Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1939)

4 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, September 12, 1939 Studios Will Keep Their Film Pledges (.Continued from page 1) gram was so carefully planned many months ago and is . so far ahead of schedule at this time that it is both unnecessary and impractical to attempt to revise it because of the situation created by the war. "'This company has the greatest backlog of pictures ready for release in its history. We have 26 completed features, eight more before the cameras and 17 definitely scheduled for production within the next fewmonths. All were cast, budgeted and planned with the possibility of the European crisis in mind and not one will be dropped from our schedule nor will there be any budget revisions on any of these. "Exhibitors who have bought Paramount product have no cause for worry. We will deliver 100 per cent." Regarding Columbia, Cohn said: "There will be no deviation from our regular production program with the sole exception of a temporary postponement of 'Arizona' for 60 days. We are not pulling in any horns. As a matter of fact, we are spending $5,000,000 more on production this year than at any time in our organization's history." Herman Wobber, general distribution manager of 20th Century-Fox, who returned from Hollywood yesterday by plane after conferring at the studio, said that the company has decided to effect certain economies, without affecting the quality or quantity of product. He reiterated that the company will adhere to the schedule announced for 1939-'40. Included in the 20th Century-Fox economies will be elimination from the payroll of unnecessary employes in certain studio departments. The need for such action has long been apparent, according to the company, but the step was not regarded as financially necessary until the present emergency. The retrenchment policy was decided upon at Coast conferences attended by Joseph M. Schenck, chairman of the board; Darryl F. Zanuck. production head; William Goetz, studio executive, with Wobber and Walter J. Hutchinson, director of foreign distribution. Robert T. Kane, in charge of British production, which is a factor in the situation, also is conferring at the studio. Schenck, in a statement, declared that while retrenchment in studio overhead is necessary, "no salary cuts would be made and nothing will be done to impair the quality of production." None of the big pictures planned by Zanuck will be eliminated, he said. . • Estimating that the industry faces the immediate loss of 60 per cent of its foreign revenue, Schenck declared : "This company always had economical and efficient organization and operation, but now drastic economy will be necessary if we are to continue to operate in the face of the loss of vital foreign income." Continued optimistic reports are being received at home office foreign departments on the prospects of general theatre reopenings abroad and on film requirements for the immediate future. Insider's Outlook By SAM SHAIN ^tttE will deliver all the product as we promised. There will be no yy cuts — no letouts." This is Nate Blumberg speaking for Universal. J. Cheever Cowdin, chairman of the board; Cliff Work, vice-president, in charge of production ; William Scull}-, vice-president, in charge of sales ; Matthew Fox, vicepresident and assistant to Blumberg; Joe Seidelman, vice-president, in charge of foreign sales ; and William Taylor, vice-president of the Commercial National Bank and Trust Company, witnessed Blumberg's statement. It was made yesterday at a reception and luncheon for Cliff Work in the RainbowGrill, atop the RCA Building, in Rockefeller Center. There were some 30 trade journalists present, guests of Universal. "The present crisis is not going to serve to diminish Universale efforts or results. We've had a dress rehearsal for such times as these for nearly two years — and we are unafraid." Then J. Cheever Cowdin addressed the assemblage, briefly and to the point. "I wouldn't trade our operating executives* for any in the business. They are honest, loyal and experienced." And William Taylor, banker: "We have been happy in our association with Universal, and we will be with them in the future more than 100 per cent." Joe Seidelman : "Make sure of what you write about the foreign situation, boys. I don't want to steal President Franklin Roosevelt's thunder, but keep in mind that the men abroad are working under delicate conditions and extreme nervousness. It is easy to panic them these days." Bill Scully: "Won't you boys be kind enough to ask the exhibitors to give us a little more money for our pictures." With that he sat down quickly. It was a nice party. Lou Pollock and Matty Fox supervised. Cliff Work was introduced, giving him the opportunity to relate how he happened to go with Universal. "One day," Work told the guests, "Nate Blumberg telephoned me, saying : " 