Variety (Sep 1938)

PICTURES Wednesday, September 28, 1938 H wood Comes Through Legion Conv. Unscathed; Vets on Good Behavior I Can't Keep U« Out Hollywood, Sept. 27. Hollywood came through the American Legion convention with- out a scar. The pic colony, as well as virtu- ally every spot in the county, had a dread as to how the Legion boys would ravish the town. But no such thing happened and" the 200,000 at- tendance the Legion brought here left around $22,500,000 during their four-day stay. Studios had themselves heavily fortified in case of trouble. But there was none. Seems as though the Legionnaires had a dread of -Hollywood. They felt the folks out in the picture village, some seven miles distant from their convention base, were out to clip them. They thought prices for commodities would be out of their reach. Result was that the boys steered clear of Hollywood almost entirely day and night. Biggest group to hit Hollywood was on Monday (19) when some 45,000 of the Legion headed for the Warner plant at Burbank, but did no more than to stop at Hollywood street corners for directions to get to the studio. Warners gave them a great time but a yen to visit any more studios dur- ing balance of the week did not manifest itself. Other studios also entertained, but only the select. Everyone went out to get dignitaries to luncheons, staged especially by the producers who espoused the cause of Americanism and downed every other ism. Thursday night was the big night for the Legionnaires and the picture folks. About 60,000 turned out at the Coliseum to witness a pageant and motion picture welcome. Stars galore turned out with Eddie Cantor, Bob Hope and Jack Benny emceeing the proceedings. It was finest show of its kind here and all the visitors were satisfied. Just Not H'wood's Day Strange, however, as Hollywood is always accustomed to get plenty of space for what it does in convention entertaining, the daily papers here virtually ignored it, outside of 'the heavy play given Warners for enter- taining en masse. Other studios sent out plenty of text and art but the downtown boys just sloughed it off, Even the Thursday gala picture con- tribution at the Coliseum got slight recognition in the dailies. That olc stuff of posing stars and importani execs with the conventioneers die not work as far as art was concerned in the dailies; they just went con- vention proper, and ignored any at- tempts at film tie-Ins. Convention did the theatres no good, either. Plenty went around to get a look at Grauman's Chinese and Carthay Circle, but seems that with the heat wave on they pre ferred to remain outdoors" than to see anything cinematic. Paramount theatre counted rather heavily on fact it had 'Sons of Legion's a Legion naire pic on screen and Martha Raye heading stage show with plenty OJ! picture people appearing at each performance to get them in. But trade less than fair, with the alibi that, had the picture gone on with- out the studio ballyhoo, the take would have been pathetic. Went for Dog Races Boys went pretty strong for the dog races at Culver City during the week where the pari-mutuel ma chines are used. Then, too, they had lot of special free events for their benefit, such as affairs at Hollywood Bowl, prize fights, etc., and they die not hesitate to attend. Those who stayed over got a load of night foot ball, too, seeing UCLA beat Iowa on Friday (23). Women's Auxiliary and women veterans, of course, were taken up socially, too. All the studios had stars entertain them at tea, lunch eons, etc., with the only big art break given the Marion Davies party at her beach home in the two Hearst papers day after. Vets on Good Behavior Those Hollywood cafes and restaurants, which were so scared the boys were going to misbehave, got the cold shoulder plenty. Many of the places said they did not get single conventioneer, while others claimed that most they got on a sin gle night did not total 50. Only places in Hollywood to enjoy some biz were the bars at the - Brown Derby, Levy's, It Cafe and Sardi's Those who went into the barrooms were there either for steady imbibing or see what Hollywood looked like. Boys just did not stir things "up. The surethihg gambling joints that opened to give the boys a fast clean- ing got nowhere. After Sunday night every one of them in the Holly- wood areaTwas out of biz, as well as those v downtown. It was not the local police, but the Legion's own Provost Guard that stopped them at the start. The local police