Variety (Feb 1942)

PICTUBM W(Ml««tda7« Fcbrapry 4, 1943 F-WC Dualing of TaUey,'Torcliase' Stirs Up Homet s Nest; Oscar Politics ■ Los Angeles, Feb. S. Attempt of Fox-West Coast thea- tres to dual 20th's 'How Green Was My Valley' and Paramount'e Xiouisi- ana Purchase' at the Fox Village and Beverly theatres was machine- gunned from 10 many quarters that circuit yanked 'Purchase' on opening matinee Friday (30) after running off two reels. Charles Skouras, president of Fox-West Coast, stated a mistake was made by his booking staff in dueling of these particular pictures and, as soon as be caught teaming on return from his trip to San Fran- cisco, be issued orders to yank 'Pur- chase' immediately at both houses, regardless of what bad ahready been, run off at opening matinees. ' Startling dual booking of the two big grossers was the result of efforts by 20th-Fox studio executives to aontlnue—!Valleyi - roUing—through, local houses, accompanied by adver- tising splashes in the dallies, so that the picture would get attention from Academy Award voters for nomina- tion of the film in various classifica- tions. Early last week 20th execs tried to persuade Skouras to hold 'Valley' for a third week at the United Artists and Wilshlre theatres, but Metro studio execs balked at the plan advanced to switch 'Babes on Broadway' from the first-run State and Chinese to the Carthay Circle for a continuing run. ..-Even - 'inteT'lamily -manipulations of 20th-Fox Ohd Metro executive status failed to. toss 'Babes' into the Carthay. When this' idea blew up, 20th agreed on booking the Village arid Beverly houses, taking total of $600 advertising in daily papers for a splash, with prominence given ■Valley* in the space, and "Purchase* listed as a companion feature. Far Bnrnjip at Skonraa Paramount, officials burned at Skouras, claiming disparagement of Paramount product in favor of .20th, and ultimatum was handed to F-WC demanding that 'Purchase' be pulled immediately, despite Skouras' state- ment he was unaware of the book- inc due to his absence in San Fran- Cisco, His early negotiations with Metro for switching 'Babes' and re- turn, to (own 26 iMurs before the sudden yanking of 'Purchase! dis- count his contention. . 'Valliey' was soloed first run at tioew's State and Grauman's Chinese for healtby biz, and dropped into the downtown United Artists and Fox Wllshire for continuance of solo flnt- run for a walloping week. It con' tinned a- second stanza teamed with !Corsican Brothers' and . was then moved in for fujrther. first nmnlng at the Fox Village and Beverly. By this procedure, the continuing flrst-nin policy on the picture s(iU holds back clearance of subse<^uent-run opuses to regulation time following comple- tion of the first-run booking. 'Louisiana Purchase' had nm three days at the Village, and Beverly in tandem with "Chocolate Soldier,' and booking department dropped the lat- ter to make way for 'Grreen Was My Valley' moveover. Pressure exerted by important fac. tors finally culminated in Skouras Issuing instructions to both houses to yank "Purchase' on a moment's notice. This action happened at 4:20 Friday ' afternoon, and found both houses starting the third reel of 'Purchase, Jamup created sour note among members of both theatre audiences, and bookers switched 'Purchase' from, the Village to the F-WC Bruin, across the street, for a four or five- day run. 'Chocolate Soldier* was hurriedly brought back to add sup- port to "Valley* In the two houses. Exhibs Sqnawk When ads on the disputed booking first hit the local papers, indie exhibs lined up at the Paramount and 20th exchanges to register vigorous pro tests at what they termed a dlS' estrous policy. In addition to talk of calling a protest meeting to devise ways and means of bringing such booking tactics to the attention of the Government for possible antl' trust action, some of the indies were outspoken in telling sales represen- tatlves of the two exchanges Involved that they- were ready to pass up product from these offices and con tinue a boycott until the exchanges forced the chrcuit to discontinue such • dual booking policy. I7isclo$ure of the Inside manipula' lions to create Academy Award nomination .attention for "Valley' has ^ boomeranged and voters are shying' 1 JiTrfo f 1»: C9 ••cf-e :SB J r.