Variety (Apr 1939)

Wednesday, April 19, 1939 PICTURES VARIETY lATSE PEACE PACT TODAY SWG'Resignation Talk from ALA Called a Gesture by N. Y. Scribes Screen Writers Guild letter ot last week to the Authors League of America disavowing any Intention ol withdrawing from the parent organl- EaUon, Is causing considerable specu- " latlon In New York writer circles. Action Is generally viewed as a ges- ture, but Just what It Implies and how far It goes Is a matter of widely varied opinion. One view Is that the disavowal was merely to head oft any uproar that might develop over the ealler report that a break with the League was contemplated. It was also suggested In some quarters that the entire se- quence of events had the appearance of shrewd tactical maneuvering by the Coast affiliate. According to that opinion, the Guild execs may have ' tossed out the withdrawal rumor and followed It with the letter of dis- avowal as a deliberate trial balloon to test sentiment within the member- ship of the League and Its affiliates. On the other hand, certain writers expressed the view that the report of a conten4>lated break with the lieagiie was actually imfounded and that the film scriveners' query re- garding the League's attitude about affiliation with the AFL showed a genuine desire to get ell the back- ground on the subject Careful read- ing of the letter doesn't conclusively eettle the matter either way. Despite statements by Marc Con- belly, League prez, and by Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammett, Guild council members, that the Guild could affiliate with the AFL .Without quitting the Iieague, other writers doubt .that view. According to such dissenters. Guild affiliation With the AFL might involve a ques- tion of divided loyalty. It Is doubted that either the League or the labor federation would permit such a situ- ation to arise: Among certain officials of the As- ■ociated Actors and Artistes of America, the AFL-chartered Interna- tional union of all show biz perform- I \ ers, the opinion is expressed that their organization holds tlie AFL ]u- ' rlsdiction for writers. According to ^' that view, If the Guild affiliated with . the AFL, It wotild have to do so un- der the Four A's banner. Since the Screen Actors Guild holds the juris- diction over the film end of show business, the SWG would have to be- come a subsid of the actors' branch. That whole line of thought Is based on the Idea of a broad Interpretation of the' word 'artistes' In the parent group's title. Certain Four A's execs have consistently held to the opinion that 'artistes' covers all artistic Workers in show business, not merely the performers implied In the 'ac- tors' portion of the name. - These same Four A's heads feel, however, that the SWG should wel- come affiliation with SAG on the groimd that the actors' outfit oeuld give the scribblers much more power. To support that argument, they point to the fact that the writers have ■made little progress toward winning a closed show contract from the stu- dios, whereas they might have done BO quickly If they had been allied closely with the actors. Existing set- up under the Inter-Talent Council Is .merely an Informal cooperative one, with none of the members having a call on the services of the. others. Oliyia for Itaffles' Hollywood, April 18. Warners loaned Olivia de Havil- Jand to Samuel Goldwyn to share the lead with David Niven In 'Raffles,' recently scrljjted by John Balderston. Miss de Havilland reports as soon as she finishes 'Gone With the Wind." Dieterle's 'Hunchback' ' ■ -/wood, April 18. William Dieterle, borrowel frc > Wa.;ni-.-s, gets > directing '-') on remahe of The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' RKO's most ambitious picture tot the 1939-40 program. Shooting starts In September, with Pandro Berman producing. Just an Outer Circle Hollywood, April 18. The much ballyhooed exclu- sive quarters for members of the Inner Circle at Earl Carroll's theatre-restaurant has proved pretty much of a press agent's dream. It's still serving as a storeroom for broken chairs, empty cases and other aban> doned property, 'Any mention of It brings ton- gue-In-the-cheek .stone silence. Inner Circle also strictly for the scrapbook. Par Proxy Figlit May Stem from $25,000,000 Action by Stockholders Joseph Nemerov, attorney repre- senting the minority stockholders, who, on Jan. 6, filed a $25,000,000 stockholder action against Paramount Pictures, Inc., 31 officers and direc- tors, American Telephone St Tele- graph, Western Electric, and Elec- trical Research Products, Inc., stated on Saturday (15) that the action will be transferred from the N. Y. su- preme court to the federal court It was pointed out that while the action claims damages to the stockholders in excess of $25,000,000, money dam- ages Is not what is sought but the removal of Incompetent directors and officials. Toward this end a proxy fight at the annual stockholders meeting In June Is looming. The Paramount answer to Ithe suit Is expected In 10 days. I MUSICIANS' POWWOW AGAIN P0S1P0NED Discussions with the American Federation of Musicians, scheduled for Monday (17), have been post- poned Indefinitely. Pat Casey, la- bor rep of the film producer-dis- tributors, who came east for the meetings with the musicians, may go back to the Coast meantime. Understanding is that the musi- cians, whose ranks number many unemployed members, will seek to Install men In various classes of houses and In accordance with policies played. There is no Indica- tion whether the film theatres will agree to demands. AFM may make. The musicians' union, according to reported proposals, would call for the use of men' in at least one down- town first run house; in all instances where two-a-day attractions are played and in houses where the. seat- ing capacity reaches a stipulated fig- ure, or when the admission scale is at a price to be agreed upon. Reviye Koad to Rome' As Gable-Loy Starrer Hollywood, April 18.. 