Variety (Apr 1939)

18 VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, April 19, 1939 Pitt's WB-Loew Pool Behind on Pix. Stanley, Lone Hesiier, Drops Stage Pittsburgh, April 18. . Product jam, which has set local WB-Loew pool several weeks be- hind release schedules, is shoving Stanley, town's only flesh spot, into straight picture policy tor month at least Fred Waring, current, will wind up presentation for the time being, WB deluxer going films only Friday (21) with opening of •Castles.' It's the first interruption in spot's combination policy since March, 1937, when shows were re- sumed following six-month musi- cians', strike. Under pool setup here, Penn, the liOew house, gets choice of product, with Stanley taking the next best pix and playing them with presenta' tions and combined B films being dualled at the Warner. However, with eight heavily-budgeted films available immediately for the next month, all of which ordinarily would go to Penn, WB management had no alternative. Distributors, re- fused to give Stanley these pic- ■ tures on stage-show terms and. ne- cessity of playing them oil at once became imperative on account of subsequent runs. Stanley management announced In newspapers that interruption in stage shows would be for four weeks only, although that period may be extended an additional fortnight or more, depending upon the run' of product at that time. Pool execs ex pect holdovers on several pix, aside from ones that will be moved to Warner for continuation of down' town run, and this may keep de- luxer fleshless longer than expected. Following. 'Castles,' Stanley has 'Stagecoach,' 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy' and 'Hardys Ride High' set, while Penn will stack up 'Wuther ing Heights,' 'Broadway Serenade,' 'Dark Victory' and one yet to be set during same period. Stanley will return to town's regular straight picture price scale, 25-35-50C. With shows, house gets 60c top. In some quarters, it was thought rival Harris outfit might capitalize on situation and. shoot in flesh at its downtown deluxer, the Alvin, but that's out inasmuch as spot' also has flock of big pix lined up for that stretch. Including 'Bell' and 'Rose of Washington Square.' Figured total of 25 Stanley em' ployees, including 16 musicians, will be jobless during the ' four-week period. Pit boys were taken by surprise when they . got their no- tices last Monday (10), there having been no previous intimation that house had been considering, any suoh move; LEIGH AS mECCA' AFTER BIG BLOW OVER Hollywood, April 18. Second American role for Vivien liCieh is the top spot in David Selznick's 'Rebecca,' slated to start June IS under direction of Alfred Hitchcock. Actress is expected complete her role ih 'Gone with the Wind' before that time. Meanwhile Selznick plans to roll Intramezzo' about May 15, with LeS' lie Howard as star and associate pro ducer. Cnttiiig In on Grinde Hollywood, April 18, Eddie Dmytryk; cutter, is pinch' hitting for Nick Grinde as director of Paramount's 'Million Dollar Legs. With a week's shooting to go, Grinde was bedded by a throat infection. Dmytryk had been editing the picture. M'waukee Negro Protest . Bans 'Birth of a Nation' Milwaukee*, April . 18. "The Birth of a Nation,' film classic that has survived nearly a quarter of a century, was banned from Mil- waukee Saturday (15) by-order of the city's motion .picture commi^ion. The original film, once hailed as. the greatest screen spectacle of all time, opened in the morning at the Albam- bra, with accompaniment of modem sound, etc. Late Saturday the censors met in Mayor Hoan's office and ordered the picture discontinued after Sunday night'.<« showing. (k>mmisslon also ordered immediate deletion of scenes it considered contrary to public poU icy and decreed that after Sunday night 'Birth of a Nation' shall be for- ever barred from this dt^. Commission's order came after representatives of Negro organiza- tions protested that many scenes were prejudicial to their race, ^Hfill Rogers Memorial Drive Starts Timrs. (20); Special Short iUl Set 'Four Auld Lang Syne,' the short which will keynote the annual Will Rogers Memorial drive, was pre^ viewed last week. The Rogers Na' tional Theatre week starts tomorrow (Thursday), and more than 9,000 cir- cuit and independent houses already have agreed to participate this year. Drive is headed by Major L. E. Thompson, RKO executive. Short this year, which will be flashed on