Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1937)

Friday, July 2, 1937 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Short Subjects "The Song of Revolt" (M-G-M) An interesting historical vignette. Though it is brief, it has the earmarks of a major production. The incident of the composition of "La Marseillaise" by Roget de Lisle is told. The song was written to spur the army, but the smouldering revolution made it a a hymn of hate against the Royalist government. The composer, an aristocrat, is saved from the guillotine when he is recognized as he is riding in the tumbril. Production Code Seal No. 3,279. Running time, 10 mins. "G." "David Mendoza and Orchestra" (Vitaphone) Tuneful, though not new, music presented refreshingly. The various compositions are interspersed with numbers by the rarely seen Revellers, Minor and Root, the dance team; and Lucille Manners. Production Code Seal No. 01,555. Running time, 10 mins. "G." Trinidad Business Quiet "Things are a little quiet in Havana and Trinidad," Karl MacDonald, Warner sales manager for South America, stated yesterday upon his return from a three-week trip to those cities. After having been closed for several days because of riots in Trinidad, theatres in that city have reopened, MacDonald said. Pay Rises; Prices Jump Portland, Ore., July 1. — Following new wage contracts made with union employes, 11 Evergreen houses and two of the Parker circuit boosted their admission prices. Barbara Ford Recovering Los Angeles, July 1. — Barbara Ford, 14-year-old daughter of John Ford, director, is in the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital recovering from an appendix operation performed Sunday. Wall Street Paramount Leads Board Revival Net High Low Close Change Columbia 2954 2954 2954 + 54 Consolidated 27A 2*4 tys + 56 Consolidated, pfd.. 10*4 10*6 10*6 + 56 Eastman 173 172J4 + 54 Gen. T. Equip 22^g 2154 2256 +1*6 Loew's, Inc 77 76 76% +156 Loew's, Inc., pfd 106 106 106 Paramount 19*4 1854 19*4 +1*4 Paramount 1 pfd.. 131 131 131 +8*4 Paramount 2 pfd.. 18 1754 18 +154 Pathe 754 6*4 6*4 + 56 RKO 8 7*4 7*4 + A 20th Century-Fox. 3354 3254 32J4 + 54 Warner Bros 12% 12J^ 12*4 + *6 Curb Down Fractionally Net High Low Close Change Grand National .. 254 254 254 Sonotone VA 154 VA Technicolor 2954 28*6 28*4 — 54 Universal Crp. ... 4 4 4 — 54 Paramount Bonds Gain Net High Low Close Change Loew's 99 98*4 98*4 + *6 Paramount Pict. 6s '55 90 88*6 90 +2 RKO 6s '41 pp... 106 105*4, 106 —154 Warner Bros. 6s '39 wd 93 93 93 — 54 (Quotations at close of July 1) MOTION PICTURE DAILY5 HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "Rustlers' Valley" {Sherman-Paramount) Hollywood, July 1. — Last of the current season's Hopalong Cassidy product for Paramount, this ranks with the best of the season, although a natural criticism which might come from western fans would be that it does not contain sufficient action of the old-fashioned melodrama style. But, nevertheless, it is good fare for the type of audience for which it is aimed. It again brings together those pals of the cinematic saddle — William Boyd, George Hayes and Russell Hayden — in a drama of murder, cattle rustling and gun fights to a well-molded Harry C. Hoyt script of the Clarence E. Mulford yarn which, despite its inactive style, is effective. Hayden is accused falsely of a bank robbery. Through investigation, Boyd and Hayes clear him, discovering the real robber and uncovering a big rustling plot aimed at one of their friends. Nate Watt directed from the Hoyt script. This, the finale of the 1936-'37 Hopalongs, bodes well for the future Harry Sherman productions for Paramount. The feminine interest is capably supplied by Muriel Evans. Production Code Seal No. 3,294. Running time, 60 minutes. "G." Looking 'Em Over "It Could Happen to You" (Republic) Seriously detracting from the selling value of this picture and virtually placing it on the wrong side of the entertainment fence is the excessive morbidity of the theme. "It Could Happen to You" manages, with little effort, to include theft, murder, blackmail and eventually suicide in a plot which seems to go to quite unnecessary lengths to be unpleasant. Particularly, the concluding suicide would appear to have no excuse. Allan Baxter is the miscreant in a series of misdeeds, each of which falls upon, and hurts, an innocent person. Sharing in his crimes is Walter Kingsford, as the owner of a school for foreigners. Supporting players include Andrea Leeds, Owen Davis, Jr., Astrid Allwyn, Al