Variety (May 1938)

VARIETY Directors Flay Studios (Continued from page 19) and yoiir cpmmittee/ln an effort to keep forces of your puild Intact, and to prevent possible breakaway of wnit manaeers and assistant directors, then I can understand its publication In tiie trade press. However,' both you and I know, and members of our committee know, that it does not rep- resent, the attitude or the opinion of the committee's members represent- ing the producers. 'I will carefully' review What has; occurred to date: 'You and Howard Hawks came to see Schenck and requested negotia- tions be reopened. It was suggested you write Schenck for a committee to meet With you. Schenck appoint- ed a committee consisting of Eddie Mannix, Pandro Herman and myself as chairman. We met with your committee, consisting of Edward Sutherland, Gregory LaCava and yourself. 'You will recall we discussed at the meeting many 'suggestions iand matiy matters ..in your platform to which we objected. The suggestion was made by LaCava ^that we consider: this meeting as preliminary and that no one was to be bound by any sug- gestions or statements that were made. Riokgroiind "We were merely : to discuss the various points and then report babk to our main bodi. . And it was re- peatedly stated, and agreeable fo all that this meeting would taice no final action of any" sort. Nor would we hold you to any revisions that we suggested in. your platform. All of our discussions were tentative, sub- ject to later con(lrmBtipn' by your board arid our board. Yoii will recall from the .start of meeting we said we were certain it would bis impossible for us to negotiate with a guild con- sisting of directors,. assistant di- rectors, and unit managers. It was you, and not one of .iis, whp.then suggested the possibility of eliminat- ing unit managers from your group and retaining assistant directors. You will recall Mannix objected to this, as did Berlnan. 'Manpiic carefully explained his ob' Jections. However, we did state that we would put the proposition before our board and. before our. attorneys and you would do likewise, and then we would have later meetings and compare findings and results. We did this. Our attorneys a^ain piointed out Inconsistencies 'in duties of several groups in ypur guild; also that your guild had instituted proceedings be- fore the National Labor Relations board which would eventually lead to judicial determination of rights and obligations Of both sides of con- Iroveirsy, and advised us that prior to such determination ii would be unwise to negotiate. 'By reason of this unanimous ac-' tion by producers and their attorneys, Schenck suggested to me. that I im- me<liately contact you arid advise you of the outcome of our meetlriig.. 'So you would be familiar with ex- istence of our basic objection to Di- rectors* Guild as . now constituted, and so you could relay this Infor- mation to your committee, I got you on the telephone immediately. I carefully explained in detail what had occurred; i told you that we had done exactly as-we had agreed to do at our meeting with you. We had gone back to our parent body for instructions: We had received them, I then told you I hoped we would be able to continue negotiations, but that there was no sense in' our meet ing and wasting • each other's time unless you and your committee I could see some way of divorcing the assistant directors and' unit man- agers. 