Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1939)

6 Motion Picture Daily Friday. September 15. 1939 Hollywood In Brief Independents Face Lower Ascap Rates (Continued from patic 1) only about 40 per cent of the Ascap music used on the air. yet their fees account for approximately 60 per cent of Ascap's revenue, or around $2,400,000 of the $4,000,000 average which the society collects from radio annually. This means, obviously that the networks originate about 60 per cent of the Ascap music on the air and pav about 40 per cent, or around $1,600,000, annually. Ascap believes that a new contract formula which would reapportion fees on a basis more closely linked with the use made of its music by the broadcaster groups should be given consideration, it was learned. Networks argue that they finance the experimental and development work done by the industry and, currently, are paying for television experimentation, which will also be a new performing market for music. Ascap admits the justice of this argument, but views the matter as something related not to itself but to the various groups of broadcasters, which should be settled among themselves. It declines to accept it as an argument for reduced rates for the networks. The Independent Radio Network Affiliates have not communicated with Ascap in any way relative to a new contract. N. A. B. will consider at its Chicago meeting today the first proposal of Sidney Kaye, its special counsel, for financing its proposed music catalogue to make the networks "independent of Ascap or less dependent on it." It has been reported that a budget of $1,000,000 minimum will be proposed. Grosses Stand Up For Oklahoma City Oklahoma City, Sept. 14. — With the temperatures hovering near the 100 degree mark and with no relief in sight, air-conditioned theatres enjoyed good business during the week ended Sept. 7. Total first run business was estmiated at $18,300 as compared with the average of $17,400. Estimated takings for the week ending September 7 : "Star Maker" (Para.) CRITERION — (1,500 J (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $5,200. (Average. $5,200) "Miracles for Sale" (M-G-M) "Panama Lady" (RKO) LIBERTY — (1,200) (15c-20c-25c) 4 days. Gross: $1,900. (Average, $1,800) "Bad Lands" (Radio) "Code cf the Secret Service" (W. B.) LIBERTY — (1.200) (15c-20c-25c) 3 days. Gross: $700. (Average. $700) "Stanley and Livingstone" (ZOthCentury) MIDWEST — (1,500 J (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $4,400. (Average. $4,200) "Each Dawn I Die" (W. B.) PLAZA— (750) (25c-35c-40c)) 7 days, second week, moved from Midwest. Gross: $1,200. (Average, $1,100) "The Man They Could Not Hang" (Col.) 3 days "Kcrgc, the Wild Stallion" (Col.) 3 days "She Married a Cop" (Rep.) 4 days "Should Husbands Work" (Rep.) 4 days STATE— (1,100) O5c-20c-25c) 7 days. Gross: $2,000. (Average. $2,500) "The Wizard of Oz" (M-G-M) TOWER— (1.000) (25c-30c-35c) 7 days, second week, moved from Midwest. Gross: $2,200. (Average. $2,000) Hollywood, Sept. 14. — "Refuge," a 45-minute picture photographed by Jean Paul Dreyfuss and edited by Irving Lerner for the Spanish Refugee Relief Campaign, was privately previewed in the studio lounge of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel this week. Said to have been shot by concealed cameras, the film presents the plight of Spanish refugees who fled into France toward the close of the war in Spain. National officers of the SRRC are listed as Harold L. Ickes, Airs. Caspar Whitney, Philip Merivale and Dr. Sherwood Eddy. Attendance at the preview suffered some from simultaneous exhibition for the press, elsewhere, of two purely commercial films, "Rulers of the Sea" and "The Day the Bookies Wept." Universale "Tropic Fury" is set for preview Sept. 27 under circumstances paralleling the far-away exploitation previews of recent publicity— now less prevalent due to this and that — the studio transporting press and other guests up San Fernando Valley to Van Nuys (that's about a 10-minute hop) where Andy Devine, of the picture, is Mayor. It'll take two theatres to handle the crowd, the Van Nuys and Rivoli. Richard Arlen, Mayor of nearby Sunland, is costarred with Mavor Devine in the film. Bert Sternbach, general manager of Producers Pictures Corp. studios in construction at Prescott, Arizona, has notified Ben Judell, president, that work is proceeding under floodlights at night so satisfactorily that the new plant will be readv for production Oct. 1. Not one but four sea pictures are to be produced in the new Warner tank stage, construction of which was stopped momentarily when "Sea Hawk" was temporarily sidetracked, and the appropriation for building of the stage, 300 feet long by 170 wide bv 85 high, has been increased to S400,000. "Sea Hawk," "Sea Wolf," an addition to the Warner schedule, "John Paul Jones" and "Captain Horatio Hornblower" are the salt water epics to be shot in the new enclosure. Gladys Cooper, British star active in stage affairs on this side since 1934, will make her picture bow in David O. Selznick's "Rebecca," for U. A. distribution. Katharine Hartley, fan magazine writer, has been signed by Paramount to write the screen play of "Memo to a Movie Producer," her own story, which will be produced by Arthur Hornblow, Jr. Carole Lombard has recovered from her recent illness and RKO-Radio's George Stevens has resumed production of "Vigil in the Night," which was suspended for several weeks after two days of shooting due