Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

jrsday, September I, 1938 MOTION PICTURE DAILY 13 'I Planning ove to Meet All Releases (Continued from page 1) e schedule would be established. Is fact, he said, necessitates prokioii planning at this time as far 'ad as the 1939-'40 program, 'he specific objectives of the pro! don planning are to put the studio an operating basis which will perthe company to meet every release ; without deviation and to have adtising and merchandising campaigns every picture completed at the per time in advance of release ss. Mr. Fox pointed out that merndising campaigns must, of necesremain on a "hit or miss" basis long as release schedules are not ntained. Lauds New Product 'The advertising, publicity and extation departments are seriously iidicapped whenever they are forced create a merchandising campaign pictures which are not completed schedule and which do not meet re ';e dates." !)rfr. Fox was enthusiastic about company's new product and pres studio operations, singling out for cial praise Joe Pasternak, Henry ster, John M. Stalil and the studio cutive staff headed by Cliff Work, 'he Universal vice-president reted that the company had reached oral agreement with Bing Crosby the one outside picture permitted latter under his Paramount court. Attorneys for the principals now drawing up the papers and ,y are expected to be signed in about ■ days, Mr. Fox said. Vew Reel Spot to Open -The new Penn Newsreel Theatre, 34th St. opposite Pennsylvania ition, will be opened on Sept. 8 _ owing a premiere which will be uncled by invited guests. The house feature, a newsreel program supmented bv short subjects. Wall Street Kodak Heads Board Rise Net T. E. w a a. 1... 2... he .... O i Fox Open High Low Close Change 15/ 15/ IS 15 154 154 1/ 1/ 54 170/ 17154 170/ 171/ +2/ 15/ 1554 15/ 1554 + /s 4954 5054 4954 5054 +1/ 11 11/ 11 11 + / • 87/ 88/ 87/ 88 + / 11 11/ 11 11/ + 54 10/ 10/s 954 954 ~-v* . 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ ■ 25% 26/8 25/ 26/ + 54 . 42 42 42 42 +1 • 654 654 6/ 65i + 54 Curb Has Small Increase Net Open High Low Close Change N Vs 54 54 54—56 nogram 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ + / iptone ..1/ 1/ 1/ iy2 :h. ...... 2154 22/ 2154 22/ + 54 ■v. Corp. 3/ 3/ 3/ 3/ + / Keith Bonds In Advance Net j , , High Low Close Change th £ t6 ^ W'A 90/ +1/ -w 3/s '46 1003/ 10054 10054 —54 J 'a. B way 3s '55 62 62 62 — / 1 B «s '39-. 77/ 77/ 77/ 54 lUuotations at close of Aug. 31) Politics Charged In Venice Awards (Continued from page 1) that the film is not a feature but documentary in nature. Mr. Smith's protest also stated that "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" received a "camouflaged Horsconcour Medal." American films, Mr. Smith stated, drew the greatest applause from the audiences present. Palace Celebrates Its 25th Birthday (Continued from page 1) to the Palace boards. In the old days every manager of any standing either made his appearance or had a representative at the Monday premiere. If a performer passed, he was made. It has been five years since the Palace policy changed first to a twoa-day film house with Eddie Cantor's "The Kid from Spain." Soon afterwards a program of pictures and vaudeville was introduced. This combination breathed its last in 1935 after which a straight picture policy went into effect. Van Praag Heading Trailer-Made Sales (Continued from page 1) for General Film, Pathe, Universal, Advance Trailer Service Corp. and National Screen Service. He will begin his new duties next week. Mr. Schwartz also said yesterday that O. Henry Briggs, president of Pathe Film Corp., has been elected to the board of directors of TrailerMade, Inc. Wins Bank Night Ruling Boston, Aug. 31. — Abe Garbose today won a point in his suit against the Athol Board of Selectmen to compel them to issue a theatre license to him without a restriction banning Bank Night. A special master sitting in the case ruled there was "nothing offensive to public morals" in Bank Night. George S. Ryan, Bank Night attorney, is sitting in on the case. Dismiss Bank Night Jury Kenosha, Wis., Aug. 31. — Unable to arrive at a decision following a four and one-half hour deliberation, a sixman jury hearing evidence in the Bank Night case in Municipal Court against William Exton, manager of the Kenosha, was dismissed by Judge E. J. Ruetz. It was a test action of Leo Vaudreuil, deputy attorney general. Sign Akron Union Pact Akron, Aug. 31. — A new contract for three years has been signed between first run theatres and the operators and stagehands union, effective Sept. 1. The new contract stipulates a $2 reduction in salary during the first year, restoration of the cut the second year and a boost of $2 the third year. New agreement does not affect subsequent run houses and neighborhoods. Loew's, the Palace and Colonial, three of the four major houses affected by the new contract, play occasional stage attractions in addition to films. Turberg Surprised Hamilton, O., Aug. 31.