Variety (Apr 1939)

VARIETY PICTURES Wcdnesdiiy, April 19, I939 Craven «f FCC Vape as to When Practical Televeion Will Arrive stating that televiflon now Is Just going into the second phase of its development (public service and adoption by the public on a limited scale), the television committee of the Federal Coinmunications Com- mission, conferring with television company representatives last week In New York, would not estimate when commercial television would arrive In this country. However, they believed the initial phase of technical development was about to be supplanted by a secondary one in which it would be introduced to the public via limited number of sets. Commander T. A. M. Craven, chairman of the committee, refused to admit that commercial television was five years off in the U. S., or when, merely observing, 'Who can say when it will arrive?' Asked about the jurisdiction the .FCC would have over television in the theatre, under the existing eX' perlmental settap, Commander Cra< ven, at a press conference at the Ambassador hotel, where the FCCltes stayed whUe in N. Y., an^ swered only indirectly and not for the Commission. He Indicated that the FCC authority was extended, only to the television transmitters, 'It was pointed out to hhn that show- ing television in theatres at present ostensibly would be placing a lab oratory process into theatres op- erated for profit He Indicated that picking up such a program was responsibillfy of the person or •firm operating the transmitter and that cinemas would be accountable to that party. Craven had been informed. that B&'rd Television screen might be In- stelled in one or more Broadway theatres, and that other picture houses were contemplating installa- tion of television sets in their lob- bies when regular television broad casts start hext April 30. Dnoks Bnlldop Queries Commander Craven had no com- ment other than that of refusing, to take responsibility for past glowing publicity stories when asked if he believed bullish publicity oh tele vision was desirable as a public service and necessity at the present 'time. He claimed that his commit- tee-had nothing to do with patents and consequently could' not answer as to what steps the Government ■would take to prevent television from becoming a patent'monopoly, Television programs, employing motion pictures and picked up by sets in theatres this week brought' Up the question if film. companies owning the production would not insist on payments from .any stich cinemas. Dumont telecast programs wlU carry Paramotmt film trailers and possibly newsreels clips, while NBC . may use RKO-Pathe news and KKO flhn releases. RKO has a print of a two-reel television version of •Gunga Pin' in New York at the present time. .It is likely that it will be sent out over RCA-ISC test pro- grams, when regular telecasting be- gins at the end of this month. The RKO two-reel sijbject is virtually the full 'Gunga Din* foot- age edited down, to two reels, with «loseups covering the story for the most part The FCC television committee is looking into the matter of channels .that will be made available for tele- vision broadcasters, trying to decide if the Radio Mfrs. Ass'n standards should be offidally adopted for the whole country, and seeking a clearer understanding on the television field. Conunsnder Craven described the visits to New York (four days), Philadelphia and Schenectady as 'a co-operative endeavor between the Government and private enterprises in planning the development of new art' F.C.C.'s Pfallly 0.0. Philadelphia, April 18. Three members of the FCC were in Philly last Tuesday (11) to gain some first-hand knowledge of tiie television industry. They inspected the plants of Philco and RCA-Vic- tor and the research laboratories of Farnsworth. Following the 0.0. tour of each place, they sat down with officials of the organizations for any- .where from an hour- to two hours to discuss In general the problems of the budding industry. They also viewed an exhibition of each com- pany's process. The comniissioners .who were in Philly comprise the television com- mittee of the FCC, They were T. " M. Craven, chairman; Norman Too Good Hollywood, April 18. Andrea Leeds r^laced Margot Stevenson as femme lead in Samuel Cioldwyn's 'Music School,' starring Jascha Heifetz. Explanation was- that Miss Stevenson's perfect diction did not fit the character. VISIO ACTORS' UNIONIZATION LEFT OPEN Question of jurisdiction over tele- vision is being side-stepped by the Associated Actors and Artistes of Anverica, . AFL-chartered parent union of -4ll show business perform- ers. ' Such