The Film Daily (1937)

THE Saturday, Oct. 2, 1937 ■gem DAILV M-G-M NOT BUYING INTO GB, SAYS MAYER (.Continued from Page 1) from one to 50 pictures, declared Mayer, contingent upon ability of the setup to turn out quality pictures. "We'll make as many productions as we can make worth-while pictures," stated Mayer. M-G-M has no deal with David O. Selznick to join the company, said the production chieftain, despite reicent reports. "David will discuss his present setup when he comes to New York Monday," he said, "and then talk ito me when he returns to the Coast." "If the industry is going to have Another Thalberg, it will be David," declared Mayer. "He has both production and business ability." His company will not embark ^pon any important color picture program, according to Mayer. Color, (n his opinion, is not practical until t can be definitely proven to raise grosses on its own. i "We'll put the extra money in stars and stories instead," explained Mayer. I Recognizing the fact that there's lo practical way of stopping the jncrease in negative costs, Mayer iaid that his company's policy _ is o develop its own talent in antici>ation of tomorrow as well as to|ay. "We set aside a percentage of our arnings for this purpose," he exllained. When Irving Thalberg jassed on, the organization was able o carry on without impaired effectiveness because it had developed J "reservoir" of trained manpower, layer asserted. Mayer said that Greer Garson and iona Massey, both of whom have een signed to seven-year agreements, are the most promising forign importations since Greta Garbo. ) » tf P T 0 A's Trade Program Up at Memphis Meeting (Continued from Page 1) :o. Attendance will include: Arthur j. Bromberg of Atlanta, Monogram j-anchise holder; Herb Mclntyre of f,KO, Harry Graham of Universal yred Wehrenberg of St. Louis, Oscar I. Lam of Rome Ga., and David ' alfreyman of the Hays organiza lledews of Hew Tihns Civic Welcome for La Rose Detroit — Joseph La Rose, manager of the Eastown Theater, who was recently given the added responsibility of the Roosevelt Theater, just taken over by the Wisper and Wetsman Circuit, was welcomed to the new post last night by a civic celebration. A dozen American Legion units, floats, four drum and bugle corps, former Mayor John W. Smith, Lieutenant Governor Nowicki, and other civic leaders participated. "Public Cowboy No. 1" with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette Republic 59 mins. MUSICAL WESTERN GENEROUSLY ENDOWED WITH COMEDY. WILL SCORE WITH STAR'S FANS. There is a dash of just about every sort of entertainment ingredient in this Western. Bernard McConville's original story and Oliver Drake's screenplay were both obviously fashioned to give Gene Autry's vocal talents an opportunity to shine forth frequently, and his flare for romance and heroics to do likewise. While this strategy is logical and resultful, the musical interludes, the strong accent placed upon the love interest, and the abundant comedy purveyed by Smiley Burnette all have a tendency to detract from what is essentially a good, solid and exciting plot. Prairie pix addicts in general will take kindly to the footage, which is saved from being predominantly a musical comedy romance by the handsome scale on which associate producer Sol C. Siegel uses a fleet of giant trucks, herds of cattle, and a numerically generous array of hard-riding cowhands. When these spectacular elements are present on the screen, the film retains all the thrills and advantages of a rip-roarin' melodrama. Director Joseph Kane demonstrates a high degree of skill in pacing the scenes. Jack Marta's photography is tip-top, enhanced by well-chosen locations which are scenically fine and often highly picturesque. Autry is cast in the role of William Farnum's chief deputy. Sheriff William is beset by the task of bagging a band of cattle rustlers who carry on their raids with motor lorries, refrigerator trucks and auto transport for their horses. Their game is to descend on a ranch, drive the steers to a suitable spot, skin, dress and pack them, and beat a quick retreat. These raids create a crisis in the town, the citizens of which demand the resignations of Farnum and Autry and bring a detective agency from the East to catch the culprits. But at the finale Autry, in love with Ann Rutherford, a pretty young newspaper editress, bags the brigands with the aid of Farnum, and all turns out for the best. Cast: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Ann Rutherford, William Farnum, Arthur Loft, Frankie Marvin, House Peters, Jr., James C. Morton, Maston Williams, Frank La Rue, Milburn Morante, King Mojave, Hal Price, Jack Ingram. Associate Producer, Sol C. Siegel; Director, Joseph Kane; Author, Bernard McConville; Screenplay, Oliver Drake; Cameraman, Jack Marta; Editors, Lester Orlebeck, George Reid. Direction, Skillful. Photography, Tip-Top. Hearing on Screen Writers Takes Up Inter-State Angle (Continued from Page 1) agency said that a strike of writers would not affect the importation of materials, as studios have many scenarios on shelf which could be used if necessary and that directors have writing ability, too. He said no such strike is