Variety (Mar 1937)

Wednesdays March 3, 1937 PI CT E S VARIETY If Modified NRA (Cpntinue<i from page 23) i be up to the inner industry organi- zation or association to carry, these rules into ieffect and make them, stand up; Howeyeri before this could be done, legislation must be i?asse<i so that these, organizatioiis for each in- dividual industry can operate with- put v iolating the currently existing antirtirur&t laws Aisked what the attitude of the Motion Picture Producers and is- tributors associatioii would be oh sbnie revised or new form 'of NRA setup, Will H. Hayes last week said the position: of the association could not be butlihed until it was known more definitely the details of such project. HoweyeiF/he indicated that the association would: take ho part ih, the Industrial Progress discussioQS of Wages and hours in Waishingtbn, -which is . the same attitude taken previously by the Hays Office when Major Berry's industrial confab was called last December^ In taking this stand, several months ago, Haysians and . the industry generally merely kept step with othfer industries in ignoring the Berry parley. Feeling then was that when the. admihi^a- tioh definitely outlined its plahs on a substitute for the NRA it Would be time enough to enter into discus- Leaders in the trade ,are hopeful that the substitute NRA project;will be knpvvn in full within the hext few weeks, so that various exhibitor, distributor and producer associatipnis cah discuss its import and .lay plans to remedy any supposed injustices. With the MPTb A convention skedded tpx this , month,, spokesmen for that orgahizatioh expressed hope that ' this would be . in shape so they coiiid sutvey all detaps >nd take needed action, at the conclave Schwartzwald's First ^ Feature; Short Budget Miiton Schwatzwald, of Mentone, ns prepiaring sipring production of 'April in Vour Eyes' (tentative title), original script by Arthiir .'Pierspn, Will be Schwairzwald's first fulir length picture and . ill be made, on limited budget. Pic will be farce'' with incidental music, story, being about at radio singer. Script is in stage form, adapters, irector,- com- posers and cast hot yet set; Produc- tion, planned for spring, probably ih New York. Piersoh is le^it actor. is is his first dramatic script, though he has done some, writing loir radi . Natalie Knapp^ of this William Morris, office, handled sale. AREA UP 40% Washington's :Keynote Washington, March 2. Revival of a modified NRA with limited powers, but more stringent control lof. business, was ■ fore shadowed today .by .monumehtal re- port reviewing Blue Eagle history, analyzing operation of code system and recommending future policies. With outlines of new law still un- settledr President Roosevelt sent Congress the, report, with a message pointing, out the committee findings 'should furnish invaluable aid to the .Congress, in the conisideration and determination of vital legislative problems.* said .the docu- ment deserves serious pondering be- cause the matter of regulating labor and trade practices is 'one. of the most vital subjects of natibhai con-. ■:Cerh,' r Confined to objective scriatiny of lue Eagle operations, report says: ig increase in labor income was brought about, by codes. Substantial progress t- 'ard definite national labor policy was made under NRA • auspices. While many deficiencies appeared in codes and: aditiinistra- tipn, principal reason why the NRA flopped, was lack of previous experi- ence combined with need for- speed and vague' policies. Numerous indus- tries discovered"' .40-hour limU wa:§ beneficial rather than costly' or re- strictive-* ■The committee, consisting of Prof. J. M. Clark, Columbia University economist, and George M. Harrison, president of Railway, Clerks Brother- hood, did not analyze in detail any of the 400-odd codes negotiating dur- ing 1933, but referred to many of them ai examples of certain policies, accomplishments or failures. Only amusement pact mention was the legit code which was noted as exiample of exceptionally, broad dele- gation of . authority to the. code aur thority and the first code, to recbg- ize contracts hegbtiatied between industry membersi Both these features were related to ticket con- trol prpyisibns.; Although the President failed to . signify Whethier-he agriees geherdlly with dommittee .views; the report was accepted: as ihdication that re- newed attempts to control labbr and triside practices; ill be patterned aftei' the Blue iSagle, but 'with seri- ous attention given to imprbying codification, adhii jstraition, and en- forcement. Committee "remarked, .that one ,of NRA*s chief faults was desire to; do too much at one stroke^ pjus fact that 'wholly unexpected degrees of complexity' were encountered in solvirig siniple-lopking piroblems. ittsburgh, March t. 