representation is claimed by Equity, American Federation of Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild, all Fout A's subsids, but the governing body will not make any decision until television develop- ment clarifies the situation, Broadcasting companies have been using performers for occasional ex- perlmentail shows and programs, and there have been claims' of non-pay- ment for such work. According to Four A's execs, however, the regular network fee for television assign- ments is $25 for a non-makeup per- formance and $50 for a makeup one. Four A's has made no regulations to govern the situation, but is permit- ting employers to set their own scale Although Equity, made a strenuous claim for television jurisdiction some months ago, the legit branch is not figured Ukely to be favored by the Four A's board when the question of visio representation final- ly comes up for consideration. Con- trary to Equity's claim, there is noth- ing applicable to television in the association's charter, nor is there specific reference to it in the Four A's charter or constitution, as the doctunents were drawn up long be- fore visio was even thou^t ol Idea of the Four A's heads is that the parent body will retain jurisdic- tion over television until such lime as the new. medium takes a definite slant in the direction of one of the existing forms of show biz. One vague idea is that if a telecast origi- nates at a studio with live perforin- ers it would lie within AFRA juris- diction, whereas if a film were used SAG would have representation. BATTLING STOVER sum's lAwyer SUII Objcetlng to RKO Reorg Meret John S. Stover, attorney for Er- nest W.. Stim, RKO class 'A' stock- holder, continued his battle against the proponents of the plan of reor- ganization in the Federal court in N. Y. when on 'Wednesday (12) he filed objections to the granting of general creditor claims of approxi- mately $18,000 each to RCA and Leh- mann Bros. Stover had attempted to block the rights of these persons to file the claims on the grounds that they were guilty of laches, In that they had filed no claims in the reorganization at all, and hence had no standing in the proceedings. In this he was over- ruled by Judge William Bondy. He is now attempting to block payment for the same reasons, plus others which he had recited heretofore. These are that the 'deposit a^ee- ihent' Is void, violating Section 6(9 of the rules of Civil Procedure; that 7/12ths of RCA's claim has been as- signed to Atlas; that Atlas has no standing in the proceedings; that M. H. Aylesworth is an Atlas man «nd kept them Informed, for pay, of RKO proceedings; and that all the proponents have forfeited their equity in the proceedings. Judge Bondy on Monday (17 X gave Stim imtil May 15 to file his record on appeal with the Circuit Court of Appeals. Lefty Breaks the Jump ttt Mexico (jty; Abnor s $5 Mex for Each $1U. S. By Joo Laurie, Jr. BRIT. EXHIBS' JITTERS OVER TELEVISION LE ROY STARTS PAIR NEXT MONTH AT M4: Hollywood, April 18. Mei-vyn LeRoy set May 15 as the starting d^te for two of his Metro productions, 'A Day at the Circus' and 'Babes in Arms.' Marx Bros, cavort in 'Circus' and Mickey Rooney shares tops with Judy Garland in 'Babes.' 'ANGELA' IN S^. Hollywood, April 18. Sinclair Lewis has set.Sept 1 as the starting.date for his play, 'An- gela Is 22,' to be produced in col- laboration with Lester Cowan. Release outlet not yet set.-^ Case and Thad H. Browi£ Commis- sioner George Henry Payne joined them in New York the following day (Wednesday). Craven declared here that their report will be made to the whole commission as soon as pos- sible. Among tbe group consulted with here were Philo T. Farnsworth v.p. of the Farnsworth corporation; R A. Nicholas, pre?, and W. M. Grlmditch, Ph.ilco's v.p. in charge of engineer- ing. Purpose of the visit, aside from the more intimate view of what is being done in visio, it was said here, was to get the idea of the manufacturers on standardization of equipment with an eye to issuing general visio trans- mission tickets shortly. London, April 8, Gaumont-British is putting Baird visio equipment into 10 of its key houses at this time, making a round dozen in all. Aside from Marble Arch Pavilion and Tatler, which were installed some time back, big screen is going into' the Gaumont, New Gallery, Dominion and New 'Victoria in the center belt, as well as five big halls in uptown sectors. Composite capacity of the lot is well beyond 25,000 seats. Picture people meanwhile went into their first huddle on the situ- ation, this-, week, when dlstribs (Kinematograph Renters 'Society) acceptedinvitation