Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

.Monday, August I, 1938 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Chaplin Ready Broadway Houses Prepare To Accept UA For an Early Season Start Profit Plans (Continued from page 1) Pgyed by James Mulvey, vice-presiiAp of Samuel Goldwyn, Inc. ^Kn extension of the Selznick International distribution deal with United Artists was advanced during Mr. Silverstone's stay on the coast, as well, it was reported also. Formal closing of the deal, however, is said to have been delayed by discussions which may result in David 0. Selznick's relinquishing the production of "Gone with the Wind" by disposing of the property outright to M-G-M. Discussions of this proposal are expected to be continued by Mr. Silverstone here this week. Mr. Silverstone will conduct the negotiations here with John Hay Whitney, Selznick International chairman, who has been in New York for the past week, and L. F. Altstock, Selznick International comptroller, who is scheduled to arrive from the coast Wednesday. Loew's home office officials may also figure in the discussions. Atlas May Take New Option on RKO Stock (.Continued from page 1) time of 1,211,464 shares of common stock, or about 47 per cent of the total outstanding, and $9,786,655 face amount of debentures, or 84 per cent of the total outstanding. The option price was $11,000,000. In October, 1935, Atlas acquired one-half of these holdings for $5,000,000 cash and also obtained an option on the remainder for $6,000,000. The latter option expired last Dec. 31, at which time Atlas acquired one-twelfth of the remaining holdings for $500,000 cash for a sixmonth extension of the option on the balance, with the alternative of extending it for another six months from Tune 30 by acquiring another onetwelfth for $500,000 during July. Unofficial statements concerning Atlas's reasons for permitting the option to lapse were that RCA had refused the investment company's request for negotiation of a new purchase price. Mexico to Halt Pirating Mexico City, July 31. — Pirating of made-in-Mexico films, an evil that has increased of late, is to be made next to > impossible by action the Government's J publicity department has taken. The • plan demands registration of the 1 original film and all copies of it. Pro| ducers must advise the department of all exports of film. Such film will be sent abroad with an official certificate to the effect that it is the property of the exporter and that it has not been pirated. (Continued from page 1) bolstering the bands and solo artists. The bands will be on an elevated pit and not on the stage, as at the Paramount. The Strand's price scale will remain virtually the same, with a 75cent top weekdays. The weekend and holiday top will, however, be raised from 85 cents to 99 cents. Warners believe that there will be little competition for talent between the Strand, Paramount and Loew's State, as there is a sufficient supply of name bands and entertainers. The Strand probably will not duplicate a Paramount stage attraction for a year, it is said. Reports that the Capitol is planning a return to stage shows in the fall are still denied, but this theatre and others on a films only policy are considering adding stage attractions next year in order to cash in on the expected World's Fair crowds. Has New Theatre Stunt United States Premium Corp., of which Lester S. Tobias is general . manager, has acquired national distribution rights to "Kameragraph." The device is intended as a box-office stimulant and takes pictures of patrons as they enter the theatre. Court Refuses Plea To Enter Loew Suit (Continued from page 1) was "patently unnecessary" and that he saw no reason why any additional plaintiff should be allowed to intervene. In reference to the numerous plaintiffs the court observed that "too many lawyers may destroy a good cause," and indicated that no more stockholders should be allowed to prosecute any additional suits or to intervene as plaintiffs in the consolidated actions. Ellis Due Next Monday Emil K. Ellis, attorney for Loew minority stockholders, who has been taking depositions from M-G-M studio executives on the coast in connection with suits challenging their employment contracts, is due here next Monday. Leopold Friedman, Loew's general counsel, returned Friday. Final Educational, G.N. Talks This Week (Continued from page 1) bringing to a close the five-year association of the two companies. The final Educational subjects have been delivered to 20th Century-Fox, which, of course, will continue to handle the current subjects until they are played out. Educational's main offices in the Paramount Building will continue in operation during this period. Plan Seven in Mexico Mexico City, July 31. — Plans have been approved for the erection of seven more film houses here with capacities ranging from 1,500 to 4,500. The city now has 67 picture theatres in regular operation. Schlesinger Winds Up Hollywood, July 31. — Leon Schles inger has finished "Wholly Smoke," a Loonie Tune, and "Cracked Ice," a Merrie Melody, the last of his schedule of 1937-'38 cartoons for Warner release. 