-^ 4J- t New Army Camp Tees Of Texas Theatre^Bmldin^ Bastrop, Texas, Feb. S. With the (tart of construction near here of • $23,000,000 army camp, theatre-building is becoming active. The J. O. Long circuit will build le and possibly two new houses here. H. A. Danlela, of the Palace, Seguin, Texas, hai purchased a lot in nearby El^ on which he plans construction of a theatre. Dale Wilr. son, owner of the new Eltex in El- gin, plans to reopen a house he has shuttered there. Wheii completed, the Army camp is expected to be the largest in the state of Texas. No Savvy Some ttrange dames liave been showing up at trade screenings, bearing Invitations issued to ex- hibitors hi the Greater New York area. Branch manager of one of the N. Y. exchanges has embarrassed 'em no end, from accounts, by starting to talk deals without any delay. Hall Pact Shared Hollywood, Feb. 3. Jon Hall's player contract with' Samuel Ooldwyn la being split two ways; With UnlTcrsal taUng over a ihare. Adtor's first Job under the new ar- rangement If a eo4tarrlng role with Diana Bairymora and Robert Stack. Arthur Lubla direct*. Sto£o Contracts Hollywood, Feb. 3. William Ludwig inked new writer contract at Metro. Marguerite Chapman drew player ticket at Columbia. Charles Drake's actor option lifted by Warners. Beverly Jean Saul, moppet, signed by Metro. Ann Corcoran handed player op- tion lift at Warners. Fay Emerson's stock player con- tract renewed by Warners. John Loder penned actor contract at Warners. Glenn Mac Williams, cameraman, signed for one year at 20th-Fox. Jimmy Wakely's Rough Riders, musical group, signed for seven westerns at Universals. Jean Rogers drew player ticket at Metro. Donivee Lee, nee tiora Lee, drew an option lift at Paramount Philip Dorn Inked actor pact at Metr.o,_ \ Peter Viertel, writer, renewed for another year by David Selznick. Phil Silvers signed to a 40-week contract by 20th-Fox. Metro gave BasU Rathbone a term contract M-G MAKES ANOTHER START ON YEARLING' Hollywood, Feb. 3. Metro Is dusting off The Yearlbig* for another start after a. lot of mis- adventure at the gate that cost many thousand dollars. Picture was tossed back into its stall to await further developments after Spencer Tracy and a Md'nsfmed Gene Eckman had done a lot of scenes hi Florida under direction of 'Victor Fleming. Story was built on the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings tale about the pal- metto coimtry In Florida and failed to jell for reasons of weather 'when ttie company was located, in that sec- tor. New Idea Is to salvage the pic- ture by shooting most of the re- maining sequences on sound stages. The only drawback la that Spencer Tracy is tied up with "TortUla Flaf and la due for a vacation thereafter. Win Hold Academy Dinner After AH But Nix Fmery, Hoofing and Glitter Lefty, Ex-Setop for a GromHl QoA, Gets Himself a Hunk of War Effort By Joe Laurie, Jr. CooUcres, Fab. I, Dear Joe: ' Wen, the reason I haven't split any ink your way for some time li be- cause they're keeping me busier than a cow's tall in fly time. This is a small town and' there are a few people to do things; everybody wants to help, but you know how these small CalUoml*. towns are, moat of the people have retired with a few dollars and rheumatism and they can't stand the gaff. By the time they pitch a few horseshoes and talk about the weather they're all tired out So it's up to a small bunch of us to do all the war work. Besides me-selling bonds, doing benefit shows at the camps and helping collect aluminum, Iron, brass, rags and waste papar, and acting on the draft board, they've made me an air raid warden. ( have to train a lot of folks that know as much as I do about it, and I have to take Inatruo- - tlons from some guys that know less than us. But I know when the right - time comes, which I hope it never does, we will all do the right thing. I got everything organized so thAt when the war U over we can disorganize very easily and wait for the next war. Aggie Is doing her bit, too. She Is in the Motor Corps, canteen work, first aid and does knitting with the Girl Scout squad. She practices first aid on Junior and she has used enough bandages to make hatr for every Hind6o4n 4he-world..