Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1943)

6 S H O W M EN'S TRADE REVIEW July 3, 1943 Major Albert Warner Joseph Bernhard Samuel Schneider Charles Einfeld Mort Blumenstock Arthur Sachson Roy Haines Jules Lapidus Warners to Announce Product Plans at New York Meet; May Continue 'Tlexible'^ Policy Ben Kalmenson W'arp.er Bros.' home office, studio executives and sales staffs for the Eastern, Mid-Atlantic and Central territories gathered in New YorkThursday (1st) for the first of three regional meetings for the discussion of forthcoming product and policies to govern the distribution of pictures on the 1943-44 program. No advance information was given regarding the number of pictures Warner would offer on the new season schedule. However, it is expected that the flexible policy adopted two years ago will be continued and that the company will not make commitments at this time for a larger number of features than Warner delivered during the current season — which will close with a total of 23 pictures offered between September 5, 1942 and July 24, date set for the final release ("The Constant Nymph") of 1942-43. All three of the scheduled meetings will be presided over by Ben Kalmenson, general sales manager. In addition to home office and studio executives, the Eastern sessions brought together district managers, branch managers and salesmen of the territories embracing New York, Albany, Buffalo. New Haven, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Home office executives participating include, in addition to Kalmenson, Major Albert Warner ; Joseph Bernhard, vice-president ; Sam Schneider, assistant to Harry M. Warner ; Charles Einfeld, director of advertising and publicity ; Mort Blumenstock, in charge of advertising and publicity in the east; Arthur Sachson, assistant general sales manager ; Roy Haines, western and southern division sales manager ; Jules Lapidus, eastern division sales manager ; A. W. Schwalberg, supervisor of exchange operations : Norman H. Moray, short subject sales manager ; L F. Dolid, contract department head ; Edward E. Hinchy, head of playdate department ; Howard Levinson, legal staff; Jacob Wilk, eastern production manager; Albert S. Howson, eastern scenario editor ; Mitchell Rawson, eastern publicity manager ; Martin Jurow, head of talent bureau in east ; Robert Scliltss, general foreign manager ; Joseph S. Hummel, foreign sales manager ; Gil Golden, advertising manager ; Bernard R. Goodman, advertising accessories sales manager; Charles Baily, assistant to Moray ; A. C. Brauninger, H. M. Doherty and Stanley Hatch, sales department. Field group attending the New York meeting included : District Managers : Harry A. Seed, Metropolitan ; Norman Ayers, Eastern ; Robert Smeltzer, Mid-.'Xtlantic ; Charles Rich, Central. Branch Managers : Clarence Eisenian, New York ; Paul S. Krumenacker, Albany ; George W. Horan, Boston ; Max Roth, Buffalo ; Carl Goe-, New Haven ; William G. Mansell, Philadelphia ; Charles Beilan, Cleveland ; Fred W. Beiersdorf, Washington ; James S. Abrose, Chicago ; C. W. McKean, Indianapolis ; F. D. Moore, Pittsburgh. Among the completed pictures being carried over into next season are "Arsenic and Old Lace," "Thank Your Lucky Stars," "Watch on the Rhine," "Old Acquaintance," "The Desert Song," "Adventures of Mark Twain." "Princess O'Rourke," "Saratoga Trunk," and several others. Now shooting are: "Shine On, Harvest Moon," "In Our Time," "Northern Pursuit," "Passage to Marseille," "Destination Tokio" and "Conflict." Pictures scheduled to start soon include "Rhapsody in Blue," "Battle Cry," "The Young and the Brave," "Gay Nineties," "The Horn Blows at Midnight," "Uncertain Glory" and "Mr. Skeffington." New season's program also will be augmented by special releases, including "This Is the Army," to be announced at the sales meeting. Short subject lineup will be the same as last season, with several timely new series in the group. Following the New York sessions, there will be regional meetings in Chicago, July 8-10, and San Francisco, July 15-17. St. L. to See 'Heaven Can Wait' "Heaven Can Wait,'' the Ernst Lubitsch production starring Don Ameche and Gene Tierney, will have a pre-release opening in the Ambassador and Fox theatres in St. Louis, Mo., the week beginning July 8th. National release date for this Technicolor special has been set for Tulv 23rd. Producer Eddie Cantor Sizes Up Show Business "People are so fed up with the serious things of life that a girl and eight harmonicas can gross a million !" So spoke Eddie Cantor in a New York interview this week explaining his plunge into the producing ranks via "Show Business' for RKO Radio. The comedy star pointed out that musicals are hot w4th the public just now, but not only because audiences have turned from serious fare merely to escape the realities of war. "It is not entirely a matter of escapism," he said, "just a matter of good entertainment. The war pictures are not out if they are good — the big ones will gross plenty. The same goes for musicals. If we make too many bad pictures of this type they'll lose out as well. "It also has to do with audience moods. This is a period of great nostalgia — the people like to hear songs that stir their spirits. In 'Show Business' I'm going to do songs I have introduced as far back as thirty years. At least, they won't be able to say I'm not the type." Cantor's official connection with the new picture is as producer, star, and writer of the original story. He will not direct. His New York trip is for the purpose of finding new talent and to tie up some of the songs. In explaining his decision to become a producer Cantor said : "Alost people in show business have an accumulation of ideas they want to bring to light. RKO is going to give me a chance to do this. A guy can't have alibis if he is the producer and the star too. If this picture is no good the only thing I can say to exhibitors is that I couldn't handle that ham, Cantor." Jules Levey's 1st for UA Is O'Neill's 'Hairy Ape' Jules Levej', independent producer, has completed arrangements with United Artists whereby he will produce five pictures to be released by that company, Edward C. Raftery, president, announced in Hollywood Tuesday. Under the terms of his contract, Levey will deliver at least one feature production a year. Levey announced his first production would be a screen version of Eugene O'Neill's "The Hairy Ape." This is one of the few O'Neill plays which has not been transcribed to the screen. During its run, Louis Wolheim portrayed the leading role. Production on "The Hairy Ape" will start some time in Septemiber. Levey will make his headquarters at the Hollywood General Service Studio. Greenthal Receives Commission As Captain in Specialist Corps It is now Capt. Monroe Greenthal. The former UA advertising and publicity director has received his commission as Captain in the Army Specialists Corps and has been assigned to duty with the Army's Special Services. With headquarters in New York City, Greenthal will have charge of distribution of G.I. films, under his superior officer, Brig. Gen. Frederick Osborne. Greenthal was originally asked by Donald Nelson last August to take a post with the WPB. During his service in this Government branch he was identified with the salvage and conservation program. New Sales Boss for M of T William J. Kupper, executive assistant to Tom J. Connors, 20th-Fox vice-president in charge of sales, announced Wednesday that George A. Roberts had been made supervisor of "March of Time" sales and contracts. Mr. Roberts is a veteran in the 20th Century-Fox ranks.