had gen- eral order not to arrest any Legion- naires, unless ordered by the Provost. However, latter had things in hand when called anywhere and, according to records here, not a ve't reached the hoosegow, Downtown is where the boys shone and carried-on their pranks. Almost all the pranking was outdoors and none of the hotels or cafes reported any serious damage done. Boys set a couple of bonfires on main down- town thoroughfares, one over a gas main which injured a few. They stopped trolley cars by pulling the pole, stopped traffic in general with their band and bugle corps concerts, put their rubber stamp okay oh the gals, paraded them along the street, jut in general behaved, much to the surprise of this town. They started eaving on Wednesday (21) and by Saturday (24) town was virtually clear of them. Go-By for Swank Inns Swank hotels did not get the capacity play they figured. Mcfct of boys figured $2 or $3 a night was enough as a bunking fee, so the moderate price hotels got the trade, One of the hotels, on account of heat, had 400 cots on its roof at $3 a night, with boys asking other hotels to do same. Hotels were protected against damage by the visiting' hordes as Legion carries $100,000 insurance against depredations by its members Hotelmen's Assn. forced that on the war vet organization several years ago before they would chip in. Mo ;or camps also got big play from those who came on by auto. However, the locals claim that the convention spoiled biz for them, ceeping the home spenders out of downtown shops and stores. Legion group, however, infested these places and there was hardly a buddy who left for home who did not load him- self down with Los Angeles and Hoi lywood souvenirs; Town is normal again after housing one of biggest conventions in history, and ■ can say to New York, 'We knew how to handle them, you didn't' because the boys behaved as nicely as they did on dress parade in the army. That's somethin' for Chicago to hope for next year. Hollywood, Sept. 27. Paramount was the lone stu- dio to crash the American Le- gion parade with a picture plug. Legion officials had barred all commercials, but the studio got around the tabu by organizing -the Paramount Post and parad- ing under that banner. Its auxiliary, Sons of the Le- gion, consisting of a dozen youngsters, marched to plug the picture of that name. Fit CURBS AD SCREEN OUTFIT Washington, Sept. 27. Sales scheme which involves claims of theatre tieups will be modified to prevent duping prospec- tive purchasers of advertising mat- ter handled by Robert Hartman, of Chicago, under, a stipulation with the Federal Trade Commission. Promoter has been operating under tag, of International Enterprises. According to the agreement, Hartman sold certain booklets, partly by claiming that subscribers will benefit from ballyhoo in trail- ers to be shown in neighborhood houses. Promised that the reels would be exhibited in time to take advantage of seasonal conditions. In reality, the names of the pur- chasers were not included in the film but were flashed on screens via projection machine slides. Hartman formerly traded as The- atre Merchandising Service and as American Enterprises, Inc. 4 REEL SPOTS TEST BROADWAY COLUMN ELLEN DREW'S 31 YR. SON EXCITES PHILLY Philadelphia, Sept. 27. Faux-pas was pulled here last] week by Ellen Drew, femme star of 'Sing You Sinners,' whom Para- mount is building up. Gal was near I Philly visiting relatives so local I Par office decided to throw a lunch- eon for her and invite the press. Interviewers. got busy on her at I once and, as Par's press rep, who was shot over from New York, ■ hadn't arrived yet, she told the boys everything, principally that she was happily married and the mother of] a 3% -year-old son. When p.a. fi- nally did arrive on the scene, at- tempt was made to put a hush-hush on the hitherto unrevealed personal life of Miss Drew. But it was too late, all the papers] used it. The Ledger's Harry Mur- dock wrote, 'Although her press | agents didn't seem to want to have it known, Miss Drew has a 3%-year- old son.' The four Translux theatres in New York are starting an experiment this week with a specially edited Broad' way column, to lighten up the spot news flashes which United Press sup- plies. Hy Gardner, columnist on the Brooklyn Eagle, has been signed to specially edit ,the UP news bulletins, along with his Broadwayiana, and trick it up for usage thrice weekly in the Transluxers. Depending on the reception within