Hollywood Motion Picture Review (1937-1940)

Page 2 HOLLYWOOD MOTION PICTURE REVIEW June 26. 1937 JOE BLAIR Editor Publisher Published weekly by Hollywood Motion Picture Review. Joe Blair, Editor-Publisher. Agnes Blair, Associate Editor. Executive and Editorial Offices 1040 North Martel Avenue. Phone: HE. 5982 Hollywood, Calif. Subscription rates $10.00 per year Foreign $15.00 Single copies 25c Vol. Ill HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, JUNE 26, 1937 No. 4 GOOD PICTURES NEEDED NOW! Already some of the studios indicate they are withholding their best product for early Fall release. This is a wrong apprehension. It is an old-fashioned idea that trade during the Summer months takes a nose-dive just because of the heat, and that the proper thing for producers to do is to sluff off the worst pictures onto Exhibitors during these months. Theatres all over the United States and especially those located In the heat wave belt, are ALL equipped with the latest air-cooling and condition refrigerating units. They provide a haven Into which people will flock to escape the distress of the street heat. But when the screen attraction Is such that it discourages attendance, motion picture patrons will go elsewhere. No longer does the theatre have a monopoly on cool air. Drug stores, cocktail lounges, hotels and even the ten cent stores In many cities now provide comfort for their patrons with the latest In air-cooling systems. The release of the picture "San Francisco," during the mId-Summer season last year and Its subsequent record breaking performance at the box-office everywhere. Is sufficient proof that good product will prove as satisfactory at the box office In Summer time as In any other month during the year. Of course, there may be isolated exceptions but the general rule will hold good until new conditions arise. It is a smart distributor who will take a chance on pre-releasing a hit picture during the Summer months rather than wait for Fall when the competition may then be much greater. JOE BLAIR ^ :fc ^ Again the thought concerning man power comes before us for discussion. Whether it Is in the operation of a theatre, publishing a magazine or running a studio, man power plays an Important part. In regard to the management or policy of a studio, the success or failure of product Is directly chargeable to none other than the executive management or to be specific, the head of the studio. In our opinion, the most Important post and the one given the least consideration. Is the story department heads. In most Instances, these talented people know what is box-office and the kind of story which will prove successful but each have definite instructions from the studio management of the kind of stories wanted and they find It Is useless to submit or search for material that does not come under such a banner. The special Issue devoted to Showmanship and Exploitation which was announced for the current issue has been postponed until a later date owing to certain circumstances which have since arisen and also to the lack of suitable editorial material to make for the success of such a number. Showmanship and Exploitation plays an Important part In the merchandising of motion pictures and to cover this matter In a fitting manner necessitates the cooperation of not only showmen In the field, but the selection and writing of many articles on the various phase.s of selling motion pictures to the public. Watch for a later announcement. THIS WEEK IN NEWS Harry Joe Brown has been signed by 20th Century-Fox as associate producer, according to announcement by Darryl F. Zanuck, vice-president in charge of production. In addition to Brown, producers on the 20th Century lot Include Earl Carroll, Raymond Griffith, Nunnally Johnson, Kenneth Macgowan, Gene Markey, Laurence Schwab, Harold Wilson, John Stone, Samuel G. Engel, Milton Feld, Max Golden and Leslie Landau. Ewart Adamson has been signed by Grand National Studios to write the screenplay for "Honolulu Honeymoon," a Zion Myers production, from an original by Armine von Tempski. Glenn Tryon will direct, and no cast has been selected as yet. Edward H. Griffith will direct "I'll Take Romance", Grace Moore's next starring vehicle for Columbia Studios. Meivyn Douglas has the leading male role with production starting this week. Stuart Erwin has just been assigned an Important comedy role in the picture. "Spawn of the North," picturization of Barrett Willoughby's novel of the Alaska salmon runs, which Paramount was forced to cancel a year ago because of the illness of Carole Lombard, goes into active production this week with the departure of a camera expedition to film spectacular action scenes. Twelve men under Richard Talmadge will go to Ketchikan for the salmon season, which begins July 4 with the first run of millions of salmon up the inland streams to the spawning grounds. From there the expedition will continue to towering Taku Ice Cap, near Juneau, with the camera crew, headed by Frank Goode and Loyal Griggs. Henry Hathaway, now on an Eastern vacation following completion of "Souls at Sea," will direct the picture, taking a company of 200 to a Lake Tahoe, California, location upon his return. Hal Mohr, one of Hollywood's ace cameramen who recently attained the rank of director, moved up another notch this week when he was signed to direct a picture for Walter Wanger. He joins an important coterie of men who will direct for Wanger during the coming year, Including John Ford, John Cromwell, Tay Garnett, Irving Cummings, Anatole Litvak and Harold Young. While the script is In preparation, Mohr will act as cameraman on the new Joan Bennett-Henry Fonda picture, "I Met My Love Again", which goes into production immediately. Sid Silvers, who is equally noted for his brilliant writing of dialogue lines as well as clever repartee, is proving somewhat of a hit in front of the cameras on the picture, "52nd Street," as well as on the set during the filming of this current Walter Wanger production for United Artists release. Silvers, formerly with M.G.M. in both a writing and acting capacity, may return to the Culver City studio following the completion of his current assignment. Scott R. Dunlap, Vice-President in charge of production at Monogram, announces the purchase of an original story by Rowland Brown, who wrote "The Devil Is a Sissy", to be used as a starring vehicle for Jackie Cooper. The story will be entitled "Boy of the Streets Tentative starting date is July 20th. "Where the West Begins" has been named by R. N. Bradbury, Monogram associate producer, as the title of the next Jack Randall musical western. This feature will get underway in two weeks. Original was written by Robert Emmett, who will also write the screenplay. Bradbury will direct. This is the second in a series of eight that Randall will make for the 1937-38 season. He recently completed "Riders of the Dawn".