Variety (Mar 1939)

VARIETr PICTURES Wednesday, Marcli. I, I939 Baird Visio to Enter U. S. Dnring N. YJain WiU InM Theatres Baird Television, in which Gau mont-British holds a controlling in terest, announced it was making plans to enter the television field in the U. S. last week. Announcement by Ian Javal, commercial director of Baird, was tied in the revelation that Gaumont-British equipped three London theatres with television ap- paratus and successfully showed 75 minutes of the British lightweight flght (of Feb. 23) on theatre screens. Javal said negotiations have been ■tarted to acquire a Broadway thea- tre for showing Baird television dur- ing the New York World's Fair. Scale of prices not revealed, but it was explained that programs shown oa theatre screeh would be furnished by the Baird transmitter and port- able television outfit It was not ex- plained how FCC approval was go- ing to be obtained for this. Great Britain Is ahead of all coun- tries in television, according to Javal. He said that there were about 2,000 gets in use in England at the present time, with about 40% of these Baird cets. It was explained that the success of the Baird large screen had decided Isidore Ostrer, head of Gaumont- British, to equip the full G-B circuit o< about 400 theatres with television as soon as possible. Javal said that Baird Intended to manufacture tele- vision equipment in this country, and that first test equipment would arrive in N. Y. in a few weeks. . Baird theatre television screen is 12 by 15 feet in size. Although the system uses a cathode-ray tube, it is actually smaller than those on many hmne sets, the giant image being ob- tained through an eiriiorate system of optical lens enlargements. Par-DmnoBt's Visio Trailers; Ldnnans' (1,000,000 Bond Issue Coincident with decision to ex- ploit Paramount pictures through spedally-produiicd television trail- ers, it was reported yesterday (Tues.) that Lehman Bros.,' down- town banking house, had under con- sideration a prospective bond issue of $1,000,000 for the Allen Dumont Television Co., of which Par is a 50% owner. Bonds, if and as issued, would be cwvertible into stock un- der certain conditions. .Announcementyesterday afternoon (Tues.) concerning special trailers for televising that would, be in the nature of merchandising Par prod- uct came from Nell F. Agnew, sales V. p. Two Par pictures now being figured as starters are 'Union Pacific' and 'Midnight' Dumont ^has. a license covering an experimental transmitter at Mont- dahr, N. J., where it makes head-, quarters. This transmitter as well as other broadcasting outlets would he used for the trailers. Dumont receiving sets are now on sale in some New York stores. Hunt; Up to Bum Hollywood, Feb. 28. Hollywood players are devel- oping an inward sunburn over a quip on the air by Jimmie Fid- ler. Commenting on high-strung actors, he wound up his evening stint 'with, 'no actor could be strung up high enough to suit me.' • Some of the boys and girls of the film colony are demanding that the Screen Actors Guild hop on the radio chatterer. Mae West's Unit, As Yet Unformed, Set For Flock o' Dates Mae West comes into New York late this week from the Coast to confer with th« William Morris of- fice on the framing of a stage unit aroimd her. Unusual feature of this is that several dates, calling for guar- antees and percentages, have already been contracted for despite the fact that the show is istill only a thought ' Unit has been booked to open March 17 at the Fox, Brooklyn. This house, a straight .picture spot, is booking the West unit as a special attraction. From Brooklyn, Miss West goes to the Paramount, New- ark, and then plays the Paramount, Atlanta, week of April 8. Interstate circuit in Texas gets the unit for three weeks, opening Hous- ton April 17, with San Antonio and Dallas following In that order. Defi- nite bookings have also been set with RKO f6r the^ Palace theatres in Chi- cago and Cleveland, but the dates are stiU .tentative. Hollywood, Feb. 28. Mae West trained east Monday (27) to open a personals' tour. James Timony, her biz manager, accom- panledJ Roach's 2-Mo. Eclipse Hollywood, Feb. 28. Hal Roach lot goes dark today (28) for two months with wadiup of 'Cap- tain Futy.' Personnel stripped down to skele- ton crew imtU 'Water Gypsies' gets under way in May. LEGAL IDTEBlIEIiT Los Angeles, Feb. 28. Myron Selznick's profit-sharing production plans were officially buried with the filing of a certifi- cate dissolving Ernst Lubitsch Pro- ductions, Inc. ' Company was organized last Au- gust with LUbitsch, Selzhick, Vivian Lubitsch and Nat Deverich named as directors. Telecasting (Continued from page 1) SAIUNtiS April 26 (London to New York) Charles Tucker (Normandie). March 2 (London to New York) Godfrey Tearle, Margaret Rawlins, Anthony Ireland, Lauier Lister, Marda Vanne, H; G. Stoker, Felix Aylmer, Roger Maxwell, Desmond Roberts, Leo Genn (President Hard- ing). Feb. 25 (New York to London) Mr. and Mrs. Yehudl Menuhln, Har- riet Cohen, Richard Collet, Mrs. Moshe Menuhin (Queen Mary). Feb. 25 (London to New York) Boris Morros, Bnmo Walter, Vi Bradley (Aqultania). purses for future battles. Fee they receive from the theatres for the visio. rights would assure a healthy sum over and beyond the actual • gate. Already angling with this bait is J. E. Harding, general manager of National Sporting CHub, who plans by selling visio rights of the fight to raise $175,000 with which to tempt Joe Louis to this side. There are only three visio screens, but G-B is raring to go with bigger installations as. soon as question of further permits can be cleared up with the British Broadcasting Corp, Scophony, too, is readying to switch into the Odcon in Leicester Square as soon a it sees which way the \vind is blowing. SKEWABT-WINTEB TO WFJ) Hollywood, Feb. 28. Donald Ogden Stewart and Lenore Winter have filed notice in Ventura, Cal.', of. intention to wed.' She is widow of Lincoln Steffens. NO FORCING OF SHORTS INM As a sop to the Government mo- nopoly suit and exhib charges of unfair selling practices, shorts will be divorced from the sale of feature pix by major distribs next season, according to plans presently under discussion. Short subjects, tuder the projected scheme,, will be lifted en- tirely out of the block-booking cate- gory, each one being sold on its owa One of the results of the new pol- icy will be a slash in the number of shorts produced. At Paramount, Lou Diamond, chief of shorts production, lias already received word from his sales department that if it is neces- sary to sell each film separately, the number produced will have to be cut down. Same, it is expected, will apply at other companies. Although not designed primarily for that reason, new single-film sales policy will give all concerned a chance to study on a small' scale the workings of such a plan. There are, of course, many more complica- tions in the feature aspect of such a policy than in shorts, but it is felt nevertheless, that the experience will be valuable if and when any of the current anti-block booking bills should eventually pass. Reports that WB, and perhaps other studios, would cut out shorts production altogether after April 15 because of the monopoly suit, have been denied. Warners regularly ceases production during the sum- mer. Shutdown this year, as usual, will take place in May or June, when production is completed on the pres- ent schedule. Others companies will go right ahead. Particularly big this season are band shorts made in the east With terrif Interest all over the country in swing, In all its forms, and the organizations which provide it, these shorts have been ■ in constant de- mand. Par stuck to the usual 15 per year it produces at Long Island, while WB has upped by five its nor- mal schedule of. 13. Just completed at Far are shorts featuring Hoagy Carmicbael and Artie Shaw. Carmichael pic, in which he batons Jack Teagarden's crew through eight of his own com- positions, will be released during the summer. Shaw flick may be held as the opener for the next sales sea- son. Diamond is currently ogUng Charlie Barnet, now at the Fa- mous Door, 52d street, N. Y., swing spot,~for his next band film. ARRIVALS (At the Port of Weto York; Katherine Brown, Sonja Henle, Marc Connelly, Lee Shubert, John Shubert, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Sha bert, Gloria Swanson. BBC CENSUS CHECKS ON GROWTH OF VISIO London, Feb. 20. With a view to checking on the growth of visio and building a ready index to size of the field, the British Broadcasting Corp. is starting a vol- untary register of . home viewers, planning additionally a census among all receiver owners. Campaign began last week with an announcement put on the screens during normal programs, when viewers were invited to submit their names and addresses to the BBC Television Director. Also hidicated that register will be made the means of checking likes and dislikes. Other News of Interest to Films Franco seen favoring dictator countries Page 13 Lulse Rainer's London play ....Page 13 New Priestley play falters Page 13 Viennese like U. S. film origir^l.': page 13 Bob Goldstein bankrupt,. Page 25 Burns, and Allen east .Page- 25 Lasky's 'Gateway' renewed... Page 27 Skip worth package Page 27 Radio reviews: Al Jolson, Raymond Paige-Hildegarde, Johnny Green, Fred Allen, Miliza Korjus, 'Good News,' Helen Hayes, Hedda Hopper, Burns and Allen, Bob Crosby, Henry Fonda ' .Page 28 Jack Haley may go off Pagfe 30 New acts: Tony Martin, Frank Albert.^on : ....Page 42 Legit review: 'Rebellion in Shadow' (Elissa Landi). ....;....:Page 50 " ■■ ■ ■ '' •■ ' ■ ■ Reason Enoi^ to Stay East Murray Silverstbne, general manager of United Artists, was smitten with a new finding on hli recent Coast vlsit^^tliat almost all of the studio biihch seem aiudoui about the way their pictures open in only tbrea spots, and then the Interest seems to wane. These high spots are naturally first on Broadway; then, bow they're doing in Hollywood's back-yard, meaning Los Angeles, and the third spot is the surprise- how they fare on the Paris boulevards. No explaining the Paris thing, says Silverstone. Why It's not Lon- don, or, more logically, Chicago, the second largest key, finds no answer. This goes not only for UA's producers, but the colony in general, 'And that,' says Silvarstone, 'is the best answer why film executive headquarters will never shift to the Coast, as some proponents have hoped for, off and on. When the producers have that conception of distribution values, that's the best