Variety (Jul 1939)

trgdnesday, Jnly S, 1939 PICTURES VARIETY MAY RUSH Delhreries for '38-39 at a Glance MAXMOM ANNOONCBMENT 444 Featured 80 Westerns 4 Foreigns HINIMDM ANNOUNCEMENT 404 Features 60 Westerns 4 Foreigns DELIVEBT 370 Features 64 Westerns 11 Foreigns 370 Features 64 Westerns 11 Foreigns OVEB OB UNDER —^74 Features —16 Westerns + 7 Foreigns —34 Features + 4 Westerns 4- 7 Foreigns 1-BMl 679 t-Bcel 122 1-Beel 468 SHOBTS 2-Beel lie l-Beel —111 2-BeeI Film Deliveries on '38-39 Deak Average a Kt Ahead of Last Year Althoi^h Some DktribsLs^ Plenty Br BOT CBABTIEB Based on the number of pictures that liave been released to date this year, deliveries on the current (1038- BO) product! both features and shorts, will total up better than normal when mat(!hed With promises made to accounts in the spring and sum- mer of 1938 when contracts were eigned. While it Is a little early to determine the exact position at which all the companies will wind up on '38-39 releases, indications are that the majority of the distribs will live up to commitments better than In most former seasons; some of them 100%. There are always a certain num- ber of carryovers and frequently a feature or two promised by a dis- trib on any given season may turn out a late straggler and not go on release until a new season is at hand. In September or Octol>er, though de- livered under the old year's contract. The distributors have not yet been able to tell accounts exactly what deliveries there will be as the 1938- 89 slate is washed up. This infor- mation usually is obtainable toward the end of July or around Aug. 1. Nevf season with most companies be- gins Sept. 1. As things stand now, features and diorts yet to go do not comprise!'a high number. For the 1938-30 sea- son now drawing toward the finish, the distributors promised a maxi- mum of 444 features, 80 westerns and four forelgn-mades. They have de- livered 370 features, 64 westerns and 11 foreigns against that maximum commitment This leaves a deficit at present of 74 features and 16 westerns, but an oversupply of seven foreigns.' • Only 34 Behind BUnlmiun The minimum commitment was 404 features, 60 westerns and four foreigns. Based on deliveries so far against that minimum requirement under contracts,- only 34 features are yet to come to create 100% delivery by all companies. In the minimum column, deliveries show that dls- telbs are over by four westerns and seven forelgn-mades. Shorts have been fiowing at an UU' usually surprising rate against com mltments. "The distributors prom- ised 579 one-reelers and have deliv- ered 468, leaving only 111 to go. In the two-reel division a total of 122 were sold, this including March of Time, and to date 116 is the total de liyered, leaving the very small num Mr of six yet to come for complete ""Ifllllment of contracts. (See box on this page). . Taking the producing-distributlng companies in alphabetical order, this is the way they stack up: COLDUBIA • This theatre-less distributor sold a maximum of 40 features, 16 westerns and one extra picture against a mini- mum of 30 features, eight westerns »nd one extra. It has delivered 30 features, six westerns, two extras •nd one carryover from the prior (1937-38) season, thus already being over Its minimum requirements. GAUMONT-BBinSH Announcing a program last sum , mer of 22 features, distribution of (Continued on page S4) Kanin Draws Tassport' Hollywood, July 4. Garson Kanin's next piloting Job at RKO is "Passport to Life,' with Cary Grant in the star spot. Director recently finished 'Bache- lor Mother.' Patterson OK'd By Court; RKO's Treasury Post The appointment of Richard C. Patterson, Jr., as chairman of the board of directors of RKO was ap- proved by Federal Judge William Bondy in N. Y. Friday (30). Bondy in passing on Patterson's appoint- ment, declared: The court is satisfied that the qualifications and aftiliations of Richard C. Patterson, Jr., who has been proposed as a director of the debtor upon consummation of the plan of reorganization in place of Floyd B. Odium, have fully been dis- closed, and that his appointment to such oSice is equitable, compatible with the Interest of the creditors and stockholders, and consistent with public policy.' The new RKO chairman was bom in Omaha, Neb., in 1886, and was for- merly Assistant Secretary of Com- merce, a member of the monopoly committee, executive v.p. of the Na- tional Broadcasting Co. and Commis- sioner of Correction of N. Y. City. Richardson's Office (diaries