Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1941)

October 4, 1941 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 27 Jane Withers (left) and Hedda Hopper Glamor, Excitement Mark Hopper Premiere Milwaukee, population 600,000, suddenlymushroomed overnight into a crowded metropolis of a million and a half for a few days last month during the American Legion convention, a highlight of which was the world premiere of "Hedda Hopper's Hollywood," Paramount short featuring the famed movie columnist, at the Palace Theatre. Four governors, a senator, three mayors, a U. S. Army general and a constellation of Hollywood stars participated in the ceremonies. Wisconsin Avenue, the city's principal thoroughfare, was roped off for the opening, and a crowd of 5,000 thronged the downtown streets. Klieg lights and lobby broadcasts imparted to the celebration all the glamor and excitement of the classic Hollywood "opening night." Hedda Hopper appeared in person on the stage of the Palace and introduced such visiting Hollywood luminaries as Carole Landis, Joe E. Brown, Anne Shirley, Evelyn Keyes, Jane Withers (see illustration) and Florence Lake. Congratulatory telegrams from 60 Hollywood stars, directors and executives were read by the actress-columnist, who distributed original copies to the audience. From Miss Hopper the spectators also received the contents of a crate of orange blossoms, which had been air-expressed to Milwaukee from Hollywood for the big event. Guests at the premiere included such national celebrities as Governor Julius P. Heil, of Wisconsin ; Governor Homer M. Adkins, of Arkansas ; Governor Sumner Sewall, of Maine ; Governor Frank M. Dixon, of Alabama ; Senator Harold F. Burton, of Ohio ; Mayor Carl Zeidler, of Milwaukee ; Mayor Maurice J. Tobin, of Boston ; Mayor Thomas C. Taggart, of Atlantic City, and General Alfred Cox, U.S.A. Talking Shop at Warners Gordon Hollingshead (right), head of short subject productions at Warner Bros. Studio, and Jack M. Warner, associate producer of short subjects, discuss their current busy production schedule. With increased interest in shorts already manifesting itself, Hollingshead and young Warner foresee even busier schedules ahead. SHORT SUBJECTS by SERIES COLUMBIA -1940-4W CornSold pleted Series All Star Comedies 18 Cinescopes 10 Color Rhapsodies 16 Columbia Tours 10 Community Sings 10 Fables Cartoons 8 Glove Slingers None How's Your I. Q 6 International Forum None New York Parade 6 Panoramics None Phantasies Cartoons 8 Screen Snapshots 12 Stooge Comedies 8 This Changing World. . . . None Washington Parade 6 4 World of Sports 12 8 -1941 -42-^ ComSold pleted All 9 10 All 8 All All 7 9 All 18 8 16 8 10 8 4 6 6 None 12 8 10 8 6 None 12 3 3 1 2 2 1 None 1 TOTAL 130 107 140 25 METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER Cartoons 18 13 16 None Miniatures 10 9 10 None Our Gang 9 All 10 1 Passing Parade 9 All 10 1 Pete Smith Specialties... 14 12 14 None Fitzpatrick Traveltalks. . . 12 All 12 2 Two Reel Specials 6 All 6 None TOTAL 78 69 78 4 PARAMOUNT Animated Antics 10 13 Color Classic None 1 Fascinating Journeys 6 All Gabby Cartoons 8 All Headliners 8 7 Hedda Hopper None Madcap Models 6 4 Paragraphics 6 5 Popeye 12 All Popular Science 6 All Quiz Kids None Robert Benchley 4 All Speaking of Animals None Special Cartoon 1 1 Sportlights 13 All Superman Cartoons None Unusual Occupations 6 All None None 2 None 6 6 6 None 12 6 6 4 6 1 13 12 TOTAL 86 86 86 15 First of 'Superman1 Exploitation Meetings Held by Para, in Boston The first of a series of meetings and luncheons for Superman newsdealers and franchise holders was held by Paramount last week at the Copley-Plaza Hotel in Boston. Purpose of the meeting, which was attended by Paramount salesmen and executives, Superman, Inc., executives, and wholesale distributors of the Superman comic strip, was to arrange details for local exploitation of the first Fleischer Studios Technicolor cartoon released September 26. Speakers at the luncheon included Oscar A. Morgan, general sales manager of short subjects and news; Monroe Goodman, his assistant, and Manny Reiner, short subjects publicity manager. Helen Broderick Narrating Shorts Helen Broderick, popular comedienne, was signed recently by Vice-President Frederic Ullman, Jr., of Pathe News as commentator for RKO-Pathe's new season's series of Picture People short subjects. Her first assignment was "Stars in Defense," a current release. RKO-RADIO Series Disney Cartoons. . . . Edgar Kennedy Information Please. Leon Errol March of Time Quintuplets Ray Whitley Picture People TOTAL ^—1940-41-^ r-1941-42— Com Corn Sold pleted Sold pleted 18 11 18 None 6 All 6 2 13 All 13 2 6 All 6 1 13 All 13 2 1 1 None 4 All 4 None 13 10 13 2 None 3 None 13 All 13 2 87 80 86 11 REPUBLIC Meet the Stars. 12 8 20TH CENTURY-FOX Adventures of Newsreel Cameraman 4 3 4 2 Dribble Puss Parade 4 2 None Fashion Forecast 4 None None Magic Carpet 8 10 12 2 Believe It Or Not None 1 None Sports Reviews 6 7 6 1 Terrytoons 26 All 26 7 World Today None 4 4 1 TOTAL 52 53 52 13 UNIVERSAL Cartunes 13 All 13 Going Places 15 All 15 Musicals 13 All 13 Special Subjects 1 1 1 Stranger Than Fiction. .. 15 All 15 TOTAL 57 57 57 9 VITAPHONE-WARNER BROS. Broadway Brevities. . Elsa Maxwell Hollywood Novelties. Looney Tunes Melody Masters Merrie Melodies. . . . Special Subjects. 9 All 12 2 3 All None 6 All 6 1 16 All 16 2 10 All 10 1 26 All 26 4 2 2 None Sports Parades 10 All 10 Technicolor Specials 6 All 6 1 TOTAL GRAND TOTAL. 88 88 86 11 578 536 597 96 WB to Make 2 More Ballet Russe Subjects Option for two more short subjects starring the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo has been exercised by Warner Brothers, it was announced this week in Hollywood. The subjects, to be filmed in January, will be "The Blue Danube," by Johann Strauss, and "Prince Igor," by Alexander Borodin. Two shorts featuring the famed ballet group have already been completed, and will be pointed to mass audiences, it was explained, rather than to "Joe Artist." Accordingly, they have been re-titled. "Gaiete Parisienne" is now labeled "The Gay Parisienne," and "Capriccio Espagnol" will go out as "Spanish Fiesta." Representatives of seven national magazines, including Life, Fawcett Publications, Pic, Click and Screen Guide, as well as a representative of The Netv York Times, visited the sets during production for photographic coverage. Twentytwo magazines and newspaper wire services also sent representatives for individual story coverage. From Latin-America came many prominent newspapermen to get special material on the subjects for their publications.