The Film Daily (1939)

DAILY Monday, July 10, 1939 HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS STARTING 12 MORE (Continued from Page 1) with Maureen O'Hara as the leading lady and Edmond O'Brien as the romantic lead opposite O'Hara. Basil Rathbone and Walter Hampden also have important roles. Pandro S. Berman production, William Dieterle director. Screenplay of the world famous novel by Victor Hugo was written by Bruno Frank and Sonya Levien. "Allegheny Frontier," with John Wayne and Claire Trevor in top spots, Wilford Lawson, John F. Hamilton, Bruce Cabot, Moroni Olsen and Chill Wills in important roles. Producer, P. J. Wolfson, and director, William A. Seiter. Screenplay by Wolfson is based on Neil Swanson's novel, "The First Rebel." A dramatic story of John Smith and the uprising of the Pennsylvania settlers against the British crown ten years before the Revolutionary War. "The Fighting Gringo," George O'Brien western with Lupita Tovar in the feminine lead. Bert Gilroy, producer, David Howard, director. At Warners: "We Are Not Alone," starring Paul Muni with Dolly Haas. Producer, Henry Blanke, director, Edmund Goulding. James Hilton's novel of a country doctor in England who is accused of murdering his wife and is sent to prison. "20,000 Years in Sing Sing" and "The World Moves On," originally slated to start last week, to go into production this week. At Columbia: "Prison Sergeant," with Walter Connolly. Charles Vidor, director, and B. B. Kahane, producer. At Paramount: Two scheduled for last week get started this week, they are "Untamed" (new title for "The White Flame"), and "Federal Offense" (new title) for "Paroles for Sale"). At Universal: "Rio," with Sigrid Gurie, Basil Rathbone, Victor McLaglen, Robert Cummings and Leo Carrillo. John Brahm, director. At 20th Century-Fox: "Here I Am a Stranger" resumes production under the direction of Roy Del Ruth with Harry Joe Brown as producer. Cast is headed by Richard Greene, Nancy Kelly, Richard Dix, Roland Young and Gladys George. At M-G-M: "Henry Goes to Arizona," with Frank Morgan, Virginia Weidler and George Murphy. Harry Rapf, producer, Edwin L. Marin, director. Fox Asks Staff Cut Detroit — Fox Theater is negotiating with unions to secure reduction in present maintenance staff required— six engineers and four electricians. Success of negotiations will mean definite decision to keep the hou.se open, manager David M. Idzal said. All other operating expenses have been drastically cut, including advertising and payroll. Employes' working time is being staggered. FILM CODE ANALYZED By LOUIS NIZER EDITOR'S NOTE: THE FILM DAILY today presents the thirteenth installment of a comprehensive analysis of the proposed Trade Practice Code (Revision of lune 10) by Louis Nizer, member of the law firm of Phillips & Nizer, and authority on the law of screen, stage and radio The analysis is designed to clarify the provisions of the Code in non-legalistic language so as to make them readily understandable to all people in the film industry. In view of the fact that the Distributors Negotiating Committee proposes to make the Code effective for the 1939-40 season, THE FILM DAILY deems Mr. Nizer's interpretive presentation an outstanding, timely service of inestimable value to the trade. Preservation of the daily installments is recommended. Installment No. 13 Making An Award Enforceable: The parties agree to sign all necessary papers in order that the award of the arbitrators may, so far as the law permits, have the status of or become a judgment enforceable in the Courts. Signing Different Arbitration Agreement: If the law in any territory provides for a different form of arbitration agreement, the parties will sign an agreement as required by such law and file it with the Permanent Arbitration Board established under the Rules of Arbitration. Obeying Awards: If arbitration awards cannot be enforced in certain territories, the parties agree nevertheless to live up to, in good faith, any award that is made under the Rules of Arbitration. Affiliated Theaters: Distributors who control theater circuits pledge the full cooperation of the theaters and will use their best efforts to obtain the co-operation of theaters in which they have a partial interest. Exhibitor Groups: Organized exhibitor groups who sign the Code, will endeavor to obtain the signature of all their members and all other exhibitors operating theaters in the areas where they have members. XVI. EFFECTIVE DATE This Code shall apply to all contracts made after January 1, 1939 for 1939/40 product and the product of subsequent years so long as this agreement is in effect. XVII. TERM The term of this Code shall be for two exhibition seasons beginning with the season 1939/40 and thereafter indefinitely. Exhibition Season: An exhibition season begins September 1 and ends August 31. Withdrawing From Code: Anyone who has signed the Code may withdraw at the end of the second exhibition season or at the end of any subsequent exhibition season. Notice of Withdrawal: To withdraw from the Code, written notice must be sent to each distributor and organized group of exhibitors who have signed and to the Secretary of the Permanent Arbitration Board in each Exchange territory where the party withdrawing transacts business. Time of Notice: The withdrawal notice must be sent at least six months prior to the end of the exhibition season. (Fourteenth installment will appear tomorrow.) NBC Gets More Pix for Tele Despite Ban by the Majors (Continued from Page 1) on supply of motion pictures for telecasting, NBC is continuing its "raids" on the importers and subsequent distributors of foreign features, as well as closing deals with various individuals having "outmoded" domestic footage in the film industry's conception of the term. NBC sources also admit that no headway has been made in negotiations suggested some time ago for a basic agreement with any major or leading indie. It is known that NBC has a sufficient "backlog" of industrial and advertising shorts to assure for some time into the future the presence of film entertainment on its telecasts. Stahl Back With UA Detroit — Etnie Pichler, UA salesman, is being transferred to Milwaukee, and being replaced by Max Stahl. Stahl was former UA branch manager at Cincinnati, resigning to go into business as an exhibitor at Shelbyville, where he recently sold out, to return to selling. Court Upholds Darrieux in Refusing "Can-Can" Role Paris (By Cable) — Danielle Darrieux, film star, was upheld by a decision of a civil court here in her refusal to play the lead role in a feature picture titled "The French Can-Can." Suit had been brought against her by the Regina Film Co. seeking damages of 1,000,000 francs, but the court ruled that it was the privilege of the actress to choose her role, and assessed cost of the action against the company. Defendant refused to appear in the production because she did not like the scenario. M-G-M CIRCUIT DEALS NEAR CLOSING STAGE (Continued from Page 1) liam F. Rodgers, company's general sales manager. At the present rate of progress, Rodgers declared that a}1 .circuit deals if important would; f completed before the end of tht iiionth. Among the new deals now in the making are those with Warners, Fox West Coast (National Theaters) and many of the Publix chains. Fleischer Works Overtime on "Gulliver's Travels" Miami — While the Fleischer Studio denies there is any race to place "Gulliver's Travels" in release before RKO Radio distributes Walt Disney's "Pinocchio" at the end of the year, the local cartoon plant is working overtime. FTP Windup by July 31 New order issued by Col. B. B. Somervell, WPA administrator, calls for the discharge of all on the Federal Theater Project rolls here by July 31. Originally, they were to be carried for 30 days. Warner Theaters Setting Deals for 1939-40 Films Warner Bros. Theaters are currently setting deals for 1939-40 product, it was declared by Joseph Bernhard, circuit's general manager, as he left New York Friday evening for the Coast aboard the 20th Century Limited. Mort Blumenstock, Warners' Eastern advertising and publicity director, and the Bryan Foys also left on the Century. Bernhard and Blumenstock will confer at Burbank with Jack L. Warner, S. Charles Einfeld and Hal B. Wallis. Latter arrives from Europe today on the Normandie, accompanied by Mrs. Wallis, the former Louise Fazenda, and their son, Brent, and is scheduled to head immediately for Burbank. Blumenstock will return to the home office in about two weeks, and Bernhardt in ten days. Puerto Rican Circuit Buys Entire WB '39-40 Lineup Teodulo Llamas, head of the Empresa Teatros Modernos Circuit in Puerto Rico, has signed for the entire Warner product for the 1939-40 season, it was announced over the week-end by Sam E. Morris, WB vice-prexy in charge of foreign distribution. The Warner lineup will play the circuit's 12 theaters in San Juan, Santurce, and Rio Piedres. Of the twelve theaters, six of them are brand new houses. The Matienzo Theater in San Juan, the most modern house in the territory, will be the principal first-run outlet. The contracts were signed at the home office by Llamas in the presence of Morris, J. S. Hummel, general foreign sales manager for Warners, Karl MacDonald, Warners' South American district manager, Peter Colli, Warners' supervisor for Central American territories, F. G. Planas, Warner manager in Puerto Rico, and Raphael Marti of Llamas' staff.