Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1939)

14 MOTION PICTURE HERALD January 14, 1939 PARAMOUNT'S 58 TO COST 28 MILLION {.Continued from preceding page) who this week contracted to make six "Hopalong Cassidy" and two Zane Grey pictures, the "Hopalongs" continuing with William Boyd. Schaefer Starts Windup Of RKO Playdate Sales Following designation by the company of January 28th to June 2nd as an 18week "George Schaefer Drive," to bring in remaining playdates for this season, the RKO president over the weekend outlined to home office and field sales officials the nature of product to come. Jules Levy, sales manager, had called the meeting at New York's Waldorf Astoria. Ned E. Depinet, vice-president, presided. Topping the new releases are "Gunga Din," "The Great Man Votes" and "Love Affair." S. Barret McCormick, advertising manager, has set up a $200,000 publicity campaign for "Gunga Din." Mr. Depinet reported to the delegates a substantial increase in both RKO domestic and foreign sales for 1938 over 1937. He will accompany Mr. Schaefer to Hollywood Friday for conferences with Pandro S. Berman, production chief, on plans for the remainder of the season and possibilities for next. Universal Starts on 1939-40 Product Plans Universal reported progress on formulation of its production policy and program for the new season, setting four serials for the year, starting with "The Oregon Trail," with Johnny Mack Brown starred and Henry MacRae producing ; "The Shadow Creeps," mystery detective story ; another "Buck Rogers" chapterplay, and "Conquering the Universe," starring Larry Crabbe — all running from 12 to 15 chapters. First indication of Universal's feature plans also came this week with the formation of Famous Productions, Inc., in Hollywood, by Harry Edington, who disposed of his talent agencies in California to produce from four to six features annually, for Universal release. In addition, he will arrange financing for other companies in which, he said, stars, directors and writers will share in the profits. Mr. Edington sold his Harry EdingtonFrank Vincent and Famous Artists agencies to Mr. Vincent and Charles K. Feldman. Formerly a production executive with MGM, he handled the affairs of Greta Garbo, Ann Harding, Gladys Swarthout, Grace Moore, Nelson Eddy and others. His production headquarters will be at Universal city. There Nate Blumberg, president ; W. A. Scully, general sales manager, and Joseph Seidelman, foreign manager, now are conferring on other phases of 1939-40 feature production. Warners Put Off Product Meeting After having determined on a series of conferences over two weeks to set 1939-40 product, Warner Brothers this week abruptly changed plans for the converging of all important home office executives on Burbank, where they were to meet Harry M. Warner, president ; Jack Warner, production head, and S. Charles Einfeld, in charge of advertising, the three of whom make their headquarters at the California studio. Gradwell Sears, general sales manager, instead, will lead the New York delegation westward. The company already has finished 40 of its 52 features scheduled for the present season. Short subject plans for 1939-40, however, get underway this week in New York with the arrival of Leon Schlesinger, to talk about next season's "Merrie Melodies" and "Looney Tunes," marking his ninth year as a Warner producer. "HOPALONG" BOOKED IN FILM CAPITAL Ever since Producer Harry Sherman inaugurated the "Hopalong Cassidy" western series in which William Boyd is starred, he has been attempting to get the pictures booked in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. This week after nearly four years of effort he announced that his battle had been at least partly won, for "In Old Mexico" was featured at the Hollywood theatre in Hollywood Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Columbia and United Artists' Plans Exhibitors again will find Joe E. Brown on Columbia's feature program, the company this week having signed the comedian to return to its studio for two years, starting with "Call Me Joe." This year marks the beginning of an extended attempt by Columbia to market French language films in this country. The company on Monday announced a series of "Famous Foreign Features," starting with "Life Dances On," in a special division in charge of S. S. Liggett. All are released with super-imposed English titles. Columbia's 1938-39 playdate drive opened Monday, designated as "Columbia's Personal Achievement Campaign," and to run to March 18th. First determination of United Artists plans will