Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY 16 Legal Tactics Undecided in Trust Action (Continued from page 1) agreement will be reached by the defense on any one firm or attorney. A majority of the defendants are almost certain to agree on the issue, but it is equally certain that others will not consent to representation by any counsel not of their own choice. Legal opinion among counsel for the defendants is at variance at this time also on other phases of procedure. The advocates of a settlement of the suit by consent decree still are holding their own, while others continue to insist that under no circumstances will they become parties to a consent decree. The difference of opinion extends, as well, to the question of whether or not the defendants should enter into stipulations of fact in connection with the Government's complaint. The advocates of stipulations assert that the charges are so all-embracing that much of general industry practice could be stipulated in advance of trial and the legality of the practices left to the court to determine. Others declare that they would refuse even to stipulate that the history of the industry began with the invention of the stereopticon in 1635, as alleged by the Government in its complaint. Conferences Continue Defense attorneys are continuing almost daily conferences on these and other questions of procedure and decisions on one or several of them may be expected at any time. It was learned that several major defendants completed their answers to the Government's complaint last week, acting on the probability that the Attorney General's office might exact conditions from the defense in return for its consent to a 60-day extension of the time allotted for filing answers. As no conditions were imposed, these completed answers will not be filed until October and may be revised in the meantime. Nasser Brothers to Build Sax Francisco, Aug. 17.— Plans for a new $150,000 neighborhood theatre, seating 1,100 have been drawn by Nasser Brothers. Says Industry Is Friend of Papers The allocation of $600,000 of the "Motion Pictures' Greatest Year" campaign budget of $1,000,000 to newspaper advertising is "evidence that the industry is the best friend that the newspaper business has among the large advertisers," Joseph Bernhard, general manager of Warner theatres, told a meeting of zone managers in Newark yesterday. Mr. Bernhard is a member of the general committee of the drive. "What other industry contemplating a national campaign of this scope would concentrate all its advertising money in one medium ?" Mr. Bernhard asked. Lauds Newspaper Value "We believe newspapers will be able to reach the public with our message that 'Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment' more effectively, quicklv and efficiently than any other medium. Besides, the unusual cooperative relationship which has grown up between the motion picture industry and the newspapers is unique and this concentrated use of advertising money in the newspapers is a tribute to this relationship. "I don't mean to say the newspapers have not on many occasions treated us unfairly. They criticize our industry for things which pass unnoticed in other industries or are considered of no public importance. But despite these minor differences the cordial relationship which exists between theatres of the United States and newspapers throughout the country war Something of a record for a good will and contact trip was made by Viscount Bridgman and Max M. Gumpel of Denham Studios, England, who arrived here Friday and left on their return to Europe aboard the Normandie yesterday. Viscount Bridgman, chairman of the board of Denham, was one of the foremost proponents of the Quota Bill in the House of Lords. Yesterday he said that he was quite satisfied that the present quota arrangement is the only satisfactory, workable one. "Quotas are necessary for protection," said Mr. Bridgman. "Protection is a byword with all nations now, whether applied to motion pictures, automobiles or any other commodity." Making Technological Study Mr. Gumpel, general manager of Denham, came here for a quick look at American methods. He has been studying all types of laboratory accessories and modern equipment, for Denham is out to take the cream of the American production in England under quota provisions. He visited the home offices of the major companies and reported favorably on the progress of picture-making in England by those companies. He mentioned Ben Goetz in charge of M-G-M's English product ; Bob Kane, of 20th Century-Fox, and Gerald Jackson of Warner's, as men whose pic Busman's Holiday George Peters, manager of Loew's in Reading, Pa., yesterday started his two-week vacation by volunteering to spend his "spare time" working on the industry's business promotion campaign. Reading exhibitors have obtained the cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce and local merchants for a parade and demonstration in connection with the drive, to be held early in September. Local circuits participating