The Film Daily (1939)

: V1* DAILY Tuesday, December 19, 1939 jfACTUAUZ-TOTTFyHTBlTORI. TRUE STORIES FROM ALTEC FILES GOLDWYN SAYS UA PACT IS TERMINATED Theatre Patrons Aware of Results of Sound Changes NEW JERSEY— "I was skeptical about the Altec proposition to improve the sound in my circuit of theatres, as I thought our sound was excellent. However, the result is excellent-plus. The exhibitor who contemplates improving his sound is amply repaid for the expense." David Snaper, circuit owner. BARBOURVILLE, KY— __ "Your engineer, S. K. Brown, has just made the ^^ changes on my sound equipment, and I feel it _»„ my duty to write and thank your company and . 1 Mr. Brown for making it t „_TO possible to improve our . ^ ^ sound to this extent." dMk ! B| Charles R. Mitchell, , B^T ■ owner, Mitchell Theatre. NEW YORK CITY— "Since you increased the power in our theatre in accordance with your Altec modification plan, the sound has been so markedly improved that even my patrons notice the difference." Otto Lederer, manager, Arcadia Theatre. 1 k KANSAS CITY, KAN.— "I wish to take this means of thanking and complimenting you on the excellent results obtained in modifying our sound system. The result is so noticeable that even our patrons are commenting on the improved sound!' C. C. Wooton, Manager, Jayhawk Theatre. The Altec inspector in your neighborhood will gladly explain the Altec Modification Plan for the increase of power and naturalness in the sound of your theatre. I 250 West 57th Street, New York City THE SERVICE ORGANIZATION OF THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY (Continued from Page 1) terminate his contract and that until such notification is received, no answer can be made. It has been TJA's consistent position that Goldwyn's contract continues to 1945). According to Steuer's announcement to the press, the termination of Goldwyn's contract applies to all future pictures that may be produced by Goldwyn or the company. "However," the notice continued, "pictures previously produced by Mr. Gcldwyn or Samuel Goldwyn, Inc., and delivered to the United Artists Corp. will continue to be distributed by them. "Raffles" His Last for UA " 'Raffles,' Mr. Goldwyn's latest picture, which is yet to be released, will be the last Goldwyn production to be distributed by United Artists." Goldwyn's announcement climaxed a series of events which began with his filing of a suit here on Mar. 2, 1939. Charging violation of contract, Goldwyn sought to have his exclusive distribution agreement with UA terminated. Successful litigation which would free Goldwyn from his UA commitments was predicted by James Roosevelt, his vicepresident, at various times. In each instance, UA emphatically contended that Goldwyn could not legally release through any other company. Goldwyn based his suit on three grounds; first, that UA breached its contract in permitting Alexander Korda and Douglas Fairbanks to form separate producing units over his consent; second, that Korda was allowed to become interested in pictures others than those for UA, and third, that Korda was permitted to dispose of certain pictures in Spain directly instead of through UA. On April 7 Goldwyn withdrew his suit and refiled it a few days later in U. S. District Court in Delaware. Para. Mum on Any Deal In recent weeks, there have been strong rumors on both coasts to the effect that Goldwyn would not release his current picture, "The Westerner," through UA and that negotiations had been held with Paramount. A high executive of Paramount told The Film Daily that no deals could be discussed with Goldwyn as long as he was committed to UA. It was also said that Goldwyn had not been voted the annual profitsharing bonus during recent executive huddles on the Coast, but, according to reliable sources, the bonus was voted to Goldwyn but it was not picked up for fear it would jeopardize his suit against the company. According to a statement issued by Goldwyn's New York office, the one-fifth interest which he holds in UA is not affected by -the action which concerns only the "release of pictures made by Samuel Goldwyn producing organization, which is a separate entity." This is taken by Bach to Silents A policy of old-time silent pictures was inaugurated yesterday at the Miami Theater on Sixth Ave. First program was "The Americano" with Douglas Fairbanks, surrounded by Charley Chaplin shorts. It is planned to have a lone piano player supply the musical atmosphere. House drew a good crowd of curiosity seekers