The Film Daily (1938)

DAILY Thursday, July 28, 1938 ALGER SET TO FILE RKO REORG. REPORT (Continued from Page 1) and feasibility of the amended RKO reorganization plan of which Atlas Corp. are the proponents, will be filed with Federal Judge Goddard before the expiration of the present week. It was expected by sources close to the plan's impending emergence from the Special Master's jurisdiction that it would be submitted to Goddard yesterday, but what is described as a short delay was occasioned, and it is now viewed as highly probable that it will be filed today. Grainger Sets More Rep. Franchise Deals in West (Continued from Page 1) current swing into the South and Mid-West, he will have effectuated closings of new five-year pacts with several additional franchise holders, it was learned yesterday. Already, Republic's drive for consummating such deals has reached the two-thirds mark, and Grainger's presence in both Oklahoma City and Kansas City yesterday, together with his scheduled arrival in Des Moines tomorrow, indicates that franchise holders in these spots have formally closed their agreements with the company. Following the Des Moines visit, Grainger will head for New York, with a business stopover in Chicago planned. Hong Kong British Censors Ban M of T Nazi Film British censors at Hong Kong have banned March of Time's "Inside Nazi Germany," cable advices said yesterday. Charles S. Rosselet, manager of General Amusements, Ltd., at Hong Kong, reported that a censor's card had already been issued for the exhibition of "Inside Nazi Germany" at the Queen's and Alhambra Theaters. The office of the censor unexpectedly recalled the film for showing to a representative from the German Consulate. Banning of the film followed. "Return to Life" at Cameo "Return to Life," the new feature production made in Spain under the direction of Henri Cartier, will open at the Cameo Theater, Garrison Films announced yesterday. It will follow the present engagement of "If War Comes Tomorrow." A Texas Socho Ushers were working overtime handling the overflow crowds at the Broadway Paramount to see "The Texans," Para.'s thrill spectacle. The immense lobby was jammed on one roped side all day with waiting crowds. • • • FIRST BLAST in launching the industry drive for bigger and better box-offices to inform the public concerning this motion picture business of ours through a concerted and systematic effort on the part of all major branches got away to a grand start in the meeting at the Hotel Astor yesterday, attended by representative people of all departments of the industry • • • PRINCIPAL speakers were Howard Dietz and George J. Schaefer the M-G-M ad chief gave a masterly summation of the situation and the necessity for all groups to work together to put the campaign over he had occasion to refer to a M-G-M picture to illustrate his points on advertising and publicity "I mention Metro because I want to mention Metro," he said with charming candor, which got a big laugh Howard also stated: "Schaefer sent out 150 invitations for this gathering, and 200 answered, just like an election in Louisiana." • • • THE REMARKS of Schaefer were also very colorful and to the point he said among other things "No relatives of any* body in the industry will be eligible for the money prize contest in the theaters. This is not a contest to put anyone on a pension" "You theater operators will not be bothered by sales managers regarding contracts. Of course if you attack the sales representative, he must defend himself" "If there had been a minister, priest or rabbi present, it would have given me great pleasure to open this meeting with a prayer, because we sure need it" "I have pledges from five leading newspaper publishers who said they would be only too happy to lend a hand. They assured me that the press generally would be glad to get aboard the band-wagon" "There has been too much of a letdown generally in advertising budgets and showmanship. There has been a tendency to give up too quickly after a picture is released. Better merchandising is needed, and that goes both for method and policy" "This rally is a challenge and stimulation to production." T T T • • • ANOTHER speaker was Walter Vincent, who said "How would you like to hear from the oldest showman present in this room? I want to earnestly urge just one thing. That there be no further adverse public comment. If you must criticize, whisper it only in your office, and do not shout it from the housetops" Si Fabian made a pip suggestion that the industry secure its own radio commentator • • • AND NOW it's Ned Depinet, T.R., K.C., and A.F.F and Barret McCormick. K.C., A.F.F the last initials are for Admiral of the Flagship Fleet the honors were bestowed upon Depinet and McCormick by Stan True of the American Airlines as the two stepped from a plane at Newark following a flight to the Coast and back Depinet previously held the degrees of Texas Ranger and Kentucky Colonel and Colonel McCormick has been that way for some time so it looks as if RKO Radio's "Sky Giant" just released should be given an assist in winning the sky award for the two execs (of course it's a picture plug, dear reader what the hell do you suppose this kolyum is for, anyway?) « « « » » » WOULD RESTORE ORKS VIA STUDIO WAITS (Continued from Page 1) Executive Council at Atlantic City next month. It is possible Weber's slate will be clean by mid-October, but his Coast visit now looks due as November bows in. ._ * Cowdin to Report to U\JT Board on New Financing (Continued from Page 1) in England. Cowdin returned from a month's trip to England this week. It is expected that Cowdin will reveal the amount of money involved, which as been reported to run between $1,500,000 and $2,000,000. Cowdin will also outline the details of the new long term contract that has been negotiated with General Film Distributors, English distribution outlet for Universal. Bush Off for Mexico Today To Establish Film Bank West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Paul H. Bush, who will establish a bank in Mexico City to finance production of Spanish pictures and who will set a company to control distribution of Spanish-made pictures, leaves today for Mexico City and in about 10 days will fly from Mexico City to New York. Louis G. Brittingham, assistant vice-president of the Citizens' National Trust and Savings Bank of Los Angeles will be a member of the board of directors of Bush's bank. Bush, in addition to his motion picture activities, is also principal Ford distributor in Mexico. Schine Managerial Shifts Syracuse — Al. Marquisee, assistant manager of RKO-SchineKeith's, has been promoted to manager of the Schine State at Hamilton. Joseph Deacon, Assistant at the Paramount, is given Marquisee's place at Keith's. Max Rubin of Rochester takes Deacon's place at the Paramount. "Alexander's" Screenings Pittsburgh — Instead of holding a trade showing of "Alexander's Ragtime Band" in a local theater, the 20th Century-Fox exchange here will screen this production for exhibitors in its own projection room twice daily the entire week starting Aug. 1, with the exception of Saturday. 78 Summer Theaters Current season of the haymow wheel is giving the majors' scouts their heaviest load since Hector was a pup. Equity reports 78 summer theaters operating, which will give you an idea.