E. Richardson, former trustee of Paramount Pictures and now handling financial affairs of the reorganized RKO Corp., is slated to assume the post of treasurer of RKO. Election will take place as soon as the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals disposes of the several actions now pending which seek to upset legality of the reorganization. Post of treasurer is vacant at pres- ent, although there are thr«e assis- tant treasurers, Gordon K.Young- man, O. R. McMahon and W. J. Kernan. PRE-RELEIISES10 OFFSET SHORTAGE Need for Films in Certain Sectora—Much Product Being Eaten Up—Summer Proved Strong Boxoffice in .the Palst Repercussions on Allied s Turndown Of the Code Continue; Merits of Plan Admitted; New Selling Continues N. Y. FAIR A FACTOR CROMWELL DIRECTS RKO'S UNCOLN' PIC Hollywood, July 4. John Cromwell gets the directing chore on RKO's filiii version of Rob- ert E. Sherwood's stage play, 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois,' starring Ray- mond Massey. Shooting starts Aug. 1, with Max Gordon and Hariy M. Goetz pro- ducing. With a shortage of product becom- ing acute in some sections of the country, notably in highly competi- tive situations where a lot of pictures are eaten up steadily—and due to general conditions, suffering from shortened runs—a lot of pre-releases may iiecome available the end of this month and during August ' Exhibitors throughout the country are urging the distributors to give them 1930-40 pictures, if ready, as early as they possibly can so that the first run situation, at least, may be protected prior to the time, usually around Labor Day, when product goes on national release evisrywhere. In former years some of the dis- tribs have found that July and August releases have done terrific business, when of big caliber,'in spite of the fact that this is the middle of summer and the level of grosses is at its lowest. Metro has been more willing than' most companies to let go with big pictures during the hot weather, an outstanding example in recent years having, been 'San Fran- cisco*. Another midsummer release Metro gave the crying theatres was 'Saratoga', two years ago. Most of the producer-distributors have some 1039-40 pictures com' pleted now and will have more by Aug. 1, notably Metro, Warner Bros., Paramount and 20th-Fox. This year also, the shortage may be more short-Uved than ordinarily with some of the distribs starting their '39t40 season earlier. WB will prob ably start rolling its pictures on gen- eral release aroimd the middle of August, while 20th-Fox will start its new 1030-40 releasing schedule still earlier than that. 20th's first '39-'40 picture will become available Aug. 4. Metro is also expected to roll its new season's product earlier than usual. This very likely will mean some pre. releases toward the end of July from such companies. New York is figured a natural for pre-release bookings, due to the fact that the World's Fair is in full swing and the peak of the tourist influx should be hit during 'July and August. Hew Certain Cos. Affect Present shortage affecting the theatres is caused not because there isn't a fairly good flow of product from most majors—^United Artists being the major exception — but largely because the quality of the pictures has been low. UA has had nothing since May 26, and won't sup- ply its accotmts with a resumed flow of product until July 15. The ac- count depending on. this company thiis has suffered since the end of May, while if he is unlucky, enough to have also bought the pictures of other majors whose product isn't panning out well, the shortage In his case is very serious. With film getting weak during May and Jime, theatres have been forced to close or book in reissues in order to get by, playdates having been shortened a lot due to the failure of boxolfice draught of what has been supplied. Where a picture fornierly might go a week, during the past two montlis, many of them have lasted only three or four days. Similarly policies of split weeks and three changes weekly have been reduced, making it almost impossible to operate with what has been avail- able. Toying with the idea of releasing big pictures during the hot weather months, Warner Bros, is making a check of the country .to determine (Continued on page 12) Fair Pass Tassage' ' Hollywood, July 4. Robert Young gets the role orig- inally assigned to Robert Taylor in Metro's "Northwest' Passage,' which goes into work this, week at Payette Lake, Idaho. Another change in the original cast is Walter Brennan for Wallace Beery. Picture was ready to shoot last fall, but early snows in the Idaho moun- tains stopped work for the winter. Shift in dates caused the shifts in the cast Schaefer's H. Q. At RKO Studio Starting Sept Hollywood, July 4. George J. Schaefer, RKO prexy, will set up permanent headquarters for himiself and his staff at the com- pany's studios here in September, Ned Depinet,. distribution head, will be in charge of the New York head- quarters. Schaefer declared that he wants to be in closer touch with production and feels he can function more ad' vantageously at this end. RKO sends a pair of ^000,000 pic- tures into work this week. 