Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1938)

MOTION PICTURJt DAILY Friday, January 21, I93( Distributors Join Fight on Tax in France (Continued from page 1) taken at a general meeting, is contingent upon the producers, laboratories and studios joining the exhibitor move. It was indicated at the time of the exhibitor decision that there was every likelihood that these three groups would join the lockout movement. The distributors have registered vigorous protest against the exorbitant taxes levied on the film industry, which they term "unbearable," by the new Parliament in its new budget. The technical phases of the industry, as well as the producers, are generally expected in the trade to join in a common front on the part of the industry, which appears determined to obtain more satisfactory conditions from the Government. Trans-Lux Has Plans for 25 New Theatres (Continued from page 1) was taken over by an operator showing foreign films. The average cost of a Trans-Lux type of theatre is $100,000. Opening of the theatre at 52nd St. and Lexington Ave. tonight will make the fourth for the circuit in New York City and the sixth all told, the other two being in Washington and Philadelphia. Major L. E. Thompson, president of Trans-Lux Movies, will be master of ceremonies at the opening which an invited society audience and company officials will attend. A dedication program will include a recital by Erna Rubinstein, violinist, and Joseph Cristea, lyric tenor. Jules Lande and his St. Regis Orchestra also will entertain. Cleveland Drive-In Theatre Lease Set Cleveland, Jan. 20. — Contracts for a Drive-In Theatre have been signed. A 15-year lease for land on Northfield Road, across the street from the North Randall racetrack has been agreed upon by the Drive-In Theatre Corp. of Boston and the Forest City Live Stock and Fair Co. Rental is reported at $1,650 a year. Construction of ramps is to start within two weeks, with completion scheduled for May 1. The cost of construction and equipment is estimated to be about $30,000. The Boston company was represented locally in the deal by A. J. Halle, attorney. Donate "Dybbuk" Take Irving Geist, philanthropist, is sponsoring the Yiddish film of the play "The Dybbuk," which will open at the Continental on Tuesday. The proceeds of the Tuesday performance will be donated for the relief of Jews in Poland. Proceeds of succeeding performances will be used for other charitable purposes. Hollywood Preview 4( 9t Girls on Probation ( Warners) Hollywood, Jan. 20. — A story of a child who appears incorrigible, but whose apparent fault really is the result of complete neglect by her wealthy and "too busy" parents, "Girls on Probation" is unpretentious screen fare, but produced with care and actually is effective. It is not too obvious in the pointing of its lesson that children require parental understanding and continual help. Despite top billing to Dolores Costello, the leading role is taken by young Bonita Granville, who plays an ill-tempered child with skill. In support are Natalie Moorehead as the mother ; Donald Crisp as the father, and Donald Briggs as the family secretary, who alone realizes that the fault lies with the parents and not the child, and who finds romance with Miss Costello, superintendent of the girls' school to which the child is sent. Arthur Lubin, who directed, permitted the child to carry the burden of the work, and she handles it quite capably. Left entirely alone, the child rebels, and when she causes the family butler to crash into another car, when he is carrying her back from one of her frequent attempts at escape, a man is killed. She is sent to the school, where her rebellious nature and feeling that the world is against her is gradually broken down under the skillful tactics of Miss Costello. Eventually, when her mother is ill, she is reunited with her parents. Running time, 60 minutes. "G." New York Preview "Generals Without Buttons" ( Mayer-Bur styn ) The little cinema and houses where French film enthusiasts are to be found will probably do well with "Generals Without Buttons." It is one of those French importations that are agreeably different in narrative and generally good entertainment. The action is set in two provincial French towns. A prologue in English sets the stage and the ensuing story is a satirical treatment of the foibles and petty hatreds of simple country folk. The English subtitling makes the Gallic wit understandable. The villages of Longeverne and