CO-OPERATION IN FILM INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 23, 22 October 1936, Page 15

CO-OPERATION IN FILM INDUSTRY

Fox Company’s Alliances

FORTHCOMING RELEASES

Having recently returned from attending the annual conference of Fox Film executives in Sydney, Mr. E. L. Kutledge, general manager for New Zealand of that organisation, had some interesting remarks to make regarding the closer association of the various factors in the motion picture industry. The whole tendency nowadays is for producer, distributor, and exhibitor to get closer together, with a view to assisting one another, each sharing in the other's problems, and working together toward, the common aim—that of providing the public with the best possible m entertainment, in comfortable surroundings, said Mr. Rutledge. He quoted three examples of this trend in which the company which he represents in New Zealand was directly concerned, all of which have taken place in the last few months. First there came the announcement not many weeks ago that a company had been formed to be known as Gaumont British Dominions Film Distributors, Ltd. This company was formed with the object of distributing more effectively and economically in Australia and New Zealand the product of Britain’s foremost film producers. Among the products which the new company will distribute are pictures from the studios of Gaumont British, Gainsborough, British and Dominions, Twentieth' Century Fox British, Twickenham, and British Lion. The company will release 32 films during the forthcoming season. The second example was an announcement made on September 18 by Mr. W. J.' Hutchinson, general foreign manager of Twentieth Century Fox Film. Corporation, to the effect that the distribution of the “Flying Doctor” /would be undertaken by Fox Film Corporation, Australasia, Ltd., entirely without charge to the producers in Australia. “The i lying Do'-tor” was produced by National Productions, Ltd., at their studios in Sydney. The directors of National Productions were loud in their praise of this gesture of goodwill toward local film productions on the part of an American distributing organisation. “At the time the announcement was made,” said the chairman, Sir Hugh Dennison, “I OX If 11m Corporation held a contract entitling them to a percentage of the earnings of, the film for their services in distributing it in Australia and New Zealand.” He esti-" mated that Fox would forgo a revenue of £lO,OOO, and National Productions would benefit to that extent. The third instance quoted by Mr. Rutledge was the announcement made on October 6 of the signing of an agreement whereby Fox Film Corporation, Australasia, Ltd., Stanley S. Crick and Charles E. Munro, acquired a substantial interest in Amalgamated Theatres of New Zealand. Messrs. Crick and Munro are managing directors respectively of Fox Film Corporation, Australasia, Ltd., and Hoyts Theatres, Ltd., Australia. Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., operate a chain of approximately 60 important theatres throughout New Zealand. The rise of this company has / been very rapid, and this deal is one of mutual consolidation of interests. The agreement Signed provides that there will be no foreign domination, control of the theatre circuit remaining in the hands of the Moodabe Brothers, who were responsible for building up the business in New' Zealand. Management and operation of this chain of theatres will remain unchanged. Amalgamated Theatres are assured of all films distributed in New Zealand by Fox. This includes the output of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation at their Hollyw-ood studios, and all the releases of Gaumont British Dominions Film Distributors, Ltd.

This Season’s Releases. Arnow ~ the films which. Twentieth Cen-ttn-y Fox Film studios anticipate supplying for release in New Zealand are the following: —■ “To Mary—With Love, cased on Richard Sherman’s highly-praised and widely-discussed novel of the same name, which appeared in serial form in the “Saturday Evening Post,” starring Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy. "Charlie Chan at the Race Track,” in which Warner Gland again plays Earl Derr Biggers's wily detective. “Girls’ Dormitory,” which stars the French actress Simone Simon, making her American screen debut. “Pepper,” starring Jane Withers, with Irvin S. Cobb, Slim Summerville, and Dean Jagger in support. “King of the Royal Mounted,” Zane Grey’s new hero,, is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the locale is the primitive rugged country of North-West Canada. Into this wild section, presided over by Robert Kent as Sergeant King, come Rosalind Keith and Alan Dinehart. “Baek to .Nature,” another of the hilarious series of Jones Family pictures. Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane, Dixie Dunbar, and Tony Martin are starred. “Ramona,” than which no better eelection for Fox’s first all-technicolour production could have been made. This idyllic romance of early California gives wide scope for imaginative treatment with its rural scenery and picturesque settings. In the role of Ramona is Loretta Young. “Ramona” has been dramatised on the

stages of many lands, and no fewer than three silent pictures were made from the world-famous novel. “Dimples,” with Shirley Temple as the little maid' of New York’s bowery in the 185 O's. “Ladies in Love,” for which Hollywood was searched for contrasting types to grace the story, resulting in the selection of Janet Gaynor, Loretta Young, Constance Bennett, and Simone Simon. “Pigskin Parade,” a musical satire of inter-collegiate football. The cast includes Jack Haley, Patsy Kelly, Arline Judge. Dixie Dunbar, and Ross Alexander. “Thank You, Jeeves,” based upon the humorous character created by P. G. Wodehouse; will star Arthur Treacher, supported by Virginia Field, David Niven, and the New Zealander. Colin Tapley. “15, Maiden Lane,” with -Claire Trevor, Cesar Romero, and Alan Dinehart in a swift-moving picture about jewel thieves. Now in production are: “Reunion,” the Dionne quintuplets’ new picture, in which they not only talk but sing a French lullaby. Jean Hersholt will again be the country doctor, Dorothy Petersen the nurse, John Qualcn the father, and Slim Summerville the comedy sheriff. “Alias Brian Kent,” based one one of the most famous of Western novels. Harold Bell Wright’s “The Recreation of Brian Kent,” with Ralph Bellamy ami Mae Clarke. “Under Your Spell” has been selected as the title of the new Lawrence Tibbett musical. The cast includes Wendy Barrie. Arthur Treacher. Gregory Ratoff. and Pauline Frederick. “White Hunter” (tentative title), co-starring Warner Baxter and Simone Simon. The story is based on producer Darryl Zanuck’s adventures hunting big-game in Africa. “Living Dangerously,” with Franchot

Tone and June Lang with Donald Crisp. “Lloyd’s of London,” one of the outstanding spectacles of the programme. The story concerns the rise of tile famous house of Lloyd’s at the time Lord Nelson was establishing Britain’s supremacy of the sens at Trafalgar. Loretta Young is to have the leading feminine role. “Stowaway.” Shirley Temple’s next picture. “Can This Bo Dixie?” Jane Withers's first musical production. Dick Powel] will have the male lead in Irving Berlin’s “On the Avenue.” n spectacular musical production. “Seventh Heaven” will be made .again with an entirely new cast. “Four Men and a Prayer,” a novel by David Garib. “The Last Slaver” and “King of the Khyber Rifles.” the remaking of “The Rlack Watch,” complete the programme.

British Films to Come. The product to be released by Gaumont British Dominions Film Distributors, Limited, and distributed in New Zealand by Fox Film Corporation, will be as follows: —“As You Like It,” n costume romance, adapted from Shakespeare’s immortal comedy, with the great Elisabeth