-1-told her- that-.ln-case-the^Red- Gross-needsHilood- Hollywood, Feb. >. The Academy awards banquet will be held after all, but it won't be the resplendent aSalr of former years. Black tlei and decollette will be strictly tabu, with business suits and Informal femme garb, obligatory. Oscars will be paraed out at the BUtmore hotel, feb. SS, with Wendell L. WllUde as the honor guest and main speaker. Also under wraps will be the din- ner plate tariff, dipped from $29 to $10 per person. The dinner was first cancelled In December due to early war hysteria, but academy of- ficials, now assured by government and army heads, are not averse to holding affair, but sans orchidaceous .glitter of'previous banquets. Uni- forms arc okay for the event and. it is expected that film people holding reserve commissions will iSvK dinner a military touch. Rosalind Russell heads the ar- rangements committee, which has de- creed no dancing after the presenta- tion of the Oscars. ie,M« Votes Nominations for the annual achievement awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences close tills weekend and the nomi nees selected by 10,000 voters will be announced Monday (9) by the firm of Price, Waterhouse & Co., to which the votes are being mailed for tabu- lation. . These 10,000, consisting of Class A members of the Screen Actors Guild, writers, directors and other branches of the Academy, to- gether with about 6,000. Class B members of SAG, will take part in the final election, ballots for which will/ be mailed out Feb. 12. Nominating balihts will choose 10 pictures, five actors and five actresses in lead roles, five actors and five actresses in support roles, five direc- tors and 16 writers. Nominations for technical excellence in various branches have already been made. In cinematography there are 16 entries, 10 In'black and white and six in color. Black-and-whiters are The Chocolate Soldier,' "Dr. JekyU and Mr. Hyde,' 'Citizen Kane,' 'Here Comes Mr. I Jordan,' 'Hold Back the Dawn,' "HoiY, Green Was My Valley,' 'Sundown,' . 'Sergeant York,' 'Sun Valley Serenade' and "That Hamilton Woman.' In color are 'Aloma of the South Seas;' "BlUy the Kid,' 'Blood and Sand,' "Blossoms In the Dust 'Dive Bomber' and Louisiana Pur- chase.' ' Final Judging on 20 cartoons and short subjects in three classifications will be made tomorrow (Wednesday) by members of the Awards Commit- tee and the sealed votes mailed to Price, Waterhouse & Co. "ta the Cartoon class are "Boogie Woogie Buple Bow .of C^m-'any B,' "H-a watha's Rabbit Hunt' 'How donors, I'd be glad to give 'em, my ledgers for last year; they look like blood. 'I also told her she could practice on the pictures they're siding me; they're plenty sick and need more than first aid. . What Happeped to Jap AetsT Walking along my beat nights as an air rMd warden I get to thinking about a lot of things. The other night I was thinking of the Japs, and then, of course, I got to wondering whatever became of all the Jap acts I played with in vaudeville. Then I got to thinking! whatever became of all the Illustrated song singers? Dancing mats? Resin Boards? Heavyweight jugglers? Magicians in knickerbocker pants? Red-nose comics? Bench acts? Double Dutch acts? Double Irish acts? Double Wop acts? Double English Johnny acts? Tramp comics? Family acts with the clever kid? Jugglers with the cigar boxes and lamp? The Inverness capes and high hats the acrobats used to make their entrances with?. Ukelele players? Steel guitar players?_ . Hula dancers? Cheere-beerle-bee acts? Pigeon and pony acts7 ■ Sk'ctcKes? Twin sister and twin brother acts? Electrical Wizards? Hypnotists? ' Monologists? Diving acts? Hoop rollers? Dlabolo spinners? Woodchoppers? Whip-Cracking acts? Flash acts? What be- came of all the old letterheads? Those analyine drops? Those lots in Freeport? The dogs the single women used to carry? The clarinets and saxophones nearly every act used to practice on? I see by the papers they're goiina bring flesh back. Well, a lot of old- timers lost a lot of fiesh waiting for vaudeville to come back, so be pre- pared to see a lot of skeletons on the bills. But a good route will fatten them up quicker than a pad in a Dutch comic's stomach. Showfolka Doing Hielr Bit I'm glad to see so many showfolks doing their bit for their country. Some of 'em are doing better work than they could in uniform. They are raising funds for- charitable purposes, selling bonds, and keeping folks laughing. Actors always come to the front, no matter what the cause. Most of 'em are .stage-struck and go on before they even know what the cause is. Actors should make