Variety (Sep 1939)

VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, September 27, Carl Laemmle, Sr.. Film Pioneer, Founder of Universal Dies at 72 Carl Laemmic, Sr., who retired as president ol Universal Film Co. three years ago, died at his honne in Beverly- Hills on Sunday (24) at the age o( 72. Death was from a heart atteek. He had been ailing for some lime. In later years his hearing be- came seriously impaired. The Laemmle life story is an ab- sorbing tale ol the immigrant boy, who came to American shores in search of opportunity, and found here the fulfillment of his ambitions «nd aspirations. From poverty he rose to riche.'!, following a pattern of his own creating. In the crowded years of a busy life and vast experi- ence, he built a film empire, after his own design, and he leaves an indelible mark ol enterprise and showmanship in the motion picture industry. German-born, he became a natural- ized American citizen in early man- hood. The blood ties were strong throughout his life, and for many years he passed- a vacation period artnually in Germany-^a pilgrimage that ended only with the rise of Hitlerism, against which he protested as a generous contributor of funds for various refugee projects. Throughout his business career he conducted his affairs with shrewd acumen, shaping a course for the Universal company which brought it through the numerous crises of in- dustry competition and the major economic upheavals, both here and abroad, which have punctuated the past quarter of a century. He held- steadfastly to a vision that films as an art-industry we're close to the masses. Repeatedly throughout his career he revitalized his enterprises by drawing upon the full strength, of his financial resources for spectacular and speculative film productions which invariably reestablished Uni versal's strong position in the world market. Indefatigable, patient and per. s'stent. Laemmle's voluntary with- drawal from active direction of Uni •versa! three years ago, followed by the sale of personal lioldings for a siim reported to be $5,000,000, was explained to friends and close as sociates as a desire at the end of a long career to enjoy the fruits of work in a few years of rest and recreation. His two children, Carl Jr., and. Mrs.. Stanley (Rosabelle) Bergerman, and his grandchildren; Carol and Stanley Bergerman, aged nine and seven, respectively, were near him when he died. He is sur- vived also by two brothers. Siegfried and Louis. Mrs. Laemmle died in 1918. Covered a Wide lUn^e In every sense of the word Laemmle was a film pioneer. He opened new fields of endeavor; he kept pace with associates who con- structed an industry from the com- mercial collapse which followed the Government's dissolution' of- the ^encril Film Co. His ' activities covered the full range of the film business, through experiences as a successful exhibitor of nickelodeon days, as an independent film ex- change operator, and finally as the head of a vast producing and dis- tributing organization, ramifications of which extended to every country on the plobe where motion pictures are shown. He was one of the first executives to properly evaluate the greatness of the foreign market, and in the extension of his interests in distant countries he found occasion frequently to philosophize on the potency of the American film as the envoy of the American ideals of liberty and happiness. To a friend he once remarked that his greatest thrill was in the realization that his pic-; turcs, universally shown, paid olT in part a personal debt he cherished for the rewards which had come to him from America. Laemmle was born in Laupheim, Wurtcmberg. Germany, on Jan. 17, 1867, a small town which he subsequently aided financially. He was the 10th of 13 children born to Julius and Rebekka Laemmle. Eight of his brothers and sis'.ers died during a .scarlet fever epidemic when he was a child. An older brother had emigrated to America, settling iii Chicago. Typical Alger Start At the age'of 17, Laemmle arrived Jn New York, and obtained his first job as a messenger boy for a drug- gist, at $4 a week. From this small sum he saved enough to make the journey to Chicago, and there fol- lowed a period during which he (Continued on page 55) Dnst Bowl—Come $ Signs—Switches Jeers Sallisaw, Okla., Sept. 26. | The natives hereabouts expre.s.sed ' several bushels of wrath when they i heard that 