Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1936)

22 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Tuesday, June 16, 1936 Universal Sales Parleys Get Under Way at Astor On the dais, left to right: Sidney Singerman, Eddie Bonns, Frank J. A. McCarthy, Phil D. Cochrane, Charles B. Paine, Willard S. McKay, Robert H. Cochrane, James R. Grainger, J. Cheever Cowdin, Charles R. Rogers and E. T. Gomersall. Finances Are Set, Cochrane Tells "U" (Continued from pane 1) tomorrow's session to discussions of new sales policy and the new product, introduced Cochrane. "For the first time in the history of the company," Cochrane said, "we are properly financed so that we can give you the kind of pictures you have been hungry for . . .and plenty of them." After stating that there was "complete harmony and understanding between the studio and sales department," the Universal president praised the work done by Rogers in reorganizing and strengthening the studio and production staff and paid tribute to the ability of William Koenig, studio manager. "Studio morale has increased 100 per cent," Cochrane said. "Rogers re organized the studio exactly as you would have if you were in his place," he told the sales force. "Our relations with all of the other studios have been improved, and this will have a fine effect on our future as we can get cooperation such as we have never had before." Cowdin was credited by Cochrane with the success of Universal's new financing program and the men were told that Universal's new board of directors, a majority of whom are not industry men, "has no intention of doing what other financial men did in other companies. They are going to let motion picture men run this motion picture company and they are going to back us because they have confidence in us," Cochrane said. "They are in for life. They are not taking a 'flier' in the market." "I accepted the presidency of the new company," he added, "because of these things and because I know we have a bright future. When the com pany was sold I did not sell any of my stock. I left everything in the new company — practically everything I have made in 30 years of work. I wouldn't have done it without a mighty good reason." In closing, Cochrane complimented the sales organization on its performance during the past season. Cowdin, introduced by Cochrane, placed his stamp of approval on the latter's statements concerning the Universal board's policy of non-interference with management and the company's financing arrangements. He related that the purchase of control of Universal by his company, Standard Capital, came about through his association with men who knew the film business and whose policy was to "find men and give them the power and the money to run their company." He said that he believed successful operation of a film company depended upon four basic factors — the top executive and his staff, the sales Long shot of got under way part, but by in the North no means Ballroom (Cosmo-Sileo) all of the Universal men paying strict attention to the rostrum as their convention of the Hotel Astor yesterday afternoon. manager and his organization, th| production organization and a financia policy. Examining Universal, Cow din said he found the executive sta! headed by Cochrane and the sales or ganization by Grainger to be second t none in the industry. "But," he added, "I found a produc tion situation which was impossible which required new personnel and reorganization from top to bottom. Cowdin said that with the acquis tion of Rogers the production pro! lem has been solved and that the ne financing has given Universal a sour financial policy. With the strength the executive and sales department Universal is ready to take its ne place in the industry, he said, and deliver pictures which exhibitors ar the company want. Rogers, who followed Cowdin, to the convention that he would do h talking today. The studio head scheduled to make known the ne production plans to the sales force, ar f his talk may take up the larger pa of today's sessions. In a brief tal however, Rogers recalled his own da; as a salesman and sales executive. Grainger will have the floor f> most of tomorrow's session, outlinii new season sales policies to the me The convention is scheduled to clo Thursday noon after a meeting of di trict and branch managers. Ryskind Gets "Hippodrome" Hollywood, June 15. — Morrie Ry kind has been named producer <. "Hippodrome" at Universal. Rah; Murphy, who will direct, wrote tl original with Garrett Fort and R. I Burnside. Rogers in from Coast Charles R. Rogers, vice-preside in charge of Universal production, a; rived in New York yesterday for tl company's sales convention at tl Astor. Reduces Prices in K. C. Kansas City, June 15. — Tl Tower, downtown independent firs run operated by Barney Joffee ar William Reinke, has reduced admi sions for the summer from 25 cen to 35 cents to a straight 25 cents. Tl house probably wTill return to the o schedule the middle of August or tl first of September, according to Joffe Other downtown first runs may mal some adjustment in prices to me3 the change.