Variety (Oct 1937)

Wedaesday, October 6, 1937 PICTURES VARIETY 2S (Continued from page 1) days which interfered with theat- tres, but the past Sunday (3) prob- ably brought a high in names on big programs for the exhibitor to lament. Included in those heard who have film foilowings were George Jessel, Norma Talmadge, Kenny Baker, Nel^n Eddy, Dorothy Lamour, Patsy Kelly, Irene Rich, James Melton, Grace Moore, Jean- ette MacDonald, Gene Raymond, Joe Penner, Tyrone Power, Margaret PuUavan, Jack Benny, Andy Devine, Constahce Bennett and various ohters, not excepting strong concert ' entertainers such' as Jeritza, plus others on the General Motors, Chase & Sanborn (Vallee was the m.c, in Don Ameche's groove), Ford and additional leading commercials. While other factors may have con- tributed, early box office .reports would indicate that Sunday's busi- ness with the air competition so potent was undef norma.'. The mats generally were fair or okay, but the evening patronage was off consider- ably in spots. One operator of a representative string of theatres in the east, in New York Monday (4) on business, de- clared that he couldn't even get his little daughter to go out to a picture show Sunday night (3), Op said that she refused to budge from the radio from 7 p. m. on and that she prob- ably isn't any rare exception^ con- sidering what was on the air. Coast's Reactions Hollywood, Oct. 5. Coast producers and exhibs' reac- tion to picture names appearing on the air leavfes the question still very- much up in the air with the only one company definitely favoring the< tieup; a couple non-committal; one not sure among producers, and a 'see no harm' attitude from Fox-West Coast exhibs. In all, five producers were queried; also Charles Skouras, operating head of Fox-West Coast, and local film row. William Le Baron of Paramount says, 'I received no complaints on the practice, but anticipate there may be some. Paramount is in a peculiar position, inasmuch as half of the studio's biggest draws were radio names before they came to pictures and had as much draw on the radio as they have in films, with beneficial action both ways. How- ever, the studio is trying to discour- age those not heretofore connected with radio from taking guest shots, but is powerless to prevent those With radio clauses in their contracts.' Metro execs declare they made a definite survey of the radio situation before okaying the studio tieup with General Foods. They point put that Metro's single show is keeping its talent from appearing on other ether programs strung over the' week. The Thursday M-G broadcast is especial- ly fixed to avoid conflict with the- atre attendance on week-ends, says Metro. (See ITO of Ohio story here- with on the exhib attitude.) Zanuck Favors Speaking for 20th Century-Fox, Dan-yl Zanuck answered, 'Co-opera- tion between radio and screen is giv- ing stronger proof each day that, by properly working together, .the ben- efit to each is mutual. Although radio has benefited more than the screen through this co-operation, the benefits will evenually be equal for both with closer co-ordination of ef- fort. Great care, however, must be taken in haying screen stars on the air, in manner and at a time that works out to the benefit of theatre operator's, too. This is being done at 20th Century with the added co-op- eration of our stars who always . mention our picture on their pro- grams and. where possible, even cities and theatres Where the films are playing.' At the RKO lot, Sam Briskin Wasn't sure, whether or not radio ■was helpful 6r harmful. He also re- ceived no complaints and heard no reaction at the studio. However, he said that radio might be a good thing for pictures. Hal Wallis, representing Warner ■Bros., reserved comment, saying ortly that the subject was too im- portant and has too m&ny angles to dismiss lightly. He thinks it re- , quu-cs much thought to asrive at a hnal conclusion as to the effects of radio on the picture business. The canvass of film row brought the consensus that exhibs have no fight with radio. . Fox-West Coast, through Operat- ing Chiet Charles P. Skouras, voiced jne opinion. 