Variety (Dec 1944)

Wednesday, December 20, 1941 WAR AGTIVITieS IS Inside Stuff-Pictures This is llic American "Inside" on the London Daily Express stoi-y about the hiigc income taxes paid on. Claude Rains' salary lor playing in the J, Arthur Hank production, "Coesar and Cleopatra," in London, as told by l/i. C. Levee, business agent for Rains. "I made the deal for him," said . Lcvce. "and here's how it was. Rains wonl over At a salary of $50,000 for 12 weeks' work, It the work, ran qvei' 12 weeks he was to draw an addi- tional sum, pro-rated on the $50,000. There is a law in England that if an aclor comes in and works less than six months he doesn't have to pay the iEnfilish income tax, which is pretty high; He^ expected to be there less than si.\ weeks, but I put into that contract the provisioi) that if Rains liad to slay Oji the job afteV the lax became applicable, the employer there would have to pay it—Rains lo geil his $50,000 and pro rata net without deductions. Vivien Leigh, the co-st.ir, becamte ill and the picture took more th;in .si.v months. The contract called for payment to me, iii Hollywood,, . in A'licrican dollars, of the $50,000 plus pro rata, amounting tp about $100,000. Rains never touched the re>;l of the money, amounting to about $1,;)00,000 paid by his English erhploydr: ilc gets only about $100,000, ani will pay his United Stiilcs income ta.\-onTFial.^' . Theodore Reeves, \yho finally licked lhe"National Velvet" story for Piiivdi'o Herman, on a modest $15,000 writing budget,-as against sohie $200,000-$30p,000 in accumulated writing costs, has been around Hollywood for years. He is now a captain in Aviation Intelligence, stationed in N.IT., and it was Richard Halliday, former Paramount stoty editor, 'who men- torod Reeves on both coasts. In fact Halliday. later an authors' agent, but latterly principally devoting his time to looking after his wife's (Mary Martini business affairs, will co-produce, with Oscar Seerlin, a new play in February written by Reeves. It's still untitled. It's to be the captain-author's Hrst produced Broadway play, although sbmc years ago Jed Harris had ; optioned one of his scripts. Of 20 robnologists who have plaj'ed the Earle and Capitol theatres in Wasiuugton.since June', 19 have featured an impression of Frank Sinatra. This, is giving "The Voice" some good advertising, but audiences are get- ting rather weary Of comedians who come along and'.stress the anemic quality of the Sinatra physique. It is getting so now that Gene Ford of the Capitol and Harry Anger, produclioii. manager of the Earlie, will at- tempt tortile out the Sinatra imitators. The^- have little versatility, clutch Hi the niike as though they.'were goin^ to faint, call for the aspirin and generally appear as though they were about to collapse from exhaustion. "Tiie Voice"'is well exploited by his vaudeville friends, but the element of repetition makes these impressions of ll'ie singer a bore with most of the people out front. . ^ Old state law, newly-discovered by .Hollyvvood talent agents, hands them a lighter grasp on tihdcr-age film players who have walked out, or threat-^ pned to walk out, in the past. Members of Ai-tists-and Managers Guild wore getting-together on Icgi.slation to safeguard their interests ia juvenile ronlracts when a film attorney. Max Gilford, dug up the law, passed by tlic State Legislature in 1941; biiT.overlooked in Hollywood'. Law specifies that a minor cannot disatVirm-a contract, otherwise valid, if the pact has been approved by the Superior Court of the county where Ihe minor re- sides or is. employed. In the. last few years there have been numevou."