'The Road to Rome,' on the shelf several years, is being dusted off by Metro as a co-starrer for Clark Gable and Myrna'Loy. Shooting starts as soon as' Gable nnishes 'Gone With the Wind." Pro- ducer IS Joseph Mankiewicz. Doran Joins Edington Hollywood, April 18. D. A. Doran i hacked in at tJi.'.\ sal to handle stories for the' H.Tr.v Edington unit E " .n is producing four pi;' annually for U. Fuzzy Goes Mustang Hollywood, April 18. Universal has signed Fuzzy Knight for sex-en westerns. Teams with John Mack Brown and Bob Baker. SIGNING DUE ON T1D.(19) Would Have Been 24 Hours Sooner, but for Browne's Absence in Chicago—Re- port Subpoena for BiofiF D. A. PITTS' STANCE Hollywood, April' 18. A peace pact between the lATSE and Technicians Local 37 is sched- uled for signing tomorrow (Wednes- day). Settlement was delayed 24 hours because local officers of the lA were 'tmable to contact George R Browne, prez pf the lATSE, for his okay. He's reported to be in Chicago; Reported William BioS, former lATSE head on the Coast was sub- poenaed for a grand jury Inquiry into the labor organization, which is set for today (Tuesday). ■ Harold Smith, lA International rep, John Gatelee, and Frank Stickling, lA leaders, were closeted most of yes- terday (Monday) with District At- torney Buron Fitts, but no state- ment was forthcoming whether the grand, jury investigation would be stalled. Believed, however, the hear- ing will be recessed after a few formalities are disposed of, if lA reps agree to respect the tentative djal on restoration of autonomy to Local 37. Agreement negotiated by Fitts in- cludes the dropping ot all charges and counter-charges and petitions before the Labor Board. Superior court cases expected to be continued today unless Judge Emmet 'Wilson la advised that the proposed settle- ment has collapsed. Washup of NLRB cases is scheduled for to- morrow. Although no further action here is due on the threatened walkout of projectionists, unless producers agreed to negotiate demands of stu- dio locals, Gatelee said today the strike is still hanging fire, although other lA spokesmen said producers Indicated a willingness to meet with lA and v/ork out a solution. Parley expected to be arranged some time today (Tuesday). $3,000,000 Sladio Top Tilt in film production costs of more than $3,000,000 annually is fore- cast by major studio executives If demands of the International Alli- ance of Theatrical Stage Employes are granted by the producers. The lATSE studio locals are seeking sub- stantial wage adjustments, shorter hours, and a six-hour minimum work call. Cost of increasing the mini- mum work call from three hours is estimated at $2,000,000,-with figure at Metro alone placed at $250,000. International Photographers Local '650 is demanding jurisdiction over all employes of photographic depart- ments and 44-hour week with the same pay now received for 54 hours. This move would invalidate pact be- tween the producers and American Society of Cinematographers which is now ready for inking. ASC now has control of directors of photography or first cameramen, but Local 659 has. demanded all camera film production and process work ■ be supervised by one Of its first cameramen. Wage titlt also is asked for va- rious classifications in Sound Tech- nicians Local 695, with a 44-hour week for all members who have been working on 54 and 60-hour produc- tion schedules. Other members al- ready are working on 36-hour basis. If demands of' Technicians Local 37 are granted, pay of nurserymen will be tilted from 91c. an hour to $1: lamp operators from $1.21 to $1.28 an hour; laborers from 82',-ic. to 91c. an hour, and electricians and prop- erty men from $1.21 to $1.41 an hour, same pay now received by best boy. Laboratory Technicians Local 683 is demanding 44-hour week for fore- men, with same pay they now re- ceive for 60 hours. Scale now ranges from $00 to $108 a week. Demandr (Continued on page 23) Jury SI Out on Whether the Film Drhre Was Worth the $l,OdO,(li; FmdingsWiU Determine'MBaUy For Revenue Only Hollywood, April 18. Merchants of Sonora, Cel., are ihaking a bid for film troupes by constructing a wild western street with 22 fronts. Including hitching posts. Chamber of Commerce alms to attract some of the business now going to Lone Pine, which is cashing in on a similar street. New layout wiU be dedicated with a three-day celebration, starting May 14. Linda Ware's Father Fears a Uackie Coogan Fate' for Fdm Moppet Detroit April 18. George W. Stillwagon, father of Linda Ware, moppet recently put under contract by Charles R. Rogers, instituted guardianship proceedings •here last week so she 'won't meet the same fate as Jackie Coogan when he grows up.' -Stillwagon is a steel •rr ..rker in the Ford car factory here. Juve actress