Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Friday, September 2, 8 Six Directors Tell NLRB Their Duties Hollywood, Sept. 1. — Directors and assistants today continued their testimony in the hearing of the Screen Directors Guild petition to be declared the collective bargaining agency for these classifications and unit managers before William R. Ringer, National Labor Relations Board trial examiner. After hearing Phil Rosen, Paul W ing, J. P. MacGowan, Frank Turtle, Hal Walker and Walter S. Mayo, Ringer adjourned the hearing until Tuesday to enable the board attorney, William J. Walsh, Guild Attorney Barry Brannen and producers' counsel to make a stipulation agreement concerning the testimony which other directors too busy at present to testify would have given. Introduced into evidence was the contract of W. S. Van Dyke, who testified yesterday. The reason for the introduction of the pact was the inclusion of a clause which defined Van Dyke as an employee of M-G-M. Name Oklahoma City For MPTOA Session Oklahoma City, Sept. 1. — Ed Kuykendall, president of the M.P.T. O.A., has informed Morris Loewenstein, M.P.T.O.A. secretary, that the national convention of the association has been definitely set in Oklahoma City for the month of October, with the latter part of the month now in favor for the meeting. The Oklahoma Theatre Owners, Inc., of which Mr. Loewenstein is president, will meet at the same time the national convention is held in Oklahoma City. Fred Wehrenberg. president of the M.P.T.O. of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois, has written Mr. Loewenstein that the annual meeting of his association has already been held and it cannot participate in a southwestern gettogether of exhibitor associations. "Band" Roxy Gross Rises to $285,372 (Continued jrom page 1) out due to congestion of pictures. "My Lucky Star" will open Sept. 9. Twentieth Century-Fox wants the picture for the circuit houses which are clamoring for it and the Roxy is waiving its further playing rights. 'Alexander's Ragtime Band" is the first picture which ever played the Roxy five weeks. The Strand gross for the week ending Thursday was $44,000. The theatre played "Boy Meets Girl" and inaugurated a new stage show policy with Ben Bernie and "all the lads and lassies." The picture starts its second week this morning and will be followed next week by "Valley of the Giants." Sets Magazine Hearing The application of William L. Gross, as assignee of Theatre Magazine Co., for approval of a proposed settlement for $1,000 of a Federal Court suit against 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. for alleged infringement of the August, 1929, cover design of Theatre Magazine in 20th-Fox's picture "George White's 1935 Scandals" was referred yesterday to Owen E. Reilly for hearing and determination by N. Y. Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Church. Warner Emphasizes Film Responsibility (Continued from page 1) elusive consideration of profit and loss. Ideals of public service demand that producers of films recognize the educative possibilities of certain types of picture subjects. Educators have come to realize that certain historical episodes around which America has built its democratic progress can be made more impressive to the younger mind and more illuminating to the adult mind by the motion picture. "These educators have encouraged us in our efforts to bring these notable historical moments to life. Their help has inspired us to put more time, effort and money into them. The result is a series of which we, of Warner Bros., are proud, not merely because they are interesting to audiences but because they represent part of our contribution to a better understanding of the ideals and achievements of those patriots who laid the foundation of our United States of America." The shorts screened were : "Romance of Robert Burns," "Song of the Nation," "Man Without a Country," "Romance of Louisiana" and "Give Me Liberty." Court Approves Deal Federal Judge Francis G. Caffey yesterday approved a contract of the French Motion Picture Corp., now in reorganization, with Joseph A. Menendez, wherein exclusive exhibition rights in Cuba of a Spanish dialogue version of "La Maternelle" were granted to Mr. Menendez for three years upon payment by him of $750. India Passes 'Time' Reel "Inside Nazi Germany — 1938," March of Time release, has been passed by the censorship board in India, the March of Time offices were informed by cable yesterday. It will be not only the first issue of the reel to be shown in India but also the first political film ever to be shown there. Bissell Joins Monogram Cleveland, Sept. 1. — Holbrook C. Bissell, former Columbia branch manager here, and later in independent distribution, has returned here as Monogram exchange manager. Herald Tribune — . . . Mr. Bergen, Charlie and a new dummy, Mortimer, are definitely welcome. . . . The players make the most of the material. Journal American — There is lively humor in "Letter of Introduction.". . . Well acted and handled . . . excellent performances. Mirror — A stimulating, amusing and touching picture. . . . The drama is a substantial, well-balanced one. It has