contemplated. Attorney Alfred Wright contended that the testimony thus far did not show that producing companies are enggaed in inter-state commerce. "Stars Over Arizona" with Jack Randall, Kathleen Eliot, Horace Murphy, Hal Price, Warner Richmond, Tom Herbert Monogram 621/2 mins. TYPICAL WESTERN WITH ENOUGH GUN PLAY AND RIDING TO PLEASE THE ACTION FANS. The familiar story of the secret marshal who cleans out the bad element in an Arizona town is the theme of this picture which has all the ingredients of the usual western. There is very little romance injected into the plot but Director R. N. Bradbury makes up for it with a sprinkling of comedy and a rather exciting gun fight as a climax. Randall is given an opportunity to get off a couple of songs, not too melodious but not injurious to the story. Plot concerns Jack Dawson, a private agent of the governor, who is sent to Tuba City to bring law and order to the community. By helping Kathleen Eliot, a girl rancher, to get her cattle to the railroad he arouses the anger of the town's boss. Efforts to frame Dawson and his pal for a holdup fail to materialize and after a fast and furious fight the town's bad men are cleaned out and Dawson, his pal and Kathleen hit out for the open trail. Despite the routine plot, "Stars Over Arizona" has the necessary elements to get over very well with the Western fans. Cast: Jack Randall, Kathleen Eliot, Horace Murphy, Hal Price, Warner Richmond, Tom Herbert. Producer: R .N. Bradbury; Director, same; Original and Screenplay, Robert Emmett; Recording Engineer, Sam Donner; Cameraman, Bert Longenecker. Direction, Good Photography, Fine. 500 Argentine Theaters Using 3 to 5 Pix on Bill (Continued from Page 1) to limit first-runs to one feature and subsequents to two pictures, it was said yesterday by Nat Liebeskind, RKO Argentine manager. Argentine producers will make 14 pictures during 1937 and have plans for 30 during1 1938, Liebeskind stated. He declared the producers may make it difficult for any of their number to earn money by bidding against each other for the few stars in the country. To permit Argentina to absorb its own product, Liebeskind thinks it would be a good idea for American producers to curtail its product to that country by 25 per cent on program pictures. Business in Argentine is very good. The country is very prosperous with exports 100 per cent above the preceding year. RKO Radio is considering distribution of some Argentine pictures, he stated. Liebeskind will be here four weeks. Wolf Kaufman Joins M-G-M Wolf Kaufman, formerly with Variety in New York, has signed a term contract wtih M-G-M as a writer and leaves today for the Coast via American Airlines. Deal was set by the William Morris office. ENGLISH TELE SERVES ONLY 1 ,000— SARNOFF (Continued from Page 1) lem of television in England and the U. S. is to provide a program for the home that will meet public requirements and maintain public interest. Television sets in England are selling between $200 and $500 each, Sarnoff stated. Establishment of television here calls for vast financial expenditures before any return can be reasonably expected, said Sarnoff. He added he had no doubt that in due time the practical answers to the practical problems that now beset the road of the television pioneer will be found. STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION, ETC.! REQUIRED BY THE ACTS OF AUGUST 24, 1912 AND MARCH 3, 1933 OF "THE FILM DAILY," published daily except Sunday at New York. N. Y , for October 1, 1937: State of New York ) County of New York. J as. : Before me, a notary public, in and for the State and County aforesaid, personally appeared Donald M. Mersereau, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the Business Manager of "THE FILM DAILY," and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a daily paper, the circulation), etc., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of March 3, 1933, embodied in Section 537, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form to wit: 1. That the names and address of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business manager are: Publisher, John W. Alicoate, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y. ; Editor, Chester B. Bahn, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y.; Managing Editor, None; Business Manager, Donald M. Mersereau, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y. 2. That the owners are: "Wid's Film & Film Folk," Inc., 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y. ; John W. Alicoate, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y.; Pearl Dannenberg, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y. ; Addie Dannenberg, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y. ; Edna Sussman, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: None. 4. 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That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication sold of distributed, _ through the mails or otherwise, to oaid subscribers during the 12 months' preceding the date shown above is 5,508. D. M. MERSEREAU, Business Manager. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of October, 1937. (Seal) Louis Frohman.