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Scanned  from  the  collections  of 
The  Library  of  Congress 


AUDIO-VISUAL  CONSERVATION 
at  The  LIBRARY  of  CONGRESS 


Packard  Campus 
for  Audio  Visual  Conservation 
www.loc.gov/avconservation 

Motion  Picture  and  Television  Reading  Room 
\AAAAA/.loc.gov/rr/mopic 

Recorded  Sound  Reference  Center 
wvwv.loc.gov/rr/record 


J 


i: 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
\  NEWS 


MOTION  PICTUSL 


^Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


WB  Seeks  to 
Acquire  RKO 
Theatre  Lease 


Would  Dissolve  Mutual 
Interest  in  Cleve.  House 

An  agreement  subject  to  court 
approval,  for  the  acquisition  by 
Warners  of  RKO's  interest  in  the 
lease  of  the  Allen  Theatre,  Cleve- 
land, was  disclosed  yesterday  when 
counsel  for  RKO  filed  with  the  U.  S. 
District  court  here  the  company's 
quarterly  report  on  theatre  holdings 
as  required  by  the  tribunal  in  its  de- 
cree in  the  industry  anti-trust  case. 

Ending  of  the  joint  arrangement 
would  be  in  keeping  with  opinions  ex- 
pressed by  the  Supreme  Court  on  joint 
operations  by  defendants  in  its  recent 
Paramount  case  rulings. 

According  to  the  report,  an  appli- 
cation will  be  made  to  the  court  if  the 
landlord  of  the  property  approves  the 
deal.  The  Allen  is  leased  by  RKO  and 
WB  from  the  Bulkley  Building  Co. 

RKO  asserted  that,  since  it  was 
"not  certain"  whether  any  further  re- 

( Continued  on  page  6) 

Court  Holds  RKO  to 
Jackson  Pk.  Decree 

Chicago,  June  30. — RKO's  motion 
entered  by  attorney  Miles  Seeley  ask- 
ing for  exemption  from  contempt 
charges  in  the  Jackson  Park  decree 
was  overruled  today  by  Judge  Michael 
J.  Igoe  in  U.  S.  District  Court  here. 
Judge  Igoe  said  he  adopted  the  opin- 
ion of  April  21  when  the  motion  was 
filed  on  the  contempt  proceedings  as 
his  findings  of  fact  and  conclusions  of 
law.  RKO's  motion  was  based  on 
arguments  that  the  RKO  Palace  and 
Grand  theatres  were  not  named  de- 
fendants in  the  original  decree  but 
were  separate  corporations  operating 
under  individual  corporations. 


5th  Sl  Walnut  Jury 
Saw  'No  Monopoly' 


That  the  acquittal  of  the  distributor 
and  other  defendants  in  the  Fifth  and 
Walnut  Amusement  Corp.  anti-trust 
case  was  keyed  to  the  interpretation 
of  what  constitutes  monopoly  was  the 
opinion  in  industry  legal  circles  here 
yesterday. 

Viewed  as  an  indication  of  this  was 
the_  action  of  the  District  Court  jury, 
which  interrupted  its  deliberations  late 

[Continued  on  page  6) 


N.  J.  Allied  Favors 
Conciliation  Plan 

West  End,  N.  J.,  June  30.- — New 
Jersey  Allied  in  its  final  meeting  to- 
day, passed  a  resolution  endorsing  the 
20th-Fox  conciliation  plan,  but  will 
proceed  cautiously  until  the  organiza- 
tion can  satisfy  itself  that  the  plan  has 
no  "gimmick." 

The  first  step  in  this  direction  will 
be  the  appointment  of  a  committee,  so 
far  undesignated,  to  confer  with  A.  W. 
Smith,  Jr.,  20th-Fox  general  sales 
manager.  Actually  Jersey  Allied's  en- 
dorsement was  made  without  an  op- 
portunity to  fully  analyze  the  plan,  so 
that  caution  will  be  the  watchword 
for  the  organization  before  finally  de- 
ciding whether  or  not  to  accept  it. 

On  Tuesday,  National  Allied, 
through  its  president,  William  Ains- 
worth,  and  its  Eastern  units,  through 
their  respective  representatives,  fully 
endorsed  the  local  grievance  commit- 
tee plan  established  by  20th-Fox  in 
Minneapolis  in  cooperation  with  North 
Central  Allied. 

Other    matters    discussed  included 

[Continued  on  page  6) 


MPEA  Meet  Today 
On  Action  on  UK 


The  executive  committee  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Export  Association 
at  a  meeting  here  today  will  en- 
deavor to  develop  a  program  aimed 
to  counter  Britain's  45  per  cent  ex- 
hibition quota,  with  the  formulation  of 
an  MPEA  service  organization  con- 
sidered in  some  quarters  as  a  possible 
result  of  the  session. 

Executives  here,  however,  point  out 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


"Hamlet" 


20th  -Fox  Files  4th 
Video  Bid;  Plans  5th 

Washington,  June  30. — 
Twentieth  Century-Fox  of 
Missouri  today  asked  the 
Federal  Communications 
Commission  for  permission  to 
build  a  television  station  in 
Kansas  City.  This  is  the 
fourth  application  to  be  filed 
by  a  20th-Fox  subsidiary, 
other  subsidiaries  having  pre- 
viously applied  for  stations  in 
Boston,  San  Francisco  and 
Seattle.  It  is  understood  that 
20th-Fox  will  also  file  shortly 
for  a  fifth  station  at  St.  Louis 
through  its  new  subsidiary 
there. 


La.  Bill  to  Regulate 
Films  Is  Withdrawn 


New  Orleans,  June  30. — The  Blan- 
chard  bill,  providing  for  state  regula- 
tion of  film  distribution  in  a  manner 
based  almost  identically  upon  the  New 
York  Federal  Court  order  in  the  Gov- 
ernment's anti-trust  suit  against  the 
industry,  has  been  withdrawn  by  its 
author,  Rep.  M.  A.  Blanchard  of  this 
city,  who  introduced  it  in  'the  House 
early  in  the  current  session  of  the 
legislature. 

The  measure,  known  as  House  Bill 
No.  533,  was  looked  upon  with  as 
much  disfavor  by  independent  exhibi- 
tors in  the  state  as  it  was  by  local 
distributors. 

The  measure  would  have  required 
local  trade  showings  in  every  Parish 
(county)  in  the  state,  prior  to  ex- 
hibition, and  advertising  of  the  trade 
showings.    Licensing  of  films  would 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Schary  Quits  as 
Head  of  RKO 
Production 

Resignation  Follows  on 
Cancellation  of  3  Films 

Hollywood,  June  30.  —  Dore 
Schary  today  resigned  his  post  as 
vice-president  in  charge  of  RK.O 
Radio  production,  effective  immedi- 
ately. The  resignation,  which  came  as 
a  surprise  here  due  to  the  issuance  of 
a  formal  statement  by  Schary  two 
weeks  ago  saying  that  he  and  Howard 
Hughes  were  in  agreement  on  pro- 
duction policies,  came  as  a  sequel  to 
the  cancellation  yesterday  of  three 
scheduled  productions,  presumably  at 
the  direction  of  the  new  owner  of 
RKO. 

The  pictures  cancelled  were  the 
Lasky-MacEwen  production,  "Battle- 
ground," slated  to  go  before  the  cam- 
eras in  September,  and  "Setup"  and 
"Bed  of  Roses,"  which  were  to  have 
started  this  month. 

Schary's  contract,  a  five-year  pact 
entered  into  on  Jan.  1,  1947  and  calling 
for  an   estimated  $500,000  annually, 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


TOA,Ampa  May  Join 
In  Public  Relations 


Robert  W.  Coyne  and  Gael  Sulli- 
van, for  the  Theatre  Owners  of  Amer- 
ica, and  Max  Youngstein,  president  of 
the  Associated  Motion  Picture  Adver- 
tisers, came  to  an  "agreement  in  prin- 
ciple" at  a  preliminary  meeting  here 
yesterday  at  which  Youngstein  out- 
lined his  plans  for  industry  public  re- 
lations and  asked  for  TOA  coopera- 
tion. 

Youngstein  said  he  found  both 
Coyne  and  Sullivan  "receptive"  to  his 
ideas   and   that   another   meeting  is 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Mochrie  to  Preside 
At  5  RKO  Meetings 


Robert  Mochrie,  RKO  Radio  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  has  set  a 
series  of  five  regional  meetings  for 
the  discussion  of  current  and  forth- 
coming product.  Winners  of  the  1948 
"Ned  Depinet  Drive"  will  be  an- 
nounced at  the  same  time. 

First  meeting  will  be  in  Buffalo  on 
Monday,  July  12  with  Mochrie  pre- 
siding. Also  from  the  home  office  will 
be  Nat  Levy,  Harry  Michalson,  A.  A. 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


[  Two  Cities  -U-I  ]  —  Noteworthy,  but  Shakespeare 

ANALYSIS  of  the  much-heralded  "Hamlet"  is  not  difficult  and  falls 
r\  at  once  into  two  distinct  divisions.  One  is  geared  to  the  nature 
*■  of  this  business  as  a  purveyor  of  mass  entertainment.  The  other, 
equally  as  obvious,  is  what  kind  of  a  Hamlet  is  Laurence  Olivier  and 
what  is  there  to  say  qualitatively  about  his  production  of  Shakespeare's 
greatest  play. 

The  first  answer  is  readily  at  hand.  Since  Shakespeare  is  not  for  the 
rank-and-file,  his  plays  cannot  be  for  them.  Warner  learned  this  with 
"Midsummer  Night's  Dream,"  Metro  with  "Romeo  and  Juliet,"  Mary 
Pickford  with  "The  Taming  of  the  Shrew"  and  Arthur  Rank  and  UA 
with  "Henry  V."  Rank  and  U-I  will  learn  it  with  "Hamlet"  if  they 
should  happen  to  lack  the  awareness  now. 

It  is  immediately  clear  that  the  tragedy  will  have  its  best  opportunity 
in  theatres  apart  from  those  identified  with  the  normal  run  of  product 
and  on  a  policy  which  generally  parallels  the  handling  of  "Henry  V." 
Because  the  play  has  survived  the  centuries  and  long  since  has  taken  on 
a  timeless  equation,  "Hamlet"  will  not  be  bound  by  seasons.    There  is  no 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Phi  erfz 

Thursday,  July  1,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


LOUIS  B.  MAYER,  M-G-M  pro- 
duction head,  flew  to  the  Coast 
yesterday  from  New  York. 

• 

Carter  Barron,  Loew  district  man- 
ager in  Washington,  is  chairman  of  a 
special  activities  committee  of  the 
Greater  National  Capital  Committee 
which  will  commemorate  the  10th  an- 
niversary on  Monday  of  the  laying  of 
the  Washington  Monument  corner- 
stone. 

• 

Jack  Benny  and  his  wife,  Mary 
Livingstone  and  their  daughter, 
Joan  ;  Phil  Harris  and  his  wife, 
Alice  Faye;  Kay  Kyser  and  Mrs. 
Kyser  and  Michael  Redgrave  are 
among  passengers  who  sailed  for  Eu- 
rope yesterday  on  the  6"5"  Queen 
Elizabeth. 

• 

Robert  D.  Olson,  formerly  of  the 
international  publicity  department  of 
20th  Century-Fox,  will  leave  here 
Tuesday  for  England  to  serve  as 
American  liaison  publicist  for  Trans- 
atlantic Pictures'  "Under  Capricorn." 
• 

Ben  Lamo,  assistant  manager  of 
the  Warner  Strand  in  Hartford,  who 
has  been  a  patient  at  Johns  Hopkins 
Hospital  in  Baltimore,  has  been  moved 
to  Hartford  Hospital  for  further  con- 
valescing. 

• 

Phillip  Lindner,  who  joined  RKO 
Theatres  in  1900  and  is  currently  as- 
signed to  the  RKO  Albee  in  Brooklyn, 
and  his  wife  will  celebrate  their  50th 
wedding  anniversary  on  Saturday. 
• 

Berxie  Rubin,  head  of  Imperial 
Pictures,  Cleveland,  and  Max  Shul- 
gold,  head  of  Crown  Film,  Pittsburgh, 
are  in  New  York  for  conferences  with 
Astor  Pictures  executives. 

• 

Milton  E.  Cohen,  Eastern  divi- 
sional sales  manager  for  Eagle-Lion, 
was  in  Boston  yesterday  from  New 
York  and  will  be  in  Gloversville, 
N.  Y.,  today. 

• 

Joseph  Bernard,  Film  Classics 
president,  who  was  in  Washington 
yesterday  from  the  Coast,  is  due  in 
New  York  today. 

• 

Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  20th  Century- 
Fox  production  vice-president,  will 
leave  New  York  by  plane  on  July  10 
for  London. 

• 

George  Margolin,  president  of  Con- 
tinental Motion  Pictures,  has  returned 
to  New  York  from  Italy. 

• 

June  E.  Dorth  of  the  M-G-M 
Cleveland  booking  department,  is  va- 
cationing in  New  York. 

• 

Thomas  Knight,  owner  of  the 
Acme  Theatre  in  Riverton,  Wyo.,  has 
been  elected  mayor  there. 

• 

David  Horne,  Film  Classics  foreign 
sales  manager,  is  in  London  from 
Brazil. 


Accused  Exhibitors 
Accuse  Distributors 


Developments  in  percentage  suits 
brought  by  RKO  and  Loew's  against 
Nathan  Steinberg,  Leonard  Finkelstein 
and  Parkway  Theatre  Corp.,  which 
operates  the  Parkway  in  Mt.  Vernon, 
N.  Y.,  took  an  unexpected  turn  in 
U.  S.  District  Court  here  yesterday 
when  the  defendants,  in  an  amended 
answer  to  the  charges,  filed  a  counter- 
claim of  $150,000  against  each  of  the 
plaintiffs,  accusing  them  of  violating 
the  anti-trust  laws. 

The  defendants  submitted  counter- 
claims for  damages  after  Judge  Har- 
old R.  Medina,  acting  on  the  consent 
of  all  parties  involved,  granted  their 
motion  to  amend  their  answers  to  the 
percentage  actions.  Dismissal  of  the 
suits  was  asked  by  the  defendants. 

RKO  and  Loew's  were  charged 
with  being  engaged  in  a  conspiracy 
with  other  distributors  to  fix  runs, 
clearance  and  playing  time  with  re- 
spect to  films  licensed  to  exhibitors  in 
Westchester  County.  They  were  fur- 
ther accused  of  "systematically"  ex- 
cluding the  Parkway  Theatre  Corp. 
from  the  opportunity  of  procuring 
preferred  runs  of  product  distributed 
by  the  two  companies  and  other  ma- 
jor distributors.  It  was  asserted  that 
the  Parkway  was  relegated  to  a  last 
run  category  as  a  result  of  the  alleged 
conspiracy. 


'Lulu  Belle'  Banned 
By  Memphis  Censor 

Memphis,  June  30. — "Lulu  Belle," 
Columbia  picture  starring  Dorothy 
Lamour,  today  was  banned  from  Mem- 
phis by  the  city  censors,  L.  T.  Bin- 
ford,  chairman,  announced.  He  said 
the.  picture,  tentatively  scheduled  to 
open  August  12  at  the  Malco  Theatre, 
was  banned  by  unanimous  vote. 

Binford  said  in  part  that  "Lulu 
Belle"  is  "a  sensual  performance  cater- 
ing to  the  lowest  impulses  of  its  audi- 
ences" and  has  the  "fatal  weakness  of 
presenting  no  morally  decent  charac- 
ters for  whom  an  audience  sympathy 
might  flow." 


Mexican  Shutdown 
Is  Expected  Today 

Mexico  City,  June  30. — Practically 
all  film  production  here  now  threatens 
to  be  suspended  tomorrow  with  the 
strike  of  the  National  Cinematographic 
Industry  Workers  Union,  postponed 
from  June  26  at  the  request  of  the 
Federal  Board  of  Conciliation  and 
Arbitration.  Unions  at  the  four  studios 
involved  want  pay  hikes  of  40  to  60 
per  cent  for  most  employes,  and  as 
high  as  150  per  cent  for  others.  Stu- 
dios are  Churubusco,  Clasa,  Azteca 
and  Tepeyac. 


Wright  Flies  to 
Griffith  Hearing 

Washington,  June  30. — Rob- 
ert L.  Wright,  special  assis- 
tant to  the  Attorney  General, 
left  here  by  plane  today  for 
Oklahoma  City  to  represent 
the  Government  in  tomor- 
row's hearing  in  Oklahoma 
District  Cburt  on  further 
proceedings  in  the  Griffith 
anti-trust  suit.  The  Govern- 
ment is  asking  for  a  tempo- 
rary ban  on  further  expan- 
sion by  the  Southwestern 
circuit. 


Siegel  Is  New  Head  of 
Century  Ad-Publicity 

Myron  Siegel,  assistant  to  Fred 
Schwartz,  Century  Circuit's  executive 
vice-president,  will  take  over  as  ad- 
vertising-publicity director  today  when 
Ed  Schreiber's  resignation  becomes  ef- 
fective. Siegel  held  the  post  previously, 
leaving  it  to  become  Schwartz's  aide. 


Colorado  Ready  for 
'Canon  City9  Opening 

Denver,  June  30. — Bryan  Foy,  pro- 
ducer of  Eagle-Lion's  "Canon  City" 
will  be  honored  by  Denver  University 
tomorrow  for  "his  contribution  to  cul- 
ture," it  was  announced  by  Robert  W. 
Selig,  president  of  the  university's 
board,  and  Dr.  Campion  Bell,  director 
of  the  university's  school  of  the  the- 
atre. 

The  film  will  have  its  premiere  in 
Canon  City  on  Friday  at  two  Fox 
Intermountain  theatres  before  an  audi- 
ence which  will  include  Gov.  Lee 
Knous,  the  governors  of  six  neighbor- 
ing states  and  six  former  governors 
of  this  state  as  well  as  Rocky  Moun- 
tain industrialists  and  exhibitors. 


EC  A  Board  to  Probe 
Progress  July  14 

Washington,  June  30. — Economic 
Cooperation  Administrator  Paul  G. 
Hoffman  has  set  July  14  for  the  first 
meeting  of  his  12-man  public  advisory 
board,  on  which  Motion  Picture  As- 
sociation of  America  president  Eric 
Johnston  serves.  The  meeting  is  ex- 
pected to  go  over  ECA's  progress 
during  the  first  quarter,  April  through 
June,  and  discuss  plans  and  problems 
for  the  next  quarter. 

Meanwhile,  ECA  officials  still  re- 
port "hard  work  but  little  progress" 
in  working  out  the  application  of  .the 
program's  convertibility  guarantees 
for  films  and  other  information  media. 


Mar  key  and  hoy  Are 
Production  Partners 

Hollywood,  June  30. — Writer-pro- 
ducer Gene  Markey  and  Myrna  Loy 
have  formed  Charter  Films,  Inc.,  to 
produce  .four  features  independently 
for  undetermined  release. 


Pioneer  Sets  Second 

At  a  Pioneer  Pictures'  press  recep- 
tion here  yesterday  at  Le  Ruban  Bleu, 
Ralph  Cohn  and  Jules  Bricken  presi- 
dent and  vice-president,  respectively, 
announced  that  "The  Broadway  Story" 
will  be  the  company's  second  produc- 
tion to  be  made  in  New  York  follow- 
ing "Kingsblood  Royal."  Charles  Led- 
erer  will  do  the  screenplay  from  ma- 
terial supplied  by  Broadway  column- 
ists Dorothy  Kilgallen,  Louis  Sobol, 
Danton  Walker  and  Earl  Wilson. 


Phila.  Exhibitor  May 
Appeal  Video  Ban 

Philadelphia,  June  30. — Henry 
Friedman,  local  exhibitor  who  was 
prevented  from  giving  an  unauthor- 
ized theatre  showing  of  a  telecast  of 
the  Joe  Louis-Joe  Walcott  bout  last 
week,  has  been  permitted  by  Judge 
Sloane  here  to  appeal  the  Philadelphia 
Common  Pleas  Court  ruling  for  fu- 
ture events  of  a  similar  nature. 

Friedman  said  he  is  attemptu  to 
get  a  number  of  exhibitors  who  are 
also  interested  in  theatre  telecasts  to 
join  him  in  appealing  the  case.  As 
yet,  however,  Friedman  has  taken  no 
formal  action. 

The  ruling  barring  unauthorized  re- 
productions of  television  programs  in 
theatres  and  other  places  which  charge 
admission  was  handed  down  when 
National  Broadcasting,  Philco,  Gil- 
lette Safety  Razor,  and  others  asked 
for  and  received  an  injunction  to  re- 
strain Friedman's  Lawndale  Theatre 
and  the  Lanbar  Hotel  from  picking 
up  the  telecast. 


Dignitaries  at  20th's 
Preview  in  Capital 

Washington,  June  30. — A  special 
preview  of  20th-Fox's  "The  Street 
with  No  Name"  at  the  Statler  Hotel 
here  last  night  was  attended  by  800 
Government  officials,  members  of  the 
diplomatic  corps,  film  and  theatre  ex- 
ecutives and  the  press. 

Spyros  P.  Skouras,  president  of 
20th- Fox,  joined  J.  Edgar  Hoover, 
FBI  director,  in  greeting  guests, 
among  whom  were  Eric  Johnston, 
president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Asso- 
ciation of  America,  Joyce  O'Hara,  his 
executive  assistant,  and  Carter  Barron, 
local  Loew. executive.  A  buffet  supper 
followed  the  screening.  An  on-the-spot 
special  events  news  broadcast  of  the 
affair  was  arranged  by  NBC. 


Terms  Gov.  Dewey  a 
Friend  of  the  Trade 

Albany,  N.  Y,  June  30.— Gov. 
Thomas  E.  Dewey  is  well  aware  of 
the  film  industry's  contributions  to  the 
nation  and  to  local  communities,  ac- 
cording to  John  May,  treasurer  of 
Schine  Theatres,  and  once  a  candidate 
for  State  Comptroller  on  the  Repub- 
lican ticket,  who  said  he  based  this 
conclusion  on  conversations  he  has 
had  with  the  Presidential  nominee. 
May  added  that  Myer  Schine  also  has 
had  talks  with  the  Governor  and  is 
of  the  same  opinion. 


20th  To  Argue  Today 
For  'Frisco  Channel 

Washington,  June  30. — Hearings  on 
applications  for  television  stations  in 
San  Francisco  will  go  into  their  last 
lap  here  tomorrow  with  20th  Century- 
Fox,  represented  by  Spyros  and 
Charles  Skouras,  slated  to  be  lead-off 
witnesses.  Five  firms,  including  20th- 
Fox  and  Paramount,  are  applying  for 
three  video  channels,  and  all  but  20th- 
Fox  have  finished  their  testimony  at 
hearings  which  have  been  on  since 
June  21. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address-  "Quigpubco' 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary- 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  'Ascher 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup' 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  'Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


NEW  WARNER  EXCITEMENT- A  STAR-LOAD  OF  IT! 


RANDOLPH  SCOTT-  ROBE 
GEORGE  "cabby"  HAYES 

Produced  by  NAT  HOLT  •  Directed  by  RAY  ENRIGHT  •  Sc 


M8HIP 


Day  and  night  excitement  kicks  off 
75-theatre  opening  beginning  with 
World  Premiere  at  Guthrie  July  7. . . 
Bands,  parades,  ballyhoo . . .  Blanket 
radio  coverage ...  Special  newspaper 
and  poster  campaigns  . . .  Cow-  r 
boy  stars,  singers,  personalities  (in- 
cluding Jesse  James  himself  (?) 
. . .  Explosive  exploitation  for 
THE  GREAT  BIG  ACTION 
WESTERN  OF  1948! 


RYAN  *  ANNE  JEFFREYS 
ACQUELINE  WHITE 


by  CHARLES  O'NEAL  •  JACK  NATTEFORD  and  LUCI  WARD 


m 


FROM  ALL\OVER  THE  LAND! 

First  reports  from  Boston,  Miami,  Philadel- 
phia, New  York,  San  Francisco,  Cleveland— 
"Broadway"  gets  that  "Mother  Wore  Tights" 
Boxoffice  Business! 

And  doing  the  wonder  business  of  "I  Wonder 
Who's  Kissing  Her  Now"  in  Los  Angeles, 
Portland,  Kansas  City,  Houston,  Milwaukee 
and  Baltimore. 


Give  my  Regards 

to  Broadway 


color  by  TECHNICOLOR 


...st0f&U&  from  the  critics,  too! 


W.  WARD  MARSH,  CLEVELAND  PLAIN  DEALER 

" Not  to  be  missed .  A  real  and  constant  delight! ' ' 

WALTER  WINCHELL 

"A  Song-And-Dandy!" 

KARL  KRUG,  PITTSBURGH  SUN  TELEGRAPH 

"Plenty  of  kick.  A  happy  hit!" 


HELEN  EAGER,  BOSTON  TRAVELER 

' 'Grand  entertainment! ' ' 

MILDRED  MARLIN,  PHILADELPHIA  INQUIRER 

"Wonderfully  winning,  happily  human!" 

EILEEN  CREELMAN,  N.  Y.  SUN 

"Best  of  its  kind!" 


MOTION  PICWRf 


lAILY 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


64.   NO.  2 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  JULY  2,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Chance  of  New 
U.K.  Embargo 
Seems  Slight 

MPEA  Control  Reported 
Approved  for  Britain 

With  apparently  all  possibilities 
of  a  new  embargo  on  American  film 
shipments  to  Britain  ruled  out  by 
divergent  views  and  interests  of 
individual  companies,  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Export  Association  at  a  meeting 
here  yesterday  reportedly  agreed  upon 
the  extension  of  its  operations  to 
Britain  to  achieve  controlled  film  serv- 
ice to  that  country. 

Characteristically,  the  MPEA 
would  not  confirm  or  deny  the  report, 
but  a  statement  which  it  issued  follow- 
ing the  meeting  lent  credence  to  the 
report.  In  referring  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  F.  W.  Allport  as  an  Ameri- 
can industry  representative  on  the 
Control  Committee  to  administer  the 
agreement  in  settlement  of  the  British 
film  tax,  the  MPEA  statement  de- 
scribed Allport  as  "the  London  repre- 
sentative of 'the  MPEA  companies  in 
London." 

The  MPEA,  heretofore,  has  not  op- 
(Continued  on  page  12) 


Allport,  Chris  on 
Anglo-US  Film  Unit 


Fayette  W.  Allport,  London  repre- 
sentative of  the  Motion  Picture  Ex- 
port Association,  and  T.  Chris,  Lon- 
don manager  of  the  Bank  of  London, 
have  been  appointed  as  the  American 
film  industry's  representatives  on  the 
Control  Committee  provided  for  in  the 
Anglo-American  film  agreement,  it 
was  announced  yesterday. 

John  McCarthy,  who  had  been  serv- 
ing temporarily  on  the  Control  Com- 
mittee, is  to  leave  London  today  for 
the  MPEA  home  office  in  New  York. 
Chris  will  leave  here  for  London 
July  7. 


Arthur  Abeles  Seen 
Succeeding  Milder 

London,  July  1.  —  Resignation  of 
Max  Milder  as  managing  director  for 
Warner  Brothers  in  Britain  is  expect- 
ed next  week,  it  is  understood, 
prompted  by  ill  health,  with  Arthur 
Abeles,  Jr.,  presently  Milder's  execu- 
tive assistant,  expected  to  succeed 
him. 

C.  J.  Latta,  who  was  transferred 

(.Continued  on  page  12) 


Video  Will  Not 
Hurt  Theatres: 
Chas.  Skouras 


Washington,  July  1.  —  Tele- 
vision has  not  proved  harmful  to 
theatre  box-offices,  probably  will 
not  cause  any  noticeable  loss  of 
revenue,  and  may  even  be  of  ultimate 
benefit  to  the  motion  picture  industry, 
said  Charles  P.  Skouras,  testifying 
as  president  of  20th  Century-Fox  of 
California  at  Federal  Communication 
Commission  hearings  on  the  five  ap- 
plications pending  for  the  two  avail- 
able San  Francisco  video  channels. 

The  head  of  20th-Fox's  Na- 
tional Theatres  gave  diametri- 
cally opposed  views  to  those 
expressed  by  Paramount  vice- 
president  Paul  Raibourn  when 
he  appeared  last  week.  Raibourn 

(Continued  mi  page  11) 


Peyser  to  Finalize 
Video  Film  Contract 


Seymour  Peyser,  of  the  New  York 
law  firm  of  Phillips,  Nizer,  Benjamin 
and  Krim,  has  been  retained  as  coun- 
sel for  the  new  National  Television 
Film  Council,  it  was  announced  here 
yesterday  by  Melvin  L.  Gold,  NTFC 
chairman.  Selection  of  Peyser  was 
approved  at  a  meeting  yesterday  of 
sub-committee  chairmen  Robert  Pas- 
kow,  television  committee ;  Myron 
Mills,  distribution  ;  Sally  Perle,  press 
(Continued  on  page  11) 


'U's  6-Month  Net 
Drops  to  $232,866 

Universal  Pictures'  consoli- 
dated net  profit  for  the  26 
weeks  ended  May  1,  aggre- 
gated $232,866  after  all 
charges,  including  Federal 
taxes.  This  compares  with 
$2,092,418  for  the  correspond- 
ing period  of  the  preceding 
fiscal  year. 


Court  Injunction 
Pointless:  Griffith 


Oklahoma  City,  July  1.  —  As- 
serting that  Griffith  Amusement 
will  be  responsible  for  any  actions 
taken  in  violation  of  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court  ruling,  Griffith  attor- 
neys argued  before  Federal  Judge  Ed- 
gar S.  Vought  today  that  issuance  of 
an  order  restraining  the  company  from 
buying  or  selling  theatres  without 
court  permission  was  purposeless  at 
this  time. 

Following  today's  hour-long  session 
in  connection  with  Assistant  U.  S. 
Attorney  Robert  Wright's  request  for 
an  injunction  against  Griffith,  the 
judge  set  September  20  for  hearing  of 
the  request.  The  long  recess  is  due  to 
summer  and  the  judge's  vacation. 

Griffith  attorney  C.  B.  Cochrane  told 
the  court  that  the  injunction  sought  by 
the  Government  would  "work  extreme 
hardship  on  the  company  and  ac- 
complish nothing." 

On  May  3  the  Supreme  Court,  re- 
versing a  "not  guilt-y"  verdict  by 
Vought,  found  Griffith  circuit  and 
three  affiliates  guilty  of  conspiracy  to 

(Continued  on  page  11) 


Strike  At  Mexican  Studios 
Ends  Quickly  in  Truce 


Pathe  Cinema  May 
Produce  in  U.  S. 

Jacques  Chabrier,  president 
of  Pathe  Cinema  of  the  U.  S., 
will  fly  to  Paris  tomorrow  to 
confer  with  the  principals  of 
the  French  parent  company 
on  plans  for  entering  produc- 
tion and  distribution  in  this 
country. 

The  company  is  already  in 
exhibition  here,  building  the 
first  key  city  "showcase",  to 
be  called  the  Paris,  opening 
in  New  York  in  the  fall. 


Mexico  City,  July  1.  —  A  strike 
called  today  by  the  National  Cine- 
matographic Industry  Workers  Union 
ended  almost  immediately  in  a  truce 
to  enable  union  leaders  and  operators 
of  the  struck  studios  to  confer  on  the 
issues  in  dispute.  The  National  Cine- 
matographic Commission  was  instru- 
mental in  arranging  the  truce. 

Struck  studios  were  Churubusco,  in 
which  RKO  has  a  half  interest ;  Az- 
teca,  Clasa  and  Tepeyac.  Production 
was  brought  to  a  virtual  standstill 
when  last  minute  efforts  of  the  Fed- 
eral Board  of  Conciliation  failed  to 
avert  the  stoppage. 

Countering  the  union's  insistence 
upon  wage  increases  ranging  from  60 
to  150  per  cent,  the  studio  operators 

(Continued  on  page  12) 


Gov't  in  Move 
For  Theatre 
Divorce  Data 


Interrogatories  on  Joint 
Ownerships  Go  to  "Big  5" 

First  concrete  move  in  its  effort 
to  obtain  vital  information  on  the 
theatre  interests  of  the  five  major 
defendants  in  the  Paramount  anti- 
trust case  was  taken  by  the  Govern- 
ment under  the  divestiture  provisions 
of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  decision 
yesterday  when  counsel  for  the  com- 
panies here  were  served  with,  interro- 
gatories bearing  on  the  joint  owner- 
ship of  theatre  properties. 

Here  is  some  of  the  data  sought  by 
the  Department  of  Justice  in  its  at- 
tempt to  test  the  legality  of  each  joint 
theatre  interest. 

1.  — Date  of  incorporation,  state  in 
which  incorporated  and  location  of 
principal  office  of  each  joint  owner- 
ship. 

2.  — Name  and  address  of  each 
shareholder,  with  amount  and  class  of 

(Continued  on  page  11) 


NLRB  Starts  Probe 
At  UA  Here  Today 

Entry  yesterday  of  a  third  disputant 
in  the  tilt  over  labor  jurisdiction  at 
United  Artists'  home  office  resulted  in 
charges  by  AFL's  IATSE  Motion 
Picture  Home  Office  Employes  Local 
No.  H-63  that  CIO's  Screen  Office 
and  Professional  Employes  Guild  has 
established  a  "front"  through  which 
it  seeks  to  circumvent  H-63  in  the 
latter's  bid  for  a  National  Labor  Re- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Rathvon  Runs  Studio 
Pending  Board  Meet 

Hollywood,  July  1. — RKO  presi- 
dent N.  Peter  Rathvon  has  assumed 
full  command  of  the  RKO  studio  fol- 
lowing the  resignation  of  Dore  Schary 
as  production  head  yesterday.  Schary 
left  the  lot  immediately.  No  further 
changes  of  personnel  are  anticipated 
pending  next  week's  meeting  of  the 

(Continued  on  page  11) 


No  Paper  Monday 

Motion  Picture  Daily  will 
not  be  published  on  Monday, 
a  legal  holiday  in  observance 
of  Independence  Day  on  Sun- 
day. 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  July  2,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


ANDY  SMITH,  JR.,  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox general  sales  manager, 
and  W.  C.  Gehring,  assistant  general 
sales  manager,  have  returned  to  New 
York  from  Coast  conferences. 
Charles  Schlaifer,  national  adver- 
tising-publicity director,  is  remaining 
on  the  Coast  for  a  few  days. 

• 

Tracy  Barham,  vice-president  and 
general  manager  of  Intermountain 
Theatres,  Salt  Lake  City,  was  mar- 
ried last  week  to  Margy  Harris  of 
that  city. 

0 

Hank  D.  Hearn  and  Max  Rein- 
hardt  of  Exhibitor's  Service,  Char- 
lotte film  buying-and-booking  organi- 
zation, will  be  at  the  Astor  Hotel 
here  for  a  week,  commencing  July  11. 
• 

Jay  Finn  of  Boston  has  been 
named  manager  of  E.  M.  Loew's 
Hartford  Drive-in,  succeeding  Vin- 
cent O'Brien,  who  was  transferred 
to  Boston. 

• 

Lou  J.  Kaufman,  Warner  theatre 
executive,  has  left  here  for  Cleveland ; 
he  is  due  back  on  Tuesday. 

• 

Spyros  P.  Skouras,  20th  Century- 
Fox  president,  was  in  Washington 
yesterday. 

• 

Franchot  Tone  is  due  here  today 
from  the  Coast. 


ITOA  Urges  Support 
Of  Conciliation  Plan 

Support  of  all  exhibitor  organiza- 
tions for  20th-Fox's  conciliation  plan 
to  mediate  exhibitor-distributor  dis- 
putes, is  urged  by  the  Independent 
Theatre  Owners  Association,  president 
Harry  Brandt  declared. 

The  ITOA  "is  anxious  to  institute 
this  system  with  20th-Fox  in  the  New 
York  exchange  area,"  it  was  said. 
"With  exhibitor-distributor  relations 
deteriorating  and  the  dam  to  a  flood  of 
litigations  opened  by  the  Supreme 
Court,  we  must  prove  that  we  are 
capable  of  working  out  our  problems 
ourselves  in  a  spirit  of  mutual  un- 
derstanding. There  will  never  be  any 
peaceful  or  harmonious  solution  of 
intra-industry  problems  by  resorting 
to  agitation,  litigation  or  legislation," 
said  Brandt. 


15,000  Theatres  in 
Andy  Smith  Drive 

More  than  15,000  theatres  in  the 
United  States  and  Canada  took  part 
in  the  "Andy  Smith  Anniversary 
Month"  campaign.  That  result  was 
disclosed  yesterday  in  a  final  report 
to  president  Spyros  P.  Skouras  by 
the  division  managers'  committee 
which  sponsored  the  campaign,  includ- 
ing Ray  E.  Moon,  Jack  H.  Lorentz, 
Herman  Wobber,  Harry  G.  Ballance 
and  Arthur  Silverstone. 

The  quarter  produced  a  13-week 
revenue  32  per  cent  in  excess  of  the 
same  period  in  1947.  Total  feature 
sales  for  the  first  six  months  of  1948 
ran  16.4  per  cent  ahead  of  the  record 
year  of  1946.  Bookings  for  the  first 
half  of  the  year  ran  more  than  40 
per  cent  above  the  same  1946  period. 

The  drive  brings  to  873  employees 
of  29  branches  at  least  one  week's 
extra  salary,  with  801  of  these  receiv- 
ing three  weeks  for  their  efforts  in 
the  drive. 


6IA'  Victorious  in 
U-I  Election  Here 


$350,000  Ad  Budget 
For  Babe  Ruth  Film 

A  total  of  $350,000  will  be  appro- 
priated by  Allied  Artists  for  advertis- 
ing Roy  Del  Ruth's  "The  Babe  Ruth 
Story,"  it  was  announced  by  Steve 
Broidy,  president.  Buchanan  and  Co. 
will  handle  the  account. 

Broidy,  vice-presidents  Harold  Mir- 
isch  and  Edward  Morey,  and  general 
sales  manager  Maurice  Goldstein  are 
here  to  launch  the  campaign  and  also 
sales  campaigns  for  King  Brothers' 
"The  Dude  Goes  West,"  "16  Fathoms 
Deep"  and  "Michael  O'Halloran." 


NBC,CBSEnd'Voice' 
Broadcasts  on  Oct.  1 

Washington,  July  1. — The  State 
Department  announced  today  that 
National  Broadcasting  and  Columbia 
Broadcasting  will  withdraw  from  par- 
ticipation in  the  "Voice  of  America" 
programs  after  October  1.  After  that 
date,  George  V.  Allen,  Assistant  Sec- 
retary of  State,  said,  the  program- 
ming is  to  be  handled  by  the  depart- 
ment. The  Government  will  still  con- 
tract with  private  companies  to  re- 
cord the  programs,  he  said,  and  will 
still  lease  transmitting  facilities  from 
private  firms. 


Democrats  Will  See 
Il  l's  'Tap  Roots' 

Philadelphia,  July  1. — The  Gold- 
man Theatre,  which  ran  a  world  pre- 
miere of  "On  an  Island  with  You"  to 
coincide  with  the  Republican  conven- 
tion, plans  the  world  premiere  of  "Tap 
Roots"  on  July  14,  the  week  of  the 
Democratic  convention.  Al  Horwits, 
Universal-International  press  agent,  is 
in  town  working  on  a  campaign. 

Stars  of  the  film,  Van  Heflin,  Julie 
London,  Boris  Karloff  and  Richard 
Long,  will  make  personal  appearances 
at  the  opening. 


New  License  Dept.  Head 

Until    Mayor    William  O'Dwyer 
names   a   successor   to   former  City 
License  Commissioner  Benjamin  Field- 
ing, who  yesterday  took  over  an  ex- 
ecutive position  at  Loew's,  the  New 
York  license  department  will  be  head- 
ed by  Deputy  Commissioner  Patrick 
Meehan.    Several  individuals,  includ 
ing  S.  Jay  Kaufman,  have  been  men 
tioned  as  possible  candidates  for  the 
commissionership,  which  is  closely  as 
sociated  with  industry  operations. 


New  'U'  News  Quarters 

Universal  Newsreel  will  start  opera- 
tions from  its  new  headquarters  in  the 
Pathe  Laboratories  Building  here  on 
Tuesday,  having  completed  -its  re- 
moval from  the  Film  Center  Building 
during  the  past  week,  Tom  Mead,  edi 
tor  of  the  reel,  reported  yesterday. 


Eighty-five  per  cent  of  the  427 
"white  collar"  workers  at  the  Uni- 
versal-International home  office,  in- 
cluding employes  of  United  World  and 
Castle  Films,  U-I  subsidiaries,  have 
voted  in  favor  of  being  represented  by 
IATSE  Motion  Picture  Home  Office 
Employes  Local  No.  H-63  for  collec- 
tive bargaining  purposes,  it  was  re- 
ported here  yesterday  by  "IA"  inter- 
national organizer  James  Rogers  fol- 
lowing, a  pre-negotiation  election  re- 
quired under  the  Taft-Hartley  Law. 
Only  62  workers  voted  in  favor  of 
"no  union,"  Rogers  said. 

The  "collarites"  at  U-I  have  been 
represented  by  H-63  for  a  number  of 
years.  Russell  Moss,  H-63  business 
agent,  and  U-I  officials  will  begin  ne- 
gotiations soon  on  a  new  contract. 
Moss  is  said  to  be  seeking  cost-of- 
living  and  merit  increases  for  the 
workers. 


'H-63'  Appoints  New  Organizer 

Joseph  Conlon,  former  international 
representative  of  CIO's  Retail, 
Wholesale  and  Department  Store 
Union,  has  joined  AFL's  IATSE  Mo- 
tion Picture  Home  Office  Employes 
Local  No.  H-63  here  as  an  organizer, 
it  was  announced  yesterday  by  Russell 
Moss,  H-63  business  agent.  Moss  said 
Conlon  will  work  "exclusively  on  new 
organization." 


NLRB  Probe  atUA 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


lations  Board  election  among  UA. 
"white  collar"  workers.  NLRB  will 
begin  an  investigation  of  the  charges 
today,  it  was  said. 

SOPEG  unexpectedly  did  not  ap- 
pear at  yesterday's  conference  at  the 
NLRB  office  here.  The  conference,  at 
which  H-63  and  U.A.  were  repre- 
sented, was  called  for  the  purpose  of 
setting  a  date  for  a  U.A.  workers' 
election.  Also  represented  at  the  con- 
ference, but  heretofore  not  connected 
directly  in  the  dispute,  was  Celia 
Schuman,  chapter  chairman  of  the 
UA.  unit  of  SOPEG  with  which  the 
company  has  refused  to  negotiate  be- 
cause the  union  has  failed  to  comply 
with  the  non-Communist  provisions  of 
the  Taft-Hartley  Law. 

Attorney  Sidney  Fox,  representing 
Miss  Schuman,  requested  that  her 
name  be  placed  on  the  NLRB  ballot 
as  an  agent  of  certain  U.A.  employes 
Harold  Spivak,  attorney  for  H-63,  de- 
clined to  agree  to  the  request,  charg- 
ing that  the  new  disputant  was 
"fronting"  for  SOPEG  which,  as  a 
non-complying  union,  cannot  appear 
on  the  NLRB  ballot. 

Another  NLRB  meeting  is  expected 
to  be  called  early  next  week  following 
an  investigation  of  charges. 


Joseph  Curtis,  ANT  A 
Bid  for  Belasco 

Washington,   July   1. — Two  bids 
were  received  today  and  taken  under 
advisement   by    the    Federal  Works 
Agency  for  leasing  the  Government- 
owned   Belasco   Theatre.     One  was 
from  Joseph  H.  Curtis,  son  of  Co- 
lumbia vice-president  Jack  Cohn,  the 
other  bid  was  from  the  American  Na- 
tional Theatre  and  Academy,  which 
would  use  the  house  as  a  legitimate 
theatre.    The  Curtis  bid  did  not  st?, 
whether  he  would  operate  the  Belas\ 
as  a  legitimate  or  film  theatre,  but  it" 
was    assumed    that    it    would  be 
legitimate. 


P.S.  Case,  Altec  Inspector 

P.  S.  Case,  Altec  Service  inspector 
in  the  New  York  district,  died  on  June 
26,  the  company  announced  here  yes- 
terday. Funeral  services  were  held 
June  29  at  the  Reformed  Church, 
South  Branch,  N.  J. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


—RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL — s 

Rockefeller  Center 
BING  JOAN 

CROSBY  FONTAINE 

in  "THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ" 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 
A  Paramount  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


ONICHT  F  E  Alt 


JOMM.WW  ^""2!!* 

^MASTERPIECE  f/  LENAJjORNE  J 

"FORT       paulJwchell  J 

APACHE"  if  SKIHi!Nlsi 


COOl 


CAPITOL 


B'way  A 
51.1  St. 


greatest  ttar- 
and'tong-thowt 


Released  Ihru  RK0  Radio  Picture* 


FIGHTING 
FATHER  DUNNE 


PAT  O'BRIEN 


WlCTORIA 


a,  MIHEI 
DUNNE 


DAN  DAILEY 

"Give  My  Regards  To  Broadway" 

A  20th  Century-Fox  Picture  in  Technicolor 
On  Variety  Stage— THE  ANDREWS  SISTERS 
DEAN    MARTIN   and   JERRY  LEWIS 

On   Ice  Stage  — 
CAROL   LYNNE     -    ARNOLD  SHODA 

 p  q    y  7th  Are- & 


50th  St. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.    Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


ith  the  knowledge 
of  continuous  achievement 
with  the  assurance  born  of 
showmanship  supremacy.  •  • 

20th  Century-Fox 

proudly  presents  


the  picturization  of  a  great  best 
selling  novel ...  destined  to  add  more 
glory  to  the  company  already  famous 
for  bringing  the  greatest  best-sellers 
to  the  sereen ...  magnifieently  east 
with  four  great  stars ...  produced  and 
directed  in  the  tradition  that  has  made 


CENTUR 


URY-FOX 


the  hallmark  of  outstanding  motion 
picture  entertainment 

here 


the  picturization  of  a  great  best- 


selling  novel ...  destined  to  add  more 
glory  to  the  company  already  famous 
for  bringing  the  greatest  best-sellers 
to  the  screen ...  magnificently  cast 
with  four  great  stars ...  produced  and 
directed  in  the  tradition  that  has  made 


Emm 

...  A 


CENTURY-FOX 


the  hallmark  of  outstanding  motion 
picture  entertainment 

here 


the  picturization  of  a  great  best- 
selling  novel ...  destined  to  add  more 
glory  to  the  company  already  famous 
for  bringing  the  greatest  best-sellers 
to  the  screen ...  magnificently  cast 
with  four  great  stars ...  produced  and 
directed  in  the  tradition  that  has  made 


CENTUR 


RY-FOX 


the  hallmark  of  outstanding  motion 
picture  entertainment 


Cornel  WILDE 
Linda  DARNELL 

Anne  BAXTER 
Kirk  DOUGLAS 


with 

ANN  DVORAK 

MARJORIE  RAMBEAU  •  HENRY  HULL 
COLLEEN  TOW  MS  KM)  •  BARTON  MacLANE 
GRIFF  BARNETT  •  WILLIAM  TRACY  •  ART  BAKER 

Directed  by  JOHN  M.  STAHL 

Produced  by  LAMAR  TROTTI 

Screen  Play  by  Lamar  Trotti  •  Based  on  the  Novel  by  Paul  W  ell  man 


2a 


Motion  Picture  Daily— July  2,  1948  CENTURY-FOX 


Friday,  July  2,  1948 


Motion  Picture  daily 


11 


Loew's,  20th  Report 
No  Theatre  Changes 

There  were  no  changes  in  their 
theatre  holdings  since  the  March  31 
report,  Loew's  and  20th-Fox  said  yes- 
terday in  submitting  their  quarterly 
accountings  to  U.  S.  District  Court 
here  as  required  by  the  tribunal  in  its 
ruling  in  the  Paramount  anti-trust 
case 

—  3rner  Brothers,  in  filing  its  report 
^Jt  the  court  yesterday,  referred  to 
its  agreement  with  RKO  for  acquisi- 
tion of  the  latter's  interest  in  the  lease 
of  the  Allen  Theatre,  Cleveland. 

All  three  reports  expressed  the  be- 
lief that  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court's 
decision  created  doubt  whether  the  de- 
fendants were  required  to  submit  such 
statements  to  the  court. 


Skouras  on  Video 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


had  stated  that  television  was 
already  exerting  considerable 
pressure  on  motion  picture  the- 
atre receipts. 

Enlarging  upon  his  opinion  that 
there  is  no  basic  conflict  of  interests 
between  video  and  films,  Skouras  de- 
clared that  thus  far  television  has  not 
hurt  box-offices  of  Fox  theatres. 
"Personally,  I  don't  think  it  will  affect 
the  box-office,"  he  asserted,  classify- 
ing television  as  just  "an  added  source 
of  entertainment  for  the  public." 

New  Techniques  for  Video 

Production  of  television  programs 
for  entertainment  purposes  will  require 
the  adoption  of  new  and  different 
production,  direction  and  technical 
methods  than  those  used  for  the  pro- 
duction of  films  for  theatre  exhibition, 
Skouras  said.  If  it  is  possible  to  pro- 
duce good  entertainment  for  pictures, 
then  it  should  be  equally  possible  to 
develop  good  entertainment  for  televi- 
sion also,  he  declared.  But  since  the 
products  would  be  different,  Skouras 
added,  they  would  not  be  competitive, 
nor  prove  harmful  to  one  another. 

Although  production  methods  vary, 
Skouras  explained  under  cross-ex- 
amination, the  mechanics  of  video  and 
film-making  operations  were  very 
much  the  same,  and  therefore  motion 
picture  producers  are  well  qualified 
to  engage  in  television.  On  the  posi- 
tive side,  Skouras  maintained  that 
television  can  help  theatre  business 
through  advertising,  such  as  trailers. 

Would  Run  Competitors'  Ads 

Under  questioning,  he  said  that  any 
20th-Fox  television  station  would  be 
willing  to  run  trailers  of  attractions  of 
opposition  theatres  at  regular  commer 
cial  rates.  These  ads  would  be  just 
that  much  additional  profit  for  the  sta- 
tion, he  declared.  He  did  modify  his 
stand  that  television  would  have  no 
visible  effect  on  the  theatre  box-office 
by  admitting  that  the  Louis-Walcott 
fight  had  reduced  receipts  in  Fox  thea 
tres  by  20  to  25  per  cent.  But,  he 
added,  any  major  national  event  hurts 
box-office,  even  though  it  is  only 
broadcast.  This  factor,  he  said,  is  one 
of  the  chief  reasons  for  planning  tele- 
vision shows  in  theatres.  When  suf- 
ficient equipment  becomes  available 
Fox  will  install  television  in  as  many 
of  its  theatres  as  possible,  Skouras 
declared. 

Spyros  P.  Skouras,  20th-Fox  presi- 
dent and  chairman  of  the  board  of  the 
newly-formed  California  Video  Corp., 
will  take  the  stand  tomorrow. 


Rivoli  Rockne  Case 
Is  Off  to  August  6 

Chicago,  July  1. — Hearings 
on  the  Rivoli  Rockne  $900,000 
anti-trust  suit  against  the 
majors  and  some  circuits 
here,  which  were  scheduled 
today  in  Judge  Sullivan's  and 
Judge  Igoe's  U.  S.  District 
Courts,  were  further  extend- 
ed until  August  6.  Essaness 
theatres,  also  a  defendant, 
was  given  until  September  1 
for  a  hearing. 


Divorce  Data 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


stock  held  and  a  description  of  the 
voting  rights  of  each  class  of  stock. 

3. — Names,  positions  and  duties  of 
any  shareholders  who  may  be  officers, 
agents  or  employes  of  the  theatre 
company. 

4— Names  of  shareholders  who 
owned  or  operated  any  film  houses 
now  owned  and  operated  by  the  thea- 
tre organization. 

5.  — Names  of  shareholders,  except 
the  defendant,  formerly  interested  in 
the  ownership  or  operation  of  any 
houses  other  than  those  listed  above. 

6.  — Date  of  acquisition  of  all  shares 
in  the  theatre  company  held  by  the 
defendant,  how  they  were  acquired 
and  the  consideration  paid  for  the 
shares. 

7.  — Date  of  sale  by  the  defendant 
of  any  shares  in  the  theatre  company 
and  the  name  and  address  of  each 
purchaser  and  the  consideration  in- 
volved. 

8.  — Name,  location,  seating  capacity 
and  run  of  each  theatre  owned,  leased 
or  managed  by  the  theatre  company  or 
for  which  the  latter  books  films. 

9.  — -The  nature  and  extent  of  the  de- 
fendant's interest  in  the  theatre  com- 
pany and  the  date  it  was  acquired, 
from  whom  acquired  and  the  consid- 
eration involved. 

10.  — The  nature  and  extent  of  inter- 
ests held  by  others. 

11.  — A  list  of  each  acquisition 
claimed  to  be  the  "fortuitous  result  of 
bankruptcy  or  an  innocent  investment, 
unrelated  to  any  restraint  of  trade  or 
monopolistic  practice." 

This  information  is  also  sought  by 
the  Government  in  the  instance  of  each 
joint  ownership  involving  the  defend- 
ants. 


Griffith  Case 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


monopolize  exhibition  in  Oklahoma, 
Texas  and  New  Mexico,  and  the  high 
court  asked  the  lower  court  to  fashion 
a  decree  "which  will  undo  as  near  as 
may  be  the  wrongs  that  were  done  and 
prevent  their  recurrence  in  the 
future." 

Today  Vought  asked  Wright  if  it 
is  possible  that  the  Supreme  Court 
has  reversed  its  opinion  in  regard  to 
one  phase  of  the  Griffith  decision.  He 
referred  to  a  high  court  decision  made 
after  the  Griffith  ruling,  in  which  a 
steel  company  monopoly  ruling  report 
edly  conflicted  with  the  Griffith 
decision. 

He  also  asked  Wright  if  any  action 
has  been  taken  in  the  lower  courts  in 
meeting  the  Supreme  Court  mandate 
issued  in  the  two  other  (Paramount 
and  Schine)  motion  picture  anti-trust 
cases.  Wright  said  neither  had  been 
finally  settled. 


Video  Film  Contract 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


relations ;  Jay  Williams,  program,  and 
Irwin  Shane,  bylaws. 

Peyser's  first  efforts  will  be  directed 
towards  finalizing  provisions  of  a 
standard  exhibition  contract  for  films 
on  television,  initial  draft  of  which 
has  been  submitted  by  the  distribution 
committee,  and  is  now  under  consider- 
ation of  the  television  committee. 

Peyser  will  take  steps  on  Tuesday 
at  a  meeting  of  the  bylaws  committee 
to  draft  bylaws  for  the  organization. 


Rathvon  Runs  Studio 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


RKO  board,  which  both  Howard 
Hughes  and  Floyd  Odium  will  attend. 

Production  aides  installed  by 
Schary  continued  on  their  jobs  today. 
Schary  last  night  indicated  he  will 
take  a  month's  vacation  before  de- 
ciding on  his  future  course.  Coming 
on  the  eve  of  the  three-day  shutdown 
for  the  holiday,  a  studio  spokesman 
pointed  out,  the  resignation  poses  no 
serious  problem  with  respect  to  plant 
operations,  pending  the  directorate's 
action. 


11  'Grid'  Stars  in  Film 

Hollywood,  July  1.  —  "Triple 
Threat,"  gridiron  picture  to  be  pro- 
duced by  Sam  Katzman  for  Columbia, 
with  Charles  Schneer  as  associate 
producer,  will  have  in  its  cast  the 
following  football  stars :  Sammy 
Baugh,  Charles  Trippi,  Sid  Luckman, 
Bill  Dudley,  Bob  Waterfield,  Paul 
Governali,  Steve  Van  Buren,  Jack 
Jacobs,  Frank  Danciewicz,  John  Cle- 
ment and  Paul  Christman. 


Key  City 
Grosses 


HOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
*  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


DENVER 


Rainy  weather  over  the  weekend 
helped  downtown  first-runs.  "Em- 
peror Waltz"  ties  the  record  of  "Blue 
Skies"  at  the  Denham.  Estimated  re- 
ceipts for  the  week  ending  July  2 : 

BERLIN  EXPRESS  (RKO  Radio)  and 
ARIZONA   RANGER    (RKO    Radio)— OR - 

PHEUM  (2,660)  (35c-74c).  Gross:  $12,500. 
(Average:  $13,500) 

BEST  YEARS  OF  OUR  LIVES  (RKO  Ra- 
dio)— BROADWAY  (1,500)  (35c-74c).  Gross: 
$14,000.  (Average:  $7,000) 
EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— DENHAM 
(1,750)  (35c-70c).  Gross:  $24,500.  (Average: 
$11,000) 

FUGITIVE  (RKO  Radio)  and  FABULOUS 

JOE  (UA)— RIALTO  (878)  (35c -74c).  After 
a  week  at  the  Paramount.  Gross:  $3,000. 
(Average:  $3,000) 

FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)  and 
PORT  SAID  (Col.) — ALADDIN  (1,400) 
(35c-74c)  2nd  week,  after  a  week  at  the 
Denver,  Esquire  and  Webber.  Gross:  $5,- 
000.    (Average:  $2,500) 

LETTER  FROM  AN  UNKNOWN  WO- 
MAN  (U-I)   and  ARE   YOU  WITH  IT? 

(U-I)— DENVER   (2,525)    (35c-74c).  Gross: 
$17,000.    (Average:  $13,000) 
LETTER   FROM   AN    UNKNOWN  WO- 
MAN  (U-I)   and]  ARE   YOU  WITH  IT? 
(U-I)— WEBBER    (750)    (35c-74c).  Gross: 
$2,C00.     (Average:  $2,000) 
WINTER  MEETING  (WB)  and  WOMAN 
IN  WHITE  (WB)-ESOUIRE  (742)  (35c- 
74c).     Gross:  $2,000.     (Average:  $2,000) 
WINTER  MEETING  (WB)  and  WOMAN 
IN  WHITE   (WB)— PARAMOUNT  (2,200) 
(35c-74c).       Gross:      $10,000.  (Average: 
$10,000) 


H.  C.  Arthur,  Jr. 

president, 
Fanchon  &  Marco, 
says: 


"DO  YOU  WAIT  UNTIL  YOUR  CAR  BREAKS  DOWN?" 


??It  does  not  make  any  difference 
whether  you  are  running  a  motion 
picture  theatre  or  you  are  taking 
care  of  your  own  automobile.  There 
are  two,  ways  to  do  it.  You  can 
let  your  car  run  until  it  breaks 
down  on  some  important  trip  caus- 
ing extreme  discomfort  to  your 
guests  who  are  with  you  and  caus- 
ing extreme  embarrassment  to  you 
or  you  can  keep  it  serviced  and 
save  money  in  ultimate  repairs 
and  replacements  as  well  as  wear 
and  tear  on  your  nerves  and  on 
those  of  your  guests. 

"You  can  run  your  projection 
equipment  on  the  same  principle 
until  it  breaks  down.  Whether  it 
is  your  car  or  your  theatre  equip- 
ment, when  it  does  break  down, 
you  will  wish  you  had  had  a 
regular  efficient  service  that  would 
have  saved  you  all  of  the  trouble 
and  ultimately  the  greater  expense. 

"Altec's  service  is  assurance  against 
breakdown.  It  saves  against  a 


larger  expense  in  the  long  run  for 
repairs  and  replacements  and  it 
saves  your  patrons  annoyance  and 
discomfort;  both  ultimately  affect 
your  P.  &  L.  To  maintain  the 
goodwill  of  your  patrons  and  their 
regular  attendance  at  your  thea- 
tre, don't  let  your  equipment  break 
down.  That  is  my  advice.  Altec 
will  help  you  follow  it." 


Altec  Service,  known  for  its  serv- 
ice "over  and  above  the  contract" 
is  a  vital  ingredient  of  your  thea- 
tre's ability  to  meet  successfully 
the  competition  of  other  forms  of 
entertainment.  An  Altec  Service 
contract  is  the  soundest  long 
term  investment  an  exhibitor  can 
make  today. 


161  Sixth  Avenue 
New  York  13,  N.Y. 


THE  SERVICE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  MOTION  PICTURE  INDUSTRY 


.1 


12 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  July  2,  1948 


Reviews 

"The  Black  Arrow" 

(Edward  Small-Columbia) 

CLOAK-AND-SWORD  melodrama  is  played  for  all  it  is  worth  in  this 
Edward  Small  production  based  on  the  Robert  Louis  Stevenson  novel. 
That  means  action  without  stint,  heroics  of  the  noblest  order  and  villainy  of 
the  deepest  hue.  While  the  happenings  are  pretty  obvious  and  not  difficult 
to  fathom  in  advance  of  their  occurrence,  the  film  does  succeed  in  a  fashion 
in  recreating  a  medieval  period  with  a  fine  display  of  excitement. 

The  production  provides  the  exhibitor  with  an  attraction  especially  made 
to  order  for  action  fans,  the  young  ones  in  particular.  The  picture  makes 
some  concession  to  the  ladies  with  one  of  those  genteel,  quite  romantic  affairs 
between  Louis  Hay  ward,  the  hero,  and  Janet  Blair,  the  victim  of  an  injustice 
righted  by  her  knight  in  shining  armor,  literally  speaking. 

Hayward  is  a  warrior  returned  from  the  War  of  the  Roses  to  find  his 
father  murdered  by  his  uncle  (George  Macready)  in  a  conspirary  to  seize 
his  estate.  He  is  told  that  Miss  Blair's  father  killed  his  dad.  When  the  truth 
strikes  home,  he  defies  his  uncle  and  his  henchmen,  placing  himself  in  peril 
of  his  life.  In  a  trial  by  combat  that  gives  the  film  a  high-powered  climax 
Hayward  slays  his  uncle  and  claims  Miss  Blair  as  his  lady.  Capably  pro- 
duced by  Grant  Whytock,  the  film  was  vigorously  directed  by  Gordon 
Douglas.  Edgar  Buchanan,  Rhys  Williams,  Walter  Kingsford,  Lowell  Gil- 
more  and  Paul  Cavanaugh  lend  worthy  support. 

Running  time,  76  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date 
not  set.  P.E.L. 


"The  Timber  Trail" 

{Republic) 

THIS  Monty  Hale  Western,  photographed  in  Trucolor,  combines  a  variety 
of  lively  outdoor  action  scenes  and  a  group  of  songs  presented  by  the 
Riders  of  the  Purple  Sage.  There  are  stagecoach  holdups  and  fisticuffs  with 
the  hero,  Monty  Hale,  triumphant. 

Lynne  Roberts  is  the  attractive  heroine,  who  employs  Hale  as  a  stagecoach 
driver.  The  wagons  are  being  attacked  as  well  as  the  telegraph  stations, 
which  are  operated  by  the  girl's  uncle.  Her  father  and  uncle  are  engaged  in 
a  feud  and  each  suspects  the  other  when  their  businesses  are  held  up  by  gun- 
men. The  scheming  thieves  and  murderers  plan  to  take  over  the  coach  and 
telegraph  companies.  Hale  discovers  the  identity  of  the  leader  of  the  gang, 
played  by  Roy  Barcroft,  who  is  captured.  James  Burke  as  the  girl's  father 
adds  a  comic  touch. 

Melville  Tucker  was  associate  producer.  Philip  Ford  directed,  from  Bob 
Williams'  original  screenplay.  Others  in  the  cast  are  Roy  Barcroft,  Francis 
Ford,  Robert  Emmett  Keane,  Fred  Graham,  Wade  Crosby,  Eddie  Acuff  and 
Foy  Willing. 

Running  time,  67  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
June  15. 


Embargo 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

erated  in  London.  Extension  of 
MPEA's  activities  to  Britain  provides 
a  control  which  could  be  exercised 
to  the  extent  of  withdrawing  member 
companies  from  that  market.  Presum- 
ably, however,  if  the  report  is  correct, 
the  MPEA  would  not  function  as  a 
sales  organization  but  as  a  service 
organization,  such  as  the  role  it  will 
assume  in  Holland  next  fall. 

Participants  in  the  meeting  indicat- 
ed that  further  study  is  to  be  given  to 
the  entire  British  situation  and,  mean- 
while, British  reaction  to  the  State 
Department's  expression  of  "concern" 
over  the  new  45  per  cent  British  film 
quota  will  be  awaited.    It  was  pointed 


I  OF  COURSE 


I  "TEXAS, 

I  BROOKLYN 

and 

HEAVEN 


sent  from  UA 


out  that  immediate  action  is  not  vital 
as  the  new  quota  does  not  become  ef- 
fective until  next  October  1. 


Johnston  Plans  Visit 
To  Coast  in  Mid-July 

Washington,  July  1. — Eric  Johns- 
ton, Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  president,  is  planning  to  visit 
Hollywood  during  the  latter  part  of 
July.  He  will  go  to  Spokane  from 
New  York  for  a  brief  vacation  with  his 
family  and  will  return  here  in  mid- 
July  for  a  meeting  of  the  Public  Ad- 
visory Board  of  the  Economic  Coop- 
eration Administration.  He  hopes  to 
be  able  to  leave  for  the  Coast  after 
that  meeting. 

Meanwhile,  Edward  •  Cheyfitz, 
Johnston's  assistant,  left  here  today 
by  auto  for  the  Coast  by  way  of  To- 
ledo. He  is  planning  to  arrive  in 
Hollywood  in  time  for  the  July  13 
meeting  on  establishment  of  an  indus- 
try council  on  public  relations. 


Dallas  Keys  to  Madison 

Guy  Madison,  who  stars  in  United 
Artists'  "Texas,  Brooklyn  and  Heav- 
en," will  be  the  guest  of  the  City  of 
Dallas  on  July  19  when  the  Robert 
S.  Golden  production  will  have  its 
world  premiere. 


100  Theatres  Renew  RCA 

Camden,  July  1.  —  Renewal  con- 
tracts for  service  to  100  theatres  in 
the  Southern  region  have  been  signed 
by  RCA,  including  Southern  Amuse- 
ment, Paramount-Richards,  United 
Theatres,  and  Dixie  Theatres. 


Canada  Rejects  High 
Percentage  from  UK 

Washington,  July  1. — Que- 
bec censors  last  year  rejected 
a  higher  percentage  of  Brit- 
ish films  than  U.  S.,  accord- 
ing to  the  U.  S.  Commerce 
Department,  which  cites 
three  British  films  out  of  52 
submitted,  being  rejected  in 
full,  and  five  Hollywood  fea- 
tures turned  down  out  of  a 
total  of  293. 

Chief  objection  to  U.  S. 
films,  the  report  says,  are 
based  on  divorce  scenes,  in- 
fidelity, gangsterism,  suicide 
and  murder. 


Arthur  Abeles 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


here  by  Warner  Theatres  from  his 
district  manager's  post  in  Albany, 
N.  Y.,  will  join  ABPC,  overseeing 
theatre  operations  in  view  of  War- 
ner's substantial  holdings  in  that  com- 
pany. Up  to  now  Milder  had  also 
acted  for  WB  in  ABPC. 


Popkin  Names  Buchanan 

Buchanan  and  Co.  has  been  en- 
gaged to  handle  Cardinal  Pictures' 
advertising  by  Harry  Popkin,  Cardi- 
nal president  and  executive  producer. 
Popkin,  who  is  also  a  California  cir- 
cuit owner,  is  in  town  to  shoot  ex- 
teriors for  "Impact,"  second  of  10 
pictures  for  United  Artists. 


Warner  Shuts  Down 
Teddington  Studios 

London,  July  1— Warner  Brothers 
has  closed  its  Teddington  studios  here 
owing  to  its  inability  to  find  indepen- 
dent British  producers  who  want  to 
use  the  studios'  facilities,  according 
to  Arthur  Abeles,  Jr.,  executive  as- 
sistant to  Max  Milder,  Warner  man- 
aging director  in  Britain.  Teddington 
will  reopen  as  soon  as  any  indenj^  nt 
producers  seek  to  use  it,  he 

Pointing  out  that  Warner  originally 
planned  to  produce  two  or  three  top- 
grade  pictures  for  distribution  and  ex- 
hibition in  America,  Abeles  asserted 
that  the  new  British  quota  indicates 
that  "what  is  desired  is  not  quality 
productions,  but  quickies." 

Warners  own  plans  to  produce  at 
Associated  British  Pictures'  Elstree 
studios  when  their  reconditioning  is 
completed  remains  unaffected  by  the 
Teddington  shutdown. 


Mexican  Strike 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


asserted    that    progressively  poorer 
business  actually  demands  a  wage  cut 
of  40  per  cent  and  a  considerable  re 
duction  in  personnel. 

The  truce  is  expected  to  yield  per- 
manent peace,  with  both  sides  making 
concessions. 


New  Giles  House  in  Mass. 

Boston,  July  1. — Giles  Circuit's  new 
1,000-seat  theatre  in  Framingham  will 
be  opened  shortly,  according  to  John1 
S.  Giles,  circuit  operator. 


All  America  is  discovering  and  loving  LOIS  BUTLER  in 
"MICKEY,"  Eagle  Lion's  heartwarming  kit  in  Cinecolor ! 
Paced  by  record  day-and-date  openings  in  Midwest,  "MICKEY" 
is  setting  sensational  grosses' every  where  ! 


HEARING  IS  BELIEVING!  We'll  send  you,  absolutely  FREE,  Lois  Butler's 
latest  Capitol  recording,  "Dreams  in  My  Heart."  Write,  wire  or  phone 
Exploitation  Dept.,  Eagle  Lion  Films,  165  W.46th  St.,  New  York  19,  N.Y. 


r  LIRE 


MOTION  VIC  IWKB23B. 

DAILY 


1  J-  64.  NO.  3 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  JULY  6,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


18  Telecasters 
Warn  Para. 
On  'Pick-ups' 

Advise  Against  'Invasion' 
Of  Democrats'  Coverage 

The  18  television  stations  which 
joined  in  a  pool  to  cover  the  Repub- 
lican National  convention  in  Phila- 
delphia last  month  and  will  join 
again  in  telecasting  the  Democratic 
conclave  there  next  week,  have  served 
notice  on  Paramount  that  they  will 
"take  steps"  if  the  film  company  re- 
produces the  video  pictures  on  the 
screen  of  the  Paramount  Theatre  here, 
using  the  pool  signals,  as  it  did  with 
part  of  the  Republican  meeting.  Fol- 
lowing a  meeting 'of  the  telecasters, 
the  "threatening  letter"  was  sent  on 
Friday  to  George  Shupert,  Para- 
mount's  director  of  commercial  televi- 
sion operations,  who  "would  not  com- 
ment. 

The  action  was  prompted  by  the 
Paramount's  "unauthorized"  pick-up 
of  the  Gov.  Dewey  acceptance  speech 
at  the  Philadelphia  convention,  the 
theatre  having  taken  the  position  that 
the  convention  was  a  matter  of  public 
information,  and  ignored  the  pool's  re- 
jection of  its  bid  to  join  in  the  pool. 

Paramount  apparently  will  cling  to 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Video  Now  on  Paying 
Basis:  S.  P.  Skouras 


Washington,  July  5. — Television 
has  now  reached  the  point  where  it 
is  both  practicable  and  feasible  to 
operate  a  station  and  have  a  reason- 
able chance  of  achieving  a  profit  from 
the  start,  according  to  Spyros  P. 
Skouras. 

The  20th  Century-Fox  president, 
testifying  Friday  at  the  Federal  Com- 
munications Commission  hearings  on 
his  company's  application  for  one  of 
the  two  San  Francisco  video  channels, 

{Continued  on  page  5) 


M-G-M  Sets  Program 
Of  Shorts  for  1949 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  will  have  a 
program  of  48  shorts  for  1948-49, 
about  the  same  as  1947-48,  among 
them  four  two-reel  specials,  and  the 
following  one-reelers :  16  Technicolor 
cartoons  (including  the  Tom  and  Jer- 
ry series)  ;  four  "Gold  Medal"  reprint 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


F.  C.  Now  Owns  30 
Branches;  Sets  1st 
Worldwide  Meeting 

Film  Classics  now  owns  30  ex- 
changes outright,  all  acquired  in  a 
year  -  and  -  a  -  half,  Joseph  Bernhard, 
president,  disclosed  at  the  weekend  in 
a  joint  announcement  with  B.  G. 
Kranze,  distribution  vice-president,  of 
the  company's  first  worldwide  sales 
meeting,  to  be  held  at  the  Astor  Hotel, 
New  York,  July  30- August  1.  It  will 
be  the  first  time  F.  C.'s  branch  man- 
agers and  division  heads  will  meet 
as  a  unit  since  Kranze  assumed  his 
post  early  this  year. 

Kranze  will  preside  over  the  meet- 
ing, which  will  also  be  attended  by 
theatre  circuit  heads,  leading  inde- 
pendent exhibitors  and  officers  of 
Cinecolor  Corp.,  with  which  Film 
Classics  is  affiliated.  Company  foreign 
representatives  will  be  on  hand. 

On  the  agenda  will  be  Kranze's 
explanation  of  sales  policy  on  the  34 
new  pictures  scheduled  for  release 
during  1948-49.  Half  of  this  number 
will  be  in  Cinecolor.  The  schedule  also 
includes  several  reissues. 


SRO  Opens  4  More 
Key  City  Branches 

Four  additional  branches  have  been 
opened  in  the  field  by  Selznick  Re- 
leasing Organization,  Milton  S.  Ku- 
sell,  distribution  vice-president,  re- 
ports. 

New  offices  were  opened  in  New 
Orleans,  with  W.  Shiel,  Jr.,  as  sales 
representative ;  in  Indianapolis,  where 
H.  L.  Frost  is  sales  representative, 
and  James  H.  Kaylor  is  booker ;  in 
Albany,  where  Schuyler  Beatty,  Jr., 
was  named  sales  representative,  as 
previously  reported  here,  and  in  Van- 
couver, B.  C. 


Must  End  Reich  Film 
Trusts  by  July  8 

Berlin,  July  1  (By  Airmail). 
—The  British  Military  Govern- 
ment has  adopted  measures 
taken  by  the  Americans  in  an 
effort  to  end  still-existing 
"motion  picture  monopolies" 
by  July  8  at  the  latest.  The 
decree  issued  by  the  AMG 
puts  a  ban  on  the  formation 
of  new  monopolies  and  pro- 
vides also  that  no  one  can 
hold  a  position  in  more  than 
one  branch  of  the  German 
film  industry. 

The  number  of  theatres 
that  can  be  owned  by  one 
person  also  is  strictly  limited, 
and  no  company  may  own,  or 
have  an  interest  in,  more 
than  10  theatres.  With  the 
formation  of  Trizonia,  similar 
measures  are  expected  to  be 
taken  by  the  French. 


Final  Building  Code 
Hearing  on  July  21 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  5.— What  is 
expected  to  be  the  last  of  the  public 
hearings  revolving  around  the  pro- 
posed new  state  building  code  has  been 
scheduled  by  the  State  Board  of 
Standards  and  Appeals  for  July  21  in 
the  Empire  State  Building,  New  York 
City. 

The  new  code  provides  for  a  number 
of  changes  in  theatre  construction  and 
theatre  maintenance,  and,  in  conse- 
quence, many  invitations  to  the  hear- 
ing will  be  mailed  to  industry  repre- 
sentatives throughout  the  state.  Ac- 
companying the  invitations  will  be 
copies  of  the  latest  code  revisions. 

Assuming  the  code  will  be  approved 
following  the  July  21  hearing,  the  be- 
lief here  is  that  the  document  will  be 
promulgated  in  the  fall. 


TOA  Will  Reconsider 
Forum  at  Next  Meeting 


The  proposal  for  a  Motion  Picture 
Forum,  dropped  some  time  ago  be- 
cause of  the  industry  anti-trust  liti- 
gation, will  be  up  for  reconsideration 
by  the  Theatre  Owners  of  America 
at  its  convention  in  Chicago  in  Sep- 
tember, or  at  the  next  board  or  execu- 
tive committee  meeting,  whichever  of 
the  three  occurs  earliest,  according  to 
Robert  W.  Coyne,  retiring  executive 
director. 

Idea  for  the  tribunal,  at  which 
intra-industry  ills  would  be  aired  and 


remedial  efforts  made,  was  first  ad- 
vanced by  Fred  Wehrenberg,  TOA 
board  chairman,  late  in  1946.  Work 
on  plans  was  suspended  shortly  after- 
ward with  the  intention  of  reviving  it 
following  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court's 
decision  in  the  industry  case,  the 
thought  at  the  time  being  that  when 
the  high  court  took  action  it  would 
end  the  litigation. 

TOA  has  yet  to  schedule  its  next 
board  or  executive  committee  meet- 
ings. 


Rank's  Rental 
Demands  May 
Be  Modified 


He  Is  'Surprised,  Hurt' 
At  UK  Exhibitors'  Blast 


London,  July  5.  —  J.  Arthur 
Rank's  announced  plan  to  secure 
much  higher  rental  percentages 
from  British  exhibitors  may  be 
altered  by  the  time  he  meets  with  the 
Cinematograph  Exhibitors  Association 
general  council  on  July  14. 

He  has  manifested  surprise 
and  hurt  at  the  unanimous  line- 
up of  independents  and  Ameri- 
can distributors  against  him 
and  at  the  degree  of  passion 
and  protest  which  was  aroused 
by  his  attitude. 

Rank,  who  successfully  lobbied  for 
a  higher  quota  here  for  British  pic- 
tures, met  at  the  weekend  with  CEA 
general  secretary  W.  R.  Fuller  and 
other  CEA  leaders  and  discussed  with 
them  his  new  buying  terms  which 
have  been  called  onerous  by  the  mass 
of  British  exhibitors.  Rank  insisted 
that  no  disclosure  be  made  to  the  press 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


British  Member  of 
Control  Unit  Named 


London,  July  5. — R.  G.  Somervell 
of  the  British  Board  of  Trade,  and 
P.  S.  Milner  Barry  of  the  Treasury 
have  been  named  as  the  British  indus- 
try's representatives  on  the  Control 
Committee  created  under  the  terms  of 
the  Anglo-American  film  agreement. 
W.  O.  Newsam  of  the  BOT  will  serve 
as  secretary  of  the  committee. 

Appointment  of  Fayette  W.  All- 
port,  London  representative  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Export  Association, 
and  Thorkild  Chris,  London  manager 
of  the  Bank  of  America,  as  the  Amer- 
ican industry's  representatives  on  the 
committee  was  announced  last  week. 


Stack  Heads  WB 
Sales  in  Britain 


Appointment  of  Charles  F.  Stack  as 
general  sales  manager  of  Warner 
Brothers  Pictures,  Ltd.,  in  England, 
was  announced  simultaneously  in  New- 
York  and  London  at  the  weekend.  He 
succeeds  J.  Walton  Brown,  who  has 
retired  after  a  lengthy  illness.  Stack 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  July  6,  1948 


Newsreel 
Parade 


J7R1C  JOHNSTON  protesting  the 
I-j  British  film  quota  marks  a  news- 
reel  highlight.  Other  items  include 
the  Deweys  meeting  the  Warrens,  as 
well  as  sports,  fashions,  foreign  and 
local  items.  Complete  contents  follow: 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  53— Presi- 
dent of  Venezuela  welcomed  by  President 
Truman.  Governor  Dewey  and  family  play 
host  to  the  Warrens.  Eric  Johnston  says 
British  film  quota  is  unreasonable.  King 
Gustav  marks  his  90th  birthday.  Italy: 
artists  "pave"  streets  with  flowers.  AFL 
union  show  in  Milwaukee.  Tyrone  Power 
talks  to  graduating  class  at  Tampa  Uni- 
versity. Sports:  swimming,  bike  racing. 
Kids  hold  rodeo. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  287— U.  S. 
planes  rush  to  Berlin  siege.  What's  with 
Tito.  Swedish  King  marks  90th  birthday. 
Deweys  and  Warrens  "down  on  the  farm. 
Eric  Johnston  protests  British  discrimina- 
tion. Bathing  beauties  take  summer  spot- 
light.    Kid  wrestlers. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  90— 
France's  turf  classic.  Remains  of  Col.  David 
Marcus  brought  home  for  burial.  Czechoslo- 
vakia: first  Red  president  takes  over.  Fash- 
ion news:  furs  look  ahead.  Kansas  City 
youths  have  junior  government.  Mt.  Rainier 
summer  skiers  beat  heat. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  157— French 
village  adopted  by  U.  S.  benefactors.  Eric 
Johnston  protests  British  film  quota.  U.  b. 
war  dead  returned  from  Italy.  President 
Truman  presents  medals  to  war  heroes. 
Flower  festival  in  Italy.  The  Deweys  and 
the  Warrens.  Water  queens  in  pre-Olympic 
test. 

WARNER  PAT  HE  NEWS,  No.  92— 

Jews  and  Arabs  in  Rhodes  parley.  Repub- 
lican candidates  on  the  farm.  Churchill  on 
Berlin  crisis.  French  town  adopted  by 
U.  S.  benefactors.  Eric  Johnston  protests 
U.  K.  film  quota.  New  type  spectacles  for 
women.  AAU  women  swim  stars.  Famous 
Americans:  John  Paul  Jones. 


Silverstone  Promotes 
3  in  Overseas  Posts 

Three  promotions  in  20th  Century- 
Fox  International's  field  force  have 
been  made  by  Murray  Silverstone, 
president  of  the  20th-Fox  subsidiary. 

Joel  Hart,  for  the  past  two  years 
assigned  to  the  company's  Chilean  of- 
fice, becomes  manager  of  Peru,  suc- 
ceeding Charles  Matzen  who  will  be 
transferred  to  Europe.  Thomas  Sibert, 
for  the  past  two  years  attached  to  the 
Mexico  City  office,  becomes  manager 
of  Puerto  Rico,  replacing  Andrew 
Jaeger  who  is  on  leave  of  absence  be- 
cause of  illness.  Donald  McAfee,  re- 
cently attached  to  the  company's  Bar- 
celona office,  is  now  in  Mexico  City. 

20th-International  Names  Jaffey 

Herbert  Jaffey  has  joined  the  ad- 
vertising-publicity staff  of  the  20th 
Century-Fox  International  Corp.,  it 
was  announced  here  at  the  weekend 
by  Leslie  F.  Whelan,  advertising-pub- 
licity director  of  the  subsidiary.  Jaffey 
replaces  Robert  Olson  who  resigned 
to  become  associated  with  Transatlan- 
tic Films  in  England. 


Para,  Appoints  Blair 
To  Coast  Ad  Position 

Hollywood,  July  5. — Robert  Blair, 
26-year  Paramount  veteran,  has  as- 
sumed the  post  of  West  Coast  field 
advertising  representative  for  the  com- 
pany, covering  Los  Angeles  and  San 
Francisco  territories.  Blair  formerly 
held  a  similar  post  in  Seattle  and 
Portland.  He  succeeds  Ralph  Ravens- 
croft,  resigned. 


Personal  Mention 


ARTHUR  JEFFREY,  Eagle-Lion 
exploitation    director,  returned 
here  over  the  weekend  from  Moline, 
Des  Moines  and  New  Orleans. 
• 

Charles  Vidor  and  Mrs.  Vidor,  the 
former  Doris  Warner,  daughter  of 
Harry  M.  Warner,  are  parents  of  a 
second  son,  born  at  Cedars  of  Leb- 
anon Hospital,  Los  Angeles. 

• 

Jules  Schwerin,  formerly  of  Lo- 
pert  Films  publicity  department  here, 
has  joined  Film  Program  Services 
here  as  director  of  television  and  the- 
atrical accounts. 

• 

Charles  Simonelli,  Universal-In- 
ternational Eastern  exploitation  man- 
ager, was  in  Des  Moines  from  New 
York  over  the  weekend. 

• 

F.  J.  A.  McCarthy,  Universal-In- 
ternational Southern  and  Canadian 
sales  manager,  will  leave  here  today 
for  Jacksonville. 

• 

Jimmy  Bello,  Astor  Pictures  spe- 
cial representative  in  Atlanta,  and 
Mrs.  Bello  have  become  parents  of  a 
son. 

• 

Clyde  Goodson,  Paramount  branch 
manager  in  Atlanta,  and  Eddie  Fitz- 
gerald, sales  manager,  are  in  Nash- 
ville. 

• 

Jack  Sydney,  publicity  director  for 
Loew's  theatres  in  Baltimore,  is  vaca- 
tioning in  New  York  State. 

• 

S.  R.  Kunkis,  New  York  industry 
attorney,  is  due  here  Thursday  from 
Europe  on  the  S\S"  America. 

• 

Michael  Jacobson,  manager  of  the 
Mayfair  Theatre,  Bridgeport,  is  en 
route  to  Los  Angeles. 

• 

Vincent  Capuano,  manager  of  the 
Warner  Capitol  in  Danbury,  Conn.,  is 
vacationing. 

• 

Matt  Jennings  has  been  appointed 
publicity  head  for  Martin  Theatres  of 
Columbus,  Ga. 


ERNEST  SCHWARTZ,  president 
of  the  Cleveland  Motion  Picture 
Exhibitors  Association,  has  been 
named  to  head  the  John  D.  Kalfat 
Memorial  Fund,  organized  by  industry 
friends  of  the  late  pioneer  exhibitor  to 
aid  needy  students  at  Western  Reserve 
University. 

• 

Ernest  Barnes,  who  has  managed 
theatres  in  New  York  and  the  Mid- 
west, has  taken  over  operation  of  the 
New  Hartford  Theatre  near  Utica, 
N.  Y.  C.  A.  Carlucci  was  the  pre- 
vious operator. 

• 

Al  Rook,  former '  Columbia  sales 
manager  in  Atlanta,  has  joined  Eagle- 
Lion  as  special  sales  representative  in 
Kansas  City. 

• 

Albert  Lourie,  former  manager  of 
the  M.  and  P.  Oriental  Theatre,  Bos- 
ton, has  taken  over  the  Adams  in  that 
city. 

• 

Rudy  Berger,  M-G-M  Southern 
sales  manager,  has  returned  to  his 
Washington  headquarters  from  New 
York. 

• 

Les  Peterson,  head  of  M-G-M 
radio  activities  at  the  Culver  City 
studios,  will  leave  Hollywood  today 
for  Chicago. 

• 

Robert  Naify  has  succeeded  Wal- 
ter Armstrong,  retired,  as  purchas- 
ing agent  for  the  Golden  State  Cir- 
cuit, San  Francisco. 

• 

Julia  Smith,  manager  of  the  State 
Theatre,  Waterbury,  Conn.,  has  re- 
sumed duties  after  a  long  illness. 
• 

William  F.  Rodgers,  M-G-M  dis- 
tribution  vice-president,    will   be  in 
Buffalo  Thursday  from  New  York. 
• 

Russ  Stewart  of  M-G-M's  pub- 
licity department  here  has  left  for  a 
vacation. 

• 

Sonya  Levien,  M-G-M  writer,  ar- 
rived here  from  the  Coast  over  the 
weekend. 


Decision  on  'Waltz' 
Extension  Held  Up 

Chicago,  July  5. — Hearings  on 
Paramount  and  B.  and  K.'s  motion 
asking  for  exception  to  the  two-week 
Loop  ruling  on  "The  Emperor  Waltz" 
were  placed  in  abeyance  on  Friday  by 
Judge  Michael  J.  Igoe  in  U.  S.  Dis- 
trict Court. 

Thomas  McConnell,  Jackson  Park 
theatre  attorney,  filed  a  petition  Thurs- 
day asking  for  dismissal  of  the  mo- 
tion. McConnell  argued  Friday  that 
there  is  no  product  shortage,  while 
Alfred  Teton,  representing  the  defen- 
dants, asserted  there  was,  the  latter 
basing  his  arguments  on  behalf  of  the 
"Waltz"  extension  primarily  on  those 
grounds  as  well  as  that  the  film  cost 
in  excess  of  $4,000,000. 

The  matter  of  jurisdictional  rights 
of  the  District  Court  was  also  an  issue. 

Teton  and  McConnell  were  given 
three  and  five  days,  respectively,  in 
which  to  file  affidavits  supporting  their 
arguments. 


RKO  Directors  Head 
For  Coast  Meeting 

Members  of  the  RKO  directorate 
have  started  to  converge  on  Holly- 
wood for  a  meeting  of  the  board  at 
the  weekend.  Among  those  making  the 
trip  are  Floyd  Odium,  Ned  Depinet, 
Harry  M.  Durning,  Frederick  L.  Ehr- 
man,  L.  Lawrence  Green  and  George 
H.  Shaw.  N.  Peter  Rathvon  is  already 
on  the  Coast. 

Among  matters  expected  to  be  dis- 
cussed by  the  board  is  a  possible  suc- 
cessor to  Dore  Schary,  who  resigned 
as  the  company's  production  head  last 
Wednesday.  Most  of  the  board  mem- 
bers will  meet  Howard  Hughes,  now 
in  control  of  RKO,  for  the  first  time. 


Jones  Quits  ARl 

Hollywood,  July  5.— Beverly  Jones, 
chief  client  executive  of  Audience  Re- 
search, Inc.,  here  for  the  past  two 
years,  has  resigned  to  concentrate  on 
business  interests  out  of  the  industry. 


$46,000  Alexander  Bonus 

Colorado  Springs,  July  5. — Alex- 
ander Film  has  paid  a  $46,000  profit- 
sharing  bonus  to  its  salaried  workers 
in  the  home-office  and  sales  offices  in 
key  cities. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


p — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALM] 

■  Rockefeller  Center 


:  CROSBY 


JOAN 


FONTAINE 


in  "THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ"3 

1  Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 

]  A  Paramount  Picture 

1  SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


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JOHN  FORD'S 
MASTERPIECE 

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IN  PERSON  jf 

LENA  HORNE  , 

Special!  ft 

PAUL  WINCHELL  S 

Bxlra!  Jfi 

SKINNAY  ENNIS  If 

and  bis  ORCH. 

CAPITOL™*? 


greatest  tfar- 
and<-«ong-s/iowf 


Released  thru  RKO  Radio  Picture 


i  JACK  UANIS 

I  CARSON. PAIGE 

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|KaMichaei  curtiz  pboo»j 


THE  DRAMATIC 
LOVE  STORY  OF 

"I,  JANE  DOE" 

A  Republic  Picture 
STARRING 

RUTH  HUSSEY 

JOHN  CARROLL 

VERA  RALSTON 


BRANDT'S  COOL 


GOTHAM  ^Its 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  Hew  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Hei'ild,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


•  should  be  one  of  the  top  grossing  pictures  of  all  times! 


BOB  O'DONNELL 


estic  Theatre 


tiding. 


Dallas, 


Texas 


May 


2U,  X9U8 


EXE 


CUTWE  OFF>CES 


United**  etreet, 
Dallas,  ^ex* 

opport^       erober.  ,nlon  it 


Sa  ,  advised  you  ^Uures  o£  ^\^ere 

*  that  U*^  ^  * Evening  Port 
tea  one  of  ^lo^'*  Sa^^  picture  ^ 

_d  was  of  pa  d  upon  o£  t»    '  houghts 

£  TeXa«'TSHO*  mvyftrsi  outstand^a  ed 

story  CttI.SH°en  beyond  «fr  ri  ture  has  ictures  of 

mcrea»  t  thau  top  gi 

due  to  *e  one  ol 

up  and  should  ^  your 

^UmSS*  4    nts  to  Howard  Ha* attract- 

organs  slncerely.  / 


Red  Hot  from  UA 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  July  6,  1948 


Dorfmann  on  Coast 
To  Start  Production 

Hollywood,  July  5. — Edmund  L. 
Dorfmann,  head  of  Edmund  L.  Dorf- 
mann Productions,  is  here  from  New 
York  to  begin  operations  on  a  wide 
production  program,  including  32  reels 
within  the  next  three  years  for  United 
World  Films,  Universal-International 
subsidiary. 

In  addition,  Dorfmann  has  financial 
interest  in  several  independent  features 
being  produced  for  20th  Century-Fox 
and,  in  association  with  Laurel  Films, 
he  has  film  rights  to  "Guilty  Bystand- 
er" and  "A  Young  Man's  Fancy,"  for 
which  negotiations  are  under  way  for 
United  Artists  distribution.  Dorfmann 
also  is  planning  expansion  of  produc- 
tion for  television  and  will  make  fea- 
ture documentaries  for  the  Protestant 
Film  Commission. 


Cohen  and  Landaiche 
Are  Partners  in  SGP 

Atlanta,  July  5. — After  two  years 
as  local  branch  manager  of  Mono- 
gram Southern  Exchanges,  Babe 
Cohen  has  resigned,  as  of  July  30,  to 
return  to  his  home  town,  New  Or- 
leans, where  he  will  enter  partnership 
with  Ed  Landaiche,  owner  of  the 
Screen  Guild  franchise. 


UK  Fight  Film  to  E-L 

Eagle-Lion  will  distribute  films  of 
the  Gus  Lesnevich-Freddie  Mills  bout 
to  be  held  in  London  on  July  26 
throughout  the  U.  S.  and  Latin 
America.  The  pictures  are  expected 
to  be  in  theatres  here  36  hours  after 
the  fight,  the  company  states. 


Review 


"Abbott  and  Costello  Meet  Frankenstein" 

( U  niversal-International) 

TO  the  usual  stock  of  gags  and  slapstick  hysteria  associated  with  the  first 
two  gentlemen  of  the  title  there  has  been  added  now  substantial  helpings 
of  the  chills  and  horror  which  accompany  the  screen  appearances  of  not  only 
the  Frankenstein  monster,  but  (attention,  you  exploitation-conscious  ex- 
hibitors!) Dracula  and  the  hirsute  Wolf  Man  of  London.  It  all  adds  up  to  a 
field  day  for  promotion  men,  with  better-than-usual  A.  and  C.  grosses  in  the 
offing  in  consequence. 

About  half-way  through  this  broad,  unmitigated  farce,  as  the  stage  is  being 
set  for  a  wild  melee  among  the  aforementioned  principals,  and  some  others  in 
the  recesses  of  a  spooky  Florida  (  !)  castle,  Bud  turns  to  Lou  and  observes: 
"This  is  ridiculous !"  With  that  remark  the  audience  cannot  fail  to  agree,  but 
dyed-in-the-wool  A.  and  C.  fans  and  some  other  members  of  the  audience  might 
not  agree  on  a  definition  for  the  word  "ridiculous." 

The  screenplay,  by  Robert  Lees,  Frederic  L.  Rinaldo  and  John  Grant,  centers 
around  Bela  (Dracula)  Lugosi's  efforts  to  have  Costello's  "harmless"  brain 
substituted  for  the  destructive  one  which  the  Frankenstein  monster  has.  Lon 
Chaney,  who  turns  into  the  Wolf  Man  when  the  moon  rises  every  night,  is  out 
to  thwart  Lugosi.  The  usual  quota  of  well-milked  A.  and  C.  gags  are,  of 
course,  sprinkled  throughout  the  "plot."  Cast  is  rounded  out  with  Glenn 
Strange,  Lenore  Aubert,  Jane  Randolph,  Frank  Ferguson  and  Charles  Brad- 
street.  Robert  Arthur  produced  and  Charles  T.  Barton  directed,  the  latter 
with  tongue  in  cheek,  naturally. 

Running  time,  83  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
not  set.  Charles  L.  Franke 


MGM's  Shorts 

(Continued  frotn  page  1) 


cartoons  in  Technicolor ;  10  "Pete 
Smith  Specialties" ;  six  "John  Nesbitt 
Passing  Parades"  ;  eight  "FitzPatrick 
Traveltalks,"  in  Technicolor,  pjus,  of 
course,  the  customary  104  issues  of 
News  of  the  Day. 

The  company  will  continue  to  utilize 
its  short  subjects  as  a  laboratory  for 
the  development  of  new  talent  and 
techniques,  declared  William  F. 
Rodgers,  distribution  vice-president. 


Snitz  Heads  E-L's 
Kansas  City  Branch 

Eugene  Snitz  has  been  promoted 
from  the  sales  staff  to  manager  of 
Eagle-Lion's  Kansas  City  exchange  by 
William  J.  Heineman,  Eagle-Lion  dis- 
tribution vice-president. 

Snitz  entered  the  film  business  in 
1929  and  had  been  with  Universal  and 
Columbia  in  various  sales  capacities 
before  joining  E-L  in  1946.  Previous 
to  joining  Eagle-Lion,  he  was  in  the 
army  for  three  years. 


Short 
Subject 


"The  Case  of 
Mrs.  Conrad" 

(March  of  Time — 20th-Fox) 

With  the  cooperation  of  the  New 
York  Academy  of  Medicine,  March  of 
Time  brings  forth  an  instructive,  _jn- 
teresting  and  authentic  film  of  theri^H 
aspects  of  modern  medical  procec^^ 
Taking  the  case  of  an  ill  woman, 
"Mrs.  Conrad,"  the  subject  traces  her 
entry  into  the  hospital,  the  benefits  of 
hospital  plans,  the  exhaustive  physical 
examinations,  blood  tests  and  analyses, 
the  detailed  preparation  for  and  the 
successful  completion  of  an  operation, 
and  the  patient's  recovery.  In  depict- 
ing modern  medicine's  thoroughness, 
which  gives  patients  every  possible 
chance  for  a  successful  recovery,  the 
subject's  end  result  will  also  do  much 
to  dispel  many  of  the  old-fashioned 
myths  and  superstitions  of  hospital- 
ization and  surgery  which  are  still 
prevalent  today.  Running  time,  20 
minutes. 


$1,507,000  Set  for 
Canadian  Board  Film 

Ottawa,  July  5. — Following  items 
were  passed  by  the  Canadian  Parlia- 
ment for  this  year's  use  of  the  Na- 
tional Film  Board :  General  adminis- 
tration, $181,443 ;  technical  services 
administration,  $89,467;  production  of 
films,  $735,000;  distribution  of  films, 
$772,000 ;  production  and  distribution 
of  other  visual  materials,  $128,000. 


Picture  Story  No.  1 
of  Paramount's 
romantic  comedy 

of  all  time 
that  September 
Liberty  Magazine 
will  call 

"TOPS  IN 
ENTERTAINMENT 


Tuesday,  July  6,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


I 


Skouras  to  FCC 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


stated  that  the  present  stage  of  prog- 
ress and  the  prospects  for  even  great- 
er advances  had  brought  about  the 
decision  that  20th- Fox  would  get  into 
the  field  and  stay  in  it,  even  though  it 
means  losing  money  at  first. 

Skouras  said  that  he  now  regretted 
the  withdrawal  in  1945  and  1946  of 
the  company's  applications  for  tele- 
vir'ZJ  /channels  in  New  York,  Boston 
anc^ds  Angeles.  He  explained  that 
the  economic  soundness  of  television 
had  seemed  doubtful  at  that  time. 

He  confirmed  the  statements  made 
the  day  before  by  his  brother  Charles 
that  20th  was  planning  to  expand  the- 
atre video  presentations  as  rapidly  as 
possible.  He  added  that  some  $250,- 
000  were  being  spent  for  experimenta- 
tion work  with  large-screen  television 
by  Fox  in  conjunction  with  RCA. 

He  also  agreed  with  Charles  that 
television  is  not  and  will  not  be  a 
serious  threat  to  theatre  box-office, 
but  should  be  classified  as  a  different 
and  non-competitive  form  of  enter- 
tainment. 

Features  for  Video  'Unsound' 

Questioned  about  the  availability  of 
Fox  films  for  video  showing,  he  said 
that  features  would  not  be  released 
for  home  consumption  under  the  pres- 
ent system  of  distribution  until  they 
had  run  the  gamut  of  theatre  exhibi- 
tion. Any  other  course  would  be  eco- 
nomcially  unsound,  he  asserted. 

He  did  contend,  however,  that  tele- 
vision audiences  would  like  features 
produced  for  theatre  release.  On  this 
point  he  disagreed  with  the  views  ex- 
pressed by  Charles  and  by  Paul  Rai- 


bourn,  Paramount  video  head,  both  of 
whom  had  averred  that  the  average 
film  produced  for  theatre  screening  is 
not  completely  suitable  for  release  to 
the  home  via  television. 

Skouras  said  that  20th-Fox  intends 
to  make  special  television  features  but 
pointed  out  that  the  cost  of  production 
of  a  motion  picture  for  theatre  ex- 
hibition is  much  too  high  for  video. 
Kahn  Also  Testifies 

Irving  B.  Kahn,  20th-Fox  radio  di- 
rector, followed  Skouras,  and,  in  the 
course  of  discussing  p'roposed  program 
schedules,  declared  that  20th  already 
has  produced  several  films  for  use  on 
its  television  stations  and  is  planning 
more.  One  type  he  described  as  a 
quiz  show  made  up  of  scenes  from 
well-known  20th-Fox  productions; 
another  is  a  mystery  show. 

The  hearings  seem  certain  to  drag 
well  into  their  third  week,  as  two 
Fox  witnesses  remain  to  be  heard,  and 
CBS  counsel  Samuel  Rosenman  is  ex- 
pected to  call  a  rebuttal  witness  for 
his  claims. 

FCC  examiner  Jack  P.  Blume  de- 
clined to  speculate  as  to  when  a  de- 
cision might  be  expected,  but  from  the 
volume  of  testimony  which  has  been 
taken,  it  seems  safe  to  assume  that 
some  time  will  elapse  before  the  two 
channels  are  assigned. 


Practices  Code  for 
Radio  Now  in  Effect 

Washington,  July  5. — Radio's  new 
standards  of  practice  code  is  now  in 
effect  on  all  four  national  networks, 
National  Association  of  Broadcasters 
president  Justin  Miller  announced 
over  the  weekend.  A  few  changes  are 
still  to  be  made  and  will  be  com- 
pleted by  Jan.  1,  1949,  he  added. 


28  Video  Stations 
Are  Now  Operating 

Twenty-eight  television  sta- 
tions are  now  in  operation 
in  the  U.  S.,  according  to  the 
Television  Broadcasters  As- 
sociation. Construction  per- 
mits granted  total  83,  while 
287  applications  are  pending 
before  the  Federal  Communi- 
cations Commission. 


16mm.  Industry  Gets 
A  'Code  of  Ethics1 

A  "code  of  business  ethics,"  by 
which  the  16mm.  industry  may  "set 
its  sights,"  and  may  be  guided  in  gen- 
eral business  practices,  has  been  issued 
by  the.  Allied  Non-Theatrical  Film 
Association. 

The  code  was  discussed  and  adopted 
at  the  recent  ANFA  convention.  Its 
formulation  was  the  work  of  a  com- 
mittee headed  by  E.  E.  (Jack)  Carter, 
president  of  ANFA,  and  William  F. 
Kruse,  honorary  president. 


New  WABD  Department 

Formation  of  a  sales  service  depart- 
ment for  DuMont's  WABD,  New 
York  television  station,  and  the  ap- 
pointment of  Halsey  Barrett,  formerly 
head  of  station  relations,  as  its  man- 
ager, is  announced  here  by  Leonard 
Hole,  general  manager. 


McDaniel  a  Sarnoff  Aide 

Glen  McDaniel  has  been  elected  a 
vice-president  of  RCA  to  serve  on 
president  David  Sarnoff's  staff. 


T elecasters  Will 
Probe  Film  Methods 

A  production  committee  for  re- 
search on  problems  of  motion  picture 
production,  technics,  practices  and  ad- 
vancements most  suitable  for  television 
has  been  appointed  by  Melvin  L.  Gold, 
chairman  of  the  National  Television 
Film  Council,  and  advertising  director 
of  National  Screen  Service.  The  com- 
mittee, which  will  be.  headed  by  Jack 
Glenn  of  March  of  Time,  will  include 
Gene  Martel,  president  of  the  Screen 
Directors  Guild ;  Joseph  Josephson, 
of  Jerry  Fairbanks,  Inc. ;  Nathan 
Zucker,  Sono-Chrome  Productions ; 
Fred  Rosen,  producer  for  World 
Video  and  Henry  Morley,  general 
manager  of  J.  A.  Maurer  Inc. 

Gold  also  announced  an  addition  to 
the  distribution  committee  of  Sam 
Gershwin,  National  Screen  Service, 
and  of  Jose  di  Donato  of  Edward 
Petry  Co.,  to  the  by-laws  committee. 

The  latter  committee,  headed  by 
Irwin  Shane,  will  meet  tonight  with 
legal  counsel  Seymour  Peyser  to  draft 
by-laws  and  set  up  an  organization 
structure. 


Video  'Pickups' 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


its  original  stand  when  the  Demo- 
cratic session  comes,  although  there 
has  been  no  official  confirmation  of 
this,  and  the  general  suspicion  is  that 
the  theatre's  audience  will  be  given 
glimpses  of  the  telecast.  All  of  which 
appears  to  point  to  a  forthcoming  con- 
test before  the  Federal  Communica- 
tions Commission,  or  in  the  courts,  or 
both,  on  the  right  of  a  theatre  to  pick 
up    telecasts    for    exhibition    on  its 


ARTHUR 

MARLENZ 

VIBTRICH 

JOHN 

WHO 

X  in  • 


with 

MILLARD  MITCHELL 
Produced  by  CHARLES  BRACKETT 

Directed  by  BILLY  WILDER 

Screenplay  by  Charles  Bracketf,  Billy  Wilder,  and 
Richard  I.  Breen   •  Adaptation  by  Robert  Harari 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  July  6,  1948 


Japs  Get  US  Films 
AtRateof7-a-Month 


Washington,  July  5. — U.  S.  films 
are  now  arriving  in  Japan  at  the  rate 
of  about  seven  a  month,  and  prints 
are  being  made  for  distribution  to 
some  529  theatres,  according  to  Japan- 
ese trade  reports  received  in  the  U.  S. 
Department  here. 

The  reports  state  that  receipts  are 
divided  on  a  50-50  basis  between  ex- 
hibitors and  the  U.  S.  industry's  Mo- 
tion Picture  Export  Association,  with 
the  MPEA's  share  accumulating  in  a 
yen  fund.  U.  S.  films  account  for  the 
buljc  of  imports,  with  a  few  coming 
from  Britain,  France  and  Russia. 


UnitetS's  DC-6 
Mainliner  300 
onestop  flight 

Leave  New  York  12:15 
pm,  arrive  Los  Angeles 
(Lockheed  Air  Termi- 
nal) at  8:25  pm. 

Fares  are  surprisingly 
low.  Flights  operate  on 
Standard  Time. 

UNITED 

AIR  LINES 

NEW  YORK  &  BROOK- 
LYN: Call  Murray  Hill 
2-7300. 


NEWARK:  Call  Market 
2-1122  or  an  authorized 
travel  agent. 


MITCHELL  MAY,  Jr. 

CO.,  INC. 

INSURANCE 


Specializing 

in  requirements  of  the 

Motion  Picture  Industry 

75  Maiden  Lane,  New  York 
510  W.  6th  St.,  Los  Angeles 


JOE  LOUIS  in 

THE  FIGHT  NEVER  ENDS 

Now  available  for  booking 

ALEXANDER  RELEASING  CORP. 

306  Lenox  Ave.,  New  York  City 


Reviews 


"Partners  of  the  Sunset" 

(Monogram) 

SEVERAL  entertaining  Western  tunes  are  sung  by  Jimmy  Wakely,  accom- 
panied by  a  string  trio.    Otherwise,  "Partners  of  the  Sunset"  is  a  routine 
Western  of  murder,  retribution  and  justice. 

Story  concerns  a  wealthy  rancher  who  unwittingly  marries  a  young  girl 
seeking  his  money.  The  rancher's  son  leaves  home  and  then  is  suspected  of 
the  murder  of  his  father.  Wakely,  aided  by  his  side-kick,  Cannonball  Taylor, 
eventually  exposes  the  operations  of  the  young  bride  and  her  partner  and  they 
are  brought  to  justice.  The  son  is  vindicated.  Produced  by  Louis  Gray  and 
directed  by  Kambert  Hillyer,  supporting  roles  are  played  by  Christine  Larson 
as  the  bride,  Steve  Darrell,  the  rancher,  and  Jay  Kirby,  his  son.  Original 
screenplay  was  written  by  J.  Benton  Cheney. 

Running  time,  53  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
May  6. 

"Fric-Frac" 

(Oxford  Films) 

SOME  top  foreign  names,  such  as  Fernadel,  Arletty  and  Michel  Simon, 
head  the  cast  of  this  French  importation.  "Fric-Frac,"  however,  is  at 
best  only  a  dreary  and  unfunny  comedy  of  two  thieves  of  the  Parisian  under- 
world who  use  Fernandel  as  an  innocent  dupe  in  their  criminal  endeavors. 
Further,  it  is  a  picture  which  reaches  a  new  high  in  poor  taste  for  suggestive 
actions  and  dialogue,  particularly  in  one  scene  where  the  couple  loll  in  the 
grass.  They  are  so  crudely  handled  as  to  insult  even  the  broad  tastes  and 
acceptances  of  art  theatre  audiences. 

Direction  and  production  by  Maurice  Lehmann  are  routine,  while  the  Eng- 
lish translations  of  French  underworld  expressions  emerge  as  colorless  and 
trite  American  slang.  It  was  adapted  to  the  screen  by  Michel  Duran,  from 
a  play  by  Edouard  Bourdet. 

Running  time,  132  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Set  for  June 
release. 


"Nais" 

(Siritzky  International.  French  with  English  sub-titles) 

FROM  Emile  Zola's  story  "Nais  Micoulin,"  a  tale  of  a  simple  country-girl 
loved  by  two  men,  a  hunchback  and  a  playboy,  France's  outstanding  direc- 
tor, Marcel  Pagnol  here  has  fashioned  an  absorbing,  romantic  film.  It  is 
strictly  aduh  fare  because  of  suggestive  dialogue  and  because  of  the  problems 
with  which  it  deals. 

Fernandel  is  both  moving  and  lovable  as  the  hunchbacked  simpleton  with 
a  golden  heart.  Jacqueline  Pagnol  makes  a  beautiful  Nais ;  Henry  Poupon, 
the  father,  conveys  the  necessary  brutality,  and  Raymond  Pellegrin  makes  a 
handsome  lover.    Pagnol  directed  and  produced. 

Art  theatre  audiences  are  certain  to  appreciate  this  offering,  but  it  could 
be  improved  by  cutting,  especially  towards  the  end.  Performances  are  all 
excellent. 

Running  time,  105  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification. 


"Blind  Desire"  (La  Part  De  U Ombre) 

(Discina  International — French  with  English  subtitles) 

STARRING  Jean-Louis  Barrault,  remembered  for  his  excellent  portrayal  in 
the  French  film  "Children  of  Paradise,"  this  is  at  best  only  a  routine 
romantic  melodrama  which  has  little  to  offer  in  the  way  of  entertainment. 

Barrault  is  a  talented  but  impoverished  violinist,  who  meets  Agnes  Noblet, 
daughter  of  a  prominent  musician.  When  the  father  discourages  the  violinist, 
to  protect  his  daughter,  they  separate.  During  the  next  20  years  they  meet 
several  times  but  something  always  pops  up  to  interrupt  their  marriage. 
Eventually  they  part  for  good.  Jean  Delannoy  directed  and  Michel  Safra  and 
Andre  Paulve  produced. 

Running  time,  88  minutes.    General  audience  classification.    Current  release. 


Stack  Named 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


was  assistant  sales  manager  and  was 
promoted  by  Arthur  S.  Abeles,  Jr., 
whose  succession  to  the  managing  di- 
rector's post  was  confirmed  at  the 
same  time.  Abeles  succeeds  Max 
Milder,  who  also  resigned  because  of 
ill  health,  as  reported  here  on  Friday. 
Abeles  was  Milder's  assistant.  The 
latter  had  been  with  the  company  for 
some  25  years. 


Rank's  Demand 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


on  what  transpired  at  the  weekend 
parley. 

It  was  learned  privately,  however, 
that  the  CEA  chiefs  "laid  on  the 
line"  the  indignant  protests  of  British 
showmen,  and  that's  when  Rank 
evinced  amazement  and  hurt. 


Maas  to  Tour  MPEA 
Branches  in  Germany 

Following  distribution  negotiations 
with  Monopoly  officials  in  Prague  and 
Budapest,  Irving  Maas,  Motion  Pic- 
ture Export  Association  vice-presi- 
dent, has  arrived  in  Munich  to  begin 
an  inspection  tour  of  German  branches 
with  Marian  Jordan,  general  manager 
of  Germany,  MPEA  reports  here. 

Louis  Kanturek,  MPEA  supervisor 
of  Eastern  Europe,  participated  in  the 
lengthy  confabs  in  Prague  and  accom- 
panied Maas  to  Budapest  for  pre- 
liminary discussions  with  officials  of 
the  National  Film  Bureau,  Hungary's 
newly-created  film  monopoly. 

Following  his  tour  of  the  German 
branches,  Maas  will  return  to  Prague 
for  continued  talks  with  Monopoly  of- 
ficials and  then  proceed  to  Warsaw 
for  conferences  with  executives  of 
Film  Polski. 


Production  Drops 
Nine  Features,  to  34 


Hollywood,  July  5. — The  produc- 
tion index  dipped  to  34  from  last 
week's  tally  of  43.  Eleven  films  were 
completed  while  only  two  were 
launched. 

Shooting  started  on  "The  Lovers," 
Columbia  and  "Little  Women,"  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer.  Shooting  finished  on 
"Boston  Blackie's  Honor"  and 
lenge  of  the  Range,"  Columbia  ;^^an 
in  the  Morning"  and  "Command  Deci- 
sion," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ;  "The 
Last  of  the  Badmen"  (Allied  Art- 
ists) and  "Silver  Trails,"  Monogram ; 
"Grand  Canyon  Trail,"  Republic ; 
"Brothers  in  the  Saddle,"  RKO  Radio ; 
"Bungalow  13"  (Belsam)  and  "Tuc- 
son" (Wurtzel),  20th  Century-Fox, 
and  "Countess  of  Monte  Cristo" 
( Westwood) ,  Universal-International. 


John  T.  Madden,  66, 
Loew  Personnel  Head 

Professor  John  Thomas  Madden, 
66,  personnel  director  of  Loew's,  Inc., 
since  1943,  died  at  his  home  here  at 
the  weekend.  Services  will  be  held  to- 
day with  a  solemn  high  requiem  Mass 
at  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  New  York, 
to  be  followed  by  burial  at  Gate  of 
Heaven  Cemetery,  Morristown,  N.  J. 

Born  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  Madden 
came  to  New  York  in  1909  where  he 
worked  during  the  day  and  attended 
evening  courses  at  the  New  York 
University  School  of  Commerce.  In 
1925  he  became  dean  of  the  NYU 
School  of  Commerce,  Accounts  and 
Finance.  He  was  internationally  re- 
nowned in  the  field  of  accounting. 

Survivors  include  the  widow,  four 
daughters  and  two  sisters. 


Leon  Leopold,  65 

Philadelphia,  July  5. — Services 
were  held  here  yesterday  for  Leon 
Leopold,  manager  of  the  Walnut  Street 
Theatre  here  and  brother  of  comedian 
Ed  Wynn.  Leopold,  who  had  been  in 
the  motion  picture  business  for  25 
years,  died  at  the  age  of  65  on  Thurs- 
day at  his  home  here.  He  started  in 
the  sales  department  of  the  Fox  Film 
Exchange,  later  becoming  an  auditor 
for  the  Shubert  interests.  He  had  been 
manager  of  the  Walnut  for  the  past 
five  years.  In  addition  to  Wynn,  sur- 
vivors include  the  widow  and  a  daugh- 
ter in  Los  Angeles. 


Tax  Bill  Postponed 

Washington,  July  5. — Theatre 
owner  protests  have  forced  the  Har- 
risonburg, Va.,  City  Council  to  put 
off  until  July  13  a  decision  on  a  10 
per  cent  admission  tax. 


I   OF  COURSE 


TIMS, 
BRO®Kt.YN 


HEAVEN 

sent  from  UA 


•I 


IIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIM 


■ 

3 


The  First  Projector 
Pictured  in  1671 


MAGIC  SHADOWS 

The  Story  of  the  Origin  of  Motion  Pictures 

By  MARTIN  QUICLEY,  JR. 

"An  imperative  must . .  ♦  ♦ " 

Jesse  L.  Lasky  in  The  Scientific  Monthly 

"A  fascinating  story  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦ " 

Henry  Moria  in  The  Los  Angeles  Times 


MAGIC  SHADOWS  adventurously  explores 
long  forgotten  yesterdays  in  both  science 
and  showmanship.  It  is  presented  in  191  crisp 
pages,  plus  28  rare  illustrations. 

GEORGETOWN   UNIVERSITY  PRESS 


QUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP 
1270  Sixth  Avenue 
Rockefeller  Center 
New  York  20,  New  York 

Gentlemen: 

Send    copy(ies)  of  MAGIC  SHADOWS— The  Story  of  the  Origin 

of  Motion  Pictures  by  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  at  $3.50  per  copy  postpaid. 

|  |  Check  enclosed. 

|  |  Send  a  bill. 


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Address 


IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH 


COLUMBIA'S  SERIAL  SCOOP  OF  SCOOPS... 


Copyright  1948  National  Comics  Publications,  Inc 


FOR  ANY  THEATRE... 


ANYWHERE* 


Already  booked  pre-refen*!  FIRST  TIME  FOR  ANY  SERIAL! 

RKO  N.  Y.  CITY  CIRCUIT  (35  houses) 

day  and  date,  long  half  of  week! 
.  .  .  And  full  week  at 

FABIAN  FOX  Brooklyn 

RKO  HILLSTREETand PANTAGES  LosAngeies 

RKO  ORPHEUM  Minneapolis 

RKO  ORPHEUM  st  Paul 


i 


GET  ON  THE  BANDWAGON  N-O-W 
WHILE  THE  KIDS  ARE  HOME  ON  VACATION! 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


MOTIONPICXjaE !  *»* 


DAI  LY 


«and 


64.  NO.  4 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  JULY  7,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


See  Extension 
Of  Conciliation 
Plan  to  Others 


No  Grievances  Filed  as 
Yet  in  NCA  Territory 

Minneapolis,  July  6.  —  North 
Central  Allied  has  received  indica- 
tions that  other  major  distributors 
"are  interested"  in  the  conciliation 
plan  worked  out  recently  by  A.  W. 
Smith  for  20th-Fox  with  NCA,  headed 
by  Bennie  Berger  and  Stanley  Kane. 
Under  the  plan,  exhibitor  grievances 
would  be  adjudicated  in  conferences 
between  local  exchange  managers  and 
a  special  NCA  grievance  committee. 

A  top  executive  of  one  distributing 
company  is  understood  to  have  tele- 
phoned NCA  seeking  further  informa- 
tion on  the  working  details  of  the 
plan,  and  indicated  a  willingness  to  im- 
mediately enter  similar  negotiations. 

The  conciliation  agreement  bans 
complaints  or  grievances  of  a  private 
or  personal  nature,  and  the  committee 
will  not  attempt  in  any  manner  to  ne- 
gotiate contracts. 

Meanwhile,  no  complaints  have  been 
filed  as  yet  with  the  20th  Century-Fox 
branch  manager  by  the  new  grievance 
board,  adding  that  "it  is  not  known 
(Continued  on  page  8) 


Pa.  Allied  Is  Cool 
To  Conciliation  Plan 


Philadelphia,  July  6. — Eastern 
Pennsylvania  Allied  "has  not  and 
probably  will  not  approve  the  so- 
called  conciliation  plan"  effected  by 
20th  Century-Fox  and  North  Central 
Allied,  according  to  "an  official  an- 
nouncement" released  here  today  by 
Sidney  E.  Samuelson,  general  man- 
ager of  the  affiliate  of  National  Allied, 
which  favors  the  plan. 
_  "Independent  exhibitors  in  this  ter- 
ritory   have    many    deep-seated  and 

(.Continued  on  page  S) 


5th-Walnut  Will  Bid 
For  Reversal  Friday 

Fifth  and  Walnut  Amusement  Co. 
on  Friday  will  make  its  initial  attempt 
to  regain  victory  from  defeat  in  its 
anti-trust  suit  from  which  a  jury  of 
12  in  U.  S.  District  Court  dismissed 
distributor-defendants  in  a  verdict  re- 
turned on  June  29. 

Plaintiff's  counsel,  Monroe  E.  Stein, 

(Continued  on  page  8) 


Griffis  in  Turkish 
Ambassador's  Post 

Washington,  July  6. — Stan- 
ton Griffis,  former  Ambassa- 
dor to  Poland,  momentarily 
will  be  named  by  the  White 
House  as  Ambassador  to 
Turkey. 

Prior  to  entering  the  diplo- 
matic service,  Griffis  was 
chairman  of  the  executive 
committee  of  Paramount. 


113  More  Houses  in 
Canada;  Total  1,606 


Washington,  July  6.  — ■  Quoting 
Canadian  Film  Board  of  Trade  figures, 
the  U.  S.  Commerce  Department  here 
reports  that  at  the  beginning  of  1948 
there  were  1,606  film  theatres  in 
Canada,  an  increase  of  113  over  the 
number  at  the  same  time  in  1947.  An- 
other 100  are  being  constructed. 

A  study  made  by  the  Commerce 
Department's  film  consultant,  Nathan 
D.  Golden,  shows  that  attendance  in 
the  Dominion  dropped  about  15  per 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


'Babe  Ruth  Story' 
At  Astor  July  26 

"The  Babe  Ruth  Story,"  Allied 
Artists  release,  will  open  its  New 
York  run  at  the  Astor  Theatre  here 
on  July  26.  Louis  Lifton,  advertising- 
publicity  director  for  AA-Monogram, 
returned  to  New  York  from  Holly- 
wood yesterday  to  launch  the  cam- 
paign. 


'Waltz,'  'Parade,' 
'Affair'  Soar  As 
Grosses  Vary  Here 


Business  at  Broadway's  first-runs 
this  week  is  a  matter  of  extremes. 
Sunny  skies  over  the  extended  Inde- 
pendence Day  weekend  had  New 
Yorkers  thronging  to  beaches  and  re- 
sorts, while  out-of-towners  who  had 
poured  into  the  city  for  the  holiday 
gravitated  toward  the  bigger  Broad- 
way houses  for  entertainment.  Hence, 
with  out-of-towners  more  or  less  the 
determining  factor  this  week,  where 
several  theatres  are  enjoying  peak 
business  others  are  in  doldrums. 

At  Radio  City  Music  Hall  business 
is  sensational  in  the  third  week  of 
"The  Emperor  Waltz,"  plus  a  Leoni- 
doff  stage  presentation,  and  on  the 
basis  of  $116,500  taken  in  over  a 
weekend  embracing  five  days,  a  mam- 
moth $156,000  is  expected  for  seven. 

Doing  very  smart  business  in  its 
first  week  at  the  Paramount  is  "A 
Foreign  Affair,"  with  singer  Jo  Staf- 
ford heading  a  stage  bill;  $92,000  is 
due  for  the  week.  The  Paramount  and 
some  of  the  other  larger  Broadway 
houses  ran  an  extra  show  on  Monday 
to  accommodate  increased  patronage. 

"Give  My  Regards  to  Broadway," 
plus  an  ice  show  on  stage,  will  give 
the  Roxy  a  big  $100,000  for  a  second 
week.  The  Andrews  Sisters,  who  have 
been  heading  the  Roxy  stage  bill, 
were  called  to  the  Coast  suddenly  last 
Saturday,  and  until  they  return  to 
complete  their  engagement  the  thea- 
tre's top  price  of  $1.80  has  been  cut 
to  $1.50. 

A  healthy  $105,000  is  in  store  for 
(Continued  on  page  8) 


Propose  a  United  Front 
For  NY  State  Theatres 


A  move  to  bring  New  York  State 
exhibitors  into  one  group  for  public 
relations,  legislation  and  other  mutu- 
ally beneficial  programs  has  been  made 
by  the  Metropolitan  Motion  Picture 
Theatres  Association  which  has  plans 
for  a  meeting  to  be  held  late  this 
month  of  the  state's  representative 
theatremen. 

The  plan,  for  the  most  part  yet  to 
be  fully  drawn,  is  to  coordinate  the 
activities  of  the  state's  showmen  in 
promoting  favorable  legislation  and 
combatting  possible  adverse  bills,  as 
well  as  contributing  to  the  welfare  of 
exhibition  in  New  York. 

It  is  understood  that  D.  John  Phil- 
lips, executive  secretary  of  the 
MMPTA,  has  sent  invitations  to  ex- 
hibitors around  the  state  to  attend  the 
meeting,  with  specific  date  and  place 
to  be  determined  later. 


Preliminary  Meeting 
Today  by  RKO  Board 

Hollywood,  July  6. — Preliminary 
meetings  of  the  RKO  board  of  direc- 
tors are  expected  to  get  under  way 
tomorrow  following  the  arrival  of 
Floyd  Odium  and  Ned  Depinet  to- 
night. Other  members  of  the  board 
are  due  tomorrow. 

It  is  reported  here  that  Odium,  who 
sold  his  controlling  interest  in  RKO 
to  Howard  Hughes,  will  retain  the 
board  chairmanship,  but  these  reports 
are  unconfirmed.  It  is  understood 
that  Odium  and  Hughes  will  confer 
privately  before  the  meetings  start. 

High  on  the  agenda  of  the  board's 
deliberations  will  be  the  appointment 
of  a  successor  to  Dore  Schary,  who 
resigned  last  week. 


House  Group 
Will  Probe 
Film  Industry 

Allied  and  SIMPP  Aid 
Small  Business  Unit 


Washington,  July  6. — The  mo- 
tion picture  industry  will  definitely 
be  one  of  the  key  industries  checked 
into. by  the  House  Small  Business 
Committee's  investigation  of  monop- 
oly and  anti-trust  law  enforcement, 
a  top  committee  official  said  here  to- 
day. 

Willis  J.  Ballinger,  the  com- 
mittee's economic  counsel  and 
with  Committee  Chairman 
Ploeser  the  man  doing  most 
of  the  planning  of  the  inves- 
tigation, said  "we  will  definite- 
ly go  into  films,  both  from  the 
point  of  view  of  the  exhibitor 
and  the  independent  producer." 

Ballinger  declared  the  committee 
will  "go  into  everything  which  the  ex- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Allvine  Named  Aide 
To  Candidate  Dewey 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  6.— Gov. 
Thomas  E.  Dewey's  Presidential  cam- 
paign team,  identified  today,  includes 
Glendon  Allvine,  former  New  York 
public  relations  director  for  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America, 
who  will  work  for  the  candidate  in  the 
motion  picture,  newsreel  and  television 
fields.  Allvine  has  toured  the  country 
in  past  weeks  with  a  camera  crew 
filming  campaign  material  for  16mm., 
35mm.  and  television  outlets. 

Allvine  has  an  extensive  background 
(Continued  on  page  8) 


Believe  Douglas  Can 
Help  Ease  UK  Quota 

Washington,  July  6. — If  anyone 
can  ease  the  British  quota  situation,  it 
is  U.  S.  Ambassador  to  London  Doug- 
las, in 1  the  opinion  of  U.  S.  Govern- 
ment officials  and  industry  spokesmen 
here.  It  is  only  a  matter  of  Douglas' 
being  free  to  work  on  the  matter,  it 
was  stated. 

Preoccupation  with  the  tense  Berlin 
situation  has  prevented  the  Ambassa- 
dor from  making  any  substantial 
progress  on  the  British  quota  situa- 
tion, it  was  believed. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  7,  1948 


Carole  Landis,  29, 
Dies  in  Hollywood 

Hollywood,  July  6. — Carole  Lan- 
dis, 29,  film  actress,  was  found  dead 
yesterday  in  her  home  in  Brentwood. 
Her  death  was  apparently  suicide. 

Miss  Landis,  who  was  born  in 
Fairchild,  Wis.,  on  Jan.  1,  1919,  came 
to  Hollywood  in  1934  to  appear  as  a 
chorus  girl  in  "Varsity  Show"  and 
subsequently  in  "Blondes  at  Work" 
and  "Hollywood  Hotel."  Later  films 
in  which  she  appeared  were :  "Road 
Show"  "Topper  Returns,"  "I  Wake  Up 
Screaming,"  "Manila  Calling,"  "Or- 
chestra Wives"  and  "My  Gal  Sal," 
and  more  recently  in  "Having  Won- 
derful Crime,"  "It  Shouldn't  Happen 
to  a  Dog,"  "A  Scandal  in  Paris"  and 
"Behind  Green  Lights."  She  rose  to 
stardom  in  the  Hal  Roach  production, 
"One  Million  B.  C."  During  the  war 
she  toured  overseas  camps  to  enter- 
tain servicemen  as  well  as  aiding  in 
war  bond  sales  in  the  U.  S.  Miss 
Landis  also  was  active  with  the 
American  Cancer  Society. 

Para.'s  P  alu  g  y  ay 
Is  Dead  in  Spain 

Word  of  the  death  in  Spain  of 
Nicholas  G.  Palugyay,  Paramount's 
manager  there,  was  received  at  the 
company's  home  office  here  yesterday. 
With  Paramount  for  23  years,  Palug- 
yay was  stricken  en  route  from  Ma- 
drid to  Barcelona  on  business. 

The  company  cited  Palugyay  for  his 
success  in  protecting  Paramount's  in- 
terests during  the  German  occupa- 
tion of  Bulgaria,  where  he  was  serv- 
ing as  manager  at  the  time.  After  the 
war  he  joined  the  Motion  Picture  Ex- 
port Association  in  a  similar  capacity. 
He  was  appointed  to  the  Spanish  post 
in  1946.  The  widow  and  two  daugh- 
ters survive. 

Sam  Kaplan,  59 

Funeral  services  were  held  here 
Sunday  for  Sam  Kaplan,  59,  founder 
of  the  Sam  Kaplan  Manufacturing 
and  Supply  Co.,  which  became  the 
Century  Projector  Corp.  in  1923. 
Kaplan,  who  was  also  an  executive 
board  member  and  former  president 
of  IATSE  Local  No.  306,  retired  as 
general  manager  of  Century  Projector 
in  May,  1945.  He  died  last  Thursday 
at  his  home  in  Brooklyn.  Survivors 
include  the  widow  and  two  sons. 

Edward  F.  McClellen 

Boston,  July  6. — Edward  F.  Mc- 
Clellen, industry  attorney  here  for 
many  corporations,  including  Loew's 
and  M.  and  P.  Theatres,  New  En- 
gland, died  at  the  Cape  Cod  Hospital 
at  Hyannis  last  Friday. 

/.  Frank  Mednick,  57 

Los  Angeles,  July  6. — J.  Frank 
Mednick,  57,  owner  of  the  Latosca  and 
Troujan  theatres,  died  here  yesterday 
in  Cedars  of  Lebanon  Hospital.  Sur- 
vivors include  the  widow  and  a  son. 

Personal 

A  NDREW  W.  SMITH,  JR.,  20th- 
A  Fox  general  sales  manager ;  W. 
C.  Gehring,  assistant  sales  manager ; 
Murray    Silverstone,   president  of 
20th  Century-Fox  International  Corp., 
and  Charles  Schlaifer,  director  of 
advertising-publicity,  have  returned  to 
New   York  from   Hollywood  studio 
conferences. 

• 

Robert  C.  McMahon,  assistant  to 
Warner  studio  attorney  Roy  Obrin- 
ger,  and  Mrs.  McMahon  have  be- 
come the  parents  of  a  daughter,  born 
at  St.  Vincent's  Hospital  in  Los  An- 
geles. 

• 

F.  W.  Allport,  Motion  Picture  As- 
sociation of  America's  London  repre- 
sentative, flew  to  Paris  last  night  to 
confer  with  Gerald  Mayer,  MPAA 
international  division  director. 
• 

William  Z.  Porter,  Monogram-Al- 
lied Artists  contract  department  head 
in  the  West,  left  Hollywood  yesterday 
for  a  Midwest  tour. 

• 

Frank  Flood  of  Warners  Theatres' 
New  Haven  zone  has  been  appointed 
Connecticut   adjutant   of  AMVETS, 
veterans'  organization. 

• 

Milton   S.  Kusell,  Selznick  Re- 
leasing Organization  distribution  vice- 
president,  left  here  yesterday  for  the 
Coast. 

• 

Marlyn     Knoll,     secretary  to 
M-G-M     Southern     sales  manager 
Rudy  Berger,  is  here  from  Washing- 
ton on  vacation. 

• 

Harry  Welsh,  publicity  director 
for  the  Hicks  Circuit  in  Baltimore,  is 
visiting  his  father  in  Hollywood. 
• 

Robert    Pik,   president    of  Inter- 
World  Films  here,  will  leave  New 
York  this  week  for  Europe. 

• 

Fred  Quimby,  M-G-M  short  sub- 
jects production  head,  is  due  here  on 
July  19  from  the  Coast. 

Mention 

T  OSEPH    HAZEN,    president  of 
»■»    Hal  Wallis  Productions,  accom- 
panied by  his  wife  and  two  daughters, 
has  arrived  in  Hollywood  from  New 
York. 

• 

Joan   Wobber,   daughter   of  20th 
Century-Fox    distribution  executive 
Herman    Wobber,    and  Marshall 
Naify,    United    California  Theatres 
executive  and  son  of  Michael  Nai- 
fy, have  become  engaged  on  the  Coast. 
• 

Jean   Hersholt,  president  of  the 
Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and 
Sciences,  has  arrived  in  London  from 
Denmark. 

• 

William  O'Brien  of  M-G-M's  ad- 
vertising production  department  here 
returned  to  his  desk  yesterday  after  a 
lengthy  illness. 

• 

Perry  Lieber,  RKO  Radio  studio 
publicity  director,  has  returned  to  the 
Coast  from  New  York. 

• 

Charles  Lederer,  screenwriter,  has 
returned    to    Hollywood   from  New 
York. 

• 

Gradwell    Sears,    United  Artists 
president,  flew  to  the  Coast  over  the 
weekend  from  New  York. 

• 

Sam  Wheeler,  Film  Classics  divi- 
sion manager,  is  due  in  San  Francisco 
this  week  from  Los  Angeles. 
• 

Charles  Samuels,  Motion  Picture 
Magazine  writer,  has,  left  here  for 
Hollywood. 

• 

Bernard  Gates,  Monogram  Latin- 
America   supervisor,    is    in  Panama 
from  Mexico  City. 

• 

Charles  J.  McWeeney  of  Mono- 
gram International  was  married  re- 
cently to  Claire  Bambach. 

• 

Sidney  A.  Franklin,  M-G-M  pro- 
ducer, is  due  here  July  21  from  the 
Coast  en  route  to  Paris. 

7*7"  71 

ISewsreel 
Parade 

D  OPE  PIUS  addressing  workers  in 
■I  Rome,  and  kids  at  home  setting  up 
a  junior  government  are  current  news- 
reel  highlights.  Events  of  national  and 
international    scope,    human  interest 
stories  and  assorted  sports  round  out 
the  reels.    Complete  contents  follow. 

MOVIETONE   NEWS,   No.  54— Latest 
films    of    East-West    Berlin    Crisis.      ^  '• 
Pius  hailed  by  vast  throng  of  wcrke^* 
Rome.     Secretary    Royall   tells  how 
law  will  work.    Youngsters  learn  about  gov- 
ernment in  "junior  city."     Sports:  racing, 
fishing,  boxing. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  288— Pope 
warns  labor  against  Red  plotters.  British 
royalty  goes  to  the  fair.    Get  ready  for  the 
draft.     Junior    city   teaches    good  govern- 
ment.    Porpoise  hunt  a  deep  sea  thriller. 
Racing. 

PARAMOUNT      NEWS,      No.  91— 

France's  turf  classic.    Hero  of  Israel  brought 
home  for  burial.     Czechoslovakia:  first  Red 
president  takes  over.     Fashion  news:  furs 
look  ahead.    Good  government,  junior  style. 
Summer  skiers  beat  the  heat. 

UNIVERSAL   NEWS,   No.   158— War- 
ship   joins    "mothball    fleet."      Col.  David 
Marcus'   body   returned   home.     Prince  of 
Japan  visits  U.  S.  school.     Check  for  $7, 
000,000  signed  by  Secretary  Snyder.  Mini- 
ature auto  assembly  line  in  Spain.  Kids 
build  junior  city.     Japanese  swimmer  sets 
record.     Skiers  beat  summer  heat. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  93— 
Warren  girls  in  New  York.    Greek  children 
evacuated.     West  Point  rites  for  Haganah 
hero.    Red  exiles  find  U.  S.  refuge.  Kids 
set  up  junior  city.     Meet  the  duck  from 
down  under.  Racing. 

33 J  Per  Cent  Boost 
In  NBC  Video  Rates 

Representing  an  increase  of  33^ 
per  cent,  effective  Oct.  1,  1948,  Na- 
tional Broadcasting's  New  York  tele- 
vision station,  WNBT,  has  issued  a 
new  rate  card  providing  for  a  base 
hour  evening  time  charge  of  $1,000  to 
apply  during  Class  A  time   (six  to 
10:30  P.M.),  compared  with  the  pres- 
ent rate  of  $750.  Similar  boosts  will 
be  effected  at  the  same  time  by  NBC 
television  network  stations. 

At  WNBT,  three-quarters  of  the 
base  rate  will  buy  Class  B  time  (five 
to  six  P.M.,  Monday  through  Friday; 
one  to  six  P.M.  Saturday  and  Sun- 
day, and  10:30  to  11  P.M.,  Sunday 
through  Saturday).  One-half  the  base 
hour  rate  will  apply  at  all  other  times. 

To  Examine  Sales  Heads 

Charles  R.  Reagan,  Paramount  dis- 
tribution vice-president ;   William  F. 
Rodgers,    Loew's    distribution  vice- 
president,  and  others,  will  be  examined 
in  U.  S.  District  Court  here  on  July 
15  and  16  in  connection  with  the  Dip- 
son  Theatres  anti-trust  action  which 
has  been  pending  in  Buffalo  against 
Buffalo  Theatres  and  eight  distribu- 
tors. 

Brandt  Hearing  Friday 

Paramount's    motion    whereby  the 
company  seeks  to  eliminate  eight  of 
the  160-odd  defendants  from  its  $563,- 
265  percentage  action  against  Brandt 
Theatres,  et  al,  and  which  would  in- 

cliirlp    eitxhf    npw    rlpfpndarttc;     will  hp 

JLCW       U^lLllUCllllJ,       Will  l-Jv. 

heard  in  Supreme  Court  here  on  Fri- 
day.    Hearing  was   postponed  from 
yesterday. 

NBC  Promotes  Denny 

Charles  R.  Denny  has  been  promot- 
ed  from   vice-president   and  general 
counsel  of  National  Broadcasting  to 
executive    vice-president,    by  Niles 
Trammell,  president  of  the  network. 
His  successor  in  the  legal  post  is  Gus- 
tav  B.  Margraf,  attorney,  who  has 
represented  NBC  in  Washington  since 
1942. 

Maryland  Theatre  Sold 

Baltimore,  July  6. — The  Maryland 
Theatre,  45-year-old  playhouse  here, 
has  been  sold  for  $79,500  at  public 
auction  to  Michael  Fox,  head  of  a  local 
realty  company.    The  Maryland  was 
owned  by  the  late  C.  William  Hicks, 
founder  of  a  Baltimore  theatre  circuit. 

Para,  Case  Figures 
In  Video  Hearings 

Washington,  July  6. — Paramount 
and  20th  Century-Fox,  along  with 
three  other  applicants,  have  settled 
down  to  a  long  wait  for  the  Federal 
Communications  Commission  decision 
on  allocation  of  two  remaining  tele- 
vision channels  for  San  Francisco. 

Hearings  ended  here  last  Friday 
night.  A  decision  is  not  anticipated 
before  the  fall  at  the  earliest.  One  of 
the  last  actions  at  the  hearing  on  Fri- 
day was  for  20th-Fox  to  file  its  ver- 
sion of  the  litigation  record  in  the 
Paramount  case.  Paramount  must  still 
file  its  version.  Both  documents  were 
requested  by  FCC  examiner  Jack 
Blume,  who  presided  over  the  hear- 
ings. There  has  been  some  specula- 
tion that  the  Supreme  Court's  decision 
in  the  Paramount  case  might  weight 
the  FCC  against  the  two  film  compa- 
nies     Other  annlicants  for  the  rrian- 

nels  are  independent  station  KROW, 
Columbia  Broadcasting   System,  and 
Ed  Pauley's  Television  California. 

No  M.&P.  Price  Cuts 

Boston,  July  6.— M.  and  P.  Thea- 
tres is  not  contemplating  any  reduc- 
tions or  other  changes  in  admission 
prices  for  any  of  its  houses,  according 
to  M.  and  P.  executives. 

Edmunds  in  KATO  Post 

Louisville,  July  6. — John  Edmunds 
has  been  named  contact  man  for  the 
Kentucky    Association    of  Theatre 
Owners. 

MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Her&Id,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


&OSH  I 
AN 

BAST  BR 
MR  APS 
IN  c/l/LY  /  " 

That's  what  the  cops  at  45th  Street 
and  Broadway  are  saying  as  crowds 
of  people  block  traffic  at  Loew's 
State  Theatre  to  see  M-G-M's  pre- 
sentation of  Irving  Berlin's  "EASTER 
PARADE."  New  records!  New  box- 
office  lines  never  before  witnessed  in 
the  2 7- year  history  of  this  theatre! 

THE  PARADE  THAT  WILL 
SOON  SPAN  THE  NATION! 


Convention, 


•nie  op-**  o£  the  °he  «orlo .  triumph 


ill 


falter  Wagers 


II 


Here's  the  ad  that  opened 
Philadelphia's  all-out 
newspaper  campaign  .  .  . 
with  a  day-after-day 
build-up  to  powerful  full- 
page  blasts  on  world 
premiere  day. 


J  IT  •  heins  *e  Convention  ^. 

u.  takes  pride  «>**  ng„r -.oy  in  announe ing 
1ust  as  Ph^'P^htti  take  P»«,C^  n»ny  J—1  umorous 

wiU  soon  at»«  °         ance  «  *e  S  bREATHT^ 
clirnaXed  by  ^  W  alieady  been  cal 

N^S^^INMEN  isaaaed*ethriU 
IN  toHs^^'^o^riU-; 

haven  t  seei 


°  J„ly  i*that  ,h 


.^.U  Never  fot9e« 

r  fhis  P'"*u*e! 


On  July  14th,  Philadelphia  will  thrill  to  two  great  events.  Sharing  the  excitement  of  the 
Democratic  National  Convention,  Walter  Wanger's  Technicolor  triumph,  "Tap  Roots,"  will  have  its 
gala  World  Premiere  at  the  Goldman  Theatre,  with  day-and-date  premieres  throughout  the  territory. 

Personal  appearances  by  a  Hollywood  cavalcade,  headed  by  Van  Heflin,  Julie  London,  Boris 
Karloff  and  Richard  Long,  will  launch  Philadelphia's  most  important  motion  picture  event  in  many 
years. 

A  thousand  leading  correspondents  of  the  nation's  press  and  radio,  covering  the  Convention, 
will  attend  a  special  midnight  preview  of  "Tap  Roots" . .  .Top  national  radio  programs  will  salute  "Tap 
Roots"  over  ABC,  CBS  and  Mutual  networks . . .  Full  page  national  magazine  and  newspaper  ad  tie-ups 
with  Chesterfield,  General  Electric  and  Lux  have  been  timed  for  the  premiere. 

It  all  adds  up  to  tremendous  selling  power  for  "Tap  Roots"  when  it  plays  your  house ! 

Compared  with  "G.WT.  W."  by  Trade  Press! 


Front-paged  in  MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY:  "One  for  the 
money  — and  plenty  of  it.  A  big  show  handled  in  a  big 
way,  this  attraction  is  one  of  the  most  ambitious  since 
'Gone  With  the  Wind.'  Handled  with  scope  and  sweep . . . 
to  entertain  and  hold  audiences  in  substantial  number." 

• 

Featured  in  FILM  DAILY:  "Should  attract  a  large  audi- 
ence. Grand  scale  stuff  in  fine  Technicolor  that  pulsates 
with  action.  Powerf ul . . .  told  with  sweep  and  vigor. 
More  than  fair  comparison  with  'Gone  With  the  Wind."' 

• 

MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD:  "Top  grade.  Solid  mer- 
chandise, commercially.  Excellent.  Not  since  'Gone 
With  the  Wind'  has  Hollywood  dealt  with  the  Civil 
War  theme  to  such  dramatic  and  pictorial  advantage." 


SHOWMEN'S  TRADE  REVIEW:  '"Tap   Roots'  is  the 

essence  of  screen  entertainment!  One  of  the  biggest 

pictures  of  the  year.  Done  on  a  grand  scale... a  real 

spectacle  that  justly  deserves  the  adjectives  'big.' 

Audiences  will  remember  it  a  long  time." 

• 

BOXOFFICE:  "Should  result  in  top  takes  in  all  bookings. 

Sure  to  please.  Plenty  of  red  meat  for  disciples  of  both 

torrid  romance  and  hard-hitting  action." 

• 

VARIETY:  "High  romance,  color  lensing,  sex  implica- 
tions and  broad  action  will  give  it  ticket-window 
attention." 

THE  EXHIBITOR:  "Top  notch.  Should  do  well  at  box- 
offices  throughout  the  country." 


WALTER  WANGER  Presents 


VAN  HEFLIN  •  SUSAN  HAYWARD  in 

TAP  ROOTS  ^tyi^uuc^r 


with  BORIS  KARLOFF  •  JULIE  LONDON   •  WARD  BOND  •  RICHARD  LONG 

And  Introducing  WHITFIELD  CONNOR 

Screenplay  by  ALAN  LE  MAY  .  •  ^Additional  Dialogue  by  LIONEL  WIGGAM  •  From  the  Novel  by  JAMES  STREET 
Directed  by  GEORGE  MARSHALL     •      Produced  by  WALTER  WANGER  PICTURES.  Inc. 

A  george  Marshall  production   .  A  UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL  RELEASE 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  7,  1948 


WE  Reproducers  to 
28  Studios  Abroad 


Twenty-eight  Western  Electric  re- 
producing systems  have  been  delivered 
to  as  many  studios  in  12  foreign  coun- 
tries, reports  E.  S.  Gregg,  vice-presi- 
dent of  Westrex  Corp.,  WE's  foreign 
equipment  affiliate. 

The  equipment  went  to  the  follow- 
ing studios : 

England:  M-G-M  British  at  Els- 
tree  ;  D.  and  P.  at  Denham ;  London 
Film,  Littleton  Park ;  Gate,  at  Els- 
tree  ;  British  Paramount  News,  Lon- 
don, and  London  and  British  Movie- 
tone News,  London.  France  :  M-G-M 
Studio  and  Studios  Cinema,  Paris. 
The  Netherlands :  Profilti  Studio,  The 
Hague,  and  Polygoon  Films,  Haarlem. 
Switzerland :  Praesens-Film,  Zurich, 
and  Gamma-Film,  Lausanne. 

Also,  Italy:  M-G-M  Studio  and 
Lux  Film,  Rome.  Morocco :  Magh- 
reb Films,  Casablanca.  Egypt:  Misr 
and  N  alias  studios,  Cairo.  India : 
Vauhini  Films,  Madras ;  Central  and 
Rajkamal  Kalamandir  studios,  Bom- 
bay. China :  Rural  Films,  Nanking ; 
Young  Wha  Studios,  Hong  Kong,  and 
Chinese  Film  Corp.,  Shanghai.  Ar- 
gentina :  Emelco,  Buenos  Aires,  and 
Film  Andes,  Mendoza.  Mexico :  Cine 
Sonido,  Mexico  City.  Australia : 
Commonwealth  and  Fox  Movietone 
News,  Sydney. 


Joins  Blaine-Thompson 

Charles  Stark,  former  vice-president 
and  general  manager  of  Station 
WMCA,  has  been  appointed  director 
of  radio  and  television  for  the  Blaine- 
Thompson  agency  here. 


House  Group  Probe 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


hibitors  and  independents  have  been 
complaining  about  in  all  of  the  court 
actions  and  in  all  of  the  cases  that  did 
not  get  to  court.  The  economic  coun- 
sel, a  former  Federal  Trade  Commis- 
sion lawyer  and  economist,  met  this 
morning  with  Allied  States  general 
counsel  Abram  F.  Myers  and  repre- 
sentatives of  independent  organizations 
in  other  industries.  He  also  revealed 
that  he  has  had  "several  conferences" 
with  representatives  of  the  Society  of 
Independent  Motion  Picture  Produc- 
ers of  Hollywood.  Both  Allied  and 
the  SIMPP  pledged  their  support  to 
the  committee  when  its  investigation 
was  first  announced  in  May. 

The  committee  is  still  drawing  up 
its  plans.  It  has  sent  questionnaires 
to  several  thousand  film  and  other-  in- 
dependent businessmen,  and  has  tenta- 
tive schedules  for  local  hearings  in 
about  four  cities  this  fall,  to  be  fol- 
lowed by  Washington  hearings.  The 
committee  will  take  to  the  road  again 


early  next  year,  according  to  the  pres- 
ent schedule.  Philadelphia,  Minne- 
apolis and  New  Orleans  are  among 
cities  now  being  mentioned  for  the  fall 
hearings. 

Myers,  it  was  understood,  today 
suggested  that  the  committee  make 
recommendations  on  preventing  exces- 
sive delays  in  anti-trust  actions.  A 
new  anti-trust  court  was  suggested  by 
the  Allied  official,  who  cited  the  Para- 
mount case  as  a  "horrible  example"  of 
the  delays  that  large  firms  can  throw 
up  against  anti-trust  suits,  whether 
brought  by  the  Government  or  private 
individuals. 

In  May,  Allied's  board  meeting  at 
Denver  told  the  committee  it  should 
check  into  the  possibility  of  banning 
vertical  integration  and  also  making 
the  Robinson- Patman  Act  ban  on  dis- 
crimination apply  to  licenses  as  well 
as  to  actual  sales. 

Myers  said  he  had  "no  doubt"  that 
officials  of  Allied  units  would  testify 
at  the  local  hearings  wherever  pos- 
sible. He  will  continue  to  cooperate 
directly  with  the  committee  staff  here. 


Theatre  Building  in 
High  Gear  in  Brazil 

Sao  Paulo,  Brazil,  July  1  (By  Air- 
mail).— In  spite  of  the  difficulties  of 
building  and»  an  almost  certain  com- 
mercial depression,  theatre  building  is 
on  the  increase  here.  All  over  the 
country  new  theatres  are  opening  al- 
most daily,  and  owners  of  large  and 
small  theatres  are  making  every  effort 
to  improve  their  equipment. 

A  Federal  decree  now  makes  it  com- 
pulsory to  obtain  import  licenses  be- 
fore ordering  projection  equipment. 
Of  some  10,000  requests  for  licenses, 
about  100  have  been  granted. 


Merger  Plans  to  *4A' 
Units  for  Approval 

Merger  plans  for  the  creation  of  one 
powerful  union  in  the  talent  field  have 
been  placed  before  all  branches  of  the 
Associated  Actors  and  Artistes  of 
America  for  their  consideration.  The 
proposals  grew  out  of  an  AAAA  con- 
ference held  at  the  Hotel  Roosevelt 
recently. 

It  is  understood  that  if  the  AAAA 
branches  reject  the  proposals,  the 
merger  drive  will  be  abandoned.  If 
the  idea  is  approved,  it  is  expected 
that  additional  conferences  will  be 
held  to  consider  the  matter  further. 


NLRB  Hearing  Starts 
On  New  U.A.  Aspect 

National    Labor    Relations  Board 
field  examiner  Arthur  Younger  heard 
arguments  here  yesterday  in  connec- 
tion with  an  NLRB  investigation  of 
charges  made  by  IATSE  Home  Office 
Employes  Local  No.  H-63  that  entry 
of  a  third  disputant  in  the  competition 
for  labor  jurisdiction  at  United  Art- 
ists' home  office  was  a  maneuver  by 
Screen  Office  and  Professipnal  E$8 
ployes  Guild  to  circumvent  the 
local  in  its  bid  for  an  NLRB  JJJ 
election  among  UA  home  office  "white 
collarites." 

Younger  is  expected  to  decide  this 
week  whether  the  third  disputant  will 
be  permitted  to  appear  on  the  elec- 
tion ballots. 


Palestinian  Film  to  20th 

"Israel  Reborn"  of  Palestine  Films 
will  be  distributed  in  the  U.  S.  by 
20th  Century-Fox,  it  was  announced 
here  by  Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  general 
sales  manager.  "Israel  Reborn"  is 
a  one-reeler  containing  scenes  of  the 
birth  of  the  new  State  of  Israel,  pro- 
duced by  Norman  Lourie  and  Joseph 
Krumgold,  heads  of  Palestine  Films. 


Theatres  in  Canada 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


cent  in  the  early  months  of  this  year. 
The  20  per  cent  wartime  tax,  abol- 
ished on  May  19,  continues  in  some 
provinces  as  a  local  source  of  revenue. 
Its  abolition  for  the  most  part  of  the 
country,  however,  will  bring  back 
grosses  to  previous  levels,  it  is  be- 
lieved by  Canadian  film  executives. 


Picture  Story  No.  2 
of  the  bombload 
of  laughs 
that  made 
The  Exhibitor 
rate  it 

THE  BEST  SHOW 
IN  MANY  A  MOON 


When  John-nee  has  himself  a  hot 
time  in  the  "cold"  war,  "no  one 
will  want  to  miss  it"  says  Show- 
men's Trade  Review. 


Wednesday,  July  7,  1948 


Motion  Picture  daily 


7 


Top  Industry  Salaries 
Listed  by  U.  S.  Treasury 


Washington,  July  6. — Charles  P. 
Skouras,  president  of  National  Thea- 
tres Amusement  Co.  and  Fox  West 
Coast  Agency  Corp.,  drew  $985,300  in 
salary  and  bonuses  in  1946,  to  lead 
''_  first  installment  of  the  Treasury 
■  2>i"tment's  ijst  Gf  top  U.  S.  wage 

ttts.  His  income  compared  with 
$568,143  for  the  previous  year. 

Salaries  listed  are  gross  and 
do  not  give  effect  to  large  Fed- 
eral and  state  income  taxes. 

Film  producer  William  Wyler 
drew  $432,000  from  Samuel  Goldwyn 
Productions  to  rank  second  on  today's 
list,  while  Bing  Crosby,  with  $325,000 
from  Paramount,  ranked  eighth.  Bet- 
ty Grable,  with  $299,300  from  20th 
Century-Fox,  ranked  ninth  nationally 
and  was  top-salaried  woman  on  the 
current  list. 

Other  highly-paid  film  figures  on 
the  list  were  Hedy  Lamarr,  with 
$279,800  from  Mars  Film  Corp. ;  Cary 
Grant,  with  $278,125  from  Goldwyn; 
Bob  Hope,  with  $275,000  from  Para- 
mount, and  Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  with 
$260,000  from  20th  Century-Fox. 

Four  Companies  Missing 

The  figures  do  not  cover  dividends 
and  other  income  outside  salary,  all 
bonuses  and  certain  extra  compensa- 
tion. The  list  did  not  include  Metro, 
Warners,  RKO  and  Universal,  which 
have  contributed  many  top  wage  earn- 
ers in  past  years.  Many  film  figures 
on  the  list  may  also  boost  their  total 


take  when  these  and  other  film  firms 
are  listed. 

Skouras  received  $130,000  from  Fox 
West  Coast,  and  $855,300  from  Na- 
tional. The  million-a-year  mark  has 
not  been  cracked  since  Leo  McCarey 
received  $1,113,035  for  1944. 

Here  are  the  company-by-company 
listings  of  their  over  $75,000  wage- 
earners  : 

$159,000  for  Balaban 

Paramount:  Lewis  A.  Allen,  $79,500;  Bar- 
ney Balaban,  $159,000;  Edmund  Beloin,  $85,- 
750;  Claude  Binyon,  $122,500;  Edward  V. 
Bracken,  $96,249;  Charles  Brackett,  $116,791; 
Frank  R.  Butler,  $102,625;  Bing  Crosby, 
$325,000;  Roland  Culver,  $84,270;  Marlene 
Dietrich,  $100,000;  John  V.  Farrow,  $122,- 
791;  Y.  Frank  Freeman,  $132,500;  Tav  Gar- 
nett,  $150,000;  Henry  Ginsberg,  $220,000; 
Paulette  Goddard,  $118,589;  Leonard  H. 
Goldenson,  $85,000;  Bob  Hope,  $275,000; 
Paul  M.  Jones,  $92,900;  Austin  C.  Keough, 
$85,000;  Milton  Krims,  $84,708;  Alan  W. 
Ladd,  $212,000;  Dorothy  Lamour,  $175,083; 
Sidney  Lanfield,  $117,812;  Mitchell  Leisen, 
$192,737;  Kenneth  McGowan,  $89,416;  Fred 
MacMurray,  $150,000;  George  Marshall, 
$159,000;  Ray  Milland,  $229,166;  Charles  M. 
Reagan,  $81,482;  Sol  C.  Siegel,  $77,083;  Bet- 
ty Hutton,  $164,500;  Sonny  Tufts,  $90,666; 
Harry  Tugend,  $153,000;  Billy  Wilder,  $166,- 
083;  Dwight  M.  Wiley,  $76,416;  P.  J.  Wolf- 
son,  $96,000;  Victor  Young,  $79,500;  Adolph 
Zukor,  $136,400. 

20th  Century-Fox:  William  Bacher,  $91,- 
166;  Lloyd  Bacon,  $177,958;  Anne  Baxter, 
$86,041;  Ronald  Colman,  $75,824;  Thomas  J. 
Connors,  $110,400;  Linda  Darnell,  $111,333; 
Richard  W.  Day,  $78,000;  Philip  Dunne, 
$83,810;  Mack  Gordon,  $104,000;  Edmund 
Goulding,  $178,333;  Betty  Grable,  $299,333; 
Rex  Harrison,  $174,750;  Henry  Hathaway, 
$135,666;  June  Haver,  $80,708;  Dick 
Haymes,  $95,000;  Frederick  Herbert,  $134.- 
125;  Samuel  Hoffenstein,  $92,325;  H.  Bruce 
Humberstone,  $99,583;  Harry  James,  $100,- 


Increase  in  Studio 
Labor  Employment 

Hollywood,  July  6. — The  film 
production  employment  index 
rose  to  83.3  per  cent  in  May 
from  April's  79.5,  according 
to  the  California  Labor  Sta- 
tistics Bureau,  which  uses 
1940  level  as  100.  May  a  year 
ago  hit  101.6.  Average  weekly 
earnings  for  May,  1948,  were 
$97.94,  compared  with  $96.69 
in  April. 


036;  George  Jessel,  $117,666;  Henry  King, 
$165,000;  Fred  Kohlmar,  $91,000;  Walter  R. 
Lang,  $185,000;  Louis  D.  Lighten,  $140,000; 
Ernst  Lubitsch,  $120,000;  Joseph  Mankie- 
wicz,  $190,333;  Gene  Markey,  $109,825;  Mary 
C.  McCall,  Jr.,  $106,000;  William  C.  Michel. 
$84,800;  Thomas  Mitchell,  $121,875;  George 
Montgomery,  $84,916;  Joseph  Moskowitz. 
$104,000;  Alfred  Newman,  $104,333;  Lloyd 
Nolan,  $76,300;  Maureen  O'Hara,  $199,333; 
John  Payne,  $96,875;  William  Perlberg, 
$182,000;  Tyrone  Power,  $189,500;  Otto  L. 
Preminger,  $206,750;  Vincent  Price,  Jr., 
$79,400;  Gregory  Ratoff,  $182,000;  Cesar  Ro- 
mero, $89,250;  Lew  Schreiber,  $130,000; 
George  E.  Seaton,  $156,000;  Spyros  P. 
Skouras,  $201,899;  John  M.  Stahl,  $195,000; 
Gene  Tierney,  $195,000;  Lamar  Trotti,  $149,- 
520;  Clifton  Webb,  $97,000;  Cornel  L. 
Wilde,  $130,000;  Robert  G.  Young,  $100,000; 
Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  $260,000.  _ 

Samuel  Goldwyn  Productions :  Dana  An- 
drews, $182,233;  Sylvia  Fine,  $133,928;  Cary 
Grant,  $278,125;  Howard  Hawks,  $250,000; 
Danny  Kaye,  $133,928;  Henry  Roster,  $125,- 
000;  David  Niven,  $194,000;  Robert  E.  Sher- 
wood, $208,000;.  Harry  Tugend,  $100,000; 
William  Wyler,  $432,000;  Loretta  Young, 
$186,666. 

$279,800  for  Hedy  Lamarr 

Mars  Film  Corp.:  Jack  Chertok,  $153,- 
200;  Louis  Hayward,  $86,250;  Hedy  La- 
marr, $279,800;  George  Sanders,  $85,333. 
The  Treasury  pointed  out  that  a  large  part 
of  these  individuals'  income  was  not  paid 
in   1946,   but   will   come   out   of  profits  of 


"Dishonored  Lady"  and  "The  Strange 
Woman." 

Phil  Berg-Bert  Allenberg,  Inc.:  Bert  Al- 
lenberg,   $112,741;    Phil   Berg,  $112,661. 

Chaplin  Studios,  Inc.:  Charles  Chaplin, 
$119,000. 

Empire  Productions,  Inc.:  Hunt  Strom- 
berg,  $150,000.  (Paid  $75,000  in  1946  and 
$75X00  in  1947  prior  to  March  15,  1947.) 

Enterprise  Productions,  Inc.:  S.  Charles 
Einfeld,  $78,000. 

Famous  Artists  Corp.:  Charles  K.  Feld- 
man,  $126,941. 

Fox  Inter-Mountain  Amusement  Corp.: 
F.   H.  Ricketson,  Jr.,  $119,296. 

Fox  Mid- West  Amusement  Corp.:  Elmer 
C.  Rhoden,  $119,445. 

Lexington  Productions,  Inc.:  Barbara 
Stanwyck,  $100,000. 

Mark  Productions,  Inc.:  Jules  Dassin, 
$85,000;  Barry  Fitzgerald,  $83,333;  Mark 
Hellinger,  $156,000. 

Cakmont  Pictures,  Inc.:  Charles  Coburn, 
$100,000;  George  Sanders,  $100,000. 

Hal  Roach  Studios:  William  Bendix, 
$163,811. 

Andy  Russell,  Inc.:  Andy  Russell, 
$121,437. 

United  States  Pictures,  Inc.:  Gary  Coop- 
er, $199,999;  Fritz  Lang,  $178,124. 

Vanguard  Films,  Inc.:  Neil  F.  Agnew, 
$131,658;  Joseph  Gotten,  $121,103;  William 
Dieterle,  $204,375;  Mervyn  LeRoy,  $118,333; 
Ginger  Rogers,  $84,478;  Allan  Scott,  $145,- 
291;  Shirley  Temple,  $135,541. 

B.  and  K.  Management  Corp.:  John  Bala- 
ban, $111,890. 

Schine  Chain  Theatres,  Inc.:  J.  M. 
Schine,  $102,200. 

20th  Century-Fox  International  Corp.: 
Murray  Silverstone,  $91,283. 

United)  Artists  Corp.:  Gradwell  L.  Sears, 
$130,000. 


Three  More  Theatres 
Under  Way  in  Cal. 

San  Francisco,  July  6. — Plans  for 
two  new  theatres,  a  drive-in  on  a  site 
recently  acquired  by  Joseph  Blumen- 
feld  and  Louis  Kaliski  and  the  other 
to  be  built  by  T.  and  D.  circuit  in 
Susanville,  have  been  announced  here. 
Meanwhile,  construction  is  under  way 
at  Willow  Glen  on  a  1,200-seat  house 
to  be  operated  by  J.  B.  Lima,  Walter 
Preddy  and  Ben  Levin. 


wmmmmmmmmmmm 


JEAN 

ARTHUR 
VIETRICH 


JOHN 


WND 


MILLARD  MITCHELL 
Produced  by  CHARLES  BRACKETT 

Directed  by  BILLY  WILDER 

Screenplay  by  Charles  Brackett,  Billy  Wilder,  and 
Richard  L.  Breen   «   Adaptation  by  Robert  Horari 
A  Paramount  Picture 


'When  Miss  Phoebe  Frost  gets  de- 
tfrosted,  the  N.Y.  World-Telegram 
i says  "it  stirs  up  more  mirth  than 
nany  movie  this  year." 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  7,  1948 


New  York  Grosses 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

"Fort  Apache"  and  Lena  Home  on 
stage,  for  a  second  week  at  the 
Capitol.  At  LoeWs  State,  "Easter 
Parade"  is  having  a  rousing  first  week 
with  a  handsome  $92,000  expected. 
"Romance  on  the  High  Seas"  together 
with  Bob  Crosby's  band  on  stage,  is 
satisfactory  at  the  Strand  where  a 
second  week  looks  like  $42,000. 

Two  houses  which  have  been  in  a 
slump  lately  are  enjoying  livelier 
business  again  this  week,  although 
their  current  grosses  are  far  from 
sensational.  They  are  the  Winter 
Garden,  where  "Man-Eater  of  Ku- 
maon"  is  expected  to  draw  $32,000  for 
a  first  week,  and  the  Rivoli,  where 
the  first  week  of  the  re-issued  "The 
Crusades"  looks  like  $30,000. 

Elsewhere  business  is  shaping  up 
about  as  follows :  "Fighting-  Father 
Dunne,"  Victoria,  second  and  final 
week,  $12,500  (very  mild)  ;  "Melody 
Time,"  Astor,  sixth  week,  $19,000 
(fair)  ;  "The  Lady  from  Shanghai," 
Criterion,  fourth  and  final  week, 
$12,500  (very  disappointing)  ;  "Arch 
of  Triumph,"  Globe,  11th  week,  $10,- 
000  (moderate) ;  "Time  of  Your 
Life,"  Mayfair,  sixth  week,  $17,500 
(mild)  ;  "Hatter's  Castle,"  Ambassa- 
dor, first  and  final  week,  $5,500 
(poor). 

"Canon  City"  bows  in  at  the  Cri- 
terion today,  and  "Raw  Deal"  will 
take  over  at  the  Victoria  tomorrow. 


'Frisco  DST  Ending 

San  Francisco,  July  6. — Daylight 
saving  time  which  went  into  effect  in 
California  January  1  will  probably  be 
terminated  on  September  25,  according 
to  a  statement  issued  by  Governor 
Warren.  Daylight  saving,  which  has 
always  been  vigorously  opposed  by  the 
film  industry,  was  put  into  effect  by 
the  Governor's  proclamation  due  to  a 
power  shortage. 


Strike  Hits  Worcester 

Boston,  July  6. — Theatre  business 
in  Worcester  suffered  heavy  losses 
over  the  holiday  weekend  due  to  a 
strike  of  800  operating  employes  of 
the  Worcester  Street  Railway.  Shut- 
down of  theatres  is  expected  if  the 
strike  continues.  Merchants  have  al- 
ready closed  their  doors. 


Reels  Aid  TO  A  Drive 

All  five  newsreels  in  their  midweek 
editions  out  today  will  carry  coverage 
of  activities  at  two  Kansas  City  chil- 
dren's camps,  this  in  support  of  the 
Theatre  Owners  of  America's  Youth 
Month  campaign,  of  which  Charles  P. 
Skouras  is  chairman. 


OF  COURSE 


TEXAS, 
tOGKLYi 


sent  from  UA 


III 


Review 


'Key  Largo' 


(Warner  Brothers) 

DRAWING  on  the  play  of  the  same  name  by  Maxwell  Anderson,  Warner 
•kicks  in  with  a  corking  drama  of  men  and  women  under  emotional  and 
physical  stress  and  how  each  emerges,  or  succumbs,  according  to  his  or  her 
fortitude. 

In  a  number  of  respects,  this  attraction  more  sharply  resembles  a  stage  play 
than  a  motion  picture.  Most  of  the  drama  is  enacted  inside  the  hotel  operated 
by  Lionel  Barrymore  at  Key  Largo,  hurricane-swept  pinpoint  on  the  keys 
off  the  Florida  coast.  There,  Humphrey  Bogart,  unencumbered  by  any  objec- 
tive and  not  caring  about  one,  drops  in  to  meet  the  father,  Barrymore,  and 
the  widow,  Lauren  Bacall,  of  a  war-time  buddy  who  lost  his  life  in  Italy. 

In  possession  is  Edward  G.  Robinson,  overlord  of  the  Chicago  underworld 
en  route  to  Cuba  in  a  race  to  outwit  the  Government.  His  attaches — a  fine 
lot — include  Thomas  Gomez,  Harry  Lewis  and  Dan  Seymour;  and  Claire 
Trevor,  his  girl  friend  about  to  pass  out  of  favor.  Outside  is  a  speed  cruiser 
to  provide  the  getaway  after  one  more  deal  in  counterfeit  money  is  closed. 

Robinson  and  his  crew  are  in  command,  and  the  others  openly  are  his 
prisoners.  The  cocky  underworld  leader  makes  advances  to  Miss  Bacall.  He 
shoots  an  already  wounded  deputy  police  officer  dead.  Two  inoffensive  Sem- 
inoles  are  killed  by  another  police  officer  acting  on  false  information  callously 
furnished  by  him.  Initially,  Bogart  is  unaroused,  indifferent  and  unwilling  to 
become  a  hero  at  the  risk  of  his  own  skin.  As  the  tenseness  mounts,  however, 
so  does  the  rising  fury  of  a  hurricane.  Changes  occur. 

Robinson  no  longer  is  the  bragging  and  domineering  kingpin.  All  this 
veneer  is  torn  to  shreds  by  the  forces  of  nature.  As  he  disintegrates,  Bogart 
contrariwise  gains  strength  and  conviction  until  his  inherent  belief  in  decency 
takes  over  and  determines  him  to  work  for  the  elimination  of  Robinson  and 
his  gang. 

This  comes  about  when  the  racketeers  take  off  for  Cuba  with  Bogart  as 
their  hostage-pilot.  He  kills  two  of  the  henchmen,  forces  another  overboard, 
and  finally  pumps  Robinson  full  of  lead  as  mercilessly  as  Robinson  would 
have  shot  Bogart  and  returns  the  boat  to  its  home  port  where  a  romance 
with  Miss  Bacall  is  suggested. 

These  story  essentials  certainly  are  not  new  after  the  hundreds  of  gangster 
films  on  Hollywood's  record.  But  "Key  Largo"  obviously  relies  far  more  on 
character  study  and  delineation  than  on  straight  melodramatic  action  of  which 
it  has  comparatively  little.  Thus,  there  was  offered  a  clear  opportunity  for 
good  performers  to  show  the  stuff  of  which  they  are  made.  In  the  main, 
the  principals  come  through. 

Bogart  here  delivers  another  of  his  competent,  low-pitched  performances. 
So,  too,  does  Miss  Bacall.  Robinson  is  as  tough  and  as  craven  as  ever  he 
was  in  the  days  when  he  was  Warners'  arch  criminal.  Lionel  Barrymore  is 
up  to  his  standard  as  the  chair-ridden  hotel  owner.  The  secondary  roles  are 
well  done. 

But  reserved  for  Miss  Trevor  is  a  commendation  which  becomes  hers 
alone.  Between  love  for  Robinson  and  her  fear  which  she  seeks  to  forget  in 
liquor,  she  gives  a  performance  of  superb  shadings  and  sympathy.  It  can  be 
argued  with  little  fear  of  substantial  contradiction  that  hers  is  the  best  piece 
of  acting  in  the  entire  cast. 

Jerry  Wald  produced  this  interesting  film  with  John  Huston  ("The  Trea- 
sure of  the  Sierra  Madre")  directing,  from  an  intelligent  script  of  his  own 
in  association  with  Richard  Brooks.  Their  combination  effort  deserves  praise 
and  a  bit  of  censure.  The  censure  is  for  allowing  "Key  Largo"  to  consume 
more  running  time  than  is  best  for  it.  Well-done  and  exciting  as  the  film  now 
stands,  this  attraction  could  have  been  even  more  taut  if  more  concise. 

Running  time,  101  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
July  31.  Red  Kann 


'C  Rating  to  'Nais'; 
Six  Others  Listed 

"Nais"  (French)  distributed  here 
by  Siritzky  International,  has  been 
placed  in  Class  C  by  the  National  Le- 
gion of  Decency  in  its  classification  of 
seven  new  films  this  week.  Rated  as 
A-I  are :  "Blazing  Across  the  Pecos," 
Columbia ;  "Deep  Waters,"  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox; "Timber  Trail,"  Republic, 
and  "Northwest  Stampede,"  Eagle- 
Lion.  In  A-I  I  are  "Abbott  and  Cos- 
tello  Meet  Frankenstein,"  Universal- 
International,  and  "Romance  on  the 
High  Seas,"  Warners. 


Fete  Stevenson,  Bolton 

San  Francisco,  July  6. — Rex  O. 
Stevenson,  former  San  Francisco  di- 
vision manager  for  the  Golden  State 
Theatre  Circuit,  was  guest  last  week 
at  a  midnight  supper  given  by  25  thea- 
tre managers  and  other  executives  of 
the  circuit.  Also  a  guest  was  David 
J.  Bolton,  who,  with  Stevenson,  has 
formed  the  new  Trans-California  The- 
tre  Co.  to  build  and  operate  theatres 
in  this  area. 


Conciliation  Plan 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


when"  the  first  conciliation  and  medi- 
ation cases  will  be  brought  up.  First 
meeting  of  the  NCA  grievance  com- 
mittee has  been  set  for  July  12,  with 
regular  meetings  slated  to  be  held  the 
first  Monday  of  each  month  there- 
after. 

A  bulletin  will  be  mailed  this  week 
to  NCA  members  and  other  exhibi- 
tors in  the  territory  instructing  them 
on  procedure  in  filing  complaints 
against  20th-Fox,  and  it  is  expected 
the  bulletin  also  will  seek  informa- 
tion on  trade  complaints  against  other 
companies. 


5th-Walnut  Bid 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


has  submitted  to  the  court  a  motion 
for  verdict  reversal  and  will  argue 
before  Federal  Judge  Vincent  L.  Lei- 
bel  on  Friday  for  a  ruling  in  favor  of 
the  plaintiff. 

Should  his  motion  be  unsuccessful, 
Stein  said  yesterday,  the  plaintiff  will 
move  for  a  new  trial.  Third  recourse 
would  be  an  appeal  of  the  jury  verdict. 


Allvine  Named  Aide 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


in  the  film  industry,  having  joined 
Paramount  as  a  publicist  in  1920.  He 
was  director  of  advertising  and  pub- 
licity for  Fox  from  1927  to  1932,  and 
for  three  years,  beginning  in  1933  pro- 
duced for  RKO.  In  1936  he  went  to 
Paramount  as  chairman  of  the  editori- 
al board  at  the  Coast  studio.  Before 
joining  the  Motion  Picture  Associa- 
tion he  wrote  a  play,  "Knights  "i. 
Song,"  and  was  publicist  for  the 
ter  Theatre,  New  York.  . 

The  team  also  includes  John  t 
Dulles  as  advisor  on  foreign  affairs ; 
James  C.  Hagerty,  who  will  handle 
newspapers  and  magazines ;  Rep. 
Leonard  Hall,  who  will  blend  the  cam- 
paign with  Congressional  contests ; 
James  Burton,  in  charge  of  a  research 
staff,  and  Ford  Bond,  who  will  super- 
vise the  radio  campaign. 


Pa.  Allied 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


legitimate  grievances  which  cannot  be 
righted  except  by  substantial  conces- 
sions from  distributors  and  the  affili- 
ated theatres,"  it  was  said.  "Wherever 
and  whenever  a  member  of  this  asso- 
ciation with  legitimate  grievance  de- 
sires the  support  of  this  organization 
in  litigation  or  in  negotiation  with 
other  elements  of  this  industry  he  will 
get  such  support  to  the  fullest  extent. 

"There  is  no  evidence  now  present 
in  the  film  rentals  being  demanded  by 
the  distributors,  or  in  their  efforts  to 
circumvent  the  decision  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court,  to  create  the 
preliminary  confidence  absolutely  nec- 
essary for  the  success  of  any  concilia- 
tion plan,"  declared  Pennsylvania 
Allied's  statement. 


FIVE -  STAR 

DC-6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

3%  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


JOE  LOUIS  in 

THE  FIGHT  NEVER  ENDS 

Now  available  for  booking 

ALEXANDER  RELEASING  CORP. 

306  Lenox  Ave.,  New  York  City 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


MOTldKf^RSTURE 


MOTION  PICTURE  ASSOC .  OF 
AM  £  R : C A ,    I n C .    ( CH  AM  3ERS) 
28  WEST  44TH  ST., 
NEW  YORK  18, 
H.  Y. 


64.  NO.  5 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  JULY  8,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


UK  Exhibitors 
Threaten  To 
Boycott  Rank 

If  He  Persists  on  High 
Rentals,  CEA  Will  Act 

London,  July  7. — If  J.  Arthur 
Rank  persists  in  his  plans  to  secure 
increased  rentals  from  British  ex- 
hibitors, a  boycott  of  Rank  product 
will  be  instituted  by  them,  it  was  in- 
dicated here  today  by  a  ranking  Cine- 
matograph Exhibitors  Association 
spokesman. 

CEA's  board  of  directors,  it 
was  said,  is  prepared  to  signal 
for  the  boycott  by  issuing  a 
circular  counselling  the  organi- 
zation's members  to  refuse  to 
book  any  Rank  film  and  to  take 
legal  protection  in  this  connec- 
tion in  the  escape  clauses  of 
the  British  quota  act. 

Although  Rank  has  not  yet  officially 
announced  the  new  terms  he  is  seek- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


20th's  '21-Day'  Plan 
Scores  in  Cleveland 


Cleveland,  July  7. — Adoption  of  the 
21 -day  test  clearance  plan  by  20th 
Century-Fox  in  this  area  has  resulted 
in  consistent  increases  in  weekly  rev- 
enue for  the  exchange  here,  according 
to  20th  Century-Fox  spokesmen  who 
claim  that  the  policy  has  been  well 
received. 

According  to  sales  records,  it  is 
said,  Cleveland  leads  all  other  branch- 
es of  the  company  in  sales  on  18  of 
the  past  20  feature  releases.  Under  the 
new  selling,  20th-Fox  offers  a  21-day 
availability  to  selected  deluxe  sub- 
urban first-runs  which  previously 
were  held  to  a  35-day  clearance. 


'Amber'  in  General 
Release  September  15 

"Forever  Amber"  will  go  into  gen- 
eral release  on  September  15,  accord- 
ing to  20th  Century-Fox,  which  states 
the  film  played  4,992  engagements  at 
advanced  prices  in  the  last  quarter  of 
1947  to  a  theatre  gross  of  $8,000,000. 

"The  Snake  Pit,"  starring  Olivia  De 
Havilland,  will  not  be  released  until 
next  year.  Probably  it  will  have  its 
premiere  in  New  York  this  fall  with 
a  campaign  along  the  lines  of  ^Gen- 
tleman's Agreement."  The  company 
also  declares  that  currently  it  is  re- 
leasing "more  feature  product  than 
ever  in  our  history." 


Rank  Allows  'Certain' UK 
Houses  Rate  Quota  Relief 


London,  July  7. — J.  Arthur  Rank, 
today  reelected  president  of  the  Brit- 
ish Film  Producers  Association  for 
the  seventh  consecutive  year,  acknowl- 
edged in  his  inaugural  address  that 
certain  British  exhibitors  are  "quite 
properly  entitled  to  claim  relief  under 
Section  4  of  the  new  cinematograph 
(quota)  act." 

But  in  addressing  the  BFPA,  Rank 
eluded  any  reference  to  the  general 
exhibitor  indignation  against  the  act. 
However,  his  statement  was  his  first 
acknowledgment  that  any  exhibitor 
has  a  possible  grievance.  It  also  was 
an  about-face  in  connection  with  his 
previous  publicly-declared  intention  to 
ensure  that  all  play  45  per  cent  Brit- 
ish product  with  no  excuses. 

"We  are  primarily  a  show  business," 

(.Continued  on  page  4) 


See  Industry  Council 
Organizing  Swiftly 

Hollywood,  July  7. — Final  steps  in 
the  establishment  of  a  motion  picture 
industry  council  to  guide  public  rela- 
tions are  expected  to  follow  swiftly 
upon  the  arrival  here  tomorow  of  Ed- 
ward Cheyfitz,  Motion  Picture  Asso- 
ciation of  America  executive.  He  is 
slated  to  remain  here  several  weeks. 

Next  formal  meeting  of  the  commit- 
tee, which  is  headed  by  Dore  Schary, 
is  set  for  July  13  at  which  time  repre- 
sentatives of  studios,  guilds  and  unions 
who  attended  a  similar  meeting  last 
month  are  to  report  on  the  attitude  of 
their  respective  units.  Although  de- 
nied by  Cheyfitz  on  his  previous  visit 
here,  the  report  persists  that  he  will 
be  appointed  head  of  the  council. 


Mason  Wins  Verdict 
In  Rose  Pact  Suit 

British  actor  James  Mason  has  won 
his  suit  against  producer  David  Rose 
over  contractual  entanglements,  and 
the  latter's  counter-claim  for  more 
than  $1,000,000  damages  has  been  dis- 
missed in  U.  S.  District  Court  here. 
Federal  Judge  John  C.  Knox  ruled 
yesterday  that  the  document  signed  by 
the  two  in  June,  1946,  was  not  a  valid 
contract,  and  held  that  Rose  therefore 
cannot  prevent  Mason  from  working 
for  other  employers  in  the  U.  S. 

The  28-page  decision  held  that  the 
agreement  between  Mason  and  Rose 
was  too  incomplete  to  constitute  a 
binding  contract. 

Mason  was  represented  by  Louis  D. 
Frohlich  of  the  New  York  law  firm 
of  Schwartz  and  Frohlich.  Richard 
Persinger,  Rose's  attorney,  is  expect- 
ed to  appeal  the  decision. 


Morton  Heads  U.A. 
Sales  in  England 

Montague  C.  Morton  has  been 
named  general  sales  manager  for 
United  Artists  in  Great  Britain,  suc- 
ceeding the  late  Sidney  (Bobby)  Du- 
bow.  Morton  was  assistant  sales  man- 
ager and  was  promoted  by  David 
Coplan,  U.A.'s  managing  director. 

Another  promotion  in  the  com- 
pany's foreign  organization  is  the 
transfer  of  Antonio  Dos  Santos  Silva 
to  head  U.A.'s  office  in  Porto  Alegre, 
Brazil.  He  was  formerly  manager  in 
Sao  Salvador,  a  post  to  which  Manoel 
Soares  Dos  Santos,  former  cashier  in 
the  office,  has  been  named. 


Exports  to  Spain 
Will  Be  Cut  60% 


United  States  distributors,  most  of 
whom  have  branches  or  agents  in 
Spain,  "are  looking  forward  to  the 
bleakest  season  in  that  country  since 
the  Spanish  Civil  War,"  with  the  ab- 
solute maximum  of  Hollywood  im- 
ports being  estimated  at  80  for  next 
season,  against  200  this  year,  it  is 
disclosed  in  press  dispatches  reaching 
here  from  Barcelona.  This  would  be  a 
cut  of  60  per  cent. 

Principal  reason  given  for  the  forth- 
coming slump  is  that  the  price  for  im- 
port permits  has  almost  doubled.  For- 
merly the  price  was  250,000  pesetas 
(about  $25,000),  while  now  an  import 
permit  costs  from  400,000  to  500,000 
pesetas. 

Distributors  are  said  to  be  not  so 
disturbed  over  the  direct  result  of  the 
impending  shortage  of  American  films 
as  over  the  long-range  result  that 
other  countries,  especially  Britain, 
France  and  Italy,  will  take  over  Amer- 
ican picture  supremacy.  The  best  pic- 
tures of  the  latter  three  countries  can 
be  had  for  an  import  price  of  150,000 
pesetas  and  less,  it  was  said. 


RKO  Board  Gathers 
For  Weekend  Meet 

Hollywood,  July  7. — RKO  Radio 
board  members  were  guests  of  RKO 
president  N.  Peter  Rathvon  at  a 
luncheon  at  the  studio  today  after 
which  they  held  preliminary  confer- 
ences to  map  out  areas  for  discussion 
when  the  board  convenes  officially  on 
Saturday  and  possibly  sooner,  in  a 
meeting  which  is  expected  to  last  sev- 
eral days.    Neither  Howard  Hughes, 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


'Big  5'  to  Ask 
More  Time  in 
Divorce  Quiz 

Expected  to  Seek  Delay 
Until  Early  in  the  Fall 

On  the  grounds  of  insufficient 
time  in  which  to  provide  the  exten- 
sive and  detailed  information 
sought  by  the  Government,  the 
"Big  Five"  are  understood  to  be  plan- 
ning to  petition  the  Department  of 
Justice  to  push  back  the  deadline  for 
submitting  answers  to  interrogatories 
on  joint  theatre  ownerships  which 
were  served  on  them'  on  July  1  under 
the  divestiture  provisions  of  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court's  decision  in  the  Para- 
mount anti-trust  case. 

Although  a  decision  on  what 
action  will  be  taken  by  the  the- 
atre-holding defendants  is  not 
anticipated  before  tomorrow, 
expectations  are  that  counsel 
for  the  companies  will  ask  that 
they  be  given  until  early  fall, 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


N.Y.  Owners  Meet  at 
Lake  Placid  July  24 

Meeting  of  New  York  State  thea- 
tremen  designed  to  effect  a  closer 
working  basis  on  public  relations  and 
on  other  matters  has  been  set  for  July 
24-25  at  the  summer  home  of  Fred  J. 
Schwartz,  president  of  the  Metropoli- 
tan Motion  Picture  Theatres  Associa- 
tion, at  Lake  Placid,  N.  Y. 

Schwartz  indicated  yesterday  that 
the  session,  to  be  informal,  will  be 
devoted  to  a  "mutual  exchange  of  ideas 

{Continued  on  page  6) 


Competition  Forces 
New  Cuts  in  Loop 

Chicago,  July  7. — In  the  face  of 
heavy  competition  by  the  Balaban  and 
Katz  Chicago  Theatre,  which  reverted 
to  stage  shows  and  reduced  its  admis- 
sion prices  two  weeks  ago,  along  with 
other  Loop  houses,  the  Essaness  Ori- 
ental will  reduce  matinee  admissions 
starting  tomorrow  to  the  equivalent 
admission  scale  of  other  Loop  houses, 
it  was  learned  here  today.  New  scale 
at  the  Oriental,  where  grosses  have 
fallen  off  considerably  in  the  past  two 
weeks,  will  be  50  cents  to  one  P.M., 
65  cents  to  five,  and  98  cents  there- 
after. 

The  Woods  Theatre,  operated  by 
Essaness  in  the  Loop,  however,  will 
retain  its  all-day  top  price  of  98  cents. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  July  8,  1948 


Personal  Mention 


Paramount  Sets  7 
4th  Quarter  Releases 

Paramount  will  release  seven  fea- 
tures during  the  final  quarter  of  1948, 
according  to  Charles  M.  Reagan,  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  who  lists  the 
following : 

"Sorry,  Wrong  Number,"  Septem- 
ber 24,  Hal  Wallis,  producer ;  "Isn't 
It  Romantic?,"  October  8,  Daniel  Dare, 
producer ;  "Night  Has  a  Thousand 
Eyes,"  October  22,  John  Farrow,  di- 
rector;  "Sealed  Verdict,"  November 
8,  Robert  Fellows,  producer ;  "The 
Tatlock  Millions,"  November  19, 
Charles  Brackett,  producer ;  "Disas- 
ter," December  3,  Pine-Thomas  ;  "The 
Paleface,"  December  24,  Norman 
McLeod,  director. 

Lamm,  Holland  Have 
Promotional  Plan 

Cleveland,  July  7. — Julius  Lamm, 
for  the  past  17  years  manager  of  War- 
ners' Uptown  Theatre,  and  Sid  Hol- 
land, manager  of  the  Clinton  at  Port 
Clinton,  have  both  severed  their  affili- 
ations and  left  for  Los  Angeles  to 
open  a  West  Coast  branch  of  Theatri- 
cal Enterprises,  distributor  of  theatre 
promotions. 

William  S.  Shartin  and  Jack  Gertz, 
heads  of  Theatrical  Enterprises,  state 
this  is  the  first  move  in  an  expansion 
program  to  open  offices  in  all  key  ex- 
change centers.  They  now  have  offices 
in  Cleveland,  Pittsburgh  and  Cin- 
cinnati. 

Bonded  To  Handle 
National  Clients 

Bonded  Film  Storage,  New  York, 
has  been  appointed  distribution  repre- 
sentative of  National  Film  Service  for 
the  New  York  exchange  territory,  it 
was  announced  by  William  J.  Clark, 
vice-president  of  National.  Bonded 
maintains  four  film  warehouses  in 
New  York  which  are  serviced  by  its 
own  trucks. 

National  handles  physical  distribu- 
tion for  Selznick  Releasing  Organiza- 
tion, Eagle-Lion,  Film  Classics,  Re- 
public, Monogram  and  numerous  in- 
dependent distributors,  the  company 
stated. 

Levee  -  Stark  Merges 
With  Century  Artists 

Levee- Stark  Agency  and  Century 
Artists  have  completed  a  merger 
which  combines  the  New  York  of- 
fice of  Century  Artists  and  their  Hol- 
lywood offices  with  the  Hollywood  of- 
fices of  Levee-Stark.  Plans  are  being 
formulated  for  construction  of  a  build- 
ing in  Beverly  Hills,  but  both  offices 
will  retain  their  present  locations  un- 
til the  structure  is  completed. 

Small  Signs  to  Make 
Rank's  (Lorna  Doone' 

Hollywood,  July  7. — Finalization  of 
a  deal  with  J.  Arthur  Rank  whereby 
Edward  Small  will  produce  "Lorna 
Doone"  in  England  in  Technicolor  has 
been  announced  here.  Small  and  pro- 
duction aides  will  leave  for  London  at 
the  weekend  to  prepare  for  filming, 
which  will  start  in  August.  American 
distribution  has  not  yet  been  arranged. 


T    ROBERT  RUBIN,  M-G-M  gen- 
*J  •   eral  counsel  and  vice-president, 
left  here  last  night  for  the  Coast. 
• 

Joseph  Angrisanl,  assistant  to 
20th  Century-Fox  advertising  produc- 
tion manager  Abe  Goodman,  and  Ma- 
rie Ostrandek,  secretary  to  20th-Fox 
sales  executive  William  C.  Gehring, 
will  be  married  on  Saturday. 

• 

Harry  M.  Kalmine,  Warner  The- 
atres president,  and  Rudolph  Weiss, 
head  of  the  company's  real  estate  de- 
partment, will  leave  here  today  for 
Washington. 

• 

Moe  Kerman,  Favorite  Films  pres- 
ident, will  leave  here  tomorrow  for 
Los  Angeles,  with  a  stopover  in 
Chicago. 

• 

Jules  Lapidus,  Warner  Eastern 
and  Canadian  division  sales  manager, 
left  New  York  yesterday  for  Pitts- 
burgh. 

• 

Nick  Mamula,  Selznick  Releasing 
Organization  press  contact,  has  re- 
turned to  New  York  from  a  two-week 
vacation  in  Montauk. 

• 

Louis  K.  Sidney,  M-G-M  produc- 
tion executive,  has  returned  to  the 
Coast  from  a  vacation. 

William  F.  Rodgers,  M-G-M  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  will  be  in 
Buffalo  today  from  New  York. 

William  R.  Ferguson,  M-G-M 
exploitation  head,  will  fly  to  Chicago 
today  from  New  York. 


Theatres  To  Offset 
Radio  Giveaways 

Kansas  City,  July  7. — Beverly 
Miller,  recently  district  manager  of 
Eagle-Lion  and  formerly  franchise 
holder  of  PRC,  is  now  setting  up  a 
giveaway  operation  for  simultaneous 
participation  of  several  hundred  thea- 
tres, designed  principally  to  combat 
the  big  radio  giveaways  which  are 
believed  to  be  cutting  in  on  theatre 
attendance. 

'Land   of  Liberty' 
To  Archives  Files 

Washington,  July  7.— Eric  Johns- 
ton, president  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America,  today  pre- 
sented to  the  National  Archives  here 
an  original  print  of  "Land  of  Liberty." 
excerpts  for  which  were  taken  from 
more  than  100  productions  and  woven 
together  by  Cecil  B.  DeMille  into  a 
14-reel  motion  picture  history  of  the 
U.  S. 

Republic  Switches 
Carmichael  to  'Frisco 

San  Francisco,  July  7.- — R.  W. 
Carmichael,  former  manager  of  the 
Los  Angeles  branch  of  Republic  Pic- 
tures, moves  in  as  branch  manager  of 
the  local  exchange.  S.  C.  Martenstein 
is  the  new  sales  manager. 


BILL  KUPPER,  JR.,  former  sales 
representative  for  Terrytoons,  is 
now  active  in  exhibition  in  California. 
• 

Alex  Harrison,  assistant  to  Her- 
man Wobber,  20th  Century-Fox  Pa- 
cific Coast  district  manager,  is  acting 
branch  manager  at  San  Francisco  in 
the  absence  of  Joseph  M.  Podolofp, 
who  is  ill. 

• 

Louis  F.  Lifton,  Allied  Artists- 
Monogram  advertising-publicity  direc- 
tor, who  is  here  from  Hollywood,  will 
remain  in  New  York  for  about  four 
weeks. 

• 

Howard  Minsky,  assistant  to  20th 
Century-Fox  Eastern  division  man- 
ager, and  Dan  Houlihan,  Albany 
branch  manager,  were  in  Gloversville 
this  week. 

• 

Alfred  Crown,  head  of  foreign 
sales  for  Samuel  Goldwyn  Produc- 
tions, has  returned  to  New  York  from 
England  and  the  Continent. 

• 

Ben  Kalmenson,  Warner  distribu- 
tion vice-president,  and  Roy  Haines, 
Western  division  sales  manager,  will 
leave  here  today  for  Chicago. 
• 

Clarence  Hill,  20th  Century-Fox 
home  office  executive,  is  visiting 
Southern  exchanges  from  New  York. 

Irving  Shifkrin,  Hollywood  agen- 
cy representative,  is  in  New  York 
from  the  Coast. 

• 

Budd  Rogers,  Realart  vice-presi- 
dent, is  in  Detroit  and  Minneapolis 
from  New  York. 


Name  Publicity  Men 
For  Hospital  Drive 

Si  Seadler,  M-G-M,  and  Gilbert 
Golden,  Warner  Brothers,  yesterday 
were  named  co-chairmen  of  a  pub- 
licity committee  to  aid  the  Metropoli- 
tan New  York  drive  for  the  Will 
Rogers  Memorial  Hospital  at  Saranac 
Lake,  N.  Y.  Associated  with  them 
under  the  general  chairmanship  of  Nat 
Cohn  of  Columbia,  are  Burt  Cham- 
pion, Paramount;  Ray  Murray,  Co- 
lumbia; Meyer  Hutner,  20th  Century- 
Fox  ;  Sid  Garfield,  Warner ;  Charles 
Simonelli,  Universal ;  Lou  Barasch, 
United  Artists,  and  Mel  Konecoff, 
The  Exhibitor. 


To  Meet  on  Sanitarium 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  7. — Industry 
leaders  of  this  area  will  attend  a  lunch- 
eon at  the  Statler  Hotel  in  Buffalo 
tomorrow  to  discuss  plans  for  financ- 
ing the  Will  Rogers  Memorial  Sani- 
tarium at  Saranac  Lake.  They  hope  to 
raise  $10,000  to  $15,000  in  the  Albany 
district. 


NBC,  'Life'  Team  Up 

NBC  Television  and  Life  Magazine 
will  collaborate  in  covering  the  Demo- 
cratic national  convention  in  Phila- 
delphia next  week,  similarly  as  both 
joined  in  reporting  the  Republican  ses- 
sion last  month. 


Associates,  Friends 
Tribute  Jameyson 

Kansas  City,  July  7. — Howard  E. 
Jameyson  was  guest  of  honor  yester- 
day at  a  tribute  party  to  him  upon  his 
retirement  from  a  district  manager- 
ship of  Fox  Midwest  Circuit,  with 
many  industry  associates  and  friends 
on  hand  to  participate  in  the  affair. 
Jameyson's  career  in  public  relations, 
advertising  and  promotion  was  re- 
viewed by  speakers  who  included  his 
first  employer  in  Kansas  City  to  gru^ 
him  contacts  in  the  film  business  JK 
1914  as  well  as  Fox  Midwest  asso- 
ciates who  were  trained  by  him. 
_  Jameyson,  who  will  retain  a  close 
tie  with  the  industry  through  his  in- 
terest in  Commonwealth  Theatres  of 
which  he  is  a  director,  explained  that 
his  retirement  from  Fox  Midwest  will 
enable  him-  to  undertake  several  proj- 
ects while  he  still  has  "time,  energy 
and  purpose"  and  while  he  is  still  un- 
der sixty.  Elmer  C.  Rhoden,  Fox 
Midwest  head  and  toastmaster  at  the 
dinner,  made  the  presentation  of  a 
typewriter  in  a  special  case  to  Jamey- 
son. 


Conrad  to  London 

Harold  Conrad,  former  New  York  - 
newspaperman,  will  leave  here  for 
England  today  by  air  to  handle  the 
promotion  of  J.  Arthur  Rank's  Tech- 
nicolor feature,  "The  1948  Olympic 
Games,"  which  Eagle-Lion  will  dis- 
tribute in  the  U.  S.  and  Latin  Amer- 
ica, it  has  been  announced  by  Max  E. 
Youngstein,  E-L  advertising-publicity 
vice-president. 


Saland  in  16mm.  Field 

Nat  Saland,  head  of  Saland  Labora- 
tories, has  entered  the  16mm.  film  de- 
veloping and  printing  business.  Also, 
he  has  closed  with  Phil  Krasne  to 
make  prints  for  the  24  "Cisco  Kid" 
35mm.  series,  releasing  through  United 
Artists,  and  will  do  the  prints  for  10 
Harry  Popkin  features,  and  for 
"Urubu,"  World  Adventures'  first, 
another  U.A.  release. 


PROMOTION  STICKERS 

Use  Topflight  cellophane  self-adhesive  tape 
for  your  next  promotion  picture.  Place  in- 
stantly— anywhere — box  office,  lobby,  stores, 
phone  booths.  Lustrous,  colorful,  rich  in  ap- 
pearance. 

FRANK   G.   BERG  LAS,  Dir. 
Motion  Picture  Div. 

TOPFLIGHT  TAPE  CO. 

YORK,  PENNSYLVANIA 


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James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
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Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  ef  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
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THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME 
IS  SMASH  BOXOFFICE  STREET! 


—  Hollywood  Reporter 


...IN  EVERY  OPENING! 


Fox  Theatre -Biggest 
opening  business  of  the 
year . . .  bar  none! 


Four  Theatre  World 
Premiere  blasts  those 
terrific  "Northside"  and 
"Boomerang!"  records! 


Opened  to  business 
hotter  than  any  picture 
of  its  kind! 


1 


With 
Name* 


Sensational  opening  to 
match  tremendous 
publicity  of  F  B  I  - 
sponsored  screening! 


Lines  on  streets  gave 
"Street"  big,  big  open- 
ing at  big,  big  Fox 
Theatre! 


CENTURY-FOX 


"THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME"  Starring  MARK  STEVENS  •  RICHARD  WIDMARK  with  LLOYD  NOLAN 
BARBARA  LAWRENCE -Ed  Begley  •  Donald  Buka  •  Joseph  Pevney  •  John  Mclntire  •  Walter  Greaza  •  Howard  Smith 
Directed  by  WILLIAM  KEIGHLEY •  Produced  by  SAMUEL  G.  ENGEL- Original  Screen  Play  by  Harry  Kleiner 


LI 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  July  8,  1948 


Threaten  Boycott 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ing,  it  is  generally  accepted  that  the 
new  scale  would  range  from  35  per 
cent  to  55  per  cent  with  the  size  of 
gross  the  influencing  factor.  It  would 
apply  to  all  Rank  pictures,  regardless 
of  individual  quality. 

Cite  Practice  of  US  Firms 

The  CEA  has  lashed  out  strongly 
against  Rank's  plan  to  have  the  new 
terms  blanket  all  of  his  product.  The 
organization  points  out  that  American 
distributors,  with  years  of  experience 
behind  them;  condition  terms  on  the 
value  of  individual  films. 

What  Rank  would  do,  the  CEA 
attitude  maintains,  is  treat  "all  of  his 
geese  as  swans."  Many  British  ex- 
hibitors, meanwhile,  hold  that  a  high 
proportion  of  Rank's  current  output 
are  merely  "lame  ducks."  CEA  says 
it  has  exhibitor  statistics  to  prove 
that  recent  showings  of  Rank  films 
resulted  in  considerable  losses  to  the- 
atres under  the  new  terms  and  claims 
continued  showings  under  these  terms 
would  prove  catastrophic  to  the  ma- 
jority of  British  exhibitors. 

'Financial  Reputation'  Involved 

It  'is  clearly  imperative  for  Rank, 
for  the  sake  of  his  financial  reputation, 
to  go  to  all  lengths  to  obtain  this  year 
a.  satisfactory  return  on  his  past  and 
present  production  ventures,  according 
to  observers.  CEA  strategists  be- 
lieve, therefore,  that  he  is  prepared  to 
concede  more  favorable  terms  to  in- 
dependent exhibitors  rather  than  to 
risk  a  situation  in  which  uncomfort- 
able facts,  comparable  to  his  forced 
disclosure  last  year  about  a  2,000,000 
pounds  ($8,000,000)  deficit  in  produc- 
tion, might  be  brought  to  light. 


Review 


"The  Walls  of  Jericho 

(20th  Century-Fox) 

IN  "The  Walls  of  Jericho"  20th-Fox  brings  to  the  screen  another  best- 
selling  novel.  Set  in  the  town  of  Jericho,  Kansas,  at  the  turn  of  the 
century,  it  is  a  tale  that  depicts  human  relationships  in  the  tanglements  of 
romance,  jealousy  and  frustration.  It  can  best  be  characterized  as  a  "woman's 
picture,"  .for  it  gives  the  heartstrings  a  frequent  tug  and  engages  in  a  good 
deal  of  well-mannered  drawing  room  palaver.  There  are  many  points  of  solid 
exploitation  for  the  exhibitor,  not  the  least  of  which  is  the  cast  that  producer 
Lamar  Trotti  has  assembled,  including  Cornel  Wilde,  Linda  Darnell,  Anne 
Baxter,  Kirk  Douglas,  Ann  Dvorak,  Marjorie  Rambeau  and  Henry  Hull. 
The  action  flows  at  a  smooth  pace,  if  slowly,  and  manages  to  be  engrossing 
despite  characters  that  are  standard  Hollywood  types. 

As  a  local  office  holder,  Wilde  seems  headed  for  a  top  rung  of  the  political 
ladder  until  Miss  Darnell  arrives  in  town.  As  the  new  wife  of  Jericho's 
publisher,  Miss  Darnell  has  some  political  ambitions  for  her  husband,  at  the 
expense  of  Wilde.  She  elbows  Wilde  out  of  the  Congressional  race  in  order 
to  get  her  husband  elected.  Finally,  when  the  two  men  decide  to  oppose  each 
other  for  the  Senate,  Miss  Darnell  smears  Wilde  with  a  marital  scandal  when 
she  learns  that  he  has  fallen  in  love  with  Miss  Baxter.  A  series  of  half- 
melodramatic  events  follow,  highlighted  by  a  crucial  court  trial,  before  poetic 
justice  triumphs. 

Performances  are  generally  adequate,  with  Douglas  playing  the  publisher 
and  Miss  Dvorak  portraying  Wilde's  alcoholic  wife.  John  M.  Stahl  directed. 
Trotti's  screenplay  was  based  on  Paul  Wellman's  novel  of  the  same  name. 

Running  time,  106  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  For  August  re- 
lease. Mandel  Herbstman 


Hence  the  mass  meeting  of  indepen- 
dent exhibitors  scheduled  for  July  13, 
the  day  before  Rank  will  meet  with 
the  CEA  for  formal  discussion  of  the 
controversial  issue. 


Nearly    3,000     UK  Theatres 
Apply   for   Quota  Relief 

London,  July  7. — An  index  to  Brit- 
ish exhibitors'  concern  over  what  they 
regard  as  the  impracticability  of  the 
new  45  per  cent  film  quota  reveals  it- 


self in  that  applications  for  relief  have 
been  lodged  with  the  Board  of  Trade 
in  behalf  of  nearly  3,000  theatres.  The 
quota  act  provides  that  the  BOT,  on 
the  advice  of  the  Films  Council,  may 
give  relief  as  it  thinks  fit  to  any  ex- 
hibitor in  competition  with  first-run 
theatres. 

It  is  also  laid  down  that  any  de- 
fault in  quota  obligations  due  "to 
circumstances  beyond  the  control  of 
the  exhibitor"  shall  be  not  regarded  as 
an  offense  against  the  law. 


Warners  Slates  16 
For  UK  in  '48 -'49 


London,  July  7. — Warner  Brothers 
will  release  16  pictures  in  Britain  dur- 
ing the  coming  year,  Jack  L.  Warner, 
WB  production  head,  has  announced 
here.  Warner,  who  has  been  visiting 
from  the  U.  S.,  said  the  16  will  be 
chosen  from  the  last  two  years'  in- 
ventory. 

Observers  here  regard  the  Warrjt 
move  as  "shrewd  trading"  since  AsS^P 
ciated  British  Cinemas,  which  releases 
WB  product  under  contract,  cannot 
absorb  all  16. 


Canadian  Ticket 
Tax  Income  Dwindles 

Ottawa,  July  7. — Effects  of  the 
Canadian  government's  leveling  of  the 
amusement  tax  are  reflected  in  a  re- 
port which  shows  that  the  treasury 
received  only  $120,221  in  amusement 
taxes  in  June,  1948,  compared  with 
$1,227,548  in  June,  1947,  and  $1,196,- 
811.72  in  May,  1948. 


Rank  on  Quota 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Rank  told  the  gathering,  "and  our 
financial  success  or  failure  depends 
largely  on  our  ability  to  gauge  public 
taste  and  satisfy  it.  Allowance  must 
be  made  for  creative  imaginative  as- 
pects of  film-making.  Due  attention 
must  be  given  to  those  intangible  qual- 
ities which  are  not  measurable  by  the 
yardstick  commonly  applied  in  the 
manufacturing  industry." 


Picture  Story  No.  3 
introducing 
the  4-Star  cast 
that  Daily  Variety 
says  adds 
up  to 

"BIG  MONEY 
ENTERTAINMENT 


JEAN  ARTHUR  is  the  unawak- 
ened  gal  who  winds  up  singing 
"loway"  and  getting  blanket- 
tossed  to  the  rafters  .  .  . 


Thursday,  July  8,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


5 


Key  City  Grosses 


Tp  OLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
M.  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


PHILADELPHIA 

 ■  

Philadelphians  as  usual  headed  for 
seashore  resorts  during  the  holiday 
weekend.  However,  those  who  stayed 
at  home  showed  a  strong  preference 
i  for  "The  Street  with  No  Name"  and 
"The  Paradine  Case."  Estimated  re- 
ceipts for  the  week  ending  July  6-8 : 

CORONER  CREEK  (Col.)— STANTON  (1,- 
000)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross:  $12,- 
500.    (Average:  $11,900) 

EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.) — STANLEY 
(3,000)  (50c-6Oc-74c-80c-85c-94c)  3rd  week. 
Gross:  $21,000.  (Average:  $20,500) 
GIVE  MY  REGARDS  TO  BROADWAY 
(20th-Fox)— KEITH'S  (2,200)  (50c-60c-74c- 
80c-85c-94c)  2nd  run.  Gross:  $4,500.  (Av- 
erage: $6,100) 

HOMECOMING     (M-G-M)  —  ARCADIA 

(900)      (50c-6Cc-74c-80c-85c-94c)      2nd  run. 

Gross:   $4,200.     (Average:  $6,000) 

THE  NOOSE  HANGS  HIGH  (E-L)— AL- 

DINE  (900)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross: 

$8,000.    (Average:  $13,200) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 

GOLDMANN     (1,400)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c- 

94c)  3rd  week.     Gross:  $19,000.  (Average: 

$22,400) 

THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)— BOYD 
(3,000)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross: 
$28,500.  (Average:  $23,100) 
THE  PIRATE  (M-G-M)— EARLE  (3,000) 
(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross:  $22,500. 
(Average:  $24,300) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 

— MASTBAUM  (4,700)  (50c-60c-74c-8Oc-85c- 
94c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $16,300.  (Average: 
$27,800) 

SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)— KARL- 
TON  (1,000)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  2nd 
week.     Gross:  $5,500.  .  (Average:  $12,000) 


THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (Zttth- 

F ox)— FOX  (3,000)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c). 
Gross:  $30,000.    (Average:  $20,400) 


BUFFALO 


"Emperor  Waltz,"  "Best  Years  of 
Our  Lives"  were  good  despite  near- 
record  heat  all  week  and  heavy  com- 
petition of  a  12,000  daily  draw  at  two 
local  horserace  tracks.  Estimated  re- 
ceipts for  the  week  ending  July  10 : 

ANOTHER  PART  OF  THE  FOREST 
(U-I)    and    DEAR    MURDERER  (U-I)— 

LAFAYETTE      (3,000)  (40c-50c-60c-70c). 

Gross:  $12,200.    (Average:  $13,000) 

BEST    YEARS    OF    OUR    LIVES  (RKO 

Radio)— TWENTIETH  CENTURY  (3,000) 
(40c-50c-60c-70c).  Gross:  $14,400.  (Average: 
$13,000) 

EMPEROR      WALTZ      (Para.)— GREAT 
LAKES    (3,000)    (40c -50c -60c -70c).  Gross: 
$17,000.    (Average:  $17,000) 
I  WAKE  UP  SCREAMING  (ZOth-Fox)  and 
BLOOD  AND  SAND  (ZOth-Fox)— HIPPO- 
DROME (2,100)  (40c-50c-60c-70c).  Reissues. 
Gross:  $7,000.    (Average:  $10,000) 
ON  AN   ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 
and  SECRET  SERVICE  INVESTIGATOR 
(Rep.) — BUFFALO'  (3,489)  (40c-50c-60c-70c). 
Gross:  $13,000.    (Average:  $17,000) 
ON     OUR    MERRY    WAY     (UA)  and 
MONEY  MADNESS'  (FC)— TECK  (1,500) 
(40c-50c-60c-70c)  2nd  week,  on  a  moveover. 
Gross:  $3,000.    (Average:  $4,000) 


BOSTON 


Warm  weather  over  the  holiday 
weekend  kept  most  grosses  below 
average.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ended  July  7 : 

CORONER  CREEK  (Col.)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (U-A)— ASTOR  (1,300) 
(44c-80c).  Gross:  $5,800.  6  days.  (Aver- 
age: None  available) 


EMPEROR    WALTZ     (Para.)    and  BIG 
TOWN  SCANDAL  (Para.) — METROPOLI- 
TAN (4,367)  (40c-80c).   Gross:  $25,000.  (Av- 
erage:  $27,000).     With   a  personal  appear- 
ance of  Dr.  I.  Q.  one  night. 
GIVE   MY   REGARDS   TO  BROADWAY 
(ZOth-Fox)  and  COBRA  STRIKES  (E-L)— 
RKO  MEMORIAL  (3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross: 
$10,000.    (Average:  $22,000)  4  days. 
JASSY  (U-I)  and  SPY  IN  BLACK  (For- 
merly U-BOAT  29)  (Col.)— EXETER  (1,300) 
(45c-75c).    Gross:  $1,800.    3  days. 
OCTOBER  MAN   (E-L)  and  VACATION 
FROM    MARRIAGE     (M-G-M).  Gross: 
$2,200.    (Average:  $5,000)  4  days. 
ON  AN   ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 
and    BEST    MAN    WINS  (Col.)-STATE 
(3,500)  (40c-80c).    Gross:  $12,000.  (Average: 
$12,000) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 
and  BEST  MAN  WINS  (Col.)— ORPHEUM 
(3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $25,000.  (Average: 
$27,000) 

RAW  DEAL  (E-L)  and  SONG  OF  MY 
HEART  (AA)— PARAMOUNT  (1,700)  (40c- 
80c).  Gross:  $15,000.  (Average:  $17,000) 
RAW  DEAL  (E-L)  and  SONG  OF  MY 
HEART  (AA)— FENWAY  (1,373)  (40c- 
80c).  Gross:  $7,500.  (Average:  $10,000) 
TARZAN  AND  THE  MERMAIDS  (RKO 
Radio)  and  ARGYLE  SECRETS  (FC)— 
RKO-BOSTON  (3,200)  (40c-80c).  Gross: 
$7,500.  (Average:  none  on  summer  sched- 
ule) 

THE  SEARCH  (M-G-M) — ASTOR  (1,300) 
(44c-80c).  Gross:  $500  1  day. 
UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  and 
STAGE  STRUCK  (Mono.)  —  RKO  ME- 
MORIAL (3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $8,500. 
3  days. 


PITTSBURGH 


With  ideal  weather  prevailing  two 
newcomers  got  away  to  an  excellent 
start,  but  five  holdovers  dropped.  "On 
an  Island  with  You"  should  do  better 
than  $21,000,  while  "The  Fuller  Brush 
Man"  was  headed  for  a  gross  of  al- 
most $19,000.  Estimated  receipts  for 
the  week  ending  July  8 : 

CORONER  CREEK  (Col.)— SENATOR  (1,- 
700)  (44c-60c-76c)  2nd  week,  on  a  moveover 
from  the  Harris.  Gross:  $3,200.  (Average: 
$3,500) 


ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 

PENN  (3,400)  (44c-60c-76c).  Gross:  $21,000. 
(Average:  $15,000) 

RIVER  LADY  (U-I)— FULTON  (1,700) 
(44c-60c-76c).  Gross:  $7,000.  (Average: 
$9  700) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 

—STANLEY  (3,800)  (44c-60c-76c)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $9,500.  (Average:  $15,000) 
SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)— RITZ  (1.- 
100)  (44c-60c-76c)  2nd  week,  on  a  moveover 
from  the  Penn.  Gross:  $1,500.  (Average: 
$3,200) 

THE  CRUSADES  (Para.) — WARN ER  (2,- 
C00)  (44c-60c-76c).  Gross:  $9,000.  (Aver- 
age: $8,000) 

THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)— J.  P. 

HARRIS  (2,000)  (44c-60c-76c).  Gross:  $18,- 
000.    (Average:  $11,000) 


'Big  Five' 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


if  possible,  to  answer  the  Gov- 
ernment's questions. 

The  defendants  have  the  right  to 
apply  for  an  extension  within  10  days 
after  service  of  the  interrogatories. 
Were  they  to  file  no  objection  to  the 
limitation  of  time,  they  would  have  to 
come  up  with  answers  to  the  Govern- 
ment's questions  within  15  days  of  the 
date  of  service — a  task  considered  im- 
possible in  this  case  because  of  the 
extensive  nature  of  the  information 
demanded  by  the  Government. 

The  interrogatories  constitute  an 
initial  move  on  the  part  of  the  Gov- 
ernment to  obtain  vital  data  on  the 
theatre  interests  of  the  major  defen- 
dants in  the  Paramount  trust  action. 


Oregon  Theatre  Razed 

Eugene,  Ore.,  July  7. — Victory 
Theatre  at  Marcola,  Ore.,  has  been 
razed  by  fire,  with  a  loss  estimated  at 
$50,000.  Chester  D.  Johnson  and  his 
wife  are  owners  of  the  house. 


MILLARD  MITCHELL  is  the  man 
you're  going  to  hear  lots  about 
because  "he's  perfectly  swell " 
says  Motion  Picture  Daily. 


AKTHM 

MARLENG 

VIBTRICH 

JOHN 

WNO 


with 

MILLARD  MITCHELL 
Produced  by  CHARLES  BRACKETT 

Directed  by  BJLLY  WILDER 

Screenplay  by  Charles  'Bracket*,  BHIy  Wilder,  and 
Richard  L.  Breen  ♦   Adaptation  by  Robert  Harari 
A  Paramount  Picture 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  July  8,  1948 


Review 


"Mr.  Peabody  and  the  Mermaid" 

(  U  niversal-International) 

IN  bringing  to  the  screen  "Peabody's  Mermaid,"  the  novel  by  Guy  and 
Constance  Jones,  Nunnally  Johnson  once  more  has  produced  a  film  not 
only  rich  in  entertainment  values  but  displaying  a  high  degree  of  intelligence 
and  ingenuity  in  the  treatment  of  its  subject. 

Johnson  has  functioned  with  rare  felicity  as  both  producer  and  _scripter_  in 
the  creation  of  this  fanciful  comedy  of  a  man  turned  50  who  tries  to  give 
the  lie  to  his  waning  romantic  powers  by  falling  in  love  with  a  lovely  mer- 
maid hooked  during  a  Caribbean  holiday  with  his  wife.  A  finer  spoof  would 
be  difficult  to  conceive,  and  it  is  questionable  whether  an  exhibitor  will  come 
upon  a  laugh-getter  more  certain  to  please  patrons  of  every  stripe. 

The  picture  represents  smart,  often  touching  humor  marked  by  a  wealth 
of  bright  and  clever  lines  primed  with  laughter.  While  the  story  is  purely 
a  figment  of  the  imagination,  there  has  gone  into  it  so  much  that  is  human 
that  one  is  almost  inclined  to  overlook  the  fact  that  the  object  of  Mr.  Pea- 
body's  affection  is  half  woman  and  half  fish. 

Most  of  the  fun  stems  from  the  fact  that  Mr.  Peabody  is  unable  to  con- 
vince his  wife  that  her  rival  is  merely  a  mermaid  and  not  the  full-scale 
woman  she  is  believed  to  be.  Resultant  misunderstandings  are  productive  of 
a  long  chain  of  hilarious  incidents  and  provocative  dialogue,  leading  to  a 
session  with  a  psychiatrist  for  Mr.  Peabody. 

Knowing  direction  was  provided  by  Irving  Pichel.  Gene  Fowler,  Jr.,  was 
associate  producer.  William  Powell  is  superb  as  Mr.  Peabody;  so  are  Ann 
Blyth  as  the  mermaid  and  Irene  Hervey  as  the  wife.  Andrea  King,  Clinton 
Cundbert  and  Art  Smith  are  a  few  of  the  other  excellent  performers. 

Running  time,  89  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  For  August 
release.  P.E.L. 


Short 
Subject 


"Superman" 

(Columbia  Serial) 

Both  literally  and  figuratively,  Co- 
lumbia's latest  serial,  "Superman," 
starts  off  with  a  solid  wallop.  Heard 
on  the  air  for  years,  syndicated  in 
newspapers,  and  published  in  comic 
books,  the  exploitation  value  of  the 
title  is  readily  evident.  If  the  formula 
action  and  excitement  of  the  first  three 
chapters  previewed  is  carried  out  in 
the  remaining  12,  few  fans  are  likely 
to  want  to  miss  a  single  installment. 
Heading  the  cast  are  Kirk  Alyn,  Noel 
Neill,  Tommy  Bond  and  Carol  For- 
man. 

Story  opens  with  Superman  arriv- 
ing on  earth  by  rocket  ship  from  an- 
other planet  that  was  destroyed  by 
earthquakes.  Equipped  with  X-ray 
eyes  and  supersensitive  ears,  the  tale 
presently  recounts  Superman's  battles 
against  the  evils  of  the  underworld. 
In  the  course  of  his  exploits,  in  the 
first  three  chapters,  Superman  flies 
through  space  faster  than  sound,  res- 
cues trapped  miners,  averts  a  train 
crash,  frustrates  bank  robbers,  etc. 
Sam  Katzman  produced  and  Spencer 
Bennet  and  Thomas  Carr  directed. 
The  screenplay  was  written  by  Ar- 
thur Hoerl,  Lewis  Clay  and  Royal 
Cole. 


To  Rebuild  Ala.  House 

Atlanta,  July  7. — The  Friendly 
Theatre,  Slocomb,  Ala.,  was  recently 
destroyed  by  fire  and  will  be  rebuilt 
at  once. 


RKO  Meet 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

who  holds  the  controlling  interest  in 
RKO,  nor  Floyd  Odium,  who  are  be- 
lieved to  be  conferring  privately,  were 
at  the  studio. 

Meanwhile,  a  report  spread  that  the 
company  has  cancelled  production  of 
"The  Robe,"  which  producer  Frank 
i  Ross  has  been  preparing  since  1942 
I  with  an  estimated  budget  of  $4,000,000. 


Studio  spokesmen  were  under  instruc- 
tion to  make  no  comment  concerning 
this  report,  while  Ross  could  not  be 
reached  for  a  statement.  Preparations 
on  "The  Robe"  have  cost  the  studio 
about  $750,000  to  date. 


SE  Projectionists  to  Meet 

Atlanta,  July  7.  —  Southeastern 
meeting  of  the  "Big  Five"  projection- 
ists union  will  be  held  here  on  July  15. 


N.Y.  Owners  To  Meet 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

concerning  exhibitor  problems  in  New 
York."  He  said  he  is  hopeful  it  will 
lead  to  a  "more  coordinated  exhibi- 
tors' public  relations  effort  to  prove 
generally  beneficial  to  all  New  York 
State  exhibitors." 

Scheduled  to  represent  the  MMPTA 
with  Schwartz  are  Oscar  A.  Doob, 
executive  chairman ;  Murray  I.  Gur- 
fein,   general  counsel,  and  D.  John 
Phillips,    executive    director.  H^. 
Brandt,  president  of  the  Indepe^^ 
Theatre    Owners  Association, 
Morton  Sunshine,  executive  director, 
also  are  on  the  list,  along  with  Rob- 
ert W.  Coyne,  executive  director  of 
the  Theatre  Owners  of  America,  and 
his  successor,  Gael  Sullivan. 

Up-state  New  Yorkers  invited  in- 
clude :  Harry  Lamont,  president,  and 
Leonard  Rosenthal,  general  counsel  of 
the  TOA  of  Albany;  Merritt  A. 
Kyser,  president,  Motion  Picture  The- 
atre Owners  of  New  York  State, 
Buffalo;  Vincent  R.  McFaul  and 
George  J.  Gammel,  Buffalo ;  Saul  J. 
Ullman,  Samuel  E.  Rosenblatt  and 
Charles  A.  Smakwitz,  Albany;  Wil- 
liam C.  Smalley,  Cooperstown ;  Wil- 
liam Benton,  Saratoga,  and  John  W. 
Gardner,  Schenectady. 


Newman  Buys  Egyptian 

Seattle,  July  7. — Sale  of  the  Egyp- 
tian Theatre  in  Seattle's  university 
district  was  announced  here  by  T.  F. 
Murphy,  who  built  the  theatre  20 
years  ago.  He  sold  it  to  the  Egyptian 
Building  Corp.,  the  president  of  which 
is  Frank  L.  Newman,  Sr.,  head  of 
Evergreen  Theatres  which  has  been 
operating  the  Egyptian.  No  sale 
price  was  announced  but  the  amount 
is  believed  to  be  around  $350,000. 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
I  NEWS 


MOT- 


Accurate 


DaI  LY 


°  ^Concise 
and 
Impartial 


64.   NO.  6 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  JULY  9,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


AAA's  Validity 
Sustained  By 
Appeals  Court 

St.  Louis,  F.  and  M.  Suit 
Dismissal  Is  Confirmed 


St.  Louis,  July  8.- — The  United 
States  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals 
here  has  sustained  Federal  Judge 
Duncan's  dismissal  of  an  anti-trust 
suit  brought  by -the  St.  Louis  Amuse- 
ment Co.,  Fanchon  and  Marco  Serv- 
ice Corp.,  and  other  exhibition  inter- 
ests, against  American  Arbitration 
Association  and  major  film  distribu- 
tors. 

The  opinion,  by  Appellate  Judge 
Harvey  Johnson,  parallels  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court's  recent  ruling  that 
the  AAA  is  a  valid  and  legal  system 
of  regulation,  and  was  delayed,  the 
.  court  stated,  pending  the  Supreme 
Court  decision. 

The  original  suit,  rising  out  of 
clearance  cases  filed  by  the  Apollo 
Theatre  (Joseph  Litvag)  asked  $285,- 
000  damages  and  an  injunction  against 
AAA  rulings,  and  was  dismissed  on  a 
motion  for  summary  judgment  for  the 
defendants  on  August  6,  1945. 


'Salesmen  Ignorant 
Of  Decision':  Niles 


Anamosa,  la.,  July  8. — "We  find  in 
talking  to  some  75  exhibitors  that  the 
sales  forces  of  the  film  companies  are 
woefully  ignorant  of  the  recent  Su- 
preme-Court decision,"  states  Charles 
Niles,  chairman  of  the  Allied  Caravan 
of  Iowa  and  Nebraska,  in  a  bulletin 
sent  to  members.  Niles  cites  four 
cases,  as  follows : 

"A  Fox  salesman  refused  to  sell 
eight  pictures  unless  the  exhibitor 
bought  'Gentleman's  Agreement'  and 
'Captain  from  Castile.'    The  member 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


315ProducingFirms 
Netted$109,882,000 


Brazil  Market 
Crisis  Pends 


Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  indicated  yesterday  that  it 
would  avoid  taking  hasty  action  in 
combatting  adverse  distribution  import 
developments  reported  from  Brazil. 
A  new  Brazilian  Price  Control  Board 
regulation  requires  that  "rentals  of 
films  to  exhibitors  will  be  regulated 
on  a  percentage  basis  not  to  exceed 
40  per  cent  for  the  distributor."  The 
order  perplexed  foreign  department 
executives  here. 

The  regulation  was  said  to  have 
been  adopted  without  giving  distribu- 
tors a  chance  to  express  their  opinion 
of  it,  although  exhibitors  were  heard. 
The  new  percentage  basis  virtually 
guarantees  exhibitors  100  per  cent 
profit  on  a  film  since  the  regulation 
provides  that  it  will  be  calculated  on 
receipts  after  deducting  the  cost  on 
rentals  of  any  other  films  which  com- 
plete the  program,  the  cost  of  all 
publicity    and    any    other  expenses 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


Mexican  Industry  Is 
Relieved  of  Debts 


Mexico  City,  July  8.— The  film  in- 
dustry here  is  the  beneficiary  of  two 
much-needed  breaks,  the  city  govern- 
ment cancelling  the  industry's  debts  to 
the  city  and  exempting  the  film  busi- 
ness from  all  municipal  taxes. 

Pardoning  of  the  debts  and  the  tax 
exemption  were  announced  by  Mayor 
Fernando  Casas  Aleman  as  an  aid  to 
the  film  trade.  The  privileges,  how- 
ever, are  only  for  producers,  distribu- 
tors and  studios  which  are  wholly 
Mexican-owned  and  which  are  mem- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


STUDIO  PACT  SET, 
ACTORS'  STRIKE  OFF 


Dembow  Hits  Rank's 
'Perfidious  Policy' 

The  "perfidious  policy"  of  the  J. 
Arthur  Rank  Organization  in  Eng- 
land in  offering  the  equivalent  of  only 
50  per  cent  of  the  standard  accepted 
price  for  British  distribution  rights  for 
American  product  was  attacked  here 
yesterday  by  Sam  Dembow,  president 
of  Producers  Service  Corp.,  which 
represents  Triangle  Pictures. 

"His  policy  of  playing  off  major 
motion  picture  interests  against  one 
another  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  out- 
standing product  at  ridiculously  low 
prices  is  jeopardizing  the  last  vestiges 
of  good-will  remaining  between  the 
British  and  American  film  industry," 
declared  Dembow. 

"Coming  on  the  heels  of  the  latest 
maneuver  in  Britain's  war  of  nerves, 
imposition  of  the  45  per  cent  quota, 
the  Rank  bid  for  "Sleep,  My  Love" 
has  many  top  American  film  officials 
incensed,"  Dembow  said. 

Dembow  reported  that  he  will  re- 
lease the  film  in  the  British  Isles  to 
independent  theatres  only. 


Hersholt  Warns  UK 
On  Film  Legislation 

London,  July  8. — No  one  can  legis- 
late to  make  the  public  attend  motion 
pictures,  Jean  Hersholt,  president  of 
America's  Academy  of  Motion  Picture 
Arts  and  Sciences,  told  the  British  in- 
dustry today  in  an  address  which  em- 
bodied a  strong  plea  for  ending  Anglo- 
American  film  controversies.  The  oc- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Hollywood  Sees  Accord 
Presaging  Sharp  Rise 
In  Level  of  Production 


By  WILLIAM  R.  WEAVER 

Hollywood,  July  8. — A  strike  of 
actors  which  threatened  to  halt  pro- 
duction on  August  1  faded  from 
the  scene  today  on  the  heels  of  a 
new  contract  approved  late  Wednes- 
day evening  by  the  Screen  Actors 
Guild's  board  of  directors  with  the 
Association  of  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers, representing  the  majors,  and 
the  Society  of  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers, representing  the  principal  in- 
dependent producers.  The  new  pact 
supplants  the  current  agreement, 
which  expires  on  July  31. 

Production,  which  slipped  from  34 
to  31  new  pictures  this  week,  is  ex- 
pected to  rise  sharpfy  in  sequel  to  the 
accord,  reached  despite  Universal-In- 
ternational's announced  shutdown  dur- 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Washington,  July  8. — Income  and 
excess  profits  tax  returns  of  film  pro- 
ducing and  exhibition  firms  were  be- 
latedly disclosed  here  today  by  the 
Treasury  for  the  calendar  year  1945 
and  the  fiscal  years  ending  between 
June  1945  and  June  1946. 

Producing  firms  filed  702  returns,  of 
which  315  showed  a  net  income  and 
288  a  deficit.    The  Treasury  did  not 

(.Continued  on  page  4) 


Theatre  Cancels  'Spot-News9  Newsreel 
Received  Five  Days  After  Telecast 

Salt  Lake  City,  July  8. — Charles  M.  Pincus,  manager  of  the  Utah 
Theatre  here,  announced  cancellation  of  a  20th  Century-Fox  Movie- 
tone newsreel  containing  mostly  pictures  of  the  Republican  con- 
vention because  "the  same  scenes  were  shown'  on  television  locally 
five  days  before  they  were  made  available"  to  his  theatre.  So  far 
as  is  known,  this  is  the  first  action  of  this  type  reported. 

While  there  are  only  about  500  sets  in  homes  in  the  city,  down- 
town stores  have  the  sets  in  the  windows  and  nightly  attract 
crowds  to  telecasts.  Pincus  explained  that  he  is  in  the  habit  of 
"catching"  the  television  shows  and  said  the  scenes  in  question 
were  shown  on  video  two  days  after  the  convention  was  over  and 
were  not  made  available  for  newsreel  "showing  in  the  Utah  until 
five  days  later  or  a  week  after  the  convention. 

Pincus  declared  newsreel  companies  must  make  spot  pictures 
available  for  immediate  showing  in  cases  of  this  type.  "Television 
is  a  competitor  and  we  must  realize  it,"  he  declared. 


RKO  Layoffs  Pave 
Way  for  New  Regime 


Hollywood,  July  8. — While  mem- 
bers of  the  RKO  board  of  directors 
were  preparing  for  their  first  formal 
meeting  with  Howard  Hughes,  the 
studio  has  initiated  substantial  layoffs 
in  several  departments  in  a  move  be- 
lieved to  be  prefatory  to  installation 
of  the  new  regime.  With  a  majority 
of  the  studio's  writers  instructed  to 
complete  scripts  or  present  summaries 
of  incompleted  ones  by  Saturday,  the 
departments  affected  by  the  layoffs  in- 
cluded writers,  publicity,  casting,  sec- 
retarial and  technical. 

The  board  meeting,  which  will  be 
convened  this  weekend,  is  expected  to 
culminate  in  a  clear-cut  definition  of 
company  policy  under  Hughes. 


Jap  Quake  Killed 
1,500  in  Theatres 


At  least  1,500  persons  in  theatres 
were  killed  in  last  week's  earthquake 
in  Japan,  a  delayed  report  from 
Charles  Mayer,  Motion  Picture  Ex- 
port Association  director  in  Japan 
discloses. 

Released  here  yesterday  by  the 
MPEA,  the  report  revealed  that  in 
Fukui  alone,  all  six  of  the  city's  film 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


2 


Motion  picture  Daily 


Friday,  July  9,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

OSCAR  A.  DOOB,  Loew's  general 
theatre  executive,  left  here  yester- 
day for  a  vacation  in  Wisconsin. 
• 

Dorothea  J.  Lutjens,  personnel 
manager  of  the  Motion  Picture  As- 
sociation of  America,  will  be  married 
tomorrow  to  Robert  W.  Little,  New 
York  engineer,  at  Crugers'-on-the- 
Hudson,  N.  Y. 

• 

Herman  Silver  of  Columbia's  spe- 
cial events  and  exploitation  depart- 
ment, and  Mrs.  Silver  have  become 
parents  of  their  first  child,  a  son,  Al- 
lan Edward,  born  at  Women's  Hos- 
pital here. 

• 

C.  J.  Feldman,  Universal-Interna- 
tional Western  division  sales  manager, 
will  return  to  New  York  this  weekend 
from  a  tour  of  Des  Moines,  Omaha, 
Milwaukee  and  Chicago  exchanges. 
• 

Sam  Hinson,  Selznick  Releasing 
Organization  branch  manager  in  Char- 
lotte, was  in  Atlanta  this  week  for  a 
sales  meeting  with  Henry  Krumm, 
Southern  district  manager. 

• 

Ruth  Simon  of  the  Authors  and 
Artists  Guild  and  Francine  Grad 
will  produce  a  play  on  Broadway'this 
fall. 

• 

Clark  Gable  and  Kay  Kyser  and 
his  wife  are  among  passengers  who 
will  sail  for  Europe  today  on  the 
Queen  Mary. 

• 

Burtus    Bishop,   Jr.,  Midwestern 
sales  manager  for  M-G-M,  will  be  in 
Des  Moines  today  from  Chicago  and 
is  due  in  Minneapolis  on  Monday. 
• 

Mel  Ballerino,  M-G-M  assistant 
casting  director,  and  his  wife  are  in 
town  from  the  Coast. 

• 

Charles  C.  Moskowitz,  Loew's 
vice-president  and  treasurer,  left  here 
yesterday  for  the  Coast. 

• 

I.  J.   Hoffman,  head  of  Warner 
Theatres   in   New   England,  was  in 
Boston  yesterday  from  Albany,  N.  Y. 
• 

Martin    Bennett,    RCA  district 
manager  of  the  sound  division,  was  in 
Boston  yesterday  from  Albany,  N.  Y. 
• 

Noel  Meadow,  industry  publicist, 
and  his  wife,  Sylvia,  are  observing 
their  fourth  wedding  anniversary. 


Anna  N eagle  Again 
Tops  UK  Fan  Poll 

London,  July  8. — Anna  Neagle  has 
been  selected  "Queen  of  the  World's 
Screen"  for  the  second  consecutive 
year  by  readers  of  The  Picturegoer, 
British  fan  magazine.  Miss  Neagle's 
name  is  at  the  top  of  the  list  this  year 
for  the  third  time  in  the  16-year  his- 
tory of  the  poll,  making  her  a  mem- 
ber of  the  "Select  Company  of  the 
Screen  Elect."  Only  two  others  have 
reached  that  class :  Greer  Garson  and 
Sir  Laurence  Olivier. 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


DET  on  it :  There  will  be  no 
withdrawal  from  the  British 
market  by  the  American  compa- 
nies.   There  are  reasons. 

First:  Division  of  interests 
makes  its  improbable — and  per- 
haps impossible — to  reach  a 
basis  of  common  procedure.  Be- 
cause Paramount  faces  a  kick- 
ing around  in  England,  Barney 
Balaban  favors  forthright  ac- 
tion. Because  20th  Century- 
Fox  is  part  owner  of  Gaumont 
British  via  the  Metropolis  and 
Bradford  Trust,  Spyros  Skouras 
is  not  quite  as  discouraged;  con- 
sequently, he  counsels  modera- 
tion.   And  so  on. 

Second:  Fifty-five  per  cent  of 
British  playing  time  remains 
outside  the  new  quota  which 
will  devour  the  remaining  45 
per  cent.  On  the  half-loaf-or- 
better  theory,  Britain  continues 
an  important  market  for  Ameri- 
can films. 

Third:  Perhaps  it  is  an  empty 
prospect,  but  much  opinion  looks 
toward  the  State  Department 
for  action,  not  merely  cautious 
half-promise.  Now  that  the 
European  Recovery  Program 
has  been  accepted  formally  by 
the  British,  attention  is  being  re- 
directed toward  one  of  the  essen- 
tial planks  of  that  program 
which  makes  it  clear  artificial 
trade  barriers  are  not  to  be 
maintained  against  American 
industry. 


"I  am  going  to  take  my  coat 
off  to  see  that  everybody  plays 
his  45  per  cent  quota." — J.  Ar- 
thur Rank  at  a  trade  press  con- 
ference in  London  on  June  14. 

"J.  Arthur  Rank  .  .  .  acknowl- 
edged .  .  .  certain  British  ex- 
hibitors are  'quite  properly  en- 
titled to  claim  relief  under  Sec- 
tion 4  of  the  new  cinematograph 
[quota]  act'.  .  .  .  His  statement 
was  his  first  acknowledgement 
that  any  exhibitor  had  a  possible 
grievance.  It  also  was  an 
about-face  in  connection  with 
his  previously  public-declared 
intention  to  ensure  that  all  play 
45  per  cent  British  product  with 
no  excuses."  — Motion  Picture 
Daily,  July  8,  from  London. 


King:  O,  my  offence  is  rank, 
it  smells  to  heaven—  Hamlet, 
Act  III,  Scene  III. 

■  ■ 

Slightly  historical  is  the  cur- 
rent run  of  "Fort  Apache"  at 
the  Capitol.     This  is  the  first 


RKO  release  to  play  this  New 
York  first  run  since  "Tender 
Comrade,"  which  had  two  weeks 
there  beginning  June  1,  1944. 
The  reason  is  not  difficult  to 
find.  Since  RKO  converted  the 
Palace  into  double  features, 
RKO  distribution  is  minus  a 
show  window  in  the  Times 
Square  district  and  must  rely  on 
deals  with  outside  interests. 

Bob  Mochrie  struck  one  with 
Joe  Vogel,  and  "Apache"  en- 
tered the  Capitol. 

■  ■ 

On  the  way,  or  planned,  are 
further  signs  that  a  cycle  of  war 
films  is  brewing.  The  signs : 
"Rogue's  Regiment,"  from  Uni- 
versal; "C.I.D.  Agent,"  Colum- 
bia; "Sands  of  Iwo  Jima,"  Re- 
public ;  "These  Were  My 
Orders,"  Eagle-Lion. 

■  ■ 

In  the  American  zone  of  oc- 
cupied Germany,  no  person  may 
hold  a  post  in  more  than  one 
branch  of  the  German  film  in- 
dustry. Nor  can  one  person  or 
One  company  own,  or  hold  an  in- 
terest in,  more  than  10  theatres. 

Still  think  the  Supreme  Court 
decision  was  tough? 

■  ■ 

Insiders  who  have  had  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  "Red  River" 
cannot  contain  their  enthusiasm. 
They  agree  that  when  UA 
places  this  one  from  Howard 
Hawks  in  the  same  category  as 
"The  Covered  Wagon"  and 
"Cimarron"  it  is  not  exaggerat- 
ing. 

■  ■ 

Independent  producers,  still 
feeling  the  urge,  are  being 
tempered  by  these  general  condi- 
tions of  financing. 

1.  — Bank  loans  seldom  beyond 
45  per  cent. 

2.  — Scarcity  of  second  money. 

3.  —  Unlimited  completion 
bond  a  requirement. 

■  ■ 

Supreme  Court  or  not,  have 
you  noticed  how  Karl  Hoblit- 
zelle  and  his  Interstate  Circuit 
are  dissolving  long-standing  the- 
atre partnerships  in  the  sov- 
ereign state  of  Texas?  Several 
of  them  date  back  14  years. 


According  to  the  Treasury 
Department,  Phil  Berg,  Coast 
agent,  drew  $112,661.78,  and 
Bert  Allenberg,  his  partner, 
$112,741.82  in  1946. 

What  did  Bert  do  to  rate  the 
additional  $80.04 


Griffis  in  New 
Ambassador's  Post 

Washington,  July  8. — President 
Truman  today  named  Stanton  Griffis 
Ambassador  to  Egypt.  Griffis,  who  is 
chairman  of  Paramount's  executive 
committee,  had  been  Ambasador  to 
Poland.  The  appointment  is  a  recess 
one. 

It  had  been  expected  that  Griffis 
would  be  appointed   Ambassador  to 
Turkey.  „v 
  Job, 

Sobel  in  FC  Post  ^ 

Sam  Sobel  has  been  named  branch 
manager  of  Film  Classics'  San  Fran- 
cisco exchange,  to  replace  the  late 
Fred  Abelson. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


c — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL- 

Rockefeller  Center 
BING  JOAN 

CROSBY  FONTAINE 

in  "THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ"! 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 
A  Paramount  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


JOHN  FORD'S 
MASTERPIECE 

"FORT 

APACHE 

COOL 


IN  PERSON  jf 

LENA  HORNE  , 

Special!  Ji 

PAUL  WINCHELL  B 

Extra!  I) 

SKINNAY  ENNIS  If 

and  his  ORCH.  {[) 


CAPITOL 


B'way  & 
51st  St. 


greatest  ctar- 
andrsong-shewl 


Released  thru  RKO  Radio  Pictures 


Cast  of  10,000  in 
Cecil  B.  DeMille's 

with  Loretta  Young  •  Henry  Wilcoxon 

A  PARAMOUNT  U-U1EASE  „ 

Scidntiflc.il,  Air  Co~o.iii.id  Doors 


DAN  DAILEY 

"Give  My  Regards  To  Broadway" 

A  20th  Century-Fox  Picture  in  Technicolor 
On  Variety  Stage— THE  ANDREWS  SISTERS 


DEAN 
CAROL 


MARTIN   and  JERRY 

On   Ice  Stage  — 
LYNNE     ■  ARNOLD 


LEWIS 
SHODA 


ROXY 


7th  Ave.  & 
50th  St.  : 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwm  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl  Hope  Burnup  Manager  Peter  Burnup 
Editor;  cable  address,  Quigpubco,  London.'  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N  Y.  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.    Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies.  10c. 


On  July  26th 

*"The  Babe  Ruth 

joins  the  list  of 
distinguished  motion  pictures 
which  have  been  presented 
at  America's  foremost 
House  of  Hits  . . . 

The  AstOr  Theatre 

NEW  YORK  CITY 


World  Premiere 


A  ROY  DEL  RUTH  PRODUCTION  .  Presented  by  Allied 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  July  9,  1948 


AMPA  to  Support 
TOA  'Youth  Month' 

Associated  Motion  Picture  Adver- 
tisers will  support  the  "Youth  Month" 
campaign  sponsored  by  the  Theatre 
Owners  of  America.  This  will  be  the 
first  project  on  which  the  two  will 
work  together  since  a  fundamental 
agreement  on  cooperating  in  public 
relations  was  made  last  week. 

AMPA  president  Max  Youngstein 
attended  yesterday's  meeting  of  the 
TOA  here,  with  Robert  W.  Coyne, 
retiring  director  of  TOA;  his  succes- 
sor, Gael  Sullivan;  Earl  Hudson,  head 
of  public  relations  for  the  organiza- 
tion, and  D.  John  Phillips  of  the  Met- 
ropolitan Motion  Picture  Theatres 
Association. 

Thornton  Sargent,  head  of  TOA's 
promotion  of  Youth  Month,  is  ex- 
pected here  from  the  Coast  today  and 
will  work  out  details  of  the  joint  ef- 
fort with  Youngstein  next  week. 


Youngstein  Outlines  AMPA 
Activities  for  Next  Year 

Max  E.  Youngstein,  president  of 
Associated  Motion  Picture  „  Adver- 
tisers, at  a  meeting  of  the  organiza- 
tion's board  of  trustees  yesterday  out- 
lined a  seven-point  program  which 
will  set  the  pattern  for  AMPA's  com- 
ing year's  activities.  The  program  was 
adopted  unanimously  by  the  board. 

The  program  consists  of  the  follow- 
ing :  a  stepped-up  membership  drive  to 
double  the  present  membership  with 
the  appointment  of  a  membership  cap- 
tain in  each  film  company  as  well  as 
in  allied  crafts  ;  plans  for  cooperation 
with  exhibitor  groups  such  as  Theatre 
Owners  of  America ;  cooperation  with 
Screen  Publicists  Guild ;  utilization  of 
field  exploitation  men  in  industry  pub- 
lic relations  for  AMPA  membership; 
active  recruitment  of  newspaper,  radio 
and  magazine  personnel  throughout  the 
country  who  are  to  form  a  committee 
as  consultant  members  of  AMPA ; 
plans  for  an  annual  organization  din- 
ner, and  inauguration  of  AMPA 
awards  for  the  best  advertising,  pub- 
licity and  exploitation  campaigns. 

Skouras  Urges  Help 
For  Child  Aid  Drive 

An  urgent  call  for  aid  to  child  vic- 
tims of  the  war  was  sounded  by  Spyros 
P.  Skouras,  president  of  20th-Fox, 
yesterdays  in  an  address  introducing 
Dwight  D.  Eisenhower  at  the  United 
Nations  Appeal  luncheon  at  the  Wal- 
dorf-Astoria Hotel. 

Skouras  said  that  the  United  Nations 
Appeal  provides  "an  opportunity 
through  our  private  efforts  to  clinch 
the  understanding  and  support  of  the 
world  through  deeds  of  kindly  good 
neighborliness  in  this  staggering  emer- 
gency." The  Appeal's  goal  in  the  New 
York  area  is  $6,600,000. 

Aid  for  Rogers  Fund 
Pledged  in  Capital 

Washington,  July  8. — Distributors 
and  exhibitors  in  the  Washington  area 
today  pledged  support  to  the  industry 
drive  to  raise  funds  to  prevent  closing 
of  the  Will  Rogers  Memorial  Hospi- 
tal at  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y.  A  deci- 
sion on  the  method  of  raising  funds  lo- 
cally was  deferred  until  Monday. 

The  matter  was  put  before  the  local 
trade  at  a  luncheon  sponsored  by  the 
general  sales  managers  of  the  distribu- 
tors and  was  presided  over  by  Charles 
M.  Reagan  of  Paramount,  and  Rob- 
ert Mochrie  of  RKO  Radio. 


Quake  Killed  1,500 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

theatres  collapsed  from  the  violence  of 
the  tremors  and  were  reduced  to  ashes 
in  the  ensuing  conflagration.  The  only 
theatre  in  the  city  playing  an  Ameri- 
can film,  the  Chu  Eiga  Gekijo,  was 
miraculously  cleared  of  1,300  a  few 
minutes  before  the  quake  leveled  the 
building.  Prints  of  "100  Men  and  a 
Girl"  were  destroyed  in  the  flames. 
Heaviest  toll  of  life  was  taken  at  the 
Toho  Theatre  where  over  1,000  died 
in  the  holocaust. 

Mayer  has  authorized  a  series  of 
charity  performances  for  the  benefit 
of  the  stricken  in  cooperation  with 
native  relief  agencies. 


Hersholt  Warns 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


casion  was  the  presentation  of  awards 
to  five  British  production  technicians. 

The  only  ones  who  can  get  the  pub- 
lic to  see  pictures,  Hersholt  declared, 
are  those  who  make  them  and,  in  the 
final  analysis,  he  added,  the  only  ar- 
biter is  the  public  itself,  whether  in 
Britain  or  America.  Legislatures  or 
industrial  leaders  are  not  the  arbiters, 
he  said. 

British  recipients  of  the  academy 
awards  were:  John  Bryan  and  Alfred 
Junge  for  art  direction,  Wildred  Shin- 
gleton  for  interior  decoration,  and  Guy 
Green  and  Jack  Cardiff  for  cinema- 
tography. British  pictures  involved 
were  "Great  Expectations"  and  "Black 
Narcissus." 


Brazil  Market  Crisis 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

necessary  to  complete  the  program. 

Foreign  department  executives  here 
hesitated  to  term  the  measure  "dis- 
criminatory," since  it  is  yet  to  be 
seen  whether  similar  measures  will  be 
applied  against  other  imports.  MPAA 
said  it  is  waiting  for  a  report  from 
Joachim  D.  Rickard,  its  Rio  de  Janei- 
ro representative,  before  taking  any 
action  of  its  own,  and  yesterday  dis- 
counted press  dispatches  from  Rio  de 
Janeiro  hinting  at  a  boycott  of  Brazil's 
theatres. 


Mexican  Industry 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

bers  in  good  standing  of  the  Associa- 
tion of  Mexican  Picture  Producers 
and  Distributors. 

Reports  are  that  the  Federal  Min- 
istry of  Finance  is  studying  proposals 
to  follow  the  local  government's  ex- 
ample and  forgive  the  trade  its  Fed- 
eral debts  and  exempt  it  from  national 
taxes. 


Defer  EC  A  Group  Meet 

Washington,  July  8. — First  meet- 
ing of.  the  Economic  Corporation  Ad- 
ministration's advisory  board,  of 
which  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  president  Eric  Johnston  is  a 
member,  has  been  postponed  from 
July  14  to  July  16.  Members  will  be 
sworn  in  at  the  meeting. 


Industry  Short  Ready 

Hollywood,  July  8.— "This  Theatre 
and  You,"  first  of  the  series  of  the 
industry's  documentary  shorts,  has 
been  completed  by  Gordon  Hollings- 
head,  Warner  shorts  department  head, 
and  prints  have  been  shipped  to  Wash- 
ington and  New  York. 


Canam  Will  Start 
With  Three  a  Year 

Canam  Film  Productions,  Ltd.,  new 
Canadian  production  organization, 
plans  to  make  three  pictures  a  year 
pending  the  availability  of  improved 
studio  facilities  in  the  Dominion,  it 
was  disclosed  here  yesterday  by  Rob- 
ert Montgomery,  former  advertising- 
publicity  executive  for  20th-Fox  and 
the  J.  Arthur  Rank  Organization,  who 
will  function  as  executive  producer. 

It  was  indicated  by  Montgomery, 
who  is  in  New  York  from  his  Toronto 
headquarters  for  discussions  on  a  re- 
leasing deal,  that  Canam  would  en- 
large its  program  as  soon  as  more 
space  for  production  is  made  avail- 
able. He  said  Canam's  product  would 
be  made  at  no  set  budget,  with  the 
first  picture  to  be  "The  Gallant  Green- 
horn," which  is  expected  to  be  put  into 
production  in  August  from  a  script 
based  on  a  Canadian  Broadcasting  Co. 
radio  program.  Canam  has  first  call 
on  CBC  radio  properties  in  Canada, 
he  said. 

Montgomery  will  return  to  Toronto 
today. 

Booking  of  'Rebel' 
Urged  by  Johnston 

In  mail  sent  yesterday  to  the  secre- 
taries of  the  2,400  Chambers  of  Com- 
merce in  the  country,  Eric  Johnston, 
president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Asso- 
ciation of  America,  called  upon  them 
to  urge  their  local  theatres  to  book 
"Letter  to  a  Rebel,"  second  in  the  in- 
dustry's short  subject  series  on  Amer- 
ican democracy  in  action. 

The  subject  was  produced  by  RKO 
Pathe  as  part  of  This  is  America. 

Columbia  Meeting 
On  Coast  Winds  Up 

Hollywood,  July  8. — Jack  Cohn,  A. 
Schneider,  Leo  Jaffe,  A.  Montague, 
Nate  Spingold  and  Joseph  McConville 
will  leave  here  over  the  weekend  for 
New  York,  following  a  week  of  con- 
ferences with  Harry  Cohn  and  other 
executives  at  the  Columbia  studio  on 
production  plans  for  the  year. 


315  Producing  Firms 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

account  for  the  others.  Those  with  a 
net  income  showed  total  receipts  of 
$736,387,000  and  net  income  of  $109,- 
882,000.  They  paid  $42,196,000  in  in- 
come and  excess  profits  taxes  and  $34,- 
999,000  in  dividends  in  cash  and  assets 
other  than  their  own  stock.  Firms 
showing  a  deficit  had  total  receipts  of 
$31,902,000,  a  net  deficit  of  $5,621,000, 
and  paid  $33,000  in  dividends. 

In  exhibition,  2,852  returns  were 
filed  by  firms  showing  a  profit  and 
479  by  firms  showing  a  deficit.  The 
plus  returns  indicated  receipts  of 
$870,200,000,  net  income  of  $163,559,- 
000,  income  and  excess  profits  taxes 
of  $94,479,000,  and  dividends  of  $35,- 
856,000.  The  deficit  returns  indicated 
receipts  of  $31,852,000,  deficits  of 
$1,990,000,  and  dividends  of  only 
$17,000. 


Zanuck  to  London 

Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  20th  Century- 
Fox's  production  vice-president,  ar- 
rived in  New  York  from  the  Coast 
yesterday  preparatory  to  his  departure 
immediately  for  London.  He  will  then 
go  to  Germany.  He  will  be  accom- 
panied by  Mrs.  Zanuck. 


Fred  E.  Pelton,  55, 
Retired  AMPP  Aide 

Los  Angeles,  July  8. — Fred  E.  Pel- 
ton,  55,  who  retired  as  labor  represen- 
tative for  the  Association  of  Motion 
Picture  Producers  last  September  af- 
ter nine  years  in  the  post,  died  today. 
Since  his  retirement  he  had  devoted 
himself  to  perfecting  and  marketing 
production  efficiency  in  studio  con- 
struction systems.  ^. 

Born  in  Denver  on  Nov.  1,  If  Joh 
Pelton  was  educated  at  the  U.TJf>, 
Naval  Academy  and  the  Massachusetts 
Institute  of  Technology.  From  1922 
to  1924  he  was  general  manager  of 
United  Studios  here,  then  joined  First 
National  Pictures  as  studio  manager 
from  1925  to  1928.  He  became  asso- 
ciated with  M-G-M  in  1929,  as  studio 
and  executive  manager  until  1936, 
then  as  production  executive  for 
M-G-M  in  London  from  1937  to  1939. 


McPherson  Burial 
To  Be  in  Chicago 

Funeral  services  for  John  R.  Mc- 
Pherson, 45,  joint  managing  director 
of  National  Screen  Service,  Ltd.,  of 
Great  Britain,  will  be  held  in  Chicago, 
his  home  city.  The  body  is  being  flown 
from  London. 

McPherson,  an  NSS  veteran,  died 
in  London  Wednesday.  He  was  branch 
manager  in  Chicago  for  years,  later 
becoming  Western  division  manager 
and  finally  an  executive  at  the  home 
office  in  New  York.  His  mother  and 
two  sisters  survive. 


Harry  Fried,  Phila. 
Exhibitor,  Succumbs 

Philadelphia,  July  8.  —  Harry 
Fried,  58,  well-known  suburban  ex- 
hibitor, died  today  after  an  illness  of 
several  weeks  in  Bryn  Mawr  Hospital. 
A  native  of  Russia,  Fried  came  to  this 
country  when  he  was  16.  He  operated 
the  Anthony  Wayne  Theatre  in 
Wayne,  the  Suburban  in  Ardmore  and 
two  houses  in  Conshohocken. 

Survivors  include  the  widow,  Flor- 
ence, six  children  and  a  brother,  Mor- 
ris. Funeral  services  will  be  held 
tomorrow. 


Services  for  Roxy's 
Brother,  Max,  65 

Private  funeral  rites  were  held  yes- 
terday for  Max  Rothafel,  65,  brother 
of  the  late  Samuel  L.  Rothafel.  Death 
came  on  Tuesday  after  a  heart  attack. 

Among  survivors  are  the  widow,  a 
daughter  and  a  son,  Robert  C.  Roth- 
afel, a  district  manager  of.  Fox  West 
Coast  Theatres  Corp. 

Rothafel  was  stricken  the  day  after 
his  return  from  a  trip  to  Brazil,  where 
he  represented  the  Institute  de  Caco 
de  Brasil. 


Mrs.  Paul  Benjamin 

Mrs.  Lucille  Benjamin,  wife  of  Paul 
Benjamin,  National  Screen  Service 
executive,  died  on  Wednesday  at 
Miami  Shores,  Fla.,  after  a  year's  ill- 
ness.   A  son,  William,  also  survives. 


Republic  28 -Week 
Net  Is  $236,832 

Republic  Pictures  and  subsidiaries 
report  a  net  profit  after  taxes  of  $236,- 
832  for  the  26  weeks  ended  April  26, 
compared  with  .earnings  of  $656,297 
for  the  same  period  of  1947. 


Friday,  July  9,  1948 


Motion  Picture  daily 


5 


Key  City 
Grosses 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
ture grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


Review 


ANGELES 

Weather  was  too  good,  beaches  and 
baseball  too  attractive,  and  the  out-of- 
doors  in  general  too  alluring  for  box- 
office  welfare  generally  over  the  long 
holiday.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week'  ended  July  7  : 

BERLIN  EXPRESS  (RKO'  Radio)  and 
STAGE  STRUCK  (Mono.) — BELMONT 
(1,600)  (5Oc-60c-85c-$l.OO).  Gross:  $7,000. 
(Average:  $5,750) 

BERLIN  EXPRESS  (RKO  Radio)  and 
STAGE  STRUCK  (Mono.)— EL  REY  (861) 
(50c -60c- 85c -$1.00).  Gross:  $8,500.  (Aver- 
age: $5,700) 

BERLIN  EXPRESS  (RKO  Radio)  and 
STAGE  STRUCK  (Mono.)— ORPHEUM 
(2,210)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $18,000. 
(Average:  $14,650) 

BERLIN  EXPRESS  (RKO  Radio)  and 
STAGE  STRUCK  (Mono.) — VOGUE  (800) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $8,500.  (Aver- 
age: $6,500) 

THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN   (Col.)  and 
THUNDERHOOF     (Col.)  —  HILLSTREET 
(2,700)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  3rd  week.  Gross: 
$20,000.    (Average:  $18,950) 
THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (CoL)  and 
THUNDERHOOF  (CoL) — PANTAGES  (2,- 
000)    (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)    3rd    week.  Gross: 
$19,000.    (Average:  $17,150) 
HAZARD  (Para.)  and  WATERFRONT  AT 
MIDNIGHT     (Para.)  —  PARAMOUNT 
(Downtown)      (.3,595)      (  50c-60c-80c-$1.00 ). 
Gross:  $14,000.    (Average:  $16,450) 
HAZARD  (Para.)  and  WATERFRONT  AT 
MIDNIGHT  (Para.) — PARAMOUNT  (Hoi- 
lywood)    (1,407)    (50c-60c-80c-$1.00).  Gross: 
$10,500.    (Average:  $13,000) 
ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA-Bogeaus)— 
MUSIC  HALL  (Beverly  Hills)   (900)  (65c- 
85c-$1.00)  4th  week.    Gross:  $2,500.  (Aver- 
age: $3,150) 

ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA-Bogeaus)— 

MUSIC  HALL  (Downtown)  (900)  (65c-85c- 
$1.00)  4th  week.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Average: 
$7,550) 

ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA-Bogeaus)— 

MUSIC  HALL  (Hawaii)  (1,000)  (65c-85c- 
$1.00)  4th  week.  Gross:  $2,600.  (Average: 
$3,400) 

ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA-Bogeaus)— 

MUSIC  HALL  (Hollywood)  (490)  (65c-85c- 
$1.00)  4th  week.  Gross:  $2,200.  (Average: 
$3,100) 

THE  PIRATE  (M-G-M) — EGYPTIAN  (1,- 
000)    (50c -60c -85c -$1.00)    2nd   week.  Gross: 
$11,500.     (Average:  $11,900) 
THE    PIRATE     (M-G-M)  —  FOX  -  WIL- 
SHIRE  (2,303')  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $11,500.     (Average:  $12,850) 
THE  PiRAIE  (M-G-M) — LOS  ANGELES 
(2,096)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$18,000.    (Average:  $18,100) 
ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 
—WARNERS  (Downtown)   (3,400)  (50c-60c- 
80c-$1.00)  2nd  week.    Gross:  $11,500.  (Aver- 
age: $13,730) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 

— WARNERS  (Hollywood)  (3,000)  (50c-60c- 
80c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $10,000.  (Av- 
erage: $11,650) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 

—WARNERS  (Wiltern)  (2,300)  (50c-60c-80c- 
$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $9,000.  (Average: 
$11,220) 

THE  SEARCH  (M-G-M) — FOUR  STAR 
(900)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $10,000. 
(Average:  $7,450) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 
Roach)— CARTHAY  CIRCLE  (1,516)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $10,000. 
(Average:  $9,500) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20  th- 
Fox)  and  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 

Roach)— CHINESE  (2,300)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $14,500.  (Average: 
$13,000) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and'  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 
Roach) — LOEWS  SATE  (2,500)  (50c-60c- 
85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $26,500.  (Aver- 
age: $19,800) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 
Roach) — LOYOLA  (1,265)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 
2nd  week.  Gross:  $10,000.  (Average:  $10,- 
000) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 
Roach)  —  UPTOWN     (1,716)  (50c-60c-85c- 


The  Illegals 

(Mayer-Burstyn) 

ONE  of  the  most  ruthlessly  honest  and  solemnly  engrossing  documentary- 
dramas  in  many  seasons  is  presented  in  "The  Illegals,"  depicting  the 
exodus  of  displaced  Jews  from  Europe  to  Palestine  by  way  of  the  under- 
ground. Made  at  a  relatively  modest  budget,  the  picture  teems  with  genuine 
touches  and  unadorned  simplicity.  Even  in  its  repetitiveness  the  film  never 
loses  its  dominating  power.  Within  the  sphere  of  selective  audiences  it  should 
enjoy  a  whopping  popularity,  especially  since  the  theme  is  one  that  receives 
daily  prominence  in  newspapers  of  the  nation. 

Meyer  Levin,  an  author  of  note  in  his  own  right,  wrote,  directed  and  pro- 
duced the  production  for  Americans  for  Haganah.  While  all  of  the  material 
is  factual,  it  is  highlighted  dramatically  through  the  device  of  having  the 
cameras  center  on  a  young  married  couple  who  take  the  hazardous  journey  of 
escape  with  hundreds  of  others.  The  cameras  record  neutrally  the  struggles 
and  hardships  of  the  long  trek  across  several  countries,  followed  by  a  har- 
rowing sea  voyage.  No  standard  Hollywood  ending  closes  the  drama.  As 
the  beleaguered  group  reaches  its  journey's  end,  it  is  barred  from  enter- 
ing Palestine  by  British  warships. 

The  narration  provided  by  Levin  is  an  admirable  job  that  never  once  stoops 
to  the  irony  or  sarcasm  that  easily  might  have  been  provoked.  The  drama 
is  one  that  is  washed  with  human  agony  but  not  without  rays  of  hope.  The 
young  couple  in  the  cast  are  Tereska  Torres  and  Yankel  Mikalowitch.  "The 
illegals"  are  themselves. 

Running  time,  75  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
July  12.  Mandel  Hf.ebstman 


$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $10,500.  (Average: 
$10,100) 

UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  and 
DEVIL'S  CARGO'  (FC)-GUILD  (965) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $3,500. 
(Average:  $5,450) 

UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  and 
DEVIL'S  CARGO  (FC)-IRIS  (708)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $4,000. 
(Average:  $6,100) 

UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  and 
DEVIL'S  CARGOi  (FC)— RITZ  (1,376)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,500. 
(Average:  $9,050) 

UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  and 
DEVIL'S  CARGO'  (FC)— STUDIO  (880) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $4,000. 
(Average:  $6,300) 

UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  and 
DEVIL'S  CARGO  (FC)— UNITED  ART- 
ISTS (2,100)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $3,900.    (Average:  $9,580) 


CHICAGO 


Ideal  weekend  holiday  weather 
catered  to  the  masses  who  left  town, 
leaving  the  Loop  with  modest  attend- 
ance. Arriving  conventioneers  should 
perk  things  up  considerably.  Best  of 
the  lot  is  "Green  Grass  of  Wyoming," 
with  Peggy  Lee  in  person.  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ended  July  8 : 
ANOTHER  PART  OF  THE  FOREST 
(U-I)— GRAND  (1,150)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross: 
$12,000.  (Average:  $11,500) 
ARCH  OF  TRIUMPH  (UA)— WOODS  (1,- 
080)  (98c)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $15,000.  (Aver- 
age: $23,000) 

B.  F.'s  DAUGHTER  (M-G-M)— UNITED 
ARTISTS  (1,700)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $18,- 
000.    (Average:  $20,000) 

CORONER  CREEK  (Col.)— ROOSEVELT 
(1.500)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $13,000.  (Av- 
erage: $18,000) 

FOUR  FACES  WEST  (UA)— APOLLO 
(1,200)  (50c-65c-98c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $10,- 
000.    (Average:  $14,000) 

GREEN    GRASS    OF    WYOMING  (20th- 

Fox)— CHICAGO  (3,900)  (50c -65c -98c).  On 
stage:  Peggy  Lee.  Gross:  $45,000.  (Aver- 
age: $40,000) 

MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)— STATE  LAKE  —  (2,700) 
(50c-65c-98c)  6  days,  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$22,000.  (Average:  $30,000) 
THUNDER  IN  THE  VALLEY  (20th-Fox) 
—ORIENTAL  (3.300)  (98c).  On  stage: 
Three  Stooges.  Gross:  $40,000.  (Average: 
$40,000) 

UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)— PAL- 
ACE (2,500)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $19,000. 
(Average:  $21,000) 


MMPTA  Aid  Pledged 
To  NYC  Celebration 

Support  of  the  Metropolitan  Mofion 
Picture  Theatres  Association  for  the 
Golden  Jubilee  celebration  of  New 
York  City  has  been  pledged  to  Mayor 
William  O'Dwyer  by  the  MMPTA 
executive  committee,  comprising  Fred 
J.  Schwartz,  Century  Circuit ;  Oscar 
A.  Doob,  Loew's;  Julius  Joelson,  J. 
and  J.  Circuit;  Samuel  Rinzler,  Rand- 
force  Circuit,  and  Robert  M.  Weit- 
man,  managing  director  of  the  Para- 
mount. D.  John  Phillips  is  executive 
director  of  the  association. 


Actors'  Strike  Off 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Ignorant  of  Decision 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


3  for  E-L  on  Broadway 

With  two  Eagle-Lion  first-runs  hav- 
ing opened  on  Broadway  this  week, 
the  company  has  still  another  set  for 
next  week.  The  two  that  bowed  in 
this  week  are  "Canon  City,"  at 
Loew's  Criterion,  and  "Raw  Deal,"  at 
the  Victoria.  Opening  at  the  Gotham 
on  July  17  is  "Mickey." 


told  the  salesman  he  didn't  want  the 
two  pictures  but  would  buy  the  bal- 
ance. The  salesman  said  he  couldn't 
buy  any  if  he  didn't  take  them  all." 

"RKO  refused  to  confirm  and  ap- 
prove 'Best  Years  of  Our  Lives'  be- 
cause the  exhibitor  had  not  and  would 
not  buy  the  two  previous  Goldwyn 
pictures  'Mitty'  and  'Bishop's  Wife.'  " 

"A  Warner  Brothers  salesman  re- 
fused to  eliminate  two  pictures  on  a 
deal  and  told  the  exhibitor  that  here- 
after if  they  wanted  a  deal  they  could 
come  to  him." 

"A  Paramount  salesman  refused  to 
eliminate  a  picture  on  a  deal  and  said 
his  office  would  not  stand  for  it." 

Continued  Niles :  "All  of  these  cases 
are  flagrant  violations  of  the  decree, 
that  plainly  states  that  the  sale  of  any 
picture  shall  not  be  contingent  on  the 
sale  of  another.  We  advise  the  sales 
forces  hereafter  to  stop,  these  unlawful 
selling  tactics." 


ing  August,  a  sharp  reduction  in  activ- 
ity at  RKO  Radio  due  to  changes  in 
studio  management  there  and  today's 
persistent  reports  that  M-G-M  will 
enter  a  temporary  period  of  curtail- 
ment. However,  all  studios,  except 
Warner,  have  been  delaying  shooting 
commitments,  apprehensive  that  the 
SAG-producer  negotiations  might  fail 
and  catch  them  in  mid-stream. 

Video  Talks  to  Continue 

The  SAG  board  has  approved  a 
contract  running  to  Dec.  1,  1950,  with 
the  privilege  of  reopening  negotiations 
at  the  end  of  next  year.  Approval, 
moreover,  is  conditioned  on  an  agree- 
ment being  reached  providing  for  con- 
tinuation of  negotiations  on  television 
and  other  points  high  on  the  SAG 
agenda.  However,  all  parties  are  con- 
fident a  final  agreement  will  be  effect- 
ed before  the  close  of  this  year.  Fur- 
thermore, it  is  anticipated  that  a  con- 
tract with  Independent  Motion  Picture 
Producers  Association,  representing 
small-budget  independents,  will  be 
closed  in  the  near  future,  thereby  re- 
moving the  last  impediment  to  produc- 
tion insofar  as  actors  are  concerned. 

The  controversial  television  issue 
which  had  caused  a  break  in  negotia- 
tions early  in  April  was  resolved 
in  sub-committee  when  both  sides 
agreed  that  acting  for  video  is  differ- 
ent from  performing  for  films  designed 
for  regulation  motion  picture  theatres 
and,  therefore,  warrants  a  separate 
contract  which  will  be  worked  out. 
The  key  point,  which  is  whether  ac- 
tors are  to  receive  additional  compen- 
sation when  theatre  films  are  made 
available  for  telecasting,  was  bypassed 
by  a  clause  reading : 

60  Days'  Cancellation  Clause 

"If  producers  should  decide  to  li- 
cense for  television  any  film  made 
and  released  after  August  1,  1948,  and 
up  to  December  1,  1950,  the  Guild 
may  cancel  this  contract  on  60  days' 
notice.  Such  cancellation,  however, 
shall  not  be  exercised  before  January 
1,  1949." 

It  is  understood  negotiators  for  both 
sides  felt  any  final  decision  on  this 
point  should  await  developments  in 
the  rapidly  changing  video  situation. 

Reissues,  concerning  which  the 
SAG  seeks  assurance  that  the  num- 
ber of  revivals  will  be  restricted  to 
a  small  percentage  of  total  theatre 
playing  time,  are  among  secondary  is- 
sues on  which  negotiations  will  be 
continued  in  weekly  meetings.  The 
new  contract  guarantees  a  100  per  cent 
union  shop. 

In  a  joint  statement,  all  principals 
stated :  "We  hope  this  agreement  will 
be.  the  go-ahead  signal  for  increased 
production  in  Hollywood." 


Blair  on  Committee 

Harry  Blair  of  RKO  Radio  Pic- 
tures, has  joined  the  public  relations 
committee  of  the  Motion  Picture  Asso- 
ciates. Blair  replaces  Edward  Schrei- 
ber  who  has  left  the  industry.  Other 
members  of  the  committee  are :  Leon 
J.  Bamberger,  Myron  Siegel  and 
William  Ornstein. 


Raibourn  On  the  Air 

Paul  Raibourn,  vice-president  in 
charge  of  television  for  Paramount, 
will  be  interviewed  by  Tex  McCrary 
and  Jinx  Falkenberg  on  their  "Hi  ! 
Jinx"  radio  program,  WNBC,  today. 


I  OF  COURSE 
I 

I 

I  TEXAS, 
BR00KLYI 


1! 


WEN 

sent  from  UA 


His  pen-and-ink  people  live  for  laughter. .. 


BORN  on  the  drawing  board,  though 
they  are,  these  little  people  have  the 
breath  of  life  and  laughter  that  captures 
hearts  the  world  around — thanks  to  the 
creative  genius  of  the  animator. 

His  knowing  lines  belie  the  fact  that 
they  are  folk  of  fantasy ...  of  pen  and  ink 
and  paint.  For  each  and  every  one  has 
the  human  touch  .  .  .  has  been  fully  en- 
dowed with  character  and  lifelike  move- 


ment, through  the  animator's  artistry. 

Yet — for  all  his  wit  and  skill' — the 
animator  could  not  present  his  gift  of 
laughter  to  the  moviegoing  world  with- 
out the  help  of  film.  And  this — in  types 
especially  adapted  to  his  needs — he  finds 
in  the  famous  Eastman  family,  whose 
Fine  Grain  Master  Positive  and  Back- 
ground X  Negative  have  been  the  ani- 
mator's faithful  mediums  for  many  years. 


EASTMAN   KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER  4,  N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  DISTRIBUTORS 
FORT   LEE    •    CHICAGO    •  HOLLYWOOD 


- 

FIRST 

MOTION  PICTJU'JRle 

oAgeurate 

IN 

I  IN 

▲    "■"  Tf  T 

Concise 

and 

NEWS 

JJAlA  jli 

Impartial 

i'-*^    (.a     MO  7 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  JULY  12,  1948 

TEN  CENTS 

'Big  5'  to  Get 
More  Time  On 
Divorce  Data 


Gov't  Expected  to  Set 
New  Deadline  This  Week 

The  "Big  Five"  on  Friday  were 
victorious  in  their  efforts  to  obtain 
an  extension  of  time  from  the  De- 
partment of  Justice  for  the  submis- 
sion of  answers  to  interrogatories  on 
joint  theatre  ownerships  and  which 
were  served  on  the  defendants  on  July 
1  under  the  divestiture  clauses  of  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court  decision  in  the 
industry  anti-trust  case. 

Conversations  with  Robert  L.  Wright 
brought  assurances  from  the  special 
assistant  to  the  U.  S.  Attorney  Gen- 
eral that  the  deadline  for  the  filing  of 
answers  would  be  moved  back.  Wright 
is  said  to  have  recognized  that  the 
extensive  and  detailed  information 
sought  by  the  Government  could  not 
be  gathered  by  the  five  defendants  in 
the'  15  days  allowed  them  by  the  De- 
partment of  Justice  when  the  interro- 
gatories were  served. 

How  much  time  beyond  July  16  the 

{Continued  on  page  6) 


Video  Pickup 
Rights  Given 
To  Paramount 


Precluding  the  possibility  of  any 
legal  entanglement,  as  anticipated 
in  some  auarters.  the  General  Tele- 
vision Committee  for  Pooled  Cover- 
age of  the  National  Political  Conven- 
tions, reversing  its  original  position, 
has  agreed  to  permit  the  Paramount 
Theatre  here  to  pick  up  any  part  of 
the  video  account  of  the  Democratic 
national  convention  in  Philadelphia 
this  week,  for  reproduction  on  its 
large  screen  in  New  York. 

The  Paramount  will  use  its  special 
feed-line  which  directly  connects  its 
projection  booth,  and  where  a  special 
receiver  is  located,  with  the  Telephone 
Building  here  at  which  point  the  tele- 
vision images  of  the  convention  will 
be  received  by  coaxial  cable. 

Paramount   plans   to  project  only 

{Continued  on  page  7) 


Hearing  Today  on 
1st  NCA-Fox  Plaint 


Brazil's  40% 
RuleAttacked 


Sao  Paulo,  Brazil,  July  11.— Stiff 
fighting  is  foreseen  here  among  ex- 
hibitors and  between  American  film 
distributors  and  the  Brazilian  Price 
Control  Board  over  the  board's  new 
order  limiting  distributors'  film  per- 
centages to  40  per  cent.  The  distribu- 
tors, moving  fast  to  the  attack,  have 
already  sought  a  court  order  to  stay 
execution  of  the  surprise  regulation. 

Meanwhile,  a  large  segment  of  the 
industry  here  is  charging  that  the 
Control  Board  is  not  constitutional. 

Thus  far,  there  has  been  no  move 

{Continued  on  page  7) 


5th-Walnut  Loses 
Bid  for  New  Trial 


Minneapolis,  July  11. — Complaints 
charging  unfair  trade  practices  by 
20th-Fox  against  independent  theatre 
owners  in  the  Minneapolis  zone  are 
being  compiled  by  North  Central  Al 
lied  for  presentation  to  the  unit's 
grievance  board,  set  up  in  an  effort  to 
conciliate  complaints  and  stymie  pro- 
posed court  action. 

First  meeting  of  the  NCA  grievance 
committee  will  be  held  here  tomorrow, 
and  it  was  believed  that  only  two 
cases  may  be  brought  before  the  board 

{Continued  on  page  6) 


Ontario  Theatres 
Face  New  Blackout 

Toronto,  July  11.  —  The 
electric-power  situation  in 
Ontario  commencing  next 
October  will  again  be  critical 
and  restrictive  regulations 
will  be  necessary,  warns 
Chairman  R.  H.  Saunders  of 
the  Ontario  Hydro-Electric 
Power  Commission. 

Outdoor  theatre  and  other 
illumination  and  displays  will 
be  banned,  thus  bringing 
back  the  conditions  of  last 
winter  for  almost  all  of 
Ontario. 


50%  Slash  at  RKO 
As  Board  Convenes 


Hollywood,  July  11. — Approximate- 
ly half  of  RKO's  permanent  studio 
personnel  received  dismissal  notices  on 
Saturday  in  what  is  interpreted  as  an 
indication  that  production  activity  will 
be  halted,  except  for  films  now  shoot- 
ing, '  pending  implementation  of  new 
policies  to  be  decided  upon  by  the 
board  of  directors  in  the  next  few 
days.  Board  sessions,  which  are  ex- 
pected to  continue  for  several  days, 
started  today  with  Howard  Hughes 
slated  to  disclose  his  plans  for  the 
first  time  to  the  directorate. 

Typical  of  the  layoffs  in  all  studio 
departments,  according  to  reports,  the 
publicity  staff  lost  14  publicists  and 
five  clerks,  leaving  15  publicists  and 
nine  clerks  still  on  the  payroll.  The 
weekend  cut  of  50  per  cent  is  in  addi- 
tion to  a  large  number  of  "single  pic- 
ture" personnel  and  technical  workers 
whose  employment  was  terminated 
during  the  past  two  weeks  as  a  re- 
sult of  the  cancellation  of  three  films 
which  were  ready  for  shooting. 


UA  Swings  to 
Bid  Selling 
In  Chicago 

'Arch'  Will  Lead  Test 
Prompted  by  Loop  Decree 


Red  River 


99 


Fifth  and  Walnut  Amusement  Co. 
on  Friday  was  denied  motion  for  a 
new  trial  of  its  anti-trust  suit  against 
distributors  and  for  setting  aside  the 
June  29  jury  verdict  in  U.  S.  District 
Court  here  dismissing  the  distributor- 
defendants.  Federal  Judge  Vincent  L. 
Leibell  told  the  plaintiff's  attorney, 
{Continued  on  page  6) 


[Monterey-United  Artists]  —  This  One  Is  BIG 

UNITED  ARTISTS  has  been  going  lavish  on  claims  for  "Red 
River."  This  is  to  report,  and  early  in  this  review,  that  for  once 
there  has  been  no  exaggeration. 
This  attraction  has  a  dramatic  roar  like  thunder.  It  is  a  big  show  on 
all  required  counts — production  know-how  and  direction,  performances, 
story  and  background — intelligently  and  imaginatively  packaged  for  a 
composite  result  which  projects  "Red  River"  into  the  august  company 
of  titans  of  the  past  like  "The  Covered  Wagon"  and  ''Cimarron." 

Howard  Hawks,  who  produced  and  directed,  draws  the  chief  credit. 
He  had  many  assists  behind  and  in  front  of  the  camera,  of  course.  But 
in  his  dual  capacities,  he  and  no  one  else  held  the  key.  John  Wayne, 
Montgomery  Gift — watch  him  in  days  to  come — and  Walter  Brennan 
comprised  his  three  principals,  with  Joanne  Dru  as  the  unimportant 
feminine  foil  in  an  interesting  enough,  but  pedestrian,  story  of  the  early 
West.  "The  Chisholm  Trail,"  Saturday  Evening  Post  yarn  by  Borden 

{Continued  on  page  6) 


Chicago,  July  11. — United  Art- 
ists will  sell  forthcoming  product 
here  on  an  experimental  picture-to- 
picture  basis  under  competitive  bid- 
ding, thus  joining  20th  Century-Fox, 
RKO  Radio  and  M-G-M  which  have 
been  selling  by  bids  as  a  result  of  the 
Jackson  Park  decree. 

First  UA  release  under  the 
plan  is  "Arch  of  Triumph" 
which  terminated  its  Loop  run 
today  and  will  become  available 
for  initial  subsequent-run  dates 
July  30  under  a  theatre  zoning 
plan  which  UA  has  developed. 

The  distributor  has  divided  Chicago 
and  suburbs,  exclusive  of  Loop  first- 
runs,  into  11  major  zones.  These 
zones,  in  turn,  are  broken  down  into 
the  first  exclusive  zone,  the  exclusive 
sub-zone  and  the  second  sub-zone.  For 

{Continued  on  page  6) 


To  Probe  U.K. 
Defaulters 


London,  July  11. — Moving  to  ob- 
viate the  possibility  of  theatre  de- 
faulters under  the  new  45  per  cent 
Quota  Act,  the  British  Film  Pro- 
ducers' Association  has  formed  a  fact- 
finding division  which  will  look  into 
the  programming  of  every  theatre  in 
this  country,  according  to  BFPA  di- 
rector general  Sir  Henry  French. 

The  action  admittedly  imple- 
ments J.  Arthur  Rank's  asser- 
tion at  the  time  of  the  new 
quota's  adoption,  to  the  effect 
that  he  was  going  to  prepare 

{Continued  on  page  7) 


Robert  Clark  Heads 
ABPC  Production 


London,  July  11. — Promotions  con- 
tinue  in  the  top  ranks  of  Associated 
British  Pictures  Corp.,  with  the  nam- 
ing of  Robert  Clark,  production  ex- 
ecutive, to  be  executive  director  in 
charge  of  all  production.  Clark  was 
an  old  associate  of  the  late  John  Max- 
well and  his  appointment  is  considered 

{Continued  on  page  7) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  July  12,  1948 


North  Central  Allied 
Calls  Two  Meetings 

Minneapolis,  July  11. — North  Cen- 
tral Allied  will  meet  on  Tuesday, 
August  3,  at  Fargo,  and  again  on 
Wednesday,  August  4,  at  Devil's  Lake, 
to  discuss  and  act  on  trade  practices 
and  exhibitor  problems  of  the  day. 
Two  sessions  were  set  up  to  enable 
all  North  Dakota  and  Northeast  Min- 
nesota theatre  operators  to  attend. 
Benjamin  N.  Berger,  NCA  president, 
and  Stanley  D.  Kane,  executive  di- 
rector, will  preside.  The  board  is  ex- 
pected to  attend  in  full. 

Topping  the  agenda  will  be  a  forum 
on  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  decision 
in  the  Paramount  anti-trust  case  "and 
its  present  and  future  effect  on  the 
small  -  town  independent  exhibitor." 
Clearance  will  be  taken  up,  likewise 
conditioning  the  sale  of  one  picture 
on  another,  film  transportation  costs 
and  the  new  NCA-20th  Century-Fox 
conciliation  plan. 

Theatres  Hit  Penalty 
On  Bakersfield  Tax 

Bakersfield,  Cal.,  July  11. — A  new 
development  in  the  battle  between  this 
city  and  Fox  Bakersfield  Theatre 
Corp.  and  Fox  Paradise  Theatre 
Corp.,  arose  with  the  levying  of  an 
assessment  on  the  two  companies.  Im- 
mediate protest  was  voiced  by  the  the- 
tres  against  the  "excessive"  levies  and 
the  companies,  while  filing  actual  re- 
turns, included  no  payments. 

Last  January  the  theatre  corpora- 
tions refused  to  pay  their  January- 
March  installment  on  the  10  per  cent 
city  amusement  tax,  maintaining  that 
the  tax  is  unconstitutional.  The  city 
council  was  expected  to  impose  a  25 
per  cent  penalty  on  the  companies  as 
a  penalty  for  non-payment  as  provid- 
ed in  the  city  ordinance. 

Industry  Council 
Meet  Off  a  Week 

Hollywood,  July  11. — Scheduled 
July  13  meeting  of  studio,  guild  and 
union  representatives  on  preparations 
for  setting  up  an  industry  council  to 
guide  public  relations  has  been  post- 
poned to  July  20,  with  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America's  Eric  Johns- 
ton expected  to  preside. 


Cannella  in  Fielding  Post 

Commissioner  John  M.  Cannella  of 
the  Department  of  Water  Supply,  Gas 
and  Electricity,  was  appointed  and 
sworn  in  on  Friday  by  Mayor  Wil- 
liam O'Dwyer  as  the  Commissioner 
of  Licenses  for  New  York  City.  Can- 
nella succeeds  Benjamin  Fielding  who 
resigned  to  join  Loew's  here. 


Drive-In  for  0.  C.  Lam 

Atlanta,  July  11. — O.  C.  Lam,  pres- 
ident of  the  Lam  Amusement  Co., 
Rome,  Ga.,  will  start  construction  of 
drive-in  theatres  in  Rome  and  La 
Grange,  Ga. 


Everett's  New  Theatre 

Atlanta,  July  11. — The  New  Er- 
winton  Theatre,  owned  by  Fred  Ever- 
ett, in  Erwinton,  Ga.,  will  open  to 
the  public  this  week. 


Personal 


JOHN  JOSEPH,  Universal-Inter- 
national advertising-publicity  di- 
rector, is  due  here  tomorrow  from 
the  Coast. 

Carter  Barron,  Loew's  Eastern  di- 
vision manager  and  Washington  stu- 
dio representative  for  M-G-M,  is  re- 
covering in  Doctors  Hospital  in  the 
Capital  from  a  knee  operation  result- 
ing from  an  old  football  injury. 
• 

Meyer  Levin,  producer  of  "The  Il- 
legals," has  been  awarded  the  "Medal 
of  Freedom"  by  the  U.  S.  Army  Air 
Force  for  his  service  as  war  corre- 
spondent with  the  Ninth  Air  Force. 
• 

Leon  J.  Bamberger,  RKO  Radio 
sales  promotion  manager,  and  Mrs. 
Bamberger  and  their  daughter,  Lois, 
will  leave  here  on  Thursday  for  a  va- 
cation in  Minnesota. 

• 

Ricardo  Cortez,  who  has  been  here 
a  month  negotiating  for  story  proper- 
ties and  discussing  video  deals,  left 
here  yesterday  by  plane  for  the  Coast. 
• 

Ben  Wirth,  president  of  Warner 
Service  Corp.,  and  Harold  Rodner, 
vice-president,  left  here  over  the  week- 
end for  Chicago  and  Milwaukee. 
• 

Monty  Shaff,  co-producer  of 
"Man-Eater  of  Kumaon,"  left  here  at 
the  weekend  for  Hollywood. 

• 

Charles  and  Evelyn  Lee  Jones 
are  on  a  Caribbean  cruise. 


$4,000,000  Tieup 
For  'Babe  RutK 

Some  $4,000,000  will  be  spent  by 
national  advertisers  in  tieups  publiciz- 
ing Roy  Del  Ruth's  "The  Babe  Ruth 
Story,"  it  was  announced  here  at  the 
weekend  by  president  Steve  Broidy  of 
Allied  Artists. 

Sponsors  will  include  Chesterfield, 
Royal  Crown  Cola,  Tootsie  Roll,  Ben- 
rus  Watch,  General  Electric,  Cracker 
Jack,  Popsicle,  Ford  Motors,  Quaker 
Oats,  Cigar  Institute,  Lux,  Big  Yank, 
National  League,  American  League, 
A.  G.  Spalding,  Hillerich  and  Brads- 
by,  Persona  Blades,  White  Tower 
Restaurants,  General  Motors,  Jantzen, 
Owens-Illinois  Glass,  Wheatland 
Tubes,  Liquinet,  Palomino  Shirts,  and 
several  others. 


St.  Louis  Theatre 
Cave-in,  Nine  Hurt 

St.  Louis,  July  11. — A  section  of  the 
roof  of  the  Senate  Theatre  here  col- 
lapsed during  a  matinee  performance 
when  the  wall  of  an  adjacent  building 
crashed  down  on  it.  A  tentative  list 
of  nine  persons  injured  was  issued  af- 
ter the  accident.  Some  ISO  persons 
were  in  the  theatre,  and  from  30  to 
SO  were  in  the  balcony,  where  the 
avalanche  of  bricks  and  plaster  de- 
scended. 

Marcus  Goldman,  manager,' request- 
ed the  patrons  to  leave  the  balcony 
after  the  first  signs  of  the  collapse  of 
the  adjacent  building,  and  was  calling 
firemen  when  the  roof  caved  in. 


Mention 


EDMUND  C.  GRAINGER  of  the 
Shea  Circuit  is  touring  the  circuit's 
houses  in  Ohio,  Pennsylvania  and 
New  York. 

• 

Larry  Cleland,  managing  director 
of  the  Vee  Publishing  Co.,  represent- 
ing Fawcett  Publications  in  Australia 
and  New  Zealand,  is  in  New  York 
from  Melbourne. 

• 

J.   Don  Alexander,  president  of 
Alexander  Film  Co.  and  chairman  of 
the  board  of  General  Screen  Advertis- 
ing, is  in  town  from  Colorado  Springs. 
• 

Seymour  Eichman,  Astor  Pictures 
advertising-publicity  director,  left  here 
over  the  weekend  with  his  wife  for 
a  vacation  in  New  England. 

• 

George  D.  Burrows,  executive 
vice-president  and  treasurer  of  Allied 
Artists-Monogram,  has  returned  to 
Hollywood  from  New  York. 

• 

Hans  Richter,  producer-director, 
left  here  over  the  weekend  for  Los 
Angeles. 

• 

Bernard  J.  Gates,  Latin  American 
supervisor  for  Monogram,  is  in  Pana- 
ma, Canal  Zone,  from  Mexico  City. 
• 

James  R.  Grainger,  Republic  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  has  left  here 
for  Los  Angeles  and  San  Francisco. 
• 

Arthur  Freed,  M-G-M  producer, 
is  due  here  this  week  from  Hollywood. 


IMPPA  Approval  of 
SAG  Pact  This  Week 

Hollywood,  July  11. — The  Inde- 
pendent Motion  Picture  Producers 
Association  will  hold  a  meeting  early 
this  week  to  consider  the  new  Screen 
Actors  Guild  contract  presented  by  the 
latter  following  the  completion  of  its 
negotiations  with  the  Association  of 
Motion  Picture  Producers  and  the  So- 
ciety of  Independent  Motion  Picture 
Producers.  It  is  believed  that  con- 
firmation will  be  little  more  than  a 
formality. 


Youngstein  Heads 
Eagle  -  Lion  Drive 

Max  E.  Youngstein,  Eagle-Lion 
vice-president  in  charge  of  advertising- 
publicity,  has  been  named  captain  of 
the  company's  "Bill  Heineman  Sales 
Drive,"  nationwide  campaign  in  honor 
of  the  company's  vice-president  in 
charge  of  distribution,  which  will  run 
through  December  2. 


Film  Rights  to  Marathon 

Film  rights  to  "New  York  Con- 
fidential" by  Jack  Lait  and  Lee  Mor- 
timer have  been  sold  in  advanced  the 
book's  publication  by  Ziff-Davis  Pub- 
lishing Co.  to  Marathon  Pictures,  new 
film  unit  headed  by  Harry  Brandt  and 
Frank  Satenstein.  Purchase  price  was 
said  to  be  $5,000  plus  a  percentage  of 
the_  film's  gross.  It  will  be  filmed 
entirely  in  New  York,  with  produc- 
tion scheduled  to  start  in  early  fall. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


THE  earthquake  in  Japan,  and 
U.  S.  planes  sending  food  ship- 
ments into  Berlin  mark  newsreel 
highlights.  Flashes  of  President  Tru- 
man and  General  Eisenhower,  as  well 
as  sports  and  other  items,  round  out 
the  reels.  Complete  contents  follow : 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  55— Jap  cty 

wiped  out  by  earthquake.  U.  S.  plane*  % 
food  shortage  in  Berlin  crisis.  <  il 
Eisenhower  greets  fellow  freshmen  i.  Co- 
lumbia University.  Sports:  tennis.  Tight- 
rope dare-devil.  Stock  car  race.  Bathing 
beauty  contest. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  28»— Earth- 
quake in  Japan.  Political  spotlight:  Presi- 
dent Truman,  General  Eisenhower,  William 
O.  Douglas.  U.  S'.  fliers  defy  Red  blockade 
of  Berlin.  Chinese  glamour  girls  in  bath- 
ing beauty  contest.  Mountain  iced  for 
midsummer  skiing.  Tight-rope  walk  over 
the  Alps. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  92— Earth- 
quake in  Japan.  Bavarian  Alps  tight-rope 
sensation.  Personalities  in  the  news:  Gen 
eral  Eisenhower,  Jimmy  Roosevelt,  Harry 
Truman.     Ski  jumping. 

TJNIVER S AE  NEWS,  No.  159— Berlin 
supply  trains  fight  food  blockade.  Earth- 
quake strikes  Japan.  Truman  lauds  Pan- 
American  friendship.  Sports:  stock-car 
race,  skiing. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  94— 

Earthquake  in  Japan.  People  in  the  news: 
President  Truman,  General  Eisenhower, 
Frieda  Hennock.  German  rope-walker. 
Chinatown  beauties.  Sports:  Rowing,  ten- 
nis, summer  skiing.  Great  Americans: 
John  Quincy  Adams. 

First  RKO  Regional 
Will  Convene  Today 

Buffalo,  July  11. — Final  arrange- 
ments were  completed  today  for  the 
first  of  five  zonal  meetings  of  RKO 
Radio  Pictures,  Inc.  sales  executives, 
which  will  start  here  tomorrow  under 
the  direction  of  Robert  Mochrie,  dis- 
tribution vice-president.  Mochrie  will 
also  preside  at  the  other  four  gather- 
ings, spread  across  the  country,  in  the 
next  fortnight.  A  review  of  business 
matters,  product  schedule  and  an- 
nouncements of  winners  in  the  "Ned 
Depinet  Drive"  will  be  on  the  agenda. 

A  home  office  delegation  will  in- 
clude Eastern  division  manager  Nat 
Levy,  short  subject  sales  manager 
Harry  Michalson,  A.  A.  Schubart, 
manager  of  exchange  operations  and 
Levy's  assistant,  Frank  Drumm. 

Ad  Film  Charges 
Heard  on  July  26 

Washington,  July  11. — Federal 
Trade  Commission  has  scheduled  hear- 
ings for  July  26  at  Indianapolis  on  its 
"unfair  competition"  complaint  against 
four  producers  of  advertising  films, 
Ray-Bell  Films,  Alexander  Film  Co., 
United  Film  Ad  Service  and  Motion 
Picture  Advertising  Service  Co.  Hear- 
ings have  already  been  held  in  other 
cities. 


Reserves  Brandt  Ruling 

New  York  Supreme  Court  Justice 
James  B.  McNally  on  Friday  reserved 
decision  on  motions  by  Paramount  to 
eliminate  eight  of  the  160-odd  defend- 
ants from  the  company's  $563,265  per- 
centage action  against  Brandt  Thea- 
tres, et  al,  and  to  add  eight  new 
defendants. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herild,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879,   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


JULY^ 

We're  mighty  proud  of  the  brand  new  industry  record  for  activity  Universal- 
International  has  lined  up  for  July.  There'll  be  four  action -packed  world 
premieres  of  four  fine  U-l  pictures  built  strictly  for  box-office  —  "Tap 
Roots,"  "Man-Eater  of  Kumaon,"  "Feudfn',  Fussin'  and  A-Fightin'"  and 
"Mr.  Peabody  and  the  Mermaid." 

Such  activity  calls  for  a  maximum  of  promotion  power,  so  we've  built  up 
our  staff  and  put  on  a  special  field  force  to  campaign  these  pictures  in  a 
manner  that  will  guarantee  you  tremendous  national  publicity  penetra- 
tion as  well  as  pre-tested  promotions  to  cash  in  on  when  you  play  these 
attractions. 

There'//  be  no  summer  doldrums  this  year  for  U-l 
exhibitors!  Just  turn  the  page  and  you'll  find 
four  solid  reasons  why  you  always . . .  a 


Starring 


SABU  JOANNE  RAG! 

"NARAIN"  AS  "LAU" 

and 

WENDELL  COREY 

AS  THE  HUNTER 

~*  MORRIS  CARNOVSKY 


Based  on  the  Book  "MAN  EATERS  OF  KUMAON"  by  JIM  CORBETT    Screenplay  by  JEANNE  BARTLETT  and  LEWIS  MEITZER    Adaptation  by  RICHARD  G  HUBIER  and  ALOEN  NASH 


Directed  by 


BYRON  HASKIN .  produced  by  MONTY  SHAFF- 


In  association  with 


FRANK  P.  ROSENBERG 


a  ummsAi 

INmNAJIQHAl 
JKUASE 


Universal- 
International 
presents 


■  mm 

DONALD  OCOmOR 

MA  Trt  PA  KETTLE  OF  "THE  EGG  AND  f 

MARJORIE  MAIV 
PERCT  KILBRIDE 

7bqefher  Afainf 


The  Tri-State  Circuit  gets  this  one,  teeing 
off  in  Des  Moines  and  Omaha  on  July  8 
with  fun,  hilarity  and  plenty  of  space- 
grabbing  stunts  surrounding  personal  ap- 
pearances by  Marjorie  Main,  Penny  Ed- 
wards and  Joe  Besser. 

Watch  the  grosses  on  this  one  as  it  plays 
the  circuit  in  Sioux  City,  Waterloo,  Grand 
Rapids,  Davenport,  Rock  Island  and  Mo- 
line  and  then  continues  on  to  Minneapolis, 
Milwaukee,  Indianapolis  and  all  around 
the  Mid-West. 


with  PENNY  EDWARDS  •  JOE  BESSER 

Screenplay  by  D.  D.  BEAUCHAMP  from  his  Collier's  Magazine  Story 
Directed  by  GEORGE  SHERMAN  •  Produced  by  LEONARD  GOLDSTEIN 


evu  nun"  ,  mntiouoon;^o^ 


Timed  to  share  headlines  with  the  Demo- 
cratic National  Convention,  "Tap  Roots"  pre- 
mieres at  the  Goldman  Theatre  in  spotlighted 
Philadelphia  on  July  14*  spearheading  day- 
and-date  regional  kick-offs  in  Atlantic  City, 
Allentown,  Bethlehem,  Harrisburg,  Reading, 
Ocean  City,  Easton,  Lancaster,  York  and  Wil- 
mington. 

Hollywood  stars  brought  in  from  the  studio 
for  personal  appearances!  Full  page  newspaper 
ads  and  complete  outdoor  coverage!  National 
radio  hook-ups  including  ABC's  "Go  for  the 
House,"  NBC's  "Supper  Club"  show  and  Mu- 
tual's "Heart's  Desire"  program!  Comprehen- 
sive national  magazine  and  newspaper  co- 
operative ad  tie-ups  with  Chesterfield,  General 
Electric  and  Lux! 

More  than  a  thousand  newspaper,  radio  and 
television  reporters  and  commentators  cover- 
ing the  Convention  will  have  their  eyes — and 
their  pencils — on  "Tap  Roots." 


UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL  presents 


WILLIAM  POWELL  ANN  BLYTH 

m  NUNNALLY  JOHNSON'S 


IRENE  HERVEY 
ANDREA  KING 
CLINTON  SUNDBERG 

Screenplay  by  NUNNALLY  JOHNSON 

From  Hie  novet  "Peabody's  Mermaid" 
by  Guy  and  Constance  Jones 
Directed  I* 

IRVING  PICHEL 

Associate  Producer,  Gene  Fowler,  Jr. 


Lots  of  publicity  will  be  garnered  in  Atlantic  City  when  the 
judges  select  the  "Mermaid  of  the  Year"  as  the  wind-up  of 
activities  for  the  world  premiere  of  "Mr.  Peabody  and  the 
Mermaid"  at  the  Hollywood  Theatre  on  July  28.  Full  national 
network  coverage  is  pre-selling  this  picture  to  millions  of  radio 
listeners  via  such  programs  as  the  CBS  "House  Party"  show 
to  find  the  "most  unusual  fish  story";  Mutual's  "Bride  and 
Groom4'  program  to  select  "the  ideal  honeymoon  couple"; 
and  Mutual's  "Queen  for  a  Day"  program  to  crown  a  "Mer- 
maid Bathing  Queen." 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  July  12,  1948 


Para.TrailerMayAid 
Public  Relations 


Paramount  is  working  400  prints  of 
"Magic  City,"  a  nine-minute  subject, 
without  charge  to  exhibitors.  Pre- 
dominantly designed  as  a  super- 
trailer  of  forthcoming  Paramount 
product,  treatment  points  up  Holly- 
wood at  large  as  a  hard-working  com- 
munity dedicating  itself  to  a  continued 
flow  of  better  and  better  entertain- 
ment. This  may  be  helpful  in  a  public 
relations  direction. 

The  reel  is  interesting,  profession- 
ally expert  and  takes  the  audience  be- 
hind the  scenes  of  the  studio  in  a  quick 
once-over  of  what  production  is  all 
about.  Primary  interest,  no  doubt  will 
be  among  theatremen  who  play  Para- 
mount product.  Those  who  do  not  can- 
not be  expected  to  promote  attractions 
which  end  up  on  a  competitor's  screen. 

Stanley  Shuford,  Paramount's  ad- 
vertising manager,  launched  "Magic 
City"  about  four  months  ago  in  asso- 
ciation with  the  studio  and  its  trailer 
staff.  TOA  is  understood  to  have 
evinced  interest  for  its  member  the- 
atres—R.  K. 


UA's.  Bid  Selling 

(  Continued  from  page  1 ) 

the  first  run,  exclusive  zone,  all  com- 
parable theatres  in  each  of  the  11 
major  zones  may  buy  a  run  on  com- 
petitive bids,  thus  making  it  possible, 
for  instance,  for  11  theatres  to  play 
"Arch"  day-and-date  on  the  same 
availability. 

For  the  second  run,  or  theatres  in 
the  so-called  exclusive  sub-zone,  two 
houses  in  each  zone  may  buy  a  run  so 
that  22  theatres  could  run  a  given  film 
day-and-date  on  the  identical  basis. 
The  application  insofar  as  the  second 
sub-zone  is  concerned,  is  identical,  but 
additional  runs  in  each  of  the  sub- 
zones  are  to  be  licensed  on  a  negotia- 
tion basis. 

Theatres  bidding  for  first-run  will 
have  a  clearance  of  seven  to  14  days 
over  the  next  run,  and  so  on  down  the 
line.  In  some  instances,  the  seven-day 
clearance  may  be  reduced  to  a  prior 
run  in  order  to  meet  booking  situa- 
tions. 

"On  Our  Merry  Way,"  UA's  next 
release  in  this  territory,  may  be  sold 
along  the  same  lines.  The  answer  de- 
pends on  results  with  "Arch  of  Tri- 
umph." 


ITOA  Party  July  22 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harry  Brandt  will  be 
hosts  at  their  annual  party  for  the 
New  York  Independent  Theatre  Own- 
ers Association  at  their  summer  home 
in  Portchester,  N.  Y.,  on  July  22. 


r 


OF  COURSE 


{6 


Red  River 


99 


{  Continued  from  page  1 ) 


Chase,  provided  the  narrative  base.  The  author  and  Charles  Schnee  furnished 
the  script. 

Important  and  essential,  these  elements,  however,  do  not  explain  the  ex- 
traordinary values  of  the  picture.  The  explanation  is  in  the  superb  ability 
with  which  Hawks  has  electrified  the  material,  in  the  excellence  of  the  per- 
formances he  has  extracted  from  his  players,  in  the  vitality  of  his  directorial 
touches  and  in  the  authority  and  believability  which  he  has  captured.  The 
story  of  "Red  River"  may  never  have  happened  in  real  life,  but  Hawks  un 
qualifiedly  makes  it  appear  that  it  has. 

IT  is  a  simple  enough  yarn,  getting  under  way  before  the  Civil  War.  Wayne 
and  Brennan  decide  to  leave  a  wagon  train  heading  for  California  for 
good  grazing  land.  They  select  Texas  where,  years  later,  Wayne's  vast  cattle 
empire  develops  out  of  gunplay  and  hardship.  On  the  way,  they  pick  up  the 
sole  survivor  of  the  ambushed  wagon  train.  Wayne  adopts  the  boy  who 
returns  at  the  close  of  the  Civil  War  as  Montgomery  Clift.  The  climax 
begins  to  take  form  out  of  Wayne's  desperate  need  to  find  a  new  market 
for  his  herd.  Organizing  a  drive  to  Kansas  City,  he  pushes  his  men  ruthlessly 
through  storm  and  strife  toward  the  market  place.  Food  becomes  short  and 
tempers  frayed  until  open  rebellion  is  in  sight. 

Clift  opposes  these  iron-hand  tactics,  finally  takes  over  with  the  men  lining 
up  on  his  side  and  succeeds  in  delivering  the  cattle  to  Abilene,  thereby  open- 
ing up  the  famed  Chisholm  Trail.  But  Wayne,  the  dictatorial  herder,  vows 
vengeance  by  swearing  Cliffs  death.  By  this  time,  the  latter  has  met  Miss 
Dru  and  their  romance  is  on.  She  attempts  unsuccessfully  to  change  Wayne's 
mind.  When  the  peak  of  the  climax  arrives,  Clift  refuses  to  draw  his  gun 
and  Wayne  finds  it  impossible  to  kill  Clift  although  he  lands  bullets  at  his 
feet  and  cascades  them  around  Clift's  head,  shoulders  and  arms.  Ultimately, 
the  strong  bond  between  both  men,  in  many  ways  so  similar,  wins  out.  Their 
friendship  is  restored  and  the  romance  between  the  boy  and  girl  sealed. 

THIS  story  outline  admittedly  falters  badly  alongside  that  which  is  on 
the  screen.  The  solidity  and  the  naturalness  of  the  principal  players,  the 
honest  comedy  contributed  by  Brennan,  the  memorable  performance  of  John 
Ireland  as  a  badman  of  the  plains,  the  rugged  authority  of  all  supporting 
players,  including  Harry  Carey,  clear  down  the  line  to  the  lowliest  of  super- 
numeraries— these  are  among  the  many  assets  of  which  "Red  River"  may 
boast.  There  are  many  others,  like  the  wagon  train  attacks,  the  cattle  stam- 
pedes, the  mounting  mood  of  suspense  and  tenseness  which  endow  this  attrac- 
tion with  a  raw-boned  integrity  too  seldom  noted  out  of  Hollywood. 

The  credits  list  Arthur  Rosson  as  co-director,  Russell  Harlan  as  camera- 
man, Dimitri  Tiomkin  at  the  musical  helm  and  others.  There  is  credit 
enough  for  all,  listed  and  unlisted  here. 

Running  time,  125  minutes  and  worth  it.  General  audience  classification. 
Release  date,  August  27.  Red  Kann 


"Night  Has  a  Thousand  Eyes" 

{Paramount) 

EDWARD  G.  ROBINSON  is  a  present-day  Nostradamus  in  a  thoroughly 
engaging,  oft-times  ingenious,  mystery  that  has  the  unique  distinction 
of  being  able  to  deal  with  mortal  man's  (Robinson's)  power  to  look  into  the 
tragedy-strewn  future,  without  over-taxing  our  credulity.  Or,  at  least,  it  is 
so  interestingly  and  imaginatively  done  that  most  any  audience  will  go 
along  with  it.  Supernormal  gifts  are  not  required  to  foresee  a  healthy  box- 
office  future  for  "Night  Has  a  Thousand  Eyes." 

Robinson  does  a  crystal-ball  act  at  the  start,  teamed  with  Virginia  Bruce 
and  Jerome  Cowan.  "Visions"  cross  his  mental  eye.  Alarmed,  he  leaves  the 
two  and  they  marry.  Twenty  years  pass,  Cowan  has  become  wealthy,  having 
cashed  in  on  Robinson's  foresight  in  an  oil  project.  Miss  Bruce  has  passed 
away.  The  story  picks  up  as  Robinson  predicts  Cowan's  death  in  an  air 
crash,  warns  the  latter's  daughter  Gail  Russell,  but  too  late.  Then  he  sees 
Miss  Russell's  death  ahead.  It  gets  weird  here  as  the  chain  of  events  leading 
to  her  demise  comes  true,  as  Robinson  said  they  would.  The  police,  particu- 
larly William  Demarest,  are  baffled,  take  all  precautions,  with  a  few  amusing 
bits  thrown  in.  Miss  Russell  narrowly  escapes  death  but  Robinson  is  killed, 
just  as  he  also  predicted.  There  is  no  explanation  for  all  of  this  but  the 
picture  plays  around  with  the  possibility  that  one  does  exist,  however  com- 
plex, and  that  suffices.  John  Farrow's  direction  apparently  has  gotten  all 
out  of  the  Cornell  Woolrich  novel  which  Barre  Lyndon  and  Jonathat  Lati- 
mer adapted.  John  Lund  and  Roman  Bohnen  are  others  in  prominent  support. 
Endre  Bohem  produced. 

Running  time,  80  minutes  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Oct.  22,  1948.  Gene  Arneel 


All  KATO  Officers 
Reelected  at  Meet 

Louisville,  July  11. — All  officers 
of  the  Kentucky  Association  of  The- 
atre Owners  were  reelected  at  a 
meeting  held  here  at  the  weekend. 
Guthrie  Crowe  again  is  president, 
with  Willard  Gabhart,  vice-president ; 
C.  R.  Buechel,  treasurer ;  Neil  G. 
Borden,  assistant  treasurer  and  secre- 
tary, and  Henry  J.  Stites  as  general 
counsel.  & 

Newly-elected  directors  for  \ 
year  terms  are  Ned  Greene,  I  '. 
Pickle,  Mrs.  Gratia  Locke,  Kenneth 
Arnold,  W.  Bruce  Aspley,  J.  Van 
Snook,  Gene  Lutes,  L.  O.  Davis,  W. 
T.  Cain  and  Mrs.  O.  J.  Minnix.  Di- 
rectors-at-large  for  two  years  are 
E.  R.  Orlstein  and  Lew  Hensler,  the 
latter  resigning  immediately  with  the 
announcement  that  he  was  resigning  as 
Schine  Circuit  zone  manager  in  Lex- 
ington to  enter  another  business  in 
Florida.  Bob  Cox,  who  will  succeed 
Hensler  in  the  Schine  post,  was  named 
to  the  director's  post. 

A  committee  was  set  up  to  prepare 
for  the  KATO  convention  which  will 
be  held  some  time  in  October. 


1st  NCA-Fox  Hearing 

(  Continued  from  page  1 ) 


in  an  attempt  to  "feel  its  way"  at 
conciliation.  First  joint  meeting  of 
the  committee  and  the  local  20th-Fox 
branch  manager  may  be  held  imme- 
diately following  the  grievance  com- 
mittee meeting. 

NCA's  committee  is  comprised  of 
E.  L.  Peaslee,  Stillwater,  Minn., 
chairman,  and  Henry  Greene  and  Ted 
Mann,  both  of  Minneapolis.  Alternates 
are  Jack  Wright,  New  Prague ;  Don 
Buckley,  Redwood  Falls,  and  George 
Granstrom,   St.  Paul. 


'Big  Five' 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


defendants  will  be  granted  for  the  data 
demanded  by  the  Government  had  not 
been  agreed  upon  on  Friday.  The  ex- 
tent of  the  additional  time  to  be  al- 
lowed is  not  expected  to  be  known 
definitely  until  the  middle  of  the  week. 

The  "Big  Five,"  it  was  learned,  will 
enter  objections  to  some  of  the  ques- 
tions propounded  by  the  Department 
of  Justice.  Just  which  questions  they 
will  take  exception  to  is  yet  to  be 
decided. 


5th-Walnut  Loses 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


"Fighting  Back" 

(20th  Century-Fox) 

EXPECTED  complications  develop  in  the  story  of  "Fighting  Back"  when 
a  convict  serves  out  his  term  in  the  army,  is  honorably  discharged,  re- 
turns home  to  his  family,  then  is  unjustly  accused  of  stealing  a  bracelet  from 
his  employer's  wife.  This  is  a  routine  affair  with  trite  dialogue,  a  cast  which 
few  audiences  will  recognize,  artificial  dramatics  in  an  attempt  to  play  on  the 
emotions,  and  an  ending  which  is  obvious  once  the  plot  is  introduced.  However, 
"Daisy,"  one  of  the  canine  stars  of  the  films,  is  given  ample  opportunity  to 
display  her  talents,  thus  providing  dog-lovers  with  some  moments  of  enter- 
tainment. 

It  was  produced  by  Sol  M.  Wurtzel  and  directed  by  Mai  St.  Clair,  from  a 
story  and  screenplay  by  John  Stone.  The  cast  includes  Paul  Langton  and 
Jean  Rogers  as  the  returned  army  veteran  and  his  wife,  Gary  Gray  as  their 
young  son,  and  Joe  Sawyer  as  a  detective. 


Monroe  E.  Stein,  that  he  could  not 
grant  the  motions  since  the  jury  was 
properly  charged  before  it  entered  into 
deliberations  at  the  trial's  end. 

Fifth  and  Walnut's  only  recourse 
now  is  to  file  for  an  appeal  from  the 
jury  verdict.  If  a  motion  for  an  ap- 
peal should  be  granted  the  case  would 
be  heard  in  U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of 
Appeals,  probably  in  the  fall. 


Variety  Club  To  Golf 

Cleveland,  July  11. — Friday,  July 
30,  has  been  set  as  the  date  for  the 
annual  golf  tournament  of  the  local 
Variety  Club,  to  be  held  at  the  Pine 
Ridge  Country  Club.  Nat  Wolf, 
Warner  zone  manager,  is  general 
chairman  of  a  committee  on  arrange- 
ments consisting  of  Bert  Lefkowich, 
tournament ;  Sam  Abrams,  prizes  ;  Ir- 
win Shenker,  house ;  Ray  Schmertz, 
television  raffle ;  Lou  Ratener,  tickets, 
and  J.  Knox  Strachan,  publicity. 


Monday,  July  12,  1948 


Motion  Picture  daily 


7 


Studio  Space 
Inquiry  in  UK 


London,  July  11.— A  British  Board 
of  Trade  committee,  regarded  in  many 
circles  here  as  a  thin  end  of  the  wedge 
of  nationalization,  has  been  formed  to 
"consider  whether  or  not  to  hold  for 
the.  use  of  independent  producers  Gov- 
e.'*"j3hnt-owned  or  centrally-owned  stu- 
pact." 

BOT  president  Harold  Wilson, 
however,  has  repeated  his  assurances 
that  he  is  primarily  interested  in  as- 
sisting the  independents  and  that  the 
formation  of  the  committee  is  the  only 
course  open  to  him.  Several  months 
ago  he  had  indicated  the  government 
might  subsidize  independent  producers 
but  nothing  has  come  of  that  "pledge," 
and  the  independents  have  been  re- 
sentful. 

Former  Permanent  Secretary  for 
Colonies,  Sir  George  Henry  Gater,  has 
been  designated  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee. Other  members  are  distin- 
guished public  officials  also,  but  no 
film  representative  was  named. 


UK  Default  Probe 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

statistics  for  the  British  Board 
of  Trade  to  prove  that  British 
pictures  were  available  for 
quota  defaulters  last  year. 

Protesting  that  formation  of  the 
fact-finding  unit  is  no  threat,  Sir 
Henry  nevertheless  admitted  that  if  it 
finds  that  exhibitors  are  allegedly 
showing  more  imported  films  than  the 
quota  prescribes,  it  is  possibly  because 
exhibitors  get  them  at  a  cheaper  rate 
than  that  paid  for  British  films. 

The  "facts"  to  be  unearthed  by  the 
probers  will  be  given  to  the  British 
Film  Council  for  use  by  the  BOT,  Sir 
Henry  said,  urging  that  this  plan  be 
supported  in  preference  to  the  present 
practice  whereby  defaulters  are  not 
ascertained  until  the  year's  end,  the 
latter  method  being  impractical  in  his 
opinion.  "We  shall  now  know  whether 
an  exhibitor  is  going  to  default,"  he 
said. 

Sir  Henry  pleaded  that  exhibitors 
should  welcome  the  plan  in  view  of 
the  BFPA's  intention  to  support  ex- 
hibitors' claims  to  relief  under  the 
quota  if  it  is  ascertained  that  such 
claims  are  justifiable.  He  admitted  the 
BOT  was  not  consulted  on  the  plan. 

Sir  Henry's  announcement  provoked 
an  immediate  blaze  of  anger  among 
exhibitors.  Typical  reference  to  the 
fact-finding  unit  was  "Rank's  Ges- 
tapo." Cinematographers  Exhibitors 
Association  general  secretary  W.  R. 
Fuller  declared  he  will  take  the  mat- 
ter up  forthwith  with  BOT  president 
Harold  Wilson. 


See  Little  Gained  In 
New  Zealand  Quiz 

By  R.  A.  USMAR 

Wellington,  New  Zealand,  July  6 
(By  Airmail).— The  New  Zealand 
government's  film  inquiry  has  ad- 
journed hearings  after  three  weeks 
without  having  unearthed  anything  of 
moment.  General  opinion  in  the  in- 
dustry is  that  the  inquiry  did  not 
uncover  anything  new  and  the  govern- 
ment will  find  it  difficult  to  effect  any 
momentous  improvements  in  the  con- 
duct of  the  business  here. 

A  summary  of  the  points  raised  and 
debated  follow : 

Monopoly  of  exhibition :  There  will 
probably  be  some  legislation  to  limit 
the  circuits  to  their  present  size,  pl- 
at least  licensing  restrictions  of  limit- 
ing joint  ownership  between  circuits 
and  independents. 

Control :  It  is  practically  certain 
that  the  control  of  exhibition  will  be 
required  to  be  in  the  hands  of  New 
Zealand  or  British  national  licensees. 
A  licensing  tribunal  most  likely  will 
be  established  to  replace  the  present 
licensing  officer,  and  no  theatre  will  be 
permitted  to  be  built  or  licenses  trans- 
ferred without  this  tribunal's  consent. 

Narrow-gauge  film :  16mm  is  cer- 
tain to  come  under  the  same  rules  and 
regulations  as  35mm — meaning  that 
exhibitors'  licenses  will  be  required 
for  screening  entertainment  16mm 
films. 

Film  supply:  Probably  the  licens- 
ing tribunal  and  the  Film  Industry 
Board  will  have  power  to  regulate 
the  film  supply  in  competitive  areas 
in  order  to  prevent  over-buying  and 
unfair  restrictive  trade  practices. 

Censorship :  It  was  generally  recog- 
nized that  New  Zealand's  censorship 
is  fair  and  reasonable. 

Production  :  Encouragement  —  pos- 
sibly financial — will  be  given  to  the 
production  of  newsreels  and  shorts, 
but  there  was  no  enthusiasm  for 
locally-produced  features  unless  under 
American  or  British  auspices. 


Douglas  'Tied  Up'; 
No  Report  on  Quota 

Washington,  July  11. — Secretary 
of  State  Marshall  told  a  press  con- 
ference here  on  Friday  that  the  De- 
partment had  not  yet  received  any  re- 
port from  Ambassador  Douglas  _  in 
London  on  the  British  quota  revision. 
The  Department  had  instructed  Doug- 
las to'  express  its  "concern"  and  to 
make  a  full  report  on  the  situation. 

Both  industry  and  State  Department 
officials  have  word,  however,  that 
Douglas  has  been  too  tied  up  with  the 
more  pressing  negotiations  on  Berlin 
and  the  ECA  agreement  to  put  in  the 
required  time  on  the  film  situation. 


Robert  Clark  Heads 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

here  to  be  a  loosening  of  the  recent 
tight  control  of  the  company  by  War- 
ner Brothers,  which  has  a  substantial 
interest  in  ABPC. 

Meanwhile,  C.  J.  Latta,  formerly 
Warner  Theatres  zone  manager  in 
Albany,  N.  Y.,  who  was  transferred 
here  by  WB  to  be  overseer  of  ABPC 
theatre  operations  in  behalf  of  War- 
ner, has  been  nominated  by  Max 
Milder  to  be  his  alternate  director  on 
the  company's  board  during  Milder's 
absence  because  of  illness. 

Annual  ABPC  stockholders'  meet- 
ing will  be  held  here  on  July  29. 


Canadian  Exports  Drop 

Ottawa,  July  11. — Canadian  film  ex- 
ports dropped  in  the  first  five  months 
of  1948  to  $1,714,000,  compared  with 
$1,338,000  in  the  corresponding  period 
last  year. 


Brazil  Rule  Attacked 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

by  the  distributors  to  withhold  prod- 
uct from  Brazil's  theatres.  In  any 
event  such  action  would  stem  not 
from  local  American  distribution  of- 
fices here,  but  rather  from  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America 
in  Washington. 


Five  Units  Set  Up 
To  Aid  Sanitarium 

Five  regional  fund-raising 
committees  have  been  organ- 
ized among  distributors  and 
exhibitor  organizations  ori 
behalf  of  the  Will  Rogers 
Memorial  Hospital  at  Saranac 
Lake,  N.  Y.,  Robert  Mochrie, 
chairman  of  the  distributors' 
committee  to  aid  the  sanita- 
rium, has  announced  here. 
Units  were  set  up  in  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  Boston, 
Washington  and  Buffalo  fol- 
lowing meetings  in  those 
cities. 


DuMont  Asks  Rise 
In  Video  Channels 


Washington,  July  11. — Allen  B. 
DuMont  Laboratories  has  suggested 
that  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission  make  •  eight  additional 
television  channels  available  for  com- 
mercial telecasts,  boosting  the  present 
12  to  20  by  taking  channels  away  from 
Government  services  and  other  present 
holders.  The  firm  presented  the  broad 
outlines  of  the  plan  Friday  before  the 
commission's  hearings  on  reallocation 
of  the  existing  12  channels.  It  will 
fill  in  the  details  on  July  26,  when 
hearings  are  to  be  resumed. 

The  hearings,  which  have  been 
studying  situations  in  specific  locali- 
ties, recessed  late  Friday.  They  will 
resume  for  general  presentation  in 
two  weeks,  at  which  time  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox of  New  England,  Columbia 
and  American  Broadcasting  Systems, 
Westinghouse,  Philco  and  the  Tele- 
vision Broadcasters  Association  will 
all  testify  in  addition  to  DuMont. 


Miller  Heads  First 
U-I  Drive  Winners 

Winners  of  the  first  prizes  in  Uni- 
versal-International's 26-week  "Presi- 
dential Sales  Drive"  are  Dave  Miller, 
district  manager  for  Albany,  Buffalo 
and  New  Haven ;  manager  Eugene 
Vogel  of  Albany,  who  led  in  the  East ; 
manager  Carl  Ost,  winner  in  the 
South  ;  Jack  Bannan,  Milwaukee  man- 
ager, winner  in  the  West,  and  sales- 
men J.  H.  Parker,  Boston,  Eastern 
leader ;  Hugh  Nesbitt,  St.  Louis, 
Southern  winner,  and  Harry  Blatt,  Se- 
attle, Western  winner. 


Ohio  Meeting  To  Aid 
Will  Rogers  Hospital 

Cleveland,  July  11. — District  and 
branch  managers  of  Cleveland  and 
Cincinnati  will  meet  at  luncheon  in 
the  Statler  Hotel  on  Tuesday  when 
Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  20th-Fox  general 
sales  manager,  and  Charles  Reagan, 
Paramount's  general  sales  manager, 
will  address  them  on  the  needs  of  the 
Will  Rogers  Memorial  Hospital.  Sam 
Shain,  20th-Fox  public  relations  head, 
will  accompany  them  to  Cleveland. 


'Illegals'  Opens  Wed. 

World  premiere  of  "The  Illegals," 
documentary  drama  of  the  exodus  of 
displaced  Jews  from  Europe  to  Pales- 
tine, will  be  held  at  the  Ambassador 
Theatre  here  Wednesday.  Mayer-Bur- 
l  styn  is  distributing. 


Reels,  Video  Set  for 
Philadelphia  Encore 


Philadelphia,  July  11. — Television 
and  newsreel  crews  began  another 
week  of  "abnormal"  operations  here 
at  the  weekend  with  30  newsreel  cam- 
eras and  the  equipment  of  an  18-sta- 
tion  video  pool  spotted  in  and  around 
Convention  Hall  for  the  Democrats' 
national  convention  which  will  open 
officially  tomorrow. 

The  newsreel  men  declare  that  they 
will  conform  to  the  same  policy  in 
effect  at  the  Republican  conclave  last 
month,  that  is,  issuing  special  clips  of 
convention  footage  when  news  impor- 
tance warrants  it.  Otherwise  all  ma- 
terial will  be  incorporated  in  the  regu- 
lar midweek  and  weekend  editions.  _ 

J.  R.  Poppele,  president  of  Televi- 
sion Broadcasters  Association,  and  co- 
ordinator of  the  General  Television 
Committee  for  pooled  coverage,  prom- 
ises an  improvement  in  the  video  re- 
porting with  errors  made  at  the  Re- 
publican meeting  corrected.  These  will 
be  of  a  technical  nature,  it  was  said. 

