Variety (Jun 1939)

Wednesday, June 7, 1939 PICTURES VARIETY S So Ms What's Wrong with the B. 0.! While the World's Fair currently la blamed for slipping business at picture theatres in Greater New York, several showmen are not in- clined to rest full responsibility on the exposition. They point to the weakie bills being offered In neighborhood cinemas and in the Broad- way deluxers. One exhibitor related the difficulty he had finding a suitable show In his neighborhood to entertain out-of-town visitors, 'One theatre had a film all of us wanted to see, but we figured that by the time the other feature had been run off and some shorts, It would be too lata to stay for this one picture,' he stated. Trouble Is that there are too many thin 'A' productions available just now, and too many woefully weak 'B' films, with no big players that anybody cares about Result was that we all went to a newsreel theatre,' Film Execs' D.C. Parleys Seen As Paving Way for 'Consent' Decree; ItsPartofFM/sAidtoBigBiz Washington, June 6, A major contradiction by the U, S, Commerce and Dept, of Justice on film regulation has the picture industry in the middle. Six top executives hud- dling here ail day with Secretary of Commerce Harry I. Hopkins seemed ■ to get the idea that the Administra- tion's recent tack of "brotherly love' •for Big Business may pave the way for a 'consent' decree in the pending fuiti-trust suits against the majors. It's reached the stage where Joseph H, Hazen, v.p. of Warner Bros, and Its attorney, is remaining behind to- morrow (Wednesday), following the all-day huddles today (Tues,) In order to supply Commerce Dept. of- ficials with specific angles and sta- tistics on the economic structure of the picture business. It almost places the Commerce Dept, in the position of defending the film industry, with the suggestion it would then go over to the Justice division and try to make the legalists see the possible errors of their strin- gently technical legal ways. Secretary Hopkins sat down for two hours this morning with Will Bays, Joseph M, Schenck (in the ab- sence of Sidney R. Kent in South America), George J, Schaefer, Nich- olas M, Schenck, Harry M. Warner end J. H, Hazen to survey 'problems affecting the motion picture industry In Its relation to the general eco- nomic structure,' It's In line with the New Deal principle of talking things over, in the hope of accelerat- ing the whole American business machine. The advance agenda covered a wide range, but the monopoly topic was at the head of the list It was significant that other than Hazen, who was present, not as an attorney, but as a WB v.p,, no film company attorneys were here. Sec- retary Hopkins was flanked by Dr, Willard Thorpe, former head of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, and now one of Hopkins' mainstays; Nathan D. Golden, boss of the U. < S. motion picture division; and Ernest Tupper, economic ad- visor to Hopkins, and one of his prime braintrusters. Hazen's powwow tomorrow (Wed.) will be chiefly with Tupper, plus Golden and Dr. Thorpe, They will report to Hopkins, The film executives set forth the reasons for their justification in the present business structure of block Belling and general operations, argu- ing that any revision would destroy a business that has taken many years to develop. It was reported that both sides were in a bargaining mood, and that these parleys may pave the way to a consent' decree In the Justice Dept's attack. Hazen, for that rea- son, must submit more details to back up the film execs' contention of oppressive conditions. The after- noon session broke up at 6 p.m. last night It was announced that the same group will meet In the capital next Week, at an mspecirid time and date, depending on what the Justice pept may have to say la the in- terim. While the Dept of Justice seem- ingly professes Intricate knowledge of film trade practices, judging by Its lengthy allegations, the Com- merce Dept attitude Is a major con- tradiction. In that it professes not to know enough about it hence the request for more details. Settlement of the New York trust- busting riddle may be an outcome of the talks, which followed close on the heels of similar tete-a-tete ses- (Contlnued on page 44) $1,000,000 Wanger Libel Suit Vs. D.C Da3y, Ed SuUhran Washington, June 6, Monetary salve for wounds in- flicted by Ed SulUvan, N. Y. Daily News Hollywood columnist was sought in the local courts last week by Walter Wander, Naming the gos- sip peddler as a defendant producer launched a $1,000,000 libel action against Mrs, Eleanor Patterson, pub- lisher of the Washington Times-Her- ald and sister of Joseph