The Film Daily (1939)

Tuesday, December 19, 1939 M DAILY Col. Charges Gov't Seeks Confidential Information Interrogatories, if Answered, Would Aid Rivals, Company Affirms (Continued from Page 1) nam^of managers with an outline of i r duties and authority. The information requested besides being improper and irrelevant, Columbia stated, involved a disclosure of its business secrets and the Government has laid no foundation to show that the managers have any knowledge of relevant facts. Question No. 6, which asked a statement of the total amount of all current loans with the naming of creditors over $10,000 and the dates and terms of their loans, was also opposed on the grounds that it was too broad in scope, confidential, harmful to business and in aid of competitors. As to Question 14, which seeks gross income of companies for fiscal years ending 1935 through 1938, and the approximate amount of the gross from production, distribution and exhibition respectively, Columbia offered copies of its annual reports, but opposed the question otherwise. Pix Grouping Said Improper The objections attacked Question 25, which requires a list of feature pictures from 1930-31 through 193738 with specifications of the titles, stars and distributors. Columbia contended that the grouping of features in four classifications of relative cost was improper, and, moreover, that the company should not be required to name foreign distributors. Question 40(F) which asks a list of features from 1936-37 to date, with total film rentals from the U. S., is harmful, improper, too broad in scope and confidential, the objections said. Of 40(G) which requires the listing of total film rentals on first-run, subsequent-run from affiliates and from unaffiliates in the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Kansas City and Atlanta for five specified pictures was also attacked on all grounds, and, additionally, that preparation of answers would be burdensome and would subject Columbia to "tremendous expense." In addition, Columbia stated, that definitions of affiliates and independents was incapable of accurate answer, and that the Government itself had opposed a definition when asked to furnish one. Shorts Rentals, "Confidential" Questions 43 and 45 which covered film rentals for shorts in the U. S. during the 1936-37 season is improper, immaterial and confidential, Columbia asserted. A listing of features released during 1936-37, which asked for names of theaters, whether affiliated, dates of exhibition, length of run, rentals and clearance terms as required in Question 48 was attacked on the Scenes from Features as Warner Short West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Burbank — "The American Cavalcade" will be produced by Warners as a historical featurette. The picture will embrace scenes from various Warner historical films. Cordon Hollingshead will supervise. GWTW ADVANCE SALE AT ASTOR $100,000 He Has No Interest in Buying Into United Artists, States D. O. Selznick (Continued Leigh, with no stories selected as yet for either picture. Selznick said that he could end his UA contract at the end of next year under its present terms, but expected to continue it as he was "well satisfied" with the treatment UA had given his pictures. At the same time, he emphatically denied that he had any further commitments with Metro or any other outside company. He stated that he expected his affiliation with John H. Whitney to continue, denying reports that his affiliation with Whitney would enc on Jan. 1. Selznick, when questioned as to whether he would try to outdo "Gone With the Wind," said that he expected to take a four months' vacation and become re-acquainted with his family. He stated that he expected "Wind" to return 75 per cem of its domestic gross within the nexi five months, with a general release as far as key cities go taking place within the next month. He said that foreign distributior. of the picture was dependent at the present time on "embargo territories." At the same time, he stated that 6,000 theaters in this country would probably play the picture within the next five months. Any attempt to cut the picture when it is released generally wil. be vigorously fought by Selznick, it was learned. He said that he didn't know how the picture could be cut. Small Picture Industry Possible for N.Y. — Selznick There is no reason why a small picture industry cannot be built up in New York, in the opinion of from Page 1) Divid O. Selznick. He stated that there were a large number of stage plays that could easily be filmed in the East, probably at less cost and trouble than they could be on the Coast. Selznick said that as far as he was concerned, he had an investment in California, and preferred to live and maintain an organization there. | He expressed the opinion that stage plays were particularly suited to production here, and that many of the ones produced as films could .lave been produced here with proper facilities at smaller costs. 3-1 Relinquishes Studio Jpace Rented from RKO Selznick International has relinquished its contract on its present studio space, rented from RKO, David O. Selznick, president, stated .ast night, adding that at no time in the future would he commit himself to a similar contract. Selznick itated that he would rather rent space in the future, and be free from carrying a top heavy studio ovei'head which forced him to make pictures ;o carry his overhead when he would prefer to make pictures when he was ready to and in a position to, rather than to meet his expenses. Selznick Closes Deal for Six Benchley Shorts Contract has been closed by David O. Selznick with Bob Benchley by which Benchley will make six shorts next year, three in New York and three on the Coast, for general distribution, Selznick said yesterday. He stated that no release had been set as yet. (Continued from Page 1) upset all previous box-office records by about 600 per cent. Lai'gest advance sale at the Astor heretofore has been about $14,000 when a picture opened, it was said. List of seat holders for tonight's dual premiere of "Gone With the Wind" at the Astor and Capitol Theaters, is said by M-G-M to represent the largest group of civic, theatrical, film, radio and society celebrities ever present at the opening of a photoplay in New York City. The list is a brilliant roster of more than 450 notables which reads like a digest of Who's Who and the Social Register, and presenting the most luminous members recorded in each. A partial list of those well-known in filmland are: M. H. Aylesworth, Bob Benchley, Constance Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Berlin, Barney Balaban, Nate J. Blumberg, Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Curtis, Laura Hope Crews, Olivia de Havilland, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Dietz, Alice Faye, Mr. and Mrs. William Goetz, Mr. and Mrs. Stanton Griffis, Mr. and Mrs. John Hertz, Mr. and Mrs. Will H. Hays, Fannie Hurst, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney R. Kent, Vivien Leigh, Mr. and Mrs. Henry R. Luce, Leo Lubin, Mr. and Mrs. Charles MacArthur, Mr. and Mrs. Fredric March, Elsa Maxwell, Alfred J. McCosker, Herbert Maas, Conde Nast, Laurence Olivier, John Otterson, Saul Rogers, Ann Rutherford, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas M. Schenck, Myron Selznick, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Sherwood, Max D. Steuer, George J. Schaefer, Leo Spitz, David Sarnoff and Edwin Weisel. same grounds as made against 40(G). Finally, Question 59 which demands the name of the officials supplying the information given in answers to interrogatories was opposed as improper, immaterial and incapable of definite answer. The objections will be heard by Federal Judge Vincent T. Leibell on Dec. 29 at 10:30 a.m. in the District Court. It was reliably learned that the time for other majors to file similar objections has expired. .At "Hunchback" Premiere New York premiere of RKO's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at the Music Hall on Dec. 28 will attract Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Edmond O'Brien, Walter Hampden, Fred Kohler, Jr., Jean Hersholt. Iowa Exhibs. Get Break Des Moines, la. — Film houses are expected to reap the benefit of Christmas and New Year's eves falling on Sunday with taverns and road houses closed bv state statutes. Over 800 Tele Receivers In the Los Angeles Area West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Approximately 800 tele receiving sets are now in use within a 45-mile radius of this city. Program telecasts reach them from the Don Lee tele station on regular schedule, six days a week. Motion pictures are used every day and live talent three times a week. Donald A. Burpee Dead Montreal — Donald A. Burpee, 50, former secretary of Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries, Inc., died at his home here. Burpee was a partner in Burpee & West Enterprises, operating motion picture theaters in Quebec Province and New York state. His wife and one daughtersurvive.