Variety (Jun 1944)

PICTURES Wednesday, June 7, 1944 Emphasis on the Zany and Music Pix, Better B.O. Than 'Serious Subjects Shooting schedules from the Coast* for the past several weeks reveal that producers are banging away at musicals and comedy films in greater numbers than heretofore. It all has come about after sales and produc- tion executives sat down and scrut- inized grosses garnered by other type films. Recent bo. results on pictures leaning heavily on drama have not been encouraging. Lighter fare, with emphasis on music and zany antics, have been the coin-getters, and these type films are now getting the attention of studio toppers. The public wants levity and a fewcleff- happy tunes. ' , Critics may have panned some, of the none-too-serious pix, but the public supports them regardless, and that is what counts. Tally sheets show that Mr. arid Mrs. Filmfan do not want to be fed the serious stuff. Top-budget productions naturally nab the best take at the b.o., and producers within reco>» t weeks have found many "sleepers" in the light and zany-type film / .they are dis- tributing. Color automatically gives each picture additiariaLsteJgM.at the wicket. But producers can't get enough of it, with all color labs jammed to capacity. From reports, they will not accept any more busi- ness than 48 films contracted for. at the beginning of the year. Currently at, work; on', studio sound stages are 57 films, some 35 of which are studded with music, comedy and light touches. Many others, which will go into produc- tion shortly for release during the 1944-45 season, are in a similar vein. Five of eight top-budget films slated for production by Republic studios, as announced last week, will be mu- sicals. Metro, Paramount, Warners, 20th-Fox and other majors, from schedule blueprints now in the process of being completed, plan to go all-out this year on comedy and musical films. .. Fox's Filmusicals ..- Hollywood, June 6. Heavy stress on filmusicals planned by 20th-Fox for coming season, with 17 of 27 features scheduled as tuners. Some of these fall within bracket of 1944 release, but studio execs say ratio of 40% of cleffers will be main- tained into next season. '; ' Already set by 20th are the start- ing dates for "Winged Victory," "Where Do We Go From Here?" and "State Fair," while "Irish Eyes Are Smiling" and "Something for the Boys" are already in production. Eleven other musicals are currently being prepped. ■':' Disney Sees Postwar Boom in Educational Pix; Rehabilitation Walt Disney sees a postwar boom in educational films, and teaching by the use of motion pictures, both in schools and the rehabilitation of servicemen, but will not go into that' field "unless enough interest is shown to warrant the plunge," he stated last week. , In N. Y. for a fortnight from the Coast to record music by Benny Goodman arid band for use in his contemplated animated feature- length film, "Swing Street," Disney revealed that his newest feature-, "Three Caballcros," is nearly finished and will be released by RKO in Oc- tober.:: "Swing Street,'' which is a working title, will also include two selections by the Philadelphia Symphony Orch, batoned by Leopold Stokowski, "Claire de Lune". and "Peter and the Wolf." although popular, music will predominate. ' Despite a shortage of manpower at his studio, and an imminent shortage of cellophane with which his car- toons are transposed to film, Disney declared that he will make a com- plete schedule of 18 short subjects for 1944-45 release by RKO. This past year he only turned out half that amount, due to the fact that most of his 900 employes were tied up making educational films for the Army and Navy: He also produced a series of eight pictures on health for, the Coordinator of Inter-Ameri- can Affairs, first of which will be distributed in South America begin- ning July 1. Studio Contracts Hollywood, June 6. Donna Lee, soprano, signed by RKO. June Duprez inked player pact at RKO. Robert Mitchum drew actor pact at rko. : .;: ; -;:,r ; -.:. Craig Stevens renewed by War- ners. . '- ; ■■ V■:'■■'-:;'. ■,-.]