20th-Fox was sending a company here to film local color for its. production of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.' They wercnH particularly thrilled about their dust bowl then. But when Otto Brower and his company moved in last week to be- gin shooting the local color and started passing out sawbucks for at- mosphere players and their jallopie.s the tune changed. Cheers greeted the company's movements where a carefully planned reception ol jeers had been talked-about Comeback at 7 Hollywood, Sept. 26. Baby LeRoy, who retired from the screen at the age of two, is putting on a comeback at seven. As Lonnie LeRoy, the moppet gets a featured role in Para- mount's 'The Biscuit Eater.' Studio has kept him on its payroll during his five years of retirement Steuer, for Goldwyn, Denies Any Action Because of UA Bonus Splits New Yorker Scraps Its Comm'l Short; 'Not Up to Standard' Between $10,000 and $12,000 spent by the New Yorker mag on a com- mercial film short was thrown in the ashcan because it was thought the film 'wasn't up to what is expected of the New Yorker in smartness.' Filmed, at Eastern Service Stu- dios, Astoria, L. I., the picture was scripted by Marc Connelly. Con- nelly also appeared in it as did Franklin P. Adams, columnist of the New York Post, and one of the brighties on the 'Information. Please' radip show. E. M. Price, New Yorker ad man- ager, and other execs decided against the one-reeler, designed for advertising sales promotion, after it was completely finished. Laemmle Estate Estimated to Be Aromid $4,000,000 $250,M LEGAL CLAIM ON PAR^S STEVE LYNCH Suit of David Stoneman,,Boston at- torney, against Stephen A. Lynch, former Paramount reorganizer and now a Par theatre partner, was re- vealed in N. Y. supreme court Fri- day (22). judge Isidor Wasscrvogel Monday (25) reserved decision on the application by the former Para- mount official for a bill of pai;ticu- lars. Action seeks $250,000 for unpaid legal fees to Lynch and Paramount Publix Corp. from Feb. 1, 1933- July 2, 1936. SCRAM, DAMES All-Male Cast tor Warners' 'Fleht- Ine S9th' Hollywood, Sept. 26. Carl Laemmle's estate is believed to total approximately $4,000,000, of which more than $2,000,000 is in se- curities. He disposed of most of his real estate holdings after his sale of Universal, retaining only two par- cels, the business corner at Holly- wood and Vine and his home in Bev- erly Hills. Latter was purchased from the Thomas Ince estate several years ago for $650,000. In the envelope containing Laemmle's wiH were found eight letters to his son and daughter, in- structing them to continue the pro- visions he made for the numerous people he cared for. Will requested that Jack Ross, his personal secre- tary for years, b« retained on the payroll for one year after his death. Testament, to be filed for probate this week, provides also for Laemmle's two brothers and the family servants. His children are instructed to carry on the charity foundation he started to take care of refugees and also, private pension- ers. He personally provided for about 200 refugees he brought here from his German birthplace. In the estate are several annuities from which he drew approximately I $500,000 income. These annuities now revert to his children. David Tannenbaum, Laemmle's personal attorney, found no in.struc- tions ter,_diip.osition of the body^ in the will. It wifi be place'd'in a vault in Peace Cemetery until the family makes a decisioh on burial here or in New York, where his wife is in- terred. Laemmle's body lay In state at B'nai B'rith Temple for two hours yesterday (Monday) before services started at 12:30. Hundreds in all walks of. life filed past the bier. While the Temple was completely filled with mourners, hundreds, of morbidly curious lined the streets outside. At the request of the Will Hays office, all studios observed two minutes of silence at the start of the iservices. Active pallbearers were Ross, Tan- nenbaum, 'Sam Von Ronkle, an old friend; Herman Einseinlaupheim, a refugee, and Dr. Leland Hawkins, his personal physician. KFWB tonight (Tuesday) broad cast a memorial program over the Warner Bros, station. Eulogies were delivered by Arthur Ungar, editor of Daily Variety; Sid Grau- man, D. W. Griffith, Henry McRae and others, Two persons close to Laemmle died within 24 hours of his passing. They were Ingle Carpenter, 67, at- torney who handled his business af- fairs, and James Hurley, 42, Two More RoU For Total of 10 at 20th Hollywood, Sept. 26. wo new pictures rolled on the 20th-Fox lot yesterday (Mon.), mak- ing a total of 10 currently at work. Newcomers are 'Little Old New York' and 'He Married His Wife.' Already shooting are 'Swanee River,* 'The Blue Bird,' 'Daytime Wife," 'Everything Happens at Night,' "20,000 Men a Year.' 