the screen before collec' tions are made in theatres, spotlights Raymond Massey and Robert K Sherwood, star and author respec- tively of 'Abe Lincoln In Illinois,' current Broadway legit hit, Film has Sherwood comparing, in a brief iU' troductory speech, certain qualities of Will Rogers to that of Lincoln. Then Massey is depicted In two typi- cal scenes from the play. Besides doseups of Will Rogerts Memorial activities, major part of remainder of picture is covered by Lowell Thomas' comentary and talks by Spencer Tracy and Deanna Durbbi. Short was made at Fox Movietone plant in New York, Edmund Reek SMpervlsing; Film stock was cbn- tributed by Pathe-Dupont, Eastman Kodak and Filmex-Gevaert Per always, the funds obtained during Will Rogers week go to sup- port the hospital and kindred phil- anthropies at Saranac Lake, N. Y. Growling Again Hollywood, April 18. AI Rosen is dusting off 'Th* Mad Dog of Europe,' which he has been planning to film for the last four years. Story deals with Germany since 1014. Current plan Is to release the story in film and book form at the same time. N. E. (Hiio, St Loub Sector, Texas And OAer Zones in New Bldg. Rush WARNERS HAS 5 EDITING ON '40SKED Hollywood, AptO. 18. With actual production completed on this year's schedule, Warners has five features of the 1939-40 program in the editing stage and four more In work. Those in the cans for next season are 'Devil on Wheels,' 'Hell's Kitchen,' 'Enemy Agent,' 'Waterfront' and 'Elmer the Great.' WB's 'Dust Be My Destiny' rolled today (Tues.), John Garfield head- ing the cast 'Career Man? is slated to start May 15 and 'Three Cheers for the Irish' two days later. First week in May launches four features on the WB lot, beginning with the Edward G. Robinson starrer, Tootsteps in the Dark.' Those to follow are "The Knight and the Lady,' 'Not Wanted' and 'Dead or Alive.' Pic Engineers In Coast Sesh, Study Gimmicks, Gadgets TONY MARTIN VAMPIN' UM-G PACT'S READY Miss Brooks Out at 20th Hollywood, April 18. Phyllis Brooks checked off the 20th-Fox contract list after two years on the lot. She will freelance. IXOYS'S BEMAXE -IDEA Hollywood, April 18. Harold Lloyd has acquired from Pathe all rights to stories from which his eight starring silent features and 13 two-reelers were made. Retired comedian Is looking around for a youth to groom for the parts he played. He will produce the pic- tures. Pittsburgh, April 18. Tony Martin signed here last week to open Bon Air Country Club out- side of Chicago May 25. Ticket calls for a month's stretch and will de lay singer's return to the Coast un til at least first of July. Understood there's an M-G deal on the fire for Martin, who asked for and received his release from 20th-Fox some time ago. . Martin will go into Bon Air with Freddy Martin's band following couple of additional weeks of p.a.'s in theatres. His wife, Alice Faye, Is due in New York this week by boat from L. A. «nd will join him in either Youngstown oc Akron, O., where he's splitting current session. There had been, talk earlier of Martin going Into new 'Broadway Melody' with Eleanor Powell, but George Murphy has sbice been set for that spot HoUywpod, April 18. Annual spring convention of So- ciety of Motion Picture Engineers opened yesterday (Mon.) at Roose- velt hotel, with 125 out-of-town members registered for the sessions, which run through Friday. Nate D. Golden, chief of the mo- tion picture division. Department of Commerce, highlighted the opening session with comprehensive survey of the foreign film markets. Golden disclosed that political and economic difficulties abroad has resulted In large decrease in revenue for Ameri- can film producers during 1938 in comparison to the year previous, . Latin America is the fastest eX' panding market for American.films, with 6,230 theatres operating, and in- creasing yearly, Golden stated. Total of 1,706 feature films were produced in 1938 in the Far and Near East, he disclosed, with Japan producing 575 of this number. Production for the year in Europe was off, with Germany leading with 137 of the 609 features made on the continent. At the morning session W. B. Ray. ton presented paper which disclosed that American optical manufacturers were now producing lenses the equal of any made in Europe. Sessions on sound, color, laboratory and projec' tion practice, and photography will be held daily, with SMPE presenting symposium on television as climax to the convention. Delegates - made inspection tour Monday of the Paramount studios to witness intricacies of- projection background, process, special effects and miniature work. Group visits Warners plant Thursday (20), with convention banquet slated for that evening. Extra Hitch for Pair Hollywood, AprU 18. Two pictures went back Into work for three days of added scenes at Warners. • Claude Rains was recalled from his Pennsylvania- vacation' foi* new shots on 'A . Family Affair,' directed by Michael Curtlz. Terry Morse Is- piloting 'Waterfront,' the other film requiring additional Shooting. 