M. Patterson, chief owner of the N. Y. sheet Basis of suit is a column terming Wanger films of Inferior quality. SPITZ DUE TO LEAVE MAYO CLINIC SOON Leo Spitz is recovering from a re- cent operation at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn,, and Is expected to leave next week for N. Y. He heads for Frisco June 22 to pass his birthday at Herman Web- ber's estate, for years an annual cus- tom, then goes to Hoilsrwood for a month's stey. American Institute Kudos to 7 in Pix Biz Hollywood, June 6, American Institute awarded seven honorary memberships at Its an- nual banquet at the University of Southern California. Recipients were Jack Warner, Norma Shearer, Nelson Eddy, Sam Wood, Gabriel Pascal, May Robson and John W. Considine, Jr. Fbe Arts Marks Tmie Hollywood, June 6. Continuance- of Fine Arts in the Grand National distribution fold de- pends on current audit of the GN books and financial prospects. Frank- Ijm Warner, FA prexy, is awaiting the report to determine whether to continue as is or seek' another re- lease for his eight pictures. Warner has been dissatisfied for several months with GN'a financial setup. OLDIES; B'S WEAK New Crop of Films Don't Draw, Ezhibs Prefer Name Values of the Reissues- Static B.O. Forecasts More Summer Shutterings Pre- maturely AUL OVER U. S. A severe shortage of product partly due to weakness of-the 'B' films and the necessity of theatres to shorten runs because of dwindling business, is gripping parts of the country and forcing theatres to play reissues. The situation in some cen- ters, including New York, is more critical than It has been In many years. The off-blz and summer shut- terings are unseasonably premature. Showmen believe that one of the difficulties Is the Increased number of remakes and a lack In the flow of lesser product from either the majors or national Indies such as Monogram and Republic. Audiences have been complaining about the long list of remakes this year, as are exhibitors. The latter are also voic- ing protest over the. failure of the producers to put anyone of import- ance into the casts of many of their 'B' pictures. Tills is resulting, not only In box- office defeat for a lot of secondary pictures, but is causing exhibitors to feel that it is better to play a reissue with names than new films of minor value without them, Beissaes Limited Problem of keeping theatres going with the product that is now avail- able will result in many more clos- ings this summer It is believed. Only certein reissues seem to get any- where at the boxoffice, although some of them can be obteined cheaply, and rather than struggle through the balance of the current 1938-39 season, exhibitors may be in- clined to close down to wait for the new product in August or Septem- ber. For the first time in the history of its operation, the Strand, Brooklyn, closes tonight (Wed.), In vaudeville during the winter, it has recently been back on a diet of double bills. Owned by the Warners, the Strand is operated by Si Fabian under the three-way Par-WB-Fabian pool in downtown Brooklyn. Business in Brooklyn - and other neighborhoods is away down. Includ- ing the Brandt Bros, houses. Some of the larger of the opera- tors right now are being forced to dig into the files for old film. In Manhattan two secondary first-runs which formerly had no trouble get- ting enough film are now being driven to reissues or anything they can get. "These are the Criterion and Rialto, while many lesser subsequent runs are also using more revivals,' H wood Gossip on Shortwave to S A, Part of M Neighbor Campaign, Fihns Too; Offset to Rome-Berlin SIiow Reissues, Rather Than Waste New Product Pittsburrh, June 6. Flood of flicker reissues again pouring into the downtown first-run houses after getting the go-by for several months following biz collapse for the oldies. Reasons advanced for their return are two-fold. Early sum- mer product (new) has been off and conditions have been so poor around here of late that managements figure it's no use wasting the current out- put anyway. Prefer waiting until things pick up a bit Warner picked up the trail again last week with 'Mutiny on the Bounty', on a twin-bill with a new film, 'Sorority House,' and Senator, (Continued on page 14) Patterson's F.D.R. Tie Washington, June 6. New film industry contact with the New Deal high command will be via Richard C. Patterson, Jr., retiring assistant secretary of commerce, who joins RKO July IS, Patterson, former NBC exec, has been appointed' to the Business Advisory Coimcil set up by President Roosevelt 'to pro- vide liaison between Govern- ment and business. First film personality on the panel