Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Thursday, July 28, I93( O'Brien Files Appearance in Federal Suit (Continued from patic 1) Chaplin, Samuel Goldwyn, himself and his law partner, Edward C. Raftery. These comprise the United Artists defendants. So far as could be learned within the industry none of the defendants has yet been served with a subpoena by the U. S. Marshal's office. The defendants have 20 days after service in which to file an answer to the Government's complaint, but in actions of the scope of this one an additional 20 days in which to answer is granted almost automatically. Further time is frequently granted thereafter for acceptable reasons. Indications are that it will require almost a month to complete service on the 167 defendants. British Censors Bar Anti-Dictator Films The British policy of "appeasement" in dealing with dictator nations has influenced the banning of "The Fight for Peace" in Great Britain and March of Time's "Inside Nazi Germany" by the British censors in Hong Kong. "The Fight for Peace" throws the spotlight on Italy and Germany. J. J. Milstein, head of Warwick Pictures, says it was banned because of the British desire to prevent any occurrence which might offend Hitler and Mussolini. He described the film as "definitely anti-Fascist." Mr. Milstein was prevented from closing a deal for distribution of the picture in the United Kingdom as a result of the ban. He returned Tuesday from London. He said the film is showing in Canada and a deal is on for France. "Inside Nazi Germany" was scheduled for showing at two theatres in Hong Kong and censor approval had been obtained when the censor recalled the film for showing to a representative of the German consulate. The ban followed. The censors in the British Isles and Australia passed the film some weeks ago. < Purely Personal ► EARNEST PASCAL, producer, is ^ en route on the N ormandie from England, taking with him a print of G. B. Shaw's "Pygmalion," and is scheduled to arrive in New York on Monday. • Eddie Dowden, Loew's Brooklyn publicity chief, has been named director of the Emerald Society, Catholic charitable organization in Brooklyn. • Eric Linden and others of the cast of "Golden Boy" will sail on the He de France today to replace the present company appearing in London. • M. H. Lavenstein, counsel for Consolidated Film Industries, is recovering from an emergency operation at Post Graduate Hospital. • C. A. Schultz, head of the Commonwealth circuit at Kansas City, is in town. He attended the meeting at the Astor yesterday. • Ben Kalmenson, western and southern division manager for Warners, returned yesterday from a trip to Atlanta. • Ward E. Scott, 20th Century-Fox district manager at Kansas City, is conferring at the home office on circuit deals. HARRY BRANDT pitched the I.T.O.A. team to victory against Phil Hodes of the opposing Motion Picture Associates nine at the I.T.O.A. outing Tuesday. Teddy Arnow of the Loew circuit ad staff has arranged a "Cocoanut Grove" night at the Park Central's Cocoanut Grove in conjunction with the Loew showing of the film, e Jack Flax, manager of Loew's Akron in Akron, after a few days in town, left yesterday for Atlantic City, from which resort he will return to Akron. • Edward Finney, producer of Tex Ritter westerns for Monogram, has purchased "Roll, Wagon, Roll," by Denver Dixon, as a Ritter vehicle, e Ramos Cobian, president of Cobian Productions, producer of Spanish product, is in town, at the Hotel Edison. e Len Cohen, assistant treasurer of Loew's, Inc., this week is observing 21 years of service with the company. • Mrs. Harry Weiner, wife of UA's Cuban manager, is in New York at the Royalton.for a two-week visit. Museum Draws 75,000 Attendance in the first two weeks at the "Marie Antoinette" Museum at the Astor exceeded 75,000, the second week showing an increase over the first, according to a tally by M-G-M. The display will occupy the Astor until Aug. 16, when the film will have its local premiere. "Chickens" to Music Hall "Mother Carey's Chickens" will go into the Music Hall Aug. 4. This is the RKO film based on Kate Douglas Wiggin's novel in which Ruby Keeler has her first dramatic role and Anne Shirley, James Ellison, Fay Bainter and Walter Brennan are featured. Trans-Lux Net $90,590 Trans-Lux Corp. and subsidiaries have reported net profit for the six months ended June 30, last, of $90,590, equal to 12 cents per share on 716,802 shares of $1 par capital stock. Otterson Returning; Forms French Firm Paris, July 27. — John E. Otterson left here today en route home. He was accompanied to the boat-train by Corniglion Molinier, Harry Lachman and Marc Lauer of the Billancourt Studios, head of Frenchfilm Exporting Co. Mr. Lauer said that Mr. Otterson last Friday had signed an agreement for the