening walked blithely inside to grab off the last available seats firm in the conviction that I was tucked away safely in my favorite balcony corner. Reports from them on "Spawn" are anything but favorable. They tell me the story is routine and builds up to an anti-climax which had the audience out of the theatre before the film was actually over. Lamour is ex NOMINATED For Better Roles FRED KEATING Here's an actor who has been tossed around foolishly by Hollywood. A comedian of proven ability, as attested by the constant demand for him at Hollywood social functions (gratis), Keating has plenty on the ball. Brought to Hollywood with the usual fanfare of publicity, he became obscured in a succession of poor pictures better left unmentioned. However, in the recent "Dr. Rhythm," Keating very adroitly held his own against such tested fun provokers as Bea Lillie, Bing Crosby, Andy Devine and Laura Hope Crewes. He is suave, easy on the eyes, well built and has an entertaining personality. In addition to being a clever comedian, he is an excellent prestidigitator. We hear he is about to leave for a New York show. There should be a place in Hollywood for Fred Keating! cellent; Raft only fair; Fonda poor. Most interesting personality is Slicker, a trained seal, whose antics steal the picture. When the Los Angeles bunco sguad recently descended upon a local talent school and arrested the officers of the corporation for alleged theft and misleading advertising, it took into its hands a situation which should have been denounced by the Hays office. Such spurious organizations have thrived for many years with false promises of screen stardom for the gullible "suckers" who flock to Hollywood. The entire industry is often condemned for the tactics of these outfits, although the legitimate people of the film city have never encouraged their existence. Hollywood's exploitation experts have sent goodwill trains throughout the country, held premieres in mining towns and sent stars to New York for p. a.'s, but a new publicity wrinkle is being employed by Paramount to create interest in the forthcoming "Arkansas Traveler." A covered wagon will leave Little Rock, Ark., on a 3500-mile trek through the South and East of New York and return through the middle West. Charles Mooshian is in charge of the wagon and will be on the trip tor about four months. To each state Governor he will convey the invitation of the Governor of Arkansas to the world premiere of the Paramount picture, which will be held in Little Rock. Bids for Bing Crosby's services for the one outside picture allowed by his contract are being made by both RKO and Universal. Walter Wanger was also talking business sometime ago and may still be negotiating. But the warbler remains non-committal on the subject. It is highly probable that he will make no outside deals at all. Bing is in the higher bracket income tax class and most of his earnings go to Uncle Sam, so Dame Rumor has it that Bing may guit pictures entirely and concentrate on radio. Hope it isn't true, for if "Sing You Sinners" is any indication, Crosby is in the prime of his career and looks like a valuable attraction for many years to come. BITS . . . Marshall Neilan and Budd Shulberg are scripting a story called "Cavalcade of Hollywood." . . . Zoe Atkins is abandoning scripting jobs for play-writing. . . . American Pictures Corp., being formed in the East, may star Broadway's white-haired boy Orsen Wells in a film to be directed by Jed Harris. . . . Fans are said to be kicking at the casting of Garbo as "Madame Curie." They don't believe she can act it well enough. For years Garbo has been cited as the most perfect screen actress in Hollywood and now people start kicking!! . . . Wish Lou Rantz would actually do something about his contemplated short subject "Topsy." Publicity has been going out on it for at least three months, but production simply never starts.