Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1936)

Thursday, October 29, 1936 MOTION PICTURE DAILY New National Organization Before ITOA 'Tom 9 Show Reaches B 'way, But No Eva Reaches Heaven (Continued from page 1) when Brandt will announce at least six eastern states as tied in with the setup. . , The new plan is not identified with previous discussions for the creation of a new national exhibitor setup with representation in each Congressional district. Percentages were attacked on all sides with every major company included in the harangue. Action on this type of selling was deferred until next week. A committee was appointed yesterday to further the new independent exhibitor scheme. Efforts to learn the names of the members selected were met with this response: "There will be no statement about anything discussed at the meeting." Several exhibitors stated that M-G-M is finding it difficult to sell under its new sales policy. However, an exchange executive answered this by declaring that practically all the important independent circuits already have been signed. The same holds true for Paramount. O'Reilly-Brandt Talks Fruitless Charles L. O'Reilly, president of the T. O. C. C, for many months had conferred with Brandt on the idea of creating a new national exhibitor unit along Congressional district lines. Nothing came of it. Brandt has criticized both Allied and the M. P. T. 0. A., claiming that neither organization represents the interests of independent exhibitors. Under O'Reilly's plan the proposed merger of the T. O. C. C. and the 1. T. O. A. was to serve as the first unit in the Congressional system organization. O'Reilly has delayed combining his unit with the I. T. O. A. until after election. Whether this plan will eventuate is problematical, since the T. O. C. C. has been inactive for more than three years and its membership reported to have dwindled. (Continued from page 1) this morning that this "Uncle Tom's Cabin," or "Sweet River" if Abbott insists, is well produced, tolerably acted in the main, overtoned with interesting and usually well-rendered Negro spirituals, blessed with one half of one beautiful and touching scene and no ascension of Little Eva to heaven. The audience must have missed that because it appeared to cling to its seats awaiting the traditional finish. The one half of the one beautiful and touching scene introduced the third act after St. Clare arranged for the sale of his slaves. In they troop, sorrowful and respectful, to surround in friendly ring and on their knees their kindly master while offstage in soft crescendoes comes the chant of the colored chorus. Material Antiquated But "Sweet River" or no other play has any right to rest on such flimsy laurels. It may have been because the familiar and semi-classic tale has been made static by the very weight of its years. After all, Abbott merely adapted, did not write which perhaps explains why the results are what they are. The evening, as a consequence, seemed long indeed despite an audience which hissed Legree and applauded the heroics in a minor enterprise in a lagging season. As the play changed its title so did the theatre which housed it. Once the Warners' Warner, the Broadway frontage last night was dark while those who went found their way through the side entrance, defined in electrics as the Slst Street Theatre Warner money behind it does not at all mean that company will film "Sweet River." If it's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" they're after, the Brothers can always go back to the original. After all, in it Eva did go to heaven. Collects $8.02 Omaha, Oct. 28.— Manager Bill Miskell of the Orpheum theatre has turned over to the free shoe fund of a local newspaper $8.02 in pennies which were tossed into the wishing well erected in the lobby to advertise the recent showing of "Ramona." Van Leer to Dictograph Arnold Van Leer, exploiteer, yesterday was appointed to post of public relations head for Dictograph Products, Inc., where he will take charge of sales promotion for the firm's New Silent Radio. Revise S. R. Kent Claim Sidney R. Kent's claim against Paramount will be allowed at $72,527 under an amended order signed yesterday by Federal Judge Alfred C. Coxe. The claim was based on an alleged breach by Paramount of Kent's employment contract in 1931, and was filed against the company in connection with its bankruptcy proceedings some time ago. Mae West Recovers Hollywood, Oct. 28.