Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1940)

6 Motion Picture daily Tuesday, August 20, 1940 "Lucky Partners" [RKO] {.Continued from page 1) doing a tango with her co-star, she appears as a hunch-playing assistant in her aunt's Greenwich Village bookstore. One such hunch brings her into contact with Colman, an artist who has for some years refused to exhibit his work because of its previous banning on grounds since repudiated. Together, and with Miss Rogers' fiance's consent, the two buy a sweepstakes ticket, with the understanding that, if they win, they are to go away together on a "strictly impersonal" basis in order to give the girl an insight into the gay and artistic approach to existence before she settles down with an insurance-salesman husband in the prosaic pattern of Poughkeepsie life. Results of the trip, portrayed in light vein throughout, lead to romance between the girl and the artist, as well as implication that his work will no longer be denied the world. But between start and finish, the result of patterned casting and story choice, as of direction and production values, are more than made evident. In addition to the stars, sure and able performances were turned in by such name-worthy support as Jack Carson, Spring Byington, Cecelia Loftus, Harry Davenport, Hugh O'Connell, in addition to Leon Belasco, Lucile Gleason and others in smaller roles. Harry E. Edington was executive producer, with George Haight producing and Lewis Milestone, returning to the comedy field, directing. Allan Scott and John van Druten wrote the screenplay from a story by Sacha Guitry. The musical score, a definitive asset in carrying the mood of the film, was contributed by Dimitri Tiomkin. Running time, 95 minutes. "G."* W. S. Schine Circuit CompletesNew Division Setup Gloversville, N. Y., Aug. 19. — A new setup of operations of the Schine Circuit was disclosed here today by J. Meyer Schine, president of Schine Enterprises. The changes embrace the three divisions in which are about 170 theatres. Most important change is the appointment of Gus Lampe, for nine years city manager of the SchineRKO theatres in Syracuse, as head of a new division comprising territory including Maryland and Delaware, Northern New York and the Mohawk Valley. Lampe will have his headquarters in Gloversville, where he will begin his new duties Sept. 1. Major Louis Lazar will remain in charge of the Ohio-Kentucky territory. Frank M. Boucher heads the important Western New York division and, in addition, will supervise all zone operations. Schine announced that no employe of the circuit would lose his position should he be called for military training. An unconditional guarantee was given that employees would have their jobs back when they return from duty. No Agreement on Cincinnati Wages Cincinnati, Aug. 19. — Although negotiations have been under way for several weeks, no definite agreement has been reached between theatremen and operators, either in the major or independent classifications, on wage scales to become effective Sept. 1, upon expiration of current contracts. A number of angles are understood to have been introduced, due to existing tax and other business conditions. Coast Flashes HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 19.— Universal today announced definite release dates of 23 features, including the new season's distribution period from Sept. 6 to Dec. 27. Fifteen are already completed. • James Cagney will arrive here tomorrow and leave by plane immediately for San Francisco to appear voluntarily before the Dies Committee to refute accusations of Communism. • A general membership meeting of the Screen Writers Guild was held here tonight under chairmanship of Sheridan Gibney, who reported on progress to date on negotiations for recognition by the producers. • James Roosevelt is confined to his home with the flu, which, it is believed, will prevent his appearance at Thursday's opening of "Pastor Hall" in Philadelphia. • Deems Taylor has arrived here to collaborate on the final stages of production of Walt Disney's "Fantasia," feature length musical cartoon. *"G" denotes general classification. Pool Ten Theatres In Atlantic City Deal Atlantic City, Aug. 19.