'There are no obstacles w hurt good pictures. Radio has not harmed attendance at our theatres. In many instances it has helped build grosses by generating interest in out- standing pictures.' Suburban theatre managers share the same view as Skouras and add that they too have felt no change in normal Sunday biz because of radio activity. WicUta 'Honor By Bowes Slow Cuts B.O. Wichita, Oct. 5. Attendance at fiver Fox theatres here was brutal Thursday night be- cause of radio broadcast of Major Edward Bowes who 'honored' Wichita on that night, according to J. Roy Burford, city manager of theatres here. Burford estimated receipts cut in half because show patrons stayed at home to hear program. Attendance was but a little better following night because pix fans stayed by radios to hear what Su- preme Court Justice Hugo L. Black had to say about his connection with Klan. All of this in spite of pictures such as 'Lost Horizon' and 'Certain Woman' which otherwise attracted good crowds. Goodman Wonder Shows reported sparse attendance Thursday night although drawing good crowds other nights since* opening here Monday. Even Masons wouldn't promise to attend golden anniversary celebra- tion at Shrine Temple here until general chairman, Harry Sefton, manager of the Orpheum, promised a radio would be installed for Bowes' broadcast. Mort Singer's Swing Chicago, Oct. 5. Mort Singer left for N. Y. last week to arrange bookings for his circuit after which he goes to Min- neapolis for more confabs, and then to some more with E. V. Richards in New Orleans. Latter gabfest will concern the re- cently acquired Mort Singer house in N. O. CONTRACTS Hollywood, Oct. S. George Nichols, Jr., moves into Republic on term directing pact. Paramount exercised its options on Billy Daniels, actor; Maurice Law- rence and Sam Wineland, scorers, and Philip Boutelje, music advisor. Term playing ticket was doled out to Marion Weldon by Paramount. Sid Kuller and Roy Golden drew new termers as Ritz Brothers gag- men at 20th-Fox. Universal optioned Jerry Sackheim for another year. Option on player services of Keye Luke was grabbed at 20th-Fox. Rebecca Wassem drew a Para- mount playing termer. New Metro contract scripters are John B. Sanford, novelist, and David Hertz, dramatist. Helene Costello joined 20th-Fox stock player roster on a term ticket. Walter Wanger tied Maria Shelton to his payroll for another year. Kubec Glasmon signatured a Metro writing termer. Darryl F. Zanuck handed John Stone a new two-year producer ticket a year in advance. Columbia renewed Jacqueline Wells' player' pact. Jon ' Hall's option hoisted by Samuel Goldwyn. Helen Broderick grabbed an op- tion pick-up at Radio. Warners dotted-lined Claude Rains to a new acting contract for one year. Dick Purcell retained for a fourth option period at Warners. STORY BUYS Hollywood. Oct. 5, Michael Sheridan's flying yarn, 'Something of a Hero,' purchased by Metro, George Batcheller bought 'Queen of Crome,' original by Martin Mooney. . , 'They Didn't Want Love,' ongmal by Adele Buft'inglon, purcha.sed for the P. J. Wolfson production unit at Radio. Radio acquired screen rights to Ursula Parrotl's novel, 'She Married for Money.' , , Julius Klein peddled his original, 'Central Park Speak.' to Columbia. Major Productions purchased a shooting script from Stanley Rauh on his original yarn, 'Hold That Kiss. Par's New Management Deal with Kincey-Wilby A new management deal with Harold F. Kincey and Bob Wilby Over a vast portion of the southeast which will run for a term of five years, is being worked out by Para- mount. Y. Frank Freeman, v.p. in charge of theatres for Par, states that it should be consunimated in two or three months. The old arrangement with Kincey-Wilby, which was not vitally different from the new one, expired last July 1. . The K-W interests operate in the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, being one oiE the largest and most important of the units in the Par theatre realm. With the new five-year deal under signatures. Par partnerships and management arrangements will be set for some time to come and with more perma- nency than was possible at the time of receivership and for the past two years. The deal with George Trendle over the Detroit group has three more years to go, the management arrangement with Marty J. Mullin and Sam Pinanski over New Eng- land has two years to go, and vari- ous other large units are under per- manent setups, including Saenger, E. J. Sparks in Florida, the Interstate chain in Texas, and the A. H. Blank circuits in Illinois, Iowa and Ne- braska. The Interstate chain and one of the Blank groups, Tri-States circuit, both of which were under buy-back options of receivership days, have sinde been declared per- manent 50-50 partnerships. Freeman's Dallas Trip On Interstate Tolicies' Y. Frank Freeman- is leaving the end of the week, probably Friday (8) for Dallas to confer with Karl Ho- blitzelle and R, J. O'Donnell, whose Interstate