Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1940)

4 Motion Picture Daily Monday, July 22, 1940 Hollywood Reviews 7 Married Adventure" (Columbia) TTOLLYWOOD, July 21.— At a time when even the "purpose picJ-l ture bloc" in Hollywood is devoting its utmost energies to the production of "entertainment only" pictures — "escapist films," to use their own now respectful word for them — this film account of the adventurings of Martin and Osa Johnson into the African and island fastnesses answers all the current definitions of what the box-office doctor ordered. Far removed from both the here and the now in subject matter and treatment, composed entirely of film shot by the Johnsons on their several notable expeditions into dark and distant places, it is without question the best of all the wild animal pictures to date and distinctly a departure from the flow of contemporary product. Titled after Osa Johnson's book, currently on sale and display in the nation's bookstores, the film tells first-handedly of the series of Johnson expeditions, including the one to Borneo that failed and was made again, successfully, years later. In all of these, as the world knows, the camera was favored over the gun, with the result that the pictures brought back abound in rare shots of little-known animals, singly and in mass, caught in their native haunts and activities. As assembled here, in a masterly job of editing credited to Ralph Dixon, these reach high points of dramatic interest on several occasions. Although the Johnson cameras were not equipped with sound recording apparatus, the scoring of the picture and the narration spoken by Jim Bannon, written by Don Clark and Alfred Duffy, supply the equivalent of dialogue, and add informative explanation. The film is an allpurpose item of merchandise suitable for all ages and classes of audience at all places and times. Running time 77 minutes. "G."* Roscoe Williams. Monogram to Make Three Color Films "South of Pago Pago' (Small-United Artists) Hollywood, July 21. — The South Seas is the locale, greedy white men and lazing natives the chief protagonists, and virgin pearl beds the motivating factor of Edward Small's "South of Pago Pago," produced for United Artists release. It tells the story of an unscrupulous gang, headed by Victor McLaglen, blasting the idyllic existence of a small South Sea island by tricking, then forcing the natives to dive into dangerous depths for giant pearls. Starred with McLaglen are Jon Hall, as the son of the native chief, and Frances Farmer, as a dance hall lady who exercises her wiles to lure the chief's son away from the island in order that the divers can be forced to break an imposed taboo. Chief among supporting players are Olympe Bradna, Gene Lockhart, Douglas Dumbrille, Francis Ford, Abner Biberman, Ben Weldon, and Pedro De Cordoba. Among scenes that will be remembered are the thrilling underwater shots and the fight between the white men and the natives who rebel at their brutalities. After the woman marries the chief's son in a native ceremony and spend their honeymoon, according to custom, on a neighboring isle, McLaglen, who had influenced the woman to get the youth away, forces the natives to dive in dangerous water. The son returns, after his father and other natives are killed, to lead the natives against the white men, killing them all. The woman is killed, in saving her husband's life, and peace returns to the isle. Alfred E. Green directed from a story and screenplay by George Bruce and Kenneth Garnet. Running time, 98 minutes. "G."* Vance King. Loew Reports 40 -Week Net Of $7,996,394 Loew's, Inc., share of operating profits after subsidiaries' preferred dividends amounted to $15,594,078 for the 40 weeks ended June 6, the company reported yesterday. Net profit for the period was |7,996,394. The figure compares with $8,173,060 net for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year. The company's share of operating profits after subsidiaries' preferred dividends compares with $14,271,675 for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year. After depreciation and taxes, Loew's, Inc., share of operating profits for the period ended June 6 was $11,096,394, compared with $9,793,060 the preceding year. A $3,100,000 reserve for contingencies was set up during the period, compared with a $1,620,000 reserve the preceding year. The net profit is equivalent to $58.49 per share on the preferred, compared with $59.78 per share a year ago, and to $4.39 per share on the common, compared with $4.62 per share a year ago. Phila. Strike Meet Ends in Deadlock Philadelphia, July 21. — A meeting between Warner Theatre officials and the local musicians' union, held here late last week at the insistence of James C. Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians, ended in a stalemate. The local had been instructed by Petrillo to accept "any reasonable settlement offer" and, it is understood, Frank Phelps, Warner labor contact, had been urged by the union chief to make "a reasonable offer." The Warner officials repeated their original offer to spend $90,000 for the year for music at the downtown Earle and for Sundays at the Stanley in Camden. The offer, which was first made when the musicians' strike originated eight months ago, was termed "ridiculous" by the union, which countered with a request for an expenditure of at least $160,000 annually, to restore music to several neighborhood houses. Warners' annual music bill here was $180,000 prior to the strike. According to the local, the next move is entirely up to Petrillo and Joseph N. Weber, past president of the A. F. M. It was intimated that Petrillo might use the case to test his favorite theories of "canned" music and producer-exhibitor relationships. In addition to Phelps, the meeting here was attended by Ted Schlanger, Warners' local theatre zone head, and Ellis Shipman, circuit executive. The union was represented by Frank P. Liuzzi, president; A. Rex Riccardi, secretary. Warners Release Muni and Dieterle Hollywood, July 21. — Paul Muni and Director William Dieterle have been released by Warners due to their insistence on selecting their own stories. Muni's contract had three years to go and Dieterle's one year. *"G" denotes general classification. Mexico Composers Mexico City, July 21. — A new tax is in the offing for exhibitors. The national song writers union wants all film houses to pay an annual tax of two cents per seat in royalties. However, as the union only insists that this levy apply when Mexican pictures are screened, it is thought the plan will not greatlv affect exhibitors' profits, for Mexican pictures are about the only ones that have music composed bv the union's members, and domestic films are few. Fernando de Fuentes is the new president of the Mexican directors' union. Other officers are Armando Ask Theatre Levy Vargas de la Maza, secretary, and Miguel Zacarias, treasurer. Production of films exclusively for children is the object of a company formed by a syndicate of businessmen of Orizaba, Vera Cruz State industrial center. It is preparing to begin operations about Sept. 15, and is headed bv Carlos Sanchez, wealthy tobacco planter. Child players only will be employed. President Lazaro Cardenas has ordered ratification of the Pan American agreement which exempts educational motion pictures from import and export duties. Monogram will make three pictures ! I in color for 1940-'41, Edward A. ! I Golden, general sales manager, dis ' 1 closed at an Eastern district regional j I sales meeting at the Barbizon-E1-".-*? ; I Hotel Friday and Saturday. en V j j I The three are: "Gypsy Cavaw. ,' I starring Gilbert Roland, and twc I Golden West productions, "Black 'I Stallion" and "College Sweetheart," I from the Woman's Home Companion I story by Leona Dalrymple. Golden Reviews Production Harry H. Thomas, general mana I ger for the company-owned exchanges I in New York, Philadelphia and I Washington, introduced Golden, who | presided at the sessions. Golden reviewed the past year's productions, pointing particularly to the success of ; the "Renfrew" action stories. Charles Bickford, Irene Rich and Boris Karloff are among the players who will be seen in next season's product.* Approximately 40 representatives of seven exchanges and from the home office discussed the new season's lineup of 26 features and 24 Westerns. ' Among those who addressed the two-day sessions were Thomas P. Loach, vice-president and treasurer ; Norton V. Ritchey, foreign manager; Louis S. Lifton, director of advertising and publicity ; Ben Welansky, president of the Boston and Pittsburgh offices ; Steve Broidy, manager of the Boston office; J. J. Felder, New York; Sam Rosen, Philadelphia; | William Moses, New York; Harry Brown, Washington ; Mark Goldman, Pittsburgh ; Harry Berkson, Buffalo ; Nathan R. Sodikman, Albany, and Lloyd Lind, New York. Others Attending Others present included Richard Perry, Lester Tobias and Sol Kravitz of New York ; Samuel Palan, Moe Sherman and W. Z. Porter of Philadelphia ; William Liebler and Saul Perliman of Pittsburgh; Harry Crull, Arthur J. Hansen and D. Price of Washington ; Jules Chapman, New j York ; Edward G. Schieber, John S. Harrington and Hugh G. Davis, New York. A luncheon was held at the hotel on Friday, at which representatives of the trade press were guests. Golden left by plane yesterday for Jacksonville, Fla., where he will address the annual Summer convention of the Southeastern Theatre Owners Association on Tuesday. Murtha Says Coast I A Setup Unchanged Los Angeles, July 21. — Tom Murtha of New York, chairman of the I.A.T.S.E. committee which is endeavoring to settle jurisdictional disputes among the union's studio locals, yesterday denied that the closing of the International's office here has any bearing on present or future operations of the I. A. in Hollywood. Murtha said his committee is continuing its study of studio craft and jurisdictional problems and will report its findings to the I. A. executive board.