'You will recall that we discussed this over the telephone in detail. ducers have given it to us. As yet I am unable to understand what \ve did that we did not agree to do. If, however, you and your, committee reported back to your body and told them that, if they eliminated unit managers fi'om your setup, ^ye would definitely agree to accept asr sistant directors. Then I can under^ stand why it was essential for you to write this letter for publication at this ti ; but you riiust remember that nothing was agreed upon at our meeting. As chairman of the committee representing, the producers, I feel most concerned that you .and your committee have seen fit to tak^ the attitude- that you haye taken, and reflectetl as you have reflected upon members of committee and myself. ••Your letter seems to us to be written with the thought in mind PICTURES Ing; capltnl o.iocK. 5,000 preferred and JO.OOO common iltiiii*», pur f 1. rer- mltted io Ib,siio 3,801 prefeiTOd and 10.760 common nhnren. Ulreolom; Paul Clark Newell, Waller Noriimnly, Florence J. Newell. - ' . . Notice of Dissolntlon Sryron .Seltiilck tt Co., I.td.i capital BtocH, 125.0011; no (nibscilpllonsi. Ulrec- lors: Myion Selv.nli-k. .Mbert A. Kattf- mnn, Alwin .lolinmn, (Tills 1« an Inner tlve rompnny Vonnootoil will) Myron Sd/nlclt .t t-o.. l)iv. nissnlullon has no cKect on parent orKanliallon.) MissbuRi .Ipfrerson city. .*rt Th»nlr*ii, Inc.. Kinisna Oily: .Io conduct uiiiusi'in.-ni cnterprlncs In iiU tlie br»hclies ilu>ve(>f muil tlieiolo; to run and operalo Oientroa; to deal In and .die- pose of such i:i'!il ,1'ntaio as Is nocesaary to the condui t of nald bualness; liS shares, par value »50, J4,100 iiuiUorl-/.ed: Arthur Burke, Kansas Oily, 18 shares; Itarl MuUey, Kansas ruy, in shares: ,A1 Fabry, ..Sedalla, 13 Bhares suhncrlbed; the above named piirtlcs shall compose the board ot directors.. Urgesse ^ F-WC lads Los Angeles, May 10. Charles P. Skouras, prexy of Fox- that is not only basically false but | West Coast Theatres, last week is also injurious to every employee handed out bonus checks totalling (and in that category include riiy- $12,000 to distritit and house man- self) in this industry. That thought agers and bookers as awards in the apparently is that our views ate al- first quarter biislness drive of 1938. ways taken in bad faith, and those Top districts in the campaign^ere of jouE group always honest. those. , George Bowser and B. V. This attitude will always prevent Sturdivant, drawing bonuses of f3,900 any successful discussion or de-l and $3,800. respectively. termination of bur mutual problems.'' Incorporatibils NEW TQBK Albany. MerecB Brldce Corp. af Amerlcii, Man- hattan; theatrical business; capltnl stock, ::00 shares, no par value. Directors: Irvlnir B. J, T.evlne (llllnit attorney), T^re Rosenthal, IrvInK . D; aioao, 606 Fifth avenue.' New York. . Two Boquctii, Ine.. Vanhattan: the- atrical and amusement enterprises: 100 ahares,' no par value. Directors: Rose lAder, Ethel .Davis. Qeraidlue 'Welas, 11 K. .4<th street. New-Tork. .(Howard R. Reinbelmer. same address, ling at- torney.) Red Star Tlclnren. Corp-, New Tork: produce' motion pictures, deal. .In cameras; lllms: capital stock, 420,000;' )100 par value. Directors: Sara H. Thim.' Madeline Puwiero. A. Halperin's Prod. Yen Chlciago. May 10. I. M. Halperin, formerly produc- tibn chief for the Publix-ParSmount circuit and more recently operator bf local neighborhood house, the Fix, has sold his interest in . the house. Is going to the Cpast to break into picture production, Theatres-Exchanges .Omaha. Theatres in the territory are , ._ Joseph I changing hands at a ,rate uhprece- Haiidei (fliint attorney), S6 W. 44tii, dented here in past couple bf sea- "SJiio. corp.. New York: theatrical SOns._^The pas.t fortm^^^^ business: capital stock, 10 shares, no par Changes Of ownership to seven towiis. value. Directors: Gertrude Schorr, 2007- Chief, Weeping Water, Nepr,, has 62nd street: Marian Schoen, 1110 caton riurchased by Hi D. Bowers Of «iT"llreM" ji:Aiion''''fiei«Ms''''''h"^ Omaha for a reported price Of $8,500. .Tarre, 1270 Sixth avenue, Nev/ York, fli- Earl Kerr, who has been ciperating Ing attorney.) _ - the Princess theatre at Oskaloosa, Atta. im Kichaacc, Ino., Manhat- jg -gsj months, sold the house tan; motion picture business; capital v. i/i,;^^ stock, .