! cases where agents have settled niinor contracts for a. song because of juvenile threats to walk out. Why Shirley Temple'did not get the high school girl role in "Kiss and Tell" at Columbia is explained in divergent ways by David O. Selznick, who has the actress under contract, arid. Sol C. Siegel, who wanted to borrow her. From the D.O.S. office comes the explanation that' Miss Temple did not play because her home outfit will not allow her to appear in "sexy" roles for another year or. two. Real reasoi). Siegel declares, was that Selznick was. too in.sistent on supervision of soencs. rushes and stills in which his conlractee took pari. Furthermore, he says, both Miss ■ Temple and her mother were deeply disappointed When ho dropped the loanoiit deal. Mike Todd's $200,000 for Edna Ferber'.s new novel. "Great Son." is on a seven-year deal, with another $100,000 for a second seven years. Miss Ferber got 175G from Warners, for "Saratoga Trunk"' (Gary Cooper), long finished but still awaiting release; on a similar lend-lease deal. This marks "Todd's debut as a film producer and he's foi-fcnded from any resale under the Ferber contract drawn by attorney Morris L. Ernst, so the 200G in- vcstmet augurs the legit producer's long-heralded bow into pix. Pre- sumed release will be via 20tlv-Fox, with which organization he's closely allied, but Todd has no commitment. Another report is via UA. "Beachhead to Berlin," two-reelcr produced by Warners in cooperation with the U. S. Coast Guard, was Hr.st shot in sepia by Coast Guard camera crew, blown up at the Warner studios, frame by frame, and then given Technicolor treatment. According to U. S. Navy officers who were among those who fought for the first foothold on (he beaches of Nurniaiidy last June 6, the flim pro- vides not only an accurate picture of the invasion but a more complete view of the fighting than anyone who was in the battle could have had. ''Beachhead." which riXns 20 minutes, is scheduled for release shortly. 20th-Fox is likely to remain without a chairman of the board of direc- tors for an indefinite period. No action to replace the late Wendell L. Willkie in that post is a likelihood in tlie near future, according lo com- pany toppers, although there has been consideration of various eligibles. ■ Spyros Skouras, 20th prexy; from accounts, is not anxious to become board chairman since such a move would imply a less active status than he now occupies. Other factors, also, dictate a leisurely approach to the matter. President's Birtfiday Ball Committee in Washington plans lo request RICO to release Hardie Mcukin for routing the Hollywood stars on July 31 when Jhey visit the national capital. Meakin devised: the charts which prevent the stars froni trodding on one another's heels during their hotel visits. He is thg only one who knows the arrangements and his headquarters, and trouble-shooters will .be at the Carlton-hotel. Meakin is. now assistant zone manager for RKO in the Cincinnati area. Weir liked, Variety Club plans to give Meakin a testimonial dinner in January. Darryl Zanuck, who bought "A b/ii for Adano" for 20th-Fox filmb.ation. thought that the stage version (L^and Hay ward production) might have one great advaiitagc in realism ov(^- the film. It's in the so-called "CJeneral Patton incident."' Actually, the stage version, toned that dowti as much as will the film ver.sion. Zanuck. of course, feared "they'd all say. 'you se(>, Holly>\"ood once again doesn't dare lo do what the theatre does'." Old custom of protecting a star from a youthful,seen? grabber, reached a new hcight;..following a Hollywood preview of a major studio produc- tion. Witnesses report the youngster clicked, so effectively that he brought out tumults of approval from the audience. -After the preview,, the-kid's best scenes wound up on the cutting room floor. Hollywobd's writing mills are grinding so" fast that many of the studio ■scribes are doing home work for lack of office room.on various lots. Short- age of space, the result of wartime building Irestriciipns, has become so serious that one major studio is grabbing the suites of producers and directors on vacation to:serve as temporary quarters,for writers. After seeing her performance in "Bombalera," Paramount short. Pai- has' oegun an extensive buildup for Olga. San'Juan as a feature pictui^ find. 