the next month, the other Translux theatres nationally may follow suit. The 72d St. newsreel, fourth house in the Newsreel Theatres (Embassy) circuit, is scheduled to open tomor row (Thursday) night at 72d and Broadway, New York. Theatre is situated in new taxpayer type of building and will operate the same policy and same prices as Embassy, Embassy newsreel theatre group already is operating newsreel type of houses in Newark, Bronx and Broad- way. Lefty's Junior Was a Convention Fave; Did No Mickey or Freddie Imitations By Joe Laurie, Jr. Coolacres, CaL, Sept. 27. Dear Joe: Well, here we are back home again after the Legion convention. Me and Aggie brought home two good-sized headaches and four very tired feet If that means a good time, then we certainly' had one. The boys didn't give so many hot-foots this year, and didn't drink so much. Very few things were thrown out of hotel windows. You see the boys are getting older. If this keeps up I expect to see a Legion convention soon held on rocking chairs and the kiddies drinking pink lemonade. The gang is sure losing their, pep. Maybe it's because their wives were with them this time. I mean real wives, the kind you look at and know at once it must be the guy's wife. Aggie looked swell; she and the other women of the Coolacres Auxiliary were all dressed in white and gold. They looked like rich nurses. They drilled for the natives once in the depot when we arrived and once in the hotel lobby. Everybody cheered, then I had to spend half the night rubbing Aggie's arms. Rheumatism in your bones ain't good for drilling. Junior sure made a hit when he lead our. Post pass the grandstand. He got more ahs and ohs than anyone in the parade. They presented him with a big loving cup that looked like it might be solid silver for over two days. Then it turned greener than envy. The picture people sure catered to the Legionnaires. They had them out visiting the studios. As an owner of a picture house and an old showman I'm not in favor of it. It's bad enough to see the finished prod- uct without showing the customers the material you put in it. It takes the glamor away, if you can say that C pictures have glamor. Magicians have the right idea: when they used to play in vaudeville they had the stage boxed in so nobody backstage could see the gimmicks. Some of the pictures they send me should be boxed up. If it was up to me I wouldn't let any strangers watch 'em making pictures—I'd even keep some of the actors and directors off the • set. Sure had a nice time with some of our old pals In Hollywood. Had dinner with Paul Gerard Smith. He is writing for the pictures and is also writing short stories that are gonna knock 'em dead one of these days. We were with Jimmy Conlin and Myrtle Glass, his wife. They're doing fine; so is Roger Imhof and Orth and Codee. Gregory Ratoff is a biggie out there and is the same nice guy he always was; so are Wallace Ford, Jimmy Cagney and Max Winslow. Aggie sure got a kick outta meeting them all again. The regular guys are still easy to talk to. It's the punks that never got past over the first few steps on the ladder that keep their noses up and don't look down and help the other guy comin' up, and when they do fall they find somebody has cut away a few steps, which makes the fall all the harder. We visited Eddie Cantor's antique shop. He has all kinds of old stuff, some over 400 years old and some only 200 years old. I think they average about 300 years old. Junior made a hit with all the actors out there because he didn't do any imitations of Mickey Rooney or Freddie Bartholomew. When we got home we found the radio station nearly finished. I think we're gonna get our license next week. Of course we haven't got a big studio like they have in Hollywood, but we're only gonna have small programs to start with. We're gonna have just a few in the audience. The banker is gonna invite a lot of guys that owe him dough and they'll have to laugh and applaud the program or else get their notes called in. I bought a bunch of phonograph records so we're sure of good musio. Aggie is only gonna play in case the machine breaks. Best to the boys and girls and tell 'em that I think radio has got a better chance of coming back than vaudeville has, SEZ Your pal. Lefty. P. S. Powers Gourand of Philly sez, 'Germany has a plough where th« handles can be used as pistols if they are attacked unexpectedly.' TROY PROJECTIONIST RUNS FOR CONGRESS F. P.