'Glory' Up to Start Hollywood, April 18. Samuel Goldwyn's Philippine yam. The Real Glory,' rolls next Monday (24), Gary Cooper starring and Henry Hathaway directing, . Specially built for the picture is a 700-foot tropical lagoon on the United Artists lot. Canton, O., AprU 18. Most ambitious program of new theatre construction,, modernization and renovation in more than five years, ia under way in northeastern Ohio, with almost a score of new houses scheduled to make their bow before the summer wanes. A. G. Constant of Inter-StateTheatres, Inc., with headquarters in Steubenville, plans a new $60,000 house at Nortb Canton, O., seating 750 and ready this summer. Construction of a modern cinema on S. Market street is to be started In Minerva shortly by the Manos Amxis. Co. of Toronto, seating 900. R. T. Kemper of Shelby plans a new $30,000 house immediately at Crestline, seating approxlntately 500. Iiorenzo Buzzelli, who recently ac- quired the Five Points, nabe at Akron, plans adding 50 feet to the rear of the house, increasing the seating capacity to 650, add air con- ditioning and enlarge the marquee. At Bedford a new house in the $100,000 class is planned to start soon. George Burroughs, Cleveland archi- tect, is preparing the plans. In the same town Mrs. Lena StlUwell is contemplating enlarging the Bedford by acquiring more ground. P. K Essick, president of the Berea Amus. Co., has acquired the old Pastime there and plans extensive modernization. A. new 1,200-seater is planned at Lorain by Gieorge Shenker and John Dandrea, at a cost exceeding $150,000. Shea Theatre Corp. has acquired downtown site In New Philadelphia for new first run. Company operates the Union there. George K. Angeles of Mansfield planning 1,000-seater in NorwaUc, cost about $60,000. Abe Schwartz and Jack Shulman are building - a 1,200-seat deluxer in PainesviUe. Architect Myron M. Goodwin, of Youngstown, is preparing plans for another de luxe nabe in that city to cost $80,000. Joseph R Shagrin and associates, who recently built the Foster, back of the veilture. Work has been started on $50,000 theatre to seat between 500 and 600 at Bryan, C, by the Ellaness The atre Corp. by fire, rebuilt and being op- erated by Dean W, Davis, West Plaines, Mo, Construction has started on 450-seater In Fairfield, 111, H. L. Pitner, who Is Interested in the Strand, 450-seater, and the Rex, 500- seater, both shuttered, will operate the new house. Excavations being made for new 750-seater for Frank Barnes at Car- mi, 111. Barnes also is'Interested in the 60O-seat Strand, in Garmi. Mrs. O. P. Caulfleld, Edina, Mo., owner of the LaBelle, 200-seater in. LaBelle, Mo., recently destroyed by fire hasn't determined whether she will replace it .with another. Construction is al- most completed on the 600-seater Bond, Greenville, 111., which will be operated by the Frlsina Amuse. Co., of Springfield, 111. The project will cost $30,000. Theodore Coleman, Mt Carmel, 111., owner of the 630-seat American, destroyed by fire several months ago, is contemplating re- building the structure. Coleman also operates the Uptown, 700-seater in the same town. The Hope, Sesser, 111., owned and operated by S. Hope, remodeling its stage' to accommodate flesh acts. Hill- billy entertainment is No. 1. on the amusement sked. V. Merritt, Tay- lorviUe, 111., and Tony Serra, Spring- field, m., will open the Lux, 600- seater, Edwardsville, 111., about May 1. Andy's New Girl Holi^ood, April 18. Metro dipped into the musical field for the girl Andy Hardy tumbles for In 'Andy Hardy (Sets Spring Feve*.! She is Helen Gilbert, recruited from concert and for the last two years 'cellist with the studio or- chestra. Omaba'a Salesman Change Omaha, AprU 18. Ralph Olson, totmerly with Uni- versal, has joined RKO, and Carl Reese, 20th-Pox, has resigned to join RepubUc ia Des Moines. Si Loo Zone's Big Bldg. St Louis,. AprU 