'V'^^^uehter of Puerto Rican parents, she fs a/lativc New Yor^cri and •waa fltst'spotted Vy Par afrthe-Copacabana'niiMclub. " ^ MARYPICKFORD JUNKS PLANS FOR'MAYERLING' Hollywood, Dec, 19. Mary Pickfbrd has junked plans to remake "Mayerling" as first film in re-start of her film production. First venture will be "One Touch of Venus," , in collaboration with Sam Coslbw, io start in June. "Mayerling," which was to be made with Seymour Nebenzal, Miss Pickford explained could hot . be fully cleared on European Tights. She withdraws from production as-: sociation with Nebenzal on that film.. Miss Pickford signed Bernie Finenian, recently associated with David- O. Selznick in Vanguard Films, to function iiv H production capacity in her new company. Predict $5 JO,MO in Bond Sales By Theatres Durii^ 6th Bond Drive 'Blackouts' Scores Hollywood, Dec, 19. Ken Murray's '"Blackouts of. J944" rang up $2,126,500 in its third War Bond-selling- show, making a total of more than $5,000,000 for the three- shows. Murray claims .'a bondrselling record for legit productions. Distrib-Exhibit Group Elect in N. Y. Today Election of officers of the Motion Picture Associates, N.Y., iembracing distribution. and exhibition -people, will be held today "(Wed.) at a lunch- eon session at the Astoc hotel,.N.Y. . ■ Morris Sanders, N."y. sales super- visor for 20th-Fox, is unopposed for reelection to the presidency but for first v.p! a hot contest is possible be- tween Jesse L. Stern, attorney and, exhibitor, and Jack Ellis, ineumbent, 'Who's N.'V. branch manager for United Artists. Stern is president of the Unaffiliated Independent Ebchib- itprs of N.Y. in addition to Sanders, others un- opposed for reelection are Morris Fraum, Columbia. salesman, record- ing secretary; Charles Penser, RKO' seller, finanpial ,secretaryr;.and -Saul Tranner, N.Y. branch manager fer Columbia, treasurer. Howard Levy. Metro salesman, is running against Matty Cahan, former salesman now imattachcd, for the oi- ftce of second y.p. War Subjects Scripted For Bond and GI Use American Theatre Wing's Script Dept. has supplied U. S. Treasury, by. request, with two scripts for cur- rent bond drive. Lawrence Klee's "■The Favor," which sold $4,000,000 bonds in this area last spring, has been sent to' 7,000 playing groups throughout the country. . Esther Hawley's "Straight Ahead for Free- dom" is also being distributed 'by the Treasury.. . Army Special Services is putting out seven scripts of the American Theatre .Wing, for use in camps overseas by GIs. These scripts, on a variety of subjects dealing with the war; are prepared by the Wing's Script Dept., headed by Esther Haw- ley. Scripts, which point up problems of inflation, conservatio'n. disea?*, bond purchases, etc., have also been requested by . organizations in 39 states for local presentation. A re- cent request for some scripts came from a social group in Snag Point, Alaska. ' >■ Moe Silfer's Wife Signs More Talent for H'wood Pittsburgh, bee. 19, MrS; ,M, A. Silver, wife of WB zone managet- in Pittsburgh district, continuing her Daniel Bppneing for the studios locally with the' signing of Eileen Letch worth, Pittsburgh model ""and Playhouse actress, to a personal contract; Mrs. iSilvcr how arranging flock of screen tests for the girl. WB exec's better half was also re- sponsible for the screen- career of Robert Sully, local boy who, through