the best soldiers; look at all the experience they've had battling with agents, bookers, stagehands and orchestra lead- ers, not forgetting the major engagements in dressing rooms with their wives and partners. I get a big laugh reading in the papers about some picture stars in service that get time off to make a picture. Can you Imagine an^actor in the last war asking his Captain to let him take a week off so he could play Youngstown? If I was the Captain Td say, 'Soldier, you're better off in the war than playing Youngstown.' Ha, ha! Well, that's about all for now, except I don't miqd them rationing rub- ber, autos. and sugar. I'm used to rationingi They've been rationing good pictures to me for years. Best to the gang, sez YoUr pal, Leitv. . P.S.—^Kelcey Allen sez: "We won't run away to live, we shall live to run away.' Rogers' Triple for UA Hollywood, Feb. 3. Charles Rogers announced 'The Powers Girl,' Three Blondes and a Redhead' and 'Lady of Science' as the three pictures he will make this year for United Artists release. Films will be made on the RKO- Pathe lot, starting with "The Powers Girl' about April 1. John Robert Powers, models' agent. Is collarobat- ing on the yam. away from the picture, regardless of previous estimates. Situation is the current topic of conversation among studio groups, with many expres- sions that producers are still using thV Academy Awards system as a football for their own purposes and that the Academy no longer serves the purposes Intended at original founding. -1 9',ii , ..,;(!) 1 £3 jqisf Came,' The Night Before Christmas; 'Rhapsody in Rivets,' 'The Rookie Bear," "Rhythm in the Ranks,' 'Super- man No, r and two Walt Disney cartoons still unnamed. In the one-reel class of 1,000 feet or less are ' 'Army Champions,' 'Beauty and the Beach,' 'Forty Boys and a Song,' 'King of the Turf,' 'Of Pups and Puzzles,' 'Sagebrush and Silver,' and 'Down on the Farm.' Nominated for the l,000-to-3,000 feet class are 'Alive in the Deep,' "Forbidden Passage,' The Gay Parisian,' 'Main Street on the March' and "The Tanks are Coming.' Execu- tive committee of the shorts branch consists of Pete Smith, Gordon Hollingshead and Jules White, MICH. GOING AHEAD WITH Z% RENTALS TAX Detroit, Feb. 3. Following preliminary testing, the State Board of Tax Administration Is moving ahead on the collection of Its 3% tax on all film rentals. An off- shoot of the State's existing sales tax. It was an afterthought to Invoke the present interpretation, which Is War •''6'°8 fought Joy the exchanges. The Board thus far has started Its action against only one company, the Allied Film Exchange, and has or- dered a formal audit of AUied's books to establish a basis for the tax. David Newman, attorney for several distributors, has scheduled further hearings before State boards. UP SEE GOES Hollywood, Feb. 3. Lynn Bar! will be hoisted to star- dom at 20th-Fox in The Magnificent Jerk,' a high budget picture which co-stars Henry Fonda and Don Ameche. Start slated- for Feb. 9, with William Perlberg producing. 'I .) II, I J., j; fi i-j 1 , , I I i.i,;,! PA. OK'S CUT 'OUTUW, BUT'GESTURE'STILL N.& Philadelphia, Feb. 3. Mrs: Edna R. Carroll, chairman of the Pennnylvania Board of Motion Picture Censors, announced Friday (30) that the board had finally okayed Howard Hughes' 'The Out- law,' after satisfactory deletions had been made. No release date has yet been set here. Only some routine paper work lis necessary before the State seal will be Issued, said Mrs. Carroll. The board took another gander at 'Shanghai Gesture' but announced that the film was still "unsatisfac- tory," although some cuts had been made. Pobllelty Gimmick "The Outlaw,' which producer Hughes has been holding up for al- most a year because of censorial dif- ficulties, is expected to be released by 20th-Pox In April. It's understood Hughes will make cuts to get by censor boards in the six states which . maintain official gandering bodies, but will continue to 'fight' as he figures that means accruing publicity values. 'Earn a Bond,' New Sales Drive Slogan Columbia Pictures has initiated a Victory Sales Campaign for the first six months of 1942, and as a spur to the sales organization, $50,000 in de- fense bonds is offered as prize money, instead of cash, Abe Montague, sales manager, has prepared a schedule of prizes em- bracing regional and individual quotas. ,).,..