to the star's illness. Edward Arnold, whose 35 years as an actor have included everything from Shakespeare on Broadway to melodrama in the sticks when "the road" meant 40 weeks out of 52 for handsome leading men, has completed an autobiography which is said to say little about himself but lots about lots of nameful others he's met up with in all that while. He's acting just now in Walter Wanger's "Send Another Coffin." Guy Kibbee turns heavy for "Patsy," the MGM picture that was known as "Looking for Sandy," and promises not to gag up the role, his first of the unsmiling variety. Cecil B. DeMille's first all-color production, "Northwest Mounted Police," is to go ahead under more rather than less steam, war conditions notwithstanding. Mentioned at first as among those films likely to be affected by the outbreak due to subject matter, word has been had that the Empire is more than previously interested in having a picture of that kind placed in circulation. Jackie Cooper's next for Universal will be "No Power on Earth." William Gargan, Ann Sothern, Marsha Hunt and Walter Brennan have been cast for MGM's "A Call on the President." David O. Selznick has exercised his option on the services of Alan Marshal, four years in Selznick employ and contracted now for a fifth. Central to be French Film ShowWindow The Central Theatre, Broadway grind house, will be converted early in October into a first run for French pictures, serving as an outlet for the Film Alliance of the United States, foreign film distributor. The company was formed last year, but is now starting operations, with 18 franchised exchanges. After extensive remodeling, the Central will inaugurate its new policy with "Port of Shadows" ("Quai de Brumes"), prize-winning film featuring Jean Gabin and Michele Morgan. The theatre will be given a new name. Major L. E. Thompson of RKO is president of Film Alliance. The company is scheduling about 25 features for release this season. It has 12 French and nine English pictures. In addition, "The Pirate" and one other Charles Boyer picture is to come from France. The company's French affiliate is Synimex. Harry Brandt is a vice-president of Film Alliance, and both the Central and the Globe, which is the English picture outlet, are Brandt houses. In New York the pictures will be booked into the Brandt circuit, contingent on deals made with other circuits. Indefinite runs are planned for the French pictures at the Central. Nat Wachsberger, French producer and exhibitor, is a vice-president of the company and its Paris contact. Joe Weil, formerly exploitation manager for Universal, is publicity director. Nat Sanders is in charge of New York sales. Wachsberger is working with Boris Morros, Hollywood producer, on French picture material for possible remakes. Three stories have been lined up which may be made in Hollywood. Morros at present is producing for RKO release. Networks Get Revised Scale From Actors CBS and NBC, acting for their West Coast regional networks, have obtained from the American Federation of Radio Actors a revised schedule of minimum fees for perfo/^ rs. The new schedule covers perfonners appearing on regional commercial programs originating in Hollywood.' Los Angeles or San Francisco and not available to stations other than those in the 11 western states. The regional rates are approximately 60 per cent of. the national A.F.R.A. rates. The new schedule will be put into force immediatelv and will hold until Feb. 12, 1941. Mark Woods and Lawrence Lowman. CBS and NBC vicepresidents, acted for their respective networks and Emily Holt for A.F.R.A. The rates for actors are to be as follows: $7.50 for a 15-minute strip; $10 for the half-hour; $12.50 for the hour programs. Soloists are to receive $20 for 15-minutes ; $25 for 30 minutes : S30 for 45 minutes ; $35 for one hour. Rehearsal fee per hour is $3.50. Announcers' fees are $8.50 for 15-minutes ; $12.50 for 30 minutes ; $17.50 for the full hour. Rehearsal fee is $3 for the first hour. War Effects on Film Trade Called Weak The war's effects on film distribution abroad will soon be less noticeable than those felt at the outbreak of the conflict, according to John W. ] Hicks, Paramount chief of foreign operations, who returned to New York last week-end after 10 weeks in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. "Having been in constant communication with Paramount's foreign offices and representatives, I have found a definite feeling that present handicaps to normal film distribution abroad will soon be eased," Hicksaid. Hicks added that American motion pictures would share in the increased prosperity felt by countries such as Australia and New Zealand: ?s well as South American countries, all of which would share in the war boom as a result of increased consumption of their products. Cruelty to Animals Charged to Studios Albany, Sept. 14. — The film industry was accused of practicing cruelty to animals by Eric Hansen in reporting to the national convention of the American Humane Society here the results of his film survey. He asked that an end be put to the use of pitfalls on locations. Hansen said he had ascertained that camouflaged stockades used in jungle scenes and forced animal fights became serious offenses through nation-wide exhibition of films in which they appear. The association will send a field representative to Hollywood to attempt to obtain industry cooperation on uniform regulations pertaining to the use of animals in films.