Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Reviewers Enthusiastic in Greeting ' 'If I Were King 9 ' The Nezv York daily newspaper critics were unanimous in rating "If I Were King," starring Ronald Cohnan, top entertainment. Such adjectives as "rousing," "grand" "perfect," "entertaining" cropped up in the reviews, excerpts from which follow: Herald Tribune — "If I Were King" is a highly satisfactory screen show. . . . An expert job. . . . Ronald Colman is perfect. . . . Details of production are superb. . . . Unusually entertaining. Journal American — A grand show . . . sheer entertainment. . . . Fortunate in the casting of its principals. . . . A stirring finish. . . . You'll enjoy the picture enormously. Mirror — No happier choice than Ronald Colman could have been made. . . . A big picture, it reflects Mr. Lloyd's skill. . . . The fans will love it. News — ... A rousing screen spectacle. . . . The film moves at a dashing pace from its amusing start to its exciting finish. Post — . . . Fits elegantly into the classification of semi-historical romance. . . . Director Frank Lloyd has massed his crowds for impressive effects. Sun— ... It should prove a most effective and enjoyable escape from the dread realities. . . . The picture is showy and handsome. . . . Good romantic entertainment. Times — Mr. Colman invests the role with dignity and virtue. . . . We confess an ungrudging admiration for Mr. Lloyd's mastery of scene. World Telegram — Excellent. . . . All lovers of Ruritanian romance will be filled with delight. ... A film that is entertaining from beginning to end. . . . Grand screen fun. 4 Purely Personal ► 2 George Batcheller Dies; 111 2 Days (.Continued from page 1) tnent will take place at the Ferncliffe Cemetery in Hartsdale. Mr. Batcheller was in the show business about 30 years. In his early days he managed burlesque shows, and later became a film salesman. He was at various times salesman or branch manager for M-G-M, Fox, Universal and F.B.O., chiefly in Cincinnati and Detroit. In 1925 he formed Chesterfield, producing films for state rights release in association with Maury M. Cohen, head of Invincible Pictures. Chesterfield has been liquidated. It maintains an office in the Loew's State Theatre building. Mr. Batcheller was born in Providence, and after attending Worcester and Cushing academies, was graduated from Dartmouth in 1910. During his active years in Chesterfield, he was one of the best known independent producers. Besides the widow, Mildred S., survivors include four daughters and two sons. Rites for Dr. McKenzie Funeral services will be held today at Pasadena for Dr. William E. McKenzie, who died at his home there late Wednesday. Dr. McKenzie was the father of Maurice McKenzie, executive assistant to Will H. Hays. Dr. McKenzie was born in Zionville, Ind., Nov. 30, 1858. Educated at DePauw University, he was first a school teacher, then a Methodist minister, and for 13 years was dis.trict superintendent for the church in the Crawfordsville, Lafayette and South Bend districts. He retired in 1924 and had resided in Pasadena since. Joseph Corrigan Dies Funeral services for Joseph R. Corrigan, 53, for 20 years billposter for Loew's State, will be held tomorrow at St. Malachy's Church, West 49th St. He died Tuesday night at New York Hospital following an operation. He was a brother of the late Arthur Corrigan, New York newspaper man. Hold Given Rites Today Boston, Sept. 29. — Funeral services for James E. Given, 76, will be held tomorrow at Provincetown. Mr. Given formerly operated a circuit in Illinois. He died of pneumonia as a result of exposure during last week's storm. To Decide Carolina Date Charlotte, Sept. 29. — Directors of Theatre Owners of North and South Carolina will meet here Oct. 10 to decide the time and place for the association's next annual meeting, according to Mrs. Pauline Griffith, secretary. Remodel in Revelstoke Revelstoke, B. C, Sept. 29.