of Cinematograph Exhibitors Ass'n for • joint pow- wow. . No conclusive decision was reached beyond a general impression the best interests of both would be served by a joint front All mem- bers of C,E.A. television committee and heads of most. major distrib units sat in and exchanged gener^ views on many angles of mutual concern. Exhib viewpoint was nicely put in a statement from C.EA. ex-presldent Charles Metcalfe the other day, when he --handed out a soothing powder to those who have gotten into a state, of jitters over visio. There are many practical snags presently standing between the aims of commercial interests boosting big screen and their, fulfillment, he says, and outside this city there's no fear of. any expansion in the current year. Power supply, is not the least of these problems, and it is anticipated theatres may require up to 6,000 volts of current to operate their equipment against the maximum of 400 volts they can get at this time Re'quisite structural alterations . to buildings, and approval of licensing authorities thereto, would also de- mand some thought, and outside of that is the wide question of B.B.C. being physicaUy able to relay its programs to all parts of the U.K. Corporation, Metcalfe declared was budgeted to spend only $750, , 000 more on visio this year, which" did not indicate any .probable seri- ous advance. Warning exhibs against any stupid attempt at, retarding developments, he claimed film Interests had a right to expect fair treatment from the government Postmaster - General, he argued, when advocating a char- ter for the B.B.C. gave an under- taking the Corp. would never inter- fere with the entertainment biz; but at this time he knew legit and va- riety interests were sore about broadcasts--of^-variety shows, and he advocated C.E.A. should come into line with them to prevent such pro grams being picked up for the ether. Further, they should fight to pre- vent any monopoly of visio, and all Mexico City, April 18. Dear Joe: Well, I luppoie you'ra surprised to see that I am in Mexico City instead of beins on my way to New York. I really can't tell you how it happened except that it's all Abner's fault We were riding along nice and happv and enjoying ourselves very much, if you can call looking at cactus and desert in Arizona and New Mexico enjoying yourself; but in a way H showied what ■ large country we have to put traudeville back in If tt should ever come back. Well, we arrived in San Antonio, Texas, which u you know is a swell city, and I renewed old acquaintances with a swell gang of guys. First w« met Henry Bergman and his swell wife, Gladys Clark—you remember them when they were headliners in vaudeville. WelL Bergman is now working in San Antonio for the Inter-State Circuit and ia doing sw^ He tells me he likes the town and its people and his job^ which, after all, is all a feller has-to do to be happy. His big boss is Bob O'Donnellr—and many a week me and Aggie played for him at the old Harlem Opera House, and now he Is running the works for Mr. HoblitcelKt and he certainly has a great organization. Bergmaii had me meet all of 'em. - There was' Eddie Collins who manages the Majestic at San -Antonio^ and brother that is some theatre. It's as pretty a place as you've ever leea and when I walked in there I thought I was in Radio City. It's a first run house and also a fine run bouse. Then I met Homer Le Temps who ruDs the Aztec, another grand house, and he siiowed me around tiie place, an| it made me feel kinda foolish with my little breakaway in Coolacres^ Then I met Lynn Krueger who manages the Helloydale theatre and what a grani guy be Is. It's a siAurban house but run like a city place. Then \ met LeRoy Handley, Eddie Collins' assistant at the Majestic, who. also Imowt what the show business is all about Hien I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Mary liOuise Wallsiser who writes a column for the News and.ii really a great newspaperwoman. She remembered o\xt act and told me about an interview I gave her almost word for word and when you con« - slder that she Is a pretty busy little lady who has been in Hollywood in> tervlewing stars and can still recall a little guy like me that she hasn't seen in 10'years, I think it shows she Is plenty good as a newspaperwoman. Our host for the few days in San Antonio was Bill O'Donnell, the brother of Bob, and it just goes to show you that a family can have two great guys in it Bill is the city manager of the Inter-State at San Antonio and it married to Madeline Foy, one of the Foy kids, and she is raising an O'Don* nell-Foy gal that is a pip. Well, you