The Film Daily (1937)

THE 12 ■<&?k DAILY SET HEARING MONDAY ON HOBBS BILL PROBE Milwaukee — The rules committee of the House of Representatives on Monday will conduct a hearing on the Hobbs resolution, ordering investigation of the film industry, it was disclosed by Abram F. Myers, chairman of the Allied board and its general counsel, at the afternoon session of the organization's convention yesterday at the Hotel Pfister. Myers also indicated that he has conferred with the associations of retail druggists and grocers in an effort to work out a cooperative plan of action in support of its anti-chain legislation. Myers discussed Allied's legislative ambition, particularly from a national angle, and pointed out that the U. S. Supreme Court has "enlarged the vista" of such moves through its recent decisions. He described the anticipated aid of the retail associations as an "additional weapon" and urged exhibitors to get behind the Neely-Pettengill bill outlawing block booking. Whatever delays have occurred on the part of Congress in action on these measures, said Myers, is because it has been preoccupied with the administration's Supreme Court reorganization plan. Letters from Representative Pettengill and Senator Neely, regretting their inability to attend the convention, were read by Myers, who warned that unless exhibitor support is forthcoming, the Allied program will be "unduly delayed" in consummation. Sabath's Bankruptcy Bill Reported Favorably in House Washington Bureau cf THE FILM DAILY Washington — The Sabath bankruptcy reform bill was voted a favorable report by the House Judiciary Committee yesterday with an amendment transferring power of conservator from the Controller of the Currency to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Judiciary sub-committee is now engaged in writing a favorable report on bill which is expected to solve situations such as those created by the Paramount and other receiverships. "Robe" at Little Carnegie "Under The Red Robe," New World production starring Annabella, Conrad Veidt and Raymond Massey, released through 20th Century-Fox, opens at the Little Carnegie Sunday. Allied In Giveaway Biz Milwaukee — Allied went into the giveaway biz last night with conventioneers trying to win cash and dishes. It all happened in connection with the annual banquet at the Hotel Pfister, the exhibs getting the chances as part of their five bucks registration buy. A "JUitU" hot* "£eis ft By RALPH WILK HOLLYWOOD QTTO KRUGER has been signed for an important role in Rex Beach's "The Barrier," which Harry Sherman is producing for Paramount. T T T Charles Bennett is working on the screenplay of "The Real Glory," a story of the Philippine Island Scouts following the Spanish American War. Samuel Goldwyn will produce. T T T A girl who is making rapid strides is June Kilgour, daughter of Mona Monroe of Major Pictures, who is soloist with Vincent Lopez's band. t ▼ T Our Passing Show: Richard Wallace and Jack Okey, former head of the First National art department, holding a re-union; James Johnston, Sr., New York fight manager, visiting M-G-M Trevor Faulkner, for several years with Paramount and now associated with Cinelac Products Corp., New York, is attending the Society of M. P. Engineers convention. Casting assignments — RKO: Lorraine Krueger, "New Faces of 1937"; Leon Errol, "Make a Wish"; 20th-Fox: Tyrone Power, Don Ameche, "In Old Chicago" j GN;1 Iris Meredith, "Mystery of the Hooded Riders." John Cromwell, who just completed Selznick's "The Prisoner of Zenda," will start immediate production on "The Adventures of Marco Polo," with Gary Cooper starred, on the Goldwyn lot. Following this, Cromwell is slated for Walter Wanger's "Arabian Nights," a Technicolor production. HIJ4 -LTl-VJ-lTJ.. C* J.t^llUlVVlUI ^lV/WL*VKiWlJ. Aylesworth Urges Lower Ivens-Hemingway Spanish B.O. Prices for Legit. War Film Now Being Cut «r.OQtir,o irocfovriQ^ ,™ "wv,of n,a Joris Ivens, Dutch director, is now Speaking yesterday on "What the Public Wants" at the final luncheon session of the American Theater Council convention at the Hotel Astor, Merlin H. Aylesworth said that the legitimate theater need not worry about the movies because films can't compete with the stage. Aylesworth advised that the stage reduce its prices below $2 and build up-to-date and comfortable theaters like the cinema emporiums. He said every newspaper in the country would support the theater's campaign to bring back the road. Morris L. Ernst, noted attorney, pointed out that one could see six to eight film shows for the price of a theater ticket and urged a reduction in prices. Ernst observed that there was agitation to close theaters showing left-wing movies but said there was no test for what is