Paramount  Video 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

top  news  developments  and  these  can 
be  determined  only  when  they  occur, 
thus  there  will  be  no  advance  adver- 
tising. Employing  its  intermediate,  or 
photographic,  process,  the  theatre  will 
hold  the  video  news  film  until  it  can 
be  worked  into  its  regular  program. 
Instead  of  interrupting  the  feature  the 
material  will  be  held  until  a  scheduled 
short  or  newsreel  clip  can  be  elimi- 
nated. It  is  in  this  respect  that  Para- 
mount claims  an  advantage  over  direct 
projection  of  television  which  must  be 
shown  simultaneously  with  the  cov- 
ered subject  matter. 

Eighteen  Eastern  television  stations 
are  in  the  convention  pool.  The  amount 
Paramount  has  agreed  to  pay  was  not 
disclosed,  but  it  is  known  the  com- 
pany offered  to  share  cable  costs  dur- 
ing the  Republican  convention  last 
month,  its  share  being  estimated  then 
at  over  $4,000. 

Video  Film  Council 
Sets  July  22  Meet 

Second  meeting  of  the  National  Tele- 
vision Film  Council  will  be  held  here 
on  July  22  at  Sardi's  for  further  dis- 
cussion of  a  standard  exhibition  con- 
tract for  films  on  video,  a  clearance 
bureau  for  exhibition  video  rights 
and  a  catalogue  of  television  films. 
Melvin  L.  Gold  is  NTFC  chairman. 


Kieran  to  Infl  Tele-Film 

John  Kieran,  sports  writer  and  of 
radio's  "Information  Please,"  is  one 
of  the  first  "big  names"  in  radio  to  be 
signed  to  an  exclusive  contract  for  a 
series  of  television  film  programs.  He 
is  to  be  featured  in  a  weekly  series 
titled  "Kieran's  Kaleidoscope,"  pro- 
duced by  International  Tele-Film, 
New  York,  according  to  Paul  F. 
Moss,  president.  Moss  announced  also 
that  Budd  Schulberg,  author,  has 
signed  an  exclusive  contract  to  write 
and  direct  a  series  for  the  company. 


Bids  for  Video  Channel 

Washington,  July  11. — Twentieth 
Century-Fox's  road  to  a  Seattle  tele- 
'  vision    station    has    become    a  little 
'  rougher  with  the  entry  of  Edward 
-  Lasker  as  applicant  for  a  station  there, 

■  bringing  to  six  the  number  of  indi- 

■  viduals  and  firms  seeking  three  avail- 
able channels. 


G^Th  THEATRE 

P  °-  »OX  1334 

June  22,  19*8  ' 


i 


^ited"  &t£?*d 
1915  Elm  aff3  C°rp. 

Ed: 

k«Sbt  expaain  fch  t         °B-  eaotlon  of  those 

"«o  RED  rxver     i?'  hoveve;erJleWng  the  at^te?  this 
*he  thing  ve  11t  B,a^lous.Va3  *l«ed  to  h!*^* 

—  ^  ^££^the- 


CV;ed 


ranks  with  the  finest  motion  pictures  ever 
produced,  regardless  of  type! 


released  thru  U  A 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


imi_>I  REMOVE 


MOTION  PICTURE 

DAILY 


X^i.  64.  NO.  8 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  JULY  13,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


4,729,063 
Loew's  Profit 
For  40  Weeks 


Down  from  $10,904,821; 
Equals  92c  Per  Share 

Net  profit  of  $4,729,063  for  the 
40  weeks  ended  June  3,  1948,  equiv- 
alent to  92  cents  per  common  share, 
was  reported  for  Loew's  Inc.,  by 
Charles  C.  Moskowitz,  vice-presi- 
dent and  treasurer,  yesterday.  Earn- 
ings for  the  same  period  of  1947  were 
$10,904,821,  or  $2.12  per  share. 
Comparative  earnings  state- 
ment included  a  report  on  busi- 
ness for  the  12  weeks  ended 
June  3,  1948  with  gross  sales 
and  operating  revenues  for  that 
period  estimated  at  $43,356,000, 
compared  with   $43,371,000  for 
the  same  period  last  year,  a 
drop  of  only  $15,000. 
Operating  profit  for  the  40  weeks 
this  year,  including  subsidiaries,  after 
the  subsidiaries'  preferred  dividends, 

(.Continued  on  page  5) 


20th,  UP  Set  Up 
Video  News  Service 


Television  stations  throughout  the 
country  will  soon  have  at  their  dis- 
posal a  film  library  covering  important 
world-wide  events  as  a  result  of  a 
long-term  agreement  for  joint  estab- 
lishment of  a  television  news  service 
signed  yesterday  by  Spyros  P.  Skou- 
ras,  20th  Century-Fox  president,  and 
Hugh  Baillie,  United  Press  president. 

Under  the  agreement,  Fox  Movie- 
tone News  will  document  UP  dis- 
patches with  films  which  will  be  sent 
to  video  stations  weekly  after  a  basic 

(.Continued  on  page  5) 


N.  Y.  Para.  Televises 
Williams- Jack  Bout 

The  Paramount  Theatre  here,  step- 
ping up  its  television  activities,  sprung 
another  surprise  last  night  with  a 
large-screen  video  showing  of  the 
Beau  Jack-Ike  Williams  lightweight 
championship  bout  at  Shibe  Park, 
Philadelphia.  The  cabled  images  were 
picked  up,  processed  on  film  and  pro- 
jected under  the  same  system  em- 
ployed when  the  Louis-Walcott  fight 
was  telecast. 

Paramount  cleared  rights  through 
the  promoters  of  the  boxing  contest, 
the  television  sponsor  (Ballantine 
Beer)  American  Broadcasting  System 
and  its  Philadelphia  affiliate,  WFIL- 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


WeatherMelts 
B  'wayGrosses 


Very  hot  weather  continued  to  melt 
business  at  Broadway  first-runs  gen- 
erally over  the  weekend  as  New 
Yorkers  crowded  beaches  and  resorts. 
Grossing  prospects  for  the  week  are 
only  fair  in  consequence,  except  at 
Radio  City  Music  Hall  ("Emperor 
Waltz"  and  a  Leonidoff  stage  presen- 
tation) and  Loew's  State  ("Easter 
Parade")  where  returns  at  both  con- 
tinue to  be  of  prosperity-plus  pro- 
portions. 

The  Hall's  bill  is  expected  to  bring 
in  a  spectacular  $146,500  in  a  fourth 
week  on  the  basis  of  $86,500  grossed 
Thursday  through  Sunday.  A  solid 
$72,000  is  due  for  the  second  week 
at  the  State. 

Only  other  situations  where  busi- 
ness is  holding  up  are  the  Capitol 
where  the  third  week  of  "Fort 
Apache,"  plus  singer  Lena  Home  on 
stage,  is  heading  for  an  estimated 
$83,000,  and  the  Paramount  where  "A 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


U.A.  Will  Not  Extend 
Its  Bidding  Plan 

Sale  of  forthcoming  product  on  an 
experimental  picture-to-picture  basis 
under  competitive  bidding  will  be  con- 
fined by  United  Artists  strictly  to  the 
Chicago  territory,  it  was  said  yester- 
day by  a  company  spokesman. 

The  new  Chicago  sales  policy  was 
adopted  by  UA  as  a  result  of  the  Jack- 
son Park  decree. 


Brazil  Order 
Is  Ruled  Out 


Rio  De  Janeiro,  July  10  (By  Air- 
mail).— The  Brazilian  Ministry  of 
Labor  has  found  unconstitutional  the 
Brazilian  Price  Control  Board's  regu- 
lation limiting  distributors'  film  per- 
centages to  40  per  cent,  according  to 
government  sources.  Orders  officially 
cancelling  the  order  are  expected  mo- 
mentarily by  the  industry. 

When  the  cancellation  announcement 
comes,  it  will  put  an  end  to  consider- 
able industry  turmoil.  Opposition  to 
the  order  broke  out  in  many  quarters, 
and  was  particularly  strong  from 
American  distributor  representatives 
here.  On  the  other  hand,  some  ex- 
hibitors here  supported  the  order  since 
it  pointed  to  larger  profits  for  thea- 
tres playing  foreign  pictures. 

The  order  also  fixed  the  price  of 
theatre  admissions,  and  under  it  the 
highest  admission  price  throughout  the 
country  was  to  be  the  equivalent  of  30 
cents.  Local  price  commissions  were 
{Continued  on  page  5) 


Silverman  to  Back 
Perrin  Production 

Chicago,  July  12. — Eddie  Silver- 
man, Essaness  Theatres  president,  will 
finance  with  producer  Nat  Perrin,  the 
independent  production  of  the  life 
story  of  Van  and  Schenk.  Silverman 
will  remain  in  Chicago  with  filming 
scheduled  to  roll  shortly.  No  distribu- 
tion plans  have  been  set  as  yet,  it  is 
reported. 


Atlas  Corp.  Still  Holds 
327,812  Warrants  in  RKO 


Washington,  July  12. — Atlas 
Corporation's  sale  of  929,020  shares  of 
RKO  common  stock  to  Howard 
Hughes  on  May  18  highlights  other- 
wise routine  trading  by  insiders  in  film 
companies'  stocks,  in  the  latest  report 
of  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Com- 
mission, covering  the  period  from 
May  11  to  June  10. 

The  report  shows  Atlas  still  holding 
warrants  for  327,812  shares  at  the  end 
of  the  period. 

Columbia  president  Harry  Cohn  re- 
ceived a  stock  dividend  of  3,473  shares 
of  common  on  May  11,  increasing  his 
holdings  to  142,395  shares.  Jack 
Cohn  received  a  dividend  of  1,199 
shares,  to  bring  his  personal  holdings 
to  49,168.  His  trust  accounts  sold  2,000 
shares  and  got  a  dividend  of  538, 
for  a  net  drop  of  1,462  shares  to 
22,157. 

A.  Montague  sold  200  shares,  drop- 
ping his  holdings  to  7,827  shares  plus 


warrants  for  10,426  more.  Joseph  A. 
McConville  got  a  stock  dividend  of 
four  shares  for  a  total  of  164,  while 
Nate  B.  Spingold  got  a  dividend  of 
410  shares  through  his  holding  com- 
pany and  three  shares  on  stock  jointly- 
owned.  The  holding  company  now 
has  16,849  shares,  and  he  owns  162 
jointly  with  an  undisclosed  person.  A. 
Schneider  gave  a  total  of  1,200  shares 
in  four  separate  gifts  to  the  Schneid- 
er Foundation,  dropping  his  holdings 
to  10,053. 

At  Monogram,  George  D.  Burrows 
sold  3,000  shares  in  three  separate 
transactions,  cutting  his  holdings  to 
33  shares.  W.  Ray  Johnston  sold  4,- 
000  in  three  transactions.  As  of  June 
10,  he  held  12,617  shares  of  common 
and  options  for  12,500.  Sam  Wolf 
sold  1,200  shares  in  five  deals,  cutting 
his  total  to  4,133  shares. 

Duncan  G.   Harris   of  Paramount 

(Continued  on   page  5) 


ERP  Program 
Applies  Only 
To  New  Films 


Cost  Guarantees  W  ill 
Not  Cover  Old  Product 


Washington,  July  12.  —  The 
Economic  Cooperation  Administra- 
tion has  finally  set  some  of  the  rules 
and  regulations  it  will  use  in  ad- 
ministering the  Economic  Recovery 
Program's  investment  guaranty  pro- 
gram, and  three  points  stand  out  for 
the  film  industry : 

L— Only  new  film  activities  or  ex- 
pansion of  enterprises  already  going 
on  will  be  eligible.  Films  already 
abroad  or  scheduled  to  go  will  pre- 
sumably not  be  covered. 

2. — The  programs  must  be  approved 
by  the  foreign  governments,  as  well  as 
by  the  ECA.  One  of  the  specific  items 
which  applicants  must  submit  is 
"either  evidence  of  approval  by  the 
foreign  country  of  the  investment  as 
furthering  the  joint  program  for 
European  recovery,  or  a  statement  of 

(Continued  on  page  5) 

Lippert,  Redwood 
Circuits  Merged 

Medford,  Ore.,  July  12. — Amalga- 
mation of  the  Redwood  Circuit  of  61 
houses  and  the  Robert  L.  Lippert  The- 
atres into  the  Affiliated  Theatre  Ser- 
vice Circuit  marked  the  visit  here  of 
Lippert.  Serving  with  the  expanded 
circuit  is  George  Mann,  owner  and 
operator  of  Redwood  Theatres. 

Meeting  with  Lippert  and  Mann 
here  were  J.  Earl  Hinning,  Charles  J. 
Maestri,  L.  L.  Lamb,  F.  L.  Woods, 
James  Chapman,  Dan  Pavich,  Harry 
Spaulding,   Joseph   Manniachi,  Dave 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


RKO  Board  Session 
Still  on  at  Coast 

Hollywood,  July  12. — Meeting  of 
the  RKO  board  of  directors,  which 
convened  yesterday  and  was  resumed 
this  morning  at  an  undisclosed  place, 
was  still  in  session  late  today  in  an 
effort  to  wind  up  its  business  quickly. 

Meanwhile,  dismissal  of  dispensable 
personnel  was  continuing  at  the  studio 
with  some  being  given  to  understand 
that  their  re-employment  is  likely 
when  the  new  production  program  and 
policy  is  decided  upon  and  implement- 
ed. It  is  believed  here  that  RKO  pro- 
duction activity  will  come  to  a  virtual 
halt  when  three  films  now  before  the 
cameras  are  completed. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  July  13,  1948 


Theatre  Activity 
Spurts  in  Nation 


Activity  in  new  theatre  construction 
is  accelerating  in  several  sections  of 
the  country,  according  to  Motion 
Picture  Daily  field  correspondents 
who  report  that  additional  theatres 
are  in  planning  stages  in  California, 
Arkansas  and  Florida,  besides  those 
already  reported. 

In  San  Francisco,  a  $100,000  house 
to  seat  750  is  underway,  Kenneth 
Wright,  head  of  Fruit  Ridge  Manor 
Theatre  Corp.,  announces,  while  A.  D. 
Hamlin,  Jr.,  is  completing  plans  for 
an  outdoor  theatre  on  the  outskirts  of 
San  Francisco  near  Colma.  A  $35,000 
drive-in  is  to  be  built  in  Van  Nuys  by 
Paul  Glick,  and  Charles  Holtz  has 
scheduled  the  opening  of  a  new  Sacra- 
mento theatre  for  October. 

Bernstein  Theatres  has  announced 
plans  for  two  theatres,  a  900-seater  in 
Little  River  and  an  800-car  drive-in, 
both  in  Florida.  Bob  Bernstein,  vice- 
president  of  the  circuit,  will  be  in 
charge  of  both  projects. 

West  Memphis,  Arkansas,  seems 
destined  to  become  a  theatre  center 
overnight  with  three  theatres  project- 
ed for  that  city.  M.  A.  Lightman  and 
Associates,  Herbert  Kohn  and  Ed 
Sapinsley  have  disclosed  the  purchase 
of  the  Crittenden  from  J.  Jackson 
Rhodes  at  a  cost  of  approximately 
$100,000  and  will  start  extensive  re- 
pairs on  the  750-seat  house  as  soon  as 
they  take  possession  on  August  1.  The 
house  will  not  be  a  part  of  Malco 
Theatres.  In  addition,  plans  are  be- 
ing drawn  for  a  new  theatre  in  West 
Memphis  to  be  operated  by  Lightman 
in  addition  to  the  Crittenden.  Two 
weeks  previously,  W.  L.  Moxley,  vet- 
eran theatre  operator  of  Blytheville, 
Ark.,  announced  plans  for  construction 
of  a  1,000-seat  house  in  West  Mem- 
phis to  be  built  at  a  cost  of  $250,000. 

New  theatres  opened  recently  in  the 
New  Orleans  territory  include  the 
Beard  in  Leakesville,  Miss.,  and  the 
Wayne  in  Melvin,  Ala.,  the  latter 
operated  by  Phil  Murphy  who  also 
has  theatres  in  Quitman,  Miss. 


NCA  Grievance  Unit 
Studying  Four  Cases 

Minneapolis,  July  12. — Four  com- 
plaints against  20th  Century-Fox  were 
heard  today  at  the  first  meeting  of 
North  Central  Allied's  grievance  com- 
mittee, and  all  cases  were  taken  under 
advisement  for  disposition  at  a  com- 
mittee meeting  scheduled  for  next 
Monday. 

The  nature  of  the  grievances  and 
the  names  of  complainants  were  not 
disclosed,  the  committee  having  de- 
cided upon  secrecy  to  avoid  possible 
embarrassment  to  the  theatre  owners, 
according  to  Stanley  Kane,  NCA  ex- 
ecutive secretary  and  counsel  for  the 
grievance  board. 


First  Essaness  Drive-in 

Chicago,  July  12.— Construction  of 
an  outdoor  theatre,  to  be  called  the 
Starlight,  first  to  be  operated  by  the 
Essaness  circuit,  was  started  here  last 
week.  It  will  cost  $500,000,  have 
facilities  for  1,200  cars  and  is  expected 
to  be  in  operation  by  mid-September. 


Personal  Mention 


BG.  KRANZE,  Film  Classics  sales 
•vice-president,  left  here  yesterday 
for  Cleveland  and  Pittsburgh.  He  is 
due  back  here  tomorrow. 

• 

Duke  Hickey,  field  coordinator  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America's  community  relations  divi- 
sion, left  New  York  yesterday  for 
Boston  on  the  first  lap  of  a  tour  of 
the  country. 

Jules  K.  Chapman,  Film  Classics 
assistant  sales  manager,  left  here  over 
the  weekend  for  a  tour  of  the  Port- 
land, Ore.,  territory. 

• 

William  DeMello,  manager  of 
Western  Electric  (Caribbean),  is  here 
from  his  headquarters  in  Bogota,  Co- 
lombia. 

• 

F.  W.  Hite  of  the  M-G-M  studio 
will  leave  Hollywood  Friday  for  New 
York. 

• 

James  B.  Williams  of  M-G-M 
studios  is  due  here  next  Monday  en 
route  to  England. 

• 

William  R.  Ferguson,  M-G-M  ex- 
ploitation head,  returned  to  New  York 
yesterday  from  Chicago. 

• 

William  F.  Rodgers,  M-G-M  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  has  returned 
to  New  York  from  Buffalo. 

• 

Rudy  Berger,  M-G-M  Southern 
sales  manager,  left  Washington  yes- 
terday for  Jacksonville,  Fla. 

• 

Leo  Handel,  head  of  M-G-M's  re- 
search bureau,  has  left  here  for  the 
Coast. 


JOHN  CAMPBELL,  International 
Projector  Corp.  production  man- 
ager, is  vacationing  in  DuBois,  Wyo. 
• 

Morton  Lane  of  the  Paramount 
home  office  legal  staff  and  Mrs.  Lane 
have  become  parents  of  their  second 
child,  Richard  Paul,  born  Saturday 
at  Doctors  Hospital  here. 

• 

James  Dixon  has  resigned  as  as- 
sistant manager  of  the  Hippodrome 
Theatre,  Baltimore,  to  become  man: 
ager  of  the  Elkridge  Drive-In  in  that 
city. 

Ten ny  Wright,  manager  of  War- 
ners' Burbank  studio,  has  returned 
here  from  England.  He  will  fly  to  the 
Coast  today. 

• 

Messmore  Kendall,   president  of 
the  Capitol  Theatre,  New  York,  will 
return  here  tomorrow  from  London 
and  Paris  on  the  5"5"  Queen  Elizabeth. 
• 

F.  J.  A.  McCarthy,  Universal-In- 
ternational Southern  and  Canadian 
sales  manager,  will  leave  New  York 
today  for  Dallas. 

• 

Louis  T.  Stone  of  the  Ascap  legal 
department  will  fly  to  Scotland  on 
Saturday  from  New  York. 

• 

Fred  Quimby,  M-G-M  short  sub- 
ject production  head,  will  leave  the 
Coast  Friday  for  New  York. 

• 

Sidney  A.  Franklin,  M-G-M  pro- 
ducer, will  leave  Hollywood  on  Sun- 
day for  New  York  en  route  to  Paris. 
• 

Michael  Sokol,  Warner  general 
manager  in  Mexico,  has  returned  to 
Mexico  City  from  the  Coast. 


Must  Submit  Records 
In  Percentage  Action 

Federal  Judge  John  C.  Knox  of 
United  States  District  Court  for  New 
York,  acting  in  percentage  actions 
brought  by  Loew's  and  RKO,  against 
the  Eisenberg  and  Cohen  Theatres, 
has  ordered  the  circuit  to  produce  for 
inspection  all  of  its  books  and  records. 
The  decision  applies  specifically  to  all 
entries  of  flat  rental  and  percentage 
engagements. 


Goldwyn  Names  Agency 

Samuel  Goldwyn  has  appointed 
Monroe  Greenthal  Co.  advertising 
agency  for  his  "A  Song  Is  Born." 
Conferences  on  a  campaign  between 
Goldwyn,  William  Hebert  and  Lynn 
Farnol,  culminating  in  the  choice  of 
the  agency  have  terminated  and  Far- 
nol planed  for  Denver  for  a  two-week 
vacation  before  returning  here  to  his 
post  as  Eastern  advertising-publicity 
director  for  the  producer. 


MP  A  To  Survey  Drive-ins 

Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  has  begun  a  survey  of  drive- 
in  theatres  around  the  country,  aimed 
at  obtaining  late  information  concern- 
ing the  number  and  types  of  operation, 
it  was  disclosed  here  yesterday. 


Trop  to  Produce 
And  Distribute 

Jack  Trop  has  opened  headquarters 
here  for  his  new  J.  D.  Trop  Films,  the 
officers  of  which  are  Trop  as  presi- 
dent, Barend  Broekman,  vice-presi- 
dent, and  Marcel  Broekman,  secre- 
tary-treasurer. Barend  and  Broek- 
man produced  a  number  of  pictures 
abroad  up  to  World  War  II. 

Broekman  has  left  for  a  three- 
month  survey  of  production  and  dis- 
tribution setups,  his  first  stop  being 
Amsterdam,  where  he  will  remain  un- 
til his  Cinetone  Studios,  seized  by  the 
Nazis  in  1940,  are  returned  to  him. 
Later  he  will  go  to  Paris,  Rome, 
Brussels  and  other  capitals  to  study 
bi-lingual  production  in  behalf  of 
Trop  Films.  Trop  says  that  Holly- 
wood and  New  York  studios  will  be 
used  to  produce  pictures  in  this  coun- 
try. 


Ainsworth  and  Smith 
To  Attend  ATOI  Meet 

Indianapolis,  July  12. — William 
Ainsworth,  president  of  national  Al- 
lied, and  A.  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  general 
sales  manager  of  20th  Century-Fox, 
will  be  guests  at  the  mid-summer 
meeting  of  the  Associated  Theatre 
Owners  of  Indiana,  July  26-28,  at 
French  Lick. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


—RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL— 

1  Rockefeller  Center 

!  BING  JOAN 

!  CROSBY        FONTAINE  : 

in  "THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ"; 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR  ■ 
A  Paramount  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTAT(  1 


VJJJAIMm  

IN  PERSON, 


JOHN  FORD'S 
MASTERPIECE 

"FORT 

APACHE 


coot 


LENA  HORNE , 

Special1, 

PAUL  WMCHELL 

17  skinnay°'ennis 

and  his  0RCM. 

CAPITOL^ 


greatest  star- 
ond-song-sfcow! 


Released  ttiru  RKO  Radio  Pictures 


Cast  of  10,000  in 
Cecil  B.  DeMille's 


Loretta  Young  •  Henry  Wllcoxon 

a  lummt  IE-IREASE 

SctMtllftenllv  Air  CndiliMftd  DOCTS 

Open 


2?rv-ot.i 

B-wnv  6.  *9ih  SI. 


9:30; 


j  JACK  JAN  IS       :•:  -••-•-•••-•>:•#.> 

I  CARSON*  PAIGE  I  In  Person  | 

DON  DORIS  .*  BflD 

|  DeFORE    DAY    CROSBY  I 

I  -^QMANC^  °£..#ano  the  club  is  I 

Ir^JteHlGHStfA^.f       ORCHESTRA  $ 

%  ^/o.k?TV?MN.«H°'»  iflvs  GALA  SHOW! 

y/j  A  MICHAEL  CUBTIZ  PROO'if 


iOPENS  9:30  AM  ute  nlm  *t  midnight  ,f 
kATE  STAGE  SHOW  10:15  PM  •  B'WAY  AT  47th! 


OLD 
LOS  ANGELES 

Starring 
William  Elliott    •    John  Carroll 
Catherine  McLeod 
Joseph  Schildkraut 


A  Republic  Picture 
NOW  PLAYING! 


Cool 


GOTHAM 


47th  St. 


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with  JANE  WYATT  and 

Raymond  Burr  •  Byron  Barr  •  John  Litel 
Ann  Doran  ■  Jimmy  Hunt  •  Selmer  Jack; 


C  ected  by  ANDRI  D!  !  I 
'roduced  by  SAMUEL  I 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  July  13,  1948 


Key  City 
Grosses 


I?  OLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
M7  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


CINCINNATI 


Most  grosses  are  several  notches 
over  the  preceding  week,  with  overall 
averages  the  best  in  many  months,  de- 
spite continuance  of  excessively  hot 
weather  and  increased  competition 
from  outdoor  attractions.  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ending  July  13': 
THE  BEST  YEARS  OF  OUR  LIVES 
(RKO  Radio)— KEITH'S  (1,500)  (50c-S5c- 
60c-65c-75c)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $6,000.  (Av- 
erage: $7,500) 

FLOWING    GOLD     (WB    reissue)— RKO 

GRAND  (1,500)  (5Oc-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c). 
Dualed  with  GOD'S  COUNTRY  AND  THE 
WOMAN  (WB  reissue).  Gross:  $8,500. 
(Average:  $8,000) 

FOUR  FACES  WEST  (UA)— RKO  PAL- 
ACE (2,700)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c).  Gross: 
$15,000.     (Average:  $15,000) 
MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)— RKO  LYRIC  (1,400)  (50c- 
55c-60c-65c-70c-75c)  4  days,  3rd  week,  on  a 
moveover  from  the   Shubert,  following  an 
initial  week  at  the  Albee. 
GHOST  OF   FRANKENSTEIN    (U-I  re- 
issue)—RKO    LYRIC    (1,400)  (50c-55c-60c- 
65c-70c-75c)  3  days.    Dualed  with  SON  OF 
DRACULA  (U-I  reissue).   Combined  gross: 
$6,500.     (Average,  7  days:  $5,000) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 
RKO  CAPITOL  (2,000)  (50c-55c-6Oc-65c-70c- 
75c).    Gross:  $10,500.     (Average:  $10,000) 
UP    IN    CENTRAL    PARK  (U-I)— "RKO 
ALBEE      (3,300)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c). 
Gross:  $16,500.    (Average:  $15,000) 


BALTIMORE 


About  half  of  local  first-run  thea- 
tres are  showing  holdovers  and,  as  a 
result,  business  is  just  about  average. 
Among  newcomers,  "Easter  Parade" 
is  drawing  capacity  crowds.  Week- 
end business  was  somewhat  off,  due 
to  clear  weather  and  outdoor  amuse- 
ments. Estimated  receipts  for  the  week 
ending  July  15 : 

ANTOINE  AND  ANTOINETTE  (Siritsky 

Int'l) — LITTLE  (328)  (29c-37c-56c).  Gross: 

$2,750.     (Average:  $3,000) 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— CENTURY 

(3,000)   (29c-37c-45c-54c,  and  56c  weekends). 

Gross:  $21,500.  (Average:  $14,500) 

ON  AN   ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 

—VALENCIA   (1,466)    (29c-37c-45c-54c,  and 

56c    weekends)    2nd    week.     Gross:  $5,750. 

(Average:  $5,000) 

THE    BEST    YEARS    OF    OUR  LIVES 
(RKO   Radio)— TOWN    (1,450)    (first  time 
here    at    popular    prices:    29c-37c-56c)  3rd 
week.     Gross:  $8,750.     (Average:  $11,000) 
THE  DUDE  GOES  WEST  (Allied  Artists) 
— MAYFAIR  (1,000)  (21c-29c-S4c)  2nd  week. 
Gross:   $4,000.     (Average:  $4,500) 
THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— STAN- 
LEY   (3,280)  .  (29c-37c-50c-58c)    2nd  week. 
Gross:  $13,000.     (Average:  $14,500) 
THE    FULLER    BRUSH    MAN  (Col.)— 
HIPPODROME  (2,205)  (29c-37c-50c-58c)  2nd 
week.     With  a  stage   show.     Gross:  $17,- 
500.     (Average:  $17,500) 

STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (Z0th-Fox)— 

NEW  (1,800)  (29c-40c-50c-58c).    Gross:  $12,- 

000.     (Average:  $11,750) 

UP      IN     CENTRAL     PARK  (U-I)- 

KEITH'S  (2,406)  (25c-37c-44c-54c,  and  56c 
weekends).  Gross:  $10,750.  (Average: 
$12,000) 


TORONTO 


In  spite  of  heat  and  the  absence  of 
many  patrons  from  the  city,  there 
were  two  holdovers,  one  for  a  third 
week,  at  Famous  Players  first-run 
houses  in  Toronto,  both  being  in  the 
lighter  vein.  Most  business  was 
around  average.  Estimated  receipts 
for  the  week  ending  July  15 : 

ANNA    KARENINA    (ZOth-Fox) — EGLIN  - 


Reviews 


"Train  to  Alcatraz" 

(Republic) 

FROM  simple  material  Republic  has  fashioned  a  compact  melodrama  suffi- 
ciently endowed  with  suspense  even  though  the  ultimate  outcome  of  the 
plot  is  never  too  much  in  doubt.  While  a  good  deal  of  the  story  incidents  are 
pat  and  lacking  in  conviction,  the  film  sustains  interest  'more  than  well, 
generally  speaking. 

A  sort  of  "Last  Mile"  on  rails,  the  action  is  confined  primarily  to  a  prison 
car  hauling  an  assorted  bunch  of  escape-minded  criminals  across  the  country 
to  Alcatraz.  The  drama  in  which  these  desperate  men  are  involved  is  inten- 
sified by  confining  the  area  of  activity  and  simplifying  the  plot  structure  as 
much  as  possible. 

Of  the  men,  only  one  (William  Phipps)  does  not  deserve  his  fate.  He  is  a 
victim  of  circumstances  who  at  the  end  finds  justice  and  love  (with  Janet 
Martin).  An  abortive  escape  of  the  convicts  is  pictured  with  plenty  of  ex- 
citement and  blood-curdling  violence.  The  love  note  was  virtually  dragged 
into  the  story,  and  while  it  may  add  to  the  happiness  of  Phipps,  it  seems 
strangely  out  of  place.  Lou  Brock  was  associate  producer,  and  Philip  Ford 
applied  hard-fisted  direction  to  the  Gerald  Geraghty  screenplay.  Donald 
Barry,  Roy  Barcroft,  Juan  Storey,  Jane  Darwell,  Milburn  Stone  and  Ralph 
Dunn  are  others  importantly  placed  in  the  cast. 

Running  time,  60  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
June  28.  P.E.L. 

Portrait  of  Innocence"  (Nous  Les  Gosses) 

(Siritsky  International — French  with  English  subtitles') 

THIS  IS  an  exceptional  and  very  fine  film  about  children  and  it  deserves 
to  be  treated  as  top  A  product  by  exhibitors  catering  to  art  audiences. 
The  picture  creates  a  moving  and  altogether  charming  whole  from  what 
appears  on  the  surface  to  be  a  patchwork  of  very  simple  incidents.  "Portrait 
of  Innocence"  makes  the  most  out  of  the  appeal  of  the  children  in  its  story. 
It  is  full  of  humor  and  the  kind  of  realism  that  will  endear  it  to  any  family 
audience.  And,  without  being  tumultuous,  there  is  action  a-plenty,  with  some 
romance  thrown  in  to  boot.  Louis  Daquin  directed  this  Pathe  film.  Louise 
Carletti,  Gilbert  Gil  and  Coedel  are  starred. 
Running  time,  90  minutes.    General  audience  classification.    Current  release. 

"They  Are  Not  Angels*'  (Battalion  Du  Ciel) 

(Siritsky  International — French  with  English  subtitles) 

D  RODUCED  by  Pathe  in  France,  with  the  co-operation  of  the  British  and 
*  French  governments  and  the  Royal  Air  Force,  "They  Are  Not  Angels" 
is  one  of  the  few  pictures  of  the  war  which  has  reached  the  screen  without  any 
artificial  preachments  or  philosophizing,  or  embarrassing  heroics.  Despite  its 
more  than  two  hours'  running  time,  its  dialogue,  situations  and  plot  develop- 
ment have  been  so  skillfully  woven  together,  plus  the  excellent  quality  of  the 
acting  by  all  players,  that  the  audience  will  not  be  aware  of  the  time  it  takes 
to  tell  the  story. 

Opening  at  a  training  camp  in  England  where  a  battalion  of  French  para- 
troopers await  D-Day,  the  picture  shows  their  jump  into  France,  their  opera- 
tions behind  the  enemy  lines,  and,  finally,  in  an  impressive  scene,  the  three 
remaining  members  of  the  unit.  Starring  Pierre  Blanchar  and  Raymond 
Bussieres,  it  was  directed  by  Alexandre  Esway,  from  a  scenario  and  dialogue 
written  by  Joseph  Kessel. 

Running  time,  121  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Current  release. 


TON  (1,086)  (20c-36c-50c-66c)  6  days.  Gross: 
$6,400.     (Average:  $6,900) 
ANNA    KARENINA    (Z0th-Fox)— TTVOLI 
(1,434)  (20c-36c-50c-66c)  6  days.    Gross:  $7,- 
700.    (Average:  $8,200) 

THE    FULLER    BRUSH    MAN  (Col.)— 

SHEA'S  (2,480)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days, 
3rd  week.    Gross:  $14,100.    (Average:  $14,- 

FURY  AT  FURNACE  CREEK  (20th-Fox) 

— NORTOWN    (959)    (20c-42c-60c)    6  days. 
Gross:   $4,500.     (Average:  $5,500) 
FURY  AT  FURNACE  CREEK  (ZOth-Fox) 
—VICTORIA     (1,240)     (20c-36c-42c-60c)  6 
days.     Gross:  $4,800.     (Average:  $5,800) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 
LOEWS  (2,074)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-78c)  6  days. 
Gross:  $15,200.    (Average:  $14,200) 
ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 
—IMPERIAL  (3,343)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6 
days,  2nd  week.    Gross:  $14,100.  (Average: 
$14,600) 

RUTHLESS  (EL)— DANFORTH  (1,400) 
(20c-36c-50c-60c)  6  days.  Gross:  $6,000. 
(Average:  $6,500) 

RUTHLESS  (EL)— FAIRLAWN  (1,195) 
(20c-36c-50c-55c)  6  days.  Gross:  $5,000. 
(Average:  $5,500)  .  ttt, 

SUMMER      HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)-UP- 

TOWN  (2,761)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days. 
Gross:  $10,600.     (Average:  $10,600) 


ATLANTA 


Business  this  week  is  about  average. 
Weather  is  fair  and  cool.  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ending  July  14: 

ANNA  KARENINA  (ZOth-Fox) — PARA- 
MOUNT (2,446)  (12c-50c).  Gross:  $6,000. 
(Average:  $5,800) 


ANOTHER  PART  OF  THE  FOREST 
(U-I)— ROXY  (2,446)  (12c-50c).  Gross:  $5,- 
900.     (Average:  $5,800) 

THE   EMPEROR  WALTZ    (Para.) — FOX 

(2nd  week).  Gross:  $14,500.  (Average:  $15,- 
000) 

ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA)— LOEWS 
GRAND  (2,446)  (12c-60c).  Gross:  $15,000. 
(Average:  $15,000) 


'I A'  Local  Celebrates 

New  Orleans,  July  12. — Richard 
F.  _  Walsh,  president  of  IATSE,  and 
William  P.  Raoul,  general  secretary- 
treasurer,  were  here  from  New  York 
to  celebrate  the  35th  anniversary  of 
IATSE  Local  No.  293  at  the  Roose- 
velt Hotel  last  weekend.  A  highlight 
of  the  affair  was  the  presentation  of 
a  gold  membership  card  to  N.  L.  Car- 
ter, assistant  general  manager  of 
Paramount-Richards  Theatres  by  A. 
S.  Johnstone,  international  representa- 
tive and  president  of  Local  No.  293. 


Crescent  Fighting  Tax 

Atlanta,  July  12. — Circuit  Judge 
Newton  B.  Powell  has  upheld  the 
right  of  the  city  of  Decatur,  Ala.,  to 
levy  an  amusement  tax.  Crescent 
Amusement  Co.  of  Nashville,  owner 
of  theatres  there,  has  appealed  the 
ruling  to  the  Alabama  Supreme  Court. 


Production  Drops 
Again,  Down  to  31 


Hollywood,  July  12. — The  produc- 
tion index  again  stood  unimpressive 
at  31,  dipping  slightly  from  last  week's 
34.  Four  films  were  started,  while 
seven  were  completed. 

Shooting  started  on  "Inner  Sanc- 
tum" (M.R.S.  Pictures),  Film  Clas- 
sics ;  "Interference,"  RKO  Ra--  '. , 
"The  Fan,"  20th  Century-Fox;  A  W 
Gay  Amigo"  (Philip  N.  Krasne), 
United  Artists.  Shooting  was  finished 
on  "Wings  Westward,"  Columbia; 
"Words  and  Music,"  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer ;  "The  Denver  Kid,"  Republic ; 
"Indian  Scout"  (Edward  Small), 
United  Artists  ;  "The  O'Flynn"  (Fair- 
banks), Universal-International,  and 
"The  Girl  from  Jones  Beach"  and 
"The  Younger  Brothers,"  Warner. 


Walls  of  Jericho' 
Rated  'B'  by  Legion 

Twentieth  Century-Fox's  "The 
Walls  of  Jericho"  and  Discina  Inter- 
national's "Blind  Desire"  (French) 
have  been  given  "B"  ratings  by  the 
National  Legion  of  Decency.  Mono- 
gram's "Back  Trail"  and  Eagle-Lion's 
"The  Spiritualist"  were  rated  A-l  and 
Columbia's  "Coroner  Creek,"  Para- 
mount's  "So  Evil  My  Love"  and 
United  Artists'  "Texas,  Brooklyn  and 
Heaven"  were  classified  A-II. 


Broadway  Grosses 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Foreign  Affair"  and  a  stage  bill 
headed  by  Jo  Stafford  looks  like 
$82,000  in  a  second  week,  despite  a 
mild  weekend. 

Unimpressive  debuts  were  made  by 
four  new  films,  with  first-week 
grosses  expected  as  follows :  "Canon 
City,"  Criterion,  $37,000;  "Raw  Deal," 
Victoria,  $19,000;  "Fury  at  Furnace 
Creek,"  Globe,  $14,000,  and  "Old  Los 
Angeles,"  Gotham,  $7,000;  "Mickey," 
will  take  over  at  the  Gotham  on  Sat- 
urday. 

"Give  My  Regards  to  Broadway," 
plus  an  ice  show  on  stage,  is  fair  in 
its  third  and  final  week  at  the  Roxy 
where  $74,000  is  expected;  "Street 
with  No  Name"  will  move  in  tomor- 
row. "Romance  on  the  High  Seas," 
together  with  Bob  Crosby's  band  on 
stage,  is  so-so  at  the  Strand,  a  third 
and  final  week  due  for  $30,000;  "Key 
Largo"  will  be  the  replacement  on 
Friday. 

A  very  modest  $15,000  for  a  seventh 
week  is  expected  for  "Melody  Time" 
at  the  Astor  where  "The  Babe  Ruth 
Story"  will  open  on  July  26.  At  the 
Winter  Garden,  "Man-Eater  of  Ku- 
maon"  is  mild  in  its  second  week,  with 
$16,000  expected.  "Time  of  Your  Life" 
is  doing  modestly  in  its  seventh  week 
at  the  Mayfair  where  $14,500  is  due. 
"The  Crusaders"  re-issue  has  slumped 
in  its  second  week  at  the  Rivoli,  with 
a  flimsy  $17,000  due. 

"The  Illegals"  will  have  its  premiere 
tomorrow  at  the  Ambassador. 


'Glory'  Opens  July  23 

World  premiere  of  "Beyond  Glory," 
Alan  Ladd-Donna  Reed  picture,  will 
be  staged  by  Paramount  in  Radio  City 
Theatre  in  Minneapolis  on  July  23,  the 
opening  day  of  that  city's  annual 
Aquatennial.  Ladd  will  visit  Minne- 
apolis to  attend  a  press  luncheon  prior 
to  the  opening. 


Tuesday,  July  13,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


5 


U.S.FilmsEncounter 
E.IndiesCompetition 


Washington,  July  12. — The  Com- 
merce Department  discounts  reports 
that  the  Netherlands  East  Indies  may 
:soon  require  regular  exhibition  of  Eu- 
ropean films  in  all  theatres. 

In  a  report  issue  by  film  chief  Na- 
than D.  Golden,  the  department  says 
jtlgjjjkno  official  action  has  been  taken 
f£-^it  appears  likely  that  the  matter 
will  be  held  in  abeyance  in  view  of 
I  the  strong  position  of  U.  S.  distribu- 
tors in  the  Netherlands  Indies. 

The  report  does  note  increasing 
competition  for  U.  S.  films,  chiefly 
from  the  British,  but  also  from 
French,  Chinese,  Egyptian,  Indian, 
Swiss  and  native  offerings.  Only  39 
per  cent  of  the  features  reviewed  dur- 
ing the  last  six  months  of  1947  were 
American,  compared  with  48  per  cent 
in  the  first  six  months.  British  films 
now  account  for  30  per  cent  of  the  to- 
tal, the  report  states. 

Cites  Italian  Films' 
Advances  In  Europe 

Italian-made  pictures  are  receiving 
ever-increasing  acceptance  in  all  parts 
of  Western  Europe  and  already  are 
offering  strong  competition  for  films 
made  elsewhere  in  Europe,  reports 
New  York  film  attorney  S.  R.  Kun- 
kis  who  has  returned  here  from  a  10- 
week  survey  of  production,  distribu- 
tion and  exhibition  in  England,  France, 
Italy,  Denmark  and  Sweden. 

Kunkis  said  French  and  English 
films'  particularly  trail  Italian  pictures 
in  popularity  in  many  European  coun- 
tries, whereas  U.  S.  films  seem  able 
to  hold  their  own  against  all  competi- 
tors. 

Film  Rights  Acquires 
10  New  Foreign  Films 

Ten  new  French,  Italian  and  Swe- 
dish films  will  be  distributed  in  the 
U.  S.  by  Film  Rights  International 
and  subsidiaries  in  1948-49,  it  has  been 
announced  here  by  Irvin  Shapiro,  gen- 
eral manager.  The  films  are:  "Sym- 
phonie  Pastorale,"  "Gates  of  the 
Night,"  "Rebirth,"  "The  Good  Life," 
"Macadam,"  "Les  Miserables,"  "The 
Eternal  City,"  "Naked  Paris,"  "The 
House  of  the  Hanged  Man"  and 
"Anna  Lans." 

In  addition,  the  company  will  also 
reissue  "Kiss  of  Fire"  and  "The  Hu- 
man Beast." 

Bert  Reisman  to  RKO 
Post  in  So.  Africa 

Bert  Reisman  has  been  promoted 
from  manager  of  the  RKO  Radio  of- 
fice in  Venezuela  to  company  repre- 
sentative in  the  Union  of  South  Africa 
with  headquarters  in  Johannesburg. 
He  succeeds  Louis  Lioni,  who  will 
take  charge  of  RKO  Radio  office  in 
Holland,  with  headquarters  in  Amster- 
dam. 

Herb  E.  Fletcher  will  succeed  Reis- 
man in  Venezuela.  He  formerly  was 
a  member  of  the  Warner  foreign  de- 
partment. 


New  Exhibitor  Service 

Lasker- Schwartz,  buying  and  book- 
ing office  for  foreign  films,  has  in- 
augurated a  new  service  providing 
subscriber  exhibitors  with  advertising 
and  promotional  data  on  foreign  pro- 
ductions. 


Nasser  Embracing 
New  Trailer  Idea 

Hollywood,  July  12. — James 
Nasser  says  he  has  a  new 
trailer  idea  in  which  the  pub- 
lic attending  a  series  of 
"sneak"  previews  on  "An  In- 
nocent Affair"  will  be  asked 
their  off-the-cuff  reactions  be- 
fore camera  setups  in  theatre 
lobbies  here,  in  San  Jose,  Po- 
mona and  Fresno.  While  he 
does  not  say  positively,  he  in- 
dicates the  footage  will  com- 
prise the  final  trailer  on  his 
film. 


ERP  Program 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

the  channel  through  which  negotia- 
tions are  being  or  will  be  conducted" 
to  obtain  such  approval. 

3. — ECA  will  accept  Congressional 
guidance  and  make  the  guaranty — as 
far  as  information  media  are  con- 
cerned— apply  to  the  convertibility  of 
foreign  currencies  earned  by  the  sale 
or  exhibition  of  films  only  "to  the 
extent  of  the  dollar  cost  of  production 
wholly  attributable  to  these  specific 
products." 

Cover  Print  Cost,  Shipping 

If  a  film  is  distributed  in  the  U.  S. 
and  then  submitted  for  distribution 
abroad  under  the  guaranty  provision, 
convertibility  will  be  guaranteed  only 
for  the  cost  of  the  actual  prints  sent 
overseas,  plus  the  cost  of  getting  them 
there  and  showing  them. 

This  was  the  language  which  the 
conference  committee  on  the  original 
bill  wrote  into  its  conference  report, 
and  the  ECA  statement  yesterday  said 
that  applications  for  guarantees  from 
producers  and  distributors  of  informa- 
tional media  will  "be  considered  by 
the  administrator  in  the  light  of  this 
clearly  expressed  Congressional  in- 
tention." 

ERP  Funds  Cut  by  $5,000,000 

The  original  ERP  legislation  au- 
thorized $15,000,000  for  guaranteeing 
investments  in  enterprises  producing 
or  distributing  informational  media 
during  the  first  year  of  the  program, 
from  April  3,  1948.  The  appropria- 
tions committees,  however,  only  made 
$10^000,000  available.  The  film  indus- 
try had  indicated  it  hoped  to  get  over 
$4,000,000  from  this  program. 

ECA  did  not  make  known  how  the 
$10,000,000  would  be  broken  down 
among  film  firms,  book  publishers, 
newspapers  and  magazines.  The  pro- 
gram will  become  effective  tomorrow. 

ECA  said  recipients  of  guaranties 
would  pay  annually  in  advance  a  fee 
of  one  per  cent  of  the  amount  of  the 
guaranty  unless  waived  by  the  ECA 
administrator. 


Brazil  Order 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


instructed  to  fix  prices  in  their  dis- 
tricts on  the  basis  of  "points"  of  cred- 
it established  for  theatre  facilities 
such  as  seating,  quality  of  sound  and 
projection,  exit  conveniences.  In  this 
way  the  houses  would  be  classified  in 
five  categories  of  admission. 

Were   the    regulations   to  become 
operative,  the  revision  of  all  distribu- 
tion contracts  closed  after  January  1, 
1947,  would  be  required,  with  flat  and 
I  percentage  rentals  affected  equally. 


20th-Fox,  UP 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

film  library  is  sent  to  all  stations  sub- 
scribing to  the  service.  The  service 
will  provide  daily  coverage,  according 
to  Leroy  Keller,  UP  general  sales 
manager. 

Participating  in  the  negotiations,  in 
addition  to  Skouras  and  Baillie  were 
Peter  Levathes,  20th-Fox  director  of 
television,  Keller,  Irving  B.  Kahn  of 
20th-Fox's  television  department  and 
Harry  Mclntyre  and  Joseph  Fawcett, 
attorneys  for  20th-Fox  and  UP  re- 
spectively. 


Irving  B.  Kahn  Promoted  to 
20th-Fox  Television  Post 

Irving  B.  Kahn,  20th  Century-Fox 
radio  manager,  has  been  promoted  to 
an  executive  position  in  the  company's 
television  department  it  was  announced 
yesterday  by  Spyros  P.  Skouras, 
president.  Kahn  will  work  on  tele- 
vision programming.  A  successor  to 
Kahn  as  radio  manager  will  be  named 
shortly. 


N.Y.  Para.  Televises 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

TV,  operated  by  the  Philadelphia 
Inquirer.  Under  the  arrangement,  the 
Paramount  withheld  advertising  of  the 
show  until  six  P.M.  yesterday,  about 
four  hours  before  fight  time. 

Prior  to  the  fight  cast,  the  theatre 
showed  scenes  of  Senator  Barkley's 
speech  at  the  Democratic  convention. 
The  Broadway  house  has  the  rights  to 
the  convention  telecast. 


Loew  Profit 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

totaled  $13,701,312,  against  $24,166,052 
in  1947.  Reserve  for  contingencies  was 
listed  at  $1,600,000,  compared  with 
$2,500,000  for  1947,  and  reserve  for 
depreciation  this  year  was  put  at  $3,- 
419,404,  against  $3,020,638.  The  1948 
40-week  net  before  taxes  was  $8,681,- 
908,  against  $18,645,414  for  1947. 


Lippert,  Redwood 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Peterson,  Harry  Langman,  Matt 
Freed. 

Plans  of  Screen  Guild  Productions 
to  make  a  series  of  outdoor  films  in 
the  Rogue  River  Valley  of  Oregon 
were  disclosed  by  Lippert  at  the  meet- 
ing. The  first,  to  go  into  work  in 
early  August,  will  be  "The  Last  Wild 
Horses." 


Atlas  Corp. 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

bought  100  shares,  to  bring  his  total 
holdings  to  2,700,  while  20th  Century- 
Fox's  Murray  Silverstone  gave  200 
shares  to  his  wife,  dropping  his  per- 
sonal holdings  to  1,100  shares,  plus 
options  for  1,200  more.' 

Daniel  M.  Sheaffer  of  Universal 
sold  400  shares  in  two  transactions, 
leaving  him  with  12,807.  Jack  L.  War- 
ner gave  3,000  shares  of  Warner  $5 
common  to  the  United  Jewish  Welfare 
in  three  separate  gifts.  He  now  holds 
420,000  shares  of  common,  and  his 
trust  accounts  hold  21,500  more. 

Albert  W.  Lind  bought  200  shares 
of .  Associated  Motion  Picture  Indus- 
tries capital  stock,  to  increase  his 
holdings  to  400  shares,  while  L.  Boyd 
Hatch  acquired  warrants  for  1,500 
shares  of  Atlas  common.  He  now 
holds  4,840  shares  and  warrants  for 
26,031. 


Exhibitors  to  Attend 
Equipment  Meeting 


Chicago,  July  12. — Theatre  owners, 
purchasing  agents,  theatre  supply 
dealers  and  equipment  manufacturers 
will  assemble  at  the  Jefferson  Hotel  in 
St.  Louis,  on  September  27-30  for  a 
meeting  and  equipment  show.  Theatre 
owners  will  have  an  all-day  session  on 
September  27,  including  a  luncheon, 
banquet  and  visit  to  the  exhibits  of  the 
trade  show  of  the  Theatre  Equipment 
and  Supply  Manufacturers  Associa- 
tion. It  is  understood  that  Ted  Gamble 
will  address  this  group. 

The  manufacturers  association  and 
the  Theatre  Supply  Dealers  Associa- 
tion will  convene  on  September  27-30. 
There  will  be  a  get-together  luncheon 
on  September  28,  a  special  party  and 
luncheon  for  ladies  accompanying  the 
delegates  on  September  29,  and  cock- 
tail party  and  banquet  September  29. 

The  equipment  show  will  be  a  dis- 
play for  the  conventional  type  theatre 
as  well  as  theatre  television,  drive-in 
theatre  equipment  and  beverage  dis- 
pensing equipment. 


Now  They're  2-Reelers 

Hollywood,  July  12.  —  Western 
location  footage  in  16mm.,  collected 
over  the_  past  seven  years,  has  been 
edited  into  three  two-reelers  by 
Harry  Sherman  and  sold  to  Edwin 
Stovall,  representing  Calcamera,  Ltd., 
of  London.  The  two-reelers  have  had 
sound  and  narration  added  and  will 
be  exhibited  in  the  British  Empire  as 
scenics. 


Fabian  in  UJA  Talk 

Si  Fabian  will  address  Loew  ex- 
ecutives at  the  home  office  at  noon  to- 
morrow in  his  capacity  as  Greater 
New  York  amusement  division  chair- 
man of  the  United  Jewish  Appeal. 


Reade  Meeting  Today 

Monthly  meeting  of  district  and  city 
managers  of  the  Walter  Reade  Thea- 
tres will  take  place  today  at  Reade's 
Monte  Carlo  Beach  Club,  at  Asbury 
Park,  N.  J. 


Shapiro's  Father-in-Law 

Funeral  services  were  held  here  last 
Friday  for  Harry  Gemson,  67,  father- 
in-law  of  Robert  K.  Shapiro,  manager 
of  the  New  York  Paramount  Theatre. 


CBS  Promotes  Flynn 

William  J.  Flynn  has  been  pro- 
moted from  assistant  comptroller  to 
assistant  treasurer  of  Columbia  Broad- 
casting. 


■      ■■■■■  I 


TUT 


DA 


TP  »  T  ■»  ~     1  x  1 

eric  johnston,  Accurate 


MR.  ERIC 

MOTION  PICTURE  ASSOC.  OF 
AMERICA, 

28  WEST  44TH  ST.,  21ST  FJL 
NEW  YORK,  N .  Y. 


JL  JU  JL 


Concise 

and 
Impartial 


t  64.  NO.  9 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  JULY  14,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Today's  CEA 
Rank  Meeting 
Seen  Crucial 


Conclusions  May  Set  a 
Pattern  for  the  Future 


By  PETER  BURNUP 

London,  July  13». — At  this  report- 
ing the  country's  motion  picture  in- 
dustry stands  at  the  brink  of  days 
potentially  more  momentous  than  it 
hitherto  has  known. 

Today,  the  quota  relief  sub-commit- 
tee of  the  Films  Council  met  to  con- 
sider the  2,600  exhibitor  applications 
for  relief  under  the  Quota  Act.  Short- 
ly, the  full  council  will  convene  to 
pass  judgment  on  the  applications.  It 
is  to  be  assumed  that  the  council's 
deliberations  will  be  largely  condi- 
tioned by  proceedings  at  the  Cine- 
matograph Exhibitors'  Association's 
general  council  session  tomorrow,  at 
which  J.  Arthur  Rank  will  convey  his 
views  on  the  quota  situation  and  his 
plans  for  ensuring  a  good  return  for 
his  product. 

Showmen  are  in  no  mood  to  accept 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


More  US  Films  for 
UK  Independents 

London,  July  13. — With  much  re- 
lief British  exhibitors  learn  of  the 
developing  revision  of  distribution 
plans  of  American  film  companies 
which  will  give  independents  more 
product  of  top  calibre. 

M-G-M  has  decided  to  offer  at  least 
one  major  feature  per  month  direct  to 
independents.  20th  Century-Fox  will 
have  a  line-up  of  six  pictures  which 
will  be  so  offered,  while  Paramount 
and  RKO  Radio  have  similar  plans. 


Subcommittees  Will 
Study  UK  Defaults 

London,  July  13. — Although 
no  official  statement  was 
forthcoming  following  today's 
Board  of  Trade  Film  Council 
quota  subcommittee  meeting 
called  to  consider  the  2,600 
exhibitor  quota  default  appli- 
cations, it  is  understood  a  de- 
cision was  made  to  form  a 
number  of  subcommittees 
conversant  with  the  various 
geographic  conditions  and 
other  delicate  considerations 
involved. 


Theatre  Video  Scheduling 
A  New  Program  Problem 


FCC  Weighs  Para. 
Decision  for  Video 


Washington,  July  13. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  in- 
dicated today  that  the  Supreme 
Court's  verdict  of  guilty  in  the  Para- 
mount case  may  count  heavily  against 
applications  of  "Big  Five"  subsidiaries 
for  radio  stations,  television  and  other- 
wise. 

The  commission's  position  was  made 
known  in  connection  with  the  appli- 
cation of  Murphy  Broadcasting  Co. 
to  assign  to  Tri-States  Meredith 
Broadcasting  Co.  the  license  of  sta- 
tions KSO  and  KSO-FM  in  Des 
Moines.  Tri-States  Meredith  is  owned 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


RKO  Stockholders 
To  Meet  August  31 

Hollywood,  July  13. — Radio-Keith- 
Orpheum's  board  of  directors  at  11 
o'clock  last  night  concluded  a  secret 
two-day  meeting  with  the  meagre  dis- 
closure that  August  31  had  been  set 
as  the  date  for  a  board  and  stockhold- 
ers' meeting,  at  Wilmington,  Dela- 
ware, when  possible  changes  in  board 
and  executive  personnel  will  be  ef- 
fectuated. 

It  was  indicated  the  studio  will  con- 
tinue in  status  quo  until  then,  with 
three  pictures  currently  shooting 
winding  up  schedules  and  no  new  pro- 
duction started.  Directors  Ned  E. 
Depinet,  George  H.  Shaw,  Frederick 
L.  Ehrman,  L.  Lawrence.  Green  and 
Harry  M.  Durning  flew  to  New  York 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Moves  in  3  Chicago 
Anti-trust  Actions 


Chicago,  July  13. — Jackson  Park 
Theatre,  Monroe  Theatre  and  the 
Liberty  Theatre  anti-trust  actions 
against  distributors  and  major  circuits 
figured  in  new  moves  in  Federal  Court 
here  today. 

Distributor  defendants  were  asked 
to  pay  $20,000  for  court  costs  and  at- 
torney fees  which  accrued  during  the 
recent  Jackson  Park  contempt  hear- 
ings, in  a  petition  filed  by  Thomas 
McConnell,  Jackson  Park  lawyer,  in 
Federal  Judge  Michael  J.  Igoe's  dis- 
trict court. 

Hearings  were  set  for  October  7  in 
Judge  Igoe's  court  for  the  Jackson 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


By  GENE  ARNEEL 

Difficulties  involved  in  scheduling 
special  event  telecast  pickups  in  thea- 
tres, the  actual  and  clearly  determin- 
able value  of  such  telecasts,  and  just 
how  much  of  them  the  motion  picture 
customer  desires  on  the  screen — these 
are  coming  into  clearer  focus  as  rap- 
idly as  the  New  York  Paramount  con- 
tinues its  working  policy  of  picking  up 
top  news  and  sports. 

Scheduling  appears  to  be  more  of  a 
problem  than  anticipated,  based  on  the 
Paramount's  experience  with  the  Phil- 
adelphia Beau  Jack-Ike  Williams  fight 
on  Monday  night.  The  plan  was  to 
show  the  bout  immediately  before  the 
last  performance  of  the  feature  with 
the  contest  figured  to  come  off  shortly 
after  10  P.M.  There  was  a  45-minute 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


20th  Sold  Mexican 
Stock  for  Million 


Twentieth  Century-Fox's  invest- 
ments in  securities  of  its  Mexican  sub- 
sidiaries, costing  $268,360,  together 
with  notes  receivable  from  Mexican 
interests,  carried  at  a  cost  of  $247,360, 
were  sold  as  a  unit  to  Mexican  inter- 
ests, it  is  disclosed  in  financial  state- 
ments which  the  company  has  filed 
with  the  Securities  and  Exchange 
Commission. 

It  is  explained  that  of  the  agreed 
sales  price,  5,100,000  pesos  ($1,049,- 
382),  there  has  been  realized  in  dol- 
lars some  $638,223.  Profit  realized 
in  dollars  totaled  $122,231. 

Remainder  of  the  sales  price,  2,000,- 
000  pesos,  payable  in  Mexican  cur- 
rency, is  carried  in  the  company's  ac- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


No  Radical  Changes 
In  New  Bldg.  Code 

Proposed  new  New  York  State 
Building  Code  on  the  construction  and 
maintenance  of  motion  picture  thea- 
tres contains  no  radical  changes  over 
those  in  the  present  code,  John  Cog- 
geshall,  State  Industrial  Code  Officer, 
revealed  here  yesterday  as  the  State 
Board  of  Standards  and  Appeals  re- 
leased to  theatre  owners  a  59-page 
listing  of  contemplated  code  revisions. 

The  listing,  it  is  explained,  will  be 
subject  to  alteration  following  a  pub- 
lic hearing  on  the  new  code  scheduled 
for  next  Wednesday  at  the  Empire 
State  Building  here.  Since  public 
hearings  were  held  by  the  board  in 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


Procedure  on 
Divorce  Quiz 
Set  by  'Big  5' 

Answers  To  Be  Submitted 
As  They  Are  Prepared 

Procedure  on  the  preparation 
and  submission  of  information  on 
joint  theatre  ownerships  sought  by 
the  Government  under  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court  decision  in  the  Para- 
mount anti-trust  case,  has  been  adopt- 
ed by  the  "Big  Five"  defendants. 

Rather  than  submit  at  one 
time  all  of  the  answers  to  Gov- 
ernment questions  which  they 
consider  justified,  the  defen- 
dants propose  to  feed  the  infor- 
mation to  the  Department  of 
Justice  piecemeal  as  they  go 
along.  Objections  to  questions 
to  which  exception  is  taken  will 
be  argued  in  U.  S.  District 
Court  here. 

While  it  still  was  not  known  yester- 
day how   generous   an   extension  of 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


MGMCostAlignment 
Planned  at  Studio 


Hollywood,  July  13. — Loew  presi- 
dent Nicholas  M.  Schenck  flew  East 
last  night  following  weekend  talks 
with  production  chief  Louis  B.  Mayer, 
vice-president  arid  treasurer  Charles 
Moskowitz,  and  vice-president  and 
general  counsel  J.  Robert  Rubin,  who 
are  instituting  a  checkup  of  studio  op- 
erations with  respect  to  operational 
changes  to  bring  production  costs  into 
alignment  with  exhibition  revenues. 

Talks  so  far  have  been  centered  on 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


US  Companies  File 
Brazil  Injunctions 

Sao  Paulo,  Brazil,  July  13.— 
All  American  distributors 
represented  here  have  en- 
tered court  injunctions 
against  the  Brazilian  Price 
Control  Board's  regulation 
limiting  distributors'  film 
percentages  to  40  per  cent. 
The  Americans  charge  that 
the  regulation  is  unconstitu- 
tional. The  Brazilian  Ministry 
of  Labor  is  reported  already 
to  have  found  the  regulation 
unconstitutional. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  14,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

JACK  COHN,  A.  Montague  and 
Joseph  McConville  have  returned 
to  New  York  from  Columbia  execu- 
tive meetings  on  the  Coast.  Nate  B. 
Spingold  will  return  here  tomorrow 
and  A.  Schneider  on  Monday.  Leo 
Jaffee  will  remain  on  the  Coast  for 
an  extended  visit. 

Jean  Hersholt,  Raymond  Mas- 
sey,  Janis  Carte-r,  Valentina  Cor- 
tesi,  Italian  film  actress  ;  Max  Mil- 
lar, publicist,  and  Christopher  Ish- 
erwood,  screenwriter,  are  among  pas- 
sengers due  here  today  on  the  .S^ 
Queen  Elizabeth  from  Europe. 
• 

Frank    Albertson,    screen  actor, 
and   Mrs.    Albertson   have  become 
parents     of     their     third  daughter, 
Mundy,  born  Sunday  in  Los  Angeles. 
• 

Irving  Schwartz,  secretary-treas- 
urer of  Lasker- Schwartz,  will  return 
to  New  York  today  from  a  New 
Hampshire  vacation. 

• 

Walter  Jancke,  city  manager  of 
Dent  Theatres  in  Lincoln,  Neb.,  has 
been  hospitalized  following  an  attack 
of  polio. 

Mrs.  Henry  Ginsberg,  wife  of  the 
Paramount  studio  executive,  will  leave 
New  York  tomorrow  for  the  Coast. 
• 

Endre  Bohem,  Paramount  produc- 
er, will  fly  back  to  the  Coast  tomor- 
row from  New  York. 

• 

Carroll  Puciato  and  James  Har- 
ris, Realart  executives,  are  in  Boston 
today  from  New  York. 

• 

Morey  Goldstein,  Monogram  gen- 
eral sales  manager,  is  in  Boston  today 
from  New  York. 

Charlie  Moore  of  Wilson  and 
Moore  Enterprises,  Atlanta,  is  in  Flo- 
rida on  business. 

Paul  Broder,  Realart  president,  is 
due  here  today  from  Detroit. 

Backer  Deal  wit hSRO 
Bogs  Down  in  Dispute 

Hollywood,  July  13. — Deal  under 
which  William  Bacher  was  to  produce 
"If  This  Be  My  Harvest"  indepen- 
dently for  Selznick  Releasing  Organ- 
ization, with  stars  Valli,  Louis  Jour- 
dan  and  Robert  Mitchum  borrowed 
from  Vanguard,  broke  down  yester- 
day, the  date  scheduled  for  shooting, 
when  Vanguard  instructed  the  players 
to  disregard  the  call  from  Bacher  to 
report  for  work.  Selznick's  office  ex- 
plained that  it  was  withholding  the 
stars  due  to  Bacher's  failure  to  re- 
write the  script  to  conform  with  criti- 
cisms by  David  O.  Selznick. 

Bacher,  asserting  that  "we  have  met 
every  condition  and  fulfilled  every  re- 
quirement of  our  agreement  with  Van- 
guard and  SRO,"  said  the  matter  has 
been  placed  in  the  hands  of  his  attor- 
neys. 


2  Cases  on  Studio 
Strike  to  NLRB 

Washington,  July  13. — Argument 
on  two  complaints  arising  from  the 
1945-1946  jurisdictional  disputes  in 
Hollywood  were  aired  today  before 
the  National  Labor  Relations  Board. 
There  was  no  indication  when  a  deci- 
sion will  be  handed  down. 

In  one  of  the  cases,  the  Interna- 
tional Association  of  Machinists 
charged  major  studios,  independents 
and  the  Association  of  Motion  Picture 
Producers  with  unfair  labor  practices. 
While  holding  that  the  producers  had 
lawfully  bargained  with  the  union,  an 
NLRB  trial  examiner  found  that  the 
companies  had  discriminated  against 
10  IAM  members  and  ordered  them 
reinstated.  The  IAM  today  asked  the 
board  to  reverse  its  finding  on  bar- 
gaining, while  Robert  Gilbert,  arguing 
for  IATSE,  asked  the  board  not  to 
make  any  finding  which  would  pre- 
clude an  election  now  among  studio 
machinists,  claiming  that  the  situation 
has  changed  completely  since  the 
IAM  was  certified  in  1945. 

In  the  other  case,  the  board  was 
asked  to  decide  whether  the  studios 
had  the  right  to  refuse  to  employ  25 
IATSE  members  who  refused  to  cross 
picket  lines  of  the  Conference  of  Stu- 
dio Unions.  Attorneys  for  the  produc- 
ers declared  the  25  unionists  were  aid- 
ing an  illegal  strike  and  were  joined 
by  IATSE  attorneys  Matthew  Levy 
and  Michael  Luddy,  who  said  they 
were  disloyal  union  members  and,  as 
such,  had  no  rights  to  studio  jobs. 

George  Landis  Quits 
20th-Fox  Branch  Post 

Indianapolis,  July  13.  —  George 
Landis,  20th  Century-Fox  branch 
manager  here  for  20  years,  has  re- 
signed, effective  next  Saturday,  to  de- 
vote his  full  time  to  management  of 
Amusement  Enterprises,  local  neigh- 
borhood group,  in  which  he  is  a  stock- 
holder. Thomas  McCleaster,  former 
office  and  sales  manager  of  the  Indian- 
apolis branch,  is  his  successor. 

Landis  started  as  a  salesman  for 
World  Films  in  Chicago  in  1915,  com- 
ing to  Indianapolis  in  1921  as  a  sales- 
man for  Fox.  He  was  Fox  branch 
manager  in  Washington,  D.  C,  from 
1924  to  1926. 

Capital  Owners  Will 
Meet y  Eat  and  Bathe 

Washington,  July  13.  —  Members 
of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  Metropolitan  Washington  have 
found  the  ideal  way  to  hold  business 
meetings  and  still  not  mind  the  Wash- 
ington heat.  They  will  meet  this  Sun- 
day at  the  Patuxenent  River  farm  of 
president  A.  Julian  Brylawski,  and  the 
regular  business  meeting  will  be  fol- 
lowed by  a  beach  party. 


Conn.  MPTO  Golf  Meet 

New  Haven,  July  13. — Motion  Pic- 
ture Theatre  Owners  of  Connecticut 
will  hold  its  annual  golf  tournament 
on  August  24  at  the  Racebrook  Coun- 
try Club  in  Orange,  Conn.,  George  H. 
Wilkinson,  Jr.,  chairman  of  the  ar- 
rangements committee,  has  announced. 


Rites  Tomorrow  for 
King  Baggott,  69 

Los  Angeles,  July  13. — Funeral 
services  will  be  held  at  Pierce  Broth- 
ers Mortuary  on  Thursday  for  King 
Baggott,  69,  silent  film  star  and  sub- 
sequently a  director,  who  died  Sunday 
in  a  sanitarium.  He  was  active  in 
motion  pictures  from  1909,  when  he 
left  a  stock  company  to  enter  films, 
until  illness  led  to  his  retirement  a 
year  ago. 

Baggott  was  born  in  St.  Louis.  He 
attended  -  the  Christian  Brothers  Col- 
lege where  he  became  a  star  soccer 
and  baseball  player.  He  was  the  first 
president  of  the  Screen  Club,  which 
he  helped  to  organize.  A  son,  Robert 
King  Baggott,  survives. 

Charles  G.  Deckman, 
Cleveland  Owner 

Cleveland,  July  13. — Charles  G. 
Deckman,  58,  with  extensive  business 
interests,  including  theatres  and  recre- 
ation centers  in  Cleveland,  Florida  and 
Canada,  died  suddenly  over  the  week- 
end of  a  heart  attack  while  vacation- 
ing at  his  Ontario  fishing  lodge,  it 
was  learned  here  today. 

Surviving  are  the  widow,  Ethel;  a 
daughter,  Edith  Jones,  and  a  son, 
Charles  G.,  Jr.  Services  will  be  held 
in  Cleveland  tomorrow. 

B.  B.  Segal  To  Handle 
Israel  News  Review 

Bernard  B.  Segal  has  been  placed 
in  charge  of  16mm.  distribution  of  the 
forthcoming  monthly  news  review, 
"Israel  Today,"  by  Norman  Lourie, 
president  of  Palestine  Films,  pro- 
ducers of  the  series.  Segal  will  han- 
dle distribution  in  cooperation  with 
the  National  Jewish  Welfare  Board 
and  similar  organizations. 

Under  a  deal  concluded  with  Spyros 
P.  Skouras,  20th  Century-Fox  will 
handle  worldwide  distribution  of 
"Israel  Reborn,"  first  issue  of  the  re- 
view, Lourie  also  announced. 

'Tap  Roots'  in  World 
Bow  in  Phila.  Today 

Philadelphia,  July  13.  —  "Tap 
Roots,"  Walter  Wanger  production 
for  Universal-International,  will  be 
given  its  world  premiere  tomorrow 
morning  at  the  Goldman  Theatre  here. 
A  special  screening  of  the  film  was 
held  at  the  theatre  at  midnight  for 
members  of  the  press  and  radio  as 
well  as  delegates  to  the  Democratic 
convention. 


Open  Three  in  Monterrey 

Monterrey,  Mexico,  July  13. — 
Opening  of  three  new  theatres  here 
brings  Monterrey's  total  to  21.  The 
new  houses  are  the  Cines  Monterrey, 
seating  5,200;  the  Reforma,  5,000,  and 
the  Araceli,  2,500.  The  three  are  op- 
erated by  the  Gabriel  Alarcon  circuit. 


Babe  Zaharias  in  Shorts 

Columbia  Pictures  has  signed  Babe 
Didrikson  Zaharias,  woman  athlete, 
for  a  series  of  three  golf  shorts,  to  be 
part  of  Columbia's  "World  of  Sports" 
series  with  Bill  Stern  as  narrator,  for 
release  in  the  fall.  Producer-director 
is  Harry  Foster. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


OMINANT  in  all  current  news- 
JL/  reels  is  the  Democratic  conven- 
tion in  Philadelphia.  In  the  sports 
department  Olympic  track  try-outs  are 
featured.  Complete  contents  follow. 

MOVIETONE   NEWS,  No.  46 — Demo- 
cratic convention  in  Philadelphia.     Last  of 
British  forces  leave  Haifa.    Gen.  MacArthur 
saluted  at  Imperial  Palace  in  Tokyo.  U 
Olympic  teams  prepare  for  track  and 
try-outs.     Swimming  and  diving-  chamijfp^, 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  290—1948 

Democratic  convention.  Israel  defies  foes 
as  truce  ends.  Thrills  in  final  Olympic 
trials. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  93— Demo- 
cratic convention  in  Philadelphia.  U.  S. 
teams  ready  for  Olympic  final  track  try- 
outs.  Olympic  swimming  and  diving  teams 
picked. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  160 — Demo- 
cratic convention  opens  to  choose  1948  tick- 
et.   Final  trials  for  Olympics. 

WARNER  PAT  HE  NEWS,  No.  95— 

Democratic  convention.  United  Nations  dis- 
cusses Palestine.  French  seashore  fashions. 
Olympic  try-outs. 


I 


FIVE-STAR 

DC-6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

3%  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucc£- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  Internationab.Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.    Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Wednesday,  July  14,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


Review 

"That  Lady  in  Ermine" 

(20th  Century-Fox) 

BETTY  GRABLE,  who  still  packs  'em  in,  gets  away  from  period  musicals 
this  time.    Her  legions  may  find  the  switch  a  welcome  one  and  enough 
recompense  for  what  "That  Lady  in  Ermine"  lacks. 

Where  this  eye-filling  and  ofttimes  charming  and  humorous  attraction  is 
weak  is  in  its  story,  which  is  centered  in  a  mythical  duchy  called  Bergamo 
somewhere  in  Southeastern  Europe  on  the  high  road  to  Rome  about  90  years 
ago,  Miss  Grable  is  its  presiding  noblewoman  just  married  to  Cesar  Romero 
who  leaves  at  the  time  of  decision  to  resist  a  conquering  column  of  Hungarian 
Hussars  under  command  of  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr. 

Miss  Grable's  problem  in  statesmanship  is  how  to  handle  the  situation.  For 
an  answer,  she  turns  back  Bergamo's  history  300  years  to  the  time  when  an 
identical  crisis  was  solved  by  her  facsimile  ancestor  who  made  up  to  the  16th 
century  victor  and  finally  knocked  him  off  with  a  dagger  between  the  shoul- 
der blades.  Not  quite  up  to  the  slaughter  idea,  Miss  Grable  is  relieved  of  the 
issue  when  her  ancestor  takes  over  and  goes  highly  romantic  with  Fairbanks 
in  a  dream  sequence  of  such  high  jinks  that  both  of  them  finally  sail  through 
the  roof  of  the  castle.    It  must  have  been  jet  propulsion. 

The  morning  after,  Fairbanks  comes  to  realize  he  was  earthbound  the  night 
before.  His  love  unrequited,  he  releases  the  castle  and  is  finally  joined  by 
Miss  Grable  whose  never-completed  marriage  with  Romero  has  gone  bust. 
The  track  is  clear  for  the  disjointed  romance  to  slip  into  its  groove  for  a 
happy  finish. 

If  this  appears  confused,  the  reporting  is  accurate ;  for  so,  too,  is  the  picture. 
Moreover,  its  thin  story  structure  is  not  completely  bridged  by  incidental 
pieces  of  business  although  there  are  many  passages  of  charm  and  humor 
ingeniously  and  pleasantly  contrived. 

The  Technicolor  cameras,  as  usual,  are  duck  soup  for  Miss  Grable  who  is 
always  photographed  well  and  often  on  the  breathless  side.  Her  performance 
is  quite  competent  and  the  several  tinkling  song  numbers  assigned  to  her  are 
engagingly  delivered.  As  the  dashing  Hussar,  Fairbanks  cuts  quite  a  dashing 
figure  and  gears  his  performance  neatly  to  the  mood  at  hand.  Other  acting 
chores  are  well  handled  by  Walter  Abel,  as  Fairbanks'  adjutant;  Harry  Dav- 
enport, as  the  major-domo,  Reginald  Gardiner  as  Alberto  and  Romero  as 
Mario. 

The  late  Ernst  Lubitsch  began  production  and  direction  of  "That  Lady  in 
Ermine"  prior  to  his  death.  Otto  Preminger  completed  the  film,  without 
screen  credit,  at  his  own  request.  Samuelson  Raphaelson  wrote  the  screen- 
play and  Leo  Robin  and  Frederick  Hollander  the  lyrics  and  music.  Produc- 
tion values  are  luscious.    So  is  Miss  Grable. 

Running  time,  89  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
August,  1948.  Red  Kann 


I  Films  Now  Accepted 
For  Air  Mailing* 

'j  ,     U.  S.  Post  Office  Department  has 
,,  ,  approved  the  shipment  of  film  by  air- 
mail, at  the  request  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America,  the 
►    latter  declared  here  yesterday  in  dis- 
'  >  closing  that  it  had  interceded  with 
J  po^al  authorities  on  behalf  of  news- 
_  Companies.    Heretofore,  film  ship- 
n,~^  could  be  sent  by  air  only  by 
j    air  express  or  by  private  shipment. 
»       Robert  S.  Burgess,  Deputy  Second 
:    Assistant  Postmaster  General,  has  ad- 
vised that  the  Post  Office  Department 
•  L  has  nullified  the  order  that  prohibited 
the  transmission  of  films  by  first-class 
airmail.    Film  containers  must  carry 
i  the  regulation  yellow  caution  labels. 


MGM  Studio  Talks 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

estimates  of  potential  income  from  ex- 
hibition and  distribution  in  the  pre- 
dictable future.  Department  heads 
have  been  instructed  to  prepare 
economy  proposals  for  submission  to 
the  executive  groups  during  the  meet- 
ing sessions,  which  will  continue  for 
some  time.  Moskowitz  plans  to  stay 
here  for  a  month. 

Among  matters  discussed  by  the 
M-G-M  executives  was  the  addition  of 
Dore  Schary  to  the  roster  of  produc- 
ers. Negotiations  were  continuing 
today,  reportedly  to  give  the  former 
RKO  Radio  production  vice-president 
responsibility  for  three  productions 
annually.  Schary,  who  is  known  to 
have  other  offers  of  various  kinds  un- 
der study,  today  said  none  have 
reached  the  conclusive  stage. 

RKO  Meeting 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

today.  Malcolm  Kingsberg  planes  to 
San  Francisco  tomorrow  to  start  a 
tour  of  key  cities. 

The  directorate  was  sheltered  from 
press  inquiries  throughout  the  stay  in 
Hollywood.  Meetings  were  held  at 
the  home  of  N.  Peter  Rathvon,  presi- 
dent, who  took  over  Dore  Schary's 
executive  production  duties  on  the  lat- 
ter's  resignation  and  is  expected  to 
continue  in  command  until  the  Wilm- 
ington meeting.  No  appointment  of  a 
successor  to  Schary  is  expected  in  the 
immediate  future.  Howard  Hughes, 
Floyd  Odium  and  Rathvon  will  at- 
tend the  Wilmington  session. 


Chicago  Suits 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Park's  petition  of  several  months  ago 
which  asked  distributor  defendants  for 
an  additional  $100,000  damages  on  the 
grounds  that  the  theatre  suffered  that 
loss  during  the  pendency  of  the  appeal 
from  October  1946  to  November  1947. 
Judge  Igoe's  original  decree  was 
stayed  for  13  months  while  Circuit 
and  Supreme  Courts  passed  on  the  ap- 
peal. Appeal  bonds  were  posted  by 
the  defendants  in  that  amount. 

Balaban  and  Katz  filed  answers  and 
objections  to  interrogatories  in  the 
Monroe  Theatre  $1,580,000  anti-trust 
suit  against  the  majors  here.  Plain- 
tiff's attorney  is  Seymour  Simon. 

Depositions  are  being  taken  this 
week  by  plaintiff  attorney  Simon  in 
the  Liberty  Theatre  trust  suit  of  Louis 
Philon,  the  plaintiff,  and  Maurice  Ru- 
ben, Great  States  Circuit  head;  Jack 
Rose  of  the  Manta  Rose  Circuit,  and 
James  Coston,  Warner  Theatres'  head 
here. 


New  Building  Code 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

June  of  last  year,  a  number  of  addi- 
tions and  amendments  have  been  made 
in  the  proposed  revision.  Subsequent 
to  the  1947  hearings,  the  draft  was 
completely  reviewed  with  regard  to 
comments  and  suggestions  made  at 
those  hearings,,  it  is  reported  in  the 
document  released  yesterday. 

Among  structural  requirements  of 
theatres  to  be  reviewed  are  exits, 
projection  booth  facilities,  film  storage, 
seating,  and  various  features  relating 
to  drive-ins. 


Divorce  Quiz 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

time  the  Government  would  grant  for 
the  submission  of  answers  to  the  in- 
terrogatories which  were  served  on 
the  "Big  Five"  on  July  1,  it  was  be- 
lieved a  shortage  of  help  due  to  sum- 
mer vacations  would  influence  the  De- 
partment of  Justice  in  deciding  on  a 
new  deadline. 


Warner  Seeks  Delay 
In  K-B  Theatre  Suit 

Washington,  July  13.  —  Warner 
Brothers  tomorrow  will  ask  Federal 
District  Court  here  to  give  it  until 
September  30  to  answer  the  suit  of 
K-B  Amusement  Co.,  which  is  at- 
tempting to  force  Warner  to  give  up 
its  joint  interest  with  K-B  in  the 
MacArthur  Theatre  here.  K-B  has 
opposed  giving  so  much  time,  and  the 
motion  will  probably  be  set  for  argu- 
ment. 


Truman  To  Dedicate 
'Salute  Youth'  Stamp 

President  Truman  will  dedicate  a 
three-cent  "Salute  to  Youth"  stamp  on 
August  11  as  a  preliminary  to  the 
national  observance  of  "Youth  Month," 
in  September,  fostered  by  the  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  J.  M.  Donaldson, 
Postmaster  General,  advised  the  TOA 
yesterday. 


CEA  -  Rank  Meeting 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


dictation  from  Rank.  Even  the  most 
sober-minded  among  them  discern  that 
decisions  taken  at  tomorrow's  meeting 
will  settle  the  pattern  of  their  opera- 
tions for  years  to  come.  They  do  not 
propose  that  their  delegates  shall  enter 
into  parleys  with  Rank  without  proper 
briefing.  And  so  today  a  meeting  of 
rank-and-file  theatremen  was  con- 
vened by  John  Xavier  Prendergast  of 
York  and  Charles  Metcalfe  of  Leeds. 
Original  intention  was  that  the  meet- 
ing should  be  a  sort  of  "Rally  of 
Remonstrance,"  with  all  welcome.  It 
was  later  decided  that  the  meeting  be 
held  behind  closed  doors.  Exhibitors 
do  not  want  to  disclose  their  tactics  to 
Rank  in  advance.  But  it  is  clear  that 
all  independents  will  present  a  united 
front  in  combatting  the  quota  order, 
which  they  regard  as  wholly  imprac- 
ticable, and  the  booking  terms  which 
Rank  seeks  to  impose  upon  them. 

Climaxing  these  discussions  will  be 
the  meeting  arranged  between  presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Trade  Harold 
Wilson  and  a  CEA  delegation  on 
Monday. 


FCC  Weighs 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

50  per  cent  by  Tri-States  Theatres, 
a  Paramount  subsidiary. 

Today  the  FCC  said  it  has  not  yet 
acted  on  the  application  because  "cer- 
tain substantial  considerations"  have 
arisen.  These  "considerations,"  the 
FCC  made  clear,  were  the  Paramount 
decision. 

Cite  Decision  on  Trade  Practices 

"That  decision,"  the  commission 
wrote  the  parties  to  the  application, 
"predicated  on  a  suit  brought  by  the 
U.  S.  to  restrain  Paramount  and 
others  from  violating  the  Sherman 
Anti-Trust  Act,  adjudged  the  defend- 
ants, including  Paramount,  in  viola- 
tion of  that  act  and  formally  enjoined 
them  from  pursuing  the  practices  in 
restraint  of  trade  originally  com- 
plained of.  That  decision  is  of  inter- 
est to  this  commission  in  considering 
the  assignment  before  it  because  of 
the  ownership  by  Paramount  Pic- 
tures, Inc.,  of  stock  in  Tri-States  The- 
atres, Inc.,  which  latter  organization 
in  turn  holds  50  per  cent  ownership 
of  the  instant  assignee." 

The  commission  also  asked  the  par- 
ties involved  to  submit  briefs  with 
respect  to  this  issue. 

'Heavy'  Influence  Seen 

The  FCC  statement  does  not,  of 
course,  mean  that  all  applications  by 
subsidiaries  of  the  theatre-owning  de- 
fendants will  be  turned  down  auto- 
matically, but  it  does  indicate  the 
FCC  is  weighing  the  decision  and 
will  consider  it  heavily  in  passing  on 
the  applications  from  Paramount  sub- 
sidiaries for  television  stations. 

The  FCC's  pre-occupation  with  the 
Paramount  case  is  pointed  up  by  the 
fact  that  the  record  in  the  Paramount 
case  was  included  in  the  hearings  on 
applications  for  San  Francisco  stations. 


Video  Scheduling 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

delay  and  consequently  the  theatre  had 
to  screen  three  shorts,  pick  up  about 
10  minutes  of  the  Democrats'  Phila- 
delphia convention  and  then  offer  or- 
gan music.  The  audience  had  become 
slightly  weary.  The  fight  looked  good 
on  the  big  screen  but  the  45  minutes  of 
fill-ins  made  for  an  over-dose. 

Both  the  Joe  Louis  and  the  Williams 
fights  must  be  credited  to  some  extent 
at  least  with  boosting  the  theatre's 
revenue.  On  both  occasions  the  audi- 
ences were  enthusiastic  and  there  was 
no  discernible  disappointment.  The 
pick-up  of  the  convention,  with  Sena- 
tor Barkley  making  the  keynote  ad- 
dress taking  the  spotlight,  was  another 
story.  It  was  partly  enjoyable  only 
because  the  Senator's  gesticulating  and 
oratorical  mishaps  had  an  uninten- 
tionally humorous  effect.  It  was 
Barkley  who  caused  the  delay  of  the 
fight  pictures  because  the  only  avail- 
able coaxial  cable  transmission  from 
Philadelphia  was  given  to  his  over- 
time talk. 


20th  Mexican  Stocks 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

counts  at  $400,000,  offset  by  100  per 
cent  reserve,  it  is  recorded.  If  and 
when  collections  are  made  thereon, 
they  will  constitute  additional  profit 
on  the  transaction,  the  statement  says. 

The  statement  confirmed  earlier  re- 
ports that  20th-Fox's  subsidiary,  Na- 
tional Theatres,  disposed  during  the 
year  of  three  Mexican  subsidiaries  in 
each  of  which  National  had  a  51  per 
cent  interest. 


VITAMIN  M-G-M 
FOR  THE  ENTIRE 
FAMILY! 


MAY 

SPENCER  TRACY 

KATHARINE  HEPBURN 

VAN  JOHNSON 

Angela  Lansbury 

Adolphe  Menjou,  Lewis  Stone 

in  FRANK  CAPRA's 

"STATE  OF  THE  UNION." 

*  *  * 
"SUMMER  HOLIDAY" 
(Technico/or). 
MICKEY  ROONEY 
GLORIA  DeHAVEN 

Walter  Huston,  Frank  Morgan 
Butch  Jenkins,  Marilyn  Maxwell 
Agnes  Moorehead,  Selena  Royle. 

*  *  * 

CLARK  GABLE 

LANA  TURNER 

Anne  Baxter,  John  Hodiak 

in  "HOMECOMING" 

Ray  Collins,  Gladys  Cooper, 

Cameron  Mitchell. 

JUNE 

"BIG  CITY" 

Starring  Margaret  O'Brien 
Robert  Preston,  Danny  Thomas 
George  Murphy,  Karin  Booth 
Edward  Arnold,  Butch  Jenkins 
Betty  Garrett,  Lofte  Lehmann. 

*  *  * 

JUDY  GARLAND,  GENE  KELLY  in 
"THE  PIRATE"  (Technicolor). 
Walter  Slezak,  Gladys  Cooper 
Reginald  Owen. 

*  *  ★ 

ESTHER  WILLIAMS,  PETER  LAWFORD 
RICARDO  MONTALBAN 
JIMMY  DURANTE,  CYD  CHARISSE 
XAVIER  CUGAT  in  "ON  AN  ISLAND 
WITH  YOU"  fTec/imco/or)- 

JULY 

IRVING  BERLIN'S 

"EASTER  PARADE" 

(Technicolor).  Starring 

JUDY  GARLAND,  FRED  ASTAIRE 

PETER  LAWFORD.  ANN  MILLER. 

*  *  * 
"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 
(Technicolor). 

Starring  WALLACE  BEERY, 
JANE  POWELL,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 
CARMEN  MIRANDA,  XAVIER  CUGAT 
ROBERT  STACK. 

AUGUST 

GREER  GARSON 

WALTER  PIDGEON  in 

"JULIA  MISBEHAVES" 

PETER  LAWFORD,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 

CESAR  ROMERO,  Luclle"Watson 

Nigel  Bruce,  Mary  Boland 

Reginald  Owen. 

*      *  * 
MONTGOMERY  CLIFT 
ALINE  MacMAHON 
JARMILA  NOVOTNA 
in  "THE  SEARCH" 

+      *  * 
RED  SKELTON,  BRIAN  DONLEVY 
in  "A  SOUTHERN  YANKEE" 
Arlene  Dahl,  George  Coulouris 
Lloyd  Gough,  John  Ireland 
Minor  Watson. 

SEPTEMBER 

"THE  THREE  MUSKETEERS" 

(Technicolor). 

LANA  TURNER,  GENE  KELLY 
JUNE  ALLYSON,  VAN  HEFLIN 
ANGELA  LANSBURY, 
Frank  Morgan,  Vincent  Price 
Keenan  Wynn,  John  Sutton 
Gig  Young. 

*  *  * 
LASSIE  in  "HILLS  OF  HOME" 
(Technicolor).  Co-starring 
EDMUND  GWENN,  DONALD  CRISP 
TOM  DRAKE,  JANET  LEIGH. 


uutiV  VVTTH 
S*  AN  * 


TUB 


if 


Yes?  it's  GREER 
TIGHTS! 


in 


Wait  till  you  see 
-Julia  Misbehaves" 
(Garson-Pidgeon). 
You'll  understand 
why  the  Coast  is 
raving  about  it! 


■it  V. 


r 


9*  € 
aft*  I 


They  won't  even  bother  with 
the  dishes  when  EASTER 
PARADE7  comes  to  town!" 


JJ"o% 


44 


Oh,  what  a  wonderful  sum- 
mer (when  you've  got  M-G-M 
Pictures!)  Are  you  taking  your 
Vitamin  M-G-M  regularly? 
It's  so  good  for  what  ails  you! 
It's  a  pepper-upper  for  the 
entire  industry! 


NEW  YORK'S  CELEBRATED  CRITICS  DELIVER 


STRAIGHT-FROM-THE-SHOULDER  PRAISE 


For  Paramount^ 


STRAIGHT-FROM-THE-SHOULDER  PICTURE 


"CRONIN'S  MOST  HONEST  AND  SAVAGE  NOVEL. 

Talent  of  excellent  screen  performers  is  evident  .  .  . 
the  acting  compelling.  The  sequence  in  which 
Newton  discovers  his  assistant  in  his  mistress's  flat 
and  learns  that  the  blackguard  has  got  his  daughter 
with  child  is  a  terrifying  bit  of  motion  picture  melo- 
drama. Miss  Kerr  is  always  right  as  the  unfor- 
tunate victim;  Mason  fine  as  an  understanding  but 
thwarted  suitor  and  Emlyn  Williams  particularly 

villainous."  — Howard  Barnes,  Herald  Tribune 

•       •  • 

"VIOLENT  ENTERTAINMENT  .  .  .  WELL  PLAYED. 

'Hatter's  Castle'  is  graphic  .  .  .  and  it  follows  Mr. 
Cronin's  book.  Newton  is  probably  one  of  the 
frankest  villains  the  screen  has  ever  shown.  Miss 
Kerr  is  most  touching.  Beatrice  Varley  is  extremely 
affecting.  The  production 
is  picturesque." 

—Bosley  Crowther,  N.  Y.  Times 
•       •  • 

"WE   RECOMMEND  IT. 

Colder  than  Scrooge,  evil 
as  Hitler,  cunning  as 
Machiavelli  is  the  middle- 
class  tradesman  whose 
volcanic  life  is  unfolded 
in  'Hatter's  Castle.'  This 
movie  adaptation  of 


A.  J.  Cronin's  best-seller  has  an  excellent  cast. 
Newton  portrays  the  megalomaniac  hatter  with 
force,  at  times  injecting  a  note  of  pure  horror  into 
his  characterization.  The  picture  is  more  or  less  a 
one-man  performance  since  every  scene  is  domi- 
nated by  either  the  hatter's  presence  or  fear  of  it. 
This  in  no  way,  however,  belittles  the  other  per- 
formers. The  picture  'comes  off'." 

— Justin  Gilbert,  N.  Y.  Mirror 
•       •  • 

"VIGOROUS  EMOTION.  EVERYTHING  IS  THERE.  The 

cast  is  capable.  The  settings  are  interesting,  and 
the  atmosphere."  •  —Eileen  Creelman,  The  Sun 


STRONGLY  FASHIONED  ...  the  performances  good. 

Newton  dedicated  to  por- 
trayal of  hypocritical 
tyrant,  lets  go  with  both 
barrels  of  the  bravura  ac- 
tor's spirit  that  is  his." 

— Archer  Winsten,  Post 


•A 


"BURSTING  WITH  VOLCANIC 
PERFORMANCES  by  James 
Mason,  Robert  Newton 
and  Emlyn  Williams." 

— Alton  Cook,  World-Telegram 


FIRST 

MOTION  KCTURE 

Accurate 

IN 

ATT 

Concise 

FILAA 

and 

NEWS 

mJAL  JLl 

Impartial 

£  ^ 

64.  NO.  10 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  JULY  15,  1948 

TEN  CENTS 

Rank  Yields 
To  Irate  CEA 
On  Practices 


Appeals  to  National  Pride 
In  Defending  New  Quota 

London,  July  14. — J.  Arthur 
Rank  today  succeeded  in  appeasing 
to  a  considerable  degree  a  meeting 
of  the  Cinematograph  Exhibitors 
Association's  general  council  which 
had  assembled  in  an  angry,  indignant 
mood  over  the  new  quota  law,  British 
Film  Producer  Association  "threats" 
in  behalf  of  enforcement  and  reports 
that  Rank  was  preparing  to  put  on 
"the  squeeze"  for  higher  rentals  for 
his  pictures. 

Asserting  that  "our  business 
is  one  of  negotiation  and  mu- 
tual understanding,"  Rank  said 
his  General  Film  Distributors 
does  not  intend  to  ask  any  ex- 
hibitor to  pay  more  than  50  per 
cent  for  any  film  on  its  general 
release.  He  denied  vehemently 
that  he  would  advocate  prose- 

(Continned  on  page  6) 


Rank  Proposes  GFD 
Arbitration  Setup 

London,  July  14. — J.  Arthur  Rank 
proposed  at  the  meeting  of  the  Cine- 
matograph Exhibitors  Association 
general  council  here  today  that  an  in- 
dependent tribunal  be  set  up  to  adju- 
dicate all  claims  for  adjustments 
where  his  General  Film  Distributors 
and  its  exhibitor  customers  fail  to 
agree.  It  will  be  available,  he  said, 
as  a  promise  that  GFD  does  not  claim 
to  be  the  sole  arbiter  of  what  is  fair 
or  what  is  reasonable  in  rental  terms 
and  other  such  issues. 

He  proposed  that  the  tribunal  be 
made  up  of  three  individuals :  one  a 
renter  who  is  a  director  of  a  British- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Walter  W.  Irwin,  67, 
An  Industry  Pioneer 

Walter  W.  Irwin,  67,  who  organized 
the  Vitagraph  -  Lubin  -  Selig  -  Essanay 
1  Co.  and  later  was  vice-president  of  the 
Famous  Players  Lasky  Corp.,  died 
1  yesterday  in  New  York  Hospital  after 
a  brief  illness. 

He  was  prominent  in  the  formation 
of  the  National  Association  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Industry  and  was 
chairman  of  its  executive  committee 
for  four  years. 

The  widow  survives. 


Sir  Alexander  Asks 
The  $64  Question 

London,  July  14. — At  the 
conclusion  of  J.  Arthur  Rank's 
remarks  in  behalf  of  the  new 
45  per  cent  quota  at  the  Cine- 
matograph Exhibitors  Asso- 
ciation general  council  meet- 
ing here  today,  Sir  Alexander 
King,  leading  British  exhibi- 
tor, asked  the  industry  leader 
how  he  can  expect  to  make  60 
successful  pictures  annually 
when  the  Americans,  as  Rank 
maintains,  cannot. 

"I'm  dead  scared  of  this 
quota,"  Sir  Alexander  de- 
clared. He  told  Rank  that  his 
(Rank's)  "economic  fallacy  is 
sowing  the  seeds  of  your  own 
destruction." 


AFM  Asks  Producer 
Parley  in  Chicago 

James  C.  Petrillo,  president  of  the 
American  Federation  of  Musicians, 
has  invited  the  film  producers  labor 
committee  in  Hollywood  to  commence 
negotiations  on  a  new  basic  studio 
agreement  early  next  month  in  Chi- 
cago, an  AFM  spokesman  reported 
here  yesterday.  Present  two-year  con- 
tract, covering  the  340  musicians  em- 
ployed at  eight  major  studios,  will 
expire  on  August  31. 

The  AFM  spokesman  said  Petrillo 
has  selected  Chicago  as  the  site  for 
this  year's  negotiations  to  make  it  pos- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Wallace  Convention 
Next   on  Television 

Full  television  coverage  of  the 
three-day  convention  of  the  Henry 
Wallace  Third  Party  in  Philadelphia, 
beginning  July  23,  is  planned  by  all 
video  networks  and  independent  sta- 
tions along  the  Eastern  Seaboard. 
The  material  will  again  be  pooled. 


First  Share  of  US 
Money  in  England 
Being  Transferred 

While  yesterday  was  the  date  for 
the  first  remittable  share  of  earnings 
due  U.  S.  companies  from  the  British 
market  under  the  dollar-exchange 
agreement  which  settled  the  British 
75  per  cent  import  tax,  in  practical 
meaning  it  marked  the  time  the  me- 
chanics of  the  involved  fiscal  opera- 
tion were  begun.  Executives  here 
faid  their  London  offices  merely  filed 
statements  on  the  past  month's  earn- 
ings with  the  Anglo-U.  S.  control 
board  which  governs  the  operation  of 
the  dollar  exchange. 

Next  step  is  for  the  board  to  have 
converted,  through  the  Bank  of  Eng- 
land, British  pounds  to  American  dol- 
lars and  then  transfer  the  money  to 
American  banks  for  distribution 
among  the  American  companies  quar- 
terly, on  the  basis  of  their  earnings 
in  England.  The  total  is  not  to  ex- 
ceed one  month's  part,  or  one-twelfth 
of  the  $17,000,000  per  annum  in  re- 
mittables  agreed  upon,  this  totaling  to 
$1,416,000. 


4  Top  Films,  Others 
For  RKO  This  Year 


Hollywood,  July  14. — Four  top- 
budget  pictures,  four  or  five  smaller 
budget  features  and  a  steady  flow  of 
short  subjects  will  be  produced  by 
RKO  Radio  during  the  next  five 
months,  N.  Peter  Rathvon,  RKO 
president,  announced  today  in  contra- 
diction of  reports  that  the  studio 
would  shut  down  preparatory  to  in- 
ception of  Howard  Hughes'"  regime. 
Rathvon's  statement  referred  to  the 
present  lull  in  studio  activity  as  a 
"curtailment." 

First  of  the  top-budget  films  named 
is  "Interference,"  which  started  shoot- 
ing last  week.  The  others  will  be 
named  shortly.    "Every  Girl  Should 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


NY  Paramount  1st  with 
Regular  Video  Policy 


Paramount  yesterday  disclosed  it 
has  adopted  as  a  regular  policy  the 
use  of  full-screen  television  at  its 
Paramount  Theatre  on  Broadway. 
This  is  the  first  theatre  in  the  U.  S. 
to  attach  box-office  importance  to  the 
new  medium  to  the  extent  of  announc- 
ing it  as  a  "regular  entertainment  fea- 
ture." 

"Regular"  means  "as  often  as  we 


find  the  right  material,"  it  was  ex- 
plained by  Paul  Raibourn,  president  of 
the  Television  Productions,  Para- 
mount subsidiary. 

The  house  will  telecast  spot  news 
and  sporting  events  for  its  patrons  and 
when  the  events  are  of  top  interest, 
such  as  a  heavyweight  championship 
fight,  the  theatre  will  consider  a  tilt 
in   admission   scales,   Raibourn  said. 


Schary  Heads 
M-G-M  Studio 
Under  Mayer 

Is  New  V.-P.  in  Charge 
Of  Production  There 


Hollywood,  July  14.  —  Dore 
Schary  joins  M-G-M  as  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  production  under 
a  long-term  contract  signed  Tues- 
day, the  studio 
formally 
declared  today. 
He  will  super- 
sede all  other 
production  ex- 
ecutives at  Me- 
tro, will  be  an- 
swerable direct- 
ly to  Louis  B. 
Mayer,  whose 
title  as  produc- 
tion vice-presi- 
dent, in  fact, 
Schary  now  as- 
sumes. 

Completion  of 
negotia- 
tions followed  extended  conferences 
between  Schary  and  Nicholas  M. 
Schenck,  president  of  Loew's,  who 
flew  here  from  New  York  last  week 
for  this  express  purpose,  together 
with  resident  studio  officials.  These 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Dore  Schary 


Majors  to  Inform 
US  of  Quiz  Moves 


A  program  on  time  extension  for 
the  submission  of  data  on  joint  thea- 
tre ownership  asked  for  by  the  Gov- 
ernment under  the  U.  S.  Supreme 
Court  decision  in  the  Paramount  anti- 
trust case  will  be  worked  out  by  the 
"Big  Five"  defendants  under  an  un- 
derstanding with  Robert  L.  Wright, 
special  assistant  to  the  U.  S.  attorney 
general. 

The  companies  have  agreed  to  let 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Specify  Data  Sought 
For  Monopoly  Probe 

Washington,  July  14. — Question- 
naire being  circulated  by  the  House 
Small  Business  Committee  among 
"small  businessmen"  in  the  film  and 
other  industries,  preparatory  to  hold- 
ing hearings  on  monopoly  and  anti- 
trust law  enforcement,  requests  the 
following  information  : 

Outline  in  the  order  of  importance 
the  competitive  problems  of  your  in- 

(Continued  on  page  6)' 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  July  15,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

T  ROBERT  RUBIN,  M-G-M  vice- 
J  •  president  and  general  counsel,  is 


due  back 
Coast. 


New   York   from  th( 


Louis  W.  Schine,  Schine  Circuit 
vice-president,  was  in  Albany,  N.  Y., 
this  week  from  Gloversville.  Sey- 
mour Morris,  Schine  publicity  direc- 
tor, was  in  Albany  yesterday. 
• 

Gerald  Mayer,  director  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America's 
international  division,  who  is  in  Paris, 
has  postponed  his  return  to  New  York 
to  late  this  month. 

• 

Edward  M.  Schnitzer,  United 
Artists  Eastern  and  Canadian  sales 
manager,  is  due  back  here  on  Monday 
from  a  vacation  in  Canada. 

• 

Jack  Odell,  United  Artists  man- 
ager in  Puerto  Rico,  and  Mrs.  Odell 
have  become  parents  of  twins,  a  boy 
and  a  girl. 

• 

Eugen  Sharin,  Ambassador  Films 
president,  will  leave  here  by  plane  to- 
day for  visits  to  Austria,  Switzerland, 
France  and  Italy. 

• 

Melvin  Sprinkle  of  the  New  York 
staff  of  Altec  Lansing,  and  Mrs. 
Sprinkle,  are  parents  of  a  daughter, 
Janet  Elaine. 

• 

J.    Earl    Lawson,    president  of 
Odeon  Theatres  of  Canada,  has  been 
appointed  a  director  of  the  National 
General  Insurance  Co.,  Toronto. 
• 

Rosellex  Callahan,  United  Art- 
ists syndicate  contact,  will  leave  here 
tomorrow  for  a  vacation. 

• 

Alexander  Leftwich,  Jr.,  has 
joined  CBS  Television  here  as  a  pro- 
ducer-director. 

• 

John  Lund  and  his  wife  are  en 
route  to  the  Coast  from  New  York. 


European  Studios 
Seek  U.S.  Equipment 

European  producers  are  encounter- 
ing some  difficulties  in  obtaining  im- 
port licenses  for  American  studio  and 
recording  equipment,  according  to  E. 
G.  Wagner,  Westrex  comptroller,  who 
has  returned  to  New  York  from  a 
seven-week  tour  of  Western  Electric's 
offices  in  Europe. 


Misrepresentation 

An  unauthorized  person  using  a 
Woodside,  Long  Island,  address  is 
soliciting  publicity  releases  and  thea- 
tre tickets  on  the  misrepresentation 
that  he  is  on  the  staff  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Daily.  Staff  members  carry 
credentials  and  receive  business  mail 
at  the  publication  office. — The  Editor. 


UA  Board  Meeting 

United  Artists'  board  of  directors 
met  here  yesterday  in  what  was  de- 
scribed by  a  company  spokesman  as  a 
routine  session. 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


T  N  ten  columns  of  type  and 
■*■  photos,  plus  cover,  the  cur- 
rent edition  of  Time  magazine 
sets  out  to  acquaint  some  mil- 
lions of  the  American  public 
with  the  mechanism  and  the 
background  of  Howard  R.  [for 
Robard]  Hughes. 

The  profile  makes  lively  read- 
ing and  is  of  considerable  inter- 
est because  it  also  draws  un- 
familiar word  pictures  for  an 
industry  in  which  "this  tall, 
gangling,  aging,  sick-looking 
man  of  42  whose  life  and  eccen- 
tricities have  built  a  lurid 
legend"  is  assuming  greater  sta- 
ture. 

■ 

"What  did  Hughes,  the  lone 
wolf,  want  with  RKO  ?"  asks 
Time,  which  proceeds  to  supply 
its  own  answer.  "He  takes 
great  pains  to  hide  his  motive, 
but  no  doubt  one  motive  was  his 
hankering  for  theatre  outlets. 
.  .  .  Hughes  had  great  trouble 
distributing  'The  Outlaw'  .  .  . 
mainly  because  of  censorship, 
but  partly  because  independent 
exhibitors  were  simply  afraid  of 
it.  .  .  .  Hughes  firmly  believes 
that,  if  distribution  obstacles  can 
be  overcome,  'The  Outlaw'  will 
bring  in  one  of  the  fattest  yields 
of  all  time." 

Now  that  he  controls  RKO, 
Hughes  predicts  this  future  for 
himself:  "My  life  is  not  exactly 
going  to  be  dull  for  the  next  two 
years.  I  am  really  cooking  at 
RKO  and  things  are  going  to 
pop.  .  .  ."  Helping  him  make 
them  pop  will  be  the  successor 
to  Dore  Schary,  who  yesterday 
became  M-G-M's  new  produc- 
tion vice-president.  Unnamed 
thus  far,  Time  reports  Hughes 
on  his  present  imponderable : 
"It  will  be  someone  you  least 
suspect,  a  shocker." 

■ 

Parent  base  of  Hughes'  finan- 
cial resources,  of  course,  is  the 
Hughes  Tool  Company.  The 
article  tells  about  that,  too. 
"With  his  partner,  Walter 
Sharp  [Hughes,  Sr.]  struck  oil 
in  the  Goose  Creek  [Tex.]  field, 
but  the  two-edged  'fishail'  bits 
used  in  those  days  broke  on 
subterranean  rock.  Thereupon 
Hughes  designed  a  conical  bit 
with  166  cutting  edges.  That 
tool  is  the  original  source  and 
still  the  main  prop  of  the 
Hughes  fortune,  which  now 
amounts  to  about  $145,000,000." 
■ 

In  the  cause  of  complete  cov- 
erage, Time's  sleuths  eventual- 
ly get  around  to  a  collection  of 


paragraphs  on  the  private  and 
commercial  characteristics  of 
their  subject.  "The  private  life 
of  Howard  Hughes  might  be 
described  as  a  complete  and 
carefully  protected  disorder.  He 
has  no  interest  in  clothes,  only 
the  barest  minimum  of  interest 
in  food  and  sleep.  He  owns 
five  suits,  of  which  the  newest 
is  five  years  old;  he  is  rumpled 
and  disheveled  most  of  the  time, 
gets  dressed  up  only  for  special 
occasions.  He  postpones  hair- 
cuts as  long  as  possible." 

"...  the  telephone  is,  by  long 
odds,  his  favorite  channel  of 
communication  with  other  hu- 
man beings.  Since  he  sleeps 
only  when  he  is  sleepy,  he  calls 
up  his  lieutenants  at  all  hours 
of  the  night.  Sometimes  he 
identifies  himself  as  'Mr.  Hoyt'." 

Hughes,  this  account  races 
on,  has  no  office,  seems  to  prefer 
business  appointments  in  remote 
places  "usually  at  night,  and  he 
is  always  20  minutes  to  two 
hours  late  if  he  shows  up  at  all." 
He  lives  in  a  house  rented  from 
Cary  Grant  and  to  it  "few  male 
visitors  are  admitted.  .  .  .  He 
has  ...  no  servants  in  the  ordi- 
nary sense,  but  a  quartet  of 
aide-de-camps  including  "Char- 
lie Guest,  his  old  golf  pro,  and 
another  man  named  Barry  who 
might  be  described  as  lieuten- 
ants in  charge  of  odds  and  ends 
including  admissions  and  evic- 
tions ;  Johnny  Meyers,  the  man 
with  the  telephone  numbers ; 
and  Dick  Davis,  a  Carl  Byoir 
associate  [high  voltage  pub- 
licity]." 

■ 

Only  three  pictures  were  in 
work  at  RKO  last  week.  Start- 
ing this  week  was  one  "that 
would  be  right  down  Hughes' 
alley — a  virile  saga  of  profes- 
sional football  called  "Interfer- 
ence." Time  managed  to  find 
someone  who  is  supposed  to 
have  said,  "Just  wait  until 
Junior  gets  his  teeth  into  that 
one." 

In  back  of  all  this  is  an  ob- 
servation which  the  news  maga- 
zine attributes  to  Hughes  after 
he  had  completed  his  first  cycle 
of  pictures — "Hell's  Angels," 
"Scarface"  and  "The  Front 
Page" :  Movies  are  a  cinch.  The 
more  you  spend  the  more  you 
make. 

If  he  did  say  this,  his  biggest 
opportunity  to  prove  it  is  ahead, 
not  behind  him.  It  begins  Au- 
gust 31  in  Wilmington,  Del., 
when  corporate  control  of  RKO 
officially  passes  to  his  hands. 


Cleveland,  Cincinnati 
To  Aid  Rogers  Fund 

Cleveland,  July  14.— Cleveland  and 
Cincinnati  film  representatives,  head- 
ed by  Martin  G.  Smith,  Ohio  Indepen- 
dent Theatre  Owners  president;  Er- 
nest Schwartz,  Cleveland  Motion  Pic- 
ture Exhibitors  Association  head,  and 
Meyer  Fine,  president  of  Associated 
Theatre  Circuit,  have  agreed  to  work 
for  a  $75,000'  quota  in  each  exchange 
area  for  the  Will  Rogers  Memorial 
Hospital  at  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y. 

Pledges  were  made  following^  \ 
luncheon  meeting  here  yesterday  wrtri 
Charles  Reagan,  Paramount  vice- 
president,  and  Andy  Smith,  Jr.,  20th 
Century-Fox  general  sales  manager. 
I.  J.  Schmertz  was  named  chairman 
of  the  Cleveland  committee  and  Alan 
Moritz  of  the  Cincinnati  committee. 


Duff  and  Weiss  in 
New  Selling  Posts 

Cincinnati,  July  14.— Donald  R. 
Duff  has  been  made  general  sales 
manager  of  Popular  Pictures.  With 
Lee  L.  Goldberg,  he  will  concentrate 
on  circuits  booked  out  of  Cincinnati. 

Samuel  Weiss,  formerly  manager  in 
the  St.  Louis  office  and  salesman  in 
Cincinnati  for  Eagle-Lion,  has  been 
engaged  to  cover  Southern  Ohio  and 
Eastern  Kentucky  for  Realart. 


'4-H'  Girl  at  Reception 

Clara  E.  Mabee  of  Lafayette,  N.  J., 
one  of  the  four  finalists  in  the  search 
for  a  4-H  Club  girl  to  play  a  major 
role  in  the  Glenn  McCarthy-Robert 
Paige  film,  "The  Green  Promise," 
was  guest  of  honor  here  yesterday  at 
a  press  reception  in  the  St.  Regis 
Hotel  penthouse. 


Mrs.  Josephine  Abrahams 

Services  were  held  here  on  Tuesday 
for  Mrs.  Josephine  Abrahams,  70, 
mother  of  Sanford  Abrahams,  adver- 
tising manager  of  Allied  Artists  and 
Monogram  in  Hollywood,  who  flew 
here  for  the  funeral.  Also  surviving 
are  the  widower,  Maurice,  and  a 
daughter,  Mrs.  Marian  Leopold. 


Burns  Rites  Tomorrow 

Funeral  services  for  Harry  Burns, 
63,  screen  veteran,  will  be  held  in  St. 
Anthony's  Church,  Bayside,  L.  I.,  to- 
morrow morning,  with  interment  in 
St.  John's  Cemetery,  Middle  Village, 
Queens.  The  actor  died  in  Hollywood 
last  Friday. 


I  FULL 
I  HOUSE? 


I  "TEXAS,  "~ 
I  BROOKLYN 

I  and  - 

HEAVEN 


sent  from  UA 


SimLv^  =,nH  ?  A        M3.rt^.  Qu'g,ey-  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin   Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.    Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 

^  "XS  holidays  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
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v;™ P M^-T.n?m'  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
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rj'!^  xvepresen tati vc.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Ho,,iV  t?  f  c  iS'  VmSPub?°.  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
V  Vfi-o  c  ?  •  '  lnternatl0nal  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
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"LETTER  TO  A  REBEL' 
BELONGS  ON  EVERY 
SCREEN  IN  THESE  U.S." 


PHIL  M.  DALY  in  Film  Daily 


The  most  important  short  in  years! 


>"  Folksy,  plain -boiled  .  .  .  notably  interesting/' 
says  Terry  Ram  say  e  in  M.  P.  Herald 

/'Deserving  of  anyone's  screen/'  adds  M.  P.  Daily 

"High  entertainment  value  . . .  Presented  vividly, 
forcefully/'  reports  Film  Daily 


4 


Motion  Picture  daily 


Thursday,  July  15,  1948 


Key  City 
Grosses 


OLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
1  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


CHICAGO 


Hot  weather,  beaches  and  outdoor 
attractions  are  proving  stiff  competi- 
tion to  theatres  generally,  although 
some  are  faring  excellently.  Esti- 
mated receipts  for  week  ending  July 
15: 

ANOTHER    PART    OF    THE  FOREST 

(U-I)-GRAND  (1,150)  (50c-65c-98c)  5  days, 
2nd  week.  Gross:  $8,500.  (Average:  $11,500) 
B.  F.'S  DAUGHTER  (M-G-M) — UNITED 
ARTISTS  (1,700)  (50c-65c-98c)  5  days.  2nd 
week.  ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA)  2 
days.  Gross:  $14,500.  (Average:  $20,000) 
CORONER  CREEK  (Col.) — ROOSEVELT 
(1,500)  (50c-65c-98c)  5  days,  2nd  week. 
MICKEY  (EL)  2  days.  Gross:  $11,000. 
(Average:  $18,000) 

DANGEROUS  YEARS  (20th-Fox)  —  ORI- 
ENTAL (3,300)  (50c-65c-98c)  On  stage: 
Dick  Haymes.  Gross:  $55,000.  (Average: 
$40,000) 

DEEP  WATERS  (ZOth-Fox)  —  APOLLO 
(1,200)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $15,000.  (Aver- 
age: $14,000) 

GREEN  GRASS  OF  WYOMING  (ZOth- 
Fox) — CHICAGO  (3,900)  (50c-65c-98c)  2nd 
week.  On  stage:  Peggy  Lee.  Gross:  $43,- 
000.     (Average:  $40,000) 

THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)— WOODS 
(1,080)  (98c)  3  days.    ARCH  OF  TRIUMPH 

(UA)  4  days,  4th  week.  Gross:  $22,000. 
(Average:  $23,000) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (War- 
ners)— STATE  LAKE  (2,700)  (50c-65c-98c). 
Gross:  $30,000.  (Average:  $30,000) 
UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  PALACE 
(2,500)  5  days,  2nd  week.  I  REMEMBER 
MAMA  (RKO  Radio)  2  days.  Gross:  $18,- 
000.    (Average:  $21,000) 


INDIANAPOLIS 


Hot  weather  and  the  summer's  peak 
in  outdoor  competition  put  a  crimp  in 
first-run  grosses  here  this  week.  "On 
Our  Merry  Way"  is  the  only  entry 
playing  to  above  average.  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ended  July  13-14 : 

THE  ADVENTURES  OF  CASANOVA 
(EL)  and  THE  ENCHANTED  VALLEY 
(EL)  —  LYRIC  (1,600)  (44c-65c).  Gross: 
$4,500.  (Average:  $6,000) 
CARNEGIE  HALL  (UA)— KEITH'S  (1,300) 
(44c-65c).  Gross:  $4,500.  (Average:  $4,500) 
THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)  —  IN- 
DIANA (3,200)  (44c-65c)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$9,500.    (Average:  $12,000) 

HAZARD  (Para.)  and  MONEY  MADNESS 
(FC)  —  CIRCLE  (2,800)  (44c-65c).  Gross: 
$9,000.  (Average:  $10,000) 
ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA)  and  JASSY 
(U-I) — LOEWS  (2,450)  (44c-65c).  Gross: 
$12,000.    (Average:  $11,000). 


BOSTON 


Weather  is  still  warm  with  a  high 
humidity.  Outdoor  esplanade  concerts 
and  night  baseball  are  keeping  grosses 
down.  Estimated  receipts  for  the  week 
ended  July  14 : 

CORONER'S  CREEK  (Col)  and  KINGS 
OF  THE  OLYMPIC  (UA)— ASTOR  (1,300) 
(44c-80c).  Gross:  $5,700.  (Average:  None 
available) 

DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox)  and  JINX 
MONEY  (Mono.)  —  PARAMOUNT  (1,700) 
(40c-80c).  Gross:  $13,500.  (Average:  $17,- 
000) 

DEEP    WATERS    (20th-Fox)    and  JINX 
MONEY  (Mono.)— FENWAY  (1,373)  (40c- 
80c).    Gross:  $6,800.    (Average:  $10,000) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— ORPHEUM 
(3.000)  (40c-&0c),    Gross:  $3,500.    1  day. 
EASTER    PARADE     (M-G-M)  —  STATE 
(3,500)  (40c-80c).    Gross:  $2,000.    1  day 
THE    EMPEROR    WALTZ    (Para.)  and 
BIG  TOWN  SCANDAL  (Para.)— METRO- 
POLITAN f4,367)  (40c-80c).    Gross:  $20,000. 
2nd  week.    With  a  personal  appearance  of 
Dr.  I.  Q.  one  night. 

MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)  and  MADONNNA  OF  THE 


Review 


'Texas,  Brooklyn  and  Heaven" 


{Golden  Productions-United  Artists) 

A WACKY  film  mostly  about  wacky  people,  this  attraction  with  its 
geographic  title  is  an  amusing  bit  of  nonsense  astutely  held  to  76  minutes. 
"Texas,  Brooklyn  and  Heaven"  will  never  prove  memorable  in  any  audience's 
-alculations,  but  there  seems  to  be  no  reason  why  it  will  not  entertain  in  an 
-^consequential  way. 

The  story  base  was  "Eddie  and  the  Archangel  Mike,"  a  Saturday  Evening 
Post  story  by  Barry  Benefield,  but  all  allusions  to  angels  treading  this  mortal 
earth  are  out.  James  Dunn,  as  Mike,  is  just  a  bartender  with  a  heart  of  gold 
and  a  laudable  enough  ambition  to  lend  a  helping  hand  if  and  where  he  can. 
It  is  he  who  narrates  the  story  of  Eddie  (Guy  Madison)  and  Perry  (Diana 
Lynn)  and  their  adventures  with  Florence  Bates,  the  sly  old  pickpocket  who 
turns  over  a  new  leaf  under  Miss  Lynn's  wing.  There  also  are  the  three 
Cheever  spinsters — Margaret  Hamilton,  Moyna  Magill  and  Irene  Ryan — 
whose  icebound  interiors  and  exteriors  are  melted  by  friendly  associations  ; 
Gaboolian,  who  runs  a  fantastic  riding  academy  inhabited  by  mechanical 
horses,  elephants  and  parts  of  ships  and  the  assortment  of  remarkable  and 
strictly  story-book  characters  who  seek  a  dubious  escape  there. 

At  any  rate,  Madison  is  about  the  only  practical  one  of  the  lot.  In  love  with 
Miss  Lynn,  he  finally  keeps  her  nearby  by  getting  her  a  job  in  the  Gaboolian 
emporium  and  then  buying  it  for  her.  A  screwy  Christmas  Eve  party  offers 
opportunities  to  capture  newspaper  attention  which,  in  turn,  induces  the 
Cheever  gals  to  take  over.  With  the  proceeds,  Madison  and  Miss  Lynn  return 
to  Texas  to  raise  a  family  and  horses  on  the  ranch  of  their  dreams. 

Best  professional  performances  come  from  Miss  Bates  as  the  regenerated 
pickpocket,  and  Michael  Chekhov  as  the  impractical  Gaboolian.  Supporting 
roles  are  in  the  hands  of  such  old  reliables  as  Clem  Bevans,  Roscoe  Karns, 
Lionel  Stander,  William  Frawley  and  Tom  Dugan.  Audie  Murphy,  in  a  bit, 
plays  a  newspaper  copy  boy. 

The  highlight  is  a  funny  scene  in  which  the  mechanical  devices  get  out  of 
hand.  In  a  theatre  and  before  an  audience,  the  sequence  ought  to  be  a  roar. 
William  Castle  directed  for  producer  Robert  S.  Golden  with  Lewis  J.  Rachmil 
as  his  associate.  Lewis  Meltzer  wrote  the  screenplay. 

Running  time,  76  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
July  16.  Red  Kann 


DESERT  (Rep.) — RKO1  MEMORIAL  (3,000) 
(40c-80c).  Gross:  $2,750.  1  day 
OCTOBER  MAN  (EL)  and  VACATION 
FROM  MARRIAGE  (M-G-M)  —  EXETER 
(1,300)  (45c-75c).  Gross:  $4,000.  (Average: 
$5,000) 

THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)  and 
ADVENTURES  IN  SILVERADO  (Col.)— 

STATE  (3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $10,000. 
(Average:  $12,000).  6  days. 
THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)  and 
ADVENTURES  IN  SILVERADO  (Col.)— 
ORPHEUM  (3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $20,- 
000.  (Average:  $27,000).  6  days. 
THE  MATING  OF  MILLIE  (Col.)  and 
THE  STRAWBERRY  ROAN  (Col.)— RKO 
BOSTON  (3,200)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $7,000. 
UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  and 
STAGE  STRUCK  (Mono.) — RKO  MEMO- 
RIAL (3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $13,500. 
(Average:  $22,000).    6  days. 


BUFFALO 


Hot  weather  continues  unabated 
here.  "Emperor  Waltz"  held  up 
fairly  well  in  a  second  week  at  the 
Great  Lakes.  Estimated  receipts  for 
the  week  ending  July  17: 

BEST  YEARS  OF  OUR  LIVES  (RKO 
Radio)  —  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  (3,000) 
(40c-50c-60c-70c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $11,400. 
(Average:  $13,000) 

THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— GREAT 
LAKES  (3,000)  (40c-50c-60c-70c)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $15,000.  (Average:  $17,000) 
LITTLE  TOUGH  GUY  (U-I)  and  LITTLE 
TOUGH  GUYS  IN  SOCIETY  (U-I)— TECK 
(1,500)  (40c- 50c -60c -70c)  Reissues.  Gross: 
$3,300.  (Average:  $4,000) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 
and  SECRET  SERVICE  INVESTIGATOR 
(Rep.)  —  HIPPODROME  (2,100)  (40c-50c- 
60c-70c)  2nd  week,  on  a  moveover.  Gross: 
$8,000.  (Average:  $10,000) 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and!  MADONNA  OF  THE  DESERT 
(Rep.) — BUFFALO  (3,489)  (40c-50c-60c-70c). 
Gross:  $14,100.     (Average:  $18,000) 


MINNEAPOLIS 


Despite  extreme  heat,  in  its  second 
week,  theatre  business  began  to  show 
a  general  improvement.  Estimated 
grosses  for  the  week  ending  July  15 : 

BLACK  BART  (U-I)— STATE  (2,300)  (50c- 
70c)    Gross:  $10,500.    (Average:  $10,500) 
HATTER'S  CASTLE   (Para.)— CENTURY 
(1.500)    (50c-70c)   2nd  week.     Gross:  $8,000. 
(Average:  $5,500) 

SIN  TOWN  and  RIO  (Realart  Reissues)— 


Schary  to  M-G-M 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


included  Mayer,  E.  J.  Mannix,  and 
Ben  Thau.  It  is  understood  that 
Schary's  new  post  will  vest  in  him 
authority  comparable  only  to  that  ex- 
ercised by  the  late  Irving  G.  Thalberg 
and  by  no  other  Metro  studio  execu- 
tive except  Mayer  since  Thalberg's 
death. 

It  is  reported  Schary's  pact  entitles 
him  to  participate  in  company  earnings. 

Schary,  who  recently  resigned  as 
vice-president  in  charge  of  production 
at  RKO  Radio  after  policy  differences 
with  Howard  Hughes,  new  control- 
ling factor  in  that  company,  now  re- 
turns to  the  studio  where  he  worked 
eight  of  his  15  years  in  production 
as  writer,  producer  and  executive. 
Prior  to  his  RKO  affiliation,  which 
began  in  January,  1947,  and  terminat- 
ed on  June  30,  1948,  he  was  a  pro- 
ducer for  Vanguard. 

In  a  formal  statement,  he  said  in 
part :  "I  offer  my  associates  a  pro- 
gram of  work  dedicated  to  the  produc- 
tion of  good  films  about  a  good 
world." 


4  RKO  Films 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


Be  Married"  and  "Baltimore  Esca- 
pade" are  top-budget  features  still 
shooting.  "Stagecoach  Kid,"  a  West- 
ern starring  Tim  Holt,  will  be  first  of 
the  smaller  budget  films  and  is  to 
start  July  26. 


GOPHER  (1,000)  (44c-50c).  Gross:  $3,400. 
(Average:  $3,200) 

THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— RADIO 

CITY   (4,000)    (50c-70c)   2nd  week.  Gross: 

$12,000.     (Average:  $16,000) 

THE    FULLER    BRUSH    MAN  (Col.)— 

RKO    PAN    (1,500)     (50c-70c)    4th  week. 

Gross:  $7,500.    (Average:  $8,000) 

THE  LADY  FROM  SHANGHAI  (Col.)— 

LYRIC  (1,100)  (50c-70c)  2nd  week.  Gross: 

$4,800.    (Average:  $5,000) 

UP   IN   CENTRAL  PARK    (U-I)  —  RKO 

ORPHEUM  (2,800)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $12,- 
500.     (Average:  $12,500) 


BOI 


B  O'DONNELL 


an  a  headline  . . . 


"Ranks  with  best ...c 
thrills . . .  exploitatio 
unlimited." 


ion  i  Raporfl 


"Red  hot  right  off  the  press, 
packed  screen  entertainment, 


"One  of  best -made  most  effective 
'crime-does-not-pay'  pictures  in  a 
long  time." 


"Should  pay  off 
turnstiles!" 


"Straight  from  page  one  headlines 
—  packs  terrific  punch." 


"Eagle  Lion  has  a  winner!" 


"'Canon  City'  brilliant... told  with 
wallop!" 

"Plenty  of  opportunities  to  cash  in!" 


► 


—The  Exhibitor 


"Showmanship  . . 
thenticity-one  of  the 


It's  five  o'clock,  Tuesday  December  30,  1947. 

The  people  of  Canon  City,  Colorado,  are  preparing  for  another  quiet  winter 
evening.  Snow  is  just  beginning  to  fall.  Dusk  almost  hides  the  grim  silhouette 
of  the  State  Penitentiary  on  the  edge  of  town. 

Suddenly  it  happens! 

A  siren  screams  — then  another- and  another- shattering  the  air  itself  with  their 
terrifying  wails. 

Twelve  desperate  convicts— murderers,  kidnappers  — armed  with  crude  shotguns, 
clubs  and  knives  have  battered  their  blood-mad  way  to  freedom  in  the  most 
spectacular  jailbreak  of  our  time! 

Dragging  as  hostages  four  brutally  beaten  guards,  they  force  their  frenzied  way 
into  homes  at  gun  point. 


Thus  began  in  Canon  City  a  three  day  reign  of  terror  that  startled  the  nation 
with  screaming  headlines  from  coast-to-coast ...  a  reign  of  terror  broken  only 
when  the  town  fought  back! 


This  Is  Not  Fiction . .  .THIS  IS  THE  NAKED  FURY  OF  FACT! 

low  You  Can  See  It  On  The  Screen.. 


Filmed  The  Way  It  Happened  I 

Introducing  SCOTT  BRADY  with  Jeff  Corey  •  Whit  Bissell  •  Stanley  Clements  Charles  Russell  DeForest  Keiley  •  Ralph  Byrd  •  Mabel  Paige  and 
Warden  Roy  Best,  himself  A  Bryan' Foy  Production  Produced  by  Robert  T.  Kane  Written  and  Directed  by  Crane  Wilbur 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  July  15,  1948 


Rank  Yields 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

cutions     whenever  exhibitors 
fail  to  fulfill  the  quota. 

Rank  pledged,  in  effect,  a  consider- 
able shakeup  of  all  GFD  practices, 
which  is  regarded  as  a  major  triumph 
for  the  exhibitors,  following  three 
years  of  agitation.  He  declared  flatly 
that  British  pictures  on  the  average 
"take  more  money  at  the  boxoffice 
than  Hollywood  pictures  whenever 
they  are  given  continuity  of  playing 
time."  However,  following  his  ad- 
dress, the  CEA  did  not  permit  him  to 
rest  on  that  score.  Several  delegates 
assured  him  that  his  pictures  result 
in  losses.  One  owner  produced  certi- 
fied accounts  revealing  71  Rank  book- 
ings as  yielding  2,000  pounds  ($8,000) 
for  GFD,  but  a  loss  to  him  of  400 
pounds  ($1,600). 

Calls  Quota  Embargo  'Insurance' 

Rank  defended  the  new  45  per  cent 
quota  on  the  ground  that  it  is,  for 
one  thing,  insurance  against  possible 
future  film  embargoes  such  as  was 
levied  by  U.  S.  distributors  following 
the  imposition  a  year  ago  of  the  Brit- 
ish government's  ad  valorem  tax. 
"The  next  time  it  might  be  a  complete 
embargo,"  he  said,  adding  that  that  "is 
an  impossible  position  for  any  busi- 
ness to  be  in." 

He  appealed  to  the  CEA  members' 
national  pride  in  urging  them  to  buy 
British  pictures  and  thus  build  up  the 
native  film  industry.  He  told  them 
their  "one  sure  shield"  is  a  "sound 
British  production  industry,  on  which 
exhibitors  can  rely  for  a  continuous 
flow  of  good  pictures."    British  pro- 


ducers, he  said,  "need  to  feel  that 
they  have  exhibitors  behind  them,  and 
exhibitors  should  feel  that  the  pro- 
ducers realize  their  great  responsibil- 
ity to  them  and  to  their  patrons." 

Rank  said  he  is  hoping  that  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  pres- 
ident Eric  Johnston  will  pursue  his 
suggestion  that  an  Anglo-American 
joint  committee  study  dollar  and  film 
exchange  problems.  The  proposed 
committee's  potential  usefulness  has 
not  diminished,  he  added. 

'Unseen  Quota'  by  U.  S. 

During  the  ad  valorem  tax  dead- 
lock, Rank  maintained,  an  "unseen 
quota"  was  exercised  by  U.  S.  ex- 
hibitors against  British  films,  it  being 
what  he  described  as  "the  expression 
of  a  natural  resentment  against  their 
revenues  from  England  being  cut,  and 
on  a  short  view  was  quite  under- 
standable." 

It  was  agreed  Rank's  proposed 
"Gestapo,"  or  probe  of  theatre  pro- 
grams all  over  the  country  in  order  to 
prove  that  the  quota  can  be  met,  will 
not  be  pursued,  and  the  general  coun- 
cil is  demanding  that  Rank  disown 
BFPA  chief  Sir  Henry  French's  an- 
nouncement of  such  a  probe. 

First  feature  quota  obligations  can 
be  met  by- the  1,000  houses  in  the  three 
top  circuits  and  by  approximately  1,- 
500  theatres  which  are  in  situations 
where  there  are  not  more  than  two 
houses,  Rank  maintained. 

Notwithstanding  the  quota,  "we  all 
want  American  films,"  he  said.  "When 
we  are  playing  the  45  per  cent  quota 
we  shall  have  the  best  of  the  Ameri- 
can pictures  to  choose  from  for  the 
remaining  55  per  cent,"  he  stated. 
"And  magnificent  the  very  best  un- 
doubtedly are.  None  of  us  would  have 
liked  to  have  missed  'The  Best  Years 


of  Our  Lives'  which  has  had  so  great 
a  success.  Pictures  like  this  are  al- 
ways welcome  here.  Pictures  like 
this  are  not  affected  by  the  quota. 
There  will  be  room  here  for  all  of 
the  best  American  pictures — but  few 
of  us  will  complain  if  we  do  not  see 
so  many  of  the  Hollywood  lesser  pic- 
tures which  have  brought  little  money 
to  our  box-offices.  They  have,  more- 
over, brought  little  credit  to  their 
producers,  and  may  well  have  done 
damage  to  the  Hollywood  industry  as 
a  whole." 


Rank  Arbitration 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

controlled  company  distributing  Brit- 
ish films,  an  exhibitor  chosen  by 
GFD,  and  the  third  to  be  an  exhibitor 
chosen  by  the  other  two  members  of 
the  tribunal.  GFD,  he  said,  will  agree 
to  be  bound  by  the  decisions  of  the 
tribunal. 

"I  realize,"  the .  British  industry 
leader  said,  "this  could  only  be  an 
experiment  but  1  shall  be  very  happy 
to  give  it  a  trial  if  the  council  ap- 
proves the  idea.  I  do  not  myself  think 
the  tribunal  will  be  called  into  exis- 
tence very  often,  and  I  hope  it  will 
not." 


Majors  To  Inform  US 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Wright  know  when  they  expect  an- 
swers to  acceptable  questions  to  be 
ready  for  submission,  and  the  De- 
partment of  Justice  will  be  governed 
accordingly  in  the  granting  of  addi- 
tional time  for  filing.  The  "Big 
Five"  will  also  notify  Wright  when 
objections  will  be  ready  to  questions 
which  they  consider  unjustified. 


AFM  Calls  Parley 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

sible  for  the  AFM  negotiators  to  at- 
tend conveniently  the  AFM  board 
meeting  which  is  scheduled  to  be  held 
in  that  city  early  in  August.  In  prior 
years  negotiations  between  the  AFM 
and  the  producers'  committee  were 
held  in  either  New  York  or  Holly- 
wood, both  of  those  locations  beir~ 
more  convenient  for  the  commit' - 
which  is  made  up  of  top  st&vy 
executives. 

The  union  refuses  to  discuss  the 
specific  demands  it  intends  to  make 
this  year.  Motion  Picture  Daily 
reported  on  June  8  that  delegates  to 
the  AFM  convention  in  Asbury  Park, 
N.  J.,  at  that  time  interpreted  remarks 
made  by  Petrillo  during  the  reading 
of  his  annual  report  to  mean  that 
substantial  wage  increases  will  be 
sought  for  studio  musicians. 


Monopoly  Probe 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

dustry ;  indicate  suggestions  for  reme- 
dying each  of  these  problems ;  do  anti- 
trust laws  need  strengthening,  and  if 
so,  how ;  does  any  Federal  law  or 
regulation  restrain  fair  competition  in 
your  industry ;  does  any  state  law  or 
municipal  ordinance  or  law  restrain 
fair  competition  in  your  industry? 

Committee  chairman  Plosser  has 
stated :  "We  will  definitely  go  into 
films,  both  from  the  point  of  view  of 
the  exhibitor  and  the  independent  pro- 
ducer." 

Both  Allied  States  and  the  Society 
of  Independent  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers have  pledged  their  support  to 
the  committee. 


NOTHING  EVER  HELD  YOU  LIKE 


ALFRED  HITCHCOCKS 


IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


MOTION 


DAILY 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


64.  NO.  11 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  JULY  16,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Lobby  Telecast 
Pickups  Will 
iBe  Challenged 

All  'Unauthorized'  Public 
Video  Shows  Questioned 

Television's  move  for  injunctions 
restraining  "unauthorized"  pickups 
of  its  material  by  theatres,  hotels, 
taverns,  and  other  commercial  places 
charging  admission  or  other  consider- 
ations, is  said  by  telecasters  here  to  be 
definitely  approaching  top-level  court 
stages. 

Video  industry  attorneys  are 
thinking  not  only  in  terms  of 
stopping  unauthorized  large- 
screen  reproductions,  but  are 
leveling  their  sights  on  small 
receivers  in  theatre  lobbies  and 
lounges  as  well.  And  they  be- 
lieve they  have  an  assortment 
of  precedents. 

Indexed  and  earmarked  for  antici- 
pated early  legal  use  are  U.  S.  Su- 
preme   Court    and    various  Federal 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


Slate  St.  Louis  AAA 
Suit  for  High  Court 

St.  Louis,  July  15. — The  anti-trust 
suit  brought  by  St.  Louis  Amusement 
and  Fanchon  and  Marco  Service  Corp. 
against  the  American  Arbitration  As- 
sociation, which  was  dismissed  on 
July  8  in  U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of  Ap- 
peals here,  will  be  taken  to  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court,  Harry  C.  Arthur,  St. 
Louis  Amusement  president,  said  to- 
day. 

The  appeal,  Arthur  said,  will  claim 
that  the  lower  Federal  courts  in  dis- 
missing the  suit  have  upheld  compul- 
sory arbitration  and  that  recent  Su- 
preme Court  rulings  only  validate  vol- 
untary arbitration. 

Appellate  Judge  Harvey  Johnson's 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


Glenn  McCarthy  Will 
Make  Three  Yearly 


Glenn  McCarthy  Productions  plans 
to  make  three  pictures  annually,  bud- 
geted at  around  $800,000  each,  Robert 
Paige,  co-producer,  disclosed  here 
yesterday. 

The  new  independent  company, 
which  has  headquarters  at  the  Gold- 
wyn  studio  in  Hollywood,  will  start 
with  "The  Green  Promise,"  set  for 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Restricted  Imports 
Basis  for  Deal  on 
Dollars  in  France 


American  distributors  will  have  to 
retain  their  self-imposed  limitation  on 
motion  picture  imports  into  France  in 
order  to  make  a  deal  with  the  French 
government  on  their  frozen  funds,  it 
is  disclosed  here  in  a  cable  received 
by  the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America's  international  division,  from 
Gerald  Mayer,  division  head,  who  is 
in  France  trying  to  negotiate  a  set- 
tlement of  the  dollar  exchange  stale- 
mate. 

This  voluntary  total  last  year 
amounted  to  125  pictures,  but  indepen- 
dent producers  shipped  in  many  more, 
resulting  in  what  the  French  called  a 
"flooding  of  the  market."  Subse- 
quently, they  proposed  an  alteration  in 
the  terms  of  the  Blum-Byrnes  accord 
to  increase  the  playing  time  for  French 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


UK  Studio  Financing 
Report  Due  Shortly 

London,  July  15.— British  Board  of 
Trade  president  Harold  Wilson  reiter- 
ated in  the  House  of  Commons  today 
that  he  is  persevering  in  endeavors  to 
remove  financial  obstacles  to  putting 
Britain's  studios  to  their  fullest  use. 
He  said  he  hoped  to  make  a  more  defi- 
nite statement  next  week. 

He  was  reminded  by  Commons 
members  that  Teddington  Studios 
have  been  closed  for  want  of  a  ten- 
ant, resulting  in  the  discharge  of  132 
employees. 


S chary  Could  Quit 
If  Mayer  Leaves 

Hollywood,  July  15. — Dore 
Schary's  contract  with  M-G-M 
is  understood  to  include  a 
clause,  suggested  by  him,  un- 
der which  his  pact  would  be 
cancelled  automatically  if 
Louis  B.  Mayer  should  with- 
draw from  the  company  while 
the  agreement  is  in  effect. 

While  the  contract,  which 
reputedly  runs  seven  years,  is 
in  immediate  effect,  Schary 
actually  will  not  assume  his 
new  post  as  vice-president  in 
charge  of  production  until 
August  9.  Meanwhile,  he  will 
vacation. 


20th's  New  Program 
Up  at  Canadian  Meet 

Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  general  sales 
manager  of  20th  Century-Fox,  will 
announce  the  company's  1948-49  fea- 
ture program  at  a  one-day  convention 
of  the  Canadian  sales  organization  at 
the  Royal  York  Hotel,  Toronto,  next 
Thursday. 

Smith  will  preside  at  the  session 
which  will  be  attended  by  president 
Spyros  P.  5kouras  and  home  office 
executives  W.  C.  Gehring,  assistant 
general  sales  manager;  Charles  Schlai- 
fer,  director  of  advertising-publicity; 
Martin  Moskowitz,  executive  assistant 
to  Smith;  Peter  Levathes,  short  sub- 
jects sales  manager;  Clarence  A.  Hill, 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Urges  Producers  Adhere 
To  Film  Production  Code 


IMPPA,  SAG  Agree 
On  Players'  Contract 

Hollywood,  July  15. — Agree- 
ment has  been  reached  be- 
tween the  Independent  Motion 
Picture  Producers  Association 
and  the  Screen  Actors  Guild 
on  a  new  contract,  reportedly 
identical  in  major  features 
with  that  signed  a  week  ago 
by  the  AMPP-SIMPP  groups 
and  SAG,  but  carrying  over 
into  effect  special  concessions 
granted  a  year  ago  to  pro- 
ducers of  small-budget  films. 
The  IMPPA  membership  will 
meet  next  Wednesday  to  ap- 
prove the  agreement  officially. 


Columbus,  O.,  July  15.— Crime  pic- 
tures which  emphasize  gruesome 
scenes  and  "too  much  rough  language" 
are  causing  most  eliminations  in  films, 
report  Ohio  State  censors  Susannah 
Warfield  and  Ruth  Hornbeck.  In 
previous  years  films  "which  over- 
stepped the  bounds  of  decency"  caused 
the  censorial  shears  to  work  most 
often,  they  added. 

"If  all  film  producers  followed  their 
own  production  code,  we  wouldn't 
have  much  trouble,"  Miss  Warfield 
said.  She  is  supervisor  of  the  board. 
Mrs.  Hornbeck  is  assistant  censor. 

The  Ohio  law  does  not  provide  for 
adult  and  children  classifications.  So 
the  censors  must  keep  in  mind  that  all 
pictures  may  be  seen  by  children. 

The  Ohio  censors  report  that  one  of 
their  headaches  these  days  is  caused 
by  foreign-language  films. 


Discuss  Joint 
Control  of 
British  Sales 


MPEA  Would  Supervise 
Overall  Policy  -  Making 

As  a  means  of  combatting  the 
new  45  per  cent  British  exhibition 
quota,  American  film  company 
executives  have  considered,  but 
have  yet  to  act  upon,  a  Motion  Pic- 
ture Export  Association  control  over 
selling  policies  in  England. 

Under  the  system  considered,  the  in- 
dustry would  be  united  in  its  dealings 
with  the  British,  strengthening  its  po- 
sition, but  each  company  would  still 
be  free  to  sell  independently  of  each 
other ;  that  is,  on  a  competitive  basis, 
but  in  accord  with  an  overall  policy. 

The  idea  has  not  as  yet  gone  beyond 
the  discussion  stage,  but  if  no  agree- 
ment is  reached  between  the  British 
and  the  U.  S.,  in  all  likelihood  it  will 
be  considered  at  the  next  MPEA  meet. 

Earlier  reports  had  it  that  the  com- 
panies were  thinking  in  terms  of  an 
MPEA  service  organization. 


New  8 -Year  Deal  for 
Screen  Directors 


Hollywood,  July  15. — Negotiating 
committee  of  the  Association  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Producers  and  the  Soci- 
ety of  Independent  Motion  Picture 
Producers  has  approved  a  new  eight- 
year  contract  with  the  Screen  Direc- 
tors Guild  replacing  the  nine-year 
pact  which  recently  expired.  New 
contract,  which  may  be  reopened  at 
two-year  intervals,  gives  directors  a 
100  per  cent  guild  shop,  increased 
credit  recognition  in  advertising  mat- 
ter, added  control  over  film  cutting, 
and  sets  up  round-table  procedure  un- 
der which  guild  and  producer  com- 
mittees shall  confer  at  any  time  on 
problems  confronting  either.  No  in- 
crease in  wage  scales  was  involved. 


Para.  Publicists 
Get  Pay  Increases 

Wage  increases  ranging  up  to  $20 
have  been  won  by  the  Screen  Pub- 
licists Guild  for  Paramount  home  office 
publicists  in  an  award  handed  down  by 
the  American  Arbitration  Association, 
it  was  announced  here  yesterday  by 
the  SPG.  Increases  will  be  retro- 
active to  Sept.  27,  1947. 

The  Paramount  award  follows  the 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  July  16,  1948 


RKORadio  Southern 
Meeting  on  Monday 

New  Orleans,  July  15. — Sales  ex- 
ecutives of  RKO  Radio  from  the 
South,  as  well  as  the  company's  home 
office,  will  converge  on  this  city  over 
the  weekend  to  participate  in  the  third 
of  a  series  of  zonal  business  and  sales 
meetings,  which  will  open  on  Mon- 
day. 

The  conference,  under  the  direction 
of  Robert  Mochrie,  distribution  vice- 
president,  will  review  the  company's 
product  schedule  and  hear  announce- 
ments of  winners  in  the  Ned  Depinet 
drive. 

The  meetings  will  be  attended  by 
North-South  division  manager  Charles 
Boasberg;  Carl  Peppercorn,  his  assis- 
tant; A.  A.  Schubart,  manager  of  ex- 
change operations;  Sid  Kramer;  dis- 
trict chiefs  David  Prince  and  Ben 
Cammack,  and  branch  managers  H. 
M.  Lyons,  Atlanta;  R.  F.  Branon, 
Charlotte;  J.  R.  Lamantia,  New  Or- 
leans ;  Sol  Sachs,  Dallas ;  R.  V.  Rea- 
gin,  Memphis ;  Ralph  Williams,  Okla- 
homa City. 


Milton  E.  Cohen  Is 
Feted  in  Cleveland 

Cleveland,  July  15.  —  Industry 
members  from  Cleveland,  Detroit  and 
Cincinnati  gathered  here  at  the  Stat- 
ler  Hotel  this  week  in  honor  of  Mil- 
ton E.  Cohen,  former  RKO  Radio  dis- 
trict manager  and  now  Eagle-Lion  di- 
vision manager.  A  delegation  of  35 
came  from  Detroit  where  Cohen  spent 
nine  years  as  RKO  Radio  salesman 
and  branch  manager.  Lester  Zucker, 
U-I  branch  manager,  was  master  of 
ceremonies. 


Berish  To  Book  for 
Trenton-N.Brunswick 

Archie  Berish  will  become  head 
booker  for  Trenton-New  Brunswick 
Theatres,  Inc.,  RKO-Walter  Reade 
operation,  early  in  September,  when 
he  will  resign  a  similar  post  with 
Warner  in  New  York.  He  will  make 
his  offices  here.  Berish  has  been  with 
WB  for  20  years. 

Succeeding  Berish  at  WB  will  be 
Peter  Saglembini,  booker  for  the  com- 
pany here. 


Robert  J.  O'Donnell 
Wed  in  New  Orleans 

New  Orleans,  July  15. — Robert  J. 
O'Donnell,  general  manager  of  Inter- 
state Circuit  of  Texas,  international 
chief  barker  of  Variety  Clubs  and  one 
of  the  best-known  showmen  in  the 
U.  S.,  was  married  today  to  Mrs. 
Vinnie  Pierson  Decasasus  at  the 
Roosevelt  Hotel  here. 


Frederick  Mercy,  71, 
Dead  in  Washington 

Portland,  Ore.,  July  15. — Freder- 
ick Mercy,  71,  of  Yakima,  Wash., 
theatre  owner  and  financier,  died  at 
his  home  following  a  year's  illness. 
Since  1912  he  operated  Yakima's  Ma- 
jestic Theatres,  opening  upwards  of  20 
theatres  in  Yakima  Valley.  Three 
sons  will  operate  the  Mercy  houses. 


Personal  Mention 


CHARLES  M.  REAGAN,  Para- 
mount distribution  vice-president, 
and  Hugh  Owen,  Eastern  and  South- 
ern divisional  sales  manager,  are  due 
back  in  New  York  over  the  weekend 
from  New  Orleans. 

• 

Jim  Partlow,  with  Universal-In- 
ternational in  Atlanta  for  the  past 
year,  and  Leonard  Andrews,  special 
home  office  representative,  have  re- 
signed to  enter  the  drive-in  field  in 
Florida. 

• 

George  Ornstein,  United  Artists 
special  representative  in  Rome,  and 
Mrs.  Ornstein  became  parents  of  a 
son,  born  yesterday  in  Switzerland. 
Mary  Pickford,  who  is  Mrs.  Orn- 
stein's  aunt,  is  visiting  them. 
• 

Al  Horwits,  Universal-Interna- 
tional Eastern  publicity  manager,  and 
Charles  Simonelli,  Eastern  exploi- 
tation manager,  returned  here  yes- 
terday from  Philadelphia. 

• 

Dick  Conley,  Fox  Intermountain 
Theatres  city  manager  in  La  Junta, 
Colo.,  has  been  elected  president  of 
the  La  Junta  Junior  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. 

Cedric  Francis,  assistant  to  War- 
ner short  subjects  head  Gordon  Hol- 
lingshead,  has  left  here  for  San 
Francisco. 

Ed  Hinchy,  head  of  the  Warner 
home  office  playdate  department,  left 
here  yesterday  for  Albany,  N.  Y.  He 
is  due  back  on  Monday. 

• 

C.  J.  Feldman,  Universal-Interna- 
tional Western  division  sales  mana- 
ger, returned  to  New  York  yesterday 
from  a  Midwest  tour. 

• 

J.    Maxwell    Joice,  Paramount 
representative  in  Baltimore  and  Wash- 
ington, is  recovering  from  a  leg  op- 
eration in  a  Washington  hospital. 
• 

William  F.  Rodgers,  M-G-M  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  will  leave  here 
next  Thursday  for  Chicago. 

• 

Dick  Colbert  of  the  Universal-In- 
ternational staff  in  Salt  Lake  City  has 
been  transferred  to  San  Francisco. 


FRED  C.  QUIMBY,  head  of  M-G- 
M  short  subject  production,  is  due 
here  Monday  from  the  Coast. 

• 

William  Coovert,  former  manager 
of  the  El  Camino  Theatre  in  San 
Bruno,  Calv  has  been  named  city  man- 
ager of  United  California  Theatres, 
succeeding  Rex  Stevenson,  resigned. 
He  will  take  over  his  new  post  July 
15. 

• 

Berry  Greenberg,  special  Far  East- 
ern sales  representative  for  Samuel 
Goldwyn  Productions  and  Walt  Dis- 
ney Productions,  is  en  route  back  to 
the  Orient  from  New  York. 

• 

Homer  Palmer  of  Palmer  Picture 
Corp.,  Montreal,  escaped  uninjured 
when  his  plane  was  damaged  in  a 
forced  landing  on  a  farm  near  On- 
tario. 

• 

Harry  Nestler,  Interboro  Circuit 
theatre  manager  here  for  the  past  10 
years,  has  purchased  the  Florence 
Theatre  building  at  Florence,  N.  J., 
from  Martin  Fischbein. 

• 

Van  P.  Garrison,  formerly  Merced 
district  manager,  has  been  named  man- 
ager of  the  East  Bay  district  for 
United  California  Theatres  following 
the  resignation  of  David  Bolton. 
• 

A.  G.  Alexander,  former  head  of 
the  Wil-Kin  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  At- 
lanta, has  been  named  head  of  the  pur- 
chasing department,  replacing  Charlie 
Moore,  resigned. 

• 

William  Youngclaus,  owner  of 
the  Island  Theatre  at  Grand  Island, 
Neb.,  has  returned  to  Nebraska  after 
two  and  a  half  years  in  California  and 
has  purchased  a  home  in  Nebraska. 
• 

Eddie  Foster,  former  Republic 
sales  representative  in  Atlanta,  has 
taken  over  the  new  Drive-In  Theatre 
at  Knoxville,  Tenn. 

• 

Oscar  A.  Doob,  Loew  general  the- 
atre executive,  is  due  here  Monday 
from  a  vacation  in  Wisconsin. 
• 

J.  W.  Pace,  exhibitor  of  Delta, 
Utah,  will  seek  the  Democratic  nomi- 
nation for  state  auditor. 


KMT  A  Meeting  Date 
Advanced  to  Sept. 

Kansas  City,  July  15. — Kansas- 
Missouri  Theatre  Association's  an- 
nual convention  has  been  advanced 
to  September  28  -  29  from  Octo- 
ber 5-6,  it  was  voted  here  today 
at  a  board  of  directors  meeting,  in 
order  to  make  more  convenient  the  at- 
tendance of  Theatre  Owners  of  Amer- 
ica officers.  The  KMTA  convention 
will  be  held  a  few  days  after  the  TOA 
covention  in  Chicago. 

Various  committees  appointed  for 
the  KMTA  meeting  also  met  today 
to  get  started  on  plans.  Senn  Lawler 
outlined  the  plans  and  program  of  the 
area  representatives  on  "Youth 
Month"  and  materials  are  being  pre- 
pared for  distribution  to  theatremen. 


Sliter  Named  Zone 
Manager  for  Schine 

Albany,  N.Y.,  July  '15.— Harold 
Sliter  has  been  named  a  Schine  cir- 
cuit zone  manager  with  headquarters 
in  Lexington,  Ky.,  succeeding  Lou 
Hensler,  who  resigned  to  enter  an- 
other business.  Sliter,  one-time  pub- 
licity director  for  Schine  and  later  a 
district  manager  in  Ohio,  recently  has 
been  acting  zone  manager  in  Northern 
New  York.  His  son,  Fred  Sliter,  is 
a  20th  Century-Fox  salesman  here. 


Projectionist  Burned 

Boston,  July  15.— Frank  Hill, 
Apollo  Theatre  projectionist,  was 
critically  burned  when  film  in  the 
booth  ignited.  A  hundred  patrons  had 
to  evacuate  the  balcony. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


-RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL— 

Rockefeller  Center 
BING  JOAN 

CROSBY  FONTAINE 

Sin  "THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ"! 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 

A  Paramount  Picture  t;> 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION  .r 


IN  PERSON, 


^LENA'HORME* 

Special! 

PAUL WINCHELL 

Extra'. 

SKINNAY  ENNIS 

and  his  ORCH. 

CAPITOL*"?*' 


"FORT 
APACHE 


COOL 


mm 

Rv'Mied  thnj  RKO  Radio  Pictures 


greattl  iter- 
anoV»onoj-»newl 


Cast  of  10,000  in 
Cecil  B.  DeMille's 


■Kb  Loretta  Young  •  Henry  Wllcoxon 

a  ruutniin  imhease 

Sctoltificollp  Air  Condiliwwd  UOOrS 
~_^*    Iwerr  &  49th  St  9.  30  a.  M.I 


MARK  STEVENS  #   RICHARD  WIDMARK 

"THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME" 

A  20th  Century-Fox  Picture 
ON  VARIETY  STAGE— CAB  CALLOWAY 
JACKIE  MILES  •  VIVIAN  BLAINE 

ON  ICE  STAGE— CAROL  LYNNE 
ARNOLD  SHODA  «   THE  BRUISES 

 BOXY™*"* 


50th  St. 


OLD 
LOS  ANGELES 

Starring 
William  Elliott    •    John  Carroll 
Catherine  McLeod 
Joseph  Schildkraut 


A  Republic  Picture 
NOW  PLAYING! 


Brandt's 
Cool 


GOTHAM  Bw°,< 


47th  St. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


I   Friday,  July  16,  1948 


Motion  Picture  daily 


3 


Two  from  'U'  Get 
Off  to  New  Highs 

"Tap  Roots"  and  "Abbott  and  Cos- 
tello  Meet  Frankenstein"  are  estab- 
lishing new  opening  highs  for  its  re- 
cent releases,  Universal  reported  yes- 
terday. 

At  the  Goldman,  Philadelphia,  it  is 
understood  "Tap  Roots"  opened  to 
$4,321,  compared  with  $3,263  for 
"Canyon  Passage"  at  the  Stanley  with 
JL800  more  seats.  Other  "Tap  Roots" 
^^pparisons  are :  Hollywood,  Atlantic 
f^Srty,  $2,646,  against  $1,451  for  "The 
Egg  and  I" ;  Astor,  Reading,  Pa., 
$2,168,  against  $1,417  for  "Egg"; 
College,  Bethlehem,  Pa. ;  $885,  against 
$752;  Surf,  Ocean  City,  N.  J.;  $1,950 
and  $1,593;  Shore,  Wildwood,  N.  J., 
$2,339  and  $1,220. 

The  Abbott  and  Costello  picture 
opened  at  the  Strand,  Albany,  to 
$2,015  comparing  with  $1,826  for 
"Canyon  Passage"  and  to  $2,047  at 
the  Paramount,  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
against  $1,971  for  "Slave  Girl"  and 
$1,808  for  "Naked  City." 


Warner's  1  0  0  -  City 
'Key  Largo'  Campaign 

Warner's  home  office  advertising- 
publicity  department  has  completed 
arrangements  to  launch  "Key 
Largo"  in  100  cities  in  Florida  for 
a  total  of  over  200  simultaneous  play- 
dates  during  the  week  of  July  22. 


Rogers  Aid  Meet  Set 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  15. — Plans  by 
the  Albany  exchange  district  in  its 
drive  to  raise  $10,000  to  aid  the  Will 
Rogers  Memorial  Hospital  at  Saranac 
Lake,  will  be  charted  at  a  dinner  here 
Monday  evening,  Ray  Smith,  Warner 
branch  manager  and  general  chairman 
of  the  area's  drive,  has  announced. 
Charles  A.  Smakwitz,  Warner  acting 
zone  manager,  is  chairman  of  the 
drive's  theatre  committee. 


$30,000  for  'Canon' 

Eagle-Lion's  "Canon  City"  grossed 
more  than  $30,000  in  its  first  week  at 
the  Criterion  Theatre  here,  William 
J.  Heineman,  distribution  vice-presi- 
dent reported  here  yesterday.  He  also 
listed  $25,000  for  a  first  week  in 
Denver. 


I  OF  COURSE 


I  MfIHS 

I  BROOKLYN 

and 

HIAVEN" 

sent  irom  UA 


VIRGINIAN 

50th  STREET  JUST  WEST  OF  6th  AVENUE 
serves 

-    AMERICA'S  FAVORITE  FOODS 


Jap  Lessees  Win 
Return  of  Theatre 

Stockton,  Cal.,  July  15. — 
Upholding  a  ruling  by  a  low- 
er court,  the  California  Su- 
preme Court  has  ordered 
Emil  Palmero,  owner  of  the 
Star  Theatre  property,  to  re- 
turn the  theatre  to  a  corpo- 
ration in  which  Japanese  are 
major  stockholders.  Palmero 
filed  suit  for  declaratory  re- 
lief in  1944  against  Stockton 
Theatres,  Inc.,  to  whom  he 
had  leased  the  property  in 
1930  for  10  years  with  a  10- 
year  renewal  option.  Pal- 
mero's  suit  was  based  on 
alleged  violation  of  the  Alien 
Land  law. 


McCarthy  To  Make  3 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


August  15.  Next  will  be  "You  Can't 
Do  That,"  which  is  expected  to  be 
put  into  production  on  November  1. 

McCarthy,  Houston  oil  man  and  in- 
dustrialist, is  president  of  the  company 
and  its  principal  stockholder.  Asso- 
ciated with  him  besides  Paige,  who 
will  also  have  a  role  in  "The  Green 
Promise,"  is  Monty  Collins.  The 
company  is  wholly  financed  by  Mc- 
Carthy. 

Paige  is  in  town  on  an  air  tour  of 
the  nation  in  search  of  a  4-H  Club 
member  to  play  a  major  feminine  role 
in  "The  Green  Promise."  The  actor- 
producer  will  resume  his  tour  this 
morning  when  he  flies  to  Concord, 
N.  H.  He  is  due  back  on  the  Coast 
on  July  23. 


20th's  New  Program 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


manager  of  branch  operations ;  Frank 
Carroll,  Roger  Ferri,  and  Jack  Bloom. 

The  Canadian  contingent  will  in- 
clude Arthur  Silverstone,  Canadian 
division  manager,  and  the  following 
branch  managers  :  V.  M.  Skorey,  Cal- 
gary; Edward  English,  Montreal;  R. 
G.  March,  St.  John;  H.  J.  Bailey, 
Toronto ;  J.  E.  Patterson,  Vancouver, 
and  J.  H.  Huber,  Winnipeg;  also  ex- 
ploitation representative  Sam  Glasier 
and  Toronto  salesmen  and  bookers. 


Censorship  Position 
Is  Unfixed;  Cannella 

John  M.  Cannella,  New  York  City's 
new  commissioner  of  licenses,  has  no 
fixed  ideas  on  theatre  censorship,  he 
declares.  He  succeeds  Benjamin 
Fielding,  who  has  joined  Loew's  here 
as  an  executive.  During  his  term  the 
latter  directed  city-sponsored  cam- 
paigns against  "indecent"  film  adver- 
tising. 

Cannella  has  asserted,  however,  that 
he  knew  he  was  taking  a  post  "with 
a  lot  of  headaches." 


Kollmyer  to  China  for  WE 

William  E.  Kollmyer  of  the  head- 
quarters staff  of  Westrex  Corp.  in 
New  York  has  been  assigned  to  take 
charge  of  operations  in  China  of 
Western  Electric.  He  left  New  York 
yesterday  stopping  en  route  in  Holly- 
wood to  review  developments  in  stu- 
dio production.  He  will  then  fly  to 
Sydney  to  supervise  installation  of 
recording  equipment  at  the  Common- 
wealth and  Fox  Movietone  News 
studios. 


Lobby  Pickups 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Court  opinions,  most  prominent  among 
them  the  ruling  by  Justice  Holmes  in 
the  1917  case  of  Victor  Herbert  vs. 
the  Shanley  Co.,  giving  the  American 
Society  of  Composers,  Authors  and 
Publishers  the  right  to  collect  fees  for 
public  use  of  its  members'  music. 

Television  lawyers  believe  that  the 
Holmes  opinion  is  as  clear  as  it  is 
succinct  in  declaring  illegal  the  use 
of  television  receivers  in  any  part  of 
a  theatre  despite  the  fact  that  no  spe- 
cial admission  charge  is  levied  nor  is 
the  regular  admission  for  the  film  pro- 
gram increased.  This,  too,  applies  to 
video-equipped  taverns  and  all  other 
places  of  public  assembly,  they  hold. 

Opinion  by  Justice  Holmes 

Herbert  brought  action  against  the 
Shanley  Co.  contending  the  latter  used 
the  plaintiff's  music  in  its  New  York 
restaurant  without  permission.  Agree- 
ing with  Herbert,  Justice  Holmes 
wrote,  in  part : 

"It  is  true  that  the  music  is  not  the 
sole  object  but  neither  is  the  food 
which  probably  could  be  got  cheaper 
elsewhere.  The  object  is  a  repast  .in 
surroundings  that  to  people  having 
limited  powers  of  conversation  or  dis- 
liking the  rival  noise  give  a  luxurious 
pleasure  not  to  be  had  from  eating  a 
silent  meal.  If  music  did  not  pay  it 
would  be  given  up.  If  it  pays,  it  pays 
out  of  the  public's  pocket.  Whether  it 
pays  or  not  the  purpose  of  employing 
it  is  profit  and  that  is  enough." 

Apply  Phraseology  to  Video 

The  telecasters'  legal  experts  intend 
to  substitute  television  for  music  and 
obtain  affirmation  by  the  courts,  hold- 
ing that  theatres  use  television  sets 
with  profit  in  mind,  profit  in  that  tele- 
vision in  a  lobby  or  lounge  is  an  added 
inducement  to  the  paying  customers. 

Another  case  likely  to  be  offered  as 
a  precedent  was  that  in  which  Asso- 
ciated Press  won  a  permanent  injunc- 
tion preventing  Station  KVOS,  Se- 
attle, from  broadcasting  AP  news. 


New  Video  Permit 
For  Allen  DuMont 

Washington,  July  15. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  has 
granted  Allen  B.  DuMont  Labora- 
tories permission  to  build  a  new  ex- 
perimental television  relay  station  at 
Oxford,  Conn. 


FWC  Acquires  Video  Site 

Mill  Valley,  Cal.,  July  15.— One- 
year  option  for  a  30-year  lease  has 
been  acquired  by  Fox  West  Coast 
Theatres  on  a  one-and-a-half  acre  site 
for  a  television  station  on  top  of 
Mount  Tamalpais. 


St.  Louis  AAA  Suit 

(Continued  from  page  1 ) 


opinion  has  been  described  as  parallel- 
ling the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court's  recent 
ruling  that  the  AAA  is  a  valid  and 
legal  system  of  regulation.  Johnson 
said  he  delayed  his  ruling  pending  the 
Supreme  Court  decision. 


Para.  Publicists 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


same  pattern  set  at  Warner,  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox, RKO  Radio  and  Eagle- 
Lion.  The  E-L  negotiations  were 
settled  without   arbitration,  however. 

Impartial  arbitrator  in  the  Para- 
mount case  was  Dr.  Milton  Handler 
of  Columbia  University. 


Broidy  to  Montreal 
Studio  Conferences 

Montreal,  July  15. — Steve  Broidy, 
president  of  Allied  Artists  and  Mono- 
gram, is  due  here  from  New  York  on 
Sunday  for  production  conferences  at 
the  new  Renaissance  Films  Studio  as 
well  as  talks  with  Joseph  Than  and 
Leonard  H.  Fields,  executive  produc- 
ers of  Canadian  International  Screen 
Productions.  The  latter  company  has 
contracted  to  deliver  10  features  to 
Allied  Artists-Monogram  in  the  next 
two  years.  J.  A.  DeSeve  is  president 
of  the  studio. 


Dollars  in  France 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


films  from  four  to  seven  weeks  each 
quarter. 

Little  progress  has  been  made  in 
the  negotiations  looking  towards  the 
unfreezing  of  the  considerable  Amer- 
ican earnings  now  accrued  to  the  in- 
dustry in  France,  Mayer  reported. 
Several  French  suggestions  have  been 
turned  down.  The  MPAA  executive's 
report  was  said  not  to  have  contained 
any  reference  to  a  recent  French  pro- 
posal to  limit  the  importation  of  all 
foreign  pictures  to  196  a  year.  Of 
this  total,  a  little  more  than  100 
would  be  American.  The  French  also 
are  said  to  have  proposed  the  setting 
aside  of  specific  funds  for  the  major 
companies  and  the  independents,  thus 
setting  up  an  indirect  quota  system. 

Only  a  few  weeks  ago,  the  French 
assembly  refused  to  discuss  a  con- 
fiscatory 25  per  cent  tax  on  foreign 
film  imports  and  postponed  considera- 
tion on  a  footage  tax  and  an  increase 
in  French  admission  prices. 


$2  -  Million  Showcase 
For  Rank  in  Toronto 

Toronto,  July  15.— The  $2,000,000 
Carlton,  under  construction  for  two 
years,  will  open  on  September  9  as 
Arthur  Rank's  showcase  in  Toronto, 
it  is  announced  by  Odeon  Theatres  pf 
Canada.  W.  C.  Tyers,  formerly  of 
the  Capitol,  Niagara  Falls,  Ont.,  will 
manage. 


New  Post  for  OldReld 

Washington,  July  15. — Major  Bar- 
ney Oldfield.  assistant  to  Major-Gen- 
eral  Floyd  L.  Parks,  chief  of  the 
Army's  public  information  division 
here,  will  check  out  of  the  Pentagon 
on  Monday  for  a  new  assignment  in 
the  Command  and  General  Staff 
School  class  starting  in  September  at 
Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan.  He  was  film 
editor  of  the  Nebraska  State  Journal 
in  Lincoln  and  Motion  Picture 
Daily's  Nebraska  correspondent  be- 
fore the  war,  was  with  Warner  on 
the  Coast  after  the  war  and  rejoined 
the  Army  last  August. 


New  Thompson  Account 

Sam  Coslow-Noel  Clarke  Produc- 
tions, now  preparing  "Music  City," 
soon  to  go  before  the  cameras  for 
United  Artists  release,  has  retained  J. 
Walter  Thompson  Co.  to  prepare  a 
national  advertising  campaign.  An  un- 
usual aspect  of  the  campaign  calls  for 
the  agency  to  sit  in  on  all  phases  of 
production  to  assure  top  exploitation 
values. 


Del  Ruth  Buys 

Hollywood,  July  15.  —  Producer- 
director  Roy  Del  Ruth  has  purchased 
"Bright  Is  the  Sun,"  original  by 
Mason  Bean,  and  has  scheduled  it  for 
1949  as  a  William  Bendix  vehicle. 


•MSB*8  ""  ..-M  fo^ 


And  In  Current 


GfZ  these  issues  now  and 
blow  up  for  lobby  display! 


WATCH  FOR  MORE  TOP  BREAKS 

that  we're  not  allowed  to  tell 
you  about  right  now  .  .  . 


SO  EVIL  MY  LOVE  continued 


My  Love 


3 


A true  story  of  gaslit  crime  and  passion  is 
vividly  reconstructed  in  Hal  Wallis'  So  Evil 
My  hove.  Boasting  a  prize-caliber  performance 
by  Ann  Todd,  ably  backed  by  Ray  Milland  and 
Geraldine  Fitzgerald,  this  new  Paramount  film 
ranks  high  among  melodramas. 

Victorian  court  records  supplied  the  plot, 
from  the  case  of  a  missionary's  widow  •whose 
love  for  a  charming  scoundrel  led  her  to  black- 
mail and  murder.  It  was  turned  into  a  novel  in 


1947  by  "Joseph  Shearing,"  one  of  several  names 
under  which  6 1 -year  -old  Mrs.  Gabrielle  Long 
has  written  140-odd  books,  among  them  Mow 
Hose  and  Blanche  Fury. 

Following  the  current  trend  of  filming  3tories 
in  actual  locales,  Wallis  took  his  stars  and  Direc- 
tor Lewis  Allen  to  England  to  make  So  Evil. 
London  landmarks  and  a  supporting  cast  of  ex- 
cellent players  give  an  authentic  atmosphere 
to  a  handsome  romantic  thriller. 


1  London-bound  from  Jamaica  after  the  death  of 
her  missionary  husband,  Olivia  Harwood  nurses 
a  malaria  victim,  artist  Mark  Bellis  <Ray  Miliand). 


Olivia  rents  Mark  a  room  in  her  quiet  home, 
unaware  that  he  wants  to  hide  from  the  police. 
He  overcomes  her  shyness  and  professes  love  for  her. 


O    Mark's  return  to  his  real  "profession,"  theft  of 
art  treasures,  fails.  He  tells  Olivia,  who  now 
loves  him,  he  has  no  money,  must  leave  England. 


A    To  get  funds  tor  Mark,  Olivia  visits  an  old 
school  friend,  Susan  Courtney  (Geraldine  Fitz- 
gerald ),  unhappy  wife  of  a  wealthy  prospective  peer. 


C   Olivia  is  hired  by  Henry  Courtney  (Raymond 
Huntley)  as  his  wife's  companion.  When  he  has 
a  heart  attack,  she  helps  him  with  a  Jamaican  drug 


£L  Directed  by  Mark,  Olivia  helps  Susan  resume 
"  an  extra-marital  affair  about  which  she  wrote 
Olivia.  Mark  plans  to  blackmail  Henry  and  the  man. 

(Continued  on  next  page) 


89 


"7  Informed  that  bonds  Susan  owned  were  sold.  Henry  finds  she 
'  gave  them  to  Olivia.  He  arranges  to  send  Susan  to  a  sanitarium, 
orders  Olivia  to  leave.  She  returns  to  sell  Henry  Susan's  letters. 


O  Henry  swaps  a  record  of 
^  Mark's  crimes  for  the -let- 
ters, then  tells  her  it's  a  copy. 
They  struggle  and  he  collapses. 


Hysterical,  Susan  wishes 
Henry  dead.  Olivia,  who  has 
poisoned  the  Jamaican  drug, 
gets  Susan  to  "save*  him  with  it. 


"J  A  "Heart  failure  was  not  the  cause  of  death."  The  doctor's  report 
■*■"  terrifies  Olivia.  Although  she  burned  the  letters  and  the  dos- 
sier on  Mark  (see  page'  88),  her  murder  guilt  may  stilt  be  exposed. 


"I  1   Mark  leaves  for  Paris,  but  forces  Olivia  to  stay,  with  Susan  to 
avoid  suspicion  of  the  murder.  Susan  is  convicted,  but  saved 
from  hanging  in  an  ironical  ending  that  takes  care  of  the  evildoers. 

END 


ouella  Parsons  Picks  It  As  Her  Picture  of  the  Month... 


RAY 


So  Evil  My  Low 


and  says:  "It  will  put  you 
through  an  emotional 
wringer.  A  superior,  extra- 
ordinary thriller  .  .  .  earns 
your  applause  . .  .  for  being 
the  best  production  released 
this  July.  I  salute  this  fine 
piece  of  work." 


6 


motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  July  16,  1948 


Key  City 
Grosses 


HOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
M.  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


LOS  ANGELES 


Appropriately  titled,  "Summer  Holi - 
day"  was  about  the  only  attraction 
substantially  overcoming  the  counter- 
influenGe  of  weekend  weather,  which 
took  1,000,000  to  the  beaches  on  Sun- 
day. Estimated  receipts  for  the  week 
ended  July  14: 

DREAM  GIRL  (Para.)  and  SECRET  SER- 
VICE INVESTIGATOR  (Rep.)  —  PARA- 
MOUNT (Downtown)  (3,595)  (50c-60c-80c- 
$1.00).  Gross:  $15,500.  (Average:  $16,450) 
DREAM  GIRL  (Para.)  —  PARAMOUNT 
(Hollywood)  (1,407)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00). 
Gross:  $11,500.  (Average:  $13,000) 
THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)  and 
THUNDERHOOF  (Col.)  —  HILLSTREET 
(2,700)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  4th  week.  Gross: 
$11,500.  (Average:  $18,950) 
THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)  and 
THUNDERHOOF  (Col.)  —  PANTAGES 
(2,000)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  4th  week.  Gross: 
$11,500.  (Average:  $17,150) 
RIVER  LADY  (U-l)  and  WHO  KILLED 
DOC  ROBBIN?  (UA- Roach) — GUILD  (965) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $5,500.  (Aver- 
age: $5,450) 

RIVER  LADY  (U-l)  and  WHO  KILLED 
DOC  ROBBIN  (  U  A-  Roach ) — I RI S  (708) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $5,000.  (Aver- 
age: $6,100) 

RIVER  LADY  (U-I)  and  WHO  KILLED 
DOC  ROBBIN?  (UA-Roach)— RITZ  (1,- 
376)  (50c-60c-8Sc-$1.00).  Gross:  $7,500. 
(Average:  $9,050) 

RIVER  LADY  (U-I)  and  WHO  KILLED 
DOC  ROBBIN  ?  (UA-Roach) — STUDIO 
(880)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $6,000. 
(Average:  $6,300) 

RIVER  LADY  (U-I)  and  WHO  KILLED 
DOC  ROBBIN  ?  (UA-Roach)— UNITED 
ARTISTS  (2,100)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross: 
$10,000.  (Average:  $9,580) 
RUTHLESS  (E-L)  and  SHED  NO  TEARS 
(E-L)  —  BELMONT  (1,600)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $6,500.  (Average: 
$5,750) 

RUTHLESS  (E-L)  and  SHED  NO  TEARS 

(E-L)— EL  REY  (861)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  6 
days.  Gross:  $7,000.  (Average:  $5,700) 
RUTHLESS  (E-L)  and  SHED  NO'  TEARS 
(E-L)— ORPHEUM  (2,210)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $18,000.  (Average: 
$14,650) 

RUTHLESS  (E-L)  and  SHED  NO  TEARS 
(E-L)— VOGUE  (800)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  6 
days.  Gross:  $7,000.  (Average:  $6,500) 
THE  SEARCH  (M-G-M)— FOUR  STAR 
(900)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$8,000.  (Average:  $7,450) 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 
Roach) — CARTHAY  CIRCLE  (1,516)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $7,000.  (Av- 
erage $9,500) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fcx)  and  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 
Roach)— CHINESE  (2,300)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $10,500.  (Average: 
$13,000) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 
Roach)—  LOEW'S  STATE  (2,500)  (50c-60c- 
85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $16,500.  (Average:  $19,- 
800) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 
Roach)— LOYOLA  (1,265)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 
3rd  week.  Gross:  $8,000.  (Average:  $10,- 
000) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and  HERE  COMES  TROUBLE  (UA- 
Roach)— UPTOWN  (1,716)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00) 

SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)  and  BIG 
CITY  (M-G-M)— EGYPTIAN  (1,000)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $13,500.  (Av- 
erage: $11,900) 

SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)  and  BIG 
CITY  (M-G-M)— FOX-WILSHIRE  (2,300) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $15,000. 
(Average:  $12,850) 

SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)  and  BIG 
CITY  (M-G-M)— LOS  ANGELES  (2,096) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $25,000. 
(Average:  $18,100) 

WALLFLOWER  (WB)  and  THE  BIG 
PUNCH  (WB)— WARNERS  (Downtown) 
(3.400)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  6  days.  Gross: 
$9,000.  (Average:  $13,730) 
WALLFLOWER  (WB)  and  THE  BIG 
PUNCH    (WB) — WARNERS  (Hollywood) 


Review 


"Daredevils  of  the  Clouds" 

{Republic) 

A CONSPIRACY  to  put  a  private  air  service  out  of  business  serves  as 
the  basis  for  a  melodrama  developed  strictly  along  routine  lines.  The 
tale  is  able  to  work  up  no  better  than  mild  excitement  as  it  unwinds  under 
the  direction  of  George  Blair.  The  film  will  have  to  depend  upon  its  action 
more  than  anything  else  to  bid  for  attention. 

The  proceedings  take  place  in  the  North  country,  where  Robert  Living- 
ston and  James  Cardwell,  war  buddies,  are  partners  in  the  operation  of  an 
air  line.  Livingston  finds  himself  in  a  serious  predicament  when  Cardwell 
joins  Grant  Withers,  the  villain  of  the  piece,  in  hijacking  a  gold  shipment 
upon  which  hinges  the  future  of  the  line.  How  Livingston  recovers  the  gold 
— which  is  not  covered  by  insurance — provides  some  suspense,  not  to  mention 
a  violent  climax.  The  successful  outcome  of  his  mission  is  due  a  lot  to  the 
courageous  assistance  of  Mae  Clark,  a  former  WASP,  with  whom  he  finds 
romance. 

Performances  are  sincere  if  nothing  else.  Edward  Gargan  supplies  some 
comedy  relief  that  should  help.  Stephen  Auer  produced  from  a  screenplay 
by  Norman  S.  Hall. 

Running  time,  60  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
August  3.  P.E.L. 


(3,000)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  6  days.  Gross: 
$9,000.  (Average:  $11,650) 
WALLFLOWER  (WB)  and  THE  BIG 
PUNCH  (WB)— WARNERS  (Wiltern)  (2,- 
300)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $8,- 
000.    (Average:  $11,220) 

YOU  CAN'T  TAKE  IT  WITH  YOU  (Col. 
Re-release)  and  PENNIES  FROM  HEAV- 
EN (Col.  Re-release)— MUSIC  HALL 
(Beverly  Hills)  (900)  (65c-85c-$1.0O)  6  days. 
Gross :"'fe800.  (Average:  $3,150) 
YOU  CAN'T  TAKE  IT  WITH  YOU  (Col. 
Re-release)  and  PENNIES  FROM  HEAV- 
EN (Col.  Re-release) — MUSIC  HALL 
(Downtown)  (900)  (65c-85c-$1.00)  6  days. 
Gross:  $6,500.  (Average:  $7,550) 
YOU  CAN'T  TAKE  IT  WITH  YOU  (Col. 
Re-release)  and  PENNIES  FROM  HEAV- 
EN (Col.  Re-release) — MUSIC  HALL 
(Hawai)  (1,000)  (65c-85c-$1.00)  6  days. 
Gross:  $3,200.  (Average:  $3,400) 
YOU  CAN'T  TAKE  IT  WITH  YOU  (Col. 
Re-release)  and  PENNIES  FROM  HEAV- 
EN (Col.  Re-release)  —  MUSIC  HALL 
(Hollywood)  (490)  (65c-85c-$l.O0)  6  days. 
Gross:  $2,300.     (Average:  $3,100) 


OMAHA 


Weakened  receipts  strengthened 
this  week.  End  of  the  Ak-Sar-Ben 
horse  racing  probably  was  a  major 
factor.  Many  people  also  were  turning 
to  the  air-cooled  theatres  for  relief 
from  sultry  heat.  Estimated  receipts 
for  the  week  ended  July  14-15 : 

THE    BEST    YEARS    OF    OUR  LIVES 
(RKO  Radio) — PARAMOUNT  (2,900)  (50c- 
65c).     Gross:  $9,200.     (Average:  $11,400) 
FEUDIN',   FUSSIN'  AND  A-FIGHTING 
(U-I)    and    WATERFRONT    AT  MID- 
NIGHT  (Para.)— ORPHEUM    (3,000)  (50c- 
65c).    Gross:  $10,600.     (Average:  $9,900) 
THE    EMPEROR    WALTZ    (Para.)  and 
SPEED  TO  SPARE  (Para.)— OMAHA  (2,- 
000)  (50c-65c)  2nd  week  for  "The  Emperor 
Waltz,"   on   a   moveover   from   the  Para- 
mount.   Gross:  $9,500.     (Average:  $8,500) 
HOMECOMING    (M-G-M)— STATE  (750) 
(50c-65c)  2nd  week.    Gross:  $5,000.  (Aver- 
age: $5,000) 

THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (CoL)  and 
PORT  SAID  (CoL) — RKO  BRANDEIS  (1,- 
100)  (50c-65c).  Gross:  $10,000.  (Average: 
$6,700) 


PHILADELPHIA 


"Easter  Parade"  tops  the  hit  parade 
with  $44,000  in  its  first  week  at  the 
Mastbaum.  Most  grosses,  however, 
suffered  from  summer  doldrums  in 
spite  of  Democratic  National  Conven- 
tion. Estimated  receipts  for  the  week 
ended  July  13-15 : 

ALL  MY  SONS   (U-I)— ARCADIA  (900) 
(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)    2nd    run.  Gross: 
$3,800.     (Average:  $6,000) 
CORONER     CREEK     (Col.)— STANTON 
(l,0CO)    (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)    2nd  week. 
Gross:  $8,300.     (Average:  $11,900) 
EASTER     PARADE     (M-G-M)  —  MAST- 
BAUM     (4,700)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c). 
Gross:  $44,000.    (Average:  $27,800) 
THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— STAN- 
LEY •  (3,000)     (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  4th 
week.    Gross:  $20,000.    (Average:  $20,500) 
FIGHTING  FATHER  DUNNE  (RKO  Ra- 
dio)—A  LDINE     (900)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c- 


94c).  Gross:  $10,800.  (Average:  $13,200) 
GIVE.  MY  REGARDS  TO  BROADWAY 
(20th- Fox) — KEITH  (2,200)  (50c -60c -74c -80c - 
85c -94c)  2nd  run,  2nd  week,  5  days.  Gross: 
$3,000.  (Average:  $6,100) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 
GOLDMAN  (1,400)  (50c-60c-74c-80-85c-94c) 
4th  week.  Gross:  $14,500.  (Average:  $22,- 
400) 

THE    PARADINE    CASE    (SRO)— BOYD 
(3,000)    (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)    2nd  week. 
Gross:  $26,500.    (Average:  $23,100) 
THE  PIRATE  (M-G-M)— EARLE  (3,000) 
(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)   2nd  week.  Gross: 
$16,000.     (Average:  $24,300) 
SUMMER    HOLIDAY    (M-G-M)— KARL  - 
TON     (1,000)     (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  3rd 
week.    Gross:  $4,500.    (Average:  $12,000) 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox) — FOX   (3,000)  (5Oc-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c) 
2nd    week.      Gross:      $26,000.  (Average: 
$20,400) 


CLEVELAND 


"The  Emperor  Waltz"  was  away 
out  in  the  lead.  First  showing  of 
"Best  Years  of  Our  Lives"  at  popular 
prices  is  giving  Warners'  Hippodrome 
a  healthy  gross ;  and  the  second  week 
of  "On  an  Island  with  You"  is  well 
on  its  way  to  a  better  than  average 
take.  Extremely  hot  weather  not- 
withstanding, most  of  the  pictures 
turned  in  a  good  summer  gross.  Esti- 
mated receipts  for  the  week  ended 
July  13-14: 

ALWAYS  TOGETHER  (WB)  —  LOWER 
MALL  (563)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $2,000.  (Aver- 
age: $2,500) 

BEST  YEARS   OF  OUR   LIVES  (RKO 

Radio) — WARNERS'  HIPPODROME  (3,- 
500)  (55c-70c).  First  showing  at  popular 
prices.  Gross:  $16,000.  (Average:  $15,000) 
THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— 
LOEW'S  STATE  (3,300)  (50c-70c).  Gross: 
$28,000.  (Average:  $19,300) 
THE  MAN  FROM  TEXAS  (E-L)— 
LOEW'S  OHIO  (1,268)  (50c-70c).  Gross: 
$5,000.  (Average:  $6,200) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 
LOEW'S  STTLLMAN  (1,900)  (50c-70c)  2nd 
week,  on  a  moveover  from  the  State. 
Gross:  $12,000.  (Average:  $10,500) 
PANHANDLE  (Allied-Monogram)  —  RKO 
ALLEN  (3,000)  (55c-70c).  Gross:  $14,000. 
(Average:  $13,800) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 

—WARNERS'   LAKE   (714)    (55c-70c)  2nd 
week,  on  a  moveover  from  the  Hippodrome. 
Gross:  $2,500.    (Average:  $3,000) 
UP    IN    CENTRAL    PARK    (U-I) — RKO 

PALACE  (3,300)  (55c-70c).  Gross:  $10,500. 
(Average:  $16,000) 


KANSAS  CITY 


First  hot  spell,  temperatures  in  the 
90's,  and  then  cooling  rams,  helped 
theatre  attendance,  both  first  runs  and 
subsequents.  Estimated  receipts  for 
the  week  ended  July  13-15 : 

FIGHTING  FATHER  DUNNE  (RKO  Ra- 
dio) and  THE  ARIZONA  RANGER  (RKO 
Radio) — ORPHEUM  (1,900)  (45c-65c)  9 
days.  Gross:  $14,000.  (Average  for  9  days: 
$12,500) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 


Short 
Subject 


'The  Children's  Republic9 

(A.  F.  Films,  Inc.) 

"The  Children's  Republic"  is  a  23- 
minute  subject  which  depicts  the  life 
and  education  of  a  group  of  Paris  or- 
phans, with  a  narration  by  Mariy  X 
Carroll.  The  camera  records  Y 
Carroll's  visit  to  the  orphanage  iad 
explains  how  youthful  vagrants  are 
taken  to  this  miniature  "republic" 
which  is  entirely  governed  by  the  chil- 
dren. They  choose  the  subjects  they 
are  to  study  and  the  laws  to  govern 
themselves.  It  is  an  informative  sub- 
ject dealing  with  the  problem  of 
homeless  children,  and  it  is  interest- 
ingly presented.  Available  for  35mm., 
16mm.  and  television  showings. 


Fox)— FAIRWAY  (700)  (45c-65c)  10  days. 
Gross:  $3,200.  Average  for  10  days:  $2,750) 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 

Fox)-TOWER  (2,100)  (45c-65c)  10  days. 
Gross:  $16,800.  (Average  for  10  days:  $11,- 
500)  t  , 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 

Fox)— UPTOWN  (2,000)  (45c-65c)  10  days. 
Gross:  $10,300.  (Average  for  10  days: 
$8,500) 

SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)  and  THE 
SIGN  OF  THE  RAM  (Col.)— MIDLAND 

(3,500)  (45c-65c).  Gross:  $18,750.  (Average: 
$15,000) 

WILL  IT  HAPPEN  AGAIN?  (FC)  and 
ARGYLE     SECRETS     (FC)  —  ESQUIRE 

(800)  (45c-65c).  Gross:  $5,750.  (Average: 
$5,000) 


DENVER 


Even  though  weather  is  coaxing 
people  into  the  open,  three  films  are 
getting  holdovers,  with  "Best  Years 
of  Our  Lives"  and  "Emperor  Waltz" 
going  into  their  fourth  week,  and 
"Canon  City"  into  a  second  week. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  ended 
July  13-14: 

BEST  YEARS   OF   OUR  LIVES  (RKO 

Radio) — BROADWAY  (1,500)   (35c-74c)  3rd 
week.    Gross:   $9,000.    (Average:  $7,000) 
CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and1  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L) — ALADDIN  (1,400)  (35c-74c). 
Gross:  $5,000.    (Average:  $2,500) 
CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)— PARAMOUNT  (2,200)  (35c- 
74c).    Gross:  $17,000.    (Average:  $10,000) 
CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT  (E-L) — WEBBER   (750)  (35c-74c) 
Gross:   $4,000.     (Average:  $2,000) 
THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— DEN- 
HAM   (1,750)    (35c-74c)   3rd  week.  Gross: 
$12,500.    (Average:  $11,000) 
FORT  APACHE  (RKO  Radio)  and  OPEN 
SECRET  (E-L)— ORPHEUM  (2,600)  (35c- 
74c)  2nd  week.    Gross:  $10,500.  (Average: 
$13,500) 

THE  NOOSE  HANGS  HIGH  (E-L)  and 
ASSIGNED  TO  DANGER  (E-L)— DEN- 
VER (2,525)  (35c-74c).  Gross:  $16,000.  (Av- 
erage: $13,000) 

THE  NOOSE  HANGS  HIGH  (E-L)  and 
ASSIGNED  TO  DANGER  (E-L)— ES- 
QUIRE (742)  (35c-74c).  Gross:  $2,000. 
(Average:  $2,000) 


Night  Games  Cut  N.E. 
Grosses  15  to  25% 

Boston,  July  15.— Theatre  grosses 
in  New  England  are  between  15  to  25 
per  cent  below  last  year,  according  to 
a  survey  of  theatre  circuits  and  film 
booking  and  buying  offices.  Night 
baseball  games  are  cited  as  among  the 
principal  competitive  attractions. 


New  Flat,  Fibre  Screen 

The  glass,  woven-fibre,  flat-surface 
screen  installed  at  Loew's  State  here 
by  Herman  Gluckman's  Nu-Screen 
Co.  is,  according  to  Loew  executives, 
the  first  of  its  kind  in  any  theatre. 
Gluckman  has  been  dealing  in  screens 
of  the  same  material  but  concave  sur- 
faced. 


IRST 
IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


DO  NOT  SEMOVf 

MOTION  PICTURE 

DAILY 


'  \£  64.  NO.  12 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  JULY  19,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Five  Grossed 
160,343,000 
In  1st  Quarter 

$4-Million  Drop  Under 
Same  Quarter  of  1947 

Washington,  July  18.  —  Gross 
sales  of  five  film  companies 
amounted  to  $60,343,000  during  the 
'first  quarter-  of  1948,  compared  to 
$66,255,000  in  the  fourth  quarter  of 
11947,  and  $64,514,000  in  the  first  quar- 
ter of  1947,  according  to  a  report  by 
the  Securities  and  Exchange  Com- 
mission. 

The  five  firms  are  Columbia,  Mono- 
gram, RKO,  Republic  and  Universal. 
No  figures  have  been  received  yet 
from  other  firms,  the  SEC  said. 

Additionally,  Loew's  reported  sales 
of  $52,551,000  in  the  16  weeks  end- 
ing March  11,  1948.  It  had  sales  of 
$33,107,000  in  the  shorter  period  be- 
ginning Sept.  1,  1947,  and  ending  Nov. 
20,  1947.  Comparative  quarter  figures 
were  not  available  for  Loew's. 

Universal  and  Monogram  showed 
sales  in  the  first  quarter  of  1948  be- 
low the  1947  fourth  quarter,  but  above 
ithe  1947  first  quarter.  Columbia's 
sales  were  above  the  fourth  quarter 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


Drive-ins  Win  Major 
Bldg.  Code  Victory 

Drive-in  theatres  in  New  York 
State  have  been  saved  many  thousands 
in  added  costs  by  convincing  the  State 
Board  of  Standards  and  Appeals  in 
Albany  that  a  provision  in  the  pro- 
posed new  state  building  code  re- 
quiring fire-proof  drive-in  enclosure 
walls  would  create  unnecessary  ex- 
pense, according:  to  state  and  industry 
spokesmen  here. 

The  fight  against  the  provision,  led 
by  the  up-state  Hellman-Fabian  drive- 
in  interests,  was  pressed  following  last 
wear's  public  hearings  on  new  code 
proposals.    In  a  new  listing  of  con- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Funeral  Today  for 
William  N.  Selig,  84 

Hollywood,  July  18. — William  N. 
Selig,  84,  industry  pioneer  who  was 
voted  a  special  Academy  Award  and 
life  membership  in  the  Academy  this 
spring,  died  at  his  home  here  on  Fri- 
day after  a  brief  illness.  A  veteran 
inventor,  producer  and  distributor,  he 
had  maintained  an  office  in  Hollywood 
during  recent  years  to  sell  the  vast 
{Continued  on  page  3) 


Expect  400-500  at 
TO  A  Convention; 
Agenda  All-inclusive 

Indications  are  that  400  to  500  ex- 
hibitors, distribution  and  studio  offi- 
cials will  attend  the  Theatre  Owners 
of  America  convention  at  the  Drake 
Hotel,  Chicago,  September  24-25,  ac- 
cording to  Robert  W.  Coyne,  retiring 
executive  director.  The  agenda  will 
concern  all  in  the  industry,  he  said. 

He  said  there  are  tentative  plans 
for  three  general  business  sessions. 
Committees  will  be  assigned  to  study 
television,  16mm.'  competition,  taxa- 
tion, public  relations,  audience  expan- 
sion, campaigns*  and  charities  and  dis- 
tributor-exhibitor relations. 

TOA's  legal  advisory  council  will 
hold  a  special  session  and  is  expected 
to  report  to  the  convention  with 
recommendations  concerning  opera- 
tions under  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court 
opinion.    Also  up  for  consideration  is 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Greece  Will  Remit 
$500,000  to  U.S. 


Greece  will  remit  $500,000  to  Amer- 
ican companies  for  the  period  from 
July  1,  1948  to  June  30,  1949,  but,  at 
the  same  time,  is  furthering  efforts  to 
have  admission  prices  cut  and  to  con- 
trol percentages,  according  to  Victor 
G.  Michaelides,  distributor  in  Greece 
for  Warner,  M-G-M,  Universal-Inter- 
national, and  a  number  of  indepen- 
dents, who  is  now  in  New  York. 

The  government  first  had  asked  for 
a  50  per  cent  cut  in  admissions,  but 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Special  Session  of 
No  Film  Interest 

Washington,  July  18.— The 
special  session  of  Congress 
which  President  Truman  has 
called  for  July  26  is  not  ex- 
pected to  enact  any  legisla- 
tion of  interest  to  the  film 
industry. 

There  is  said  to  be  little 
likelihood  that  the  session 
will  give  the  President  the 
price  and  allocation  controls 
that  he  is  amost  certain  to 
ask  for.  But  there  is  some 
possibility  that  the  Senate 
may  act  on  the  House-ap- 
proved tax  revision  bill,  which 
would  be  of  some  indirect 
benefit  to  film  companies 


171  Theatres  Attack 
Fire-guard  Bill 

Philadelphia,  July  18.- — Represen- 
tatives of  171  local  theatres  will  pro- 
test on  Tuesday  to  the  City  Council 
on  Public  Safety  a  proposed  ordinance 
that  would  require  theatres  to  hire 
special  fire-guards.  The  Philadelphia 
Theatre  Association,  which  represents 
171  theatres,  has  a  12-man  committee, 
under  the  head  of  Morris  Wax,  to 
carry  the  group's  condemnation  of  the 
proposed  measure. 

.  if  passed  the  bill  would  require 
theatre  owners  to  hire  fire-guards  for 
each  film  performance,  the  guards  to 
be  licensed  by  the  director  of  public 
safety.  The  association  considers  the 
bill  discriminatory  because  the  coun- 
cil did  not  consider  other  public  places. 
Also,  it  says,  the  theatres  strictly 
enforce  fire  rules. 


44 


The  Babe  Ruth  Story 


99 


[  Allied  Artists  ]  —  It's  a  Home  Run 

Hollyzvood,  July  18 

PRODUCER-DIRECTOR  ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  dramatically  fac- 
tualistic  presentation  of  Babe  Ruth's  life  and  works,  easily  the  best 
picture  ever  based  on  a  living  sports  personality,  is  money  in  the  till 
for  exhibitors  anywhere  and  everywhere. 

Combining  the  best  features  of  biography  and  documentary,  yet  re- 
taining warmth,  the  film  has  impact  and  tension  seldom  equalled  in 
fiction  narratives.  The  picture  is  rare  entertainment  on  all  counts.  With 
William  Bendix,  Claire  Trevor,  Charles  Bickford  for  marquee  purposes 
to  attract  anyone  unversed  in  Ruth's  record,  the  film  figures  to  open  big 
and  build  as  it  plays. 

Del  Ruth's  handling  of  the  script  by  Bob  Considine  and  George  Calla- 
han, from  the  former's  book,  is  distinguished.  It  starts  with  Ruth  as  a 
boy  sent  to  St.  Mary's  Boys  School  as  an  incipient  delinquent,  follows 
him  through  his  career  on  the  diamond,  showing  his  roistering  and 
obstreperous  derelictions  as  well  as  his  heroics,  and  closes  with  his 
submitting  to  life-or-death  surgery. 

It  dwells  often  enough  on  his  devotion  to  juvenile  fans  and  on  his 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


1st  Relief  in 
Jackson  Park 
Case  Granted 


Four  Weeks  for  'Waltz' 
Approved  on  Para.  Bid 

Chicago',  July  18. — First  major 
relief  to  a  distributor-exhibitor  who 
is  party  to  the  Jackson  Park  decree 
was  given  on  Friday  when  District 
Court  Judge  Michael  H.  Igoe  granted 
Paramount  and  Balaban  and  Katz  a 
motion  for  a  maximum  four-week  run 
of  Paramount's  "The  Emperor 
Waltz." 

I  The  film  opened  at  the  weekend  at 
B.  and  K.'s  Chicago  Theatre.  The 
decree  heretofore  and  held  all  Loop 
first-runs  to  a  two-week  limitation 
after  which  the  product  had  to  be 
made  available  to  subsequents. 

Although  Judge  Igoe's  new  order 
covers  only  'Waltz"  and  this  one  sit- 
uation, exhibitor  and  distributor 
spokesmen  of  the  area  believe  conces- 
sions of  a  similar  nature  might  be 
had  with  other  top  product. 

Some  time  ago  Columbia,  not  a  de- 
fendant in  the  case,  asked  permission 
not  to  be  bound  by  the  decree  but  this 
was  denied.  Most  of  Chicago's  first- 
runs  are  immediate  parties  to  the  de- 
cree and  these  were  cited  in  the  de- 
nial. 


Film  Classics  Gets 
Rialto  as  Showcase 


Film  Classics  has  closed  with  the 
Rialto,  on  New  York's  Broadway,  as 
an  exclusive  first-run  show-case  in 
a  deal  with  James  Mage,  operator  of 
the  theatre,  it  was  announced  at  the 
weekend  by  Joseph  Bernhard,  Film 
Classics  president. 

Scheduled  to  play  the  theatre  under 
the  new  set-up  are  four  pictures,  all  in 
Cinecolor :  "Sofia,"  "Miraculous  Jour- 
ney," "Unknown  Island"  and  "Daugh- 
ter of  Ramona." 


U.A.  Sets  Even -Split 
'Red  River9  Terms 

United  Artists  will  offer  Howard 
Hawks'  production  of  "Red  River"  on 
an  even  revenue  split  with  exhibitors, 
from  the  first  dollar,  with  exhibitor 
and  distributor  equally  sharing  adver- 
tising costs. 

Hawks  reportedly  went  considerably 
over  his  original  budget  with  a  final 
negative  cost  hitting  close  to  $3,000,- 
000.  Prints,  advertising  and  the  dis- 
tributor's share  are  figured  to  bring 
the  break-even  mark  to  $4,000,000. 


2 


Motion  picture  Daily 


Monday,  July  19,  1948 


Video  -  Decision  Rule 
By  FCC  Up  in  the  Air 

Washington,  July  18. — -Whether 
the  Paramount  et  al  decision  by  the 
Supreme  Court  will  block  Paramount 
and  other  companies  from  the  tele- 
vision field  will  not  be  determined  by 
the  Federal  Communications  Commis- 
sion in  the  Tri-States  Meredith  case, 
it  was  learned  here  on  Friday.  Be- 
cause of  the  long  delay  by  FCC  in 
moving  the  case,  the  company  has  can- 
celled its  deal  to  buy  KSO  in  Des 
Moines. 

Tri-States  Meredith  is  half-owned 
by  Tri-States  Circuit  which,  in  turn, 
is  half-owned  by  A.  H.  Blank.  Blank 
has  told  the  FCC  he  alone  controls 
his  company. 


Deputy  Captains  Set 
In  E-L  Sales  Drive 

Deputy  captains  in  Eagle-Lion's  Bill 
Heineman  sales  push  have  been  named 
by  Max  E.  Youngstein,  publicity-ad- 
vertising chief  and  drive  captain.  The 
line-up  includes  Herbert  H.  Horst- 
meier,  Cleveland;  Lewis  J.  Lieser, 
Buffalo;  Harry  S.  Alexander,  Al- 
bany; Harry  Segal,  Boston. 

Youngstein  returned  to  New  York 
from  Boston  on  Friday,  completing 
the  first  leg  of  a  nationwide  tour  of 
company  exchanges.  With  him  was 
Milton  E.  Cohen,  Eastern  division 
sales  manager. 


deRochemont  Names 
Shute  a  Producer 

James  L.  Shute  has  been  appointed 
an  assistant  producer  of  March  of 
Time  by  Richard  de  Rochemont,  pro- 
ducer. Shute  has  been  senior  script 
editor  for  13  years. 


File  in  NT  Stock  Suit 

Six  20th-Fox  minority  stockholders 
on  Friday  filed  notice  in  Federal 
Court  here  to  appear  as  plaintiffs  at 
the  August  3  hearing  on  the  proposed 
settlement  in  the  stockholders'  suit 
brought  against  National  Theatres  of- 
ficers over  sale  of  NT  shares.  The 
sextet  comprises  Samuel  Friedman, 
Jack  and  Virginia  Geiger  and  Anna, 
Leon  and  Amelia  Marcus. 


Plan  Drive-In 

Portland,  Ore.,  July  18. — Outdoor 
Theatres  has  purchased  a  site  near  the 
Burlingame  district,  on  which  a  new 
drive-in  theatre  will  be  constructed. 
Construction  is  expected  to  start  with- 
in 60  days,  according  to  Albert  F. 
Forman  and  Willard  E.  Gamble, 
company  officials. 


Maurer  To  Address  NTFC 

J.  A.  Maurer,  executive  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Society  of  Motion  Picture 
Engineers,  will  address  the  next  meet- 
ing of  the  National  Television  Film 
Council  on  Thursday  evening,  at 
Sardi's,  it  was  announced  by  Melvin 
L.  Gold,  NTFC  chairman. 


Television  in  Texas 

Station  WBAP-TV,  Fort  Worth, 
will  commence  operations  on  Sept.  IS 
as  the  first  television  station  in  Texas 
and  the  latest  affiliate  of  American 
Broadcasting  Co. 


Personal  Mention 


J-^ORE    SCHARY,  new 


M-G-M 

production  vice-president,  left  the 
Coast  Saturday  for  a  vacation  which 
will  include  an  address  on  July  30  to 
the  Colorado  Writers  Congress  at  the 
University  of  Colorado. 

• 

Dewey  Hurt,  manager  of  the  Rose- 
land  Theatre,  Omaha,  has  entered  the 
Veterans'  Hospital  in  Lincoln,  Neb., 
for  surgery.  Maurice  Fegal,  Circle 
manager,  will  replace  him  temporar- 
ily. 

• 

Tom  Harris,  son  of  Bucky  Har- 
ris, formerly  Connecticut  exploitation 
representative  for  RKO  Radio  and 
now  with  the  U-I  exploitation  depart- 
ment, has  joined  the  U-I  exchange  in 
Albany,  N.  Y.,  as  apprentice  booker. 
• 

Edward  L.  Hyman,  vice-president 
of  Paramount  Pictures  Service  Corp., 
is  visiting  Harry  Royster  in  the  Net- 
co  Theatres  up-state  territory  this 
week. 

• 

Joseph  De  Luise  of  the  Eagle-Lion 
branch  accounting  department  here, 
and  Rose  Bancale  were  married  over 
the  weekend. 

• 

William  "B.  Levy,  world-wide  sales 
supervisor  for  Walt  Disney  Produc- 
tions, left  here  over  the  weekend  for 
studio  conferences  on  the  Coast. 
• 

Doug  G.  Lotherington,  RKO  Ra- 
dio general  sales  manager  for  Aus- 
tralia, is  in  New  York  for  home  office 
talks. 

• 

Jack  Hylton,  British  actor  and  di- 
rector, and  Robert  Considine,  writer, 
and  his  wife  are  en  route  to  Europe 
on  the  SS  Queen  Elisabeth. 

• 

N.  H.  Waters,  Sr.,  president  of 
the  Waters   circuit  in  Birmingham, 
and  his  wife  and  daughter  are  vaca- 
tioning at  Daytona  Beach,  Fla. 
• 

A.  Brown  Parkes,  veteran  theatre 
executive,  has  returned  to  the  film 
business  as  manager  of  the  Melba  in 
Birmingham. 

• 

Bernard  Ginley,  manager  of  the 
Southern  Theatre,  Columbus,  O.,  and 
Mrs.  Ginley  have  become  parents  of 
a  daughter,  Patricia  Kathleen. 
• 

Burton  F.  Perry,  acting  recording 
manager  of  Westrex,  left  here  at  the 
weekend  for  Mexico  City. 


M.  C. 
manager 
Tenn. 


D. 
ager 
Ga. 


Hillburn  has  been  named 
of  the  Strand  in  Portland, 


Luke  has  been  named  man- 
the  Stein  Theatre,  Auburn, 


H.  Spears,  general  manager  of 
Bailey's  Theatres,  has  returned  to  At- 
lanta from  the  Coast. 

R.  D.  Goldberg,  head  of  Goldberg 
Theatres,  was  a  recent  visitor  here 
from  Omaha. 


W.  Lee  Wilber,  producer,  is 
here  from  the  Coast. 


due 


j^DWARD 


M.  FAY,  veteran  New 
England  theatre  executive  and 
owner  of  Fay's  Theatre  in  Providence, 
has  been  elected  chairman  of  the 
Providence  county  chapter  of  the  Na- 
tional Foundation  for  Infantile  Paraly- 
sis. I.  J.  Hoffman,  New  England 
zone  manager  for  Warner  Theatres, 
is  a  member  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  New  Haven  County 
chapter. 

• 

Carol  Bryer,  daughter  of  Milton 
H.  Bryer,  former  manager  of 
Schine's  Bucyrus  Theatre  in  Bucyrus, 
O.,  and  Richard  Chessin  of  Cleve- 
land have  announced  their  engage- 
ment. 

• 

John  Coyne,  former  office  manager 
at  M-G-M's  San  Francisco  ex- 
change, has  been  appointed  salesYnan. 
Max  Buxbaum  has  been  named  as- 
sistant branch  manager,  a  newly-cre- 
ated position. 

• 

Lou  Milder  has  been  transferred  to 
Warners'  Colony  Theatre,  Cleveland, 
from  the.  Lake,  succeeding  Harold 
Friedman,  who  has  been  switched 
to  the  Uptown. 

• 

Marshall  Fine,  son  of  Meyer 
Fine,  head  of  Associated  Circuit, 
Cleveland,  and  a  recent  graduate  of 
the  Babson  Business  School  of  Bos- 
ton, has  joined  the  circuit. 

• 

Tom  Grasso  of  Windsor  Locks, 
Conn.,  and  Herbert  Jaffee  of  New 
Britain,  have  purchased  the  interests 
of  their  partners  in  the  New  Colony, 
summer  film  house  at  Sound  View, 
Conn. 

• 

Paul    O.    Klinger,    manager  of 
Loew's    Poli    Strand   in  Waterbury, 
Conn.,  and  Mrs.  Klinger  are  observ- 
ing their  21st  wedding  anniversary. 
• 

Vance  Pease,  former  manager  of 
the  San  Carlos  Theatre,  has  been  ap- 
pointed manager  of  the  State  Theatre 
in  Azusa,  Cal.,  replacing  Bob  Otwell. 
• 

John    R.    Fredericks    has  been 
named  manager  of  Fox  West  Coast's 
Fox  and  Hyde  Theatres  in  Visalia, 
Cal.,  succeeding  Robert  Benton. 
• 

Morris  Hadelman,  operator  of  the 
Shelton  Theatre,  Shelton,  Conn.,  and 
Mrs.  Hadelman  are  observing  their 
40th  wedding  anniversary. 

• 

Hollis  W.  Sweeney  has  been  ap- 
pointed assistant  manager  at  Loew's 
Poli  in  Springfield,  Mass. 

• 

David  Flexer,  head  of  Flexer  The- 
atres and  W.  C.  Bryant,  comptrol- 
ler, have  returned  to  Memphis  from 
Hollywood. 

• 

Wes  Rosenthal,  B.  F.  Shearer  Co. 
salesman  in  San  Francisco,  was  re- 
cently injured  in  an  automobile  acci- 
dent. 


Robert  Gentner  has  been  appointed 
student  assistant  manager  of  Loew's 
Poli  in  Hartford. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


A  LL  current  newsreels  issues  offer 
y3  climax  highlights  of  the  recent 
Democratic  national  convention  in 
Philadelphia.  Two  devote  their  entire 
footage  to  that  subject,  while  the  death 
of  Gen.  John  J.  Pershing  and  sport 
events  are  included  in  the  others.  Full 
synopses  follow: 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  57— Dew- 
cratic  convention  in  Philadelphia. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  291—  ™£ 
cratic  convention's  dramatic  highlights;  "vic- 
tory for  Truman.  Death  calls  General  Per- 
shing.   Athletes  sail  for  Olympics. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No,  9*— Demo- 
cratic convention  in  Philadelphia. 

UNIVERSAL,  NEWSREEL,  No.  161— 
Democats  Truman  and  Barkley  head  1948 
ticket.  Racing  thrills;  midget  autos,  motor- 
cycling in  Holland. 

WARNER  PAT  HE  NEWS,  No.  96— 
U.  S.  Olympic  team  sails.  General  Per- 
shing dead  at  87.  Truman  and  Barkley 
nominated  by  Democrats.  Great  Events: 
Admiral  Farragut. 


Salt  Lake  City 
Faces  Sales  Tax 

Salt  Lake  City,  July  18. — A  city 
sales  tax  appears  to  be  a  possibility 
here  as  city  officials  proposed  a  $10,- 
000,000  civic  improvements  program. 

Mayor  Earl  J.  Glade,  who  recently 
called  on  Municipal  League  officials  to 
back  him  ina  move  to  have  the  Fed- 
eral government  share  funds  from 
amusement  taxes  with  cities  or  to  give 
up  this  source  of  revenue  to  the  cities 
entirely,  has  wired  Utah's  Congres- 
sional delegation  asking  that  they 
work  for  the  abandonment  of  amuse- 
ment taxes  by  the  Government. 


St.  Cloud  Acquires  Two 

St.  Cloud  Amusement  Co.  of  New 
York  has  taken  over  operation  of  the 
1,200-seat  Sherman  Theatre  in 
Stroudsburg,  Pa.,  and  the  700-seat 
Plaza  in  East  Stroudsburg,  under  a 
deal  arranged  by  Berk  and  Krumgold, 
theatre  realty  specialists  here.  Both 
theatres,  built  and  operated  for  30 
years  by  the  Scheurmann  family,  had 
been  booked  by  the  Comerford  Circuit 
until  recently.  St.  Cloud  Amusement 
has  started  a  $150,000  rehabilitation 
program  for  the  two  houses. 


Levin  to  Israel 

Meyer  Levin,  producer  of  "The  Il- 
legals," now  at  the  Ambassador  The- 
atre here,  will  make  his  next  picture 
in  Israel.  He  left  Saturday  by  air. 
Levin  has  four  stories  ready,  one  of 
which  he  will  produce  himself.  One 
is  biblical,  another  is  a  story  of  the 
Palestinian  war  and  a  third  is  a  treat- 
ment of  his  novel  "Yehuda." 


Applebaum  in  New  Post 

Toronto,  July  18. — Formerly  with 
Warner  Brothers  here,  Morris  Apple- 
baum has  been  appointed  business 
agent  of  the  Film  Exchange  Employes 
Union.  There  is  a  possibility  that  the 
union  will  seek  new  agreements  with 
local  distributors. 


Cohen  Reports  Banning 

The  French  film  importation,  "The 
Devil  Blows,"  has  been  banned  in  its 
entirety  by  the  New  York  State 
Board  of  Censors,  Leo  Cohen,  for- 
eign film  distributor  here,  announces. 


a«?£dM™  i?  A £vi  £rtir  Pmgl£y'  Edltor;ln-Ch!e*  ancd-  Pub'ish";  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
%7Jvnrl»  Sfhil?  P  y  -HUblSpnI  £0mpa"J.'  In>C"  F1  Si?th  .Av^e!  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address :  "Quigpubco, 
Tarnp    P   PiinnWiffiiam    N       Sjf^U  R.ed  ^nnfcVf^PArSs,d?1 MSt,n  Q"1^-  fe,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 

BHiljini  wSm  News  Editor ;  .Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca^ 
^JSfi&rfJESIZ  xu W¥±ver'  Ed|tori  9;;?a8°  5"r.eau;  g0  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farlev,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative :.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  BurrVup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup 
Editor;  cable  address,  Quigpubco,  London.'  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
?ei«o  S^Z-Stlt  '  /"ternat,onal  Motion  P.cture  Almanac  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Monday,  July  19,  1948 


Motion  Picture  daily 


3 


Services  Here  Today 
For  Jack  Pulaski 

Funeral  rites  for  Jack  Pulaski,  65, 
critic  of  Variety,  will  be  held  at  2  :30 
P.M.  today  at  Riverside  Memorial 
Chapel,  Manhattan.  Cremation  will 
follow  at  Ferncliff  Crematorium  in 
Westchester.  He  died  Friday  morning 
in  Jewish  Memorial  Hospital  here 
following  a  stroke  on  July  8. 

Survivors  include  Pulaski's  widow, 
Lillian ;  a  brother  and  two  sisters, 
^Sai  Pulaski  and  Mrs.  Alice  Glazer, 
<SPnfe  of  Barney  Glazer,  film  pro- 
aucer  and  writer. 

Pulaski  began  his  association  with 
'Variety  38  years  ago  as  the  paper's 
Atlantic  City  correspondent. 


William  N.  Selig 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


reservoir  of  story  properties  acquired 
during  his  production  career. 

Funeral  services  will  be  held  to- 
morrow afternoon  from  Pierce  Bro- 
thers Mortuary. 

Producer  of  silent  films,  including 
the  first  serial,  'Adventures  of  Kath- 
lyn,"  Selig  was  awarded  a  medal  by 
Pope  Pius  X  for  the  historical  film, 
"Coming  of  Columbus"  in  1912.  Other 
pictures  he  produced  included :  "The 
i,  Spoilers,"  "The  Garden  of  Allah," 
(j   "The  Rosary,"  "Orphan  Annie"  and 

"The  Hoosier  Romance." 
o      The  widow,  Mary  H,  survives. 


:  Rites  for  Tukiff  Son 

■I  Funeral  services  were  held  at  River- 
side Memorial  Chapel  in  Manhattan 
yesterday  for  Russell  Warren- Takiff, 
five,  son  of  Harry  Takiff,  assistant 

I  to  Jack  Cohn,  Columbia's  executive 
vice-president.  The  child  was  drowned 

'    on   Thursday  at   Sky  Farm  Camp, 

;    Naples,  Me. 


Fred  Mercy  Rites 

Yakima,  Wash.,  July  18. — Theatre 
owners  and  exchange  managers  from 
Seattle  attended  the  funeral  here  on 
Friday  of  Fred  Mercy,  Sr.,  pioneer 
Eastern  Washington  exhibitor,  who 
died  on  Tuesday. 


Chester  to  CBS  Video 

Edmund  Chester,  director  of  short- 
wave broadcasting  and  Latin  Ameri- 
can affairs  for  CBS  since  1940,  has 
been  appointed  director  of  news,  spe- 
cial events  and  sports  for  the  CBS 
television  network. 


New  Canadian  Company 

Ottawa,  July  18. — Carillon  Pic- 
tures, Ltd.,  has  been  chartered  by  the 
Secretary  of  State  here. 


I  NATURALLY 


"TEXAS 


I  BROOKLYN 
I  and 

1  HEAVEN 


sent  from  UA 


66 


The  Babe  Ruth  Story9 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


home-run  performances,  but  not  too  often  or  long  on  either.  Kids  are  given 
plenty  to  thrill  them,  and  adults  are  given  an  equal  opportunity  to  take  what 
they  will  from  Ruth's  mixed  but  never  dull  career. 

Bendix's  performance  as  Ruth  is  a  triumph  in  naturalness.  Miss  Trevor  as 
the  girl  he  marries,  and  Bickford  as  a  cleric  who  teaches  him  as  a  boy  and 
remains  a  steadfast  friend  through  his  turbulent  years,  are  eminently  satis- 
factory, while  Sam  Levene,  Gertrude  Neisen  and  Stanley  Clements,  among 
others  in  support,  add  their  substantial  contributions  to  the  rounded  whole. 

It's  a  home  run. 

Running  time,  106  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
not  set.  William  R.  Weaver 


"Eyes  of  Texas" 

(Republic) 

ITS  entertainment  value  heightened  by  Trucolor,  "Eyes  of  Texas"  rates  as 
one  of  the  finer  Roy  Rogers  pictures.  While  the  film  adheres  to  the 
accepted  Western  pattern,  it  deviates  in  substance  from  the  customary  plot 
structure.  It  has  as  its  villain  a  woman  lawyer,  as  its  murder  weapon  a 
pack  of  starved  dogs,  as  its  locale  a  modern  Western  town,  and  for  its 
comedy,  Andy  Devine  in  a  somewhat  more  intelligent  role  than  he  has 
played  before  in  this  series. 

With  Edward  J.  White  as  associate  producer,  director  William  Witney  has 
taken  the  original  and  well-written  screenplay  by  Sloan  Nibely,  emphasized 
the  action  and  treachery  and  incorporated  scenes  of  viciousness  and  brutal 
fighting  seldom  shown  in  series  Westerns.  However,  these  scenes  never  be- 
come so  brutal  that  they  will  be  found  objectionable. 

The  story  concerns  the  arrival  of  Rogers  in  a  Western  town.  As  a  United 
States  marshal  he  has  been  sent  to  investigate  the  death  of  a  wealthy  land 
owner,  reportedly  killed  by  wolves.  Beaten,  flogged  and  driven  from  town 
for  probing  too  deeply  into  the  murder,  he  returns  and  then  exposes  the 
woman  lawyer  handling  the  estate  as  the  brutal  and  ruthless  leader  who  had 
trained  four  dogs  to  murder,  and  brings  her  gang  to  justice. 

Woven  into  the  story  are  numerous  opportunities  for  Rogers  and  Bob 
Nolan  and  the  Sons  of  the  Pioneers  to  present  several  musical  numbers,  in- 
cluding "Texas  Trails,"  "Padre  of  Old  San  Antone"  and  "Graveyard  Filler 
of  the  West."  Lynne  Roberts  has  the  feminine  lead,  while  Nana  Bryant  is 
the  unscrupulous  lawyer. 

Running  time,  70  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date 
July  15. 


"Strange  Victory" 


(Target  Films,  Inc.) 

TARGET  FILMS  presents  here  an  eloquent  appeal  for  racial  tolerance 
and  a  savage  indictment  of  the  Hitler  brand  of  super-nationality.  Racial 
and  religious  hatred  and  persecution  thrive  in  the  United  States,  this  docu- 
mentary points  out ;  and  it  challenges  the  audience  to  face  the  fact  that  even 
though  Americans  fought  a  bitter  war  to  erase  those  evil  manifestations  from 
Europe,  the  color  of  an  American's  skin,  the  shape  of  his  nose,  the  manner 
in  which  he  chooses  to  worship  can  mark  him  for  ostracism,  discrimination, 
ridicule. 

Producer  Barnet  L.  Rosset,  Jr.,  has  chosen  to  drive  home  this  point  by 
blending  some  of  the  most  magnificent  battle  footage  of  World  War  II  with 
superb  camera  studies  of  children  of  all  ages  and  races,  a  wealth  of  striking 
scenes  of  metropolitan,  rural  and  industrial  life,  captured  Nazi  film  and  foot- 
age taken  in  New  York  City  by  Target  cameramen.  There  also  are  scenes 
showing  American  and  Soviet  soldiers  in  happy  association  on  V-E  Day. 

Although  Leo  Hurwitz  has  written,  directed  and  edited  this  documentary 
with  professional  competence  and  has  made  it  attention-compelling  most  of 
the  way,  he  has  permitted  it  to  run  too  long — by  perhaps  about  20  minutes — 
and  has  allowed  much  unnecessary  visual  and  sound-track  repetition.  But 
it  is,  nonetheless,  a  film  to  be  encouraged  for  its  inspiring,  even  if  over- 
emphasized, message.  Cast  includes  Virgil  Richardson,  Cathy  McGregor, 
Sophie  Maslow  and  Jack  Henderson.  Narration,  written  by  Saul  Levitt,  is 
delivered  by  Alfred  Drake;  Muriel  Smith  and  Gary  Merrill. 

Running  time,  70  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
not  set.  Charles  L.  Franke 


Drive-ins  Win 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


templated  code  provisions,  which  is 
being  made  available  to  theatre  own- 
ers by  the  State  Industrial  Code  Divi- 
sion here  preliminary  to  this  Wednes- 
day's final  public  hearing  on  the  new 
document,  the  State  has  deferred  to 
the  drive-in  operators'  pleas  on  the 
walls.  The  majority  of  drive-ins  in 
this  state  are  said  to  have  wooden 
fence  enclosures.  Metal  ones  would 
have  been  required  under  the  disputed 
provision. 

Wednesday's  hearing,  which  is  open 
to  all  theatre  representatives,  will  be 
held  in  the  Empire  State  Building 
here,  and  will  be  devoted  to  a  discus- 
sion of  the  new  code's  application  to 
both  regular  theatres  and  drive-ins. 


TOA  Convention 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


the  20th  Century-Fox-North  Central 
Allied  system  of  conciliation  now  be- 
ing tried  in  Minneapolis. 

It  is  planned  that  a  television  broad- 
casting official  will  address  the  meet- 
ing on  theatres  and  video,  with  an  ex- 
hibition of  large-screen  television  also 
anticipated. 


New  Ogden  Theatre 

Ogden,  Utah,  July  18.— A  $100,000 
theatre  is  expected  to  open  in  the  new 
South  Ogden  business  district  by  Sep- 
tember 1.  The  house  is  being  con- 
structed by  Country  Club  Enterprises, 
Inc.,  and  will  be  known  as  the  Country 
Club  Theatre. 


End  of  Strike  Threat 
Boosts  Production 

Hollywood,  July  18.  —  Re- 
flecting a  reaction  to  the  re- 
cent successful  completion 
of  contract  negotiations  be- 
tween the  studios  and  the 
Screen  Actors  Guild,  which 
eliminated  threat  of  a  strike 
on  August  1,  the  production 
index  last  week  rose  from  31 
to  36  films  in  work.  Shooting 
started  on  13  pictures  and 
were  completed. 


Rules  Theatre  Sale 
Doesn't  Break  Lease 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  18. — Court  of 
Appeals  has  upheld  the  Appellate  Di- 
vision's decision  continuing  in  effect 
the  lease  for  the  Little  Carnegie  The- 
atre, Manhattan,  held  by  Max  Gold- 
berg and  Irwin  Lesser,  which  has 
three  more  years  before  expiration. 
The  new  owners  of  the  property,  a 
corporation  headed  by  J.  Goldwurm, 
had  sought  to  cancel  the  rental  agree- 
ment. Goldberg  and  Lesser,  through 
attorney  Louis  Nizer,  claimed  that  the 
landlord  would  have  the  right  to  can- 
cel if  the  property  sold  was  in  con- 
junction with  contiguous  property. 


Drive-in  on  Raceway 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  18. — Construc- 
tion of  a  500-car  drive-in  on  the  park- 
ing lot  of  Empire  Raceways  at  nearby 
Menands  is  expected  to  get  under  way 
shortly.  Newly-formed  Raceway 
Realty  Corp.  will  build  the  theatre 
which  will  be  used  for  films  six 
nights  weekly  and  as  a  parking  lot  for 
patrons  of  the  midget  auto  races  on 
Wednesdays.  William  Thompson  and 
Carol  Roupp  operate  the  raceway. 


fir 

United'*  DC-6 
Mainliner  300 
onesfop  flight 

Leave  New  York  12:15 
pm,  arrive  Los  Angeles 
(Lockheed  Air  Termi- 
nal) at  8:25  pm. 

Fares  are  surprisingly 
low.  Flights  operate  on 
Standard  Time. 

UNITED 

AIR  LINES 

NEW  YORK  &  BROO& 
LYN:  Call  Murray  Hill 
2-7300. 


NEWARK:  Call  Market 
2-1122  or  an  authorized 
travel  agent. 


II 

m 

I 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  July  19,  1948 


MPEA  and  Czechs 
Reported  in  Deal 


Agreement  on  a  new  contract  be- 
tween the  Motion  Picture  Export 
Association  and  the  Czech  Film 
Monopoly  is  reported  from  Prague. 

Irving  Maas,  vice-president  and  gen- 
eral manager  of  MPEA,  has  been  in 
Prague  for  some  time,  discussing 
terms  of  a  new  deal.  An  MPEA 
spokesman  in  New  York  said  his  of- 
fice had  not  been  advised  of  any  set- 
tlement. The  Prague  report  stated 
that  terms  of  the  new  contract  had 
been  fixed  on  a  50-50  basis  and  that 
the  MPEA  had  agreed  to  take  on  a 
limited  number  of  Czech  productions 
for  distribution  in  the  U.  S. 

There  was  no  indication  of  the  num- 
ber of  pictures  involved.  Under  the 
last  contract,  MPEA  imported  80 
films  into  Czechoslovakia.  The'  new 
deal  involves  only  about  50  films,  it  is 
reported.  Contract  negotiations  were 
deadlocked  early  this  summer  when 
the  Czechs  insisted  on  a  picture-for- 
picture  exchange  deal  which  was 
termed  unacceptable  by  Maas. 


Greece  Will  Remit 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

this  later  was  lowered  to  25  per  cent. 
Greek  admissions  now  run  at  an  aver- 
age of  45  cents,  of  which  48y2  per 
cent  goes  to  taxes.  In  addition,  a  five 
per  cent  war  tax  is  charged,  leaving 
the  exhibitor  23  cents  net.  Rental 
terms  average  35  per  cent. 

Bar  Minimum  Guarantee 

Amount  of  dollars  to  be  remitted 
this  year  equals  the  total  of  last  year. 
There  is  the  stipulation,  however,  that 
the  majors  must  distribute  on  percent- 
age with  no  minimum  guarantee  asked. 
All  earnings  are  deposited  with  the 
Bank  of  Greece  which  makes  quarter- 
ly allocations  in  proportion  to  the 
money  deposited. 

Michaelides,  who  with  his  partner 
Th.  Damaskinos,  controls  more  than 
40  per  cent  of  Greek  bookings,  said 
about  40  per  cent  of  Americans'  earn- 
ings are  frozen  and  negotiations  now 
are  going  on  with  a  view  to  permitting 
the  companies  to  use  this  money.  He 
also  said  he  was  enlisting  the  aid  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  and  the  U.  S.  State  Depart- 
ment in  swaying  the  Greek  govern- 
ment from  its  decision  to  limit  rental 
percentages. 

20%  Fewer  Films  from  U.  S. 

Number  of  pictures  to  be  sent  into 
Greece  by  the  majors  will  be  cut  about 
20  per  cent  compared  with  the  same 
period  last  year,  he  said,  when  224 
films  were  imported.  Greek  business, 
due  to  the  civil  war  and  other  con- 
ditions, is  down  about  25  per  cent. 
The  other  distributor  in  the  Greek 
market  is  the  Skouras  organization 
which  gets  about  22  per  cent  of  the 
business,  Michaelides  said.  British 
films  get  about  seven  per  cent.  Greeks 
made  and  exhibited  seven  pictures  last 
season. 

Renaissance  Lists 
$1,200,000  Assets 

Ottawa,  July  18. — Total  assets  of 
$1,200,000  and  current  assets  of  $404,- 
798  as  of  Dec.  31,  1947  is  reported  by 
Renaissance  Films.  Current  liabilities 
were  listed  at  $37,126  and  a  long-term 
debt  of  $59,687  covering  a  balance  due 
on  real  estate  purchases.  The  com- 
pany, which  plans  to  offer  100,000 
Class  B  preferred  shares,  claims  it 
now  has  some  3,000  shareholders. 


Mexican  Receipts 
Sliding  Downward 

Washington,  July  18— Mex- 
ican exhibitors  report  a  sharp 
attendance  slump,  according 
to  a  Commerce  Department 
report  by  film  chief  Nathan 
D.  Golden. 

Golden  added  that  13  of  19 
key  theatres  in  Mexico's  Fed- 
eral District  grossed  more 
during  the  first  six  months  of 
1947  than  the  last  six  months, 
and  that  exhibitors  declare 
the  trend  is  continuing.  Total 
receipts  in  the  district  in 
1947,  nevertheless,  hit  a  new 
high,  and  U.  S.  films  contin- 
ued to  take  the  top  share  of 
receipts. 


Five  Firms  Grossed 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


but  below  the  first  quarter  last  year. 
RKO  and  Monogram  reported  sales 
during  the  first  quarter  of  1948  below 
earlier  periods.  Here  are  the  com- 
pany-by-company breakdowns : 

Columbia:  $8,529,000  (fourth  quar- 
er,  1947,  $7,172,000;  first  quarter, 
1947,  $10,044,000).  Monogram:  $2,- 
097,000  (fourth  quarter,  1947,  $2,- 
313,000;  first  quarter,  1947,  $1,917,- 
000).  RKO:  $27,654,000  (fourth 
quarter,  1947,  $31,552,000;  first  quar- 
ter, 1947,  $31,632,000).  Republic:  $6,- 
838,000  (fourth  quarter,  1947,  $7,306,- 
000;  first  quarter,  1947,  $7,116,000). 
Universal:  $15,225,000  (fourth  quar- 
ter,  1947,  $17,912,000;   first  quarter, 

1947,  $13,805,000). 

$4,772,000  for  RKO 

The  RKO  figures  include  the  net 
amount  of  film  earnings  of  subsidi- 
aries not  consolidated  operating  in 
foreign  territories.  These  amounted 
to  $4,772,000  in  the  first  quarter  of 

1948,  compared  with  $4,575,000  in  the 
fourth  quarter  of  1947  and  $4,908,000 
in  the  first  quarter  of  last  year. 

The  report  said  that  the  gross  in- 
come of  Columbia's  foreign  subsidi- 
aries— reported  each  time  in  the  sub- 
sequent quarter,  but  omitted  from  the 
total— amounted  to  $4,077,000  for  the 
fourth  quarter  of  1947,  compared 
with  $3,781,000  for  the  third  quarter 
of  1947  and  $4,591,000  for  the  fourth 
quarter  of  1946. 

Two  theatre  firms  were  included  in 
the  report.  Consolidated  Amusement 
Co.,  Ltd.,  had  sales  of  $1,221,000  in 
the  first  quarter  of  this  year,  com- 
pared with  $1,127,000  in  the  fourth 
quarter  and  $1,226,000  in  the  first 
quarter  of  1947.  Loew's  Boston  Thea- 
tres Co.  reported  sales  of  $595,000 
for  a  16- week  period  ending  March  11. 
compared  with  $677,000  for  the  cor- 
responding 1947  period,  and  $405,000 
for  the  shorter  period  beginning  Sept. 
1,  1947,  and  ending  Nov.  20,  1947. 

$92,000,000  in  Sales  for  E-K 

Eastman  Kodak  sales  were  $92,000,- 
000  for  the  12  weeks  ending  March 
20,  1948,  compared  with  $120,000,000 
for  the  16  weeks  ending  December  27, 
1947,  and  $71,500,000  in  the  first  12 
weeks  of  1947. 

General  Precision  Equipment  Corp. 
had  sales  of  $5,538,000  for  the  first 
three  months  this  year,  compared 
with  $7,849,000  for  the  last  three 
months  of  1947  and  $5,727,000  for  the 
first  three  months  of  1947. 


Creative  Films,  New 
Import  Distributor 

Creative  Films,  recently-formed 
West  Coast  foreign-film  distributing 
company,  is  now  in  the  process  of  es- 
tablishing main  offices  in  New  York. 
Its  first  U.  S.  release  will  be  the 
French  film,  "Francois  Villon."  Crea- 
tive has  three  more  French  films  lined 
up  and  is  negotiating  for  product  from 
other  countries. 

Beryl  Weiner  is  president  of  the 
firm,  with  Harold  J.  Salemson,  for- 
mer Hollywood  foreign  correspondent, 
vice-president  and  general  manager. 

Eagle-Lion  Deal  for 
Brazil  Distribution 

Rio  De  Janeiro,  July  14  (By  Air- 
mail).— Finalization  of  a  percentage 
distribution  deal  with  Uniao  Cine- 
matografica  Brasileira  for  distribution 
and  exhibition  of  Eagle-Lion  product  in 
this  country  has  been  announced  here 
by  Sam  Bekeris,  E-L  foreign  execu- 
tive, who  was  here  from  his  Buenos 
Aires  headquarters  for  talks  with  L. 
Ribeiro,  Jr.,  Brazilian  producer-dis- 
tributor and  circuit-operator. 

First  Hawaiian  Drive-in 

Cleveland,  July  18.  —  George  Pe- 
tersen, drive-in  theatre  builder  has 
contracted  with  E.  I.  Parker,  presi- 
dent of  Consolidated  Amusement  Co. 
of  Honolulu  to  erect  the  first  drive-in 
in  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  in  Honolulu. 

$430,000  for  New  Theatres 

Ottawa,  July  18.  —  The  Canadian 
government  reports  that  contracts 
awarded  for  the  construction  of  thea- 
tres across  this  country  during  May 
reached  a  total  of  $430,000. 


Levin  Comes  Up 
With  New  Gimmick 

San  Francisco,  July  18. — 
Irving  Levin  of  San  Francisco 
Theatres,  innovator  of  the 
noiseless  popcorn  bag,  has 
another  innovation,  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  special  section 
in  his  theatres  for  worried 
parents  who  have  left  their 
children  home  with  baby-sit-^^r* 
ters.  Parents  register  as  thej 
enter  the  theatre,  and  through 
a  special  switchboard,  tele- 
phone calls  can  be  directly 
relayed  to  any  parent  seated 
in  the  blocked-off  section. 


N.  E.  Theatre  Under 
Way;  Two  Await  OK 

Hartford,  July  18.  —  Construction 
has  started  on  a  $80,000  theatre  in 
Mechanics  Falls,  Maine,  being  built 
by  Joseph  Lipschitz  of  Auburn,  Maine, 
while  plans  for  a  $250,000  theatre  to 
be  built  in  Swampscott,  Mass.,  are 
awaiting  approval  by  the  city  of  a  pe- 
tition filed  by  Francis  L.  Smith,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  William  O'Brien  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  Mentuck. 

Application  by  Arthur  Moretti  to 
construct  a  drive-in  at  Woonsocket, 
R.  I.,  has  been  tabled  by  that  town's 
police  board  for  further  study. 


To  Produce  'Barbara' 

"Dona  Barbara,"  Spanish  novel  by 
Romulo-  Gallegos,  has  been  acquired 
by  the  recently  formed  Trans  World 
Films,  headed  by  Jacques  Grinieff,  for 
production  in  English. 


MAGIC  SHADOWS 

The  Story  of  the  Origin  of  Motion  Pictures 

By  MARTIN  QUICLEY,  JR. 

"An  imperative  must  ♦  ♦  ♦ 

Jesse  L.  Lasky  in  The  Scientific  Monthly 

"A  fascinating  story 

Henry  Moria  in  The  Los  Angeles  Times 

OUIGLEY  BOOKSHOP 
1270  Sixth  Avenue 
Rockefeller  Center 
New  York  20,  New  York 

Gentlemen: 

Send  copy(ies)  of  MAGIC  SHADOWS— The  Story  of  the 

Origin  of  Motion  Pictures  by  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  at  $3.50  per 
copy  postpaid. 

f~1  Check  enclosed. 
f~1  Send  a  bill. 

Name   

Address    


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


MOTION 


TURE 


d^ily 


64.  NO.  13 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  JULY  20,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Film  Salesmen 
Ask  40-50% 
Wage  Increase 

Demand  More  for  Travel 
Expenses,  Other  Benefits 

The  new  nationwide  salesmen's 
union  (Colosseum  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Salesmen  of  America)  served 
its  initial  demands  on  distributors 
here  at  the  weekend,  including  a  40- 
50  per  cent  base  salary  boost,  it  is 
understood. 

Top  home  office  labor  executives 
admitted  here  yesterday  that  they  had 
received  the  demands  from  the  Colos- 
seum, but  declined  to  comment  other- 
wise. 

Marking  the  first  time  that  film 
salesmen  nationally  have  presented  de- 
mands through  a  union,  the  Colosse- 
um additionally  is  seeking  consider- 
able increases  in  automobile  mileage 
and  other  expense  allowances,  as  well 
as  numerous  other  considerations. 
The  Colosseum  recently  was  certified 
as  bargaining  representative  for  the 

{Continued  on  page  5) 


Johnston  to  Coast 
On  Promotion  Plan 


Eric  A.  Johnston,  president  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Amer- 
ica, left  New  York  yesterday  for  the 
Coast  to  give  impetus  to  the  forma- 
tion of  a  studio  public  relations  coun- 
cil which  is  designed  to  be  represen- 
tative of  all  segments  of  production. 

The  plan  is  to  join  all  major  stu- 
dios, independent  producers,  talent 
and  craft  unions  in  an  all-out  cam- 
paign promoting  Hollywood  on  an  in- 
stitutional basis. 

Johnston  is  expected  to  meet  with 
officers  of  the  various  guilds  and  rep- 
resentatives of  the  studios  on  the 
matter. 


SGP  Closes  2  Deals 
Involving  22  Films 

Chicago,  July  19. — Robert  L.  Lip- 
pert  presided  in  his  new  post  as  presi- 
dent of  Screen  Guild  Productions, 
succeeding  John  J.  Jones,  in  a  three 
day  SPG  franchise-holders  meeting 
which  concluded  today  at  the  Black- 
stone  Hotel. 

During  course  of  the  meeting,  a 
deal  was  closed  with  Lippert  Produc- 
tions, Inc..  for  the  release  of  16  pic- 
tures for  1948-49. 

■  Two  already   completed  are  "Re- 
(Continned  on  page  5) 


Jackson  Park 
To  Challenge 
'Waltz'  Grant 


Chicago,  July  19. — Thomas  Mc- 
Connell,  the  Jackson  Park  attorney, 
said  today  he  will  either  enter  an 
appeal  or  a  'mandamus  this  week 
with  the  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  to 
expunge  Federal  Judge  Michael  J. 
Igoe's  order  of  last  Friday  which 
granted  Paramount  and  B  &  K's 
motion  asking  for  additional  playing 
time  for  "Emperor  Waltz"  in  the 
Loop. 

Judge  Igoe  allowed  the  defendants 
a  maximum  run  of  four  weeks  for 
the  film  which  opened  Friday  at  the 
Chicago.  McConnell  stated  that  his 
appeal  or  mandamus  will  be  based  on 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Blumberg  Marks 
Sept.  'Scully  Month' 


Universal-International  has  desig- 
nated September  as  William  A.  Scully 
month,  N.  J.  Blumberg,  Universal 
president,  announces,  as  a  tribute  to 
U-I's  vice-president  and  general  sales 
manager. 

Four  of  the  pictures  designated  as 
Drive  pictures,  have  already  had  their 
premieres ;  they  are :  "Man-Eater  of 
Kumaon,"  "Feudin',  Fussin'  and 
a-Fightin',"  "Tap  Roots,"  in  Techni- 
color, and  "Abbott  and  Costello  Meet 
Frankenstein."  A  fifth,  "Mr.  Pea- 
body  and  the  Mermaid,"  will  have  its 
premiere  at  the  Hollywood  Theatre  in 
Atlantic  City  on  July  28.  Two  addi- 
tional pictures  are  "Larceny,"  starring 
John    Payne,    Joan    Caulfield,  Dan 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Australia  Grosses 
Above  Pre-war  Mark 


Business  in  Australia  and  New 
Zealand  is  generally  better  than  in 
pre-war  years  but  not  up  to  the  war- 
time peak,  Doug  Lotherington,  RKO 
Ra'dio  general  sales  manager  in  that 
territory,  asserted  here  yesterday.  The 
trade  in  Australia  is  getting  restive 
over  the  amusement  admission  tax 
which  ranges  from  25  to  30  per  cent, 
he  reported.  Exhibitors  particularly 
feel  that  the  tax,  imposed  as  a  war 
measure,  should  be  removed  or  ad- 
justed, he  said. 

Among  other  things.  Lotherington 
declared  that  Australia  has  no  tele- 
vision,  no   drive-ins   and   very  few 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


/.  C.  Hanson  Files 
Coast  Trust  Suit 

Los  Angeles,  July  19. — Ivan 
C.  Hanson,  owner  of  the  At- 
lantic Theatre,  at  Long 
Beach,  has  filed  a  District 
Court  suit  against  major  dis- 
tributors, Fox  West  Coast 
Theatres  and  the  Cabart 
Corp.,  charging  violation  of 
anti-trust  laws  in  maintain- 
ing excessively  long  clearance 
and  charging  excessive  ren- 
tals for  a  subsequent  run. 


Technicolor  6-Mo. 
Net  Is  $880,800 


Net  consolidated  profit  after  taxes 
on  income  and  other  charges  of  Tech- 
nicolor, Inc.,  for  the  quarter  ended 
June  30,  is  estimated  to  be  $478,100, 
equivalent  to  52  cents  a  share.  Net 
for  the  six  months  ended  June  30  is 
estimated  to  be  $880,800,  equivalent  to 
96  cents  a  share,  compared  to  $734,200, 
equivalent  to  80  cents  a  share  for  the 
corresponding  six  months  of  1947,  ac- 
cording to  Dr.  Herbert  T.  Kalmus, 
president.  " 


Video  May  Use  PCA 
Code  as  a  Pattern 


The  code  of  the  film  industry's  Pro- 
duction Code  Administration  in  all 
probability  will  figure  in  the  drafting 
of  a  similar  self-imposed  guide  to 
standards  to  be  drawn  by  the  major 
television  industry,  according  to  Law- 
rence W.  Lowman,  vice-president  of 
Columbia  Broadcasting,  who  heads  a 
code  committee  designated  last  week 
by  the  Television  Broadcasters  Asso- 
ciation. The  National  Television  Film 
Council  is  also  drafting  a  code  of 
standards. 

Lowman  said  that  he  intends  to  con- 
sider all  possible  sources  that  might 
guide  in  the  formulation  of  a  code, 
including  the  radio  broadcasters'  code. 
Actually  the  radio  industry  studied 
the  Production  Code  for  assistance  in 
the  formulation  of  its  own. 

Serving  with  Lowman  on  the  video 
committee  are  Norman  E.  Kersta, 
National  Broadcasting  television  ex- 
ecutive ;  Robert  L.  Coe,  general  man- 
ager of  WPIX,  New  York,  and  Neil 
Swanson,  executive  vice-president  of 
WA1AR-TV,  Baltimore.  Lowman  re- 
ported that  his  group  probably  will 
hold  its  first  meeting  before  August  1. 
He  intends  to  submit  a  proposed  code 
to  the  TBA  at  its  annual  meeting  in 
December. 


35%  Quota  for 
Independents 
Seen  Assured 


Not  Enough  Rank  B.O. 
Films  Seen  Coming 


London,  July  19. — A  Cinemato- 
graph Exhibitors  Association  dele- 
gation, following  a  conference  to- 
day with  British  Board  of  Trade 
president,  Harold  Wilson,  and  other 
BOT  officials,  retired  strategically, 
content  that  independent  exhibitors 
are  now  assured  that  their  quota  will 
not  exceed  35  per  cent,  the  45  per  cent 
quota  law  notwithstanding. 

Wilson  and  other  BOT  officials 
were  confronted  with  a  CEA  brief 
emphasizing  the  point  that  J.  Arthur 
Rank  will  be  unable  to  produce  pic- 
tures of  sufficient  box-office  appeal  to 
enable  independent  exhibitors  to  meet 
the  new  45  per  cent  quota.  The  brief 
stressed  second-runs  in  this  connec- 
tion, and  presumably  where  a  35  per 
cent  quota  will  apply  to  them,  a  45 
per  cent  quota  will  apply  to  the  first- 
run  circuit  houses. 

Wilson  parried  accusations  that  un- 
der the  new  quota  he  has  created  a 
Rank  monopoly.  He  called  the  accu- 
sations "odious"  and  repeated  his  as- 
surances that  he  is  seeking  ways  and 
means  to  arrange  for  financing  of  in- 
dependent producers  here.    The  House 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


MPEA  Defers  Action 
On  British  Control 


Compan\-  presidents  and  foreign 
managers  again  explored  the  desir- 
ability of  controlled  selling  in  England 
under  the  Motion  Picture  Export  As- 
sociation at  a  meeting  here  yesterday, 
but  left  a  final  decision  for  a  subse- 
quent session,  probably  next  month. 
Eric  A.  Johnston,  MPEA  president, 
left  for  the  Coast  after  yesterday's 
meeting,  over  which  he  presided,  and 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


RKO  Chicago  Sales 
Meeting  Tomorrow 

Chicago,  July  19. — Sales  executives 
of  RKO  Radio  will  convene  here 
Wednesday  in  the  fourth  of  a  series  of 
zonal  meetings.  Robert  Mochrie,  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  will  preside 
at  the  meeting  at  a  review  of  business 
matters,  the  product  schedule  and  cur- 
rent and  future  distribution  plans  will 
be  on  the  agenda. 

Those  attending,  including  a  dele- 
(Continued  on  page  5) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  July  20,  1948 


NY  lst-Run  Grosses 
Improve;  'Largo' 
Sets  Strand  Record 


The  week's  grosses  at  New  York 
first-runs,  assisted  by  weekend  cloudi 
ness  that  lessened  beach  competition, 
range  from  poor  to  big  with  product 
at  larger  theatres  scoring  the  best 
box-office  performances. 

All  records  were  claimed  at  the 
Strand  for  "Key  Largo"  with  Count 
Basie  on  the  stage,  on  an  estimated 
$48,000  gross  from  Friday  through 
Sunday,  the  highest  weekend  take  -in 
•the  34-year  history  of  the  house. 
Week's  total  should  reach  $80,000, 
also  a  new  mark. 

"Street  With  No  Name,"  with  an 
ice  show  on  stage  at  the  Roxy  is  an- 
other huge  success  with  $111,000 
reported  for  the  first  five  days,  in 
dicating  $143,000  for  the  week  ending 
tonight.  A  third  newcomer,  "Mickey," 
is  mild  at  the  Gotham  where  $10,000 
is  apparent  for  the  first  week. 

The  rest  are  holdovers  and  tops 
among  them  are  "The  Emperor 
Waltz,"  with  a  stage  show  at  the 
Music  Hall,  fifth  week,  $135,000; 
"Fort  Apache,"  with  Lena  Home  in 
person,  Capitol,  fourth  week,  $71, 
000;  "Easter  Parade,"  State,  third 
week,  $58,000;  "Foreign  Affair,"  with 
Jo  Stafford  and  others  on  stage, 
Paramount,  third  week,  $73,000 ; 
"Canyon  City,"  Criterion,  second 
week,  $20,000. 

Second  week  of  "Raw  Deal"  at 
the  Victoria  looks  like  $16,000,  which 
is  good  enough.  "Melody  Time"  ap- 
pears good  for  $19,000  in  an  eighth 
week  at  the  Astor.  "The  Crusaders" 
is  fair  at  the  Rivoli  which  expects 
$16,000  for  a  third  week.  Second 
week  of  "Fury  at  Furnace  Creek" 
is  a  slow  one  at  the  Globe,  the  take 
being  estimated  at  $11,000.  "Man 
Eater  of  Kumaon"  is  off  at  the  Win- 
ter Garden  where  $10,000  is  likely 
for  a  third  week.  "The  Time  of 
Your  Life"  is  down  to  $11,000  in 
an  eighth  week  at  the  Mayfair. 


Producers  and  Extras 
Start  Negotiations 

Hollywood,  July  19. — Major  stu- 
dios here  opened  negotiations  with  the 
Screen  Extras  Guild  for  a  new  con- 
tract to  replace  their  pact  expiring  on 
July  31.  It  is  expected  an  agreement 
will  be  reached  before  expiration. 


Matthews  Aide  to  Fay 

Providence.  July  19.  —  Willard 
Matthews  of  Scranton,  Pa.,  has  been 
named  assistant  to  Edward  M.  Fay, 
general  manager  of  the  C.  and  F.  The- 
atre Corp.,  which  controls  the  Fay, 
Majestic  and  Carlton  theatres  in 
Providence.  Matthews  has  for  the 
last  19  years  been  associated  with 
the  Comerford  Theatres  in  Scranton. 


Fine  on  ITO  Board 

Columbus,  O.,  July  19.  —  Indepen- 
dent Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio's  board 
of  directors  has  elected  Myer  S.  Fine 
of  Associated  Theatres,  a  board  mem- 
ber to  succeed  the  late  John  B.  Kala- 
fat. 


Personal  Mention 


T  ROBERT  RUBIN,  M-G-M,  vice- 
«J  *  president  and  general  counsel,  has 
returned  to  New  York  from  Holly- 
wood. 

• 

Ike  and  Harry  Katz,  heads  of 
of  Kay  Film  Exchanges  in  the  South, 
were  in  Washington  yesterday  and 
will  be  at  the  Hotel  Astor  here  today 
through  Thursday. 

• 

Rudy  Berger,  M-G-M  Southern 
sales  manager,  has  returned  to  his 
Washington  headquarters  from  a  busi- 
ness trip  to  Jacksonville,  Fla. 

• 

Saul  Karp,  assistant  manager  of 
Loew's  Poli,  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  is 
on  a  leave  of  absence.  Hollis  W. 
Sweeney  is  relieving  him. 

• 

F.  J.  A.  McCarthy,  Universal-In- 
ternational Southern  and  Canadian 
sales  manager,  is  en  route  to  Dallas 
from  New  York. 

• 

Bernard  J.  Gates,  Monogram  In- 
ternational, has  arrived  in  Caracas, 
Venezuela,  and  will  next  travel  to 
Trinidad. 

• 

Howard  Padowitz,  assistant  man- 
ager of  Loew's  Poli  Palace,  Hartford, 
has  returned  to  his  desk  following  sick 
leave. 

• 

Gladys  Nuncie  of  Monogram  In- 
ternational's New  York  office,  has 
been  married  to  Harold  W.  Thomp- 


Edgar  Lynch,  manager  of  the 
Warner  Sherman  Theatre,  New  Hav- 
en, is  vacationing  in  Virginia  Beach, 
Va. 

• 

Russell   Morgan   of   the  Shelby 
Theatre,  Louisville,  has  left  that  city 
fora  Benton  Harbor,  Mich.,  vacation. 
• 

Sugar  Seigel,  of  the  20th-Fox  San 
Francisco  exchange,  is  a  member  of 
the  U.  S.  Olympic  swimming  team. 
• 

Leo  McCarey,  producer-director, 
has  returned  to  Hollywood  after  six 
weeks  in  New  York. 


MAX  E.  YOUNGSTEIN,  Eagle- 
Lion  advertising-publicity  vice- 
president  will  leave  here  today  for  a 
trip  to  New  Haven,  Philadelphia  and 
Washington. 

• 

Lou  Brown,  advertising-publicity 
manager  of  Loew's  Poli  New  England 
Theatres,  New  Haven,  and  his  family 
are  on  a  trip  to  Washington  and 
Maryland. 

• 

George  A.  Smith,  Paramount's 
Western  division  sales  manager,  is  in 
San  Francisco  from  Los  Angeles  for 
conferences  at  the  company's  branch 
there. 

• 

John  A'Mato,  manager  of  the  Pal- 
ace Theatre  in  New  Britain,  Conn.,  is 
recuperating  in  General  Hospital  in 
that  city  following  a  kidney  operation. 
• 

Howard  Strickling,  M-G-M  Coast 
studio  publicity  head,  will  sail  from 
Southampton  on  the  ^  Queen  Mary 
on  August  7  en  route  to  the  Coast. 
• 

James  B.  Williams,  his  writing 
assignment  for  M-G-M  completed, 
sails  tomorrow  on  the  •S'.S  Maure- 
tania  for  his  home  in  England. 

George  E.  Landers,  Hartford  divi- 
sion manager  for  E.  M.  Loew  Thea- 
tres, will  leave  that  city  this  week  for 
a  vacation  in  Los  Angeles. 

• 

Edward  M.  Saunders,  M-G-M  as- 
sistant general  sales  manager,  is  due 
here  today  from  a  vacation  in  Maine. 
• 

Jules  Needleman,  Columbia  trav- 
eling home  office  representative,  is  in 
San  Francisco  from  New  York. 
• 

J.  M.  Bettencourt,  formerly  with 
Paramount,  has  joined  Favorite  Films 
in  San  Francisco  as  salesman. 
• 

Walter  B.  Lloyd,  manager  of  the 
Allyn  Theatre,  Hartford,  has  returned 
from  a  Tampa  vacation. 

• 

Oscar  A.  Doob,  Loew's  circuit  ex- 
excutive,  is  back  at  his  desk  from  a 
Mercer,  Wis.,  vacation. 


Coming 
Events 


(IA\  Studios  Modify 
Contracts  of  6  Crafts 

Hollywood,  July  19. — Major  pro- 
ducers and  the  IATSE  jointly  an- 
nounce an  agreement  to  modify  con- 
tracts for  costumers,  lamp  operators, 
film  editors,  grips,  property  men  and 
first  aid-workers  to  apply  the  so-called 
Haliburton  Formula,"  recently  ap- 
proved by  the  Supreme  Court,  instead 
of  the  prevailing  "galloping  rate." 
Statement  says  the  change  establishes 
a  "more  simplified  method  of  pay- 
ment," but  does  not  effect  any  change 
in  wages. 


'Babe  Ruth'  Dinner 

George  E.  Ruppert,  board  chairman 
of  Jacob  Ruppert  Brewery,  will  be 
host  to  members  of  the  press  and  oth- 
ers at  a  dinner  to  be  held  at  the  Rup- 
pert Brewery  here  tomorrow  evening, 
to  be  followed  by  a  preview  of  the 
Allied  Artists-Roy  Del  Ruth  produc- 
tion of  "The  Babe  Ruth  Story." 


Fabian  Calls  Drive-in 
Patent  'Invalid,  Void' 

Wilmington,  July  19. — The  Hol- 
lingshead  patent  is  termed  "invalid 
and  void"  by  Fabian  Enterprises  and 
Fabian  Securities  in  answer  to  charges 
of  patent  infringement  filed  in  U.  S. 
District  Court  here  by  Park-In  Thea- 
tres of  Camden,  N.  J. 

Park-In  has  been  licensing  terri- 
tories for  the  construction  of  drive-ins 
and  claiming  royalties  under  the  pat- 
ent, which  was  assigned  to  the  plain- 
tiff by  Richard  M.  Hollingshead,  Jr., 
in_  1933.  It  is  charged  that  Fabian 
failed  to  pay  royalties  or  apply  for 
licenses  although  its  drive-ins  embody 
the  Hollingshead  patent  features. 

Dismissal  of  the  suit  is  sought  by 
the  defendants,  who  hold  that  the  pat- 
ent is  void  because  Hollingshead  is 
not  the  original  inventor  and  the  in- 
vention is  not  patentable. 


July  22  —  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  Association  annual  party, 
Portchester,  N.  Y. 

July  24-25 — Metropolitan  Motion 
Picture  Theatre  Owners  meeting. 
Lake  Placid,  N.  Y.  f0 

July  26-28— Associated  Theatre 
Owners  of  Indiana  annual  con- 
vention, French  Lick  Springs 
Hotel,  French  Lick,  Ind. 

Aug.  3-4— North  Central  Allied 
meetings:  Aug.  3  at  Fargo,  N. 
D.,  and  Aug.  4  at  Devil's  Lake, 
Minn. 

Aug.  16 — International  Alliance  of 
Theatrical  Stage  Employees  bi- 
annual convention,  Cleveland 
Public  Auditorium,  Cleveland,  O. 

Sept.  14-15 — Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Ohio  convention, 
Deshler-Wallick  Hotel,  Colum- 
bus, O. 

Sept.  16-18 — International  Variety 
Clubs'  mid-year  convention,  Stat- 
ler  Hotel,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Sept.  24-25— Theatre  Owners  of 
America  convention,  Drake  Hotel, 
Chicago. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


c — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALl-= 


Rockefeller  Center 


BING 

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JOAN 

FONTAINE 


in  "THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ"; 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 
A  Paramount  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


MmSuim  (•— «.su. 


IN  PERSON, 


JOHN  FORD'S  Y/  ""  '  ~""w"* 

MASTERPIECE         f/  LENA  HORNE  ; 

Special!  Ii 

PAUL  WIjNCHELL  ft 

Extra! 


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MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
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James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vme  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farlev,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
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Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
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*Apologies  to  Ladies'  Home  Journal 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  July  20,  1948 


Reviews 

"The  Velvet  Touch" 

{Independent  Artists-RKO  Radio) 

Hollywood,  July  19 

ROSALIND  RUSSELL'S  first  production  for  Independent  Artists,  the 
company  she  owns  in  partnership  with  her  husband,  Frederick  Brisson, 
and  Dudley  Nichols,  comes  along  as  corroborative  proof— if  any  were  needed 
after  "Mourning  Becomes  Electra" — that  she  is  mistress  not  only  of  light 
comedy,  the  field  in  which  she  acquired  unexcelled  fame,  but  also  of  emotional 
drama.  Her  performance,  with  which  she  proves  the  point  is  clearly  the  sell- 
ing point  to  be  stressed  by  showmen  offering  the  attraction,  which  looks  a 
little  likelier  for  metropolitan  situations  than  elsewhere.  It  is  a  murder 
story  concerning  Broadway  stage  people,  and  set  mainly  in  a  Broadway  thea- 
tre. It  compares  more  directly  with  "A  Double  Life,"  as  to  kind,  than  to 
other  product  of  recent  vintage. 

Miss  Russell  portrays  a  Broadway  star  who  accidently  kills  her  manager, 
with  whom  she  wishes  to  break  contractual  relations,  and  decides  to  keep  the 
fact  a  secret.  Another  actress,  Claire  Trevor,  is  prostrated  on  discovery  of 
the  manager's  body,  and  while  in  a  coma  is  assessed  with  guilt  of  his  murder. 
Reviving  after  protracted  hospitalization,  Miss  Trevor  tells  Miss  Russell  she 
knows  who  did  the  killing  but  realizes  she  will  be  wrongly  convicted  on  cir- 
cumstantial evidence,  and  thereupon  commits  suicide.  Miss  Russell  decides 
to  allow  the  dead  girl  to  bear  the  burden  of  her  guilt,  and  goes  on  to  scale  the 
heights  of  stage  success,  but  finally  the  mounting  pressure  of  conscience  moves 
her  to  voluntary  confession. 

Miss  Russell's  powerful  portrayal  of  the  emotional  stresses  accruing  from 
the  killing  gives  the  picture  its  principal  value,  although  Miss  Trevor,  Leo 
Genn,  Sydney  Greenstreet,  Leon  Ames,  Frank  McHugh  and  others  are  com- 
petent in  roles  that  build  up  the  central  interest.  Brisson  produced  and  John 
Gage  directed,  each  making  his  debut  in  the  indicated  capacity,  from  a  script 
by  Leo  Rosten  based  on  a  story  by  William  Mercer  and  Annabel  Ross. 

Running  time,  97  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date,  not 
set.  William  R.  Weaver 


"Music  Man 

(Monogram) 

Hollywood,  July  19 

THE  presence  and  participation  of  Jimmy  Dorsey  and  his  band  in  this  66- 
minute  combining  of  comedy  and  song  gives  an  exploitation-minded  show- 
man something  extra  for  his  markee,  and  the  film's  appeal  is  to  the  age-group 
which  responds  to  danceband  appeal.  It  is  light  stuff,  based  on  a  somewhat 
novel  premise,  and  contains  five  song  numbers  which  are  fitted  into  the  flow 
of  the  narrative. 

The  original  screenplay  by  Sam  Mintz  presents  Phil  Brito  and  Freddie 
Stewart  as  brothers  who  have  been  successful  in  the  songwriting  business 
together,  one  writing  the  lyrics  and  the  other  the  music,  but  who  fare  badly 
when  they  go  their  separate  ways  after  a  quarrel  concerning  a  girl.  Finally 
their  secretary,  June  Preisser,  aided  by  their  mother,  gets  them  into  unknown- 
ing  collaboration  on  a  musical  show — by  pretending  to  each  that  the  other 
collaborator  is  another  person — and  the  brothers  eventually  make  up.  The 
romantic  angles  also  get  taken  care  of  in  the  finale. 

Produced  and  directed  by  Will  Jason,  with  Maurice  Duke  as  associate  pro- 
ducer, it  is  among  the  best  of  the  offerings  in  what  has  been  known  heretofore 
as  the  'Teen  Agers  series.  Others  in  the  cast  are  Alan  Hale,  Jr.,  Noel  Neill, 
Grazia  Narisco,  Chick  Chandler,  Norman  Leavitt,  Helen  Woodford,  Gertrude 
Astor. 

Running  time,  66  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
not  set. 


Key  City 
Grosses 


13  New  Films  Start, 
Eight  Are  Finished 

Hollywood,  July  19. — The  produc- 
tion index  rose  to  36,  against  last 
week's  tally  of  31.  Thirteen  films 
were  launched,  while  eight  were  sent 
to  cutting  rooms. 

Shooting  started  on  "Strike  It 
Rich"  (Wrather),  Allied  Artists; 
"Triple  Threat,"  Columbia;  "The 
Big  Cat"  and  "Red  Stallion  in  the 
Rockies,"  Eagle-Lion ;  "The  Luckiest 
Girl  in  the  World,"  Enterprise ; 
"Bowery  Comeback"  and  "Sheriff  of 
Medicine  Bow,"  Monogram ;  "Streets 
of  Laredo,"  Paramount ;  "Wake  of 
the  Red  Witch,"  Republic;  "Miss 
Mink  of  1949"  (Wurtzel),  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox ;  "Blondes  Up"  (Artists  Al- 
liance), and  "The  Lucky  Stiff" 
(Amusement  Enterprises),  United 
Artists ;  "The  Fountainhead,"  Warner. 

Shooting  finished  on  "Song  of  In- 
dia" (Gibraltar),  Columbia;  "Inner 
Sanctum"  (M.R.S.),  Film  Classics; 
"Act  of  Violence,"  Metro- Goldwyn- 
Mayer  ;  "Yellow  Sky,"  20th  Century- 
Fox ;  "Cover-Up"  (Nasser),  United 
Artists ;  "You  Gotta  Stay  Happy" 
( Rampart ) ,  Universal-International ; 
"Night  Beat,"  "Look  for  the  Silver 
Lining,"  Warner. 

11  New  Pictures 
Rated  by  Legion 

M-G-M's  "A  Date  with  Judy,"  and 
Monogram's  "Range  Renegades,"  "16 
Fathoms  Deep"  and  "Triggerman"  have 
been  given  A-I  ratings  by  the  Nation- 
al Legion  of  Decency.  Classified  A-II 
are :  U-I's  "Hamlet,"  Monogram's 
"Michael  O'Halloran,"  Paramount's 
"Night  Has  a  Thousand  Eyes,"  War- 
ner's "Night  Unto  Night,"  United 
Artists'  "The  Pitfall,"  U-I's  "Tap 
Roots"  and  Republic's  "Train  to  Alca- 
traz." 

Revisions  in  Descina  Films'  "The 
Eternal  Return"  have  resulted  in  a 
change  of  classification  from  C  to  B. 

Canada  Will  Watch 
Cooperative  Plan 

Ottawa,  July  19. — Though  a  co- 
operative deal  has  been  made  between 
Ottawa  and  Hollywood  whereby  film 
imports  from  the  U.  S.  will  not  be 
curtailed  in  face  of  Canada's  acute 
shortage  of  American  dollars,  in  con- 
sideration for  more  shorts  and  fea- 
tures', being  made  on  location  by  U. 
S.  producers  in  Canada,  it  is  empha- 
sized here  that  the  progress  of  the 
plan  will  be  assessed  periodically  to 
adjudge  if  it  is  accomplishing  its  pur- 
pose. 


Of  COURSE 


®5S 


sent  from  UA 


P.  A.  Waxman  Plans  Films 

Philip  A.  Waxman,  stage  producer, 
has  arranged  for  Irving  Rapper,  cur- 
rently directing  the  William  Bacher- 
David  O.  Selznick  film,  "If  This  Be 
My  Harvest,"  to  direct  the  film 
"Dreadful  Summit,"  which  Waxman 
will  produce  this  fall  in  Hollywood. 
The  picture  is  being  written  by  Peter 
Berneis.  It  is  budgeted  at  $600,000. 
Waxman  has  returned  to  New  York 
to  complete  plans  for  a  road  tour  this 
fall  of  "Strange  Bedfellows,"  and  will 
go  back  to  Hollywood  at  the  end  of 
the  month  to  negotiate  with  a  major 
studio  for  the  production  of  a  film 
version  of  "Bedfellows,"  rights  to 
which  he  recently  acquired. 


Porter,  Fair  banks  in  Team 

Hollywood,  July  19. — Cole  Porter 
and  Douglas  Fairbanks  have  been 
working  quietly  for  the  last  month  on 
an  idea  for  a  musical  with  a  modern 
setting  which  they  hope  to  have  in 
shape  for  the  cameras  next  year.  Fair- 
banks will  play  one  of  the  starring 
roles,  the  photography  will  be  in 
Technicolor  and  the  production  will 
be  made  by  Fairbanks. 


Geo.  Thomas  On  His  Own 

George  Thomas,  Jr.,  formerly  direc- 
tor of  publicity  for  Lou  Bunin  Pro- 
ductions, and  now  in  Paris,  has  formed 
his  own  organization  there  with  a 
U.  S.  tieup  through  the  public  rela- 
tions firm  of  Gould-Frank  in  New 
York.  The  joint  set-up  will  operate 
an  international  service  for  personali- 
ties who  are  making  trips  to  Europe 
on  visiting  tours  or  for  professional 
engagements. 


New  Columbus  Suburban 

Columbus,  O.,  July  19— A  1,000- 
seat  theatre  will  be  part  of  a  $1,500,- 
000  shopping  office,  amusement  and 
residential  development  announced  by 
C.  S.  Kennedy,  Ohio  builder,  to  be 
located  in  suburban  Clintonville. 


Another  Col'bus  Drive-in 

Columbus,  O.,  July  19. — Boasting 
the  largest  screen  of  any  Ohio  drive- 
in,  new  CCC  Auto  Theatre  has  been 
opened  here  by  Frank  Yassenoff  and 
Harold  Schwartz ;  they  also  operate 
the  Riverside  and  Eastside  drive-ins 
here. 


OLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
M.  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


CINCINNATI 


"Abbott  and  Costello  Meet  Frank- 
enstein" is  giving  Keith's  its  best  week 
in  many  months  with  an  approximate 
125  per  cent  over  average.  Grosses 
at  most  other  houses  are  heading  for 
plus  par  figures.  Weather  continues 
extremely  hot.  Estimated  receipts  for 
the  week  ending  July  20: 
ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I) — KEITH'S  (1,500) 
(50c-55c-60c-65c-75c).  Gross:  $17,000.  (Av- 
erage: $7,500). 

THE   EMPEROR  WALTZ    (Para.) — RKO 

SHUBERT  (2,150)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c) 
3rd  week,  following-  an  initial  week  at  the 
Albee  and  a  first  moveover  week  at  the 
Shubert.  Gross:  $7,200.  (Average:  $5,000) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 
RKO  CAPITO'L  (12,000)  (50c-55c-60c-65e- 
70c-75c)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $8,500.  (Aver- 
age, $10,000) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 

—RKO'  PALACE  (2,700)  (5Oc-55c-60c-65c- 
70c-75c).  Gross:  $16,500.  (Average,  $15,000) 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (Z»th- 
Fox) — RKO  ALBEE  (3,300)  (50c-55e-60c- 
65c-70c-75c).  Gross:  $16,000.  (Average: 
$15,000) 

UP  IN   CENTRAL   PARK   (U-I)  —  RKO 

LYRIC  (1,400)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c)  3 
days.  2nd  week,  on  a  moveover  from  the 
Albee.  TRAIL  OF  THE  VIGILANTES 
(U-I  reissue)— RKO1  LYRIC  (1,400)  (50c- 
55c-6Oc-65c-70c-75c)  4  days.  Dualed  with 
BADLANDS  OF  DAKOTA  (U-I  reissue) 
Combined  gross:  $4,800.  (Average,  7  days: 
$5,000) 

WALLFLOWER  (WB)  —  RKO  GRAND 
(1,500)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c)  Dualed  with 
THE  BIG  PUNCH  (WB).  Gross:  $6,500. 
(Average:  $8,000) 


BALTIMORE 


Hot,  humid  weather  and  holdovers 
presented  the  customary  business-boost 
on  opening  days.  The  weekend  failed 
to  bring  any  big  improvement.  As  a 
result,  figures  for  most  of  downtown 
first-run  theatres  are  barely  average 
this  week.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ending  July  22 : 

ASSIGNED  TO  DANGER  (E  L) — HIPPO- 
DROME (2,205)  (29c-37c-50c-58c)  With  a 
stage  show.  Gross:  $19,250.  (Average: 
$17,500) 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M) — CENTURY 

(3.000)  (29c-37c-45c-65c  and  56c  weekends) 
2nd  week.    Gross:  $16,000.    (Average:  $14,- 

500) 

MAN-EATER     OF     KUMAON     (U-I) — 

KEITH'S  (2,406)  (25c-37c-44c-54c  and  56c 
weekends).     Gross:  $9,000.    Average:  $12- 

000) 

MELODY   TIME    (RKO   Radio)  —  TOWN 

(1,450)  (29c-37c-56c).  Gross:  $12,500.  (Av- 
erage: $11,000) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 

VALENCIA  (1,466)  (29c-37c-45c-54c  and  56c 
weekends)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $4,000.  (Av- 
erage: $5,000) 

PANIC  (Allied  Films)  —  LITTLE  (328) 
(29c-37c-56c).  Gross:  $2,500.  (Average: 
$3,000) 

STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (2<Jth-Fox)— 

NEW  (1,800)  (29c-40c-50c-58c)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $9,500.  (Average:  $11,750) 
THE  CRUSADES  (Para.  re-release)— 
MAYFAIR  (1,000)  (21c-29c-54c).  Gross: 
$4,000.  (Average:  $5  000) 
THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— STAN- 
LEY (3,280)  (29c-37c-50c-58c)  3rd  week. 
Gross:  $10,500.     (Average:  $14,500) 


Lane  Opens  Another 

Louisville,  July  19. — Formal  open- 
ing of  the  new  Lane  Theatre  built 
for  Foster  Lane  was  held  in  Williams- 
burg, Kentucky.  Seating  more  than 
600,  the  Lane  is  the  second  theatre 
in  Williamsburg ;  the  Dixie,  the  other 
theatre,  is  also  owned  by  Lane. 


Tuesday,  July  20,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


5 


Sees  Video  Using 
3,650  Hrs.  of  Films 

Television  will  use  a  mini- 
mum of  3,650  hours  of  film 
annually  in  the  future,  pre- 
senting an  opportunity  which 
the  motion  picture  and  video 
industries  "can  anticipate 
with  high  enthusiasm,"  ac- 
cording to  W.  W.  Watts,  RCA 
kvice-president. 

'  Watts  bases  his  prediction 
on  radio's  system  of  opera- 
tions, specifically  the  pro- 
grams of  network  origin 
which,  he  estimates,  are 
broadcast  by  affiliated  sta- 
tions five  hours  per  day 
throughout  the  year. 


Isidore  S  eider  of 
Prudential  Is  Dead 

Isidore  Seider,  65,  treasurer  of  Pru- 
dential Theatres  and  owner  of  Pru- 
dential Film  Distributors,  died  here 
yesterday  morning.  Services  will  be 
held  this  morning  at  Park  West 
Chapel  in  Manhattan,  with  interment 
in  Baron  Hirsch  Cemetery,  Staten 
Island.  Offices  of  the  Prudential  cir- 
cuit will  be  closed  all  day  today  as  a 
tribute  to  Seider. 

Among  survivors  are  two  brothers, 
Joseph  M.  and  Max,  and  three  sons, 
Morris,  Edward  and  Seymour,  all  of 
whom  are  active  in  Prudential. 

Rites  Tomorrow  for 
Dubinsky,  Retired 

Kansas  City,  July  19. — Funeral 
services  will  be  held  at  the  Louis 
Chapel  here  on  Wednesday  for  Barney 
Dubinsky,  56,  retired  Mid-West  cir- 
cuit operator  and  brother  of  Edward 
R.  Durwood,  head  of  the  Mid- West's 
Durwood  Theatres.  Dubinsky  died 
Sunday  in  Tucson,  Ariz.  He  retired 
from  active  business  in  1936. 

Another  brother,  Maurice  Dubinsky, 
died  in  1929.  The  three  started  in 
show  business  as  tent  show  operators 
in  the  Mid-West  40  years  ago. 

Survivors  include  also  the  widow 
and  two  other  brothers,  William  H. 
of  Leavenworth,  and  Irvin  of  St.  Jo- 
seph, Mo. 


Mrs.  Stanley  Williams 

Ottawa,  July  19. — Mrs.  Stanley  G. 
Williams,  wife  of  the  manager  of  the 
Capitol  Theatre  in  Cornwall,  and 
daughter  of  the  late  James  Whitham 
who  founded  the  Palace  Amusement 
Co.,  died  at  her  home  in  Cornwall  at 
58.  Besides  her  husband  she  is  sur- 
vived by  two  daughters. 


M.  R.  Dick,  Distributor 

Minneapolis,  July  19.— M.  R.  Dick, 
70,  one  of  the  first  independent  film 
distributors  in  the  Minneapolis  area, 
was  buried  in  St.  Paul  following  his 
death  from  a  lingering  illness.  He 
was  about  70.  Dick  started  distrib- 
uting state  right  films  about  1910. 


Film  Salesmen  Ask 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


salesmen  of  11  distributors.  A.  M. 
Van  Dyke,  of  Chicago,  is  president  of 
the  organization. 

Meanwhile,  the  union  has  set  No- 
vember 27-28  for  a  national  conven- 
tion, scheduled  to  be  held  in  Chicago. 


Australia  Grosses 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


commercial  16mms. 

Average  admission  price  in  Aus- 
tralia is  about  25  cents,  he  said,  with 
top  first-run  admissions  in  Sydney 
running  about  75  cents.  Out  of  Aus- 
tralia's 7,500,000  population  there 
are  about  3,000,000  weekly  admis- 
sions, he  said.  First  foreign-language 
house  recently  opened  in  Melbourne, 
he  said,  and  another  one  opened  in 
Sydney  about  two  weeks  ago.  New 
foreign  language  houses  are  expected 
to  open  soon  in  Brisbane  and  Adel- 
laide. 

Paper  shortages  in  Australia  are 
resulting  in  an  increased  use  of  radio 
for  motion  picture  advertising,  it  was 
observed.  Lotherington,  who  arrived 
here  last  week,  will  depart  for  Los 
Angeles  in  about  two  weeks,  en  route 
to  home.  While  here,  he  discussed 
with  RKO  foreign  executives  the  new 
10-year  extension  contract  signed  be- 
tween Hoyt's  Theatres  in  Australia 
and  RKO. 


MPEA  Defers  Action 

(Continued  from  page  I) 


is  not  expected  back  for  at  least  two 
weeks. 

Being  considered,  among  other 
things,  is  the  establishment  of  an 
MPEA  supervisory  board  which 
would  govern  all  sales  policy  of  the 
companies,  jointly,  but  with  the  ac- 
tual selling  of  pictures  to  be  kept 
on  a  competitive  basis.  The  action 
would  be  taken  in  consequence  of 
Britain's  new  exhibitor  quota  which 
directs  that  British  exhibitors  re- 
serve 45  per  cent  of  their  top-picture 
playing  time  for  British  product. 


RKO  Sales  Meeting 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


gation  from  the  home  office,  will  be 
Western  division  manager  Walter 
Branson,  short  subject  sales  manager 
Harry  Michalson,  A.  A.  Schubart, 
manager  of  exchange  operations ; 
Harry  Gittleson,  assistant  to  Bran- 
son; district  chiefs  Herb  Greenblatt 
and  Ray  Nolan,  and  branch  managers 
Sam  Gorelick,  Chicago;  Lou  Elman, 
Milwaukee ;  C.  Dressell,  Minneapolis  ; 
Sherm  Fitch,  Sioux  Falls;  Max  Ros- 
enblatt, Des  Moines ;  Jimmy  Lewis, 
Kansas  City ;  A.  A.  Renf  ro,  Omaha  ; 
Tom  Williamson,  St.  Louis. 


SGP  Deals 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


turn  of  Wildfire"  in  Sepiatone,  and 
"Jungle  Goddess."  A  deal  was  also 
closed  with  Western  Adventure  Pic- 
tures for  release  of  six  Lash  LaRue 
Westerns,  of  which  "Mark  of  the 
Lash"  and  "Dead  Man's  Gold"  are 
completed  and  awaiting  release. 

Holders  from  the  entire  U.  S.  and 
Canada  attended. 


Coast  Variety  Benefits 

San  Francisco,  July  19. — A  "star- 
studded"  benefit  show  will  be  staged 
at  the  Civic  Auditorium  here  on  July 
25  by  the  local  Variety  Club  in  behalf 
of  its  project  for  blind  babies,  and 
another  such  performance  will  be  held 
for  the  same  purpose  at  the  Oakland 
Arena  on  August  1,  it  is  reported  by 
Abe  Blumenfeld,  chief  barker.  Band 
leader  Horace  Heidt  will  be  master- 
of-ceremonies  on  both  occasions. 


35%  Quota 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


of  Commons  is  expected  to  press  Wil- 
son on  that  issue  tomorrow. 

Meanwhile,  Associated  British  Cine- 
mas, Rank's  rival,  announced  that  its 
showings  of  Herbert  Wilcox's  "Spring 
in  Park  Lane"  broke  all  records  in 
the  ABC  circuit,  thereby  disconcerting 
the  Rank  organization  in  its  "admis- 
sion" that  British  picture  grosses  fall 
below  those  of  American  pictures  on 
circuit  runs  here.  Spokesmen  for  in- 
dependents are  applauding  ABC's 
"shrewdly-timed  rebuttal"  of  Rank's 
"alibi,"  and  are  awaiting  the  latter's 
reaction  to  the  new  development. 

Major  complaint  of  the  independent 
exhibitors  is  that  Rank's  pictures  have 
not  grossed  satisfactorily,  whereas 
ABC,  which  does  not  distribute  but 
nevertheless  exhibits  Wilcox  pictures, 
now  announces  that  Wilcox's  films 
make  money.  This  announcement,  the 
independents  hold,  is  the  greatest 
shake  yet  given  Rank's  claim  that'  he 
is  entitled  to  give  showmen  pictures 
they  should  share. 


To  Dust  Off  Rio  Law 

Rio  De  Janeiro,  July  15  (By  Air- 
mail).— An  old  municipal  regulation 
here  limiting  attendance  at  theatres 
to  the  number  of  seats  will  be  en- 
forced, police  announce.  The  law 
had  fallen  into  disuse  during  the  last 
few  years. 


8,750  Detroit  Video  Sets 

Detroit,  July  19.  —  Television  re- 
ceivers in  the  Detroit  area  total  8,750, 
with  1,600  in  public  places  and  deal- 
ers' stores,  and  7,150  in  homes. 


16mm.  Films  Will 
Distribute  for  Rank 

Toronto,  July  19. — Sales  and  dis- 
tribution of  J.  Arthur  Rank  educa- 
tional, religious  and  other  non-theat- 
rical films,  as  well  as  substantial 
distribution  of  regular  features 
throughout  Canada  will  in  the  future 
be  handled  by  J.  Arthur  Rank  16mm. 
Films,  Ltd.,  it  is  announced  by  Oscar 
M.  Hanson,  general  manager. 


'Scully  Month' 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Duryea  and  Shelly,  and  "One  Touch 
of  Venus." 

U-I's  home  office  sales  cabinet,  in- 
cluding A.  J.  O'Keefe,  assistant  gen- 
eral sales  manager;  E.  T.  Gomersall, 
assistant  to  Scully ;  Fred  Meyers, 
Eastern  division  sales  manager ;  F.  J. 
A.  McCarthy,  Southern  and  Canadian 
sales  manager,  and  C.  J.  Feldman, 
Western  sales  manager,  will  take  to 
the  field  during  August  for  exchange 
rallies. 


Jackson  Park 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


grounds  that  Judge  Igoe  has  no  juris- 
diction to  reverse  the  decree  which 
was  confirmed  by  the  Circuit  Court 
of  Appeals,  although  originally  en- 
tered in  Judge  Igoe's  U.  S.  District 
Court. 

McConnell  asserted  that  granting 
of  the  extension  could  set  a  precedent 
for  future  films  in  Chicago,  thus  in- 
juring the  decree  and  added  that  he 
hoped  to  get  the  '  "Waltz"  issue 
straightened  out  for  all. 


starrtNG 

RANDOLPH  SCOTT  •  BARRY  FITZGERALD 
ROBERT  MITCHUM  •  ELLA  RAINES 


RAY  MILLAND 


WENDY  BARRIE  •  WILLIAM  GARGAN 


■II  TOP  WOSSER 
IN  THESE  SITUATIONS 

W  AMSTERDAM  .  .  NEW  TOR*  <?JTY. 


mmmm.... 
toEws  mmMM 

GARRiCK.:.' ;  .  .  ..  .  '. 
■  HAftftlS-SENATOR  ::  i 
FIVE  ACADEMIES  v  ,  . 

iiE^Rfc:''" 


.•AVA'.V.'.VVJL' 


,vv  ,  .  v,  ST.  IOUIS 
......  .  CLEVELAND 

 CHICAGO 

ICS-  ANGELES 
,  TOLEDO, 


REALART  PICTURES  INC. 


2  PAR 


NEW  YORK  16,  N.  Y 


PLYMOUTH  ....  WORCESTER.  MASS. 

and  the  following 
New  England  Circuits: 

.  LOEW  S,  INC  M  &  ?.  E  M.  lOEW'S, 
WARNER'S,  B  &  0,  MAINE  AND  NEW 
HAMPSHIRE.  SNIDER,  AFFILIATED", 
..  INTERSTATE,  AND  YAMENS  .  ,. 


MOTION  PIC^fStfRE 

FIRST 

r  Accurate 

IN 

Tni  ATT  ^/ 

Concise 

FILM 

■ 

ana 

I  NEWS 

JJAILY 

Impartial 

\—»64.  NO.  14 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  JULY  21,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Sues  to  Divest 
20th,  WB  of  6 
In  Milwaukee 


First  Action  of  Its  Kind 
In  Chicago  Territory 

Chicago,  July  20. — A  new  anti- 
trust suit,  asking  for  $1,050,000 
treble  damages  and  the  first  in  this 
territory  to  ask  for  a  divestiture  of 
defendant-owned  first-run  theatres — 
in  this  case  20th-Fox  and  Warner 
Brothers — based  on  the  recent  Su- 
preme Court  decision,  was  filed  here 
today  in  District  Court  by  the  Mil- 
waukee Towne  Corp.,  operator  of  the 
Towne  Theatre  in  Milwaukee,  against 
six  distributors  Warner  theatres  and 
James  E.  Coston.  head  of  Warner 
Theatres  here. 

The  complaint  charges  that  the 
Towne's   downtown   competitors,  the 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Tennessee  Rental 
Levy  Is  Upheld 

Nashville,  July  20. — Crescent 
Amusement  Co.  has  lost  its  fight 
against  paying  the  state's  two  per  cent 
sales  tax  on  film  rentals,  the  Tennes- 
see Supreme  Court  having  affirmed  a 
lower  court  decision  to  that  effect. 
The  court  held  that  "rental  of  films  is 
lease  of  tangible  personal  property 
within  the  meaning  of  our  sales  tax 
law  and  the  correct  measure  of  the 
tax  is  the  gross  amount  of  rent  paid." 
For  the  first  year,  the  state  sales  tax 
netted  $41,000,000,  more  than  twice  as 
much  as  government  officials  calcu- 
lated. 


Exhibitors'  Trip  to 
Rank  in  England  Off 

While  neither  side  will 
voice  any  comment,  it  is  un- 
derstood that  the  proposed 
trip  of  independent  American 
exhibitor  leaders  to  England 
as  the  invited  guests  of  J. 
Arthur  Rank,  is  definitely  off. 
They  were  supposed  to  make 
the  trip  this  summer. 

The  exhibitors,  it  is  said, 
have  lost  interest  because  of 
Rank's  high-percentage  ren- 
tal difficulties  with  British 
independents  and  also  be- 
cause of  his  45  per  cent  quota 
stand  and  its  effect  on  Ameri- 
can film  interests. 


U.  S.  Court  Halts  Ascap's 
Collections  from  Theatres 


Salesmen  Want 
Top  Severance 
Of  Year's  Pay 


Terms  of  the  contract  proposed 
by  the  Colosseum  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Salesmen  include  maximum 
severance  pay  equal  to  one  year's 
salary,  $90  weekly  salary  minimum,  as 
well  as  a  general  increase  of  from  40 
to  50  per  cent,  the  latter  as  reported 
yesterday. 

A.  M.  Van  Dyke,  president  of  the 
salesmen's  organization,  reported  in 
Chicago  yesterday  that  plans  are  un- 
derway for  a  meeting  to  be  held  in 
New  York  in  about  two  weeks  be- 
tween distributors  and  the  Colosseum 
to  discuss  the  demands. 

Van  Dyke  further  reported  the  for- 
mation of  a  New  York  unit  of  the 
Colosseum,  headed  by  Charles  Penzer 
of  the  RKO  exchange. 

The  Colosseum,  it  was  learned  yes- 
terday, has  included  in  its  initial  de- 
mands severance  allowance  of  one 
week's  salary  after  six  months  of  em- 
ployment, two  weeks  after  one  year's 
employment,  with  this  graduated  to 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


Says  Producers  Should  Clear  Performing 
Rights;  Holds  Ascap  Violated  Anti-Trust 
Laws  But  Denies  Damages  to  ITOA  of  N.  Y. 


Ascap  was  ruled  a  monopoly  and  was  enjoined  from  collecting 
music  performing  rights  fees  from  theatres  in  a  decision  issued 
yesterday  by  Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell  in  the  anti-trust  action 
brought  in  U.  S.  District  Court  here  against  the  society  by  Alden- 
Rochelle,  Inc.,  and  163  other  members  of  the  Independent  Theatre 

Owners  Association  of  New  York. 


U.S.  Calls  Some  U.N. 
Film  Agents  'Spies' 

Washington,  July  20.— For- 
eign espionage  agents  in  the 
guise  of  film  and  radio  ex- 
perts have  been  entering  this 
country  with  United  Nations 
delegations,  two  State  De- 
partment officials  told  a  Sen- 
ate judiciary  sub-committee 
today.  Robert  C.  Alexander 
and  R.  Clyde  Larkin  of  the 
visa  division  said  film  press 
and  radio  officers  have  come 
in  freely  and  have  been  un- 
observed while  here.  Among 
them,  he  said,  are  some  Mos- 
cow-trained operators. 


Vet's  Administration 
In  New  Film  Deals 


Washington,  July  20.  —  Fifteen 
distributors  have  signed  contracts 
with  the  Veterans  Administration  to 
supply  16  and  35mm.  films  to  be 
shown  to  patients  in  VA  hospitals  and 
homes,  F.  R.  Kerr,  assistant  adminis- 
trator for  VA's  Special  Services,  an- 
nounces. Contracts  cover  the  fiscal 
year  ending  June  30,  1949. 

The  35mm.  films,  generally  exhibit- 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


Toronto  Will  Promote 
Film  Public  Relations 

Toronto,  July  20. — The  motion 
picture  branch  of  the  Toronto  Board 
of  Trade  has  appointed  a  committee  to 
establish  a  public  relations  bureau  for 
the  whole  film  industry  in  the  Domin- 
ion because  of  the  growing  complex- 
ity of  government  regulations  and 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


Sharp  Bldg.  Code 
Debate  Due  Today 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  20.— Harry 
Lamont  up-state  drive-in  owner,  to- 
day assailed  as  "onerous"  a  number 
of  the  requirements  stipulated  in  the 
proposed  revisions  in  the  New  York 
State  building  code,  thus  setting  the 
stage  for  heated  discussions  when  the 
new  code  comes  up  for  a  public  hear- 
ing tomorrow  in  New  York. 

Lamont,  who  owns  four  drive-ins 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Eastern  Penn.  Allied 
Will  Buy  and  Book 

Philadelphia,  July  20. — Elmer 
Hollander  of  Producers  Releasing 
Corp.,  and  former  manager  of  the 
Stanton  Theatre,  has  joined  Eastern 
Pennsylvania  Allied,  as  head  of  a 
new  buying  and  booking  service  which 
will  begin  operating  here  in  about  six 
weeks. 


The  exhibitor  plaintiffs  were 
granted  injunctive  relief  by  the 
court  on  the  grounds  that  "the 
power  which  Ascap  has  acquired  in 
violation  of  the  anti-trust  laws  and 
which  Ascap  attempted  to  use  in  Au- 
gust, 1947,  in  a  way  that  would  have 
increased,  many  times,  the  license 
fees  charged  exhibitors  for  the  right 
to  perform  publicly  for  profit  musical 
compositions  synchronized  on  films,  is,, 
a  constant  threat  which  may  cause 
loss  or  damage  to  the  plaintiffs." 

The  plaintiff's  claim  for  treble  dam- 
ages was  turned  down  by  the  court, 
which  held  that  testimony  had  failed 
to  prove  financial  injury  to  theatres. 

Judge  Leibell  found  that  "al- 
most every  part  of  the  Ascap 
structure,  almost  all  of  As- 
cap's activities  in  licensing  mo- 
tion picture  theatres,  involve  a 
violation  of  the  anti-trust 
laws." 

"Although  each  member  of  Ascap 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


Ascap  Appeal  of 
Decision  Likely 

Ascap  officials  said  here 
yesterday  that  while  no  for- 
mal decision  had  yet  been 
made  it  is  a  foregone  con- 
clusion that  Judge  Vincent 
Leibell's  ruling  in  the  ITOA 
case  will  be  appealed  to  the 
U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of 
Appeals. 

The  Ascap  officials  said 
that  their  study  of  the  de- 
cision had  not  been  com- 
pleted and  therefore  they 
had  no  comment  at  this  time. 
It  was  clear  that  Judge  Lei- 
bell's decision  was  completely 
unexpected  in  the  Ascap 
camp. 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  21,  19481 


Newsreel 
Parade 

rHE  funeral  of  Gen.  Pershing  and 
the  shooting  of  Togliatti  are 
highlighted  in  current  newsreels.  Also 
presented  is  the  new  truce  in  Pales- 
tine, Leo  Durochcr  in  his  new  Giants' 
job,  and  several  other  items  of  nation- 
al and  international  significance.  Com- 
plete contents  follow: 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  58 — Security 
Council  forces  Palestine  truce.  Nation 
mourns  Gen.  Pershing.  Dixiecrat  conven- 
tion. The  East-West  crisis.  Rome:  Shoot- 
ing of  Togliatti.  Baseball:  Leo  Durocher, 
new  manager  of  the  Giants.  Racing. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  292 — Amer- 
ica's tribute  to  Gen.  Pershing.  Showdown 
near  in  Berlin.  Togliatti  shot.  Anti-Tru- 
man forces.  Leo  Durocher,  manager  of  the 
Giants.     Football  on  the  way. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  95— New 
truce  in  Palestine.  States  Rights  conven- 
tion names  ticket.  Leo  Durocher.  Gen. 
Pershing  laid  to  rest. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  162— Dixie- 
crat Gov.  Thurmond  has  State's  Rights  slate. 
Gen.  Pershing  buried  at  Arlington.  Count 
Bernadotte  leaves  New  York  for  Rhodes. 
Big  blast  in  Bristol,  Va.  Los  Angeles- 
spring  training.    Air  show  in  Chattanooga. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  97— 
Toggliatti  shot.  UN  wins  new  Palestine 
truce.  Nation  mourns  Gen.  Pershing.  Rebel 
Democrats'  name  on  ticket.  People  in  the 
news:  Andrei  Gromyko,  Josefina  Guerrero, 
Anthony  Eden.  Big  League  surprise— Du- 
rocher.   Log-rolling  champs. 


Herman  Mankiewicz 
Leaves  RKO  Studio 

Hollywood,  July  ■  20. — Herman 
Mankiewicz  checked  off  the  RKO 
Radio  lot  today  following  the  cancel- 
lation of  "The  Life  of  Johnny  Brod- 
erick,"  which  was  to  be  his  last  as- 
signment under  his  contract.  Man- 
kiewicz was  to  do  the  script  and  pro- 
duce. 


M.  and  P.'s  Esquire 
Will  Show  Telecasts 

Boston,  July  20. — First  theatre  in 
Boston  to  be  a  television  theatre  will 
be  M.  and  P.'s  Esquire.  Plans  and 
costs  have  already  been  approved  by 
the  circuit's  executives.  M.  and  P. 
is  a  subsidiary  of  Paramount. 


Wilson  "Impressed" 
By  CEA  Arguments 

London,  July  20. — Report- 
edly impressed  by  the  Cine- 
matograph Exhibitor  Asso- 
ciation's arguments  delivered 
here  yesterday,  British  Board 
of  Trade  president  Harold 
Wilson  is  said  to  have  in- 
creased his  determination  to 
promote  strong  independent 
production  here  to  offset  J. 
Arthur  Rank's  position  of 
advantage.  He  is  currently 
engaged  in  a  series  of  dis- 
cussions with  Sir  Stafford 
Cripps  on  avenues  of  financ- 
ing for  independents,  but  is 
reported  to  be  "uncertain"  as 
to  when  he  will  be  able  to 
make  an  announcement  on 
the  subject. 


Personal  Mention 


L.  CARRINGTON,  Altec  pres- 
T  •  ident,   has   arrived  here  from 
Hollywood. 

• 

Charles  E.  Kessnich,  M-G-M 
district  manager,  and  Rudy  Berger, 
Southern  sales  manager,  are  due  here 
on  Sunday  from  Atlanta  and  Wash- 
ington, respectively. 

• 

John  P.  Masters,  Crescent  Amuse- 
ment Co.  manager  in  Bowling  Green, 
Ky.,  has  been  named  to  the  board  of 
regents  of  Western  Kentucky  State 
Teachers  College. 

• 

Dore  Schary,  M-G-M  production 
vice-president,  will  arrive  in  Chicago 
tomorrow  from  Denver  and  Holly- 
wood. 

• 

Sidney  Franklin,  M-G-M  produc- 
er, is  en  route  to  New  York  from 
Hollywood.  He  will  sail  for  Paris  on 
Friday. 

• 

Ben  Kalmenson,  Warners  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  and  Bernard 
Goodman,  exchange  superviser,  left 
here  yesterday  for  Toronto. 

• 

Bill  Stern,  sports  and  newsreel 
commentator,  and  Mrs.  Stern,  will 
sail  today  for  London  and  the  Olym- 
pic Games. 

• 

James  Mulvey,  president  of  Sam- 
uel Goldwyn  Productions,  is  in  Holly- 
wood from  New  York. 

• 

Jack  Cummings,  M-G-M  producer, 
is  here  from  the  Coast. 

• 

Jerry  Hoffman  of  Independent 
Artists  is  due  in  New  York  on  Sun- 
day from  Hollywood. 

• 

Les  Martinson,  assistant  to  M- 
G-M  director  Sam  Wood,  is  en  route 
to  Boston  from  the  Coast. 

• 

Valentine  Cortese,  Italian  film 
star  now  under  contract  to  20th-Fox, 
will  fly  to  Hollywood  today. 

• 

Jay  Eisenberg  of  M-G-M's  legal 
department  is  in  Columbus,  O.,  from 
here. 

John  Boles,  screen  and  stage  star, 
and  Mrs.  Boles,  will  leave  New  York 
for  England  today. 


MARGARET  TILLEY,  assistant 
manager  of  the  Center  Theatre, 
Hartford,  will  be  married  on  Saturday 
to  William  Madigan  of  that  city's 
police  force. 

• 

R.  B.  Tara,  former  manager  of  the 
Sequoia  in  Redwood  City,  Cal.,  has 
been  transferred  to  the  State  in  Wat- 
sonville,  Cal.,  succeeding  Kenneth 
Kucera,  transferred  to  the  El  Rey  in 
Salinas. 

• 

Les  Peterson,  in  charge  of  radio 
activities  at  the  M-G-M  studio,  has 
returned  to  Hollywood  following 
meetings  in  Chicago  and  Minneapolis 
with  William  R.  Ferguson,  the  com- 
pany's director  of  exploitation. 
• 

Harry  Loud,  member  of  the 
M-G-M  studio  advertising  staff,  is  in 
Omaha  on  "City  of  Little  Men"  busi- 
ness. 

Arthur  Hornblow,  Jr.,  M-G-M 
producer,  will  fly  to  New  York  from 
the  Coast  on  Friday  en  route  to  Port- 
land, Me. 

• 

Charles  Fish  has  been  named 
managi  r  of  the  Madison  in  Madison, 
Conn. 

Homer  Tegtmeier  and  Rotus  Har- 
vey have  left  San  Francisco  on  a  fish- 
ing trip. 

Dorothy  Kingsley,  M-G-M  writ- 
er, is  back  on  the  Coast  from  New 
York. 

• 

Henry  Boehm  of  the  State  Thea- 
tre, Hartford,  will  be  off  on  a  Cana- 
dian vacation  on  Aug.  1. 

• 

John  Scanlan,  manager  of  the 
Warner  Theatre,  Torrington,  Conn., 
has  ended  a  fishing  vacation. 

• 

Francis  White,  president  of 
Screen  Guild,  Charlotte,  has  returned 
there  from  Atlanta. 

• 

Mel  Brown,  manager  of  the 
Peachtree  Art  Theatre,  Atlanta,  is 
visiting  here. 

Harry  Gordon,  head  of  National 
Theatres  Enterprises,  Jacksonville, 
has  returned  there  from  Atlanta. 


Exhibitors  Attack 
Difficult  Tax  Forms 

Toronto,  July  20. — The  Motion 
Picture  Theatres  Association  of  On- 
tario has  formally  protested  to  Pro- 
vincial Treasurer  L.  M.  Frost  over  the 
complicated  make-up  of  the  monthly 
four-page  report  form  for  the  new  20 
per  cent  amusement  tax  in  Ontario. 
When  the  province  had  its  previous 
10  per  cent  ticket  tax,  before  the  war, 
the  monthly  report  consisted  of  only 
one  page  for  the  entry  of  daily  tax 
proceeds.  This  time  there  are  many 
questions  and  a  variety  of  tabulations. 

The  association  reported  it  had  re- 
ceived scores  of  complaints  from  ex- 
hibitors who  asked  for  a  simplified 
form. 


M  onthlyFilm  Imports 
Decline  in  Canada 

Ottawa,  July  20.  —  The  External 
Trade  Branch  of  the  Canadian  Gov- 
ernment reports  imports  of  films 
slumped  to  $243,000  in  May,  com- 
pared with  $290,000  in  May  a  year 
ago.  Imports,  however,  increased  to 
$1,412,000  in  the  first  five  months  of 
1948,  against  $1,143,000  in  the  corre- 
sponding period  last  year. 


Columbia  Dividend 

Columbia  Pictures  announces  a 
quarterly  dividend  of  1.06%  per 
share  on  the  $4.25  cumulative  pre- 
ferred stock,  payable  August  16  to 
stockholders  of  record  on  August  2. 


Switzerland  Cuts 
Film  Imports  10% 

Washington,  July  20. — Importa 
tion  of  films  into  Switzerland  has  been 
reduced  by  10  per  cent  since  June  1, 
the  Department  of  Commerce  revealed 
here  in  a  report  for  publication  to 
morrow.  Motion  picture  consultant 
Nathan  D.  Golden  relates  that  the 
Swiss  Film  Chamber  has  exn^wned 
the  move  as  an  attempt  to  elvaii''«te 
flooding  of  the  film  market.  -WO 

It  was  implied  that  the  reduction 
might  have  been  larger  but  for  the 
anticipated  increase  in  theatres  from  a 
post-war  figure  of  about  350  to  air 
estimated  400  by  the  end  of  this  year. 

The  Chamber  has  also  given  some 
consideration  to  legal  curbs  on  foreign! 
production,  as  a  move  to  protect  Swiss 
production.  No  solution  has  been 
worked  out,  Golden  said,  but  the  con- 
sideration given  the  matter  is  "indica^ 
tive  of  the  tendency  in  this  country  ta 
curb  competition  of  foreign  films." 

Over  half  of  the  features  released] 
in  Switzerland  last  year — 221  of  439— 
were  of  U.  S.  origin,  with  97  French 
36  Italian,  29  British,  12  Australian 
12  Mexican,  10  Russian  and  22  others 


Hersholt  Re  -  elected 
Head  of  Relief  Fund 

Hollywood,  July  20.— The  Motion 
Picture  Relief  Fund  tonight  re-elected 
Jean  Hersholt  president,  George  Bag- 
nall  treasurer,  and  most  other  officers 
and  board  members. 

The  Fund's  annual  report  showed 
that  aid  was  provided  for  a  total  of 
7,924  cases  during  the  year,  the  larg- 
est number  in  the  Fund's  history.  To- 
tal expenses  of  $789,319  were  offset 
by  income  of  $660,299  from  individuals 
who  had  allocated  one-half  per  cent 
of  their  wages,  plus  $157,062  from  the 
radio  program  and  other  sources,  giv- 
ing an  income-over-expenses  net  ex- 
cess of  $37,042  for  the  year. 


Albany  Sets  Drive 
For  Hospital  Fund 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  20.— The  Al- 
bany exchange  district  has  been  or- 
ganized in  a  drive  to  raise  funds  for 
the  Will  Rogers  Memorial  Hospital, 
Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y.,  Ray  Smith,  War- 
ner manager,  is  general  chairman  of 
the  committee  in  charge  which  in- 
cludes Eugene  Vogel,  Universal  In-[ 
ternational ;  Jack  Bulwinkle,  Colum- 
bia ;  Edward  J.  Wall,  Paramount. 
Film  salesmen  will  enlist  the  support 
of  exhibitors. 


Shartin  Is  Named 
F.  C.  District  Chief 

William  Shartin  has  been  named 
Film  Classics  district  manager  of  the 
Portland-Seattle  territory,  replacing 
Jack  Kloepper,  who  resigned,  B.  G. 
Kranze,  distribution  vice-president  an- 
nounces. 

Shartin  was  with  Warner  for  19 
years  and  for  a  long  period  was  dis- 
trict manager  out  of  Chicago.  He 
also  was  Eastern  division  manager  for 
Eagle-Lion,  which  position  he  left  to 
accept  his  new  assignment. 


MOTION   PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.    Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 

Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
livan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
 ,. David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farlev,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,'  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.;  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  jn  tjie  Amerieas  a?}d  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


EASTER  PARADE 
IS  THE  BIGGEST 
M-G-M  HIT 
IN  YEARS! 

"Does  it  beat  'Green  Dolphin  Street?"  YES! 

"Does  it  beat  'Cass  Timberlane?"  YES ! 

"Does  it  beat  'Homecoming' ?"  YES! 

"Is  it  M-G-M  policy  to  give  showmen  the  Big  Ones  when 

they  need  them  most?"  YES ! 

* 

M-G-M  presents  IRVING  BERLIN'S  "EASTER  PARADE"  Starring  JUDY  GARLAND  •  FRED  AST  AIRE  •  Peter  Lawford  •  Ann  Miller 
Color  by  TECHNICOLOR  •  Screen  Play  by  Sidney  Sheldon,  Frances  Goodrich  and  Albert  Hackett  •  Original  Story  by  Frances  Goodrich 
and  Albert  Hackett  •  Lyrics  and  Music  by  Irving  Berlin  •  Musical  numbers  directed  by  Robert  Alton  •  Directed  by  CHARLES  WALTERS 

Produced  by  ARTHUR  FREED  •  A  Metro -Goldwyn- Mayer  Picture 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  21,  1948 


Ascap's  300%  Increase  Demand  Cited 


Court  Holds 
It  Revealed 
Illegal  Power 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

is  granted  by  the  copyright  law  a 
monopoly  in  the  copyrighted  work," 
the  court  said,  "it  is  unlawful  for  the 
owners  of  a  number  of  copyrighted 
works  to  combine  their  copyrights  by 
any  agreement  or  arrangement,  even 
if  it  is  for  the  purpose  of  thereby 
better  preserving  their  property 
rights." 

Judge  Leibell  said  that  evidence  in 
the  case  had  shown  "Ascap  in  the 
course  of  34  years  has  built  up  a 
monopoly  of  the  music  that  is  used  in 
the  production  of  motion  pictures," 
and  in  so  doing  it  has  violated  the 
anti-trust  laws.  The  court  asserted 
the  fact  that  Ascap  has  the  power 
to  raise  prices  or  to  exclude  competi- 
tion establishes  the  society  as  a 
monopoly. 

"The  combination  of  the  mem- 
bers of  Ascap  in  transferring 
all  their  non-dramatic  perform- 
ing rights  to  Ascap,"  Judge 
Leibell  said,  "is  a  combination 
in  restraint  of  interstate  trade 
and  commerce.  ...  It  restrains 
competition  among  the  mem- 
bers of  Ascap  in  marketing 
the  performing  rights  of  their 
copyrighted  works.  And  by 
barring  a  member  from  assign- 
ing the  performing  rights  to 
the  motion  picture  producer  at 
the  same  time  that  the  record- 
ing right  is  assigned,  the  chan- 
nels in  which  the  films  may  be 
marketed  is  narrowed  to  those 
exhibitors  who  have  a  license 
from  Ascap  covering  the  per- 
forming rights  of  the  Ascap 
music  synchronized  on  the 
film." 

It  is  maintained  that  "the  arrange- 
ment by  which  the  producers  consent 
that  there  be  specifically  reserved  to 
Ascap  the  right  to  license  the  perform- 
ing rights  is  supplemented  by  a  pro- 
vision in  the  contract  between  the  dis- 
tributor of  motion  pictures  and  the 
exhibitors  which  limits  the  public  ex- 
(Continued  in  column  4) 


Suit  Against  Ascap 
Filed  in  April,  '42 

The  anti  -  trust  action 
against  the  American  Society 
of  Composers,  Authors  and 
Publishers  was  filed  by  Al- 
den-Rochelle,  Inc.,  and  other 
New  York  territory  indepen- 
dent theatre  owners  in  Fed- 
eral Court,  New  York,  on 
April  9,  1942.  The  case  lay 
dormant  between  July,  1943, 
and  August,  1946.  There  was 
a  pre-trial  hearing  before 
Federal  Judge  John  Knox  in 
December,  1947,  and  the  case 
came  to  trial  early  in  March 
of  this  year,  before  Judge 
Vincent  Leibell. 


Text  of  Injunction  Issued 
Against  Ascap  by  U.S.  Court 

"The  conduct  of  Ascap  in  notifying  the  theatre  exhibitors  in  August 
1947  that  the  rates  for  an  Ascap  license  would  be  increased  to  such 
an  extent  that  some  theatres  would  be  required  to  pay  15  times  as  much 
as  the  license  fees  under  which  they  had  been  operating  since  1934,  is  an 
indication  of  the  power  that  Ascap  has  unlawfully  acquired  by  its  own 
arrangements  with  its  members  and  by  their  arrangements  with  the 
motion  picture  producers.  The  threatened  use  of  that  power  to  demand 
unfair  and  exhorbitant  license  fees  furnishes  sufficient  grounds  for  the 
exercise  by  the  court  of  its  ordinary  equitable  powers  to  prevent  any 
threatened  injury  to  plaintiffs.  The  Clayton  Act  (15  U.S.C.  §26)  "does 
not  go  farther  than  to  give  an  injunction  to  private  persons  against 
threatened  loss"  (Mr.  Justice  Holmes  in  Fleitman  v.  Welsbach  Co.,  240 
U.  S.  27  at  p.  29) .  To  avail  himself  of  §26  a  plaintiff  must  show  threat- 
ened injury  for  which  he  is  without  adequate  remedy  and  for  which  a 
court  of  equity  is  able  to  provide  a  remedy.  (Dissenting  opinion  of 
Chief  Justice  Stone  in  Georgia  v.  Pennsylvania  R.  Co.,  324  U.  S.  439  at 
p.  475).  The  Clayton  Act  "gives  to  private  parties  a  right  to  relief  by 
injunction  in  any  court  of  the  United  States  against  threatened  loss  or 
damage  by  a  violation  of  the  anti-trust  laws,  under  the  conditions  and 
principles  regulating  the  granting  of  such  relief  by  courts  of  equity". 
Duplex  Co.  v.  Deering,  254  U.  S.  443  at  pp.  464-5.  It  has  been  held  that 
prior  to  the  passage  of  the  Clayton  Act  in  1914,  "  a  private  party  could 
not  maintain  a  suit  for  injunction"  under  the  Sherman  Act.  Duplex  Co. 
v.  Deering,  254  U  S.  443,  465. 

In  the  case  at  bar  Ascap  and  various  groups  or  organizations  of  ex- 
hibitors in  February  1948  arrived  at  a  new  set  of  rates  which  repre- 
sented an  average  increase  of  25%  to  30%  over  the  1934  rates.  The 
August  1947  demands  were  abandoned  by  Ascap.  Plaintiffs  have  been 
offered  the  same  type  of  contract  (a  long  term  contract)  that  other 
exhibitors  accepted  in  February  1948.  Does  this  remove  the  need  for 
injunctive  relief?  I  have  concluded  that  it  does  not.  Plaintiffs  are 
entitled  to  have  this  court  exercise  its  equitable  powers  to  prevent  a 
recurrence  of  what  happened  in  August  1947  and  to  have  their  rights 
adjudicated  and  protected  by  a  decree  of  the  court,  because  the  unlawful 
arrangements  between  Ascap  and  its  members,  and  between  the  members 
and  the  motion  picture  producers,  is  a  continuing  one  and  is  a  clear 
violation  of  the  anti-trust  laws. 

The  Defense  of  "Unclean  Hands" 

Defendants  have  pleaded  as  a  special  defense  that  a  great  number  of 
the  plaintiffs  are  themselves  a  monopoly  and  therefore  are  barred  from 
equitable  relief  on  the  doctrine  of  "unclean  hands".  Brandt,  who  owns 
a.  majority  interest  in  53  theatres  also  buys  films  for  90  other  theatres. 
The  Supreme  Court  has  condemned  combinations  of  exhibitors  and  has 
pointed  out  the  evil  practices  of  such  combinations  and  the  unlawful 
advantages  they  have  been  able  to  obtain  through  their  practice  of  group 
buying.  U.  S.  v.  Crescent  Amusement  Co.  et  al,  323  U.  S.  174:  U.  S.  v. 
L.  C.  Griffith  et  al.  (decided  by  the  Supreme  Court  May  3.  1948)  ; 
Schine  Chain  Theatres  Inc.  et  al.  v.  U.  S.  (decided  by  the  Supreme 
Court  May  3,  1948).  Brandt's  testimony  indicates  that  he  has  obtained 
some  of  those  advantages.  But  the  alleged  anti-trust  violations  of  a 
plaintiff  in  this  case  cannot  properly  be  said  to  have  an  "immediate  and 
necessary  relation  to  the  equity  that  he  seeks  in  respect  of  the  matter  in 
litigation".  Equity  applies  the  doctrine  of  unclean  hands  "only  for  such 
violations  of  conscience  as  in  some  measure  affect  the  equitable  relation 
between  the  parties  in  respect  of  something  brought  before  the  court  for 
adjudication."  Keystone  Co.  v.  Excavator  Co.,  290  U.  S.  240  at  p.  245. 
The  methods  employed  by  plaintiff  exhibitors,  who  negotiated  for  the 
films  with  the  distributors,  are  only  remotely  related  to  the  issue  in  this 
litigation,  which  concerns  the  defendants'  practices  in  licensing  the 
exhibitors  to  perform  publicly  for  profit  the  music  that  is  synchronized 
on  the  film.  The  special  defense  of  "unclean  hands"  is  therefore  dismissed. 

Attorneys'  Fees 

I  have  concluded  that  plaintiffs  have  not  shown  any  iniury  from  de- 
fendants' violations  of  the  anti-trust  laws  and  that,  even  if  we  presume 
injury,  plaintiffs  have  not  proved  any  thing  from  which  the  court  could 
approximate  the  damages.  It  follows  that  plaintiffs  are  not  entitled  to 
a  money  judgment  and  therefor  cannot  be  awarded  "a  reasonable  attor- 
ney's fee"  under  15  U.S.C.  §15.  "The  court  cannot  properly  award  it 
except  as  an  incident  to  the  successful  prosecution  of  a  law  action  for 
recovery  of  damages  based  on  a  violation  of  the  anti-trust  laws."  Allen 
Bradley  Co.  v.  Local  No.  3.  51  F.  Supp.  36  at  p.  40.  In  Decorative 
Stone  Co.  vs.  Building  Trades  Council,  23  F.  2d  426.  it  was  held  that 
"the  allowance  of  an  attorney's  fee  *  *  *  is  incidental  to  the  statutory 
right  to  damages,  and  was  properly  denied  in  the  equity  proceedings," 
brought  under  15  U.S.C.  §26.  Even  though  plaintiffs  have  made  out  a 
case  for  equitable  relief  under  15  U.S.C.  §26  thev  may  not  recover  "a 
reasonable  attorneys'  fee"  because  thev  have  failed  to  establish  their 
claim  for  damages  under  15  U.S.C.  §15. 

Plaintiffs'  claims  for  money  damages  and  for  a  reasonable  attorney's 
fee  under  §15  are  denied.    Plaintiffs'  claims  for  injunctive  relief  under 
[Continued  on  page  6) 


Order  Blanket 
Licensing  by 
Ascap  Haltecl? 

(Continued  from  column  1) 


hibition  of  the  film  for  profit  to  thea- 
tres which  have  an  Ascap  license.  The 
producers  and  scap's  members,"  the 
decision  added,  "thus  combine  the 
monopoly  of  the  copyright  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  with  the  monopoly  of  the 
copyright  of  the  musical  composition, 
which  constitutes  an  unlawful  exten- 
sion of  the  statutory  monopoly  of  each 
and  violates  the  anti-trust  laws,  as  a 
combination  in  restraint  of  trade." 

The  decision  touched  on  the  sug- 
gestion that  the  copyright  owner 
might  negotiate  directly  with  the  pro- 
ducer as  an  alternative  to  the  present 
system  of  having  exhibitors  charged 
music  fees  by  Ascap. 

"Unquestionably,"  said  Judge 
Leibell,  "it  would  be  a  simpler 
and  proper  arrangement  for 
the  owner  of  the  copyright  to 
deal  directly  with  the  produc- 
er on  both  the  synchronization 
rights  and  the  performing 
rights,  and  thus  have  the  mo- 
tion picture  producer  acquire 
both  rights  at  the  same  time, 
so  that  he  in  turn  could  rent 
the  film  without  requiring  the 
exhibitor  to  obtain  the  per- 
formance rights  from  Ascap. 
But  that  in  some  way  the  value 
of  the  performing  rights  would 
be  claimed  by  the  copyright 
owner  and  eventually  would  be 
passed  on  to  the  exhibitor,  I 
have  no  doubt  at  all.  The  ulti- 
mate result  would  be  that  the 
exhibitor  would  not  be  sep- 
arately charged  for  the  per- 
formance rights,  as  he  now  is 
through  Ascap,  but  he  would 
be  charged  for  those  rights  in 
the  total  rental  he  would  pay 
for  the  film." 

In  granting  the  plaintiffs  an  injunc- 
tion, the  court  explained  that  it  was 
a  move  intended  to  prevent  any  threat- 
ened injury  to  them  by  the  use  of 
"power  to  demand  unfair  and  exhorbi- 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


Harry  Brandt  Hails 
Ascap  Case  Ruling 

The  U.  S.  District  Court 
decision  holding  Ascap  to  be 
a  monopoly  in  restraint  of 
trade  was  hailed  as  "a  tre- 
mendous victory  for  exhibi- 
tion" yesterday  by  Harry 
Brandt,  president  of  the  In- 
dependent Theatre  Owners 
Association  of  New  York,  164 
members  of  which  constitut- 
ed the  plaintiffs  in  the  anti- 
trust action  against  the 
society. 

The  exhibitor  leader  said 
that  the  ruling  "is  ample  vin- 
dication for  our  long  fight," 
adding  that  "no  longer  will 
any  exhibitor  have  to  pay  an 
unlawful  exaction  to  Ascap." 


WALTER  WANGER  presents 

TAP  ROOTS 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 

■  Starring 

VAN  SUSAN 

HEFLIN  •  HAYWARD 

with 

BORIS  KARLOFF  •  JULIE  LONDON 

WARD  BOND  ■  RICHARD  LONG 
and  introducing  WHITFIELD  CONNOR 

Directed  by  GEORGE  MARSHALL 

Screenplay  by  Alan  LeMay  •  Additional  Dialogue 
by  Lionel  Wiggam  •  Produced  by  WALTER  WANGER 
PICTURES.  Inc.  •  A  GEORGE  MARSHALL  Production 

A  UNIVERSAL- INTERNATIONAL  RELEASE 


Out-grossing  "Canyon  Passage/ 
"The  Egg  And  I,"  and  all  previous 
U-l  top  money-makers  at  Goldman 
Theatre,  Philadelphia,  and  terri- 
torial day-and-date  premiere. 
Holding  over  in  every  situation - 
Philadelphia,  Atlantic  City,  Easton, 
Wilmington,Lancaster,Allentown, 
Reading,  Harrisburg!  Nothing 
like  it  ever  hit  the  territory  before ! 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  21,  1948 


NewTheatreBuilding 
Heavy  in  the  South 


Halts  Ascap  Collections 


(Continued  from  patrc  4) 


Nashville,  July  20. — New  theatre 
construction  continues  unabated  in 
Southern  states.  Among  the  latest 
projects  are  the  following: 

Mrs.  W.  T.  Ellis  is  building  a  550- 
seater,  estimated  to  cost  $125,000,  at 
Cleveland,  Miss.  It  will  open  this 
fall.  Saenger-Ehrlich  Enterprises  is 
building  a  1,000-seater  at  Shreveport, 
La.  F.  Arthur  Hazard,  Augusta,  Ga., 
is  planning  a  new  house  at  Madison, 
Ga.  Arkansas  Amusements  Inc., 
Dave  Callahan  manager,  has  received 
bids  on  a  new  theatre  on  the  site  of 
the  old  Royal,  to  be  known  as  the 
Center. 

W.  L.  Moxley,  Blytheville,  Ark.,  is 
planning  a  new  1,200-seater  at  West 
Memphis,  Ark.,  for  Negroes,  to  cost 
$250,000.  A  war  veterans  group  is 
constructing  a  new  suburban  house  in 
Montgomery,  Ala.,  to  cost  $120,000. 
Pearson  and  Tittle  and  Hancock  and 
Narrows,  Montgomery,  are  the  archi- 
tects, and  W.  K.  Upchurch  Construc- 
tion Co.,  also  Montgomery,  are  the 
contractors. 


McMinnville,  Tenn.,  July  20. — 
Cowan  Oldham  has  opened  his  new 
Park  Theatre.  A  new  building  cost- 
ing $200,000  replaces  one  destroyed  by 
fire. 


Petersburg,  Tenn.,  July  20. — The 
Cottage  Theatre  opened  recently. 
Irvin  C.  Ryder  is  owner  and  oper- 
ator. 


Times  Views  Industry 

The  New  York  Times  carries  on 
page  one  today  a  story  headed  "Na- 
tion's Entertainment  Industry  in  De- 
cline to  Its  Pre-War  Status."  It  is  a 
long  story,  gives  considerable  attention 
to  the  film  industry,  and  quotes  several 
industry  executives,  including  Para- 
mount president  Barney  Balaban. 


Vet's  Administration 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ed  in  VA  hospital  auditoriums,  will 
be  furnished  by  the  following  compa- 
nies :  Columbia,  Eagle-Lion,  Film 
Classics,  Loew's,  Monogram,  Para- 
mount, RKO  Radio,  Republic,  20th 
Century-Fox,  United  Artists,  Univer- 
sal-International, Warner  Brothers. 

With  the  exception  of  United  Art- 
ists, all  of  the  foregoing  companies 
also  signed  contracts  to  supply  16mm. 
films  for  hospital  ward  showings.  In 
addition,  Delta  Pictures  has  contract- 
ed to  provide  16mm.  releases. 

All  of  the  16mm.  pictures,  except 
those  produced  by  RKO  Radio,  will 
be  distributed  to  VA  hospitals  and 
homes  by  Films,  Inc.,  or  United 
World  Films,  Inc.  RKO  has  its  own 
16mm.  distribution*  facilities. 

Six  companies  will  supply  VA  pa- 
tients in  Puerto  Rico  with  16mm. 
films  with  Spanish  subtitles.  They 
are:  Loew's,  RKO  Radio,  Republic, 
Warner,  Columbia,  Monogram,  Inter- 
national Corporation. 

Each  VA  hospital  in  the  Continen- 
tal United  States  receives  three  35mm. 
first-run  features  each  week,  in  addi- 
tion to  sufficient  shorts  and  newsreels. 

The  hospitals  also  receive  two 
16mm.  features  each  week,  as  well  as 
shorts  and  newsreels,  to  be  shown  in 
wards  for  bedfast  patients. 

VA's  motion  picture  program  is 
part  of  an  overall  special  services  pro- 
gram carried  on  by  the  hospital  chap- 
lain, librarian  and  recreational  per- 
sonnel. 


tant  license  fees."  The  court  pointed 
up  the  need  for  an  injunction  by  cit- 
ing the  new  rates  sought  by  Ascap 
last  August,  which  approximated  a 
300  per  cent  increase. 