her, won a Metro contract without any previous acting experience. After making two pictui'es for M-G, Sully: was signed to a personal deal by Hal' Wallis.: Mrs. Silver lived in Hollywood for years and Is the sister 0( Leigh and Will-Jason,,pix direc- tors.' Stokowskl-Anderson 2-Recler for GIs at Xmas A'jspecial two-reeler song short called "Christmas 1944," with Leo- pold Stokowskl leading an all-GI band, Marian Anderson singing "Ave Maria" and the Westminster Choir singiiig carols, has .been made as joint project of Army Signal Corps' Photographic Centre and Music Sec- tion of Special Services, Pic will be distributed to every service installa- tion in the world, in time for Christmas. Stokowskl also acts as emcee from screen, inviting GIs to join in carol singing. Maestro spent five days at Astoria, N.'V., for his sha'l°e. in film. Miss Anderspn's ' stint marks only third filih appearance for the Negro contralto, other two being a film- ing of the Easter Sunday Lincoln. Memorial concert in Washington in 1939, and a March of 'Time "Music of America" series last year. Singer is known to have turned down many, commerciil film offers, including one of $50,000 to sing one song. ■ USO Ends Overseas Sked With 22 legit sliows produced by its new legit department and three more revues done by its variety dept.,' USO-Camp Shows has prac- lically completed the assigiimcnt given it by the Army last summer for legiters for overseas performance. Most of the 25 shows have sailed already, only five of them still play- ing tryouts in the U; S. Of these five, majority will have left by New Year's. There are no shows now in rehearsal, although . "Oklahoma!" with casting practically completed; will go into rehearsal any day now. BACALI'S 61 BOW Hollywood. Dec. 19. Lauren Bacall. . new star at Warners, made her debut as a par- ticipant in the recording "Command Performance" Saturday night by re- quest o[ the Hollywood Victory Committee aflev hundreds - of re- quests from. GI. Joes, Recording wilh Miss' Bacall were Bob Hope. Bing Crosbvi Ann Sheri-: dan. Stan Kenton, Anita O'Day and the Andrews Si-sters. Arthur Tracy to Co Overseas Arthur Tracy, the Street Singer; is set to go overseas so<)n, on his first trip for USO.-Camp .'Ihows, with Stan Borcson. accordionist, as acconi: panist. ; Other overseas tours include one by Benjamin De Loache, baritone, and the D'Arlega girl band. Lasl- ^namied was, set earlier, i^neclle^,,' 'tl»en''reinst«(ca,' WB Gives Canteen 250G Hollywood, Dec. 19. Jack L. Warner turned over a check for $250,000 to the Hollywood Canteen in payment for the right to make a picture, now in leleasfe, based on activities of the local serv- icemen's recreation centre. John Garfield. Canteen veepee. ac- cepted the check in the absence of Bette Davis, prexy. Harry Brandt, national chairman of the film industry's participation in the Sixth War Loan drive, re- vealed at a rheeting pf members of his national committee in N. Y. Monday (18), that approximately $5,500,000,000 in "E" bends will b* spld by theatres throughout the na- tion before conclusion of the cam- paign, calculating sales |tp .Dec. .31. ■This Nvould exceed original goal of ' $4,000,000,000, with the Treasury De- partment indicating, that the tptal bonds sold nationally during the drive through all media is expected to: exceed $ap,OOO;O00,000. At the meeting - last Monday, Brandt presented members of the national cpmmittec with an engraved gold" pencil adornedwith the emblem - o( the industry's medal of honor. Among those whp received the pencils were: Ned E. Depinet, SI Fabian, John , Hertz. Jr., William Crockett, John Rugar, Henry Reeve, Jay Emanuel, R. J. O'Donnelt, Leon Bamberger,-. Herman . Bobbins, Max A. Cohen,- Catherine Overstrcet, Herman Schleicr. Max Youngstein, Ted Lloyd, Edward Bobee, Dava Bader, Sally Meiselman and Herb Berg. In Lbs Angeles. 