«io.ooo: jloo par vaiii . Direc. last week. Stack .fit^Pierce tooK over tors: 'Walter BIbo, Lester S. Gluck,. Anna giving them control Of tlje tpwn. . aiobcs, 2 i.atayette-street. New York. Center, Clay Center, Nebr., has Molorcyrle AmuMmenti,. Inc.. Klnis; | jj^^^ j C. Shipley to Paul Tramp. The house ait Blue Hill, Nebr., neighboring town y/as also in- cluded in the deal. Theatre at -Utica,. Nebr, was pur- chased by Robert McGill froiri Paul Tramp. ' . Picture house at- Fullerton, Nebr. was acquired liy Lou' Heald last week. Theatre, at Niobrara, Nebr., has been sold by W. C KroU to Joe Liska. Bob Booth sold but his remaining Interest in the Booth theatre. Auburn, Nebr. He will o^ien a second run house in FreiTiont, Nebr., as soon as remodelling of the building' is completed. amusement' enterpriaea o£ all kinds; capital stocks 100 shares,, oo'.par value. Directors: Tom Baker, 48 Lake Place: Rfeorge Russo, 2770 W. IBlh street: Carl Klarnet. 916 Avenue O, Brooklyn. I.«nl Beach Club, Ihe;. Point LooKout: amusement .resorts of all kinds: capital stock, 200 shares, no par value. Direc- tors: Robert ' Uttle, Erllnd . Andans, Lone. Beach. Kmniett M. Kinff dHing attorney), 1776 Broadway, New York. >'a-Art Picture Co., Inc., Manhattan; motion picture business: capital stock;. 26 shares, no par valued Directors: Moe Mark, Dorothy Mark, 487 13. i'lX street; Gertrude Feller, 1248 Schenectady avenue, Brooklyn. Flaoet Pkture* Corp., rfew Tork: pi'o- duce molldn pictures; deal In films, etc::- capital stock, .120.000: ttOO par value. Directors: A. Jos. Handel (tiling at- torney), Sara H, ThIm, Madeline Pas- sero. 36 W. 44t.h street. New Vhrk. \ River. Shaaon'Bar and arlll. Inc., New York; operate cabaret and restaurant: capital .stock. . 100" shares, no par value. Directors: Ruliin . Breadber, Samuel Hobel, 'Lena Sciiert7e'r. 147.'; Broadway, New York. (R. U. Backs, same address, fllinv attorney.) Albany. Peter T. Dana, promoted from resident manager of Uhiversal's Al' bany branch to the same position in. EXPLOITATION Wednesday, May 11, 1938 By Epes W. Sargeot KRri <'lassro«m And that time, you did not object in 'T'":''- T,oni;. laian.i rity ' Change of DIrec Milrirh (;«rp'., Manhattan; theatrical the Buffalo exchgnge. was farewell- husineaa; capital stocky 100 share, no par dinnered Monday hight Is succeed- Viilue, -Directors; Bernard . I*- Miller I j .__. .^„/-...^.-ij *~nnr.*a*T'nA fiuinc attorney). Tanna Smith. Edward ed here by^Gerald Geary, transferred M. T.adden, 8C5 Fifth avenue. Now York. ' ''■-"-> ttv <-ti,ioh«i«o nfFma Secar . Amusement Corp., Kines; hotel and -restaurant business: .capital stock, :;00 shares; no par value. Ptrectors: Mildred snd Sylvia Machson. 1217 Avi. niie T. Brooklyn; 'MInnia Singer, 221 Linden Blv<l., Brooklyn. Coobea Theatre Corp:. New York; the- atrical enterprises;, capital si'ock, 100 siinres. 