yesterday. Allied Leaders, Members Don't Agree, Says Brandt In a statement issued yesterday, in the wake of his recent extended trip to principal areas of the U. S., Harry Brandt, ITOA president, asserted that he found the leaders of Allied differed greatly in their opinions on industry matters from those of their members, and expressed himself as "sure that many men are now campaigning against the Neely Bill who heretofore believed it was beneficial." Brandt added that producers on the Coast are, he found, alert to the danger of overusing stars' drawing powers in radio appearances, and that they had expressed to him a willingness to cooperate in preserving this drawing power. Discussing the issue of arbitration, Brandt declared flatly that exhibitors want it, and "if it is not secured it will not be the fault of the theater owners." UA HAS FIRST CALL ON FAIRBANKS STOCK seme to mean that Goldwyn plans to continue as an owner of the distributing company, even though he would release through another channel. The Roosevelt Angle The formation of a new independent unit by James Roosevelt is regarded in the trade as having an important part in Goldwyn's plans for outside distribution, inasmuch as the facilities of the Goldwyn studios will be made available to the new company, according to an announcement last week. It is also understood in the trade that Goldwyn's intention to terminate his contract with UA today is an invitation to the distributing company to make the first move in attempting to enforce the agreement. A statement from Silverstone in behalf of UA may be issued today. Steuer refused to comment on Goldwyn's action. "I only know what I have been directed to release," the attorney told The Film Daily. Goldwyn's 1/5 Interest in UA Not Affected by Withdrawal West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Samuel Goldwyn refuses to discuss his future production and distribution plans at this time other than to state that distributing arrangements for "The Westerner," now in production and starring Gary Cooper will be announced later. It is pointed out that Goldwyn's ownership of 1/5 of United Artists, the distributing corporation, is not affected by his action yesterday. The action simply affects release of the pictures made by the Samuel Goldwyn producing organization, a separate entity. (Continued from Pane 1) banks' stock holdings in the company was as yet undetermined. Silverstone explained that under UA's by-laws, United Artists Cjg}., as an organization, had first biPP'n the stock of a deceased or withdrawing member. If UA does not pick it up, it can be sold to an individual. A similar situation arose when Joseph M. Schenck withdrew from UA. His stock was purchased by Alexander Korda, who became an owner-member of the company. The UA chieftain would make no comment on James Roosevelt's announcement that the latter was forming a new independent production unit at the Samuel Goldwyn studios. As for product, Silverstone said that all product promised for this season would be produced and delivered but that next season's lineup had not yet been formulated. First of the individual producers to confirm complete performance of the current season's plans was Edward Small, who announced yesterday that seven productions would be completed and ready for release before the end of the 1939-40 period. Wilkinson Rites Held Wallingford, Conn. — Funeral services for George H. Wilkerson, Connecticut's "pioneer exhibitor," operator of the Wilkinson Theater here, were held Sunday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Wilkinson died Friday in his theater, where he had been active constantly, and is survived by his wife, Mrs. Margaret C. Wilkinson, and one son, George H. Wilkinson, Jr. A. J. 6. Robert Expires Montreal— A. J. B. Roberts, 68, proprietor of the Rialto and Capitol theaters at Three Rivers, Que., died at his home in Three Rivers yesterday following a heart attack. His wife, three sons and a daughter Exhibs' Wife, Crash Victim Bloomington, Ind. — Mrs. Harry Vonderschmitt, wife of local theater operator; her daughter, Thelma Vonderschmitt and Marjorie Burris, suffered cuts and bruises when the auto in which they were riding was sideswiped by another car near Indianapolis. Richard Lunch Dead Detroit — Richard Lunch, 45, director of the DeLuxe Theater, Detroit, died at his home in Wyandotte, after a lengthy illness. Two daughters survive. Whiteman's Father Dies Denver — W. J. Whiteman, 72. father of Paul Whiteman, is dead here from pneumonia.