Film Revisions

When Sidney Kent, able Paramount-Publix vice president, resigned abruptly in January every other cinema producer sought him. It was big news when he entered Fox Film as vice president. And it was big and significant news when he was promoted last week to Fox's presidency, for it is the first time that a real cineman has guided Fox since William Fox was ousted and bankers stepped in.

President of Fox for a long time was Harley Lyman Clarke, Chicago utilities tycoon (Utilities Power & Light), who startled filmdom when his General Theatres Equipment, Inc. gobbled control of Fox at a crucial point in its history. Last autumn Mr. Clarke was relieved of the presidency, made chairman. In his place was put his good friend Edward Richmond Tinker, also friendly with Chase National Bank (TIME, Nov. 30). Last week Mr. Tinker assumed the chairmanship and Mr. Clarke resigned, remaining as a director. With General Theatres in receivership, control of Fox now rests with Chase National rather than with G. T. E. and Mr. Clarke.

Once a boiler-stoker in a greenhouse, Mr. Kent received his business training as a salesman for American Druggists' Syndicate. He rose rapidly, became assistant to the president. After a short experience with Vitagraph Co. he helped liquidate General Film, indicted under the Sherman Act, and was soon talking business with Famous Players' Adolph Zukor. Tall Mr. Kent's first Paramount job was in the sales department. He was promoted to be district manager, with offices in Kansas City. His next change was a call to Manhattan where he was made first sales manager, then general manager of distribution, finally general manager of the company. When, two years ago, Paramount-Famous-Lasky became Paramount-Publix, Mr. Kent was made a vice president. From then on he kept a finger in every department. As a salesman and distributor he gained the confidence of the exhibitors and when the Government upset the "uniform standard contract'' in 1930 he was instrumental in having the 5-5-5 conference (five independents, five chain exhibitors, five distributors) reach a new agreement. Members of the conference still recall his fluent arguments and when he resigned from Paramount he was delighted to receive resolutions of praise from exhibitors.

In President Kent there is a great deal of the actor, also a genuineness sprung from the days when he was an engineer in Wyoming. Usually wearing a pepper & salt suit, he is full of tricks and stories. Salesmen under him marvel at his eloquence, his exciting vocabulary. Fox's bankers planned to watch him for several months before making him president but his air and accomplishments won them over in one-third of that time.

While Fox's latest change was taking place, Radio-Keith-Orpheum Corp. was completing the adjustments started fortnight ago when N. B. C.'s Merlin Hall Aylesworth was elected president. Mr. Aylesworth will divide his time between N. B. C. and RKO. Last week it was decided that Vice President Benjamin Bertram Kahane will be given complete charge of film production and distribution as president of RKO Radio Pictures. Large, a smoker of great cigars, Mr. Kahane received his training as a lawyer, learned the entertainment business when he handled the accounts of Chicago's Kohl & Castle and Orpheum Circuit. When RKO was facing its financial difficulties last autumn. Widow Caroline Lewis Kohl, a big stockholder, threatened suits. Mr. Kahane, her husband's onetime attorney, gently and wisely pacified her, won much RKO gratitude. He helped put the Keith-Albee and Orpheum Circuit together, was active in the RKO consolidation in 1928, becoming secretary & treasurer. With a free hand, he will be responsible for a new RKO policy: helping finance independent producers in return for a share of their productions' profits.

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