'no par value. Directors: A: N'iciiollR, A. Nadeiman, .'B, Goldnnberq ir,0l Broadway. Now York., (L. M. Weher, same address, filing attorney.) iDternnfional PaTmaster H.vatem, Inc., Manhattan: vending machine.', etc- rauitnl stock, ;on shares, lin par value. Directors: Ij!o S. Ramos, Hotel- Astor: Oeoi-Ke C. Allman, 110 E, .R7th street: .Ssdle nehrens, 1387 Grand Concoure. New -"^ork; . CbatiKe of .Location Andlo Prodifetion«.'Inc., New Yorl?, to T.oinr Island City, N. T. Films, Ine., New from U's Oklahoma City office; Appointment of James A. (Jimmy) Carrier, for past two years a na- tional advertising-exploitation . man in HpUyvirbod and former general or divisional manager of various chains, as mariager of Fabian's Harmanus Bleecker Hall nresages a change in the house's policy. Long Albany's No. 1 legit house, being operated first by the Shubcrts and later by F. F. Proctor, it has in recent years been a picture theatre. Alex Sayles, who had been dividihg his time be- tween the Hall and the Palace, will continue to sklpiper the latter. Fit Band Draws Omaha, The appearance of the 25-piece plt- syibphony at the Orpheura last week in connection with the showing of 'Jezebel' has opened a new;possibility for music in Omahai picture houses. The reception accorded the band under the baton of Art Randall was sufficient to stop the show, several tirhes during the week: Manager Bill Miskell -figures that if patrons ap- pi-eiiiate the live musicians to that extent there mUst be some boxoffice magnetism in a .pit band.- Miskell and District Manager Eviert Cum-? mings, Tri-States chief, are mulling' idea of using the brch again; in near future ith.. a picture. of similar calibre. Not since advent of sound has an orchestra been used on ah Omaha theatre solely for the purpose of playing a Symphony to the feature. The idea originated here as an ob- servance of national music week and cost the house .about $1,000 for the one week set-up. The . orchestra played a special arrahjgement of a collection of Southern melodies as a 10-minute overture to the Biette Davis film. Eddie Butler was,also brought in tb handle the organ. The special music was advertised by an advance trailer and in all daily ads, and it is, figured to have paid for itseU and then some, rted Plenty Cleveland. Question of single features versus diials, brought up by Paul Gusdan- bvic in a newspaper contest bally-, hobiiig his new Avalon, is kicking up so many vitriolic comments that rival exhibs are afraid it may start a city-^wide campaign against dptible- features. ^ Policy of the 1,600-capacity house nearly completed hasn t, yet been anrtounced, so Giisdanovic started stunt as. a come-on. Tied up-with 'Plain Dealer,' whose movie crick is openly against duals.. Dozen prizes totaling $100 and ducats offered for the best opinions on - whether fans favored single or double < features, and' why. ' Stories were given a timely> con- troversial angle by quotes on fights in other states for and against duals, including battles in Omaha, Chi- cago, Philly, MilTVaukee-and Denver. Although contest promoter tried to remain- neutral, majority of fans lived up to traditions by taking nega- tive side of debate. Another result thought dangerous by observiers. 'was that P.T.A. and cinema club groups bombarded Avaloh's o'wner with let ters, all yipping that duals hurt chil dren's health, as well'as movie in- dustry. ing for others Indianapolis. Ted I. Nicholas; manager of the Lyric theatre, combined Mother's Day and .the penchantfor all Hoosibrs to write poetry into .a couple bf stunts to call attention to .Benny Davis' 'Stardust. Revue," currently appearing on the stage. Cfflered to admit all mothers bver 80 between noon and 2 p. m; on Mother's Day, Sunday (8). About 235 mothers answered the call, with the oldest one, admitting hier age as 95,'receiving a bouquet of flowers from the management. NicHblas is also 'running a sPng writing contest. Original composi- tions were due before midnight Mon day <9) with an estimated 15(1 com- positions by