circuit two weeks ago lost a decision on fixing admission minimums for subsequent runs. Freeman is not going on the adverse ruling as it affects Interstcite, this being a matter for attorneys, but wants to contact Hoblitzelle-O'Don- nell on policies, operating problems in the Texas territory, fall and win- ter plans, etc. He will be in Dallas only four or five days, flying both ways. E. Paul Phillips, theatre depart- ment executive under Freeman in New York, was in Dallas last week on h.o. matters. He. returned to New York Monday (4) by plane. Navy Fliers Glorified Hollywood, Oct. 5. Warners has assigned Don Ryan and Kenneth Gamet to script 'Wings Over the Sea,' to be produced on a lavish scale in color as an epic of Uncle Sam's training school for aviators at Pensacola, Fla. Lloyd Bacon has been set to di- rect, Lou'Edelman producing, and Wayne Morris likely to draw the male lead. ?• Barbara Blane's $200 Award Against Agent Barbara Blane, child actress, won her suit against Sam Collins, agent, in N. Y. municipal court Oct. 1. She sued for $200 alleged due her, and which Collins claimed from 20th-Fox. Judge's verdict was based on the plaintiff's testimony that the defen- dant was operating a theatrical agency without a license. Suit originally was instituted against 20th for money withheld un- der an assignment of wages execute^d by Miss Blane. Film co. deposited the money with the court after in- terposing Collins, who claimed it was due him and not Miss Blanc. Chief Anzac Censor OKeilly Says U. S. Pix Cuts Sparse Since Breening Here's Hoping United Artists sent out a card to which was affixed a nickel and a riequest to read current page 8 in the Satevepost. Boys are hoping that U.A.'s next item of interest will be in Esquire, which will call for half a buck. . Story in two parts, by Grover Jones on '52nd Street* (which he wrote for Wanger) vir- tually makes the SEP a trailer for the picture. Stenog's Hmn Now Pointing at Col.; Not Very Successful Having campaigned against larger companies in New York in an effort to organize home office clerical and other help, the Bookkeepers, Sten- ographers and AecoTintants union is now going after the lesser producer- distributor offices. During the past week organizers pointed their objec- tive toward Coltimbia, getting out a brochure with attached application coupon which was worded as though it was prepared by Col people them- selves. It read in part: 'We film office workers have stood apart, hoping we were closer to the bosses, trusted and indispensible— indispensable to work overtime, trusted to take low wages.' Headed up as Columbians, it also urged that 'we need a union' and that 'we, too, can win wage increases and job security but only by joining our union,' For some time bombarding em- ployees of Paramount, Loew's, Me- tro, RKO and other home offices with demands to organize, so far as learned the drive of the GS&AU has been ineffective. TITLE CHANGES Hollywood, 02t. 5. Radio's 'She Married for Money' hits the release sheet as 'Trailer Romance.' 'Stolen Honeymoon' gets the call over 'Perfect Harmony' at same studio. Warners switched 'The Fourth Estate' to 'Unfit to Print.' Release tag of Universal's 'Young Man's Fancy' will be 'You're a Sweetheart.' Title Of 20th-Fox's 'Career in C Major' now is 'Such Women Are Dangerous.' Radio transmogrified 'Highway to Hell' to 'Danger Patrol'; 'Love in a Basement' to 'Living on Love,' and 'The Shadow Speaks' to 'The Perfect Alibi.' BACK TO SUN VALLEY Hollywood, Oct, 5. Wesley Ruggles, directing 'True Confession,' featuring Carole Lom- bard and Fred MacM'urray at Para- mount, is looking for a story that he can film at Sun Valley, Idaho, whe'n the snow falls. Success of 'I Met Him in Paris,' largely made at the Idaho winter resort, suggested the locale. SHUBERT-WB SUIT SHIFTED Piracy suit brought by Select The- atres Corp. (Shuberts) against War- ner Bros., involving the picture 'Ready, Willing and Able,' was trans- ferred Monday (4) from N. Y. su- preme court to the federal district court. Select avers the scenario is based partly on the story 'The Audi- tion,' which it owns, and asks $10,000 damages. ITO of Ohio Urged to Back Metro's Radio Night (Thurs.) with M-G Pix Columbus, Oct. S. 'Play MGM percentage films on the nights of the MGM radio show.' is the advice handed out by P. J. Wood, secretary of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio to members of his organization. Wood believes the radio hour which Metro will inaugurate Nov. 4 will keep the cus- tomers away from the nabes on that night and hurt business in the thea- tres where pix play only two and three nights. 