-CAN. REFINANCING Reduction in Interest Requirements Is the Aim of Par's Affiliate Toronto, Sept. 27. Refinancing to provide for a re' duction in interest requirements is reported being sought by Famous Players-Canadian. The matter was discussed at the board of directors meeting held here a week back, with Barney Balaban, Y. Frank Freeman and Neil F. Agnew, Paramount home office officials, in attendance. They came up for the directors' get-to' gether, spending only the day here. Some time back F.P.-C refunded its main issue of securities. Circuit has been showing profits each year. Troy, N. Y, Sept. 27. Harry M. Brooks, president of the Troy Motion Picture Operators' Union for the past 27 years, former head of the New York State opera- tors' organization and its present legislative representative, received the Democratic designation for Con- gress from the 29th district on pri- mary day, through the withdrawal of the regular nominee. Brooks, em- ployed at Proctor's theatre, had pre- viously been nominated by the American Labor party. That desig- nation also was made at the eleventh hour. As the candidate of both par- ties, he will opose the incumbent, E. Harold Cluett, wealthy manufacturer and a Republican. Brooks, the city's best known labor leader, served as Republican assem- blyman from the first district in 1926. He is the first picture operator nomi- nated by a major party for Congress- man in New York State and proba- bly in the nation. Riley Working on New Play; Dickers with 20th | Pittsburgh, Sept. 27. Lawrence Riley, author of 'Per- sonal Appearance,' has been spend- ing entire summer at his home in nearby Warren, Pa., working on a new untitled play. Brock Pember- ton is said to be interested. Work, however, isn't 'Cardboard Castle,' ] which Pemberton announced for production two seasons ago. Riley has permanently shelved that one. Playwright washed up WB writ- ing contract several months ago. Now dickering with 20th-Fox on a I long-termer. Metro's Winter Quarters Hollywood, Sept. 27. Marx Brothers' next picture at Metro, 'A Day at the Circus,' is slated to go into production in December. Supporting cast thus far consists of two of Frank Whitbeck's ele- phants. 'Cisco/ Baxter Repeat Hollywood, Sept. 27. Remake of 'Cisco Kid,' completely •rewritten, has been added to the 1938-39 program at 20th-Fox. Warner Baxter, who starred in the original 1931 production by the old Fox company, is slated to repeat in the new version. Showfolk Due Over London, Sept. 27. . Reg Connelly, Claire Luce, Henry Oscar and William Levy are due to sail for U. S. tomorrow (Wednes- day). Douglas Fairbanks and his wife plan to leave on same boat. Rasch Terper for Fair Hollywood, Sept. 27. Albertina Rasch is en route to New York to huddle with directors of the World's Fair on a dancing spectacle she is readying. She is due to return before Oct. : to direct dance sequences for 'Dra I matic School' at Metro. PAR SETS MARCH, 1939, FOR C0NVENSH IN N. 0. Canceling all prior plans, decision has been reached by Y. Frank Free- man, v. p. of Paramount in charge of theatre operations, and associates in his company, to hold the second annual theatre conclave in New Or- leans next March. The first was held, also in March, in Miami two years ago and was felt by Freeman and others, including partners, to have been so successful, that the policy of such conventions should be con- tinued as conditions and other mat- ters permitted. New Orleans, stronghold and head- quarters of the large Saenger cir- cuit, is the home town of E. V. Richards, the only partner-operator in the field who's on the parent Paramount board. N. O. convention will cover an entire week. As at Miami, top exec- utives of Par from the home office and Hollywood are expected to at- tend, together with virtually all Par executives in the Paramount theatre department throughout the country, plus partners, operators and others associated with the company. Previously having planned to hold the convention this fall, it was the hope of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America that it be sched- uled for Oklahoma City concurrently with its own meet there Oct. 30. Illness Slows Trench' Hollywood, Sept. 27. Work on 'Say It in French' at Para- mount was suspended owing to the continued illness of Evelyn Keyes, suffering from appendicitis. All pos- sible scenes had been shot around her. With 10 days shooting- still to go, Miss Keyes was treated with ice packs., but is still unable to work. Studio is awaiting developments.