•' Phyllis Stewart, singer, sighed by. Warners. Tony Gaudio, cameraman, renewed David O. Selznick, Jean Stevens, player, Columbia; Barry Sullivan renewed Par. ■ • Warren Duff, associate producer, renewed RKO. : Margie Silk, player, optioned Par. Ralph Lewis, actor, renewed Mon- ogram. . ' Rodgers and Other M-G — Sales Execs on Jhe Lam William F. ROdgers, Metro v.p. and general sales manager, leaves for the Coast tomorrow (Thurs.) to look over company product and line up the company's eighth block. En route Rodgers stops over in Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago. He plans to remain on the Coast until June 23, then heading for Kansas City; St. Louis and Cleveland before returning t6 New York. John J. Maloney, Metro central sales manager with headquarters in Pittsburgh, and Charles F. Deesen, his home office assistant, are fen route to Dallas. They will tour exchanges under Maioney's supervision. ■ ■ Warners in Deal For Melbourne Theatre . Sydney, June 6. . Warner Bros, is setting a deal to take over Kings theatre in Melbourne in near future. It is a se'eond-run indie operated by Frank O. Collins. Understood here that. Warners in- tends to establish its own Aussie the- atre circuit alter the war since Hoy Is did not renew its WB contract, and Greater Union Theatres, other big circuit here, has made no deal with Warners. MISTRIAL IN GLORIA JEAN CONTRACT SUIT Suit against the parents of Gloria Jean, Universal starlet, for $25,000 damages for alleged breach of con- tract, while being tried before N. Y. Supreme Court Justice Dennis O'Leary Cohalah, with a jury, was declared a mistrial last week. De- fective pleadings in the complaint, brought by William Lustig. agent, which were admitted by attorneys for Feimari and Eleanor Schoonover, in their answers, was the cause of the mistrial. New; trial is expected to start this week. :. Lustig's $500,000 damage action against Universal: Pictures, which was to follow, was returned to the trial calendar in the same order by Justice Cohalan. Suit seeks dam- ages for alleged interference with* his exclusive contract and inducing the Schoonovers to sign up with therh. Lustig charges~lhat hot. only did Universal induce the Schoonovers to breach the contract, but also told the young star's parents not to ac- cept film offers which Lustig had lined up for Gloria Jean with other film companies. Universal denies the charges and asserts that in 1938, during negotia- tions for the services of Gloria Jean, the Schoonovers were represented by Alexander Sukennkoff, manager of Gloria Jean. 5 Majors Agree To Avoid Trade Show Conflicts Sales managers of the five consent decree companies have set up a new system for screenings in all exchange cities following some 23 conflicts in decree screenings of three compariies during the first week in June. , 4 On recommendation of H. M. Richey, director of exhibitor rela- tions for Metro, it was unanimously agreed at a meeting, of consent com- pany reps to give a central booking system a trial'. -.- ...... ' ■'. - In future, before announcing screenings, each consent company will clear through a master clearance book to avoid conflicting dates. This is an extension, on a national basis, of local cleararice Of press screen- ings which has beep in operation for two years. Complaints from exhibitors unable to see two or rnore pictures simul- taneously led to the huddle of de- cree company execs last week. Among those at the meeting were Tom Connors, William J. Kupper, Arthur Sachson, C. J. Scollard and Leon Bamberger. COAST BEACH TOWNS TO GET PIC HOUSES ; Los Angeles, June 6. Three new film houses are slated for early construction at two nearby beach towns, Fl Segundo and Seal Beach, both crowded with defense workers. • ; .' Harry Einstein, known on screen and radio as Parkyakarkas, and Joseph Moore, are putting up the- j atres at El Segundo, which has been without film operation for several years. William Woodruff; currently operating the Belmont . in Long Beach; is readying the house at Seal Beach. . Chas. David Goes U Hollywood, June 6.'- Charles David, former assistant to Alexander Korda, Jean Renoir and Rene Clair has signed a producer- director contract with Universal.. First assignment will .be "Fairy Tale Murder" which is also his ini- tial solo venture in this country since coming here, from France in 1940. .. Not Much Amus. Stock Activity April 11-May 10 ■ Philadelphia, June°6. Activity dull in show biz stocks during the April 11-May 10 period, the monthly report of the Securities & Exchange Commission disclosed here last week. . -V Sam Wolf, director of Monogram Pictures Corp., reported the dis- J position of 1,317 shares of Mono $1 per cornmon stock leaving his hold- ing at 1.000. Loew's Inc., continued acquisition of Loew's Boston Theatres $25 par. common, bringing