can see that Aggie, Abner and me had some time in San Antonio... But what I'm trying to tell you is how I come to be down Kere in Mexico City. Abner got to talking and before I knew it he was telling me that we are so close to Mexico City that we ought to go down there and maybe we would pick up an idea to bring back ^ith us to the Fair. Not knowing much about geography I said, okay; that is Aggie sed okay and I just nodded my head. Come to find out it's over a 1,000 miles from San Antonio but Abner didn't say anything about that.. .all he said is that he Imew a lot of people down there and everything would be okay. Well I will say this for the guy, he spoke Spanish-to the Mexicans on our way down ana we.nearly got what we ordered which I think is close enough. 'Where the guy\ever picked it up I don't know because he's »>sort of a closed-mouth guy (except when he's gabbing. Before we knew it we landed in Mexico City. He dianged some of my American dough and got us five bucks for one which made him smart 'with Aggie right away. Aggie was for getting all our dough changed and living here as she figtires we couldn't make tliat kind of money at the N. Y. Fair. Well, I haven't had much chance to look around yet, so will write you next wedc how we're doing here. We are going to see a bull fight and some shows...and are going to meet some of Abner's friends. We may have to go to visit the jails to do it but one thing I will say for the guy-» he's okay so far; any guy that can get you five bucks for-one is either smart or crooked. Will have to stop for now as Aggie and Jr. are out on a shopping tour and she's spending dough like it was slugs or sometbin. Best to my Ameri- can friends and don't be surprised if I come back weisring a sombrero. 8EZ Your pal, Le/ty. P. S,—Jerry Doyle sez, "A dog that will bring a bone will carry one." exhibs should have the rights to re- produce any televised public event. 'We should also, I think,' concluded Metcalfe, 'combine together to pre- vent use of films, apparatus and ar- tists concerned in making of movies for television. If they like to .cre- ate their own artists and apparatus, that is all right, but we should be very shortsighted to allow them to use the amenities our capital, has created—even our newsreels.' Last sentiment was a crack against GB and Movietone, who hire out current reels to BBC. Lee's Television Moimt Hollywood, April 18. Don Lee network put papers in escrow for. purchase of a 20-acre site on the Mack Sennett estate in the Hollywood hills. Company plans erection of a tele- casting station on the 1,700-foot height to be renamed Lee Peak. - Vince Hart Back East 'Vincent G. Hart for years with the Production Code Administration di- vision of the Hays office, is back at the New York office after three months with the PCA under Joseph I. Breen on the Coast Hart is scheduled to remain with the PCA division in N. Y. OmCIAI FAIB PHOTOGS Albany, April 18. Official Motion Picture Producers, Inc., has been chartered to carry on motion picture activities at the N. Y. World's Fair. Corporation has the concession as official photographers of all pictures to be shot at the fair. Principal factors are Edward Ru- binstein, of Ruby Camera Exchange, and Leslie Wlnlck. RCA TELEVISING N. Y. WORLD'S FAIR BLDG. Dedication of Radio Corp. of America building .at the New York World's Fair tomorrow (Thursday) will be covered by television ior the benefiit. of reporters remaining in New York City. They will view ceremonies on receivers in the RCA Building, Radio City, ceremonies be- ing telecast from exposition.grounds to RCA-NBC transmitter on top of the Empire. State Bldg., from which actual sight-sound broadcast wiU go out over metropolitan area'. In announcing plans for opening the RCA Exposition Bldg., it was pointed out that television would play an important part in the exhibit, in- cluding Hall of Television, Television lab, television , camera, model trans- mitter and other telecast material Besides dedicating the RCA Bld^s. at the exposition, the same day HGA Mfg. Co. will demonstrate its new stock model television receivers to dealers in New York for the first time. Lamarr with Robt. Taylor HoUyw April 18. Basil Rathbone leads the support- ing cast in' the Hedy Lamarr-Robert Taylor't j-starrer, 'The Lady of the Tropics,' at Metro. Picture is slated to roll next week with Jack Conway directing. VISIO Releasing otttfit p. A. Powers and Jacques Kopf- stcin have formed the Television Holding Co. to acquire television rights to shorts and feature pictures New company plans to supply 5* mm. prints to telecasters on rental basis.