"The  conduct  of  Ascap  in  notifying" 
the  theatre  exhibitors  in  August,  1947, 
that  the  rates  for  an  Ascap  license 
would  be  increased  to  such  an  extent 
that  some  theatres  would  be  required 
to  pay  15  times  as  much  as  the  license 
fees  under  which  they  had  been  op- 
erating since  1934,"  the  court  asserted, 
"is  an  indication  of  the  power  that 
Ascap  has  unlawfully  acquired  by  its 
own  arrangements  with  its  members 
and  by  their  arrangements  with  the 
motion  picture  producers." 

The  court  held  that  the  fact  that 
Ascap  demands  were  modified  in  Feb- 
ruary of  this  year  did  not  remove  the 
need  for  injunctive  relief.  It  added 
that  the  protection  of  an  injunction 
was  imperative  to  the  plaintiffs  "be- 
cause the  unlawful  arrangements  be- 
tween Ascap  and  its  members  and  be- 
tween the  members  and  the  motion 
picture  producers  is  a  continuing  one 
and  is  a  clear  violation  of  the  anti- 


Sues  to  Divest 

( Continued  from  page  1 ) 

Wisconsin,  Palace  and  Strand,  oper- 
ated by  Fox-Milwaukee  theatres,  and 
the  Warner,  Alhambra  and  Riverside, 
operated  by  Warner  Theatres,  have 
maintained  a  monopoly  on  the  exhibi- 
tion of  first-run  pictures  distributed 
by  Loew's,  Paramount,  Columbia, 
20th-Fox,  Warner,  RKO  and  Uni- 
versal. All  except  the  last  named  are 
defendants. 

Among  other  charges  are  price-fix- 
ing, conspiracy  and  unreasonable  clear- 
ance. Coston,  who  owns  a  control- 
ling stock  interest  in  the  Standard 
Management  Corp.,  which  owns  and 
operates  the  Riverside  Theatre,  was 
charged  with  having  induced  the  de- 
fendant distributors  in  granting  the 
Riverside  priority  of  run  and  unrea- 
sonable clearance.  Plaintiff's  attorney, 
Thomas  McConnell,  well  known  for 
his  Jackson  Park  case,  said  he  is 
only  interested  in  the  divestiture  of 
the  defendant's  first-run  houses  in 
Milwaukee. 

The  suit  also  asked  to  enjoin  the 
defendants  from  refusing  to  license 
first-run  films  in  the  Towne,  which 
has  been  a  first-run  outlet  for  U.A. 


trust  laws." 

The  injunction  would  require  Ascap 
to  divest  itself  of  all  rights  of  public 
performance  for  profit  through  mo- 
tion picture  exhibition,  would  restrain 
the  society  from  obtaining  "the  right 
of  public  performance  of  any  musical 
composition  synchronized  with  motion 
picture  films,"  stop  Ascap  members 
from  denying  producers  the  right  to 
publicly  perform  music  in  films  for 
profit. 

Ascap  is  enjoined  from  issuing 
blanket  licenses  since  they  were  found 
to  be  "a  violation  of  the  anti-trust 
laws  and  were  issued  pursuant  to  an 
illegal  combination." 

"Apart  from  the  statute,"  the  court 
said,  "the  license  agreements  were  not 
inherently  vicious  and  unlawful.  The 
license  agreements  were  unenforceable 
because  of  their  statutory  illegality. 
The  exhibitor  got  something  of  value 
and  received  what  he  paid  for." 

According  to  Judge  Leibell,  Ascap 
was  not  entitled  to  immunity  under 
the  trust  laws  simply  because  it  is  a 
membership  association. 


New  Bldg.  Code 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

and  is  planning  a  fifth,  said  the  new 
code's  banning  of  walk-in  patrons  at 
drive-ins  and  the  requirement  that  in- 
combustible materials  be  used  for 
drive-in  screens  and  screen  structures 
are  "unfair"  to  small  operators  who, 
he  feels,  .will  face  increased  construc- 
tion costs  under  the  provisions. 

An  original  requirement  in  the  new 
code,  calling  for  incombustible  enclos- 
ures, has  been  opposed  successfully 
by  the  Fabian-Hellman  drive-in  in- 
terests, and,  as  reported  in  Motion 
Picture  Daily  on  Monday,  no  change 
is  now  required  in  drive-in  fence  con- 
struction. 


Toronto  Will  Promote 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

other  influences  affecting  the  film 
business. 

The  branch  has  also  appointed  a 
committee,  headed  by  president  J. 
Earl  Lawson  of  Odeon  Theatres  of 
Canada,  to  continue  negotiations  with 
the  Ontario  government  for  the  modi- 
fication of  the  latter's  new  20%  tax. 


15  New  Theatres  for 
San  Francisco  Area 


San  Francisco,  July  20. — Fifteen 
new  theatres  in  Northern  California 
are  reported  under  construction. 

A  new  600-seat  house  at  Boyes 
Springs  is  being  built  by  Granville 
MacPherson.  William  R.  Garren, 
architect  and  theatre  owner,  has  taken 
over  the  Peralta  Theatre,  Oakland, 
and  is  completely  redoing  the  W>f,  e. 
A  new  quonset  theatre  is  undef^ij  i- 
struction  in  Sacramento  by  MacMa- 
han  and  Ford  and  it  has  been  leased 
to  Kenneth  Wright  of  that  city. 
Pollock  Pines  is  the  site  selected  for 
a  new  showcase  being  erected  on  the 
road  to  Yosemite. 

Wagner  Project 

William  Wagner,  who  has  man- 
aged the  theatre  in  Folsom,  is  build- 
ing a  new  house  there.  Contract  has 
been  let  for  a  new  Los  Altos  theatre, 
to  seat  700  and  be  jointly  owned  by 
Sunnymount  Theatres  and  Menlo 
Mayfield  Amusement  Co.  A  theatre 
in  the  Fair-Oaks  district  in  Stockton 
is  under  construction  by  Harvey 
Amusement  Co.  A.  J.  Longtin  of 
Fairoaks  has  purchased  land  on  the 
Plaza  on  which  he  intends  to  erect  a 
theatre.  Two  new  theatres  are  now 
being  completely  equipped  by  Preddy, 
just  below  Santa  Cruz.  One  is  at 
Capitola  by  J.  Mayer,  and  the  other 
at  Soquel  by  Charles  Ide. 

Ralph  Dostal  has  taken  a  lease  on 
a  Brisbane  Theatre  from  R.  Micehel 
and  intends  to  redo  the  house.  A 
new  theatre  is  under  way  in  San  Car- 
los by  Ray  Knight,  Petaluma  Theatre 
owner.  Blumenfeld  Circuit  will  open 
their  El  Cerrito  Motor  Movies  on 
August  15.  H.  F.  Taylor  of  Fresno 
is  building  a  new  theatre  at  Highway 
City.  Biola  is  the  locale  for  a  new 
400-seat  house,  being  constructed  by 
Mike  Esponde.  United  California 
Theatres  have  opened  the  new  Tur- 
lock  theatre.  The  house  cost  $120,000 
and  replaces  the  old  Turlock  which 
burned  two  years  ago. 


Assign  Spade  Work 
A  t  Mid-Central  A  Hied 

St.  Louis,  July  20— A  temporary 
executive  committee  headed  by  Andy 
Dietz  of  St.  Louis  and  H.  Graham  of 
Webster  Groves,  Mo.,  was  set  up  at 
the  first  day  organization  session  of 
the  new  Mid-Central  Allied  Indepen- 
dent Theatre  Owners,  Inc.,  to  draft  a 
slate  of  officers  and  form  an  organi- 
zation program. 

The  new  affiliate  of  the  Allied  or- 
ganization was  addressed  in  executive 
session  by  Abram  F.  Myers,  general 
counsel  and  board  chairman ;  William 
L.  Ainsworth,  Milwaukee,  national 
president;  Trueman  Rembusch,  Indi- 
anapolis, president  of  Associated  The- 
atres Owners  of  Indiana,  and  John 
Wolf  berg,  Denver,  president  of  Allied 
Rocky  Mountain  Independent  Thea- 
tres. 


Salesmen  Want 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

a  full  year's  salary  after  15  years. 

The  salesmen  further  seek  a  set  ex- 
pense account  scale  of  $5  per  day  for 
hotel,  $6  daily  for  meals  and  12  cents 
per  mile  for  car  allowance. 

The  Colosseum  has  been  certified 
by  the  National"  Labor  Relations 
Board  as  bargaining  representative  for 
the  salesmen  of  11  distributors. 


Text  of  Injunctions 

(Continued  from  page  4) 


§26  are  granted  to  the  extent  indicated  in  the  Court's  Conclusions  of 
Law.a  Settle  a  judgment  and  decree  accordingly. 
Dated,  July  19th,  1948. 

2.  "XXVII.  Plaintiffs  are  entitled  to  injunctive  relief  under  Title  15  U.  S.  C. 
§26,  as  follows: — 

(a)  Directing  Ascap  to  divest  itself  with  all  reasonable  speed  of  all  rights  of 
public  performance  for  profit  through  the  exhibition  of  motion  picture  films, 
of  musical  compositions  which  have  been  synchronized  with  motion  picture  films, 
and  to  assign  said  performance  rights  to  the  owners  of  the  copyright  of  said  musi- 
cal compositions; 

(b)  Restraining  Ascap  from  obtaining  the  right  of  public  performance  of  any 
musical  composition  synchronized  with  motion  picture  films  when  such  musical 
composition  is  performed  publicly  for  profit  in  conjunction  with  the  exhibition  of 
such  motion  picture  films; 

(c)  Restraining  Ascap's  members  from  refusing  to  grant  to  motion  picture 
producers  the  right  to  publicly  perform  for  profit  through  the  exhibition  of  mo- 
tin  picture  film,  all  musical  compositions  which  they  allow  motion  picture  pro- 
ducers to  synchronize  with  motin  picture  films; 

(d)  Restraining  Ascap's  members  from  licensing,  except  to  motion  picture 
producers,  the  right  of  public  performance  for  profit  through  the  exhibition  of 
motion  picture  films,  of  musical  compositions  synchronized  with  motion  picture 
films ; 

(e)  Restraining  Ascap  and  its  members  from  conspiring  with  motion  picture 
producers  for  the  purpose  of  including  a  clause  in  contracts  issued  by  producers 
to  exhibitors  directly  or  indirectly  requiring  exhibitors  to  obtain  a  license  from 
Ascap  as  a  condition  to  the  exhibition  of  the  licensed  pictures." 


UNIVERSAL  -  INTERNATIONAL 

presents 


BUD 


LOU 


ABBOTT  &  COSTELLO 

MEET 

FRANKENSTEIN 

WITH 

THE  WOLFMAN  -  DRACULA  -  THE  MONSTER 

PLAVfD  BT        PlAYfD  BY       PLAYED  BY 

LON  CHAHEY     BELA  LUGOS!    GLENN  STRANGE 

Lenore  Aube'rt  •  Jane  Randolph 
Original  Screenplay  by-ROBERT  LEES 
FREDERIC  RINALDO  •'  JOHN. GRANT 
Directed  by  CHARLES  T  BARTON 
Produced  by  ROBERT  ARTHUR 


Smashing  U-l  house  records  in  first  five  en- 


gagements! Topping  all  previous  A&Cs  —  and 
even  way  ahead  of  top-grossing  "Naked  City/' 
"Canyon  Passage"  and  "The  Killers"  at  the 
Strand,  Albany;  Paramount,  Syracuse;  Palace, 
Huntington,  W.  Va.;  Keith's,  Cincinnati,  and 
Warner  Theatre,  Oklahoma  City! 


fib 


s 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  21,  1948 


RKO   RADIO   PICTURES,  Inc. 

TRADE  SHOWINGS 


of  LEO  McCAREY'S 


GOOD  SAM 


1  J 


ALBANY 

Information  to  come 

ATLANTA 

Fox  Theatre,  660  Peachtree  St.,  N.  E. 

BOSTON 

Keith  Memorial  Th.,  539  Washington  St. 

BUFFALO 

20th  Century  Theatre,  51  1  Main  St. 

CHARLOTTE 

Fox  Projection  Rm.,  308  S  Church  St. 

CHICAGO 

Centre  Theatre,  40-37  Lincoln  Ave. 

CINCINNATI 

Albee  Theatre,  13  East  Fifth  St. 

CLEVELAND 

RKO  Allen  Theatre,  1407  Euclid  Ave. 

DALLAS 

Palace  Theatre,  1623  Elm  Street 

DENVER 

Orpheum  Theatre,  1537  Welton  St. 

DES  MOINES 

Orpheum  Theatre,  412  Eighth  St. 

DETROIT 

Michi  gan  Theatre,  238  Bagtey 

INDIANAPOLIS 

Indiana  Theatre,  1  34  W.  Washington  St. 

KANSAS  CITY 

Orpheum  Theatre,  1212  Baltimore 

LOS  ANGELES 

Pantages  Thea.,  6233  Hollywood  Blvd. 

MEMPHIS 

Linden  Circle  Theatre, 

311  South  Somerville  Avenue 

MILWAUKEE 

Riverside  Thea.,  1  1  6  W.  Wisconsin  Ave. 

MINNEAPOLIS 

Orpheum  Theatre,  910  Hennepin  Ave. 

NEW  HAVEN 

Roger  Sherman  Thea.,  70  College  St. 

NEW  ORLEANS 

Orpheum  Thea.,  125  University  Place 

NEW  YORK 

RKO  58th  St.  Thea.,  58th  St.  &  3rd  Ave. 

OKLAHOMA  CITY 

Center  Theatre,  Civic  Center 

OMAHA 

Brandeis  Theatre,  206  So.  17th  St. 

PHILADELPHIA 

State  Theatre,  52  and  Chestnut  Sts. 

PITTSBURGH 

Warner  Theatre,  336  Fifth  Ave. 

PORTLAND 

Paramount  Thea.,  1  037  S.  W.  Broadway 

ST.  LOUIS 

Ambassador  Theatre,  7th  &  Locust  Sts. 

SALT  LAKE  CITY 

Capitol  Theatre.  52  W.  Second  South  St. 

SAN  FRANCISCO 

Golden  Gate  Theatre,  Taylorand  Golden 
Gate  Avenues 

SEATTLE 

Music  Hall  Theatre,  Seventh  and 
Olive  Way 

SIOUX  FALLS 

Hollywood  Theatre,  21  2  N.  Phillips  Ave 

WASHINGTON 

Keith  Theatre,  619  1  5th  St.,  N.  W. 


Wed. 

7/28 

9:15 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

9:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

2:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

200 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

10:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

6:15 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

9:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:50 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:45 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

10:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

9:00 

P.M. 

7/97 

ft  •  1  "5 
0:1  J 

P  KA 

r  ./V\. 

Tues. 

7/27 

10:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:45 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

9:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:30 

P.M. 

Wed. 

7/28 

8:30 

P.M. 

Thurs. 

7/29 

8:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

8:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

9:00 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

10:30 

P.M. 

Tues. 

7/27 

9:15 

P.M. 

Review 


"Lady  at  Midnight" 

(Eagle  Lion) 

RICHARD  DENNING  and  Frances  Refftery  are  the  foster  parents  of 
Lora  Lee  Michel  who  figures  to  inherit  the  $1,000,000  estate  of  her 
murdered  mother.  Lora  Lee  is  about  seven,  knows  all  the  answers,  is  em- 
barrassingly "cute."  Comes  much  ado  about  whether  Miss  Rafferty  was 
legally  old  enough  to  take  Lora  Lee  from  the  adoption  institution.  Also 
some  underhanded  intrigue  and  more  murder.  "Lady  at  Midnight"  is  a 
minor  offering,  hardly  ever  convincing. 

Richard  Sale  is  responsible  for  the  screenplay  and  the  original,  She^j;^ 
Scott  directed  and  John  Sutherland  produced.  Ralph  Dunn,  Nana  B^.y,'|(, 
Jack  Searle  and  Harlan  Warde  are  also  in  the  cast. 

Running  time,  61  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
August  15. 


Key  City  Grosses 


HOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
r  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


CHICAGO 


Reduced  admissions  are  a  boon  to 
downtown  houses,  especially  for  "Em- 
peror Waltz"  which  will  hit  a  smash 
$70,000.  Surprise  business  in  the 
Loop,  however,  are  reissues  "Four 
Feathers"  and  "Drums,"  which  are 
packing  them  in.  Loop  disappointment 
is  "Romance  on  the  High  Seas."  Es- 
timated receipts  for  the  week  ending 
July  22: 

BLACK  ARROW  (Col.)  and  ADVEN- 
TURES IN  SILVERADO  (Cbl.)— GAR- 
RICK  (1,000)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $10,000. 
(Average:  $10,000) 

DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox)  —  APOLLO 
(1,200)  (50c-65c-98c)  2nd  week.    Gross:  $10,- 

000.  (Average:  $14,000) 

EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)  —  CHICAGO 
(3,900)  (50c-65c-98c)  On  stage:  Harmonicats. 
Gross:  $70,000.  (Average:  $53,500) 
FOUR  FEATHERS  (FC)  and  DRUMS 
(FC)— GRAND  (1,150)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross: 
$24,000.    (Average:  $11,500) 

1,  JANE  DOE  (Rep.) — ORIENTAL  (3,300) 
(50c-65c-98c)  On  stage:  Vaughan  Monroe. 
Gross:  $60,000.     (Average:  $45,000) 

I  REMEMBER  MAMA  (RKO  Radio)— 
PALACE,  (2,500)  (50c-6Sc-98c).  Gross:  $27,- 
500.    (Average:  $21,000) 

MICKEY  (E-L)  —  ROOSEVELT  (1,500) 
(50c -65c -98c).  Gross:  $16,000.  (Average: 
$18,000) 

ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA)-UNITED 

ARTISTS  (1,700)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $22,- 
000.    (Average:  $20,000) 

THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO) — WOODS 
(1.080)  (98c).  Gross:  $37  000.  (Average: 
$23,000). 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 

—STATE  LAKE  (2,700)  (50c-65c-98c)  2nd 
week.    Gross  $14,000.    (Average:  $30,000) 


PHILADELPHIA 


Word  premiere  of  "Tap  Roots,"  ac- 
companied by  personal  appearances  of 
the  stars,  almost  broke  the  house 
record  at  the  Goldman,  while  other 
films  varied  from  very  good  to  dis- 
mal. Estimated  receipts  for  the  week 
ending  July  20-22 : 

ARE  YOU  WITH  IT?  (U-I)— STANTON 
(1,000)  (50c-6Oc-74c-80c-85c-9f:).  Gross: 
$8,000.  (Average:  $11  200) 
BERLIN  EXPRESS  (RKO  Radio)— KARL- 
TON  (1,000)  (50c  -  60c -74c -80c -85c -94c). 
Gross:  $15,000.  (Average:  $11,200) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M) — MAST- 
BAUM  (4,700)  (50c -60c -74c -80c -85c -94c)  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $32,700.  (Average:  $22,300) 
EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.) — STANLEY 
(3,000)  (50c-6Oc-74c-80c-85c-94c)  5th  week. 
Gross:  $15,200.  (Average:  $22,800) 
LETTER  FROM  AN  UNKNOWN  WO- 
MAN (U-I)— KEITH  (2,200)  (50c-60c-74c- 
80c-85c-94c)  2nd  run.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Av- 
erage: $6,200), 

MAN  OF  EVIL  (UA) — ALDINE  (900) 
(50c-6Oc-74c-8Oc-85c-94c).  Gross:  $7,800. 
(Average:  $13,300) 

ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA,)— ARCADIA 


(900)  (5Oc-60c-74c-8Oc-85c-94c).  Gross:  $6  - 
200.    (Average:  $4  700) 

PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)— BOYD  (3,000) 
(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  3rd  week.  Gross: 
$22,000.  (Average:  $20,300) 
STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th-Fox)— 
FOX  (3,000)  (50c-6Oc-74c-8Oc-85c-94c)  .3rd 
week.  Gross:  $16,000.  (Average:  $20,800) 
TAP  ROOTS  (U-I)-GOLDMAN  (1,400) 
(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross:  $36,000. 
(Average:  $19,400) 

THE  UNCONQUERED  (Para.) — EARLE 
(3,000)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  (first  time 
at  popular  prices).  Gross:  $15,600.  (Av- 
erage: $22,500) 


MINNEAPOLIS 


Business  held  about  average  during 
a  week  of  favorable  weather,  with 
"Mr.  Blandings  Builds  His  Dream 
House"  the  top  draw.  Estimated  re- 
ceipts for  the  week  ending  July  22 : 
FEUDIN',  FUSSIN'  AND  A-FIGHTIN' 
(U-I)— RKO'  ORPHEUM  (2,800)  (50c-70c). 
Gross:  $12,500.  (Average:  $12,500) 
HATTER'S  CASTLE  (Para.) — CENTURY 
(1  500)  (50c-70c)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $5,200. 
(Average:  $5,500) 

I  STOLE  A  MILLION  (U-I)  and  YOU 
CAN'T  CHEAT  AN  HONEST  MAN  (U-I 

reissues)  —  GOPHER       (1,000)  (44c-50c). 

Gross:   $2,900.     (Average:  $3,200) 

MR.  BLANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 

HOUSE  (SRO')— RADIO'  CITY  (4,000)  (50c- 

70c).    Gross:  $17,000.    (Average:  $16,000) 

THE    FULLER    BRUSH    MAN  (Col.)— 

RKO    PAN    (1,500)    (50c-70c)    5th  week. 

Gross:   $6,500.     (Average:  $8,000) 

THE  LADY  FROM  SHANGHAI  (Col.)- 

LYRIC  (1,100)  (50c-70c)  3rd  week.  Gross: 

$4,800.     (Average:  $5,000) 

THE    NOOSE    HANGS    HIGH  (E-L)- 

STATE    (2,300)    (50c-70c).     Gross:  $10,000. 

(Average:  $10,500) 


CLEVELAND 


"The  Street  With  No  Name" 
opened  to  the  biggest  business  of  the 
season  and  is  heading  for  a  very  big 
$26,000  at  Warners'  Hippodrome. 
"Emperor  Waltz"  held  to  a  high  $17,- 
500  in  its  second  hold-over  week  at 
Loew's,  State,  and  "Anna  Karenina" 
was  a  success  at  the  Lower  Mall, 
where  it  will  hold  a  second  week. 
Hot  weather  continues  to  affect  some 
pictures,  but  toppers  are  unhampered 
by  rising  temperatures  or  summer 
competition.  Estimated  receipts  for 
the  week  ended  July  20-21 : 
ANNA  KARENINA  (20th- Fox) — LOWER 
MALL  (563)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $4  500. 
(Average:  $2,500) 

THE      EMPEROR      WALTZ  (Para.)— 

LO'EW'S  STATE  (3,300)  (50c-70c)  2nd  week 
on  a  holdover.  Gross:  $17,500.  (Average: 
$19,300) 

LULU  BELLE  (Col.) — RKO  ALLEN  (3,- 
000)  (55c-70c).  Gross:  $9,000.  (Average: 
$13,800) 

PANHANDLE  (AA-Mono.) — WARNERS' 
LAKE  (714)  (S0c-70c)  3  days,  2nd  week. 
BEST  YEARS'  OF   OUR   LIVES  (RKO 

Radio)  4  days,  moved  over  from  the  Allen. 
Gross:  $2,500.    (Average:  $3,000) 
THE    RETURN    OF    THE    BAD  MEN 
(RKO  Radio)— RKO'  PALACE  (3,300)  (55c- 
(Continued  on  page  10) 


UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

presents 

DONALD  O'CONNOR 

MA  *n  PA  KETTLE  OF  "THE  EGG  AND  I" 

MARJOR1E  MAIN 
PERCY  KILBRIDE 

Together  Again! 

feudin;  fussin' 

and  a-FIGHTIN' 


with 


PENNY  EDWARDS  -  JOE  BESSER 

Screenplay  by  D.  D.  BEAUCHAMP  from  his  Collier's 
Magazine  Story    •    Directed  by  GEORGE  SHERMAN 
Produced  by  LEONARD  GOLDSTEIN 


engagements  over  the  RKO  and  Tn-State  circuits 
proved  it!  New  U-l  records  every  where...  stand- 
up  business  all  day  long!  Held  over  in  Des  Moines 
and  Omaha!  Smash  business  in  Minneapolis  and 
St.  Paul!  Almost  double  the  record  "Canyon  Pas- 
sage" gross  in  Sioux  City!  First  2  days  in  Cedar 
Rapids  tops  3-day  "The  Killers"  gross!  Wonderful 
in  Waterloo,  Tri-Cities  .  .  .  everywhere! 


10 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  21,  1948 


Says  Some  Product 
Penetrates  'Curtain' 


Key  City  Grosses 


(Continued  from  page  8) 


The  Vienna  performance  of  "Snow 
White  and  the  Seven  Dwarfs,"  first 
U.  S.  film  to  be  approved  by  the  Soviet 
authorities  for  screening  in  the  Rus- 
sian zone  of  Austria,  has  provided  an 
opening  wedge  for  the  exhibition  of 
other  American  pictures  in  the  "Iron 
Curtain"  countries,  according  to  George 
Bookbinder,  Walt  Disney  representa- 
tive for  Eastern  Europe. 

At  an  interview  here  yesterday 
Bookbinder  observed  that  if  American 
distributors  sent  representatives  to  the 
scene  instead  of  trying  to  formulate 
Central  European  policy  from  this 
side  they  would  have  a  better  chance 
of  penetrating  the  Iron  Curtain. 

It  was  disclosed  that  Kiba,  Aus- 
tria's only  circuit,  which  operates 
more  than  50  houses  in  Vienna,  does 
not  intend  to  renew  its  agreement  with 
the  Motion  Picture  Export  Associa- 
tion of  America  because,  it  charges, 
the  MPEA  "follows  an  arbitrary 
policy." 

According  to  Bookbinder,  the  Rus- 
sians have  come  up  with  some  "very 
fine"  cartoon  shorts  in  color  which 
they  are  offering  in  competition  to 
similar  product  from  the  U.  S.  in 
countries  under  Russian  dominance. 
He  said  a  German  color  process  taken 
over  by  the  Soviet  is  being  used. 


"Texas"  Premiere  Aug.  4 

Warner  Brothers  has  set-up  a  re- 
gional territorial  campaign  to  mark 
the  world  premiere  of  "Two  Guys 
from  Texas"  at  the  Majestic  Theatre 
in  San  Antonio  on  August  4,  an- 
nounces Mort  Blumenstock,  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  advertising-publicity. 
The  picture's  stars,  Dennis  Morgan 
and  Jack  Carson,  will  appear. 


Sitter's  Son  with  Schine 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  20. — Harold 
Sliter,  son  of  Fred  Sliter,  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox salesman  here,  has  been  ap- 
pointed zone  manager  of  Schine  The- 
atres. It  had  been  inadvertently  re- 
ported that  Harold  was  the  father  of 
Fred. 


FIVE -STAR 

DC- 6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

3%  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


70c).     Gross:  $16,500.     (Average:  $16,000) 
RUTHLESS  (E-L)— LOEWS  STILLMAN 
(1,900)    (S0c-70c).     Gross:    $10,000.  (Aver- 
age: $10  500) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (2flth- 
Fox)— WARNERS'  HIPPODROME  (3,500) 
(55c-70c).  Gross:  $26,000.  (Average:  $15,- 
000). 

WINGS  OVER  HONOLULU  (Rea'.art) 
and      CORVETTE      K-Z25      (Realart)  — 

LOEWS  OHIO  (1,268)  (50c-70c).  Gross: 
$4,000.     (Average:  $6,200) 


BOSTON 


Hot  sultry  days  still  prevail.  Out- 
door attractions  are  still  drawing. 
"Easter  Parade"  is  doing  good  busi- 
ness. Estimated  receipts  for  the  week 
ended  July  21 : 

CORONER  CREEK  (Col.)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA)-Astor  (1,300)  (44c- 
80c)  Gross:  $4  500.  (Average:  none  avail- 
able) 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— ORPHEUM 
(3,000)  (40c-80c)  Gross:  $25,000.  (Average: 
$27,000) 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— STATE 
(3,500)  (40c-80c)  Gross:  $15,000.  (Average: 
$12,000) 

DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox)  and  JINX 
MONEY  (Mono.) — PARAMOUNT  (1,700) 
(40c-80c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $13,000.  (Av- 
erage: $17,000) 

DEEP  WATERS  (Zflth-Fox)  and  JINX 
MONSY  (Mono.) — FENWAY  (1,373)  (40c- 
80c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,800.  (Average: 
$10,000) 

FIGHTING  FATHER  DUNNE  (RKO  Ra- 
dio) and  ARIZONA  RANGER  (RKO  Radio) 

—RKO  BOSTON  (3,200)  (40c -80c)  8  days. 
Gross:  $12,000.  (Average:  None  available 
on  summer  schedule) 

HOLIDAY  CAMP  (U-I)  and  CLOUDS 
OVER  EUROPE  (F-C) — EXETER  (1,300) 
(45c-75c)  4  days.  Gross:  $2,400.  (Aver- 
age: $5,000) 

MR.  BLANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)  and  MADONNA  OF  THE 
DESERT  (Rep.) — RKO!  MEMORIAL  (3,- 
000)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $19,500.  (Average: 
$22,000) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 
and  THE  CHECKERED  COAT  (2»th-Fox) 

—METROPOLITAN  (4,367)  (40c-80c).  With 
a  personal  appearance  of  Dr.  I.  Q.  one 
night.  Gross:  $20,000.  (Average:  $27,000) 
THE  OCTOBER  MAN  (E-L)  and  VACA- 
TION FROM  MARRIAGE  (M-G-M) 
EXETER  (1,300)  (45c-85c)  3  days.  Gross: 
$1,400.     (Average:  $5,000) 


TORONTO 


With  the  exception  of  the  strong 
showing  of  "Fort  Apache,"  business 
was  in  the  doldrums  for  the  main  To- 
ronto theatres  this  week.  There  were 
two  holdovers,  one  for  a  fourth  week, 
but  these  were  showing  patronage 
weakness  along  with  the  new  pictures. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  end- 
ing July  22  : 

THE  END  OF  THE  RIVER  (EL)— DAN - 

FORTH    (1,400)    (20c-36c-50c-60c)    6  days. 

Gross:  $5,500.    (Average:  $6,500) 

THE  END  OF  THE  RIVER  (EL)— FAIR  - 


Theatre  Guild  To 
Sponsor  'Hamlet' 

The  Theatre  Guild  here  has  organ- 
ized a  special  film  promotion  depart- 
ment to  conduct  a  campaign  for  a  pic- 
ture under  its  sponsorship — Univer- 
sal-International's "Hamlet"  —  aimed 
principally  at  its  legitimate  theatre 
contacts  and  designed  to  supplement 
the  distributor's  operation,  it  was  an- 
nounced here  yesterday  by  Lawrence 
Langner  and  Theresa  Helburn,  co- 
administrative  directors  of  the  Guild. 
Dick  Weaver,  former  member  of  the 
Guild's  press  department,  will  handle 
the  campaign. 

"Hamlet"  is  the  third  film  to  be 
presented  in  this  country  under  spon- 
sorship of  the  Guild,  the  previous  two 
being  "Henry  V,"  United  Artists,  and 
"Mourning  Becomes  Electra,"  RKO 
Radio. 


LAWN    (1,195)     (20c-36c-50c-55c)    6  days. 
Gross:  $5,000.    (Average:  $5,500) 
FEUDIN',    FUSSIN'    AND  A-FIGHTIN' 
(U-I)  and  THE  INSIDE  STORY  (Rep.)- 

UPTOWN  (2,761)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6 
days.  Gross:  $16,100.  (Average:  $14,600) 
FORT  APACHE  (RKO'  Radio)— IMPERIAL 
(3,343)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days.  Gross: 
$16  100.  (Average:  $14,600) 
THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)— 
SHEA'S  (2,480)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6 
days,  4th  week.  Gross:  $13,700.  (Average: 
$14,700) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 

LOEWS  (2,074)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-78c)  6 
days.  2nd  week.  Gross:  $15,200.  (Average: 
$14  200) 

TO  THE  VICTOR  (WB) — EGLINTON 
(1,086)  (20c-36c-50c-66c)  6  davs.  Gross: 
$6,000.  (Average:  $6,900) 
TO  THE  VICTOR  (WB) — T1VOLI  (1,434) 
(20c-36c-50c-66c)  6  days.  Gross:  $7,000. 
(Average:  $8,200). 

WOMAN  IN  WHITE  (WB)— NORTOWN 
(950)  (20c-42c-60c)  6  days.  Gross:  $4,500. 
(Average:  $5,000) 

WOMAN   IN  WHITE  (WB)-VICTORIA 

(1  240)  (20c-36c-42c-60c)  6  days.  Gross: 
$5,000.    (Average:  $5,800) 


ATLANTA 


Business  this  week  is  just  above 
average,  with  better  pictures.  Esti- 
mated receipts  for  the  week  ending 
July  21. 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— LOEWS 
GRAND1  (2,446)  (12c-60c)  Gross:  $15,105. 
(Average:  $15,000) 

GREEN    GRASS    OF   WYOMING  (20th- 

Fox)— FOX  (4,446)  (12c-50c)  Gross:  $15,500. 
(Average:  $15,000) 

THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— ROXY. 
Moveover  from  the   Fox.    (2,446)  (12c-50c) 
Gross:    $6,000.     (Average:  $5,800). 
TARZAN  AND  THE  MERMAIDS  (RKO 

Radio— PARAMOUNT  (2.446)  (12c-50c) 
Gross:  $6,500.    (Average:  $5,800) 


INDIANAPOLIS 


Business  is  very  good  here  this 
week — for  "Easter  Parade."  It  broke 
the  house  record  at  Loew's  opening 
day  and  is  assured  of  a  hold-over.  No 
other  attraction  at  first-runs  here  is 
making  average.  Estimated  receipts 
for  the  week  ending  July  20-21 : 

ANNA  KARENINA  (Zflth-Fox)  and  SONG 
OF  MY  HEART  (AA) — KEITHS'  (1,300) 
(44c-65c)  Gross:  $3,000.  (Average:  $4  500) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— LOEWS 
(2,450)  (44c-65c)  Gross:  $22,000.  (Average: 
$11,000) 

I,  JANE  DOE  (Rep.)  and  SECRET  SER- 
VICE    INVESTIGATOR  (Rep.)-LYRIC 

(1,600)  (44c-65c)  Gross:  $5,000.  (Average: 
$6,000) 

LETTER  FROM  AN  UNKNOWN  WOM- 
AN (UI)  and  ARE  YOU  WITH  IT? 
(UI)  —  CIRCLE  (2,800)  (44c-65c)  Gross: 
$8,000.  (Average:  $10,000) 
ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 
and  BLONDE  ICE  (FC)  —  INDIANA 
(3,200)  (44c-65c)  Gross:  $9,000.  (Average: 
$12,000) 


E  -  L  To  Use  Video 
For  Film  Promotions 

Television  is  being  integrated  into 
the  Eagle-Lion  promotion  picture,  it 
was  announced  by  Max  E.  Young- 
stein,  advertising-publicity  vice-presi- 
dent. 

Example  of  the  television  tieups  be- 
ing set  by  the  company  are  four  tele- 
casts promoting  "Canon  City"  and 
"Mickey"  through  appearances  of 
Scott  Brady  and  Lois  Butler,  stars  of 
the  two  films,  on  video  shows. 


Variety  To  Golf 

Minneapolis,  July  20. — Northwest 
Variety  Club's  annual  golf  meet  will 
be  held  July  30  at  the  Oak  Ridge 
Country  Club,  near  suburban  Hop- 
kins, it  is  announced  by  Gil  Nathan- 
son,  golf  committee  chairman. 


Skouras,  Smith  to 
20th  Canadian  Meet 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  executives 
will  leave  New  York  today  for  Toron- 
to to  attend  tomorrow's  convention  of 
the  Canadian  sales  organization  at 
which  the  company's  1948-49  feature 
program  will  be  announced  by  Andy 
W.  Smith,  Jr.,  general  sales  manager. 
The  meeting  will  take  place  aLg^e 
Royal  York  Hotel,  with  Smithfp' 1 
siding.  •U.'" 

The  session  will  be  attended  by 
president  Spyros  P.  Skouras  and  home 
office  executives  W.  C.  Gehring,  assis- 
tant general  sales  manager ;  Charles 
Schlaifer,  director  of  advertising-pub- 
licity; Martin  Moskowitz,  executive 
assistant  to  Smith ;  Peter  Levathes, 
short  subject  sales  manager;  Clarence 
A.  Hill,  manager  of  branch  operations, 
and  Frank  Carroll,  Roger  Ferri  and 
Jack  Bloom. 

The  Canadian  delegation  will  include 
Arthur  Silverstone,  Canadian  division 
manager,  and  the  following  branch 
managers :  V.  M.  Skorey,  Calgary ; 
Edward  English,  Montreal ;  R.  G. 
March,  St.  John;  H.  J.  Bailey,  Toron- 
to ;  J.  E.  Patterson,  Vancouver ;  J. 
Huber,  Winnipeg ;  exploitation  repre- 
sentative Sam  Glasier  and  Toronto 
salesmen  and  bookers. 


Roy  Alexander,  58, 
NSS  Chicago  Chief 

Chicago,  July  20. — Roy  Alexander, 
58,  Chicago  salesman  for  National 
Screen  Service  and  prominent  in  the 
film  business  for  30  years,  died  sud- 
denly this  morning  at  Southtown  Hos- 
pital here  of  a  heart  attack.  Yester- 
day he  had  attended  the  funeral  of 
Jack  McPherson,  London  manager  of 
National  Screen,  and  had  apparently 
been  in  good  health.  He  was  for- 
merly branch  manager  for  National 
Screen  in  Kansas  City  and  was  dis- 
trict manager  for  Universal  and  Co- 
lumbia prior  to  1940. 

He  is  survived  by  the  widow,  Rina. 


A.  H.  Nanton,  Exhibitor 

Montreal,  July  20. — A.  H.  Nanton, 
operator  of  the  Playhouse,  Manches- 
ter, Vt,  died  here  suddenly  last  Fri- 
day. 


Fine  Foto-Nite  Winner 

Toronto,  July  20. — Foto-Nite  of- 
ficials in  Toronto  have  been  studying 
the  judgment  of  an  Ottawa  court 
which  ruled  that  the  Foto-Nite  prize 
stunt  at  theatres  was  a  lottery  scheme 
and  imposed  a  fine  on  a  winning  par- 
ticipant at  the  Francais  Theatre, 
Ottawa. 


B     OF  COURSE 


1% 


MAN-EATER 

OF  KUMAON 


starring 


SABU  •  JOANNE  PAGE 

AS  "NARAIN"  AS  "IAU" 

WENDELL  COREY 

AS  THE  HUNTER 

w„h  MORRIS  CARNOVSKY 

A  UNIVERSAL-INTERN  AJtONAL  RELEASE  .  Adapta- 
tion by  Richard  G.  Hubler  and  Alden  Nash  •  Screen- 
play by  Jeanne  Bartlert  and  Lewis  Meltzer  •  Based 
on  the  book  "Man-Eaters  of  Kurnocn"  by  Jim  Corbett 


Directed  by 


Produced  by 


BYRON  HASKIN  •  MONTY  SHAFF 

■n  association  with  FRANK  P.  ROSENBERG 


The  "Exploitation  Picture  of  the  Year". . . 
piling  up  "A"  grosses  in  "A"  houses.  Fourth 
roaring  week  at  the  Winter  Garden, 
New  York!  BIG  at  Keith's,  Baltimore! 
Terrific  in  five-theatre  Los  Angeles  pre- 
miere at  the  Ritz,  U.A.,  Guild,  Iris  and 
Studio  City!  Everybody's  holding  that  tiger! 


★ 


II 


•  We  put  "National"  projector 
carbons  in  the  water-cooled  jaws 
of  this  special  mechanism  .  .  .  sock 
them  with  king-size  jolts  of  elec- 
tricity .  .  .  try  them  at  different 
angles  .  .  .  experiment  with  doz- 
ens of  sizes  and  types  —  and  come 
up  with  projector  carbons  that  are 
tailor  made  for  your  theatre.  The 
light  from  "National"  carbons  is 
therefore  brighter.  It  is  steadier. 
It  is  nearly  perfect  for  bringing 
out  the  rich  tones  of  color  movies. 


This  experimental  arc  mecha- 
nism is  only  one  detail  in  National 
Carbon  Company's  extensive  labo- 
ratory effort  to  develop  better  pro- 
jector carbons.  You,  the  exhibitor, 
reap  the  benefits  in  better  screen 
visibility,  satisfied  patrons,  and 
bigger  box  office! 

The  term  "National"  is  a  registered  trade-mark  of 

NATIONAL  CARBON  COMPANY,  INC. 

Unit  of  Union  Carbide  and  Carbon  Corporation 

QH3 

30  East  42nd  Street,  New  York  17,  N.  Y. 
Division  Sales  Offices:  Atlanta,  Chicago,  Dallas, 
Kansas  City,  New  York,  Pittsburgh,  San  Francisco 


3 


64.  NO.  15 


MOTION  PICTl^k 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  JULY  22,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Reissues  Seen 
Hit  by  N.  Y. 
Ascap  Decision 

Society  Lost  Case  by 
Exorbitant  Fee  Demand 


The  New  York  Federal  District 
Court  decision  holding  that  the 
blanket  licensing  of  music  perform- 
ing rights  to  theatres  by  Ascap  is 
illegal  raises  serious  problems  for 
Film  Classics,  Astor  Pictures  and 
other  companies  dealing  in  reissues 
acquired  from  other  producers,  indus- 
try attorneys  said  yesterday. 

They  pointed  out  that,  if  the  New 
York  court  decision  is  sustained,  pro- 
ducers of  new  pictures  may  have  little 
difficulty  obtaining  performing  rights 
to  the  music  in  their  pictures  at  the 
same  time  that  synchronizaton  rights 
are  obtained  and,  thus,  will  be  in  a  po- 
sition to  extend  the  performing  rights 
licenses  to  exhibitors. 

However,  they  said,  if  distributors 
of  reissues  are  unable  to  obtain  per- 
forming rights  licenses  from  Ascap, 
in  the  event  the  New  York  decision 
is  upheld,  such  distributors  would  be 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Performing  Rights 
Payments  Stay:  TO  A 

In  a  statement  issued  here  yesterday 
Herman  Levy,  counsel  for  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  warned  exhibitors 
that  the  Federal  Court's  decision  find- 
ing Ascap  guilty  of  violating  the  anti- 
trust laws  does  not  relieve  them  of 
^their  statutory  obligation  to  pay  per- 
forming rights. 

Levy  pointed  out  that  the  opinion 
of  Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell  does  not 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Harry  Katz  Is  Dead; 
Chicago  Rites  Today 

Chicago,  July  21. — Services  for  Dr. 
Harry  Katz,  54,  former  owner  and 
president  of  Monarch  Theatres,  who 
died  in  Chicago  yesterday,  are  to  be 
held  at  10  A.M.  tomorrow  at  the 
Piser  Funeral  Home,  this  city.  He 
had  been  ill  for  several  months. 

Katz  retired  from  the  industry  in 
March,  1947,  when  he  sold  his  inter 
ests  in  Monarch  to  Ted  R.  Gamble, 
who  now  operates  the  circuit.  His 
survivors  include  the  widow,  Mary 
Katz ;  a  brother,  Sam  Katz,  studio 
vice-president  of  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer ;  his  mother,  Conja,  and  two 
sisters,  Mrs.  Lillie  Stern  and  Mrs. 
Esther  Katzman. 


Discount  Foreign 
Revenue,  Heed  US 
Market:  Johnston 


Hollywood,  July  21. — Hollywood 
must  design  its  pictures  in  such  fash- 
ion as  to  make  them  commercially 
safe  on  the  basis  of  the  domestic  mar- 
ket return  alone,  Eric  A.  Johnston, 
president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Asso- 
ciation of  America,  told  a  group  here 
planning  a  public  relations  council.  He 
warned  that  the  foreign  situation  as  it 
concerns  revenue  to  the  United  States 
is  likely  to  get  worse  before  it  im- 
proves. 

Johnston  urged  all  phases  of  pro- 
duction o  buckle  down  to  a  firm  real- 
ization of  the  outlook  and  govern 
their  activities  and  inter-relationships 
accordingly. 

The  public  relations  group,  repre- 
senting producers,  guilds  and  unions, 
reportedly  made  little  progress  in 
finalizing  industry  council  plans.  An- 
other meeting  is  tentatively  scheduled 
for  next  month. 


Hit  'Popcorn  Clause' 
In  New  Bldg.  Code 

Sharp  objection  to  a  clause  in  the 
proposed  revisions  to  the  New  York 
State  building  code  which  would  pro- 
hibit the  use  in  theatres  of  popcorn 
machines  or  other  vending  machines 
using  combustible  fluid,  was  voiced 
here  yesterday. 

At  the  final  public  hearing  at  the 
State  Board  of  Standards  and  Appeals 
in  the  Empire  State  Building,  Leon- 
ard L.  Rosenthal,  representing  Smalley 
Theatres,  Inc.,  and  Upstate  Theatres, 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Warren  Will  Decide 
British  Money  Split 

London,  July  21. — Determination  of 
an  equitable  system  of  allocating  re- 
mittable  American  film  money  to  the 
U.  S.  companies  has  been  placed  in 
the  hands  of  John  F.  Warren,  London 
accountant,  who  has  acted  as  auditor 
for  various  American  companies  here 
for  a  number  of  years. 

Britain's  Board  of  Trade,  with  the 
approval  of  the  Anglo-U.  S.  control 
committee  which  governs  the  opera- 
tion of  the  dollar  exchange  agreement 
which  settled  the  75  per  cent  import 
tax  dispute,  named  Warren  to  the 
post.  According  to  the  Board's  an- 
nouncement, he  is  to  "determine  an 
equitable  basis  for  the  distribution 
among  qualified  American  claimants 
for  available  dollars  under  the  agree- 
ment and  calculate  the  amounts  to 
which  each  claimant  is  entitled." 

In  the  event  a  claimant  considers 
Warren's  decision  inequitable  it  will 
have  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  control 
committee.  Otherwise  his  decision 
will  be  final  and  no  dollar  transfer 
will  be  authorized  without  his  advice. 
Claims  accordingly  will  be  addressed 
to  Warren. 

Warren's  remuneration  will  be  paid 
by  the  American  companies  on  a  pro- 
portionate basis.  Time  when  the  in- 
itial distribution  of  dollars  will  be 
made  is  still  uncertain  but  is  prom- 
ised at  the  earliest  date  possible. 


Ascap  Weighs 
Exit  from 
Theatre  Field 


Says  Its  Members  Might 
Benefit  from  Decision 


Holloway  Heads  New 
Mid-Central  Allied 


Edward  T.  Dickinson 
Named  to  EC  A  Post 

Washington,  July  21. — Edward  T. 
Dickinson,  Jr.,  on  leave  of  absence  as 
vice-president  of  Universal  Pictures 
Co.  in  charge  of  educational  films,  to- 
day was  appointed  director  of  the  new 
program  co-ordination  division  of  the 
Economic  Cooperation  Administration, 
which  will  be  responsible  for  evaluat- 
ing and  recommending  ECA  programs 
for  the  European  countries  participat- 
ing. 

Dickinson,  37,  was  a  marine  in  the 
war  and  was  with  Office  of  Strategic 
Services.  He  served  as  research  as- 
sistant to  the  chairman  of  the  United 
States  Steel  board  before  he  went  in- 
to service,  later  becoming  executive 
director  of  the  planning  committee  of 
the  War  Production  Board.  After 
the  war  he  functioned  as  one  of  the 
U.  S.  representatives  on  the  Emer- 
gency Economic  Committee  for  Eu- 
rope. 


St.  Louis,  July  21. — Organization 
of  Mid-Central  Allied  Independent 
Theatre  Owners,  Inc.,  has  been  com- 
pleted here  with  the  election  of  Henry 
Holloway  of  St.  Louis  County  as  pres- 
ident and  A.  B.  Jeffreris,  Piedmont, 
Mo.,  as  vice-president.  Hugh  Graham 
of  St.  Louis  is  secretary. 

Board  members  are  Charles  Beni- 
nati,  Carlyle,  111. ;  Earl  Vandever, 
Kennett,  Mo. ;  W.  T.  Zimmerman, 
Warrenton,  Mo. ;  Caesar  Berutt,  Sul- 
livan, Mo. ;  Lee  Norton,  Sullivan,  111., 
and  Andrew  Dietz. 


Wilby  Returns  2  in 
Tenn.  to  Crescent 

Atlanta,  July  21. — Wilby  Theatres 
has  relinquished  operation  of  the 
Rialto  and  Gem,  Kingsport,  Tenn., 
and  has  returned  the  theatres  to 
Crescent  Amusement  Co.  of  Nashville, 
owner  and  former  operator.  Wilby, 
which  had  operated  the  houses  for 
many  years  past,  will  continue  to 
operate  the  State,  its  own  house  in 
Kingsport. 

Two  independent  houses,  the  Center 
and  the  recently  opened  Fox,  also  are 
operating  in  Kingsport. 


Ascap  officials  said  yesterday 
that  consideration  is  being  given  to 
a  withdrawal  from  the  theatre  mu- 
sic licensing  field  without  taking  an 
appeal  from  the  New  York  Federal 
court  decision  of  Tuesday  enjoining 
the  Society  from  issuing  blanket  per- 
forming rights  licenses  to  theatres  and 
granting  other  basic  injunctive  relief 
to  members  of  the  Independent  Thea- 
tre Owners  Association  of  New  York, 
plaintiffs  in  the  action  against  Ascap. 

"The  decision  may  be  a  blessing  in 
disguise  for  Ascap,"  one  official  said. 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Ascap  Decision  Seen 
Vindicating  Allied 

Washington,  July  21. — Abram  F. 
Myers,  Allied  States  general  counsel, 
declared  today  that  the  New  York  de- 
cision ruling  out  the  Ascap  seat  tax  is 
complete  vindication  for  Allied's  posi- 
tion of  last  winter  in  supporting  the 
Lewis  bill  and  refusing  to  bargain 
with  Ascap. 

The  order,  he  said,  "gives  effect  to 
the  substance  of  the  Lewis  bill,"  and 
was  no  doubt  influenced  by  it. 

"Quite  naturally,"  said  Myers  in  a 
statement  telephoned  to  his  office  from 
St.  Louis,  "Allied  is  gratified  that  its 
position  in  reference  to  Ascap  has  re- 
ceived full  judicial  sanction.  I  am 
happy  to  congratulate  Messrs.  Brandt 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Trinity  Sues  Selznick 
In  Contract  Dispute 

Hollywood,  July  21. — William  A. 
Bacher's  Trinity  Pictures  Corporation 
has  filed  a  Superior  Court  suit 
against  David  O.  Selznick,  Vanguard 
Films  and  numerous  "John  Does," 
asking  $2,500,000  for  charged  viola- 
tion of  a  contract  covering  the  pro- 
duction "If  This  Be  My  Harvest," 
which  was  stopped  on  the  scheduled 
starting  date  when  Vanguard-loaned 
players,  Valli,  Louis  Jourdan  and 
Robert  Mitchum  failed  to  report  for 
work. 

Selznick  subsequently  issued  a  state- 
ment saying  the  deal  had  not  been 
completed  and  players  were  withheld 
because  Bacher  had  failed  to  revise 
the  script  to  conform  with  Selznick's 
requirements. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  July  22,  1948 


US  Product  Regains 
Position  in  Ecuador 


Washington,  July  21.— With  1948 
business  already  matching  the  entire 
1947  take,  U.  S.  pictures  have  re- 
gained their  pre-war  dominance  in 
Ecuador,  Department  of  Commerce 
film  chief  Nathan  D.  Golden  will  re- 
veal here  tomorrow.  "Most  important 
factor  in  this  trend,"  said  Golden, 
"was  the  unceasing  efforts  of  the  local 
agents  of  United  States  film  distribu- 
tors." 

Golden  reported  that  390  (74  per 
cent)  of  the  524  features  released  in 
Ecuador  last  year  were  of  U.  S.  origin, 
with  93  Mexican,  22  Argentine,  7 
British,  7  French  and  5  Russian  films. 
U.  S.  product  accounted  for  75  per 
cent  of  the  playing  time  and  62  per 
cent  of  the  gross. 

The  year  before  Mexican  product 
had  accounted  for  50  per  cent  of  the 
playing  time  and  60  per  cent  of  the 
take.  Last  year  those  figures  were  only 
20  and  25  per  cent. 


NSS  Office  in  NY 
To  Service  Albany 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  21.— National 

Screen  Service  has  transferred  its 
servicing  of  lobby  material  to  exhibi- 
tors in  the  Albany  area  from  its  Al- 
bany branch  to  its  New  York  office. 
Herman  Robbins,  president  of  NSS, 
told  theatremen  here  that  the  com- 
pany has  been  sending  trailers  from 
New  York  successfully  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  that  accessories  can  be 
handled  from  New  York  with  equal 
efficiency.  Some  mats,  stills  and  press 
books  will  be  kept  here  to  accommo- 
date exhibitors  with  close  bookings. 


Hersholt  Names  Schary 

Hollywood,  July  21. — Motion.  Pic- 
ture Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences 
president  Jean  Hersholt  announced  to- 
day the  appointment  of  Dore  Schary 
to  the  board  of  governors  as  represen- 
tative of  the  executives  branch,  filling 
the  vacancy  left  by  Donald  Nelson's 
withdrawal  from  the  industry. 

N.  Peter  Rathvon  is  the  other  ex- 
ecutive representative  on  the  board. 


Switches  Film  to  UA 

Hollywood,  July  21. — Independent 
producer  Jerrold  Brandt  reports  he 
has  obtained  a  release  from  his  com- 
mitment to  distribute  "Command  Per- 
formance" through  Columbia  and  an- 
nounces United  Artists  as  the  dis- 
tributor. Brandt  has  the  film  in  pre- 
paration with  a  $1,500,000  budget,  it 
is  said. 


Personal  Mention 


UA  Film  at  Capitol 

The  first  United  Artists  release  to 
play  the  Capitol  here  in  several  years, 
"Pitfall""  has  been  booked  for  the 
house,  usually  a  "showcase"  for 
M-G-M  product,  to  open  following 
"On  an  Island  with  You."  Samuel 
Bischoff  produced  "Pitfall." 


MAURICE  BERGMAN,  Univer- 
sal-International Eastern  adver- 
tising-publicity   director,    and  Mrs. 
Bergman,  returned  to  New  York  yes- 
terday by  plane  from  London. 
• 

Harry  M.  Kalmine,  president  of 
Warner  Theatres ;  Harry  Goldberg, 
director  of  advertising-publicity,  and 
Harry  Rosenquest,  executive,  will 
return  to  New  York  tomorrow  from 
Albany. 

• 

Al  Horwits,  Eastern  publicity  man- 
ager for  Universal-International,  and 
Charles  Simonelli,  Eastern  exploi- 
tation manager,  are  in  Atlantic  City 
from  New  York. 

• 

W.  C.  Gehring,  20th  Century-Fox 
assistant  general  sales  manager,  is  in 
Chicago  where  he  will  be  a  pallbearer 
today  at  the  funeral  of  the  late  Harry 
Katz. 

• 

Paul  Richrath,  home  office  assis- 
tant to  John  P.  Byrne,  Eastern  sales 
manager,  will  leave  here  today  for  an 
up-state  vacation. 

• 

Edward  M.  Schnitzer,  United 
Artists'  Eastern  and  Canadian  sales 
manager,  is  in  Cleveland  from  New 
York. 

Herman  Ripps,  field  assistant  to 
John  P.  Byrne,  M-G-M  Eastern 
manager,  is  here  from  Albany. 

Mark  Silver,  United  Artists'  Penn- 
sylvania-Washington district  manager, 
is  a  visitor  here. 


CHARLES  M.  REAGAN,  Para- 
mount distribution  vice-president, 
is  in  Chicago  where  he  will  attend  the 
Will  Rogers  Memorial  Fund  luncheon 
today. 

• 

Hal  Hode,  executive  assistant  to 
Jack  Cohn,  Columbia  executive  vice- 
president,  was  married  yesterday  to 
Mrs.  Dorothy  Plehn  of  Chicago  at 
Forest  Hills,  L.  I. 

• 

William    A.    Scully,  Universal- 
International    distribution  vice-presi- 
dent, will  sail  from  France  today  for 
New  York  aboard  the  S.S.  America. 
• 

Hugh  Owen,  Eastern  and  Southern 
divisional   sales   manager   for  Para- 
mount, will  return  to  New  York  at 
the  weekend  from  Charlotte,  N.  C. 
• 

Lawrence  A.  Audrain,  Prestige 
Pictures'  publicity  director,  is  visiting 
England  from  New  York. 

• 

Alexander  Markey,  producer-di- 
rector, will  leave  New  York  Saturday 
for  Hollywood. 

• 

William  Selwyn,  talent  director 
for  Samuel  Goldwyn,  is  here  from 
the  Coast. 

• 

J.  P.  Broderick  has  purchased  the 
Royal  Theatre,  Dunlap,  la.,  from  Carl 
Worl. 

• 

John  Edding  has  sold  his  Galva 
Theatre,  Galva,  la.,  to  Bradley 
Grimes. 


Sues  20th  on  Contract 

Mildred  (Babe)  Didrickson  Za- 
harias  filed  a  $100,000  suit  against 
20th-Fox  in  U.  S.  District  Court  here 
yesterday.  The  woman  athlete  charged 
the  company  broke  a  contract  calling 
for  her  services  in  six  shorts  for  a 
consideration  of  $60,000. 


Alexander  Rites  Today 

Chicago,  July  21. — Services  for  Le 
Roy  Alexander,  58,  National  Screen 
Service  salesman,  who  died  here  yes- 
terday, are  to  be  held  here  tomorrow. 


O'Donnell  Released 

Hollywood,  July  21. — Samuel  Gold- 
wyn has  released  Cathy  O'Donnell 
from  her  contract  and  will  replace  her 
in  "Roseanne  McCoy,"  which  she  was 
scheduled  to  start  with  Farley  Gran- 
ger next  month.  Miss  O'Donnell  has 
been  under  contract  for  four  years. 


Strike  May  Shut  Off 
Theatre  Air -Cooling 

A  threatened  walkout  of  air-con- 
ditioning engineers,  which  would  shut 
down  the  cooling  systems  in  most  of 
the  large  Broadway  theatres  and  RKO 
and  Loew's  neighborhoods  here,  came 
yesterday  as  members  of  Local  No.  30 
of  the  International  Union  of  Oper- 
ating Engineers  (AFL)  voted  yester- 
day to  reject  an  exhibitors'  offer  of 
10  per  cent  wage  increase.  The  union 
refuses  to  reduce  its  demands  beyond 
15  per  cent,  contending  that  its  mem- 
bers have  had  no  increase  in  two 
years  and  need  the  higher  wage  to 
offset  the  rise  in  living  costs. 

Strike  is  scheduled  for  tomorrow, 
and  the  temperature  has  been  pressing 
90  lately.  If  the  strike  occurs  the  ex- 
hibitors may  keep  the  theatres  open. 


Donation  To  Aid  Actors 

Another  allocation  of  $25,000  has 
been  made  by  the  Theatre  Authority, 
Inc.,  here,  to  the  following  theatrical 
charities  for  the  relief  of  the  indigent 
of  the  acting  profession :  Actors'  Fund 
of  America,  Stage  Relief  Fund,  Amer- 
ican Guild  of  Variety  Artists,  Screen 
Actors'  Guild,  Episcopal  Actors'  Guild, 
Jewish  Theatrical  Guild,  Actors' 
Equity  Association.  Chorus  Equity 
Association,  Negro  Actors'  Guild, 
American  Guild  of  Musical  Artists, 
American  Federation  of  Radio  Artists, 
Authors  League  Fund  and  League  of 
New  York  Theatres.  Announcement 
of  the  allocation  was  made  by  Alan 
Corelli,  TA's  national  executive  secre- 
tary. 


$31,000  for  Film  Charity 

Toronto,  July  21. — Assistant  chief 
barker  Morris  Stein  of  the  Toronto 
Variety  Tent  has  reported  net  pro- 
ceeds of  $31,000  from  the  club's  second 
annual  baseball  benefit  in  aid  of  the 
fund  for  Variety  Village,  a  training 
school  for  Ontario  handicapped  chil- 
dren. The  fund  now  stands  at  approxi- 
mately $120,000,  all  raised  by  the  local 
tent. 


$3,306,000  to  Mexicans 

Mexico  City,  July  21.— -The  Mexi- 
can film  industry  continues  to  get  con- 
siderable cash  from  its  own  bank,  the 
Banco  Nacional  Cinematografica  here. 
During  the  first  six  months  of  this 
year  it  granted  loans,  credits  and  dis- 
counts totaling  $3,306,578. 


Drive-in  Building 
Beyond  Expectation 


The  construction  of  drive-in  theatres 
in  virtually  every  exchange  territory 
in  the  country  is  far  surpassing  the 
most  optimistic  expectations  of  the 
blue-printing  days  of  last  winter  and 
fall.  Realty  markets  in  favored  loca- 
tions are  booming.  Most  favored 
areas  are,  naturally,  those  where  r-'M 
weather  predominates  most  of^£-  * 
year.  Equipment  manufacturers^of 
the  essentials  for  drive-in  operations 
and  their  theatre  supply  dealer  agen- 
cies are  enjoying  the  splurge  of  the 
sponsors  of  outdoor  auto-movie  enter- 
tainment. So  are  the  vendors  of  pop- 
corn and  refreshments  as  existing 
drive-in  operators  extend  their  com- 
mercial operations  to  circulate  "car- 
hops" among  their  car  customers,  and 
new  drive-in  exhibitors  build  candy 
stands  at  the  outset. 

Few  Rejections 

In  only  a  comparative  few  instances 
have  local  authorities  rejected  appli- 
cations of  wouldbe  drive-in  operators, 
and  in  most  of  these  cases  rejection 
was  because  of  local  residential  zoning 
restrictions  enforced  in  suburban 
areas.  A  few  were  rejected  because 
of  anticipated  traffic  hazards. 

Among  the  newest  drive-in  projects 
reported  in  the  field,  to  be  added  to 
the  scores  launched  in  recent  months, 
are  the  following: 

Louisville  reports  drive-ins  contem- 
plated by  W.  H.  Hahn  and  J.  F.  Bur- 
nette  of  Bardstown,  and  by  unnamed 
operators  at  Glasgow,  Ky.,  and  in 
Southwest  Louisville.  Clem  Jaunich 
will  spend  $100,000  on  a  500-car 
drive-in  at  Austin,  Minn.  Three  are 
contemplated  by  Ralph  Green,  one 
each  at  Racine  and  Madison,  Wis., 
and  at  Rochester,  Minn.  Alva  and 
Edward  Taylor  and  Charles  Stein- 
born  have  opened  at  Huron,  S.  D. 
Drive-in  equipment  has  been  shipped 
to  spots  at  Clovis,  N.  Mex.,  Anderson, 
S.  C,  and  Laurinburg,  N.  C. 

Other  Projects 

H.  J.  Shelby  has  plans  for  Kevil, 
Ky.,  while  J.  W.  Lyles  of  Benton  and 
L.  J.  Gill  of  Paducah,  both  also  in 
Kentucky,  are  considering  construc- 
tion. Weymouth  Drive-in  Corp.  of 
Boston  is  building  at  West  Spring- 
field, Mass.,  while  E.  M.  Loew  Thea- 
tres has  plans  for  Montville,  Conn. 
Already  operating  three  in  Up-state 
New  York,  Fabian-Hellman  Drive- 
in  Theatres  plan  another  on  the  Troy- 
Albany  road.  The  drive-in  list  has 
been  further  expanded  by  S.  A.  F.  Co., 
Charlotte,  and  Turnpike  Theatre  Co., 
Newington,  Conn.,  headed  by  Robert 
Gloth  and  Joseph  Dolgin. 

In  Canada,  Ontario's  largest  auto 
theatre  is  the  Starlite,  at  Chippewa, 
managed  by  Dewey  McCourt,  who 
also  has  the  Brock  at  Niagara-on-the- 
Lake.  W.  C.  Macon  spent  $40,000  on 
a  project  between  Old  Fort  and  Ma- 
rion, N.  C.  W.  W.  Williams'  drive- 
in  on  the  Charlotte-York  road  cost 
the  same.  Burlington,  Vt.,  has  a  new- 
drive-in,  backed  by  John  Gardner, 
Improvements  have  been  made  by  C. 
O.  Kirby  at  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  while 
the  Bristol  Livestock  Co.,  headed  by 
Albert  Bernstein,  has  expanded  into 
drive-in  field  at  Bristol,  Conn. 


Vine  Building,  Willi  am  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farlev,  Advertising  Representative*  Jimmy  *Ascher 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager  Peter  Burnup' 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  'Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.    Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies.  10c.  '  '         ' ' 


Thursday,  July  22,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


Reissues  Hit 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

put  to  extreme  difficulties  to  locate  in- 
dividual owners  of  the  copyrighted 
music  in  their  pictures  and  might  in- 
cur extraordinary  costs  in  acquiring 
the  rights.  It  was  pointed  out  that  in 
many  cases  such  distributors,  if  they 
could  identify  the  copyright  owners 
and  locate  them,  might  have  to  deal 
trusts,    estates,    attorneys  and 

(~"~]r  representatives  and  their  nego- 
fOmg  position  would  be  disadvan- 
tageous inasmuch  as  it  would  be 
known  the  pictures  in  question  could 
not  be  sold  without  performing  rights 

1  clearance  for  the  music  they  contained. 

Industry  attorneys  and  other  trade 
observers  were  agreed  that  the  most 
telling  factor  in  Ascap's  loss  of  the 
ITOA  case,  where  it  had  been  vic- 
torious in  all  previous  cases  of  the 
kind  including  one  brought  by  the 
Government  which  ended  in  a  con- 
sent decree  favorable  to  Ascap,  was 
the  Society's  exhorbitant  demands 
made  upon  exhibitors  last  August. 

Unrestrained  Demands 

The  New  York  court  decision  cited 
the  increases  in  theatre  rates  de- 
manded by  Ascap,  which  averaged 
about  300  per  cent,  as  evidence  of  its 
monopolistic  power  and  latent  ability 
to  injure.  Thus  most  industry  ob- 
servers see  the  decision  as  one  having 
been  courted  by  Ascap  itself  through 
its  unrestrained  demands. 

Presently,  the  Society  is  seeking 
even  higher  rate  increases  from  the- 
atres with  regular  stage  show  poli- 
cies. The  general  trade  feeling  now 
is  that  Ascap  no  longer  is  in  a  posi- 
tion to  press  those  demands. 

Attorneys  also  pointed  out  that  the 
recent  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  decision 
in  the  Paramount  case  contributed  to 
Ascap's  defeat  in  the  ITOA  case.  The 
New  York  court  referred  to  the  Su- 
preme Court  decision  finding  block 
booking  illegal  to  justify  the  local 
court's  finding  that  the  pooling  of 
copyrights  of  Ascap  members  for  the 
issuance  of  blanket  licenses  is  equally 
illegal. 

To  Re-Release  "Ape" 

Jules  Levey,  independent  producer, 
has  concluded  a  deal  with  Film  Clas- 
sics for  re-release  of  The  Hairy 
Ape."   

Allied  on  Ascap 

(Continued  from  page  1)  

and  Weisman  on  the  successful  out- 
come of  the  litigation.  I  hope  that 
Judge  Nordbye  will  promptly  follow 
this  precedent  in  deciding  the  Berger 
case.  .  ,  . 

"Allied  has  been  fully  vindicated  in 
its  refusal  to  appease  Ascap  by  enter- 
ing into  contractual  relations  with  it. 
In  that  way  Allied  avoided  becoming 
a  party  to  an  illegal  compact. 

"Allied  urges  exhibitors  not  to  be 
affected  by  propaganda  that  producers 
will  add  to  film  rentals  more  than 
the  Ascap  charges  or  will  exact  a 
separate  public  performing  charge. 
Exhibitors  can  bargain  for  film  ren- 
tals. They  cannot  bargain  with  Ascap. 
Any  attempt  by  the  producers  to  exact 
a  separate  charge  will  go  the  same 
way  as  the  score  charge. 

"This  decidedly  is  a  great  victory 
for  the  independent  exhibitors." 


$40,000,000  Radio  Sales 

Washington,  July  19.  —  Sales  of 
radio  and  television  equipment  totalled 
$40,351,820  during  the  first  quarter  of 
1948. 


RKO  Meets  Monday 
In  San  Francisco 

San  Francisco,  July  21. — RKO 
Radio's  fifth  and  final  zone  meeting 
will  be  held  here  July  26  with  Robert 
Mochrie,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
domestic  distribution,  presiding.  A 
home  office  delegation  will  include 
Walter  E.  Branson,  Western  division 
sales  manager;  Harry  J.  Michalson, 
short  subject  sales  manager;  A.  A. 
Schubart,  manager,  exchange  opera- 
tions, and  Harry  Gittleson,  assistant 
to  Mr.  Branson. 

J.  H.  Maclntyre,  manager,  Western 
district,  and  A.  L.  Kolitz,  manager, 
Rocky  Mountain  district,  will  also  be 
on  hand  as  will  the  following  branch 
managers :  J.  C.  Emerson,  Denver ;  G. 
Davidson,  Salt  Lake  City;  E.  A. 
Lamb,  Seattle :  R.  H.  Lange,  Port- 
land ;  H.  C.  Cohen,  Los  Angeles ; 
J.  P.  Smith,  San  Francisco,  and  Ollie 
Watson,  sales  manager  in  the  latter 
exchange. 

Censor  Board  Doubles 
Adult  Film  Listings 

Toronto,  July  21.  —  The  Ontario 
Board  of  Censors  has  apparently 
tightened  up  on  its  classification  of 
features  for  adult  patronage,  accord- 
ing_  to  the  report  for  June  during 
which  six  pictures  were  rated  as  adult 
entertainment.  The  list:  "Blanche 
Fury,"  "Road  to  the  Big  House," 
"Furia,"  "Dear  Murderer,"  "Mark  of 
Cain"  and  "Hatter's  Castle."  The 
adult  list  for  May  had  only  three  pic- 
tures. 


Theatre  Robbery 

Ottawa,  July  21. — Heavy  safe  con- 
taining over  500-  dollars  in  cash  was 
among  items  stolen  from  manager's  of- 
fice of  Elmdale  Theatre  here.  Au- 
thorities are  investigating. 


New  Bldg.  Code 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Inc.,  declared  that  such  a  provision 
"would  work  severe  hardships  on 
many  smaller  theatres." 

His  view  was  supported  by  repre- 
sentatives of  Metropolitan  Motion 
Picture  Theatres  Association. 

Most  of  the  hearing  was  devoted  to 
an  interpretation  of  the  language  of 
the  proposed  code  as  well  as  comments 
on  its  provisions.  After  reviewing  the 
comments  made  at  these  hearings,  as 
well  as  other  suggestions  that  can  be 
submitted  up  to  Aug.  31,  the  board  is 
expected  to  draw  up  a  final  draft. 

Lamont  Objects 

Another  source  of  objection  yester- 
day rose  from  Harry  Lamont.  up-state 
drive-in  owner,  who  saw  as  "unfair" 
a  provision  which  would  bar  walk-in 
spectators  from  drive-in  theatres.  He 
pointed  out  that  many  drive-ins  pro- 
vide annex  parking  spaces  for  over- 
flow cars,  with  seating  accommoda- 
tions provided  for  these  passengers. 
He  also  objected  to  a  provision  that 
drive-in  screens  and  screen  structures 
should  be  made  of  incombustible  ma- 
terial. 

Other  Aspects 

The  question  of  whether  resort  ho- 
tels that  occasionally  show  motion 
pictures  should  come  under  provisions 
for  theatres  came  in  for  considerable 
discussion  and  will  be  regarded  by  the 
board. 

William  H.  Roberts,  chairman  of 
the  board,  presided  at  the  meeting, 
and  John  Coggeshall,  State  Industrial 
Code  Officer,  was  moderator. 


RCA  Has  7-By-9  Ft 
Television  System 

RCA  Victor  yesterday  reported  it 
has  begun  initial  distribution  in  tele- 
vision network  areas  of  new  commer- 
cial equipment  which  produces  video 
pictures  on  screens  ranging  from 
three-by-four  feet  to  six-by-nine  feet. 
The  63-square-foot  image  can  be  ob- 
tained by  placing  the  projector  17  feet 
from  the  screen.  A  special  focusing 
system  permits  adjustment  for  a 
shorter  projection  throw,  providing  a 
smaller  image,  it  was  said.  The  equip- 
ment was  designed  for  use  by  theatres 
(in  lobbies  and  mezzanines),  hotels, 
clubs,  hospitals,  schools,  etc. 


UK  Studios  Install 
46  W.  E.  Recorders 

Robert  J.  Engler,  recording  man- 
ager of  Western  Electric  Company  in 
England,  who  has  returned  to  the 
U.  S.  for  conferences  with  officials  of 
Westrex  in  New  York  and  Holly- 
wood, reports  46  Western  Electric 
recording  channels  have  been  installed 
or  are  being  installed  by  12  studios  in 
Britain.  Production  activity  among 
W.  E.'s  British  licensees,  he  adds,  is 
on  the  rise,  with  some  new  sound 
stages  being  built. 

.During  Engler's  absence  from  Lon- 
don, his  post  is  being  filled  by  Reeve 
O.  Strock,  recording  Westrex  man- 
ager. 

Phila.  Combine  Will 
Bid  for  WB  Houses 

Philadelphia,  July  21.  —  William 
Ehrenberg,  head  of  a  local  premium 
firm  which  serves  Warner  and  other 
picture  companies,  has  formed  a  syn- 
dicate which  is  planning  to  offer 
Warner  Brothers  a  bid  to  take  over 
all  their  theatres  in  this  zone,  which 
includes  Philadelphia,  New  Jersey, 
Delaware  and  up-state  Pennsylvania. 

According  to  Ehrenberg,  the  syn- 
dicate is  made  up  of  14  prominent  lo- 
calites  who  are  "definitely"  prepared 
to  make  a  $5,000,000  initial  deposit  as 
first  payment. 

Within  the  next  week  or  10  days 
they  expect  to  send  a  committee  of 
about  five  persons  to  California  to  con- 
tact Warners. 


TOA  on  Decision 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

mean  that  the  owners  "of  copyrighted 
musical  compositions  will  be  deprived 
of  payments  for  performing  rights, 
adding  that  "nothing  short  of  a  repeal 
of  that  portion  of  the  Federal  copy- 
right law  could  accomplish  that."  He 
asserted  that  "the  court  did  not  intend 
to  infringe  on  that  right." 

"For  those  who  would  negotiate  for 
performing  rights  with  individual 
copyright  owners  or  would-be  pro- 
ducers of  films  as  part  of  film  cost 
rather  than  with  Ascap,"  the  TOA 
statement  further  said,  "the  decision 
represents  a  great  victory.  For  others 
it  means  either  the  creation  of  a 
new,  involved  and  most  difficult  sys- 
tem of  doing  business  with  the  in- 
dividual copyright  owners  or  a  com- 
pulsory surrender  by  exhibitors  to  the 
producers  of  motion  pictures  of  their 
privilege  to  negotiate  with  one  cen- 
tral agency  concerning  the  amount 
which  they  as  exhibitors  shall  pay  for 
performing  rights." 

The  TOA  was  instrumental  in  ne- 
gotiating the  current  Ascap  theatre 
rate,  which  represents  a  huge  reduc- 
tion from  the  fees  originally  demanded 
by  the  society  last  August. 


Ascap  Weighs 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

"The  Society  derives  relatively  little 
revenue  from  theatres  and  if  its 
members  were  to  negotiate  individually 
for  _  the  performing  rights  to  their 
motion  picture  music  they  would  more 
than  likely  obtain  more  than  they  do 
now  for  those  rights  and,  at  the  same 
time,  Ascap  would  be  relieved  of  the 
labor,  costs  and  taxes  of  handling 
theatre  licensing." 

(Ascap  collected  almost  $2,000,000 
from  theatres  last  year.) 

The  official  pointed  out  that  in 
states  which  had  enacted  anti-Ascap 
legislation,  causing  the  Society  to 
withdraw,  the  resultant  confusion  in- 
evitably led  the  users  of  performing 
rights  to  petition  the  states  to  repeal 
or  modify  the  legislation  and  thereby 
permit  Ascap  to  resume  operations. 

See  No  Radio  Suits 

Ascap  officials  scoffed  at  the  sug- 
gestion that  radio  broadcasters,  hotels, 
dance  halls,  restaurants  and  other 
Ascap  performing  rights  licensees 
might  sue  for  relief  similar  to  that 
obtained  by  the  ITOA. 
„  "We  think,"  said  one  Ascap  official, 
that  broadcasters  would  be  genuinely 
concerned  if  they  thought  their  exist- 
ing contracts  with  the  Society  would 
be  disturbed." 

It  was  pointed  out  that  it  would  be 
next  to  impossible  for  broadcasters  to 
function  without  the  protection  of 
blanket  performing  rights  licenses  in- 
asmuch as  they  could  be  prosecuted 
for  unauthorized  performances  of  mu- 
sic picked  up  incidentally  by  broad- 
casts from  convention  halls,  at  sports 
events  and  other  program  sites. 

Industry  legal  quarters  discounted 
the  Ascap  intimation  that  an  appeal 
from  the  New  York  decision  might 
not  be  taken  by  the  Society,  the  gen- 
eral feeling  being  that  the  legality  of 
Ascap's  blanket  licensing  system  is 
too  important  either  to  be  ignored  by 
the  Society  or  to  be  left  by  it  in  an 
indeterminate  state. 

Plaintiffs  May  Appeal 

ITOA  sources  intimated  that  re- 
gardless of  Ascap's  action  on  an  ap- 
peal, plaintiffs  in  the  case  might  ap- 
peal on  their  own  from  Judge  Vincent 
L.  Lejbell's  denial  of  damages  to  them. 

It  is  expected  in  legal  circles  that 
several  months  will  elapse  before  an 
order  is  entered  in  the  ITOA-Ascap 
case.  Thereafter,  the  litigants  have 
90  days  from  the  date  of  entry  of  a 
decree,  in  which  to  file  a  notice  of 
appeal  with  the  U.  S.  Circuit  Court 
of  Appeals  here.  Indications  are,  in 
view  of  the  importance  of  the  case, 
that  a  stay  of  Judge  Leibell's  order 
would  be  granted  pending  a  final  de- 
cision on  appeal. 

It  is  regarded  as  a  certainty  that 
the  case  ultimately  would  go  to  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court  after  the  Circuit 
court  has  acted.  Therefore,  attorneys 
estimate  that  the  case  may  be  in  the 
courts  for  another  18  months  to  two 
years. 

It  was  filed  in  1942. 


Trans  -  Lux  Acquires 
Dobbs  Ferry  House 

Trans-Lux  Corp.  has  purchased  the 
Embassy  Theatre,  Dobbs  Ferry,  N.  Y., 
for  a  reported  $250,000  as  the  first  step 
in  an  expansion  move,  according  to 
William  M.  Girden,  president.  The 
property  originally  was  built  for  RKO 
about  20  years  ago  at  a  cost  of  $500,- 
000.  Greenfield  and  Fromme  sold  the 
house  to  Trans-Lux. 


lionel  BARRYMORE  clai 


LAUREN 


e TREVOR 


SOCK  STARTIN 


PRODUCED  BY 


ON ■ JERRY  WALD 


Screen  Play  by  Richard  Brooks  and  John  Huston  •  Based  on  the  Play  by  MAXWELL  ANDERSON 
As  Produced  on  the  Spoken  Stage,  by  the  Playwrights  Company  •  Music  by  Max  Steiner 


It  Has  The  Thrills  Of  TWO  Pictu  i 

One  of  the  great  productions  in  screen  history 
is  carving  out  a  second  history-making,  glory- 
covered  career  as  it  not  only  matches  but  TOPS 
new  high-budget  hits  in  first  5  test  dates: — 

NEW  YORK -first  re -release  ever  to  play  the  Rivoli  and  it  opened  to 
the  Rivoli's  top  business  in  several  months. 

CHICAGO  —first  week  60%  over  its  strong  predecessor,  a  new  high- 
budget  hit. 

ROCHESTER -18%  over  current  new  release  featuring  3  outstanding 
stars ...  and  within  seven  dollars  of  one  of  the  industry's 
most  sensationally  grossing  melodramas  of  1948. 

DENVER-beat  receipts  of  new  picture  released  in  peak  months  of  1947. 

SALT  LAKE  CITY— first  3  days  topped  by  wide  margin  3  important 
current-season,  big-star  hits. 

You  Can  Do  Above-Average  New-Picture 
Business  With  This  Spectacular  Reissue  from 

Paramount 

Cecil  B.DeMilles 


tf 


TJJE 


full  Saturday  opening  figures  for  a  pre- 
vious new  show.  Write  home-office  or 
our  local  representative  for  repro  art. 


8 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  July  22,  1948 


Estimates  of  Key  City  Grosses 


OLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
L  lurr  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  ke\  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


LOS  ANGELES 

"Key  Largo,"  doing  double-average 
business  in  the  three  Warner  first- 
runs,  held  a  monopoly  on  the  good 
news  of  an  otherwise  quiet  box  office 
week.  Weather  was  ideal  for  attend- 
ance, what  with  Coastal  fogs  cutting 
down  the  counter-attraction  of  the 
beaches,  but  first-runs,  with  the  bril- 
liant exception  of  the  Warner  group, 
did  not  reflect  it.  Meanwhile,  the  new 
hot-rod  racing,  experiencing  a  popu- 
larity likely  to  sprout  nationwide  sig- 
nificance sooner  or  later,  began  to  be 
counted  in  as  among  the  reasons  why 
the  younger  set  is  not  standing  in  line 
at  theatre  box-offices.  (Remember 
miniature  golf?)  Estimated  receipts 
for  the  week  ended  July  21  : 
DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox)  and  THE 
CHECKERED  COAT  (2uth-Fox)— CAR- 
THAY  CiRCLE  U,516)  (50c-6Oc-85c-$1.0O)  6 
days.  Gross:  $9,000.  (Average:  $5,500) 
DEEP  WATERS  (2Gth-Fcx)  and  THE 
CHECKERED  COAT  (20th-Fox)— CHIN- 
ESE (2,300)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.0O)  6  days. 
Gross:  $14,500.  (Average:  $13,000) 
DEEP  WATERS  (2:th-Fox)  and  THE 
CHECKERED  COAT  (2  0th-Fox)- 
LOEWS  STATE  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  6  days. 
Gross:  $25X00.  (Average:  $19,800) 
DEEP  WATERS  (Iflth-Fox)  and  THE 
CHECKERED  COAT  (25th-Fox)— LOY- 
OLA (1,265)  (50c-6Oc-85c-$1.0O)  6  days. 
Gross:  $10,000.  (Average:  $10,000) 
DEEP  WATERS  (2Cth-Fox)  and  THE 
CHECKERED  COAT  (20th-Fox) — UP- 
TOWN (1.716)  (50c-6Cc-85c-$1.00)  6  days. 
Gross:  $10,500.  (Average:  $10,100) 
DREAM  GIRL  (Para.)  and  SECRET 
SERVICE  INVESTIGATOR  (R  e  p.)- 
PARAMOUNT  (Downtown)  (3,595)  (50c- 
6Oc-S0c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $11,500. 
< Average:  $16,450) 

DREAM  GIRL  (Para.) — PARAMOUNT 
(Hollywood)  (1.407)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $7,500.  (Average:  $13,000) 
FIGHTING  FATHER  DUNNE  (RKO  Ra- 
c'o)  and  THE  STRAWBERRY  ROAN 
(Cel.)— HILLSTREET  (2.700)  (50c-60c-80c- 
$1.0C).  Gross:  $17,500.  (Average:  $18,950x 
FIGHTING  FATHER  DUNNE  (RKO  Ra- 
dio) ar.3  THE  STRAWBERRY  RO  \N 
(C  1  )— PANTAGES  (2.000)  (50c-60--80;- 
$1.00).  Gross:  $15,200.  (Average:  $17,1501 
KEY  LARGO  (WB)  ard  MUSIC  MAN 
(Mo-.-.)— WARNERS  (Downtown)  (3,403) 
(5Oc-6Oc-S0c-$1.COl  6  days.  Gross:  $25,000. 
(Average:  $13,730) 

KEY    LARGO    (WB)    and    MUSIC  MAN 

(Mcti:>.) — WARNERS     (Hollywood)  (3,000) 


(50c-60c-80c-$1.0O)  6  days.  Gross:  $22,000. 
(Average:  $11,650) 

KEY    LARGO    (WB)    and   MUSIC  MAN 

(Mono.) — WARNERS  (Wiltern)  (2,300) 
(5Cc-60c-S0c-$1.06)  6  days.  Gross:  $22,000. 
(Average:  $11,220) 

MAN-EATER  OF  KUMAON  (U-I)  and 
GUNS  OF  HATE   (RKO   Radio) — GUILD 

(965)  (50c-60c-85c-$l.CO).  Gross:  $5,500. 
(Average:  $5,450) 

MAN-EATER  OF  KUMAON  (U-I)  and 
GUNS    OF    HATE     (RKO    Radio) — IRIS 

(708)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $6,000. 
(Average:  $6,100) 

MAN-EATER  OF  KUMAON  (U-I)  and 
GUNS   OF   HATE    (RKO'  Radio)  —  RITZ 

(1,376)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $8,0C0. 
(Average:  $9,050) 

MAN-EATER  OF  KUMAON  (U-I)  and 
GUNS  OF  HATE  (RKO'  Radio)— STUDIO 

(880)  (50c-60c-S5c-$1.00).  Gross:  $6,000. 
(Average:  $6,300) 

MAN-EATER  OF  KUMAON  (U-I)  and 
GUNS  OF  HATE  (RKO  Radio) — UNITED 
ARTISTS  (2,100)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross: 
$12,500.  (Average:  $9,580) 
NEXT  TIME  WE  LOVE  (Realart  Re- 
rolease)  ani  MY  MAN  GODFREY  (Real- 
■j-t  Re-release)— MUSIC  HALL  (Beverly 
Hills)  (900)  (65c-85c-$l.O0)  6  days.  Gross: 
$2,800.  (Average:  $3,150) 
NEXT  TIME  WE  LOVE  (Realart  Re- 
reltase)  and  MY  MAN  GODFREY  (Real- 
art  Re-release) — MUSIC  HALL  (Down- 
town) (900)  (65c-85c-$l.CO)  6  days.  Gross: 
$6,500.     (Average:  $7,550) 

NEXT  TIME  WE  LOVE  (Realart  Re- 
rtlease)  and  MY  MAN  GODFREY  (Real- 

r.rt  Re-release)— MUSIC  HALL  (Hawaii) 
(l,0CO)  (65c -85c -$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $3,200. 
(Average:  $3,400) 

NEXT  TIME  WE  LOVE  (Realart  Re- 
release)  ar.d  MY  MAN  GODFREY  (Real- 
art  Re-release) — MUSIC  HALL  (Holly- 
wood) (490)  (65c-85c-$1.00)  6  days.  Gross: 
$2,300.  (Average:  $3,100) 
RUTHLESS  (E-L)  and  SHED  NO'  TEARS 
(E-L)— BELMONT  (1,600)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  5  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $3,500. 
(Average:  $5,750) 

RUTHLESS  (E-L)  and  SHED  NO  TEARS 

(E-L)— EL  REY  (861)  (50c-6Oc-85c-$1.0O)  5 
days,  2nd  week.    Gross:  $4,000.  (Average: 

$5,700) 

RUTHLESS  (E-L)  and  SHED  NO  TEARS 
(E-L)— ORPHEUM  (2,210)  (50c-60c-85c- 
>1.00)  5  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $8,000. 
Average:  $14,650) 

RUTHLESS  (E-L)  and  SHED  NO  TEARS 
(E-L) — VOGUE  (800)  (50c-6Oc-85c-$1.0O)  5 
r'ays,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $4,500.  (Average: 
$6,500) 

THE    SEARCH    (M-G-M)— FOUR  STAR 
(900)    (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)   3rd  week.  Gross: 
$7,C00.    (Average:  $7,450) 
JUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)  and  BIG 
CITY  (M-G-M)— EGYPTIAN   (1,000)  (50c- 

.Oc-85c-$1.0O)     2nd    week.      Gross:  $9,000. 

Average:  $11,900) 
SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)  and  BIG 

c:ty  (m-g-m)— fox  wilshire  (2,300) 

(50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $10,000. 
'Average:  $12,850) 

SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)  and  BIG 
CITY  (M-G-M)— LOS  ANGELES  (2,096) 
C5',c-6f,c-85c-$1.0O)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $15,- 
C00.     (Average:  $18,100) 


SAN  FRANCISCO 


DENVER 


Overall  gross  business  this  week 
was  so-so.  "Easter  Parade"  looked 
particularly  strong.  Estimated  re- 
ceipts for  the  week  ended  July  20: 

ANOTHER    PART    OF    THE  FOREST 

(U-I)-UNITED-  ARTISTS  (1,465)  (85c) 
2nd  week.  Gross:  $7,200.  (Average: 
$11,300) 

EMPEROR      WALTZ  (Para.)-PARA 

MOUNT  (2,735)  (60c-85c)  4th  week.  Gross: 

■i>14,500.     (Average:  $19,500) 

EASTER    PARADE    (M-G-M)    and  THE 

WINNER'S  CIRCLE  (20th-Fox) — FOX  (4,- 

651)    (60;-85c).     Gross:   $34,500.  (Average: 

$23,000) 

ELLZAPGPPIN  (U-I)  and  ARGEN- 
TINE NIGHTS  (U-I)— STATE  (2,135) 
(60c-85c).  Gross:  $6,500.  (Average:  $8,500) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 
and  MONEY  MADNESS  (FC)— WAR- 
FIELD  (2,672)  (60c-85c).  Gross:  $21,500. 
(Average:  $18,800) 

THE     PARADINE      CASE      (SRO')— ST. 

FRANCIS     (1,450)     (60c-85c)     6th  week. 
Gross:  $10,000.     (Average:  $14,600) 
RETURN  OF  THE  BAD  MEN  (RKO  Ra- 
dio) and  FRENCH  LEAVE  (Mono.) — RKO 

GOLDEN  GATE  (2,835)  (95c).  Gross:  $17,- 
5CO.     (Average:  $27,000) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)  and  BLONDE  ICE  (FC) — UNITED 
NATIONS  (1,129)  (60c-85c)  1st  week  on  a 
moveover.  Gross:  $4,500.  (Average:  $9,900) 
UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  and  BAD 
SISTER  (U-I) — UNITED  ARTISTS  (1,- 
465)  (85c).  Gross:  $7,200.  (Average:  $11,- 
300) 

UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  and  BAD 
SISTER  (U-I)— ESQUIRE  (1,C03)  (55c-85c). 
Gross:   $6,400.     (Average:  $9,000) 


OMAHA 


First-run  business  varied.  Esti- 
mated receipts  for  the  week  ending 
July  21-23 : 

FEUDIN',  FUSSIN'  AND  A-FIGHT1N 
(U-I)  and  ARTHUR  TAKES  OVER  (20th- 

Fox)— OMAHA  (2,000)  (50c-65c)  2nd  week 
for  "Feudin',"  on  a  moveover  from  Orphe- 
um.  Gross:  $5,600.  (Average:  $8,500) 
THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)  and 
PORT  SAID  (Col.)-RKO-BRANDEIS  (1,- 
1C0)  (50c-65c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $7,000. 
(Average:  $6,900) 

HOMECOMING  (M-G-M)— STATE  (750) 
(50c-65c)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Aver- 
age: $4,900) 

THE    MAN    FROM    TEXAS    (E-L)— OR 

PHEUM  (3,000)  (55c-85c).  Mills  Brothers 
on  stage.  Gross:  $21,100.  (Average:  $18,- 
300) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 

-PARAMOUNT  (2,900)  (50c-6Sc).  Gross: 
$10,200.     (Average:  $11,400) 


"Homecoming"  is  in  a  second  big 
week  at  the  Orpheum  after  a  top 
opening  week.  "Emperor  Waltz"  and 
"Best  Years  of  Our  Lives"  ar^vi 
their  fifth  weeks  at  the  Denhangf,  )  ' 
Broadway,  respectively.  Estimatew^'-c* 
ceipts  for  the  week  ending  July  21 : 
BEST  YEARS  OF  OUR  LIVES  (RKO 
Radio) — BROADWAY  (1,500)  (35c-74c)  4th 
week.  Gross:  $8,000.  (Average:  $9,000) 
CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT 
MIDNIGHT  (E-L)  —  PARAMOUNT  (2,- 
200)  (35c-74c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $8,000. 
(Average:  $10,000) 

EMPEROR    WALTZ    (Para.) — DENHAM 

(1,750)  (35c-70c)  4th  week.  Gross:  $9,500. 
(Average:  $11,000) 

HOMECOMING  (M-G-M)  —  ORPHEUM 
(2,600)  (35c-74c).  Gross:  $21,000.  (Aver- 
age: $13,500) 

NOOSE  HANGS  HIGH  (E-L)  and  AS- 
SIGNED TO  DANGER  (E-L)— ALADDIN 

(1,400)  (35c-74c).  After  a  week  at  the 
Denver  and  Esquire.  Gross:  $3,000.  (Av- 
erage: $2,500) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 
and     WINNER'S     CIRCLE  (ZOth-Fox)— 

DENVER  (2,525)  (35c-74c).  Gross:  $15,500. 
(Average:  $13,000) 

ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 
and     WINNER'S     CIRCLE  (Z»th-Fox)— 

WEBBER  (750)  (35c-74c).  Gross:  $2,500. 
(Average:  $2,000) 


KANSAS  CITY 


Rain  some  days  kept  public  from 
outdoor  sports,  caused  postponement 
of  ball  games  and  helped  most  thea- 
tres. Estimated  receipts  for  the  week 
ending  July  20-22: 

ANOTHER    PART    OF    THE  FOREST 

(U-I)— FAIRWAY   (700)    (45c-65c)   5  days. 
Gross:  $850.     (Average,  5  days:  $1,350) 
ANOTHER    PART    OF    THE  FOREST 
(U-I)— TOWER    (2,100)    (45c-65c)    5  days. 
Gross:  $3,750.     (Average,  5  days:  $5,750) 
ANOTHER    PART    OF    THE  FOREST 
(U-I)— UPTOWN   (2,000)   (45c-65c)  5  days. 
Gross:  $2,750.     (Average,  5  days:  $4,250) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  MIDLAND 
(3,500)    (45c-65c).     Gross:    $31,000.  (Aver- 
age: $15,000) 

THE      EMPEROR      WALTZ  (Para.)— 

PARAMOUNT  (1,900)   (45c-65c)  3rd  week. 
Gross:  $10,003.     (Average:  $10,000) 
OLD   LOS   ANGELES    (Rep.)   and  TIM- 
BER TRAIL  (Rep.)-ESQUIRE  (800)  (45c- 
65c).    Gross:  $5,000. 

RETURN  OF  THE  BAD  MEN  (RKO  Ra- 
dio) and  SONG  OF  MY  HEART  (AA- 
Mono.)  —  ORPHEUM  (1,900)  (45c-65c). 
Gross:  $10,500.     (Average:  $10,000) 


RKO  Radio  Pictures,  Inc. 
TRADE  SHOWINGS 

of  LEO  McCAREY'S 

"GOOD  SAM" 


NEW  DATE  FOR 

NEW  YORK 

RKO  58th  ST.  THEATRE 
58th  St.  and  3rd  Ave. 

MON.  JULY  26,  8:45  P.M. 


ALBANY 

GRAND  THEATRE 
1  1  Clinton  Avenue 

TUES.  JULY  27,  8:30  P.M. 


Nyberg  Back  to  Portland 

SroKANE,  July  21. — Oscar  F.  Ny- 
berg, one  of  Evergreen's  veteran  man- 
agers and  for  a  number  of  years  man- 
ager of  the  Fox  Theatre  in  Spokane, 
has  been  named  manager  of  the  Or- 
pheum in  Portland,  where  he  was 
associated  some  years  ago.  Nyberg 
is  slated  to  take  over  his  new  duties 
on  August  1. 


'Films  Not  Killing  Stage' 

Knoxville,  Tenn.,  July  21. — "Con- 
trary to  popular  opinion,  films  are  not 
killing  the  legitimate  theatre — there 
are  more  stage  productions  now  than 
there  were  before  motion  pictures  were 
introduced,"  declared  Dr.  Paul  L. 
Soper,  dramatic  director  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Tennessee. 


Sunday  Shows  Lose 

Pulaski,  Tenn.,  July  21. — Sunday 
films  lost  by  a  small  vote  in  a  recent 
election.  Those  in  favor  promise  to 
"try  again  soon" 


'Town  Meeting'  on  Video 

"America's  Town  Meeting,"  heard 
on  American  Broadcasting  on  Tues- 
days, will  be  shown  on  ABC  televi- 
sion simultaneously  beginning  August 
10.  In  addition  to  the  television  net- 
work presentation,  "Town  Meeting" 
will  be  filmed  for  showing  on  ABC 
video  stations  not  served  by  cable  or 
relay  systems. 


Jack  Slocum  to  NBC 

Jack  Slocum,  former  radio  and  pub- 
licity director  of  the  New  York  Yan- 
kees, has  joined  the  press  department 
here  of  National  Broadcasting  as 
magazine  editor. 


Dance  Hall  -  Theatre 

Elyria,  O.,  July  21. — An  open-air 
dance  theatre,  combining  a  dance  floor, 
with  name  bands  and  a  30-minute  pro- 
gram of  short  subjects  is  scheduled  to 
open  here  tomorrow,  under  the  super- 
vision and  management  of  A.  W. 
Jewell,  president  of  Dance  Theatre, 
Inc. 


New  NBC  Video  Station 

Signing  of  Station  KDYL-TV,  Salt 
Lake  City,  as  an  NBC  television  af- 
filiate was  announced  by  Easton  C. 
Woolley,  director  of  NBC's  stations 
department. 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


MOTION  PIC^TURX 

DAI  LY 


4.  NO.  16 


NEW  YORK,  U.  S.  A.,  FRIDAY,  JULY  23,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


JOth-Fox  Sets 
30  'A's  for 
48-'49  Season 


Skouras  Cites  Global 
Scope  of  Production 

Toronto,  July  22. — Pointing  up 
he  international  flavor  and  authen- 
icity  of  locale,  along  with  the  part- 
y  documentary,  or  realistic,  char- 
acter of  a  large 
portion  of  its 
new  program, 
S  p  y  r  o  s  P. 
Skouras,  presi- 
dent of  20th 
Century  -  Fox, 
today  disclosed 
production  and 
distribu- 
tion plans  of 
the  company 
through  July, 
1949,  for  30  "A" 
features,  five  of 
them  already 
delivered. 

It  is  under- 
stood that  the   company   will  have, 
additionally,   approximately   19  films 
from  independent  producers. 
The  program  will  be  supervised  by 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Spyros  P.  Skouras 


Winner  of  Quigley 
Award  to  M.  H.  Post 


Charles  R.  Hacker,  district  manager 
af  Standard  Theatres  Management, 
Milwaukee,  and  1948  winner  of  the 
Martin  Quigley  Silver  Award  for 
showmanship,  yesterday  was  appointed 
administrative  assistant  of  the  Radio 
City  Music  Hall  by  G.  S.  Eyssell, 
executive    manager    of  Rockefeller 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Table  Fire-Guard  Bill 
After  Owners  Protest 

Philadelphia,  July  22.  —  City 
Council's  public  safety  committee  to- 
lay  voted  to  postpone  action  indefi- 
nitely on  an  ordinance  that  would 
have  required  motion  picture  opera- 
tors and  all  operators  of  places  of 
public  assembly  to  employ  special  fire 
guards.  The  action  followed  protests 
by  hotel  and  theatre  men. 

In  speaking  against  the  measure, 
Morris  Wax,  president  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Theatre  Association,  said  he 
felt  theatre  patrons  were  amply  pro- 
tected under  existing  regulations  and 
that  every  theatre  employee  now  feels 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


NAB,  D  of  J  Plan 
No  Legal  Action 
On  Ascap  Licenses 


Washington,  July  22. — Officials  of 
the  National  Association  of  Broad- 
casters do  not  intend  to  attack  in  the 
courts  Ascap's  blanket  music  licensing 
of  radio. 

Asked  whether  the  New  York  court 
decision  holding  blanket  licensing  of 
theatres  illegal  might  not  lead  to  simi- 
lar suits  by  broadcasters,  NAB  spokes- 
men declared  that  "everybody  is  per- 
fectly happy  and  no  one  is  thinking 
of  suing." 

They  pointed  out  that  the  industry's 
present  contract  with  Ascap  runs 
through  Dec.  31,  1949,  and  that  all  the 
industry's  dealings  with  Ascap  have 
been  on  a  negotiation,  rather  than  liti- 
gation, basis.  'We're  leaving  well 
enough  alone,"  one  official  said. 

Meanwhile,  Justice  Department  of- 
ficials declared  that  the  New  York 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


AFM  Now  Bids  for 
Pact  Talks  in  N.Y. 


In  a  new  move  to  initiate  negotia- 
tions with  the  industry  for  a  new  con- 
tract covering  studio  musicians  the 
American  Federation  of  Musicians  has 
invited  producers  to  meet  with  presi- 
dent James  C.  Petrillo  and  other  AFM 
representatives  in  New  York  the  week 
of  August  9.  A  spokesman  for  the 
AFM  said  yesterday  that  the  federa- 
tion was  awaiting  a  response  from 
producers  to  the  invitation. 

Originally  the  AFM  had  tried  to 
get  the  producer  representatives  to 
hold  the  negotiations  in  Chicago  start- 
ing August  2.  They  rejected  the  bid 
on  the  grounds  a  Chicago  meeting 
would  cause  them  too  much  incon- 
venience. 


UK  FILM  LOANS  UP 
TO  $20  MILLIONS 


Ascap  Board  Weighs 
U.  S.  Court  Decision 

The  Federal  Court  opinion 
holding  Ascap  in  violation  of 
the  anti-trust  statutes  was 
taken  up  by  the  society's 
board  of  directors  at  a  ses- 
sion here  yesterday,  with  no 
decision  reported  to  have  been 
reached  on  any  problems 
raised  by  Judge  Vincent  L. 
Leibell's  ruling.  The  meeting 
was  adjourned  to  Monday 
afternoon,  when  the  matter 
will  be  given  further  consid- 
eration by  the  board.  It  is 
believed  that  a  decision  on 
whether  to  take  an  appeal  to 
the  U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of 
Appeals  will  be  made  at  that 
time. 


SAG  Board  Rejects 
"One  Union"  Plan 


Hollywood,  July  22. — The  Screen 
Actors  Guild  board  today  unanimous- 
ly voted  down  a  proposition,  promul- 
gated recently  in  New  York,  that 
would  have  merged  all  acting  unions 
into  one  union. 

Board  based  rejection  on  grounds 
that  the  proposed  set-up  would  compel 
Hollywood  actors  to  rely  on  repre- 
sentation of  a  paid  governing  body 
headquartered  in  New  York,  instead 
of  its  own  local  body  consisting  of 
actors  elected  by  the  membership,  and 
would  necessitate  an  increase  in  dues 
to  meet  increased  operating  expenses. 


Adult  B.  O.  Prices  Steady, 
Children 's  Down,  U.  S.  Says 


Reliance  in  U.A.  Deal 
For  Two  Pictures 

Contracts  for  the  distribution  of  two 
Reliance  Pictures  productions  were 
closed  yesterday  with  United  Artists, 
it  was  announced  by  Arthur  W.  Kelly, 
UA  executive  vice-president,  and  Ed- 
ward Small,  head  of  Reliance. 

The  first  will  be  "Indian  Scout," 
now  in  the  editing  stage.  The  second 
will  be  "Leather  Stocking  Tales," 
from  the  James  Fenimore  Cooper 
novel. 


Washington,  July  22. — Children's 
prices  dropped  slightly  during  the 
first  three  months  of  1948,  while  adult 
admission  prices  held  at  the  level  of 
late  1947,  according  to  the  Bureau  of 
Labor  statistics. 

The  Bureau  today  issued  its  admis- 
sion price  index  figures  for  March, 
composed  of  weighted  price  figures 
for  18  large  cities.  The  figures,  for- 
merly issued  every  month  are  now  on 
a  quarterly  basis. 

The  children's  admission  price  in- 
dex dropped  from  161.0  at  the  end  of 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Gov't  Will  Guarantee 
Production  Financing: 
Wilson-Cripps'  Proposal 

By  PETER  BURNUP 

London,  July  22. — Harold 
Wilson,  president  of  the  Board 
of  Trade,  announced  to  the 
House  of  Commons  today  the 
government's  intention  to  create 
a  Film  Finance  Corporation  having 
at  its  disposal  $20,000,000,  with 
powers  to  make  loans  on  reasonable 
commercial  terms  for  the  financing 
of  film  production  here. 

In  the  initial  stages,  the 
loans  will  be  advanced  to  dis- 
tributors who,  in  turn,  will  pro- 
vide financing  to  producers. 

Wilson's  announcement  in  Commons 
drew  a  succession  of  pungent  questions 
concerning  the  proposal  from  Winston 
Churchill.  *  After  replying  to  them, 
Wilson  promised  a  full  debate  on  the 
subject  when  the  bill  providing  for 
creation  of  the  Corporation  and  sup- 
plying it  with  capital  is  introduced  in 
Commons  at  a  later  date. 

The  Corporation  will  not  have  pow- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Smakwitz  Heads  WB 
Theatres  Up-State 


Albany,  July  22. — The  promotion 
of  Charles  A.  Smakwitz,  Warner 
Theatres  executive  in  Albany,  to  zone 
manager  for  this  territory,  was  an- 
nounced today  by  Harry  M.  Kalmine, 
president  of  the  circuit.  He  succeeds 
C.  J.  Latta,  who  will  take  charge  of 
Warner  theatre  operations  in  England. 

Smakwitz  has  been  assistant  zone 
manager  to  Louis  Lazar,  Moe  Silver 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Phila.  Appeals  Court 
Rules  Five  Conspired 

Philadelphia,  July  22. — The  third 
United  States  Circuit  Court  of  Ap- 
peals held  today  the  five  major  distribu- 
tors "conspired"  to  withhold  first-run 
features  from  the  Ball  Penn  Theatre 
in  Ambridge,  Pa.  The  action  reversed 
a  ruling  by  District  Judge  Robert  M. 
Gibson  in  Pittsburgh,  who  had  dis- 
missed the  suit  filed  on  behalf  of  the 
theatre  on  the  ground  of  failure  to 
prove  conspiracy. 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


I 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  July  23,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


SIDNEY     FRANKLIN,  M-G-M 
producer,  is  scheduled  to  sail  for 
Paris,  today  on  the  Nienw  Amsterdam. 
• 

Herbert  Steinberg,  Eagle  Lion 
newspaper  and  column  contact,  and 
Caroline  Doolittle  of  Houston, 
Tex.,  are  to  be  married  at  the  Hamp- 
shire House  here  on  Sunday. 

• 

Rub-y  Berger,  M-G-M  Southern 
sales  manager,  and  Charles  E.  Kess- 
nich,  district  manager,  are  due  here 
on  Sunday  from  Washington  and 
Atlanta,  respectively. 

Fred  C.  Quimby,  head  of  M-G-M 
short  subjects  production,  has  post- 
poned his  visit  to  New  York  from  the 
Coast  to  October. 

• 

H.  M.  Richey,  head  of  exhibitor 
relations  for  M-G-M,  will  leave  New 
York  on  Monday  for  French  Lick, 
Ind. 

Eleanor  Paradeis,  owner  of  Pam-0 
Films  Exchange,  Buffalo,  was  a  Glov- 
ersville,  N.  Y.,  visitor  this  week. 
• 

John  Cicero,  Paramount  advertis- 
ing production  manager,  is  celebrating 
a  birthday  today. 

• 

Charles  Bickford  is  expected  here 
from   Hollywood   tomorrow   for  the 
premiere  of  "The  Babe  Ruth  Story." 
• 

Bert  Claster,  general  manager  of 
the  Hippodrome,  Baltimore,  is  in  At- 
lantic City  on  vacation. 

• 

John  Guilfoyle  of  Paramount's 
advertising  production  department  will 
leave  on  vacation  today.  « 

• 

Edward  Dowden  of  Loew's  exploi- 
tation staff  here  is  vacationing  at 
Nassau  Point,  Long  Island. 


'Easter'  A  Holdover 
In  35  Opening  Runs 

M-G-M's  "Easter  Parade"  was  be- 
ing held  over  or  moved  over  in  35 
key  city  openings  throughout  the 
country,  according  to  the  home  office. 
At  least  20  additional  engagements 
are  expected  to  be  held  over  or  moved 
over  when  they  complete  first  weeks 
today,  it  was  reported. 


'Mickey'  Admission 
Cut  at  N.Y.  Gotham 

All  children  under  12  will  be  ad- 
mitted to  the  Gotham  Theatre  here 
during  the  run  of  Eagle  Lion's 
"Mickey,"  at  a  special  reduced  price 
of  35c,  effective  immediately,  it  was 
announced  yesterday  by  the  manage- 
ment. 


$95,000  for  'Key  Largo' 

Warners'  "Key  Largo"  completed 
its  first  week  at  the  Strand  here  last 
night  with  a  gross  estimated  at  $95,- 
000,  the  highest  single  week's  business 
in  the  theatre's  history.  Count  Basie 
and  Billie  Holiday  are  on  the  stage. 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


HP  HE  American  career  of 
*■  "Henry  V,"  chronicled  from 
time  to  time  in  this  space,  con- 
tinues to  rate  attention  on  its 
own  score,  but  also  because  it 
clearly  limns  the  pattern  into 
which  "Hamlet"  may  be  expect- 
ed to  fall.  This  is  how  it  goes 
with  "Henry" : 

By  July  1,  United  Artists  had 
played  and  completed  801  en- 
gagements in  all  of  these  broad 
United  States.  Total  box-office 
gross  was  $3,866,499,  or  if  you 
go  for  averages,  $4,827  per  en- 
gagement. UA  has  made  some 
fancy,  percentage  deals  for  this 
film,  including  one  chap  in  Ari- 
zona, who  coughed  up  70  per 
cent  and,  by  some  miraculous 
kind  of  calculation,  came  out 
satisfied.  After  advertising  and 
expense,  the  distributor  now  tal- 
lies 41.38  per  cent  of  the  gross 
receipts  for  his  end.  Or,  $1,589,- 
957  to  share  with  the  producer. 


Nice  going  as  far  as  it  goes. 
Yet  the  end  obviously  is  not  yet 
in  sight.  "Henry"  has  consid- 
erable vitality  left.  It  will  take 
time,  probably  running  into  a 
modest  total  of  years,  before  its 
revenue-producing  capabilities 
dry  up. 

A  producer  has  to  be  patient 
while  he  slowly  recoups  on  an 
investment  of  "Henry"  and 
"Hamlet"  characteristics.  He 
also  has  to  be  fortunate  enough 
to  be  enabled  to  operate  under 
a  financial  setup  which  is  pre- 
pared to  wait  three,  four  or 
more  periods  beyond  the  time 
usually  set  aside  form  films  to 
amortize.  This  is  much  more 
rare  than  commonplace. 

The  history  of  "Henry,"  how- 
ever, tends  to  prove  once  more 
that  substantial  returns  are  pos- 
sible with  specialized  attractions 
strung  out  carefully  over  long 
periods  of  release.  No  exhibi- 
tor can  keep  his,  house  going 
with  them  and  no  distributor 
can  long  stay  alive,  but  there 
is  a  market  outside  the  regular 
picture  house  which  the  occa- 
sional "Henry,"  or  something 
like  it,  can  tap  to  advantage. 

■  ■ 

British  product  today  is 
shown  in  95  territories  to  in- 
creasing audiences,  J.  Arthur 
Rank  declared  in  his  "olive 
branch"  speech  before  the  gen- 
eral council  of  the  Cinemato- 
graph Exhibitor  Association  in 
London  a  few  days  ago.  "In 
Australia,  in  New  Zealand,  in 
South  Africa,  in  every  country 


where  our  product  is  shown 
consistently  exhibitors  are  mak- 
ing money  with  British  films. 
In  Canada  in  the  last  two  years 
or  so  where  we  have  been  able 
to  give  British  films  continuity 
of  exhibition  in  our  theatres  the 
percentage  of  screen  time  has 
risen  from  approximately  four 
per  cent  to  25  per  cent  and  those 
theatres  are  taking  no  less 
money,"  he  observed. 


Rank  seemed  to  place  consid- 
erable emphasis  on  the  Canadian 
situation  because,  he  continued : 
"This  is  important  because  in 
America,  three  years  ago,  the 
leaders  of  the  Hollywood  indus- 
try told  me  time  and  again  that 
the  Canadian  market  and  the 
American  market  were  virtual- 
ly the  same.  Yet  in  America  by 
last  year  we  were  starting,  but 
only  starting,  to  make  an  im- 
pression." 

This  sounds  painfully  and  al- 
most unbelievably  naive.  It's 
quite  obvious  what  executives 
were  saying  was  that  the 
American  and  Canadian  mar- 
kets were  virtually  the  same 
from  their  point  of  view — an 
American  point  of  view  about 
American  pictures,  of  course. 
Canadians  like  U.  S.  product, 
but  who  ever  said  it  follows 
that  Americans  necessarily  like 
what  the  Canadians  like? 


Worth  watching  is  the  re- 
teaming  of  Ginger  Rogers  and 
Fred  Astaire  in  "The  Barkleys 
of  Broadway."  Metro  planned 
this  musical  as  a  follow-up  of 
the  already  vastly  successful 
"Easter  Parade,"  but  Judy  Gar- 
land's illness  forced  her  out  of 
the  picture. 

Not  since  1939  and  "The 
Story  of  Vernon  and  Irene  Cas- 
tle" have  Astaire  and  Rogers 
starred  together.  In  back  of 
that  one,  of  course,  were  their 
musicals  of  fond  memory  and 
large  grosses.  Like  "Top  Hat" 
and  "The  Gay  Divorcee." 

■  ■ 

The  New  York  Times  survey 
of  a  declining  entertainment 
world  included  statements  which 
pointed  out  film  grosses  are  off 
from  seven  to  12  per  cent. 

Seven  to  12  per  cent  off  from 
what?  None  of  the  quoted  au- 
thorities thought  it  important  to 
state  grosses  were  merely  reced- 
ing from  150  per  cent  of  their 
previously  known,  pre-war  re- 
corded high. 


Bien,  Ashe  on  N.S.S., 
Sales  Drive  Tour 

William  Bien,  National  Screen  Ser- 
vice mid-West  division  manager  and 
Eastern  captain  of  the  NSS  sales  pro- 
motion drive,  is  currently  on  a  tour: 
of  the  company's  Eastern  offices  to 
promote  branch  sales  .activities.  Bern 
Ashe,  Los  Angeles  branch  manager, 
is  performing  in  a  similar  capacity  in 
the  West. 

Bien  and  Ashe  were  named  cantains 
of  the  sales  drive  at  the  conW,  Vs 
recent  meetings  in  Atlantic  Cr^*fr.i.'d: 
Los  Angeles. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


-RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL— 

Rockefeller  Center 
BIN6  JOAN 

CROSBY  FONTAINE 

in  "THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ"3 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 
A  Paramount  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION  ■ 


<0,cl*tt 


JOHN  FORD'S 
MASTERPIECE 

"FORT 

APACHE" 

COOL 


— T^IN  PERSON, 

/LENA  HORNE 

II  Special! 

PAUL  WINCHELL  , 

Extra!  I 

SKINNAY  ENNIS  If 

and  his  ORCH. 

CAPITOL'^,' 


>£*'      Poromount  Presents 

I  RAY 

I  MILLAND 

:!  ANN 

I  TODD 

GERALDINE 

I  FITZGERALD 


DOORS  OPEN 


SCIENTIFICAUV  AIR  C0NDIII0NE0 


MARK  STEVENS  •  RICHARD  WIDMARK 

"THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME" 

A  20th  Century-Fox  Picture 
ON  VARIETY  STAGE— CAB  CALLOWAY 
JACKIE  MILES  •  VIVIAN  BLAINE 

ON  ICE  STAGE— CAROL  LYNNE 
ARNOLD  SHODA  •  THE  BRUISES 

 H  q  x  Y 7th  Av*"  *• 


50th  St.  : 


LOIS  BUTLER  in 

M  ICKEY 

IN  CINECOLOR 


Brandt's  Cool 

B'way  at 
47th  St. 

LOIS    BUTLER    will    appear    on  stage 
today   at   3:27,    7:45,  9:54 


New  GOTHAM 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  12-70  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  Marc! 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


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Friday,  July  23,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


Censor  Board  Asks 
Status  in  Video 


Baltimore,  July  22. — The  Mary- 
land State  Board  of  Motion  Picture 
Censoirs  has  requested  a  ruling  from 
Maryland's  attorney  general  on  the 
foraner's  responsibility  in  television 
censorship. 

The  request  was  made  by  Helen 
C,  Tingley,  chairman  of  the  board, 
r  "*^-  receiving  a  letter  from  Lauritz 
\  ^^jian,  president  of  Theatre  Own- 
ers Association  of  Maryland,  which 
posed  the  question  of  television  cen- 
sorship. Garman's  letter  also  stated 
that  exhibitors  are  concerned  about 
competition  from  television. 

Under  present  Maryland  law,  a 
charge  of  $2  is  levied  for  every  1,000 
feet  of  film  reviewed,  with  the  cost 
paid  by  the  producers.  Television, 
having  no  such  review  of  its  films, 
incurs  no  expenses. 

A  questionnaire  was  sent  by  Mrs. 
Tingley  to  censor  boards  in  neighbor- 
ing states  on  television  censorship. 
Most  replied  that  they  were  doing 
iiioitViing  "as  yet." 


NAB,  D  of  J,  Ascap 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

court's  action  has  no  effect  on  the 
Department's  anti-trust  suit  against 
Ascap's  international  ties,  and  that 
there  is  no  present  intention  to  try  to 
set  aside  the  present  consent  decree 
and  revive  the  original  anti-trust  pros- 
ecution on  Ascap's  domestic  negotia- 
tions. "Most  of  that  decree  dealt  with 
broadcasting,  anyhow,  and  wouldn't 
be  affected  by  this  decision,"  one  of- 
ficial declared. 

Justice  officials  were  obviously  jubi- 
lant over  the  decision,  declaring  that 
"Ascap  has  really  been  dealt  quite  a 
blow." 


Fire  Guard  Bill 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

responsible  for  the  protection  "of  the 
public. 

Councilman  Charles  E.  O'Hallor- 
man  suggested  to  Wax  that  theatre 
owners  show  movie  trailers  cautioning 
the  patrons  against  smoking,  and 
designating  the  nearest  exist  in  case 
of  fire.  Wax  said  he  felt  this  was 
a  good  suggestion. 


Eagle  Lion  Gets  'Blanche' 

J.  Arthur  Rank's  "Blanche  Fury"  will 
be  released  in  the  United  States  by 
Eagle  Lion,  William  J.  Heineman, 
E-L  vice-president  in  charge  of  dis- 
tribution announced.  The  picture  will 
open  to  a  pre-release  engagement  here 
at  the  Sutton  Theatre. 


Pioneers'  Records 

Because  it  is  desired  to  have  on  file 
a  permanent  background  record  of  the 
members  of  the  Picture  Pioneers, 
every  member  of  that  organization  is 
being  asked  by  Jack  Cohn,  president, 
for  a  photograph  and  thumbnail  biog- 
raphy of  himself. 


Calls  Drive-In  a  Hazard 

Fresno,  Cal.,  July  22. — Application 
has  been  denied  E.  W.  Stokes,  rep- 
resenting Lippert  Theatres,  to  build  a 
new  drive-in  north  of  the  city,  the 
planning  Commission  stating  the  de- 
nial was  based  on  the  grounds  that 
open-air  theatres  create  traffic  haz- 
ards. 


Paul  Lazarus,  Jr., 
On  Air  Show  Sunday 

Paul  N.  Lazarus,  Jr.,  United  Artists 
executive  assistant  to  the  president, 
will  be  heard  on  National  Broadcast- 
ing's radio  show,  "Author  Meets' the 
Critics,"  at  five  P.  M.  on  Sunday  with 
William  Cagney's  production  of  "The 
Time  of  Your  Life"  up  for  discussion. 
Lazarus  made  his  video  debut  recently, 
participating  in  a  similar  panel-discus- 
sion program.  Others  to  appear  on  the 
"Life"  broadcast  are  Tom  Wenning, 
film  and  theatre  editor  of  Newsweek; 
Wally  Butterworth,  radio  performer, 
and  John  Gassner,  playwright. 

Wanger,  Goldwyn  in 
'Joan*  Release  Deal 

Hollywood,  July  22. — A  deal  be- 
tween Walter  Wanger  and  Samuel 
Goldwyn,  under  which  the  latter 
would  distribute  the  former's  "Joan  of 
Arc"  on  a  roadshow  basis,  with  RKO 
Radio  handling  it  physically,  is  being 
negotiated  today.  Goldwyn  Produc- 
tions president  James  Mulvey  is  act- 
ing for  Goldwyn. 

It  is  understood  that  neither  Gold- 
wyn nor  Wanger  are  bound  by  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court  decision  in  the 
Paramount  case  in  connection  with  the 
ban  against  roadshowing,  as  both  are 
independents  and  were  not  parties  to 
the  suit.  Wanger  reportedly  wishes 
the  picture  to  be  handled  by  the  Gold- 
wyn sales  set-up  which  marketed  "The 
Best  Years  of  Our  Lives"  for  high 
grosses. 


B.  O.  Prices  Steady 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

December  to  160.0  at  the  end  of 
March.  At  the  end  of  March,  1947, 
the  index  was  at  162.5,  dropped  to 
158.5  in  June,  and  then  rose  through 
the  rest  of  1947. 

Adult  admissions,  which  were  at 
167.7  at  the  end  of  December,  re- 
mained there  through  the  first  quarter 
of  this  year.  They  are  up  consider- 
ably from  the  March,  1947,  level  of 
165.7  and  the  June-September  level 
of  164.1. 

The  decline  in  the  children's  price 
index  dropped  the  combined  children- 
adult  index  by  one-tenth  of  one  point, 
to  166.8,  as  compared  with  166.9  at 
the  end  of  December. 

The  combined  index  was  165.4  at 
the  end  of  March,  1947,  and  163.5  at 
the  end  of  June. 

The  1935-'39  average  is  100. 


Variety  Benefit  Sept.  19 

Baltimore,  July  22.  —  The  Variety 
Club  of  Baltimore  is  joining  the  Vari- 
ety Club  of  Washington  in  sponsoring 
a  benefit  football  game  at  Baltimore 
Stadium  on  September  19  when  the 
Washington  Redskins  will  play  the 
Chicago  Bears.  Proceeds  are  to  be 
divided  among  the  welfare  funds  of 
the  two  Tents.  Rodney  Collier  and 
Spaulding  Albert  are  co-chairmen  of 
the  benefit. 


Venice  Theatre  Fire 

Venice,  111.,  July  22.— The  Yalta 
Theatre  here  has  been  damaged  by 
fire,  with  losses  estimated  at  $15,000. 
A  discharged  employee  is  being  sought 
by  police  on  an  arson  warrant. 


New  Detroit  Drive-in 

Detroit,  July  22. — Nicholas  George, 
operator  of  the  Allen  Park  Theatre, 
tomorrow  will  open  his  new  drive-in 
house  on  Toledo  Highway  here. 


Cooling  Engineers  Set 
To  Strike  This  A.M. 

Barring  late  developments  last  night, 
theatre  air-conditioning  engineers  were 
set  to  go  on  strike  here  at  9  A.M. 
today  failing  th»  receipt  of  a  new 
wage  offer  from  most  of  the  large 
Broadway  houses  and  the  RKO  and 
Loew's  circuits  by  that  time.  In- 
volved are  some  175  to  200  men. 

The  members  of  Local  30,  Interna- 
tional Union  of  Operating  Engineers, 
AFL,  on  Wednesday  turned  down  a 
10  per  cent  increase  offered  by  the 
theatres.  The  union  is  holding  out 
for  15  per  cent. 

A  theatre  spokesman  said  yesterday 
that  the  theatres  will  not  curtail  oper- 
ations, strike  or  no  strike. 


Music  Hall  Post 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Center  and  president  of  the  Radio 
City  Music  Hall  Corp. 

Hacker  will  succeed  Jack  F.  Dailey, 
who  has  been  promoted  to  the  newly- 
created  post  of  manager  of  operations 
of  the  Music  Hall  and  Center  Thea- 
tre. Dailey  joined  the  Music  Hall 
staff  in  1946  after  four  years  with 
the  Army  Air  Forces  and  14  years 
with  Paramount  prior  to  the  war. 

Hacker,  who  is  27,  had  many  posts 
in  Milwaukee  theatres  before  becom- 
ing manager  of  the  Fox  there  at  the 
age  of  19.  He  later  filled  the  same 
post  at  the  Palace  there.  During  the 
war  he  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Army 
Air  Forces  and  upon  his  return  to 
the  States  he  rejoined  Fox  Wiscon- 
sin, managing  theatres  in  downtown 
Milwaukee.  Last  year  he  left  Fox 
to  handle  special  assignments  for 
Standard  Theatres  Management,  and 
seven  months  later  was  named  district 
manager. 

Hacker  is  the  12th  Quigley  Award 
winner  to  climb  to  a  higher  executive 
position  in  the  industry.  He  sent  his 
first  campaign  to  the  Managers' 
Round  Table  of  Motion  Picture  Her- 
ald in  1946. 

His  and  Dailey's  new  appointments 
will  become  effective  on  August  1. 

10,000  Houses  Have 
Played  "Heritage9' 

To  date,  over  ten  thousand  thea- 
tres have  played  the  pre-"Rededica- 
tion  Week  Trailer"  and  the  one-reel 
documentary,  "Our  American  Heri- 
tage," during  the  "Week  of  Rededi- 
cation"  prior  to  the  visit  of  the  Free- 
dom Train,  it  is  announced  by  Ned 
Shugrue,  national  director  of  the 
American  Heritage  Foundation,  spon- 
sors of  the  Freedom  Train.  . 

The  cooperation  of  the  industry  in 
the  first  10  months  of  the  program  of 
the  Foundation  and  the  tour  of  the 
Freedom  Train  have  been  outstanding, 
Shugrue  added.  National  Screen 
Service  is  distributing  the  trailer  and 
the  documentary  gratis  as  a  public 
service. 


CBS  Promotes  Connolly 

Thomas  D.  Connolly,  with  Colum- 
bia Broadcasting  since  1939,  has  been 
appointed  manager  of  program  sales, 
network  division,  it  is  announced  by 
William  C.  Gittinger,  CBS  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  sales. 


Televise  'Ruth'  Opening 

Opening  night  ceremonies  of  Allied 
Artists'  "The  Babe  Ruth  Story"  at 
the  Astor  Theatre  here  Monday,  will 
be  televised  by  WPIX.  Dignitaries 
in  all  walks  of  life  will  be  among 
those  attending. 


Trans-Lux  Buys  3 
Manhattan  Houses 


The  purchase  of  three  Manhattan 
theatres  by  Trans-Lux  Corp.  has  been 
announced  by  William  M.  Girden, 
president. 

The  houses  are  the  900-seat  Colony 
at  79th  Street  and  Second  Ave. ;  the 
2,300-seat  Monroe  at  1456  First  Ave., 
andt  he  450-seat  Granada  at  346  East 
72nd  Street.  The  sellers  were  Eisen- 
brand,  Inc.,  Monthecorp,  Inc.,  and 
Granthecorp,  Inc.,  respectively. 

Total  rentals  and  cash  considera- 
tion involved  are  reported  at  approxi- 
mately $1,600,000.  Substantial  im- 
provements are  contemplated.  It  is 
expected  that  a  feature  policy  with 
shorts  will  be  set  for  the  new  houses. 
With  the  three  new  houses,  Trans- 
Lux  now  has  six  on  Manhattan's  east 
side.  The  Granada  will  be  renamed 
Trans-Lux  72nd  Street ;  the  Colony, 
the  Trans-Lux  Colony ;  and  the  Mon- 
roe, the  Trans-Lux  Monroe. 


Production  Drops 
To  33  Shooting 

Hollywood,  July  22. — The  produc- 
tion tally  fell  back  to  33  as  compared 
to  last  week's  total  of  36.  Two  pic- 
tures were  started,  while  five  went 
to  the  cutting  rooms. 

Shooting  started  on  "Smoky  Moun- 
tain Melody,"  Columbia,  and  "Adven- 
tures of  the  Cisco  Kid"  (Krasne), 
United  Artists. 

Shooting  finished  on  "Triple 
Threat,"  Columbia ;  "Baltimore  Esca- 
pade," "Every  Girl  Should  Be  Mar- 
ried," RKO  Radio;  "The  Gay  Ami- 
go"  (Krasne),  UA ;  "Black  Velvet," 
Universal-International. 

"Red  River"  Italian 
Rights  Bring  Big  Sum 

Amerigo  Benefico,  president  of  Va- 
riety Film  Distributors,  Inc.,  has 
bought  the  Italian  rights  to  "The  Red 
River,"  Howard  Hawks'  production 
for  United  Artists  release.  It  is  un- 
derstood the  deal,  made  directly  with 
Arthur  W.  Kelly,  executive  vice-pres- 
ident of  UA,  involved  a  consideration 
close  to  $100,000,  said  to  be  one  of  the 
top  sums  to  be  paid  for  the  Italian 
rights  to  an  American  film  since  the 
war. 


Smakwitz  in  Albany 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

and  Latta.  He  joined  the  Strand 
Theatre,  N.  Y.,  in  1917  and  was 
transferred  shortly  thereafter  to  the 
Strand,  Syracuse.  He  later  became 
manager  of  the  Strand,  Albany,  and 
in  1927  became  district  manager  for 
Troy,  Albany  and  Utica,  as  well  as 
film  buyer  and  booker. 


Rules  in  Phila. 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

The  Circuit  Court's  2-1  ruling  held 
that  a  conspiracy  did  exist  and  that 
it  was  in  violation  of  the  Sherman 
and  Clayton  anti-trust  laws. 

The  defendants  are  Paramount  Pic- 
tures, Inc.;  Paramount  Film  Distrib- 
uting Corporation ;  RKO-Radio  Pic- 
tures, Inc. ;  Loew's,  Inc.,  and  Twen- 
tieth Century-Fox  Film  Corporation. 
The  court  ordered  the  companies  to 
stop  discriminating  against  the  Ball 
group  and  to  pay  the  family  "dam- 
ages" for  all  losses  sustained  through 
being  deprived  of  first-run  features. 


•  •  • 


e  comps 


industry  oil 
and  in  Boxoff ice  Champ 


presents  its  first  boxoffice^ 


rati  mm 

Starring 

MARK  STEVENS 
RICHARD  WIDMARK 

Directed  by  WILLIAM  KEIGHLEY 
Produced  by  SAMUEL  G.  ENGEL 

Original  Screen  Play  by  Harry  Kleiner 


Cornel 

WILDE 

Anne 

BAXTER 


Linda 

DARNELL 

Kirk 

DOUGLAS 


in 


with  ANN  DVORAK 

Directed  by  JOHN  M.  STAHL 
Produced  by  LAMAR  TROTTI 

Screen  Play  by  Lamar  Trotti 


© 

More  Hits  Than  Any  Other  Company 


that  led  all  the 


le 


'^RIETY  scoreboard 
s*  the  first  half  of  1948... 
;-4  for  the  2nd  half  of  '48! 


BETTY  GRABLE 
DOUGLAS  FAIRBANKS,  Jr. 


in 


Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 

Produced  and  Directed  by 
ERNST  LUBITSCH 

Screen  Play  by  Samson  Raphaelson 


TYRONE  POWER 
ANNE  BAXTER 


in 


ran  mucus  m 
ran  mm 

wi*  CECIL  KELLAWAY 


Directed  by  HENRY  KOSTER 
Produced  by  FRED  KOHLMAR 

Screen  Play  by  Philip  Dunne 


* 


_ 


Twice  As  Many  As  Any  Other  Company 


6 


Motion  Picture  daily 


Friday,  July  23,  194* 


20th-Fox  Has  49 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  vice-president  in 
charge  of  production,  and  Joseph  M. 
Schenck,  production  executive.  "Lydia 
Bailey"  and  "Black  Rose,"  to  be  made 
in  England,  are  not  included  in  .the 
new  season's  releases. 

The  lineup  was  announced  here  at 
a  sales  meeting  of  home  office  and 
Canadian  executives,  marking  the 
company's  first  such  session  outside 
the  United  Sttaes.  The  "global-scale" 
production  policy  is  described'  as 
"strengthening  the  company's  position 
by  affording  fluidity  through  world- 
wide operations  and  coincides  with 
the  position  of  the  film  industry  with 
respect  to  blocked  funds  in  foreign 
countries,"  Skouras  said. 

He  reported  that  complete  units  of 
directors,  stars  and  technicians  will  be 
sent  to  locations  in  Canada,  Europe 
and  sections  of  the  U.  S.  for  pictures 
"whose  themes  require  special  authen- 
ticated backgrounds  and  locales." 

The  new  product  was  listed  by  An- 
drew W.  Smith,  general  sales  man- 
ager, and  a  completed  promotion  pro- 
gram was  described  by  Charles 
Schlaifer,  director  of  advertising,  pub- 
licity and  exploitation. 

The  five  pictures  completed  and  de- 
livered are :  "The  Walls  of  Jericho," 
"That  Lady  in  Ermine,"  "Escape," 
"Forever  Amber"  and  "The  Law  and 
Martin  Rome." 

Completed  and  in  various  stages  of 
editing :  • 

"The  Luck  of  the  Irish,"  Tyrone 
Power  and  Anne  Baxter ;  Fred  Kohl- 
mar,  producer ;  Henry  Koster,  di- 
rector. 

"Apartment  for  Peggy,"  in  color, 
Jeanne  Crain,  William  Holden  and 
Edmund  Gwenn ;  William  Perlberg, 
producer ;  George  Seaton,  director. 

"When  My  Baby  Smiles  at  Me," 
in  color,  Betty  Grable  and  Dan 
Dailey ;  George  Jessel,  producer ; 
Walter  Lang,  director ;  from  the  play, 
"Burlesque." 

"Unfaithfully  Yours,"  Rex  Harri- 
son and  Linda  Darnell ;  written,  pro- 
duced and  directed  by  Preston  Stur- 
ges. 

"That  Wonderful  Urge"  (tentative 
title),  Tyrone  Power  and  Gene  Tier- 
ney ;  produced  in  Sun  Valley  and  Hol- 
lywood by  Fred  Kohlmar ;  directed  by 
Robert  Sinclair. 

"Road  House,"  Cornel  Wilde,  Ida 
Lupino ;  written  and  produced  by  Ed- 
ward Chodorov;  directed  by  Jean  Ne- 
gulesco. 

"Yellow  Sky,"  Gregory  Peck,  Anne 
Baxter  and  Richard  Widmark ;  pro- 
duced by  Lamar  Trotti,  directed  by 
William  A.  Wellman. 

"The  Snake  Pit,"  a  Darryl  F.  Zan- 
uck presentation  ;  Olivia  De  Havilland 


I  OF  COURSE 


British  Film  Finance 


TEXAS, 
BROOKLYN 


AVEN" 

sent  from  UA 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


er  to  own,  lease  or  build  theatres  or 
studios,  Wilson  revealed. 

"It  will  naturally  conduct  its  affairs 
along  business  lines,"  he  said,  "and 
will  have  the  final  decision  on  whether 
or  not  a  loan  is  to  be  made  and,  if  so, 
on  what  terms." 

The  government  intends  that  the 
corporation  shall  be  active  for  five 
years. 

Wilson,  in  agreement  with  Sir  Staf- 
ford Cripps,  Chancellor  of  the  Ex- 
chequer, is  drafting  an  interim  mea- 
sure constituting  the  company  with 
financing  raised  by  a  Treasury  guar- 
antee under  the  Borrowing  Control 
and  Guarantees  Act  under  which  the 
Treasury  has  power  to  guarantee  a 
loan  if  satisfied  that  it  is  expedient 
and  in  the  public  interest  to  do  so  for 
the  purpose  of  facilitating  the  recon- 
struction or  development  of  an  in- 
dustry. 

Loans  under  the  interim  measure 
will  be  limited  to  $10,000,000,  or  one- 
half  of  the  total  financing  contem- 
plated. 

The  necessary  preparations 
have  been  placed  in  the' hands 
of  an  organizing  committee,  of 
which  J.  H.  Lawrie,  distin- 
guished City  finance  authority, 
is  chairman. 

Wilson  emphasized  to  Commons  that 
the  film  industry  is  similar  to  other 
competitive  industries  and  must  "con- 
duct its  affairs  so  that  it  can  obtain 
money  on  reasonable  commercial 
terms,"  but  that  the  present  position 
is  an  abnormal  one  for  the  industry 
arid  particularly  for  independent  pro- 
ducers who  have  not  yet  had  a  chance 
to  establish  necessary  working  capital 
after  the  dislocations  of  the  war 
period. 

Wilson  confessed  that  difficulties 
were  encountered  after  his  earlier 
pledge  to  assist  independent  producers 
but  added  that  a  solution  is  urgent  and 
expressed  the  hope  that  Commons  will 
support  the  proposals.  He  said  he 
hoped  that  later  on  it  will  be  prac- 
ticable for  the  Corporation  to  assist 
with  financing  of  production  and  dis- 
tribution by  other  methods. 

Wilson  said  he  is  confident  of  secur- 
ing the  cooperation  of  commercial 
banks  in  developing  the  film  industry 


which  is  growing  in  importance  in 
Britain's  economy  and  balance  of  pay- 
ments. 

Churchill,  questioning  Wilson,  asked, 
first,  Is  the  failure  of  the  City  to  sub- 
scribe film  financing  some  sinister 
scheme  of  theirs  or  because  they  think 
public  money  is  insufficient  to  sustain 
profitable  enterprises  of  film  people? 

Secondly,  Is  the  government  pro- 
posing stepping  into  this  project  with- 
out question  of  profit-making  and  in- 
vesting national  funds  in  what,  on  its 
face,  is  a  losing  proposition? 

Thirdly,  Isn't  this  a  great  departure 
for  something  not  a  necessity  of  life? 

Fourthly,  Will  the  govern- 
ment, now  definitely  entering 
the  film  business  with  the  tax- 
payers' money,  ensure  that 
there  will  be  no  attempt  to  ex- 
ercise political  control  of  films 
as  is  done  in  Russia? 

Wilson  replied  that  an  emergency 
has  arisen  in  the  industry  and  that  it 
is  absolutely  essential  to  solve  the 
country's  balance  of  payment  problem. 
Hence,  this  scheme. 

He  said  he  didn't  expect  for  one 
minute  that  it  is  likely  to  lose  public 
money  under  the  proposal.  He  looks 
forward  to  a  long  period  of  prosper- 
ity for  the  film  industry  here. 

Wilson  assured  Churchill 
there  is  no  question  of  the  new 
Corporation  interfering  with 
the  choice  of  film  subjects.  The 
financing  provision  will  be  lim- 
ited purely  to  the  entertain- 
ment value  of  the  films  pro- 
posed, he  said. 

Replying  to  other  questions,  Wilson 
said  his  proposals  related  to  indepen- 
dent producers  outside  the  J.  Arthur 
Rank  organization,  which  hitherto  has 
been  able  to  finance  its  own  produc- 
tion program,  but  that  the  Corpora- 
tion, at  its  discretion,  could  assist 
Rank  if  he  applies  and  his  propositions 
are  acceptable. 

A  new  stirring  of  hope  among  dis- 
tressed independent  producers  was 
discernible  immediately  following 
Wilson's  announcement.  Nettlefold 
Studios,  closed  since  June  14,  are  to 
re-open  within  a  matter  of  days. 


Para.  Ad  Promotion 
Plan  Aids  TO  A  Drive 

In  cooperation  with  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  America's  current  drive  tc 
"sell"  the  public  on  forthcoming  Hol- 
lywood product,  Paramount  is  makint 
available  to  theatre  owners  througf 
company  branch  managers  special  ad- 
vertising mats  which  can  be  used  tc 
create  lobby  display  "blow-ups"  in  ad- 
dition to  regular  use  for  newspaper 
advertisements. 

"It  is  agreeable  with  us,"  Ct*— ks 
M.  Reagan,  Paramount  distrfe>  . 1  x 
vice-president,  has  informed^  the 
branch  managers,  "if  theatre  owners 
wish  to  substitute  for  some  of  the 
Paramount  pictures  in  the  ads  one  or 
two  of  the  triple  'A'  pictures  of  other 
companies." 


UA  Omits'MerryWay' 
From  Chicago  Bidding 

Chicago,  July  22. — Although  Unit 
ed  Artists'  new  competitive  bidding 
plan  in  Chicago,  which  was  initiated 
with  "Arch  of  Triumph"  is  under 
stood  to  be  working  out  favorably, 
"On  Our  Merry  Way,"  next  UA  re- 
lease here,  will  not  be  sold  under  the 
bidding-zoning  plan,  but  probably  un 
der  the  old  system  of  release. 

Deals  for  "Triumph"  in  the  first  ex 
elusive  zone  comprising  11  theatres, 
have  already  been  closed  and  will  play 
eight  theatres  in  that  zone  on  either 
July  30  or  August  6.  Theatres  bid- 
ding first  run  have  a  clearance  protec- 
tion of  seven  to  14  days. 


Oppose  20th-Fox  Bid 
For  Oakland  Station 

Washington,  July  23.— Edwin 
Pauley's  Television  California  today 
opposed  20th  Century-Fox's  request  to 
include  plans  for  an  auxiliary  station 
at  Oakland,  Calif.,  in  its  application 
for  a  San  Francisco  television  station. 
Columbia  Broadcasting  has  already 
told  the  Federal  Communications  Com- 
mission that  it  opposes  allowing  20th- 
Fox  to  amend  its  San  Francisco  ap- 
plication. 

At  the  same  time,  20th  Century-Fox 
of  Missouri  opposeel  KMVC's  applica- 
tion for  a  Kansas  City  television  sta- 
tion. 20th-Fox  of  Missouri  has  also 
applied  for  a  Kansas  City  channel. 


and  Mark  Stevens ;  from  the  novel  by 
Mary  Jane  Ward ;  produced  by  Ana- 
tole  Litvak  and  Robert  Bassler ;  di- 
rected by  Anatole  Litvak.  (Complet- 
ed, with  pre-release  runs  set  for  this 
year) . 

Currently  before  the  cameras  : 

"The  Fan,"  based  on  the  Oscar 
Wilde  play,  "Lady  Windermere's 
Fan" ;  Jeanne  Crain,  Madeleine  Car- 
roll, George  Sanders  and  Richard 
Greene ;  produced  and  directed  by 
Otto  Preminger. 

"Sand,"  in  color,  Mark  Stevens, 
Coleen  Gray ;  produced  by  Robert 
Bassler  and  directed  by  Louis  King. 

"Chicken  Every  Sunday,"  from  the 
novel  by  Rosemary  Taylor ;  Dan 
Dailey,  Celeste  Holm ;  produced  by 
William  Perlberg,  directed  by  George 
Seaton. 

"Three  Wives,"  Linda  Darnell 
Jeanne  Crain  and  Ann  Sothern ;  pro- 
duced by  Sol  C.  Siegel,  directed  by 
Joseph  L.  Mankiewicz. 

"The  Prince  of  Foxes,"  from  the 
novel  by  Samuel  Shellabarger.  Cur- 
rently in  production  in  Rome  with 
Tyrone  Power  and  Wanda  Hendrix ; 
produced  by  Sol  C.  Siegel,  directed  by 
Henry  King.  Also: 


"The  Affairs  of  Adelaide,"  based  on 
"Britannia  Mews,"  by  Margery 
Sharp ;  Maureen  O'Hara  and  Dana 
Andrews.  Under  production  in  En- 
gland by  William  Perlberg  and  di- 
rected by  Jean  Negulesco. 

Scheduled  for  production  within  the 
next  two  months : 

"Mr.  Belvedere  Goes  to  College," 
Clifton  Webb  ;  produced  .  by  Samuel 
G.  Engel. 

"Mother  Is  a  Freshman,"  produced 
by  Walter  Morosco. 

In  preparation : 

"Come  to  the  Stable,"  an  original 
by  Clare  Booth  Luce ;  produced  by 
Samuel  G.  Engel. 

"I  Was  a  Male  War  Bride,"  Cary 
Grant ;  produced  in  Europe  by  Sol 
C.  Siegel ;  directed  by  Howard 
Hawks. 

"Royal  Canadian  Mounted  Police," 
to  be  produced  in  Canada. 

"Call  Me  Mister,"  based  on  the  mu- 
sical stage  play,  produced  by  George 
Jessel. 

"Down  to  the  Sea  in  Ships,"  pro- 
duced by  Louis  D.  Lighton ;  directed 
by  Henry  Hathaway. 

"The  Beautiful  Blonde  From  Bash- 
ful Bend,"  Betty  Grable;  written,  pro- 


duced and  directed  by  Preston 
Sturges. 

"Sweet  Sue"  in  color,  June  Haver. 

"Beyond  Five  Fathoms,"  to  be  di- 
rected by  Elia  Kazan  in  Florida; 
screenplay  by  Richard  Murphy. 

"Cloak  of  Romance,"  Richard  Wid- 
mark ;  produced  and  directed  by  Otto 
Preminger. 

Participating  in  the  convention  ses- 
sions today  were  the  following  home 
office  executives :  W.  C.  Gehring,  as- 
sistant general  sales  manager ; 
Charles  Schlaifer,  director  of  adver- 
tising and  publicity;  Martin  Moskow- 
itz,  executive  assistant  to  Smith ; 
Peter  Levathes,  short  subjects  sales 
manager ;  Clarence  A.  Hill,  manager 
of  branch  operations ;  Frank  Carroll, 
Roger  Ferri  and  Jack  Bloom.  The 
Canadian  delegation,  headed  by  Ar- 
thur Silverstone,  division  manager,  in- 
cluded the  following  branch  man- 
agers :  V.  M.  Skorey,  Calgary ;  Ed- 
ward English,  Montreal ;  R.  G. 
March,  St.  John;  H.  J.  Bailey,  To- 
ronto; J.  E.  Patterson,  Vancouver; 
and  J.  H.  Huber,  Winnipeg;  also  ex- 
ploitation representative  Sam  Glasier, 
and  the  Toronto  salesmen  and 
bookers. 


His  pen-and-ink  people  live  for  laughter... 


BORN  on  the  drawing  board,  though 
they  are,  these  little  people  have  the 
breath  of  life  and  laughter  that  captures 
hearts  the  world  around — thanks  to  the 
creative  genius  of  the  animator. 

His  knowing  lines  belie  the  fact  that 
they  are  folk  of  fantasy . . .  of  pen  and  ink 
and  paint.  For  each  and  every  one  has 
the  human  touch  . . .  has  been  fully  en- 
dowed with  character  and  lifelike  move- 


ment, through  the  animator's  artistry. 

Yet — for  all  his  wit  and  skill — the 
animator  could  not  present  his  gift  of 
laughter  to  the  moviegoing  world  with- 
out the  help  of  film.  And  this — in  types 
especially  adapted  to  his  needs — he  finds 
in  the  famous  Eastman  family,  whose 
Fine  Grain  Master  Positive  and  Back- 
ground X  Negative  have  been  the  ani- 
mator's faithful  mediums  for  many  years. 


EASTMAN   KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER  4,  N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  DISTRIBUTORS 
FORT   LEE    •    CHICAGO    •  HOLLYWOOD 


HERE'S  THE  EXHIBITORS'  STORY  wm.  a  TERRIFIC 

OPENIHC  amp  a  Record-Breaking  Ending! 
♦  RKO  GRAND  ohicaco  BIGGEST  BIZ  1SSSS  ★LOEWS 
NEW  HAVEN  RECORD  BIZ  PHW  *  RKO  ROCHESTER 


L 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


motion  pictm jyf  first 


DAILY 


IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


I  64.  NO.  17 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  JULY  26,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Doubts  About 
Wilson's  Plan 
Spread  in  U.K. 

Seen  as  Device  to  Get 
Himself  "Off  a  Spot" 

London,  July  25. — Widespread 
misgivings  concerning  the  plan  of 
Harold  Wilson,  president  of  the 
Board  of  Trade,  to  establish  a  $20,- 
000,000  Film  Finance  Corp.  to  make 
loans  to  independent  producers  are  be- 
ing voiced  in  trade  and  government 
circles  following  disclosure  of  the  plan 
in  the  House  of  Commons  last  week. 

The  consensus  of  opinion  is 
that  Wilson  produced  a  hur- 
ried, ill-digested  instrument  in 
order  to  free  himself  from  a 
self-contrived  quandary  result- 
ing from  his  initial  pledge  to 
assist  independent  producers 
and  his  subsequent  support  of 
the  new  45  per  cent  film  quota, 
which  it  is  highly  unlikely  Brit- 
ish   production    can  support. 

{Continued  on  page  5) 


Jackson  to  MPAA's 
Legal  Staff  in  N.Y. 

Hollywood,  July  25. — Judge  Ste- 
phen S.  Jackson,  member  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America's 
Production  Code  Administration,  has 
been  appointed  to  the  legal  department 
of  the  MPAA  New  York  office,  Eric  A. 
Johnston,  president,  announced  today. 
Here  since  April,  1947,  Jackson  had 
acted  as  Production  Code  Administra- 
tor during  the  absence  of  Joseph  I. 
Breen,  who  had  been  ill.  Breen,  recov- 
ered, has  resumed  his  administrative 
duties. 


Berger  May  Employ 
N.  Y.  Ascap  Decision 

Minneapolis,  July  25. — Ben 
Berger,  independent  circuit 
operator  and  president  of 
North  Central  Allied,  indi- 
cates the  likelihood  of  his  at- 
torneys making  an  effort  to 
reopen  his  own  case  for  re- 
fusal to  comply  with  Ascap's 
music  seat  licensing,  now  un- 
der advisement  in  Federal 
Court  here,  to  incorporate 
the  ruling  and  judgment  of 
the  New  York  court  which 
last  week  held  the  society's 
theatre  levies  to  be  illegal. 


Rathvon  Will 
Leave  RKO 
On  August  31 


N.  Peter  Rathvon,  president  of 
RKO  since  1942,  resigned  on  Fri- 
day. 

His  resignation  was  submitted  by 
letter  to  a  meeting  of  the  RKO  board 
in  New  York  and,  subsequent  to  re- 
ceipt of  the  letter,  Howard  Hughes 
asked  Rathvon  to  continue  as  presi- 
dent until  the  scheduled  meeting  of 
the  RKO  stockholders  on  August  31. 

A  widely-circulated  report 
in  the  trade  is  that  Ned  E.  De- 
pinet,  executive  vice-president 
of  RKO,  will  be  named  to  suc- 
ceed Rathvon.  However,  no 
confirmation  of  the  report  or 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Rites  For  Griffith 
On  Coast  Tomorrow 


Hollywood,  July  25. — David  Wark 
Griffith,  73,  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers 
in  production,  died  at  eight  o'clock 
»Friday  morning  in  Temple  Hospital, 
to  where  he  had 
been  removed 
following  a 
cerebral  hemor- 
rhage sustained 
We  d  nesday 
night  in  his 
apartment  in  the 
Hotel  Knicker- 
bocker here.  He 
had  been  in  fine 
health  and  only 
a  few  hours  pre- 
vious had  a  long 
chat  with  Mar- 
shall N  e  i  1  a  n  . 
Ruth  and  Wil- 
1  a  r  d  Griffith, 

neice  and  nephew  of  Griffith,  were 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


D.  W.  Griffith 


TO  A  Albany  Survey 
On  Building  Code 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  25.— The  Al- 
bany unit  of  the  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  will  canvass  its  members  by 
questionnaire  to  ascertain  opinions  of 
the  latest  revised  New  York  building 
code  on  which  the  State  Board  of 
Standards  and  Appeals  held  a  final 
meeting  in  New  York  on  Wednesday. 
TOA  is  particularly  concerned  with 
whether  objections  should  be  raised 
against  the  code's  ban  on  popcorn  ma- 
chines using  combustible  liquids  in 
lobbies. 


Extend  Withholding 
Tax  Payment  Dates 

Washington,  July  25.— The 
Treasury  has  given  employers 
more  time  to  turn  in  taxes 
withheld  from  workers'  pay- 
checks. Taxes  withheld  in 
March,  June,  September  and 
December  may  now  be  depos- 
ited in  banks  to  the  Govern- 
ment's credit  as  late  as  the 
final  day  of  the  following 
month,  while  taxes  withheld 
in  the  other  eight  months 
need  not  be  deposited  until 
15  days  after  the  month's 
end,  instead  of  the  present  10 
days. 


3  Changes  Proposed 
In  Taft-Hartley  Law 


Washington,  July  25.— House  La- 
bor Committee  Chairman  Hartley  has 
come  out  for  three  changes  in  the 
Taft-Hartley  law,  all  of  interest  to 
the  film  industry. 

Hartley  is  not  a  candidate  for  re- 
election, and  no  action  on  the  Taft- 
Hartley  Act  is  likely  at  the  special 
session,  so  his  opinions  are  held  to  be 
chiefly  of  interest  as  indicating  the 
thinking  of  Republican  Congressional 
leaders. 

Changes  suggested  by  the  New  Jer- 
sey Republican  would : 

Require  employers  to  sign  affidavits 
that  they  are  not  Communists  before 
they  can  seek  National  Labor  Rela- 
tions Board  aid  in  a  labor  dispute ;  at 
present  only  union  officers  must  sign 
such  affidavits. 

Eliminate  the  requirement  for 
NLRB  elections  before  a  union  shop 
can  be  granted — Hollywood  unions 
have  opposed  the  election  provision. 

Forbid  the  use  of  force  or  intimida- 
tion to  keep  non-striking  workers  from 
their  jobs  during  a  strike — to  protect 
the  worker's  "right  to  work,"  as  re- 
quested in  hearings  by  Hollywood  pro- 
ducer Cecil  B.  DeMille. 


MPAA  May  Survey 
Theatre  Revenues 

A  survey  to  determine  box-office  re- 
ceipts around  the  country  to  provide 
a  more  exact  insight  on  business  fluc- 
tuations is  contemplated  by  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America 
as  part  of  its  research  program.  While 
the  new  quest  for  data  is  said  to  be 
only  in  the  conversational  stage  at 
this  time,  it  is  considered  likely  that 
the  association  will  get  started  on  it 
sometime  following  the  completion  of 
its  surveys  on  drive-in  theatres  and 
advertising;  expenditures,  now  being 
conducted. 


'47  Industry 
Profits  Were 
$161  Millions 


Under  1946,  But  Over 
The  Two  Prior  Years 


Washington,  July  25. — Corpo- 
rate profits  after  taxes  in  the  U.  S. 
motion  picture  industry  totaled 
$161,000,000  in  1947,  off  sharply 
from  the  record  $202,000,000  re- 
ported for  1946,  according'  to  the 
Commerce  Department. . 

It  compares  with  profits  of 
$104,000,000  after  taxes  in  1945, 
and  $102,000,000  in  1944. 

Commerce  officials  said  the  report 
covered  all  segments  of  the  industry. 
In  addition  to  giving  the  1947  figures 
for  the  first  time,  the  report  made 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


FGC  Denies  20th's 
Video  Application 

Washington,  July  25.  — Federal 
Communications  Commissioner  George 
E.  Sterling  has  turned  clown  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox's request  to  amend  its  ap- 
plication for  a  San  Francisco  televi- 
sion station  to  include  plans  for  an 
auxiliary  station  at  Oakland.  The 
company  will  appeal  the  decision  t-j 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Loew,  deRochemont 
To  Produce  'Digest' 

RD-DR  Corp.,  a  new  mo- 
tion picture  company,  has 
closed  with  The  Reader's  Di- 
gest Association  for  a  series 
of  factual  films  based  on  ar- 
ticles appearing  in  The  Di- 
gest, it  was  revealed  today 
in  a  joint  weekend  announce- 
ment by  A.  L.  Cole,  general 
business  manager  of  The  Di- 
gest, and  Borden  Mace,  pres- 
ident of  RD-DR. 

The  films  will  be  prepared 
under  supervision  of  Louis 
de  Rochemont,  M-G-M  pro- 
ducer, and  will  be  known  as 
"Dramas  of  Real  Life."  Loew- 
M-G-M  will  produce  and  dis- 
tribute the  first  group  in  the 
series.  Editors  of  The  Digest 
will  actively  collaborate  with 
Rochemont  and  M-G-M  in  lo- 
cating and  developing  factual 
stories. 


Motion  PETErE  DAIly 


Monday,  July  26,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


Newsreel 
Parade 

THE  arrest  of  local  Communist 
leaders  and  Gen.  Clay's  arrival  in 
Washington  mark  current  newsreel 
highlights.  In  other  sequences,  Gen. 
Hcrshev  explains  the  draft,  college 
c/irls  sport  fashions,  and  B-29's  arrive 
in  England.  Complete  contents  follow: 

MOVIETONE  NEWS.  No.  5»— Gen- 
eral Clay  arrives  in  Washington.  Ameri- 
can B-29's  fly  to  England.  British  jets 
cross  Atlantic.  Anti-Communist  rally  in 
Berlin.  Gen.  Hershey  explains  new  draft 
law.  France  decorates  U.  S.  Lieutenant 
Murphy.  ew  York  Communists  seized  by 
FBI.  Sports:  Olympic  torch  starts  trip  to 
London.  Skiing. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  293— Berlin 
crisis  holds  world  spotlight.  FBI  roundup 
of  Red  leaders.  College  girl  fashions. 
London  set  for  1948  Olympics.  Czechs 
hold  Sokol  gymnastic  carnival. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  96 — Gym- 
nastic eyeful:  20,000  women  in  Sokol  drill. 
Yanport,  Ore.:  Flood  city  lifts  head  above 
water.  Master's  voice  saves  dog.  Berlin 
crisis:  Clay  recalled  from  Berlin.  FBI 
arrests  top  Reds.  Draft  plans  announced. 
B-29's  in  England. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  163— Red 
crisis  in  Berlin.  American  superforts  ar- 
rive in  England.  Gen.  Clay  in  Washing- 
ton. Gen.  Hershey  gives  draft  instructions. 
Reds  on  trial.  Turkey  gets  U.  S.  sub- 
marines. Farmer  Brown's  "magic"  cell. 
Bastile  Day.     Stork  busy  at  Bronx  zoo. 

WARNER   PAT  HE   NEWS,  No.  98— 

U.  S.  Reds  arrested.  Two  U.  S.  soldiers 
honored.  Gen.  Clay  reports  on  Berlin. 
Gen.  Hershey  takes  over  new  draft.  Tiny 
tigers.  Sculpturing  in  ice.  Sky  sailing  in 
the  Alps.  Great  Events:  Fulton's  Steam- 
boat. 

Frangooles,  Wis  per 
In  New  Albany  Posts 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  25.  —  James 
Frangooles,  former  assistant  booker  at 
the  Paramount  exchange  here,  has 
been  appointed  head  booker  and  office 
manager  at  RKO  Radio,  succeeding 
William  Murray,  resigned.  Helen 
Wisper,  formerly  secretary  to  Dan 
Holihan,  manager  of  the  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox branch,  has  been  named  head 
booker  for  that  company,  succeeding 
Stanely  Yentes,  resigned. 

New  Firm  Will  Deal 
In  Advertising  Films 

Theatre  Audience  Advertising  has 
been  formed  here  to  represent  both 
exhibitors  and  sponsors  of  advertising 
film  in  contracts  for  bookings.  The 
organization  plans  to  handle  all  ar- 
rangements and  servicing  with  the  ac- 
tual contract  negotiated  directly  be- 
tween theatreman  and  advertiser. 


U.  S.  Video  Study 

Washington,  July  25. — The  Agri- 
culture Department  is  studying  the 
use  of  television  as  a  means  of  bring- 
ing the  benefits  of  agriculture  and 
home  economics  research  to  farm  and 
city  people.  One  phase  of  the  study 
will  seek  to  determine  the  adaptability 
of  movies,  still  pictures  and  other  tech- 
niques to  television. 


Quiz  Show  on  Films 

"Movieland  Quiz,"  new  television 
program  concerning  films  and  stars, 
made  its  debut  on  American  Broad- 
casting's Eastern  network  last  night. 


Some  Houses  Sign 
With  Engineers 

Some  of  the  large  houses  involved 
in  a  wage  dispute  with  Local  No.  30, 
International  Union  of  Operating  En- 
gineers, AFL,  reached  tentative  agree- 
ments with  the  union  on  Friday  pend- 
ing final  action  to  be  taken  by  the 
ojher  houses  affected  by  the  contro- 
versy. Among  the  theatres  that  came 
to  an  accord  with  the  air-conditioning 
engineers  were  the  Roxy,  Radio  City 
Music  Hall,  Astor  and  Centre.  The 
agreements,  retroactive  to  April  1, 
are  understood  to  be  for  one  year. 

The  union  went  on  strike  at  other 
houses  in  the  Metropolitan  area  that 
refused  to  meet  demands  for  a  15  per 
cent  wage  boost. 

Picketing  activities  were  started  fol- 
lowing a  meeting  at  which  the  union 
members  confirmed  a  strike  vote  taken 
on  Thursday. 

The  struck  houses,  pressing  into 
service  every  available  cooling  device, 
reported  business  little  affected  by  the 
shutting  down  of  air-conditioning  sys- 
tems. 

IMPPA  Signs  Pact 
With  Actors  Guild 

Hollywood,  July  25. — As  antici- 
pated, the  Independent  Motion  Picture 
Producers  Association  at  the  weekend 
approved  a  new  contract  with  the 
Screen  Actors  Guild,  which  parallels 
the  recently-negotiated  SAG  contract 
with  the  Association  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Producers  and  the  Society  of  In- 
dependent Motion  Picture  Producers 
in  all  details  save  the  special  conces- 
sions equivalent  to  those  granted  a 
year  ago,  to  producers  making  features 
budgeted  under  $100,000,  or  Westerns 
under  $50,000. 

$75,000  Pledged  to 
Will  Rogers  Fund 

Chicago,  July  25.  —  District  and 
branch  sales  managers  here  endorsed 
a  plan  to  raise  approximately  $75,000 
in  the  Illinois  territory  on  behalf  ot 
the  Will  Rogers  Memorial  Fund,  at 
a  luncheon-meeting  held  at  the  Black- 
stone  Hotel.  Spearheading  the  meet- 
ing were  William  F.  Rodgers,  Robert 
Mochrie  and  Charles  M.  Regan,  gen- 
eral sales  heads  of  Loew's  RKO  Ra- 
dio and  Paramount,  respectively. 

Harold  Stevens  Paramount  branch 
manager  in  Chicago,  was  appointed 
general  chairman  here  representing 
distributors  and  Jack  Kirsch,  Illinois 
Allied  president,  and  Edward  Zorn. 
UTOI  president,  were  made  co-chair- 
men for  exhibitors. 


Henigson  to  Vanguard 

Hollywood,  July  25. — Henry  Hen- 
igson has  joined  Vanguard  Films  in 
an  "executive  capacity,"  the  company 
announces  here.  Henigson's  most  re- 
cent position  here  was  representing 
RKO  Radio  interests  in  Walter  Wan- 
ger's  filming  of  "Joan  of  Arc." 


New  ABC  Video  Unit 

Television  station  WSEE,  St. 
Petersburg-Tampa,  Fla.,  has  become 
an  affiliate  of  American  Broadcasting. 


Contest  Baltimore 
Radio  Censor  Rule 


Baltimore,  July  25.  —  Supreme 
Bench  contempt  citations  naming  five 
radio  stations  and  a  news  commenta- 
tor here  are  expected  to  lead  to  a 
test  of  the  court's  power  of  censorship 
where  crime  reporting  on  radio  L 
concerned,  it  is  said  here.  The  court 
had  charged  the  defendants  wich  vio- 
lating its  rules  on  news  when  they 
broadcast  some  details  of  a  murder 
case  provided  by  a  news  service. 

Charles  A.  Roeder,  program  direc- 
tor and  assistant  general  manager  of 
station  WCBM,  cited  by  the  court, 
charges  here  that  the  court's  action 
affects  the  freedom  of  press  and  radio 
and  is  national  in  scope.  He  explained 
that  news  of  Baltimore  can  be  heard 
on  Baltimore  stations  from  a  network 
point  of  origin  outside  the  city. 

ATOI  Three -Day 
Meet  Starts  Today 

French  Lick,  Ind.,  July  25. — A.  W. 
Smith,  20th  Century-Fox  general  sales 
manager  ;  Henderson  Richey,  in  charge 
of  exhibitor  relations  for  M-G-M,  and 
Ben  Berger,  president  of  North  Cen- 
tral Allied,  are  among  those  who  will 
address  the  Associated  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  Indiana's  summer  convention, 
which  opens  here  tomorrow,  and  will 
run  through  Wednesday. 

Smith  and  Berger  will  present  the 
conciliation  plan  effected  in  Minne- 
apolis by  both,  and  Richey  will  ex- 
plain how  to  get  the  most  out  of 
trailers. 

New  Film  Company 
Headed  by  Marks 

Formation  of  Jewish  Film  Distribu- 
tors, a  releasing  company  headed  by 
Elias  Marks,  has  been  announced  here. 
The  organization's  efforts  will  be  de- 
voted exclusively  to  foreign  films, 
with  emphasis  on  Jewish  and  Pales- 
tinian films.  ' 

The  company's  first  release  is  "Wt 
Live  Again,"  a  documentary  sched- 
uled for  an  August  premiere  here. 

Prints  Are  Moving 
In  Flooded  Kansas 

Kansas  City,  July  25.  —  Further 
rains  accentuated  flood  conditions  in 
Southeastern  Kansas,  overflowing 
rivers  in  some  locations  being  as  much 
as  three  miles  wide.  In  several  areas 
waters  are  in  city  streets.  No  flood- 
ing of  theacres  have  been  reported  and 
no  reports  were  heard  of  prints  having 
failed  to  arrive  in  time  or  failed  to  get 
back  to  exchanges. 


Delay  K-B  Arguments 

Washington,  July  25. — Argument 
has  been  set  for  August  2  on  the  War- 
ner motion  to  put  off  until  September 
30  further  proceedings  in  the  suit  by 
K-B  Amusement  Co.  to  force  Warner 
out  of  the  jointly-owned  MacArthur 
Theatre.  Warner  asked  for  the  post- 
ponement to  allow  its  lawyer,  Philip 
Amram,  to  return  from  Europe,  but 
K-B  opposed  any  delay. 


TAMES  MULVEY,  president  of 
•J  Samuel  Goldwyn  Productions,  was 
en  route  to  New  York  from  Holly- 
wood at  the  weekend. 

• 

Floyd  K.  Horton,  manager  of  the 
Rose  Theatre,  Dublin,  Ga.,  and  Jk 
Horton,  recently  became  parentS^_a  i 
son,  Floyd  Kendall  Horton,  Jr."-* 
• 

William  Hartley  has  been  named 
managing  editor,  and  William 
Jeffers  has  been  named  story  editor 
of  Modern  Screen  magazine. 

• 

Richard  Walsh,  IATSE  president, 
left  New  York  over  the  weekend  for 
a  business  stay  in  Hollywood  of  in- 
definite duration. 

• 

Arthur   Hornblow,   Jr.,  M-G-M 
producer,  arrived  here  over  the  week-  \ 
end  from  the  Coast  en  route  to  Port- 
land, Me. 

• 

C.  J.   Feldman,   Western  division 
sales    manager    for    Universal-Inter-  ! 
national,  left  here  at  the  weekend  for 
Chicago. 

• 

Milton  Livingston,  of  Universal- 
International's  home  office  publicity 
staff,  will  begin  a  week's  vacation  to- 
day. 

Frederick     Brisson,  Independent 
Artists'    executive   producer,   is  due 
back  here  from  Europe  on  Thursday. 
• 

Max  E.  Youngstein,  Eagle-Lion 
advertising-publicity  director,  is  tour- 
ing the  Midwest  from  New  York. 

Tom  Waller,  MPAA's  New  York 
public  relations  director,  will  begin  a 
week's  vacation  today. 

• 

Frank  Rogers,  president  of  Florida 
State  Theatres,  is  due  here  on  Wednes- 
day from  Jacksonville. 

• 

Edwin  Knopf,  M-G-M  producer, 
will  arrive  here  Wednesday  from  Lon- 
don. 

Hollywood  Searching 
For  New  Material 

Hollywood  is  engaged  in  a  search 
for  new  material,  "something  that  will 
give  what  might  be  called  'beiieveabil- 
ity'   to   films,"   declared   Mrs.  Alice 
Evans  Field,  director  of  the  studio  and 
public  service  department  of  the  Mo-  i 
tion  Picture  Association  of  America's  ! 
community  relations  division,  as  she 
left  here  at  the  weekend  by  plane  o  i 
her  return  to  Hollywood.    Mrs.  Field  ' 
is  the  studio  liaison  with  14  preview- 
ing groups. 


Schwartz,  Frohlich  Move 

The  law  offices  of  Schwartz  and 
Frohlich,  industry  attorneys,  will  be 
located  at  19  East  70th  Street,  begin- 
ning today.  Forced  to  move  because  of 
the  unavailability  of  additional  space 
needed  at  its  former  location,  the  law 
firm  purchased  the  building  at  that 
address.  Moving  was  completed  over 
'  the  weekend. 


MOTION  PICTL'RE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-310U.  Cable  aridress:  '  ( 'mapuD^o. 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kami,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation.  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  EditDrial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


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$1 61  > 000, 000  For  1947 

(Continued  from  page  1). 


Wilson  Plan 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Wilson  also  is  on  record  as 
having  said  at  one  stage  that 
the  government  could  not  con- 
template a  subsidy  of  public 
money  for  film  production. 

Saddled  with  his  pledge  to  the  in- 
dependents, however,  he  came  up  with 
the  present  proposal  after  he  had  im- 
portuned orthodox  financial  sources 
[  render  assistance,  without  avail, 
^-jse  sources  are  aware,  from  bitter 
expereince,  of  the  hazardous  condi- 
tions of  film  financing. 

Following  British  exhibitors'  forth- 
right declarations  that  it  will  be  im- 
possible for  them  to  fulfill  the  unex- 
pectedly high  quota  with  the  picture 
output  of  J.  Arthur  Rank  and  other 
production  combines,  Wilson  was 
compelled  to  eat  his  own  words  and 
improvise  any  device  which  could  pos- 
sibly bolster  British  production. 

An  indication  of  the  lameness  of 
Wilson's  position  was  seen  in  his  un- 
easiness under  the  cross-examination 
to  which  he  was  put  by  Winston 
Churchill,  minority  leader  of  Com- 
mons, when  Wilson  broached  his  plan 
last  Thursday.  The  tenor  of 
Churchill's  questioning  of  Wilson  then 
was  the  opposition's  protest  to  what 
they  feel  is  Wilson's  evasion  of  proper 
Parliamentary  consideration  before- 
attempting  to  hurry  his  face-saving 
proposal  through  Commons. 

The  trade  generally  criticizes 
the  Wilson  plan  on  the  grounds 
that  it  is  not  desirable  that  the 
financing  be  administered 
through  established  distribu- 
tors, there-  being  no  guarantee 
that  pictures  suitable  for  effec- 
tive exhibition  will  thereby  ma- 
terialize. It  is  being  commonly 
suggested  that  Wilson  ulti- 
mately will  be  driven  to  estab- 
lish state-controlled  distribu- 
tion for  his  own  protection. 

This  lends  point  to  a  considerable 
demand  being  heard  that  the  govern- 
ment enact  legislation  to  divorce  pro- 
duction from  exhibition. 

National  newspapers  reflect  much 
of  the  foregoing  in  varying  degree 
in  their  comments  on  the  Wilson 
financing  plan. 

Lord  Beaverbrook's  Daily  Express, 
naturally,  is  leading  the  agitation  for 
the  dissolution  of  film  combines,  par- 
ticularly Rank's.  The  Daily  Express 
acidly  comments :  "Wilson  proposes  to 
give  a  blood  transfusion  to  the  wrong 
patient.    Surgery  is  needed." 

It  is  significant  that  Wilson,  as  jus- 
tification for  his  proposal,  repeatedly 
emphasized  to  the  House  of  Com- 
mons his  view  that  the  British  film 
industry  can  look  forward  to  a  long 
period  of  prosperity.  Moreover,  he 
insisted  that  "the  industry  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  Britain's  solving 
of  her  long  term  balance  of  payments 
problem." 

Clearly,  Wilson  regards  his  proj- 
ect as  the  latest  essential  ingredient 
in  the  pattern  of  his  plan  to  restrict, 
insofar  as  possible,  American  film 
screenings  here. 

Nevertheless,  preliminary  analysis 
of  Britain's  film  production  potential 
suggests  that  even  with  the  new  Wil- 
son aid  plan,  exhibitors  inevitably  will 
suffer  quota  troubles. 

However  implicit,  it  is  nevertheless 
a  devastating  criticism  of  the  Wilson 
proposal  that  efficient  independent  pro- 
ducers, such  as  Herbert  Wilcox,  are 
never  without  financial  support.  Wil- 
cox's latest  productions  are  still  set- 
ting new  box-office  highs  wherever 
they  are  played. 


public  today  also  revised  the  figures 
previously  released  for  1944,  1945  and 
1946.  Previously,  for  instance,  1946 
profits  after  taxes  had  been  reported 
at  a  record  $190,000,000  but  later  in- 
formation caused  this  figure  to  be  re- 
vised upward  to  $202,000,000. 

The  report  revealed  for  the  first 
time  that  U.  S.  filmgoers  paid  a  rec- 
ord $1,472,000,000  in  theatre  admis- 
sions in  1946.  This  figure  was  not 
available  when  the  other  1946  figures 
were  issued  'last  year.  Motion  picture 
admissions  in  1947  were  off  consider- 
ably, to  $1,380,000,000.  The  revised 
figures  for  1945  and  1944  are  $1,259,- 
000,000  and  $1,175,000,000  respectively. 

Corporate  profits  before  taxes 
in  the  industry  totaled  $269,- 
009.000  in  1947,  compared  with 
revised  figures  of  $336,000,000 
for  1946,  $255,000,000  for  1945, 
and  $258,000,000  for  1944. 

The  industry  paid  $108,000,000  in 
Federal  and  state  corporate  income 
and  excess  profits  taxes,  compared 
with  $134,000,000  in  1946,  $151,000,000 
in  1945,  and  $156,000,000  in  1944. 

Net  corporate  dividend  payments  of 
motion  picture  firms  totaled  a  record 
$76,000,000  in  1947,  compared  with 
$65,000,000  in  1946,  $35,000,000  in 
1945,  and  $33,000,000  in  1944,  new 
high. 

Undistributed  corporate  prof- 
its last  year  were  put  at  $85,- 
000  000,  compared  with  a  rec- 


with  him  at  the  end.  He  was  born  in 
Kentucky,  in  1875. 

Funeral  services  were  tentatively  set 
for  Tuesday. 

Griffith,  who  was  a  founder  of 
United  Artists,  in  1919,  with  Mary 
Pickford,  Charles  Chaplin  and  Doug- 
las Fairbanks,  was  the  producer  of 
many  motion  picture  milestones,  the 
first  outstanding  one  being  "The  Birth 
of  a  Nation,"  which,  unknown  to  many, 
cost  only  $100,000,  and  which  grossed 
upwards  of  an  estimated  $20,000,000. 
He  had  been  in  virtual  retirement  in- 
sofar as  motion  picture  activities  were 
concerned  since  his  last  production, 
"The  Struggle,"  in  the  early  1930's. 

Griffith  started  as  an  actor,  with 
the  old  Meffert  Stock  Company  in 
Louisville.  As  David  Braytington,  he 
took  to  the  road  with  John  Griffith's 
Strolling  Players.  He  subsequently 
acted  in  pictures,  and  then  became  an 
assistant  director.  Marv  and  Jack 
Pickford,  Henry  B.  Walthall  and 
others  appeared  in  some  of  the  first 


Rathvon,  RKO 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


official  comment  on  it  was  ob- 
tainable at  the  weekend. 

Rathvon  has  said  he  will  remain  as 
president  until  the  stockholders'  meet- 
ing, in  accordance  with  Hughes'  re- 
quest, declaring  that  "I  have  only  the 
highest  regard  for  Howard  Hughes 
and  I  am  hanpy  to  comply  with  his 
request  to  continue  for  a  reasonable 
period  of  time." 

Rathvon's  resigna+ion  was  the  sec- 
ond among  the  ranking  RKO  execu- 
tives since  Hughes  acquired  control  of 
the  company   two   months  ago,  the 


ord  $137,000,000  in  1946,  and  $69,- 
030,000  in  1944  and  1945. 

The  motion  picture  industry  con- 
tributed $1,046,000,000  to  the  national 
income  last  year,  compared  with  $l',-< 
115,000,000  in  1946,  $889,000,000  in 
1945,  and  $851,000,000  in  1944.  Wages 
and  salaries  paid  by  the  industry  hit  a 
new  high  of  $683,000,000  in  1947, 
compared  with  $680,000,000  in  1946, 
$552,000,000  in  1945,  and  $509,000,000 
in  1944. 

Unincorporated  enterprises  in  the 
industry  had  a  $62,000,000  income  last 
year,  well  below  the  $70,000,000  record 
set  in  1946.  The  1945  figure  was  $57,- 
000,000  and  the  1944  figure  $58,000,000. 

The  industry  paid  out  $10,000,000 
more  interest  than  it  took  in,  a  new 
high.  It  compares  with  $8,000,000  in 
1946  and  $6,000,000  in  each  of  the  two 
previous  years.  Interest  fell  pretty 
steadily  from  1930  through  1944,  but 
is  apparently  again  on  the  upswing. 

The  average  number  of  full-time 
and  part-time  employes  in  the  industry 
in  1947  was  251,000,  abo.ut  3,000  be- 
low the  1946  peak,  but  above  all  other 
previous  years.  Average  annual  earn- 
ings for  each  full-time  employe  was 
$3,022,  an  all-time  high.  The  1946 
figure  was  $2,969,  while  the  1945  fig- 
ure was  $2,567. 

Corporate  sales  in  1947  were  listed 
at  $1,790,000,000— slightly  above  the 
revised  1946  record  figure  of  $1,779,- 
000,000.  The  1946  figure  released  last 
year  was  $1,804,000,000.  The  revised 
figures  for  1945  and  1944  were  $1,- 
574,000,000  and  $1,483,000,000. 


pictures  which  he  produced.  He  is 
credited  with  developing  the  "flash- 
back," "closeup,"  "fade-out,"  "mist- 
photography"  and  other  production 
practices,  and  was  one  of  the  first  di- 
rectors to  extend  a  picture  beyond  the 
one-reel  length. 

Following  "The  Birth  of  a  Nation," 
some  of  Griffith's  outstanding  produc- 
tions included  "Intolerance,"  "Hearts 
of  the  World,"  "The  Love  Flower" — 
his  first  for  UA — "Way  Down  East," 
"Dream  Street,"  "Orphans  of  the 
Storm,"  "One  Exciting  Night," 
"America,"  "Broken  Blossoms," 
"Abraham  Lincoln,"  his  first  all-talk- 
ing production,  and  others.  He  left 
UA  in  the  mid-1920's,  produced  two 
for  Paramount  and  returned  to  UA 
after  three  years.  Griffith  sold  his  part- 
nership in  United  Artists  in  1933. 

As  starmaker,  Griffith  is  credited 
with  developing  or  discovering  Miss 
Pickford,  Dorothy  and  Lillian  Gish, 
Mae  Marsh,  Lionel  Barrymore,  Doug- 
las Fairbanks.  Mabel  Normand. 


first  having  been  that  of  Dore  Schary, 
who  was  RKO  production  vice-presi- 
dent, and  who  has  since  become  head 
of  production  at  M-G-M  under  Louis 
B.  Mayer. 

In  addition  to  holding  the  presiden- 
cy of  parent  company  RKO,  Rathvon 
is  chairman  of  the  board  and  presi- 
dent of  RKO  Radio,  and  chairman  of 
the  board  of  RKO  Theatres,  Inc.  Be- 
fore joining  the  company  in  the  late 
1930's,  he  was  associated  with  Floyd 
Odium  in  Atlas  Corp.,  from  which 
organization  Hi.'ghes  purchased  con- 
trol of  RKO.  When  he  was  with  At- 
las, as  vice-president,  Rathvon  was  ac- 
tive in  the  77-B  reorganization  of 
RKO  under  bankruptcy  procedure. 


Says  Allied  Units 
Will  Adopt  NCAPlan 

Minneapolis,  July  25. — Despite  the 
apparent  lack  of  certified  local  com- 
plaints against  20th  Century-Fox  by 
North  Central  Allied's  grievance  com- 
mittee, as  set  up  under  the  NCA-Andy 
Smith  plan,  NCA  president  Ben  Ber- 
ger  says  that  he  is  completely  satis- 
fied with  progress  made  in  "cleaning 
up  a  bad  situation"  and  predicted  the 
plan  would  be  adopted  by  every  Allied 
unit  as  soon  as  it  can  be  "properly 
presented."  He  disclosed  that  the 
Louisiana  state  unit  has  written  him 
praising  the  plan  and  that  reac- 
tion from  the  majority  of  other  Allied 
units  is  favorable.  Berger  also  an- 
nounced that  he  and  Smith,  20th- 
Fox's  general  sales  manager,  would 
attend  the  Indiana  Allied  convention 
tomorrow  through  Wednesday  to  pre- 
sent the  plan  to  that  group.  Some  Al- 
lied state  affiliates  have  evidenced 
skepticism  over  the  plan.  ) 

Two  Meetings 

Berger  and  Stan  Kane,  NCA  ex- 
ecutive director,  will  outline  the  trade 
practice  formula  at  two  regional 
meetings  slated  for  North  Dakota. 
First  session  will  be  held  at  the  Grav- 
er Hotel,  Fargo,  August  4,  and  the 
second  will  be  held  August  5  at  the 
Greater  Northern  Hotel,  Devils  Lake. 

Berger  said  the  existence  of  a  griev- 
ance board  serves  as  a  sharp  warn- 
ing to  local  branch  managers  and 
salesmen  that  they  can  no  longer  in- 
dulge in  loose  talk  and  loose  tricks 
without  facing  the  risk  of  being  haled 
before  the  "police  court." 


20th's  Video 

(Continued  from  page  1  ) 

the  full  commission. 

At  the  same  time,  the  FCC  made 
public  Warner  Brothers'  application 
to  buy  the  Thackery  radio  interests  in 
San  Francisco  and  Los  Angeles,  in- 
cluding the  firm's  Los  Angeles  tele- 
vision station.  Warners  already  has 
applied  for  a  station  in  Chicago. 

The  proposal  may  give  the  FCC  an 
opportunity  to  state  its  policy  on  new 
stations  for  the  "big  five"  theatre 
firms.  The  Commission  indicated  it 
would  do  this  in  connection  with  the 
sale  of  station  KSO  in  Des  Moines 
to  a  Paramount  subsidiary,  but  the 
Paramount  firm  withdrew  from  the 
transaction. 

Pickford  Victor  in 
LaCava  Damage  Suit 

Hollywood,  July  25.  —  Superior 
Judge  Elmer  Heald,  who  has  had  the 
case  under  advisement  since  trial  six 
months  ago,  ruled  today  in  favor  of 
defendant  Mary  Pickford  in  a  $1,- 
653,750  breach  .  of  contract  suit 
brought  by  Gregory  LaCava  on 
grounds  that  she  had  orally  contracted 
to  give  him  full  charge  of  production 
of  "One  Touch  of  Venus."  Court 
found  complainant  was  entitled  to  no 
damages.. 


House  Opening  Delayed 

St.  Louis,  July  25. — The  scheduled 
opening  of  the  1,100-seat  Crest  Thea- 
tre here  has  been  postponed  indefinite- 
ly following  a  disagreement  between 
Crest  Amusement  Co.  and  IATSE 
over  the  employment  of  a  stand-by 
stagehand. 


D.  W.  Griffith  Dies  on  Coast 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICTURE, 

DAILY 


64.  NO.  18 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  JULY  27,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Says  TO  A  May 
Aid  Ascap  in 
Appeal  Action 

This  If  Prompted  By  A 
Study  of  Court's  Ruling 

That  the  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  might  come  to  a  court- 
room defense  of  the  American  So- 
ciety of  Composers,  Authors  and 
Publishers  if  and  when  the  New  York 
Federal  Court's  decision  against  the 
society  comes  up  for  appeal  was 
acknowledged  as  a  possibility  yester- 
day by  Gael  Sullivan,  TOA  executive 
secretary. 

Sullivan  said  that  a  definite  deci- 
sion on  this  must  of  course  await 
complete  determination  of  the  impli- 
cations of  the  court's  ruling.  He  add- 
ed, however,  that  the  Ascap  matter 
will  come  up  for  consideration  at  the 
next  TOA  board  meeting  and  said  a 
"militant  stand"  might  be  voted— 
such  as  appearing  as  intervenor  in 
appeal  arguments.  This  would  be  con- 
tingent also  on  the  absence  of  any 
new  system  of  paying  for  music  which 
would  be  more  desirable  than  dealing 
with  Ascap,  he  said. 


Committee  of  3  to 
Rule  RKO  Studio 


Hollywood,  July  26. — A  three-man 
executive  committee  consisting  of  Sid 
Rogell,  Bicknell  Lockhart  and  C.  J. 
Tevlin  has  been  named  by  N.  Peter 
Rathvon  to  govern  RKO  Radio's  mod- 
ified production  program  pending  the 
meeting  of  the  company's  stockholders 
on  August  31,  when  a  new  president 
will  be  chosen  to  succeed  him. 

Rathvon,  who  resigned  as  president 
of  RKO  on  Friday,  made  the  appoint- 
ments with  the  approval  of  Floyd  B. 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


Richardson,  Levy  and 
Davis  in  Mgr.  Posts 

William  M.  Levy  has  been  ap- 
pointed United  Artists  branch  mana- 
ger in  Cleveland,  succeeding  Harris 
Dudelson,  resigned,  it  was  announced 
here  yesterday  by  Paul  N.  Lazarus, 
Jr.,  executive  assistant  to  the  presi- 
dent. 

Prior  to  his  Cleveland  appointment, 
Levy  was  foreign  division  manager 
for  United  Artists  in  Europe  and  the 
Near  East  from  1945  to  1947  when  he 
resigned  to  take  up  sales  duties  in  the 
home  office. 

Robert    R.    Richardson   has  been 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Further  Study  of 
Decision  by  Ascap 

Further  study  of  the  sub- 
ject before  taking  official  ac- 
tion on  the  Federal  Court 
decision  declaring  Ascap 
guilty  of  violating  the  anti- 
trust laws  was  voted  yester- 
day at  a  meeting  of  the  soci- 
ety's board.  Conducting  the 
study  will  be  Ascap  directors 
and  counsel.  No  date  was 
set  for  the  next  meeting  of 
the  board  for  consideration  of 
the  matter. 

The  MPEA  copyright  com- 
mittee scheduled  to  meet 
here  today  on  the  decision. 


Goldwyn  May  Guide 
Others'  Key  Sales 


Samuel  Goldwyn  Productions  is 
understood  to  be  considering  the  role 
of  supervisor  of  first-run  sales  of  oth- 
er independent  producers'  top  budget 
films  with  Howard  Hawks'  "Red  Riv- 
er" as  the  second  mentioned  as  a  pos- 
sibility for  the  special  handling. 

The  company  already  is  slated  to  act 
for  Walter  Wanger  in  such  a  super- 
visory capacity  for  his  "Joan  of  Arc" 
to  be  given  the  key-run  treatment  af- 
forded Goldwyn's  "Best  Years  of  Our 
Lives."  James  Mulvey,  president  of 
the  company,  returned  to  New  York 
from  the  Coast  yesterday  but  was  not 
available  for  comment. 

The  Goldwyn  firm  is  said  to  feel 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


'Ruth'  Debut  Tops 
NY  4Babe  Ruth  Day' 

Mayor  Wiiliam  O'Dwyer  headed  a 
large  group  of  civic  dignitaries, 
screen,  stage  and  radio  luminaries  and 
prominent  figures  in  the  sports  world 
who  attended  the  world  premiere  of 
Allied  Artists'  "The  Babe  Ruth 
Story"  at  the  Astor  Theatre  here  last 
night.  The  film  will  begin  its  regu- 
lar performance,  extended  engage- 
ment at  the  theatre  this  morning. 

Yesterday  had  been  proclaimed 
"Babe  Ruth  Day"  for  New  York 
City  by  the  Mayor,  who  visited  Ruth 
in  Memorial  Hospital  here  on  Sunday 
and  received  and  accepted  from  him 
an  invitation  to  attend  last  night's  pre- 
miere. Entire  proceeds  of  the  pre- 
miere will  be  turned  over  to  the  Babe 
Ruth  Foundation. 

The  Broadway  block  on  which  the 
theatre  fronts  was  roped  off  last  night 
and  filled  with  expectant  thousands, 
drawn  by  the  celebrities  attending  and 
by  ads  announcing  that  200  souvenir 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Dividends  Off  11%, 
To  $23,349,000 


Washington,  July  26. — Publicly 
reported  cash  dividend  payments  by 
motion  picture  firms  during  the  first 
six  months  of  1948  were  more  than  11 
per  cent  below  the  payments  during 
the  first  half  of  1947,  commerce  de- 
partment figures  revealed  today. 

The  1948  six  months  total  was  $23,- 
349,000,  a  drop  of  $3,048,000  from  the 
comparable  1947  figure  of  $26,397,000. 
Commerce  estimates  that  publicly  re- 
ported cash  dividend  payments  repre- 
sents 60  per  cent  of  all  dividends. 

June  payments  were  reported  at  $7,- 
478,000,  off  slightly  from  the  $7,959,- 
000  reported  last  June.  Commerce 
officials  said  that  the  reason  for  the 
drop  was  that  20th  Century-Fox  paid 
a  smaller  dividend  this  June  than  in 
June  1947.  In  only  one  month  this 
year — February — were  payments  larger 
than  in  1947,  and  then  only  by  $9,000. 
In  most  1948  months,  payments  have 
been  substantially  below  1947  levels. 


N.  Y.  Owners  Agree 
On  Promotion  Plan 


Agreement  in  principle  on  a  "united 
front  of  New  York  State  exhibitors 
in  public  relations  and  other  matters" 
was  reached  at  a  weekend  meeting  in 
Lake  Placid  of  theatremen  of  the  state, 
it  was  reported  yesterday  by  Fred  J. 
Schwartz,  president  of  the  Metropoli- 
tan Motion  Picture  Theatres  Associa- 
tion, who  was  host  at  the  session. 

The  meeting  was  attended  by  repre- 
sentatives of  Theatre  Owners  of  Amer- 
ica ;  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners 
of  New  York,  Buffalo  and  the  Albany 
Chapter  of  TOA.  Harry  Brandt, 
president  of  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  Association,  said  he  was  un- 
able to  attend  but  reportedly  expressed 
his  agreement  with  the  policy.  Other 
meetings  are  planned. 


Jersey  May  Approve 
Local  Ticket  Taxes 


Washington,  July  26. — A  bill  to 
give  all  New  Jersey  municipalities  the 
right  to  levy  theatre  admission  taxes 
may  be  introduced  when  the  state 
legislature  reconvenes  in  the  last  week 
in  August,  according  to  Jack  Bryson, 
legislative  representative  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America. 

Bryson  said  various  Jersey  State 
legislators  are  consulting  on  a  tax 
measure  now.  A  bill  empowering  re- 
sort towns  to  levy  such  taxes  was 
passed  last  year  and,  according  to 
Bryson,  the  clamor  from  other  muni- 
cipalities for  similar  power  has  been 
increasing  since  then. 


Johnston  Sees 
Foreign  Take 
Rising  In  1949 

Says  UK  Quota  Violates 
Geneva,  Havana  Pacts 


Hollywood,  July  26. — The  in- 
dustry's revenue  from  the  foreign 
market  will  hit  the  lowest  point 
next   year   and   start   to    rise  in 
autumn,  1949,  Eric  A.  Johnston,  presi- 
dent of  the  Motion  Picture  Associa- 
tion of  America,  declared  today,  citing- 
statistics  for  the  past  three  years. 
He  said  the  foreign  market 
yielded    $120,000,000    in  1946, 
$90,000,000  in  1947,  and  will  yield 
an  estimated  $70,000,000  in  1948. 
It  is  expected,  he  said,  to  dip 
to  between  $50,000,000  and  $60,- 
000,000  in  1949. 

Pointing  out  that  1946's  $120,000,000 
was  included  in  the  industry's  total 
net  earnings  of  $144,000,000  that  year, 
Johnston  said  "we've  got  to  get  down 
to  the  domestic  market  as  soon  as  we 
can." 

Johnston  said  the  decline  in  foreign 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Key  Houses  Sign 
With  Coolers  Union 


All  the  large  local  houses  yesterday 
had  reached  a  tentative  agreement 
with  striking  Local  No.  30,  Interna- 
tional Union  of  Operating  Engineers. 
AFL.  Only  RKO  and  Loew  houses 
were  still  affected  by  the  strike  of  air- 
conditioning  engineers  as  a  conference 
at  the  office  of  Theodore  Kheel,  the 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Picket  Is  True  to 
Cause  and  Himself 

His  duty  was  on  the  picket 
line,  but  his  heart  must  have 
kept  on  reminding  him  of  the 
stock  he  owned.  Therefore, 
they  narrate  at  Loew's,  this 
picket,  assigned  to  Loew's 
Delancey  Theatre,  where  the 
air  conditioning  unit  was 
battened  down  as  a  conse- 
quence of  the  current  strike, 
met  both  impulses  by  repeat- 
ing: 

"Don't  patronize  this  the- 
atre. But  go  to  Loew's  Ave- 
nue B  or  the  Apollo  where 
there  are  no  pickets." 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  July  27,  1948 


Extend  Zenith  Suit 
To  Include  Video 


Wilmington,  July  26. — Ruling  of 
United  States  District  Court  Judge 
Paul  Leahy  here  will  permit  Zenith 
Radio  Corp.  to  include  television  pa- 
tents in  a  supplemental  complaint 
against  RCA,  General  Electric  and 
Western  Electric  in  its  suit  against 
what  its  original  complaint  character- 
izes as  a  radio  patent  "monopoly." 

The  court  action  came  after  months 
of  legal  strategic  moves  on  both  sides, 
in  which  RCA  attorneys  sought  to 
prove  that  Zenith  was  not  in  the  tele- 
vision business  at  all.  Zenith's  policy 
on  video  has  been  to  make  test  sets 
of  two  models  of  receivers,  then  loan 
them  to  dealers  for  demonstration. 
Zenith  officials  had  previously  an- 
nounced that  they  would  not  begin 
mass  production  of  television  sets  un- 
til an  agreement  with  motion  picture 
companies  whereby  some  policy  for  a 
coordinated  television  showing  of  first- 
run  films  could  be  made,  thus  insur- 
ing entertainment  value  of  video. 
Dangers  of  early  obsolescense  was 
also  cited  by  Zenith  for  its  reason  in 
delaying  mass  video  production. 

Judge  Leahy's  new  ruling  applies  to 
the  second  of  three  civil  actions  filed 
by  Zenith  against  RCA  and  the  others 
here.  The  first  suit  has  been  held 
pending  for  some  time.  The  latest 
action  deals  with  television  only  and 
was  filed  by  Zenith  attorneys  to  make 
certain  that  Zenith  would  be  able  to 
include  video  circuits  in  thousands  of 
patents  which  it  contends  RCA  holds 
as  a  monopoly  in  restraint  of  trade. 
The  court  has  ruled  that  Zenith  may 
consolidate  these  actions  when  RCA 
answers  the  complaint  of  the  latest 
case.  By  virtue  of  a  prior  stipulation 
between  attorneys  concerned,  RCA  is 
to  have  30  days  in  which  to  move  to 
answer  or  plead  with  respect  to  the 
supplemental  complaint. 


Selznick  Video  Films 
Start  in  60  Days 

Hollywood,  July  26. — David  O.  Selz- 
nick Television  Corp.  will  start  pro- 
duction of  television  shorts  on  an  ex- 
perimental basis  within  60  days,  with 
Cecil  Barker  and  Arthur  Fellows, 
both  15-year  veterans  of  the  Selznick 
organization,  in  charge. 


To  Air  Documentary 
Show  on  Hollywood 

"The  Hollywood  Story,"  one-hour 
documentary  program  analyzing  the 
film  industry,  will  be  heard  over  Co- 
lumbia Broadcasting  during  the  week 
of  September  19.  The  exact  day  has 
not  been  determined. 

The  analysis  will  depict  the  social, 
economic  and  artistic  factors  which 
go  into  the  choice  and  eventual  pro- 
duction of  a  Class  "A"  picture,  and 
other  aspects  of  the  industry. 


'Rope'  Premiere  Aug.  26 

Warner's  world  premiere  of  Alfred 
Hitchcock's  "Rope,"  starring  James 
Stewart,  has  been  set  at  Brandt's 
Globe  Theatre,  New  York,  for  Thurs- 
day, August  26.  "Rope,"  Transatlan- 
tic Pictures'  first  for  WB  release,  will 
be  nationally  distributed  as  of  Sept.  25. 


Personal  Mention 


LEO  JONES,  manager  of  the  Star 
Theatre,    Upper    Sandusky,  O., 
is  visiting  here. 

• 

Seymour  Eichman,  Astor  Pictures' 
advertising  manager,  and  Mrs.  Eich- 
man have  returned  here  from  a  15- 
day  honeymoon  trip  in  New  England 
and  Canada. 

Meyer  Mishkin  has  resigned  from 
20th-Fox's  New  York  casting  depart- 
ment  to   join   the   Hartford  Talent 
Agency  as  head  of  its  Coast  office. 
• 

Lynn  Farnol,  Samuel  Goldwyn 
Productions'  publicity  director,  re- 
turned here  yesterday  from  a  Colorado 
vacation. 

• 

David  D.  Horne,  Film  Classics' 
foreign  sales  manager,  has  returned 
here  from  a  tour  of  Europe  and  South 
America. 


TAMES  NASSER,  United  Artists 
«J   producer,  is  here  from  the  Coast. 
• 

George  Brown,  Paramount's  direc- 
tor of  studio  advertising-publicity, 
will  arrive  here  Friday  from  the  Coast 
for  a  10-day  stay. 

• 

Herb  Crooker,  M-G-M  publicity 
manager,  is  vacationing  on  his  sloop, 
cruising  the  waters  adjacent  to  New 
York. 

• 

Charles  C.  Moskowitz,  Loew's 
vice-president  and  treasurer,  will  leave 
the  Coast  for  New  York  on  Thurs- 
day. 

• 

Hugh  Owen,  Paramount's  Eastern 
and  Southern  sales  manager,  is  tour- 
ing the  South  from  New  York. 
• 

William  F.  Rodgers,  M-G-M  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  returned  here 
from  Chicago  yesterday. 


Geo.  Marshall  Heads 
Coast  Charity  Group 

Hollywood,  July  26. — The  indus- 
try's permanent  Charities  Committee 
has  elected  George  Marshall  president, 
succeeding  M.  C.  Levee,  who  remains 
on  the  board,  and  has  appointed 
IATSE  International  representative 
Roy  M.  Brewer  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee's fourth  annual  United  Appeal. 


Ballantyne  Co.  Buys 
Gardner  Projector 

Omaha,  July  26. — Ballantyne  Co. 
has  purchased  the  patents,  tools,  dies, 
etc.  for  the  manufacture  of  the  pro- 
jector heretofore  manufactured  by  the 
L.  J.  Gardiner  Co.  of  Columbus,  Ohio. 
All  of  the  tools  and  dies  have  been 
transferred  to  the  Ballantyne  plants  in 
Omaha  and  Creighton.  Ballantyne 
intends  to  make  the  Gardiner  pro- 
jector under  the  Royal  Soundmaster 
trademark. 

Ballantyne  manufactures  sound  sys- 
tems, bases,  projection  arc  lamps  and 
rectifiers. 


$85,000  for  Far  East 
Convertibility 

Washington,  July  26. — The  Army 
has  earmarked  about  $85,000  to  pay 
U.  S.  film  firms  for  out-of-pocket 
expenses  in  sending  films  to  Japan. 
Korea  and  the  Ryukyus  during  the 
next  12  months. 

The  funds  will  be  used  in  a  convert- 
ibility-guaranty program  similar  to 
that  now  being  administered  by  the 
Economic  Cooperation  Administration 
for  Marshall  Plan  countries. 


Beale  Is  Out 

Washington,  July  26— W.  T.  M. 
Beale,  current  State  Department  film 
expert,  leaves  his  post  at  the  end  of 
this  week,  and  as  yet  no  replacement 
has  been  chosen.  Beale,  who  is  the 
third  official  to  fill  the  job  this  year, 
will  go  on  vacation,  and  then  report  to 
the  Army  War  College.  An  expert  on 
British  relations,  he  won  wide  respect 
from  officials  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Association. 


Recommends  Tighter 
Monopoly  Control 

Washington,  July  26. — The  Fed- 
eral Trade  Commission  has  again  rec- 
ommended to  Congress  that  it  amend 
the  anti-trust  laws  to  prevent  one  firm 
from-  acquiring  the  physical  assets  of 
another  where  the  result  is  to  promote 
monopoly  and  eliminate  Competition. 

The  laws  at  present  only  prevent 
acquisition  of  one  company's  stock  by 
another,  but  leaves  the  loophole  of 
acquiring  the  physical  assets.  The 
FTC  has  been  recommending  that  this 
loophole  be  plugged  for  many  years. 
Legislation  has  been  pending  since 
1945,  but  has  never  reached  either  the 
House  or  Senate  floors. 


M-G-M  Wins  Appeal 
In  UK  Slander  Case 

London,  July  26. — The  British 
High  Court  has  ruled  in  favor  of  M- 
G-M  in  its  appeal  against  the  judg- 
ment which  it  lost  a  year  ago  in  the 
libel  and  slander  suit  filed  by  Mrs. 
E.  Arnot  Robertson,  former  film 
critic  for  British  Broadcasting  Corp. 
In  the  course  of  his  judgment,  Lord 
Justice  Asquith,  one  of  the  three  jur- 
ists hearing  the  appeal,  said  there  was 
"no  evidence  of  malice  on  M-G-M's 
part.  (Sam)  Eckman  (M-G-M's  rep- 
resentative here)  and  his  officials  gave 
honest  evidence.  The  whole  alleged 
libel  was  expressions  of  opinion." 


Griffith  Tribute  Today 

Hollywood,  July  26. — All  Holly- 
wood studios  will  observe  a  three- 
minute  silence  at  two  o'clock  tomor- 
row afternoon  in  tribute  to  the 
memory  of  David  Wark  Griffith,  who 
died  last  Friday  morning. 


7th  Week  for  'Waltz' 

Paramount's  production,  "The  Em- 
peror Kaltz,"  starring  Bing  Crosby 
and  Joan  Fontaine,  will  play  a  sev- 
enth week  at  the  New  York  Music 
Hall,  commencing  Thursday.  This  is 
the  first  picture  to  play  the  Hall  seven 
weeks  in  a  year,  and  is  one  of  only  15 
to  play  there  that  long  in  the  entire 
15  year  history  of  the  house. 


Campaign  Book  Set 
For  TO  A  Youth  Mo. 

A  15-page  campaign  book  has  been 
prepared  by  M-G-M's  Ernie  Emerling 
for  the  Charles  P.  Skouras  committee 
on  the  "Youth  Month"  drive  of  the 
Theatre  Owners  of  America.  Copies 
will  be  sent  to  theatres  enrolled  in  the 
drive,  which  will  be  conducted  during 
September  throughout  the  country. 

Made  up  in  two  colors,  red  and 
blue,  the  campaign  book  provides  vari- 
ous suggestions  for  exploitation, 
licity  and  lobby  and  screen  advert^J  ^ 
for  the  drive. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


t — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL- 


Rockefeller  Center 


BING 

CROSBY 


JOAN 

FONTAINE 


in  "THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ"! 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 
A  Paramount  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


JOHN  FORD'S 
MASTERPIECE 


"FORT  ft 

APACHE"  (I 


7i 


COOL 


IN  PERSON  jr 

LENA  HORNE , 

Special.'  L 

PAUL  WINCHELL  ft 

Extra!  /« 

SKINNAY  ENNIS  it 

1RCH.  #1 

CAPITOL^ 


Paramount  Presents 

RAY 

MILLAND 

ANN 

TODD 

GERALDINE 

FITZGERALD 


SCIENTIFICALLY  AIR  CONDITIONED 

DOORS  OPEN        fyi'  B'woy  & 

*30*«.      /CTVOTjI     49.hwi  . 


ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  "THE 

BABE  RUTH 

SIORV'-iffli-nlii 


CMAH.EI  I 

Cont  P»rformance»»Pop  Price* 


LOIS  BUTLER  in 
M ICKEY 


IN  CINECOLOR 
Brandt's  Cool 


B'way  at 
47th  St. 


New  GOTHAM 

LOIS    BUTLER    will    appear   on  stage 
today   at   3:27,    7:45,  9:54 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quisley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  N*v  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Packs  a  terrific  boxoffice  wallop. 


One  of  the  best  of  the 


year.  By  all  means  buy  it! 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  July  27,  1948 


Johnston,  Foreign  Market 


{Continued  from  page  1) 


revenues  is  foremost  among  the  three 
reasons  for  the  economy  policy  insti- 
tuted in  Hollywood  production,  the 
second  being  "dollar  hamburger  and 
dollar  butter,"  and  the  third,  "other 
forms  of  entertainment,  such  as  night 
baseball  and  dog  racing."  He  said 
television  has  not  yet  exerted  box- 
office  influence  except  in  the  biggest 
cities. 

Assailing  the  British  quota 
as  "a  violation  of  the  spirit  and 
probably  the  letter  of  the  Gen- 
eva and  Havana  agreements 
signed  by  the  British,"  he  said 
he  expects  the  State  Depart- 
ment to  make  formal  protest 
and  believes  the  delay  in  doing 
so  is  due  to  preoccupation  with 
the  Russian  situation. 

He  attacked  the  quota  as  doomed  to 
force  British  producers  into  a  quantity 
instead  of  quality  basis  and,  declaring 
"you  can't  legislate  people  into  thea- 
tres," forecast  a  situation  in  which 
the  British  producer  will  find  a  gov- 
ernmen    tofficial    "looking    over  his 


shoulder"  and  telling  him  ,what  kind 
of  pictures  to  make  and  what  to  put 
in  them,  in  an  effort  to  recoup  the 
government's  investment  in  produc- 
tion. 

Johnston  revised  his  esti- 
mate, made  here  last  March, 
that  the  American  industry 
would  realize  five  to  seven  mil- 
lions of  dollars  this  year  from 
exhibition  of  British  films  in 
this  country,  saying  he  now  ex- 
pects amount  to  be  less  than 
one  million  and  added,  in  re- 
sponse to  questioning,  that  he 
does  not  think  the  industry  has 
or  will  attempt  retaliatory 
measures,  and  he  would  op- 
pose such  policy. 

He  said  the  current  lag  in  Holly- 
wood production  and  employment  will 
continue  until  fall,  because  "Holly- 
wood companies  are  having  trouble," 
but  should  begin  improving  then. 

Motion  Picture  Industry  Council, 
which  he  addressed  last  week,  is 
"making  progress,  but  still  is  in  an 
informal  state,"  he  said. 


12  Foreign  Films  From  Distinguished 


Twelve  new  foreign  firms  are  sched- 
uled for  distribution  in  the  United 
States  in  the  coming  year  by  Dis- 
tinguished Films,  the  list  embracing 
nine  French  productions,  one  Hun- 
garian, one  Italian  and  one  British. 

Product  includes  the  following 
films :  "Dangerous,"  French,  due  in 
February,  and  described  as  the  key 
production ;  "Four  Steps  in  the 
Clouds,"   Italian ;   "An   Only  Love," 


French,  September ;  "Passionate 
Spring,"  'Hungarian,  October  ;  "W'ra,th 
of  God,"  French,  October ;  "Hoboes 
in  Paradise,"  French,  December ; 
"Vautrin,"  French,  January ;  "The 
Wicked  Duchess,"  French,  March ; 
"Quiet  Weekend,"  British,  May ; 
"Fury  in  the  Desert,"  French,  June ; 
"Confessions  of  a  Rogue,"  French ; 
"Passionnelle,"  French,  and  "Lysis- 
trata,"  in  German,  made  in  Austria. 


t/itc  Go®  itt& t/wfisefyf 

AND  YOUR  COMMUNITY  TO 


SEE  WSHOW... 


Produced  by  RKO  Pathe 


See  your  nearest  RKO  Radio  Exchange 


Building  Continues 
In  Northern  Cal. 


San  Francisco,  July  26. — North- 
ern California  is  the  locale  for  the 
construction  of  additional  new  thea- 
tres, including  drive-ins,  and  the  re- 
equipping  and  remodeling  of  many  old 
ones. 

T.  and  D.,  Jr.  Enterprises  has 
opened  the  El  Rey  at  Chico,  the  sec- 
ond house  in  that  city.  Bob  Coffman 
has  been  appointed  manager,  moving 
over  from  the  Redding.  D.  Dicker- 
man,  president  of  Highland  Theatre 
Co.,  announced  that  construction  has 
begun  on  a  new  $180,000  drive-in  at 
Highland,  to  be  completed  in  Novem- 
ber. 

Mason  Shaw,  formerly  operator  of 
two  theatres  in  Texas,  is  building  a 
theatre  at  Saratoga  for  $70,000.  The 
house  will  seat  475.  Opening  of  the 
new  Turlock  Theatre  was  held  last 
week  with  George  Atton  supervising 
management  of  that  house  and  the 
Fox  Theatre.  Salvador  Alvarey  and 
Phillipe  Serna  are  building  a  $70,000 
theatre  in  Monterey.  Bert  Kennerson 
is  manager  of  the  new  Gay  Theatre, 
San  Jose,  built  at  a  cost  of  $55,000. 


Five  Field  Changes 
Listed  by  Rodgers 

Five  more  promotions  in  the  M-G-M 
field  sales  and  branch  personnel  were 
announced  here  yesterday  by  William 
F.  Rodgers,  distribution  vice-president, 
as  follows : 

John  W.  Coyne,  former  office  man- 
ager at  San  Francisco,  to  salesman  in 
the  same  territory ;  Melvin  Turner, 
head  booker  at  Minneapolis,  to  sales- 
man, same  branch ;  Clarence  Keim, 
head  booker  at  Chicago,  to  salesman, 
same  office ;  Raymond  Haberland, 
booker  at  Minneapolis  to  head  booker, 
same  branch ;  Jesse  H.  Owens,  booker 
at  Chicago,  to  chief  booker,  same  ex- 
change. 


Key  Houses  Sign 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


mayor's  labor  conciliator,  failed  to 
produce  a  complete  settlement. 

Beyond  announcing  that  a  full  set- 
tlement had  not  been  reached  at  the 
meeting,  Kheel  refused  to  comment. 

Officials  of  RKO  and  Loew  report- 
ed that  the  strike  had  not  affected 
business  noticeably,  although  a  union 
spokesman  said  that  many  persons  had 
demanded  their  money  back  when 
they  learned  that  air-conditioning  sys- 
tems were  not  operating.  The  cir- 
cuits were  using  every  available  sub- 
stitute means  of  cooling  their  theatres. 

The  union  is  asking  for  a  15  per 
cent  wage  boost,  against  the  circuit's 
offer  of  10  per  cent. 


Richardson,  et  al 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


named  Eagle-Lion's  Cleveland  branch 
manager,  replacing  Mark  Goldman, 
who  has  resigned,  it  was  announced 
by  William  J.  Heineman,  distribution 
vice-president. 

Richardson,  who  entered  the  indus- 
try 10  years  ago,  has  served  in  the 
Cleveland  territory  since  that  time  for 
RKO  Radio,  where  he  held  various 
sales  posts. 

Merritt  Davis  has  been  appointed 
branch  manager  of  Republic's  Atlanta 
branch  and  will  assume  his  post  on 
Monday.  Davis  succeeds  James  E. 
Hobbs,  who  has  resigned. 


500  Will  Pass  on 
Video  Film  Pact 


A  standard  exhibition  contract  em- 
bodying a  series  of  recommendations 
for  some  500  television  stations,  film 
producers,  distributors,  advertising 
agencies  and  others  to  pass  on  is  being 
mailed  out  by  the  National  Television 
Film  Council,  it  is  announced  by  Mel- 
vin L.  Gold,  NTFC  chairman. 

NTFC  attorney  Seymour  1»  er 
has  explained  that  the  various  prac- 
tices and  procedures  covered  in  the 
contract,  emphasizing  the  fact  that  the 
new  agreement  would  in  no  way  at- 
tempt to  negotiate  for  the  television 
station  or  the  film  distributor.  He 
pointed  out  that  the  contract's  func- 
tion would  be  to  standardize  the  meth- 
ods of  doing  business,  the  physical 
handling  of  each  print,  and  to  clearly 
define  the  obligations  of  the  distribu- 
tor and  the  telecaster  in  the  matter 
of  exhibiting  films  on  television. 


Committee  of  3 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


Odium,  chairman  of  the  Radio-Keith- 
Orpheum  board;  Ned  Depinet,  execu- 
tive vice-president,  and  Howard 
Hughes,  who  holds  the  controlling  in- 
terest in  the  company. 

Rogell  is  the  studio's  executive  pro- 
ducer, while  Lockhart  and  Tevlin  are 
members  of  the  Hughes  organization. 
_  Rathvon  said  that  Depinet  will  con- 
tinue as  vice-chairman  of  the  board 
and  executive  vice-president  in  charge 
of  all  company  operations  out  of  New 
York.  He  asserted  that  until  the 
stockholders  meet  he  will  function 
with  the  board's  approval  primarily  in 
an  advisory  capacity. 


'Ruth'  Premiere 

( Continued  from  page  1 ) 


gifts  would  be  distributed  among  spec- 
tators. The  event  was  covered  by 
television  station  WPIX,  radio  station 
WNYC,  by  CBS,  newsreels  and  the 
Armed  Forces  Radio  and  Press  Ser- 
vices. 

Steve  Broidy,  Allied  Artists  presi- 
dent, was  presented  with  an  award 
of  merit  by  Parents  Magazine  in 
recognition  of  the  Babe  Ruth  pro- 
duction. 


Goldwyn  May  Guide 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


that  through  its  experience  in  han- 
dling "Best  Years"  which  brought 
phenomenal  rentals  (taking  up  to  65 
per  cent  of  the  theatre  gross  in  some 
deals)  it  is  equipped  to  represent  other 
producers  of  high-budget  product. 


Video  Okays  Rise 

Washington,  July  26. — As  of  June 
30,  1948,  109  television  stations  were 
authorized  in  the  U.  S.,  an  increase  of 
43  over  the  number  authorized  at  the 
end  of  June,  1947,  according  to  the 
Federal  Communications  Commission. 
An  additional  124  experimental  video 
stations  had  been  okayed,  compared 
with  81  a  year  earlier.  Authorizations 
were  also  outstanding  for  1,020  FM 
stations  and  2,034  standard  broadcast 
stations.  The  comparable  figures  for 
June  30,  1947  were  918  and  1,795. 


Sunday  Film  Fee  Cut 

PittsfielDj  Mass.,  July  26. — Effec- 
tive August  1,  the  city  fee  for  Sunday 
shows  will  be  cut  about  25  per  cent. 


THAT  BIG  BOOM  IN  THE 
MIDWEST  IS  "THE  DUDE'S" 
100  THEATRE  DAY  &  DATE 
BLOW-OFF  IN  THE  IOWA 
AND  NEBRASKA  AREAS! 


THE  PECOS  KID 


£ACTUS  SAM 


ALLIED  ARTISTS  presents 


A  KING  BROS.  PRODUCTION 

Starring  e  T  O  D  hA 

*  1AMES  UUN '  WK  U MB  •  • ^  „  — 


uProorioos/y 

fOflnyl"  y 

WB«U  PAMONJ 

,  Cos,nopo/;fo„ 

Pacfced  vw,f, 
,a"9fis"  foys 

J(*i*iy  fiou  d 

Z2To"  N'°oZ 


PRODUCING 


PRESENTS 


ZACHARY  SCOTT  *  LOUIS  HAYWARD 
DIANA  LYNN  *SYDNEY  6REENSTREET 


LUCILLE  BREMER*MARTHA  VICKERS 


with  Dennis  Hoey  •  Edith  Barrett  *  Raymond  Burr 
Produced  by  ARTHUR  S.  LYONS  •  Directed  by  EDGAR  6.  ULMER 

Screenplay  by  S.  K.  Lauren  and  Gordon  Kohn   •   Based  on  a  novel  "Prelude  to  Night"  by  Dayton  Stoddort 
An  EAGLE  LION  FILMS  Release 


ho  relied  on  lor 

steady  drawl"  tollection  ot 

— 


exhibitor  should  be 
"Boxoff.ce  in  its  cast  names  • .  •  .|rtng,;. 
JET*  copWoHxe  with  ease  n*^  ^  Doily 
,  audiences  and  espe- 


Shooid  please  drama-hungry' 

well 


names 
•YJell  Pr° 


duced 


tiaily  the  women'."  . .  may 

"Scott  9Wes 

,  directed  and  P^|nHIfi.  be  ,emembered  at  the  next  ^ 


.„„line'"  -Ho..y-o«dKep«r.er 

»Hrs,rate  down  the  hne. 

unusual  story.  «» 
..fascinating  drama  . .  •      ^  picture 

st«sl"  goQd  enter- 

..Fine  performances,  f^^.'**. 

ma  *^    'S  " 

"Arresting  drama  .  • 


'Engrossing. 


Vlbrant  and  convincing. 


I"  _8o»o 


ALL  REVIEWS 
TELL  STORY  OF 
BOX-OFFICE  POWER! 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


^3.  64.  NO.  19 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  JULY  28,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Bids  Canceling 
Adjustments 
To  Exhibitors 


Distributors  Rule  Them 
Out  As  Legal  Safeguard 

Exhibitor  applications  for  ad- 
justments of  rental  terms  where 
product  falls  below  expectations 
at  the  box-office  are  decreasing 
in  direct  proportion  to  the  increase  of 
competitive  bidding  and  negotiation  of 
run,  according  to  home  office  sales 
executives. 

Selling,  generally,  is  gradually  be- 
coming slower  and  more  cautious  as 
the  distributors  are  guarding  against 
legal  entanglements,  and  are  frankly 
out  for  maximum  revenue  in  keeping 
with  the  peak  production  costs  and 
foreign  market  losses,  the  reports  in- 
dicate. 

Aside  from  clearance  reductions  and 
the  more  prominent  of  changes  that 
stemmed  directly  from  the  industry 
anti-trust  suit,  the  film  companies  are 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Heat  Hurting 
N.Y.  1st  Runs 


Again  Summer  heat  is  affecting 
business  at  several  Broadway  first- 
runs  and  this  week  the  rising  mer- 
cury is  not  only  outside,  but  in.  "Sev- 
eral hundred"  refunds  were  reported 
at  the  State  where  an  engineers' 
strike  has  halted  "the  air  conditioning. 
The  Capitol  and  Criterion  are  sim- 
ilarly without  cooling  systems.  To 
what  extent  overall  business  was  im- 
paired could  hardly  be  determined,  it 
was  said. 

"The  Babe  Ruth  Story"  got  off  to 
a  big  start  at  the  Astor  yesterday. 
"Key  Largo"  with  Count  Basie  and 
Billie  Holiday  is  still  riding  high  at 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Insist  Hollywood 
Hearings  to  Resume 

Washington,  July  27. — Members  of 
the  House  Committee  on  Un-American 
Activities, 'back  for  the  special  session, 
are  sticking  to  the  story  that  the  Hol- 
lywood hearings  will  resume  here  late 
this  summer. 

One  high-ranking  member  of  the 
committee  said  that  a  formal  announce- 

(Continucd  on  page  4) 


Sch  ineNamed 
In  Trust  Suit 


Chicago,  July  27. — Continuing  in 
the  succession  of  film  anti-trust  suits 
is  a  new  one  filed  today  by  Emerson 
W.  Long,  Cadiz,  Ohio,  theatre  op- 
erator, against  the  Schine  circuit  for 
treble  damages  of  $345,000  claimed  by 
him  for  the  period  from  Jan.  1,  1935, 
to  Jan.  1,  1941.  The  suit  involves 
Long's  operation  of  the  Memorial 
Theatre,  Mount  Vernon,  Ohio,  during 
that  period. 

Complaint  alleges  that  because  of 
exertion  of  buying  power  by  Schine, 
the  Memorial  Theatre  was  prevented 
from  licensing  suitable  first  and  second 
run  product.  It  is  also  charged  that 
Schine  reopened  a  closed  house,  the 
Lyric,  when  Long  began  operation  of 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


U.  S.  Film  Quality 
Better:  Steinhardt 


Quality  of  American  films  released 
in  Czechoslovakia  in  the  past  two 
years  has  shown  sharp  improvement, 
Laurence  A.  Steinhardt,  U.  S.  Am- 
bassador to  that  country  declared 
here  yesterday  at  a  luncheon  given 
him  by  company  and  foreign  depart- 
ment heads  at  the  Harvard  Club.  The 
Ambassador,  who  was  introduced  by 
Francis  S.  Harmon,  Motion  Picture 
Export  Association  vice-president,  de- 
clared that  Hollywood  must  continue 
to  send  over  its  best  pictures  if  it 
would  retain  the  high  degree  of  popu- 
larity now  enjoyed  in  that  country. 
Present  at  the  luncheon  were : 
Barney  Balaban,  Norton  V.  Ritchey, 
William  Satori,  Joseph  A.  McCon- 
ville,  Abe  Schneider,  Leo  Samuels, 
James  Mulvey  and  other  film  leaders. 


See  Ascap  Decree 
By  End  of  August 

Work  will  be  started  soon 
by  Ascap  and  ITOA  counsel 
on  the  preparation  of  a  de- 
cree to  conform  with  the 
findings  of  fact  made  by  Fed- 
eral Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell 
in  handing  down  his  decision 
holding  the  society  in  viola- 
tion of  U.  S.  anti-trust  stat- 
utes. The  decree  is  expected 
to  be  ready  for  presentation 
to  the  court  for  its  approval 
by  the  end  of  August. 


MPAA  Begins  Series 
Of  Parleys  on  Ascap 


First  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America  meeting  on  the  New  York 
Federal  Court's  decision  enjoining 
Ascap  was  held  here  yesterday.  The 
meeting  group,  the  MPAA's  copyright 


Hollywood,  July  27.— The  Pa- 
cific Coast  Conference  of  Inde- 
pendent Theatre  Owners,  which 
had  filed  an  amicus  curiae  brief 
supporting  the  position  of  the 
plaintiffs  in  the  New  York  As- 
cap case  will  participate  simi- 
larly in  any  appeal  from  Federal 
Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell's  re- 
cent decision,  PCCITO's  trustees 
announced  today. 


committee,  was  forced  to  limit  itself 
to  merely  exploratory  discussions.  It 
was  explained  that  until  the  court  or- 
der is  handed  down,  probably  late 
next  month,  no  definitive  action  could 
be  taken. 

Edwin  Kilroe,  20th  Century-Fox, 
is  chairman  of  the  committee,  which 
includes  five  other  executives. 


Conciliation  Vital,  Smith 
Tells  Indiana  ATOI  Meet 


Floods  Hamper  Some 
Kansas  Operations 

Kansas  City,  July  27. — Further 
rains  have  aggravated  the  flood  crisis 
in  parts  of  Southeastern  Kansas, 
while  waters  continue  to  subside  else- 
where in  previously  flooded  districts. 

The  Plaza  of  the  Dickinson  circuit 
in  Burlington,  Kansas,  has  reopened 
after  being  closed  a  week.  Water 
had  been  above  the  stage.  Seats  were 
removed  when  the  flood  threatened, 
and  restored  when  the  waters  re- 
ceded. Seats  were  removed  from  the 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


French  Lick,  Ind.,  July  27. — The 
importance  of  conciliation  in  advanc- 
ing exhibitor-distributor  harmony  to 
the  profit  of  the  entire  industry  was 
stressed  by  Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  20th 
Century-Fox-'s  general  sales  manager, 
in  an  address  delivered  this  evening  at 
the  annual  convention  of  the  Associ- 
ated Theatre  Owners  of  Indiana  at  the 
French  Lick  Springs  Hotel  here.  Hen- 
derson M.  Richey,  Loew-M-G-M  di- 
rector of  exhibitor  relations,  who  also 
was  scheduled  to  speak  on  concilia- 
tion, cancelled  his  prepared  speech  at 
the  last  minute  and  spoke  generally. 

About  100  exhibitors  are  attending 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


UK  Exhibitors 
Wary  About 
Finance  Plan 


See  Wilson  Forced  Into 
State  Distribution  Next 


London,  July  27. — Exhibitors 
here  share  the  misgivings  expressed 
in  political  and  financial  circles 
concerning  President  of  the  Board 
of  Trade  Harold  Wilson's  $20,000,000 
government  Film  Finance  Corp. 

They  remember  Wilson's  naive, 
much  derided  declaration  at  the  Ex- 
hibitors' Association  dinner  to  Eric 
Johnston  last  spring  that  what  they 
must  show  in  their  theatres  is  "more 
documentaries." 

They  distrust  the  suggestion 
that  the  films  they  must  show 
will  be  selected  by  a  still-to- 
be-announced  "committee." 

They  maintain,  despite  the  prom- 
ised flow  of  films  from  the  govern- 
ment's beneficence,  that  they  will  not 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


19  Films  in 


'U'  Backlog 


Universal  Pictures  has  the  largest 
backlog  of  completed  productions  in 
its  history,  shooting  schedules  on  19 
top  productions  having  been  finished, 
J.  Cheever  Cowdin,  board  chairman, 
and  N.  J.  Blumberg,  president,  an- 
nounced yesterday  as  the  company 
prepared  to  shut  down  its  Coast  studio 
on  Friday  for  a  five-week  consolidated 
vacation  period.  The  company's  an- 
nual production  schedule  calls  for  24 
pictures. 

The  management  had  planned  the 
vacation  shutdown  many  months  ago 
and  had  arranged  its  production 
schedule  so  as  to  complete  shooting 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Truman  Telecast  on 
Paramount's  Screen 


Evidently  determined  to  establish 
itself  as  top  television  theatre  among 
Broadway  showhouses,  the  Paramount 
yesterday  gave  an  unexpected  full- 
screen telecast  of  President  Truman's 
address  before  Congress,  running 
about  25  minutes  and  fitting  in  smooth- 
ly at  the  end  of  the  newsreel. 

Yesterday's  special  was  adequately 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  28,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


CTEVE    BROIDY,    president  of 
^  Monogram- Allied     Artists,     an  ' 
Louis  F.  Lifton,  director  of  adver 
tising-publicity,  will  leave  New  York 
for  the  Coast  tomorrow. 

• 

Samuel  Schneider,  Warner  vice' 
president;  W.  Steward  .  McDonald 
vice-president  of  Warner  Theatres 
and  their  wives,  returned  to  New  York 
yesterday  from  England  aboard  the 
S.  S.  Queen  Mary. 

• 

Maria  Vincenza  Trotta,  daughter 
of  Vincent  Trotta,  National  Screen 
art  director,  has  become  engaged  to 
Harold  Douglas  Hall  of  Rossville 
Ga. 

• 

William   A.    Scully,  Universal 
International    distribution  vice-presi- 
dent, will  return  here  tomorrow  from 
England  aboard  the  5".  S.  America. 
• 

Jules  Lapidus,  Warner  Eastern  and 
Canadian  sales  manager,  will  return 
here  over  the  weekend  from  Buffalo 
and  Cleveland. 

• 

Eric  A.  Johnston,  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America  president,  flew 
from  Hollywood  to  Spokane  yester- 
day. 

• 

Rudolph  Weiss,  Warner  real  estate 
department  chief,  is  in  Springfield,  O., 
from  New  York. 

• 

Sidney  Kulick  of  Bell  Pictures  has 
been  visiting  Albany  from  New  York. 


Reach  No  Accord  in 
Strike  of  'Coolers' 

The  strike  of  Local  No.  30,  Inter- 
national Union  of  Operating  Engi- 
neers, AFL,  against  Loew  and  RKO 
houses  in  the  New  York  Metropoli- 
tan area  was  no  nearer  to  a  settle- 
ment yesterday  as  the  circuits  held 
firm  in  their  refusal  to  accede  to  the 
union's  demand  for  a  15  per  cent  wage 
hike.  The  air-conditioning  men  have 
been  offered  a  10  per  cent  raise. 


S  chin  e  Promotes 
Hart  and  Slither 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  27.— Lou  Hart 
has  been  promoted  by  the  Schine  cir- 
cuit from  district  manager  at  Glovers- 
ville  to  Northern  New  York  zone 
manager  at  Watertown,  to  succeed 
Harold  Slither  who  has  been  ad- 
vanced to  zone  manager  at  Lexing- 
ton, Ky. 


Seech,  Fire  Victim 

San  Francisco,  July  27. — Funeral 
services  will  be  held  at  Halsted's 
Funeral  Parlor  here  tomorrow  for 
George  Robert  Seech,  62,  RKO  Radio 
salesman  for  27  years,  who  died  Mon- 
day afternoon  at  St.  Luke's  Hospital 
here  from  burns  sustained  while  he 
was  attempting  to  repair  an  automo- 
bile. Survivors  include  a  son,  a 
daughter,  four  sisters  and  two 
brothers. 


Tradewise . 


By  SHERWIN  KANE 


"^EW  YORK  independent  ex- 
^  hibitors  won  a  legal  "vic- 
tory" over  the  American  Socie- 
ty of  Composers,  Authors  and 
Publishers  last  week. 

It  remains  to  be  seen  how 
much  the  "victory"  will  cost 
them. 

The  New  York  Federal  Dis- 
trict Court  found  Ascap's  meth- 
od of  licensing  the  performing 
rights  of  its  music  to  theatres  to 
be  in  violation  of  the  anti-trust 
laws  and  enjoined  the  Society 
from  further  issuing  blanket  mu- 
sic licenses,  among  other  things. 

The  court  suggested  as  an  al- 
ternative to  the  present  method 
of  licensing  that  producers  ac- 
quire the  performing  rights  to 
the  music  in  their  pictures  at  the 
same  time  that  synchronization, 
or  recording,  rights  are  ob- 
tained. 

That,  in  effect,  is  what  exhibi- 
tor sponsors  and  supporters  of 
the  Lewis  Bill  in  the  last  session 
of  Congress  wanted. 

Many  exhibitors  and  this  col- 
umn saw  nothing  more  in  the 
Lewis  Bill  than  an  instrument 
by  which  the  Ascap  music  tax 
could  be  transformed  into  a  hid- 
den tax.  As  a  hidden  tax,  add- 
ed to  film  rental,  as  it  most  cer- 
tainly would  be,  the  exhibitor 
could  be  required  to  pay  more 
for  the  music  in  the  films  he 
licensed  than  he  paid  to  Ascap. 
His  only  balm  would  be  that  he 
wouldn't  know  about  it  when  he 
did  it. 

The  New  York  court's  Ascap 
decision  promises  to  bring  about 
the  same  result. 

• 

Allied  States,  sponsor  of  the 
Lewis  Bill,  contends  that  the  ex- 
hibitor need  not  pay  more,  and 
possibly  might  pay  less,  for  mu- 
sic performing  rights  obtained 
from  the  producer  rather  than 
from  Ascap. 

The  New  York  court  found 
that  exhibitors  not  only  did  ne- 
gotiate with  Ascap  in  1933  and 
1934,  as  the  trade  knows,  but 
that  the  result  of  the  negotia- 
tions was  a  '"schedule  of  rates 
which  were  very  reasonable." 

It  was  on  this  ground  and  in 
the  absence  of  any  showing  by 
the  New  York  exhibitor  plain- 
tiffs that  their  business  had  been 
injured  by  the  Ascap  levy,  that 
the  New  York  court  denied 
damages  to  the  plaintiffs  against 
Ascap. 

The  court  observed  that  "The 
exhibitor  got  something  of  value 
(from  Ascap)  and  received 
what  he  paid  for." 


Newsreel 
Parade 


That  means,  of  course,  that  if 
the  exhibitor  is  to  continue  get- 
ting that  "something  of  value," 
i.e.,  music  performing  rights,  he 
will  continue  paying  for  it, 
whether  he  pays  Ascap,  the  pro- 
ducers or  the  individual  copy- 
right owners. 

• 

How  much  the  exhibitor  will 
pay  for  that  "something  of 
value"  in  the  future  remains  to 
be  seen. 

The  court  left  the  way  open 
for  Ascap  to  continue  licensing 
theatres  on  a  per-piece  basis.  No 
exhibitor  ever  has  applied  to 
Ascap  for  a  per-piece  license, 
even  though  the  Society  is  re- 
quired by  its  consent  decree  with 
the  Government  to  make  such 
licenses  available  upon  request. 

The  reasons  are  obvious.  The 
time  and  cost  involved  in  obtain- 
ing a  license  for  each  piece  of 
music  in  every  film  played  by  a 
theatre,  for  every  exhibition  of 
the  picture  in  that  theatre,  elimi- 
nate the  method  from  all  practi- 
cal considerations.  Unless  As- 
cap cooperates  by  devising  a 
more  practicable  and  economical 
per-piece  licensing  system  than 
it  has  offered  up  to  now. 

If  the  exhibitor  were  to  at- 
tempt to  clear  the  rights  through 
the  individual  copyright  owners, 
assuming  Ascap  gets  out  of  the 
theatre  licensing  field  complete- 
ly, he  would  find  the  task  even 
more  impossible  than  attempting 
to  do  it  through  Ascap. 

The  producer  may  find  some 
of  the  same  difficulties  in  at- 
tempting to  acquire  the  perform- 
ing rights  himself  because,  if  it 
is  illegal  for  Ascap  to  issue 
blanket  licenses  then  it  is  reas- 
onable to  assume  that  it  will  be 
equally  illegal  for  any  other 
agency  which  might  supplant 
Ascap  to  do  so.  Thus,  the  pro- 
ducer would  be  put  to  increased 
expense  in  negotiating  with  in- 
dividual copyright  owners,  ex- 
pense which  would  be  reflected 
ultimately  in  film  rentals. 
• 

In  the  final  analysis,  of  course, 
it  was  not  the  exhibitors  who 
defeated  Ascap  in  the  New  York 
ease.  Ascap,  by  its  greed  or  ar- 
rogance in  demanding  the  ex- 
orbitant fees  of  exhibitors  it 
did  last  August,  defeated  itself. 
The  decision  makes  that  clear. 

Ascap  had  a  similar  experi- 
ence in  its  1941  fight  with  the 
broadcasters.  Apparently,  it 
learned  nothing  from  that  ex- 
perience. 


60 

Gen.^lay 


A  REPORT  from  Gen.  Clay  as  well 
SI  as  the  Third  Party  convention 
mark  current  newsreel  highlights. 
Other  items  include  people  in  the 
news,  a  plane  crash  and  sports.  The 
confession  of  Robert  Daniels,  youthful 
killer,  is  claimed  as  an  exclusive  by] 
Movietone  News.  Complete  contents 
follow. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No 

Party  nominates  Wallace.  Gen.  "nay 
reports  on  crisis  in  Berlin.  Gov.  Dewey 
holds  conference  on  foreign  affairs. 
Giant  180-passenger  plane  joins  TJ.  S. 
navy.  Klu  Klux  Klan  initiates  new 
members.  Exclusive  confession  of 
Robert  Daniels. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  294— Pro- 
gressives name  Wallace  for  President., 
Report  by  Gen.  Clay.  Klu  Klux  Klan. 
Refugees  from  Soviet  terror  flee  to  the: 
U.  S.  Greatest  airship  in  first  flight. 
TJ.  S.  Olympic  team  hailed  in  London. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  97—1948 
Olympiad:  London  host  to  top-flight 
athletes.  Weekend  at  Pawling:  Gov. 
Dewey  keeps  pace  with  world  issues. 
Minneapolis  stages  water  spectacle. 
Wallace  Party  states  policy. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS.  No.  164— Gen 
Clay  sees  no  war  despite  blockade  of 
Berlin.  Third  Party  nominates  Wal- 
lace. Abbott  and  Costello  meet  radio 
program  contest  winners.  War-muti- 
lated kids  meet  the  Pope.  Refugees' 
ship  arrives  in  Boston.  New  180-pas- 
senger plane. 

WARNEK  PAT  HE  NEWS,  No.  99— 
Ku  Klux  Klan  rears  its  head  again. 
Third  party  convention.  Air  news :  B-25 
crashes;  Navy  giant;  jets  on  parade. 
People  in  the  news :  General  Clay ; 
Andre  Marie.  Refugees  from  Red-domi- 
nated countries.  Dewey  and  Eisenhower 
discuss  Berlin  crisis.  Minneapolis  Aqua- 
tennial. 


Albany  Paper  Cites 
Smakwitz  Promotion 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  27.— The  Al- 
bany Knickerbocker  News  has  greeted 
with  editorial  praise  the  promotion  of 
Charles  A.  Smakwitz  from  assistant  to 
zone  manager  of  Warner  Theatres 
here,  succeeding  C.  J.  Latta  who  will 
head  Warner  theatre  operations  in 
England. 

Smakwitz  "has  a  well-deserved 
reputation  in  Albany  for  being  a  tire- 
less worker,"  the  editorial  said.  "He 
is  a  dynamo  of  energy  in  his  business 
as  a  theatre  man  and  in  all  public- 
spirited  movements.  During  the  war 
he  was  the  spark  in  many  events  in 
behalf  of  various  war  bond  drives." 


Mason  Is  Signed 
By  Enterprise 

Hollywood,  July  27. — James  Ma- 
son has  been  signed  by  Enterprise 
Studios  for  his  first  production  in 
America,  "Wild  Calendar."  M-G-M 
will  distribute.  The  British  actor, 
No.  1  in  the  Motion  Picture  Herald- 
Fame  British  "Money  Making  Stars" 
poll  for  four  years  (1944-47),  will 
check  in  at  the  Enterprise  lot  this 
week. 

The  deal  was  made  by  Charles  Ein- 
feld,  Enterprise  president,  and  David 
Loew,  board  chairman. 


Lufkin  Enters  Video 

Washington,  July  27. — Lufkin 
Amusement  Co.  of  Beaumont,  Texas, 
which  last  week  applied  for  a  tele- 
vision station,  is  half  owner  of  East 
Texas  Theatres,  it  is  learned. 


Sundiy^an^hoS?  ^O^fv^S^W^i^'f^i-irl  ?uuhlisher'  SDh™  „KanS:  Editor;  Martin  Q^ey,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.'  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
New  York." ^  Mart^  O,,^  Rockefeller  Center    New  York  20,  N.  Y.    Telephone  Circle  7-3100.    Cable  address :  "Quigpubco, 

gley,  Jr.,    Vice-Presiden^  -    '         '        "  '  ~  ' 

Gus  H.  Fausel,  Produc 
lie  Street,  Editorial  an 
ishington,  D.  C.  London 

{'  Th»ai^~«£lZ,    f-;a"""rj>  TM"'C'  iruuncauons:  motion   Picture  Herald,  Be1 

3,  1879.  SuTs'c?^  ropfeTloc^55  ^  ^  *»  ^  °^  *  ^er"^^^ 


M-C-M  DIDN'T  WRITE  THIS  AD! 

( The  reports  below  on  "Easter  Parade"  come  from  Variety,  July  21st  issue) 

PARADE  WHAM!  Indianapolis 
PARADE  MIGHTY!  Boston 
PARADE  SOCK!  Philadelphia 
PARADE  HOTTER  THAN  HOT!'  St.  Louis 
PARADE  STANDOUT!'  San  Francisco 
PARADE  STOUT!"  Detroit 
PARADE  GIANT!   Kansas  City 
PARADE  BIG  COIN!'  New  York 
PARADE  TERRIFIC!'  Louisville 
PARADE  SOCKEROO!   Wash.,  D.C. 
PARADE  TOPPER!  Providence 


a/* 


Screen  Play  by  Sidney  Sheldon,  Frances  Goodrich  and  Albert  Hackett  •  Original  Story  by  Frances  Goodrich  and  Albert  Hackett  •  Lyrics  and 
Music  by  Irving  Berlin  •  Musical  numbers  directed  by  Robert  Alton  •  Directed  by  CHARLES  WALTERS  •  Produced  by  ARTHUR  FREED 

A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  July  28,  1948 


'Ruth9  Starts  Off  at 
Record  Astor  Pace 

"The  Babe  Ruth  Story"  is  heading 
for  about  $70,000  in  its  first  week  at 
the  Astor,  according  to  the  manage- 
ment. If  this  gross  develops,  it  will 
top  the  $66,965  rolled  up  by  "The  Kid 
from  Brooklyn"  which  holds  the  latter- 
day  record  for  an  opening  week  at 
the  house. 

The  Danny  Kaye  film  opened  dur- 
ing an  Easter  Week  at  $1.40  up  to 
five  P.M.,  compared  with  95  cents  to 
the  same  hour  for  "Babe  Ruth."  Top 
for  the  Ruth  film  is  $1.50,  but,  as  an 
experiment,  the  Astor  will  go  to  $1.80 
from  seven  to  ten  P.M.  Saturday 
night.  If  this  policy  clicks,  it  will  be 
maintained.  If  not,  prices  will  return 
to  $1.50. 

New  York  Grosses 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

the  Strand  with  a  second  week's  gross 
estimated  at  $83,000.  The  house  is 
charging  $1.75,  up  from  $1.50,  on  Sat- 
urdays and  Sundays. 

"The  Emperor  Waltz"  and  a  'stage 
presentation  at  the  Music  Hall  should 
provide  an  attractive  $123,000  in  its 
sixth  week.  The  show  holds  for  a 
seventh,  making  an  exceptionally  long 
run  for  this  time  of  the  year.  "Easter 
Parade"  lost  ground  in  its  fourth 
week  at  the  State,  estimated  $41,000; 
it  is  still  good,  however.  "Deep 
Water"  is  slow  in  its  opening  week 
at  the  Globe,  at  $14,000.  "Street  With 
No  Name"  with  Cab  Calloway  and 
an  ice  show  at  the  Roxy  should  get 
a  lofty  $100,000  in  a  second  week. 

Less  impressive  figures  come  from 
other  spots :  Paramount,  "A  Foreign 
Affair,"  Jo  Stafford  on  stage,  $60,000 
(but  fair  enough  for  a  fourth  week)  ; 
Gotham,  "Mickey,"  second  week  (six 
days),  $7,400,  mediocre;  Mayfair, 
"Time  of  Your  Life,"  ninth  week, 
$10,000,  fair;  Victoria,  "Raw  Deal," 
third  week,  $10,000,  passable;  Cri- 
terion, "Canon  City,"  third  week, 
$12,000,  room  for  improvement ;  Cap- 
itol, "Fort  Apache,"  Lena  Home  on 
stage,  fifth  week,  $5,000,  good  enough 
as  the  run  nears  its  end. 


RKO  J-P  Appeal 

Chicago,  July  27. — RKO,  repre- 
sented by  attorney  Miles  Seeley,  to- 
day filed  an  appeal  in  U.  S.  District 
Court  in  opposition  to  Judge  Michael 
Igoe's  recent  refusal  to  grant  exemp- 
tion of  contempt  charges  in  the  recent 
Jackson  Park  hearing.  Seeley's 
grounds  were  based  -  on  .  arguments 
that  the  RKO  Palace  and  Grand  the- 
atres are  separate  corporations.  Hear- 
ings on  the  anti-trust  suit  case  against 
the  majors  here  have  been  extended 
to  September  10  in  U.  S.  District 
Court.  Plaintiff's  attorney  is  Abe 
Brussels. 


UK  Exhibitors 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


be  able  to  meet  the  45  per  cent  quota. 

Exhibitors,  too,  are  worried  about 
he  composition  of  that  "committee." 
To  the  very  last  minute  before  his 
declaration  in  the  House  of  Com- 
mons concerning  the  film  financing 
plan,  Wilson  contemplated  appointing 
Lord  Portal  as  chairman  of  his  Film 
Finance  Corp.  Lord  Portal  is  chief- 
ly remembered  in  the  trade  as  one 
of  J.  Arthur  Rank's  financial  associ- 
ates in  his  first  film  operations. 

Discussion  currently  revolves 
around  the  question  as  to  who  will 
get  the  public's  money.  Wilson's  plan 
is  that  the  funds  will  be  made  avail- 
able to  distribution  companies  which 
in  turn  will  finance  producers.  In- 
formed persons  believe  this  means 
that  a  distributor  who  has  studio  space 
available  will  give  security  to  the  Film 
Finance  Corp.  for  an  advance  which 
it  will  pay  over  to  the  producers.  The 
distributor's  security  would  consist  of 
such  unpledged  assets  as  he  pos- 
sessed plus  the  film  to  be  made. 

A  select  list  of  distributors  is  in 
course  of  preparation  and  applicant 
producers  will  be  permitted  to  deal 
only  with  the  chosen  few.  Also,  so 
that  the  risk  may  be  spread,  a  pro- 
ducer will  receive  only  a  part  of  the 
required  financing  from  the  corpora- 
tion. The  distributor  will  be  called 
upon  to  pay  the  balance. 


Hollywood  Hearings 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


ment  will  be  made  shortly,  possibly 
next  week  if  committee  chairman 
Thomas  returns  here  by  then. 

Industry  officials  point  out  that  sim- 
ilar forecasts  of  resumption  of  the 
hearings  have  been  made  before,  and 
have  not  panned  out. 

The  committee  member  cited  above 
said  that  the  rest  of  the  19  "unfriendly 
film  witnesses". would  be  called  to  tes- 
tify and  "probably  a  good  many  oth- 
ers." He  declared  that  present  plans 
are  to  hold  brief  hearings  on  possible 
Communist  affiliations  of  Dr.  Edward 
Condon,  head  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of 
Standards,  and  then  swing  into  the 
second  phase  of  the  Hollywood  probe. 


Floods  Hamper 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Kaw  at  Marion,  also  a  Dickinson 
house,  but  waters  did  not  rise  into 
the  theatre,  and  the  seats  were  reset 
after  a  day's  closing. 

There  is  no  report  of  any  theatre 
missing  out  on  prints,  although  Ex- 
hibitors Film  Delivery  has  made  wide 
detours  to  reach  some  towns.  A  boat- 
man was  sent  from  the  Osa  at  Osa- 
watomie  over  flooded  fields  to  meet  a 
print  truck  from  Paola. 


New  York  Representative,  44  Wall  St. 
Foreign  Branches: 

London,  Manila,  and  Tokyo 


l&mtk  of 


MEMBER  F.D.I.C. 


AviNCs  ASSOCIATION 
i's  Statewide  Bank 


Conciliation 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


the  meeting.  There  was  no  general 
meeting  yesterday,  but  the  board  met 
last  night  and  voted  to  muster  50 
ATOI  delegates  to  attend  national 
Allied's  convention  in  New  Orleans, 
Nov.  30  to  Dec.  2.  First  general  ses- 
sion was  held  tonight,  when  William 
Ainsworth,  head  of  the  national  or- 
ganization, as  well  as  Smith  and 
Richey,  was  heard.  The  sessions  will 
close  tomorrow  night  with  a  banquet. 
On  the  dais  besides  Smith,  Richey 
and  Ainsworth  will  be  Ben  Berger, 
president  of  North  Central  Allied ; 
Dave  Palfreyman  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Association  of  America ;  Pete 
Wood,  Ohio  exhibitor  leader,  and 
Trueman  Rembusch,  ATOI  president. 

In  explaining  the  NCA-Berger- 
Smith  Minneapolis  concilation  plan, 
Smith  asserted,  that  "the  failure  of 
conciliation  and  mediation  plans  in 
the  past  has  been  due  to  the  fact  that 
they  were  conceived  on  a  national 
basis."  He  said  the  Minneapolis 
plan  "is  promised  on  a  local-level 
basis,"  adding  that  it  is  founded  on 
"the  good  faith  of  both  exhibitor 
and  distributor  and  has  no  direct  re- 
lationship to  national  viewpoints  one 
way  or  another." 

Smith  appealed  to  all  "to  be  con- 
siderate of  each  others'  problems  sin- 
cerely and  honestly."  He  held  that 
"liberation  from  court  attacks  and 
other  agitation  could  enhance  the 
value  and  purpose  of  the  screen," 
saying  that  "we  have  got  to  find  a 
peaceful,  practical  and  fair  method  by 
which  every  individual  can  seek  to 
establish  his  right  to  a  fair  and  hon- 
est existence  in  our  business." 


Schine  Named 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


the  Memorial,  and  later  attempted  to 
secure  the  lease  on  the  Memorial  away 
from  Long  for  the  purpose  of  closing 
the  theatre.  The  complaint  further  al- 
leges that  efforts  to  stifle  competition 
in  Mount  Vernon  were  all  part  of  a 
scheme  by  Schine  to  monopolize  ex- 
hibition in  all  towns  in  which  Schine 
operated. 

The  suit  was  filed  in  Federal  Dis- 
trict Court  at  Columbus.  Plaintiff's 
attorneys  are  Birney  Pettay  of  Cadiz, 
and  Seymour  Simon,  Chicago.  Prior 
to  the  war,  Simon,  who  was  special 
assistant  to  the  U.  S.  Attorney  Gen- 
eral, participated  in  the  Federal  Gov- 
ernment's prosecution  of  the  Schine 
circuit. 


TT  Backlog 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


on  the  19  pictures  by  August  1,  with 
editing  of  half  a  dozen  of  these  'to 
be  continued  during  the  vacation  pe- 
riod, Cowdin  and  Blumberg  stated. 

They  emphasized  that  "these  plans 
have  nothing  to  do  with  British  film 
quota  restrictions.  The  shutdown  was 
planned  months  before  the  quota  was 
enacted."  Referring  to  a  statement 
attributed  to  Eric  Johnston,  head  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Producers  Asso- 
ciation, linking  the  shutdown  with  the 
British  move  to  limit  exhibition  of 
American  films,  they  said  that  John- 
ston was  either  misquoted  or  mis- 
informed." 

It  was  recalled  in  trade  circles  that 
Universal's  decision  to  shut  down  its 
studio  in  August  was  made  at  the 
time  that  the  first  threats  were  heard 
of  an  August  strike  by  the  Screen 
Actors  Guild. 


Screen  Actors  Start 
Vote  on  'Open  Shop' 

Hollywood,  July  27. — Screen  Actors 
Guild  has  mailed  notifications  to  its 
entire  membership  for  voting  in  an 
NLRB  election,  with  a  deadline  of 
August  16,  to  determine  whether  a 
majority  favor  the  retention  of  an 
open  shop.  SAG's  notification  de- 
scribes  the  election  as  the  "most  im- 
portant in  SAG  history." 


Adjustments  Out  Qt  fr 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

!tf 
Is 

r 


said  to  be  exerting  every  effort  to 
avert  theatremen's  charges  of  discrimi 
nation  in  licensing  the  small  indepen 
dent  and  a  similarly-situated  circuit  or 
buying-combine  house.  The  distribu- 
tors are  carefully  seeing  to  it  that  the 
independent  gets  the  product  at  the 
same  price  despite  the  buying  power 
of  the  group-theatre  licensee. 

As  for  adjustments,  the  companies 
feel  that  they  must  rule  them  out  in 
any  instance  of  bidding  or  else  place 
themselves  vulnerable  to  other  attacks. 
They  take  the  position  that  the  ex- 
hibitor who  obtains  product  by  bid- 
ding must  be  held  to  the  terms  of  the 
agreement  lest  his  competitor  who  lost 
out  on  the  bidding  charge  collusion, 
or  favoring  an.  old  customer.  The  loser 
could  charge  that  the  top  bidder  actu- 
ally never  intended  the  terms  offered 
in  that  there  was  knowledge  afore- 
hand  that  they  would  be  reduced  after 
the  run  of  the  picture. 


Truman  Telecast 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


clear  in  picture  and  flawless  in 
sound,  making  an  impressive  news 
scoop,  even  scoring  over  radio  and 
newspapers.  Apparent  over-lighting 
in  profile  shots  proved  the  only 
shortcoming,  technically. 

Excepting  children  and  a  few 
others,  the  audience  gave  the  Presi- 
dent its  full  attention.  There  were 
no  signs  of  enthusiastic  approval,  or 
any  degree  of  disapproval.  The  only 
before-hand  knowledge  the  customers 
had  of  the  telecast  was  imparted  by 
a  "barker"  at  the  box-office. 


FIVE -STAR 

DC-6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

Zh  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICTURE 

DAILY 


64.  NO.  20 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  JULY  29,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Mediation  Plan 
Is  Up  to  Each 
rOA  Affiliate 


Organization  Will  Not 
Act  Nationally:  Coyne 


While    the    Theatre    Owners  of 
America  has  steadfastly  sought  to  pro- 
mote the  mediation  of  distributor-ex- 
hibitor differences,  according  to  Robert 
.iW.  Coyne,  the  organization  has  no  im- 
.ymediate  plans  to  recommend  the  new 
D20th  Century-Fox  conciliation  system 
nationally.  Instead  TOA  units  around 
the  country  will  determine  the  merits 
of  the  plan  for  each  local  area. 
The    TOA    policy  conforms 
with  the  practice  to  be  followed 
by  20th-Fox  on  the  NCA-Ber- 
ger-Smith  Minneapolis  plan  for 
local  adoption  by  exhibitors.  In 
explaining  the  plan  to  the  As- 
sociated   Theatre    Owners  of 
Indiana  convention  at  French 
Lick  Tuesday  night,  20th-Fox 
general  sales  manager  A.  W. 
Smith,  Jr.,  said,  "The  failure  of 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Extra  Loop  Time  to 
Be  Sought  for  'Ruth' 


Chicago,  Tuly  28. — More  Loop 
playing  time  for  Allied  Artists'  "The 
Babe  Ruth  Story"  will  shortly  be 
asked  of  Judge  Michael  Igoe  in  U. 
S.  District  Court  here  by  the  com- 
pany's Ne-  York  attorneys,  it  is  un- 
derstood. The  film  opens  at  the  B. 
and  K.  State  Lake  on  September  1. 

Although  Allied  Artists  and  Mono- 
gram, which  is  distributing  the  film, 
are  non-defendants  in  the  Jackson 
Park  decree,  the  film  nevertheless  is 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Regular  Scales  If 
Goldwyn  Gets  'Joan' 


Walter '  Wanger's  "Joan  of  Arc" 
and  Hov->rd  Hawks'  "Red  River" 
will  be  sold  at  regular  admission 
prices  in  the  event  Samuel  Goldwyn 
represents  the  producers  in  the  sale  of 
those  pictures,  James  Mulvey,  presi- 
dent of  Goldwyn  Pictures,  declared 
here  yesterday.  Mulvey  is  presently 
nesrotiating  deals  for  both. 

Exceptions  to  this  would  be  the 
roadshowing  of  "Arc"  in  four-wall 
deals,  where  the  distributor  actually 
leases  the  theatre  for  the  exhibition 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


ATOI  Defers  Action  on 
Smith-Berger  Peace  Plan 


French  Lick,  Ind.,  July  28. — As- 
sociated Theatre  Owners  of  Indiana, 
in  convention  here,  adopted  a  motion 
to  give  further  study  to  the  plan  of 
conciliation  of  local  grievances  devel- 
oped by  A  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox general  sales  manager,  and 
Bennie  Berger,  head  of  North  Central 
Allied.  No  action  will  be  taken  on 
the  plan  until  the  next  ATOI  meet- 
ing. 

The  convention  heard  both  Smith 
and  Berger  on  the  conciliation  plan, 
the  latter  reporting  that  no  com- 
plaints had  been  filed  since  promulga- 
tion of  the  plan.  Berger  likened  the 
Minneapolis  grievance  committee  to  a 
crime  prevention  force  rather  than  a 
board  set  up  to  mete  out  punishment 
to  offenders. 

Smith,  whose  remarks  on  the  plan 
were  reported  yesterday,  received  and 
answered  all  general  complaints 
against  his  company's  policy  in  In- 
diana. It  was  felt  that  the  resultant 
discussion  had  been  constructive  and 
would  improve  distributor-exhibitor 
relationships. 

W.  A.  Carroll,  ATOI  executive 
secretary,  warned  Indiana  exhibitors 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


4  New  Variety  Clubs 
Are  Being  Organized 


Four  new  Variety  Clubs  are  in  the 
process  of  formulation,  in  Houston, 
Portland,  Seattle  and  London. 

The  Variety  Club,  Houston  branch 
of  Dallas  Tent  No.  17  has  applied 
for  a  charter  in  accordance  with  the 
decision  of  the  last  convention  in 
Miami  that  no  tent  operate  any  branch. 

The  new  Tent,  No.  34,  will  be 
known  as  the  Variety  Club  of  Hous- 
ton. It's  Chief  Barker  will  be  John 
Paul  Goodwin.  The  other  petitioners 
for  the  charter  are :  Lou  C.  Baxley, 
W.  E.  Bremer,  Fred  Cannata,  Robert 
Z.  Glass,  Jack  Groves,  Al  Lever, 
Mitchell  Lewis,  Al  Mortensen,  B.  F. 
Orr,  Sid  Suhler  and  Frank  Wilkie. 
Headquarters  for  the  new  tent  will  be 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Goldwyn  -  Astor  Deal 
Renewed  for  1  Year 

Samuel  Goldwyn  Productions  has 
renewed  for  another  year  its  lease  on 
the  Astor  on  Broadway.  Present  ar- 
rangement expires  in  February.  Un- 
der the  deal,  Goldwyn  gives  the  own- 
er, City  Investing  Co.,  a  flat  guaran- 
tee against  a  percentage  on  a  sliding- 
scale  basis.  James  Mulvey,  president 
of  the  Goldwyn  company,  and  Mau- 
rice Maurer,  house's  operator,  signed. 


U.  S.  Distributors 
Granted  Argentine 
Import  Certificates 

By  NATALIO  BRUSKI 

Buenos  Aires,  July  25  (By  Air- 
mail)— The  Argentine  government 
has  granted  to  American  distribu- 
tors here  import  permits  which 
will  be  in  force  for  nine  months.  In 
order  to  obtain  permits,  the  U.  S. 
companies  were  made  to  relinquish  the 
right  to  export  the  dollar  currency 
which  would  be  equivalent  to  the 
print  costs  of  the  pictures  to  be  im- 
ported here. 

However,  in  spite  of  the  loss 
of  the  currency  export  privi- 
lege, granting  of  the  permits 
has  been  some  relief  to  U.  S. 
distributors,  who  were  threat- 
ened with  the  possibility  of 
having  to  close  down  here  due 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


See  up  to  30  Films 
Under  Wilson  Plan 


London,  July  28. — British  Board  of 
Trade  president  Harold  Wilson's  ad- 
visors believe  that  up  to  30  features 
will  be  produced  under  his  $20,000,000 
government  Film  Finance  Corp., 
legislation  for  which  is  expected  to  be 
introduced  shortly  after  Parliament 
convenes  in  mid-September.  However, 
exhibitors  are  skeptical  of  any  such 
production  total  emanating  from  it. 

Likely  to  figure  importantly  in  the 
plan  is  Hugh  Quennell's  British  Lion 
Film  Corp.,  which  is  Sir  Alexander 
Korda's  distribution  affiliate.  British 
Lion  is  the  distributor  also  of  Her- 
bert Wilcox's  singularly  successful 
pictures,  Wilcox  being  one  of  the  in- 
dependent producers  who  is  clearly 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Lowell  Calvert  To 
Represent  Nasser 

Lowell  Calvert  has  been  named 
Eastern  representative  for  James 
Nasser  Productions.  He  will  imme- 
diately join  Nasser  in  discussions  here 
with  United  Artists  executives  on  dis- 
tribution plans  for  "An  Innocent  Af- 
fair," which  will  be  released  by  U.  A. 
shortly. 

Calvert  also  represents  Samuel 
Bischoff 's  Regal  Films. : 


TOA  Warns  on 
Non-Payment 
Of  Ascap  Fees 

A  Violation,  Subject  to 
Big  Fines,  Says  Sullivan 

In  a  special  bulletin  to  its  mem- 
bers on  the  Federal  Court's  de- 
cision holding  Ascap  guilty  of  vio- 
lating the  anti-trust  laws,  the  Thea- 
tre Owners  of  America  warns  ex- 
hibitors that  they  "should  not  stop 
paying  Ascap  until  such  time  as 
Ascap  is  finally  enjoined  from  the  col- 
lection of  license  fees  or  until  the 
judgment  becomes  final,  unless,  of 
course,  the  particular  theatre  oper- 
ator wishes  to  and  is  able  to  negotiate 
individual,  separate  contracts  with 
composers,  authors  and  publishers." 

The  bulletin  was  sent  to  all  TOA 
members  yesterday  over  the  signature 
ot  Uael  Sullivan,  executive  director 
.  Sullivan  points  out  that  "the  play- 
ing of  musical  compositions  on  your 
screen  without  a  license  is  a  violation 
of  the  Federal  Copyright  Law,"  re- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 

Avoid  Signing  New 
Ascap  Pacts:  ITOA 

In  the  wake  of  the  Federal  Court 
decision  adjudging  Ascap  to  be  op- 
erating m  violation  of  the  anti-trust 
laws  the  Independent  Theatre  Own- 
ers Association  of  New  York,  which 
was  the  victor  in  the  case,  has  advised 
its  members  not  to  sign  new  contracts 
with  the  society  pending  further  in- 
structions from  ITOA  counsel.  Most 
agreements  with  Ascap  held  by  ITOA 
members  will  begin  to  expire  Septem- 
ber 15. 

In  March,  ITOA  members  signed 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


TBA  Asks  Hearings 
On  Video  Channels 


Washington,  July  28.— The  Tele- 
vision Broadcasters  Association  has 
asked  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission  to  order  hearings  as  soon 
as  possible  to  provide  additional  chan- 
nels for  telecasters.  DuMont  has  also 
outlined  for  the  commission  its  plan 
to  give  telecasters  eight  additional 
channels. 

Dr.  Thomas  T.  Goldsmith,  for  Du- 
Mont, suggested  that  eight  new  chan- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  July  29,  1948 


Forrestal  Approves 
USO  Reactivation 

Washington,  July  28.— Sec- 
retary of  Defense  Forrestal 
has  approved  a  Civilian  Ad- 
visory Committee's  recom- 
mendation to  reactivate  the 
USO,  and  the  USO  has 
agreed  to  his  request  that  it 
be  reorganized  in  light  of  the 
expanded  peacetime  armed 
forces.  Wartime  USO  Chair- 
man Lindsley  F.  Kimball  told 
Forrestal  that  the  reorgani- 
zation would  be  accomplished 
probably  by  the  end  of  1948. 

Hollywood  talent  was  wide- 
ly represented  in  the  USO's 
ranks  in  World  War  II. 


$300,000  'New  Look' 
For  Victoria  Here 


City  Investing  Co.  will  spend 
000  in  remodeling  its  Victoria  The- 
atre, Broadway  first-run,  with  the  pro- 
ject to  include  the  addition  of  400 
seats  to  make  a  total  of  1,100,  ac- 
cording to  Maurice  Maurer,  who  op- 
erates the  house  for  the  investment 
firm.  The  house  will  be  closed  on 
Sunday,  ending  the  "Raw  Deal"  run, 
and  is  scheduled  for  November  5  re- 
opening. 

Maurer  said  one  of  "Hollywood's 
biggest"  will  be  the  curtain-raiser 
when  the  theatre  reopens.  This  was 
reported  to  be  "Red  River,"  but  Mau- 
rer would  not  say  so. 

A  deal  that  would  have  given  David 
O.  Selznick  priority  of  booking  at 
the  Victoria,  in  a  sub-leasing  arrange- 
ment, discussed  for  some  time,  will 
not  be  consummated,  Maurer  said. 


Griffis  To  Promote 
U.S.  Films  in  Egypt 

Washington,  July  28. — Stanton 
Griffis,  chairman  of  Paramount's  ex- 
ecutive committee,  and  newly  ap- 
pointed Ambassador  to  Egypt,  said 
here  today  that  while  in  Cairo  he 
would  do  "everything  possible  to  en- 
courage circulation  of  American  mo- 
tion pictures  throughout  the  Arab 
world."  Griffic  made  t^p  statement 
after  bidding  a  brief  farewell  to  Pres- 
ident Truman.  He  left  for  New  York 
tonight,  and  will  sail  for  Egypt  tomor- 
row. 


Boston  Approves  'Hamlet 

Contrary  to  reports,  "Hamlet"  will 
not  be  censored  in  Boston,  says  Uni- 
versal-International. The  film  has 
been  approved  by  both  the  Massachu- 
setts State  Police,  which  has  censor- 
ship powers  over  Sunday  showings, 
and  the  Boston  City  Censor. 


Set  Four  'Carmen'  Dates 

Columbia  has  set  four  of  six  pre- 
release openings  for  "The  Loves  of 
Carmen,"  to  be  released  nationally 
later  in  the  year.  The  film  will  open 
in  Cincinnati  at  the  Palace  or  Albee 
on  September  15  or  22;  Los  Angeles, 
Hill  Street  and  Pantages,  September 
IS  or  22 ;  Buffalo,  Lafayette,  Septem- 
ber 22,  and  Houston,  Metropolitan, 
September  23. 


Personal  Mention 


RICHARD    DE  ROCHEMONT 
March   of   Time  producer,  and 
Edward  Small,  producer,  will  sail  for 
Europe  today  on  the  SS  Queen  Mary. 
• 

Robert  Goldstein,  Universal-Inter- 
national executive;  Bonnie  Cashin, 
20th  Century-Fox  designer,  and  Lou- 
ella  Parsons,  Hollywood  columnist, 
are  due  to  arrive  here  today  on  the 
SS  America. 

• 

A.  Pam  Blumenthal  and  Joseph 
Bern  hard,  Film  Classics  executives, 
are  here  from  Hollywood. 

• 

George  Brown,  Paramount  studio 
publicity  director,  is  en  route  here 
from  Hollywood. 

Jack  Odell,  United  Artists'  Puerto 
Rico  manager,  is  visiting  in  New 
York. 


JOHN  JOSEPH,  Universal-Inter- 
national advertising-publicity  di- 
rector, left  here  for  the  Coast  yester- 
day. 

• 

Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  20th  Century- 
Fox's  general  sales  manager,  will  re- 
turn to  New  York  today  from  French 
Lick,  Ind.,  accompanied  by  Sam 
Shain,  exhibitor-public  relations  liai- 
son. 

H.  M.  Bessey,  executive  vice-pres- 
ident of  Altec  Service,  and  E.  O. 
Wilschke,  operations  manager,  have 
returned  here  from  Chicago. 

• 

Charles    E.    Kessnich,  M-G-M 
district  manager,  will  return  to  At- 
lanta at  the  weekend  from  New  York. 
• 

Ed  Hinchy,  head  of  Warner's  home 
office  playdate  department,  is  in  Cleve- 
land. 


Vetluguin,MacKenna 
In  New  MGM  Posts 

Hollywood,  July  28. — Voldemar 
Vetluguin  has  been  elevated  from  the 
M-G-M  editorial  board  to  producer. 
At  the  same  time,  Kenneth  MacKen- 
na  was  named  to  supervise  the  studio's 
story  department  in  addition  to  his 
duties  as  executive  editorial  assistant 
to  L.  B.  Mayer  and  Dore  Schary. 


Arnold  Jacobs  Heads 
Siritzky  Theatres 

Arnold  Jacobs,  in  charge  of  Siritzky 
International's  New  York  offices,  has 
been  named  general  manager  of  Sir- 
itzy  Theatres,  the  Majestic  in  Brook- 
lyn, the  Ambassador,  Elysee,  and  the 
Golden  in  New  York  City  and  the  Old 
South  in  Boston. 


"Takes"  Hit  Slightly 
By  "Coolers"  Strike 

Business  at  Loew  and  RKO  thea- 
tres in  the  New  York  Metropolitan 
area  was  reported  slightly  off  yester- 
day as  the  strike  of  Local  30,  Inter- 
national Union  of  Operating  Engi- 
neers, AFL,  against  the  circuits 
neared  the  end  of  its  first  week,  with 
both  sides  no  nearer  to  a  settlement 
over  wages.  Air-conditioning  equip- 
ment has  been  idle  at  the  Loew  and 
RKO  houses  since  Saturday. 


'Ruth'  Big  in  Baltimore 

Baltimore,  July  28. — Allied  Art- 
ists' "The  Babe  Ruth  Story"  was 
headed  for  a  new  opening  day's  record 
at  the  Town  Theatre  here  today,  with 
an  indicated  gross  in  excess  of  $3,000 
for  the  first  day.  Baltimore  is  Ruth's 
home  city  and  it  figures  prominently 
in  the  picture's  early  sequences. 


"Ruth"  Chicago  Meet 

Chicago,  July  28. — Steve  Broidy, 
Monogram  president,  will  preside  at 
a  one-day  meeting  at  the  Drake  Hotel 
here  August  7  on  sales  policies  for 
"The  Babe  Ruth  Story."  Attending 
will  be  franchise  holders  and  branch 
managers. 


Dave  Flexer  Resumes 
Buying  for  Four 

Memphis,  July  28. — Dave  Flexer, 
owner  of  Flexer  Theaters,  reports  his 
Memphis  office  has  resumed  booking 
and  buying  of  films  for  his  theaters  in 
Memphis,  Amory,  New  Albany  and 
Sardis,  Miss. 

Last  January,  M.  A.  Lightman  and 
associates  acquired  a  minor  interest 
in  the  Flexer  houses  whereby  they 
handled  booking  and  buying  for  the 
four  theaters.  The  arrangement  has 
been  terminated  August  1. 


'Lady  in  Ermine'  Is 
Rated  'B'  by  Legion 

Twentieth  Century-Fox's  "That 
Lady  in  Ermine"  has  been  given  a  B 
classification  by  the  National  Legion 
of  Decency.  Classified  A-l  are  Col- 
umbia's "The  Arkansas  Swing," 
United  Artists'  "Silent  Conflict"  and 
Columbia's  "The  Strawberry  Roan." 

In  Class  A-II  are :  Republic's  "Eyes 
of  Texas,"  RKO  Radio's  "Good  Sam," 
Universal-International's  "Mr.  Pea- 
body  and  the  Mermaid,"  Republic's 
"Moonrise,"  and  Columbia's  "Thun- 
derhoof." 


Final  RKO  Regional 
Ends  on  the  Coast 

San  Francisco,  July  28. — Fifth  and 
final  in  a  series  of  RKO  Radio  zone 
meetings  was  concluded  here  today 
at  the  St.  Frances  Hotel,  distribution 
presided  over  by  Robert  Modhrie, 
distribution  vice-president. 

Harry  J.  Michalson,  short  subject 
sales  manager,  spoke  of  the  increasing 
need  of  short  subjects  as  part  of  the 
present  day  theatre  program.  Walter 
E.  Branson,  Western  division  sales 
manager,  also  spoke. 


Suspend  Milland 

Hollywood,  July  28. — Paramount 
has  placed  Ray  Milland  on  suspension 
following  his  refusal  to  appear  in  "A 
Mask  for  Lucretia,"  scheduled  to  start 
in  August.  No  announcement  as  to 
who  will  replace  Milland  has  been 
made. 


New  Financing  for 
German  Industry 


Washington,  July  28. — The  Ger- 
man motion  picture  industry  has  re- 
ceived a  vital  boost  with  the  organ- 
ization of  a  new  film  financing  com- 
pany in  Hamburg,  the  U.  S.  Com- 
merce Department  announced  today. 

In  a  report  issued  by  film  chief  Na- 
than D.  Golden,  the  Department  states 
that  nine  prominent  Hamburg  b 
nessmen  have  contributed  to  for: 
new  company,  the  Filmfinanzrin'__ 
m.  b.  N.  As  yet  no  public  announce 
ment  of  the  new  firm  has  been  made. 
It  will  finance  production  as  well  as 
other  film  industry  transactions. 

Golden  points  out  that  lack  of  capi- 
tal has  been  a  retarding  factor  on 
German  film  production  since  the  end 
of  the  war,  with  producers  having  to 
wait  for  the  returns  from  one  film  be- 
fore commencing  another.  Now,  he 
declares,  the  financing  problem  will  be 
partly  licked  and  the  German  indus- 
try resume  a  more  normal  develop- 
ment. 


West  Pointers  Honor 
Zukor  and  Paramount 

West  Point,  N.  Y.,  July  28.— 
Adolph  Zukor,  Paramount  board 
chairman,  accepted  from  the  Dialectic 
Society  of  the  U.  S.  Military  Acade- 
my tonight  a  plaque  symbolizing 
"honorary  membership  of  our  friends 
from  Paramount  in  the  Dialectic  So- 
ciety of  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy 
in  gratitude  for  their  portrayal  of  life 
at  West  Point  in  the  motion  picture, 
'Beyond  Glory'." 

The  occasion  was  a  dinner  in  the 
Academy  Mess  Hall,  commemorating 
the  making  of  the  picture  here.  Pres- 
ent were  representatives  of  the  press, 
radio  and  magazines,  and  the  follow- 
ing from  Paramount,  in  addition  to 
Zukor :  Charles  Reagan,  Paul  Rai- 
bourn,  Russell  Holman,  E.  K.  O'Shea, 
and  others. 


Screen  Guild  Will 
Hold  Five  Meetings 

Screen  Guild  Productions  will  hold 
a  series  of  weekend  sales  meetings 
starting  tomorrow  at  the  Warwick 
Hotel,  New  York.  Meetings  on  suc- 
cessive weekends  will  be  held  at  the 
William  Penn  Hotel,  Pittsburgh ; 
Blackstone  Hotel,  Chicago;  Peabody, 
Memphis,  and  a  final  session  in  San 
Francisco. 

Arthur  Greenblatt,  sales  executive, 
will  preside,  announcing  product  and 
policy  for  the  new  season. 


U.K.  Critic  Vs.  M-G-M 

London,  July  28. — The  critics'  cir- 
cle here  is  launching  a  fund  to  help 
Mrs.  E.  Arnot  Robertson,  former  film 
critic  for  British  Broadcasting  Corp., 
raise  the  money  necessary  for  her  to 
pursue  an  appeal'  to  the  House  of 
Lords  of  her  slander  and  libel  suit 
against  M-G-M.  The  distributor  won 
on  Monday  its  appeal  against  a  prior 
judgment  favoring  Mrs.  Robertson, 
who  will  require  an  estimated  3,000 
pounds  ($12,000)  additional  to  press 
the  case  further. 


MOTIOX  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor:  Chicago  Bureau,  1-20  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac.  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


$16  WARNER  BROS. 


V 


DOROTHY  MALONE  *  PENNY  EDWARDS 

and  Louis  Pelletier    •  Orchestral  Arrangements  by  Ray  Heindorf  D!rec,ed  by  JQT 

ALEX 'gOTTLI EB        by  Jule  Styne  *  Lyri"  by  Sammy  C°hn  DAV,D  BUTLER 


We's  f"  'r-X- 
That  root"1 

carrot  c"c 
westerner  , 

BUGS  BUN**- 


Warner  Screening  Room 
79  N.  Pearl  St.  •  12:30  P.M. 
ATLANTA 

20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
197  Walton  St.  N.W.  •  2:30  P.M. 
BOSTON 
RKO  Screening  Room 
122  Arlington  St.  •  2:30  P.M. 
BUFFALO 

Paramount  Screening  Room 
464  Franklin  St.  •  2:00  P.M. 
CHARLOTTE 

20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
308  S.  Church  St.  •  10:00  A.M. 
CHICAGO 
Warner  Screening  Room 
1307  So.  Wabash  Ave.  •  1:30  P.M. 
CINCINNATI 
RKO  Screening  Room 
Palace  Th.  Bldg.  E.  6th  •  8:00  P.M. 
CLEVELAND 
Warner  Screening  Room 
2300  Payne  Ave.  •  2:00  P.M. 
DALLAS 

20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
1803  Wood  St.  •  2:00  P.M. 
DENVER 

Paramount  Screening  Room 
2100  Stout  St.  •  2:00  P.M. 
DES  MOINES 
20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
1300  High  St.  •  12:45  P.M. 
DETROIT 
Film  Exchange  Building 
2310  Cass  Ave.  •  2:00  P.M. 
INDIANAPOLIS 
Universal  Screening  Room 
517  No.  Illinois  St.  •  1:00  P.M 
KANSAS  CITY 
20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
1720  Wyandotte  St.  •  1:30  P.M. 
LOS  ANGELES 
Warner  Screening  Room 
2025  S.  Vermont  Ave.  •  2:00  P.M. 
MEMPHIS 

20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
151  Vance  Ave.  •  10:00  A.M. 
MILWAUKEE 
Warner  Theatre  Screening  Room 
212  W.  Wisconsin  Ave.  •  2:00  P.M. 
MINNEAPOLIS 
Warner  Screening  Room 
1000  Currie  Ave.  •  2:00  P.M. 
NEW  HAVEN 
Warner  Theatre  Projection  Room 
70  College  St.  •  2:00  P.M. 
NEW  ORLEANS 
20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
200  S.  Liberty  St.  •  1:30  P.M. 
NEW  YORK 
Home  Office 

321  W.  44th  St.  •  2:30  P.M. 
OKLAHOMA 
20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
10  North  Lee  St.  •  1:30  P.M. 
OMAHA 

20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
1502  Davenport  St.  •  1:00  P.M. 
PHILADELPHIA 
Warner  Screening  Room 
230  No.  13th  St.  •  2:30  P.M. 
PITTSBURGH 
20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
1715  Blvd.  of  Allies  •  1:30  P.M. 
PORTLAND 
Jewel  Box  Screening  Room 
1947  N.W.  Kearney  St.  •  2:00  P.M. 
SALT  LAKE 

20th  Century-Fox  Screening  Room 
216  East  1st  South  •  2:00  P.M. 
SAN  FRANCISCO 
Paramount  Screening  Room 
205  Golden  Gate  Ave.  •  1:30  P.M 
SEATTLE 

Jewel  Box  Screening  Room 
2318  Second  Ave.  •  10:30  A.M. 
ST.  LOUIS 
S'renco  Screening  Room 
3143  Olive  St.  •  1:00  P.M. 
WASHINGTON 
Warner  Theatre  Building 
13th  &  E  Sts.  N.W.  •  10:30  A.M. 


New  York  critics  follow  their 
"Emperor  Waltz"  and  "Foreign  Affair" 

raves  with  high  praise  for  ... . 

PARAMOUNT!  T"'°"  MMUUANEOU 

(3*5 


AW 


\JB0 


,0^ 


From  First  Out-Of- 
Town  Dates  

It's  topping  Para- 
mount's  previous  top- 
suspense  drama  of  1948 
in  Atlantic  City  and 
Cincinnati . 


BOOK  "THE  MAGIC  CITY"— FREI 


AD  WAY  HIT! 


/// 


So  Evil  My  Love'  scores  hit.  Fascinating.. .story  of  a  dash- 
ing cad  who  entices  a  weak  woman  to  her  destruction/1 

i#        m  — Alton  Cook,  World -Telegram 

"Loaded  with  boxoffice  ingredients . .  •  Destined  for  a  long 
stay  at  the  Rivoli . . .  Odds-on  winner/'       -tee  Mortimer,  Minor 

•     •  J  • 

"No  better  acting  can  be  found  in  town  than  on  the  Rivoli 
screen.  Women. ..delight  in  melodramas  of  this  sort." 

m  — Wanda  Hale,  Daily  News 


"Suspenseful... ingenious. ..chiller. ..with  inventive  plot  twists 
and  spectacularly  good  performances."  -cece//a  Ager,  n.  y.  star 


'Strange,  always  interesting  melodrama. ..piling  evil  on  evil 

...Hal  WalHs  knOWS  hoW  tO  make  them."      -Eileen  Creelman,  Sun 


"Few  movie  descents  into  murder  have  been  acted  as 
perfectly.  All  performances  excellent."         — Archer  Winsten,  Post 


"A  walloping  amount  of  suspense.  Boiling  passion,  black- 
mail and  murder... splendidly  dished  up  by  all  hands." 

— lew  Sheaffer,  Brooklyn  Eagle 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  July  29,  1948 


Reviews 

"Good  Sam" 

(Rainbow-RKO  Radio) 

AN  UNUSUAL  fund  of  warmth  and  humor  enriches  "Good  Sam,"  a 
comedy-drama  showing  how  charity  towards  others  can  be  exercised  to 
the  point  of  a  fault.  Producer-director  Leo  McCarey  has  shown  some  adroit 
showmanship,  from  both  merchandising  and  histrionic  viewpoints,  in  teaming 
Gary  Cooper  and  Ann  Sheridan.    They  complement  one  another  smartly. 

The  screenplay  provided  the  pair  is  an  easy-going  affair  that  meanders 
almost  plotlessly  in  and  out  of  situations,  turning  up  chuckles  and  cracker- 
barrel  wisdom.  Emphasis  is  on  characterization — rather  than  dramatic  in- 
volvements— and  some  superb  ones  come  up.  The  one  weakness  is  its  running 
time  of  close  to  two  hours,  tending  to  put  the  proceedings  in  a  prolonged 
and  fitful  mood. 

Cooper,  as  a  small  city  family  man  who  believes  in  being  everybody's 
friend,  develops  into  an  oddly  memorable  character  as  he  stumbles  in  and  out 
of  the  predicaments  that  are  the  consequences  of  his  beliefs.  As  Miss  Sheridan, 
his  wife,  says  succinctly,  the  trouble  with  Cooper  is  that  "he's  his  brother's 
keeper  and  he  has  too  many  brothers."  The  pungent  truth  of  this  observation 
is  demonstrated  in  the  Ken  Englund  screenplay  by  a  parade  of  incidents,  such 
as  the  generous  offering  of  the  family  car  to  the  neighbors,  only  to  have  it 
returned  smashed,  or  the  offering  of  sanctuary  in  the  Cooper  home  to  every 
passing  friend  and  stranger. 

As  is  inevitable,  events  finally  take  an  unfortunate  turn  for  Cooper.  He  not 
only  is  robbed  of  a  charity  collection,  but  finds  he  may  forever  lose  his  new 
"dream-home"  because  debtors  are  a  little  sluggish  in  their  repayments.  A 
joyous  finale  ends  the  drama,  however,  in  which  Cooper  discovers  that  his 
generosities  of  the  past  were  really  bread  upon  the  water.  A  Rainbow  film, 
the  story  centers  mostly  around  the  two  principals,  but  fine  assistance  in  sup- 
porting roles  are  offered  by  Ray  Collins,  Edmund  Lowe,  Joan  Lorring  and 
Clinton  Sundberg. 

Running  time,  114  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
September  1.  Mandel  Herbstman 


"Sorry,  Wrong  Number" 

(Paramount) 

A LOT  of  melodramatic  suspense,  mingled  with  touches  of  irony,  is  con- 
tained in  Paramount's  "Sorry,  Wrong  Number."  The  combined  talents 
of  Hal  Wallis  and  Anatole  Litvak  went  into  the  production  which  at  once 
tries  to  oblige  the  tastes  of  gangster  thriller  and  psychological  drama  fans. 
Good  production  treatment  and  a  reliable  cast  headed  by  Barbara  Stanwyck 
and  Burt  Lancaster  are  the  feature's  primary  boxoffice  merits.  On  the  other 
side  is  a  story  whose  development  is  often  obscure,  and  dialogue  that  fre- 
quently lacks  freshness. 

The  suspenseful  element  derives  from  Miss  Stanwyck's  predicament.  An 
invalid  wife  of  Lancaster,  she  chances  to  hear  on  a  crossed  telephone  wire  two 
men  plotting  a  murder  that  night.  After  a  series  of  frantic  happenings, 
the  realization  grips  her  that  she  is  to  be  the  victim.  Through  flashbacks 
there  unfolds  the  story  of  how  Miss  Stanwyck  met  Lancaster  and  their 
subsequent  marriage  which  developed  into  a  contest  of  wills  leading  to  Miss 
Stanwyck's  psychological  malady.  In  time,  her  husband,  hard-pressed  by 
rival  thieves  is  forced  to  make  a  deal  with  them  entailing  his  wife's  murder 
for  the  insurance. 

No  doubt  underworld  films  portraying  malignant  characters  have  a  mass 
appeal.  This  one  however  seems  weakened  by  events  that  lack  the  authority 
of  credibility.  An  unorthodox  finale  terminates  the  film.  In  a  desperate 
last-minute  effort  to  save  his  wife,  Lancaster  phones  her,  only  to  hear  the 
killer's  laconic  reply,  "Sorry,  wrong  number."  A  Wallis  production,  directed 
by  Litvak ;  its  cast  is  rounded  out  by  Ann  Richards,  Wendell  Corey  and 
Harold  Vermilyea.    Lucille  Fletcher  wrote  the  screenplay. 

Running  time,  89  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
September  24.  M.  H. 


ATOI  Defers  Action 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


of  the  likelihood  of  permissive  legis- 
lation for  the  levying  of  admission 
taxes  at  the  local  level  being  intro- 
duced at  the  bi-annual  session  of  the 
state  legislature,  which  convenes  next 
Jan.  1. 

William  Ainsworth,  president  of 
Allied  States,  spoke  on  organizational 
matters  and  the  Allied  national  con- 
vention at  New  Orleans,  Nov.  30- 
Dec.  2. 

Trueman  Rembusch,  ATOI  presi- 
dent, reported  that  the  board  of  di- 
rectors had  negotiated  a  25  per  cent 
reduction  in  film  haulage  rates  with 
Indiana  Film  Transit,  effective  imme- 
diately. The  new  rates  will  also  ap- 
ply to  Louisville,  served  out  of  the 
Indianapolis  exchanges. 

The  ATOI  board  voted  unanimous- 
ly to  invite  national  Allied  and  its 
Caravan  Committee  to  establish  head- 
auarter^  in  Indianapolis,  a  more  cen- 
tral location  since  the  recent  forma- 
tion of  new  Allied  units  in  Western 
Central  and  Southern  areas.  Cara- 
van presently  is  handled  by  Eastern 
Pennsylvania  Allied,  with  Sidney 
Samuelson  of  that  organization,  chair- 
man. Change  of  Caravan  headquar- 
ters would  involve  no  change  of  its 
policy  or  administrative  personnel,  it 
was  stated. 


Mediation  Plan 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

conciliation  and  mediation  plans 
in  the  past  has  been  due  to  the 
fact  that  they  were  conceived 
on  a  national  basis." 

Smith  declared  that  the  Minne- 
apolis plan,  "promised  on  a  local-level 
basis,  is  founded  on  the  good  faith  of 
both  exhibitor  and  distributor  and  has 
no  direct  relationship  to  national 
viewpoints  one  way  or  another." 

Coyne  stated  here  that  national  sup- 
port would  require  board  approval  be- 
cause of  the  intra-industry  nature  of 
the  program,  as  being  apart  from  such 
matters  as  16mm.  competition  and  tele- 
vision which  originate  outside  the  film 
business. 


Predict  30  Features 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

not  in  need  of  governmental  aid. 

Trade  experts  anticipate  that  Wil- 
son ultimately  will  be  obliged  to  es- 
tablish a  State  distribution  organiza- 
tion as  a  corollary  to  his  production 
plans. 

James  H.  Lawrie,  nominee  as 
chairman  of  the  Wilson  Plan's  organ- 
izing committee,  is  clearly  a  stop- 
gap. Eventually  he  will  become  chair- 
man of  Film  Finance  Corp.,  of  which 
members  of  the  organizing  committee 
will  be  directors. 

Lawrie  admits  he  has  no  illusions 
regarding  his  new  job. 

"The  Gity,"  (he  says,  "evidently 
doesn't  think  film  production  now  is 
a  sound  investment.  The  govern- 
ment has  had  to  come  along  and  pro- 
vide money.  I  am  determined  it  shall 
be  a  commercial  proposition." 


Extra  Time 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


restricted  under  the  decree  to  a  two- 
week  Loop  run  because  it  is  booked 
into  a  defendant  theatre.  Allied  Art- 
ists, however,  it  was  learned,  may 
ask  for  the  extension  through  unoffi- 
cial channel  rather  than  through  le- 
gal --tion. 


Argentine  Imports 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

to  a  product  shortage. 

During  the  first  six  months  of  this 
year,  238  features  were  released  in 
Buenos  Aires.  A  breakdown  of  their 
origin  shows  that  120  came  from  the 
U.  S. ;  26  from  Italy ;  28  from  Mex- 
ico:  15  from  England;  eight  each 
from  Spain  and  France ;  two  from 
Chile ;  one  each  from  Sweden,  Uru- 
guay and  Cuba,  and  28  were  produced 
in  Argentina. 

Two  Notable  Aspects 

Most  notable  aspect  of  this  survey 
is  the  increase  of  Italian  films  at 
the  exnense  of  Hollywood  product 
which,  however,  'still  accounts  for 
over  50  per  cent  of  the  total.  Also 
notable  i-  th  complete  absence  of 
films  from  the  Soviet  which,  in  the 
corresponding  period  of  last  year,  re- 
leased f  '    -  pictures  here. 


TBA  Asks  Hearings 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

nels  be  obtained  from  Government 
services,  giving  telecasters  a  total  of 
20  channels  and  thus  relieving  the 
present  tight  situation.  He  proposed 
that  three  additional  frequencies  be 
used  to  relieve  stations  that  are  poor- 
ly spaced  and  five  additional  channels 
be  used  in  communities  where  more 
channels  are  needed  to  give  proper 
competition. 

The  commission's  hearings  on  re- 
allocating existing  television  channels 
recessed  this  morning  until  August 
16,  when  oral  argument  will  be  heard 
on  the  proposals. 


Mrs.  Edward  Rogers,  70 

Funeral  services  will  be  held  in 
Phoenix,  Ariz.,  tomorrow  for  Mrs. 
Edward  Rogers,  70,  mother  of  Tom 
Rogers,  radio  contact  for  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer. 


TOA  Warns  on  Ascap 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

minding  exhibitors  that  "the  money 
penalty  for  such  violations  can  be 
great." 

"Exhibitors,"  says  the  bulletin, 
"must  take  no  comfort  in  the  falla- 
cious premise  that  individual  copyright 
owners,  on  their  own,  or  through 
Ascap,  or  through  some  other  organi- 
zation, will  not  police  for  copyright 
violations  and  will,  if  detected,  do 
nothing  about  them.  The  amount  t»rvv 
paid  is  comparatively  small  andS|f/ 
dangers  of  non-payment  may  be  v^y 
substantial." 

Members  are  advised  to  continue 
meeting  their  Ascap  obligations  until 
notified  to  the  contrary.  "The  case 
does  not  eliminate  the  requirement  of 
theatre  operators'  paying  for  per- 
formance rights,"  they  are  warned. 

Asserting  that  "the  ultimate  value 
of  this  decision  will  be  in  how  much 
time  and  money  can  be  saved  the  ex- 
hibitor," the  bulletin  contends  that 
Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell's  ruling 
"promises  neither,"  but  rather 
"changes  the  method  of  collection  that 
in  the  long  pull  can  be  more  costly 
than  the  current  method  of  paying  for 
performance  rights." 

Sullivan  concludes  that  "the  end  re- 
sult for  the  exhibitor  can  be  stated 
simply — Ascap,  by  any  other  name, 
will  cost  the  same — or  more." 


Avoid  Ascap  Pacts 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

six-month  contracts  with  Ascap.  In 
pressing  the  suit  the  plaintiffs  won  an 
understanding  that  fees  due  the  soci- 
ety be  held  in  escrow  in  a  special 
fund.  The  question  now  is  what  is 
to  be  done  with  that  money.  The 
feeling  in  some  quarters  is  that  Judge 
Vincent  L.  Leibell,  who  sat  on  the 
case,  will  order  that  it  be  turned  back 
to  the  plaintiffs. 


New  Variety  Clubs 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

in  the  Texas  State  Hotel. 

International  Chief  Barker  R.  J. 
O'Donnell,  expects  to  visit  Portland 
and  Seattle  in  August  where  he  will 
talk  with  film  men  in  those  cities  who 
are  anxious  to  start  local  Variety 
Clubs.  Bill  McCraw,  executive  di- 
rector of  the  clubs  is  expected  to  join 
O'Donnell  for  the  trip  to  the  North- 
west. 

Second  Assistant  international  chief 
barker,  C.  J.  Latta,  now  located  in 
London  for  Warner  Brothers,  reports 
progrerss  in  the  formation  of  a  Vari- 
ety. Club  in  that  country.  Widespread 
interest  is  reported  among  British 
industry  men  in  Gerat  Britain  for  a 
tent  and  international  officers  here  ex- 
pect an  application  for  a  charter  be- 
fore the  end  of  the  year. 


Regular  'Joan'  Scales 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

of  the  picture,  following  the  "Best 
Years  of  Our  Lives"  selling  pattern. 
These  would  not  involve  admission 
price-fixing  as  outlawed  by  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court. 

Negative  costs  in  the  neighborhood 
of  $3,000,000  for  each  of  the  films 
gave  rise  to  the  belief  that  tilted  ad- 
mission prices  would  be  asked  for  both 
in  rental  contracts. 

Roadshowing  of  any  type  for  "Red 
River"  has  been  ruled  out.  United 
Artists,  distributor,  already  has  more 
than  300  signed  contracts  for  it,  it  is 
said. 


A/ 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICTURE 

DAILY 


— 


JK4.  NO.  21 


1, 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  JULY  30,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


3elieve  Quota 
Relief  Is  Up 
To  State  Dep't 

Industry  Sees  No  Other 
Likelihood  of  Action 

Having  abandoned  ideas  on  a 
direct  and  concerted  action  against 
the  British  45  per  cent  exhibitor 
quota,  U.  S.  film  companies  now 
pin  their  hopes  for  relief  on  U.  S. 
State  Department  intervention  based 
on  the  quota's  possible  violation  of  in- 
ternational trade  agreements. 

Reporting  this,  one  top  official  close 
to  the  situation  said  yesterday  that 
the  companies  believe  that  there  is 
"little  we  can  do  as  an  industry"  if  the 
quota  persists  as  the  law  of  England. 
If  the  quota  can  be  found  in  violation 
of  the  international  trade  agreements, 
however,  its  repeal  would  be  looked 
for  through  the  U.  S.  State  Depart- 
ment, it  was  said. 

Additionally,  it  is  felt  here  that 
British  exhibitors  will  not  have  avail- 
able native  pictures  sufficient  in  num- 
ber to  make  the  quota  law  workable. 

Film  companies  chiefs  had  dis- 
cussed an   assortment   of  anti-quota 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Quota  Is  Too  High, 
Says  ABPC  Chief 

London,  July  29. — Sir  Philip  War- 
ter,  chairman  of  Associated  British 
Pictures'  Corp.,  told  the  company^ 
annual  stockholders  meeting  that  he  is 
unable  to  foresee  a  sufficient  supply  of 
British  films  to  fulfill  the  new  45  per 
cent  quota.  Emphasizing,  however,  that 
(.Continued  on  page  7) 


Cost-of -Living  Raise 
Sought  at  Studios 

Hollywood,  July  29.— IATSE 
president  Richard  Walsh  will 
return  to  New  York  over  the 
weekend  after  a  week  of  pre- 
liminary negotiations  with 
producers  for  a  cost-of-living 
increase  for  hundreds  in  "IA" 
studio  locals. 

It  is  understood  the  de- 
mand was  opposed  by  produc- 
ers on  the  ground  that  the 
industry  is  in  no  condition  to 
warrant  raises.  It  will  be  left 
in  abeyance  until  after  the 
IATSE  convention  in  Cleve- 
land, starting  August  16. 


Rename  Johnston  to 
EC  A  Advisory  Board 

Washington,  July  29. — Appoint- 
ments of  three  industry  officials  to  top 
Government  jobs  were  included  in  a 
long  list  that  President  Truman  re- 
submitted today  to  the  Senate  for  con- 
firmation. • 

Included  are  the  nomination  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America 
president  Eric  A.  Johnston  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Economic  Cooperation  Ad- 
ministration advisory  board,  Para- 
mount executive  committee  chairman 
Stanton  Griffis  as  Ambassador  to 
Egypt,  and  Frank  Capra  as  an  alter- 
nate delegate  to  the  third  session  of 
the  United  Nations  Educational,  Social 
and  Cultural  Organization. 

These  appointments  were  submitted 
first  during  the  closing  days  of  the 
regular  session.  The  Senate  ad- 
journed without  acting  on  them,  and 
they  were  given  interim  appointments. 
The  Senate  Republican  policy  com- 
mittee has  already  indicated  it  will  not 
approve  any  major  nominations  at  the 
special  session,  indicating  that  these 
officials  will  continue  to  hold  only  in- 
terim appointments. 


Urge  Regulation  of 
Rank  Theatre  Clubs 


London,  July  29.  —  The  London 
County  Council,  the  government  of 
Britain's  capital,  today  received  from 
its  general  purposes  committee  a  re- 
port recommending  the  appointment  of 
an  advisory  committee  to  supervise  the 
organization  and  control  of  J.  Arthur 
Rank's  Children's  Saturday  Morning 
Cinema  Clubs. 

Allowing  that  Rank's  intentions  are 
commendable,  the  Council  committee 
recommends,  however,  an  attempt  to 
"improve  the  Saturday  morning  shows 
by  seeking  to  raise  the  standard  of 
the  films  and  the  behavior  of  the  au 
dience." 

The  committee  suggests  also  that 
the  British  Board  of  Film  Censors 
extend  its  code  of  film  classification 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


New  Drive-Ins  Are 
Mushrooming  in  US 

In  addition  to  the  listing  in  Motion 
Picture  Daily  on  July  22  of  new 
drive-in  building — which  is  far  sur- 
passing the  most  optimistic  expecta- 
tions of  the  blue-printing  days  of  last 
winter  and  fall  —  are  the  following 
projects,  which  also  represent  only  a 
partial  tally: 

Airdrome  Amusement  Co.'s  project 
at  Milldale,  Conn.,  cost  $100,000,  with 
(Continued  on  page  7) 


Argentine  Tax  Bill 
To  Aid  Film  Scribes 

Buenos  Aires,  July  27  (By 
Airmail). — Under  a  bill  intro- 
duced in  the  Argentine  legis- 
lature, exhibitors  are  re- 
quired to  pay  three  per  cent 
of  their  box-office  returns  to 
the  government,  which  would 
distribute  the  tax  among  all 
who  participated  in  the  prep- 
aration of  native  screen- 
plays as  well  as  the  authors 
of  original  books  or  stories 
which  had  been  transformed 
to  the  screen. 

The  proposed  legislation 
provides  also  for  such  pay- 
ments to  authors  of  imported 
films  if  their  countries  of 
origin  accord  equal  treatment 
to  Argentine  film  writers. 


Para.  Theatre  Video 
In  Chicago  and  Coast 

Paramount  has  on  order  full-screen 
television  equipment  for  installation  as 
soon  as  possible  at  one  of  its  affiliated 
theatres  in  Chicago  and  Los  Angeles, 
Paul  Raibourn,  president  of  Para- 
mount Television  Productions,  said 
yesterday.  Delivery  of  the  equipment 
already  is  overdue,  he  added.  He 
would  not  identify  the  theatres  but 
presumably  the  Coast  house  will  either 
be  the  Hollywood  or  the  Downtown. 

The  veil  of  mystery  that  has  sur- 
rounded Paramount's  theatre  television 
system  was  lifted  slightly  by  Raibourn 
although  a  thorough  description  of  its 
intermediate  process  remains  a  secret. 
Raibourn  stated  that  only  standard 
equipment  is  used,  including  receiver 
tube,  camera  apparatus  and  regular 
theatre  projector.  The  difference  lies 
in  Paramount's  "unique  system"  of 
assembling  the  component  parts  of  the 
machinery,  and  nothing  else,  he  said. 

The  Paramount  method  receives 
television  images  on  a  receiver  in  the 
projection  booth,  rapidly  processes 
film  taken  direct  from  the  tube,  and 
projects  that  film  on  the  large  screen. 


Film  Classics  Will 
Convene  Here  Today 

Film  Classics'  first  worldwide  sales 
meeting  will  open  here  today  in  the 
Hotel  Astor,  to  run  three  days. 

Delegates  will  gather  first  at  the 
Preview  Theatre  to  see  "Sofia"  and 
"Miraculous  Journey,"  Film  Classics' 
first  two  new  Cinecolor  specials.  The 
group  will  then  go  to  the  Astbr  for 
lunch,  after  which  B.  G.  Kranze,  sales 
vice-president,  will  call  the  meeting  to 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


Ascap  Decision 
Perils  Theatre 
Video:  TO  A 


Tough  Performing  Rights 
Job  Seen  for  Exhibitors 


Theatre  presentation  of  television 
programs  other  than  televised  films 
will  face  a  serious  threat  should  the 
Federal  Court  ban  on  Ascap's  issu- 
ance of  blanket  licenses  stand,  accord- 
ing to  an  analysis  by  Herman  M. 
Levy,  Theatre  Owners  of  America 
general  counsel,  of  Judge  Vincent  L. 
Leibell's  decision  holding  the  society 
guilty  in  the  anti-trust  action  brought 
against  it  by  164  members  of  the  In- 
dependent Theatre  Owners  Associa- 
tion of  New  York. 

The  analysis  expresses  the 
view  that  if  the  decision  is  not 
appealed  from  or  is  affirmed  on 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


Canadian  Liaison  to 
Aid  U.  S.  Producers 


Appointment  of  A.  H.  Newman  of 
the  Department  of  Trade  and  Com- 
merce in  Ottawa  as  the  Canadian  gov- 
ernment's central  liaison  for  all  Amer- 
ican film  production  in  the  Dominion 
was  reported  here  yesterday  by  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Amer- 
ica. The  Ottawa  office  of  Newman 
will  serve  as  a  clearing  house  for  all 
U.  S.  producers  planning  production 
in  Canada. 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


AFM  Now  Seeks  to 
Open  Talks  Aug.  18 

A  further  bid  for  the  start 
of  negotiations  with  producers 
for  a  new  contract  covering 
studio  musicians  has  been 
made  by  the  American  Fed- 
eration of  Musicians,  which 
now  offers  August  18  as  a 
date  for  initial  conferences 
between  representatives  of 
both  sides.  The  place  sug- 
gested for  the  talks  is  New 
York.  Chicago  had  previously 
been  suggested  as  the  locale. 

The  AFM  board  is  sched- 
uled to  meet  in  Chicago  the 
week  of  August  9.  Producers 
have  declined  an  invitation  to 
confer  with  the  union  at  the 
same  time. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  July  30,  1941 


Personal 
Mention 

JAMES  R.  GRAINGER,  executive 
vice-president  of  Republic,  is  back 
in  New  York  after  three  weeks  on  the 
Coast. 

• 

Charles  Crowley,  manager  of 
Warner's  Grand  and  Globe,  Vineland, 
N.  J.,  has  returned  to  his  desk  after 
"vacationing"  at  Pine  Camp,  N.  Y., 
with  the  National  Guard  in  which  he 
holds  the  rank  of  captain. 

• 

William  B.  Gulette  of  the  Pre- 
view Theatre  here,  a'nd  Mrs.  Gulette, 
are  parents  of  a  second  daughter, 
Charlene  Ann,  born  at-  Harkness 
Pavillion  here. 

• 

Lon  T.  Fidler,  Monogram  fran- 
chise holder  in  Salt  Lake  City,  has 
been  released  from  the  hospital  there 
where  he  spent  three  weeks  following 
a  heart  attack. 

• 

Lully  Seeberg,  secretary  .to  Eman- 
uel Silverstone  of  20th  Century- Fox,, 
will  return  to  the  home  office  on  Mon- 
day from  a  Hollywood  vacation. 
• 

Belle  Meyer,  secretary  to  Sam 
Seidelman,  Eagle-Lion's  foreign 
operations  chief,  is  vacationing  at 
Livingston  Manor,  N.  Y. 

• 

G.  L.  Carrington,  president  of  Al- 
tec, is  en  route  back  to  the  Coast  from 
New  York,  with  a  stopover  scheduled 
for  Chicago. 

• 

May  Helabian  of  Columbia's  ex- 
ploitation department  will  be  married 
to  Harry  Chakmakian  on  Sunday. 
• 

Paul  Hollister,  RKO  Radio  pub- 
licity director,  is  in  Hollywood  from 
here. 


Rosenfeld  Tops  SRO 
So.  American  Sales 

Isidro  Rosenfeld '  has  been  named 
supervisor  for  the  Selznick  Releasing 
Organization  in  Argentina,  Brazil, 
Uruguay,  Paraguay  and  Chile  with 
headquarters  in  Buenos  Aires,  by  Mil- 
ton A.  Kramer,  SRO  board  chairman. 
He  will  work  under  the  direction  of 
Manny  Reiner,  managing  director  in 
Latin  America. 

Rosenfeld  recently  was  supervisor 
for  Samuel  Goldwyn  and  Walt  Disney 
in  Mexico  and  part  of  South  America. 
Prior  to  that  he  was  with  Warner 
Brothers  for  18  years  in  South 
America. 


Dudelson  Becomes 
Eagle-Lion  Manager 

Ha  rris  Dudelson  has  been  named 
Cincinnati  branch  manager  for  Eagle- 
Lion  by  William  J.  Heineman,  distri- 
bution vice-president. 

Dudelson,  who  entered  the  industry 
in  1925  as  United  Artists  booker  in 
Cleveland,  has  continued  with  that 
company  in  more  important  posts  ever 
since.  He  was  appointed  Cleveland 
branch  manager  this  year,  which  post 
he  resigned  to  join  Eagle-Lion. 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


DAGGERS, 
and  in 


North-to-South 
reverse,  are  punc- 
turing the  atmosphere  between 
Paramount  in  New  York  and  E. 
V.  Richards,  Jr.,  in  New  Or- 
leans. The  feeling  in  both  di- 
rections runs  pretty  high  at  the 
moment  and  the  outcome  is  not 
yet  in  sight. 

"Rich,"  of  course,  is  a  Para- 
mount theatre  partner  and  as 
dominant  a  figure  in  his  terri- 
tory today  as  he  has  been  for 
all  these  many  years.  The  dis- 
pute is  over  film  rentals  about 
which  distributors,  with  no 
known  exception,  have  been 
beefing  practically  from  time 
immemorial. 

■ 

The  inside  is  that,  Paramount 
long  patient,  finally  decided  on 
the  leap  by  informing  Richards 
he  no  longer  could  buy  its  prod- 
uct for  sub- runs  at  about  IS 
per  cent  of  the  gross  when  com- 
petitive subs  paid  as  much  as  35 
per  cent;  that  after  Paramount 
product  already  booked  —  and 
probably  not  going  beyond  "The 
Emperor  Waltz" — had  played, 
terms  had  to  be  re-cast  up- 
wards. 

Now  Richards,  who  can  be  as 
tough  as  steel  and  is  known  to 
have  proven  it  often,  replied 
"No  dice"  or  some  picturesque 
words  to  the  same  effect;  that 
he  had  gotten  along  without 
Metro  and  Universal  and  would 
manage  to  survive  .  without 
Paramount.  He  also  is  under- 
stood to  have  observed  some- 
what acidly  that  any  sharp  in- 
crease in  percentage  terms,  ob- 
viously, would  cut  into  his 
profits,  thereby  reduce  his  net 
and  affect  the  value  of  his  stock 
— the  latter  a  highly  important 
equation  in  the  event  theatre  di- 
vorcement is  made  mandatory 
by  the  New  York  circuit  court 
re-appraising  the  Government 
suit  against  the  majors. 

It's  a  standoff  at  present 
with  unknown  chapters  yet  to  be 
filled  in.  They  could  be  very 
exciting. 


■  a 


Nick 


Communique 
Schenck : 

1.  — He's  delighted  with  the 
appointment  of  Dore  Schary  as 
V.  P.  in  charge  of  production. 

2.  — He's  tickled  over  the  way 
"Easter  Parade"  is  zooming. 

3.  — He's  delighted  and  tickled 
because  his  health  is  sharply  im- 
proved. And  he's  not  relying 
on  his  own  opinion.  His  doc- 
tor is  the  authority. 


About  "The  Emperor  Waltz" 
here  in  New  York.  The  attrac- 
tion leaves  the  Music  Hall  at 
the  close  of  business  next 
Wednesday  night,  at  which  time 
it  will  have  rounded  out  seven 
weeks  to  these  estimated 
grosses : 
Week  of 

June  17   $160,000 

June  24    152,000 

July  1    156,000 

July  8    145,000 

July  15    135,000 

July  22    123,000 

July  29  [Final]   115,000 


Seven  Weeks   $986,000 

No  other  show  played  the 
Hall  as  long  this  year.  Only 
one,  "The  Bachelor  and  the 
Bobby  Soxer,"  matched  it  for 
length  of  run  in  calendar  1947 
and  nothing  outdistanced  it  in 
that  year.  Long-termers  in  '46 
were  "The  Jolson  Story,"  "No- 
torious" and  "Anna  and  the 
King  of  Siam,"  each  one  run- 
ning eight  weeks.  Not  since 
that  year  has  Paramount  been 
in  the  theatre.  The  film  then 
was  "To  Each  His  Own," 
which  remained  four  weeks. 

■  ■ 

Add  Hollywood  stories : 

The  one  about  the  self-inflated 
producer  gathering  sidewalk 
comment  after  the  preview  of 
his  latest.  Spying  one  of  the 
studio  office  boys,  he  asked: 

"And  how  did  you  like  the 
picture  ?" 

Office  Boy:  "To  tell  you  the 
truth,  I  didn't." 

Producer:  "You  didn't?  And 
who  are  you  not  to  like  it?" 

O.  B.— "And  who  do  I  have 
to  be  not  to  like  it?" 

■  ■ 

There  is  a  very  harried  sales 
manager  around  the  town.  His 
product  has  been  ranging  from 
nervous  "A's"  to  the  pediculous, 
but  now  he  actually  has  a  very 
first-rate  attraction  on  his 
hands. 

"I'm  not  sure  whether  it's  bet- 
ter to  have  a  lot  of  stinkers.  At 
least,  no  one  bothers  to  come 
near  you  and  the  phones  are 
pretty  quiet.  With  a  clicker  in 
the  house,  everyone  wants  to 
get  into  the  act  and  make  the 
deals.  There's  simply  no  peace 
and  quiet  if  it." 

■  ■ 

Remember  those  exhibitors 
who  have  been  saying,  "There'll 
be  no  advertising  on  my 
screen." 

They  haven't  raised  a  peep 
about  "The  Fuller  Brush  Man." 


Accord  Ends  Strih 
Of  Cooling  Men  Here 

Air-conditioning  systems  were  back 
in  operation  yesterday  at  all  RKO 
and  Loew  houses  in  the  Metropolitan 
area  following  settlement  late  Wednes- 
day night  of  the  five-day  strike  called 
against  the  circuits  by  Local  No.  30' 
International  Union  of  Operating  En- 
gineers, AFL,  over  a  wage  dispute. 

The  settlement  provides  for  a  15 
per  cent  wage  increase  in  theatres  in 
the  Broadway  sector  and  10  per ^gnt 
in  the  neighborhoods.  The  sc«JjrP»'  r 
the  second  year  of  the  two-yeli1""  ^ 
tract  is  open  to  further  negotiation. 
The  agreement  is  retroactive  to  last 
April  1.  The  union  had  asked  for 
one-year  contract  with  a  straight  IS 
per  cent  hike. 

The  big  Broadway  houses,  which 
also  were  involved  in  the  dispute, 
reached  an  early  settlement  with  the 
union  with  the  understanding  they 
would  abide  by  the  terms  agreed  upon 
by  the  circuits  and  Local  30. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


c — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HAIL- 

Rockefeller  Center 
BING  JOAN 

:  CROSBY  FONTAINE 

!in  "THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ"! 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 
A  Paramount  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


M0^HWip 


&f '     Paramount  Presents 

%  RAY 

1  MILLAND 

|  ANN 

1  TODD 

I  GERALDINE 

1  FITZGERALD 


COHDIIIOKED 

B'way  & 
49th  Street 


ROY  DEL  RUTH'S 


BABE  RUTH 

STORY  - 


Conl  t*rf ormancet"  Pop  Prices' 


MARK  STEVENS  •  RICHARD  Wl  DM  ARK 

"THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME" 

A  20th  Century-Fox  Picture 
ON  VARIETY  STAGE— CAB  CALLOWAY 
JACKIE  MILES  •  VIVIAN  BLAINE 

ON  ICE  STAGE— CAROL  LYNNE 
ARNOLD  SHODA  •  THE  BRUISES 


ROXY 


7th  Ave.  & 
50th  St.  : 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  1'20  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Tiorn  c  Latre-  ^ales!  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c.  , 


^"BOXOFFICE  WINNER '...»„,„ 
^"POTENT  BOXOFFICE  HIT"... 


OUTSTANDING  MUSICAL... 


FILM  DAILY 


BOXOFFICE 


iy  in  Ermine 

is  ready  for 

NATION-WIDE  DAY-&-DATE 
PREMIERE  AUGUST  Ik! 


jIetty  GRABLE- douglas  FAIRBANKS,  jl^- 

^Lady  in  Ermine 


.  COLOR  BY  TECHNICOLOR 


CENTURY-FOX 


-CESAR  ROMERO  -  Walter  Abel  •  Reginald  Gardiner  ^ 

Harry  Davenport  •  Virginia  Campbell  •  Whit  Bissell  •  Produced  and  Directed  by  ERNST  LUBITSCH^ 

Screen  Play  by  Samson  Raphaeljon  •  Lyrics  and  Music  by  Leo  Robin  and  Frederick  Hollander  •  Da/ces  Staged  by  Hermes  Pan 


I  Raphaelson  • 

•A. 


•  Da/ces  St 

7-^ 


4 


Motion  Picture  daily 


Friday,  July  30,  1948 


'Youth  Month'  Drive 
Goes  Into  High  Gear 

"Youth  Month"  has  received  fresh 
impetus  from  several  quarters,  Charles 
P.  Skouras,  national  chairman  of  the 
-Theatre  Owners  of  America's  youth 
month  committee,  has  announced. 

Advertising  Council,  Inc.  is  prepar- 
ing advertisements  for  newspapers 
throughout  the  country  and  it  will  fur- 
ther its  radio  support.  It  will  also  be 
stressed  in  the  "Dr.  I.Q."  and  the  Ted 
Malone  radio  programs.  Sammy  Kaye 
and  his  orchestra  have  volunteered  to 
score  the  youth  month  song  "I  Am 
the  YOU  in  the  U.S.A."  for  the 
"Salute  to  Youth"  trailer,  2,000  prints 
of  which  will  be  distributed  free  by 
National  Screen  Service  on  booking 
arrangements  set  up  between  exhibi- 
tors and  their  state  chairmen.  All 
NSS  service  exchanges  will  have  cam- 
paign books  on  hand  and  lobby  hang- 
ers will  reach  exchanges  August  9. 


British  Quota 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

joint  stands,  including  a  control  board 
under  the  Motion  Picture  Export  As- 
sociation which  would  govern  overall 
sales  policies  in  Britain.  Also  dis- 
cussed was  a  full  MPEA  operation  in 
England,  as  well  as  the  establishment 
of  an  MPEA  service  organization  in 
that  country.  A  boycott  of  all  of  Eng- 
land and  a  cessation  of  dealings  with 
the  J.  Arthur  Rank  exhibitor  interests 
reportedly  were  mentioned,  too,  but 
were  not  given  serious  attention,  it 
was  said. 

Meanwhile,  reports  have  it  that  the 
MPEA  might  be  extended  to  other 
countries  where  monetary  restrictions 
and  other  barriers  to  free  trade  are 
threatening. 


Seven  U.  S.  Features 
In  Venice  Festival 

American  film  companies  have  en- 
tered seven  features  in  the  1948  Ven- 
ice Film  Festival,  according  to  word 
received  yesterday  from  Paris  by  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Amer- 
ica. 

The  pictures  are  Walt  Disney's 
"Melody  Time,"  M-G-M's  "National 
Velvet,"  Paramount's  "The  Big 
Clock,"  RKO  Radio's  "The  Fugitive," 
20th  Century-Fox's  "Gentleman's 
Agreement,"  Universal-International's 
"A  Double  Life,"  and  Warner  Broth- 
ers' "Treasure  of  Sierra  Madre."  The 
festival  will  be  held  August  19  to 
September  4. 


Sales  Drive  Chiefs 
Set  by  Young  stein 

Indianapolis,  July  29. — Five  branch 
managers  have  been  named  deputy 
captains  in  the  Eagle-Lion  William 
Heineman  saks  drive  by  Max  Young- 
stein,  advertising-publicity  vice-presi- 
dent. They  are  C.  W.  Phillips,  Chi- 
cago; Joe  Imhoff,  Milwaukee;  A.  M. 
Schwartz,  Minneapolis ;  Clair  Town- 
send,  Detroit,  and  J.  C.  Craddock, 
Indianapolis.  Each  will  function  di- 
rectly under  Youngstein. 

Youngstein  left  here  tonight  for  the 
home-office  after  completing  the  third 
leg  of  a  nationwide  tour  of  31  ex- 
change cities  as  captain  of  the  drive. 


$55,000  for  'Apache' 

This  fifth  and  final  week  of  "Fort 
Apache,"  with  Lena  Home  on  stage, 
brought  an  estimated  $55,000  to  the 
Capitol.  A  typographical  error  was 
responsible  for  the  previous  report  of 
a  $5,000  gross  in  th^se  columns  on 
Wednesday. 


H.  C.  Arthur,  Jr. 

president, 
Fanchon  &  Marco, 
says: 


DO  YOU  WAIT  UNTIL  YOUR  CAR  BREAKS  DOWN?" 


¥?It  does  not  make  any  difference 
whether  you  are  running  a  motion 
picture  theatre  or  you  are  taking 
care  of  your  own  automobile.  There 
are  two  ways  to  do  it.  You  can 
let  your  car  run  until  it  breaks 
down  on  some  important  trip  caus- 
ing extreme  discomfort  to  your 
guests  who  are  with  you  and  caus- 
ing extreme  embarrassment  to  you 
or  you  can  keep  it  serviced  and 
save  money  in  ultimate  repairs 
and  replacements  as  well  as  wear 
and  tear  on  your  nerves  and  on 
those  of  your  guests. 

"You  can  run  your  projection 
equipment  on  the  same  principle 
-until  it  breaks  down.  Whether  it 
is  your  car  or  your  theatre  equip- 
ment, when  it  does  break  down, 
you  will  wish  you  had  had  a 
regular  efficient  service  that  would 
have  saved  you  all  of  the  trouble 
and  ultimately  the  greater  expense. 

"Altec's  service  is  assurance  against 
breakdown.  It  saves  against  a 


larger  expense  in  the  long  run  for 
repairs  and  replacements  and  it 
saves  your  patrons  annoyance  and 
discomfort;  both  ultimately  affect 
your  P.  &  L.  To  maintain  the 
goodwill  of  your  patrons  and  their 
regular  attendance  at  your  thea- 
tre, don't  let  your  equipment  break 
down.  That  is  my  advice.  Altec 
will  help  you  follow  it." 


Altec  Service,  known  for  its  serv- 
ice "over  and  above  the  contract" 
is  a  vital  ingredient  of  your  thea- 
tre's ability  to  meet  successfully 
the  competition  of  other  forms  of 
entertainment.  An  Altec  Service 
contract  is  the  soundest  long 
term  investment  an  exhibitor  can 
make  today. 


MM 


161  Sixth  Avenue 
yew  York  13,  N.Y. 


THE  SERVICE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  MOTION  PICTURE  INDUSTRY 


Reviews 


"Embraceable  You" 

{Warner  Brothers)  ' 

Hollywood,  July  25 

DANE  CLARK's  is  the  chief  name  at  hand  with  which  to  bill  this  item 
in  the  series  of  Warner  films  launched  some  months  ago  for  the  declared 
purpose  of  giving  minor  players  an  opportunity  to  demonstrate  their  talents 
in  principal  roles,  and  thereby  build  toward  stardom  more  rapidly  than  other- 
wise. Veterans  S.  Z.  Sakall  and  Wallace  Ford  are  set  into  this  number  to , 
counter-balance  the  less  experienced  performers,  and  a  commonplace  type  of 
crime  subject  is  undertaken.  It  is  not  to  be  compared  with  the  tortjffj  ,1 
crime  pictures  which  the  Warner  studio  turns  out  so  expertly,  but  gives/x" ^.'i 
accounting  of  its  77  minutes. 

Clark  plays  a  New  York  sharpie  eaking  out  a  living  by  doing  small  favors  J 
for  big  shots,  including  Richard  Rober,  a  gangster  who  commits  a  murder  J 
in  the  opening  flash  and  is  driven  from  the  scene  by  Clark.    Clark's  car] 
strikes  Geraldine  Brooks,  an  unemployed  show  girl  who  pretends  greater  1 
injury  than  she  sustains  in  hope  of  collecting  big  damages  from  the  insurancei|i 
company,  but  the  hit-and-run  getaway  is  successful.    Reading  of  the  girl's  ji 
hospitalization,  Clark  visits  her  and  comes  under  suspicion  of  Detective  Ford,  jj 
who  cannot  prove  Clark's  connection  with  the  murder  or  the  hit-and-run  but 
bulldozes  him  into  providing  shelter  for  the  girl,  whom  the  doctors  have 
doomed  to  die  of  an  inoperable  anheurism  about  which  they  tell  Clark  but  not 
the  girl. 

It  gets  quite  complicated  from  there  on,  alternating'  between  incidents  of 
romance  and  violence,  and  ends  with  the  detective  killing  the  murderer  and 
agreeing  with  Clark  to  withold  the  news  of  .his  hit-and-run  guilt  until  the  lat- 
ter shall  have  given  the  now  invalided  girl,  whom  he  marries,  whatever  hap- 
piness may  remain  in  store  for  her.  Saul  Elkins  produced,  and  Felix  Jacoves 
directed,  from  a  script  by  Edna  Athalt,  based  on  a  story  by  Dietrich  W.  Han- 
nekin  and  Aleck  Block.  The  picture  is  not,  as  the  title  might  suggest  to 
some,  a  musical. 

Running  time,  77  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
not  set.  William  R.  Weaver. 


"Adventures  of  Gallant  Bess" 

(Eagle-Lion) 

IN  "Adventures  of  Gallant  Bess"  the  wonder-horse  does  an  encore  in  a  film 
that,  in  showing  off  the  animal's  versatility,  is  assured  of  a  warm  audience 
reception. 

The  story  is  trite,  but  it  serves  its  purpose  well.  It  is  a  tale  of  a  man  who 
captures  a  wild  horse  and  becomes  so  attached  to  the  animal  that  he  refuses 
to  part  with  it.  Shot  in  good  Cinecolor  and  featuring  capable  performers,  it 
follows  an  old  and  proven  formula.  There  is  not  too  much  action,  but  there 
are  some  colorful  scenes  shot  at  a  rodeo.  A  Crestview  Production,  the  pic 
ture  was  produced  by  Jerry  Briskin  and  Matthew  Rapf.  Lew  Landers 
directed,  from  a  screenplay  by  Rapf.  Cameron  Mitchell  and  Audrey  Long 
appear  in  the  main  parts  as  the  one  who  loves  his  horse  and  the  girl  who  is 
waiting  for  him.     James  Milligan  is  adequate  as  the  villain. 

Mitchell  lassoes  a  beautiful  wild  horse  and  decides  to  keep  and  train  it. 
Milligan,  owner  of  a  rodeo,  also  wants  the  horse.  Mitchell  wins  a  rodeo 
prize,  but  breaks  his  leg  because  of  Milligan's  trickery.  The  rodeo  moves  on 
and  Bess  is  auctioned  off  to  Milligan.  Meanwhile  Mitchell  falls  in  love 
with  his  doctor's  daughter.  As  soon  as  he  is  well  enough,  Mitchell  pursues 
Bess  and  his  prize  money.  He  fights  with  Milligan  and  takes  off  with  his 
pal  Fuzzy  Knight.  Bess  follows  them  and  the  police  send  out  an  alarm  for 
them.  Realizing  that  he  cannot  escape  the  law  and  Milligan  forever,  Mitchell 
decides  to  set  Bess  free  and  to  marry  Miss  Long. 

Running  time,  73  minutes.  General  audience  classification.   Release  unset. 


ft 


Triggerman 

(Columbia) 

THIS  production  packs  enough  adventure  to  please  Western  enthusiasts 
once  the  slow  pace  of  the  opening  sequences  is  overcome.  The  footage 
hums  with  action  and  excitement  as  soon  as  Johnny  Mack  Brown,  as  a  Wells 
Fargo  agent  assigned  to  find  a  chest  of  gold  swiped  from  a  stage,  tangles  with 
the  villains  in  a  demonstration  of  violence  that  gives  the  hero  ample  oppor 
tunity  to  test  his  skill  with  gun  and  fists. 