total of N. : Y. company's holdings to 121.096. Harry Brandt, New York, ' re- ported holding 31,500 shares of Trans-Lux Corp. William M. Girden, New York, reported he controlled 5,000 shares of the Trans-Lux $1 par : common securities. \. Only activity in radio stock was the sale of 400 shares of Columbia Broadcasting System class A com- mon by. John J. Burns; Boston. Ma loo Can Build . Memphis, June 6. Delayed since 1939 because of the I war, the $250,000 Malco Music Hall at Hot Springs, Ark., has been given the green light by WPB and will get under way shortly. Priorities have now been granted for the structure which will include a 1,500-seat theatre, entirely of re- inforced concrete and steel. Bids are already being received, according to M. S. McCord; secre- tary-treasurer of Malco Circuit. Columbia Into Australian Production, 1st Time for U.S. Co. on Solo Financing Would Build in Houston Houston, June 6. Application to WPB for new house seating 1,200 to be built in the south- ern section of the city. Project is being sponsored by L. C. Baxely and W. J. Lytie, owners and operators <\t the Plaza. • ; WAIXIS' H. Q. '; Hollywood, June 6. Hal B. Walli's has taken temporary quarters on the Paramount lot in a small office in': the De Mille build- ing. •:. ■ : ~. - ■ Producer, will move into larger housing between .now and the time he launches his" first film, N Y. to L A. : J. Cheever Covvdin. Meyer Davis. Reginald Denhahi. ; . Gene Ford. . . : . - : Larry Golob. ■ Sam Grisman. Bonn Hall. Sol Hurok, . ' Lester Santly. -.- ' Columbia Boosts '44-'45 Lineup; Montague Sets Full Line Sales Policy Chicago, June 6^ Regardless of possibilities of far greater grosses on important pictures by offering small groups rather than a complete program, Columbia has decided not to change its form of distribution, A.. Montague, .sales chief, stated at the final session of 3-day convention, Monday (5).v He cited that Columbia's goodwill is too valuable for the company to make a change that might affect relation- ships which it has built; also that the value of the distributor is based as much on past delivery of the distrib as future endeavor. - - Montague pointed out that Col had given much consideration to possibly changing from complete program, as now, to that of small groups of films after produced, and the exhib has a chance to see them. Company's Opinion was that it was giving bet- ter service to a majority of exhibs by' large group distribution. Stated that problems of production also were c6nsider^d_bejfqre reaching this decision, with manpower obviously a recurring headache. And also felt that the company must have oppor- tunities to fit-its production plans to conditions as they may develop, even though this may involve occasional shifting of stars and stories. Columbia announced it would produce 44 features, four action mu- sicals, 10 westerns, three serials and 118 shorts for 1944-45, at the con- vention concluded here Mon. Addi- tionally, the company would sell two features separately, being Sidney Buchnian's untitled Technicolor pro- duction co-starring Paul Muni and Merle Oberon, and Sam Wood's "Jubel Troop," with Gary Cooper starred. Next season's program com- paves .with 44 features and 10 west- erners this* season. ' !•'•••:;' ' Salesmen here from Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Des Moines, De- troit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Mil- waukee, Memphis, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Omaha. Oklahoma City, St. Louis, besides Chicago,- were told of activities in obtaining outstanding story properties. Recent bidding, which landed Columbia two out- standing Broadway legit shows, "Over 21" arid "Jacobowsky and the Colonel," was cited as examples, . Company has Rita Hay worth .spotr. ted in "Tonight arid Every Night," and has Cary Grant, Rosalind Rus- sell, Irene Dunne, Hugh Herbert, Joan Davis, Charles Coburn, Brian Ahearne and Kay Kyser, among others, under contracts for films. Sydney, June 6. Columbia Pictures is going into Australian production, via Cine- sound Studios, being the first time an American company has been in on producing and financing of a local film entirely on its own. Picture will deal with the life story of ace aviator, the late Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith. _ ; . Ken Hall, one of best-known di- rectors here, will direct, with com- plete setup local covering actors and technicians. Nick