The Film Daily (1937)

THE 10 Friday, May 21 ,1937 ALLIED DEFENSE COM. TO MEET ON TAX BILL (Continued from Page 1) iana chain store test case. It will precede opening of the annual Allied convention next afternoon. The committee is expected to approve concentrating its campaign on this type of bill, with its theater divorcement measure to be used in a supplementary fashion. Its okay by the convention itself is also indicated. The new measure, which is now understood in process of drafting, will be presented as a source of revenue for states. It may be introduced at special revenue sessions to be held this Spring and summer by a number of legislatures. In what states it is submitted will be determined by regional associations affiliated with Allied. Although the tax would apply to exhibitors backing the bill as well as the circuits, both producer-owned and independent, Allied feels that its members would willingly pay the levy, which will be based on the number of seats in a circuit, inasmuch as it materially curbs operations of their big competitors. Abram F. Myers, chairman of the Allied board and its general counsel, and President Nathan Yamins conferred on the legislative situation in New York yesterday at the Hotel Warwick. They returned to Washington and Fall River, respectively, following the meeting. Theatrical Post Elects Detroit — Newly elected officers of Russell Johnson Theatrical Post No. 371, American Legion, are: Commander, Leslie P. Cusick, operator at Fox Theater; senior vice commander, Jack Ferentz, representative of Musicians' Union; junior vice commander, Max Kolin, operator at Maxine Theater; adjutant, Jack Waugh, RCA engineer; finance officer, Owen Blough, operator, Tower Theater; sergeant-atarms, I. Golden, operator at Garden Theater; past commander, Gilbert Light. Executive board members are: William J. Cornelia, operator; William Marley, sound engineer; Gilbert Lubin, operator at Crostown Theater. Frayne's Committee Meets West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood ■ — ■ Academy Research Council's Committee on Industrial Education, headed by Dr. J. G. Frayne of Erpi, met yesterday to complete final recommendations for the Research Council covering proposed courses to be given under Council auspices next fall, and to accept the final report of the instructors who conducted the spring courses in sound recording. Reviews <4 hew ?U*»s ITSDA to Meet in Chi. Chicago — Independent Theater Supply Dealers Association will hold its annual convention here June 15. "The Girl Said No" With Irene Hervey, Robert Armstrong, Paula Stone, William Danforth Grand National 75 Mins (HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW) LIVELY AND INTEREST-HOLDING ENTERTAINMENT WITH SPECIAL APPEAL TO GILBERT & SULLIVAN FANS. For those who care for Gilbert & Sullivan music, this picture should be especially enjoyable. "The Mikado" is presented, and the better known Gilbert & Sullivan songs are well sung by William Danforth, Vera Ross, Frank Moulan, Allen Rogers and Vivian Hart. The story is a modern one, and the plot has been worked out in a mannei which reasonably allows for the performance of the Gilbert & Sullivan works. Minus these well known comic opera numbers, the picture could still be classed as nice program fare; with this music of renown, its greater success depends on the audiences who want Gilbert & Sullivan. Irene Hervey does her best work in this show, and she photographs very well. Robert Armstrong comes through with his usual capable performance, and Ed Brophy and Harry Tyler serve as comical race-track boys. Paula Stone is seen in an important role, the other parts are filled by the Gilbert & Sullivan cast. Andrew Stone did an excellent job on direction. He handled the players in fine style, the numbers are well presented, and the pace set keeps things moving at a good clip. Stone also produced and wrote the original, on which Betty Laidlaw and Robert Lively did the screenplay. The plot is well balanced between the regular story and the musical presentations, and one's interest is held at a high pitch. Ira Morgan's photography is a first-rate job throughout. Robert Armstrong, a race tract bookie, is taken to the cleaners by Irene Hervey, a dance hall gal. In retaliation, he tells her that he is a theatrical agent and will get her on the stage. He has a hard job convincing her, but bit by bit she falls for the line going so far as to spend money on lessons for a career. Armstrong has some money coming from a theater manager and he also has friends who were old-time Gilbert & Sullivan players, who have a company which is waiting for an opportunity to get back on the stage. With the theater, he gets the players to do "The Mikado" with Irene as a member of the cast. She and Robert have been falling in love, and when he stops the show to tell everyone its all a fake, Irene says she still loves him. The audience, which is made up of anyone who would come, also includes a few critics who prophesy the show will be a big success. Cast: Irene Hervey, Robert Armstrong, Paula Stone, William Danforth, Vera Ross, Vivian Hart, Ed Brophy, Harry Tyler, Richard Tucker, Gwili Andre, Mildred Rogers, Frank Moulan, Josef Swickhard, Arthur Kay, Horace Murphy, Bert Roach, Allan Rogers, Max Davidson, Caritz Crawford. Producer, Andrew L. Stone; Director, Andrew L. Stone; Author, Andrew L. Stone; Screenplay, Betty Laidlaw, Robert Lively; Cameraman, Ira