'Congratulations !' " "'Congratulations on what?'" asked Work. And Blumberg went on to tell Work that he had been named a vice-president of Universal Pictures. "You are to be in charge of the studio," Blumberg further informed Work. "What will I do there?" "Oh, just look out," ended Blumberg. And — W'ork reports that he has been looking out ever since. T bell HE luncheon was featured with a recording of Marlene Dietrich singing a cowboy song from her coming film, "Destry Rides Again." It rang the IT may interest you to know that Cincinnati exhibitors envision chance games as being greater competitive forces than ever in the months just ahead, according to E. H. Mayer. The number of games have increased in that territory. Recently Police Chief Eugene Wreatherly, himself, in his August report emphasized the seriousness of the situation. His report shows that the attendance at 189 games in August amounted to 231,343, with an average net cost per person of 61.9 cents, and that 11 per cent of all Cincinnatians, 15 years of age or over, participate in such games. IISTEX to the critics — on "The Rains Came," which is now at the Roxy. j Frank Nugent, in the Times, says : "The film version is the merest skeleton of the Bromfield work...." Howard Barnes, in the Herald-Tribuiw, says : "I don't see how the novel could have had better treatment than it has been afforded in the picture. It seems to me though, that the Bromfield tale should have been left between the covers of a book." One wants more of the book — the other, less. Bland Johaneson, in the Mirror, says : "A pretty faithful translation of the Bromfield novel — a hopeful augury for 'The Grapes of Wrath,' when Air. Zanuck turns his hand to that." Kate Cameron in the News, gave the film her highest rating and said the audience sat spellbound, then burst into applause. The picture was S.R.O. over the weekend at the Roxy, grossing 841,500 in three days. Guess, the audience has it ! O N Oscar Doob's desk, the other day, a letter from the National Committee for Education, read "exploration and promotion manager." PUBLISHED diagrams purporting to show the interior of the French Maginot fortifications, reveal a film theatre. Imagine the poilu, between skirmishes, rushing back to see the Hedy LamarrRobert Taylor tete-a-tetes. Theatre, Personnel Changes Clarence Robson 111 Toronto, Sept. 11. — Transfer of R. S. Roddick to Halifax, N. S., where he will supervise theatres in the Maritime Province for Famous Players Canadian Corp. will not mean the eitirement of Clarence Robson, for.v_r supervisor. Reason for the transfer is the illness of Robson w7ho is expected to resume his duties after he recovers. Open Florida House Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Sept. 11. — The new Florida, $200,000 house just completed by Sparks Theatres, on Las Olas Boulevard, has been opened, according to A. R. Nininger, directing head of local Sparks theatres. Buy Theatre in Florida Tarpon Springs, Fla., Sept. 11. — The Royal has been purchased by F. O. Mullen of Haines City, Fla., operator of the Mulco circuit. The local house was formerly owned by Nick Marlemes, who had operated it about 10 vears. Florida Theatre Opens Wewahitchka, Fla., Sept. 11. — The Lake has just opened here, showing pictures and "The Hickman Family" radio troupe. Lease Georgia Theatre Brunswick, Ga., Sept. 11. — Lucas & Jenkins, lessees of the local Ritz and Bijou have signed a new longterm lease on the former house. The exterior is to be completely remodeled. Set New Haven Vaudeville New Haven, Sept. 11. — The Arena, sports theatre, will again present Sunday vaudeville with big name bands this year, according to Nathan Podoloff, manager. This year the presentations will be on a regular weeklv basis. it TAMES ROOSEVELT will quit his job with Sam Goldwyn at the termiJ nation of his present^ contract," writes Danton Walker in the Nezcs— but what Walker fails to tell is that Roosevelt's contract runs for five years. Buys Colored House Savannah, Ga., Sept. 11. — The Star has been purchased by W. B. Braswell from W. S. Scott. The house, playing to colored patronage, is being improved by Braswell. Purchase in Florida Bunnell, Fla., Sept. 11. — The Flagler here has been purchased by L. E. Lamboley of Sarasota, Fla., from F. L. Alig, Jr. Manages Green Bay House Green Bay, Wis., Sept. 11. — George Hannon, former operator of the Grand here, will manage the house upon its reopening Sept. 24 by Standard Theatre Co. The new operators have been renovating the theatre. Delay Two Openings New Haven, Sept. 11.— The 496seat Fairmont, recently acquired by Al Pickus, has postponed its opening until Sept. 16. The Joseph Quittner and Peter Perakos 700-seat State, Jewett City. Conn., also will be delayed until Sept. 14. Jones Florida Manager Avon Park. Fla., Sept. 11— W. H. Jones of Tarpon Springs, Fla.. is now manager of the Park, succeeding James Prentice, resigned.