'That prosperity has definitely xe tuiiried to the Pittsburgh area is re- flected in unofficial'.reports, from all over territory that biz is up more that 40% over same periocC last year Indies and circuity- alike are sharing in increased biz and * being credited to many things, including industrial boom, i>i reduction ^h local transportation rates, and gen eral. improvement in product;' . Generally knpwn that Warner zbne of . more than 60 houses is i n the black again after several years bS heavy' losses and will show a nifty profi.t this season, as it did last. Once the dog, of the WB chain, Pittsburgh zone is, now the shining light, with a lot, pf credit , going to smart organ ization Harry Kalmihe, zone hiah- ager has built up. Elsewhere, too, iz zooming, liebirth Of, Harrisf chain, after five years of inactivity due to isale o:: circuit to WB, is putting family of pioneer shpwmen back, oh map. Ace house, Alvi , has been a cprisisteht winner all year aiter spmp setbacks season ago and expansion program is likewise showing profitable results That goes, too, for downtown's other first-runner, Fulton, owned by Shea- Hyde interests, which a year ago was doiiig an' average biz of only about $3,8DO weekly. This year so far that figure has gone up around! $5,300, a barometer-of Conditions generally^ St. Paul, March 2. Legalizatioh of slot machines a:nd imilar mechanical 'games of , skill' Aggressive Fihn^Radio Campaign Diseases Troy, N. .y.,; March 2. A soundfilm, 'For All Our iSakes,' is being shoWn. by the N, Y.' Statie Department of Health as part of the aggressive, showmanlilce campaign now under way in the fight against social diseases. In connectiPn with a two-day educational; institute in Troy recently the pictute was screened the Times building Pn one .of-the: city's-busiest-ijorners. :An operator frbm the department han- dled the film. Also on exhibition, under floodlights, viras.- a series of posters on hygienic diseases drawn by WPA artists. Herbert W. Cumr mi , director of the social, hygiene division of the Stalie Health DiEipart- meht, had charge Pf the exhibit, to which, the public was invited. . Raidio is likewise ioeing used in the drive. A playlet bh syphilis, pre- sented over WGY by the Health Hunters, departmeht acting, unit. Was waxed for distribution .to 16 upstate stations brbadca^ti the troupe's weekly oflferihg. Restriction. pn 'cheap movies" nd. enforcement Of a rigid bah. on 'de- generate movies that are smuggled into the epuntry, the kind they show at smokers and other gatherings,* were advpcated^^by one speaker in a syihposium on syphilis conducted by Troy character-building agencies. Mer|ing Forces lansion , Cincinnati, ;March 2, Ike Libson of south-centrai Ohio theatre interests! and Joe iSku-boll of Toledo and northwestern Ohio the aire interests, are joi ing forcies for the purpose of organizing o new in- dependent theatre. ciircuit throtighbut the state and terWtory, Are nbw in the' market for the- atres, and have sent scouts out through the state to hunt up avail- able houses for imme'diate purchase. Also considering possibility of build- ing a few medium-sized houses in likely spots. Sonja Henie s K.C. Ice Frolic A Fro^t; l$t Time Loss at the B.O. Cut-Rate Hollywpod,.March 2. Medicos who play Holly wood- ians for sucker^ are another accepted. Probably tops for M.D. , stories iS'an incident Pf a; French : film femme who liad, slight; traffic mishap. After treatment for bruises, doctor was asked what nick would .be. ■ 'I usually charge ,$10 a call, but for you, my dear, it will be, $15,' was his . Smilirig reply- but on the level. Bomb Victim on t*ic Set to Hollywood, March 2. George E. Daley, 48, former Ma- rine and gunnery expert, who was killed in an explosion of a bomb on the set of" Universal's 'The Road Back' Feb, 24, left his - $10,000 i ' - ance pplicy the Red Cross and the Salvation army, police revealed. Daley, unmarried, is survived by two sisters livi in the east. was; recomihended Minnesota's General LegislatiPn committee of the currently coh.vening- lower house; Another major legislative deyelop- meht