since its creation several years ago. Ole Debbil Free Broadcasts, New Target of Fdms In the face of falling film grosses, the picture business has been making an Intensive but quiet survey on the whyfore. Broadcasting studio au- diences keynote the major cause of complaint in the general direction of radio, which is an old show biz story, of course. The major film companies, all of which have made elaborate prepara- tions to welcome and entertain visit- ing showmen to the N.Y. World's Fair, were all hit with the same un- usual number of requests from the hinterlanders' families—the yen to see a studio broadcast Breakdown of the types shows requested, forti- fied by supplemental information in other key cities, evidenced that the personality programs are the ans- wer to the deflection of considerable audience interest away from the boxoffice. Same thing Is paralleled In Holly- wood and Frisco, visitors to the west coast's exposition having similar re- quests. As in New York, but to a greater degree because of the film personalities, the large requests for ducats to radio shows with name stars were Impressive, A survey on certain lesser shows evidenced that the 'freak' type of programs, such as the 'confession' school—under the guise of kindly advisors or free legal asslstence— serve a morbid curiosity. Quiz shows, with cash prizes as added lure, like- wise pull heavily away from the b.o. This anti-radio feeling, generated by the direct effect on the gate, will undoubtedly have a vivid Interpreta- tion in the film business' future re- lations with radio. U'S $1,000,000 STUDIO FACEIFT THIS YEAR Hollywood, June 6. Universal will spend around $1,- 000,000 this year on studio Improve- ments and new stages after dishing out $600,000 last year on similar con- struction. Outlay will be for two additional steges, cutting rooms, and camera and electrical equipment latter to cost around $150,000, Work starts on new stages around July 1, J. J. Fitzgibbont OK Rochester, Minn,, June 6. J, J, Fltzgibbons, v.p. and general manager of the Canadian-Famous Players' theatre circuit out of Mayo Clinic here. Had been under care of doctors for six weeks. Columbia Broadcasting System's offer to the picture Industry of fiva quarter-hours a week for the short- waving of film Hollywood chatter news and interviews to South America and Europe, In several lan- guages, differs from NBC's present setup on the same subject in but one respect Whereas NBC has been carrying a daily shortwave pro- gram of this type for the past year, on a strictly independent basis, CBS wants the film companies to con- tribute directly to tlie maintenance of the proposed aeries. CBS regards the idea as an Ideal variation of the entertainment ap- proach lif shortwave broadcasting, because of universal popularity of screen personalities. In its ap- proach to the Hays office on thtt proposition, the network pointed out that the program would serve to stimulate interest In American film fare. Frederic .Willis, CBS director of shortwave broadcasting, Is slated to meet with producer spokesmen this week to Iron out the details. NBC's daily quarter-hour devoted to film material is broadcast in Eng- lish, German, French, Itelian, Span- ish and Portuguese. Occasionally it shortwaves a recorded interview with a film star in Spanish, Because of the huge demand It received frbm abroad for pictures of' film sars, NBC is trying to work out some ar- rangement with film studios where- by these photos in posteard size could be supplied it on a nominal basis. All this, of course, Is further In line with the U, S, 'good neighbor* policy plus the fact it cements th« democracy block against the Rome* Berlin axis, which Intensively propa- gandizes South America via short- wave radio. 'Good Neighbor' Films Washington, June 6, In line with the President's 'good neighbor' policy toward South America, the House passed Monday (5) a bill authorizing expendltur* of $176,500 for motion picture proj- ects of the U, S, Film Service, Contained In legislation offered by (Continued, on page 30) Trmd* Hark Ratlitarcd PODNDED BY 8IUB SILVERMAN FablUbed Weekly bjr 'VARIXTT, lae. „ _8I<1 ailverman, Frealdsnt 1(« W«0t 46tb Strtet. Naw Tork CItr aOBSCRIPTION Annual 110 Foreico Ill Slngl* Coplaa 2( Canta Vol. 134 No. 13 INDEX Bills 38-30 Chatter 45 Dance Bands 31-33 15 Years Ago 35 Film Reviews 12 Film Showmanship 8 Forum , 47 House Reviews ;., 37 Inside—Bands 33 Inside—Legit 42 International 11 Legitimate 40-43 Literati 44 Music 31-33 New Acts ! 39 Night Clubs 34-38 Obituary 46 Outdoors 47 Pictures 2-16 Radio 17-30 Radio Reviews 30 Radio—International 21 Television 28-29 Vaudeville 34-3S