Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1935)

30 MOTION PICTURE HERALD December 7, 1935 H€LLy>VO€D... (.Continued from page 27) nine, including "Around the World in 80 Minutes," "Rain" and "Abraham Lincoln." MGM had six ranging from "Billy the Kid" to "Dancing Lady." These figures are for September of this year only. Great films of the past are outdrawing, in a good many cases, current product. Coast exhibitors who have made a success of reissues have stressed the fact that they are offering opportunity to see films which most persons have heard about but which many missed. A strong play also is being made for attention from high school youngsters who were too young to enjoy these films in their first release. With the purposeful aim of stimulating independent producers to produce a better class product, Henry EUman, midwest exchangeman, has completed several days on the West Coast, where he worked on plans entailing the establishment of exchanges up and down the Pacific Coast. Mr. Ellman is of the opinion that the independents can compete favorably with the class B product of the majors with little or no extra expenditures over that now put into inferior product. The exchangeman held several informal meetings with all the important independent producers on the Coast and it is understood that most of them plan to fall in line with his drive for better films. Mr. Ellman expects to return here soon to complete final plans for establishment of his Coast system. Fox Midwest Is Extending Double Feature Policy Fox Midwest has instituted double billing in several spots throughout the Kansas City territory, notably in Wichita, and is understood on good authority to be planning an extension of the policy. Two of Fox's first run theatres at Wichita, the Orpheum and Miller, began showing two features late in October and the company's theatres in Winfield and Arkansas City introduced duals early this month. Pittsburgh, Kas., is reported the next city to present two features, according to Fox Midwest plans. The success of Fox houses on the west coast with double bills has, it is understood, led Spyros Skouras, who favors the plan, to ask for an increased use of it in the Kansas City territory. Look for Koenig Settlement William Koenig has discontinued his activities at the Warner studios in Hollywood, although a settlement of his contract has not yet been reached with Jack Warner. Koenig's duties have been divided between Tenny Wright and Joe Gilbert. Pantages Will Hold Previews Arrangements have been completed by Samuel Goldwyn and executives of the Alexander Pantages Theatre Circuit, Inc., on the west coast, whereby Goldwyn's future pictures will all be previewed in Pantages houses. United Artist will continue to release the films as in the past, however. NBC Coast Studio Opening Broadcast The "wedlock" between radio and motion pictures envisioned by Merlin H. Aylesworth, president of the National Broadcasting Company, in Hollywood as far back as 1932 comes a step closer with the formal opening on Saturday of NBC's new coast studio in the location formerly occupied by Consolidated Film Industries, Inc., at 5515 Melrose Avenue. The project was first broached by Mr. Aylesworth in a general press conference held at the RKO-Radio Studios in Hollywood over three years ago during which he scoffed at any impressions which may have been afloat at the time that radio was a menace to the motion picture industry and gave it as his analysis that a wedding of the two would redound to the mutual advantage of each form of entertainment. He also made public NBC's plan for the broadcasting plant which is about to open and expressed the hope that the coast film studios would take advantage of its facilities. Leading film, radio and stage personalities will participate in the dedication which will be broadcast over a coast-to-coast NBCWJZ network from 10:30 P. M. to midnight. Eastern Standard time. David Sarnoff, president of Radio Corporation of America, will speak from New York, while Will H. Hays will extend congratulations from Hollywood. Richard C. Patterson, Jr., executive vice-president of NBC, and Don Gilman, vice-president of NBC in charge of the Western Division, will also take part in the dedication. Ruth Etting will send greetings from Hawaii and others who will appear on the initial program include Gladys Swarthout, Marion Talley, Irvin S. Cobb, Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Al Jolson, Wallace Beery, Anne Jamison, Ginger Rogers, Nelson Eddy, Edgar A. Guest, Phil Regan, Bing Crosby, Joe Penner, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and George Jessel. The announcing will be handled by James Wallington, Don Wilson ~and Sam Hayes. Mr. Aylesworth is now enroute to California from New York and will arrive Friday, as are Herbert J. Yates, president of Consolidated, whose company was in charge of construction, and W. Ray Johnston, president of Republic Pictures Corporation. The old Consolidated plant has been completely rebuilt along modern lines and has been made fireproof and earthquake-proof. All construction has been in accordance with the principles followed and developed in Radio City and the latest technical, soundproofing and air-conditioning equipment installed. RCA apparatus is used throughout. The main building is two stories high, houses three studios and various offices and is 140 feet long and 75 feet deep. Pantages Issue Filed With SEC The Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington has listed the registration of an issue of certificates of deposit for the first mortgage six per cent bonds, dated June 1, 1926, to a principal amount of $425,000 by the Committee of Depositors of Alexander Pantages First Mortgage Bonds of Portland, Ore. CLTTINe CC€M {Continued from preceding page) is his wife' and Diana Gibson, making her debut, is the girl with whom he finds romantic happiness. Other principals are Robert Armstrong, now in "Remember Last Night," the veteran comedian, Charlie Murray, Dewey Robinson, Guy Usher and Matt McHugh. Supporting players listed are Richard Alexander, Edwin Maxwell, Edward Earle, Matty Kemp, Billie Gilbert, Lloyd Whitlock and Grace Cunard, one time queen of the serial thrillers. Whispering Smith Speaks 20th Century-Fox — Principal This is an action adventure drama story, with romance, told against the background of railroading. In it, while the motivating character retains the wholesome virile appeal for which its star, George O'Brien, is noted, thrill is not lacking even though in attaining it O'Brien discards his bucking bronchos for a careening locomotive cabin. The story is based upon the character "Whispering Smith," which, as created in novels and short stories by Frank H. Spearman quite some time ago, enjoyed a popular vogue among fiction readers. Adaptation is by Gilbert Wright and Rex Taylor, with screen play by Dan Jarrett and Don Swift. The director, David Howard, previously handled O'Brien in "The Rainbow Trail" and more recently in "Thunder Mountain." While O'Brien's presence in the production should take care of the necessary name value matter, popularity of the featured and supporting players is something worthy of showmanship consideration. The principal supports are Irene Ware, seen recently in "Cheers of the Crowd" and "The Raven," among other pictures, as the center of romantic and dramatic interest, and Kenneth Thomson, recently in "Broadway Melody," who is the menace to O'Brien's romantic and commercial ambitions. Other players are Spencer Charters and Victor Potel ; Maude Allen, recalled for her work in "The Cowboy Millionaire ;" Edward Keane, Frank Sheridan, William V. Mong and Maurice Cass. In the story, the entertainment character of which, as it deals with railroad men and the adventures and perils of railroading not only on the tracks but behind the scenes, makes for action appealing to the popular mind, substantiating production effects are of high caliber, as noted in the climax when O'Brien makes a record-breaking overland dash in a locomotive. Eugene Zukor Is Club Choice Eugene Zukor has been nominated, without opposition, for the presidency of the Paramount Pep Club, which holds its annual election on December 10. Joseph J. Dougherty has been named for the vice-presidency, and candidates for the board, two of whom will be elected, are Henry Anderson, Arthur Israel, Jack Roper and Dr. Emanuel Stern. Lease Radio City Offices Charles A. Rossi, president of United Film Distributors, has leased space for new offices in the RKO Building, Rockefeller Center, Manhattan. His former headquarters were in Hoboken, N. J. DuWorld Has Science Series DuWorld Pictures, Inc., has acquired the world distribution rights of the "Popular Science" series of short subjects produced in Cinecolor by Jerry Fairbanks.