Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1940)

Alert, tion Picture Industry DO NOT REMO\ MOTION PICTURE DAILY VTi. 47. NO". 11 NEW YORK, U. S. A., TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1940 TEN CENTS 15 Exchanges Set Up in U. S. By Fine Arts Seven Films in Release; Seven More Slated Exchanges in IS cities, covering 17 spots, have been set up by Franklyn Warner's new Fine Arts Producing and Distributing Corp., Sol Edwards, Eastern representative, said yesterday. In addition, negotiations are under way for exchanges in four other cities. The new exchanges, and the manager of each, include: Boston, Marcel Mekelberg; Cleveland, Mae Vincent (booker) ; Chicago, Cleve Adams ; Des Moines, for Des Moines and Omaha, Phil Monsky ; Kansas City, Sol Hankin ; Minneapolis, Eph Rosen ; New York, Dick Perry ; Philadelphia, Herbert Given : Pittsburgh, Max Shugold ; St. Louis, Joseph Hartman ; Washington, Joseph Kolisky ; Los Angeles, William Riter ; San Francisco, Bradley Fish; Detroit, Ralph Peckham ; Indianapolis, for Indianapolis and Cincinnati, Had Hull. Deals are being negotiated in Atlanta, New Orleans, Buffalo and Dallas. The company has already in release seven films, "Shadow Over Shanghai," "Frontier Scout," "Long Shot," "Cipher Bureau," "Panama Patrol," "Exile Express" and "Children of the Wild." In addition, seven new films will be released between Feb. 15 and the end of August. Coast Flashes Hollywood, Jan. 15.— The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences board of governors meets tomorrow night to elect officers and retire the outgoing president, Frank Capra, who has refused to accept a third term. Ballots for nominations for the annual awards will be sent to members and talent Guilds on Feb. 15, returnable Feb. 26. The banquet is scheduled Feb. 29. Producers' attorneys met today to make what they hope is the final redraft of a contract with the Screen Publicists Guild. The contract will be submitted for approval to Guild Attorney George Bodle, probably tomorrow. Samuel Goldwyn returned to the studio today and started preparations on a tentative production schedule as "The Westerner" entered its final shooting days. Publishers Hit Film Portrayal of Press Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 15. — Pennsylvania publishers delivered a rebuke to Hollywood producers for distorted portrayals of newspapermen, at the close of their 15th annual convention in the Penn Harris Hotel Saturday night. A resolution adopted by the organization, known as the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association, was directed against Hollywood's portrayal of newspaper publishers, editors and reporters in "roles false to real life." Copies of the resolution will be sent to film leaders. Neely Is Spite Bill, Says Kuykendall The Neely bill was characterized as pernicious, without benefit to anyone, and the entering wedge for Governmental interference and regulation of the industry, by Ed Kuykendall, president of the M.P.T.O.A., in a statement issued yesterday. "The measure is endorsed and inspired as a spite bill by a pitiful minority," which has lost its following rapidly and whose own membership is far from being in accord with its few leaders, Kuykendall said. He stressed the importance of carrying the truth about the measure to the general public, women's clubs in particular. The Neely bill, he pointed out, will tend to increase film rentals and add materially to the buying problems of the small exhibitor particularly. The Neely bill was passed by the Senate at the last session of Congress. All it now needs is House passage to make it a law. 26 FILM MEN FACE TRUST QUIZ BY U.S. War Cuts British Production to 60% Says I. Goldsmith British production this year is expected to be 60 per cent of last year's volume because of the war, according to I. Goldsmith, head of Grafton Films, who arrived late last week from England. Goldsmith estimated that theatre receipts are off 20 per cent throughout Britain, with a 40 to 50 per cent drop in London due to the blackouts partly compensated by an increase in areas where thousands of evacues are now living. The strength of the British film production industry lies largely in American cooperation, said Goldsmith. The American companies not only will make all the big budget pictures in England but, because of restricted European markets, this country is now the only territory left where substantial film revenue may be obtained, he said. The British Government is facilitating matters for the producers and is anxious to keep production going, (Continued on page 7) 'Lion Has Wings' Opening Saturday "The Lion Has Wings," British war film produced by Alexander Korda, opens Saturday at the Globe on Broadway. New narration has been completed by Lowell Thomas. Release is by United Artists. National Allied Preparing Fight on Radio Giveaways Washington, Jan. 15. — A proposal that Allied States units cooperate in combating the "Pot o' Gold" giveaway over NBC, in which $1,000 is awarded every Tuesday night, will be presented at the organization's national board meeting here Wednesday and Thursday. Also to be considered at the meeting will be other forms of exhibitor competition, chiefly 16 mm films. A review will be given of the industry code situation, the Government's attitude on arbitration and the legisla tive situation, including the Neely bill. Abram F. Myers, chairman of the board, will give his annual report. The directors will also discuss the annual budget. A group of Allied leaders are in New York en route to Washington for the board meeting. Here are Al Steffes, Northwest Allied president ; Ray Branch, president of Michigan Allied ; Jack Kirsch, Illinois Allied president, and Benny Berger of Bemidji, Minn. Oral Examinations Begin Feb. 5; UA Omitted In Federal Order The government yesterday moved to examine 26 ranking officials of seven of the major defendants in the government anti-trust suit when it served notice of its intention on attorneys for these defendants. The notice which affects all majors except United Artists Corp. provides for a series of oral examinations at the New York Anti-Trust Division office running from Feb. 5 to March 25. Under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the government may touch upon any phases of the motion picture industry relevant to the suit in its questions, it was indicated. Reliable sources close to the government see no necessity for a delay in the trial date because of the unexpected move. Harry Cohn, Jack Cohn and Abe Montague, president, vice-president and general sales manager of Columbia Pictures are requested to appear first on Feb. 5. Others asked to testify are as follows : From Universal, Nathan J. Blumberg, president, William A. Scully, vice-president and Charles R. Rogers, executive vice-president on Feb. 12. From RKO, George J. Schaefer, president, Ned E. Depinet, vice-president, and Jules Levy, general sales manager, on Feb. 19. From Paramount, Adolph Zukor, (Continued on page 6) Broadway Grosses Are Hurt by Rains Sunday's rains hurt business all along Broadway over the weekend. Saturday's business was above average but the bad weather took its toll on the following day. "Gone With the Wind" continued to play to capacity at the Astor and Capitol for the fourth week. An estimated $22,000 at the Astor and an estimated $80,000 at the Capitol were grossed. At the Strand, "Invisible Stripes," with the Dead End Kids and Shep Melds' band on the stage, opened big to take an estimated $31,000 for the weekend. • "Raffles," with a stage show, drew an estimated $30,000 for the weekend at the Roxy. "His Girl Friday," with a stage (Continued on page 2)