begin Thursday, following the company stockholders' meeting, in Hollywood, where Maurice Silverstone, operating head ; Alexander Korda, of London, and all of the producer-owners are in attendance. Mr. Korda will probably concentrate his future production in Hollywood, starting with his 1939-40 releases. These new product plans, together with the plans of Douglas Fairbanks, Edward Small and other UA associates are detailed further in column three. Baer to Grand National For Western Series The New Grand National will have Max Baer, prizefighter, on its 1939-40 program, Arcadia Pictures, Grand National producers, signing Baer Tuesday to appear in a series of westerns. Following the refereeing of a wrestling match next week in Boston, he will travel to Hollywood to start his first. Arcadia Pictures will also make six Tex Fletcher westerns for Grand National. Fine Arts, largest of Grand National's producers, will start on three others this month, and two more in February. Al Christie, the company's short subjects producer, has set up headquarters at the Grand National studio in Hollywood. He also may produce features. Selig, Saland, Standard, Warwick Have New Plans A. L. Selig, New York film press agent, entered distribution this week with the acquisition of U. S. rights on the French production, "Double Crime in the Maginot Line," a spy story in which various scenes are said to have been taken in the underground chain of forts built by the French. Headquarters have been established at 729 7th Avenue, New York. Nat Saland, president of Mercury Labora tory, New York, this week set a deal with Sam Katzman, head of Victory Pictures, under which Mr. Katzman will produce 12 features and eight westerns for 1939-40. George Laganas, Boston shoe manufacturer, will be identified with independent production in 1939-40, this week taking over the presidency of Standard Pictures and its distributing company, succeeding Barry Richard. They will first make a series of "radio reporter" features. Warwick Pictures, New York, on Monday announced the preparation of a series of four action features for the states rights market, including "Manhattan Shakedown," "Special Inspector," "Death Goes North" and "Murder Is News." Korda to Produce Mainly on Coast; UA Conferences Word from London indicates that Alexander Korda, managing director of London Films, hereafter, with the approval of his bankers, and at his own request, may concentrate most of his production activity in Hollywood. His first film may be "Thief of Bagdad," with Jon Hall, Sabu and an American actress. Another film will be made with Merle Oberon. United Artists executives congregated in Hollywood Thursday for a stockholders' meeting and other meetings this week involving new season product conferences and possibly a meeting of the board of directors. Also among the matters to be discussed is a new deal with Selznick-International. Attending the sessions are Maurice Silverstone, operating head of the company ; all of the UA producers, their attorneys and representatives, including those of Mr. Korda, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., and Charles Chaplin. James Mulvey, eastern head of the Goldwyn office ; Emanuel Silverstone, business representative of Mr. Korda ; James Roosevelt, Goldwyn vice-president; J. J. Milstein, business representative of Hal Roach, and Richard Dwight, of Dwight, Harris, Koegel and Caskey, attorney for Mr. Goldwyn, are on the coast for the conferences. New York and California banks have indicated to their respective United Artists producer-clients their willingness to finance the films of these producers. This is in addition to financing furnished to Mr. Korda by London interests, and to Mr. Fairbanks and his associates also by British interests. Two important California banks are providing the financing for Mr. Goldwyn and Mr. Roach. Mr. Goldwyn's requirements may run to about $7,000,000, while Mr. Roach will require in the neighborhood of $4,500,000. In New York the Guaranty Trust Company has provided financing for Edward Small Productions. It also is financing the Count and Countess Von Keller's "World Windows" short subject series for United Artists release. Mr. Fairbank's first production venture for UA release will be "The Tenth Woman," which Raoul Walsh will direct. The budget has been set at $600,000. The second picture is to be "The Californian," with a budget estimated at $750,000. Both are to be made in Hollywood The third picture probably will be "The Three Musketeers," to cost about $1,000,000 and will be made in either England or France.