Pery, Columbia's chief here, is listed as producer; If picture turns out well, company plans staying in Aussie production though likely on a modest scale-. - U Seeks Legal Relief - In 'Hippodrome' Suit Los Angeles, June 6. Universal filed suit in Superior Court for declaratory relief involv- ing the claims of Ralph Murphy, film director, to an interest in the story rights to "Hippodrome." Studio de- clares Murphy's claims are interfer- ing with the sale of the story to Metro. ■,, Sale was made March 10. with the proviso that Universal settle Mur- phy's claim within three months. Complaint asks the court to deter- mine Murphy's interests, if any, in the tale. Murphy worked on screen preparation of "Hippodrome" several years ago when he held a producer- writer pact with Universal.: . - FLOOD CLOSES 2 MO. HOUSES St. Louis, June 6. Two picture houses, the Canton and the Gem, in Canton, Mp., suspended operations last week when flood waters covered about 50% of the town, when the overloaded Missis- sippi breached the levee about 20 miles north of Quiricy, 111. L A. to N Y. Eve Arden. Arthur A. Bailey. ; ■.: Mary Baker, .J. L. Beddinglon. Simon Bucharoff. Jack Conway. . Hal Dansen. ■<" Red River Dave: - Dick Ellis. :' : k',' Betty Grable. * .. - : Al Grossman. Gypsy Rose Lee. Capt. Glenn Miller. Mike Todd, . *': ' V ACADEMY OF MUSIC, N. Y„ SETTLEMENT OK A proposed settlement agreement, under which stockholders and credit- ors of Fox Theatres Corp. will gain close to $2,500,000, was approved Monday (5) by Federal Judge John C. Knox in New York. Under . the proposed settlement, valuable leases on the Academy of Music theatre on East 14th street, N. Y., which has 14 more years to run, will be returned to the trustees of Fox by the Ktima Corp., a Skour- as subsidiary, which was assigned the leases arid other assets by Skour- as, after former Judge Martin T. Manton, of the Circuit Court of Ap- peals, had ordered the receivers of Fox to sell to.Skouras the valuable property for $155,000 in 1937. Man- ton was later convicted for accepting a bribe in connection with that deal and served two-year prison sentence. In addition to the leases, the Ktima, under the compromise, trans- ferred to the trustees the common capital stock of the William Fox Realty Co.; certain leases to the 14th street property, dated Qct. 17, 1931, between Fox Theatres Corp., as landlord, and Skouras as tenant, as amended by agreement in 1934; leases relating to theatre property dated Sept. 1, 1926, between "William Fox Realty Co., as landlord, Fox Theatres Corp., as tenant, and N, Y. Trust Co., as trustee; also a claim for $300,760 in favor of the Fox The- atres Corp. against William Fox Realty Co. The closing of the settlement will be. as of March 1, this year, with Skouras getting the lease on the Academy of Music, paying the trus- tees advance rental of $175,000 per year. . - An order will, be presented for Judge Knox's signature, with minor changes later in the week, closing the deal, which has been in negotia? tioris since 1942 between Robert Aronstein, attorney for the First Na- tional Bank at Atlanta, one of the largest creditors, attorneys for the trustees, and Skouras Theatres Corp,, and its subsidiary Ktima. Lou Costello's Indie Pic Into Broadway Musical Hollywood, June 6. "A Wave, a WAC. and a Marine," Biitmore production for Monogram which, was financed by Lou Costello, is readying for Broadway production this fall. Comedian has Hal Fim- berg, who wrote screenplay, re- scripting show with emphasis on service angle instead of comedy. Show is planned as "musical and attempt will be made to do for serv- icewomen's units what "This Is the Army" and "Winged Victory" did for men. Entire cast will be culled from professionals, however, instead of using uniformed players. •"..''.'■'!' •'>• March's Only Film Hollywood, June. 6. Only, picture for Fredric March this year will be "Tomorrow the World," to be produced by Lester Cowan, starting late this month. Cowan is negotiating with Marga- ret Sullavan as femme co-star. Ralph Bellamy and Shirley Booth created the stage originals. - Sherman Marches on Rep , Hollywood, June. 6. George Sherman has asked for and received his release from a producer- director contract with Republic. Sherman was upped six months ago to full producer status and was re- sponsible only to Herbert. J. Yates for his films. Sherman's contract still had three years to run. ; ' ■ He declined to give reasons for leaving.