'Himch' back of Notre Dame' rolls tomor- row (Wed.) and 'Allegheny Frontier* starts Friday (7). Charles Laughton stars in 'Hunch- back' and John Wayne shares top spots with Claire Trevor in 'Alle- gheny.' L W. FOn {2,000,000 BUDGET FOR'JACKSON' Lawrence W. Fox, Jr., of Cieneral Films Co., Hollywood, is lining up a budget of $2,000,000 to produce Marquis James* book, 'The Life of Andrew Jackson.' Fox is backed by William Fiske, Jr.,'Nicholas Luding ton and Bill Rowan, Los Angeles capitalist ' Fox, who paid $60,000 for film rights to the James book two weeks ago, has signed the author to a 10- week contract to ad&pt his work to the screen. James will leave for the Coast in October. He is the only writer to. have won a Pulitzer prize twice. Deals are also on for John Ford to direct 'Jackson,' and for the loan of two stars, one of whom may be Gary Cooper. Darrienx RoM Off %o/Gnrie Moves In Hollywood, July 4. Top role in Universal's 'Rio,' orig- inally intended for Danielle Dar- rieux, goes to Sigrld GUrie. French star is still tied up with legal prob- lems in Paris. Picture rolls Saturday (8) with Basil Rathbone, Victor McLaglen, Robert Cummings and Leo CarrUlo In supporting roles. Lombard-Aherne Teamed Hollywood, July 4. Brian Aheme plays ppposlte Carole Lombard In.'Vigil of the Night'at RKO. Shooting starts July 20 with (Teorge Stevens producing and di- luting. Repercussions of Allied States' turndown of the trade practice cod« are Still the chief topic of converse, tion among distributors and ex- hibitors. One angle is the feeling that things could be quickly adjusted between buyer and seller If it weren't for the hindrance and tactics of legal advisers. Film attorneys- are said to have the distributing companies thoroughly scared, and are said to have even been against letting the distributors sit down with exhibitors to discuss arbitration and other practices of clearance, allocation, etc for fear that it might bo construed as a con- spiracy. Now the feeling is general that if the distributors can get some- thing acceptable to both sides, Into the hands of exhibitors qulclcly, the situation might be salvaged as most exhibitors want and will take the code because they have needed some system of settling their disputes for a long time. If an unbiased system of arbitration and boards can be es- tablished, a great forward step will Iiave 1>een taken. Another thing that needs attention is for exhibitors to- have the code, as far as it goes at the present time, explained and carefully analyzed for them. At Minneapolis,' only the highlights were gone over. Speaking for the distributors, WiUiam F. Rodgers (Metro) stated last week, 'In the main, most ex- hibitors and distributors have a kindly feeling toward one another. In a short time, we will have a pro- gram that wUl make all of us happy.' Inqury among sales heads. this past week developed that no usual holdup of product buying of next season's lineup from all companies has been experienced, although not many big circuit deals have been closed since the wlndup of all dis-- tributor conventions. B«dgen' Peeve Regardless of affiliations, any exhib may participate in the trade practices code, says Rodgers, spokes- man for the distributors. He charges (Continued on page 45) Tradt Uarb Reflittrad FOCNOBD DT 8IME SILVEnMAN PobUalMd WMklr by TARIETT. laa. Sid Silverman,' Prulrisol lt4 Weat ittb Streat. New Tork City INDEX Bills 46 Chatter 53 Dance Bands 38-40 15 Years Ago. 42 Flhn Booking Chart...... 20 Film Review 14-16 Film Showmanship 8 House Reviews 44-45 Insidfr^Muslc 38 Inside—Legit 48 Inside pictures 21 Inside Radio 27 International. 12 Legitimate 47-51 Literati ; 52 Music 38-40 New Acts '.. 45 Night Clubs 41-42 Obituary ' 54 Outdoors 55 Pictures 2-22 Radio 23-37 Radio Reviews 26 Radio—International 34 Unit Review 45 VaudeviUe 41-43