Shean and Christian Rub. Leonard Fields produced and Phil Rosen directed. The screenplay by Samuel Ornitz and Nathaniel West finds Baxter and Davis, the ward and son, respectively, of lovable, foreign-born Shean, East Side store owner. When Kingsford decides to sell his school, he forces Baxter to obtain the money quickly. The latter steals from Shean, is suddenly interrupted and, without realizing the identity of the intruder, kills Shean. When Kingsford comes upon an important piece of evidence, he compels Baxter to work with him in a scheme to blackmail the foreign pupils. Miss Allwyn, former sweetheart, gives him away, but Davis, young lawyer, defends him successfully. When the foreign group threatens Davis and himself, Baxter commits suicide to save his friend. Production Code Seal No. 3,355. Running time, 71 minutes. "A." <( A Lawman Is Born (Republic) Interesting western drama is developed in this film. Johnny Mack Brown is featured. It is a story of rivalry of cattle barons heightened by the depredations of rustlers. It holds to an exciting pace that is climaxed by a deadly shooting match. Brown works in the general store. He is wanted by the law. Only the sheriff has knowledge of this and he is told to leave. But the sheriff is murdered and he stays on to succeed him. The feud between the ranchers grows. Brown sets about restoring order. To do this he enlists the aid of a neighboring law officer. They accomplish their purpose after many thrilling adventures. And, with the law breakers in the jug and peace on the range, once more love blooms. Sam Newfield directed. The capable support includes Iris Meredith, Warner Richmond, Mary MacLaren, Dick Curtis, Earle Hodgins, Charles King and Al St. John. Bert T. Longenecker's camera work is easy on the eyes. Production Code Seal No. 3,281. Running time, 61 minutes. "G." Brotherhood Locals Now on Closed Shop Hollywood, July 1. — A closed shop for painters, scenic artists and makeup men went into effect today in accordance with the agreement reached with the Painters' Brotherhood locals when the recent strike ended. Makeup men have voted to remain in the Brotherhood and have presented to Pat Casey, producer representative, salary demands calling for $2.25 an hour for makeup men, $1.50 an hour for hairdressers, a 48-hour week and time and a half for overtime. Negotiations are expected to be consummated this week. The only apparent obstacle to a settlement is the fact that Felix Cunningham, attorney for the Society of M. P. Set Designers, has filed notice with Casey opposing any contract which gives scenic artists and draftsmen local jurisdiction. Cunningham claims that his group has 65 per cent of the workers and that he will ask an election under the auspices of the National Labor Relations Board, adding that an application for a hearing will be filed this week. It is felt here that the Cunningham move will have little effect since the I.A.T.S.E., which takes a half-hearted interest in the claims of the draftsmen, may unite with the scenic artists with whom it is now on good terms as a result of the apology published last week. Union Delegation to Confer on WPA Cuts (Continued from page 1) Dorothy Bryant of Chorus Equity. Representatives of the I.A.T.S.E., A. F. of M. and other theatrical internationals and locals will be included in the delegation. The WPA will be asked to confine the proposed layoffs in theatre projects to non-union or non-professional workers. UMPTO Leaders Set For Paramount Fight (Continued from page 1) Philadelphia ; Luke Gring, Germantown; Dave Milgrim, Northeast Philadelphia; Morris Wax, South Philadelphia; Harry Fried, suburban, and Ben Schindler, Wilmington. Arrangements were made for a mass protest meeting of exhibitors at the Broadwood Hotel next Thursday. The board also decided to extend the policy of delay in buying to include Paramount News and shorts as well as features. Exhibitors have been asked to avoid all negotiations with the company. In a published bulletin, U. M. P. T. O. pointed out that under the terms of the new Paramount selling plan the distributor has the right to audit and inspect the books of the exhibitor, thus making the distributor "a partner in profits but not in the losses of exhibitors." Form Delaware Firm Dover, Del., July 1.— Special Pictures Corp. has been formed here to carry on the business of photographic and motion pictures. Capital listed totals 5,000 shares of no par value. Incorporators are Walter Lenz, B. R. Jones and J. P. Murray of Wilmington.