'Metro's advertising agenls in- forentially admit that these broad casts might be harmful on the night they are given.' Wood said, re- ferring to the film company's state- ment that broadcasts were spotted on a night which would interfere least with the habits of the theatre- going public. 'Wo are therefore advising our members to play as many MGM pic- tures as possible on Thursday nights (the broadcast night), especially those pictures on which t'^oy arc giving a porcentngo.' Only about half as many deletions are made in American film produc- tions by the Australian censors sincft the Joseph I. Breen 'purity' produc* tion code of the Hays office was invoked, according to W. Cvesswell O'Reilly, chief government censor for Australia, who was in New York last week on his way home to Syd- ney. O'Reilly, who conferred with Hays organization offcials and briefly saw Breen in N.. Y., will stop off in Hollywood foi" about four days on his way to catch the boat home from the Pacific coast. Asked if British pictures were more difficult to handle than U. S. productions, O'Reilly simply referred to the inner reform (worlced by the Hays office) which began three years ago ^s Explanation of the change in American standards for screen decency. 'Formerly we had to make 50% cuts in American features,' he said. 'Now, the deletions average only about 25%, with a number of pic- tures requiring only 21% alterations.' Corhparing the improvement in U. S. features, as viewed by the Australian censors, he said that re- jections for American films how run 1.7%, Seven years ago rejections were 6% of the total.. O'Retlly at- tr,ibutGd this to the reform which began throe or four years back. Aside from general government rules, O'Reilly pointed out that each production was judged on its merits and intentions of the producer. There also is an appeal board in Australia in addition to the censorial group of three wiiich he heads but it sel- dom is necessary to call this Into service. The Public's Pulse Correct censorship should reflect to a large degree what the people want and do not want, in O'Reilly's opinion. He said that he kept tab on English and U. S. pictures by attending film shows and watching the audience reaction. In that way he learned what the general public desired and did not have to depend on his own pet ideas on censorship. The Australian censorship board keeps abreast of what other cen- sorial bodies are doing by means of regular lists of cuts made by other boards. His board in Australia re- ceives Copies of these frpm all state censor boards in the U.-'§. and from England. ' Questioned as to whether Australia censors watched out particularly for cruelty to animals in American films, O'Reilly said that any obvious cru- elty was trimmed but that so-called cruel treatment to horses in battle scenes were not clipped unless they were certain there was mistreatment rather than an illusion of such. O'Reilly envisioned an Increase in feature production in Australia. He indicated that the Australia quota act encouraged some of this because it required a certain number of Australian-made productions be shown in each cinema. At the pres- ent moment the bulk of screen pro- duction is in the short feature field where a large degree of perfection has been achieved. The strides that have been made with short features, including newsrcol.s, now point the way for building up feature produc- tion, in his opinion. Considerable enthusiasm was shown by O'Reilly for what was done with shorts. There are two news- reel companies presently In the Australian field, Cinesound and the Australian division of Fox Movie- tone, he said. There are between 3,000 and 4,000 picture houses in Australia now, with the finest located in Sydney where the average seat- ing capacity is about 2,500. O'Reilly spent five months in Eng- land and has been away from Aus- tralia tor seven months, this bolng his first big vacation in the 40 years ne has been in government service. Government rules allowed him 12 months off duty, and he will have spent approximately nine months of it away from his Australia when he gets back. O'Reilly will study pic- ture-making technique arid opera- tions of the Haysian code admini.s- tration in Hollywood, again confer- ring with Breen while on the Coast. Mono's 'Rose' Itcadyln°: Hollywood, Oct. 5. JoliMstcjn McCulley, fiction .scrib- bler, has checked in at Monogram t» script 'Rose of the Rio Grande.' Film will servo a.v" a starrin?? ve- hicle for Movita.