The Film Daily (1937)

Thursday, June 3, 1937 —. 2&*i DAILV DAKEUP OF 20TH-F0X SHORTS LIST REVEALED (Continued from Page 1) 42 two-reel comedies, starring Willie Howard, Imogene Coca, Buster West and Tom Patricola, Bert Lahr, Niela Goodelle, Jefferson Machamer and his "Gags and Gals", Herman Timberg Jr. and Pat Rooney Jr., Harry Gribbon and others. 26 Terry-Toons, one-reel cartoons by Paul Terry. 10 Treasure Chest productions, one-reel miscellaneous novelties. 10 Song and Comedy Hits, featuring comics and singers of screen, stage, radio, and night clubs. 20th Century-Fox will make: Six Adventures of the Newsreel Cameraman, one-reelers, Six Along the Road to Romance on the Magic Carpet of Movietone, one-reel romantic travel pictures. Willie Howard will appear in four to six comedies produced by Educational while Imogene Coca, another new addition to the company's star list, will work in a number of productions. Jefferson Machamer will continue his "Gags and Gals" series, with plans for making between four to six more of these subjects. West and Patricola, dance team, will work in six subjects, while Niela Goodelle will star in four musical comedies. Truman Talley will be in charge of production on 20th Century-Fox's two one-reel series and Lew Lehr will continue as their editor. Ed Thorgerson will provide the narration for the "Road to Romance" group. Newspaper advertising is one of the most important factors in the selling of pictures to the public, declared Joseph M. Schenck at the convention session yesterday. "A large part of our sales and theater attendance has been traced directly to newspaper advertising, proving conclusively that this medium is far superior to any other which we use," he .said. Gibbon Heads New Union Springfield, Mass. — Myles Gibbon has been elected president of the newly formed Theatrical Employes' Union. Other officers elected: Vice president, Garrett McCarthy; recording secretary, Dorothy Guertin; secretary-treasurer, Margaret Sherman; sergeant-at-arms, Henry Rickaby; executive board, Paul Egan, Raymond Millett, Ralph Weinstein and Robert Egan; business agent, Julius Addison. t Brown Joins 20th-Fox West Coast Buy., THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Harry Joe Brown has been given a long-term contract by 20th Century-Fox as associate producer, Darryl F. Zanuck announced yesterday Brown has been with Warner Brother; for the past five years. With 20th-Fox Conventioneers By RALPH WILK HOLLYWOOD A SUDDEN call for "Bill" at the meeting of 20th-Fox division, district and branch managers today would be likely to precipitate a near-riot. All three division managers are Williams; to wit, William Sussman, William J. Kupper and William C. Gehring. An odd thing about this is that none of the 45 d'strict and branch managers has the same given name. The only "W" among them, as a matter of fact, is that belonging to Ward E. Scott, Kansas City district manager. Among features screened during the convention will be the Technicolor Coronation special, the first event in newsreel history to be photographed entirely in color. Clyde Eckhardt, chief of the Chicago office, was given a great welcome. His branch out-delivered any other for the number of weeks that exchange revenue exceeded quota. It was the best year in history for the Chicago outfit, Eckhardt having beaten quota 47 weeks this season and for 21 straight weeks of 1937. A similar glad hand was given Sam Lichter of Cleveland. Came to convention as leader among 20thFox salesmen from the standpoint of turning contracts into revenue. Studio and corporation executives and personnel from all departments on the coast attending convention sessions include: Joseph M. Schenck, chairman of the board; Darryl F. Zanuck, vice-president in charge of production; William Goetz, vicepresident and executive assistant; Sol M. Wurtzel, executive producer; Robert Fairbanks, studio manager; Fred Metzler, studio treasurer; Edward Ebele, production manager; Lew Schreiber, casting director; Harry Brand, studio publicity and advertising director; Col. Jason S. Joy, public relations counsel; Sol Lesser, William Wobber, Edward Wobber, Frank Underwood, Arch Bowles, Alfred McNeill, Ted Kirkmeyer, R. Ricketson, E. C. Rhoden, F. L. Newman, John Hamrick, M. Rosenberg, Al Hanson, Larry Kent, C. A. Buckley, George Topper, Thornton Sargent, Cullen Espy, Dick Dickson, George Bowser, B. V. Sturdivant, Homer Gill, Louis Christ, Fred Stein, H. C. Seipel, Nick Turner, Dick Spier, William Agren, William Steege and E. I. Sponable. Second Play Contest for Collegians Is Announced Sponsored by seven film companies, the Bureau of New Plays