A  young  girl,  played  by  Virginia  Carroll,  owns  a  ranch  where  it  is  believed 
the  gold  is  hidden.  Raymond  Hatton  is  her  foreman.  They  are  trying  to  find 
the  treasure  because  it  contains  a  paper  which  will  clear  her  father,  suspected 
of  being  involved  in  the  robbery.  The  gang  has  one-half  of  the  map  which 
indicates  the  location  of  the  chest.  In  its  attempt  to  acquire  the  other  half,  it 
kidnaps  the  girl.  In  the  finale  Brown  rescues  her  and  recovers  the  gold  for 
his  company  and  captures  the  gangsters.  Barney  A.  Sarecky  produced  and 
Howard  Bretherton  directed.  Ronald  Davidson  wrote  the  original  screenplay 
Running  time,  56  minutes.   General  audience  classification.  


Swarthout  Video  Films 

Washington,  July  29. — Gladys 
Swarthout  and  husband  Frank  Chap- 
man have  formed  a  company  to  pro- 
duce films  for  television,  the  singer 
disclosed  here  today.  The  company, 
which  has,  a  modern  studio  at  New- 
town, Conn.,  plans  13  fifteen-minute 
shorts. 


20th  Appeals  FCC  Denial 

Washington,  July  29. — Twentieth 
Century-Fox  has  filed  formal  notic 
of  its  appeal  from  Federal  Communi 
cations  Commissioner  George  Ster 
ling's  refusal  to  allow  the  company  to 
amend  its  application  for  a  San  Fran 
cisco  television  station.  The  compan 
wanted  to  include  plans  for  an  auxil 
iary  studio  at  Oakland,  Calif. 


BABE  HITS  HOME  RUN! 


Biggest  World  Premiere 
Turnout  In  Broadway 
History  Sends  "The  Babe 
Ruth  Story"  Off  To  A 
Slam-hang  Start  With 
A  Terrific  First  Bay! 


>0:k 


By  The  Thousands  And  Thousands  They  Come  To  See 

ROY  DEL  RUTH'S 


WE  HH  ROTH  Si 5F 


An  Allied  Artists  Production 


starring 

WILLIAM  BENDIX  CLAIRE  TREVOR  CHARLES  B1CKF0RD 


.SAM  LEVENE  •  WILLIAM  FBAWLEY  •  GERTRUDE  NIESEN  •  MATT  BRIGGS  •  «r  ROY  DEL  RUTH 

JOE  KAUFMAN  •  screenplay  6y  BOB  CONSIOINE  ano  GEORGE  CALLAHAN 


ASSOCIATE  PRODUCER 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  July  30;  1948 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 

on  September  25,  1948  will  present  an  edi- 
tion marking  that  constructive  Third  of  A 
Century  of  this  industry  in  which  Martin 
Quigley  has  served  as  editor  and  publisher. 


QUIGLEY  PUBLICATIONS 

Rockefeller  Center 
New  York  City 

1915—1948 


'  St' 


mm 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 
MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY 
FAME 

MOTION  PICTURE  ALMANAC 


Friday,  July  30,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


7 


Ascap  Decision 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


appeal,  "the  theatre  operator 
may  have  to  negotiate  for  per- 
formance rights  with  all  of  the 
composers,  authors  and  pub- 
lishers whose  compositions  are 
used  in  such  television  pro- 
grams." As  for  televised  films, 
it  is  pointed  out  that  the  prob- 
lems are  the  same  as  in  the 
case  of  regular  films. 

rTiis  problem  of  television,  to- 
^  <atr  with  the  licenses  for  perform- 
ing rights  contained  in  'reissued'  pic- 
tures, and  many  other  problems," 
Levy  asserts,  "spotlight  very  clearly 
the  necessity  of  having  a  central 
agency  with  which  the  theatre  owner 
can  negotiate  for  licenses  for  per- 
forming rights." 

Levy  holds  that  while  Ascap  could 
reorganize  so  as  to  become  merely  an 
agency  for  collection  of  "per  piece" 
license  fees  for  performing  rights, 
such  an  arrangement  by  the  society 
"would  give  to  exhibitors  a  much 
more  expensive  and  involved  arrange- 
ment for  the  payment  of  performance 
fees  than  they  had  prior  to  this  case." 
He  reminds  that  the  court  in  discuss- 
ing the  "per  piece"  idea  referred  to  it 
as  "commercially  impracticable." 

Levy's  analysis  carries  the  warning 
that  none  of  the  injunctive  relief  rec- 
ommended by  Judge  Leibell  in  favor 
of  the  plaintiff  exhibitors  "means  or 
is  intended  to  mean  the  elimination  of 
the  statutory  requirement  of  payment 
for  performance  rights,"  reiterating 
that_  "nothing  short  of  a  repeal  of  the 
pertinent  portion  of  the  Federal  Copy- 
right Law  could  accomplish  that." 

It  is  explained  by  Levy  that  the  de- 
cision as  it  presently  stands  "merely 
transfers  from  Ascap  to  the  motion 
picture  producers  the  privilege  of  col- 
lecting the  fees  for  performance 
rights." 

In  telling  TOA  members  that  they 
will  have  to  decide  for  themselves 
whether  the  decision  will  benefit  them 
as  exhibitors,  Levy  propounds  the 
question :  "Since  performance  rights 
must  be  paid  for,  would  you  prefer 
negotiating  with  Ascap  collectively  as 
exhibitors,  or  would  you  rather  the 
motion  picture  producers  did  it  for 
you  and  passed  the  charge  on  to  you 
as  increased  film  rental?" 

According  to  the  analysis,  "those 
who  are  informing  exhibitors  that 
they  will  now  get  performance  rights 
free  are  doing  those  exhibitors  a  great 
disservice." 


Film  Classics  Meets 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


order,  over  which  he  will  preside  with 
Joseph  Bernhard,  president. 

Delegates  who  will  attend  are 
branch  managers  Ralph  McCoy,  Nat 
Beier,  Joseph  Miller,  B.  A.  Slaughter, 
Jr.,  Edward  Spiers,  Leavitt  Bugie, 
Sanford  Gottlieb,  Ralph  Peckham, 
Tom  Bailey,  George  Lefko,  Sam 
Abrams,  Leslie  F.  Durland,  Robert  P. 
Abelson,  R.  H.  Hammond,  Jr.,  Max 
Mazur,  Richard  Stahl,  John  Mc- 
Kenna,  Harry  Decker,  Bob  Bernhard 
(latter  two  are  New  York  salesmen), 
Sol  Reif,  Morton  Magill,  Hyman 
Wheeler,  William  Shartin,  D.  J. 
Ederle,  Sam  Sobel,  Max  Cohen. 

Attending  division  managers  are : 
Jake  Lutzer,  Max  Roth,  Samuel 
Wheeler,  and  George  Waldman. 

D  avid  Home,  foreign  sales  man- 
ager, will  head  the  foreign  delegation 
consisting  of  I.  H.  Allen,  Canada ; 
Ralph  DeBrito,  Portugal ;  Samuel 
Bronston,  Philippines,  and  others. 


Key  City  Grosses 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
ture grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


LOS  ANGELES 


With  "On  an  Island  with  You," 
"Abbott  and  Costello  Meet  Franken- 
stein," "A  Foreign  Affair"  and 
"Canon  City"  opening  strong,  and 
with  "Key  Largo"  continuing  power- 
fully in  the  holdover  list,  first-runs 
stacked  up  better  than  they  have  in 
months.  Weather  and  counter-attrac- 
tions were  normal.  Estimated  receipts 
for  the  week  ended  July  28 : 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA) — GUILD  (965) 
(50c-60c-85c-$l.G0).  Gross:  $8,000.  (Aver- 
age: $5,450) 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA)— IRIS  (708)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $8,000.  (Average: 
$6,100) 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA)— RITZ  (1,376)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $11,000.  (Average: 
$9,050) 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA)— STUDIO  (880) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $8,500.  (Aver- 
age: $6,300) 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA)— UNITED  ART- 
ISTS (2,100)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross: 
$20,000.  (Average:  $9,580) 
CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L) — BELMONT  (1,600)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $6,500.  (Average: 
$5,750) 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)— EL  REY  (861)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00).  Gross:  $7,000.  (Average:  $5,700) 
CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)— ORPHEUM  (2,210)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $23,000.  (Average: 
$14,650) 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)— VOGUE  (800)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00).  Gross:  $8,000.  (Average:  $6,500) 
COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN  (Col. 
Re-release)  and  THE  INVADERS  (Col. 
Re-release)— MUSIC  HALL  (Beverly  Hills) 
(900)  (65c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $3,200.  (Av- 
erage: $3,150) 

COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN  (Col. 
re-release)  and  THE  INVADERS  (Col. 
re-release)— MUSIC  HALL  (Downtown) 
(900)  (65c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $7,000.  (Aver- 
age: $7,550) 

COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN  (Col. 
re-release)  and  THE  INVADERS  (Col.  re- 
release)— MUSIC  HALL  (Hawaii)  (1,000) 
(65c-85c-$1.00)  7  days.  Gross:  $3,200.  (Av- 
erage: $3,400) 

COMMANDOS  STRIKE  AT  DAWN  (Col. 
re-release)  and  THE  INVADERS  (Col.  re- 
release)— MUSIC  HALL  (Hollywood)  (490) 
(65c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $2,800.  (Average: 
$3,100) 

DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox)  and  THE 
CHECKERED  COAT  (20th-Fox)— CAR- 
THAY  CIRCLE  (1,516)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 
2nd  week.  Gross:  $6,000.  (Average:  $9,500) 
DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox)  and  THE 
CHECKERED  COAT  (20th-Fox) — CHIN- 
ESE (2.3CO)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $10,500.  (Average:  $13,000) 
DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox)  and  THE 
CHECKERED  COAT  ( 20th- Fox) — LOEWS 
STATE  (2.500)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.80)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $14,500.  (Average:  $19,800) 
DEEP    WATERS     (20th-Fox)    and  THE 


CHECKERED  COAT  (20th-Fox) — LOY- 
OLA (1,265)  (50c-65c-85c-$l.O0)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $8,500.  (Average:  $10,000) 
DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox)  and  THE 
CHECKERED  COAT  (20th-Fox) — UP- 
TOWN (1,716)  (50c-65c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $7,000.  (Average:  $10,000) 
A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)  and  BIG 
TOWN  SCANDAL  (Para.)  —  PARA- 
MOUNT (Downtown)  (3,595)  (50c-60c-80c- 
$1.00).  Gross:  $20,000.  (Average:  $16,450) 
A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)  and  BIG 
TOWN  SCANDAL  (Para.)  —  PARA- 
MOUNT (Hollywood)  (1,407)  (50c-60c-80c- 
$1.00).  Gross:  $18,200.  (Average:  $13,000) 
KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  MUSIC  MAN 
(Mono.)— WARNERS  (Downtown)  (3,400) 
(50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $18,- 
000.     (Average:  $13,730) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  MUSIC  MAN 
(Mono.)— WARNERS  (Hollywood)  (3,000) 
(50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $17,000. 
(Average:  $11,650) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  MUSIC  MAN 
(Mono.)— WARNERS  (Wiltern)  (2,300) 
(50c-60c-8Oc-$1.0O)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $14,- 
000.    (Average:  $11,220) 

LULU  BELLE  (Col.)  and  RUSTY  LEADS 

THE  WAY  (Col.)— HILLSTREET  (2,700) 
(50c-60c-80c-$1.00).  Gross:  |8,000.  (Aver- 
age: $18,950) 

LULU  BELLE  (Col.)  and  RUSTY  LEADS 
THE  WAY  (CoL) — PANTAGES  (2,000) 
(50c-60c-80c-$1.00).  Gross:  $7,000.  (Aver- 
age: $17,150) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 

EGYPTIAN       (1,000)  (5Oc-60c-85c-$1.0O). 

Gross:  $16,500.     (Average:  $11,900) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)- 

FOX-WILSHIRE  (2,300)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00). 

Gross:  $16,500.    (Average:  $12,850) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 

LOS  ANGELES   (2,096)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00). 

Gross:  $28,000.    (Average:  $18,100) 

THE   SEARCH    (M-G-M)— FOUR  STAR 

(900)    (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)   4th   week.  Gross: 

$7,000.     (Average:  $7,450) 


CHICAGO 


"Key  Largo"  and  "Street  with  No 
Name"  are  strong,  but  "Emperor 
Waltz"  continues  to  be  the  focal  point 
of  attendance.  Business  otherwise  is 
spotty.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ended  July  29 : 

BLACK  ARROW  (Col.)  and  ADVEN- 
TURES IN  SILVERADO  (Col.)— GAR- 
RICK  (1,000)  (S0c-65c-9Sc)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
S9.5C0.  (Average:  $10,000) 
EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— CHICAGO 
(3,900)  (50c-65c-98c)  2nd  week.  On  stage: 
Harmonicats.  Gross:  $62,000.  (Average: 
$53,500) 

FOUR    FEATHERS    (FC)    and  DRUMS 

(FC)—  GRAND  (1,150)  (50c-65c-98c).  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $15,000.  (Average:  $11,500) 
I  REMEMBER  MAMA  (RKO  Radio)— 
PALACE  (2,500)  (50c-65c-98c)  5  days,  2nd 
week.  MELODY  TIME  (RKO  Radio)  2 
days.  Gross:  $22,000.  (Average:  $21,000) 
KEY  LARGO  (WB)— STATE  LAKE  (2,- 
700)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $26,000.  (Aver- 
age: $25,000) 

MAN  IN  THE  IRON  MASK  (E-L)  and 
GENTLEMAN  AFTER  DARK  (ED- 
APOLLO  (1,200)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $12,- 
000.    (Average:  $14,000) 

MICKEY  (E-L)  —  ROOSEVELT  (1.500) 
(50c-65c-98c)  5  days,  2nd  week.  BEST 
YEARS  OF  OUR  LIVES  (RKO  Radio)  3 
days.  Gross:  $11,000.  (Average:  $18,000) 
ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA)— UNITED 
\RTISTS  (1.700)  (50c-65c-98c)  5  days,  2nd 
week.  SO  EVIL  MY  LOVE  (Para.)  2  days. 
Gross:  $15,000.  (Average:  $20,000) 
THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)— WOODS 
(1  080)  (98c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $25,000. 
(Average:  $23,000) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 

Fox) — ORIENTAL  (3,300)  (50c-65c-98c). 
On  stage:  Keenan  Wynn.  Gross:  $60,000. 
(Average:  $45,000) 


Canadian  Liaison 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Newman's  duties  will  include  the 
development  of  stories  for  the  Ameri- 
can newsreels  and  ideas  for  new  shorts 
to  be  shot  in  the  Dominion. 

Expectations  are  that  more  good 
film  material  about  Canada  will  ap- 
pear on  American  screens  and  a  larger 
number  of  features  will  be  photo- 
graphed in  whole  or  in  part  in  the 
Dominion  as  a  result  of  the  creation 
of  the  new  official  contact. 


Rank  Theatre  Clubs 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


from  three  to  five  categories :  specially 
suitable  for  children  over  seven ;  suit- 
able for  family  audiences ;  suitable  for 
adults  and  those  between  16  and  18 
years  of  age;  suitable  for  adults  only; 
"horrific." 

Debate  Is  Due 

A  debate  is  expected  to  be  provoked 
in  the  Council  chamber  over  the  rec- 
ommendations pertaining  to  Rank's 
children's  shows. 


New  Drive  -  Ins 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Fred  Quatrano  and  Murray  Holstein 
participating.  Simplex  Projector, 
among  those  servicing  the  expanded 
field,  reports  installations  at  Omak, 
Wash. ;  Uniontown,  Pa.,  and  Lubbock, 
Tex.  Minnesota  Entertainment  En- 
terprises is  encircling  the  Twin  Cities 
of  Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul  with 
drive-ins.  William  Sears  is  general 
manager  of  MEE.  Sue  Stewart  has 
been  operating  a  new  project  at  Hat- 
tiesburg,  Miss.,  since  June. 

Jack  Jossey  and  Kroger  Babb,  in- 
dependent film  distributors,  are  behind 
the  new  Northside  Drive-In  at  Wil- 
mington, O.,  where  the  project  also 
has  outdoor  seating  arrangements  for 
200.  Oklahoma  City  is  one  of  the 
few  Southwestern  cities  of  less  than 
300,000  with  three  operations,  the  Bee 
Gee  being  the  third.  Frank  Yassenoff, 
associated  with  Harold  Schwartz  in 
the  Riverside  and  Eastside  drivc-ins 
at  Columbus,  O.,  is  behind  the  new 
500-car  drive-in  in  Western  Franklin 
County,  Ohio,  which  also  has  two 
others. 

Among  the  Capital  District's  new 
drive-ins  is  Sidney  Lust's  between 
Hampton  and  Newport  News,  Va.,  a 
$150,000  project.  Associated  with 
Lust  is  James  Barnes,  Thurman  Hill 
and  Harry  Holt.  Its  architect,  George 
Petersen,  has  already  blue-printed  150 
drive-ins.  Tri-States  Theatres  plans 
a  drive-in  circuit  in  Iowa  and  Ne- 
braska, to  add  to  its  line  of  regular 
theatres.  Its  third  is  at  Cedar  Rap- 
ids ;  others  are  at  Des  Moines  and 
Omaha,  both  new  operations  this  sea- 
son, opening  last  May.  G.  Ralph 
Branton  is  general  manager. 


Quota  Is  Too  High 

(Continu-ed  from  page  1) 


ABPC  will  do  everything  possible  to 
help  fulfill  the  quota,  Sir  Philip  said 
he  has  conveyed  his  pessimistic  view 
of  the  quota  outlook  to  British  Board 
of  Trade  president  Harold  Wilson. 
The  new  quota  "is  too  high,"  Sir 
Philip  believes. 

Replying  to  criticism  that  ABPC  is 
dominated  by  Warner  Brothers  and 
does  not  have  sufficient  confidence  to 
finance  more  British  production,  Sir 
Philip  told  the  gathering  that  there  is 
no  suggestion  of  Warner  domination 
since  Americans  do  not  hold  a  major- 
ity of  shares  in  ABPC,  and  that  the 
proof  of  "our  concern  with  British 
production  is  the  1,000,000  pounds 
($4,000,000)  invested  in  independent 
production  and  the  750,000  pounds 
($3,000,000)  which  the  company  has 
spent  on  studio  reconstruction." 


"Star  Month"  Drive 
Is  Set  by  20th  -  Fox 

First  of  a  series  of  exploitation 
campaigns  will  be  inaugurated  next 
month  by  20th  Century-Fox  to  launch 
its  "Star  Month"  designed  to  give 
maximum  publicity  to  the  stars  in  two 
of  its  feature  releases  in  August,  "That 
Lady  in  Ermnie"  and  "Walls  of  Jeri- 
cho." Charles  Schlaifer,  advertising 
and  publicity  director,  points  out  that 
the  two  releases  feature  six  stars. 
Betty  Grable  and  Douglas  Fairbanks, 
Jr.,  in  the  former,  and  Cornel  Wilde, 
Linda  Darnell,  Anne  Baxter  and  Kirk 
Douglas  in  the  latter. 

Items, for  publicizing  the  event  in- 
clude special  trailers,  posters,  and 
lobby  displays,  as  well  as  publicity  for 
news,  radio  and  house  program  plant- 
ing. 


r 


MOTION  PICTURE 

HERALD 

July  24,  1948 


SWEPT 

at  a  prevue  of 


TEXASMXOOKLYN  HEAVEN 


m 


best  test  i"Xposefor^  Jinthecase    P  bte,  and  at  einent ^  ^ 

average  Pr0,THE  EpIT°K  t.    Said  011  a  not.     \  artici- 

**LJ  vftect.-W  n.  scan        &        ^as  audience  ^ 

and  directed  7  m0unt .  United  t  and  dis out  at 

Island,  ^'         starring  Gu?  There  wer  «  Staten  Islan ^  v^age 

•L  theatres  regon_„  altVv0UgVi  °_,rtau6n-,  -k  fc*  too_  sujr^,  «£n 
and  ''^f  BSr^yn  » 


One  of  the  most 
unusual  items  ever 
printed  in  o  trade 


tx.»  theatre  s  „  a\thougn 

*  ..Texas.  Btoo  j  the  audi- 
„road  *9**«  ijoed  a.  V>at- , 

things  and  haa 


it  doesn't _ rum^  ^ 
,t  v.,u,.  •  -  „  :rW-e  need  ^oie  Vft      It  was 

;0ved  .„  have  to  v>rv  ttw 

^ouid^^^Wonderiui-   ^   "It's  a 

like  this,      *      -o    comeo-y  > 
°*e  ,   ^air   Class  „ 

°uS'        i  reaUy  enjoy eu 

scream-  i 


Golden  Productions  Presents.  GUY  MADISON,  DIANA  LYNN  in  "TEXAS,  BROOKLYN  AND  HEAVEN" 
with  JAMES  DUNN,  MICHAEL  CHEKHOV,  FLORENCE  BATES,  LIONEL  STANDER. 
Screenplay  by  Lewis  Meltzer  based  on  the  Saturday  Evening  Post  Story  by  Barry  Benefield. 
Produced  by  Robert  S.  Golden.  Directed  by  William  Castle. 


released  thru  UA 


paper  . . .  a  great  I 
tribute  to  a  peach  of 
a  comedy... a  wacky 
story  about  wacky 
people!  o 


Accurate 
Concise 


Impartial 


MQltaN  PICTURE 

DAILY 


—JM.  NO.  22 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  AUGUST  2,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Para.Examines 
Capital  Plans 
On  Divestiture 


Complexity  of  Problem 
Spurs  Early  Studies 

Paramount  executives  have  be- 
gun a  study  of  possible  methods  of 
reducing  the  company's  capital 
structure  to  compensate  for  loss  of 
assets  and  earning  power  in  the  event 
divestiture  of  its  theatre  properties 
ultimately  is  ordered  by  the  court. 

Charting  the  course,  Barney  Bala- 
ban,  Paramount  president,  told  the 
company's  stockholders  at  their  an- 
nual meeting  last  June  that  "it  is  our 
aim  to  design  a  program  through 
which  any  proceeds  from  the  disposi- 
tion of  assets  will  be  applied  to  a  con- 
traction of  our  capital  so  that  the  end 
structure  will  be  adapted  to  the  assets 
and  earning  power  left." 

While  a  definite  program  of  con- 
traction must  await  the  final  court  de- 
(Contimied  on  page  4) 


MPEA  Seeks 
ECA  Dollars 


Washington,  Aug.  1.  —  Motion 
Picture  Export  Association  has  sub- 
mitted the  first  request  for  the  dollar 
guaranty  of  film  distribution  abroad 
with  the  Economic  Cooperation  Ad- 
ministration, an  ECA  spokesman  dis- 
closed at  the  weekend.  The  request 
was  made  in  behalf  of  all  MPEA 
companies  and  would  cover  Germany 
for  the  year  beginning  last  April,  it 
was  said. 

Under  the  legislation  which  ap- 
proved the  ECA  convertibility  pro- 
gram, a  total  of  $10,000,000  was  prom- 
ised all  information  media,  including 
motion  pictures. 


Davison,  Salt  Lake, 
Wins  Depinet  Drive 


Winners  of  the  11th  annual  "Ned 
Depinet  Drive"  were  disclosed  at  the 
weekend  by  Robert  Mochrie,  RKO 
Radio  distribution  vice-president,  as 
follows : 

Salt  Lake  City :  Giff  Davison,  man- 
ager, won  first  place  in  the  top  prize 
group.  Oklahoma  City :  Ralph  Wil- 
liams, manager,  took  second  place, 
with  Denver,  Joseph  Emerson,  man- 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


U.  S.  Government  Official  Links  Theatres  to 
Gin  Mills,  Poolrooms  ,Bef  ore  Congress 

Washington,  Aug.  1. — Theatres  were  classed  by  an  Administra- 
tion spokesman  with  "pool  halls  and  gin  mills"  as  the  type  of  con- 
struction that  would  be  choked  off  in  favor  of  more  essential 
home-building  if  President  Truman  were  granted  the  broad  alloca- 
tion and  other  control  powers  he  has  asked  of  Congress. 

The  Administration's  point  of  view  was  expressed  Friday  by  the 
President's  anti-inflation  adviser,  Paul  Porter,  in  testimony  before 
the  House  Banking  Committee. 

Congress  has  made  it  perfectly  plain  that  it  does  not  intend 
voting  these  powers. 

Porter  was  being  questioned  by  Rep.  Smith  (R.,  O.)  as  to  whether 
the  housing  legislation  sought  by  the  President  was  not  actually 
inflationary.  Wouldn't  the  housing  bill  take  materials  from  other 
construction,  create  further  shortages,  and  bid  up  prices  for  con- 
struction materials,  Smith  asked. 

Porter  replied  that  if  the  Administration  got  the  allocation  and 
other  powers  it  asked  for,  "I  think  you  can  stop  enough  gin  mills, 
pool  halls  and  theatres  to  get  the  materials  for  housing." 


55  Listed  by 
Screen  Guild 


A  Screen  Guild  Productions  release 
program  of  55  new  pictures  and  re- 
issues was  announced  by  Robert  L. 
Lippert,  president,  for  the  1948-1949 
season  at  a  sales  meeting  here  at  the 
weekend. 

The  line-up  will  consist  of  "The 
Mozart  Story";  two  "Exploitation 
Specials" :  "Harpoon"  and  "I  Killed 
Jesse  James" ;  six  "Box  Office  Win- 
ners r  "The  Return  of  Wildfire," 
"Grand  Canyon,"  "Last  of  the  Wild 
Horses,"  "Police  Force,"  "The  Black- 
mailers" and  "The  Ravagers" ;  eight 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


FC  to  Adopt 
Bonus  Plan 


Adoption  of  a  permanent  bonus  plan 
by  Film  Classics,  effective  Jan.  1, 
1949,  was  announced  at  the  weekend 
by  Joseph  Bernhard,  president,  at  the 
first  international  sales  meeting  of  the 
company,  held  at  the  Hotel  Astor  here. 
Under  the  bonus  system  all  personnel 
will  share  in  the  company's  profits, 
independent  of  special  sales  drives. 

B.  G.  Kranze,  general  sales  man- 
ager, listed  26  pictures  among  those 
to  be  released  before  the  end  of  1949. 
They  include  "Sofia,"  "Miraculous 
Journey,"  "Unknown  Island,"  "Babes 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


Shorter  Clearance  Plans 
Are  Making  Headway 


Minneapolis,  August  1. — Plans  of 
20th  Century-Fox  and  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer  to  advance  availability  to 
28  days  in  a  number  of  situations  in 
the  Twin  Cities  is  reportedly  making 
progress  as  wrinkles  in  the  new  for- 
mula are  being  ironed  out  both  by  the 
distributors  and.  the  theatres  involved. 
And  this  despite  outward  opposition 
and  under-the-table  pressure  from  va- 
rious exhibition  quarters. 

The  Volk  Brothers,  Nate  and  Sol 
Fisher  and  Marty  Lebedoff,  of  the 
Nile,  Varsity  and  Homewood,  respec- 
tively, in  Minneapolis,  are  said  to 
have  expressed  agreement  in  principle 
to  go  along  with  the  experiment  if  a 
majority  of  the  major  companies  grant 
the  same  run. 

Warners  alone  among  the  majors 
is  said  to  have  agreed  to  participate 


along  with  20th-Fox  and  M-G-M,  the 
former  having  offered  to  negotiate 
terms  on  "Life  With  Father,"  "Two 
Guys  From  Texas"  and  "Key  Largo" 
for  the  Varsity.  Also,  RKO  Radio 
and  Universal  are  understood  to  have 
submitted  the  28-day  plan  to  their 
home  offices.  Of  the  remaining  dis- 
tributors, only  United  Artists  has 
agreed  to  negotiate  28-day  runs  with 
the  designated  theatres. 

Metro  is  offering  to  negotiate  terms 
on  "Easter  Parade"  for  the  28-day 
run  houses,  with  the  picture  breaking 
September  19.  20th-Fox  will  have 
"Street  With  No  Name"  ready  for 
the  runs  either  September  16  or  23, 
but  Volk,  of  the  Nile,  is  not  satisfied 
with  the  picture  as  a  kickoff  film  on 
such  an  important  change  of  policy 
until  he  can  determine  its  value. 


Ascap  Appeal 
Decision  Is  up 
ToNewCounsel 


Full  -  Time  Attorneys 
Are  Sought  for  Case 


Decision  as  to  whether  or  not 
Ascap  will  appeal  from  the  New 
York  District  Court  decision  hold- 
ing most  of  its  theatre  licensing  ac- 
tivities to  be  in  violation  of  the  anti- 
trust laws  will  be  left  to  special  coun- 
sel to  be  retained  by  the  society  soon 
to  handle  the  case  exclusively,  Ascap 
officials  assert. 

At  a  recent  meeting  the  Ascap 
board  of  directors  approved  the  reten- 
tion of  special  outside  counsel  to  take 
over  all  future  phases  of  the  case.  No 
choice  of  counsel  has  been  made  yet. 
Ascap's  regular  counsel,  Schwartz 
and  Frohlich,  may  continue  to  act  in 
the  case  in  an  advisory  capacity,  it 
was  indicated,  but  the  aim  in  retaining 
outside  counsel  is  to  get  some  one  who 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


$4,000,000 
Tax  Increase 


Washington,  August  1. — General 
admission  tax  collections  in  June,  re- 
flecting May  box-office  business,  were 
close  to  $4,000,000  above  the  June 
1947  collections,  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of 
Internal  Revenue  reports.  This  is  the 
first  time  in  three  months  that  1948 
figures  exceeded  comparable  1947  col- 
lections. 

The  June  1948  figure  was  $31,639,- 
479,  compared  with  $27,829,982  in 
June  1947. 

General  admission  figures  include 
collections  from  ■sports  parks,  legiti- 
mate theatres  and  other  amusements 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


Senary  and  Hughes 
'Just  Did  Not  Agree' 


Boulder,  Colo.,  August  1. — Dore 
Schary,  vice-president  of  M-G-M  in 
charge  of  production,  proved  the  head- 
liner  of  the  Writer's  Conference,  now 
in  session  here,  when  he  talked  to  the 
group  Friday.  Vacationing  near  Den- 
ver for  three  weeks,  Schary  re- 
marked, concerning  his  leaving  the 
job  as  RKO  production  head,  that  he 
left  "before  Hughes  and  I  got  to  the 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


2 


Motion  Picture  daily 


Monday,  August  2,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

CHARLES  D.  PRUTZMAN,  Uni- 
versal  vice-president  and  general 
counsel,  is  scheduled  to  leave  here  for 
the  Coast  on  Thursday  for  a  studio 
visit  of  several  weeks. 

• 

Hugh  Owen,  Paramount' s  Eastern 
and  Southern  Sales  Manager,  will  re- 
turn to  his  desk  in  the  home  office  to- 
day from  conferences  in  Paramount  s 
branches  in  Atlanta  and  Jacksonville. 
• 

James  Mulvey,  Samuel  Goldwyn 
Productions  president,  left  New  York 
at  the  weekend  for  two  weeks  in 
Maine. 

Harry  Goldberg,  Warner  Theatres' 
advertising-publicity  director,  left  here 
yesterday  for  the  Coast. 

Leon  Bamberger,  RKO  Radio  sales 
promotion  manager,  will  return  here 
today  from  a  Minnesota  vacation. 

Max  Youngstein,  Eagle-Lion  ad- 
vertising-publicity vice-president,  is  m 
Cincinnati  from  New  York. 

• 

H.  M.  Richey,  M-G-M  exhibitor 
relations  chief,  is  due  back  here  today 
from  French  Lick,  Ind. 

• 

Milton  S.  Kusell,  Selznick  Re- 
leasing's  distribution  vice-president,  is 
here  from  the  Coast. 

• 

Sam  Shain,  20th-Fox  exhibitor  re- 
lations director,  left  for  Chicago  over 
the  weekend. 


Tradewise . 


Coast  Variety  to  Cite 
C.  P.  Skouras  Aug.  16 

Hollywood,  August  1.— Charles  P. 
Skouras,  president  of  Fox-West  Coast 
and  National  Theatres,  will  be  pre- 
sented with  the  Great  Heart  Award 
by  the  Variety  Club  of  Southern  Cali- 
fornia on  August  16  at  a  banquet  in 
the  Ambassador  Hotel  here,  with 
some  900  civic,  governmental,  social, 
scholastic,  institutional  and  industry 
leaders  to  be  in  attendance. 

National  Variety  Clubs  president 
Robert  O'Donnell  will  make  the  pres- 
entation. The  Great  Heart  Award, 
made  this  year  for  the  first  time,  is 
for  "unselfish  contributions  to  commu- 
nity betterment,  patriotic  endeavors, 
and  leadership  in  public  welfare  proj- 
ects." 


$1,860,000  Loan  to 
France's  Producers 

The  French  Assembly  has  voted  a 
400,000,000  franc  loan  (about  $1,860,- 
000)  to  the  French  motion-picture  in- 
dustry to  help  it  over  its  present  eco- 
nomic doldrums,  according  to  press 
dispatches  reaching  here  at  the  week- 
end. 

The  same  law  also  calls  for  an  ap- 
proximately 20  per  cent  tax  on  movie 
theatre  tickets  to  cover  the  loan,  which 
must  be  paid  by  the  end  of  1949. 

The  law  planned  originally  was  to 
call  for  additional  taxes  to  be  imposed 
on  foreign  films  dubbed  in  French. 


By  SHERWIN  KANE 


A UNIQUE  and  individual 
attack  upon  the  Federal 
admission  tax  is  being  carefully 
prepared  by  E.  R.  Holtz,  De- 
troit theatre  operator  and 
economist  (University  of  Michi- 
gan, '25). 

Confident  that  Congress  will 
give  serious  consideration  to 
changes  in  the  excise  tax  struc- 
ture next  year,  Holtz  has  begun 
marshaling  facts  and  figures  for 
presentation  to  hearing  commit- 
tees and,  if  his  interesting  theo- 
ry eventually  is  supported  by 
evidence  which  he  now  is  seek- 
ing, his  story  promises  to  carry 
far  more  weight  with  Federal 
legislators  than  do  the  custom- 
ary briefs  and  prepared  state- 
ments which  exhibition  fre- 
quently presents  at  such  hear- 
ings. 

Holtz's  theory,  in  brief,  is  that 
the  Government  is  not  being 
realistic,  nor  alive  to  the  best 
revenue-producing  tax  method 
in  maintaining  the  20  per  cent 
admission  tax  in  the  face  of  de- 
clining theatre  attendance. 

What  he  proposes  to  do  is  to 
show  the  legislators  that  elimi- 
nation or  reduction  of  the  20 
per  cent  admission  tax  is  likely 
to  increase  theatre  attendance 
and,  therefore,  corporate  profits, 
to  a  point  at  which  the  Govern- 
ment would  derive  more  revenue 
from  the  38  per  cent  corporate 
tax  than  it  could  hope  to  receive 
from  the  20  per  cent  admission 
tax. 

• 

It  is  Holtz's  theory  that  each 
$1,000,000  of  admission  tax  in 
today's  theatre  market  costs  the 
Government  $1,900,000  of  in- 
come tax.  His  prescription : 
Remove  the  admission  tax  and 
attendance  will  climb,  swelling 
corporate  profits,  taxable  at  38 
per  cent,  and  thereby  increasing 
the  Government's  "take." 

To  back  up  his  arguments, 
Holtz  is  seeking  the  experience 
of  other  exhibitors  who  have 
been  subjected  to  local  taxes  re- 
cently. He  wants  to  know  what 
percentage  of  decrease  in  attend- 
ance followed  imposition  of  a 
local  tax,  compared  with  at- 
tendance for  the  previous  month 
or  with  an.  equivalent  month  in 
the  preceding  year. 

Exhibitors  who  can  furnish 
such  information  to  Holtz  will 
help  bolster  what  may  be  a 
formidable  assault  on  the  admis- 
sion tax  next  year. 

In  Hollywood  last  week  Eric 
Johnston  told  reporters  he  had 


revised  his  estimate  of  1948 
British  film  earnings  in  this 
country  downward  from  the  $7,- 
000,000  he  predicted  on  his  re- 
turn following  conclusion  of  the 
film  tax  settlement  agreement  in 
Britain  last  spring  to  current 
estimate  of  less  than  $1,000,000. 

Few  of  those  in  a  position  to 
know  what  British  pictures  are 
doing  here  and  what  they  are 
likely  to  do  in  the  immediate 
future  will  take  issue  with 
Johnston's  revised  estimate. 

The  factors  which  have 
brought  about  that  lessening  of 
earnings  potential  of  British 
films  here  are  well  known.  They 
began  with  the  hamstringing  in- 
terpretations of  the  tax  settle- 
ment agreement  in  London 
which  removed  much  of  the  in- 
centive for  the  American  indus- 
try to  push  and  play  all  British 
films  sent  here  in  order  to  add 
to  the  $17,000,000  minimum  re- 
mittances of  the  settlement 
agreement. 

Secondly,  the  British  quota, 
generally  viewed  as  being  so 
impractical  and  unreasonable  on 
this  side  as  to  constitute  an  af- 
front to  the  American  industry, 
has  caused  many  American  ex- 
hibitors who  previously  were  in- 
clined, often  against  their  better 
judgment,  to  give  British  films 
a  trial,  to  change  their  minds. 

Again,  the  high  British  quota 
accompanied  by  outright  state- 
ments from  British  producers 
that  they  would  endeavor  to  sat- 
isfy the  home  market  first,  rath- 
er than  meet  world  market  film 
tastes,  put  all  exhibitors  here  on 
notice  that  the  forthcoming 
product  from  Britain  is  not  like- 
ly to  be  distinguished  by  quality. 
The  recently  announced  govern- 
ment plan  to  subsidize  British 
production  adds  to  that  impres- 
sion. Good  producers  don't  need 
subsidies  and  subsidized  produc- 
tion will  be  only  incidentally,  or 
accidentally,  box-office  produc- 
tion. 

A  final  factor  which  figures 
in  the  lesser  earnings  possibili- 
ties here  of  British  product  is 
consumer  resistance  because  of 
Britain's  record  on  Palestine. 

Add  to  all  of  that  the  fact  that 
patronage  for  even  some  good 
Hollywood  films  and  for  many 
mediocre  ones  is  off  here  and  it 
becomes  evident  why  the  earn- 
ings of  British  films  in  this 
market  will  not  approach  this 
year  the  something  more  than 
$2,000,000  they  are  estimated  to 
have  garnered  last  vear. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


THE  special  session  of  Congress 
marks  a  newsreel  highlight  in 
the  current  reels.  Other  items  are  the 
grasshopper  plague  in  Argentina 
zvhale  hunting,  sports  and  hmnan  in- 
terest events.  Complete  contents  fol- 
low. 

MOVIETONE   NEWS,   No.   61— Presi 

dent  Truman  demands  action  of  C  «s: 
in  special  session.  Senator  Taft  spt  Ai 
Republicans.  Canadian  ship  runs  aijijiind. 
Weapons  used  by  Army  demonstrated 
Whaling  revived.  Grasshopper  plague  in 
Argentina.  Chicago  celebrates  railroad  cen 
tennial.  Dog  show.  Skiing.  Racing. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  295— Ber- 
lin report.  Grasshopper  plague  in  South 
America.  Calgary  stampede.  Rodeo  thriller.' 
Ship  on  reef  has  amazing  escape.  Military 
magic.  Horsemanship  hurdle  test.  New  cure 
for  hot  weather. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  99— Can- 
adian ship  crash.  Railroad  fair  in  Chicago. 
West  Point  goes  Hollywood.  President  calls 
special  session  of  Congress.  Stymie  retires. 
Rodeo. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  165— Presi- 
dent Truman  calls  special  session  of  Con 
gress.  Pneumatic  weapons  demonstrated  at 
Fort  Bragg.  Grasshopper  plague  in  Argen- 
tina^ Whale  hunting  in  Canada.  Calis- 
thenics. Horse  jumping  tournament.  Calgary 
stampede. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  100— 

Congress  opens.  Fake  weapons  demonstrated 
by  Army.  Palestine  in  the  news.  Trygve  Lee! 
looks  over  Paris  site  of  UN  meet.  British 
Royal  Family  attends  Earl  of  Derby  wed- 
ding. Jet-fighters  land  in  Germany.  Calgary 
rodeo.  Great  events:  Panama  Canal. 


SOPEG  and  SPG  Ask 
For  New  Contracts 

United  Office  and  Professional 
Workers,  CIO's  film  industry  locals 
the  Screen  Office  and  Professiona 
Employees  Guild  .  Local  109  and  the 
Screen  Publicists  Guild  Local  114,; 
have  sent  letters  to  the  companies 
with  whom  they  have  contracts  ask- 
ing them  to  negotiate  new  ones. 

The  SPG  contracts  will  terminate 
September  26,  and  the  SOPEG  con- 
tracts on  September  27.  The  unions 
are  in  the  process  of  completing  their 
contract  proposals  and  electing  nego- 
tiating committees. 

The  contracts  affected  in  SPG  are 
with  Columbia,  Loew,  Paramount, 
Republic,  RKO,  20th  Century-Fox, 
United  Artists,  Warner  and  Universal. 

The  contracts  affected  in  SOPEG 
are  with  Columbia,  Loew,  NSS,  Para- 
mount, Republic,  RKO,  20th-Fox. 


UK  Film  Financing 
Blueprint  Is  Begun 

London,  Aug.  1. — Procedure 
under  which  the  organizing 
committee  for  the  $20,000,000 
British  Film  Finance  Corp. 
will  operate  was  agreed  upon 
at  the  weekend  at  a  Board  of 
Trade  meeting  here.  James 
H.  Lawrie  is  chairman  of  the 
organizing  group. 

Details  of  the  committee's 
course  of  action  were  not 
made  public.  However,  its 
goal  is  to  establish  ways  and 
means  whereby  BOT  presi- 
dent Harold  Wilson's  plan  for 
financing  independent  pro- 
duction here  can  be  set  in 
motion. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


BUSINESS  IS  GREAT 
on  the  STREET! 


f  NEW  YORK  ^ 


One  of  the  10  top 
grossers  in  10 -year 
Roxy  history! 


flONGRUNS!) 


5th  week 
4th  week 
3rd  week 


San  Francisco! 
Long  Beach! 
Pittsburgh! 


Cleveland!  Seattle! 


THE  LEAD-OFF  BOXOFFICE 
SENSATION  FOR  THE 
SECOND  HALF  OF  '48 . . . 

From  the  company  that  led  all 
the  industry  in  Boxoffice  cham- 
pions and  Variety  scoreboard 
hits  the  first  six  months  of  '48! 


(  HOLDOVERS! 


Running  apace  of  record  run  figures  in 
DETROIT  •  CHICAGO  •  BALTIMORE  • 
CINCINNATI  •  PORTLAND  •  PHOENIX  • 
SPOKANE  •  DAYTON  •  OAKLAND  • 
ALLENTOWN! 


CENTURY-FOX 


From  the  files 
of  the  FBI! 


THE  STREET 
WITH  NO  NAME 


Starring 


MARK  STEVENS  -  RICHARD  WIDMARK 


with 


LLOYD  NOLAN  -  BARBARA  LAWRENCE 


Ed  Begley.  Donald  Buka- Joseph  Pevney .John  Mel ntire . Walter  Greaza  •  Howard  Smith 
Directed  by  WILLIAM  KEIGHLEY  •  Produced  by  SAMUEL  G.  ENGEL 

Original  Screen  Play  by  Harry  Kleiner 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  August  2,  1948 


Young  in  Rosen  Post 
WithFabian-Hellman 


Davison  Wins  Drive 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


ager,  third,  and  Charlotte,  Rovy 
Branon,  manager,  fourth. 

Toronto:  Jack  Bernstein,  manager, 
won  first  place  in  Canada,  with  Mon- 
treal, Murray  Devaney,  manager, 
second. 

The  three  group  division  prize  win- 
ners, with  two  winners  in  each  group 
are  as  follows :  Group  one :  first,  At- 
lanta, Hubert  Lyons,  manager;  sec- 
ond, Dallas,  Sol  Sachs,  manager ; 
group  two:  first,  Pittsburgh,  Dave 
Silverman,  manager ;  second,  Minne- 
apolis, Fay  Dressell,  manager ;  group 
three:  first,  Sioux  Falls,  Sherman 
Fitch,  manager;  second,  Des  Moines, 
Max  Rosenblatt,  manager. 

District  managers'  prizes:  first,  Al 
Kolitz,  Rocky  Mountain;  second,  Leo 
Devaney,  Canadian;  third,  Dave 
Prince,  Southeastern. 

Best  salesmen:  R.  Richardson,  East  Cen- 
tral; Earl  Dyson,  Frairie;  Harry  Levinson, 
Western;  Maurice  Basse,  Southwestern; 
Morris  Anderson,  Midwestern;  William 
Canelli,  Northeastern;  Tom  Watson,  South- 
eastern; Herman  Silverman,  Metropolitan; 
James  Rea,  Canada;  David  Silverman, 
Eastern. 

Home  office  representatives:  first,  Frank 
Duffy;  second,  Paul  Back-Milton  Yeoman; 
third,  George  Jacoby. 

Field  supervisors:  first,  Robert  Hickey; 
second,  David  Cantor;  third,  Harry  Reiners. 

Field  exploitation  winners:  T.  B.  ,Mc- 
Cormick,  Denver;  Ed  Terhune,  Dallas; 
William  Prager,  Washington;  Gene  Gaud- 
ette,  Minneapolis;  Charles  Kinney,  Atlan- 
ta; Ed  Holland,  Des  Moines;  Alan  Wieder, 
Pittsburgh;  George  Degnon,  Toronto;  Fred 
Calvin,  Los  Angeles;  Hugh  MacKenzie, 
Cincinnati;  Wally  Heim,  Chicago;  Doug 
Beck,  Philadelphia;  Lloyd  Muir,  Vancou- 
ver; Joe  Longo,  San  Francisco. 

New  Foreign  Film 
Company  in  N.  Y. 

Joseph  Green,  Michael  Hyams  aad 
Alexander  Parkson  have  formed 
Gramercy  Films,  Inc.,  here.  First  re- 
lease will  be  "Marriage  in  the 
Shadows,"  recently  completed  in 
Berlin.  It  will  open  at  the  Little  Met 
in  September,  with  English  titles. 

Green  and  Hyams,  owners  of  the 
Little  Met,  the  Hopkinson,  the  City 
and  Irving  Place  theatres,  have  also 
acquired  for  distribution  here  the  Ital- 
ian film,  "The  Wandering  Jew,"  and 
a  new  Swedish  picture,  "Waiting 
Room  for  Death,"  which  they  will  dis- 
tribute through  their  own  organiza- 
tion, Globe  Film  Distributors. 


Tax  Increase 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

as  well  as  motion  picture  theatres,  but 
do  not  include  night  club  taxes  and 
taxes  on  various  brokers'  sales  and 
overcharges.  June  collections  for  all 
of  these  categories  amounted  to  $36,- 
262,679,  compared  with  $32,417,990 
last  year. 

Biggest  Campaign 
Ever  for  'Joan9 

S.  Barret  McCormick,  national  di- 
rector of  advertising  for  RKO  Radio, 
reports  that  the  national  campaign  for 
"Joan  of  Arc"  will  be  "the  biggest 
effort  ever  made  to  presell  a  motion 
picture  to  the  world."  There  will,  in 
fact,  be  two  campaigns.  The  presell- 
ing  schedule,  just  starting,  and  the 
general  release  campaign  to  follow. 


Form  E-L  Club 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  1.  —  Eagle 
Lion  Family  Club,  Inc.,  E-L  home 
office  employes  group,  has  been  char- 
tered here. 


WB  Latin  Chiefs 
Meet  Here  Today 

Wolfe  Cohen,  vice-president  of 
Warner  International,  will  preside  at 
a  two-week  sales  meeting  of  Warner 
Latin  American  heads  starting  today 
at  the  company's  home  office.  Arriv- 
ing over  the  weekend  for  the  meet- 
ings were  Ary  Lima  from  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  Peter  Colli  from  Havana 
and  Mike  Sokol,  general  manager  of 
Mexico. 

In  addition  to  Cohen,  home  office 
executives  attending  will  be :  Karl 
Macdonald,  vice-president  of  Warner 
International ;  John  J.  Glynn,  vice- 
president  and  treasurer ;  Gerry  Key- 
ser,  in  charge  of  foreign  publicity  and 
advertising,  and  John  Maraio  of  the 
contract  department. 


FC  Bonus  Plan 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

in  Toyland,"  "Return  to  Treasure 
Island,"  "Daughter  of  Ramona," 
"Fatima,"  "Pocahontas,"  "Hellfire," 
"Bar  Mothers,"  "Shark  Man,"  "Ap- 
pointment for  Murder,"  "Hellgate," 
"Strange  Case  of  Malcolm  Craig," 
"God's  Children,"  "Florentine  Chest," 
"Capri  Magic,"  "Gay  Street,"  "Satur- 
day's Odds,"  "Anyone  Can  Enter," 
"Woman  of  One  Hundred  Faces," 
"The  Judge,"  an  untitled  State  De- 
partment story  and  three  Inner  Sanc- 
tum mysteries. 

An  increase  of  70  per  cent  in  terri- 
torial business  since  mid-February  was 
reported  by  Kranze. 

Eight  promotions  were  announced 
by  Kranze,  as  follows :  Jake  Lutzer, 
from  Dallas  exchange  manager  to 
Southern  division  manager ;  Jules  K. 
Chapman,  from  assistant  general  man- 
ager to  assistant  general  sales  man- 
ager ;  Ralph  Peckham,  from  Atlanta 
branch  manager  to  be  Lutzer's  suc- 
cessor; George  Lefko,  from  Indianap- 
olis branch  manager  to  Detroit  man- 
ager ;  John  McKenna,  from  New 
York  salesman  to  head  of  the  same 
office;  Louis  Bernhard,  formerly  sales- 
man in  St.  Louis  and  New  Haven,  to 
head  of  the  home  office  playdate  and 
liquidation  department;  Ed  Spiers, 
from  branch  manager  of  the  Milwau- 
kee exchange  to  branch  manager  of 
the  Chicago  exchange ;  Bob  Bernhard, 
from  salesman  in  the  New  York  ex- 
change to  assistant  to  David  Home, 
foreign  sales  manager. 

Besides  Bernhard  and  Kranze, 
speakers  at  the  meeting  included  Jules 
K.  Chapman ;  Al  Zimbalist,  advertis- 
ing-publicity head ;  Eugene  Arnstein, 
executive  assistant  treasurer ;  David 
Home ;  Ted  Birnbaum,  assistant  to 
Kranze;  Herbert  S.  Stern,  general 
counsel ;  Albert  Mannheimer,  head  of 
exchange  operations,  and  William 
Markert,  print  department  head. 


Para.  Examines 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

cision  on  theatre  holdings,  a  Para- 
mount spokesman  pointed  to  the  com- 
plexities involved  in  any  financial  pro- 
gram of  the  type  as  reason  for  the 
present  study  of  systems  of  shrinking 
capitalization. 

One  of  many  programs  in  mind,  it 
was  said,  would  be  the  surrender  to 
the  company  of  half  of  the  outstand- 
ing common  shares  by  holders  who, 
in  turn,  would  receive  preferred  se- 
curities of  equal  value.  These  would 
be  redeemable  on  call,  that  is,  when 
Paramount  is  forced  to  sell  theatres, 
and  with  the  extent  of  the  redemption 
being  commensurate  with  the  loss  of 
earning  power  of  theatres  divested. 


Ascap  Appeal 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

can  give  full  time  and  exclusive  atten- 
tion to  the  case. 

All  future  conduct  of  the  case,  as 
well  as  a  decision  on  an  appeal,  will 
be  left  to  the  special  counsel,  Ascap 
officials  said. 

An  order  giving  effect  to  Judge 
Vincent  Leibell's  decision  in  the  case 
against  Ascap  brought  by  members  of 
the  Independent  Theatre  Owners  of 
New  York  is  not  expected  to  be  en- 
tered by  the  court  before  September. 
Indications  are  that  Ascap  will  apply 
for  a  stay  of  judgment  immediately 
thereafter  and  the  society  will  have  90 
days  from  the  date  of  entry  of  the 
order  in  which  to  take  an  appeal  to 
the  U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals 
here. 

Thus,  Ascap  has  until  approximate- 
ly the  end  of  the  year  in  which  to 
make  its  decision  on  an  appeal. 

If  the  society  decides  to  appeal,  the 
Circuit  Court  might  decide  the  case 
by  next  summer  and  appeals  could  be 
taken  to  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court 
thereafter.  Final  disposition  of  the 
case,  therefore,  could  be  at  least  18 
months  away  and,-  meanwhile,  no 
change  in  Ascap's  theatre  licensing 
procedure  would  occur,  providing,  of 
course,  the  lower  court's  judgment  is 
stayed. 

Sacks  Will  Produce, 
Distribute  for  Video 

Dallas,  Aug.  1. — Sack  Television 
Enterprises  has  been  formed  here  by 
the  Sack  brothers,  Alfred,  Lester  and 
Julius  M.  Sack,  to  operate  in  the 
television  film  field  on  a  long-range 
program  of  production  and  distribu- 
tion. Julius  Sack,  former  sales  pro- 
motion manager  for  Schenley  distil- 
leries and  one-time  theater  executive, 
has  joined  the  new  venture  with  his 
brothers  who  have  operated  Sack 
Amusement  Enterprises  since  1919. 
Julius  will  be  sales  manager  and  East- 
ern head.  Robert  M.  Moscow  will 
continue  as  production  manager  with 
headquarters  in  Dallas. 


Schary  and  Hughes 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

point  of  being  mad  at  each  other." 
He  emphasized,  however,  that  they 
parted  good  friends.  Schary  said  the 
reason  for  the  parting  was  that  he 
and  Hughes  "just  did  not  agree  on 
basic  things  at  the  studio." 
.  Schary  discussed  "Hollywood  and 
the  Writer"  and  he  left  the  impression 
that  any  writer  who  goes  to  Holly- 
wood with  something  good  would  re- 
ceive mighty  fine  pay  in  return. 

Schary  revealed  that  more  than  $6,- 
500,000  was  paid  for  stories  by  Holly- 
wood in  1946,  with  salaries  running 
from  junior  writers  at  $75  to  others 
at  $7,500  a  week.  But  he  pointed  out 
that  the  latter  figure  is  achieved  in- 
frequently, and  not  over  a  long  period. 

In  hitting  at  criticism  of  Hollywood 
Schary  said,  "I  believe  that  anyone 
who  has  worked  hard  and  long  in 
Hollywood  has  a  right  to  criticize  it. 
I  believe  people  who  have  made  a 
contribution  have  a  right  to  demand 
further  reforms  and  changes  in  atti- 
tudes and  technique,  but  people  who 
come  out  to  take  money  and  dine  in 
the  best  restaurants  and  live  in  the 
peripheral  social  life  of  Hollywood 
arid  then  damn  it,  these  people  I  have 
no  patience  with  and  they  have  no 
right  to  damn." 


Albany,   N.   Y.,   Aug.    1.  —  Leo  j 
Rosen  has  resigned  as  assistant  gen-  f 
eral    manager     of  Fabian-Hellman 
Drive-in  Theatres.   Leo  Young,  form-  j 
erly  RKO  exploiteer  in  Buffalo,  Al-  ']  \ 
bany,   Philadelphia  and  other  cities 
and  a  district  manager  with  Snider 
circuit  in  Maine,  succeeds  him. 

Rosen  quit  as  manager  of  Warners'  ; 
Strand  in  March,  1947,  after  19  years 
with  that  circuit  to  go  to     Fa       t  - 
Hellman.    He  enters  a  local  hoi^J*  \] 
tomorrow  for  an  operation. 

Screen  Guild 


"Showman's  Group" :  "The  Prairie,"  j  i 
"SOS     Submarine,"     "Shep  Comes 
Home,"  "Jungle  Goddess,"  "Redwood  !  t 
Empire,"  "Sky  Liner,"  "The  Return 
of  the  Saint"  and  "City  Hospital" ; 
eight   "Anniversary    Group" :  "Rim- 
fire,"  "Police  Woman,"  "The  Great  : 
Truck  Mystery,"  "Trail's  End,"  "No  ||  I 
Escape,"  "The  Woman  in  Black,"  and 
two  untitled  films;  Six  Lash  La  Rue 
westerns;    two   "specials" :    "Son  of 
Jesse  James"  and  "Son  of  Billy  the 
Kid";    four   "Regulars,"   to   be  an- 
nounced ;     six    "Proven    Pictures" : 
"Runaway  Daughter,"  "King  of  the 
Turf,"  "Little  Annie  Rooney,"  "Duke 
of  West  Point,"  "That's  My  Boy" 
and  "Flirting  With  Fate";  12  Hopa- 
long  Cassidys. 



8  Westerns  to  Savini 

R.  M.  Savini,  president  of  Astor 
Pictures,  has  signed  a  reissue  distri- 
bution deal  for  eight  "Wild  Bill" 
Elliott  Western  features.  The  con- 
tract, covering  both  35mm.  and  16mm. 
rights,  is  for  seven  years. 


fly 

|    Uni fed's  DC-6 
Mainliner  300 
onestop  flight 

Leave  New  York  12:15 
pm,  arrive  in  Los  An- 
geles at  8:25  pm. 

Fares  are  surprisingly 
low  Flights  operate  on 
Standard  time. 

UNITED 

U    AIR  LINES 

NEW  YORK  &  BROOK- 
IS  LYN:  Call  Murray  Hill 
1  2-7300. 

1  NEWARK:  Call  Market 
p|  2-1122  or  an  authorized 
|§t      travel  agent. 


Screen  Guild 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


MOT  PICTURE 

DAILY 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  AUGUST  3,  1948 


64.   NO.  23 


TEN  CENTS 


Theatre  Takes 
Showing  Some 
Improvement 

Weekly  Average  Rose  to 
$14,210  During  June 

Theatre  grosses  showed  some  im- 
provement during  June,  according 
to  reports  on  some  170  key  situations 
received  from  Motion  Picture 
Daily  correspondents  in  the  field. 
Although  it  was  of  very  modest  pro- 
portions, the  improvement  pointed  to 
the  possibility  that  theatre  business 
generally  would  continue  to  hold  its 
own  through  the  summer. 

Weekly  average  gross  per 
theatre  in  June  rose  to  $14,210, 
from  the  previous  month's  $14,- 
163,  which  was  the  low  point  of 
this  year.  Weekly  average  for 
June,  1947,  was  $15,279. 

"Homecoming"  took  the  box-office 
lead.  Tied  for  second  place,  but  con- 
siderably behind  the  leader,  were  "The 
Pirate"  and  "The  Fuller  Brush  Man." 
Following  closely  in  third  spot  was 
"Arch  of  Triumph." 

Other   films   which   appeared  fre- 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Milder  and  Payette, 
WB  Officials,  Die 


Death  on  Sunday  took  two  promi- 
nent Warner  executives :  Max  Milder, 
in  England,  after  a  long  illness,  and 
John  J.  Payette,  of  heart  and  kidney 
ailments,  in  Washington. 

Milder  resigned  as  Warner  manag- 
ing director  in  England  last  month, 
but  remained  as  managing  director  of 
Associated  British  Pictures  Corp.,  a 
large  interest  in  which  is  owned  by 
Warners.  He  had  been  in  the  indus- 
try 36  years,  the  last  17  of  them  in 
the  top  W'arner  post  in  England.  C. 
J.  Latta,  formerly  Albany  zone  man- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


P.  A.  Powers,  Film 
Veteran,  Dies  at  79 


Funeral  services  for  P.  A.  Powers, 
industry  veteran  who  died  of  coronary 
thrombosis  at  Doctors  Hospital  here 
late  on  Friday,  were  scheduled  to  be 
held  today  in  Buffalo.  Burial  is  to  be 
in  his  native  upstate  village  of  Lime- 
stone.   Powers  was  79. 

Survivors  are  an  adopted  daughter, 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Illinois  Theatre  May 
Sue  to  Get  Bidding 

Chicago,  August  2. —  Weldon  Al- 
len, operator  of  the  390-seat  Grove 
theatre,  at  Galesburg,  111.,  has  re- 
tained attorney  Seymour  Simon,  for- 
mer assistant  U.  S.  Attorney  General, 
to  file  an  action  against  major  dis- 
tributors to  enforce  his  right  to  com- 
petitive bidding  and  for  past  damages, 
which  may  run  over  $100,000. 

Prior  to  1947,  Allen  operated  the 
Grove  on  a  second-run  policy,  but 
since  has  alternated  with  first-run 
United  Artists  product  and  second- 
run  product.  Although  competing 
against  houses  operated  by  Great 
States,  Allen  claims  that  by  playing 
extended  runs  he  can  pay  the  equi- 
valent or  higher  film  rental  than  com- 
peting houses.  On  a  second-run,  the 
Grove  grosses  from  $600  to  $700  a 
week,  while  first-run  grosses  have 
reached  $2,500.  His  fight  against  af- 
filiated circuit  competition  is  told  in 
Fortune  Magazine  for  August,  ■  in 
which  he  disclosed  that  he  had  con- 
sidered court  action. 


Canadian  Theatres 
Get  24%  Tax  Rebate 


Toronto,  August  2. — Ontario  thea 
tres  gained  two  concessions  from  the 
provincial  government  in  connection 
with  the  20  per  cent  amusement  tax 
which  was  effected  last  April.  Be- 
cause of  vigorous  complaints  from  ex- 
hibitors throughout  the  province  the 
government  has  announced  the  adop- 
tion of  a  simplified  form  of  tax  re- 
ports to  accompany  monthly  remit- 
tances to  the  Treasury  Department, 
and  has  granted  a  commission  of  2z/2 
per  cent  on  tax  payments  to  theatres 
for  acting  as  collecting  agency,  retro- 
active to  last  spring. 


AFM -Producers  Meet 
In  Chicago tAug.  9 

Hollywood,  August  2. — Pro- 
ducers and  their  labor  rep- 
resentatives will  open  new 
contract  negotiations  with 
James  C.  Petrillo,  American 
Federation  of  Musicians  pres- 
ident, in  Chicago  on  August 
9,  for  pacts  for  studio  mu- 
sicians. 

The  AFM  board  of  directors 
is  also  scheduled  to  hold  its 
meeting  in  Chicago  starting 
on  the  same  date. 


Balaban  Heads  TOA 
Convention  Group 

Ted  R.  Gamble,  president  of  the 
Theatre  Owners  of  America,  has  ap- 
pointed John  Balaban,  secretary-treas- 
urer of  Balaban  and  Katz,  Chicago, 
as  general  chairman,  and  Edward  G. 
Zorn,  president  of  the  United  Theatre 
Owners  of  Illinois,  vice-chairman,  of 
the  TOA  convention  committee.  The 
convention  will  be  held  at  the  Drake 
Hotel,  Chicago,  September  24-25,  with 
some  preliminary  meetings  on  Sep- 
tember 23. 

Stanley  W.  Prenosil,  assistant  to 
Gael  Sullivan,  executive  director  of 
the  TOA,  has  left  here  for  Chicago 
to  confer  with  Balaban  and  Zorn  on 
convention  plans  and  the  setting  up  of 
convention  committees. 

"Many  small  exhibitors  have  al- 
ready written  for  reservations,  and 
most  of  the  circuit  heads  on  the  as- 
sociation's membership  list  also  have 
signified  their  intention  to  attend,"  said 
the  TOA. 

Gamble,  Robert  W.  Coyne,  TOA 
executive  and  Sullivan,  are  now  lining 
up  speakers. 


Germany's  First-Runs 
Devastated,  Says  Maas 


Continue  Music  Tax, 
Okla.  Group  Urges 

Oklahoma  City,  August  2. — The- 
atre Owners  of  Oklahoma,  in  an  or- 
ganizational bulletin,  expresses  the 
opinion  that  the  only  ultimate  effect 
of  the  Ascap  injunction  in  New  York 
probably  will  be  a  new  method  of  pay- 
ing for  music,  and  advises  its  mem- 
bers not  to  halt  payments  for  music 
at  this  time. 

The  organization  expressed  doubt 
as  to  whether  the  Ascap  ruling  is  to 
be  considered  a  victory  for  exhibitors, 
although  it  is  so  heralded  by  some. 


In  the  four  top  British-zone  Ger- 
man cities  just  visited  by  Irving  Maas, 
vice-president  and  general  manager  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Export  Associa- 
tion, one  thing  was  found  in  common : 
the  devastating  toll  of  first-run  thea- 
tres taken  by  World  War  II.  Visited 
were  Dusseldorf,  Cologne,  Bremen 
and  Hamburg,  reports  Maas  from 
Germany  to  the  MPEA  here. 

Dusseldorf,  which  in  prewar  days 
was,  second  to  Berlin,  the  most  im- 
portant revenue-producing  city  in  Ger- 
many, is  a  complete  shambles.  Left 
standing  are  only  three  secondary 
houses.  In  a  little  better  condition  is 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


RKO  Weighing 
Purchase  of 
Music  Rights 

Plan  Said  to  Hinge  on 
Result  of  Ascap  Appeal 

Purchase  of  performing  as  well 
as  recording  rights  to  musical  com- 
positions as  a  future  policy  is  un- 
derstood to  be  under  consideration 
by  RKO  Radio  as  result  of  the  Fed- 
eral Court  decision  finding  Ascap 
guilty  of  violating  the  anti-trust  laws 
in  the  action  brought  against  the  so- 
ciety by  164  members  of  the  Indepen- 
dent Theatre  Owners  Association  of 
New  York.  Adoption  of  the  policy  is 
said  to  be  contingent  upon  the  final 
outcome  of  the  case  on  appeal. 

The  opinion  of  Judge  Vincent  L. 
Leibell  places  RKO  Radio  in  a  differ- 
ent position  than  other  members  of  the 
"Big  Five"  in  that  the  company  ex- 
ercises no  interest  in  the  music  pub- 
lishing field. 

A  basis  for  the  company's  proposed 
policy  of  buying  both  rights  to  music 
is  found  in  the  court's  ruling  in  the 
case.  In  his  decision  Judge  Leibell 
enjoined  Ascap  from  collecting  music 
performing  rights  fees  from  exhibitors 
and  suggested  that  the  music  copy- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


20th-Fox  Files  for 
N.Y.  Video  Permit 


Washington,  August  2. — Twentieth 
Century-Fox  today  asked  the  Federal 
Communications  Commission  for  per- 
mission to  operate  an  experimental 
television  station  in  New  York.  Fox, 
which  has  applications  pending  for  five 
commercial  video  stations,  said  the 
New  York  station  would  be  used  to 
test  television  transmitters  in  very 
high  frequencies  for  possible  eventual 
use  in  theatre  television. 


Brazil  Suspends  All 
Film  Price  Controls 


Central  Price  Commission  order 
No.  78  suspending  all  price  controls 
on  both  theatre  admissions  and  film 
rentals  throughout  Brazil  is  now  in 
effect,  according  to  a  cablegram  re- 
ceived yesterday  from  Rio  de  Janeiro 
by  the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America. 

The  order  provides  that  the  suspen- 
sion will  continue  in  effect  until  a 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  August  3,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

V/  FRANK  FREEMAN.  Para- 
Y  ,  mount  vice-president  in  charge 
of  studio  operations,  arrived  here  yes- 
terday from  Hollywood.  He  will  re- 
main in  New  York  for  several  weeks. 
• 

William  A.  Scully,  Universal-In- 
ternational vice-president  and  general 
sales  manager,  and  Maurice  Berg- 
max.  Eastern  advertising-publicity 
manager,  will  leave  here  by  plane  Fri- 
dav  for  the  Coast. 

• 

Johx  H.  Rugge,  assistant  to  War- 
ner personnel  director  Ralph  W. 
Bubd.  and  Mrs.  Rugge  have  become 
parents  of  a  son,  John  H.,  Jr.,  born 
on  Saturday  at  Hackensack  Hospital, 
N.  J. 

Carol  Reed,  director,  and  Gra- 
ham Greene,  author,  are  due  here 
tomorrow  from  England  en  route  to 
Hollywood  for  conferences  with  David 
O.  Selzxick. 

• 

George  Spires  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Herald  staff  and  Mrs.  Spires 
have  become  parents  of  a  son,  born 
Sunday  at  Bay  Ridge  Hospital, 
Brooklyn. 

• 

Ted  R.  Gamble,  head  of  Monarch 
Theatres  and  president  of  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  is  expected  here 
August  11  from  his  home  in  Portland, 
Ore. 

Mort  Blumex  stock,  Warner  ad- 
vertising-publicity vice-president,  will 
fly  to  San  Antonio  today  from  New 
York. 

• 

Steve  Broidy,  Allied  Artists-Mono- 
gram president,  arrived  on  the  Coast 
vesterday  after  six  weeks  in  New 
York. 

• 

Fred  Meyers,  Universal-Interna- 
tional Eastern  division  sales  manager, 
is  due  back  here  tomorrow  from  Bos- 
ton. 

• 

Max  E.  Youxgsteix,  Eagle-Lion 
advertising-publicity  vice-president, 
has  arrived  in  Cincinnati. 

• 

George  Sussmax  of  Astor  Pictures' 
Pamo  Film  Exchange,  Buffalo,  was  in 
New  York  last  weekend. 

• 

Hugh  Owex,  Paramount  home  of- 
fice sales  executive,  is  in  Jacksonville, 
Fla. 

• 

Joseph  Burstyx  of  Mayer  and  Bur- 
styn  has  left  here  for  a  European  tour. 


Ross  McLean  to  England 

Ottawa,  August  2. — Ross  McLean, 
commissioner  of  the  Canadian  Film 
Board,  has  left  here  for  England  and 
the  Continent  to  promote  the  distribu- 
tion of  Canadian  government  films.  He 
will  confer  with  his  former  chief,  John 
Grierson  in  England.  Grierson  is  pro- 
ducing documentaries  for  the  British 
government  and  an  interchange  of 
prints  with  Canada  is  promised. 


Olympics  Coverage 
Dispute  Resolved 

Loxdox,  August  2. — Settlement  of 
the  controversy  over  J.  Arthur  Rank's 
deal  with  the  14th  Olympiad  commit- 
tee for  exclusive  film  rights  to  the 
festival  under  way  here  has  been  re- 
solved by  reserving  for  Rank  exclu- 
siveness  only  as  to  the  special  Techni- 
color film,  "NIYth  Olympiad — The 
Glory  of  Sport,"  which  is  being  pre- 
pared under  the  direction  of  Castleton 
Knight.  Rank  paid  £25,000  ($100,- 
000)  for  the  film  rights. 

All  newsreels  will  be  represented 
in  the  arrangements,  each  having  paid 
Rank  £2,000  (S8.000).  Their  black- 
and-white  "takes"  will  go  into  a  com- 
mon pool  available  to  each  of  the 
reels.  Laboratory  resources  also  have 
been  pooled. 

Technicolor  is  reportedly  supplying 
Rank  with  800,000  feet  of  negative 
along  with  19  specially  adapted  cam- 
eras. The  Olympiad  will  finish  Au- 
gust 14. '  The  film  will  be  given  its 
London  screening  on  September  2. 

Meanwhile,  British  Broadcasting 
has  been  training  all  of  its  manpower 
and  equipment  at  Wembley  for  tele- 
vision coverage  of  hitherto  untried  di- 
mensions. BBC,  hoping  to  score  a  tri- 
umph over  the  newsreels,  is  putting 
its  greatest  reliance  on  its  new  C.P.S. 
Emitron  cameras  specially  designed 
and  made  for  it  by  Electrical  and  Mu- 
sical Industries.  Chief  merit  of  the 
cameras,  according  to  BBC  experts, 
is  that  a  minimum  amount  of  light  is 
needed  in  their  operation. 


MPEA  Board  Meets 
On  French  Proposal 

Re-negotiation  of  the  Blum-Byrnes 
film  accord,  now  current  in  Paris, 
was  taken  up  by  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  Motion  Picture  Export 
Association  at  a  meeting  here  yester- 
day. This  statement  was  issued  after 
the  session : 

"After  receiving  additional  reports 
by  telephone  from  Paris  and  after 
considering  the  various  aspects  of  the 
negotiations,  the  board  of  the  MPEA 
agreed  that  the  latest  proposal  from 
Paris  should  be  referred  to  Eric  A. 
Johnston,  MPEA  president,  now  on 
the  Pacific  Coast." 

Gerald  Mayer,  manager  of  the  in- 
ternational division  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Association,  is  now  in  Paris 
acting  as  technical  adviser  to  U.  S. 
State  Department  officials  dealing 
with  the  French.  The  film  companies 
reportedly  have  $9,000,000  in  blocked 
currency  now  in  France. 


O'Brien  Will  Confer 
With  Eric  Johnston 

Loxdox,  August  2. — Tom  O'Brien, 
general  secretary  of  the  National  As- 
sociation of  Theatrical  and  Kine  Em- 
ployees will  leave  for  New  York  on 
the  S.  S.  Queen  Mary  on  August  7. 
While  the  ostensible  purpose  of  the 
trip  is  to  attend  the  forthcoming  in- 
ternational convention  of  the  IATSE, 
he  declares  privately  that  he  hopes 
to.  have  "highly  important  conver- 
sations" in  Washington  with  Eric 
Johnston,  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America  president. 


C  an  ad  a  Removes 
25%  Projector  Tax 

Toronto,  August  2.  —  Can- 
adian theatre  companies  se- 
cured relief  in  a  decision  ef- 
fective immediately  by  the 
Dominion  government  to  re- 
move the  25  per  cent  austerity 
excise  tax  on  a  long  list  of 
articles  including  film  projec- 
tors, oil  burners,  refrigera- 
tion units,  musical  instru- 
ments and  electrical  goods. 

The  tax  was  reduced  from 
25  to  10  per  cent  on  radios, 
tubes  and  record  players. 


Personal  Touch  in 
Europe  Sales  Urged 

Importance  of  the  personal  ap- 
proach in  the  independent  producer's 
effort  to  find  a  market  for  his  product 
in  Europe  was  stressed  here  yesterday 
by  Frederick  Brisson  of  Independent 
Artists  following  his  return  from  a 
two-month  European  visit. 

Brisson  said  that  if  a  producer  has 
the  right  product  for  European  tastes 
and  is  willing  to  offer  it  for  sale  at  a 
reasonable  price  he  can  create  a  mar- 
ket for  himself  by  working  on  the 
scene  with  his  representatives  and 
dealing  with  exhibitors  personally. 

Brisson  asserted  that  frozen  funds 
in  Europe  could  encourage  production 
by  American  producers  there  to  the 
betterment  of  world  relations.  He  said 
that  vhile  he  was  in  Europe  the  sug- 
gestion was  made  that  all  indepen- 
dents put  their  frozen  funds  into  a 
pool  into  which  they  could  dip  for 
European  production. 

On  his  trip  Brisson  appointed  David 
E.  Griffith  and  Raoul  Levy  his  com- 
pany's representatives  in  London  and 
Paris,  respectively. 


New  Censorship  Code 
For  Mexican  Industry 

Mexico  City,  August  2. — A  new 
film  censorship  code  is  being  written 
by  Antonio  Castro  Leal,  chief  censor 
who  also  heads  the  National  Cine- 
matographic Commission,  and  Celes- 
tino  Gorostize,  dramatist  and  scenarist. 
The  code  will  be  presented  to  pro- 
ducers and  exhibitors  and  such  organ- 
izations as  the  Mexican  Legion  of 
Decency  for  their  opinions  which  will 
be  incorporated  in  the  final  draft  of 
the  code  that  will  go  to  the  Ministry 
of  the  Interior,  principal  government 
department  with  jurisdiction  over 
censorship. 


Brazil  Suspends 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


final  decision  has  been  handed  down 
on  the  application  of  American  mo- 
tion picture  companies  for  judicial 
relief. 

The  American  companies  have  in- 
structed their  branches  to  resume 
normal  operations  in  Brazil. 

Joaquin  Rickard,  MPAA  repres- 
entative in  South  America,  will  leave 
Rio  by  plane  tomorrow  for  New 
York. 


WB  Splits  Up  Its 
Latin  Territory 

Wolfe  Cohen,  vice-president  of 
Warner  International,  realigned  the 
company's  sales  supervisory  staff  at 
the  opening  session  yesterday  of  a 
two-week  sales  meeting  of  Latin 
American  heads  in  the  home  office. 

The  entire  territory  will  be  divided 
into  three  divisions,  Atlantic,  Pacific 
and  Caribbean,  with  a  division  n/  Vi 
ager  in  charge  of  each. 

Ary  Lima  will  be  district  manager 
for  the  Atlantic  division  ;  Peter  Colli 
will  be  manager  of  the  Caribbean  di- 
vision. New  appointee,  James  V. 
O'Gara,  until  recently  Eastern  sales 
manager  for  Republic,  has  been  named 
manager  of  the  Pacific  division. 


RKO  Weighing 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


right  owner  might  negotiate  directly 
with  the  producer  as  an  alternative  to 
the  present  system  of  having  exhibi- 
tors pay  music  fees  to  the  society. 

The  plan  is  in  such  a  nebulous  state 
at  the  moment  that  RKO  officials 
were  unable  to  say  how  much  it 
would  cost  to  acquire  the  performing 
rights  to  musical  compositions  from 
copyright  owners.  They  could  not 
even  conjecture  whether  it  would  cost 
the  exhibitor  more  or  less  than  his 
license  fees  under  his  Ascap  contract. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


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STORY  —  BENDIX-TREVOR 


I  Com  Performonw  Pep  Brt 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
bundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
Aew  York  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
,  eHr,n;  o  ,atre-  S.ales:  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   bubscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


ITH  THEATRE  MEN  WHO  KNOW  BEST- 
IT'S  "CANON  CITY"._ 
EAST  AND  WEST! 


An  EAGLE  LION  FILMS  Picture 

Introducing  SCOTT  BRADY  with  Jeff  Corey   Whit  Bis: 
Warden  Roy  Best,  himself  A  Bryan  Poy  Pi 


lley  Clements  ■  Char 
Produced  by  Robert 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  August  3,  1948 


Review 


"Rachel  and  the  Stranger" 

(RKO  Radio) 

THE  ability  of  Loretta  Young,  Robert  Mitchum  and  William  Holden  to 
sell  tickets  must  be  relied  upon  to  attract  substantial  support  to  "Rachel 
and  the  Stranger."  The  film  about  the  Ohio  frontier  early  in  the  1800's  is 
interesting  in  point  of  locale  and  background  as  well  as  story  and  perform- 
ance. But  it  lacks  the  driving  emotional  force  required  to  send  it  skyrocket- 
ing toward  a  concentrated  climax  despite  the  closing  sequence  dealing  with 
an  Indian  attack  on  the  Holden  homestead. 

In  the  face  of  its  historic  period  when  the  settlers  were  courageously  ex- 
tending their  boundaries  Westward  from  the  Eastern  seaboard  and  when  the 
going  certainly  was  rugged  and  primitive,  the  treatment  fails  to  sustain  the 
bite  which  presumably  was  inherent  in  the  basic  material — a  story  by  Howard 
Fast  titled  "Rachel." 

Holden  laboriously  carving  a  home  out  of  the  wilderness,  loses  his  wife  and 
comes  to  realize  shortly  after  her  death  his  need  for  a  woman  to  raise  his 
young  son,  Gary  Gray.  Loretta  Young,  bondwoman,  is  the  only  likely  pros- 
pect at  the  stockade.  He  buys  her,  but  also  marries  her  at  the  preacher's 
insistence.  The  main  stream  of  the  story  deals  with  the  relationship  of  father, 
son  and  now  the  new  wife  and  how  Miss  Young,  patient  and  plodding,  even- 
tually wins  Holden's  respect  and  then  his  love.  The  conflict  to  these  ends 
is  set  up  by  Holden  and  the  boy  and  is  hastened  toward  surrender  by  the 
friendly  and  sly  campaign  launched  by  Mitchum,  woodsman  and  Indian  scout 
who  presumably  falls  in  love  with  Miss  Young  himself. 

"Rachel  and  the  Stranger"  has  flavor.  It  appears  to  be  an  authentic  re- 
flection of  its  period.  Yet  while  it  is  homey,  it  does  not  hum.  Waldo  Salt 
prepared  the  screenplay  for  producer  Richard  H.  Berger  whose  director  was 
Norman  Foster.  Jack  J.  Gross  served  as  executive  producer.  The  six  musical 
numbers,  with  an  air  of  genuine  Americana,  were  written  by  Roy  Webb  and 
Waldo  Scott. 

Running  time  93  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
October  2.  Red  Kann 


Withhold  Payments  to 
Ascap,  Advises  NCA 

Minneapolis,  August  2. — 
North  Central  Allied  urges 
independent  exhibitors  to 
sign  no  more  contracts  with 
Ascap  or  to  "pay  them  any 
money,"  in  a  bulletin  issued 
by  Stanley  Kane,  executive  di- 
rector. 

The  NCA  director  warned 
that  while  Ascap  is  down  "it 
will  not  go  out  without  a  lot 
of  bluster  and  fight,"  and 
said  exhibitors  should  guard 
against  being  influenced  by 
Ascap  action. 

Contrariwise,  the  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  among 
others,  warns  exhibitors  that 
non-payment  is  a  violation  of 
Federal  law  until  such  time 
as  Ascap  is  finally  enjoined. 


WB  Must  Answer  KB 
Suit  by  August  16 

Washington^  August  2. —  Judge 
Edward  M.  Curran  today  turned  down 
a  request  of  Warner  Brothers  that 
it  be  given  until  September  30  to 
answer  a  suit  by  K-B  Amusement  Co. 
to  force  Warner  out  of  the  jointly- 
owned  MacArthur  Theatre.  Curran 
said  the  September  request  was  un- 
reasonably long,  and  gave  Warner 
two  weeks,  until  August  16,  to  answer. 

KATO  Convention  Is 
Set  for  Oct  27-28 

Falls  City,  Ky.,  August  2. — The 
convention  committee  of  the  Kentucky 
Association  of  Theatre  Owners  met 
here  to  formulate  plans  for  the  annual 
KATO  convention,  set  for  Oct.  27th- 
28,  in  Louisville's  Seelbach  Hotel. 

Committee  members  include  Guthrie 
F.  Crowe,  Henry  J.  Stiles,  Mrs.  Nell 
Borden,  John  T.  Edmunds,  Jr.,  E.  L. 
Ornstein,  C.  D.  Arnold  and  Gene 
Lutes. 


N.  J.  Allied  Meet 

Members  of  Allied  of  New  Jersey 
will  meet  here  next  Monday  to  hear 
George  Gold,  legislative  chairman. 
Gold  also  will  be  given  final  instruc- 
tions before  he  meets  with  Assembly- 
men Reiffen,  Walter  H.  Jones  and 
Bernard  Vogel,  members  of  the  com- 
mittee studying  bingo  legislation. 


Four  Conventions  in  One 

Chicago,  August  2. — The  Midwest 
Forum,  Educational  Film  Library 
Association,  Film'  Council  of  America, 
and  National  Audio-Visual  Dealers 
Association  will  hold  their  combined 
conventions  at  the  Sherman  Hotel 
here  August  6-11. 


MITCHELL  MAY,  Jr. 

CO.,  INC. 

INSURANCE 
• 

Specializing 

in  requirements  of  the 

Motion  Picture  Industry 

75  Maiden  Lane,  New  York 
510  W.  6th  St.,  Los  Angeles 


P.  A.  Powers 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Mrs.  Roscoe  M.  George,  San  Fernan- 
do, Cal.,  and  a  sister,  Mary  Ellen 
Powers  of  Buffalo. 

Powers,  familiarly  known  among 
older  persons  in  the  industry  as 
"Pat,"  had  been  intermittently  active 
in  the  industry  for  some  35  years. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  Uni- 
versal Film  Manufacturing  Co.,  and  at 
one  time  was  head  of  Film  Booking 
Offices  of  America,  a  predecessor 
company  to  RKO.  He  played  a  part 
in  introducing  "Mickey  Mouse"  and 
"Silly  Symphony"  cartoons.  He  de- 
veloped Powers  Cinephone,  one  of  the 
early  sound  recording  and  reproducing 
devices. 

He  was  formerly  president  of 
Powers  Film  Products  Co.  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  which  he  organized 
to  compete  in  the  film  raw  stock  mar- 
ket. He  was  treasurer  of  The  Na- 
tional Association  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Industry,  early  industry  trade 
association. 

In  recent  years  he  developed  a 
country  club  resort  at  Westport, 
Conn.,  which  he  recently  disposed  of. 
He  had  been  living  at  the  Metropoli- 
tan Club  here  and  maintained  a  Con- 
necticut country  home. 

Kearney  Rites  Today; 
Burial  in  Vermont 

Funeral  services  for  Alexander 
(Dick)  Kearney,  69,  assistant  general 
manager  of  the  M.  A.  Shea  Circuit, 
will  be  held  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament 
Roman  Catholic  Church  here  this 
morning.  Interment  will  be  in  Lud- 
low, Vt.  Kearney  died  of  lukemia  at 
the  Medical  Arts  Hospital  on  Satur- 
day after  a  long  illness. 

Surviving  Shea  is  the  widow,  Sara. 


Arthur  Fisher  Dead 

Arthur  Fisher,  head  of  the  talent 
booking  agency  bearing  his  name,  died 
here  on  Friday.  His  survivors  include 
the  widow,  Florence ;  a  daughter, 
Frances,  and  a  son,  Trueman. 


Milder  and  Payette 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ager  for  Warners,  was  assigned  to  a 
theatre  post  in  London  when  illness 
forced  Milder  to  relinquish  some  of 
his  duties  last  month. 

His  widow,  Madelaine,  survives. 

Payette,  general  zone  manager  of 
Warner  Theatres  in  the  Washington 
territory,  was  a  founder  and  first 
barker  of  Variety  Tent  No.  11  there. 
He  was  56.  He  had  been  associated 
with  the  industry  since  1904,  holding 
various  theatre  posts,  leading  to  his 
appointment  as  general  manager  of 
the  45  Warner  houses  in  the  District 
of  Columbia,  Maryland,  Virginia  and 
part  of  Pennsylvania. 

Services  for  Payette  are  to  be  held 
at  his  Washington  home  and  at  the 
Sacred  Heart  Church,  also  Washing- 
ton, tomorrow  at  10  A.M.  His  sur- 
vivors include  the  widow,  Dorothy, 
and  four  children. 

Pallbearers,  all  of  whom  were  as- 
sociated with  Payette  at  the  Warner 
office  here,  will  be  George  A.  Crouch, 
Frank  La  Fake,  Harry  E.  Lohmeyer, 
Charles  V.  Grimes,  J.  Alton  Pratt 
and   Louis    F.  Ribnitzki. 

Honorary  pallbearers  are:  Harry  Kal- 
mine,  W.  Stuart  McDonald,  Joseph  Ber- 
nard, Carter  Barron,  Nelson  B.  Bell,  Rudy 
Berger,  W.  F.  Beiersdorf,  Ralph  Binns,  A. 
Julian  Brylawski,  Jay  Carmody,  Jake 
Flax,  Robert  J.  Folliard,  J.  Edward  Fon- 
taine, Sam  Galanty,  Nat  Glasser,  Frank 
Harman.  Garfield  Kass,  C.  E.  McGowan, 
Joseph  P.  Morgan,  I.  J.  Rappaport,  Rob- 
ert Smeltzer  and  L.  T.  Souder. 


W.  J.  McDonald,  78 

Boston,  August  2. — William  J. 
McDonald,  78,  well-known  real  estate 
man  and  theatre  owner,  died  today. 
He  was  connected  with  the  late  Na- 
than H.  Gordon  as  a  partner  and 
built  the  Metropolitan  Theatre  in 
Boston. 


Harry  Martin,  27 

Chicago,  August  2. — Harry  Martin, 
27,  manager  of  the  Atom  Theatre, 
Chicago,  operated  by  the  Gallos  Cir- 
cuit, was  found  dead  on  Thursday  at 
Calumet  Park. 


Coast   to  Explore 
Retirement  Plans 

Hollywood,  August  2 — Roy 
Brewer,  IATSE  international 
representative,  disclosed  here 
at  the  weekend  that  the 
union's  pension  committee 
which  has  been  working  on  a 
retirement  plan  for  studio 
craftsmen  will  conduct  ex- 
ploratory conferences  with  a 
producer  committee  on  th( 
subject  pending  the  return 
here  of  "IA"  president  Rich- 
ard F.  Walsh. 


Hartley  Says  Film 
Job  Offered  Him 


Washington,  August  2. — House 
Labor  Committee  Chairman  Hartley, 
who  is  retiring  at  the  end  of  this 
year,  admitted  he  has  been  approached 
to  act  as  legislative  representative  of 
a  major  motion  picture  organization. 

Hartley  said  he  had  received  an 
informal  offer  from  an  industry  of- 
ficial, but  refused  to  name  him.  Asked 
whether  the  job  involved  representing 
exhibitors  or  distributors,  the  New 
Jersey  Republican  said  it  was  his  im- 
pression that  if  he  accepted,  he  would 
"represent  the  industry  as  a  whole." 

_  He  did  not  accept  nor  turn  down  the 
bid,  Hartley  said,  but  outlined  certain 
conditions  for  taking  the  job.  "I'm 
not  getting  too  excited  until  a  more 
formal  offer  is  made,"  he  declared. 

Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  officials  claim  they  have 
made  Hartley  no  offer. 

SDG,  Majors  Await 
Ruling,  Halt  Talks 

Hollywood,  August  2. — Screen  Di- 
rectors Guild  and  major  producers  to- 
day announced  postponement  of  con- 
tract negotiations  for  assistant  direc- 
tors pending  the  outcome  of  a  petition 
by  both  parties  for  a  job  evaluation 
survey  by  the  U.  S.  Department  of 
Labor  to  determine  whether  the  assis- 
tant directors  are  to  be  exempted  from 
the  Fair  Labor  Standards  Act.  Ex- 
emption is  sought  in  order  to  secure 
similar  conditions  for  first  and  second 
assistants. 


Extras'  Pact  Extended 

Hollywood,  August  2. — Major  stu- 
dios and  the  Screen  Extras  Guild 
have  agreed  to  extend  their  contract, 
which  expired  Saturday  night,  30  days 
to  permit  conclusion  of  negotiations 
now  in  progress. 


Mrs.  Stanley  Williams,  58 

Toronto,  August  2. — The  death  has 
occurred  at  her  home  in  Cornwall, 
Ont.,  of  Mrs.  Stanley  G.  Williams,  58, 
wife  of  the  manager  of  the  Capitol 
Theatre  there  and  a  member  of  a 
prominent  theatre  family.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  the  late  James  Whit- 
ham  who  opened  the  first  theatre  in 
Cornwall. 


PROMOTION  STICKERS 

Use  Topflight  cellophane  self-adhesive  tape 
for  your  next  promotion  picture.  Place  in- 
stantly— anywhere— box  office,  lobby,  stores, 
phone  booths.  Lustrous,  colorful,  rich  in  ap- 
pearance. 

FRANK  G.   B  ERG  LAS.  Dir. 
Motion  Picture  Div. 

TOPFLIGHT  TAPE  CO. 

YORK,  PENNSYLVANIA 


Tuesday,  August  3,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


5 


Three  Openings  Lift 
NY  lst-run  Grosses 


Continuing  heat  wave  is  less  severe 
on  New  York  first-runs  this  week. 
Holdover  business  declined  only  nor- 
mally and  three  openings  brightened 
the  overall  picture  considerably. 
Broadway  theatremen  credit  the  Lions 
International  convention  with  an  as- 
"  t.  It  brought  25,000  members  and 
r  families  to  town, 
he  stage  version  of  the  "Stop  the 
Music"  radio  show  has  stirred  box- 
office  commotion  aplenty  at  the  Capitol 
where  "On  an  Island  with  You"  is  on 
the  screen.  The  combination  figures 
to  take  $103,000  in  its  first  week. 

Saturday  Night  Price  Up  at  Astor 

"The  Babe  Ruth  Story"  is  scoring 
very  well  at  the  Astor  where  $38,000 
is  indicated  for  its  initial  week.  The 
house  charged  $1.80,  up  from  $1.50, 
from  7 :30  to  10  :30  on  Saturday  eve- 
ning and  intends  to  repeat  the  boost  on 
future  Saturdays  until  too  much  re- 
sistance is  felt. 

"Abbott  and  Costello  Meet  Frank- 
enstein" is  going  beyond  expectations 
in  drawing  power  at  the  Criterion. 
First  week's  gross  is  estimated  at 
§42,000,  the  best  business  the  house  has 
had  in  several  months.  About  $12,000 
is  likely  for  the  first  week  of  "Brute 
Force"  and  "The  Killers,"  both  re- 
issues, at  the  Winter  Garden ;  this  is 
fair  enough. 

"Street  with  No  Name"  with  an  ice 
revue  and  Cab  Calloway  on  stage 
should  complete  its  third  and  final 
week  at  the  Roxy  in  the  neighborhood 
of  $98,000,  which  is  very  strong,  after 
drawing  $107,000  in  a  second  week. 
"Walls  of  Jericho"  bows  tomorrow. 
"Emperor  Waltz  will  leave  the  Music 
Hall  tomorrow  night  after  seven 
weeks  to  make  way  for  "Date  with 
Judy."  "Waltz"  took  $71,000  Thurs- 
day through  Sunday,  pointing  to  $115,- 
000,  a  good  gross  for  the  final  seven 
days.  "Easter  Parade"  is  still  strong 
at  the  State  with  $45,000  expected  for 
the  fifth  week. 

$72,000  Seen  for  'Key  Largo' 

At  the  Strand,  "Key  Largo,"  teamed 
with  Count  Basie  and  Billie  Holliday 
on  stage,  is  still  grossing  top  money. 
The  third  week's  gross  should  hit 
$72,000.  "A  Foreign  Affair,"  with  Jo 
Stafford  in  person,  is  down  to  $53,000 
in  a  fifth  and  final  week  at  the  Para- 
mount, less  a  half  day.  "Beyond 
Glory"  will  open  tonight  with  300 
West  Point  cadets  scheduled  to  attend. 
The  second  week  of  "So  Evil  My 
Love"  at  the  Rivoli  is  fairly  healthy 
at  $25,000.  "Four  Faces  West"  opens 
today  at  the  Globe,  replacing  "Deep 
Waters,"  which  was  weak  with  $7,500 
for  five  days  of  a  second  week. 

"Return  of  the  Badmen"  will  make 
its  debut  at  the  Mayfair  tomorrow, 
following  "Time  of  Your  Life"  which 
will  finish  its  10th  and  final  week,  less 
one  day,  at  about  $9,000,  also  fair. 


Censors  in  Chicago 
Reject  Two  Films 

Chicago,  August  2. — The  local  Cen- 
sor Board  rejected  two  pictures  last 
month:  "Body  Beautiful,"  (Road- 
show Attractions ) ,  and  "Betrayed," 
(Michenaux).  Two  were  classified 
for  adults  only,  "Blonde  Ice,  (Film 
Classics)  and  "The  King's  Jester" 
(Italian).  The  board  looked  at 
86  pictures  and  made  30  cuts. 
Simultaneously,  Roy  G.  Harris,  67, 
retired  after  36  years  as  police  cen- 
sorship board  clerk. 


Theatre  Takes  Improving 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


quently  as  box-office  leaders  were 
"Silver  River,"  "The  Emperor 
Waltz,"  "On  Our  Merry  Way,"  "Give 
My  Regards  to  Broadway"  and  "The 
Best  Years  of  Our  Lives." 

Following  with  better-than-average 
grosses  from  time  to  time  were :  "I 
Remember  Mama,"  "The  Sainted  Sis- 
ters," "The  Bride  Goes  Wild,"  "Berlin 
Express,"  "The  Outlaw,"  "Green 
Grass  of  Wyoming,"  "All  My  Sons," 
"The  Lady  from  Shanghai,"  "Mourn- 
ing Becomes  Electra,"  "To  the  Ends 
of  the  Earth,"  "The  Iron  Curtain," 
"Anna  Karenina." 

Also,  "Duel  in  the  Sun,"  "Another 
Part  of  the  Forest,"  "Love  from  a 


Stranger,"  "Three  Daring  Daugh- 
ters," "Sitting  Pretty,"  "The  Naked 
City,"  "Fury  at  Eurnace  Creek," 
"Hazard,"  "Miracle  of  the  Bells," 
"Fanny,"  "The  Big  Clock,"  "Letter 
from  an  Unknown  Woman,".  "Raw 
Deal,"  "Call  Northside  777,"  "Bring 
'em  Back  Alive,"  "Coroner  Creek," 
"On  an  Island  with  You,"  "Paradine 
Case,"  "Winter  Meeting,"  "The  Noose 
Hangs  High,"  "Romance  on  the  High 
Seas,"  "The  Street  with  No  Name," 
"Fighting  Father  Dunne"  and  "Tar- 
zan  and  the  Mermaids." 

Composite  key  city  box-office  re- 
ports for  1948  to  date,  compared  with 
corresponding  weeks  of  1947,  follow : 


1*43 

Week 

Ending 


No.  of  Total 
Theatres  Gross 


Tan.    2-3    179  $3,406,600 


Jan.  9-H) 
Jan.  16-17 


168 
168 


Jan.  23-24    166 

Jan.  30-31    166 

Feb.   6-7    167 

Feb.  13-14    166 

Feb.  20-21    164 

Feb.  27-28    167 

Mar.  5-6    165 

Mar.  12-13    165 

Mar.  19-20    175 


Mar.  26-27 


162 


April  2-3    171 

April  9-10    169 

April  16-17    175 

April  23-24    167 

April  30-May  1....  159 

May  7-8    167 

May   14-15    167 

May  21-22    149 

May  28-29    158 

June  4-5    166 

June  11-12    172 

June  18-19    176 

Jane  25-26    170 

July   2-3    167 


3,112,700 
2,473,300 
2,419,000 
2,341,900 
2,537,800 
2,381,500 
2,316,500 
2,734,100 
2,372,700 
2,441,800 
2,626,800 
2,356,800 
2,953,500 
2,740,000 
2,493,600 
2,284,000 
2,232,300 
2,416,500 
2,301,200 
2,118,300 
2,241,100 
2,577,400 
2,287,800 
2,340,300 
2,396,500 
2,476,300 


Average 

Per 
Theatre 

$19,031 
18,528 
14,722 
14,572 
14,108 
15,196 
14,546 
14,125 
16,372 
14,380 
14,799 
15,010 
14,548 
17,272 
16,213 
14,249 
13,677 
14,040 
14,470 
13,780 
14,217 
14,184 
15,527 
13,301 
13,297 
14,097 
14,828 


173 


181 
177 
177 
182 
166 
178 


1*47 

Week 
Ending 

Jan.  3-4  ... 
Jan.    10-11  . 

Jan.    17-18    173 

Jan.   24-25    176 

Jan.  3-Feb.  1  

Feb  7-8   

Feb.  14-15  

Feb.  21-22   

Feb.  28- Mar.  1.... 

Mar.  7-8   

Mar.  14-15    174 

Mar.  21-22    173 

Mar.  28-29    178 

April  4-5    179 

April  11-12    184 

April  18-19    177 

April  25-26    183 

May  2-3    177 

May  9-10    175 

May  16-17    176 

May  23-24    169 

May  30-31    173 

178 
165 


June  6-7 

June  13-14 

June  20-21    170 

June  27-28    174 

July  4-5 


Average 

No.  of    Total  Per 

Theatres  Gross  Theatre 

..    167   $3,678,100  $22,024 

3,363,200  19,400 

3,007,300  17,383 

3,043,700  17,294 

2,293,600  18,197 

3,089,600  17,495 

2,767,900  15,638 

3,042,700  16,718 

2,800,300  16,869 

2,906,400  16,328 

2,890,300  16,610 

2,922,900  16,895 

3,069,500  17,245 

2,838,800  15,859 

2,239,500  17,606 

2,973,400  16,798 

2,917,900  15,945 

2,699,800  15,253 

2,578,100  15,732 

2,650,400  15,059 

2,369,100  14,018 

2,590,100  14,972 

2,834,800  15,926 

2,511,700  15,222 

2,579,400  15,173 

2,557,000  14,695 

2,507,300  15,382 


163 


Germany's  1st  -  Runs 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Cologne  where  all  big  theatres  were 
either  levelled  ,or  heavily  damaged. 
Only  two  houses  remain  there  which 
qualify  as  first-run  outlets.  In  Bremen, 
the  story  is  much  the  same,  with 
destruction  of  the  best  houses  well 
nigh  complete.  Three  theatres  are  be- 
ing reconstructed  there,  however,  and 
by  the  end  of  the  year,  the  acute 
shortage  in  release  outlets  should  be 
considerably  eased. 

Of  the  four  cities,  Hamburg,  Maas 
reported,  is  making  the  best  recovery. 
Even  though  it  was  one  of  the  hardest 
hit  cities  of  the  war,  there  was  more 
building  activity  observed  there  than 
in  any  other  city.  Still  intact  are  three 
pre-war  first-run  houses,  two  of  which 
have  been  requisitioned  for  British 
troops.  For  release  outlets,  MPEA  has 
been  obliged  to  convert  two  suburban 
houses  into  first-runs.  This  has  not 
proved  too  serious  a  handicap  com- 
mercially because,  with  downtown 
Hamburg  thoroughly  bombed  out, 
there  has  been  a  considerable  shift  of 
population  to  suburban  areas. 

MPEA  now  has  branch  offices  in 
seven  key  cities  of  Germany,  includ- 
ing three  in  British-occupied  territory, 
and  all  are  now  in  full  operation. 
Office  quarters  in  most  cases  are 
meagre. 


Army  Names  Horton 

Washington,  August  2.— Lt.  Col. 
John  E.  Horton  has  been  assigned  as 
chief  of  the  motion  picture  unit  in  the 
pictorial  section  of  the  Army's  public 
information  division.  His  duties  are 
directed  to  aiding  the  film  industry  on 
all  matters  pertaining  to  the  Army. 
The  post  was  recently  vacated  by 
Major  Stuart  Palmer. 


Johnston  To  Aid  UN -Day 

Washington,  August  2.  —  Eric 
Johnston,  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America  president,  will  serve  as 
chairman  of  the  film  committee  for 
United  Nations  Day,  the  Department 
of  State  said  today.  The  MPAA  presi- 
dent will  work  with  other  civilian 
committees  and  the  Department  in 
planning  the  role  of  films  in  the  na- 
tional celebration  on  October  24. 


Cite  C.  P.  Skouras  on 
TO  A  'Youth'  Work 

Hollywood,  August  2. — Charles  P. 
Skouras,  national  chairman  of  Theatre 
Owners  of  America's  "Youth  Month" 
campaign,  was  commended  at  the 
weekend  by  church  and  civic  leaders 
at  a  luncheon-meeting  at  Fox-West 
Coast's  executive  dining  room.  The 
gathering,  which  included  club,  press 
and  radio  leaders,  pledged  cooperation 
in  connection  with  the  campaign. 

TOA  president  Ted  R.  Gamble, 
guest  speaker,  traced  for  those  present 
the  course  of  the  "Youth  Month" 
drive  from  its  conception  two  years 
ago. 


Smith  Heads  'Youth 
Drive'  Distributors 

Charles  P.  Skouras,  national  chair- 
man of  the  "Youth  Month"  commit- 
tee of  the  Theatre  Owners  of  Amer- 
ica, has  named  Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr., 
general  sales  manager  of  20th-Fox,  as 
distribution  chairman  of  the  drive. 

Smith  is  in  charge  of  the  distribu- 
tion of  the  two-reel  subject  "Report 
for  Action"  and  arrangements  for  co- 
operation of  national  distributors  and 
film  exchange  groups  with  local  state 
and  theatre  chairmen  participating. 


Convertible  Theatre 
For  General  Service 

Hollywood,  August  2. — Architects' 
plans  for  making  stage  No.  4,  General 
Service  Studio's  largest,  convertible 
into  a  550-seat  auditorium  for  pre- 
views and  other  special  events  have 
been  approved  by  James  Nasser  who 
with  his  brothers  heads  the  lot. 
Project  is  part  of  an  expansion  pro- 
gram under  way  at  General  under  the 
direction  of  Theodore  Nasser. 


'Velvet'  to  the  Rivoli 

"The  Velvet  Touch,"  which  ushers 
into  the  Hollywood  producing  field  the 
new  Independent  Artists,  will  have  its 
world  premiere  at  New  York's  Rivoli 
following  the  current  "So  Evil  My 
Love." 


t+V^        It's  for  you! 
Paramount  saying 
that  Hal  Wallis  has 
made  its  greatest 
suspense-drama  since 
"The  Lost  Weekend" 


WORLD-FAMOUS  NOVE) 
OF  SWASHBUCKLING 
ADVENTURE  BRINGS 
A  TREMENDOUS 
NEW  THRILL  TO 
THE  SCREEN! 


and  f&ahjring 

GEORGE  MAOREADY  -  EDGAR  BUCHANAN 

Screenplay  by  Richard  Seiuyar,  David  P.  Sheppard  and  Thomas  Seller 
Directed  by  GORDON  DOUGLAS    •    Produced  by  GRANT  WHYTOCK 

AN  EDWARD  SMALL  PRODUCTION 


F2L£  COPY 


MOTION  PICTURE 

DAILY 


64.  NO.  24 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  4,  1948 


.  TEN  CENTS 


Johnston  Seen 
Headed  for 
Paris  on  Pact 


Report  French  Offer  to 
Unfreeze  Nine  Millions 


Eric  A.  Johnston,  president  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America,  now  on  the  Coast,  is  like- 
ly to  make  an  early  trip  to  Paris  to 
confer  with  U.  S.  State  Department 
officials  now  there  negotiating  a  new 
U.  S. -French  film  agreement,  accord- 
ing to  reports  here. 

The  entire  French  matter  as  it  con- 
cerns the  American  film  industry  was 
placed  in  Johnston's  hands  on  Mon- 
day by  the  board  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Export  Association.  The  group 
had  been  in  session  when  Gerald  May- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Remittable  Dollars 
Are  Due  This  Month 


First  of  the  remittable  dollars  due 
U.  S.  film  companies  from  England 
under  the  exchange  agreement  with 
that  country  are  expected  this  month, 
according  to  executives  here.  While 
last  July  14  actually  was  the  date  for 
the  currency  transfer,  it  was  pointed 
out .  that  the  mechanics  of  the  entire 
operation  had  to  be  worked  out  for 
the  initial  payment.  Subsequent  in- 
stallments will  be  simplified,  conform- 
ing to  the  pattern. 

The  companies  are  allowed  to  draw 
a  total  of  $17,000,000  annually  (12 
payments  of  $1,416,000  each)  plus  the 
equivalent  of  the  dollar  earnings  of 
British  pictures  in  the  U.  S.  and  the 
Philippines.  The  latter  is  to  be  com- 
puted on  a  quarterly  basis. 


Wometco  Drive  -  Ins 
To  Encircle  Miami 

Miami,  August  3. — Wometco 
Theatres,  operating  20  thea- 
tres in  this  area,  has  com- 
pleted plans  to  build  a  series 
of  drive-ins  around  the  city 
of  Miami  and  environs, 
Mitchell  Wolfson  and  Sidney 
Meyer,  co-owners,  report. 

Unique  is  their  new  Boule- 
vard Drive-in,  which,  besides 
a  supervised  playground  for 
the  use  of  youngsters  during 
the  exhibition  of  pictures  not 
suitable  for  children,  will 
have  a  refreshment  stand  and 
shopping  facilities. 


Decision  Reserved 
On  N.T.  Settlement 


Arguments  on  the  proposed  settle- 
ment of  20th-Fox  minority  stockhold- 
ers' suits  involving  more  than  $6,- 
850,000,  representing  sale  of  40,000 
shares  of  National  Theatres'  Class  B 
stock  and  salaries  and  bonuses  of  N.T. 
officers,  were  heard  in  New  York 
State  Supreme  Court  here  yesterday. 
Justice  Ferdinand  Pecora  reserved  de- 
cision and  gave  counsel  until  August 
16  to  submit  briefs  to  the  court. 

A  highlight  of  the  hearing  was  the 
disclosure  that  Universal  was  a  bidder 
for  the  N.T.  stock  before  it  was  re- 
purchased by  20th-Fox,  the  parent 
company,  from  Charles  P.  Skouras, 
Elmer  Rhoden,  Frank  H.  Ricketson 
and  H.  J.  Fitzgerald. 

Judge  Samuel  Rosenman,  counsel  for 
the  directors  of  20th-Fox  and  N.T., 
pointed  out  that  if  the  stock  had  not 
been  sold  back  to  20th-Fox  and  had 
come  into  the  possession  of  a  com- 
petitor, the  result  would  have  been 
"disastrous"  to  20th-Fox. 

In  urging  the  court  to  accept  the 
proposed  settlement  of  $3,550,000, 
Rosenman,   Robert   P.    Patterson  as 

(Continued  on  page  8) 


$10,000,000  u.  s. 

Income  in  Sweden 


Washington,  August  3. — U.  S. 
companies'  film  income  from  Sweden 
is  running  about  $10,000,000  annually, 
based  on  last  year's  revenue  from  the 
183  films  marketed  in  that  country 
last  year,  it  is  indicated  in  a  Com- 
merce Department  report  on  Sweden 
and  Norway  issued  here  today  by  Na- 
than D.  Golden,  department  film  chief. 
Roughly  this  is  about  the  same  as  the 
income  from  the  43  Swedish  films 
shown. 

In  his  report,  Golden  says  that 
U.  S.  films  are  "occasionally  more 
brutal"  than  the  Swedish  censors  will 
allow.     Of  318  films  submitted  last 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


SIMPP  Ready  With 
Suits  vs.  Circuits 


Robert  J.  Rubin,  counsel  for  the 
Society  of  Independent  Motion  Picture 
Producers,  will  return  to  the  Coast  to- 
day from  New  York  where  it  is  be- 
lieved he  completed  work  preliminary 
to  filing  anti-trust  actions  in  behalf  of 
the  society  against  theatre  circuits  and 
film-buying  combines.  Basis  of  the 
suits  will  be  the  allegation  that  the 
group  theatres  arbitrarily  set  booking 
terms  and  refuse  to  play  independent 
producers'  films  unless  the  circuits' 
terms  are  agreed  to. 


Ascap  Board  Weighs 
Theatre  Case  Today 

Board  of  directors  of  Ascap 
will  meet  here  today  for  fur- 
ther consideration  of  future 
action  in  consequence  of  the 
recent  Federal  District  Court 
decision  holding  Ascap's  the- 
atre licensing  methods  to  be 
in  violation  of  the  anti-trust 
laws. 

Indications  are  that  the 
board  may  approve  appoint- 
ment of  special  counsel  to 
handle  the  case  at  today's 
meeting. 


Prepare  N.Y.  Ascap 
Ruling  for  Berger 


Minneapolis,  August  3. — Ben  Berg- 
er, president  of  North  Central  Allied, 
acting  as  an  independent  theatre  op- 
erator, is  going  ahead  with  plans  to 
inject  Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell's  anti- 
Ascap  New  York  Federal  Court  deci- 
sion into  the  pending  Berger  test  case 
of  the  legality  of  Ascap  theatre  col- 
lections for  music  copyright  perform- 
ances. 

Minneapolis  film  attorneys  Louis  B. 
Schwartz  and  Samuel  Halpern,  Berg- 
er's  counsel  in  his  test  case,  are  pre- 
paring for  presentation  to  Federal 
Court  here  the  text  of  Judge  Leibell's 
decision  which  declared  Ascap  a 
monopoly  in  an  injunctive  order. 
Judge  Gunnar  Nordbye  has  had  the 
Berger  case  under  advisement  for 
several  months.  It  involves  four 
Berger  houses  and  Mrs.  Jessie  Jen- 
sen's Avalon  Theatre  at  White  Bear. 


Reject  Profits  Tax 
Bill  Before  It's  Filed 


Washington,  August  3. — The  Ad- 
ministration today  unveiled  the  excess 
profits  tax  bill  it  would  like  Congress 
to  pass,  and  the  Republicans  made  it 
plain  immediately  they  had  no  plans 
whatsoever  to  pass  it. 

"There'll  be  no  tax  legislation  at 
the  special  session,"  said  Ways  and 
Means  Committee  chairman  Knutson. 

The  bill,  which  would  affect  about 
25,000  out  of  360,000  corporations,  is 
more  lenient  than  the  wartime  bill. 
It  would  allow  a  credit  of  140  per 
cent  of  the  1936-39  invested  capital 
return  on  average  profits,  then  give 
another  $50,000  exemption,  and  then 
graduate  the  rates  from  50  per  cent 
to  80  per  cent.  Wartime  rates  went 
up  to  90  per  cent,  had  smaller  credits 
and  exemptions.  It  will  be  intro- 
duced in  the  House  tomorrow  by  Rep. 
Dingell  (R.,  Mich.). 


Ceilings  on 
Film  Budgets 
As  Costs  Soar 


U-I  May  Place  $1  Million 
Limit  on  Some  Pictures 


Ceilings  on  production  costs,  flex- 
ible to  a  limited  extent,  are  con- 
templated by  a  majority  of  film 
companies,  according  to  executives 
here  who  report  such  action  must  be 
taken  in  order  to  balance  studio  ex- 
penditures, which  have  been  skyrock- 
eting, with  distribution  earnings. 

Paramount  reportedly  already  has 
limited  itself  to  a  maximum  of  $1,500,- 
000  for  each  production  and  similar 
action  appears  to  have  become  one  of 
the  top  subjects  on  the  agenda  of  the 
annual  studio  meeting  of  Universal- 
International  executives  starting  in 
Hollywood  next  Monday. 

Executives  here  state  they  have  hit 
upon  the  realization  that  a  profit  on 
distribution  is  too  often  beyond  reach 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Scully  Sets  Policy 
On  U-Fs  Rank  Films 


Universal-International  has  adopted 
a  new  marketing  policy  for  the  J. 
Arthur  Rank  product  in  the  U.  S.  with 
the  subject  matter  of  each  of  the  Brit- 
ish pictures  determining  which  of  three 
selling  approaches  will  be  taken,  ac- 
cording to  William  A.  Scully,  vice- 
president  and  general  sales  manager. 

Films  of  the  type  which. met  resis- 
tance in  the  smaller  towns  and  other 
areas  henceforth  will  be  earmarked 
for  specialized  handling  with  selling  to 
be  concentrated  in  certain  theatres 
around  the  country  which  have  yielded 
top  returns  in  the  past  on  a  long-run 
basis,  .Scully  said. 

Further  information  was  given  by 
Maurice  Bergman,  Eastern  advertis- 

( Continued  on  page  3) 


Studio  Employment 
Is  Up  3  Per  Cent 

Hollywood,  August  3. — 
Studio  employment  increased 
slightly  during  June,  rising 
to  86.4  per  cent  on  California 
Labor  Bureau's  index  scale, 
from  May's  83.3.  The  index  a 
year  ago  was  106.9  per  cent 
The  bureau  index  is  based  on 
1940  representing  100  per 
cent. 


2 


Motion  Picture  daily 


Wednesday,  August  4,  19 


Insider's  Outlook 

By  RED  KANN 


Personal 
Mention 

NED  DEPINET,  RKO  Radio  ^ex- 
ecutive vice-president,   left  here 
yesterday  by  plane  for  Los  Angeles. 
• 

Robert  Mochrie,  RKO  Radio  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  accompanied 
by  Walter  E.  Branson,  Western  di- 
vision sales  manager  and  Harry  J. 
Michalson,  short  subject  sales  man- 
ager, will  return  to  New  York  to- 
morrow from  Hollywood. 

• 

Frank  Buck,  accompanied  by 
RKO  Radio  Eastern  field  supervisor 
Harby  Reiners,  will  be  in  Washing- 
ton today  from  New  York'  on  the 
first  stop  of  a  personal  appearance 
tour. 

• 

Duke  Ellington,  Kay  Kyser  and 
Mrs.  Kyser,  Jack  Robbins,  head  of 
Robbins  Music ;  and  Robert  Morley 
are  among  passengers  arriving  here 
today  from  Europe  on  the  SS  Queen 
Elizabeth. 

• 

Rafael  Ramos  Cobian,  president 
of  Cobian  Theatres  of  San  Juan, 
Puerto  Rico,  and  Juan  Menendez, 
vice-president  of  Compania  Cinemato- 
grafica  Cubana,  are  in  New  York. 
• 

Ben  Kalmenson,  Warner  distribu- 
tion vice-president,  is  due  in  Chicago 
today  on  a  tour  of  the  company's 
Western  exchanges. 

• 

Lew  Kerner,  former  executive  tal- 
ent director  for  Samuel  Goldwyn  Pro- 
ductions, has  returned  to-  New  York 
from  Europe. 

• 

Max  Wilkinson,  Samuel  Goldwyn 
Productions  story  editor,  arrived  here 
yesterday  en  route  to  Europe  for  con- 
ferences with  Sir  Alexander  Korda. 
• 

Howard  Strickling,  M-G-M  stu- 
dio publicity  head,  and  his  wife  will 
sail  from  England  on  Saturday  on  the 
SS  Queen  Mary  for  New  York. 
• 

Joseph  H.  Seidelman,  head  of  for- 
eign operations  for  Universal-Inter- 
national, will  fly  to  the  Coast  for  stu- 
dio conferences  this  weekend. 
• 

Ed  Hinchy,  head  of  the  Warner 
playdate  department,  will  leave  here 
today  for  New  Haven  and  Boston. 
• 

Norton  V.  Ritchey,  Monogram 
International  president,  will  sail  for 
Europe  today  on  the  5\y  America, 

Bernard  J.  Gates,  Monogram  In- 
ternational Latin  American  supervisor, 
is  in  Rio  de  Janeiro. 

5th  &  Walnut  Appeal 
Notice  Filed  Here 

Notice  of  appeal  to  the  Second  Cir- 
cuit Court  of  Appeals  in  New  York 
was  filed  yesterday  by  Monroe  Stein 
on  behalf  of  his  client,  Fifth  and  Wal- 
nut Amusement  Co.,  in  its  anti-trust 
action  against  major  distributors.  A 
jury  verdict  handed  down  on  June  29 
in  U.  S.  District  Court  here  dismissed 
the  distributor-defendants. 


CPYROS  SKOURAS  spared 
^  no  verbal  horses  in  a  reveal- 
ing address  before  20th  Century- 
Fox's  sales  convention  in  Toron- 
to a  handful  of  days  ago.  He 
described  1947  as  a  year  of 
"heart-breaking  experience"  and 
linked  it  to  the  side  of  the 
"nightmarish." 

Eighteen  pictures  released  in 
that  period  averaged  more  than 
$2,300,000  apiece  to  turn  out,  but 
the  disappointment  entered,  as 
Skouras  put  it,  because:  "While 
these  pictures  made  money  for 
our  customers,  they  did  not 
bring  us  the  return  expected 
and,  on  many  of  them,  we  ac- 
tually lost  money  because  as 
high  as  were  the  rentals  earned, 
these  receipts  in  ratio  to  the 
high  cost  of  production  effected 
losses  to  the  company." 

■ 

The  consequence,  he  observed, 
not  only  was  "shocking,  but  in- 
credible because  we  had  taken 
every  precaution  in  preparing 
and  making  these  pictures." 
The  pinch  entered  in  that  "we 
just  didn't  get  enough  to  pay  for 
them." 

The  final  result,  it  was  further 
and  frankly  explained,  was  a 
loss  of  $6,000,000  on  the  produc- 
tion side,  although  the  company 
did  show  a  net  of  $3,000,000  at 
the  close  of  last  year.  "What 
saved  us,"  explained  Skouras, 
"was  earnings  on  pictures  of 
previous  years  and  the  earnings 
of  our  theatre  subsidiaries.''' 
The  production-distribution  loss 
traced  to  the  conclusion  the  pic- 
tures were  not  sold  "in  ratio  to 
actual  production  cost." 

■ 

The  story  of  the  budget  goes 
like  this : 

The  1946-47  lineup  of  18  at- 
tractions costing  $41,400,000  at 
an  average  of  $2,300,000,  com- 
pared with  the  1947-48  schedule 
of  24  releases  costing  $45,600,- 
000  at  an  average  of  $1,900,000. 

The  30  pictures  planned  for 
the  forthcoming  season,  how- 
ever, are  estimated  at  $48,000,- 
000  to  $50,000,000  at  an  antici- 
pated average  of  $1,600,000. 

According  to  this  analysis, 
therefore,  20th-Fox  is  linking 
its  operations  to  the  times  by 
cutting  its  per-picture  budget 
from  $2,300,000  to  $1,600,000. 

The  difference  of  $700,000  per 
attraction  in  a  two-year  span  is 
whale  of  a  difference  on  any- 
body's adding  machine. 
■ 

Poking  an  obvious  poke  at  in- 
dividuals unnamed,  Skouras  also 


had  this  to  remark:  "We  have 
no  sympathy  with  those  people 
in  our  industry  who  view  the 
future  with  such  pessimism.  We 
approach  the  future  with  great- 
est confidence." 

On  television,  he  practically 
blueprinted  his  company's  ob- 
jective when  he  pointed  out  the 
policy  is  long-range.  "We  have 
gone  deep  into  this  subject  of 
television.  We  have  been  work- 
ing on  it  for  the  past  several 
years.  We  intend  to  march 
with  the  progress  of  television 
because  we  know  that  it  will 
add  to  the  popularity  and  widen 
the  market  of  motion  pictures." 


The  measure  of  popularity  he 
forecasts  is  Skouras'  conviction 
that  video  will  build  new  audi- 
ences for  picture  houses ;  in  fact, 
he  foresees  millions  of  them  by 
1953.  Perhaps  it  will  be  encour- 
aging for  theatremen  to  learn 
this,  too: 

"I  believe  that  television  will 
bring  about  results  that  will,  in 
time,  enable  the  motion  picture 
theatres  to  earn  twice  as  much 
as  they  are  earning  today.  With 
the  large  television  screen,  we 
can  supplement  programs  with 
entertainment  and  subjects  that 
the  small  home  sets  cannot  fur- 
nish. We  will  be  able  to  tele- 
visualize  {this  may  be  one  for 
future  dictionaries]  for  our  au- 
diences all  of  the  important  do- 
ings of  the  day — and  when  they 
are  actually  happening." 


On  a  broader  level,  finally 
this : 

"We  believe  goodwill  and  best 
public  relations  come  from  the 
quality  of  motion  pictures  we 
make.  But  I  believe  it  should 
be  an  intelligent  product,  too. 
It  should  be  a  courageous 
product." 


Directors  normally  meet  in 
board  rooms  designated  for  the 
purpose.  Circumstances,  how- 
ever, occasionally  dictate  other- 
wise. Examples:  The  board  of 
a  wholly-owned  Paramount  thea- 
tre subsidiary  which  met  in  a 
corridor  of  the  Paramount 
Building.  The  board  of  another 
100  per  cent-owned  theatre  com- 
pany which  got  together  in  a 
washroom. 

Unprecedented,  perhaps,  was 
a  recent  UA  board  conclave 
held  in  the  quarters  of  Grad 
Sears  at  New  York  Hospital. 


Newsreel 
Parade 

OPENING  of  Idlewild  Airport  an 
the  start  of  the  Olympic  game 
are  current  newsreel  highlights.  Othc 
items  are  the  blast  in  Germany's  Far 
ben  chemical  plant,  and  Congres. 
probe  of  the  Red  spy  ring.  Complet 
contents  follow : 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  62— World' 
greatest  airport  opened.  Congress  probe- 
Communist  spy  ring  in  U.  S.  The  \  I, 
killed  and  injured  in  German  blast.v^'  it. 
pic  games. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  296 — Olym; 
pic  games.  U.  S.  woman  spy  for  Reds  tell, 
her  story.  Blast  disaster  wrecks  town  ii 
Germany.     Greatest  airport  inaugurated.  i 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  9»— Aeria 
cross-roads  of  the  world.  Israel  salute: 
heroes  on  "Nation  Day."  Blast  wrecki' 
chemical  plant  in  Germany.  Olympic 
games. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.   166— Mam 

moth  air  show  opens-  New  York  airport 
German  explosion  kills  200,  injures  over 
3,000.  First  post-war  Olympic  games  held 
in  London. 

WARNER  PAT  HE  NEAVS,  No.  101— 
Truman  and  Dewey  open  airport.  Explo- 
sion in  Germany.  Israel  army  on  parade. 
Ex-Red  testifies.    Olympic  games  begin. 

$50,000  for  Cancer 
From  'Power'  Short 

Warner  yesterday  turned  over  $50,- 
000  to  Walter  Winchell,  secretary- 
treasurer  of  the  Damon  Runyon  Me- 
morial Fund,  representing  the  profits 
from  its  two-reel  Technicolor  film 
"Power  Behind  the  Nation."  The  film, 
which  was  produced  by  Warner  and 
sponsored  in  distribution  by  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America, 
played  over  10,000  theatres  in  the 
U.  S. 

S.D.G.  Establishes 
Quarterly  Awards 

Hollywood,  August  3. — Screen  Di^ 
rectors  Guild  has  inaugurated  a  self- 
contained  balloting  system  by  which 
it  will  make  quarterly  and  annual 
awards  to  members  for  the  best  direc- 
tion. Move  does  not  affect  the  Aca- 
demy's annual  awards  machinery. 

PCCITO  Trustees  To 
Meet  September  14-16 

Hollywood,  August  3.  —  Annual 
meeting  of  Pacific  Coast  Conference  of 
Independent  Theatre  Owners  trustees 
will  be  held  here  on  September  14-16 
at  the  Ambassador  Hotel,  executive 
secretary  Robert  H.  Poole  announces. 


Resigns  SRO  Post 

Cincinnati,  August  3. — Jack  Keat- 
ing has  resigned  as  manager  of  the 
local  Selznick  Releasing  Organization 
branch.  His  future  plans  have  not 
been  announced,  nor  his  successor 
named. 


Tulipan,  Frick  Switch 

Ira  Tulipan,  20th  Century-Fox  trade 
press  contact  here,  and  Lou  Frick, 
press  book  editor,  have  switched  po- 
sitions, Charles  Schlaifer,  director  of 
advertising-publicity,  announces. 


Republic  Board  Meeting 

Republic  Pictures'  board  of  direc- 
tors is  scheduled  to  meet  here  on 
August  26. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c, 


I) 


(Wednesday,  August  4,  1948 


Motion  Picture  daily 


3 


High  Ticket  Taxes 
Attacked  in  Sweden 


Washington,  August  3. — Protests 
{(,iiof  Swedish  theatre  owners  against  the 
Hi  increased  admission  tax  are  not  ex- 
pected to  produce  "any  noticeable  ef- 
't;  feet,"  according  to  a  Commerce  De- 
partment report  prepared  by  motion 
U  ,picture  chief  Nathan  D.  Golden, 
h     At  the  annual  congress  of  theatre 
I  qj  ^jte'  association  a  protest  against 
tfi  Y-^breased  tax  was  adopted  and 
,  submitted  to  the  government.  The  pro- 
test  stated  that  the  new  tax  unjusti- 
«  fiably  burdened  a  large  part  of  the 
population  for  whom  motion  pictures 
'  are  the  only  kind  of  amusement,  that 
Lithe  high  standards  of  the  theatres  and 
"  the  large  domestic  production  were 
attained  by  large  attendance,  and  that 
1 J  attendance  is  now  declining  and  may 
„  J  soon  not  be  sufficient  to  keep  up  do- 
H'mestic  production. 

The  report  says  that  a  new  labor 
agreement  for  studio  technical  person- 
nel has  been  signed,  clearing  the  way 
for  resumption  of  production,  which 
had  been  at  a  standstill  since  late  De- 
cember. 

Equipment  Demand 
Is  High  in  Europe 

Fred  H.  Hotchkiss,  Continental 
European  manager   of   the  Westrex 

n  Corp.,  Western  Electric  foreign  dis- 
tributor, has  returned  to  New  York 

tfrom  10  weeks  in  Europe,  and  reports 

■  that  the  demand  for  film  equipment  for 
both  studios  and  theatres  continues 

■1  high.  Availability  of  funds,  he  adds, 
has  not  yet  been  markedly  affected  by 
the  ERP  plan,  except  in  Switzerland 
and  Belgium.  Highest  anticipation  for 
improvement  of  conditions  as  a  result 
of  American  aid  was  in  Italy,  he  re- 
ports. 


$10,000,000  to  U.S. 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

year,  about  30  per  cent  were  altered, 
usually  by  deletions. 

The  Norwegian  government  is  ex- 
l  pected  to  become  a   stockholder  in 
;  Norsk  Film,  the  Commerce  Depart- 
ment film  chief  reported. 

An  additional  loan  will  be  used  to 
establish  a  special  division  in  the  com- 
pany to  produce  educational  films. 
Another  loan  will  be  to  develop  the 
studio  at  Jar.  This  loan  will  be  se- 
cured by  the  decision  of  many  muni- 
cipalities to  make  one  per  cent  of  the 
gross  of  their  municipally-owned  thea- 
tres available  if  necessary. 

Municipally-owned  theatres  in  Nor- 
way suffered  an  11  per  cent  drop  in 
earnings  last  year,  Golden  reports.  He 
states  that  latest  figures  list  364  thea- 
tres in  Norway,  of  which  160  are  mu- 
nicipally owned. 

Exhibition  in'  Norway  during  the 
past  six  months  of  "several  excellent 
U.'  S.  films  has  considerably  tempered 
the  former  adverse  tone  of  most  Nor- 
wegian critics  towards  films  produced 
in  the  U.  S.,"  according  to  the  report. 
At  the  same  time,  the  import  of  some 
British  "B"  films  has  cut  the  popu- 
larity of  British  pictures.  ^| 

Newman  To  Visit  U.S. 

Ottawa,  August  3. — A.  H.  New- 
man, newly  appointed  Canadian  gov- 
ernment central  liaison  for  all  Ameri- 
can film  production  in  Canada,  has 
left  here  for  a  series  of  engagements 
with  American  film  interests,  includ- 
ing Hollywood,  in  connection  with  his 
new  duties. 


Budget  Ceilings 


( Continued  from  page  1 ) 

because  of  huge  production  costs  and 
the  tight  situation  of  foreign  markets. 
The  only  answer,  they  say,  is  cutting 
production  outlay  and  at  the  same 
time,  through  greater  efficiency  of 
operation,  actually  enhance  the  qual- 
ity of  product. 

Eric  A.  Johnston,  president  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Amer- 
ica, recently  voiced  the  conviction  of 
most  executives  that  producers  can  no 
longer  rely  on  foreign  market  earn- 
ings and  should  figure  their  budgets 
on  the  potential  revenue  from  the 
U.  S.  almost  exclusively. 

'More  Earthy'  Films  for  Masses 

Universal  officials  are  said  to  have 
in  mind  a  new  policy  of  holding  bud- 
gets to  between  $700,000  and  $1,000,- 
000  and  the  production  of  more  earthy, 
"solid"  entertainment  for  mass  ap- 
peal. "Abbott  and  Costello  Meet 
Frankenstein,"  currently  doing  excep- 
tionally big  business,  was  given  as  an 
example  of  the  type  of  product  in 
mind,  and  as  evidence  that  the  policy 
can  work. 

It  is  said  that  the  company  has  its 
sights  on  distribution  revenue  of  be- 
tween $2,000,000  and  $3,000,000  on  its 
$700,000-to-$l, 000,000  product.  This 
would  mean  a  profit  on  each  picture 
of  $500,000  to  $1,000,000  after  distribu- 
tion costs,  advertising  and  print 
charges.  r4 

Would  Not  Bar  High  Cost  Films 

Under  the  plan,  the  lower-budget 
product  would  be  the  backbone  of  its 
entire  program  but  occasional  films 
costing  perhaps  $2,000,000  or  $3,000,- 
000  would  not  be  eliminated. 

Slated  to  participate  in  Universal's 
annual  production  conclave  are :  J. 
Cheever  Cowdin,  chairman  of  the 
board ;  Nate  J.  Blumberg,  president ; 
William  Goetz  and  Leo  Spitz,  produc- 
tion executives ;  Charles  D,  Prutzman, 
vice-president  and  general  counsel ; 
Joseph  H.  Seidelman,  vice-president 
in  charge  of  foreign  distribution ; 
William  A.  Scully,  vice-president  and 
general  sales  manager;  Maurice  Berg-S1 
man,  Eastern  advertising-publicity 
manager;  John  Joseph,  national  direc- 
tor of  advertising,  publicity  and  ex- 
ploitation, and  Robert  Goldstein,  East- 
ern studio  representative. 


Scully  Sets  Policy 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ing-publicity  manager,  who  said  that 
top-grade  product  such  as  "Hamlet" 
and  "Christopher  Columbus"  will  be 
consigned  to  the  top  showcases  and 
given  road-show  treatment.  The  stand- 
ard type  of  fare  from  England — films 
figured  to  appeal  to  the  masses — will 
be  sold  in  the  regular  fashion,  Berg- 
man said.. : 

Scully  pointed  .to  :  Xew  York's  Sut- 
ton Theatre  and  the  Stage  Door  in 
San  Francisco  as  examples  ofcthe  type 
of  house  figured  in  the  nev^Jfolicy  on 
certain  new  British  pictures.  "Such  im- 
ports as  "I  Know  Where  I'm  Going" 
hav.e  played  the  Sutton  three  months 
at  consistently  good  business, 
v Universal's  own  experieflBe^jjyll  be 
trie  yardstick  in  determining  in  which 
of  the,  three  selling  categories  fffture 
Rank-*  pictures  will  '"  be  placed,  ;-^|ully 
said.  Decisions^vil|  be  made  froth  the 
point  of  subject  matter  of  the  product, 
not  the  budget,  Bergman  emphasized. 

Scully  and  Bergman  returned  to 
New  York  last  week  from  London 
where  the  new  policy  was  set  with  the 
Rank  organization. 


See  Mexican  Trade 
Aided  by  Peso  Cut 


Mexico  City,  August  3. — Recovery 
of  the  Mexican  industry  from  the 
slump  into  which  it  has  fallen  since 
the  war's  end  is  seen  in  some  trade 
quarters  here  as  a  result  of  the  new 
devaluation  of  the  peso. 

Increased  theatre  patronage  is  ex- 
pected because  those  who  depend  on 
exports  and  the  tourist  trade  for  their 
livelihood  will  have  more  money  to 
spend  on  entertainment.  This  is  good 
news  to  exhibitors,  who  complain  that 
business  this  summer  is  40  per  cent 
below  what  it  was  this  time  last  year. 

The  devaluation  has  one  disadvan- 
tage for  U.  S.  and  other  foreign  dis- 
tributors. They  will  get  less  money 
out  of  Mexico  because  it  will  cost 
6.5  pesos  instead  of  4.85  to  buy  a 
dollar. 

Canada  Seeks  Video 
Channels  from  U.  S. 

Ottawa,  August  3. — Canada  is  nego- 
tiating with  the  United  States  for  tel- 
evision broadcasting  channels  covering 
a  belt  250  miles  deep  on  each  side  of 
the  boundary  and  practically  including 
all  major  Canadian  cities.  Canadian 
Broadcasting  Corp.'s  first  meeting 
after  Oct.  1  will  consider  applications 
by  private  business  for  the  right  to 
open  television  stations  in  Canada  and 
it  is  expected  the  first  Canadian  tele- 
vision station  will  be  operating  within 
18  months. 

ABC  Shares  Listed 
On  Stock  Exchange 

Stock  of  American  Broadcasting 
Co.  has  been  placed  on  the  New  York 
Stock  Exchange.  Some  1,689,017 
shares  of  common,  one  dollar  par 
value,  are  selling  at  close  to  nine 
points. 

Edward  J.  Noble,  now  ABC  board 
chairman,  purchased  the  network  in 
1943  for  $8,000,000.  Its  1947  net  earn- 
ings were  $1,520,756. 


Memphis  Manager  Dies 

Memphis,  August  3. — Ab  Morrison, 
dean  of  Memphis  theatre  managers, 
died  at  his  home  here  yesterday  after- 
noon at  the  age  of  77.  He  had  been 
an  invalid  for  about  six  years  follow- 
ing a  hip  injury  which  resulted  in  his 
retirement  in  1942  as  manager  of  the 
Warner  after  10  years  in  the  post. 


Schine  Station  Ready 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  August  3.— WPTR, 
10,000-watt  Schine  station,  will  open 
here  Frjday  night  with  a  program 
from  the  ballroom  of  the  Ten  Eyck 
Hotel.  Louis  W.  Schine  is  expected 
to  head  circuit  officials  attending  this 
first  Schine  radio  operation. 


Witherell  to  Video  Films 

&  William  Witherell,  film  producer 
Snd  radio-television  copyrighter  for 
Batten,  Barton,  Durstine  and  Osborn, 
will  leave  that  ad  agency  on  Friday 
to  handle  spot  film  commercials  for 
Video  Films  in  Detroit. 


Satori  Moved  to  N.  Y. 

William  Satori,  Monogram's  Con- 
tinental European  representative,  will 
now  make  his  headquarters  at  the 
Monogram  International  home  office 
here.  He  heretofore  made  his  head- 
quarters in  London. 


Johnston  to  Paris 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

er,  head  of  the  MPAA  international 
division,  now  in  Paris,  reported  by 
telephone  that  the  French  Government 
had  changed  its  proposals  on  the  uses 
by  the  U.  S.  companies  of  their 
blocked  money  in  that  country. 

It  is  understood  that  the  French 
have  offered  to  convert  to  American 
dollars  all  French  francs  owned  by 
the  U.  S.  companies,  reportedly  total- 
ing $9,000,000,  to  be  remitted  to  the 
U.  S.  over  a  four-year  period.  In 
addition,  a  part  of  future  earnings 
would  be  remittable  with  the  balance 
blocked. 

It  is  said  that  the  French  apparently 
are  patterning  their  dollar-exchange 
system  after  that  adopted  by  England 
where  that  government  established 
various  "permitted  uses,"  such  as  in- 
vestment in  production  of  blocked 
funds. 

Inquiry  revealed  that  Johnston  has 
been  considering  a  European  trip  but 
that  no  definite  plans  have  been  made 
yet. 

C,  R.  Reagan,  56, 
Head  of  16mm.  Group 

C.  R.  Reagan,  president  of  the  new- 
ly formed  Film  Control  Council  of 
America  and  former  associate  head  of 
the  bureau  of  motion  pictures  of  the 
Office  of  War  Information,  died  last 
Saturday  in  Paris,  according  to  re- 
ports reaching  here. .He  was  56  years 
old. 

Reagan,  accompanied  by  his  wife, 
was  in  Paris  to  attend  a  UNESCO 
meeting.  After  a  career  in  education, 
he  left  the  teaching  profession  in  1925 
to  become  a  dealer  in  the  old  Acme 
portable  projectors.  Later,  he  operated 
a  circuit  of  theatres  near  Bryson, 
N.  C. 

He  was  an  organizer  and  first  pres- 
ident of  the  National  Association  of 
Visual  Education  Dealers.  In  1942  he 
aided  in  the  setting  up  of  the  OWI 
16mm.  advisory  committee.  He  was 
named  associate  chief  of  the  OWI 
Domestic  Motion  Picture  Bureau  in 
1944.  ' 

Services  in  Buffalo 
For  P.  A.  Powers 

Buffalo,  August  3. — The  Right 
Reverend  Monsignor  Edmund  J.  Britt 
officiated  at  a  Solemn  Requiem  High 
Mass  for  P.  A.  Powers  at  10  o'clock 
this  morning  in  St.  Joseph's  Old 
Cathedral.  Powers,  79,  industry  vete- 
ran, died  in  New  York  last  Friday 
evening  of  coronary  thrombosis.  In- 
terment was  in  his  native  New  York 
village  of  Limestone. 

Milder  Interment  To 
Be  in  This  Country 

London,  August  3. — Private  serv- 
ices were  held  here  in  his  home  for 
the  late  Max  Milder,  formerly  War- 
ner managing  director  in  the  United 
Kingdom,  who  died  on  Sunday  fol- 
lowing a  lengthy  illness.  The  remains 
cvill  be  returned  to  America,  but  a 
date  is  uncertain  at  this  time. 

He  had  been  in  London  for  20  years, 
from  the  U.  S. 


New  UK  Censor  Official 

London,  August  3. — Arthur  Wat- 
kins  has  been  appointed  secretary  of 
the  British  Board  of  Film  Censors, 
succeeding  the  late  Brooke  Wilkinson. 
Watkins  was  assistant  secretary  to  the 
Board. 


i 


WARNERS' 


WIDE-OPEN 
ALL-TEXAS 


PREMIERE 


TODAY ! 


'N 


COLOR 


9  I 

t      /  J 


TEXAS'  TOP  SHOW  EVENT 
COVERED  COAST  TO  COAST! 

The  stars  will  be  there!  Gov- 
ernors, mayors,  Indian  chiefs!  j 
And  the  newsreels  will  be 
there;  the  networks  will  be  §| 
there;  plus  news  reporters, 
wire  services,  photo  syndi- 
cates, top  magazines! 


and 


directed  by 


produced  by 


DOROTHY  MALONE  •  PENNY  EDWARDS  •  OAVIO  BUTLER  •  ALEX  GOTTLIEB 

Screen  Play  by  I.  A.L.  Diamond  and  Allen  Boreti  •  Suggested  by  a  Play  by  Robert  Sloane  and  Louis  Pelletier  •  Orchestral  Arrangements  by  Ray  Heindorf  •  Music  by  Jute  Styne  •  Lyrics  by  Sammy  Cahn 


ACTION 


Big-scale  western.  Well-stocked  with  a 
tionful  moments. 

-  HARRISON  S  REPOR 


Head-and-shoulders  above  routine  westen 
Production,  camera,  acting,  story,  directi 
unquestionably  superior. 

-  MOTION  PICTURE  HERAL 


Sufficiently  impressive  to  easily  earn  desk 
nation  of  super-western.  Highly-competer 
cast.  Spectacular  production  values.  Hai 
trigger  direction. 


-  BOXOFFIC 


ACTIOI 


Good  western.  Generous  helping  of  sue 
pense. 

—  THE  EXHIBITO 

first  C/ass 


More  men,  more  horses,  more  shooting,  al 
help  make  this  western  more  effective  than 
usual.  First  class  production. 

-  SHOWMEN  S  TRADE  REVIEW 


with 


ANDY  DEVINE  ■  JACK  HOLT  and  grant  wither: 

Screen  Play  by  Gerald  Adams    Original  Story  by  John  K.  Butler  and  Gerald  Geraghty  Asso 

A    REPUBLIC  PI} 


flk  "W  §  INI 


Well  plotted  western.  Top  production.  High 
satisfaction. 

-  FILM  DAILY 


ACTION! 


Tightly-woven  story.  Tense  and  credible 
outdoor  drama.  Will  bring  strong  boxoffice 
results.  High  above  average  appeal  for  en- 
tire family.  Sure  bet. 

-  INDEPENDENT  FILM  JOURNAL 


KTIOli 


Big  brawling  western  that  will  stand  up  in 
any  situation.  Solidly  based  story.  Director 
has  given  a  wallop  that  spells  sturdy  en- 
tertainment. 

-  DAILY  VARIETY 


CTIO 


Slam-bang  oater.  Will  be  big  hit  with  action 
fans  and  all  who  like  good  entertainment. 
Lots  of  suspense. 

-  HOLLYWOOD  REPORTER 


IE  MARA  •  JAMES  BROWN 


cer-Director  JOSEPH  KANE 


J  R  E 


8 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  August  4,  194P 


N.  T.  Settlement 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


counsel  for  the  four  N.T.  executives, 
and  Milton  Pollack,  representing  the 
plaintiffs  favoring  the  agreement,  took 
issue  with  the  contentions  of  attorneys 
for  objectors  that  the  accord  was  noth- 
ing more  than  a  "paper  settlement" 
offered  in  questionable  faith,  that  the 
shares  were  given  to  the  N.T.  officers 
as  compensation  and  not  for  the  pur- 
pose of  capital  gains,  that  the  con- 
tract under  which  Skouras  acquired 
the  stock  was  illegal,  and  that  the 
stock  transaction  was  a  waste  of  cor- 
porate assets. 

Proponents  of  the  settlement  char- 
acterized it  variously  as  "fair"  and 
"generous,"  and  the  stock  transaction 
was  defended  as  "valid"  and  "un- 
assailable." 

'Proprietary,  Not  Compensatory' 

In  arguing  that  the  transfer  of  the 
stock  to  the  N.T.  executives  "was  not 
a  compensatory  but  a  proprietary 
transaction,"  Rosenman  said  that  the 
idea  of  giving  Charles  Skouras  and 
the  other  N.T.  officials  a  proprietary 
interest  in  N.T.  was  born  eight  years 
before  Spyros  P.  Skouras  became 
president  of  20th-Fox.  He  denied  that 
the  idea  was  conceived  following  Spy- 
ros Skouras'  ascendency  to  the  film 
company's  presidency. 

Counsel  for  stockholders  opposed  to 
the  settlement  plan  contended  that 
Charles  Skouras  made  a  prdfit  of  $4,- 
281,000  in  the  stock  deal.  They  voiced 
considerable  objection  to  the  Skouras 
earnings,  which  they  termed  "exces- 
sive." Especially  cited  was  the  big 
jump  in  his  income  from  1942  onward. 
The  ceiling  of  $360,000  placed  on 
Skouras'  earnings  in  the  proposed  set- 
tlement was  objected  to  as  still  too 
high.  Rosenman  informed  the  court 
that  the  profits  of  N.T.  would  have 
to  rise-  above  $6,400,000  before  Skou- 
ras and  the  other  three  N.T.  execu- 
tives could  realize  earnings  above  the 
ceilings  suggested  under  the  settle- 
ment. 

Four  Bought  Stock  in  1944 

The  stock  under  dispute  was  sold  to 
Skouras,  Ricketson,  Rhoden  and  Fitz- 
gerald in  1*)44,  being  repurchased  by 
20th-Fox  two  years  later.  The  suits 
were  filed  in  1946. 

The  proposed  settlement  is  said  to 
make  it  possible  for  20th-Fox  to  re- 
cover approximately  $1,800,000,  while 
amendments  to  the  employment  con- 
tract of  Charles  Skouras,  head,  of 
N.T.,  extending  over  the  next  seven 
years,  would  make  it  possible  to  save 
the  company  a  total  of  $1,750,000  addi- 
tional at  current  earnings  and  tax 
levels.  At  the  same  time  20th-Fox 
would  obtain  from  executives  calls  ex- 
piring Dec.  31,  1949,  at  $22.50  per 
share  on  18,500  shares  of  20th-Fox 
common  stock. 


Reviews 


'Two  Guys  from  Texas' 


(Warner  Brothers) 

DENNIS  MORGAN  and  Jack  Carson,  song-and-patter  team,  go  on  a 
merry-go-round  down  in  Texas  where  they  stir  up  a  minor  tempest  of 
excitement.  Their  doings  provide  a  lot  of  lightweight  fun,  sometimes  silly, 
but  never  monotonous.  Many  of  the  pleasantries  are  routine,  but  filmed  in 
Technicolor  and  loaded  with  easy-going  songs,  the  film's  popular  appeal 
seems  natural.  On  the  distaff  side  are  two  pretty  charmers,  Dorothy  Malone 
and  Penny  Edwards. 

No  sooner  do  Morgan  and  Carson  land  at  a  Texas  dude  ranch  than  two 
shady  city  characters  execute  a  robbery  and  plant  the  blame  on  the  former 
pair.  Morgan  and  Carson  spend  a  major  part  of  their  time  eluding  the  sheriff 
and  trying  to  clear  themselves.  Between  flight  and  frolic,  the  boys  also  find 
time  to  pursue  romantic  ambitions,  and  thus  Miss  Malone  and  Miss  Edwards 
come  in  for  a  fair  measure  of  the  footage.  A  good  deal  of  the  plot's  comedy 
arises  from  an  unusual  fear  of  animals  that  Carson  has.  Upon  hasty  psycho- 
analysis, it  is  learned  that  behind  Carson's  fear  of  animals  is  a  fear  of  girls. 

As  treatment,  Carson  is  advised  to  win  over  the  affections  of  Morgan's 
girl,  thereby  bringing  more  slapstick  comedy  into  the  I.  A.  L.  Diamond  and 
Allen  Boretz  screenplay.  Morgan  and  Carson  work  together  with  effective 
appeal.  Alex  Gottlieb  produced  and  David  Butler  directed. 

Running  time,  86  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date 
September  4.  ■  M.H 


National  Theatres  Meet 

Hollywood,  August  3.  —  National 
Theatres  division  presidents  will  con- 
vene here  tomorrow  for  their  annual 
summer  business  sessions,  with  presi- 
dent Charles  Skouras  presiding.  The 
meetings  are  expected  to  run  three 
days. 


FULLY  EQUIPPED  PROJEC- 
TION ROOM  FOR  LEASE. 
WESTERN  ELECTRIC 
SOUND.  630  9th  AVENUE. 
Circle  6-6660 


"Pitfall" 

(Regal  Films-United  Artists) 

MANY  exploitable  attributes  are  contained  in  "Pitfall,"  story  of  a  home 
loving  family  man  who  becomes  fascinated  by  another  woman  and  finds 
himself  lured  into  a  maelstrom  of  troubles.  The  cast  is  a  good  one,  headed 
by  Dick  Powell,  Lizabeth  Scott  and  Jane  Wyatt;  the  story  is  one  that  makes 
the  plight  of  the  central  figure  human  and  believable;  and  direction  by  Andre 
de  Toth  draws  full  measure  of  tension  out  of  the  narrative.  It  is  reliable 
fare  for  adult  audiences. 

Powell,  an  insurance  company  investigator,  is  happily  married  to  Miss 
Wyatt,  but  longs  to  escape  the  monotony  of  "average"  living.  He  meets 
Miss  Scott  while  investigating  some  gifts  purchased  for  her  by  a  boy  friend 
with  embezzled  funds.  Powell  soon  becomes  infatuated,  but  breaks  off  in 
time  to  save  his  marriage  from  disintegration.  By  this  time,  however,  Miss 
Scott's  boy  friend  is  released  from  jail,  and  through  the  instigation  of  a 
jealous  private  detective,  sets  out  to  "get"  Powell.  In  self-defense,  Powell 
kills  the  boy  friend  and  after  a  good  deal  of  soul-searching  and  remorse  con 
fesses  to  his  wife  the  mistake  of  his  past. 

Powell  and  Miss  Wyman  are  proficient  and  credible  in  their  roles.  As  the 
hulking  private  detective,  Raymond  Burr  handles  his  slickly-styled  role  with 
easy  competence.  Miss  Scott,  as  the  "other  woman"  who  finally  shoots  the 
mettlesome  detective,  has  a  vibrant  quality,  even  though  her  role  is  occasion 
ally  burdened  with  trite  dialogue.  A  Regal  Films  production  released  through 
United  Artists,  Samuel  Bischoff  produced.  The  Karl  Kamb  screenplay  was 
based  on  the  Jay  Dratler  novel. 

Running'  time,  85  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date 
August  18.  M.H. 


Memphis  Censor  Ban 
On  'Lulu  Belle9  Eased 

Memphis,  August  3. — Columbia's 
"Lulu  Belle,"  which  the  Memphis 
board  of  censors  voted  unanimously  on 
June  29  to  ban  here,  will  open  at  the 
Malco  Theatre  on  August  12,  as  origi- 
nally scheduled,  following  a  revision 
of  the  board's  ruling.  The  board 
changed  its  position  after  deletions 
suggested  by  Columbia,  according  to 
Lloyd  T.  Binford,  chairman  of  the 
censor  board. 

Binford  said  the  board  has  restricted 
showing  of  the  film  to  the  Malco  and 
added  that  "it  will  not  be  shown  at 
any  suburban  theatre,  where  most  of 
the  children  go."  He  also  said  the 
Malco  showing  would  not  be  restricted 
to  adults  because  "that  would  just 
make  some  youngsters  lie  about  their 
age  to  get  in." 


$7,500  Capitol  'Jackpof 

New  York  Capitol  Theatre's  first 
"jackpof"  in  the  current  "Mystery 
Melody — Stop  the  Music"  stage  show 
was  won  yesterday  by  a  patron,  one 
J.  M.  Hughes  of  Long  Island.  It 
totaled  $5,000  in  prizes  and  will  "be 
followed  today  by  a  second,  of  $7,500. 
On  the  screen  is  "On  an  Island  with 
You."  The  house  is  playing  five  per- 
formances daily,  opening  at  nine  A.M. 


Clearance  Changes 
Asked  in  Newington 

Hartford,  August  3. — The  Ameri- 
can Arbitration  Association  here  has 
received  an  arbitration  demand  against 
the  five  major  distributors  from  Nick 
Kounaris  and  Apostolis  Tolis,  oper- 
ators of  the  Newington  Theatre  in 
Newington. 

A  revision  of  clearances  of  New 
Britain  houses  over  Newington  is 
sought.  Warner's  Strand  and  Em- 
bassy, both  in  New  Britain,  have  30- 
day  clearance  over  Newington  for 
Warner  product  and  21  days  in  re- 
spect to  other  product,  it  is  asserted, 
and  a  reduction  to  one  day  is  asked. 


Para.  Screen  Tests 
Cadets  for  Premiere 

In  a  novel  use  of  its  theatre  tele- 
vision process,  Paramount  last  night 
gave  screen  tests  to  West  Point  cadets 
and  later,  as  a  curtain-raiser  to  the 
New  York  premiere  of  Paramount's 
"Beyond  Glory,"  showed  a  film  record 
of  the  tests,  as  televised  to  the  Para- 
mount Theatre  projection  booth.  The 
400  West  Point  cadets  were  dinner 
guests  at  Tavern-on-the-Green  and  at 
the  premiere.  The  tests  were  televised 
from  Tavern-on-the-Green. 


Short 
Subjects 

"White-Collar  Girls" 

(March  of  Time — 20th-Fox) 

Women  today  are  successfully  climb- 
ing the  heights  of  American  industry 
this  latest  March  of  Time  points  out 
In  formula  fashion,  the  subject  exam- 
ines that  new  sociological  phenorrj,enon 
— the  career  girl,  and  brings  tj  hi 
some  interesting  statistics — 16, 8  "',  ' 
jobholders  today  are  women,  etc.,  etc' 
The  film  highlights  typical  career 
girls,  showing  their  hopes,  ambitions 
activities  and  disappointments.  Much 
of  the  subject's  material  seems  morel 
obvious  than  revealing,  and,  while  ade- 
quate, seems,  as  a  whole,  a  bit  below 
the  par  of  others  in  the  series.  Run- 
ning time,  17  minutes. 


"Sporfs  Golden  Age" 

(RKO  Pathe—This  Is  America) 

The  sporting  habits  of  the  U.  S. 
population,  both  as  spectator  and  par- 
ticipant, are  examined  in  "Sport's, 
Golden  Age,"  an  appealing  subject 
that  stands  up  well  in  the  series. 

Along  its  course  the  subject  offers 
glimpses  of  such  past  idols  in  action 
as  Jack  Dempsey,  Knute  Rockne, 
Johnny  Weissmuller,  Bobby  Jones  and 
Babe  Ruth.  The  subject  also  comes 
up  with  a  fistful  of  interesting  statis- 
tics such  as  the  disclosure  that  sport 
is  a  $4,000,000,000-a-year  institution. 
Jay  Bonafield  produced  and  Phil  Reis- 
man,  Jr.  supervised.  Running  time,  17: 
minutes. 


Variety  of  Reasons 
For  Kentucky  Drop 

Louisville,  August  3. — A  survey 
through  the  state  indicates  low  re- 
ceipts at  box-offices,  with  some  blam- 
ing the  low  quality  of  product  and  re- 
issues, and  others  blaming  the  ex- 
tremely hot  and  humid  weather 
throughout  most  of  the  state.  Still 
others  blame  the  increase  in  the  num- 
ber of  theatres,  as  well  as  the  new 
drive-ins  which  are  dividing  up  poten- 
tial customers. 


FIVE -STAR 

DC-6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

3k  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


[■  ~~ — y 

, — .  , 

Accurate 

MOTTOK  PICTURE 

FIRST 

Concise 

ATT  ^L7^ 

IN 

and 

JJA1  L  Y 

FILM 

Impartial 

JBLSrjL  jm»JL>  .IB  #  JL 

v.. 

VC-£jj4.  NO.  25 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  AUGUST  5,  1948 

TEN  CENTS 

Potential  Film 
Fire  Loss  Is 
Reduced  to  2% 


5  Months  of  Tests  to 
Reduce  Fire  Hazards 

Washington,  August  4. — Indus- 
try and  Federal  Government  fire 
[  prevention  specialists  have  con- 
cluded nearly  three  months  of  com- 
paratively secretive  experiments  which 
are  claimed  to  have  reduced  losses  in 
film  fires  from  38  per  cent  on  the  first 
test,  made  on  May  19,  to  less  than  two 
per  cent. 

Factors  involved  in  the  tests 
and  fire  reduction  embrace  a 
new  combination  of  rack  and 
shelf  equipment,  insulation, 
1  thickness  of  vault  walls,  pres- 
sure, vent  areas,  and  sprinkler 
1  and  deluge  systems,  for  use  in 
hundreds  of  film  vaults  in  ex- 
changes, theatres,  studios,  film  . 
storages,  distribution  offices, 
and  elsewhere. 

The  experimenters   had  met  each 
Wednesday  since  mid-May  at  a  spe- 
cially-constructed vault  on  the  U.  S. 
{Continued  on  page  2) 

Allied  Studies  20th 
Conciliation:  Myers 

Washington,  August  4. — Action  by 
the  Allied  States  board  for  or  against 
the  A.  W.  Smith  20th  Century-Fox 
conciliation  plan  may  be  taken  at  its 
next  meeting,  according  to  Allied 
counsel  Abram  Myers,  who  said  that 
no  date  has  been  set  for  the  session 
but  it  will  not  take  place  before  Sep- 
tember. 

Like  most  Allied  leaders,  Myers 
said,  he  is  watching  the  plan  with  "an 
open  mind."  "If  we  can  get  some  good 
guinea  pig  testimony  by  the  time  the 
board  meets,  that'll  be  one  thing.  If 
we  don't  have  that  testimony,  that'll 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Test  for  N.  Y.  Censor 
Slated  for  Sept.  18 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  August  4. — The 
State  Civil  Service  Commission  has 
set  September  18  as  the  date  for  a 
written  examination  for  head  censor. 
The  post,  director  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture division  of  the  State  Education 
Department,  has  been  filled  on  a  tem- 
porary basis  since  Irving  Esmond  re- 
tired in  1945,  with  Dr.  Ward  Bowen 
currently   handling  the   duties.  Re- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Max  Cohen  Suit  vs. 
Three  Is  Settled 


Suit  filed  in  U.  S.  District  Court 
here  last  May  by  Max  A.  Cohen  En- 
terprises which  asked  for  $1,800,000 
in  triple  damages  for  alleged  anti- 
trust law  violations  has  been  settled 
and  the  action  is  scheduled  to  be  with- 
drawn within  the  next  few  days.  - 

A  major  part  of  the  settlement  is 
an  agreement  by  which  Cohen's  New 
Amsterdam  Theatre  will  play  product 
of  the  defendants,  RKO  Radio,  War- 
ners and  20,th  Century-Fox,  day-and- 
date  with  the  RKO  Palace.  This  con- 
stituted one  of  the  principal  items  of 
relief  sought  in  the  suit  'which  was 
filed  shortly  after  the  Palace  was 
changed  to  a  subsequent-run,  double 
feature  policy  last  spring. 

A  spokesman  for  one  of  the  defen- 
dants said  that  the  agreement  by 
which  the  New  Amsterdam  and  Pal- 
ace will  play-day-and-date  actually 
was  put  into  effect  in  June  with  "The 
Iron  Curtain."  Other  phases  of  the 
settlement  were  not  disclosed  pending 
court  action  terminating  the  litigation. 


SOPEG  Signs  New 
Contract  With  E-L 


A  new  two-and-a-half-year  contract 
effective  August  8  was  signed  here 
yesterday  by  Eagle-Lion  and  the 
Screen  Office  and  Professional  Em- 
ployes Guild,  UOPWA,  CIO.  Under 
the  agreement  some  65  white-collar 
workers  of  the  film  company  will  get 
an  immediate  7j4  per  cent  wage  in- 
crease, with  subsequent  boosts  of 
per-  cent  or  3%  per  cent  every  six 
months,  depending  on  the  company's 
condition,  until  a  total  of  15  per  cent 
has  been  reached. 

All  salaries  are  subject  to  a  cost-of- 
living  adjustment  at  six-month  inter- 
vals. The  company  will  review  sal- 
aries every  six  months.  Eagle-Lion 
agreed  to  dues  checkoff  for  employes 
desiring  it. 

The  contract  provides  for  arbitra- 
tion of  disputes,  three  weeks'  vacations 
after   10  years'   service,  increase  in 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


$297,952  3 -Months 
Profit  for  G.P.E. 

General  Precision  Equipment  Corp. 
and  subsidiaries  report  that  the  con- 
solidated net  profit  for  the  three 
months  ended  June  30,  after  provision 
for  Federal  income  taxes,  was  $297,- 
952,  subject  to  year-end  adjustments. 
Net  for  the  same  quarter  one  year  ago 
was  $417,218. 

Directors  of  GPE  have  declared  a 
dividend  of  25  cents  per  share  on  capi- 
tal stock  outstanding,  payable  Septem- 
ber 15  to  stockholders  of  record  on 
August  25. 


Canadians  Expect 
Upturn  in  the  Fall 

Ottawa,  August  4. — Theatre 
managers  here  state  that 
they  expect  business  to  be 
good  this  fall. 

Reports  that  theatre  at- 
tendance is  being  affected  ad- 
versely by  the  rising  cost  of 
living  in  Canada  are  not 
backed  by  inquiries  here,  the 
information  being  that  at- 
tendance this  summer  has  on- 
ly suffered  the  usual  seasonal 
decline  in  most  houses.  There 
has  been  no  drastic  or  un- 
expected drop  in  attendance, 
it  is  emphasized. 


Expect  Court  Will 
Clarify  Arbitration 


American  Arbitration  Association 
will  continue  to  receive  and  administer 
voluntary  arbitration  complaints  with- 
in the  industry  pending  eventual  clari- 
fication of  the  system's  status  by  the 
New  York  Federal  Court  next  fall, 
officials  of  the  association  said  here 
yesterday. 

Several  complaints  have  been  re- 
ceived from  exhibitors  since  the  Su- 
preme Court  decision  in  the  Para- 
mount case  was  handed  down  and  ar- 
rangements are  being  made  to  process 
them,  and  others  which  may  be  filed 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Keller  Heads  Sales 
Union's  Pact  Group 

Melvin  Keller  of  the  Warner  branch 
in  Portland,  Ore.,  has  been  named 
chairman  of  the  Colosseum  of  Motion 
Picture  Salesmen's  committee  which 
has  begun  negotiations  here  for  the 
first  national  salesmen's  union  employ- 
ment contract  with  distributors.  Pat 
Scollard,  Paramount's  labor  relations 
chief,  heads  the  distributors'  group, 
which  includes  Harry  Buckley,  United 
Artists ;  Charles  O'Brien,  Loew's ; 
Joseph  McMahon,  Republic,  and  Bur- 
ton A.  Zorn,  counsel. 

The  salesmen's  group  also  includes 
Frank  Flaherty,  Columbia,  Chicago; 
N.  M.  Proventure,  United  Artists, 
Milwaukee,  and  David  Beznor,  counsel. 


F.  C.  Sales  Drive 
To  Honor  Bernhard 

A  sales  drive  in  honor  of  Film 
Classics'  president,  named  the  "Joseph 
Bernhard  Drive,"  was  announced  here 
yesterday  by  B.  G.  Kranze,  distribu- 
tion vice-president.  It  will  run  to 
December  4. 


Payments  To 
Ascap  Halted 
By  Affiliates 

Pending  Clarification  of 
Whom  to  Pay  and  How 

Affiliated  theatres  have  decided 
to  withhold  payments  for  public 
performance  rights  to  music  from 
the  American  Society  of  Compos- 
ers, Authors  and  Publishers,  the  cir- 
cuits including  Paramount,  Warners, 
RKO,  and  probably  Loew's  and  20th- 
Fox's  National  Theatres. 

It  was  stressed  by  all  that 
the  payments  were  ordered 
stopped  only  until  a  clear-cut 
determination  is  made  on  which 
agency  the  rights  must  be 
cleared  through  and  by  what 
method.  Theatre  executives 
readily  acknowledged  that  they 
are  prepared,  and  fully  intend, 
to  pay  for  music,  none  of  them 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Don't  Pay  Ascap, 
Urges  Jack  Kirsch 


Chicago,  August  4.— Members  of 
Allied  Theatres  of  Illinois  were  ad- 
vised today  by  Jack  Kirsch,  president, 
to  withhold  future  payments  of  fees 
to  Ascap  on  the  basis  of  an  opinion 
submitted  to  Allied  by  its  counsel, 
Thomas  C.  McConnell. 

"Agreements  with  theatres,"  said 
McConnell,  "are  illegal  and  cannot  be 
used  by  Ascap  to  collect  license  fees 
from  theatre  owners  who  have  signed 
such  agreements.  It  would  seem  to  be 
clearly  indicated  that  Allied  members 
should  not  make  any  further  payments 
to  Ascap  because  such  payments  are 
illegal  and  do  not  afford  any  protec- 
tion  under   the   copyright   laws.  In 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


A  A  -Monogram  Policy 
Meet  on  Saturday 

Discussion  of  current  sales,  the  sell- 
ing policy  for  "The  Babe  Ruth  Story" 
and  the  charting  of  policy  for  1948- 
1949  will  highlight  the  agenda  of  a 
meeting  of  Allied  Artists-Monogram 
branch  managers  and  franchise  hold- 
ers to  be  held  Saturday  and  Sunday 
at  the  Drake  Hotel  in  Chicago. 

Among  the  New  York  contingent 
will  be  Morey  Goldstein,  general  sales 
manager,  who  will  preside ;  vice-presi- 
dents Edward  Morey  and  Charles 
Mirisch ;  Lloyd  Lind,  supervisor  of 
branch  operations,  and  Sol  Francis, 
Midwest  district  manager. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  August  5,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

ROBERT  M.  GILLHAM,  Selz- 
nick  Releasing  Organization 
Eastern  advertising-publicity  chief, 
left  the  Coast  yesterday  for  New 
York. 

• 

Iris  Davis,  daughter  of  Jack  Da- 
vis, head  of  Monseigneur  News  Thea- 
tres, London,  is  gravely  ill  at  Nation- 
al Hospital  there,  according 'to  word 
received  from  Davis,  who  formerly 
operated  theatres  here.  His  daughter 
was  educated  in  the  U.  S.  and  has 
many  friends  here. 

• 

Marcel  Gentel,  RKO  Radio  gen- 
eral manager  for  France,  has  been 
awared  the  Medaille  Militaire  by  the 
French  government  for  "action  above 
and  beyond  the  call  of  duty  during 
time  of  war." 

• 

Arthur  Goldstein  has  resigned  as 
city  manager,  Portland,  Me.,  for  the 
Snider  Circuit  of  Boston.  William 
A.  Fields  has  become  ad-publicity 
representative  in  Portland. 

• 

Charles  Kurtzman,  Loew  Thea- 
tres division  manager  in  Boston,  is 
substituting  for  managers  in  his  divi- 
sion during  the  vacation  period. 
• 

Martin   Levine,   Brandt  Theatres 
general  manager  and  president  of  Dis- 
tinguished Films,  has  returned  to  New 
York  from  a  Lake  George  vacation. 
• 

James  Tuffy,  associated  with  Com- 
erford  Theatres  in  Scranton,  Pa.,  for 
16  years,  has  been  named  manager  of 
the  Crown  Theatre,  Hartford. 
• 

E.  R.  Zorgniotti,  president  of  Lux 
Film  of  U.  S.,  will  sail  for  France 
and  Italy  tomorrow  on  the  5\S*  Queen 
Elizabeth  from  New  York. 

• 

Jack  Schwartz,  owner  of  the  Black 
Rock  and  West  End  theatres,  Bridge- 
port, Conn.,  and  Mrs.  Schwartz,  are 
touring  the  Great  Lakes. 

• 

Homer  Jaeggers,  co-owner  and 
manager  of  the  Bonn  Theatre,  Bon- 
nieville,  Ky.,  is  confined  to  his  home 
due  to  illness. 

• 

Jules  Lapidus,  Warner  Eastern 
and  Canadian  sales  manager,  is  due 
back  in  New  York  over  the  weekend 
from  Toronto. 

• 

James  Tobin,  manager  of  the  War- 
ner Theatre,  Bridgeport,  and  his  fam- 
ily are  vacationing  in  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

• 

Noel  Meadow,  vice-president  of 
Vog  Films,  has  returned  to  New  York 
from  a  vacation. 

Harold  L.  Schilz,  industry  attor- 
ney in  Washington,  is  a  candidate  for 
the  Arlington,  Va.,  county  board. 
• 

.  Lou  Cohen,  manager  of  Loew's 
Poli,  Hartford,  and  Mrs.  Cohen  are 
vacationing  at  Middletown,  Conn. 

Jonie  Taps,  Columbia  studio  execu- 
tive, is  a  New  York  visitor. 


Census  Bureau  Busy 
On  Industry  Data 

Washington,  August  4.  —  Census 
Bureau  officials  are  busily  at  work  to 
get  their  first  motion  picture  industry 
statistics  since  1939.  Questionnaires 
went  out  this  spring  to  some  700 
producers,  for  information  based  on 
operations  last  year.  The  bureau  is 
now  working  with  the  industry  to 
draw  up  questionnaires  to  submit  to 
distributors  and  exhibitors  next  year, 
based  on  1948  business. 

Studios  are  covered  by  the  census 
of  manufacturers.  Distributors  and 
theatres  come  under  the  census  of 
business.  Neither  has  been  taken  since 
1940,  which  was  based  on  1939  busi- 
ness. The  census  of  manufacturers  is 
being  taken  this  year,  and  the  business 
census  next  year.  Under  a  law  passed 
by  Congress  this  year,  both  censuses 
will  next  be  taken  in  1954,  and  every 
five  years  after  that. 


AFM-Studio  Meeting 
Now  Set  for  Aug.  18 

Meeting  date  of  James  C.  Petrillo, 
American  Federation  of  Musicians 
president,  and  his  contract  negotiating 
aides,  with  producers,  which  has  been 
see-sawing  between  August  2,  9  and 
18,  supposedly  in  Chicago,  has  now 
been  definitely  set  for  August  18  in 
Petrillo's  AFM  headquarters  in  New 
York.  A  new  contract  for  Hollywood 
studio  musicians  is  to  be  discussed. 

The  organization's  executive  board 
meeting  will  be  held  as  originally 
scheduled  on  August  9  in  Chicago,  at 
a  hotel  to  be  selected  by  AFM  officers 
in  that  city. 

Mutual  Broadcast  To 
Salute  Youth  Month 

"Youth  Month  —  Saluting  Young 
America,"  will  be  given  a  send-off 
Tuesday  night,  August  31 — the  eve 
of  the  September  celebration — with  a 
Coast-to-Coast  broadcast  over  the 
Mutual  network,  it  was  announced 
yesterday  by  Charles  P.  Skouras,  na- 
tional chairman  of  the  committee. 

Originating  in  Hollywood,  stars  of 
screen  and  radio  will  participate. 

House  Hollywood 
Probe  Off  Again 

Washington,  August  4. — Reopen- 
ing of  the  House  Un-American  Activ- 
ities Committee's  Hollywood  investi- 
gation, which  some  committee  mem- 
bers said  would  take  place  late  this 
month,  has  been  put  off  again,  pos- 
sibly until  after  the  Presidential  elec- 
tions, according  to  committee  officials. 

Charles  C.  Perry,  52, 
Para.  Field  Aide 

Cincinnati,  August  4. — Charles  C. 
Perry,  52,  special  representative  for 
Paramount  here,  died  this  morning  at 
Jewish  Hospital.  He  is  survived  by 
a  son,  Jay  S.  Perry;  two  sisters  and 
three  brothers. 

Funeral  services  will  be  held  Fri- 
day at  two  P.M.  at  Riverside  Memori- 
al Chapel  in  New  York,  with  inter- 
ment at  Pinelawn  National  Cemetery. 


Affiliates  Halt 


{Continued  from  page  1) 

having  taken  the  position  that 
charges  of  some  kind  are  un- 
necessary. 

Paramount  is  understood  to  have 
advised  at  least  some  of  its  fully- 
owned  ■  circuits  to  cease  the  Ascap 
payments  until  the  entire  issue  is  clari- 
fied. Its  partnership  circuit,  M  &  P 
Theatres,  Boston,  is  suspending  pay- 
ments. 

Malcolm  Kingsberg,  president  of 
RKO  Theatres,  reported  yesterday 
that  that  circuit's  checks  to  Ascap 
have  been  halted  and  the  company  is 
now  awaiting  a  decision  by  its  legal 
department. 

New  WB-Ascap  Pact  Stopped 

Miles  Alben,  head  of  the  legal  de- 
partment for  Warner  Theatres,  said 
yesterday  that  "everything  is  frozen," 
referring  to  the  circuit's  dealings  with 
Ascap.  He  said  Warners  and  Ascap 
were  about  to  sign  a  new  long-term 
agreement  when  the  New  York  Fed- 
eral Court  handed  down  its  decision 
enjoining  Ascap  from  collecting  from 
theatres. 

Loew's  legal  department  is  now 
weighing  the  matter,  an  executive  re- 
ported, expressing  doubt  as  to  the  wis- 
dom of  paying  Ascap  until  and  if  fu- 
ture court  decisions  so  direct. 

Suggest  Bases  for  Fees 

Meanwhile,  from  other  sources  it 
has  been  reported  that  the  Warner- 
owned  music  publishing  companies — 
all  Ascap  members — have  expressed 
the  opinion  that  the  public  performing 
rights  to  a  composition  should  be 
equal  in  value  to  the  recording,  or 
synchronization  rights.  Other  publish- 
ing firms  reportedly  feel  they  should 
collect  public  performance  charges  of 
from  one-third  to  one-half  the  amount 
paid  by  the  producer  for  the  recording 
privilege. 


Ascap  Board  Retains 
Patterson  as  Counsel 

Engagement  of  Robert  P.  Patter- 
son, former  Secretary  of  War  and 
one-time  U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of  Ap- 
peals judge,  as  counsel  for  Ascap  to 
take  charge  of  problems  arising  from 
the  Federal  Court  decision  holding  it 
guilty  of  anti-trust  violation  was  an- 
nounced here  yesterday  following  a 
meeting  of  its  board  of  directors. 


Jack  Kirsch 

{Continued  from  page  1) 

other  words,  Allied  members  receive 
nothing  for  their  money  by  continuing 
such  payments  and  are  now  clearly 
on  notice  that  such  payments  are  il- 
legal exactions. 

"I  am  of  the  opinion  that  Allied 
members  can  safely  refuse  to  pay  any 
further  monies  under  Ascap  agree- 
ments and  that  the  Allied  organiza- 
tion can  safely  recommend  such  course 
of  action  to  its  members,"  McConnell 
said. 


3  French  Films  to  Vog 

Three  new  French  films  have  been 
acquired  for  American  distribution  by 
Vog  Film  Co.  They  are  "Eagle  with 
Two  Heads,"  Jean  Cocteau  play, 
"Dedee  D'Anvers"  and  "Manon." 


New  Paris  Theatre 
Here  Opens  Sept.  13 

Five  French  charities  will  sponsor 
the  opening  of  the  new  Paris  Theatre 
here  and  its  initial  presentation,  "Sym- 
phonic Pastorale,"  which  will  have  its 
American  premiere  September  13  for 
the  benefit  of  American  Friends  of 
France,  Committee  of  French-Amer- 
ican Wives,  Funds  for  France,  La- 
fayette Preventorium  and  the  Society 
of  Free  French  in  the  United  States. 

The  agencies  will  share  joint1-*:,  in 
the  proceeds  of  this  premiere  1  -  of 
all  subsequent  ones  at  this  tiC^rtre, 
constructed  for  Pathe  Cinema,  French 
film  company  which  now  has  a  branch 
in  this  country. 

Monogram  To  Make 
Three  Films  Abroad 

Hollywood,  August  4. — Three  of 
Monogram's  next  four  Bowery  Boys 
pictures,  starring  Leo  Gorcey  with 
Huntz  Hall,  will  be  filmed  in  Europe, 
by  producer  Jan  Grippo.  First  of  the 
group,  "The  Bowery  Boys  Invade 
London,"  is  set  for  England,  and  the 
pair  to  follow  will  be  produced  in 
France  and  Italy. 


Fire  Loss  Reduced 

{Continued  from  page  1) 

Agricultural  Experimental  Farm  at 
Beltsville,  Md.  Their  tests  resulted 
in  film-flames  dying  out  in  less  than 
two-and-a-half  minutes  without  the  use 
of  a  drop  of  water.  Some  500-odd 
cans  of  nitrate  film  were  employed, 
donated  by  the  distributing  companies. 
Eleven  different  combinations  in  the 
use  of  vault  equipment  were  tried  be- 
fore selecting  the  one  to  be  applied 
eventually,  probably  in  the  fall  when 
details  will  be  disclosed  publicly  for 
the  first  time  at  the  Society  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Engineers'  semi-annual 
convention,  to  be  held  here. 

The  Government-industry  test  com- 
mittee expects  that  new  film  vaults 
will  hereafter  be  constructed  in  line 
with  its  findings,  and  that  existing 
vaults  will  be  converted  to  conform 
to  the  new  safety  conditions. 

Industry  representatives  participat- 
ing in  the  experiments  included  John 
McCullough  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America,  Paramount's 
Henry  Anderson,  Eastman  Kodak's 
Alan  Cobb  and  DuPont's  Charles 
Miner.  Others  included  E.  W.  Fow- 
ler of  the  National  Board  of  Fire 
Underwriters,  and  James  Cummings 
of  the  U.  S.  National  Archives,  com- 
mittee chairman,  and  representatives  of 
the  Army,  Navy  and  several  other 
Federal  departments. 

Freu  To  Manage  for 
Universal  in  Atlanta 

Atlanta,  August  4. — James  Freu, 
branch  manager  of  Universal-Inter- 
national in  Charlotte,  has  been  trans- 
ferred to  the  Atlanta  office  to  replace 
James  Partlow  who  recently  resigned. 


Phila.  Variety  Affair 

Philadelphia,  August  4.  —  Local 
Variety  Club  will  hold  its  annual  golf 
tournament  and  dinner-dance  at  the 
Whitemarsh  Valley  Country  Club  on 
September  24,  it  is  announced  by  Max 
R.  Leven,  chairman  of  the  event. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York  Martm  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus.  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  bales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


151  (Thursday,  August  5,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


^Production  Rises, 
With  34  in  Work 


Hollywood,  August  4. — The  pro- 
duction tally  moved  upi  one,  to  a  total 
of  34.  Eight  pictures  went  before  the 
cameras,  while  seven  were  moved  to 
the  cutting  rooms. 

Shooting  started  on  "Law  of  the  Bar- 
bary  Coast,"  Columbia;  Take  Me  Out 
to  the  Ball  Game"  and  "The  Barkleys 
of  jF^adway,"  M-G-M ;  "The  Rangers 
R^T~iJ  Monogram;  "Far  Frontier," 
Republic ;  "Gun  Runners,"  RKO 
Radio ;  "Outlaw  Country,"  Screen 
Guild;  "The  House  Across  the 
Street,"  Warner. 

Shooting  was  completed  on  "Smoky 
Mountain  Melody,"  Columbia ;  "Bow- 
ery Comeback,"  "Sheriff  of  Medicine 
Bow,"  Monogram ;  "Tarzan  and  the 
Arrow  of  Death"  and  "Enchantment," 
RKO  Radio;  "Miss  Mink  of  1949," 
20th- Fox;  "Criss-Cross,"  Universal- 
International. 


Test  for  N.Y.  Censor 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


suits  of  the  test,  which  is  open  only 
to  persons  who  have  a  minimum  of  a 
year's  experience  in  state  service,  is 
expected  by  December  18.  The  ban 
on  persons  with  previous  film  industry 
connections,  established  when  the  de- 
partment was  given  censorship  powers 
in  1927,  will  continue. 

Civil  Service  has  also  announced  an 
examination  will  be  held  on  October 
2  for  a  director  for  the  motion  picture 
unit  of  the  Department  of  Commerce. 
The  position  is  provisionally  held  by 
Glen  Allvine,  former  public  relations 
director  of  the  Motion  Picture  Asso- 
ciation of  America  and  currently  ad- 
visor to  Governor  Dewey  on  films  for 
the  latter's  Presidential  campaign. 

Applications  for  the  test  must  be 
filed  by  August  21.  Minimum  quali- 
fications include  "six  years  of  pro- 
gressively responsible  experience  in 
directing  and/or  producing  motion 
pictures  for  promotional  or  publicity 
purposes  for  public  or  private  organ- 
izations." 


SOPEG,  E  -  L  Sign 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


minimum  hiring  rates  from  $7  to  $10. 
It  requires  that  all  promotions  and 
discharges  be  governed  by  ability,  ex- 
perience and  seniority. 

William  C.  MacMillen,  Jr.,  vice- 
president  of  E-L  in  charge  of  opera- 
tions, signed  for  the  company,  and 
Sidney  Young,  SOPEG  head,  and 
James  Durkin,  international  president 
of  the  UOPWA,  for  the  union. 


Reviews 


SOPEG  Launches  Drive  to 
Boycott  United  Artists  Films 

Screen  Office  and  Professional  Em- 
ployes Guild  yesterday  announced  it 
had  launched  a  campaign  among  com- 
munity and  fraternal  organizations  in 
the  New  York  metropolitan  area  to 
boycott  United  Artists  product  be- 
cause of  the  company's  refusal  to  ne- 
gotiate a  new  contract  with  SOPEG 
on  the  grounds  the  union  is  opposed 
to  signing  the  anti-Communist  affi- 
davits required  under  the  Taft-Hartley 


Seek  Amusement  Tax 

St.  Louis,  August  4. — A  bill  seeking 
a  five  per  cent  admission  tax  has  been 
introduced  in  suburban  Richmond 
Heights.  If  passed,  it  would  affect 
two  theatres. 


"Larceny" 


(Universal-International)  Hollyzvood,  August  4 

EVERYBODY  connected  with  this  smartly  conceived  and  brilliantly 
executed  melodrama  rates  bows  from  exhibitors  hard  pressed  for  sure- 
fire entertainment  with  which  to  win  back  lagging  customers.  It  opens  fast, 
rushes  on  like  wildfire  and  ends  without  a  letdown  after  holding  interest  as 
taut  as  bowstrings  through  a  swift  succession  of  unexpected  but  always 
plausible  and  exciting  twists  and  turns.  With  John  Payne,  Joan  Caulfield, 
Dan  Duryea  and  Shelly  Winters  spearheading  an  all-around  excellent  cast, 
the  attraction  is  sure  to  spell  success  in  dollar  signs. 

Payne  plays  a  confidence  man,  in  the  employ  of  racketeer  Duryea,  and  is 
sent  to  a  California  town  to  set  up  a  phony  war  memorial  for  a  local  hero 
whose  widow,  Miss  Caulfield,  accepts  him  as  the  dead  man's  buddy.  Miss 
Winters  portrays  Duryea's  sweetheart,  rebelliously  in  love  with  Payne,  who 
secretly  follows  the  latter  West  and  endangers  the  grafters'  project  by  her 
emotional  demands  upon  his  time.  Payne  romances  both  women,  and  others, 
to  further  the  swindle  enterprise,  and  complications  become  too  intricate  and 
swift  for  an  adequate  synopsis  after  the  arrival  of  the  suspicious  Duryea  and 
his  men  on  the  scene.    The  conclusion  is  terrific. 

The  picture  has  an  intimate  timeliness  due  to  the  use  of  the  war  memorial 
as  the  basis  of  the  swindle,  and  differs  from  most  films  in  kind  in  that  the 
racketeers  are  credible  smoothies  rather  than  stereotyped  thugs.  It  also  has  its 
intimate  moments  in  the  amorous  category,  with  Miss  Winters  establishing  a 
new  high  in  the  abandoned  woman  department,  and  thrives  on  dialogue  clipped 
to  sheerest  essentials. 

Leonard  Goldstein  produced  and  George  Sherman  directed,  from  a  script 
by  Herbert  F.  Margolis,  Louis  Morheim  and  William  Bowers,  from  the 
novel,  "Velvet  Fleece,"  by  Lois  Eby  and  John  Fleming.  Aaron  Rosenberg  was 
associate  producer.  All  acquitted  themselves  with  distinction. 

Running  time,  89  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date,  not 
set.  William  R.  Weaver 


Short 
Subject 


Miraculous  Journey 

(Film  Classics) 

SOME  fine  showmanship  opportunities  are  offered  exploitation-minded 
exhibitors  in  "Miraculous  Journey,"  Film  Classics'  first  in  Cinecolor. 
The  film  is  an  adventure  thriller  taking  place  in  the  Belgium  Congo  where 
an  airliner  is  forced  down.  The  story  is  told  on  a  mass-appeal  level,  with 
some  of  its  formula  thrills  having  a  spectacular  quality.  For  example  there 
is  a  man  caught  in  the  jaws  of  a  crocodile,  a  woman  sinking  into  a  tomb  of 
quicksand,  and  a  gorilla  attacking  a  woman.  Heading  the  cast  are  Rory 
Calhoun,  Audrey  Long  and  Virginia  Grey.  Also  present  are  an  assortment 
of  birds  and  animals  which  display  some  interesting  talents.  The  film  rates 
well  in  its  category.  There  is  no  action  shortage  in  Fred  Myton's  screenplay. 

One  of  the  plane's  passengers  is  a  fugitive  gangster,  and  once  recognized 
he  goes  gun-crazy,  shoots  a  co-pilot,  and  wrecks  the  plane's  equipment.  The 
plane  thereupon  makes  a  forced  landing.  At  this  point,  the  story,  on  a  simple 
level,  becomes  a  parable  of  modern  man,  with  greed,  jealousy  and  special 
interest  constantly  setting  one  passenger  against  another.  Calhoun  generally 
takes  command  of  setting  up  the  marooned  passengers,  but  is  constantly 
harassed  by  the  gangster,  Jim  Bannon.  As  a  result  there  are  some  hard- 
swinging  fistic  sessions.  And  by  way  of  surprise,  a  hermit  enters  the  scene 
and  teaches  his  "civilized"  brethren  the  wisdom  of  the  jungle. 

After  a  series  of  events,  Calhoun  makes  his  way  alone  to  civilization  and 
brings  back  a  rescuing  helicopter.  The  main  romantic  interest  centers  around 
Calhoun  and  Miss  Long,  who  has  the  role  of  a  blind  girl.  The  Cinecolor  is 
especially  effective  in  catching  the  wild  beauty  of  jungle  scenes.  Sigmund 
Neufeld  produced,  and  Peter  Stewart  directed. 

Running  time,  83  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  For  August 
release.  Mandel  Herbstman 


Legion  Classifies  Five 
In  A-I,  Four  in  A-II 

Five  pictures  have  been  classified 
A-I  by  the  National  Legion  of  De- 
cency. They  are :  Allied  Artists- 
Monogram's  "The  Babe  Ruth  Story," 
Republic's  "Daredevils  of  the  Clouds," 
Monogram's  "Frontier  Agent"  and 
"Partners  Over  Sunset,"  and  Casino 
Film  Exchange's  "Das  Maedchen 
Irene"  (German).  Classified  in  A-II 
are :  Columbia's  "The  Black  Arrow," 
20th  Century-Fox's  "The  Gay  In- 
truders," RKO  Radio's  "Rachel  and 
the  Stranger"  and  "Paramount's 
"Sorry,  Wrong  Number. 


Philco  Promotes  Blodget 

Philadelphia,  August  4.  —  Robert 
Blodget,  formerly  manager  of  product 
design  of  the  Philco  Corp.  accessory 
division,  has  been  appointed  television 
product  manager,  by  Larry  F.  Handy, 
vice-president  of  the  television  and 
radio  division. 


Three  New  Theatres 
For  Denver  Area 

Denver,  August  4. — C.  U.  Yaeger, 
president  of  Atlas  Theatres,  is  having 
plans  drawn  for  a  second  theatre  at 
Monte  Vista,  where  the  company  al- 
ready operates  the  Granada.  The  new 
house  will  be  a  $250,000,  1,000-seat 
job. 

Dan  Thyne  is  building  a  quonset- 
type  theatre  at  Cheyenne  Wells,  Colo. 
It  is  a  400-seat,  $55,000  job,  to  be 
opened  about  August  15  as  the  Wells, 
with  Ross  Bluck  as  manager. 

Amando  Roybal  is  opening  Penasco, 
N.  M.,  to  films  by  way  of  a  remodeled 
building. 


Revoke  Video  License 

Miami,  August  4. — Television  Sta- 
tion WTVJ  here  has  been  given  until 
August  20  to  make  application  for  a 
hearing  on  the  Federal  Communica- 
tions Commission's  order  revoking  its 
license. 


"Neighbor  to  the  North" 

(Paramount) 

This  subject  endeavors  by  use  of 
live  action,  cartoons,  scenics,  and  in- 
dustrial clips,  to  explain  to  the  Ameri- 
can public  the  Canadian  situation 
summed  up  as  a  lack  of  dollars,  which 
caused  the  Canadian  government  last 
winter  to  cut  imports  from  the  United 
States.  It  is  explained  that  Canadians 
hope  to  build  their  dollar  reserve  by 
less  spending,  by  resumption  of  Euro- 
pean trading,  aided  by  the  Marshall 
Plan;  that  they  hope  to  build  up  in- 
dustry, and  that  they  welcome  spend- 
ing tourists.  Actor  Ralph  Forbes 
does  the  explaining,  both  in  dialogue 
with  Walter  Abel,  and  in  off-screen 
narration.  The  result  is  somewhat 
more  documentary  than  entertaining. 

The  short  is  proof  of  the  American 
motion  picture  industry's  good  will 
and  a  recognition  of  the  forebearance 
of  the  Canadian  government,  which 
might  have  hampered  the  industry  as 
other  countries  have  done,  Francis  S. 
Harmon,  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America  vice-president,  declared  at 
the  trade  screening  of  the  subject. 
Oscar  Morgan,  Paramount  short  sub- 
ject manager,  said  the  short  is  a 
forerunner  of  additional  service  ex- 
planation by  the  industry  of  events 
troubling  the  world.  Running  time,  13 
minutes. 


Expect  Court 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


in  the  near  future,  on  a  voluntary 
basis  in  compliance  with  the  high  court 
decision. 

Robert  Wright,  assistant  to  the 
U.  S.  Attorney  General,  went  on  rec- 
ord recently  as  notifying  the  AAA 
that  arbitration  in  the  industry  no 
longer  is  under  the  Paramount  case 
consent  decree.  That  means  that  the 
system  now  is  voluntary  for  distributor 
respondents,  who  formerly  were  re- 
lieved of  contempt  liability  for  com- 
plaints submitted  to  arbitration. 

Distributor  defendants  no  longer 
have  that  protection  and,  where  bur- 
den of  proof  for  alleged  unfair  clear- 
ance formerly  was  upon  the  exhibitor 
complainant  in  industry  arbitration,  it 
is  now  up  to  the  distributor  to  justify 
clearance  schedules. 


Allied  Studies 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


be  another.  There'll  be  no  stampede 
one  way  or  the  other." 

Myers  recalled  that  he  had  initiated 
a  similar  plan  with  all  film  distribu- 
tors in  1941  but  that  it  had  "come  to 
grief  because  the  distributors  wouldn't 
give." 

The  Allied  counsel  also  admitted 
that  there  has  been  some  discussion  of 
a  plan  for  Allied  to  acquire  distribu- 
tion rights  to  reissues,  but  "it  has  not 
been  submitted  as  a  national  issue." 
Any  such  plan,  he  emphasized,  would 
be  undertaken  as  a  method  of  supply- 
ing theatres  with  films  and  not,  he 
added,  as  a  fund-raising  technique. 


Set  Golf  Tourney  Date 

Hartford,,  August  4. — Annual  golf 
tournament  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Theatre  Owners  of  Connecticut  will 
be  held  at  the  Racebrook  Country 
Club,  Orange,  Conn.,  on  August  24. 


THIS  IS  NOT 
NECESSARY  I 


EVERYBODY'S  TALKING 
ABOUT  THIS  LINE-UP! 


MAY 

SPENCER  TRACY 

KATHARINE  HEPBURN 

VAN  JOHNSON 

Angela  Lansbury 

Adolphe  Menjou,  Lewis  Stone 

in  FRANK  CAPRA's 

"STATE  OF  THE  UNION." 

*  *  ■*■ 
"SUMMER  HOLIDAY" 
(Technicolor). 
MICKEY  ROONEY 
GLORIA  DeHAVEN 

Walter  Huston,  Frank  Morgan 
Butch  Jenkins,  Marilyn  Maxwell 
Agnes  Moorehead,  Selena  Royle. 

*  *  * 
CLARK  GABLE 
LANA  TURNER 

Anne  Baxter,  John  Hodiak 
in  "HOMECOMING" 
Ray  Collins,  Gladys  Cooper, 
Cameron  Mitchell. 

JUNE 

"BIG  CITY" 

Starring  Margaret  O'Brien 
Robert  Preston,  Danny  Thomas 
George  Murphy,  Karin  Booth 
Edward  Arnold,  Butch  Jenkins 
Betty  Garrett,  Lotte  Lehmann. 

*  *  * 

JUDY  GARLAND,  GENE  KELLY  in 
"THE  PIRATE"  (Techmco/orJ. 
Walter  Slezak,  Gladys  Cooper 
Reginald  Owen. 

*  *  * 

ESTHER  WILLIAMS,  PETER  LAWFORD 
RICARDO  MONTALBAN 
JIMMY  DURANTE,  CYD  CHARISSE 
XAVIER  CUGAT  in  "ON  AN  ISLAND 
WITH  YOU"  (Tec/imco/or). 


DON'* 


HAve 
yOU  ft 


JULY 

IRVING  BERLIN'S 

"EASTER  PARADE" 

(Technicolor).  Starring 

JUDY  GARLAND,  FRED  ASTAIRE 

PETER  LAWFORD,  ANN  MILLER. 

★  *  *  • 
"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 
(Technicolor). 

Starring  WALLACE  BEERY, 
JANE  POWELL,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 
CARMEN  MIRANDA,  XAVIER  CUGAT 
ROBERT  STACK. 

AUGUST 

GREER  GARSON 

WALTER  PIDGEON  in 

"JULIA  MISBEHAVES" 

PETER  LAWFORD,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 

CESAR  ROMERO,  Lucile  Watson 

Nigel  Bruce,  Mary  Boland 

Reginald  Owen. 

*       *  * 
MONTGOMERY  CLIFT 
ALINE  MacMAHON 
JARMILA  NOVOTNA 
in  "THE  SEARCH" 

*  *  •* 

RED  SKELTON,  BRIAN  DONLEVY 
in  "A  SOUTHERN  YANKEE" 
Arlene  Dahl,  George  Coulouris 
Lloyd  Gough,  John  Ireland 
Minor  Watson. 


SEPTEMBER 

"THE  THREE  MUSKETEERS" 
(Technicolor). 

LANA  TURNER,  GENE  KELLY 
JUNE  ALLYSON,  VAN  HEFLIN 
ANGELA  LANSBURY, 
Frank  Morgan,  Vincent  Price 
Keenan  Wynn,  John  Sutton 
Gig  Young. 

*      *  * 
"HILLS  OF  HOME"  (Technicolor). 
Co-starring  EDMUND  GWENN, 
DONALD  CRISP,  TOM  DRAKE, 
JANET  LEIGH  and  LASSIE. 


aTHE  trade  press  is  jumping? 


Everybody's  got  that  Vitamin  M-G-M  enthusiasm!  Now  read 
what  Publisher  Jay  Emanuel  says  in  THE  EXHIBITOR: 

The  M-G-M  studio  has  hit  its  stride.  'Homecoming'  is  in  the  front  line 
of  the  boxoffice  leaders.  'State  of  the  Union'  brings  lustre  to  any 
marquee.  Another  which  is  accounting  for  itself  nicely  is  'On  an  Island 
With  You',  while  'Easter  Parade',  in  its  first  engagements,  is  living  up 
to  everything  promised  for  it.  Both  of  these  shows  place  the  accent  on 
entertainment  rather  than  messages,  which  seems  to  be  exactly  what 
the  paying  patrons  desire  these  days.  Leo  the  Lion  has  reason  to  be 
optimistic  about  the  future,  too.  'A  Date  With  Judy',  'Julia  Misbehaves', 
'The  Three  Musketeers',  and  'Hills  of  Home'  are  all  coming  up,  with 
the  preview  cards  said  to  be  very  complimentary.  It  appears  as  if  the 
company  is  now  in  for  a  succession  of  films  which  are  aimed  for  peak 
audience  entertainment.  This  is  a  healthy  sign.  When  a  leader  is  hitting 
things  right  on  the  ball,  it  is  encouraging  not  only  to  its  accounts  but 
it  also  makes  for  healthier  competition,  and  serves  as  an  impetus  to 
the  others.  With  the  boxoffices  needing  solid  merchandise  more  than 
ever,  this  is  encouraging,  j  J 


IRVIM* 

it         COLOR  8V    _  a\ 

ATechnicOwO'*' 


COOLING  THOUGHT! 

Many  exhibitors  have  gone  out  of  their  way 
to  praise  M-G-M  for  releasing  "EASTER 
PARADE"  at  the  toughest  time  of  the  yearl 
Thank  you,  gentlemen.  It's  an  old  M-G-M 
custom  to  give  our  customers  Big  Ones  when 
they  need  them  most.  "EASTER  PARADE" 
is  the  biggest  M-G-M  success  in  years!  In 
cool  Technicolor! 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  August  5,  1948 


Key  City  Grosses 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
ture grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


LOS  ANGELES 


"Melody  Time"  got  off  to  a  nice 
start  at  the  Pantages  and  Hillstreet 
in  a  week  which  brought  little  cheer 
to  other  sectors  of  the  first-run  front. 
With  weather  excellent  and  counter- 
attractions  about  normal,  explanation 
of  the  general  letdown  was  not  con- 
spicuous. Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ended  August  4 : 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA)— GUILD  (965) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,000. 
(Average:  $5,450) 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA)— IRIS  (708)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,000. 
(Average:  S6.100) 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA)  —  RITZ  (1,376) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $8,- 
000.    (Average:  $9,050) 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA)  —  STUDIO  (880) 
(5Oc-60c-85c-Sl.OO)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,000 
(Average:  $6,300) 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  KINGS  OF 
THE  OLYMPICS  (UA) — UNITED  ART- 
ISTS (2,100)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $12,500.  (Average:  $9,580) 
CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)— BELMONT  (1,600)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $4,500. 
(Average:  $5,750) 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)— EL  REY  (861)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Average: 
$4,700) 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)— ORPHEUM  (2,210)  (50c- 
60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $13,000. 
(Average:  $14,650) 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L) — VOGUE  (800)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,500.  (Average: 
$6,500) 

ESCAPE  (ZOth-Fox)  and  FIGHTING 
BACK  (ZOth-Fox)— CARTHAY  CIRCLE 
(1,516)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $8,000. 
(Average:  $9,500) 

ESCAPE  (Zth-Fox)  and  FIGHTING  BACK 
(ZGth-Fox)— CHINESE  (2,300)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00).  Gross:  $13,000.  (Average:  $13,000) 
ESCAPE  (ZOth-Fox)  and  FIGHT- 
ING BACK  (ZCth-Fox) — LOEWS  STATE 
(2.500)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $21,500. 
(Average:  $19,800) 

ESCAPE  (ZOth-Fox)  and  FIGHT- 
ING BACK  (20th-Fox) — LOYOLA  (1,265) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $9,500.  (Aver- 
age: $10,000) 

ESCAPE  ZOth-Fox)  and  FIGHT- 
ING BACK  (ZOth-Fox) — UPTOWN  (1,716) 
(50c-6Oc-85c-$l.OO).  Gross:  $9,500.  (Aver- 
age: $10,000) 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)  and  BIG 
TOWN  SCANDAL  (Par  a.)  —  PARA- 
MOUNT (Downtown)  (3,595)  (50c-60c-80c- 
$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $14,000.  (Average: 
$16,450) 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)— PARA- 
MOUNT (Hollywood)  (1,407)  (50c-60c-80c- 
$1.00)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $14,000.  (Aver- 
age: $13,000) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  MUSIC  MAN 
(Mono.)— WARNERS  (Downtown)  (3,400) 
(50c-60c-80c-$1.0O)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $14,- 
000.    (Average:  $13,730) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and1  MUSIC  MAN 
(Mono.)— WARNERS  (Hollywood)  (3,000) 
(50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $9,500. 
(Average:  $11,650) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  MUSIC  MAN 
(Mono.)  —  WARNERS  (Wiltern)  (2,300) 
(50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $9,500. 
(Average:  $11,220) 

MELODY  TIME  (Disney-RKO  Radio)  and 
MYSTERY   IN   MEXICO   (RKO  Radio)— 

HILLSTREET     (2,700)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00). 
Gross:  $21,000.     (Average:  $18,950) 
MELODY  TIME  (Disney-RKO  Radio)  and 
MYSTERY   IN    MEXICO   (RKO    Radio)  — 
PANTAGES      (2,000)  (SOc-60c-80c-$1.0O). 
Gross:  $18,000.    (Average:  $17,150) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 
—EGYPTIAN  (1,000)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $11,000.    (Average:  $11,900) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 
— FOX-WILSHIRE      (2,300)  (50c-60c-85c- 
51.00)  2nd  week.    Gross:  $10,000.  (Average: 
$12,850) 


ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 

LOS  ANGELES  (2,096)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 
2nd  week.  Gross:  $16,000.  (Average:  $18,- 
100) 

THE  SEARCH  (M-G-M)— FOUR  STAR 
(900)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  5th  week.  Gross: 
$6,000.    (Average:  $7,450) 

THE  SEA  SPOILERS  (Realart  re-release) 
and    THE    STORM    (Realart  re-release)— 

MUSIC  HALL  (Beverly  Hills)  (900)  (65c- 
85c -$1.00).  Gross:  $3,000.  (Average:  $3,150) 
THE  SEA  SPOILERS  (Realart  re-release) 
and  THE  STORM  (Realart  re-release)— 
MUSIC  HALL  (Downtown)  (900)  (65c-85c- 
$1.00).  Gross:  $6,500.  (Average:  $7,550) 
THE  SEA  SPOILERS  (Realart  re-release) 
and  THE  STORM  (Realart  re-release)— 
MUSIC  HALL  (Hawaii)  (1,000)  (65c-85c- 
$1.00).  Gross:  $3,000.  (Average:  $3,400) 
THE  SEA  SPOILERS  (Realart  re-release) 
and  THE  STORM  (Realart  re-release)— 
MUSIC  HALL  (Hollywood  (490)  (65c-85c- 
$1.00).    Gross:  $2,500.    (Average:  $3,100) 


PHILADELPHIA 


The  big  news  this  week  is  "Key 
Largo"  at  the  Stanley,  grossing  near- 
ly double  the  theatre's  average.  Also 
opening  strong  are  "A  Date  with 
Judy"  at  the  Fox,  and  "So  Evil  My 
Love"  at  the  Karlton.  Other  returns 
are  spotty.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ending  August  3-5 : 

A   DATE   WITH   JUDY    (M-G-M)— FOX 

(3,000)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross: 
$30,000.  (Average:  $20,800) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  —  MAST- 
BAUM  (4,700)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  4th 
week.  Gross:  $18,500.  (Average:  $22,300) 
IN  OLD  LOS  ANGELES  and  I,  JANE 
DOE  (Rep.) — EARLE  (3,000)  (50c-60c-74c- 
80c-85c-94c).  Gross:  $12,500.  (Average: 
$22,500) 

INTERMEZZO  (SRO)  —  ALDINE  (900) 
(50c-6Oc-74c-8Oc-85c-94c).  Gross:  $13,500. 
(Average:  $13,300) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)— STANLEY  (3,000) 
(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross:  $42,500. 
(Average:  $22,800) 

MAN-EATER     OF     KUMAON  (U-I)— 

STANTON  (1,000)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c). 

Gross:  $8,000.     (Average:  $11,200) 

PARADINE  CASE,   (SRO1)— BOYD  (3,000) 

(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)    5th   week.  Gross: 

$13,600.    (Average:  $20,300) 

SO  EVIL  MY  LOVE  (Para.) — KARLTON 

(1,000)      (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross: 

$16,000.     (Average:  $11,200) 

STREET  WITH  NO1  NAME  (ZOth-Fox)— 

KEITH      (2,200)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c). 

Gross:  $5,000.    (Average:  $6,200) 

TAP    ROOTS    (U-I)— GOLDMAN  (1,400) 

(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)    3rd  week.  Gross: 

$20,000.    (Average:  $19,400) 

THE  PIRATE  (M-G-M)— ARCADIA  (900) 

(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)    2nd    run.  Gross: 

$6,200.    (Average:  $4,700) 


CHICAGO 


Some  400,000  visitors  are  expected 
here  during  August,  which  partially 
accounts  for  the  upswing  in  attend- 
ance. New  coin-getters  are  "Melody 
Time"  and  "So  Evil  My  Love," 
while  "Key  Largo"  and  "Emperor 
Waltz"  continue  a  steady  gait.  Dis- 
appointing is  the  popular  price  run  of 
"Best  Years."  Estimated  receipts  for 
the  week  ending  August  5 : 

THE  BEST  YEARS  OF  OUR  LIVES 
(RKO  Radio)— ROOSEVELT  (1,500)  (50c- 
65c-98c).  Gross:  $16,500.  (Average:  $18,- 
CO0) 

THE  BIG  CITY  (M-G-M)— GRAND  (1,- 
150)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $11,000.  (Aver- 
age: $11,500) 

THE  DUDE  GOES  WEST  (AA-Mono.) 
and  I  WOULDN'T  BE  IN  YOUR  SHOES 
(Mono.)— APOLLO'  (1,200)  (50c-65c-98c). 
Gross:  $10,000.  (Average:  $14,000) 
THE  EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)— CHI- 
CAGO (3,900)  (50c-65c-98c)  3rd  week.  On 
stage:  Harmonicats.  Gross:  $54,000.  (Av- 
erage: $53,500) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)— STATE  LAKE  (2,- 
700)  (50c-65c-98c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $24,- 
000.    (Average:  $25,000) 

MELODY  TIME  (RKO  Radio) — PALACE 
(2,500)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $33,00.  (Av- 
erage: $21,000) 

NEXT  TIME  WE  LOVE  (Realart)  and 
HIGH  SEAS  (Realart)— GARRICK  (1,000) 
(50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $8,000.  (Average: 
$10,000) 

THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)— WOODS 
(1,080)  (98c)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $20,000. 
(Average:  $23,000) 

SO   EVIL   MY   LOVE    (Para.)— UNITED 


ARTISTS  (1.700)  (50c-6Sc-98c).  Gross:  $20,- 
000.     (Average:  $20,000) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (ZOth- 
Fox) — ORIENTAL  (3,300)  (50c-65c-98c).  On 

stage:  Keenan  Wynn.  Gross:  $48,000.  (Av- 
erage: $45,000) 


TORONTO 


Exhibitors  here  partially  benefited 
from  Civic  Holiday.  There  were  two 
holdovers,  including  a  sixth  week  of 
"The  Fuller  Brush  Man"  at  Shea's. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  end- 
ing August  5 : 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)— UPTOWN  (2,- 
761)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days.  Gross: 
$10,600.  (Average:  $10,600) 
THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)— 
SHEA'S  (2,480)  (20c -36c -50c -66c -90c)  6  days, 
6th  week.  Gross:  $13,200.  (Average:  $14,- 
700) 

MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)— LOEWS  (2,074)  (20c-36c- 
50c-66c-78c)  6  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $13,- 
700.     (Average:  $14,200) 

NORTHWEST    STAMPEDE    (Intl.) — IM- 
PERIAL (3.343)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days. 
Gross:  $15,100.     (Average:  $14,600) 
ONE  NIGHT  WITH  YOU  (E-L)— DAN - 

FORTH  (1,40Q)  (20c-36c-50c-60c)  6  days. 
Gross:  $6,000.  (Average:  $6,500) 
ONE  NIGHT  WITH  DOLORES  (E-L)— 
FAIRLAWN  (1.195)  (20c-36c-50c-55c)  6 
days.  Gross:  $5,300.  (Average:  $5,500) 
SO  EVIL  MY  LOVE  (Para.)— NORTOWN 
(950)  (20c-42c-60c)  6  days.  Gross:  $4,500. 
(Average:  $5,000) 

SO  EVIL  MY  LOVE  (Para.) — VICTORIA 
(1,240)  (20c-36c-42c-60c)  6  days.  Gross:  $5,- 
000.    (Average:  $5,800) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (ZOth- 
Fox) — EGLINTON  (1,086)  (20c-36c-50c-66c) 
6  days.  Gross:  $6,000.  (Average:  $6,900) 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO'  NAME  (ZOth- 
Fox)— TIVOLI  (1,434)  (20c-36c-50c-66c)  6 
days.     Gross:  $7,000.     (Average:  $8,200) 


Harry  Pertner  Returns 

Detroit,  August  4. — Harry  Pertner, 
a  projectionist  15  years  ago  and 
manager  of  an  auto  shop  ever  since, 
has  taken  over  the  Rose  Theatre. 
His  official  opening  will  be  Sunday. 
One  of  Pertner's  beliefs  is  that  folks 
would  like  to  see  vaudeville  revived, 
so  he  will  have  that  plus  films. 


'Waltz'  in  Record 
$225,000  Loop  Run 

,  Paramount's  "Emperor  Waltz"  is 
expected  to  break  all  attendance  re- 
cords at  the  Balaban  and  Katz  Chi- 
cago Theatre  when  it  concludes  a 
four-week  run  on  August  12.  Total 
gross  is  expected  to  reach  $225,000  or 
more.  "Waltz"  will  play  12  outlying 
houses  day-and-date  on  August  13  im- 
mediately following  the  Loop  run. 


O'Dwyer  Guest  of  Eyssell 

Mayor  William  O'Dwyer  am  -  d- 
ver  A.  Whalen,  chairman  c .  ■ '  the 
Mayor's  Golden  Jubilee  Committee, 
will  visit  the  Music  Hall  tonight  for 
the  opening  performance  of  "Jubilee," 
the  theatre's  new  stage  revue  by 
Leonidoff  saluting  New  York's  50th 
anniversary.  G.  S.  Eysseli,  executive 
manager  of  Rockefeller  Center  and 
president  and  managing  director  of 
the  Music  Hall,  will  be  host. 


$19,250  Opening  at  Roxy 

Opening  day  of  20th  Century- 
Fox's  "The  Walls  of  Jericho"  at  the 
Roxy  Theatre  here  yesterday  grossed 
$15,050  by  _  eight  P.M.,  according  to 
executive  director  A.  J.  Balaban,  who 
estimated  that  the  first  day's  figure 
would  hit  $19,250.  This  would  make 
it  the  biggest  opening-day  grosser  of 
the  year  for  the  theatre,  he  said. 


Conn.  Tax  Off  Slightly 

Hartford,  August  4. — Connecticut 
tax  commissioner  Walter  W.  Walsh 
reports  state  amusement  taxes  in  1947- 
1948  amounted  to  $104,422,  compared 
to  the  1946-1947  figure  of  $104,876. 


Television  in  Louisville 

WAVE-TV,  Louisville,  Ky.(  tele- 
vision station,  will  begin  operations  on 
October  15  as  an  NBC  affiliate. 


A  beautiful  woman 
is  frozen  with 
terror  as  she 
overhears  plans 
for  her  own  murder 
in  Hal  Wallis'  thriller 
for  Paramount — 


rn  Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICTU  ,E 

DAILY 


' p?9t$-  NO- 26 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  AUGUST  6,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


lore  Trouble 
from  Mexican 
Devaluation 


bme  {/S  Companies  Are 
Withholding  Remittances 

Mexico  City,  August  5. — Con- 
ary  to  earlier  expectations  of 
orients  accruing  to  the  economical- 
1  plagued  film  industry  in  Mexico 
om  the  devaluation  of  the  peso,  ad- 
srse  conditions  have  arisen  which 
>se  a  serious  threat  to  both  Ameri- 
in  and  Mexican  film  interests  in  this 
mntry. 

The  unsettled  monetary  situ- 
ation resulting  from  the  gov- 
ernment's decision  to  devaluate 
i  has  induced  most  American  dis- 
tributors here  to  suspend  mak- 
ing remittances  to  their  home 
offices  until  the  situation  set- 
tles. However,  a  few  are  buying 
dollars  at  6.25  to  6.50  pesos  per 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


)G  in  Minneapolis 
ind  NCA  in  Deal 


Strike  Closes  MGM 
Studio  at  Ellstree 

London,  August  5. — An  un- 
expected walkout  of  70  mem- 
bers of  the  Electrical  Trades 
Union  today  closed  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer's  Ellstree 
Studio.  The  strike  occurred 
at  the  expiration  of  a  one- 
hour  ultimatum  given  to  the 
management  at  lunch  time, 
the  men  refusing  to  utilize 
the  conciliation  machinery  of 
the  film  industry's  trade  un- 
ion agreement.  Subject  of  the 
argument  was  the  recent  dis- 
charge of  two  ETU  members. 


Some  Settle 
Rockne  Suit 


Minneapolis,  August  5.  —  Local 
kreen  Guild  exchange  and  the  board 
,f  directors  of  North  Central  Allied 
lave  approved  in  principle  a  six-month 
rial  arrangement  whereby  NCA  will 
-eceive  a  percentage  of  film  rental 
:ollections  for  all  SG  product,  new 
ind  old,  played  by  NCA  members. 
\ctual  percentage  has  yet  to  be  deter- 
nined.  The  move  was  motivated  by 
3G  here. 

Abram  F.  Myers,  national  Alfred's 
general  counsel,  admitted  in  Washing- 
ion  on  Wednesday  that  there  has  been 
some  discussion  of  a  plan  for  Allied 
;o  acquire  distribution  rights  to  reis- 
sues, but  "it  has  not  been  submitted 
as  a  national  issue." 


Some  defendants  in  the  Rivoli- 
Rockne  $900,000  treble  damage  suit 
here  have  made  an  out-of-court  set- 
tlement, it  was  disclosed  today.  Under 
terms  of  the  agreement,  handled  by  the 
plaintiff's  attorney,  Aaron  Stein,  both 
houses  have  been  granted  opportunity 
for  preferred  playing  time  against 
competing  houses  in  addition  to  pay- 
ment of  attorney  fees.  Settlement  was 
made  with  Paramount,  20th  Century- 
Fox  and  Universal. 

Warner  Brothers  and  United  Art- 
ists, both  defendants,  are  expected  to 
make  settlements  shortly  pending 
preparation  of  papers. 

It  is  understood  the  suit  may  con- 
tinue against  Essaness,  defendants  in 
the  Rivoli  case  only,  and  Columbia, 
defendants  in  both  suits. 


Chicago  Operators 
Win  10%  Increase 


Chicago,  August  5.  —  Operators 
union  Local  No.  110  (AFL)  today 
signed  a  five-year  contract  with  all 
Chicago  area  houses  which  provides 
for  a  10  per  cent  increase  in  wages. 

Eugene  Atkinson,  business  manager 
of  the  local,  said  the  increase  will  not 
go  into  pay  envelopes  but  into  a  fund 
which  will  provide  disability  benefits, 
retirement  pensions  of  not  less  than 
$100  a  month  for  life,  a  vacation  fund 
with  two  weeks'  pay  for  each  member 
and  increased  sick  and  death  benefits. 

Negotiations  were  conducted  by 
Atkinson  and  Clarence  Jalas,  secre- 
tary-treasurer, representing  the  union, 
and  by  Eddie  Silverman,  Essaness 
president,  and  Morris  Leonard,  B.  and 
K.  official,  representing  theatre  owners. 


Ray  Johnston  Sells 
8,000  Mono.  Shares 


Washington,  August  5. — Stock 
transactions  by  officers  and  directors 
of  motion  picture  companies  was  ex- 
ceptionally light  during  the  month 
ending  July  10,  according  to  the  Se- 
curities and  Exchange  Commission's 
monthly  report  on  such  trading  (re- 
leased here  today.) 

Monogram's  W.  Ray  Johnston  sold 
8,000  shares  of  common  in  five  trans 
actions,  dropping  his  total  holdings  to 
4,617  shares.  Johnston  also  holds  op- 
tions for  12,500  shares  of  common 
William  B.  Hurlbut  sold  1,000  shares 
of  Monogram  common,  leaving  3,029. 

Howard  Hughes,  listed  for  the  first 
time  since  he  took  over  RKO,  showed 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


it 


NCA  Hails  Ascap 
Ruling,  Hits  TOA 

Fargo,  N.  D.,  August  5.— North 
Central  Allied  praised  New  York 
Federal  Court  Judge  Vincent  L.  Lei- 
bell's  decision  in  the  Ascap  case  and 
:ondemned  the  society  for  failing  to 
comply  with  North  Dakota  law  re- 
quiring registration  of  its  copyrighted 
properties,  during  a  regional  meeting 
held  here  today.  Ben  Berger,  NCA 
president,  urged  exhibitors  to  refuse  to 
pay  license  fees  to  Ascap  pending  final 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


'A  Southern  Yankee 9 


[M-G-M] — Red  Skelton  Raises  the  Roof 

Hollywood,  August  5 

IF  YOU  thought  Red  Skelton  was  a  boon  to  tired  theatregoers  in  "The 
Fuller  Brush  Man"  (and  if  you  didn't  you  were  out  of  sync  with  the 
present  generation  of  paying  customers)  you'll  be  as  pleased  as  the 
Hollywood  preview  crowd  was,  unanimously,  to  discover  that  you  ain't 
seen  nothin'  yet.  These  hard-bitten  minions  of  the  press,  starving  of 
late  on  a  steady  diet  of  grim  melodrama,  and  remembering  unhappily 
M-G-M's  handling  of  the  Skelton  talent  in  "The  Show-Off"  and  "Merton 
of  the  Movies,"*  arrived  the  other  evening  at  the  Academy  Awards 
Theatre  hoping  for  the  best  but  prepared  for  anything — anything,  that 
is,  but  the  fastest,  funniest  comedy  of  this  or  any  recent  year. 

When  it  was  over  they  picked  themselves  up  out  of  the  aisles,  pounded 
each  other  on  the  back  like  school  kids  who've  just  won  a  ball  game, 
and  were  still  talking  about  nothing  much  else  for  days.  Happy  days 
are  here  again,  and  they'll  be  back  at  your  place  when  you  play  "A 
Southern  Yankee." 

It  takes  digging  back  into  the  yesteryears  to  find  comparison,  as  to 
kind,  for  this  all-purpose,  all-level  comedy.  When  it's  slapstick,  which  is 
much  of  the  time,  it  summons  up  memories  of  Harold  Lloyd  at  his  peak. 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


10,321,000 
Warner  Profit 
For  9  Months 


Equals  $1.41  Per  Share; 
$7,400,000  for  U.S.  Taxes 

Warner  Brothers  Pictures  and 
subsidiaries  report  for  the  nine 
months  ending  May  2,  a  net  profit 
of  $10,321,000  after  provision  of 
$7,400,000  for  Federal  income  taxes. 
Net  for  the  nine  months  ending  May 
31,  1947,  amounted  to  $19,134,000, 
after  provision  of  $11,900,000  for 
Federal  taxes. 

Net  for  the  1948  period  is  equiva- 
lent to  $1.41  per  share  on  7,295,000 
shares  of  common  stock  outstanding. 
Net  for  the  corresponding  period  last 
year  was  equivalent  to  $2.60  per  share 
on  7,341,680  shares  then  outstanding. 

Film  rentals,  theatre  admissions, 
sales,  etc.,  after  eliminating  inter- 
company transactions  for  the  nine 
months  ending  May  29,  1948,  amount- 
ed to  $112,415,000,  compared  with 
$125,078,000  for  the  corresponding 
period  in  the  previous  year. 

Gross  income  for  the  1948  period 
amounted  to  $117,592,222,  as  against 
costs  and  expenses  of  $99,374,722, 
leaving  a  profit  before  charges  of  $18,- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


$18  Million 
WB  Backlog 


Warner  productions  completed  but 
not  yet  released  total  $17,909,125  in 
negative  costs,  it  is  disclosed  in  the 
company's  consolidated  balance  sheet 
released  here  yesterday  by  the  -  home 
office. 

Also  listed  among  the  inventories 
are  productions  in  progress  and 
charges  to  future  productions,  at  a  cost 
of  $8,738,967. 


Fred  Jack  Reported 
In  UA  Division  Post 


Realignment  of  a  part  of  United 
Artists'  top  sales  personnel  structure 
is  anticipated  in  some  quarters  here, 
with  Fred  Jack,  Southwestern  dis- 
trict manager,  reportedly  slated  for 
the  post  of  Western  division  manager, 
vacated  by  the  recent  resignation  of 
Maury  Orr.  Jack  is  in  New  York  at 
present  and  is  understood  to  be  unoffi- 
cially handling  the  Western  post. 


2 


Motion  Picture  daily 


Friday,  August  6,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


MAX  E.  YOUNGSTEIN,  Eagle- 
Lion  advertising-publicity  vice- 
president,  is  due  back  in  New  York 
Monday  from  visits  to  E-L  exchanges. 
• 

Victor  Meyer,  city  manager  for 
RKO  Radio  in  New  Orleans,  has  re- 
tired after  44  years  in  show  business. 
John  Dostal,  former  assistant  man- 
ager of  RKO  in  New  Orleans,  will 
return  from  Davenport,  Iowa,  to  suc- 
ceed Meyer. 

• 

Martha  Loeffler  of  National 
Theatre  Supply  in  Cleveland  for  the 
past  four  years,  has  resigned  follow- 
ing her  recent  marriage  to  Charles 
C  Diether  of  Pittsburgh.  Her  suc- 
cessor at  NTS  is  Teresa  Motwick. 
• 

Ann  Reagan,  daughter  of  Para- 
mount distribution  vice-president 
Charles  M.  Reagan  and  Mrs. 
Reagan,  has  become  engaged  to  John 
J  Hafer,  Jr.,  of  New  Hyde  Park, 
L.  I. 

George  Ayotte  of  the  National 
Film  Board  of  Canada  has  been 
awarded  a  fellowship  by  the  French 
Embassy  in  Ottawa  to  enable  him  to 
study  in  France  during  1948-1949. 
• 

Peter  Niland,  Columbia  salesman 
in  Cincinnati,  is  resigning  because  of 
ill  health.  He  will  continue  to  operate 
his  suburban  Fairmount  Theatre  in 
that  city. 

• 

Marylin  Marder,  who  has  resigned 
her  post  with  Paramount  in  Des 
Moines,  has  married  Herman 
Schuchman  of  Iowa  City. 

• 

A.  Capman,  manager  of  the  Selwyn 
Theatre,  New  York,  has  returned  here 
from  a  vacation. 

• 

Norman  Lourie,  president  of  Pal- 
estine Films,  will  fly  to  Tel  Aviv  to- 
day from  New  York. 

• 

Jack  M.  Warner  and  his  wife  will 
sail  today  on  the  SS  Queen  Elisabeth 
for  Europe. 

• 

Robert  Mochrie,  RKO  Radio  dis- 
tribution   vice-president,    planed  for 
New  York  from  Hollywood  last  night. 
• 

Spyros  P.  Skouras,  president  of 
20th  Century-Fox,  left  here  last  night 
by  plane  for  the  Coast. 

• 

George  E.  Freeman,  manager  of 
Loew's  Poli  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  is 
vacationing  at  Hampton  Beach,  N.  H. 


Hyde  Resigns  Post 
With  U.S.  Pictures 

Hollywood,  August  5. — Resignation 
of  Donald  Hyde,  vice-president  and 
general  manager  of  United  States 
Pictures,  was  disclosed  here  today  by 
Milton  Sperling,  president  of  the  com- 
pany. 

Hyde  occupied  his  post  for  the  past 
two  years,  and  an  option  was  recently 
exercised,  to  run  another  18  months. 


A.  S.  Abeles  Weighs 
British  Production 


London,  August  5.  —  Arthur  S. 
Abeles,  Jr.,  recently  appointed  Warner 
London  managing  director,  is  probing 
the  possibility  of  forming  his  owji  pro- 
duction team  to  turn  out  six  pictures 
a  year  at  an  average  maximum  cost  of 
£60,000  ($240,000)  at  Warner's  re- 
cently shuttered  Teddington  Studios. 
A  long-term  production  program 
would  be  financed  by  Warner  and 
Abeles  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  pic- 
tures could  earn  comfortable  profits 
by  British  distribution. 

Reputedly  disturbed  not  only  at  the 
high  cost  of  British  production,  but 
at  the  methods  employed,  Abeles, 
under  present  conditions,  does  not 
look  for  an  American  outlet  for  Brit- 
ish productions.  He  believes  that  there 
is  an  economic  return  in  the  domestic 
market  for  an  economically  made 
British  film — but  not  if  it  is  made 
under  present  conditions  in  many 
studios  here. 


Rank  Has  Theatre 
Size  Television 

London,  August  5. — J.  Arthur 
Rank's  Cinema  Television  has  given  a 
highly  secret  demonstration  of  theatre 
television  on  the  screen  of  a  theatre 
in  Bromley,  Kent,  and  the  result  was 
said  to  have  been  highly  satisfactory 
with  the  definition  of  the  image  better 
than  that  of  the  normal  newsreel  on 
this  occasion.  The  showing,  under  the 
supervision  of  A.  G.  D.  West,  Rank's 
principal  television  aide,  used  a  BBC 
program  which  was  re-transmitted 
from  a  central  reception  station  at 
Crystal  Palace. 

It  is  hoped  that  some  arrangement 
may  now  be  arrived  at  with  the  gov- 
ernment's advisory  committee,  en- 
abling Rank  to  give  big-screen  tele- 
vision to  paying  customers.  The  gov- 
ernment does  not  permit  television  re- 
ception in  any  place  charging  admis- 
sions. 


27  Groups  on  Board 
Of  'Vet'  Camp  Shows 

All  27  sponsoring  organizations  of 
Veterans  Hospital  Camp  Shows  have 
been  given  representation  on  the  or- 
ganization's board  of  directors.  Among 
the  entertainment  industry  groups  rep- 
resented are :  Actors  Equity,  Ascap, 
Association  of  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers, Hollywood  Coordinating  Com- 
mittee, IATSE,  Screen  Actors  Guild, 
Screen  Directors  Guild,  Screen 
Writers  Guild,  Society  of  Independent 
Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Thea- 
tre Owners  of  America. 


'Hamlet'  Here  in  Oct., 
At  Park  Ave.  House 

Laurence  OHvier's  "Hamlet"  will 
open  in  New  York  at  the  Park  Ave- 
nue Theatre  about  October  1,  it  was 
announced  here  yesterday  by  Univer- 
sal-International, distributor  of  the 
film.  All  seats  will  be  reserved  during 
the  entire  engagement,  with  matinee 
and  evening  showings  held  daily,  in- 
cluding Sundays,  plus  an  additional 
matinee  on  Saturdays. 


Theatre  Cited  for 
Civic  Improvement 

Unusual  recognition  for  its 
contribution  to  the  physical 
attractiveness  of  the  neigh- 
borhood, has  been  accorded 
the  Hamilton  Theatre  of 
Trenton,  winner  of  a  "Cita- 
tion for  Civic  Improvement" 
from  the  Garden  Club  of  New 
Jersey,  in  what  is  believed 
to  be  the  first  time  a  theatre 
has  been  singled  out  for  such 
an  award.  The  house  is  oper- 
ated by  Trenton-New  Bruns- 
wick Theatre.  James  McAllis- 
ter is  manager. 


U.  N.  Film  Survey 
Covers  12  Markets 

Results  of  a  survey  of  the  technical 
needs  of  films,  radio  and  the  press  in 
12  countries  were  received  at  United 
Nations  headquarters  at  Lake  Success. 
The  data  were  compiled  by  field  teams 
sent  out  by  the  UN's  Educational, 
Scientific  and  Cultural  organization. 
The  complete  survey  covers  19  coun- 
tries, but  statistics  received  from 
Paris  include  only  Pakistan,  Austria, 
Hungary,  Italy,  India,  Cuba,  Mexico, 
Ecuador,  Haiti,  Peru,  Uruguay  and 
the  Dominican  Republic.  A  similar 
survey  last  year  covered  middle-Euro- 
pean countries,  the  Balkans,  China  and 
the  Philippines. 

Film  needs  of  each  country  are 
divided  into  categories  such  as  film 
laws,  exhibition,  distribution,  produc- 
tion, educational  films,  raw  materials, 
equipment,  professional  training,  etc. 


IATSE  Group  to 
Cleveland  Today 

IATSE  international  president 
Richard  F.  Walsh,  and  other  top  of- 
ficials of  the  union,  will  leave  here 
today  for  Cleveland  to  prepare 
for  the  "IA"  convention  at  Public 
Auditorium  during  the  Week  of 
August  16.  Other  officials  leaving  for 
Cleveland  are  William  P.  Raoul,  gen- 
eral secretary-treasurer ;  Thomas  J. 
Shea,  assistant  international  president ; 
James  J.  Brennan,  vice-president; 
Joseph  D.  Basson,  international  rep- 
resentative, and  virtually  the  entire 
staff  of  the  general  office  here. 

On  Monday  at  the  Hollender 
Hotel  the  semi-annual  meeting  of  the 
general  executive  board  will  begin. 
This  meeting  is  expected  to  last  sev- 
eral days,  clearing  the  way  for  the 
convention. 


M.  C.  Gay  in  State 
Dept.  Film  Post 

Washington,  August  5. — The  State 
Department's  new  film  expert,  its 
fourth  this  year,  took  office  today.  He 
is  Merrill  C.  Gay,  who  has  been  with 
the  department's  commercial  policy 
division  since  1943  and  who  headed 
two  negotiating  teams  at  last  year's 
Geneva  trade  conference. 

Gay  says  he  has  had  contact  with 
films  on  and  off  since  joining  the  de- 
partment. His  predecessor  was  W.  T. 
M.  Beale  who  left  the  film  post  on 
Friday. 


Hughes,  Depinet  in 
Talks  on  Operations 

Hollywood,  August  5.  —  Howard 
Hughes,  RKO  majority  stockholder, 
and  Ned  E.  Depinet,  executive  vice- 
president,  began  a  series  of  confer- 
ences here  yesterday  believed  to  em- 
brace the  company's  overall  opera- 
tions, new  directorate  and  executive 
line-up.  Depinet  is  expected  to  remain 
here  several  weeks. 

New  slate  of  directors  is  tentatively 
scheduled  to  be  put  before  comwe>y 
stockholders  at  a  meeting  August. 

NT  Heads  Outline  Policies 

Los  Angeles,  August  5. — Regional 
presidents  of  National  Theatres,  meet- 
ing here  with  Charles  Skouras,  com- 
pany president,  yesterday  canvassed 
box-office  potentials  for  fall  and  win- 
ter. Operations  policies  were  shaped 
and  plans  for  participation  in  "Youth 
Month"  outlined.  The  meetings  will 
continue  through  tomorrow. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


T- RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL— w 

Rockefeller  Center 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

Wallace  BEERY     .     Jane  POWELL 
i  Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA  i 
Xavier  C  U  GAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


ALAN  DONNA 

LADD  REED 


RAY 

MILLAND 

ANN 

TODD 

GER  ALDINE 

1  FITZGERALD 

SCIENTIFICALLY  AJR  COMIlTlOftCO 

000*1  omm      C~W%  6' way  & 

«°  * «■  .Acrvo  TjL  4»*st-* 


ROY  DEI  RUTH'S  THE 

BABE  RUTH 

^^^M^^fc.  B^mv  a  wtluam  claim 

STORY  —  BENDIX 'TREVOR 


I  CoMFfff  mowwPop  MoT 


Cornel         Linda  Anne  Kirk 

WILDE    -  DARNELL     BAXTER  DOUGLAS 

"THE  WALLS  of  JERICHO" 

A  20th  Century-Fox  Picture 
ON  VARIETY  STAGE—    DICK  HAYMES 
ON  ICE  STAGE— CAROL  LYNNE 
ARNOLD  SHODA    -    FRITZ  DIETL 

=ROXYthA9& 


50th  St. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


EXCEPTIONAL  EXPLOITATION  PACKAGE 
^  TO  PACK  'EM  IN! 


TWICE  AS  THRILLING 

BECAUSE  IPS  TRUE/ 


pronounced:  OOR 


SEE:  Jungle  warfare  as  poison 
arrows  and  venomous  darts  battle 
man's  most  modern  weapons! 

SEE:  The  horrible  fate  of  a  python's 
prey ...  the  crushing  coils  of  a  slith- 
ering monster! 

SEE:  The  most  awful  death 
that  stalks  at  night ...  the 
blood-mad  black  panther! 


Undoubtedly  the  greatest  sport  picture  ever  filmed !" 
—Avery  Brundage, 
President  American  Olympic  Committee 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  August  6,  1948 


Key  City 
Grosses 


HOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
M.  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily"  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


BOSTON 


Warm,  sunny  weather  with  humid- 
ity continues  unabated.  Beaches  and 
summer  resorts  crowded  over  the 
weekend.  Night  baseball  still  doing 
big  business.  Theatre  business  along 
the  main  stem  was  rather  quiet.  Es- 
timated receipts  for  the  week  ending 
August  4: 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)  and  SHAG- 
GY (Para.)  —  METROPOLITAN  (4,367) 
(40c-80c)  2nd  week.  With  personal  appear- 
ance of  Dr.  I.  Q.  one  night.  Gross:  $19,000. 
(Average:  $27,000) 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)— PARAMOUNT  (1.700) 
(40c-80c).  Gross:  $14,000.  (Average:  $17,- 
000) 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L) — FENWAY  (1,373)  (40c-80c). 
Gross:  $5,500.     (Average:  $10,000) 
EASTER    PARADE     (M-G-M)— ORPHE- 

UM    (3,000)    (40c-80c)    3rd    week.  Gross: 
$19,000.    (Average:  $27,000) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— STATE  (3,- 
500)    (40c-80c)    3rd    week.     Gross:  $7,500. 
(Average:  $12,000) 

MAN-EATER  OF  KUMAON  (U-I)  and 
KING  OF  THE  GAMBLERS  (Rep.) — RKO 

BOSTON  (3,200)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $6,500. 
(Average:  None  available  on  summer 
schedule) 

MELODY  TIME  (RKO  Radio)  and 
MYSTERY   IN   MEXICO  (RKO  Radio)— 

RKO  MEMORIAL  (3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross: 

$17,500.      (Average:  $22,000) 

SAN  FRANCISCO  (M-G-M)— ASTOR  (1,- 

300)    (44c-80c)    2nd    week.      Gross:  $4,200. 

(Average:   None  available) 

TAKE  MY  LIFE  (E-L)  and  THE  GREAT 

WALTZ  (M-G-M)— EXETER  (1,300)  (45c- 

85c).     Gross:    $4,200.     (Average:  $5,000) 


*A  Southern  Yankee  99 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


Mexican  Devaluation 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


SAN  FRANCISCO 


Vacation  time  took  its  toll  this  week 
with  lower  grosses  in  most  instances. 
Top  business  was  done  at  the  Orphe- 
um  with  "Frankenstein."  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ended  August  4: 
A  DATE  WITH  JUDY  (M-G-M)— WAR- 
FIELD  (2,672)  (60c-85c)  1st  week.  Gross: 
$21,000.  (Average:  $18,800) 
A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)  —  ST. 
FRANCIS  (1,430)  (60c-8Sc)  1st  week. 
Gross:  $17,000.  (Average:  $14,600) 
THE  BLACK  ARROW  (Col.)  and  THE 
STRAWBERRY  ROAN  (Col.)— ESQUIRE 
(1,008)  (55c-85c)  1st  week  on  a  moveover. 
Gross:  $7,000.  (Average:  $9,000) 
DREAM  GIRL  (Para.)  and  WATER- 
FRONT AT  MIDNIGHT  (Para.) — PARA  - 
MOUNT  (2,735)  (60c-85c)  1st  week.  Gross: 
$16,000.  (Average:  $19,500) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  and  THE 
WINNER'S  CIRCLE  (20th-Fox)— FOX  (4,- 
651)  (60c-85c)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $16,000. 
(Average:  $23,000) 

FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  TAKE  MY 
LIFE  (E-L) — ORPHEUM  (2.440)  (55c-85c) 
1st  week.  Gross:  $21,000.  (Average,:  $14,- 
700) 

FOUR    FACES    WEST  (UA)-UXITED 

ARTISTS  (1,465)   (85c)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$8,500.     (Average:  $11,300) 
MELODY    TIME     (RKO  Radio).-  RKO 
GOLDEX    GATE    (2,835)    (95c)    1st  week. 
Gross:  $21,000.     (Average:  $27,000) 
ROMANCE  ON  THE  HIGH  SEAS  (WB) 
and   THE   KNOCKOUT    (Mono.) — STATE 
(2,135)   (60c-85c)   1st  week  on  a  moveover. 
Gross:  $4,500.    (Average:  $8,500) 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)   and  BLONDE   ICE    (FC)— UNITED 
NATIONS  (1,129)  (60c-85c)  3rd  week  on  a 
moveover.       Gross:      $3,000.  (Average: 
$9,900)  . 


When  it's  brainy  as  well  as  physical,  it  eases  regrets  about  Charlie  Chaplin 
having  gone  serious.  In  retrospect  it  recalls  the  Wallace  Beery-Raymond 
Hatton  "Behind  the  Front"  of  World  War  I  and  the  Abbott-Costello  "Buck 
Privates"  of  World  War  II. 

BUT  these  comparisons,  arrived  at  here  in  laborious  substitution  for  direct 
description  which  couldn't  do  justice,  are  strictly  generic  in  nature,  and 
strictly  post  mortem,  because  there  isn't  time  for  comparisons,  or  anything  else 
but  laughing,  during  the  picture. 

The  picture  opens  in  St.  Louis  in  1865,  with  Skelton  as  a  bungling  bell-hop, 
steadfastly  devoted  to  the  Union  cause  and  Union  Army  personnel  which 
tenants  the  hostelry,  who  blunders  into  capturing  a  famous  but  unknown 
Confederate  spy  known  as  the  Gray  Spider.  He  turns  him  over  to  the  Union 
commandant,  who  perforce  commissions  Skelton  to  cross  over  into  Con- 
federate territory  with  important  papers  for  Union  spies,  and  that's  about 
enough  of  the  story  for  present  uses.  It's  all  handled  for  laughs,  although 
containing  battle  sequences  staged  as  lavishly  as  those  in  "The  Birth  of  a 
Nation."  It  rocks  the  auditorium  with  laughter  from  the  opening  flash  to  the 
final  inch. 

TT  IS  Skelton's  picture  all  the  way,  with  Arlene  Dahl  in  charming  part-time 
company  as  a  Southern  belle,  Brian  Donlevy  present  as  a  sort  of  Civil  War 
smoothie  working  both  sides  of  the  street,  George  Coulouris  as  the  Confederate 
spy,  and  Lloyd  Gough,  John  Ireland,  Minor  Watson,  Charles  Dingle,  Art 
Baker,  Reed  Hadley  Arthur  Space  and  Joyce  Dobson  in  other  castings. 

Paul  Jones  produced  the  picture  and  Edward  Sedgwick  directed,  from  a 
script  by  Harry  Tugend,  based  on  an  original  by  Melvin  Frank  and  Norman 
Panama.  How  they  managed  to  do  it  without  laughing  themselves  to  death 
is  a  mystery. 

Running  time,  91  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
not  set.  William  R.  Weaver 


"The  Spiritualist" 

(Eagle-Lion) 

A STORY  of  fakers  who  prey  on  the  rich  through  spiritualism,  this  film 
with  Turhan  Bey,  Lynn  Bari  and  Cathy  O'Donnell,  stacks  up  as  an 
interesting  subject  despite  emphasis  on  the  morbid.  Played  against  a  plush 
background,  the  film  employs  trick  camera  work  to  enhance  the  yarn's  eerie 
and  sinister  qualities,  aiding  director  Bernard  Vorhaus  in  sustaining  suspense 
throughout. 

Based  on  an  original  by  Crane  Wilbur  and  written  for  the  screen  by 
Muriel  Roy  Bolton  and  Ian  Hunter,  it  concerns  Miss  Bari,  two  years  a  widow 
but  still  living  in  the  past  in  her  search  for  happiness.  She  meets  Bey,  a 
spiritualist,  who  promises  to  make  contact  with  her  late  husband  despite 
the  objections  of  Richard  Carlson  to  whom  Miss  Bari  is  now  engaged. 
During  a  seance  her  husband  returns  briefly.  Later  Bey  finds  that  he  is  still 
alive  after  having  murdered  at  least  one  previous  wife,  and  the  two  enter 
into  a  pact  to  deprive  Miss  Bari  and  her  sister,  Miss  O'Donnell,  of  the 
family  fortune.    Eventually  they  fail  and  both  men  are  killed. 

Since  it  is  a  story  of  death  and  a  plan  for  murder,  there  is  little  to  lighten 
the  mood,  while  the  romantic  element  of  the  picture  plays  but  a  minor  part. 
However,  in  telling  the  story,  the  methods  and  operations  of  quacks  are 
exposed  and  provide  an  interesting  aspect  of  the  picture.  Ben  Stoloff 
produced  and  George  J.  Teague  handled  the  photographic  effects. 

Running  time,  78  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
July  7. 


dollar  to  get  that  money  home. 
The  pre-devaluation  rate  was 
4.85  pesos  per  dollar. 

Those  American  distributors  which 
are  buying  dollars  at  the  higher  rate 
are  understood  to  feel  that  it  is  better 
to  take  the  present  loss  now  instead 
of  withholding  remittances  and  taking 
a  greater  loss  if  the  peso  is  further 
devaluated  later. 

Devaluation  has  hurt  theatre  (-  D 
ness  throughout  Mexico  because  oKie 
general  uncertainties  and  price  hikes 
on  not  only  imported  goods  but  on  a 
number  of  Mexican  items  as  well,  de- 
spite official  efforts  to  prevent  price 
rises  of  Mexican  products. 

Devaluation  provoked  the  first  thea- 
tre strike  in  Mexico  for  that  reason, 
at  San  Martin  Texmelucan  in  Pueblo 
State.  Employes  demanded  a  100  per 
cent  pay  hike,  contending  that  their 
pay  is  far  short  of  meeting  living  ex- 
penses caused  by  the  money  devalua- 
tion. Exhibitors  say  operating  costs 
take  95  per  cent  of  income,  and  wages 
take  67  per  cent  of  those  costs. 

When  devaluation  was  first  effected 
it  was  expected  that  it  would  bring 
recovery  of  the  Mexican  industry  from 
the  slump  into  which  it  has  fallen  since 
the  war's  end. 

Increased  theatre  patronage  was  al- 
so expected. 


Ray  Johnston  Sells 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


CLEVELAND 

Baseball  at  home  and  on  the  air  has 
cut  into  weekend  theatre  attendance 


with  lower  grosses  reported  at  all 
first-runs.  "Deep  Waters"  was  the 
only  new  picture  with  drawing  power, 
taking  in  $14,500  at  the  RKO  Allen. 
"The  Street  With  No  Name"  held 
strong  in  its  third  week.  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ended  August 
3-4: 

THE  CRUSADES  (Para.)  —  LOEW'S 
STILLMAN  (1,900)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $8,500. 
(Average:  $10,500) 

DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox) — RKO  AL- 
LEN (3,000)  (5Sc-70c).  Gross:  $14,500. 
(Average:  $13,800) 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— LOEW'S 
STATE  (3.300)  (50c-70c)  2nd  week,  on  a 
holdover.  Gross:  $17,500.  (Average:  $19,- 
300) 

IT  HAPPENED  ONE  NIGHT  (Col.)  and 
ONE  NIGHT  OF  LOVE  (Col.)— LOWER 
MALL  (563)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $3,000.  (Av- 
erage: $2,500) 

MELODY     TIME     (RKO     Radio)  —  RKO 

PALACE  (3,300)  (55c-70c).  Gross:  $15,500. 
(Average:  $16,000) 

ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA)— WAR- 
NERS' HIPPODROME  (3,500)  (55c-70c). 
Gross:  $15,000.  (Average:  $15,000) 
THE  SEARCH  (M-G-M)— LOEW'S  OHIO 
(1,268)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $6,500.  (Average: 
$6,200) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 

Fox)— WARNERS'  LAKE  (714)  (55c-70c) 
3rd  week,  on  a  moveover  after  two  weeks 
at  the  Hippodrome.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Av- 
erage: $3,000) 


Take  D.S.T.  Fight  to 
Michigan  Court 

Detroit,  August  5. — Michigan  Su- 
preme Court  has  been  asked  to  enjoin 
the  City  of  Detroit  from  presenting 
the  question  of  Daylight  Saving  Time 
to  the  voters  at  the  September  14  elec- 
tion, in  an  action  brought  by  Indepen- 
dent Theatre  Owners  Association  of 
Michigan,  Greater  Detroit  Theatres, 
Inc.,  Oliver  Amusement  Corp.,  and 
other  independent  theatre  owners. 

It  is  contended  that  Eastern  Stand- 
ard Time  was  fixed  by  the  legislature 
as  the  legal  time  for  Michigan.  Thea- 
tremen  here  maintain  that  they  are  ad- 
versely affected  by  the  continuation  of 
daylight  time. 


ownership  of  929,020  shares  of  com- 
mon. 

At  Paramount,  the  F.  K.  Griffis 
trust  is  listed  for  the  sale  of  2,500 
shares  of  common,  with  3,500  remain- 
ing. Stanton  Griffis  is  listed  for  9,000 
shares  of  common,  the  Nixon  Griffis 
trust  for  5,000,  the  W.  E.  Griffis  trust 
for  2,800,  and  the  T.  G.  Latouche  trust 
for  4,500. 

Paramount's  Henry  Ginsberg  bought 
500  shares  of  common,  bringing  his 
holdings  to  1,000.  His  sons  hold  400 
shares. 

At  Columbia,  A  Schneider  sold  25 
shares;  he  has  10,028.  Albert  W. 
Lind  bought  100  shares  of  Associated 
Motion  Picture  Industries,  Inc.,  capi- 
tal stock,  making  his  total  holdings 
500  shares.  Albert  Warner  gave  400 
shares  of  Warner  common  to  philan- 
thropies. He  has  428,000  shares.  The 
Albert  Warner  trust  shows  a  total  of 
21,000  shares.  Jack  L.  Warner  gave 
2,000  shares  to  the  United  Jewish 
Welfare  Fund,  leaving  418,000.  The 
Jack  L.  Warner  trust  is  listed  with 
21,500  shares. 


Warner  Profit 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Mrs.  Ida  F.  Giroux,  81 

Hollywood,  August  5. — Funeral  ser- 
vices were  held  this  morning  in  the 
chapel  of  Hollenbeck  Home  for  Mrs. 
Ida  F.  Giroux,  81,  who  died  Monday 
following  a  long  illness.  George  R. 
Giroux,  Technicolor  field  representa- 
tive, is  the  sole  survivor.  Interment 
will  be  in  Chicago,  former  home  of  the 
deceased. 


217,500.  Dividends  of  $7,275,016  are 
reported. 

Current  and  working  assets  as  of 
May  29,  1948,  are  listed  at  $67,455,- 
726,  against  current  liabilities  of  $27,- 
599,037. 


Warner  Dividend 

Warner  Brothers'  board  of  directors 
yesterday  declared  a  dividend  of  25 
cents  per  share,  payable  October  4 
holders  of  record  on  September  3. 


to 


Salt  Lake  Grosses  Up 

Salt  Lake  City,  August  5.— De- 
spite hot  weather,  theatre  grosses  are 
above  normal  for  this  time  of  year, 
according  to  reports  from  showmen. 


^Friday,  August  6,  1948 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY 


5 


Review 


"Variety  Time" 

(RKO  Radio) 

ii\  T  ARIETY  TIME"  is  virtually  a  vaudeville  bill  of  odds  and  ends,  some 

V  new,  some  segments  from  old  films,  including  a  number  of  items  from 
the  Flicker  Flashbacks  series  of  shorts  released  by  RKO.  The  effect  is 
intended  solely  for  the  benefit  of  those  whose  tastes  in  entertainment  are 
easily  satisfied,  for  this  is  extremely  commonplace  stuff.  The  film  makes  no 
pretense  of  offering  anything  more  than  an  hour  of  fun  to  be  quickly  forgotten. 

Emphasis  is  on  comedy  of  the  simplest  sort,  often  descending  to  unabashed, 
old-fashioned  slapstick  as  in  the  case  of  a  painful  sketch  detailing  the  trials 
of  Edgar  Kennedy  in  trying  to  build  an  extension  to  his  home. 

In  addition  to  the  Kennedy  and  Flicker  Flashbacks  clips  the  entertainment 
includes  acts  featuring  Frankie  Carle  and  his  orchestra,  Pat  Rooney  in  a 
soft-shoe  dance,  Jesse  and  James  in  a  blackface  routine,  Leon  Errol  in  a 
comedy  of  marital  entanglement,  Lynn,  Royce  and  Vanya  in  a  comedy  dance 
routine,  Hans  Conreid  and  Jack  Paar  in  a  French  song  burlesque  and  Miguel- 
ito  Valdes  in  a  "Babalu"  number.  George  Bilson  produced.  Hal  Yates  directed 
the  Kennedy  and  Errol  numbers. 

Running  time,  59  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date,  not 
set.  P.  E.  L. 


Additional  Drive-ins 
Sprout  Across  Nation 


jFCC  Charting  Rules 
ITo  Bar  Quiz  Shows 


Washington,  August  5.— The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  to- 
day leveled  several  strong  blows  which 
may  eventually  rule  most  radio  "give- 
away" shows  off  the  air  and,  in  the 
eyes  of  some  observers,  be  of  some 
indirect  aid  to  sinking  theatre  receipts. 

The  Commission  invited  comments 
K^September  10  on  proposed  rules 
1 —  ~)g  forth  what  programs  violate 
the  lottery  section  of  the  radio  act. 
:  The  FCC  said  it  planned  to  consider 
a  program  in  violation  if  any  mone- 
tary or  other  type  of  prize  were  con- 
ditioned on  the  winner  furnishing 
money  or  having  a  certain  product  of 
the  show's  sponsor ;  if  he  must  be 
listening  to  the  show ;  if  he  must  an- 
swer correctly  a  question,  the  answer 
to  which  is  given  on  a  program  broad- 
cast by  the  station ;  or  if  he  must  an- 
swer the  phone  or  write  a  letter  and 
the  conversation  or  letter  is  broadcast. 

Covered  by  the  rules  would  be  stand- 
ard, FM  and  television  stations  and 
practically  all  quiz  programs,  except 
those  with  no  awards,  would  be  af- 
fected, observers  believe. 


$2,288,237  Net  for 
Columbia  Network 

.  Net  income  of  $2,288,237,  equal  to 
$1.33  per  share,  is  reported  by  Colum- 
bia Broadcasting  for  the  six  months 
ended  July  3,,  compared  with  $2,919,- 
507,  and  $1.70  per  share,  for  the  cor- 
responding period  in  1947. 

Gross  1948  income  totaled  $48,816,- 
986,  or  $34,763,526  after  deductions 
for  time  discount,  agency  commis- 
sions, allowances  and  other  discounts. 
Comparable  1947  figures  were:  $51,- 
411,368  gross  income,  less  $13,202,644 
for  discount  and  commissions,  leaving 
a  gross  of  $38,208,724. 


WHN,  Loew  Station, 
Changed  to  WMGM 

WHN,  Loew's  radio  station  in  New 
York,  will  become  WMGM  on  Sep- 
tember 15,  the  change  in  call  letters 
having  been  approved  by  the  Federal 
Communications  Commission.  On  that 
date  the  station  will  move  to  new 
studios.  The  move  presages  a  closer 
working  alliance  with  the  M-G-M 
Coast  studios  from  where  some  pro- 
grams will  emanate.  Loew's  frequency 
modulation  station,  WHN-FM,  will 
become  WMGM-FM,  also  on  Sep- 
tember 15. 

FCC  Approves  7  New 
Television  Stations 

Washington,  August  5.  —  Federal 
Communications  Commission  has  ap- 
proved seven  new  television  stations. 
They  include:  WSAZ,  Huntington, 
W.  Va. ;  WHIN,  Lansing;  Peoria 
Broadcasting  Co.,  Peoria,  111.;  Fetzer 
Broadcasting  Co.,  Kalamazoo;  WSM, 
Nashville;  Radio  Service  Corp.  of 
Utah,  Salt  Lake  City;  Leonard  A. 
Versluis,  Grand  Rapids. 


Industry  Broadcast  Set 

Columbia  Broadcasting  has  set  Sep- 
tember 19  as  the  broadcast  date  for 
"The  Hollywood  Stpry,"  a  program 
which  will  assay  the  social,  economic 
and  other  factors  which  go  into  the 
selection  and  production  of  a  major 
film. 


Drive-in  theatres  under  construc- 
tion or  planned  in  addition  to  those 
previously  reported  in  Motion  Pic- 
ture Daily  follow : 

Joseph  A.  Cremisino  and  H.  E. 
Clark  are  sponsors  of  new  projects  at 
Rochester,  Minn.,  and  Sioux  Falls, 
S.  D.,  and  have  plans  for  St.  Cloud, 
Minn.  Nat  Williams,  head  of  Inter- 
state Amusement  Co.,  has  opened  the 
Hi-Wa  Drive-In,  costing  $75,000,  at 
Thomasville,  Ga.  Toronto  has  a  new 
drive-in,  its  second,  at  nearby  Malton, 
site  of  the  city's  air  terminal.  New 
in  the  business,  F.  Chase  Hathaway 
has  opened  near  Hoosick  Falls,  N.  Y., 
and  Harry  Lamont  has  opened  at 
Mayfield,  N.  Y.  The  latter  operates 
drive-ins  at  Middletown  and  Lake 
George,  both  in  New  York. 

$200,000  Project  for  Downey 

One  of  the  costliest  drive-ins  in  the 
country  is  the  $200,000  job  of  E.  R. 
Cummings,  head  of  Exhibition  En- 
terprises, at  Downey,  Cal.,  served  out 
of  San  Francisco.  Joseph  Blumenfeld 
Theatres  opened  two  projects,  at 
Stockton,  and  Marin,  Cal.  The  old 
Riverside  Racetrack  near  Kansas  City 
is  the  site  of  that  area's  newest  drive- 
in,  operated  by  Commonwealth  Thea- 
tres. That  circuit  has  engaged  Jack 
D.  Braunagle  to  handle  its  drive-in 
projects.  The  new  Duwamish  Drive- 
in  between  Seattle  and  Tacoma  is 
jointly  operated  by  John  Danz  and 
William  Forman. 

One  of  the  most  extensive  drive-in 
programs  contemplated  is  the  27 
drive-ins  planned  by  Walter  Reade 
Theatres  to  be  opened  in  1948  and 
1949,  in  the  Mid-Atlantic  States, 
principally  in  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  as  previously  reported.  A 
corporation  headed  by  Eugene  Bora- 
gine,  Henry  J.  Rehault  and  Dr.  Do- 
minico  Santoro  is  operating  at  Cas- 
cades, Me.  Mrs.  Rose  Chilypian  and 
her  son-in-law,  Sarkes  Arakelian, 
have  a  new  drive-in,  the  Riverview, 
on  the  Haverhill-Lawrence,  Mass., 
Boulevard,  with  accommodations  for 
500  cars,  on  Route  110. 

Negro  Drive-in  in  Charlotte 
Additional  Simplex  Projector 
equipment  orders  have  been  serviced 
for  drive-ins  at  Great  Bend.,  Kans. ; 
South  Glenns  Falls,  N.  Y.,  and  Rus- 
sels  Point,  O.  Philip  C.  Cahill  of 
Wethersfield,    Conn.,    and    Louis  B. 


Rogow  of  Hartford  are  the  backers  of 
a  new  project  at  Wolcott,  Conn. 
Nashville's  first  car-theatre  is  operated 
by  Crescent  Amusement  Co.,  at  nearby 
Murfreesboro.  R.  E.  Baluch  is  presi- 
dent. Charlotte  Negroes  have  a  new 
$40,000  drive-in  for  400  cars.  The 
Gulfport-Biloxi,  Miss.,  territory  is  the 
locale  for  another  of  the  South's  many 
drive-ins. 

Ralph  Trathen  is  general  manager 
of  Associated  Amusement  Co.  which 
recently  opened  offices  on  Salt  Lake 
City's  Film  Row  out  of  which  it  will 
operate  an  expanded  drive-in  program 
in  the  mountain  area,  where  it  already 
manages  several.  Samuel  Slotnick 
and  Sam  Gandel  are  partners  in  the 
Parkway,  new  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
drive-in  at  nearby  Canandaigua,  with 
a  capacity  for  700  cars,  expandable  to 
1,500.  Newest  Ezell  Drive-In  Thea- 
tre Co.  property  is  the  Buckner  Boule- 
vard, Dallas,  which  has  a  play  beach 
for  children,  a  snack  bar,  etc. 

Additional  new  drive-in  installations 
are  located  at  Peoria,  111. ;  Weather- 
ford,  Tex. ;  Victoria,  Tex. ;  Lamesa, 
Tex. ;  New  Castle,  Pa. ;  Elkhart,  Ind. ; 
Wallingford,  Conn. ;  Stony  Hill, 
Mass. ;  Atlanta ;  New  Orleans ;  Ba- 
ton Rouge,  La. ;  Cumberland,  Md. ; 
Whitfield,  Ga. ;  Salisbury,  N.  C. 


Ochs  Expands  Drive-ins 

Toronto,  August  5. — Herb  Ochs  of 
Toronto  and  Cleveland  has  opened  the 
third  automobile  theatre  in  Ontario  of 
Skyway  Drive-In  Theatres,  Ltd.  The 
latest  unit,  under  the  management  of 
Gordon  White,  is  located  at  Britannia 
Bay  in  Eastern  Ontario.  The  com- 
pany is  constructing  other  theatres  at 
Oshawa  and  Peterboro. 


Loukos  Acquires  Two 

Lima,  O.,  August  5. — Allen  and 
Majestic  Theatres,  for  a  long  time 
owned  and  operated  by  George  Ritzier, 
have  been  acquired  by  Don  F.  Loukos, 
formerly  with  Warners  and  more  re- 
cently manager  of  the  two  houses. 


Plan  Film  on  Railway 

Story  of  the  construction  of  the  Ca- 
nadian Pacific  Railway  will  be  dram- 
atized in  "Canadian  Pacific,"  a  $1,- 
000,000  production  starring  Randolph 
Scott,  to  be  a  Nat  Holt  production 
released  through  20th  Century-Fox. 


8,000  Philco  Video 
Sets  Due  Weekly 

Philadelphia  August  5. — Current 
production  of  television  sets  by  Philco 
exceeds  4,000  per  week  and  by  the 
fourth  quarter  they  will  exceed  8,000 
per  week,  or  400,000  a  year,  accord- 
ing to  William  Balderston,  president, 
who  reports  that  Philco's  dollar  out- 
put in  television  will  go  beyond  its 
radio  production  by  the  end  of  the 
year. 

Total  sales  of  all  Philco  products 
for  the  first  half  of  1948  were  at  $124,- 
617,000,  compared  with  $107,941,000 
last  year.  Earnings  for  the  six 
months  amounted  to  $4,215,000.  Earn- 
ings for  the  same  1947  period  were 
$2,237,000. 

Building  Materials 
Increased  Sharply 

Washington,  August  5— Produc- 
tion of  major  construction  materials 
increased  sharply  in  May — latest 
month  for  which  figures  are  available 
— to  bring  the  physical  volume  of  pro- 
duction to  the  highest  point  this  year, 
according  to  the  U.  S.  Commerce  De- 
partment. Production  of  10  materials 
actually  declined,  but  the  output  of 
major  items  such  as  lumber,  cement, 
brick  and  selected  iron  and  steel  prod- 
ucts all  increased. 


Hails  Ascap  Ruling 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

decision  in  the  New  York  and  Berger 
cases  against  Ascap. 

Thirty-eight  exhibitors  present  also 
scored  the  Theatre  Owners  of  Amer- 
ica for  what  they  called  its  "weak- 
kneed  and  reactionary"  failure  to  rec- 
ommend halting  further  Ascap  pay- 
ments. 

Berger  was  also  authorized  to  name 
a  committee  to  appear  at  the  January 
meeting  of  the  state  legislature  to  com- 
bat the  municipal  admission  tax 
"craze"  in  this  state. 

NCA  executive  director  Stanley 
Kane  addressed  the  meeting  on  the  re- 
cent Supreme  Court  decision  in  the 
Paramount  case. 


Neben  on  'Photoplay'  Ads 

Jacqueline  Neben  has  been  appointed 
promotion  manager  of  Photoplay 
magazine,  by  Fred  R.  Sammis,  edi- 
torial director.  Mis.s  Neben  will  han- 
dle both  advertising  and  editorial 
promotion  of  Photoplay  and  Photoplay 
Fashions,  as  well  as  the  magazine's 
publicity.  With  Macfadden  Publica- 
tions for  the  past  six  years,  she  was 
previously  a  copywriter  and  assistant 
to  Herbert  G.  Drake,  director  of 
promotion. 


4  Premieres  for  WB  Film 

Dallas,  August  5. — Local  premiere 
of  Warners'  "Two  Guys  from  Texas" 
will  be  held  tomorrow  night  at  the 
Majestic  Theatre.  Dennis  Morgan, 
Jack  Carson  and  Dorothy  Malone, 
who  star  in  the  film,  are  on  hand  for 
the  opening.  The  picture  opened  at  the 
Majestic  in  Houston  tonight  at  the 
second  of  a  four-city  Southwest 
premiere. 


'Duel'  at  Venice  Exhibit 

On  invitation  of  the  Italian  govern- 
ment, David  O.  Selznick's  "Duel  in 
the  Sun"  has  been  entered  along  with 
other  American  films  in  the  Venice 
Festival  which  takes  place  August  14- 
September  4.  His  "Since  You  Went 
Away"  and  his  production  of  Alfred 
Hitchcock's  "Rebecca"  will  be  entered 
in  the  special  division  of  the  exhibit. 


Artist  with  chintz  and  Chippendale. .. 


WHEN  this  room  says  "home,  sweet 
home"  to  movie-goers,  it  also  speaks  in 
praise  of  its  creator — the  man  who 
dressed  the  set  so  understandingly. 

For  his  was  the  feeling  for  fabrics  and 
furniture  that  gave  the  set  its  "lived-in" 
look  . .  .  that  made  it  so  truly  convey 
time  and  place,  and  catch  the  spirit  of 
the  actors'  roles. 


Whether  an  interior  is  modern  or 
medieval,  penthouse  or  "poverty  row," 
the  set  dresser's  artistry  makes  its 
atmosphere  authentic. 

An  important  contribution,  this — and 
one  that  is  reflected  to  the  full  by  faith- 
ful photographic  reproduction  . .  .  un- 
failingly provided  by  Eastman's  famous 
family  of  motion  picture  films. 


EASTMAN   KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER  4,   N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  DISTRIBUTORS 
FORT  LEE    •    CHICAGO    •  HOLLYWOOD 


  .*. 

Accurate 

MOTION  P1€?IS£&E 

FIRST 

Concise 

▲  T  T  "^K  7" 

IN 

and 

1  ■  A  1  1 

FILM 

Impartial 

JLX/Vl  JLI 

j  NEWS 

64.  NO.  27 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  AUGUST  9,  1948 

TEN  CENTS 

AFL  Invades 
ClO's  Ranks 
At  Paramount 


Move  Follows  IATSE's 
Drive  at  United  Artists 


A  deeper  drive  into  the  ranks  of 
CIO's  Screen  Office  and  Profes- 
sional Employes  Guild  at  home  of- 
fices was  launched  at  the  weekend 
at  Paramount  by  AFL's  IATSE  Mo- 
tion Picture  Home  Office  Employes 
Local  No.  H-63,  thus  marking  the  sec- 
ond invasion  of  SOPEG's  territory 
since  H-63's  campaign  at  United  Art- 
ists. 

Spearheading  the  H-63  drive  at 
Paramount  is  a  committee  of  20  em- 
ployes, composed  of  SOPEG  members 
as  well  as  non-SOPEG  members.  Ac- 
cording to  Russell  Moss,  H-63  busi- 
ness agent,  "a  gratifying  number  of 
cards  were  signed  by  employes"  on  the 
first  day  of  the  H-63  drive  on  Friday. 
Application  to  the  National  Labor  Re- 
lations Board  for  a  representation 
election  will  be  made  as  soon  as  H-63 
has  a  substantial  majority,  Moss  de- 
clared. 

One  reason  given  for  the  switch  to 
"IA"  has  been  SOPEG's  refusal  to 

{Continued  on  page  3) 

38  Named  to  TOA 
Convention  Group 

John  Balaban  and  Eddie  Zorn, 
chairman  and  vice-chairman,_  respec- 
tively, of  the  general  convention  com- 
mittee of  the  Theatre  Owners  of 
America,  have  named  38  members  to 
the  reception  committee  for  the  two- 
day  session  which  will  be  held  Sep- 
tember 24-25  in  the  Drake  Hotel, 
Chicago. 

From  exhibitor  ranks  in  the  Chicago 
area  the  following  were  appointed : 
W.  K.  Hollander,  N.  M.  Piatt,  D.  B. 
Wallerstein,  Frank  Smith,  Aaron 
Jones,  Edwin  Silverman,  James  Cost- 
ton,  Jack  Rose,  Arthur  Schoenstadt, 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Ploeser  Maps  Slate 
For  'Monopoly'  Quiz 


Washington,  August  8. — Rep. 
Ploeser,  chairman  of  a  House  Small 
Business  Committee  investigating 
monopolistic  and  unfair  trade  prac- 
tices, has  tentatively  approved  a 
schedule  of  road  hearings  this  fall 
which  will  go  into  practically  every 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


'IA'  Meet  Will 
Highlight  Taft 
Bill  Attack 


Cleveland,  August  8. — Impetus 
to  the  IATSE's  drive  for  repeal  of 
the  Taft-Hartley  labor  law  will  be 
stressed  at  the  organization's  week- 
long  general  executive  board  meeting 
which  will  open  here  tomorrow  at  the 
Hollenden  Hotel,  and  at  its  39th  con- 
vention which  will  start  one  week 
from  tomorrow  at  Cleveland's  Public 
Auditorium. 

William  Green,  president  of  the 
American  Federation  of  Labor ;  Eric 
A.  Johnston,  president  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America,  and 
Thomas  J.  Herbert,  Governor  of  Ohio, 
top  the  list  of  labor  leaders,  industry 
executives  and  public  officials  sched- 
uled to  attend  the  convention,  with 
International  president  Richard  F. 
Walsh  presiding. 

Throughout  the  week,  more  than 
1,100  delegates  will  arrive.   They  are 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Report  on  Studio 
Strike  Due  Today 


Washington,  August  8.  —  The 
House  Labor  Committee  tomorrow 
may  write  "finis"  to  the  work  of  the 
Kearns  sub-committee  investigating 
the  Hollywood  jurisdictional  strike. 

Rep.  Kearns  has  been  working  fe- 
verishly over  the  weekend,  it  was 
learned,  to  have  a  report  ready  to 
present  to  the  committee  at  a  meeting 
tentatively  set  for  tomorrow. 

According  to  the  plans  of  committee 
chairman  Hartley  (R.,  N.  J.)  ap- 
proval of  the  report  by  the  full  com- 
mittee will  end  the  investigation  with- 
out further  hearings  on  any  other  pro- 
ceedings. Kearns  has  been  holding  out 
lor  further  hearings. 


Empire -U  to  Amend 
Writ  in  Rank  Suit 


Toronto,  August  8.— Gordon  D. 
Conant,  senior  Master-in-Chambers  at 
Osgoode  Hall,  has  granted  permission 
to  Empire-Universal  Films,  Toronto, 
and  other  plaintiffs,  to  amend  their 
writ  and  statement  of  claim  against 
J.  Arthur  Rank  and  others  in  their 
prolonged  action  for  $2,000,000  in 
damages. 

The  order  was  issued  providing  the 
plaintiffs  pay  all  costs  of  defendant 
Rank  arising-  out  of  the  previous  or- 
der of  the  court,  dated  March  12,  1947. 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


Canada's  Admissions 
Are  on  the  Decline 

Ottawa,  August  8.— The  Ca- 
nadian government  reports 
that  a  nationwide  survey 
shows  theatre  admission 
prices  in  this  country  dropped 
from  134.5  per  cent  in  May  to 
130.9  per  cent  in  June,  on  the 
basis  of  the  period  of  1935-39 
being  equal  to  100  per  cent. 
The  decline  in  part  is  attrib- 
utable to  tax  cuts  in  some  re- 
gions where  provincial  gov- 
ernments did  not  replace  the 
national  tax  abandoned  by 
the  Dominion  some  weeks 
ago. 

From  other  sources  it  is 
learned  that  admission  scales 
may  show  a  further  decline 
for  July. 


British  May  Expand 
In  Canadian  Market 


Ottawa,  August  8. — Some  interest- 
ing developments  are  expected  to  re- 
sult for  the  motion  picture  industry  in 
Canada  following  the  disclosure  that 
the  United  Kingdom  will  allow  Brit- 
ish companies  to  invest  in  establishing 
branches  in  Canada  provided  that  it 
"can  be  shown  to  be  advantageous  in 
relation  to  our  (British)  dollar  posi- 
tion." 

As  far  as  the  film  business  is  con- 
cerned, it  is  believed  here  that  British 
film  interests  may  organize  operations 
on  Canadian  soil  to  increase  their  busi- 
ness in  the  Dominion. 

It  is  known  that  Canadian  financial 
institutions  are  now  ready  to  aid  such 
schemes. 


Popcorn  Crop  Is 
51%  Above  1947 


Washington,  August  8.  —  The 
U.  S.  Agriculture  Department  reports 
that  present  indications  are  that  the 
1948  acreage  of  popcorn  planted  in  the 
12  commercial  producing  states  will 
be  about  51  per  cent  larger  than  the 
1947  acreage.  Motion  picture  theatres 
are  among  the  biggest  purchasers  of 
popcorn. 

The  increase  follows  two  successive 
years  of  decrease,  the  department 
points  out. 

Weather  since  planting  has  been 
favorable  for  good  growth  and  de- 
velopment, the  department  reports. 

Estimated  plantings  of  126,700  acres 
this  year  compare  with  83,700  in  1947 
and  the  10-year  1937-46  average  of 
125,960.  More  acres  were  planted  in 
all  major  producing  states  except 
Iowa. 


United  Artists 
Realigns  Top 
Selling  Force 

Two  Division  Managers 
Under  Paul  Lazarus,  Jr. 

A  realignment  of  top  sales  posts 
at  United  Artists  was  indicated  at 
the  weekend  with  Joseph  J.  Unger 
said  to  be  resigning  as  sales  man- 
ager. That  post  is  to  be  eliminated 
and  sales  will  be  directed  jointly  by 
Edward  Schnitzer,  continuing  as  East- 
ern division  manager,  and  Fred  Jack 
promoted  to  Western  division  head. 
Unger  could  not  be  reached  for.  com- 
ment. 

Paul  N.  Lazarus,  Jr.,  executive  as- 
sistant to  Gradwell  Sears,  UA's  presi- 
dent, will  function  as  liaison  between 
Sears  and  the  two  divisions.  Addi- 
tionally, Lazarus  still  will  continue  an 
active  interest  in  the  advertising-pub- 
licity department  of  which  he  had 
been  director  until  his  recent  promo- 
tion. Howard  LeSieur  now  is  adver- 
tising-publicity director. 

Jack  will  continue  to  maintain  his 
headquarters  in  Dallas  where  he  has 
been  Southwest  district  manager.  Both 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Long  Files  Second 
Suit  Against  Schine 


Cleveland,  August  8. — An  anti- 
trust action  was  filed  here  at  the  week- 
end against  the  Schine  circuit  by  Lock- 
wood  Thompson,  co-counsel  with  Sey- 
mour Simon  of  Chicago,  representing 
Emerson  W.  Long  of  Mt.  Vernon, 
and  Cadiz,  Ohio.  Suit  is  practically 
identical  with  the  one  recently  filed  in 
Columbus  by  Long  against  Schine, 
both  charging  that  the  latter's  buying 
power  prevents  Long  from  securing 
suitable  product.  Latest  suit  seeks 
treble  damages  of  $345,000  plus  costs. 


Urges  Non-payment 
Of  Ascap  Seat-tax 

Boston,  August  8. — Ray 
Feeley,  executive  secretary 
of  the  Independent  Theatres 
of  New  England,  states  that 
all  members  have  been  noti- 
fied to  cease  payments  to 
Ascap  until  the  position  of 
exhibitors  is  cleared  in  the 
situation  arising  from  Feder- 
al Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell's 
New  York  decision  declaring 
Ascap's  collections  illegal. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  August  9,  194! 


Personal 
Mention 


Tradewise 


By  SHERWIN  KANE 


CHARLES  SKOURAS,  National 
Theatres  president,  is  due  here 
today  from  the  Coast  en  route  to 
Washington  to  participate  in  cere- 
monies on  Wednesday  in  connection 
with  President  Truman's  proclama- 
tion of  September  as  "Youth  Month." 
• 

Sam  Cohen,  United  Artists  foreign 
publicity  manager,  and  Mrs.  Cohen, 
accompanied  by  their  youngest  son, 
Michael,  will  observe  their  25th  wad- 
ding anniversary  with  a  two-week 
visit  to  Canada  and  Niagara  Falls. 
• 

William  A.  Scully,  Universal-In- 
ternational vice-president  and  general 
sales  manager,  and  Maurice  A.  Berg- 
man, Eastern  advertising-publicity 
director,  left  here  on  Friday  for 
Hollywood. 

• 

Ed  Morey,  Jr.,  and  Mrs.  Morey 
are  parents  of  a  daughter,  Kathleen, 
born  at  St.  Joseph's  Hospital  in  Bur- 
bank,  Cal.  Morey,  an  assistant  direc- 
tor at  Monogram,  is  the  son  of  the 
company's  vice-president. 

• 

Thomas  E.  Breen,  son  of  Produc- 
tion Code  administrator  Joseph  I. 
Breen,  appears  in  the  role  of  "Denis 
Mulvy"  in  M-G-M's  "Luxury  Liner," 
soon  to  be  released. 

• 

Hugh  Owen,  Paramount  Eastern 
and  Southern  division  sales  manager, 
will  be  in  Boston  today  for  branch 
conferences. 

• 

Charles  Schlaifer,  20th  Century- 
Fox  advertising-publicity  director,  has 
left  here  for  Omaha  due  to  the  illness 
of  his  father. 

• 

William  B.  Levy,  worldwide  sales 
supervisor  for  Walt  Disney  Produc- 
tions, has  returned  to  New  York  from 
the  Coast. 

• 

F.  W.  Duval,  Motion  Picture  As- 
sociation of  America  treasurer,  begins 
a  one-week  vacation  today  at  Sea  Girt, 
N.  J. 

e 

Loretta  McGarrity  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Herald  editorial  staff  has  be- 
come engaged  to  Frank  Dixon. 
• 

Leo  M.  Brody,  Eagle-Lion  publicity 
manager,  will  leave  here  today  for  a 
vacation  in  the  South. 

• 

Edward  A.  Golden  flew  to  Chicago 
from  New  York  at  the  weekend  en 
route  to  Dallas. 

Fadiman  Heads  RKO 
Story  Department 

Hollywood,  August  8. — Under  a 
realignment  effected  by  the  executive 
committee  managing  the  RKO  studio 
pending  the  August  31  board  meeting, 
William  J.  Fadiman,  who  had  been 
functioning  as  editorial  assistant  to 
Dore  Schary,  has  been  named  story 
editor,  and  Edgar  Peterson,  who  had 
been  Schary's  production  assistant,  has 
been  given  a  writer  status. 


OUR  colleague,  "Insider" 
Red  Kann,  told  you  the 
other  day  of  the  difference  in 
views  between  Paramount  and 
E.  V.  Richards  of  Paramount- 
Richards  Theatres,  New  Or- 
leans, over  what  constitutes  a 
proper  rental  for  Paramount 
product.  It  is  in  the  same  vein 
with  disputes  which  Richards 
had  earlier  with  M-G-M  and 
Universal,  with  the  result  that 
neither  sells  to  Richards. 

Now,  if  you  can  believe  the 
stories,  it's  RKO's  turn  with 
Richards.  RKO,  so  the  story 
goes,  felt  that  competitive  bid- 
ding would  be  the  best  way  to 
sell  in  Richard's  territory.  Rich- 
ards is  supposed  to  have  replied, 
maybe  some  places  but  not  all. 
RKO  is  adamant  and  no  deal 
was  struck. 

Lucky  for  Richards  they 
don't  double-feature  in  the 
South. 

After  more  than  20  years  in 
the  Times  Square  area,  the  in- 
dustry law  firm  of  Schwartz  & 
Frohlich  has  moved  uptown — 
not  to  Radio  City  or  the  upper 
50's,  but  to  19  East  70th, 
select  residential  neighborhood. 
Sterling  Drug  Co.  bought  the 
building  in  which  the  law  firm 
formerly  occupied  a  tower  floor, 
and  refused  to  renew  leases. 
Unable  to  find  suitable  quarters 
anywhere  in  mid-town,  Charlie 
Schwartz  and  Louis  Frohlich 
started  looking  afield  and  ulti- 
mately purchased  the  70th 
Street  building. 

The  six-story  and  penthouse 
building  is  the  former  residence 
of  David  H.  Morris,  Ambassa- 
dor to  Belgium  during  the 
Roosevelt  administration.  Al- 
though re-decorated  and  re- 
furnished, the  residence  has  un- 
dergone a  minimum  of  remodel- 
ling and  is  pretty  much  in  its 
original  state. 

The  first  floor  dining  room  is 
now  the  firm's  law  library.  On 
the  second  floor,  front,  the 
former  library  of  the  residence 
has  become  Schwartz's  office, 
and  to  the  rear,  the  former 
drawing  room  is  now  occupied 
by  Frohlich's  office.  Crystal 
chandeliers,  hand-carved  ceil- 
ings, Italian  marble  fireplaces, 
marble  window  and  door  frames 
distinguish  the  rooms.  On  the 
upper  floors  are  the  offices  of 
other  members  of  the  law  firm, 
and  the  clerical,  business  and  fil- 
ing rooms.  Most  of  the  offices 
have  private  baths  (there  are  12 
baths,   in  all)    and  most  have 


fireplaces.  Quite  a  few  have 
terraces. 

In  addition  to  solving  the 
housing  problem  for  the  law 
firm,  the  new  quarters  are  like- 
ly to  remain  unique  in  the  busi- 
ness for  a  long  time  to  come. 
Zoning  ordinances  protect  the 
primarily  residential  character 
of  the  area. 

Reports  were  around  last 
week  that  in  addition  to  the  loss 
of  patronage  and  refunds  during 
the  recent  cooling  system  engi- 
neers' strike,  due  to  theatre  pick- 
eting and  higher  temperatures 
inside,  the  five-day  lay-off  was 
costly  to  metropolitan  neighbor- 
hood theatre  circuits  in  other 
ways.  Large  blower  fans  were 
purchased  in  quantities  and 
many  theatres  had  the  foresight 
to  purchase  seat  covers.  Those 
that  didn't,  according  to  the  re- 
ports, were  confronted  with 
claims  for  soiled  clothing  by  pa- 
trons who  said  the  finish  on 
seats  in  some  theatres  came  off 
in  the  hot  auditoriums. 

Some  estimates  place  the  five- 
day  losses  at  approximately  the 
amount  of  the  increase  in  dis- 
pute. 

Operating  Engineers  Local 
30,  which  figured  in  the  strike, 
is  known  among  industry  labor 
negotiators  as  one  of  the  fairest 
and  most  restrained  in  the  in- 
dustry. For  example,  it  didn't 
even  call  upon  brother  AFL 
theatre  unions,  such  as  the  pro- 
jectionists, to  respect  its  picket 
lines  while  on  strike. 

•  • 

Visitors  from  the  Coast  as- 
sert that  Judge  Stephen  S.  Jack- 
son, former  member  of  the  Pro- 
duction Code  Administration  in 
Hollywood,  is  planning  to  open 
his  own  office  for  the  practice  of 
law  there,  and  is  not  thinking 
of  coming  to  the  MPA  New 
York  office  in  a  legal  advisory 
capacity,  as  announced  at  the 
time  of  his  resignation  two 
weeks  ago. 

•  • 

The  trade  interprets  Ascap's 
retention  of  Robert  P.  Patter- 
son, former  Secretary  of  War, 
former  U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of 
Appeals  judge,  and  president  of 
the  New  York  Bar  Association, 
as  special  counsel  to  handle  the 
theatre  collections  case  as  ample 
evidence,  if  any  were  needed, 
that  Ascap  will  appeal  from 
Judge  Vincent  Leibell's  decision 
holding  its  theatre  collection 
method  to  be  in  violation  of  the 
anti-trust  laws. 


Newsreel 
Parade 

THE  "Red"  hearings  in  Washing- 
ton  and  the  Olympic  Games  domi- 
nate current  newsreels.  Complete  con- 
tents follozv : 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  63— Hear 
ings  in  Washington  on  Red  spies  in  U.  S. 
U.  S.  athletic  stars  shine  in  London  Olym 
pic  Games.  Univis  strike  in  Dayton.  Dock 
fire  at  Long  View,  Wash.  President  Tru- 
man votes. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  297— 
munists  in  the  U.    S.   exposed  by  fcfw 
Red.     Olympic  story:   victories  for  U.  S. 
stars. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  100— Teen- 
age statesmen:  boys  visit  Washington. 
America  dominates  Olympics. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  167— Official 
pictures  of  Olympic  Games:  Yanks  gain  in 
track  and  swimming. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  102— 
Youth  forum  meets.  Birthday  fashions  for 
the  young.  U.  S.  Olympic  teams  smash  to 
victory.  Great  events:  Lincoln-Douglas  de- 
bate. 


Senate  Group  Sets 
Broadcasters  Probe 


Washington,  August  8. — A  study 
of  every  aspect  of  the  broadcasting 
industry  from  alleged  lobbying  activi- 
ties to  patent  controls  and  frequency 
allocations  was  listed  today  on  the  ex- 
tensive agenda  of  a  special  Senate 
committee  charged  with  investigating 
communications. 

Committee  chairman  Tobey  (R., 
N.  H.)  said  that  the  group  would  give 
"particular  attention"  to  deciding 
whether  the  National  Association  of 
Broadcasters  actually  represents  the 
2,000  stations  in  the  U.  S.  when  it 
takes  a  stand  on  legislative  matters, 
and  whether  NAB  spokesmen  should 
be  registered  as  lobbyists.  The  agenda 
also  includes  a  survey  of  the  powers 
and  policies  of  the  Federal  Communi- 
cations Commission. 

NAB  Video  Group  To 
Convene  on  Friday 

Washington,  August  8. — A  televi- 
sion advisory  committee  of  the  Na- 
tional Association  of  Broadcasters' 
board  of  directors  has  been  appointed 
by  Justin  Miller,  NAB  president.  The 
new  committee  will  hold  its  first  meet- 
ing on  Friday  at  the  Palmer  House  in 
Chicago. 

The  meeting  will  follow  by  two 
days  a  gathering,  also  in  Chicago,  of 
NAB  television  broadcaster  members. 

$3  -  Million  IhiMont 
Stock  Issue  Offered 

Allen  B.  DuMont  Laboratories  on 
Friday  offered  to  the  public  150,000 
shares  of  five  per  cent  cumulative 
convertible  preferred  stock,  $20  par, 
the  $3,000,000  to  be  used  for  the  com- 
pany's expansion  in  television.  Van 
Alstyne  Noel  Corp.  and  Gearhart  and 
Co.  head  the  underwriting  group. 


INS  Service  to  Don  Lee 

Expansion  of  the  International  News 
Service  spot  news  and  feature  photo 
packages  to  service  television  clients 
on  the  West  Coast  has  been  completed 
with  the  signing  of  KTSL,  Don  Lee 
television  station  in  Los  Angeles. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
^undays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubcb, 
New  York  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Builaing,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  IJrben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  'Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  18/9.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c 


- 194 


Monday,  August  9,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Seized  16mm.  Prints 
Arrive  in  New  York 


More  than  10  16mm.  prints  of  some 
66  features  recovered  from  a  merchant 
seaman  in  San  Francisco  by  the  FBI 
;and  the  U.  S.  attorney  in  that  city 
,have  been  received  here  from  the 
Coast  by  the  Army  Motion  Picture 
Service.  Features  of  all  major  com- 
yaa^es  were  among  the  seized  pictures. 
"vV^he  films  were  recovered  as  a  result 
of  an  investigation  by  the  FBI  in  co- 
operation with  the  industry's  Copy- 
right Protection  Bureau.  They  were 
from  among  the  thousands  turned  over 
by  the  film  companies  to  the  armed 
services  as  the  industry's  contribution 
to  the  war  effort. 

Sargoy  and  Stein,  special  counsel  to 
the  industry  in  Copyright  Protection 
Bureau  matters,  played  a  part  in  the 
recovery. 


Warner  Holds  Four 
'Texas'  Premieres 

Mort  Blumenstock,  Warner  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  advertising- 
publicity,  will  return  to  New  York 
today  from  the  four-city  world  pre- 
miere engagements  of  the  company's 
"Two  Guys  from  Texas,"  in  San  An- 
tonio, Houston,  Dallas  and  Oklahoma 
City. 

Each  opening  was  preceded  by  an 
extensive  campaign  covering  a  radius 
of  over  80  miles  of  each  city.  Dennis 
Morgan,  Jack  Carson  and  Dorothy 
Malone  made  personal  appearances. 
Newspaper  correspondents  from  over 
SO  outlying  cities  covered  the  events. 

Wants  Cleanliness, 
Humor  in  Film  Fare 

Washington,  August  8.  —  Rep. 
Clare  Hoffman,  Michigan  Republican, 
inserted  into  the  Congressional 
Record  on  Friday  a  long  plea  for 
"cleaner  and  more  amusing  pictures," 
declaring  that  the  industry  would  be 
rewarded  for  such  a  program  by 
larger  box-office  receipts. 

Hoffman  commented  on  an  article 
by  Roy  Norr,  public  relations  coun- 
sel formerly  with  the  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America,  in  Salute 
magazine  entitled  "The  Man  in 
Hollywood's  Hottest  Seat." 


Kirsch  Heads  Drive 

Chicago,  August  8.— Jack  Kirsch, 
Illinois  Allied  president,  has  accepted 
the  post  of  chairman  of  the  theatre 
and  entertainment  •  division  of  the 
Community  Fund  Drive.  Assisting 
him  will  be  A.  J.  Shumow,  Warner 
branch  manager  in  Chicago.  Appoint- 
ments of  sub-chairmen  will  be  an- 
nounced shortly.  Citywide  quota  for 
the  1948  drive  is  $8,679,000. 


Review 


TOA  Convention 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Jack  Kirsch,  and  George  Kerasotes. 

Named  from  distributing  companies 
were  the  following:  James  Donahue, 
J.  Harold  Stevens,  Jack  Lorentz,  Tom 
Gilliam,  H.  Greenblatt,  S.  Gorelick, 
Bill  Bishop,  W.  E.  Banford,  W. 
Devaney,  R.  Cramblet,  N.  Nathanson, 
Sam  Horowitz,  Harry  Mandel,  Ben 
Lowery,  Harry  Seed,  A.  J.  Shumow, 
Irving  Mandel,  Ben  Eisenberg,  Ed 
Heiber,  Clarence  Phillips,  Max  Roth, 
Ed  Spiers,  M.  Gottlieb,  L.  Berman, 
W.  Baker,  A.  Fischer,  and  Henri 
Elman. 


A  Friend  Will  Come  Tonight 

(Lopert  Films) 

THIS  is  definitely  one  of  the  lesser  of  the  French  films  to  come  to  the 
United  States  since  the  war's  end.  A  worthy  cast  topped  by  Michel 
Simon,  that  sterling  French  thespian,  proves  impotent  in  raising  the  level 
of  "A  Friend  Will  Come  Tonight"  as  entertainment. 

The  picture  runs  much  too  long  and  is  so  full  of  glaring  mistakes  and 
illogical  story  developments  that  the  considerable  promise  inherent  in  its 
basic  plot  is  immediately  lost.  It  is  a  strange  tale  of  a  group  of  maquis — 
French  fighters  of  the  underground — -who  sought  refuge  in  a  lunatic  asylum. 
Among  them  is  the  leader  for  the  district.  A  young  doctor  turns  out  to  be 
a  German  spy.  The  girl  he  is  in  love  with  and  who  does  not  suspect  his 
identity  revenges  herself  by  revealing  herself  to  be  Jewish.  Through  it  all, 
the  underground  fighters  do  their  best  to  confuse  the  audience  by  acting 
most  convincingly  as  lunatics.  Simon  is  the  only  bright  spot  in  the  picture 
and  even  he  is  given  dialogue  that  would  stump  the  best  actor. 

An  A.  C.  G.  C.  (Paris)  Production,  the  film  was  directed  by  Raymond 
Bernard,  who  in  many  instances  threw  continuity  to  the  wind. 
Running  time,  93  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Current  release. 


'Monopoly'  Quiz 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


part  of  the  country,  it  was  learned  to- 
day. Several  of  the  hearings  will  be 
in  Allied  States  strongholds  such  as 
Minneapolis,  Detroit  and  Kansas  City. 
Allied  has  been  working  closely  with 
the  House  group,  pressing  for  a  thor- 
ough investigation  of  the  practices  of 
the  "big  five." 

No  hearings  have  been  scheduled 
yet  on  the  West  Coast,  so  that  the 
Society  of  Motion  Picture  Producers, 
which  has  also  been  working  with  the 
committee,  may  have  to  come  to 
Washington  to  get  the  committee's 
ear. 

The  schedule  follows :  September  3, 
Butte,  Mont.;  8,  Casper,  Wyo. ;  11, 
Salt  Lake  City;  IS,  Kansas  City,  Mo.; 
17,  Omaha;  20-21,  Minneapolis;  23, 
Madison,  Wise. ;  27,  South  Bend. ;  Oc- 
tober 1-2,  Detroit ;  5,  Louisville ;  8, 
Oklahoma  City ;  and  12,  Houston. 
Hearings  in  Chicago,  Philadelphia, 
New  York  and  Washington  will  be 
off  until  after  the  elections,  it  was 
understood. 

No  witness  list  has  yet  been  drawn 
up  for  any  of  the  hearings,  which  will 
be  conducted  by  a  sub-committee 
headed  by  Rep.  Stevenson  (R.,  Wis.) 


Empire-U  Writ 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Otherwise  the  application  to  amend  the 
writ  is  dismissed. 

The  original  action  claimed  $1,000,- 
000  damages  for  alleged  breach  of  con- 
tract and  an  additional  $1,000,000 
against  nine  defendants  for  allegedly 
inducing  breach  of  contract  and  for 
conspiracy. 

Defendants  comprise  Rank,  J.  Ar- 
thur Rank  Organization,  General 
Cinema  Finance  Corp.,  Universal  Pic- 
tures, International  Pictures,  United 
World  Pictures  of  New  York,  Eagle- 
Lion  Films,  Inc.,  Eagle-Lion  Films 
of  Canada  and  Canadian  Monogram. 

Plaintiffs  Empire-Universal  Films 
and  United  World  Pictures  of  Canada 
claim  diversion  of  a  group  of  Holly- 
wood pictures  to  other  companies  for 
distribution  in  Canada  and  Newfound- 
land. 


U.  A.  Realignment 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


he  and  Sears  left  for  Chicago  on  Fri- 
day for  conferences  at  the  UA  office  in 
that  city,  after  which  they  will  leave 
for  the  Coast  for  negotiations  with 
Fox  West  Coast  on  deals  for  "Red 
River,"  "Pitfall"  and  "Time  of  Your 
Life." 

Mark  N.  Silver,  who  had  been 
Pittsburgh,  Washington  and  Philadel- 
phia district  manager,  has  been  named 
assistant  to  Eastern  division  manager 
Schnitzer. 

Jack  Wrege,  formerly  assistant  to 
Maury  Orr  who  resigned  recently  as 
Western  division  manager,  will  be- 
come assistant  to  Jack,  and  act  as  his 
representative  at  the  home  office. 

Clayton  Eastman  has  resigned  as 
district  manager  for  Boston,  New  Ha- 
ven and  Buffalo. 


Kaufman  Quits  U-I 

Hollywood,  August  8. — J.  L.  (Les) 
Kaufman,  advertising  director  of  In- 
ternational Pictures  prior  to  its  mer- 
ger with  Universal,  resigned  this 
weekend  from  his  post  with  Univer- 
sal-International. He  was  previously 
associated  with  Republic  and  Fanchon 
and  Marco. 


Must  Open  Books  in 
Percentage  Actions 

Judge  John  C.  Knox  on  Friday 
granted  Loew's  and  RKO  Radio  the 
right  to  inspect  books  and  records  of 
Rhinehook  Theatres  and  Millerton 
Amusement  Corp.  in  the  percentage 
suits  brought  here  by  the  two  dis- 
tributors. The  period  covered  is  Jan- 
uary, 1942,  to  January,  1948. 

The  court  also  granted  a  similar 
motion  to  Loew's  in  a  percentage  suit 
against  the  Stern-Levy  circuit. 

Silberberg  Signs  Hoffman 

Nathan  Silberberg,  Palestine  film 
distributor  who  is  entering  production 
in  Palestine,  has  concluded  a  contract 
with  Julian  Roffman  to  direct  his  first 
feature  to  be  filmed  in  Palestine, 
using  all  Palestinian  acting  talent.  It 
will  be  bi-lingual  using  English  and 
Hebrew.  Production  is  scheduled  to 
begin  early  in  the  fall.  Silberberg 
will  leave  New  York  late  this  month 
for  Tel-Aviv. 


'Carmen'  Promotion  Set 

A  pattern  has  been  devised  for  pro- 
moting Columbia's  "The  Loves  of 
Carmen,"  with  leaders  in  many  fields 
not  associated  with  motion  pictures  to 
be  identified  with  various  phases  of 
the  campaign,  principally  in  merchan- 
dise tieups  with  manufacturers. 


Walkout  Is  Halted  at 
MGM  Elstree  Studio 

London,  August  8. — Operations  at 
M-G-M's>  Elstree  Studio  have  re- 
sumed fo'llowing  last  week's  unex- 
pected walkout  of  70  members  of  the 
Electrical  Trades  Union.  The  strike 
was  called  off  after  union  officials  con- 
ferred with  the  strikers  and  then  with 
the  studio  management. 

Normal  negotiations  between  union 
officials  and  management  have  been 
resumed  with  the  latter  insisting  that 
two  ETU  members  over  whom  the 
dispute  arose  were  justifiably  dis- 
missed because  of  their  continued  re- 
fractory behavior. 


Suspend  Sales  Pact 
Talks  for  10  Days 

Negotiations  for  the  first  national 
salesmen's  contract  with  11  distribu- 
tors have  been  suspended  to  allow  the 
Colosseum  of  Motion  Picture  Sales- 
men -  and  the  distributors  commit- 
tees to  give  an  interim  report  to  their 
respective  organizations.  Meetings  on 
the  pact  will  be  continued  in  about 
10  days. 


IATSE  Meeting 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


scheduled  to  hold  14  district  conven- 
tions at  the  Hollenden  on  Friday, 
Saturday  and  Sunday,  prior  to  the 
start  of  the  International  gathering. ; 

Walsh,  pointing  out  that  sponsors 
of  the  Taft-Hartley  Act  gave  a  dis- 
torted picture  as  to  the  power  of  labor 
leaders  in  America,  has  publicly  in- 
vited members  of  the  80th  Congress  to 
attend  the  convention.  "They  will 
find,"  he  said,  "that  the  duly-elected 
delegates  are  our  supreme  govern- 
ment." Joseph  D.  Keenan,  head  of 
Labor's  League  for  Political  Educa- 
tion, will  be  among  the  speakers  for 
repeal  of  the  law. 

Problems  facing  labor  on  an  inter- 
national scale  will  be  brought  into 
focus  through  the  presence  of  Tom 
O'Brien,  member  of  the  British  Par- 
liament and  general  secretary  of  that 
country's  National  Association  of  The- 
atrical and  Kine  Employes.  Along 
with  Walsh,  who  visited  England  last 
summer,  he  will  report  on  the  inter- 
change of  British  and  American  tech- 
nical workers. 


New  Italian  Film  Here 

American  and  Canadian  rights  to 
"The  Spirit  and  the  Flesh,"  described 
as  the  first  post-war  romantic  Italian 
picture,  has  been  purchased  by  Vari- 
ety Film  Distributors,  New  York. 


AFL  Invades  CIO 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


file  with  the  NLRB  an  affidavit  certi- 
fying, as  required  by  the  Taft-Hartley 
Law,  that  none  of  its  officers  are  Com- 
munists. This  has  deprived  the  union 
of  access  to  NLRB  advantages. 

Involved  in  the  Paramount  unit  are 
approximately  600  employes.  Included 
are  employes  of  Famous  Music  Co. 
and  Long  Island  Laboratories,  both 
Paramount  subsidiaries. 

Aiding  Moss  in  the  Paramount  or- 
ganizational drive  are  Joe  Conlon, 
H-63  organizer,  and  James  Rogers, 
"IA"  international  organizer. 

I.C.  Oes  Art  in  Exhibition 

George  Jensen's  Fifth  Avenue  art 
gallery  in  New  York  is  currently  ex- 
hibiting a  display  of  paintings  by  Ing- 
vald  C.  Oes,  film  industry  pioneer  of 
40  years,  starting  in  1908  with  Nor- 
disk  Film  Co.  in  Copenhagen.  He 
opened  Paramount's  offices  in  the 
Scandinavian  countries  and  for  years 
was  that  company's  Scandinavian  pub- 
licity director.  He  has  since  retired 
to  paint. 


THE  SOUTHWEST?  MIGHTIEST  EVENT! 


Montetetj  fixoductioni  present  -^j-  "^"S^s^g^S 

HOWARD  HAWKS'  Production  RED  RIVER  JOHN  WAYNE -MONTGOMERY  CLIFT 


400  theatre  day-and-date 


FOUR-STATE  WORLD  PREMIERE  AUG.  26 


th 


...  ./ 


engagements!  th,u 


is  a  MO/EV  Affa/r 


Arf/sf  Hirschfeld  recreates  the  up-  ^^V^^ 
roarious  rough-house  when  the      -  x 
G/'s  throw  discretion  to  the  wind — 
and  Jean  Arthur  to  the  ceiling—' 


IDS  ANGELES 

and 

HOLWOOD, 


where  neat  figures  go  up  and  business  is  "Excellent"  says  Variety  and  where 
every  review  is  a  rave  with  Los  Angeles  Examiner's  Ruth  Waterbury 
reporting  that  with  "Such  gay  laughter  .  .  .  such  sizzling  romance  .  .  .  such 
superb  acting,  I  wouldn't  be  surprised  if  it  sticks  around  until  Christmas/' 


MAN  ARTHUR 
MARLM  DIETRICH 
JOHN LUNO  B 

0       r>  m 


/  o 

in  o  o 


Accurate 

Concise 
and 


MOTION  PICFUR 

DAILY 


yJ\RSl 
IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


vCT,.  64.    NO.  28 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  AUGUST  10,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


British  Gov't 
Finance  Plan 
Includes  Rank 


Report  Money  Not  Just 
For  Hard-Pressed  Firms 


London,  August  9. — Board  of 
Trade  president  Harold  Wilson's 
planned  Films  Finance  Corp.  which 
had  been  proclaimed  as  being  dedi- 
cated to  the  assistance  of  hard-pressed 
independent  producers  will  have  deal- 
ings with  all  top-scale  distributors,  in- 
cluding J.  Arthur  Rank's  General 
Film  Distributors,  it  is  indicated  here. 
It  is  expected  that  the  independents 
will  strenously  object  to  the  govern- 
ment's financing  being  made  available 
to  Rank,  who  doubtless  requires  no 
help.  Others  in  the  industry  also  fear 
that  this  new  move  is  aimed  to  give  the 
government  an  even  more  active  role 
in  the  business. 

Further  cause  for  concern  is  the  re- 
(Continued  on  page  2) 


2,600  Seek  Quota 
Relief  in  England 


London,  August  9. — Sub-committee 
of  the  British  Board  of  Trade  has  al- 
ready received  2,600  exhibitor  appli- 
cations for  relief  under  the  Quota  Act 
which  directs  that  they  reserve  45  per 
cent  of  their  top-picture  playing  time 
for  British  product,  according  to  a 
BOT  spokesman.  The  act  prescribes 
certain  relief  for  theatres  competing 
with  circuits. 

It  was  reported  that  1,600  of  the 
applications  have  been  examined  with 
900  of  these  found  to  qualify  for  re- 
lief. The  remaining  700  can  still  appeal 
to  the  Board's  film  council. 


IA  Restrained  on 
Debut  of  WJZ-TV 


A  five-day  stay  to  prevent  IATSE 
Local  No.  1,  stagehands,  from  inter- 
fering with  tonight's  debut  of  WJZ- 
TV  with  a  televised  program  of  en- 
tertainment from  the  stage  of  the  Pal- 
ace Theatre  was  granted  here  yester- 
day by  Federal  Judge  Samuel  Kauf- 
man to  Charles  T.  Dowds,  regional 
director  of  the  National  Labor  Rela- 
tions Board.  Argument  on  the  re- 
straining order  will  be  heard  on 
Thursday. 

American  Broadcasting  filed  charges 
of   unfair   labor   practices   with  the 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Withhold  Ascap  Fee, 
2  More  Units  Urge 

Associated  Theatre  Owners 
of  Indiana,  Indianapolis,  and 
Allied  Rocky  Mountain  Inde- 
pendent Theatres,  Denver, 
have  joined  the  growing  ros- 
ter of  exhibitor  organizations 
urging  members  to  stop  pay- 
ing Ascap  for  music  produc- 
tion rights. 

Says  ATOI  in  a  bulletin  to 
members:  "Until  such  time 
as  there  is  further  clarifica- 
tion of  this  situation,  espe- 
cially as  to  appeal,  it  is  un- 
wise for  exhibitors  to  enter 
into  any  further  contracts  or 
make  any  further  payments 
to  Ascap." 


N.  J.  Allied  to  Meet 
Smith  on  Peace  Plan 


A  committee  to  act  on  the  Berger- 
North  Central  Allied-20th-Fox  con- 
cilation  plan  was  appointed  here  yes- 
terday at  a  meeting  of  members  of 
Allied  of  New  Jersey.  Named  by 
Ed  Lachman,  president,  were  Irving 
Dollinger,  chairman,  Wilber  Snaper 
and  Lou  Gold.  This  trio  was  instructed 
to  get  together  with  Andy  W.  Smith, 
Jr.,  20th-Fox's  distribution  chief,  to 
discuss  the  conciliation  plan  with  the 
idea  of  its  possible  adoption  by  Jersey 
Allied. 

A  recommendation  was  made  at  the 
meeting  to  have  members  withhold 
payment  of  fees  to  Ascap  and  decline 
to  sign  new  contracts  with  the  society 
pending  clarification  of  the  situation 
resulting  from  the  Federal  Court  de- 
cision finding  Ascap  guilty  of  violat- 
ing the  anti-trust  laws. 

George  Gold,  legislative  chairman 
of  Jersey  Allied,  was  given  instruc- 
tions on  his  appearance  today  before 
the  Trenton  hearing  on  bingo  legisla- 
tion to  voice  opposition  to  the  bill. 

Plans  for  Jersey  Allied's  annual 
outing  at  West  End  Casino,  West 
End,  N.  J.,  on  August  24,  also  were 
taken  up  at  the  meeting. 


New  U.A.  Sales 
Posts  to  Jack 
And  Schnitzer 


Edward  M.  Schnitzer  and  Fred 
Jack  have  been  raised  to  the  newly- 
created  posts  of  Eastern  and  West- 
ern general  sales  managers,  re- 
spectively, of  United  Artists,  follow- 
ing the  resignation  yesterday  of  Jo- 
seph J.  Unger. 

Announcement  of  the  complete  re- 
organization of  the  U.  A.  sales  struc- 
ture was  made  by  Paul  N.  Lazarus, 
Jr.,  who,  as  executive  assistant  to 
Gradwell  L.  Sears,  president,  will 
maintain  policy  and  administrative  su- 
pervision of  the  distributing  firm's 
sales  operations.  This  move  will  free 
Sears  for  greater  concentration  on 
corporate  affairs  and  the  securing  of 
product,  the  company  said. 

Jack,  former  Southern  district  man- 
ager, will  maintain  headquarters  in 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


H-63  Reports  Gains; 
SOPEGDeniesThem 


Gains  were  reported  here  yesterday 
by  IATSE  Motion  Picture  Home  Of- 
fice Employes  Local  No.  H-63,  in  its 
drive  into  the  ranks  of  the  Screen  Of- 
fice and  Professional  Employes  Guild 
at '  Paramount's  home  office. 

According  to  Joe  Conlon,  H-63  or- 
ganizer, application  cards  were  "com- 
ing in  encouragingly"  from  employes. 
I  Conlon  reiterated  that  an  application 
'  to  the  National  Labor  Relations  Board 
for  a  representation  election  would 
not  be  made  until  H-63  has  a  substan- 
tial majority. 

Meanwhile  Sidney  Young,  SOPEG 
president,  discounted  reports  of  H-63 
progress  and  asserted  that  "they  will 
never  be  able  to  get  sufficient  cards 
to  represent  the  employes." 


Corwin  and  Lesser 
Buy  4  Coast  Houses 

Hollywood,  August  9.  —  Sherrill 
Corwin  and  Sol  Lesser  have  com- 
pleted a  deal,  which  bogged  down 
some  months  ago,  for  the  purchase  of 
controlling  interest  in  the  four  Music 
Hall  theatres.  Deal  represents  the 
acquisition  of  Joe  Blumenfield's  half 
interest  and  one-half  of  United  Art- 
ists' interest,  the  latter  retaining  25 
per  cent.  Properties  are  set  to  change 
hands  on  Friday. 


Opposes  Loop  Runs 
Of  Over  Two  Weeks 

Chicago,  August  9. — Thomas  Mc- 
Connell,  attorney  for  the  Jackson  Park 
Theatre  here,  filed  an  appeal  today  in 
U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  from 
Judge  Michael  Igoe's  order  permitting 
Paramount's  "The  Emperor  Waltz"  to 
remain  four  weeks  at  the  Chicago 
Theatre  instead  of  the  two-week  limit 
imposed  by  the  Jackson  Park  decree. 

Although  "Waltz"  will  complete  its 
four-week  run  at  the  theatre  on  Thurs- 
day, McConnell  said  he  hopes  by  the 
appeal  to  prevent  future  exceptions  to 
the  decree  being  made.  He  charged  the 
District  Court  lacked  jurisdiction  to 
grant  the  exception. 


Secrecy  of 
Bidding  Aided 
By  MGM  Plan 

Bids  to  Be  Kept  Sealed 
Until  After  Deadline 

M-G-M  branch  managers  have 
been  instructed  by  the  home  office 
to  keep    all    competitive    bids  re- 
ceived for  the  company's  product 
sealed  until  the 
day  following 
the  deadline  for 
their  receipt,  at 
which  time  they 
are     to  be 
opened    in  the 
presence  of  of- 
fice associates. 
The  new  in- 
.g^f.        ~~s^tKm    structions  for 
Wk  handling  bids 

pBBiti      A  '  HHH    w  ere  revealed 

mam  m,Wm  by  wmiam  f. 

HMMHk '  IWm  flH    Rodgers,  vice- 

^  „  „  president 
William  F.  Rodgers       ■  i  r 

in     charge  of 

distribution,  at 
a  luncheon  attended  by  trade  press 
representatives  here  yesterday. 

Rodgers  said  the  new  method,  pat- 
terned after  procedure  used  by  the 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


MGM  Field  Men  to 
Visit  Home  Office 


M-G-M  is  extending  its  policy  of 
bringing  its  men  in  from  the  field  for 
familiarization  with  company  opera- 
tions and  policies  at  the  home  office, 
W.  F.  Rodgers,  vice-president  in 
charge  of-  distribution,  announced  here 
yesterday. 

Heretofore,  district  managers  have 
been  spending  a  month  at  the  home 
office,  in  rotation.  Now  the  home 
office  indoctrination  course  is  to  be 
extended  to  branch  managers,  book- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


ToreignLossesNeed 
Not  Affect  US  Prof  if 


Chicago,  August  9. — Loss  of  rev- 
enue from  the  foreign  market  need  not 
seriously  affect  profits  in  the  domestic 
market,  declared  Dore  Schary, 
Metro's  new  vice-president  in  charge 
of  production,  during  a  stopover  here 
enroute  to  New  York  for  conferences 
with  Nicholas  Schenck,  the  Loew 
president.  Schary  affirmed  that  good 
.XCojitinued  on  page  3) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  August  10,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


ROBERT  MOCHRIE,  RKO  Radio 
distribution  vice-president,  has  re- 
turned to  New  York  from  the  Coast. 
• 

Dore  Schary,  M-G-M  production 
vice-president,  who  arrived  in  New 
York  at  the  weekend,  was  guest  at  a 
home  office  executive  luncheon  yester- 
day. He  is  scheduled  to  meet  the  trade 
press  today  and  will  leave  for  the 
Coast  tomorrow. 

• 

Jose  A.  Cordero,  son  of  Trans-Con- 
tinental Films  president  J.  A.  Cordero, 
and  his  bride,  the  former  Ruth  Rei- 
man  of  Vienna  and  New  York,  are 
honeymooning  in  England  and 
France. 

Sidney  Franklin,  M-G-M  produc- 
er, and  his  wife  are  due  here  tomor- 
row from  the  Coast.    They  will  sail 
for  South  America  on  Friday. 
• 

Jayne  Meadows,  Samuel  Goldwyn 
actress,  has  flown  to  Rome  from  New 
York  where  she  will  be  married  to 
screenwriter  Milton  Krims. 

• 

J.  Myer  Schine,  his  wife  and  their 
son,  David,  and  Donald  Schine  and 
his  son,  Louis,  will  arrive  here  tomor- 
row from  Europe. 

• 

Eric  Johnston,  Motion  Picture  As- 
sociation of  America  president,  is  due 
back  in  Washington  Thursday  from 
the  Coast. 

• 

Max  E.  Youngstein,  Eagle-Lion 
advertising  -  publicity  vice  -  president, 
will  leave  here  today  for  New  Or- 
leans. 

• 

Richard  Powers,  head  of  the  M- 
G-M  studio  music  department,  is  here 
from  the  Coast. 

• 

Norman  Elson,  Trans-Lux  vice- 
president,  left  here  yesterday  for  Chi- 
cago. 


Charles  Bryant,  67 

Mount  Kisco,  N.  Y.,  August  9. — 
Charles  Bryant,  67,  retired  film  and 
stage  actor,  died  here  Saturday  at 
Northern  Westchester  Hospital.  Born 
in  England,  he  came  to  this  country  in 
1912  and  appeared  on  the  stage,  fol- 
lowing which  he  acted  in  films.  He 
produced  and  appeared  in  "Dagmar" 
in  1923  and  produced  "The  Right  to 
Kill"  in  1927.  Survivors  include  the 
widow,  a  son  and  a  daughter. 


Bob  Murphy  Is  Dead 

Hollywood,  August  9. — Bob  Mur- 
phy, 59,  former  vaudeville  and  screen 
performer,  who  operated  the  filmland 
restaurant  known  as  the  House  of 
Murphy,  is  dead  here  of  pneumonia. 


Second  Capitol  Jackpot 

Second  jackpot  of  $7,500  in  the 
"Stop  the  Music"  quiz  show  at  the 
Capitol  theatre  here  was  won  by  Rob- 
ert M.  Singer  of  New  York.  This 
makes  two  jackpot  winners  amounting 
to  $12,500  at  the  Capitol  in  one  week. 


Phila.  Syndicate  to 
See  Warner  on  Offer 


Philadelphia,  August  9. — The  re- 
cently formed  local  syndicate  headed 
by  William  Ehrenberg  has  oversub- 
scribed the  $5,000,000  initial  deposit 
which  it  plans  to  offer  Warner  Broth- 
ers for  its  theatres  in  this  area,  it  was 
disclosed  here.  A  decision  is  expected 
by  the  end  of  the  month. 

Meanwhile,  the  committee  of  seven 
which  has  scheduled  a  trip  to  Cali- 
fornia to  confer  with  Harry  M.  War- 
ner, Warner  president,  has  been  held 
up  awaiting  the  return  of  several  of 
its  attorneys  who  are  presently  in 
Europe  for  the  Olympics. 

Among  members  of  the  syndicate 
of  14  are  James  R.  Cromwell,  David 
Demany,  president  of  a  large  fur 
chain,  and  Mrs.  Robert  Irwin  Brown, 
prominent  society  matron,  according 
to  Ehrenberg. 

If  the  deal  goes  through  no  large- 
scale  changes  are  expected  to  be  made 
in  the  local  organization. 

Steinberg  Winner 
Of  Reisman  Drive 

Winners  of  the  Phil  Reisman  sales 
drive  of  RKO  Radio  follow :  First 
prize,  Peru,  Erich  Steinberg,  man- 
ager ;  second :  Egypt,  Gregory  Geor- 
goussy ;  third :  Siam,  William  Palmer. 
Special  "Top  Men"  prizes  went  to  T. 
S.  Ananth,  India;  John  M.  Eddy, 
Venezuela ;  Jose  M.  Henridques,  Bra- 
zil;  Austin  Levy,  Australia;  C.  E. 
McGuinness,  Belfast ;  Armand  Pali- 
voda,  Switzerland;  Michael  Drachous- 
soff,  Belgium ;  Goesta  Friberg,  Stock- 
holm ;  L.  R.  File,  London ;  Don  Jellie, 
Brisbane ;  C.  P.  Lee,  Hong  Kong ; 
Ricardo  Madrigal,  Cuba.  In  the  16mm. 
class,  Ned  Seckler,  Brazil,  and  Wil- 
liam Palmer,  Siam,  shared  honors. 

The  competition,  which  covered  31 
foreign  branches,  was  for  the  period 
starting  April  4  and  ending  July  3, 
1948.  Robert  Hawkinson  served  as 
chairman  and  Marc  Spiegel  as  drive 
chairman. 


Texas  Independent 
Sues  11  Companies 

Dallas,  August  9. — Twelve  cir- 
cuits and  distributors  are  up  against 
another  Federal  Court  suit  involving 
their  methods  of  distributing  to  Dallas 
theatres,  damages  of  $41,000  being 
asked  by  the  H.  and  B.  Theatres,  Inc. 
of  Temple,  Texas. 

Listed  as  defendants  are  Interstate 
Circuit,  Loew's,  Paramount,  RKO 
Radio,  20th  Century- Fox;  20th  Cen- 
tury of  Texas,  Warner  Brothers  Pic- 
tures and  Warner  Brothers  Distribut- 
ing Corp.,  Columbia,  Universal  Corp., 
United  Artists  and  Robb  and  Rowley. 


Dinner  for  Niland 

Cincinnati,  August  9.  —  Peter 
Niland,  who  is  resigning  as  Columbia 
city  salesman  because  of  impaired 
health,  was  guest  of  honor  tonight  at 
a  testimonial  dinner  given  by  the  Cin- 
cinnati Variety  Club,  Tent  No.  3. 
Niland,  who  is  president  of  the  Cinema 
Club  of  Cincinnati,  which  he  was  in- 
strumental in  organizing,  entered  the 
industry  33  years  ago. 


Attempted  Film  Ban 
Disturbs  British 

London,  August  9. — Produc- 
ers here  are  disturbed  at  the 
reported  attempt  of  the  anti- 
British  U.  S.  Sons  of  Liberty 
to  prevent  British  screenings 
in  New  York.  Producer  Herb- 
ert Wilcox  has  declared  that 
"this  open  warfare  will  in- 
evitably lead  to  serious  situa- 
tions unless  stopped." 

Wilcox  added  that  "if  the 
sabotaging  continues,  a  re- 
sentful reaction  to  American 
films  is  almost  certain  in 
England." 


5  to  Advise  US  on 
Foreign  Program 


Washington,  August  9. — President 
Truman  today  named  the  members 
of  the  five-man  advisory  commission 
set  up  under  the  Smith-Mundt  Act  to 
advise  the  State  Department  on  its 
foreign  information  program,  including 
motion  pictures,  newsreels,  radio  and 
publications. 

Chairman  will  be  Mark  Etheridge, 
publisher  of  the  LouisznUe  Journal. 
Members  include  National  Association 
of  Broadcasters  president  Justin 
Miller,  General  Electric  chairman 
Philip  D.  Reed,  Christian  Science 
Monitor  editor  Erwin  D.  Canham, 
and  Mark  A.  May,  director  of  the 
Yale  Institute  of  Human  Relations. 


U.  K.  Finance  Plan 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


port  that  a  Board  of  Trade  committee 
is  investigating  the  desirability  of  the 
government's  requisition  of  film  stu- 
dios or  the  construction  of  them.  The 
committee's  report  is  anticipated  next 
month. 

The  corporation  which  the  govern- 
ment intends  to  create  will  have  $20,- 
000,000  available  to  distributors  who  in 
turn  would  finance  production  in  part. 
It  is  understood  that  J.  H.  Lawrie, 
head  of  the  corporation's  organizing 
committee,  has  been  directed  to  exact 
full  security  from  the  distributors. 


Receiving  Licenses 
Are  Up  in  Britain 

London,  August  9. — Number  of  pub- 
licly-held broadcast  receiving  licenses 
in  force  in  Great  Britain  and  North- 
ern Ireland  at  the  end  of  June  was 
11,260,350,  according  to  the  Post- 
master General. 

This  number  includes  54,850  tele- 
vision licenses,  an  increase  of  2,350 
over  the  previous  month. 


Rank  Aide  Coming  Here 

London,  August  9. — Sydney  Wynne, 
personal  assistant  to  J.  Arthur  Rank, 
will  leave  here  on  the  Queen 
Mary,  August  25,  on  his  first  visit  to 
America.  The  trip  will  be  mainly  a 
vacation.  Jock  Lawrence,  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  J.  Arthur  Rank  Organiza- 
tion in  the  U.  S.,  will  accompany 
Wynne  to  New  York. 


E-L  Answers  SPG 
Contract  Notice 

Eagle-Lion  has  notified  the  Screen 
Publicists  Guild  of  its  readiness  to  ne 
gotiate  a  new  contract,  becoming  the 
first  company  to  respond  to  the  notices 
sent  out  by  SPG  a  week  ago.  The 
SPG  contracts  with  the  companies  will 
expire  on  September  26. 

Meanwhile  the  SPG  will  hold  a 
meeting  here  Thursday  evening  to 
formulate  new  contract  demands, 
all  companies.  a 


IA  Restrained 

{Continued  front  page  1) 


NLRB  on  the  grounds  that  since  July 
15  the  union  had  sought  to  have  em- 
ployes of  the  Palace  and  of  the  New 
York  Telephone  Co.  deny  their  ser- 
vices for  the  occasion. 

The  IA  assertedly  demanded  that 
half  of  the  technical  help  used  in  con- 
nection with  the  telecast  be  from  that 
union's  ranks. 


Films  Aid  Canada 

Ottawa,  August  9. — The  Canadian 
National  Film  Board  is  understood  to 
be  co-operating  closely  with  govern- 
ment departments  and  industries  to 
sell  Canadian  trade  outside  this  coun- 
try through  the  use  of  films.  These 
films  are  now  being  shown  to  an  an- 
nual audience  estimated  at  70,000,000 
in  60  different  countries.  ' 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


— RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL— a 

Rockefeller  Center 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

Wallace  BEERY     .     Jane  POWELL 
■  Elizabeth  TAYLOR      .     Carmen  MIRANDA 
Xavier  CU GAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


A  Of  cof  Lov*  Story 
Thai  Comai 
Sfuning  Through  t 


ALAN  DONNA 

LADDREED/fp£sfc> 


ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  THE 

BABE  RUTH 

STORY  —  BENDIX-TREVOR 


Con*  Performances*  Pop  Pricos 


">&"'      Paramount  Presents 

I  RAY 

I  MILLAND 

4  ANN 

|  TODD 

%  GERALDINE 

1  FITZGERALD 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


fuesday,  August  10,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


MGM  Bidding 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


Review 


-Government  and  other  industries 
:  which  use  bidding  processes,  is  de- 
signed to  eliminate  the  chance  of 
:  "leaks"  occurring  before  a  bidding 
deadline  has  expired.  The  company,  he 
said,  has  no  knowledge  that  "leaks" 
have  occurred,  but  the  new  procedure 
is  expected  to  eliminate  the  possibility 
tjSbthey  might. 

Bidding  in  150  Situations 

Rodgers  reported  that  M-G-M  is 
now  receiving  bids  in  approximately 
150  situations  and  the  number  is  in- 
creasing steadily.  He  said  the  com- 
pany is  not  seeking  competitive  bids 
but  will  consider  them  wherever  they 
are  received.  Bidding,  he  said,  has 
solved  some  problems  of  product  sup- 
ply which  could  not  have  been  handled 
satisfactorily  otherwise,  and  he  be- 
lieves it  has  averted  some  litigation. 
On  the  other  hand,  he  pointed  out, 
there  is  no  product  security  for  ex- 
hibitors in  bidding  and  occasional 
hardships  result,  both  from  loss  of 
product  and  from  unwise  bidding.  The 
company  has  endeavored  to  discourage 
the  latter,  Rodgers  said. 

Occasionally,  he  said,  competitors 
who  have  indulged  in  over-zealous  bid- 
ding will  get  together  and  agree  on  a 
split  of  the  product,  whereas  prior 
to  bidding,  a  division  of  the  product 
was  a  rare  occurrence  among  competi- 
tors. 

Rodgers  said  the  company  is  study- 
ing all  clearance  complaints  received 
from  exhibitors  as  well  as  those  re- 
ported by  branch  managers  as  being 
"out  of  line." 

Conciliation  System  Is  Effective 

He  said  the  company's  conciliation 
system  is  working  well  and  he  sees  no 
need  of  changing  to  another  concilia- 
tion method.  Exhibitor  leaders,  he 
said,  may  take  up  any  complaint,  in- 
cluding film  rentals,  with  M-G-M 
branch  managers  on  behalf  of  exhibi- 
tors and  meritorious  complaints  will 
be  adjusted. 

Rodgers  said  he  preferred  the  old 
industry  arbitration  system,  which 
utilized  men  experienced  in  the  indus- 
try as  arbiters,  and  said  he  believed 
the  system  would  be  beneficial  in  han- 
dling and  solving  the  many  new  prob- 
lems which  confront  exhibitor  and  dis- 
tributor today. 


'Hollow  Triumph" 


(Eagle-Lion) 

PAUL  HEXREID  becomes  the  victim  of  his  own  ingenious  scheming  in 
"Hollow  Triumph,"  a  well-told  melodrama  to  which  Eagle-Lion  has 
given  a  full  scale  production  treatment.  Joan  Bennett  takes  the  feminine  lead, 
with  others  in  the  cast  including  Leslie  Brooks,  Eduard  Franz  and  John 
Qualen.  For  a  film  in  its  category,  it  has  easily  exploitable  virtues.  The  story 
builds  up  suspensefully,  the  sequences  are  briskly  paced,  and  the  direction 
and  camerawork  are  workmanlike  and  competent.  It  will  not  please  those 
looking  for  high-brow  entertainment,  but  it  does  have  mass  appeal. 

After  being  released  from  prison,  Henreid  and  his  gang  muscle  into  rival 
territory,  only  to  find  that  the  underworld  now  has  them  marked  for  revenge. 
Henreid  takes  flight  and  conceals  himself  in  honest  jobs.  One  day,  however, 
he  discovers  that  he  resembles  a  successful  psychiatrist,  and  in  a  flash,  sees 
his  escape  from  the  underworld's  pursuing  revenge.  Henreid  kills  the  psychia- 
trist and  assumes  his  identity.  He  is  quite  successful  at  first,  but  •soon  finds  the 
disadvantages  outweigh  the  advantages.  In  an  ironic  ending,  Henreid  is 
murdered  for  a  crime  committed  by  the  psychiatrist.  Henreid  assumes  the 
dual  role,  with  Miss  Bennett  playing  the  secretary  to  the  psychiatrist  as  well 
as  lover  to  the  undisguised  Henreid.  Acting  is  adequate  all  around.  There 
are  many  fine,  little  touches  in  the  screenplay  by  Daniel  Fuchs.  Henreid  also 
produced ;  Steve  Sekely  directed. 

Running  time.  83  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  For  August  release 

Maxdel  Herbstmax 


MGM  to  Handle  Film 
On  Negro  Problems 

Chicago,  August  9. — Louis  de 
Rochemont,  addressing  the  annual  con- 
vention of  the  National  Association  of 
Visual  Education  here  today,  dis- 
closed that  his  new  documentary  film, 
"Lost  Boundaries,"  will  go  into  pro- 
duction soon  for  release  by  M-G-M, 
and  will  be  the  first  film  of  its  kind  to 
deal  with  problems  of  the  Negro. 

