The Film Daily (1939)

I DAILY Tuesday, July 11, 1939 PIGKFORD TO PRODUCE "THE BAT" IN BRITAIN (Continued from Page 1) quate budget to assure its quality and subsequent box-office success, and will be released through UA, possibly for the 1939-40 program, although shooting is scheduled for the Spring of 1940. She has no intention of placing it before cameras until meticulous care has been taken on script preparation. Discussing script "preparedness, she expressed the belief that a considerable increment of unnecessary Hollywood expense has sprung from rushing features into work too rapidly. Hollywood stars, she said, will be employed for "The Bat," and subsequently she is planning to produce the play's sequel, "The Bat Whispers." Another property which she owns, "Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall," in which she appeared under UA's banner in 1924, is viewed by her as a distinct probability for production, in the near future. It is her view that this story should be made in color as a musical, and she visualizes Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in the leads. Miss Pickford asserted that British and Swiss capital is available should the film be made in England, but there are certain advantages to be gained by Hollywood production. In the making of any of her future productions, she said, a 20 per cent contingency item will be added to expected costs. Shortly after Aug. 1, she expects to fly to Hollywood. In the interim, she will stop at the Sherry-Netherland. Early next January she and her husband, Charles "Buddy" Rogers return to England. Business in the U. S. precluded her remaining in England for the UA convention in London which opened last Friday. "Buddu" Rogers To Resume Film Career In England Charles "Buddv" Rogers, who arrived in New York from Europe yesterday on the Normandie to fulfill engagements with his orchestra in Pennsylvania. Tennessee, Michigan and New York, is formulating plans for a further argosy in films early in 1940. at which time he expects to return to England to accept offers which have been made to him by producers there. It is disclosed that while in London recently, Rogers was approached both by Alexander Korda and Gabriel Pascal, each of whom opened negotiations with him for a lead role. Rogers denied yesterday that he is organizing a new orchestra, and suggested that report might have arisen through a few major changes he had made in the present outfit. During his stay abroad he visited, accompanied by his wife, Mary Pickford, 14 countries by plane. FILM CODE ANALYZED By LOUIS NIZER EDITOR'S NOTE: THE FILM DAILY today presents the fourteenth installment of a comprehensive analysis of the proposed Trade Practice Code (Revision of June 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. 14 Withdrawal Because of Others: If a distributor or the operator of a substantial number of theaters withdraws from the Code, any other person who has signed may also withdraw at the end of the same exhibition season by giving written notice prior to the end of that season. Other Reasons for Withdrawal: There are two other reasons which justify withdrawal from the Code. They are: (a) Inconsistent Legislation: If laws are passed which are inconsistent with the Code, or require a substantial change in the method of carrying on business, anyone who signed the Code may withdraw from it, but only in the territory governed by such legislation; or (6) Illegality of Code: If any Court declares the Code illegal, or invalid, or issues an injunction against it or against the clause of any contract substantially identical with a clause in the Code, or requires a substantial change in the method of carrying on business, then withdrawal from the Code is justified. Rights of Others to Withdrawal: If any distributor or operator of a substantial number of theaters withdraws from the Code because of inconsistent legislation or Court orders (as specified in subdivision a and b above), then any other person who signed the Code may withdraw whether such legislation or judgment affects it or not. Notice: In case of such withdrawal, written notice must be given to distributors, organized groups of exhibitors and Secretaries of Permanent Arbitration Boards in the Exchange Territory where business is transacted. (Fifteenlh installment will appear tomorrow.) Theatrical Unions Plan Consumers Co-operative Preliminary studies are being made looking to formation of a Ccnsumers Co-operative that would utilize the joint buying power of 100,000 members of leading theatrical unions to substantially reduce the living costs of these workers in the amusement crafts, it is announced by Paul N. Turner, counsel for the AAAA. The participating unions include besides the AAAA, parent body of the organized A F of L actor unions are Local 802, A F M, Local 1, IATSE, SAG, American Federation of Radio Artists, Actors' Equity Association, American Guild of Musical Artists, TMAT Union and Chorus Equity Association. Following an initial meeting at the offices of the Four A's, it was generally felt by those present that a Consumer Co-operative organization could be created which would reduce living costs and serve as a clearing house for information to enable the purchase of quality products at minimum cost. It was said William Green, A F of L prexy, was personally interested. The co-operative, when formed, would initially be set up in New York City and then extended to Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Turner said. V & E Close the Praga Chicago — The Praga theater of the Veskna and Elinek circuit has closed for the summer months. AFA Mismanagement Trial Will Be Continued Today (Continued from Page 1) prin, respectively prexy, executive secretary and counsel for the AFA. Walkout was preceded by the AFA charge that two groups of delegates to the AAAA international board— SAG and AFRA— had strings attached to them through provision that their delegates have an Equity okay. Ken Thomson, for SAG, testified the agreement had been terminated in February; Mrs. Emily Holt, for AFRA, similarly stated the arrangement had been terminated. Paul Turner, AAAA counsel, branded the walkout a "subterfuge" and charged AFA was resorting to an "empty legal quibble to justify its stand." Halprin announced he would prefer charges against the AAAA with the A F of L, claiming charter violations. Bernard J. Reis, CPA, accountant for the AAAA investigating committee, was on the stand yesterday afternoon. Industry Short Wave Com. To Hold Meeting Today A meeting of the ways and means committee of advertising and pub. heads for fostering dissemination of industry publicity via short wave to South America and Europe will be held today at the MPPOA office, Charles E. McCarthy is chairman of the committee. ■ WB PLANS 5 BRITISH MULTIPLE QUOTA PIX (Continued from Page 1) stronger pictures aimed at capturing virtually world-wide grosses, it was disclosed by Hal B. Wallis, WB's associate executive in charge of production at Burtfy as hi arrived from Europe on the Normandie, accompanied by his wife, Louise Fazenda, and their son, Brent. Wallis said that there has been no merger of First National and Warner exchanges in England, as! far as he has heard, but characterized the reported step as "a logical one." While in London, Wallis conferred with Sam Sax, Warners' production head at Teddington, with respect to scripts, two of which Wallis brought back with him for; approval. One is "This Man Reuter," an original by Valentine Williams, which, reports have said, may be allocated to Paul Muni; the] other is the story of Samuel Cunard. The Teddington policy, Wallis said, will be the making of multiple quota pix, probably five as a minimum for the new season, each utilizing Hollywood stars and players, and each with budgets commensurate with top Hollywood attractions. Wallis said that "Confessions of a Nazy Spy" is doing a huge business in England, and may gross more than a million in the U. K. alone. He informally estimated the picture would clock at least that sum in other sections of the world despite the fact that some countries are not prospects for the picture. He also asserted that "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" opened simultaneously in three Paris houses last week to huge business, and that "Dark Victory" is very big in thej U. K. and on the Continent. Warners, he added, may make another film on contemporary Germany, "Underground." The Warner offices and studio staffs overseas, Wallis said, are looking forward to the impending visit of Jack L. Warner, vice-presi ] dent in charge of production. Foreign audiences, he cited, are highly responsive to biographical films, and several outstanding properties in this classification will be made at Teddington and Burbank. Wallis left for the Coast last night. Gehring In Chi. to Work on B & K Product Deal William C. Gehring, central division sales manager for 20th-Fox, left the home office yesterday for Chicago to attend confabs on the Sidney R. Kent Drive and work out a new deal with B & K for 20th-Fox product for the new season. Te returns early next week.