Valrans have been carrying on a minor and rather harmless feud through the centuries. The film takes up its thread in the present day strife which is kept alive by young school children. They engage in battle and strip the buttons from the clothes of the conquered. This goes on with various twists. The problem comes to a head when the leader of one faction is stripped of his pants. The mayors of both towns and also the faculties of the schools decide to do something. They arrange a big dinner for the combined populations. The affair is carried off well until the peasants discuss the weather. The old feud starts again, with the elders brawling in the square. The photography is excellent. Jacques Daroy directed. No production code seal. Running time, 80 minutes. "A." 6.V Saleslady" (Monogram) Falling into the B classification by reason of story development, cast and performances, "Saleslady" probably will prove reasonably satisfactory to the lesser spot on the theatre program. Anne Nagel plays the lead as the wealthy girl who leaves her grandfather's home, he being the head of a mattress factory, to seek a job and a husband who will "love her for herself alone," and not for her money. Weldon Heyburn, who bears a physical resemblance — but no other — to Clark Gable, is the young man she meets in her job. They fall in love and are married, but she does not reveal her real identity or the extent of her pocketbook. They are happy, but Heyburn buys a great deal of furniture on the installment plan, leaves his job for a venture which proves unsuccessful, and as a last resort, she insists that they go to her grandfather' home. He rebels at a ready-made executive job and returns to town alone. All too accidentally — and that is the basic fault with most of the situations— he meets a manufacturer of mattresses, and with him builds real competition for his wife's grandfather. She returns to town to find him successful and the two factories are merged for general happiness. Running time, 65 minutes. "G." (Additional Reviews on page 11) Studio Lull Holds; 28 Before Cameras (Continued from page 1) Rancher" and "Golddiggers in Paris," Warners. The tally by studios: Columbia finished one, shooting one, preparing zero, editing nine ; Goldwyn, zero, zero, zero, two; Grand Natiojc', zero, zero, zero, zero; M-G-M, ^m, four, two, four ; Monogram, zero, one, one, two ; Paramount, one, four, two, 12; Principal, zero, zero, one, zero; RKO, zero, four, one, four; Republic, zero, two, one, three; Roach one, one, zero, one ; Selznick, zero, zero,] zero, one ; 20th Century-Fox, one, five, four, seven; Universal, zero, two, one, four ; Wanger, zero, zero, zero, zero ; Warners, one, five, four, 20. RKO and Roach each started one short subject, M-G-M finished one. A total of four is being prepared, and 12 are being edited. Stuart F. Doyle III Stuart F. Doyle, who has been in New York for the past three weeks discussing plans for theatre building in South Africa with United Artists officials, was stricken with influenza yesterday. If his condition permits, . however, he will leave for the coast tomorrow for further conferences there with Dr. A. H. Giannini, United Artists president, before sailing fori Australia. Judy Garland to Attend Miami Beach, Jan. 20. — Judy Garland will attend the opening of "Everybody Sing" at the Sheridan next Monday night. Harry Rapf, producer, will be present, as will Nicholas M. Schenck and William F. Rodgers. A. H. Blanks to Sail Des Moines, Jan. 20. — A. H. Blank and Mrs. Blank will sail from San Francisco on Jan. 23 on the Lurline for Honolulu to enjoy the trip given them by the TriState employes at his silver anniversary dinner on Dec. 9. Wall Street Light Gains on Board Net Open High Low Close Change Col ,, 13 13% 13 13% + % E. K. .. 164% 164% 164 164% +1% G. T. E... .. 12 12% 12 12% % . 50% 50% 50% 50% + % Para .. 11% 11% 11% 11% + % Para. 1.. .. 90% 91 90% 91 —2 Para. 2.. 11 11 10% 10% Pathe . 6% 6% 6% 6% +*% RKO .. m. 4% 4% 4% + % 20th Fox .. 22% 23% 22% 2354 20th pfd.. .. 30% 31% 30% 30% W. B. ... .. 7 7% 6% 7% + % W. B. pfd. 37% 37% 37% 37% +1 Curb Rises Fractionally Net Open High Low Close Change G. N 11/16 % 11/16 % +1/16 Monogram 2% 2% 2% 2% -f % Sonotone ..1% 1% 1% 1% Tech 20 20% 20 20% + % Trans-Lux 3% 3% 3 3 Bonds in Decline Net High Low Close Change Loew 3%s *46.... 99% 99% 99% Para. Pict. 6s '55 60% 60% 60% — % Para. Pict. '47... 72% 72% 72% — % RKO 6s '41 75 75 75 W. B. 6s '39 76% 76% 76% — % (Quotations at close of Jan. 20)