— Nat Turberg, manager of the Paramount, Southio unit, offered free ducats for "Love Finds Andy Hardy" to the family with the largest number of boys. The following day he repeated the offer to the family with five girls. The winner cashed in on both counts. There were five boys and five girls in the family circle. Minnesota Governor Issues Proclamation St. Paul, Aug. 31. — Governor Elmer A. Benson issued a proclamation today setting aside Sept. 12 for special observance by Minnesota and its citizens in celebration of Motion Pictures' Greatest Year. The Governor, in his proclamation, urges all citizens of the state "to participate in fullest measure in this fall celebration and presentation of the splendid pictures which have been prepared in the avowed purpose of demonstrating that motion pictures are your best entertainment." The proclamation was issued in recognition of "the important position of the motion picture and theatre in the state and its amusement life" and in appreciation for its stumulating effect on local trade. The proclamation also makes note of the official approval of the aims of the industry campaign and the part being played in it by Minnesota exhibitors. Plug Stage Shows in Kansas City Parade Kansas City, Aug. 31. — Felix Snow, district manager for the I.A.T.S.E., has arranged for a $500 float in the Labor Day parade to plug stage shows. The Fox Tower line, the Adorables, will ride the float in costume. Banners on the float announce that "The twelve Tower Adorables on this float, through the courtesy of the Fox Tower Thetre where continuous stage shows have been presented for four years, making employment for almost 60 persons." On a "billboard" carried by the float it is urged that "Stage shows help make Kansas City a metropolitan center." California Starts Well Los Angeles, Aug. 31. — With Jimmy Fidler and George McCall, radio broadcasters, heartily endorsing the Motion Pictures' Greatest Year campaign, all southern California and Arizona theatres are joining in the drive. The first institutional advertisements broke in the dailies today. They followed proclamations in favor of the campaign by Gov. Frank Merriam and Frank L. Shaw, mayor of Los Angeles. A parade is scheduled for Hollywood some time between Labor Day and the opening of the American Legion convention Sept. 19. Chicago Pushes "Quiz" Chicago, Aug. 31. — Chicago exhibitors are using more than 1,000,000 "Movie Quiz" booklets in the Motion Pictures' Greatest Year drive. Approximately 95 per cent of Chicago's theatres are cooperating. Drive Fund Rises To Million Total (Continued from page 1) few weeks and bring the total of participating theatres in this country and Canada to 9,000, the goal expected. Pledges in excess of the quota are desired by campaign directors in order to offset the usual small percentage of delinquents which, for one reason or another, may be unable to fulfill the pledges made. George J. Schaefer, executive chairman of the drive, estimated that more than 20,000,000 "Movie Quiz" booklets have been sold and distributed prior to the official opening of the campaign and "Movie Quiz" prize contest today, and that 6,000,000 more will be distributed over the holiday weekend. He expressed great enthusiasm over the work accomplished in launching the drive according to schedule and predicted beneficial results for the entire industry. "Has Restored Spirit" "It has restored the spirit of showmanship to the industry," Mr. Schaefer declared. "It has aroused a too-long latent enthusiasm, and a spirit of cooperation that fully justifies the labor and energy and untiring devotion of the hundreds of my coworkers whose devotion to their duties I deeply appreciate. "For my own part, witnessing the tremendous enthusiasm behind the drive, and feeling deeply convinced of its success, I am amply repaid for such time and labor as I have given to the common cause. "The campaign has just begun. Between now and Dec. 31 we will continue to drive ahead, and to reap all possible fruits from this all-industry effort." Lee May Call Second Talk on Drive Plans Arthur A. Lee, vice-president and general manager of G.B., may call a second meeting of American representatives of British producers early next week to discuss a promotional plan for British product to be staged during the fall and early winter. The plan was discussed about 10 days ago as a means of gaining public attention for British films which are not included in the Motion Pictures' Greatest Year campaign and "Movie Quiz" prize contest. Mr. Lee indicated yesterday, however, that there was no certainty of the plan being advanced and the decision on discussing it further would not be made until next week. Blade Firm Aids Quiz Toledo, Aug. 31. — The Toledo Blade Co. is running a series of eight two-column ads here publicizing the $250,000 "Movie Quiz" contest which is part of the Motion Pictures' Greatest Year drive. The razor blade company and the local Loew's theatre have also arranged a contest to select 12 Toledo girls as "Movie Queens." World Books "Courier" "The Courier of Lyons," French film being handled in this country by Pax Films, will follow "Mayerling" into the World. The picture was shown locally last season.