'The M.-.n Who Wouldn't Talk,' " Adventurer'- and The City.' Marshall In Both Stage, Pic Versions Declaration of $100,000 in bonui^es to United Artists producers by board, action during the past week, but with only four fllm-makers in the UA set- up! understood ' participating, Sam Coldwyn being one that didn't, has resulted in reports that Goldwyn was threatening to consult attorney.": as to whether or not this con.^'tiUiltd breach of his contract. Max D, Steuer, Goldwyn's attorney in New York, stated he had not talked lo I he producer for some time, while Mur- ray Silverstone, asked conccrnin.(< the rumors, declined to comment on ac- tion of the UA board relating to bonuses or on Goidryyn rumor.s. lie pointed to the Goldwyn suit now' pending, which is expected to come up shortly. Undcrstahdmg is that, aside from whether Goldwyn is freUinji! dr whether he may have refii.sed to ac- (\f VnrmH NaVaI ' <^^Pt s bonus at this time on unknown VI I dllUU nUVCl orniiTKls at hinted in nnf John Wildberg. who returned from the Coast on Sunday (24), inked Herbert Marshall while there to' ap- pear in both the stage and screen versions of "For All of Oiir Lives.' Novel, by Ursula Parrott, is being dramatized by Miss Parrott and Worthington Miner. It is expected to be ready for a Broadway prcem by Christmas. , Film version is the second pic for New York production on the schedule of Wildberg and Jack Skirball at Eastern Service Studios, Astoria, L. I. It may be held up indefinitely, however, and another story filmed first if legit pro- duction has a lengthy run. Like the other Skirball-Wildberg pix pro- jected for eastern filming, it will be released by Columbia. Marshall will al.so very possibly appear in 'Angela Is 22,' which is ex- pected to go before the lenses at As- toria about Nov. 7. Film player would take the role handled on tour by Sinclair Lewis and later by Philip Merivale. Starting date for shooting depends on the progress of casting, which is being done by Skirtall on the Coast, and completion or^nTe' .screenplay, being prepared by Zoe Akins. Dorothy Arzner has been signed to direct' Lee Garme.s, who will also pro- duce a film at Astoria this fall, pacted last week with RKO for dis- tribution of the picture. 'And So Goodbye.' He is presently on the Coast winding up details of casting and story. Charles Glelt, v.p. in charge of operations at Eastern Service Studios is in Hollywood with Garmes. but is expected back east this week. Garmes won't return for several weeks, at which time shoot- ing will start Studios are now pre- paring basic sets. Garmes, former cameraman, is understood dickering with Edward A-rnold, Jean Parker and C. Aubrey Smith for parts in the picture. Hollywood, Sept. 26. Warners answer to 'The Women,' which shunned mere males, is 'The Fighting 69th,' which marched be- fore the cameras yesterday (Mon.) without a femme in thie cast Studio is using 17 of its contract players: James Cagney, George Brent, Pat O'Brien, Jeffrey Lynn, Herbert Anderson, Dick Foran, Alan Hale, William Lundigan, John Litel, Frank McHugh, Henry O'Neill, Ron- L , , , „ aid Reagan, George Reeves, John i ^^r^^^'^.^m^eur^ for years^ Car- Ridgely, James Stephenson, Frank f^"*"^. «>'«'J Ho ywood Hospital Thomas and Frank Wilcox. followmg a heart attack, while Hur- ley was killed in an auto accident I near Ventura. He accompanied the !film executive on many trips abroad. SEVERAL FACTORS SET BACK WELLES' 1st RKO grounds, as hinted in one qunvler, the UA board voted shares, based on earnings of their pictures, to Alex- ander Korda, Selznick-Inlernalioniil, Walter Wanger and Hal Roach. The shares from earning.s. were bascid on rental returns for the cal- - endar year of 1938. During Ih.-it year rentals came in on five Goldwyn pictures—^'Stella Dallas,' 'Dead End.' 'Hurricane,' . 'Goldwyn Follies' and 'Marco Polo'—although portions of earnings may have also come in in 1937 or in 1939, due to the manner in which dates were spread. . 