indecent. John Golden, producer, gave $5,000 yesterday to provide scholarshins of $1,000 each for five playwrights who have written one play and show promise. Rep. Sirovich s^id that the government will subsidize the living drama. The stage has been destroyed by the movies he asserted. Gustave Schaefer Returns Gustave Schaefer. Universal'* export manager, arrives in New York bv plane today. Schaefer. who atfpnded the New Universal convention in Los' Angeles, stayed over a •few days to consult with Charles R. Rogers, and the story department on foreign aneles in forthcoming "TT" pictures. Ip these conferences. Here Mclntyre, the company's manager for Australia, took part. Mclntyre will come to the home office before returning to Australia. Joris Ivens, Dutch director, is now engaged in cutting a film "The Spanish Earth" which he made in conjunction with Ernest Hemingway at the Madrid front. The picture is intended to show the action in the front lines and the effects of the strife on a village 25 miles behind the lines. Hemingway will write the narrative for the picture. "The Spanish Ear.th" is being sponsored by "Contemporary Historians, Inc.," a group comprising Ivens, Hemingway, John Dos Passos and Archibald MacLeish. Ivens is also working on an educational picture product sponsored by the Progressive Educational Ass'n, which has received a $75,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation for the purpose. Mrs. Blumenstock Dies Mrs. Anna Blumenstock, mother of Mort Blumenstock, Warner Bros. Advertising director, and Sid Blumenstock, in charge of advertising for the company's theaters in Atlantic City, died yesterday after a prolonged illness. Another son, Leonard, also survives. _ Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 P. M. at the Riverside Memorial Chapel, 76th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. GB Program 95% Completed London (By Cable)— With the completion of "Dr. Syn," the new George Arliss starring vehicle, now well along in production, GB's current season's program will be 95 p. c. finished. Two of the company's outstandingproductions are still forthcoming, with release dates on "King Solomon's Mines" and "Gangway" yet to be determined. Trrn Ml «him Friday, May 28, 1937 EXECS TO SPEAK r AT 20TH-F0X PARLEY i (Continued from Page 1) Carthy, Truman H. Talley, Lowell Thomas and 15 others will feature the business sessions of the fiveday annual sales convention of 20th Century-Fox which opens at the Ambassador Hotel Monday. Finishing touches were put to the program yesterday. Clark, general manager of distribution, will open the convention, and will introduce W. J. Hutchinson, foreign manager, and representatives of the company's world-wide organization. Addresses will be made by Sol Lesser, associate producer, William Sussman, eastern division manager, and William J. Kupper, western division manager. The afternoon session of the opening day will be devoted to Movietone News and short subjects, with addresses by Talley, producer of the newsreel, William J. Clark, general sales manager of short subjects and news, H. Lawrenson, foreign editor, Thomas, chief commentator, Ed Thorgersen, sports, and Lew Lehr, humorist. Earle Hammons, president of Educational Pictures, and Jack Skirball, sales manager, will also speak. Following the speaking program, awards will be distributed to winners in the fourth S. R. Kent drive, by J. P. O'Loghlin, Kent drive leader, and William C. Gehring, central division manager. Tuesday's program will open with a meeting in the Fiesta room at 9:30. The 1937-38 product will be discussed by John D. Clark and Col. Joy, public relations counsel. The afternoon session will be addiessed by Zanuck, vice-president in charge of production. Wednesday morning's session will be devoted chiefly to product sales policy and to conferences on publicity and advertising. Addresses will be made at this meeting by McCarthy, Brand, studio publicity director; Arch Reeve, advertising Earl W. Wingart, publicity; and Lee D. Balsly, manager of adsales. Later in the morning addresses will be made by Schenck, board chairman; President Kent, Spyros Skouras, vice-president and general manager of the National Theaters Corp. and Herman Wobber, coast district manager. Distribution department meetings will occupy Wednesday's afternoon session, with separate conferences for branch and district managers, managers, salesmen and bookers and ad sales forces. Delegates will tour the studios_at Movietone City all day Thurs/^\ while Thursday night will be W, I dio Night at the Cocoanut Grove. The eastern delegation will leave on a special train from Union Pacific Depot at 9 (Pacific time), June 4, arriving in New York the following Tuesday morning.