De  Rochemont  said  there  is  a  lack 
of  good  films  for  school  use  and 
affirmed  that  the  basic  plan  for  each 
educational  film  should  be  conceived  by 
teachers  rather  than  producers. 

The  Film  Council  of  America,  Edu- 
cational Film  Library  Association  and 
the  Midwest  Forum  are  also  holding 
meetings  in  conjunction  with  the 
NAYED  convention. 


Schary 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


pictures  can  still  gross  domestically 
$4,000,000  and  more.  "Good  pictures 
have  an  audience  any  place,  any 
where,"  he  said. 

Schary  said  it  would  be  "premature" 
at  this  stage  to  regard  television  as  a 
potential  threat  to  the  film  industry. 
He  said  he  would  like  to  make 
more  pictures  like  "Joe  Smith,  Amer- 
ican" which  he  produced  for  Metro 
several  vears  ago  for  $160,000  and 
which  grossed  $1,000,000.  "Star  value 
in  a  picture,"  he  said,  of  course  is  im- 
portant. Had  "Joe  Smith"  had  box- 
office  names  it  would  have  grossed 
an  additional  million,  he  observed. 

Schary  will  spend  three  or  four 
weeks  in  conferences  with  Schenck 
and  Louis  B.  Mayer  on  the  Coast  be- 
fore he  makes  any  definite  production 
plans. 

He  is  now  reading  a  batch  of  story 
properties  that  have  been  on  Metro's 
shelves  for  a  number  of  years  with  an 
eye  to  future  production.  He  said, 
however,  that  the  company  will  con- 
tinue to  look  for  new  story  buys. 

According  to  the  new  studio  chief- 
tain Metro  will  not  affiliate  itself  on 
any  regular  plan  for  releasing  product 
by  independent  producers  although,  he 
added,  the  company  will  not  be  averse 
to  another  "State  of  the  Union,"  pro- 
duced by  Liberty  Films  which  Metro 
released. 

Hollywood's  recent  economy  wave 
would  not  necessarily  end  M-G-M's 
plans  for  future  $3'000.000  produc- 
tions, according  to  Schary.  The  com- 
pany he  said,  had  the  resources  to 
make  million-dollar  productions  pro- 
viding market  conditions  and  the 
story  property  warrants  it. 


MGM  Field  Men 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


First  Capital  Price 
Cut  Made  in  a  Year 

Washixgtox,  August  9. — First  ad 
mission  price  cut  here  in  a  year  was 
announced  by   Sidney  Lust's  Hippo 
drome.     Evening  adult  prices,  Mon- 
day through    Sunday,   were  dropped 
from  85  cents  to  65,  Saturday  matinees 
from  85  cents  to  40,  and  Sunday  mati 
nees  from  85  cents  to  65.  Weekday 
matinees  remain  at  40. 


Amend  Cincinnati 
Arbitration  Award 


An  award  by  the  American  Arbitra- 
tion Association,  on  appeal  by  Loew's. 
has  been  modified  to  give  Cincinnati 
first-runs  and  the  Emery  Theatre  in 
Reading,  O.,  a  clearance  maximum  of 
35  days  after  conclusion  of  first-runs 
over  the  Vogue  Theatre.  YVvoming, 
O. 

The  original  ruling  directed  that 
neither  the  Vogue,  complainant  in  the 
case,  nor  the  Emery  should  have 
clearance  over  the  other  and  avail- 
ability to  both  should  be  29  days  af- 
ter first-runs.  Loew's  was  the  only 
distributor  named. 


UA  Sales  Posts 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Dallas.  Schnitzer  will  continue  to  op- 
crate  from  the  home  office. 

Schnitzer's  added  responsibilities  in- 
clude a  projected  series  of  field  meet- 
ings with  U.  A.  sales  personnel. 

Lazarus  stated  that  under  the  new- 
sales  set-up  greater  autonomy  will  be 
given  to  individual  branch  and  dis- 
trict managers. 


Dinner  for  Richardson 

Clevelaxd,  August  9. — Robert 
Richardson,  recently  named  local 
Eagle-Lion  branch  manager,  will  be 
guest  at  a  testimonial  dinner  to  be 
held  here  on  Friday.  Richardson  was 
formerly  connected  with  the'  local 
RKO  Radio  sales  force. 


Claim  $20,000  for  'Canon' 

"Canon  City"  grossed  $20,000  at  the 
Boston    Paramount    Theatre,  Eagle- 
Lion  stated  yesterday,  and  not  $14,000 
as  estimated  here  on  Friday. 


ers,  salesmen  and  others.  They  will 
spend  a  week  or  two  at  the  home 
office. 

The  first  contingent  to  be  called 
in  under  the  new  policy  consists  of 
Louis  Formato,  Philadelphia  branch 
manager ;  Ansley  B.  Padgett,  assist- 
ant branch  manager  at  Atlanta  ;  Phil- 
ip F.  Gravitz,  office  manager  and  head 
booker  at  New  Haven,  and  salesmen 
Michael  J.  Ford,  Chicago ;  H.  Russell 
Gaus,  Oklahoma  City :  Louis  Marks. 
Cleveland,  and  Louis  J.  Weber,  Dal- 
las. 


Millions  will 
remember  the  spine-tingling 
radio  play  that  set  an 

all-time  record  when  it 
was  brought  back  7  times 

for  network  rebroadcasting 

Now  this  vast  audience  awaits 
Hal  Wallis'  production  for 
Paramount— 


Now  1 


...in  the  intimate  story  of  Broadway's  most  excit- 
ing actress,  who  played  her  most  enticing  scenes 
OFF  STAGE! 


LEON  AMES  •  FRANK  McHUGH 
WALTER  KINGSFORD  •  DAN  TOBIN 

Directed  by  JOHN  GAGE  •  Screenplay  by  LEO  ROSTEN 

An  INDEPENDENT  ARTISTS  Picture  •  Released  by  RKO  RADIO  PICTURES 


g 

INDEPENDENT 
ARTISTS 

PICTURE 


OPENS  AT  BROADWAY'S  FAMOUS 


RIVOLI  THEATRE,  SO&A/ 


COST 
LESS 


  ^ 

MORE 


nnnonni 


1  SERVICE 

OF  M€MOUSTRY 


..  J  . 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PKmf&£ 


64.    NO.  29 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  11,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Many  Courses 
Weighed  on 
Music  Rights 

Varying  Interests  Bar 
Single  Approach  by  All 

Because  of  divergent  interests 
and  differing  problems  involved,  the 
producer  -  distributors  are  under- 
stood to  be  pursuing  no  single  line 
in  considering  the  action  to  be  taken 
on  paying  for  performing  rights  to 
musical  compositions  as  a  result  of  the 
Federal  Court's  decision  finding  Ascap 
in  violation  of  the  anti-trust  laws.  The 
companies  are  assertedly  handicapped 
in  making  any  clearcut  plans  on  what 
to  do  about  performing  rights  by  the 
confusion  created  by  Judge  Vincent  L. 
Leibell's  opinion  and  the  uncertainty 
of  the  final  outcome  of  the  case.  The 
fact  that  a  decree  has  not  yet  been 
entered  in  the  case  was  said  to  add 
to  the  difficulty  of  the  companies  in 
reaching  any  decision  on  steps  to  be 
taken  in  acquiring  performing  rights. 

The  attitude  of  20th-Fox  reportedly 
is  that  it  feels  it  may  have  no  choice 
but  to  acquire  performing  as  well  as 

(.Continued  on  page  5) 


Mark  Silver  Moves 
Into  New  UA  Post 


Mark  Silver  has  been  appointed  as- 
sistant Eastern  general  sales  manager 
of  United  Artists  as  expected,  it  was 
announced  here  yesterday  by  Paul  N. 
Lazarus,  executive  assistant  to  UA 
president  Gradwell  Sears. 

Silver  will  assume  his  new  duties 
immediately,  acting  as  field  represen- 
tative for  Edward  M.  Schnitzer,  East- 
ern general  sales  manager.  His  im- 
mediate agenda  includes  a  trip  to  all 
exchanges  in  the  Eastern  and  Canadian 
orbit  to  conduct  sales  meetings. 

With  UA  since  1934,  Silver  has  suc- 
(Continued  on  page  5) 


600  Expected  at 
TOA  Convention 


Cardinal  Stritch  of  Chicago  has  ac- 
cepted the  invitation  of  Gael  Sullivan, 
executive  director  of  the  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  to  open  the  TOA 
convention  to  be  held  September  24-25 
in  the  Drake  Hotel,  Chicago.  It  is 
estimated  that  more  than  600  TOA 
members  will  be  in  attendance  when 
the  first  session  is  convened. 

During  the  two-day  meeting  dis- 

(Covtinned  on  page  2) 


Sam  Katz  Is 
Leaving  MGM 


Hollywood,  August  10. — Sam  Katz 
has  resigned  as  studio  executive  for 
Metro  -  Goldwyn  -  Mayer,  effective 
March  1,  1949,  after  12  years  with  the 
company.  His  contract  was  not  to  ex- 
pire until  March  1,  1954. 

Katz  intends  to  return  to  Chicago 
where,  about  1915,  he  and  Barney 
Balaban,  now  president  of  Paramount, 
began  the  development  of  Balaban  and 
Katz  Theatres,  one  of  the  largest  cir- 
cuits in  the  Midwest.  Prominent  in 
exhibition  as  well  as  production,  it 
was  at  the  age  of  16  (he  is  now  56) 

{.Continued  on  page  5) 


MPEA  to  Continue 
Holland  Operations 

At  a  meeting  here  yesterday,  the 
directors  of  the  Motion  Picture  Export 
Association  voted  to  continue  MPEA 
operation  in  the  Netherlands.  Chair- 
man of  the  meeting  was  Francis  S. 
Harmon,  M.P.E.A.  vice-president. 
Others  present  were : 

William  Satori,  Allied  Artists;  Jo- 
seph A.  McConville,  Columbia;  Mor- 
ton A.  Spring  and  David  Lewis, 
Loew's ;  George  Weltner  and  William 
Piper,  Paramount ;  R.  K.  Hawkinson 
and  B.  D.  Lion,  RKO ;  Emanuel  Sil- 
verstone,  20th  Century- Fox ;  Walter 
Gould,  United  Artists;  Al  Daff  and 
C.  A.  Kirby,  Universal;  Wolfe  Cohen 
and  John   J.   Glynn,   Warner;  and, 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Another  Promotion 
For  C.  J.  Latta 

London,  August  10.  —  C.  J. 
Latta,  who  was  promoted 
several  weeks  ago  from  Al- 
bany, N.  Y.,  zone  manager  of 
Warner  Theatres,  to  super- 
vise the  company's  interests 
in  Associated  British  Cine- 
mas, has  been  named  manag- 
ing director  of  the  ABC-re- 
lated Associated  British  Pic- 
ture Corp.  The  post  had  been 
held  by  the  late  Max  Milder. 

Also,  D.  J.  Goodlatte  has 
been  named  managing  direc- 
tor of  Associated  British  Cin- 
emas. 


New  Shows  Clicking 
At  N.Y.  First  Runs 


Flock  of  new  shows  and  an  assort 
ment  of  sturdy  holdovers  are  giving 
New  York  first-runs  a  week  of  gener- 
ally substantial  business.  Summer 
slump  is  still  in  evidence  at  a  few  of 
the  situations,  however.  Huge  number 
of  visitors  to  the  city  is  a  definite 
asset,  with  the  Music  Hall  particu- 
larly benefiting.  August  rates  as 
one  of  the  top  months  of  the  year  at 
the  Hall  which  is  known  to  be  on  the 
itinerary  of  a  large  segment  of  tour- 
ists. 

At  a  glance,  estimated  grosses  for 
the  current  week  follow  : 

Music  Hall,  "Date  with  Judy"  with 
a  stage  show,  first  week,  $153,000,  ex- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Jackson  Park  Decision 
Brings  Buying  Phenomena 


First  Large  Video 
In  NY  Neighborhood 

Large-screen  television,  be- 
lieved to  be  the  first  in  a 
New  York  neighborhood  house 
and  second  only  to  the  Para- 
mount, in  this  area,  will  be 
one  of  the  features  of  the 
2,800-seat  Audubon  Theatre 
when  it  reopens  on  Septem- 
ber 1.  The  theatre,  located 
on  Broadway  at  166th  Street, 
has  been  leased  by  Moe  Gold- 
man and  Gilbert  Josephson 
from  Broadway-St.  Nicholas, 
Inc.,  lessor  corporation  headed 
by  Jack  Schechter,  under  a 
deal  arranged  by  Berk  and 
Krumgold. 


By  JIMMY  ASCHER 

Chicago,  August  10.  —  Adoption  of 
competitive  bidding  in  this  territory 
by  20th  Century-Fox,  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer,  RKO  Radio,  and,  now, 
by  United  Artists  has  resulted  in  a 
booking  phenomena  here  among  some 
neighborhood  theatres  which  prior  to 
the  Jackson  Park  decree  was  un- 
heard of  in  the  area. 

The  1,600-seat  independent  Ridge 
Theatre,  for  example,  located  on  the 
far  Northside  of  Chicago,  operated  by 
the  Bartelstein  Circuit,  which  owns 
seven  other  theatres,  recently  outbid 
Balaban  and  Katz's  Uptown,  a  4,300- 
seater,  for  Metro's  "The  Bride  Goes 
Wild."  Ridge  formerly  had  played 
repeat  on  the  Uptown  as  well  as 
three  other  B.  and  K.  houses  in  that 
vicinity,  namely  the  Granada,  Nor- 
town  and  Norshore.  "Bride"  played 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


M-G-M  to  Step 
UpProduction, 
Including  'B's 

Schary  Estimates  'About 
Six'  More  for  This  Year 

_  M-G-M  contemplates  an  imme- 
diate expanded  production  program 
to  build  up  the  company's  backlog 
of  pictures,  Dore  Schary,  who  takes 
over  as  vice-president  in  charge  of 
production  on  Monday,  disclosed  yes- 
terday upon  his  arrival  in  New  York 
to  confer  with  president  Nicholas  M. 
Schenck. 

It  was  estimated  the  increase 
for  the  current  fiscal  year 
would  amount  to  "about  six" 
pictures.  Schary  also  revealed 
that  the  company  intends  to 
add  to  the  schedule  a  group  of 
smaller-budget  pictures.  He 
said  that  the  new  program 
would  call  for  a  budget  larger 
than  last  year's,  with  no  set 
policy  on  the   amount  to  be 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


May  Tie  House  Quiz 
To  Allied  Meeting 

Washington,  August  10.  — The 
House  Small  Business  Committee  in- 
vestigating monopoly  may  hold  hear- 
ings in  New  Orleans  at  the  end  of 
November  to  coincide  with  the  board 
meeting  and  convention  of  Allied 
States  Association. 

Idea  would  be  to  provide  a  handy 
forum  for  all  Allied  members  to  air 
their  complaints. 

At  the  same  time,  the  committee 
may  hold  hearings  in  Los  Angeles  in 
December  and  January,  at  which  the 
Society  of  Independent  Motion  Pic- 
ture Producers  could  tell  of  monop- 
oly troubles  in  production. 

The  committee,  which  has  displayed 
extraordinary  interest  in  the  film  in- 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


Columbia  Plans  to 
Produce  in  England 

London,  August  10. — Columbia  is 
the  latest  of  American  film  companies 
to  undertake  production  here.  With 
plans  to  lease  the  Nettlefold  Studios 
for  the  purpose,  Columbia  has  begun 
negotiations  for  story  properties  and 
personnel.  Nettlefold  Studios  has  been 
closed  since  June  14  because  of  the 
lack  of  production  activity. 


Motion  Picture  Daily  Wednesday,  August  n,  1941 

Personal  Mention 


2 


11  Companies  Get 
Argentine  Permits 


Eleven  American  film  companies 
have  been  granted  import  permits  by 
the  Argentine  government  under  the 
recent  agreement,  Joaquin  Rickard, 
Latin  American  representative  for  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Amer- 
ica, disclosed  here  yesterday.  Rickard 
has  just  returned  from  a  10-month 
trip  to  Argentina,  Chile,  Brazil  and 
Peru.  He  expressed  satisfaction  with 
the  new  pact,  pointing  out  that  the 
government  had  not  granted  import 
permits  for  a  year. 

Rickard  urged  patience  with  South 
American  countries,  saying  that  their 
currency  problem  is  more  critical  than 
people  realize. 

In  Brazil  all  regulations  on  the  con- 
trol of  admission  prices  have  been 
suspended  until  a  definite  decision  is 
handed  down  by  the  courts,  Rickard 
revealed.  A  decision  is  expected  in 
about  three  weeks,  whereupon  an  ap- 
peal is  likely  from  either  side.  Also 
in  the  courts,  Rickard  said,  is  the 
Brazilian  Central  Price  Committee's 
recent  order  limiting  distributors'  film 
percentages  to  40  per  cent  of  a  thea- 
tre's income,  after  expenses.  Rickard 
observed  that  when  this  regulation 
was  put  into  effect,  early  last  month, 
American  distributors  were  practically 
out  of  business  for  10  days.  With  the 
control  lifted  by  a  court  injunction, 
"conditions  now  look  better,"  Rickard 
declared. 

He  stressed  that  restrictions  against 
American  films  are  not  due  to  any 
hostile  attitude  but  only  to  the  eco- 
nomic situation.  All  countries  in  South 
America  are  eager  to  make  their  own 
pictures,  he  said. 

Mexican  Film  Firms 
Exempted  from  Tax 

Washington,  August  10.  —  Pro- 
ducers and  distributors  of  Mexican 
films  have  been  exempted  from  the 
mercantile  income  tax  in  the  Federal 
District,  according  to  Commerce  De- 
partment film  chief  Nathan  D.  Golden. 

Golden  states  that  only  Mexican 
enterprises  established  and  registered 
with  the  Association  of  Producers  and 
Distributors  of  Mexican  Motion  Pic- 
tures will  benefit.  New  film  enter- 
prises will  not  be  exempt,  and  com- 
panies claiming  exemption  must  prove 
solvency. 

It  is  not  yet  known  how  U.  S.  com- 
panies will  be  affected,  says  the  report. 

MPEA  in  Holland 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Theodore  S.  Hope,  Jr.,  John  G.  Mc- 
Carthy, Ted  Smith,  James  Murphy, 
Joe  C.  Goltz  and  Bernard  Mazer  of 
the  MPEA  and  MPA.  Guest  at  the 
meeting  was  John  B.  Nathan,  Conti- 
nental manager  for  Paramount. 


Services  for  Milder  Today 

London,  August  10. — Memorial  ser- 
vices will  be  held  here  tomorrow  for 
Max  Milder,  who  died  on  August  1, 
at  the  West  London  Synagogue.  A 
private  service  was  held  last  Friday, 
attended  by  the  family  and  close  busi- 
ness associates.  The  remains  will  be 
sent  to  the  U.  S. 


HARRY  M.  KALMINE,  president 
and  general  manager  of  Warner 
Theatres,  and  Rudolph  Weiss,  head 
of  the  Warner  real  estate  department 
here,  are  in  Washington  today  from 
New  York. 

Graham  McInnes,  formerly  with 
the  National  Film  Board  of  Canada, 
has  been  appointed  to  the  information 
division  of  the  Department  of  Ex- 
ternal Affairs  of  Canada. 

• 

Sarah  Krivitsky,  secretary  to  Ed- 
ward Cuddy,  division  manager  of  M. 
and  P.  Theatres,  Boston,  has  been 
confined  to  her  home  for  the  past  two 
weeks  because  of  illness. 

• 

Ed  Hinchey,  head  of  the  Warner 
playdate  department,  who  left  here 
vesterday  for  Pittsburgh,  is  due  back 
in  New  York  at  the  end  of  the  week. 
• 

Max  E.  Youngstein,  Eagle-Lion 
advertising-publicity  vice-president,  is 
due  in  Atlanta  today  from  New  Or- 
leans. 

• 

Art  O'Toole,  former  Chicago  sales- 
man with  M-G-M  and  RKO  Radio, 
has  joined  the  Paramount  sales  force 
in  that  city. 

• 

Louis  W.  Schine,  Schine  Circuit 
vice-president,  was  in  town  yesterday 
from  Gloversville,  N.  Y. 


RKO  New  York  Sales 
Meeting  Tomorrow 

RKO  Radio  Pictures  will  hold  its 
sixth  zone  meeting  covering  the  Met- 
ropolitan New  York  district,  tomor- 
row, in  the  Hotel  Astor,  with  Robert 
Mochrie,  distribution  vice-president, 
presiding. 

Also  attending  from  the  home  office 
will  be  Harry  J.  Michalson,  short  sub- 
ject sales  manager;  Charles  Boasberg, 
North- South  division  manager ;  his 
assistant,  Carl  Peppercorn  and  A.  A. 
Schubart,  manager  of  exchange  oper- 
ations. Present  from  the  New  York 
exchange  will  be  Len  S.  Gruenberg, 
district  manager;  Phil  Hodes,  branch 
manager ;  Herman  Silverman,  sales 
manager ;  William  Hartman,  office 
manager,  and  salesmen :  John  Dacey, 
Charles  Penzer  and  Lou  Kutinsky. 

Legion  Rates  Five; 
One  Classified  as  'B' 

Monogram's  "The  Shanghai  Chest" 
and  RKO  Radio's  "Station  West" 
have  been  classified  A-I  by  the  Na- 
tional Legion  of  Decency.  "The  Rope," 
Warner,  and  "Stage  Struck,"  Mono- 
gram, were  placed  in  A-II,  while  Uni- 
versal-International's "The  Saxon 
Charm"  was  classified  B. 


John  U.  Lefebre 

Grand  Rapids,  August  10. — John  U. 
Lefebre,  who  came  to  Grand  Rapids 
from  Detroit  three  months  ago  to 
manage  the  Grand  Rapids  Fox  Thea- 
tre, was  found  dead  in  his  hotel  bed 
here  yesterday.  Dr.  Simeon  Lerovm, 
coroner,  said  Lefebre  took  his  own  life. 
A  note  left  by  him  told  of  illness. 


ROBERT  S.  WOLFF,  British 
managing  director  for  RKO 
Radio,  has  arrived  in  New  York 
from  London. 

• 

Lew  Barasch,  United  Artists  spe- 
cial events  coordinator,  who  returned 
to  New  York  yesterday  from  a  two- 
week  vacation,  has  announced  his  en- 
gagement to  Beta  Asmoe  of  the  Copa- 
cabana  chorus. 

• 

George  E.  Landers,  Hartford  divi- 
sion manager  of  E.  M.  Loew  The- 
atres, and  his  son,  Richard,  accompa- 
nied by  Ira  Loew  of  the  circuit  home 
office,  will  leave  that  city  Saturday 
for  an  automobile  trip  to  Los  Angeles. 
• 

J.  J.  Fitzgibbons,  president  of  Fa- 
mous Players-Canadian,  visited  Ot- 
tawa from  Toronto  for  a  meeting  with 
Paul  Nathanson,  former  director 
of  Odeon  Theatres  of  Canada. 
• 

Joseph  Harris,  Realart  board 
chairman  and  treasurer,  accompanied 
by  Martin  Ross,  president  of  Film 
Highlights,  will  sail  on  the  SS  Queen 
Mary  Saturday  for  London. 

• 

Francis  W.  McManus,  M.  and  P. 
Theatres  division  manager,  has  left 
Boston  for  a  vacation  in  Maine. 
• 

Edward  P.  Daley  has  been  elected 
president  of  IATSE  Local  No.  232  in 
Northampton,  Mass. 


Zoellner  to  Conduct 
Four  Field  Meetings 

William  B.  Zoellner,  head  of 
M-G-M's  short  subject  sales,  reprints 
and  imports,  left  here  yesterday  for 
Chicago  for  the  first  of  a  series  of 
meetings  with  four  field  sales  man- 
agers. Each  meeting  will  last  a  week. 

First  meeting,  starting  in  Chicago 
today,  will  be  held  with  Burtus  Bish- 
op, Jr.,  Midwestern  sales  head.  Next 
will  be  with  George  A.  Hickey,  West- 
ern sales  manager,  in  Los  Angeles, 
starting  August  19,  to  be  followed  by 
conferences  with  John  J.  Maloney, 
Central  sales  head,  in  Pittsburgh,  be- 
ginning August  27,  and  with  Rudy 
Berger,  Southern  sales  manager,  in 
Washington,  for  the  week  of  Septem- 
ber 3. 


Joins  Allentown  Theatres 

Allentown,  Pa.,  August  10. — John 
J.  Scully,  Jr.,  son  of  the  Universal- 
International  district  manager  and 
nephew  of  U-I  vice-president  William 
A.  Scully,  will  take  up  residence  here 
to  head  Allentown  Theatres  in  the 
operation  of  the  Transit  and  Midway 
theatres,  after  a  wedding  trip  to  Can- 
ada, having  been  married  in  Lans- 
downe,  Pa.,  last  Saturday  to  Frances 
Muir  Marks  of  Montgomery,  Ala. 


Seeks  London  Play 

Hollywood,  August  10.— Producer- 
director  Roy  Del  Ruth  disclosed  on 
his  return  from  New  York  that  he  had 
dispatched  Harry  Ponetz,  his  Eastern 
representative,  to  London  in  an  air 
shuttle  bid  for  rights  to  the  Wyndham 
Theatre's  "People  Like  Us,"  by  the 
late  Frank  Vosper. 


Newsreel 
Parade 

OLYMPIC  Games  films  and  Holly- 
wood stars  in  a  U.N.  charity 
benefit  in  Paris  are  current  newsreel 
highlights.  Other  items  range  from 
the  Red  spy  hearings  in  Washington 
to  a  man  who  stands  on  one  finger. 
Complete  contents  follow: 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  64 — Red  spy 

hearings  reveal  Russia  received  U.  S.  A- 
bomb  material.  England  releases  firsj^pt 
tures  of  atomic  plant.  Hollywood  sta^^;  ) 
U.N.  charity  show  in  Paris.  High  ..e 
walker  celebrates  his  82nd  birthday.  Amer- 
icans in  clean  sweep  of  Olympic  events. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  298— Latest 
films  of  Olympics.  Ballet  school  for  tod- 
dlers. U.  S.  giant  bombers  called  back  to 
duty.  Film  stars  in  U.N.  charity  show  in 
Paris. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  101— Greek 
army  advances.  Canada:  St.  Laurent  to 
succeed  Mackenzie  King.    Olympic  films. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  168 — Super- 
forts  make  ready  for  action.  Housing  proj- 
ect in  Puerto  Rico.  Tall-gal  contest.  Olym- 
pics. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  103— 

B-29  "depickled."  Danube  conference. 
"Two  Guys  from  Texas";  Dennis  Morgan 
and  Jack  Carson  in  Texas  for  premiere. 
Man  stands  on  one  finger.  Huge  project 
aids  Puerto  Rico  housing.  Olympics. 

Truman  to  Preside 
At  Stamp  Ceremony 

Washington,  August  10. — Charles 
Skouras  and  Ted  Gamble  are  due 
here  tomorrow  morning  to  attend 
White  House  ceremonies  marking  the 
first-day  sale  of  the  "Youth  Month" 
stamp.  President  Truman  and  Post- 
master General  Donaldson  head  the 
official  list  for  the  ceremony.  Also 
present  will  be  a  group  of  local  and 
New  York  film  executives  and  trade 
press  representatives.  The  New  York 
group  will  fly  here  in  the  morning. 

Skouras  and  Gamble  head  the 
Theatre  Owners  of  America's  "Youth 
Month"  drive,  set  for  September. 


600  at  TOA  Meet 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

cussions  and  open  forums  will  be  held 
on  such  industry  subjects  as  television, 
16mm.  competition,  Ascap,  admission 
taxes,  public  relations  and  the  prob- 
able effects  of  the  Supreme  Court  de- 
cision in  the  Paramount  case.  There 
will  be  a  panel  of  guest  speakers 
throughout  all  sessions. 

Committees  are  being  set  up  under 
the  direction  of  John  Balaban,  Chi- 
cago, as  general  chairman,  and  Ed- 
ward Zorn  of  Pontiac,  as  vice-chair- 
man. Among  the  chairmen  are  Nathan 
H.  Piatt,  entertainment;  David  Wal- 
lerstein,  registration ;  William  Hollan- 
der and  Thornton  Sargent,  publicity ; 
Jack  Conway,  transportation ;  and 
Mrs.  John  Balaban,  women's  activities. 
C.  L.  Burndahl  has  been  named  con- 
vention treasurer. 


Partin  Will  Manage 
FC's  Portland  Office 

Jack  Partin  has  been  named  branch 
manager  of  Film  Classics'  Portland 
exchange,  effective  immediately,  by 
B.  G.  Kranze,  distribution  vice-presi- 
dent. 

Partin  was  formerly  a  salesman  at 
Portland  and  has  been  with  Film 
Classics  for  two  years. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Which  is  the  twin 
that  takes 


The  talk  of  New  York's  Film  Row  is  the  Preview  of  "JULIA  MISBEHAVES"  held 
last  week  at  Loew's  72nd  Street  Theatre.  Everything  you've  heard  about  Greer 
Garson's  new  picture  is  true.  {What  a  cast!  Greer  Garson,  Walter  Pidgeon,  Peter 
Lawford,  Elizabeth  Taylor,  Cesar  Romero.)  The  audience  was  in  hysterics  from  beginning 
to  end.  Nothing  like  it  has  been  seen  on  the  screen.  A  survey  of  the  patrons  by  Motion 
Picture  Research  Bureau  following  the  Preview  yielded  a  new  high  in  audience  reaction. 
"JULIA  MISBEHAVES"  joins  M-G-M's  non-stop  hit  parade:  "HOMECOMING", 
Frank  Capra's  "STATE  OF  THE  UNION",  Irving  Berlin's  "EASTER  PARADE" 
{Technicolor),  "A  DATE  WITH  JUDY"  {Technicolor),  "ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH 
YOU"  {Technicolor),  and  soon  "THREE  MUSKETEERS"  (Technicolor),  "HILLS  OF 
HOME"  {Technicolor).  PLENTY  MORE  VITAMIN  M-G-M  COMING! 

Extra  at  Press  Time!  "A  Date  With  Judy"  first  5  days  at  Music  Hall  sets  new  M-G-M  all-time  high! 

It's  so  good  for  what  ails  you! 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  August  11,  1948  § 


Video  Injunction 
Scored  by  Walsh 

Cleveland,  August  10. — While 
IATSE  will  comply  with  a  Federal 
Court  order  issued  in  New  York  to 
restrain  it  from  interfering  with  to- 
night's debut  of  WJZ-TV  in  that  city, 
the  union  will  appeal  the  injunction  in 
court,  including  the  U.S.  Supreme 
Court,  Richard  F.  Walsh,  IATSE 
president,  declared  here  today. 

Walsh  is  here  for  executive  board 
meetings  of  the  union  and  for  next 
week's  convention. 

Attacking  the  order  as  "vague  and 
general,"  Walsh  scored  the  Taft-Hart- 
ley law  for  "making  the  Federal  courts 
the  injunction  Reno  of  America."  The 
order  was  issued  without  warning  to 
IATSE  and  without  a  hearing,  he 
said,  adding  that  it  was  based  on  state- 
ments by  American  Broadcasting  and 
an  "unofficial"  group,  National  Asso- 
ciation of  Broadcast  Engineers  and 
Technicians. 

ABC  obtained  the  order  after  it 
charged  the  "IA"  with  unfair  labor 
practices  on  the  grounds  that  since 
July  IS  the  union  had  sought  to  have 
employes  of  the  Palace  Theatre,  where 
WJZ-TV  picked  up  its  premiere 
show,  and  of  the  New  York  Telephone 
Co.  deny  their  services  for  tonight's 
program. 

He  also  charged  that  NABET  had 
threatened  to  strike  over  the  entire 
ABC  network  if  a  "peaceful  and  satis- 
factory arrangement"  were  made  with 
IATSE.  ABC  offered  to  pay  "IA" 
members  stand-by  time  "in  violation  of 
the  law,"  Walsh  reported,  adding  that 
the  union,  which  has  "always  opposed 
stand-by  compensation,"  rejected  this 
proposal. 


Schlaifer  Sets  Tieup 

An  extensive  radio  tieup  starting 
with  "Cinderella  Weekend,"  a  daily 
audience  participation  show  in  10 
Eastern  cities,  has  been  set  by  Charles 
Schlaifer,  director  of  advertising-pub- 
licity for  20th  Centurv-Fox.  The  pro- 
motion also  will  provide  daily  air  men- 
tion for  other  current  20th  Century- 
Fox  pictures.  Weekly  winners  from 
each  city  will  receive  a  trip  to  New 
York,  where  they  will  visit  the  Roxy. 


FIVE-STAR 

DC- 6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

3k  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


WJZ-TV  Premiere 
Revives  Vaudeville 


WJZ-TV,  New  York,  owned  and 
operated  by  American  Broadcasting 
Co.,  moved  into  full-swing  operations 
at  seven  o'clock  last  night  with  a 
blare  of  horns  and  an  extensive  pro- 
gram which  had  as  its  highpoint  a 
vaudeville  show  emanating  from  the 
Palace  Theatre  here  and  featuring 
entertainment  stars  of  today  and  yes- 
teryear. 

Fears  of  possible  disruption  of  the 
Palace  show  were  allayed  when  Fed- 
eral Judge  Samuel  H.  Kaufman  re- 
strained the  IATSE  from  striking  in 
a  jurisdictional  dispute  over  the  em- 
ployment of  technicians. 

As  scheduled,  the  Palace  had  a  two- 
hour,  star-studded  parade  of  person- 
alities passing  before  the  television 
cameras.  Included  were  Ray  Bolger, 
James  Barton,  Buck  and  Bubbles, 
Carlton  Emmy,  Ella  Logan,  Beatrice 
Lillie,  Mary  Raye,  Naldi,  Pat  Rooney, 
Willie  West  and  McGinty,  and  Paul 
Whiteman. 


House  Quiz 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


dustry,  has  released  a  schedule  of 
hearings  in  September  and  October 
in  12  cities.  Several  are  in  allied 
strongholds,  such  as  Minneapolis,  De- 
troit, and  Kansas  City,  but  should  the 
plan  for  the  New  Orleans  hearings 
solidify,  Allied  members  in  the  other 
cities  might  choose  to  wait  for  the 
New  Orleans  hearings  and  follow 
whatever  line  is  laid  down  there  by 
top  Allied  leaders. 

Asked  to  comment  on  the  report  of 
plans  for  New  Orleans  hearings,  Al- 
lied States  counsel  Abram  F.  Myers 
said '  any  announcement  must  come 
from  the  committee,  but  "New  Or- 
leans certainly  would  be  a  natural," 
he  added. 

Allied's  board  will  meet  in  New 
Orleans  November  27-28,  followed  by 
the  Allied  convention  November  29- 
December  1. 

There  were  no  West  Coast  hearings 
on  the  list  released,  but  a  committee 
member  revealed  that  the  group  plans 
to  travel  to  Los  Angeles,  San  Fran- 
cisco and  Seattle  in  December  or  Jan- 
uary. Motion  pictures  will  get  star 
billing  at  the  "L.  A."  hearings,  he  de- 
clared. 


Rooney ,  Stiefel 
Form  New  Company 

Hollywood,  August  10.  —  Mickey 
Rooney  has  formed  a  new  company 
in  association  with  Sam  H.  Stiefel  to 
produce  in  four  different  fields  ■ — 
motion  pictures,  the  stage,  radio  and 
television.  Stiefel,  a  former  Philadel- 
phia exhibitor,  has  been  Rooney's 
business  manager  for  six  years. 

With  this  project  in  mind,  Rooney 
recently  signed  a  new  agreement  at 
M-G-M  not  to  exceed  five  films,  under 
the  terms  of  which  he  is  permitted  to 
operate  independently  as  well. 


Campaign  Ushers 
'Ruth'  into  Boston 

Boston,  August  10. — Allied  Artists' 
"The  Babe  Ruth  Story"  had  its  New 
England  premiere  here  tonight  at 
RKO's  Keith  Memorial.  Among  high- 
lights of  the  advance  campaign  are 
tie-ups  with  Boston  papers,  and  a  city- 
wide  letter-writing  campaign  for  the 
formation  of  a  rooters  section  of  Ruth 
admirers. 


New  York  Grosses 


Dr.  Bradley  Retires 

Washington,  August  10. — Dr.  John 
Bradley,  former  head  of  the  motion 
picture  unit  of  the  Library  of  Con- 
gress has  retired.  The  film  unit  was 
abolished  by  Congress  last  year,  and 
since  then  Bradley  had  been  retained 
in  an  advisory  capacity.  Bradley  served 
in  various  other  Government  posts  be- 
fore joining  the  Library  staff  in  1945. 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


cellent ;  Paramount,  "Beyond  Glory," 
with  Peggy  Lee,  Jan  Murray,  Ray 
Eberle's  orchestra  and  others  on  stage, 
first  week,  $100,000,  very  strong ; 
Roxy,  "Walls  of  Jericho,"  Dick  Hay- 
mes  and  an  ice  revue  on  stage,  first 
week,  $116,000,  big  business;  Globe, 
"Four  Faces  West,"  first  week, 
$14,500,  moderately  good  ("Escape" 
follows  on  Saturday)  ;  Mayfair  "Re- 
turn of  the  Bad  Men,"  first  week, 
$25,000,  no  complaints ;  Rialto,  "Gung 
Ho"  and  "Eagle  Squadron,"  re-issues, 
first  week,  $15,000,  solid. 

Capitol  Gross  Is  $85,000 

Second  week  of  "Stop  the  Music" 
on  stage  and  "On  An  Island  with 
You"  on  the  screen  will  give  the 
Capitol  about  $85,000,  a  big  figure, 
but  a  little  less  impressive  in  the  light 
of  the  cost  of  the  give-away  show, 
said  to  be  running  around  $30,000  per 
week.  The  Strand  is  next  with  prizes 
for  audiences  with  "Winner  Take 
All,"  also  from  radio,  scheduled  to 
begin  on  August  27,  along  with  "Two 
Guys  from  Texas." 

Box-office  performance  of  "Abbott 
and  Costello  Meet  Frankenstein"  at 
the  Criterion  here  (and  top  situations 
elsewhere)  is  the  talk  of  the  trade ; 
second  week's  gross  at  the  Criterion 
is  estimated  at  $30,000,  under  the  first 
week's  take  by  about  $10,000,  but  still 
plenty  strong.  It  will  go  a  third  week 
and  probably  a  fourth. 

'Easter  Parade'  Slips  Slightly 

"Easter  Parade"  at  the  State  still  is 
healthy  but  slipped  a  little,  the  sixth 
week's  gross  being  figured  at  $38,000. 
"Key  Largo"  with  Count  Basie  and 
Billie  Holliday  at  the  Strand  has  a 
handsome  fourth  week's  income  of 
$58,000  .in  view.  "The  Babe  Ruth 
Story"  is  still  on  the  plus  side  at  the 
Astor  with  $24,000  in  sight  for  a 
second  week.  "So  Evil  My  Love" 
probably  will  give  the  Rivoli  a  fairish 
$23,000  in  its  third  week. 

Second  week  of  "Brute  Force"  and 
"The  Killers"  will  likely  provide  the 
Winter  Garden  with  $8,000,  hardly 
overwhelming.  Suitable  first-run  prod- 
uct not  available,  the  Gotham  is  offer- 
ing combinations  of  re-issues  on  a 
split-week  basis  with  grosses  running 
between  $7,500  and  $9,000,  meeting 
requirements. 


Third  Jackpot  at  Capitol  in  Week 

For  the  third  time  in  a  week,  a  pa- 
tron of  the  Capitol  Theatre's  "Stop 
the  Music"  has  hit  the  jackpot  and 
will  collect  $7,500  in  merchandise 
prizes.  The  third  is  Elmer  Leighton, 
New  York. 


Dayton  Collects  $64,000 

Dayton,  O.,  August  10.- — Collections 
of  the  local  three  per  cent  admission 
tax  for  the  first  six  months  of  1948, 
totaled  $64,015.  The  Gity  Commission 
has  estimated  the  full  year's  collection 
at  $140,000. 


Key  City 
Grosses 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
ture grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


INDIANAPOLIS 


Rain  and  cold  drove  theatregoers 
indoors  again  this  week,  most  first- 
run  film  houses  profiting  with  gen- 
erally sizable  grosses.  "Key  Largo" 
is  nearly  50  per  cent  over  average. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  end- 
ing August  10-13 : 

FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Coll)  and 
ADVENTURES  IN  SILVERADO1  (Col.) — 

LOEWS  (2.4SC)  (44c-65c)— 2nd  week.  Gross: 

$10,000.    (Average:  $11,000) 

KEY    LARGO    (WB) — INDIANA  (3,200) 

(44c-65c).     Gross:  $17,000.     (Average:  $12,- 

000) 

GIVE  MY  REGARDS  TO  BROADWAY 
(ZOth-Fox)  and  COUNTERFEITERS  (20th- 

Fok)  —  KEITH'S  (1,300)  (44c-65c)  On  a 
moveover  from  the  Indiana.  Gross:  $4,500. 
(Average:  $4,500) 
SMART  WOMAN  (AA-Moru)  and  JINX 
MONEY  (Mono.)— LYRIC  (1,600)  (44c-65c). 
Gross:  $4,500.  (Average:  $6,000) 
UP  IN  CENTRAL,  PARK  (U-I)  and 
DEAR  MURDERER  (U-I)  —  CIRCLE 
(2,800)  (44c-65c).  Gross:  $10,000.  (Average: 
$10,000). 


ATLANTA 


Business  is  a  little  above  the  aver- 
age this  week.  Weather  is  a  little  cool. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  end- 
ing August  1 1 : 

BUCK    PRIVATES    and    THE  STORM 

(Realart) — TOWER  (1,865)  (17c-50c).  Gross: 
$5,900.  (Average:  $5,800) 

HATTER'S    CASTLE    (Para.)    —  ROXY 

(2,446)  (12c-50c).  Gross:  $5,900.  (Average: 
$5,800). 

LETTER  FROM  AN  UNKNOWN  WO- 
MAN (U-I)  —  LOEWS  GRAND  (2,446) 
(12c-54c).  Gross:  $13,500.  (Average:  $15,000) 
UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I) — PARA- 
MOUNT (2,446)  (12c-50c).  Gross:  $6,100. 
(Average:  $5,800) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (ZOth-Fox)— 

FOX  (4,446)  (12c-S0c).  Gross:  $15,500.  (Aver- 
age: $15,000) 


Krushen  to  Dallas 

Mori  Krushen,  exploitation  man- 
ager for  United  Artists,  left  for  Dal- 
las yesterday  to  complete  details  for 
the  four-state  exploitation  and  pub- 
licity campaigns  for  day-and-date 
openings  of  Howard  Hawks'  "Red 
River"  in  more  than  300  situations  on 
August  26.  ■ 


Public  Relations  Series 

Completion  of  a  series  of  13  one- 
minute  shorts  which  stress  the  com- 
munity role  of  the  theatre  has  been 
announced  by  W.  H.  Hendren,  Jr. 
United  Film  Service  president,  and 
Carl  Mabry,  Motion  Picture  Adver- 
tising Service  president. 


OFFICE  SPACE 

in  FILM  BUILDING 

1225  Vine  St.,  Philadelphia 

Two  units  available — 2500  sq.  ft.  and 
1035  sq.  ft.  In  same  building  as  Clark 
Film  Distr.  Co.,  Republic  Film,  Eagle- 
Lion  Films,  and  Film  Censor  Board  of 
Penna. 

Albert  M.  Greenfield  &  Co. 

Walnut  &  Juniper  Sts.     Phila.  7,  Pa. 


Wednesday,  August  11,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


HGM  Production 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


spent  on  individual  productions. 
Each  picture  will  be  budgeted 
at  whatever  it  may  be  worth, 
■  he  said. 

Schary  asserted  that  under  his  pro- 
luction  administration  M-G-M  pro- 
osed  to  make  a  number  of  "experi- 
nental"  pictures  and  more  of  what  he 
jbed  as  "progressive"  films.  "We 
oing  to  make  some  challenging 
iicxrfres,"  he  announced.  He  said  the 
!^-G-M  production  program  "could 
tibsorb  five  to  10  experimental  pic- 
tures." 

Stresses  'Responsibility'  of  Films 

In  explaining  the  production  ideas 
le  hoped  to  put  into  effect  at  M-G-M, 
Schary  voiced  the  opinion  that  pic- 
tures must  carry  a  responsibility  be- 
sides seeking  to  entertain.  He  said 
;hat  by  calling  for  mature  pictures  he 
did  not  mean  films  resorting  to  license. 
'Art,"  he  observed,  "doesn't  mean 
four-letter  words  scribbled  on  fences." 
Schary  took  a  poke  at  "long-haired" 
critics'  views  on  Hollywood,  indicat- 
ing they  are  prejudiced. 

Schary  said  that  more  care  in  the 
ipreparation  of  scripts  would  be  used 
by  the  studio  to  help  cut  production 
,  costs,  which,  he  reported,  are  con- 
tinuing their  downward  trend. 

According  to  Schary,  the  proper 
thing  to  do  in  making  pictures  is  "to 
aim  at  the  domestic  market,"  although 
there  are  still  some  remnants  of  the 
foreign  market  left  to  American  dis- 
tributors. 

Schary  disclosed  that  his  M-G-M 
contract,  about  the  term  of  which 
there  has  been  some  confusion,  is  for 
14  years. 

No  MGM  Plans  for  Video 

The  new  M-G-M  production  chief 
said  that  the  company  has  no  specific 
plans  to  make  films  for  video. 

It  was  conceded  that  many  pictures 
are  too  long.  Although  he  held  that 
a  film  should  be  no  longer  than  the 
story  dictated,  Schary  could  not  say 
whether  M-G-M  planned  to  adopt 
a  hard-and-fast  policy  on  running 
time.  He  said  he  intends  to  "add  some 
manpower"  at  the  M-G-M  studio,  "as 
I  go  along." 

Schary  said  he  will  have  an  interest 
in  every  picture  made  at  M-G-M, 
although  the  studio's  productions  will 
not  carry  his  name  "for  quite  a  while" 
— maybe  never. 

He  will  leave  New  York  for  the 
Coast  tonight. 


Katz  Quits  MGM 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


that  he  opened  his  first  theatre  after 
having  been  employed  by  the  late  Carl 
Laemmle. 

The  growth  of  Balaban  and  Katz 
led  to  an  association  with  Paramount, 
the  management  of  the  latter's  theatres 
being  taken  over  by  B.  and  K.  Katz 
became  vice-president  of  Paramount 
Publix  in  1925  and  resigned  seven 
years  later.  He  joined  M-G-M  in 
1936. 

Katz  also  had  an  interest  in  Mon 
arch  Theatres  which  until  last  year 
was  headed  by  his  brother,  the  late 
Harry  Katz.     Monarch  was  sold  to 
Ted  Gamble  about  one  year  ago. 


Curtis  Seeks  DC  Theatre 

Joseph  H.  Curtis,  son  of.  Columbia 
vice-president  Jack  Cohn,  will  be  in 
Washington  today  for  conferences 
with  Marcus  Notes,  owner  and  oper- 
ator of  the  Strand  Theatre  there,  con- 
cerning the  former's  bid  to  take  over 
the  house  as  a  legitimate  theatre.  The 
National  Theatre,  the  Capital's  only 
legitimate  house,  closed  on  July  31  as 
the  result  of  a  deadlock  in  a  contro- 
versy with  Actors  Equity  over  the  ex- 
clusion of  Negroes.  Curtis,  who  is 
seeking  to  buy  or  lease  the  Strand, 
would  operate  under  a  non-discrimi- 
nation policy. 


Music  Rights 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


High  Tax  in  Salt  Lake 

Salt  Lake  City,  August  10.— Thea- 
tres here  will  have  to  pay  the  maxi- 
mum tax  of  19.5  mills  for  property 
when  the  new  city  budget  is  prepared. 


recording  rights  should  Judge  Leibell's 
opinion  be  sustained  on  appeal. 

A  Columbia  spokesman  said  the 
company  was  "wrestling  with  the 
problem"  and  was  busy  exploring  vari- 
ous courses  of  action.  The  firm  was 
said  to  be  considering  ideas  on  the 
matter  that  would  "make  the  music 
people  happy." 

Same  License  Form  for  Para. 

Paramount  was  represented  as  giv- 
ing no  thought  to  the  subject  at  this 
time.  It  was  pointed  out  that,  pending- 
final  clarification  of  the  issue,  the 
company  would  not  know  where  or 
how  to  get  performing  rights  from 
copyright  owners.  A  spokesman  said 
that  "for  the  time  being  we  will  con- 
tinue to  take  the  same  form  of  license 
as  in  the  past." 

M-G-M  was  reported  keenly  inter- 
ested in  the  subject  of  performing 
rights  while  watching  closely  develop- 
ments growing  out  of  the  court's  de- 
cision in  the  Ascap  case. 

A  Universal  spokesman  asserted 
that  until  "further  clarification  of  the 
entire  situation,"  the  company  pro- 
posed to  hold  up  any  decision  on  per- 
forming rights.  The  company's  views 
on  the  subject  were  termed  "indef- 
inite." 

No  Decision  by  Republic 

At  Republic  it  was  reported  that  no 
decision  had  been  reached  pending- 
final  adjudication  of  the  case. 

While  in  his  decision  Judge  Leibell 
suggested  that  copyright  owners  might 
deal  directly  with  the  producer,  War- 
ner Brothers  is  inclined  to  take  the 
position  that  there  are  other  possibili- 
ties in  solving  the  performing  rights 
problem. 

Early  last  week  RKO  Radio  was 
reported  in  Motion  Picture  Daily  as 
weighing  the  idea  of  purchasing  per- 
forming as  well  as  synchronization 
rights  as  one  means  of  meeting  the 
difficulty  posed  by  Judge  Leibell's  de- 
cision. 


Jackson  Park 


Silver's  UA  Post 

(Continued  from-  page  1) 


cessively  held  the  posts  of  salesman, 
office  manager,  branch  manager  in 
New  York  and  Washington  and  dis- 
trict manager  of  the  Pennsylvania- 
Washington  area. 

Abe  Dickstein  will  continue  in  his 
present  post  as  executive  assistant  to 
Schnitzer. 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


the  Ridge  on  a  two-week  run  as 
against  the  normal  one-week  run  at 
the  Uptown,  in  order  to  meet  Metro's 
film  rental.  Successful  results  at  the 
box-office  for  the  engagement,  con- 
sequently resulted  in  the  Ridge's  out- 
bidding the  four  B.  and  K.  houses  for 
Metro's  "The  Search,"  for  two  weeks. 

Ridge  Theatre  Is  Unhappy 

On  the  other  hand  the  Ridge  is  not 
altogether  happy  with  a  number  of 
Other  major  distributors  who,  it 
claims,  continue  to  sell  under  the  old 
Chicago  system  of  release.  The  chief 
complaint  is  that  Warner,  Para- 
mount, Universal  and  Columbia  would 
prefer  to  sell  films  on  a  double-feature 
basis  first  to  the  Uptown  and  other 
large  seaters,  rather  than  split  the 
bookings,  thus  enabling  the  Ridge  and 
other  small  seaters  to  book  the  second 
half  of  a  bill,  usually  a  top  bracket 
picture.  The  management  says  that 
the  double  featuring  of  films  coming 
out  of  the  Loop  playing  "A"  houses 
first  dissipates  top  product  before  it 
can  get  a  crack  at  it.  The  Ridge 
claims  it  tried  to  book  "Winter 
Meeting,"  a  Warner  film,  when  it 
came  out  of  the  Loop,  and  was  will- 
ing to  pay  Warners'  asking  price,  but 
it  was  booked  first  into  the  Uptown  as 
the  lower  half  of  a  bill. 

As  a  result,  the  Ridge  claims  it  is 


in  the  peculiar  playing  position  of 
running  an  alternate  policy — some 
weeks  of  playing  RKO  Radio,  Metro 
and  20th-Fox  product  at  first-run 
neighborhood  showing,  and  in  other 
weeks,  playing  repeat  on  B.  and  K. 
houses. 

The  booking  situation  is  not  alto- 
gether the  same  on  the  Northside  of 
Chicago  as  it  is  on  the  Southside.  In 
this  case,  Warner,  which  owns  South- 
side  theatres,  and  Paramount,  which 
controls  B.  and  K.  houses,  located  all 
over  Chicago,  are  privileged  to  book 
into  their  own  houses  first,  while  Uni- 
versal and  Columbia  can  sell  as  they 
see  fit,  being  non-defendants  in  the 
Jackson  Park  decree. 

The  Jackson  Park  Theatre  won  for 
itself  and  other  Southside  houses,  the 
opportunity  to  compete  with  Warner 
and  B.  and  K.  houses  for  top  product. 

Majority  of  Houses  Benefit 

While  the  majority  of  theatres 
throughout  Chicago  have  generally 
benefited  from  the  decree,  being  able 
to  play  films  with  greater  rapidity 
than  ever  before  and  doing  better 
business  than  ever  before,  the  booking 
situation  has  not  altogether  worked 
itself  out  to  the  complete  satisfaction 
of  some  of  the  smaller  houses,  such  as 
the  Ridge,  which  is  willing  to  pay  for 
the  product  if  it  can  get  it.  The  dis- 
tributors are  gradually  working  the 
decree  out  with  careful  and  slow 
deliberation  in  the  hope  that  a  happy 
conclusion  for  all  houses  will  one  day 
be  reached. 


Generalis  in  New  Post 

George  A.  Generalis  has  been  ap- 
pointed general  advertising  and  pub- 
licity manager  of  National  Herald, 
Greek-American  daily  newspaper,  by 
B.  Marketos,  publisher.  Generalis 
was  formerly  in  charge  of  foreign 
language  publicity  for  20th  Century- 
Fox. 


It  will  be  people 
everywhere  telling 
their  friends  about  the 
Paramount  thrill-picture 
produced  by  Hal  Wallis, 
for  which  Film  Daily 
predicts  "Top  grosses." 


ar 


*From  the 

Company 

that 

leads  the 
Industry 
in  '48 
Boxoffice 
Champions 


m5  * 

^esl  Coast  » 
^eatte  tot 


CW\on  marts. 
fo  Broadway; 


iirHalW 

i 


r 


Accurate 


MOTION  PICTtJRl 


and 
ImpartiJ 


Wn.  JOTCB  O'HARA, 

MOTION  PICTURE  ASSOC. 
A!f  ERICA, 

38  *EST  44TH  ST.,  21ST 
»E«  IOtK«  H.  *. 


jj  JL  JL 


64.   NO.  30 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  AUGUST  12,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Col.  Acquires 
Dual  Rights 
To  Film  Music 


Seen  Setting  Pattern  for 
Interim  in  Ascap  Ruling 

Hollywood,  August  11. — Setting 
a  pattern  which  is  expected  to  be 
adopted  by  other  companies,  Colum- 
bia will  acquire  performing  as  well 
as  synchronization  rights  to  music 
used  in  its  productions,  Jonie  Taps, 
Columbia  studio  music  executive,  dis- 
!  closed  here  today. 

The  company  has  already  acquired 
j  both  the  exhibition  and  recording 
i  rights  to  the  score  for  its  sequel  to 
;  "The  Jolson  Story,"  and  will  follow 
I  the  same  policy  for  all  other  pictures 
,  pending  final  decision  in  the  New 
|  York  Federal  Court  ruling  which  held 
[  the  music  society  to  be  in  violation  of 
[  the  anti-trust  laws,  Taps  said. 

Deals  for  the  projected  Jolson  fol- 
I  low-up,  which  will  include  music  from 
!  almost  all  principal  publishing  firms, 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


Knutson  Cautious  in 
Excise  Cut  Pledge 


Washington,  August  11. — Addi- 
tional evidence  that  top  Republican 
leaders  are  hedging  on  pledges  to  cut 
excise  taxes  next  year  was  contained 
in  a  statement  issued  today  by  House 
Ways  and  Means  Committee  Chair- 
man Knutson. 

The  Minnesota  Republican  said  his 
committee  is  studying  the  entire  excise 
picture  and  that  undoubtedly  some  of 
the  war  taxes  will  have  to  be  repealed 
or  reduced  at  the  next  session  of  Con- 
gress— "if  the  revenues  of  the  Govern- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


U.  S.  Asks  Delay  in 
Griffith  Re-hearing 

Oklahoma  City,  August  11. — -Judge 
Edgar  S.  Vaught  of  U.  S.  District 
Court  here  has  set  September  7  as  the 
date  for  hearing  a  Justice  Department 
motion  to  postpone  until  November  1 
the  hearing  in  the  Griffith  anti-trust 
case,  originally  scheduled  for  Septem- 
ber 20.  The  Justice  Department  has 
asked  for  the  delay  because  a  new  spe- 
cial assistant  Attorney  General  has 
been  assigned  to  the  case. 

The  hearing  was  ordered  by  the 
Supreme  Court  in  the  Government's 
anti-trust  suit  against  the  circuit,  and 
is  to  reconsider  the  question  of  divesti- 
ture as  well  as  other  phases  of  the 
high  court's  ruling. 


B.  &  K.  Advised  to 
Halt  Ascap  Payment 

Chicago,  August  11. — Para- 
mount has  advised  Baiaban 
and  Katz,  circuit  affiliate,  to 
cease  making  payments  to 
Ascap  for  music  reproduction 
rights,  pending  further  de- 
cision by  company  attorneys 
in  the  situation  growing  out 
of  Judge  LeibelPs  decision  in 
New  York  declaring  Ascap's 
collections  to  be  illegal. 

Famous  Music  Publishers, 
a  key  Ascap  member,  is  own- 
ed by  Paramount. 


Action  Delayed  on 
AscapNon-payments 


The  question  of  what  action  Ascap 
will  take  on  the  decision  of  affiliated 
and  other  theatres  to  halt  payments 
for  public  performance  rights  is  ex- 
pected to  remain  unanswered  until  the 
return  of  Robert  P.  Patterson,  special 
counsel  for  the  society,  who  has  left 
the  city  for  a  month's  vacation. 

The  former  Secretary  of  War  was 
retained  by  Ascap  last  week  to  handle 
problems  arising  from  the  Federal 
Court  decision  holding  the  society  in 
violation  of  the  anti-trust  laws. 

The  affiliated  circuits,  including 
Paramount,  Warner,  RKO  and  prob- 
ably Loew's  and  National  Theatres, 
were  understood  to  have  acted  against 
further  payment  of  fees  to  Ascap 
pending  clarification  of  the  question  of 
what  agency  the  performing  rights 
must  be  cleared  through  and  by  what 
method. 


Urge  'Protection'  by 
Ascap  Pact  Clause 


Louisville,  August  11. — The  Ken- 
tucky Association  of  Theatre  Owners 
advises  members  to  insert  a  60-day 
cancellation  clause  in  any  10-year  con- 
tracts submitted  by  Ascap.  This  ad- 
vice from  Henry  J.  Stites,  general 
counsel  for  the  KATO,  comes  after 
a  trip  to  New  York  and  a  study 
of  the  problem  in  the  light  of  the 
July  20  decision  of  U.  S.  District 
Judge  Vincent  Leibell  halting  the 
collections  of  license  fees  from  the- 
atres. 

Stites  concludes  that  in  those  in- 
stances where  theatre  owners  have 
received  contracts  from  Ascap  and 
have  accepted  them  with  an  inserted 
cancellation  clause,  the  fact  that 
Ascap  has  mailed  back  such  contracts 
unaccepted  will  protect  the  individual 
theatre  owner  from  any  serious  in- 
volvement.     There   are   several  in- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Odium 's  Film 
[Holdings  Off 


Film  company  security  holdings  of 
Floyd  Odium's  Atlas  and  Ogden  cor- 
porations are  the  lowest  in  years, 
listed  at  $2,642,052,  compared  to  the 
multi-millions  previously  held,  the  an- 
nual Atlas  stockholders'  statement  dis- 
closed yesterday.  Values  of  the  secur- 
ities reflect  market  prices  of  June  30, 
1948,  date  of  the  financial  statement. 

After  having  sold  the  entire  Atlas 
holdings  of  929,020  RKO  common 
shares  to  Howard  Hughes,  Odium  re- 
tained an  interest  in  that  company 
through  327,812  option  warrants, 
valued  at  $737,577;  these,  however, 
have  no  voting  rights. 

Largest  film  company  holdings  of 
Atlas  were  50,000  shares  of  Para- 
mount common,  listed  at  $1,150,000. 
Also  held  were  6,000  shares  of  Para- 
mount, by  Ogden,  valued  at  $138,000. 

Atlas  held  $234,460  of  Walt  Disney 
bonds  and  91,700  shares  of  Disney 
common,  valued  at  $298,025.  In  20th 
Century-Fox,  Ogden  held  4,000  shares 
of  common,  valued  at  $84,000. 


Truman  Launches 
TOA's  Youth  Month 


Washington,  August  11. — Presi- 
dent Truman  today  launched  the  The- 
atre Owners  of  America's  Youth 
Month  drive  in  a  White  House  cere- 
mony marking  the  issuance  of  the  first 
sheets  of  the  new  three-cent  "Salute 
to  Youth"  commemorative  stamp.  The 
ceremony  was  attended  by  more  than 
500,  including  many  prominent  in  the 
film  industry. 

In  accepting  the  first  portfolio  of 
stamps  from  Postmaster  General  Jesse 
M.  Donaldson,  President  Truman  de- 
clared that  "the  welfare  of  the  world 
is  wrapped  up  in  the  youth  of  this 
nation." 

On  the  platform  with  the  President 

(.Continued  on  page  3) 


House  Hollywood 
Labor  Group  'Alive' 

Washington,  August  11.  —  The 
House  Labor  sub-committee  investi- 
gating Hollywood  labor  disputes  got 
a  last  minute  reprieve  when  Congress 
quit  ahead  of  schedule. 

House  Labor  Committee  chairman 
Hartley  had  called  a  meeting  for  Mon- 
day at  which  sub-committee  chairman 
Carroll  D.  Kearns  was  to  submit  a  re- 
port on  the  group's  work.  The  full 
committee  was  to  ratify  it,  and  that 
was  to  be  the  end  of  the  investigation, 
with  no  further  hearings  or  further 
(.Continued  on  page  3) 


MPAA  to  Map 
New  Foreign 
Market  Action 


Johnston  Visit  to  Paris, 
London  Soon  Is  Likely 

Future  policy  with  respect  to  the 
industry's  top-ranking  foreign  mar- 
ket problems,  including  the  new 
British  45  per  cent  film  quota  law 
and  a  new  financial  agreement  with 
France,  is  scheduled  to  be  decided  at 
a  meeting  of  the  Motion  Picture  Asso- 
ciation board  of  directors  here  early 
next  week,  probably  on  Monday. 

Indications  are  that  Eric  Johnston. 
MPAA  president,  and  Joyce  O'Hara, 
his  assistant,  will  leave  for  Europe 
within  a  few  days  after  the  meeting 
to  carry  out  the  board's  directions. 

The  industry  protested  the  new 
British  quota  law  to  the  U.  S.  State 
Department  in  June.  Expressing  its 
"concern"  over  the  matter  at  the  time, 
the  State  Department  asked  the  Lon- 
don Embassy  for  a  full  report  on  the 
quota.  So  far  as  can  be  learned,  noth- 
ing has  happened  since.  It  is  consid- 
ered likely  in  the  trade  that  the 
MPAA  board  may  request  Johnston 
to  go  to  London  to  confer  on  the  mat- 

(Coutinucd  on  page  3) 


WB  Faces  Threat  to 
L.  A.  Video  Plans 


Washington,  August  11. — The 
Southern  California  Television  Co.  to- 
day moved  to  block  Warner  Brothers 
from  acquiring  a  Los  Angeles  tele- 
vision station. 

Warner  has  asked  the  Federal  Com- 
munications Commission  to  approve 
its  plans  to  buy  from  Dorothy  Thack- 
rey  her  San  Francisco  standard  broad- 
cast station,  her  Los  Angeles  standard 
station  and  her  Los  Angeles  television 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Heart  Award  to 
NT  Head  Monday 

Los  Angeles,  August  11. — 
Louis  B.  Mayer,  Joseph  M. 
Schenck,  Ted  Gamble  and 
Mayor  Fletcher  Bowron  will 
be  principal  speakers  at  the 
Variety  Club  banquet  to  be 
held  at  the  Cocoanut  Grove 
Monday  night  in  honor  of 
Charles  Skouras,  National 
Theatres  president,  who  will 
be  presented  with  the  "Great 
Heart  Award." 


motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  August  12,  19 


Personal 
Mention 


DORE  SCHARY,  M-G-M  produc- 
tion vice-president,  left  here  yes- 
terday for  the  Coast. 

• 

Howard  Strickling,  M-G-M  stu- 
dio publicity  head,  and  his  wife ;  Paul 
Terry,  Terrytoons  producer,  and  his 
wife ;  Clark  Gable,  Spencer  Tracy, 
Charles  Boyer  and  Tom  O'Brien, 
general  secretary  of  the  British  Na- 
tional Association  of  Theatrical  and 
Kine  Employes,  are  among  passengers 
arriving  in  New  York  today  on  the 
SS"  Queen  Marx. 

• 

Paul  Kamy  of  M-G-M's  exploita- 
tion department  will  spend  his  vaca- 
tion, starting  next  Wednesday,  at  the 
Bread  Loaf  Writers'  Conference  at 
Middlebury,  Vt. 

• 

Leonard  Hirsch,  home  office  as- 
sistant to  M-G-M  Southern  sales  man- 
ager Rudy  Berger,  will  leave  here 
tomorrow  for  a  vacation  at  Beechaven, 
N.  J. 

• 

James  Mulvey,  president  of  Sam- 
uel Goldwyn  Productions,  will  return 
to  New  York  Monday  from  a  Maine 
vacation. 

• 

Morey  Goldstein,  Allied  Artists- 
Monogram  general  sales  manager, 
will  return  to  New  York  tomorrow 
from  Boston. 

• 

David  Horne,  Film  Classics  for- 
eign sales  manager,  has  left  New 
York  for  a  two-week  tour  of  the 
Caribbean  territory. 

• 

Jim   Harris,  assistant  to  Realart 
vice-president  Budd  Rogers,  is  visit- 
ing the  company's  Denver  and  Los 
Angeles  exchange  this  week. 
• 

Russell  Moss,  IATSE  Local  No. 
H-63  business  agent,  will  leave  here 
today  for  the  union's  convention  in 
Cleveland. 

• 

Max  E.  Youngstein,  Eagle-Lion 
advertising-publicity  vice-president,  is 
expected  back  in  Ne/w  York  this 
weekend  from  Charlotte. 

• 

Howard  Dietz,  M-G-M  advertis- 
ing-publicity vice-president,  will  fly 
to  Paris  on  Saturday  from  New 
York. 

• 

Sherm  Harris,  Allied  Artists  pro- 
duction aide,  has  entered  Cedars  of 
Lebanon  Hospital  in  Los  Angeles. 

Harold  Mirisch,  Allied  Artists 
vice-president,  has  returned  to  the 
Coast  from  New  York. 


Delay  Seen  in  RKO 
Stockholders*  Meet 

Delay  in  preparing  the  RKO  proxy 
statement  is  expected  to  set  back  the 
company's  annual  stockholders'  meet- 
ing from  August  31  to  sometime  in 
September.  Originally  the  statement 
was  due  for  mailing  to  stockholders  by 
mid-August. 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


"^TOTICE  how  Metro's  lineup 
-L^  has  been  running  since  the 
first  of  the  year  ?  Twenty  at- 
tractions, omitting  reissues, 
have  been  spotted  for  release  on 
an  even  split  between  straight- 
away comedies  and/or  musicals 
and  dramas.  Several  in  the  lat- 
ter category  have  been  gener- 
ously interlarded  with  both  com- 
edy and  music,  to  boot. 

It  comes  about  through  no  ac- 
cident, moreover.  While  appre- 
ciating that  any  program  must 
seek  to  establish  a  balance,  the 
trend  has  been  toward  the  light- 
er side  in  the  belief  that  is  what 
the  public  wants  more  of  in 
these  days  of  national  and  inter- 
national uncertainties. 

This  is  how  it  has  been  going : 
Hand-running  with  nary  an  in- 
terruption in  June-July  were 
"The  Pirate,"  "On  an  Island 
with  You,"  "Easter  Parade"  and 
"A  Date  with  Judy."  The  com- 
edy-and-musical  cycle  interrupts 
itself  with  "The  Search."  Then, 
eschewing  any  breaks  again,  will 
be  "Luxury  Liner,"  "A  South- 
ern Yankee,"  "Julia  Misbe- 
haves" and  "No  More  Vices," 
in  September-October. 

After  "The  Three  Musket- 
eers" gets  moving  at  Loew's 
State  here,  where  it  will  suc- 
ceed "Easter  Parade,"  its  gen- 
eral release  will  be  set  thereby 
adding  still  another  to  the  light- 
and-happy  score  card. 

In  production  are  "Take  Me 
Out  to  the  Ball  Game"  and  "The 
Barkleys  of  Broadway,"  another 
brace. 

■  ■ 

Jimmy  Nasser,  a  producer 
who  persists  in  remembering  he 
also  is  an  exhibitor,  is  one  in- 
dependent, at  least,  who  has 
learned  what  Metro  already  has. 
Checking  key  city  theatremen 
and  a  number  of  critics  for  their 
approach  on  current  public 
tastes,  Nasser  has  made  his  de- 
cision : 

Heavy  stress  on  comedy  in 
his  lineup  following  "An  Inno- 
cent Affair,"  itself  a  comedy.  He 
won't  forego  dramatic  over- 
tones or  touches,  but  comedy  "as 
an  escape  from  the  war-threat- 
ened, inflation-shadowed  world" 
will  be  his  ticket. 

■  ■ 

What  with  headache  of  studio 
overhead,  which  runs  on  if  in 
somewhat  reduced  degree  even 
when  cameras  stop  grinding, 
and  the  desirability  of  maintain- 
ing a  safe  and  reasonable  inven- 
tory, the  tendency  toward  back- 
logs remains  essentially  unal- 
tered. 


At  Paramount,  where  Henry 
Ginsberg  is  maestro,  for  in- 
stance, the  shelf  has  been  con- 
sistently stocked  for  some  years 
now.  Now  comes  a  studio  recap 
to  prove  things  will  stay  that 
way. 

Eleven  films  will  be  released 
during  the  balance  of  '48. 

Eight  of  them  ready. 

Eight  others  have  been  pol- 
ished off  awaiting  distribution's 
signal. 

Three  are  in  production  now 
and  five  more  go  before  the  end 
of  the  year. 

Six  or  seven  are  to  be 
launched  early  in  '49. 

By  spring,  at  the  latest, 
Paramount  will  be  virtually  set 
for  all  of  next  year. 

■  ■ 

One  of  Dore  Schary's  first  at- 
tentions as  V.  P.  in  charge  of 
Metro  production  will  be  di- 
rected toward  product  reserves. 
The  company's  position  in  that 
regard  needs  strengthening,  he 
told  reporters  on  Tuesday. 

On  a  general  question  about 
the  executive  lineup  at  Culver 
City,  he  indicated  clearly  there'd 
be  some  changes  made.  A  couple 
of  hours  later  one  developed. 
Sam  Katz's  contract,  dated 
March  1,  1954,  washes  up  five 
years  ahead  of  expiration. 

■  ■ 

Note  for  Howard  Hughes  of 
RKO  and  the  Hughes  Tool  Co. : 
"The  mounting  demand  for  oil 
will  be  met  by  the  drilling  of 
40,000  new  wells  in  the  United 
States  during  the  current  year, 
a  goal  which  six  months  ago 
would  have  been  considered  im- 
possible, if  not  ridiculous." — The 
New  York  Times. 

■  ■ 

Exhibitors  concerned  over 
night  baseball  and  nervous  "A's" 
ought  to  become  less  concerned. 
The  U.  S.  Department  of  Agri- 
culture foresees  a  1948  popcorn 
crop  approximately  51  per  cent 
greater  than  last  year's  when 
plantings  totaled  83,700  acres. 

This  year's:  126,700. 

■  ■ 

Sad  commentary  on  the  dear 
public,  or  enough  of  it,  is  to  be 
found  in  Paramount's  need  to 
advertise  "A  Foreign  Affair"  as 
"A  Foreign  Affair  Is  a  Funny 
Affair." 

■  ■ 

Buried  in  the  news:  That 
Universal  was  bidding  for  the 
stock  of  National  Theatres  be- 
fore 20th-Fox  repurchased  it 
from  Charlie  Skouras,  Rick 
Ricketson,  Harold  Fitzgerald 
and  Elmer  Rhoden. 


Coming 
Events 


Aug.  16-21 — International  Allianc 
of  Theatrical  Stage  Employes  b 
annual  convention,  Public  Aud 
torium,  Cleveland. 

Aug.  24 — Motion  Picture  Theatr 
Owners  of  Connecticut  p-olf  tnm 
nament,  Racetrack  Countr 
Orange,  Conn. 

Sept.  14-15 — Independent  Theat 
Owners  of  Ohio  conventioi 
Deshler-Wallick  Hotel,  Columbu 

Sept.  14-16 — Pacific  Coast  Confe: 
ence  of  Independent  Theatr 
Owners'  trustees  annual  meetinj 
Ambassador  Hotel,  Los  Angele 

Sept.  16-18 — International  Variet 
Clubs'  mid-year  convention,  Stat 
ler  Hotel,  Washington. 

Sept.    24-25— Theatre  Owners 
America  convention,  Drake  Hotel 
Chicago. 

Sept.  27-301 — Theatre  Equipment  and 
and  Supply  Manufacturers  Asso 
ciation  national  trade  show  and 
convention,  Jefferson  Hotel,  St 
Louis. 

Sept.  28-29— Kansas-Missouri  Thea- 
tre Association  annual  convention 
Kansas  City. 

Oct.  14-15 — Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Wisconsin  and  Upper 
Michigan  annual  convention, 
Schroeder  Hotel,  Milwaukee 


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Air  Force  to  Cite 
Wartime  Performers 

Washington,  August  11. — The 
U.  S.  Air  Force  will  award  scrolls  to 
screen,  stage  and  radio  stars  who  en- 
tertained Air  Force  personnel  overseas 
during  the  war  at  an  Air  Force  re- 
union to  be  held  on  September  25  in 
Madison  Square  Garden,  New  York. 

Producer  Hal  Roach  has  been  asked 
to  serve  as  chairman  of  the  committee 
to  nominate  the  entertainers  to  receive 
the  scrolls.  Other  members  of  the 
committee,  all  members  of  the  Air 
Force  Association  which  is  sponsoring 
the  reunion,  include  Jack  L.  Warner, 
James  Stewart,  Clark  Gable,  Merian 
Cooper,  Tex  McCreary,  and  New 
York  financier  J.  H.  (Jock)  Whitney. 


P 


Mid  -  Central  Allied 
Regional  August  18 

St.  Louis,  August  11. — The  new 
Mid-Central  Allied  Independent  The- 
atre Owners  Association  will  start 
activating  its  field  activities  on  Au- 
gust 18  when  it  will  hold  its  first  re- 
gional meeting,  in  Cape  Girardeau, 
Mo.  Henry  Halloway  is  president  of 
the  organization. 


Eastern  Directors 
Of  Allied  Meet  Here 

Eastern  regional  directors  of  nation- 
al Allied  met  here  yesterday.  Meyer 
Leventhal  of  Baltimore,  Eastern  re- 
gional vice-president,  presided.  Others 
in  attendance  included  Sidney  Samuel- 
son,  Jules  Rivkin,  Irving  Dolhnger, 
Wilbur  Snaper,  George  Gold  and  Ed 
Lachman. 


¥,2J}2  ,J  h  i ?  n  ■  i  prt^  SmS^V'  Edlt°>"-in-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherw.n  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays  by  Quigley  Pub.shing  Company,  Inc.,  2/0  Sixth  Avenue  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
£ew  M.art!n  Qui5ley.  Pres.dent^  Red  Kann^ Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  ^Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 

"Bureau,  Yucca- 
Jimmy  Ascher, 
Peter  Burnup, 
Motion  Picture 
.  „he  act  of  March 

$12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Thursday,  August  12,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


WJZ-TV  Debut  Not 
Entirely  Faultless 


Tuesday  night's  inaugural  program 
of  WJZ-TV,  American  Broadcasting's 
New  York  television  station,  had  some 
shortcomings,  Frank  Marx,  the  net- 
work's viceJpresident  in  charge  of  en- 
gineering, admitted  here  yesterday.  He 
added,  however,  that  those  imperfec- 
jtLp^i  which  did  materialize  had  been 
cVCAted  and  were  not  serious. 
"^me  station  made  its  debut  with  an 
elaborate  program  originating  at  the 
Palace  Theatre  on  Broadway.  Home 
receiver  sets  had  to  be  adjusted  in  or- 
der to  allow  for  maximum  quality  re- 
,  ception  on  the  new  Channel  No.  7. 
I  The  fact  that  some  receivers  were  not 
,  properly  serviced  accounted  for  some- 
what distorted  and  indistinct  figures  on 
the  screens,  Marx  said. 

Also   adding  to  the   difficulty,  he 
added,  was  the  fact  that  the  station 
!  had  insufficient  time  for  satisfactory 
preparation  of  the  show  at  the  Palace 
because  the   theatre   was   not  made 
:  available  until  the  same  day  of  the 
i  telecast.   Another  factor,  Marx  said, 
i  was  the  use  of  remote  equipment,  ob- 
i  viously  inferior  to  regular  equipment. 

Marx  concluded  that  reaction  to  the 
I  show  was  generally  favorable. 

WB  Faces  Threat 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Film-Video  Group  to 
Name  New  Officers 

Officers  of  the  recently-formed  Na- 
tional Television  Film  Council  are  to 
be  nominated  at  a  meeting  on  August 
19  at  Sardi's  here,  with  elections 
scheduled  for  next  September. 

The  right  to  perform  music  on  tele- 
vision will  be  discussed  at  the  August 
19  meeting  by  Sidney  Kaye,  vice-pres- 
ident of  Broadcast  Music,  Inc.  Also 
on  the  agenda  is  a  proposed  standard 
exhibition  contract  for  films  on  tele- 
vision. Melvin  L.  Gold  is  chairman 
of  the  organization  and  Robert  W. 
Wormhoudt  is  secretary-treasurer. 


CBS  Television  in 
80  Cities  Planned 


Paramount  Bid  for 
Station  Withdrawn 

Washington,  August  11. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  has 
let  Tri-State  Meredith  Co.,  SO  per 
cent  owned  by  Paramount  subsidiary 
Tri-State  Theatres,  withdraw  its  ap- 
plication to  buy  station  KSO  in  Des 
Moines. 

Tri-State  asked  to  be  let  out  of  the 
deal  when  the  FCC  asked  for  long 
opinions  on  what  effect  Paramount's 
interest  in  the  station  should  have  in 
light  of  the  Supreme  Court's  Para- 
mount trust  suit  decision. 


A  four-year  expansion  program  in- 
tended to  give  the'  network  affiliated 
or  wholly-owned  television  stations  in 
80  cities  was  announced  by  Herbert  V. 
Akerberg,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
station  relations  for  Columbia  Broad- 
casting. Five  new  CBS  television  out- 
lets are  scheduled  to  begin  operation 
this  year,  in  Toledo,  Cleveland,  De- 
troit, Atlanta,  and  Los  Angeles. 

CBS  has  its  own  video  station  in 
New  York,  WCBS-TV,  and  has  ap- 
plications pending  for  others  in  Bos- 
ton, Chicago  and  San  Francisco.  Aker- 
berg reported  that  programs  on  film 
will  be  supplied  to  the  CBS  affiliates 
which  require  that  service  until  coax- 
ial cable  or  micro-wave  relay  systems 
are  developed. 


station.  Warner  said  it  would  pay 
$1,045,000  for  the  package. 

Today  Southern  California  Tele- 
vision asked  the  FCC  to  make  War- 
ner specify  how  much  it  planned  to 
pay  for  each  of  the  three  stations, 
since  it  wanted  to  bid  on  the  television 
station.  FCC  officials  said  that  as  far 
as  they  could  recall,  this  was  the  first 
attempt  by  any  firm  to  force  other 
parties  to  break  up  a  package  deal. 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  of  St.  Louis, 
meanwhile,  finally  filed  with  the  FCC 
for  a  television  station  in  St.  Louis. 
This  move,  promised  some  weeks  ago, 
brings  to  five  the  number  of  applica- 
tions for  commercial  television  stations 
by  20th-Fox  firms.  Others  are  pending 
for  Boston,  Kansas  City,  Seattle  and 
San  Francisco. 


20th-Fox  Forms  New 
Film-Video  Firm 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  August  11. — Twen- 
tieth Century-Fox  Television  Produc- 
tions, Inc.,  has  been  chartered  here  to 
produce  films  for  television. 


TOA's  Youth  Month 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


and  Donaldson  were  Charles  P.  Skou- 
ras,  national  chairman  of  the  TOA 
Youth  Committee ;  Ted  R.  Gamble  and 
Gael  Sullivan,  president  and  executive 
director,  respectively,  of  TOA.  Other 
Government  figures  included  Senator 
Alben  Barkley,  Attorney  General  Tom 
Clark,  and  Treasury  Secretary  John 
Snyder. 

Among  other  industry  figures  pres- 
ent were :  Leon  Bamberger,  Sidney 
Lust,  Lewen  F.  Pizor,  Sam  Shain, 
George  P.  Skouras,  Spyros  P.  Skou- 
ras,  Stanley  W.  Prenosil,  Henry  Mur- 
dock,  Harry  Lowenstein,  Albert  Pin- 
cus,  and  Kermit  Stengel. 

Newsreel  cameras  took  pictures  of 
the  proceedings.  "Youth  Month  will 
be  launched  nationally  in  September." 


Endorsement  by  111.  Allied 

Chicago,  August  11.- — -Endorsement 
of  National  Youth  Month,  which  will 
be  observed  throughout  the  nation  in 
September,  has  been  approved  by 
Allied  Theatres  of  Illinois,  Jack 
Kirsch,  president,  announces.  Local 
Allied  members  are  being  urged  to 
make  their  screens  available  for  special 
trailers  as  well  as  aiding  through  com 
munity  projects. 


Norman  B.  Steinberg,  20th-Fox  at- 
torney who  represented  the  company 
in  the  incorporation  of  the  new  tele- 
vision firm,  said  here  yesterday  that 
no  further  action,  other  than  actual 
incorporation,  has  been  taken  by  the 
new  unit. 


To  Judge  NAB  Contest 

Washington,  August  11. — Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  presi- 
dent Eric  Johnston  and  film  actor 
James  Stewart  are  among  the  eight 
judges  in  the  National  Association  of 
Broadcasters'  second  annual  "Voice 
of  Democracy"  contest  in  which 
scholarships  are  awarded  to  the  four 
high  school  students  delivering  the 
best  five-minute  broadcasts  on  "I 
Speak  for  Democracy." 


Urge  'Protection' 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


King  George  Honors 
Col.  'Jock'  Lawrence 

London,  August  11. — J.  B.  L. 
(Jock)  Lawrence,  executive  vice-pres- 
ident of  the  J.  Arthur  Rank  Organ- 
ization in  the  U.  S.,  who  was  a  Colo- 
nel in  the  last  war,  has  been  made  an 
honorary  officer  of  the  military  divi- 
sion of  the  Order  of  the  British  Em- 
pire by  King  George. 

Lawrence  was  cited  for  his  work 
under  Lord  Louis  Mountbatten  when 
the  latter  was  chief  of  combined  army 
operations  in  the  ETO  in  World  War 
II.  The  award  also  was  in  recognition 
for  his  service  with  the  Commandoes, 
with  the  ETO  Services  of  Supply  and 
as  chief  public  relations  officer  of  the 
American  Forces  in  the  ETO.  He  will 
return  to  New  York  in  two  weeks. 


stances  where  Ascap  has  returned 
contracts  to  theatre  owners  because 
of  the  cancellation  clause  being  in- 
serted. He  recalled  the  60-day  can- 
cellation clause  was  provided  for  in 
the  agreement  between  TOA  and 
Ascap  reached  last  February  6. 

The  KATO  further  stated  the  deci- 
sion of  Judge  Leibell  does  not  elimi- 
nate the  payment  for  performing 
rights  to  Ascap  by  theatres.  It  would 
take  the  repeal  of  the  Federal  Copy- 
right Law  to  do  that,  it  added.  Judge 
Leibell's  decision  was  in  an  anti-trust 
case  and  if  sustained  on  appeal  means 
only  that  copyright  owners  will  be 
paid  for  performing  rights  in  a  way 
other  than  through  Ascap,  KATO  re- 
minds. 

Where  contracts  are  returned  unac- 
cepted by  Ascap,  theatre  owners  are 
told  that  they  should  keep  the  enve- 
lope containing  the  post  office  stamp 
with  the  returned  contract  enclosed, 
and  not  sign  the  new  contract. 


John  Ford  Cited  in 
Film  Festival  Award 

John  Ford  was  cited  as  best  director 
of  the  year  at  the  annual  International 
Film  Festival  at  Locarno,  Switzer- 
land. Other  awards  were  conferred  on 
20th  Century-Fox's  "Miracle  on  34th 
Street"  as  the  best  screen  adaptation 
and  Richard  Widmark  as  best  sup- 
porting actor. 

In  addition,  Hildegarde  Neff,  22- 
year-old  starlet  who  is  now  in  Holly- 
wood under  contract  to  David  O. 
Selznick,  was  cited  for  her  acting  in 
'Film  Without  Title,"  produced  last 
year  in  the  American  zone  in  Berlin, 
it  was  reported  here  yesterday  by  the 
Selznick  Releasing  Organization. 


Columbus  to  Get  Video 

Columbus,  O.,  August  11.  —  First 
local  television  station  to  begin  con- 
struction is  WBNT-TV,  owned  by 
the  Columbus  Dispatch,  which  an- 
nounced start  of  work  on  or  about 
August  IS.  It  will  be  affiliated  with 
CBS. 


Rogers  Fund  Meet  Set 

Cleveland,  August  11. — Plans  for 
raising  the  local  quota  of  $75,000  for 
the  Will  Rogers  Memorial  Hospital 
will  be  discussed  at  a  luncheon  meet- 
ing on  Monday  of  Cleveland  exhib- 
itors. The  affair  is  being  held  by  a 
committee  headed  by  I.  J.  Schmertz. 


House  Labor  Group 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


testimony  from  Conference  of  Studio 
Unions  head  Herbert  K.  Sorrell. 

But  when  Congress  quit  all  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  left  town,  and 
Hartley  had  to  call  the  meeting  off. 
There  will  probably  not  be  another 
meeting  until  after  the  elections. 


Col.  Acquires 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


are  strictly  "if  and  when"  in  charac 
ter,  Taps  said,  adding  that  prices  for 
performing  rights  are  agreed  upon  but 
no  payment  will  be  made  until  and 
unless  Judge  Vincent  Leibell's  decision 
is  upheld. 

Amplifying  on  the  deal  he  concluded 
after  policy  conferences  with  Colum 
bia's  legal  counsel  in  New  York,  Taps 
said  the  terms  for  performing  rights 
varied  from  one-third  to  100  per  cent 
of  prices  paid  for  recording  rights. 

Recording  rights  for  the  average 
musical  picture  run  as  high  as  $200, 
000.    Thus,  under  Columbia's  arrange 
ment,  cost  of  performing  rights  for 
such  a  picture  would  range  from  $70, 
000  to  $200,000. 


Omaha  Services  for 
Schlaifer' s  Father 

Omaha,  August  11. — Funeral  ser- 
vices were  held  here  today  for  A. 
Schlaifer,  pioneer  Omahan  and  father 
of  Charles  Schlaifer,  director  of  ad- 
vertising-publicity for  20th  Century- 
Fox.  Schlaifer  passed  away  when 
complications  developed  following 
fall  which  resulted  in  a  fractured  hip 
last  Wednesday. 

A  leader  in  the  business,  civic  and 
cultural  life  of  Omaha,  Schlaifer,  who 
recently  observed  his  56th  wedding  an- 
niversary, is  survived  by  the  widow, 
Ziril,  and  four  other  sons,  Israel,  Leo, 
Nathan  and  Morrie. 


MPAA  to  Map 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


ter  with  Ambassador  Lewis  Douglas 
and  perhaps  with  British  officials  in  an 
effort  to  speed  action  before  the  quota 
becomes  effective  October  1. 

As  reported  August  4  in  Motion 
Picture  Daily,  it  is  regarded  as  ex- 
tremely likely  that  Johnston  also  will 
be  asked  to  go  to  Paris  to  effect  a  new 
film  agreement  with  France  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  all  recent  efforts  to  settle 
the  problem  of  payment  of  some  $9,- 
000,000  in  blocked  funds  of  the  indus- 
try there  and  to  agree  upon  a  new 
schedule  of  remittances  have  been  un- 
successful. 

An  MPAA  spokesman  here  yester- 
day denied  a  published  report  that 
Johnston  would  be  accompanied  to 
Europe  by  a  squadron  of  14  industry 
executives,  all  leaving  from  here 
Tuesday  on  the  same  plane. 

"Any  such  mass  excursion  would  be 
the  worst  possible  strategy  for  han- 
dling the  European  problems  at  this 
time,"  the  spokesman  said.  "If  and 
when  it  is  decided  that  it  would  be 
advisable  for  Johnston  to  make  the 
trip  he  would  be  accompanied  by 
O'Hara  alone,"  the  spokesman  added. 


Knutson  Cautious 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


ment  permit."  Moreover,  Knutson 
said,  he  "would  be  the  last  one  to  rec- 
ommend a  repeal  of  the  great  mass  of 
these  excise  taxes,  leaving  the  bulk  of 
the  Federal  revenue  to  be  derived 
from  the  income  tax." 

Knutson  said  the  income  tax  must 
be  coupled  with  "a  broad  excise  tax 
base"  in  order  to  carry  on  "the  cost  of 
government." 

Excises  which  will  be  cut  first— 
when  and  if  there  are  cuts — are  those 
where  "the  rates  in  effect  are  operat- 
ing as  a  resistance  to  the  purchase  of 
articles  on  the  part  of  the  consumer," 
Knutson  declared.  He  did  not  specify 
which  these  might  be. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  August  12,  194!  flm 


Personal 
Mention 


DORE  SCHARY,  M-G-M  produc- 
tion vice-president,  left  here  yes- 
terday for  the  Coast. 

• 

Howard  Strickling,  M-G-M  stu- 
dio publicity  head,  and  his  wife ;  Paul 
Terry,  Terrytoons  producer,  and  his 
wife ;  Clark  Gable,  Spencer  Tracy, 
Charles  Boyer  and  Tom  O'Brien, 
general  secretary  of  the  British  Na- 
tional Association  of  Theatrical  and 
Kine  Employes,  are  among  passengers 
arriving  in  New  York  today  on  the 
•SS  Queen  Mary. 

• 

Paul  Kamy  of  M-G-M's  exploita- 
tion department  will  spend  his  vaca- 
tion, starting  next  Wednesday,  at  the 
Bread  Loaf  Writers'  Conference  at 
Middlebury,  Vt. 

• 

Leonard  Hirsch,  home  office  as- 
sistant to  M-G-M  Southern  sales  man- 
ager Rudy  Berger,  will  leave  here 
tomorrow  for  a  vacation  at  Beechaven, 
N.  J. 

• 

James  Mulvey,  president  of  Sam- 
uel Goldwyn  Productions,  will  return 
to  New  York  Monday  from  a  Maine 
vacation. 

• 

Morey  Goldstein,  Allied  Artists- 
Monogram  general  sales  manager, 
will  return  to  New  York  tomorrow 
from  Boston. 

• 

David  Horne,  Film  Classics  for- 
eign sales  manager,  has  left  New 
York  for  a  two-week  tour  of  the 
Caribbean  territory. 

• 

Jim   Harris,  assistant  to  Realart 
vice-president  Budd  Rogers,  is  visit- 
ing the  company's  Denver  and  Los 
Angeles  exchange  this  week. 
• 

Russell  Moss,  IATSE  Local  No. 
H-63  business  agent,  will  leave  here 
today  for  the  union's  convention  in 
Cleveland. 

• 

Max  E.  Youngstein,  Eagle-Lion 
advertising-publicity  vice-president,  is 
expected  back  in  Ne/w  Yoirk  this 
weekend  from  Charlotte. 

• 

Howard  Dietz,  M-G-M  advertis- 
ing-publicity vice-president,  will  fly 
to  Paris  on  Saturday  from  New 
York. 

• 

Sherm  Harris,  Allied  Artists  pro- 
duction aide,  has  entered  Cedars  of 
Lebanon  Hospital  in  Los  Angeles. 

Harold  Mirisch,  Allied  Artists 
vice-president,  has  returned  to  the 
Coast  from  New  York. 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


Delay  Seen  in  RKO 
Stockholders'  Meet 

Delay  in  preparing  the  RKO  proxy 
statement  is  expected  to  set  back  the 
company's  annual  stockholders'  meet- 
ing from  August  31  to  sometime  in 
September.  Originally  the  statement 
was  due  for  mailing  to  stockholders  by 
mid-August. 


^[OTICE  how  Metro's  lineup 
has  been  running  since  the 
first  of  the  year  ?  Twenty  at- 
tractions, omitting  reissues, 
have  been  spotted  for  release  on 
an  even  split  between  straight- 
away comedies  and/or  musicals 
and  dramas.  Several  in  the  lat- 
ter category  have  been  gener- 
ously interlarded  with  both  com- 
edy and  music,  to  boot. 

It  comes  about  through  no  ac- 
cident, moreover.  While  appre- 
ciating that  any  program  must 
seek  to  establish  a  balance,  the 
trend  has  been  toward  the  light- 
er side  in  the  belief  that  is  what 
the  public  wants  more  of  in 
these  days  of  national  and  inter- 
national uncertainties. 

This  is  how  it  has  been  going : 
Hand-running  with  nary  an  in- 
terruption in  June-July  were 
"The  Pirate,"  "On  an  Island 
with  You,"  "Easter  Parade"  and 
"A  Date  with  Judy."  The  com- 
edy-and-musical  cycle  interrupts 
itself  with  "The  Search."  Then, 
eschewing  any  breaks  again,  will 
be  "Luxury  Liner,"  "A  South- 
ern Yankee,"  "Julia  Misbe- 
haves" and  "No  More  Vices," 
in  September-October. 

After  "The  Three  Musket- 
eers" gets  moving  at  Loew's 
State  here,  where  it  will  suc- 
ceed "Easter  Parade,"  its  gen- 
eral release  will  be  set  thereby 
adding  still  another  to  the  light- 
and-happy  score  card. 

In  production  are  "Take  Me 
Out  to  the  Ball  Game"  and  "The 
Barkleys  of  Broadway,"  another 
brace. 

■  ■ 

Jimmy  Nasser,  a  producer 
who  persists  in  remembering  he 
also  is  an  exhibitor,  is  one  in- 
dependent, at  least,  who  has 
learned  what  Metro  already  has. 
Checking  key  city  theatremen 
and  a  number  of  critics  for  their 
approach  on  current  public 
tastes,  Nasser  has  made  his  de- 
cision : 

Heavy  stress  on  comedy  in 
his  lineup  following  "An  Inno- 
cent Affair,"  itself  a  comedy.  He 
won't  forego  dramatic  over- 
tones or  touches,  but  comedy  "as 
an  escape  from  the  war-threat- 
ened, inflation-shadowed  world" 
will  be  his  ticket. 

■  ■ 

What  with  headache  of  studio 
overhead,  which  runs  on  if  in 
somewhat  reduced  degree  even 
when  cameras  stop  grinding, 
and  the  desirability  of  maintain- 
ing a  safe  and  reasonable  inven- 
tory, the  tendency  toward  back- 
logs remains  essentially  unal- 
tered. 


At  Paramount,  where  Henry 
Ginsberg  is  maestro,  for  in- 
stance, the  shelf  has  been  con- 
sistently stocked  for  some  years 
now.  Now  comes  a  studio  recap 
to  prove  things  will  stay  that 
way. 

Eleven  films  wall  be  released 
during  the  balance  of  '48. 

Eight  of  them  ready. 

Eight  others  have  been  pol- 
ished off  awaiting  distribution's 
signal. 

Three  are  in  production  now 
and  five  more  go  before  the  end 
of  the  year. 

Six  or  seven  are  to  be 
launched  early  in  '49. 

By  spring,  at  the  latest, 
Paramount  will  be  virtually  set 
for  all  of  next  year. 

■  ■ 

One  of  Dore  Schary's  first  at- 
tentions as  V.  P.  in  charge  of 
Metro  production  will  be  di- 
rected toward  product  reserves. 
The  company's  position  in  that 
regard  needs  strengthening,  he 
told  reporters  on  Tuesday. 

On  a  general  question  about 
the  executive  lineup  at  Culver 
City,  he  indicated  clearly  there'd 
be  some  changes  made.  A  couple 
of  hours  later  one  developed. 
Sam  Katz's  contract,  dated 
March  1,  1954,  washes  up  five 
years  ahead  of  expiration. 

■  ■ 

Note  for  Howard  Hughes  of 
RKO  and  the  Hughes  Tool  Co. : 
"The  mounting  demand  for  oil 
will  be  met  by  the  drilling  of 
40,000  new  wells  in  the  United 
States  during  the  current  year, 
a  goal  which  six  months  ago 
would  have  been  considered  im- 
possible, if  not  ridiculous." — The 
New  York  Times. 

■  ■ 

Exhibitors  concerned  over 
night  baseball  and  nervous  "A's" 
ought  to  become  less  concerned. 
The  U.  S.  Department  of  Agri- 
culture foresees  a  1948  popcorn 
crop  approximately  51  per  cent 
greater  than  last  year's  when 
plantings  totaled  83,700  acres. 

This  vear's:  126,700. 

■  ■ 

Sad  commentary  on  the  dear 
public,  or  enough  of  it,  is  to  be 
found  in  Paramount's  need  to 
advertise  "A  Foreign  Affair"  as 
"A  Foreign  Affair  Is  a  Funny 
Affair." 

■  ■ 

Buried  in  the  news:  That 
Universal  was  bidding  for  the 
stock  of  National  Theatres  be- 
fore 20th-Fox  repurchased  it 
from  Charlie  Skouras,  Rick 
Ricketson,  Harold  Fitzgerald 
and  Elmer  Rhoden. 


If 


Coming 
Events 


Aug.  16-21 — International  Alliano 
of  Theatrical  Stage  Employes  bi 
annual  convention,  Public  Audi 
torium,  Cleveland. 

Aug.  24 — Motion   Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  Connecticut  golf^Icur 
nament,  Racetrack  Country 
Orange,  Conn. 

Sept.  14-15 — Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Ohio  convention 
Deshler-Wallick  Hotel,  Columbus 

Sept.  14-16 — Pacific  Coast  Confer- 
ence of  Independent  Theatre; 
Owners'  trustees  annual  meeting, 
Ambassador  Hotel,  Los  Angeles. 

Sept.  16-18 — International  Variety 
Clubs'  mid-year  convention,  Stat- 
ler  Hotel,  Washington. 

Sept.  24-25 — Theatre  Owners  ot 
America  convention,  Drake  Hotel, 
Chicago. 

Sept.  27-30^Theatre  Equipment  and1 
and  Supply  Manufacturers  Asso- 
ciation national  trade  show  and 
convention,  Jefferson  Hotel,  St. 
Louis. 

Sept.  28-29— -Kansas-Missouri  Thea-i 
tre  Association  annual  convention, 
Kansas  City. 

Oct.  14-15 — Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Wisconsin  and  Upper 
Michigan  annual  convention, 
Schroeder  Hotel,  Milwaukee. 


Air  Force  to  Cite 
Wartime  Performers 

Washington,  August  11. — The 
U.  S.  Air  Force  will  award  scrolls  to 
screen,  stage  and  radio  stars  who  en- 
tertained Air  Force  personnel  overseas 
during  the  war  at  an  Air  Force  re- 
union to  be  held  on  September  25  in 
Madison  Square  Garden,  New  York. 

Producer  Hal  Roach  has  been  asked 
to  serve  as  chairman  of  the  committee 
to  nominate  the  entertainers  to  receive 
the  scrolls.  Other  members  of  the 
committee,  all  members  of  the  Air 
Force  Association  which  is  sponsoring 
the  reunion,  include  Jack  L.  Warner, 
James  Stewart,  Clark  Gable,  Merian 
Cooper,  Tex  McCreary,  and  New 
York  financier  J.  H.  (Jock)  Whitney. 


Mid  -  Central  Allied 
Regional  August  18 

St.  Louis,  August  11. — The  new 
Mid-Central  Allied  Independent  The- 
atre Owners  Association  will  start 
activating  its  field  activities  on  Au- 
gust 18  when  it  will  hold  its  first  re- 
gional meeting,  in  Cape  Girardeau, 
Mo.  Henry  Halloway  is  president  of 
the  organization. 


Eastern  Directors 
Of  Allied  Meet  Here 

Eastern  regional  directors  of  nation- 
al Allied  met  here  yesterday.  Meyer 
Leventhal  of  Baltimore,  Eastern  re- 
gional vice-president,  presided.  Others 
in  attendance  included  Sidney  Samuel- 
son,  Jules  Rivkin,  Irving  Dolhnger, 
Wilbur  Snaper,  George  Gold  and  Ed 
Lachman. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York.  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vme  Buikling,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  m  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


!,  11  i 


'hursday,  August  12,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


WJZ-TV  Debut  Not 
Entirely  Faultless 


Tuesday  night's  inaugural  program 
Df  WJZ-TV,  American  Broadcasting's 
New  York  television  station,  had  some 
shortcomings,  Frank  Marx,  the  net- 
work's viceJpresident  in  charge  of  en- 
gineering, admitted  here  yesterday.  He 
added,  however,  that  those  imperfec- 
which  did  materialize  had  been 
rted  and  were  not  serious, 
e  station  made  its  debut  with  an 
elaborate  program  originating  at  the 
Palace  Theatre  on  Broadway.  Home 
receiver  sets  had  to  be  adjusted  in  or- 
der to  allow  for  maximum  quality  re- 
ception on  the  new  Channel  No.  7. 
The  fact  that  some  receivers  were  not 
properly  serviced  accounted  for  some- 
what distorted  and  indistinct  figures  on 
the  screens,  Marx  said. 

Also  adding  to  the  difficulty,  he 
added,  was  the  fact  that  the  station 
had  insufficient  time  for  satisfactory 
preparation  of  the  show  at  the  Palace 
because  the  theatre  was  not  made 
available  until  the  same  day  of  the 
telecast.  Another  factor,  Marx  said, 
was  the  use  of  remote  equipment,  ob- 
viously inferior  to  regular  equipment. 
Marx  concluded  that  reaction  to  the 
show  was  generally  favorable. 


WB  Faces  Threat 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Film-Video  Group  to 
Name  New  Officers 

Officers  of  the  recently-formed  Na- 
tional Television  Film  Council  are  to 
be  nominated  at  a  meeting  on  August 
19  at  Sardi's  here,  with  elections 
scheduled  for  next  September. 

The  right  to  perform  music  on  tele- 
vision will  be  discussed  at  the  August 
19  meeting  by  Sidney  Kaye,  vice-pres- 
ident of  Broadcast  Music,  Inc.  Also 
on  the  agenda  is  a  proposed  standard 
exhibition  contract  for  films  on  tele- 
vision. Melvin  L.  Gold  is  chairman 
of  the  organization  and  Robert  W. 
Wormhoudt  is  secretary-treasurer. 


CBS  Television  in 
80  Cities  Planned 


Paramount  Bid  for 
Station  Withdrawn 

Washington,  August  11. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  has 
let  Tri-State  Meredith  Co.,  SO  per 
cent  owned  by  Paramount  subsidiary 
Tri-State  Theatres,  withdraw  its  ap- 
plication to  buy  station  KSO  in  Des 
Moines. 

Tri-State  asked  to  be  let  out  of  the 
deal  when  the  FCC  asked  for  long 
opinions  on  what  effect  Paramount's 
interest  in  the  station  should  have  in 
light  of  the  Supreme  Court's  Para- 
mount trust  suit  decision. 


A  four-year  expansion  program  in- 
tended to  give  the'  network  affiliated 
or  wholly-owned  television  stations  in 
80  cities  was  announced  by  Herbert  V. 
Akerberg,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
station  relations  for  Columbia  Broad- 
casting. Five  new  CBS  television  out- 
lets are  scheduled  to  begin  operation 
this  year,  in  Toledo,  Cleveland,  De- 
troit, Atlanta,  and  Los  Angeles. 

CBS  has  its  own  video  station  in 
New  York,  WCBS-TV,  and  has  ap- 
plications pending  for  others  in  Bos- 
ton, Chicago  and  San  Francisco.  Aker- 
berg reported  that  programs  on  film 
will  be  supplied  to  the  CBS  affiliates 
which  require  that  service  until  coax- 
ial cable  or  micro-wave  relay  systems 
are  developed. 


Urge  'Protection' 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


King  George  Honors 
Col.  'Jock9  Lawrence 

London,  August  11. — J.  B.  L. 
(Jock)  Lawrence,  executive  vice-pres- 
ident of  the  J.  Arthur  Rank  Organ- 
ization in  the  U.  S.,  who  was  a  Colo- 
nel in  the  last  war,  has  been  made  an 
honorary  officer  of  the  military  divi- 
sion of  the  Order  of  the  British  Em- 
pire by  King  George. 

Lawrence  was  cited  for  his  work 
under  Lord  Louis  Mountbatten  when 
the  latter  was  chief  of  combined  army 
operations  in  the  ETO  in  World  War 
II.  The  award  also  was  in  recognition 
for  his  service  with  the  Commandoes, 
with  the  ETO  Services  of  Supply  and 
as  chief  public  relations  officer  of  the 
American  Forces  in  the  ETO.  He  will 
return  to  New  York  in  two  weeks. 


station.  Warner  said  it  would  pay 
$1,045,000  for  the  package. 

Today  Southern  California  Tele- 
vision asked  the  FCC  to  make  War- 
ner specify  how  much  it  planned  to 
pay  for  each  of  the  three  stations, 
since  it  wanted  to  bid  on  the  television 
station.  FCC  officials  said  that  as  far 
as  they  could  recall,  this  was  the  first 
attempt  by  any  firm  to  force  other 
parties  to  break  up  a  package  deal._ 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  of  St.  Louis, 
meanwhile,  finally  filed  with  the  FCC 
for  a  television  station  in  St.  Louis. 
This  move,  promised  some  weeks  ago, 
brings  to  five  the  number  of  applica- 
tions for  commercial  television  stations 
by  20th-Fox  firms.  Others  are  pending 
for  Boston,  Kansas  City,  Seattle  and 
San  Francisco. 


20th-Fox  Forms  New 
Film-Video  Firm 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  August  11. — Twen- 
tieth Century-Fox  Television  Produc- 
tions, Inc.,  has  been  chartered  here  to 
produce  films  for  television. 


TOA's  Youth  Month 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


and  Donaldson  were  Charles  P.  Skou- 
ras,  national  chairman  of  the  TOA 
Youth  Committee;  Ted  R.  Gamble  and 
Gael  Sullivan,  president  and  executive 
director,  respectively,  of  TOA.  Other 
Government  figures  included  Senator 
Alben  Barkley,  Attorney  General  Tom 
Clark,  and  Treasury  Secretary  John 
Snyder. 

Among  other  industry  figures  pres- 
ent were :  Leon  Bamberger,  Sidney 
Lust,  Lewen  F.  Pizor,  Sam  Shain, 
George  P.  Skouras,  Spyros  P.  Skou- 
ras,  Stanley  W.  Prenosil,  Henry  Mur- 
dock,  Harry  Lowenstein,  Albert  Pin- 
cus,  and  Kermit  Stengel. 

Newsreel  cameras  took  pictures  of 
the  proceedings.  "Youth  Month  will 
be  launched  nationally  in  September." 


Endorsement  by  111.  Allied 

Chicago,  August  11. — Endorsement 
of  National  Youth  Month,  which  will 
be  observed  throughout  the  nation  in 
September,  has  been  approved  by 
Allied  Theatres  of  Illinois,  Jack 
Kirsch,  president,  announces.  Local 
Allied  members  are  being  urged  to 
make  their  screens  available  for  special 
trailers  as  well  as  aiding  through  com 
munity  projects. 


Norman  B.  Steinberg,  20th-Fox  at- 
torney who  represented  the  company 
in  the  incorporation  of  the  new  tele- 
vision firm,  said  here  yesterday  that 
no  further  action,  other  than  actual 
incorporation,  has  been  taken  by  the 
new  unit. 


To  Judge  NAB  Contest 

Washington,  August  11. — Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  presi- 
dent Eric  Johnston  and  film  actor 
James  Stewart  are  among  the  eight 
judges  in  the  National  Association  of 
Broadcasters'  second  annual  "Voice 
of  Democracy"  contest  in  which 
scholarships  are  awarded  to  the  four 
high  school  students  delivering  the 
best  five-minute  broadcasts  on  "I 
Speak  for  Democracy." 


stances  where  Ascap  has  returned 
contracts  to  theatre  owners  because 
of  the  cancellation  clause  being  in 
serted.  He  recalled  the  60-day  can- 
cellation clause  was  provided  for  in 
the  agreement  between  TOA  and 
Ascap  reached  last  February  6. 

The  KATO  further  stated  the  deci- 
sion of  Judge  Leibell  does  not  elimi- 
nate the  payment  for  performing 
rights  to  Ascap  by  theatres.  It  would 
take  the  repeal  of  the  Federal  Copy- 
right Law  to  do  that,  it  added.  Judge 
LeibelPs  decision  was  in  an  anti-trust 
case  and  if  sustained  on  appeal  means 
only  that  copyright  owners  will  be 
paid  for  performing  rights  in  a  way 
other  than  through  Ascap,  KATO  re- 
minds. 

Where  contracts  are  returned  unac- 
cepted by  Ascap,  theatre  owners  are 
told  that  they  should  keep  the  enve- 
lope containing  the  post  office  stamp 
with  the  returned  contract  enclosed, 
and  not  sign  the  new  contract. 


John  Ford  Cited  in 
Film  Festival  Award 

John  Ford  was  cited  as  best  director 
of  the  year  at  the  annual  International 
Film  Festival  at  Locarno,  Switzer- 
land. Other  awards  were  conferred  on 
20th  Century-Fox's  "Miracle  on  34th 
Street"  as  the  best  screen  adaptation 
and  Richard  Widmark  as  best  sup- 
porting actor. 

In  addition,  Hildegarde  Neff,  22- 
year-old  starlet  who  is  now  in  Holly- 
wood under  contract  to  David  O. 
Selznick,  was  cited  for  her  acting  in 
"Film  Without  Title,"  produced  last 
year  in  the  American  zone  in  Berlin, 
it  was  reported  here  yesterday  by  the 
Selznick  Releasing  Organization. 


Columbus  to  Get  Video 

Columbus,  O.,  August  11. — -First 
local  television  station  to  begin  con- 
struction is  WBNT-TV,  owned  by 
the  Columbus  Dispatch,  which  an- 
nounced start  of  work  on  or  about 
August  IS.  It  will  be  affiliated  with 
CBS. 


Rogers  Fund  Meet  Set 

Cleveland,  August  11. — Plans  for 
raising  the  local  quota  of  $75,000  for 
the  Will  Rogers  Memorial  Hospital 
will  be  discussed  at  a  luncheon  meet- 
ing on  Monday  of  Cleveland  exhib- 
itors. The  affair  is  being  held  by  a 
committee  headed  by  I.  J.  Schmertz. 


House  Labor  Group 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


testimony  from  Conference  of  Studio 
Unions  head  Herbert  K.  Sorrell. 

But  when  Congress  quit  all  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  left  town,  and 
Hartley  had  to  call  the  meeting  off. 
There  will  probably  not  be  another 
meeting  until  after  the  elections. 


Col.  Acquires 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


are  strictly  "if  and  when"  in  charac- 
ter, Taps  said,  adding  that  prices  for 
performing  rights  are  agreed  upon  but 
no  payment  will  be  made  until  and 
unless  Judge  Vincent  Leibell's  decision 
is  upheld. 

Amplifying  on  the  deal  he  concluded 
after  policy  conferences  with  Colum- 
bia's legal  counsel  in  New  York,  Taps 
said  the  terms  for  performing  rights 
varied  from  one-third  to  100  per  cent 
of  prices  paid  for  recording  rights. 

Recording  rights  for  the  average 
musical  picture  run  as  high  as  $200,- 
000.  Thus,  under  Columbia's  arrange- 
ment, cost  of  performing  rights  for 
such  a  picture  would  range  from  $70,- 
000  to  $200,000. 


Omaha  Services  for 
Schlaifer's  Father 

Omaha,  August  11. — Funeral  ser- 
vices were  held  here  today  for  A. 
Schlaifer,  pioneer  Omahan  and  father 
of  Charles  Schlaifer,  director  of  ad- 
vertising-publicity for  20th  Century- 
Fox.  Schlaifer  passed  away  when 
complications  developed  following  a 
fall  which  resulted  in  a  fractured  hip 
last  Wednesday. 

A  leader  in  the  business,  civic  and 
cultural  life  of  Omaha,  Schlaifer,  who 
recently  observed  his  56th  wedding  an- 
niversary, is  survived  by  the  widow, 
Ziril,  and  four  other  sons,  Israel,  Leo, 
Nathan  and  Morrie. 


MPAA  to  Map 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ter  with  Ambassador  Lewis  Douglas 
and  perhaps  with  British  officials  in  an 
effort  to  speed  action  before  the  quota 
becomes  effective  October  1. 

As  reported  August  4  in  Motion 
Picture  Daily,  it  is  regarded  as  ex- 
tremely likely  that  Johnston  also  will 
be  asked  to  go  to  Paris  to  effect  a  new 
film  agreement  with  France  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  all  recent  efforts  to  settle 
the  problem  of  payment  of  some  $9,- 
000,000  in  blocked  funds  of  the  indus- 
try there  and  to  agree  upon  a  new 
schedule  of  remittances  have  been  un- 
successful. 

An  MPAA  spokesman  here  yester- 
day denied  a  published  report  that 
Johnston  would  be  accompanied  to 
Europe  by  a  squadron  of  14  industry 
executives,  all  leaving  from  here 
Tuesday  on  the  same  plane. 

"Any  such  mass  excursion  would  be 
the  worst  possible  strategy  for  han- 
dling the  European  problems  at  this 
time,"  the  spokesman  said.  "If  and 
when  it  is  decided  that  it  would  be 
advisable  for  Johnston  to  make  the 
trip  he  would  be  accompanied  by 
O'Hara  alone,"  the  spokesman  added. 


Knutson  Cautious 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


ment  permit."  Moreover,  Knutson 
said,  he  "would  be  the  last  one  to  rec- 
ommend a  repeal  of  the  great  mass  of 
these  excise  taxes,  leaving  the  bulk  of 
the  Federal  revenue  to  be  derived 
from  the  income  tax." 

Knutson  said  the  income  tax  must 
be  coupled  with  "a  broad  excise  tax 
base"  in  order  to  carry  on  "the  cost  of 
government." 

Excises  which  will  be  cut  first — • 
when  and  if  there  are  cuts — are  those 
where  "the  rates  in  effect  are  operat- 
ing as  a  resistance  to  the  purchase  of 
articles  on  the  part  of  the  consumer," 
Knutson  declared.  He  did  not  specify 
which  these  might  be. 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  August  12,  194ij 


Estimates  of  Key  City  Grosses 


E1  OLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
*■  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


LOS  ANGELES 

"Feudin',  Fussin'  and  A-Fightin' ' 
took  the  laugh-hungry  town  in  stride, 
closely  followed  by  the  novelty-slanted 
"16  Fathoms  Deep,"  in  a  week  of  gen 
erally  improved  business.  "Walls  of 
Jericho"  did  very  well.  Weather  was 
ideal,  and  counter  attractions  normal 

Estimated    receipts    for    the  week 
ending  August  11  : 

FEUDIN',  FUSSIN'  AND  A-FIGHTIN 
(U-I)    and    BAD    SISTER    (UI-Rank)  - 

GUILD    (965)     (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)    5  days 
Gross:  $7,000.    (Average:  $5,450) 
FEUDIN',    FUSSIN'    AND  A-FIGHTIN 
(U-I)    and    BAD    SISTER  (UI-Rank) 
IRIS  (708)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  5  days  Gross 
$S,5C0.   (Average:  $6,100) 
FEUDIN',    FUSSIN'    AND  A-FIGHTIN 
(U-I)    arid    BAD    SISTER  (UI-Rank) 
RITZ     (1,376)     (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)     5  days 
Gross:   $9,500.    (Average:  $9,050) 
FEUDIN',    FUSSIN'    AND  A-FIGHTIN 
(U-I)    and    BAD    SISTER  (UI-Rank) 
STUDIO    (880)    (50c-60c-85c-$1.0O)    5  days 
Gross:  $8,000.    (Average:  $6,300). 
FEUDIN',    FUSSIN'    AND  A-FIGHTIN 
(U-I)    and    BAD    SISTER    (UI-Rank)  - 
UNITED    ARTISTS    (2.100)  (50c-60c-8Sc 
$1.00)   5   days.     Gross:   $14,500.  (Average 
$9,580) 

A   FOREIGN   AFFAIR   (Para.)   and  BIG 
TOWN  SCANDAL  (Para.)-PARAMOUNT 
(Downtown)    (3,595)    (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  3rd 
week.    Gross:  $11,500.    (Average:  $13,000) 
A   FOREIGN    AFFAIR    (Para.)  -  PARA 
MOUNT  (Hollywood)    (1,407)  (50c-60c-80c 
$1.00)  3rd  week.    Gross:  $12,500.  (Average 
$ 13 ,000} 

KEY   LARGO   (WB)    and   MUSIC  MAN 
(Mono.)  —  WARNERS   (Downtown)  (3,400) 
(30c-60c-80c-$1.00)  5  days,  4th  week.  Gross- 
$10,000.    (Average:  $13,730) 
KEY   LARGO   (WB)    and   MUSIC  MAN 
(Mono.)  —  WARNERS    (Hollywood)  (3,000) 
(50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  5  days,  4th  week.  Gross 
$8,000.    (Average:  $11,650) 
KEY   LARGO   (WB)    and   MUSIC  MAN 
(Mono.)  —  WARNERS     (Wiltern)  (2,300) 
(5Cc-60c-80c-$1.00)  5  days,  4th  week.  Gross 
$7,500.    (Average:  $11,220) 
MELODY  TIME  (RKO  Radio-Disney)  and 
MYSTERY   IN   MEXICO   (RKO  Radio) 
HILLSTREET     (2,700)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00) 
2nd  week.    Gross:  $14,000.    (Average:  $18  950) 
MELODY  TIME  (RKO  Radio-Disney)  and 
MYSTERY   IN   MEXICO    (RKO  Radio) 
PANTAGES   (2.000)    (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  2nd 
week.    Gross:   $13,000.    (Average:  $17,150) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 
EGYPTIAN     (1,000)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 
days,   3rd  week.    Gross:   $6,500.  (Average 
$11,900) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)- 

POX  WILSHIRE  (2,300)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 
4  days,  3rd  week.  Gross:  $5,500  (Aver 
age:  $12,850) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 

LOS  ANGELES  (2,096)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 
4  days,  3rd  week.  Gross:  $8,500.  (Aver 
age:  $18,100) 

THE  SEARCH   (M-G-M)  -  FOUR  STAR 
(900)    (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)    6th    week.  Gross 
S;6.50O.    (Average:  $7:450) 

SIXTEEN  FATHOMS  DEEP  (Mono.)  and 
MICHAEL  O'HALLORAN  (Mono.)-BEL- 
MONT    (1,600)    (5<Jc-60c-85c-$1.00)  Gross: 

$6,000.    (Average:  $5,750) 

SIXTEEN  FATHOMS  DEEP  (Mono.)  and 
MICHAEL   O'HALLORAN    (Mono.)  —  EL 

REY  (861)  (SOc-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross:  $6,000 
(Average:  $4,700) 

S'XTEEN  FATHOMS  DEEP  (Mono.)  and 
MICHAEL  O'HALLORAN   (Mono.)  —  OR 

PHEUM   (2,210)    (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross: 
S18.0C0.    (Average:  $14,650) 
STXTEEN  FATHOMS  DEEP  (Mono.)  and 
V'TCHAEL      O'HALLORAN      (Mono.)  - 

VOGUE     (800)     (50c-60c-85c-$1.00).  Gross: 
$8,000.    (Average:  $6,500) 

THE  VICIOUS  CIRCLE  (UA-Wilder)  and 
OLYMPIC  CAVALCADE  (UA)  —  MLTSIC 
HALL  (Beverly  Hills)  (900)  (50c-60c-85c- 
S1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $1,600.  (Average: 
$3,150) 

THE  VICIOUS  CIRCLE  (UA-Wilder)  and 
OLYMPIC  CAVALCADE  (UA)  —  MUST<~ 
HALL  (Downtown)  (900)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 
C  days.  Gross:  $3,000.  (Average:  $7,550) 
THE  VICIOUS  CIRCLE  (UA-Wilder)  and 
OL.-'MPIC  CAVALCADE  (UA)  —  MUSTC 
HALL  (Hawaii)  (1,000)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  6 
H-v«  Gross:  $1,600.  (Average:  $3,400) 
TMF  VICIOUS  CIRCLE  (UA-Wilder)  and 
OLYMPIC  CAVALCADE    (UA)  —  MUSTC 


HALL  (Hollywood)  (490)  (50c-60c-85c-$l.OO) 
6  days.  Gross:  $1,500.  (Average:  $3,100) 
THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (ZMh-Fox) 
and  I  WOULDN'T  BE  IN  YOUR  SHOES 
(Mono.)  —  CARTHAY  CIRCLE  (1,516) 
(50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $9,500. 
(Average:  $9,500) 

THE   WALLS   OF   JERICHO  (20th-Fox) 
and  I  WOULDN'T  BE  IN  YOUR  SHOES 
(Mono.)  —  CHINESE    (2,300)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)   6  days.     Gross:   $17,000.  (Average 
$13,000) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (20th-Fox) 
and  I  WOULDN'T  BE  IN  YOUR  SHOES 

(Mono.)— LOEWS  STATE  (2,500)  (50c-60c 
85c -$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $24,500.  (Aver 
age:  $19,800) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (20th-Fox) 
o-nd  I  WOULDN'T  BE  IN  YOUR  SHOES 
(Mono.)  —  LOYOLA  (1,265)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $10,500.  (Average: 
$10,000) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (20th-Fox) 
and  I  WOULDN'T  BE  IN  YOUR  SHOES 
(Mono.)  —  UFTOWN  (1,716)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  6  days.  Gross:  $10,500.  (Average: 
$10,000) 


PHILADELPHIA 


A  host  of  new  bookings  helped  boost 
grosses  this  week  with  "The  Fuller 
Brush  Man"  at  the  Earle  and  "The 
Pearl"  at  the  Aldine  doing  standout 
business.  "Key  Largo,"  carrying  over 
at  the  Stanley  is  also  faring  well. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  ending 
August  12: 

A  DATE   WITH   JUDY  (M-G-M)-FOX 

(3,000)  (50c-60c-80c-85c-94c)  2nd  week.  Gross- 
$20,000.    (Average:  $20,800) 
DEEP     WATERS     (2Cth-Fox)  -  KEITH 
(2,200)     (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)     2nd  run 
Gross:  $3,500.    (Average:  $6,200) 
EASTER    PARADE    (M-G-M)  —  MAST- 
BAUM   (4,700)    (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  5th 
week.    Gross:  $15,000.    (Average:  $22,300) 
FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (CoL)  —  EARLE 
(3,000)       (5Oc-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross- 
$28,500.    (Average:  $22,500) 
KEY  LARGO   (WB)  —  STANLEY  (3,000) 
(50c-6Oc-74c-8Oc-85c-94c)    2nd    week.  Gross- 
$28,700.    (Average:  $22,800) 
THE  PEARL  (RKO  Radio)    —  ALDINE 
(900)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)    Gross:  $19,000 
(Average:  $13,300) 

RETURN    OF    THE    BAD    MEN  (RKO 

Radio)— STANTON   (1,000)  (50c-60c-74c-80c- 
85c-94c).    Gross:  $15,500.    (Average:  $11,200) 
SO  EVIL  MY  LOVE  (Para.) — KARLTON 
(1,000)    (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)    2nd  week 
Gross:  $10,500.    (Average:  $11,200) 
TAP   ROOTS,   (U-I) -GOLDMAN  (1,400) 
(50c-6Oc-74c-8Oc-85c-94c)    4th    week.  Gross- 
$19,000.    (Average:  19,400) 
UP  IN  CENTRAL  PARK  (U-I)  -  BOYD 
(3,000)        (50c-60c-74c-80c-85e-94c).  Gross- 
$14,000.    (Average:  $20,300) 
UNCONQUERED      (Para.)   -  ARCADIA 
(900)      (50c-6Oc-74c-80c-85c-94c)     2nd  run 
Gross:   $4,300.    (Average:  $4,700) 


(1,268)  (50c-70c)  2  days  on  a  hold-over  from 
the  previous  big  week,  and  GALLANT 
LEGION  (Rep.)  5  days.  Gross:  $6,000 
(Average :  $6,200) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 

Fox)-WARNERS'  LAKE  (714)  (5Sc-70c) 
4th  week,  of  which  2  weeks  were  at  the 
Hippodrome  and  2  weeks  were  at  the  Lake 
Gross:    $3,000.    (Average:  $3,000) 


CHICAGO 


CLEVELAND 


Key  Largo"  with  a  record  $28,500 
at  Warners'  Hippodrome,  made  by  far 
the  best  showing  of  the  week  and  even 
did  business  on  Sunday  when  most 
fans  were  at  the  Stadium  to  watch 
two  ball  games.  Other  houses  report 
a  Sunday  drop  with  a  Monday  come- 
back. Weather  was  cool  and  clear. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  endino- 
August  10-11: 

BLACK  ARROW  (Col.)  —  RKO  PALACE 
(3,300)  (70c-95c)  Also  SUPERMAN  SERIAL' 
Gross:  $17,000.  (Average:  $16,000) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  —  LOEWS 
STILLMAN  (1,900)  (50c-70c)  3rd  week  Vol 
Vl0  weeks  the  State.  Gross: 
$13,500.    (Average:  $10,500) 

FOUR  FACES  WEST  (UA)-RKO  ALLEN 
$13°800)  (5Sc"70c)-   Gross:  $13'50°-  (Average: 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  —  WARNER'S  HIP- 
PODROME (3,500)  (55c-70c).  Gross:  $28  500 
(Average:  $15,000) 

OPEN    CITY    (Realart)    and  CARMEN 

Realart)-LOWER  MALL  (563)  (50c-70c) 
Both  are  repeat  runs.  Gross:  $3,000.  (Aver- 
age: $2,500) 

THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)-LEOW'S 

STATE  (3.3CO)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $23  000 
(Average:  $19,300) 

THE  SEARCH  (M-G-M)-LOEW'S  OHIO 


Loop  attendance  is  very  steady.  Con- 
ventioneers are  boosting  business  im- 
measurably. "Time  of  Your  Life" 
and  Horace  Heidt  led  a  crop  of 
strong  box-office  films.  Estimated  re- 
ceipts for  the  week  ending  August  12 : 
THE  BEST  YEARS  OF  OUR  LIVES 
(RKO'  Radio)— ROOSEVELT  (1,500)  (50c- 
55c-98c)  5  days,  2nd  week.  LIFE  WITH 
FATHER,  2  days.  Gross:  $14,500.  (Aver- 
age: $18,000) 

EMPEROR  WALTZ   (Para.)  —  CHICAGO 
(3,900)    (50c-65c-98c)  4th  week.     On  stage- 
Harmomcats.      Gross:    $45,000.  (Average- 
$53,500)  ' 
FEUDIN',    FUSSIN*    AND  A-FIGHTIN' 
(U-I-GRAND  (1,150)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross: 
812,000.    (Average:  $11,500) 
HOLD  THAT  GHOST  (E-L)  and  HIRED 
WIFE   (E-L)-GARRICK   (1,000)  (50c-65c- 
98c).    Gros:  $10,000.    (Average:  $10,000) 
LULU    BELLE.    (Col.)-APOLLO  (1,200) 
(50c-65c-98c).      Gross:    $12,000.  (Average- 
$14,000)  ' 
MELODY  TIME  (RKO  Radio) — PALACE 
12^£?>     (50c-65c-98c)    5    days,    2nd  week. 
ABBOTT     AND     COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN   (U-I),  2  days.  Gross: 
$20,000.     (Average:  $21,000) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 
STATE  LAKE  (50c-65c-98c)  (2,700).  Gross- 
$25,000.    (Average:  $25,000) 
THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO<)— WOODS 
(1.080)   (98c)— 5  days,  4th  week.  EASTER 
PARADE  (M-G-M),  2  days.   Gross:  $23- 
000.     (Average:  $23,000) 

SO  EVIL  MY  LOVE  (Para.) — UNITED 
ARTISTS  (1,700)  (50c-65c-98c)  5  days  2nd 
week.    SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M)  2 

days.    Gross:  $17,000.    (Average:  $20,000) 
THE    TIME    OF   YOUR    LIFE    (UA)  — 

ORIENTAL  (3,300)  (50c-65c-98c).  On  stage- 
Horace  Heidt.  Gross:  $70,000.  (Average- 
$45,000)  1  B  • 


ON  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA)  and  CODI 
?ZJC^7l^D  7**°  <ReP->-ESQUIRE 

$2  000)  S:    $3,50°-  (AveraSe 

RIVER  LADY  (U-I)  and  DEVIL" 
CARGO  (FC) — PARAMOUNT  (2,200)  (35c 
o.C,);c-orOSTS:»il2'500-1  Average:  $10,000) 
RIVER  LADY  (U-I)  and  DEVIL" 
CARGO  (FC)- WEBBER  (750)  (35c-74c) 
Gross:  $2,500.    (Average:  $2,000) 

n°7  JVJh  ^  L,°yE  <p^a.)-DENHAJl 

(1,750)  (35c-70c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $7,000 
(Average:  $11,000) 

STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th-Fox) 
and  SHANGHAI  CHEST  (Mono.)— ALAD- 

DIN  (1,400)  (35c-74c)  After  a  week  at  the 
Denver  and  Esquire.  Gross:  $3,500  ( 
age:  $2,500) 


PITTSBURGH 


For  a  second  straight  week  "Easter 
Parade"  topped  grosses  locally.  Esti- 
mated receipts  for  the  week  ending 
August  12: 

BRING  'EM  BACK  ALIVE  (RKO  Radio 

reissue)  —  WARNER    (2,000)  (44c-60c-76c). 
Gross:  $9,000.    (Average:  $8,000) 
DEEP     WATERS    (20th-Fox)  -  FULTON 
(1,700)   (44c-60c-76c).    Gross:  $11,000.  Aver- 
age: $9,700) 

5o  V5£?  (FC  reiss«e)  and  FOUR  FEATH- 

£  (  C^rei5fue)rRITZ  (1'1(X»  (44c-60c-76c) 
Gross:  $4,000.  (Average:  $3,500) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  —  PENN 
«>4™>  (44c-60c-76c)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$19,000.  (Average:  $15,000) 
LIFE.  WITH  FATHER  (WB)  _  STAN- 
LEY (3,800)  (44c-60c-76c).  Gross:  $12  000 
(Average:  $15,000) 

ROSE  OF  WASHINGTON  SQUARE 
M>tn-Fox  reissue)  and  SLAVE  SHIP  (20th- 

Fox   reissue)— SENATOR    (1,700)  (44c-60c- 
76c).    Gross:  $4,500.    (Average:  $3,500) 
THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (20th-Fox)- 

HAR*IS(2000)  (44c-60c-76c).  Gross:  $13,000 
(Average:  $11,000) 


SAN  FRANCISCO 


OMAHA 


Omaha  theatres  averaged  a  little 
below  par  in  a  week  that  saw  tem- 
peratures unseasonably  cool  with 
several  showers.  Estimated  receipts 
for  the  week  ending  August  11-12: 

rS?  £FX  (M-^>  *"*  OLD  LOS  AN- 
GELES■  (Rep.)-STATE  (750)  (50c-65c)  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $4,700.  (Average:  $4,900) 
THE  FIGHTING  SIXTY-NINTH  (WB) 
and  VALLEY  OF  THE  GIANTS  (WB)- 
OMAHA  (2,000)  (50c-65c).  Gross:  $7  600 
(Average:  $8,500) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  -  KRO  BRANDEIS 
(1,100)  (50c-65c).  Gross:  $10,000.  (Average: 
$6,900) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 

«^RAAfOUNT   (2'm)    (50c-65c).  Gross: 
$8,600.    (Average:  $11,400) 
WALLFLOWER     (WB)     and  SHAGGY 

(Para.)  -  ORPHEUM  (3,000)  (50c-65c). 
Gross:  $8,600.    (Average:  $9,900) 


DENVER 


"Best  Years  of  Our  Lives"  will  get 
an  eighth  week  at  the  Broadway,  with 
the  fifth,  sixth  and  seventh  tying  for 
money.  Other  business  is  fair  to  good. 
Receipts  for  the  week  ended  August 
6-7 : 

BEST   YEARS    OF   OUR   LIVES  (RKO 

Radio)— BROADWAY  (1.500)  (35c-74c)  7th 
S«ee^Gro":  $7-°°0-  (Average:  $7,000). 
f££rf?  PARADE  (M-G-M)  and  DEAR 
MURDERER  (U-I)  -  ORPHEUM  (2.6C0) 
(35c-74c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $12,000.  (Aver- 
age: $13,500)  v 

£»YLAR£°  (WB>  and  STAGE  STRUCK 
(Mono.)— RIALTO  (878)  (35c-74c)  After  a 
week  at  the  Denver.  Esquire,  Webber  and 
Xi,  il\  Gross:  H00O  (Average:  $3,000) 
°N  OUR  MERRY  WAY  (UA)  and  CODE 
OF  SCOTLAND  YARD  (Rep.) — DENVER 
&2*L  (35c"74c)-  Gr°ss:  $15,000.  (Average: 


Key  Largo"  at  the  Fox  chalked  up 

a  smash  week.     Other  business  was 

average.    Estimated    San  Francisco 

grosses  for  the  week  ending  August  11 : 

r^T^T^T^^1™  JUDY  (M-G-M)-WAR- 

£1™°  H'672)  (60c-85c)  2nd  week-  Gross: 
$14,000.    (Average:  $18,800) 

«     fOREIGN     AFFAIR     (Para.)  —  S'l 

CRANClh  ^1A?2     (60c-85c'     2nd  week. 
Gross:  $15,500.    (Average:  $14,600) 
ABBOTT      AND      COSTELLO  MEET 

Ff^IF!:lys,TEIN  <u-«  «»>  TAKE  MY 
LIFE  (E-L)-ORPHEUM  (2,440)  (55c-85c) 
2nd  week.  Gross:  $14,500.  Average:  $14  700) 
THE  JOLSON  STORY  (Col.)  and  SHE 
COULDN'T  TAKE  IT  (Col.)  ^STATE 
$8  500)  (60c"85c)-  Gross:  S8'000-  (Average: 
KEY    LARGO     (WB)     and    THE  BIG 

?UNCtU(ZB),7FC*    (4'651>  <«te-85° 

Gross:  $35,000.  (Average:  $23,000) 
KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  THE  BIG 
PUNCH  (WB)  —  UNITED  NATIONS 
$9  900)  (60c"8Sc)-  Gross:  $7,200.  (Average: 
LIFE  WITH  FATHER  (WB)  and  KING 
OF  THE  GAMBLERS  (Rep.)  -  PARA- 
MOUNT (2,735)  (60c-85c).  Gross:  $15,500. 
(Average:  $19,500) 

MELODY   TIME   (RKO'  Radio)   —  RKO 

Golden  Gate  (2,835)  (95c)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$15,000.  (Average:  $27,000) 
SO    THIS    IS    NEW    YORK    (UA)  and 
COURAGEOUS  MR.  PENN  (Hoffberg)  - 

KJSrJ^AARTISTS     0'465)     (85C)-  Gr°SS: 

$16.0CO.    (Average:  $11,300) 

YOU  CAN'T  TAKE  IT  WITH  YOU  (Col.) 

and  PENNIES  FROM  HEAVEN  (Col.)— 

ESQUIRE   (1,008)    (55c-85c).   Gross:  $6,400 
(Average:  $9,000) 


'River'  for  Capitol 

United  Artists'  "Red  River"  will  go 
into  the  Capitol  here  after  the  engage- 
ment of  the  company's  "Pitfall,"  which 
opens  on  August  19. 


'Ruthless'  Opening 

Eagle-Lion's  "Ruthless,"  starring 
Zachary  Scott  and  Diana  Lynn,  will 
open  at  the  Gotham  Theatre  here 
September  3. 


'Carmen'  for  State 

Columbia's  "The  Loves  of  Carmen" 
will  open  at  Loew's  State  here  fol- 
lowing the  engagment  of  "Easter 
Parade." 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOT 


JOTCTE  0*HV  v 
■A  PICT' 


64.    NO.  31 


NEW  YORK,  U.  S.  A.,  FRIDAY,  AUGUST  13,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


O'Brien  Asks 
Joint  US-UK 
Film  Council 


NATKE  Official  Insists 
Cooperation  Imperative 

Formation  of  a  joint  organiza- 
tion by  the  British  and  American 
industries  to  deal  with  mutual  prob- 
lems was  again  urged  by  Tom 
O'Brien,  member  of  Parliament,  and 
general  secretary  of  the  National 
Association  of  Theatrical  and  Kine 
Employes,  as  he  arrived  here  yester- 
day from  England  on  the  SS  Queen 
M  ary. 

O'Brien,  who  made  such  a  proposal 
while  here  some  time  ago,  said  he 
would  take  up  this  and  other  matters 
with  Eric  Johnston,  president  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Amer- 
ica, when  they  confer  the  week  after 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Full  Remittances 
Seen  from  Brazil 


Although  U.  S.  distributors  can  now 
take  about  75  per  cent  of  their  money 
out  of  Brazil,  they  will  be  in  a  position 
to  remit  all  of  their  earnings  there  as 
soon  as  enough  dollars  are  available, 
it  was  said  here  yesterday  by  Ned 
Seckler,  RKO  Radio's  Brazilian  man- 
ager. 

It  was  estimated  that  U.  S.  com- 
panies earned  from  $7,000,000  to  $8,- 
000,000  in  Brazil  last  year._  Seckler 
reported  that,  while  film  business  cur- 
rently shows  a  decline  in  Brazil,  RKO 
is  doing  35  per  cent  better  there  this 
year  than  last,  on  the  basis  of  figures 
for  the  first  half  of  1948.  He  at- 
tributed this  to  an  improvement  in 
playing  time. 

According  to  Seckler,  the  high  cost 
of  building  and  scarcity  of  materials 
are  hampering  the  construction  of  new 
theatres  in  Brazil. 

Interviewed  at  the  same  time,  Pedro 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Jackpot  Game  for 
Theatres  Being  Set 

"Puzzle-Bank,"  a  new  theatre  audi- 
ence participation  game,  will  shortly 
be  introduced  to  theatres  by  Curtis 
Mitchell,  former  advertising-publicity 
director  of  Paramount,  and  his  asso- 
ciates in  Enterprise  House,  Inc.,  the 
New  York  sponsoring  company. 
'  Mitchell,  who  demonstrated  the 
(Continued  on  page  5) 


Drive-in  Exhibitors  to 
Form  Own  Association 


Charlotte,  Aug.  12.  —  A  third  na- 
tional and  unique  exhibitor  organiza- 
tion is  a  potentiality. 

Owners  and  operators  of  120  drive- 
in  theatres  in  this  part  of  the  South, 
principally  in  the  Carolinas,  have  been 
invited  by  R.  O.  Jeffress  of  this  city  to 
meet  here  on  Aug.  29  to  organize 
the  Drive-in  Theatre  Association  for 
their  mutual  benefit  and  protection.  It 
is  the  first  move  of  its  kind  in  the 
South,  says  Jeffress,  and,  so  far  as  is 
known,  the  first  in  the  country.  It 
might  spread  nationally. 

Chief  among  the  many  complaints  of 
potential  and  operating  drive-in  ex- 
hibitors are  local  restrictions  and  in- 
ability in  many  cases  to  get  new  top 
product,  except  in  those  situations 
which  involve  projects  conducted  by 
exhibitors  who  have  the  buying  power 
of  a  string  of  regular  theatres. 

The  average  drive-in  can  accommo- 
date 600  cars,  which,  with  an  average 
capacity  of  four  persons,  represents  an 
audience  of  2,400.  That  could  mean  a 
$1,200  gross  for  a  single  performance 
at  an  average  admission  of  50  cents. 

Jeffress  operates  the  Ford-Rock 
Drive-in,  between  Fort  Mill  and  Rock- 
hill,  S.  C. 


4  Latin  Countries 
In  Reciprocal  Deal 

By  PEDRO  GONZALES 

Madrid,  Aug.  9  (By  Airmail)  — 
Argentina,  Mexican,  Cuban  and  Span- 
ish delegates  to  the  Congreso  His- 
pano  Americano  de  Cinematografia 
have  agreed  to  have  permanent  head- 
quarters in  Madrid  with  branches  in 
the  other  countries,  to  work  for  har- 
mony between  the  countries  on  such 
matters  as  duties  and  taxes,  and  to 
promote  Spanish-language  features. 
The  Congreso  urges  that  dubbing  in 
Spanish  be  curtailed,  that  only  the 
best  foreign  features  be  allowed  to 
be  dubbed. 


U.A.  to  Distribute 
Series  on  Israel 

A  worldwide  distribution  deal  has 
been  closed  by  United  Artists  with 
Palestine  Films,  Inc.,  for  the  latter's 
news-review  series  titled  "Israel  To- 
day," short  subject  documentaries  on 
Israel,  to  be  released  once  monthly. 
First  issue  to  go  through  U.A.  will  be 
"Israel  in  Action."  Introductory  re- 
lease of  the  series,  "Israel  Reborn," 
was  distributed  by  20th  Century-Fox. 

Deal  was  negotiated  by  Arthur  W. 
Kelly,  United  Artists  vice-president, 
and  Norman  Lourie,  president  of 
Palestine  Films 


Essaness  Halts  Its 
Payments  to  Ascap 

Chieago,  Aug.  12. — Essaness 
has  joined  the  list  of  circuits 
which  is  withholding  pay- 
ments to  Ascap  for  music 
license  fees  as  a  result  of  the 
New  York  Federal  Court  rul- 
ing holding  the  society  in 
violation  of  anti-trust  laws. 


U-I  Lists  24, 
Six  in  Color 


Universal-International's  production, 
distribution  and  home  office  executives 
yesterday  concluded  a  series  of  Coast 
studio  meetings  where  the  company's 
annual  production  program  was  set  to 
include  24  "top-budget"  pictures,  in- 
cluding six  in  Technicolor,  the  home 
office  announces. 

Details  of  the  program  were  out- 
lined by  Leo  Spitz  and  William  Goetz, 
U-I's  production  chiefs.  The  Techni- 
color films  will  include  "Bloomer 
Girl,"  "Adventures  of  Sam  Bass," 
"Bagdad,"  "Tomahawk,"  "Sierra"  and 
"Streets  of  Cairo."  Among  the  others 
are  "Harvey,"  "Night  Watch,"  "Am- 
boy  Dukes,"  "Come  Be  My  Love," 
"Paradise  Lost— 1948,"  "Air  Crash," 
"Life  of  Riley,"  "The  Gay  Goddess," 
"Illegal  Entry,"  "The  Fatal  Step," 
"It  Gives  Me  Great  Pleasure,"  "Ma 
and  Pa  Kettle,"  "Arctic  Manhunt," 
"The  Western  Story,"  "Shoplifter," 
"Salem  Frigate,"  and  "Homicide 
Squad." 


RKO  Radio  Sets  18 
Through  Early  '49 

RKO  Radio  has  12  pictures  ready 
for  release  between  now  and  the  end 
of  the  year,  Robert  Mochrie,  distribu- 
tion vice-president,  told  a  meeting  of 
home  office  and  Metropolitan  area 
sales  executives  at  the  Hotel  Astor 
here  yesterday. 

Additionally,  six  new  productions, 
screened  for  him  during  his  recent 
visit  to  the  Coast,  have  been  scheduled 
for  early  release  in  1949,  including  : 
Walter  Wanger's  "Joan  of  Arc," 
"Every  Girl  Should  Be  Married," 
"Baltimore  Escape,"  "Interference," 
Walt    Disney's    "So    Dear    to  My 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Agne  w  Leaving 
SRO,Vanguard 
Posts  Sept.  1 

Plans  Retirement ;  No 
Successor  Decided  Upon 

Neil  F.  Agnew  has  resigned  as 
president  of  Selznick  Releasing  Or- 
ganization, effective  Sept.  1,  the 
company  announced  in  Hollywood 
yesterday.  Ag- 
new has  no 
plans  for  future 
activity  in  the 
industry  and 
close  associates 
of  his  said  yes- 
terday that  he 
plans  to  reside 
about  half  of 
each  year  in 
France  and  the 
other  half  at 
his  Southbury, 
Conn.,  farm. 
Mrs.  Agnew  is 
a  native  of 
France. 

SRO  officials  said  in  Hollywood 
yesterday  that  no  decision  has  been 
made  yet  on  the  appointment  of  a 

(Continued  on  -page  2) 


Neil  F.  Agnew 


MPEA  to  Consider 
Blum-ByrnesAccord 

Washington*,  Aug.  12. — Meeting 
of  the  Motion  Picture  Export  Asso- 
ciation which  had  been  set  for  Mon- 
day and  may  be  pushed  back  to  Tues- 
day will  consider  details  of  the  pro- 
posed revision  of  the  Blum-Byrnes 
accord,  it  was  disclosed  today.  An 
official  State  Department  text  of  the 
proposed  changes  in  the  French  ac- 
cord is  being  circulated  among  top 
industry   officials,   but   neither  State 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


US  Increases  Films 
For  65  Countries 


Washington,  Aug.  12. — Increased 
appropriations  will  allow  the  film 
division  of  the  U.  S.  State  De- 
partment's overseas  information  pro- 
gram to  show  more  pictures  to  more 
people  in  1948-49,  according  to  divi- 
sion chief  Herbert  T.  Edwards,  who 
anticipates  an  audience  of  10,000,000 
persons  monthly  in  65  countries. 

The  film  section,  like  the  rest  of 
(Continued  on  page  5) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  August  13,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


HERBERT  J.  YATES,  Republic 
president,  is  due  here  from  Eu- 
rope next  Friday. 

• 

Jules  Lapidus,  Warner  Eastern  di- 
vision manager ;  "Dinty"  Moore,  dis- 
trict manager,  and  Ray  Smith,  Al- 
bany manager,  were  at  the  Schine 
circuit  office  in  Gloversville,  N.  Y., 
yesterday.  Moore  is  due  next  in  Buf- 
falo. 

• 

Capt.  Harold  Auten  of  United 
Artists  was  host  at  a  dinner  at  the 
Lotos  Club  here  last  night  to  Paul 
Lazarus,  Jr.,  Chester  Bahn,  James 
Jerauld,  Sherwin  Kane  and  Mike 
Wear. 

• 

Hugh  Owen,  Paramount's  Eastern- 
Southern  division  sales  manager,  left 
here  yesterday  on  a  trip  to  the  Al- 
bany and  Buffalo  branches.  He  is  due 
back  Monday. 

• 

Harry  M.  Kalmine,  Warner  The- 
atres president  and  general  manager, 
and  W.  Stewart  McDonald,  vice- 
president,  will  return  to  New  York 
Monday  from  Washington. 

• 

Frank  N.  Phelps,  Warner  The- 
atres  head  of   labor   relations,  will 
leave  New  York  tonight  to  attend 
the  IATSE  convention  in  Cleveland. 
• 

Robert  Wolff,  managing  director 
of  RKO  Radio  in  Britain,  will  sail 
for  London  tonight  on  the  SS  Queen 
Mary. 

• 

Caswell   Adams,   United  Artists 
New  York  newspaper  contact,  will 
start  a  two-week  vacation  today. 
• 

Harry  Goldberg,  Warner  Theatres 
advertising-publicity  director,  re- 
turned here  yesterday  from  the  Coast. 


Rites  Tomorrow  for 
Robert  C.  Bruce,  61 

Hollywood,  Aug.  12. — Funeral  ser- 
vices will  be  held  Saturday  at  Wee 
Kirk  of  the  Heather,  Forest  Lawn, 
for  Robert  C.  Bruce,  61,  pioneer 
travelogue  producer,  and  his  one-day- 
old  daughter,  Roberta,  who  died  on 
the  same  day  and  at  the  same  hospital, 
Queen  of  Angels,  shortly  before  her 
father.  Bruce  succumbed  to  pneu- 
monia. A  double  burial  will  be  held 
at  Forest  Lawn  Cemetery. 

Survivors  include  the  widow,  Rob- 
erta's twin  sister,  two  sons,  Robert 
C,  Jr.,  and  Douglas ;  a  sister  and  a 
brother.  Bruce,  who  was  inactive  in 
pictures  for  several  years,  recently 
formed  a  new  company,  Locations  Un- 
limited, to  make  available  to  produc- 
ers his  vast  collection  of  stock  shots 
of  remote  areas  filmed  for  his  trav- 
elogues. 


Harry  Foster's  Father 

Funeral  services  will  be  held  here 
today  at  the  Schwartz  Funeral  Home 
for  Nathan  Foster,  father  of  Columbia 
short  subject  director  Harry  Foster. 


Midwest  Exhibitors 
Spark  'YouthMomth' 

Kansas  City,  Aug.  12. — Common- 
wealth Theatres  has  made  'Youth 
Month"  activities  a  feature  of  its  man- 
agers' meeting  to  be  held  Sept.  14-15. 
At  that  time  managers  will  report 
on  their  specific  efforts  and  the  sup- 
port garnered  among  local  groups. 

Meanwhile,  on  another  front  of  the 
September  observance,  a  committee 
including  local  theatremen,  following 
a  recent  meeting  of  the  Kansas  City 
theatre  committee  with  the  welfare 
board  and  other  youth  agencies,  is  be- 
ing set  up  to  carry  out  the  public  re- 
lations aspect  of  the  Youth  Month 
activities  in  Kansas  City. 

E.  C.  Rhoden,  Missouri,  and  Homer 
Strowig,  Kansas,  co-chairmen  of  the 
Youth  Month  program  in  this  area, 
have  pointed  out  that  plans  for  assist- 
ing local  groups  in  celebrating  Youth 
Month  should,  wherever  possible,  also 
be  geared  to  year-round  assistance  in 
the  development  of  activities  in  behalf 
of  youth,  this  program  to  embrace  not 
only  'teen-agers  but  also  those  in  their 
early  'twenties. 

Skouras,  Gamble  Discuss  Aid 
Of  Radio  and  Sports  Writers 

Charles  P.  Skouras,  national  chair- 
man of  the  Youth  Month  Committee, 
and  Ted  R.  Gamble,  president  of  the 
Theatre  Owners  of  America,  were 
hosts  to  radio  representatives  at  a 
luncheon  and  to  sports  writers  at  a 
dinner  here  yesterday  to  discuss  co- 
operation in  the  campaign. 


Screen  Plays  in  Deal 
For  Stillman  Backing 

Hollywood,  Aug.  12. — Completion 
of  a  deal  under  which  the  John  Still- 
man  financial  interests  of  New  York 
will  supply  $2,000,000  backing  for  its 
next  five  features,  with  banks  to  fur- 
nish the  remainder,  was  announced 
today  by  Screen  Plays,  Inc.  The  first 
film,  Ring  Lardner's  "Champion,"  will 
go  into  production  in  60  days.  All 
five  pictures  are  for  United  Artists  re- 
lease. 


2  Technicolor  Dividends 

Two  dividends  each  of  25  cents  a 
share,  one  payable  Sept.  10  to  stock- 
holders of  record  on  Aug.  24,  and  the 
other  payable  on  Oct.  8  to  stockhold- 
ers of  record  on  Sept.  20,  were  de- 
clared yesterday  by  the  Technicolor 
board  of  directors. 


Variety  Club  Outing 

Baltimore,  Aug.  12. — The  Variety 
Club,  Baltimore  Tent,  No.  19,  will 
hold  its  annual  outing  Tuesday  at 
Camp  Ritchie,  Md.,  near  the  Pennsyl- 
vania line.  Governor  Lane  of  Mary- 
land and  Mayor  D'Alasandro  of  Bal- 
timore will  be  guests.  Sam  Tabor  is 
chairman  of  the  committee  in  charge. 


Patterson  Quits  'U' 

Hollywood,  Aug.  12.  —  Pat  Pat- 
terson, columnist  and  trade  paper  con- 
tact at  the  Universal  studio  for  the 
past  six  years,  has  resigned,  effective 
Aug.  21.  Patterson  entered  studio 
publicity  here  after  posts  with  Coast 
theatre  circuits. 


Agnew  Resigns 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


successor  to  Agnew  who,  in  addition 
to  being  president  of  SRO,  was  also 
vice-president  and  general  sales  man- 
ager of  David  O.  Selznick's  Van- 
guard Films.  He  relinquishes  that 
post  also.  It  is  understood  that  Ag- 
new's  desire  to  reside  in  France  a 
large  part  of  each  year  led  to  his 
resignation  after  he  had  been  unable 
to  work  out  a  mutually  agreeable 
arrangement  with  Selznick  which 
would  permit  that. 

Milton  S.  Kusell  is  second  in  com- 
mand at  SRO  and  Vanguard  sales 
headquarters  in  New  York,  being  gen- 
eral sales  manager  of  the  former  and 
sales  manager  of  the  latter. 

Agnew  entered  the  industry  as  a 
booker  in  the  Paramount  exchange  in 
Chicago  in  1920.  He  advanced  to 
salesman,  to  branch  manager  at  Mil- 
waukee, branch  manager  at  Chicago, 
and  then  to  district  manager,  with 
headquarters  in  Chicago,  all  for  Para- 
mount. In  1932  he  was  appointed 
Paramount  Western  division  manager ; 
in  1933,  assistant  sales  manager,  and 
in  1934  was  named  general  sales  man- 
ager of  Paramount.  In  1935  he  was 
named  vice-president  in  charge  of  dis- 
tribution and  a  director  of  Para- 
mount. He  resigned  that  post  in 
April,  1944,  to  join  Vanguard  and  was 
elected  to  the  United  Artists  board  as 
Selznick's  representative  in  that  year. 
He  retired  from  the  U.  A.  board  when 
Selznick  disposed  of  his  U.  A.  stock 
interest. 


Greenblatt  to  Hold  3 
Screen  Guild  Meets 

Three  Screen  Guild  sales  meetings 
will  be  held  in  the  next  two  weeks, 
the  first  in  Chicago  starting  tomorrow 
and  ending  Monday.  Arthur  Green- 
blatt, Eastern  sales  manager,  has  left 
New  York  for  Chicago  and  then  will 
go  to  Memphis  for  an  Aug.  19-21  par- 
ley. He  will  then  fly  to  San  Francisco 
for  the  final  meeting  on  Aug.  27-29 
and  for  talks  with  Screen  Guild  presi- 
dent Robert  L.  Lippert  to  set  adver- 
tising campaigns  for  several  releases. 
Greenblatt  will  return  here  on  Sept.  10. 


2  New  Opening  Day 
Records  in  Chicago 

Chicago,  Aug.  12.  —  RKO  Palace 
and  Essaness'  Woods  theatres  in  the 
Loop  both  established  new  opening  day 
figures  on  Wednesday  with  Universal- 
International's  "Abbott  and  Costello 
Meet  Frankenstein"  and  M-G-M's 
"Easter  Parade,"  respectively.  The 
former  hit  $7,500,  the  latter  $6,400. 


RKO  Radio  Sets  18 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Heart"  and  Samuel  Goldwyn's  "En- 
chantment." 

The  12  for  the  remainder  of  this 
year  listed  by  Mochrie  include  :  "The 
Pearl,"  "Mystery  in  Mexico,"  "Vari- 
ety Time,"  "The  Velvet  Touch," 
"Good  Sam,"  "Race  Street,"  "Rachel 
and  the  Stranger,"  "Mourning  Be- 
comes Electra,"  "Station  West,"  "A 
Song  Is  Born,"  "The  Twisted  Road" 
and  "The  Boy  with  the  Green  Hair." 


E-L  Luncheon  for 
Milton  E.  Cohen 

Circuit  executives  and  exhibitors  of 
the  Pennsylvania-New  Jersey-Mary- 
land areas  will  attend  a  luncheon  at 
the  Warwick  Hotel  in  Philadelphia 
on  Tuesday  to  meet  Milton  E.  Cohen, 
Eagle-Lion's  new  Eastern  division 
manager.  Also  present  will  be  Paul 
Henreid,  E-L  star-producer;  William 
J.  Heineman,  distribution  vice-presi- 
dent; Max  E.  Youngstein,  advertising- 
publicity  vice-president;  L.  J.  Scbf4 
fer,  sales  executive,  and  Harry  f  ^ 
man,  Philadelphia  branch  manager. 

Following  the  luncheon,  Cohen  will 
leave  with  Henreid  for  Reading  to  at- 
tend the  world  premiere  of  "Hollow 
Triumph"  on  Aug.  18. 


20th  Promotes  Birnbaum 

Hollywood,  Aug.  12.  —  Leon  Birn- 
baum has  been  promoted  to  head  the 
20th  Century-Fox  studio  music-cutting 
department,  replacing  Cliff  Ransom, 
who  has  resigned.  Birnbaum  was  pre- 
viously a  music  cutter  at  the  studio. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


IE— RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL- 

Rockefeller  Center 

£"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

Wallace  BEERY     .     Jane  POWELL 
•  Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA 
Xavier  CU  GAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture  i 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


ALAN  OONNA 


ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  THE 

BABE  RUTH 

STORY  r-HB-lN 


|Cont!Ptrf©rmonce»»Pop  Pr!c«i 


SCIENTIFICALLY  AIR  COMDITIQNf.0  " ' 

OPEN        t~W~%   B  woy  & 

833^8 


Cornel 
WILDE 


Linda  Anne  Kirk 

DARNELL     BAXTER  DOUGLAS 


"THE  WALLS  of  JERICHO" 

A  20th  Century-Fox  Picture 
ON  VARIETY  STAGE—  DICK  HAYMES 
ON  ICE  STAGE— CAROL  LYNNE 
ARNOLD  SHODA    -    FRITZ  DIETL 

 ROXY  7hAV6& 


50th  St. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
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TECHNICOLOR  MOTION  PICTURE  CORPORATION 

HERBERT  T.  KALMUS,  PRESIDENT  AND  GENERAL  MANAGER 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  August  13,  1948 


Key  City 

Grosses 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
ture grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


BOSTON 


Cool  weather  over  the  weekend 
helped  after  several  weeks  of  hot 
weather.  Only  six  night  baseball 
games  to  be  played  this  month,  then 
theatres  will  not  have  any  night  com- 
petition. Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ended  August  11  : 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)  —  PARAMOUNT  (1.700) 
(40c -SCO  2nd  week.  Gross:  $12,500.  (Aver- 
age: $17,000) 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  and  LADY  AT  MID- 
NIGHT (E-L)— FENWAY  (1,373)  (40c-80c). 
Gross:  $4,900.  (Average:  $10,000) 
HUNGRY  HILL  (U-I)  and  SMART 
WOMAN  (AA-Mono.)  —  EXETER  (1,300) 
(45c-75c)  4  cinvs.  Gross:  $1,800.  (Average: 
$5,000) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  THE  SHANGHAI 
CHEST  (Mono.)— METROPOLITAN  (4,367) 
(40c-80c).  Gross :  $24,000.  (Average:  $27,000). 
Dr.  IQ  persona]  appearance  one  night. 
MELODY  TIME  (RKOi  Radio)  and  MYS- 
TERY IN  MEXICO  (RKO  Radio)  5  days. 
RKO -MEMORIAL  (3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross: 
$12,500.  (Average:  $22,000) 
TAKE  MY  LIFE  (E-L)  and  THE  GREAT 
WALTZ  (M-G-M)  —  EXETER  (1,300) 
(45c-75c)  3  days.  (Gloss:  $1,500.  (Average: 
$5,000) 

THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)  and 
ADVENTURES   IN  SILVERADO  (Col.)— 

A  ST  OR    (1,300)     (44e-80c).     Gross:  $3,800. 
(Average:  None  available) 
THE    BABE   RUTH   STORY  (AA-Mono) 
and     DEVIL'S     CARGO     (F-C)  —  RKO- 

MEMORIAL  (3.0C0)  (40c-80c)  2  days.  Gross: 
$5,000. 

THE  TIME  OF  YOUR  LIFE  (UA)  and 
THUNDERHOOF  (Col.)  —  ORPHEUM 
(3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $22,000.  (Average: 
$27,000) 

THE  TIME  OF  YOUR  LIFE  (UA)  and 
THUNDERHOOF  (Col.)  —  STATE  (3,500) 
(40c-80c).  Cross:  $12,500.  (Average:  $12,000) 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (2flth- 
Fcx)  and  FRENCH  LEAVE  (Mono.)— RKO 
BOSTON—  (3.200)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $9,500. 
(Average:  None  on  summer  schedule) 
SIXTEEN  FATHOMS  DEEP  (Mono.)— 
MODERN    (800)    (45c-S5c).    Gross:   $500.  1 


MINNEAPOLIS 


"Easter  Parade"  was  a  strong  draw 
in  a  week  which  saw  theatre  business 
in  a  general  improvement.  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ended  August 
12: 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  —  RADIO 
CITY  (4,000)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $18,500. 
(Average:  J16.000-) 

KEY    LARGO    (WB)  —  RKO  ORPHEUM 

(2.80O)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $13,000.  (Average: 
$12,500)  ■ 

MR.  BLANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)  —  LYRIC  (1.1CG0  (50c-70c) 
4th  week.  Gross:  $5,200.  (Average:  $5,000) 
RETURN    OF    THE    BAD    MEN  (RKO 

Radio) -RKO  PAN  (1,500)  (50c-70t)  5  days, 
2nd  week.    Gross:  $5,000.    (Average:  for  7 

days:  $8,000) 

SHAGGY    (Para.)    and    BILL    AND  COO 

(Rep.)- CENTURY  (1,500)  (50c-70c)  5  days. 
Gross:  $4,000.  (Average  for  7  days:  $5,500) 
TARZAN'S  SECRET  TREASURE 
(M-G-M)  and  TARZAN'S  NEW  YORK 
ADVENTURE  (M-G-M-Reissues)  —  GO- 
PHER (1.000)  (J4c-50c)  8  days.  Gross: 
$4,200.  (Average  for  7  days:  $3,200) 
THE  BEST  YEARS  OF  OUR  LIVES 
(RKO  Radio)  —  STATE  (2,300)  (50c-70c) 
Gross:  $11,000.    (Average:  $10,500) 


Reviews 


BALTIMORE 


Cooler  weather  and  the  arrival  of 
several  substantial  pictures  are  helping 
this  week's  business.  Openings  were 


"Shed  No  Tears" 

(Eagle-Lion) 

A HUSBAND  and  wife  team  up  to  defraud  an  insurance  company  out  of 
$50,000  in  "Shed  No  Tears,"  a  routine  melodrama  based  on  the  novel 
by  Don  Martin. 

Starring  Wallace  Ford  and  June  Vincent  as  the  married  couple  the  plot 
progresses  smoothly  if  not  swiftly.  Opening  with  a  hotel  fire  in  which  an 
unidentified  body  is  found,  the  picture  relates  how  the  wife  identifies  the  body 
as  her  husband  while  he  flees  to  another  city  under  an  assumed  name.  Wait- 
ing for  her  to  join  him  with  the  insurance  money  he  becomes  suspicious  and 
returns  to  murder  her  lover.  Blackmail  enters  the  picture  as  a  private  detec- 
tive stumbles  on  the  case.  Eventually  all  suffer  for  their  crimes. 

In  supporting  roles  are  Robert  Scott,  the  lover ;  Johnstone  White  as  the 
unethical  detective,  Dick  Hogan  as  Wallace  Ford's  son,  and  Frank  Albertson, 
the  detective  investigating  the  case.  Jean  Yarbrough  directed  and  Robert 
Frost  produced  for  Equity  Pictures. 

Running  time,  70  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
August  21.   

"Miracle  in  Harlem" 

(Screen  Guild) 

THIS  murder  mystery  can  be  credited  with  better  production  techniques 
besides  being  able  to  stand  comparison  with  other  Negro  features  from 
Herald  Pictures.  The  picture  was  shot  in  sepia  and  it  employs  extensively 
combination  sets  making  it  possible  for  the  story  to  gravitate  from  scene  to 
scene  with  a  continuous  flow  of  action.  Not  to  be  overlooked  is  the  fact  that 
a  couple  of  musical  items  have  been  neatly  dovetailed  into  the  yarn  without 
getting  into  the  way  of  the  plot  development. 

Heading  the  cast  are  Sheila  Guyse  and  Hilda  Offley  as  operators  of  a 
candy  shop.  A  wealthy  business  man,  Lawrence  Criner,  and  his  wayward  son, 
Kenneth  Freeman,  swindle  the  women  out  of  their  store.  Eventually  Criner 
is  found  murdered  and  there  are  numerous  suspects.  At  the  end,  however,  it 
is  revealed  that  the  murder  was  committed  by  Criner's  secretary,  who  stands 
to  inherit  his  business  and  fortune.  In  supporting  roles  are  Stepin  Fetchit, 
providing  comedy  relief,  Creighton  Thompson  as  a  minister,  William  Greaves 
as  Miss  Guyse's  romantic  counterpart,  and  Jack  Carter  as  the  blackmailing 
criminal. 

Musical  numbers  include  several  Negro  spirituals  and  the  songs  "I  Want 
to  Be  Loved,"  sung  by  Savannah  Churchill,  "Patience  and  Fortitude"  and 
others.  Jack  Goldberg  produced,  Jack  Kemp  directed  and  Vincent  Valentini 
wrote  the  original  story  and  screenplay. 

Running  time,  70  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
August  6.   


'Champagne  Charlie" 


(Belt  Pictures) 

SET  in  London  in  the  latter  period  of  the  last  century,  "Champagne 
Charlie"  is  a  musical  into  which  has  been  woven  a  plot  concerning,  first- 
ly, a  feud  between  competitive  music  halls,  and  later  their  joint  effort  to 
keep  from  being  closed  by  municipal  authorities. 

Made  in  England  and  appearing  somewhat  dated,  the  picture  at  best  is 
only  mildly  entertaining  for  it  has  Tommy  Trinder  and  Stanley  Holloway 
singing  one  song  after  another  until  mid-way  in  the  picture  when  the  plot 
finally  starts  to  appear.  Some  of  their  songs  were  popular  during  -the  period 
in  which  the  story  takes  place  while  others  are  fairly  recent.  They  include 
"Come  On  Algernon,"  "Hit  Him  on  the  Boke,"  "Strolling  in  the  Park,"  "The 
Man  on  the  Flying  Trapeze,"  "Hunting  After  Dark"  and  a  half  dozen  on 
the  effects  of  alcoholic  beverages. 

Supporting  the  two  singers  are  Betty  Warren,  as  the  owner  of  one  of  the 
music  halls;  Jean  Kent  as  her  daughter  in  love  with  a  nobleman,  and  Harry 
Fowler  as  a  backstage  assistant.  Michael  Balcon  produced  and  Cavalcanti 
directed.  Austin  Melford,  John  Dighton  and  Angus  Macphail  wrote  the 
original. 

Running  time,  72  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
August  6. 


better  than  any  recently  and  weekend 
crowds  gave  a  box-office  boost.  "Key 
Largo"  is  doing  excellent  business. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  ended 
August  12: 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)— KEITH'S  (2,404) 
(25c-37c-44c-54c  and  56c  weekends).  Gross: 
$10,750.  (Average:  $12,000) 
BRING  'EM  BACK  ALIVE  (RKO  Radio 
reissue)  —  HIPPODROME  (2,205)  (29c-37c- 
50c-58c)  With  a  stage  show.  Gross:  $18,500. 
(Average:  $17,500) 

ESCAPE  (2Cth-Fox) — NEW  (1,800)  (29c-40c- 
50c -58c).  Gross:  $12,000.  (Average:  $11,750) 
FANNY   (Siritzky   International) — LITTLE 

(328)  (29c-37c-56c).  Gross:  $3,000.  (Average: 
$3,(X») 

KEY  LARGO'  (WB)  —  STANLEY  (3,280) 
(29c-37c-50c-58c).  Gross:  $20,000.  (Average: 
$14,000) 

MR.  BLANDING  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 

HOUSE   (SRO)— VALENCIA   (1,466)  (29c- 

37c-45c-54c-   and  56c  weekends)   2nd  week. 

Gross:  $5,000.  (Average:  $5,000) 

THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Mono.)— 

TOWN     (1.450)     (29c-37c-56c)     2nd  week. 

Gross:  $12,200.   (Average:  $11,000) 

THE  BIG  CITY  (M-G-M)  —  MAYFAIR 


(1.000)  (21c-29c-54c).  Gross:  $6,250.  (Aver- 
age: $5,000) 

THE    TIME    OF    YOUR    LIFE  (UA)— 

CENTURY  (3,000)  (29c-37c-45c-54c  and  56c 
w°~kends).  Gross:  $15,5CO.  (Average-  $14,- 
500) 


TORONTO 


With  cooler  weather  helping  the 
trend,  there  was  a  strengthening  of 
patronage  at  ace  houses,  top  attrac- 
tion of  the  week  being  _  "Easter  Pa- 
rade." There  were  holdovers  at  three 
theatres.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ended  August  12: 

ABBOTT  AJVD  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)-UPTOWN  (2,761) 

^0c"3ec:r*:^6c-90c)  6  days.  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $9,100.  (Average:  $10,600) 
BERLIN  EXPRESS  (RKO  Radio)  - 
SHEA'S  (2,480)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6 
SfUfS.-n  Gross:  $15,700.  (Average:  $14,700) 
DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fox)-NORTOWN 
(950!  (20c-42c-60c)  6  days.  Gross  $4^00. 
(Average:  $5,000) 


Production  Remains 
Unchanged  on  Coast 

Hollywood,  August  12. — The  pro- 
duction tally,  standing  at  34,  remained 
unchanged  from  last  week.  Eight  new 
films  were  started,  while  an  equal 
number  were  sent  to  the  cutters. 

Shooting  started  on  "Knock  on  Any 
Door"  and  "Jungle  Jim,"  Columbia; 
"A  Date  with  Murder"  (Falcon). 
Film  Classics;  "Incident,"  Monogra^ 
"One  Woman,"  Paramount ;  "I\  . ,  * 
of  the  Yukon,"  Republic ;  "Frontier 
Phantom"  (Western  Adventure), 
Screen  Guild;  "Somewhere  in  the 
City,"  Warner. 

Shooting  finished  on  "Law  of  the 
Barbary  Coast"  and  "The  Lovers," 
Columbia  ;  "The  Rangers  Ride,"  Mon- 
ogram ;  "Outlaw  Country,"  Screen 
Guild ;  "Adventures  of  the  Cisco  Kid" 
(Krasne),  United  Artists;  "Family 
Honeymoon,"  Universal-International ; 
"June  Bride"  and  "Fighter  Squad- 
ron," Warner. 


Contemplate  Eight 
Actions  on  Drive-ins 

Los  Angeles,  August  12. — President 
C.  A.  Caballero  of  Pacific  Drive-in 
Theatres,  Inc.,  has  announced  his  in- 
tention to  file  suits  against  eight  ex- 
hibitor interests  operating  on  building 
drive-ins  within  the  territory  licensed 
to  Pacific  under  Hollingshead  patent 
No.  1,909,537. 

Alleged  infringers  are  described  as 
operating  under  Josserand  improve- 
ment patent,  which  is  called  an  in- 
fringement of  the  Hollingshead  patent. 
Area  claimed  by  Pacific  embraces 
most  of  Southern  California. 


DEEP  WATERS   (20th-Fox)  —  VICTORIA 

(1,240)  (20c-36c-42c-60c)  6  days.  Gross: 
$5,300.    (Average:  $5.8000 

EASTER    PARADE.     (M-G-M) — LOEW'S 

(2,C'74)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-78c)  6  days.  Gross: 
$16,700'.    (Average:  $14,200) 
KEY    LARGO'    (WB)— IMPERIAL  (3,343) 
(20c-35c-5Oc-6fic-90c)    6   davs.     Gross:  $15,- 
600.     (Average:  $14,600) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 

Fcx) — EGLINTON  (1,086)  (20c-36c-50c-66c) 
6  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,900.  (Average: 
$6,900) 

THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 

Fox)— TIVOLI  (1.434)  (2Oc-36c-50c-66c)  6 
davs,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $6,700.  (Average: 
*8,200) 

THE    WHITE    UNICORN    (E-L)— DAN- 

FORTH    (1.400)    (20c-36c-50c-60c)    6  days. 
Gross:  $6,200'.    (Average:  $6,500) 
THE    WHITE    UNICORN    (E-L)— FAIR- 
LAWN    (1.195)     (2Oc-36c-50c-55c)    6  days. 
Gross:  $5,300).     (Average:  $5,500) 


CINCINNATI 


Current  box-office  figures,  while  not 
sensational,  are  somewhat  over  the 
preceding  week  on  practically  ■  all 
fronts.  Cooler  weather  is  helping  to 
some  extent.  Estimated  receipts  for 
the  week  ended  August  10 : 
BLACK  ARROW  (Col.)-RKO  SHUBERT 
(2,150)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c)  2nd  week,  on 
a  moveover  from  the  Albee.  Gross:  $4,500. 
(Average:  $5,000) 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  —  RKO'  PALACE 
(2.700)  (50c-55c-6Oc-65c-70c-75c).  Gross:  $15,- 
500.   (Average:  $15,000) 

DEEP  WATERS  (ZOth-Fox) — RKO  GRAND 

(1,500)  (50c-55c-6Oc-65c-70c-75c).  Gross:  $11,- 
000.  (Average:  $5.0C0). 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M) — RKO  CAP- 
ITOL   (2,000)    (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c)  3rd 
week.  Gross:  $11,000.   (Average:  $10,000) 
MAN-EATER     OF     KUMAON  (U-I)— 
—  KEITH'S     (1,500)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-75c). 
Gross:  $7,500.  (Average:  $7,500) 
MELODY  TIME    (RKO'  Radio)    —  RKO 
LYRIC  (1,400)    (50c-55c-60t-65c-70c-75c)  3rd 
week,  following  an  initial  week  at  the  Albee 
and  a  first  moveover  week  at  the  Shubert. 
Gross:  $5,500.  (Average:  $5,000) 
RETURN    OF    THE    BAD    MEN  (RKO 
Radio)-RKO  ALBEE   (3.300)  (50c-55c-60c- 
(>5c-70c-75c).  Gross:  $16,000.  (Average:  $15.- 
000) 


Friday,  August  13,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


5 


Review 

"Julia  Misbehaves" 

(M-G-M) 

THOSE  who  remember  Greer  Garson  as  Mrs.  Miniver,  Madame  Curie 
and  Mrs.  Parkington  in  attractions  of  those  titles  are  heading  for  a 
pleasant  and  agreeable  surprise  when  they  meet  Miss  G.  as  Julia  Packett  in 
"Julia  Misbehaves."  It  is  a  complete  switch  from  the  heroic  and  the  tragic 
to  the  gay  and  the  hoydenish.  On  Greer,  it's  decidedly  becoming. 

Based  on  Margery  Sharp's  novel,  "The  Nutmeg  Tree,"  her  current  vehicle 
^-(^rictly  story-book  material.  It  may  not  always  be  entirely  believable,  but 
a  lot  of  fun  and  duck  soup  for  any  audience.  This  time,  circumstances 
compel  Miss  Garson  to  rely  almost  entirely  on  her  wits.  She's  from  show 
business  and  long  separated  from  high-toned  Walter  Pidgeon  who  never  fell 
out  of  love  with  her  but  only  thought  so  at  the  behest  of  his  mother,  the 
socially-conscious  Lucille  Watson.  When  the  lovely  and  fresh  Elizabeth  Tay- 
lor, however,  is  about  to  be  married,  Miss  Garson  decides  to  journey  from 
London  to  the  South  of  France  in  order  to  see  her  daughter. 

Miss  Watson  seeks  to  block  this  and  other  matters,  but  fails  on  practically 
all  counts.  Chief  among  them  is  the  realization  on  the  part  of  Miss  Taylor 
of  what  Miss  Garson  means  to  her.  This  is  established  in  a  touching  and 
dramatic  sequence  which  brings  mother  and  daughter  together.  Pidgeon  finds 
his  original  attraction  for  Miss  Garson  is  undiminished  despite  their  years 
apart  and  in  the  face  of  her  slightly  risque  escapades  involving  what  Cesar 
Romero  thinks  is  a  love  match  and  what  Nigel  Bruce  believes  a  gentleman 
is  entitled  to  for  aiding  a  lady,  in  financial  distress.  The  fact  is  Miss  Garson, 
who  is  rarely  off  the  screen,  is  pretty  busy  in  all  kinds  of  directions ;  not  the 
least  is  a  motherly  conspiracy  which  finds  Miss  Taylor  walking  out  on  her 
engagement  for  an  elopement  with  Peter  Lawford.  The  directions  are  varied 
enough  to  include  an  acrobatic  act  in  which  the  new-style  Miss  Garson  wears 
tights  and  sings. 

While  this  is  Miss  Garson's  show — and  her  first  with  Pidgeon  since  "Mrs. 
Parkington,"  almost  four  years  ago — performances  of  the  other  principals  are 
highly  competent,  as  might  be  expected  from  such  experienced  performers. 
Their  support,  including  reliables  like  Mary  Boland,  Reginald  Owen,  Henry 
Stephenson,  Fritz  Feld  and  Veda  Ann  Borg,  renders  a  valuable  assist. 

Everett  Riskin  produced  with  that  old  and  sure  hand,  Jack  Conway,  direct- 
ing. The  lively  screenplay  is  credited  to  William  Ludwig,  Harry  Ruskin  and 
Arthur  Wimperis  working  off  an  adaptation  of  the  original  novel  by  Gina 
Kaus  and  Monckton  Hoffe. 

Running  time,  a  happy  99  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release 
date,  Oct.  8.  Red  Kann 


Jackpot  Game 


(Continued  from  page  1  ) 

game  to  trade  press  representatives  at 
a  luncheon  here  yesterday,  claims  that 
all  elements  of  chance  have  been  elim- 
inated from  the  game.  Preliminary 
opinions  obtained  by  the  sponsors  from 
the  Post  Office  Department,  the  De- 
partment of  Justice,  Federal  Trade 
Commission  and  Federal  Communica- 
tions Commission  indicate  that  it  will 
pass  all  tests  of  a  game  of  skill,  Mitch- 
ell said. 

Held  To  Comply  With  Law 

In  addition,  counsel  for  the  spon- 
sors of  the  game  have  certified  that 
it  complies  with  all  state  laws  on  pub- 
lic contests. 

Contestants  obtain  a  puzzle  picture 
from  participating  theatres  and  tell  in 
25  words  or  less  why  they  like  motion 
pictures.  Their  entries  are  filed  with 
the  theatre  and  on  the  specified  weekly 
prize  night  the  best  entries  are  an- 
nounced and  the  winners  participate  in 
an  elimination  contest  at  the  theatre, 
consisting  of  supplying  the  answers, 
also  on  motion  picture  subjects,  to 
questions  put  to  them  on  the  stage  of 
the  theatre. 

Contestants  are  not  required  to  pay 
an  admission  to  obtain  an  entry  puzzle 
and  winners  are  not  required  to  be  in 
the  theatre  when  the  initial  entries  are 
judged.  Such  contestants  have  their 
names  announced  outside  as  well  as 
inside  the  theatre  and  are  admitted 
free  within  three  minutes  of  the  an- 
nouncement to  participate. 

National  Jackpot  of  $5,000 

Winner  of  individual  theatres'  puzzle 
question  receives  a  prize  of  at  least  $25 
to  be  posted  by  the  theatre  and  quali- 
fies to  try  for  a  national  jackpot  ques- 
tion worth  a  minimum  of  $5,000  in 


prizes,  the  national  jackpot  to  be  pro- 
vided by  the  game's  sponsor,  Enter- 
prise House.  The  national  jackpot 
question  is  asked,-  and  answers  »are 
given,  over  a  telephone  hook-up  with 
Enterprise's  New  York  headquarters 
and  the  participating  theatre's  stage.' 
As  soon  as  a  jackpot  is  won,  Enter- 
prise posts  another  so  that  a  national 
prize  always  is  on  hand.  If  a  jackpot 
is  not  won  by  the  weekly  deadline, 
additional  prizes  are  added  to  it. 

Cost  to  theatres  is  on  a  basis  of  four 
cents,  per  seat.  A  trailer  is  provided 
at  a  rental  of  $1  weekly  and  press 
books,  contest  materials  and  other  es- 
sentials are  provided  without  charge. 

Initial  tryout  of  the  game  will  be 
held  in  New  England  in  the  near  fu- 
ture, Mitchell  said.  The  game's  spon- 
sors view  it  as  the  theatres'  answer  to' 
radio  giveaway  competition,  as  well  as 
a  box-office  stimulant. 


US  Increases  Films 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

the  program,  was  badly  crippled  by- 
budget  cuts  during  the  past  18  months. 
But  the  last  Congress  raised  the  ap- 
propriation for  the  entire  program  for 
the  current  fiscal  year  from  $10,500,- 
000  to  $28,000,000.  The  film  section, 
which  was  cut  last  year  from  $2,- 
700,000  to  $339,000,  will  have  about 
$2,000,000  to  spend. 

As  a  result,  it  will  triple  its  staff 
— the  section  had  about  87  people  on 
Jan.  1,  1947,  gradually  trimmed  this 
to  22,  and  now  it  hopes  to  employ 
about  70  persons.  Also,  it  will  ac- 
quire 100  new  reels  to  show  abroad. 
Prints  of  each  will  be  made  in  14 
languages.  At  least  half  will  be 
acquired  from  private  firms ;  as  few  as 
possible  will  be  produced  by  the  De- 
partment. During  1946-1947,  the  divi- 
sion acquired  about  130  new  reels, 
but  last  year  it  got  none. 


O'Brien  Asks 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


next.  O'Brien  will  attend  the 
IATSE's  international  convention 
which  will  start  in  Cleveland  on  Mon- 
day.- 

"I  think  the  time  has  come  when 
the  American  and  British  industries 
should  get  together  and  cooperate 
more  closely  and  form  a  permanent 
joint  council  for  the  purpose  of  deal- 
ing with  problems  of  mutual  interest," 
O'Brien  declared.  "Unless  they  do 
that,"  he  continued,  "the  British  gov- 
ernment, and  sooner  or  later  the  U.  S. 
government,  will  show  an  increasing 
interest  and  control  over  affairs  with- 
in the  industry."  This,  he  asserted, 
"in  many  respects  would  be  undesir- 
able." 

O'Brien  labeled  the  boycotting  of 
British  films  here  by  Sons  of  Liberty 
and  other  groups  as  "crass  stupidity" 
that  could  lead  to  serious  conse- 
quences. He  appealed  to  the  boycot- 
ters  "not  to  take  it  out  on  the  indus- 
try" but  to  express  their  grievances 
with  British  policy  through  proper  po- 
litical channels. 

He  observed  that  the  U.  S.  indus- 
try could  be  "paralyzed"  if  groups  in 
England  instituted  boycotts.  He  said 
that  our  need  for  the  British  mar- 
ket is  far  greater  than  the  British 
industry's  need  for  the  United  States 
market. 


Full  Remittances 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Saenz,  the  company's  Cuban  manager, 
said  that  U.  S.  distributors  stand  to 
take  $2,000,000  out  of  his  territory 
this  year.  He  asserted  that  this  is  the 
second  biggest  year  for  the  U.  S.  in- 
dustry in  Cuba,  1947  being  tops.  Saenz 
said  that  although  grosses  generally 
are  lower  in  Cuba  this  year  than  last, 
RKO's  are  larger. 

Since  there  are  still  no  restrictions 
on  theatre  building  in  Cuba,  many  new 
houses  have  been  erected  there,  Saenz 
reported,  seven  having  been  built  in 
Havana  alone  in  the  past  two 
years.  Other  theatres  throughout 
Cuba  are  undergoing  modernization, 
he  said. 


Blum-Byrnes  Accord 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Department  nor  industry  officials 
would  discuss  any  details  of  its  con- 
tents. 

Date  of  the  meeting  may  be  set 
tomorrow  when  Motion  Picture  Ex- 
port Association  president  Eric  John- 
ston is  due  back  at  his  desk  here 
after  a  month  on  the  Coast.  In  addi- 
tion to  action  on  the  French  and 
British  markets,  the  MPEA  session 
will  probably  give  instructions  to 
Johnston  on  his  anticipated  trip  to 
Paris  and  London. 


Your  excited  customers  will 
be  asking:  "When  will  you 
be  playing  the  picture  that 
Hollywood  Reporter  says 
'holds  the  spectator  spell- 
bound for  its  dynamic 
89  minutes'?" 


Produced  by  Hal  Wallis 
for  Paramount 


says,  "Happy  showmen  today  are 
playing  these  lucky-at-the-boxoffice  20th  Century-Fox  hits": 


THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO 


THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE 

TECHNICOLOR 

"THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME"  •  "GIVE  MY  REGARDS  TO  BROADW, 

TECHNICOLOR 


El  MOTION  PIGt*IM[mST 

,and,r  Slf^---H  I    W  F,LM 

Impartic  ^    '    '  JtLmd   JL  NEWS 


54.    NO.  32 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  AUGUST  16,  1948 


.v.  j  J —   

Studio  Unions 
Campaign  to 
Boost  Grosses 


Appeal  to  AFL  Crafts 
To  Patronize  Theatres 


Hollywood,  Aug.  15.  —  In  the 
first  national  undertaking  by  or- 
ganized labor  to  stimulate  motion 
picture  box-offices,  on  which  it  de- 
pends for  a  livelihood,  the  Hollywood 
American  Federation  of  Labor  Film 
Council,  comprising  22  studio  unions 
and  guilds,  tomorrow  will  mail  letters 
to  5,000  AFL  organizations  in  the 
U.S.  urging  increased  theatre  atten- 
dance. 

Letter  reads,  in  part,  "We,  AFL 
unions  and  guilds  representing  26,000 
Hollywood  studio  workers,  want  you 
to  know  every  picture  made  in 
Hollywood  is  produced  under  AFL 
union  shop  conditions  and  contracts. 
And  when  you  have  a  few  quarters  to 
spend  for  entertainment,  we  hope  you 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Studio  Group  Due 
For  AFM  Confabs 


Studio  representatives  were  on  their 
way  at  the  weekend  to  New  York 
to  take  part  in  negotiations  with  the 
American  Federation  of  Musicians  on 
a  new  contract  for  musicians  employed 
in  film  production.  Conferences  will 
get  under  way  on  Wednesday. 

The  group  includes  Charles  Boren, 
vice-president  of  the  Association  of 
Motion  Picture  Producers  in  charge 
of  industrial  relations ;  Al  Chamie,  his 
assistant;  Robert  Newman,  Republic; 
Fred  S.  Meyer,  of  20th-Fox ;  A.  H. 
McCausland,  Universal;  Richard  J. 
Powers,  M-G-M ;  Lou  Lipstone,  Par- 
amount. 

Y.  Frank  Freeman,  Paramount  vice- 
president  and  chairman  of  the  AMPP 
board,  another  studio  spokesman  at  the 
negotiations,  arrived  in  New  York 
last  week. 


Technicolor  Cuts 
Delivery  Time  334% 


Hollywood,  Aug.  15. — Technicolor 
reports  it  has  reduced  the  interval  be- 
tween the  completion  of  shooting  of  a 
picture  and  the  start  of  delivery  of 
release  prints  from  an  average  of 
about  nine  and  a  half  months  as  of  a 
year  ago  to  six  and  a  half  months  at 
present,  with  the  time  expected  to  be 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


SRO  Sales  Set-up 
Will  Not  be  Changed, 
Selznick  Indicates 


Executive  sales  structure  of  Selz- 
nick Releasing  Organization  will  con- 
tinue to  operate  as  heretofore,  follow- 
ing the  resignation  of  Neil  Agnew  as 
president,  David  O.  Selznick  reported 
in  a  statement  released  by  the  New 
York  office  at  the  weekend.  SRO  gen- 
eral sales  manager  Milton  Kramer, 
Selznick  said,  "has  been  gradually  as- 
suming many  of  the  executive  func- 
tions of  Mr.  Agnew."  Thus,  no 
changes  are  in  prospect,  he  said  in 
effect. 

Selznick  stressed  that  he  and  Agnew 
parted  on  a  completely  amicable  basis, 
adding  that  Agnew's  retirement  was 
long  anticipated.  He  said  he  has  no 
immediate  plans  to  name  a  new  SRO 
president. 

Cohen  Heads  W.  B. 
International  Unit 

Wolfe  Cohen  has  been  named  presi- 
dent of  Warner  Brothers  International 
Corp.,  succeeding  the  late  Max  Milder, 
who  died  in  London  two  weeks  ago. 
Until  now  Cohen  has  been  vice-presi- 
dent of  Warner  International. 

Cohen  has  been  in  the  industry  since 
1918,  starting  in  Toronto.  On  the 
opening  of  Warner  offices  in  Canada 
nationally,  he  took  charge  of  the  St. 
John  branch  in  1925.  Later  he  was 
transferred  to  Winnipeg  as  branch 
manager,  with  supervision  over  the 
Calgary  branch.  In  1936  Cohen  be- 
came Canadian  district  manager.  He 
was  appointed  vice-president  of  WB's 
Vitagraph  in  1941.  In  1944  he  was 
made  vice-president  of  Warner  Inter- 
national. 


Toronto,  Aug.  15. — The  "gentle- 
men's agreement"  between  the  Ameri- 
can film  industry  and  Canada  under 
which  Hollywood  producers  agreed  to 
give  the  Dominion  considerable  pro- 
motional attention  in  both  features  and 
shorts  is  attributed  in  large  measure 
to  American  tourist  trade  increasing 
as  much  as  25  per  cent  in  this  U.S. 
sister  country  to  the  North. 

The  agreement  was  arrived  at  as  a 
means  of  precluding  restrictions  on 
Hollywood  films  in  order  to  conserve 
American  dollars,  and  is  cited  by  of- 
ficials here  as  "a  valuable  lesson"  for 


N.  J.  Allied  to  Call 
On  Smith  This  Week 

A  committee  representing 
Allied  of  New  Jersey  is  sched- 
uled to  call  on  A.  W.  Smith, 
Jr.,  20th-Fox's  distribution 
head,  this  week  for  confer- 
ences on  the  Berger-North 
Central  Allied-20th-Fox  con- 
ciliation plan  looking  to  its 
possible  adoption  by  the  Jer- 
sey exhibitor  group.  Commit- 
teemen will  include  Irving 
Dollinger,  as  chairman,  Wil- 
bur Snaper  and  Lou  Gold. 

The  trio  was  instructed  to 
meet  with  Smith  at  a  Jersey 
Allied  meeting  here  on  Mon- 
day. 


OnlyOne  Application 
For  EC  A  Guarantee 


Washington,  Aug.  15. — The  mo- 
tion picture  industry  is  not  deluging 
the  Economic  Cooperation  Adminis- 
tration with  applications  for  Govern- 
ment guarantees  of  converting  costs 
of  distributing  films  in  Marshall  Plan 
nations.  In  fact,  only  one  application 
has  been  received  to  date,  from  the 
Motion  Picture  Export  Association, 
to  cover  distribution  activities  in  Ger- 
many alone. 

ECA  officials  say  they  have  had 
many  conversations  with  MPEA  of- 
ficials, but  none  with  representatives 
of  individual  film  firms.  They  express 
surprise  that  the  number  of  inquiries 
from  the  film  industry  has  been  so 
much  less  than  from  book,  magazine 
and  newspaper  publishers. 

Meanwhile,  ECA  funds  were  ear- 
marked for  the  first  time  for  film 
equipment  with  the  listing  of  an  au- 
thorization of  $10,000  to  buy  projectors 
and  equipment  for  Greece. 


other  countries  which  have  established 
restrictions  on  U.  S.  films  because  of 
currency  difficulties. 

Specifically  cited  as  aids-to-Canada 
is  the  increased  footage  on  Canadian 
backgrounds  in  U.S.  newsreels  and 
backgrounds  in  several  features,  among 
them  "The  Iron  Curtain,"  "The  Em- 
peror Waltz"  and  "Calgary  Stam- 
pede." 

Success  of  the  agreement,  officials 
say,  "are  beyond  expectations,"  point- 
ing to  a  gain  of  20  per  cent  in  Ameri- 
can tourist  trade  in  New  Brunswick, 
and  of  25  per  cent  in  Quebec. 


TEN  CENTS 


Report  French 
Offer  to  Free 
$9,000,000 

Proposal  Goes  to  MPEA 
Board  Session  This  Week 


Directorate  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Export  Association  will  con- 
vene here  within  the  next  day  or 
two  to  consider  a  French  govern- 
ment-proposed film  agreement  which 
would  allow  the  conversion  and  re- 
mittance to  the  U.  S.  of  $9,000,000  in 
frozen  funds  owned  by  American  com- 
panies, over  a  four-year  period. 

This  provision  of  the  proposed  agree- 
ment has  been  the  principal  factor  in 
the  negotiations  begun  in  France 
about  a  month  ago. 

At  the  weekend  the  companies  here 
were  in  receipt  of  full  details  of  the 
French  proposal,  cabled  by  Paris 
branch  offices.  Copies  also  were  sent 
to  the  U.  S.  State  Department  in 
Washington  and  to  Washington  head- 
quarters of  the  Motion  Picture  Asso- 
ciation of  America. 

Earnings  both  here  and  abroad  of 

(Continued  on   page  3) 


IATSE  Convention 
In  Cleveland  Today 


Cleveland.  Aug.  15. — The  29th  bi- 
ennial convention  of  the  IATSE  will 
open  at  the  Cleveland  Public  Audito- 
rium tomorrow  morning  with  sched- 
uled speakers  for  the  first  day  includ- 
ing William  Green.  AFL  president ; 
Gov.  Thomas  J.  Herbert  and  Mayor 
Thomas  H.  Burke  of  Cleveland. 

The  gathering  of  1.100  delegates  will 
be  called  to  order  by  John  B.  Fitz- 
gerald, president.  Local  No.  27,  Cleve- 
land. Temporary  chairman  will  be  In- 
ternational first  vice-president  Harland 
Holmden.  Among  those  welcoming  the 
delegates  is  Ernest  Schwartz,  presi- 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


Bar  Para.  Move  on 
'Frisco  Video  Bids 


Washington.  Aug.  15. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  on 
Friday  blocked  a  move  by  Paramount 
to  increase  its  chances  for  getting  a 
San  Francisco  television  station. 

The  Commission  turned  down  mo- 
tions by  Paramount  subsidiary  Tele- 
vision Productions,  Inc..  and  Ed  Paul- 
ey's   Television    California   to  throw 

'  (Continued  on  page  3) 


US  Canadian  Agreement 
Aiding  Dominion  Trade 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  August  16,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


Tradewise 


By  SHERWIN  KANE 


CECIL  B.  DeMILLE  and  Mrs. 
DeMille  are  observing-  their  46th 
wedding  anniversary  today.  DeMille 
also  observed  his  67th  birthday  last 
Thursdav. 

• 

Harry  Simons,  assistant  manager 
of  the  RKO  Palace  in  Columbus,  O., 
has  been  promoted  to  manager  of  the 
RKO  Grand,  succeeding  Larry  Cap- 
lane,  who  has  been  promoted  to  man- 
ager of  the  RKO  Brandeis  in  Omaha. 
Herman  Stofle,  Grand  assistant 
manager,  is  the  new  assistant  mana- 
ger at  the  Palace. 

• 

William  T.  Powell,  former  mana- 
ger, division  publicity  director  and 
district  manager  for  Public  Theatres, 
Hartford,  has  taken  over  operation 
of  the  Kameo  in  Pittsfield,  Mass. 
• 

Norman  H.  Moray,  president  of 
Warner  Pathe  News  and  short  sub- 
jects sales  'manager,  will  return  to 
New  York  today  from  Albany  and 
Gloversville,  N.  Y. 

• 

Walter  I.  Lasker,  president  of 
Lasker- Schwartz,  Inc.,  will  leave  New 
York  today  on  a  week's  business  trip 
to  the  Columbus,  O,  area. 

• 

Irving  Helfont,  home  office  assis- 
tant to  M-G-M  Midwest  sales  man- 
ager Burtus  Bishop,  Jr.,  left  here 
yesterday  for  Chicago. 

• 

Andrew  Freeman,  former  manager 
of  the  Rockland  Theatre,  Philadelphia, 
has  been  named  district  manager  for 
the  A.  M.  Ellis  circuit. 

• 

J.  C.  Shanklin,  president  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  West 
Yirginia,  is  confined  to  his  home  as  a 
result  of  a  leg  injury. 

• 

Frank  H.  Durkee,  head  of  Durkee 
Enterprises,  Baltimore,  and  Maryland 
circuit,  is  confined  to  his  home  by  a 
broken  collar  bone. 

• 

William  McCauley  is  replacing 
Harry  Thompson  as  manager  of  the 
Rialto  in  Wyandotte,  Mich.,  during 
the  latter's  illness. 

• 

Walter  Gould,  United  Artists 
foreign  manager,  left  here  at  the  week- 
end for  a  Coast  vacation. 

• 

Jerry  Hoffman,  Independent  Art- 
ists publicity  director,  has  returned  to 
the  Coast  from  New  York. 

B.  G.  Rranze,  Film  Classics  vice- 
president  and  general  sales  chief,  is  in 
Philadelphia  from  New  York. 
• 

Hy  Fine,  Connecticut  district  man- 
ager for  M.  and  P.  Theatres,  has  re- 
turned from  a  vacation  in  Canada. 
• 

Ernie  Grecula,  assistant  to  Hart- 
ford Theatres  Circuit  general  manager 
Al  Schuman,  is  on  vacation. 
• 

Chauncey  Wolf,  part  owner  of  the 
Uptown  Theatre,  Baltimore,  is  vaca- 
tioning at  Atlantic  City. 


A  FIRST  inkling  of  what 
music  performing  rights 
could  cost  under  the  method  of 
clearing  such  rights  prescribed 
bv  Federal  Judge  Vincent  Lei- 
bell  in  the  ITOA  of  New  York 
suit  against  Ascap  is  provided 
by  the  deal  with  copyright 
owners  made  recently  by  Colum- 
bia Pictures. 

Jonie  Taps,  Columbia  studio 
music  executive,  in  clearing  the 
recording  rights  to  music  to  be 
used  in  the  film  sequel  to  "The 
Jolson  Story,"  made  provisional 
arrangements  at  the  same  time 
for  obtaining  the  performing 
rights  in  the  event  Judge  Lei- 
bell's  decision  against  Ascap  is 
sustained  on  appeal. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  per- 
forming rights  for  the  music  to 
be  used  in  the  new  Jolson  picture 
would  cost  Columbia  approxi- 
mately $90,000.  A  Jolson  picture 
will  have  lots  of  music  in  it,  and 
valuable  music.  Pictures  no 
doubt  will  be  made  which  will 
carry  a  greater  cost  for  music 
performing  rights  than  will  the 
Jolson  picture  but,  the  over-all 
average  will  be  much  less. 
• 

Harry  Fox  of  Music  Publish- 
ers Protective  Association,  who 
clears  the  recording  rights  to 
music  with  producers,  estimates 
that  performing  rights  will  cost . 
producers  about  as  much  as  re- 
cording rights. 

In  the  trial  of  the  ITOA  vs. 
Ascap  suit,  testimony  showed 
that  recording  rights  cost  pro- 
ducers anywhere  from  a  few 
hundred  dollars  per  composition 
up  to  $25,000.  It  was  also  shown 
that  virtually  every  picture  made 
uses  some  Ascap  music,  varying 
in  number  from  one  or  a  very 
few  compositions  to  15  or  more. 

On  the  other  hand,  some  music 
publishers,  themselves  copyright 
owners,  estimate  the  cost  of  per- 
forming rights,  sold  directly  to 
producers,  at  anywhere  from 
one-third  to  100  per  cent  of  the 
cost  of  recording  rights. 

Supposing  the  average  film's 
music  performing  rights'  cost  is 
one-third  that  of  the  Jolson  pic- 
ture (bearing  in  mind  that  some 
high  budget  musicals  could  run 
as  high  as  $200,000  for  such 
rights).  For  350  new  pictures 
per  year  at  $30,000,  the  cost  of 
performing  rights  would  be  $10,- 
500,000,  or  approximately  10 
times  what  exhibitors  paid  Ascap 
for  the  rights  last  year. 

• 

Who  will  pay  those  millions 
of  dollars  in  performing  rights 


costs,  whether  more  or  less  than 
the  rough  estimate  above? 

One  answer  may  be  found  in  a 
brief  filed  during  the  House 
committee  hearing  on  the  Lewis 
Bill  last  March  by  Adolph 
Schimel,  secretary  and  attorney 
of  Universal  Pictures. 

(The  Lewis  Bill,  it  will  be 
remembered,  would  have  re- 
quired producers  to  obtain  the 
performing  rights  to  music  con- 
tained in  their  films.) 

Said  the  Universal  brief: 
"Clearly,  if  the  producer  of  a 
motion  picture  is  required  to 
negotiate  for  a  license  to  per- 
form the  music  contained  there- 
in, the  producer  is  warranted  in 
requiring  the  exhibitor  in  whose 
theatre  the  picture  is  shown  to 
pay  his  proper  share  of  the  ag- 
gregate amount  paid  by  the 
producer  to  the  owner  of  the 
performing  rights  of  the  music 
contained  in  the  picture.  This 
the  producer  would  have  to  do." 

And  again,  in  the  same  brief: 
"There  is  no  warrant  for  the 
assumption  that  the  producer  of 
motion  pictures  could  absorb  the 
costs  of  procuring  performing 
rights.  There  is  every  reason  to 
believe  that  these  costs  would 
have  to  be  allocated  and  ulti- 
mately paid  for  by  the  exhibitor 
of  the  motion  pictures." 

Further:  "Its  effect  (the 
Lewis  Bill)  would  be  to  shift 
the  responsibility  for  negotiation 
and  collection  from  the  exhibitor 
to  the  producer,  but  ultimately 
the  exhibitor  can  and  will  be 
asked  to  pay  these  charges.  If 
the  producer  is  compelled  to  do 
the  negotiating  and  do  the  col- 
lecting, we  are  convinced  that 
the  ultimate  costs  for  such  per- 
forming rights  will  be  much 
higher  than  they  are  today,  and 
if  these  costs  are  passed  on  to 
the  ultimate  consumer,  namely: 
the  patron  at  the  box  office,  the 
ultimate  consumer  will  suffer." 


In  the  memorandum  on  the 
Lewis  Bill  submitted  by  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of 
America  last  March,  there  ap- 
pears the  following : 

"If  performing  rights  must  be 
acquired  by  producers  and/or 
distributors,  those  rights  will  be- 
come much  more  costly.  This 
cost  will  have  to  be  passed  along 
to  the  exhibitor  and,  in  the  final 
analysis,  to  the  ultimate  con- 
sumer, namely,  the  public." 

The  memorandum  was  signed 
by  all  major  producers  and  nu- 
merous independents. 


Newsreel 
Parade 

THE  Red  espionage  inquiry  and 
the  Olympic  games  mark  current 
nezvsrecl  highlights.  Other  sports  and 
human  interest  topics  round  out  the 
reels.  Complete  contents  follow: 

MOVIETONE   NEWS,   No.   65— U.  S. 

Government  officials  deny  Red  espionage 
charges.  Violence  marks  flight  of  Soviet 
teachers  in  New  York.  Sports:  Olympics, 
trotting,  golf,  racing. 

NEWS  OK  THE  DAY,  No.  n- 
sation  in  Red  drama.  Olympic  stont 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  1W!  — 
Strange  case  of  the  Soviet  teachers.  Films 
of  Olympics. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  16»  —  One 

hundred  years  of  friendship  between  U.  S. 
and  Canada.  Swiss  scouts  commemorate  In- 
dependence Day.  Orphans  on  outing.  Hoover 
birthplace.  Mermaid  exhibition  for  "Mr. 
Peabody  and  the  Mermaid"  opening. 
Olympics. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  104— 

Red  inquiry.  Hambletonian.  Olympics. 
Great  Events:  Tokyo  Bay. 

Eastern  Allied  Hits 
'Easter'  Percentages 

Spokesman  for  the  Eastern  regional 
directors  of  national  Allied  reports 
that  that  group,  at  its  recent  meeting 
here,  "strongly  condemned"  M-G-M's 
sales  policy  on  "Easter  Parade."  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  Baltimore,  Con- 
necticut, Eastern  Pennsylvania,  Massa- 
chusetts and  New  Jersey  Allied  units, 
who  attended  the  meeting,  argue  that 
"Leo  has  decided  to  grab  more  than 
the  lion's  share  on  this  production  by 
taking  it  out  of  regular  release  in 
many  instances  for  special  deals" 
which  call  for  increased  percent- 
ages. 

Members  of  the  units  involved  will 
be  urged  to  demand  that  "Easter 
Parade"  be  sold  on  regular  terms. 

An  M-G-M  sales  executive  said  that 
William  F.  Rodgers,  company  distri- 
bution head,  was  the  only  one  who 
could  make  a  statement  on  the  com- 
plaint of  Allied's  Eastern  directors. 
Rodgers  could  not  be  reached  for 
comment  on  Friday. 


Nicholson  in  Army 
Film  Post  in  N.  Y. 

Gordon  McFarland,  connected  with 
Army  motion  picture  activities  since 
1940,  resigned  as  New  York  represen- 
tative of  the  Army  and  Air  Force  Mo- 
tion Picture  Service  on  Friday  after 
two  years  in  that  post,  it  was  an- 
nounced at  the  weekend  by  Fred  Bund, 
chief  of  that  unit.  John  J.  Nicholson, 
chief  of  the  overseas  branch  and  at 
one  time  connected  with  Warner 
Theatres,  has  absorbed  McFarland's 
duties. 

McFarland  will  engage  in  real 
estate  in  Arlington,  Va. 

/.  P.  Uvick  Dissolves 
Anti-Ascap  Group 

Detroit,  Aug.  15. — Joseph  P.  Uvick 
is  dissolving  the  Michigan  Ascap 
committee  which  he  headed.  He  is  re- 
turning $4,000  of  the  $6,000  collected 
from  the  153  individual  exhibitors  who 
formed  it.  He  reported  that  the  com- 
mittee which  was  among  those  taking 
national  leadership  in  the  fight  against 
Ascap  fees,  has  served  its  purposes. 


MOTION  PICTLRE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-m-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
.New  iork.  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Curmirtgham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Budding,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
tditor;  cable  address,  Quigpubco,  London.  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
,  efr,n;  V"?tre.  S.ales:  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Monday,  August  16,  1948 


Motion  Picture  daily 


3 


Eagle -Lion  Sets  14 
Releases  to  Nov.  1 


Eagle-Lion  will  release  14  films  be- 
tween now  and  Nov.  1,  it  was  an- 
nounced at  the  weekend  by  William 
J.  Heineman,  distribution  vice-presi- 
dent. 

Listed  for  August  are  "The  Spir- 
itualist," "Lady  at  Midnight,"  and  two 
re-issues,  "Hold  That  Ghost"  and 
"Hir^d  Wife."  September  releases  in- 
clv'^yj'Northwest  Stampede,"  Cine- 
col?lf7"In  This  Corner"  and  "The 
Olympic  Games  of  1948"  in  Techni- 
color,* and  two  Edward  Small  reissues, 
"My  Son,  My  Son"  and  "International 
Lady."  Listed  for  October  are  "Hol- 
low Triumph,"  "Behind  Locked 
Doors"  and  "Adventures  of  Gallant 
Bess,"  in  Cinecolor,  plus  two  other 
Small  reissues,  "The  Count  of  Monte 
Cristo"  and  "The  Son  of  Monte 
Cristo." 


Video  Film  Council 
Expands  Committees 

Jose  di  Dinato,  television  station 
representative  for  Edward  Petry  Co., 
has  been  named  to  the  television  com- 
mittee of  the  National  Television  Film 
Council.  Additions  to  the  production 
committee  are  Jay  A.  Maurer,  presi- 
dent of  J.  A.  Maurer  and  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Society  of  Motion  Picture 
Engineers,  and  Bertrand  Keane  and 
Brian  Calhoun,  both  of  Keaneleigh 
and  Calhoun. 

A  membership  drive  committee  is 
being  selected  by  Robt.  W.  Wormhoudt, 
secretary-treasurer  of  the  council. 


New  Production  Unit 
Is  Formed  by  Martin 

Hollywood,  Aug.  IS. — Charles  Mar- 
tin, formed  Charles  Martin  Produc- 
tions, with  Paul  Zieffren,  Nathan 
Wallach  and  John  McDermott.  The 
company,  it  is  reported,  will  lead  off 
with  five  comedies,  budgeted  at  $1,- 
000,000  each.  Distribution  arrange- 
ments have  not  been  set. 


1st  under  Hughes  Regime 

Hollywood,  Aug.  15. — First  RKO 
Radio  film  to  get  under  way  since 
Howard  Hughes  acquired  control  of 
the  company  will  start  on  Wednesday. 
It  is  "Follow  Me  Quietly,"  with  Her- 
man Schlom  as  producer,  Richard  O 
Fleischer  as  director  and  William 
Lundigan  in  the  male  lead. 


1st  Westchester  Drive-In 

Westchester  County  will  get  its  first 
drive-in  theatre  Wednesday  when  the 
Starlight  Drive-in  on  Route  No.  9, 
Croton-on-Hudson,  will  open.  Jerome 
Britchey  will  operate  the  theatre  which 
can  accommodate  500  autos. 


To  Handle  Young  America 

Loew's  International  has  arranged 
for  worldwide  distribution  outside  of 
U.  S.  and  Canada  of  pictures  pro 
duced  by  Young  America  Films  for 
its   library   of   classroom   and  audi 
torium  films. 


French  Proposal 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


India  Centralizing 
Film  Censorship 


BBC  Will  Televise 
European  Product 

London,  Aug.  15. — In  the  face  of 
a  blunt  refusal  by  distributors  and  the 
film  trade  in  general  to  help  British 
Broadcasting  through  its  present  ex- 
perimental phase  in  television  by  loan- 
ing of  films,  particularly  newsreels, 
BBC  has  concluded  a  deal  with  Sir 
Alexander  Korda's  Paris  affiliates  for 
permission  to  televise  a  select  batch  of 
Continental  pictures  for  which  they 
hold  British  distribution  rights. 


Bar  Para.  Move 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Don  Lee  Broadcasting's  application 
for  a  San  Francisco  video  spot  into 
the  general  San  Francisco  hearings 
which  concluded  some  weeks  ago. 
Paramount,  20th  Century-Fox,  Pauley, 
Columbia  Broadcasting  and  Station 
KROW  were  fighting  in  those  hear- 
ings for  two  San  Francisco  vacancies. 

Several  months  ago  FCC  ordered 
separate  proceedings  on  the  Don  Lee 
application,  indicating  the  company 
would  get  a  channel.  The  move  by 
Pauley  and  Paramount  would  have 
placed  the  Don  Lee  bid  on  the  same 
par  as  the  others,  thereby  making 
three  video  spots  available  among  the 
six  applicants. 

Meanwhile,  KROW  filed  a  state- 
ment with  the  FCC  urging  that  20th- 
Fox  be  denied  a  chance  to  amend  its 
San  Francisco  application  to  include 
plans  for  an  auxiliary  station  in  Oak- 
land. Pauley  and  CBS  already  are  on 
record  against  the  20th-Fox  petition, 
leaving  only  Paramount  as  unopposed 
now. 


U.S.  companies  having  hit  a  new  low 
since  the  war,  one  top  film  executive 
said  here  at  the  weekend,  "We  are 
anxious  to  get  the  money  into  the  till 
and  so  probably  will  accept."  He  said 
he  was  speaking  only  for  his  own 
company. 

The  French  reportedly  made  further 
concessions  in  the  matter  of  super- 
imposing French  titles  on  prints,  offer- 
ing to  permit  twice  the  number  pre- 
viously allowed. 

Would  Bar  Theatre  Acquisition 

American-owned  francs  not  remit- 
table  could  be  used- for  certain  types 
of  investments  in  France,  in  real  es- 
tate, film  production  and  other  proj- 
ects, and,  additionally  for  print  dupli- 
cates, it  was  said.  Acquisition  of  thea- 
tres in  France  with  blocked  funds  will 
not  be  allowed. 

It  is  indicated  that  French  exhibi- 
tors will  be  required  to  reserve  five 
weeks  out  of  each  13  for  French  prod- 
uct. 

It  is  understood  that  the  Franco- 
American  agreement  would  probably 
become  effective  within  30  days  of  its 
ratification.  Actual  remittances,  how- 
ever, could  not  begin  until  much  later. 

Seek  to  Limit  Convertibility 

The  "peace"  terms  as  offered  by  the 
French  are  said  to  place  a  ceiling  on 
the  amount  of  earnings  convertible  in 
the  future.  These  remittable  profits 
would  be  in  addition  to  the  $9,000,000 
which  will  be  freed  if  an  agreement 
is  reached. 

While  it  is  considered  highly  likely 
that  MPEA  president  Eric  A.  John- 
ston will  leave  shortly  for  Paris,  and 
probably  London,  at  the  behest  of  the 
MPEA,  this  continues  as  a  matter  to 
be  determined  definitely  at  the  meeting 
this  week. 

Foreign  department  company  heads 
met  here  on  Friday  at  the  MPAA 
offices  presumably  to  study  the  French 
proposal  in  advance  of  this  week's 
session.  South  American  markets  also 
came  up  for  discussion. 


Washington,  Aug.  15.  —  The 
Bombay  government  will  set  up  a 
single  film  censorship  board  for  all  of 
India,  to  replace  the  present  three 
separate  boards  in  Bombay,  Calcutta, 
and  Madras,  the  U.  S.  Commerce  De- 
partment declares. 

A  report  prepared  by  film  chief 
Nathan  D.  Golden  states  that  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  central  board  is  con- 
sidered necessary  in  view  of  the 
diverse  standards  adopted  by  the  three 
boards. 

Some  13  foreign  films,  "most  of  which 
were  of  U.  S.  origin"  were  banned  in 
Bombay  last  year,  Golden  reports. 
Another  86  had  scenes  deleted,  mostly 
drinking  scenes  from  U.  S.  features. 
"Perhaps  for  the  first  time"  a  kissing 
scene  was  asked  to  be  cut  from  a 
U.  S.  feature,  Golden  says. 

The  report  says  the  Bombay  Chron- 
icle "highly  commended"  the  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  for 
restricting  crime  and  gangster  pic- 
tures. 


Edwin  Maxwell,  58, 
Associate  of  DeMille 

Hyannis,  Mass.,  Aug.  15. — Edwin 
Maxwell,  58,  associate  of  Cecil  B 
DeMille  for  the  past  10  years,  died 
here  Friday  at  Cape  Cod  Hospital. 

Born  in  Dublin,  Maxwell  came  to 
the  U.  S.  52  years  ago.  He  played  his 
first  stage  role  at  the  age  of  seven. 
After  a  career  on  Broadway  he  went 
to  Hollywood  where  one  of  his  best 
known  successes  was  as  director  and 
for  a  character  role  in  "The  Jazz 
Singer."  He  also  appeared  in  such 
films  as  "All  Quiet  on  the  Western 
Front,"  "Mr.  Deeds  Goes  to  Town," 
"You  Can't  Take  It  With  You"  and 
"President  Wilson. 


British  Equity  Asks 
Voice  in  Film  Posts 

London,  Aug.  15.  —  British  Equity 
has  strongly  protested  the  exclusion  of 
actors  from  governmental  motion  pic- 
ture groups.  The  actors'  trades-union 
decried  the  fact  that  actors  are  denied 
representation  on  the  British  Film 
Production  Council,  headed  by  Har- 
old Wilson. 

Equity  also  proposed  much  closer 
control  of  the  "importation  of  Holly- 
wood artists." 


Henreid  Intends  to 
Make  Two  in  Canada 

Paul  Henreid  said  here  at  the  week- 
end that  he  intends  to  star  in  and  co- 
produce  two  features  next  year  at  the 
Canada  International  Studios,  Mon- 
treal, to  which  he  is  committed,  and 
beyond  that  he  has  no  contracts.  Hen- 
reid said  he  is  now  negotiating  dis- 
tribution of  the  two  with  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox. 

He  said  he  believes  that  Class  "A" 
production  can  be  made  on  a  budget 
of  $600,000,  but,  he  added,  "End  to 
Violence,"  which  he  is  now  making  on 
the  Coast  will  cost  more  than  that. 
Henreid  produced  "Hollow  Triumph" 
which  Eagle-Lion  is  now  releasing. 


Ask  'Paradise'  Boycott 

Toronto,  Aug.  15.  —  Archbishop 
Alexandre  Vanchon  has  requested 
Communicants  to  refrain  from  attend- 
ing performances  of  "Children  of  Par- 
adise" which  was  made  in  France  and 
is  being  shown  with  English  subtitles 
in  Ontario. 

The  picture  has  been  banned  in  Que- 
bec but  was  approved  as  adult  enter- 
tainment by  Ontario  censors. 


Johnston,  EC  A  Head 
Hoffman  Hold  Parley 

Washington,  Aug.  15. — Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  presi- 
dent Eric  Johnston,  who  is  a  member 
of  the  Economic  Cooperation  Admin- 
istration advisory  board,  lunched  on 
Friday  with  ECA  Administrator  Paul 
Hoffman,  but  aides  of  both  officials 
refused  to  say  whether  films,  general 
ECA  business  or  purely  personal  mat- 
ters were  on  the  menu. 


British  Seek  Spanish 
Films  for  England 

Washington,  Aug.  15.  —  British 
film  officials  have  been  visiting  Madrid 
to  get  Spanish  films  for  the  U.  K. 
market,  while  French  film  representa- 
tives have  been  there  to  work  out 
joint  Franco-Spanish  film  production, 
according  to  a  Commerce  Department 
report  by  film  chief  Nathan  D.  Golden. 

U.  S.  films  accounted  for  about  77 
per  cent  of  all  gross  receipts  in  Spain 
during  Ma}' — slightly  less  than  earlier 
in  the  year. 


New  Manila  Film  Here 

Nathan  Cy  Braunstein,  New  York, 
has  been  engaged  by  the  Reconstruc- 
tion Trading  Corp.  to  edit  "Fort  San- 
tiago," first  post-war  Philippine  pro- 
duction to  be  released  in  the  U.S.  The 
film  was  produced  by  Louis  F.  Nolasco. 


Building  in  Canada 
Declines  Sharply 

Ottawa,  Aug.  15.  —  Construction 
contracts  for  theatres  in  Canada  have 
declined  steadily  since  April,  with  the 
total  of  such  contracts  for  the  first 
half  of  1948  running  far  behind  a  sim- 
ilar period  last  year.  Contracts  for 
theatres  in  June  were  valued  at  $200,- 
000,  as  compared  with  $430,000  in 
May,  and  $340,000  in  April. 

The  decline  is  attributed  to  the  high 
costs  of  building  and  the  shortages  of 
materials  and  skilled  labor. 


Canadian  Exports 
Reach  $2,100,000 

Ottawa,  Aug.  15. — Exports  of  all 
films  from  Canada  increased  to  $386,- 
000  in  June,  compared  with  $300,000 
in  June  a  year  ago  and  reached  a  total 
of  $2,100,000  in  the  first  six  months  of 
1948,  against  $1,639,000  in  the  corre- 
sponding 1947  period. 


BROADWAY  ENGAGEMENT  AT  BRANDT'S  MAY  Ft 


Bookie  King  tagged  for 
rubout! . . .  Homicide  Ace 
on  the  murder  spot! . . . 
Dark-Haired  Dish  the  decoy  in 
"buy  or  die"  ultimatum  by 
"protection"  racketeers!  — 
Rough,  rugged  action  to 
make  your  blood  run 
hot  —  and  cold! 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  August  16,  1948 


Review 


"Sofia" 

{Film  Classics) 

FILM  CLASSICS  makes  a  fairly  impressive  show  of  strength  with  respect 
to  production  scope  in  "Sofia."  Had  it  made  itself  clearer  on  some  points 
of  the  narrative,  this  relatively  expensive  Cinecolor  expedition  into  the  big- 
time  undoubtedly  would  have  resulted  in  something  to  talk  about  even  louder. 

It  is  a  melodrama  about  international  opportunists  in  the  Balkans  that  is 
deprived  of  maximum  effect  by  an  insistence  on  covering  too  much'  geography 
and  focusing  on  too  many  characters  with  too  many  diversified  motives. 

Gene  Raymond,  Sigrid  Gurie  and  others  on  view  perform  with  adequate 
efficiency  against  a  backdrop  of  elaborate  sets  in  Turkey,  Bulgaria,  Athens, 
and  an  OSS  jumping-off  base  not  identified.  The  coloring  job  is  commendable 
beyond  question,  likewise  the  ambitiousness  of  the  entire  production. 

Miss  Gurie  is  a  brilliant  scientist  loaded  with  information  about  the  atom 
bomb  and  consequently  held  captive  by  shady  characters  "behind  the  iron 
curtain."  Raymond  is  the  American  who  comes  to  her  rescue.  Patricia  Morison, 
Mischa  Auer,  John  Wengraf  and  George  Baxter  are  in  support.  John  Rein- 
hardt  directed  from  an  original  by  Frederick  Stephanie.  Reinhardt  and  Robert 
R.  Presnell,  Sr.,  produced. 

Running  time,  83  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  For  September 
release.  Gene  Arneel 


Studios  Sign  5 -Year 
Pact  with  5  Locals 

Hollywood,  Aug.  15. — Negotiations 
for  a  five-year  contract  covering  stu- 
dio workers  in  the  teamsters,  plaster- 
ers, janitors,  electricians  and  laborers 
locals  were  completed,  on  Friday  by 
the  major  studios.  The  pact  allows  for 
reopening  in  1949  and  1951  for  read- 
justment if  intervening  developments 
warrant  it. 


Studio  Unions 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


will  spend  some  of  them  where  they 
will  help  provide  work  for  AFL 
craftsmen ;  that  is,  spend  them  to  see 
fine  American  pictures  ..." 

Letter  continues,  "The  great  decline 
in  income  earned  by  American  movies 
in  foreign  countries  has  caused  a  de- 
crease in  the  production  of  American 
pictures.  This  has  reduced  drastically 
the  employment  of  AFL  workmen  in 
Hollywood  studios.  While  there  are 
a  few  pictures  which  may  be  below 
average,  there  are  many  excellent  ones 
which  are  top  entertainment  for  the 
entire  family.  We  ask  you  to  remem- 
ber that  every  dime  paid  into  the  box- 
office  to  see  an  American  picture  helps 
employ  a  brother  member  of  the  AFL. 
And,  just  as  important,  65  per  cent 
of  the  money  taken  in  at  the  box- 
office  in  your  town  remains  in  your 
town  and  helps  employ  other  AFL 
craftsmen,  for  theatres  themselves  em- 
ploy AFL  workmen  under  AFL  union 
shop  conditions." 


IATSE  Convention 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


dent  of  the  Cleveland  Motion  Picture 
Exhibitors  Association.  "IA"  presi- 
dent Richard  F.  Walsh  will  preside. 

Walsh's  report  is  scheduled  for 
Tuesday,  along  with  reports  of  secre- 
tary-treasurer William  P.  Raoul  and 
the  board  of  trustees. 

Eric  Johnston,  president  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America, 
is  scheduled  to  be  a  guest  speaker 
Wednesday.  Committee  reports  will 
continue  on  Thursday.  The  schedule 
for  that  day  also  includes  an  address 
by  Tom  O'Brien,  MP,  secretary  of 
the  British  National  Association  of 
Theatrical  and  Kine  Employees.  Nom- 
ination of  officers  will  conclude  the 
day's  business,  with  the  election  and 
installation  to  take  place  on  Friday. 
There  is  no  known  opposition  to 
Walsh  for  reelection. 


Mortician  Sues  RKO 

Philadelphia,  Aug.  15.  —  Luzerne 
County  funeral  director  has  entered 
a  $500,000  suit  against  RKO  Radio  in 
which  he  charges  that  "Miracle  of  the 
Bells"  exposed  him  to  "public  scorn, 
ridicule  and  shame."  The  mortician, 
Raymond  Polniaszek  of  Glen  Lyon, 
Pa.,  claims  the  film  portrayed  him  as 
a  "hateful  money-grabbing"  under- 
taker and  adds  that  the  character  of 
"Nick  Orloff"  was  meant  to  be  a  por- 
trayal of  him. 


Columbus  Warns  on  Tax 

Columbus,  O.,  Aug.  15—  The  State 
Tax  Commissioner  C.  Emory  Glander 
advised  theatremen  and  other  busi- 
nesses to  keep  records  of  sales  under 
41  cents  for  the  purpose  of  tax  assess- 
ments, despite  the  fact  that  the  state 
sales  tax  on  items  under  41  cents  has 
been  lifted.  He  said  that  the  "burden 
of  proof"  on  what  sales  are  tax  ex- 
empt would  be  upon  the  merchant. 
Candy,  popcorn,  soft  drinks  and  other 
items  are  included. 


Rocky  ML  Golf  Tourney 

Denver,  Aug.  15.  —  Robert  Hill, 
president  of  Rocky  Mountain  Screen 
Club  has  selected  Aug.  30  as  the  date 
for  the  club's  annual  golf  tournament 
and  picnic  to  be  held  at  the  Park  Hill 
Country  Club.  Tom  Bailey  will  be 
general  chairman  of  the  affair. 


Salt  Lake  Golf  Event 

Salt  Lake  City,  Aug.  15.— Fall 
golf  tournament  of  the  Salt  Lake  Mo- 
tion Picture  Club  will  be  held  Sept 
8-9  at  Forest  Dale  with  Harold  Ches- 
ter, Bingham  theatre  operator,  in 
charge. 


To  Rebuild  Burned  House 

Bridgewater,  S.  D.,  Aug  15   

The  new  Virginia  Theatre  liere  will 
replace  the  Nancy,  which  was  burned 
down. 


Technicolor  Cuts 

 (Continued  from  page  1) 


cut  down  to  about  rive  months  by  the 
end  ot  the  vear.  A  year  ago  the  lapsed 
time,  according  to  the  company 
amounted  to  as  much  as  a  year  or 
more  in  some  instances. 

The  company  discloses  that  the  aver- 
erage  number  of  release  prints  ordered 
per  picture  stands  at  415  so  far  this 


RKO  RADIO  PICTURES,  Inc. 

TRADE  SHOWINGS 

of  SAMUEL  GOLDWYN'S 

A  SONG  IS  BORN 


ALBANY 


Madison  Theatre,  1032  Madison  Ave. 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:15 

P.M. 

ATLANTA 

Buckhead  Theatre,  310  Roswell  Road 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:00 

P.M. 

BOSTON 

Coolidge  Corner  Th.,  290  Harvard  St, 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:00 

P.M. 

BUFFALO 

Shea's  Elmwood  Theatre, 

539  Elmwood  Avenue 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:00 

P.M. 

CHARLOTTE 

Manor  Theatre,  607  Providence  Rd. 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:00 

P.M. 

CHICAGO 

Vogue  Theatre,  3810  N.  Broadway 

Mon. 

8/23 

2:00 

P.M. 

CINCINNATI 

Forest  Theatre,  671  Forest  Ave. 

Tues. 

8/24 

8:50 

P.M. 

CLEVELAND 

Shaker  Theatre,  Shaker  Heights 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:15 

P.M. 

DALLAS 

Tower  Theatre,  1913  Elm  St. 

Mon. 

8/23 

6:15 

P.M. 

DENVER 

Jewel  Theatre,  1912  S.  Broadway 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:00 

P.M. 

DES  MOINES 

Varsity  Theatre,  1207  25th  St. 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

DETROIT 

Varsity  Theatre,  17121  Livernois  Ave. 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:00 

P.M. 

INDIANAPOLIS 

Zaring  Egyptian  Theatre, 

2741  Central  Avenue 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

KANSAS  CITY 

Rockhill  Theatre,  4608  Troost  Ave. 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:00 

P.M. 

LOS  ANGELES 

Wilshire  Theatre,  1314  Wilshire  Blvd. 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

MILWAUKEE 

Tosa  Theatre,  6825  West  North  Ave. 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:00 

P.M. 

MINNEAPOLIS 

St.  Louis  Park  Theatre, 

4829  Minneatonka  Blvd. 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:00 

P.M. 

NEW  HAVEN 

Whitney  Theatre,  1220  Whitney  Ave. 

Wed. 

8/25 

8:00 

P.M. 

NEW  ORLEANS 

Fox  Th.,  Elysian  Fields  &  Gentilly  Ave. 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:00 

P.M. 

NEW  YORK 

Colonial  Theatre,  1887  Broadway 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:45 

P.M. 

OKLAHOMA  CITY 

Uptown  Theatre,  1212  North  Hudson 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

OMAHA 

Brandeis  Theatre,  206  S.  17th  St. 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:00 

P.M. 

PHILADELPHIA 

Logan  Theatre,  4732  N.  Broad  St. 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

PITTSBURGH 

Fulton  Theatre,  101  6th  Street 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:45 

P.M. 

PORTLAND 

Bagdad  Th.,  3708  S.  E.  Hawthorne 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

ST.  LOUIS 

Shubert  Theatre,  318  North  Grand 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

SALT  LAKE  CITY 

Uptown  Theatre,  53  S.  Main  Street 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

SAN  FRANCISCO 

Alhambra  Theatre,  2330  Polk  St. 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

SEATTLE 

Egyptian  Th.,  4543  University  Way 

Mon. 

8/23 

8:30 

P.M. 

SIOUX  FALLS 

Hollywood  Th.,  212  N.  Philips  Ave. 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:30 

P.M. 

WASHINGTON 

Keith  Th.,  619-15  North  St.,  N.W. 

Mon. 

8/23 

9:37 

P.M. 

Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTIC  *  PICTURE 

DAILY 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  AUGUST  17,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Income  on  the 
Upgrade  At 
Key-City  Runs 

Weekly  July  Average  Was 
$14,771;  In  June,  $14,210 

Business  at  about  170  first-runs 
in  key  cities  continued  impaired 
some  by  the  heat  during  July  but 
nevertheless  there  was  an  improve- 
ment over  the  previous  month,  it  is 
indicated  in  reports  from  Motion 
Picture  Daily  correspondents  in  the 
field. 

Average  income  for  July 
climbed  to  $14,771  weekly  at  the 
key  houses,  compared  with  $14,- 
210  in  June.  Average  revenue 
reported  from  the  same  sources 
for  July,  1947,  amounted  to  $15,- 
772.  Average  for  the  week 
ended  on  July  9  was  $15,522,  the 
first  week  to  reach  that  figure 
since  the  week  ended  on  June 
4,  which  was  the  first  $15,000 
average  week  since  early  April. 

A  variety  of  new  product  on  the 
national  scene  is  generally  credited 

(Continued  on  page  6) 

MPAA  to  Move  for 
SWG  Suit  Dismissal 


Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  and  member  companies  on 
Sept.  14  will  ask  the  New  York 
Federal  Court  to  dismiss  the  suit  filed 
against  them  by  the  Screen  Writers' 
Guild  which  seeks  a  court  order  en- 
joining the  defendants  from  adhering 
to  their  announced  policy  of  non-em- 
ployment of  Communists.  Notice  of 
the  dismissal  motion  was  filed  with 
the  court  here  at  the  weekend. 

The  defendants  charge  that  the 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


19  Named  to  TO  A 
Convention  Group 

Chicago,  Aug.  16. — William  K. 
Hollander  of  Balaban  and  Katz,  who 
is  publicity  co-chairman  with  Thorn- 
ton Sargent  for  the  national  Theatre 
Owners  Association  convention  to  be 
held  here  in  the  Drake  Hotel,  Sept. 
24-25,  today  listed  Chicago  aides  who 
will  serve  on  his  committee,  as  fol- 
lows : 

W.  B.  Bishop,  M-G-M ;  Eddie  Solo- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Harford  Trust  Suit 
Settled  with  Seven 


Washington,  Aug.  16.— A  settle- 
ment has  been  reached  with  seven  of 
the  eight  major  distributors — all  but 
United  Artists — in  a  treble  damage 
anti-trust  suit  launched  over  two  years 
ago  by  Harford  Theatre  Co.  of  Bal- 
timore against  the  majors  and  the 
Durkee  and  Rome  circuits  in  Balti- 
more. 

Under  the  settlement  Harford  gets 
a  better  break  on  playing  time,  but 
no  damages.  Now  Harford  will  have 
an  availability  of  seven  days  from 
the  opening  date  of  the  first  neighbor- 
hood run  in  Baltimore,  without  regard 
to  whether  or  when  the  Durkee  and 
Rome  theatres  play  the  pictures.^ 

The  Durkee  and  Rome  circuits 
were  dismissed  from  the  case  in  Dec, 
1946  when  Judge  Letts  ruled  _  they 
could  not  be  sued  in  the  District  of 
Columbia  because  they  did  not  trans- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


$1,620,000  Trust 
Suit  Filed  Here 


Six  distributors  and  New  England 
Theatres,  Inc.,  have  been  named  de- 
fendants in  a  $1,620,000  anti-trust  suit 
filed  in  U.  S.  District  Court  here  by 
Prudential  Theatres  Co.,  Inc.,  and 
Playhouse  of  New  Canaan,  Inc.,  own- 
ers and  operators  of  theatres  in  New 
Canaan  and  Darien,  Conn. 

Charges  allege  fixing  of  a  uniform 
and  unreasonable  system  of  clearance 
in  restraint  of  trade  and  commerce, 
conspiracy  among  defendant  compa- 
nies, unlawful  and  unreasonable  pre- 
ferred playing  time,  and  unlawful 
"double  clearance."  Distributors  named 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Six  Are  Named  in 
Percentage  Actions 

Baltimore,  Aug.  16. — Six  distribu- 
tors have  filed  separate  percentage 
suits  in  U.  S.  District  Court  here. 
Actions  were  filed  by  Universal,  20th 
Century-Fox,  RKO  Radio,  Columbia, 
Warner  Brothers  and  United  Artists. 
Defendants  in  one  or  another  of  the 
suits  are  Windsor  Theatre  Co.,  Mon- 
roe Theatre  Corp.,  Victory  Theatre 
Corp.,  Fremont  Amusement  Corp., 
Morton  H.  Rosen  and  Morris  R.  Olet- 
sky.  Theatres  named  are  the  Wind- 
sor, Monroe,  Fremont  and  Victory  in 
Baltimore. 

■  R.  Dorsey  Watkins  of  the  Baltimore 
law  firm  of  Piper,  Watkins,  Avirett 
and  Egerton  is  attorney  for  each 
plaintiff  with  Sargoy  and  Stein  of 
New  York  of  counsel.  . 


Hold  Strategy  Talks 
For  AFM  Meeting 

Producer  representatives 
will  get  together  here  this 
afternoon  to  discuss  strategy 
to  be  followed  in  negotiating 
a  new  contract  for  studio  in- 
strumentalists with  the 
American  Federation  of  Mu- 
sicians. At  the  same  time  the 
AFM's  negotiating  group  will 
meet  for  a  final  discussion  of 
demands  to  be  made  upon  the 
companies. 

Talks  between  both  sides 
are  scheduled  to  get  under 
way  tomorrow  at  the  New 
York  headquarters  of  the 
AFM. 


MPEA  Meets  Today 
On  French  Proposal 

Board  meeting  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Export  Association  will  be  held 
here  today  to  decide  on  the  accept- 
ability of  the  French  government's 
proposal  to  free  more  than  $9,000,000 
now  blocked  in  France.  Under  the 
French-offered  terms  the  money  would 
be  remitted  to  motion  picture  com- 
panies in  the  United  States  over  a 
four-year  period. 

James  Mulvey,  president  of  Samuel 
Goldwyn  Productions,  will  represent 
the  Society  of  Independent  Motion 
Picture  Producers  at  the  meeting  and 
presumably  will  accompany  MPEA 
president  Eric  A.  Johnston  to  Paris  if 
the  board  today  deems  such  a  trip 
advisable.  Mulvey  and  Johnston  repre- 
sented the  industry  in  negotiating  the 
British-American  film  agreement  last 
March. 

Johnston  was  in  Chicago  yesterday 
to  attend  a  meeting  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  United  Airlines,  while 
Joyce  O'Hara  and  Kenneth  Clark  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America's  Washington  office  left  the 
Capital  yesterday  en  route  to  New 
York. 


Still  Working  on 
First  U.K.  Payment 

London,  Aug.  16. — John  F.  War- 
ren, accountant  appointed  by  the  Films 
Agreement  Control  committee  to  ad- 
minister division  of  American  film 
companies'  remittable  balances  here, 
has  not  yet  made  the  first  monthly 
allocation  under  the  agreement.  Allo- 
cations will  be  based  on  the  monthly 
business  of  each  company.  Compila- 
tion of  the  business  figures  has  not 
yet  been  completed. 

The  Board  of  Trade  reports  that 
no  application  has  yet  been  received 
from  Americans  planning  to  utilize 
their  unremittable  sterling  under 
Schedule  B  of  the  agreement. 


Showdown  In 
lA-Sopeg  Tilt 
Is  Due  Aug.  27 

NLRB  Orders  Election 
At  IJ A;  Inter  venor  Out 

August  27  was  set  yesterday  by 
the  National  Labor  Relations  Board 
here  for  the  holding  of  a  shop  elec- 
tion among  United  Artists'  home 
office  white  collar  workers  to  deter- 
mine their  future  collective  bargaining 
representation. 

NLRB's  setting  of  the  date  climaxed 
three  months  of  bitter  jurisdictional 
controversy  between  AFL  and  CIO 
industry  units,  with  UA's  refusal  to 
negotiate  with  CIO's  Screen  Office 
and  Professional  Employes  Guild 
heightening  the  clash  and  marking  the 
first  time  since  adoption  of  the  Taft- 
Hartley  Law  that  a  film  company 
turned  down  a  union  which  had  not 
complied  with  the  non-Communist  affi- 
davit provisions  of  the  law.  As  a  non- 
complying  union,  SOPEG  may  not  ap- 
pear on  the  ballot 

Meanwhile,  NLRB  regional  director 
Charles    T.    Douds    has  disqualified 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


C.  P.  Skouras  Given 
Variety  Club  Award 

-  Los  Angeles,  Aug.  16.— Charles  P. 
Skouras,  president  of  National  The- 
atres, exemplifies  "our  great  American 
system,"  Robert  O'Donnell,  chief 
barker  of  Variety  Clubs  International, 
declared  tonight  in  presenting  Skouras 
with  the  "Great  Heart  Award"  from 
Variety  Club  of  Southern  California. 

Speaking  before  900  civic,  business 
and  industry  leaders  at  banquet  cere- 
monies at  the  Cocoanut  Grove  of  the 
Ambassador  Hotel,  O'Donnell  de- 
clared that  Skouras'  "rise  from 
humble,   immigrant   Greek   youth  to 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Question  Shortage 
Of  Prints  in  Omaha 


Omaha,  Aug.  16. — Members  of  the 
Allied  Independent  Theatre  Owners 
of  Iowa  and  Nebraska  have  called 
upon  the  organization's  board  of  di- 
rectors to  investigate  the  availability 
of  prints  in  the  Omaha  and  Des  Moines 
areas.  At  a  regional  meeting  in  Red 
Oaks,  la.,  a  resolution  was  passed  ex- 
pressing the  feeling  "that  there  is  a 
definite  attempt  to  set  up  illegal  clear- 
ances by  a  print  shortage." 


2 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY 


Tuesday,  August  17,  1948 


Rank  Studios  Shut 
Down  for  2  Weeks 

London,  Aug.  16.  —  More 
than  half  of  Britain's  film 
production  came  to  a  stand- 
still today  when  the  J.  Arthur 
Rank  studios  closed  for  two 
weeks  vacation.  The  studios 
concerned  are  at  Denham, 
Pinewood,  Shepherd's  Bush, 
Islington  and  Ealing  and  in- 
volve nearly  4,000  employes. 


U.K.  Films  Council 
Members  Completed 

London,  Aug.  16. — President  of  the 
Board  of  Trade  Harold  Wilson  has 
completed  his  Cinematograph  Films 
Council  with  the  appointment_  of  two 
members  representative  of  "indepen- 
dent persons."  They  are  Prof.  K.  C. 
Wheare  of  All  Souls  College,  Oxford, 
and  John  Brannigan,  a  Scottish  trades- 
union  executive. 

For  the  first  time,  no  Americans 
were  appointed  to  the  Films  Council. 

Second  MP  A  A  Ascap 
Meeting  Here  Today 

Second  of  a  series  of  meetings  to 
consider  the  Federal  Court's  decision 
holding  Ascap  in  violation  of  the  anti- 
trust laws  will  be  held  here  this  after- 
noon by  the  copyright  committee  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America.  Chairman  of  the  conference 
will  be  Edwin  P.  Kilroe  of  20th-Fox. 


Howard  Heads  New  Firm 

Television  has  added  a  new  cor- 
porate member  to  its  fold  with  the 
incorporation  of  Special  Purpose 
Films,  producer  of  commercial  films 
for  screen  and  television.  Hampton 
W.  Howard  is  president  of  the  new 
corporation,  and  John  Fox,  former 
account  executive  with  LaRoche  and 
Ellis  and  more  recently  with  CBS,  is 
head  of  the  sales  service  department. 


Hammerstein  Services 

Hollywood,  Aug.  16. — Private  fu- 
neral services  will  be  held  here  to- 
morrow for  Mrs.  James  Walter  Kays, 
former  Elaine  Hammerstein,  silent 
film  star,  and  her  husband,  who  were 
among  five  motorists  killed  in  a  crash 
Saturday  near  Tiajuana.  Her  father, 
Arthur  Hammerstein,  flew  here  from 
Chicago. 


Herbert  Kneller,  50 

Lancaster,  O.,  Aug.  16. — Herbert 
C.  Kneller,  50,  theatre  manager  here 
for  the  past  34  years,  died  unexpected- 
ly following  a  heart  attack  at  his 
home.  He  was  manager  of  the  Broad 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  Previously 
he  had  managed  the  Palace  and  Lyric. 


Sunday  Ban  Upheld 

Zion,  111.,  Aug.  16. — Zion's  law  ban- 
ning Sunday  shows  has  been  upheld 
in  Circuit  Court  at  Waukegan  in  a 
test  case  involving  the  Zion  Theatre 
Corp.  Attorneys  for  the  circuit  said 
they  will  take  the  case  to  the  Illinois 
Supreme  Court  and  were  given  '45 
days  to  file  a  bill  of  exceptions. 


Personal  Mention 


WILLIAM  A.  SCULLY,  Univer- 
sal -  International  distribution 
vice-president,  and  Maurice  Berg- 
man, Eastern  advertising-publicity  di- 
rector, have  returned  to  New  York 
from  the  Coast.  Vice-president 
Charles  Prutzman  is  expected  to 
remain  in  Hollywood  for  a  few  more 
weeks,  while  J.  Cheever  Cowdin, 
board  chairman,  and  Joseph  H.  Sei- 
delman,  foreign  sales  chief,  are  due 
back  in  New  York  this  week. 

• 

Huldy  McGinn,  California  The- 
atres Association  public  relations  di- 
rector, is  representing  the  industry 
at  Stanford  University's  Workshop 
Conference  on  Leadership  and  Youth 
Problems,  which  opens  tomorrow  at 
the  university. 

• 

Richard  Lesnick,  former  Film 
Classics  booker  in  Cleveland  and  son 
of  Mike  Lesnick,  accountant  for  As- 
sociated Theatre  Circuit  in  that  city, 
will  be  married  to  Bernice  Cassell 
of  East  Orange,  N.  J.,  at  the  Hamp- 
shire House  here  on  Aug.  28. 
• 

Leslie  E.  Thompson,  RKO  labor 
relations  head,  has  been  named  chair- 
man of  the  motion  picture  division  in 
the  1948  fund  drive  for  the  Travelers 
Aid  Society  of  New  York. 

• 

Daniel  Schuman,  son  of  Leon 
Schuman  of  Hartford  Theatres  Cir- 
cuit, has  become  engaged  to  Bella 
Katz  of  Colchester,  Conn. 

• 

Irving  Sherman,  Columbia  assist- 
ant manager  of  branch  operations,  was 
in  Cleveland  last  week  from  New 
York. 

• 

Frank  Phelps,  Warner  labor  re- 
lations head,  is  in  Cleveland  from 
New  York  attending  the  IATSE  con- 
vention. 

• 

James  Van  Horne,  20th  Century- 
Fox  salesman  in  New  Haven,  has  re- 
signed. 

• 

Ted  Galanter,  M-G-M  exploited- 
in  San  Francisco,  was  married  last 
week  to  Mildred  Black. 

• 

Peter  Thorne  has  been  named 
RKO  Radio  salesman  in  San  Fran- 


Louis  B.  Mayer  w.as  at  Stanford 
Hospital  in  San  Francisco  last  week 
for  a  checkup. 


HARRY  M.  KALMINE,  Warner 
circuit  president  and  general 
manager,  and  Harry  Goldberg,  ad- 
vertising-publicity director,  left  here 
last  night  for  Washington  and  are 
due  back  at  the  end  of  the  week. 
• 

Earl  J.  Hudson,  president  of 
United  Detroit  Theatres,  and  Leo 
Fitzpatrick,  television  director  for 
the  circuit,  have  returned  to  Detroit 
from  New  York. 

• 

Wallace  Dale  MacDonald,  son  of 
Warner  International  vice-president 
Karl  MacDonald,  will  be  married 
to  Phyllis  Ann  Pearson  in  Salt 
Lake  City  on  Thursday. 

• 

Rufus  Shepherd,  manager  of  the 
Broadway   Capitol  Theatre,  Detroit, 
recently  underwent  an  appendectomy 
at  the  Women's  Hospital  in  that  city. 
• 

F.  J.  A.  McCarthy,  Universal-In- 
ternational Southern  and  Canadian 
sales  manager,  left  here  yesterday 
for  Charlotte. 

• 

C.  J.  Feldman,  Universal-Interna- 
tional Western  division  sales  mana- 
ger, is  back  at  his  desk  here  from  a 
vacation. 

• 

I.  E.  Lopert,  president  of  Lopert 
Films,  and  Mrs.  Lopert  will  sail  for 
Italy  and  France  next  Tuesday  on  the 

America. 

• 

Henry  Hammond,  Memphis  repre- 
sentative for  Monogram  Southern 
Exchanges,  has  entered  the  hospital 
in  that  city  for  a  check-up. 

• 

Jack  Barrett,  Monogram  sales 
representative  in  Florida,  is  in  the 
hospital  at  Fort  Myers,  Fla.,  follow- 
ing a  heart  attack. 

• 

John  W.  Mangham,  president  of 
Screen  Guild  of  Georgia,  will  leave 
Atlanta  this  week  for  a  sales  meeting 
in  Memphis. 

• 

Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  20th  Century- 
Fox  distribution  chief,  is  on  a  Nan- 
tucket vacation. 

• 

Thelma  Huglund  has  been  ap- 
pointed head  booker  for  Universal- 
International  in  Atlanta. 

• 

George  Cappers  has  sold  his  State 
Theatre  in  Hurley,  S.  D.,  to  Vincent 
Van  Eren. 


Story  of  Green  Bay 
Packers  in  Films 

Hollywood,  Aug.  16. — Steve  Broidy, 
president  of  Allied  Artists,  has  closed 
a  producing-releasing  deal  with  Tony 
Owen  that  will  bring  the  story  of 
"The  Green  Bay  Packers,"  national 
professional  football  team,  to  the 
screen. 

Picture  will  be  handled  in  a  docu- 
mentary manner,  according  to  Owen, 
who  was  a  former  co-owner  of  the 
Detroit  Lions  football  team.  All  foot- 
age filmed  by  the  Packers  of  their 
football  games  will  be  made  available. 
Production  is  slated  to  start  in  late 
fall  at  Green  Bay,  Wis. 


19  in  TOA  Group 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


mon,  20th  Century-Fox;  Lucia  Per- 
rigo  and  Al  Weinberg,  Warner;  Bob 
Hickey,  Wally  Heim  and  Lou  Mayer, 
RKO ;  Leon  Brandt,  Eagle-Lion ;  E. 
G.  Fitzgibbons,  Paramount ;  Ben  Katz, 
Universal-International ;  Norman  Kas- 
sell,  Essaness  Theatres  ;  Jim  Ascher, 
Motion  Picture  Daily  and  Motion 
Picture  Herald;  Jerry  Baxter  and 
Leo  Zablin,  Variety;  Jonas  Perl 
berg,  Boxoffice;  Joe  Essler,  Film 
Daily;  Harris  Silverberg,  National 
Screen  Service ;  Irving  Mack,  Fil- 
mack  Trailer  Co.,  and  Jack  Garber, 
Balaban  and  Katz. 


S chary  and  Deutsch 
Start  at  MGM  Studio 

Hollywood,  Aug.  16. — Re- 
marking, "I  am  anxious  to 
put  on  a  uniform  and  start 
playing  with  the  team,"  Dore 
Schary  started  his  new 
M-G-M  studio  executive  du- 
ties today.  Producer  Armand 
Deutsch,  who  left  RKO  Radh 
following  Schary's  resigiJ^' 
tion  at  that  studio,  al*-'. 
started  as  M-G-M  producer. 


Fabian  Acquires  WB 
Strand  in  Brooklyn 

Sale  of  the  Strand,  Brooklyn  first- 
run,  by  Warners  to  Fabian  Theatres 
was  finalized  here  yesterday,  it  was 
announced  jointly  by  Warners  and  S. 
H.  Fabian.  Fabian  will  take  over  ac- 
tual operation  of  the  house  on  Sept.  1. 
The  latter's  circuit  also  operates  the 
Fox,  another  Brooklyn  first-run. 


Correction 

Milton  Kramer  was  inadvertently 
mentioned  here  yesterday  as  being 
general  sales  manager  of  Selznick  Re- 
leasing Organization.  He  is  chairman 
of  the  board.  Milton  Kussell  is  SRO 
sales  manager. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


p — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL — r 

Rockefeller  Center 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

Wallace  BEERY    .    Jane  POWELL 
Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA  i 
Xavier  CUGAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro- Goldwyn- Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


mmmmt. 

ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  "THE 

BABE  RUTH 

Mom  *  w?uiam  claim 

STOR1T.  ~  BEHDIX-TREVOR 


Co**  Performance*  ■  Pop  Prlei 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York.  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vme  Budding,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


15^  Tuesday,  August  17,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


WB  Seeks  Dismissal 
Of  'Divorce'  Suit 


Washington,  Aug.  16. — Stanley 
Co.,  Warner  subsidiary,  today  asked 
the  U.  S.  District  Court  here  to  dis- 
miss a  suit  by  K-B  Amusement  Co. 
to  force  Stanley  out  of  the  jointly- 
owned   MacArthur   Theatre   on  the 

<  md  that  as  yet  there  has  been  no 
■'  ^'uiient  in  the  Paramount  case  re- 
q._jg  Warner  or  any  other  defend- 
ant ^o  dispose  of  any  theatre. 

K-B  claimed  that  Stanley  should  be 
forced  out  of  the  MacArthur  because 
the  Supreme  Court  said  it  was  illegal 
for  any  of  the  "Big  Five"  to  own  a 
theatre  jointly  with  an  independent 
where  the  independent  would  other- 
wise be  sole  owner. 

Stanley's  motion  today  was  based 
on  the  legal  point  that  when  a  case  is 
remanded  by  a  reviewing  court  for 
further  proceedings,  as  was  the  Para- 
mount case,  there  is  no  judgment 
until  the  lower  court  enters  its  judg- 
ment in  conformity  with  the  opinion 
of  the  reviewing  court.  The  opin- 
ion of  a  court  is  not  a  judgment, 
Stanley  claimed,  and  therefore  there 
is  no  final  judgment  against  Warner 
in  the  Paramount  case.  Accordingly, 
the  K-B  suit  is  premature,  Stanley 
said,  and  should  be  dismissed. 

Attorneys  for  K-B  said  they  would 
oppose  the  Stanley  motion. 


Wright  to  Stay  on 
The  Paramount  Case 


Washington,  Aug.  16. — "Trust- 
buster"  Robert  L.  Wright  will  stay 
with  the  Department  of  Justice  until 
the  Paramount  trust  case  is  finished, 
even  if  it  takes  several  years.  Wright 
was  reported  last  spring  to  be  ready  to 
enter  private  practice.  Friends  declare 
he  is  determined  to  see  the  Paramount 
case  through,  and  is  working  feverish- 
ly to  prepare  for  the  October  hearings. 

Meanwhile,  George  W.  Wise,  a 
member  of  the  Justice  Department's 
anti-trust  division  since  1938,  has  been 
assigned  to  handle  and  argue  the  Grif- 
fith case  in  Oklahoma  City.  Wise  has 
been  working  on  cases  in  the  clothing, 
housing  and  building  materials  fields, 
and  this  is  his  first  theatre  case. 

Philip  Marcus  will  handle  the  fur- 
ther Schine  proceedings. 


Salesmen  Ask  Trust 
Action  Dismissal 


Washington,  Aug.  16. — Charles 
Wingfield  and  F.  B.  Klein,  film  sales- 
men who  also  operate  theatres  and 
who  are  among  defendants  in  a  treble 
damage  anti-trust  suit  pending  here 
have  asked  the  court  to  dismiss  the 
charges  against  them  on  the  ground 
that  the  complaint  does  not  state  a 
cause  of  action  under  the  anti-trust 
laws. 

Wingfield  of  Columbia,  and  Klein  of 
20th-Fox,  who  own  theatres  in  Church 
Hill  and  Chestertown,  Md.,  were 
named  on  June  2  in  a  $150,000  suit 
filed  by  the  Center  Theatre  of  Cen- 
treville.  The  Center  claims  their 
position  as  salesmen  enabled  them  to 
get  better  pictures.  Other  defendants 
are  Paramount,  20th-Fox,  RKO  Radio 
and  Columbia. 

Attorneys  for  Wingfield  and  Klein 
have  told  the  court  they  did  nothing 
to  violate  the  anti-trust  laws  and  that 
the  Center  suit  should  be  thrown 
out.  The  motion  will  probably  be 
set  for  argument  this  fall. 


Harford  Trust  Suit 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


act  business  here  within  the  terms  of 
the  anti-trust  laws. 

The  Harford  claimed  that  it  was 
required  to  play  pictures  14  days  be- 
hind the  Boulevard  and  Waverly  the- 
atres of  the  Durkee  circuit  and  the 
Apollo  of  the  Rome  circuit.  It  de- 
clared that  it  was  not  competitive  with 
these  theatres,  and  the  unfavorable 
terms  were  due  solely  to  the  buying 
power  of  the  chains.  It  asked  $30,- 
000  damages,  trebled  to  $90,000. 

Attorneys  for  the  Harford  said  they 
were  pleased  with  the  settlement, 
which  will  cut  their  delay  from  a  min- 
imum of  three  weeks — and  often  more 
— after  opening  neighborhood  date  to 
a  minimum  of  seven  days.  Stipula- 
tions to  dismiss  the  suit  with  respect 
to  the  seven  settling  distributors  were 
filed  here  today. 

Robert  Sher,  of  Miller,  Sher  and 
Oppenheim,  here,  and  J.  Purdon 
Wright  of  Baltimore,  attorneys  for  the 
Harford,  said  they  expected  to  go 
to  trial  against  United  Artists  this 
fall.  Granville  Whittlesey,  of  Dono- 
van, Leisure,  Newton,  and  Irving, 
represented  distributors  in  the  nego- 
tiations. 


MPAA,  SWG  Suit 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


SWG  complaint  "does  not  set  forth 
a  short  and  plain  statement  of  the 
claims  alleged  therein  and  the  grounds 
upon  which  this  court's  jurisdiction 
depends ;  and  that  the  averments  of 
said  complaint  are  not  simple,  concise 
and  direct." 

If  the  motion  is  denied,  the  MPAA 
and  the  companies  ask  as  an  alterna- 
tive a  court  order  directing  the  Guild 
to  file  an  amended  complaint  deleting 
much  of  the  text  of  the  original  al- 
leged to  be  "redundant,  immaterial 
and  impertinent." 

MPAA,  Paramount,  Loew's,  RKO 
Radio,  Warner,  .20th  Century-Fox, 
Universal  and  the  Eric  Johnston  of- 
fice are  represented  by  Rosenman, 
Goldmark,  Colin  and  Kaye.  Colum- 
bia's counsel  is  Schwartz  and  Froh- 
lich.  Attorneys  for  the  SWG  are 
Monahan,  Goldberg  and  Bredin. 


IA-SOPEG  Tilt 


{Continued,  from  page  1) 


Cecilia  Schuman  as  an  intervenor  in 
the  dispute,  informing  her  attorney, 
Sidney  Fox,  that  an  NLRB  investiga- 
tion disclosed  that  Miss  Schuman  was 
acting  in  behalf  of  SO  PEG  in  seeking 
to  have  her  name  included  on  the  elec- 
tion ballot.  Hence,  on  Aug.  27  UA 
"collarites"  will  vote  on  whether  they 
want  to  be  represented  by  AFL's 
IATSE  Motion  Picture  Home  Office 
Employes  Local  No.  H-63,  which 
claims  to  have  won  "an  overwhelming 
majority"  away  from  SOPEG,  or 
whether  they  want  no  union  repre- 
sentation. 

Workers  Without  Contract 

Following  a  meeting  yesterday  at 
NLRB  offices  here  among  representa- 
tives of  UA  and  H-63,  Joseph  Conlon, 
H-63  organizer,  said,  "we  hope  that 
there  will  be  no  more  delays,"  and  he 
again  assailed  SOPEG  for  deterring 
"democratic  processes"  by  opposing 
the  holding  of  an  election.  Meanwhile, 
the  employes  have  been  without  a 
union  contract  for  several  weeks  fol- 
lowing the  expiration  of  SOPEG's, 
but  the  company,  when  it  rejected 
SOPEG,  informed  the  workers  in 
writing  that  union  gains  would  not 
be  endangered  pending  the  settlement 
of  the  jurisdictional  dispute. 


Green  Blasts  Congress  in 
'IA'  Convention  Keynote 

Cleveland,  Aug.  16.  —  William 
Green,  president  of  the  American 
Federation  of  Labor,  today  delivered 
the  keynote  speech  at  the  opening  of 
the  29th  biennial  IATSE  convention 
here,  with  a  blast  at  the  80th  Congress 
for  what  he  termed  its  failure  to  raise 
the  40  cents  minimum  hourly  wage, 
meet  the  problems  of  high  prices  and 
housing,  social  security  benefits,  health 
insurance  and  protection  of  civil  rights. 

Denounces  Taft-Hartley  Law 

Stressing  that  the  Government 
should  consider  the  conditions  that 
make  for  Communism,  Green  lashed 
out  at  the  Taft-Hartley  Law  and  ap- 
pealed to  the  1,200  delegates  to  vote 
in  the  fall  election  against  any  Con- 
gressman who  voted  for  the  act. 

Other  speakers  today  were  Mayor 
Thomas  Burke,  William  J.  Rogers, 
state  industrial  director,  who  substi- 
tuted for  Gov.  Thomas  Herbert ; 
Michael  Lynden,  president  of  the  Ohio 
Federation  of  Labor,  State  Congress- 
man Michael  Feighan  and  John  F. 
Burns,  president  of  the  Cleveland  fed- 
eration. 

IATSE  president  Richard  F.  Walsh 
announced  the  appointment  of  com- 
mittees. 

Edward  Arnold  is  due  here  tonight 
from  Hollywood  to  address  tomor- 
row's session. 


$1,620,000  Trust  Suit 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


are  Paramount,  United  Artists,  Uni- 
versal, Columbia,  Monogram  and 
Eagle-Lion.  Damages  sought  are  spe- 
cifically $1,170,000  straight  triple  dam- 
ages plus  $450,000  triple  damages  for 
"damage  to  properties"  of  plaintiffs. 

Complaint  states  that  New  England 
Theatres  operates  houses  in  which 
Paramount  has  a  50  per  cent  interest 
or  more.  In  addition  to  monetary  dam- 
ages, the  plaintiffs  are  seeking  elimina- 
tion of  all  allegedly  unlawful  clear- 
ances for  Darien,  New  Canaan,  Nor- 
walk  and  South  Norwalk,  Conn: 


20th-Fox  Will  Hold 
Four  Sales  Meetings 

General  sales  manager  A.  W. 
Smith,  Jr.,  of  20th  Century-Fox  has 
set  dates  for  four  divisional  sales 
meetings  to  be  held  next  month.  The 
Eastern  divisional  meeting  will  be  held 
in  New  York  on  Sept.  8  and  9.  The 
Southern  sessions  will  be  held  at  Dal- 
las on  Sept.  11  and  12.  A  two-day 
meeting  with  Central  branch  mana- 
gers is  slated  for  Chicago  on  Sept. 
14  and  15,  and  the  Western  regional 
will  be  held  in  San  Francisco  on  Sept. 
17  and  18. 


Williams  in  New  Post 

Ottawa,  Aug.  16.— C.  E.  Williams 
has  been  appointed  comptroller  and 
general  office  manager  of  the  Film 
Laboratories  of  Canada,  Ltd. 


►Guess  I  have  the 
kind  of  job  that 
every  girl  dreams  about — stew- 
ardess on  United's  glamorous 
flight,  "the  Hollywood,"  the 
flight  so  many  Hollywood  stars 
and  other  famous  people  take! 


►  This  is  the  super 
de  luxe  DC-6  Main- 
liner  300  flight  that  leaves  New 
York  at  12:15  p.m.,  and  arrives 
in  Los  Angeles  at  8:25  p.m.  In 
other  words,  just  11  hours,  10 
mln.,  coast  to  coast! 


>Everything  on  "the 
Hollywood"  is  tops 
in  luxury.  Thick  carpets.  Deep, 
soft  seats.  Powder  room  for  the 
ladies.  "Stroll-about  spacious- 
ness." Pressurized  cabin.  An 
observation  lounge.  And  those 
m-m-m  Mainliner  steak  dinners! 


►Even  if  you're  not 
a  celebrity,  travel- 
ing on  "the  Hollywood"  makes 
you  feel  like  one! 

United  Air  Lines  Stewardess  on 


"WW*- 


6 


Motion  Picture  daily 


Tuesday,  August  17,  1948 


Bergman  and  Aides 
To  Promote  'Venus' 

A  "flying  squadron"  of  Universal- 
International  advertising,  publicity  and 
exploitation  executives  will  visit  20 
key  cities  beginning  next  week  on  ad- 
vance promotion  plans  for  "One  Touch 
of  Venus,"  Maurice  A.  Bergman,  U-I 
Eastern  advertising-publicity  director, 
announces. 

The  group  will  consist  of  Bergman, 
Al  Horwits,  Eastern  publicity  man- 
ager, and  Charles  Simonelli,  Eastern 
exploitation  manager. 


Republic  in  First 
Deal  for  Trucolor 

Hollywood,  Aug.  16. — First  outside 
deal  for  the  use  of  Trucolor  process, 
recently  made  generally  available  by 
Republic,  has  been  negotiated  by  How- 
ard Welch  and  Walter  Colmes,  who 
will  independently  produce  "Montana 
Belle,"  using  Republic  studio  space. 


Fined  on  Violation 

Detroit,  Aug.  16. — Hyman  Bloom, 
manager  of  the  Mercury  Theatre,  was 
fined  $100  and  placed  on  six  months' 
probation  for  permitting  300  more  per- 
sons than  are  allowed  by  fire  regula- 
tions to  enter  the  theatre. 


Review 


Luxury  Liner 

(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer') 

Hollywood,  Aug.  16 

LIGHT,  brisk,  pleasantly  humorous  and  musically  noteworthy,  this  Joe 
Pasternak  confection  in  Technicolor  takes  good  care  of  its  audience 
Lauritz  Melchior  and  Marina  Koshetz  give  the  addicts  of  top-drawer  music 
plenty  of  the  best  to  listen  to,  but  devote  most  of  their  time  and  talent  to 
comedy  which  is  within  the  appreciation-range  of  everybody.  Jane  Powell 
works  out  in  the  grand-opera  tradition,  too,  but  also  in  the  topical  and  swing 
divisions.  And  Xavier  Cugat  pilots  his  bandsmen  through  typical  musical 
interludes  to  excellent  advantage.  George  Brent  and  Frances  Gifford  share 
the  principal  romantic  complication,  and  Miss  Powell  shares  a  secondary  one 
with  Thomas  E.  Breen,  the  son  of  Production  Code  Administrator  Joseph  I 
Breen,  who  makes  an  auspicious  screen  debut  in  this  picture.  The  produc- 
tion, directed  by  Richard  Whorf,  from  a  script  by  Gladys  Lehman  and  Rich- 
ard Connell,  plays  a  good  deal  beter  than  it  looks  .on  paper,  and  figures  to 
build  as  it  runs. 

Miss  Powell,  as  the  daughter  of  ship  captain  Brent,  is  the  central  character 
in  the  lightly  told  story.  Against  her  father's  instructions,  she  runs  away 
from  a  fashionable  school  and  stows  away  on  his  boat,  the  luxury  liner  of 
the  title,  as  it  heads  out  for  Brazil.  He  undertakes  to  teach  her  discipline 
by  making  her  work  for  her  passage,  but  Miss  Gifford,  a  young  widow  flee 
ing  an  unwelcome  suitor,  befriends  her,  as  does  Melchior,  Breen  and  the 
others  aboard.  Thwarted  in  his  disciplinary  objective,  Brent  relents,  and 
before  the  voyage  ends  he  has  wooed  and  won  Miss  Gifford,  and  his  daughter 
has  agreed  to  see  things  Breen's  way.  The  shipboard  setting  is  ideal  for 
the  smooth  handling  of  a  diversity  of  musical  sequences  which  offer  at  least 
one-  number  for  every  variety  of  taste. 

Running  time,  99  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date 
not  set.  William  R.  Weaver 


Reade  Drive-in  Opening 

Walter   Reade's   Drive-In  Theatre 
located  near  Woodbridge,  N.  J.,  and 
first  of  27  planned  by  the  circuit  in 
the  next  few  years,  will  open  Satur 
day  night.    It  has  a  capacity  of  950 
cars  and  has  provision  for  enlarge- 
ment for  100  others.    Julius  Daniels. 
Reade  city  manager  for  Perth  Amboy, 
will  supervise  and   Samuel  Shumer, 
manager  of  the  Strand  in  Perth  Am 
boy,  has  been  transferred  to  the  drive 
in  as  manager.   Edward  Moroz,  for 
mer  assistant  manager  at  the  Majestic, 
succeeds  Shumer  at  the  Strand. 


Mono.  Southern  Meet 

Atlanta,  Aug.  16. — In  Atlanta  for 
a  sales  meeting  with  Arthur  C. 
Bromberg,  president  of  Monogram 
Southern  Exchanges,  were  the  fol- 
lowing branch  managers ;  Henry 
Glover,  New  Orleans ;  Hal  Jordan, 
Charlotte,  and  Bailey  Prichard,  Mem- 
phis, with  sales  representatives  from 
Atlanta  and  Charlotte. 


WB  Circuit  Zone  Meet 

Hartford,  Aug.  16. — Annual  meet- 
ing of  Warner  Theatres'  New  Eng- 
land zone  will  be  held  on  Aug.  31  at 
the  Racebrook  Country  Club,  Orange, 
Conn.,  with  Harry  Kalmine,  president 
and  general  manager;  I.  J.  Hoffman, 
zone  manager,  and  Henry  L.  Needles, 
Hartford  district  manager,  among  ex- 
ecutives who  will  attend. 


C.  P.  Skouras 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


become  one  of  the  country's  most  suc- 
cessful business  leaders  and  outstand- 
ing citizens  is  a  story  in  the  best 
American  tradition.  Presentation  of 
of  the  Great  Heart  Award  to  him  is 
further  proof  that  he  has  not  forgotten 
his  early  beginnings  and  has  continued, 
to  this  day,  to  lend  his  active  support 
to  the  betterment  of  mankind." 

Louis  B.  Mayer  lauded  the  NT  head 
for_  his  "leadership  in  every  worth- 
while cause." 

Other  speakers  introduced  by  toast- 
master  George  Jessel  included  Mayor 
Fletcher  Bowron,  Joseph  M.  Schenck, 
Ted  Gamble  and  Willard  Keith. 


Many  NY  Key  Spots 
Are  Off;  'Judy'  and 
'Walls' Beat  the  Heat 


S.R.O.  shingles  gathered  dust  at 
several  New  York  first-runs  this  week 
as  film  attractions,  in  competition  with 
beaches  and  other  summer  resorts, 
came  out  second  best.  Showshops 
vaudeville  are  doing  the  best  busA 
The  weekend's  intense  heat  di* 
help. 

Two  new  films  are  running  mild: 
"Mr.  Peabody  and  the  Mermaid" 
probably  will  take  in  $24,000  in  its 
opening  week  at  the  Winter  Garden, 
while  "Escape"  is  figured  to  take 
$15,000  in  a  first  week  at  the  Globe. 

The  Music  Hall's  "Date  with  Judy" 
with  a  stage  show  is  tops  with  a  sec- 
ond week's  gross  estimated  at  $152,000. 
Close  second  is  "Walls  of  Jericho," 
with  Dick  Haymes,  an  ice  revue  and 
others  on  stage  likely  to  bring  the 
Roxy  a  big  $105,000.  "Beyond  Glory," 
with  Peggy  Lee,  Jan  Murray  and  Ray 
Eberle's  orchestra  in  person  all  stack 
up  as  successfully  at  the  Paramount 
where  $90,000  is  apparent  for  a  sec- 
ond week.  The  Strand's  "Key  Largo," 
with  Count  Basie  and  Billie  Holliday 
on  stage  is  good  for  $52,000  in  a  fifth 
week;  the  show  will  continue,  making 
an  unusually  long  run  for  the  house 
at  this  time. 

"On  an  Island  with  You"  with  the 
"Stop  the  Music"  give-away  show  is 
down  to  $62,000  in  a  third  and  final 
week  at  the  Capitol.  "Pitfall"  will 
follow  on  Thursday.  At  the  Rivoli, 
"So  Evil  My  Love"  is  growing  weak 
with  less  than  $20,000  in  sight  for  a 
fourth  week.  "Velvet  Touch"  will  fol- 
low on  Aug.  25.  "Easter  Parade,"  too, 
is  showing  signs  of  fatigue  with  an 
estimated  $35,000  likely  for  the  seventh 
week  at  the  State.  This  is  still  im- 
pressive in  view  of  the  length  of  the 
run,  however. 

"Return  of  the  Bad  Men"  is  about 
fair  with  $15,000  probable  for  a  sec- 
ond week  at  the  Mayfair.  "Babe  Ruth 
Story"  should  do  a  moderate  $20,000 
in  a  third  week  at  the  Astor.  A  strong 
second  week's  gross  of  $12,000  is  in- 
dicated at  the  Rialto,  playing  "Gung 
Ho"  and  "Eagle  Squadron,"  reissues. 
The  Gotham  is  continuing  with  reissue 
combinations  and  frequent  changes  and 
taking  about  $8,000  per  week. 


Key  City  Income 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


with  the  upward  trend.  Films  mostly 
cited  were  "Emperor  Waltz,"  "Easter 
Parade"  and  "On  an  Island  With 
You."  Toward  the  end  of  the  month 
"Key  Largo"  and  "Abbott  and  Cos- 
tello  Meet  Frankenstein"  came  in 
for  a  good  share  of  top  money.  "A 
Foreign  Affair"  and  "Canon  City"  fig- 
ured importantly  in-  late  openings. 

"Street  With  No  Name"  was  well 
above  average  in  several  situations, 
while  "Fuller  Brush  Man,"  one  of  the 
winners  in  June,  continued  to  have 
good  returns  in  July.  "Return  of  the 
Bad  Men"  scored  in  Cleveland,  Pitts- 
burgh and  Kansas  City,  while  "Tap 
Roots"  opened  at  a  record-breaking 
pace  in  Philadelphia.  "Fort  Apache" 
was  especially  big  in  Toronto  and 
some  other  locations.  "The  Paradine 
Case"  did  nicely  in  Chicago  and  Phil- 
adelphia. "The  Search"  commanded 
attention  in  Los  Angeles,  ditto  "Ruth- 
less." "Summer  Holiday"  was  above 
average  in  Kansas  City  and  Los  An- 
geles. 


MR.  EXHIBITOR 


Remember  in  September 
to  Join  in  Promoting . . . 


WHAT 
TO  DO 


1.  Order  FREE  accessories  from  Na- 
tional Screen— Campaign  Book,Lobby 
Hangers,  and  "A  Salute  To  Youth" 
trailer,  featuring  Sammy  Kaye's  or- 
chestra and  Youth  Month  song,  "I'm 
the  You  in  the  U.S.A." 

2.  Decorate  marquee  and  theater. 

3.  Run  all  Youth  newsreel  shots. 

4.  Book  all  possible  Youth  s'hort  sub- 
jects. See  local  exchange  managers. 

5.  Put  Youth  Month  slugs  in  ads. 

6.  Enlist  support  of  newspapers  and 
radio  stations. 

7.  Interest  civic  and  church  groups,  also 
Rotary,  Kiwanis,  Community  Chest, 
American  Legion,  VFW,  Lions  clubs, 
Boy  Scouts,  Girl  Scouts,  Campfire 
Girls,  and  youth  serving  agencies  in 
Youth  Month  activities. 

8.  Conduct  all  possible  Youth  activity 
in  and  out  of  theater  with  at  least 
four  BIG  community  events. 

9.  Consult  your  state  chairman.  Work 
with  your  fellow  Exhibitor  in  making 
your  community  YOUTH  conscious. 


A  Public  Service  Program  Undertaken  by  Theatres, 
radio,  press,  and  civic  organizations  at  the  request  of 
Attorney  General  Tom  Clark  to  combat  juvenile 


del 


inquencyl 


YOUTH  MONTH  COMMITTEE 

CHARLES  P.  SKOURAS  •  HARRY  LOWENSTEIN 


National  Chairman 


Vice  Chairman 


SPONSORED  BY  THEATRE  OWNERS  OF  AMERICA 

TED  R.  GAMBLE,  President 


JAMES  CAGNEY  •  WILLIAM  BENDIX  •  WAYNE  MORRIS  •  JEANNE  CAGNEY 

in  "THE  TIME  OF  YOUR  LIFE"  •   From  William  Saroyan's  Multiple-Prize  Play 
with  Broderick  Crawford  •  Ward  Bond  •  James  Barton  •  Paul  Draper  •  Gale  Page  •  James  Lydon  •  Richard  Erdman 
Produced  by  WILLIAM  CAGNEY  *    Directed  by  H.  C.  POTTER    •  Adapted  for  the  Screen  by  Nathaniel  Curtis 


motion  picyiu, 

DAIL\ 


FIRST; 
IN 

FILM 

1    IM  1—  VV  «J 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  18,  1948 


I  Accurate 

i  Concise 
|  and 

Impartial 

Li   ^ 

V  V/,^64.    NO.  34 

jlA'  to  Fight 
For  Television 
Jurisdiction 

Walsh  Tells  Locals  to 
Admit  16mm.  Operators 

Cleveland,  O.,  Aug.  17. — The 
IATSE  will  fight  to  a  finish  for 
jurisdiction  over  television  in  the- 
atres, in  line  with  its  oft-repeated 
claim  of  jurisdiction  over  everything 
within  a  theatre's  four  walls,  "IA" 
president  Richard  F.  Walsh  declared 
here  today  in  his  report  to  the  29th 
biennial  convention  of  the  Interna- 
tional which  opened  yesterday  and  will 
continue  all  week. 

Walsh  admits  there  exists  a 
great  problem  in  organizing  the 
television  theatre  field  due  to 
the  Federal  Taft-Hartley  Act 
and  also  to  the  reluctance  of 
technical-college-trained  techni- 
cians to  join  unions. 

Referring  to  the  16mm.  field,  Walsh 
advises  "IA"  locals  to  admit  16mm. 
operators  on  separate  wage-scale  rates 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Four  Majors  Settle 
Prudential  Dispute 


Warner,  Loew's,  RKO  Radio, 
20th-Fox  and  Selznick  Releasing  Or- 
ganization have  settled  their  clearance 
dispute  with  Prudential  Theatres  Co., 
Inc.,  and  Playhouse  of  New  Canaan, 
Inc.,  owners  and  operators  of  theatres 
in  New  Canaan  and  Darien,  Conn. 

The  complainants  charged  the  dis- 
tributors with  fixing  uniform  and  un- 
reasonable clearances  in  restraint  of 
trade,  unlawful  preferred  playing  time 
and  illegal  "double  clearance." 

Loew,  20th-Fox  and  SRO  agreed  to 
eliminate  South  Norwalk  and  New 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Overwhelming  SAG 
Vote  for  Closed  Shop 


Hollywood,  Aug.  17. — By  the  over- 
whelming tally  of  3,828  to  29  in  a 
mail  referendum  conducted  by  the  Na- 
tional Labor  Relations  Board  the 
membership  of  the  Screen  Actors 
Guild  has  voted  for  the  continuation 
of  a  union  shop  for  film  actors.  The 
balloting  continues  contract  arrange- 
ments in  effect  since  1937  under  which 
any  person  who  obtains  acting  work 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Para.  Television 
To  Include  Canada 

Toronto,  Aug.  17.— With  the 
first  demonstration  of  tele- 
vision reception  in  a  Can- 
adian theatre  having  taken 
place  in  the  foyer  of  the 
Odeon  Danforth  here,  Para- 
mount announces  that,  when 
the  Dominion  government 
authorizes  televised  broad- 
casting in  this  country,  To- 
ronto will  be  included  in  a 
United  States  network  for 
full-screen  presentations  in 
local  theatres. 


14  New  Theatres  for 
FP-C  This  Year 

Toronto,  Aug.  17. — The  Dominion- 
wide  theatre  expansion  plan  decided 
upon  last  year  by  Famous  Players- 
Canadian  Corp.  is  proceeding  on  sched- 
ule. This  largest  circuit  in  Canada 
has  already  opened  six  this  year  and 
eight  others  are  expected  to  be  in 
operation  by  the  end  of  the  year. 

Among  the  eight  being  constructed 
are  projects  in  Halifax,  St.  John,  Port 
Arthur  and  Windsor,  and  three  in  To- 
ronto. Work  has  also  been  started  on 
theatres  in  Kelowna  and  Moncton. 

Meanwhile  Famous  Players  has 
purchased  control  of  Skyway  Drive-in 
Theatres,  Ltd.,  and  reportedly  now 
owns  approximately  90  per  cent  of  the 
outstanding  common  stock  of  the  cir- 
cuit. 


AFM  and  Producers 
Open  Talks  Today 

Negotiations  between  producer  rep- 
resentatives and  the  American  Federa- 
tion of  Musicians  for  a  new  agree- 
ment covering  studio  instrumentalists 
will  get  under  way  this  afternoon  at 
the  New  York  offices  of  the  AFM. 
What  new  demands  will  be  made  by 
the  AFM  will  be  disclosed  to  the  com- 
panies for  the  first  time  at  today's 
meeting  with  a  Federation  delegation 
headed  by  president  James  Caesar 
Petrillo  of  the  American  Federation 
of  Musicians. 

Company  negotiators  will  be  led  by 
Charles  Boren,  vice-president  of  the 
Association  of  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers in  charge  of  industrial  rela- 
tions, and  Y.  Frank  Freeman,  Para- 
mount vice-president  and  AMPP 
board  chairman.  . 


MPEA  Approves 
Dollar  Agreement 
With  French  Gov't 


Board  of  directors  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Export  Association  yester- 
day in  effect  approved  a  French  gov- 
ernment-proposed film  agreement  un- 
blocking U.  S.  film  company  earnings 
in  that  country. 

Eric  A.  Johnston,  MPEA  president, 
following  the  meeting,  said  that  the 
board's  action  means  the  conversion 
and  remittance  of  American-owned 
francs  totalling  $9,800,000,  the  remit- 
tances to  be  made  over  a  four-year 
period,  computed  quarterly. 

An  MPEA  announcement  said  that 
the  board  "indicated  it  would  approve 
the  agreement  with  certain  modifica- 
tions which  have  been  sent  to  the  U. 
S.  State  Department  for  transmittal 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Monogram  Post  to 
Nicky  Goldhammer 


Nicky  Goldhammer,  former  West- 
ern sales  manager  for  Eagle-Lion, 
has  been  appointed  Allied  Artists- 
Monogram  Western  sales  manager  by 
Morey  Goldstein,  general  sales  mana- 
ger for  AA-Monogram.  A  former 
district  manager  for  RKO  Radio  be- 
fore his  association  with  Eagle-Lion, 
Goldhammer  will  make  his  headquar- 
ers  in  Chicago. 


St.  Louis,  Aug.  17. — The  next  60 
days  are  expected  to  see  the  signing 
of  a  permanent  management  pact  be- 
tween the  Skouras  theatre  properties 
in  St.  Louis  and  Fanchon  and  Marco. 
The  pact,  it  is  understood,  will  set  up 
a  permanent  F.  and  M.  management 
in  the  Skouras-owned  Missouri  and 
Ambassador  theatres  and  St.  Louis 
Amusement  Co. 

The  Ambassador  and  Missouri  are 
3,600-seat  first-run  houses  in  the 
downtown  and  midtown  amusement 
centers,  respectively.  Besides  the  Am- 
bassador Theatre  and  office  building, 
the  Skouras'  Ambassador  Building 
Corp.,  through  its  wholly-owned  Am- 
bassador Investment  Co.,  holds  52  per 
cent  of  St.  Louis  Amusement,  owner 
or  operator  of  28  smaller  theatres, 
with  Fanchon  and  Marco  the  minority 
stockholder. 

All  of  the  theatre  properties  are 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


TEN  CENTS 


To  Press  for 
Concessions 
On  U.  K.  Quota 

Johnston,  Mulvey  Leave 
Here  for  London  Friday 

An  effort  to  ease  the  effect  of  the 
British  45  per  cent  exhibitor  quota 
will  be  made  by  Eric  A.  Johnston, 
president  of  the  Motion  Picture  As- 
sociation of  America,  and  James  Mul- 
vey, representing  the  Society  of  Inde- 
pendent Motion  Picture  Producers, 
upon  their  arrival  in  London  on  Satur- 
day. They  are  scheduled  to  leave  here 
by  plane  Friday. 

Decision  to  make  the  trip  was 
made  at  a  board  meeting  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Export  Associa- 
tion which  considered  this  and 
other  matters  at  a  full-day  ses- 
sion here  yesterday. 

While  the  quota  has  been  enacted 
into  law  by  the  British  Parliament, 
effective  Oct.  1,  Johnston  and  Mulvey, 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Limit  Prints  Under 
Greek  Govt.  Decree 


By  D.  PAPADOPOULOS 

Athens,  Aug.  12.  (By  Airmail).. — 
The  Greek  Ministry  of  National 
Economy  has  issued  a  new  decree  re- 
quiring government  approval  of  all 
imported  films,  except  newsreels,  and 
limiting  imported  features  and  short 
subjects  to  four  prints  each.  The 
Ministry  will  be  the  approving  agency. 

The  Bank  of  Greece,  the  decree 
stipulates,  will  furnish  the  necessary 
exchange  for  newsreels  on  the  presen- 
tation of  an  invoice  of  the  consignor, 
the  invoice  to  be  duly  ratified  by  the 
proper  Greek  consular  authority.  The 
exchange  to  be  granted  is  not  to  ex- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Ascap,  ITOA  Will 
Confer  on  a  Decree 


Lawyers  for  Ascap  and  the  ITOA 
are  expected  to  confer  in  two  weeks 
on  the  presentation  of  a  decree  to  con- 
form with  the  findings  of  fact  made 
by  Federal  Court  Judge  Vincent  L. 
Leibell  in  his  decision  finding  the  So- 
ciety guilty  of  violating  anti-trust 
laws. 

The  ITOA's  draft  already  has  been 
completed  and  is  awaiting  discussions 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


Skouras,  Fanchon  &  Marco 
Expected  to  Sign  New  Pact 


2 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY 


Wednesday,  August  18,  1948 


Production  Off  4; 
30  Now  in  Work 

Hollywood,  Aug.  17— The  produc- 
tion index  dipped  to  30  from  last 
week's  34.  Six  new  films  were  started 
while  10  were  completed. 

Shooting  started  on  "Mr.  Soft 
Touch"  and  "The  Lone  Wolf  and  His 
Lady,"  Columbia;  "Parole"  (Orbit), 
Eagle-Lion;  "Call  of  the  Cactus," 
Monogram;  "Prejudice,"  Protestant 
Film  Commission;  "Canadian  Pacific" 
(Nat  Holt  Production),  20th  Century- 
Fox. 

Shooting  finished  on  "Strike  It 
Rich"  (Wrather),  Allied  Artists; 
"The  Big  Cat,"  Eagle-Lion;  "The 
Numbers  Racket:  the  Story  of  Tuck- 
er's People,"  Enterprise;  "A  Date 
with  Murder"  (Falcon),  Film  Clas- 
sics ;  "Rose  of  the  Yukon,"  Republic ; 
"Gun  Runners,"  RKO  Radio;  "Fron- 
tier Phantom"  (Western  Adventure), 
Screen  Guild;  "Three  Wives,'.'  20th 
Century-Fox ;  "Mexican  Hayride," 
Universal-International ;  "South  of  St. 
Louis"  (U.  S.  Pictures),  Warner. 

E-L  Holds  Luncheon 
For  Milton  E.  Cohen 

Philadelphia,  Aug.  17. — Some  100 
theatre  owners  and  motion  picture  ex- 
ecutives from  this  area  attended  a 
luncheon  here  today  at  the  Hotel  War- 
wick to  introduce  Milton  E.  Cohen, 
newly  appointed  Eastern  division  sales 
manager  for  Eagle-Lion.  Jay  Emanuel 
acted  as  toastmaster  and  William  J. 
Heineman,  Eagle-Lion  distribution 
vice-president,  addressed  the  gathering. 

Among  those  who  extended  greet- 
ings to  Cohen  were:  Sidney  Samuel- 
son,  Ted  Schlanger,  Mrs.  Edna  Car- 
roll, chairman  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Board  of  Censors;  Lewen  Pizor  and 
Harry  Berman.  Paul  Henreid,  star 
and  producer  of  the  company's  "Hol- 
low Triumph,"  which  will  have  its 
world  premiere  tomorrow  in  Reading, 
was  also  on  hand. 

Eastman  Six-Month 
Net  Increased  25% 

Rochester,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  17. — East- 
man Kodak  today  reported  1948  semi- 
annual sales  of  $192,480,338,  a  25  per 
cent  increase  over  the  $153,581,750 
gross  for  the  same  period  last  year. 
Net  earnings  during  the  half  were 
$28,017,724,  or  $2.24  per  common 
share,  compared  with  $20,299,661,  or 
$1.62  a  share  for  the  corresponding 
period  in  1947. 

Current  assets  were  $217,708,802 
and  total  assets  were  about  $300,000,- 
000. 


Personal 


IRVING  MAAS,  Motion  Picture 
Export  Association  vice-president 
and  general  manager,  will  return  to 
New  York  today  by  plane  from  Eu- 
rope. 

• 

J.  B.  Cronk,  vice-president  of  Ca- 
nadian Picture  Pioneers  and  recently 
retired  as  Empire-Universal  Film  pro- 
motion manager,  and  his  wife  will 
vacation  at  Long  Beach,  Cal.,  after, 
which  they  will  spend  a  year  in  Ari- 
zona. 

• 

William  B.  Zoellner,  head  of  M- 
G-M's  short  subject  sales,  will  be  in 
Los  Angeles  tomorrow  from  New 
York  for  conferences  with  George  A. 
Hickey,  Western  sales  manager. 
• 

Edward  L.  Hyman,  Paramount 
Theatres  Service  Corp.  vice-president 
and  Max  Fellerman,  theatre  execu- 
tive, will  leave  here  today  for  con- 
ferences in  Upstate  New  York. 
• 

Mrs.  Christopher  Buckley  of  the 
General  Stark  Theatre  in  Bennington, 
Vt,  has  returned  to  that  city  from  a 
business  trip  to  New  York  and  Al- 
bany. 

• 

George  E.  Freeman,  manager  of 
Loew's  Poli,  Springfield,  Mass.,  has 
returned  to  his  desk  from  a  vacation 
at  Hampton  Beach,  N.  H. 

• 

Guthrie  F.  Crowe,  president  of  the 
Kentucky    Association    of  Theatre 
Owners,  has  been  elected  commander 
of  the  Kentucky  American  Legion. 
• 

Richard  Powers,  head  of  the  M- 
G-M  studio  music  department,  is  here 
from  the  Coast. 

Edwin  W.  Aaron,  M-G-M  assist- 
ant general  sales  manager,  will  be  in 
Philadelphia  today  from  New  York. 
• 

Herb  Pettey,  head  of  M-G-M's 
radio  station  activities,  is  on  the  Coast 
from  here. 

• 

Harry  Kurnitz,  Warner  producer, 
is  due  here  today  from  Los  Angeles 
and  will  fly  to  London  Aug.  29. 
• 

Robert  J.  Weitman,  managing  di- 
rector of  the  Paramount  Theatre,  New 
York,  is  celebrating  a  birthday  today. 
• 

James  P.  Cunningham,  news  edi- 
tor of  Motion  Picture  Daily,  is 
celebrating  a  birthday  today. 


Enterprise  Aims  to 
Rent  Studio  Space 

Hollywood,  Aug.  17. — The  fact 
that  studio  space  here  is  now  available 
for  leasing  is  understood  to  have 
prompted  Enterprise  Productions  not 
to  exercise  its  option  for  a  new  lease 
on  its  studio.  The  lease  will  expire  on 
Feb.  14,  1949,  when  the  studio  will  be 
turned  back  to  Harry  Sherman.  The 
company  is  said  to  feel  it  would  be 
better  business  today  to  rent  studio 
space  rather  than  operate  a  full  plant 
of  its  own. 


Johnson  Back  to  20th 

Hollywood,  Aug.  17. — Nunnally 
Johnson,  who  recently  terminated  a 
Universal-International  contract,  will 
rejoin  20th-Fox  studio,  which  he  left 
in  1943  after  an  eight-year  tenure  un- 
der a  long  term  writer-producer  con- 
tract next  month. 


New  Premium  Outfit 

Cleveland,  Aug.  17. — M.  M.  Ja- 
cobs is  head  of  the  newly-organized 
National  Enterprises  which  has  set  up 
offices  here  to  distribute  theatre  pre- 
miums and  handle  promotions. 


Mention 


MARK  SILVER,  United  Artists 
assistant  Eastern  general  sales 
manager,  was  in  Boston  yesterday 
from  New  York. 

• 

Jacques  Chabrier,  American  rep- 
resentative of  Pathe  Cinema  and  pres- 
ident of  its  U.  S.  subsidiary,  will  re- 
turn to  New  York  tomorrow  from 
France  on  the  SS  Queen  Elizabeth 
Also  aboard  are  David  MacDonald, 
J.  Arthur  Rank  director,  and  Julie 
Harris,  costume  designer  for  Rank's 
Gainsborough  Studios. 

• 

Dorothy  Barko  of  Century  The- 
atres' legal  staff  is  attending  the  Sec- 
ond International  Conference  of  the 
Bar  Association  being  held  this  week 
at  The  Hague.  She  is  presenting  a 
paper  on  "Modern  Trends  in  the  Law 
of  Succession"  to  the  conference. 
• 

Jack  Daut,  son  of  Frank  Daut, 
credit  manager  of  Altec's  New  York 
district,  has  been  awarded  a  four-year 
scholarship  at  Notre  Dame  University, 
starting  this  fall. 

• 

Stanley  Sinski,  associated  with 
Glacklin  and  LeWitt  Theatres  in  New 
Britain,  Conn.,  for  the  past  22  years, 
has  been  named  manager  of  the  cir- 
cuits' Strand  in  Plainville,  Conn. 
• 

Eddie  Christiansen,  formerly  on 
the  staff  of  the  Warner  Theatre  in 
Torrington,  Conn.,  has  been  named  as- 
sistant manager  of  the  Arch  Street 
Theatre  in  New  Britain. 

• 

Herbert  J.  Yates,  Republic  presi- 
dent ;  Eddie  Cantor,  Edward  G. 
Robinson  and  Vera  Ralston  are 
among  passengers  due  here  tomorrow 
from  Europe  on  the  America. 

James  Benton,  who  is  associated 
with  his  father,  William  Benton,  in 
the  Benton  Circuit  of  Saratoga,  N. 
Y.,  and  his  wife,  have  become  parents 
of  twin  sons. 

Bill  Rose,  former  partner  in  Con- 
rose  Enterprises,  Hartford,  has  left 
Hartford  for  Long  Beach,  Cal.,  where 
he  will  make  his  home. 

S.  J.  Gardner,  M-G-M  assistant 
Western  sales  manager,  has  left  San 
Francisco  for  a  three-week  trip  to 
Portland  and  Seattle. 

• 

Henry  Strauss,  Columbia  column- 
ist contact,  will  leave  here  Friday  by 
plane  for  Hollywood. 


RKO,  Nichols  End 
Four-picture  Pact 

Hollywood,  Aug.  17. — RKO  Radio 
and  Dudley  Nichols  today  annulled  a 
contract,  made  during  the  N.  Peter 
Rathvon-Dore  Schary  regime,  under 
which  Nichols  was  to  have  written, 
produced  and  directed  four  pictures, 
dividing  his  time  between  RKO  and 
his  interest  in  Independent  Artists. 
Nichols  will  now  devote  full  time  to 
the  latter,  a  partnership  with  Rosalind 
Russell  and  Frederick  Brisson  which 
produces  independently  for  RKO  re- 
lease. 


Newsreel 
Parade 

ABE  RUTH'S  passing  gives  a  sol-j 
emn  note  to  all  current  newsreels.  \ 
Other  events  include  the  Russian  spy  . 
exposures,  President  Truman  hails 
"YouttK  Month,"  the  1948  soap-box\ 
derby,  and  the  return  of  America's  \ 
Olympic  stars.  Full  synopses  follow:  \ 

MOVIETOSE  NEWS,  No.  66— Babe 
Ruth  passes.  U.  S.  orders  Russian  t""'|?  -  : 
ers  to  testify  before  committee.  OpeA  |  . ! 
"splash!"  President  Truman  hails  "V-iAm 
Month."  Tyrone  Power  visits  Madrid. 
Soap-box  derby.     Water  skiing. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  300 — Base 
ball's  idol,  Babe  Ruth,  is  dead.  Operation 
"splash!"  Injured  teacher  finds  safety 
against  Reds.  New  clashes  menace  truce 
in  Palestine.  -Salute  to  "Youth  Month"  by 
President   Truman.     Soap-box  derby. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  103— Ac- 
cent on  young  America.  Babe  Ruth.  Hiro- 
shima, three  years  after.  Incidents  in  Pales- 
tine's no-man's  land.  Operation  "splash!" 
Greatest  woman  athlete  comes  home. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  170— Babe 
Ruth  dies.  Bumper  wheat  crop  at  peak. 
President  Truman  presents  new  youth  stamp 
for  young  America.  Palestine  truce  allows 
Jews  to  retrieve  bodies  from  no-man's  land. 
Olympic  stars  return  from  England.  Joust- 
ing in  France.     Soap-box  derby. 

WARNER   PATHE   NEWS,   No.  1— 

Babe  Ruth.  Parachute  boat.  Un-American 
Activities  Committee's  hearings  in  Wash- 
ington. Youth  stamp.  Women  golfers. 
Soap-box  derby. 

Will  Rogers  Drive 
Started  in  Cleveland 

Cleveland,  Aug.  17. — The  local 
Will  Rogers  Memorial  Hospital  drive 
for  $75,000  got  off  to  a  flying  start 
yesterday  at  a  luncheon-meeting  at  the 
Cleveland  Motion  Picture  Exhibitors 
Association  clubrooms,  attended  by 
200.  It  was  announced  by  I.  J. 
Schmertz,  general  chairman  of  the 
drive,  that  an  all-star  performance 
will  be  given  Dec.  22  for  the  benefit 
of  the  hospital. 

Ernest  Schwartz,  CMPEA  presi- 
dent, presided.  Meyer  Fine,  head  of 
the  Associated  Circuit,  and  other  large 
circuit  operators  pledged  cooperation. 

$750,000  Local  Ad 
Campaign  for  'Song' 

A  $750,000  local  assist  campaign,  to 
cover  74  key-city  runs,  has  been  set 
for  Samuel  Goldwyn's  new  Techni- 
color production,  "A  Song  Is  Born," 
starring  Danny  Kaye.  The  campaign, 
to  include  radio  tie-ups,  will  be  han- 
dled by  the  Monroe  Greenthal  Agency, 
the  Goldwyn  office  here  reports. 


Edward  Hill  Amet,  87 

Los  Angeles,  Aug.  17.  —  Edward 
Hill  Amet,  87,  inventor  of  motion 
picture  equipment  who  perfected  the 
magnagraph  in  1895,  died  yesterday  at 
his  home  at  Redondo  Beach,  Cal.  Sur- 
vivors include  the  widow,  two  daugh- 
ters and  two  brothers. 


Rites  for  Gable's  Father 

Hollywood,  Aug.  17. — Clark  Gable 
arrived  today  for  the  funeral  of  his 
father,  William  H.  Gable.  The  latter, 
78,  died  Aug.  4  while  Gable  was  on  a 
tour  of  Europe. 


B 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.p  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Pster  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Wednesday,  August  18,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


Fighting  18%  Levy 
On  Turkish  Income 

Washington,  Aug.  17—  Distribu- 
tors in  Turkey  are  trying  to  get  the 
ll    government  to  remove  a  special  18 
]    per  cent  tax  on  film  royalties,  accord- 
'    ing  to  a  Commerce  Department  report 
by  film  chief  Nathan  D.  Golden. 
Golden  says  that  motion  pictures  are 

1  ^^Mtct  t0  an  18  per  cent  "transaction 
^  7"  along  with  all  the  regular  cus- 
"torns  and  other  levies.  Up  to  March  3, 
1948,  the  18  per  cent  tax  was  levied 
only  on  the  actual  cost  of  the  film 
,    being  imported,  but  on  that  date,  the 
(  i  government  ruled  that  the  tax  should 
apply  to  the  royalties  on  the  film  as 
well.  Importers  have  objected  to  this 
ruling,   and  are  trying  to  get  the 
courts  to  rule  to  the  contrary. 

Rumors  are  current  that  the  dollar 
shortage  may  cause  import  licensing 
in  the  near  future,  the  report  declares, 
but  "to  date,  no  difficulty  has  been 
encountered  in  obtaining  dollars  to 
pay  for  imported  films." 


French  Agreement 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

to  the  French  government."  This 
was  regarded  in  trade  quarters  here 
as  merely  a  formality. 

Johnston  said :  "We  were  mainly 
interested  in  remitting  our  past  earn- 
ings and  continuing  the  flow  of  our 
films  into  France  in  the  future." 

Johnston  and  James  Mulvey,  repre- 
senting the  Society  of  Independent 
Motion  Picture  Producers,  will  leave 
for  London  on  Friday,  and  after  a 
stay  in  that  country  Johnston  will 
visit  other  parts  of  Europe  on  indus- 
try matters.  Mulvey  will  return  to 
New  York  from  London.  Johnston 
will  be  accompanied  by  Joyce  O'Hara, 
his  assistant. 


U.  K.  Quota 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

it  is  understood,  will  seek  to  have  re- 
laxed those  provisions  under  which 
British  exhibitors  are  given  relief.  The 
MPEA  here  merely  announced  that 
the  two  executives  who  negotiated  the 
British  dollar-exchange  agreement  last 
March  will  "meet  with  London  repre- 
sentatives of  American  companies  to 
consider  the  situation  created  by  the 
British  film  quota."  Strong  feeling 
here  is  that  the  quota  violates  the 
spirit  and  intent  of  that  agreement. 

While  the  U.  S.  State  Department 
has  expressed  its  concern,  it  has  yet 
to  take  formal  action  beyond  instruct- 
ing its  Embassy  in  London  to  investi- 
gate, so  far  as  is  known. 


Newman  Back  to  Canada 

Ottawa,  Aug.  17. — A.  H.  Newman, 
Canadian  government  central  liaison 
for  all  American  film  production  in 
Canada,  has  returned  to  Ottawa  from 
a  series  of  meetings  with  film  inter- 
ests in  the  U.  S.,  including  Hollywood. 
He  will  report  directly  to  the  Minis- 
ter of  Trade  and  Commerce,  C.  D. 
Howe. 


Warner,  Jr.,  in  Britain 

London,  Aug.  17. — Jack  Warner, 
Jr.  has  arrived  here  from  the  U.  S.  to 
investigate  a  plan  for  Warner  Brothers 
to  produce  a  series  of  moderate- 
priced  features.  He  is  scheduled 
to  act  as  liaison  between  the  company 
and  a  British  producer,  as  yet  un- 
selected. 


Greek  Govt.  Decree 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ceed  $50  for  black-and-white  news 
films  and  $100  for  color  news  films. 

For  approved  features  there  is  to 
be  allowed  an  exchange  equalling  the 
value  of  the  prints,  transportation 
charges  and  the  value  of  the  accom- 
panying advertising  material.  Profits 
accruing  to  the  imported  features  and 
shorts,  limited  to  60  per  cent  of  the 
total  rights  of  exploitation,  are  to  be 
deposited  in  the  Bank  of  Greece  as 
unremittable  earnings.  The  new  de- 
crease will  remain  in  force  until  June 
30,  1949. 

Some  $500,000  has  been  set  aside 
for  the  import  of  American  pictures 
under  the  decree.  The  Ministry  will 
later  issue  another  decree  applying  to 
the  importation  of  films  from  other 
countries.  About  60  Italian-made  pic- 
tures were  contracted  for  here  recent- 
ly, and  they  are  expected  to  arrive  in 
Athens  within  the  next  few  days. 

British  'Week  End'  at 
Park  Theatre  Here 

"Quiet  Week  End,"  produced  in 
England  by  Associated  British-Pathe 
in  1946  and  distributed  now  in  the 
U.  S.  by  Distinguished  Films,  will 
have  its  American  premiere  at  the 
Park  Avenue  Theatre  here,  tomorrow. 

Reviewing  the  film  from  London  in 
the  May  24,  1946,  issue  of  Motion 
Picture  Daily,  Peter  Burnup,  Lon- 
don editor,  said  in  part :  "Despite  the 
absence  of  star  names,  discriminating 
showmen  should  make  rich  play  with 
this  piece  of  diverting  comedy  non- 
sense, as  should  their  American  coun- 
terparts." The  cast  includes  Derek 
Farr,  Marjorie  Fielding,  Barbara 
White  and  Frank  Cellier. 

Expect  Resignations 
In  Rank  Circuit  Posts 

London,  Aug.  17. — Several  execu- 
tive resignations  are  due  to  follow  the 
formation  of  J.  Arthur  Rank's  Circuit 
Management  Association  to  control 
Odeon  and  Gaumont-British.  Already, 
Arthur  Brown  is  slated  to  leave  the 
booking  managership  of  G-B  at  the 
end  of  September  with  Richard  Haul- 
er, Odeon  booking  manager  currently 
controlling  bookings  of  both  circuits. 
Meanwhile,  William  Thornton,  Odeon 
manager,  has  been  appointed  controller 
of  all  of  Rank's  London  West  End 
theatres. 


Selznick  Signs  Clouzot 

Henri-Georges  Clouzot,  director  of 
the  French  film  "Jenny  Lamour"  who 
is  now  completing  "Manon"  in  Join- 
ville,  France,  has  been  signed  by  David 
O.  Selznick  to  direct  at  least  one  film 
in  Hollywood,  it  is  announced  here 
by  Vog  Film  Co.,  principal  distribu- 
tor of  Clouzot's  pictures  in  this  coun- 
try. 


New  Irish  Film  Here 

"My  Hands  Are  Clay,"  a  new  Irish 
feature,  is  to  be  released  here  by  Hoff- 
berg  Productions  through  arrange- 
ments within  Dublin  Films,  Ltd.,  pro- 
ducer of  the  picture.  Desmond  Leslie, 
Irish  novelist,  is  chairman  of  Dublin. 


'Mermaid'  Air  Promotion 

More  than  450  radio  stations  in  the 
U.  S.  have  requested  copies  of  the 
special  13-minute  recording  made  by 
Universal-International  featuring  Jack 
Pearl  as  a  special  promotion  feature 
for  "Mr.  Peabody  and  the  Mermaid," 
U-I  reports. 


Operators  Close 
Operator's  Theatre 

Memphis,  Aug.  17. — The  De  Soto 
Theatre  here  closed  last  night  after 
22  days  of  picketing  by  the  local 
operators  union.  Walter  L.  Sawner, 
who  bought  the  theatre  and  opened  it 
July  24,  is  a  licensed  operator  and 
ran  the  projection  machines  himself, 
asserting  he  could  not  afford  to  em- 
ploy an  operator. 

Sawner  said  he  will  attempt  to  get 
an  injunction  to  stop  the  picketing. 


TA'  to  Fight 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

so  as  to  compete  with  non-union  oper- 
ators. 

He  touched  upon  exhibitor  resistance 
to  unionism,  which  he  attributes  to  a 
box-office  drop.  Walsh  also  reported 
an  agreement  with  the  Chesapeake  and 
Ohio  Railroad  for  train  film  operation. 
He  advises  extended  activities  to  in- 
clude summer  stock,  repertory  com- 
panies and  alleged  non-profit  enter- 
prises. 

Walsh  called  for  a  Social  Security 
increase,  reduction  of  retirement  age 
to  60  and  study  of  a  pension  plan.  His 
report  shows  the  addition  since  the 
last  convention  of  29  locals  making  a 
total  of  940. 

Because  of  the  Taft-Hartley  Act,  he 
says,  the  League  for  Political  Educa- 
tion must  be  extended,  adding  "the 
time  has  come  when  we  must  enter 
politics." 

Walsh  announced  the  appointment 
of  the  following  committee  chairmen : 
Resolutions,  Harland  Holmden ;  presi- 
dent's report,  William  B.  Covert ;  spe- 
cial committee,  Floyd  M.  Billingsley ; 
finance,  Michael  Kennedy ;  grievance, 
James  J.  Brennan. 


SAG  Vote 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

in  pictures  is  entitled  to  and  must 
join  the  SAG  within  30  days  after 
the  first  day's  work. 

Referendum  was'  required  under  the 
Taft-Hartley  Law.  Screen  Extras 
Guild  is  preparing  for  a  similar  ref- 
erendum, with  a  similar  result  antici- 
pated. 


K.C.  Censor  Retiring 

Kansas  City,  Aug.  17.  —  Mrs. 
Eleanore  C.  Walton,  Kansas  City 
censor  since  1939  after  joining  as  as- 
sistant film  censor  in  1933,  will  retire 
on  Feb.  1,  1949,  she  has  announced. 
Prior  to  the  censorship  post,  Mrs. 
Walton  was  active  in  the  Federation 
of  Women's  Clubs,  was  vice-president 
of  motion  pictures  in  that  organization 
and  chairman  of  the  motion  picture 
committee  of  the  Women's  City  Club 
of  Kansas  City. 


Americanism  Short 

"America  the  Beautiful,"  described 
as  "a  restatement  of  faith  in  the  fu- 
ture of  this  country,"  is  now  available 
for  distribution  by  Teaching  Film 
Custodians,  affiliate  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Association  of  America.  The  film, 
a  two-reeler  in  Technicolor,  was  pro- 
duced as  a  public  service  by  Warner 
Brothers  for  the  Treasury  Depart- 
ment. 


UA  to  Screen  'Pitfall' 

United  Artists  will  be  host  today  to 
a  group  of  jurists  and  sociologists  at 
a  special  screening  of  "Pitfall,"  due  to 
open  tomorrow  at  the  Capitol.  Guests 
will  include  Justices  Matthew  J.  Di- 
serio  and  I.  Montefiore  Levy. 


Skouras-F.&M.  Pact 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

now  operated  by  Fanchon  and  Marco 
or  F.  and  M.  subsidiaries  under  leases 
and  management  contracts  which  orig- 
inally expired  in  1946,  and  which 
have  been  extended  from  time  to  time 
while  Skouras  interests  have  been  as- 
sembling ownership.  The  brief  period 
of  the  last  extension,  from  Aug.  3  to 
Sept.  7,  lends  color  to  the  report  that 
a  permanent  management  agreement 
has  been  reached. 

Meanwhile,  Charles  P.  Skouras  and 
George  Skouras  have  made  an  official 
tender  for  all  outstanding  stock  and 
bond  issues  in  the  Ambassador  Build- 
ing Corp.  and  Missouri  Theatre  Build- 
ing Corp.  which  dominate  the  setup, 
and  of  which  Charles  Skouras  and 
Clarence  Turley  secured  control  last 
year.  Voting  trustees  are  said  to  have 
agreed  to  a  deal  which  can  only  be 
stopped  by  written  dissent  of  one-third 
of  the  stockholders  and  is  expected  to 
be  consummated  in  October,  giving 
the  Skouras  brothers  all  of 'the  two 
companies.  Stockholders  have  until 
Sept.  10  to  approve  or  reject  the  offer. 


Prudential  Dispute 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Canaan  clearances,  while  RKO  and 
WB  consented  to  end  Stamford  and 
New  Canaan  clearances. 

Before  the  settlement  was  reached 
Stamford  enjoyed  a  clearance  of  30 
days  over  Darien  and  14  over  New 
Canaan.  New  Canaan  had  14  days 
over  Darien  and  South  Norwalk  14 
days  over  New  Canaan  and  Darien. 

It  was  also  stipulated  that  when  a 
production  runs  more  than  seven  days 
there  shall  be  no  clearance. 

The  charges  that  were  made  against 
the  five  companies  are  the  basis  of  an 
anti-trust  action  filed  by  Prudential  in 
U.  S.  District  Court  here  against 
Paramount,  United  Artists,  Univer- 
sal, Columbia,  Monogram,  Eagle- 
Lion,  and  New  England  Theatres,  a 
Paramount  affiliate. 

Third  MPAA  Ascap 
Meeting  Is  Planned 

A  third  meeting  was  decided  upon 
here  yesterday  by  the  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America's  copyright 
committee  to  discuss  the  Federal 
Court's  opinion  holding  Ascap  guilty 
of  violating  the  anti-trust  statutes. 
The  meeting  will  take  place  in  about 
a  week. 

The  committee  met  for  the  second 
time  yesterday  at  the  MPAA  offices 
here  to  consider  Judge  Vincent  L. 
Leibell's  decision  in  the  case. 


Ascap,  ITOA 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

with  Ascap  counsel.  It  is  understood 
that  Ascap's  draft  has  not  been  pre- 
pared. 

Should  both  sides  be  unable  to  reach 
an  agreement  on  a  common  decree, 
each  may  submit  one  of  its  own  to  the 
court  for  consideration.  There  is  no 
specific  date  for  the  presentation  of  a 
degree  to  Judge  Leibell  for  his  ap- 
proval. 


'Polio'  Bars  Youngsters 

Louisville,  Aug.  17. — Mayor  Ar- 
thur C.  Jones  of  Frankfort,  Ky.,  says 
"there's  going  to  be  some  padlocking" 
if  theatres  do  not  strictly  enforce  the 
"polio"  ban  against  children.  An  order 
against  those  under  18  attending  pub- 
lic gatherings  was  issued  by  the  mayor 
several  weeks  ago, 


CLARK  GABLE 

IANA  TURNER 

Anne  Baxter,  John  Hodiak 

in  "HOMECOMING" 

Ray  Collins,  Gladys  Cooper, 

Cameron  Mitchell. 

*  ★  * 

SPENCER  TRACY 

KATHARINE  HEPBURN 

VAN  JOHNSON 

Angela  Lansbury 

Adolphe  Menjou,  Lewis  Stone 

in  FRANK  CAPRA's 

"STATE  OF  THE  UNION." 

*  ★  ★ 

"SUMMER  HOLIDAY" 

(Technicolor). 

MICKEY  ROONEY 

GLORIA  DeHAVEN 

Walter  Huston,  Frank  Morgan 

Butch  Jenkins,  Marilyn  Maxwell 

Agnes  Moorehead,  Selena  Royle. 

*  ★  ★ 
"BIG  CITY" 

Stowing  Margaret  O'Brien 
Robert  Preston,  Danny  Thomas 
George  Murphy,  Karin  Booth 
,  Edward  Arnold,  Butch  Jenkins 
Betty  Garrett,  lotte  Lehmann. 

*  ★  ★ 

JUDY  GARLAND,  GENE  KELLY  in 
"THE  PIRATE"  (Technicolor). 
Walter  Slezak,  Gladys  Cooper 
Reginald  Owen. 

*  ★  ★ 

ESTHER  WILLIAMS,  PETER  LAWFORD 
RICARDO  MONTALBAN 
JIMMY  DURANTE,  CYD  CHARISSE 
XAVIER  CUGAT  in  "ON  AN  ISLAND 
WITH  YOU"  (Technicolor). 

*  ★  ★ 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 
(Technicolor) 

Starring  WALLACE  BERRY 
JANE  POWELL,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 
CARMEN  MIRANDA,  XAVIER  CUGAT 
ROBERT  STACK. 

*  ★  ★ 

GREER  GARSON 

WALTER  PIDGEON  in 

"JULIA  MISBEHAVES" 

PETER  LAWFORD,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 

CESAR  ROMERO,  Lucile  Watson 

Nigel  Bruce,  Mary  Boland 

Reginald  Owen. 

*  *  * 

MONTGOMERY  CLIFT 
ALINE  MacMAHON 
JARMILA  NOVOTNA 
in  "THE  SEARCH" 


"LUXURY  LINER" 
(Technicolor).  Starring 
GEORGE  BRENT,  JANE  POWELL 
LAURITZ  MELCHIOR,  FRANCES  GIFFORD 
MARINA  KOCHETZ,  XAVIER  CUGAT. 
,*      *  + 

RED  SKELTON,  BRIAN  DONLEVY 
in  "A  SOUTHERN  YANKEE" 
Arlene  Dahl,  George  Coulouris 
Lloyd  Gough,  John  Ireland 
Minor  Watson. 

.  *      ★  * 
"NO  MINOR  VICES" 
DANA  ANDREWS,  LILLI  PALMER 
LOUIS  JOURDAN 

*  ★  ★ 

"THE  THREE  MUSKETEERS" 
(Tecnnico/or). 

LANA  TURNER,  GENE  KELLY 
JUNE  ALLYSON,  VAN  HEFLIN 
ANGELA  LANSBURY 
Frank  Morgan,  Vincent  Price 
Keenan  Wynn,  John  Sutton 
Gig  Young. 

★  *  + 

"HILLS  OF  HOME"  (Technicolor). 

starring  EDMUND  GWENN 
DONALD  CRISP,  TOM  DRAKE 
JANET  LEIGH  and  LASSIE.  - 


IRVING  BERLIN'S 

"EASTER  PARADE" 

(Technicolor).  Starring 

JUDY  GARLAND,  FRED  ASTAIRE 

PETER  LAWFORD.  ANN  MILLER. 


■HAVE  A 


VITAMIN 

BEATS 
VACATION 


r6  ** 


SH0T-IN-TWEARM! 


New  Music  Hall  Record! 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY'^ 

(Technicolor) 

Biggest  M-G-M  first  week  in  Radio  City  Music  Hall  history!  Every 
new^play-date  with  Judy"terrific ! 


For  Happy  Box-Off  ices! 

"ON  AN  ISLAND 
WITH  YOU" 

Just  what  the  fans  want  in  romance 
and  music!  Swell  biz  from  Coast  to 
Coast ! 


)  -VITAMIN J***, 


IRVING  BERLIN'S  (Technicolor) 

"EASTER  PARADE7' 

Hold  overs!  Extended  runs!  It's  getting  bigger  and!  bigger" as  its 
fame  and  its  song  hits  sweep  the  nation! 


Read  the  Reviews  on 

"A  SOUTHERN  YANKEE" 

Here's  a  typical  review  from  M.  P.  Daily: 

"Red  Skelton  raises  the  roof.  If  you  thought 
he  was  a  boon  to  tired  theatre-goers  in  Tuller 
Brush  Man'  you'll  be  as  pleased  as  the  preview 
crowd  was,  unanimously,  to  discover  that  you 
ain't  seen  nothin'  yet.  It's  the  fastest,  funniest 
comedy  of  this  or  any  recent  year!" 


Ain't  it  the  dog-gone  truth! 


M-G-M  GREAT  IN  '48! 


6 


Motion  Picture  daily 


Wednesday,  August  18,  19' 


Key  City 
Grosses 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
ture grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


CHICAGO 


Peak  business  normally  expected  in 
August  is  holding  up  exceptionally 
well.  On  the  sensational  side  is 
"Easter  Parade,"  "Abbott  and  Cos- 
tello  Meet  Frankenstein"  and  "Give 
My  Regards  to  Broadway"  with  a 
strong  stage  show.  Exception  is  "Lulu 
Belle"  hitting  a  new  low.  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ending  Aug.  19: 
ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I) — PALACE  (2,500) 
(50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $40,000.  (Average: 
$21  000) 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  —  WOODS 
(1,080)  (98c).  Gross:  $42,000.  (Average: 
$23,000) 

FEUDIN',  FUSSIN'  AND  A-FIGHTIN' 
(U-I)— GRAND  (1,150)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross: 
$8,500.  (Average:  $11,500) 
GIVE  MY  REGARDS  TO  BROADWAY 
(20th-Fox) — CHICAGO  (3,900)  (50c-65c-98c). 
On  stage:  Disc  Jockeys  and  Sara  Vaughn. 
Gross:  $70,000.  (Average:  $53,500) 
LIFE  WITH  FATHER  (WB)— ROOSE- 
VELT (1,500)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $18,000 
(Average:  $18,000) 

LULU  BELLE  (Col.)  —  APOLLO  (1,200) 
(50c-65c-98c).  2nd  week.  Gross:  $4,500.  (Av- 
erage: $14,000) 

ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M)— 

STATE  LAKE  (2,700)  (S0c-65c-98c).  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $20,000.  (Average:  $25,000). 
SIXTEEN  FATHOMS  DEEP  (Mono.)  and 
THUNDERHOOF  (Mono.)  —  GARRICK 
(1,000)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $11,000.  (Aver- 
age: $10,000) 

SUMMER  HOLIDAY  (M-G-M) — UNITED 
ARTISTS     (1,700)      (50c-65c-98c).  Gross: 
$18,000.  (Average:  $20,000) 
THE   TIME    OF   YOUR   LIFE    (UA)  - 

ORIENTAL  (3,300)  (50c-65c-98c)  6  days, 
2nd  week.  On  stage:  Horace  Heidt's  Stars. 
Gross:  $50,000.  (Average:  $45,000) 


BOSTON 


Weather  is  still  fine  during  the  day, 
with  the  evenings  cool.  Business  is  still 
fair.  Estimated  receipts  for  the  week 
ending  Aug.  18 : 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)  and!  OUT 
OF  THE  STORM  (Rep.) — PARAMOUNT 
(1,700)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $14,500.  (Average: 
$17  000) 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)  and  OUT 
OF  THE  STORM  (Rep.) — FENWAY 
(1,373)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $5,900.  (Average: 
$10,000). 

ANTOINE  AND  ANTOINETTE  (Siritzky) 
and   THE   SEARCH    (M-G-M)— EXETER 


Watch  For 


Review 

"Isn't  It  Romantic?" 

{Paramount) 

WHILE  "Isn't  It  Romantic?"  falls  considerably  short  of  the  mark,  it 
possesses  a  breezy  quality  and  a  fast  tempo  that  will  make  it  possible 
to  gloss  over  some  of  its  inadequacies.  The  picture's  shortcomings  are  made 
to  seem  less  apparent  by  a  spendthrift  production  hardly  warranted  by  so 
inconsequential  and  so  commonplace  a  yarn.  It  is  fortunate  that  every  last 
sound  of  laughter  has  been  wrung  from  the  Theodore  Strauss-Joseph  Mischel- 
Richard  L.  Breen  screenplay  by  director  Norman  S.  McLeod  and  a  hard- 
working cast. 

The  film  is  a  sort  of  hybrid,  teetering  between  straight  comedy  and  musical. 
It  is  the  light  treatment  of  the  story  of  an  old  Southern  diehard  still  living  in 
the  past  who  is  drawn  innocently  into  a  swindle  affecting  the  fortunes  of 
many  of  the  townspeople.  The  fact  one  of  the  daughters  is  in  love  with  a 
city  slicker  swindler  creates  complications.  But  all  is  straightened  out  in 
routine  fashion. 

There  are  interpolated  numbers  that  seem  strangely  out  of  place,  serving 
merely  to  pad  out  the  footage.  De  Wolfe  participates  prominently  in  several 
of  them,  not  to 'best  advantage,  however.  Roland  Culver  is  the  transplanted 
Southern  gentleman;  Veronica  Lake,  the  straying  daughter;  Patric  Knowles, 
the  charming  swindler,  and  De  Wolfe,  Miss  Lake's  fiance.  Other  players 
include  Mona  Freeman,  Mary  Hatcher  and  Richard  Webb.  Daniel  Dare 
produced.  _  i  j  I  ■•  I  *1 

Running  time,  87  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Oct.  8.  P.E.L. 


(1,300)  (45c-75c).  Gross:  $2,600.  4  days. 
HUNGRY  HILL  (U-I)  and  SMART 
WOMAN  (AA-Mono)— EXETER  (1,300) 
(45c-75c).  Gross:  $1,500.  3  days. 
KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  THE  SHANG- 
HAI CHEST  (Mono.)— METROPOLITAN 
(4,367)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $19,750.  (Average: 
$27,000.)  2nd  week. 

THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Mono) 
and  DEVIL'S  CARGO'  (FC) — RKO- MEM- 
ORIAL (3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $25,000. 
(Average:  $22,000). 

THE  FULLER  BRUSH  MAN  (Col.)  and 
ADVENTURES  IN  SILVERADO  (Col.)— 

ASTOR  (1,300)  (44c-80c).  Gross:  $5,800. 
(Average:  None  available). 
THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO<)  and  MY 
DOG  RUSTY  (Col.)— STATE  (3,500)  (40c- 
80c).  Gross:  $14,000.  (Average:  $12,000). 
THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)  and  MY 
DOG  RUSTY  (Col.)— ORPHEUM  (3,000) 
(40c-80c).  Gross:  $25,000.  (Average:  $27,000). 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (2»th- 
Fox)  and  FRENCH  LEAVE  (Mono.)— 
RKO  BOSTON  (3,200)  (40c-80c).  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $8,000.  (Average:  None  on  summer 
schedule). 

SIXTEEN    FATHOMS    DEEP  (Mono.)— 

MODERN  (800)  (45c-85c).  Gross:  $4,500. 
(Average:  None  available.) 