was awarded to cus- tody of Mrs. Anna Stillwagon, an aunt last fall in Hollywood when Rogers sought to sign her up for $150 weekly, with a possible $1,200 weekly within seven years. Still- wagon's wife died 11 years ago, he testified, and he gave daughter into his brotlier's custody temporarily. d'udge Elliott Craig, Hollywood, la&. October ordered half of child's eemlngs be put in trust for her future use, but Stillwagon last week asked that all her earnings go Into trust with jurisdiction placed under Detroit court Juve, until going to Coast was a smgcr over WXYZ's children's program here. SAG OUTLAWS JUNIOR COUNCIL'S ELECTION Hollywood, April 18. Class B election held Sunday (16) to fill 17 vacancies on the Junior Council was declared Void by the Screen Actors Guild on receipt of legar advice that balloting was in- valid because a quorum of 20% mem- bership was not present in compli- ance with Guild bylaws. Less than 12% of membership voted. Junior Guild leaders said the small vote. Indicated lack of sym- pathy with present policies and re- sultant passive interest In election. 'BOYS TOWN' SEQUEL Probably Called 'Father Flanaean' —Tracy In Omaha Omaha, April 18. Spencer Tracy will appear once more as Father Flanagan when Metro produces a sequel to 'Boys Town,',It was revealed here follow- ing a conference between Msgr. E. J. Flanagan and Tracy. The picture, which will probably be called 'Father Flanagan,' may go before the cameras in September It was talked here that the plot might be about one or more of the boys after they leave the home. Tracy stopped here en route to New York, from where he plans to leave for a short vacation In Europe. Damrosch's Pic Bow Hollywood, April 18. Dr. Walter Damrosch makes his crecn debut in 'The Star Maker' at Paramount. 'Veteran conductor plays himself. • Industry heads are currently tak- ing stock ot the full effect of Mo- tion Pictures' Greatest Year cam- paign to determine whether the drive measured up to expectations, was a terrific flop, or was moderate- ly successful. They want to know if the expenditure of $1,000,000 was justified. On the decision probably will rest the outcome of any similar campaign this, year^ and the sort ot . machinery .which will be employed to carry It- out Among other things that top ofTi- cials want to ascertain Is whether it Improved feeling in tha trade; it the campaign developed goodwill among country newspaper, editors; if It made fan magazines any haip-' pier; and, most of all, if such a large outlay of coin Is sensible consider- ing the feeling stirred up among independent exhibitors over the Mo- vie ^ulz contest Alleged slight ot country publish- ers may have already reacted this year in state legislatures and In Congress, with a record number of bills aimed at the picture Industry introduced In state lieglslative ses- sions. Action of Congress on tha Neely measure and other anti-film legislation also will be watched closely because of known Infiuence of these country editors with po- litical leaders in their districts. Proponents of the Greatest Pic- ture Year drive feel that It halted a skidding' boxoCflce and turned newspaper blasts Into puff editorials and a more constructive handling of film news. However, many of these now claim that the drive would have been just as efTective without the Movie Quiz contest- possibly, even, a lot more success- ful. Despite this, they believe that such a contest proved a concrete means of checking whether the ad- vertising In newspapers was being read. On the other hand, old-line ex- hibitors view the results cooly. They realize that there always Is a summer slump and that Invariably the new product placed on the mar- ket In the fall. Is probably the best of the season. Hence, they fail to see where the campaign bolstered the boxofllce take to any material extent Independent exhibitors and distributors were Inclined to regard the campaign as merely contributing to a better condition In the Industry. Made "Em QuaUty-Conseions One outstanding flaw of tha 'Greatest Picture Year' drive, as cited .by some exhibs, was that It collectively called attention to mo- tion pictures and made cinema au- diences quality-conscious, even add- ing to the number of self-appointed critics in theatres. They contend that the campaign focused attention on product and that this was un- favorable when pictures were bad. When the fans' ran into a poor film, they were inclined to tab all pic- tures as 'punk' because of the tag, 'motion pictures are your greatest entertainment. Examples of this were the booing of the screen sign calling attention to the drive in some houses. The Quiz Contest did not react favor- ably with a number of exhibitors. One exhibitor told his patrons that he was selling entertalnmerft and continued stressing his pictures. He offered Quiz booklets, if asked for them, but emphasized his motto that he did not seek business via that medium but strictly from the enter- tainment standpoint. Some in the trade felt that it was unfortunate that the drive called at- tention to the weakie pictures re- leased during the campaign. Fact that some fiat screen subjects were included in the contest also did not help, they claimed. An aftermath of the campaign, In the opinion of certain exhibs. was that it made critics of film audience members wherens before they went to the theat'''' *'>. be entertained.