— A pooling deal involving 10 Warner and Mort Lewis-George Weilland first and subsequent run houses has been effected because of economic conditions here. Business has slipped steadily for the past several years, with the town obviously overseated. Terms of the pooling provide that some houses will close during the poor season, allocation of pictures_ to the open houses and a corresponding correction of clearance problems. The merger was made on a temporary basis with the option of renewal. The operating committee for the pooled houses will be headed by Joseph Bernhard, general manager of Warner Theatres, and Weilland, representing the independent circuit. Considered the biggest pooling arrangement in years in this area, the houses involved included Warners' Warner, Stanley, Colonial and Virginia ; and Weilland-Lewis' Apollo, Strand, Embassy, Capitol, Margate and Ventnor. Ask Pre-Release on St. Louis Single Test St. Louis, Aug. 19. — Cooperation of producers and distributors is essential to the success of the new single bill policy of the Ambassador here, arcording to Harry C. Arthur, Jr., president and general manager of Fanchon & Marco, operators of the 3,108-seat downtown house. Arthur, in a statement issued over the weekend, said the one way in which the producers and distributors can help during the test period is to arrange that pictures played under the policy be given a pre-release of three to four weeks in this particular territory "so that there will be no simultaneous runs in the territory serviced by St. Louis exchanges." Cincinnati Houses Increase Prices Cincinnati, Aug. 19. — Prices fit the RKO Albee, Palace, Capitol and Keith's will be increased on Thursday. The new scale, including State and Federal taxes, will be 33 cents until 1 P. M., 40 cents matinee, and 50 cents evening. Present admissions are 39 and 47 cents for matinee, eveing, respectively. The higher scale will be effective at the new RKO Grand opening Thursday, and will apply to the entire house, regardless of whether lower floor or balcony. The 33 and 42 cents matinee and night scale at the RKO Lyric remains the same, with the addition of a 28cent admission until 1 P. M. Simultaneously, the suburban RKO Paramount, which heretofore was dark from 5 to 7 P. M., will operate on a continuous basis. Matinee prices will be reduced from 28 cents to 25 cents, including taxes. Evening top of 39 cents will be unchanged. Wisconsin Exhibitor Convention on Oct. 2 Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 19. — An I.T.P.A. of Wisconsin regional meeting will be held Sept. 6 in Merrill and the association's annual convention has been scheduled for Oct. 2 and 3 at the Schroeder hotel, Milwaukee. Lucille Forbes, owner of the Cosmo at Merrill, is chairman of the regional meeting. The state convention will consist of an all-day business meeting on Oct. 3, which will include several well known speakers in the industry. Delegates will have an opportunity to register Oct. 2 and participate in a get-together in the evening with representatives of firms exhibiting at the convention. The annual banquet will be held the evening of the second day. Rice Sabotage Tokyo, Aug. 19. — National journals are demanding the withdrawal of a native-made picture as "unpatriotic" because it contains a glaring example of the misuse of rice in times of food rationing. A character in the film, according to the news reports, is pictured with "his face plastered with cooked rice." British Reported Establishing New Films Commission (Continued from page 1) ard Norton, for producers ; Francis W. Baker, for distributors ; George H. Elvin, labor; Simon Rowson, trade expert. Despite the secrecy attached to the proceedings, it is understood in informed quarters that legislation is being developed leading to the formation of a film commission. It is believed further that Duncan was influenced by the original film report of Lord Moyne's committee, which favored the control of the industry by a select body with control of foreign film investments here, rental terms, admissions and other phases of operation. Personnel Shifted in RKO Circuit Division Cincinnati, Aug. 19. — Local RKO division offices have made the following changes in personnel, effective this week : Norman Linz, manager of the suburban Paramount and Orpheum, has been named manager of the downtown Capitol, succeeding James Pendegast. The latter has been transferred to the Shubert, where Henry Sommers recently resigned to take charge of the Sam Lee circuit in Kentucky. Tom Davis, formerly with the Mary Anderson, at Louisville, but more recently manager of the Libson-White Paramount, Ashland, Ky., succeeds Linz. William T. Hastings, manager of the Lyric, has gone to the new Grand, and has been replaced by Lake Jones, assistant at the Albee. Joseph Hansberry, assistant at the Orpheum, has taken a similar post at the Grand. Elwood Jones has been transferred from assistant at the Shubert to assistant at the Albee, and Stanley Gerhardstein, formerly chief of service at the Shubert, has been named assistant manager of that house. Broadway Enjoys Weekend of Plenty (Continued from page 1) The Paramount took $46,000 for the first week ending today of "The Great McGinty" and Cab Calloway and his band on the stage. The bill will go a second week. The Rialto will open "Golden Gloves" today, after a weak $3,000 for three days on the dual reissue, "The Gorilla" and "The Hound of the Baskervilles." The Globe took an estimated $2,100 for Saturday, Sunday and Monday with "The Ghost Creeps," and will open "River's End" on Saturday. "Foreign Correspondent" will reopen the Rivoli next Tuesday.