include Wilmer & Vincent, Warners and Loew's. rants this mark of confidence by us." Mr. Bernhard pointed out that films are "a powerful ally to other industries, especially those selling consumer goods," in that they establish new styles and encourage buying habits and that the industry, therefore, is "a powerful factor in keeping money in circulation and maintaining normal business levels." Despite this indirect advertising influence, the Warner circuit does not tolerate direct advertising of commodities on its screens, he continued. "We have refused millions of dollars in contracts for showing commercial reels because we believe the screen should be confined to entertainment," he declared. The Newark meeting followed a similar session in Philadelphia Tuesday attended by Mr. Bernhard, Gradwell L. Sears, Warners' general sales manager ; Harry Goldberg, the circuit's advertising head, and Leonard Schlesinger of the home office. tures will be favorably received in the world market. Herbert Wilcox has just finished "Sixty Glorious Years" for RKO release, he said. This is a Technicolor production starring Ann Neagle. Musical pictures are still popular in England, Mr. Gumpel said. He predicted success for the Jack BuchananMaurice Chevalier film, "Break the News." Cites Korda Films Korda has finished "Prison Without Bars" for UA. release here. This is a story of a woman's reformatory starring a new French actress, Corinne LuChaire. Korda's different story with the familiar title, "Four Feathers," and Sabu, the Indian boy, is another Technicolor film which Mr. Gumpel said would get attention. "We processed two of Erich Pommer's films which he did with Charles Laughton, 'St. Martin's Lane' and 'Vessel of Wrath.' This company, the Mayflower Co., whose chairman is John Maxwell, is going to be heard from." Mr. Gumpel and Lord Bridgman will return here again the first of the year. They were agreed that frequent contacts between American and British producers would not only make for better understanding, but would have a marked effect on improved product in both countries. Thursday, August 18, Joint British Selling to Bj Studied Tods (Continued from page 1) » Greatest Year" campaign is under 1 { A G. B. spokesman said yestd that that company had been ir* to participate in the industry camp; recently, but had been given 24 hi in which to accept. The accept; was sent in after the allotted 1 and rejected with the explanation campaign forms had been closed, spokesman said. Expected at today's meeting in dition to Arthur A. Lee, G. B. b who will return from Toronto ' morning, will be Budd Rogers of liance Films ; H. William Fitel: legal representative here for sev< British producers, and Mack Littn American representative for Herl Wilcox. If definite promotional plans ' the new British product are evol at today's meeting they will be i sented at a later meeting to other i tributors of British product, includ Samuel Krellberg and John E. Ott son. Drive Accessories Started Out Tod* (Continued from page 1) "Movie Quiz" contest booklets star for exchanges throughout the Uni' States and Canada. Approximat 20,000,000 of the booklets are sets uled to be in designated exchanges Aug. 26 for distribution to thea patrons who enter the $250,000 pi contest opening Sept. 1. Newsreel heads yesterday pled; their support to the campaign a. luncheon conference with George Schaefer, executive chairman, i Harold B. Franklin, business manag The newsreel representatives inclue Truman Talley, Movietonews ; A. Richard, Paramount ; Thomas Mea< Universal, and Fred Ullman, RKO Pathe. Booklet Holders Readi To facilitate the distribution to tl atre patrons of the "Movie Quiz Cc test" booklets, the Loew circuit is h; ing manufactured a small imitati leather box container with leatl strap which will be slung over 1 shoulders of the ushers. This will ; sure direct patron distribution of t booklets and eliminate their falling j to the hands of children who wot waste the costly material. The id was suggested by H. M. Addisc Loew's district manager in Boston. Finish Washington Fill A four-reel historical film arou' the life of George Washington h been completed by Courier Produ tions for the Virginia Conservati Commission. The film will be shov in Virginia schools and at the Work Fair next year. The company is ope ated by Fred Waller, formerly Par mount shorts producer; Harold M Cracken, who was with Van Beun and G. E. Hendee. The studio is nc working on several commercial shor Funnyface Lew Besieged by newspaper photographers before sailing on the Normandie yesterday, Lew Lehr went through a variety of facial contortions for the cameras, and had the crowd on the pier in stitches. Then reporters surrounded him and wanted to know what he was going to Europe for. "To make faces, I guess," he quipped. The Lehrs sailed with Arthur DeTitta, newly appointed assistant European director for Movietone News, and his wife. Truman H. Talley, Edmund H. Reek, Harry Lawrenson and others from Movietone saw them off. Viscount Bridgman, Gumpel Finish Hurried Study Here