reason why distribution had better remain headquartered in New York, as is.' U. S. Revenue Man Amplifies On Deductable Items by Pirof essionals Two GN Sales Heads Hollywood, Feb. 28. Morris Safler and Sol Edwards were upped to temporary jobs as western and eastern sales managers for Grand National. Pair will work directly under Proxy Earle W. Hammons until he appoints a successor to Ed Alperson, resigned distribution head. Jim Tolly's Allergic; To MMy, Wben Not Aothorized; 50G Suit Jim Tully on Thursday (Feb. 23) filed a blD of particulars in the N. Y. Federal Court listing the publica- tions in which, he was stated to be connected with William K. Howard's indie production of 'Home Town' (shice retitled 'Back Door to Heaven'). Tully's bill asserts that the publicity matter linking him with the film was released by the Odessco and Paramount's publicly departments. He claims that more publicity emerged from a p.a. oflice at the instigation of Howard or Odessco. Tully claims that over 1,000 papers throughout the country printed the story. In conjunction with the filing of the bill of particulars, Tully filed a demand for a jury trial. He is suing Howard, Odessco Pro- ductions, Inc., and Paramount Pic- tures, Inc., for $50,000 charging the u^uthorized use of^Ws name in connection with "Home Town," The Master's Touch Hollywood, Feb. 28. Editing of 'Man of Conquest,' most important picture produced by Re- public, will be supervised personally by Herbert Yates, chairman of the board. Yates is vacationing' in Arizona and is due in Hollywood Friday (3) when the shooting on '(inquest' winds up. L. A. to N. Y. Edward Arnold. Mary Astor. Mel Berns. Nate Blumberg. Rodney Bush. Regina (jannon. Trem Carr. Earl Carroll. CJharles Correll. Jack Chertok. Ramos Cobian. Lester Cowan. Charles E. McCarthy, Jack Lait Laurence Olivier. Flora Robson. Ann Ronnell. Roy Rowland. James Timony. Gene Towne. . James UDman. Mae West N. Y. to L. A. Emile Boreo. Joseph I, Breen, Doris Dudley. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Clifford Goldsmith. E. W. Hammons. Sonja Henie. S. R. Kent. Wayne Morris. Maurice Rapf, Budd Schulberg. Milton Shubert PhyUU Welch. By H. Wayne Pierson fGeneral Deputv Collector o/ InttTMiX Revenue) While on duty at the VAntETY of- fice during the income tax filing sea- son last year we listed the questions asked most frequenUy. To obvlato these questions this year . and to allow the Taxpayer to assemble his ■ data before coming to the Vadiett office for free a^stance, we are arranging a list. of questions- and answers that should help. Q. What are my personal exemp- tions? A. If single .or separated from wife, $l,0Od exemption (alimony or separation allowance not consid- ered). If children, $400 for each child under 18, or if mentally or physically luflt, may be over 18. Must be chiei support of child, how- ever. Others chiefly dependent; whether related or not, even though not living with taxpayer, may be considered as a $400 deduction. U married, living together, $2,500, plus $400 for each dependent Q. 'TJhat business expenses are deductable? A. Cost of accountant; autoihor. bile, if used for business; attorneyi^ fee^ if connected with profession; managers', booking agents', or brokers' commissions; costumes,' in- cluding up-keep; depreciation on musical Instruments or stage equip- ment; dues for professional member- ships and labor imions; entertain- ment of newspaper representatives' [not Including VABiEnr muggs]; ex- penses of consultations with authors and directors; taxi fares and general expenses when playiiig benefits; ex- pense of musical arrangements; in- surance On practically all items 'but . life insurance; all publicity expenses. Including lobby displays, fan mail, theatre tickets, flowers, etc.; sub- scriptions for trade papers and mag- azines; acrobats may charge off gym- nasium expenses, if required, when laying off; all studio costs and office rental; salaries of secretary, substi- tute performers, supplies (includ- ing stationery, postage, sheet music, phonograph records and printed forms). The main items of travel- ling expenses while away from home are all deductable. They include railroad fares, hotel, meals, transfer, telegrams and telephone, tips, pass- port fees and Pullman fares. It is often the rule rather than the exception that professional people are asked to explain in detail their deductions. It is well, therefore, to keep a set of books so that all items may be audited by the Tax Depart- ment if you are called on to explain any. of your deductions. A .small cash book kept up daily ■will elimi- nate a lot of trotdile and possibly an extra assessment The tex service in the New 'York office of Vahiety, 154 West 46th Street, will be in effect from now until March 15, from 9 until 4:30 daily. The service is free, and all forms are available. WB's Talent Load HoUywood, Feb. 28. Latest checkup at Warners shows 65 players and 14 directors cur- renUy working. Personnel list car- ries 53 writers, chiefly on a week- to-week basij, with only a few on term contract. Warners plans to feature a dozen young players, headed by Wayne Morris, John Wayne, Eddie Albert and -Jane Bryan, in • "Two Weeks Vacation.* William McGann ij slated to direct the picture, based on Kenyon Nicholson's play.