18. Excavation has started for a new $250,000 de luxe nabe on the out- skirts of St Louis, and is the opening gun of a theatre buUding campaign that reaches into the rural sections of Missouri and Illinois. The Shuchart Realty Co., which' owns and operates the Norslde, another de luxe nabe in North St Louis, is owner of the new house, which wUl be a 2,000-seater. Tommy James soon expected to award contract for new 1,000-seater, expected to cost $150,000; will cater to Negro trade exclusive^. It's in a Negro district, where two other smaUer houses are now In operation. Fanchon & Marco reported to be readying plans for $200,000 house in the northwestern siection of the city on site it purchased for the Florissant Cinema Gardens which was operated last summer. A syndicate headed by Nat Koplar, formerly associated with F&M, is reported to be preparing plans for the construction of another 2,000-seater in the extreme north part of the city. At Belle, Mo., the Chamber of Commerce is giving serious thought to forming a stock company to pro- vide the town with a. film house. At Dexter, Mo., Charles Weeks, who op- erates the Weeks, 525-seater, mulling plans for 600-seater next door to the present house. Mae Preston, Salem, Mo., who op. erates the Lyric, 350-seater, prepar- ing to give the go-ahead signal for a new 500-seater there, construction of which was stopt)ed several months ago when she started negotiotions with P. V. Mercier, Perryville, Mo.^ on the local situation. About two years ago Miss Preston and Mercier started a small war among exhibitors when they both started plans for new houses. Frlsina Amuse, Co. .Inter- vened and the troubles were ironed out when Miss Preston took over the Mercier project Construction was then stopped on both houses. Miss Preston's new house will cost around $50,000. G. W. Gordon, Bloomfleld, Mo., Is remodeling a store building in Bloomfleld into a 400-seater and expects to open about April 20. The Cameo 300-seater, Mountain Grove, Mo., recently destroyed Texas' BoUdIng DaUas, April 18. Hailed as proof that show biz is zooming around. these parts is the announcement of plans for hew thea- tres in smaUer cities of this area. This does not Include the recently completed Lakewood, swanky nabe here, or the remodeling of two other nabes—Haskell, destroyed by fire, and Rosewin, suburban house. Neither does It Include new house, first in history,' at SeagovIUe, south of here. BuUding wiU Include the Pines at Cleburne, Tex., 558 seats on two floors, $15,000; Tower at Carlsbad, N. M., 850 seats, one floor, $20,000; Hobbs, at Hobbs, N. M., 780 seats, one floor, $20,000; Oovls, at Clovls, N. M., 900, one floor, $30,000. Just finished is the Texas at Waxa- hachie, Tex., formerly the Ritz, 550 seats, floor and balcony, $20,000; Texas, at Sherman, Tex., 900 seats on two floors, and the Irving, at Irving, Tex., DaUas suburb, 500 seats, th« latter two houses to cost about $45,« 000 between them. The IrviiJg will replace the present house there, and Waxahachle job Is being erected where old house feU from fiames. Detroit Aetlve Detroit AprU 18. Theatre buUding la being resumed hereabouts In earnest foUowing slump In the recession of 1938. Wis- per & Wetsman circuit has started excavation for a $300,000 nabe on east side. WUl seat 2,250, to be known as Harper. Esquire, located just Inside sub- urban Grosse Polnte, to be reopened late this month or early in May by group of east side business mien. Sev- eral other spots being considered In various parts of Detroit and suburbs. Woreester's Newie Worcester, Mass,, April 11. Ground Is expected to be broken April 17 here for a $110,000 picture house, with opening date set for Labor Day. Greendale Theatre Corp., Arthur A. Blanchard, of Southbridge, Mass,, president and Harry J. Steinberg, of Worcester, treasurer, the owners. BuUding also will house the Associated Theatrical Syndicate. New 500-Seater Sun Prairie, Wis., AprU 18. Kermit Chairboneau plans to build a 500-seat theatre here costing about $40,000. JUin Grey'a New One . Oklahoma City, April 18. John Grey will buUd a new theatre at Woodward, Okla., with work to begin within a week. Two other the- atres am tit present operated by John 3. Terry here. R. J. Logan purchased interests of C. B. Runyan in the Runya'n theatre at BamsdaU, Okla. HALE'S DUTIALES Hollywood, April 18. First job for Alan Hale under his new contract at Warners Is top spot in 'Boycott' Picture rolls early In May.