10 dpwntpwn thea- tres staged a. mainmp,th bond precm, with nearly 30,001) persons attending last Monday (18); Theatres, which participated . included: Orpheum, United ArtisU, Tower, RKO-Hill St., Loew's State, "WaAier's Downtown, Los Angeles, Paramount, Roxie and Million Dollar. Film houses in N. Y.'s metropolitan area-sold $29,- 117.134 in bonds so far during tha . Sixth War Loan Drive.- $5,000,000 more than during the Fifth. . As throughout Ihe rest of tha nation, N. Y.'s picture houses will, continue selling "E" bonds until Dec. 31. At the Statue Of Liberty replica in Times Square topflight showbiii personalities will continue to appear. Omaha's $g,200,0«0 Omaha, Dec. 19. • AH records smashed at bond pre- miere of "30 Seconds Over Tokyo" at Paramount when $8,200,000 in bond sales, was paid to see the pic- ture. This Is $2,000,000 more than the advance.estimate; Np stage shpw ,and no cereinonies. Just the picture alone; Studio Contracts Hollywood. Dec. 19. Rory Maliison, actor, Waincrs. John McNiilly, writer, Paramount. Warner Ander.son, actor, Metro. Josephine E^rl, dance dir.. Par. Mantan . Moreland.. aclor. Mono. Col. Ja.son Joy. public relutioris, renewed. 20lh-Fpx. Patric Knowles. actor. Palamount. Mavis Murray, actress, Paiamount. S. Todd. asst.. prod., rn.wd.. RKD. Daral;Hudson,' actor, 20th-Fox. ■ Diana Lewis; .actress, Metro. M. Woulfc, designet-, Cagney Prod. ' Marilyn Hanson, actress, Metro. Betly Hutlon. renewed,- Par. Manny Wolfe, story head. RKO. W. C; Menzies, prod.-dir.j RKO. • Miriam Franklin, ^ancer. Par. Johnny. Coy. dancer. Paramount. Robert Presnell. Jr., writer. Par . Vincent Price, renewed, 20th-Fox. Walter Walker, renewed, 20lh-Fox. David Robel, renewed, 20th-Fox. Herman Belriibnte, renewed, 20lh; David Ballard, renewed, 20th-Fox. Ray Barons, renewed, 20lh-Fox. Nancy Gates,.actress, RKO. Hurd Hatfield, actor, Metro. George Rigaud, actpr, Parampunt. , .^Barbara Hale, .actress.-RKO, Itobert'CUrkc, actbf, RKO. ' ' .Phllly*s All ObI Drive Philadelphia^ Dec. 19. Theatres in Ihe greater Philadel- phia area participated in the 6th - War Bond campaign in greater num- bers than in any previous drive: ac- ' coi'ding to early scattered returns to the local headquarters War Activi- ties Committee. Every theatre in the territory— , approximately 630—had a tree ; movie day: 260 hold bond premieres and about SO staged children's mati- nees. . Biggest bond sale in the territory . thus far reported was at the Wartier - theatre. Atlantic,City, where $7,000,-. 000 in bonds was5old Nov. 30. Run-' ncrup was $3,107,000. ehalkod up by the Navy League at th'e S-W Boyd,- here, Dec. 11. for the special pre*, micic of "Sd Seconcis Over Tokyo." Lynchbure's Flop Lynchburg, Dec. 19. Bond premiere of "Doughgirls" tWB' was a flop with only 413 seat- warmers rattling around in 1,5.30- cap. house., WUlis W. Grist, jr.. Dominion Theatres cjn. and general chairman of Lynchburg's bond drive, blamed severe cold weather, proxi- inity to Christmas' and late an- nouncement of precm for poor showing. First of several bond shows to fail; Others di-ew' capacity- throngs. Judith Anderson Back In N. Y. After 3d USO Tour Judith Anderson retiirned to New York yesterday iTiiesdayi after an ei3hl;-wcek USO-Camp Shows. Inc., tour in -Panami and'the Caribbean areas.; "Tbis was her third overseas jaunt tor CSI, his^ving previously, been to Hawaii and' the Southwest Pacific. 'Miss Anderson. wa.<i accompanied by Ann Triolo; accordionist; Shirley Cornell, violinist, both of whom were wilh. Miss Anderson on her ' prior, trips, and Norine Farrcll, singer, and Tanya Gould, pianist. Actor Jack Good given m^cal discharge from the army. Wouria u» as first looey aft«r two and-a half 'years tn serVicd.' - -