PITTSBURGH 


Paramount's  "A  Foreign  Affair," 
which  received  an  excellent  reception 
from  local  critics,  easily  exceeded  the 
house  average  by  attracting  $21,000  in 
its  first  week  at  the  Stanley.  M-G-M's 
"Easter  Parade"  was  held  over  for  a 
third  week  at  the  Ritz  on  a  moveover 
from  the  Penn.  Estimated  receipts  for 
the  week  ending  Aug.  19: 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.) — STANLEY 
(3,800)  (44c-60c-76c).  Gross:  $21,000.  (Aver- 
age: $15,000) 

DEEP  WATERS  (20th-Fo«)  —  FULTON 
(1,700)  (44c-60c-76c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $6,500. 
(Average:  $9,700) 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M) — RITZ  (1,100) 
(44c-60c-76c)  3rd  week  on  a  moveover  from 
the  Penn.  Gross:  $4,500.  (Average:  $3,500) 
EMBRACEABLE  YOU  (WB)  and  THE 
DUDE  GOES  WEST  (AA-Mono.)— WAR- 
NER (2,000)  (44c-60c-76c).  Gross:  $8,500. 
(Average:  $8,000) 

THE  BLACK  ARROW  (Col.)— J.  P.  HAR- 
RIS (2,000)  (44c-60c-76c).  Gross:  $12,000. 
(Average:  $11,000) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (20th-Fox)— 

SENATOR  (1,700)  (44c-60c-76c)  2nd  week 
on  a  moveover  from  the  J.  P.  Harris. 
Gross:  $3,000.  (Average:  $3,500) 
TIME  OF  YOUR  LIFE  (UA)  —  PENN 
(3,400)  (44c -60c -76c).  Gross:  $17,000.  (Aver- 
age: $15,000) 


hot  weather.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 

week  ended  Aug.  17: 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)  -  RKO  S HUBERT 

(2,150)    (50c-S5c-60c-65c-70c-75c)    2nd  week, 
on   a   moveover   from   the   Palace.  Gross: 
$5,000.  (Average:  $5,000) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— RKO  CAPI- 
TOL   (2,000)     (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c)  4th 
week.  Gross:  $9,000.  (Average:  $10,000) 
A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)-RKO  PAL- 
ACE   (2,700)     (50c-55c-65c-70c-75c).  Gross: 
$14,000.  (Average:  $15,000) 
MR.   PEABODY  AND   THE  MERMAID 
(U-I)  —  KEITH'S  (1,500)  (50c-55c-60c-65c- 
75c).  Gross:  $10,000.  (Average:  $7,500) 
RAW  DEAL  (E-L)— RKO  GRAND  (1,500) 
(50c-55c-6Oc-65c-70c-75c).      Gross:      $10  000. 
(Average:  $8,000) 

RETURN   OF   THE   BAD   MEN  (RKO- 

Radio)— RKO  LYRIC  (1,400)  (50c-55c-60c- 
65c-70c-75c)  3  days.  2nd  week,  on  a  move- 
over  from  the  Albee.  DEEP  WATERS 
(ZOth-Fox) — RKO  LYRIC  (1,400)  (50c-55c- 
60c-65c-70c-75c)  3  days,  2nd  week,  on  a 
moveover  from  the  Grand.  Combined  gross: 
$6,000.  (Average  for  7  days:  $5,000) 
THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE  (20th-Fox)— 
RKO  ALBEE  (3,300)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c- 
75c).  Gross:  $17,500.  (Average:  $15,000) 


ATLANTA 


CINCINNATI 

"That  Lady  in  Ermine"  is  heading 
for  an  expected  $17,500  at  the  RKO 
Albee,  one  of  the  best  weeks  at  that 
house  in  some  time.  Other  returns 
are  on  a  satisfactory  level,  despite  the 
proverbial  "dog  days"  and  extremely 


Business  is  above  average  in  all  the- 
atres. Weather  is  hot  and  dry;  esti- 
mated receipts  for  the  week  ending 
Aug.  18. 

GUNG    HO    (FC)    and    TOUGH  GUYS 
(Realart)  —  TOWER      (1,865)  (17c-50c). 
Gross:   $6,000.    (Average:  $5,800). 
FOUR     FACES     WEST  (UA)-PARA- 

MOUNT  (2,446)  (12c-S0c).  Gross:  $6,200. 
(Average:  $5,800). 

LETTER  FROM  AN  UNKNOWN  WOM- 

F-U-LOEWS  GRAND  (Holdover) 
(2,446)  (12c-54c).  Gross:  $12,000.  (Average: 
$15,000). 

TAP  ROOTS.  (U-I)-FOX  (4,446)  (12c-50c). 
Gross:  $15,250.   (Average:  $15,000). 
WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (ZOTh-Fox)-ROXY 

(holdover  from  FOX).  (2,446)  (12c-50c). 
Gross:  $6,000.    (Average:  $5,800). 


BALTIMORE 


Continued  cool  weather  continues  to 
help  first-runs.  Newcomers  are  doing 
better  now  than  earlier  in  the  summer. 
"The  Pirate,"  with  a  strong  opening 
and  substantial  weekend  crowds  is 
keeping  the  box-office  busy.  "Lulu 
Belle"  with  a  stage  show  also  is  big. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  ending 
Aug.  19:  S 
ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)-KEITH'S  (2,404) 
(25c-37c-44c-54c).  2nd  week.  Gross:  $9,750 
(Average:  $12,000). 

FANNY  (Siritzky  International) — LITTI  E 
(328)  (29c-37c-56c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $2,500. 
(Average:  $3,000). 

GALLANT    LEGION    (Rep.)— MAYFAIR 


(1,000)  (21c-29c-54c).  Gross:  $4,500.  (Avi 
age:  $5,000). 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  —  STANLEY  (3,2l| 
(29c-37c-50c-58c).  2nd  week.  Gross:  $10,51; 
(Average:  $14,000). 

LULU  BELLE  (Col.)  —  HIPPODROW 
(2,205)  (29c-37c-50c-58c).  With  a  stage  sh. 
Gross:  $20,000.  (Average:  $17,500). 
THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Monc 

-TOWN    (1,450)    (29c-37c-56c).  3rd 
Gross:   $10,500.    (Average:  $11,000). 
THE    PIRATE    (M-G-M)  —  CENTUR 

(3,000)  (29c-37c-45c-54c)  Gross:  $19,500.  (A' 
erage:  $14,500). 

THE    TIME    OF    YOUR    LIFE  (UA) 

VALENCIA    (1,466)    (29c-37c-45c-54c).  2r 
week.  Gross:  $6,500.  ($5,000). 
WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (Z0th-Fox)-Jg£\ 

(1,800)  (29c-40c-50c-54c)  Gross:  $13,i 
erage:  $11,750). 


MINNEAPOLIS 


"The  Street  with  No  Name"  toppei 
a  week  of  mediocre  theatre  busines 
that  was  featured  mainly  by  holdovers 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  ending 
Aug.  19: 

EASTER  PARADE,  (M-G-M)  —  RADIC 
CITY    (4,000)    (50c-70c)    2nd   week.  Gross 
$11,500.  (Average:  $16,000) 
FOUR  FEATHERS  and  DRUMS  (FC  Re- 

issues)— RKO1  PAN  (1,500)  (50c-70c).  Gross 
$8,500.   (Average:  $8,000) 
JASSY  (U-I)-CENTURY  (1,500)  (50c-70c) 
6  days.  Gross:  $3,000.  (Average  for  7  days: 
$5  500) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  —  RKO  ORPHEUM 

(2,800)  (50c-70c)  6  days,  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$10,000.  (Average  for  7  days:  $12,500). 
OLD  LOS  ANGELES   (Rep.)   and  JINX 
MONEY   (Mono.)-GOPHER   (1,000)  (44c- 
50c).  Gross:  $3,500.  (Average:  $3,200). 
THE    BEST   YEARS    OF    OUR  LIVES 
(RKQi    Radio)— LYRIC    (1,100)    2nd  week. 
Gross:  $5,000.  (Average:  $5,000) 
THE  STREET  WITH  NO  NAME  (20th- 
Fox)— STATE  (2,300)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $14,- 
000.  (Average:  $10,500) 


U-I's  'Saxon  Charm' 
Rated  (B9  by  Legion 

Universal-International's  "The  Sax- 
on Charm"  was  given  a  "B"  rating  by 
the  National  Legion  of  Decency  in 
classifying  nine  pictures.  In  addition, 
the  Legion  has  changed  the  classifica- 
tion of  Distinguished  Films'  "Passion- 
elle"  (French)  from  "C"  to  "B". 

Columbia's  "Man  from  Colorado"  and 
Warners'  "Smart  Girls  Don't  Talk" 
were  rated  A-II.  Classified  as  A-I 
were:  "Cowboy  Cavalier,"  "Fighting 
Ranger"  and  "Music  Man,"  all  Mono- 
gram; "Luxury  Liner,"  M-G-M; 
"Marshal  of  Amarillo,"  Republic; 
"Miraculous  Journey,"  Film  Classics. 


FIVE -STAR 

DC-6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

3h  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


( 


THE  BRILLIANT  white  light  from  the 
crater  of  a  "National"  high-intensity,  posi- 
tive projector  carbon  is  just  about  the  best 
box-office  insurance  you  can  get. 
Why? 

Because  it  is  the  brightest  and  most  perfectly 
color-balanced  man-made  light  in  the  world 
and  insures  that  your  moving  pictures  will  be 
clearly  seen  and  enjoyed  by  every  person  in 
the  house.  No  matter  how  exciting  the  film 
plot,  your  patrons  won't  be  satisfied  unless  they 


catch  the  full  detail  and  color  of  the  picture 
on  the  screen. 

Use  "National"  high-intensity  projector  car- 
bons in  your  lamp  houses.  There's  no  premium 
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1 


64.   NO.  35 


NEW  YORK,  U.  S.  A.,  THURSDAY,  AUGUST  19,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Petrillo  Seen 
Making  Bid  to 
AddManpower 

Move  Hinted  at  Opening 
Of  Talks  With  Producers 

That  Hollywood  studios  will  be 
faced  with  a  demand  for  the  em- 
ployment of  more  instrumentalists 
was  indicated  here  yesterday  as 
representatives  of  the  American  Fed- 
eration of  Musicians  and  producers 
assembled  at  the  New  York  headquar- 
ters of  the  AFM  to  initiate  negotia- 
tions for  a  new  contract  for  musicians 
in  film  production. 

The  hint  that  the  studios  would  be 
asked  to  hire  more  musicians  came  in 
an  informal  exchange  of  views  by  both 
sides  when  James  C.  Petrillo,  presi- 
dent of  the  AFM,  made  reference  to 
the  unemployment  existing  among  mu- 
sicians on  the  Coast  and  observed  that 
they  could  very  well  do  with  more 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


Ascap,  Taxes  Up  at 
Three  NC  A  Meetings 


Minneapolis,  Aug.  18.  —  Three 
more  regional  meetings  outstate  will 
be  held  by  North  Central  Allied  in 
the  next  six  weeks,  it  was  announced 
by  Stanley  Kane,  executive  director  for 
the  exhibitor  unit.  The  meetings  will 
be  held  at  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D. ;  Bis- 
marck, N.  D.,  and  Duluth. 

Discussions  at  the  meetings  will 
center  on  Ascap,  legislation,  municipal 
and  state  taxation,  organization  and 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


Fear  Disturbances 
In  Mexican  Houses 

Mexico  City,  Aug.  18. — Some 
Federal  Congressmen  have 
asked  the  government  to  in- 
crease police  vigilance  in 
theatres  here  and  in  some 
cities  in  the  provinces  be- 
cause, it  is  understood,  they 
learn  "on  good  authority" 
that  agitators  plan  disturb- 
ances in  film  houses  and 
other  amusement  places. 

An  organization  called  "The 
Campaign  Committee  Against 
Murmuring"  is  using  full  page 
newspaper  ads  to  urge  Mexi- 
cans not  to  utter  seditious 
remarks  in  theatres  and  else- 
where. 


Urges  'I A'  Attack  on 
Taft-Hartley  Act 

Cleveland,  Aug.  18. — Joseph 
Keenan,  national  director  of 
the  Labor  League  for  Politi- 
cal Education,  addressing  the 
29th  biennial  convention  of 
the  IATSE  here  today,  urged 
a  100  per  cent  registration 
and  vote  for  the  repeal  of 
the  Taft-Hartley  Act. 

Today's  session  was  de- 
voted mainly  to  reports  on 
general  executive  committee 
meetings.  Silent  prayers  for 
Babe  Ruth  marked  the  open- 
ing, and  a  wire  was  read 
from  MPAA  president  Eric 
Johnston  withdrawing  as  a 
speaker  today  because  of 
business  pressure. 


IA'  Hears  O'Brien 
Co-operation  Bid 

Cleveland,  Aug.  18. — Tom  O'Brien, 
secretary  of  Britain's  National  As- 
sociation of  Kinematograph  Employes, 
today  hailed  as  a  magnificent  compro- 
mise job  the  British  tax  settlement 
agreement  arrived  at  by  Motion  Pic- 
ture Association  of  America  president 
Eric  A.  Johnston  and  British  Board 
of  Trade  president  Harold  Wilson. 
Speaking  before  the  biennial  conven- 
tion of  IATSE  in  Municipal  Audi- 
torium here,  O'Brien,  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Commons,  reiterated 
his  advocacy  of  a  joint  international 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


MPEA  Meets  Again 
On  UK  Quota  Action 


Pressing  nature  of  preparation  for 
the  new  marketing  conditions  for  U. 
S.  films  in  England  which  will  arise 
when  that  country's  new  45  per  cent 
exhibitor  quota  becomes  effective  on 
Oct.  1  was  stressed  anew  when  Eric 
A.  Johnston,  president  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Export  Association,  and 
presidents  of  the  film  companies  met 
yesterday  for  the  second  consecutive 
day  on  Johnston's  agenda  in  London, 
where  he  will  arrive  at  the  weekend. 
He  and  James  Mulvey,  representing 
the  Society  of  Independent  Motion 
Picture  Producers,  will  leave  New 
York  by  plane  tomorrow  for  the  Brit- 
ish capital. 

The  two  executives  plan  an  on-the- 
spot  analysis  of  the  probable  effects 
of  the  quota  with  the  object  of 
strengthening  the  U.  S.  companies' 
position. 

While  it  is  understood  they  will 
endeavor  to  have  modified  some  of  the 
provisions  of  the  British  Quota  Act, 
some  sort  of  positive  action  also  is 
seen  as  a  possible  outcome.  An  ex- 
ample, it  was  said,  could  be  the  in- 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


UA  Offers  'Life'  in 
Chicago  for  Bidding 

Chicago,  Aug.  18. — United  Artists' 
"The  Time  of  Your  Life"  will  be  sold 
here  on  a  bidding  basis.  This  is  the 
third  U.A.  film  released  in  this  terri 
tory  since  the  company  adopted  com- 
petitive bidding,  although  its  "On  Our 
Merry  Way"  was  sold  under  the  old 
system. 


Crescent  Asks  Court  to 
Approve  8-City  Expansion 


Nashville,  Aug.  18. — In  the  largest 
expansion  move  to  date  planned  by  a 
circuit  operating  under  existing  Fed- 
eral Court  consent  decrees,  Crescent 
Amusement  Co.  has  filed  a  petition 
with  Judge  Elmer  D.  Davies  in  U.  S. 
Circuit  Court  here  for  the  right  to 
expand  into  eight  towns  in  Tennessee, 
Alabama  and  Kentucky,  the  petition 
seeking  to  meet  the  requirements  of 
the  decree  in  the  U.  S. -Crescent  anti- 
trust suit. 

New  houses  are  proposed  for  Cleve- 
land, Greeneville,  Morristown,  Union 
City  and  Columbia,  Tenn.,  and  drive- 
ins  are  proposed  for  Clarksville, 
Tenn.,  Hopkinsville,  Ky.,  and  Deca- 
tur, Ala. 

Pointing  out  that  some  of  the  pro- 
posed construction  will  replace  Cres- 
cent theatres  now  in  operation,  the 
petition  states :  "The  proposed  build- 


ing program  would  have  been  the  nor 
mal  expansion  of  the  petitioner's  hold 
ings  because  of  population  increases 
and  stimulated  public  interest  in  mo- 
tion pictures  had  it  not  been  for  the 
war  and  consequent  restrictions  and 
shortages  of  materials  and  labor." 

The  building  program  proposes  the 
following  construction :  At  Cleveland, 
a  new  house  to  replace  the  Princess 
and  the  Bohemia ;  at  Greeneville,  a 
third  house  with  the  Capitol  and  Pal- 
ace ;  at  Morristown,  a  third  house 
with  the  Princess  and  Ritz  ;  at  Colum- 
bia, a  third  house  with  the  Princess 
and  Lyric.  The  proposed  drive-ins 
near  Clarksville,  Hopkinsville  and  De- 
catur would  all  be  new.  The  petition 
was  signed  by  R.  E.  Baulch,  presi- 
dent of  Crescent. 

There  is  no  indication  of  how  soon 
Judge  Davies  will  act. 


Ask  Clearance 
Reductions  in 
New  York  Area 


Skouras,  Century  Want 
Break  with  Loew's,  RKO 


Demands  for  clearance  reductions 
are  being  put  to  distributors  by 
Skouras  Theatres,  Fox  Metropoli- 
tan Playhouses  and  Century  Circuit 
in  widespread  sections  of  the  Metro- 
politan New  York  area. 

Involved  are  playing  situations  in 
the  Bronx,  Brooklyn,  Westchester  and 
Long  Island  where  existing  clearance 
is  held  by  Loew's  and  RKO  theatres 
over  petitioners'  houses.  Demands,  for 
the  most  part,  are  for  the  complete 
elimination  of  clearance  between 
houses  of  the  three  circuits  and  zone 
first-runs,  which  in  most  cases  are 
either  Loew's  or  RKO  houses. 

Distributor  and  circuit  spokesmen 
said  yesterday  the  demands  have  been 
under  discussion  for  some  time  but 
that  no  action  has  been  taken  yet  by 
way  of  clearance  reductions.  On  the 
distribution  end,  several  spokesmen  in- 
timated   they    were    not    averse  to 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Anti-UK  Film  Drive 
Hits  E-L  Schedule 


Assailing  as  "unfair  and  unauthor- 
ized" the  organized  boycotting  of  Brit- 
ish pictures  which  has  spread  rapidly 
in  New  York  during  the  past  month, 
William  J.  Heineman,  Eagle-Lion's 
distribution  vice-president,  said  here 
yesterday  that  he  has  decided  to  with- 
hold from  release,  temporarily,  J. 
Arthur  Rank's  "Oliver  Twist"  until 
the  impetus  of  the  boycott  dies  down. 
The  company  prefers  to  be  cautious 
with  "Oliver  Twist"  under  the  cir- 
cumstances because  of  its  "import- 
ance," he  said,  adding  that  E-L  does 
not  expect  to  exercise  similar  caution 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


FP-C  Earnings 
Are  Riding  High 

Toronto,  Aug.  18. — Earnings 
of  Famous  Players-Canadian 
Corp.  were  higher  in  the  first 
half  of  this  year  than  they 
were  in  the  first  half  of  1947, 
and  went  higher  in  July  and 
again  in  August,  to-date.  Spe- 
cific figures  will  be  made 
available  later. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  August  19,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

WILLIAM    L.  AINSWORTH, 
president  of  Allied  States,  is  a 
New  York  visitor. 

• 

Phil  Harris  and  his  wife,  Alice 
Faye;  Harry  Richman  and  his 
wife,  Marilyn  Maxwell;  Sophie 
Tucker  and  Jacques  Chabrier,  pres- 
ident of  Pathe  Cinema's  U.  S.  sub- 
sidiary, and  Mrs.  Chabrier  are 
among  passengers  who  will  arrive 
here  today  on  the  Qmen  Elisa- 
beth. 

• 

Mitchell  Wolfson,  Wometco 
Theatre  executive,  and  his  wife-  and 
their  two  children,  will  return  to  Mi- 
ami tomorrow  from  Montego  Bay, 
Jamaica,  via  Pan  American  World 
Airways  Clipper  following  a  trip  to 
Latin  America. 

• 

Rube  Joiner,  former  Warner 
booker  in  Atlanta,  has  become  Repub- 
lic sales  representatives  in  that  city. 
W.  G.  Baynard  replaces  ihim  at 
Warner. 

• 

Joseph  Bernhard,  president  of 
Film  Classics  and  Cinecolor,  will 
leave  New  York  today  by  plane  for 
Hollywood. 

• 

Herman  Rifkin,  Allied  Artists  and 
Mongram  franchise  holder  for  the 
New  England  states,  is  in  Hollywood 
from  Boston. 

• 

Jack  Stevenson  is  the  new  sales- 
man at  Paramount  in  San  Francisco, 
succeeding  Gil  Sessler,  who  is  leav- 
ing for  Salt  Lake  City. 

• 

Morris  Rosenthal,  manager  of 
Loew's  Poli  in  New  Haven,  and  Mrs. 
Rosenthal  are  vacationing  at  West- 
brook,  Conn. 

• 

Herman  Ripps,  M-G-M  assistant 
Eastern  sales  manager,  is  due  here 
today  from  Albany,  N.  Y. 

• 

William  Bendix  is  due  here  by 
plane  today  from  the  Coast  .to  attend 
the  funeral  of  Babe  Ruth. 

Louis  J.  Kaufman,  Warner  the- 
atre department  executive,  left  here 
last  night  for  Pittsburgh. 

George  Bloch-Simon,  head  of  the 
Publicolor  Co.,  producer  of  short  sub- 
jects, is  here  from  Paris. 

James  Stewart  and  Ward  Bond 
are  in  Detroit  from  Hollywood. 


Modesto  Tax  Is  Legal 

Sacramento,  Cal,  Aug.  18. — The 
Court  of  Appeals  here  has  upheld  the 
Stanislaus  Superior  Court  ruling  that 
Modesto's  city  tax  on  amusement  ad- 
missions is  legal.  A  court  action  had 
been  filed  by  Redwood  Theatres,  Inc., 
to  seek  an  injunction  to  prevent  the 
collection  of  a  three-cent  per  ticket 
tax,  on  the  grounds  that  the  tax  was 
discriminatory,  unreasonable  and  un- 
constitutional. Redwood  Theatres 
operates  four  houses  in  Modesto. 


E-L's  'Triumph'  Bows 
At  Reading  Fete 

Reading,  Pa.,  Aug.  18. — Eagle- 
Lion's  "Hollow  Triumph"  grossed 
$2,100  at  its  world  premiere  today, 
breaking  all  opening  day  records  at 
the  Astor  Theatre  here  for  the  past 
three  years,  company  spokesmen  re- 
ported. Held  as  a  highlight  of  this 
city's  bi-centennial  celebration,  the  pre- 
miere was  touched  off  by  a  proclama- 
tion by  Mayor  John  F.  Davis  declar- 
ing this  week  "Hollow  Triumph 
Week"  in  Reading.  Paul  Henreid, 
the  pictures'  star-producer,  actress 
Audrey  Long  and  comedian  Benny 
Rubin  were  among  a  contingent  which 
made  "in-person"  appearances. 

Local  exploitation  set  by  the  staff 
of  E-L  advertising-publicity  vice- 
president  Max  E.  Youngstein  in  col- 
laboration with  Astor  Theatre  mana- 
ger Lester  Stallman  included  elabo- 
rate theatre-front  displays,  large- 
scale  distribution  of  printed  material, 
"lucky  number"  contests,  etc.  Radio 
spot  announcements  heralded  the  pre- 
miere for  three  days  prior  to  the  open- 
ing. Representing  the  company  at 
the  event  were  Milton  E.  Cohen,  East- 
ern division  sales  manager,  and  Jerry 
Pickman,  assistant  director  of  adver- 
tising-publicity-exploitation. 

Gehring  to  Address 
Chicago  Luncheon 

Chicago,  Aug.  18. — Twentieth  Cen- 
tury-Fox general  sales  manager  Wil- 
liam Gehring  will  be  the  principal 
speaker  at  the  Will  Rogers  Memorial 
Hospital  drive  luncheon  to  be  held 
here  on  Aug.  23  at  the  Warner  recre- 
ation room.  Attending  will  be  branch 
managers,  sales  heads  and  exchange 
employes,  headed  by  Harold  Stevens, 
Paramount  manager. 


Cancel  New  Jersey  Allied  Outing 

Allied  Theatre  Owners  of  New  Jer- 
sey has  cancelled  its  summer  outing 
scheduled  for  next  Tuesday  in  defer- 
ence to  the  Will  Rogers  Memorial 
luncheon  which  will  be  held  on  that 
day  in  New  York,  Edward  Lachman, 
president,  has  announced. 

United  Overruled  In 
Detroit  Video  Plea 

Washington,  Aug.  18. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  to- 
day turned  down — again  and  for  the 
last  time — a  petition  of  United  Detroit 
Theatre  Corp.  against  giving  King 
Trendle  Broadcasting  Corp.  additional 
time  to  complete  its  Detroit  television 
station. 

At  the  same  time,  the  FCC  gave 
Paramount  an  additional  20  days,  un- 
til Sept.  7,  to  file  its  proposed  findings 
in  connection  with  the  recently-con- 
cluded hearings  on  applications  for 
San  Francisco  television  stations. 


W  anger  Signs  Gar  bo 

Hollywood,  Aug.  18.  —  Walter 
Wanger  has  signed  Greta  Garbo  for 
a  picture  to  be  made  abroad,  prin- 
cipally in  Paris  and  Rome,  it  was  an- 
nounced today.  To  go  into  production 
next  spring,  the  film,  title  and  subject 
matter  of  which  are  undisclosed,  will 
be  her  first  in  seven  years.  Releasing 
arrangements  have  not  been  set. 


N.  Y.  Clearance 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

changes  being  made,  implying  that  re- 
duced clearances  would  command 
higher  rentals  from  the  houses  bene- 
fiting and  would  make  possible  faster 
product  play-off  in  the  Metropolitan 
area. 

Inspired  by  Cohen  Settlement 

The  Metropolitan  clearance  situa- 
tion reportedly  was  stirred  into  life 
by  the  recent  settlement  of  the  anti- 
trust suit  brought  here  by  Max  A. 
Cohen  against  20th  Century-Fox, 
Warners  and  RKO  Radio.  Under  the 
settlement  Cohen's  New  Amsterdam 
Theatre  plays  day-and-date  with  the 
RKO  Palace  and  clearance  formerly 
held  by  RKO  23rd  Street  also  was 
eliminated. 

With  that  as  a  precedent,  other  cir- 
cuits are  said  to  have  insisted  that  a 
like  clearance  principle  be  applied  to 
their  situations.  If  they  are  successful 
in  their  demands,  indications  are  that 
still  others,  farther  down  the  line,  will 
eventually  move  for  corresponding  ad- 
justments. 

Sales  Officials  Are  'Sympathetic' 

Not  only  are  some  distribution  of- 
ficials sympathetic  to  the  present  de- 
mands for  the  reasons  given  but  others 
are  giving  serious  consideration  to 
them  because  of  the  explicit  denuncia- 
tion of  clearance  unreasonable  either 
to  time  or  area  contained  in  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court  decision  in  the  Para- 
mount case.  The  decision  places  the 
burden  of  proof  of  reasonableness  of 
existing  clearances  on  distributors  and 
many  prefer  clearance  adjustments 
when  complaints  are  made  to  defend- 
ing clearances  about  which  there  may 
be  some  question. 

Situations  in  which  adjustments  are 
being  sought,  in  addition  to  the  Bronx 
and  Brooklyn,  include  Bronxville, 
Portchester  and  Ossining,  Glen  Cove, 
Lynbrook  and  Great  Neck. 


Three  NCA  Meetings 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

the  consent  decree,  as  patterned  by  the 
meetings  last  week  at  Fargo  and 
Devils  Lake,  N.  D. 

In  announcing  the  new  slate  of 
meetings,  Kane  warned  pending  tax 
legislation  will  require  a  solid  front  of 
exhibitor  opposition  "if  we  are  to  es- 
cape being  taxed  out  of  business."  He 
pointed  to  the  program  adopted  by  the 
League  of  Minnesota  Municipalities  at 
its  recent  convention  at  Faribault, 
Minn.,  approving  legislation  to  give 
municipalities  the  right  to  impose  the 
Federal  admission  tax  if  Congress 
should  end  the  tax,  and  enabling  legis- 
lation to  permit  increased  admission 
taxation  in  larger  cities  without  a 
referendum. 


Video  'Clinic'  Set  Up 

J.  A.  Maurer,  president  of  J.  A. 
Maurer,  Inc.,  and  vice-president  of 
the  Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engi- 
neers, has  been  appointed  head  of  the 
National  Television  Film  Council 
"production  clinic"  by  Jack  Glenn, 
chairman  of  the  NTFC  production 
committee.  The  "clinic"  will  handle 
production  problems  arising  from  films 
for  television,  according  to  Glenn. 


Psychologists  See, 
Analyze  'Nigh?  Here 

Some  125  scientists,  lawyers,  in- 
dustrialists, psychiatrists,  doctors, 
psychologists  and  others,  including 
Paramount  executives,  were  guests 
last  night  at  a  dinner  in  the  Waldorf- 
Astoria  Hotel  here  in  conjunction 
with  a  pre-release  screening  of  Para- 
mount's  "Night  Has  a  Thousand 
Eyes."  The  dinner  was  arranged  by 
John  W.  Darr,  president  of  the  Insti- 
tute of  Public  Relations,  and  fr\ 
addressed  by  Dr.  J.  B.  Rhine,  DlJ| 
University  psychologist,  who  discusMf 
the  film's  story. 

Among  those  invited  were  Herbert 
Bayard  Swope,  Mark  Woods,  Barney 
Balaban,  Y.  Frank  Freeman,  Paul 
Raibourn,  Charles  Marcus,  Messmore 
Kendall,  Charles  Reagan,  Ben  Wash- 
er, Stanley  Shuford,  Mort  Nathan- 
son,  John  Krimsky,  Francis  Hackett, 
Lawrence  Spivak,  Gifford  A.  Coch- 
ran, and  others. 

Judge  Coxe  Is  Named 
To  Para.  Case  Court 

Judge  Alfred  C.  Coxe  of  U.  S.  Dis- 
trict Court  here  has  been  named  by 
Judge  Learned  Hand,  senior  justice  of 
the  U.  S.  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals 
here,  as  the  third  judge  for  the  ex- 
pediting court  which  will  hear  future 
proceedings  in  the  Government's  anti- 
trust suit  against  the  industry  when 
they  are  resumed  Oct.  13. 

Judge  Coxe  is  not  without  knowl- 
edge of  the  industry,  having  presided 
throughout  the  Paramount  reorgani- 
zation proceedings,  1932-1935.  He  suc- 
ceeds the  late  Judge  John  Bright  in 
the  anti-trust  case  proceedings.  Other 
memers  of  the  court  are  Circuit  Judge 
Augustus  Hand  and  District  Judge 
Henry  W.  Goddard. 


E.  H.  Amet  Services 

Hollywood,  Aug.  18. — Funeral  ser- 
vices were  held  today  at  Redondo 
Beach  for  Edwin  Hill  Amet,  88,  who 
succumbed  to  a  heart  attack  at  his 
home  there  Monday.  A  pioneer  of 
the  industry,  Amet  invented  the  Mag- 
nagraph,  a  forerunner  of  the  modern 
motion  picture  camera.  The  widow 
and  two  daughters  survive. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Poter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3.  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Thursday,  August  19,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


Ontario  Blackout 
Will  Start  Sept.  15 

Toronto,  Aug.  18. — The  promised 
blackout  in  Ontario,  scheduled  to  start 
on  Sept.  IS  to  undertake  power  econ- 
omy, will  be  longer  but  more  moder- 
ate than  the  dimout  of  last  winter,  it 
is  indicated  by  the  Ontario  Hydro- 
Electric  Commission. 

Because  of  protests  against  the  ban 
on  advertising  illumination  last  winter, 
the  commission  promises  to  allow  a 
,t"^in  use  of  electricity  for  window 
vjJI  theatre-front  displays  providing 
overall  consumption  is  reduced  by 
savings  on  interior  lighting.  Last 
season  the  lighting  restrictions  were 
in  effect  from  November  to  April. 


Anti-UK  Film  Drive 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


in  releasing  Rank  films  of  lesser  stat- 
ure here. 

The  Charles  Dickens  story,  previ- 
ously scheduled  for  release  this  month, 
was  the  only  Rank  film  in  E-L's  new 
season's  batch  for  which  a  national  re- 
lease was  set.  It  is  likely  now  that 
some  of  the  "lesser"  Rank  imports 
will  precede  it  from  E-L. 

"Why  Single  Out  Films?" 

"Why,"  Heineman  asked  rhetoric- 
ally, "don't  the  boycotters  picket  de- 
partment stores  that  sell  British 
goods,  merchants  who  sell  British 
whiskeys,  clothiers  who  sell  British- 
made  clothes?  Why  do  they  single  out 
British  motion  pictures?"  He  said 
that  in  his  opinion  the  boycott  organi- 
zation, The  Sons  of  Liberty,  a  non- 
sectarian  group  opposed  to  the  British 
Palestine  policy  and  "British  imperial- 
ism in  any  form,"  is  "not  an  author- 
ized group,"  although  he  admitted  it 
has  made' its  weight  felt  among  many 
New  York  exhibitors.  Heineman  said 
he  has  not  heard  of  any  similar  boy- 
cotts taking  place  in  other  U.  S.  cities, 
and  explained  that  the  company  is 
holding  "Oliver  Twist"  from  national 
release  because  of  the  New  York  boy- 
cott. The  company,  he  said,  would  not 
want  to  release  the  picture  elsewhere 
and  have  it  come  to  New  York  later 
as  an  "old  picture." 

U-I  to  Observe  on  'Hamlet' 

Universal-International,  which  also 
releases  Rank  pictures  in  the  U.  S., 
is  reportedly  going  to  "wait  and  see 
what  happens  to  'Hamlet'  "  in  connec- 
tion with  the  boycott  before  it  gives 
any  consideration  to  "holding  back" 
on  Rank  releases. 


Reviews 


UK  Quota  Action 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


sistence  that  English  exhibitors  would 
not  be  given  American  films  to  be 
played  with  British-made  product  on 
double  bills.  Thus  the  British  the- 
atreman,  in  meeting  the  quota  require- 
ments of  giving  45  per  cent  of  his 
playing  time  to  British  pictures,  would 
have  only  other  British  product  for 
his  second  feature.  The  idea  is  to 
emphasize  the  importance  of  Ameri- 
can films  to  British  exhibition. 


New  FP-C  Theatre 

Toronto,  Aug.  18. — Twentieth  Cen- 
tury Theatres,  affiliated  with  Famous 
Players-Canadian,  is  rushing  the  com- 
pletion of  its  Downtown  Theatre  at 
Yonge  Street  and  Dundas  Square, 
only  SO  yards  from  the  big  Famous 
Players'  Imperial  and  the  independent 
Biltmore.  The  latter  was  opened  by 
Ben  Okun  and  associates  only  a  few 
months  ago. 


'One  Touch  of  Venus 


( Universal-International)  « 

PRODUCER  Lester  Cowan's  screen  version  of  the  Elia  Kazan-S.  J.  Perel- 
man-Ogden  Nash  Broadway  musical-comedy  fantasy  of  a  few  seasons 
back  is  a  light,  airy  confection,  brightly  packaged  and  earmarked  for  a 
gratifying  grossing  career  beginning  with  the  deluxe  houses.  Strong  on 
marquee  talent— Robert  Walker,  Ava  Gardner,  Dick  Haymes,  Eve  Arden, 
Olga  San  Juan,  Tom  Conway — "One  Touch  of  Venus"  is  richly  whimsical. 
However,  its  stature  as  sophisticated  comedy  could  have  been  of  larger 
dimensions,  it  seems,  if  its  writing,  direction  and  acting  (with  the  notable 
exception  of  Haymes')  were  a  little  more  effortless.  This  slight  failing  is 
evident  mainly  in  the  timing  given  to  gags  and  witticisms.  But  the  laughs  are 
hardly  less  big. 

Walker  plays  the  young  confused  department  store  aide  who  plants  a 
kiss  on  the  lips  of  the  statue  of  the  famed  Anatolian  Venus,  an  acquisition  of 
store-owner  Conway,  and  thereby  brings  her  to  life  in  the  form  of  an  eye- 
filling,  temperature-raising  Ava  Gardner.  Disappearance  of  the  statue  puts 
a  few  vaguely  competent  detectives  in  constant  pursuit  of  Walker  for  24 
hours,  and  the  persistent  amorousness  of  Miss  Gardner  toward  the  young 
man  keeps  him  in  constant  hot  water  as  far  as  his  girl  friend,  Miss  San  Juan, 
is  concerned. 

Haymes,  Walker's  pal,  is  occupied  constantly  trying  to  be  just  that,  but 
finds  it  a  hard  job  as  romance  kindles  between  him  and  Olga.  Supporting 
the  proceedings  with  characteristic  competence,  Miss  Arden  assuages  her  dis- 
pair  at  finding  her  love  for  boss  Conway  unreturned  by  taking  refuge  in  a 
laugh-provoking  array  of  wise-cracks  and  Conway  gets  his  ego  burned  when 
he  finds  it  impossible  to  lure  Miss  Gardner  away  from  Walker,  who  ultimate- 
ly goes  overboard  for  the  live  "goddess."  But,  her  24  hours  up,  Miss  Gardner 
is  compelled  to  return  to  her  pedestal,  leaving  Walker  a  pretty  sad  boy — until 
he  finds  a  new  store  employee  is  the  image  of  the  goddess  with  whom  he 
had  been  cavorting. 

The  picture's  song  sequences  are  solid  entertainment.  Customers  will  cer- 
tainly leave  the  theatre  whistling  or  humming  "That's  Him,"  "Speak  Low" 
and  "Don't  Look  Now,  But  My  Heart  Is  Showing."  The  play  was  suggested 
by  the  novel,  "The  Tinted  Venus,"  and  the  screenplay  was  authored  by  Harry 
Kurnitz  and  Frank  Tashlin.   William  A.  Seiter  directed. 

Running  time,  81  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  For  September 
release.  Charles  L.  Franke 


Key  City 
Grosses 


EpOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
l  hire  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reporte'd  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


Urubu" 

(UA-World  Adventure  Pictures) 

EXHIBITORS  who  are  looking  for  a  film  easy  to  exploit  will  find  it  in 
"Urubu,"  a  record  of  Brazilian  jungle  adventure  that  follows  the  pattern 
long  established  for  pictures  of  this  genre.  All  the  melodramatics,  all  the 
tricks  designed  to  catch  interest  and  stir  excitement  are  in  evidence  in  a 
picture  dealing  with  the  experiences  of  the  producers,  George  Breakston  and 
Yorke  Coplen,  war  veterans,  on  an  expedition  into  forbidden  areas  of  Brazil. 
While  the  film  lays  claim  to  being  authentic,  it  is  hard  to  escape  the  im- 
pression that  the  more  harrowing  sequences  have  been  staged,  although  there 
can  be  no  denying  the  fact  that  these  scenes  of  jungle  thrills  carry  enough 
vividness  to  arouse  adventure  hounds,  especially  those  who  do  not  propound 
too  many  questions.  Patrons  who  care  little  where  fact  ends  and  fiction  be- 
gins should  find  a  fair  amount  of  entertainment  in  "Urubu." 

The  story  purports  to  be  the  search  for  a  white  leader  of  the  hair-raising 
Urubu  Indians  of  Brazil.  Our  heroes  undergo  grave  dangers  and  hardships 
in  their  quest.  On  the  side  they  occupy  themselves  with  the  rescue  of  a  white 
girl  carried  away  by  the  Urubus. 

Running  time,  65  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Aug.  13.  P.E.L. 


TORONTO 


AFM  Talks 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


work.  Demands  were  not  formally 
placed  before  the  producer  spokesmen 
at  the  initial  conference.  Their  pres- 
entation was  deferred  to  the  next  meet- 
ing of  the  negotiators,  which  is  sched- 
uled for  tomorrow  afternoon. 

Wage  increases  to  meet  the  jump  in 
the  cost  of  living  and  the  question  of 
additional  compensation  for  musicians 
working  on  pictures  made  for  theatre 
exhibition  which  may  find  their  way 
into  television  channels  are  among 
other  matters  expected  to  be  brought 
up  by  the  AFM  negotiating  committee. 

The  number  of  musicians  covered  by 
the  present  contract,  which  runs  out 
on  Aug.  31,  totals  some  300.  Musi- 
cians are  now  getting  $13.30  per  hour 
for  a  minimum  of  call  of  three  hours. 
They  are  guaranteed  520  hours  of 
work  per  year. 

Present  from  the  home  offices  at  the 
opening  of  negotiations  with  the  AFM 


were  Spyros  P.  Skouras  and  W.  C. 
Michel,  representing  20th- Fox ;  Nich- 
olas M.  Schenck  and  Joseph  R.  Vogel, 
M-G-M;  Barney  Balaban,  Paramount; 
Albert  Warner,  Warner  Brothers ;  J. 
J.  O'Connor,  Universal-International ; 
Joseph  E.  McMahon,  Republic ;  A. 
Schneider,  Columbia. 

Studio  spokesmen  present  were  Y. 
Frank  Freeman  and  Lou  Lipstone, 
Paramount ;  Charles  Boren,  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Association  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Producers  in  charge  of  industrial 
relations;  Al  Chamie,  his  assistant; 
Robert  Newman,  Republic;  Fred  S. 
Meyer,  20th-Fox ;  A.  H.  McCausland, 
Universal-International ;  Richard  J. 
Powers,  M-G-M;  Carroll  Sax,  War- 
ner. 

Petrillo  headed  the  AFM  negoti- 
ators. Other  AFM  representatives 
were  Joseph  N.  Weber,  honorary 
president;  C.  L.  Bagley,  vice-presi- 
dent; J.  W.  Parks,  Oscar  F.  Hild, 
Herman  D.  Kenin,  George  V.  Clancy 
and  Walter  M.  Murdock,  all  five  mem- 
bers of  the  international  executive 
board,  and  C.  W.  Gillette,  studio  rep- 
resentative. 


Six  Toronto  theatres  had  holdovers 
during  the  week  as  business  took  a 
mid-August  brace  and  more  popular 
pictures  hit  screens.  The  season's 
recordholder  run  of  "The  Mating  of 
Millie,"  was  in  its  11th  week  at  the 
Biltmore.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ending  Aug.  19  : 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I) — UPTOWN  (2,70> 
(20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days,  3rd  week. 
Gross:  $8,600.  (Average:  $10,600) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  —  LOEWS 
(2,074)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-78c)  6  days,  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $14,200.  (Average:  $14,200) 
A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.) — EGLIN- 
TON  (1,086)  (20c-36c-50c-66c)  6  days.  Gross: 
$6,400.    (Average:  $6,500) 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)  —  TIVOLI 

(1,434)  (20c-36c-50c-66c)  6  days.  Gross: 
£7,200.  (.Average:  $8,200) 

KEY   LARGO    (WB)—  IMPERIAL  (3,343) 
(20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)     6    days,     2nd  week. 
Gross:  $14,100.   (Average:  $14,600) 
THE  MATING  OF  MILLIE  (Col.) — BILT- 
MORE  (938)   (15c-30c-36c-55c)  6  days,  11th 
week.  Gross:  $4,700.    (Average:  $6,000) 
MELODY   TIME    (RKO    Radio)— SHEA'S 
(2,480)   (20c-36c-50c-66c-9Oc)  6  days.  Gross: 
$16,7000.  (Average:  $14,700) 
MICKEY    (IntL)— NORTOWN    (950)  (20c- 
42c-60c)   6  days.    Gross:    $4,500.  (Average: 
$5,000) 

MICKEY  (IntI.)-VICTORIA  (1,240)  (20c- 
36c-42c-60c)  days.  Gross:  $5,500.  (Average: 
$5,800) 

THE  WHITE  UNICORN  (E-L)  —  DAN- 

FORTH  (1,400)  (20c-36c-50c-60c)  6  days, 
2nd  week.  Gross:  $6,000.  (Average:  $6,500) 
THE  WHITE  UNICORN  (E-L)  —  FAIR- 
LAWN  (1,195)  (20c-36c-50c-55c)  6  days,  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $5,000.   (Average:  $5,500) 


1,400-Car  Drive-in 
To  Open  on  Sept.  7 

Chicago,  Aug.  18.  —  An  $850,000 
drive-in  with  a  capacity  of  1,400  cars 
as  part  of  a  $3,500,000  amusement  and 
recreational  center,  is  scheduled  to 
open  in  this  area  on  Sept.  7.  The  drive- 
in,  to  be  known  as  the  Starlite,  will 
be  operated  by  a  group  which  includes 
Edward  Silverman,  president  of  Es- 
saness  Theatres;  Frank  W.  Schaffer, 
who  will  operate  the  concession;  Ar- 
thur Rubloff,  realtor,  and  Edward  A. 
Cooper,  attorney,  who  is  president  of 
Starlite  Drive-in,  Inc. 

Covering  an  80-acre  tract,  the  cen- 
ter is  believed  to  be  the  largest  of  its 
kind  in  the  country. 


O'Brien  at  IATSE 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


council  wherein  members  of  all  indus- 
try levels  in  Britain  and  America  will 
be  able  to  examine  mutual  problems. 

The  film  industries  of  both  coun- 
tries must  get  together  as  equal  part- 
ners, he  said,  to  preserve  liberty  and 
justice. 

IATSE  international  president 
Richard  F.  Walsh  resumed  today  for 
the  convention  his  account  of  the 
Hollywood  jurisdictional  dispute  at  the 
point  where  he  left  off  at  the  previous 
convention,  and  said  he  will  bring  the 
story  up-to-date  with  a  third  report 
at  the  next  convention. 

Actor  Edward  Arnold  will  address 
the  convention  tomorrow.  Thereafter, 
resolutions  and  elections  will  conclude 
convention  business. 


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CITY 

PLACE  OF  SHOWING 

ADDRESS 

TIME 

ALBANY 

Warner  Screening  Room 

79  N.  Pearl  St. 

12:30  P.M. 

ATLANTA 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

197  Walton  St.  N.W. 

2:30  P.M. 

BOSTON 

RKO  Screening  Room 

122  Arlington  St. 

2:30  P.M. 

BUFFALO 

Paramount  Sc.  Room 

464  Franklin  Street 

2:00  P.M. 

CHARLOTTE 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

308  S.  Church  St. 

10:00  A.M. 

CHICAGO 

Warner  Screening  Room 

1307  So.  Wabash  Ave. 

1:30  P.M. 

CINCINNATI 

RKO  Screening  Room 

Palace  Th.  BIdg.  E.  6th 

2:00  P.M. 

CLEVELAND 

Warner  Screening  Room 

2300  Payne  Ave. 

2:00  P.M. 

DALLAS 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

1803  Wood  St. 

2:00  P.M. 

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CITY 


DENVER 
DES  MOINES 
DETROIT 
INDIANAPOLIS 
KANSAS  CITY 
LOS  ANGELES 
MEMPHIS 
MILWAUKEE 
MINNEAPOLIS 
NEW  HAVEN 
NEW  ORLEANS 


PLACE  OF  SHOWING 


Paramount  Sc.  Room 
20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 
Film  Exchange  Bldg. 
Universal  Sc.  Room 
20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 
Warner  Screening  Room 
20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 
Warner  Th.  Sc.  Rm. 
Warner  Screening  Room 
Warner  Th.  Proj.  Rm. 
20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 


ADDRESS 


2100  Stout  St. 
1300  High  St. 
2310  Cass  Ave. 
517  No.  Illinois  St. 
1720  Wyandotte  St. 
2025  S.  Vermont  Ave. 
151  Vance  Ave. 
212  W.  Wisconsin  Ave. 
1000  Currie  Ave. 
70  College  St 
200  S.  Liberty  St 


2:00  P.M. 
12:45  P.M. 

2:00  P.M. 

1:00  P.M. 

1:30  P.M. 

2:00  P.M. 
10:00  A.M. 

2:00  P.M. 

2:00  P.M. 

2:00  P.M. 
1:30  P.M. 


NEW  YORK 
OKLAHOMA 
OMAHA 
PHILADELPHIA 
PITTSBURGH 
PORTLAND 
SALT  LAKE 
SAN  FRANCISCO 
SEATTLE 
ST.  LOUIS 
WASHINGTON 


Home  Office 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 
20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 
Warner  Screening  Room 
20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 
Jewel  Box  Sc.  Room 
20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 
Paramount  Sc.  Room 
Jewel  Box  Sc.  Room 
S'renco  Sc.  Room 
Warner  Th.  Bldg, 


321  W.  44th  St. 
10  North  Lee  St. 
1502  Davenport  St. 
230  No.  13th  St. 
1715  Blvd.  of  Allies 
1947  N.W.  Kearney  St. 
216  East  1st  South 
205  Golden  Gate  Ave. 
2318  Second  Ave. 
3143  Olive  St. 
13th  &  E.  Sts.  N.W. 


2:30  P.M. 

1:30  P.M. 
1:00  P.M. 

2:30  P.M. 

1:30  P.M. 
2:00  P.M. 
2:00  P.M. 
1:30  P.M. 

10:30  A.M. 

1:00  P.M. 

10:30  A.M. 


Artist  with  chintz  and  Chippendale ... 


WHEN  this  room  says  "home,  sweet 
home"  to  movie-goers,  it  also  speaks  in 
praise  of  its  creator — the  man  who 
dressed  the  set  so  understandingly. 

For  his  was  the  feeling  for  fabrics  and 
furniture  that  gave  the  set  its  "lived-in" 
look  . .  .  that  made  it  so  truly  convey 
time  and  place,  and  catch  the  spirit  of 
the  actors'  roles. 


Whether  an  interior  is  modern  or 
medieval,  penthouse  or  "poverty  row," 
the  set  dresser's  artistry  makes  its 
atmosphere  authentic. 

An  important  contribution,  this — and 
one  that  is  reflected  to  the  full  by  faith- 
ful photographic  reproduction  . . .  un- 
failingly provided  by  Eastman's  famous 
family  of  motion  picture  films. 


EASTMAN   KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER  4,   N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  DISTRIBUTORS 
FORT  LEE    •    CHICAGO   •  HOLLYWOOD 


Aecura 


Concis 
and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICTUR 
5r.MT,44TH  ST. ,  21ST 
UE«  YORK*  N.  X. 


JL  JLs  JL 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


V'v'*»v?64.   NO.  36 


NEW  YORK,  U.  S.  A.,  FRIDAY,  AUGUST  20,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


'IA'  Given  an 
Arbitration 
Plan  Proposal 

Walsh  and  All  IATSE 
Officers  Are  Reelected 

Cleveland,  Aug.  19. — The  29th 
biennial  convention  of  the  IATSE, 
in  session  here  since  last  Monday, 
today  was  pondering  a  proposal 
made  by  Holly- 
wood actor  Ed- 
ward Arnold, 
for  the  estab- 
lishment of  an 
industry  -  wide 
arbitration 
board  for  the  use 
of  all  unions, 
crafts  and  guilds 
to  settle  juris- 
dictional dis- 
putes. 

Arnold,  who  is 
president  of  the 
Motion  Picture 
Relief  Fund  and 
has    long   been  (i 

active  in  talent  guild  affairs,  speaking 
as  an  invited  guest,  predicted  that  he, 
old-line  "IA"  delegates  and  the  Screen 

(.Continued  on  page  3) 


Richard  F.  Walsh 


CrouchNamedtoWB 
Circuit  Post  in  D.  C. 


Washington,  Aug.  19. — George  A. 
Crouch  has  been  appointed  zone  man- 
ager for  Warner  theatres  in  the  Wash- 
ington territory  to  succeed  the  late 
John  J.  Payette,  it  was  announced  to- 
day by  Harry  Kalmine,  president  and 
general  manager  of  the  Warner  circuit, 
following  a  meeting  of  home  office  and 
Washington  theatre  executives. 

Crouch,  who  is  55,  will  supervise  45 
theatres  in  the  District  of  Columbia, 
Maryland,  Virginia,  West  Virginia 
and  Pennsylvania.  He  was  chief  book- 
er and  assistant  to  Payette. 


Single  Convention 
For  20th  Sept.  8-11 


Disregarding  an  earlier  plan  to  hold 
four  regional  meetings,  20th  Century- 
Fox  will  hold  a  national  sales  con- 
vention at  the  Hotel  Drake,  Chicago, 
Sept.  8-11,  for  discussions  on  product 
and  policy  for  1948-49.  Andy  -  W. 
Smith,  Jr.,  general  sales  manager,  will 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


SIMPP  and  AFM  to 
Dicker  Separately 

Negotiations  for  a  new 
contract  for  instrumentalists 
engaged  in  independent  pro- 
duction will  be  conducted 
separately  with  the  Society 
of  Independent  Motion  Pic- 
ture Producers  by  the  Ameri- 
can Federation  of  Musicians. 
Talks  with  representatives  of 
the  SIMPP  will  take  place 
following  the  completion  of 
negotiations  between  the 
AFM  and  major  producers 
which  are  under  way  here. 


Comedies  Least  Hit 
By  Gross  Drop:  U-I 

A  study  of  current  box-office  re- 
turns of  top  pictures  in  key  cities 
indicates  that  comedies  have  been  least 
affected  by  the  downward  trend  in 
theatre  grosses,  Universal-Internation- 
al's home  office  reports,  and  accord- 
ingly, U-I  will  place  its  greatest  sell- 
ing emphasis  on  this  type  of 
production  during  coming  months. 
This  decision  was  made  following  dis- 
cussions at  the  recent  conferences  of 
company  executives  with  studio  heads 
on  the  Coast,  William  A.  Scully, 
U-I  distribution  vice-president  dis- 
closed yesterday. 

Scully  cited  six  feature  comedies 
coming  up  for  extra  sales  effort : 
"Family  Honeymoon,"  "You  Gotta 
Stay  Happy,"  "One  Touch  of  Venus," 
"For  the  Love  of  Mary,"  "The  Count- 
ess of  Monte  Cristo"  and  "Mexican 
Hayride." 


20th  Quarter 
Profit  Rises 
^, 040,975 


Twentieth  Century-Fox  and  sub- 
sidiaries, including  National  The- 
atres and  Roxy  Theatre,  Inc.,  re- 
ported a  consolidated  net  profit  of 
$3,967,817  after  all  charges  for  the 
second  quarter  ended  June  26,  an  in- 
crease of  §1,040,975  over  the  $2,926,842 
reported  for  the  same  quarter  of  last 
year. 

After  deducting  dividends  on  prior 
preferred  and  convertible  preferred 
stock,  this  year's  second  quarter  fig- 
ure amounted  to  $1.37  per  share  of 
common  stock  while  1947's  was  equal 
to  84  cents  per  share.  Profit  for  the 
first  quarter  of  this  year  was  $2,926,- 
842. 

For  the  half-year  ended  June  26, 
the  company  reports  a  consolidated 
net  profit  of  $6,894,659.  After  deduct- 
ing dividends  on  prior  preferred  and 

{Continued  on  page  6) 


Mono.  Halts  Plan  to 
Seek  'Loop'  Extension 

Chicago,  Aug.  19. — Monogram  is 
understood  to  have  dropped  its  plans 
to  ask  for  an  extension  on  Allied  Art- 
ists' "The  Babe  Ruth  Story"  when  it 
opens  at  the  Balaban  and  Katz  State 
Lake  on  Sept.  2.  Although  reasons 
were  not  disclosed,  one  of  the  motivat- 
ing factors  is  believed  to  be  the  fact 
that  Judge  Michael  Igoe  is  on  vacation. 

Under  the  Jackson  Park  decree, 
films  of  defendant  distributors  are 
limited  to  a  two-week  "Loop"  run. 


FCC  to  Set  New  Rules 
On  Video  Station  Limit 


Washington,  Aug.  19. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  to- 
day announced  it  will  clarify  its  rules 
on  limiting  the  number  of  television 
stations  which  anv  one  firm  can  con- 
trol or  own  an  interest  in. 

At  present,  the  FCC  limits  any  one 
firm  or  person  to  five  stations.  It 
has  never  made  clear  how  much  of  an 
interest  the  firm  can  have  in  any  one 
station  before  it  counts  against  the 
limit — that  is,  whether  it  can  control 
four,  have  a  large  but  not  controlling 
interest  in  a  fifth,  and  a  very  small 
interest  in  a  sixth. 

Paramount,  which  owns  consider- 
able but  not  controlling  interests  in 
Du  Mont,  and  other  film  companies 
in  the  television  field  are  especially 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


Universal  to  Drop 
Winter  Garden  Here 

Universal-International  will  discon- 
tinue operation  of  the  Winter  Garden, 
New  York  first-run,  upon  expiration 
of  the  lease  on  Sept.  30.  The  company 
acquired  the  house  upon  the  suggestion 
of  J.  Arthur  Rank  three  years  ago 
and  has  been  paying  $1,000  per  day 
rental  since  to  Shubert  theatrical  in- 
terests, the  owners.  United  Artists 
originally  had  taken  the  lease  with 
the  intention  of  showing  "Anthony 
and  Cleopatra"  and  "Henry  V,"  but 
when  United  Artists  decided  to  book 
the  two  pictures  elsewhere  in  New 
York,  Rank  urged  Universal  to 
liquidate  the  lease. 


SIMPP  Splits 
With  MP AA  on 
British  Policy 

Mulvey  Not  Going  to 
London  with  Johnston 

The  Society  of  Independent  Mo- 
tion Picture  Producers  and  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  are  at  odds  on  policies  and 
methods  to  be  followed  in  countering 
the  new  British  45  per  cent  film  quota 
with  the  result  that  the  SIMPP  yes- 
terday withdrew  from  joint  action 
with  MPAA  on  the  subject. 

As  a  result,  James  A.  Mulvey, 
president  of  Samuel  Goldwyn 
Productions  and  SIMPP's  rep- 
resentative in  the  Anglo- 
American  trade  negotiations, 
has  canceled  his  projected  trip 
to  London.  Mulvey  was  to  have 
left  here  by  plane  today,  accom- 
panying Eric  A.  Johnston, 
MPAA  president. 
Johnston  had  not  changed  his  plans 
up  to  a  late  hour  yesterday.  He  will 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Frank  McCarthy  to 
Quit  MPAA  Jan.  1 


Frank  McCarthy,  Continental  mana- 
ger of  the  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America,  has  submitted  his  resig- 
nation, to  become  effective  on  Jan. 
1,  1949,  according  to  top  industry 
sources  here.  A  previous  report  of 
McCarthy's  resignation  had  been  de- 
nied earlier  in  the  week  by  an  ex- 
ecutive of  the  MPAA's  international 
department  here  through  the  organi- 
zation's press  department. 

McCarthy  is  said  to  be  slated  for 
an  executive  position  with  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox on  the  Coast.  He  now  is  at 
his  Paris  headquarters,  it  is  under- 
stood. 


Peron  Fines  8  US 
Firms  $450,000 


Buenos  Aires,  Aug.  19. —  Eight 
American  distribution  companies  in 
Argentina  were  fined  more  than 
2,175,000  pesos  ($450,000)  in  a  series 
of  executive  decrees  handed  down  by 
President  Juan  Peron  and  Ramon 
Cereijo,  Minister  of  Finance,  who  al- 
leged the  companies  violated  old  ex- 
change laws.  The  companies  were 
charged  with  having  declared  only  the 

(.Continued  on  page  6) 


2 


motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  August  20,  1048 


Personal 
Mention 

WILLIAM  SAAL,  Republic  stu- 
dio   executive,    returned  here 
yesterday   from   Europe    on  the 
America. 

• 

Leonard  J.  Hirsch,  home  office  as- 
sistant to  M-G-M  Southern  sales  man- 
ager Rudy  Berger,  will  return  to  New 
York  over  the  weekend  from  a 
Beechaven,  N.  J.,  vacation. 

• 

Peter  Colli,  Warner  manager  of 
the  Caribbean  division,  and  Michael 
Sokol,  manager  in  Mexico,  have  re- 
turned to  their  respective  headquar- 
ters from  conferences  in  New  York. 
• 

Marie  Antoinette  Raftery,  daugh- 
ter of  Edward  C.  Raftery,  will  be 
married  tomorrow  to  Matthew  Leon 
Coneys  at  Our  Lady  Queen  of  Mar- 
tyrs Church  in  Forest  Hills,  N.  Y. 

Herman  Ripps,  field  assistant  to 
M-G-M  Eastern  sales  manager  John 
P.  Byrne,  is  due  back  in  Albany  to- 
day from  here. 

Charles  Simonelli,  Universal-In- 
ternational Eastern  exploitation  man- 
ager, is  in  Pittsburgh  from  New 
York. 

• 

Arthur  Kelly,  executive  vice-pres- 
ident of  United  Artists,  is  scheduled 
to  leave  New  York  for  London  over 
the  weekend. 

• 

Russell  Stewart  of  M-G-M's 
home  office  publicity  staff  will  return 
to  New  York  today  from  Washing- 
ton. 

• 

Milton  Harris,  sales  promotion 
manager  of  Filmack's  New  York 
plant,  has  resigned. 

• 

Phil  Cowan,  United  Artists  home 
office  trade  press  contact,  will  start  a 
two-week  vacation  tomorrow. 


Insider's  Outlook 


Tokyo  Communists 
Seize  Film  Studios 

Communist-led  sitdown  strikers 
agreed  to  leave  the  grounds  of  Toho 
studios  after  United  States  tanks  and 
troops  were  called  out  in  the  first 
serious  labor  demonstration  since  Gen. 
Douglas  MacArthur  banned  strikes, 
according  to  press  dispatches  from 
Tokyo. 

The  strike  began  Aug.  9  when  dis- 
charged workers  returned  to  the  stu- 
dio, seized  control  of  the  main  offices 
and  began  a  sitdown  on  properties 
near  the  gates. 

Picket  'Hamlef 

Boston,  Aug.  19. — The  British-made 
"Hamlet"  was  picketed  at  its  opening 
last  night  at  the  Astor  here  by  New 
York  members  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty 
which  is  promoting  a  boycott  of  all 
British  products. 

UA  Board  Meeting 

United  Artists'  board  of  directors 
met  here,  yesterday  for  a  routine  ses- 
sion. 


By  RED  KANN 


IF  anyone  is  suprised,  he 
should  not  be  at  the  move  of 
Fox  Metropolitan,  Skouras  The- 
atres and  Century  Circuit  to 
end  clearances  now  held  by 
Loew  and  RKO  zonal  first-runs 
in  areas  where  the  three  de- 
manding circuits  also  operate. 
The  influences  behind  the  deci- 
sion which  found  film  buyers 
and  lawyers  calling-  on  distribu- 
tors last  week  were  two: 

1.  — The  clear-cut  assault  on 
unreasonable  clearances  in  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court  decision  in 
the  Paramount,  et  al  case.  Since 
it  is  up  to  the  distributor  to 
prove  existing  clearances  are 
reasonable,  the  tendency  is  to 
adjust  troublesome  or  disputed 
situations  before  compulsion 
through  legal  channels  compels 
it.  While  this  voluntary  proce- 
dure is  in  effect  in  a  number  of 
exchange  territories,  it  has  not 
been  in  Metropolitan  New  York. 

2.  — The  anti-trust  suit  filed 
in  May  by  Max  Cohen  of  the 
Cinema  Circuit  against  20th-Fox 
and  Warner  on  behalf  of  his 
New  Amsterdam  Theatre  on 
West  42nd  St.  He  sought  $1,- 
800,000  in  triple  damages  al- 
legedly growing  out  of  the 
refusal  of  the  defendant  dis- 
tributors to  allow  the  New 
Amsterdam  to  run  day-and-date 
with  the  RKO  circuit  and,  in 
particular,  the  Palace  on  Broad- 
way which  had  swung  from  first 
to  subsequent-runs,  double  fea- 
ture. Cohen  won  at  out-of-court 
settlement. 

■ 

His  legal  course  stemmed 
primarily  from  the  Supreme 
Court's  views  so  that  Reasons 
1  and  2  may  be  neatly  com- 
bined into  just  one  if  anyone 
prefers.  At  the  same  time, 
it  was  inevitable  that  Cohen's 
victory  could  not  pass  unnoticed 
by  other  circuits  here. 

There  seems  to  have  been  a 
quiet  period  following  the  settle- 
ment in  the  New  Amsterdam 
case  during  which  plans  were 
being  mulled.  The  outcome,  and 
it  is  only  the  forerunner,  is  to 
be  found  in  the  move  now  inau- 
gurated by  Fox  Metropolitan, 
Skouras  and  Century.  We  say 
this  triumvirate  comprises  only 
the  forerunner  because  again  it 
is  apparent  that  the  theatres  be- 
hind their  theatres  which  are 
behind  the  Loew  and  RKO  in 
every  likelihood  will  seek  to 
move  closer  to  release  if  these 
three  circuits  gain  their  point. 

Thus,  it  is  within  the  realms 
of  reasonable  probability  that  the 


exceedingly  well-entrenched  sys- 
tem of  clearance  so  long  estab- 
lished in  the  greater  city  will  be 
stepped  up. 

This  would  mean  product  will 
filter  through  the  various  layers 
of  theatres  faster,  thereby  reach- 
ing the  public  when  it  is  fresher. 

It  would  place  independent 
theatre  operation  on  a  basis  of 
parity,  or  practically  so,  with 
the  two  major  New  York  cir- 
cuits, which  will  not  like  it. 

It  would  mean  higher  rentals 
for  distributors  who  will  like  it. 

But  if  the  boys  are  not  care- 
ful or  reasonable,  it  may  mean 
higher  admissions,  which  the 
public  not  only  will  not  like,  but 
will  not  support. 

■  ■ 

That's  quite  a  brass  ring — 
"good  for  one  free  ride  on  the 
Washington  Merry-Go-Round" 
— which  Drew  Pearson  is  hand- 
ing Charlie  Skouras  in  his  syn- 
dicated column  around  the  na- 
tion. In  the  form  of  a  tribute 
to  Skouras  for  his  championship 
of  "Youth  Month"  in  Septem- 
ber, Pearson  is  conveying  to 
millions  of  his  readers  salient 
background  information  about 
Spyros  and  George,  too. 

On  the  anecdotal  side,  and 
perhaps  new  to  you,  as  to  us, 
is  a  bit  of  history  about  the 
early  days  in  St.  Louis  where 
the  three  brothers  got  their 
start.  "The  bartender  who  em- 
ployed Spyros,"  Pearson  nar- 
rates, "made  him  recite  'The 
Star-Spangled  Banner,'  from 
beginning  to  end,  every  morn- 
ing before  he  began  work, 
which  is  probably  more  than 
most  native-born  Americans  can 
do  at  any  time.  Spyros  can 
still  recite  it,  all  the  verses,  and 
later  gave  the  bartender  an  in- 
terest in  the  Shaw  Theatre  in 
St.  Louis." 

■  ■ 

Universal,  undeterred  by  spo- 
radic boycotts   against  British 

films,  is  sticking  to  its  course  on 
"Hamlet."  Already  rolling  on 
its  first  date  at  the  Astor,  Bos- 
ton, the  attraction  is  sold  out 
eight  weeks  in  advance.  Boston 
critics,  according  to  the  Associ- 
ated Press,  employed  such  lan- 
guage as  "a  monumental 
achievement"  and  "the  master- 
piece of  motion  pictures." 

Booked  to  open  on  Sept.  26 
at  the  Park  Avenue  Theatre 
here  in  New  York,  the  time 
has  not  yet  arrived  for  news- 
paper advertising.  Nevertheless, 
the  house  has  chalked  up  over 
600  telephone  calls  for  tickets. 


Variety  May  Operate 
Will  Rogers  Hospital 


Action  upon  a  recommendation  that 
Variety  Clubs  International  take  over 
operation  of  the  Will  Rogers  Hospital 
at  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y.,  and  under- 
write a  percentage  of  its  operating 
costs  along  with  the  support  of  film 
companies,  circuits  and  individual 
Variety  units,  will  be  taken  at  '' 
annual  mid-year  conference  of  V^TV 
ety  which  will  be  held  in  Washing 
ton  Sept.  16-19,  Robert  J.  O'Donnell, 
international  chief  barker,  announces. 

The  name  of  the  hospital  would  be 
changed  to  Variety  Club  Sanitarium 
under  the  proposal. 

Also  to  be  acted  upon  is  a  recom- 
mendation by  John  H.  Harris  for 
the  erection  of  a  statue  to  the  late 
Father  Edward  J.  Flanagan  in  Boys- 
town,  Neb. 


Mrs.  Looram  to  Venice 

Mrs.  Mary  Looram,  chairman  of  the 
motion  picture  department  of  the  In- 
ternational Federation  of  Catholic 
Alumnae,  will  leave  New  York  on 
Sunday  by  plane  for  Venice  to  attend 
the  International  Film  Conference 
Aug.  28-Sept.  1.  Mrs.  Looram  may  be 
abroad  for  a  month,  visiting  a  daugh- 
ter in  Munich,  and  later  visiting  Rome. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


1 — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL— a 

Rockefeller  Center 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

Wallace  BEERY     .    Jane  POWELL 
■  Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA  i 
Xavler  CU GAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  THE 

BABE  RUTH 

STOmr  —  BENDIX-TREVOR 


Cornel 
WILDE 


Linda 
DARNELL 


Anne 
BAXTER 


Kirk 
DOUGLAS 


"THE  WALLS  of  JERICHO" 

A  20th  Century-Fox  Picture 
ON  VARIETY  STAGE —    DICK  HAYMES 
ON  ICE  STAGE— CAROL  LYNNE 
ARNOLD  SHODA    -    FRITZ  DIETL 


:ROXY 


7th  Ave.  & 
50th  St.  : 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher,  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-P-resident  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  ^"f^' 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascner, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Pirttire 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Friday,  August  20,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


Review 

"An  Act  of  Murder" 

{Universal-International) 

STARRING  Fredric  March,  Edmond  O'Brien  and  Florence  Eldridge,  and 
superbly  presented,  "An  Act  of  Murder"  has  only  one  disadvantage,  a 
weightiness  of  theme  that  might  run  counter  to  the  public's  preference,  at 
the  moment,  for  what  is  commonly  called  "escapism." 

The  picture  deserves  maximum  sales  effort  all  down  the  line.  The  story 
is  rich  in  substance  and  genuineness,  and  is  devoid  of  theatrical  devices.  It 
concerns  a  Pennsylvania  county  judge,  played  by  March,  whose  fairness  is 
slightly  shaded  by  his  rigid  adherence  to  the  letter  of  the  law  without  regard 
for  natural  emotions  sometimes  responsible  for  infractions  of  it. 

March  becomes  a  defendant  in  his  own  court.  His  wife,  Miss  Eldridge,  in 
the  throes  of  an  agonizing  illness,  faces  inescapable  death.  He  succumbs  to 
the  idea  of  euthanasia,  attempts  her  mercy  death  and  his  own  suicide  by 
crashing  his  automobile.  He  survives,  she  is  found  dead. 

He  pleads  guilty  to  the  mercy  killing,  asks  to  pay  the  full  penalty.  O'Brien, 
i  young  lawyer,  represents  him  at  the  trial.  An  investigation  shows  that  Miss 
Eldridge  had  died  from  a  self-administered  over-dose  of  sedatives.  March  is 
declared  legally  innocent,  morally  guilty,  and  is  introduced  to  the  logic  of 
considering  uncontrollable  emotions  that  can  motivate  crime.  Interworked  in 
the  yarn  is  a  slight  romance  involving  O'Brien  and  March's  daughter,  Ger- 
aldine  Brooks. 

Director  Michael  Gordon  has  endowed  the  screenplay  with  an  unhalting 
motion  that  is  greatly  responsible  for  its  gripping  interest.  His  was  an  expert 
job  throughout.  March's  and  Miss  Eldridge's  competence  could  not  be  over- 
stressed,  and  supporting  players  are  uniformly  good,  including  Stanley  Ridges, 
John  Mclntyre,  Frederic  Tozere,  Will  Wright,  Virginia  Brissac  and  Clarence 
Muse.  Jerry  Bresler  produced.  Michael  Blankfort  and  Robert  Thoeren  wrote 
the  screenplay,  from  a  novel,  "The  Mills  of  God,"  by  Ernst  Lothar. 

Running  time,  91  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  For  September 
release.  Gene  Arneel 


House  Group  Will 
Investigate  AGVA 


Washington,  Aug.  19. — A  House 
labor  sub-committee  will  hold  hearings 
for  three  days  starting  Monday  in 
Philadelphia  on  a  complaint  against 
the  American  Guild  of  Variety  Artists 
and  the  "Four  A's." 

Dick  Jones,  former  head  of.  the 
^^^delphia  AGVA  local,  has  pro- 
J  T?*5~d  a  recent  decision  of  the  AGVA 
convention  abolishing  locals,  it  was 
understood,  and  the  House  group  will 
decide  if  the  complaint  is  valid  and 
whether  any  amendment  of  the  labor 
law  is  needed  to  handle  such  situations. 
'  Top  officials  of  AGVA  and  the  "Four 
A's"  have  been  subpoenaed  to  testify. 

Rep.  Kearns  heads  the  sub-commit- 
tee. The  hearings  have  no  connection 
whatsoever  with  Kearns'  Hollywood 
labor  investigations. 


Arbitration  Proposal 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Actors  Guild  would  be  the  first  to 
approve  such  a  plan. 

He  termed  motion  picture  industry 
craft-overlapping — which  is  in  wide 
existence — stupid  and  a  waste  of  time. 

The  convention  today  reelected  Rich- 
ard F.  Walsh  president  for  his  fourth 
consecutive  two-year  term.  Also  re- 
elected unanimously  was  Walsh's  en- 
tire slate  of  International  officers. 
James  B.  McNabb  of  Seattle  Local 
No.  154  replaces  Eugene  Atkinson  as 
delegate  to  the  AFL,  and  Oliver  M. 
Lynn  of  Edmonton,  Alberta,  replaces 
D.  B.  McKenzie  as  Dominion  dele- 
gate. 

Reelected  with  Walsh  were :  Wil- 
liam P.  Raoul,  general  secretary- 
treasurer  ;  Thomas  J.  Shea,  assistant 
international  president,  and  Harland 
Holmden,  William  P.  Covert,  Floyd 
M.  Billingsley,  James  J.  Brennan, 
Roger  M.  Kennedy,  Felix  D.  Snow, 
Carl  G.  Cooper,  William  C.  Barrett 
and  Miss  Louise  Wright,  reelected 
first  to  ninth  vice-presidents,  respec- 
tively. Reelected  trustees  were :  R.  E. 
Morris,  William  C.  Scanlan  and 
George  W.  Brayfield. 


Realart  Adds  2  Salesmen 

San  Francisco,  Aug.  19.  —  Jack 
Klepper,  former  sales  representative 
for  Screen  Classics  in  the  Northwest, 
is  now  handling  Realart  sales  for 
Washington  and  Oregon,  Harry  Price, 
Realart  franchise  holder,  announces. 
Jack  Bettencourt  will  handle  Northern 
California. 


Trumbo,  Lawson  Seek 
More  Time  for  Appeal 

'Washington,  Aug.  19. — Attorneys 
for  Dalton  Trumbo  and  John  Howard 
Lawson,  both  of  whom  were  convicted 
in  District  Court  here  for  contempt  of 
Congress,  have  asked  for  an  extension 
until  Sept.  30  to  file  their  appeal 
briefs  in  the  U.  S.  Court  of  Appeals. 
The  briefs  were  due  originally  at  the 
end  of  this  month. 

Granting  of  the  extension  motion 
would  also  defer  until  the  end  of  Oc- 
tober, instead  of  the  end  of  September, 
the  date  for  filing  of  the  District  At- 
torney's answer.  The  request  for  delay 
claimed  that  the  record  to  be  included 
in  the  briefs  is  voluminous,  that  the 
attorneys  have  been  busy  on  other 
cases  and  that  the  matter  at  issue  is 
one  of  "tremendous  importance  never 
before  presented  in  an  appellate  court." 


Film  Golf  Date  Changed 

Denver,  Aug.  19. — Date  of  the  an- 
nual picnic  and  golf  tournament  of  the 
Rocky  Mountain  Screen  Club,  to  be 
held  at  Park  Hill  Country  Club,  has 
been  changed  to  next  Tuesday. 


Colorfilm  Corp.  Files 
Bankruptcy  Petition 

Hollywood,  Aug.  19. — Listing  as- 
sets of  $678,573  and  liabilities  of  $21,- 
866,  Hollywood  Colorfilm  Corp., 
Burbank,  today  filed  a  voluntary  peti- 
tion of  bankruptcy.  Receiver  Walter 
C.  Durst,  who  said  the  business  would 
be  put  up  for  sale,  explained  the  dis- 
crepancy between  assets  and  liabilities 
on  the  ground  that  a  contract  to 
process  a  major  Western  for  a  rank- 
ing studio  had  created  financial  prob- 
lems deemed  insurmountable. 


Loew  May  See  Books 
In  Percentage  Suit 

Granting  a  motion  made  by  Loew's 
in  its  percentage  action  in  U.  S.  Dis- 
trict Court  here  against  Jesse  Stern, 
Abraham  H.  Levy  and  their  circuit 
corporations.  Federal  Judge  Sylvester 
J.  Ryan  yesterday  directed  the  defen- 
dants to  produce,  and  permit  Loew's 
to  inspect  books,  records  and  accounts 
for  the  period  Dec,  1941,  through 
Dec,  1947.  Defendants'  theatres  in- 
volved are  the  Park  West  and  Wash- 
ington in  Manhattan,  and  Howard  in 
Brooklyn. 

Actress  Appeals  to 
High  Court  on  Pact 

Washington,  Aug.  19. — Joan  Les- 
lie today  appealed  to  the  Supreme 
Court  a  California  Supreme  Court  de- 
cision upholding  a  Warner  Brothers 
suit  against  her  for  breach  of  contract. 
The  appeal  maintained  that  the  1947 
California  law,  which  bars  minors  in 
the  motion  picture  industry  from  dis- 
affirming their  contracts  and  which 
was  the  basis  for  the  decision  in  favor 
of  Warners,  is  unconstitutional. 


Paula  Seligman  on  Air 

Paula  Seligman,  formerly  with  Re- 
public and  other  film  companies,  will 
appear  on  station  WEVD,  New  York, 
on  Sunday  to  discuss  the  marketing  of 
film  scripts. 


Foreign  Markets  a 
By-product:  Freuler 


"The  foreign  market  for  motion  pic- 
tures should  be  and  always  should 
have  been  considered  an  order  of  by- 
product exploitation  by  the  American 
industry,"  observed  producer-distribu- 
tor-exhibitor pioneer  John  R.  Freuler 
of  Milwaukee,  visiting  New  York  on 
business  concerning  his  exhibition 
operations  in  Wisconsin. 

"A  structure  has  been  built  up,  espe- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 

cially  with  reference  to  costs  in  pro- 
duction, which  is  unsound  because  it 
reaches  out  beyond  the  sound  basis  of 
the  great  market  of  the  United  States. 
That  is  big  enough  to  support  the 
American  industry  in  a  state  of  health. 

"There  has  been  uncertainty  and  all 
kinds  of  problems  in  the  foreign  mar- 
ket ever  since  there  has  been  a  foreign 
market.  Its  profits  are  always  specu- 
lative," he  added. 

Freuler  entered  exhibition  in  1905, 
and  rose  in  production  with  the  serials 
"Million  Dollar  Mystery,"  "Diamond 
from  the  Sky,"  and  others.  He  was 
a  founder  and  a  president  of  Mutual 
Film  Corp.,  _  and  various  independent 
production-distribution  enterprises. 

eU'  Seeks  Injunction 
On  16mm.  Showings 

Los  Angeles,  Aug.  19.— Universal 
is  seeking  a  Federal  Court  injunction 
to  prevent  Donald  Reed,  16mm.  dis- 
tributor who  operates  the  Beverly 
Hills  Alotion  Picture  Club,  from  fur- 
ther handling  16mm.  prints  of  75  Uni- 
versal features  and  to  compel  destruc- 
tion of  the  prints.  The  suit  also  asks 
payment  of  damages  based  on  Reed's 
proceeds  from  the  films. 

The  complaint  says  Reed  acquired 
the  prints  by  an  unknown  means  and 
that  he  ^operates  the  club  on  the  basis 
of  a  $25  monthly  membership  fee  en- 
titling members  to  four  features  plus 
short  subjects  per  month.  Federal 
Judge  Ben  Harrison  signed  an  order 
for  seizure  of  the  prints  to  impound 
them  pending  a  ruling  on  the  injunc- 
tion plea. 

Reed  asserted  that  he  had  acquired 
the  prints  from  a  well-known  screen 
comedian  to  whom  proceeds  were  to 
be  paid  for  charitable  uses.  He  added 
that  he  had  not  used  the  prints  com- 
mercially. 

US  Board  Sued  on 
Parole  Revocations 

Chicago,  Aug.  19.— For  the  first 
time  in  history,  the  U.  S.  Board  of 
Paroles  was  sued  for  damages  when 
attorney  William  Scott  Stewart  today 
filed  a  U.  S.  Federal  Court  suit  here 
on  a  charge  that  the  board's  revoca- 
tion of  paroles  to  Louis  Campagna, 
Charles  Goie  and  Paul  Ricca  was  il- 
legal. 

Campagna  and  Goie,  who  were  pa- 
roled earlier  this  spring  and  later  sent 
back  to  prison,  were  convicted  four 
years  ago  of  extorting  $1,000,000  from 
major  Hollywood  producers. 

Damages  sought  were  the  lowest 
possible  under  the  law— $1.  Back  of 
the  suit,  according  to  Federal  officials, 
is  the  second  of  a  series  of  actions 
designed  to  free  Campagna  and  Goie 
and  to  keep  Ricca  out  of  prison. 


Equity  to  Meet  Sept.  17 

Actors'  Equity  will  hold  a  quarterly 
meeting  here  on  Sept.  17  at  the  Hotel 
Astor. 


THE  LATEST  WORD  ON 


ROPE; 


The  picture  that  "Racked  up 
by  far  in  one  week  sine 


REGULAR 


Color  by 


TECHNIC 


^  Reprinted  from  Variety,  October,  1947! 

"FOREVER  AMBER"  •  Color  by  TECHNICOLOR  •  Starring  LINDA  DARNELL  •  CORNEL  WILDE  •  RICHARD  GREENE 
and  GEORGE  SANDERS  with  GLENN  LANGAN,  RICHARD  HAYDN,  JESSICA  TANDY,  ANNE  REVERE,  John  Russell, 
Jane  Ball,  Robert  Coote,  Leo  G.  Carroll,  Natalie  Draper,  Margaret  Wycherly,  Alma  Kruger,  Edmond  Breon, 
Alan  Napier  •  Directed  by  OTTO  PREMINGER  •  Produced  by  WILLIAM  PERLBERG  •  From  the  Novel  by  KATHLEEN 
WINSOR  •  Screen  Play  by  Philip  Dunne  and  Ring  Lardner,  Jr.  •  Adaptation  by  Jerome  Cady 

SEPTEMBER  IS  YOUTH  MONTH  —  SALUTING  YOUNG  AMERICA*, 


le  greatest  amount  off  money 


Variety  began  tabulating 


>er  first-run  dates  first-time  at 


PRICES 


September  is  LUCKY  month  from 

CENTURY-FOX 

THE  LUCK  m  THAT  LADY  .  THE  WALLS 
OF  THE  IRISH      IN  ERMINE      OF  JERICHO 

TECHNICOLOR 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  August  20,  1048 


20th-Fox  Profit 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


convertible  preferred  stocks,  this 
amounted  to  $2.37  per  share  on  the 
2,769,097  shares  of  common  outstand- 
ing. 

Consolidated  net  profit  after  all 
charges  reported  by  the  corporation 
for  the  comparable  period  of  1947  was 
$8,401,778,  which,  after  deducting  pre- 
ferred dividends  amounted  to  $2.91  a 
share. 

A  comparison  of  the  first  26  weeks 
of  1948  with  those  of  1947  shows  re- 
t  spective  total  gross  incomes  of  $90,- 
216,305  and  $96,096,871,  respectively. 
Amortization  of  film  costs  was  $26,- 
026,229  this  year  and  $25,753,837  last ; 
film  distribution,  theatre  operations 
and  administration  expenses  were 
$44,172,178  and  $48,463,541 ;  total  ex- 
penses were  $77,749,112  and  $80,275,- 
111.  Provision  for  taxes  for  the  1948 
half-year  were  $4,900,000,  against 
$6,200,000  for  the  1947  half. 


20th  Board  Declares  Dividends 
On  Preferred  and  Common  Shares 

Board  of  directors  of  20th-Fox  yes- 
terday declared  the  following  quarter- 
ly cash  dividends  :  $1.12^4  per  share  on 
prior  preferred  stock,  payable  Sept.  15 
to  stockholders  of  record  on  Sept.  1  ; 
37y2  cents  per  share  on  convertible 
preferred,  payable  Sept.  25  to  holders 
of  record  on  Sept.  3 ;  50  cents  per 
share  on  common,  payable  Sept.  25 
to  holders  of  record  on  Sept.  3. 


20th-Fox  Meeting 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Review 


"The  Loves  of  Carmen" 

(B  cckivorth-C  olumbia) 

REUNITED  on  the  screen  for  the  first  time  since  their  explosive  team- 
work in  "Gilda,"  Rita  Hayworth  and  Glenn  Ford  emerge  again  in  "The 
Loves  of  Carmen"  an  equally  volatile  pair  of  cinematic  lovers  whose  impact 
on  the  box-office  should  be  a  foregone  conclusion.  Produced  in  lavish 
Technicolor  by  The  Beckworth  Corporation,  with  producer-director  Charles 
Yidor  at  the  helm,  this  latest  film  version  of  Prosper  Merimee's  story  about 
the  beautiful,  turbulent  19th  Century  Spanish  gypsy  maid  provides  Hayworth 
and  Ford  with  a  broad,  demanding  canvas  for  the  measuring_  of  their  acting 
talents.  From  an  artistic  standpoint,  however,  the  demand  is  left  wanting, 
principally  because  it  is  quite  apparent  that  neither  of  the  principals  is 
completely  at  home  in  this  period  piece.  Both,  and  particularly  Miss  Hay- 
worth, are  much  too  much  1948  personalities  to  be  able  to  lose  them- 
selves fully  in  a  story  such  as  this.  Regardless,  this  should  bother  their  more 
ardent  fans  but  little — the  main  consideration  being  that  Hayworth  and 
Ford  are  together  again. 

Since  the  story,  in  addition  to  having  been  immortalized  as  an  opera,  has 
been  bought  to  the  screen  26  times  previously  (with  U.  S.  producers  taking 
credit  for  13  versions),  there  is  little  need  to  synopsize  here.  Let  it  be  said, 
however,  that  this  version  is  faithful  to  the  original.  It  is  apparent  from 
the  beginning  that  tragedy  is  stalking  the  lovers,  and  the  climactic  scene 
wherein  they  meet  death  together  clasped  in  each  other's  arms  is  genuinely 
overpowering.  Ford  makes  a  scowling,  bitter  Don  Jose  and  Miss  Hayworth 
is,  alternatingly,  a  "sizzling"  and  metallic  Carmen — it  being  difficult  to  accept 
her  generally  as  other  than  Rita  Hayworth.  Adequate  support  is  contributed 
by  Ron  Randell,  Victor  Jory,  Luther  Adler,  John  Baragrey  and  others. 
Baragrey  plays  Lucas,  the  bullfighter,  whom  Carmen  loves  also,  but  his 
role  is  a  minor  one.  Actual  bullfighting  scenes  are  absent,  and  so  is  the 
opera's  familiar  Toreador  song  where  the  otherwise  impressive  background 
music  is  concerned.  Helen  Deutsch  wrote  the  screenplay. 

Running  time,  95  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date,  not 
set.  Charles  L.  Franke 


SIMPP  Splits 


preside  and  Spyros  P.  Skouras,  com- 
pany president,  will  address  various 
sessions. 

The  convention  will  be  attended  by 
all  U.  S.  branch  managers,  the  com- 
pany's five  division  managers  and  their 
divisional  assistants,  as  well  as  cor- 
porate executives  and  domestic  dis- 
tribution department  heads.  Darryl  F. 
Zanuck,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
production,  now  in  Europe,  is  ex- 
pected to  attend. 

Originally,  it  had  been  planned  to 
hold  regionals  in  New  York,  Dallas, 
Chicago  and  San  Francisco.  This 
plan  was  discarded  in  favor  of  a  na- 
tional convention  in  Chicago. 

Canadian  20th-Fox  managers  will 
not  participate  in  the  Chicago  meet- 
ings in  view  of  their  having  held  a  di- 
visional convention  in  Toronto  sev- 
eral weeks  ago. 


(Continued  from  page  Y) 


be  accompanied  to  London  by  Joyce 
O'Hara,  his  assistant. 

Both  SIMPP  and  MPAA  officials 
were  chary  about  comment  on  their 
differences.  It  was  learned,  however, 
that  SIMPP  does  not  see  eye  to  eye 
with  MPAA  on  the  proposed  policy 
for  obtaining  quota  relief  and  safe- 
guards, particularly' should  such  policy 
involve,  as  reportedly  it  might, 
changes  in  the  agreement  reached  last 
spring  in  settlement  of  the  British  ad 
valorem  film  tax. 

Mulvey  and  Johnston  negotiated  the 
settlement  with  British  officials. 

Would  Sever  Link  to  Outcome 

SIMPP's  action  in  withdrawing 
from  joint  participation,  with  MPAA 
on  the  current  British  market  prob- 
lems means  that  the  organization  and 
its  members  are  serving  notice  that 
they  will  not  be  bound  by  any  agree- 
ments which  may  be  reached  by 
Johnston  during  his  impending  Lon- 
don visit,  an  SIMPP  spokesman  said. 

Whether  SIMPP  will  endeavor 
later  to  negotiate  quota  relief  inde- 
pendently in  Britain  has  not  yet  been 
decided,  it  was  indicated. 

Expect  Mulvey  to  Go 

Without  explanation  an  MPAA 
spokesman  here  late  yesterday  issued 
the  following  statement : 

"We  expect  Mr.  Mulvey  to  be  on 
the  plane  with  Mr.  Johnston  tomor- 
row night  (Friday).  Mr.  Mulvey  has 
been  active  with  Mr.  Johnston  on  every 
step  of  the  negotiations  leading  to  the 
withdrawal  of  the  ad  valorem  tax  as 
well  as  all  subsequent  activities  per- 
taining to  the  agreement.  During  the 
past  week  Mr.  Mulvey  has  affixed  his 
signature  to  that  of  Mr.  Johnston  to 
cables  concerning  the  implementation 
of  the  agreement  and  he  has  actively 
participated  in  several  meetings  con- 
cerning the  British  situation." 


Kaye  Addresses  NTFC 

Clearance  of  music  in  television  was 
discussed  by  Sidney  Kaye,  vice-presi- 
dent and  general  counsel  of  Broadcast 
Music,  Inc.,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Na- 
tional Television  Film  Council  at 
Sardi's  here  last  night. 


FCC  to  Set  Rules 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


concerned  about  the  final  FCC  deci- 
sion on  holdings. 

Under  rules  proposed  today,  no  firm 
could  control  more  than  five  stations. 
If  it  controls  five,  it  could  not  have 
an  interest  less  than  control  in  any 
other  station.  If  it  controls  four,  it 
could  have  a  less-than-control  interest 
in  one  or  two  others ;  if  it  controls 
three,  it  could  have  an  interc  vn 
three  or  four  others ;  if  it  ccf  /  ~f^s 
two,  in  five  or  six  others ;  if  it \  an- 
trols  one,  in  seven  or  eight  others ; 
and  if  it  doesn't  control  any  station, 
it  could  have  a  less  than  controlling 
interest  in  nine  or  10  other  video  sta- 
tions. 

Briefs  and  statements  in  connection 
with  these  rules  can  be  filed  up  to 
Sept.  27.  The  changes  under  consider- 
ation would  not  become  effective  until 
Jan.  1,  1953. 


Peron  Fines 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


value  of  celluloid  without  accounting 
for  earnings  from  the  films. 

At  the  same  time,  the  Central  Bank 
has  apportioned  $500,000  worth  of  per- 
mits— estimated  to  be  a  nine-months' 
supply — to  the  U.  S.  companies  which, 
in  turn,  are  understood  to  have 
waived  the  right  to  immediate  pay- 
ment in  dollars.  The  import-permit 
accord  was  reached  through  the  ef- 
forts here  of  Joaquin  Rickard  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Amer- 
ica. 

Disclosure  of  the  fines,  which  re- 
late back  to  the  1930's  when 
companies  declared  all  incoming  film 
at  a  cent  and  a  half  per  foot,  was 
made  in  the  Government's  bulletin. 


more  than  3 
U.S.  thea 


,000  major 
tres  use 


"Voice  of  the  Theatre" 

SPEAKER  SYSTEMS 

Only  the  best  in  sound  is  a  sound  in-  p  »>■■■*■■-•:■-    

vestment  today.  The  best  is  "Voice  of  \ 

the  Theatre"  —  proved  superior  to  all  I 

other  speaker  systems  by  impartial  acous-  ; 
tical  measurement  tests— witnessed  by  the 

leading  scientists  of  the  motion  picture  I 
industry. 

*    *    *    *    6    i!r    ft  j  .  H| 

There  is  a  "Voice  of  the  Theatre"  speaker  f 

system  for  every  size  theatre.  Ask  your  ! 

supply  dealer  for  information  about  mod-  j 
ernizing  your  present  system  with  "Voice 
of  the  Theatre".  "Voice  of  the  Theatre" 
speaker  systems  are  supplied  as  standard 

equipment  by  most  leading  theatre  sound  '  

system  manufacturers. 


161  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York  13,  N.  Y. 


1161  N.  Vine  St., 
Hollywood  38,  Calif. 


deci-  j 

firm  L1 
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MOTION  PICTURE 

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NEW  YORK,  U.  S.  A.,  MONDAY,  AUGUST  23,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Start  Ending 
Clearance  in 
New  York  Ar  ea 

Additional  Adjustments 
Seen  for  Independents 

What  is  indicated  as  an  extensive 
overhauling  of  clearance  in  the 
New  York  area,  and  possibly  else- 
where, already  has  begun  here  with 
changes  made  in  at  least  four  situa- 
tions. 

Distributors  have  served  notice  on 
RKO  Theatres  that  the  clearance 
which  the  circuit  has  had  over  four 
theatres  in  The  Bronx,  Brooklyn,  Long 
Beach  and  Lynbrook,  L.  I.,  is  to  be 
eliminated  entirely  with  the  four  to 
get  day-and-date  availability  with 
RKO  houses  in  their  respective  zones. 

The  four  are  the  Earl,  Bronx,  oper- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


1st -Run  Product  to 
Towne  After  Suit 


Chicago,  Aug.  22. — Since  instigation 
of  the  $1,050,000  anti-trust  suit  filed 
by  the  Towne  Theatre,  Milwaukee, 
against  the  majors  and  theatre  circuits, 
and  which  also  asked  for  a  divestiture 
of  defendant -owned  first  run  theatres, 
the  Towne  has  been  given  the  oppor- 
tunity to  bid  for  M-G-M  and  Para- 
mount product,  which  prior  to  the 
suit  had  played  the  Fox  Wisconsin 
and  Palace  theatres  on  first-run. 

Towne  has  subsequently  played 
M-G-M's  "The  Pirate''  and  "Easter 
Parade"  and  has  won  bids  for  Metro's 
"A  Date  with  Judy"  and  Paramount's 
"A  Foreign  Affair"  and  "Dream  Girl." 
Other  defendant  distributors  have  not 
as  yet  offered  the  Towne  first-run 
product,  it  was  said. 


Hughes  Withdraws 
'Red  River9  Action 

Howard  Hughes  has  withdrawn  his 
action  to  enjoin  United  Artists  from 
releasing  "Red  River"  following  an 
agreement  with  Howard  Hawks,  pro- 
ducer of  the  film.  It  is  understood 
that  Hawks  has  consented  to  delete 
about  IS  feet  from  the  film  and  strike 
out  one  line  of  dialogue. 

Hughes  had  sought  the  injunction 
in  Dallas  Federal  Court  on  the 
grounds  that  one  "Red  River"  scene 
too  closely  resembled  a  part  of  his 
production,  "The  Outlaw."  The  set- 
tlement paves  the  way  for  the  opening 
of  the  film  on  Aug.  26  in  375  situa- 
tions in  the  Southwest. 


U.  K.  Industry 
Is  Closer  to 
Socialization 


London,  Aug.  22.  —  Additional 
evidence  of  the  government's  move 
toward  nationalization  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  industry  is  seen  in  the 
earmarking  of  1,000,000  pounds  ($4,- 
000,000)  for  the  production  of  four 
series  of  documentaries  by  the  British 
Central  Office  of  Information's  film 
division,  plus  its  decision  to  produce 
features,  its  new  increased  and  more 
coordinated  production  schedule  and 
its  current  drastic  overhauling  of  the 
COI's'  film  division. 

Several  other  circumstances  are 
pointed  to  as  evidence  of  the  intention 
to  eventually  socialize  the  film  busi- 
ness here,  among  them :  the  $20,000,- 
000  Film  Finance  Corp.  being  pushed 
by  Harold  Wilson,  president  of  the 
Board  of  Trade;  Wilson's  committee 
currently  inquiring  into  the  desirabil- 
ity of  a  government-owned  studio ; 
Wilson's  pending  full-dress  probe  into 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Big  'Song'  Campaign 
Sets  New  Pattern 


Decision  of  the  Samuel  Goldwyn 
office  to  concentrate  the  bulk  of  its 
$750,000  advertising  campaign  in  sup- 
port of  the  new  Danny  Kaye  starrer, 
"A  Song  Is  Born,"  on  Sunday  supple- 
ment advertising  such  as  American 
Weekly,  This  Week  and  the  comics, 
with  ads  appearing  three  or  four 
(Continued  cm  page  5) 


Rank's  Sales  Force 
Warned  on  Tactics 

London,  Aug.  22. — Question- 
able tactics  on  the  part  of 
General  Film  Distributors 
salesmen,  such  as  those  com- 
plained of  by  Cinematograph 
Exhibitors  Association  offi- 
cials at  recent  meetings  with 
J.  Arthur  Rank,  will  not  be 
tolerated  in  the  future,  Rank 
is  reliably  reported  to  have 
told  GFD  salesmen  at  a  gen- 
eral meeting  here  on  Friday. 

Rank,  however,  issued  no 
statement  following  the  meet- 
ing other  than  to  say  that  a 
"most  useful  discussion"  took 
place. 


Rank's  MacDonald 
Sees  Film  Economies 


Economies  are  under  way  in  Brit- 
ish film  production  costs,  according  to 
David  MacDonald,  J.  Arthur  Rank  di- 
rector who  is  putting  finishing  touches 
on  the  $2,225,000  production  of  "Chris- 
topher Columbus."  Fredric  March  and 
Florence  Eldridge  star  in  the  Techni- 
color film  which  will  be  released  in 
this  country  by  Universal-Internation- 
al, possibly  in  May. 

The  picture  may  be  roadshown  in 
this  country,  opening  here  simultane- 
ously with  the  British  engagement, 
MacDonald  disclosed  here  at  a  trade 
press  interview  on  Friday. 

Pointing  out  that  use  of  best-sellers 
and  popular  plays  for  the  screen  is  one 
of  the  insurmountable  sources  of  high 
production  expenses,  the  British  direc- 
tor suggested  that  encouragement  of 
new,  young  writers  would  be  a  tech- 
nique for  controlling  such  costs. 


MPF  Goal  Seen  Firm, 
Despite  N.  Y.  Decision 


Financial  goal  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Foundation,  reported  unofficially 
to  be  in  the  neighborhood  of  $10,000,- 
000,  will  remain  unchanged  regardless 
of  the  outcome  of  the  forthcoming  de- 
liberations by  the  U.  S.  District  Court 
here  on  industry  anti-trust  suit  ques- 
tions raised  by  the  Supreme  Court 
decision,  it  is  believed  in  MPF  circles 
here.  It  was  the  impact  of  the  Supreme 
Court's  decision  which  caused  a  "post- 
ponement" of  MPF  activity  across  the 
country  and  is  holding  up  the  second 
MPF  trustees  convention. 

The  big  anti-trust  suit  question,  of 
course,  relates  to  theatre  divorcement, 
and  the  New  York  court's  answer  to 
it  will  bear  directly  on  the  theatre- 


owning  distributors'  future  ability  to 
supply  MPF  financial  backing.  It  is 
reasoned,  however,  that  even  if  di- 
vorcement becomes  an  accomplished 
fact,  the  only  changes  which  are  likely 
to  evolve  in  connection  with  the  indus- 
try-wide philanthropic  organization's 
financing  would  pertain  to  the  paying 
abilities  of  the  financing  sources.  In 
other  words,  if  properties  changed 
hands,  buyers  presumably  would  fall 
heir  to  the  responsibilities  resting  on 
the  shoulders  of  MPF. 

Meanwhile,  it  was  said,  the  MPF's 
operating  fund,  or  that  portion  of  it 
already  deposited  in  banks,  remains  in- 
tact pending  resumption  of  organiza- 
tional activity. 


Johnston  Says 
SIMPP  Rank 
Split  on  U.K. 

Cites  Tilt  for  Mulvey's 
Cancellation  of  Trip 

Conflicting  opinions  within  the 
ranks  of  the  Society  of  Independent 
Motion  Picture  Producers  has 
caused  the  withdrawal  of  James 
Mulvey  from  planned  conferences  with 
the  British  on  U.  S.  film  trade  mat- 
ters,* Eric  A.  Johnston,  president  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America,  said  before  his  departure  for 
London  at  LaGuardia  airfield  here  on 
Friday. 

It  had  been  announced  originally 
that  Mulvey,  as  SIMPP  representa- 
tive, would  accompany  Johnston  on  the 
trip.  Johnston  said  that  David  O. 
Selznick,  Samuel  Goldwyn  and  Walter 
Wanger  agreed  that  Mulvey  should 
continue  as  SIMPP  representative  and 
join  Johnston  in  dealing  with  "the 
new  British  problems  that  face  us." 
He  added  that  other  independent  pro- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Roy  Disney  Hits 
French  Agreement 

Hollywood,  Aug.  22.— Terming  the 
agreement  on  the  French  proposal  for 
unfreezing  blocked  funds  tentatively 
approved  by  the  Motion  Picture  Ex- 
port Association  last  Tuesday  as 
"highly  discriminatory"  and  "unfair" 
to  independent  producers,  Roy  O.  Dis- 
ney yesterday  asked  Secretary  of  State 
George  Marshall  to  delay  finalization 
of  any  accord  with  the  French  govern- 
ment until  the  independents  have  been 
consulted. 

"Arbitrary  quota  accords  practically 
all  meager  benefits  provided  in  this 
agreement  to  the  so-called  major  com- 
panies and  only  a  few  crumbs  to  the 
independents  and  less  powerful  ele- 
ments in  the  business,"  Disney  asserted 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Petrillo  Discusses 
Basis  for  Demands 


Arguing  the  need  for  increased  pay 
and  more  employment  of  musicians  in 
film  production,  James  C.  Petrillo, 
president  of  the  American  Federation 
of  Musicians,  on  Friday  sketched  the 
background  of  demands  to  be  made 
upon  the  companies  at  an  informal  dis- 
cussion at  the  AFM  headquarters  here 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday.  August  23,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


BG.  KRAXZE,  Film  Classics  dis- 
•    tribution     vice-president,  will 
leave  New  York  today  for  Chicago. 
• 

Tom  O'Brien,  general  secretary 
of  Britain's  National  Association  of 
Kinematograph  Employes,  will  sail 
for  England  on  Saturday.  He  attend- 
ed the  IATSE  convention  in  Cleveland 
last  week. 

• 

Harry  M.  Kalmine,  Warner  The- 
atres president  and  general  manager ; 
W.  Stewart  McDonald,  vice-presi- 
dent, and  Harry  Goldberg,  advertis- 
ing-publicity director,  will  return  to 
New  York  today  from  Washington. 
• 

Irving  Stacel,  who  formerly  oper- 
ated several  independent  theatres  in 
Chicago,  has  joined  National  Screen 
Service  as  salesman  in  that  city.  He 
succeeds  the  late  Roy  Alexander. 
• 

Edward  Weber  has  been  named 
manager  of  the  Santa  Clara  Theatre 
in  Santa  Clara,  Cal.,  succeeding  Fred 
Frechette,  who  has  resigned  to  en- 
ter another  business. 

• 

Robert  L.  Schaefer,  former  mana- 
ger of  the  Globe  Theatre,  Holyoke. 
Mass..  has  been  named  manager  of 
E.  M.  Loew's  Thompson  Square  The- 
atre in  Boston. 

• 

Ary  Lima,  manager  of  Warners' 
Atlantic  division  for  Latin  America, 
left  New  York  over  the  weekend  for 
his  headquarters  in  Rio  de  Janeiro. 
• 

Mrs.  Louis  Staxcer,  widow  of  a 
former  Toronto  neighborhood  theatre 
owner,  has  leased  the  Hudson  The- 
atre in  Toronto. 

• 

A.  Kaplax,  district  manager  o\ 
Brandt  Theatres,  has  returned  to  New 
York  from  a  vacation. 

• 

David  D.  Horxe,  Film  Classics  for- 
eign sales  manager,  returned  here  at 
the  weekend  from  a  Caribbean  tour. 
• 

Walter  Lasker  president  of  Las- 
ker-Schwartz,  will  return  here  today 
from  a  Midwestern  trip. 


William  Blair  Dies, 
Kansas  Exhibitor 

Kaxsas  City,  Aug.  22. — Funeral 
services  were  held  at  Osborne,  Kan., 
yesterday  for  William  Blair,  owner 
of  the  Blair  Theatre  in  that  city,  who 
died  in  a  hospital  in  Neodesha  after 
a  heart  attack.  He  was  visiting  in 
that  town  with  his  two  young  sons. 

Booking  and  other  operations  of  the 
theatre  are  being  handled  temporarily 
by  Dan  Blair,  manager  of  the  Blair 
at  Smith  Center  for  Sam  Blair,  his 
father  and  uncle  to  the  deceased.  The 
widow  also  survives. 


Mrs.  Louis  Schlussel,  71 

Detroit,  Aug.  22. — Mrs.  Louis 
Schlussel.  wife  of  the  owner  of  the 
Farnum  Theatre,  died  Friday  afternoon 
at  her  home  here.  She  was  71  years 
old.  Funeral  services  were  held  today. 


Tradewise 


Newsreel 
Parade 


By  SHERWIN  KANE 


AN  anti-trust  action  which 
■will  be  of  wide  interest 
throughout  the  industry,  and 
which  has  been  in  preparation 
for  several  months,  is  about 
ready  for  filing.  You  will  be 
reading  about  it  in  the  news  col- 
umns any  day  now. 

The  action  will  name  an  inde- 
pendent film  buying  combine, 
one  of  the  first  of  its  kind  if  not 
the  daddy  of  them  all.  It  will 
allege  illegal  use  of  buying  pow- 
er, combination  in  restraint  of 
trade  and  other  practices  held  to 
be  illegal  in  the  U.  S.  Supreme 
Court  decision  in  the  Paramount 
case,  all  boldly  highlighted  in 
the  decision. 

When  this  publication  last 
May  quoted  legal  opinions  to  the 
effect  that  the  U.  S.  Supreme 
Court's  decision  concerning  com- 
binations of  buying  power  was 
applicable  to  independent  film 
buying  combines  as  well  as  to 
circuits,  spokesmen  for  combines 
rejected  such  opinions  as  being 
"obviously  inspired,"  adding  that 
the  court  had  found  in  the  Grif- 
fith case  that  combinations  of 
buying  power  were  not  illegal  if 
not  used  to  "hurt  anyone."  That 
cleared  the  independent  com- 
bines, they  concluded. 

Now  here  come  plaintiffs  who 
believe  they  have  been  "hurt" 
by  an  independent  buying  com- 
bine and  who  are  prepared  to 
attempt  to  prove  it  in  court. 

Not  unrelated  to  the  com- 
plaint against-  the  independent 
buying  combine  will  be  another 
against  an  affiliated  circuit,  to 
be  filed  by  the  same  plaintiffs. 
That  case,  however,  lacks  the 
precedential  possibilities  inher- 
ent in  the  action  against  the  in- 
dependent combine. 


Attorneys  for  intervenors  in 
one  of  the  industry  arbitration 
cases  which  was  filed  subsequent 
to  the  Supreme  Court  decision 
in  the  Paramount  case  have  in- 
dicated their  willingness  to  ac- 
cept voluntary  arbitration  of  the 
complaint. 

Efforts  are  being  made  to  de- 
vise a  form  of  voluntary  sub- 
mission which  will  be  acceptable 
to  all  parties  and  to  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice.  The  Depart- 
ment, of  course,  cannot  stand  in 
the  way  of  voluntary  arbitration 
but  its  cooperation  with  the  pro- 
cedure is  felt  to  be  desirable,  re- 
gardless, and  therefore  is  being 
sought. 

At  this  stage  it  appears  quite 
likelv  that  voluntarv  arbitration 


will  be  effectively  provided,  if 
only  until  such  time  as  the  New 
York  Federal  Court  has  its  final 
say  on  the  form  of  industry  ar- 
bitration which  it  can  or  cannot 
support. 

William  F.  Rodgers.  Loew's 
vice-president  and  general  sales 
manager,  recently  expressed  to 
a  trade  press  audience  his  pref- 
erence for  an  industry  arbitra- 
tion system  such  as  the  one  in 
existence  a  number  of  years  ago 
and  which  was  characterized  by 
arbitrators  having  industry  ex- 
perience. 

Many  exhibitors  favor  such  a 
system.  The  former  Motion 
Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  championed  it  for  years 
following  entry  of  the  consent 
decree  in  the  Paramount  case. 
On  the  other  hand,  many  exhib- 
itors are  dubious  about  or  indif- 
ferent to  arbitration  boards  com- 
prised of  industry  members. 

Should  the  New  York  Federal 
Court  when  it  resumes  hearings 
in  the  industry  case  in  the  fall, 
decide  to  exercise  its  discretion- 
ary support  of  an  industry  arbi- 
tration system,  it  would'  seem 
that  both  preferences  might  be 
satisfied  by  adding  to  the  Amer- 
ican Arbitration  Association's 
panels  men  with  industry  experi- 
ence. Whenever  such  men  were 
preferred  as  arbitrators  they 
then  would  be  available. 


J.  Arthur  Rank  reportedly  still 
is  finding  it  difficult  to  under- 
stand why  his  pictures  meet  with 
so  much  sales  resistance  over 
here,  both  from  exhibitors  and 
the  public. 

On  the  other  hand,  at  least 
two  major  American  companies 
find  it  equally  difficult  to  under- 
stand why  Rank's  circuits  can't 
find  some  playing  time  for  their 
pictures.  They  do  all  right 
everywhere  else. 

Rank  wants  free  and  open 
markets  for  his  pictures  around 
the  world.  He  wants  the  deep- 
est international  penetration 
possible — for  Rank's  pictures. 
Yet  his  own  circuits  remain 
closed  to  much  good  product 
from  here  and  elsewhere,  and 
Rank  is  at  the  forefront  of  the 
arbitrarily  and  unreasonably  re- 
stricted British  film  market  as 
a  whole. 

One  day  it  may  occur  to  him 
that  trade,  whether  at  home  or 
around  the  world,  is  simply  giv- 
ing the  customer  what  he  wants, 
not  what  a  few  think  he  should 
have. 


rHE  funeral  of  Babe  Ruth  in  New 
York  is  covered  in  all  current 
nensreels,  along  with  the  proclama- 
tion of  the  new  Korean  Republic  and 
the  historic  oil  well  strike  in  Canada. 
Also  highlighted  are  closing  Olympic 
ez'ents  in  London,  beauty  contests  and 
high-dizing .  Complete  synopses  fol- 
law:  0* 

MOVIETONE       NEWS.       No.  V^11! 

Throngs  pay  homage  to  the  late  Babe 
Ruth.  MacArthur  visits  new  Republic  of 
Korea.  Canadian  oil  well  on  a  rampage. 
Beauty  contest  for  grandmothers  in  Chi- 
cago. High-diving  dare-devil.  Olympic 
games'  closing  highlights. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAT,  No.  301— Inde- 
pendent Korea  hails  MacArthur.  Farewell 
to  Babe  Ruth.  Canadian  oil  well  strike. 
Olympic  finale.  High-diving  champion. 
Perfect  legs  win  beauty  acclaim. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  104 — Great- 
est oil  discovery  in  Canada.  Babe  Ruth  at 
rest.  Korea  Republic  proclaimed.  Olympic 
fade-out. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  171— Babe 
Ruth  laid  to  rest;  honored  by  millions. 
Korean  independence.  Oil  development  in 
Canada.  Beautiful  legs  contest.  High- 
diving.     Olympics'  final  events. 

WARNER    PATHE    NEWS,    No.  2^- 

Farewell  to  Babe  Ruth.  Korean  Republic 
proclaimed.  "Little  sisters"  beauty  contest, 
Canadian  oil  discovered.  Olympics  finale. 
Great  Events:  Battle  of  Lake  Erie. 


K-MTA  Parley  to 
Study  Video,  Ascap 

Kansas  City,  Aug.  22. — Television 
will  be  among  the  principal  subjects 
discussed  when  the  Kansas-Missouri 
Theatre  Association  holds  its  annual 
convention  here  Sept.  28-29.  Plans 
for  the  convention  were  discussed  by 
K-MTA  directors  at  a  meeting  here 
last  week.  Also  prominent  on  the 
agenda  of  the  annual  parley  will  be 
the  New  York  Federal  Court  decision 
holding  Ascap's  collection  of  music 
licensing  fees  illegal  and  public  rela- 
tions. 

The  convention  will  hear  reports  on 
the  observance  of  Youth  Month  dur- 
ing September  and  will  study  propo- 
sals for  continuing  suoport  of  exhibi- 
tors for  local  projects  in  behalf  of 
youth  throughout  the  year. 


New  Theatre  Firm 
Acquires  2  Houses 

Community  Amusement  Corp.,  new- 
corporation  with  offices  at  Hartford, 
has  leased  and  will  operate  the  Daily 
Theatre  in  Hartford,  and  the  Plain- 
field,  in  Plainfield,  Conn. 

Dimitris  Petrou  is  president  of  the 
corporation,  John  Calvocoressi  is  trea- 
surer and  Bernie  Menschell  is  secre- 
tary. Both  Calvocoressi  and  Menschell 
were  associated  with  Skouras  Theatres 
in  Queens. 


Boston  Exhibitors 
Halt  Ascap  Payments 

Bostox,  Aug.  22. — Some  50  inde- 
pendent theatre  owners  in  this  terri- 
tory will  stop  further  music  reproduc- 
tion payments  to  Ascap  as  a  result  of 
Federal  Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell's 
decision  in  New  York  which  ruled 
that  the  society's  collections  are  ille- 
gal. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc..  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N*.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann.  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris.  Circulation  Director:  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau.  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farlev.  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau.  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address.  'Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  even-  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Not  Since  "Lost  Weekend"  Has 
There  Been  So  Much  Advance 


w 

"II 

n 

About  Any  Motion  Picture! 


YEARS 


"I've  listened  to  *  SORRY,  WRONG  NUMBER' 
on  the  radio — I've  read  it  as  a  novel  —  now  I've 
just  seen  it  on  the  screen  —  and  it's  left  me  breath- 
less. It's  truly  an  electrifying  experience,  and  in 
my  opinion  Barbara  Stanwyck's  performance  de- 
serves a  nomination  for  the  Academy  Award." 

—JOAN  CRAWFORD 


'SORRY, WRONG  NUMBER' 
is  without  a  doubt  one  of  the 
best  suspense  dramas  I've  seen. 
Burt  Lancaster  gives  a  great 
performance,  and  Barbara 
Stanwyck  is  positively  magnifi- 
cent. It  won't  surprise  me  in 
the  least  if  Barbara  wins  herself 
the  Oscar  which  she  has  so  well 
deserved."       —ray  mill  and 


say 


"In  her  career,  Barbara  Stanwyck  has 
given  performance  after  performance 
of  Academy  Award  caliber.  In 

4  SORRY,  WRONG  NUM BER,'  how- 
ever, as  the  pathetic,  terror- ridden 
Leona,  she  surpasses  even  herself." 

—LORETTA  YOUNG 


No.  1 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  August  23,  1948 


Boy  cotters  By-pass 
US-Owned  UK  Films 


Organized  boycotters  of  British  pic- 
tures in  New  York  demonstrated  at 
the  weekend  that  they  have  a  yard- 
stick whereby  they  judge  whether  a 
particular  English-made  film  is  to  be 
picketed.  If  a  British  production  is 
owned  outright  by  a  U.  S.  distributor, 
it  is  apparently  not  subject  to  boycott 
action  in  the  estimation  of  The  Sons 
of  Liberty,  boycotting  group  opposed 
to  Britain's  Palestine  policy. 

When  the  British-made  "Quiet 
Week  End"  opened  at  the  Park  Ave- 
nue Theatre  here  at  the  weekend, 
picketing  of  the  house  by  the  organ- 
ization began,  but  was  halted  at  once, 
according  to  the  theatre  management, 
when  the  picketers  were  informed  that 
the  picture's  distributor  here,  Distin- 
guished Films,  purchased  the  picture 
outright  from  its  English  producer. 

Kelly  Off  to  London 
On  Odeon  Bookings 

A  general  inspection  of  United 
Artists  affairs  in  England  will  be  un- 
dertaken by  Arthur  Kelly,  executive 
vice-president,  upon  his  arrival  in 
London.  He  left  New  York  at  the 
weekend. 

Kelly  will  concern  himself  with, 
among  other  things,  UA  bookings  by 
the  Odeon  circuit,  controlled  by  J. 
Arthur  Rank.  UA  has  an  interest  in 
the  circuit  of  about  25  per  cent,  it  is 
understood,  but  still  often  runs  into 
problems  on  playing  time. 


Gluck  Leaves  Park 
Ave.  For  UW  Post 

Norman  E.  Gluck  has  left  the  house 
managership  of  the  Park  Avenue 
Theatre  here  to  join  United  World 
Films  in  an  executive  capacity.  UW 
is  the  16mm.  subsidiary  of  Universal- 
International  which  is  the  lessee  of 
the  Park  Avenue.  Mrs.  M.  Esberg, 
formerly  assistant  manager,  has  suc- 
ceeded Gluck  at  the  theatre.  She  has 
been  succeeded  by  Albert  Fisher. 


Mexico  Film  Bank  Report 

Mexico  City,  Aug.  22.  —  Mexico's 
film  industry  has  received  loans,  dis- 
counts and  credits  totaling  $3,504,278 
to  date  from  its  own  bank,  the  Banco 
Nacional  Cinematografico,  SA. 


Johnston  Says 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

ducer  members  of  the  organization,  all 
of  them  distributing  through  United 
Artists,  had  expressed  opposing  views. 

Johnston  said  he  did  not  know  why 
the  other  independents  were  in  dis- 
agreement on  the  possible  advantages 
of  Mulvey's  presence  in  England.  Add- 
ing a  personal  note,  Johnston  said  he 
was  in  receipt  of  a  "cordial"  commu- 
nication from  Mulvey. 

Has  'Broad  Power'  to  Deal 

Asked  if  he  were  hopeful  of  a  re- 
duction of  England's'  45  per  cent  ex- 
hibitor quota,  Johnston  answered  that 
the  quota  and  "other  reasons"  have 
prompted  his  trip.  He  said  he  has 
"broad  powers"  in  dealing  with  the 
British. 

He  said  he  intends  to  confer  with 
Sir  Stafford  Cripps,  Chancellor  of  the 
Exchequer;  Harold  Wilson,  president 
of  the  British  Board  of  Trade,  and  J. 
Arthur  Rank  and  Alexander  Korda. 
He  said  he  will  see  Rank  either  today 
or  tomorrow  and  said  he  was  aware  of 
a  report  that  Rank  intends  to  give 
American  pictures  only  secondary  sta- 
tus in  his  playing  time. 

He  again  expressed  doubt  that  the 
British  production  will  be  sufficient  to 
make  the  quota  workable. 

To  Enter  'Curtain'  Area 

Johnston  said  he  expects  that  the 
American  companies'  new  film  and 
dollar  agreement  with  the  French 
government  will  be  signed  at  any 
time  in  the  near  future.  He  intends  to 
visit  France  and  possibly  four  other 
countries,  he  said,  adding  that  "be- 
hind the  iron  curtain"  is  on  his  itin- 
erary. 

Johnston  was  accompanied  by  Joyce 
O'Hara,  his  assistant;  Merrie  Smith, 
his  secretary,  and  his  daughter.  He 
said  he  intends  to  return  to  the  U.  S. 
about  Oct.  1  and  probably  will  limit 
his  stay  in  England  to  about  10  days. 


U.  K.  Industry 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

distribution  and  exhibition,  and  the 
governmentally  -  appointed  standing 
committees  controlling  in  varying  de- 
gree every  phase  of  the  country's  pro- 
duction. 

The  COI  is  being  supplied  with 
product  by  20  commercially-owned 
firms  and  by  a  state-controlled  studio. 
The  film  division's  one-reelers  are  al- 
ready shown  regularly,  and  for  noth- 
ing, in  upwards  of  3,000  theatres  and 
will  continue  to  be  shown  in  them, 
according  to  a  pledge  by  the  Cine- 
matograph Exhibitors  Asociation.  The 
government  itself  operates  150  mobile 
theatres. 

John  Grierson  has  been  brought  in 
as  coordinator-in-chief  of  COI  produc- 
tion. 

There  are  plenty  of  showmen-wit- 
nesses prepared  to  offer  their  opinions 
that  these  moves  are  only  a  step  from 
the  status  of  senior  partner  to  that  of, 
sole  owner. 

Unconnected  with  Wilson's  studio 
inquiry,  but  under  COI's  aegis,  is  the 
state-controlled  Beaconsfield  plant, 
once  run  by  the  late  Samuel  Woolf 
Smith  for  his  British  Lion.  It  has 
now  been  taken  over  by  the  Crown 
Film  Unit,  an  offshoot  of  COI. 

Although  it  is  not  yet  officially  an- 
nounced, Crown  Film  will  shortly  em- 
bark on  an  ambitious  program  of  fea- 
ture production^  Donald  Taylor,  one 
of  the  more  active  documentarians,  is 
producer-in-chief.  He  aims  at  pro- 
ducing up  to  six  features  annually. 


SAG,  'IA>  Smoking 
Peace  Pipe:  Arnold 

Cleveland,  Aug.  22.— "Old- 
time  animosities"  in  Holly- 
wood between  the  IATSE  and 
the  Screen  Actors  Guild  have 
ended,  actor  Edward  Arnold 
disclosed  here  at  the  week- 
end at  the  conclusion  of  the 
"IA's"  29th  biennial  conven- 
tion, to  which  he  proposed 
the  establishment  of  an  in- 
dustry-wide arbitration  board 
for  film  labor  disputes. 

Arnold  assured  SAG's  coop- 
eration to  "clean  up"  the 
Hollywood  labor  situation 
with  "IA"  president  Richard 
F.  Walsh. 

4IA'  Representatives 
Get  15%  Pay  Raise 

Cleveland,  Aug.  22. — Resolutions 
offered  and  approved  at  the  concluding 
session  of  the  IATSE  convention  in- 
cluded a  15  per  cent  salary  boost  for 
International  representatives,  wage  in- 
creases for  road  men,  a  request  to  re- 
duce their  seven-day  work  schedule  to 
six  with  the  same  pay,  and  graduating 
vacation  periods  up  to  a  maximum  of 
four  weeks  with  pay  for  10-year  em- 
ployes. 

Also,  the  convention  went  on  record 
for  increased  Social  Security  and  for 
an  85-cent  hourly  minimum  for  un- 
skilled labor.  It  endorsed  an  effort  for 
employer-particiption  in  a  pension  plan 
and  referred  to  the  executive  board  a 
resolution  for  a  retirement  plan.  It 
also  plans  to  give  "I A"  jurisdiction 
over  all  laboratory  screenings. 

Tom  O'Brien,  secretary  of  Britain's 
National  Association  of  Kinemato- 
graph  Employes,  was  presented  with  a 
gold  life  membership  card. 


Disney  Hits 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

in  a  telegram  to  Secretary  Marshall. 

Independent  and  smaller  producers 
are  either  frozen  out  or  made  com- 
pletely dependent  upon  the  10  com- 
panies among  whom  the  over-all  quota 
of  110  pictures  would  be  divided,  Dis- 
ney declared,  adding :  "This,  no  doubt, 
will  lead  to  a  black  market  in  the 
peddling  of  permits  by  some  of  the 
favored  10,  many  of  whom  do  not  have 
much,  if  any  product  that  would  war- 
rant the  dollar  expense  necessary  for 
dubbing  into  the  French  language,  or 
for  the  dollar  cost  of  prints." 

Thus,  he  continued,  "we  firmly  be- 
lieve [the  agreement]  will  not  only 
prove  "very  unfair"  to  the  "lesser" 
companies  in  the  American  industry, 
"but  will  also  prove  very  unsatisfac- 
tory to  the  French  motion  picture  pub- 
lic because  they  will  be  sent  not  the 
best  films  from  the  American  output 
but  only  the'  numerical  selection  based 
on  possession  of  permits." 


Petrillo 

(Continued-  from  page  1) 

with  producer  representatives  nego- 
tiating a  new  contract  for  studio  in- 
strumentalists. 

While  the  payment  of  extra  wages 
to  musicians  in  films  used  in  television 
was  not  discussed  at  the  meeting,  this 
and  other  demands  of  the  AFM  are 
expected  to  be  formally  submitted  to 
the  producer  spokesmen  tomorrow. 


Ask  Divestiture  Now 
In  Wash.  Trust  Suit 

Washington,  Aug.  22. — The  K-B 
Amusement  Co.  told  a  Federal  District 
Court  here  on  Saturday  that  no  final 
judgment  in  the  Paramount  case  is 
necessary  before  "Big  Five"  defendants 
can  be  ordered  to  dispose  of  theatres 
which  the  Supreme  Court  said  it  was 
illegal  for  them  to  own. 

K-B  has  a  suit  pending  to  force^*" 
Stanley  Co.,  Warner  subsidiary,  _n-\ 
of  the  jointly-owned  MacArthur  The- 
atre. It  claimed  that  the  Supreme 
Court  ruled  against  joint  ownership 
where  theatres  are  owned  with  inde- 
pendents that  otherwise  would  be  sole 
owners.  In  reply,  Stanley  moved  to 
dismiss  the  suit,  claiming  there  was 
no  final  judgment  in  the  Paramout 
case  and  that  no  "Big  Five"  firm  was 
required  to  dispose  of  any  theatre  un- 
til the  further  proceedings  ordered  by 
the   Supreme   Court  are  terminated. 

Million  Dollar  Libel 
Suit  Filed  by  Gosch 

Los  Angeles,  Aug.  22. — Producer 
Martin  A.  Gosch  filed  suit  in  Superior 
Court  at  the  weekend  for  $1,000,000  in 
damages  as  a  result  of  what  he  claims 
were  libelous  and  slanderous  state- 
ments made  against  him  on  a  Town 
Hall  broadcast  over  the  American 
Broadcasting  network  during  a  discus- 
sion on  Communist  influence  in  Holly- 
wood. In  addition  to  Town  Hall,  Inc., 
and  ABC,  defendants  named  included 
Mrs.  Leila  Rogers,  Sam  Wood,  Mor- 
ris Ryskind,  Robert  Arthur  and  others. 

The  complaint  asserts  he  was  sub- 
jected to  contempt,  hatred,  obloquy  and 
prejudice  following  the  program  last 
Sept.  2,  and  it  adds  he  was  prevented 
from  producing  the  Emmet  Lavery 
play,  "A  Gentleman  from  Athens,"  for 
which  he  said  he  held  a  contract.  A 
separate  suit  against  Lavery  was  filed 
several  months  ago. 

Colosseum  Pact  Talk 
Expected  This  Week 

Spokesmen  here  for  the  Colosseum 
of  Motion  Picture  Salesmen  of  Amer- 
ica and  11  distributors  indicated  yes- 
terday that  negotiations  for  the  first 
national  union  contract  for  film  sales- 
men will  be  resumed  in  the  near  fu- 
ture, perhaps  this  week.  However, 
one  Colosseum  representative  said  he 
expected  it  would  be  two  weeks  yet 
before  a  resumption  of  talks,  suspended 
early  this  month,  takes  place. 

The  suspension  was  agreed  upon  by 
both  sides  to  allow  the  negotiators 
time  to  prepare  and  submit  to  their 
respective  organizations  an  interim  re- 
port on  the  status  of  negotiations. 


Ending  Clearance 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ated  by  the  Julius  Joelson  circuits ; 
the  Walker,  Brooklyn,  a  Randforce 
house;  Century's  Lynbrook  Theatre 
in  Lynbrook,  and  a  second  Century 
house  in  Long  Beach. 

Century,  Metropolitan  Playhouses 
and  Skouras  Theatres  have  asked  dis- 
tributors to  end  seven-day  clearances 
now  held  by  RKO  and  Loew  houses  in 
those  areas  in  which  the  three  oper- 
ate. Their  bid  for  simultaneous  avail- 
ability was  prompted  by  the  settle- 
ment with  Max  Cohen  of  his  anti- 
trust suit  against  20th  Century-Fox 
and  Warner  which  gave  Cohen  day- 
and-date  runs  for  his  New  Amsterdam 
house  with  the  RKO  circuit. 


'  Monday,  August  23,'  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


5 


Review 


"The  Dead  Don't  Dream" 

(United  Artists) 

MOVEMENT  and  suspense  are  present  in  abundance  in  this  Western 
in  which  mystery  is  an  important  factor  in  drawing  attention.  Aided  by 
Andy  Clyde,  William  Boyd  again  assists  the  cause  of  good  entertainment  in 
a  Hopalong  Cassidy  role.  Boyd  once  more  is  the  wily,  hard-hitting  man  of 
the  range  who  brings  the  villains  to  book  after  a  furious  give-and-take. 

Although  there  is  a  Western  setting  and  background  with  cowboys,  fisticuffs 
and  outdoor  action  scenes,  the  plot  centers  about  mysterious  murders.  Cassidy 
arrives  in  the  town  to  attend  a  wedding,  which  is  postponed  when  the  girl's 
uncle  is  slain.  The  body  is  discovered  in  a  gold  mine.  Then  another  gold 
prospector  mysteriously  disappears,  and  lastly  the  sheriff  vanishes.  Boyd  sets 
a  trap  for  the  murderers.  Finally  the  killers  are  revealed  as  partners  who 
coveted  the  possessions  of  their  victims.  Lewis  J.  Rachmil  produced  and 
George  Archainbaud  directed.  The  screenplay  is  based  on  characters  created 
by  Clarence  E.  Mulford. 

Running  time,  68  minutes.  General  audience  classification. 


1948-49  E-L  Film 
Confabs  on  Coast 

Hollywood,  Aug.  22. — William  J. 
Heineman,  Eagle-Lion  distribution 
vice-president,  has  arrived  here  for 
conferences  on  the  company's  1948-49 
product  with  E-L  president  Arthur  B. 
Krim;  Max  E.  Youngstein,  advertis- 
ing-publicity vice-president,  and  studio 
^^aWicity  director  Sam  Israel. 
t»$r3^hile  at  the  studio  Heineman  will 
ul  termine  national  sales  policies  on 
major  1948-49  product,  and  will  screen 
completed  or  currently  shooting  films 
including-  "Let's  Live  a  Little,"  Walter 
Wanger's  Technicolor  "Tulsa,"  "29 
'Clues,"  "The  Big  Cat,"  in  Technicol- 
or, and  "Adventures  of  Gallant  Bess," 
in  Cinecolor. 

Following  the  conferences,  Young- 
stein begins  the  final  lap  of  his  na- 
tionwide tour  of  exchange  cities  with 
a  Los  Angeles  branch  sales  meeting 
tomorrow.  At  the  meeting,  Youngstein 
will  set  up  machinery  for  the  com- 
pany's current  "Bill  Heineman  Sales 
Drive,"  of  which  he  is  captain,  and 
will  appoint  branch  manager  Sam 
Milner  deputy  captain. 

During  the  balance  of  the  week, 
Youngstein  will  visit  exchanges  in 
San  Francisco,  Portland,  Seattle  and 
Salt  Lake  City.  In  New  York  he  will 
conduct  the  31st  and  final  meeting 
next  Monday. 


'Song'  Campaign 

[Continued  from  page  1) 

weeks  before  November  playdates  in 
a  carefully  worked  out  schedule,  sets 
a  new  pattern  for  industry  advertis- 
ing. 

James  A.  Mulvey,  Goldwyn  chief, 
claims  that  it  is  the  most  direct  pro- 
ducer support  of  a  playdate  ever  pro- 
vided for  an  exhibitor.  In  addition, 
Mulvey  points  out  that  the  "hot" 
music  and  musicians  featured  in  the 
picture  have  been  used  to  provide  the 
most  varied  and  comprehensive  radio 
campaign  yet  devised.  Some  16,000 
transcriptions  and  records,  varying  in 
length  from  IS  minutes  to  20  seconds, 
have  been  shipped  to  the  RKO  Radio 
field  staff  under  Terry  Turner's  di- 
rection. 

Exploitation  accessories  include  a 
specially  designed  wallpaper,  jewelry, 
silk  and  cotton  fabric,  handkerchiefs, 
neckties  and  toys,  all  with  music  de- 
signs or  themes.  Nine  phonograph 
companies  and  six  music  publishers 
are  issuing  special  numbers  tied  up 
with  "A  Song  Is  Born." 


Special  Brochure 
for  WB's  'Rope9 

As  part  of  its  campaign  planned  by 
Mort  Blumenstock,  advertising-pub- 
licity vice-president,  for  the  promotion 
of  Alfred  Hitchcock's  "Rope,"  Warner 
Brothers  is  distributing  a  "photo- 
graphic production  notebook." 

In  addition  to  statements  by  Jack 
L.  Warner  and  Hitchcock,  it  contains 
articles  of  narrative  technique,  back- 
grounds and  lighting,  still  photogra- 
phy and  a  discussion  of  color  by 
Natalie  Kalmus.  The  brochure  is  be- 
ing distributed  to  colleges,  libraries 
and  community  groups. 


Donahue  &  Coe  Expand 

Donahue  and  Coe,  advertising 
agency  handling  a  number  of  film  in- 
dustry accounts,  has  opened  a  branch 
in  Washington,  with  J.  Raymond 
Bell  in  charge. 


Form  First  Video 
Investment  Firm 


Chicago,  Aug.  22. — Organization  of 
Television  Fund,  Inc.,  said  to  be  the 
first  "open-end"  investment  company 
specializing  in  securities  in  the  field 
of  video,  electronics  and  radio  was  an- 
nounced here  on  Friday  by  a  business 
and  financial  group  headed  by  Chester 
D.  Tripp.  The  Fund  is  said  to  be  reg- 
istered with  the  Securities  and  Ex- 
change Commission  and  shares  will  be 
available  for  public  offering  through 
investment  dealers  shortly. 

The  company  was  conceived  as  a 
"logical  medium  for  participation  in 
the,  future  of  the  television  industry," 
according  to  Tripp,  president,  who 
also  is  head  of  Consolidated  Copper 
Mines  and  Grip  Nut  Co.  and  chairman 
of  Economic  Trend  Line  Studies. 
Other  directors  are  William  Pope, 
Charles  D.  James,  Russell  Matthias 
and  Herbert  H.  Taylor. 

Irving  Trust  Co.,  New  York,  is  cus- 
todian of  the  Fund. 


Gold  Named  to  Head 
Video  Film  Council 

Melvin  Gold,  director  of  advertising- 
publicity  for  National  Screen  Service, 
has  been  nominated  for  the  presidency 
of  the  National  Television  Film  Coun- 
cil, which  concerns  itself  with  the  use 
of  motion  pictures  in  video. 

Other  officers  nominated  were :  Burt 
Balaban,  film  director  of  Paramount 
Television,  for  vice-president ;  Robert 
M.  Paskow,  film  director  of  WATV, 
Newark,  treasurer,  and  Robert  W. 
Wormhoudt,  executive  vice-president 
of  Telecast  Films,  Inc.,  secretary.  Elec- 
tions are  scheduled  for  September. 


'Largo'  Runs  Extended 

Some  300  of  400  engagements  of 
Warner's  "Key  Largo"  played  to  date 
have  been  extended  runs,  the  company 
reports.  In  normal  one-week  stands, 
the  picture  has  been  held  for  from  two 
to  six  weeks  and  from  10  to  12  days 
in  split-week  situations,  the  company 
adds,  with  the  latter  practically  unani- 
mously holding  over  the  film  to  at 
least  a  full  week. 


Heads  Studio  Video  Unit 

Hollywood,  Aug.  22. — Les  Peter- 
son of  M-G-M  has  been  elected  chair- 
man of  a  subcommittee  in  charge  of 
radio  and  television  by  the  Studio  Pub- 
licity Directors  Committee.  He  suc- 
ceeds William  Winter  of  20th  Cen- 
|  tury-Fox. 


Production  Drops 
Sharply,  Down  7 


Hollywood,  Aug.  22. — The  produc- 
tion index  fell  sharply  to  23  from  a 
previous  30.  Seven  new  films  were 
launched  while  14  were  sent  to  cut- 
ting rooms. 

Shooting  started  on  "Joe  Palooka  in 
the  Big  Fight,"  Monogram ;  "Follow 
Me  Quietly,"  (RKO  Radio;  ''Last  of 
the  Wild  Horses"  (Lippert),  Screen 
Guild ;  "Mother  Is  a  Freshman," 
"Down  to  the  Sea  in  Ships"  and 
"Rose  of  Cimarron"  (Alson),  20th 
Century-Fox ;  "Outpost  in  Morocco" 
(Moroccan),  United  Artists. 

Shooting  was  finished  on  "The  Lone 
Wolf  and  His  Lady"  and  "Jungle 
Jim,"  Columbia ;  "Red  Stallion  in  the 
Rockies,"  "Tulsa"  (Wanger)  and 
"Parole"  (Orbit),  Eagle-Lion;  "The 
Bribe,"  M-G-M  ;  "Incident"  and  "Call 
of  the  Cactus,"  Monogram;  "Preju- 
dice," Protestant  Film  Commission ; 
"Far  Frontier,"  Republic ;  "Interfer- 
ence," RKO  Radio ;  "The  Fan"  and 
"Chicken  Every  Sunday,"  20th-Fox ; 
"The  Lucky  Stiff"  (Amusement  En- 
terprises), United  Artists. 


N.  Y.  Area  Luncheon 
For  Rogers  Hospital 

Local  exhibitors,  both  independent 
and  circuit,  will  meet  here  tomorrow 
for  luncheon  at  the  Hotel  Astor,  to 
discuss  plans  for  the  current  fund- 
raising  drive  for  the  Will  Rogers 
Memorial  Hospital.  Meeting  with  the 
exhibitors  will  be  members  of  the  New 
York  committee  in  charge  of  the  drive. 


Short 
Subject 

"Families  First" 

(20th  Century-Fox) 

In  "Families  First"  the  New  York 
State  Youth  Commission  once  more 
has  turned  to  the  screen  to  deliver  a 
resounding  blow  in  the  fight  to  rescue 
youths  from  the  ways  of  transgression. 
With  juvenile  delinquency  today  a 
matter  of  grave  public  concern,  it  be- 
comes nothing  less  than  the  solemn 
duty  of  exhibitors  to  give  this  the 
widest  possible  showing.  Dealing 
with  the  importance  of  family  life  in 
shaping  the  social  behavior  of  the 
young,  the  film  is  a  significant  con- 
tribution to  the  subject  of  parent- 
child  relationship.  How  the  happy 
home,  ruled  by  understanding  parents, 
makes  better  citizens  is  illustrated 
with  human  warmth  in  an  interesting 
account  of  parental  shortcomings  that 
help  promote  delinquency.  The  film 
brings  home  vividly  a  vexing  problem 
with  a  simplicity  that  is  commendable. 

The  picture,  excellently  produced 
by  RKO  Pathe,  will  be  released  gratis 
to  theatres  in  New  York  State 
through  20th-Fox  on  Aug.  30  in  a 
10-minute  version  as  part  of  the  Sep- 
tember Youth  Month  program  spon- 
sored by  the  Theatre  Owners  of 
America.  A  sequel  to  "Children  in 
Trouble,"  the  picture  is  also  available 
in  a  17-minute  16mm.  version  for  non- 
theatrical  purposes.  Edward  Montague 
directed  and  Dwight  Weist  narrated-. 


Columbia  Field  Men 
Meet  Here  Tomorrow 

Columbia  field  exploitation  repre- 
sentatives from  East  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  will  be  in  the  home  office 
tomorrow  for  a  one-day  meeting, 
called  by  Arthur  A.  Schmidt,  director 
of  advertising-publicity,  to  discuss  pro- 
motion plans  for  "The  Loves  of  Car- 
men." 

Those  attending  will  include  Sid 
Zins,  Milton  Young,  Harry  Bernstein, 
Ed  Rosenbaum,  Jules  Serkowtch  and 
William  Shirley. 


U-I  Trio  to  Coast 

Al  Horwits,  Universal-International's 
Eastern  publicity  manager ;  Charles 
Simonelli,  Eastern  exploitation  man- 
ager, and  Philip  Gerard  of  the  com- 
pany's publicity  staff  flew  to  the  stu- 
dio at  the  weekend  to  set  details  of 
advance  campaigns  for  two  films. 


THE  LATEST  WORD  ON  I 


66  It  will  keep  you 
dangling  from 


beginning  to  end! 


—  REDBOOK  MAGAZINE 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION 


us*  *oRK> 


£ 


~ 1 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


J 


4.  NO.  38 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  AUGUST  24,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Fix  Sept.  15th 
Deadline  in 
Divorce  Quiz 

'Big  5'  Strive  to  Submit 
Data  to  D.  of  J.  by  Then 

The  "Big  Five"  defendants  in 
the  Paramount  anti-trust  litigation 
are  working  with  a  Sept.  15  dead- 
line in  mind  for  the  submission  of 
the  last  of  the  information  on  joint 
theatre  ownerships  sought  by  the  De- 
partment of  Justice,  it  was  learned 
here  yesterday.  The  Government  in- 
terrogatories were  served  on  the  com- 
panies on  July  1  under  the  divestiture 
clauses  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court's 
decision  in  the  case. 

The  deadline  was  fixed  in  an  under- 
standing with  Robert  L.  Wright,  spe- 
cial assistant  to  the  U.  S.  Attorney 
General.  Although  the  defendants  will 
bend  every  effort  to  make  all  the  ma- 
terial wanted  by  the  Government  avail- 
able by  Sept.  15,  it  is  understood  they 
will  be  allowed  to  go  beyond  that  date 
should  it  prove  humanly  impossible 
for  them  to  have  the  information  ready 
by  then. 

The  time  originally  allowed  for  sub- 
mitting answers  to  the  interrogatories 
was  extended  by  the  Department  of 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Grosses  Up  at  N.  Y. 
1st  Runs;  $100,000 
Likely  for  'Pitfall' 

Business  is  taking  a  turn  for  the 
better  at  some  New  York  situations 
this  week  with  the  improvement  main- 
ly at  the  larger  houses  with  stage 
shows. 

"Pitfall"  with  Dick  Powell  in  per- 
son at  the  Capitol  is  a  powerful  new- 
comer which  is  headed  for  an  initial 
week's  gross  of  $100,000,  strictly  top- 
notch.  "Race  Street"  is  good  in  its 
opening  week'  at  the  Mayfair,  esti- 
mated at  $30,000.  All  other  programs 
are  holdovers. 

The  Music  Hall  show  comprising 
"Date  with  Judy"  and  the  elaborate 
stage  presentation  is  doing  phenomenal 
business.  Gross  for  the  third  week  is 
likely   to    hit    $152,000.    The  house 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Study  FCC  Right 
To  Ban  Giveaways 

Washington,  Aug.  23— Federal 
Communications  Commission  lawyers, 
admittedly  in  a  quandary,  were  busy 
today  "studying"  whether  the  FCC 
has  legal  authority  to  institute  its  pro- 
posed crackdown  on  radio  giveaway 
shows. 

Early  this  month  the  FCC  an- 
nounced its  proposed  rules  doing  away 
with  most  of  these  programs.  On  Fri- 
day counsel  Don  Petty  of  the  National 
Association  of  Broadcasters  claimed 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


TO  A  Will  Hear  Coy 
On  Video  Problems 

Many  of  the  problems  now  facing 
exhibitors  as  a  result  of  television  are 
expected  to  be  clarified  by  Wayne 
Coy,  chairman  of  the  Federal  Com- 
munications Commission,  in  an  address 
before  the  national  convention  of  the 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  in  the 
Drake  Hotel,  Chicago,  on  Sept.  25. 

Coy  has  been  asked  to  speak  as  part 
of  the  TOA's  drive  to  present  figures 
of  national  prominence  to  its  members 
during  the  convention. 


SPG  to  Ask  25%  Pay 
Rise  in  New  Pacts 


Salary  increases  of  25  per  cent,  as 
well  as  other  benefits,  will  be  asked 
by  the  Screen  Publicists  Guild  in  ne- 
gotiations with  the  major  companies 
which  may  begin  next  month.  SPG's 
contracts  with  the  companies  termi- 
nate Sept.  26.  Letters  informing  the 
companies  of  SPG's  readiness  to  ne- 
gotiate the  new  contracts  were  sent 
out  recently. 

Other  demands,  approved  by  the 
membership  and  now  in  the  hands  of 
the  strategy  committee  include  a  gen- 
eral tightening  of  security  clauses, 
more  liberal  severance  pay,  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  35-hour,  five-day  week 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Hit  Distributors  on 
Neglect  of  Territory 

Denver,  Aug.  23. — Asserting 
that  "there  are  too  many 
branch  managers  who  haven't 
been  over  the  territory  for 
years,"  Allied  Rocky  Moun- 
tain Independent  Theatres 
in  its  current  bulletin  is  re- 
minding distribution  execu- 
tives that  "a  lot  of  business 
is  lost  to  a  lot  of  companies 
through  the  downright  lazi- 
ness of  its  sales  organiza- 
tion in  the  field."  "There  are 
too  many  theatre  accounts 
.  .  .  that  just  plainly  haven't 
been  solicited  in  months"  in 
the  Rocky  Mountain  terri- 
tory, the  bulletin  says,  adding 
that  sales  executives  should 
"concentrate  on  a  little  old- 
fashioned  salesmanship." 


SIMPP  Group  Wary 
Of  Tie  with  MPAA 


Independent  producers  have  taken 
the  position  -that  alignment  with  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Ameri- 
ca in  dealings  in  England  on  new 
trade  problems  might  result  in  a  joint 
program  to  which  they  would  be  com- 
mitted and  which,  they  suspect,  might 
encroach  on  their  earning  power  as 
individuals  in  that  country. 

Producers'  representatives  here 
state  that  any  new  project,  such  as 
a  Motion  Picture  Export  Association 
in  England,  might  leave  them  on  the 
short  end  of  future  remittable  earn 
ings.  Also  cited  was  a  traditional 
disinclination  of  joining  hands  with 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


Europe  Hedging  in  U.  S. 
Film  Distribution:  Maas 


Irving  Maas,  Motion  Picture  Export 
Association  vice-president  and  gen- 
eral manager,  who  recently  returned 
to  New  York  from  a  10-week  tour 
of  the  European  market,  expressed 
only  a  minimum  of  optimism  at  a 
press  conference  yesterday  regarding 
the  future  prospects  for  U.  S.  pictures 
in  Europe  in  general  and  in  the 
MPEA  territory  in  particular.  Eu- 
rope is  leaning  more  and  more  toward 
"hedging"  in  the  distribution  of  Amer- 
ican pictures,  he  said. 

The  principal  reasons  for  this, 
Maas  said,  are  monetary  and  political 
— but  largely  political.  Soviet-influ- 
enced countries  like  Czechoslovakia, 
Yugoslavia,   Hungary   and  Rumania 


serve  up  the  biggest  problems  for  the 
MPEA,  he  indicated. 

For  example,  he  disclosed, 
the  MPEA  has  discontinued  all 
distribution  activities  in  Ru- 
mania following  an  edict  by 
that  government  that  only 
"progressive  and  realistic  pic- 
tures" can  be  permitted  on  Ru- 
manian screens.  U.  S.  pictures, 
in  the  opinion  of  Rumanian  of- 
ficialdom, do  not  conform  to 
that  standard. 

He  expressed  confidence  that 
MPEA  would  arrive  at  a  deal  soon 
with  the  Czechs  for  distribution  of 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Johnston  Gets 
Opinions  on 
MPEA  for  UK 


Meets  U.  S.  Managers; 
Will  See  Rank  Tonight 

London,  August  23. — The  advis- 
ability of  establishing  a  Motion  Pic- 
ture Export  Association  operation 
here  was  discussed  by  Eric  A. 
Johnston,  MPEA  president,  at  a  six- 
hour  meeting  with  American  managers 
following  a  luncheon  for  Johnston  here 
today.  The  discussion  will  be  re- 
resumed  at  a  second  meeting  on 
Wednesday. 

Under  the  MPEA  plan,  controlled 
and  limited  film  releases  could  be  es- 
tablished by  the  American  companies 
to  counter  some  effects  of  the  new 
British  45  per  cent  quota.  Johnston 
has  virtually  plenipotentiary  powers  on 
his  current  mission,  insofar  as  mrking 
such  a  decision  is  concerned,  he  in- 
dicated on  his  arrival  here  from  New 
York  on  Saturday.  However,  he  said 
he  wished  to  have  the  advice  of  the 
men  on  the  spot  before  taking  such 
action. 

Johnston  is  scheduled  to  dine  with 
J.  Arthur  Rank  at  Claridge's  tonight 
and  it  is  believed  certain  that  reports 
that  Rank  plans  to  relegate  American 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


20th  to  Represent 
RKO  in  So.  Africa 


Twentieth  Century-Fox  has  ac- 
quired exclusive  distribution  rights  to 
RKO  Radio  product  in  the  Union  of 
South  Africa  in  a  10-year  deal  which 
becomes  effective  Sept.  1,  both  com- 
panies announced  here  yesterday. 
The  deal  was  closed  by  Spyros  Skou- 
ras,  president,  and  Murray  Silver- 
stone,  foreign  head,  of  20th-Fox,  and 
by  Ned  E.  Depinet,  executive  vice- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


SRO  Names  Hoare  to 
Studio  Post  Abroad 

The  appointment  of  Victor  J.  Hoare 
as  executive  director  of  Selznick  Stu- 
dio, Ltd.,  effective  immediately,  was 
announced  yesterday  by  Louis  Lewis, 
Selznick  Releasing  Organization's 
European  director.  Hoare  will  act  as 
supervisor  of  all  releasing  arrange- 
ments for  SRO  pictures  in  Great  Brit- 
ain and  Continental  Europe. 

Hoare  has  held  industry  positions 
for  the  past  17  years.  Among  the 
companies  he  has  been  associated  with 
are  United  Artists  and  Eagle-Lion. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  August  24,  1948 


Army  Theatres  May 
Admit  Civilians 

Washington,  Aug.  23— The  Army 
is  considering  again  allowing  civilians 
to  go  to  theatres  on  Army  posts,  it 
was  learned  today. 

If  such  a  policy  is  adopted,  it  would 
be  accompanied  by  a  promise  that  the 
Army  will  restrict  admissions  care- 
fully and  see  that  the  civilians  are 
really  accompanying  soldiers.  Major 
exhibitor  organizations  and  distribu- 
tors are  now  being  asked  for  their 
reaction  to  the  proposal,  and  it  is  ex- 
pected that  it  will  be  a  month  or  more 
before  a  final  decision  is  announced. 

The  return  to  the  war  policy  is  be- 
ing studied  as  a  result  of  the  new  draft 
law  and  as  part  of  the  Army's  cam- 
paign to  make  the  switch-over  from 
civilian  T:o  Army  life  as  easy  as  pos- 
sible for  the  draftees. 


'Youth  Month'  Plans 
Set  in  Kansas  City 

Kansas  City,  Mo.,  Aug.  23. — The 
Kansas  City  Theatre  Committee  is 
ready  for  the  promotion  of  "Youth 
Month"  in  cooperation  with  local  wel- 
fare groups. 

M.  D.  Cohn  of  the  Paramount  is  co- 
ordinating chairman  of  the  four  com- 
mittees designated  to  handle  various 
parts  of  the  program.  Senn  Lawler, 
Fox  Midwest  Theatres,  heads  the 
group  assigned  to  the  Sept.  1-7  "Edu- 
cation" week;  Joe  Redmond,  Esquire 
Theatre,  is  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  health  and  physical  protection 
which  will  be  stressed  Sept.  8-14;  Jay 
Means,  Oak  Park  Theatres,  will  di- 
rect the  "citizen  and  character  build- 
ing" campaign  Sept.  15-21,  and  in  the 
final  week  Ted  Winn,  Orpheum,  will 
act  as  chairman  of  the  group  on  recre- 
ation. 


Theatre-Building  Is 
Weighed  by  Coyne 

Theatre  Owners  of  America  execu- 
tive Robert  W.  Coyne,  who  returned 
to  New  York  yesterday  from  a  New 
England  vacation  to  make  preparations 
for  the  forthcoming  TOA  convention, 
reports  that  he  has  "two  or  three 
deals"  pending,  one  a  theatre-building 
deal,  as  part  of  his  plans  for  the  future. 

Coyne,  whose  former  TOA  execu- 
tive director  post  has  been  taken  over 
by  Gael  Sullivan,  said  he  will  make  a 
definite  announcement  regarding  his 
future  plans  "within  the  next  30  days." 
When  Coyne  resigned  as  executive  di- 
rector a  month  or  so  ago  he  indicated 
he  intended  to  remain  in  the  industry. 


Name  Contest  Winners 

The  three  winners  in  the  contest  for 
the  best  exploitation  campaigns  in  the 
Philadelphia  area  for  Walter  Wan- 
ger's  "Tap  Roots"  are  Leon  Korr, 
Earle  Theatre,  Allentown;  Robert 
Sidman,  Senate  Theatre,  Harrisburg, 
and  Lew  Black,  Warner  Theatre,  Wil- 
mington. The  trio  will  be  guests  of 
Universal-International  for  weekends 
in  Xew  York. 


Roland  Winters'  Father 

Brookline,  Mass.,  Aug.  23. — Felix 
Winternitz,  father  of  Roland  Winters, 
star  of  "Charlie  Chan"  pictures,  died 
here  late  Friday  night. 


Personal  Mention 


NEIL  AGNEW  will  be  tendered  a 
farewell  party  at  Gay  90's  to- 
morrow night  by  SRO  associates  here. 
He  leaves  the  organization  Sept.  1. 
• 

Fred  Schanberger,  an  owner  of 
Keith's,  Baltimore,  will  be  host  at  a 
press  and  radio  cocktail  party  at  the 
Lord  Baltimore  Hotel  on  Thursday, 
preceding  a  preview  of  "One  Touch  of 
Venus"  at  the  theatre. 

• 

William  Jay  Hamborsky,  mana- 
ger of  Fabian's  Capitol,  Staten  Island, 
who  was  married  July  16  to  Helen 
Elizabeth  Steinmeyer,  has  returned 
from  a  Canadian  wedding  trip. 
• 

Nat  Levy,  RKO  Radio  Eastern 
division  manager,  will  be  in  Detroit 
today  and  tomorrow  from  New  York, 
and  in  Cleveland  on  Thursday  and 
Friday. 

• 

Tim  O'Toole,  former  New  Haven 
branch  manager  for  Columbia,  will 
make  his  permanent  home  in  Fort 
Lauderdale,  Fla. 

• 

Estelle  O'Toole,  secretary  to 
Warners'  Hartford  district  manager 
Henry  L.  Needles,  is  vacationing  at 
Virginia  Beach,  Va. 

• 

Howard  K.  Richardson,  partner  in 
the  State  Theatre,  New  Britain, 
Conn.,  will  leave  this  weekend  on  a 
Cape  Cod  vacation. 

• 

Howard  Dietz,  M-G-M  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  advertising-publicity, 
is  due  to  return  to  New  York  tomor- 
row by  plane  from  Paris. 

o 

Leo  Broidy,  Eagle-Lion  publicity 
manager,  returned  to  New  York  yes- 
terday from  a  Southern  vacation. 


HM.  RICHEY,  M-G-M  exhibit- 
•  tor  relations  head,  will  leave 
here  on  Friday  for  Detroit,  going  to 
Toronto  from  there. 

• 

Bobby  Mirisch,  10-year-old  son  of 
Allied  Artists'  vice-president  Harold 
Mirisch,  has  been  signed  for  his  first 
screen  role  in  Monogram's  "Joe  Pa- 
looka  in  the  Big  Fight." 

• 

John  Collins,  former  assistant 
manager  of  the  Central  Square,  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.,  has  been  named  mana- 
ger of  the  Paramount,  Newton,  Mass., 
succeeding  George  Van  Buskirk. 
• 

Ernest  Grecula,  assistant  to  Hart- 
ford Theatres  general  manager  Al 
Schuman,  is  vacationing  at  Westport, 
Conn. 

• 

Irving  Helfont,  assistant  to  M- 
G-M's  Midwestern  sales  manager 
Burtus  Bishop,  Jr.,  returned  here 
yesterday  from  Chicago. 

• 

Charles  Deesen,  assistant  to  M- 
G-M's  Central  sales  manager  John 
J.  Maloney,  has  returned  from  an  up- 
state vacation. 

• 

Mitchell    Rawson    of  M-G-M's 
publicity  department  returned  from  a 
Saratoga  Springs  vacation  yesterday. 
• 

Russell  Stewart,  M-G-M  pub- 
licist, left  here  yesterday  for  Wash- 
ington. 

• 

Maurice  Goldstein,  Monogram 
general  sales  manager,  was  in  Boston 
over  the  weekend. 

• 

Julia  Eaton  has  been  appointed 
assistant  manager  at  the  Warner  The- 
atre, Lynn,  Mass. 


E.  M.  Loew's  Halts 
Payments  to  Ascap 

Boston,  Aug.  23. — E.  M.  Loew's 
Theatres,  independent  circuit  of  some 
SO  theatres  in  New  England,  has 
stopped  payment  of  music  licensing 
fees  to  Ascap  as  a  result  of  Federal 
Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell's  decision  in 
New  York  holding  that  the  society's 
collection  of  such  fees  are  illegal. 

Among,  the  circuits  in  this  area 
which  are  continuing  to  pay  Ascap  are 
Interstate,  Gordon  and  Lockwood  and 
the  Maine  and  New  Hampshire  Thea- 
tres Corp.  Some  fifty  independent 
theatre  owners  in  the  Boston  territory 
have  halted  further  payments,  as  re- 
ported in  Motion  Picture  Daily 
yesterday. 


MGM  Blind  Checking, 
Allied  Unit  Asserts 

Denver,  Aug.  23. — M-G-M  is  using 
blind  checkers  at  neighborhood  thea- 
tres in  Denver,  it  is  asserted  by  the 
Allied  Rocky  Mountain  Independent 
Theatres  in  its  current  bulletin.  A 
man  who  subsequently  identified  him- 
self as  a  checker  for  M-G-M,  the  bul- 
letin asserts,  was  recently  questioned 
by  Denver  police  as  a  "suspicious 
character,"  when  observed  in  the 
vicinity  of  a  local  theatre. 


Ohio  ITO  Convention 
Set  for  Sept  14-15 

Columbus,  O.,  Aug.  23. — Film  rent- 
als, television,  Ascap  and  state  and 
municipal  taxes  are  among  the  topics 
which  will  be  discussed  at  the  Inde- 
pendent Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio  con- 
vention to  be  held  here  Sept.  14-15  at 
the  Deshler-Wallick  Hotel,  according 
to  P.  J.  Wood,  secretary  of  the  organ- 
ization. 


NJ.  Allied  To  Weigh 
Sales  Plans  Tomorrow 

A  general  discussion  of  the  M-G-M 
selling  plan,  the  Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr., 
conciliation  plan,  and  film  prices  and 
terms  in  general  will  take  place  here 
tomorrow  at  a  special  emergency 
meeting  of  Allied  Theatre  Owners  of 
New  Jersey.  Edward  Lachman,  pres- 
ident of  the  organization,  issued  the 
call  for  the  meeting  yesterday. 


Alvin  Gross  Promoted 

Milwaukee,  Aug.  23.— Alvin  W. 
Gross,  office  manager  for  M-G-M  in 
Milwaukee,  has  been  promoted  to  the 
sales  department  of  the  same  branch. 
William  Schwartz,  up  to  now  booker 
in  Detroit,  succeeds  Gross  as  office 
manager  here. 


3  More  Productions 
Scheduled  by  Regal 

Plans  for  three  more  pictures  to  fol- 
low its  initial  production,  "Pitfall," 
now  in  release,  have  been  made  by 
Regal  Films,  Dick  Powell,  the  inde- 
pendent company's  vice-president,  dis- 
closed here  yesterday. 

"Pitfall,"  of  which  Powell  is  star  as 
well  as  co-producer,  will  be  followed 
on  the  production  schedule  by  "Mrs. 
Mike,"  based  on  the  novel  of  the  same 
name.  The  film,  down  for  a  Novejr^  " 
start,  will  be  budgeted  at  about  $lj^,n-, 
000,  according  to  Powell,  who  again 
will  serve  as  co-producer.  No  release 
deal  has  been  set. 

"Cry  Danger"  and  "Breakaway," 
both  originals,  are  other  films  on  Re- 
gal's  program.  Powell  will  be  starred 
in  both. 


Springer  Advises  on 
Advertising  Values 

"A  manager's  most  important  job  is 
to  see  that  he  receives  full  dollar  value 
on  any  advertising  he  places,"  J.  R. 
Springer,  general  theatre  manager  of 
Century  Theatres  here,  advises  in  a 
bulletin  to  the  circuit's  managers. 

Make  certain  the  proper  media  is 
used,  he  further  states,  and  he  urges 
that  the  cooperative  advertising  be 
stressed.  "Good  taste"  in  promotion 
also  was  emphasized  by  Springer. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


1 — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL  — 

Rockefeller  Center 

E"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

|       Wallace  BEERY    .    Jane  POWELL 
Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA  I 
!       Xavler  CUGAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


ALAN  DONNA 

LADDREED 


ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  THE 

BABE  RUTH 

AM^bb>ah«J«>  &  WILLIAM 

STORY  ~  BENDIX-TREVOR 
BICKFORD 

|CoM>*rfocmanat-PopPrlc 


An  AIR«d  Arfhtt 


RKO  Presents 

GEORGE         WILLIAM  MARILYN 

RAFT        BENDIX  MAXWELL 

"RACE  STREET" 


BRANDT'S 
Cool 


MAYFAIR 


7th  Ave.  & 
47th  St. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


FBI  TEAMS  UP  WITH 


il  1 


SCOTLAND  YARD  TO  AVENGE 


True-to-life... 
on-the-spot.. , 
heart-in-mouth 
realism ! 


starring 


creen 


Louis  HAYWARD  •  Dennis  O'KEEFE 


-*  LOUISE  ALLBRITTON 
CARL  ESMOND 

An  EDWARD  SMALL  Production 

play  by  George  Bruce  •  Directed  by  GORDON  DOUGLAS  *  Produced  by  GRANT  WHYTOCK 


YOUTH  MONTH 
SALUTING  YOUNG  AMERICA 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  August  24,  1948 


British  Jews  Assail 
Boycott  of  Films 

London,  Aug.  23. — Attempts  by  the 
Sons  of  Liberty  in  the  U.  S.  to  con- 
duct a  boycott  of  British  goods,  in- 
cluding motion  pictures,  have  been 
termed  "ineffectual"  and  "irresponsi- 
ble" by  spokesmen  for  Britain's  most 
representative  Jewish  organizations. 
Zionists-  here  maintain  that  the  boy- 
cott is  hampering  them  in  their  efforts 
to  obtain  recognition  of  the  Israeli 
government  by  Britain,  while  officials 
of  other  Jewish  groups,  such  as  the 
Anglo-Jewish  Association  and  the 
Board  of  Deputies  of  British  Jews, 
along  with  the  Jewish  Chronicle,  in- 
sist that  the  campaign  is  resented  by 
this  country's  Jews  and  is  damaging 
Anglo-American  relations. 

Meanwhile,  Sir  Alexander  Korda 
has  announced  that  he  is  withholding 
th  ree  September  releases  and  that  no 
more  films  will  be  sent  by  his  London 
Film  Productions  to  the  U.  S.  until 
"the  trouble  blows  over."  He  indi- 
cated he  may  bring  the  matter  up  for 
discussion  with  Eric  Johnston,  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  presi- 
dent, who  is  here  for  conferences  on 
the  quota. 

U.S.  Firms  to  Appeal 
Fines  in  Argentina 

The  eight  American  film  companies 
charged  with  having  violated  Argen- 
tina's rules  on  declaring  earnings  and 
values  of  prints  will  take  an  appeal 
from  that  country's  executive  order 
fining  them  $450,000,  it  was  reported 
at  the  offices  here  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Association  of  America.  The 
companies  intend  to  charge  that  the 
decrees  issued  by  Argentine  President 
Juan  Peron  and  Ramon  Careijo,  Min- 
ister of  Finance,  are  "discriminatory 
and  excessive." 


In  20th  Toronto  Post 

Peter  Myers  has  been  appointed 
manager  of  the  20th  Century-Fox 
Toronto  exchange,  it  was  announced 
here  yesterday  by  Andy  W.  Smith, 
Jr.,  general  sales  manager.  He  suc- 
ceeds Harry  J.  Bailey,  resigned. 
Myers,  32,  was  formerly  branch  man- 
ager for  Eagle-Lion  and  Monogram 
in  Canada. 


Halts  Political  Newsreels 

Mexico  City,  Aug.  23.— Complaint 
that  Alexican  newsreels  are  giving 
certain  government  officers  too  much 
footage  has  prompted  the  government 
to  order  the  elimination  of  such  per- 
sonal "advertising." 


Johnston  Gets 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

features  to  the  second  half  of  double 
bill  programs  in  his  theatres,  at  arbi- 
trarily stated  playing  terms,  will  come 
up  for  discussion.  Under  such  an  ar- 
rangement, Rank's  theatres  could  go 
far  toward  complying  with  the  new 
quota  by  pairing  weak  British  product, 
as  first  features,  with  strong  Ameri- 
can releases  on  the  lower  half  of  the 
bills  drawing  the  customers. 

To  Seek  Joint  Action  on  French 

Johnston  also  will  discuss  with  Rank 
the  possibilities  of  joint  action  with 
respect  to  the  new  French  tax.  John 
Davis,  Rank's  chief  aide;  Joyce 
O'Hara  Johnston's  assistant,  and  F. 
W.  Allport  of  the  MPAA  here,  will 
attend  the  dinner. 

Johnston  described  his  visit  here  as 
"purely  exploratory"  and  said  he  hopes 
to  meet  with  industry  leaders  and 
Cabinet  members.  He  plans  to  be  here 
about  a  week,  going  on  to  the  Con- 
tinent thereafter. 

Despite  widespread  rumors  to  the 
contrary,  Johnston  is  satisfied  that  it 
will  be  impossible  to  get  changes  in 
the  new  quota  law,  which  will  become 
effective  Oct.  1.  However,  it  is  obvi- 
ous that  he  will  attempt,  at  least,  to 
prepare  the  groundwork  for  a  reduc- 
tion in  the  quota  at  the  end  of  its  first 
year,  October,  1949.    His  position  is 

Propose  New  Salary 
Scale  in  Argentina 

American  film  companies  in  Argen- 
tina have  offered  to  revise  wage  scales 
in  that  country  so  that  they  would  be 
on  the  same  level  with  salaries  paid 
by  native  Argentine  producers  and 
distributors  or  those  paid  by  the  gov- 
ernment to  its  employes,  according  to 
the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  here.  Labor  organizations  in 
Argentina  had  asked  a  25  per  cent 
boost.  The  U.  S.  companies  have 
1,000  full-time  employes  and  1,500  on 
part  time. 


20th  To  Represent 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

president  of  RKO,  and  Phil  Reisman, 
foreign  chief. 

The  agreement  covers  all  RKO 
films,  including  product  from  indepen- 
dent producers  releasing  through  the 
company,  as  well  as  pictures  made  in 
England.  RKO  heretofore  released 
in  South  Africa  through  franchise 
holders. 


strengthened  by  the  British  exhibitor 
view  that  the  present  quota  will  prove 
impracticable. 

Johnston's  plane  arrived  here  five 
hours  late  due  to  an  engine  fire  at 
Gander,  Newfoundland.  He  repeated 
the  statement  he  made  prior  to  his  de- 
parture from  New  York  last  Friday 
that  James  A.  Mulvey  of  the  Society 
of  Independent  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers was  unable  to  accompany  him 
on  this  trip  because  of  a  difference  in 
viewpoint  among  SIMPP  members  on 
adoption  of  the  MPEA  plan  for  Brit- 
ain. He  said  that  Samuel  Goldwyn, 
David  Selznick  and  Walter  Wanger 
were  in  favor  of  the  plan  but  that 
United  Artists'  producers  were  vio- 
lently opposed  to  it. 

Johnston  has  arranged  to  meet  with 
Harold  Wilson,  president  of  the  Board 
of  Trade,  at  Oxford  next  Sunday. 
Yesterday  he  met  with  Lionel  Curtiss 
and  later  with  Lord  Vansittart. 

Says  Boycotts  Are  'Disgusting' 

Johnston  told  reporters  that  he  knew 
little  of  the  activities  of  the  Sons  of 
Liberty  and  that,  in  any  event,  he  is 
strenuously  opposed  to  all  boycotts 
which  in  his  view  are  "disgusting." 
The  Sons  of  Liberty  have  championed 
boycotts  of  British  pictures  playing  in 
the  United  States. 

Johnston  denied  reports  here  that 
Hollywood  members  of  the  Anglo- 
American  Joint  Films  Council  had  re- 
fused to  meet  with  British  members 
of  the  Council. 


SIMPP  Group  Wary 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


the  MPAA.  The  independents  feel, 
it  is  said,  that  an  MPEA  in  England 
would  mean  additional  channels 
through  which  money  from  England 
must  flow  and  they  fear,  because  of 
the  limited  output  of  their  individual 
companies,  they  would  realize  little 
profit  when  earnings  for  the  major 
companies'  films  come  into  account. 

Such  collective  bargaining  was  re- 
jected by  a  majority  of  members  of 
the  SIMPP  at  three  meetings  on  the 
Coast  last  week.  It  was  following  the 
third  one  that  James  Mulvey,  who 
represents  SIMPP  in  such  matters, 
was  advised  not  to  join  Eric  A. 
Johnston,  MPAA  president,  on  the 
latter's  current  trip  to  London.  Mul- 
vey declined  to  comment. 

It  is  known  that  some  of  the  inde- 
pendents believe  they  are  not  ade- 
quately protected  in  the  new  agree- 
ment with  France,  which  has  yet  to  be 
finalized,  and  which  has  been  protest- 
ed by  Walt  Disney  Prod.  Feeling 
here  is  that  the  quota  of  110  pictures 
for  the  French  market  will  mean  bene- 
fits for  the  principal  companies,  with 
the  independents  slighted. 

The  independents  were  agreeable  to 
the_  British  pact  of  last  March  to 
which  they  were  a  party,  but  in  this 
instance  no  limit  was  placed  on  the 
number  of  pictures  allowed  in  the 
British  market. 


Film  'Third  Man'  Abroad 

.  Hollywood,  Aug.  23.— Filming  of 
"The  Third  Man,"  starring  Joseph 
Cotten  and  Valli,  will  begin  in  Vienna 
in  the  latter  part  of  September,  it  vyas 
announced  today  by  Carol  Reed  and 
Graham  Greene,  British  producer-di- 
rector and  author,  respectively,  of  the 
film,  before  they  planed  back  to  Lon- 
don following  script  and  production 
conferences  with  David  O.  ,  Selznick 
here.  It  is  the  first  of  four  pictures 
to  be  made  jointly  in  Europe  by  Selz- 
nick and  Sir  Alexander  Korda. 


Europe  Hedging 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

U.  S.  pictures  in  their  country,  but 
admitted  that  he  was  unable  to  final- 
ize an  arrangement  during  his  trip. 

Negotiations  with  the  Hungarian 
Film  Bureau  are  still  going  on,  Maas 
reported,  and  he  is  hopeful  that  an 
agreement  will  be  reached  shortly. 

Maas  assailed  as  discriminatory  and 
a  violation  of  international  agreements 
to  which  Holland  was  a  signatory, 
that  country's  40-week  playing  Jm^  - 
stipulation  for  U.  S.  pictures.  UT^n. 
it,  he  said,  MPEA  could  not  establish 
a  much-desired  show-case  in  The 
Hague,  while  the  British,  who  are 
guaranteed  12  weeks  and  have  "a 
shot"  at  many  more,  could. 

MPEA's  outlook  in  Austria  is 
"good,"  Maas  said.  Queried  on  recent 
press  dispatches  from  Washington 
that  the  late  Father  Flanagan  (of 
"Boys  Town"  in  Nebraska)  told  the 
U.  S.  Army  that  a  bad  influence  on 
Austrian  youth  had  been  exercised  by 
crime,  detective  and  adventure  films 
from  Hollywood,  Maas  said  that  if  it 
is  true,  the  Army  must  share  the 
blame  since  it  passed  on  all  pictures 
shown  in  Austria. 


Father  Flanagan  Memorial  Fund 
Discussion  Set  by  Albany  Variety 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  23. — Albany 
Variety  Club  will  discuss  at  its  first 
autumn  meeting,  in  September,  the 
contribution  it  will  make  toward  a 
memorial  statue  which  the  Variety 
Clubs  of  America  will  erect  for  the 
late  Father  Flanagan  at  Boys  Town, 
Neb.  Albany  chief  barker  Harry  La- 
mont  has  received  from  the  national 
organization  headquarters  notification 
that  it  plans  an  "enduring  memorial" 
for  the  priest  who  received  Variety's 
"Humanitarian  Award." 


World  Scope  for  'Thumb" 

Hollywood,  Aug.  23.; — In  the  midst 
of  all  the  pessimism  about  the  world 
market  situation  George  Pal  has  an- 
nounced that  "The  Adventures  of  Tom 
Thumb,"  his  forthcoming  Technicolor 
initial  feature  for  United  Artists  re- 
lease, will  get  full  international  atten- 
tion. Film  will  be  given  a  saturation 
servicing  in  14  world-girdling  lan- 
guage versions,  he  said. 


New  Mexican  Film  Firm 

Mexico  City,  Aug.  23. — Fernando 
Soler,  veteran  picture  star,  and  Jaime 
Menache  have  founded  a  film  produc- 
tion company  which  will  start  its  first 
picture  in  October. 


THE  LATEST  WORD  ON  JJQPJ]  C 


66  It  rates  rounds 
of  applause!79 


—  LOUIS  SOBOL 


Tuesday,  August  24,  1948 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY 


5 


WB,  Thackrey  Ask 
FCC  Bar  on  Motion 

Washington,  Aug.  23.— Warners 
and  Dorothy  S.  Thackrey  asked  the 
Federal  Communications  Commission 
today  to  turn  down  a  motion  of  the 
Southern  California  Television  Co.  for 
a  breakdown  of  the  price  Warner 
proposes  to  pay  for  three  Thackrey 
radio  properties  on  the  West  Coast. 
Warner  has  asked  FCC  approval 
ts  acquisition  from  Thackrey  for 
15,000  of  a  standard  broadcasting 
ion  in  San  Francisco,  a  standard 
station  in  Los  Angeles  and  a  television 
construction  permit  in  Los  Angeles. 
Southern  California  said  it  wanted 
a  breakdown  since  it  wanted  to  bid 
'for  the  television  permit. 

Warner  and  Thackrey  said  today  all 
negotiations  had  been  on  an  "all  or 
none"  basis  and  that  they  could  not 
break  down  the  price.  They  declared 
that  Southern  California  had  not  dis- 
closed its  principals,  and  pointed  out 
that  discussions  on  an  "all  or  none" 
basis  had  been  held  with  representa- 
tives of  Ed  Pauley,  assumed  to  be 
the  chief  stockholder  of  Southern 
California. 


New  York  Grosses 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Poll  S.P.G.  Members 
On  Taft-Hartley  Law 

A  referendum  of  the  members  of  the 
Screen  Publicists  Guild  was  held  here 
last  night  on  the  question  of  whether 
the  union's  present  position  of  non- 
compliance with  the  voluntary  provi- 
sions of  the  Taft-Hartley  Law  should 
be  maintained.  Results  will  be  an- 
nounced next  month. 

In  calling  for  the  referendum,  the 
general  executive  board  of  the  United 
Office  and  Professional  Workers  of 
America  declared  that  compliance 
"would  seriously  weaken  our  fight 
with  the  major  companies  to  secure 
salary  and  contract  gains." 


chalked  up  $92,000  Thursday  through 
Sunday,  actually  exceeding  the  take 
over  the  previous  weekend  by  about 
$150. 

"Beyond  Glory"  is  holding  up  well 
at  the  Paramount  where  $70,000  is 
indicated  for  the  third  week.  Peggy 
Lee  and  Ray  Eberle's  orchestra  are 
among  those  on  the  stage.  At  the 
Roxy,  "Walls  of  Jericho"  with  Dick 
Haymes  and  an  ice  revue  took  a 
substantial  $82,000  in  its  final  six 
days,  one  day  short  of  a  full  third 
week.  The  show  bowed  out  last  night 
to  make  way  for  "Lady  in  Ermine" 
which  will  be  accompanied  on  stage 
by  Frances  Langford,  Jon  Hall,  Jerry 
Colonna  and  another  ice  show. 

"Easter  Parade"  continues  as  a 
profitable  tenant  at  the  State.  Business 
is  down  to  $32,000  but  good  for  the 
eighth  week.  "Loves  of  Carmen"  is  to 
follow  on  Sept.  2.  Fifth  and  final 
week  of  "So  Evil  My  Love"  should 
give  the  Rivoli  a  fair  $20,000.  "Velvet 
Touch"  is  next,  bowing  in  tomorrow. 

"Gung  Ho"  and  "Eagle  Squadron," 
reissue  combination,  still  is  great  at 
the  Rialto  which  figures  on  $12,500 
for  a  third  week.  The  show  holds  for 
a  fourth.  "Key  Largo"  is  slipping  but 
still  good  at  $45,000  for  a  sixth  week 
at  the  Strand.  Court  Basie  and  Billie 
Holliday  are  in  person  there. 

"Tap  Roots"  will  make  its  debut 
at  the  Criterion  tomorrow  following 
"Abbott  and  Costello  Meet  Franken- 
stein." The  latter  winds  up  its  fourth 
and  final  week  tonight  with  a  fairish 
$17,000  in  view.  "Mr.  Peabody  and 
the  Mermaid"  is  mild  at  the  Winter 
Garden  with  $15,000  apparent  for  a 
second  week.  "Babe  Ruth  Story"  looks 
like  $20,000,  adequate,  for  a  fourth 
week  at  the  Astor.  "Escape"  probably 
will  give  the  Globe  a  poor  $6,500  in 
its  last  five  days,  second  week.  "The 
Rope"  will  open  there  on  Thursday. 


HOLLOW  TRIUMPH 
BREAKS  6 -YEAR 
BOX-OFFICE  RECORD! 


Study  FCC  Right 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

that  the  Commission  would  be  without 
authority  after  Sept.  1  to  lay  down 
such  rules,  since  the  legal  authoriza- 
tion on  which  the  rules  are  based  was 
transferred  by  the  last  Congress  from 
the  Communications  Act  to  the 
Criminal  Code,  effective  Sept.  1.  Un- 
der the  Criminal  Code,  enforcement 
will  be  up  to  the  Justice  Department, 
not  the  FCC,  Petty  said. 

This  contention  was  immediately 
picked  up  by  a  special  House  com- 
mittee investigating  the  FCC,  and  the 
committee's  counsel  asked  the  FCC 
what  it  proposed  to  do  about  this. 


SPG  To  Ask 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


with  overtime  pay  for  all  hours  be- 
yond seven  in  one  day,  and  improved 
merit-review  machinery. 

Among  the  factors  held  by  SPG  to 
merit  the  increases  is  the  more  diffi- 
cult selling  job  publicists  and  advertis- 
ing men  will  have  in  the  face  of  de- 
clining box-office  revenue,  SPG  says. 
Other  factors  are  the  rise  in  cost  of 
living  and  increased  experience  of 
publicists. 


Louisville  Price  Rise 

Louisville,  Aug.  23.  —  Several 
Louisville  neighborhood  theatres  re- 
cently increased  their  admission  prices 
from  26  cents  for  adults  and  12  cents 
for  children,  to  30  and  15  cents,  re- 
spectively. 


Cutting  Clearance 
In  Salt  Lake  City 

Salt  Lake  City,  Aug.  23/ — Clear- 
ance between  first  and  second-run  situ- 
ations have  been  cut  in  half  by  at  least 
one  distributor  in  the  Salt  Lake  City 
area,  while  others  have  slashed  the 
time  to  some  extent.  RKO  Radio,  20th 
Century-Fox  and  M-G-M  have  reduced 
clearance  between  downtown  and 
neighborhood  houses  and  between  first 
and  second-run  theatres  downtown  by 
at  least  30  days.  Paramount  is  follow- 
ing its  nationwide  policy  of  reducing 
clearances  where  warranted. 

Drive-ins  are  also  receiving  more 
favorable  attention. 


Fix  Deadline 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Justice  because  of  the  job  involved  in 
accumulating  the  extensive  and  de- 
tailed information  required  by  the 
Government.  The  companies  have 
been  feeding  the  information  to  the 
Department  of  Justice  piecemeal. 

Such  questions  as  the  "Big  Five" 
object  to  will  be  argued  in  U.  S.  Dis- 
trict Court  here. 

The  interrogatories  are  an  initial 
move  by  the  Government  to  secure 
vital  data  on  the  theatre  interests  of 
the  defendants  in  the  Paramount  case. 

Hearings  on  the  anti-trust  case  are 
scheduled  to  be  resumed  Oct.  13. 


nil  unffl  • " 


Walsh  Leaves  Warners 

Everett  Walsh,  director  of  Warners 
home  office  art  department,  has  re- 
signed, effective  Sept.  10,  to  free-lance, 
after  three  years  with  the  company. 


EDUARD  FRANZ -LESLIE  BROOKS  •  JOHN  QUALEN 
MABEL  PAIGE  •  HERBERT  RUDLEY 

Produced  by  PAUL  HENREID  •  Directed  by  STEVE  SEKELY 

Screenplay  by  DANIEL  FUCHS  •  Based  Upon  a  Novel  by  MURflAY  FORBES 
An  EAGLE  LION  FILMS  Picture 


"Will 


TWICE  AS  THRILLING 
AS  THE  BOOK  THAT  WON 
A  MILLION  HEARTS! 


*        ,AD  PRODUCTION 
AW.NDSOR"°  -0T« 


Showmen  know 
that  today's 
public  wants 
wholesome 
entertainment 
for  the  entire 
family... 
AND  HERE  IT  IS! 


.  „i  ■'iheJolsonStotY 
Vow  d*covery  °<  ™ew 


jSi  iSsl -*  FRANK  MELFORO 


Based  on  *he 


novel  by  Gene  SUatton  Porter 


It's  a  MONEY  HIT 
from  MONOGRAM! 


■V  T 


MOTI 


DA 


FILE  COPY 


MR.  ERIC  JOHNSTON 
MOTION  PICTURE  ASSOC  OF 
AMERTCA,  OF 

28  IV EST  44TH  ST 
NE»  YORK,  N.  Y." 


21ST 


JL 


 A  64.  NO.  39 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  25,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Yates  Favors 
'Pulling  Out' 
Of  UK  Market 

Holds  1949  Remittances 
Won't  Exceed  $20  Million 

Convinced  that  in  1949  the  U.  S. 
industry  will  not  take  out  of  Britain 
more  than  $20,000,000,  or  25  per 
cent  of  1947  remittances,  Herbert 
J.  Yates,  presi- 
dent of  Repub- 
lic said  yester- 
day that  he 
would  favor  the 
American  indus- 
try's "pulling 
out"  of  the 
British  market 
at  once  in  light 
of  the  recently- 
enacted  45  per 
cent  film  quota 
law. 

Acknowledg- 
ing that  he  did 
not  believe  the 
presidents  of  the 

other  U.  S.  companies  shared  his  un- 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


Herbert  3.  Yates 


Exports  Declined 
In  1st  Half  of  '48 


Washington,  Aug.  24. — Exports  of 
motion  picture  films  and  equipment 
during  the  first  six  months  of  1948 
were  off  considerably  from  the  record 
levels  of  the  first  half  of  1947,  accord- 
ing to  a  report  by  Commerce  Depart- 
ment film  chief  Nathan  D.  Golden. 

Raw  stock  exports  registered  the 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


Johnston  Sees  Rank; 
Visits  U.S.  Embassy 

London,  Aug.  24. — The  din- 
ner meeting  here  last  night 
of  Eric  A.  Johnston,  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  Amer- 
ica president,  and  J.  Arthur 
Rank  was  described  by  both 
parties  today  as  having  re- 
sulted in  discussions  which 
were  extremely  useful  in 
clearing  the  air  on  several 
questions.  However,  no  de- 
tailed statement  was  issued 
by  either. 

Johnston  had  conferences 
today  with  American  Embassy 
officials  here. 


Yates  Says  Republic 
Stock  Not  For  Sale 

Denying  reports  that  po- 
tential buyers  are  making 
specific  attempts  to  acquire 
from  him  the  controlling  in- 
terest in  Republic,  company 
president  Herbert  J.  Yates 
declared  yesterday  that  he 
and  his  family  would  not  sell 
their  holdings  for  $5,000,000, 
a  figure  he  admitted  was  out 
of  all  proportion  to  the  true 
worth  of  the  securities. 

Yates  said  he  has  "no  de- 
sire" to  sell  now  but  that  in 
"two  or  three  years,  when 
prices  are  right,"  he  might 
be  willing  to  sell. 


Will  Rogers  Hospital 
Drive  Starts  Here 


The  industry  drive  to  save  the  Will 
Rogers  Memorial  Hospital  got  under 
way  in  New  York  yesterday  at  a 
luncheon  in  the  Hotel  Astor  at  which 
local  exhibitor  leaders  and  distributor 
spokesmen  pledged  all-out  cooperation 
to  raise  funds  to  keep  the  institution 
alive. 

The  desperate  need  of  financial  sup- 
port to  keep  the  hospital  from  going 
under  was  stressed  by  the  speakers, 
who  included  A.  Montague  of  Colum- 
bia; Hank  Hearn,  operator  of  a  Char- 
lotte booking  and  buying  service  who 
{Continued  on  page  5) 


BUYING  COMBINE 
IS  SUED  BY  SIMPP 


1 ,653 Films  Licensed 
In  State  Last  Year 


Albany,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  24. — A  record- 
breaking  collection  of  $360,180  in  fees 
and  a  total  of  1,781  pictures  reviewed, 
representing  an  increase  of  120  above 
the  previous  year's  total,  was  reported 
today  by  Dr.  Ward  Bowen,  acting  di- 
rector of  the  New  York  State  Edu- 
cation Department's  division  of  motion 
pictures,  which  reviews  and  licenses 
films  for  exhibition  in  the  state. 

Five  films  were  rejected,  elimina- 
tions made  in  123  and  1,653  approved 
in  the  fiscal  year  ended  last  March  31, 
according  to  Dr.  Bowen.  Combined 
footage  of  pictures  reviewed  was  6,- 
845,104,  compared  with  5,966,168  feet 
for  the  1946-47  period,  while  the  num- 
ber of  prints  licensed  was  28,763  dur- 
ing 1947-48,  as  against  30,578  in  the 
previous  year,  he  said.  Fees,  based 
on  footage,  increased  by  $10,420. 

Leading  the  list  of  23  countries  rep- 
resented in  482  foreign  pictures  re- 
viewed was  Mexico  with  135.  France 
was  second  with  52,  England  third 
with  50  and  Italy  fourth  with  47. 


WB  Gives  Up  Lease 
On  Cleveland  Lake 

Cleveland,  Aug.  24. — Negotiations 
to  renew  the  lease  on  the  theatre  hav- 
ing fallen  through,  Warner  Bros, 
bowed  out  of  the  714-seat  Lake  to- 
day after  15  years'  operation.  The 
future  of  the  house  is  undetermined. 


U.  A.  Board  Meet  on 
Hughes'  Pictures 

A  special  meeting  of  the  United 
Artists  board  of  directors  has  been 
called  for  tomorrow  to  consider  a 
proposed  agreement  for  the  relinquish- 
ment by  U.  A.  of  its  distribution  rights 
to  Howard  Hughes'  "The  Outlaw," 
"Vendetta''  and  "Mad  Wednesday,"  in 
return  for  undisclosed  considerations 
from  Hughes  and  RKO  Radio,  which 
would  get  the  distribution  rights. 


"A  Song  Is  Born 


91 


[  Samuel  Goldwyn-RKO  Radio  ]  —  Streamlined  Ball  of  Fire 

THEY  say  it's  entertainment  the  customers  are  wanting  these  days 
— nothing  weighty,  ponderous,  morose  or  overly  mindful  of  the 
manifold  disturbances  of  a  troubled  world.  If  that's  the  case, 
Samuel  Goldwyn  stands  ready  with  this  Danny  Kaye  and  music  laden 
offering  in  Technicolor  to  fill  the  prescription. 

It's  undiluted  entertainment,  practically  guaranteed  not  to  provoke  a 
serious  thought  in  the  entire  113  minutes  of  its  slightly  more  than  ample 
running  time. 

"A  Song  Is  Born"  actually  is  a  streamlined  version,  jazz  style,  of 
Goldwyn's  1941  production  "Ball  of  Fire."  Even  to  the  detail  that 
Howard  Hawks,  director  of  the  first,  also  is  the  director  of  the  picture 
at  hand.  The  story  switch  is  that  the  professorial  research  in  the  ivory 
tower  which  was  so  rudely  interrupted  by  the  worldly  Barbara  Stanwyck 

{Continued  on  page  5) 


M ich.  Cooperative  Linked 
With   United  Detroit 
In  $8,750,000  Action 

Dissolution  of  both  the  Para- 
mount-controlled United  Detroit 
Theatres  and  Cooperative  Theatres 
of  Michigan,  independent  buying- 
booking  combine,  is  demanded  by 
the  Society  of  Independent  Motion 
Picture  Producers  and  several  of  its 
individual  members  in  an  anti-trust 
suit  filed  in  Federal  Court,  Detroit, 
yesterday  which  charges  the  defend- 
ants with  conspiring  to  effect  illegal 
control  over  the  terms  and  conditions 
under  which  product  must  be  licensed 
in  the  Detroit  area. 

The  action  is  claimed  to  be  without 
precedent  in  the  industry  and  through 
it  the  SIMPP  serves  notice  on  other 
circuits  and  combines  throughout  the 
country  that  it  may  not  be  the  last  of 

{Continued  on  page  5) 


AFM  Again  Delays 
Presenting  Terms 

A  third  meeting  of  company  and 
union  representatives  yesterday  still 
failed  to  produce  a  formal  list  of  de- 
mands to  be  made  upon  the  employers 
by  the  American  Federation  of  Musi- 
cians in  negotiations  for  a  new  agree- 
ment covering  studio  instrumentalists. 
Expectations  are  that  the  proposals  of 
the  AFM  will  be  placed  in  the  hands 
of  the  company  spokesmen  at  a  meet- 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


Sees  No  Remittances 
From  U.K.  Until  '49 

London,  Aug.  24.  —  John 
Warren,  accountant  appoint- 
ed by  the  Film  Agreement 
Control  Committee,  is  finding 
it  so  difficult  to  apportion 
the  remittable  proportion  of 
American  earnings  here 
among  the  companies  that  he 
is  unable  to  foresee  the  pos- 
sibility of  any  such  remit- 
tances until  well  into  1949. 

Meanwhile,  discussions  con- 
cerned with  definitions  of  the 
agreement  are  proceeding  be- 
tween American  and  British 
representatives  with  what  is 
described  as  perfect  amiabil- 
ity. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  August  25,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

WILLIAM  F.  RODGERS,  M-G- 
M  distribution  vice-president, 
left  here  last  night  for  Toronto  for 
conferences  with  Henry  L.  Nathan- 
SON,  head  of  M-G-M  Films  of  Can- 
ada. 

• 

Robert  B.  Spafford,  Jr.,  former  U. 
S.  Navy  training  films  supervisor,  has 
joined  RKO  Pathe  here  as  assistant  to 
Phillips  Brooks  Nichols,  manager 
of  the  commercial  and  television  de- 
partment. 

• 

Max  E.  Youngstein,  Eagle-Lion 
advertising  -  publicity  vice  -  president, 
will  visit  the  San  Francisco,  Port- 
land, Seattle  and  Salt  Lake  City  ex- 
changes this  week.  He  is  due  back  in 
New  York  by  the  end  of  the  week. 
• 

William  B.  Zoellner,  M-G-M 
short  subject  sales  head,  left  Los  An- 
geles yesterday  for  Pittsburgh  to  con- 
fer with  John  J.  Maloney,  Central 
sales  manager. 

• 

Ed  Hinchy,  head  of  the  Warner 
home  office  playdate  department,  will 
leave  here  today  for  Washington.. 
• 

Ralph  Cohn,  Pioneer  Pictures 
president,  left  New  York  last  night 
for  the  Coast. 

• 

Gradwell  Sears,  president  of 
United  Artists,  returned  to  New  York 
from  the  Coast  yesterday. 

• 

H.  M.  Bessey,  Altec  executive  vice- 
president,  has  returned  tc  New  York 
from  a  vacation  at  Nova  Scotia. 


'Youth  Staff'  To  Run 
Rivoli  for  a  Day 

As  part  of  its  observance  of  Youth 
Month,  from  Sept.  1  to  30,  the  Rivoli 
Theatre  here  is  to  be  operated  by  a 
"Youth  Theatre  Staff  for  a  Day." 

An  essay  competition  is  to  be  held 
from  which  selections  for  the  complete 
staff  of  to  be  made.  The  competition 
is  open  to  any  boy  or  girl  who  writes 
an  essay  of  100  words  or  less  on 
"How  I  Would  Run  a  Movie  The- 
atre," addressed  to  Montague  Salmon, 
managing  director  of  the  Rivoli. 
Members  of  the  "staff"  will  receive 
"payment"  in  the  form  of  bonds  and 
other  awards. 


Ohio  Governor  Urges 
'Youth  Month9  Aid 

Governor  Thomas  J.  Herbert  of 
Ohio  this  week  sent  a  letter  bearing 
the  "Youth  Month"  stamp  on  its  en- 
velope to  all  exhibitors  in  Ohio  call- 
ing on  their  active  support  for  "Youth 
Month"  in  September,  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  America  reported  here  yester- 
day. 

The  governor  also  called  attention 
to  "Report  for  Action,"  the  documen- 
tary film  financed  by  TOA  as  one  of 
the  steps  in  the  campaign,  and  advised 
its  widespread  showing  to  local  groups 
during  non-theatrical  hours. 


Sopeg  Forces  NLRB 
To  Delay  UA  Poll 

New  York  regional  office  of  the  Na- 
tional Labor  Relations  Board  has 
been  forced  to  cancel,  for  the  time 
being  at  least,  the  shop  election  which 
it  had  previously  scheduled  for  this 
Friday  among  United  Artists'  home 
office  white  collar  workers,  it  was  dis- 
closed here  yesterday  following  a  new 
move  by  the  Screen  Office  and  Pro- 
fessional Employes  Guild  in  its  three- 
month-old  jurisdictional  controversy 
with  IATSE  Home  Office  Employes 
Local  No.  H-63. 

The  SOPEG  action  causing  cancel- 
lation of  the  election,  which  was  ar- 
ranged to  give  some  ISO  "collarites" 
the  opportunity  to  vote  whether  they 
want  to  be  represented  by  H-63  or 
"no  union,"  was  an  appeal  to  the 
NLRB  in  Washington  to  overrule  re- 
gional NLRB  director  Charles  T. 
Douds'  ruling  disqualifying  UA  em- 
ploye Cecilia  Schuman  as  a  candidate 
on  the  ballot.  Douds  had  held  that 
Miss  Schuman,  in  seeking  ballot  rec- 
ognition, was  acting  in  behalf  of 
SOPEG,  which  cannot  appear  on  the 
ballot  because  it  has  not  complied 
with  the  non-Communist  affidavit  pro- 
visions of  the  Taft-Hartley  Law. 

SOPEG's  complaint  against  Douds 
must  be  ruled  on  by  the  NLRB  in  a 
judicial  capacity  at  Washington,  it 
was  explained.  H-63  spokesmen  were 
known  to  have  feared  "another  de- 
laying move"  by  SOPEG,  and  actu- 
ally had  looked  for  it  in  the  form  of 
an  application  for  a  court  injunction 
against  the  holding  of  the  election. 
Commenting  on  the  latest  SOPEG 
move,  Russell  Moss,  H-63  business 
agent,  observed  yesterday :  "For  an 
outfit  that  claims  to  hate  the  Taft- 
Hartley  Law  so  much,  SOPEG  cer- 
tainly has  used  every  'out'  it  could 
find  in  the  act  to  prevent  a  decent, 
democratic  election  among  the  em- 
ployes of  UA." 


H-63,  Pathe  Industries  Begin 
New  Contract  Talks  Today 

Wage  increases,  shorter  hours  and 
improved  working  conditions  will  be 
sought  for  Pathe  Industries  white  col- 
lar employes  at  Bound  Brook,  N.  J., 
and  New  York  by  IATSE  Motion 
Picture  Home  Office  Employes  Local 
No.  H-63  in  new  contract  negotiations 
which  will  begin  with  company  offi- 
cials today,  it  was  disclosed  here  yes- 
terday by  Russell  Moss,  H-63  busi- 
ness agent.  Moss  will  head  the  H-63 
negotiations  contingent  and  Nick  Tro- 
nolone,  Pathe  Laboratories  vice-presi- 
dent, will  head  the  company  group. 


Poll  Sopeg  Members 

On  New  Contract  Tonight 

The  membership  of  the  Screen  Of- 
fice and  Professional  Employes  Guild 
will  vote  here  tonight  on  new  con- 
tract demands  and  also  on  the  ques- 
tion of  whether  the  union's  present 
position  of  non-compliance  with  the 
voluntary  provisions  of  the  Taft-Hart- 
ley Law  should  be  continued. 

One  of  the  main  contract  issues  to 
be  voted  upon  is  whether  demands 
should  be  for  20  or  25  per  cent  in- 
creases. Other  issues  to  be  polled 
cover  merit  reviews,  job  classifications 
and  grievance  machinery. 


J.  F.  Chalmers  Dead; 
M. P.  World  Publisher 

Greenwich,  Conn.,  Aug.  24. 
— John  F.  Chalmers,  for  many 
years  publisher  of  the  Mov- 
ing Picture  World,  prior  to 
its  merger  with  Exhibitors 
Herald  in  1928,  died  here  Aug. 
20  after  a  six  months'  illness. 
He  was  79  years  old.  Private 
funeral  services  were  held 
yesterday.  Interment  was  at 
Kensico  Cemetery,  Valhalla, 
N.  Y. 

The  Moving  Picture  World 
was  founded  by  the  deceased's 
brother,  the  late  James  P. 
Chalmers,  Jr.,  in  1907. 


Winners  in  Second 
Lap  of  U-I  Drive 

M.  M.  Gottlieb  of  Chicago  topped 
district  managers  in  the  second  round 
of  the  Universal-International  Presi- 
dential Sales  Drive.  Eugene  Vogel, 
Albany,  led  branch  managers  in  the 
East ;  Irving  Sochin,  Cincinnati,  in  the 
South ;  L.  R.  Berman,  Chicago,  in 
the  West. 

Winning  salesmen  were  Arthur 
Rose,  Buffalo,  in  the  Eastern  divi- 
sion ;  Harry  Hynes,  Jr.,  St.  Louis, 
in  the  South;  Ted  Reisch,  Chicago, 
in  the  West. 

SPG  Members  Reject 
T-H  Law  Compliance 

The  membership  of  the  Screen  Pub- 
licists Guild  has  voted  125  to  44 
against  complying  with  the  voluntary 
provisions  of  the  Taft-Hartley  Law,  it 
was  announced  here  yesterday.  The 
vote  was  part  of  a  national  referendum 
now  being  conducted  by  the  United 
Office  and  Professional  Workers  of 
America. 


AFM  Delays 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ing  this  afternoon  at  the  New  York 
headquarters  of  the  union. 

Most  of  the  time  since  the  start  of 
negotiations  a  week  ago  is  understood 
to  have  been  devoted  to  a  discussion  of 
living  problems  faced  by  Coast  musi- 
cians. These  discussions  have  been 
spearheaded  by  James  C.  Petrillo, 
AFM  president. 

Doubt  as  to  legality  of  certain  AFM 
demands  under  the  Taft-Hartley  law 
is  suggested  as  a  possible  reason  for 
Petrillo's  delay  in  presenting  his  pro- 
posals to  the  companies. 


Moss  Name  Changed 

Albany,  N.  Y,  Aug.  24.— The  Paul 
F.  Moss  Associates,  Inc.,  New  York, 
has  changed  its  corporate  name  to 
International  Tele-film  Productions. 
Howard  E.  Reinhammer  was  the 
attorney. 


Another  Video  Applicant 

Detroit,  Aug.  24. — The  Grandwood 
Broadcasting  Co.  has  applied  to  the 
Federal  Communications  Commission 
for  permission  to  establish  a  commer- 
I  cial  television  station  in  Grand  Rapids. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


THE  recall  of  Consul  General  Lo- 
makin  and  the  arrival  of  Axis 
Sally  mark  current  newsreel  high- 
lights. Human  interest  stories  and 
sports  are  among  the  other  items  that 
round  out  the  reels.  Complete  con- 
tents follow. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  68— Tregrn 

trials  face  Axis  Sally  and  Tokyo 
U.  S.  demands  recall  of  Lomakin  in  iV.i' 
er  case.  Australia  supports  U.N.  appeal 
to  aid  orphans.  Invasion  tactics  shown  in 
landing  on  Virginia  coast.  Football:  pro- 
fessional Chicago  Cardinals  defeat  college 
All-Stars.  U.  S.  defeats  France  in  swim 
meet.  Expert  maneuvers  displayed  in  sail- 
ing regatta. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  302 — De- 
fense chiefs  meet.  TJ.  S.  takes  stern  ac- 
tion in  case  of  Red  teacher.  Treason  trials 
for  Axis  Sally  and  Tokyo  Rose.  China 
sets  up  Boys'  Town.  Fur  fashions  pre- 
view.    Sports  thrills. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  105— Mid- 
dies, cadets  in  amphibious  test.  Cologne 
Cathedral  reopens  for  70Oth  anniversary. 
Secretary  Forrestal  talks  defense.  Axis 
Sally  arrives.  Grid  preview.  Seattle  sail 
classic. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  172 — Joint 
chiefs  of  staffs  in  hush-hush  meeting.  Re- 
call of  Russian  Consul  General  demanded. 
Axis  Sally  arrives  here.  Outstanding 
daughters  chosen.  Miss  Canada  crowned. 
Fall  fur  fashions.  All-Star  football  game. 
Motorcycle  hill  climb.  Rodeo. 

WARNER    PATHE   NEWS,    No.  3— 

Army-Navy  war  games.  People  in  the 
news:  U.  S.  top  brass;  Arab  commander; 
Tokyo  Rose;  Axis  Sally;  Miss  Canada. 
German  crowds  protest  prices.  Shanghai 
Boys'  Town.  Fur  fashions  for  '49.  Sports: 
All-Star  game;  Paris  swim  meet. 


NBC  to  Open  Midwest 
Video  Web  Sept.  20 

Detroit,  Aug.  24. — National  Broad- 
casting Midwest  Television  network, 
comprising  Station  WWJ-TV,  The 
Detroit  News,  and  four  other  televi- 
vision  stations,  will  begin  regular  pro- 
gram operations  Sept.  20,  I.  E.  Show- 
erman,  NBC  vice-president,  announced 
today. 

1  In  addition  to  WWJ-TV,  the  orig- 
inal members  of  the  Midwest  network 
will  be  KSD-TV.  St.  Louis ;  WTMJ- 
TV,  Milwaukee ;  WSFD-TV,  Toledo, 
and  WBEN-TV,  Buffalo. 

Para.  Wins  Grant  of 
Video  Relay  at  L.  A. 

Washington,  Aug.  24. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  to- 
day granted  Paramount  Television 
Productions,  Inc.,  a  license  and  con- 
struction permit  for  a  new  experimen- 
tal television  relay  broadcast  station 
in  the  Los  Angeles  area.  The  relay 
station  will  be  used  in  connection 
with  Paramount's  Los  Angeles  video 
station. 


Two  Cited  Win  Delay 

Washington,  Aug.  24. — -The  U.  S. 
Court  of  Appeals  has  given  attorneys 
for  film  writers  Dalton  Trumbo  and 
John  Howard  Lawson  until  Sept.  30 
to  file  their  briefs  appealing  the  writ- 
ers' conviction  in  District  Court  here 
for  contempt  of  Congress.  Defense 
lawyers  had  asked  an  extra  30  days. 
This  gives  the  Government  until  Oct. 
30  to  file  its  answering  brief. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Qaigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


CASTER  / 
PARADE 

Tech nicolor  ( 


10  THB  Bid  vmV 

Yes,  it's  really  wonderful  the  way  M-G-Ms  "A  DATE  WITH  JUDY"  is 
coming  along  in  the  "Easter  Parade"  manner  in  all  its  first  engagements.  The 
phenomenal  run  at  Radio  City  Music  Hall,  where  its  FIRST  2  WEEKS  ARE 
A  NEW  ALL-TIME  M-G-M  HIGH,  parallels  its  rousing  nationwide  box- 
office  reception.  Have  you  had  your  Vitamin  M-G-M  today? 

M-G-M  presents  "A  DATE  WITH  JUDY'"  starring  WALLACE  BEERY,  JANE  POWELL,  ELIZABETH 
TAYLOR,  CARMEN  MIRANDA,  XAVIER  CUGAT  and  his  Orchestra,  ROBERT 'STACK  •  Color  by 
TECHNICOLOR  •  Screen  Play  by  Dorothy  Cooper  and  Dorothy  Kingsley  •  Based  on  the  Characters 
Created  by  Aleen  Leslie  •  Directed  by  RICHARD  THORPE  •  Produced  by  JOE  PASTERNAK. 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  August  25,  1948 


'Hamlet'  To  Open  at 
Park  Ave.  on  Sept.  29 

Basing  its  decision  on  the 
"tremendous"  business  being 
done  by  J.  Arthur  Rank's 
"Hamlet"  in  Boston,  Univer- 
sal-International has  set  the 
release  for  a  roadshow  en- 
gagement at  the  Park  Avenue 
Theatre  here  beginning  Sept. 
29,  William  A.  Scully,  U-I  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  an- 
nounced here  yesterday. 

Earlier,  Scully  indicated  the 
company  would  set  its  policy 
on  the  film  after  the  Boston 
opening. 


Reviews 


Yates  on  UK 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


qualifiedly  "get  tough"  attitude,  Yates 
expressed  the  opinion  that  within  the 
"next  week  or  10  daysT  the  Motion 
Picture  Association  "will  toss  a 
'bomb'  at  the  British"  in  the  form  of 
a  declaration  by  MPAA  president 
Eric  A.  Johnston,  who  is  now  con- 
ferring with  UK  officials  in  London. 

Yates,  who  late  last  week  returned 
from  a  nine-week  tour  of  England, 
France  and  Italy,  emphasized  that 
"something  has  got  to  be  done,"  and 
complained  that  the  presidents  of  the 
American  film  companies  "just  can't 
sit  back  here  and  disagree."  He  de- 
scribed as  "disastrous"  to  U.  S.  films 
the  foreseeable  results  of  the  British 
quota  and  an  alleged  plan  of  J.  Ar- 
thur Rank  and  the  British  government 
to  relegate  U.  S.  product,  regardless 
of  quality,  to  the  under  half  of  double 
bills  and  to  only  20  per  cent  of  the 
profits. 

Ninety  per  cent  of  British  film- 
goers,  Yates  held,  prefer  American,  to 
British  pictures.  So  do  Britain's  ex- 
hibitors, he  added,  excepting  Rank. 
"It  is  unfortunate,"  he  deplored,  "that 
we  don't  have  the  U.  S.  Government 
back  of  us,  and  that  therefore  it  is  the 
U.  S.  industry  pitted  against  the  Brit- 
ish government."  Eventually,  Yates 
predicted,  the  British  government  will 
be  in  control  of  industry  finances  in 
that  country  and  then  there  will  have 
been  brought  about  nationalization  of 
the  film  industry  there. 

"We  had  them  licked  last  time," 
Yates  said,  referring  to  the  U.  S.  com- 
panies' embargo  of  the  British  market 
following  the  imposition  of  the  British 


"The  Secret  Land" 

(MGM)  Hollywood,  Aug.  24 

ALTHOUGHT  theatrical  potentialities  of  this  historically  important  docu- 
mentary in  Technicolor  are  open  to  conjecture,  it  is  unquestionably  a  fine 
pictorial  record  of  Admiral  Richard  E.  Byrd's  1946-47  exploration  of 
Antarctica.  And  the  fact  that  Robert  Montgomery,  Robert  Taylor  and  Van 
Heflin  speak,  unseen,  the  narrative  which  accompanies  and  explains  the  action 
filmed  by  Navy,  Marine  Corps,  Army  and  Coast  Guard  cameramen  on  the 
expedition  doubtless  warrants  appropriate  use  of  those  names  by  exhibitors 
in  billing  the  attraction.  Cooperative  exploitation  with  schools,  veteran 
organizations  and  civic  groups,  as  well  as  local  newspapers,  also  may  be 
utilized  without  fear  of  disappointing  the  thus  interested  parties. 

The  Byrd  expedition  is  covered  photographically,  and  in  careful  detail, 
from  the  date  of  its  authorization  by  Secretary  Forrestal  to  completion  of  the 
mission.  The  outfitting  of  the  ships,  their  voyages  to  the  three  points  of 
convergence  upon  Antarctica,  the  triumphs  over  iceberg,  polar,  gale  and  frigid 
temperature,  and  the  exploits  of  the  planes  which  carried  on  from  where  the 
ships  left  off,  are  vividly  and  sometimes  dramatically  shown.  For  a  strictly 
factual  film,  it  works  up  remarkable  interest. 

Orville  O.  Dull  is  given  the  production  credit,  and  the  commentary  was 
written  by  Capt.  Harvey  S.  Haislip,  U.S.N.,  retired,  and  Comdr.  William 
C.  Park,  U.S.N.R.  Bronislau  Kaper  provided  the  music  score. 

Running  time,  72  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date 
not  set.  William  R.  Weaver 


'Night  Wind" 


(lVurtzel-20th  Century-Fox) 

THE  LATEST  vehicle  from  Sol  M.  Wurtzel  chronicles  the  efforts  of  an 
ex-paratroop  dog  to  avenge  the  murder  of  its  master  by  a  wartime  spy 
who  posed  as  a  brother  soldier.  The  film  is  tailored  along  formula  lines,  but 
stirs  up  sufficient  action  and  excitement  to  make  it  especially  attractive  for 
the  juvenile  trade. 

Returned  from  the  wars,  the  dog  finds  a  new  master  in  young  Gary  Gray, 
and  lives  contentedly  in  the  country.  One  day,  however,  the  dog  picks  up  the 
scent  of  the  enemy  agent  who  killed  its  previous  master.  There  follow  some 
night  forays  by  the  animal  which  result  in  it  being  branded  a  killer  by  the 
community,  and  a  consequent  posse  set  on  its  trail.  The  dog  is  finally  captured 
and  is  about  to  be  shot  when  a  nick-of-time  occurrence  reveals  the  true  pur- 
pose of  its  nocturnal  prowls. 

As  an  added  bit  of  melodrama,  the  routine  screenplay  by  Arnold  Belgard 
and  Robert  G.  North  tosses  in  an  angle  about  former  enemy  intelligence 
officers  snooping  about  one  of  our  rocket  plants  with  no  good  in  mind.  For 
sentimental  touches,  Deanna  Woodruff  is  on  hand  as  Gary's  younger  sister ; 
the  boy's  parents  are  portrayed  by  Virginia  Christine  and  Charles  Russell ; 
the  canine  chores  are  held  up  by  Flame.  James  Tinling's  direction  contrives 
to  keep  things  moving  steadily. 

Running  time,  68  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Set  for  October 
release.  Mandel  Herbstman 


ad  valorem  tax.  "If  we  had  only  held 
out  four  months  longer,"  he  added, 
"we  really  would  have  had  them  where 
we  wanted  them." 

He  forecast  that  no  matter  what 
steps  the  U.  S.  industry  takes  now  to 
improve  its  position  in  England,  the 
British  government  will  hold  out  and 
fight  back  for  a  long  time.  "Britain 
is  in  too  deep  not  to  retaliate,"  he 
said. 

Republic  distributes  in  Britain 
through  British-Lion,  hence  has  no 
overhead  there,  Yates  pointed  out  in 
admitting  that  his  company's  experi- 
ence in  Britain  has  not  been  as  severe 
as  those  of  other  U.  S.  distributors. 
He  said  he  disagrees  with  Sir  Alex- 
ander Korda's  statements  that  U.  S. 
distributors  are  involved  to  a  degree 
in  the  boycott  of  British  films  here. 

He  said  Republic  plans  to  open  dis- 
tribution offices  in  Paris  and  Rome  by 
the  first  of  next  year  and  will  use 
blocked  funds  for  the  purpose. 


Republic  Will  Make 
50  Pictures  in  1949 

Republic  will  produce  50  pictures 
next  year,  the  same  number  as  this 
year,  Herbert  J.  Yates,  company 
president,  said  yesterday.  Twenty- 
two  of  next  year's  total  will  be  West- 
erns and  four  will  be  serials.  Twenty 
of  the  SO  will  be  filmed  in  Trucolor, 
Yates  predicted.  He  also  said  Republic 
will  start  producing  films  for  television 
shortly. 


FP-C  Buys  Drive-ins 

Toronto,  Aug.  24. — Acquisition  of 
the  two  drive-in,  theatres  in  the  To- 
ronto area  from  Herb  Ochs  of  Tri- 
angle Theatres,  Cleveland,  by  Famous 
Players-Canadian  places  the  Canadian 
circuit  in  the  open-air  theatre  business. 
Ochs  recently  opened  other  drive-ins 
near  Ottawa  and  at  Peterborough. 


New  Delancey  Sold 

Joseph  Schapiro  and  Morris  Gold- 
man have  leased  from  Lanroc  Oper- 
ating Corp.  the  1,800-seat  New  Delan- 
cey Theatre  here,  it  is  reported  by 
Berk  and  Krumgold,  realty  special- 
ists, who  consummated  the  deal. 


Short 
Subject 


"Glamour  Street" 

(This  Is  America — RKO  Radio) 

Picturesque,  fashionable,  glamorous 
Fifth  Avenue  in  New  York,  a  thor- 
oughfare whose  fame  exceeds  that  of 
Paris'  Champs  Elysee,  is  the  sub^gt 
of  this  entertaining,  enlightening  '  ^  ; 
Is  America  short.  New  Yorkers  "as 
well  as  audiences  in  other  parts  of  the 
country  should  delight  in  viewing  the 
mansions,  decorous  mercantile  estab- 
lishments, Radio  City,  Washington 
Square,  Central  Park  and  other 
scenes,  including  historic  parades, 
which  are  a  part  of  this  street  that 
divides  the  East  Side  of  town  from  the 
West. 

Topping  off  this  eye-treat  is  an  ef- 
fective narration  that  throws  consider- 
able light  on  the  historic  and  business 
factors  which  have  made  the  avenue 
what  it  is.    Running  time,  16  minutes. 


French  Film  Is  (B' 
As  Legion  Rates  4 

Discina  International's  "The  Damned" 
(French)  has  been  placed  in  Class  B 
by  the  National  Legion  of  Decency  in 
its  rating  of  four  pictures  this  week. 
Paramount's  "Isn't  It  Romantic?"  and 
M-G-M's  "A  Southern  Yankee"  were 
classified  A-I,  while  Columbia's  "The 
Gentleman  from  Nowhere"  was  rated 
A-II. 


Exports  Declined 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

largest  drop,  amounting  to  194,570,637 
linear  feet  valued  at  $3,374,642  for  the 
January-June  period  this  year,  com- 
pared with  257,270,358  linear  feet 
valued  at  $3,748,890  during  the  like 
1947  period. 

Shipments  of  exposed  feature  films 
totaled  153,774,676  linear  feet,  valued 
at  $4,389,103,  in  the  first  six  months 
this  year,  compared  with  160,435,301 
linear  feet  valued  at  $4,261,264  last 
year.  Equipment  exports  dropped 
from  $7,764,717  last  year  to  $7,001,325 
this  year. 

A  sharp  drop  in  exports  of  35mm. 
positive  raw  stock  accounted  for  most 
of  the  decline  in  the  rawstock  cate- 
gory. The  35mm.  positive  shipments 
dropped  to  124,661,251  linear  feet 
valued  at  $1,593,894,  in  the  1948  first 
half  from  190,865,453  linear  feet  valued 
at  $2,047,278  in  the  1947  period.  Ex- 
ports of  35mm.  negative  rawstock 
were  practically  unchanged,  and  small 
gains  were  recorded  in  the  exports  of 
l6mm.  positive  and  negative  unexposed 
film. 


New  York  Representative,  44  Wall  St. 
Foreign  Branches: 
London,  Manila,  and  Tokyo 


ISank  of 
America 

NATIONAL  JmmngS  ASSOCIATION 

California's  Statewide'Bank 


Wis 
BANK  OF  THE 
MOTION  PICTURE 
INDUSTRY  A 


MEMBER  f.O.I.C. 


Wednesday,  August  25,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Combine  Sued 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


such  proceedings,  according  to  Robert 
J.  Rubin,  general  counsel  of  the 
society. 

"The  society  is  exercising  external 
vigilance  as  to  other  tight  conditions 
and  reserves  and  intends  to  exercise 
the  right  to  take  similar  action,"  he 
seated  here  yesterday. 
r~_Vnultaneous  with  the  filing  of  the 
c  plaint  in  Detroit,  copies  were 
made  available  to  the  press  in  New 
York  and  Hollywood.  In  New  York, 
Rubin  conducted  a  press  conference  on 
the  subject  in  company  of  James  Mul- 
vey,  Eastern  distribution  chairman  of 
the  SIMPP,  and  Joseph  Alvin,  direc- 
tor of  public  relations. 

Hudson,  Sharkey  Named 

Combined  treble  damages  of  $8,- 
750,000  are  asked.  Also  named  as 
defendants  are  Earl  J.  Hudson,  head 
of  United  Detroit,  and  James  F.  Shar- 
key, manager  of  Cooperative  Theatres 
of  Michigan. 

Joined  with  the  society  as  plaintiffs 
are  the  companies  of  Walt  Disney, 
Samuel  Goldwyn,  Benedict  Bogeaus, 
Seymour  Nebenzal,  Edward  Small, 
Hunt  Stromberg,  David  O.  Selznick, 
William  and  James  Cagney  and  Wal- 
ter Wanger. 

United  and  Cooperative  are  accused 
of  determining  among  themselves  the 
terms  and  conditions  under  which  they 
will  license  product  and  are  alleged 
to  agree  that  neither  will  compete 
against  the  other  to  raise  the  rental. 

The  basis  of  the  complaint  is  an  al- 
leged agreement  between  the  defend- 
ants in  violation  of  the  Sherman  and 
Clayton  Acts  under  which  United  ac- 
quired the  best  first-run  houses  in  the 
Detroit  area ;  United  allegedly  obtains 
first-run  product  on  a  non-competitive 


FIVE -STAR 

DC-6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

3%  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •   Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


PUZZLE-BANK 


A  game  to  be  played 
by   theater  audiences 

Enterprise  House,  Inc.,  198  Broadway 
New  York   City  DIgby  9-1278 


"A  Song  Is  Born  r 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


in  the  first,  had  to  do  with  the  compilation  of  an  encyclopedic  history  of 
American  slang,  whereas  in  this  offering,  it  is  Virginia  Mayo  who  sidetracks 
a  history  of  music. 

In  his  pursuit  of  the  lowdown  on  jazz  and  its  modern  offshoots,  the 
professorial  Kaye  comes  upon  such  exponents  of  tricky  rhythms  as  Benny 
Goodman,  Tommy  Dorsey,  Louis  Armstrong,  Lionel  Hampton,  Charlie  Barnet, 
Mel  Powell,  Buck  &  Bubbles,  the  Page  Cavanaugh  Trio,  the  Golden  Gate 
Quartet  and  Russo  and  the  Samba  Kings. 

He  also  comes  upon  Miss  Mayo,  night  club  singer,  who  happens  to  be 
dodging  the  cops  who  want  to  question  her  in  connection  with  a  gangland 
murder  of  which  her  boy  friend  is  suspected.  She  uses  the  professorial  study 
house  as  a  hideout  and  completely  captivates  Kaye  to  ensure  her  being  per- 
mitted to  remain  there. 

Her  duplicity  is  uncovered  when  Steve  Cochran,  as  the  suspected  murderer, 
attempts  to  marry  her  because-  a  wife  can't  be  made  to  testify  against  her 
husband.  By  then,  Miss  Mayo  is  genuinely  in  love  with  Kaye  and  considerable 
farcical  melodramatics  are  required  to  bring  the  two  together  despite  gangland 
guns. 

KAYE,  bereft  of  his  familiar  zany  dancing  and  singing  specialties,  plays 
the  guileless  professor  in  a  way  that  may  make  the  changeover  popular 
with  those  who  were  about  sated  with  his  earlier  roles.  It  is  quite  a  departure, 
too,  from  the  way  Gary  Cooper  played  the  same  role  in  "Ball  of  Fire." 

Miss  Mayo  is  excellent  as  the  night  club  singer  and  supporting  roles  are 
ably  filled  by  Hugh  Herbert,  J.  Edward  Bromberg,  Ludwig  Stossel,  Felix 
Bressart,  O.  Z.  Whitehead  and  Esther  Dale.  The  music  and  songs  are  top 
notch  and  sure  to  account  for  a  big  boost  to  ticket  sales.  The  picture  is  replete 
with  exploitation  possibilities.  It  may  even  be  banned  in  Memphis. 

The  Technicolor  points  up  the  rich  production,  traditional  with  Goldwyn. 
Thomas  Monroe  and  Billy  Wilder  get  the  story  credit. 

Fault  may  be  found  with  several  sequences  toward  the  ending  which  tend 
to  lag.  It  may  also  be  regretted  that  several  lines  and  situations  are  not  what 
parents  would  order  for  all  the  teen-agers  who  will  be  drawn  by  the  picture's 
musical  bait. 

Running  time,  113  minutes.  Adult  classification,  Release  date,  Nov.  6. 

Sherwin  Kane 


basis;  United  and  Cooperative  control 
95  per  cent  of  the  principal  subsequent 
theatres  in  the  area;  United  and  Co- 
operative "combine  and  pool  their  li- 
censing power  and  consult,  collaborate 
and  act  in  concert  in  the  negotiation 
for  the  licensing  of  motion  pictures  to 
be  shown  in  their  theatres." 

By  these  alleged  restraints  of  trade 
the  independent  producers  assert  that 
they  have  been  deprived  of  their 
rightful  share  of  domestic  returns. 

They  charge  further  that  as  a  result 
of  the  alleged  agreement  on  combined 
booking  power,  the  two  defendants  can 
oppose  any  licensing  deal  not  agree- 
able to  them  and  can  compel  distribu- 
tors to  accept  flat  rather  than  per- 
centage licensing  contracts. 

It  is  alleged  that  double-feature 
programs,  predominant  in  the  Detroit 
area,  are  played  off  in  United  Detroit 
houses  in  the  same  manner  as  in  Co- 
operative houses.  The  result  is  that 
in  Detroit's  64  subsequent  runs  only 
four  different  programs  are  offered  to 
the  public,  according  to  the  plaintiffs. 

It  is  charged,  moreover,  that  while 
clearance  between  first  and  second  run 
is  generally  held  to  four  to  six  weeks 
there  have  been  instances  where  the 
second  run  followed  the  first  by  as 
much  as  eight  months.  Such  a 
maneuver  was  described  as  one  to  en- 
able the  defendants  to  get  licensing 
terms  which  they  dictated. 

Say  United  Controls  1st  Runs 

The  independents  charge  that  Unit- 
ed Detroit  controls  the  first-run  situa- 
tion in  downtown  Detroit  so  thorough- 
ly that  the  distributors  of  independent 
pictures  cannot  deal  with  other  first- 
run  houses  without  obtaining  specific 
permission  from  the  management  of 
United.  Distributors  who  attempt  to 
license  pictures  outside  the  United 
first-runs  are  met  with  reprisals  from 
both  United  and  Cooperative  in  the 
form  of  less  advantageous  deals  in 
subsequent  engagements  of  the  prod- 
uct, the  society  charges. 

The  SIMPP  charges  that  Michigan 


Cooperative  caused  separate  member 
theatres  to  surrender  their  rights  to 
negotiate  for  pictures  and  states  that 
Cooperative  holds  options  to  purchase 
the._  theatres  of  members  desirous  of 
selling. 

The  plaintiffs  declare  that  United 
Detroit  operates  16  theatres  in  the  De- 
troit area,  four  of  them  first-runs,  and 
aver  that  the  circuit  is  75  per  cent- 
owned  and  fully  controlled  by  Para- 
mount. The  plaintiffs  declare  that 
Cooperative  comprises  130  houses  in 
the  Detroit  area. 

The  defendants  ask : 

Ask  Receivership,  Dissolution 

An  injunction  restraining  the  de- 
fendants from  further  monopolistic 
practices ;  receivership  for  United  De- 
troit and  sale  of  the  theatres  to  inde- 
pendent exhibitors ;  dissolution  of 
Michigan  Cooperative  and  treble  dam- 
ages said  to  have  been  incurred  as 
follows : 

Goldwvn  Productions,  $1,521,000; 
Disney,  $974,220;  Selznick,  $836,817; 


Flat  Rental  for 
Crescent  Prexy 

Nashville,  Aug.  24.  —  R.  E. 
(Elmer)  Baulch,  president  of 
the  Crescent  Amusement  Co., 
chalked  up  a  new  experience 
as  a  theatre  operator  when 
he  was  called  upon  to  change 
a  flat  tire  for  two  women 
patrons  of  his  company's  new 
Murfreesboro  drive-in.  There 
was  no  other  theatre  hand 
around  at  the  time. 


Will  Rogers  Hospital 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


was  a  patient  at  the  hospital;  Jack 
Ellis  of  United  Artists  and  Clarence 
Eiseman,  president  of  the  Film  Board 
of  Trade,  who  heads  the  industry  drive 
in  New  York.  Eiseman  served  as 
toastmaster. 

Montague  said  that  the  business  has 
a  duty  to  save  the  hospital  because 
''it  is  an  institution  that  belongs  to  the 
industry."  The  Columbia  distribution 
chief  added  that  "we  must  not  risk 
losing  the  one  institution  that  belongs 
to  us." 

Montague  said  that  the  success  of 
the  drive  must  be  established  by  No- 
vember if  the  industry  hopes  to  have 
the  hospital  continue  as  an  institution 
ministering  to 'the  tubercular  in  show 
business  in  need  of  treatment.  He 
indicated  that  the  prestige  of  the  in- 
dustry was  at  stake  in  the  drive  to 
make  the  hospital  financially  solvent. 

In  pleading  for  financial  support  for 
the  hospital  Hearn  described  his  ex- 
periences as  a  patient  there.  Ellis 
warned  that  should  the  hospital  be 
allowed  to  cease  operation  because  of 
lack  of  financial  support,  "it  will  be 
to  our  everlasting  discredit." 

Herman  Gelber,  president  of  IATSE 
Local  306,  operators,  pledged  the  drive 
the  full  cooperation  of  the  union. 

On  the  dais  in  addition  to  the  speak- 
ers were  Herman  Robbins,  Charles  M. 
Reagan,  Ed  Morey,  Edmund  C.  Grain- 
ger, Harold  Rodner,  Robert  Mochrie, 
William  Scully,  Gus  Eyssell,  William 
F.  Rodgers,  James  R.  Grainger. 


Bogeaus,  §808,896 ;  Cagney,  $704,748 
Wanger,  $637,500;    Small,  $746,844 
Reliance  Pictures  (Small),  $375,000 
Empire     Productions  (Stromberg) 
$695,880;  Mars  Film  Corp.  (Strom- 
berg),  $403,443;    Oakmont  Pictures 
( Stromberg) ,    $332,968  ;  SIMPP, 
$724,500. 


THE  LATEST  WORD  ON 


ROPE: 


It's  a  Magnificent 


Thriller!"  _ 


PHOTOPLAY 


Timelg  As  To  dag's  Headlines! 


AccicUmed 

HOLLYWOOD  REPORTER 

Quote:  "Arpi-FUm    Classics  up 
with  a  winner  'SOFIA''  strong  spy 
melodrama — Balkan  intrigue." 
• 

VARIETY . . . 

Quote:  "Enterprising  exhibs  can 
make  hay  with  'SOFIA'!" 

FILM  DAILY  . . . 

Quote:  "Should  bolster  box  office 
potential.  Rates  in  the  top  bracket! 
Cinecolor  at  best!" 

MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY  f)i 

Quote:   "F.C.    Makes  impressive 
show  of  strength!" 


nnauncitt 

t  STARTLING 
NEW  PICTURE! 


ILMED  ON  A  TREMENDOUS  SCALE  IN  COLO 
BY  CINECOLOR  .  .  .  AND  SPARING  NOTHING  IN  TH 
FURY  OF  ITS  TELLING—HERE  IS  THE  REMARKABLE 
STORY  OF  A  CITY  OF  SPIES  AND  SABOTAGE,  OF 
BEAUTIFUL  WOMEN  AND  RUTHLESS  MEN  .  .  .  THE 
STORY  THAT  RIPS  THE  CURTAIN  FROM  THE  EX 
PLOSIVE    SECRETS    HIDDEN    DEEP    IN  TODAY'S 
POWDER  KEG  OF  EUROPE! 


geneRAYMOND  sigridGUME 

Patricia  MORISON  •  Mischa  AUER  •  John  WENGRAF 

^JohnREINHAROT^f6"  RobertPRESNELL.sr.  -  John  REINHARDT 

Scwu,!,  FREDERICK  STEPHANI 
£e«*w 4,  Film  Classics",  Inc". 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICTURE, 

DAI  LY 


FIRST 
OVs1N 
FILM 
NEWS 


64.  NO.  40 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  AUGUST  26,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Ascap  Decides 
To  Appeal  on 
Trust  Ruling 

First  Will  Seek  To  Have 
Some  of  Language  Eased 


Ascap  has  reached  a  definite  de- 
cision to  appeal  the  Federal  Court 
ruling  holding  the  society  guilty  of 
violating  the  anti-trust  statutes,  it 
was  learned  here  yesterday. 

Before  the  fight  is  taken  to  the  U.  S. 
Circuit  Court  of  Appeals,  however, 
Ascap  will  seek  to  have  Robert  P. 
Patterson,  former  Secretary  of  War 
serving  as  special  counsel  for  the  so- 
ciety, press  for  modification  of  some 
of  the  stronger  and  more  sweeping 
language  of  Judge  Vincent  L.  Lei- 
bell's  opinion.  Such  a  move  would 
ecessitate  conferences  with  Judge 
eibell. 

Another  development  in  the  Ascap 
case  yesterday  was  the  disclosure  that 
the  copyright  committee  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  plans 
to  schedule  no  more  meeting  discus- 
sions of  the  decision  until  Judge  Lei- 
bell  has  approved  a  decree  based  on 
is  findings  of  fact. 

A  decree  is  not  expected  to  be  en- 
tered for  a  number  of  weeks  at  least. 
Judge  Leibell  is  not  due  back  from  va- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


RKO  2nd  Quarter 
Profit:  $556,536 


Consolidated  net  profit  of  Radio- 

eith-Orpheum  and  subsidiaries  for 
he  second  quarter  of  1948  was  $556,- 
36,  after  taxes  'and  all  other  charges, 
quivalent  to  approximately  14  .cents 
er  share  on  the  3,899,914  shares  of 
ommon  stock  outstanding. 

This  compares  with  profit  for  the 
econd  quarter  of  1947  of  $2,836,663 
(including  profit  of  $1,603,243  on  sale 
f  capital  assets,  before  taxes). 

Consolidated  net  profit  for  the  first 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


KO  Board  Starts 
>-day  Coast  Meet 

Hollywood,  Aug.  25.  —  Final  de- 
cisions on  policy  and  the  program  to 
e  presented  at  the  impending  annual 
tockholders'  meeting  are  expected  to 
esult  from  the  RKO  board  meeting 
hich  started  at  the  Beverly  Hills 
otel  today.  The  meeting,  which  was 
(.Continued  on  page  3) 


Ticket  Taxes 
Off  $2  Million 


Washington,  Aug.  25. — General 
admission  tax  collections  in  July,  re- 
flecting June  box-office  business,  were 
close  to  $2,000,000  below  July,  1947, 
collections,  according  to  figures  re- 
leased today  by  the  Bureau  of  Internal 
Revenue.  t 

Only  in.  March  and  June  of  this 
year  have  1948  collections  exceeded 
1947. 

This  year's  July  general  admissions 
collection  total  was  $33,054,712,  com- 
pared with  $34,972,435  last  July. 

The  general  admissions  tax  figures 
cover  legitimate  theatres,  sports 
events,  and  other  admissions  as  well 
as  film  admissions,  but  do  not  include 
roof  garden  and  cabaret  tax  collec- 
tions and  taxes  on  various  over- 
charges. The  total  for  all  admission 
tax  collections  in  July,  1948,  was  $37,- 
853,846,  compared  with  $40,233,348 
last  July. 


Colosseum  Contract 
Talks  Resume  Mon. 


Representatives  of  11  distributors 
and  the  Colosseum  of  Motion  Picture 
Salesmen  of  America  on  Monday  will 
pick  up  where  they  left  off  two  weeks 
ago  in  negotiations  here  on  the  first 
wages-and-hours  contract  for  the 
newly-unionized  salesmen  of  the  in- 
dustry. 

Colosseum  attorney  David  Beznor 
and  others  on  the  Colosseum  bargain- 

(Continucd  on  page  3) 


NSS  Sales  Drive 
To  Honor  Dembow 

With  the  need  for  "getting 
back  to  showmanship"  as  its 
theme,  a  "George  Dembow 
Tribute  Drive"  will  be 
launched  by  National  Screen 
Service  in  a  salute  to  its  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  it 
was  announced  yesterday  by 
Herman  Robbins,  NSS  presi- 
dent. The  sales  drive  will 
start  Sept.  *13  and  will  con- 
tinue through  Dec.  31. 


Eliminate  Prutzman 
In  U-I  Stock  Suit 


Universal-International  vice-presi- 
dent and  general  counsel  Charles  D. 
Prutzman  yesterday  was  absolved  by 
Federal  Judge  Harold  R.  Medina  in 
U.  S.  District  Court  here  of  charges 
of  improper  stock  transactions  brought 
against  him  and  four  other  U-I  execu- 
tives by  minority  stockholder  Stephen 
Truncale. 

Dismissing  the  suit  against  Prutz- 
man on  motion  of  defendants'  counsel, 
Mudge,  Stern,  Williams  and  Tucker, 
the  jurist  held  that  it  was  "not  to  the 
best  interests  of  Universal  that  action 
be  maintained"  against  Prutzman. 

The  other  U-I  executives  who  are 
charged  by  Truncale  with  having  vio- 
lated the  Securities  and  Exchange 
Act  of  1934  are  N.  J.  Blumberg,  J. 
Cheever  Cowdin,  William  A.  Scully 
and  Clifford  Work.  Defense  attor- 
neys reportedly  are  scheduling  motions 
for  dismissal  of  charges  against  them 
also. 


Goldwyn  and  Disney  Predict 
More  SIMPP  Theatre  Suits 


Samuel  Goldwyn  yesterday  lashed 
out  at  circuits  which  allegedly  have 
tightened  competition  in  restraint  of 
trade  and  threatened  further  court  ac- 
tion of  the  type  launched  in  Detroit 
on  Tuesday  by  the  Society  of  Inde- 
pendent Motion  Picture  Producers 
against  Cooperative  Theatres  of  Mich- 
igan and  United  Detroit  Theatres. 

Goldwyn  asserted  in  a  press  state- 
ment released  in  New  York  that  "in- 
dependents are  the  heart  of  motion 
nicture  production  but  monopolies  like 
the  Detroit  combination,  large  or 
small,  all  over  the  country,  have  de- 
prived the  independent  producers  of  a 
free  and  open  market  for  their  pic- 
tures. We  do  not  propose  to  let  these 
illegal  practices  go  unchallenged." 
He  added,  there  will  be  "no  compro- 
mise on  the  issues." 


Walt  Disney,  joined  with  Goldwyn 
in  the  SIMPP  action,  in  a  companion 
statement  expressed  the  hope  that  the 
Government  would  strike  no  compro- 
mise in  its  anti-trust  action  against 
the  film  companies.  And  in  referring 
to  the  independent  producers'  "fight 
for  a  free  screen,"  Disney  further 
observed : 

"Our  primary  job  is  to  make  motion 
pictures,  not  to  market  them.  Unfor- 
tunately, no  matter  how  much  we  in- 
vest in  making  the  finest  pictures,  it 
does  not  do  us  or  the  movie-going 
public  any  good  so  long  as  we  cannot 
get  them  shown  in  the  theatres  on  a 
fair  and  just  basis.  In  one  place  after 
another  we  are  being  discriminated 
against  by  competitors  who  have  man- 
aged to  gain  control  over  whole  chains 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


U.  S.  Managers 
In*  London  at 
Odds  on  Plans 

Johnston's    Efforts  at 
Unanimity  Strike  Snag 

London,  -Aug.  25.— Wide  differ- 
ences of  opinion  on  the  methods  of 
approaching  the  problems  of  United 
States  companies  in  this  market 
were  brought  into  the  open  at  an  all- 
day  meeting  today  of  Eric  A.  John- 
ston, Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  president,  with  resident  man- 
agers of  the  American  companies  here. 

The  outcome  of  the  meeting  was  not 
made  known  but  it  was  ■  doubtful 
whether  agreement  was  had  in  view  of 
the  diversity  of  viewpoints  and  inter- 
ests at  the  meeting.  Johnston  had  met 
with  the  American  managers  for  six 
ho  urs  on  Monday  with  equally  inde- 
cisive results  indicated. 

In  addition,  the  absence  from  the 
current  parleys  of  James  A.  Mulvey, 
representative  of  the  Society  of  Inde- 
pendent Motion  Picture  Producers, 
appears  to  be  creating  growing  em- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


AFM  Pact  Talks 
Reach  Impasse 

An  impasse  was  reached  yesterday 
in  the  negotiations  of  producers  and 
James  C.  Petrillo,  president  of  the 
American  Federation  of  Musicians,  for 
a  new  contract  covering  musicians, 
arrangers  and  music  copyists  employed 
in  Hollywood. 

While  Petrillo  is  yet  to  outline  the 
terms  he  seeks,  it  is  understood  he 
looks  with  favor  upon  a  cost-of-living 
increase  which  the  producers'  commit- 
tee yesterday  advised  him  was  "not  in 
the  cards."  Since  the  current  contract 
expires  Aug.  31,  efforts  at  an  accord 
will  be  speeded  up  at  a  meeting  to- 
night in  Petrillo's  office. 


N.  J.  Allied,  Smith 
To  Meet  Next  Week 


A  committee  of  Allied  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  New  Jersey  consisting  of  Irv- 
ing Dollinger,  George  Gold  and  Wil- 
bur Snaper  will  confer  here  with  20th 
Century-Fox  general  sales  manager 
Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  next  week  on 
the  latter's  plan  for"  conciliation  of  ex- 
hibitor-distributor differences,  Edward 
(.Continued  on  page  3) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Personal 
Mention 

TED  R.  GAMBLE,  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  America  president,  is  sched- 
uled to  leave  here  today  for  Portland, 
Ore. 

• 

Maria  Vincenza  Trotta,  daughter 
of  Vincent  Trotta,  National  Screen 
Service  art  director,  will  be  married 
in  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church, 
Flushing',  on  Saturday  to  Harold 
Douglas  Hall. 

• 

Al  Rackin  of  A.  L.  Rackin  As- 
sociates will  leave  Hollywood  for  the 
East  Tuesday  as  advance  man  for  the 
Roy  Rogers-Dale  Evans  annual 
rodeo  tour  which  opens  in  Philadel- 
phia Sept.  2. 

• 

Mark  N.  Silvers,  United  Artists 
assistant  Eastern  sales  manager,  and 
Abe  Dickstein  of  home  office  sales 
will  return  to  New  York  .from  Albany 
and  Gloversville  on  Monday. 

• 

William  F.  Rodgers,  Lo'ew's  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  distribution,  will 
return  to  the  home  office  tomorrow 
from  Toronto. 

• 

Eddie  Cantor  will  begin  a  speaking 
tour  of  14  major  cities  this  Sunday 
on  behalf  of  the  United  Jewish  Ap- 
peal. 

Al  Horwits,  Universal-Interna- 
tional Eastern  publicity  manager, 
leaves  New  York  today  for  Baltimore, 
Philadelphia  and  Atlantic  City. 

Ernest  Mattson,  president  of 
Scandia  Films,  Inc.,  a  35-year  veteran 
in  the  film  import  field,  will  celebrate 
his  60th  birthday  today. 

• 

Jules  K.  Chapman,  Film  Classics 
assistant  general  sales  manager,  cele- 
brates his  25th  year  in  distribution 
this  week. 

J.  Miller  Walker,  RKO  corpora- 
tion secretary,  will  leave  New  York 
today  for  a  short  visit  with  relatives 
in  Buffalo. 

James  Sharkey,  general  manager 
of  Cooperative  Theatres  of  Michigan, 
has  returned  to  Detroit  from  New 
York. 

• 

C.  E.  O'Brien,  manager  of  the  Ri- 
viera Theatre,  Detroit,  has  returned 
to  that  city  from  a  Canadian  vaca- 
tion. 

Harold  Brown,  United  Detroit 
Theatres  head  booker,  has  returned 
to  Oetroit  from  a  vacation  in  North- 
ern Michigan. 

William  J.  Heineman,  Eagle-Lion 
sales  chief,  is  expected  back  in  New 
York  today  from  the  Coast. 


New  Iowa  Drive-In 

Carroll,  la.,  Aug.  25. — The  Carroll 
Drive-in,  operated  by  Cecil  Crouse, 
is  scheduled  to  open  here  this  week. 
Capacity  is  300  autos. 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


"""pHE  man  is  biting  the  dog," 
*•  is  how  Gunther  Lessing, 
chairman  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  SIMPP,  describes  that 
association's  anti-trust  suit  seek- 
ing receivership  for  United  De- 
troit Theatres,  dissolution  of 
Cooperative  Theatres  of  Michi- 
gan [long-operating  booking 
combine]  and  $8,750,000  in  treble 
damages.  The  description  is  apt. 

Producers  like  the  majors  and 
producers  like  the  independents 
joined  in  SIMPP  have  been, 
and  now  are,  defendants  in  a 
number  of  trust  actions  institut- 
ed by  exhibitors.  There  have 
been  legal  involvements  precipi- 
tated by  the  Department  of  Jus- 
tice as  well.  But  for  a  group  of 
producers  to  reverse  what  has 
been  the  norm  by  seeking  relief 
from  monopolistic  tactics 
charged  to  theatremen  is  some- 
thing new,  even  under  the  bright 
and  flashing  celluloid  sun. 

SIMPP'S  move,  long  herald- 
ed, nevertheless  is  arousing 
great  interest,  even  excitement. 

The  courts  will  decide,  of 
course,  yet  the  Detroit  step  can- 
not be  placed  in  balance  if  its 
evaluation  is  to  be  confined 
within  its  own  boundaries.  We 
believe  it  reaches  beyond  and 
must  be  appraised  in  relation  to 
the  whole  pattern  of  litigation 
now  pending.  Far  and  away, 
obviously,  is  the  parent  suit  -  of 
them  all — the  Government  ver- 
sus Paramount,  et  al — and  the 
sweep  of  the  Supreme  Court  de- 
cision. 

SIMPP  seeks  to  have  United 
Detroit  dissolved  through  re- 
ceivership and  a  court-ordered 
sale  of  its  16  theatres.  There- 
fore, it  becomes  immediately  ap- 
parent that  Paramount  must  be 
drawn  into  the  situation  since 
United  Detroit  is  part  of  its  ex- 
hibition family.  Since  SIMPP 
claims  United  Detroit  and  Co- 
operative are  joined  in  monopol- 
istic practices,  Paramount  un- 
doubtedly will  be  found  defend- 
ing its  subsidiary  on  this  count 
as  well. 

Thus,  while  Paramount  is  not 
a  defendant  in  the  SIMPP  suit, 
it  would  appear  to  be  inextri- 
cably involved,  through  its  re- 
lationship with  United  Detroit. 
If  this  assumption '  is  borne  out 
by  succeeding  events,  one  of  the 
major  targets  in  the  Govern- 
ment suit  will  be  drawn  into  the 
line  of  fire  of  the  Detroit  suit. 
This,  then,  would  become  one 
way  through  which  the  litigation 
localized  in  Detroit  would  im- 


Nasser  Buys  Story 

Hollywood,  Aug.  25. — Independent 
producer  James  Nasser  has  bought 
"You  Made  Me  Love  You,"  original 
story  by  Lou  Breslow  and  Joseph 
Hoffman  for  $100,000,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  again  co-starring  Madeleine 
Carroll  and  Fred  MacMurray,  leads  in 
his  unreleased  "Innocent  Affair." 

MOTION"- PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley  Tr  Associate  Editor  Published  dailv  exrent  Saturday 
Sundays  and  hohdajs  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20    N    Y     Telephone  Circle ''7-3100  addSS  •  "oSiroubS' 

New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  Prudent;  Red  Kann.  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice  President  and  Treasurer-  Leo  J  Brady  Secretary' 
YineVuild^nTwi^  ^     ^TJnT  ^nager ;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director' ' Holly  wood  Bureau,  Yu^ca- 

Vine  Building,  William  R  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley  Advertising  Representative-  Timmv  Ascher 
Fdi  or '•  cabl?addTesr-'bu  ^ftnngt0Tn^HJn  »'  O^"'  rf*' ^P  *™  Club.  Washington,  D  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  So,.  London  Wl  Hope^urnup Tanlger/ Peter  Bumup. 
Herald'-  TW~  <£L  Pni^nir^^M^"'  p°  ,  QaV*  CX  Pu|1,catl0»s:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
\   iB7o'  1  tInternatl0nal. M?t10"  p'ctur<:  Almanac- Fame.   Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 

3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


pinge  on  the  litigation  so  long 
contested  on  the  national  level 
and  a  meshing  of  issues  effected. 

Rather  colorful  phrases  are 
punctuating  the  scene.  States 
Lessing:  "Up  to  now,  the  ex- 
hibitors have  done  all  the  talk- 
ing about  the  damage  done  to 
them  by  distributors  and  the  big 
circuits.  We're  going  to  do 
some  talking  about  the  damage 
being  done  to  the  independent 
producer  by  the  individual  ex- 
hibitor hooked  up  into  illegal 
buying  combines  and  tied  up 
with  the  big  circuits  as  well.  .  .  . 
You  can't  have  competition 
where  normally  competing  thea- 
tres and  circuits  form  a  club  and 
set  up  'armchair  exhibition'." 

"An  'armchair'  exhibitor,"  by 
Lessing's  definition,  "is  a  fellow 
who  signs  away  his  responsibil- 
ity to  pick  and  choose  pictures 
for  his  patrons  and  forgets  all 
about  the  theatre  until  it's  time 
to  bank  the  receipts.  He's  also 
the  fellow  who  yells  the  loudest 
when  people  get  tired  of  his  as- 
sembly line  pictures  and  start  go- 
ing to  night  ball  games  or  look- 
ing at  the  television  screen  for 
amusement." 

Detroit,  SIMPP  avers,  is  op- 
erating under  a  "feed  bin"  sys- 
tem. Thanks  to  it,  it  is  claimed, 
United  Detroit  and  Cooperative 
control  90  per  cent  of  box-office 
receipts  of  the  theatres  in  the  al- 
leged system  and  90  per  cent  of 
all  revenue  of  all  Detroit  area 
theatres  other  than  first  run. 
Additionally,  it  is  maintained 
United  Detroit  exercises  a  first 
run  monopoly.  SIMPP  and  its 
independent  producer  member- 
ship thinks  this  is  wrong  and 
should  be  broken  up. 

■  ■ 

A  Third  of  a  Century  Ago  : 
Paramount  was  giving  away  for 
free  a  24-sheet  plugging  its 
product.  .  .  .  Majestic  was  mak- 
ing noise  about  "Three  Broth- 
ers," featuring  Wallace  Reid.  In 
two  parts  yet.  .  .  .  Pathe  News 
was  crowing.  .  .  .  Universal  was 
advertising  for  highclass  come- 
dy directors.  .  .  .  Famous  Play- 
ers viewed  1915  as  "the  year 
of  realization."  .  .  .  Cecil  B.  De 
Mille  had  just  finished  "The 
Girl  of  the  Golden  West"  for 
Jesse  Lasky.  .  .  .  United  Film 
Service  [Warner's  Features, 
Inc.]  was  releasing  200  "big 
feature  films"  through  43  ex- 
changes. .  .  .  Lewis  J.  Selznick 
was  preparing  to  offer  World 
Film  stock  to  exhibitors  at  $5 
a  share. 


Coming 
Events 


Aug.  30-Sept.  1— Allied  Theatres  of 
Michigan  annual  convention,  Book 
Cadillac  Hotel,  Detroit. 

Sept.  14-15 — Independent  Theatre 
Owners     of     Ohio  conven' 
Deshler-Wallick  Hotel,  Columy 
Ohio. 

Sept.  14-16 — Pacific  Coast  Confer- 
ence of  Independent  Theatre 
Owners'  trustees  annual  meeting, 
Ambassador  Hotel,  Los  Angeles. 

Sept.  16  -  18 — International  Variety 
Clubs'  mid-year  convention,  Stat- 
ler  Hotel,  Washington. 

Sept.  24-25 — Theatre  Owners  of 
America  convention,  Drake  Ho- 
tel, Chicago. 

Sept.  27  -  30— Theatre  Equipment 
and  Supply  Manufacturers  Asso- 
ciation national  trade  show  and 
convention,  Jeffer€on  Hotel,  St. 
Louis. 

Sept.  28  -  29— Kansas-Missouri  The- 
atre Association  annual  conven- 
tion, Kansas  City. 

Oct.  14  -  15 — Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Wisconsin  and  Upper 
Michigan  annual  convention, 
Schroeder  Hotel,  Milwaukee. 

Oct.  25  -  29 — Society  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Engineers  semi-annual  con- 
vention, Statler  Hotel,  Washing- 
ton. 


Para.  Is  Buying  Its 
Stock  at  High  Tempo 

Paramount  last  month  resumed  the 
purchase  of  its  own  common  stock  on 
the  open  market  at  a  sharpened  tempo, 
following  the  pronounced  drop-off  in 
this  activity  shown  by  the  company 
in  May  and  June  after  the  U.  S.  Su- 
preme Court  ruled  in  the  industry 
anti-trust  suit. 

Last  month's  purchases  amounted  to 
31,000  shares  to  bring  the  total  in  the 
company's  treasury  to  611,133.  In 
May  8,700  shares  were  bought,  and  in 
June,  2,700. 


500  'Ruth  Story'  Prints 

Hollywood,  Aug.  25. — To  meet  the 
"unprecedented  demand"  for  early 
bookings  of  Roy  Del  Ruth's  "The 
Babe  Ruth  Story,"  Steve  Broidy, 
Monogram-Allied  Artists  president; 
has  authorized  the  making  of  200  ad- 
ditional prints,  bringing  the  total  to 
500,  the  company  said. 


F.  C.  Names  Sullivan 

Matt  Sullivan,  United  Artists  branch 
manager  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  for  more 
than  18  years,  has  been  appointed  Film 
Classics  branch  manager  in  Milwau- 
kee, it  was  announced  here  yesterday 
by  B.  G.  Kranze,  Film  Classics  dis- 
tribution head.  Sullivan  succeeds  Max 
Mazur,  resigned. 


♦ 


Xlty  ^Thursday,  August  26,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


RKO  Board  Meet 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


res  0' 

Boon 

tain 
r 


called  abruptly  and  with  a  minimum 
quorum  of  board  members  attending, 
will  probably  continue  for  two  or 
three  days. 

Today's  session  was  reportedly  de- 
voted to  a  checkup  on  the  progress 
made  by  the  studio  in  implementing 
interim  policies  ratified  by  the  board 
its  June  meetings  here.  N.  Peter 
[■■hvon,  who  has  since  tendered  his 
>-~»3gnation   as   president   to  become 
effective  as  of  the  stockholders'  meet- 
ing; Floyd  Odium,  Howard  Hughes 
and  Ned  Depinet  were  present. 

Among  matters  on  the  agenda,  it  is 
understood,  was  consideration  of  a 
proposed  partnership  between  Rathvon 
and  Odium  in  an  independent  produc- 
ing company  which  would  release 
through  RKO. 

RKO  Profit 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


half  of  1948  was  $1,901,863,  after 
taxes  and  all  other  charges,  equivalent 
to  approximately  49  cents  per  share 
on  the  common,  as  compared  with 
profit  for  the  first  half  of  1947  of  $5,- 
107,347  (including  profit  of  $1,605,852 
on  sale  of  capital  assets,  before 
taxes). 


15c  RKO  Dividend  Set 

Radio-Keith-Orpheum  board  of  di- 
rectors yesterday  declared  a  dividend 
of  15  cents  per  share  on  the  common 
stock,  payable  Oct.  1  to  holders  of 
record  on  Sept.  15. 


Ascap  to  Appeal 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


cation  until  after  Labor  Day,  nor  is 
Patterson.  Ascap  will  take  no  ac- 
tion on  the  preparation  of  a  decree 
for  the  court  until  Patterson's  return 
to  the  city. 

The  MPAA  copyright  committee 
already  has  held  two  meetings  at 
which  the  Ascap  decision  was  dis- 
cussed, with  no  conclusive  results.  It 
is  felt  that  further  talks  on  the  sub- 
ject would  be  of  little  use  as  matters 
stand  at  present.  The  committee 
would  "just  be  shooting  in  the  dark," 
a  spokesman  for  the  group  said.  It 
was  made  clear,  however,  that  should 
an  emergency  arise  before  approval  of 
a  decree,  discussions  on  the  decision 
would  be  resumed  by  the  committee. 


N.  J.  Allied,  Smith 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Lachman,  Jersey  Allied  president,  said 
yesterday. 

Lachman  said  that  following  a  com- 
mittee report  on  its  talks  with  Smith 
a  "survey  of  complaints"  will  be  made 
among  Jersey  Allied  members.  Until 
the  committee  reports,  Lachman  said, 
the  organization  will  be  non-committal 
on  the  Smith  plan. 

The  same  committee,  Lachman  said, 
will  confer  at  an  unspecified  future 
date  with  M-G-M  distribution  vice- 
president  William  F.  Rodgers  or  other 
M-G-M  executives  on  the  possible 
application  of  company  sales  plans  to 
the  needs  of  individual  Jersey  Allied 
members. 


Named  WB  Art  Manager 

Harold  Kornheiser,  a  member  of  the 
iVarner  art  department  for  the  past 
nine  years,  has  been  promoted  to  art 
manager,  it  has  been  announced  by 
Mort  Blumenstock,  Warner  advertis- 
ing-publicity vice-president. 


Reviews 


"The  Rope" 

(Warners-Trans- Atlantic  Films)  Hollywood,  Aug.  25 

ALFRED  HITCHCOCK  has  turned  for  the  subject  matter  of  this  picture 
to  an  inhuman  thrill-murder  by  two  abnormal  young  men. 
In  point  of  artistry  and  craftsmanship  it  is  a  shining  milestone  in  the 
distinguished  career  of  the  producer  and  in  the  development  of  production 
technique.  In  theme,  it  is  a  film  of  extremely  questionable  appropriateness  for 
entertainment  purposes. 

Hitchcock's  camera  follows  the  players  from  start  of  the  story  to  finish 
without  blinking,  thus  giving  the  effect  of  the  whole  production  having  been 
filmed  in  one  continuous  take.  The  scene  is  a  New  York  apartment  and  the 
period  during  which  the  story  takes  place  is  exactly  the  83  minutes  of  the 
running  time.  The  result  is  to  make  the  observer  feel,  to  far  greater  extent 
than  ordinarily,  that  he  is  personally  present  in  the  apartment  and  virtually 
a  party  to  what  goes  on  there.  This  technological  aspect  of  the  picture  is 
highly  exploitable  in  its  own  right. 

The  story  used  is  a  screenplay  by  Arthur  Laurents  based  on  an  adaptation 
by  Hume  Cronyn  of  a  stage  play,  "Rope's  End,"  by  Patrick  Hamilton.  It 
opens  on  John  Dall  and  Farley  Granger,  wealthy  college-age  intellectuals 
whose  master-slave  relationship  is  clearly  indicated  and  whose  deeds  vividly 
recall  the  Loeb-Leppold  murder  case,  in  the  act  of  strangling  to  death  a 
young  man  whom  they  consider  intellectually  inferior  and  placing  his  body  in 
an  ornate  chest  pending  removal  after  nightfall.  Exulting  in  the  emotional 
exhilaration  derived  from  the  killing,  their  only  motive  for  it,  they  tFansfer 
the  buffet-dinner  setup  from  the  dining  room  table  to  the  top  of  the  chest 
and  await  the  arrival  of  invited  guests  selected  in  advance  of  the  murder  for 
purposes  of  prolonging  the  thrill.  These  include  James  Stewart,  as  their 
former  college  instructor  who  inculcated  in  them  their  belief  in  the  right  of 
superior  intellects  to  dispose  of  inferiors  at  will;  Sir  Cedric  Hardwicke  as  the 
murdered  boy's  father  and  Constance  Collier  as  his  aunt.  Through  cocktails 
and  dinner  Dall  keeps  the  conversation  centered  on  the  intellectual-superiority 
theme,  rejoicing  in  the  knowledge  that  only  he  and  Granger  know  why  the 
anxiously  awaited  boy  who  is  dead  in  the  chest  does  not  arrive  to  share  the 
party.  But  Granger  gradually  cracks  under  the  strain  and  Stewart  starts 
putting  vague  hints  together,  coming  to  the  conclusion  that  Dall  and  Granger 
have  done  just  about  what  they  have  done.  All  the  guests  leave,  and  the 
murderers  relax,  but  Stewart  returns,  extracts  the  truth  from  them  by  artful 
means,  and  finally,  following  utterances  of  regret  about  having  given  the  boys 
this  kind  of  ideas,  fires  a  pistol  out  the  window  to  attract  the  police.  The 
picture  ends  as  they  await  their  arrival.  (Joan  Chandler,  Douglas  Dick,  Edith 
Evanson  and  Dick  Hogan  are  the  others  in  the  well  matched,  smoothly  per- 
forming cast). 

In  simplest  terms,  the  story  is  an  account  of  a  thrill-killing.  As  handled, 
it  is  a  profound  and  protracted  probing  of  the  psychological  abnormalities 
responsible  for  the  killing,  which  is  probably  the  only,  instance  of  murder- 
for-murder's-sake  in  screen  history.  As  a  text-film  for  university  classes  in 
psychology  the  production  has  manifest  usefulness.  As  pastime  it  compares 
directly  with  a  re-reading  of  the  newspaper  accounts  of  the  Loeb-Leopold  case 
in  Chicago  from  which  playwright  Hamilton  obviously  borrowed  his  char- 
acters and  theme. 

It  is  the  first  production  by  Transatlantic   Pictures,  a  partnership  of 
Hitchcock  and  Sidney  L.  Bernstein,  and  it  is  in  Technicolor. 
Running  time,  83  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date  not  set. 

William  R.  Weaver 


<< 


Winner  Take  All 

(Monogram) 

PRODUCER  Hal  E.  Chester's  Joe  Palooka  pictures  get  better  and  better 
as  the  series  stretches  out  into  what  promises  to  be  a  perpetual  source 
of  profit  to  exhibitors. 

Joe  Kirkwood  is  getting  so  he  lives  the  Palooka  role,  and  his  cast  com- 
panions here — Elyse  Knox,  William  Frawley,  Stanley  Clements,  Sheldon 
Leonard,  John  Shelton,  Mary  Beth  Hughes  and  Frank  Jenks  in  particular — 
do  about  the  same  with  theirs.  The  script  by  Stanley  Rubin  and  direction  by 
Reginald  Le  Borg  are  tip-top  and  topical,  wasting  none  of  the  64  minutes. 
Bernard  W.  Burton  is  down  as  associate  producer,  and  William  Sickner's 
photography  catches  the  ring  battles  better  than  a  ringside  seat. 

Joe's  troubles  herein  begin  with  receipt  of  an  anonymous  note  by  his 
manager,  from  a  racket  group  intent  upon  lowering  the  odds  on  Joe  in  his 
impending  defense  of  his  title,  and  are  multiplied  by  a  misunderstanding  which 
leads  him  to  believe  that  a  youngster  he's  befriended,  played  by  Clements, 
has  turned  against  him  without  reason.  That  happens  to  be  the  case,  al- 
though Clements  doesn't  realize  it  until  almost  too  late  to  undo  the  damage 
to  Joe's  morale.  He  clears  up  the  issue,  however,  just  in  time  to  give 
Joe  the  final  lift  he  needs  to  win  the  title  bout. 

Running  time,  64  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date  not 
set. 


Byrd  Film  Previews 

Some  80  simultaneous  preview 
showings  of  M-G-M's  Technicolor  re- 
lease, "The  Secret  Land,"  about  Ad- 
miral Richard  E.  Byrd's  expedition  to 
Antarctica,  will  be  sponsored  by  the 
U.  S.  Navy  at  every  naval  base  in  the 
country.  The  film  is  set  for  release 
Oct.  22,  with  simultaneous  theatre 
premieres  to  coincide  with  Navy  Day, 
Oct.  27. 


To  Aid  Pa.  Observance 

Philadelphia,  Aug.  25. — Plans  for 
industry  participation  in  the  observ- 
ance of  "Pennsylvania  Week,"  Sept. 
26-Oct.  2,  are  in  full  swing  here.  In 
addition  to  the  cooperation  of  exhibi- 
tors, wide  newsreel  coverage  is  ex- 
pected, with  David  O.  Selznick,  a  na- 
tive of  this  state,  slated  to  appear  it! 
news  issues  of  Sept.  7-9.  Mrs.  Edna 
R.  Carroll  heads  the  film  group. 


U.  S.,  British  Films 
Drop  in  Argentina 

Washington,  Aug.  25. — The  num- 
ber of  U"  S.,  British  and  French  films 
released  in  Argentina  during  the  first 
six  months  of  this  year  was  less  than 
during  the  same  1947  period,  Com- 
merce Department  film  chief  Nathan 
D.  Golden  reports.  Totals  were  not 
disclosed. 

At  the  same  time,  there  was  a  nota- 
ble increase  in  Italian,  Spanish  and 
Mexican  films  in  Argentina.  Soviet 
films  were  completely  absent. 


U.  S.  Managers 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


barrassment  for  the  Americans  with 
its  implication  that  they  are  unable  to 
present  a  united  front,  particularly  on 
their  differences  with  J.  Arthur  Rank 
and  their  manner  of  dealing  with  them. 

Johnston  is  scheduled  to  continue  his 
discussions  with  Rank  later  this  week 
at  which  time  he  is  expected  to  renew 
his  protests  against  Rank's  proposed 
booking  practices  as  being  unfair  and 
detrimental  to  the  already  seriously 
embarrassed  American  interests  here. 
Rank  has  indicated  that  his  theatres 
will  play  American  films  on  the  lower 
half  of  double  bill  programs  where 
they  not  only  will  command  low  rent- 
als but  in  many  instances  will  carry 
weak  British  pictures  on  the  top  half 
of  the  bills.  The  practice  would  help 
to  make  it  possible  for  Rank's  theatres 
to  meet  the  new  45  per  cent  quota. 

News  dispatches  that  Herbert  J. 
Yates,  president  of  Republic,  had  ad- 
vocated withdrawal  of  the  American 
companies  from  this  market  during  a 
press  conference  in  New  York  yester- 
day, came  as  a  bombshell  to  the  course 
which  Johnston  has  in  preparation 
here.  Although  Yates'  statement  is 
generally  discounted  in  the  local  trade, 
it  is  obvious  that  Johnston  is  endeav- 
oring to  promote  unity  in  the  Ameri- 
can ranks  here  in  order  to  make  a 
joint  forthright  declaration  to  Rank 
on  his  indicated  policies. 


Goldwyn,  Disney 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


of  theatres  and  used  that  power  for 
their  own  business  advantage." 

Goldwyn  listed  60  pictures  produced 
by  the  SIMPP  plaintiffs  in  the  De- 
troit suit  in  the  past  10  years  which, 
he  said,  had  been  affected  by  booking 
practices  in  that  city.  Claims  for  the 
$8,750,000  triple  damages  in  the  action 
are  based  in  large  part  on  the  De- 
troit playing  experience  of  those  pic- 
tures. 


Colosseum  Talks 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


ing  committee  are  due  to  leave  Mil- 
waukee and  Chicago  at  the  weekend 
for  the  second  round  in  the  New  York 
conferences.  C.  J.  (Pat)  Scollard  of 
Paramount  heads  the  companies'  con- 
tingent of  negotiators. 

Negotiations  were  suspended  two 
weeks  ago  to  give  the  negotiators  for 
both  sides  time  to  prepare  and  submit 
to  their  respective  organizations  an  in- 
terim report  on  the  status  of  the  col- 
lective bargaining. 


Sopeg  Asks  Pact  Talks 

Letters  will  be  sent  to  film  compa- 
nies_  here  by  Screen  Office  and  Pro- 
fessional Employes  Guild  this  week- 
end outlining  new  contract  provisions 
and  requesting  a  date  for  the  opening 
of  negotiations.  The  present  contract 
expires  Sept.  27. 


NOTHING  EVER  HELD 
WALTER  WINCHELL 
LIKE  ALFRED 
HITCHCOCK'S  " 

ROPE 

?f  It  ties  you  into 
knots!  Hitchcock  at 
his  big-time  best!  99 


NOTHING 

EVER 

HELD 

J.  EDGAR  HOOVER 

.F.B.I.  CHIEF 

LIKE 

ALFRED 

HITCHCOCK'S 

ROPE 

?f  Never  saw 
anything  like  it! 
Terrific  suspense! 
Leaves  you 
breathless!  99 


NOTHING 
EVER  HELD 
DOROTHY  KILGALLEN 

FAMEI 

LIKE 
ALFRED 
HITCHCOCK'S 


FAMED  COLUMNIST 


ROPE 


Nerve-racking 
from  the  opening 
until  the  end! 
Audiences  will 
remain  cemented 
to  their  seats! 
The  fan  who  doesn't 
hurry  to  see  ROPE 
is  cheating  himself 
of  screen  history!" 


r 


Motion  picture  Daily 


Thursday,  August  26,  194! 


Key  City  Grosses 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
ture grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


BOSTON 

Weather  continues  warm  and  hu- 
mid. Holdovers  are  "Paradine  Case," 
"Babe  Ruth  Story,"  "Sixteen  Fathoms 
Deep"  and  "Antoine  and  Antoinette." 
Estimates  for  week  ended  Aug.  25 : 

ANTCXNE  AND  ANTOINETTE  (Siritsky) 
and  THE  SEARCH  (M-G-M) — EXETER 
(1,300)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $4,300.  (Average, 
$5  000) 

HAMLET  (U-I-Rank)-ASTOR  (1,300) 
(90c -$2  40)  8  days.  Gross:  $28,500. 
KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  THE  SHANGHAI 
CHEST  (Mono.)— PARAMOUNT  (1,700) 
(40c-80c.)  Gross:  $15,000.  (Average:  $17,- 
I00> 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)  and  THE  SHANGHAI 
CHEST   (Mono.)— FENWAY    (1,373)  (40c- 
SOc)      Gross:   $6,000.      (Average:  $10,000) 
RETURN    OF     THE     B  ADM  EN  (RKO 


Radio)  and  CAMPUS  SLEUTH  (Mono.)— 

RKOV  BOSTON  (3,200)  (40c-80c).  Gross: 
$7,900. 

SIXTEEN    FATHOMS    DEEP  (Mono.)— 

MODERN  (800)  (45c-85c),  2nd  week.  Gross: 
|54  000 

THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Mono.) 
and  DEVIL'S  CARGO  (FC)— RKO1- MEM- 
ORIAL (3,000)  (40c-80c),  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$24  000.  (Average:  $22,000) 
THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)  and  MY 
DOG  RUSTY  (Col.)— STATE  (3,500)  (40c- 
80c). '2nd  week.  Gross:  $12,000.  (Average: 
$12,0CO) 

THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)  andl  MY 
DOG  RUSTY  (Col.)— ORPHEUM  (3,000) 
(40c-80c),  2nd  week.  Gross:  $20,000.  (A- 
erage:  $27,000) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (20th-Fox) 
and   MICHAEL  O'HALLORAN  (Mono.)— 

METROPOLITAN  (4,367)  (40c-80c).  Gross: 
$24,000.     (Average:  $27,000) 


CINCINNATI 


The  high  figures  of  the  week  go  to 
"Key  Largo"  and  "Tap  Roots"  at  the 
RKO  Capitol  and  Palace,  respectively. 
Other  releases,  for  the  most  part,  are 
giving  satisfactory  returns.  Weekend 


BIG  NEWS! 

Now  you  can  enjoy  fast,  comfortable 

flagship  SKYSLEEPERS 
to  LosAnge/esi 


EFFECTIVE  SEPTEMBER  1 


American  is  First  Again  with  the  Only  Coast-to-Coast 
Skysieepers . ..  Luxurious  DC-6  Accommodations 


Now,  American  provides  spa- 
cious Skyberths  aboard  the 
famous  DC-6  "Mercury"  flight 
to  Los  Angeles!  Eight  roomy 
Skyberths  supplement  36  com- 
fortable seat  accommodations. 
Here's  your  first  opportunity 
to  sleep  your  way  West  in  a 
DC-6  Skysleeper,  over  Ameri- 
can's Southern  Transconti- 


nental Route.  It's  the  fast, 
comfortable  way  to  go  ...  a 
real  rest  cure  aloft! 


THE  MERCURY  departs  daily  at 
midnight  EDT  —  arrives  Los 
Angeles  8:10  a.m.  PDT. 
Sleeper  passengers  may  board 
an  hour  before  departure. 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000  or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices.-  Airlines  Terminal  •  Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 


120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 


AMERICAN  AIRLINES 


weather  was  unusually  hot.  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ended  Aug.  24 : 
A     FOREIGN     AFFAIR  (Para.)— RKO 

(1,400)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-7S)  7  days,  2nd 
week,  on  a  moveover  from  the  Palace. 
Gross:  $6,000.  (Average,  $5,000) 
KEY  LARGO  (WB) — RKO  CAPITOL  (2,- 
000)  (5Oc-55c-6Oc-65c-70c-75c)  7  days.  Gross: 
$18,000.  (Average,  $10,000) 
MR.  PEABODY  AND  THE  MERMAID 
(U-I)  —  KEITH'S  (1,500)  (50c-55c-6Oc-65c- 
76c)  7  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $7,000.  (Av- 
erage. $7,500) 

A  NIGHT  AT  THE  OPERA  (M-G-M  re- 
issue)—RKO  GRAND  (1,500)  (50c-55c-60c- 
S5c-70c-7Sc)  7  days.  Dualed  with  THE 
SEARCH  (M-G-M).  Gross:  $9,000.  (Aver- 
age, $8,000) 

TAP  ROOTS   (U-I)— RKO   PALACE  (2,- 
700)  (50c-55c-6Oc-65c-7Oc-75c)  7  days.  Gross: 
$18,000.     (Average,  $15,000) 
THAT   LADY   IN   ERMINE  (20ith-Fox)— 

RKO  SHUBERT  (2,150)  (50e-55c-60c-65c- 
70c-75)  7  days,  2nd  week,  on  a  moveover 
from  the  Albee.     Gross:  $5,000.  (Average, 

$5,000) 

THE   VELVET   TOUCH    (RKO  Radio)— 

RKO  ALBEE  (3,300)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c- 
75c)  7  days.  Gross:  $12,500.  (Average, 
f 15, 000) 


TORONTO 


Approximately  half  of  Toronto's  ace 
houses  had  holdovers,  notably  the  in- 
dependent Biltmore  which  was  play- 
ing "The  Mating  of  Millie"  for  a  12th 
week,  seven  performances  daily,  for 
a  probable  Canadian  long-distance 
record.  "Easter  Parade"  was  in  its 
third  week  at  Loew's  Theatre.  Esti- 
mated receipts  for  the  week  ending 
Aug.  26  : 

EASTER   PARADE   (M-G-M)  —  LOEWS 

(2,074)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-78c)  6  days,  3rd  week. 

Gross:  $13,700.    (Average:  $14,200) 

A    FOREIGN    AFFAIR    (Para.) — EGLIN- 

TON   (1,086)    (20c-36c-50c-66c)   6  days,  2nd 

week.    Gross:  $6,400.    (Average:  $6,900) 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)  —  T1VOLI 

(1,443)   (20c-36c-50c-66c)  6  days,  2nd  week. 

Gross:  $7,700.    (Average:  $8,200) 

THE    MATING    OF    MILLIE     (CoL) — 

BILTMORE  (938)  (15c-30c-36c-55c)  6  days, 

12th     week.      Gross:     $4,500.  (Average: 

$5  500) 

MELODY  TIME  (RKO-Radio)— SHEA's 
(2,490)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days,  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $14,100.  (Average:  $14,700) 
"MICKEY  (Intl.)— NORTOWN  (950)  (20c- 
42c-60c)  6  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $4,000. 
(Average:  $5,000) 

MICKEY  (Intl.)— VICTORIA  (1,240)  (20c- 
36c-42c-60c)  6  days,  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$5,000.    (Average:  $5,800) 

MR.   PEABODY  AND   THE  MERMAID 

(U-I)— UPTOWN  (2,761)  (20c-36c-50c-66c- 
90c)  6  days.  Gross:  $10,100.  (Average: 
$10,600) 

WALLFLOWER     (WB)  —  DAN  FORTH 

(1,400)     (2Oc-36c-S0c-60c)    6    days.  Gross: 
$6,0(10.     (Average:  $6,500) 
WALLFLOWER     (WB)  -  FAIRLAWN 
(1,195)     (2Oc-36c-50c-55c)    6    days.  Gross: 
$5,000.    (Average:  $5,000) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (Z«th-Fox)— 

IMPERIAL  (3,343)  (2Oc-36c-50c-66c-90)  6 
days.    Gross:  $15,100.    (Average:  $14,600) 


ATLANTA 


Business  at  all  theatres  is  above 
average.  Weather  hot  and  dry.  Esti- 
mated receipts  for  week  ended  Aug. 
25: 

FLYING   TIGERS    (Rep.)    and  BLONDE 

ICE  (FC)-TOWER  (1,865)  (17c-50c).  Gross: 
$6,100.    (Average:  $5,800) 
FOUR    FEATHERS    (FC)    and  DRUMS 
(FC)  — ROXY     (2,446)     (12c-50c).  Gross: 
V;.1D0.    (Average:  $5,800) 

LIFE  WITH  FATHER  (WB)  —  PARA- 
MOUNT (2,446)  (12c-50c).  Gross:  $6,300. 
(Average:  $5,800) 

TIME  OF  YOUR  LIFE  (UA) — LOEW'S 
GRAND  (2,446)  (12c-54c).  Gross:  .  $15,000. 
(Average:  $15,000) 

TAP  ROOTS  (U-I)  FOX-(4,446)  (12c-50c) 
2nd  week.    Gross:  $13,000.     (Average,  $15,- 


BALTIMORE 


Several  major  attractions  arriving 
at  local  first-run  theatres  are  doing 
better  than  average  business.  Open- 
ings were  strong  and  weekend  figures 
maintained  that  pace.  Holdovers, 
however,  and  even  the  less  important 


Detroit  Theatre  in 
'Youth  Month'  Fete 

Detroit,  Aug.  25. — Moving  in  ahead 
of  the  opening  of  Youth  Month,  Septi 
1-to  30,  the  Century  Theatre  here  will 
entertain  some  400  youngsters  Friday 
evening.  H.  R.  Munz,  manager  ot 
the  house,  will  donate  ice  cream,  candy 
and  balloons  to  the  children.  The  en- 
tertainment will  be  held  in  a  blocked 
off  street. 


'Youth  Month'  Ad  to 
Some  17,000  Showmen 

Advertising  Council,  Inc.,  in  behalf 
of  Youth  Month,  this  week  is  sending 
to  some  17,000  exhibitors  as  well  as 
national  and  local  advertisers,  copy 
for  a  1,000-line  advertisement  to-be 
sponsored  in  local  communities  on  an 
individual  or  cooperative  basis.  The 
ad  is  contained  in  a  four-page 
brochure  which  also  carries  last-min- 
ute news  on  Youth  Month  activities. 


'Red  River*  Opens 
Today  in  Southwest 

Dallas,  Aug.  25. — Statewide  cele- 
brations in  Texas,  Oklahoma,  Kansas 
and  New  Mexico  today  will  launch 
the  world  premiere  of  Howard  Hawks' 
"Red  River"  at  openings  at  more  than 
300  theatres.  Gov.  Beauford  Jester 
will  start  the  celebrations  on  a  nation- 
wide hook-up  as  the  guest  of  Nancy 
Craig,  American  Broadcasting  com- 
mentator. 


pictures  are  getting  below  average 
returns.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ending  Aug.  26: 
ANGEL  AND  SINNER  (Filto  Rights  In- 

tern'l) — LITTLE  (328)  (29c-37c-56c).  Gross: 

$3,250.     (Average:  $3,000) 

LIFE  WITH  FATHER  (WBJ — STANLEY 

(3,280)   (1st  time  at  regular  prices  of  29c- 

37c-SOc-58c).      Gross:    $15,000.  (Average: 

$14,000) 

MR.  PEABODY  AND  THE  MERMAID 
(U-I)  —  KEITH'S  (2,404)  (25c-37c-44c-54c). 
Gross:  $8,500.  (Average:  $12,000) 
RETURN  OF  THE  BAD  MEN  (RKOi- 
Radio) — HIPPODROME  (2,205)  (29c-38c- 
50c-58c)  With  stage  show.  Gross:  $18,750. 
(Average:  $17,000) 

ROSE  OF  WASHINGTON  SQUARE  (20th- 

Fcx  Reissue)— MAYFAIR  (1,000)  (21c-29c- 
54c)     Gross:  $4,750.    (Average:  $5,000.) 
THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (  AA-Mono. )- 

TOWN     (1,450)     (29c-37c-56c)    4th  week. 
Gross:  $8,000.    (Average:  $11,000) 
THE    PARADINE    CASE    (SRO)— CEN- 
TURY (3,000)  (29c-37c-45c-54c).    Gross:  $17,- 
500.    (Average:  $14,500) 

THE    PIRATE    (M-G-M)  —  VALENCIA 
(1,466)   (29c-37c-45c-54c)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$7,000.     (Average:  $5,000) 
WALLS  OF  JERICHO1  (20th- Fox) — N E W 

(1,800)  (29c-40c-5Oc-54c)  2nd  week:  Gross: 
$10,250.     (Average:  $11,750) 


To  EXHIBITORS,  PROJECTIONISTS, 

THEATRE  ARCHITECTS,  ENGINEERS- 


Theatre  Equipment  &  Supply  Manufacturers' 
Association,  Inc. 

extends  to  you  a>  very  personal 
invitation  to  attend  the 

Third  Annual  Tesma  Trade  Show 
to  be  held  at  the 
Jefferson  Hotel,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
on 

September  28-29-30,  1948 

where  you  may  inspect  the  latest  developments  in 
large    screen    theatre    television,  materials, 
furnishings,  equipment  and  supplies  for 
the  modern  theatre  and  drive-ins 
and  meet  with  and  discuss  your 
mechanical  problems  and 
requirements  with  the 
men  whose  business 
it  is  to  serve 
you. 

cxa^  c\a^  •\a^ 

For  hotel  accommodations  address  Miss  Jeanette  Riordan 
Reservation  Dept.  Jefferson  Hotel,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 


Convention  Committee 

Theatre  Equipment  &  Supply 
Manufacturers  Association 

Theatre  Equipment  Dealers 
Protective  Association 


In  a  year  of  great 
boxof fice  attractions 


from 


color 


OPENED  TO  THE  BIGGEST 
BOXOFFICE  LINES  OF  1948 
AT  THE  ROXY  THEATRE,  N.  Y. 

MATCHING  THE  RECORDS  OF  20th's  TOP 
TECHNICOLOR  MUSICALS  IN  CINCINNATI, 
PORTLAND,  SEATTLE,  LOS  ANGELES,  CHICAGO! 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 

, '  "^64.  NO.  41 


MOTIOl 


ISO 


FILM 
NEWS 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  AUGUST  27,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


$13,570,000 
Is  Para.  Net 
For  Half  Year 


Excludes  Foreign  Funds 
Not  Actually  Received 

Paramount's  profit  for  the  six 
months  ended  July  3  was  $13,570,- 
000,  including  $3,312,000  share  of 
undistributed  earnings  of  partially- 
owned  non-consolidated  subsidiaries 
and  approximately  $650,000  of  non- 
recurring income,  the  company  esti- 
mated yesterday.  For  the  same  period 
last  year  profit  was  estimated  at  $17,- 
407,000,  including  $3,189,000  share'  of 
undistributed  earnings. 

The  company  noted  that  effective 
with  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year 
1948  it  has  excluded  the  earnings  of 
all  subsidiaries  operating  outside  of 
the  U.  S.  and  Canada,  except  to  the 
extent  that  dividends  have  been  re- 
ceived from  such  subsidiaries.  _  The 
company  has  continued  its  practice  of 
taking  up  film  revenues  from  subsidi- 
aries operating  outside  of  the  U.  S. 
and  Canada,  it  was  explained,  only  to 
the  extent  that  such  revenues  have 
been  received  in  dollars  or  are  remit- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


ITOA  Will  Appeal  | 
Ascap  Decision  on 
Damages;  Hits  TO  A 

Exhibitor  plaintiffs  who  won  their 
first  round  in  the  U.  S.  District  Court 
anti-trust  suit  against  the  American 
Society  of  Composers,  Authors  & 
Publishers  last  month  intend  to  appeal 
from  the  portion  of  the  decision  deny- 
ing them  damages  from  Ascap  and  in 
order  to  attempt  to  obtain  "even  far 
more  sweeping  relief,"  Milton  C 
Weisman,  attorney  for  exhibitor  plain- 
tiffs in  the  case,  said  yesterday. 

The  additional  relief  to  be  sought 
was  not  disclosed.  Weisman  said  the 
plaintiffs'  appeals  will  be  taken  regard- 
less of  whether  or  not  Ascap  appeals 
from  Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell's  deci- 
sion of  July  19. 

It  was  disclosed  yesterday  that  As- 
cap also  has  decided  to  appeal  but 
first  will  endeavor  to  have  its  special 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


Anti-Taft  Law  Film 
Is  Planned  by  IA 

First  recommendation  to  the 
IATSE  membership  by  international 
president  Richard  F.  Walsh,  follow- 
ing his  reelection  at  last  week's  con 
vention  in  Cleveland  is  for  the  pro 
duction  by  "IA"  of  a  motion  picture 
which  would  lend  impetus  to  the 
American  Federation  of  Labor's  cam- 
paign for  repeal  of  the  Taft-Hartley 
Law.  A  convention  resolution  called 
for  an  allocation  of  $25,000  from  the 
campaign  fund  for  financing  the  film. 

Such  a  film,  an  "IA"  spokesman 
explained  here   yesterday,  would  be 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


W.  B.  Theatre  Staff 
Changes  in  Capitol 


Washington,  Aug.  26. — George  A. 
Crouch,  newly  appointed  Washington 
zone  manager  for  Warner  Brothers 
Theatres,  has  announced  several 
changes  in  his  staff. 

Advertising  and  publicity  director 
Frank  La  Fake  will  in  the  future  also 
have  charge  of  the  two  key  downtown 
theatres,  the  Warner  and  the  Metro- 
politan. Louis  F.  Ribnitzki  has  been 
named  film  buyer  and  George  Warner, 
head  booker.  James  W.  Root  will 
be  assistant  feature  booker  as  well  as 
short  subject  booker,  and  Charles 
Grimes  will  assume  supervision  of  the 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Talks  on  Consent 
Decree  Status  Quo 

There  have  been  no  mate- 
rial developments  in  conse- 
quence of  occasional  discus- 
sons  pertaining  to  proposals 
for  a  consent  decree  in  the 
Paramount  case  since  the 
subject  was  first  broached 
late  in  June,  a  top  executive 
of  a  major  company  said  yes- 
terday. 

While  declaring  that  fur- 
ther discussions  will  be  held 
from  time  to  time,  he  indi- 
cated that  there  is  at  present 
no  rapprochement  between 
the  known  views  of  the  At- 
torney General's  office  and 
those  of  the  theatre-owning 
defendants  on  an  acceptable 
decree.  It  was  also  indicated 
that  views  among  the  five 
major  defendants  themselves 
are  at  variance  on  some  basic 


'Cooperate  or 
War,'  Johnstojn 
Tells  Rank 


Ask  Judgment  In 
W.B.  'Divorce'  Suit 


Warns  U.  K.  Restrictions 
May  Become  World  Ills 

London,  Aug.  26. — Eric  A. 
Johnston,  Motion  Picture  Associa- 
tion of  America  president,  warned 
J.  Arthur  Rank  at  a  meeting  of 
the  two  here  today  that  the  British 
industry  leader  cannot  have  a  closed 
market  here  and  an  open  market  else- 
where. 

Britain's  restrictive  measures, 
Johnston  told  Rank,  inevitably 
will  become  an  international 
infection.  This  already  is  obvi- 
ous in  France  and  elsewhere, 
he  said. 

The  third  of  Johnston's  talks  with 
Rank  since  the  MPAA  president's  ar- 
rival here  last  Saturday  took  place  at 
a  luncheon  today.  Their  discussions 
will  be  continued  either  before  Johns- 
ton  leaves   for   the   Continent  next 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Washington,  Aug.  26.  —  K-B 
Amusement  Co.  today  asked  Federal 
Court  here  for  summary  judgment  in 
its  suit  to  force  Stanley  Co.  out  of  the 
jointly-owned  Mac  Arthur  Theatre. 

K-B  said  there  was  no  difference 
between'  the  parties  over  the  facts,  and 
that  the  matter  could  be  disposed  of 
speedily  on  legal  grounds. 

Stanley  has  moved  to  dismiss  the 
suit  on  the  ground  that  a  final  judg- 
ment in  the  Paramount  case  is  neces- 
sary before  the  action  can  go  for- 
ward. K-B  holds  this  is  not  so,  and 
that  it  can  win  on  the  basis  of  the 
Supreme  Court  Paramount  decision. 


RKO  Stockholders 
Meet  Set  for  Oct  1 

Hollywood,  Aug.  26.  —  Annual 
stockholders'  meeting  of  RKO  re- 
portedly has'  been  set  for  Oct.  1  at 
the  board  meeting  which  started  at 
the  Beverly  Hills  Hotel  yesterday. 
The  meeting,  which  was  expected  to 
continue  for  the  rest  of  the  week,  is 
understood  to  have  limited  its  official 
action  to  declaring  a  regular  quarterly 
dividend.  Ned  Depinet,  executive  vice- 
president,  will  leave  here  by  plane 
Saturday  for  New  York. 


Film  'Red 9  Hearings  to  Be 
Resumed  in  Sept.:  Thomas 


Washington,  Aug.  26. — House 
Un-American  Activities  Committee 
hearings  on  Communism  in  Holly- 
wood will  be  resumed  next  month, 
committee  chairman  J.  Parnell 
Thomas  said  today. 

He  said  26  film  figures  for  whom 
the  committee  had  "Communist 
records"  'would  be  subpoenaed. 

There  have  been  repeated  reports  of 
resumption  of  the  Hollywood  hear- 
ings, but  this  is  the  first  to  come  from 
Thomas  himself,  and  the  most  definite. 
Even  with  the  announcement  from 
Thomas,  however,  it  is  very  possible 
that  any  one  of  a  number  of  other 
hearings  scheduled  next  month  may 


send  the  committee  off  on  another 
tangent  and  shove  the  Hollywood 
hearings  back  again. 

Thomas  said  the  Hollywood  hear- 
ings would  be  one  of  a  group  on  which 
the  committee  will  work  in  rapid-fire 
order  starting  Sept.  7.  They  will  deal 
with  "a  new  espionage  case,"  report- 
ed harboring  of  known  Communists 
in  the  country,  reports  of  Communist 
infiltration  into  Negro  organizations, 
the  case  of  Dr.  Edward  U.  Condon, 
head  of  the  Bureau  of  Standards,  and 
Communist  infiltration  in  educational 
institutions  and  newspapers  and  peri- 
odicals, as  well  as  the  Hollywood 
probe. 


20th's  Bid  for  Video 
Amendment  Denied 


Washington,  Aug.  26. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  to- 
day gave  a  final  "no"  to  a  request  of 
20th  Century-Fox  to  amend  its  appli- 
cation for  a  San  Francisco  television 
station  to  include  plans  for  an  auxil- 
iary station  at  Oakland. 

The  commission  turned  down  an  ap- 
peal by  20th-Fox  from  a  similar  de- 
cision of  commissioner  George  Sterl- 
ing. 

The  company  based  its  petition  in 
part  on  the  claim  that  the  FCC  had 
allowed  Paramount  to  amend  its  San 
Francisco  video  application  under 
similar  circumstances.  The  FCC  said 
Paramount  had  sought  to  amend  its 
application  well  before  the  San  Fran- 
cisco television  hearings  ended. 


Hudson  Claims  No 
Detroit  'Monopoly' 

Detroit,  Aug.  26. — Denying  charges 
of  the  Society  of  Independent  Motion 
Picture  Producers  that  a  monopoly  in 
Detroit  interferes  with  the  right  of  the 
patron  to  see  pictures  he  wants,  Earl 
J.  Hudson  manager  of  the  United  De- 
troit Theatres,  said :  "Pictures  of  all 
producers  have  an  equal  chance  in 
Detroit  Theatres.  We  show  the  same 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  August  27,  194 


Personal 
Mention 

PAUL  MacNAMARA,  Selznick  Re- 
leasing Organization's  public  re- 
lations vice-president,  arrived  here 
yesterday  from  the  Coast. 

• 

J.  L.  (Les)  Kaufman,  former  Uni- 
versal-International studio  publicity 
director,  will  return  to  the  Coast  by 
plane  at  the  weekend,  following  a  10- 
day  business  trip  to  Detroit  and  New 
York. 

• 

G.  L.  Carrington,  president  of  Al- 
tec, has  returned  to  Hollywood  after 
attending  the  wedding,  in  Lincoln,  111., 
of  his  eldest  son,  G.  L.  Carrington, 
Jr.,  to  Harriett  Clare  Perry. 
• 

Charles  Simonelli,  Universal-In- 
ternational Eastern  exploitation  man- 
ager, and  Philip  Gerard,  publicist, 
have  returned  here  from  the  Coast. 
• 

Mrs.  Betty  Sepanik  has  returned 
to  her  publicity  post  at  the  Fox  Thea- 
tre, Detroit,  after  a  six-month 
absence. 

• 

Joe  Alvin,  public  relations  direc- 
tor for  the  Society  of  Independent 
Motion  Picture  Producers,  left  here 
yesterday  for  Detroit. 

• 

Charles  P.  Skouras,  National 
Theatres  president,  left  New  York 
yesterday  via  United  Airlines  for  Hol- 
lywood. 

• 

Kenneth  Clarjc,  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America  public  rela- 
tions director,  was  in  New  York  yes- 
terday from  Washington. 

• 

Thomas  Turner  Cooke,  Universal 
special  counsel,  is  vacationing  in 
Maine,  from  where  he  will  return  to 
New  York  after  Labor  Day. 

• 

B.  G.  Kranze,  Film  Classics'  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  is  recuperat- 
ing at  his  home  here  from  a  virus 
attack. 


IATSE  Plans  Film 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


shown  principally  at  labor  meetings, 
there  being  little  likelihood,  he  said, 
that  the  film  would  reach  theatres  for 
public  consumption.  Plans  are  to  have 
the  film  ready  for  showings  long  be- 
fore the  current  political  campaign  is 
ended.  Production  of  it  would  proba- 
bly be  handled  by  the  AFL  Film 
Council  on  the  Coast,  which,  under 
the  supervision  of  "IA"  representativ 
Roy  Brewer,  has  already  made  and 
released  documentaries  touching  on 
labor's  achievements,  the  spokesman 
said. 

Walsh  has  been  in  Chicago  this 
week  attending  a  meeting  of  AFL's 
League  for  Political  Education  admin- 
istrative committee,  of  which  he  is  a 
member. 


Legal  Session 

Attorneys  for  the  film  companies 
met  here  yesterday  to  assign  counsel 
to  various  anti-trust  actions  around 
the  country. 


Challenges  Sopeg  in 
Poll  'Delay'  at  UA 

Following  a  reassessment  yesterday 
of  its  strength  among  United  Artists' 
home  office  white  collar  workers, 
IATSE  Motion  Picture  Home  Office 
Employes  Local  No.  H-63  voiced  the 
opinion  that  "the  Screen  Office  and 
Professional  Employes  Guild  could 
avail  itself  of  all  possible  means  under 
the  Taft-Hartley  Law  to  delay  a  shop 
election  at  UA  without  succeeding  in 
preventing  an  ultimate  victory  there 
for  H-63."  The  two  unions  are  en- 
gaged in  a  three-months-old  jurisdic- 
tional dispute  at  UA. 

An  election  had  been  scheduled  by 
the  regional  office  of  the  National 
Labor  Relations  Board  at  UA  today, 
but  was  cancelled  earlier  this  week 
following  an  appeal  by  attorney  for 
intervenor  Cecilia  Schuman  to  the 
NLRB  in  Washington,  against  re- 
gional NLRB  director  Charles  T. 
Douds'  ruling  that  Miss  Schuman  was 
acting  in  behalf  of  SOPEG,  itself  dis- 
qualified on  non-Communist  affidavit 
non-compliance  grounds,  in  seeking 
ballot  recognition. 

Russell  Moss,  H-63  business  agent, 
disclosed  yesterday  that  "90  per  cent  of 
UA  employe  "eligibles"  has  appealed 
in  a  wire  to  NLRB  chief  Paul  Herzog 
in  Washington  protesting  the  "election 
stoppage"  and  offering  to  testify,  re- 
gardless of  personal  expense,  at  a 
Washington  hearing  if  it  will  hasten 
the  holding  of  a  shop  election.  A  num- 
ber of  the  telegram's  signers,  Moss 
said,  are  former  supporters  of  Miss 
Schuman's  candidacy. 

"IA"  attorney  Matthew  M.  Levy, 
Moss  said,  has  asked  the  NLRB  in 
Washington  for  "immediate  action"  on 
the  appeal  against  Douds'  ruling. 


AFM  and  Firms  Meet 
To  Break  Impasse 

Representatives  of  the  American 
Federation  of  Musicians  and  the  com- 
panies met  again  last  night  in  their 
negotiations  for  a  new  contract  cover- 
ing studio  instrumentalists.  The  ses- 
sion was  still  in  progress  at  a  late 
hour,  with  no  indications  that  the  im- 
passe in  the  negotiations  reached  on 
Wednesday  had  been  broken. 


Video  for  Seattle 
Seen  by  Christmas 

Seattle,  Aug.  26. — The  possibility 
of  Seattle  having  television  by  Christ- 
mas is  seen  here  as  radio  station 
KRSC  announced  it  will  begin  tests 
next  month.  P.  L.  Leberman,  presi- 
dent of  the  Radio  Sales  Corp.,  said 
the  station  is  expected  to  begin  regu- 
lar commercial  services  about  30  days 
after  the  tests. 


Chicago's  WGN  -  TV 
Signs  With  DuMont 

Chicago,  Aug.  26.— WGN-TV  to- 
day signed  an  agreement  with  the 
DuMont  television  network  to  be  the 
exclusive  Chicago  outlet  for  network- 
originated  programs.  This  will  give 
Chicago  televiewers  the  first  regular 
Coast-to-Coast  network  programming 
in  this  area. 


Heat  Forces  Some 
To  Close  Early 

The  record-breaking  heat 
wave  had  various  effects  on 
the  home  offices  of  the  major 
film  companies  yesterday. 
RKO  and  Warner  Brothers 
closed  at  3:00  p.m.,  Paramount 
at  3:30  and  Monogram  at 
4:00.  Republic  reported  regu- 
lar closing  time  and  air-con- 
ditioned offices  brought  no 
change  in  closing  time  for 
M-G-M,  20th  Century-Fox, 
Universal-International,  Co- 
lumbia and  United  Artists. 


Dembow  Drive  Chiefs 
Here  for  Planning 

William  Bein,  Central  district  man- 
ager for  National  Screen  Service,  and 
Ben  Ashe,  Los  Angeles  branch  man- 
ager, arrived  here  yesterday  for  pre- 
liminary meetings  with  George  F. 
Dembow,  vice-president  in  charge  of 
sales,  regarding  the  George  Dembow 
Tribute  Drive,  starting  Sept.  13. 

Bein  and  Ashe  have  been  appointed 
Eastern  and  Western  drive  captains 
by  Herman  Robbins,  president.  Talks 
will  cover  the  concentration  of  sales 
force  efforts  on  a  "Get  Back  to  Show- 
manship" theme. 


Popkin  Plays  Host 

Harry  Popkin,  independent  producer 
releasing  through  United  Artists,  was 
host  to  sales  and  advertising-publicity 
executives  of  the  film  company  at  a 
Sherry  Netherlands  luncheon  here  yes- 
terday prior  to  his  return  to  the 
Coast.  Among  those  present  were 
Edward  Schnitzer,  Paul  Lazarus,  Jr., 
Howard  LeSieur,  Al  Tamarin,  Jack 
Wregge,  Frances  Winikus  and  Ed- 
ward Peskay. 


Eyssell  Dines  Newman 

Frank  L.  Newman,  Sr.,  pioneer  ex- 
hibitor and  president  of  the  Evergreen 
State  Amusement  Corp.,  Seattle,  for 
whom  G.  S.  Eyssell,  president  of  Ra- 
dio City  Music  Hall  and  executive 
manager  of  Rockefeller  Center,  Inc., 
first  worked  in  show  business  in  Kan- 
sas City,  Mo.,  was  entertained  at 
luncheon  yesterday  by  Eyssell  in  the 
Music  Hall's  studio  apartment. 


U.A.  Board  Meeting 

Special  meeting  of  the  United  Art- 
ists board  of  directors  was  held  here 
yesterday  to  consider  a  deal  for  re- 
linquishing distribution  rights  to  three 
pictures  produced  by  Howard  Hughes 
who  now  wants  them  for  RKO  Radio 
release.  The  company  declined  to 
comment  following  the  meeting. 


Hudson  Claims 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


double  bills  in  all  sections  of  the  city 
but  not  for  any  deep,  dark  reason. 
The  theatre  business  here  is  more 
competitive  than  in  any  other  city  in 
the  country." 

The  producers  sued  United  and  Co- 
operative Theatres  of  Michigan,  inde- 
pendent buying  combine,  for  $8,750,000 
in  damages  for  alleged  monopoly. 


Wright,  Myers  Calm 
About  SIMPP  Suit 

Washington,  Aug.  26. — Justice  Da 
partment  attorney  Robert  L.  Wriglij 
refused  to  make  any  comment  on  tin 
Society  of  Independent  Motion  Pictur 
Producers'  suit  against  United  Detroi: 
Theatres  and  Cooperative  Theatres  q 
Michigan,  independent  buying  conn 
bine,  beyond  the  laconic  statement  tha 
"presumably  treble-damage  suits  an 
one  method  of  enforcing  the  antiafcru.-i 
laws."  Wright  pointed  out  t  / 
injunctive  relief  asked  against  "•vjmtet 
might  be  taken  care  of  by  the  NevJ 
York  Court's  disposition  of  the  Par 
mount  case  but  that  the  damage  claim 
would  still  remain. 

Allied  counsel  Abram  F.  Myers  saic 
he  wanted  it  made  clear  that  then 
was  no  similarity  at  all  between  tin 
activities  of  Cooperative  Theatres  ano 
Allied  Caravan.  Caravan  does  nc 
buying,  he  stated,  but  "merely  ex 
changes  information  on  closed  trans 
actions." 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


t — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL  — 

Rockefeller  Center 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

Wallace  BEERY     .    Jane  POWELL 
i  Elizabeth  TAYLOR      .     Carmen  MIRANDA  I 
Xavler  CU GAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


ALAN  DONNA 

LADDREED, 


A  Gnat  low  Story 
Thai  Com»i 
Shining  Through  I 


2BWsf» 


ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  "THE 

BABE  RUTH 

AM^^flnt^  "  WILLI** 

STORY  —  BEND! 


I  CoM  P«rformoncos'Pop  PrlM1 


RKO  Presents 

GEORGE         WILLIAM  MARILYN 

RAFT        BENDIX  MAXWELL 

"RACE  STREET" 


BRANDT'S 
Cool 


MAYFAIR 


7th  Ave.  & 


Betty   Grable    -     Douglas   Fairbanks,  Jr. 

"THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE" 

A    20th  Century-Fox   Picture — 
TECHNICOLOR 
On  Variety  Stage — FRANCES  LANGFORD  & 
JON    HALL       -  HARMONICATS 
JERRY  COLONNA 
On    Ice   Stage— "THE    MERRY  WIDOW" 
Starring  CAROL  LYNNE    -    FRITZ  DIETL 


ROXY 


7th  Ave.  & 
50th  St.  : 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY  Martin  Qu.gley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays  by  Qu.gley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York.'  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr  Vice-President;  Thee  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
#.me%P--,j>n,r,?.1;?.m'  BeWwEd't0rV?trbertr^-  FeCrf'  Adveronincg  MvaTC  ,9ai  H"  Fause1'  Production  Manager;  David  Harris  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Budding,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup. 
Editor;  cable  address,  Qu.gpuoco,  London.  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
^  i     '  1  tInternat,onal  Motion  Picture  Almanac   Fame.    Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 

3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  m  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c.  '  ' 


To  that  memorable 
list  of  superb  comedies 


"LADY  FOR  A  DAY 


WW 


4  "IT  HAPPENED  ONE  NIGHT" 
J     "THE  AWFUL  TRUTH" 

P 

"YOU  CAN'T  TAKE  IT  WITH  YOU" 
"THE  PHILADELPHIA  STORY" 

Now  Add... 


nresentation  of 


s 


pres< 


that  delightful. 


•justrign"ul' 

... 

Directed  by  BaC°" 


4 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY 


Friday,  August  27,  1948 


Review 


"For  the  Love  of  Mary" 

{Universal-International) 

WAIT  till  the  patrons  get  a  look  at  the  farcical  complications  official 
Washington  is  thrown  into  by  the  romantic  involvements  of  Deanna 
Durbin.  As  a  switchboard  operator  in  the  White  House,  she  has  everyone 
from  the  President  and  Supreme  Court  Justices — down  to  the  more  humble 
folks  concerned  with  her  emotional  life.  The  affair  turns  out  to  be  a  merry 
romp,  the  kind  that  customers  generally  find  easy  to  take.  The  plot  is  one 
that  frequently  gives  plausibility  a  strenuous  tug,  but  the  mood  of  mischiev- 
ousness  becomes  so  contagious  that  one  is  disinclined  to  judge  its  shortcomings. 

The  vehicle  is  almost  exclusively  Miss  Durbin's,  and  when  not  involved  in 
the  entanglements  caused  by  her  three  suitors,  and  the  well-meaning  inter- 
ference of  the  President,  she  finds  time  for  an  impressive  number  of  songs. 
Some  of  them  are  "Moonlight  Bay,"  'Til  Take  You  Home  Again,  Kathleen," 
"On  the  Wings  of  Song,"  and  a  score  from  "The  Barber  of  Seville." 

Among  those  who  vie  for  Miss  Durbin's  hand  in  the  Oscar  Brodney 
screenplay  are  Jeffrey  Lynn,  a  lawyer;  Edmond  O'Brien,  a  naval  aide  to  the 
White  House;  and  Don  Taylor,  owner  of  a  little  Pacific  island,  on  which  the 
Navy,,  through  some  error,  has  built  a  base.  This  turns  out  to  be  the  trump 
card  by  which  Taylor  disposes  of  the  romantic  competition.  When  the  Navy 
negotiates  for  the  purchase  of  the  island,  Taylor  agrees  to  sell  it  on  condition 
that  the  lawyer  is  made  a  judge  far,  far  away,  and  the  lieutenant  is  given 
sea  duty. 

As  an  off-screen  character,  the  President  contributes  a  lot  of  bungling 
mirth,  but  in  an  election  year,  this  may  not  seem  so  hilarious  to  some  party 
leaders.  Robert  Arthur  produced;  Frederick  De  Cordova  directed. 

Running  time,  90  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Set  for 
September  release.  Mandel  Herbstman 


Johnston -Rank 


{Continued  from  page  1) 

Wednesday  or,  more  likely,  on  his  re- 
turn here  before  departing  for  Amer- 
ica Sept.  25. 

Today's  talk  between  the  two  was 
described  as  friendly  but  almost 
brutally  frank.  The  gist  of  the  mes- 
sage Johnston  gave  to  Rank  was : 
Cooperation  or  warfare. 

'Full  Catalogue  of  Affronts' 

Johnston  presented  a  full  catalogue 
of  occasions  of  affronts  to  the  Ameri- 
can industry,  including  the  ad  valorem 
film  tax,  the  45  per  cent  quota  law, 
the  uncalled  for  rebuff  in  the  exclu- 
sion of  Americans  from  the  Films 
Council,  the  continued  "smear"  attacks 
on  American  pictures  in  the  newspa- 
pers and  elsewhere  here  and  a  princi- 
pal grievance,  Rank's  suggested  inten- 
tion of  running  choice  American  pic- 
tures as  second  features  in  his  thea- 
tres. 

Laying  his  cards  on  the  table, 
Johnston  told  Rank  he  would  be  the 
first  to  suffer  if  he  endeavors  to  meet 
the  quota  with  a  series  of  cheaply- 
made  "quickies."  Bad  pictures  could 
set  back  the  whole  British  industry, 
Rank  was  reminded. 

Sees  Both  Sides  Hurt 

In  a  fight  between  the  two  indus- 
tries both  sides  would  be  hurt,  but 
possibly  Rank  wouW  be  hurt  more, 
Johnston  said.  . 

Rank  was  obviously  impressed  by 
the  interchange  and  expressed  the 
wish  to  discuss  Johnston's  indictments 
with  associates  before  meeting  with 
Johnston  again. 

Most  Americans  here  feel  that  un- 
der no  circumstances  should  they 
agree  to  the  playing  of  their  choicer 
product  as  second  features.  They  de- 
mand the  right,  to  sell  complete 
American  programs,  both  first  and 
second  features. 

Johnston  also  met  again  today  with 
American  company  managers  here  for 
a  further  discussion  of  ways  and 
means  of  protecting  American  inter- 
ests. The  discussions  are  likely  to  be 
continued  in  view  of  the  continuing 
divergence  of  views  and  interests  in 
the  American  camp,  which  was  again 
apparent  after  Johnston  had  left  to- 
day's meeting. 

Will  Meet  Fuller  Monday 

The  views  of  independent  British 
exhibitors  also  will  be  sought  by 
•Johnston,  probably  on  Monday,  when 
he  hopes  to  meet  with  W.  R.  Fuller, 


general  secretary  of  Cinematograph 
Exhibitors  Association,  and  others. 
Several  Americans  here  advocate  im- 
mediate withdrawal  from  Rank's  cir- 
cuits in  the  event  he  refuses  to  agree 
to  more  satisfactory  film  playing 
terms. 

Johnston  visited  Lady  Astor  at  her 
country  home  late  today.  His  itine- 
rary on  leaving  here  now  includes 
Paris,  Berlin,  Rome,  Madrid  and  Bel- 
grade, Yugoslavia.  He  still  hopes  to 
get  a  visa  to  visit  Russia,  but  this 
appears  unlikely.  He  plans  to  contact 
Marshal  Tito  while  in  Belgrade. 


Paramount  Profit 

{Continued  from  page  1) 

table  under  existing  restrictions  on 
remittances. 

Profit  reported  for  the  second  quar- 
ter of  this  year  was  $5,810,000,  after 
all  charges,  including  taxes.  The 
amount  includes  $1,466,000  represent- 
ing Paramount's  direct  and  indirect 
net  interest  as  a  stockholder  in  the 
combined  undistributed  earnings  for 
the  quarter  of  partially-owned  non- 
consolidated  subsidiaries.  Profit  for 
the  corresponding  quarter  of  last  year 
was  estimated  at  $7,885,000,  includ- 
ing $1,489,000  share  of  undistributed 
earnings  of  subsidiaries. 

Profit  for  this  year's  quarter  was 
equal  to  84  cents  a  share  of'  common, 
compared  with  $1.11  per  share  for 
the  corresponding  quarter  of  1947. 
Profit  for  the,  first  half  of  this  year 
represents  $1.96  per  share,  as  against 
$2.45  per  share  for  the  first  six 
months  of  last  year. 

The  company's  board  yesterday  de- 
clared the  regular  quarterly  dividend 
of  50 'cents  per  share  on  the  common 
stock,  payable  Sept.  24  to  stockhold- 
ers of  record  Sept.  7. 


PUZZLE-BANK 


A  game  to  be  played 
by   theater  audiences 

Enterprise  House,  Inc.,  198  Broadway 
New  York   City  DIgby  9-1278 


British  Lion  Sets 
26  Films  Through  '49 

London,  Aug.  26. — Sir  Arthur  Jar- 
ratt,  managing  director  of  British 
Lion,  distribution  affiliate  of  Sir  Alex- 
ander Korda,  has  announced  that  the 
company  plans  to  release  26  features 
between  now  and  the  end  of  1949.  The 
number  is  three  times  greater  than 
the  company  delivered  last  year. 


W.  B.  Theatre 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Stanley  Theatre  in  Baltimore  as  well 
as  Virginia  district  theatres.  Harry 
E.  Lohmeyer  and  Nat  Glassner  con- 
tinue as  managers,  respectively,  of  the 
Washington  neighborhood  houses  and 
Maryland  district  theatres. 

E-K  Promotes  Barr 
To  Managerial  Post 

Rochester,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  26. — East- 
man Kodak  has  advanced  William  E. 
Barr  to  assistant  general  manager  of 
its  sensitized  goods  sales  division.  He 
will  continue  to  function  as  manager 
of  the  company's  industrial  photo- 
graphic sales  division. 


ITOA  To  Appeal 

{Continued  from  page  1) 

counsel,  former  Secretary  of  War 
Robert  P.  Patterson,  petition  Judge 
Leibell  for  a  modification  of  some  of 
the  more  sweeping  phraseology  in  the 
decision. 

In  the  13-page  statement  he  released 
yesterday,  Weisman  scored  Theatre 
Owners  of  America's  advice  to  exhibi- 
tors to  continue  payments  to  Ascap. 
Weisman  countered  with  this  : 

"My  advice  to  every  exhibit; 
'Don't  pay  Ascap  for  music  pei 
ing  rights.  If  you  must  part  with  your 
good  money,  give  it  to  a  poor  relative 
or  give  it  to  a  worthy  charity'." 

Weisman  said  "The  effect  of  the 
decision  is  so  apparent  that  virtually 
all  informed  exhibitors  and  exhibitor 
associations  are  discontinuing  the 
making  of  any  payments  to  Ascap." 
He  contends  that  producers  will  not 
have  to  pay  exorbitant  prices  for  the 
performing  rights  to  copyrighted  mu- 
sic "since  they  will  be  able  to  pur- 
chase them  in  an  open  and  free  mar- 
ket where  competition  among  copy- 
right owners  exists." 

He  added  that,  in  his  opinion,  the 
cost  of  the  performing  rights  borne 
by  the  producers  could  not  very  well 
be  passed  along  to  exhibitors  because 
the  latter  already  are  paying  for  film 
"all  that  the  traffic  will  bear." 


Herman  Levy,  general  counsel  of 
Theatre  Owners  of  America,  made 
the  following  comment  yesterday  on 
the  Weisman  statement: 

"We  shall  be  glad  to  argue  _  with 
anybody,  at  any  time,  the  merits  of 
the  two  existing  positions  with  regard 
to  payments  to  Ascap  for  performing 
rights  under  current  licenses  and  prior 
to  the  entry  of  a  decree  by  Judge 
Leibell. 

"The  mud-slinging  at  personalities 
by  Weisman,  however,  does  not  de- 
serve or  warrant  any  response." 


'Games'  Opens  Sept.  1 

The  print  of  "The  Olympic  Games 
of  1948,"  to  be  released  by  Eagle-Lion, 
will  be  received  from  England  on  Sept. 
1.  The  film  is  due  to  open  at  the 
Apollo,  Chicago,  Sept.  10;  Exeter, 
Boston,  Sept.  12 ;  Gotham,  New  York, 
Sept.  15.' 


$9,500  for  'Rope'  Here 

Alfred  Hitchcock's  "Rope"  grossed 
approximately  $9,500  in  its  opening- 
day,  yesterday,  at  the  Globe  here. 
This  represents  top  business  for  the 
house,  despite  yesterday's  record  heat 
here. 


THE  LATEST  WORD  ON 


•Rope  is  Another 
Hitchcock-A-Docdle-ooF 


—WALTER  WINCHELL 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
j  NEWS 


64.   NO.  42 


MOTION  PICTURE 

DAILY 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  AUGUST  30,  1948 


Some  By-pass 
1st  Runs  as 
Profits  Wane 


Earlier  Neighborhood 
Play-offs  Are  Favored 

As  the  trend  continues  away  from 
the  fixed  selling  pattern  adhered  to 
over  the  past  several  years,  some 
distributors  are  now  considering 
by-passing  first-run  outlets  in  three 
of  the  country's  top  cities,  New  York, 
Los  Angeles  and  Chicago,  distribution 
executives  here  reveal. 

United  Artists,  for  one,  has  found 
that  lesser-caliber  product  in  New 
York  and  Los  Angeles  fares  commer- 
cially better  with  an  earlier  play-off 
in  the  neighborhood  situations  through 
the  elimination  of  first-run  engage- 
ments. First-run  rentals,  it  is  said, 
are  offset  by  the  cost  of  advertising 
such  product.  At  UA  it  was  reported 
that  the  same  holds  true  to  a  lesser 
extent  in  Chicago. 

Meanwhile,  in  the  New  York  area, 
adjustments  of  the  clearances  now 
held  by  the  RKO  and  Loew's  circuits 
still  are  being  discussed  by  distribu- 
tion executives,  according  to  informed 
sources.  As  yet  few  changes  have 
been  made.    One  film  company  sales 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


ECA  Action  Due  on 
Converting  Marks 


Washington,  Aug.  29. — The  Eco- 
nomic Cooperation  Administration 
hopes  to  announce  in  the  very  near 
future — possibly  this  week — a  contract 
with  the  Motion  Picture  Export  Asso- 
ciation guaranteeing  the  convertibility 
from  marks  into  dollars  of  costs  of 
sending  films  into  occupied  Germany. 

This  will  be  the  first  convertibility 
guarantee  contract  for  a  film  firm,  and 

(Continued  on  page  4) 

$3,000,000  Budget  for 
12  Films  by  Equity 

Hollywood,  Aug.'  29.  —  A  produc- 
tion program  calling  for  the  expendi- 
ture of  $3,000,000  on  12  pictures  dur- 
ing the  10-month  period  starting  in 
September  was  announced  here  at  the 
weekend  by  Harry  H.  Thomas,  presi- 
dent of  Equity  Pictures.  Eagle-Lion 
will  release. 

Equity,  which  furnishes  its  own 
financing  for  independent  producers, 
was  organized  by  Thomas  following 
his  retirement  as  president  of  Pro- 
ducers Releasing"  Corp. 


RKO  Gets  3 
Hughes  Films 


Three  films  produced  by  Howard 
Hughes  for  United  Artists  release 
which  became  a  subject  of  negotia- 
tion when  Hughes  acquired  control 
of  RKO  are  now  slated  for  RKO 
release,  according  to  informed  sources. 

The  UA  board  last  week  agreed  to 
part  with  the  product  in  consideration 
of  a  financial  arrangement  with  RKO. 
Reports  of  exact  nature  of  the  deal 
are  in  apparent  conflict,  one  being 
that  a  cash  settlement  is  involved  and 
the  other  that  RKO  has  agreed  to 
provide  second-money  financing  for 
three  UA  pictures.  The  finalization 
of  the  transaction  is  expected  shortly 
and  Grad  Sears,  UA  president,  is  ex- 
pected to  make  an  announcement  on 
the  matter  today. 

The  three  films  are  "The  Outlaw," 
"Vendetta"  and  "Mad  Wednesday." 

At  its  meeting  last  week,  the  UA 
board  had  rejected  other  proposed 
settlements  including  one  under  which 
UA  would  have  taken  distribution 
rights  to  three  other  RKO  radio  films 
in  exchange  for  those  made  by 
Hughes. 


Petrillo  Demands 
Postponed  for  Year 


The  impasse  reached  last  week  in 
talks  between  representatives  of  the 
American  Federation  of  Musicians  and 
companies  bearing  on  a  new  contract 
covering  studio  instrumentalists  re- 
sulted in  a  compromise  late  Thursday 
night  to  extend  the  existing  agreement 
one  year,  subject  to  reopening  by  the 
AFM  at  any  time  on  60  days'  notice. 

The  conferences  came  to  an  end 
when  James  C.  Petrillo,  president  of 
the  AFM,  yielded  to  the  companies' 
request  that  he  hold  up  his  demand 
for  wage  adjustments  and  more  em- 
ployment for  musicians  in  production 
on  the  grounds  of  a  decline  in  film 
business.  At  the  same  time  he  re- 
served the  right  to  reopen  negotia- 
tions at  "a  more  appropriate  time," 

(Continued  on  page  4) 

'Electra9  Ready  for 
Popular  Priced  Runs 

A  specially-edited  version  of  .,  the 
Theatre  Guild-RKO  Radio  production 
of  "Mourning  Becomes  Electra"  has 
been  finished  and  will  be  released  soon 
for  popular-priced  engagements,  it  has 
been  announced  by  Robert  Mochrie, 
RKO  distribution  vice-president.  Run- 
ning time,  of  the  edited  version  has 
been  reduced  to  a  little  .  under  two 
hours. 


20th-Fox  to  Produce 
12  Films  in  France 

Paris,  Aug.  29. — Production 
of  12  films  during  the  first 
year  of  full  European  pro- 
duction, .entailing  expendi- 
ture of  $24,000,000  during  the 
next  year,  will  be  launched 
here  by  20th  Century-Fox, 
Darryl  F.  Zanuck  announced 
here  at  the  weekend.  The 
plan  is  aimed  at  utilizing 
$12,000,000  in  frozen  currency 
of  foreign  countries.  Zanuck 
also  indicated  that  the  Euro- 
pean production  program 
would  involve  a  curtailment 
of  the  22  films  scheduled  to 
be  made  in  Hollywood. 


Favor  Direct  Sale 
Of  Foreign  Rights 


Substantial  increase  in  outright 
sale  of  distribution  rights  to  U.  S. 
product  abroad  is  anticipated  in  trade 
circles  here,  particularly  where  the 
product  of  independent  producers  is 
concerned. 

One  independent  producer's  repre- 
sentative said  at  the  weekend  that  out- 
right sale  of  pictures  to  foreign  dis- 
tributors is  rapidly  becoming  more 
advantageous  as  marketing  problems 
abroad  continue  to  increase. 

Costs  of  dubbing  and  imposing 
titles,  adverse  playing  time  quotas 
and  dollar-conversion  difficulties  are 
said  to  be  making  spot  deals  more 
attractive  where  possible.  Independ- 
ent producers  particularly  are  eager 
for  a  quicker  return  on  investments, 
it  is  said,  and  this,  too,  can  be  ac- 
complished by  outright  deals. 

So  peg's  25%  Increase 
Bid  to  9  Companies 

New  contract  demands  calling  for  a 
25  per  cent  general  increase  in  wages, 
upward  revision  of  all  minimum  sal- 
aries, a  35-hour  work  week  and  other 
benefits  were  sent  at  the  weekend  by 
Screen  Office  and  Professional  Em- 
ployes Guild  to  presidents  or  vice-pres- 
idents of  Columbia,  Loew's,  National 
Screen,  Paramount,  Republic,  RKO 
Radio,  RKO  Service  Corp.,  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox and  Confidential  Reports. 

Sidney  Young,  SOPEG  president, 
who  signed  the  communication,  asked 
the  companies  to  set  an  early  date 
to  begin  negotiations.  SOPEG's  pres- 
ent contracts  with  the  nine  companies 
expire  on  Sept.  27.  Earlier  demands 
put  to  United  Artists  by  SOPEG 
were  followed  by  the  compan}f's  re- 
fusal to  negotiate  with  the  union  be- 
cause of  its  non-compliance  with  the 
non-Communist  affidavit  provisions  of 
the  Taft-Hartley  Law. 


TEN  CENTS 


MPAA's  Trade 
Deal  Unblocks 
Europe  Funds 

'Definite  Results,'  Says 
World  Commerce  Corp. 

The  so-called  "compensation 
deal"  between  the  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America  and  World 
Commerce  Corp.,  international 
trading  organization  with  offices  in 
principal  cities  of  the  globe,  is  now 
producing  "definite  results"  in  terms 
of  unblocking  U.  S.  film  earnings  in 
Europe,  it  is  disclosed  here  by  WCC 
executive  vice-president  John  A.  R. 
Pepper. 

The  deal,  negotiated  early  this  year, 
had  not  produced  any  tangible  results 
until  recently.  Pepper's  disclosure 
marked  the  first  indication  that  the 
plan  may  hold  substantial  advantages 
for  the  U.  S.  industry. 

Pepper  said  the  plan,  reportedly 
conceived  by  Gerald  M.  Mayer,  man- 
aging director  of  the  MPAA  interna- 
tional division,  has  succeeded  in  un- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Yates  Takes  Half 
Pay;  Pass  Dividend 


Herbert  J-  Yates,  Republic  Pictures 
president,  voluntarily  reduced  his  sal- 
ary 50  per  cent,  the  company  an- 
nounced following  a  board  of  directors 
meeting  here  on  Friday. 

The  action  was  concurrent  with  a 
statement  from  Yates  that  "further 
substantial  economies"  are  contem- 
plated by  the  company  during  the  next 
60  days,  in  addition  to  "many  econo- 
mies already  in  effect." 

The  quarterly  dividend  on  the  com- 
pany's   preferred    stock,   usually  de- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 

Foley  Will  Address 
TO  A  on  'Excise  Tax' 

"The  Excise  Tax"  will  be  discussed 
at  the  Sept.  24  session  of  the  Theatre 
Owners  of  America  convention  in 
Chicago  by  Undersecretary  of  the 
Treasury  Edward  H.  Foley,  Jr.,  it  is 
reported  by  TOA  executive  director 
Gael  Sullivan.  Foley  is  the  second 
Washington  figure  scheduled  to  ad- 
dress the  convention,  it  having  been 
previously  reported  that  Federal  Com- 
munications Commissioner  Wayne  Coy 
will  speak  Sept.  25. 

TOA  has  been  campaigning  since  its 
inception  about  two  years  ago  for  a 
reduction  in  the  20  per  cent  Federal 
admissions  (excise)  tax. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  August  30,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

MR.  and  Mrs.  Jack  Warner,  Gen. 
William  J.  Donovan,  Jock 
Lawrence,  Sydney  Wynne.  Jack 
Benny,  Mary  Livingston  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Harold  Boxall  are  due  in 
New  York  today  on  the  Queen  Mary 
from  England. 

• 

Georges  Ayotte  of  the  National 
Film  Board  of  Canada  will  leave  Ot- 
tawa shortly  for  Paris  to  study  deco- 
rative art  at  the  Institute  des  Hautes 
Etudes  Cinematographiques. 

• 

Charles  Laughton  and  Robert 
Hutton  are  among  the  passengers  on 
the  Mauretania  which  left  New  York 
for  England  on  Saturday. 

• 

Sid  Reams  has  been  appointed  spe- 
cial sales  representative  for  Republic 
in  Atlanta  by  Merritt  Davis,  branch 
manager  there. 

• 

Russell   Stewart,  M-G-M  home 
office  publicist,  is  expected  back  in 
Nev  York  today  from  Washington. 
• 

C.  J.  Briant,  New  Orleans  branch 
manager  for  M-G-M,  has  returned  to 
his  headquarters  from  New  York. 
• 

Abe  Colman,  .general  manager  of 
the  M-G-M  music  publishing  compa- 
nies, is  on  the  Coast  from  New  York. 
• 

Richard  Powers,  M-G-M  music 
executive,  will  return  to  the  Coast 
from  Boston  tomorrow. 

• 

Lily  Whalen  of  the  Famous  Play- 
ers-Shea Theatre,  Toronto,  is  begin- 
ning her  50th  year  in  show  business. 
• 

Jerome  J.  Cohen,  motion  picture 
insurance  specialist,  is  on  a  Caribbean 
cruise. 

• 

Larry  Mackey,  manager  of  the  Ar- 
cadia Theatre  in  Philadelphia,  is  va- 
cationing in  Texas. 

• 

Helen  Grabbow  of  Eagle-Lion's 
foreign  department  is  vacationing  in 
the  Lake  George  region. 

• 

Major  Hugh  Martin,  Jr.,  general 
manager  of  M  &  M  Theatres  in  Flor- 
ida, has  been  called  to  Army  duty. 


Ansco  Aide  to  Europe 

Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  29. — 
Alan  W.  Cook,  head  of  the  Eastern 
technical  service  department  of  Ansco's 
professional  motion  picture  sales  divi- 
sion, sailed  for  France  on  Saturday  to 
assist  Irving  Allen,  producer,  as  tech- 
nical adviser  on  "The  Man  in  the  Eiffel 
Tower."  Before  returning  to  the  U.S. 
in  November,  Cook  plans  to  visit  other 
film  capitals  in  Europe  for  conferences 
on  the  use  of  Ansco  Color  Film. 