ham cleffers making tiie deadline. The five finals - will. ap- pear on the stage during the last show. Thursday, with' three best tunes.' judged by audience applause winning for their authors, a 20-inch silver cup, $15, and $10 cash, respec- tively. Friday bf this week, Nicholas will work his usiial custom of admittine; every thirteenth customer for half price as a 'Friday the 13th' gag. Revels' and had people dressed as Uncle Slug, Grandpa Snazzy, Uncle Uiile, Aunt Boo, Cousin Pernell, Cpilsin: WafTord and others bii hand for the opening. Also attending were Mrs. R; L. Cook arid Enoch Need- ham, Bob Burns' aunt and iincle from Hugo, Okla.. Duncan, Okla. Offer of fre^ theatre tickets to children for digging up dandelions recently Tesulted in 63,575 being dug out in a two-day period. The dan- delions-were tied in bunches of 25 and two truck loads were hauled off. tially up production budgets on. the new program. W. Ray. Johnston informed the sales fprce of the distribution quota yes- terday; CTuesday) at the-Mono con- vention in Cincinnati. illiam C. Gehring, central divi- sion manager for 20th-Pox, left Mon- day (9) for Peti-oit and Chicago. He will hold meetings,in ea6h of these exbhange points oh '38-'39 sales plans and' policies for 20th. Sales Poivwows (Continued from page 5) incihnati, ay 10. Monogram's-national convention.i Cincinnati for three .days ended to- , day (Tues,)> company annbuncihg a program of 26 features and 16 westerns. Large delegations' attended frciin the home office and Coast stu- dio.. For the coming season, ono is planning to distribute, a series of Spanish pictures under a deal closed by NortPtt V. Ritehey after a three month's tour .of Latin-America. The Eddie LeBarbn Protluctibns, set up as the producing unit,; will operate .at the Mono studios in Hollywood. In Denver ' Denver, May 10.. Home office representatives from New. York gave exchange managers the lowdown on the year's products and plans for the '38t'39 sales season. They included Arthur A. Leci v.p. and general manager; Clinton IVL WJiite, asst. g m-; Arthur Greenblatt, eastern division manager, arid Albert Margolies, publicity director.. At the meeting were Robert Selig, manager of the Denver exchange; Joe -Aldrich and Frank Foley, alsp of Denver; Douglas Desch arid Pat Garlow, Kan- ' sas City; A, K. Shepherd, Des. Moines; C. F. Rose, Salt Lake; Walter Wes- sling, Portland, Ore.; Archiie Holt, Seattle;. Jack Erickson, Sari Francis- co; Harry Stern, Los Angeles; J. Gru- ben, Oklahoma City, ami Wallace Rucker, Dallas. Meeting here lasted two days. any manner to. procedure I had sug- gested, at insistence of Schenck! 'Get in Tonch' 'You said that , you would get In touch with your body and thiat I would hear from you. I at least expected that you would call me back on telephone ancl advise me whether or not your body had ac- cepted bur suggestion. After all, we were only lioing what we bad agreed to do at committee meeting—to talk to parent bodies and report back, to each other, arid all I had tried to do was to give you honest facts in case, CO that you woiild have as much in- formation as I had 'As i have said earlier, your let- ter to ScliericK arid to the trade pa-^ pers was certainly surprising, to say tlie least 'I- sense In the atiltude of your letter a feeling that again the pro I.nu-Rrll, Inc.. New YnrU Snrrender ot Authority Id West Bndlflr Corn...Ohio. Dissolutions Plceadlllr Theatre. Ine...Rochester; Mbvle Star <!hHrms. Inc.. Now Ifork Chance bf Capital Im Tmcess SeiutrUlea Corp.. Queens; from SOO shsres. no par value, to 1,000 siinrps. no par vniiie.. Ynndolmar Theatre To ,, Manhattan; frmu 450'Kllsres, 320 .p'refei-rcO, .