will conduct a second play contest for collegians and recent grads, it is announced. This second comnetition will open on Oct. 1 and will close Dec. 15, and the awards will be announced not later than March 15. Awards of $500 will be made to the authors of the six best plays submitted, and at the discretion of the Bureau, of which Theresa Helburn is director, the awards may be increased to scholarship awards of $1,250 or to fellowship awards of from $1,500 to $2,500. "Recipients of scholarship or fellowship awards will be expected to submit at least two plays within the year's tenure of the scholarship or fellowship, or within six months thereafter, and in case of production of one or both such plays, part of the scholarship or fellowship awards shall be considered as advance on royalties to be returned to the Bureau of New Plays for the maintenance of awards," it is stated. Gene Anthony Dead New Orleans — Eugene Anthony, more familiarly known to film men as Gene Anthony, Pontchatoula, La., exhibitor, died in Marine Hospital here after a lengthy illness. Funeral was held in Pontchatoula. He is survived by two brothers and a sister. 1934 Producer-Theater Income Reports Revealed (Continued from Page 1) 668, with 1,327 showing net incomes of $19,804,000 and gross income of $258,994,000. This group paid an income tax of $2,786,000 and excess profits tax of $25,000. Total of 2,173 theaters reported no net income, with a gross income of $194,072,000 and a deficit of $24,473,000. There were 168 theaters reporting no income data and 80 were listed as inactive. Total of 293 film producers reported, with 76 showing net income of $7,396,000 and gross income of $201,181,000. This group paid an income tax of $1,031,000 and an excess profits tax of $33,000. Total of 160 producers reported no net income, showing a gross income of $29,753,000 and a deficit of $3,417,000. There were 57 producers who reported no income data and 79 were inactive. Total number of amusement returns was 10,146 with 2,242 reporting net income of $35,070,000 and gross income of $520,811,000. Total amusement income tax was $4,899,000 and excess profits tax amounted to $108,000. There were 6,619 who reported no net income and a gross income of $321,995,000 and a deficit of $47,440,000 A total of 1,285 reported no income data. SEE NO OK OF RKO PLAN BEFORE SEPT. (Continued from Page 1) hold another hearing at which both sides can present arguments and briefs. Yesterday's hearing at the Bar Building was given over to opponents of the plan. John S. Stover representing Ernst W. Stern, a holder of Class A stock, presented his objections to the plan in written form because, he said, most of the points he wanted to make against the plan had already been voiced. His brief particularly attacked the Rockefeller settlement. David Stoneman, representing four large holders of Class A stock, contended that the transfer in 1928 of 500,000 shares of Class B RKO stock to RCA was illegal and that the subsequent four-for-one split in 1931 under which RCA got 125,000 shares of Class A stock for its 500,000 was illegal also. George L. Schein, counsel for the independent stockholders' committee, asked for three weeks in which to assemble all his evidence against the plan. Special Master Alger said one week was ample and adjourned further hearings until June 10. Schein said the proponents' proof had been "haphazard." 40-Hour Week, $25-$40 Pay Scale Asked by K. C. Union Kansas City, Mo. — Union wage and hour scale submitted to exchange managers here was disclosed yesterday as calling for a 40-hour week with Saturdays off at 2 P. M. and no day of more than seven hours, and $40.00 weekly for head inspectors and poster clerks and $25.00 for assistant inspector. The letter accompanying contracts requested a meeting with exchange heads sometime next week but time has been extended to accommodate those who are in California for conventions, though the scale ultimately agreed upon will be retroactive to June 1st, according to Felix Snow, Local A. F. of L. organizer. Managers are forwarding contracts to home offices, following a meeting to discuss the union demands. Hearing Off to June 21 Federal Judge William Bondy yesterday postponed hearing on applications for fees and allowances in connection with the Fox Brooklyn Theater and office building reorganization until June 21. What's in a Name? West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY Culver City, Calif. — Maybe it's only a gag. But at any rate, petitions are being circulated here by the C. of C. calling for a change in the town's name to Hollywood. Present Hollywood is unincorporated.