Early  Closings  Friday 

Many  company  home  offices  closed 
early  on  Friday,  for  the  second  con- 
secutive day,  due  to  New  York's  rec- 
ord-breaking heat  wave. 


FCC  to  Use  License 
Power  on  Give-aways 


Washington,  Aug.  29. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  on 
Friday  announced  it  planned  to  go 
ahead  with  its  proposed  crack-down 
on  radio  give-away  shows,  but  under 
a  different  portion  of  the  Federal 
Communications  Act  than  announced 
earlier. 

About  three  weeks  ago,  the  FCC  an- 
nounced proposed  rules  which  would 
have  ruled  off  almost  all  current  quiz 
programs  except  "Information  Please" 
and  "Quiz  Kids."  But  the  National 
Association  of  Broadcasters  and  a 
Congressional  investigating  committee 
pointed  out  that  the  section  it  was 
using  as  its  authority  had  been  re- 
pealed- 

On  Friday,  the  FCC  said  it  didn't 
need  that  section.  It  would  go  ahead 
with  its  rules  under  its  general  power 
to  issue  radio  licenses  in  the  public 
interest.  Anyone  who  wants  to  op- 
pose the  rules  still  has  until  Sept.  10 
to  file  a  brief. 


FCC  Sets  Conference 

Washington,  Aug.  29— The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  will 
hold  a  conference  with  the  television 
industry  on  Sept.  13  on  the  commis- 
sion's television  allocation  procedures. 

Distribution  Deals 
Announced  by  Astor 

Astor  Pictures  has  completed  a  deal 
with  Films,  Inc.,  whereby  the  latter 
will  distribute  on  a  non-exclusive 
basis,  Astor's  16mm.  product  in  the 
U.  S.  The  deal  is  for  a  five-year  pe- 
riod, according  to  Jacques  Kopfstein, 
executive  vice-president  of  Astor. 

In  another  deal,  John  Jenkins,  pres- 
ident of  Astor  Pictures  Co.  of  Dallas 
has  acquired  distribution  for  eight 
"Wild  Bill"  Elliott  reissues  controlled 
by  Astor  Pictures  Corp.  The  agree- 
ment covers  the  Atlanta,  Memphis  and 
New  Orleans  territories. 


Astor  Acquires  Westerns 

Hollywood,  Aug.  29. — Closing  of  a 
three-state  deal  for  a  series  of  eight 
"Wild  Bill"  Elliott  reissues  with  Har- 
old Schwartz,  head  of  Tower  Pictures 
of  Dallas,  has  been  announced  by  R. 
M.  Savini,  Astor  Pictures  president, 
who  is  here  from  New  York  for  prod- 
uct talks.  The  states  are  Texas,  Okla- 
homa and  New  Mexico. 


Louisville  Video  Bid 

Louisville,  Aug.  29. — Mid-America 
Broadcasting  Cor"p.,  which  plans  to 
have  this  city's  sixth  broadcasting  sta- 
tion in  operation  by  Nov.  1,  has  ap- 
plied to  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission  for  permission  to  set  up  a 
television  station.  If  granted,  it  will 
be  the  city's  third  video  outlet.  Mean- 
while, another  new  radio  station, 
WLOU,  is  expected  to  start  broad- 
casting on  Sept.  30. 


NBC  Video  Reel  Moving 

NBC  Television  Newsreel  will  move 
into  new  quarters  in  the  RKO  Pathe 
Studios  here  on  Oct.  1  according  to 
Sidney  N.  Strotz,  the  network's  ad- 
ministrative vice-president  in  charge 
of  television. 


L.A.  Tops  Quota  in 
Jewish  Fund  Drive 

Hollywood,  Aug.  29.  —  The 
Los  Angeles  area  has  topped 
its  $10,000,000  quota  for  the 
United  Jewish  Welfare  Fund, 
Samuel  Goldwyn,  president 
of  the  drive  here,  announced 
at  the  weekend.  It  is  believed 
to  be  the  largest  amount  ever 
subscribed  in  this  community 
for  a  humanitarian  cause. 


Broadway  Houses  Get 
'Youth'  Short  Today 

"Families  First,"  10-minute  short 
subject  which  is  the  second  in  a  series 
on  youth  being  produced  by  RKO 
Pathe  for  the  New  York  State  Youth 
Commission,  will  open  today  in  New 
York's  Broadway  first-run  theatres  for 
a  special  engagement. 

The  picture,  which  has  been  en- 
dorsed by  the  Metropolitan  Motion 
Picture  Theatres  Association,  is  being 
distributed  gratis  upon  availability  by 
20th  Century-Fox.  It  will  move  into 
second  and  subsequent  runs  following 
its  Broadway  engagements.  Over  250 
MMPTA  member  theatres  in  the 
Metropolitan  area  will  exhibit  the  film 
which,  following  its  regular  theatre 
run,  will  be  made  available  free  in 
New  York  State  to  schools,  agencies 
and  other  interested  groups  in  16mm. 

Chouinard  Named  to 
UA  Milwaukee  Post 

Caspar  J.  Chouinard  has  been  ap- 
pointed Milwaukee  branch  -manager 
for  United  Artists,  it  is  announced  by 
Fred  M.  Jack,  Western  division  mana- 
ger. Chouinard,  who  joined  U.  A.  as 
booker  and  office  manager  in  Minne- 
apolis in  1934,  and  was  promoted  to 
salesman  in  1936,  succeeds  Robert 
Allen,  resigned.  For  a  brief  inter- 
val last  year  Chouinard  served  as 
buyer  for  Associated  Theatres  .  of 
Minneapolis. 

Jack,  accompanied  by  W.  E.  Call- 
away, Western  district  manager,  is 
due  here  today  for  home  office  con- 
ferences. 

$380,000  for  'Largo' 
Sets  Strand  Record 

"Key  Largo"  brought  the  Strand 
here  an  estimated  $380,000  in  a  six- 
week  record-making  run  which  ended 
last  Thursday  night.  Billie  Holliday 
and  Count  Basie  were  on  the  stage. 
Gross  for  the  run  is  the  highest  in 
the  34-year  history  of  the  house. 


VFW  Film  Service  Set 

Washington,  Aug.  29. — Film  ren- 
tal library  for  the  Veterans  of  For- 
eign Wars  Film  Distribution  Service 
through  the  Sherman  Plan,  Inc.  and 
the  Film  Center  of  Washington,  D.  C, 
Inc.,  has  been  set  here. 


WB  Promotes  Gold 

William  Gold  has  been  promoted 
to  head  of  the  Warner  Bros,  poster 
art  department  here  as  successor  to 
Joe  Tisman.  He  has  been  a  member 
of  the  department  for  seven  years. 


Newsreel 
Parade 

RS.  KASENKINA  talking  and 
the  Red  hearings  in  Washington 
mark  current  newsreel  highlights. 
Other  items  include  the  Berlin  crisis, 
the  heat  ivave  and  varied  sports.  Com- 
plete contents  follow : 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  69—  Soviet- 
U.S.  crisis:  Russia  shuts  its  consulates. 
Mrs.  Kasenkina  exposes  Red  lie.  Red  in- 
quiry in  Washington.  West  guards  z- — 
in  Berlin  against  Russian  inroads.  Sv 
kids'  baseball,  five-year-old  water  star,-  '> 
boxing. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  303— Hiss 
vs.  Chambers  in  Washington  hearings.  Mrs. 
Kasenkina's  own  story.  Yanks  block  Red 
raids  in  Berlin  zone.  Soil  conservation  ex- 
hibit. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  2— Soviet 
rejects  U.S.  note.  Back  to  school  fashions. 
Hiss  vs.  Chambers  at  hearings.  Heat  wave. 

UNIVERSAL,  NEWS,  No.  173— Reds 
unmasked ;  consulates  closed  as  teacher  talks. 
News  in  brief:  Donald  O'Connor  in  South 
Africa;  fire  in  Montreal.  Five-year  old 
water  star.  U.S.  Red  probe:  Hiss  and 
Chambers  clash  at  hearing. 

WARNER   PATHE   NEWS,   No.  4-r- 

Russian  teacher  talks.  Farm  face-lifting. 
Red  hearings  in  Washington.  Suicide  horse 
race  in  India.  Great  Americans:  Gen. 
Pershing. 

Bailey  Quits  20th  in 
Ont.;  Stevens  Moves 

Toronto,  Aug.  29. — Harry  J.  Bailey 
has  resigned  as  Ontario  branch  man- 
ager for  20th  Century-Fox  after 
many  years  in  the  post,  and  has  been 
succeeded  by  Peter  Myers,  it  has  been 
announced  by  Arthur  S.  Silverstone, 
Canadian  district  manager.  'Myers, 
who  was  with  the  Royal  Canadian 
Air  Force  during  most  of  the  war, 
was  formerly  with  Eagle-Lion  Films 
of  Canada  where  lie  held  a  similar 
position. 

Larry  Stevens  has  resigned  as  pub- 
licity director  of  United  Artists  of 
Canada  to  become  executive  assistant 
to  Frank  H.  Fisher,  general  manager 
of  Eagle-Lion  here. 

Grainger  to  Conduct 
'Frisco  Sales  Meet 

James  R.  Grainger,  Republic  execu- 
tive vice-president  in  charge  of  dis- 
tribution, will  conduct  a  sales  meeting 
in  San  Francisco  during  his  stay  on 
the  Coast.  He  left  here  at  the  week- 
end for  San  Francisco  to  attend  the 
wedding  of  Marie  Wobber,  daughter 
of  Herman  Wobber,  to  Marshall 
Naify,  son  of  "Mike"  Naify.  Grainger 
will  go  to  Los  Angeles  from  San 
Francisco. 


Scully  Forms  May  fair 

Hollywood,  Aug.  29. — Mayfair 
Pictures  has  been  formed  here  by 
Peter  Scully,  former  actor  and  film 
editor.  It  will  release  through  Mono- 
gram. The  company's  first  will  be 
"The  Rainmaker,"  slated  to  go  into 
production  Sept.  21. 


Frank  Goodale,  61 

Frank  Goodale,  61,  for  many  years 
manager  of  Loew's  State  in  White 
Plains,  N.  Y.,  died  last  Thursday  in 
St.  Petersburg,  Fla.,  after  a  year's 
illness,  it  was  reported  here  at  the 
weekend  by  Loew's  Theatres. 


M 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer ;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
Tames  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Famous  Authors  Help  Make  It  The  Most 


most  g 

Picture  Since  "Lost  Weekend" 


"In  our  opinion,  'SORRY,  WRONG  NUMBER'  sets  a  new 
high  in  suspense  films.  It  has  not  only  the  elements  of  terror 
and  mystery,  but  also  valid  human  characterizations.  It  is  a 
masterly  treatment  of  convincing  human  situations,  building 
to  new  peaks  of  suspense." 

—EDWARD  S.  SULLIVAN,  Vice-President  oj the  Mystery  Writers  of  America,  Inc 


"'SORRY,  WRONG  NUMBER'  is  packed  with  suspense  from 
the  first  to  the  last  scene."  —Lawrence  goldman,  Noted  mystery  author 


"It  has  a  mood  as  eerie  as 
a  deserted  house  at  mid- 
night; a  story  that  climbs 
into  the  chill,  black  at- 
mosphere of  terror." 

—JONATHAN  LATIMER, 
Noted  mystery  author 


No.  3 
Of  A  Series 


ith  Month — Saluiing  Young  America 


- 


4 


Motion  picture  Daily 


Monday,  August  30,  1948 


Switch  20th' s  Sales 
Meet  to  West  Coast 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  will 
hold  its  domestic  sales  con- 
vention, originally  scheduled 
for  Chicago  beginning  Sept. 
11,  at  National  Theatres  head- 
quarters in  Los  Angeles,  Sept. 
14-17,  instead,  Andy  W.  Smith, 
Jr.,  general  sales  manager, 
announced  on  Friday.  Spyros 
P.  Skouras,  president,  and 
Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  production 
vice-president,  will  address 
the  parley,  which  will  be  at- 
tended by  all  branch  and  di- 
vision managers  and  home 
office  executives. 


By-pass  First  Runs 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


official  said  that  efforts  to  make  clear 
a*ice  revisions  are  somewhat  hampered 
by  the  complexities  in  New  York 
marketing  of  product. 

RKO's  seven-day  clearance  over  in 
dependent  houses,  one  each  in  the 
Bronx,  Brooklyn,  Lynbrook  and  Long 
Beach,  has  been  eliminated,  as  previ 
ously  reported.  While  RKO  has 
houses  near  the  locations  of  the  four 
to  what  extent  they  are  competitive  is 
not  easily  "discernible,  Malcolm  Kings- 
berg,  president  of  RKO  Theatres,  said. 

Evidence  of  the  advantages  of  the 
clearance  elimination  for  the  independ- 
ent can  be  only  in  the  form-  of  in- 
creased revenue  for  the  independent 
in  proportion  to  decreased  earnings 
for  the  RKO  situation,  he  explained. 
Even  this  formula  cannot  be  too  ac- 
curate, he  added,  because  population 
in  a  given  area  and  other  more  com- 
plex considerations  must  be  made. 


Petrillo 


{Continued  from  page  1) 


according  to  a  joint  statement  issued 
by  the  AFM  and  the  companies. 

The  AFM  head  made  it  clear  to  the 
producer  representatives  that  "the 
union  was  taking  cognizance  tempo- 
rarily of  existing  economic  conditions, 
both  at  home  and  abroad,  in  the  mo- 
tion picture  industry." 

The  old  contract  was  to  have  ex- 
pired tomorrow. 

Independent  producers  are  scheduled 
to  begin  separate  talks  this  week  with 
Petrillo  in  Hollywood. 


Yates  Takes  Half 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


clared  at  this  time,  was  passed  by  the 
board  "due  to  unsettled  conditions  in 
the  industry  throughout  the  world." 

All  of  the  company's  available  cash 
above  operational  requirements  will  be 
used  to  further  reduce  the  company's 
bank  loans,  it  was  stated. 


Weiner  Quits  Classics 

Sidney  Weiner  has  resigned  from 
the  Film  Classics  sales  department 
here.  A  new  affiliation  will  be  an- 
nounced on  his  return  from  a  vacation. 


PUZZLE-BANK 


The  Big  Money  Movie 
Game  for  Movie  Theatres 


Enterprise  House,  Inc. 
New  York  City 


198  Broadway 
DIgby  9-1278 


Reviews 


"An  Innocent  Affair" 

{Nasser- U nited  Artists) 

AS  a  bright  comedy  of  marital  errors,  "An  Innocent  Affair"  is  suffused 
generously  with  wit  and  substance.  It  is  strictly  an  adult  refreshment, 
and  offers  the  assurance  that  there  is  nothing  wrong  with  the  wife-suspecting- 
her-husband  formula  that  an  adroit  treatment  cannot  cure.  The  presentation 
has  been  given  a  resourceful  production  treatment  by  James  Nasser,  with 
Fred  MacMurray  and  Madeleine  Carroll  handling  the  leads,  and  good  assis- 
tance coming  from  Charles  "Buddy"  Rogers,  Rita  Johnson  and  Louise  All- 
britton. 

When  Miss  Carroll  learns  that  her  advertising  husband  is  spending  his 
evenings  with  an  attractive  young  lady,  she  is  scarcely  inclined  to  believe  his 
story  that  it  is  all  part  of  an  attempt  to  get  a  new  cosmetic  account.  Miss 
Carroll  decides  that  the  best  strategy  for  a  wife  that  is  taken  for  granted  is 
to  make  the  spouse  jealous.  She  hits  upon  the  unconventional  idea  of  hiring 
a  man  to  flirt  with  her.  The  only  trouble  is  that  through  a  mistaken  identity 
the  one  hired  for  the  part  is  not  the  one  that  flirts  with  her.  Thus  the  story 
merry-go-rounds  into  more  and  more  complications.  Of  course  there  is  noth- 
ing really  morally  wrong  with  the  conduct  of  either,  and  so  a  happy  reunion 
is  inevitable,  but  not  before  some  unused  railroad  tickets  are  bought  for  Reno- 
Miss  Carroll,  back  after  too  long  an  absence  from  the  screen,  interprets  her 
role  with  great  charm  and  talent.  MacMurray  is  ably  cast  as  the  harassed 
husband  who  becomes  ensnared  in  his  own  innocent  little  lies.  As  a  tobacco 
tycoon  who  is  unwittingly  drawn  into  the  triangle,  Rogers  offers  another 
touch  of  farce  to  the  adult  proceedings. 

Lloyd  Bacon  has  done  a  neat  job  of  direction  from  the  original  screenplay 
by  Lou  Breslow  and  Joseph  Hoffman. 

Running  time,  90  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Set  for  November 
release.  Mandel  Herbstman 


"Out  of  the  Storm" 

{Republic) 

<*^SUT  OF  THE  STORM"  puts  itself  across  as  a  pleasing  hour's  enter- 
\J  tainment  principally  by  virtue  of  its  winning  unpretentiousness.  Mod- 
estly produced  and  peopled  with  not-too-well-known  but  competent  actors,  it 
chronicles  a  rather  familiar  tale  about  an  obscure  payroll  clerk  who  couldn't 
resist  the  temptation  of  fleecing  his  company  at  an  opportune  moment  and 
who  thereafter  finds  it  pretty  difficult  to  live  with  his  conscience.  Lending 
strong  emphasis  to  the  "crime  does  not  pay"  theme,  a  neat,  workmanlike 
directorial  job  by'  R.  G.  Springsteen  has  saved  it  from  being  too  preachy, 
and  the  overall  effect  is  one  of  satisfactory  understatement. 

During  a  hold-up  at  his  place  of  business,  James  Lydon  steals  $100,000 
which  was  overlooked  by  gangster  Marc  Lawrence  and  his  henchmen.  Lydon's 
act,  unsuspected  by  all  connected  with  the  company  except  insurance  detective 
Richard  Travis,  grieves  his  sweetheart,  Lois  Collier,  but  she  resigns  herself 
to  his  attempt  to  get  away  with  the  deed  since  it  means  they  will  be  finan- 
cially able  to  marry.  Conscience  and  girl  friend  win  out  over  Lydon's  in- 
sistence finally,  after  the  young  man,  constantly  haunted  for  the  money  by 
Lawrence,  defeats  the  gangster  in  a  showdown  fist  fight.  Sidney  Picker  was 
associate  producer.  John  K.  Butler's  tidy  screenplay  was  based  on  a  story  by 
Gordon  Rigby.    Obviously,  the  title  is  unrelated  to  the  story. 

Running  time,  61  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Aug.  25.  Charles  L.  Franke 


Five-day  Week  Hurts 
Canadian  Business 

.  Toronto,  Aug.  29.— General  adop- 
tion of  a  five-day  week  by  industries, 
offices  and  many  large  stores  is  ad- 
versely affecting  theatre  business  on 
Saturdays,  particularly  in  the  down- 
town section  of  Toronto,  and  managers 
are  starting  to  complain. 

Neighborhood  theatres  are  also  feel- 
ing a  difference  because  people  are 
taking  on  two-day  trips.  Other  large" 
Canadian  cities  are  also  noting 
trend. 

400  New  Pictures  in 
Berlin  Since  V-E  Day 

Berlin,  Aug.  22  (By  Airmail).— A 
total  of  400  new  films,  only  21  of  them 
German,  have  been  exhibited  in  all 
four  zones  of  Berlin  since  the  close  of 
the  war.  The  number  of  production 
companies  in  Berlin  has  grown  to  11  " 
since  V-E  Day. 


MPAA's  Trade  Deal 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


'Olympic  Cavalcade" 


{United  Artists) 

ALL  the  fervor  and  excitement  of  the  1936  Olympics  in  Berlin  are  re- 
captured in  this  adroitly-photographed  documentary.  The  film  has  an 
especial  appropriateness  in  the  light  of  the  current  Olympics.  Showmen,  how- 
ever, should  take  care  to  acquaint  their  audiences  with  the  fact  that  these 
are  the  1936  and  not  the  1948  games. 

The  film  has  been  edited  to  present  the  highlights  of  American  victories, 
but  there  is  an  abundance  of  footage  in  which  foreign  stars  figure.  Athletes 
from  51  nations  participated  in  the  games  with  some  600  cameramen  photo- 
graphing the  results.  Among  the  winners  are  such  well-remembered  giants 
of  the  sport  world  as  Jesse  Owens,  Glenn  Morris,  Ralph  Metcalfe,  Frank 
Wycoffe  and  Jack  Parker.  All  are  seen  in  vibrant  moments.  Bill  Slater  has 
provided  a  brisk  and  informative  commentary  for  this  Westport-International 
film. 

Running  time,  56  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Set  for  August 
release. 


To  Handle  Importations 

Geritone  Company  has  been  estab- 
lished here  to  distribute  Hungarian, 
Rumanian  and  German  films  in  the 
U.  S.  Bernard  Garay,  Arnold  Salge 
and  Sigmund  Miko  head  the  new  or- 
ganization. First  release  will  be 
'Young  Hearts,"  Hungarian  musical. 


Inter  mountain  to  Build 

Salt  Lake  City,  Aug.  29. — Fox- 
Intermountain  Theatres  has  bought 
property  in  Missoula,  Mont.,  to  build 
a  1,200-seat  theatre,  work  to  begin 
within  60  days.  Mel  Glatz  of  Fox  in 
Denver  is  in  charge  of  construction. 


'Stations  West  Debut 

Chicago,  Aug.  29.  —  RKO  Radio 
will  have  its  third  premiere  here  this 
year  when  it  launches  "Stations  West" 
in  a  territorial  premiere  simultaneously 
here  and  in  Milwaukee  in  October. 
A  contingent  of  stars  from  Hollywood 
is  expected  to  attend. 


Begin  Salt  Lake  Bldg. 

Salt  Lake  City,  Aug.  29.  —  Con- 
struction has  been  started  on  Inter- 
mountain  Theatre  Supply's  new  two- 
story  office  building  on  Film  Row. 
The  building  will  also  contain  a  100- 
seat  screening  room  and  other  offices. 


blocking  American  film  earnings  in  a 
number  of  Western  European  coun- 
tries during  the  last  three  months 
with  as  much  as  $100,000  having  been 
released  in  one  unspecified  country. 
He  declined  to  reveal  the  total  amount 
already  freed  in  Europe  under  the 
MPAA-WCC  deal  or  to  disclose  the 
sums  gained  in  individual  countries, 
indicating  that  he  preferred  to  await 
the  return  to  New  York  of  Mayer, 
who  has  been  in  Paris  on  MPAA 
business  for  more  than  a  month. 

Pepper  did  say,  however,  that  he 
believes  as  much  as  $200,000  will  be 
unblocked  in  Italy  for  the  industry  by 
WCC  before  the  end  of  this  year. 
Queried  on  the  possibilities  in  France, 
he  said  he  doubted  whether  it  would 
ever  be  possible  for  WCC  efforts  to 
unfreeze  American  earnings  in  that 
country  in  light  of  conditions  there. 

The  plan,  as  explained  by  an 
MPAA  spokesman  in  May,  calls  for 
WCC  to  allot  dollars  for  the  increas- 
ing of  an  individual  country's  com- 
modities export  business,  on  the  pro^ 
vision  that  the  country  release  an 
equal  amount  of  blocked  American 
film  earnings.  Part  of  WCCs  profit 
under  the  arrangement  comes  in  the 
form  of  "commissions",  from  U.  S. 
companies,  through  MPAA. 

ECA  Action  Due 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


quite  possibly  the  first  contract  issued 
to  any  industry  under  the  $300',00O.0OO 
guarantee  section  of  the  ECA  act.  Of 
the  $300,000,000,  $10,000,000  is  ear- 
marked for  books,  newspapers,  films, 
and  magazines. 

ECA  officials  said  that  a  report 
from  Gen.  Clay  in  Berlin  that  the  first 
contract  with  MPEA  had  been  signed 
was  "premature."  They  explained  that 
guarantee  contracts  must  be  agreed  to 
first  by  the  participating  country,  and 
that  the  report  from  Berlin  merely 
should  have  said  that  Gen.  Clay  ap- 
proved his  end  of  the  agreement  and 
that  the  matter  now  is  before  the  ECA 
for  action  here. 

The  amount  in  the  MPEA  contract 
has  not  been  announced. 


Buys  Spokane  House 

Spokane,  Aug.  29.— W.  K.  Beck- 
with  has  purchased  the  Liberty  Thea- 
tre here  from  Gamble  Theatres.  Beck- 
with  also  has  an  interest  in  the  Ritz 
here,  and  a  theatre  in  Moses  Lake, 
Wash. 


NOW- 

IN  DISTRIBUTION 


1948-49 
EDITION 


x 

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Edited  by 
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PICTURE  INDUSTRY 


1000  PAGES  OF 
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ENTERTAINMENT! 


Filmed  amid  the  breathtaking  grandeur  of  the  migl 
peaks  of  our  continent... acted  magnificently  by  a  trio  of 
top  stars —Joan  Leslie,  James  Craig  and  Jack  Oakie... 
jam-packed  with  all  the  thundering  action  of  the  wildest 
rodeo  on  earth— the  fabulous  "Calgary  Stampede".  .  . 


»C,NCHT0H«<««GR0 


PICTURE  :  o  s7^f| 

MOTION  PlCtO^  ^  TRA0E  REVIEW 


E -JAMES  CRAIG -JACK  OAKIE  ,n"NORTHWEST  STAMPEDE" 

.1  WILLS-VICTOR  KILIAN  and  The  Dog, "FLAME"         in  CINECOLOR 

vid  Hersh  •  Produced  and  Directed  by  Albert  S.  Rogell  •  Story  and  Screenplay  by  Art  Arthur  and  Lilli  Hayw 
ig  Post  Article  "Wild  Horse  Roundup"  by  Jean  Muir  •  An  EAGLE  LION  FILMS  Production 


Accurate 

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2:J  WEST  44TH  ST.,  £13T  FL. 
NEW  YORK, 
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ICTURE 


V"^64.  NO.  43 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  AUGUST  31,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


State  Taxes 
On  Admissions 
Show  Increase 


33  States  Collect  New 
High  of  $17,159,000 

Washington,  Aug.  30.  —  State 
governments  collected  $17,159,000 
in  taxes  on  admissions  and  amuse- 
ments in  the  year  ending  June  30, 
the  Census  Bureau  estimates.  This 
was  a  sharp  increase  over  the  $14,- 
216,000  reported  last  year,  which  in 
turn  was  up  sharply  over  earlier  years. 

The  Bureau  reported  33  states  had 
admissions  and  amusement  taxes  dur- 
ing the  last  fiscal  year,  compared  with 
only  28  during  the  1947  fiscal  year. 
No  breakdown  was  available  as  to 
how  much  of  the  receipts  came  from 
motion  picture  theatres.  On  the  other 
hand,  a  few  states  included  their  re- 
ceipts from  film  admission  taxes  not 
in  the  admissions  and  amusement 
brackets  but  rather  along  with  pari- 
mutuel  receipts,  so  that  the  two  fac- 
tors might  balance  out,  census  officials 
said. 

State  collections  from  licenses  on 
amusements  and  race  tracks  continued 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


RKO  Schedule  Near 
Completion:  Depinet 

RKO's  1949  production  schedule  is 
practically  complete,  according  to  Ned 
E.  Depinet,  executive  vice-president, 
who  returned  to  New  York  yesterday 
following  four  weeks  at  meetings  with 
studio  executives  and  Howard 
Hughes,  principal  stockholder. 

"Eighteen  of  the  20  to  24  top-brack- 
et pictures  that  RKO  customarily  dis- 
tributes each  year  are  either  finished 
and  ready  for  release  or  undergoing 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


3  Percentage  Suits 
Settled  Out  of  Court 

Los  Angeles,  Aug.  30. — Three  per- 
centage suits  brought  by  Paramount, 
Loew's,  and  20th  Century-Fox  against 
the  Forum  Theatre,  Barstow,  Cal., 
have  been  settled.  The  suits  were 
pending  in  the  U.  S.  District  court 
here.  In  each  suit  a  stipulation  has 
been  filed  by  the  defendant  stating  that 
it  has  accounted  to  the  respective 
plaintiff  for  the  amount  found  to  be 
due. 

The  stipulation  further  provides  that 
the  suits  were  dismissed  by  agreement 
between  the  respective  parties. 


Heat  Withers  N.  Y. 
Runs  But  'Rope' 
Heads  for  $60,000 


Grosses  dropped  with  the  heat  at 
several  New  York  first  runs  over 
the  weekend,  but  in  spite  of  the  ther- 
mometer reading  some  new  attractions 
in  town  are  running  up  top  returns. 

"The  Rope"  is  a  standout  performer 
at  the  Globe,  where  $60,000  is  expect- 
ed for  a  first  week.  "The  Lady  in 
Ermine"  gave  the  Roxy  a  very 
healthy  $105,000  in  its  first  six  days. 
The  Roxy's  stage  bill  includes  Fran- 
ces Langford,  Jon  Hall,  Jerry  Colon- 
na  and  a  nice  revue.  The  Strand's 
"Two  Guys  from  Texas,"  with  "Win- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


FCC  Defers  Rule  on 
Para.  Video  Status 


Washington,  Aug.  30. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  to- 
day turned  down  a  Paramount  peti- 
tion for  an  immediate  determination 
of  whether  Paramount  controls  Allen 
B.  DuMont  Laboratories  and  thus  con- 
trols five  television  stations,  the  max- 
imum allowed  any  one  firm  by  the 
Commission. 

The  Commission  pointed  out  that 
hearings  on  applications  by  Para- 
mount, 20th  Century-Fox  and  three 
other  firms  for  two  San  Francisco 
video  channels  have  been  concluded.  It 
is  said  it  thought  it  "conducive  to 
more  orderly  administrative  proce- 
dure" if  the  Paramount-DuMont  issue 
were  determined  as  part  of  the  deci- 
sion on  the  San  Francisco  applica- 
tions rather  than  separately  and 
immediately. 


Mexican  Censors  Bar 
'Disparaging'  Films 

Mexico  City,  Aug.  30.— The 
National  Cinematographic 
Commission  has  ordered  the 
Mexican  censors  to  delete 
from  pictures  for  exhibition 
in  this  country  any  footage 
which  in  any  way  disparages 
any  country  with  which  Mex- 
ico is  friendly. 


Exhibitors  Asked  to 
Rate  Distributors 


Columbus,  O.,  Aug.  30. — Poll  on 
the  standing  of  13  film  companies  with 
Ohio  exhibitors  is  being  taken  by  P. 
J.  Wood,  secretary  of  the  Independ- 
ent Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio,  and  will 
be  used  as  a  basis  for  discussion  at  the 
ITO  convention  here,  Sept.  14  and 
IS. 

The  questionnaire  asks  ratings  on 
the  following  distributors :  Columbia, 
20th  Century-Fox,  M-G-M,  Para- 
mount, RKO,  Warners,  United  Art- 
ists, Republic,  Monogram,  Eagle- 
Lion,  Film  Classics,  Universal  and 
SRO. 

Included  are  queries  on  frequency 
of  salesmen's  visits,  last  time  the 
branch  manager  visited  the  account, 
check  on  product  the  exhibitor  is  not 
using  now  but  would  like  to  use  if 
satisfactory  terms  could  be  arranged, 
length  of  time  since  a  salesman  of 
companies  the  exhibitor  does  not  buy 
from  has  called  on  the  exhibitor,  com- 
pany with  most  valuable  product  for 
the  exhibitor,  company  with  least  valu- 
able product,  company  with  fairest 
sales  policy  and  company  most  diffi- 
cult to  deal  with. 


Johnston  Optimistic  About 
Getting  Results  in  U.  K. 


London,  Aug.  30. — Eric  A.  Johns- 
ton, Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  president,  indicated  here  to- 
day that  he  still  has  hopes  of  report- 
ing definite  achievement  before  he 
leaves  for  the  Continent  on  Wednes- 
day. 

His  statement  was  made  de- 
spite an  ineffectual  visit  with 
Harold  Wilson,  president  of  the 
Board  of  Trade,  at  the  Mitre 
Hotel,  Oxford,  yesterday.  His 
optimism  is  not  shared  in  trade 
circles  here. 

Johnston  seized  the  opportunity 
provided  by  his  visit  with  Wilson  to 
catalogue  for  the  latter  the  affronts 


which  have  been  handed  the  American 
film  companies,  exactly  as  he  did  dur- 
ing his  visit  with  J.  Arthur  Rank 
here  on  Thursday. 

For  his  part,  however,  Wilson  con- 
tented himself  with  waxing  nostalgic 
over  his  undergraduate  days  at 
Oxford. 

Nevertheless,  Wilson  later  confided 
to  others  that  he  was  impressed  with 
Johnston's  obvious  ultimatum  that  the 
British  industry  either  must  cooperate 
or  fight  with  the  American  industry. 
Johnston  had  made  the  same  state- 
ment to  Rank  last  week  and,  at  a 
trade  press  conference  here  today,  re- 
iterated this  stand  and  other  views  re- 

(Continucd  on  page  2) 


UA  Has  Films 
For  8  Months, 
Sears  Reports 

Future  Bright;  Hughes 
To  Finance  3  New  Ones 

United  Artists  is  stocked  with 
product  for  the  next .  six  to  eight 
months  with  films  already  on  hand 
or  slated  for  early  availability  from 
its  producers, 
and  all  indica- 
tions point  to  a 
smooth  course 
of  operation  be- 
yond that  peri- 
od, Grad  Sears, 
president,  told 
the  press  yes- 
terday. 

He  spoke 
at  length 
about  Howard 
H  a  w  k  s'  "Red 
River,"  which 
he  said,  figures 
to  wind  up  as 
the  company's 
greatest  money-maker,  surpassing 
"Spellbound,"  which  holds  the  record 
now  at  about  $5,000,000  in  domestic 
rentals. 

UA  pictures  moving  into  national 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Grad  Sears 


British  Film  Boycott 
Assailed  by  Warner 


The  boycotting  of  British  pictures 
by  organized  groups  here  was  called 
"ridiculous"  by  Jack  L.  Warner,  vice- 
president  and  executive  producer  of 
Warner  Brothers,  who  arrived  here 
from  England  yesterday  on  the  6"6" 
Queen  Mary.  Other  arrivals  includ- 
ed Gen.  William  J.  Donovan,  of  the 
law  firm  of  Donovan,  Leisure,  New- 
ton, Lombard  and  Irvine,  attorneys 
for  RKO  Radio ;  Kay  Harrison,  man- 

(Continned  on  page  2) 


Morris  /.  Siegel,  47; 
Helped  Form  Republic 

Hollywood,  Aug.  30. — Funeral  ser- 
vices will  be  held  at  noon  tomorrow 
at  Groman  Mortuary  for  Morris  J. 
Siegel,  47,  who  died  Saturday  night 
following  a  heart  attack  while  return- 
ing here  by  train  from  New  York. 
Siegel,  who  was  with  his  brother  Sol. 
20th  Century-Fox  producer,  at  the- 
time,  resigned  last  January  as  an. 
M-G-M  production  executive. 

Siegel  was  associated  with  Selznick 

(Continncd  on  page  3) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  August  31,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


HERBERT   J.   YATES,  Republic 
president,  will  leave  New  York 
today  for  the  Coast. 

• 

Maurice  A.  Bergman,  Universal- 
International  Eastern  advertising-pub- 
licity director,  accompanied  by 
Charles  Simonelli,  Eastern  exploi- 
tation manager,  will  leave  here  today 
for  Chicago  and  Cincinnati. 

• 

LeRoy  Prinz,  Warner  dance  direc- 
tor, became  a  grandfather  last  week 
when  his  daughter,  Mrs.  J.  Allan 
Montei,  gave  birth  to  a  daughter. 
The  child's  father  is  associated  with 
Technicolor. 

• 

Jack  Ellis,  New  York  district 
manager  for  United  Artists,  has  re- 
turned to  New  York  from  Albany 
and  Gloversville. 

• 

Lou  J.  Kaufman,  Warner  theatre 
executive,  will  be  in  Cleveland  today 
from  New  York  and  will  go  from 
there  to  Pittsburgh. 

• 

James  E.  Scoville,  retired  mem- 
ber of  the  Scoville,  Essick  and  Reif 
circuit,  Cleveland,  is  visiting  that  city 
from  Tucson. 

• 

Edward  A.  Golden,  producer,  has 
returned  to  New  York  from  Holly- 
wood. 

H.  Ted  Routson,  manager  of  the 
Little  Theatre,  Baltimore,  is  vacation- 
ing in  the  Pennsylvania  mountains. 
• 

J.  Myer  Schine,  Schine  Circuit  ex- 
ecutive, was  in  town  yesterday  from 
Gloversville,  N.  Y. 

• 

Walter  Wanger  is  due  here  to- 
morrow from  the  Coast. 

• 

Jules  Levey,  producer,  is  due  in 
New  York  from   Hollywood  today. 


RKO  Exchange  Fire 

A  fire  of  undetermined  origin  which 
broke  out  in  the  RKO  exchange  on 
the  eighth  floor  of  the  Film  Center 
Bldg.,  here,  early  Sunday  morning,  re- 
sulted in  the  damage  of  film,  reel  cases 
and  two  rugs.  Thirteen  firemen  were 
felled  by  smoke  fumes  while  fighting 
the  blaze. 


Opens  with  New  Screen 

Tacoma,  Aug.  30. — The  Temple 
Theatre  here  reopened  today  equipped 
with  the  new  Pan-a-VVE  screen, 
curved  to  eliminate  side-view  distor- 
tion. It  is  the  invention  of  William 
Ramstad,  professor  at  the  Pacific 
Lutheran  College  here. 


Mystery  Solved 

For  eight  weeks  the  "Phantom 
Voice"  on  Columbia  Broadcasting's 
"Sing  It  Again"  show  remained  un- 
identified. Then  at  the  weekend  a  con- 
testant guessed  right  and  collected 
$24,000  in  prizes.  Louis  B.  Mayer  was 
the  "Phantom." 


UA  Product 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


release,  or  due  shortly,  include : 
"Time  of  Your  Life"  (Cagney),  "So 
This  Is  New  York"  (Enterprise), 
"Texas,  Brooklyn  and  Heaven" 
(Golden),  "Pitfall"  (Sam  Bischoff), 
"Vicious  Circle"  (W.  Lee  Wilder), 
"Innocent  Affair"  (James  Nasser), 
"My  Dear  Secretary"  (Harry  Pop- 
kin),  "Girl  from  Manhattan"  (Bene- 
dict Bogeaus)  and  "High  Fury" 
(Buddy  Rogers-Ralph  Cohn). 

Sears  announced  a  new  releasing 
deal  had  been  made  with  Morris  Sie- 
gel  for  a  picture  to  star  Shirley  Tem- 
ple just  before  Siegel's  death  last  Sat- 
urday. Sears  listed  other  forthcoming 
product  from  14  additional  producers. 

3  to  Replace  Hughes'  3 

Sears  said  that  Howard  Hughes 
has  agreed  to  "finance  and  cause  to 
be  delivered"  three  pictures  by  inde- 
pendent producers  to  UA  in  the  agree- 
ment under  which  Hughes  Tool  Co. 
takes  full  possession  of  "The  Outlaw," 
"Vendetta"  and  "Mad  Wednesday." 
The  three  were  made  for  UA  dis- 
tribution originally  but  when  Hughes 
acquired  control  of  RKO  he  asked 
for  release  from  the  UA  commitment. 
Sears  said  that  the  full  responsibility 
of  getting  the  three  new  ones  for  UA 
rests  on  Hughes  and  added  the  sec- 
ond-money financing  might  involve 
$600,000  to  $750,000. 

Quality  of  the  three  pictures,  their 
producers  and  the  subject  matter  will 
be  up  to  Sears  to  approve  and  until 
he  is  satisfied  on  all  counts  UA  will 
not  relinquish  the  Hughes  films, 
Sears  said.  Hughes'  role  in  financing 
the  new  films  can  give  him  a  profit  as 
an  investor,  Sears  explained.  He  said 
he  will  leave  here  from  the  Coast 
today  or  tomorrow  to  close  the  deal. 

Snag  on  'River'  Bookings 

Returning  to  "Red  River,"  Sears 
admitted  that  negotiations  with 
Charles  Skouras  for  bookings  in  Fox 
West  Coast  theatres  have  hit  a  snag 
and  there  is  a  possibility  the  picture 
will  be  sold  away  from  the  circuit. 
He  said  final  action  in  this  regard  will 
be  determined  at  a  meeting  with  James 
Mulvey,  president  of  Goldwyn  Pro- 
ductions, which  is  representing  pro- 
ducer Hawks,  .and  others.  W.  E.  Cal- 
laway, UA's  Los  Angeles  district 
manager,  is  here  to  join  in  the  dis- 
cussions. 

Sears  said  he  expects  other  suits 
here  such  as  the  action  by  the  Society 
of  Independent  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers against  United  Detroit  Thea- 
tres and  Cooperative  Theatres  of 
Michigan.  He  said  that  UA  is  in- 
volved in  this  suit  in  that  the  com- 
pany figures  to  collect  its  share,  as 
a  distributor,  in  any  damages  award- 
ed the  producer  plaintiffs  which  re- 
lease through  UA. 

Financing  of  independent  produc- 
tion is  brighter  with  "several  new 
banks"  having  moved  into  the  field, 
Sears  reported. 


Heads  NAB  Video  Unit 

Washington,  Aug.  30.  —  Harry 
Bannister  has  been  elected  chairman 
of  the  television  advisory  committee 
of  the  National  Association  of  Broad- 
casters. 


Warner  Assails 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


aging  director  of  Technicolor,  Ltd. ; 
Jock  Lawrence,  executive  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  J.  Arthur  Rank  organi- 
zation ;  and  Sydney  Wynne,  head  of 
publicity  for  the  Rank  organization. 

Explaining  his  viewpoint  on  the 
boycott,  Warner  declared  that  the 
public  would  respond  to  quality  films 
irrespective  of  where  they  were  made. 
He  said  that  his  company  intends  to 
make  several  films  in  London  and  that 
it  now  has  underway  there  "Under 
Capricorn,"  which  stars  Ingrid  Berg- 
man and  Joseph  Cotten,  with  Alfred 
Hitchcock  directing.  Plans  for  pro- 
duction in  other  parts  of  Europe  were 
termed  "incomplete." 

Harrison  declared  that  in  nine 
months  Technicolor  in  England  ex- 
pects to  handle  18  features  a  year, 
compared  to  four  before  the  war.  He 
asserted  the  company  now  has  four 
cameras  in  England  and  is  building 
more.    He  predicted  the  bottlenecks 


would  be  broken  in  nine  months.  Plans 
for  the  construction  of  Technicolor 
laboratories  in  France  are  not  ready 
yet,  he  said. 

Lawrence  declared  that  there  is  very 
little  knowledge  in  England  of  a  boy- 
cott of  their  films.  He  said  the  mat- 
ter was  too  indefinite  to  assess  results. 
Discussing  new  Rank  product,  he  said 
the  company  now  has  10  films  equal 
in  box-office  stature  to  "Hamlet." 

Wynne  announced  that  he  was  here 
for  the  opening  of  the  Odeon-Carlton 
Theatre  in  Toronto  on  Sept.  9. 
new  house  is  the  12th  of  an  anticipr.;'  ? 
40  new  theatres.  Odeon  Circuit  now 
has  112  houses  in  Canada.  Wynne 
expressed  surprise  when  told  that 
"Oliver  Twist"  has  been  condemned 
in  certain  circles  here  as  intolerant. 
He  said  there  was  no  such  reaction 
in  Britain  to  the  film.  The  Odeon- 
Carlton  is  to  open  with  "Oliver 
Twist." 

Donovan  declined  to  discuss  indus- 
try matters,  declaring  he  was  "far 
removed"  from  the  situation. 


K.  C.  Testimonial  for 
Eyssell  on  Oct.  14 

Kansas  City,  Aug.  30. — Gus  Eys- 
sell, executive  manager  of  New 
York's  Rockefeller  Center  and  presi- 
dent of  Radio  City  Music  Hall,  will 
be  given  a  testimonial  dinner  at  the 
Muehlebach  Hotel  here  on  Oct.  14 
by  the  motion  picture  industry  of  Kan- 
sas City.  An  all-industry  affair  with 
executives  from  all  segments  of  the 
business  expected  to  participate,  the 
testimonial  will  mark  Eyssell's  career 
from  the  time  he  began  as  an  usher 
at  the  Isis  Theatre  here  in  1918  while 
he  was  still  attending  high  school. 

Elmer  C.  Rhoden,  president  of  Fox 
Midwest,  is  general  chairman,  and 
Ben  Shlyen,  Arthur  Cole  and  Senn 
Lawler  are  co-chairmen  of  the  ar- 
rangements committee  for  the  dinner. 


Cole  Leaves  Franconi 

Dallas,  Aug.  30. — Severing  his  con- 
nection with  the  John  L.  Franconi  en- 
terprises, Don  Cole  has  resigned  as 
special  representative  in  Texas  for 
Screen  Guild  and  Oklahoma  manager 
for  Favorite  Films.  At  the  same  time 
he  has  disposed  of  his  stock  interests 
in  some  affiliated  companies  in  the 
Franconi  set-up.  Cole  recently  under- 
went an  operation  and  will  recuperate 
at  his  home  in  Oklahoma  before  he 
announces  new  business  connections. 


'Youth  Month'  Credit 

Support  of  Ohio's  Governor  Her- 
bert in  promoting  "Youth  Month"  was 
enlisted  by  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Ohio,  P.  J.  Wood,  secre- 
tary of  the  organization,  advises.  A 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  spokes- 
man here  said  yesterday  that  TOA's 
assuming  credit  for  the  gubernatorial 
assist  presumably  was  the  result  of  a 
misunderstanding. 


SDG  Cites  Zinneman 

Hollywood,  Aug.  30. — First  of  the 
Screen  Directors  Guild's  quarterly 
awards  for  best  directorial  achieve- 
ment has  been  conferred  on  Fred  Zin- 
neman for  M-G-M's  "The  Search." 
The  citations,  established  recently,  are 
conferred  by  a  vote  of  the  SDG 
membership. 


Johnston 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


ported  in  Motion  Picture  Daily  on 
Friday. 

Johnston  said  he  may  call  a 
conference  of  the  whole  press 
tomorrow  if  American  man- 
agers here  can  agTee  on  a  unit- 
ed campaign  to  deal  with  the 
industry's  problems  here,  par- 
ticularly should  there  be  an 
agreement  on  joint  action 
against  Rank,  such  as  a  refusal 
to  permit  Rank's  theatres  to 
book  top  American  product  for 
the  lower  half  of  double  bills. 

Johnston  will  meef  with  W.  R. 
Fuller,  general  secretary  of  the  Cine- 
matograph Exhibitors  Association,  who 
returned  from  France  today.  He  will 
have  further  talks  with  British  ex- 
hibitors on  his  return  here  from  the 
Continent  toward  the  end  of  Septem- 
ber. 

Johnston  had  lunch  today  with  a 
few  editors  of  national  newspapers  to 
whom  he  also  explained  the  American 
industry's  grievances. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


—RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL- 

Rockefeller  Center 

\uk  DATE  WITH  JUDY"  \ 

Wallace  BEERY     .    Jane  POWELL 
Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA  ■ 
Xavler  CUGAT     .     Robert  STACK  I 
A  Metro- Goldwyn. Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION  • 


ROY  DEI  RUTH'S  THE 

BABE  RUTH 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Tjeasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup. 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Tuesday,  August  31,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


29  in  Production 
As  Eight  Films  Start 

Hollywood,  Aug.  30. — The  produc- 
tion index  rose  to  29  from  last  week's 
tally  of  23.  Eight  new  films  were 
started  while  only  two  were  sent  to 
the  cutters. 

Shooting  started  on  "The  Crime 
Doctor's  Diary,"  Columbia ;  "Reign 
of  Terror"  (Wanger),  Eagle-Lion; 
"The  Green  Promise"  (Glenn  Mc- 
Carthy) ;  "Gunning  for  Justice,"  Mon- 
"The  Missourians"  and 
fighter  of  the  Jungle,"  Republic ; 
"Happy  Times"  and  "Two  Guys  and 
a  Gal,"  Warner  Brothers. 

Shooting  finished  on  "Sand,"  20th 
Century-Fox    and     "Love  Happy" 
(Artists     Alliance)  (formerly 
/'Blondes  Up"),  United  Artists. 


Phila.  V.C.  Golf  Tourney 

Philadelphia,  Aug.  30. —  Max  R. 
Leven  has  been  named  chairman  of 
the  committee  in  charge  of  arrange- 
ments for  the  local  Variety  Club's 
annual  golf  tournament  and  dinner- 
dance  at  the  Whitemarsh  Country 
Club  Saturday. 


State  Taxes 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


to  drop.  The  33  states  having  such 
levies  took  in  only  $3,501,000  during 
the  fiscal  year  just  ended,  compared 
with  $4,010,000  collected  by  34  states 
the  previous  year,  and  collections  of 
$4,201,000  in  fiscal  1946. 

New  general  sales  taxes  were  levied 
in  four  states  during  the  period  cov- 
ered by  the  report,  and  this,  along 
with  rising  prices  and  increased  busi- 
ness activity,  boosted  general  sales  tax 
collections  by  25  per  cent  over  fiscal 
1947  to  $1,500,000.  This  is  three  times 
the  1940  yield.  State  tax  collections 
of  all  types  totaled  $7,900,000,000,  an 
increase  of  more  than  $1,100,000,000 
from  1947. 


Harry  McClure 

Kansas  City,  Aug.  30. — Harry 
McClure,  who  retired  several  years 
ago  because  of  illness  after  20  years 
with  Fox  Midwest  as  a  district  man- 
ager, died  in  an  Emporia  hospital  on 
Friday.  Funeral  services  will  be  held 
tomorrow.  He  is  survived  by  the 
widow  and  two  sons. 


BIG  NEWS!  _ 

Now  you  can  enjoy  fast,  comfortable 

TSfi/) 

to  LosAnge/es! 


EFFECTIVE  SEPTEMBER  1 


American  is  First  Again  with  the  Only  Coast-to-Coast 
Skysleepers . ..  Luxurious  DC-6  Accommodations 


Now,  American  provides  spa- 
cious Skyberths  aboard  the 
famous  DC-6  "Mercury"  flight 
to  Los  Angeles!  Eight  roomy 
Skyberths  supplement  36  com- 
fortable seat  accommodations. 
Here's  your  first  opportunity  - 
to  sleep  your  way  West  in  a 
DC-6  Skysleeper,  over  Ameri- 
can's Southern  Transconti- 


nental Route.  It's  the  fast, 
comfortable  way  to  go  ...  a 
real  rest  cure  aloft! 


THE  MERCURY  departs  daily  at 
midnight  EDT  —  arrives  Los 
Angeles  8:10  a.m.  PDT. 
Sleeper  passengers  may  board 
an  hour  before  departure. 


Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000  or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices-.  Airlines  Terminal  •  Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN  AIRLINES 


H.  E.  Sullivan 

Wichita,  Kan.,  Aug.  30. — H.  E. 
Sullivan,  former  exhibitor  at  Newkirk, 
Okla.,  and  associated  with  his  brother, 
O.  F.  Sullivan,  in  drive-in  operations 
in  that  state,  died  here  today  follow- 
ing a  heart  attack  while  visiting  a  sis- 
ter who  is  ill  in  a  hospital  here.  He 
retired  from  active  theatre  operations 
last  Jan.  1.  His  brother,  who  has 
several  theatres  here,  is  president  of 
the  Kansas-Missouri  Allied  unit. 


Morris  Siegel 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


Pictures,  then  joined  Consolidated 
Film  Industries  and  subsequently  was 
president  of  American  Record  Co., 
Consolidated  subsidiary.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  formation  of  Republic 
Pictures  of  which  he  was  president 
from  1937  to  1944.  He  joined  M-G-M 
studios  as  a  production  executive  in 
March,  1944. 

In  addition  to  his  brother,  Sol  C, 
he  leaves  the  widow,  three  other  broth- 
ers, two  sisters  and  two  daughters. 


New  York  Grosses 

(Continued-  from  page  1) 


RKO  Schedule 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


final  steps  of  editing  and  scoring," 
Depinet  said.  "The  additional  features 
which  will  complete  the  year's  pro- 
gram are  now  being  readied,"  he 
added. 

Depinet  said  that  it  was  a  "source 
of  great  satisfaction  to  see  how  well 
the  studio  was  functioning  under  the 
production  committee  consisting  of  Sid 
Rogell,  C.  J.  Tevlin  and  Bicknell 
Lockhart. 


New  House  for  Utah 

Salt  Lake  City,  Aug.  30. — Con- 
struction is  scheduled  to  get  under 
way  here  early  in  September  on  a 
$350,000  theatre  to  be  operated  by  D. 
K.  Edwards  and  Joseph  L.  Lawrence. 
The  house  will  seat  1,300. 


ner  Take  All,"  a  give-away  show,  on 
stage,  should  complete  a  first  week 
with  $40,000,  good  enough.  "Tap 
Roots"  figures  to  give  the  Criterion  a 
hefty  $45,000  in  an  initial  week. 

"Pitfall,"  with  Dick  Powell  in  per- 
son, probably  will  wind  up  a  second 
week  at  the  Capitol  with  $72,000,  as 
against  the  first  week's  take  of  $98,- 
500.  "Date  With  Judy"  with  the 
stage  presentation  slipped  a  little  in 
its  fourth  week  at  the  Music  Hall, 
estimated  at  $140,000,  but  stays  for  a 
fifth.  "Beyond  Glory,"  with  Peggy 
Lee  and  Ray  Eberle  on  stage  at  the 
Paramount,  is  down  to  $60,000  in  its 
fourth  week,  and  will  be  replaced  to- 
morrow by  "Sorry,  Wrong  Number," 
with  Carmen  Cavallaro  on  stage. 

"Loves  of  Carmen"  will  bow  in  at 
the  State  on  Thursday,  following 
"Easter  Parade."  The  latter  will  con- 
clude its  ninth  and  final  week  with 
$27,000,  about  fair.  "Race  Street"  is 
adequate  in  a  second  week  at  the  May- 
fair,  estimated  at  $25,000.  The 
Gotham,  which  has  been  playing  reis- 
sue combinations,  will  bring  in  a  new 
one,  "Ruthless,"  on  Friday.  The  fifth 
week  of  "Babe  Ruth  Story"  should 
provide  the  Astor  with  an  unimpres- 
sive $18,000.  "Mr.  Peabody  and  the 
Mermaid"  will  complete  a  third  and 
final  week  at  the  Winter  Garden  with 
only  $9,000,  estimated,  and  will  be  suc- 
ceeded on  Friday  by  "Larceny." 


Spy  Reports  Boost 
'Curtain*  Revenue 

Current  headlines  have  been  respon- 
sible for  a  substantial  increase  in  busi- 
ness done  by  "The  Iron  Curtain,"  20th 
Century-Fox  reports.  Disclosures  of 
spy  activities  and  other  phases  of  the 
national  situation  have  brought  the 
picture  a  total  of  more  than  10,000 
contracts,  the  company  said. 


MR.  EXHIBITOR! 


1 


I 
I 


I 
I 


BAUD 


•  •  • 


TO  AVENGE  O^Pff 


COLUMBIA  PICTURES  presents 


4 


Mkouis  hatwaku  •  uennis 

w,,k  LOUISE  ALLBRITTON 
CARL  ESMOND 

An  EDWARD  SMALL  Production 

Screenplay  by  George  Bruce  •  Directed  by  GORDON  DOUGLAS  •  Produced  by  GRANT  WHYTOCK 


JL 


The  Most  Famous  She 
Subject  Ever  Made! 


Sensational  return  of  the 
best  loved,  biggest-money 
short  on  record!  Booked  for 
pre-release  showing  in 

RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HAIL 

and  already  set  for  200  other 
major  first  runs  in  its  first  release 
week! . . .  Bigger  boxoffice  today 
than  ever  —  with  new  and  old 
audiences  to  attract! ...  Sell  it 
like  a  top  feature  attraction 
and  CASH  IN! 


YOUTH  MONTH 
SALUTING 
YOUNG  AMERICA 


Re -Released  by  RKO  RADIO  PICTURES,  Inc. 


Accurate 

Concise 
and 
Impartial 


MOTIQN,J>ICTURE  first 


DAILY 


IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  1,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Ask  Gov't,  to 
Tell  Its  Facts 
In  Para.  Case 


E-L  Sets  1 7  REFUSE  TOP  FILMS 

For  8MonthsiFQR  RANK'S  DUALS 


Paramount,  RKO  Want 
Details  of  Evidence 

Legal  skirmishes  in  the  industry 
anti-trust  suit  continue  with  the 
newest  maneuver  in  the  form  of 
searching  interrogatories  which 
have  been  served  on  the  Department 
of  Justice  by  defendants  Paramount 
and  RKO.  ,  , 

In  two  separate  documents  closely 
alike  in  phraseology,  the  fifm  compa- 
nies ask  the  Government  to  tell  all 
about  the  evidence  upon  which  it  in- 
tends to  rely  to  establish  that  the  de- 
fendants are  guilty  of  conspiracy, 
monopoly  and  trade  restraints  in  ex- 
hibition. 

The  Department  is  asked  to  identify 
theatres  illegally  acquired  and  in  what 
specific  manner;  to  identify  theatres 
utilized  as  part  of  a  conspiracy  to 
eliminate  or  suppress  competition  and 
how  the  conspiracy  works ;  to  tell 
where  joint  ownerships  exist  and 
where  theatres  would  be  operated  by 
independents  if  it  were  not  for  such 
partnerships. 

Paramount   and   RKO  accompany 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Seventeen  features  carrying  a  total 
production  cost  of  $22,950,000  have 
been  scheduled  for  release  by  Eagle- 
Lion  during  the  next  six  or  eight 
months,  E-L,  advertising-publicity  vice- 
president  Max  Youngstein  said  yester- 
day following  his  return  from  Coast 
production  conferences  with  E-L  presi- 
dent Arthur  B.  Krim,  distribution 
vice-president  William  J.  Heineman, 
production  executive  Bryan  Foy  and 
others. 

Youngstein  listed  the  films  as  fol- 
lows :  "Hollow  Triumph,"  "Northwest 
Stampede,"  "He  Walked  by  Night," 
"The  Big  Cat"  (first  E-L  Technicolor 
release),  Walter  Wanger's  "Tulsa," 
"Red  Stallion  in  the  Rockies"  (Cine- 
color),  Wanger's  "Reign  of  Terror." 

Also  "Twelve  Against  the  Under- 
world," starring  Robert  Young ; 
"Border  Patrol,"  a  sequel  to  "T-Men"  ; 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


DeMille's  Radio  Job 
Revives  AFRA  Test 


Hollywood,  Aug.  31. — Cecil  B.  De- 
Mille's announced  return  to  radio  as 
producer-narrator  on  a  one-hour  week- 
ly dramatic  show  over  the  Mutual  net- 
work next  winter  revives  the  question 
whether  or  not  he  will  be  required  to 
pay  the  $1  assessment  to  American 
Federation  of  Radio  Artists.  DeMille 
has  been  off  the  air  for  four  years  as 
a  result  of  his  refusal  to  pay  the 
assessment. 

Indications  are  that  DeMille  would 
fortify  his  arguments  for  a  strong 
right-to-work  law  in  the  event  AFRA 
(Continued  on  page  5) 


AFM-Independents 
Pact  Meet  Friday 


Hollywood,  Aug.  31. — Negotiations 
between  independent  producers  and 
the  American  Federation  of  Musicians 
for  a  new  contract  to  supplant  the 
pact  which  expires  at  midnight  tonight 
will  get  under  way  Friday  afternoon 
at  headquarters  of  the  Society  of  In- 
dependent Motion  Picture  Producers 
in  Beverly  Hills.  All  Hollywood  inde- 
pendents, including  SIMPP  and  Inde- 
pendent Motion  Picture  Producers  As- 
sociation members  together  with  others 
who  belong  to  neither  of  these  organ- 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Anglo-U.S.  Film  Unit 
To  Meet  Here  in  Nov. 

London,  Aug.  31. — A  meet- 
ing of  the  Anglo-American 
Film  Committee  was  arranged 
for  early  in  November  in  New 
York  by  Eric  Johnston,  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of 
America  president,  today. 
British  members  of  the  com- 
mittee, J.  Arthur  Rank,  Sir 
Henry  French  and  Sir  Alex- 
ander Korda,  will  travel  to 
New  York  for  the  meeting. 

American  members  of  the 
committee  are  Johnston,  Nich- 
olas M.  Schenck  and  Barney 
Balaban. 


Eliminate  Dubbing, 
Latins  Recommend 


Washington,  Aug.  31. — The  Span- 
ish-American Motion  Picture  Con- 
gress, which  closed  in  Madrid  early 
in  July,  recommended  the  gradual 
elimination  of  dubbing  pictures  made 
in  languages  other  than  Spanish,  with 
the  exception  of  certain  films  of  "ex- 
ceptional interest"  which  could  con- 
tinue to  be  dubbed. 

This  was  reported  by  Commerce 
Department  film  chief  Nathan  D. 
Golden  today.  He  said  the  resolution 
was  offered  in  even  more  extreme 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Johnston  Says  Can't  Use 
Best  U.S.  Pictures  to 
Carry  Weak  U.  K.  Films 

London,  Aug.  31.  —  American 
film  companies  will  not  tolerate  the 
use  of  better  American  product  to 
bolster  British  films  on  double  fea- 
ture programs  in  J.  Arthur  Rank's 
theatres,  Eric  A.  Johnston,  presi- 
dent of  the  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America,  told  a  press  conference 
here  today. 

Johnston  said  he  had  advised  Rank 
of  this  decision  by  the  American  com- 
panies, informing  the  British  leader 
that  the  Americans  are  determined  to 
take  bookings  for  a  complete  program 
or  nothing.  Apparently  there  is  agree- 
ment among  American  managers  here 
on  this. 

It  was  learned  privately  that 
Johnston  visited  both  U.  S. 
Ambassador  Lewis  Douglas  and 
Britain's  Foreign  Minister 
Ernest  Bevin,  acquainted  them 
with  the  situation  and  found 
them  in  implicit  agreement 
with  his  views. 

At  his  press  conference  today, 
Johnston  repeated  that  it  is  up  to  Rank 
to  make  his  choice  of  future  procedure 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Companies'  Proposals 
To  Colosseum  Today 

Distributors'  proposals  are  sched- 
uled to  be  offered  today  to  the  nego- 
tiating committee  of  the  Colosseum  of 
Motion  Picture  Salesmen  of  America, 
a  Colosseum  spokesman  indicated  yes- 
terday. The  second  series  of  confer- 
ences on  a  wages-and-hours  contract 
for  the  newly-unionized  salesmen  of 
the  industry  were  resumed  here  on 
Monday. 


Paramount  Answers  U.  S.  on 
Some  Points,  Rejects  Others 


Interrogatories  which  the  Depart- 
ment of  Justice  served  on  defendants 
in  the  industry  anti-trust  case  have 
been  answered  in  part  by  Paramount 
but  the  information  imparted  has,  to 
a  large  extent,  been  a  matter  of  court 
record  for  some  time. 

Paramount  reported  on  its  theatre 
holdings  in  Texas,  Arkansas  and  New 
England,  giving  dates  of  incorpora- 
tions, stockholders  and  voting  shares, 
and  terms  of  partnership  agreements. 
Much  of  it  was  told  before  in  Para- 
mount's  first  report  on  its  theatre  in- 
terests submitted  to  the  New  York 
Federal  Court  more  than  a  year  ago. 

Paramount  declined  to  answer  Gov- 
ernment queries  Nos.  4,  5  and  6.  In 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Goldwyn  Firm  May 
Represent  Wanger 

Goldwyn  Productions  still  figures  as 
possible  producer's  representative  in 
the  selling  of  Walter  Wanger's  "Joan 
of  Arc"  with  negotiations  expected  to 
be  resumed  here  upon  Wanger's  ar- 
rival today  from  the  Coast. 

The  fact  that  discussions  began  sev- 
eral weeks  ago  with  no  agreement 
reached  had  been  considered  an  indi- 
cation that  the  deal  had  fallen  through. 

The  Goldwyn  company,  of  which 
James  Mulvey  is  president,  recently 
closed  with  Howard  Hawks  to  repre- 
sent the  latter  in  distribution  of  his 
"Red  River,"  a  United  Artists  release. 


U.  A.  Closes  Dutch 
Distribution  Deal 


Arthur  W.  Kelly,  executive  vice- 
president  of  United  Artists,  has  con- 
cluded a  five-year  franchise  agreement 
with  F.  L.  D.  Strengholt,  head  of 
N.  V.  Film-Verhuurkantoor  Neder- 
land,  under  which  the  latter  will  dis- 
tribute UA  product  in  Holland,  start- 
ing Friday.  Announcement  of  the 
deal  was  cabled  from  London  to  the 
home  office  by  Kelly  yesterday. 

Kelly  has  been  surveying  the  com- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Agnew  Leaves  SRO; 
To  France  Friday 

Neil  F.  Agnew  officially  withdrew 
as  president  of  Selznick  Releasing  Or- 
ganization yesterday,  his  resignation, 
made  public  several  weeks  ago,  be- 
coming effective  today. 

Agnew  will  leave  here  for  Paris  on 
Friday  to  join  his  wife.  He  plans  to 
spend  five  or  six  months  annually  in 
France  hereafter,  and  the  remainder  of 
his  time  at  his  Connecticut  farm. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  1,  1948 


Bingo  Bill  Defeated 
In  NJ  Legislature 

Legislation  designed  to  legalize 
Bingo  playing  in  New  Jersey  churches 
for  charity  purposes  has  been  de- 
feated in  the  state  senate  by  a  vote 
of  32  to  13,  it  was  reported  here  yes- 
terday by  George  Gold,  chairman  of 
the  New  Jersey  Allied  legislative  com- 
mittee. Jersey  Allied  had  been  in  the 
forefront  of  a  concerted  attack 
against  the  measure,  regarding  it  as  a 
threat  to  theatre  business  in  New 
Jersey, 

Gold  said  the  bill  is  "as  good  as 
dead  for  the  present,"  explaining  that 
it  will  be  possible  for  sponsors  to 
revive  the  measure  at  the  special  ses- 
sion of  the  New  Jersey  legislature 
scheduled  for  this  month  and  Jersey 
Allied,  therefore,  has  not  given  up 
its  vigil  since  it  would  be  possible 
to  pass  the  hill  with  softening  amend- 
ments. 


Personal  Mention 


80  Phila.  Exhibitors 
To  Aid  Hospital  Drive 

Philadelphia,  Aug.  31. — Some  80 
local  exhibitors  pledged  support  to 
the  current  Will  Rogers  Memorial 
Hospital  drive  at  a  luncheon  meeting 
at  the  Broadwood  Hotel  here  yester- 
day. Sentiment  was  also  voiced  fa- 
voring showing  of  a  trailer  to  be  fur- 
nished' by  National  Screen  Service  and 
to  take  up  .theatre  collections.  Earle 
Sweigert,  Paramount  Eastern  division 
manager,  was  chairman  of  the  meet- 
ing, while  A.  Montague,  chairman  of 
the  district  committee ;  William  Scully 
and  Sam  Shain  attended  from  New 
York. 


'Youth  Month'  Gets 
Under  Way  in  Mich. 

Detro'it,  Aug.  31. — Statements  by 
Gov.  Kim  Sigler  and  Mayor  Eugene 
Van  Antwerp  officially  recognize  Sep- 
tember as  Youth  Month  here. 

More  than  500  theatres  in  Michigan 
are  cooperating  in  the  campaign,  some 
of  them  offering  special  matinee  pro- 
grams/with proceeds  to  go  to  a  special 
youth  .fund.  James  F.  Sharkey,  gen- 
eral manager  of  Cooperative  Theatres 
of  Michigan,  is  chairman  of  the  drive 
here. 


GRAD    SEARS,    United  Artists 
president,  will  leave  here  today 
for  the  Coast. 

• 

Morris  Wolf,  M-G-M  home  office 
publicist,  will  address  the  Kiwanis 
Clubs  of  Albany,  Schenectady,  Utica, 
Binghamton,  Glens  Falls  and  Amster- 
dam this  month.  Floyd  Fitzsim- 
mons,  M-G-M  exploiteer  in  Albany 
and  Buffalo,  will  accompany  him  on 
the  trip. 

• 

Charles   Boasberg,   RKO  Radio 
North-South  division  manager,  is  in 
Canada  and,  following  his  return  here, 
will  leave  for  Oklahoma  City. 
• 

Carroll  Puciato  and  James  Har- 
ris, Realart  executives,  have  returned 
to  New  York  from  Minneapolis  and 
Chicago. 

• 

Oscar  Gorelick,  owner  of  the  Car- 
men Theatre  in  Dearborn  is  a  candi- 
date for  Michigan  State  representa- 
tive on  the  Republican  ticket. 
• 

George  Sidney,  M-G-M  director, 
and  his  wife  arrived  here  yesterday 
from  Hollywood. 

• 

Edwin  W.  Aaron,  M-G-M  assist- 
ant general  sales  manager,  is  due  back 
in  New  York  today  from  New  Haven. 
• 

William  F.  Rodgers,  M-G-M  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  left  here  yes- 
terday for  Hollywood. 

• 

Bob  Sokoler,  Lasker- Schwartz  ex- 
ecutive, and  Sara  Katz  will  announce 
their  engagement  here  on  Friday. 
• 

Charles  Collins  has  been  named 
manager  of  the  Times  Square  Theatre 
in  Detroit. 


Chi.  Railroad  Fair 
To  Observe  'TO A  Day9 

Chicago,  Aug.  31. — Sept.  24  will  be 
celebrated  as  "Theatre  Owners  of 
America  Day"  at  Chicago's  current 
Railroad  Fair,  in  connection  with  the 
TO  A  .convention  at  the  Drake  Hotel 
on  Sept.  24-25, 

Meanwhile,  Dave  Wallerstein 
chairman  of  :  the  convention  registra- 
tion committee,  has  named  the  follow- 
ing Chicago  theatremen  to  his  com 
mittee :  Tom  Gilliam,  Sam  Gorelick, 
Herb  Wheeler  and  William  Holden 


Perlman  to  Filmack 

Chicago,  Aug.  31.  —  Harold  Perl- 
man,  formerly  advertising  and  pub- 
licity director  for  RKO  Theatres  in 
New  Orleans,  has  rejoined  the  Film- 
ack Trailer  Corp.  of  Chicago  in 
charge  of  advertising. 


CHARLES  D.  PRUTZMAN,  Uni- 
versal vice-president  and  general 
counsel,  is  due  here  Tuesday  from  the 
Coast. 

• 

Harry  Rosenblatt,  M-G-M  branch 
manager  in  New  Haven,  and  Mrs. 
Rosenblatt  have  become  grandpar- 
ents with  the  birth  of  a  son  to  their 
daughter-in-law  in  San  Francisco. 
• 

Rutgers  Neilson,  RKO  Radio 
publicity  manager,  is  back  at  his  desk 
here  after  a  vacation  at  Atlantic  City 
and  Saratoga. 

Al  Adams,  in  charge  of  motion  pic- 
ture advertising  in  the  New  York  of- 
fice of  J.  Walter  Thompson  Co.,  has 
resigned,  effective  Sept.  15. 

• 

Jim  Partlow,  former  Universal- 
International  branch  manager  in  At- 
lanta, has  opened  his  new  drive-in 
theatre  in  Orlando,  Fla. 

• 

E.  S.  Coatsworth  has  resigned  as 
Toronto  manager  of  the  National  Film 
Board  of  Canada  to  join  Eagle-Lion 
of  Canada  in  an  exploitation  capacity. 
• 

Margaret  McCarthy  has  become 
assistant  manager  of  the  Center  The- 
atre, Hartford,  succeeding  Margaret 
Tilley,  resigned. 

• 

Fred  Raphael,  Walt  Disney  Pro- 
ductions music  exploitation  director, 
is  here  from  the  Coast. 

L.  E.  Whitespoon  is  planning  to 
open  a  new  theatre  in  Belle  Grades, 
Fla.,  about  Nov.  1. 

• 

John  J.  O'Connor,  Universal  vice- 
president,  is  on  vacation  this  week. 


RKO  to  Distribute 
1st  McCarthy  Film 

Hollywood,  Aug.  31.  —  "Green 
Promise,"  first  production  of  the  new- 
ly formed  Glenn  McCarthy  Produc- 
tions, which  went  before  the  cameras 
last  week,  will  be  released  by  RKO 
under  a  one-picture  deal  negotiated 
with  Howard  Hughes,  McCarthy  has 
announced. 

McCarthy,  Texas  oil  millionaire, 
expects  to  produce  two  more  this  year, 
and  three  annually  thereafter.  Dis- 
cussion concerning  RKO  release  for 
all  is  expected  to  continue  between 
McCarthy  and  Hughes. 


Rialto  Shutting  for  Day 

To  inaugurate  the  changeover  to 
first  run  Film  Classics  product,  the 
Rialto  Theatre  here  will  be  closed  to- 
morrow in  preparation  for  the  world 
premiere  on  Friday  of  "Sofia — City 
of  Intrigue."  Public  officials  and  the- 
atrical personalities  are  expected  to 
attend  the  premiere. 


Allied  of  Michigan 
Convenes  in  Detroit 

Detroit,  Aug.  31. — The  important 
role  the  theatre  plays  in  the  commu- 
nity was  the  subject  of  an  address  by 
Ray  Branch,  president  of  Allied  The- 
atres of  Michigan,  today  on  the  second 
day  of  the  organization's  29th  annual 
convention  which  is  being  held  at  the 
Book  Cadillac  Hotel.  Branch  was  in- 
troduced by  Charles  W.  Snyder,  ex- 
ecutive secretary  of  Michigan  Allied. 

Trueman  Rembusch,  president  of 
Associated  Theatre  Owners  of  Indi- 
ana, spoke  on  television  operation. 

The  convention  will  close  tomorrow. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


To  Continue  with  Films 

Washington,  Aug.  31.— The  board 
of  directors  of  the  Alexandria  Amuse- 
ment Corp.,  which  had  been  consider- 
ing "several  offers"  to  convert  its  Vir- 
ginia Theatre  in  Alexandria  into  a 
legitimate  theatre,  has  decided  to  con- 
tinue to  operate  the  Virginia  as  a  film 
house. 


Goldwyn  Accepts  Post 

Hollywood,  Aug.  31.  —  Samuel 
Goldwyn  has  accepted  the  West  Coast 
chairmanship  of  the  Urban  League  for 
the  second  year,  it  was  announced 
here. 


Edith  Mandel  Services 

Chicago,  Aug.  31.— Funeral  serv- 
ices for  Edith  Mandel,  82,  mother  of 
Irving  Mandel,  Monogram  franchise 
holder  in  this  territory,  were  held  here 
yesterday. 


THE  World  Council  of  Churches 
meeting  in  Amsterdam  and  the  de- 
parture of  Lomakin  mark  newsreel 
highlights.  The  peacetime  draft,  re- 
turn of  Olympic  stars  and  sports 
events  round  out  the  reels.  Complete 
contents  follow : 

MOVIETONE   NEWS,   No.  70 — Worli. 

conference  of  churches  held  in  Amsterdanyy^ 
Nation  mourns  Justice  Hughes.  Comm*  /* 
nists  march  on  Berlin  city  hall.  The  25- 
year-olds  register  in  peacetime  draft.  Presi- 
dent Truman  has  vacation.  John  A.  Cos- 
tello,  premier  of  Eire,  in  New  York.  Jacob 
Lomakin  leaves  New  York.  Winston 
Churchill  visits  France.  Darryl  Zanuck  in 
Italy.  Citation  wins  again.  Ice  spectacle 
in  Atlantic  City. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  200 — First 
World  Council  of  Churches.  Marching 
Reds  seize  city  hall.  Lomakin  sails  for 
home.  The  25-year-olds  answer  draft  call. 
Olympic  champs  come  home.  Ice-Capades 
of  1949. 

PARAMOUNT     NEWS,     No.     3— Ice 

spectacle.  World  churchmen  meet  at  Am- 
sterdam. Draft  call  induction  set  for  No- 
vember. Soviet  consul  sails  from  New 
York.  U.  S.  Olympic  stars  come  home. 
Red  hot  football. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,   No.  174^Draft 

begins.  Lomakin  packs  up  and  leaves. 
Christians  meet:  44  countries  send  leaders 
to  Holland.  Olympic  team  returns.  Ice- 
Capades  of  1949.     American  Derby. 

WARNER    PAT  HE   NEWS,    No.  5— 

Berlin  city  hall  stormed  by  Reds.  People 
in  the  news:  Gen.  Eichelberger;  American 
youths  register;  Lomakin  sails  from  New 
York.  Olympic  team  returns.  First  World 
Council  of  Churches  meet.  Ice-Capades  of 
1949.  Zoo  hails  baby  elephant.  Heat  wave 
football.     Citation  wins  again. 


2  UA  Films  Rated  'B' 
As  Legion  Reviews  10 

"An  Innocent  Affair"  and  "My 
Dear  Secretary,"  both  United  Artists, 
have  been  classified  in  the  "B"  cate- 
gory by  the  National  Legion  of  De- 
cency in  its  rating  of  10  pictures  this 
week.  Given  A-I  ratings  were :  UA's 
"The  Girl  from  Manhattan,"  20th- 
Century-Fox's  "Night  Wind,"  M- 
G-M's  "The  Secret  Land"  and  Vari- 
ety Film  Distributors'  "The  Spirit 
and  the  Flesh"  (Italian). 

RKO  Radio's  "Bodyguard,"  20th- 
Fox's  "The  Creeper,"  Warners'  "Em- 
braceable  You"  and  Columbia's  "The 
Loves  of  Carmen"  were  classified  as 
A-II. 


Joseph  A.  DiPesa 

Boston,  Aug.  31. — Joseph  A.  Di- 
Pesa, advertising-publicity  director  for 
Loew's  Boston  theatres,  died  here 
suddenly  after  a  heart  attack.  Asso- 
ciated with  the  theatre  business  for 
40  years,  he  was  the  dean  of  Boston 
press  agents.  Surviving  are  the  wi- 
dow, Louise,  and  a  daughter,  Betty, 
a  local  newspaper  reporter. 

Services  will  be  held  Thursday  in 
St.  Ignatius  Chapel  of  Boston  College. 
Interment  will  be  at  Evergreen  Ceme- 
tery, Brighton. 


Mrs.  Golda  Finestone 

Hollywood,  Aug.  31. — Al  Fine- 
stone,  Paramount  studio  publicist,  flew 
to  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  today  to  attend  the 
funeral  of  his  mother,  Mrs.  Golda 
Donde  Finestone,  82,  who  died  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  yesterday  after  a 
two-year  illness. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann.  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup. 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c 


"Everybody  went  to  see 
'DATE  WITH  JUDY' 
but  him.  It's  a  family 
picture  for  folks  from 
6  to  60  and  he  didn't 
quite  make  it." 


71 


"This  'DATE  WITH 
JUDY'  line  has  been 
at  Radio  City  Music 
Hall  for  3  weeks  and 
each  week  is  a  new 
M-G-M  high!  4th 
week  going  strong!" 


^l%*?^O  iAUSIC  HALL 

*  Block  away/  lihb  circles 


"It's  got  the 
joy  of  youth! 
That's  why  it's 
so  popular 
from  coast  c^^^^^/ 
to  coast." 


1 


M-G-M  presents  "A  DATE  WITH 
JUDY"  starring  WALLACE  BEERY, 
JANE  POWELL,  ELIZABETH 
TAYLOR,  CARMEN  MIRANDA, 
XAVIER  CUGAT  and  his  Orchestra, 
ROBERT  STACK  •  Color  by  TECH- 
NICOLOR •  Screen  Play  by  Dorothy 
Cooper  and  Dorothy  Kingsley  •  Based 
on  the  Characters  Created  by  Aleen 
Leslie  •  Directed  by  RICHARD 
THORPE  •  Produced  by  JOE 
PASTERNAK 


'DATE  WITH  JUDY 
FAMILY  PICTURE 

IS  AMERICA'S 
NO.  1  HIT  / 


This  is  Ben 
"Nostradamus" 
Shlyen,  who  pre- 
dicted the  success 
of  "A  DATE  WITH  JUDY"  in 
an  editorial  "The  Family  Touch" 
in  Boxoffice  Magazine. 


M-G-M's  joyous  Technicolor  hit  proves  that  140  million 
Americans  want  entertainment  for  Mom,  Pop  and  all  the  Kids! 


-4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  1,  1948 


Gains  for  German 
Films  Seen  by  U.  S. 

Washington,  Aug.  31. — The  Ger- 
man film  industry  is  making  "a  slow 
but  sure  come-back  from  the  low  ebb 
reached  at  the.  end  of  the  war,"  ac- 
cording to  a  report  by  Commerce  De- 
partment film  head  Nathan  D.  Golden. 

In  the  past  16  months,  Golden  says, 
24  films  have  been  produced,— three 
in  the  U.S.  zone,  nine  in  the  British, 
and  12  in  the  Russian.  Biggest  ob- 
stacle to  increased  production  is  lack 
of  studio  space,  with  rawstock  short- 
ages another  high  hurdle. 

TJ.  S.  and  British  officials  differ 
over  exchanging  films  with  the  Rus- 
sians, according  to  the  report,  and  as 
yet  no  films  produced  in  the  U.  S.  zone 
have  been  offered  in  the  Russian  zone. 
The  British  favor  exqhanging  the 
films. 


Report  of  Portuguese 
Film  Quota  Persists 

Washington,  Aug.  31.  —  Rumor 
persists  that  the  Portuguese  govern- 
ment plans  to  establish  an  import-dis- 
tribution quota  system,  but  no  action 
has  yet  been  taken,  the  Commerce  De- 
partment reports. 

Licenses  for  film  imports  have  been 
required  since  February  9,  the  De- 
partment states,  but  as  yet  distribu- 
tors have  had  no  difficulty  in  getting 
licenses  or  dollar  remittances. 


Film  Finance  C oncer  n 
Set  Up  in  Hamburg 

Hamburg,  Aug.  31.  —  A  company 
which  will  provide  financing  for  Ger- 
man production,  distribution  and  ex- 
hibition has  been  founded  here.  It  is 
the  Deutsches  Film  Kontor,  G.M.B.H., 
and  describes  itself  as  undertaking  the 
export  and  import  of  films  in  addition. 


Eliminate  Dubbing 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


form  by  the  Mexican  delegation,  but 
was  toned  down  by  the  Spanish  repre- 
sentatives. Spain  has  a  very  profitable 
local  dubbing  industry,  Golden  pointed 
out. 

Other  resolutions  adopted  by  the 
Congress  were  of  a  general  nature, 
Golden  reported.  Argentina,  Mexico, 
Cuba  and  Spanish  representatives  at- 
tended the  Congress. 


Mexican  Circuit  To 
Open  6  in  February 

Mexico  City,  Aug.  31.  —  Six  the- 
atres, each  with  a  seating  capacity 
of  3,500,  are  expected  to  be  ready 
for  opening  next  February,  according 
to  Manuel  Espinosa  Iglesias,  president 
of  Operadora  de  Teatros,  S.A.,  while 
Marie  Conesa,  film  comedienne,  is 
selling  several  theatres  she  owns  here 
to  finance  the  building  of  a  new 
house. 


Reviews 


"The  Luck  of  the  Irish" 

(20th  Century-Fox) 

THAT  rich  mine  of  humor,  Irish  folklore,  is  given  another  working  in 
this  modern-dress  fantasy.  The  story  is  one  of  modest  charm,  wit  and 
novelty ;  and  its  title  is  highly  suggestive  for  exploitation  angles.  With  Tyrone 
Power  and  Anne  Baxter  in  the  lead,  and  Cecil  Kellaway  providing  a  note  of 
visual  curiosity  as  a  mischievous  leprechaun,  the  film  shapes  up  as  reliable 
merchandise. 

The  locale  of  the  comedy  shifts  from  Ireland  to  New  York  and  back  again 
to  the  land  of  the  shamrock.  After  a  meandering  start,  the  story  builds  up  its 
dramatic  force  by  focusing  on  the  romantic  dilemma  faced  by  Power,  a  free- 
lance writer  on  foreign  affairs.  Should  he  marry  a  publisher's  sophisticated 
daughter,  Jayne  Meadows,  and  thereby  gain  control  of  a  publishing  empire, 
or  should  he  marry  Miss  Baxter,  a  pure-in-heart  colleen  he  met  in  his  travels 
in  Ireland?  Surely  'tis  a  problem  that  demands  a  Solomon's  wisdom.  But  into 
the  scene  bounces  Kellaway,  the  leprechaun  Power  encountered  overseas.  Now 
serving  Power  as  a  valet,  Kellaway  proceeds  in  his  charmed  way  to  set  his 
master  on  the  right  road.  En  route  there  are  some  obstacles,  but  they  provide 
the  basis  for  a  good  deal  of  mirth  and  innocent  mischief.  Along  with  winning 
Miss  Baxter,  Power  regains  his  editorial  integrity,  even  though  the  pay  isn't 
as  good.  Lee  Cobb  provides  a.  gruff  and  effective  caricature  as  the  Senate- 
aspiring  publisher,  for  whom  the  unregenerated  Power  writes  campaign 
speeches. 

The  deft  directorial  hand  of  Henry  Koster  is  apparent  in  many  scenes.  A 
novel  touch  is  provided  by  having  all  sequences  which  take  place  in  Ireland 
tinted  green.  Fred  Kohlmar  produced.  Philip  Dunne  did  the  screenplay  from  a 
novel  by  Guy  and  Constance  Jones. 

Running  time,  99  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Set  for  September 
release  Mandel  Herbstman 


Code  of  Scotland  Yard 


if 


M 


Beck  in  Two  Deals 

Irvin  Shapiro,  manager  of  Film 
Rights  International,  has  retained 
Myer  P.  Beck  to  handle  promotion  on 
10  films  to  be  released  in  the  coming 
season.  An  additional  agreement  has 
been  reached  by  Beck  and  the  Paris 
Theatre  here  for  a  promotion  cam- 
paign on  the  new  house  which  opens 
Sept.  12  -with  Film  Rights'  "Symphonie 
Pastorale." 


(Republic) 

ADE  in  England,  "Code  of  Scotland  Yard"  is  a  standard  melodrama, 
highlighted  by  good  acting  by  Oscar  Homolka  and  Kenneth  Griffith. 
Produced  and  directed  by  George  King,  it  concerns  a  loveable,  old  antique 
dealer  (Homolka)  who  has  a  lucrative  sideline  in  buying  stolen  jewels.  When 
this  is  discovered  by  his  clerk  (Griffith)  he  is  blackmailed.  Taking  most  of 
the  old  man's  money  the  blackmailer  finally  demands  the  antique  dealer's 
daughter  in  marriage  and  for  this  request  is  murdered.  From  there  Scotland 
Yard  takes  over  the  case  and  eventually  solves  it,  but  not  until  after  Homolka 
has  conveniently  died  of  a  heart  attack,  thus  preventing  the  disgrace  from 
falling  upon  his  daughter. 

Woven  throughout  the  story  is  a  thread  of  romance  betwen  Derek  Farr, 
a  Navy  doctor,  and  Muriel  Pavlow,  as  the  musically  talented  daughter.  The 
screenplay  was  written  by  Katherine  Strueby. 

Running  time,  60  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date,  Aug.  30. 

"Blanche  Fury" 

(Eagle-Lion) 

T  F  this  Technicolored  period  drama  tries  to  make  any  point  at  all,  it  appears 
1  to  be  that  fate  often  plays  strange  tricks  on  people.  The  film  has  some  fine 
performances  by  Stewart  Granger  and  Valerie  Hobson  as  well  as  by  Walter 
Fitzgerald,  Michael  Gough  and  Maurice  Denham.  Photography  is  outstand- 
ing and  captures  the  magnificence  of  the  English  countryside. 

"Blanche  Fury"  was  produced  by  Anthony  Havelock-Allan  and  directed 
by  Marc  Allegret.  A  Cineguild  Production,  it  was  made  from  a  screenplay 
by  Audrey  Lindop  and  Cecil  McGivern. 

Fate,  as  conveniently  twisted  to  suit  the  film's  needs,  looms  large  in  this 
story  of  a  man  who  loved  the  house  he  thought  his  own  so  much,  he  com- 
mitted murder  to  get  it.  Miss  Hobson  as  the  woman  Granger  loves — she  is 
married  to  one  of  the  men  he  murders — undergoes  a  strange  and  not  very 
well  explained  change  of  heart  after  the  murder  and  gives  him  up  to  the  police. 

Inevitably,  as  the  noose  is  put  around  Stewart's  neck,  the  child  for  whom 
she  has  given  him  up,  jumps  to  her  death  and  Miss  Hobson  dies  after  giving 
birth  to  a  son  by  Stewart.  Some  of  the  actions  are  effective  and  exciting,  but 
on  the  whole  there  is  little  in  this  Rank  production  to  greatly  excite  American 
audiences. 

Running  time,  93  minutes.  Adult  classification.  Release  date,  Sept.  11. 


Rank's  Duals 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Murderers  Among  Us 

(Art  kino) 

THIS  film  has  excellent  prospects  of  taking  its  place  among  the  best  of 
German  pictures.  Tautly  and  intensely  the  production  makes  a  strong: 
case  against  the  German  "superman"  knocked  down  to  the  status  of  a  civilian 
and  again  enjoying  freedom  from  the  consequences  of  his  crimes.  The  picture 
tells  its  story  with  the  assistance  of  superlative  acting  and  photography. 

"Murderers  Among  Us"  is  a  picture  art  theatres  should  not  pass  up,  for  it 
unfolds  the  whole  drab  hopelessness  of  the  Germans  of  today ;  its  types  are 
true  to  life.  Made  in  the  Russian  zone  of  Germany,  "Murderers  Among  Us" 
is  the  only  German  film  to  play  all  four  sectors  of  Berlin.  It  is  rare  in  that 
it  speaks  out  frankly  on  the  question  of  war  guilt  and  war  atrocities,  and  it 
sensitively  treats  the  horrible  dilemma  of  the  German  anti-Nazi  who  fought  in 
the  Wehrmacht  and  whose  conscience  is  awake  to  the  realization  that  he  too 
is  guilty. 

Hildegard  Knef,  Ernst  Borchert  and  all  others  give  top-notch  performances 
Direction  and  dialogue  by  Wolfgang  Staudte  is  beyond  reproach.  A  few  of 
the  scenes  are  too  gaudy  for  U.  S.  consumption  and  should  be  cut. 

Running  time,  84  minutes.  General  audience  classification. 


and  that  the  choice  is  either  coopera- 
tion or  warfare  with  the  American  in- 
dustry. In  the  event  he  chooses  the 
latter,  Rank  is  likely  to  be  hurt  more 
than  the  American  companies,  John- 
ston observed. 

It  was  disclosed  that  Rank  was  suf- 
ficiently impressed  with  Johnston's 
ultimatum  to  request  the  MPAA  pres- 
ident to  meet  with  him  again  as  soon 
as  Johnston  returns  to  London  fror#\\ 
his  European  tour,  which  is  scheduled?/* 
to  start  tomorrow. 

Despite  the  firmness  of  his  stand, 
however,  Johnston  today  made  a  plea 
for  reasonableness  in  the  present  situ- 
ation. 

'We've  scratched  each  other's  faces 
enough,"  was  the  way  he  put  it.  "Now 
it's  time  we  started  scratching  each 
other's  backs." 

Bookers  for  Rank's  circuits  had  in- 
dicated earlier  that  they  proposed  to 
spot  top  American  product  on  the  low- 
er half  of  double  bills  with  British 
films  playing  the  top  half.  Such  an 
arrangement  would  help  Rank  meet 
the  new  45  per  cent  quota  and  would 
restrict  American  earnings. 

Johnston  still  hopes  to  obtain  a  visa 
to  visit  Russia  during  his  tour  of  the 
Continent.  He  said,  "If  we  can't  solve 
Russian- American  governmental 
troubles,  maybe  we  can  sell  pictures 
there." 


E-L  Sets  17 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


"The  World  and  Little  Willie,"  star- 
ring Young  and  June  Lockhart ;  Bryan 
Foy's  "These  Were  My  Orders,"  a 
sequel  to  "Mickey";  "Let's  Live  a 
Little,"  starring  Hedy  Lamarr;  "Alice 
In  Wonderland,"  produced  in  France 
with  American  players. 

Also  the  following  J.  Arthur  Rank 
productions :  "Red  Shoes,"  which  will 
be  roadshown ;  "1948  Olympic  Games" 
and  "Scott  of  the  Antarctic,"  all  three 
in  Technicolor. 

Youngstein  said  company  executives 
will  meet  in  New  York  next  week  to 
determine  releasing  arrangements  for 
Rank's  "Oliver  Twist."  It  is  under- 
stood that  the  Anti-Defamation  League 
of  B'nai  B'rith  has  been  preparing  a 
report  on  the  picture  for  examination 
by  E-L  executives. 

Current  boycotting  of  British  films  in 
New  York  by  "The  Sons  of  Liberty" 
was  disparaged  by  Youngstein,  who 
said  E-L  is  determined  to  release  its 
Rank  pictures  here  as  planned,  not- 
withstanding. 


UA  Dutch  Deal 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


pany's  operations  in  Great  Britain  and 
Continental  Europe  for  the  past  10 
days. 

The  agreement  with  Strengholt,  Kel- 
ly said,  guarantees  UA's  independent 
producers  an  assured  outlet  for  their 
product,  with  increased  playing  time 
in  some  of  Holland's  important  first- 
run  and  circuit  houses  which  are 
owned  and  operated  by  Strengholt. 


Release  French  Film 

More  than  a  year  after  its  arrival 
here,  the  French  film  "Le  Diable  Au 
Corps"  has  now  been  approved  by  the 
New  York  State  censor  board  and  is 
being  readied  for  release  within  the 
next  two  or  three  months.  The  Paul 
Graetz  production  was  originally  re- 
jected by  the  board,  whereupon  it  was 
sent  back  to  France  for  revisions.  A. 
F.  E.  Corp.  will  distribute  it  in  the 
U.  S. 


Wednesday,  September  1,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


5 


Reviews 


"Walk  A  Crooked  Mile" 

(Edzvard  Small — Columbia) 

THE  title  has  its  origin  in  a  nursery  rhyme  ("There  was  a  crooked  man 
who  walked  a  crooked  mile  .  .  .")  but  as  here  used  refers  specifically  to 
the  "work"  of  the  agents  of  foreign  governments  seeking  U.  S.  nuclear  physics 
secrets.  This  being  another  Edward  Small  presentation  having  to  do  with 
the  activities  of  U.  S.  Government  investigators  (we  have  in  mind  his  previous 
"T-Men")  comparisons  are  in  order,  and  shape  up  thus:  except  that  this 
time  it's  the  F.  B.  I.,  rather  than  Treasury  agents,  whose  energies  are  pitted 
against  subversive  forces,  "Crooked  Mile"  is  substantially  like  "T-Men."  Like 
its  predecessor  it  is  threaded  neatly  with  the  oft-used  quasi-documentary  tech- 
nique, and  even  has  the  same  star,  Dennis  O'Keefe. 

Incidentally,  if  the  public's  taste  for  "cops  and  robbers"  fare  of  this  order 
has  remained  unchanged  since  "T-Men"  struck  a  box-office  bonanza  last  year, 
"Crooked  Mile"  should  have  a  splendid  commercial  future.  Of  course,  the 
if  is  important.  Exhibitors  will  have  to  rely  on  their  individual  experience. 

George  Bruce's  screenplay,  adapted  from  a  story  by  Bertram  Millhauser, 
puts  F.B.I,  man  O'Keefe  and  Scotland  Yard's  Louis  Hayward  on  the  trail 
of  a  Communist  spy  ring  which  has  succeeded  in  penetrating  the  information 
sources  of  a  U.S.  atomic  energy  plant.  At  the  outset  there  is  much  talking 
and  explaining  for  the  audience's  benefit,  and  the  camera  and  narrator  follow 
step  by  step  the  investigators'  probings.  The  action  is  therefore  slow  up  to 
the  half-way  point  when  suspense  takes  over  en  route  to  a  tumultuous  climax 
marked  with  displays  of  brutality  on  the  part  of  the  foreign  agents.  Gordon 
Douglas's  direction  is  admirably  muted  throughout.  Rounding  out  the  cast 
are  Louise  Allbritton,  Carl  Esmond,  Onslow  Stevens,  Raymond  Burr,  Art 
Baker,  Lowell  Gilmore  and  a  host  of  others.  Grant  Whytock's  production  is 
polished  and  supports  a  goodly  number  of  effective  San  Francisco  location 
shots. 

Running  time,  91  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  For  September 
release.  Charles  L.  Franke 


"Bodyguard" 

(RKO  Radio) 

LAWRENCE  TIERNEY  has  a  pretty  rough  and  tumble  time  of  it  trying 
to  prove  his  innocence  of  a  murder  charge  in  "Bodyguard."  The  picture 
is  a  routine  melodrama  but  has  the  virtue  of  action  that  keeps  it  constantly 
moving.  Sharing  the  lead  with  Tierney  is  Priscilla  Lane,  with  others  in  the 
cast  including  Philip  Reed  and  June  Clayworth. 

Quitting  the  police  force  after  a  quarrel  with  his  lieutenant,  Tierney  finds 
himself  hired  as  a  bodyguard  to  an  elderly  lady  who  heads  a  meat-packing 
plant.  Shortly  thereafter,  Tierney  gets  mysteriously  clouted  on  the  head, 
and  wakes  up  to  find  himself  beside  the  body  of  the  murdered  lieutenant. 
Tierney  is  now  confronted  with  the  double  task  of  eluding  the  police  and 
finding  the  murderer.  The  task  is  marked  by  brawls,  tough-talk,  escapes  and 
some  more  brawls.  Eventually  the  old  lady's  nephew  is  found  to  be  at  the 
source  of  the  skullduggery  as  well  as  some  crooked  meat  deals.  The  screen- 
play by  Fred  Niblo,  Jr.,  and  Harry  Essex,  has  Tierney  make  this  discovery 
just  in  time  to  save  his  sweetheart,  Miss  Lane,  from  the  fury  of  the  killer 
who  is  running  amok  in  the  meat  plant. 

Sid  Rogell  produced ;  Richard  O.  Fleischer  directed.  The  story  was  by 
George  W.  George  and  Robert  B.  Altman. 

Running  time,  62  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
not  set.  M.  H. 


"The  Creeper" 

(20th  Century-Fox) 

AS  A  hair-raising  chiller,  "The  Creeper"  gets  in  some  telling  melodramatic 
strokes,  with  people  clawed  to  death  left  and  right. 
It  takes  a  weird  story  to  produce  the  desired  effects  and  this  one  provides  it, 
along  with  a  dash  of  romance.  It  is  quite  well  acted  and  the  photography  has 
a  dark  quality  that  blends  with  the  general  atmosphere.  It's  certainly  not  a 
picture  youngsters  should  see,  but  it  makes  a  fine  horror  show  for  adults  who 
like  chillers. 

A  Reliance  Picture,  it  was  produced  by  Bernard  Small.  Ben  Pivar  was 
executive  producer  and  Jean  Yarbrough  directed  with  a  good  hand  for  effect. 
Maurice  Tombragel  wrote  the  screenplay.  Janis  Wilson  does  a  fine  job  as  the 
girl  scared  by  cats.  Eduardo  Ciannelli  is  his  usual  mysterious  self.  Onslow 
Stevens  is  in  the  romantic  lead  and  Ralph  Morgan  and  John  Baragrey  do  well. 

Miss  Wilson  has  a  hysterical  fear  of  cats,  brought  on  when  she  and  her 
father  went  to  the  West  Indies  to  collect  serum.  She  regularly  wakes  up 
screaming  at  night  because  she  sees  cats  clawing  at  her.  Morgan  Is  killed.  So 
are  others,  including  June  Vincent  and  David  Hoffman.  Cats'  claws  figure  in 
all  of  the  deaths. 

Stevens,  a  young  doctor,  has  fallen  love  with  Miss  Wilson.  She  shoots  him 
by  mistake  when  he  follows  someone  to  her  house.  Then  he  shoots  the  intruder, 
a  doctor  who  has  injected  himself  with  the  serum.  His  hand  turns  into  a 
cat's  paw. 

Running  time,  64  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Set  for  September 
release. 


Memphis  House,  Shut 
By  Pickets,  Re-opens 

Memphis,  Aug.  31. — Closed  since 
Aug.  16  because  of  union  difficulties, 
the  DeSoto  Theatre  here  re-opened 
tonight,  although  the  owners,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Walter  Lee  Sawner,  were  warned 
that  the  house  will  be  picketed.  Source 
of  the  dispute  is  the  insistence  by 
IATSE  Local  No.  144  that  the  Saw- 
ners  employ  two  union  men — a  chief 
aperator  and  a  helper,  while  the  Saw- 
'ners  contend  that  tbey  do  not  need  and 
cannot  afford  to  hire  these  employes. 

Sawner  operates  the  projector  and 
Mrs.  Sawner  sells  tickets. 


AFM-Independents 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

izations,  will  be  included  in  the  nego- 
tiations. 

Anthony  G.  O'Rourke,  SIMPP  la- 
bor co-ordinator,  will  be  chairman  of 
the  first  session  at  which  the  AFM 
will  be  represented  by  Herman  Kee- 
nan,  J.  W.  Gillette  and  C.  L.  Bagley. 
Terms  of  the  expiring  contract  will 
be  observed  during  the  negotiations 
with  the  understanding  that  any 
changes  effected  will  be  retroactive  to 
the  expiration. 

Although  it  is  generally  felt  that 
independents  will  follow  the  example 
set  by  the  majors  last  week  in  virtual- 
ly continuing  the  provisions  of  the  old 
contract,  it  is  understood  the  AFM 
will  be  asked  to  pare  down  its  require- 
ment for  a  permanent  orchestra.  The 
independents  maintain  that  they  lost 
heavily  during  the  past  year  on  this 
provision  due  to  curtailed  production. 


DeMille  Radio  Job 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

refuses  to  reinstate  him  or  makes  it 
impossible  for  him  to  fulfill  his  pact 
with  Mutual.  A  test  of  the  Taft-Hart- 
ley law's  protection  of  employers'  right 
to  hire  also  is  indicated. 

DeMille  carried  his  fight  with  AFRA 
to  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  and  lost. 
Last  spring  he  testified  before  the 
House  Labor  Committee  on  behalf  of 
the  inclusion  of  strong  right-to-work 
provisions  in  new  labor  legislation.  He 
was  expelled  from  AFRA  in  1944  for 
refusal  to  pay  the  $1  assessment  for  a 
fund  to  oppose  a  proposed  amendment 
to  the  California  constitution  which 
would  have  declared  the  closed  shop 
illegal. 

Columbus,  O.,  Has  55 
Theatres  Now  Open 

Columbus,  O.,  Aug.  31.  —  Recent 
opening  of  the  1,200-seat  Old  Trail  of 
the  Academy  circuit  has  boosted  to  55 
the  number  of  indoor  theatres  in  this 
city.  _  The  houses  have  a  combined 
capacity  of  45,500  seats,  or  one  seat 
for  every  nine  persons  in  the  metro- 
politan area,  according  to  figures 
compiled  by  Justin  Henley,  financial 
editor  of  the  Ohio  State  Journal. 
In  addition,  Columbus  has  six 
drive-ins  with  a  total  capacity  of 
3,000  cars. 


PUZZLE-BANK 


Tops  in  Salesmanship 
and  Showmanship 

Enterprise  House,  Inc.,  198  Broadway 
New   York   City  DIgby  9-1278 


New  Lindquist  Post 

Chicago,  Aug.  31. — Malcolm-How- 
ard Advertising  Agency  of  this  city 
has  appointed  Norman  C.  Lindquist, 
former  vice-president  of  Television 
Advertising  Productions,  Inc.,  as  its 
television  director. 


DuMont  Gets  License 

Washington,  Aug.  31. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  to- 
day granted  the  Allen  B.  DuMont 
Laboratories,  Inc.,  a  license  for  a  new 
experimental  television  relay  broad- 
cast station  at  Oxford,  Conn. 


ABC  Midwest  Video 
Net  Starts  Sept.  20 

Detroit,  Aug.  31. — Another  Mid- 
west television  network  will  be 
launched  on  Sept.  20  when  American 
Broadcasting  begins  operation  of  a 
Chicago  -  Toledo  -  Cleveland  -  Buffalo 
hookup  that  will  take  in  two  other 
cities,  probably  St.  Louis  and  Milwau- 
kee. Final  link  in  the  network,  accord- 
ing to  Paul  V.  Mowrey,  ABC  national 
television  director,  will  be  the  ABC 
outlet  in  Detroit,  WXYZ-TV,  which 
will  begin  sending  test  patterns  on 
Sept.  15. 

National  Broadcasting  announced 
last  week  that  its  Midwest  television 
network  will  open  on  Sept.  20. 

Ask  Gov't,  to  Tell 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

their  basic  questions  with  some  ap- 
parently all-inclusive  phraseology  : 
"State  the  facts  including  each  sepa- 
rate incident,  transaction,  occurence 
or  event,  together  with  the  dates  of 
same." 

They  ask  the  Government  to  pro- 
duce evidence  supporting  charges  of 
all  forms  of  monopoly,  including  first- 
run,  large  city  and  local.  They  con- 
clude by  seeking  the  facts  which  plain- 
tiff will  offer  to  establish  that  the 
court  decree  as  modified  by  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court's  mandate  is  inade- 
quate to  dissipate  unlawful  practices 
complained  of. 

Meanwhile,  all  five  theatre-owning 
defendants  in  the  case  are  at  work 
on  answers  to  the  interrogatories  with 
the  aim  of  completing  the  task  by 
Sept.  15,  date  now  agreed  upon. 


Paramount  Answers 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

these  the  plaintiff  wanted  to  know  if 
any  theatre  partners  operated  theatres 
outside  the  partnership ;  which  thea- 
tres now  operated  by  partnership 
formerly  were  operated  by  the  partner 
alone  ;  which  theatres  did  the  partner 
have  which  he  did  not  turn  into  the 
partnership. 


Building  Idaho  House 

Ashton,  Idaho,  Aug.  31.  —  George 
C.  Harrigfeld  and  Sons  is  building  a 
500-seater  here  for  opening  in  the  fall. 


FIVE-STAR 

DC-6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

Z\  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


She  owes  her  "ripe  old  age"  to  him . . 


HOWEVER  skillfully  she  might  play 
her  part,  this  young  actress  would  still 
seem  more  girl  than  grandmother — 
save  for  the  creative  ingenuity  of  the 
make-up  man. 

By  deft  application  of  grease  paint 
and  putty,  he  has  added  years  to  her  ap- 
pearance...  and  conviction  to  her  role. 

This  is  but  one  instance  of  the  magic 
at  the  make-up  man's  command.  He 
does  as  much  and  more  for  film  folk 


who  must  be  transformed  to  Jekyll, 
Cyrano,  gnome,  or  Manchu. 

When  these  characterizations  reach 
audiences  successfully,  it  is  because  the 
make-up  man  combines  cosmetic  artist- 
ry with  full  knowledge  of  his  medium. 
And,  in  knowing  films,  he  is  aware  of 
what  is  done  to  help  his  work  by  the 
versatile  members  of  the  Eastman  mo- 
tion picture  family,  famous  films  for 
more  than  fifty  years. 


EASTMAN   KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER  4,  N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  DISTRIBUTORS 
FORT  LEE   •    CHICAGO    •  HOLLYWOOD 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


0? 


i  M   j^fc.  -  v-;(^,     A  st..  ' 


a  ^  -IRST; 
IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


64.  NO.  45 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  2,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


U.S.  Plans  New 
Injunction 
Plea  Oct.  13 

Will  Ask  Court  to  Bar 
Theatre  Selling,  Buying 

Washington,  Sept.  1.  —  Robert 
L.  Wright,  Government  prosecutor 
in  the  industry  anti-trust  case,  has 
disclosed  he  will  press  for  a  tem- 
porary writ  restraining  the  defendants 
from  acquiring  or  selling  any  theatres 
and  for  other  temporary  injunctions 
pending  entry  of  a  further  order  when 
the  case  comes  before  the  New  York 
Federal  Court  on  Oct.  13. 

Wright  sought  such  immediate  re- 
lief at  a  hearing  here  on  June  15,  but 
the  New  York  Court  rejected  the  re- 
quest on  the  ground  that  it  lacked 
jurisdiction  pending  the  appointment 
of  a  third  judge.  Judge  Alfred  C. 
Coxe  has  since  been  designated  to  suc- 
ceed the  late  John  Bright. 

Wright  will  seek  injunctions  re- 
straining the  film  companies  from 
making  franchise  deals  with  theatres 

(Continued  on  page  3) 

Wash.  Ascap  Ruling 
May  Be  Academic 


Rank  Studio 
Goes  to  BBC 


London,  Sept.  1. — Bearing  signifi- 
cant witness  to  the  rigorously  exer- 
cised economy  program  in  production 
ordered  by  J.  Arthur  Rank  is  the  dis- 
closure today  that  his  Highbury  stu- 
dio, now  closed,  has  been  leased  _  to 
British  Broadcasting  Co.  for  television 
productions. 

The  Highbury  studio  hitherto  had 
been  used  by  Rank  for  production  of 
B  pictures. 

It  is  widely  reported,  but  uncon- 
firmed, that  Rank  now  contemplates 
production  of  55  features  in  1949  in- 
stead of  the  60  promised  earlier,  this 
despite  the  new  45  per  cent  quota  law's 
encouragement  of  increased  production 
here. 


If  the  New  York  Federal  court  de- 
cision holding  Ascap  to  be  in  violation 
of  the  anti-trust  laws  is  upheld  on 
appeal,  a  recent  opinion  by  State  of 
Washington  Attorney  General  Smith 
Troy,  that  Society  material  filed  with 
the  state  secretary  last  April  "is  a  rea- 
sonable compliance"  with  a  1947  state 
law  which  calls  for  filing  with  the  sec- 
retary a  list  of  copyrighted  works  plus 
supporting  data  for  each  title,  may  be- 
come an  academic  ruling. 

Under  the  state  attorney-general's 
opinion  Ascap  has,  in  effect,  won  the 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


DeMille's  AFRA  Fee 
Will  Remain  Unpaid 

Hollywood,  Sept.  1. — A  condition 
of  the  agreement  by  which  Cecil  B. 
DeMille  will  produce  and  narrate  a 
radio  program  for  the  Mutual  Broad- 
casting System  next  winter  is  that 
the  $1  assessment  which  he  has  re- 
fused to  pay  to  the  American  Federa- 
tion of  Radio  Artists  will  not  be  paid 
by  DeMille  or  by  anyone  else  on  his 
behalf,  it  is  learned. 

If  AFRA  refuses  reinstatement  of 
DeMille  or  otherwise  makes  it  impos- 
sible for  him  to  fulfill  the  terms  of 
his  MBS  employment  agreement,  it  is 
regarded  as  certain  that  DeMille  will 
use  the  case  as  additional  evidence  in 
his  continuing  efforts  to  obtain  strong 
right-to-work  legislation. 

DeMille  refused  to  pay  the  AFRA 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Wonderful  Weather, 
And  Grosses  Ditto 

The  return  of  cool,  clear 
weather  to  the  Eastern  sea- 
board revived  grosses  that 
had  withered  with  the  excess- 
sive  heat  of  last  Thursday 
through  Sunday,  reports  from 
key  Eastern  cities  yesterday 
disclosed. 

Broadway  houses  all  re- 
ported business  up  with  yes- 
terday's ideal  weather.  Busi- 
ness was  at  capacity  in  lead- 
ing Main  Stem  houses 
throughout  the  day  and  con- 
tinued strong  into  last  night. 
Some  managers  reported  the 
last  two  days'  business  had 
about  made  up  for  weekend 
losses  due  to  the  heat. 


Ask  Bar  on  20th's 
Deal  in  Balto.  Suit 


Wright  Passes  on 
All  Crescent  Deals 

Nashville,  Sept.  1. — That  all  peti 
tions  to  the  U.  S.  District  Court  here 
for  construction  or  acquisitions  of  new 
theatres  by  Crescent  Amusement  Co. 
are  being  cleared  through  Robert  L, 
Wright,  special  assistant  to  the  U.  S. 
Attorney  General,  is  revealed  in  the 
court's  recent  action  in  permitting 
Crescent  to  abandon  the  Ritz  Theatre 
in  Lebanon  and  erect  a  new  house  in 
its  stead  and  to  acquire  the  Old  Hick- 
ory Theatre  in  Old  Hickory. 

In  addition  to  Crescent's  petition  to 
build  new  theatres,  some  of  them  re- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Washington,  Sept.  1. — The  Wal- 
brook  Theatre  of  Baltimore  has  asked 
Federal  District  court  here  for  a  pre- 
liminary injunction  against  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox to  keep  it  from  giving  the 
Windsor,  also  of  Baltimore,  half  of 
its  films,  as  provided  by  an  out-of- 
court  settlement  reached  some  weeks 
ago  with  20th-Fox  in  the  Windsor's 
anti-trust  suit  against  six  major  dis- 
tributors. 

The  Windsor  filed  a  $600,000  suit 
against  20th-Fox,  M-G-M,  Paramount, 
United  Artists,  Universal  and  War- 
ners. Also  named  in  the  suit,  which 
was  filed  last  Feb.  15,  were  the  Wal- 
brook;  Thomas  D.  Goldberg,  owner  of 
the  house,  and  the  Hilton  Theatre,  also 
owned  by  Goldberg.  The  suit  charged 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


UK  Exhibitors 
Favor  MPAA 
Booking  Plan 

Korda,  However,  Is  Acid; 
Calls  It  'Very  Silly' 

London,  Sept.  1. — Britain's  in- 
dependent exhibitors  today  ex- 
pressed approval  of  the  all-Ameri- 
can  program  booking  policy 
announced  yesterday  by  Eric  Johnston, 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Ameri- 
ca president,  but  Sir  Alexander  Korda 
sounded  a  lone  discordant  reaction. 

The  independent  exhibitors,  concur- 
ring with  Johnston's  plan  of  booking  a 
complete  American  double  feature 
program  or  nothing,  regard  it  as  a 
shrewd  stroke  in  the  American  com- 
panies' battle  with  J.  Arthur  Rank. 
The  latter's  circuits  had  indicated 
their  intention  of  booking  top  Ameri- 
can product  on  the  lower  half  of 
double  bills,  with  weaker  British  films 
in  the  first  position,  thus  contributing 
to  Rank's  ability  to  meet  the  new  45 
per  cent  quota  and,  at  the  same  time, 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


The  Saxon  Charm 


9? 


[  Universal-International  ]  —  Slickly  Commercial 

IN  bringing  to  the  screen  Frederic  ("The  Hucksters")  Wakeman's 
second  novel  about  the  exploits  of  a  monstrous  heel,  producer  Joseph 
Sistrom  and  director-scripter  Claude  Binyon  have  turned  out  a 
beautifully  lacquered  production  which  is  well  worth  shouting  about  and 
well  worth  merchandising  efforts  of  the  highest  order.  "The  Saxon 
Charm"  should  pay  off  at  the  box-office  in  direct  proportion  to  the 
quantity  and  quality  of  showmanship  treatment  it  is  accorded.  Too,  it  is 
a  "natural"  from  a  word-of-mouth  standpoint. 

Also  qualifying  for  a  substantial  share  of  credit  for  a  singularly  fine 
entertainment  are  the  cameramen,  decorators,  editors  and  all  the  other 
behind-the-scenes  technicians,  as  well,  of  course,  as  a  superb  cast  headed 
by  Robert  Montgomery,  Susan  Hayward,  John  Payne  and  Audrey  Totter. 

New  York  stage  producer  Matt  Saxon  is  a  thoroughly  destestable 
character.  Montgomery's  handling  of  the  role  is  no  less  than  magnificent, 
and  lends  to  the  characterization  a  case-history  quality  that  is  utterly 
absorbing.  Saxon  is  an  intellectual  snob  of  the  first  order,  vitriolic  of 
tongue  and  temperament,  an  anti-social  who  engages  in  lofty  mouthings 

(Continued  on  page  8) 


Disney  Now  Favors 
French  Film  Pact 


Assistance  of  the  U.  S.  State  De- 
partment in  film  trade  matters  abroad 
was  characterized  as  indispensable  yes- 
terday by  William  Levy,  Eastern  rep- 
resentative for  Disney  Productions, 
which  recently  withdrew  its  protest 
to  the  State  Dept.  over  the  new  French 
film  agreement. 

Levy  cited  the  new  French-U.S.  film 
accord  as  an  example  of  favorable  re- 
sults of  Government  intervention  in 
deals  with  foreign  countries.  While 
the  new  French  pact  does  not  mean 
maximum  gains  for  the  U.  S.  com- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Film  Carriers  Not  in 
N.  Y.  Truck  Strike 

The  strike  launched  here  yesterday 
by  Local  807  of  the  International 
Brotherhood  of  Teamsters  (AFL) 
will  leave  film  deliveries  unaffected, 
since  film  carrier  drivers  and  helpers 
in  New  York  are  not  members  of  that 
local.  However,  it  was  expected  that 
other  teamster  locals  here  would  fol- 
low either  today  or  tomorrow  the  ex- 
ample of  Local  807,  and  therefore 
there  remained  last  night  some  possi- 
bility of  film  carriers  becoming  in- 
volved, even  if  only  on  the  level  of 
registering  sympathy  with  the  strikers 
in  the  form  of  a  temporary  cessation 
of  work. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  September  2,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


HENRY  GINSBERG,  Paramount 
studio  head,  is  due  here  Tuesday 
by  plane  from  Hollywood. 

• 

Fred  L.  Lynch,  advertising-public- 
ity director  for  Radio  City  Music 
Hall,  returned  to  his  desk  here  yester- 
day from  a  vacation  at  East  Hamp- 
ton, L.  I. 

Americo  Aboaf,  Universal-Interna- 
tional's Latin  American  supervisor,  is 
scheduled  to  leave  New  York  Sunday 
en  route  to  Mexico  and  Central  and 
South  America. 

• 

Paul  N.  Lazarus,  Jr.,  executive 
assistant  to  the  president  of  United 
Artists,  left  New  York  yesterday  for 
Chicago  and  Milwaukee. 

• 

Oscar  Morgan,  Paramount  short 
subjects  sales  manager,  is  recuperat- 
ing at  Mt.  Sinai  Hospital  here  after 
a  minor  operation. 

• 

W.  E.  Callaway,  United  Artists 
Los  Angeles  district  manager,  re- 
turned to  his  headquarters  from  New 
York  yesterday. 

• 

Bert  Sanford,  Altec  Lansing 
theatrical  sales  manager,  has  returned 
to  New  York  from  a  trip  through  the 
Midwest. 

• 

Verne    Caldwell,    Disney  studio 
executive,  will  return  to  the  Coast 
over  the  weekend  from  New  York. 
• 

Harry  Hellman,  Upstate  exhibitor, 
is  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Hospital  follow- 
ing an  operation  Tuesday. 

• 

George  Burgess  has  been  named 
manager  of  the  Imperial  Theatre,  De- 
troit, succeeding  Gerald  Hunt. 


Meyer  Post  at  U.  A. 
Circuit  Unfilled 

Duties  of  Stanley  Meyer,  who  re- 
signed as  vice-president  in  charge  of 
theatre  operations  of  the  United  Art- 
ists Circuit  Corp.  here  have  been  di- 
vided among  several  of  the  company's 
executives,  and  it  is  indicated  that 
Meyer's  former  post  will  not  be  filled. 

Meyer  has  returned  to  the  West 
Coast. 


'Red  Ryder'  Conferences 

Stephen  Slesinger,  New  York  pub- 
lisher and  owner  of  the  comic  strip 
character  "Red  Ryder,"  is  due  in  Hol- 
lywood today  from  New  York  for 
conferences  with  Harry  Thomas,  pres- 
ident of  Equity  Pictures,  on  selection 
of  the  actor  to  play  the  title  role  in 
the  forthcoming  "Red  Ryder"  series 
to  be  produced  by  Equity  for  Eagle- 
Lion  release. 


Loew's  Sets  Dividend 

Directors  of  Loew's,  Inc.,  yesterday 
declared  a  regular  quarterly  dividend 
of  37^2  cents  per  share  on  common 
stock,  payable  Sept.  30  to  stockholders 
of  record  Sept.  10. 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


TAKE  it  as  reliable  that  Eric 
Johnston  went  to  London 
with  full  authority,  and  also  in- 
struction, to  tell  J.  Arthur  Rank 
a  few  things.  Here  are  some  of 
the  points  he  was  commissioned 
to  make  and  which  he  has  done : 

1.  — The  American  industry 
holds  Rank  to  be  the  chief  archi- 
tect of  the  45  per  cent  quota 
plan,  this  in  face  of  his  publicly 
uttered  opposition  to  quotas  in 
all  forms. 

2.  — The  American  industry 
does  not  view  with  enthusiasm 
any  plan  whereby  its  top  product 
would  trail  British  product  on 
any  given  show  in  any  given 
Rank  theatre.  In  London  on 
Tuesday,  this  view  became  a 
policy. 

3.  — The  American  industry 
maintains  that,  while  Rank 
talks  about  hands-across-the-sea 
in  friendly,  if  competitive,  clasp, 
his  announced  policies  don't 
match  his  lofty  phrasings. 

4.  — The  American  industry  is 
angry  at  unwarranted  and  far- 
flung  attacks  appearing  as  if  by 
pattern  in  the  British  press  and 
thinks  Rank  was  in  a  position 
to  reduce  or  eliminate  much  of 
this  had  he  so  desired. 

The  point  of  explosion,  how- 
ever, arrived  when  Johnston  told 
Rank  th.e  leaders  here  regard 
this  combination  of  factors  as  an 
undeclared  declaration  of  war ; 
that,  if  Rank  wants  to  fight,  the 
American  industry  will  oblige — 
not  only  in  Britain,  but  wher- 
ever Rank  operates  around  the 
world  unless  the  present  state  of 
affairs  is  relieved. 

■ 

Open  warfare,  if  it  develops, 
may  be  expected  to  take  the 
form  of  a  refusal  to  sell  Rank 
American  product  beyond  what- 
ever contractual  agreements  are 
in  existence  at  the  time.  This 
would  place  Rank  in  the  position 
of  depending  entirely  on  his  own 
films  plus  whatever  else  of  value 
he  can  piece  together  from  other 
than  American  sources.  It  also 
would  feed  his  opposition  houses 
in  England  and  elsewhere 
American  product  of  sufficient 
strength  to  develop  new  first 
funs.  In  this  country,  the  ma- 
jor circuits  on  whom  Rank  must 
depend  preponderantly  for  the 
success  of  his  program  would 
lock  the  door  and  toss  away  the 
key. 

■ 

It's  up  to  Rank  to  decide  into 
what  maelstrom  he  proposes 
tossing  himself :  The  resolve  of 
the  American  industry  to  battle 


its  way  to  a  conclusion  or  na- 
tionalistic pride  and/or  stub- 
bornness and,  perhaps  govern- 
mental, wrath  at  home. 


On  the  diplomatic  side,  of 
course,  Johnston  has  been  tell- 
ing Rank  the  situation  is  unfor- 
tunate, that  warfare  would  be 
harmful  to  both  industries  and 
more  so  to  the  British  and  that 
some  middle  ground  is  much  to 
be  desired.  As  a  visitor,  even 
with  a  mission,  he  could  do  no 
less. 

But  here  in  New  York  where 
the  guards  are  down,  not  up,  one 
would  be  hard  put  to  find  a 
friendly  word  for  Rank  or  the 
British.  General  opinion  solid- 
ly maintains  the  American  in- 
dustry has  been  taken  for  a 
beautiful  ride. 


Joe  Skeptic,  that  hard-bitten 
philosopher,  was  contemplating 
the  embroilment  yesterday  with 
his  usual  jaundiced  eye.  Some- 
one asked,  "If  Eric  Johnston  de- 
clares war  on  Arthur  Rank, 
what  happens  to  all  those  air 
crews  we're  basing  in  England? 
Will  they  be  imprisoned,  or 
what  ?" 

To  which,  Joe  replied :  "Nope. 
The  British  will  make  'em  look 
at  British  films.  That  would  be 
a  fate  worse  than  death  in  the 
air." 


The  upper  crust  at  UA  is 
having  a  fine  old  time  checking 
off  early  "Red  River"  takes  on 
those  235  day-and-date  runs  in 
Texas,  Oklahoma  and  New 
Mexico.  They're  so  good,  the 
figures  are  being  re-checked  for 
error.  Eor  instance  and  no 
wonder :  Tyler,  Tex.,  four  days, 
$3,410;  Port  Arthur,  two  days, 
$2,300.  Odessa  [Texas,  not 
Russia],  opening  day,  $1,358; 
San  Antonio,  five  days,  $18,100; 
El  Paso,  six  days,  $10,500; 
Wichita  Falls,  five  days,  $5,000 ; 
holdovers  in  all  Intersate  Cir- 
cuit situations  except  two. 
■ 

A  picture  largely  about 
Texas,  "Red  River''  tackled  the 
soft  under-belly  of  exhibition 
first  by  invading  the  Southwest. 
UA  concedes  this,  but  contends 
an  $8,000,000  domestic  gross  is 
in  line  if  the  initial  pace  is 
maintained. 

They'd  settle  for  several 
millions  less. 


Dembow  Drive  Chiefs 
Set  Regional  Meets 

Regional  meetings  of  all  sales  per 
sonnel  will  be  held  next  week  by 
captains  of  the  "George  Dembow 
Tribute,"  National  Screen  Service 
sales  drive  honoring  Dembow,  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  sales.  William 
Bein,  Eastern  drive  captain,  and  Ben 
Ashe,  Western  drive  captain,  will( 
make  a  flying  tour  of  the  regional 
meetings. 

Meetings  will  be  held  by  Beif^ 
Chicago,  Sept.  7;  Pittsburgh,  Sep.. 
Kansas  City,  Sept.  11;  and  Dallas, 
Sept.  13.  Ashe  will  hold  meetings  in 
Los  Angeles,  Sept.  7;  Denver,  Sept. 
9;  Kansas  City,  Sept.  11,  and  Dallas, 
Sept.  13. 


E-L  Expands  Scope 
Of  Donaldson  Post 

Two  Eagle-Lion  branches,  Buffalo 
and  Albany,  have  been  added  to  those 
now  handled  by  Tom  Donaldson,  E-L 
New  England  district  manager,  in  a 
move  explained  by  E-L  distribution 
vice-president  William  J.  Heineman  as 
being  "in  accordance  with  the  com- 
pany's policy  of  promoting  its  person- 
nel whenever  possible."  In  his  new 
post,  which  is  effective  immediately, 
Donaldson  will  continue  to  supervise 
the  Boston  and  New  Haven  ex- 
changes from  his  headquarters  in 
Boston. 


Youth  Month  Parade 
Set  for  Sept  7  Here 

A  youth  parade  of  5,000  New  York 
children  will  be  staged  next  Tuesday 
morning  under  the  joint  auspices  of 
the  National  Youth  Month  Committee 
and  the  New  York  Youth  Board.  The 
parade  will  form  at  8:30  at  Cooper 
Union  Park  and  will  proceed  to  the 
Skouras  Academy  of  Music  at  West 
14th  Street  to  see  a  premiere  of  "A 
Friendly  Story,"  a  short  subject  with 
a  youth  theme. 

A  stage  show  also  will  be  held  in 
which  figures  of  stage  and  screen  will 
participate. 


To  Co-produce  in  Paris 

Conclusion  of  a  deal  with  the  Com- 
pagnie  Continentale  Cinematographique 
of  France  for  joint  production  in 
Paris  of  "Miss  Condon"  from  the  nov- 
el by  Aline  Bernstein  in  both  French 
and  English  with  a  combined  budget 
of  105,000,000  francs  has  been  an- 
nounced here  by  Peter  Cusick,  presi- 
dent of  Cusick  International  Films. 


$2,250,000  RKO  Suit 

Writer  Joseph  Anthony  filed  in  U.S. 
District  Court  here  yesterday  a  $2,250,- 
000  damage  action  against  RKO  Radio 
and  Radio  -  Keith  -  Orpheum  Corp., 
charging  that  his  film  story,  "Sister 
Eve"  was  pirated  and  appropriated  by 
RKO  Radio  in  producing  "The  Bach- 
elor and  the  Bobby  Soxer." 


Goldwyn-Arc'  Deal  Off 

Negotiation  of  a  deal  by  which  Gold- 
wyn  Productions  would  have  become 
producer's  representative  in  the  sell- 
ing of  Walter  Wanger's  "Joan  of  Arc" 
has  been  cancelled  and  the  deal  is 
completely  off,  it  was  disclosed  here 
yesterday. 


Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor:  Chicago  Bureau.  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farlev.  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sa.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup. 
Editor;  cable  address.  'Quigpubco.  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter.  Sept.  23,  1938.  at  the  post  office  at  New  York.  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year.  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c 


Thursday,  September  2,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Soviet  Power  Cuts 
Hit  Berlin  Houses 


Theatres  in  the  American  and  Bri- 
tish sectors  of  Berlin,  most  of  which 
.depend  on  electric  power  generated  in 
the  Soviet  sector,  have  had  to  cut 
down  the  number  of  shows  to  one  and 
two  a  day,  according  to  a  report  re- 
ceived by  the  Motion  Picture  Export 
Association  here  from  Marian  F.  Jor- 
^Vi^MPEA  general  manager  in  Ger- 

'  "oince  the  early  days  of  the  block- 
ade, the  Russians,  Jordan  observes, 
have  been  piping  over  only  about  half 
of  the  current  actually  needed  to  keep 
all  film  wheels  rolling  on  a  normal 
'  basis.  As  a  result  of  the  acute  power 
shortage,  Jordan  says  that  34  of  the 
70  theatres  in  the  American  sector  are 
running  a  single  performance  a  day, 
35  are  on  a  two-a-day  basis,  and  only 
one  theatre  is  playing  three-a-day.  The 
British  sector's  41  houses  have  been 
almost  as  severely  hit,  with  19  playing 
one-a-day,  17,  two-a-day,  four  running 
three  shows  and  one  house  meeting  its 
pre-blockade  schedule  of  four  shows  a 
day. 


Review 


U.  S.  Films  Blacking 
Out  in  Yugoslavia 

Belgrade,  Yugoslavia,  Aug.  24  (By 
Airmail). — In  1947  Yugoslavia  im- 
ported 137  Soviet  features  and  docu- 
mentaries, representing  about  47  per 
cent  of  the  total  number  brought  into 
the  country.  Only  38  were  imported 
from  the  U.  S.  These  figures  com- 
pare with  45  from  the  Soviet  and  102. 
or  '45  per  cent  of  the  total,  from  the 
U.  S.  in  1945.  In  the  first  half  of  this 
year  only  seven.  American  features  en- 
tered the  country  as  against  188  from 
Russia. 


Disney  Favors 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


panies,  Levy  indicated  it  is  as  good  as 
could  be  hoped  for  at  the  present." 

Levy  reported  that  Roy  Disney's 
protest  to  the  State  Department  con- 
cerning the  French  pact  took  excep- 
tion only  to  the  allocation  of  films  un- 
der the  new  quota.  The  major  com- 
panies are  permitted  to  send  110  pic- 
tures into  France  per  annum  as  against 
only  11  for  the  independents. 

Disney's  protest  called  attention  to 
the  position  of  the  independents,  and 
in  so  doing  had  served  its  purpose, 
Levy  said,  and  has  been  withdrawn. 

It  is  understood  that  David  O.  Selz- 
nick  also  expressed  dissatisfaction  with 
the  new  French  pact. 

Withdrawal  of  the  Disney  protest  is 
expected  to  speed  finalization  of  the 
agreement  which  frees  over  $9,000,000 
from  France  over  a  four-year  period. 
That  Disney  would  get  any  special 
concessions  from  the  major  companies 
because  of  the  protest  withdrawal  was 
denied  by  Levy. 


Crescent  Deals 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


placements,  in  eight  Tennessee,  Ala- 
bama and  Kentucky  towns,  which  is 
still  to  be  reviewed  by  Wright,  the 
Government  attorney  also  is  studying 
a  bid  by  Rockwood  Amusement  Co. 
of  Rockwood  for  permission  to  build 
a  new  house  in  that  town.  Kermit 
Stengel,  general  manager  of  Rockwood 
Amusement  and  Crescent  executive 
vice-president,  was  one  of  the  defen- 
dants in  the  Crescent  anti-trust  suits. 


"Station  West" 

(RKO  Radio) 

THIS  RKO  Radio  production  stands  at  the  top  of  its  class.  As  a  high, 
though  not  colossal,  budget  Western  it  is  another  proof — if  one  be  needed 
— that  well-made  stories  of  the  West  result  in  excellent  motion  picture 
entertainment. 

For  the  most  part  this  is  Dick  Powell's  picture  and  he  does  well  indeed 
in  a  straight  dramatic  role.  Robert  Sparks,  the  producer,  surrounded  Powell 
with  a  fine  cast,  led  by  Jane  Greer.  The  direction  by  Sidney  Lanfield  made 
for  a  natural  film,  avoiding  both  the  extremes  of  artificiality  and  exaggerated 
realism.  On  analysis,  the  story,  from  the  novel  by  Luke  Short  with  the 
screen  play  by  Frank  Fenton  and  Winston  Miller,  is  not  strikingly  different 
from  many  other  Westerns.  However,  the  presentation  is  fresh  and  there  is 
plenty  of  suspense  and  excitement  to  please  audiences  without  exhausting 
them. 

Powell  turns  up  in  a  small  Western  town  after  two  soldiers  had  been 
murdered  transporting  gold.  For  a  while  it  is  not  clear  what  his  connection 
with  the  matter  is ;  then  the  audience  learns  that  he  is  an  Army  intelligence 
officer  sent,  under  cover,  to  investigate.  At  the  end  he  has  the  desired  informa- 
tion and  all  the  culprits  are  dead.  Meanwhile  he  has  several  meetings  with 
the  beautiful  but  sinister  head  of  a  gambling  house  and  gang  ring-leader, 
Tane  Greer;  a  fierce  fist  fight  with  Guinn  "Big  Boy"  Williams;  several  gun 
battles ;  and  assorted  complications  with  the  captain  in  charge  of  the  local 
army  station,  Tom  Powers,  and  his  lady  friend,  Agnes  Moorehead.  Other 
supporting  roles  include  a  singing  hotel  clerk,  effectively  played  by  Burl 
Ives,  and  Gordon  Oliver  and  Steve  Brodie,  associates  in  the  crimes,  and 
Raymond  Burr,  a  weak  lawyer.  The  photography,  both  of  the  beautiful 
exterior  country  and  the  realistic  interiors,  is  very  good.  Most  of  the  action 
takes  place  in  a  relatively  small  number  of  settings  and  this  contributes  to 
the  over-all  effectiveness  of  this  film. 

Running  time,  92  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Oct.. 23.  M.  Q.  Jr. 


U.  K.  Exhibitors 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


Cleveland  Lake  to 
Community  Circuit 

Cleveland,  Sept.  1. — Community 
Circuit  Theatres  has  acquired  the  lease 
for  the  Lake  Theatre  here.  Extensive 
remodeling  is  planned,  following  which 
the  house's  name  may  be  changed,  ac- 
cording to  Henry  Greenberger,  presi- 
dent of  the  circuit. 

For  the  past  18  years  the  Lake  was 
operated  by  Warner  Brothers  whose 
lease  expired  recently  and  was  not  re- 
newed. The  Lake  is  the  sixth  down- 
town house  operated  by  the  circuit. 


Balto.  Suit  Deal 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


a  conspiracy  to  deprive  the  Windsor  of 
neighborhood  run  films,  with  the  plain- 
tiff claiming  it  obtained  product  any- 
where from  14  days  to  six  months  be- 
hind the  competitive  Walbrook. 

While  negotiations  are  understood  to 
be  under  way  with  the  other  distrib- 
utor-defendants for  a  settlement  simi- 
lar to  that  reached  with  20th-Fox,  the 
Walbrook,  in  seeking  its  injunction, 
claims  that  a  contract  made  in  July, 
1945,  with  20th- Fox  promised  the 
Walbrook  the  same  films  as  the  Dur- 
kee-owned  Ambassador.  Argument  on 
the  request  for  an  injunction  is  ex- 
pected within  10  days. 


Wash.  Ascap  Ruling 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


right  to  collect  fees  for  public  per- 
formances of  its  members'  musical 
compositions  in  the  state.  Several 
years  ago  Ascap  was  similarly  sus- 
tained in  Florida,  the  only  other  state 
having  such  copyright  regulation. 

Troy's  opinion  followed  a  state  su- 
preme court  ruling  of  last  January  that 
Ascap  had  not  complied  with  the  law, 
and  holding  that  the  Ascap  list  filed 
contained  musical  compositions  in  the 
public  domain. 

In  July  Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell 
ruled  in  U.  S.  District  Court  here  that 
Ascap  had  violated  the  anti-trust  laws 
by  taxing  theatres  playing  pictures 
containing  Ascap  music  and  granted 
injunctive  relief  to  164  independent 
New  York  exhibitors  in  their  suit 
against  Ascap.  Ascap  is  expected  to 
appeal  Leibell's  decision. 


restricting  the  earnings  of  the  Ameri- 
can companies  here. 

Johnston's  meeting  with  W.  R. 
Fuller,  general  secretary  of  the  Cine- 
matograph Exhibitors  Ass'n,  and  with 
other  exhibitor  leaders  here  assured 
the  independents  of  being  able  to  ob- 
tain proper  alternate  programs  at  fair 
rentals. 

The  independents,  though  concerned 
only  with  running  their  theatres 
profitably,  welcome  the  opportunity  to 
settle,  once  and  for  all,  the  question 
of  which  pays  better,  American  or 
British  pictures? 

Korda  called  the  Johnston  plan 
"very  silly." 

'Americans  Fight  Customers' 

"Americans  are  fighting  their  best 
customers,"  he  said,  "but  I  don't  think 
the  new  proposal  matters  one  little 
bit.  British  pictures  don't  need  the 
support  of  American  films  in  the  Brit- 
ish market.  Johnston  is  under  the  mis- 
taken impression  that  British  people 
don't  like  British  films.  It's  absolute- 
ly wonderful  how  ill  informed  people 
can  be  about  the  tastes  of  people  of 
another  country." 

Rank  is  on  vacation  and  his  office 
withheld  comment  on  Johnston's  plan. 

Johnston  has  made  definite  arrange- 
ments to  meet  Rank  again  when  the 
MPAA  president  returns  here  from 
the  Continent  toward  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember. Johnston  left  here  today  for 
Paris. 

'U,'  E-L  Committed  to  Rank 

Universal  and  Eagle-Lion  are  pre- 
vented by  their  contractual  commit- 
ments with  Rank  from  participating  in 
the  Johnston  ail-American  program 
booking  plan  and  United  Artists  can- 
not commit  its  independent  producers 
without  their  approval.  The  plan_  is 
scheduled  to  be  placed  in  operation 
Oct.  1,  when  Britain's  new  quota  law 
becomes  effective  but,  because  of  con- 
tracts already  made,  its  full  effect  is 
not  likely  to  be  felt  in  Britain  until 
the  first  of  next  year. 


U.  S.  in  New  Plea 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


affiliated  with  any  of  the  defendants 
and  from  discriminating  against  thea- 
tres in  competition  with  any  of  the 
affiliated  houses. 

Wright  said  he  contemplates  no 
Government  request  for  postponement 
of  the  Oct.  13  hearing,  nor  has  he 
heard  of  any  to  be  made  by  the  in- 
dustry. 


Seek  Sunday  Films  Vote 

Cambridge,  O.,  Sept.  1.  —  Signa- 
tures are  being  solicited  here  to  put 
the  issue  of  Sunday  shows  on  the  bal- 
lot in  the  November  election.  Similar 
efforts  in  the  past  have  been  voted 
down. 


DeMille's  AFRA  Fee 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


assessment  when  it  was  levied  in  1944 
to  finance  a  campaign  against  Cali- 
fornia legislation  to  outlaw  the  closed 
shop  in  that  state.  He  was  suspended 
from  AFRA  and  has  been  unable  to 
appear  on  the  air  since.  He  carried  his 
case  to  the  U.  S:  Supreme  Court  and 
lost,  and  is  now  pressing  for  new  Fed- 
eral labor  legislation  guaranteeing  the 
right  to  work. 


Eases  Sunday  Ban 

Toronto,  Sept.  1.  —  Exhibitors  in 
many  Canadian  cities  other  than  To- 
ronto Will  be  permitted  to  run  Sun- 
day midnight  shows  on  Oct.  10,  run- 
ning into  Canada's  Thanksgiving  Day. 
scheduled  to  be  held  on  Monday, 
Oct.  11. 


Murphy  Sails  for  U.K. 

James  Murphy  sailed  on  the  .9.9 
Queen  Mary  for  England  yesterday 
where  he  will  start  his  duties  as  assis- 
tant to  Fayette  Allport,  representative 
in  London  of  the  Motion  Picture  As- 
sociation of  America. 


Some  Independents  Wary 
Of  Johnston  Booking  Plan 

One  producer's  representative  said 
in  New  York  yesterday  that  he  would 
refuse  to  sell  his  top  product  to  sup- 
port British  pictures  on  any  theatre 
program.  He  added,  however,  that  he 
was  not  inclined  to  believe  that  refusal 
to  license  his  films  as  first  features  in 
England,  supported  by  British  prod- 
uct, would  be  advantageous. 

The  producer's  representative  said 
that  top  U.  S.  features  in  England 
draw  in  the  neighborhood  of  $500,000, 
while  second  features  take  from  $100,- 
000  to  $150,000.  He  expressed  fear 
that  some  independent  product  might 
be  forced  into  secondary  spots  on  pro- 
grams if  the  independents  become  a 
party  to  the  new  MPAA  policy. 


Canadian  Imvorts 
Up  in  First  Half 

Ottawa,  Sept.  1.— The  External 
Trade  Branch  of  the  Canadian  gov- 
ernment here  reveals  in  its  latest  re- 
port that,  while  imports  of  films 
slumped  in  June  to  $251,000  as  com- 
pared with  $266,000  in  the  same  month 
last  year,  they  increased  to  $1,664,000 
in  the  first  six  months  of  1948,  as 
against  $1,409,000  in  the  corresponding 
period  of  1947. 


Hum 


.  The  N.Y.  Globe 
nrst  theatre  to  show  it 
is  playing  to  the  greates 
attendance  ever  seen 
here  at  any  time!  Thi 
record  in  the  face  of 
ecord  heat! 


Hu-lun-nan 


AN  ALLIED  ARTISTS  PRODUCTION 

m  LEVENE- william  FRAWLEY-gertrude  NIESEN-matt  BRIBE-Kf  RDY DEL  RUTH-ssr joe  KAUFMAN-^ bob  considine ^ geqrge.callauan 


V\vsv\— ""  — '       o  5  -    «     ,   zj»       1         «        - — 7rrf'/.\ 

V      X  /! 


3 


"The  Babe  Ruth  Story"  is  now  in  its 
6th  WEEK  at  the  Astor  Theatre.  N.Y... 

In  Boston  it  has  played  3  WEEKS  to 
giant  grosses  at  Keith's  Memorial... 

For  4  WEEKS  in  Baltimore  it  has 
smashed  records  at  the  Town  Theatre... 

In  Philadelphia  it  has  drawn  great 
crowds  to  the  Mastbaum  for  3 WEEKS,. . 

\      In  Cheyenne,  Waterbury,  Asbury  Park, 
Hartford,  Jamestown,  Lancaster... in 
cities  and  towns  of  every  size,  this 
warm-hearted  picture  of  a  beloved 
American  is  drawing  record  throngs. 

Today,  the  industry's  big  boxoffice 
story  is  THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY. 


S5 

\ 


8 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  September  2,  1948 


"The  Saxon  Charm" 


(Continued  from  page  1)  • 
about  collectivist  advantages,  a  bitter  financial  failure  whose  incompetence  as 
a  producer  spells  financial  headaches  for  unwary  entrepreneurs.  Payne,  a 
successful  novelist  who  had  taken  a  crack  at  writing-  a  play,  is  taken  in  by 
Saxon's  ostensible  worth  and  prestige,  and  almost  too  late  finds  that  this 
ruthless  parasite  has  ruined  his  script,  and  has  nearly  irreparably  wrecked 
his  married  happiness  to  boot.  Miss  Hayward,  Payne's  wife,  becomes  wise  to 
Saxon's  "charm"  at  the  outset,  having  been  tipped  off  on  the  producer's  char- 
acter by  Miss  Totter,  a  night  club  singer,  who  loves  him  deeply  nonetheless. 

ITS  serious  overtones  notwithstanding,  this  picture  is  a  rollicking  sophisti- 
cated comedy  in  its  unfolding,  with  sophisticated  funnybones  due  to  receive 
almost  uninterrupted  titillation  in  consequence  of  Saxon's  utter  unpredictability, 
his  contemptuous  wit,  and  his  capacity  for  ignoring  the  implications  of  finan- 
cial adversity  and  ultimate  desertion  by  all  whom  he  double-crossed.  This 
calls  to  mind  a  word  of  caution  for  exhibitors  whose  patrons  have  heretofore 
shied  away  from  "sophisticated  comedies" — we  refer  particularly  to  theatre 
operators  in  strictly  rural  communities.  "The  Saxon  Charm"  is  first  and 
foremost  fare  of  a  type  that  is  certain  to  thoroughly  please  the  more  sophisti- 
cated metropolitan  audiences.  Very  much  to  the  picture's  credit,  of  course, 
is  the  fact  that  the  sexiness  embodied  in  the  novel  was  by-passed  completely 
in  the  transformation. 

Suffice  it  to  say  that  performances  are  crackerjack  from  top  to  bottom  in 
a  cast  that  is  rounded  out  with  Henry  Morgan  (not  the  radio  comedian), 
Harry  Von  Zell,  Cara  Williams,  Chill  Wills  and  Heather  Angel.  Miss  Totter 
at  two  points  serves  up  mellow  vocal  renditions  of  the  oldie,  "I'm  in  the 
Mood  for  Love." 

Running  time,  88  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  For  September 
release.  Charles  L.  Franke 


Key  City 


Grosses 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
ture grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


LOS  ANGELES 


"Pitfall,"  "Two  Guys  from  Texas" 
and  "Beyond  Glory"  led  grosses  to 
high  ground  in  a  fine  final  week  of 
August  weather,  warmish  days  and 
coolish  nights,  which  seemed  to  make 
everybody  picture-minded.  Estimated 
receipts  for  the  week  ended  Sept.  1 : 
BEYOND  GLORY  (Para.)  and  EYES  OF 
TEXAS  (Rep.) — PARAMOUNT  (Downtown) 
(3,595)    (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)   7   days.  Gross: 
$21,000.    (Average:  $16,450) 
BEYOND  GLORY  (Para.) — PARAMOUNT 
(Hollywood)  (1,407)  (5Oc-6Oc-8Oc-$1.0O)  7  days. 
Gross:  $10,500.    (Average:  $13,000) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— EGYPTIAN 
(1,000)  (S0c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7  days,  3rd  week. 
Gross:  $11,000.    (Average:  $11,900) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)— FOX-WIL- 
SHIRE  (2,300)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7  days,  3rd 
week.    Gross:  $11,000.    (Average:  $12,850) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  —  LOS  AN- 
GELES (2,096)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7  days,  3rd 
week.    Gross:  $15,000.    (Average:  $18,100) 
MICKEY  (E-L)  and  HANGMAN'S  NOOSE 
(E-L)— BELMONT  (1,600)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 
6  days.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Average:  $5,750) 
MICKEY  (E-L)  and  HANGMAN'S  NOOSE 
(E-L)— EL  REY  (861)  (50c-60c-85c-$l-00)  6 

days.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Average:  $   ) 

MICKEY  (E-L)  and  HANGMAN'S  NOOSE 
(E-L)— ORPHEUM  (2,210)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 

6  days.  Gross:  $12,000.  (Average:  $14,650) 
MICKEY  (E-L)  and  HANGMAN'S  NOOSE 
(E-L)— VOGUE  (800)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  6 
days.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Average:  $6,500) 
MR.  PEABODY  AND  THE  MERMAID 
(U-1)  and  DAREDEVILS  Of  THE 
CLOUDS  (Rep.) — GUILD  (965)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  7  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Av- 
erage: $5,450) 

MR.  PEABODY  AND  THE  MERMAID 
(U-I)  and  DAREDEVILS  OF  THE 
CLOUDS  (Rep.)— IRIS  (708)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  7  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,000.  (Av- 
erage: $6,100) 

MR.  PEABODY  AND  THE  MERMAID 
(U-I)  and  DAREDEVILS  OF  THE 
CLOUDS  (Rep.)— RITZ  (1,376)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  7  days.  2nd  week.  Gross:  $8,000.  Av- 
erage: $9,050) 

MR.  PEABODY  AND  THE  MERMAID 
(U-D  and  DAREDEVILS  OF  THE 
CLOUDS  (Rep.)— STUDIO1  (880)  (50c -60c- 
85c-$1.0O)  7  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $5,500. 
(Average:  $6,300) 

MR.  PEABODY  AND  THE  MERMAID 
(U-I)  and  DAREDEVILS  OF  THE 
CLOUDS  (Rep.)  —  UNITED  ARTISTS 

(2,100)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7  days.  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $7,500.    (Average:  $9,580) 
THE  PEARL  (RKO  Radio)— FOUR  STAR 
(900)   (S0c-60c-85c-$1.00)   7  days,  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $7,500.    (Average:  $7,450) 
THE    PEARL    (RKO    Radio)  —  PALACE 
(1,237)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7  days,  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $11,000.    (Average:  $15,000) 
PITFALL  (UA-Regal)  —  MUSIC  HALL 
(Beverly   Hills)    (900)    (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7 
days.    Gross:  $8,000.    (Average:  $3,150) 
PITFALL  (UA-Regal)  —  MUSIC  HALL 
(Downtown)  (900)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7  days. 
Gross:  $17,000.    (Average:  $7,550) 
PITFALL  (UA-Regal)  —  MUSIC  HALL 
(Hawaii)   (1,000)   (5Oc-6Oc-85c-$1.0O)  7  days. 
Gross:  $8,000.    (Average:  $3,400) 
PITFALL  (UA-Regal)  -MUSIC  HALL 
(Hollywood)— (490)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7  days. 
Gross:  $7,000.    (Average:  $3,100) 
RETURN    OF    THE    BAD   MEN  (RKO) 
Radio)  and  I  SURRENDER  DEAR  (Col.) 
— HILLSTR  EET    (2,700)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00) 

7  days.  2nd  week.  Gross:  $13,000.  (Aver- 
age: $18,950) 

RETURN  OF  THE  BAD  MEN  (RKO 
Radio)  and  I  SURRENDER  DEAR  (Col.) 

— PANTAGES  (2,000)  (5Oc-6Oc-8Oc-$1.00)  7 
days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $9,000.  (Average: 
$17,150) 

THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE  (2ftth-Fox)  and 
KING    OF    THE    GAMBLERS    (Rep.) — 

CARTHAY  CIRCLE  (1.516)  (50c-60c-85c- 
$1.00)  7  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $6,000.  (Av- 
erage: $9,500) 

THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE  (20th-Fox)  and 
KING  OF  THE  GAMBLERS  (Rep.)— CHI- 
NESE (2.300)  (5Oc-60c-85c-$1.0O)  7  days,  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $10,000.  (Averaee:  $13,000) 
THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE  (20th-Fox)  and 
KING  OF  THE  GAMBLERS  (Rep.) — 
LOEWS  STATE  (2,500)  (50c-6Oc-85c-$l.O0) 


7  days,  2nd  week.  Gross:  $13,000.  (Aver- 
age: $19,800) 

THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE  (2<Hh-Fox)  and 
KING  OF  THE  GAMBLERS  (Rep.)— LOY- 
OLA (1,265)   (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7  days,  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $7,500.    (Average:  $10,000) 
THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE  (20th-Fox)  and 
KING  OF  THE  GAMBLERS  (Rep.)— UP- 
TOWN (1.716)  (50c-60c-85c-$1.00)  7  days,  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $6,500.    (Average:  $10,000) 
TWO  GUYS  FROM  TEXAS   (WB)  and 
EMBRACEABLE  YOU  (WB)— WARNERS 
(Downtown)  (3,400)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  6  days. 
Gross:  $23,000.    (Average:  $13,730) 
TWO  GUYS  FROM  TEXAS   (WB)  and 
EMBRACEABLE  YOU  (WB)— WARNERS 
(Hollywood)  (3,000)  (50c-60c-80c-$1.00)  6  lays. 
Gross:  $20,000.    (Average:  $11,650) 
TWO  GUYS  FROM  TEXAS   (WB)  and 
EMBRACEABLE  YOU  (WB)— WARNERS 
(Wiltern)  (2.300)  (50c -60c -80c -$1.00)  6  days. 
Gross:  $18,000.    (Average:  $11,220) 


CHICAGO 


Continued  heat  wave  has  put  a  dent 
in  Loop  attendance,  with  the  beaches 
attracting  most  of  the  weekend  trade. 
Estimated  receipts  for  week  ending 
Sept.  2: 

BLOOD  AND  SAND  (20th -Fox)  -  GAR- 
RICK  (1.000)  (50c -65c -85c).  Gross:  $8,500. 
("Average:  $10,000) 

DREAM  GIRL  (Para  )— CHICAGO'  (3,900) 
(50c-65c-98c)  Stage:  Disc  Jockeys.  Gross: 
$52  000.    (Average:  $53,500) 
EASTER   PARADE    (M-G-M)  —  WOODS 

(1,080)  (98c)  3rd  week.  Gross:  $23,000.  (Av- 
erage: $23,000) 

HOLLOW  TRIUMPH  (E-L)— U  N  I  T  E  D 

A.RTISTS  (1,700)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $14,- 
nOO.    (Average:  $''0  000) 

MAN-EATER    OF    KUMAON    (U  -  I)  — 

GRAND  H.150)  (50c-65c-98c)  5  davs,  2nd 
week.  THE  RETURN  OF  THE  BAD  MEN 
(RKO  Radio)  2  days.  Gross:  $12,000.  (Av- 
erage: $11,500) 

RAW  DEAL  (E-L)— APOLLO  (1,200)  (50c- 
65c-98c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $9,000.  (Average: 
<12.000) 

TAP  ROOTS  (U-I)— PALACE  (2,500)  (50c- 
65c-98c).  Gross:  $22,000.  (Average:  $"?1  000) 
THAT  LADY   IN   ERMINE  (ZOth-Fox)— 

ORIENTAL  (3.300)  (50c-65c-98c)  Stage: 
Monica  Lewis.  2nd  week.  Gross:  $40,000. 
< Average:  $45,000) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (ZOth-Fox)— 

STATE    LAKE    (2.700)    (50c-65c-98c)  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $14.50».    (Average:  $25,000) 
TWO    GUYS    FROM    TEXAS    (WB)  — 

ROOSEVELT  (1,500)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross: 
$18,000.    (Average:  $18,000) 


PHILADELPHIA 


Philadelphians  who  didn't  rush  to 
the  mountains  or  shore  for  relief  from 
one  of  the  hottest  weeks  of  the  year 
found  temporary  comfort  in  air  con- 
ditioned   film    houses.     "Pitfall"  at 


the  Earle  and  "Good  Sam"  at  the 
Stanley  were  their  favorite  choice. 
Estimated  receipts  for  week  ending 
Aug.  31-Sept.  2: 

ABBOTT  &  COSTELLO  MEET  FRANK- 
ENSTEIN (U-I) — KARLTON  (1,000)  (50c- 
60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $13,- 
500.    (Average:  $11,200) 

BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Momo.) — MAST- 
BAUM  (4.700)   (5Oc-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  3rd 
week.    Gross:  $12,500.    (Average:  $22,200) 
CANON  CITY  (E-L)  —  STANTON  (1.000) 
(50c-6Oc-74c-8Oc-85c-94c)   2nd  week.  Gross: 
$11,300.    (Average:  $11,200) 
DREAM  GIRL  (Para.)  —  ARCADIA  (900) 
(50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)    2nd   run.  Gross: 
$4,000.    ("Average:  $4,700) 
EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M)  —  KEITH 
(2,200)     (50c-6Oc-74c-80c-85c-94c)     2nd  run. 
Gross:  $8,000.    (Average:  $6,200) 
A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR   (Para.)  —  GOLD- 
MAN   (1.400)    (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c)  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $16,000.    (Average:  $19,400) 
GOOD    SAM    (RKO   Radio)  —  STANLEY 
(3.000)  (50c-60c-74c-80c-85c-94c).    Gross:  $22,- 
500.    (Average:  $22,800) 

MELODY  TIME  (RKO  Radio)— ALDINE 
(900)  (50c-6Oc-74c-8Oc-85c-94c).  Gross:  $15,- 
500.    (Average:  $13,300) 

MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)— BOYD  (3,000)  (50c-60c-74c- 
80c-85c-94c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $16,700.  (Av- 
erage: $20,300) 

PITFALL  (UA)— EARLE  (3,000)  (50c-60c- 
75c-80c-85c-94c).  Gross:  $24,000.  (Average: 
$22,500. 

WALLS  OF  JERICHOi  (ZOth-Fox)  —  FOX 

(3,000)  (50c-6Oc-74c-80c-85c-94c)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $14,000.    (Average:  $20,800) 


BOSTON 


Intense  heat  and  humidity  prevailed 
over  the  weekend  but  air-conditioned 
theatres  managed  to  hold  their  own. 
"The  Babe  Ruth  Story"  and  "Hamlet" 
are  the  only  holdovers.  Estimated  re- 
ceipts for  the  week  ended  Sept.  1 : 
A  DATE  WITH  JUDY  (M-G-M)  and 
CLOSE-UP  (E-L)— STATE  (3.500)  (40c-80c). 
Gross:  $14,500.  (Average:  $12.0001 
A  DATE  WITH  JUDY  (M-G-M)  and 
CLOSE-UP  (E-L)  —  ORPHEUM  (3.000) 
(40c-80c).  Gross:  $27,000.  (Average:  $27,000) 
ANTOINE  AND  ANTOINETTE  (Sh-itsky) 
and  THE  SEARCH  (M-G-M)  —  EXETER 
(1,300)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $1,500.  3  days. 
(Average:  $5,000) 

EMPEROR  WALTZ  (Para.)  arid  THE 
COUNTERFEITERS  (20th- Fox) — EXETER 
(1,300)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $2,200.  4  days. 
(Average:  $5,000) 

FEUDIN'.  FUSSIN'  AND  A-FIGHTIN' 
(U-I)  and  I  WOULDN'T  BE  IN  YOUR 
SHOES  (Mono.)  —  RKO  BOSTON  (3,200) 
(40c-80c).  Gross:  $6,000. 
HAMLET  (UI-Rank)— ASTOR  (1,300)  (90c- 
$2.40).  Gross:  $24,000.  2nd  week. 
LIFE  WITH  FATHER  (WB)  and  DARE- 
DEVILS OF  THE  CLOUDS  (Rep.)— MET- 


ROPOLITAN (4,367)  (40c -80c).  Gross:  $25,- 
000.    (Average:  $27,000) 

THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Momo.) 
and  DEVIL'S  CARGO  (FC)  —  RKO  ME- 
MORIAL (3,000)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $23,000. 
(Average:  $22,000)  3rd  week. 
THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (ZOth-Fox  and 
MICHAEL  O'  HALLO  RAN  (Mono.)— PAR- 
AMOUNT (1,700)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $14,500. 
(Average:  $17,000) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (ZOth-Fox)  and 
MICHAEL  O'HALLORAN  (Mono.)— FEN- 
WAY (1,373)  (40c-80c).  Gross:  $6,200.  (Av- 
erage: $10,000) 


CLEVELAND 


Sizzling  heat  kept  most  people  h\.  ^. 
but  several  downtown  theatres  report 
patrons  stayed  through  two  shows  to 
keep  cool.  None  showed  big  grosses 
but  "Mine  Own  Executioner"  at  the 
Lower  Mall  and  "Man  Eater  of  Ku- 
maon"  at  Loew's  State  brought  the 
take  above  average.  Estimated  re- 
ceipts for  the  week  ended  Aug.  31- 
Sept.  1 : 

ABBOTT  &  COSTELLO  MEET  FRANK- 
ENSTEIN (U-I)  —  LOEW'S  STILLMAN 
(50c-70c)  (1,900)  7  days.  2nd  week  on  a 
move-over  from  the  State.  Gross:  $10,000. 
(Average:  $10,500) 

CANON     CITY     (E-L)  —  RKO  ALLEN 

(3,000)  (55c-70c),  7  days.  2nd  week  on  a 
hold-over.  Gross:  $12,500.  (Average:  $13,- 
800) 

MAN-EATER    OF    KUMAON    (U  -  I)  — 

LOEW'S  OHIO  (1,268)   (50c-70c),  7  days. 

Gross:  $6,500.    (Average:  $6,200)) 

MINE  OWN  EXECUTIONER  (20th-Fox)— 

LOWER   MALL    (563)    (50c-70c)    7  days. 

Gross:  $3,800.    (Average:  $2,500) 

MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 

HOUSE    (SRO)  — RKO    PALACE,  (3,300) 

(55c-70c)  7  days,  2nd  week.    Gross:  $18,000. 

(Average:  $16,000) 

THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE  (Zttth-Fox)- 

WARNERS'  HIPPODROME  (3,500)  (55c- 
70c)  7  days.  Gross:  $15,000.  (Average:  $15,- 
000) 

THE    TIME    OF    YOUR    LIFE  (UA)— 

LOEW'S  STATE  (3,300)  (50c-70c)  7  days. 
Gross:  $19,000.    (Average:  $19,300) 


DENVER 


For  the  most  part  business  was  good 
even  though  the  weather  was  perfect 
for  outdoor  recreation.  "Mr.  Bland- 
ings  Builds  His  Dream  House"  copped 
the  big  money,  showing  at  three 
houses.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ended  Aug.  31-Sept.  1 : 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLOi  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  CHECK- 
ERED COAT  (ZOth-Fox) — RIALTO  (878) 
(35c-74c)  7  days,  after  week  at  Denver, 
Webber.  Aladdin.  Gross:  $3,500.  (Aver- 
age: $2,000) 

ANOTHER    PART    OF    THE  FOREST 

(U-I)— BROADWAY    (1,500)     (35c-74c)  7 
days.     Gross:  $7,000.     (Average:  $7,000) 
DUDE    GOES    WEST    (AA-Mono.)  and 
SMART    WOMAN     (AA-Mono.)— PARA- 
MOUNT (2,200)   (35c-74c)   7  days.  Gross: 
$11  000.    (Average:  $9,000) 
FOREIGN    AFFAIR    (Para.)— DENHAM 
(1,750)  (35c-74c)  7  days,  3rd  week.  Gross: 
$8,000.    (Average:  $11,000) 
LIFE  WITH  FATHER  (WB)  and  WALL- 
FLOWER (WB)— ALADDIN  (1,400)  (35c- 
74c)  7  days,  after  week  at  Denver  and  Es- 
quire.   Gross:  $5,000.     (Average:  $2,500) 
MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)— DENVER  (2,525)  (35c-74c) 
7  days.    Gross:  $18  000.    (Average:  $13,000) 
MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)— ESQUIRE  (742)  (35c-74c) 
7  days.    Gross:  $4,000.    (Average:  $2,000) 
MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SROi) — WEBBER  (750)  (35c-74c) 
7  days.     Gross:  $3,000.     (Average:  $2,000) 
ON  AN  ISLAND  WITH  YOU  (M-G-M) 
and  GUNS  OF  HATE  (RKO  Radio)— OR- 
PHEUM (2.600)  (35c-74c)  7  days.  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $10,000.    (Average:  $13,500) 


Ohio  Service  Unit 
Adds  Three  Houses 

Cleveland,  Sept.  1. — Tony  Stern 
and  Lou  Ratener  of  Ohio  Theatre 
Service  Corp.,  have  announced  a  deal 
with  Triangle  Theatre  Corp.  whereby 
it  will  buy  and  book  films  for  the  cir- 
cuit's Yorktown,  Parma  and  Broadvue 
theatres. 

The  company  now  is  serving  30 
theatres  in  this  area,  according  to 
Stern. 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PI £1*tmE 


lAILY 


vi^54.  NO.  46 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  3,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


TOA  Combing 
Field  for  a 
New  President 


Gamble's  Refusal  to  Run 
Turns  Search  to  Board 

Chicago,  Sept.  2.— Directors  of 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  are 
canvassing  the  organization's  man- 
power for  a  likely  presidential  can- 
didate to  present  to  the  national  con- 
vention here,  Sept.  24-25,  as  successor 
to  Ted  R.  Gamble. 

The  directors  have  plenty  of  selec- 
tions in  mind  and  may  come  up  with 
someone  from  among  their  own  num- 
bers inasmuch  as'  the  hunt  has  been 
pretty  much  confined  thus  far  to  re- 
gional vice-presidents  of  TOA,  most 
of  whom  also  are  members  of  the 
board. 

The  name  of  Mitchell  Wolfson  of 
Miami  is  heard  most  frequently,  but  it 
is  doubted  whether  he  would  consent 
to  serve.  He  was  strongly  urged  to 
take  the  presidency  of  the  Motion  Pic- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Gamble  Withdrawal 
From  West  Reported 


Portland,  Ore.,  Sept.  2.— Reports 
in  trade  circles  here  have  it  that  Ted 
R.  Gamble  is  considering  selling  his 
11  theatres  in  the  Northwest  area. 
Gamble  could  not  be  reached  for  com- 
ment. He  recently  relinquished  his 
Liberty  Theatre,  Spokane. 

It  is  understood  that  Gamble  wishes 
to  establish  residence  in  the  East  and 
concentrate  on  further  development  of 
his  Monarch  Theatres  circuit.  In  this 
connection,  it  is  known  that  his  re- 
cent interest  in  acquiring  all  or  part 
of  United  California  Theatres  from 
M.  J.  Naify  has  waned  and  the  nego- 
tiations have  been  terminated. 


Chicago's  Oriental 
Drops  Lower  Price 

Chicago,  Sept.  2. — Effective  today, 
the  Essaness  circuit's  Oriental  Theatre 
in  the  Loop  will  revert  to  a  straight 
98-cent  admission  price  after  one  P.M., 
eliminating  the  recently  adopted  65 
cents  scale  from  one  P.M.  to  five 
P.M.  Admission  at  50  cents  to  one 
P.M.,  however,  will  continue. 

Other  Loop  houses  operated  by 
Balaban  and  Katz  and  RKO  will  con- 
tinue with  the  morning  and  afternoon 
reductions.  The  Woods,  operated  by 
Essaness,  is  the  only  Loop  house  using 
a.  straight  98-cent  admission  all  day. 


Ticket  Price 
Trend  Lower 


Washington,  Sept.  2. — The_  Bu- 
reau of  Labor  Statistics  admission 
price  index  showed  a  sharp  drop  in 
adult  admission  prices,  the  first  in 
over  a  year,  and  a  continuing  slow 
drop  in  children's  admission  prices 
during  the  second  quarter  of  1948. 

The  Bureau's  figures  are  collected 
quarterly  in  18  large  cities,  and  ad- 
justed to  represent  the  average  price 
trends  in  the  34  large  cities  in  which 
the  Bureau  collects  retail  price  data._ 

At  the  end  of  June,  the  index  of 
adult  admission  prices  was  66.4  per 
cent  above  the  1935-39  average,  com- 
pared with  the  all-time  high  of  67.7 
per  cent  at  the  end  of  March.  The 
last  drop  in  adult  prices  was  during 
the  1947  second  quarter. 

Children's  prices  were  59.4  per  cent 
above  the  1935-39  average  at  the  end 
of  June,  compared  with  60  per  cent 
at  the  end  of  March  and  61  per  cent  at 
the  end  of  1947. 


M  an  nix  Back  for 
MGM  Studio  Parleys 

Hollywood,  Sept.  2. — With  the  ex- 
pected return  Tuesday  of  E.  J.  Man- 
nix,  studio  executive,  after  an  absence 
of  three  months  due  to  illness,  the 
first  of  a  series  of  conferences  will  get 
under  way  at  M-G-M  on  the  com- 
pany's production-distribution  plans 
for  winter  and  next  spring,  the  com- 
pany announced  today.  Mannix's 
physician  said  yesterday  the  M-G-M 
executive's  recuperation  was  complete. 

Attending  the  conferences  in  addi- 
tion to  Mannix  will  be  Louis  B. 
Mayer,  head  of  the  studio;  Dore 
Schary,  production  vice-president,  and 
William-  F.  Rodgers,  distribution  vice- 
president,  who  is  due  here  from  the 
East  tomorrow.  Rodgers  plans  to 
spend  two  weeks  at  the  studio. 


Wanger  Asks  U.S.  to 
Open  World  Markets 

Producer  Walter  Wanger 
in  New  York  yesterday  called 
upon  the  U.  S.  State  Depart- 
ment to  gain  access  to  all 
foreign  markets  for  American 
films. 

He  asked  for  greater  recog- 
nition by  the  U.  S.  Govern- 
ment and  suggested  that  of- 
ficial Washington  might  be 
catered  to  by  the  industry. 
He  said  officials  could  be  in- 
vited to  Hollywood  and  illus- 
trated brochures  about  the 
industry  could  be  circulated 
in  Washington.  He  also  sug- 
gested an  industry-sponsored 
radio  program  to  build  public 
relations. 


Stein  Will  Handle 
'Shoes'  Roadshowing 

Fred  Stein  has  been  named  by  Eagle- 
Lion  distribution  vice-president  Wil- 
liam J.  Heineman  to  serve  as  special 
representative  for  the  "roadshowing" 
of  J.  Arthur  Rank's  Technicolor  pro- 
duction, "The  Red  Shoes,"  and  other 
Rank  films.  Stein  will  work  under  the 
supervision  of  Heineman  and  the  lat- 
ter's  assistant,  L.  Jack  Schlaifer,  start- 
ing immediately. 

Stein,  who  joined  the  industry  in 
1922,  has  been  a  theatre  operator,  buy- 
er, booker  and  distribution  executive. 


Chicago  Bans  'Rope' 
On  'Moral  Grounds' 

Chicago,  Sept.  2. — "Rope"  has  been 
banned  by  the  Chicago  police  censor 
board  on  "moral  grounds."  Warners, 
distributor  of  the  picture,  is  expected 
to  protest  the  rating  given  by  censor 
board  chief  Harry  Fulmer.  The  film's 
story  bears  a  resemblance  to  the  Loeb- 
Leopold  crime  which  occurred  here. 


Gen.  McClure  Lauds  Films ' 
Role  in  U.  S.  Foreign  Policy 


Washington,  Sept.  2. — A  fine  plug 
for  the  job  films  are  doing  as  an  in- 
strument of  U.  S.  foreign  policy  came 
today  from  a  top  military  man — Brig- 
adier General  Robert  A.  McClure, 
chief  of  the  New  York  field  office  of 
the  Army's  Civil  Affairs  Division. 

In  a  long  report  summarizing  three 
years  of  Army  activity  using  motion 
pictures  in  its  orientation  program  in 
occupied  areas,  Gen.  McClure  lauds 
both  the  medium  itself  and  the  men  in 
the  industry  supplying  the  Army  with 
films. 

The  report  stresses  the  huge  audi- 


ences that  turn  out  in  Germany,  Aus- 
tria, Japan  and  Korea  to  see  Ameri- 
can films — both  entertainment  and  doc- 
umentary. It  points  out  that  abstrac- 
tions and  general  statements  don't 
mean  much  to  many  of  these  people, 
and  that  many  of  them  can't  read  our 
papers  or  hear  our  broadcasts.  "By 
the  use  of  films,"  he  states,  "they  can 
see  for  themselves  the  democratic  proc- 
esses at  work.  Because  of  this  visual 
factor,  films  can  be  more  directly  and 
immediately  effective  than  any  other 
medium  of  expression.  The  film  over- 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


Wanger  Plans 
Roadshows  for 
'Joan  of  Arc' 


Seeks  Legal  Plan  Other 
Than  Four  -  Wall  Deals 


Walter  Wanger  revealed  here 
yesterday  that  he  intends  to  road- 
show his  $6,000,000'  production  of 
"Joan  of  Arc"  and,  mindful  of  the 
•U.  S.  Supreme 
Court's  ban  on 
price  -  fixing  in 
the  Paramount 
case,  he  said  he 
is  investigating 
methods,  other 
than  four  -  wall 
deals,  of  licens- 
ing the  picture 
at  advanced  ad- 
missions within 
the  law. 

Wanger  feels, 
contrary  to  in- 
dustry legal 
opinion,  that  the 
high  court's  de- 
cision in  the  Paramount  case  was  bind- 
ing only  on  defendants.  However,  it  is 
generally  agreed  that  the  ruling  could 
serve  as  precedent  for  any  exhibitor 
not  satisfied  with  terms  in  booking  a 
non-defendant's  picture  and  in  a  mood 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Walter  Wanger 


New  M.  P.  Almanac 
Being  Distributed 


The-  20th  annual  Motion  Picture 
Almanac,  published  this  week  by 
Quigley  Publishing  Co.,  contains  11,- 
000  biographies  in  its  Who's  Who  in 
Motion  Pictures  section. 

The  986-page  book  of  facts  and  fig- 
ures about  the  industry  also  contains 
the  most  comprehensive  information 
available  on  foreign  motion  picture 
markets,  including  a  special,  extensive 
section  on  the  British  market  and  in- 
dustry. 

Edited  by  Terry  Ramsaye,  the  1948- 
'49  International  Motion  Picture  Al- 
manac is  divided  into  14  sections :  bio- 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


No  Paper  Monday 

Motion  Picture  Daily  will 
not  be  published  Monday, 
Sept.  6. 

In  case  you'd  forgotten,  it's 
Labor  Day,  a  legal  holiday. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  September  3,  1948 


TOA  Combing 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


Personal  Mention 


ture  Theatre  Owners  of  America 
prior  to  its  consolidation  with  TOA, 
and  the  presidency  of  the  latter  organi- 
zation also  was  urged  upon  him  a  year 
ago.  Wolfson  steadfastly  declined  on 
both  occasions,  pleading  that  his  busi- 
ness interests  did  not  leave  him  suf- 
ficient time  to  devote  to  the  office.  It 
is  believed  he  still  holds  to  this  con- 
viction. 

Advocates  Changing  Leadership 

Gamble  is  advancing  the  same  rea- 
son for  declining  another  term  as 
TOA  president,  as  he  contemplates 
expanding  his  theatre  operations  dur- 
ing the  coming  year.  Gamble  also 
strongly  advocates  a  regular  change 
in  leadership  for  the  organization, 
arguing  that  continuation  of  the  same 
person  or  persons  in  office  makes  for 
an  inflexible  and  backward  organiza- 
tion. 

There  appears  to  be  some  likelihood, 
however,  of  Gamble  being  induced  to 
serve  as  chairman  of  the  board.  Fred 
Wehrenberg,  present  board  chair- 
man, has  been  obliged  to  curtail  ac- 
tivities lately  for  reasons  of  health 
and  is  understood  to  be  anxious  to 
relinquish  the  post. 

Among  the  names  frequently  men- 
tioned as  likely  TOA  presidential  ma- 
terial are  those  of  Arthur  Lockwood, 
Connecticut  regional  vice-president ; 
Max  Connett,  Mississippi,  a  TOA  di- 
rector; Morton  Thalhimer,  Virginia, 
a  director ;  Ed  Zorn,  Illinois,  regional 
vice-president ;  Ben  Strozier,  South 
Carolina,  regional  vice-president ; 
Claude  Mundo,  Arkansas,'  a  director. 

Circuit  Officials  Reject  Bids 

The  names  of  a  number  of  heads  of 
affiliated  circuits  also  have  been  men- 
tioned but,  it  is  understood,  all  have 
flatly  rejected  the  idea  of  accepting 
the  post  on  the  grounds  that  such  a 
choice  would  be  subjected  to  criticism 
and  would  deter  TOA  in  recruiting 
new  independent  exhibitor  members. 

Actual  presentation  of  a  TOA  presi- 
dential candidate  may  not  be  possible 
before  the  opening  of  the  convention, 
many  believe,  and  meanwhile  efforts 
to  induce  Gamble  to  accept  another 
term  are  continuing. 

Sullivan  Signs  as  Lobbyist 

Washington,  Sept.  2. — Gael  Sulli- 
van, executive  director  of  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  has  registered  as 
a  lobbyist  here. 


g  AM 


L.  SEIDELMAN,  Eagle- 
Lion  general  manager  in  charge 
of  foreign  distribution,  is  in  Holly- 
wood from  New  York. 


Fred  Meyer,  Universal-Interna- 
tional Eastern  division  manager ; 
Dave  Miller,  district  manager,  and 
Louis  Blumenthal,  Prestige  Pic- 
tures sales  manager,  were  in  Albany 
yesterday  from  New  York. 

• 

Harold  Conrad,  Eagle-Lion  rep- 
resentative, has  returned  to  New  York 
from  England.  He  will  be  here  for 
about  a  week  before  departing  for 
Chicago  to  assist  with  the  premiere 
of  "The  Olympic  Games  of  1948." 
• 

H.  M.  Richey,  M-G-M  exhibitor 
relations  head,  is'  due  back  here  Tues- 
day from  Detroit  and  Toronto. 
• 

Tom  Loy,  IATSE  publicist  here, 
was  confined  to  his  home  yesterday 
with  a  cold. 

• 

Al  Broder  has  returned  as  mana- 
ger of  the  Rainbow  Theatre,  Detroit, 
replacing  Robert  Juckett,  resigned. 
• 

Floyd  B.  Odlum  is  due  to  arrive 
here  next  week  from  the  Coast. 


MONROE  GREENTHAL,  presi- 
dent of  Monroe  Greenthal  Co., 
film  advertising  agency,  will  be  mar- 
ried today  to  Ruth  Barton  Davey, 
radio  actress,  at  the  home  of  Mat- 
thew Fox,  Universal  vice-president. 
The  couple  will  honeymoon  in  Ber- 
muda. 

• 

Oscar  A.  Doob,  Loew's  Theatres 
executive,  and  Ernest  Emerling,  ad- 
vertising director,  returned  to  New 
York  yesterday  from  Boston  where 
they  attended  the  funeral  of  Joe  Di- 
Pesa,  veteran  Loew  publicist. 
• 

David  O.  Selznick  has  been 
awarded  by  President  Aleman  of 
Mexico  a  gold  medal  as  "testimony 
of  gratitude"  for  the  producer's  con- 
tributions to  that  nation's  anti-tuber- 
culosis fund. 

• 

Maurice  Gable,  Philadelphia  dis- 
trict manager  of  Stanley- Warner's 
first-runs,  is  on  an  automobile  vaca- 
tion trip. 

• 

Samuel  N.  Burger,  M-G-M  for- 
eign sales  manager,  will  leave  here 
Sept.  10  on  a  four-month  trip  to  Eu- 
rope, the  Orient,  and  Africa. 


Michigan  Allied  Sets 
Reorganization  Plan 

Detroit,  Sept.  2. — Allied  Theatres 
of  Michigan  held  the  final  business 
session  of  its  current  meeting  here  to- 
day with  considerable  discussion  re- 
volving around  its  new  plan  of  mem- 
bership representation.  A  reception 
and  a  banquet  followed  the  session. 

Charles  Snyder,  executive  secretary, 
reported  that  the  present  officers  and 
board  of  directors  will  be  retained  for 
about  90  days  when  the  new  or- 
ganization plan  will  be  in  operation 
and  new  directors  and  officers  can  be 
elected  under  the  new  system. 


Defer  Signing  AFM 
Contract  Extension 

A  tentatively  scheduled  meeting  for 
formal  signing  of  the  agreement  ex- 
tending for  one  year  without  change 
the  contract  between  American  Fed- 
ration  of  Musicians  and  major  studios, 
did  not  take  place  yesterday.  Reason : 
most  of  the  studio  executives  returned 
to  Hollywood  before  Petrillo  could 
get  in  touch  with  them. 

Now  the  mails  are  expected  to  be 
resorted  to  for  collecting  the  necessary 
signatures  to  the  new  studio  musi- 
cians "compromise"  contract  agreed 
upon  a  week  ago.  AFM  retains  the 
right  to  reopen  negotiations  on  60 
days'  notice. 


Assure  Film  Delivery 
Here  Despite  Strike 

Film  carrier  deliveries  will  continue 
uninterruptedly  in  New  York  regard- 
less of  the  duration  of  the  recent  walk- 
out by  thousands  of  truck-driver  mem- 
bers of  Local  807  of  the  International 
Brotherhood  of  Teamsters,  AFL.  This 
assurance  came  yesterday  from  a 
spokesman  of  the  Motion  Picture  Film 
Handlers'  Association,  the  indepen- 
dent union  to  which  film  truckers  be- 
long. 

The  union  has  a  membership  of 
about  85  drivers  employed  by  nine 
local  film  delivery  services. 


Schlaifer  Lectures 
Set  for  New  School 

Charles  Schlaifer,  20th  Century-Fox 
director  of  advertising  and  publicity, 
will  deliver  a  series  of  lectures  at  the 
New  School  for  Social  Research  in 
New  York  during  the  new  session 
under  the  general  title  of  "Motion 
Picture  Publicity  and  Public  Rela- 
tions." 

The  school  also  has  announced  The 
Charles  Schlaifer  Award  in  public  re- 
lations. The  award  will  be  presented 
to  a  promising  student  whose  special 
field  of  interest  is  in  motion  picture 
publicity. 


Referee  for  20th's 
Stockholders'  Suit 

Jacob  R.  Demov  was  named  referee 
yesterday  by  New  York  State  Su- 
preme Court  Justice  Ferdinand  Pecora 
to  examine  all  evidence,  exhibits  and 
papers  in  connection  with  the  proposed 
settlement  of  20th  Century- Fox  minor- 
ity stockholders'  suits  involving  sale  of 
40,000  shares  of  National  Theatres' 
stock.  Settlement  will  be  held  in 
abeyance  pending  Demov's  report. 


John  W  Chick  Feudin' 
With'U'Over'Fussin' 

John  S.  Olson  and  Chick  Johnson, 
the  comedians,  and  theatrical  producer 
Lee  Shubert,  filed  in  U.  S.  District 
Court  here  yesterday  a  $250,000  dam- 
age action  against  Universal-Interna- 
tional charging  unauthorized  use  of 
the  song  "Feudin'  and  a'Fightin' "  and 
a  sketch  in  the  film,  "Feudin',  Fussin' 
and  a'Fightin'."  Plaintiffs  seek  an 
injunction  against  the  further  showing 
of  the  picture  and  an  accounting  of 
profits. 


Oscar  Ray  Services 

Dallas,  Sept.  2. — Funeral  services 
were  held  here  today  for  Oscar  Ray, 
57,  exhibitor,  who  died  Tuesday  after 
a  year's  illness.  Ray  had  operated 
theatres  and  other  amusement  places 
in  this  area  for  the  past  10  years. 


Ent.  Drops  'Racket'  Title 

"Force  of  Evil"  is  announced  by  En- 
terprise as  the  final  title  of  the  picture 
formerly  called  "The  Numbers  Rack- 
et," a  title  which  was  vetoed  by  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Amer- 
ica.   M-G-M  will  release. 


Industry  Council  in 
First  Official  Action 

Hollywood,  Sept.  2.— Although  still 
in  its  formative  stages,  the  Motion 
Picture  Industry  Council,  which  is  be- 
ing set  up  as  an  industry-wide  public 
relations  organization,  yesterday  took 
its  first  official  action  by  issuing  a 
statement  in  connection  with  the  Rob- 
ert Mitchum  narcotics  case.  The  state- 
ment, released  by  chairman  Dore 
Schary,  blasted  as  "shocking,  capri- 
cious and  untrue,"  any  implicating 
that  widespread  use  of  narcotics  exf 
in  the  industry. 


Tacoma  Drive-In  Fire 

Seattle,  Sept.  2. — The  outdoor 
screen  of  the  new  Auto-Vue  Drive-in 
Theatre,  south  of  Tacoma,  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  last  night.  Defective 
wiring  is  believed  to  have  caused  the 
fire,  according  to  William  Forman, 
owner  of  the  theatre. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


—RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL — i 

Rockefeller  Center 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

Wallace  BEERY     .    Jane  POWELL 
Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA 
Xavler  CUGAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  THE 

BABE  RUTH 

Af^k  Kfcmar  *  wan  am  ciai 

STORY.  r-BENDR-lVOR 


I  Co**  >yffmo«w  Pop  Prk 


Barbara  Stanwyck 
Burt  Lancaster 

"SORRY, 
WRONG  NUMBER' 

A  Paramount  Release 


»  Pers 


Betty  Grable    -    Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr. 

"THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE" 

A   20th  Century-Fox  Picture — - 
TECHNICOLOR 
On  Variety  Stage — FRANCES  LANGFORD  & 
JON    HALL      -       HARMONICA  TS 
JERRY  COLONNA 
On    Ice   Stage— "THE    MERRY  WIDOW" 
Starring  CAROL  LYNNE    -    FRITZ  DIETL 


ROXY 


7th  Ave.  & 
50th  St.  : 


ROSALIND  RUSSELL 

in 

"THE  VELVET  TOUCH" 

A    FREDERICK  BRISSON 
PRODUCTION 
Released    through  RKO 

R I  VOL  I  Bwav&49thst 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief I  and  Publisher;  Sherwm  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farlev.  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup. 
Editor;  cable  address,  QuigpuDco,  London.  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  everv  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York  N  Y  under  t^e  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   SuLscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c 


Friday,  September  3,  1948 


Motion  Picture.  Daily 


■ 


Army  Moves  Its  Film 
Unit  Out  of  Berlin 

Washington,  Sept.  2. — The  film 
branch  of  the  U.  S.  Military  Govern- 
ment in  Germany  transferred  on  July 
31  from  Berlin  to  Geiselgasteig,  in 
Bavaria,  the  Department  of  the  Army 
announced. 

Policy  and  administration  of  the 
branch  will  continue  to  be  directed 
from  Berlin  and  documentary  films 
will  continue  to  be  produced  in  the 
Berlin-Tempelhof  studios,  but  actual 
editing,  writing,  distributing  and  other 
film  activities  are  now  concentrated  in 
Bavaria. 

Allocation  of  sufficient  electric  cur- 
rent enabled  the  documentary  unit  to 
continue  full  production,  the  Army- 
said.  Special  films  dealing  with  the 
Berlin  crisis  were  produced. 


Wanger  Plans 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


Gen.  McClure 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


MUSIC  TOO! 


rides  lack  of  education  ...  it  interests 
those  people  while  at  the  same  time  it 
instructs  them  and  makes  a  lasting 
impression." 

MPEA  Supplied  250  Features 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  occupa 
tion,  Gen.  McClure  reports,  the  Mo 
tion  Picture  Export  Association  ha: 
supplied  approximately  250  different 
feature  films  and  about  40  documen 
taries.  Nearly  all  of  these  have  been 
shown  in  Japan,  while  approximately 
100  titles  have  been  shown  in  Austria 
and  Korea  and  slightly  fewer  in  Ger 
many.  In  Germany,  however,  about 
20  to  30  prints  of  each  film  are  circu- 
lated, while  Austria  prints  about  four 
Japan  usually  processes  about  12  prints 
of  each  film,  of  which  three  go  to 
Korea. 

At  the  moment,  another  100  features 
are  being  procured  or  processed  by 
MPEA  for  the  Army,  the  report  said. 

'The  objective  of  the  Army  motion 
picture  program,"  the  report  stated, 
"continues  to  be  to  expose  to  audiences 
in  the  four  countries  the  essential 
falsity  of  police  state  ideology,  the 
catastrophic  results  of  this  ideology  to 
all  mankind,  and  to  rekindle  a  sense 
of  moral  responsibility  in  the  people 
of  the  occupied  areas." 

3,500,000  Expected  Weekly- 
Gen.  McClure  declares  that  more 
than  2,000.000  Japanese  saw  our 
documentary  films  the  last  week  in 
July,  and  estimates  that  this  soon  will 
increase  to  3,500,000  weekly.  In  South 
Korea,  one  documentarv  alone — "The 
People  Vote"— drew  3,000,000.  and 
close  to  96,000,000  Germans  saw  U.  S. 
factuals  in  the  first  quarter  of  1948. 
Gen.  McClure  said  that  the  Army's 
■1  arrangement  with  the  five  major  U,  S. 
I  newsreel  companies  has  provided  the 
I  occupied  areas  with  over  110.000  feet 
I  of  selected  news  film.  In  return,  news- 
I  reel  and  television  companies  have 
I  gotten  news  footage  shot  by  the  Army 
H  in  occupied  areas. 


for  litigation.  Wanger  repeated  that 
the  matter  is  "under  investigation," 
when  questioned  further. 

RKO  Radio,  immediately  bound  by 
the  Supreme  Court's  decision,  is  the 
distributor  of  "Joan"  but  Wanger  in- 
dicated that  he  is  negotiating  a  deal 
with  other  interests  to  represent  him 
in  the  selling. 

If  Wanger  goes  through  with  pres- 
ent plans,  it  would  be  the  first  in- 
stance of  selling  a  picture  at  tilted 
scales  since  the  high  court's  decision, 
except  by  the  four-wall  deal  method. 

Will  Open  Here  in  November 

The  producer  said  "Joan"  will  open 
in  New  York  in  November  with  the 
booking  now  being  discussed.  He 
neither  confirmed  nor  denied  a  report 
that  the  film  likely  will  tenant  the 
newly  modernized,  1,200-seat  Victoria 
here. 

He  indicated  he  ultimately  might  use 
some  "four-wall"  theatre-leasing  deals 
in  which  case  he  would  be  free  to  set 
his  own  admission  scales. 

Wanger  said  that  he,  Victor  Flem- 
ing, director;  and  Ingrid  Bergman, 
star,  of  "Joan,"  participated  in  the 
second-money  financing.  Bankers  Trust 
put  up  $3,500,000  in  first-money  loans, 
he  said.  The  picture,  in  Technicolor, 
totaled  $4,600,000  in  negative  costs  and 
this  increases  to  about  $6,000,000  when 
advertising  and  prints  are  taken  into 
account,  he  said.  It  follows  that  the 
distributor's  share  will  bring  the  break- 
even figure  to  over  $7,000,000. 


Key  City 
Grosses 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
ture grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


KANSAS  CITY 


$350,000  for  Advance  Ads 

Wanger  said  that  $350,000  will  be 
spent  in  advertising  in  advance  of  the 
New  York  opening,  including  national 
insertions. 

Wanger,  veering  to  other  subjects, 
questioned  the  wisdom  of  the  Ameri- 
can film  companys'  boycott  of  the  Brit- 
ish market  in  consequence  of  the  75 
per  cent  ad  valorem  duty  last  winter. 


Temperatures  mostly  in  high  nine- 
ties ;  humid.  Hot  weather  encouraged 
many  to  attend  cooled  theatres  but  not 
to  the  extent  expected ;  subsequent 
runs  generally  continued  below  so- 
called  normal  except  for  outstanding 
features.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ended  Aug.  31-Sept.  2: 

THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Mono.)  

FAIRWAY  (700)  (4Sc-65c)  7  days.  Gross- 
$2,100.    (Average:  $1,750) 

THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Mono)— 

TOWER  (2,100)   (45c-65c)   7  days.  Gross: 

THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Mono.)- 

UPTOWX  (2.000)  (45c-65c)  7  dars.  Gross - 
$7,200.    (Average:  $6,000) 

FEUDIN',   FUSSIN'  AND  A-FIGHTING' 

(U-I)-ESQUIRE  (800)  (45c-65c)  7  days. 
2nd  week,  moveover  after  1  week  at  Fair- 
way, Tower,  Uptown.  Gross:  $3,750.  (Av- 
erage: S5.00O) 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)— PARA- 
MOUNT (1.900)  (45c-65c)  7  days.  2nd  week, 
dross:  $10,500.  (Average:  $10,000) 
THE  PARADINE  CASE  (SRO)-MLD- 
LAXD  (3.500)  (45c-65c)  2  davs,  2nd  week 
Gross:  $3,000.  (Average.  2  days-  $3,500) 
THE  TIME  OF  YOUR  LIFE  (UA)  Ld 
FRIEDA   (U-I)  —  MIDLAND   (3,500)  (45c- 

$is}ooo)  days"    Gross:  $17,50°-  (Avera^e: 

??^Y5LVET  TOUCH  (RKO  Radio)  and 
EXPOSED  (Rep.)  —  ORPHEUM  (1  900) 
$10^000)^  7  dayS'    Gross:  511'000-  (Average: 


New  M.  P.  Almanac 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


graphical  Who's  Who,  Corporations, 
Theatre  Circuits,  Pictures,  Services, 
Codes  and  Censorship,  Theatre  Equip- 
ment and  Materials,  Organizations,  the 
Government  suit,  Motion  Pictures  in 
Industry  and  Education,  the  Industry 
in  Great  Britain,  the  World  Market, 
the  Press,  Television  and  Radio. 

While  most  of  its  contents  are  brief, 
sharp  facts,  it  presents  the  full  texts 
of  such  important  current  documents 
as  the  Supreme  Court  decision  in  the 
industry  case,  texts  of  the  Production 
Code  and  Advertising  Code,  and  a  list 
of  100  films  produced  from  1903  to  the 
present  selected  by  Red  Kann  as  the 
all-time  greats. 


Buy  Ohio  Theatre 

Cleveland,  Sept.  2.  —  Nate  and 
Sam  Schultz  and  Nate  and  Dave  Mar- 
cus, who  own  and  operate  five  theatres 
in  this  area,  have  purchased  the  Ohio 
Theatre,  Marion,  O.,  from  John  J. 
Huebner,  who  owned  the  house  for 
20  years.  Lockwood  Jennings,  man- 
ager of  their  Quilna  Theatre  in  Lima, 
has  been  appointed  by  the  new  owners 
as  district  manager  in  charge  of  both 
the  Lima  and  Marion  houses.  The 
Ohio  will  be  remodeled  at  an  esti- 
mated cost  of  $50,000. 


Albany  Variety  Outing 

Albany,  Sept.  2. — An  outing  will  be 
held  by  Variety  Club  here  at^Picards 
Grove  on  Sept.  13.  On  the  committee 
are  Charles  Smaltwitz,  Warner  zone 
manager;  Harry  Lamont  of  Lamont 
Theatres;  Jack  Bulliwinkle,  Columbia 
manager;  Ray  Smith,  Warner  man- 
ager; and  Joseph  Weinstein,  Warner 
short  subject  booker. 


Carbon  Projection  Short 

Designed  to  explain  the  "briliance 
and  color  value"  of  a  new  technique 
of  carbon  arc  projection  which  con- 
centrates a  light  intensity  of  8,500,000 
foot  candles  on  an  aperture  the  size  of 
a  single  frame  of  film,  "Carbon  Arc 
Projection,"  a  15-minute  short  in 
Technicolor,  will  be  shown  to  the 
press  on  Sept.  15  at  RCA  Exhibit 
Hall  here  under  the  auspices  of  Na- 
tional Carbon  Co.  The  film  will  have 
its  "premiere"  on  Sept.  30 
Jefferson  Hotel,  St.  Louis. 


16mm.  Film  Program 
Advances  in  Mexico 

Mexico  City,  Sept.  2. — While  de- 
valuation of  the  peso  has  hit  the  Mexi- 
can 16mm.  film  program  hard,  Pelicu- 
las  Nacionales.  distributor  for  Mexi- 
co's five  largest  producers,  points  out 
that  theatre  circuits  for  sub-standard 
films  have  been  established  in  the 
provinces.  The  weakened  peso  has 
nearly  doubled  the  cost  of  16mm.  films 
but,  indicative  of  Peliculas  Nacionales' 
confidence  that  no  16mm.  depression 
is  in  sight,  the  company  has  some  300 
at  the  i  films,  both  Mexican  and  foreign,  for 
distribution  in  narrow-gauge  form. 


PUZZLE-BANK 


The  Game  That  Insures  A 
Box  Office  Boom 

Inc 


Enterprise  House, 
New   York  City 


198  Broadway 
DIgby  9-1278 


WANTED 

TALKING  DOG,  BEAR  or  HORSE 

to  narrate  animal  film  for  well  known 
documentary  series.  Must  have  good 
voice.   No  birds  or  cows. 

Call   PL.  9-3600,  ext.  6. 





the  Luck 

OF  THE 
IBJSH 

EVERYONE  IS  SAYING  YOU 
CAN'T  BEAT  IT! 


TYRONE  POWER  •  ANNE  BAXTER  in  "THE  LUCK  OF 
THE  IRISH"  with  CECIL  KELLAWAY,  LEE  J.  COBB,  James 
Todd,  Jayne  Meadows,  J.  M.  Kerrigan,  Phil  Brown, 
Charles  Irwin  •  Directed  by  HENRY  KOSTER  •  Produced 
by  FRED  KOHLMAR  •  Screen  Play  by  Philip  Dunne 
Based  on  a  Novel  by  Guy  and  Constance  Jones 


■ 


■  : 


IN  SP*TACU' 

FOREVER 
MBER 


(01 


TECHNICOLOR 

FIRST  FIRST-RUN  DATES 
FOR  AMBER -FIRST  TIME 
AT  REGULAR  PRICES! 


DENVER 

ST.  LOUIS 

SPOKANE 

LINCOLN 

OMAHA 

ATLANTA 

PORTLAND 

SEATTLE 


BIRMINGHAM 

LOUISVILLE 

KNOXVILLE 

MONTGOMERY 

DES  MOINES 

NASHVILLE 

BALTIMORE 

INDIANAPOLIS 


BUTTE 
TACOMA 
RICHMOND 
TERRE  HAUTE 
LAFAYETTE 
TORONTO 
GREAT  FALLS 
TULSA 


"FOREVER  AMBER"  •  Color  by  TECHNICOLOR  •  Star- 
ring LINDA  DARNELL  •  CORNEL  WILDE  •  RICHARD 
GREENE  and  GEORGE  SANDERS  with  GLENN  LANGAN, 
RICHARD  HAYDN,  JESSICA  TANDY,  ANNE  REVERE 
Directed  by  OTTO  PREMINGER  •  Produced  by 
WILLIAM  PERLBERG  •  From  the  Novel  by  KATHLEEN 
WINSOR  •  Screen  Play  by  Philip  Dunne  and  Ring 
Lardner,  Jr.  •  Adaptation  by  Jerome  Cady 


It's  LUCKY  MONTH  at 


y  FOR  SHOWMEN  EVERYWHERE 


Lady  in 
Ermine 

TECHNICOLOR 


EVERYONE  IS  SINGING  ABOUT 
yfat  BUSINESS! 


BETTY  GRABLE  •  DOUGLAS  FAIRBANKS,  Jr.  in  "THAT 
LADY  IN  ERMINE"  •  Color  by  TECHNICOLOR  with 
CESAR  ROMERO,  WALTER  ABEL,  REGINALD  GARDINER 
Produced  and  Directed  by  ERNST  LUBITSCH  •  Screen 
Play  by  Samson  Raphaelson  •  Lyrics  and  Music  by 
Leo  Robin  and  Frederick  Hollander  •  Dances  Staged 
by  Hermes  Pan 


rOUTH 


THE 
WALLS  OF 
JERICHO 

THE  ROMANTIC  DRAMA  THAT'S 
PACKING  THEM  TO  THE  WALLS! 


CORNEL  WILDE  *  LINDA  DARNELL  •  ANNE  BAXTER 
KIRK  DOUGLAS-m  "THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO"  with 
ANN  DVORAK,  Mdrjorie  Rambeau,  Henry  Hull, 
Colleen  Townsend,  Barton  MacLane,  Griff  Barnett, 
William  Tracy,  Art  Baker  •  Directed  by  JOHN  M. 
STAHL  •  Produced  by  LAMAR  TROTTI  •  Screen  Play 
by  Lamar  Trotti  •  Based  on  the  Novel  by  Paul  Wellman 


. . .  when  that  picture  is  doing  the  same  record-breaking  business 
in  San  Francisco,  Atlantic  City,  Philadelphia  and  Washington! 


w/, 


Regal  Films  presents  DICK  POWELL  and  LIZABETH  SCOTT 

in  "PITFALL"  with  JANE  WYATT  and  Raymond  Burr  •  Byron  Barr  •  John  Litel 

Ann  Doran  •  Jimmy  Hunt  •  Selmer  Jackson  •  Based  on  the  Novel  "The  Pitfall"  by  Jay  Dratler 

Screenplay  by  Karl  Kamb  •  Directed  by  Andre  de  Toth  •  Produced  by  Samuel  Bischoff 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICXgp& 

DAILY 


V( 


NO.  47 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  7,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Tax  Receipts 
Show  Grosses 
Off  Only  2.8% 

Put  Take  for  First  Half 
Of  1948  at  $765,093,610 

Washington,  Sept.  6.  —  Box- 
office  receipts  haven't  been  nose- 
diving nearly  as  sharply  as  some 
exhibitors  report,  at  least,  not  ac- 
cording to  the  tax  collection  figures 
of  the  Bureau  of  Internal  Revenue. 

They  indicate  that  business  during 
the  first  six  months  of  this  year  was 
less  than  three  percent  below  1947 
first  half  receipts. 

This  means  an  even  greater  cut  in 
profits,  however,  since  costs  have  been 
rising  steadily.  But  most  industry  es- 
timates have  held  that  box-office 
grosses  are  off  10  per  cent  or  better 
from  1947  levels. 

Not  so,  say  the  tax  collection  re- 
ports. General  admission  tax  collec- 
tions for  the  months  from  February 
through  July,  reflecting  box-office 
business  January  through  June,  total 
$180,022,027,  compared  with  $185,- 
102,674  in  record-breaking  1947. 

This  is  a  drop  of  just  slightly  over 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Studio  Employment 
Index  Down  to  77.2 

Hollywood,  Sept.  6.  —  Losing  the 
moderate  recoveries  it  showed  during 
May  and  June,  studio  employment 
dropped  during  July  to  77.2  on  the 
California  Labor  Statistics  Bureau's 
monthly  employment  index. 

Reports  are  based  on  the  1940  aver- 
age, which  is  rated  100. 

The  studios'  employment  index  for 
June  was  at  86.4.  In  July,  1947,  the 
index  was  102.6,  compared  with  this 
July's  77.2. 


Heineman  Sees  50% 
Revenue  Rise  for 
E-L  This  Season 


Eagle-Lion's  distribution  revenue  will 
increase  by  a  minimum  of  50  per  cent 
for  the  1948-49  selling  season,  over  the 
1947-48  season,  William  J.  Heineman, 
distribution  vice 
president,  pre- 
dicted   at  the 
weekend    at  a 
press  conference 
marking  the 
completion  of 
his     first  half 
year    with  the 
company. 

Heineman  said 
his  forecast  is 
based  upon  con- 
clusions drawn 
from  a  company 
survey  of  cur- 
rent  business 
trends.  The  in- 
crease foreseen,  he  said,  will  stem 
from  better  grosses  generally,  higher 
rentals  and  an  increased  number  of 
bookings. 

Theatre  business  is  definitely  on  the 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Wm.  J.  Heineman 


Colosseum  Pact  Talks 
Continue  This  Week 

Distributors'  negotiating  representa- 
tives and  those  of  the  Colosseum  of 
Motion  Picture  Salesmen  of  America 
are  expected  to  continue  well  into  this 
week  their  discussions  on  a  proposed 
wages-and-hours  contract  for  the 
newly-unionized  salesmen  of  the  in- 
dustry, David  Beznor,  Colosseum  at- 
torney, indicated  here  at  the  weekend. 

It  is  understood  that  when  the  talks 
are  resumed  "here  this  morning,  dis- 
cussion will  center  around  counter- 
proposals submitted  by  the  11  com- 
panies involved.  Negotiations  were 
conducted  throughout  last  week. 


Smith  Plan  Up  to 
N.  J.  Allied  Board 

The  film  committee  of  Allied  The- 
atre Owners  of  New  Jersey,  consist- 
ing of  Wilbur  Snaper,  Irving  Dol- 
linger  and  George  Gold,  will  present 
to  the  next  board  of  directors'  meet- 
ing for  adoption  the  so-called  Berger- 
Smith  exhibitor-distributor  concilia- 
tion plan,  it  was  reported  following  a 
meeting  here  of  the  committee  with 
Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  20th-Fox's  gen- 
eral sales  manager,  on  Friday.  The 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


SIMPP  Is  Undecided 
On  U.K.  Booking  Plan 

Hollywood,  Sept.  6. — Mem- 
bers of  the  Society  of  Inde- 
pendent M.  P.  Producers  are 
awaiting  the  receipt  of  de- 
tailed information  concerning 
Eric  Johnston's  program  of 
booking  all-American  pro- 
grams in  Britain  starting 
Oct.  1,  before  committing 
themselves  to  the  plan.  It  is 
likely  that  a  meeting  of  the 
executive  committee  or  mem- 
bership of  SIMPP  will  be 
called  after  details  of  the 
plan  are  received,  at  which 
time  the  organization  will  de- 
cide whether  or  not  to  be- 
come a  party  to  it.  In  formu- 
lating his  plan  of  action  in 
London  Johnston  was  not  au- 
thorized to  commit  SIMPP. 


Warners  Sell 
Two  Theatres 
In  Milwaukee 


Charges  of  'Forcing' 
Are  Sent  to  D.  of  J. 


Eldora,  la.,  Sept.  6. — Data  on  spe- 
cific cases  of  alleged  picture  forcing 
by  conditioning  the  licensing  of  one 
film  on  the  licensing  of  another  or 
others  has  been  forwarded  to  the  De- 
partment of  Justice  in  Washington  by 
Allied  Theatre  Owners  of  Iowa- 
Nebraska,  Leo  F.  Wolcott,  chairman 
of  the  board,  reports  in  a  current 
membership  bulletin. 

No  details  of  the  complaints  or  the 
companies  or  theatres  involved  are 
disclosed.  Conditioning  the  licensing 
of  one  picture  on  that  of  another  is 
explicitly  prohibited  by  the  U.  S.  Su- 
preme Court  decision  in  the  industry 
anti-trust  case  and  top  sales  execu- 
tives have  repeatedly  warned  their 
sales  forces  against  the  practice. 


Link  to  Divestiture  Seen; 
Gamble  May  Be  Buyer 

Chicago,  Sept.  6.— Sale  of  the 
Tower  and  Oriental  theatres,  Mil- 
waukee neighborhood  houses,  by 
Warners  to  undisclosed  purchasers 
was  revealed  here  at  the  weekend. 

Local  speculation  centered  on  the 
possibility  that  Ted  R.  Gamble  might 
be  identified  with  the  purchasers. 
Gamble  reportedly  has  been  engaged 
in  negotiations  here  recently  with 
James  Coston,  Warner  division  the- 
atre head  for  this  area,  which  includes 
the  circuit's  Milwaukee  operations. 

Gamble  acquired  the  Monarch  Cir- 
cuit from  the  late  Harry  Katz  some 
time  ago  and,  according  to  reports,  he 
plans  to  dispose  of  his  Pacific  North- 
west theatres  and  concentrate  on  the 
expansion  of  his  operations  in  the 
Middle  West. 

Equally  spirited  speculation  centered 
on  the  possible  extent  to  which  War- 
ners plan  to  go  in  divesting  theatre 
holdings.   Besides  the  sale  of  the  two 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Government  Aid  to  U.  K. 
Industry  Seen  Ineffectual 


London,  Sept.  6. — The  authorita- 
tive Westminster  Bank  Review  in  a 
discussion  of  the  British  film  situation 
in  its  latest  number  declares  that  in 
the  past  legislative  efforts  by  the  gov- 
ernment to  stimulate  the  industry  had 
failed  and  it  appears  unlikely  that  the 
1948  Act  will  prove  any  more  effec- 
tive. 

"The  problems  facing  the  industry 
are  as  difficult  now  as  they  have  ever 
been,"  the  Review  states.  "The  pro- 
duction of  sufficient  first  feature  films 
of  adequate  entertainment  value  to  en- 
able exhibitors  to  meet  the  45  per  cent 
quota  will  be  possible  only  if  there  is 
a  very  great  increase  in  output  here. 


"In  1946,  18  per  cent  of  long  films 
shown  were  British ;  in  1947,  the  per- 
centage was  20  per  cent." 

The  Reveizv  gives  a  plain  warning 
that,  if  the  industry  fails  in  its  ability 
to  entertain,  the  people  of  this  country 
will  have  to  learn  to  find  amusement 
in  some  other  way  because  for  at  least 
some  years  we  will  be  unable  to  spend 
large  sums  on  American  films. 

"War-time  dislocation  of  the  indus- 
try has  left  independent  producers  with 
inadequate  working  capital,"  the  Re- 
view declares,  "and  the  uncertainties 
with  which  the  industry  is  faced  have 
discouraged  the  flow  of  private  capi- 
tal." 


Warners  Relinquish 
Another  Theatre 


Warner  Bros.  Theatres,  following  a 
pattern  set  earlier  in  riot  renewing  ex- 
piring theatre  leases  in  Cleveland  and 
elsewhere,  relinquished  operation  of 
the  Lincoln  theatre,  Kearney,  N.  J., 
with  the  expiration  of  the  lease  on  the 
1,267-seat  house  last  week. 

A  21  -year  lease  on  the  house  was 
taken  by  Skouras  Theatres  in  partner- 
ship with  Murray  Stahl.  The  new  les- 
sors also  operate  the  1,500-seat  Regent 
in  Kearny  and  the  Rivoli  and  Rex  in 
Rutherford,  N.  J.  Berk  and  Krum- 
gold  were  brokers  on  the  new  Lincoln 
lease. 


5,000  RKO  Shares 
Sold  by  N.  P.  Rathvon 

Washington,  Sept.  6. — N.  Peter 
Rathvon,  former  RKO  president,  sold 
5,000  shares  of  RKO  common  in  three 
transactions  on  July  26,  27,  and  28, 
according  to  the  latest  Securities  and 
Exchange  Commission  report  on  trad- 
ing from  July  11  to  Aug.  10.  Rathvon 
was  left  with  15,000  shares  at  the  end 
of  that  period. 

Universal  director  Daniel  M.  Sheaf- 
fer  sold  a  total  of  7,500  shares  of  Uni- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  September  7,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


WALTER    WANGER  returned 
to  the  Coast  from  New  York 
at  the  weekend. 

• 

Harold  Marshall,  M-G-M  exploi- 
tation representative  in  the  Indian- 
apolis territory,  has  resigned,  effec- 
tive Sept.  11.  His  activities  will  be 
absorbed  by  J.  E.  Watson,  Cincinnati 
exploiteer. 

• 

Louis  Blumberg,  assistant  sales 
manager  of  Prestige  Pictures,  and 
Fred  Meyers,  Eastern  division  sales 
manager  of  Universal  Pictures,  are 
on  a  sales  trip  to  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and 
Cooperstown. 

• 

Arthur  Greenblatt,  Screen  Guild 
Eastern  sales  manager,  is  in  Holly- 
wood for  conferences  with  Robert  L. 
Lippert,  president  and  Francis  A. 
Bateman,  general  sales  manager.  He 
returns  to  New  York  this  week. 
• 

Paul  N.  Lazarus,  Jr.,  United  Art- 
ists executive  assistant  to  the  presi- 
dent, will  return  here  today  from  Chi- 
cago and  Milwaukee. 

• 

John  Healy,  assistant  to  George 
Bowser,  Fox  West  Coast  general 
manager,  and  Mrs.  Healy,  are  the 
parents    of    a  nine-and-a-half-pound 


Edward  Finney,  Screen  Guild  pro- 
ducer, and  Mrs.  Finney  are  the  par- 
ents of  a  new  six-and-a-half-pound 
daughter. 

J.  D.  Trop  left  here  for  Hollywood 
yesterday  for  production  conferences. 

AFM,  Independents 
Meet  Again  Today 

Hollywood,  Sept.  6. — Another  ne- 
gotiating session  between  representa- 
tives of  the  American  Federation  of 
Musicians  and  independent  producers 
for  a  new  contract  to  cover  studio 
musicians  will  be  held  tomorrow  after- 
noon at  Society  of  Independent  Motion 
Picture  Producers  headquarters  here. 
The  first  session  was  adjourned  short- 
ly after  it  was  convened  on  Friday 
when  it  appeared  that  the  talks  could 
not  be  concluded  at  the  one  session. 


Reade  Opens  Drive-In 

After  several  delays  due  to  adverse 
weather  conditions,  the  Walter  Reade 
Drive-In  Theatre  No.  1,  near  Wood- 
bridge,  N.  J.,  was  opened  last  Satur- 
day night.  It  is  the  first  drive-in  in 
Middlesex  County  and  one  of  the 
largest  in  the  East,  having  an  initial 
capacity  of  950  cars. 

Gets  Loew's  Boston  Post 

Boston,  Sept.  6. — James  L.  Shana- 
han  has  been  appointed  advertising  and 
publicity  director  of  Loew's  Boston 
theatres  by  Charles  E.  Kurtzman, 
Loew's  Northeastern  division  man- 
ager. Shanahan  succeeds  the  late  Joe 
A.  Di  Pesa. 


Rathvon  Sells  Stock 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


versal  common  in  16  separate  trans- 
actions during  July,  dropping  his  hold- 
ings to  5,307  shares.  Preston  Davie 
sold  200  shares  of  Universal  common. 

At  Monogram,  W.  Ray  Johnston 
continued  to  sell  heavily,  disposing  of 
2,000  shares  on  Aug.  8,  leaving  him 
with  2,617  shares.  The  previous 
month's  report  showed  Johnston  sold 
8,000  shares.  He  still  holds  options 
for  12,500  shares.  Norton  V.  Ritchey 
also  sold  2,000  shares,  leaving  him 
with  3,954. 

Albert  Warner  bought  6,500  shares 
of  his  firm's  $5  par  common,  boosting 
his  holdings  to  434,500  shares. 

In  another  announcement  stemming 
from  the  acquisition  of  RKO  control 
by  Howard  Hughes,  it  was  reported 
that  Dore  Schary  held  no  Loew's 
stock  when  he  became  an  officer  of 
that  company. 

Loew's  picked  up  another  75  shares 
of  Loew's  Boston  Theatres,  $25  par 
common,  increasing  its  holdings  to 
123,179  shares. 

Harry  Brandt  bought  another  100 
shares  of  Trans  Lux  Corp.  common, 
increasing  his  personal  holdings  to 
88,665  shares.  His  wife  owns  14,700 
shares. 

Holdings  listed  by  new  Trans  Lux 
directors  were  as  follows :  Jay  Eman- 
uel, 6,000,  Lee  Shubert,  3,500,  per- 
sonally, while  Lee  and  J.  J.  Shubert 
hold  another  3,000,  and  Jacob  Starr, 
2,000. 


Warners  Sell 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Milwaukee  houses,  Warners  recently 
relinquished  the  Lake,  Cleveland,  and 
proposes  to  withdraw  from  operation 
of  the  Allen  in  that  city,  which  it  has 
shared  with  RKO.  It  disposed  of  the 
Warner,  New  York ;  a  suburban  the- 
atre in  New  Jersey  and  has  been  re- 
ported to  be  interested  in  giving  up 
several  of  its  Philadelphia  houses. 


Warner  Theatres'  home  office  offi- 
cials could  not  be  reached  for  com- 
ment at  the  weekend. 


N.  J.  Allied,  Smith 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Jersey  Allied  board  is  expected  to 
meet  in  about  two  weeks. 

Formal  approval  by  the  board 
would  be  followed  by  the  appointment 
by  Jersey  Allied  president  Edward 
Lachman  of  a  grievance  committee  of 
six  members. 


Heads  Screening  Unit 

Des  Moines,  Sept.  6. — J.  P.  Lan- 
nan,  exhibitor  of  West  Point,  Neb., 
has  been  appointed  chairman  of  the 
Allied  Independent  Theatre  Owners  of 
Iowa  and  Nebraska  screening  commit- 
tee by  A.  C.  Myrick,  president  of  the 
AITO.  Others  on  the  committee  are 
Frank  Good  of  Red  Oak,  la.,  and 
Oscar  Hanson,  Omaha. 


Open  New  Drive-In 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  6. — Theatre  of 
Tomorrow,  a  new  drive-in  on  the 
Ridge  Pike  here,  opened  at  the  week- 
end. Operated  by  Wintner  Brothers 
of  Cleveland,  it  occupies  40  acres  and 
holds  about  1,100  cars. 


Production  Index 
Down  Three  to  26 

Hollywood,  Sept.  6. — The  produc- 
tion tally  stood  at  26,  dropping  three 
from  last  week's  index.  Three  new 
films  were  launched  while  six  were 
completed. 

Shooting  started  on  "Rough  Sketch" 
(Horizon),  Columbia;  "A  Mask  for 
Lucretia,"  Paramount ;  and  "Mon- 
tana," Warner  Brothers. 

Shooting  finished  on  "The  Crime 
Doctor's  Diary,"  Columbia ;  "Caught," 
Enterprise ;  "Gunning  for  Justice," 
Monogram  ;  "Last  of  the  Wild  Horses" 
(Lippert),  Screen  Guild;  "Belle  Starr's 
Daughter"  (Alson)  (formerly  "Rose 
of  Cimarron"),  20th  Century-Fox; 
and  "The  House  Across  the  Street," 
Warner  Brothers. 


Dembow  Drive  Meets 
In  Chicago  and  L.A. 

National  Screen  Service  regional 
sales  meetings  are  to  be  held  today  in 
Chicago  and  Los  Angeles  to  lay  plans 
for  the  "George  Dembow  Tribute" 
drive  which  is  to  begin  next  Monday. 
Dembow  is  vice-president  in  charge  of 
sales.  District  and  branch  managers 
and  salesmen  will  participate  in  the 
sessions  today,  with  William  Bein  act- 
ing as  captain  of  the  campaign  in  the 
East  and  Ben  Ashe  captain  in  the 
West. 


Heineman 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


upgrade,  Heineman  said,  adding  that 
he  believes  Aug.  15  saw  the  end  of  the 
so-called  "summer  slump."  He  hesi- 
tated to  say  whether,  in  his  opinion, 
there  stands  a  possibility  that  the  10 
to  12  per  cent  drop-off  in  grosses, 
which  had  been  evidenced  since  last 
Jan.  1,  would  be  compensated  for  be- 
fore the  end  of  the  year.  He  did  feel, 
however,  that  a  good  part  of  that  slack 
would  be  taken  up  by  Dec.  31. 

E-L,  he  said,  will  lease  theatres  in 
New  York,  Boston,  Washington,  Phil- 
adelphia, Chicago,  Los  Angeles  and 
San  Francisco,  for  "roadshowing"  on 
a  "four-wall  deal"  basis  J.  Arthur 
Rank's  Technicolor  film,  "Red  Shoes." 
Top  prices  will  be  $1.20  for  matinee 
and  $2.40  evenings,  Heineman  said,  in- 
dicating that  plans  are  to  show  the 
film  nowhere  at  lower  admissions  for 
at  least  a  year.  In  addition  to  the  17 
"top  budget"  pictures  already  an- 
nounced for  the  next  eight  months, 
Heineman  said,  there  will  be  one 
"program"  picture  a  month  released 
by  E-L. 


Tax  Receipts 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


$5,000,000,  or  not  quite  2.8  per  cent. 

In  two  months,  in  fact,  1948  collec- 
tions exceeded  1947.  These  were 
March  and  June,  reflecting  box-office 
business  in  February  and  May. 

Motion  picture  theatres  are  general- 
ly considered  to  account  for  80  per 
cent  to  85  per  cent  of  the  general 
admission  tax  collections.  Using  the 
85  per  cent  figure,  and  assuming  col- 
lections are  about  20  per  cent  of  the 
box-office  take,  1948  first  half  grosses 
were  about  $765,093,610,  compared 
with  $786,686,360  in  the  first  half  of 
last  year. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


-Uueen 
Gov- 


THE  50th  anniversary  of  Queen 
Wilhelmina  and  the  spy  investi- 
gations in  Washington  are  highlighted 
in  the  current  newsreels.  Other  items 
include  the  Greek  fighting,  sports, 
fashion  and  a  baby  parade.  Complete 
contents  follow : 

MOVIETONE   NEWS,  No.  71— Queen 
Wilhelmina  feted  at  end  of  50-year 
Chief  communist  in  U.  S.  identified  bM 
mer  Red.     World  events:  Greek  war,' 
lin  plane  crash,  Lourdes  pilgrimage, 
ernor    Green   hails   national   youth  month. 
Sports:  Navy,  Notre  Dame  football  training. 
Gen.  Eisenhower  fishing. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  201— Ex- 
communist  puts  finger  on  mysterious  spy 
chief.  Greek  rebels  routed  in  Mt.  Gramos 
battle.  Navy's  Hawaii-to-Chicago  flight 
sets  record.     Sports:  tennis,  football. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  4^Ship 
news:  celebrities  sail  aboard  the  Queen 
Mary.  Tribute  to  Queen  Wilhelmina. 
Football. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  176 — Shang- 
hai fights  inflation.  Canadian  national  ex- 
position. Gen.  Eisenhower  dedicates  hos- 
pital. Gala  Belgium  festival.  Asbury  Park 
baby  parade.  Spanish  ax-chopping  contest. 
Tiny  swimmer  takes  bow. 

WARNER    PAT  HE    NEWS,    No.  6— 

Chambers  identifies  Red  spy  boss.  Latest 
news  from  Berlin.  Queen  Wilhelmina 
golden  jubilee.  Tennis.  Coats  in  the  news. 
Great  Americans:  Washington's  farewell 
address. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


—RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL  — 

Rockefeller  Center 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

Wallace  BEERY     .    Jane  POWELL 
'Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA! 
Xavler  CUGAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


ROY  DEI  RUTH'S 


BABE  RUTH 
STORY 


Coft49eriormooc«»*Pop 


WILLIAM  CLAIM 


Barbara  Stanwyck 
Burt  Lancaster 

SORRY, 
WRONG  NUMBER 

A  Paramount  Release 


ROSALIND  RUSSELL 

in 

"THE  VELVET  TOUCH" 

A    FREDERICK  BRISSON 
PRODUCTION 
Released    through  RKO 

B'way  &  49th  St. 


RIV0LI. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "'Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  V.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   SuLscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c 


Tuesday,  September  7,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


Short 
Subject 


"Life  With  Grandpa" 

(March  of  Time — 20th-Fox) 

There  being  some  10,000,000  people 
in  the  U.  S.  who  are  over  60  years 
old,  most  of  whom  have  progeny,  this 

'  Vn  of  Time  subject  has  a  substan- 

— — f  ntential  patronage.  It  deals  with 
problems  confronting  America's  old- 
sters. The  film  contains  shots  of  happy 
and  contented  old  folks  and  of  those 
aged  who  are  left  to  the  mercy  of 
charity.  It  editorializes  with  mild 
forcefulness  in  behalf  of  adequate  so- 
cial security  and  old  age  pensions,  and 
examines  the  Townsend  Plan  and 
operations  of  agencies  which  seek  em- 
ployment for  those  over  60,  and  points 
out  the  accomplishments  of  many  fa- 
mous oldsters  who  are  active  today — 
George  Bernard  Shaw,  for  example. 
Running  time,  17  minutes. 


Coast  to  coast 
and  overseas, 
fly  world-proved 
TWA 

One  airline,  TWA,  takes  you 
to  principal  U.S.  cities  or  to 
Ireland ,  Paris ,  Egypt  and  other 
key  points  in  Europe,  Africa 
and  Asia.  When  you  go,  fly  by 
dependable  TWA  Skyliner 
with  crews  seasoned  by  mil- 
lions of  trans-world  miles. 

For  reservations, 
call  your  TWA  office 
or  your  travel  agent 


MITCHELL  MAY,  Jr. 

CO.,  INC. 

INSURANCE 


Specializing 

in  requirements  of  the 

Motion  Picture  Industry 

75  Maiden  Lane,  New  York 
510  W.  6th  St.,  Los  Angeles 


PUZZLE-BANK 


For  Any  Theatre  of 
Any  Size  Anywhere 

Enterprise  House,  Inc.,  198  Broadway 
New  York  City  DIgby  9-1278 


Reviews 


'My  Dear  Secretary' 


(Popkin-Unitcd  Artists) 

LIFE  proves  an  endless  whirl  of  unforeseen  excitements  for  lovely 
Laraine  Day  once  she  lands  a  job  as  secretary  to  a  popular  young 
novelist.  Many  a  tedium-bound  secretary  is  likely  to  muse  wistfully :  "It 
should  only  happen  to  me."  Kirk  Douglas  is  the  writer,  and  a  dashing  rogue 
he  makes  in  this  Harry  M.  Popkin  production.  The  film  is  a  high-speed 
comedy,  light  and  inconsequential  in  story  content,  but  full  of  mirthful 
complications  and  popular-flavored  corn.  For  an  additional  measure  of  antics, 
Keenan  Wynn  and  Rudy  Vallee  are  added  to  the  cast.  At  an  upper  Manhattan 
theatre  where  it  was  "sneaked"  the  other  night,  the  audience  rollicked  with 
continuous  laughter. 

It  is  an  uplifting  and  intellectual  atmosphere  that  Miss  Day  expects  once 
she  goes  to  work  for  Douglas,  but  instead  she  finds  his  working  apartment 
a  disordered  menagerie  of  oddly  intruding  characters,  and  most  of  the 
atmosphere  is  of  the  racetrack  and  gambling  center  variety.  It  isn't  long 
before  Miss  Day  quits,  but  she  really  loves  the  guy  and  so  they  are  married. 
But  now  there  follows  the  nuisance  of  Douglas'  reckless  debts,  not  to 
mention  those  mink  coats  he  was  in  the  habit  of  giving  his  previous  sec- 
retaries. Complications  develop,  Douglas'  writing  talent  wanes,  and  worse, 
he  suspects  Miss  Day  of  being  in  love  with  her  ex-boss,  Vallee.  A  separation 
follows,  punctuated  by  some  flurries  and  chases,  but  things  finally  turn  out 
right,  after  a  fashion.  That  is,  the  two  are  reunited,  but  only  after  Miss  Day 
writes  a  sensational  best-seller  and  Douglas  winds  up  as  her  secretary. 
Many  a  tedium-bound  novelist  is  likely  to  muse  wistfully :  "It  should  only 
happen  to  me." 

Some  of  the  picture's  more  memorable  touches  are  provided  by  Wynn 
during  his  interminable  exits  and  entrances.  Charles  Martin  directed  and 
did  the  screenplay;  Popkin  produced. 

Running  time,  94  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Set  for  Novem- 
ber release.  Mandel  Herbstman 


"Symphonie  Pastorale" 

(Films  International) 

"OYMPHONIE  PASTORALE"  ranks  among  the  finest  French  films  to 
O  reach  these  shores.  It  represents  first-rate  film  making,  and  should  find 
the  widest  appeal  here.  In  a  sense,  it  has  everything  one  can — and  generally 
does — ask  of  an  intelligent  French  film.  Its  story,  about  a  blind  girl  who 
ruins  the  lives  of  the  two  people  she  loves  most,  comes  from  the  pen  of  Andre 
Gide  and  has  all  the  drama  and  emotion  an  audience  could  expect.  Its  actors, 
Michele  Morgan  and  Pierre  Blanchar,  give  outstanding  performances  and 
the  film  itself  was  honored  with  several  prizes  at  the  Cannes  festival.  Jean 
Dellancy  was  the  director. 

The  picture  was  photographed  partly  in  the  Alps  and  its  scenery  con- 
tributes materially  to  the  overall  effect.  Blanchar  portrays  a  pastor  in  the 
Swiss  Alps.  He  finds  Michele,  a  little  blind  girl,  and  brings  her  up.  She 
grows  up  to  be  a  beautiful  woman  and  Blanchar  is  in  love  with  her  without 
admitting  it.  Complications  arise  when  his  son,  Jean  Desailly,  comes  home. 
Finally,  the  girl  is  operated  on  and  can  see  again,  but  this  is  her  undoing. 
Loving  Jean  and  loved  by  Pierre,  she  commits  suicide. 

Running  time,  105  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Set  for  Sep- 
tember release. 


Building  Plans  for 
Three  Dixie  Houses 

Nashville,  Sept.  6. — Plans  for  the 
construction  of  three  Southern  houses 
are  underway.  In  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Pos- 
ner  Enterprises  plans  a  combined  thea- 
tre and  store  building.  Another  house 
is  planned  at  Madison,  Ga.,  with  F. 
Arthur  Hazard  the  architect. 

In  New  Orleans,  Joy  Theatres,  Inc., 
has  awarded  a  contract  for  a  1,000- 
seat  house  in  Bayville,  La.,  at  an  esti- 
mated cost  of  $100,000. 


New  Sioux  City  Drive-In 

Sioux  City,  la.,  Sept.  6.  —  Con- 
struction will  begin  soon  on  a  $225,000 
drive-in  theatre  at  Riverside  Park, 
Roy  M.  Warfield  announces.  With  a 
capacity  of  1,000  autos,  it  will  be  the 
city's  second  drive-in. 


"Behind  Locked  Doors" 

(Eagle-Lion) 

WITH  considerable  attention  being  focused  at  present  on  the  abuses  and 
neglects  of  many  mental  institutions,  Eagle-Lion's  "Behind  Locked 
Doors"  has  a  timeliness  that's  all  to  its  exploitation  favor.  Unpretentiously 
made,  the  film  has  an  engrossing  quality.  Heading  the  cast  are  Lucille 
Bremer  and  Richard  Carlson.  Eugene  Ling  produced  and  Oscar  Boetticher 
directed. 

Basically,  it  is  a  story  of  a  newspaperwoman  and  a  private  detective  seeking 
to  uncover  the  hideout  of  a  renegade  judge  wanted  by  the  police.  Miss  Bremer, 
as  the  journalist,  has  Carlson,  the  detective,  committed  to  a  mental  institution 
where  she  suspects  the  judge  is  hiding.  The  cruelties  of  one  attendant  and  the 
sympathetic  actions  of  another ;  the  barred  windows  and  padded  rooms ;  the 
actions  of  the  criminally  insane,  and  finally,  an  expose  of  the  whole  opera- 
tion constitute  the  balance  of  the  story. 

In  bringing  the  story  by  Malvin  Wald  and  the  screenplay  by  Wald  and 
Ling  to  the  screen,  Boetticher  has  maintained  the  element  of  suspense  through- 
out. Over  the  whole  story  there  hangs  an  eerie  and  sinister  air  as  the  tortures 
and  abuses  by  the  sanitarium  personnel  are  shown. 

Running  time,  61  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
not  set.   


Canadian  B.O.  Scales 
In  Downward  Trend 

Ottawa,  Sept.  6.  —  Theatre  admis- 
sion prices  declined  slightly  between 
June  and  July,  according  to  figures 
released  by  the  Prices  Branch  of  the 
Canadian  Government. 

This  drop  is  seen  stemming  from 
the  fact  that  Quebec,  Alberta,  Sas- 
katchewan, Nova  Scotia  and  New 
Brunswick  have  so  far.  not  added  any 
provincial  tax  to  replace  the  removal 
of  the  Federal  admission  tax. 


2  Join  III.  Allied  Combine 

Chicago,  Sept.  6. — The  Montclare 
Theatre,  this  city,  and  the  Elm,  Elm- 
wood  Park,  111.,  owned  by  B.  Charu- 
has,  a  director  of  Allied  Theatres  of 
Illinois,  have  joined  Allied's  buying 
and  booking  organization,  Jack  Kirsch, 
president,  announces. 


Can't  Make  Up  His  Mind 

•  Manilla,  Ia.,  Sept.  6. — Last  month 
L.  R.  Howarth  sold  the  Manilla 
Theatre  to  M.  H.  Noragon.  This 
month  Howarth  is  buying  it  back. 


UNITED 


>Want  a  box  seat 
for  the  greatest 
show  on  earth — in  Technicolor? 
I'm  just  the  man  who  can  ar- 
range it.  I'm  the  pilot  of  "the 
Hollywood,"  United  Air  Lines' 
famous  onestop  flight  from  New 
York  to  Los  Angeles  in  11  hours 
and  10  minutes. 


>We  leave  New  York 
at  12  noon.  We 
arrive  in  Los  Angeles  at  8:10 
P.M.  But  we  time  our  flight  to 
arrive  over  the  Grand  Canyon 
just  at  sunset — that's  the  great 
Technicolor  Show  I  mentioned! 
You  see  Hoover  Dam  and  the 
Southwest  desert  country  too. 
It's  really  beautiful. 


►Of  course  we  have 
many  luxurious  at- 
tractions on  "the  Hollywood." 
Like  air  conditioning.  A  spacious 
cabin,  so  you  can  stroll  around. 
A  lounge,  with  perfect  observa- 
tion. Deep  soft  seats.  Delicious 
meals. 


»But  my  special 
pride  and  joy  is 
the  sunset  show  in  Technicolor! 

United  Air  Lines  Pilot  on 


Laye 

PRESOLD  by  Full  Page, 
Full  Color  National  Magazine  and 
Newspaper  Campaign  Reaching 
Over  150,000,000  Readers! 


ATIONAI  LAUGH  HOLIDAY 


Released  thru  RKO  RADIO  PICTURES,  INC. 


Hear  I 

Wond'  rin'  When" 


Help  Promote 
YOUTH  MONTH— 
Saluting  Young  Americal 


lohcise 
and 
Impartial 

W'.^jU.  NO.  48 


MOTION  PICKUSI& 

DAILY 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  8,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Depinet  Seen 
Elected  RKO 
Head  Today 

Board  Meeting  Here ; 
Floyd  Odium  May  Resign 

Hollywood,  Sept.  7. — Election 
of  Ned  E.  Depinet  to  the  presiden- 
cy of  RKO  is  expected  in  the  very 
near  future  and  may  take  place  at  a 
special  meeting  of  the  company's 
board  of  directors,  which  is  scheduled 
to  be  held  in  New  York  tomorrow. 
The  meeting  originally  was  scheduled 
for  today  but  was  postponed. 

Depinet,  who  has  been  executive 
vice-president  of  RKO,  would  suc- 
ceed N.  Peter  Rathvon,  who  tendered 
his  resignation  as  RKO  president  on 
July  23. 

Indications  are  that  Floyd  B.  Od- 
ium, head  of  Atlas  Corp.,  which  sold 
its  controlling  stock  interest  in  RKO 
to  Howard  Hughes  last  June,  may 
tender  his  resignation  as  chairman  of 
the  RKO  board  at  either  tomorrow's 
meeting  or  at  a  subsequent  one  to  be 
held  in  the  near  future. 

Reports  linking  Rathvon  and  Od- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


624^  Minimum  for 
Mass.  Theatre  Help 

Boston,  Sept.  7. — The  Massachu- 
setts Wage  Commission  has  approved 
the  highest  minimum  wage  schedule 
ever  set  in  the  Commonwealth,  affect- 
ing more  than  10,000  employes  of  the- 
atre, amusement  and  recreation  occu- 
pations. Effective  as  a  directive  on 
Oct.  1,  and  becoming  mandatory  next 
New  Year's  Day,  the  new  wage  sched- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Hollister  to  Leave 
RKO  Publicity  Post 

Paul  Hollister  has  resigned  as  na- 
tional publicity  director  and  Eastern 
studio  representative  of  RKO  Radio 
to  engage  in  public  relations  work,  ac- 
cording to  an  announcement  made  yes- 
terday by  Ned  E.  Depinet,  executive 
vice-president  of  RKO.  Neither  post 
will  be  filled,  Perry  Lieber  continuing 
as  studio  publicity  director  in  Holly- 
wood and  Rutgers  Neilson  as  New 
\ork  publicity  manager. 

Hollister  joined  RKO  Radio  on 
Feb.  8,  1946,  going  to  the  company 
from  a  Columbia  Broadcasting  vice- 
presidency.  He  was  publicity  vice- 
president  of  R.  H.  Macy  Co.  for  eight 
vears. 


Score  Rank 
Tribunal  Bid 


London,  Sept.  7. — Cinematograph 
Exhibitor's  general  purposes  commit- 
tee today  expressed  unqualified  objec- 
tion to  J.  Arthur  Rank's  proposal  for 
a  tribunal  to  review  British  distribu- 
tor-exhibitor differences.  Viewing 
the  proposal  as  implying  reviewal  of 
contract  terms  after  pictures  have 
been  screened,  the  committee  took  the 
stand  that  the  trade  practice  hitherto 
prevailing  has  been  entirely  satisfac- 
tory. Under  it  the  respective  parties 
to  a  film  contract  are  deemed  quali- 
fied to  negotiate  an  assumedly  equi- 
table deal  prior  to  screenings. 

Other  proposals  by  Rank  along 
similar  lines  were  opposed  by  the 
(.Continued  on  page  5) 


2  Milwaukee  Houses 
To  St.  Cloud  Amuse. 


Milwaukee,  Sept.  7. — The  St.  Cloud 
Amusement  Corp.  of  New  Jersey  and 
Washington,  D.  C,  was  revealed  to- 
day as  the  purchaser  of  the  Tower  and 
Oriental  theatres  here,  formerly  oper- 
ated by  Warners. 

Theatres  were  owned  by  the  Annen- 
berg  Estate  of  Philadelphia  and  had 
been  operated  by  Warners  under  a 
management  contract  which  expired 
on  Aug.  31.  Harvey  B.  Newins  is 
president  of  St.  Cloud  and  Frank 
Fowler  is  general  manager. 

It  had  been  reported  earlier  that 
Ted  R.  Gamble  might  have  been  the 
purchaser.  A  spokesman  for  Gamble 
said  today  that  while  he  is  interested 
(Continued  on  pane  4) 


Holiday  Raises  NY 
Ist-Run  Grosses; 
3  Records  Claimed 


Prosperity  definitely  was  in  evidence 
throughout  almost  the  entire  New 
York  first-run  belt  over  the  holiday 
weekend  with  grosses  reportedly  hit- 
ting record  levels  at  three  situations. 

"Sorry,  Wrong  Number,"  with  Car- 
men Cavallero  on  stage  at  the  Para- 
mount, is  on  its  way  to  a  first  week's 
take  of  $120,000,  unusually  high.  The 
Roxy,  too,  has  $120,000  in  view  for  a 
second  week  of  "That  Lady  in  Er- 
mine" and  a  stage  show,  including 
Frances  Langford,  Jon  Hall,  Jerry 
Colonna  and  an  ice  revue.  The  State 
also  is  taking  a  full  share  of  top  mon- 
ey with  "Loves  of  Carmen"  expected 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


List  Large  Para. 
Holdings  in  DuMont 


Washington,  Sept.  7. — Paramount 
Pictures  is  the  second  largest  holder 
of  Allen  B.  DuMont  class  A  common, 
in  addition  to  owning  all  of  the  class 
B  common,  according  to  a  report  sub- 
mitted to  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission. 

The  report  is  required  in  connec- 
tion with  the  FCC's  hearings  to  deter- 
mine whether  Paramount  controls  Du- 
Mont. 

Paramount  nominee  Clarence  W. 
Alexander  was  listed  with  38,200 
shares,  second  to  the  81,800  shares 
held  by  Allen  B.  DuMont.  FCC  ex- 
aminer Jack  Blume  said  that  holdings 
of  another  Paramount  nominee  bring 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Anglo-American  Amity 
Bid  Stirs  U.  K.  Hopes 


London,  Sept.  7. — A  lengthy  exami- 
nation of  the  U.K.-U.S.  film  situation 
here  was  made  by  the  London  Times 
in  a  leading  article  today,  embodying 
the  inferential  demand  that  the  British 
and  American  sides  get  together.  It  is 
believed  in  industry  circles  that  the 
article  was  "inspired  by  leading  poli- 
ticians who  are  anxious  to  end  the 
present  deadlock." 

The  article  states  in  part :  "The 
British  government  to  their  disadvan- 
tage are  limiting  unreasonably  their 
ability  to  produce  films  here.  The 
Americans  are  prepared  to  lose  money 
during  the  dollar  crisis  so  long  as 
their  market  is  preserved,  but  the  45 
per  cent  quota  cuts  across  this.  If  the 
quota    is    progressively    raised  the 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


China  Raises  Duties 
From  $250  to  $1,200 

China  has  increased  its  customs 
duty  on  the  importation  of  films  from 
$250  to  approximately  $1,200  per  fea- 
ture, it  was  disclosed  here  yesterday 
by  John  G.  McCarthy,  associate  man- 
aging director  of  the  international  di- 
vision of  the  Motion  Picture  Associa- 
tion of  America. 

McCarthy  was  also  advised  that 
U.  S.  film  companies  have  suspended 
further  shipments  to  China  pending 
clarification   of  the  situation. 

An  immediate  protest  was  lodged 
with  the  U.  S.  State  Department, 
which  has  requested  conferences  with 
Chinese  authorities. 


US  Willing  to 
Talk  Decree, 
Clark  Admits 


But  Doubts  Companies 
Would  Submit  Proposals 

Washington,  Sept.  7. — U.  S. 
Attorney  General  Tom  Clark  ad- 
mitted today  that  he  had  told  in- 
quiring defense  attorneys  in  the 
Paramount  anti-trust  case  that  the 
Government  was  willing  to  discuss  a 
consent  decree,  but  added  that  he  did 
not  think  the  distributor  defendants 
would  ever  get  around  to  submitting 
a  proposal. 

"I  think  it's  just  talk,"  he 
declared.  "We  construe  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court's  decision 
directly  opposite  from  the  at- 
torneys for  the  motion  picture 
companies.  They  would  have  to 
reverse  their  entire  thinking 
to  make  a  proposal  which  we 
would  consider.  I  don't  believe 
they  are  going  to  submit  a 
proposal." 

The  Attorney  General,  who  person- 
ally opened  the  Government's  case  in 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Al  Lichtman  Leaves 
M-G-M  Studio  Post 


Hollywood,  Sept.  7. — Al  Lichtman 
today  announced  the  weekend  settle- 
ment of  his  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
studio  contract  effective  immediately. 
Lichtman  became  an  M-G-M  execu- 
tive in  1935,  after  relinquishing  the 
presidency  of  United  Artists.  He  was 
assistant  to  Nicholas  Schenck  in  New- 
York  until  1937,  when  he  transferred 
to  the  studio,  where  he  since  has  been 
regarded  as  Schenck's  liaison.  Terms 
of  the  settlement  were  undisclosed. 

Lichtman's  resignation  is  the  second 
of  an  M-G-M  top  studio  executive 
since  Dore  Schary  became  production 
head  recently,  Sam  Katz  having  re- 
signed a  few  weeks  ago. 


$130,030  Is  Cinecolor 
Profit  for  32  Weeks 

Hollywood,  Sept.  7. — Taking  cog- 
nizance of  a  loss  of  $254,274  from 
operations  of  Film  Classics,  unaudited 
consolidated  net  profit  of  $130,030  be- 
fore taxes  for  the  32  weeks  ended  last 
June  5  is  reported  by  Cinecolor  to  its 
stockholders.  The  interim  report  also 
disclosed  that  gross  sales  increased 
more  than  25  per  cent  over  the  first 
nine  months  of  1947. 


m 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  8,  194! 


Seek  Building  Code 
Waiver  for  Popcorn 


Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  7.— The  New 
York  State  Board  of  Standards  and 
Appeals  is  expected-  to  adopt  amend- 
ments suggested  by  exhibitors  to  the 
section  of  the  proposed  revised  state 
building  code  relating  to  the  operation 
of  popcorn  machines  in  theatres. 

The  provision  against  which  ex- 
hibitors objected  at  a  hearing  in  New 
York  last  month  bans  the  use  "of  any 
combustible  or  volatile  fluid."  Ex- 
hibitors have  meanwhile  advanced  the 
proposition  that  a  line  of  demarcation 
be  drawn — this  barring  fluids  "with  a 
flash  point  less  than  400."  Gasoline, 
kerosene  and  other  such  fluids  have 
a  flash  point  under  400  and  are  be- 
lieved to  be  potentially  dangerous  to 
public  safety.  Over  400  is  considered 
safe. 

Organized  exhibitors  maintain  that 
the  popcorn  ban  as  now  written  might 
be  very  costly.  New  York  City's 
ultra-strict  code  is  said  to  have  no 
provision  banning  the  use  oi  jiny  com- 
bustible or  volatile  fluid,  it  is  pointed 
out. 


Revision  on  Building  Code 
Compliance  Is  Sought 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  7.— Holding 
in  a  brief  filed  with  the  State  Board 
of  Standards  and  Appeals  that  "there 
is  some  confusion"  among  exhibitors 
as  to  how  strict  two-year  limitation  on 
a  certificate  of  compliancy  would  oper- 
ate practically  under  the  proposed  new 
state  building  code,  Leonard  Rosen- 
thal, attorney  for  Smalley  Theatres, 
has  appealed  to  the  board  for  revision 
in  the  language  of  the  appropriate  sec- 
tion of  the  proposed  code.  He  also 
sought  revisions  in  the  definition  of 
the  word  "stage." 

Harry  Hellman,  65, 
Partner  of  Fabian 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  7. — Harry 
Hellman,  theatre  owner,  died  today  at 
the  age  of  65  at  Albany  Hospital  after 
a  brief  illness.  He  was  celebrating  his 
40th  anniversary  in  show  business. 

Hellman  opened  his  first  film  thea- 
tre in  Albany  in  1908.  He  was  a 
pioneer  in  the  drive-in  theatre  field 
and  was  interested  with  Fabian  The- 
atres in  four  drive-ins,  two  located 
in  Albany,  one  in  Binghamton  and 
one  in  Philadelphia.  He  also  owned 
the  Paramount  and  Royal  in  Albany 
and  the  Palace  in  Troy.  Hellman  is 
survived  by  the  widow,  Nettie  Brower 
Hellman  and  a  son,  Neil.  The  funeral 
will  be  held  tomorrow  from  Silberg's 
Funeral  Home  and  services  will  be 
at  Mount  Hebron  Cemetery,  Long 
Island. 


S.  T.  Manghon,  Exhibitor 

Atlanta,  Sept.  7. — S.  T.  Manghon, 
theatre  owner  in  Patterson  and 
Scriven,  Georgia,  passed  away  at  his 
home  in  Patterson,  last  Friday. 


William  H.  Rice 

William  Herbert  Rice,  71,  veteran 
screenplay  writer,  died  here  at  the 
weekend  in  Flushing  Hospital  of 
euremic  poisoning. 


Personal 


MAURICE  A.  BERGMAN,  Uni- 
versal-International Eastern  ad- 
vertising -  publicity  director,  and 
Charles  Simonelli,  Eastern  exploi- 
tation manager,  have  returned  to  New 
York  from  Cincinnati. 

• 

Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  production 
vice-president  for  20th  Century-Fox, 
planed  out  of  New  York  yesterday 
for  Hollywood,  after  a  six-week  trip 
through  Italy  and  France.  He  was 
accompanied  by  Mrs.  Zanuck  and 
their  daughter,  Susan. 

• 

Don  Steinkamp  of  the  French 
Lick  Amusement  Co.,  French  Lick, 
Ind.,  is  accompanying  his  father  to 
the  Mayo  Clinic  where  the  latter  is 
undergoing  observation. 

• 

Fred  Curd,  Paramount  booker  in 
Memphis,  has  become  RKO  office 
manager  in  that  city,  replacing  Glenn 
Calvert,  who  has  been  promoted  to 
salesman. 

M.  A.  Lightman,  Sr.,  Malco  The- 
atres president,  is  serving  on  the 
bridge  committee  of  the  Bear  Creek 
Lake  Bridge  Tournament  Sept.  24- 
26  at  Marianna,  Ark. 

• 

David  Skvirsky,  20th-Fox  booker- 
salesman  in  Boston,  has  returned  from 
a  leave  of  absence  spent  in  Europe.  He 
will  report  to  the  New  Haven  office 
as  a  salesman. 

• 

Wayne  Hartman  has  been  named 
sales  manager  in  charge  of  the  indus- 
trial department  lor  Academy  Film 
Service,  Cleveland,  by  Gilbert  Lef- 
ton,  president. 

• 

Jules  Lapidus,  Warner  Eastern 
and  Canadian  division  sales  manager, 
left  here  yesterday  for  Cleveland  and 
Pittsburgh. 

• 

Al  Horwits,  U-I  Eastern  publicity 
manager,  and  Phil  Gerard,  publicist, 
are  in  Philadelphia  from  New  York. 
• 

Alex  Schimel,  U-I  salesman,  was 
in  New  York  last  weekend  from 
Cleveland. 

Matthew  Rapf  to 
Form  Own  Company 

Hollywood,  Sept.  7. — Matthew  Rapf, 
writer-producer,  plans  to  form  his 
own  independent  film  company.  Its 
first  picture  will  be  "Silhouette,"  of 
which  he  is  the  author. 

Rapf,  who  is  a  son  of  Harry  Rapf, 
was  formerly  a  scenarist  at  the 
M-G-M  studio.  He  and  Gerald  Bris- 
kin,  son  of  Samuel  J.  Briskin,  presi- 
dent of  Liberty  Films,  recently  pro- 
duced "The  Adventures  of  Gallant 
Bess." 


'True  Name  Law'  Due 

Boston,  Sept.  7. — The  Massachu- 
setts' "True  Name  Law"  will  go  in- 
to effect  on  Thursday.  All  actors, 
film  and  otherwise,  will  have  to  regis- 
ter their  true  names  with  the  Depart- 
ment of  Public  Safety.  Failure  to  com- 
ply may  mean  a  fine  of  $100. 


Mention 


FREDERICK  BRISSON  of  Inde- 
dependent  Artists  is  due  here  to- 
day from  the  Coast. 

• 

Stephen  Crane,  producer ;  Cor- 
nel Wilde,  and  his  wife  and  Norma 
Shearer,  her  children  and  her  hus- 
band, Martin  Arrouge,  are  among 
passengers  who  will  sail  for  Europe 
today  on  the  5*5"  Queen  Elizabeth. 
Among  arrivals  when  the  ship  docked 
here  yesterday  were  Rita  Hayworth, 
Jack  Buchanan  and  Mrs.  Alfred 
Hitchcock. 

• 

J.  Raymond  Bell,  manager  of  the 
Donahue  and  Coe  Washington  branch, 
has  been  appointed  chairman  of  the 
publicity  advisory  committee  for  the 
economic  mobilization  course  for  re- 
serve officers. 

• 

Frank  J.  Alford,  assistant  treas- 
urer of  the  Motion  Picture  Export 
Association,  and  Mrs.  Alford  became 
parents  of  a  second  son,  born  on 
Labor  Day  at  the  Lenox  Hill  Hos- 
pital here. 

• 

John  P.  Byrne,  M-G-M  Eastern 
sales  manager,  will  move  his  head- 
quarters to  the  home  office  building  in 
a  few  days  from  the  New  York  ex- 
change. 

• 

John  A.  Schwalm,  manager  of  the 
Northio  Rialto  Theatre  in  Hamilton, 
O.,  has  returned  home  following  an 
eye  operation  at  Christ  Hospital,  Cin- 
cinnati. 

• 

George  Mann,  co-owner  of  Red- 
wood Theatres  Circuit,  San  Fran- 
cisco, has  purchased  a  newspaper  in 
Fort  Bragg.  He  writes  a  column  en- 
titled "From  Mann  to  Man." 
• 

Bill  Porter,  head  of  Allied  Artists- 
Monogram  West  Coast  contract  de- 
partment, has  returned  to  the  Coast 
from  a  tour  of  Midwest  exchanges. 
■  • 

Joseph  Harris,  Realart  treasurer, 
has  returned  to  New  York  from  a 
month's  trip  to  Europe. 

Arthur  Greenblatt  left  the  Coast 
yesterday  by  plane  for  New  York. 

74',  200  Detroit 
Theatres  Stalemated 

Detroit,  Sept.  7. — About  200  local 
theatres  are  operating  without  a  con- 
tract with  the  IATSE  covering  pro- 
jectionists as  the  result  of  failure  to 
arrive  at  settlement  on  wage  increases 
in  a  preliminary  conference. 


Pact  Talks  Continue 

Hollywood,  Sept.  7. — Independent 
producers  and  negotiators  for  the 
American  Federation  of  Musicians  will 
hold  another  session  tomorrow  to  ne- 
gotiate a  contract  to  replace  the  pact 
which  expired  last  month. 


House  Changes  Hands 

Hebron,  Neb.,  Sept.  7.  —  E.  H. 
Kassebaum,  formerly  of  Hebron,  has 
purchased  the  Hebron  Theatre  from 
Clarence  Wright.  Change  was  effec- 
tive Sunday. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


CHINA,  France,  Palestine,  Canada 
and  the  Belgian  Congo  provide 
backgrounds  for  newsreel  highlights  in 
current  issues.  Items  in  a  differenl 
vein  cover  sports,  fashions  and  human 
interest.   Complete  contents  follow: 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  72— Krav-'j 
chenko  tells  about  Red  teacher  case.  World's! 
smallest  republic  run  by  boys  and>*j-ls. 
Automatic  garage.  New  Chinese  (t'''4v-, 
National  AAU  long  distance  swim  rri  ▼ 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  202 — Re- 
port from  China.  Israel  builds  as  truce 
quiets  Palestine.  Good  news  for  car  own- 
ers.    Soccer.     Something  new  in  headgear.  | 

PARAMOUNT     NEWS,     No.     5— UN 
moves    to    France.      School  daze — twirlersl 
learn  tricks  with  sticks.     Aid  for  Greece. ;! 
Novelties  in  fashion.    China  fights  inflation,  a 

UNIVERSAL,  NEWS,  No.  176— China:  I 
inflation  rampant.  News  in  brief:  Gen.l 
Eisenhower  dedicates  hospital;  Belgium  fes-l 
tival;  baby  parade;  ax-chopping  champion- [ 
ship.  Three-year-old  swimmer.  Mountbat- 
ten  opens  Canadian  exposition. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  7— 
China's  _  worst  inflation.  French  govern- 
ment crisis.  Mountbatten  in  Canada.  Bel- 
gium Congo  volcano.  Railroad  news,  junior 
grade.  Fall  evening  gowns.  Vienna  wres- 
tling. 

Ruder  and  Finn  Are 
Promotion  Partners 

William  Ruder  has  resigned  from 
Samuel  Goldwyn  Productions  to  form 
his  own  publicity-exploitation  organi- 
zation in  association  with  David  Finn, 
with  headquarters  at  the  Hotel  Lom- 
bardy,  New  York.  Ruder  had  been 
associated  with  Lynn  Farnol,  at  Gold- 
wyn since  1941,  and  for  the  past  sev- 
eral years  has  been  head  of  exploita- 
tion. 

The  new  organization  will  have  field 
representatives  in  30  key  cities. 
Among  clients  represented  by  Ruder 
and  Finn  are  Perry  Como,  Pioneer 
Pictures,  Pioneer  Telefilms  and  Tele- 
spots,  Inc. 

To  Honor  Bromhead, 
Co-Founder  of  G.  B. 

London,  Sept.  7. — A.  C.  Bromhead, 
co-founder  on  Sept.  13,  1898,  of  the 
Gaumont  Company,  which  afterwards 
operated  as  Gaumont-British,  will  be 
guest  of  honor  at  a  luncheon  celebra- 
tion here  on  Monday  of  the  50th  anni- 
versary of  the  company's  founding. 
Old  associates  of  Col.  Bromhead  will 
give  the  luncheon. 

May  Move  'Caravan' 
To  Indianapolis 

Philadelphia  Sept.  7. — Leaders  of 
Allied  States  will  meet  here  tomorrow 
and  Thursday  to  consider  transferring 
the  headquarters  of  the  organization's 
product  "Caravan"  from  this  city  to 
Indianapolis.  They  will  also  probably 
decide  whether  there  will  be  a  board 
meeting  this  month. 


Bowes  Left  $3,641,112 

The  late  Major  Edward  J.  Bowes 
left  a  gross  estate  of  $3,641,112,  it 
was  disclosed  in  papers  filed  in  Sur- 
rogate's Court  here  at  the  weekend. 
The  estate  shrunk  to  a  net  of  $648,304 
after  61  separate  charitable  bequests. 
The  papers  revealed  he  left  $2,874,765 
to  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral  here. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  Yorkc"  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


necklace 


Luxury  Liner 
/  brace/et 


'stand 
W»h  y0u'< 


WAS  IT  JUST  A 
SUMMER  ROMANCE? 

Don't  worry,  Miss  Box- Office.  Your  sugar  daddy  Leo  will  love 
you  in  December  as  he  did  in  May.  He's  just  had  another  shot 
of  Vitamin  M-G-M  and  he's  rarin'  to  go.  Look  what's  coming 
from  your  all-year-'round  Santa  Claus: 


GREER  GARSON 

WALTER  PIDGEON  in 

"JULIA  MISBEHAVES" 

PETER  LAWFORD,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 

CESAR  ROMERO,  Lucile  Watson,  Nigel 

Bruce,  Mary  Boland,  Reginald  Owen 


The  Enterprise  Studies  present 

DANA  ANDREWS,  LILLI  PALMER 

and  LOUIS  JOURDAN  in 

"NO  MINOR  VICES" 

with  Jane  Wyatt 


"THE  SECRET  LAND"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

MEN  AND  SHIPS 
Of  The  U.  S.  NAVY 
Narration  By 

Comdr.  ROBERT  MONTGOMERY,  U.S.N.R. 
Lt.  ROBERT  TAYLOR,  U.S.N.R. 
Lt.  VAN  HEFLIN,  A.A.F.  (Ret.) 


"HILLS  OF  HOME"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

EDMUND-  GWENN 

DONALD  CRISP,  TOM  DRAKE 

JANET  LEIGH  and  LASSIE 


Alexandre  Dumas' 

"THE  THREE  MUSKETEERS"  (Technico/or) 
Starring 

LANA  TURNER,  GENE  KELLY 
JUNE  ALLYSON,  VAN  HEFLIN 
ANGELA  LANSBURY 
Frank  Morgan,  Vincent  Price,  Keenan 
Wynn,  John  Sutton,  Gig  Young 

★  ★  ★ 
"ACT  OF  VIOLENCE" 
Starring 

VAN  HEFLIN,  ROBERT  RYAN 
with  Janet  Leigh,  Mary  Astor 
Phyllis  Thaxter 

★  ★  ★ 

FRANK  SINATRA,  KATHRYN  GRAYSON 
in  "THE  KISSING  BANDIT  (Technicolor) 
J.  Carrol  Naish,  Mildred  Natwick 
Mikhail  Rasumny,  Billy  Gilbert 
Sono  Osato  with  Dance  Specialties  By 
Ricardo  Moritalban,  Ann  Miller,  Cyd  Charisse 

★  *  ★ 

John  Ford's 

"3  GODFATHERS"  (Tec/inico/or) 
Presented  by  John  Ford  &  Merian  C.  Cooper 
Starring 

JOHN  WAYNE,  PEDRO  ARMENDARIZ 
And  Introducing  HARRY  CAREY,  Jr. 
with  Ward  Bond,  Mae  Marsh 
Jane  Darwell,  Ben  Johnson 


ROBERT  TAYLOR 
AVA  GARDNER' 
CHARLES  LAUGHTON 
VINCENT  PRICE 
JOHN  HODIAK  in 
"THE  BRIBE" 


"LITTLE  WOMEN"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

JUNE  ALLYSON,  PETER  LAWFORD 
MARGARET  O'BRIEN,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 
JANET  LEIGH,  ROSSANO  BRAZZI 
MARY  ASTOR  with 
Lucile  Watson,  C.  Aubrey  Smith 


CLARK  GABLE,  WALTER  PIDGEON 
VAN  JOHNSON,  BRIAN  DONLEVY 
Charles  Bickford,  John  Hodiak 
Edward  Arnold  in 
"COMMAND  DECISION" 


"SUN  IN  THE  MORNING" 

(Technicolor)  Starring 

JEANETTE  MacDONALD 

LLOYD  NOLAN,  CLAUDE  JARMAN,  Jr. 

and  LASSIE 

with  Lewis  Stone,  Percy  Kilbride 


"WORDS  AND  MUSIC"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

MICKEY  ROONEY,  JUDY  GARLAND 
GENE  KELLY,  JUNE  ALLYSON 
PERRY  COMO,  ANN  SOTHERN 
with  Tom  Drake,  Cyd  Charisse,  Betty 
Garrett,  Lena  Home,  Janet  Leigh,  Marshall 
Thompson,  Mel  Torme,  Vera-Ellen 

★  ★  ★ 
SPENCER  TRACY,  DEBORAH  KERR 

in  "EDWARD,  MY  SON"  with  Ian  Hunter 

★  ★  ★ 
JOHN  GARFIELD  in 
The  Roberts  Production 
"FORCE  OF  EVIL" 

An  Enterprise  Picture 

with  Thomas  Gomez  and  Marie  Windsor 

And  Introducing  BEATRICE  PEARSON 

★  ★  ★ 

FRED  ASTAIRE,  GINGER  ROGERS  in 
"THE  BARKLEYS  OF  BROADWAY" 
(Technico/or) 

with  Oscar  Levant,  Billie  Burke 
Gail  Robbins,  Jacques  Francois 

★  *  * 

GENE  KELLY,  ESTHER  WILLIAMS 

FRANK  SINATRA  in 

"TAKE  ME  OUT  TO  THE  BALL  GAME" 

(Technicolor) 

with  Betty  Garrett 

Jules  Munshin,  Edward  Arnold 


WHEN  LEO  KISSES  MISS  BOX-OFFICE  SHE  STAYS  KISSEDI 

'    (Help  Promote  YOUTH  MONTH — Saluting  Young  America  I) 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  8,  19 


Approve  New  Board 
For  Mich.  Allied 


Detroit,  Sept.  7. — Charles  W.  Sny- 
der, executive  secretary  of  Allied  The- 
atres of  Michigan,  has  proposed  a 
new  plan  for  the  election  of  officers 
for  the  ATM's  board,  and  it  has  been 
approved  unanimously. 

His  plan  consists  of  having  an  of- 
ficer represent  each  Congressional 
district  of  Michigan,  an  alternate  and 
three  delegates-at-large.  There  are 
17  Congressional  districts  in  the 
state.  These  officers  in  turn  would 
elect  a  president  and  vice-president. 
The  board  now  consists  of  IS  mem- 
bers, five  of  which  are  replaced  each 
year. 

The  new  plan,  Snyder  said,  will 
enable  each  member  to  better  acquaint 
himself  with  legislators  from  his  dis- 
trict and  to  give  them  full  particulars 
on  any  legislation  concerning  the  in- 
dustry. Also,  instead  of  having  any 
group  from  one  area  holding  positions 
on  the  board,  all  areas  would  be 
equally  represented. 


Depinet 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

lum  with  the  formation  of  an  inde- 
pendent production  company  could  not 
be  confirmed  here. 

Depinet's  initial  election  to  the 
RKO  presidency  is  expected  to  be  for 
the  period  between  the  present  and  the 
holding  of  a  regular  election  of  of- 
ficers by  a  reconstituted  RKO  board, 
at  which  time  it  is  expected  he  would 
be  reelected.  The  board  will  be  re- 
constituted on  Oct.  18  when  a  meet- 
ing of  RKO  stockholders  is  scheduled 
to  be  held.  Regular  election  of  officers 
by  the  new  board  would  follow. 


Replaces  Rathvon  on  AMPP  Board 

Hollywood,  Sept.  7. — Leon  Gold- 
berg, RKO  studio  manager,  today  was 
elected  to  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Association  of  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers, replacing  N.  Peter  Rathvon  as 
RKO  representative  on  the  board. 


FIVE-STAR 

DC- 6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

3k  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Off/ces:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


Car  Heaters  for  Year 
'Round  Drive-ins 

Memphis,  Sept.  7— While  it 
appears  drive-in  theatres  are 
staying  open  a  little  longer 
each  year,  it  looks  as  though 
many  will  be  a  year-round 
proposition,  with  exhibitors 
in  this  area  considering  the 
possibilities  of  installing  in- 
dividual in-a-car  heaters  dur- 
ing the  frosty  season. 


Ains worth,  Berger, 
Myers  at  ITO  Meet 

Columbus,  O.,  Sept.  7. — Speakers 
at  the  convention  of  the  Independent 
Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio,  to  be  held 
at  the  Deshler-Wallick  Hotel  here  on 
Sept.  14-15,  will  include  William 
Ainsworth,  president  of  national  Al- 
lied ;  Abram  F.  Myers,  national_  Al- 
lied counsel ;  Benny  Berger,  president 
of  North  Central  Allied;  Trueman 
Rembusch,  president  of  Allied  of  In- 
diana, who  will  discuss  impact  of  tele- 
vision on  theatres ;  H.  M.  Richey, 
exhibitor  relations  head  of  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer,  and  David  Palfrey- 
man  of  the  Motion  Picture  Associa- 
tion of  America. 

In  addition,  J.  W.  Spiselman, 
vice-president  of  Air  Purification 
Service,  will  speak  on  "Advantages  of 
Air  Sterilization  in  the  Theatre." 
Gov.  Thomas  J.  Herbert  and  Dr. 
Clyde  Hissong,  chief  Ohio  film  cen- 
sor, have  accepted  invitations  to  at- 
tend the  banquet  to  be  held  Tuesday. 

P.  J.  Wood,  ITO  secretary,  is  ex- 
pecting a  large  turnout  at  the  special 
meeting  for  small-town  exhibitors,  an 
innovation  this  year.  This  meeting 
will  be  held  on  Monday,  preceding  the 
opening  of  the  convention. 

MGM's  Seven  Start 
Training  Sept.  16 

Training  for  the  first  seven  M- 
G-M  sales  personnel  selected  for  a 
training  course  will  begin  here  Sept. 
16,  a  delay  of  two  days  caused  by 
the  fact  that  William  F.  Rodgers,  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  will  not  re- 
turn from  the  Coast  until  that  day. 

Scheduled  to  arrive  are  Michael  J. 
Ford,  salesman,  Chicago ;  Louis  For- 
mato,  branch  manager,  Philadelphia ; 
Philip  F.  Gravitz,  office  manager- 
head  booker,  New  Haven ;  H.  Rus- 
sell Gaws,  salesman,  Oklahoma  City ; 
Louis  Marks,  salesman,  Cleveland ; 
Ansley  B.  Padgett,  assistant  branch 
manager,  Atlanta ;  Louis  J.  Weber, 
Dallas  salesman. 


621/2-Cent  Minimum 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ule  will  give  regular  employes  62y2 
cents  an  hour  as  a  minimum,  and 
"casual"  employes  55c  an  hour. 

The  commission,  because  of  com- 
plaints from  theatre  owners  that  ush- 
ers are  a  "special  and  transitory"  type 
of  worker,  ruled  that  they  will  be  con- 
sidered casual  employes. 


Grossman  in  New  Post 

Henry  Grossman  has  been  named 
director  of  broadcast  operations  for 
Columbia  Broadcasting,  including  tele- 
vision, AM  and  FM  technical  opera- 
tions, by  James  M.  Seward,  CBS 
vice-president  in  charge  of  operations. 


Milwaukee  Houses 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

in  expanding  his  theatre  operations  in 
the  Midwest  he  has  no  connection 
whatever  with  the  purchasers  of  the 
Tower  and  Oriental.  The  spokesman 
also  denied  another  report  that  Gamble 
planned  to  dispose  of  his  theatre  hold- 
ings in  the  Pacific  Northwest  area  to 
concentrate  on  the  Midwest  expansion. 
Gamble  will  retain  his  present  holdings 
in  Oregon,  it  was  stated. 


Warners  Replacing  Theatres 
In  New  Jersey  and  Mass. 

A  new  Warner  theatre  is  being  built 
in  Harrison,  N.  J.,  to  replace  the  Lin- 
coln in  nearby  Kearny,  N.  J.,  on  which 
the  Warner  lease  expired  recently  and 
was  not  renewed. 

In  addition,  Warners  is  constructing 
a  new  theatre  at  Newburyport,  Mass., 
to  replace  another  on  which  the  lease 
was  not  renewed  recently.  In  both 
instances,  the  leases  were  not  renewed 
for  strictly  business  reasons  and  the  re- 
placements are  being  undertaken  under 
the  Federal  Court  ruling  in  the  indus- 
try anti-trust  case  permitting  defen- 
dants to  replace  theatres  which  have 
been  relinquished  or  lost  under  speci- 
fied conditions. 


Para.-DuMont 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

the  company's  class  A  ownership  up 
over  42,000. 

Among  other  holders  are  Leo  Spitz, 
16,310  shares  and  Abe  Lastfogel, 
11,885. 

Meanwhile,  it  was  revealed  that  a 
final  decision  in  FCC  proceedings  on 
San  Francisco  television  applications, 
including  those  from  Paramount  and 
20th  Century-Fox,  may  be  snarled  by 
an  action  filed  here  Thursday  by  Ed 
Pauley's  Television  California,  which 
seeks  to  require  the  FCC  to  include 
a  San  Francisco  television  application 
by  Don  Lee  Broadcasting  Co.  in  the 
general  hearings  in  which  Pauley, 
Paramount,  CBS,  Fox,  and  independ- 
ent station  KROW  are  vying  for  two 
open  channels.  This  would  mean  that 
another  channel  would  be  available  in 
the  consolidated  proceedings,  since  one 
has  been  tentatively  set  aside  for 
Don  Lee. 


US  Willing 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

the  Supreme  Court  Paramount  pro- 
ceedings was  emphatic  in  declaring 
that  no  formal  talks  have  been  held 
with  defense  company  attorneys,  and 
no  proposal  of  any  kind  has  as  yet 
been  submitted  to  the  Government. 

"All  they  did  was  ask  me  if  I'd 
talk  a  consent  decree,"  Clark  stated. 
"I  said  yes.  If  they  want  to  talk,  we'd 
be  bull-headed  to  refuse.  But  I'm 
certainly  not  saying  I'd  agree  to  what- 
ever they  submit." 

The  Attorney  General  would  not 
say  who  had  approached  him  on  be- 
half of  the  defendants,  but  one  indus- 
try source  revealed  that  it  was  former 
Secretary  of  State  James  F.  Byrnes, 
now  representing  20th  Century-Fox. 

If  a  proposal  is  submitted,  Clark 
said,  he  will  turn  it  over  to  his  anti- 
trust experts,  including  Robert  L. 
Wright,  for  advice,  then  make  a  de- 
cision on  that  basis. 


Albee  on  Split  Policy 

Cincinnati,  Sept.  7.— The  3,300- 
seat  Albee,  flagship  of  the  local  RKO 
chain,  playing  straight  films,  will  in- 
augurate a  stage  show  and  film  policy 
beginning  Sept.  30. 


Phila.  Prepares  ft 
Youth  Fete  Sept.  I 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  7. — Gael  Si  If 
livan,  executive  director  of  Theat 
Owners  of  America,  and  Lewen  Pizc 
president  of  United  Motion  Pictu 
Theatre  Owners  of  Eastern  Penns>! 
vania,  Southern  New  Jersey  and  Del 
ware,  were  principal  speakers  today 
a  special  meeting  held  at  the  office  i 
Mayor  Bernard  Samuel  to  discu 
ways  and  means  of  promoting  You< 
Month.  Some  100  of  Philadjg}*|ju 
leading  citizens  were  invited  tar  V.i 
the  meeting  of  which  Judge  Noche: 
S.  Winnet  was  general  chairman. 

Today's  session  served  as  a  spring 
board  for  staging  the  Youth  Mont 
celebration  to  be  held  here  on  Sep, 
25.  It  will  start  with  a  mammot 
youth  parade.  Mayor  Samuel  and  h:; 
committee  of  100  will  be  on  hanc 
while  mayors  of  neighboring  cities  an 
theatre  owners  and  managers  fror; 
Eastern  Pennsylvania,  Southern  Ne\ 
Jersey  and  Delaware  will  be  guests. 


5,0  0  0    Parade  Here 
In  'Salute  to  Youth' 

With  Eagle-Lion's  17-year-old  star 
let  Lois  Butler  as  grand  marshal  o 
a  parade  of  some  5,000  children,  thi 
first  New  York  City  "Salute  t< 
Youth"  ceremony  was  held  here  yes: 
terday  morning  at  the  Skouras  Acad 
emy  of  Music  Theatre. 

In  addition  to  a  showing  of  Eagle- 
Lion's  "Mickey,"  which  stars  Mis; 
Butler,  the  children  were  greeted  by 
John  M.  Cannella,  Commissioner  oi 
Water  Supply,  Gas  and  Electricity, 
who  represented  Mayor  O'Dwyer ; 
Lou  Little,  Columbia  University  foot- 
ball coach,  and  Bud  Collyer,  radio's 
"Superman."  Mel  Allen,  sportscast- 
er,  was  master  of  ceremonies. 


Tarwater  Is  Named 
E-L  Atlanta  Chief 

Atlanta,  Sept.  7.— Norman  J.  Cal- 
quhoun,  branch  manager  of  Eagle- 
Lion,  has  resigned  from  the  company, 
and  district  "manager  Grover  Parsons 
has  named  Bob  Tarwater,  former 
Alabama  sales  representative,  to  suc- 
ceed. 


Lewis  with  McCarey 

Hollywood,  Sept.  7.— Sinclair 
Lewis  and  producer-director  Leo  Mc- 
Carey's  Rainbow  Productions  have 
reached  an  agreement  under  which 
the  novelist  will  work  on  a  screen 
story  idea  suggested  by  McCarey,  ac- 
cording to  announcement  by  Earl  Ret- 
tig,  secretary-treasurer  for  Rainbow. 
The  yarn  may  serve  as  the  vehicle 
for  McCarey's  last  for  RKO  Radio 
release. 


PUZZLE-BANK 


Laughs  !  A  Fortune  in 
a   Minute  !     Laughs  ! 

Enterprise  House,  Inc.,  198  Broadway 
New   York   City  DIgby  9-1278 


PROMOTION  STICKERS 

Use  Topflight  cellophane  self-adhesive  tape 
for  your  next  promotion  picture.  Place  in- 
stantly— anywhere — box  office,  lobby,  stores, 
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FRANK   G.   BERGLAS,  Dir. 
Motion  Picture  Div. 

TOPFLIGHT  TAPE  CO. 

YORK,  PENNSYLVANIA 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY 


Reviews 

"Sealed  Verdict" 

(Paramount) 

RAY  MILLAND  shares  the  principal  roles  here  with  an  alluring  newcomer 
to  the  American  screen,  Florence  Marly,  formerly  a  star  in  her  native 
Czechoslovakia.  Her  debut  in  "Sealed  Verdict,"  a  serious  drama  focussing 
on  the  nagging  conscience  of  a  U.  S.  prosecutor  of  Nazi  war  criminals,  is 
suggestive  of  exploitation  possibilities.  However,  it  is  Milland's  picture,  and 
he  handles  with  characteristic  competence  the  role  of  the  prosecutor  in  Ger- 
many of  one  of  Hitler's  lesser  generals,  a  Junker  whose  alleged  atrocities  are 
without  documentary  evidence  but  whose  doom  is  sealed  by  virtue  of  Milland's 
eloquence  as  a  prosecuting  attorney.  After  the  prisoner,  played  with  icy  rigidity 
by  John  Hoyt,  is  sentenced,  Milland's  conscience  awakens  within  him  misgiv- 
ings and  doubts  as  to  whether  the  condemned  general  really  is  guilty. 

Attracted  by  the  beauty  of  the  chief  defense  witness,  an  aristocratic  French 
girl  (Miss  Marley)  who,  meanwhile,  is  wanted  in  France  on  charges  of  col- 
laborating with  the  enemy,  Milland  joins  with  her  in  endeavoring  to  unearth 
evidence  bearing  on  Hoyt's  case.  The  climactic  outcome  carries  an  element 
of  mild  surprise,  but  the  story  leans  from  time  to  time  on  coincidences  and 
implausibilities  and  is  unrelieved  by  humor.  However,  there  is  compensation 
in  the  suspense  generated  in  the  screenplay  by  Jonathan  Latimer,  based  on  a 
novel  by  Lionel  Shapiro,  and  the  overall  effect  is  favorable. 

Supporting  roles  are  well  performed  by  Broderick  Crawford,  John  Ridgely, 
Ludwig  Donath,  Paul  Lees,  Celia  Lovsky,  and  others.  Lewis  Allen's  direction 
is  smooth.  Exterior  scenes  for  this  Robert  Fellows  production  were  filmed  in 
Europe. 

Running  time,  83  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Nov.  S.  Charles  L.  Franke 


"In  This  Corner" 

{Eagle-Lion) 

ANOTHER  excursion  into  the  world  of  pugilism  is  made  in  Eagle-Lion's 
"In  This  Corner."  The  film  is  briskly  paced  and  has  adequate  story  and 
production  values.  Scott  Brady  handles  the  top  assignment  as  a  Navy  veteran 
who  wants  to  become  a  champion  fighter. 

Brady  at  first  is  handicapped  by  a  fear  of  using  his  right  hand  because 
in  the  Navy  he  accidentally  killed  a  man  with  that  hand.  After  he  overcomes 
his  fears,  he  appears  to  be  a  good  boxer.  His  girl,  played  by  Anabel  Shaw, 
doesn't  want  him  to  fight  but  finally  she  becomes  reconciled.  The  young 
fighter  is  sponsored  by  a  crooked  fight  promoter  but  when  Brady  realizes  it 
he  breaks  with  him.  While  working  out  for  his  big  fight,  he  hits  his  opponent 
and  is  afraid  he  has  killed  him.  However,  the  fight  promoter  had  fixed  it  to 
appear  that  way  so  Brady  would  lose  the  fight.  The  girl  discovers  the  situa- 
tion and  in  a  tense  climax  convinces  Brady  that  he  didn't  kill  the  man.  Then 
he  wins. 

This  is  an  Arc  production  which  was  produced  by  David  I.  Stephenson  and 
directed  by  Charles  F.  Riesner.  Burk  Symon  and  Fred  Niblo,  Jr.,  wrote 
the  screenplay. 

Running  time,  63  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Set  for  September 
release.. 


!j  Wednesday,  September  8,  1948 


il  New  York  Grosses 

i  (Continued  from  page  1) 

;  to  finish  its  initial  week  with  $70,000. 

t  The  Paramount,  Roxy  and  State  all 

\  claim  weekend  records. 

,  "Ruthless"  is  fairly  substantial  in  its 
first  week  at  the  Gotham  where  $16,- 
500  is  indicated  for  a  first  week. 
"Larceny"  appears  headed  for  about 
$22,000,  which  meets  requirements  in 
a  first  week  at  the  Winter  Garden. 
"Sofia"  is  big  at  the  Rialto  with  a 
r^l^tively  hefty  $12,000  apparent  for 

j.73~|rst  week, 
f'^econd  week  of  "Rope"  at  the 
Globe  is  likely  to  bring  in  a  huge  $56,- 
000.  "Date  with  Judy"  is  still  doing 
splendidly  at  the  Music  Hall,  where  it 
(is  supported  by  a  stage  show,  and 
where  a  fifth  week's  income  is  likely 
to  hit  $140,000. 

At  the  Criterion,  "Tap  Roots"  is 
faring  well  enough  with  $28,000  seen 
for  a  second  week.  "Two  Guys  from 
Texas"  with  a  give-away  show  on 
stage  should  give  the  Strand  a  healthy 
$42,000  in  a  second  week.  "Velvet 
Touch"  probably  will  take  in  a  mod- 
erate $24,000  in  a  second  week  at  the 
Rivoli.  "Babe  Ruth  Story"  at  the 
Astor  is  fair  at  $19,000  for  a  sixth 
week. 

"Pitfall"  with  Dick  Powell  on  stage 
at  the  Capitol  is  good  in  its  third  and 
final  week,  estimated  at  $67,000,  it  will 
be  followed  by  "Luxury  Liner"  to- 
morrow. "Race  Street"  should  con- 
clude its  third  week  at  the  Mayfair 
with  $17,500,  which  is  good  enough. 


Upstate  Now  Has  28 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  7. — Upstate 
Theatres,  Inc.,  buying-booking  unit 
here,  has  three  new  houses :  William 
Kennedy's  Lyric,  at  Rouses  Point ; 
Lyceum,  at  Champlain  Lake,  and  the 
Chezy.  This  makes  28  theatres  for  the 
group  in  New  York  and  Vermont. 
Leonard  Rosenthal  is  Upstate's  coun- 
sel and  film-buying  adviser. 


Opens  Rural  Theatre 

Huntsville,  Ala.,  Sept.  7. — "Five 
Points,"  a  200-seater,  has  been  opened 
by  Younger  Ellis  at  a  road  junction 
five  miles  from  Hazel  Green  as  an 
experiment  in  the  operation  of  a  strict- 
ly rural  house.  If  the  theatre  proves 
profitable,  he  plans  other  similar 
houses  in  Madison  County. 


Nestler  Buys  Theatre 

Harry  Nestler,  formerly  associated 
with  the  Interboro  Circuit  here,  has 
purchased  the  Florence  Theatre  prop- 
erty in  Florence,  N.  J.,  under  a  deal 
arranged  by  Berk  and  Krumgold,  the- 
atre realtors.  Martin  Fishbein  has 
been  operating  the  Florence  for  the 
past  five  years. 


Improve  GE  Video  Outlet 

Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  7. — 
General  Electric  has  scheduled  a  mo- 
bile video  unit  for  picture  and  voice 
pickups  outside  the  studio,  three  new 
studio  cameras  of  the  Orthicon  type, 
two  new  Kinescope  cameras  for  tele- 
vising films  and  a  complete  new  trans- 
mitter at  the  main  Helderberg  sta- 
tion for  its  video  station  WRGB. 


Navy  Contract  to  DeVry 

Chicago,  Sept.  7.  —  DeVry  Corp. 
here  has  been  awarded  a  $1,000,000 
contract  by  the  U.  S.  Navy  for  16mm. 
projectors  in  what  is  believed  to  be 
the  largest  single  peace-time  order 
ever  placed  for  equipment  of  this  type. 
Another  contract  from  the  U.  S.  Sig- 
nal Corps  is  for  35mm.  projectors. 


May  Pro  due  e  Raw 
Stock  in  Mexico 

Mexico  City,  Sept.  7. — Increased 
financial  stress  resulting  from  the 
monetary  devaluation  which  has  raised 
prices  as  much  as  50  per  cent  for  raw 
stock  and  other  film  materials  and 
equipment  imported,  has  prompted 
leaders  of  the  trade  here  to  urgently 
consider  plans  for  making  raw  stock 
in  Mexico.  Sponsors  of  the  proposi- 
tion contend  it  is  entirely  feasible  be- 
cause Mexico  produces  all  raw  ma- 
terials necessary  for  film  stock. 


'Pearl'  Cited  as  the  Best 

Mexico  City,  Sept.  7. — "The 
Pearl"  has  been  cited  as  the  best  Mex- 
ican picture  of  1947  by  the  Mexican 
Academy  of  Cinematographic  Arts 
and  Sciences.  Emilio  Fernandez  was 
named  best  director  and  Pedro  Ar- 
mendariz  best  male  actor  for  their 
work  in  the  film.  Other  awards  went 
to  Blanca  Estela  Pavon  as  best  act- 
ress ;  Gabriel  Figueroa,  cameraman ; 
Victor  Manuel  Mendoza,  male  sup- 
port ;  Marga  Lopez,  female  support. 


Tenn.  House  Reopens 

Old  Hickory,  Tenn.,  Sept.  7. — The 
Old  Hickory,  acquired  by  the  Crescent 
Amusement  Co.  of  Nashville  from 
E.  I.  du  Pont  de  Nemours,  who  oper- 
ate a  plant  here,  has  been  reopened 
after  complete  renovation. 


N.  Y.  Rabbis  Seek 
Shelving  of  'Twist' 

The  New  York  Board  of  Rabbis  dis- 
closed yesterday  that  in  a  message 
cabled  to  Eric  A.  Johnston,  president 
of  the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America,  it  requested  that  J.  Arthur 
Rank's  "Oliver  Twist"  be  withheld 
from  exhibition  here.  Johnston  now 
is  in  Europe.  It  was  said  that  objec- 
tions to  the  film  were  based  on  an 
article  in  the  press  which  complained 
that  the  Fagin  character  in  the  film 
represented  the  "worst  caricature  of  a 
Jew  ever  to  be  depicted  in  an  English- 
speaking  movie." 

An  executive  of  Eagle-Lion,  dis- 
tributor here,  said  yesterday  that  re- 
lease of  the  film  has  been  temporarily 
deferred. 


Theatre  Attendance 
In  Uruguay  Rises 

Washington,  Sept.  7.  —  Attend- 
ance at  Uruguayan  theatres  is  still  in- 
creasing, but  U.  S.  films  are  getting 
keener  competition  from  French,  Brit- 
ish, Argentine,  Mexican  and  Spanish 
films,  film  chief  Nathan  D.  Golden 
of  the  Commerce  Department  re- 
ports. 

As  of  July  1,  1948,  the  report  also 
says,  there  were  194  theatres  in  the 
country,  with  a  total  seating  capacity 
of  109,635.  Of  these,  92  are  in  Mon- 
tevideo, the  other  102  in  the  interior. 


b 


Two  U.  S.  Films  Get 
Venice  Films  Awards 

Rome,  Sept.  7. — Two  international 
awards  of  the  Venice  Film  Festival 
went  to  the  United  States  for  "The 
Fugitive,"  directed  by  John  Ford,  and 
the  "Louisiana  Story"  of  Robert 
Flaherty.  Grand  prize  winner  of  the 
ninth  International  Exposition  of 
Cinematographic  Art  went  to  J.  Ar- 
thur Rank's  "Hamlet." 

Top  award  for  best  musical  score 
went  to  Max  Steiner  for  "Treasure 
of  the  Sierra  Madre."  Sharing  top 
honors  among  animated  films  were 
Walt  Disney's  "Melody  Time,"  and 
the  French  film  "Little  Soldier." 


Amity  Bid 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Americans  will  be  squeezed  out  step 
by  step.  .  .  ." 

"The  government's  Finance  Corpo- 
ration added  another  source  of  alarm 
and  irritation  for  the  Americans,"  the 
article  continues,  holding  that  under  it 
"British  production  tends  to  be  en- 
couraged even  when  it  is  likely  to  be 
unremunerative."  The  Times  argues, 
however,  that  the  genesis  of  British 
film  legislation  is  "founded  primarily 
on  monopolistic  devices  of  the  Ameri- 
cans themselves  here  after  securing  an 
initial  advantage  largely  due  to  the 
1914  World  War  I  preventing  the 
showing  of  British  films." 

The  newspaper  concedes  the  "neces- 
sity for  unfettered  international  film 
trade,"  but  concludes  that  Motion  Pic- 
ture Association  of  America's  pro- 
posals "don't  point  in  the  desired  di- 
rection any  more  than  those  of  the 
British  government." 

Informed  circles  here  attach  great 
importance  to  the  article,  which  has 
provoked  intense  discussion.  The  hope 
is  expressed  almost  universally  that  it 
will  serve  to  open  the  door  to  further 
Anglo-American  discussion. 


Rank  Tribunal  Bid 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

CEA  committee,  which  appointed  a 
deputation  of  10  to  negotiate  with 
Rank  toward  evolving  a  general  basis 
of  fair  trading  terms.  Meanwhile,  the 
committee  has  recommended  that 
CEA  members  refuse  new  Rank 
terms  until  such  negotiations  end. 

An  informal  meeting  of  independent 
exhibitors  was  summoned  for  tonight, 
meanwhile,  to  weigh  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America  president  Eric 
A.  Johnston's  plan  for  "double  bill 
selling"  in  Britain,  and  their  support 
of  Johnston  is  expected. 


Astor  in  16mm.  Deal 

Worldwide  distribution  rights  to  the 
16mm.  version  of  Sam  Coslow's  "Co- 
pacabana"  have  been  acquired  by 
Jacques  Kopfstein,  executive  vice- 
president  of  Astor  Pictures,  from 
United  Artists,  distributor  of  the 
35mm.  version.  Astor's  release  of  the 
film  will  begin  next  May. 


25-Cent  FP-C  Dividend 

Ottawa,  Sept.  7. — Famous  Players 
Canadian  Corp.  has  declared  a  quar- 
terly dividend  of  25  cents  per  common 
share,  being  at  the  rate  of  $1  per  share 
per  annum,  for  the  quarter  ending 
Sept.  30,  payable  on  Sept.  25,  to  share- 
holders of  record  on  Sept.  10. 


British  List  94  Films 

British  Information  Services  here 
has  published  a  new  catalogue  of  Bri- 
tish official  films,  listing  94  subjects 
and  a  synopsis  of  each. 


There  is 
nothing  wrong 

with  business 
that  a 


n£0 


t0M 


can  t  cure: 


t 


Monterey  Productions  presents 


HOWARD  HAWKS' "RED  RIVER" s^john  wayne- Montgomery  clift-walter  brennan 

JOANNE  DRU  •  With. HARRY  CAREY,  Sr.  •  COLEEN  GRAY  •  JOHN  IRELAND  •  NOAH  BEERY.  Jr.  •  HARRY  CAREY.  Jr.  •  PAUL  FIX  •  From  the  Saturday  Evening  Post  story.  "The 
Chisholm  Trail",  by  BorcTervChase  •  Screenplay  by  Borden  Chase  and  Charles  Schnee  •  Executive  Producer.  CHARLES  K.  FELDMAN  •  DIRECTED  AND  PRODUCED  BY  HOWARD  HAWKS 


On  the  Johnny  Long  Circuit 


Red  River" broke  every  house  record  but  one! 
In  all  the  Griffith  Circuit's  15  Oklahoma 
towns  "Red  River"  smashed  every 
existent  record! 

Out  of  a  totalof  367  premiere 
day-and-day  engagements 
293  house  records  were  smashed 
beyond  belief  by 


HOWARD  HAWKS'  GREAT  PRODUCTION 


ANY  OTHER FORM 

/THEATRE 
ADVERTISING! 


Trailers  draw  31%  of  your  Patrons 
.  .  .  according  to  Woman's  Home 
Companion's  1947  Motion  Picture 
Survey ! 


nfflionnL 


'  SERVICE 

of  me/nousr/tv 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICltg|fc£ 

DAILY 


^£pfej(4.  NO.  49 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  9,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


'Dual  Selling' 
Acclaimed  by 
UK  Exhibitors 


Cite  Johnston  Pledge  of 
Non-Increased  Rentals 

London,  Sept.  8.  —  Independent 
exhibitors,  meeting  here  last  night, 
enthusiastically  acclaimed  the  pro- 
posed "dual  selling"  policy  of  U.  S. 
film  companies  which  was  recently 
announced  by  Eric  A.  Johnston,  pres- 
ident of  the  Motion  Picture  Associa- 
tion of  American.  Speakers  in  varying 
degrees  expressed  gratification  with 
Johnston's  pledge  assuring  them  of 
ample  alternate  programs  with  unin- 
creased  rentals. 

Opinion  also  was  hard  that 
the  new  system  which  will  pre- 
vent combining  an  American 
and  a  British  picture  on  one 
program  will  fully  settle  which 
country's  films  make  the  most 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


SPG  Parent  Union 
Rejects  Taft  Oath 

Membership  of  United  Office  and 
Professional  Workers  of  America 
(CIO),  parent  union  of  the  Screen 
Publicists  Guild  and  the  Screen  Office 
and  Professional  Employes  Guild,  has 
voted  36,297  to  6,055  to  continue  the 
union's  policy  of  not  signing  the  non 
Communist  affidavits  called  for  under 
the  Taft-Hartley  Law.  The  UOPWA 
administrative  committee,  which  an- 
nounced  the   results   yesterday,  said 

(.Continued  on  page  6) 


Johnston  May  Visit 
Stalin,  Says  A.  P. 

Washington,  Sept.  8. — Asso- 
ciated Press  from  London 
quotes  a  "reliable  source"  to 
the  effect  that  Motion  Pic- 
ture Association  of  America 
president  Eric  Johnston  will 
fly  to  Moscow  from  Paris, 
about  Sept.  20,  maybe  to  visit 
Josef  Stalin. 

The  AP  report  links  John- 
ston's trip  with  "rumors" 
from  this  city  that  Johnston 
may  be  offered  a  high  U.  S. 
Government  post  if  Governor 
Dewey  is  elected  President. 

The  MPAA  here  knows 
nothing  about  the  report. 


Ease  Quota  for  Half 
Of  UK  Independents 

London,  Sept.  8.  —  More 
than  one-half  of  Britain's  in- 
dependent theatres  have  been 
granted  exemption  from  the 
45  per  cent  quota  law  which 
becomes  effective  on  Oct.  1, 
the  Board  of  Trade  disclosed 
today.  The  board  said  it  had 
anticipated  a  large  number  of 
independent  exhibitors  would 
not  be  able  to  fulfill  the  new 
quota  requirements. 


DEPINET  ELECTED 
RKO  PRESIDENT 


US  Film  Firms  Avert 
Argentine  Walkout 

Meetings  yesterday  of  American 
film  men  in  New  York  and  Buenos 
Aires,  which  were  linked  by  radio 
telephone,  averted  a  walkout  of  some 
1,000  employes  of  American  companies 
in  Argentina  and  settled  a  strike  which 
was  called  for  today.  Announcement 
of  the  settlement  which  prevented  vir- 
tual paralysis  of  the  American  film  in- 
dustry in  Argentina  was  made  here  by 
John  G.  McCarthy,  associate  manag- 
ing director  of  the  international  divi- 
sion of  the  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America. 

While  foreign  managers  of  member 
companies  of  the  MPAA  were  meeting 
here  in  emergency  session,  their  Ar- 
gentine representatives  were  assem- 
bled, awaiting  word  over  the  telephone 
as  to  how  to  meet  the  situation  cre- 
ated by  the  Argentine  film  union. 

Under  terms  of  the  settlement  Argen- 
tine film  workers  for  American  inter- 
ests will  receive  a  maximum  increase 
of  28  per  cent  while  the  companies 
retain  major  managerial  rights. 


Greece  Allots  Half 
Million  for  Imports 

Washington,  Sept.  8. — The  Greek 
import  control  plan  for  motion  pic- 
tures has  been  extended  to  cover  the 
current  fiscal  year,  with  another  $500,- 
000  allocated  for  U.  S.  film  imports 
between  July  1,  1948  and  June  30, 
1949,  the  U.  S.  Commerce  Depart- 
ment reports. 

As  in  the  previous  fiscal  year,  the 
amount  will  be  divided  into  four  equal 
parts  of  $125,000  each,  with  remit- 
tances permitted  for  printing  costs 
and  shipping  charges  effected  at  the 
time  of  importation  and  with  royalty 
payments  on  a  pro  rata  basis  as 
promptly  after  the  close  of  each  quar- 
ter as  permitted  by  the  checking  of 
distributors'  accounts. 

Features  and  shorts  will  continue  to 
be  imported  only  on  the  basis  of  in- 
dividual licenses  from  the  Ministry  of 
National  Economy. 


U.  S.  Reports  Film 
Progress  in  Italy 

Washington,  Sept.  8. — -Last  year 
was  a  banner  one  for  the  Italian  mo- 
tion picture  industry,  with  both  pro- 
duction and  distribution  activities  mak- 
ing tremendous  strides  back  to  nor- 
mal pre-war  conditions,  according  to 
a  U.  S.  Commerce  Department  report 
by  film  chief  Nathan  D.  Golden. 

The  report  states  that  57  features 
were  made  in  Italian  studios  last  year, 
10  more  than  in  1946,  and  182  short 
subjects  were  turned  out  compared 
with  74  in  1946.  Licenses  to  import 
739  films  were  granted,  close  to  50  per 
cent  above  the  503  importations  in 
1946.  Two-thirds  of  the  imports  came 
from  the  U.  S.,  compared  with  60  per 
cent  in  1946.  France,  England  and 
Russia  followed  the  U.  S. 

Several  U.  S.  film  companies  began 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Expect  Salesmen's 
Pact  Momentarily 


A  union  contract  for  the  newly- 
organized  film  salesmen  of  the  indus- 
try is  expected  to  be  agreed  upon  be 
fore  the  end  of  this  week,  it  was  in 
dicated  here  yesterday  by  a  distributors' 
committee  negotiator.  Representatives 
of  11  distributors  and  the  Colosseum 
of  Motion  Picture  Salesmen  of  Amer 
ica  have  been  meeting  almost  daily  in 
New  York  since  Aug.  30. 

Yesterday  was  one  of  the  few  days 
on  which  negotiations  were  not  pur- 
sued. Both  sides  devoted  the  day  to 
conferences  among  their  own  repre- 
sentatives. 


Re  -  election  in  October 
Held  to  Be  Certain; Other 
Elections   Are  Pending 

Ned  E.  Depinet  yesterday  was 
elected  president  of  Radio-Keith- 
Orpheum  Corp.,  at  a  special  meet- 
ing of  the  company's  board  of  direc- 
March,  1946, 
Depinet  has 
been,  since  the 
latter  date,  vice- 
chairman  of  the 
tors.  He  suc- 
ceeds N.  Peter 
Rathvon,  whose 
resignation  ten- 
dered July  23, 
was  effective 
yesterday. 

President  of 
the  subsidiary 
company,  RKO 
Radio,  from 
June,    1942,  to 
board  and  exec- 
utive vice-president  of  the  parent  com- 
pany. The  latter  two  posts  remain  un- 
filled. 

A  company  statement  carrying  board 

(Continued  on  page  6) 

Signing  of  French 
Film  Pact  Uncertain 


Ned  E.  Depinet 


Griffith  Hearing 
Delayed  to  Nov.  30 

Oklahoma  City,  Sept.  8. — Judge 
Edgar  S.  Vaught  today  again  delayed 
a  hearing  on  the  Supreme  Court  man- 
date in  the  Griffith  anti-trust  case 
by  setting  Nov.  30  as  the  date  for 
further  proceedings.  The  Justice  De- 
partment, which  obtained  a  reversal 
in  the  case  on  appeal  to  the  high 
tribunal,  requested  another  delay  be- 
cause a  new  man  is  taking  over  its 
files  in  the  case.  Supreme  Court 
has  ordered  Vaught  to  revise  his  rul- 
ing and  possibly  force  the  circuit 
to  sell  certain  holdings.  Vaught  had 
held  Griffith  innocent  of  trust  charges 
after  a  1945  trial. 


Washington,  Sept.  8. — Both  in- 
dustry and  Government  officials  now 
expect  that  final  signature  of  the 
French-American  film  pact  will  have 
to  wait  on  a  clarification  of  the 
French  internal  political  situation. 

"We  have  no  late  word  from  Paris, 
and  the  pact  may  have  been  signed  al- 
ready," one  official  said,  "but  it  is  far 
more  likely  that  the  French  are  tied 
up"  with  their  political  crisis. 


Building  in  Canada 
More  Than  Doubles 

Ottawa,  Sept.  8.  —  After 
dropping  steadily,  contracts 
for  the  construction  of  the- 
atres in  Canada  jumped  $530,- 
000  in  July  from  $200,000  in 
June. 

However,  estimates  indicate 
that  such  contracts  slumped 
to  $2,940,000  in  the  first  seven 
months  of  1948,  compared 
with  $5,464,000  in  the  same 
period  last  year. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  September  9,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

WILLIAM  C.  GEHRING,  20th 
Century-Fox   assistant  general 
sales  manager,  and  Clarence  Hill, 
manager   of   branch   operations,  left 
here  yesterday  for  Los  Angeles. 
• 

David  Griesdorf,  general  manager 
of  International  Films,  Ltd.,  Canadian 
distributor  of  Eagle-Lion  Films,  is 
in  town  for  conferences  with  Eagle- 
Lion  executives.  Before  returning 
to  his  Toronto  headquarters  he  will 
go  to  Hollywood. 

• 

Doris  Mishler,  secretary  to  G.  E. 
Blackford  of  the  Warner  home  of- 
fice publicity  department,  and  Jerome 
Black  have  announced  their  engage- 
ment. 

• 

Jimmy  Hobbs,  Monogram's  newly- 
appointed  Atlanta  branch  manager,  is 
in  that  city  following  a  trip  to  Flor- 
ida. 

• 

Sam  Shain,  20th  Century-Fox  ex- 
hibitor  relations   director,   left  New 
York  yesterday  for  Chicago. 
• 

Jack  Sogg,  M-G-M  branch  mana- 
ger  in   Cleveland,   arrived   in  New 
York  yesterday  for  a  few  days'  visit. 
• 

Nate  Blumberg,  president  of  Uni- 
versal, has  arrived  in  New  York  from 
the  Coast. 

B.  G.  Kranze,  Film  Classics  gen- 
eral sales  manager,  left  here  yester- 
day for  Albany  and  Gloversville. 

Larry  Gendron  has  been  named 
student  manager  at  Loew's  Poli  Pal- 
ace in  Hartford. 

Phil  Engel,  New  England  pub- 
licist for  United  Artists,  and  Marion 
Herbert  were  married  recently. 
• 

Jim  Vizzeo  of  the  American  The- 
atre, Bridgeport,  has  become  engaged 
to  Angela  DeFelipa  of  that  city. 

Russell  Downing,  managing  direc- 
tor of  Radio  City  Music  Hall,  is  on 
the  Coast  from  New  York. 

William  F.  Rodgers,  M-G-M  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  is  due  here  to- 
morrow from  the  Coast. 

Joe  Goldberg  of  Popular  Pictures, 
Cincinnati,  has  returned  to  that  city 
from  a  vacation  in  Chicago. 


Dembow  Meetings  in 
Pittsburgh,  Denver 

The  George  Dembow  "Tribute 
Drive,"  in  honor  of  National  Screen 
Service's  vice-president  in  charge  of 
sales,  gets  further  under  way  with  re- 
gional sales  meetings  today  in  Pitts- 
burgh and  Denver,  headed  by  William 
Bein,  Eastern  drive  captain,  and  Ben 
Ashe,  Western  drive  captain,  respec- 
tively. District  and  branch  managers 
and  salesmen  of  each  area  are  to 
attend. 


Will  Apply  Jointly 
For  U.K.  Quota  Aid 

London,  Sept.  8. — General 
Council  of  the  Cinemato- 
graph Exhibitors  Association 
today  instructed  CEA 
branches  to  collate  all  rejec- 
tions of  members'  bids  for  re- 
lief under  the  Quota  Act.  The 
plan  is  to  renew  all  of  the  re- 
jected requests  in  one  joint 
application. 


Clark  at  U.N.  Day 
Meet  for  MPAA 

Washington,  Sept.  8.  — ■  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  in- 
formation chief  Kenneth  Clark  will 
substitute  for  MPAA  president  Johns- 
ton at  a  meeting  tomorrow  of  the 
Citizens  Committee  for  United  Na- 
tions Day.  Johnston  is  chairman  of 
the  UN  Day  motion  picture  sub-com- 
mittee. The  group  is  slated  to  meet 
with  Secretary  of  State  Marshall  and 
President  Truman,  and  lay  plans  for 
observance  of  the  event,  to  be  held 
on  Oct.  24. 


Films   a   Part  of 
U.N.  Day  Oct.  24 

Washington,  Sept.  8. — Eric  John- 
ston, president  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America,  is  chairman 
of  the  subcommittee  on  motion  pictures 
for  the  nationwide  observance  of 
United  Nations  Day,  Oct.  24. 

A  compilation  by  the  association's 
educational  services  department,  head- 
ed by  Roger  Albright,  shows  that  at 
least  21  short  subjects  dealing  with 
the  United  Nations  are  available  for 
use  in  schools.  These  films  are  dis- 
tributed through  several  sources,  in- 
cluding Teaching  Films  Custodians, 
non-profit  affiliate  of  the  MPAA. 

Observance  of  United  Nations  Day 
will  be  stimulated  through  the  show- 
ing of  these  and  other  special  motion 
pictures  in  schools  and  before  educa- 
tional groups. 


U.  S.  Reports 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


production  in  Italy,  the  report  points 
out.  It  says  U.  S.  firms  have  turned 
to  Italy  because  of  a  more  favorable 
film  agreement  permitting  the  use  of 
blocked  lira  for  production  there  and 
the  retention  by  the  companies  of  a 
large  part  of  the  proceeds  from  the 
sale  of  films  abroad. 


FP-C  to  Meet  in  Oct. 

Toronto,  Sept.  8.  —  Famous  Play- 
ers Canadian  Corp.  will  hold  its  an- 
nual convention  in  October  at  the 
General  Brock  Hotel  at  Niagara 
Falls,  Ont.,  where  executives,  part- 
ners and  company  field  representatives 
will  deal  with  plans  and  policies  af- 
fecting the  current  season's  opera- 
tions. 


De  Silva  to  Monogram 

Randolph  A.  de  Silva  has  been  ap- 
pointed Trinidad  representative  for 
Monogram  by  Norton  V.  Ritchey, 
president  of  Monogram  International. 
De  Silva  was  until  recently  Trinidad 
representative   of   United  Artists. 


Narrow-gauge  Boom 
In  the  Philippines 


The  16mm.  industry  is  enjoying 
great  popularity  in  the  Philippines 
with  some  240  16mm.  theatres  receiv- 
ing product  from  seven  U.  S.  com- 
panies, Bert  W.  Palmertz,  RKO  Ra- 
dio manager  in  Manila,  asserted  here 
yesterday.  There  are  about  350  houses 
showing  35mm.  product,  he  said. 

Major  American  companies  send 
from  30  to  36  pictures  each  annually 
into  the  islands,  he  declared,  pointing 
out  that  the  sales  problem  is  made 
easier  by  the  fact  that  nearly  everyone 
in  the  country  speaks  some  English. 
He  said  that  about  half  of  the  18,000,- 
000  population  are  regular  filmgoers. 
Palmertz  revealed  that  the  country 
produces  about  35  native  pictures  a 
year,  with  virtually  all  the  rest  of  the 
film  imports  coming  from  the  U.  S. 

It  was  observed  by  Palmertz  that 
the  Philippines  has  no  restrictions  on 
remittances. 

One  of  the  industry  problems,  he 
said,  is  the  shortage  of  materials  nec- 
essary for  construction.  Business  is 
off  35  per  cent  from  the  boom  year 
of  1946,  but  "business  still  is  above 
normal."  Films  liked  best  there,  he 
said,  are  action  types  and  color  musi- 
cals. 

This  is  the  first  trip  here  for  Pal- 
mertz. He  leaves  for  the  Coast  Sunday. 


'Dual  Selling' 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


money.  It  was  decided,  too,  that 
the  measure  will  demonstrate 
the  impracticability  of  Britain's 
45  per  cent  exhibition  quota. 

The  meeting  also  decided  to  main- 
tain the  machinery  with  which  the 
independents  are  summoned  whenever 
a  discussion  of  the  problems  is  de- 
sirable prior  to  meetings  of  the  Gen- 
eral Council  of  the  Cinematograph  Ex- 
hibitors Association,  which  has,  of 
course,  large  circuit  representation. 

The  General  Council  today  fully  ap- 
proved the  recommendations  of  a  gen- 
eral purposes  committee  of  the  CEA 
in  dealings  with  J.  Arthur  Rank.  The 
group  had  suggested  negotiations  with 
Rank  of  a  general  basis  of  fair  trading 
terms  and  the  refusal  of  Rank's  terms 
until  the  negotiations  end. 


Michael  J.  Casey,  53 

Hartford,  Sept.  8. — Michael  J. 
Casey,  53,  stage  manager  of  the  Para- 
mount Theatre  at  Springfield,  and 
cousin  of  Pat  Casey,  former  head  of 
the  film  industry's  labor  relations 
board,  has  passed  away.  For  many 
years,  he  was  business  agent  of  Local 
No.  53,  IATSE,  Springfield.  His 
mother,  a  brother  and  a  sister  also 
survive. 


Benjamin  Fain,  53 

Cleveland,  Sept.  8.- — Benjamin 
Fain,  53,  partner  with  Charles  Gott- 
lob  since  1933  in  the  operation  of  a 
group  of  neighborhood  theatres  here, 
died  at  his  home  last  Sunday  follow- 
ing a  heart  attack.  Funeral  services 
were  held  on  Monday.  The  widow, 
Rose  and  three  daughters  survive. 


AFM,  Independents 
MeetAgainTomorrow 

Hollywood,  Sept.  8. — Independent 
producers  and  American  Federation  of 
Musicians  representatives,  negotiating 
a  new  contract  covering  studio  musi- 
cians, will  reconvene  again  Friday  af- 
ter a  short  session  today.  It  is  under- 
stood that  the  producers,  who  have 
been  seeking  nullification  or  modifica- 
tion of  the  contract  provision  requir- 
ing them  to  maintain  a  contract 
orchestra-  whether  it  is  used  ot^^, 
supplied  figures  purportedly  shfiv 
the  hardship  worked  by  this  require- 
ment during  the  past  year. 

It  is  believed  the  AFM  negotiators 
will  study  these  statistics  during  the 
adjournment. 


Charged  with  B.  &  K. 
Ticket  Swindle  Plot 

Chicago,  Sept.  8.— Investigation  of 
an  alleged  ticket  resale  swindle  plot 
at  the  Loop  B.  and  K.  State  Lake 
Theatre  brought  about  the  arrest  to- 
day of  Leo  Guy  Kosta,  27,  assistant 
manager,  who  was  charged  with  the 
embezzlement  of  $5,000.  B.  and  K. 
officials  said,  however,  that  pre- 
liminary investigation  indicated  the 
amount  involved  was  $30,000  and 
might  even  reach  $100,000.  Kept  in- 
tact, the  tickets  apparently  were  re- 
turned to  the  cashier's  cage  and  re- 
sold from  a  roll  under  the  cashier's 
counter,  according  to  a  B.  and  K. 
spokesman.  Kosta  was  arrested  while 
on  a  vacation  in  Asheville,  N.  C,  at 
the  request  of  Chicago  police. 


Named  to  Censor  Board 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  8. — Beatrice  B. 
Miller  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Duff  today  to  the  $4,500  post  of  secre- 
tary of  the  State  Board  of  Censors. 
She  succeeds  Mrs.  Lucy  H.  Love  who 
resigned  a  year  ago ;  the  post  has  been 
vacant  since. 


Sanders  Slates  Drive-In 

Louisville,  Sept.  8.  —  Paul  Sand- 
ers, head  of  Sanders  Theatres,  Camp- 
belisville,  Ky.,  has  announced  plans 
for  the  construction  of  a  400-car 
drive-in  theatre  just  outside  of  Camp- 
bellsville.  The  theatre  will  not  be 
ready  for  opening  before  next  season. 


Lease  Two  Houses 

Hartford,  Sept.  8.  —  Community 
Amusement  Corp.,  here  has  acquired 
from  Daly  Theatre  Corp.,  a  10-year 
lease  for  the  1,200-seat  Daly  Theatre 
in  Hartford,  and  the  700-seat  Plain- 
field  Theatre  in  Plainfield,  Conn. 


Warnerites  To  Golf 

The  Warner  Club  here  will  hold 
its  annual  golf  tournament,  the  first 
since  the  war,  on  Friday,  Sept.  17, 
at  the  Vernon  Hills  Country  Club, 
Tuckahoe,  N.  Y. 


Mrs.  George  Hughes 

Washington,  Sept.  8.  —  Mrs. 
George  Hughes,  96-year-old  mother- 
in-law  of  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America  president  Eric  Johnston, 
died  this  morning  in  her  home  in 
Spokane  after  a  long  illness,  it  was 
learned  here.  Funeral  services  will  be 
held  tomorrow  in  Spokane. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald';  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


WARNER  BROS'. 


TRADE  SHOWINGS  OF 


"SMART  GIRLS  DON'T  TALK 


11 


starring 
VIRGINIA 


BRUCE 


ROBERT 


-  BENNETT  HUTTON 

with  TOM  D'ANDREA  •  RICHARD  ROBER 
Directed  by  RICHARD  BARE  •  Produced  by  SAUL  ELKINS 


WRITTEN  BY  WILLIAM  SACKHEIM 


MONDAY,  SEPT.  13th,  1948 


CITY 

PLACE  OF  SHOWING 

ADDRESS 

TIME 

Albany 

Warner  Screening  Room 

79  N.  Pearl  St. 

12:30  P.M. 

Atlanta 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

197  Walton  St.  N.W. 

2:30  P.M. 

Boston 

RKO  Screening  Room 

122  Arlington  St. 

2:30  P.M. 

Buffalo 

Paramount  Sc.  Room 

464  Franklin  Street 

2:00  P.M. 

Charlotte 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

308  S.  Church  St. 

10:00  A.M. 

Chicago 

Warner  Screening  Room 

1307  So.  Wabash  Ave. 

1:30  P.M. 

Cincinnati 

RKO  Screening  Room 

Palace  Th.  Bldg.  E.  6th 

8:00  P.M. 

Cleveland 

Warner  Screening  Room 

2300  Payne  Ave. 

2:00  P.M. 

Dallas 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

1803  Wood  St. 

2:00  P.M. 

Denver 

Paramount  Sc.  Room 

2100  Stout  St. 

2:00  P.M. 

Des  Moines 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

1300  High  St. 

12:45  P.M. 

Detroit 

Film  Exchange  Bldg. 

2310  Cass  Ave. 

2:00  P.M. 

Indianapolis 

Universal  Sc.  Room 

517  No.  Illinois  St. 

1:00  P.M. 

Kansas  City 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

1720  Wyandotte  St. 

1:30  P.M. 

Los  Angeles 

Warner  Screening  Room 

2025  S.  Vermont  Ave. 

2:00  P.M. 

Memphis 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

151  Vance  Ave. 

10:00  A.M. 

Milwaukee 

Warner  Th.  Sc.  Rm. 

212  W.  Wisconsin  Ave. 

2:00  P.M. 

Minneapolis 

Warner  Screening  Room 

1000  Currie  Ave. 

2:00  P.M. 

New  Haven 

Warner  Th.  Proj.  Rm. 

70  College  St. 

2:00  P.M. 

New  Orleans 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

200  S.  Liberty  St. 

1:30  P.M. 

New  York 

Home  Office 

321  W.  44th  St. 

2:30  P.M. 

Oklahoma 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

10  North  Lee  St. 

1:30  P.M. 

Omaha 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

1502  Davenport  St. 

1:00  P.M. 

Philadelphia 

Warner  Screening  Room 

230  No.  13th  St. 

2:30  P.M. 

Pittsburgh 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

1715  Blvd.  of  Allies 

1:30  P.M. 

Portland 

Jewel  Box  Sc.  Room 

1947  N.W.  Kearney  St. 

2:00  P.M. 

Salt  Lake 

20th  Century-Fox  Sc.  Rm. 

216  East  1st  South 

2:00  P.M. 

San  Francisco 

Paramount  Sc.  Room 

205  Golden  Gate  Ave. 

1:30  P.M. 

Seattle 

Jewel  Box  Sc.  Room 

2318  Second  Ave. 

10:30  A.M. 

St.  Louis 

S'renco  Sc.  Room 

3143  Olive  St. 

1 :00  P.M. 

Washington 

Warner  Th.  Bldg. 

13th  &  E  Sts.  N.W. 

10:30  A.M. 

This  line  was 

T 


BUST 


all  day  long  with  more  people— 


19,000  of  'em— than  have  attended  any  N.  Y.  Paramount 
Theatre  opening  since  the  New  Year's  Eve  Premiere  of 
"Star  Spangled  Rhythm"  'way  back  in  1942  ... 


BUSIER 


than  the  lines 


that  made  history  with  "Welcome  Stranger,"  "Road  to  Rio," 
outgrossing  all  Paramount  hits  since  July,  1946  . . . 


of  any  opening  in  the  past  26  months,  with  one  of 
the  N.  Y.  Paramount's  6  Top  Grossers  of  All  Time  that's 
ready  to  put  you  right  back  in  War-Boom 


0» 


INAHURHY-CALL 


TZ1 


"One  of  the  most  gripping  pictures  of  the 

year."  — Life  Magazine 

•  •  • 

"Paramount  audiences  will  be  a  fascinated  and 
aghast  crowd.  The  customers  will  avoid  dark 
streets  on  the  way  home.  It  belongs  among  the 
very  best  of  the  season's  thrillers.  The  excite- 
ment mounts  to  a  frenzy." 

— Alton  Cook,  JJ'orld-Telegram 

•  •  • 

"A  film  for  moviegoers  with  stout  nerves. 
Does  superbly  what  it  sets  out  to  do — to 
scare  an  audience  into  shivers.  Suspense 
mounts  to  an  almost  unbearable  pitch  .  .  . 
leaves  the  spectator  shaken." 

— Eileen  Creelman,  The  Sun 

•  •  • 

"The  Paramount's  cooling  system  is  getting 
stiff  competition  from  this  chiller  ...  a  horror 
film  of  the  hair-raising,  spine-tingling,  finger- 
nail-chewing variety.  This  one  you  won't  soon 
forget.  Top  honors  go  to  Miss  Stanwyck." 

— Rose  Pelszvick,  Journal-American 

•  •  • 

"Radio's  murder  classic  .  .  .  rendered  more 
graphic  by  visual  excellence.  A  leader  and  a 
very  glossy  piece  of  entertainment.  Even  in 
'Double  Indemnity'  Stanwyck  was  not  called 
upon  for  comparable  emotional  fireworks." 

— Archer  Winsten,  Post 

•  •  • 

"An  outstanding  blood-curdler,  a  socko  thriller. 
Stanwyck  turns  in  a  memorable  performance. 
Expert  direction  by  Anatole  Litvak." 

— Lee  Mortimer,  Mirror 

•  •  • 

"Tapestry  of  terror  .  .  .  calculated  to  scare  the 
wits  out  of  the  spectator.  The  celebrated  radio 
thriller  .  .  .  builds  to  staccato  and  brutal 
climax.  No  compromises  have  been  made." 

— Howard  Barnes,  Herald  Tribune 

•  •  • 

"Will  have  Paramount  patrons  sitting  on  the 
edges  of  their  seats.  Wallis  made  an  excellent 
choice  in  Stanwyck  for  the  role  of  the  woman 
who  knows  she  is  about  to  be  murdered  and 
can't  do  anything  about  it." 

— Kate  Cameron,  Daily  News' 

•  •  • 

"A  humdinger  of  a  picture  ...  a  whizbang  of 
a  chiller.  You'll  find  yourself  gripping  the  arms 
of  your  seat,  your  teeth  set  on  edge,  with 
goose  pimples  playing  tag  up  and  down  your 
spine."      — Leo  Mishkin,  Morning  Telegraph 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Review 


"Apartment  for  Peggy" 

(20th  Century-Fox) 

GEORGE  SEATON'S  screenplay,  which  he  has  also  directed,  recites  the 
trials  and  hopes  of  Jeanne  Crain,  as  a  young  expectant  mother,  and  her 
husband,  William  Holden,  pursuing  an  education  on  a  G.I.  scholarship.  It 
has  a  lot  of  substance,  some  tear-jerking  sequences  and,  done  in  Technicolor, 
it  should  have  wide  appeal,  particularly  for  women  patrons. 

The  young  couple's  first  problem  is  the  housing  situation  on  a  Northern 
university  campus.  Miss  Crain  solves  that  by  talking  Edmund  Gwenn,  as  a 
retired  professor,  out  of  the  attic  of  his  home,  which  she  promptly  converts 
into  living  quarters.  Gwenn,  feeling  himself  useless  in  his  declining  years, 
had  contemplated  suicide.  The  zestful  young  couple  in  his  home  gives  him 
renewed  interest  in  life. 

Holden,  pinched  for  money,  is  tempted  to  abandon  his  studies.  The  delayed 
arrival  of  his  allotment  check  forces  his  wife  to  do  without  medicine  and, 
subsequently,  their  baby  is  born  dead.  He  leaves  the  university  and  gets  a  job 
selling  used  cars  despite  Miss  Crain's  protests.  Gwenn  attempts  to  talk  Holden 
into  resuming  his  studies  but,  feeling  that  he  has  failed  to  persuade  the  younger 
man  and  soon  will  lose  the  company  of  Miss  Crain,  Gwenn  attempts  the 
suicide  he  had  contemplated.  Holden  returns  to  the  university,  is  reconciled 
with  Miss  Crain  and  Gwenn  learns  he  has  taken  an  overdose  of  harmless 
medicine  rather  than  of  sleeping  pills. 

There  is  a  breezy  quality  to  much  of  the  incidental  story  material  and  to 
Miss  Crain's  playing  of  a  garrulous  young  extrovert  that  provides  sound 
amusement  as  interludes  for  the  film's  more  serious  content  and  the  drabness 
of  the  young  couple's  existence.  There  are  also  serious  discussions  of  the 
younger  generation,  of  philosophy,  class-room  brand,  of  improving  civiliza- 
tion, of  suicide  and  the  sorry  lot  of  a  teacher.  Much  of  it  tends  to  retard 
the  action  and  not  all  of  it  is  certain  to  interest  the  customers. 

Moreover,  there  is  an  outspokenness  about  pregnancy  and  its  physical  mani- 
festations that  may  impair  the  acceptability  of  the  picture  as  family  enter- 
tainment to  some. 

William  Perlberg  produced.  The  screenplay  is  based  on  a  story  by  Faith 
Baldwin.  Performances  of  the  principals  are  competent  and  there  is  an 
excellent  supporting  cast.  Direction  is  good. 

Running  time,  96  minutes.  Adult  classification.  For  October  release. 

Sherwin  Kane 


Depinet 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

chairman  Floyd  B.  Odium's  announce- 
ment of  Depinet's  election  said : 

"Inasmuch  as  Mr.  Depinet 
was  the  choice  for  RKO  presi- 
dent of  all  parties  concerned,  it 
naturally  follows  that  he  will 
be  re-elected  president  follow- 
ing the  stockholders  meeting  to 
be  held  soon." 

The  stockholders'  meeting  is  tenta- 
tively scheduled  for  Oct.  18. 

Odium  Resignation  Deferred 

Odium's  reported  resignation  as 
board  chairman  failed  to  materialize 
yesterday.  It  is  expected  that  he  will 
continue  at  least  until  the  October 
board  meeting.  Following  yesterday's 
meeting,  which  took  place  at  the  down- 
town offices  here  of  Odium's  Atlas 
Corp.,  a  spokesman  for  Odium  denied 
emphatically  reports  that  Odium  and 
Rathvon  plan  to  form  an  independent 
production  company.  The  spokesman 
did  indicate,  however,  that  Odium  may 
interest  himself  financially  in  future 
production  of  individual  pictures,  but 
he  declined  to  elaborate  in  that  regard. 

Depinet's  election  to  the  RKO  presi- 
dency came  on  the  eve  of  his  58th 
birthday,  which  is  today.  He  has  had 
a  long  career  as  an  industry  executive. 
After  having  served  earlier  as  a  book- 
er and  film  salesman,  he  joined  Uni- 
versal in  1911  as  Southern  division 
manager.  Later  he  was  appointed  one 
of  three  sales  directors  at  the  Univer- 
sal home  office.  In  1926,  he  became 
a  member  of  the  sales  cabinet  and 
manager  of  the  Southern  territory  of 
the  old  First  National  Pictures,  later 
becoming  general  sales  manager. 

Joined  on  RKO-Pathe  Merger 

With  the  merger  of  Pathe  and  RKO, 
Depinet  joined  the  company  and  was 
elected  to  the  board  of  directors  of 
RKO  Radio  and  RKO  Pathe  in  1932. 
He  was  elected  president  of  RKO 
Distributing  Corp.  in  1934,  vice-presi- 
dent of  RKO  Radio  and  president  of 
Pathe  News,  Inc.,  in  1937.  In  1940 
he  was  named  vice-president  and  a 
director  of  RKO,  and  in  June,  1942, 
was  elected  president  of  RKO  Radio. 
In  1946  he  became  vice-chairman  of 
the  board  and  executive  vice-president 
of  RKO. 


Rejects  Taft  Oath 

(Continued  fropi  page  1) 


the  nationwide  referendum  was  by 
secret  ballot. 

Both  SPG  and  SOPEG  have,  in  re- 
cent votes  of  their  own,  reaffirmed 
their  policies  of  not  signing  the  affi- 
davits. Refusal  to  sign  the  affidavits 
means  the  union  is  not  able  to  take 
advantage  of  National  Labor  Relations 
Board  services  in  jurisdictional  dis- 
putes. SOPEG  has  already  faced  that 
obstacle  in  its  current  jurisdictional 
dispute  with  IATSE  at  United  Artists 
home  office  here,  and  the  company  has 
refused  to  negotiate  with  SOPEG  be- 
cause it  has  not  signed  the  affidavits. 


Set  'Joan'  'Spectacular' 

A  $60,000  spectacular  sign  for 
RKO  Radio's  "Joan  of  Arc"  will  be 
completed  at  Broadway  and  43rd 
Street  here  on  Sept.  IS.  The  location 
rental  cost  is  reported  to  be  $4,000  a 
month,  and  it  will  be  operated  for  at 
least  one  year.  Foote,  Cone  and  Beld- 
ing  supervised  construction  for  Sierra 
Pictures,  Inc. 