— W. P. Dewees Theatre Enterprises will replace the old Province recently destroyed by fire by remodeling the Rex Theatre and Columbia hardware buildings. The new theatre will seat 500. Lease New Haven House New Haven, Sept. 29. — Gilbert Josephson has leased the Lincoln, foreign and "art" film house, to Lincoln Cinema Guild. Inc. LOU SMITH, Paramount producer, will return from the Boston opening of "If I Were King" tomorrow and will leave for a tour that will take him to Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Toronto, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Des Moines and Kansas City. • Clinton M. White, assistant general manager of G. B., has completed a tour of midwestern exchanges and is spending three days at Chicago. He will go south from there and will be back in New York in about two weeks. • Y. Frank Freeman will leave for New Orleans today to confer with E. V. Richards and will stop off at Atlanta before returning to New York. Charles Roberts, Columbia home office supervisor for Latin America, left yesterday on a three-month tour of his Central and South American territory. Stuart Erwin will arrive in town today to appear in "Home Town" at the Eastern Service Studios. He is accompanied by his wife, Constance Collyer. • A. H, Blank and Ralph Branton will leave New York today for Des Moines. Karl Hoblitzelle and R. J. O'Donnell will leave New York today for Dallas. Mexicans to Aid Warners Mexico City, Sept. 29. — Full facilities for producing "The Life of Benito Juarez," film biography of Mexico's reform president which will star Paul Muni, have been accorded Warner by the Mexican government. The company is to be assisted in research about Juarez and his times — 1857 to 1873 — by Mexican scholars and other experts. ALFONSO RIVAS BUSTAMANTE, co-producer of "Rancho Grande," Mexican film which was awarded the gold medal in the Spanish language division at the Venice exposition, arrived yesterday on the Rex. • William -C. Erskine, vice-president of Kay Kamen, Ltd., Walt Disney commercial representative, will speak tonight to the Association of Advertising Men. • William Wellman, who recently finished directing "Men With Wings" for Paramount, will reach New York Oct. 6 on his way to a Bermuda vacation. • Gus Van, who is appearing at Loew's State this week, will be honored next Tuesday at a party by the Van and Schenck Fan Club. • Irving Lesser, manager of the Roxy, is due tomorrow from a leisurely motor trip to Florida. It's his annual vacation. Irving Maas, 20th Century-Fox foreign service manager, is due Monday on the Queen Mary from Paris and London conferences. • Sabu will review a parade of drum and bugle corps boys tomorrow in the sunken plaza of Rockefeller Center. • Beulah Bondi will come to New York for the opening of "The Sisters" at the Strand Oct. 14. To Discuss Dinner Plans Further plans for the annual dinnerdance of the Motion Picture Associates at the Astor Nov. 26 will be discussed at a meeting of the organization at the Lincoln at noon tomorrow. Jack Ellis will preside. Moe Sanders is serving as chairman of the affair, assisted by Joe Lee, Moe Kurtz and Sol Trauner. Tickets have been scaled at $7.50 a person. Friday, September 30, 1938 Contest Winners Are Lunch-Party Guests Winners of the July exploitation contest of Managers Round Table Club of Motion Picture Herald spent another busy day yesterday. At noon they were guests of S. Barret McCormick of RKO at the New York Athletic Club. Rutgers Neilson, RKO publicity manager ; Fred Schaefer, pressbook editor ; Ben Grimm, advertising igpager ; Ed Mollander, in charge of W , exploitation ; Ken Hallam, manager of music and radio tieups, and Ted Schaefer, art director, spoke. In the afternoon they made a backstage tour of the Music Hall as guests of W. G. Van Schmus, and from 5 P. M. to 6 P. M. they were guests of Martin Quigley at a reception in his office. Friedhoff and Espy In Monogram Posts Hollywood, Sept. 29. — J. P. Friedhoff, formerly assistant treasurer of Monogram, stationed in New York, today was appointed treasurer. He will permanently make his headquarters here. Reeves Espy was named a vice-president. Arthur Leak Gaining Des Moines, Sept. 29. — Arthur Leak, Columbia salesman, who sustained a fractured hip, ribs and internal injuries in an auto accident at Gladbrook and has been at the University Hospital, Iowa City, since that time, is reported to be recovering rapidly. Sells Share in Exchange Kansas City, Sept. 29.— -W. L. Norris has sold his interest in American Film Distributors, Inc., independent exchange, to Paul Humston. 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, Sherwin A. Kane, Joseph Priore. Published daily except Saturday, Sunday and holidays by Quigley Publishing Company. Inc.. Martin Quigley. president; Colvin Brown, vicepresident and treasurer. Publication office: 1270 Sixth Avenue at Rockefeller Center, New York. Telephone: Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco. New York." All contents copyrighted 1938 by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc. Address all correspondence to the New York office. Other Quigley publications: MOTION PICTURE HERALD, BETTER THEATRES. TEATRO AL DIA. INTERNATIONAL MOTION PICTURE ALMANAC and FAME. 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