Year book of motion pictures (1938)

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HISTORY MAKERS OF 1937 ing to confer on product with Nate Blumberg, following the letter's election to the presidency. • WILLIAM F. RODGERS • A few days before 1937 took its bow. — at Christmas to be exact, — this popular pix baron donated to charity the purse which the industry had presented to him at the literally gigantic testimonial dinner in New York which celebrated his rise to the office of general sales manager for M-G-M. This generous act was a figurative feather in his cap. The following May, the Navajo tribe must have received word by smoke signal or over one of the local "circuits," for they took this phrase literally, and when the mild-mannered, kindly Mr. Rodgers pulled into Albuquerque he was greeted by the tribesmen who bestowed upon him an elaborate feather head-dress, officially acclaiming him Chief Rodgers. Being already a heap big cinema chieftain, he bore the added title with characteristic calm and modesty. There were even more feathers in the offing, — those which he received for his chapeau through his fair dealings with exhibition interests everywhere. • GRADWELL L. SEARS • When news services spread word that Hannibal, Mo., was preparing a big celebration in 1937 to honor its renowned native son, the film industry both far and wide declared that it was about time proper appreciation was to be expressed, and recognition given, to Gradwell L. Sears. When hlmdom subsequently learned that the planned celebration was for Mark Twain, they termed the whole proceedings downright discrimination and refused to even arbitrate. Grad performed like a champion in his role of general sales manager for WB. His series of trips to major circuit bailiwicks throughout the U. S. was responsible in no small degree for the magnitude of that company's product revenue in '37. ARTHUR A. LEE • While American production interests were excitedly eyeing developments in the United Kingdom re film-making and distribution there, as such might be affected by the Quota tangle, Arthur Lee quietly coasted Coastward, gracefully carrying his unusual pay-load of three titles, — vice-president, treasurer and general manager of GB Pictures Corp. of America, — with the idea in mind of turning out some feature product in Hollywood one of these days. Returning, he expanded GB's sales staff by 25 per cent. Reported the new GB pix-by-pix buying policy was a success, and. at the year-end, proclaimed that GB will, beginning Jan. 1, release new pix at rate of one a month. • SAMUEL J. BRISKIN • Last July a Coast flash had it that RKO-Radio had renewed the contract of Sam Briskin, its production head, for a long term. Such, at least, was the announcement of Floyd Odium of Atlas Corp. But subsequently it developed that the agreement had not been formally signed. On Nov. 3, film circles heard that Mr. Briskin had tendered his resignation, a development which brought President Loo Spitz post haste westward from the home office. When the latter arrived in Hollywood it was to discover tha! the withdrawal was immediately effective, and so President Spitz rolled up his sleeves and assumed direction of the studios pending the naming of a successor to Briskin. 131