formation of Compagnie Franco-Americaine Pour Exportation du Films. The headquarters of the firm will be in this city. Officers include Eugene Barbier, an industrial capitalist ; Mr. Otterson, vice-president, and Denys Anselme and himself, directors. Mr. Lauer added that the company will buy French product for distribution in the United States by Mr. Otterson and to be shown in Brandt circuit theatres in the east. It was stated that this setup has no relation to previous arrangements between Mr. Otterson and Mr. Molinier. Roach After Corrigan Hal Roach has cabled Douglas Corrigan an offer to play the leading role, if he passes a screen test, in an aviation story which will go before the cameras for United Artists soon. The story is said to parallel the flyer's recent adventure. It was written by Norman McLeod who will also direct. Brian Aherne will have a featured role. Retitle Mexican Story Hollywood, July 27. — Warners have chosen "The Phantom Crown" as the title for the forthcoming historical film in which Paul Muni will portray Juarez, the Mexican patriot who prevented Maximilian from becoming Emperor of Mexico. The picture had tentatively been titled "Maximilian and Carlotta." Insist Astor Employ Members of TMAT Demand that the Astor employ members of the Theatrical Managers, Agents and Treasurers Union is being made by the union on the ground that since it is selling reserved seats for the run of "Marie Antoinette," starting Aug. 16, it is a legitimate house and therefore comes within the union's jurisdiction. The union's board will meet tomorrow to decide whether action should be taken against the theatre. A spokesman said that pickets may be posted over the weekend. The T.M.A.T. submitted demands for recognition to the circuits last spring but so far the circuit heads have shown little or no interest. The union claims jurisdiction over managers, assistant managers and press agents and has conceded cashiers to the I.A.T.S.E. along with doormen, ushers and the like. The union claims it has jurisdiction where reserved seat tickets are sold. It intends to ask M-G-M to sign a contract for all "Marie Antoinette" roadshows, providing for a union manager and press agent at each house. Disputes with Fox West Coast in Los Angeles and the Minnesota Amusement Co. in Minneapolis led to complaints filed by the union with the National Labor Relations Board. 20th-Fox Executives See Zanucks Depart Paris, July 27.— Darryl F. Zanucl< and family left here today to boarc the Normandie en route to New Vori: They were seen off at the railro^ station by Joseph M. Schenck. * Miggins, Monty Banks, Robert { and executives of the 20th Gets l Fox French office. Joseph Mosk story department head of the co! is also sailing for New Yor' ' | N ormandie. The 20th Century-Fox held conferences here on pany's next British production •, ^a Air. Schenck stated, will be ^ li portant." tn-en Discuss Kent Drive At N.O. Exchange New Orleans, July 27. — Twentieth Century-Fox exchange moved into its new building here Monday and held a meeting today to plan its "Kent anniversary" drive Aug. 18. The new building follows design of other recent exchanges built by this company with special booking booths, air conditioning, model projection room and new furnishings throughout. The two-story structure was erected at a cost of $58,000. The drive meeting was addressed by James O'Loghlin, drive leader ; Roger Ferri, and Harry Ballance division manager. Fox Board Meets Today Earnings of 20th Century-Fox for the first 26 weeks of this year will be announced this afternoon following a meeting of the board at which approval of the statement will be the only order of business, according to W. C. Michel, executive vice-president. Reserve Durante Ruling N. Y. Supreme Court Justice Peter Schmuck yesterday reserved decision on an application of Jimmy Durante to dismiss the suit of Martin A. Milman against him on the ground that the plaintiff had failed to diligently prosecute him. The suit is to recover $4,800 allegedly due Mr. Milman as commission for securing an engagement on a radio program for Mr. Durante. MOTION PICTURE DAILY (Registered U. S. Patent Office) MARTIN QUIGLEY, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; J. M. JERAULD. Managing Editor; JAMES A. CRON, Advertising Manager. EDITORIAL STAFF: Charles S. Aaronson. Jack Banner. Al Finestone. Thomas Fitzsimmons. Sherwin A. Kane, Irene Kuhn. Joseph Priore. Published dally except Sunday and holidays Sept. to May and daily except Saturday. Sunday and holidays June, July and Aug. by Quigley Publisning Company. Inc., Martin Quigley. president: Colvln Brown, vice-president and treasurer. Publication office: 1270 Sixth Avenue at Rockefeller Center. New York. Telephone: Circle 7-3100. 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