vitality, humor, pathos and an irresistible charm. News — . . . Received with hearty appreciation by the audience. . . . The Tries Dual Solution Kansas City, Sept. 1. — John Wolfberg of the Strand has a new experimental solution of the dual bill problem. It's in the following adertisement: "For Your Convenience ! Those of you who dislike double bills or have seen one of the two features may come for the one feature you prefer and on leaving receive a free pass to return at any later date." Columbia Asks Coast Questioning in Suit Application will be made to the N. Y. Supreme Court today by Columbia Pictures Corp. for an order directing testimony in Los Angeles by Ralph S. Willard and Bruce Vernee in behalf of Columbia, defendant in a suit for $250,000 damages brought by Ferdinand Voteur, who charges that Columbia's picture, "The Man Who Lived Twice," infringed upon his drama, "Resurrection Morning." Columbia yesterday filed interrogatories in the N. Y. Supreme Court of Tom VanDyck, Arthur Strawn, Fred Niblo, Jr., W. M. Griffith, Henry Altimus, Harry Lachman, Thelma Stein and Frances Manson, taken in Los Angeles in the same suit. U. S. Captures Three Venice Fair Awards By JOSEPH D. RAVOTTO Rome, Sept. 1. — The United States took two other prizes besides the special award to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" which drew the protests of American representatives, at the Biennial Film Festival in Venice, which has concluded after three weeks. Norma Shearer, for her work in "Marie Antoinette," shared the Volpi Cup with Leslie Howard, designated for his work in G. B. Shaw's "Pygmalion." "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" shared the National Fascist Party Cup with "Giuseppe Verdi," an Italian film. The British took the City of Venice Cup with "Drums," Alexander Korda film. production is of the best that Hollywood has to offer. . . . First class screen entertainment. Post — . . . The Menjou and Leeds characterizations are fine. Sun — . . . "Letter of Introduction" is an amusing film. Mr. Bergen sees to that. Times — ... It is a surprisingly fresh, uncommonly diverting, remarkably well done film. World Telegram — ■ ... A dexterous blend of sentiment, comedy and drama which results in first ra'.e entertainment. Local Committees Campaign Appoint Local committees in the var areas of the country have been i pointed to promote the Motion j tures' Greatest Year campaign, v the cooperation of civic bodies. Am local committees are the followi San Francisco, A. M. Bov! George Nasser, Rofus Harvey; j Angeles, C. N. Peacock ; Bridgep Al Schuman ; Hartford, Mui Schuman; New Haven, J. B. F] man ; Miami Beach, Sonny Shepht Chicago, William Hollander, L;' Stein; Des Moines, G. Ralph Bi ton; New Orleans, C. J. Briant; I ton, Max Levenson; Providence, Fay; Minneapolis, Charles Wind Clifford Gill, Maury Abrams, Blotcky, George Granstrom. Also, Portland, J. H. Steven; i troit, H. M. Ritchie; St. Louis, C. Hill, B. B. Reingold, Harry Artl Clarence Kahmann, Harold Evans E. Garrison ; Kansas City, Senn L ler; Buffalo, Sydney Samson; S? cuse, Gus Lampe, Frank Murphy, Marcus ; Rochester, W. H. Cade Lester Pollock, W. C. Howell; Bi hampton, T. J. Walsh; Cincinnati V. Dinnerman ; Zanesville, Cald1 Brown ; Portland, Ted Garni Pittsburgh, Joe Feldman, Ken Hi1 Philadelphia, Everett Callow ; Da' R. E. Griffith, R. J. O'Donnell, W Underwood, Hugh Owen; Memr. M. A. Lightman; Nashville, Cha H. Amos ; Seattle, Frank Newn John Danz, Le Roy Johnson; B; more, Carter Barron; Maryland, S ney Lust ; Richmond, Robert Smelt Canadians Listed In Canada are : Alberta-Calg; Pete Egan, Gelen Peacock, Ha Friedman, Alt Shockleford, M Healu; ManitobaWinnipeg, Joe ] ber, P. W. Mahon; Toronto, De; Bloom, James Nairn, M. H. Will Mrs. S. H. Falk, J. L. Smith; M treal, Arthur Hirsch ; New Brunsw W. H. Golding, A. J. Mason; V couver, Hugo Ray. The regional chairmen are : Fabian, Albany; W. K. Jenkins, lanta ; Max Levenson, Boston ; A. Schuman, Bridgeport ; Vincent I Faul, Buffalo ; H. F. Kincey, Atlar Edwin Silverman, Chicago ; Maui White, Cincinnati ; Moe Horw Cleveland; J. Real Neth, Columb R. E. Griffith, Dallas; Rick Ricl son, Denver ; Ralph Branton, 1 Moines ; H. M. Richey, Detroit ; E er Rhoden, Kansas City ; Charles Skouras, Los Angeles ; B. B. Gan Lakeland ; S. J. Switow, Louisvi M. A. Lightman, Memphis ; H. Fitzgerald, Milwaukee ; W. A. Stef Minneapolis ; Tony Sudekum, Na ville ; Jack Fishman, New Haven ; L. Carter, New Orleans ; Joseph Seider, New York; C. W. Trarr Milwaukee; R. E. Griffith, Dall John Ruegar, Park City; Lev, Pizor, Philadelphia; John Har Pittsburgh; Ted Gamble, Portlai Fred Wehrenberg, St. Louis ; Ha David, Salt Lake City ; R. A. McN San Francisco ; Morgan Walsh, S Francisco ; John Danz, Seattle ; N S. Goldstein, Springfield ; R. Smelt; Washington, D. C. ; James Nai Toronto. Dick Stahl Now Salesnn Omaha, Sept. 1. — Dick Stahl, U versal booker, has been moved salesman out of the Des Moil branch. 'Letter of Introduction 9 Is Diverting to N. Y. Critics The New York daily newspaper critics found "Letter of Introduction" amusing and diverting fare, and Edgar Bergen's new dummy, Mortimer, worth special mention. Review excerpts follow: