Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1937)

Wednesday, February 17, 1937 MOTION PICTURE DAILY 5 MOTION PICTURE DAILY& HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "Michael Strogoff" {Radio) Hollywood, Feb. 16. — This picturization of the Jules Verne classic reflects the spirit and mood of the original in all phases except the inclusion of Hollywood comedy. This departure, however, seems not unwise inasmuch as it engendered laughter which eased the dramatic tension of the story. Creditable also is the manner in which the French mass cavalry spectacle sequences have been interwoven with the locally produced episodes. The film tells of the heroic alventures of Michael Strogoff, courier to the Tsar, making a perilous journey from St. Petersburg to Irkutsk in order to deliver the monarch's plans to the grand duke, thereby frustrating the invasion of the Tartars. The dramatic action is dominated by the forceful performance of Akim Tamiroff, who makes himself a savage character meriting general hatred. Occupying the title role, as in the European version, Anton Walbrook acts with dynamic force fully in keeping with the tradition surrounding the Verne hero. Margot Grahame, as the alluring feminine spy who repented her betrayal of Walbrook, portrays the character sincerely and effectively, as does Elizabeth Allan in whom the hero found romance during his dangerous mission. Fay Bainter, who is seen as Walbrook's persecuted mother, offered a particularly effective characterization. The comedy contributions by Eric Blore and Edward Brophy, although irrelevant, were appreciated by the audience. The production detail depicting Tartar terrorism by military might is awesome and in keeping with the theme of the original. Save in the introduction of comedy, the screenplay of Anthony Veiller, Mortimer Offner and Anne Morrison Chapin is a faithful transcription of the plot of the Verne novel. The direction of George Nicholls, Jr., is keyed to give the production modern appeal. Much credit is due Frederick Knudtson, film editor, for his skillful blending of the foreign-produced action with the domestic-created movement. Production Code Seal No. 2,914. Running time, 85 minutes. "A." 4 Purely Personal ► TOE MOSKOWITZ, M. H. Ayles«J worth, the latter tanned by his recent coast visit; J. Savington Crampton and Robert Colwell among the diners at "21" yesterday. • Harry H. Thomas and Al Friedlander leave tomorrow for Philadelphia, Washington and other key centers, taking with them prints of "Cloistered," "Robber Symphony" and "Gulliver's Travels." John Trent, former TWA pilot and now under contract to B. P. Schulberg, will leave with his wife Friday on an American Airline plane for Lynchburg, Va. • Felix Joachim son, writer, arrives today from Budapest on the lie de France and will leave for the Universal studio on a writing assignment in a day or two. • Arthur Dickinson of the M.P.P. D.A. has returned from a three-week tour of exchanges in the south and southwest. Leah Ray, through Lou Irwin, has been cast for a part in the WinchellBernie picture, "Wake Up and Live," for 20th Century-Fox. • Ned Depinet and W. G. Van Schmus engaged in intense conversation as they walked through the snow flurries on 6th Ave. yesterday. • W. Ray Johnston has purchased "Federal Bullets," George Fielding Eliot's novel, for Monogram's 1937'38 program. • Virginia Verrill, who will appear in the "Goldwyn Follies," starts personal appearances at the Paramount tomorrow. Bob Wolff, local RKO exchange manager, will leave Friday for a Miami vacation. His usual fishing trip is out this year. • Eugene Picker, his wife and brother, depart today by car for Miami. • James Clarke of Horlacher's Film Delivery Service of Philadelphia left town yesterday after a short visit. • Dennis O'Brien of O'Brien, Driscoll & Raftery will return tomorrow from Florida. • Marvin Schenck is due the end of the week from Miami. Will H. Hays is expected back from the coast early next week. • Jessie Matthews has . embarked from Rio de Janeiro for London. • William K. Howard is due from the coast tomorrow. • David L. Loew leaves for Hollywood tomorrow. • James R. Grainger due in from Universal City this morning. New Prudence Plan Is Filed in Court A reorganization plan for Prudence Co., Inc., was filed yesterday in Federal court at Brooklyn, and a hearing on the plan was set for April 16 by Federal Judge Grover M. Moskowitz. The plan provides for the formation of two new companies, the first to be known as the R. F. C. Collateral Corp., which would take over the assets pledged as security for a $20,000,000 loan made to Prudence by the R. F. C. in June, 1932. All other assets would be taken over by the second corporation, the Prudence Holding Corp. The company's balance sheet accompanying the plan shows for the period ending Dec. 31, 1936, free assets of $13,122,515, including $1,470,821 in cash and $8,714,400 of accounts receivable, together with $37,041,287 in assets pledged as security for loans, besides liabilities of $50,163,600. ABFD Instituting Salary Reductions By BRUCE ALLAN London, Feb. 16. — Associated British Film Distributors has instituted drastic salary reductions throughout the company. The cuts include the salaries of company executives, and apply to everyone from Basil Dean down to the salesmen. In some cases the wage reductions amounted to as much as 20 per cent. The executives of the Associated Talking Pictures studio at Ealing also were affected by salary reductions. All of Louisville Theatres Now Open (Continued from page 1) in shape and approved by inspectors. Several rows of seats had also been removed, to be replaced by new chairs. Tampa Theatres Contribute Tampa, Feb. 16. — The theatres of Tampa have done their bit to put the local quota of the Red Cross flood relief fund over the top. In the lobby of each of the seven Sparks theatres is a contribution box. In one week the contents of the boxes totaled just under $1,000. Estimates Big Kodak Net The net income of Eastman Kodak for the year ended Dec. 31, 1936, is estimated by the Wall Street Journal at approximately $18,000,000, which would be the highest net since 1930. The 1935 net was $15,913,251, equal to $6.90 per share on the common stock. The estimated 1936 net would be equal to about $7.60 or $7.70 per share after all charges on the 2,263,150 shares of common outstanding. Korson-General in Deal Mack D. Weinberger, general sales manager for General Pictures, has sold the franchise for eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia to Louis N. Korson of Masterpiece Film Attractions. Another Play Folds "Be So Kindly," which opened at the Little Feb. 8, closed Monday night. MPTOA Gets Set on Convention Talkers (Continued from page 1) modernization of theatre equipment and furnishings. An entire business session of the convention will be devoted to the subjects. The speakers selected are: Francis M. Falge, engineering division of the General Electric Co. ; E. L. Patton, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.; E. M. Hartley, RCA Mfg. Co.; Ben Schlanger, architect ; Willis H. Carrier, Carrier Corp. ; Raymond S. Reed, HeywoodWakefield Co., and J. T. Knight, Jr., Paramount Theatres. Latta, Rubin III With Flu Pittsburgh, Feb. 16. — The flu has felled two theatre men here in the last week. C. J. Latta, assistant zone manager for Warners, has been confined to his home for several days and Gabe Rubin, operator of the Art Cinema, is also a victim. Bert Stearn, U. A. district sales head, has been discharged from Montefiore Hospital. Flash Previews "With Love and Kisses" — Pinky Tomlin featured in a light comedydrama projected against a radio background. Some good songs. "Her Husband's Secretary" — Another film built on the husband-wifesecretary theme, quite suitable as a supporting feature and of particular interest to women. These films will be reviewed in full in a coming issue of Motion Picture Daily. English Report Denied London, Feb. 16. — Dr. Leslie Edgar Burgin, Parliamentary secretary of the Board of Trade, declared in the House of Commons today, in reply to an assertion by a member that there was danger of four film companies passing to American control, "That is not in accordance with my information." Wall Street Most Board Issues Off Net High Low Close Change Columbia, vtc .... 37J4 37 37 — % Consolidated 5 4% 4% Consolidated, pfd.. 16J4 16% 16% Eastman Kodak ..172J4 17254 17254 —1 Gen. T. E 3154 30% 3144 + % Loew's, Inc 7554 75 75 —1 Loew's, Inc., pfd.. 10754 10754 107-/4 + % Paramount 26 25% 2554 + 'A Paramount 1 pfd.. 182 18054 18054 —154 Paramount 2 pfd.. 23% 23 23 — % Pathe Film 954 9 9 RKO 854 854 854 20th Century -Fox. 3654 36-4 3654 — !4 20th Century, pfd.. 44% 44% 44% — % Universal, pfd. ...103 103 103 —2 Warner Bros 16 1554 1554 — Yt Light Curb Decline Net High Low Close Change Grand National ..354 3% 354 Sonotone 2 2 2 — Ye. Technicolor 1954 18% 1954 — Ye Trans -Lux 454 454 454 — 54 Paramount Bonds Only Gain Net High Low Close Change Loew's 354s '46 100 99-4 9954 — % Paramount Pict. 6s '55 104 10254 10354 + 54 RKO 6s '41 pp.... 121 121 121 —54 Warner Bros. 6s '39 wd 98J4 98 98 (Quotations at close of Feb. 16)