110 Mexican Films Mexico City, July 31.— The 45 Mexican producers will turn in 110 feature pictures by Dec. 31, a check of the studios indicates. That will be the greatest number of pictures made by the Mexican industry in any one year since the domestic industry started in 1929. Regional Ad Meets To Start This Week (Continued from page 1) the "Motion Pictures' Greatest Year" campaign, said Saturday. Eighteen regional meetings have been scheduled for the next two weeks, with definite dates to be decided today. Mr. Schaefer will attend the Boston meeting early this week, which will be in charge of Committeeman N. Yamins. In Denver, the meeting will be conducted by Rick Ricketson and A. P. Archer ; in Washington, D. C, by John Payette, Carter Baron and Robert Smeltzer ; in Atlanta, by William J. Jenkins and Robert Mochrie; in Toronto, by J. J. Fitzgibbons and Haskell Masters ; in Philadelphia by Joe Bernhard, general manager of Warner Bros, circuit ; Lewen Pizor and Ben Amsterdam ; in Detroit, by H. M. Richey and David Palfreyman ; in Cleveland, by M. B. Horowitz and Gradwell Sears of Warner Brothers ; in Dallas and Oklahoma, R. E. Griffith and R. J. O'Donnell ; in Seattle, John Danz and Frank Newman ; in Chicago and Milwaukee, Gradwell Sears and Ed. Silverman ; in Vancouver, John Danz ; in Minneapolis, Al Steffes and A. W. Smith, Jr.; in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Spyros Skouras and Herman Wobber ; in Kansas City, Clarence Schultz, Glen W. Dickinson, Elmer Rhoden and Ed. Dubinsky ; and in Memphis, M. A. Lightman and F. J. Willingham, manager of the local M-G-M exchange. Will Show "Daughters" Warners will hold trade shows of "Four Daughters," based on a Fannie Hurst novel, in key cities some time this month. The screenings will be in the mornings at theatres in the larger cities and at Warner exchanges in the smaller spots. A national campaign will be put on for the film, with stress on two new personalities, John Garfield and Jeffrey Lynn, who are being groomed for stardom. RKO Buys Warner List The RKO circuit has closed for Warners' entire output for 25 theatres in Syracuse, Rochester, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, Cincinnati, New Brunswick and Trenton. The deal was consummated by Roy Haines, Warners' eastern and Canadian sales head, with Fred Meyers and Max Fellerman acting for RKO. 20th-Fox Sets Expansion in South Africa (Continued from page 1) franchises to various allied groups who are building 50 theatres at a total estimated investment of $6,000,000. Aside from an investment of $200,000 in a first run in Johannesburg, which will cost more than $1,000,000, 20th Century-Fox will have no financial stake in the circuit. The theatres will obtain outside revenue through a deal with the Alexander Film Co. for the exhibition of short-length advertising films. The latter organization is already functioning in Johannesburg. The 20th Century-Fox "invasion" marks the first attempt to offer strong competition to the Schlesinger interests, which control 300 of the present 350 theatres in South Africa. Norman Lourie, a representative of the Johannesburg syndicate and a member of a large diamond and importing firm there, has been in New York conferring with Sidney R. Kent and Mr. Hutchinson. It is understood that Jack Schneider, who was here several months ago and obtained African distribution for independent companies, is a member of the group and will be interested in two or three theatres. Mr. Hutchinson is due back late in December. He will survey Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, the Argentine and Brazil and then sail for Johannesburg. When he has completed this trip, he will have covered every foreign office. With the setting up of its own South African unit, the company is now represented in all parts of the world. Warners Close Big Film Deals Abroad Several important product deals have been closed by the Warner foreign department, according to Sam E. Morris, vice-president in charge of foreign distribution. A contract has been signed by J. H. Mason, managing director of the J. C. Williamson and Fuller-Hayward circuits in New Zealand. The deal covers all Warner product for one year. With a 10-year deal recently signed with Hoyts circuit of 110 theatres in Australia, Warners now has the best representation in Australia and New Zealand that it ever had. In Italy, the Leoni and Enic circuits, operating key city theatres, have bought the 27 features the company will release in that territory in the coming year. The films will be dubbed in Italian with a new process which improves synchronization. Other deals are a two-year contract with the Tuschinski Circuit of Amsterdam and Rotterdam and with the Forum and Corso first runs in Budapest. Wilsey Buys Iowa House George, la., July 31. — W. P. Wilsey has purchased the new Avon here. It was recently remodeled and new sound equipment installed. The theatre has changed hands a number of times in the past few months. I