was introduction of a: Tneasure to prohibit motipn picture producers or distribs frem operating theatres. Slot maichirie bill would give mu- nicipalities authority to license oper- ators .of slot machines, inball games and similar- devices, ile distribu- tors of these machi would;be.li- censed by the state;. . Annual tax would, be: istributors, $500 for the first slot machine and; $50 foir- each itional device; for operators. $50 for the. first machine and $25 for each additional. ingham, March 2. he city of. Tarrarif has set March 10 as. the date on which an election will be held to deter , ine the Siia- day. film qufestoh; Petitions have been circulated, requesting the shew- dovvn. Tcnin.'s 3% Memphis, March. 2. State legislature is considering a bill to tax all ix houses .3% of gfoss per 'year* Pearson s Death Still a West Coast Mystery iBanhing, Cal., March 2. Mystery surrounds the- gunshpt death of Humphrey Pearson, Holly- wood, scenarist, in his. Palm Springs home Feb. 24. Coroner's jury failed to ascertain' Whether Pearson ended his life or died under criminal cir- cumstances. His wife, Mrs. Rive King Pearson, was top hysterical to testify at' first but, later told the sheriff the gun went off accidentally while they grappled for. it during drinking session. She said she feared he would try and attempt suicide as on such previous " • ' " _ T'earson was an' advertising man before he! began writing., His first piece was 'Shoe.string,' musical com- edy dealing with the backstage. He dialogued 'Broadway Babies,' with Monte Katterjohn and CQllabed on 'What Price Hollywood.' He worked on.'Bright Lights, "Top Speed,' 'Go- ing Wild,' 'Sunny* arid.-Ruggles of Red Gap.' In 1932 he began writing for radio and in 1934 wrote the screen play for 'The Great Flirtation.^ Pearson, ill health in recent years, rarely went to Los Angeles, but; spent,most.of his time in. Pjalm Springs., St. Louis, March 2.- A cop and robber drama was pro-, duced in ireal life in center of film row Thursday (25) and two bandits, later, identified as having robbed cashiers of : three houses of $118. a few. days before, were slain in pistol diiel with. poUce, during which .a. d e t e c t i y e sergeant was fatally wpunded. Dolores Cook, cashier at Maffltt, north St. Lotiis habe, was first victini early liast week when she shbved $25 to a bandit who pushed .gat through ticket window and demanded dough. Bandit fled from scene in auto driven by pal. Harriett Piersall, eashier at .l«p- tbwh, West End nabe, ytzs next vic- time and gave up. $12 at point of giih, bandit using saine tactics. From LticiUe Reidt, cashier of Ahsell Bros.' Empress, in heart of midtown amuse- ment .sector, bandit obtained $81 and made getaway in car. Description of bandits tallied. and Thursday (25) .Detective-Sergeant Jbhn T. SuUivain and Detective Ray ihond Roesler, learning that stolen Pars bandits used in jobs had been abandoned near hotel on film row, decided to canvass place. They were directed to room occupied by Alvln Mott, \% tietroit, and Ray Rusch. 19, Flint. Mich,v both of whpih escaped, frpin Michigan State prison at Jackson Feb. 19, by scaling a wall. Whcin door, was opened at re- quest of woman clerk of hotel, Mptt and Rusch began pistol , duel. Rusch was shot to death in room and Mott, who jumped from window, was fatally Wounded by other cops as he was escaping from scenie in a commandeered automobile. Sullivan was .shot three times through the body. Both men were identified at the morgue as theatre stickup experts. Since Jan. 1 cashiers in six theatres, all nabes, have been-robbedr Wooster, O., March ;2. Two men ^yho blew the safe at Schine's here escaped with between $600 and $1,000 aftes. binding the janitor, Who surprised them, when he entered the theatre. The robbers ripped the inner strong.box frpm th<2 safe and .carried it away. GN'S MAYNARD JIUSTANGERS -HollywQod,. March . 