Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1936)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Tuesday, March 10, 1$ E. C. Grainger Honor Guest At The Astor (Continued front page 1) zer, toastmaster. Lou Lehr, first speaker to be called upon, warned the honoree that "the hand of fellowship of tonight will be the salesman's fist of tomorrow", and he was followed by Laurence Stallings, who gloated that Grainger soon would be paying the high prices for film that he's always told exhibitors his own stuff was worth. Lowell Thomas was reminded of Stallings' yarn on the manner in which an Ethiopian warrior observes St. Valentine's day, warning Grainger that while the tribute was his at the moment, tomorrow he would be the victim. Nizer, harking back to the good, old days of exhibition, B. C., (Before Cocalis), saw Grainger's transition from sales executive to exhibitor as a perilous one, because "Grainger hasn't learned to cry yet". Harry Brandt, following, offered to teach him how, qualifying by confessing that he had paid for his winter trip to Florida by his last cry in Grainger's office. Other speakers on the dais included E. W. Hammons, Austin C. Keough, A. W. Smith, Jr., James O'Laughlin, Saul Rogers, Ed Raftery, Milton C. Weisman and J. R. Grainger. Telegrams were read from Sidney R. Kent, detained at Washington; John D. Clark, at the Twentieth Century-Fox studio, Hollywood; Jules Levy, N. L. Nathanson and W. F. Rodgers. Among those present were : Meyer Adelman, H. S. Alexander, Ben Amsterdam, Harry Arthur, Harry Bailely, Tom Bailey, Lee Balsley, Wm. E. Barry, J. G. Beilin, J. Benas, Nat Beier, Jack Bernhardt, Wm. Berry, O. C. Binder, J. Birnbaum, Ed. B. Block, Clayton Bond, Eddie Bonns, Harry Brandt, Leo Brecher, H. H. Buxbaum, Harry Buxbaum, Jr., Al Christie, Sam Cocalis, George M. Cohan, Jr., Max Cohen, Ira H. Cohn, E. H. Collins, Larry Cowan, Al J. Davis, Harvey Day, Harry Decker, Sam Dembow, Jr., I. Dreeben, A. F. Driscoll, Sol Edwards, Jay Emanuel, Richard Ettelson, Harold Eldredge, Si Fabian, Roger Ferri, Meyer Fine, Nat Finkler, Ed Finney, Al J. Fischer, Sam Fox, Jerome Friedlander, Louis Frisch, Hon. Richard J. Galvin, Sam Germaine, Morris Gerson, Nat Goldberg, Nathan Goldstein, Wm. Goldman, Maurice Goodman, M. F. Gowthorpe, Tobey Gruen, Roy Hains, Phil Hodes, Joe Hornstein, M. B. Horowitz, Samuel Hyman, Morris Jacks, Felix Jenkins, Ben Joel, W. R. Johnson, Jerome J. Jonas, Gilbert Josephson, Leo Justin, Harry Kalmine, Ben Kalmenson, Hon. M. Kamsler, Lou Kaufman, A. J. Kearney, J. Kelbin, A. C. Keough, Wm. Kramer, Morris Kravitz, Lester Krieger, Wm. J. Kupper, Moe Kurtz, Milt Kussell, Lou Kuttler. Harry Lawrenson, Timothy Leahy, O. Lederer, Arthur Lee, Joe Lee, Abe Leff. Sam Lefkowitz, Irving Lesser, Eugene Levy. Norman Louis, Abe Lichtman. I. Lincer, Clarence Loewe, H. J. Lorber, George V. Lynch, Irving Maas, Chas. E. McCarthy, Vincent R. McFall, W. I. McKay, Claude McGowan, S. W. McGrath, K. P. McNaughton, Harry Margolis, Al Mendelson, Fred Meyers, Louis Meyers, Harry Mersay, W. C. Michel, Sam Mishkin, Frank Miske, Robert Mochrie, I. G. Montgomery, Walter Moore, C. C. Moskowitz. Jos. Moskowitz, Edgar Moss. Ed Mullins, Tohn Murphv, F. T. Murray, Dennis F. O'Brien, Ed. F. O'Leary, J. J. O'Leary, Chas Olive, Chas. O'Riley, Leon D. Netter, Burt Nevins, Chas. Nolte, Louis Notarius, Jerry Novatt. Walter Pacy, Ed. M. Peskay, Louis Phillips, Eugene Picker, Bert Popkin. Ralph Poucher, Wm. Powers, Norman Prager. Lou Preston, Fred C. Quimby, Hyman Rachmill, Ed. C. Raftery. Henry Randall, A. Rapf. Walter Reade. Arch Reeve, Harry Reinhardt, Irving Renner. Herman Reiper. Sam Rinzler, Herman Robbins, George Roberts. John Roberts, Milton Rogasner. MOTION PICTURE DAILYS HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "Snowed