Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "Lloyds of London" {Twentieth Century-Fox) Hollywood, Nov. 23. — From out of a boyhood vow, Twentieth Century-Fox has built a stirring story of two of England's greatest institutions, the renowned insurance firm, Lloyds of London, and the British navy. There is quality entertainment in every segment that presages wide, popular appeal and unusual commercial draw. It is a romantic drama of human beings and the forces that preserved the integrity of British financial and naval power. As it concentrates on depicting events and incidents that established Lloyds as a great world force and adjunct, just as important as the army or navy in extending the British domains, it also tells an emotion-stirring and romantic drama of a man and woman whose lives were wrapped up in the thrilling chain of history-making episodes. In the beginning, Freddie Bartholomew and Douglas Scott make a pact to always stand together. Years later, after his apprenticeship to Sir Guy Standing, the creator of Lloyds, the boy, now Tyrone Power, is an important factor in the company and John Burton, Douglas grown up, is the famous Lord Nelson. Power's great contribution to the institution is a quick, new semaphore transmitting system. As he becomes head of his own syndicate, Power falls in love with Madeleine Carroll, the wife of George Sanders, a wastrel nobleman. With the dramatic and romantic conflict involving this trio rivaling that of historical incident, Lloyds suffers its first great blow as the French Fleet sinks scores of English merchant vessels, insured by the company. With the organization driven to panic, bankruptcy demands that the Admiralty split Nelson's fleet to provide merchant ship convoys or increase the insurance rates. Holding out for the old basis and still sticking to their childhood pact of helping the other, Power insists that the old rates be maintained and to allay national fear, spreads the false report that Nelson has defeated the French navy. Sanders, to revenge himself on the man who has won his wife's affection, demands that Standing reveal the ruse. But in the darkest hour for both Lloyds and British naval might, Nelson is victorious at Trafalgar to insure the freedom of the seas for English commerce. Power's next meeting with Burton is when the funeral procession bearing the sea hero's bier passes below his window. As the romance of history and business is treated with warmth and intelligence, the personal romance-drama is a human interest story of absorbing quality. It serves to give Power an auspicious opportunity to click in his first feature role. Likewise do Miss Carroll, Standing, Sanders, Virginia Field and C. Aubrey Smith contribute potent support. The large supporting cast is of a high calibre, functioning in atmospheric and character parts. Based on a story by Curtis Kenyon with the screen play by Ernest Pascal and Walter Ferris, "Lloyds of London" is quality merchandise that should meet with no difficulty in engaging the attention of class and mass audiences. A big picture that will thrill big theatre operators, it is also one that has every chance of doing superior business all the way down the line. In handling the story content, the talents of the cast and the production values, Henry King's direction is pointed to blend the human-interest drama and romance of men and women and institutions in a believable, understandable way. William Darling's skillful, dramatic photography and Louis Silver's musical direction are responsible in no little way for the film's power. Production Code Seal No. 2,724. Running time, 115 minutes. "G." (Additional Reviews on Page 20) 12 N. E. Wage Increase Will Affect 110,000 Boston, Nov. 23. — Industrial leaders in New England, particularly those of the textile fields, announced at a Chamber of Commerce meeting a 10 per cent pay raise that will affect some 110,000 cotton textile workers. This increase will mean approximately $8,900,000 annually added to the present payrolls and will affect the workers before the end of this month. The executives meeting under auspices of the National Ass'n. of Cotton Growers and Cotton Textile Institute expressed the hope that the pay increase would spread to the entire industry, which employs 434,000. Upturn Notable in South Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 23. — Theatre managers in the south are getting their share of the new prosperity resulting from a 12,000,000-bale cotton crop, at good prices, and the expenditure here of $29,000,000 on newplants by U. S. Steel. Admission prices are expected to rise in consequence. Columbia Schedules Next Meet at N. O. San Francisco, Nov. 23. — Columbia's next mid-season sales meet will be held in New Orleans about Dec. 1, it was made known here over the weekend following the adjournment late Saturday of the two-day session here. . "We're going to lay in your lap this year a minimum of 15 great hits, of which six are now in production," declared Harry Cohn. 