'Dallas,' 'Dead End' and 'Hurricane' w-tre • heavy grossers for Goldwyn. Roach Under the Wire While Korda, Selznick and Wanger had more pictures on the marktt during 1938 than Roach. la.<:l men- tioned got under the wire with' one, 'There Goes My Heart' Under the sharing plan for UA producers, it is understood to have been insisted upon first by Goldwyn on the ground that he wa.s providing the pictures that made the money. The UA board mceline, held Thursday (21), also discussed the foreign situation, production matters, the mai'ritchance"l)TT5roTluciiTe-sched- ules, etc. Subsequently Si)ver.>--lone declared that the 1939-40 program, as originally laid out, will be carried through..to fulfillment He stated that the board had no consultation on his contract since he ' has a five-year termer in charge of UA operations throughout the world, with the ticket having four years lo go. There are no options under 11, it Is understood. Question of financing for Korda was also not discussed, although Sil- verstone said the Immedial'e problem was to get rental revenue back on Korda pictures without any deliiy. One of Korda's difficulties, being a producer in England, is getting peo- ple for production, the UA head added. Korda has two pictures, finished now ready for early relca.>-e, and a third coming up, while considerably deep In circulation is 'Four Feath- ers.' It Is estimated that this picture, costing only $300,000, will gross well over $1,000,000 in rentals. 1 Take This Woman' Down From the Shelf HollyAVood, Sept. 26. 'I Take This 'Wb'nian,' the Spencer Tracy-Hedy Lamarii starter shelved last spring. Is going Jiack into pro-, duction at Metro. Sliidio figures it can be readied for release with two more weeks of shooting. Picture cost about $900,000 before it was laid on the shelt Metro hopes to get it back on the strength of Mi.^s Lamarr's recent work in "Lad^ of the Tropics.' Studio Contracts or s 3on Hollywood, Sept 26. Charles Vidor has the directorial assignment on EMward Small's 'My Son. My Son.' Louis Hayward and Brian Aherne are the only players set Hollywood, Sept. 26. Warners renewed Al Alleborn's pact as unit manager. Adele Pearce and . Dick Hogan given stock contracts at RKO, Nanette Fabares inked new player pact at Warners. Metro pacted Robert Planck as cameraman. George Oppenheimer received new •writer pact at Metro. Frank Madison signed by Warners as unit manager. Michael ' Hogan penned writer ticket at .Warners. William Ludwig Inked scripler deal at Metro. Metro put Harry Friedman under writing contract Lynne Carver drew new termer at Metro. Orson Welle.s' picture for RKO, based on Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness,' has had its production start set back to Oct 31. Original starting date was Oct .10. One reason for the delay is the fact that Welles hasn't completed the script His deal la to write, direct, produce and star in the film. An- other factor in holding up production is said to be RKO's desire to cut the budget in view of the European situ- ation. Welles received another setback last week whenkiinformed that Dita Parlo, whom ^e wanted for the femme lead in the film, had been in- terned in France. Star of 'Grand Illusion,' she's Austrian by birth and therefore considered an enemy alien by France. PEGGY GABNER'S DAD'S SUIT Canton, O., Sept 28. William H. Garner, of Canton, an attorney for the Federal Surplus Corp., has asked for custody of Peggy Ann Garner, child film ac- tress, in a divorce action filed here against the mother, Mrs. Virginia Craig Garner. The father charges gross neglect of duly. Goldwyn Topping Self With 9 Pix for Year Hollywood, Sept. 26. With five stories in the writing mill, three films delivered and one nearing completion, Samuel Goldwyn threatens to break his own produc- tion record with a total of nine for the year.. Five in preparation are 'The Out- law,'.'Clty Without Men,' "The Fleet f In,' 'Seventh Cavalry' and 'Blackout Over Europe.' Already released are •Wuthering Heights,' 'They Shall Have Muiic* and .'The Rc;il Glory.' In work is 'Raffle.s,' due for com- pletion in about two weeks. WB Tours Stars Hollywood, .Sept. 26. Priscilla Lane and John Garfitld team up in a personal appeiirance tour, opening in Chicago about Oct. 11. Jaunt includes New York, Phila- delphia, Baltimore, Washington and Pittsburgh. Opening of Ann Sheridan's lour has been switched to Washington "-m Sept 29. Oomph girl comes into Strand, New York, Oct 6.