— Mae West has recovered sufficiently from a cold to resume entertainment of the bachelors sent here as a publicity stunt for "Go West, Young Alan." New Writer-Producer Pact in Preparation (Continued from page 1) voiding the existing agreement thus automatically relieving the producers of their contractual obligations. The possibility of the new development was strongly in evidence at the dinner tendered the producers by Screen Playwrights at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Among the guests were Darryl Zanuck, Louis B. Mayer, Edward J. Mannix, Ben B. Kahane, Adolph Zukor, Henry Herzbrun, William Koenig, Sam J. Briskin, Harry Cohn and Joseph M. Schenck. Committees have been named to work out details. Briskin, Mannix and Kahane will act for the producers while Waldemar Young, Paul Scofield and William Slavens McNutt will represent the writers. The first of several scheduled meetings was held today at the RKO studios. At this meeting it was pointed out that approximately two-thirds of the Academy writer members belong to Screen Playwrights. Officers of Screen Playwrights today refused to affirm or deny the report. It is believed, however, that a definite agreement will be reached within 10 days. Para. Silent About Report of Dividend (Continued from page 1) of four points for the day and about 12 points for the past two days. Players for Drive Captains Hollywood, Oct. 28. — Paramount's Adolph Zukor Jubilee Drive is to have honorary captains for sales districts. Their names were made known to Zukor at a studio luncheon. The districts and their leaders are: District No. 1, Boston, Ray Milland ; No. 2, New York, Lynne Overman; No. 3, Philadelphia, Marsha Hunt; No. 4, Cleveland, Eleanor Whitney; No. 5, Chicago, William Frawley; No. 6, Kansas City, Roscoe Karns ; No. 7, Atlanta, Gail Patrick; No. 8, Denver, Martha Raye; No. 9, Los Angeles, Shirley Ross, No. 10, Minneapolis, Mary Carlisle; No. 11, Dallas, Dorothy Lamour. The two Canadian districts will be captained by Sir Guy Standing and Robert Cummings. Zukor to Help in Drive Assurances that the production forces will back up the sales department in the four-month Silver Jubi lee drive which will officially get under way Jan. 3 were expressed yes terday by Adolph Zukor, president, in a message to the men in the field. "I am sure," Zukor said, "the product coming from the studio will jus tify whatever you may say about it in the field. "In looking forward to Paramount's Silver Jubilee, apart from my very deep appreciation of its dedication to me, I feel that it will afford a basis for the most successful campaign in the history of the organization. "With an unusually high standard of product now in preparation for the new season, the jubilee should give added impetus to both production and distribution efforts. "It is indeed gratifying to be called upon to head a world-wide drive of this sort in behalf of the company. It is to be hoped that in celebrating our 25th anniversary in the motion pic ture business 1937 will be a year of records for Paramount. "And I want you all to feel that as the drive gets started I will back you up in every possible way." Charles Reagan, western division manager, was in Chicago^ yesterday where he met Myke Lewis, western drive captain, and held a conference with the Windy City sales force From there they will head for Mil waukee, Detroit and Minneapolis and St. Paul. Milt Kusell, New York state dis trict manager and eastern drive captain, met last night with the local exchange sales force. Accompanied by J. J. Unger, he will leave for Washington tonight and hold a meeting in the Paramount exchange tomorrow. From the Capitol, Kusell and Unger will go to Atlanta, where they are due Saturday. They will be in New Orleans on Sunday and Dallas on Monday. From then on the schedule is undecided. Neil F. Agnew, general sales manager, will leave for Hollywood next week where he will confer with Zukor and production executives. Starting with Jan. 1, the aim of the Paramount domestic sales force is to average a weekly revenue of $1,000,000. Although tentative plans called for two-a-day policy on "The Plainsmen," it has been decided to release the Cecil B. DeMille film as a special on the regular schedule. Paramount executives are anxious to get the picture into circulation as soon as possible, it was said. Locally, Paramount has closed with every important independent circuit with only a few small accounts to be completed. Jan. 3 to Jan. 9 has been designated as "Adolph Zukor Birthday Week." Triple Bill Arrives As K.C. Duals Gain (Continued from page 1) nighter and attend. The entire length of the program is not greater than many double features being shown today and the features have been carefully selected to embrace comedy, drama and action." Only four out of 43 subsequent runs advertising showed single bills on Sunday. Charney Co. Files Here Albany, Oct. 28. — C. King Charney, Inc., Los Angeles, has filed a certificate of statement and designation with the Dept. of State here to do business in this state. The company is chartered under California laws, with a capital of 1,000 shares no par value stock, to deal in films. L. Ryan of New York is listed as vice-president. Plan "Rogers Highway" Amarillo, Oct. 28. — The opening, naming and dedicating of the Will Rogers Highway (National Highway 66) will be held next year and will be a part of the national Will Rogers Memorial exercises for which this city has been chosen as the site. Warner House to Open Washington, Oct. 28. — The Uptown, new Warner house, located on Connecticut Ave. and Newark Street, opens Thursday. The inaugural offering will be "Cain and Mabel." N. C. Meet Dec. 7-8 Pinehuest, N. C, Oct. 28.— The Theatre Owners of North and South Carolina, Inc., have set their midwinter convention for Dec. 7-8 at Hotel Charlotte in Charlotte. Gladys George Back Hollywood, Oct. 28. ■ — Gladys George has finished her personal appearance tour and has returned to work opposite Edward Arnold in "A Man and a Woman."