'Among these are: 'Interlude,' which is the working title for the Grace Moore picture ; 'Lost Horizon,' featuring Ronald Colman and directed by Frank Capra, and 'Life of Chopin,' now being cast." Cohn also mentioned "Theodora Goes Wild" and "Legion of Terror." He said the shorts would total 104, including 36 comedies and an increased number of "Screen Snapshots." The New Orleans meeting will be followed by one in Chicago and one in New York. St. Louis MPTO to Meet on December 11 St. Louis, Nov. 23.— The M.P.T.O. of St Louis, Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois will hold its 15th annual meeting in the Hotel Coronado on Dec. 11, according to Fred Wehrenberg, president. Ed Kuykendall, president of the M.P.T.O.A., will be the chief speaker. Charles C. Pettijohn, general counsel of the M.P.P.DA., has been invited to attend. It is expected that Kuykendall will outline the position of the national exhibitor organization relative to regulatory legislation for the industry which is expected to be introduced into Congress. Conn. Allied Meets Today New Haven, Nov. 23.— Allied Theatres of Connecticut will meet tomorrow, with Harry Lavietes presiding, for discussion on the Neely-Pettengill Bill ; effect of the recent election on the independent and possibility of a new NRA; analysis of Universal's concessions to M.P.T.O.A. demands ; the RKO test case in Ohio on designated playdates, and other matters. Columbia Names Three Salt Lake City, Nov. 23. — Walter Sterzer has been named Columbia booker here, Harold Green has joined the company as Utah representative, and Kenneth Lloyd is a new Columbia salesman in Montana. Cooper to Do Several Hollywood, Nov. 23. — Merian C. Cooper, vice-president of Selznick International, will be in charge of several productions on the company's program of 10 to 12 for 1937. Refuse Permit Again Chicago, Nov. 23. — A second attempt to have the film, "I Was a Prisoner in Nazi Germany," passed by the local censor failed. It is thought that Al Mannon, who brought the film here, may take the matter to court. To Install Post Heads Boston, Nov. 23. — Officers of the local Theatrical Post of the American Legion will be installed with elaborate ceremonies tomorrow night at the Copley Plaza. Tuesday, November 24, 1936 Short Subjects "Robinson Crusoe" {Columbia) The familiar Defoe tale is told by Uncle Don and is revealed by flashback. The piece is strictly for children's shows where it will be welcomed. The photography is perfect, having been done on an island in the Caribbean Sea. Reviewed without production code seal. Running time, 32 mins. "G." "Kiko in a Battle Royal" ( Terry Toons-Educational) The mortgagee forecloses and Kiko must fight an invincible champion who is touring with a carnival. There is $100 in it that would save the day for his friend. The kangaroo's agility soon vanquishes the opposition and the happy ending ensues. Moderately amusing material. Production Code Seal No. 01,261. Running time, 6 mins. "G." "Two Lazy Crows" (Mints-Columbia) In this case it is a pair of birds who play the fable, the one where he who does no work gets nothing, etc. Beautifully done in color, the cartoon has amusing moments. Production Code Seal No. 2,655. Running time, 7 mins. "G." Marion Howard Killed Atlanta, Nov. 23. — Marion C. Howard, 67, former film executive, was killed here yesterday by an automobile. The body was lying in a local hospital for several hours before it was identified by Howard's son, Lane. Howard was at one time comptroller for Selznick Pictures in New York. He will be buried Tuesday. Mrs. Morris' Father Dies Los Angeles, Nov. 23. — Benjamin Nathan, father of Mrs. Edwin H. Morris, whose husband is vice-president and general manager of Music Publishers' Holding Corp., died here today. C. J. Briant Laid Up New Orleans, Nov. 23. — C. J. Briant, M-G-M branch manager, is suffering from nervous exhaustion. June Lang Engaged Hollywood, Nov. 23. — June Lang has announced her engagement to Victor Orsatti, agent. "Juliet" Ends at $7,500 "Romeo and Juliet" tallied $7,500 in its 14th week at the Astor. It bows out tonight to make way for "Lloyds of London" Wednesday night. "Get It" Breaks Record Chicago, Nov. 23. — "Come and Get It" broke a weekend record at the Roosevelt where it tallied $8,200 for Saturday and Sunday. Raises Federation Quota The Radio, Music and Refrigeration Division of the annual fund-raising drive of the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies of New York has achieved its quota of $61,000, according to Henry Benjamin, heading the division, at the Sunday night dinner.