Morgan; Production Manager, Ray Heinz; Art Director, Lewis J. Rachmil; Editor, Thomas Neff; Musical Director, Arthur Kay; Musical Advisor, Edwin Lester. Direction, Excellent. Photography, Firstrate. "Come On, Cowboys!" Starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune Republic 58 Mins. HIGHLY SATISFACTORY WESTERN WITH COMPACT STORY DEFTLY HANDLED. Equipped with a smooth screenplay from the typewriter of Betty Burbridge, effective direction on the part of Joseph Kane, and bright characterizations by trie versatile and well-rounded cast headed by The Three Mesquireers, this is a highly satisfactory western. Melodramatic thrills are nicely counterbalanced with copious comedy touches of the pop variety. At the finale, one wonders how so many elements can be handled without losing a definite degree of compactness. But compact it is, — the only remotely extraneous element being the title, which is one of those general affairs. Edward Piel, Sr., is the arch villain in the piece. To grab control of a small-time circus and carry on his operations as a counterfeiter, he frames his partner, Roger Williams, whom the law hustles off to jail. Bob Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune, — members of the circus troupe and pals of the outraged Williams, — are the proposed executors of his business interests and guardians of his small daughter. The youngster's governess, Maxine Doyle, eventually wins the heart of Bob Livingston after he and his hard-riding companions dish out justice to the counterfeiting band and effect the release of the innocent Williams. All the familiar touches such as ambushes, runaway wagons, gun-play, wild-riding, et al, are present in the footage, but the deftness with which they are put together lends them more than a modicum of interest. Here is an outdoor drama with plenty of zip, and with photography that is always cleanly executed. Cast: Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune, Maxine Doyle, Willie Fung, Edward Peil, Sr., Horace Murphy, Anne Bennett, Edward Cassidy, Fern Emmett, Roger Williams, Yakima Canutt, George Burton, Merrill McCormick, Loren Riebe, Victor Allen, Al Taylor, George Blues. Associate Producer, Sol C. Siegel; Director, Joseph Kane; Screenplay, Betty Burbridge; Cameraman, Ernest Miller; Editor, Lester Orlebeck. Direction, Effective. Photography, Very Good. SHORTS Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 8) Columbia 10 Mins. Good Hollywood Closeup This trip around Hollywood takes in a barbecue, the Palm Springs Racquet Club, Allan Jones' motorbike stand and Frank Morgan's new "Trading Post." The latter is a real novelty, with Morgan trying to sell a film celeb some of the old junk around his shop. But the principal interest centers around the Racquet Club, with a long list of Hollywood stars enjoying the various diversions. Finishes with shots of the Annual Awards banquet, showing the recipients of the awards, as well as a lot of the famous invited audience in close-up. ROCKEFELLER TERMS^ RKO REORG. PLAN HIT (Continued from Page 1) terday filed a copy of his objections with Special Master George W. Alger. The settlement under which the Rockefellers will receive 500,000 shares of new common stock of the reorganized company was "made without regard to the value of the securities offered and is unfair since the new common stock will exceed a value of $18.30 a share." Under this calculation, the Rockefellers would receive a settlement in excess of their total claim, which is $9,100,000. In discussing the 5 to 1 conversion rate of the new debentures into new common, Schein asserts that this is unfair because the new common stock will be worth more than $20 a share. Other points made by Schein are as follows: That the fairness of the plan cannot be determined without fixing the value of the new common stock since under the plan common stock is to be received by all classes of security holders, that the plan is unfair and discriminatory because it purports to ascribe a value to the common stock based solely on earning power, that the plan does not appraise the value of the equity of the common stockholders in RKO; that the formula of earning power is not properly denned and that the assets of RKO cannot fairly be valued by that application of earning power; that the valuation of RKO assets as shown by the balance sheets contained in the plan are inaccurate and arbitrary. Further, that the provision made for holders of 10-year debentures is unfair and discriminatory because the allotment of two shares of new common for each $100 of new debentures exceeds the face value of the debentures and represents a portion of the equity rightfully belonging to stockholders; that Atlas Corp. should be paid in cash rather than in common stock for its services to RKO because the value of the common stock has not been determined; that the provision setting up a board of four Rockefeller men and three RKO men to run the Radio City Music Hall is unfair because it would prevent RKO from carrying out policies it thought necessary. Four Okla. Houses Open Oklahoma City — New theaters opened in Oklahoma are: Arnette at Arnette, Nu-Show at Waynoka. W. T. Sand's at Clayton and Crown at Bartlesville. B & K Employes to Dim Chicago — Balaban and Katz EEh ployes Club will hold its annual dinner and entertainment at the Congress Hotel May 26. Closing St. Louis House St. Louis — Fanchon & Marco will close the Missouri on June 4.