$100 nitr valne. e.nd-.lOO coinmon, no par. vsiiie, Io i.STiO shares, 1.750 preferred, 'llOO, ■and 100 .coint>^on. -no nnr value., ember Ips Bllile ricluree Foundation; Inc. <1. V. Mi-lshi-nil. L'O R.Tchiinge PI., New York, mini; Htlorncy). CALIFORNIA .*<acra}nenlo. .Port Felrol Rndio Co.; »'nptLol srocUi l.iinO '.slt.ti-e!<: no Hubsi-rlptions. Direr- rors: W, T. rhrib'tnian, Harold n. Psuley, A. r.'Cemeron. Parifle rontt Re<-ord. In".: Irade nuh- licntion).; cepital stnric, 2.C00 Bllltres;-no "far, ntrectors; .T, D. Minster., arnard Hi' eoz, B. M., Mihsler. - era AcruUI, Inc.;.newspaper publL^h- Weston, W. Va. W. L. Pritchard and Robert Pritch- ard, who formed the Weston Thea- tres Co., have, sold the Camden and Hollywood theatres to the Kaytpn Amuseriient Co., which operates in- dependent houses in Franklin and Grove City, Pa., and in Montgomery^ W.. Va. Denver. Civic Theatre. .<!hifls in manager- shi :: C, W. Anderson, from the Orient-il, is how managing the Federal; George Hodge is managing the Jewel, and Kenneth Richards, manager of the Rex under Cooper Enterprises, rerhalris there with the Civic "Theatres tiking it over. Jack Sharkey is back'managing the Tivoli for Frank' Milton, Los Aneeles, Harry Vinriicbf. indie exhib, has taken over tiie Madrid theatre from Pete Warpack. Al Hanson has acquired the Wil shire theatre in Santa Monica from Charles Caballern. who recently, took it over from Chester Black. Regional Meets for Col. Hollywood, May JO. National sales conventions have been abandoned by Columbia. In- stead, the company' will hold a series of regional meets, with Pacific Coast confab the last 'Week in May at San Francisco.. New York regional meet! of four, will be at Hotel May 13-15. Used the Quiz Keith's theatre, Philadelphia, has been using for some time a teaser dramatization of its current feature oyer WDAS, employing the WoUen Players. Recently it was desired to tout "In Old Chicago' arid the 20th- FPx aversion to radio dramatizations gave Albert Garfield the idea for a change of pace, When, the players reported for re- hearsal they were told there would be' none, but they were not wised as to what was to fill in until the air session opened and annbuntier Gene Edwartis, of ihe station, explaineii the session , would be a quiz, tiased'pn the questionnaire in the press book. With sonie kidding questions added to contribute comed.v, the :quarter hour, proved a Ayelcome .change, thbu'»h the 15-miriute period was too short for best, results Garfield -feels. Local. iStuff Holdenville, Okla. .Takinjt advantage of the annual Holdcnville-Arkansas Day' celebra- tion, -David Dallas, loc.il Griffith gen- eral manager, booked 'Radio City Osterman (Cpntinuea from page 2) building a subway then—must hav been Sam Rosoff's dad.. Harry Gruber, who is doing 95'ji of World's Fair electrical.cquipriient, is also a silent partner of Freddie Fradkin|s Cafe* Bpheme; but he's only silent when the check cornes. There's a combo for you-^an elec- tri(:ian and a musician; anyone btit a chef can open a restaurant today. Overheard while- walking . down the Great Tight Way, 'I forget if il's the Ci-itics' prize or the Pulitzer' that you don't have to pay any attention tol' While waiting in Rudy Vallee's apartment for the Gelatine genius' we scariried piart of his library and observed copies of 'I Discover M'aine,' 'Defenders ot Democracy,' 'Philoso- phy of Life,' 'Romance bf Medicine.' Yale . Bbok of '27, 'besides several bthers ending on. one shelf \yith the Decameron of Boccaccio. What; ho Horatip, Alger? We are gradually finding Put that money may-not be everythitig, but it w-ill do till everything comes along'.