Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1935)

28 MOTION PICTURE HERALD December 7, 1935 FILM MONEY IN HIGH TYPE PLAYS NOT HARMING STAGE, SAYS CRITIC Richard Lockridge of New York 'Sun', Quoting 'Herald' Article, Sees No 'Get-Rich-Quick' Scheme in Financing Moves Any danger to the legitimate stage through participation of the motion picture in the financing of Broadway plays is rather theoretical, wrote Richard Lockridge, dramatic critic, last Saturday in the New York Sun, in commenting upon the article in Motion Picture Herald issue of November 23d, in which it was reported that film interests since September have invested $700,000 in 14 of 44 productions. In an indirect fling at the stage's own waverings fronn the "aspiration which it . . • holds toward something which is a little better than the greatest entertainment for the greatest number," Mr. Lockridge said: "The thought of such uncouth persons [Hollywood] getting hold of the stage, which is always devoted to higher things, like 'Strio Girl" fshort-llved play concerning a burlesque queen] causes us to shiver In our boots." The critic enlarges upon this with the words, "Any money which is spent in backing such aspiring failures as 'Paths of Glory' and 'Bright Star' is money put, surely, to no base use." "Theatre Easily Scared" Mr. Lockridge's article, captioned "Hollywood on Broadway," follows, in full: "Several thoughtful admirers of the legitimate have recently discovered new cause for alarm in the participation by Hollywood in the producing of plays, the participation taking the somewhat important form of putting up the money. We of the theatre are, of course, rather easily scared in such matters. It is our conviction that out of Hollywood no good can come. We visualize the average motion picture producer as a man who says, almost constantly, 'I can answer that in two words. Im — possible.' The thought of such uncouth persons getting hold of the stage, which is always devoted to higher things, like 'Strip Girl,' causes us to shiver in our boots. "The Motion Picture Herald, a magazine devoted to this strange industry and hence on its side, gives us facts and figures on which to base our alarm. Fourteen of the forty-four productions which had come in when the current edition of that magazine went to press had movie money back of them. The total investment was estimated, already, at $700,000, with more to come. A cool, to us a frigid, million was expected to be the grand total, and a grand total it surely is. Warner Brothers was in it up to the neck, having backed four productions, of which a mere three were complete failures. Mervyn Le Roy, evidently a movie company, had put up the money for two shows, both of which flopped. "A mere glance at the names of some of the productions so far put on will show how grave this peril is. Metro, for example, is reported to have put $125,000, or more, into 'Jubilee,' which is one of the most charming musical shows of Broadway's history. This is dreadful, but worse is yet to come. The same company is behind 'Pride and Prejudice,' that zestful recreation by Helen Jerome, Max Gordon and some others of Jane Austen's novel of the same title. This, I understand, is what is known as 'fostering the third-rate.' People like Jane Austen get supported. And Metro is also behind 'Winterset' — that concession to the popular taste which has given the theatre its one authentic ring of poetry this season. 'Keep Metro Out' should, I think, be our motto, if we do not wish our taste debased. Points Specific Cases "Metro also is behind 'Ethan Frome,' now in production by the same Mr. Gordon. Those who have read 'Ethan Frome' will realize at once how far it falls below such dramas as, for example, 'Satellite.' Mr. Thalberg (MGM) sponsored 'Bright Star.' by Philip Barry, one of the season's failures — that low Mr. Barry, who has never failed but honorably. Warners had money in 'Eden End,' J. B. Priestley's slight and sensitive drama. There was movie money behind 'Paths of Glory,' by Sidney Howard, and it backed 'Most of the Game,' 'Good Men and True' and 'First Lady.' It also, it must be added in honesty, was contributed to make possible the glimpse we had of 'The Bodv Beautiful.' "This is, on the sworn word of Motion Picture Herald, the record. Calls Danger "Theoretical" "It shows, if I am not mistaken, that the danger is rather theoretical. Make no mistake, that theoretical danger does exist. It is entirely conceivable that the theatre might, touching this gold, forswear that aspiration which it, all too waveringly, holds toward something which is a little better than the greatest entertainment for the greatest number. By and large, over a long enough period of time, the movie industry as it is presently organized must be unduly democratic and direct the major portion of its interest, as well as its capital, toward pleasing those who are not very bright. It is conceivable that, with the tightening of its grip on Broadway, we might have in the theatre only the technically superior vacuity which is now the outstanding characteristic of so manv films. "Reading further I discover that MetroGoldwyn-Mayer had backed three productions, all of which succeeded ; that Irving Thalberg had made one shot at it and found that it shot back ; that Paramount had tried three times, and succeeded once, and that Jolm Hay Whitney, another motion picture corporation, had put $300,000 into 'Jumbo.' (Mr. Whitney has, incidentally, denied this in the newspapers.) (The article in the Herald explained that the Whitney participation was reported to have been shared with his sister, Mrs. Charles Shipman Pay Foresees Possible Theoretical Danger, but Finds No 'Base Use' of Funds When Placed in Aspirations Meeting Failure son, on the basis of $150,000 each — Ed.) I learn, also, that this sort of thing had been going on for three years, but is reaching a new high this season. Last season a mere seven productions had movie money behind them. It is evident that something is coming over us; a purse, rather bigger than a man's hand, is rising on the simon-pure horizon which we love. "That is, obviously enough possible. But immediately, and practically, it is difficult to feel that movie money has done us any harm. Any money which is spent for 'Winterset,' 'Pride and Prejudice,' 'Jubilee,' 'Three Men on a Horse' and, for that matter, 'Jumbo,' is good money and our thanks should be pretty. Any money which is spent in backing such aspiring failures as 'Paths of Glory' and 'Bright Star' is money put, surely, to no base use. It is obvious that backers intent only on packing them in, and to hell with art, would not have chosen to pay for either Sidney Howard's dramatization of Humphrey Cobb's novel or Mr. Barry's drama of a man's emotions. Putting up money for 'Winterset' is not my idea of a get-rich-quick scheme, either." GTE Plan Filed In Wilmington Court Plans and agreement of reorganization of General Theatres Equipment, Inc., have been filed in the office of the register in chancery court, Wilmington, Del. The plan recently was approved by Chancellor Wollcott. The filing was accompanied by a certificate signed by Ralph E. Morton, secretary of the reorganization committee, and a group of debenture bondholders. The original is now on file with the City Farmers Trust Company of New York, depository for the reorganization committee. Academy Course Postponed The opening of the Research Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' course in the fundamentals of sound recording, scheduled for last Monday at the Hollywood High School, Hollywood, was postponed a week due to the illness of A. P. Hill of Electrical Research Products, Inc., instructor. Holiday Parties In Offing Members of the Independent Theatre Owners of America held a regular meeting Wednesday to discuss the annual ball to be held at the Astor Hotel in New York January 11. Harry Brandt is chairman. The Motion Picture Salesman, Inc., will hold a meeting late this week to plan for the annual New Year's Eve affair to be held in the New York at the Plaza Hotel.