The Film Daily (1937)

20 THE DAILY Friday, Dec. 31, 1937 There Is Only One Year Book Of Motion Pictures And That Is Published Annually By The FILM DAILY 1938 20th Edition Now In Work Out Soon ARGENTINE BUILDING 15 NEW FILM STUDIOS (Continued from Page 1) New York City and the 3,000-seat Opera. Film production in Argentina during 1938 will reach the record total of approximately 100 features, as compared to the 1937 figure of 40, The Film Daily was informed yesterday by Luis Cesar Amadori, ace director, associated with Argentina Sono Film, who leaves New York today for Buenos Aires aboard the S. S. Pan America, following a visit of six weeks in the United States. Amadori said that the 150 per cent rise in studio output planned in Argentina for 1938 is attributable to three factors, (1) the increasing demand upon the part of both the urban and provincial public for features in their own language, which differs appreciably from the European form of the Spanish tongue as well as derived dialects which are prevalent in other Pan-American nations; (2) the unusually rapid growth of production and distribution facilities recently in Argentina, and (3) progressive popularity of pictures made in that country with audiences in the Antilles and continental South America. Amadori declared that the practice of Hollywood producers in making Spanish language versions is unsuited to Argentine picture-goers because these versions are turned out, not in Argentinian, but in the Spanish spoken in Spain or that characteristic, for example, of Mexico. Furthermore, films with subtitles, even though they be in Argentinian, are not satisfactory for the reason that they call into play the visual processes which should be precluded by dialogue. He believes that the wide acceptance of Argentinian product in South and Central America, and particularly in Cuba, is due to its quality, which, in turn, can be directly traced to the adaptation of Hollywood technique and the importation of American technicians. Equipment is of the most modern type, RCA sound and Mitchell cameras being extensively employed, together with the facilities of Consolidated Film Industries. Most of the screen talent is supplied from the nation's legitimate stage, which, he said, is flourishing, as is the opera. American-made pictures are in tremendous demand, and to these he paid tribute as "far and away the world's finest." While in Hollywood he conferred with Cecil B. DeMille, Frank Capra, Ernst Lubitsch and other leading directors. Sailing with him for Buenos Aires today are Dr. Rene Garzon, the Argentine government's representative of the Department of Justice for Corporations, and Alacia Vignoli, film star, both of whom accompanied him throughout his U. S. visit. All-Color Tele? London (By Cable) — Conviction that color television would eventually supersede black and white pictures was voiced here by John L. Baird, at the annual session of Baird Television System, Ltd. He called attention to the color transmission successfully achieved for the first time in 1937 and anticipates further advancement along this line in 1938. YEAR'S OUTSTANDING FILM HAPPENINGS "ZOLA" VOTED AWARD BY N. Y, PIX CRITICS (Continued from Page 1) "Zola" and of Greta Garbo in "Camille" were rated as outstanding for the year by the critical group, which also gave an accolade to Gregory La Cava for his direction of "Stage Door." In 1935, Garbo was honored for her performance in "Anna Karenina." Most distinguished foreign language film, in the opinion of the critics, is "Mayerling." The formal presentation of awards will take place at a cocktail party to be held in the Rainbow Room, Radio City, on Sunday, Jan. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. A radio program at 6:30 p.m. will link New York and Hollywood; Robert Benchley will emcee. Runners-up in the various classifications were: Distinguished picture — "Good Earth," "Captains Courageous," "Stage Door." Outstanding performances: Actor — Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Adolphe Menjou, Robert Montgomery. Tracy and Muni were deadlocked for six ballots, it is understood. Actress — Carole Lombard, Katharine Hepburn. Outstanding director: Victor Fleming, Henry Koster. Critics voting were: Frank Nugent, B. B. Crister, Times; Howard Barnes, Marguerite Tazelaar, Herald-Tribune; Kate Cameron, Wanda Hale, News; Bland Johaneson, Mirror; William Boehnel, WorldTelegram; Archer Winsten, Irene Thirer, Post; Rose Pelswick, Regina Crewe, JournalAmerican; Edgar Price, Brooklyn Citizen; Gould Cassal, formerly of Brooklyn Eagle; Leo Mishkin, Morning Telegraph; David Piatt, Daily Worker. if Happy New Year! j? La Bar Goes to Bristol Asheville, N. C. — Frank LaBar, manager of the Imperial Theater here, has been temporarily placed in charge as manager of the Paramount Theater at Bristol, Va.-Tenn., according to Carl R. Bamford, vicepresident and general manager of the Publix-Bamford Theaters Inc., owners of both houses. LaBar succeeds Wallen Stonebrook, who resigned as manager of the Bristol house to accept the post as manager of the Sheridan Theater at Miami Beach, Fla. (Continued from Page 11) United Artists Circuit reports a gain of $197,. 127 for year. Delaware Supreme Court affirms Consolidate Film Industries writ blocking rccapitalizatior plan. Paul Culick resigns at Universal. Hoyts set to take over Snider-Dean and Da Carroll Circuits (in Australia) on Jan. 1. Arthur Loew says M-C-M plans no CUT merger in Australia. Film copyright violations show 3 p.c. advance. Low-price television set developed by DuMonl Lab., company announces. Mexican production in 1938 expected to hit 60-70. Federal theater divorce measure headed foi Congress. New South Wales quota act is blow to U. firms. Edward Bonns and R. V. Anderson resign at Universal. Jan. 15 set as signing date for new exchang» employes' union pact. Burgess Meredith named Equity presiding officer. Paramount, RKO Radio planning no air shows, Prexies advise Ohio ITO. Parliamentary action on quota deferred to February. Harry M. Warner re-elected Warner Bros. president. J. J. Milstein, Republic sales chief, resigns; pact settled. Loew's in corporate simplification move, effective Jan. 3. November U. S. admission tax receipts r $636,899 to record $2,242,573. Helen E. Hughes resigns as Universal assistant secretary. Passage of Tasmanian quota bill is held unlikely. Features, shorts shown in U. S. drop in 1937. Crand National retrenches, executives serving without pay. 12 by 16 ft. television in British theaters in three months. Report Selznick International deal with M-C-M completed. Norman C. Nicholson resigns as Educational'! secretary. Department of Justice may send pix report toi Congress. Universal back in black for first time in twoi years. New major production-distribution-exhibitor setup is talked. Stuart Doyle confident of closing South African' deal with UA. Film progress is keyed to Self-regulation, Will Hays tells international radio audience in U. S. Department of Commerce broadcast. Doug. Fairbanks seen as intermediary in UA distribution moves. Coast hears Metro will handle Selznick pix on 20 per cent basis. AMied Board to meet in Washington Jan. 19-20., "U" settles Charles Beahan pact, Marshall! Grant succeeds. Loew's $14,426,062 net for year is gain oi $3,349,239. Loew stockholders to act on 11 personal ser-i vice contracts at meeting Jan. 25. Argentine builds 15 new studios; production to soar. • Happy New Year! * Atlas Personnel Changes Denver — Dave Davis, manager, has made several changes in the managerial setup of the Atlas Theaters in Colorado. Dick Jancke, newcomer in the theater field, has been made manager of the Gem theater at Golden, replacing Berlin Tanner who went to the Granada theater at Monte Vista as manager. Raymond Lounsbury, assistant manager at Lamar, haalf been promoted to manager, succeeding Frank Barnes who has been, moved to the city managership afl Salida. Harry Moore resigned as Salida manager, having bought ai^ interest in the Salida Daily Mail. :\