Under" ( Warners) Holly wood, March 9. — A farce comedy which draws upon the elemental slapstick methods to put over its many and hilarious socks, this is a fast-moving vehicle with plenty of fun in dialogue, 'action and situations. The picture has a nonsensical quality that should appeal to mass patronage. F. Hugh Herbert and Brown Holmes did the screen play from the Lawrence Saunders novel, cleverly preserving all of the humor content of the original. It is the story of a playwright, George Brent, snowed under by snow — and women. In this situation he is first pestered by Patricia Ellis, a hero-worshipper. He has hardly sidetracked her when in comes Genevieve Tobin, ex-wife No. 1, who has been sent by Porter Hall, producer, to be Brent's inspiration for a necessary third act to his latest play. The situation becomes absolutely hectic when alimony-seeking ex-wife No. 2, Glenda Farrell, arrives, accompanied by her lawyer, John Eldredge and Sheriff Frank McHugh, plus a jug of applejack. A blizzard isolates the whole party. By their antics the players quickly take on the character of inmates of an insane asylum. With ludicrous experiences happening to all, and with snow slides occasionally burying individuals or entire groups, Brent finally finishes his script and falls in love again with Miss Tobin. Miss Ellis considers lawyer Eldredge a pretty good catch and Miss Farrell, now certain that the alimony will be forthcoming, looks romantically upon McHugh. The production is smartly directed by Raymond Enright, and played in the same key by the entire company in a manner which keeps the laughs coming fast and furiously without regard to rhyme or reason. For those who like their fun in broad and copious quantities this should please mightily. Production Code Seal No. 1,811. Running time, 60 minutes. "G." Leon Rosenblatt, Max Rosenblatt, Ben Rosenberg, Jack Rosenthal, David A. Ross, J B. Rossheim, Harry Royster, Herman Rubin, F. Ruddock, A. C. Sanders. Morns Sanders, Bert Sanford, Claude Saunders, B. Scheer, Louis N. Schine, Ted Schlanger, Hon. Sol Schloss, Ed. M. Schnitzer, A. Schwartz, Chas. E. Seaman, David Shapiro, Andy Sharick, Jack A. Shea, Harry Shiftman, Frank Shiftman, Jack Sichelman, Henry Siegel, Moe Silver, R. B. Simonson, Svdnev Singerman, Jack Skirboll. C.eorge Skouras, Morris Smoleu, Jack R. Springer, Jack W. Springer, Sam Stecker, Luke Steger, Chas. Steinman, Moe Streimer, E. Stuart, Herman Sussman, Wm. Sussman, Truman H. Talley, Harry Thomas, Harry Thorns, Joseph H. Tooker, Ed. Thorgesen, Stuart, Al Suchman, Herman Sussman, Wm. P. G. Tuckerman, Jack Ungerfeld, Joe Ungbar, Samuel Varbalow, I. Vample, Morton Van Praag, George Walsh, Harry Waxman, David Weinstock, Louis Webber, Irwin Wheeler, Sam Wheeler, Clinton White, Gordon White, J. R. Wilson, Earle Wingarte, Sig. Wittman, Jack Wolff. I. Wormser, Pete Woodhull, Earl L. Wright, A C. Young, B. Zinnetbaum, Al Suchman. "Cappy Ricks" to Levine Hollywood, March 9. — Nat Levine has closed with Peter B. Kyne for the production of five "Cappy Ricks" stories. The pictures will be made at the rate of one a year for the next five years. The first will go into production next fall to be released on the 1936-37 Republic program. Sonotone Net $77,182 The report of Sonotone Corp. for the year ending Dec. 31, 1935, shows a net income of $77,182 after all deductions. This provides for 10 cents a share on 682,533 shares (par $1) of common stock, and compares with a 1934 income of $71,278, or 11 cents a share on 629,329 common shares. Arthur Lee on Coast Hollywood, March 9. — Arthur Lee of G. B. arrived here today with a print of "Rhodes." With Jeffrey Bernerd, company distribution head, Lee will set the local opening of the film. 20th-Fox European Meet Set in April The