The Film Daily (1938)

DAILY Thursday, December 1, 193: ASGAP DENIES BENEFIT FROM SCORE CHARGES (Continued from Page 1) Society yesterday to mail a denial to all licensed exhibitors. E. C. Mills, chairman of Ascap's administrative committee, told The Film Daily last night that much of the present hostility of exhibitors toward the Society has been due to "a frequently unexpressed but still active belief that by some hocuspocus Ascap double taxes them through the score charge fees which they pay to producers in addition to the fees which they pay directly to us." It is absurd, he added, that Ascap should continue to be the innocent victim of such an erroneous belief, and with this in mind he has recently sought the co-operation of MPPDA in the hope that the latter would initiate suggestions to its producer-distributor members that they aid in correcting the erroneous impression under which the exhibitors at large are laboring. On Nov. 29, he stated, he received a letter from Gabriel L. Hess, general attorney for MPPDA, advising that MPPDA is without jurisdiction or control over the affairs or business policies of its members, and therefore it would be of no avail to act upon Ascap's suggestion that its position in the score charge matter be clarified via MPPDA. Subsequently, Mills declared, he asked that Will H. Hays be apprised of the situation. The concluding paragraph of the Ascap pamphlet to exhibitors advised: "If you are one of those exhibitors who has felt that the 'score charge' was collected for Ascap's benefit please ascertain the facts by inquiry from your local film exchange. If any person makes any statement at variance with the contents hereof (the pamphlet), please advise us." Rabinovitsch Contract With Darrieux is Valid REVIEWS Of nEUJ flLfllS * fOREIGf) * "The Glory of Faith" with Gabriel Farguette, Jacqueline Francell Select Attractions 70 Mins. RELIGIOUS THEME IS MOVING BUT PIX LACKS IN GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT VALUE. For the deeply religious and those of the Catholic faith, this new French picture may je interesting, but it lacks entertainment /alue for the average theatergoer. Supposedly based on the story of St. Theresa, .he film depicts her life in a sparse group jf flashbacks which are only incidental to ihe picture. Technically the film is faulty, with spotty lighting affecting the camera work, and the direction is below par. The itory concerns the love and faith of Gabriel Farguette, youthful son of a rich French family, in the family seamstress, Jacqueline rrancell, a deeply religious girl. There is a robbery, a subsequent attempt at kidnapping and the boy suffers a shock which almost kills him. He recovers only when the family rehires Jacqueline, who left when she was questioned concerning the theft of her mistress' ring. The cast is adequate, but the story lacks cohesion. CAST: Gabriel Farguette, Jacqueline Francell, Alice Tissot, Raymond Galle, Jean Oax, Germaine Sablon. CREDITS: Produced by the French Film Exchange. Presented at the Squire Theater with French dialogue and English sub-titles. DIRECTION, Poor. PHOTOGRAPHY, Spotty. Paris (By Cable) — Paris Arbitrational Court, from which there is no appeal, has ruled that the contract signed by Danielle Darrieux to make pictures for M. Rabinovitsch, representing the French company, Cino Alliance, is valid and that the actress must have his permission to make pictures either in France or America. Rabinovitsch declares that he has no objection to her appearing in Hollywood productions if it does not interfere with her work for him. She is scheduled to start in a film for Rabinovitsch next April. Mrs. Glazer Hospitalized West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Mrs. Barney Glazer, the former Sharon Lynn, film star, is in Cedars of Lebanon Hospital suffering from an infected arm. "Niskavuoren Naiset" (Women of Niskavuori) with Tauno Palo, Irju Lautia, Sirkka Sari, Olga Tainio European News & Film Co. 78 Mins. SIMPLE STORY WELL ACTED BY ABLE CAST; PIX IS AIDED BY FINE TECHNICAL WORK. The first Finnish talking picture to hit this country, this release will make a strong bid for favor with Finnish-speaking people. The story is simple, told directly and an able cast projects it on the screen. The technical work is good. The direction of Valentin Vaala is smooth. Story tells of a conflict between old and new orders of living in this far-away Republic. Palo marries Miss Lautia because his mother, Olga Tainio, tells him it is his duty as the eldest son to marry a wealthy girl. However, the attractive Miss Sari, a school teacher, arrives in the village to cause complications when Palo falls in love with her. Ending is neatly worked out. CAST: Olga Tainio, Tauno Palo, Irja Lautia, Sirkka Sari, Lea Joutseno, Ossi Elstela, Hugo Hytonen, Ida Salmi, Walter Tuomi, Sasu Haapanen. CREDITS: Produced by Suomi-Filmi; Director, Valentin Vaala. Presented at the Thalia Theater with Finnish dialogue and English titles. DIRECTION, Good. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. "Hardys" Held In 29 "Out West with the Hardys" is being held over in 29 of the M-G-M film's first 34 openings. 'Marika with, Lia Szepes, Paul Javor Danubia Pictures 82 Mins. AMUSING COMEDY WELL PROJECTED BY TALENTED HUNGARIAN CAST. The latest comedy from Hungary will find favor with the Magyar fans. Picture is cleverly put together, and an able cast makes the most of the opportunities offered by the story. Lia Szepes and Paul Javor, two Magyar favorites, essay the lead roles skillfully. Picture also marks the century point for Hungarian pictures here, being the 100th release distributed in this country. Lia is adopted by Javor after his wife dies. However, when she reaches the age of 19, Javor discovers that she is more attractive than any of the women he knows. There is the usual amount of complications before the story winds up with Lia realizing that her foster father will make a better husband than any of the young men she knows. CAST: Lia Szepes, Paul Javor, Joseph Juhasz, Zita Perczell. CREDITS: Produced by Budapest Films; Director, Victor Gertler. Presented at the Modern Playhouse with Hungarian dialogue and no English titles. DIRECTION, Smooth. PHOTOGRAPHY, Good. * SHORTS * "The Daffy Doc" (Looney Tune) Vitaphone 7 mins. Funny Short Porky Pig finds himself the unwilling patient of the ambitious doctor Daffy Duck. Porky leads Daffy a merry chase through the hospital in order to avoid being carved up, with a hilarious sequence winding up the short. Leon Schlesinger produced. "The Night Watchman" (Merrie Melody) Vitaphone 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon Tommy Cat, night watchman of the kitchen, becomes ill and delegates his youthful son to stand his tour of duty during the night. Tommy, Jr., arrives in the kitchen to find that a very tough gang of rats has taken the place over. He is kicked around plenty until he drums up enough courage to battle the rats and throw them out. Leon Schlesinger produced. Pix is in Technicolor. "Stardust" (Broadway Brevity) Vitaphone 22 mins. Fair Pop Number Benny Davis, the noted songwriter, goes through an elaborate and not very amusing buildup before he is allowed to sing a collection of his songs. He takes a party of friends through his factory, and workmen break out in a rash of dances and song numbers. Davis winds up reel by singing number of songs. CXPLOITETTE! Dual L. A. Premiere "Great Waltz" Campaigns ^pRULY comprehensive was the "Great Waltz" campaign for the Los Angeles dual premiere at Loew's State and Graumf tgChinese theaters. Two weeks m advance, 100 24-sheets, carrying both theater names, were spotted in choice locations. Three thousand poster rds were mailed to music lovers listed by the Hollywood Bowl and the Los Angeles Symphony organizations. The theaters utilized three trailers. Two weeks before the opening a special teaser trailer was employed; the regular trailer was used one week in advance, and another special, dealing with M-G-M's nationwide "Great Waltz Contest," was used in the four top L. A. houses. Radio listeners were introduced to the thrilling voice of Miliza Korjus four days before the premiere through a transcription broadcast over the two major national chains on the Sunday before playdate. This disc was also used numerous times by six local stations three days before and during the first four days of the run. The Rise and Shine local program devoted an entire session to Strauss music, with picture credits. A number of one-minute spot announcements also were played on popular programs. The Waltz competition was tied in with 17 local night clubs and numerous ballrooms and dancing schools holding contests. Finals were staged at the Cocoanut Grove, with music furnished by Wayne King, nationally known as the "Waltz King." Four windows were obtained at a prominent store, each with a painted backdrop, two of which represented scenes from the production. Sheet music from the picture was featured in 10 music shops. Another tie-up was with Victor Red Seal recordings. Twelve Los Angeles beauty shops displayed special "Great Waltz" posters. —State and Chinese Theaters, Los Angeles. "Robbin Good" with Louis Zingone Vitaphone 10 mins. Clever Expose Louis Zingone, expert trickster with cards and other gambling games and devices, reveals the methods employed by crooks. He appears as a witness at a trial of two alleged crooks. The iudge gets him to show how the customers have been cheated and the ambidextrous Zingone! discloses the secrets of the crooked| gamblers for the benefit of the public.