2i Deal has been consummated be- tween Grand National, George Hitii- man and M, H. Hoffman of Condor Pictures for GN release of next eight Ken Mayhard westerns. Maynard's last six .mustangers were released, by Cplurribi IL-ansas City, Murch;2. Sonja Henie can put K, .C. down on her never-again list, if she hasn't already done So. Almost without precedent as concerns personal ap- pearance, Miss Henie's p. a. was as miangled as. a fresh ground- hambur<p ger. Unlike the huge grosses Where- ever She has appeiaired, this time a. $1,000 loss was chalked ut> by the producer. Jay Howard. , Booking was completed Wednes- day (24) by Howard (his first splurge sincie setting .himself uP as ft bopker and producer here a week and a half ago) for appearances by the skater Saturday and Sunday (27-28) at the Pla-mor riiik. He flooded the town with puiblicity and kept his. story on page one of both papei-s but to no avail. The $3.30 top he asked muted.. the opening matinee audience Satur^ day. . Miss Henie's perfbrmahcp. ac- counted for the two small audiences Saturday night and .for the Sunday mat. . Miss Henie reluctantly accepted the dates sans her company. Np at- tempt was made to,produce .show' arPund her. Instead a ;groiip of me- diocre IPcal acts, spme not even cos- tumed, were spotted to space her numbers, Lighting and music ^^Svere nil, and inadequate. , But' the ice played the major role in the fiasco. The Pla-mpi: besides the "flat rental slapped pn a 10% clause, somethi very rare fpr the Pla-mor; then de- livered the'rink in ia ,conditioh local tee addicts 'described as .'atrocious.' On her initial appearance at Sat- urday matinee Miss. Henie glided to center of the rink and tpok a seater., She lieft the ice after about two niin- utes of plain skating. She came back in about 10 minutes, tp agai. tackle, the rough ice, did a few spins iand simple iflgures and again left. the ice rather than risk injury with her spectacular routines. Howard re- funded coin to the small audience that attended the mat Miss Hcnle went on again for a night p^rfpi'mance and for at mat Sunday, bpth to sntall audiences, The ice was still in bad condition and she was unable to work teffectively. The producer insisted thb' star was being temperamental, butdudrences. were inclined to believe that Miss Henie was Using; very good judg- ment., ., She is en route to the.Coast, where she will remain a few days before returni tb fill dates ih Cleveland, Syracuse and other eastern points. Work; on her next picture is skedded to start within next four pr five weeks. Sonja'fl Temperament Chicago, March 2. ToWn'is still crackling with rever- berations of the Sonjai Henie per- spnality In the Ice Show at the Sta- dium two weeks ago, but the man- agers and fellow performers are in a general pout, and burn-up over the Henie temperament. Following the newspapers' lauda- tory comments' and buildup for Bess Ehrhiart as a top figure .skater and ice ballet dancer, \Miss Henie Is now readying for a return showing in Chicago ' April, Coming ice show will not include any performers or skaters who appeared with her two weeks: ago. Pbr.tsmouth, O^. March 2. Police here are; seeltiiig a robber who forced a girl cashier at the Gar den to hand him last Sunday's, re ceipts, estimated by Manager Cv -A. Metro ,at $310. The man, who staged the hold up in the crowded lobby; fled i automobile. Radio Connnunity Sing Idea for 20th-Fox Pic AUTRY'S PERSONALS Gene Autry, Republi western player, ill make' a Series of per- .sonal, appeara'lice tburs this ' between picture asisgnrnciht.s. . . Martin . Waghcr. of; the Williiam IWLorris oftice,. booked. Ramblers Encore Radio Ramblers start wo.r new short; for WB March 23 Brooklyn Vitaphone siudios^ on a the Lirglars forced exit at Virginia Theatre, Champaign, III., last 'wPek, shoved, safe; containing $2,O00 and weighing a ton to rear door, loaded it on truck and escaped, Money rep- resented several days' receipts. Truck, minus strong box, was fpurtd abandoned several miles from Champaign by sheriff's deputies. Frecl Stone's R^juver Hollywood, March 2. Fred Stone's initialer at RKO after his illness of several months \yill be 'Ballyhoo Artist,' to be prbduced by MaUry Cohen, tory is by Avthur T.^ Horman." Stone has been for some time. Hollywood, March 2. verybody ing,' Ben Marksph musical, based on the radio com- munity .turte garglersf has been set for .March 15 prodhction SoI'.M. Wiirtzel at 26th-Fox. Marti . Leah. Ray, Joan Davis Dixie Dunbar top cast. plari-y Akst ahd Sidney Clare are writing the songs. MiltoA.-Feld will be associate producer. lyucille Ball's RKO Optipn Due; Slated for Gtiestera Lucille Ball, RKO player, featured i recent Bartlett Gormack legit comedy, 'Hey, Diddle, iddle,' left for; the Coast; Saturda> (27), plan- ning a two-day Stop-off to visit her Jamestown, N. home en .route. Will do guesters on the Shell> Cha- teau and Lux programs and is considered for comedy part screeh version of ' tage Door.' Her RKO option renewal comes up in three mbhths.