annual international sales meet of Twentieth Century-Fox is scheduled to get under way next month with the arrival in London of Sidney R. Kent, president. Kent is slated to sail for England on April 17 and upon his return in May he will be accompanied by Walter J. Hutchinson, foreign manager, who is now cleaning up his affairs abroad before he moves permanently to this country. Nichols Turn Back Academi Writer Awar* Schuessler Asks Release Hollywood, March 9. — Fred Schuessler, RKO casting director, has asked release from his current contract. It is reported that Schuessler, if his resignation is accepted, will take a similar post with either Paramount or U. A. Open Houston House Houston, March 9. — The Eastwood, third suburban house to be opened here since Christmas, was opened with elaborate ceremonies. The house, seating 1,100, is one of the Hoblitzelle circuit. Ricketson Back Home Denver, March 9. — Rick Ricketson, head of Fox Intermountain, has returned from the coast, where he attended a meeting of all National Theatre operating heads. Decker Leaves Coast Los Angeles, March 9. ■ — Samuel Decker, Detroit manager for First Division Exchange, entrained homeward tonight following two weeks here. (Continued from par/c 1) Informer," who, like Nichols, was i present at the awards dinner, said would be pleased to accept the b< direction award. The full text of Nichols' letter the Academy follows : "My awareness of the honor giv to the screen play of 'The Inform! and my gratitude to those individu; who voted the award, only make n letter the more difficult, but as o« of the founders of the Screen Wr ers' Guild, which was conceived revolt against the Academy and bo out of disappointment with the w it functioned against employed tale in any emergency, I deeply regret am unable to accept the award. I accept it would be to turn my bat on nearly 1,000 members of the Wr: ers' Guild, to desert those fellc writers who ventured everything the long drawn out fight for a genui: writers' organization, to go back < the convictions honestly arrived ! and to invalidate three years' work the guild which I would like to kx back on with self respect. "My only regret now is that 1 d not withdraw my name from the non ination, thus avoiding this most en barrassing situation. "This rejection can in no wis prejudice the other 'Informer' award I realize the awards were voted h a generous membership who had r. thought of personal partiality t political intent. But a writer wh accepts an Academy award tacitl supports the Academy and I believ it to be the duty of every scree writer to stand with his own an strengthen the guild, because ther is no other representative autonomou organization for writers which aims : justice for employer and employ alike and which is concerned solel with the betterment of the writin craft." Academy President Replies Replying to the published Nichols statement, Frank Capra, Academ; president, was quoted today as fol lows : "Membership has no connectioi with the Academy awards and neve: has had in all the eight years durinj which they have been conferred. Th< awards constitute dignified recogni tion of the year's worthiest work b) a representative group of writers, actors, production executives, technician and directors. The statuette is a symj bol of this organization. The balloting does not in any way take into accoun the personal, political or economic views of nominees, nor the graciousness with which they may be expectec to receive the recognition. It was and of course, remains, the opinion of the Academy membership that th«i screenplay of 'The Informer' written by Mr. Nichols was the outstanding achievement in its field during the year, and was an artistic accomplish ment of which American motion pictures may well be proud."