Wolf  Stresses  Local 
'Reach'  of  Industry 

Hartford,  Sept.  8. — Pointing  up 
the  extent  to  which  the  motion  picture 
industry  reaches  into  the  community 
as  a  business,  Maurice  N.  Wolf, 
M-G-M  public  relations  assistant, 
told  the  Hartford  Kiwanis  Club  that 
some  80  per  cent  of  the  206,000  per- 
sons employed  in  the  industry  is  lo- 
cated in  exhibition  in  the  field  and  that 
91  per  cent  of  the  total  industry  capi- 
talization of  nearly  $3,000,000,000  is 
outside  of  Hollywood  and  in  Ameri- 
can communities. 


Memphis  Hearing  on 
(Curleyf  Sept.  28 

Memphis,  Sept.  8.  —  United  Art- 
ists and  Hal  Roach  will  press  their 
fight  to  lift  the  Memphis  Board  of 
Censors'  ban  on  "Curley"  at  a  hear- 
ing here  on  Sept.  28  before  Chan- 
cellor Lawrence  Creson.  UA,  as  the 
distributor,  and  Roach,  producer,  will 
seek  to  have  the  court  review  the 
board's  action,  while  the  board,  in 
turn,  will  seek  to  quash  their  petition. 


Terry  in  Video  Post 

Cincinnati,  Sept.  8. — Marshall  M. 
Terry  has  been  named  vice-president 
of  the  Crosley  Broadcasting  Co.  in 
charge  of  television  activities.  For- 
merly WLW  vice-president  in  charge 
of  promotion,  he  will  have  supervision 
over  WLWT  here;  WLWD,  Dayton; 
WLWC,  Columbus. 


Wood  To  Film  in  Italy 

Hollywood,  Sept.  8. — Sam  Wood, 
accompanied  by  his  production  staff, 
will  leave  in  mid-November  for  Rome 
to  begin  selection  of  location  sites 
and  other  preliminaries  for  the  filming 
in  Italy  of  "Quo  Vadis,"  Arthur 
Hornblow,  Jr.,  production  which 
Wood  will  direct  next  for  M-G-M. 


Film  Express  Rates 
May  Be  Increased 

Washington,  Sept.  8. — The  Rail- 
way Express  Agency  has  asked  the 
Interstate  Commerce  Commission  to 
approve  a  new  single  nationwide  ex- 
press scale  which  would  cost  East- 
ern and  Southern  shippers  from  11 
cents  to  99  cents  per  100  pounds  more 
than  they  are  now  paying.  Film  dis- 
tributors and  theatre  accessory  deal- 
ers are  among  the  largest  customers 
of  Railway  Express. 

The  new  nationwide  scale  takes  the 
rates  now  in  effect  West  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi and  applies  them  to  the  South 
and  East  as  well.  Rates  in  these  two 
areas  are  11  to  99  cents  below  West- 
ern rates,  depending  on  the  length  of 
the  haul. 

Miss.  Gets  Theatre 
Equipped  for  Video 

New  Albany,  Miss.,  Sept,  8. — 
Formal  opening  of  "The  Magnolia," 
with  facilities  for  television,  and  de- 
scribed as  one  of  the  "most  complete- 
ly modern  theatres  in  all  Mississippi," 
is  scheduled  for  tomorrow  night. 
David  Flexer,  president  of  Flexer 
Theatres,  Inc.,  which  will  operate  the 
house,  said  the  house  will  probably  be 
one  of  the  first  theatres  in  the  South 
to  offer  regular  television  service. 


Rhoden  Optimistic 

Kansas  City,  Sept.  8. — Optimism 
for  fall  business  was  expressed  by 
Elmer  C.  Rhoden,  president  of  Fox 
Midwest,  at  the  two-day  convention  of 
Fox  Midwest  which  opened  here  to- 
day. Rhoden's  report  was  based  on 
his  recent  survey  of  his  territory. 


Kane  Gets  Lawson  House 

Seattle,  Sept.  8. — J.  R.  Kane  has 
taken  over  the  ownership  of  the  Capi- 
tol Theatre  in  Tacoma  formerly  oper- 
ated by  Helen  Lawson. 


Dn  Fl*-£  Copy 

MOTION  PI^TITRE 

DAILY 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  10,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 

V— ^  64.  NO.  50 

20th-Fox  to 
Make  30  for 
New  Season 


Zanuck  Pledges  Quality 
Will  Be  Safeguarded 

Hollywood,  Sept.  9. — The  20th 
Century-Fox  production  schedule 
for  the  1948-'49  season  will  com- 
prise 30  features,  Darryl  F.  Zanuck, 
vice-president  in  charge  of  production, 
announced  last  night  on  his  return 
here  from  a  European  trip. 

Six  of  the  30  features  will  be  made 
abroad,  24  here,  Zanuck  said.  The 
number  includes  only  the  company's 
own  productions  and  is  exclusive  of 
films  to  be  made  for  20th- Fox  release 
by  Sol  Wurtzel,  Frank  Seltzer  and 
other  independent  producers.  An- 
nouncement concerning  the  latter  pro- 
ductions is  expected  to  be  made  at 
the  company's  sales  convention  here 
next  week. 

In  making  his  announcement,  Zan- 
uck said :  "Never  before  in  its  history 
has  Hollywood's  talents,  all  down  the 
line,  faced  so  grave  a  challenge  to 

{Continued  on  page  3) 

20th's  Global  Plans 
Outlined  Next  Week 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  is  formu- 
lating what  it  describes  as  new  and 
important  global  production  plans  to 
strengthen  its  position  with  respect  to 
blocked  funds  abroad,  with  worldwide 
distribution  in  mind.  The  program, 
first  touched  upon  by  Spyros  P. 
Skouras,  20th's  president,  at  the  com- 
pany's Canadian  sales  convention  last 
July,  will  be  detailed  at  the  company's 
first  national  sales  convention  in  seven 
years,  to  be  held  at  National  Theatres' 
Los  Angeles  headquarters  on  Sept. 
14-17. 

Customary  formal  convention  ad- 
dresses to  delegates  by  company  home 

{Continued  on  page  3) 

E-L,  Para.  Get  Trust 
Suit  Time  Extension 

Federal  Judge  Simon  H.  Riskind 
yesterday  granted  Eagle-Lion  and 
Paramount  until  Sept.  24  for  filing 
answers  in  U.  S.  District  Court  here 
to  charges  of  anti-trust  law  violation 
brought  by  Prudential  Theatres  and 
the  Playhouse  of  New  Caanan,  Conn. 

Similar  time  extension  already  has 
been  granted  other  defendants,  namely, 
United  Artists,  Universal,  Columbia, 
Monogram  and  New  England  Thea- 
tres. 


Ascap  to  Ask  for  a 
30-Day  Deferment 


American  Society  of  Composers, 
Authors  and  Publishers  is  expected  to 
ask  for  a  30-day  postponement  for  the 
filing  of  a  proposed  decree  in  the  anti- 
trust case  decided  against  it  in  New 
York  Federal  Court.  Both  Ascap  and 
the  plaintiffs,  the  latter  being  mem- 
bers of  the  Independent  Theatre  Own- 
ers Association,  are  supposed  to  sub- 
mit to  the  court  a  proposed  order  giv- 
ing effect  to  the  court's  decision  of 
July  20  within  60  days  of  that  date, 
or  by  Sept.  20.  Ascap's  special  coun- 
sel, Robert  P.  Patterson,  returned 
from'  a  vacation  this  week  and  will 
petition  the  court  for  the  postponement 
on  the  grounds  that  he  has  had  insuffi- 
cient time  to  work  on  the  case. 


Thomas  All  Set  for 
Hollywood  Probe 


Washington,  Sept.  9. — House  Un- 
American  Activities  Committee 
Chairman  Thomas  admitted  today  his 
group  is  running  "behind  schedule"  in 
the  series  of  hearings  planned  for  this 
month  and  next  month,  but  still  prom- 
ised that  resumption  of  the  Hollywood 
hearings  would  come  during  the  cur- 
rent series,  probably  early  next  month. 

A  subcommittee  headed  by  Thomas 
is  holding  closed  hearings  this  week 
to  prepare  for  the  open  hearings  later 
in  the  month,  but  Thomas  said  none 
of  the  closed  sessions  would  touch  on 
Hollywood.  "Our  case  there  is  all 
ready,"  he  declared. 


The  nation's  showmen  have  selected 
Jane  Powell  the  No.  1  "Star  of  To- 
morrow" in  Motion  Picture  Herald's 
eighth  annual  poll  of  exhibitor  opinion 
on  those  players  who  are  most  likely 
to  ascend  to  stellar  heights  on  the  mo- 
tion picture  screen. 

Rounding  out  the  top  10,  besides 
Miss  Powell,  in  a  combined  vote  of 
both  circuit  and  independent  operators, 
are :  Cyd  Charisse,  Ann  Blyth,  Celeste 
Holm,  Robert  Ryan,  Angela  Lans- 
bury,  Jean  Peters,  Mona  Freeman, 
Eleanor  Parker  and  Doris  Day. 

The  "Stars-of-Tomorrow"  poll,  es- 
tablished in  1941,  is  Motion  Picture 
Herald's  mid-year  companion  canvass 
to  its  15-year-old  "Money-Making 
Stars"  poll,  the  trade's  oldest  and  uni- 
versally accepted  yardstick  of  talent 
values.  Both  polls  are  conducted  by 
mail  ballot  and  reflect  the  findings  of 
theatre  operators  in  direct  and  con- 


Prefer  New  Date 
For  U.  S.  Hearing 

Postponement  for  at  least  a 
day  of  the  New  York  Federal 
Court  hearing  in  the  industry 
anti-trust  suit,  now  scheduled 
for  Oct.  13,  is  hoped  for  by  a 
number  of  attorneys  in  the 
case  who  will  observe  the 
Jewish  holy  day,  Yom  Kippur, 
which  falls  on  that  date. 

A  lengthier  postponement 
is  hoped  for  by  other  defense 
attorneys  who  are  scheduled 
to  be  engaged  in  trial  of  the 
Dipson  anti-trust  suit  in  Buf- 
falo Federal  Court  on  Oct.  13. 
No  formal  application  for 
postponement  of  the  New 
York  hearing  has  been  made. 


Crime  Film  Protests 
Increase  in  Ontario 


Toronto,  Sept.  9. — Growing  com- 
plaints against  films  with  crime  and 
sex  themes  are  being  received  by  ex- 
hibitors from  patrons  in  the  smaller 
towns  of  Ontario,  it  is  reported.  Films 
protested  against  are  generally  those 
put  in  the  "adult"  category  by  the 
Ontario  Censor  board,  it  was  said. 

The  Ontario  Motion  Picture  Thea- 
tres Association  has  reported  that 
rural  exhibitors  are  feeling  the  effects 
of  the  protests  at  the  box-office.  The 
association  has  asked  for  more  infor- 
mation regarding  the  increasing  resis- 
tance in  rural  centers  with  a  view  to 
placing  the  situation  before  distributors. 


stant  touch  with  the  public  that  speaks 
its  mind  in  unmistakable  dollar  lan- 
guage^ 

"This  year  the  poll  installs  the  gen- 
tler sex  in  nine  of  its  top  10  place- 
ments, and  names  as  its  sole  selection 
from  the  sterner  division  Robert 
Ryan,"  the  Herald  report  points  out, 
adding :  "This  apportionment  of  hon- 
ors denotes  a  unique  and  probably 
very  important  characteristic  of  taste 
and  preference  in  this  third  year  of 
peace,  but  precisely  what  that  charac- 
teristic is  remains  a  matter  for  indi- 
vidual interpretation,  for  Motion  Pic- 
ture Herald  polls  deal  only  in  the  in- 
disputable facts.  One  of  these  seems 
to  be,  beyond  question,  that  the  distaff 
side  has  the  box-office  situation  well 
in  hand,"  the  Herald  observes. 

Taken  separately,  the  circuit  vote 
resulted  in  the  following  top  10  "Stars 

(.Continued  on  page  3) 


SPG,  SOPEG 
Rejected  By 
Distributors 


8  Companies,  Like  UA, 
Cite  Communist  Issue 

The  issue  of  Communist  domina- 
tion of  two  industry  home  office 
CIO  unions  broke  wide  open  in 
New  York  yesterday  when  eight 
distributors,  following  the  pattern  set 
several  months  ago  by  United  Art- 
ists, flatly  informed  the  Screen  Publi- 
cists Guild  and  the  Screen  Office  and 
Professional  Employes  Guild  that 
their  failure  to  comply  with  the  non- 
Communist  affidavit  provisions  of  the 
Taft-Hartley  Law  has  made  it  im- 
possible for  the  companies  to  negoti- 
ate new  contracts  with  them. 

The  companies  which  took  this 
stand  in  individually-signed  letters  to 
SPG  president  Jeff  Livingston  and 
SOPEG  president  Sidney  Young,  are : 
Columbia,  Loew's,  Paramount,  Re- 
public, RKO  Radio,  RKO  Service 
Corp.,  20th  Century-Fox  and  War- 
ners. Two  companies  which  were  not 
parties  to  the  action  were  Universal- 
International   and  Eagle-Lion. 

The  companies,  it  is  understood, 
took  a  "positive  approach"  in  their 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


Pledge  Industry  to 
Support  U.  N.  Day 


Washington,  Sept.  9. — The  film  in- 
dustry today  gave  the  Government  its 
pledge  of  full  cooperation  in  observing 
United  Nations  Day  on  Oct.  24. 

Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  information  chief  Ken  Clark 
represented  the  industry  at  a  meeting 
of  the  Citizens  Committee  for  United 
Nations  Day,  held  in  two  sessions  at 
the  State  Department  and  at  the  White 
House.  MPAA  president  Eric  John- 
ston is  chairman  of  the  film  subcom- 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


Ask  Gov't  Guarantee 
In  Japan  and  Korea 


Motion  Picture  Export  Association 
has  filed  application  with  the  Economic 
Cooperation  Administration  for  invest- 
ment guarantees  in  Japan  and  Korea, 
it  is  reported  here.  It  is  understood 
that  the  MPEA  seeks  permission  to 
take  dollars  out  of  both  countries  to 
cover  expenses.  A  similar  MPEA  ap- 
plication for  Germany,  submitted  sev- 
eral weeks  ago,  still  is  pending. 


Nation's  Showmen  Select 
The  'Stars  of  Tomorrow' 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  September  10,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


HARRY  GOLD  arrived  in  Holly- 
wood yesterday  from  New  York 
for  conferences  with  Howard  Hughes. 
• 

Mrs.  Robert  Nashick,  wife  of  a 
member  of  the  Loew's  Theatres  pub- 
licity department,  is  recovering  in 
Meadowbrook  Hospital,  L.  I.,  from  in- 
juries sustained  in  an  auto  accident. 
• 

Gene  Kingston,  head  of  the  Uni- 
versal-International contract  checking 
department,  and  Mrs.  Kingston  have 
become  parents  of  their  third  child, 
a  daughter. 

• 

Victor  Volmar,  Monogram  Inter- 
national publicity  director,  will  leave 
New  York  today  for  a  combination 
business  and  vacation  visit  in  Holly- 
wood. 

• 

John  Cicero,  Paramount  advertis- 
ing production  manager,  will  leave 
here  today  for  a  vacation  at  Shelter 
Island,  L.  I. 

E.  T.  Gomersall,  assistant  to  W. 
A.  Scully,  Universal-International 
distribution  vice-president,  is  in  Chi- 
cago from  New  York. 

• 

William  Hebert,  Goldwyn  Pro- 
ductions studio  advertising-publicity 
director,  will  leave  Hollywood  by 
plane  today  for  New  York. 

• 

R.  D.  Goldberg,  Omaha  circuit 
head,  is  on  the  Coast  from  that  city 
for  a  business  trip. 

• 

Manning  J.  Post,  Gibraltar  Pic- 
tures vice-president,  is  in  town  from 
Beverly  Hills,  Cal. 

• 

R.  M.   (Bob)   Savini,  Astor  Pic- 
tures president,  is  expected  to  leave 
Hollywood  tomorrow  for  New  York. 
• 

Paul  Graetz,  French  producer,  is 
due  back  in  New  York  on  Monday 
from  France. 

• 

Robert  Coyne,  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  executive,  is  in  Chicago  from 
New  York. 

• 

Sam   Seidelman,  Eagle-Lion  for- 
eign operations  manager,  returned  to 
New  York  yesterday  from  the  Coast. 
• 

Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  20th-Fox's 
general  sales  manager,  will  leave  New 
York  today  for  Hollywood. 


Legion  Rates  Two  'B's 
In  Reviewing  Seven 

"An  Act  of  Murder,"  Universal-In- 
ternational, and  "Code  of  Scotland 
Yard,"  Republic,  were  given  B  rat- 
ings this  week  by  the  National  Le- 
gion of  Decency  in  its  review  of  seven 
more  pictures.  Rated  A-I  are :  U- 
I's  "For  the  Love  of  Mary" ;  20th 
Century-Fox's  "The  Luck  of  the 
Irish,"  and  Associated  British-Pathe's 
"Quiet  Weekend";  rated  A-II  were: 
U-I's  "Larceny"  and  Warners'  "Two 
Guys  from  Texas." 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


\\7  ALTER  WANGER  was 
*  ■  around  town  less  than  a 
week  last  week.  But  before  he 
left  New  York  once  more  for 
Hollywood,  he  unsheathed  a 
whole  array  of  suggestions  de- 
signed to  improve  the  status  of 
the  industry.  Thus; 

1.  — "We  should  not  concen- 
trate on  cutting  costs,  but  rath- 
er on  seeking  new  ideas.  We 
must  keep  pace  with  the  great 
strides  made  by  industry  in  gen- 
eral and  in  the  fields  of  adver- 
tising and  merchandising. 

2.  — More  showmanship  is  re- 
quired on  the  part  of  exhibitors. 

3.  — Theatre  operators  should 
visit  Hollywood  more  often,  talk 
with  studio  executives  and  tal- 
ent on  a  constructive  exchange 
of  ideas. 

4.  — Studios  should  work  more 
closely  together  for  the  good  of 
the  business  as  a  whole. 

5.  — Major  companies  should 
encourage  independent  produc- 
tion for  the  good  of  the  indus- 
try. "We  are  all  tied  up  to- 
gether." 

6.  — The  breach  between  Hol- 
lywood and  New  York  is  too 
great. 

7.  — Proper  public  relations 
are  necessary.  Through  them 
the  industry  should  have  greater 
recognition  in  Washinton." 

■ 

There  is  one  essay,  minimum, 
in  each  of  these  points.  On  a 
cooler  day  we  might  be  ambi- 
tious enough  to  try  it.  No  one 
would  be  convinced,  but  some- 
one might  carry  off  the  impres- 
sion we  can  be  profound  if  we 
went  to  work  at  it. 

Point  3,  however,  reminds  of 
a  story.  It's  about  a  theatre 
operator — the  kind  Wanger  be- 
lieves should  visit  Hollywood 
often  —  who  was  lured  West 
chiefly  by  climate  but  was  ready 
to  exchange  ideas  if  for  no  other 
reason  than  charging  the  trip  to 
business  expense.  He  couldn't 
even  get  into  the  studio  con- 
trolled by  the  company  in  which 
he  was  a  stockholder. 

■  ■ 

Jimmy  Nasser,  San  Francisco 
exhibitor  now  up  to  here  in 
production,  continues  to  break 
out  with  provocative  approaches 
to  matters  long  accepted  as 
standard.  His  latest  bears  on 
the  practice  of  those  producers 
"who  slap  stars  around  a  series 
of  unrelated  roles".  This,  thinks 
Nasser,  eventually  will  junk  the 
whole  star  system.  He  admits 
type-casting  has  been  kidded  for 
years  by  many  producers,  critics 


and  some  of  the  stars  them- 
selves. "Yet  that  was  the  policy 
that  built  up  box-office  giants 
like  Will  Rogers,  Rudolph  Val- 
entino and  Shirley  Temple  as  a 
child,"  he  maintains.  In  fact,  a 
checkup  of  key-city  exhibitors 
supports  his  view  that  topline 
players  ought  to  abandon  wide- 
ly different  characterizations 
and  stand  by  their  old  reliable, 
whatever  that  may  be — so  Nas- 
ser says. 

This  rekindles,  for  the  tiniest 
of  flames  anyway,  one  of  Hol- 
lywood's long-standing  bleats 
against  exhibition :  That,  be- 
cause theatremen  want  carbon 
copies  of  established  successes, 
production  is  in  constant  danger 
of  being  stultified.  It  is  the  sort 
of  situation  that  might  be  ar- 
gued for  days  with  only  one 
foreseeable  result :  Hollywood 
will  continue  to  make  the  prod- 
uct its  own  way. 

■  ■ 

About  48  hours  with  practi- 
cally no  breaks  were  required  to 
effect  the  out-of-court  settle- 
ment of  the  lawsuit  filed  by 
Howard  Hughes  over  "Red 
River".  Similarity  of  one  of  the 
climactic  scenes  in  "The  Out- 
law" was  the  charge.  Forty- 
eight  hours,  plus  Hughes,  Grad 
Sears  and  high-priced  lawyers, 
to  cut  18  seconds  of  "Red  River" 
footage. 

The  excised  film  out  of  all 
prints  just  about  filled  a  med- 
ium-sized suitcase. 


A  Third  of  a  Century  Ago — 
Universal  was  claiming  its  cam- 
paign for  "The  Black  Box"  was 
"the  biggest,  the  most  complete 
and  comprehensive  ever  put  out 
for  any  film  serial  ever  pro- 
duced." Which  proves  adjectives 
were  adjectives  way  back  then 
too.  .  .  .  Ohio  exhibitors  were 
divided  over  the  safety  values 
of  motor-driven  projection  ma- 
chines and  some  were  holding 
out  for  the  hand-driven  kind. 
.  .  .  Pennsylvania  had  censor- 
ship in  those  days,  despite  re- 
peated exhibitor  attempts  at  re- 
peal. .  .  .  Sam  Dembow,  special 
representative  for  Box  Office 
Attractions  Co.,  was  concerned 
about  overbuilding  in  New  Or- 
leans suburbs,  figuring  15  per 
cent  of  the  neighborhood  popu- 
lation was  tops  any  outlying 
houses  in  that  city  could  depend 
upon.  .  .  .  Metro  Pictures  Corp. 
had  just  been  formed,  boasting 
a  capitalization  of  $300,000. 


Shut 'or d  Chairman  of 
MPAA  Publicity  Unit 

Stanley  Shuford,  advertising  man- 
ager of  Paramount,  was  elected  chair- 
man of  the  Advertising  and  Publicity 
Directors  Committee  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  at  a 
meeting  here  yesterday.  Maurice 
Bergman,  Eastern  advertising-public- 
ity director  of  Universal-Internation- 
al, is  retiring  chairman  of  the 
committee. 


$4,000,000  Seen 
'Ruth'  in  U.S.:  Broidy 

Hollywood,  Sept.  9.  —  Domestic 
gross  of  $4,000,000  for  "The  Babe 
Ruth  Story"  is  predicted  by  Steve 
Broidy,  president  of  Allied  Artists- 
Monog  ram,  who  based  his  estimate  on 
the  first  63  playdates  of  the  film  out- 
side New  York. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


—RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL 

Rockefeller  Center 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY" 

Wallace  BEERY     .    Jane  POWELL 
Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA i 
Xavier  CUGAT     .     Robert  STACK 
A  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


ROY  DEL  RUTH'S  THE 

BABE  RUTH 
STORY" -ffiH 


Popl 


Barbara  Stanwyck 
Burt  Lancaster  /^f^gg 

"SORRY. 
WRONG  miMBER" 

A  Paramounl  Release 


ROSALIND  RUSSELL 


"THE  VELVET  TOUCH" 

A    FREDERICK  BRISSON 
PRODUCTION 
Released    through  RKO 

R I V  0  L I  B  way  &  49th  s*' 


Betty  Grable    -    Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr. 

"THAT  LADY  IN  ERMINE" 

A    20th  Century-Fox  Picture — 
TECHNICOLOR 
On  Variety  Stage— FRANCES  LANGFORD  & 
JON    HALL       -       HARMONICA  TS 
JERRY  COLONNA 
On    Ice   Stage— "THE    MERRY  WIDOW" 
Starring  CAROL  LYNNE    -    FRITZ  DIETL 

=ROXY7thA8& 


50th  St 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Friday,  September  10,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


NS  S  Meetings  in  N.  Y. 
And  K.  C.  Tomorrow 


Third  in  a  series  of  regional  sales 
meetings,  preceding  the  "Dembow 
Tribute  Drive"  honoring  George  F. 
Dembow,  National  Screen  Service 
sales  vice-president,  will  be  held  to- 
morrow in  New  York  and  Kansas 
City. 

The  New  York  meeting  will  be 
Med  by  Eastern  drive  captain  Wil- 
j  i  Bein,  and  the  Kansas  City  meet- 
ing will  be  headed  by  Western  captain 
Ben  Ashe. 

The  New  York  meeting  will  also 
'  be  attended  by  Leo  Abrams,  district 
manager,  and  from  New  York,  Har- 
old Bennett,  branch  manager;  Joe 
Katzoff,  Jack  Levy  and  Henry  Rein- 
er, salesmen;  from  Boston,  Harry 
Kirchgessner,  manager,  and  Maynard 
Sickels  and  Fred  Stoloff,  salesmen; 
from  Buffalo,  Jack  Goldstein,-  man- 
ager, and  Sam  Geffen,  salesman,  and 
Adolph  Edman,  representing  Albany 
and  New  Haven. 

The  meeting  at  Kansas  City  will 
also  be  attended  by  Louis  Patz,  dis- 
trict manager,  and  Charles  Brenner 
and  Andrew  Winningham,  K.  C.  sales- 
men ;  from  Des  Moines,  Milton  Fein- 
berg,  manager,  and  James  Parsons 
and  Richard  Shields,  salesmen ;  from 
Minneapolis,  Jay  MacFarland,  man- 
ager, and  Jack  Allender  and  Jack 
Greenberg,  salesmen ;  from  Omaha, 
Izzy  Sokoloff. 


20th's  Global  Plans 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

office,  sales  and  studio  heads  will  give 
way  to  round  table  discussions  led  by 
division  and  branch  managers,  with 
Skouras,  Andy  W.  Smtih,  Jr.,  general 
sales  manager,  and  William  C.  Gehr- 
ing,  assistant  sales  manager,  acting  as 
moderators. 

Long  Preparation  Evident 

When  it  was  first  decided  to  substi- 
tute the  round  table  procedure  for 
formal  speeches  at  the  business  ses- 
sions, Smith  sent  lists  of  the  principal 
topics  of  discussion  to  division  and 
branch  managers  in  the  field  to  enable 
them  to  prepare  ahead  to  discuss  the 
agenda  in  detail  at  the  convention. 

Special  sales  plans  and  policy  for 
the  final  quarter  of  1948  and  for  the 
first  nine  months  of  1949  will  also  be 
taken  up  and  new  product  will  be 
viewed  during  visits  to  the  studio. 

Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  production  vice- 
president,  will  make  the  principal  ad- 
dress to  the  delegates  next  Thursday 
evening  at  a  dinner  at  20th's  studio 
Cafe  de  Paris,  outlining  the  company's 
expanded  international  production 
plans  and  reporting  on  his  recent  six- 
week  trip  to  England,  Italy  and 
France,  which  he  visited  to  survey 
and  establish  the  first  stages  of  the 
global  program. 

General  Topics  on  Tuesday 

The  opening  day,  Tuesday,  will  be 
devoted  to  general  topics  in  open 
forum  and  on  Wednesday  Smith  will 
review  pictures  scheduled  for  release 
during  the  next  12  months.  Advertis- 
ing, publicity  and  exploitation  plans 
for  these  productions  will  be  outlined 
at  this  session  by  Charles  Schlaifer, 
advertising-publicity  director. 

The  sessions  next  Friday  will  be 
given  over  to  individual  branch  and 
divisional  meetings  to  be  conducted  by 
Smith  and  Gehring  and  divisional 
sales  managers. 


Vogel  Promotes  Three 
In  Loew's  Theatres 

Three  managerial  promotions  have 
been  made  by  Joseph  R.  Vogel  of 
Loew's  Theatres,  to  take  place  imme- 
diately. Martin  Gallagher,  Jr.,  who 
started  with  Loew's  as  an  usher,  and 
recently  has  been  assistant  manager 
of  the  Capitol,  New  York,  is  named 
acting  manager  of  Loew's  Willard  in 
Queens.  Sigmund  Schwartz,  manager 
of  the  46th  Street  Theatre,  Brooklyn, 
moves  to  Loew's  175th  Street,  suc- 
ceeding Archie  Adlman,  who  has  re- 
signed'. Paul  Swater,  manager  of  the 
Willard,  moves  into  the  46th  Street 
post. 

Waldman  Top  Winner 
In  F-C  Sales  Drive 

Top  spot  in  the  branch  managers' 
new  product  drive  of  Film  Classics 
went  to  George  Waldman  and  his 
New  York  branch,  it  was  announced 
here  yesterday  by  B.  G.  Kranze,  sales 
vice-president. 

Othei*  winners  were :  D.  J.  Edele, 
St.  Louis,  second  place ;  Robert  P. 
Abelson,  Los  Angeles,  third ;  Sam  So- 
bel,  San  Francisco,  fourth ;  B .  A. 
Slaughter,  Jr.,  Charlotte,  fifth. 

A  new  sales  campaign,  "The  Joseph 
Bernhard  Sales  Drive,"  now  is  under- 
way in  honor  of  the  company's  presi- 
dent. 

Fox  Midwest  Holds 
Youth  Month  Meets 

Kansas  City,  Sept.  9. — Youth 
Month  activities,  including  the  support 
of  a  dozen  baseball  teams  on  a  perma- 
nent basis,  was  taken  up  at  separate 
meetings  of  the  five  districts  of  Fox 
'  Midwest  Theatres  today.  C  .C.  Murray 
is  city  manager  of  the  circuit.  The 
meetings  ended  with  an  outing  at  Star 
Lane  Farm. 


20th-Fox  to  Make  30 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

deliver  the  goods,  on  account  of  the 
present  economic  situation.  This  is 
especially  true  in  the  preparation  of 
scripts  and  the  advance  preparation  of 
pictures  before  they  go  to  the  stages. 

"We  must  produce  economically  but 
never  will  quality  be  sacrificed.  Per- 
fection will  be  the  keynote  at  20th 
Century-Fox.  I  am  completely  opti- 
mistic about  the  future  as  far  as  our 
company  is  concerned.  We  have  nev- 
er had  a  richer  backlog  of  story  mate- 
rial to  choose  from  and  this  will  keep 
us  in  a  position  to  deliver  to  exhibi- 
tors a  diversified  program,  which  al- 
ways has  been  our  goal." 


20th  Denies  Charge 

Twentieth  Century-Fox  filed  in  U.S. 
District  Court  here  yesterday  a  gen- 
eral denial  of  charges  brought  by 
sportswoman  Mildred  (Babe)  Didrick- 
son  Zaharias  who  filed  a  $100,000 
damage  action  for  breach  of  contract. 
In  asking  for  dismissal  of  the  suit,  the 
company  said  it  has  no  written  con- 
tract with  Mrs.  Zaharias,  who  alleges 
20th-Fox  had  agreed  to  star  her  in  a 
series  of  short  subjects. 


'Peggy9  Premiere  Sept.  30 

Detroit,  Sept.  9. — Dave  M.  Idzal, 
manager  of  the  Fox  Theatre,  today 
announced  that  the  Fox  will  celebrate 
the  20th  anniversary  of  its  opening 
with  the  world  premiere  on  Sept.  30 
of  "Apartment  for  Peggy."  Plans 
are  being  made  for  Hollywood  stars 
to  be -on  hand. 


SPG,  SOPEG 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

communications  to  the  guilds,  namely, 
that  the  managements  would  be 
pleased  to  "do  business"  if  affidavits 
certifying  that  the  officers  of  the 
unions  are  not  Communists,  along 
with  financial  statements,  are  filed  by 
each  with  the  National  Labor  Rela- 
tions Board.  However,  recent  refer- 
endums  on  that  score  by  SPG  and 
SOPEG  memberships,  as  well  as  by 
the  membership  of  their  parent  union, 
United  Office  and  Professional  Work- 
ers of  America  (CIO)  reaffirmed 
overwhelmingly  those  unions'  policies 
of  not  signing  the  affidavits. 

SPG  Intimates  Strike  Action 

SOPEG  held  a  strategy  meeting 
here  yesterday.  Young  said  a  state- 
ment will  be  forthcoming  today.  SPG, 
according  to  Livingston,  "has  the  pos- 
sibility of  strike  action  very  much  in 
mind,"  but  expects  to  confine  itself  for 
the  time  being  to  milder  attempts  to 
persuade  the  companies  to  reverse 
their  stand.  The  guilds'  contracts  with 
the  companies  expire  Sept.  27  and  thus 
far  only  Eagle-Lion,  Livingston  re- 
ports, has  agreed  to  negotiate. 
SOPEG  recently  bid  for  a  25  per  cent 
general  wage  increase  in  a  communi- 
cation sent  to  company  presidents. 

Company  labor  attorneys  said  yes- 
terday that,  since  the  Taft-Hartley 
Law  terms  strikes  "legitimate"  only 
when  they  are  inspired  by  "unfair  la- 
bor practices,"  strike  action  by  SPG 
and  SOPEG  would  not  make  it  le- 
gally impossible  for  the  companies  to 
replace  permanently  members  of  the 
guilds  who  choose  to  walk  out.  The 
companies,  the  attorneys  point  out,  are 
merely  keeping  within  the  law  of  the 
land  in  refusing  to  negotiate  with  non- 
complying  unions. 

Inroads  by  H-63  Continue 

It  is  understood,  meanwhile,  that 
AFL's  IATSE  Home  Office  Employes 
Local  No.  H-63  has  made  organiz- 
ing inroads  among  the  "white  collar" 
workers  in  most  of  the  home  offices, 
having  "close  to  a  majority"  at  Para- 
mount. At  UA,  H-63's  jurisdictional 
tilt  with  SOPEG  is  approaching  the 
shop  election  stage ;  a  scheduled  elec- 
tion was  blocked  by  SOPEG  sympa- 
thizers recently  by  virtue  of  an  appeal 
now  before  the  NLRB  in  Washington. 
It  is  expected  that  H-63,  which  claims 
an  "overwhelming  majority"  at  UA. 
will  act  quickly  now  at  the  other  com- 
panies .with  a  view  toward  repeating 
at  the  other  home  offices  the  success  it 
has  had  at  UA.  "IA,"  of  course,  has 
complied  fully  with  the  Taft-Hartley 
Law,  although  it  is  currently  conduct- 
ing a  campaign  for  repeal. 

FCC  Hearing  Oct.  19 
On  'Giveaway'  Rules 

Washington,  Sept.  9. — The  Feder- 
al Communications  Commission  has 
announced  that  it  will  hear  oral  argu- 
ment on  Oct.  19  on  its  proposed  rules 
banning  "giveway"  programs  from 
the  air.  Deadline  for  filing  briefs  on 
the  rules  has  been  extended  from 
tomorrow  to  Sept.  24. 


Yarmove  Appointed 

Jack  Yarmove  has  been  appointed 
vice-president  in  charge  of  public  re- 
lations and  motion  pictures  of  the  L. 
H.  Hartman  Co.,  New  York  advertis- 
ing agency.  Yarmove,  who  resigned 
from  an  executive  post  at  the  Institute 
of  Public  Relations  to  head  up  the 
new  department  at  Hartman,  was  at 
one  time  associated  with  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox. 


New  Odeon  Theatre 
Opens  in  Toronto 

Toronto,  Sept.  9. — Formal  opening 
of  the  new  Odeon-Toronto  Theatre 
was  held  here  tonight  before  invited 
dignitaries  who  filled  the  2,400  seats 
of  the  palatial  structure.  Presiding 
over  the  ceremonies  was  J.  Earl  Law- 
son,  head  of  Canadian  Odeon,  who  in- 
troduced Rt.  Hon.  Earl  Winterton,  a 
member  of  the  British  peerage,  and 
Sydney  Wynne,  both  representing  J. 
Arthur  Rank  for  the  occasion.  North 
American  premiere  of  "Oliver  Twist" 
was  held  at  the  theatre. 

Also  among  those  on  hand  for  the 
ceremonies  were  Patricia  Roc  and 
Trevor  Howard,  British  film  stars 
who  flew  here  from  London. 


'Stars  of  Tomorrow' 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

of  Tomorrow"  selections :  Cyd  Cha- 
risse,  Angela  Lansbury,  Celeste  Holm, 
Jane  Powell,  Robert  Ryan,  Ann  Blyth, 
Doris  Day,  Jean  Peters,  Eleanor 
Parker,  Richard  Widmark. 

The  balloting  by  independent  ex- 
hibitors resulted  in  these  ■  10  selec- 
tions :  Jane  Powell,  Mona  Freeman, 
Ann  Blyth,  Cyd  Charisse,  Robert 
Ryan,  Eleanor  Parker,  Celeste  Holm, 
Angela  Lansbury,  Dean  Stockwell, 
Jean  '  Peters. 

The  next  15  "Stars  of  Tomorrow" 
in  the  combined  vote  of  circuits  and 
independents  are : 

Barbara  Bel  Geddes,  Richard  Wid- 
mark, Kirk  Douglas,  Dean  Stockwell, 
Wendell  Corey,  Wanda  Hendrix, 
Audrey  Totter,  June  Havoc,  Howard 
Duff,  Robert  Hutton,  Olga  San  Juan, 
John  Agar,  Coleen  Gray,  Richard 
Hart,  Pedro  Armendariz. 

Canadian  exhibitors  agreed  with 
U.  S.  exhibitors  on  eight  out  of  10 
"Stars  of  Tomorrow,"  although  con- 
siderably scrambling  the  U.  S.  theatre 
operators'  one-two-three  order.  The 
Canadians  placed  Ann  Blyth  in  first 
position,  Celeste  Holm  in  second,  and 
Jean  Peters  in  third  position.  On  the 
U.  S.  side  of  the  border,  they  placed 
third,  fourth  and  seventh,  respectively. 
Others  on  the  Canadian  list  were  Cyd 
Charisse,  Barbara  Bel  Geddes,  Robert 
Ryan,  Angela  Lansbury,  Jane  Powell, 
June  Havoc  and  Mona  Freeman, 
fourth  to  10th  place,  respectively.  The 
two  areas  of  disagreement  between  the 
exhibitors  were  over  Miss  Bel  Geddes 
and  Miss  Havoc.  U.  S.  exhibitors 
placed  them  11th  and  18th,  respec- 
tively. During  the  history  of  the  poll 
there  has  seldom  been  any  major  dif- 
ferences between  Canada  and  the  U.  S. 
over  their  choices  for  "Stars  of  To- 
morrow." 


U.N.  Day  Support 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

rnittee,  and  Clark  was  standing  in  for 
him. 

All  major  newsreels  photographed 
Secretary  of  State  George  Marshall 
and  President  Truman  addressing  the 
sessions,  stressing  the  importance  of 
the  United  Nations  to  world  peace. 

MPAA's  David  Palfreyman  will 
shortly  ask  all  exhibitor  organizations 
to  urge  their  members  to  cooperate 
with  local  civic  groups  in  observing 
U.N.  Day.  The  association  has  also 
reminded  educational  groups  of  21 
films  on  the  U.N.  available  for  non- 
theatrical  showing,  and  the  MPAA's 
monthly  bulletin,  What's  Happening  in 
Hollywood,  will  ask  community  lead- 
ers to  swing  behind  plans  for  observ- 
ing U.N.  Day. 


CHARY  presents 


LORETTA 


WILLIAM 


ROBERT 


YOUNG  •  HOLDEN 


BROADWAY  ENGAGEMENT  AT 


Is  divorcement 


coming?  Will  it  help  or  hurt? 

rERNMENT  COMMISSION  CONTROL? 


ARE  WE  HEADED  FOR  G0> 


CAN  THE^  BE 


Can  exhibition  live 


^4  re  we  in  the  courts  for  life  f 

under  20%  Federal  taxation?  & 

CAN  THEATRES  CAPITALIZE  ON  TELEVISION 

What  is  the 


^  —  ot/,er 
ty  °P^ot0«  of  t.and  Sf»<Hed 
'  ot  — * 


NATIONAL 


answer  to  the  ASCAP  problem? 


HOW  CAN  16  MM.  COMPETITION  BE  MET? 


can 


Whatofthedrive-intheatresg 


ORTATl 


OJV 


be 


CONVENTION 


i 


mtnt 


TED  R.  GAMBLE 


President 


mertca 


■  Drake  Hotel,  Chicago— Sept.  24-25 


rooj 

■•neatrp  e 

Ga,ai«ncf,eo„;. 

to.a 

Wight  at  Pf,- 

r°Urs-Sp0*rtI-  £ 
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4 


Every  exhibitor,  regardless  of  affiliation — every  in- 
dustry leader,  from  whatever  branch  of  our  business1 
— is  cordially  invited  to  participate  in  what  promises 
to  be  the  largest,  most  important  gathering  of  thea-> 
tre-men  ever  held  .  .  .  with  nationally  known 
speakers  expressing  their  views  along  with  yours.\ 

•  •  • 

FOR  RESERVATIONS,  WfRE  OR  WRITE 
JOHN  BALABAN,  General  Convention  Chair- 
man, Chicago  Theatre    Bldg.,  Chicago  1,  Illinois^ 


l^O  s 


4  picxysJB 


FIRST 


164.  NO.  51 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  13,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Labor  Board 
Rules  AMPP 
Is  'Employer9 

Decide  Machinist  Issue 
Against  It  and  Studios 

Washington,  Sept.  12.  —  Na- 
tional Labor  Relations  Board  on 
Friday  ruled  that  the  Association 
of  Motion  Picture  Producers  is  an 
employer  within  the  meaning  of  the 
National  Labor  Relations  Act  and  de- 
termined that  the  producers'  organiza- 
tion, along  with  Universal,  Loew's, 
RKO  and  Warners  had  discriminated 
against  members  of  the  International 
Association  of  Machinists  in  the  1945- 
46  studio  labor  dispute.  By  virtue  of 
its  control  over  Hollywood's  policies 
on  labor  relations,  the  AMPP  was 
found  to  be  an  employer  by  the 
NLRB.    The  ruling  sets  a  precedent. 

The  charge  that  machinists  were 
dismissed  in  violation  of  the  Labor 
Act  was  upheld  even  though  this  was 
done  under  pressure  of  the  Interna- 
tional Alliance  of  Theatrical  Stage 
Employes  which  demanded  to  repre- 
sent all  industry  machinists,  the 
NLRB  held. 

The  board  ordered  all  parties  to 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


Independents,  AFM 
Adopt  New  Contract 


Hollywood,  Sept.  12. — Terms  of  a 
new  contract  covering  musicians  em- 
ployed by  independent  producers  were 
agreed  to  on  Friday  by  the  indepen- 
dents and  representatives  of  the  Ameri- 
can Federation  of  Musicians.  The  new 
pact,  which  will  hold  for  the  next  12 
months  and  covers  the  Society  of  In- 
dependent Motion  Picture  Producers, 
Independent  Motion  Picture  Producers 
Association,   Eagle-Lion   and  Enter- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


27  Delegates  to 
Variety  Meeting 

Washington,  Sept.  12. — Variety 
Club  delegates  to  International  Vari- 
ety's mid-year  conference,  to  be  held 
here  Sept.  16-18,  were  announced  at 
the  weekend  by  Carter  Barron  and 
Nate  Golden,  committee  chairmen  for 
the  Washington  Tent,  as  follows : 

Pittsburgh,  R.  Clifton  Daniel ;  Cin- 
cinnati, Allan  Moritz ;  Detroit,  Arthur 
Robinson  ;  Buffalo,  Dewey  Michaels  ; 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


Seek  Court  Decree 
Divestiture  of  2 


A  bid  for  a  Federal  Court  decree 
directing  Paramount  and  New  En- 
gland Theatres  to  divest  themselves 
of  two  Connecticut  theatres  was  in- 
cluded in  an  amended  complaint  filed 
in  U.  S.  District  Court  here  on  Fri- 
day by  Prudential  Theatres  and  the 
Playhouse  of  New  Canaan,  Conn.,  in 
connection  with  their  $1,620,000  triple- 
damage  anti-trust  action  against  six 
distributors. 

The  Empress  in  South  Norwalk 
and  the  Norwalk  in  Norwalk,  jointly- 
owned  by  Paramount  and  N.  E.  Thea- 
tres, were  named  by  the  plaintiffs  in 
their  bid  for  a  decree.  The  co-own- 
ers, it  is  alleged,  "conspired  to 
monopolize  exhibition"  in  the  opera- 
tion of  the  houses. 

Original  complaint  charges  the  six 
distributors  and  N.  E.  Theatres  with 
having  fixed  unreasonable  clearances 
and  "double  clearances,"  and  with  hav- 
ing "conspired"  in  violation  of  the 
anti-trust  laws. 


Windsor  Moves  in 
Walbrook  Action 


Washington,  Sept.  12.  —  The 
Windsor  Theatre  of  Baltimore  will 
ask  Federal  District  Court  here  early 
this  week  for  permission  to  intervene 
in  the  action  whereby  the  Walbrook 
Theatre,  also  of  Baltimore,  is  trying 
to  enjoin  20th  Century-Fox  from  giv- 
ing half  of  its  first  neighborhood  runs 
to  the  Windsor. 

Fox  made  this  promise  to  the  Wind- 
sor in  an  out-of-court  settlement  of 
the  Windsor's  $600,000  anti-trust  suit 
against  20th-Fox  and  five  other  major 
distributors.  Argument  on  Wal- 
brook's  request  for  the  injunction  is 
set  for  Sept.  16.  The  agreement  is 
slated  to  become  operative  on  Sept. 
19. 

The  Windsor  will  also  ask  that  the 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


New  UA  Sales  Unit; 
J.  Hughes  in  Charge 

United  Artists  has  established  a 
new  sales  unit  to  liquidate  dormant 
exhibition  contracts  and  explore  un- 
sold situations  with  John  Hughes, 
former  assistant  to  Fred  Jack  when 
the  latter  was  Southwest  district  man- 
ager, in  charge.  Hughes  returned  to 
the  home  office 'recently  from  Dallas. 
Jack  is  now  UA's  Western  general 
sales  manager. 

It  is  understood  that  Hughes,  who 
will  operate  out  of  the  home  office, 
under  Paul  N.  Lazarus,  Jr.,  executive 
assistant  to  Gradwell  Sears,  president, 
will  spend  substantial  time  visiting 
branch  areas  throughout  the  country 
investigating  difficult  selling  situations. 


COURT  SAYS  ASCAP 
CANNOT  COLLECT 


M.  P.  Colosseum, 
Take  Note! 

Eric  A.  Johnston,  president 
of  the  Motion  Picture  Asso- 
ciation of  America,  told  the 
United  Press  in  Stockholm  on 
Friday  that  he  was  flying  to 
Moscow  for  a  visit  of  three 
to  five  days  "to  sell  American 
pictures." 


K.C.  Allied  to  Testify 
At  Monopoly  Quiz 

Kansas  City,  Sept.  12. — The  board 
of  Allied  Independent  Theatre  Owners 
of  Kansas  and  Missouri  will  appear 
before  a  hearing  to  be  conducted  here 
on  Wednesday  by  the  House  Commit- 
tee on  Small  Business  on  monopoly 
practices  in  the  motion  picture  indus- 
try. 

The  board  of  the  Allied  unit,  mean- 
while, has  been  advising  its  members 
on  procedure  for  preparing  complaints 
to  be  submitted  to  the  House  group. 
Congressman  Ploesser,  chairman  of 
the  group,  will  conduct  the  hearing. 


Screen  Guild  Dickers 
For  Its  Own  Studio 

Hollywood,  Sept.  12. — Screen  Guild 
is  negotiating  for  its  own  studio  space, 
it  was  announced  here  by  Robert  L. 
Lippert,  president. 

With  Screen  Guild's  production  pro- 
gram calling  for  five  pictures  every 
two  months  in  full  swing  and  financ- 
ing for  forthcoming  product  com- 
pleted, studio  space  when  needed  is 
necessary  to  avoid  production  delays 
generally  caused  by  previous  commit- 
ments in  independent  studios,  the  com- 
pany stated. 


Rauland  To  Withhold 
Theatre  Television 

Chicago,  Sept.  12. — Contending 
that  he  does  not  believe  the  motion 
picture  industry  is  "ready"  for  his 
new  theatre  television  equipment,  E. 
N.  Rauland,  president  of  Rauland 
Television  Co.,  states  here  that  he  is 
not  prepared  to  deal  with  theatres 
domestically,  as  yet. 

Rauland,  who  has  already  equipped 
a  number  of  J.  Arthur  Rank's  houses 
in  London,  indicated  that  he  will  wait 
for  the  outcome  of  those  installations 
before  dealing  with  theatres  here. 


Society's  Members  Must 
Deal  with  Producers,  It 
Says,  Upholding  Berger 

Minneapolis,  Sept.  12. — Amer- 
ican Society  of  Composers,  Authors 
and  Publishers  took  its  second  Fed- 
eral Court  defeat  in  as  many 
months  at  the  hands  of  independent 
exhibitors  when  U.  S.  District  Court 
Judge  Gunnar  Nordbye  on  Friday 
handed  down  a  decision  in  favor  of 
Benjamin  Berger,  president  of  North 
Central  Allied  here,  which,  local  at- 
torneys say,  denies  Ascap  members 
the  right  to  collect  fees  from  exhibi- 
tors. 

The  court  held  that  while  the  in- 
dividual copyright  owners  have  the 
right  to  collect  for  public  performance 
of  their  music,  they  cannot  exercise 
the  right  while  joined  together  in  an 
illegal  combination.  Judge  Nordbye 
held  that  Ascap  is  such  a  combina- 
tion because,  in  its  dealings  with  ex- 
hibitors,- it  had  extended  its  authority 
beyond  the  provisions  of  the  Federal 
Copyright  Act. 

Although  it  did  not  appear  that 
Judge  Nordbye  had  taken  into  con- 
sideration the  recent  decision  by  Fed- 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Minn.  Ascap  Ruling 
Is  Hailed  by  Myers 


Washington,  Sept.  12.  —  "Judge 
Leibell's  decision  spelled  the  doom  of 
Ascap,  Judge  Nordbye's  decision 
smashes  Ascap  to  smithereens,"  Al- 
lied States  Association  general  coun- 
sel Abram  F.  Myers  exulted  over  the 
Minneapolis  judge's  action  in  the 
Berger  cases, 

Myers  said  that  he  had  not  seen 
Judge  Nordbye's  decision,  but  that  he 
could  "not  forego  saying  that  it  must 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Negotiate  At  Once, 
SOPEG  Demands 


Refusal  of  seven  distributors  to  ne- 
gotiate new  contracts  with  CIO's 
Screen  Office  and  Professional  Em- 
ployes Guild,  because  the  union  has 
not  complied  with  the  non-Communist 
affidavit  provisions  of  the  Taft-Hart- 
ley Law,  was  met  at  the  weekend  by 
written  demands  by  SOPEG  for  an 
immediate  meeting  with  the  companies 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  September  13,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

MORT  BLUMENSTOCK,  War- 
ner advertising-publicity  vice- 
president,  will  leave  New  York  to- 
morrow for  the  Coast. 

• 

Samuel  N.  Burger,  Loew  Interna- 
tional sales  manager,  left  here  at  the 
weekend  for  a  four-month  tour  of  the 
company's  branches  throughout  the 
world.  Edward  F.  O'Connor,  re- 
gional director  for  the  Far  East,  is 
accompanying  him  on  the  first  leg  of 
the  trip,  from  New  York  to  India. 
• 

Maurice  A.  Bergman,  Universal- 
International  Eastern  advertising-pub- 
licity director,  and  Charles  Simon- 
elli,  Eastern  exploitation  manager, 
left  New  York  at  the  weekend  for 
Chicago  and  Columbus. 

• 

A.  J.  O'Keefe,  Universal-Interna- 
tional assistant  general  sales  manager, 
left  here  over  the  weekend  by  plane 
for  Los  Angeles. 

• 

Edwin  W.  Aaron,  M-G-M  assist- 
ant general  sales  manager,  left  here 
over  the  weekend  for  a  Coast  vaca- 
tion. 

• 

Albert  Mannheimer,  Film  Clas- 
sics director  of  exchange  operations, 
left  New  York  last  night  for  Milwau- 
kee and  Chicago. 

Eileen  Scully,  Hollywood,  daugh- 
ter  of   film   director   Bill  Scully, 
is  here  visiting  Altec's  Bert  Sanford 
and  Mrs.  Sanford,  her  uncle  and  aunt. 
• 

Victor  Saville,  M-G-M  director, 
will  leave  here  tomorrow  for  London 
on  the  5\S"  Queen  Mary. 

• 

Al  Zimbalist,  Film  Classics  adver- 
tising-publicity chief,  flew  to  Chicago 
over  the  weekend  from  New  York. 


20th-Fox  Group  on  Coast 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  12. — Delegates 
to  the  20th  Century-Fox  national  sales 
conference  arrived  here  over  the  week- 
end to  discuss  'sales  and  promotion 
plans  on  productions  to  be  released 
during  the  next  12  months.  The  con- 
vention will  run  from  Tuesday 
through  Friday. 


SOPEG  Demands 


{Continued  from  page  1) 

to  negotiate  1948  contracts  without 
"ultimatums." 

SOPEG  president  Sidney  Young, 
signer  of  the  weekend  communications, 
pointed  out  that  his  union  had  already 
voted  three-to-one  against  complying 
with  the  non-Communist  affidavit  pro- 
visions, and  accused  the  companies  of 
using  this  as  a  pretext  to  avoid  grant- 
ing job  security  and  raises. 

Charges  Companies  'Interfere' 

Charging  the  companies  with  "inter- 
ference in  our  American  and  demo- 
cratic right  to  decide  our  own  affairs," 
Young's  letters  added,  in  part:  "You 
cannot  direct  our  officers  to  comply  at 
your  dictation.  Our  officers  take  di- 
rection from  the  membership,  not  the 
employers.  We  expect  employers  to 
respect  the  formal,  democratic  expres- 
sion of  their  employes."  Complying 
with  "the  voluntary  provisions  of 
Taft-Hartley  is  an  interference  with 
our  democratic  right  to  run  our  or- 
ganization," Young  asserted. 

NSS  Expected  to  Resist 

Companies  addressed  were  Colum- 
bia, Columbia  International,  Loew's, 
Paramount,  Republic,  RKO  Radio, 
RKO  Service  Corp.  and  20th-Fox. 
Meanwhile,  a  spokesman  for  National 
Screen  said  his  company  planned  to 
join  with  the  distributors  opposing 
SOPEG  and  its  sister  union,  Screen 
Publicists  Guild.  A  Confidential  Re- 
ports spokesman  said  at  the  weekend 
that  that  company  had  "no  position" 
to  state  in  the  more  or  less  wholesale 
industry  management  situation  against 
negotiating  with  the  two  unions.  At 
a  late  hour  on  Friday  Universal-In- 
ternational continued  to  remain  non- 
comittal  regarding  its  future  plans  in 
connection  with  SPG,  whose  presi- 
dent, Jeff  Livingston,  conducted  week- 
end strategy  meetings. 


H-63,  Warners  Meeting  Today 
As  Impasse  Threatens  Talks 

New  contract  negotiations  between 
Warners  and  IATSE  Motion  Picture 
Home  Office  Employes  Local  No.  H- 
63,  reportedly  at  an  impasse  stage,  will 
be  resumed  this  morning,  according  to 
the  union.  H-63  has  been  _  pressing 
for  wage  increases  and  improved 
working  conditions  for  "white  collar- 
ites"  in  negotiations  which  have  been 
conducted  for  several  weeks  with  not 
only  Warners,  but  also  Universal, 
Pathe  Laboratories,  United  World 
Films,  Castle  Films,  Ace  Labora- 
tories, Universal  Newsreel,  and  War- 
ner and  M-G-M  music  publishing 
houses. 

Whatever  new  arrangement  is  con- 
cluded between  the  union  and  War- 
ners, it  is  said,  is  expected  to  apply  ul- 
timately to  the  other  companies. 


Ask  'Rope'  Ban  Review 

Chicago,  Sept.  12. — Warner  Brothers 
has  taken  action  against  the  Chicago 
Censor  Board's  banning  of  "Rope" 
here  in  the  form  of  a  letter  to  chief  of 
police  Thomas  Prendergrast  request- 
ing him  to  review  the  film  a  second 
time.  According  to  Capt.  Harry  Ful- 
mer,  Censor  Board  chief,  the  film  was 
banned  because  it  is  not  "wholesome" 
entertainment. 


20th-Fox  Sets  Five 
Video  Subsidiaries 

Five  subsidiaries  of  20th 
Century-Fox  are  now  organ- 
ized for  television  operations 
and  will  be  ready  to  go  if  and 
when  station  licenses  are  ob- 
tainable. 

The  television  companies 
are  20th-Fox  of  Washington, 
20th-Fox  of  California,  20th- 
Fox  of  Missouri,  20th-Fox  of 
St.  Louis  and  20th-Fox  of 
New  England. 


17,831  Bookings  Set 
Para.  Drive  Record 

"Paramount  Week,"  which  ended 
Saturday,  set  a  record  of  17,831  book- 
ings for  at  least  one  Paramount  sub- 
ject, with  five  districts  and  26 
branches  booked  solid.  In  1947,  the 
Paramount  trademark  was  on  17,009 
screens  during  the  drive,  the  company 
stated. 

Paramount  features  that  made  pos- 
sible the  record  are  "The  Emperor 
Waltz"  "Dream  Girl,"  "So  Evil  My 
Love,"  "Foreign  Affair"  and  "Beyond 
Glory." 

Rembusch,  Carroll 
To  Direct  Caravan 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  12. — Opera- 
tions of  national  Allied's  product  sur- 
vey "Caravan"  hereafter  will  be  under 
the  supervision  and  direction  of  True- 
man  T.  Rembusch  and  William  A. 
Carroll.  Meanwhile,  Caravan  head- 
quarters have  been  transferred  from 
Philadelphia  to  Indianapolis,  the  Cara- 
van committee  having  accepted  the  in- 
vitation of  the  board  of  the  Associated 
Theatre  Owners  of  Indiana  in  that  re- 
spect. 

Joseph  Citron,  49, 
With  Loew  10  Years 

Joseph  L.  Citron,  49,  of  Manhattan, 
manager  of  Loew's  Olympia,  passed 
away  Thursday  of  a  heart  attack. 

Citron  had  been  connected  with 
Loew  Theatres  for  10  years,  starting 
as  an  assistant  manager  of  Loew's 
46th  Street  in  1938.  Services  were 
held  Friday  at  Riverside  Memorial 
Chapel,  with  interment  in  Beth  David 
Cemetery,  Elmont.  He  is  survived  by 
the  widow,  Tillie,  and  two  daughters, 
Roberta  and  Lucille. 


Labor  Board  Rules 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

cease  and  desist  from  discouraging 
membership  in  the  international  ma- 
chinists union  in  any  manner.  The 
four  studios  were  directed  to  rein- 
state, with  back  pay,  discharged  mem- 
bers of  the  union,  and  the  producers 
association  was  told  to  notify  all 
member  studios  that  the  latter  should 
not  interfere  with  any  labor  organiza- 
tion memberships  of  their  employes.  ; 

The  Board  found  against  the  ma- 
chinists' union  in  rejecting  its  charge 
that  the  studios  failed  to  bargain  in 
good  faith  and  declared  that  bonuses 
paid  to  members  who  worked  during 
the  1945-'46  dispute  was  not  illegal. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


THE  opening  of  the  presidential 
campaign  and  the  new  Dutch 
Queen,  Juliana,  taking  over  are  cur- 
rent newsreel  highlights.  Other  items 
include  sports  and:  human  interest 
stories.   Complete  contents  follow: 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  73— Presi- 
dential campaign  opens:  Truman  in  Detroit; 
Stassen  answers  the  President.  Queen  B":l- 
helmina  abdicates,  Juliana  succeeds, 
vest  Moon  ball.  Sports:  Tennis,  foiyjjSr; 
shooting  rapids. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  203 — Presi- 
dential battle  of  1948  gets  underway.  Wil- 
helmina  abdicates;  Dutch  hail  new  Queen 
Juliana.  Jitterbugs  jump  at  Harvest  Moon 
ball.    Davis  cup  victory  for  U.  S. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  6-,-Harvest 
Moon  ball.  Truman,  Stassen  open  verbal 
blasts.     Juliana  takes  over. 

UNIVERSAL,  NEWS,  .No.  177 — Poli- 
tics: Truman  opens  campaign,  Stassen  re- 
plies. Juliana  takes  Dutch  throne.  Thrills 
at  air  races.  Harvest  Moon  dance.  Labor 
Day  celebrated. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  8— 
New  Dutch  Queen.  Truman  in  Detroit; 
answered  by  Stassen.  Man  who  grows 
seven  inches  at  will.  Air  races.  Great 
Americans:  John  Marshall. 

Johnston  Cites  PC  A 
In  Reply  on  'Twist' 

The  New  York  Board  of  Rabbis, 
which  protested  by  cable  to  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America  presi- 
dent Eric  A.  Johnston  in  Paris  against 
J.  Arthur  Rank  Eagle-Lion's  "Oliver 
Twist,"  has  received  the  following 
cable  reply  from  Johnston :  "I  have 
your  cable  protesting  against  the 
showing  of  the  picture,  'Oliver 
Twist.'  My  New  York  and  Holly- 
wood offices  have  advised  me  that  the 
picture  has  not  yet  been  submitted  to 
our  Production  Code  Administration 
for  a  certificate  of  approval.  It  would 
be  inappropriate  for  me  to  express  an 
opinion  in  advance  of  its  submission 
to  the  Code  authority." 

Assailing  the  film  as  a  "vehicle  of 
blatant  anti-Semitism,"  the  Rabbis 
had  asked  Johnston  to  "do  everything 
possible"  to  keep  it  out  of  the  U.  S. 

Final  NSS  Meetings 
In  2  Cities  Today 

Last  of  the  regional  sales  meetings 
for  the  "Dembow  Tribute  Drive," 
honoring  George  F.  Dembow,  Nation- 
al Screen  Service  sales  vice-president, 
will  be  held  today  in  Atlanta  and  Dal- 
las. William  Bein,  Eastern  drive  cap- 
tain, will  head  the  Atlanta  conclave, 
and  Ben  Ashe,  Western  captain,  the 
Dallas  meeting.  The  drive  will  start 
today  at  all  NSS  exchanges. 


Independents,  AFM 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

prise,  retains  the  wage  levels  and 
working  conditions  in  force  under  the 
pact  which  expired  last  month. 

The  only  significant  change  is  the 
substitution  of  the  permanent  orches- 
tra clause  by  a  provision  that  the  pro- 
ducers guarantee  the  use  of  35,000 
man-hours  of  work  for  musicians  an- 
nually. The  independents  used  about 
50,000  man-hours  last  year  collectively. 

Also  provided  for  in  the  new  con- 
tract is  the  use  of  a  stipulated  mini- 
mum number  of  musicians  on  pictures 
in  several  budgetary  categories. 


Para.,DuMont,WB  in 
FCC  Parley  Today 

Washington,  Sept.  12. — Para- 
mount, DuMont  and  Warners 
will  be  among  the  firms  par- 
ticipating tomorrow  in  an  in- 
formal conference  with  the 
Federal  Communications 
Commission  on  future  FCC 
procedure  for  allocating  tele- 
vision outlets.  Paul  Raibourn, 
will  represent  Paramount,  Dr. 
Thomas  Goldsmith  will  repre- 
sent DuMont  and  the  law 
firm  of  Cohn  and  Marks  will 
appear  for  Warners. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor,  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady;  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yitcca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  Of'  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  po6t  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.;  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Monday,  September  13,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


Ascap  Clipped  \fteVieW 


{Continued  jrom  page  1) 


eral  Judge  Vincent  L.  Leibell  holding 
Ascap  to  be  in  violation  of  the  anti- 
trust laws  in  the  case  brought  by 
members  of  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  Association  of  New  York, 
there  is  some  similarity  in  the  con- 
clusions reached  by  the  two  jurists. 
I  ike  Judge  Leibell,  Judge  Nordbye 
if e  ^ere  suggested  that  the 

tqPi  procedure  to  be  followed  by  a 
copyright  owner  who  would  collect 
for  the  performing  rights  to  his  music 
in  motion  pictures  is  to  deal  individ- 
ually with  producers. 

See  End  Put  to  Collections 

The  decision  is  interpreted  here  as 
putting  an  end  to  collections  by  either 
individual  Ascap  members,  or  by  the 
Society  itself,  from  exhibitor  parties 
to  the  case.  As  such,  it  stands  as  a 
precedent  for  exhibitors  everywhere, 
unless  reversed  on  appeal. 

The  decision  also  is  regarded  here 
as  even  more  sweeping  than  the  New 
York  decision  against  Ascap.  In  the 
latter  case,  it  was  the  Society  which 
was  held  to  be  in  violation  of  the  anti- 
trust laws  and  its  methods  of  dealing 
with  exhibitors  which  were  held  to  be 
illegal.  That  left  individual  members 
of  Ascap  free  to  obtain  licenses  from 
exhibitors  or  to  sue  them  for  copy- 
right infringements  if  they  used  film 
music  without  licenses. 

Judge  Nordbye's  decision  closes  that 
gap.  It  is  directed  against  Ascap's  in- 
dividual members  and  denies  them  the 
right  to  collect  from  or  sue  exhibitors 
so  long  as  they  are  members  of  Ascap. 
In  this  respect,  it  would  appear  either 
to  force  individual  copyright  owners 


"Miss  Tatlock's  Millions" 

{Paramount) 

CHUCKLES  always  prove  their  worth  at  the  box-office,  and  "Miss 
Tatlock's  Millions"  runs  the  whole  gamut  of  laughter,  from  subtle  to  silly. 
Producer  Charles  Brackett  assembled  a  large  and  competent  cast,  with  the 
result  that  some  splendidly  funny  characterizations  emerge  from  this  farce 
about  a  curious  family's  excited  scramble  for  the  millions  left  by  the  elder 
Tatlock.  Framework  and  development  of  the  story  are  more  or  less  along 
formula  lines,  but  they  keep  the  laughs  coming.  Heading  the  persuasive  cast 
are  John  Lund,  Wanda  Hendrix,  Barry  Fitzgerald,  Monty  Woolley  and  Ilka 
Chase. 

A  multitude  of  complications  are  incubated  when  worthy-minded  Fitzgerald 
persuades  Lund  to  impersonate  an  enfeebled  heir  to  millions.  Lund  puts  on 
a  good  act  at  being  feeble-minded,  and  between  the  acts  he  falls  in  love  with 
Miss  Hendrix  who  is  supposed  to  be  his  "sister."  In  the  meantime  there 
mushroom  all  sorts  of  avaricious  conspiracies  by  the  assorted  relatives  who 
are  bent  on  getting  the  fortune.  When  circumstances  get  inextricably  tangled, 
the  real  heir  finally  shows  up  to  clear  the  muddle  and  pave  the  way  for  Lund 
to  marry  Miss  Hendrix. 

Fitzgerald  as  a  bottle-guzzling  rascal  is  always  a  solid  delight,  while 
Woolley  and  Miss  Crane  get  in  some  sophisticated  licks  as  the  fortune  seekers. 
Miss  Hendrix  is  pretty  to  watch,  especially  when  she  turns  on  the  angelic 
expression  for  the  lucky  Lund.  Richard  Haydn  directed  from  a  screenplay 
by  Brackett  and  Richard  L.  Breen. 

Running  time,  101  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Nov.  19.  Mandel  Herbstman 


to  deal  with  producers  for  performing 
rights  or,  if  they  are  to  collect  from 
exhibitors  for  those  rights,  it  would  be 
necessary  for  them  to  withdraw  from 
Ascap. 

Ascap  Suit  Filed  in  1946 

The  Berger  suit  originated  in  1946 
when  Ascap  members,  rather  than  the 
Society,  sued  Berger,  independent  cir- 
cuit operator,  and  Mrs.  Jessie  Jensen, 
who  operated  a  theatre  at  White  Bear, 
Minn.,  for  non-payment  of  performing 
rights  fees.    Berger  admitted  on  the 


No  extra  fare  on 

American's 
DC-6  Flagships! 


Ride  the  famous  ^Mercury"  flight  to 
Los  Angeles  at  no  increase  in  cost! 


On  September  1st,  DC-6  and 
Constellation  fares  were  raised  10 
per  cent  by  the  transcontinental 
air  lines — with  the  single  excep- 
tion of  American  Airlines.  On 
American,  you  can  enjoy  luxuri- 
ous DC-6  service  at  no  increase 
in  cost! 

"The  Mercury,"  departing 


daily  at  midnight,  EDT  and  ar- 
riving in  Los  Angeles  at  8:10  a.m. 
PDT,  will  continue  to  provide 
transcontinental  travelers  with 
the  finest  in  air  travel — at  the 
same  fare — only  $157.85.  "Tbe 
Mercury"  now  has  eight  roomy 
Skysleeper  berths  to  supple- 
ment 36  seat  accommodations. 


stand  during  the  trial  last  fall  that  he 
had  not  paid  the  fees  nor  obtained  an 
Ascap  license  for  years,  contending 
that  the  Ascap  collection  method  was 
illegal. 

The  court  ruled  in  favor  of  the  de 
fendants  on  all  counts. 


Ascap  officials  declined  to  comment 
on  Judge  Nordbye's  decision  on  Fri- 
day on  the  grounds  they  had  not  yet 
received  a  copy  of  it. 


Rallies  16  mm.  Field 
Against  Price  Cuts 

Declaring  "war"  against  roadshow- 
men  who  are  cutting  prices  of  estab- 
lished 16mm.  schedules,  Jacques 
Kopfstein,  vice-president  of  Astor 
Pictures,  has  called  leading  16mm. 
distributors  in  New  York  to  a  lunch- 
eon-meeting at  the  Astor  Hotel  to- 
morrow to  discuss  the  "growing  men- 
ace of  price  cutting  which  is  strang- 
ling the  16mm.  industry." 

Roadshow  practices,  says  Kopfstein, 
have  reached  a  point  where  it  is  im- 
perative for  the  "Big  Six" — Astor, 
Commonwealth,  United  World,  Film 
Highlights,  Post  and  Pictorial — to  de- 
cide upon  a  future  course  of  action  "to 
combat  wanton  price  cutting  and  other 
violations  of  established  dealings  with- 
in the  framework  of  the  16mm.  indus- 
try." 

"The  luncheon,"  says  Kopfstein, 
"may  well  go  down  in  picture  annals 
as  the  turning  point  in  the  fight 
against  eliminating  the  present  'throat- 
cutting'  policies  employed  in  certain 
sections  of  the  country." 


Delegates  to  Variety 

{Continued  jrom  page  1) 


Myers  Hails  Ruling 

{Continued  jrom  page  1) 


end  all  doubt  as  to  the  propriety  of 
withholding  payments  from  Ascap. 

"The  decision  is  a  clear  signal  to 
all  Ascap  members,"  Myers  said,  "that 
they  should  get  out  of  Ascap,  and  get 
out  fast."  The  only  thing  now  left 
to  Ascap  members,  he  declared,  is  to 
leave  Ascap  and  individually  deal 
with  the  producers  for  royalties  on 
public  performing  rights. 

Without  reading  the  complete  Min- 
neapolis decision,  Myers  declared,  it 
must  go  a  step  beyond  the  New  York 
decision.  There,  he  said,  Judge  Lei- 
bell held  Ascap's  contracts  with  thea- 
tre owners  were  unenforceable  "but 
the  Berger  suits  involve  not  Ascap 
but  individual  members  of  Ascap 
This  can  only  mean  that  any  individu- 
al copyright  owner — so  long  as  he  be- 
longs to  an  illegal  combination  like 
Ascap — can't  collect  from  theatre 
owners  on  public  performing  rights 
They  have  the  rights,  but  they  can't 
collect  unless  they  leave  Ascap  and 
negotiate  with  the  producers.  This 
means  the  break-up  of  Ascap,  I  have 
no  doubt." 

Myers,  who  has  been  closely  associ 
ated  with  the  legal  master-minding  of 
the  Berger  case,  was  obviously  over 
joyed  at  Judge  Nordbye's  decision, 
and  gibed  that  it  "certainly  leaves 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  general 
counsel  Herman  Levy  out  on  a  limb.' 


Albany,  Neil  Hellman  and  Harry  La- 
mont ;  Indianapolis,  Sam  Switow ; 
Washington,  Nate  Golden ;  Minneapo- 
lis, William  Elson;  Philadelphia,  Al- 
fred Davis ;  Omaha,  M.  G.  Rogers ; 
Dallas,  William  O'Donnell ;  Dayton, 
Roy  E.  Wells ;  Memphis,  Herbert 
Kohn ;  Atlanta,  Bill  Jenkins ;  Boston, 
Murray  Weiss ;  Charlotte,  J.  H.  Dil- 
lon ;  Los  Angeles,  W.  H.  Lollier ;  Chi- 
cago, Jack  Rose ;  Grand  Rapids,  Her- 
bert Boshoven;  Toronto,  J.  J.  Fitz- 
gibbons ;  Mexico  City,  Louis  Montes ; 
Toledo,  Jack  E.  Lykes ;  New  Haven, 
Barney  Pitkin  ;  San  Francisco,  Jimmie 
O'Neal ;  Miami,  George  Hoover ; 
Houston,  J.  P.  Goodwin. 

Acceptances  from  many  industry  ex- 
ecutives of  invitations  to  attend  the 
conference  and  Humanitarian  Award 
dinner  were  also  announced. 

Majority  of  the  executives  will 
reach  Washington  on  Sept.  16  to  at- 
tend a  dinner  to  be  given  by  Richard 
C.  Fowler  to  R.  J.  O'Donnell  and 
will  remain  for  a  Friday  luncheon 
meeting  at  which  the  Saranac  Lake 
Sanatorium  will  be  discussed,  and 
the  Humanitarian  Award  banquet  on 
Saturday  night  when  George  C.  Mar- 
shall will  receive  the  1947  Award. 


Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000  or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices.-  Airlines  Terminal  •  Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hole/  St.  George 

AMERICAN  A/RUNES 


Vog  Sets  Cocteau  Tour 

American  distribution  rights  to  the 
French  film,  "The  Eagle  with  Two 
Heads,"  has  been  acquired  by  Vog 
Films  here.  In  connection  with  the 
premiere  of  the  film,  Vog  will  spon- 
sor in  October  the  American  tour 
of  Jean  Cocteau,  French  author,  who 
produced  and  directed  the  film. 


Windsor  Move 

{Continued  jrom  page  1) 


Walbrook  motion  for  a  preliminary 
injunction  be  denied,  that  further  pro- 
ceedings on  the  Walbrook  motion  be 
consolidated  with  proceedings  in  the 
Windsor's  anti-trust  suit,  that  the 
Walbrook  be  required  to  appear  as  a 
defendant  in  the  anti-trust  action,  and 
that  no  preliminary  injunction  be  is- 
sued in  favor  of  the  Walbrook  unless 
it  gives  security  of  $250,000  to  indem- 
nify the  Windsor  for  any  loss  from 
being  deprived  of  the  films  it  is  slated 
to  get  from  Fox  under  the  settlement. 

Walbrook  said  the  Fox  settlement 
breached  a  contract  with  the  Wal- 
brook whereby  Fox  promised  to  give 
it  the  same  films  it  gave  the  compet- 
ing Ambassador.  Windsor  will  claim 
that  this  interpretation  claims  a  long- 
term  franchise,  "and  that  such  fran- 
chises have  been  declared  unlawful  by 
the  Supreme  Court." 

The  Windsor  petition  will  be  filed 
tomorrow  or  Tuesday  by  Windsor 
attorney  Harold  Schilz. 


%  Producer  of  "The  ] 
St.  Mary's"  Brings  Another  Great  Pic 

RADIO  CITY 


MUSIC 


RAINBOW 

ODUCTIONS,  iNc.l 
presents 

■  ■■■ 

GARY  COOPEF 

I 

ANN  SHEF 

i 

with  RAY  COLLINS  •  EDMUND  LOW 


Box  office  says: 

"Should  BEAT  the 
boxoflfice  success  of 
Miracle  On  34th  Street'! 

and 

in  Portland,  Spokane 
and  Atlantic  City,  it's 
BEATING  the  grosses 


of  Sitting  Pretty' ! 

and 

in  St.  Louis  it's 
BEATING 


The  Walls  of 

■fit 

Jericho'  and  'The 
Foxes  of  Harrow' ! 

Every  showman  says: 

YOU  CAN'T  BEAT 


Tyrone 
Jlnne 

BAXTER 


CENTURY-FOX 


nst«"ce/0nes 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICTURE 

DAILY 


r 

FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


'0 


NO.  52 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  14,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Availability 
[)ates  Set  by 
20th  Yr.  Ahead 

Plan  Subject  to  Any 
Decree,  Smith  Reports 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  13. — For  the 
irst  time  since  the  inception  of  the 
;ompany's  new  selling  methods, 
20th  Century-Fox  is  ready  to  offer 
definite  availability  dates  of  its  prod- 
uct, picture  by  picture,  for  12  months 
in  advance,  Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  gen- 
eral sales  manager,  told  delegates  at 
the  opening  of  the  company's  four- 
day  national  sales  conference  here  to- 
day. 

He  added  that  the  offer  is 
subject  to  compliance  with  any 
applicable  court  decree  and  ul- 
timate execution  of  appropri- 
ate film  licenses  on  a  picture 
by  picture  basis. 

Smith  said  the  company  had 
achieved  a  point  in  production  and 
distribution  that  made  this  offer  pos- 
sible. 

"This  is  the  first  time  that  any  mo- 
ition  picture  company  has  been  able 

{Continued  on  page  8) 

U-I  Joins  Others 
In  Boycott  of  SPG 

Film  industry  management  in  New 
York  tightened  up  against  the  Screen 
Publicists  Guild  further  yesterday 
when  Universal-International  joined 
eight  other  companies  which  last  week 
informed  SPG,  and  its  sister  union, 
the  Screen  Office  and  Professional 
Employes  Guild,  that  their  failure 
to  comply  with  the  non-Communist 

(Continued  on  page  3) 

Cinema  Lodge  Will 
Honor  Si  Fabian 

Simon  H.  Fabian,  president  of  Fa- 
bian Theatres,  will  be  honored  by  New 
York's  Cinema  Lodge  of  B'nai  B'rith 
for  his  "outstanding  service  to  human- 
ity" at  a  special  meeting  at  the  Hotel 
Astor,  next  Tuesday  evening,  S.  Ar- 
thur Glixon,  president  of  the  Lodge, 
announces. 

Fabian,  who  recently  served  as  New 
York  State  chairman  for  the  enter- 
tainment industry's  participation  in  the 
United  Jewish  Appeal  drive,  and  last 
year  as  entertainment  industry  chair- 
man of  the  Federation  of  Jewish  Phil- 
anthropies drive,  will  be  presented 
with  Cinema's  "Honor  Scroll"  by 
Samuel  Rinzler,  president  of  Rand 
force  Theatres. 


N.  Y.  lst-Run 
Grosses  Off 


Beaches  and  other  resorts  got  an- 
other good  play  over  the  weekend, 
parents  made  ready  for  their  young- 
sters' return  to  school,  and  nearly  all 
films  were  holdovers,  all  of  these  fac- 
tors apparently  combining  to  force 
grosses  at  several  New  York  first- 
runs  down  to  levels  substantially  un- 
der last  week's  prosperous  returns. 

The  lone  newcomer,  "Luxury  Lin- 
er," with  Gene  Krupa's  orchestra  and 
Georgie  Price  on  stage  at  the  Capi- 
tol, is  faring  well  with  a  first  week's 
take  of  $83,000  indicated.  "Sorry, 
Wrong  Number,"  with  Carmen  Ca- 
vallaro  in  person  at  the  Paramount 
continues  to  be  one  of  the  best  which 
the  theatre  has  had  in  months,  the 
second  week's  income  being  estimated 
at  $100,000  after  a  huge  $111,000  in 

(Continued  on  page  8) 


A  A -Mono.  Sets  61 
For  '48-9:  Broidy 


Hollywood,  Sept.  13. — Citing  the 
success  of  Allied  Artists'  "The  Babe 
Ruth  Story"  and  an  anticipated  short- 
age in  product  through  curtailments 
by  other  studios  and  the  consequent 
demand  by  exhibitors  for  "second  pic- 
tures," Steve  Broidy,  president  of 
Monogram-Allied  Artists,  today  dis- 
closed that  both  companies  will  in- 
crease their  production  schedules  for 
the  1948-49  season. 

Monogram,  which  produced  42  last 
year,  will  make  51  during  the  coming 
season,  while  AA,  which  previously 
made  six  pictures,  will  produce  10,  he 
said,  adding  that  an  undetermined 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


Ascap  Decree 
In  NY  Sept.  29 


American  Society  of  Composers, 
Authors  and  Publishers  on  Sept.  29 
will  submit  to  the  New  York  Federal 
Court  its  proposed  decree  giving  ef- 
fect to  the  court's  decision  enjoining 
the  Society  from  collecting  music  fees 
from  motion  picture  theatres,  it  was 
disclosed  here  yesterday.  A  court 
session  is  scheduled  for  Oct.  5,  with 
attorneys  for  the  Society  and  ITOA 
exhibitor  plaintiffs  in  the  anti-trust 
action  joining  with  Judge  Vincent  L. 
Leibell  in  a  discussion  of  the  court's 
order.  Whether  this  will  take  the 
form  of  an  open  hearing  or  an  inform- 
al conference  in  the  judge's  chambers 
is  not  known. 

Meanwhile  comment  on  the  Minne- 
apolis Federal  Court's  decision 
against  Ascap,  handed  down  last  Fri- 

(Continued  on  page  8) 


Map  Plan  to 

Recover  Fees 
Paid  to  Ascap 

Counsel  Sets  Strategy 
For  NCA  Directors 


1st  Joint  Percentage 
Suits  in  Carolina 


Asheville,  N.  C,  Sept.  13. — Six 
distributors  filed  percentage  suits  here 
today  in  U.  S.  District  Court  for 
the  Western  District  of  North  Caro- 
lina, Asheville  division.  Actions  were 
filed  by  Paramount,  20th  Century- 
Fox,  Warner,  RKO,  United  Artists 
and  Universal. 

C.  V.  Davis,  W.  I.  Davis  and  F. 
W.  Davis,  doing  business  as  the  Alva 
Theatre  Co.,  are  defendants,  as  well 
as  Elsie  B.  House  and  Marion  Amuse- 
ment Co.  Theatres  named  in  the  com- 
plaint are  the  Mimosa  and  Alva  in 
Morganton,  and  the  Marion  and  Oasis 
in  Marion.  These  are  the  first  suits 
of  this  type  in  the  Carolina  area. 


"Johnny  Belinda  " 

[  Warner  ]  —  A  Very  First-Class  Drama 

JANE  WYMAN'S  illuminating  performance  will  be  talked  about 
widely  once  "Johnny  Belinda"  gets  under  way.  While  she  literally 
shines  in  a  very  difficult  role,  the  attraction  which  she  well  nigh 
dominates  has  considerable  merit  on  its  own. 

Out  of  Elmer  Harris'  play  Irmgard  von  Cube  and  Allen  Vincent  have 
worked  out  a  sensible  and  intelligent  script  dealing  with  material  ex- 
plosive enough  to  make  many  producers  gun-shy.  In  such  firm  hands  as 
Jerry  Wald's,  who  produced,  and  Jean  Negulesco's,  who  directed,  and 
a  top-grade  cast,  the  outcome  is  one  of  decided  merit  and  dramatic  power. 
Adult  in  its  appeal,  "Johnny  Belinda"  in  all  likelihood  will  prove  to  be 
one  of  those  infrequent  films  combining  a  popular  attraction — particularly 
for  women — with  an  appeal  for  those  who  only  part  with  their  money 
when  Hollywood  delivers  for  discriminating  grown-ups. 

Miss  Wyman  is  the  deaf  mute  daughter  of  Charles  Bickford,  farmer 
fighting  adversity  on  Cape  Breton  Island  at  the  Eastern  extremity  of 
Nova  Scotia.  Neither  he  nor  his  sister,  Agnes  Moorehead,  interest  them- 
selves in  her  welfare.  A  drudge  bearing  her  share  of  the  heavy  chores, 
(Continued  on  page  8) 


Minneapolis,  Sept.  13.  —  A 
"plan"  for  the  recovery  of  perform- 
ing fees  paid  by  independent  exhib- 
itors here  to  the  American  Society 
of  Composers,  Authors  and  Publishers 
will  be  laid  before  directors  ot  North 
Central  Allied  immediately  by  Louis 
B.  Schwartz,  local  attorney,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  Federal  court  decision 
here  last  Friday  holding  Ascap's  col- 
lections from  theatres  to  be  illegal. 

Schwartz,  in  association  with  Sam- 
uel P.  Halperin.  represented  Bennie 
Berger,  NCA  president,  and  Mrs. 
Jessie  Jensen,  defendant  exhibitors,  in 
the  Ascap  case  decided  in  the  ex- 
hibitors' favor  by  Federal  Judge 
Gunnar  Nordbye. 

At  the  same  time,  Stanley  Kane, 
NCA  executive  director,  said  no  stone 
will  be  left  unturned  to  recover  fees 
collected  by  Ascap.  He  said  few  the- 
atres here  have  paid  fees  to  Ascap 

(Continued  on  page  8) 


SIMPP  to  Clark: 
Press  NY  Para.  Case 


Hollywood,  Sept.  13. — Society  of 
Independent  Motion  Picture  Produc- 
ers has  called  upon  U.  S.  Attorney 
General  Tom  Clark  to  press  the  Gov- 
ernment's anti-trust  suit  against  the 
distributors  to  an  ultimate  court  deci- 
sion, SIMPP  vice-president  Gunther 
Lessing,  in  a  weekend  telegram  to 
Clark  (a  copy  of  which  was  sent  to 
President  Truman)  said:  "We  are  in- 
formed that  negotiations  are  in 
progress  where  major  motion  picture 
company  defendants  in  the  anti-trust 
case  .  .  .  are  attempting  to  avoid  the 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


E  -  K,  Gov't  Discuss 
A  Consent  Decree 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  13. — Federal 
Judge  C.  Mathes  has  postponed  the 
pre-trial  conference  of  the  Govern- 
ment's anti-trust  suit  against  Techni- 
color and  Eastman-Kodak  from  Sept. 
20  to  Nov.  20  on  a  motion  by  the  De- 
partment of  Justice  here  following  re- 
ceipt of  instructions  from  Washington. 
Cited  in  the  instructions  from  the 
Capital  were  conferences  between  the 
Justice  Department's  anti-trust  division 
and  Eastman-Kodak  officials  on  a  pos- 
sible consent  decree. 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  September  14,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


M 


1VJ  Artists-Monogram  general  sales 
manager,  will  leave  here  today  for 
Pittsburgh. 

• 

Frederick  Brisson,  Independent 
Artists  executive  producer,  who  is 
here  from  the  Coast,  was  in  Philadel- 
phia last  night.  He  will  return  to 
Hollywood  next  week. 

Joan  Golding,  publicist  for  Mar- 
garet Ettinger  Co.,  industry  public  re- 
lations company,  will  be  married  to 
Marvin  Machson  on  Oct.  17  in 
White  Plains,  N.  Y. 

• 

Norman  Barnett  of  Massco-Bar- 
nett  Co.  here  and  Mrs.  Barnett  have 
become  parents  of  a  son,  born  on  Sat- 
urday at  Women's  Hospital,  New 
York. 

Bernard  J.  Gates,  Monogram 
Latin-American  supervisor,  left  here 
by  plane  over  the  weekend  for  Mon- 
tevideo. 

« 

Jessika  Kolkan,  secretary  to 
Paramount  attorney  Morton  Lane, 
and  Henry  R.  Chuck  have  an- 
nounced their  engagement. 

• 

Al  Zimbalist,  Film  Classics'  adver- 
tising-publicity head,  returned  here 
yesterday  from  Chicago. 

a 

Andre  Kostalanetz  and  his  wife, 
Lily  Pons,  returned  here  yesterday 
from  Europe  on  the  •S\S"  Queen  Mary. 


Monroe  Trust  Suit 
Hearings  Sept.  20 

Chicago,  -Sept.  13. — Preliminary 
hearings  on  Balaban  and  Katz's  objec- 
tions to  plaintiff's  interrogatories  in 
the  Monroe  Theatre  anti-trust  suit  in- 
volving $1,580,000  treble  damages 
against  14  film  and  theatre  corpora- 
tions are  scheduled  for  Sept.  20  in 
Judge  Phillip  Barnes'  U.  S.  District 
Court.  The  plaintiff,  Lubliner  and 
Triniz,  formerly  operated  the  Monroe 
in  the  Loop. 


Chicago's  Censors 
Re-classify  'Rope' 

Chicago,  Sept.  13.  —  Warner's 
"Rope"  was  today  given  an  "adults 
only"  classification  by  the  Chicago 
Police  Censor  Board.  The  board  last 
week  banned  the  film  for  local  show- 
ing. Ben  Kalmenson,  Warner  sales 
vice-president,  spent  several  days  here 
negotiating  with  the  board.  The  film  is 
scheduled  for  a  Loop  showing  in  Oc- 
tober at  a  Balaban  and  Katz  theatre. 


Tradewise .  .  * 


Jeffrey  Leaves  E-L 

Arthur  Jeffrey,  exploitation  man- 
ager of  Eagle-Lion  since  its  inception 
two  years  ago,  has  resigned,  effective 
in  October.  Max  E.  Youngstein,  E-L 
advertising  -  publicity  vice  -  president, 
said  yesterday  a  successor  to  Jeffrey 
will  be  appointed  shortly. 


By  SHERWIN  KANE 


THE  Minneapolis  Federal 
Court  decision  in  the  Ascap- 
Berger  case  appears  to  be  of 
even  greater  significance  to  ex- 
hibitors than  the  New  York 
court  decision  two  months  ear- 
lier in  the  case  brought  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  Association  of  New 
York. 

The  ITOA  members  sued 
Ascap  as  a  monopoly  in  viola- 
tion of  the  anti-trust  laws  and 
won.  The  court  held,  however, 
in  denying  exhibitor  plaintiffs 
damages  from  Ascap,  that  the 
early  performing  rights  fees  lev- 
ied by  the  Society  had  been  rea- 
sonable and  that  exhibitors  had 
received  something  of  value  for 
the  license  fees  paid  to  Ascap. 
• 

The  Minneapolis  case  involved 
actions  brought  by  members  of 
Ascap  to  obtain  damages  from 
exhibitors  who  had  refused  to 
pay  any  Ascap  fee  whatever  and 
freely  used  films  containing 
Ascap  music  without  licenses. 
The  actions  also  sought  injunc- 
tions to  restrain  the  exhibitors 
from  exhibiting  such  films  with- 
out Ascap  licenses  in  the  future. 
The  court  denied  both  petitions, 
ruling  in  favor  of  the  exhibitor 
defendants  on  all  counts. 

If  early  interpretations  of  the 
Minneapolis  decision  are  correct, 
it  would  seem  not  only  to  invite 
exhibitors  to  halt  payments  to 
Ascap  immediately  but  also  to 
leave  the  door  open  for  recov- 
ery of  fees  already  paid  to 
Ascap. 

• 

However,  both  the  New  York 
and  Minneapolis  cases  are  "priv- 
vate"  litigation.  They  lack  the 
breadth  of  application  which 
would  be  theirs  had  the  Govern- 
ment, representing  the  public, 
been  involved.  Also,  their  value 
as  precedent  is  dubious  pending 
determination  of  appeals. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  in 
both  cases  the  courts  made  a 
point  of  citing  Ascap's  ability  to 
levy  an  exorbitant  fee  from  ex- 
hibitors for  performing  rights 
licenses  as  evidence  of  the  pos- 
session of  illegal  monopolistic 
power. 

As  this  department  pointed 
out  earlier,  that  evidence  was 
furnished  the  courts  by  Ascap 
itself  when  it  sought  to  raise 
performing  rights  fees  by  300 
to  1,500  per  cent  a  year  ago. 
That  was  the  most  ill-advised 
of  all  Ascap  actions  in  the  his- 
tory of  its  dealings  with  exhib- 
itors.   It  appears  now  to  have 


been  a  blessing  in  disguise  for 
theatre  owners  for  by  it  Ascap 
stands   convicted,  twice. 

•  e 

Attorney  General  Tom  Clark 
told  Motion  Picture  Daily 
recently  that  although  his  De- 
partment has  not  received  any 
formal  proposals  for  a  consent 
decree  from  defendants  in  the 
Paramount  case,  "if  they  want 
to  talk  we  would  be  bull-headed 
to  refuse." 

Along  about  last  June  when 
the  exploration  of  the  subject  of 
a  consent  decree  was  raised 
among  industry  defendants,  At- 
torney General  Clark  packaged 
the  case  with  some  finality  by 
publicly  listing  it  among  the  im- 
portant "accomplishments"  of 
the  Justice  Department  during 
his  tenure.  At  the  same  time  he 
brushed  aside  consent  decree  re- 
ports as  "just  trade  talk,"  infer- 
ring that  there  was  no  basis  for 
an  agreement  on  a  decree  be- 
cause the  case  had  been  won 
already  by  the  Government. 

On  June  1  this  department 
commented  that  it  appeared  to 
be  a  case  of  the  Government 
protesting  too  much  and  sug- 
gested that  any  good  horse  trad- 
er would  recognize  in  Clark's 
comments  an  invitation  to  open 
up  consent  decree  talks  in  order 
that  the  case  might  be  filed  away 
in  the  drawer  marked  "settled," 
before  January  and,  possibly, 
before  a  new  Attorney  General 
arrived. 

It  would  seem  that  the  indus- 
try's horse-traders  are  moving 
too  slowly  to  suit  the  Depart- 
ment, which  now  is  out  in  the 
open.  It  has  not  received  any 
proposals  yet  but  it  does  not 
want  to  be  "bull-headed"  when 
they  come.  Not  with  elections 
only  two  months  away. 

•  © 

Loew's  and  United  Artists 
Theatre  Circuit  are  50-50  own- 
ers of  a  company  which  controls 
the  Louisville  Theatre,  Louis- 
ville, Ky.  The  Louisville  com- 
pany borrowed  $1,000,000  from 
First  National  Bank  of  Boston 
and  Massachusetts  Mutual  Life, 
Loew's  guaranteeing  the  loans, 
but — if  Loew's  is  required  by 
subsequent  action  in  the  Para- 
mount case  to  dispose  of  its  in- 
terest, U.  'A.  Theatre  Circuit 
will  repay  Loew's  any  loss  it 
may  incur  in  consequence  of  its 
guarantee,  before  and  after  with- 
drawing from  the  partnership. 

An  example,  perhaps,  of  a 
New  Look  in  joint  operations. 


'Hamlet'  in  Capital 
On  Four -Wall  Basis 

Washington,  Sept.  13. — Laurena 
Olivier's  "Hamlet,"  British-made,  wil 
open  here  Oct.  20  at  roadshow  price; 
at  both  the  Little  and  Playhouse  thea- 
tres, Universal  -  International  an- 
nounced here  today.  Both  theatres  are 
owned  by  Ilya  Lopert  and  Louis< 
Noonan  Miller. 

"Hamlet"  will  play  on  a  two-a-day 
reserved-seat  basis,  with  evenings-tick 
ets  costing  $2.40  and  matinees-  rl 
At  present,  the  Playhouse  charb  £1 
cents  evenings  and  55  for  matinees 
while  the  Little  charges  74  and  5C 
cents. 

The  Lopert-Miller  theatres  got 
"Hamlet"  on  an  "adjusted  four-wall 
basis."  The  theatres  will  get  a  share 
in  grosses  over  a  minimum  four-wall 
figure,  plus  adjustments  for  increases 
in  overhead  and  other  expenses.  It 
understood  here  that  Lopert-Miller 
offered  a  flat  $100,000  for  "Hamlet,' 
but  the  four-wall  deal  finally  worked 
out,  which  it  is  understood  is  more  to 
Universal-International's  advantage 


Kusell  to  Preside 
AtSRO  Meeting 

Milton  S.  Kusell,  SRO  sales_  vice- 
president,  will  preside  at  a  meeting  of 
division  managers  to  be  held  Thurs- 
day at  the  home  office. 

Following  executives  and  division 
managers  will  attend :  Sidney  Deneau. 
assistant  sales  manager;  Leonard  R. 
Case,  treasurer ;  John  T.  Howard, 
Western  division  manager;  J.  E.  Fon- 
taine, Eastern  manager;  Henry  G. 
Krumm,  Southern  manager;  Sam 
Horowitz,  Midwestern  manager,  and 
Robert  M.  Gillham,  Eastern  advertis- 
ing-publicity director. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL- 

Rockefeller  Center 

"A  DATE  WITH  JUDY"  I 

Wallace  BEERY     .    Jane  POWELL 
■  Elizabeth  TAYLOR     .     Carmen  MIRANDA 
Xavler  CU GAT     .     Robert  8TACK 
A  Metro-Goldwyn. Mayer  Picture 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


Barbara  Stanwyck 
Burt  Lancaster 

'SORRY. 
WRONG  NUMBER" 

A  Paramount  Release 


ROSALIND  RUSSELL 

in 

"THE  VELVET  TOUCH" 

A    FREDERICK  BRISSON 
PRODUCTION 
Released    through  RKO 

B'way  &  49th  St. 


RIV0LL 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  dail> -  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address  UurgpuBco; 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Then  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  j.  ar™y 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  lucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  TJrben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  J immy  Ascner. 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  -feter  uuraup. 
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Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  x .,  under  tne  act  ot  marcn 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  September  14,  1948 
I-  1  

iWouldExemptVideo 
Outlets  on  Changes 


■    Washington,  Sept.  13.— Testimony 
from  top  television  officials  seemed  to 
add  up  today  to  the  belief  that  any 
changes     in     television  engineering 
,  standards  should  not  be  made  to  ap- 
,  ply  to  stations  already  in  the  field. 

Officials  of  television  associations, 
i  networks,     stations,    and  equipment 
manufacturers    attended    an  informal 
ij    (Ary  conference  with  the  Federal 

,  fc  rtiunications  Commission  today,  to 

-  give  industry  views  on  new  engineer- 
'.  ing    standards,    proposed  television 
channel  reallocations  and  other  televi- 
sion problems. 

1  Changes  in  standards  are  desirable, 
i  said  Dr.  Raymond  Guy,  of  the  Televi- 
li  sion  Broadcasters  Association.  But 
s  pioneers  in  television,  with  large  in- 
i  vestments  in  stations  and  equipment, 
s  should  not  have  to  conform  to  what- 
ever these  new  standards  may  be,  he 
declared. 

'I  Paramount  vice-president  Paul  Rai- 
bourn,  originally  scheduled  to  testify, 
called  off  his  appearance  at  the  last 
minute,  and  Paramount  was  not  rep- 
resented. 

Nathan  Levenson  of  Warners  was 
an  observer,  but  did  not  testify.  Allen 
'  B.  DuMont  and  Dr.  Theodore  Gold- 
'  smith  of  Allen  B.  DuMont  Labora- 
'tories  are  slated  to  testify  tomorrow. 


ii 

Reade  Managers  Meet 

{    District  and  city  managers  of  Wal- 
iter  Reade  Theatres  will  meet  here  to- 
iday  at  the  home  office  for  their  regu- 
I  larly  monthly  session. 
}  ■ 


AA-Mono.  Sets  61 

{Continued  from  page  1) 

number  of  films  to  be  made  abroad 
will  supplement  these  totals. 

Three  AA  features  are  already  com- 
pleted, King  Brothers'  "Last  of  the 
Badmen,"  Jack  Wrather's  "Strike  It 
Rich"  and  Associated  British's  "My 
Brother  Jonathan,"  he  declared. 
Others  on  the  AA  list  are :  Roy  Del 
Ruth's  "Red  Light,"  King  Brothers' 
"Gun  Crazy,"  Champion-Edward's 
"Stampede,"  Lesser-Melford's  "When 
a  Man's  a  Man,"  two  untitled  Fields- 
Than  features  to  be  made  in  Canada 
and  Paul  Short's  "Bad  Boy,"  spon- 
sored by  Variety  Clubs  International. 


SIMPP  to  Clark  . 

(Continued  front  page  1) 

full  effect  of  the  decision  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  by  procuring  the  Gov- 
ernment's agreement  to  a  so-called 
'consent  decree'." 

Lessing  suggested  that  "any  soft- 
ening of  the  application  of  the  law  as 
laid  down  by  the  Supreme  Court 
would  result  in  a  continuation  of 
monopolistic  practices  and  prevent 
restoration  of  a  free  and  competitive 
screen."  He  said  that  the  original 
consent  decree  of  1940  had  "complete- 
ly failed." 


Paris  Opens  Here 

Henri  Bonnet,  French  Ambassador 
to  the  U.  S.,  and  Grover  Whalen  were 
guest  speakers  last  night  at  the  open- 
ing of  Pathe  Cinema's  Paris  Theatre 
here.  "Symphonie  Pastorale"  was 
given  its  premiere  in  conjunction  with 
the  opening,  which  was  held  as  a  bene- 
fit for  five  French  relief  organizations. 


Small  Business  Quiz 
Set  for  More  Cities 


Salt  Lake  City,  Sept.  13. — Testi- 
mony on  the  independent  theatre's  side 
of  the  small  business  question  will  be 
heard  before  the  Congressional  Small 
Business  Committee  in  New  Orleans 
in  November,  Willis  Ballinger,  chair- 
man, declared  today  during  hearings 
here.  Hearings  in  January  in  Los 
Angeles,  are  also  planned.  -Ballinger 
said  important  testimony  on  theatres 
is  yet  to  come. 

In  Salt  Lake  City  the  hearings  Sat- 
urday heard  from  Gene  Bowls,  repre- 
senting the  Camark,  neighborhood 
theatre,  who  said  his  house  has  not 
had  pictures  until  after  "seven  runs," 
and  that  his  grosses  have  been  cut  at 
least  50  per  cent. 

Jay  Christensen,  owner  of  the  Ar- 
cade, West  Side  house,  said  before 
circuits  acquired  neighborhood  houses 
on  the  East  Side  he  had  received  a 
"square  break"  on  pictures,  but  now 
circuit-operated  neighborhoods  get 
special  favors  and  pictures  before  the 
Arcade. 

Henry  Ungerleider  and  Ray  C. 
Hendry  of  Intennountain  Theatres, 
and  Giff  Davison  of  RKO  also  at- 
tended the  hearing,  but  did  not  testify. 

In  Butte  hearings  earlier  in  the 
week  the  committee  heard  Clarence 
Colder  of  Great  Falls  testify  that 
Fox-Intermountain  is  making  it  diffi- 
cult for  him  to  get  product.  He  tes- 
tified he  did  not  believe  producing 
companies  should  be  allowed  to  own 
theatres. 

Services  Today  for 
Wm.  /.  Kernan,  72 

A  Requiem  Mass  will  be  sung  at 
Holy  Trinity  Church  at  10  A.M.  to- 
day for  William  J.  Kernan,  72,  as- 
sistant treasurer  and  paymaster  of 
RKO  Service  Corp.,  who  died  here 
Saturday,  at  St.  Vincent's  Hospital. 
Kernan  had  been  with  RKO  and  its 
predecessors  for  over  32  years. 

Surviving  are  the  widow,  Mrs.  Ellen 
I.  Kernan ;  a  son,  William  E.  Ker- 
nan, and  three  brothers,  John  B., 
Joseph  F.,  and  Edward  H.  Kernan. 
Interment  will  be  at  Calvary  Ceme- 
tery, West  Roxbury,  Mass. 


George  Goldberg,  55 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  13.— Funeral 
services  were  held  here  today  for 
George  Goldberg,  55,  Warner  sales- 
man for  more  than  20  years.  Police 
found  Goldberg's  body  Saturday  morn- 
ing in  Washington  Park  Lake  26  hours 
after  Mrs.  Goldberg  reported  him 
missing.  The  widow  said  he  was  ill 
for  the  past  tlrjree  months.  A  member 
of  Variety  Club  and  a  veteran  of 
World  War  I,  Goldberg  is  also  sur- 
vived by  a  married  daughter.  F.  D. 
Moore,  Warner  district  manager,  came 
from  Boston  to  attend  the  funeral. 


Morris  Harris,  64 

Hartford,  Sept.  13.— Morris  Alton 
Harris,  64,  associated  in  the  operation 
of  the  State  Theatre,  Hartford,  with 
his  brothers,  Ted  Martin,  and  Sam, 
died  at  Mt.  Sinai  Hospital  on  Friday. 
Burial  was  in  Hartford  Sunday. 


Kriendler  Memorial 

Monument  to  the  memory  of  Jack 
Kriendler,  co-founder  of  New  York's 
Twenty-one  Club,  will  be  unveiled  at 
Mt.  Lebanon  Cemetery,  Brooklyn,  on 
Sept.  26. 


Kalmine  to  Preside 
At  Warner  Meeting 

Harry  M.  Kalmine,  president  of 
Warner  Theatres,  will  preside  at  a 
zone  managers'  meeting  here  today  at 
the  company's  home  office.  Those  at- 
tending will  include:  Zone  managers 
James  Coston,  Nat  Wolf,  I.  J.  Hoff- 
man, Frank  Damis,  Charles  A.  Smak- 
witz,  Ted  Schlanger,  M.  A.  Silver, 
George  A.  Crouch,  and  Ben  Waller- 
stein. 

Also,  film  buyers  Alex  Halperin, 
Ted  Minsky,  Bert  Jacocks,  Max  Hoff- 
man, Sam  Blasky,  Max  Friedman, 
John  Turner,  Harry  Feinstein,  L.  F. 
Ribnitzki  and  Leo  Miller,  and  home 
office  executives  M.  Alben,  C.  E.  Bond, 
F.  Cahill,  H.  Copelan,  Z.  Epstin,  N. 
Felman,  H.  Goldberg,  L.  J.  Kaufman, 
H.  Maier,  F.  Marshall,  W.  S.  Mc- 
Donald, F.  Phelps,  H.  Rodner,  H. 
Rosenquest,  D.  Triester,  R.  Weiss 
and  B.  Wirth. 

Edward  Doherty 
Buys  Film  Company 

Hollywood,  Sept.  13.— United  In- 
ternational, Inc.,  16mm.  distribution 
company,  has  been  purchased  by  a 
financial  group  headed  by  Edward 
Doherty  of  Chicago,  who  is  president 
of  the  Apex  Railway  Supply  Co., 
manufacturer  of  railway  equipment. 
He  will  act  as  chairman  of  the  board 
of  the  reorganized  film  company.  The 
Hollywood  office,  from  which  most  of 
the  business  of  the  company  will  be 
transacted,  is  under  management  of 
H.  W.  Irwin,  new  president  of  United 

Plans  of  United  also  call  for  the 
production  and  distribution  of  features 
for  both  35mm.  and  16mm.  release. 


U-I,  SPG  Boycott 

 (Continued  from  page  1) 

affidavit  provisions  of  the  Taft-Hart- 
ley Law  has  made  it  impossible  for 
the  companies  to  negotiate  new  con- 
tracts with  them. 

Universal,  like  Warners,  which  also 
has  refused  to  deal  with  SPG,  has  no 
contract  with  SOPEG  and  hence  did 
not  send  a  refusal  communication  to 
that  group  as  did  other  distribution 
home  offices.  Companies  forming  a 
"front"  against  both  unions  include 
United  Artists,  Columbia,  Loew's, 
Paramount,  RKO  Radio,"  Republic, 
20th  Century-Fox.  Universal  and 
Warner  home  office  "white  collarites" 
have  contracts  with  IATSE  Home 
Office  Local  No.  H-63,  which  claims 
to  have  won  "an  oyerwhelming  ma- 
jority" of  UA  employes  away  from 
SOPEG.  A  UA  shop  election  has 
been  sought. 

SOPEG  president  Sidney  Young 
and  SPG  president  Jeff  Livingston 
are  expected  to  hold  a  joint  strategy 
meeting  this  week. 


Resume  Stage  Shows 

Scranton,  Pa.,  Sept.  13.— Comer- 
ford  Theatres'  Capitol  here  and  Penn 
in  Wilkes-Barre  will  resume  stage 
shows  for  the  new  season  on  Thurs- 
day, and  the  Hippodrome  at  Pottstown 
and  Feeley  at  Hazelton  will  resume  on 
Sept.  20. 


Al  Tamarin's  Father 

Abraham  Tamarin,  74,  died  Sunday 
of  pulmonary  post-operative  complica- 
tions. Services  were  held  at  Hudson 
City  Cemetery,  Hudson,  N.  Y.  Sur- 
viving Tamarin,  who  retired  from 
business  10  years  ago,  are  his  sons, 
Alfred  H.  Tamarin,  publicity  director 
of  United  Artists,  and  Dr.  Joseph 
Tamarin,  both  of  New  York. 


No  extra  fare  on 

American's 
DC-6  Flagships! 


Ride  the  famous  *  Mercury"  flight  to 
Los  Angeles  at  no  increase  in  cost! 


On  September  1st,  DC-6  and 
Constellation  fares  were  raised  10 
per  cent  by  the  transcontinental 
air  lines — with  the  single  excep- 
tion of  American  Airlines.  On 
American,  you  can  enjoy  luxuri- 
ous DC-6  service  at  no  increase 
in  cost! 

"The  Mercury,"  departing 


daily  at  midnight,  EDT  and  ar- 
riving in  Los  Angeles  at  8:10  a.m. 
PDT,  will  continue  to  provide 
transcontinental  travelers  with 
the  finest  in  air  travel — at  the 
same  fare— only  $157.85.  "The 
Mercury"  now  has  eight  roomy 
Skysleeper  berths  to  supple- 
ment 36  seat  accommodations. 


Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000  or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices.-  Airlines  Terminal  •  Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •   Hole/  St.  George 

AMERICAN  AIRLINES 


color  by  TECHNICOLOR    .  ^  utthat  rhythm 


w»h  HUGH  HERBERT 

Directed  by  ^  qqq^  .  XOMMY  DORSEY 

-eT      LOUIS  ARMSTRONG  •  LIONEL  HAMPTO 
•^V  CHARLIE  BARNET  •  MEL  POWELL 

\P  BUCK  &  BUBBLES  •  THE  GOLDEN  GATE  QUARTET 

THE  PAGE  CAVANAUGH  TRIO  •  RUSSO  &  THE  SAMBA  Kll> 


Released  thru  RKO  RADIO  PICTURES,  INC. 


ADVERTISEMENTS  IN 
THE  FOLLOWING: 

LIFE  LOOK-AMERICAN 
WEEKLY*  PARADE  THIS 
WEEK  •  AMERICAN  GIRL  • 
SING  •  SCREEN  SONGS 
CALLING  ALL  GIRLS 
HIT  PARADER 
SEVENTEEN 
BOY'S  LIFE 
SONG  HIT 
EBONY 


WHERE  . 

(f(HC  tteea, £C/ 

WHEN       ,  _y 

fwc  needs £C/ 


Akron  Beacon  Journal 
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Chronicle 
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News  Leader 
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Independent 
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This  is  a  partial  list  of  news- 
paper comic  sections  and 
supplements.  All  ads  will 
appear  between  Oct.  1 0  and 
Oct.  31  —  heading  for 


/ 


Then  we  proved  it  at  the  N.  Y.  Paramount^  Pre-Rek 
Now  weVe  proved  again  and  again  in  first  nationwi 


ALAN  LADD  I 

can  bring  you,  even  is 


THE  BIGGEST 

as  it  did  in  these  typical 


Paramount 

is  putting  you  back  in 
War- Boom  Business 
with  "Beyond  Glory" 
and  "Sorry,  Wrong 
Number"! 


wilh 


GEORGE  MACREADY-  GEORGE  COULOUR] 
HAROLD  VERMILYEA  •  HENRY  TRAVER 

Produced  by  ROBERT  FELLOWS  •  Directed  by  JOHN  FARRO 

J!        Original  Screenplay  by  Jonathan  Lai imer,  Charles  Marquis  Warren  and  William  Wisler  Hai 


reater  Alan  Ladd... 

i 

emiere... 
ase  dates  that 


REED 

s  market  and  at  reduced  admission  scales, 

ID  GROSSES  IN  2  YEARS 

-most  of  them  without  benefit  of  holiday  plus-patronage- 

|  KANSAS  CITY 

I  DES  MOINES 

SAN  ANTONIO 
MIAMI 

POUGHKEEPSIE 
GEENS  FAEES 
PATER  SON 
BIRMINGHAM 
H  OEEYff^O  0  D 
OKLAHOMA  CITY 
D UE UTH 
NEIVARK 
PEEKSKIEE 
JVILKES-BARRE 
CHA  TTANOOGA 
KNOXFIEEE 
CHARLOTTE 


8 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  September  14,  1948 


Ascap  Fees 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


recently  and  since  Friday's  decision 
all  have  now  ceased  making  payments. 

Kane,  an  attorney,  says  he  sees  little 
chance  of  Judge  Nordbye's  decision 
being  reversed  on  appeal,  pointing  out 
that  the  jurist  is  regarded  as  ultra- 
conservative. 

Berger  himself  has  refused  to 
pay  the  music  tax  for  his 
straight  film  theatres  for  1941 
but  he  intimated  that  Judge 
Nordbye's  decision  of  last  week 
might  establish  a  precedent  for 
those  theatres  which  have  been 
paying  Ascap. 

Berger  also  indicated  he  would  go 
along  with  any  attempt  by  the  Society 
to  appeal  the  decision  to  the  Supreme 
Court. 

Denied  Damages,  Injunction 

Schwartz  emphasized  that  Judge 
Nordbye's  17-page  memorandum  de- 
nied damages  to  the  Ascap  plaintiffs 
against  the  exhibitor  defendants  for 
the  latter's  refusal  to  pay  and  denied 
plaintiffs  an  injunction  restraining  the 
exhibitors  from  further  use  of  film 
music  without  an  Ascap  license. 

Judge  Nordbye  held  that  to  grant 
plaintiffs'  petition  "would  tend  to 
serve  the  plaintiffs  in  their  plan  and 
scheme  with  other  members  of  Ascap 
to  extend  their  copyrights  in  a 
monopolistic  control  beyond  their 
proper  scope." 

"Ascap  has  the  combined  and  poten- 
tial power  to  deny  to  any  theatre  own- 
er the  right  to  carry  on  his  business," 
Judge  Nordbye  held,  "because,  with- 
out the  right  to  exhibit  films  contain- 
ing Ascap  music,  no  theatre  owner 
would  be  able  to  stay  in  business." 

Citing  Ascap's  practices  in  dealing 
with  theatres,  Judge  Nordbye  held 
that  the  Society  could  refuse  to  license 
or  impose  an  exorbitant  fee  which 
"can  sound  the  death  knell  of  every 
motion  picture  theatre  in  America." 

Illegal  Despite  Policing 

Granting  that  Ascap  endeavored  to 
police  violations  of  its  members'  copy- 
rights by  its  licensing  method,  Judge 
Nordbye  said :  "Notwithstanding 
these  seeming  beneficent  purposes, 
plaintiffs  and  their  associates  through 
Ascap  have  obtained  by  these  methods 
and  practices  which  they  have  carried 
on  over  the  years  a  monopolistic  con- 
trol over  the  copyrighted  films  in 
which  the  music  is  integrated." 

The  suits  were  brought  here  by  M. 
Witmark  and  Sons,  Santley-Joy,  Inc., 
Harms,  Inc.,  and  Mills  Music,  Inc.,  all 
of  New  York,  and  all  Ascap  mem- 
bers. They  sought  to  collect  the  per- 
forming fee  from  Berger  and  Mrs. 
Jensen. 


"Johnny  Belinda" 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


she  begins  to  appreciate  kindness  and  warmth  when  Lew  Ayres,  newly  arrived 
village  doctor,  interests  himself  in  her  case.  From  him,  Miss  Wyman  learns 
to  converse  with  signs  and  to  read  lips  so  that  finally  she  is  moved  from  her 
own  narrow  world  closer  to  the  normal  world  of  people  about  her.  From  her, 
Ayres  finds  comfort  for  earlier  failure  and  disillusion  until  he  falls  in  love 
as  she  eventually  does  with  him. 

Stephen  McNally,  domineering  and  unscrupulous  fisherman,  one  night  rapes 
the  girl  who  bears  his  child  without  divulging  the  identity  of  her  violator 
although  Ayres  begins  to  suspect.  Pride  of  possession  persuades  McNally  to 
visit  the  child,  Johnny,  when  in  an  unguarded  moment  he  reveals  the  truth. 
In  a  scuffle  atop  a  cliff,  McNally  kills  Bickford,  the  avenging  father. 

Suspicious  of  Ayres,  the  townsfolk  decide  to  clear  their  village's  name  by 
seeking  to  place  the  baby  in  the  hands  of  McNally  and  his  wife,  Jan  Sterling. 
Her  maternal  instincts  aroused,  Miss  Wyman  resists  Miss  Sterling  and 
thereafter  kills  McNally  while  on  his  way  to  the  baby's  room.  Meanwhile 
Ayres,  with  marriage  his  intention,  regards  John^'  as  his  own  son  and  so 
describes  him  to  Miss  Wyman.  Miss  Sterling  recognizes  the  letter  so  declaring 
as  incriminating  evidence  in  the  trial  that  follows.  In  fact,  it  is  until  she  breaks 
down  in  court  and  acknowledges  that  McNally  had  told  her  he  was  the  father. 
This  brings  about  Miss  Wyman's  acquittal  and  a  final  reunion  with  Ayres. 

From  an  histronic  approach,  Miss  Wyman,  who  never  utters  a  word  must 
rely  for  the  projection  of  her  emotions  and  her  understanding  almost  entirely 
on  mobility  of  expression,  with  the  sign  language  of  the  deaf  mute  as  an  assist. 
With  an  astonishing  minimum  of  expression,  it  is  to  her  great  credit  as  an 
actress  that  she  does  outstandingly  well.  Undoubtedly  here  is  a  performance 
which  will  figure  prominently,  in  the  year's  contest  over  Academy  Awards. 

The  surrounding  talent  is  not  to  be  minimized,  however.  Ayres  is  excellent 
as  the  doctor.  McNally  makes  a  thorough-going  heavy.  Bickford  seems  to  get 
close  to  the  soil  as  the  father  and  Miss  Moorehead,  always  competent,  again 
maintains  her  reputation.  Miss  Sterling  is  effective  and  so,  too,  are  Dan 
Seymour  and  the  others.  Production  values  are  salty  and  picturesque.  An 
asset  of  decided  value  is  the  musical  score  prepared  by  Max  Steiner.  It 
establishes  and  serves  to  maintain  mood,  which  is  its  function. 

Running  time,  102  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Oct.  23.  Red  Kann 


Para.  Staff  Luncheon 

Henry  Ginsberg,  Paramount  pro 
duction  vice-president,  will  have 
luncheon  with  the  entire  advertising- 
publicity  departments  of  the  home  of- 
fice at  the  Astor  Hotel  tomorrow,  at 
which  time  he  will  talk  about  forth- 
coming product.  Representatives  of 
the  publicity  department  of  Para- 
mount International  and  the  Buchan- 
an Advertising  Agency  also  will  be 
present.  Paul  Raibourn,  vice-presi- 
dent of  Paramount,  will  act  as  host. 


N.  Y.  Ascap  Decree 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


day,  was  withheld  here  yesterday 
pending  an  analysis  of  the  ruling.  As- 
cap attorneys  said  that  copies  of  the 
decision  had  not  yet  reached  New 
York. 

Similarly,  executives  of  the  Thea- 
tre Owners  of  America,  which,  fol- 
lowing the  New  York  decision-  advised 
its  members  to  continue  payments  to 
Ascap,  said  any  new  stand  on  the  en- 
tire music  matter  must  await  a  study 
of  the  Minneapolis  opinion. 

Robert  P.  Patterson  will  join  with 
attorney  Louis  Frohlich  in  represent- 
ing Ascap  in  Minneapolis.  Both  are 
also  working  on  the  New  York  case. 


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PCCITO  Trustees  to 
Discuss  Ascap,  Video 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  13. — Ascap  and 
television  will  be  among  the  first  sub- 
jects discussed  by  trustees  of  the  Pa- 
cific Coast  Conference  of  Independent 
Theatre  Owners  when  their  three-day 
meeting  gets  under  way  tomorrow  at 
the  Ambassador  Hotel.  Leroy  John- 
son, PCCITO's  Ascap  program  chair- 
man, will  commend  attorney  Robert 
W.  Graham  for  his  amici  curiae 
briefs  filed  in  the  Independent  Thea- 
tre Owners  Association's  case  against 
Ascap  in  New  York  and  in  the  Minne- 
apolis case  decided  against  Ascap  by 
Federal  Judge  G.  H.  Nordbye  last 
week.  . 


New  York  Grosses 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


the  first  week.  "Loves  of  Carmen," 
also  good,  will  likely  give  the  State  a 
handsome  $45,000  for  a  second  week. 

Business  at  other  situations  is  for 
the  most  part  only  about  fair,  with 
estimated  grosses  as  follows :  "That 
Lady  in  Ermine,"  Jon  Hall  and  Frances 
Langford,  among  others,  on  the  stage, 
third  week  at  the  Roxy,  $75,000 
("Luck  of  the  Irish"  replaces  the 
show  tomorrow)  ;  "Date  with  Judy" 
and  a  stage  show  at  the  Music  Hall, 
sixth  and  final  week,  $120,000;  "Lar- 
ceny," Winter  Garden,  third  week, 
$20,000;  "Race  Street,"  Mayfair, 
fourth  and  final  week,  $14,000;  "Vel- 
vet Touch,"  Rivoli,  third  week,  $22,- 
000;  "Tap  Roots,"  Criterion,  third, 
$20,000 ;  "Two  Guys  from  Texas"  and 
a  giveaway  stage  show,  Strand,  third 
week,  $30,000;  "Larceny,"  Winter 
Garden,  second  week,  $17,000  ;  "Rope," 
Globe,  third  week  $30,000  ;  "Babe  Ruth 
Story,"  Astor,  seventh  week,  $17,500; 
"Ruthless,"  Gotham,  second  week, 
$12,500.  New  films  to  open  this  week 
include  "Good  Sam,"  Thursday  at  the 
Music  Hall,  and  "Rachel  and  the 
Stranger,"  Saturday  at  the  Mayfair. 


20th  Availability 


( Continued  from  page  1 ) 


to  offer  such  a  policy  to  exhibitors," 
he  added.  "Completed  pictures  and 
those  already  in  preparation  enable 
us  to  offer  exhibitors  definite  future 
releases,  giving  them  the  opportunity 
to  make  their  plans  for  future  book- 
ings," declared  Smith. 

Smith  added  that  under  this  policy 
exhibitors  would  be  able  to  schedule 
their    attendance    at    a    film's  tri 
showing  and  at  the  same  time  conff. 
pencilled-in  bookings. 

To  Furnish  Promotion  Material 

"We  offer,"  he  said,  "not  only  the 
product,  but  we  are  prepared  to  pro- 
vide the  necessary  advertising-pub- 
licity material  and  information  with 
each  picture  sufficiently  in  advance 
to  provide  every  exhibitor  with  the 
fullest  opportunity  to  accurately  plan 
presentation  of  our  films. 

"Director  of  advertising  and  pub- 
licity Charles  Schlaifer  and  his  home 
office  staff,  and  the  staff  of  Harry 
Brand,  studio  director  of  publicity, 
already  have  completed  publicity,  ad 
sales  material,  trailers  and  other  ac- 
cessories for  the  next  five  months  and 
are  preparing  other  campaigns  far 
in  advance.  Our  branch  offices  have 
been  acquainted  with  the  date  of  avail- 
ability of  this  material  and  have  been 
advised  of  the  first  date  on  which 
bookings  could  be  accepted  for  each 
release." 

Stresses  Boon  to  Exhibitors 

Smith  pointed  out  that  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox has  been  mindful  that  the 
exhibitor's  opportunities  for  advance 
planning  and  preparation  have  not 
been  simple  in  the  past.  Now,  he 
said,  through  the  coordinated  and  co- 
operative effort  of  the  company's  stu- 
dio and  home  office  the  exhibitor  will 
have  the  maximum  possibilities  not 
only  for  advance  information  on  pro- 
ductions but  also  on  sales  policies  and 
availability. 

Stating  that  early  in  November  he 
will  announce  definite  dates  for  the 
availability  to  key  city  first-run  ac- 
counts on  pictures  for  the  first  five 
months  of  1949,  Smith  said  the  sched- 
ule will  stipulate  arrival  date  of  first 
print  as  well  as  the  availability  of  ad- 
vertising accessories. 


Coast  to  coast 
and  overseas, 
ily  world-proved 
TWA 

One  airline,  TWA,  takes  you 
to  principal  U.S.  cities  or  to 
Ireland ,  Paris,Egyptandother 
key  points  in  Europe,  Africa 
and  Asia.  When  you  go,  fly  by 
dependable  TWA  Skyliner 
with  crews  seasoned  by  mil- 
lions of  trans- world  miles. 

For  reservations, 
call  your  TWA  office 
or  your  travel  agent 


TRANS  WORLD  AIRLINE 
U.S.A.  •  EUROPE  •  AFRICA  •  ASIA 


ri 


MOTION  P I CTURE 

DAILY 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  15,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


'  I  A'  Pension 
Plans  Readied 
For  Industry 

Locals  Move  Toward  Bid 
For  Management  Talks 

Governing  bodies  of  IATSE  lo- 
cals in  various  sections  of  the  coun- 
try, representing  thousands  of  in- 
dustry workers,  have  started  to 
formulate  plans  for  negotiating  locally 
with  film  companies,  laboratories,  the- 
atres, etc.,  for  the  adoption  of  jointly- 
operated  union-management  pension 
plans.  Hundreds  of  thousands  of  dol- 
lars in  financing  may  be  involved  ul- 
timately. 

Local  planning,  stemming  from  the 
decision  of  the  delegates  at  last 
month's  biennial  IATSE  convention 
in  Cleveland,  is  subject  to  the  approv- 
al of  individual  local  memberships. 
Whether  the  joint  pension  plan  prin- 
ciple will  be  advocated  eventually  by 
all  940  "IA"  locals  in  the  U.  S.  and 
Canada,  representing  a  total  of  some 
60,000  industry  workers,  cannot  be 
foreseen  at  this  time.  However,  the 
possibility  remains. 

The  "IA"  general  executive  board, 
headed    by    international  president 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


'Joan  of  Arc'  to 
Open  on  Nov.  11 

"Joan  of  Arc,"  starring  Ingrid 
Bergman,  made  by  Sierra  Pictures 
and  released  by  RKO  Radio,  will  have 
its  world  premiere  at  the  new  Vic- 
toria Theatre,  New  York,  on  Armis- 
tice Day,  Nov.  11. 

This  Victor  Fleming  production,  in 
Technicolor,  based  on  Maxwell  An- 
derson's stage  play,  "Joan  of  Lor- 
raine," has  been  heralded  as  the  most 
costly  in  recent  history  of  motion 
(Continued  on  page  8) 


Enterprise  Calls 
Production  Halt 


Hollywood,  Sept.  14. — Enterprise, 
which  recently  allowed  its  option  on 
Harry  Sherman's  studio  to  lapse,  sus 
pended  production  last  night  pending 
the  outcome  of  continuing  conferences 
with  Sherman. 

If  not  renewed,  the  lease  on  the 
studio  has  eight  months  to  run.  Side 
tracked  by  the  production  suspension 
are  Sherman's  "Tennessee's  Partner," 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


Report  Ascap  Orders  Its  Field 
Branches  to  Drop  Collections 

American  Society  of  Composers,  Authors  and  Publishers  has 
instructed  all  of  its  branch  offices  throughout  the  country  to  dis- 
continue efforts  to  collect  music  reproducing  license  fees  from 
theatres,  it  was  widely  reported  here  yesterday  although  efforts 
to  reach  Ascap  officials  for  confirmation  were  unsuccessful. 

Theatre  collections  had  come  to  a  virtual  standstill  in  conse- 
quence of  the  New  York  and  Minneapolis  Federal  Court  decisions 
against  Ascap  and  presumably  the  Society  is  content  to  let  matters 
take  their  course  until  the  current  litigation  is  finally  adjudicated. 
That  could  mean  another  two  years,  depending  on  appeals. 


Drive  for  Skouras' 
35th  Anniversary 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  14. — Spyros  P. 
Skouras,  president  of  20th  Century- 
Fox,  is  celebrating  his  35th  year  in 
show  business  and  the  company's 
sales  force  is 
d  e  d  i  c  a  t  - 
ing  a  special 
concen- 
trated sales 
campaign  in  his 
honor,  general 
sales  manager 
Andy  W. 
Smith,  Jr.,  an- 
nounced here 
today.  Starting- 
Sept.  26  and 
ending  Dec.  25, 
the  13  -  week 
period  will  be 
known  as  "The 
Spyros  P. 
Skouras  35th  Anniversary  Celebra- 
tion," Smith  revealed  at  the  opening 
session  of  the  company's  national 
sales  conference. 

Objectives  of  the  anniversary  cele- 
bration   will    include    achieving  the 
greatest  "pencil-in"  result  in  company 
(Continued  on  page  8) 


Spyros  P.  Skouras 


Realart's  1st.  Nat'l 
Meeting  Sept.  20-23 

Budd  Rogers,  distribution  vice-presi- 
dent of  Realart  Pictures,  will  preside 
at  the  company's  first  national  conven- 
tion to  be  held  here  Sept.  20-23  at  the 
Warwick  Hotel.  The  meeting  will  be 
attended  by  franchise  holders  and 
salesmen  from  all  parts^of  the  country. 

During  its  first  year,  the  company 
placed  in  release  through  franchise 
holders  more  than  40  reissue  features 
and  eight  reissue  Westerns,  and  35 
features,  24  Westerns  and  four  serials, 
all  reissues,  through  other  channels. 

Among  those  who  will  attend  the 
convention  are :  Paul  Broder,  Jack 
Broder,  Irving  Kipnis,  Norman  Eisen- 
stein,  Joseph  Harris,  Bill  Schulman, 
(Continued  on  page  8) 


Central  Agency  to 
Buy  Film  Music 
Rights  Under  Study 

E.  C.  Mills,  former  general  man- 
ager of  the  American  Society  of  Com- 
posers, Authors  and  Publishers,  has 
been  asked  to  appraise  the  music  per- 
forming rights  situation  in  the  light 
of  recent  Federal  Court  decisions  and 
to  report  on  new  licensing  procedures, 
including  a  proposal  for  establishing 
a  central  buying  agency  for  motion 
picture  producers. 

Producers  will  be  unable  to  clear 
world  rights  to  the  music  in  their 
films  through  individual  .  copyright 
owners  if  the  legal  decisions  force 
Ascap  out  of  the  theatre  licensing 
field,  it  was  pointed  out.  In  most  in- 
stances, American  copyright  owners 
assign  rights  to  other  music  publishers 
for  individual  countries  throughout 
the  world  and,  without  a  central  clear- 
ance agency,  producers  and  distribu- 
tors would  encounter  great  difficulty 
in  locating  and  negotiating  with  such 
individual  holders  of  rights  outside 
the  United  States. 

While  the  court  decisions  will  not 
(Continued  on  page  8) 


Approve  20th-Roxy 
Video  Experiments 

Washington,  Sept.  14.— Federal 
Communications  Commission  has 
granted  20th  Century-Fox  permission 
co  operate  an  experimental  television 
station  in  New  York  City. 

One  of  the  chief  purposes  of  the 
station  will  be  to  experiment  with 
theatre  television,  and  the  FCC's 
grant  includes  permission  to  "pipe" 
programs  picked  up  by  mobile  trans- 
mitters into  the  Roxy  Theatre. 

Fox,  along  with  Warner  and  Para- 
mount is  slated  to  appear  before  the 
Commission  next  week  on  the  use  of 
higher  frequencies  for  television,  and 
part  of  Fox's  testimony,  it  is  under- 
stood, will  center  on  the  possibility 
of  using  higher  bands  in  theatre  video. 


Settlement  of 
Para.  Case 
'Impossible' 

US,  Companies  Said  Far 
Apart  on  Decree  Terms 

Agreement  on  a  consent  decree  in 
the  industry  anti-trust  suit  is  impos- 
sible at  this  time  because  of  the 
widely  divergent  views  of  the  Gov- 
ernment and  theatre-owning  defend- 
ants, it  was  disclosed  here  yesterday 
by  a  participant  in  the  top-executive, 
private,  industry  conferences  on  the 
matter. 

He  said  that  the  defendants  cannot 
agree  to  the  theatre-divestiture  re- 
quirements on  which  the  Department 
of  Justice  would  condition  a  decree 
and  expressed  the  belief  that  major 
defendants  would  do  better  by  rely- 
ing upon  the  final  adjudication  of  the 
case  in  the  courts. 

Robert  Wright,  Government  prose- 
cutor in  the  case,  following  the  U.  S. 
Supreme  Court's  opinion,  said  he  in- 
tended to  press  for  complete  divorce- 
ment. 

Attorney  General  Tom  Clark  last 
week   expressed  willingness   to  talk 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


3%  State  Tax  Urged 
At  Ohio  ITO  Meet 


Columbus,  Sept.  14. — Return  to 
the  uniform  state  three  per  cent  ad- 
missions tax  was  urged  today  at  the 
first  session  of  the  two-day  convention 
of  the  Independent  Theatre  Owners  of 
Ohio  at  the  Deshler-Wallick  Hotel 
here.  Although  no  formal  action  was 
taken,  sentiment  of  exhibitors  present 
seemed  to  favor  the  change. 

The  some  250  delegates  present  also 
heard  a  prediction  by  Abram  F. 
Myers,  Allied  States  general  counsel, 

(Continued  on  page  10) 


Distributors  Answer 
Gov't.  Queries  Today 

The  five  theatre-owning  de- 
fendants in  the  industry  anti- 
trust case  will  submit  the 
balance  of  their  answers  to 
Department  of  Justice  inter- 
rogatories to  the  New  York 
Federal  Court  today,  the 
deadline  for  filing.  The  com- 
panies will  list  theatre  part- 
nership arrangements,  stock 
ownerships,  voting  shares  and 
related  information. 


2  Motion  Picture  Daily  Wednesday,  September  is, 

 ,  .  1  


Personal  Mention 


Newsreel 
Parade 


Coming 
Events 

Sept.  16  -  18 — International  Variety 

Clubs'  mid-year  convention,  Stat- 

ler  Hotel,  Washington. 
Sept.  24  -  25 — Theatre    Owners  of 

America  convention,  Drake  Hotel, 

Chicago. 

Sept.  26-27— MPTO  of  St.  Louis, 
annual  convention,  Jefferson  Ho- 
tel, St.  Louis. 

Sept.  28  -  30 — Theatre  Equipment 
and  Supply  Manufacturers  Asso- 
ciation national  trade  show  and 
convention,  Jefferson  Hotel,  St. 
Louis. 

Sept  28  -  29 — Kansas-Missouri  The- 
atre Association  annual  conven- 
tion, Kansas  City. 

Oct.  14-15 — Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Wisconsin  and  Upper 
Michigan  annual  convention, 
Schroeder  Hotel,  Milwaukee. 

Oct.  25-29— Society  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Engineers  semi-annual  con- 
vention, Statler  Hotel,  Washing- 
ton. 

Oct.  27-28 — Kentucky  Association  of 
Theatre  Owners  convention  at  the 
Seelbach  Hotel,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Nov.  1-2 — Allied  Theatre  Owners  of 
Texas  annual  convention,  Dallas, 
Tex. 

Would  Raise  $17,000 
To  Fight  Censorship 

Tentative  title  of  "National  Council 
for  Freedom  of  Expression"  was 
adopted  by  an  anti-censorship  group 
at  a  meeting  here  yesterday.  A  tenta- 
tive budget  of  $17,000  was  also  an- 
nounced. Elmer  Rice,  chairman  of  the 
meeting,  pointed  out  that  the  wave  of 
censorship  in  the  film  industry,  as  well 
as  in  the  press  and  on  the  radio  "is 
getting  worse  all  the  time."  He  called 
for  the  unified  opposition  of  all  "inter- 
ested in  freedom." 

The  meeting  for  the  most  part  was 
concerned  with  whether  the  unit 
should  indulge  in  legislative  activity, 
and  whether  its  organization  should  be 
on  an  individual  or  a  group  basis. 

Kurtz  Quits  Rialto 
To  Join  M.  Heiman 

William  Kurtz  has  resigned  as  trea- 
surer of  the  Rialto  Theatre,  Broad- 
way first-run,  to  join  United  Booking 
Office,  headed  by  Marcus  Heiman. 
Kurtz  said  yesterday  that  he  will  su- 
pervise operation  of  the  National 
Theatre,  Washington,  as  well  as  book 
product  for  it,  maintaining  headquar- 
ters in  the  Sardi  Building,  New  York. 
Kurtz  had  been  associated  for  many 
years  with  Arthur  Mayer  when  the 
latter  operated  the  Rialto. 

Sioux  City,  la,,  to 
Review  Pictures 

Sioux  City,  la.,  Sept.  14. — Follow- 
ing recent  banning  of  three  books  by 
the  city's  chief  of  police,  Mayor  Dan 
J.  Conley  has  named  a  committee  of 
nine  men  and  nine  women  to  review 
motion  pictures  or  publications  against 
which  complaints  are  entered. 


GRADW'ELL  SEARS,  United 
Artists  president,  is  expected 
back  in  New  York  tomorrow  from  the 
Coast. 

• 

Fred  Quimby,  M-G-M  short  sub- 
jects production  head,  and  Mrs. 
Quimby  will  leave  Hollywood  Oct.  1 
for  New  York,  stopping  off  at  Lon- 
don, Ont.,  en  route. 

• 

Johx  Murphy,  who  is  in  charge  of 
Loew's  out-of-town  theatre  operations, 
accompanied  by  Harry  Moskowitz, 
chief  engineer,  has  returned  to  New 
York  from  Boston. 

• 

Jack  Needham,  retired  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox salesman  in  Columbus,  has 
been  named  chairman  of  that  city's 
drive  to  aid  the  Will  Rogers  Memo- 
rial Hospital. 

• 

Walter  Yaxcke,  city  manager  of 
Dent  Theatres  at  Lincoln,  Neb.,  has 
been  discharged  from  the  hospital  fol- 
lowing a  polio  attack  and  is  recuperat- 
ing at  his  home. 

• 

F.  J.  A.  McCarthy,  Universal-In- 
ternational   Southern   and  Canadian 
sales  manager,  will  leave  New  York 
today  for  Buffalo  and  Toronto. 
• 

B.  G.  Kraxze,  Film  Classics  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  left  here 
yesterday  by  plane  for  San  Francisco 
and  Los  Angeles. 

• 

Joseph  Marks,  Selznick  Releasing 
Organization's  Canadian  division  sales 
manager,  is  en  route  to  New  York 
from  Toronto. 

• 

W.  W.  Spencer,  M-G-M  studio  ex- 
ecutive, and  his  wife  are  scheduled 
to  leave  the  Coast  on  Friday  for  a 
visit  to  New  York. 

• 

L.   B.  Fuqua,  head  of  Kentucky 
Theatre  Enterprises,  Eddyville,  Ky., 
and   Mrs.   Fuqua   recently  became 
parents  of  a  daughter,  Martha  Lois. 
• 

Larry  Weixgartex,  M-G-M  studio 
executive,   and   his   wife   will  leave 
Hollywood  Sept.  30  for  New  York. 
• 

Paula  Gould,  Capitol  Theatre  pub- 
licist here,  is  on  vacation. 

• 

Joe  Faith,  Connecticut  exhibitor, 
has  recovered  from  a  long  illness. 


Production  in  Slight 
Gain;  27  in  Work 

Hollywood,  Sept.  14.  —  The  pro- 
duction index  stood  at  27,  gaining  one 
from  last  week's  tally.  Work  started 
on  five  new  films  ;  four  were  completed. 

Shooting  started  on  "Blondie's  Big 
Deal"  and  "Jungle  Jim's  Adventure," 
Columbia ;  'Daughter  of  Ramona" 
(Martin  Mooney),  Film  Classics; 
"Jiggs  and  Maggie  in  Court,"  Mono- 
gram ;  "Thunder  in  the  Pines"  (Lip- 
pert),  Screen  Guild. 

Shooting  finished  on  "Joe  Palooka 
in  the  Big  Fight,"  Monogram ; 
"Streets  of  Laredo,"  Paramount ; 
"Daughter  of  the  Jungle,"  Republic ; 
"Follow  Me  Quietly,"  RKO  Radio. 


ARTHUR  ABELES,  JR.,  Warner 
managing  director  in  England,  is 
en  route  to  New  York  from  London 
on  the  -S^  Nieu  Amsterdam  for  a 
six-week  visit. 

• 

Deox  DeTitta,  chief  projectionist 
at  the  20th  Century-Fox  home  office, 
is  observing  his  36th  wedding  anniver- 
sary today  and  his  32nd  with  the 
company. 

• 

George  E.  Laxders,  Hartford  divi- 
sion manager  of  E.  M.  Loew's  The- 
atres, and  his  son,  Richard,  have  re- 
turned to  that  city  from  a  vacation  on 
the  Coast  and  in  Canada. 

• 

S.  J.  Browx,  Sr.,  former  owner- 
manager  of  the  Star  Theatre  in  West 
Point,  Ky.,  has  almost  completely  re- 
covered from  a  major  operation. 
• 

Domixick  Turturro,  owner  of  the 
Elm  Theatre  in  Millbury,  Mass.,  and 
Mrs.  Turturro  have  become  parents 
of  a  daughter. 

• 

Al  Zimbalist,  Film  Classics  adver- 
tising-publicity chief,  accompanied  by 
Mischa  Auer,  will  fly  to  Chicago  to- 
day from  New  York. 

• 

Bex  Kalmexsox,  Warner  distribu- 
tion vice-president,  was  in  Boston 
yesterday  from  New  York. 

• 

Jack  Waldsteix  of  the  M-G-M  of- 
fice in  Boston  is  vacationing  in  Holly- 
wood. 

Johx  Jexkixs,  Astor  Pictures  of 
Dallas  president,  is  in  town  for  talks 
with  R.  M.  Savixi,  Astor  president. 
• 

Hermax  Ripps,  M-G-M  assistant 
Eastern  division  sales  manager,  is  in 
Boston  from  Albany,  N.  Y. 

• 

Jimmy  Nash,  assistant  manager  of 
the  Capitol  Theatre  here,  was  married 
last  Sunday  to  Lexore  Gramman. 
• 

Salvatore  Popolizio,  20th  Century- 
Fox  booker  in  New  Haven,  is  recup- 
erating from  an  operation. 

• 

Bixg  Crosby  has  been  elected  to 
the  board  of  directors  of  Vacuum 
Foods  Corp. 

• 

Dick  Powell  left  New  York  yes- 
terday by  plane  for  Hollywood. 


To  Halt  Stage  Shows 

Chicago,  Sept.  14. — Discontinuance 
of  stage  shows  by  the  Balaban  and 
Katz  Regal  Theatre,  Negro  house, 
after  the  current  Louis  Jordan  show, 
has  been  announced  by  the  manage- 
ment after  a  demand  by  the  American 
Federation  of  Musicians  Local  for  in- 
stallation of  a  permanent  pit  band  of 
eight  men.  B.  and  K.  claims  the  de- 
mand is  unfair. 


Stack  on  WB  Board 

Loxdox,  Sept.  14. — Charles  Stack, 
who  recently  was  appointed  Warner 
general  sales  manager  in  Britain,  has 
been  elected  to  the  UK  company's 
board  of  directors. 


THE  Berlin  Crisis  and  the  Pope 
blessing  some  250,000  girls  are 
among  the  current  newsreel  high- 
lights. Other  items  include  a  rodeo, 
beauty  contest  and  sports.  Complete 
contents  follow: 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  74— Huge 
Berlin  rally  against  the  Russians.  Canadian 
oil  well  burns.  Governor  Dewey  re^j'  *rs. 
Rome:  250,000  girls  hail  Pope.  U.''i--P  ir 
Forces  marks  first  anniversary.  '"WWjftl- 
vania  Week"  proclaimed  by  Governor  'Duff. 
Circus  performance  for  hospital  benefit. 
Miss  America.  Sports:  Mountain  climbing, 
auto  dare-devil  drivers. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAT,  No.  804 — Berlin 
crisis.  Film  stars  join  circus  for  chanty. 
Pope  blesses  multitude.  First  pension 
check.  Drama  in  the  zoo.  Beauty  on 
parade.  Governor  Dewey  aids  "Youth 
Month."     "Pro"  football  thriller. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  7— Boston 
baseball  fever.  Berlin  crisis.  UN  on  for- 
eign policy.  Pope  spurs  anti-Red  campaign. 
Stars  aid  charity. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  ^^Berlin 
crisis.  News  in  brief:  Girls  hail  Pope, 
jaloppies,  Miss  America,  rodeo.  Aviation: 
B-50's. 

WARNER    PATHE    NEWS,    No.  9— 

New  crisis  in  Berlin.  People  in  the  news: 
Gen.  Mark  Clark,  John  L.  Lewis,  President 
Truman,  Secretary  Marshall,  Governor 
Dewey,  air-force  chiefs.  Veteran  registers 
for  draft  on  a  flag  pole.  Miss  America. 
Canadian  oil  fire.  Bike  races.  Girls  visit 
Pope.    Elephant  a-la-moat. 

Stars  To  Join  in 
WMGM  Dedication 

On  the  occasion  of  setting  new  call 
letters,  formerly  WHN,  and  now 
WMGM,  and  the  opening  of  new 
studios,  the  M-G-M-owned  station  in 
New  York  will  offer  a  three-hour 
program  beginning  at  eight  P.  M.  to- 
night, featuring  an  hour-long  pick- 
up from  the  film  company  studios  with 
an  assortment  of  M-G-M  stars  sched- 
uled to  be  heard.  Mayor  O'Dwyer, 
other  officials  and  numerous  figures  of 
the  entertainment  world  will  partici- 
pate in  the  portions  of  the  show  orig- 
inating at  the  new  studios. 

Wrather  and  Wayne 
Form  Epic  Pictures 

Hollywood,  Sept.  14.  —  Producer 
Jack  Wrather,  actor  John  Wayne,  and 
writer  James  Edward  Grant,  will  file 
incorporation  papers  next  week  for 
Epic  Pictures,  Inc.,  to  produce  three 
Technicolor  pictures  in  the  next  three 
years.  Wrather  will  produce,  Wayne 
will  star  in,  and  Grant  will  write  all 
three.  Wrather  stated  that  the  com- 
pany already  is  100  per  cent  financed. 
No  release  channel  has  been  set. 


Mesibov  to  CCNY  Staff 

Sid  Mesibov,  exploitation  manager 
for  Paramount  here,  has  joined  the 
faculty  of  the  College  of  the  City 
of  New  York,  Institute  of  Film  Tech- 
niques, as  part-time  instructor  in  the 
principles  of  motion  picture  advertis- 
ing, publicity,  exploitation  and  dis- 
tribution. The  course  is  given  as  part 
of  the  College's  evening  sessions. 


Ferretti  on  His  Own 

James  J.  Ferretti,  Eastern  division 
manager  of  U.  S.  Air  Conditioning 
Corp.  for  many  years,  has  resigned 
to  develop  a  new  air  conditioning  sys- 
tem for  small  theatres. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Then  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  J20  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  poet  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


EVERY  DAY  IT'S  TRUER  AND  TRUER:  *4 


MGM  TO  PS 
THEM  ALL/ 

What  a  Summer!  "Homecoming,"  Irving  Berlin's  "Easter 
Parade"  (Technicolor),  Frank  Capra's  "State  of  the  Union," 
"A  Date  With  Judy"  (Technicolor),  "On  An  Island  With  You" 
(Technicolor),  "Luxury  Liner" (Technicolor),  "A  Southern  Yankee"! 
And  more!  Who  else  but  M-G-M  has  such  a  record!  And 
who  else  but  M-G-M  has  such  a  line-up  of  Fall  and  Winter 
Big  Ones! 


BEFORE 

VITAMIN  M-G-M! 


AFTER 

VITAMIN  M-G-M! 


UP!    AND  COMING! 


GREER  GARSON 

WALTER  PIDGEON  in 

"JULIA  MISBEHAVES" 

PETER  LAWFORD,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 

CESAR  ROMERO,  Lucile  Watson,  Nigel 

Bruce,  Mary  Boland,  Reginald  Owen 


The  Enterprise  Studios  present 
DANA  ANDREWS,  LILLI  PALMER 
and  LOUIS  JOURDAN  in 
"NO  MINOR  VICES" 
with  Jane  Wyatt 


"THE  SECRET  LAND"  (Teefcnieo/or) 
Starring 

MEN  AND  SHIPS 
Of  The  U.  S.  NAVY 
Narration  By 

Comdr.  ROBERT  MONTGOMERY,  U.S.N.R. 
Lt.  ROBERT  TAYLOR,  U.S.N.R. 
It.  VAN  HEFLIN,  A.A.F.  (Ret.) 


"HILLS  OF  HOME"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

EDMUND  GWENN 

DONALD  CRISP,  TOM  DRAKE 

JANET  LEIGH  and  LASSIE 


Alexandre  Dumas' 

"THE  THREE  MUSKETEERS"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

LANA  TURNER,  GENE  KELLY 
JUNE  ALLYSON,  VAN  HEFLIN 
ANGELA  LANSBURY 
Frank  Morgan,  Vincent  Price,  Keenan 
Wynn,  John  Sutton,  Gig  Young 

★  ★  ★ 
"ACT  OF  VIOLENCE" 
Starring 

VAN  HEFLIN,  ROBERT  RYAN 
with  Janet  Leigh,  Mary  Astor 
Phyllis  Thaxter 

★  *  ★ 

FRANK  SINATRA,  KATHRYN  GRAYSON 
in  "THE  KISSING  BANDIT  (Technicolor) 
J.  Carrol  Naish,  Mildred  Natwick 
Mikhail  Rasumny,  Billy  Gilbert 
Sono  Osato  with  Dance  Specialties  By 
Ricardo  Montalban,  Ann  Miller,  Cyd  Charisse 

'    *      *      *  1 
John  Ford's 

"3  GODFATHERS"  (Technicolor) 

Presented  by  John  Ford  &  Merian  C.  Cooper 

Starring 

JOHN  WAYNE,  PEDRO  ARMENDARIZ 
And  Introducing  HARRY  CAREY,  Jr. 
with  Ward  Bond,  Mae  Marsh 
Jane  Darwell,  Ben  Johnson 


CLARK  GABLE,  WALTER  PIDGEON 
VAN  JOHNSON,  BRIAN  DONLEVY 
Charles  Bickford,  John  Hodiak 
Edward  Arnold  in 
"COMMAND  DECISION" 


"LITTLE  WOMEN"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

JUNE  ALLYSON,  PETER  LAWFORD 
MARGARET  O'BRIEN,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 
JANET  LEIGH,  ROSSANO  BRAZZI 
MARY  ASTOR 

with  Lucile  Watson,  C.  Aubrey  Smith 


ROBERT  TAYLOR 
AVA  GARDNER 
CHARLES  LAUGHTON 
VINCENT  PRICE 
JOHN  HODIAK  in 
"THE  BRIBE" 


"SUN  IN  THE  MORNING" 

(Technicolor)  Starring 

JEANETTE  MacDONALD 

LLOYD  NOLAN,  CLAUDE  JARMAN,  Jr. 

and  LASSIE 

with  Lewis  Stone,  Percy  Kilbride 


"WORDS  AND  MUSIC"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

MICKEY  ROONEY,  JUDY  GARLAND 
GENE  KELLY,  JUNE  ALLYSON 
PERRY  COMO,  ANN  SOTHERN 
with  Tom  Drake,  Cyd  Charisse,  Betty 
Garrett,  Lena  Home,  Janet  Leigh,  Marshall 
Thompson,  Mel  Torme,  Vera-Ellen 

★  ★  ★ 
SPENCER  TRACY,  DEBORAH  KERR 

in  "EDWARD,  MY  SON"  with  Ian  Hunter 

★  ★  ★ 
JOHN  GARFIELD  in 
The  Roberts  Production 
"FORCE  OF  EVIL" 

An  Enterprise  Picture 

with  Thomas  Gomez  and  Marie  Windsor 

And  Introducing  BEATRICE  PEARSON 

*».★'★ 
FRED  ASTAIRE,  GINGER  ROGERS  in 
"THE  BARKLEYS  OF  BROADWAY" 
(Tec/in/co/or) 

with  Oscar  Levant,  Billie  Burke 
Gail  Robbins,  Jacques  Francois 

★  ★  *• 
FRANK  SINATRA 

ESTHER  WILLIAMS,  GENE  KELLY  in 

"TAKE  ME  OUT  TO  THE  BALL  GAME" 

(Technicolor) 

with  Betty  Garrett 

Jules  Munshin,  Edward  Arnold 


(Help  Promote  YOUTH  MONTH — Saluting  Young  America!) 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  15,  1948 


Break  Deadlock  in 
WB  Wage  Bid  Here 


A  deadlock  was  "partially  broken" 
yesterday  in  the  new  contract  negotia- 
tions being  conducted  here  between 
Warner  and  IATSE  Motion  Picture 
Home  Office  Employes  Local  No.  H- 
63,  it  was  indicated  by  a  spokesman 
for  the  union.  The  break  came,  it 
was  said,  when  the  company  made  a 
wage  offer  which  H-63  representatives 
considered  worth  taking  under  advise- 
ment. The  spokesman  declined  to  state 
the  amount  of  the  offer. 

This  development  in  the  Warner 
"white  collarite"  negotiations  lent  a 
fresh  note  of  optimism  to  H-63's  cur- 
rent campaign  for  wage  increases  at 
not  only  Warners,  but  also  at  Univer- 
sal, Pathe  Laboratories,  United 
World  Films,  Universal  Newsreel, 
Castle  Films,  Ace  Laboratories,  and 
M-G-M  and  Warner  music  houses. 


'IA'  Pension  Plans 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Richard  F.  Walsh,  has  gone  on  record 
as  being  opposed  to  pension  plans 
which  are  exclusively  company-con- 
trolled. One  point  of  opposition  the 
board  has  expressed  thusly :  "Since 
discharge  eliminates  an  employee  from 
coverage,  there  is  a  temptation  pres- 
ent to  eliminate  an  employee  about  to 
go  upon  retirement." 

The  "IA"  convention's  decision  to 
allow  joint  pension  plan  negotiations 
to  be  conducted  on  the  basis  of  local 
autonomy,  and  to  prohibit  their 
handling  by  the  international  office 
here,  is  embodied  in  the  "IA's"  dedi- 
cation to  the  "home  rule"  principle. 
However,  for  the  sake  of  convenience 
in  negotiating,  "IA"  has  adopted  the 
following  stipulation :  "When  suffi- 
cient pension  plans  have  been  locally 
negotiated,  and  if  consummated  with 
the  assistance  of  the  general  office, 
they  may  be  sufficiently  flexible  to  fit 
into  a  national  plan,  should  a  subse- 
quent convention  desire  to  authorize 
the  general  office  to  negotiate  pen- 
sions upon  a  national  basis." 

Many  industry  companies,  including 
Loew's,  RKO  Radio,  Altec,  and  some 
independent  theatre  circuits,  have 
been  operating  pension  plans  for 
employes. 

Brewer  Calls  NLRB 
Decision  'Confusing' 

Hollywood,  Sept.  14. — IATSE  in- 
ternational representative  Roy  M. 
Brewer  has  issued  a  statement  calling 
last  Friday's  NLRB  ruling  on  dis- 
charged machinists  "confusing,"  as- 
serting they  had  been  reinstated  two 
weeks  after  their  dismissal  and  have 
been  employed  steadily  since. 

IATSE  has  been  pressing  for  an 
NLRB  decision,  Brewer  said,  and 
welcomes  it  as  clearing  the  way  for 
an  election  to  determine  the  proper 
bargaining  agency  for  machinists  em- 
ployed in  studios,  which  he  says  are 
"virtually  100  per  cent  IATSE." 

NY  Studio  Mechanics 
Elect  Muller,  Gerrity 

Edward  Muller  has  been  elected 
business  agent  of  IATSE  Studio  Me- 
chanics Local  No.  52  here,  succeeding 
Sal  J.  Scoppa  who  lost  out  by  only 
nine  votes.  Local  president  William 
J.  Gerrity  and  all  other  officers  were 
reelected,  including  Charles  Schlosser, 
vice-president,  and  James  A.  Delaney, 
financial  secretary-treasurer. 


Screen  Writers  Guild 
To  Join  MPIC  Work 

Hollywood,  Sept.  14. — Reversing 
its  previous  stand-off  policy,  the 
Screen  Writers  Guild  membership 
voted  at  its  regular  meeting  last  night 
to  participate  in  the  Motion  Picture 
Industry  Council. 

The  membership  voted  for  a  rule  to 
restrict  SWG  members  from  dealing 
with  talent  agents  who  have  not  been 
licensed  by  the  Guild  under  regula- 
tions yet  to  be  worked  out  by  the 
executive  committee.  This  action 
came  as  a  sequel  to  Artist  Managers 
Guild's  rejection  of  the  SWG  licens- 
ing proposal  offered  some  time  ago. 
The  SWG  license  terms,  as  projected, 
would  bind  agents  to  protect  writers 
against  certain  standing  practices  and 
represent  them  in  arbitration  proceed- 
ings. 

The  SWG  members  also  approved 
a  report  by  Ernest  Pascal  on  progress 
in  the  preparation  of  contract  demands 
to  be  made  when  the  current  pact  ex- 
pires next  May. 

Decision  Reserved  in 
MPAA  vs.  SWG  Suit 

Federal  Judge  Samuel  H.  Kaufman 
yesterday  reserved  decision  in  U.  S. 
District  Court  here  on  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America's  defense  mo- 
tion for  dismissal  of  the  injunction 
suit  instituted  by  the  Screen  Writers 
Guild.  SWG,  together  with  some  30 
authors  and  playwrights,  filed  its  suit 
early  in  June,  protesting  the  industry's 
policy  of  not  hiring  known  Commu- 
nists. 

The  industry  policy  was  formulated 
after  the  10  "unfriendly"  Hollywood 
directors,  writers  and  producers  were 
cited  for  contempt  of  Congress  follow- 
ing last  year's  Congressional  investi- 
gation of  alleged  subversive  activities 
in  the  film  colony. 

Trial  of  Cole  Suit 
Delayed  to  Dec.  1 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  14. — Federal 
Judge  Leon  Yankwitch  today  denied 
a  motion  by  M-G-M  attorneys  for 
60-day  continuance  of  Lester  Cole's 
suit  for  declaratory  relief,  scheduled 
for  Nov.  16,  but  did  grant  a  two-week 
delay,  setting  Dec.  1  as  the  trial  date. 

Cole  seeks  definition  of  his  rights 
and  a  ruling  whether  the  studio  was 
within  its  rights  in  suspending  him 
following  his  refusal  to  testify  before 
the  Thomas  committee. 

SWG  Reports  Drop 
In  Jobs  at  Studios 

Hollywood,  Sept.  14. — Reporting  a 
decline  in "  its  membership  to  1,270 
from  1,454  during  the  past  year,  the 
Screen  Writers  Guild  maintains  that 
the  number  of  writers  under  contract 
to  major  studios  has  dropped  53  per 
cent  during  the  past  three  years. 
Writers  in  the  lowest  and  middle  sal- 
ary brackets  have  been  hardest  hit, 
the  SWG  says. 

Delay  Colosseum 
Talks;  Resume  Soon 

Contract  negotiations  between  dis- 
tributors and  the  Colosseum  of  Motion 
Picture  Salesmen,  discontinued  tem- 
porarily at  the  weekend,  will  resume 
here  late  this  week,  a  spokesman  for 
the  distributors'  negotiating  committee 
indicated  yesterday.  An  agreement  was 
expected  before  the  end  of  last  week, 
but  failed  to  materialize. 


Twin  Cities  Owners 
Ask  Clearance  Cuts 

Minneapolis,  Sept.  14. — First 
definite  overall  break  in  clear- 
ance change  demands  among 
Twin  Cities  independent  ex- 
hibitors occurred  immediately 
when  Minneapolis  branch 
managers  received  requests 
from  Tom  Burke  of  Theatre 
Associates,  buying  combine, 
for  a  change  in  availability 
for  a  number  of  houses. 

Asking  clearance  changes 
from  56  to  42  days  for  the 
Edina,  Nile  and  Boulevard, 
Minneapolis,  and  the  Ran- 
dolph, St.  Paul,  and  from  58 
to  49  days  at  the  Avalon,  Min- 
neapolis, and  56  to  35  days  for 
the  West  Twins,  St.  Paul,  all 
effective  Sept.  29,  Burke  said 
he  was  prepared  "to  negotiate 
on  that  availability." 


Move  to  Halt  16mm. 
Film  Price-cutting 


As  the  first  move  in  an  all-out 
campaign  to  halt  the  cutting  of  prices 
of  established  16mm.  rental  schedules, 
representatives  of  five  16mm.  dis- 
tributing companies  met  at  a  luncheon- 
meeting  at  the  Hotel  Astor  here  yes- 
terday to  discuss  plans  to  combat  the 
"growing  menace  of  price  cutting 
which  is  strangling  the  16mm.  indus- 
try" through  the  unfair  pricing  and 
exhibition  practices  of  some  16mm. 
libraries  and  operators  of  road-shows, 
particularly  in  the  south. 

The  meeting  was  called  by  Jacques 
Kopfstein,  executive  vice-president  of 
Astor  Pictures,  who  met  with  repre- 
sentatives of  Commonwealth,  Film 
Highlights,  Post  and  Pictorial.  Dis- 
cussions centered  around  determining 
the  validity  of  minimum  price  rentals 
now  part  of  the  standard  lease  agree- 
ment between  distributors  and  film 
libraries  and  the  question  of  their  le- 
gal enforcement. 

Of  paramount  importance,  it  was 
said,  is  the  question  of  the  rigid  en- 
forcement by  the  libraries  of  rentals 
in  situations  which  might  cause  re- 
sentment from  local  35mm.  theatre 
operators.  Maintenance  of  minimum 
price  rentals  between  libraries  and 
16mm.  exhibitors,  and  the  best  method 
of  operation  for  the  mutual  benefit  of 
the  16mm.  industry  were  also  dis- 
cussed. 

Additional  meetings  are  scheduled 
for  the  second  Tuesday  of  every 
month.  Other  16mm.  film  distributors 
will  be  invited  to  participate. 


Enterprise 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

which  was  to  complete  Enterprise's 
seven-picture  commitment  to  United 
Artists,  and  one  untitled  picture  to 
complete  its  four-picture  commitment 
to  M-G-M.  Neither  had  started  shoot- 
ing. 

Also  entering  into  the  decision  to 
suspend  production,  according  to  one 
Enterprise  executive,  is  the  fact  that 
the  company  has  in  excess  of  $5,000,- 
000  tied  up  in  three  unreleased  pic- 
tures delivered  to  M-G-M.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  a  resumption  of  production 
will  await  returns  from  these  pictures 
unless  Enterprise  and  Sherman  work 
out  a  mutually  satisfactory  deal  on  a 
new  studio  lease. 


Answer  SIMPP  in 
Detroit  in  2  Weeks 

Detroit,  Sept.  14. — An  answer  to 
the  anti-trust  suit  brought  by  the  So- 
ciety of  Independent  Motion  Picture 
Producers  in  Federal  Court  here 
against  United  Detroit  Theatres  and 
Cooperative  Theatres  of  Michigan  will 
be  filed  in  about  two  weeks. 

David  Newman,  legal  and  publii1'  "  i 
lations  counsellor  for  CooperaV 
said,  "Cooperative  in  all  its  dealings 
with  the  plaintiffs,  always  conducted 
itself  in  a  legal  manner."  He  ex- 
pressed confidence  in  a  complete  vin- 
dication in  court  of  the  charges  made. 

Newman  directly  stated  that  the 
SIMPP  makes  "some  fajse  charges 
with  relation  to  Cooperative"  and  cited 
two  examples,  indicating  at  the  same 
time,  the  line  of  reasoning  which  the 
answer  will  probably  take: 

1 —  "It  is  false  that  Cooperative  has 
an  option  to  purchase  back  the  theatre 
of  any  member  who  withdraws."  Ex- 
istence of  such  a  provision  was  de- 
nied by  Newman  who  further  stated, 
"Cooperative  does  not  own  any  the- 
atres and  has  never  owned  any." 

2—  "They  (SIMPP)  claim  that  no 
exhibitor  can  come  into  Cooperative 
if  any  one  member  objects.  Lots  of 
new  members  get  in  over  the  opposi- 
tion of  other  members.  In  the  case 
of  the  admission  of  new  members  a 
majority  of  the  board  of  directors 
governs." 

Trial  of  Dipson  Trust 
Suit  Opens  in  Buffalo 

Buffalo,  Sept.  14.— Trial  of  the 
$5,125,472  treble  damage  anti-trust 
suit  filed  here  several  months  ago  by 
Dipson  Theatre  Co.  of  Buffalo  opened 
today  in  Federal  Court  before  Judge 
John  Knight  with  Mikitas  D.  Dipson 
as  chief  witness.  Defendants  in  the 
suit  are  Buffalo  Theatres,  Inc.,  op- 
erators of  the  Shea  circuit;  Loew's, 
Paramount,  Universal,  Warner  Broth- 
ers, RKO  Radio,  20th  Century-Fox, 
United  Artists  and  Columbia,  and 
Vincent  R.  McFaul,  president  of  Buf- 
falo Theatres. 

Louis  Borins,  plaintiff's  attorney, 
charged  that  Dipson's  20th  Century 
Theatre,  first-run  downtown  theatre, 
suffered  "terrific  monetary  losses"  as 
a  result  of  what  he  described  as  "one 
of  the  unholiest  conspiracies  heard  of." 


Paramount  Case 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

about  a  decree  with  the  film  compa- 
nies but  predicted  that  the  companies 
would  not  submit  any  settlement  pro- 
posals. 

While  the  same  opinion  is  held  by 
some  top-level  industry  executives,  the 
flat  statement  that  a  decree  could 
not  be  agreed  upon  was  the  first  to 
be  made  by  one  of  the  relatively  few 
men  who  have  participated  in  the 
private  discussions  on  the  subject. 

In  Washington  yesterday,  Wright 
said  that  nothing  has  happened  con- 
cerning the  decree  since  the  first  ap- 
proach to  Attorney  General  Clark. 
It  was  at  that  time  that  Clark  told 
a  distributor  group  that  he  would  be 
available  to  discuss  the  matter. 

Concerning  the  forthcoming  trial, 
Wright  said  that  if  the  Oct.  13  date 
for  reopening  the  case  in  New  York 
interferes  with  plans  of  any  defense 
attorneys  to  observe  the  Jewish  holi- 
day the  same  day,  he  would  agree  tc 
"an  adjustment."  "I'm  not  so  sure 
about  a  long  postponement,"  he  added. 


Wednesday,  September  15,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


5 


Buy  European  Right 
To  Zale  Fight  Films 

European  rights  to  Ringside  Pic- 
ture's films  of  the  forthcoming  Tony 
Zale-Marcel  Cerdan  World's  Middle- 
weight Boxing  Championship  and  the 
Gus  Lesnevich-Jersey  Joe  Walcott 
heavyweight  elimination  bout  have 
N_-  -  sold  to  French  boxing  promoter 
OfJ Logman,  it  was  reported  here 
yesterday  by  Mannie  Baum,  Ring- 
side's general  manager. 

Ten  cameramen  will  record  the 
fights,  which  will  be  held  at  Roose- 
velt Stadium,  Jersey  City,  on  Sept 
21,  according  to  Baum.  He  added 
that  prints  will  leave  New  York  at 
about  eight  o'clock  the  following 
morning  by  planes  for  points  West, 
with  screenings  expected  to  be  held  in 
Chicago  theatres  less  than  24  hours 
after  the  fights  are  finished. 

Ringside  will  handle  its  own  dis- 
tribution in  New  York,  Baum  said. 
Illinois  distribution  has  been  con- 
tracted for  by  Henri  Elman  of  Chi- 
cago, and  Pacific  Coast  distribution 
will  be  handled  by  Herbert  Rosener 
of  San  Francisco,  according  to  Baum. 


Children's  Library 
Starts  in  Canada 

The  Children's  Film  Library  will  be 
inaugurated  in  Canada  next  week. 
Mrs.  Marjorie  Dawson,  chairman  of 
the  Children's  Film  Library  Commit- 
tee of  the  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America  will  leave  for  Toronto 
next  Monday  to  attend  a  meeting  on 
Sept.  21  at  which  she  will  demon- 
strate the  procedures  established  by 
the  committee  in  the  United  States  to 
distributors  of  Canada  and  to  repre- 
sentatives of  Canadian  women's  or- 
ganizations. 


Toronto  Odeon  Scale 
Highest  in  Canada 

Toronto,  Sept.  14. — Regular  policy 
of  the  Odeon-Toronto  has  been  estab- 
lished with  prices  scaling  up  to  $1.20, 
the  highest  for  any  house  in  Canada. 

General  admission  at  other  first-run 
houses  here  is  66  cents  top. 


'Olympics'  to  Gotham 

J.  Arthur  Rank's  "The  Olympic 
Games  of  1948,"  in  Technicolor,  being 
released  here  by  Eagle-Lion,  will  open 
in  New  York  on  Sept.  24  at  the 
Gotham  Theatre,  E-L  announced  yes- 
terday. 


Vog  Film  Premiere 

American  premiere  of  the  new 
French  film,  "Loves  of  Casanova,"  re- 
leased in  the  U.  S.  by  Vog  Film  Co., 
will  be  held  at  Siritzky  Ambassador 
Theatre  here  Friday. 


Canada's  Attendance 
Is  Leveling  Off 

Toronto,  Sept.  14— Cana- 
dian government  report 
shows  a  decline  in  theatre  at- 
tendance of  7,000,000  patrons 
in  1947,  confirming  the  recent 
observation  of  president  J.  J. 
Fitzgibbons  of  Famous  Play- 
ers-Canadian that  patronage 
is  levelling  off  in  the  Domin- 
ion. 


Review 


"The  Olympic  Games  of  1948" 

(J.  Arthur  Rank — Eagle-Lion) 

EIGHTEEN  Technicolor  camera  units,  manned  by  75  J.  Arthur  Rank  organ- 
ization cameramen,  recorded  for  the  screen  the  brilliant,  colorful  feats  of 
physical  strength  and  endurance  which  marked  the  recent  London  Olympic 
Games  and  the  prior  winter  Olympic  Games  held  at  St.  Moritz,  Switzerland. 
This  is  indeed  a  vivid  film  record  of  the  14th  Olympiad,  the  ubiquitous  cam- 
eraman capturing  all  of  the  breathtaking  beauty  of  the  Swiss  Alpine  area 
where  daring  skiers,  superb  ice  skaters  and  expert  tobogganists  competed  for 
top  honors  in  the  field  of  winter  sports.  Likewise,  those  cameramen  followed 
with  amazing  flexibility  the  suspenseful  athletic  events  at  London's  huge 
Wembley  Stadium,  Empire  Pool,  and  other  sites  where  supplemental  sport 
contests  were  held.  For  American  audiences  there  are  many  genuinely  thrill- 
ing moments  here,  since  U.  S.  athletic  stars  acquitted  themselves  splendidly 
at  the  Olympics  and  brought  home  with  them  a  goodly  number  of  laurels. 

But  for  all  of  the  majestic  beauty  of  snowy  Alps,  the  thrills  of  stadium  and 
aquatic  events — including  swimming,  foot  racing,  marathons,  jumping,  discus 
throwing,  horsemanship,  etc. — the  film  is  entirely  too  long  for  general  theatre 
audiences.  Sports  enthusiasts,  on  the  other  hand,  might  complain  that  this 
is  not  a  complete  film  record  of  the  Olympics.  True,  it  is  an  incomplete 
record,  but  there  is  no  lack  of  excitement  in  the  events  presented.  Of  course, 
the  first  consideration  should  be  general  theatre  patronage  in  serving  fare 
such  as  this;  hence,  unsparing  though  judicious  cutting  would  seem  to  be  in 
order. 

One  thing  is  practically  certain,  however.  J.  Arthur  Rank  (and  Eagle-Lion, 
too,  of  course)  has  a  film  which  qualifies  for  Academy  Award  honors  in  the 
documentary  field.  Producer  director  Castleton  Knight  can  take  credit  for  a 
masterful  job  in  a  production  which  was  superbly  handled  in  all  individual 
departments.  U.  S.  sports  announcers  Bill  Stern  and  Ted  Husing  take  care 
of  the  narration  and  commentary  in  their  usual  A-l  fashion.  An  impressive 
music  score,  recorded  by  Sir  Thomas  Beecham's  Royal  Philharmonic  Orches- 
tra, under  the  direction  of  Muir  Mathieson,  was  specially  written  by  Guy 
Warrack. 

Running  time,  136  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  For  September 
release.  Charles  L.  Franke 


Commonwealth  Meets 

President,  Kan.,  Sept.  14.  —  An- 
nual convention  of  Commonwealth 
Theatres  started  here  today  with  the 
announcement  that  Robert  Simmons 
of  the  Plaza  Theatre  in  Lamar,  Mo., 
had  won  the  "King  of  the  Sun"  con- 
test. He  will  be  inaugurated  at  the 
outing  tomorrow  afternoon  at  Star 
Lane  Farm.  C.  A.  Schultz,  president, 
and  Robert  Shelton,  vice-president 
and  general  manager,  are  in  charge  of 
the  meeting. 


Youth  Month  Scholarship 

A  four-year  scholarship  to  Denver 
University  will  be  the  grand  prize  in 
a  nationwide  essay  contest  conducted 
among  the  Youth  of  America  over 
National  Broadcasting,  it  has  been 
announced  here  by  the  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  America.  The  scholarship  was 
arranged  by  Robert  W.  Selig,  Col- 
orado exhibitor  and  state  chairman  of 
the  national  Youth  Month  Committee. 


Education  Film  Unit 
To  .  End  on  Sept.  25 

Final  meeting  of  the  Commission  on 
Motion  Pictures  of  the  American 
Council  on  Education,  established  in 
1944  under  a  Motion  Picture  Associa- 
tion of  America  grant,  will  be  held 
here  on  Sept.  25,  according  to  Dr. 
Mark  A.  May,  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mission. Research  material  and  edu- 
cational specifications  to  be  used  in 
developing  films  in  the  fields  of 
democracy,  music,  art  and  high  school 
mathematics  are  expected  to  be  re- 
leased at  the  meeting. 


Youths  to  'Salute  Youth' 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  14.  —  Children 
will  be  admitted  free  to  "Salute  to 
Youth"  morning  programs  at  17  Fox 
West  Coast  first  run  theatres  in  the 
Los  Angeles  area  on  Sept.  18.  Shows 
will  be  sponsored  by  Arden  Farms 
Milk  Co.,  which  will  supply  the 
tickets. 


1,693  Canadian  Houses 
Earned  $62,278,573 


Ottawa,  Sept.  14. — In  an  advance 
preliminary  report,  the  Canadian  gov- 
ernment reveals  that  the  1,693  motion 
picture  theatres  in  Canada  earned 
$62,278,573  last  year,  excluding  amuse- 
ment taxes  which  amounted  to  $16,- 
375,226,  paid  admissions  totaled 
$220,714,785. 

The  472  theatres  in  Ontario  led  all 
others  in  receipts,  earning  $26,483,044, 
with  amusement  taxes  there  totaling 
$5,977,181  and  paid  admissions  $93,- 
137,140. 

Earnings,  not  including  taxes,  else- 
where in  Canada  were  as  follows : 
(Number  of  theatres  are  in  brackets)  : 
Quebec,  $13,919,917  (319)  ;  British 
Northwest  territories,  $7,055,066 
(172);    Alberta,    $3,707,668  (178); 


Manitoba,  $3,526,223  (146)  ;  Saskatch- 
ewan, $2,890,727  (254)  ;  Nova  Scotia, 
$2,666,189  (79)  ;  New  Brunswick, 
$1,773,904  (59);  Prince  Edward 
Island,  $255,835  (14). 

Amusement  taxes  follow :  Quebec, 
$4,743,498;  British  Columbia,  $1,724,- 
085;  Alberta,  $1,046,424;  Manitoba, 
$864,826;  Nova  Scotia,  $771,857;  Sas- 
katchewan, $624,372 ;  New  Brunswick, 
$547,691 ;  Prince  Edward  Island,  $75,- 
292.  _ 

Paid  admissions  were  as  follows : 
Ouebec,  $48,864,876  ;  British  Columbia, 
$24,062,010;  Manitoba,  $13,054,600; 
Alberta,  $12,809,597;  Nova  Scotia, 
$10,683,793 ;  Saskatchewan,  $10,155,- 
603;  New  Brunswick,  $7,027,133; 
Prince  Edward  Island,  $920,033. 


WB  Urges  FCC  Act 
On  Chi.  Video  Bid 


Washington,  Sept.  14. — Warners 
today  asked  the  Federal  Communi- 
cations Commission  to  hold  hearings 
as  soon  as  possible  on  its  application 
for  a  Chicago  television  station. 

Warner  attorney  Marcus  Cohn  tes- 
tified at  an  FCC-industry  television 
conference  that  it  was  imperative  "for 
competitive  reasons"  that  the  Chicago 
situation  be  cleared  up  at  an  early 
date.  Paramount  already  has  a  Chi- 
cago television  station,  and  it  was 
obvious  that  Warner  fears  that  if 
the  FCC  delays  much  longer,  Para- 
mount and  other  stations  already  li- 
censed will  have  too  much  of  a  head- 
start. 

Allen  B.  DuMont,  head  of  DuMont 
Laboratories,  said  he  now  thought  it 
would  be  necessary  to  go  into  the 
ultra-high  frequencies  in  order  to  get 
adequate  television  service.  This  was 
a  reversal  for  DuMont  who  has  been 
opposing  use  of  the  higher  bands. 
Hearings  on  use  of  the  ultra-high  fre- 
quencies open  here  next  week. 

The  two-day  industry  conference 
ended  today  with  FCC  chairman 
Wayne  Coy  announcing  that  an  engi- 
neering conference  would  be  held  soon 
on  the  problems  outlined  at  this  con- 
ference, and  that  revision  of  television 
engineering  standards  would  wait  on 
the  outcome  of  the  engineering  con- 
ference. 


Urges  Holding  Video 
From  Top  Frequency 

_  Washington,  Sept.  14.  —  Commer- 
cial television  in  the  high  frequencies 
should  not  be  permitted  until  basic 
standards  have  been  adopted  for  the 
lower  bands,  George  Adair,  former 
chief  engineer  of  the  Federal  Com- 
munications Commission,  told  the 
FCC  recently. 

Investment  in  the  present  commer- 
cial area  is  so  great,  Adair  said,  that 
all  or  a  large  part  of  television  will 
remain  there  for  a  long  time.  He 
said  experimentation  on  the  use  of  the 
higher  frequencies  should  continue. 


Video  Competes  With 
'Bad9  Films:  Goldwyn 

Salt  Lake  City,  Sept  14. — "People 
will  stay  home  to  see  bad  television 
rather  than  go  out  and  pay  to  see  a 
bad  movie,"  Samuel  Goldwyn  stated 
here  while  en  route  with  his  wife  to 
a  vacation  at  Sun  Valley. 

Goldwyn  asserted  that  the  current 
business  slump  is  affecting  all  of  the 
entertainment  field  and  not  motion  pic- 
tures alone.  The  way  to  overcome  the 
film  slump,  the  producer  said,  is  to 
produce  "better  pictures." 


Youth  To  Take  Over 

Salt  Lake  City,  Sept.  14. — This 
city's  'teen-agers  will  take  over  opera- 
tion of  downtown  first-run  theatres  on 
Saturday  as  a  feature  of  national 
"Youth  Month"  in  Salt  Lake  City. 
Tracy  Barham,  Intermountain  Thea- 
tres executive,  is  in  charge  of  the  local 
theatre  phase  of  the  observance. 


Delay  Warner  Dance 

Cleveland,  Sept.  14. — The  Warner 
Club  fall  dinner-dance,  scheduled  for 
tonight,  has  been  postponed  to  Sept. 
21.  Affair  will  take  place  in  the  Hick- 
ory Grill. 


Century-Fox,  the  company  that  leads  the 
ntire  industry  in  acclamation  for  outstanding  achieve- 
ments and  with  more  champions  than  any  other  company 
on  M.  P.  Herald's  list  of  Boxoffice  Champions  .  .  .  the 
only  company  to  make  the  list  every  month  in  '48  .  .  .* 
and  more  hits  on  the  Variety  Scoreboard  than  any 
other  company  .  .  .  invites  the  entire  industry  to  join 
the  Spyros  P.  Skouras  35th  Anniversary  Celebration 
September  26  to  December  25  inclusive! 


8 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  15,  1948 


Review 


"Cry  of  the  City" 

(20th  Century-Fox) 

ROBERT  SIODMAK'S  directorial  skill  is  evidenced  in  every  foot  of  this 
spine-tingling  look  into  the  last  days  of  a  hunted  killer,  a  modern  savage 
who  makes  a  desperate  bid  for  survival  in  Manhattan's  civilized  jungle.  This 
is  sordid  stuff  told  with  a  mean  melodramatic  wallop;  it  is  a  heart-pounding 
thriller,  but  it  can  hardly  be  defined  as  "entertainment"  in  the  true  sense  of 
the  word.  Loaded  with  sly  dramatic  touches  that  create  the  illusion  of  rgC^S 
ism,  it  is  director  Siodmak's  picture  all  the  way,  notwithstanding  crack  V&j 
formances  delivered  by  a  first-rate  cast  topped  by  Victor  Mature  and  Richara 
Conte.  For  the  latter,  however,  "Cry  of  the  City"  is  singularly  important:  it 
marks  his  elevation  to  well-deserved  stardom. 

Crippled  by  police  bullets  and  fearful  of  dying  only  because  of  his  appre- 
hension that  the  police  will  take  vengeance  on  an  innocent  girl  whom  he  loves, 
Conte  makes  his  way  through  back  alleys  and  avenues  of  New  York  with 
police  lieutenant-detective  Mature  in  relentless  pursuit.  The  cold-blooded,  wily 
killer  lets  nothing  stand  in  his  way  as  he  follows  his  dogged  course  to  the 
side  of  his  girl.  He  brings  misery  to  his  slum-held  Italian  parents,  he  stabs 
to  death  a  not  undeserving  shyster,  he  "uses"  everyone  he  meets  and  accom- 
plishes a  tour  de  force  double-cross  in  dealing  with  an  icy-hearted  amazon. 
His  trail  of  blood  and  tears  is  brought  to  an  abrupt  end  with  a  bullet  in  the 
back  from  the  wounded  Mature's  pistol.  Conte's  death  on  a  Manhattan  sidewalk 
comes  immediately  following  his  unexpected  rejection  by  the  girl  he  loved. 

Based  on  a  novel  by  Henry  Edward  Helseth,  the  screenplay  was  ably  done 
by  Richard  Murphy.  Unpleasant  though  the  proceedings  may  be,  there  is  con- 
siderable redemption  in  the  spotlighting  of  an  intelligent  approach  to  the 
juvenile  delinquency  problem.  Tommy  Cook,  in  the  role  of  Conte's  impression- 
able young  brother,  is  saved  from  a  similar  "career"  by  virtue  of  Mature's 
persuasive  reasoning.  Also  in  support  are  Fred  Clark,  Shelly  Winters,  Betty 
Garde,  Berry  Kroeger,  Debra  Paget,  Roland  Winters  and  some  30  others. 
All  phases  of  Sol  C.  Siegel's  production  are  tops  with  camera  work  deserving 
of  special  mention.  This  looks  like  a  money  picture,  but  first  make  sure  -your 
customers  can  take  this  sort  of  stuff. 

Running  time,  95  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  For  October  re- 
lease. Charles  L.  Franke 


Skouras  Drive 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

history  and  a  record  liquidation  of 
backlog  product,  as  well  as  the  at- 
tainment of  a  new  mark  for  volume 
of  feature  bookings  in  a  13-week 
period.  Highlight  will  be  a  series 
of  special  weeks,  climaxed  by  "20th 
Century-Fox  Anniversary  Week," 
Nov.  21-27,  when  it  is  hoped  to  have 
the  company  trademark  on  the  screen 
of  every  U.  S.  theatre. 

For  the  first  time,  the  company's 
five  sales  divisions  will  have  home 
office  sponsors.  Charged  with  the 
responsibility  of  stimulating  the  re- 
sults of  their  division,  the  sponsors 
include  W.  C.  Michel,  executive  vice- 
president,  sponsor  for  the  Western 
division ;  Joseph  Moskowitz,  vice- 
president  and  Eastern  studio  repre- 
sentative, Eastern  division ;  Donald 
A.  Henderson,  treasurer-secretary, 
Southern  division,  with  the  Central 
division  sponsored  by  Wilfred  J. 
Eadie,  comptroller  and  assistant  treas- 
urer, and  the  Canadian  division  spon- 
sored by  Otto  Koegel,  chief  counsel 
for  the  company. 

'Cabinet'  to  Coordinate  Drive 

Another  innovation  of  the  anniver- 
sary will  be  the  setting  up  of  a  spe- 
cial home  office  cabinet,  Smith  stated, 
to  coordinate  all  campaign  activity. 
Smith  will  serve  as  chairman,  while 
others  in  the  cabinet  will  include  Wil- 
liam C.  Gehring,  assistant  sales  man- 
ager ;  Martin  Moskowitz,  executive 
assistant  to  Smith ;  Peter  Levathes, 
short  subject  sales  manager;  Clarence 
Hill,  manager  of  branch  operations ; 
Charles  Schlaifer,  director  of  adver- 
tising-publicity ;  Morris  Caplan,  statis- 


tician to  Smith ;  Roger  Ferri,  Frank 
X.  Carroll,  home  office  sales  analyst ; 
Jack  Bloom,  home  office  division  aide ; 
Harry  Mersay,  print  department  man- 
ager ;  Sam  Fishman,  contract  depart- 
ment manager,  and  Sam  Shain,  direc- 
tor of  exhibitor  relations.  The  five 
divisional  sponsors  will  also  be  mem- 
bers of  the  cabinet. 

Special  Field  Committee 

Field  activity  for  the  anniversary 
will  be  supervised  by  a  special  field 
committee,  composed  of  the  five  divi- 
sional sales  managers :  R.  E.  Moon, 
East ;  J.  H.  Lorentz,  Central ;  H.  G. 
Ballance,  South ;  Herman  Wobber, 
West;  Arthur  Silverstone,  Canada. 
Within  each  division,  separate  lead- 
ers have  been  designated.  These  will 
include  the  following  assistant  division 
sales  managers :  Howard  Minsky, 
East ;  Harold  L.  Beecroft,  Central ; 
Paul  S.  Wilson,  South,  and  Bryan  D. 
Stoner,  West.  The  Canadian  leader 
will  be  announced  later  by  Silver- 
stone. 


Realart  Meeting 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Carroll  Puciato,  James  Harris,  Man- 
ny Jacobs,  John  Mangham,  Ken  R. 
Smith,  R.  S.  Carscallen,  Bert  Stearn, 
Milton  Brauman,  Lee  J.  Goldberg,  H. 
F.  Cohen,  H.  V.  George,  Scott  Lett, 
Bob  Snyder,  Manny  Stutz,  Nelson 
Wax,  Joe  Levine,  Joe  Wolf. 

Also,  John  Franconi,  Sam  Decker, 
Henri  Elman,  Herman  Gorelick,  Har- 
ry Price,  Fred  Sandy,  Bernie  Mills, 
Myron  Mills,  Sherman  S.  Krellberg, 
Moe  Kerman,  Joe  Felder,  Carr  Scott, 
Don  Swartz,  Jack  Zide,  and  other 
sales  personnel. 


4  Films  Rated  'B'  as 
Legion  Reviews  11 

M-G-M's  "Julia  Misbehaves,"  Uni- 
versale "One  Touch  of  Venus,"  RKO 
Radio's  "Variety  Time"  and  Scandia 
Films'  "The  Bells  of  the  Old  City" 
(Swedish)  have  been  placed  in  Class 
"B"  by  National  Legion  of  Decency 
in  its  review  of  11  pictures  this  week. 
Classified  as  A-I  were :  M-G-M's 
"Hills  of  Home"  and  Monogram's 
"Kidnapped,"  while  20th  Century- 
Fox's  "Cry  of  the  City,"  Screen 
Guild's  "The  Prairie,"  Paramount's 
"Sealed  Verdict"  and  United  Artists' 
"Urubu"  were  rated  A-II. 


Music  Agency 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

necessarily  disturb  Ascap's  foreign  li- 
censing clearance  rights,  it  is  general- 
ly conceded  it  would  be  impractical 
for  Ascap  to  sell  foreign  rights  alone. 

Mills'  idea  for  a  central  buying 
agency  for  producers  is  understood  to 
embrace  the  purchase  of  foreign 
rights  and  their  clearance  for  produc- 
ers and  exhibitors,  as  well  as  the  do- 
mestic recording  and  performance 
rights.  The  plan  is  designed  to  elimi- 
nate the  necessity  of  dealing  with 
large  numbers  of  individual  copyright 
owners  or  with  numerous  smaller 
agencies  which  might  spring  up  here 
in  the  event  Ascap  is  destroyed  as  a 
theatre  licensing  organization. 

Meanwhile,  copyright  attorneys 
here,  in  commenting  on  plans  of  ex- 
hibitor plaintiffs  in  the  New  York 
anti-Ascap  suit  and  defendants  in  the 
Minneapolis  action  to  press  for  dam- 
ages against  and  recovery  from  As- 
cap, pointed  out  that  members  of  the 
music  licensing  society  are  responsible 
for  any  judgments  obtained  against  it. 

Ascap,  they  say,  is  a  voluntary,  un- 
incorporated organization  with  the  le- 
gal status  of  a  partnership ;  thus,  even 
the  personal  wealth  or  resources  of  its 
members  are  subject  to  judgments. 


4 Joan  of  Arc' 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


pictures.  Walter  Wanger  was  the 
producer  and  Fleming  the  director. 

Announcement  of  the  world  pre- 
miere was  made  jointly  here  yesterday 
by  Wanger,  president  of  Sierra ;  Ned 
E.  Depinet,  president  of  RKO,  and 
Robert  W.  Dowling,  president  of  City 
Investing  Co.,  owner  of  the  Victoria. 
Negotiations  for  the  presentation  were 
conducted  by  Robert  Mochrie,  RKO 
Radio  sales  vice-president,  and  Mau- 
rice Maurer,  executive  of  City  Enter- 
tainment Co.,  subsidiary  of  City  In- 
vesting. Maurer  made  several  flights 
to  Hollywood  to  consult  with  Wanger 
on  presentation  plans  for  the  film. 

The  Victoria  is  now  in  process  of 
complete  reconstruction,  under  the 
guidance  of  E.  D.  Stone,  the  archi- 
tect who  designed  the  interiors  of 
Radio  City  Music  Hall.  It  is  the 
first  theatre  on  Broadway  to  be  re- 
built since  the  war.  It  will  have  a 
seating  capacity  of  1,100.  In  its  lobby, 
huge  murals  will  delineate  scenes  from 
"Joan  of  Arc." 

The  opening  will  be  preceded  by 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  intensive 
national  advertising  campaigns. 

Price  scale  has  not  as  yet  been  set. 


H.  O.  Eskin  Leases  Two 

Hartford,  Sept.  14.  —  Morris  and 
Dan  Pouzzner,  operators  of  the  Mid- 
dlesex and  Capitol  Theatres  in  Middle- 
town,  have  transferred  leases  on  both 
theatres  to  Harold  G.  Eskin  of  New 
York.  The  Pouzzners  will  retain 
ownership  of  the  Middlesex  Theatre 
and  Middlesex  Building. 


Maher  Plans  Drive-In 

Hartford,  Sept.  14.  —  Philip  W. 
Maher  of  Bloomfield,  Conn.,  has  made 
application  to  the  State  Police  Com- 
missioner for  a  certificate  of  approval 
to  construct  a  drive-in  theatre  in 
Bloomfield. 


No  extra  fare  on 

American's 
DC-6  Flagships! 


Ride  the  famous  "Mercury"  flight  to 
Los  Angeles  at  no  increase  in  cost! 


On  September  1st,  DC-6  and 
Constellation  fares  were  raised  10 
per  cent  by  the  transcontinental 
air  lines — with  the  single  excep- 
tion of  American  Airlines.  On 
American,  you  can  enjoy  luxuri- 
ous DC-6  service  at  no  increase 
in  cost! 

"The  Mercury,"  departing 


daily  at  midnight,  EDT  and  ar- 
riving in  Los  Angeles  at  8:10  a.m. 
PDT,  will  continue  to  provide 
transcontinental  travelers  with 
the  finest  in  air  travel — at  the 
same  fare — only  $157.85.  "The 
Mercury"  now  has  eight  roomy 
Skysleeper  berths  to  supple- 
ment 36  seat  accommodations. 


Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000  or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Termincl  •  Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 


AMERICAN  A/RUNES 


What  a  sight  fc>  see>f 

PaGa/kount's  Gk&kt,  Bt&, 
Happy  lose  story- 
with  music! 


You'll  be  singing  its  love 
songs...  and  its  praises! 
Only  young  love  could 
make  a  picture  so  glori- 
ously gay. 


<f  .1 . 


V 


^  heart  tapping/ 

•'MISS  JULIE  JULY" 
"WOND'RIN'  WHEN' 
"ISN'T  IT  ROMANTIC?'' 


^3 


0>K 


.hi 


If 


Funnyman 
Billy 

De  Wolfe 
lives  up  to 
his  name 
in  Para- 
mount's 
gay,  young 
musical 
romance ! 


Help  Promote 
YOUTH  MONTH — 
Saluting  Young  America 


10 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  15,  1948 


Key  City  Grosses 


T^OLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
•»  ture  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


CHICAGO 


Attendance  is  off  at  most  theatres. 
Legionnaires  are  filling  hotels  but  not 
theatres.  Best  among  newcomers  is 
"Canon  City,"  with  a  rousing  $20,000. 
"A  Foreign  Affair"  is  mild.  Strongest 
holdover  is  "Return  of  the  Bad  Men." 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  ending 
Sept.  16: 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)— CHICAGO 
(3,900)  (50c-65c-98c).  On  Stage,  Ginny 
Simms.  Gross:  $53,000.  (Average:  $53,5CO) 
THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Mono.)- 

STATE    LAKE    (2,700)    (50c-65c-9Sc)  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $23,000.    (Average:  $25,000) 
CANON   CITY   (E-L)-ROOSEVELT  (1,- 
500)   (50c-65c-98c).     Gross:  $20,000.  (Aver- 
age: $18,000) 

EASTER  PARADE  (M-G-M) — WOODS 
(1,080)  (98c)  5th  week.  Gross:  $17,000. 
(Average:  $23,000) 

GALLANT  LEGION  (Rep.)  and  SECRET 
SERVICE  INVESTIGATOR  (Rep.)— GAR  - 

RICK   (1,000)    (50c-65c-85c).     Gross:  $8,500. 

(Average:  $10,000)  » 

LUXURY     LINER      (M-G-M)— UNITED 

ARTISTS     (1,700)     (50c-65c-98c).  Gross: 

$17,000.    (Average:  $20,000) 

OLYMPIC     GAMES     (E-L)     and  THE 

SPIRITUALIST    (E-L) — APOLLO  (1,200) 

(50c-65c-98c).      Gross:     $8,000.  (Average: 

$12,000) 

PITFALL  (UA)— ORIENTAL  (3,300)  (50c- 
98c).  On  stage,  Jerry  Wayne.  Gross:  $46,- 
500.    (Average:  $45,000) 

RETURN  OF  THE  BAD  MEN  (RKO  Ra- 
dio)—GRAND  (1,150)  (50c-65c-98c)  5  days, 
2nd  week.  Gross:  $17,000.  (Average:  $11,- 
500) 

THE   VELVET   TOUCH    (RKO  Radio)— 

PALACE  (2,500)  (50c-65c-98c).  Gross:  $21,- 
000.    (Average:  $21,000) 


TORONTO 


The  important  development  of  the 
week  in  Toronto  filmdom  was  the 
opening  of  the  palatial  Odeon-Toronto 
Theatre  with  the  North  American  pre- 
miere of  "Oliver  Twist,"  which  was 
accompanied  by  holdovers  at  eight 
other  theatres.  "The  Mating  of  Mil- 
lie" finally  bowed  out  at  the  Biltmore, 
in  its  15th  week.  Estimated  receipts 
for  the  week  ending  Sept.  16 : 

CORRIDOR  OF  MIRRORS   (E-L)— DAN  - 

FORTH    (1,400)    (20c-36c-50c-60c)    6  days. 
Gross:  $6,500.    (Average:  $6,500) 
CORRIDOR  OF  MIRRORS  (E-L)— FAIR 
LAWN    (1,195)     (20c-36c-50c-55c)    6  days. 
Gross:  $5,500.    (Average:  $5,500) 
A     DATE     WITH     JUDY  (M-G-M)— 
LOEW'S     (2.074)     (20c-36c-50c-66c-78c)  6 
days,  2nd  week.    Gross:  $14,000.  (Average: 
$14,200) 

THE      EMPEROR      WALTZ  (Para.)- 

SHEA'S  (2,480)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days, 
2nd  week.  Gross:  $15,700.  (Average:  $14,- 
700) 

ESCAPE     (Z0th-Fox)— EGLINTON  (1,086; 


(20c-36c-50c-66c)  6  days,  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$5,900.    (Average:  $6,900) 
ESCAPE  (20th-Fox)— TIVOLI  (1,434)  (20c- 
36c-50c-66c)  6  days,  2nd  week.    Gross:  $7,- 
200.    (Average:  $8,200) 

THE  FABULOUS  TEXAN  (Rep.)  and 
KING    OF    THE    GAMBLERS  (Rep.)— 

BILTMORE  (938)  (15c-30c-36c-55c)  6  days. 
Gross:  $5,000.  (Average:  $5,000) 
FOREVER  AMBER  (2»th-Fox)— IMPERI- 
AL (3,343)  (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days,  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $14,100.  (Average:  $14,600) 
OLIVER  TWIST  (E-L)-ODEON-TO- 
RONTO  (2,390)  (20c-35c-50c-60c-70c-80c- 
$1.20)  6  days.  Gross:  $21,000.  (No  average 
established). 

TAP  ROOTS  (U-I)— UPTOWN  (2,761) 
(20c-36c-50c-66c-90c)  6  days,  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $8,600.  (Average:  $10,600) 
TWO  GUYS  FROM  TEXAS  (WB)— NOR- 
TOWN  (950)  (20c-42c-60c)  6  days,  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $4,500.  (Average:  $5,000) 
TWO  GUYS  FROM  TEXAS  (WB)— VIC- 
TORIA (1,240)  (20c-36c-42c-60c)  6  days,  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $4,900.    (Average:  $5,800) 


BOSTON 


Ideal  weather  now  prevails  in  Bos- 
ton. Holdovers  are  "Abbott  and  Cos- 
tello  Meet  Frankenstein,"  "Beyond 
Glory,"  "Hamlet."  Estimates  for  the 
week  ending  Sept.  15 : 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  ADVEN- 
TURES OF  DON   COYOTE   (UA)— RKO 

BOSTON  (3,200)  (40c-80c)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$7,500. 

BEYOND  GLORY  (Para.)  and  MUSIC 
MAN  (Mono.)— METROPOLITAN  (4,367) 
(40c-80c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $21,000.  (Aver- 
age: $27,000) 

DREAM  GIRL  (Para.)  and  RETURN  OF 
WILDFIRE  (SG)— PARAMOUNT  (1,700) 
(40c-80c).  Gross:  $15,000.  (Average:  $17,000) 
DREAM  GIRL  (Para.)  and  RETURN  OF 
WILDFIRE  (SG)— FENWAY  (1,373)  (40c- 
80c).  Gross:  $6,900.  (Average:  $10,000) 
HAMLET  (UI-Rank) — ASTOR  (1,300)  (90c- 
$2.40)  4th  week.  Gross:  $23,000. 
MR.  B LANDING'S  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)  and  MEET  ME  AT 
DAWN  ( 20th- Fox) — EXETER  (1,300)  (40c- 
80c)  3  days.  Gross:  $1,500. 
OLYMPIC  GAMES  OF  1948  (E-L-Rank) 
and  CODE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD  (Rep.) 
—EXETER  (1,300)  (40c-80c)  4  days.  Gross: 
$2,750. 

PITFALL  (UA)  and  I  SURRENDER, 
DEAR  (Col.)— STATE  (3,500)  (40c-80c). 
Gross:  $14,500.  (Average:  $12,000) 
PITFALL  (UA)  and  I  SURRENDER, 
DEAR  (Col.)— ORPHEUM  (3.000)  (40c-80c). 
Gross:  $25,000.  (Average:  $27,000) 
TAP  ROOTS  (U-I)  and  I  SURRENDER, 
DEAR  (Col.)— RKO-MEMORIAL  (3,000) 
(40c-80c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $19,000.  (Aver- 
age: $22,000) 


CINCINNATI 


New  arrivals  and  holdovers  are  cur- 
rently registering  average  business  or 
better,  with  "A  Date  with  Judy"  in 
the  upper  bracket  and  the  world  pre- 
miere of  "The  Saxon  Charm"  running 
a  close  second.  Estimated  receipts 
for  the  week  ended  Sept.  14 : 
THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Mono.)— 
RKO  PALACE  (2,700)  ( 50c -55c -60c -65c -70c- 
75c).  Gross:  $16,000.  (Average:  $15,000) 
BEYOND  GLORY  (Para.) — RKO  ALBEE 


4  aaa  WANTED 

1,000  SHORT  SUBJECTS 

Single  Reels 

INTEREST-  TRAVEL  -  SPORTS 
MUSICALS-CARTOONS  etc. 

Up -To -Date     —     Good  Quality 

BRITISH  NEWSREELS  LTD. 

147  Wardour  Street  •  London,  Eng. 


(3,300)      (5Oc-55c-6Oc-65c-70c-75c).  Gross: 

$15,000.     (Average:  $15,000) 

A  DATE  WITH   JUDY  (M-G-M)— RKO 

CAPITOL    (2,000)  (5Oc-55c-6Oc-65c-70c-75c). 
Gross:  $16,000.    (Average:  $10,000) 
ESCAPE  (20th-Fox) — RKO  GRAND  (1,500) 
(50e-55c-6Oc-65c-7Oc-75c).        Gross:  $8,000. 
(Average:  $8,000) 

GOOD   SAM    (RKO   Radio)— RKO  SHU 

BERT  (2,150)  (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c)  2nd 
week,  on  a  moveover  from  the  Albee. 
Gross:  $7,000.  (Average:  $5,000) 
THE  SAXON  CHARM  (U-I)— KEITH'S 
(1,500)  (50c-5Sc-60c-6Ec-75c).  World  pre- 
miere. Gross:  $12,000.  (Average:  $7,500) 
TWO  GUYS  FROM  TEXAS  (WB)— RKO 
LYRIC  (1,400)  (5Oc-55c-60c-65c-7Oc-75c)  2nd 
week,  on  a  moveover  from  the  Palace. 
Gross:  $5,500.    (Average:  $5,000) 


KANSAS  CITY 


Pleasant  fall  weather  seemed  to  en- 
tice the  public  out,  and  to  theatres,  the 
weekend  bringing  first-rate  business. 
The  school  opening  also  made  the 
weekend  a  holiday  period  for  students 
and  families.  Stage  competition  began 
this  week  with  the  two-day  engage- 
ment of  "Oklahoma."  Estimated  re- 
ceipts for  the  week  ending  Sept. 
14-17: 

BAD  LANDS  OF  DAKOTA  (FC)  and 
TRAIL    OF    THE    VIGILANTES  (FC)— 

ESQUIRE  (800)  (45c-65c).  Gross:  $2,500. 
(Average:  $5,000) 

BEYOND  GLORY  (Para.)— PARAMOUNT 
(1,900)  (45c-65c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $9,500. 
(Average:  $10,000) 

GOOD  SAM  (RKO  Radio)  and  DRAGNET 

(SG)— ORPHEUM     (1,900)     (45c-65c)  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $14,000.    (Average:  $10,000) 
RED    RIVER    (UA)    and    BLONDE  ICE 
(FC)— MIDLAND     (3,500)     (45c-65c)  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $18,000.     (Average:  $15,000) 
TAP  ROOTS  (U-I)— FAIRWAY  (700)  (45c- 
65c).     Gross:   $2,190.     (Average:  $1,750) 
TAP  ROOTS  (U-I)— TOWER  (2,100)  (45c- 
65c).    Gross:  $10,500.     (Average:  $8,000) 
TAP     ROOTS     (U-I)— UPTOWN  (2,000) 
(45c -65c).    Gross:  $7,500.     (Average:  $6,000) 


BALTIMORE 


This  week's  box-office  business  is 
"spotty,"  with  capacity  audiences  at- 
tending the  major  attractions,  and 
holdovers  doing  scarcely  better  than 
average.  Weather  conditions  were 
favorable  for  weekend  crowds.  "A 
Foreign  Affair"  is  tops  at  Keith's. 
Estimated  receipts  for  the  week  end- 
ing Sept.  16 : 

CANON  CITY  (E-L)— HIPPODROME  (2,- 
205)  (29c-37c-50c-58c).  With  a  stage  show. 
Gross:  $19,000.  (Average:  $17,000) 
A  DATE  WITH  JUDY  (M-G-M) — CEN- 
TURY (3,000)  (29c-37c-45c-54c)  2nd  week. 
Gross:  $12,750.  (Average:  $14,500) 
DRUMS  (FC  re-release) — VALENCIA  (1,- 
466)  (29c-37c-45c-54c).  Gross:  $4,000.  (Av- 
erage: $5,000) 

A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)— KEITH'S 
(2,404)  (25c-37c-44c-54c).  Gross:  $15,500. 
(Average:  $12,000) 

GOOD  SAM  (RKO  Radio)— TOWN  (1,450) 
(29c-37c-56c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $10,500. 
(Average:  $11,000) 

THE  LUCK  OF  THE  IRISH  (20th-Fox)- 

NEW  (1,800)  (29c-40c-50c-54c).  Gross:  $13,- 
500.    (Average:  $11,750) 

THE    MIKADO  (U-I-Prestige)-LITTLE 

(328)  (29c-37c-56c)  2nd  week.  Gross:  $3,250. 
(Average:  $3,000) 

TEXAS,    BROOKLYN    AND  HEAVEN 

(UA)— MAYFAIR      (1,000)  (21c-29c-54c). 

Gross:   $4,500.     (Average:  $5,000) 

TWO    GUYS    FROM    TEXAS  (WB)- 

STANLEY  (3,280)  (29c-37c-50c-58c)  2nd 
week.    Gross:  $7,500.    (Average:  $14,500) 


ATLANTA 


Theatre  business  is  a  little  above 
average,  with  good  weather.  Esti- 
mated receipts  for  the  week  ending 
Sept.  15 : 

A     DATE     WITH     JUDY  (M-G-M)— 

LOEW'S  GRAND  (2,446)  (12c-54c)  2nd 
week.  Gross:  $11,000.  (Average:  $15,000) 
A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)— ROXY  (2,- 
446)  (12c-50c)  2nd  week,  on  a  holdover 
from  the  Fox.  Gross:  $6,000.  (Average- 
$5,800) 

KEY  LARGO  (WB)-FOX  (4,446)  (12c-50c). 
Gross:  $13,500.    (Average:  $15,000) 
MAN-EATER   OF   KUMAON    (U-I)  and 
SALOME,  WHERE  SHE  DANCED  (U-I) 

-TOWER  (1,865)  (17c-54c).  Gross:  $6,400. 
(Average:  $5,800) 


K-MTA  Maps  Agenda 
For  Sept  28-29  Meet 

Kansas  City,  Sept.  14. — Ascap, 
public  relations,  taxes,  drive-ins,  legis- 
lation and  "Youth  Month"  will  be 
among  the  subjects  discussed  at  the 
Kansas-Missouri  Theatres  Association 
convention  here  on  Sept.  28-29.  The 
meeting  will  follow  shortly  after  the 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  conven- 
tion in  Chicago  on  Sept.  24-25. 

David  Palfreyman  of  the  Mojj 
Picture  Association  of  America,  H." 
Richey,  M-G-M  exhibitor  relations  di- 
rector, and  Leon  Bamberger,  RKO 
Radio  exhibitor  relations  head,  are  ex- 
pected to  attend  the  meeting. 


Minnesota  Exhibitors 
Decry  New  City  Tax 

Duluth,  Sept.  14.  —  Recent  action 
here  of  the  League  of  Minnesota 
Municipalities  in  resolving  to  add  to 
the  theatre  taxes  in  Minneapolis,  St. 
Paul  and  Duluth  was  condemned  at 
a  regional  meeting  of  Northern 
Minnesota  exhibitors  attended  by  both 
North  Central  Allied  president  Ben 
Berger  and  executive  secretary  Stan- 
ley Kane.  A  resolution  condemned 
the  League's  action  as  an  outright  at- 
tack on  theatres  and  asserted  that  the- 
atres object  to  being  singled  out  for 
special  taxation  and  discrimination. 


Bamberger  to  Talk 
To  Circuit  Heads 

Leon  J.  Bamberger,  RKO  Radio 
sales  promotion  manager,  has  accepted 
the  invitation  of  Harold  D.  Field, 
president  of  Pioneer  Theatre  Corp.  to 
meet  with  him  and  managers  in  Car- 
roll, la.,  on  Sept.  22  to  speak  on  thea- 
tre advertising,  publicity  and  promo- 
tion and  act  as  moderator  in  an  all- 
day  discussion  of  these  topics.  Pioneer 
consists  of  22  theatres,  mostly  in 
Iowa. 


Tri-States  Meeting 
In  Memphis  Oct  25 

Memphis,  Sept.  14.— Tri-States 
Theatre  Owners  will  meet  in  Memphis 
on  Oct.  25-26,  Morris  Collins,  presi- 
dent of  the  organization,  announced 
here  today.  Theatremen  from  Arkan- 
sas, Mississippi  and  Tennessee  will 
attend  the  sessions. 


Ohio  ITO  Meet 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


that  the  industry  would  see  a  renewed 
period  of  prosperity  in  the  immediate 
future  if  all  branches  of  the  industry 
"get  on  their  toes."  He  hailed  as  an 
"overwhelming  vindication  of  Allied 
policy  relative  to  Ascap"  the  ruling 
last  week  in  Minneapolis  holding  the 
Society's  collection  of  music  licensing 
fees  illegal. 

In  a  speech  on  television  develop- 
ment, Trueman  Rembusch,  president  of 
Allied  of  Indiana,  declared  that  the 
Paramount  system  of  television  on 
film  is  not  within  range  of  the  average 
theatre  budget.  Direct  view  video  still 
has  no  adequate  theatre  equipment,  he 
averred. 

_  Other  speakers  today  included  Wil- 
liam Ainsworth,  Allied  president,  and 
J.  W.  Spiselman,  vice-president  of  Air 
Purification  Service  of  Newark,  N.  J. 
At  a  special  meeting  held  before  the 
convention  opened,  Ainsworth  de- 
scribed the  Allied  Caravan  service  for 
representatives  of  75  small-town  the- 
atres. 

The  annual  banquet  was  held  today. 


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YMPIC  GAME 
OF  1948 

(Documentary) 

LANCHE  FUR 

(Color) 
Valerie  Hobson 

D — 93  min. 
(Eev.  9/1/48) 

HOLLOW 
TRIUMPH 
Paul  Henreld 
Joan  Bennett 

0 — 83  min. 
(Rev.  8/10/48) 

DVENTURES  1 
3ALLANT  BES 
Cameron  Mitehe 

D — 73  min. 
(Rev.  7/30/48) 

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National  Carbon  Company,  Inc. 
presents: 


CARBON  ARC 
PROJECTION 


At  Meeting  of  Theatre  Equipment 
and  Supply  Manufacturers ...  and 
Theatre  Equipment  Supply  Dealers 


q 

^ee  "Carbon  Arc  Projection"— 15  minutes  of  vivid  fast- 
V^^^X  moving  Technicolor— the  first  movie  ever  produced  to  show  the 
w hat .  . .  why  .  . .  and  how  of  the  High  Intensity  Carbon  Arc.  World 
premiere  at  2  P.AI.,  September  30,  in  the  Hotel  Jefferson,  St.  Louis, 
Missouri. 

Or  write  for  our  colorful  folder,  "Carbon  Arc  Projection,"  which 
spotlights  the  high  points  of  the  picture  and  explains  how  to  obtain 
35mm  and  16mm  prints  for  special  showings!  See  address  at  right. 


NATIONAL 
CARBON  COMPANY,  INC. 

Room  1328,  30  East  42nd  Street 
New  York  17,  N.  Y. 

Unit  of  Union  Carbide 
and  Carbon  Corporation 


MOTION  PICTURE 

DAILY 


V(WJ64.  NO.  54 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  16,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Smith  Lists 
32  for  20th 
For  1948-49 


Campaigns  for  Half  Are 
All  Ready:  Schlaifer 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  15. — Andy 
W.  Smith,  Jr.,  20th  Century-Fox 
general  sales  manager,  detailed  to- 
day before  delegates  to  the  com- 
pany's nation- 
al sales  confer- 
ence here  a 
release  sched- 
ule of  product 
for  the  next  12 
months  which 
o  ff  e  r  s  exhibi- 
tors two  or 
more  features 
monthly  to 
Sept.,  1949,  for 
a  total  of  32, 
of  which  20  are 
ready  for  deliv- 
ery. Seven 
will  be  in 
Technicolor  and  one  in  Cinecolor. 

The  company's  advertising,  publicity, 
exploitation  and  radio  departments  al- 
ready have  completed  over-all  cam- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr. 


Hammons  to  Market 
Films  for  Video 


Earle  W.  Hammons,  veteran  indus- 
try executive,  disclosed  here  yester- 
day that  he  intends  to  form  a  new 
company  to  engage  in  film  distribu- 
tion for  television.  The  founder  of 
Educational  Pictures  and  former 
president  of  Grand  National,  both  now 
defunct,  is  preparing  125  of  his  own 
films  for  sale  to  telecasters,  including 
20  features  and  18  Westerns. 

Hammons  said  he  recognizes  that 
video  is  not  economically  equipped  to 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


House  Business  Unit 
Hears  Views  in  K.C. 


Kansas  City,  Sept.  15. —  While 
emphasizing  that  the  cross-licensing 
ban  is  a  "crucial  remedy"  for  many 
conditions  which  independent  exhibi- 
tors find  objectionable,  Louis  Sosno, 
exhibitor  of  Moberly,  Mo.,  today 
asked  the  House  Small  Business  Com- 
mittee to  find  a  way  of  stopping  "un- 
controlled competitive  bidding"  pend- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Urges  1,700 
Quota  Cuts 


London,  Sept. '15. — "Substantial  re- 
ductions" in  the  film  quota  have  been 
recommended  by  the  British  Film 
Council  for  some  1,700  British  thea- 
tres, with  the  reductions  to  apply  in 
varying  degree.  (Theatres  grossing 
under  100  pounds — $400 — weekly  are 
exempted  from  quota  regulations.) 

The  British  Board  of  Trade  does 
not  expect  that  its  president,  Harold 
Wilson,  will  make  any  official  state- 
ment regarding  the  Council's  recom- 
mendation for  several  days,  possibly 
not  until  after  the  new  45  per  cent 
quota  becomes  effective  on  Oct.  1. 


Variety's  Mid-Year 
Meet  Starts  Today 

Washington,  Sept.  15. — A  crowd- 
ed business  and  social  program  await 
delegates  convening  here  tomorrow  for 
Variety  Club's  three-day  mid-year 
conference,  with  about  45  internation- 
al officers  and  canvasmen,  represent- 
ing almost  every  tent  in  the  country, 
expected.  Climax  of  the  meeting  will 
be  Saturday  night's  formal  dinner  at 
which  Variety's  annual  Humanitarian 
Award  is  to  be  presented  to  Secretary 
of  State  George  C.  Marshall. 

Items  slated  for  discussion  at  busi- 
ness sessions  tomorrow,  Friday,  and 
possibly  Saturday,  include :  Discus- 
sion of  handling  the  premieres  for 
Monogram's  "Bad  Boy" — Variety  is 
getting  a  percentage  of  the  premieres 
of  the  film,  which  is  based  on  the 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


o.  k:  road  shows 

FOR  INDEPENDENTS 


New  England  Owners 
Stop  Paying  Ascap 

Boston,  Sept.  15. — New  Eng- 
land exhibitors  are  jubilant 
over  Judge  Gunnar  Nordbye's 
Minneapolis  decision  that  As- 
cap cannot  collect  from  ex- 
hibitors. It  is  expected  that 
owners  who  continued  to  pay 
Ascap  will  discontinue  to  do 
so  immediately.  Many  circuits 
and  independents  have  al- 
ready stopped  paying. 


FilmDividends  Drop 
To  $2,964,000 


Washington,  Sept.  15. — Publicly 
reported  cash  dividend  payments  by 
motion  picture  companies  in  July  were 
sharply  below  July,  1947,  accentuating 
a  trend  developing  since  the  end  of 
last  year,  the  U.  S.  Commerce  De- 
partment revealed  here  today. 

Lower  dividends  by  RKO  and  War- 
ner dropped  the  July,  1948,  figure  to 
$2,964,000,  compared  with  $4,571,000 
in  July,  1947.  Commerce  usually  fig- 
ures publicly  reported  cash  dividends 
as  representing  about  65  per  cent  of 
all  cash  dividends. 

"There  is  no  longer  any  doubt  that 
film  dividends  are  way  off,"  a  Depart- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Loew's  Joins  in  Quiz 
On  US  Trust  Evidence 


Jersey  Allied  Okays 
Smith  Conciliation 

New  Jersey  Allied's  board 
of  directors  has  voted  unani- 
mously to  adopt  the  Andy  W. 
Smith,  Jr.,  exhibitor  concilia- 
tion plan. 

The  board  accepted  the 
plan,  it  was  said,  "in  the  con- 
fidence that  the  plan  would 
be  successful  in  bringing 
about  a  satisfactory  solution 
to  any  problems  arising  be- 
tween Jersey  Allied  and  20th 
Century-Fox."  Smith  is  20th- 
Fox's  general  sales  manager. 


Loew's  has  joined  with  RKO  and 
Paramount  in  serving  on  the  U.  S. 
Department  of  Justice  an  extensive  list 
of  questions  asking  how  the  Govern- 
ment intends  to  establish  that  the  com- 
pany acted  illegally  in  any  transactions 
with  exhibitor  partners. 

RKO  and  Paramount  delivered 
similar  sets  of  interrogatory  questions 
to  the  Department  earlier  this  month, 
preparatory  to  the  reopening  of  the 
anti-trust  case  against  the  distributors 
in  New  York  Federal  Court  on  Oct.  13. 

It  is  understood  that  the  five  thea- 
tre-owning defendants  in  the  suit  yes- 
terday completed  answers  to  questions 
on  partnerships  put  to  them  earlier  by 
the  Department.  For  the  most  part 
the  information  was  forwarded  direct- 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


U.S.  Attorney  Says  Price 
Fixing  Ban  Is  Unlikely  to 
Apply  to  Non-Defendants 

Washington,  Sept.  15.  —  U.  S. 
Justice  Department  attorney  Rob- 
ert L.  .Wright  said  today  that  the 
Supreme  Court's  Paramount  case 
ban  on  admission  price  fixing  bound 
only  the  defendants  in  the  case  and 
that  he  "doubted"  that  it  would  ap- 
ply to  independent  producers  trying 
to  make  private  arrangements  with 
exhibitors  for  handling  their  own 
product. 

A  controversy  has  long  been  rag- 
ing among  industry  lawyers  as  to 
whether  the  Paramount  decision  ban 
applied  to  non-defendants  as  well  as 
defendants.  Walter  Wanger  touched 
off  the  controversy  again  recently  by 
his  announcement  that  he  planned  to 
sell  his  "Joan  of  Arc"  at  advanced 
prices. 

Some  industry  attorneys  have  de- 
clared that  even  though  the  Para- 
mount decision  actually  binds  only  the 

(Continued  on  page  4) 

Confirm  Gamble  to 
Leave  TOA  Post 


Theatre  Owners  of  America  yester- 
day confirmed  that  Ted  R.  Gamble 
will  withdraw  from  the  presidency  of 
the  organization  at  its  convention  in 
Chicago  on  Sept.  24-25.  It  is  known 
that  efforts  have  been  made  to  induce 
Gamble  to  be  a  candidate  for  reelec- 
tion but  he  has  steadfastly  maintained 
that  the  post  should  be  rotated. 

TOA,  in  a  press  statement,  reported 
that  Gamble  will  preside  at  the  two- 
day  Chicago  meeting  which  will  open 
with  a  welcoming  address  by  Chica- 
go's Mayor  Martin  Kennelly.  Edward 
H.  Foley,  Jr.,  Undersecretary  of  the 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


4 1  A'  Work  Stoppage 
Set  for  U-I  Today 


A  breakdown  in  new  contract  nego- 
tiations between  Universal-Interna- 
tional and  the  IATSE  local  represent- 
ing the  company's  425  home  office 
"white  collar"  employes  is  expected  to 
produce  a  full-scale  work  stoppage  at 
U-I  today.  Russell  Moss,  business 
agent  of  "IA"  Motion  Picture  Home 
Office  Employes  Local  No.  H-63, 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  September  16,  1948 


Personal  Mention 


Ohio  ITO  Seeks  End 
Of  City  Tax  Power 

Columbus,  O.,  Sept.  15. — Repeal  of 
the  Ohio  law  which  permits  munici- 
palities to  levy  admission  taxes  will  be 
sought  by  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Ohio  with  a  view  to  hav- 
ing the  power  returned  to  the  state.  A 
resolution  empowering  P.  J.  Wood, 
Ohio  ITO  secretary,  to  seek  repeal 
of  the  enabling  legislation  was  adopt- 
ed today  at  the  concluding  session  of 
the  organization's  convention  here. 

The  ITO  unit  will  also  seek  to  have 
theatres  included  in  legislation  calling 
for  a  two  per  cent  gross  receipts  tax 
which  may  be  introduced  at  the  next 
session  of  the  Ohio  legislature. 

Wood  was  also  instructed  to  seek 
legal  counsel  on  the  question  of 
whether  National  Screen  Service  is 
engaged  in  monopolistic  practices.  It 
was  reported  at  the  convention  that 
NSS  has  been  charging  theatres^  in 
comparable  situations  different  prices 
for  the  same  material. 

Convention  delegates  also  approved: 
the  Cryptix  ticket  numbering  system 
developed  by  Willis  Vance,  Cincinnati 
exhibitor ;  an  investigation  of  trucking 
charges,  and  the  Allied  Caravan  plan 
for  small  towns. 

Henry  Greenberger,  president  of 
Community  Theatres  in  Cleveland, 
was  elected  a  vice-president  and  was 
the  only  new  officer  elected  by  the 
convention.  Incumbent  officers  and 
board  members  were  reelected.  Of- 
ficers are  Martin  Smith,  president;  F. 
W.  Huss,  Jr.,  vice-president ;  Leo 
Kessel,  treasurer,  and  Wood  as 
secretary. 

PCC  Members  Seen 
Halting  Ascap  Fees 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  15.— Members 
of  the  Pacific  Coast  Conference  of  In- 
dependent Theatre  Owners  will  be 
advised  by  the  organization's  trustees 
to  "cease  negotiations"  with  the 
American  Society  of  Composers,  Au- 
thors and  Publishers.  While  not  ex- 
plicitly stating  so,  it  is  understood  that 
the  action  voted  by  the  trustees  at 
their  meeting  here  is  tantamount  to 
advising  members  to  stop  paying 
music  licensing  fees  to  Ascap. 

Leroy  Johnson,  chairman  of  the 
PCCITO  committee  on  Ascap,  lauded 
attorney  Robert  W.  Graham  for  his 
preparation  of  the  amicus  curiae  briefs 
in  the  New  York  and  Minnesota  cases 
which  were  decided  against  the  So- 
ciety. 


TO  A  Presents  Watch 
To  'Youth  of  Year' 

Washington,  Sept.  15. — As  part  of 
the  local  observance  of  Youth  Month, 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  today 
presented  a  gold  stop-watch  to  Bob 
Mathias,  Olympic  decathlon  champion 
who  was  chosen  "Youth  of  the  Year" 
by  the  Sports  Broadcasters  Associa- 
tion. The  presentation  was  made  by 
A.  Julian  Brylawski,  head  of  the  local 
TOA  Youth  Month  campaign. 

Mathias  also  met  President  Truman 
at  the  White  House,  had  dinner  with 
Attorney  General  Tom  Clark  and 
topped  the  day  with  a  broadcast  over 
the  "Tex  and  Jinx"  program. 


HENRY  GINSBERG,  Paramount 
production  vice-president,  will 
leave  New  York  tomorrow  for  the 
Coast. 

o 

A.   M.   Kane,  assistant  to  Para- 
mount    Southern    district  manager 
Hugh   Owen,  has  left  Atlanta  for 
New  York  after  a  visit  in  that  city. 
• 

Maurice  Wolf  of  M-G-M's  public 
relations  department  here,  addressed 
the  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Kiwanis  Club  on 
Tuesday. 

• 

William  DeMello,  manager  of 
Western  Electric's  Caribbean  opera- 
tions, has  left  here  to  return  to  his 
post  at  Bogota. 

• 

Calvin  Leeder  and  Sol  Kravitz, 
Warner  home  office  representatives, 
were  in  Atlanta  this  week  from  New 
York. 

• 

H.  M.  Richey,  M-G-M  exhibitor 
relations   head,  will   return  to  New 
York  today  from  Columbus,  O. 
• 

Russell  Stewart  of  M-G-M's  pub- 
licity department  will  leave  here  Mon- 
day for  Washington. 

• 

Edward  BuzzEll,  M-G-M  director, 
is  here  from  the  Coast. 


L.  Brandt  Named  E-L 
Exploitation  Manager 

Leon  Brandt,  Eagle-Lion  field  ex- 
ploiteer  in  the  Chicago  territory,  has 
been  named  national  exploitation  man- 
ager, succeeding  Arthur  Jeffrey  whose 
resignation  will  become  effective  on 
Oct.  1,  it  was  announced  here  yester- 
day by  E-L  advertising-publicity  vice- 
president  Max  E.  Youngstein. 

Brandt,  who  has  been  with  E-L 
since  its  inception  two  years  ago,  en- 
tered the  industry  in  1930  when  he 
joined  Fox  Theatres.  In  1942  he 
joined  United  Artists  where  he  worked 
in  exploitation  and  national  promo- 
tional posts  prior  to  his  joining  E-L. 

Whitmore  Heads  ATT 
Radio  Advertising 

Will  Whitmore,  advertising  man- 
ager of  Western  Electric  since  May 
1945,  has  been  appointed  radio  adver- 
tising manager  of  American  Tele- 
phone and  Telegraph.  W.  M.  Rey- 
nolds, publications  manager  of  West- 
ern Electric,  will  have  charge  of 
Western  Electric's  advertising. 

In  1927  Whitmore  joined  the  Ex- 
hibitors' Herald-World  editorial  staff 
and  two  years  later  entered  Western 
Electric.  The  Herald-World  was  a 
predecessor  of  Motion  Picture  Herald. 


Set  New  Drive-ins 

Minneapolis,  Sept.  15. — Construc- 
tion on  a  750-car  drive-in  in  Brook- 
lyn township  will  be  started  immedi- 
ately by  Minnesota  Entertainment  En- 
terprises, according  to  William  Sears, 
general  manager.  Another  drive-in, 
marking  the  company's  fourth,  will  be 
started  also  in  St.  Paul  limits,  Sears 
said.  He  also  disclosed  that  a  fifth 
drive-in  will  be  announced  shortly. 


OSCAR  F.  NEU,  president  of  Neu- 
made    Products    and    head  of 
TESMA,  has  left  here  for  a  Midwest 
trip  and  is  due  in  St.  Louis  for  the 
TESMA  trade  show  Sept.  28-30. 
• 

Bill  Williams,  Film  Classics 
salesman  in  Denver,  has  resigned  to 
become  general  manager  of  the  new- 
ly-organized Santa  Fe  Theatre  Corp., 
which  will  build  a  $185,000  theatre 
in  Santa  Fe  to  open  on  Oct.  17. 
• 

Maurice  A.  Bergman,  Universal- 
International  advertising-publicity  di- 
rector, and  Charles  Simonelli, 
Eastern  exploitation  manager,  ,  have 
returned  to  New  York  from  Colum- 
bus, O. 

• 

Doris  Glass  of  the  Universal-In- 
ternational    advertising  department 
here,  .and  Leonard  Koplin  of  Phila- 
delphia, will  be  married  in  December. 
• 

Rube    Jackter,    assistant  general 
sales  manager  of  Columbia,  was  in 
Memphis  yesterday  from  New  York. 
• 

Bert  Stearn,  Fortune  Films  ex- 
ecutive, has  returned  to  his  office  in 
Pittsburgh  from  Hollywood. 

• 

E.  Z.  Walters,  Altec  comptroller, 
is  in  town  from  the  Coast. 


WB  Asks  High  Court 
Bar  Leslie  Appeal 

Washington,  Sept.  15. — Warner 
Brothers  today  asked  the  Supreme 
Court  not  to  review  a  California  Su- 
preme Court  decision  allowing  the 
company  to  proceed  with  its  breach  of 
contract  suit  against  Joan  Leslie,  who, 
on  reaching  21,  broke  a  contract  made 
with  Warner  when  she  was  17,  on  the 
ground  a  minor  could  not  make  a  valid 
contract. 

Warner  sued  to  enforce  the  contract 
and  keep  her  from  working  for  other 
studios,  but  the  lower  courts  ruled  for 
Miss  Leslie.  The  top  California  court, 
however,  ruled  that  Warner  could 
bring  the  suit  and  ordered  the  case 
tried  on  its  merits.  Miss  Leslie  ap- 
pealed to  the  Supreme  Court. 

The  Warner  brief  pointed  out  that 
the  California  Supreme  Court  had  not 
decided  the  case,  but  merely  had  given 
a  green  light  to  trying  the  case. 


M.  M.  P.  T.  A.  Post  to 
Brecher  on  Oct.  1 

Leo  Brecher,  New  York  circuit 
operator,  will  take  over  the  presidency 
of  the  Metropolitan  Motion  Picture 
Theatres  Association  here  on  Oct.  1, 
succeeding  Fred  J.  Schwartz  who  will 
become  board  chairman. 

Other  nominations,  all  tantamount 
to  election  at  a  meeting  next  week, 
include :  Edward  Rugoff,  first  vice- 
president;  Sol  Strausberg,  second  vice- 
president  ;  Russell  Downey,  treasurer. 
Named  to  the  board  are :  Brecher, 
Schwartz,  Rugoff,  Strausberg,  Down- 
ey, and  Malcolm  Kingsberg,'  Oscar 
Doob,  Sam  Rinzler,  Robert  Weitman, 
Julius  Joelson,  Sam  Rosen,  David 
Katz  and  Harry  Goldberg. 


Expand  Film  Sphere 
For  'Iron  Curtain' 

Washington  Sept.  15.  —  A 
Polish- Yugoslav  film  agree- 
ment has  been  signed  to  in- 
crease the  exchange  of  films 
between  the  two  "Iron  Cur- 
tain" nations,  the  Commerce 
Department  reports.  The 
agreement  is  valid  until  the 
end  of  1949.  jr 


Golden  Will  Produce 
Press  Club's  'Russia' 

Edward  A.  Golden  will  produce  this 
year  a  film  version  of  "As  We  Saw 
Russia,"  fourth  book  to  be  written  by 
members  of  the  Overseas  Press  Club. 
Published  yesterday  by  E.  P.  Dutton 
and  Co.,  the  book  describes  life  in  the 
U.S.S.R.  as  seen  by  25  on-the-spot 
American  newsmen. 

Golden  announced  his  purchase  of 
the  book's  screen  rights  at  yesterday's 
luncheon-meeting  of  the  OPC  at 
which  Norman  Thomas,  Socialist  can- 
didate for  President,  was  the  prinicpal 
speaker. 

Johnston,  Red  Film 
Officials  in  Parley 

Eric  A.  Johnston,  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America  president,  con- 
ferred in  Moscow  yesterday  with  So- 
viet film  officials,  according  to  press 
dispatches  reaching  here  last  night. 
He  reportedly  said  he  had  a  "pleasant 
and  interesting"  conversation  and  that 
there  appeared  to  be  a  good  chance 
that  the  Russians  would  buy  some 
U.  S.  films. 

The  report  also  said  he  expects  to 
leave  Moscow  on  Monday  but  did  not 
disclose  his  destination. 


M-G-M  Luncheon  Today 

First  session  of  M-G-M's  executive 
training  course  will  get  under  way 
here  today  at  the  Hotel  Astor  when 
William  F.  Rodgers,  sales  vice-presi- 
dent, welcomes  six  field  men  at  a 
luncheon.  Also  attending  from  the 
home  office  will  be  Edward  M.  Saun- 
cjers,  Edwin  W.  Aaron,  John  P.  Byrne, 
H.  M.  Richey  and  M.  L.  Simons.  The 
six  include  Michael  J.  Ford,  Chicago; 
Philip  F.  Gravitz,  New  Haven;  H. 
Russell  Gaus,  Los  Angeles ;  Louis 
Marks,  Cleveland;  Ansley  B.  Padgett, 
Atlanta;  Louis  J.  Weber,  Dallas. 


B.&K  Engineer  Killed 

Chicago,  Sept.  15. — Pearson  Bolan- 
der,  42,  engineer  for  the  Balaban  and 
Katz  Century  Theatre,  was  asphyxi- 
ated yesterday  while  attempting  to  re- 
pair a  gas  valve  on  air  conditioning 
equipment  in  the  basement  of  the  thea- 
tre. An  attempt  to  rescue  Bolander 
was  made  by  Herbert  Chatkin,  the 
theatre's  manager,  who  was  partially 
overcome  by  gas. 


Executors  of  Powers  Will 

David  A.  O'Malley  and  Glen  Behy- 
mer,  Los  Angeles  attorney,  have  been 
made  co-executors  under  the  will  of 
Patrick  A.  Powers.  The  estate  has 
been  left  to  relatives,  friends,  em- 
ployes and  charities. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco. 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  poet  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


I 


1  wi 

If 

Motion  Picture  Daily 


Review 


"The  Girl  from  Manhattan" 

{Bogcaus-United  Artists) 

T^HE  familiar  yarn  about  the  old  boarding  house  about  to  be  foreclosed  by  a 
A  local  scoundrel  goes  through  the  wringer  again,  this  time  with  some 
comic  frills.  The  cast  is  one  with  ticket  selling  ability,  but  the  task  of  over- 
coming some  of  the  plot's  limp  situations  frequently  proves  a  heavy  burden. 
Heading  the  players  of  this  Benedict  Bogeaus  production  are  Dorothy  La- 
mour,  George  Montgomery  and  Charles  Laughton.  Others  include  Ernest 
Truex,  Hugh  Herbert  and  William  Frawley. 

Truex,  as  operator  of  the  boarding  house,  seems  to  have  more  kindness 
than  wisdom.  His  tenants  prove  a  zany  lot  who  never  pay  their  rent  and 
always  hope  to  strike  it  rich  some  day.  The  situation  is  natural  for  someone 
to  foreclose  the  mortgage,  and  that's  just  what  is  about  to  happen  when  the 
new  minister,  Montgomery,  aided  by  Miss  Lamour,  a  fashion  model,  starts 
to  rescue  the  situation.  It  takes  a  bit  of  scheming,  punctuated  by  some  mis- 
understandings, before  the  old  homestead  is  saved. 

Laughton,  as  a  sly  old  bishop,  contributes  a  humorous  characterization.  In 
more  conventional  roles,  Montgomery  and  Miss  Lamour  are  adequate.  The 
original  screenplay  by  Howard  Estabrook  has  the  villain  of  the  plot  conceal- 
ing his  nefarious  doings  by  attempting  to  contribute  a  site  for  the  erection  of 
a  new  church.    Alfred  E.  Green  directed,  Bogeaus  produced. 

Running  time,  81  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Oct.  1.  Mandel  Heebstman 


4 


U A  Managerial  Posts 
To  Three  Overseas 

Appointments  of  Armando  Bernal, 
former  United  Artists  branch  man- 
ager in  Cali,  Colombia,  as  general 
manager  for  the  territory  with  head- 
quarters in  Bogota,  and  of  Merrill 
Gooding,  booker  in  the  company's 
office  in  Port  of  Spain,  Trinidad,  to 
acting  manager  there  have  been  an- 
nounced here  by  Walter  Gould,  UA 
foreign  manager.  Bernal  succeeds 
James  Raymond  and  Gooding  replaces 
Randolph  de  Silva. 

Gould  also  announced  the  appoint- 
ment of  J.  Engelstoft  as  manager  in 
Denmark,  replacing  Viggo  Ellemann, 
resigned.  Engelstoft  has  been  asso- 
ciated with  Universal  in  Copenhagen 
for  the  past  12  years. 

To  Distribute  U.  A. 
Films  in  N.  Africa 

Pathe  Consortium  Cinema  and 
United  Artists'  Paris  office  have  nego- 
tiated a  deal  whereby  Pathe  will  dis- 
tribute the  company's  product  in  Al- 
giers, Tunis  and  Casablanca,  it  has 
been  announced  here  by  Walter  Gould, 
UA  foreign  manager.  Distribution  in 
Algiers,  where  UA  formerly  had  its 
own  branch  office,  started  July  1,  and 
will  become  effective  in  Tunis  and 
Casablanca  on  Oct.  1. 


Variety  Meeting 

{Continued  from  page  1) 

Dallas  Tent's  Boy's  Camp ;  expansion 
both  here  and  abroad,  including  a 
possible  new  London  Tent ;  erection 
of  a  memorial  to  Father  Flanagan; 
philanthropic  and  fund-raising  activi- 
ties, and  regular  reports  of  officers. 
A  luncheon  on  Friday  will  discuss 
whether  Variety  should  take  over  the 
Will  Rogers  Memorial  Sanitorium. 
RKO  Radio  sales  manager  Robert 
Mochrie,  Paramount  sales  manager 
Charles  Reagan,  and  M-G-M  sales 
manager  William  Rodgers  are  slated 
to  address  the  luncheon. 

Tomorrow  night,  Variety  Interna- 
tional chief  barker  R.  J.  O'Donnell 
will  be  toasted  at  a  dinner  to  be  given 
by  Vincent- Fowler,  and  Friday  night 
a  cocktail  party  will  be  given  at  the 
local  Variety  Tent.  Many  industry 
officials  who  will  not  participate  in  the 
conference  are  expected  to  attend  the 
O'Donnell  dinner,  and  both  industry 
and  Government  officials  will  turn  out 
for  the  Humanitarian  Award  dinner. 

Red  Skelton  will  be  master-of- 
ceremonies  of  the  entertainment  pro- 
gram. 


Another  Variety  Tourney 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  IS. — Bob  Rus- 
sell will  be  master-of-ceremonies  at 
the  local  Variety  Club's  golf  tourna- 
ment on  Sept.  24  at  the  Whitemarsh 
Country  Club. 


^^^B^^^OR  THE 

1 

COMPANY^^ 

NEW  YORK 

MEMBER    FEDERAL   DEPOSIT  INSURANCE  CORPORATION 


Program  for  Women 
At  TO  A  Convention 

Chicago,  Sept.  IS. — Several  pro- 
grams have  been  arranged  for  women 
guests  at  the  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  Convention,  Sept.  24-25  in 
the  Drake  Hotel,  Chicago. 

Among  events  arranged  by  the 
women's  entertainment  committee, 
composed  of  Mrs.  John  Balaban, 
chairman;  Mrs.  James  E.  Coston, 
Mrs.  George  Kerasotes,  Mrs.  Morris 
G.  Leonard  and  Mrs.  Edward  Zorn, 
are  a  luncheon  and  fashion  show  at 
Marshall  Field's,  a  sight-seeing  tour 
and  a  second  luncheon,  in  the  Edge- 
water  Beach  Hotel. 


Gamble,  TOA 

( Continued  from  page  1 ) 

Treasury,  will  speak  on  taxation.  A 
theatre  television  demonstration  is 
scheduled  for  the  Esquire  Theatre,  to 
be  followed  by  a  discussion  of  the 
subject  by  Wayne  Coy,  chairman  of 
the  Federal  Communications  Commis- 
sion. 

Other  matters  on  the  agenda  are  the 
industry's  anti-trust  case,  the  rulings 
against  the  American  Society  of  Com- 
posers and  Publishers,  drive-ins,  16mm. 
competition  and  public  relations. 


Hammons  to  Market 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

offer  film  fare  approaching  present 
Hollywood  standards  and  expounded 
the  theory  that  the  new  industry  is 
akin  to  the  motion  picture  when  it  was 
revolutionized  by  sound.  What  was 
saleable  in  the  early  '30s  in  theatres 
will  have  its  counterpart  in  television 
today,  he  reasons,  explaining  that  the 
first  sound  pictures  were  not  better 
for  the  theatre,  at  the  time,  than 
product  available  for  television  now. 

In  addition  to  supplying  his  own 
films,  Hammons  plans  to  acquire  vid- 
eo rights  to  others  for  marketing, 
and  he  might  produce  both  film  and 
studio  programs  for  telecasts. 


To  Hear  Wolf  son-Meyer 

Washington,  Sept.  IS. — The  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission  has 
agreed  to  give  the  Wolfson-Meyer 
Circuit  a  hearing  in  connection  with 
the  Commission's  action  cancelling  its 
construction  permit  for  television  sta- 
tion WTVJ  in  Miami. 


Loew's  Joins  Quiz 

{Continued  from  page  1) 

ly  to  the  Department  in  Washington, 
but  in  the  cases  of  RKO  and  Para- 
mount copies  also  were  filed  in  New 
York  Federal  Court. 

Paramount,  for  example,  tells  of  its 
contractual  ties  with  E.  V.  Richards 
in  the  operation  of  the  extensive  Para- 
mount-Richard Theatres  in  the  South. 
The  partnership  directly  operates  and 
fully  controls  37  theatres  and  has  large 
interests,  through  subsidiaries,  in  35 
more,  in  Louisiana,  Mississippi,  Ala- 
bama, Florida,  Texas  and  Arkansas. 

Paramount,  in  .its  answer  to  the 
Government  inquiry,  sets  forth  that  it 
acquired  all  stock  in  the  partnership 
as  an  original  issue,  that  it  transferred 
3,000  A'  shares  to  Richards,  and  held 
the  remaining  3,000  'B'  shares.  Each 
has  equal  representation  on  the  six- 
man  board,  Richards  electing  the  pres- 
ident and  secretary,  and  Paramount 
the  vice-president  and  treasurer. 

Paramount  may  request  Richards  to 
fix  a  base  price  for  the  sale  of  all 
Class  A  stock  or  the  purchase  of  Par- 
amount's  'B'  shares,  the  base  price  to 
be  determined  according  to  a  formula 
arrangement  which  is  part  of  the  pact. 
If  the  request  is  made  prior  to  April 
29,  1950, '  Paramount  has  the  right  to 
purchase  all  of  Richards'  'A'  stock  at 
50  per  cent  of  the  base  price  so  fixed, 
or  else  require  Richards  to  purchase 
its  'B'  shares  at  half  the  base  price. 

If  the  request  is  made  after  the  1950 
date  the  price  for  purchase  by  either 
party  of  the  other's  stock  will  be  100 
per  cent  of  the  base  price. 

'Carbon  Arc'  Short 
Has  Premiere  Here 

A  15-minute  commercial  documen- 
tary, "Carbon  Arc  Projection,"  pro- 
duced in  Technicolor  by  John  Suther- 
land and  directed  by  Norman  Wright 
for  National  Carbon  Co.,  had  its  pre- 
miere here  yesterday  at  RCA's  Ex- 
hibit Hall.  The  film,  available  in  16 
and  35mm.,  describes  effectively  and 
interestingly  how  a  "remarkably  close 
approach  to  sunlight  has  been  achieved 
to  give  motion  pictures  full  visual 
value  in  ciarity  and  color.  National 
Carbon  has  ruled  that  no  admission 
may  be  charged. 

Several  National  Carbon  executives 
attended  yesterday's  screening,  among 
them  C.  G.  Ollinger,  C.  O.  Klein- 
smith,  D.  V.  Joy  and  E.  R.  Geib. 

C.L.F. 


Thursday,  September  16,  1948 


'O.  K:  Road  Show 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

defendants,  it  could  be  cited  as  a 
precedent  for  a  treble-damage  sui] 
by  an  exhibitor  against  a  non-defend- 
ant demanding  advanced  prices,  or; 
as  a  precedent  for  a  Justice  Depart- 
ment injunction  against  an  independ- 
ent. 

Wright  admitted  that  the  Para- 
mount  decision  does  lay  down  Jf^fin- ! 
ciple  in  law  which  "has  wideipL,  '.Pli- 
cation than  just  to  the  defenaa-.us," 
but  pointed  out  that  in  order  to  ap-'< 
ply  this  principle,  similar  facts  must] 
be  proven. 

"You  would  have  to  show  some 
purpose  to  restrain  competition,"  he 
declared.  "I  don't  think  the  findings 
could  exist  against  Wanger,  for  inJ 
stance,  that  we  had  against  the  Para- 
mount defendants.  You  must  bring 
the  facts  in  your  case  in  conformity 
with  the  facts  in  the  case  you  want 
to  cite  as  precedent  in  order  that  the 
court  will  apply  the  precedent.  Many 
facts_  exist  differently  in  the  case  of| 
the  independent  non-defendants  fronfl 
the  facts  in  the  Paramount  case." 

Wright  refused  to  say  flatly  wheth- 
er Justice  would  move  against  any 
independent  selling  a  film  at  advanced 
prices,  but  the  general  impression 
certainly  was  that  Justice  could  not] 
see  any  grounds  for  such  action. 


Mulvey  Agrees  Non-Defendants 
May  Charge  Advanced  Prices 

James  Mulvey,  president  of  Sam- 
uel Goldwyn  Productions,  and  execu- 
tive representative  here  of  the  So- 
ciety of  Independent  Motion  Picture 
Producers,  commented  yesterday  that 
"It  is  nice  to  have  the  Department 
of  Justice  in  agreement  with  us. 

"We  have  taken  the  position  that 
the  Supreme  Court  decision  on  price 
fixing  does  not  apply  to  independent, 
non-defendant  producers  and  distrib- 
utors so  long  as  collusion  does  not 
enter  into  the  method  of  marketing 
films. 

"It  is  our  view  that  we  can  ask 
what  terms  we  think  best  for  our  pic- 
tures. There  is  no  compulsion  upon 
any  exhibitor  to  accept  them  if  he 
doesn't  like  them,"  Mulvey  said. 


House  Business  Unit 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ing  the  outcome  of  the  U.  S.  vs.  Para- 
mount et  al  anti-trust  case. 

Sosna  was  one  of  several  exhibitors 
who  appeared  at  the  hearing  conduct- 
ed by  Walter  C.  Ploeser,  chairman  of 
the  House  unit.  A  dozen  other  per- 
sons from  the  film  business,  including 
circuit  representatives  and  distributor 
representatives,  were  present  as  ob- 
servers. 

Exhibitors  who  testified  indicated 
that  they  hoped  for  legislation  that 
would  correct  alleged  evils  quickly, 
in  contrast  with  delay  caused  by  court 
proceedings. 

L.  V.  Larsen,  exhibitor  of  Webb 
City,  Mo.,  and  president  of  the  Kansas 
City  Allied  unit,  gave  examples  in 
general  terms  of  what  he  called  hard- 
ships through  domination  of  the  field 
by  circuits  in  preferential  buying  and 
otherwise.  Fred  D.  Herbst,  buyer 
and  booker  at  the  Kansas  City  Allied 
offices,  outlined  the  local  clearance  ar- 
rangement in  which,  he  said,  there  is 
only  one  first-run  independent.  He 
also  said  that  with  few  exceptions  in- 
dependents 'get  no  less  than  45  to  SO 
days  dating  on  pictures. 


Saluting  Young  America 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  September  16,  1948 


Smith  Lists  32 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

paigns  for  each  of  the  company's  pro- 
ductions througli  next  February, 
Charles  Schlaifer,  director  of  adver- 
tising-exploitation, announced  to  the 
delegates. 

Special  promotion  folders  prepared 
for  10  productions  in  the  "Spyros  P. 
Skouras  35th  Anniversary  Celebra- 
tion" were  distributed  to  each  dele- 
gate. 

Included  among  sales  promotion 
steps  cited  by  Schlaifer  are  three  new 
exhibitor  aids :  advertising  prevues, 
bi-monthly  newsletters  and  a  new- 
style  press  book.  All  combine  to  im- 
plement the  company  policy  of  con- 
stantly improving  exhibitor  service. 

To  Release  54  Shorts 

Twentieth  will  release  54  short  sub- 
jects during  1949,  Peter  Levathes, 
short  subjects  sales  manager,  an- 
nounced at  the  convention.  These  will 
consist  of  19  Movietones,  six  of  which 
will  be  in  Technicolor ;  22  Terrytoons, 
including  two  reissues,  and  13  March 
of  Time  subjects,  in  addition  to  104 
issues  of  Movietone  News. 

The  company  will  produce  30  of  the 
32  features  contemplated  in  addition 
to  Darryl  F.  Zanuck's  "The  Snake 
Pit,"  and  will  release  two  independent 
productions,  "Canadian  Pacific,"  star- 
ring Randolph  Scott,  for  producer  Nat 
Holt,  and  "Belle  Starr's  Daughter," 
starring  George  Montgomery  and  Rod 
Cameron,  for  Edward  Alperson. 

Features  listed  by  Smith  for  1948-49 
follow : 

September:  "The  Luck  of  the  Irish," 
starring  Tyrone  Power  and  Anne  Baxter, 
produced  by  Fred  Kohlmar  and  directed  by 
Henry  Koster;  "Escape,"  starring  Rex 
Harrison  and  Peggy  Cummins,  from  trie 
John  Galsworthy  drama,  produced  by  Wil 
Ham  Perlberg  and  directed  by  Joseph  L. 
Mankiewicz;  "Forever  Amber,"  in  Techni- 
color, starring  Linda  Darnell,  Cornel  Wilde, 
Richard  Greene  and  George  Sanders,  Wil- 
liam Perlberg  producer,  and  Otto  Premin- 
ger  director. 

October:  "Cry  of  the  City,"  starring 
Victor  Mature  and  Richard  Conte,  pro- 
duced by  Sol  C.  Siegel  and  directed  by 
Robert  Siodmak;  "Apartment  for  Peggy," 
in  Technicolor,  starring  Jeanne  I.  rain, 
William  Holden  and  Edmund  Gwenn,  pro- 
duced by  William  Perlberg  and  directed 
by  George  Seaton. 

Three  Set  for  November 

November:  "Road  House,"  starring  Cor- 
nel Wilde,  Ida  Lupino,  Celeste  Holm  an ': 
Richard  Widmark,  directed  by  Jean  Ne- 
gulesco,  from  a  screenplay  by  Edward 
Chodorov,  who  also  produced;  "When  My 
Baby  Smiles  At  Me,"  in  Technicolor,  star- 
ring Betty  Grable  and  Dan  Dailey,  pro- 
duced by  George  Jessel  and  directed  by 
Walter  Lang;  "Belle  Starr's  Daughter," 
an  independent  Edward  Alperson  produc- 
tion. 

December:  "Yellow  Sky,"  starring  Greg- 
ory Peck,  Anne  Baxter  and  Richard  Wid- 
mark, directed  by  William  A.  Wellman 
from  a  screenplay  by  Lamar  Trotti,  who 
also  produced;  "Unfaithfully  Yours,"  star- 
ring Rex  Harrison,  Linda  D'arnell,  Rudy 
Vallee  and  Barbara  Lawrence,  written,  di- 


rected and  produced  by  Preston  Sturges. 

January:  "Mr.  Belvedere  Goes  to  Col- 
lege," starring  Clifton  Webb,  produced  by 
Samuel  G.  Engel;  "Canadian  Pacific,"  an 
independent  Nat  Holt  production,  in  Cine- 
color,  starring  Randolph  Scott  and  directed 
by  Edward  Marin. 

February:  "The  Fan,"  starring  Madeleine 
Carroil,  Jeanne  Cram,  Richard  Greene  and 
George  Sanders,  produced  and  directed  by- 
Otto  Preminger;  "That  Wonderful  Urge." 
starring  Tyrone  Power  and  Gene  Tierney, 
produced  by  Fred  Kohlmar  and  directed  by 
Robert  Sinclair. 

March:  Will  James'  "Sand,"  in  Techni- 
color, with  Mark  Stevens,  Coleen  Gray, 
Rory  Calhoun  and  Charley  Grapewm,  Rob- 
ert Bassler  produced  and  Louis  King  di- 
rected; "Down  to  the  Sea  in  Ships,"  star- 
ring Richard  Widmark,  Lionel  Barrymore 
and  Dean  Stockwell,  produced  by  Louis 
D.  Lighton  and  directed  by  Henry  Hatha- 
way; "Come  to  the  Stable,"  starring  Loret- 
ta  Young  and  Celeste  Holm,  by  Samuel 
G.  Engel  and  directed  by  Henry  Koster, 
from  a  screenplay  by  Clare  Boothe  Luce. 

April:  "Affairs  of  Adelaide,"  starring 
Maureen  O'Hara  and  Dana  Andrews,  under 
production  in  England  by  William  Perlberg, 
with  Jean  Negulesco  directing;  "Chicken 
Every  Sunday,"  starring  Dan  Dailey  and 
Celeste  Holm,  William  Perlberg  producing 
and  George  Seaton  directing;  "I'll  Never 
Go  There  Anymore,"  starring  Victor  Ma- 
ture, to  be  produced  by  Sol  C.  Siegel. 

May:  "Letter  to  Three  Wives,"  starring 
Linda  Darnell,  Ann  Sothern,  Jeanne  Cram, 
Jeffrey  Lynn,  Kirk  Douglas  and  Paul 
Douglas.  Sol  C.  Siegel  produced  and 
Joseph  L.  Mankiewicz  directed;  "Mother  Is 
a  Freshman,"  in  Technicolor,  co-starring 
Loretta  Young  and  Van  Johnson,  produced 
by  Walter  Morosco  and  directed  by  Lloyd 
Bacon;  "Inside  Scotland  Yard,"  to  be  pro- 
duced in  England  by  Samuel  G.  Engel. 

'Prince  of  Foxes'  for  June 

June:  "Prince  of  Foxes,"  starring  Tyrone 
Power  and  Orson  Welles,  to  be  produced  m 
Italy  by  Sol  C.  Siegel,  with  Henry  King 
directing;  "I  Was  a  Male  War  Bride," 
starring  Cary  Grant  and  Ann  Sheridan, 
to  be  produced  in  England,  France  and 
Germany  by  Sol  C.  Siegel,  with  Howard 
Hawks  directing;  "You're  My  Everything," 
in  Technicolor,  starring  June  Haver  and 
Dan  Dailey,  produced  by  George  Jessel. 

July:  "Beyond  Five  Fathoms,"  to  be  di- 
rected by  Elia  Kazan  off  the  coast  of 
Florida;  "Canadian  Royal  Mounted  Police," 
to  be  produced  in  Canada  by  Samuel  G 
Engel,  to  star  Mark  Stevens.  ■ 

August:  "Beautiful  Blonde  from  Bashful 
Bend,"  in  Technicolor,  starring  Bett) 
Grable,  to  be  written,  directed  and  pro- 
duced by  Preston  Sturges;  "Cloak  of  Inno 
cence,"  starring  Richard  Widmark,  to  be 
produced  and  directed  by  Otto  Preminger; 
"Fire,"  to  be  produced  in  cooperation  with 
the  United  States  Forestry  Service  by  Sam- 
uel G.  Engel. 

September:  "Waltz  Into  Darkness,"  star- 
ring Linda  Darnell  and  Cornel  Wilde,  to 
be  produced  by  George  Jessel  and  directed 
by  John  Stahl;  "Call  Me  Mister,"  in  Tech- 
nicolor," to  be  produced  by  George  Jessel 

In  addition,  Smith  announced  that  Zan 
uck's  "The  Snow  of  Kilimanjaro,"  "Lydia 
Bailey,"  "The  Black  Rose"  and  "Unseen 
Harbor"  will  also  be  produced  and  sched 
uled  for  1949  release. 


Salute  to  Station  WMGM 

Fred  E.  Ahlert,  president  of  the 
American  Society  of  Composers,  Au- 
thors and  Publishers,  will  head  a  pro- 
gram of  writer  members  of  the  Society 
in  a  salute  to  radio  station  WMGM 
this  evening,  among  them :  Howard 
Dietz,  Harold  Adamson,  Morton 
Gould,  Ferde  Grofe,  W.  C.  Handy, 
Alex  Kramer,  Jimmie  McHugh,  Rich- 
ard Rodgers,  Sigmund  Romberg,  Ar- 
thur Schwartz  and  Joan  Whitney. 


1  aaa  WANTED 

1,000  SHORT  SUBJECTS 

Single  Reels 

INTEREST-TRAVEL-SPORTS 
MUSICALS -CARTOONS  etc. 

Up -To -Date     —     Good  Quality 
BRITISH  NEWSREELS  LTD. 
147  Wardour  Street  •  London,  Eng. 


Studio  Pickets  Ask 
Conviction  Reversal 

Washington,  Sept.  15. — Thirty- 
five  persons  convicted  of  violating  an 
order  restraining  picketing  around  fhe 
studios  of  Columbia  in  Los  Angeles 
on  Nov.  16,  1946,  today  asked  the 
Supreme  Court  to  reverse  their  con- 
viction. 

Members  of  various  unions  in  the 
Conference  of  Studio  Unions,  they  de- 
clared that  the  restraining  order  was 
unconstitutional  in  that  it  was  too 
sweeping  and  vague,  that  the  trial 
court  had  issued  improper  instructions 
to  the  jury,  that  the  restraining  order 
had  not  been  properly  issued,  and  that 
they  should  not  have  been  tried  en 
masse.  Justice  Douglas  early  in  the 
summer  stayed  jail  sentences  and 
fines  for  the  pickets,  pending  their 
appeal. 


Key  City 

Grosses 


SPG,  E-L  Start  Pact 
Negotiations  Today 

Eastern  Screen  Publicists  Guild 
will  commence  new  contract  negotia- 
tions today  with  Eagle-Lion.  SPG  is 
seeking  a  25  per  cent  wage  increase 
for  E-L  publicists,  and  "better  secur- 
ity provisions."  E-L  is  virtually  the 
only  distributor  in  New  York  which 
has  agreed  to  "do  business"  with 
SPG,  notwithstanding  the  union's  re- 
fusal to  comply  with  the  voluntary 
non-Communist  affidavit  provisions  of 
the  Taft-Hartley  Law. 


U-I  Work  Stoppage 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


yesterday  sent  telegrams  to  the  425, 
including  employes  of  U-I  subsidiary 
Castle  Films,  urging  their  attendance 
at  a  meeting  at  Caravan  Hall  here 
this  morning  for  a  membership  dis- 
cussion of  the  company's  refusal  to 
negotiate  a  new  contract  covering 
wage  increases  and  changes  in  work- 
ing conditions.  Moss  hinted  that 
"further  action"  will  be  discussed  at 
the  meeting. 

This  morning's  work  stoppage,  Moss 
said,  "is  purely  a  move  by  H-63,  to- 
tally unconnected  with  the  Screen 
Publicists  Guild  or  Screen  Office  and 
Professional  Employes  Guild."  Hold- 
ing that  there  were  indications  that 
SPG  and  SOPEG  members  intended 
to  "horn  in"  on  H-63's  move,  Moss 
declared :  "We  resent  any  action  by 
these  unions  to  imply  this  is  any  joint 
action."  "IA's"  H-63  is  an  AFL 
union,  and  SPG  and  SOPEG  are  CIO 
affiliates.  Recent  jurisdictional  dis- 
putes here  between  H-63  and  SOPEG 
have  brought  the  two  into  strong  com- 
petition for  support  among  home  office 
workers.  SOPEG  and  SPG  have  not 
complied  with  the  non-Communist  af- 
fidavit provisions  of  the  Taft-Hartley 
Law. 

Warner's  home  office  avoided  an 
H-63  work  stoppage  earlier  this  week 
by  agreeing  to  negotiate  with  it. 


Film  Dividends  Drop 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


ment  expert  said.  "They  have  been 
above  1947  in  only  one  month — Feb- 
ruary— and  then  not  enough  to  talk 
about."  Feb.,  1948,  publicly  reported 
cash  dividends  were  $226,000,  com- 
pared with  $217,000  in  Feb.,  1947. 

Dividends  reported  in  the  first  seven 
months  of  1948  totaled  $26,313,000, 
compared  with  $30,968,000  for  the 
same  1947  period.  Commerce  report- 
ed dividends  of  $10,386,000  for  the 
three  months  of  May  through  July, 
1948,  compared  with  $12,747,000  for 
the  comparable  period  last  year. 


FOLLOWING  are  estimated  pic- 
hire  grosses  for  current  engage- 
ments in  key  cities  as  reported  by 
Motion  Picture  Daily  correspond- 
ents. Estimates  omit  admission  tax. 


INDIANAPOLIS 


Fine  weather  and  a  lull  in  outdoor 
competition  helped  first-run  grosses 
here  this  week.  Three  new  attractions 
all  are  playing  to  better  than  average 
business.  Estimated  receipts  for  the 
week  ending  Sept.  14-16 : 

ABBOTT  AND  COSTELLO  MEET 
FRANKENSTEIN  (U-I)  and  DAREDEV- 
ILS OF  THE  CLOUDS  (Rep.) — INDIANA 
(3,200)  (44c-6Sc).  Gross:  $18,000.  (Aver- 
age: $12,000) 

BEYOND  GLORY  (Para.)  and  OPEN 
SECRET  (E-L)— KEITH'S  (1,300)  (44c- 
65c).  On  a  moveover  from  the  Indiana. 
Gross:  $3,500.  (Average:  $4,000) 
LARCENY  (U-I)  and  ARIZONA  RANG- 
ER (RKO  Radio)— CIRCLE  (2,800)  (44c- 
65c).  Gross:  $11,000.  (Average:  $10,000) 
MR.  B LANDINGS  BUILDS  HIS  DREAM 
HOUSE  (SRO)  and  FRIEDA  (U-I)- 
LOEW'S  (2,450)  (44c-65c).  Gross:  $14,000. 
(Average:  $11,000) 

TWO  GUYS  FROM  TEXAS  (WB)  and 
THE  BIG  PUNCH  (WB)— LYRIC  (1,600) 
(44c-65c).  On  a  moveover  from  the  Circle. 
Gross:  $5,000.    (Average:  $6,000) 


MINNEAPOLIS 


Theatre  business  held  a  shade  above 
average  as  the  post-vacation  pickup 
continued.  Estimated  grosses  for  the 
week  ending  Sept.  16 : 

THE  BABE  RUTH  STORY  (AA-Mono.)- 

LYRIC  (1.100)  (50c-70c)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
P 5,000.  (Average:  $5,000) 
A  FOREIGN  AFFAIR  (Para.)— CEN- 
TURY (1,500)  (50c-70c)  2nd  week.  Gross: 
$5,000.  (Average:  $5,500) 
FOUR  FACES  WEST  (UA)— RKO  PAN 
(1,500)  (50c-70c).  Gross:  $7,500.  (Aver- 
age: $8,000) 

GOOD  SAM  (RKO  Radio) — RKO  ORPHE- 

UM    (2,800)    (50c-70c)    2nd    week.  Gross: 

$12,500.    (Average:  $14,000) 

LIFE    WITH    FATHER    (WB)— STATE 

(2.300)  (50c-70c).    Gross:  $12,000.  (Average: 

$10,500) 

THE  WALLS  OF  JERICHO  (Zttth-Fox)— 

RADIO    CITY    (4,000)     (50c-70c).  Gross: 
$16,500.    (Average:  $16,000) 
THE  WOLF  MAN  (FC)  and  THE  HAIRY 
APE  (FC  reissues)— GOPHER  (1,000)  (44c- 
50c).    Gross:  $3,300.     (Average:  $3,200) 


Goldberg  to  Preside 
At  WB  Meeting  Today 

Harry  Goldberg,  in  charge  of  adver- 
tising-publicity for  Warner  Theatres, 
will  preside  at  a  meeting  at  the  com- 
pany's home  office  today  of  Warner 
zone  advertising  men. 

Present  will  be :  J.  Knox  Strachan, 
Cleveland;  John  Hesse,  New  Haven; 
George  Kelly,  Newark;  Jerry  Atkin, 
Albany ;  Everett  C.  Callow,  Phila- 
delphia ;  Henry  Burger,  Pittsburgh ; 
Frank  LaFalce,  Washington;  Alfred 
D.  Kvool,  Milwaukee;  Ben  Waller- 
stein,  Hollywood;  Irving  Windisch, 
New  York. 


Upstate  W.B.  Circuit 
Meeting  Next  Week 

Syracuse,  Sept.  15. — Managers  of 
26  Warner  theatres  in  the  Albany  and 
Buffalo  districts  will  convene  at  the 
Hotel  Syracuse  here  next  Tuesday  for 
a  discussion  of  problems  affecting 
their  houses  and  for  an  exchange  of 
ideas.  Charles  A.  Smakwitz,  zone 
manager,  will  preside  at  the  meeting 
which  will  also  be  attended  by  depart- 
ment heads  from  upstate  offices. 


She  owes  her  "ripe  old  age"  to  him  •  •  • 


HOWEVER  skillfully  she  might  play 
her  part,  this  young  actress  would  still 
seem  more  girl  than  grandmother — 
save  for  the  creative  ingenuity  of  the 
make-up  man. 

By  deft  application  of  grease  paint 
and  putty,  he  has  added  years  to  her  ap- 
pearance . . .  and  conviction  to  her  role. 

This  is  but  one  instance  of  the  magic 
at  the  make-up  man's  command.  He 
does  as  much  and  more  for  film  folk 


who  must  be  transformed  to  Jekyll, 
Cyranoj  gnome,  or  Manchu. 

When  these  characterizations  reach 
audiences  successfully,  it  is  because  the 
make-up  man  combines  cosmetic  artist- 
ry with  full  knowledge  of  his  medium. 
And,  in  knowing  films,  he  is  aware  of 
what  is  done  to  help  his  work  by  the 
versatile  members  of  the  Eastman  mo- 
tion picture  family,  famous  films  for 
more  than  fifty  years. 


EASTMAN   KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER  4,   N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  DISTRIBUTORS 
FORT   LEE    •    CHICAGO    •  HOLLYWOOD 


NOW  BOOKING 


A  BIG  DOUBLE  FEATURE 
MOTION  PICTURE 


OF  THE 


World's  Middleweight  Championship 


Between 


TONY  ZALE  vs  MARCEL  CERDAN 

WORLD  CHAMPION  EUROPEAN  CHAMPION 

AND 

A  Heavyweight  Elimination  Bout 


Between 


GUS  LESNEVICH  &  JERSEY  JOE  WALCOTT 


TO  BE  HELD  ON 

SEPTEMBER  21,  1948 

CONTACT  YOUR  LOCAL  DISTRIBUTOR 

Produced  by 

RINGSIDE  PICTURES  CORP. 

723  SEVENTH  AVENUE       ...       -       NEW  YORK  19,  N.  Y. 

Circle  5-4240  MANNIE  BAUM 

Circle  6-3082  General  Mgr. 


MOTION  PICTURE 


MR.  ERIC  ' 

MOTION  Pi- 


vr 


4.  NO.  55 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  17,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Arthur  Appeal 
To  High  Court 
On  Arbitration 


Ask  $285,000  Damages  for 
Clearances  Set  by  AAA 

Washington,  Sept.  16.  —  A 
group  of  independent  St.  Louis  ex- 
hibitors today  asked  the  Supreme 
Court  to  rule  that  they  are  entitled 
to  injunctive  relief  and  $285,000  dam- 
ages for  alleged  injuries  resulting 
from  clearances  set  by  the  American 
Arbitration  Association  and  observed 
by  the  distributors  under  the  New 
York  District  Court  decree. 

The  St.  Louis  District  Court  and 
the  Eighth  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals 
ruled  that  the  New  York  District 
Court  had  not  exceeded  its  authority 
in  creating  and  vesting  powers  in  the 
AAA,  and  had  therefore  dismissed  the 
suit.  The  exhibitors  contend  that  in 
so  far  as  the  New  York  decree  was 
construed  and  used  to  bar  an  action 
for  relief  from  anti-trust  law  viola- 
tions, the  decree  was  void. 

The  appeal  was  filed  by  the  St. 
Louis  Amusement  Co.,  St.  Louis  Am- 
bassador Theatre,  Inc.,  Eden  Theatre 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


F  &  M,  Arthur  Buy 
St.  Louis  Amusement 


St.  Louis,  Sept.  16.  —  Fanchon 
and  Marco  and  the  Harry  Arthur 
interests  have  emerged  as  owners 
of  St.  Louis  Amusement  Company  and 
were  given  permanent  management  of 
the  Skouras  theatre  properties  in  St. 
Louis  a  few  hours  after  completion 
of  a  $6,000,000  deal  in  which  Charles 
P.  and  George  Skouras,  as  individu- 
als, purchased  the  stock  and  retired 
the  bonds  of  Ambassador  Building 
Corp.  and  Missouri  Theatre  Building 
Corp. 

A  new  Ambassador-Missouri  Corp., 
headed  by   George   Skouras,   J.  W. 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


Walbrook  Bid  for 
Injunction  Rejected 


Washington,  Sept.  16. — Judge  F. 
Dickinson  Letts  today  denied  the  Wal- 
brook Theatre's  request  for  a  tempo- 
rary injunction  to  block  an  agreement 
between  20th  Century-Fox  and  the 
Windsor  Theatre,  whereby  20th-Fox 
agreed  to  split  its  first  neighborhood 
(Continued  on  page  7) 


Ainsworth  Declines 
Wis.-Mich.  Post 

Milwaukee,  Sept.  16. — William  L. 
Ainsworth  will  not  be  a  candidate  for 
president  of  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  of  Wisconsin  and  Upper 
Michigan,  he  has  notified  the  board 
of  directors  in  advance  of  the  conven- 
tion to  be  held  in  Milwaukee  Oct. 
13-15. 

Ainsworth,  who  is  the  president  of 
Allied  States  Association,  served  as 
president  of  the  Wisconsin-Michigan 
group  for  eight  years. 

Arnold  Brumm,  North  Milwaukee, 
is  convention  chairman ;  Harold  Pear- 
son, Schofields,  Wis.,  and  Harry 
Perlewitz,  Milwaukee,  are  co-chair- 
men ;  Ervin  Clumb.  is  chairman  of  the 
publicity  committee. 

Speeches  and  round-table  discussions 
on  such  exhibitor  problems  as  Ascap, 
divorcement  and  operational  problems 
are  on  the  agenda. 

Speakers  will  include  A.  W.  Smith, 
Jr.,  sales  manager  for  20th  Century- 
Fox,  and  Benjamin  Berger,  president 
of  North  Central  Allied. 


Variety  Plans  Five 
New  Tents:  McCraw 


Washington,  Sept.  16. — Variety 
Clubs  International  hopes  to  have 
five  more  tents  set  up  within  a  year 
in  this  country  and  is  "making  very 
good  progress"  in  establishing  a  tent 
in  London,  the  47  delegates  to  Varie- 
ty's mid-year  conference  were  in- 
formed here  today. 

William  McCraw,  executive  direc- 
tor, told  '  the  opening  session  of  the 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


Wright  to  SIMPP: 
Wo  Decree  Talks' 

Washington,  Sept.  16.— "The 
only  answer  to  the  Society  of 
Independent  Picture  Pro- 
ducers' protest  of  a  possible 
settlement  of  the  industry 
anti-trust  case  is  that  there 
are  no  consent  decree  nego- 
tiations going  on  now,"  Jus- 
tice Department  attorney 
Robert  Wri<rht  said  today. 

The  SIMPP  protest  to  At- 
torney General  Tom  Clark 
was  forwarded  to  Wright, 
who  is  handling  the  Para- 
mount case. 


Majors  to  Account 
For  100  in  France 

Washington,  Sept.  16.  — 
Major  American  distributors 
will  account  for  "100  or  so" 
of  the  121  dubbed  films  to  be 
allowed  annually  under  the 
new  French-American  film 
agreement,  with  U.  S.  inde- 
pendents sending  the  balance, 
a  Motion  Picture  Association 
of  America  official  said  here 
today. 

Under  the  old  Blum-Byrnes 
pact  there  was  no  limitation 
of  product,  but  U.  S.  majors 
voluntarily  limited  themselves 
to  123  per  year.  The  French 
claimed  the  independents 
swamped  the  market. 


20th-Fox  Program 
Set  Through  1950 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  16. — Twentieth 
Century-Fox's  production  plans  had 
been  geared  well  in  advance  to  meet 
the  program  of  30  features  to  be  re- 
leased in  the  next  12  months  and  its 
production  program  has  been  set  up 
through  1950,  delegates  to  the  com- 
pany's national  sales  conference  were 
informed  tonight  by  Joseph  M. 
Schenck  and  Darryl  F.  Zanuck,  hosts 
at  the  dinner  which  was  held  at  the 
Cafe  de  Paris  on  the  Westwood  lot. 

In  a  review  of  the  studio  backlog 
of  completed  productions,  Zanuck 
pointed  out  that  two  are  now  shooting 
and  four  or  five  more  are  to  be 
launched    shortly.    More    than  20 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Chicago,  Sept.  16. — Differences  on 
wage  boosts  between  Colosseum  of 
Motion  Picture  Salesmen  and  dis- 
tributor negotiators,  in  session  here, 
have  been  narrowed  down  to  the  point 
where  mutual  agreement  on  raises  of 
approximately  10  per  cent,  or  from  $6 
to  $10  per  week,  seems  assured,  it  is 
understood. 

The  belief  is  expressed  here  that 
the  first  national  labor  contract  for 
the  industry's  approximately  1,000 
salesmen  will  result  from  the  nego- 
tiations which  shifted  to  here  from 
New  York  today. 

It  is  further  understood  that  both 
sides  have  tentatively  agreed  upon 
allowances  of  seven  and  one-half  cents 
per  mile  for  automobile  expenses,  rep- 
resenting an  increase  of  two-and-one- 
half  cents. 


US  and  France 
Sign  a  Four 
Year  Film  Pact 


Permits  Remittances  of 
$3,625,000  Annually 

Washington,  Sept.  16.  —  The 
State  Department  announced  today 
that  a  new  French-American  film 
agreement  was  signed  in  Paris  to- 
day. 

Under   its    terms,    American  film 

companies  will  be  able  to  remit  $3,- 
625,000  annually  for  four  years  to 
liquidate  all  funds  blocked  prior  to 
June  30,  1947,  and  some  current 
balances. 

French  films  will  get  five  instead  of 
four  weeks  playing  time  in  France 
out  of  every  13  weeks,  and  American 
films  dubbed  into  French  will  be  limit- 
ed to  121  a  year. 

The  French  will  continue  to  allo- 
cate all  35mm.  raw  stock  and  sound 
track,  but  made  an  exception  of  24 
films  annually  to  the  two-year  dub- 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


Rivoli-Rockne  Trust 
Suit  Is  Settled 


Chicago,  Sept.  16. — Dismissal  of 
the  Rivoli-Rockne  $900,000  anti-trust 
action  against  the  majors  and  some 
circuits  here  will  become  effective  to- 
morrow, when  Judges  Michael  Igoe 
and  Philip  Sullivan  will  abrogate  the 
respective  cases  in  U.  S.  District 
court.  An  out-of-court  settlement  has 
been  approved  by  all  defendants,  al- 
lowing both  houses  owned  by  plaintiff 
Saul  Meltzer  the  opportunity  to  com- 
pete for  first-  and  subsequent-run  play- 
ing time." 

While  no  monetary  settlement  was 
made,  substantial  attorney  fees  were 
granted, -it  is  understood.  Aaron  Stein 
represented  the  plaintiff. 


Schermerhorn  Head 
Of  Reade  Operations 


Promotion  of  Nick  Schermerhorn, 
district  manager  for  Walter  Reade 
Theatres  in  Southern  New  Jersey,  to 
the  newly-created  position  of  general 
manager  of  theatre  operations  for  the 
entire  circuit,  as  well  as  the  transfer- 
promotions  of  three  city  managers, 
was  announced  here  yesterday  by 
Walter  Reade.  All  changes  will  be- 
come effective  on  Oct.  1. 

Schermerhorn,  who  has  been  with 
(Continued  on  page  7) 


Average  Wage  Boost  of  10% 
Seen  for  Picture  Salesmen 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  September  17,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


WILLIAM  F.  RODGER  S, 
M-G-M  distribution  vice-presi- 
dent, left  here  last  night  for  Washing- 
ton. 

• 

Polish  Count  Stanislas  Jackow- 
sky,  copy  runner  for  Motion  Picture 
Daily,  will  leave  New  York  tonight 
for  Washington  to  be  married,  and 
will  then  go  to  Georgia  for  a  honey- 


Al  Horwits,  Universal-Interna- 
tional Eastern  publicity  manager,  re- 
turned to  New  York  yesterday  from 
Chicago. 

• 

Syd  Gross,  Film  Classics'  assistant 
director  of  advertising-publicity,  will 
start  a  one-week  vacation  today. 
• 

Ben  Wirth,  Warner  Service  Corp. 
president,  left  New  York  last  night 
for  the  Coast. 

• 

Ezra  E.  Stern,  Los  Angeles  film 
attorney,  is  in  New  York  on  business. 


8  Committee  Heads 
For  Pioneers  Dinner 

First  meeting  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Pioneers  dinner  committee  for  1948 
was  held  here  yesterday  under  the 
chairmanship  of  Hal  Home,  and  the 
following  committee  chairmen  were 
appointed :  Hal  Hodes,  general  admin- 
istration ;  Gilbert  Josephson,  hotel 
reservations  and  decorations ;  Jack 
Levin,  dais  and  speakers ;  Marvin 
Kirsch,  entertainment ;  Leon  Leonidoff , 
stage  director ;  Bert  Sanford,  induc- 
tion of  new  members ;  Harry  Takiff, 
finances;  Jack  Goldstein,  publicity. 


Joel  Levy,  Jr.,  Services 

Funeral  services  will  be  held  here 
Monday  at  Riverside  Memorial  Chap 
el  for  the  late  Joel  Levy,  Jr.,  son  of 
Loew's  out-of-town  booker.  Joel,  Jr., 
was  killed  in  action  in  the  Philippines. 
Burial  will  be  at  Pine  Lawn  Ceme 
tery,  L.  I. 


Kalmenson  Toastmaster 

Ben  Kalmenson,  Warner  sales  vice 
president,  will  be  toastmaster  at  to 
night's  Warner  Club  banquet  at  the 
Vernon  Hills  Country  Club,  Tucka 
hoe,  N.  Y.,  concluding  the  club's  an 
nual  golf  tournament.  About  160  play 
ers  have  registered. 


Eastern   Allied  to 
Meet  in  Baltimore 

Baltimore,  Sept.  16. — Con- 
vention of  Allied  units  in  the 
Eastern  region  will  be  held 
here  on  Oct.  7. 

Meyer  Leventhal,  Eastern 
regional  vice-president  of 
Allied,  who  makes  his  head- 
quarters here,  will  be  con- 
vention host. 


Jameyson:  Time  Ripe 
For  Top  Showmen 

Kansas  City,  Sept.  16. — Aggressive 
showmanship  to  reap  full  advantage  of 
the  "exceptional  business  conditions" 
in  this  area,  was  urged  today  by  Fox 
Midwest  Theatres  executive  Howard 
Jameyson  in  an  address  before  the 
Commonwealth  Theatres  convention 
here.  Bank  balances  in  this  territory 
are  at  almost  record  level,  and  people 
having  money  are  willing  to  spend  it 
for  good  attractions,  Jameyson  said. 

It  was  announced  at  the  convention 
that  Commonwealth  will  begin  next 
week  on  construction  of  two  new 
drive-ins,  one  at  Sedalia  and  one  at 
Columbia,  Mo. 


Tells  House  Group 
Of  Trade  Tactics 

Kansas  City,  Sept.  16. — R.  W. 
Lohrenz,  president  of  Kewanee  Thea- 
tres, Kewanee,  111.,  was  in  Kansas  City 
today  to  file  with  a  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives committee  a  statement  on 
effects  of  competitive  tactics  by  a  cir- 
cuit in  that  area. 

Among  exhibitor  observers  not  tes- 
tifying, were  Ben  Adams  of  Arkansas 
City,  Kan.;  C.  E.  Cook,  Maryville, 
Mo.;  Homer  Strowig,  Abilene,  Kan.; 
R.  R.  Biechele,  Kansas  City,  Kan. ; 
Arthur  Cole  of  the  Paramount  branch 
exchange,  and  attorneys  of  various 
film  groups. 


PCC  Trustees  Set 
'Exhibitor  Clinic' 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  16. — Trustees 
of  the  Pacific  Coast  Conference  of  In- 
dependent Theatre  Owners  have  voted 
to  set  aside  one  day  of  each  quarterly 
meeting  for  an  "exhibitor  clinic"  at 
which  problems  confronting  the  mem- 
bership will  be  canvassed  fully  before 
a  panel  of  experts  on  such  matters  as 
insurance,  taxation  and  business  proce- 
dure in  general.  The  trustees,  who 
will  conclude  their  meetings  tomorrow, 
re-elected  Hugh  Bruen  as  treasurer 
and  Robert  H.  Poole  as  executive 
secretary. 


Truman,  Clark  Cite 
TOA's  'Youth'  Work 

Washington,  Sept.  16. — Both  Pres- 
ident Truman  and  Attorney  General 
Tom  Clark  have  expressed  apprecia- 
tion for  the  work  of  the  Theatre 
Owners  of  America  in  promoting 
"Youth  Month."  Acknowledgement 
was  made  when  TOA's  A.  Julian  Bry- 
lawski  took  Olympic  decathlon  cham- 
pion Bob  Mathias,  "Youth  of  the 
Year,"  to  the  White  House. 

TO  A  has  spearheaded  the  drive, 
Clark  said,  and  "showed  the  finest 
spirit  of  cooperation  in  the  country." 


7  -  Year  Autry  Deal 
Signed  by  Columbia 

Hollywood,  Sept.  16. — Columbia 
has  negotiated  a  new  seven-year  ex- 
clusive deal  with  Gene  Autry  Produc- 
tions, calling  for  a  series  of  six  high- 
budget  outdoor  films  each  year,  to  be 
produced  by  Armand  Schaefer  and 
photographed  in  Columbia's  new 
Monochrome  process. 


Strike  Threatens 
U-I  Home  Office 

Possibility  of  a  strike  in 
the  near  future  by  Universal- 
International's  425  home  office 
"white  collar"  workers  loomed 
large  yesterday.  Although 
new  contract  negotiations  be- 
tween the  company  and 
IATSE  Home  Office  Employes 
Local  No.  H-63  were  resumed 
following  yesterday's  hour- 
and-a-half  work  stoppage,  it 
was  announced  following  a 
union-management  meeting 
that  no  agreement  is  in  sight. 

"IA"  international  president 
Richard  F.  Walsh  assigned 
international  representative 
Joseph  Basson  to  participate 
in  yesterday's  talks. 


Sears  Remains  West 
To  Set  Hughes  Deal 

Originally  expected  back  in  New 
York  yesterday,  United  Artists  presi- 
dent Gradwell  Sears  has  extended  his 
Coast  visit  presumably  until  UA's 
three-picture  transfer  deal  with  How- 
ard Hughes  is  completed.  As  an- 
nounced by  Sears  two  weeks  ago  in 
New  York,  the  purpose  of  his  trip  to 
Hollywood  was  to  .finalize  the  pact 
under  which  UA  relinquishes  distribu- 
tion rights  to  three  films  produced  by 
Hughes  with  the  latter  in  turn  guar- 
anteeing independent  production  of 
three  others  for  UA.  The  three,  "Mad 
Wednesday,"  "Vendetta"  and  "The 
Outlaw,"  are  slated  to  be  released 
through  RKO  Radio. 


20th-Fox  Program 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


scripts  are  now  in  the  hands  of 
writers,  he  added. 

Schenck  and  Zanuck  stressed  the 
importance  of  the  backlog  in  the  com- 
pany's selling  and  exploitation  plans, 
enabling  the  company  to  meet  its 
policy  of  releasing  two  features  a 
month. 

In  stressing  advertising  and  ex- 
ploitation as  one  of  the  most  important 
factors  in  selling  motion  pictures, 
Zanuck  declared :  "Newspapers,  maga- 
zines and  trade  papers  are  the  vital 
outlet  for  informing  our  patrons  what 
to  expect  from  the  20th  Century-Fox 
banner." 


'Snake  Pit'  to  Open  at 
Rivoli  Here  on  Nov.  4 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  16. — Darryl  F. 
Zanuck's  "The  Snake  Pit"  will  have 
its  world  premiere  on  Nov.  4  at  the 
Rivoli  Theatre,  New  York,  and  will 
be  handled  on  a  "roadshow  scale" 
except  for  admission  prices,  20th 
Century  -  Fox  general  sales  man- 
ager Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  announced 
here  today  at  the  company's  national 
sales  conference.  Beginning  with  the 
first  week  in  January  the  film  will  be 
played  in  five  key  cities  a  week. 

Much  of  the  afternoon  session  today 
was  devoted  to  discussion  of  publicity 
and  advertising  plans  for  "Snake  Pit," 
with  Charles  Schlaifer,  advertising- 
publicity  director,  as  chairman. 


Rodgers  Outlines  Course 

William  F.  Rodgers,  sales  vice- 
president,  of  M-G-M,  at  an  initial  ses- 
sion here  yesterday  at  the  Astor  Hotel, 
outlined  to  the  six  candidates  for  the 
executive  training  course  a  complete 
program  of  activities  which  will  be 
followed  by  the  field  men  during  their 
four-week  stay  in  New  York.  The 
program  includes  a  study  of  every 
phase  of  operation  by  M-G-M  and 
affiliated  companies. 


Hold  'Twist'  Temporamf'i 

J.  Arthur  Rank's  "Oliver  T^>J' 
imported  by  Eagle-Lion  for  U.  S. 
showing,  will  be  withheld  from  U.  S. 
theatres  only  temporarily,  according 
to  present  plans,  it  was  indicated  here 
yesterday  by  Robert  Benjamin,  presi- 
dent of  the  U.  S.  Rank  Organization. 
The  film  has  been  criticized  in  some 
quarters  because  of  the  controversial 
depiction  of  one  of  its  characters. 


Sues  UA  on  5 -Film  Deal 

Auerbach  Film  Enterprises,  Ltd., 
filed  suit  in  U.  S.  District  Court  here 
yesterday  against  United  Artists,  seek- 
ing an  accounting  of  profits  in  connec- 
tion with  a  five-picture  European  dis- 
tribution deal.  UA,  Auerbach  charges, 
has  not  reported  earnings  on  the  five 
during  the  last  three  years.  Auerbach 
says  he  owns  the  pictures. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


e — RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL -a 

Rockefeller  Center 

•GARY  COOPER  •  ANN  SHERIDAN 


in    LEO  McCAREY'S 


11 


j"GOOD  SAM 

A  Rainbow  Productions,  Inc.  Picture 
Released    by   RKO    Radio  Pictures 
g  SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


Barbara  Stanwyck 
Burt  Lancaster 


ROSALIND  RUSSELL 

in 

"THE  VELVET  TOUCH" 

A    FREDERICK  BRISSON 
PRODUCTION 
Released    through  RKO 

B'way  &  49th  St. 


-RIVOLI. 


TYRONE  POWER,  ANNE  BAXTER 

"THE  LUCK  OF  THE  IRISH" 

A   20th  Century-Fox  Picture 
ON    VARIETY  STAGE 
Ed  Sullivan  &   Harvest  Moon  Ball  Winners 
Joe  Howard   -   Al  Bernie   -    Illinois  Jacquet 
On   Ice  Stage— "SYMPHONETTE  on  ICE" 
Starring  ARNOLD  SHODA 

RA  V  V  7th  Ave.  &  
  W  /V    I       50th  St.  ■ 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Arnold  Moss 

plays  the  Colonel 


Luther  Adler 

plays  Daucaire. 


Ron  Randell 

plays  Andres 


Bernard  Nedell 
Margaret  Wycherly  plays  Pablo 

plays  the  Old  Crone 


Joseph  Buloff 
plays  Remendado 


Directed  and  Produced 


NOT  THf 

BUT  A  DRAMATIC  VERSIOf^ 


of  the  greatest  pictures . . .  Columbia  Pictures  presents 

\EVERY  WOMAN  WANTS  TO  SEE... 


Arnold  Moss  -  Joseph  Buloff  •  Margaret  Wycherly 


story  of  "Carmen"  by  Prosper  Merimee 


OF  THE  STORY  OF  CARMEN 


COLOR  BY 


THE  COLUMNISTS 

"Hayworth  is  Toreadorable."  -WALTER  WINCHELL 

"Rita  has  never  given  such  a  performance."— LOUELLA  PARSONS 

"Rita  is  wildcat,  gypsy,  dancer  and  beauty  all  rolled  into  one  femi- 
nine package.  Best  'Carmen'  ever  on  screen."   — HEDDA  HOPPER 

"Hayworth  is  greatest  Carmen  of  them  all.  Wow!" 

— ERSKINE  JOHNSON 
"Male  members  of  audience  wound  up  in  completely  dazed  con- 

— SHEILA  GRAHAM 


dition. 

"Projects  what  makes  wolves  howl." 


-LOUIS  SOBOL 


THE  TRADE  PAPERS 

"Reunited  for  first  time  since  GILDA,  Hayworth  and  Ford  emerge 
again  a  pair  of  lovers  whose  impact  at  box-office  should  be  fore- 
gone conclusion."  — M.  P.  DAILY 

"Bold,  lusty.  Hayworth's  best.  Profits  should  hit  upper  brackets." 

-VARIETY 

"Hayworth's  portrayal  is  easily  most  inflammable  of  lot.  Action 
abounds  in  passionate  embraces,  violent  fights,  offhanded  mur- 
ders." _M.  P.  HERALD 


"Has  names  and  angles  to  get  the  dough."        —THE  EXHIBITOR 

"Looks  like  a  potential  box-office  record  smasher." 

-SHOWMEN'S  T.  R. 

"Picture  is  assured  long  and  prosperous  exhibition  career." 

-BOXOFFICE 

THE  NEWSPAPERS 

"Rita  bewitching!  Best  performance  she  has  ever  given." 

— N.  Y.  DAILY  NEWS 
"Stormy  movie,  full  of  banditry,  chases,  fights  and  exceedingly 
ardent  love-making."  — N.  Y.  WORLD-TELEGRAM 


"Rita  is  terrific 
smash  records.' 


irresistible.  Glenn  Ford  is  excellent  ...  It  will 
— N.  Y.  DAILY  MIRROR 


"Spectacular  .  .  .  Columbia  has  not  stinted  with  its  production." 

— N.  Y.  HERALD  TRIBUNE 

"Hayworth's  best  to  date.  Lusty,  colorful  entertainment,  full  of 
ridin',  fightin'  and  shootin'."  _n.  Y.  JOURNAL-AMERICAN 

"Certainly  going  to  pour  plenty  of  cash  into  box-offices." 

— N.  Y.  POST 


Friday,  September  17,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


7 


US-French  Pact  Is  Signed 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


bing  rules.  They  also  relaxed  restric- 
tions on  the  number  of  theatres  where 
non-dubbed  films  can  play  at  any  one 
time. 

Division  of  payments  on  amounts 
accruing  to  companies  before  June  30, 
1947,  will  be  made  on  the  basis  of 
the  allocation  previously  approved  by 
;■.  ^French  government,  but  division 
^Ai^yments  on  the  period  after  June 
30,"  1947,  will  be  on  the  basis  of  "the 
gross  billings  accruing  to  distributors 
of  American  films,  as  determined  by 
a  certified  public  accountant  accept- 
able to  th'e  French  government  and  to 
the  motion  picture  companies." 

List  Ways  to  Use  Francs 

Amounts  received  by  film  companies 
in  francs  which  may  not  be  trans- 
ferred may  be  spent  in  a  wide  variety 
of  ways,  including  construction  of  new 
studios  and  co-production  of  films  in 
France  when  approved  by  the  Na- 
tional Film  Center.  "Approval  will 
not  be  unreasonably  withheld,"  the 
agreement  specifies.  The  blocked 
francs  can  be  used  also  to  purchase 
books,  plays  and  other  works,  to  buy 
distribution  rights  for  French  films, 
and  make  investments  in  non-film 
firms,  real  estate,  and  securities.  In- 
come on  these  investments  will  be 
freely  transferable. 

Main  terms  of  the  agreement,  which 
replaced  the  Blum-Byrnes  accord 
which  lapsed  May  28,  have  been  dis- 
cussed in  trade  circles  for  several 
weeks.  All  arrangements  are  retro- 
active to  July  1,  1948. 

The  agreement  was  signed  by 
French  Foreign  Minister  Robert 
Schuman,  Minister  of  Industry  and 
Commerce  Robert  LaCoste,  and  U.  S. 
Ambassador  Jefferson  Caffrey. 

Key  Provisions  Disclosed 

Here  are  the  key  provisions  of  the 
agreement  as  announced  by  the  State 
Department : 

Remittances:  The  French  government  will 
allow  annual  transfer  of  $3,625,000  during 
each  year  of  the  four-year  period  beginning 
July  1,  1948.  This  will  be  composed  of  two 
parts.  Of  the  total,  $2,438,205  each  year 
will  represent  liquidation  of  the  balance  of 
the  $11,715,000  which  the  French  govern- 
ment previously  agreed  to  transfer  on  re- 
ceipts up  to  June  30,  1947.  The  entire 
remainder,  or  $9,752,820,  will  be  transferred 
at  the  end  of  the  four  years.  Transfer  of 
these  receipts  is  being  made  on  the  basis 
of  119.30  francs  to  the  dollar.  The  balance 
of  the  annual  remittance,  or  $1,186,795, 
will  be  on  account  of  receipts  accruing  after 
July  1,  1947,  and  will  be  made  on  the  basis 
of  exchange  rates  prevailing  at  the  time 
the  transfer  takes  place.  There  can  be 
no  renegotiation  on  the  terms  for  liquidat- 
ing the  balances  accrued  before  June  30, 
1947. 

Remittances  will  be  transferred  in  four 
equal  installments,  with  the  first  transfer 
taking  place  Sept.  30,  1948.  However,  $609,- 
551,  first  installment  of  the  receipts  accrued 
prior  to  June  30,  1947,  was  to  have  been 
paid  on  the  signing  of  the  accord. 

Among  uses  to  which  blocked  francs  can 
be  put  are:  all  distribution  expenses  and 
salaries  in  France,  including  dubbing  ex- 
penses, advertising,  and  subtitling;  ex- 
penses "incident  to  co-production"  in 
France  of  films  approved  by  the  Film 
Center  with  revenue  accruing  from  this 
production  divided  between  U.  S.  and 
French  interests  on  a  percentage  basis 
identical  to  that  approved  for  the  financing 
and  revenue  realized  outside  France  freely 
disposable  abroad  by  the  U.  S.  company. 

Ban  Theatre,  Studio  Buying 

Purchase  of  any  right  to  books,  plays, 
and  other  literary  or  musical  properties, 
and  purchase  of  film  patents,  provided  that 
royalties  will  be  paid  in  the  currency  of 
the  nation  in  which  the  royalties  accrue; 
purchase  of  rights  to  motion  pictures  pro- 
duced in  France  for  distribution  or  sale 
throughout  the  world,  excepting  the  franc 
zone,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Centre 
National  and  the  Office  Des  Changes;  pur- 
chase of  goods  and  materials  for  export, 


contributions  to  French  charities,  and  other 
purposes  specifically  authorized  by  the  Of- 
fice Des  Changes ;  and  subject  to  exist- 
ing exchange  regulations  purchase  of  long- 
term  securities  issued  by  the  state  or  pub- 
lic bodies  or  industries  not  connected  with 
the  motion  picture  industry,  investment  in 
French  industrial  or  commercial  enterprises 
not  connected  with  the  film  industries,  and 
purchase,  construction,  renovation  and  leas- 
ing of  developed  or  undeveloped  real  estate. 
No  theatres  or  laboratories  can  be  built 
or  acquired,  no  existing  studios  can  be  ac- 
quired, but  new  studios  can  be  built.  Pur- 
chases of  securities  and  investments  in  film 
enterprises  can  be  made  with  special  per- 
mission of  the  National  Film  Center.  In- 
come accruing  from  all  investments  will  be 
transferable. 

'  Screen  Quota:  The  French  government 
increases  to  five  weeks  per  quarter  the  re- 
quired showing  of  French  films.  This  will 
be  figured  on  the  basis  of  10  weeks  out  of 
every  26  from  now  on. 

Distribution  Quota:  "Taking  into  account 
the  outlay  of  foreign  exchange  which  the 
exhibition  of  foreign  films  in  France  in- 
volves and  the  condition  of  the  French  bal- 
ance of  payments,"  there  will  be  a  limit 
of  121  dubbed  feature-length  U.  S.  films 
allowed  each  year  in  France,  and  a  limit  of 
65  dubbed  features  originating  in  other  for- 
eign countries.  This  quota  can  be  raised 
if  there  is  a  product  shortage. 

Dubbing:  There  will  be  an  exception  up 
to  25  U.  S.  features  a  year  for  the  require- 
ment that  there  may  not  be  a  delay  of 
more  than  two  years  between  the  date  of 
the  first  public  presentation  of  a  film  in  its 
country  of  origin  and  the  date  of  the  dub- 
bing authorization.  This  rule  will  not  ap- 
ply to  shorts. 

Restricted  to  15  Runs 

lS-Situations  Restriction:  As  of  July  1, 
films  released  in  both  original  and  dubbed 
versions  may  be  shown  in  five  theatres  in 
the  Department  of  the  Seine  and  in  10  thea- 
tres in  the  other  departments.  Films  re- 
leased exclusively  in  the  original  version 
may  be  exhibited  in  10  theatres  in  the 
Seine  Department  and  20  theatres  in  other 
departments. 

Raw  Stock:  Positive  and  negative  35  mm. 
raw  stock  and  sound  track  will  be  allocated, 
by  the  National  Film  Center,  with  empha- 
sis on  the  needs  of  the  domestic  industry. 

The  statement  accompanying  the 
new  pact  said  discussions  were  carried 
on  in  the  light  of  France's  financial 
and  economic  problems  but  "with  due 
regard  for  the  relevant  provisions  _  of 
the  international  agreements  to  which 
both  governments  are  parties."  It  de- 
clared that  the  pact  represented  "a  mu- 
tually satisfactory  understanding  with 
respect  to  the  financial  problems  aris- 
ing from  the  distribution  and  exhibi- 
tion of  American  films  in  the  French 
union." 


Arthur  Appeal 

(Continued  from  page  1)  

Co.,  St.  Louis  Missouri  Theatre,  Inc., 
Fanchon  and  Marco  Service  Corp., 
Tames  H.  Arthur,  David  G.  Arthur, 
Edward  B.  Arthur,  Thomas  G.  Ar- 
thur, Harry  C.  Arthur,  and  Ed- 
ward I.  Murphy.  Defendants  are 
Paramount,  RKO,  20th  Century-Fox, 
Warners,  AAA,  and  Harold  D.  Con- 
nor, the  AAA's  St.  Louis  representa- 
tive. 

The  exhibitors  charge  that  the  de- 
fendants are  engaged  in  a  conspiracy 
in  restraint  of  trade,  as  a  part  of 
which  they  agreed  to  refuse  to  sell 
pictures  to  petitioners  except  on  terms 
and  conditions  established  by  the 
AAA,  claiming  that  this  concerted  re- 
fusal is  made  legal  by  the  1940  con- 
sent decree.  They  declare  that  the 
AAA's  St.  Louis  office  reduced  clear- 
ance against  the  St.  Louis  Amusement 
Co.  in  favor  of  the  Apollo  Theatre 
and  has  pending  another  clearance  re- 
quest in  favor  of  the  Princess  The- 
atre against  the  Arthurs'  interests. 

Arthur  and  Fanchon  and  Marco  had 
opposed  arbitration  proceedings  un- 
successfully under  the  system  set  up 
by  the  old  consent  decree. 


St.  Louis  Deal 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

White  and  Clarence  M.  Turley,  will 
run  the  Ambassador  and  Missouri 
properties,  the  former  one  of  the  city's 
largest  office  buildings,  as  a  realty 
enterprise. 

It  transferred  Ambassador  Build- 
ing's 52  per  cent  interest  in  St.  Louis 
Amusement  Co.,  with  25-year  leases 
on  the  first-run  Ambassador  and  Mis- 
souri_  theatres,  to  Fanchon  and  Marco 
Service  Corp.  St.  Louis  Amusement 
operates  28  neighborhood  theatres. 
Edward  Arthur  will  be  its  president. 

The  deal  was  strictly  according  to 
forecast,  with  Harry  Arthur  cooperat- 
ing in  the  Skouras  purchases,  and  the 
management  end  going  back  to  Fan- 
chon and  Marco.  No  immediate 
changes  are  expected  in  theatre  opera- 
tion, which  has  been  conducted  by 
Fanchon  and  Marco. 


Variety  Plans 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

three-day  meeting  he  had  "high  hopes" 
for  re-establishing  tents  in  Kansas 
City  and  Denver  and  of  establishing 
new  ones  in  Seattle,  Portland  and 
New  Orleans.  Variety  hopes  to  have 
a  tent  in  each  exchange  center  ulti- 
mately, he  said.  The  meeting  also 
discussed  the  possibility  of  setting  up 
a  tent  in  New  York  City,  long  a 
stumbling  block  to  the  organization. 

Progress  on  the  London  tent  was 
reported  in  a  cable  from  second  assist- 
ant international  chief  barker  C.  J. 
Latta,  Warner  manager  in  London. 

Top  industry  officials  joined  the 
Variety  delegates  tonight  at  a  dinner 
in  honor  of  chief  barker  Robert 
O'Donnell.  • 


What  makes  it  easy  for  me  to  rec- 
ommend Altec  to  my  friends  in 
show  business  is  that  I  know  I  get 
the  full-time  energy  and  engineer- 
ing resources  of  that  organization 
for  our  theatres;  I  know  that  my 
business  isn't  just  a  part-time  oper- 
ation or  a  side  issue  with  Altec. 
That  means  a  good  deal  in  these 
times  when  show  business  has  to 
meet  an  intensified  competition  for 
the  people  we  exhibitors  count  on 
to  swell  our  theatre  grosses.  What's 

A™; 

161  Sixth  Avenue 
New  York  13,  N.  Y. 


Schermerhorn  Head 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

the  Reade  organization  for  18  years, 
in  Saratoga  Springs  and  Kingston, 
N.  Y.,  before  moving  to  Asbury  Park 
for  the  district  managership,  will  be 
directly  responsible  to  Reade  for  gen- 
eral supervision  of  managment,  oper- 
ation and  maintenance  for  all  theatres 
in  seven  New  Jersey  and  one  New 
York  State  communities.  Schermer- 
morn's  district  managership  will  be 
left  vacant  temporarily. 

Guy  Hevia,  city  manager  for  the 
three  Reade  theatres  in  Morristown, 
N.  J.,  was  transferred  to  Asbury  Park 
as  city  manager  over  the  six  theatres 
there ;  Ralph  Lanterman,  city  man- 
ager for  the  two  theatres  in  Long 
Branch,  N.  J.,  replaces  Hevia  at  Mor- 
ristown, and  John  Balzer,  manager  of 
the  Reade  Strand  in  Freehold,  N.  J., 
takes  over  as  Long  Branch  city  man- 
ager. A  replacement  for  Balzer  will 
be  named  shortly. 


Walbrook  Bid 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

run  product  between  the  two  Balti- 
more houses. 

The  agreement  was  reached  in  an 
out-of-court  settlement  of  the  Wind- 
sor's treble-damage  suit  against  20th- 
Fox  and  other  distributors  for  favor- 
ing the  Walbrook.  The  Walbrook 
then  claimed  the  agreement  broke  a 
contract  it  had  with  20th-Fox  to  get 
the  same  film  availability  as  the  Dur- 
kee-owned  Ambassador. 

Judge  Letts  said  the  Walbrook  had 
not  proved  its  case  for  a  temporary 
injunction,  and  ordered  20th's  counsel, 
John  Caskey,  to  file  proposed  findings 
of  fact   "with  reasonable  diligence." 


Charles  R.  Gilmour, 

president, 

Gibraltar  Enterprises,  Inc., 
Denver,  Colorado,  says: 


more,  the  radio  and  records  have 
made  people  a  lot  more  discrimi- 
nating about  the  sound  they  hear. 
We  know  that  the  Altec  man  who 
comes  to  our  theatres,  as  well  as  the 
research  engineers  in  the  Altec  lab- 
oratories, are  working  and  planning 
for  us  exhibitors  all  of  the  time,  and 
it's  a  very  comforting  thought." 


Altec  Service,  known  for  its  service 
"over  and  above  the  contract"  is  a 
vital  ingredient  of  your  theatre's 
ability  to  meet  successfully  the  com- 
petition of  other  forms  of  entertain- 
ment. An  Altec  Service  contract  is 
the  soundest  long  term  investment 
an  exhibitor  can  make  today. 


THE  SERVICE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  MOTION  PICTURE  INDUSTRY 


"I  KNOW  THAT  MY  BUSINESS  ISN'T 
JUST  A  SIDE  ISSUE  WITH  ALTEC" 


17,838  THEATRES  PARTICIPATING  IN 

Paramount  Week 

SET  ALL-TIME  INDUSTRY  HIGH! 

Thank  you,  Paramount  customers,  for  making  possible  this  major 
booking  achievement  in  motion  picture  history.  In  1947  our  trademark  was  on  17,009 
screens  during  PARAMOUNT  WEEK— a  record  up  to  that  time.  Now  this  figure  has 
been  exceeded  by  PARAMOUNT  WEEK  of  1948. 

We  congratulate  you  on  the  effective  showmanship  you  put  behind 
our  special  PARAMOUNT  WEEK  attraction,  "Beyond  Glory"  starring  Alan  Ladd  and 
Donna  Reed  which,  in  big  and  small  situations,  has  now  overwhelmingly  established  itself 
as  the  leading  Ladd  grosser  in  the  last  two  years. 

The  resounding  success  of  PARAMOUNT  WEEK  is  happy 
evidence  of  our  mutual  friendship  and  esteem.  Now  we  promise  that  your  record -setting 
vote  of  confidence  will  be  answered  with  product  of  unusual  excellence  for  the  balance  of 
the  year.  Typical  is  "Sorry,  Wrong  Number"  which  at  its  premiere  engagement  is  topping 
every  attraction  but  one  since  the  N.  Y.  Paramount  opened  its  doors  in  1926. 

In  addition,  telegrams  from  key  cities  —  following  sneak  previews  of 
"Miss  Tatlock's  Millions" — indicate  that,  on  the  evidence  of  audience  reaction,  this  will  be 
one  of  the  strongest  releases  this  company  has  ever  scheduled  for  Thanksgiving  business. 

Again  to  all  our  friends  who  participated  in  PARAMOUNT 
WEEK,  we  repeat  our  appreciation  and  thanks. 


-PARAMOUNT  PICTURES 


 .  — y 

MOTION  PICTURE" 

;  

Arnirntp 

f  irvo  i 

V^UllUoc 

■w^    A     *W  w  TT 

IN 

nnrl 

11  ATI 

CI  1  KA 

Impartial 

£  NEWS 

p.  •                            •  '  w 

3:2 


64.  NO.  56 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  20,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


U.  S.  Accuses 
Ticket  Makers 
Of  Conspiracy 

33  Manufacturers  Are 
Named  by  the  F.  T.  C. 

Washington,  Sept.  17. — Federal 
Trade  Commission  has  ordered  six 
trade  association  and  33  manufac- 
turers of  theatre  tickets  and  other 
types  of  tickets  and  coupons  to  cease 
and  desist  from  what  it  describes  as 
an  unlawful  combination  to  fix  prices 
and  eliminate  competition  in  their 
industry.  The  case  against  the  ticket 
manufacturers  has  been  in  Government 
files  for  a  long  time. 

The  Commission's  findings 
said  that  the  manufacturers 
agreed  upon  identical  and  uni- 
form   prices,    discounts,  sur- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Court  Bars 
Book  Audits 


Chicago,  Sept.  19. — A  declaration 
which  may  set  a  precedent  throughout 
the  country  involving  anti-trust  cases 
and  the  right  of  distributors  to  ex- 
amine the  books  of  exhibitors  was 
made  on  Friday  by  Judge  William 
Campbell  in  U.  S.  District  Court  here. 
Judge  Campbell  overruled  eight  dis- 
tributing companies  which  had  sued 
the  Alger  Theatre  Circuit  of  Illinois 
on  the  grounds  of  fraudulent  percent- 
age returns,  stating  that  they  were  not 
entitled  to  audit  the  circuit's  books  un- 
til they  could  produce  a  valid  contract 
that  does  not  violate  anti-trust  laws. 


City  Investing  Buys 
25%  of  Lopert  Films 


City  Investing  Co.,  real  estate  and 
theatre  owning  corporation  here,  will 
become  a  25  per  cent  stockholder  in 
Lopert  Films,  Inc. 

Lopert,  in  addition  to  distributing 
foreign  films  in  the  U.  S.,  has  theatre 
interests  in  New  York,  Washington, 
Buffalo  and  Detroit.    City  Investing 

(.Continued  on  page  4) 


Scully  to  Set  U-I 
Releases  for  Six 
Months  at  4  Meets 


With  sufficient  pictures  completed 
to  enable  the  company  to  set  releasing 
plans  for  the  next  six  months,  Uni- 
versal-International will  launch  a 
"U-I  Unity  Sales  Drive"  with  four 
regional  sales  meetings  dedicated  to  the 
drive,  starting  in  New  York  Friday, 
William  A.  Scully,  U-I  sales  vice-pres- 
ident announced  here  at  the  weekend. 

The  four  regional  meetings  to  be 
held  in  New  York,  Cincinnati,  Chi- 
cago and  San  Francisco,  in  addition 
to  being  devoted  to  the  launching  of 
the  drive,  will  also  serve  for  the  form- 
ulation of  the  company's  sales  policies 
for  1948-49. 

The  "Unity  Drive"  is  inspired  by 
the  necessity  of  unity  in  the  industry, 
according  to  Scully.  He  said,  "The 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Isley  Succeeds  Cole 
As  Texas  Allied  Head 


Dallas,  Sept.  19.— Phil  Isley  of  Is- 
ley Theatres  was  elected  president  of 
Allied  Theatre  Owners  of  Texas  at 
a  special  meeting  of  the  directors 
called  to  act  on  the  resignation  of 
president  Col.  H.  A.  Cole. 

In  office  since  1921  and  a  stalwart 
in  national  Allied,  Cole  said  he  has 
begun  to  feel  the  burden  of  his  labors 
and  desires  to  divest  himself  of  the 
responsibilities  of  office  and  to  assure 
the  life  of  the  unit  by  new  men  taking 
over  now. 

Board  members  voted  also  to  defer 
the  ATO  fall  convention  to  spring  be- 
cause of  the  closeness  of  dates  of  Al- 
lied's  national  meet  and  that  of  Texas. 


Clear  Legislative 
Picture  for  1949 


Washington,  Sept.  19.- — Forty-four 
state  legislatures  have  regular  ses 
sions  scheduled  next  year,  and  the 
other  four  may  be  called  into  special 
sessions,  according  to  Jack  Bryson, 
legislative  representative  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Association  of  America. 

Bryson  said  that  so  far,  "there 
hasn't  been  even  an  intimation"  of  any 
legislation  hostile  to  the  industry,  but 
added  that  it  is  still  early  to  be  sure. 
There's  certainly  no  reason  for  the  in- 
dustry to  let  down  its  guard  in  any 
area,  Bryson  stated. 

The  four  legislatures  which  do  not 
have  regular  sessions  scheduled  are 
Kentucky,  Mississippi,  Louisiana,  and 
Virginia.  Arizona  is  the  only  state 
legislature  in  session  now,  and  a  spe- 
cial Virginia  session  is  the  only  one  on 
the  horizon  during  the  rest  of  this 
year,  Bryson  said. 


Dutch  Increase  U.  S. 
Films'  Playing  Tune 

Washington,  Sept.  19. — The  Com- 
merce Department  has  reported  that 
the  Netherlands  Ministry  of  Foreign 
Affairs  has  announced  that  playing 
time  of  U.  S.  films  will  be  increased 
from  a  maximum  of  32  weeks  to  a 
maximum  of  40  weeks. 

Commerce  film  chief  Nathan  D. 
Golden  said  no  late  work  has  been 
received  as  to  whether  the  change  has 
already  been  made  official. 

Golden  said  the  Ministry  announced 
that  the  Nederlandsche  Bioscoop 
Bond,  Netherlands  film  industry  asso- 
ciation, will  abolish  its  measure  re- 
stricting playing  time  of  U.  S.  film  to 
32  weeks  a  year. 


Reject  US  Bid  for  List 
Of  'Legal9  Ownerships 


The  five  major  distributors  have  re- 
fused to  respond  to  a  Government  in- 
quiry into  all  of  their  theatres  which, 
the  companies  maintain,  still  are  in 
their  legal  possession,  in  the  light  of 
the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court's  opinion  in 
the  Paramount,  et  al,  anti-trust  case. 

This  was  disclosed  at  the  weekend 
following  the  completion  of  the  filing 
of  defendants'  answers  to  Department 


of  Justice  interrogatories  on  numerous 
aspects  of  their  theatre  interests. 

The  Government  had  asked  for  a 
list  of  each  theatre  acquisition  claimed 
to  be  "the  fortuitous  result  of  bank- 
ruptcy or  an  innocent  investment,  un- 
related to  any  restraint  or  monopolis- 
tic practice."  The  bid  for  information 
was  turned  down  on  the  grounds  that 
it  was  unfair  and  unreasonable. 


NLRB  Orders 
Election  In 
IA-Sopeg  Tilt 

1st  Vote  Sept.  28  at  UA; 
Intervenor  Eliminated 

A  "white  collarite"  shop  election 
which  is  expected  to  strongly  in- 
fluence the  future  composition  of 
film  industry  home  office  labor- 
management  relations  here  has  been 
set  for  Sept.  28  at  United  Artists  by 
the  National  Labor  Relations  Board 
in  Washington.  NLRB  ordered  the 
election  at  the  weekend  as  it  denied 
an  intervener's  appeal  for  an  overrul- 
ing of  New  York  regional  NLRB 
director  Charles  T.  Douds'  recent  de- 
cision in  favor  of  an  election. 

The  Washington  decision  sus- 
tains Douds'  denial  of  a  place 
on  the  ballot  to  UA  employee 
Cecilia  Schuman,  the  intervenor 
who,  Douds  ruled,  was  acting  in 
behalf  of  Screen  Office  and  Pro- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Rep.  Schedule 
For  6  Months 


A  six  months'  schedule  of  Republic 
releases,  from  Oct.  1  to  April  1,  was 
announced  here  at  the  weekend  by  dis- 
tribution vice-president  James  R. 
Grainger,  who  said  it  was  the  first 
time  in  the  company's  history  that  it 
has  had  releases  so  far  in  advance. 
Grainger  said  90  per  cent  of  the  pic- 
tures are  completed. 

Beginning  in  November,  he  said, 
one  production  will  be  released  month- 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Variety  to  Operate 
Rogers  Sanatorium 

Washington,  Sept.  19. — Variety 
Clubs  International  on  Friday  decided 
to  take  over  operation  of  the  Will 
Rogers  Memorial  Hospital. 

International  chief  barker  Robert 
O'Donnell  is  to  name  a  committee  of 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


■■■■■ 


■ 


8A 


MOTION  PICTURE  HERALD 
BOX  OFFICE  CHAMPION 
IN  AUGUST 


Motion  Picture  Daily 

Tradewise . . . 

By  SHERWIN  KANE 


2 

Personal 
Mention 

JOSEPH  BERNHARD.  Film  Clas- 
sics' president,  will  leave  here  by 
plane  today  for  Hollywood. 

• 

Leon  J.  Bamberger,  RKO  Radio 
sales  promotion  manager,  will  attend 
the  TOA  convention  in  Chicago  Sept. 
24-25;  the  convention  of  the  MP  TO 
of  St.  Louis,  Eastern  Missouri  and 
Southern  Illinois  on  Sept.  27,  and  the 
K-MTA  convention  in  Kansas  City 
Sept.  28-29.  He  will  address  the 
latter  two. 

• 

David  Palfreyman,  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America  exhibitor  liai- 
son, is  expected  back  at  his  desk  this 
week  after  an  operation  for  bursitis. 
He  went  to  the  hospital  Wednesday 
upon  his  return  to  Washington  from 
the  Ohio  Allied  convention. 

• 

Sally  Ruth  Levine,  daughter  of 
Herman  Levine  and  Mrs.  Levine, 
was  married  yesterday  to  Ernest 
Pinter  in  the  Park  Central  Hotel, 
New  York.  The  bride's  father  is  a 
Warner  executive  in  Philadelphia. 
• 

George  Sidney,  who  has  been  va- 
cationing in  the  East  with  his  wife, 
dramatic  coach  Lillian  Burns,  is  en 
route  to  Hollywood  from  New  York 
to  direct  MGM's  "Vespers  in  Vienna." 
• 

Nat  Lax,  United  Artists  advertis- 
ing production  manager  here,  and 
Jack  Kerness  of  Columbia  have  left 
Annapolis  for  a  cruise  on  Chesapeake 
Bay. 

• 

Charles  Mayer,  Motion  Picture 
Export  Association  managing  director 
in  Japan  and  Korea,  is  due  here  today 
from  Tokyo. 

Paul  Broder,  Realart  president, 
and  Mrs.  Broder  have  become  par- 
ents of  their  second  child,  a  son,  born 
last  Monday  in  Detroit. 

• 

William  Howard,  RKO  Theatres 
assistant  general  manager,  will  be  in 
Chicago  today  from  New  York. 
• 

Milton  Sperling,  president  of 
United  States  Pictures,  is  at  the  Wal- 
dorf-Astoria here  from  California. 


SRO  Lists  Three  for 
Early  '49  Release 


Selznick  Releasing  Organization 
plans  to  release  three  pictures  in  the 
first  quarter  of  1949,  it  was  announced 
here  Friday  by  Milton  S.  Kusell,  sales 
vice-president,  at  the  final  session  of 
a  divisional  sales  meeting  held  in  the 
home  office. 

Scheduled  are :  "Portrait  of  Jen- 
nie," David  O.  Selznick  production 
co-starring  Jennifer  Jones  and  Joseph 
Cotten ;  "The  Third  Man,"  co-star- 
ring Joseph  Cotten  and  Valli,  to  be 
the  first  picture  produced  in  Europe 
under  a  joint  agreement  by  Selznick 
and  Sir  Alexander  Korda ;  and  an  un- 
titled picture  starring  Shirley  Temple. 


'""PHERE  are  many  similari- 
*-  ties  between  the  New  York 
and  Minneapolis  Ascap  decisions 
despite  the  fact  that  the  two 
courts  dealt  with  a  separate  set 
of  circumstances  and  applied 
different  tests  of  law.  Never- 
theless, both  reach  the  same 
conclusions. 

Judge  Leibell  in  the  New 
York  case  found  Ascap's  theatre 
licensing  methods  to  be  in  viola- 
tion of  the  anti-trust  laws,  cited 
its  power  to  arbitrarily  exact  ex- 
orbitant fees  from  exhibitors  (as 
Ascap  proposed  to  do  in  August, 
1947)  and  suggested  that  copy- 
right owners,  in  the  future,  li- 
cense both  the  recording  and 
performing  rights  simultaneous- 
ly to  producers.  Judge  Leibell 
was  dealing  with  a  complaint  by 
independent  exhibitors  that  As- 
cap is  a  monopoly  in  violation 
of  the  anti-trust  laws.  He 
agreed. 

• 

In  Minneapolis  Federal  Court, 
Judge  Nordbye  had  before  him  a 
case  brought  by  copyright  own- 
ers who  were  members  of  Ascap 
against  independent  exhibitors 
who  had  refused  to  obtain  Ascap 
licenses  or  otherwise  pay  for  the 
copyrighted  music  in  the  films 
exhibited  in  their  theatres. 

Judge  Nordbye  denied  the 
plaintiff  copyright  owners  the 
right  to  collect  from  the  exhibi- 
tor defendants  and  denied  plain- 
tiffs an  injunction  to  restrain 
the  exhibitors  from  further  un- 
licensed use  of  their  music.  In 
so  doing,  he  agreed  with  Judge 
Leibell  that  Ascap  is  in  violation 
of  the  anti-trust  laws,  but  relied 
for  his  decision  upon  the  finding 
that  Ascap  and  its  members  had 
illegally  extended  their  copy- 
right monopoly. 

Judge  Nordbye  took  note,  too, 
of  Ascap's  power  to  exact  ex- 
orbitant fees  of  exhibitors  and 
he,  too,  observed  that  "undoubt- 
edly, the  simplest  plan  for  the 
copyright  owners  belonging  to 
Ascap  would  be  for  them  to  is- 
sue both  synchronization  rights 
and  performance  rights  to  the 
producers." 

Both  courts  agreed  that  if  that 
were  done  the  performance 
right  fee  paid  by  the  producer 
would  very  likely  be  passed 
along  to  the  exhibitor,  but  that 
such  a  licensing  method,  at  least, 
would  be  legal. 

• 

If  the  New  York  and  Minne- 
apolis decisions  are  sustained,  it 
is  obvious  that  Ascap  cannot 
collect  from  theatres,  nor  can  in- 


dividual copyright  owners  so 
long  as  they  are  members  of  As- 
cap. The  only  possible  excep- 
tion would  be  the  employment  of 
an  individual  licensing  method, 
a  license  for  the  music  in  each 
picture.  That  would  take  some 
doing,  on  the  part  of  Ascap  and 
producers,  as  well  as  exhibitors. 
Most  authorities  presently  are 
agreed  that  if  it  is  not  impos- 
sible, it  is  impractical. 

However,  neither  decision 
takes  away  from  the  copyright 
owner  his  right  to  collect  for  a 
public  performance  of  his  music 
for  profit.  The  two  decisions 
merely  impose  upon  the  copy- 
right owner  the  obligation  to  de- 
vise a  legal  method  of  collecting 
the  performance  fee  in  place  of 
the  collection  method  found  to 
be  illegal.  It  is  Ascap,  not  the 
copyright,  which  has  been  found 
to  be  outside  the  law. 

Therefore,  the  conclusion  is 
inescapable  that  while  exhibitors 
may  be  through  paying  Ascap 
they  are  not  done  with  paying 
for  music  on  film.  The  two 
courts  have  pointed  out  the  logi- 
cal way  for  copyright  owners  to 
collect.  It  so  happens  that  the 
suggested  method  has  for  long 
been  advocated  by  Allied  States, 
which  says  it  is  willing  to  take 
its  chances  on  how  much  pro- 
ducers-distributors will  charge 
for  music  performing  rights  in 
their  film  "because  you  can  bar- 
gain with  distributors,  but  not 
with  Ascap." 

• 

That  means,  of  course,  the 
bargaining  will  be  done  over 
films,  not  music  charges.  The 
exhibitor  may  never  know  how 
much  he  is  paying  for  the  music 
in  his  film  even  if  it  happens  to 
be  10  times  what  he  formerly 
paid  Ascap.  The  theory,  appar- 
ently, is  what  he  doesn't  know 
won't  hurt  him. 

Meanwhile,  there  has  been  in- 
troduced a  new  principle  in  the 
application  of  copyright  law  to 
the  industry.  Once  it  was  con- 
ceded that  if  you  used  a  copy- 
righted article  without  a  license, 
you  had  infringed  and  were 
subject  to  the  drastic  penalties 
therefor.  Now  it  appears  that 
unless  the  copyright  owner  of- 
fers a  "legal"  license  you  are 
free  to  use  his  work  without 
payment  and  without  fear  of 
penalties. 

This  principle  of  law,  extend- 
ed to  distribution  contracts, 
raises  another  line  of  questions. 
It  suggests  need  for  re-examina- 
tion of  Ascap  clauses. 


Monday,  September  20,  1948 


Newsreel 
Parade 


CLASHES  in  Berlin  and  the  burial 
of  Benes  mark  current  newsreel\ 
highlights.  Other  events  include  "Mrs.\ 
America,"  "Youth  of  the  Year,"  sports] 
and  fashions.  Complete  contents  fol-\ 
low: 

MOVIETONE    NEWS,    No.    75  —  A 

marked  man  talks:  interview  with  Mikhail 
Samarin.  East-West  clash  turns  Berlin,. into 
city  of  turmoil.  President  Truman^^'frs 
"Youth  of  the  Year."  Miss  Truma»  s 
first-voter's  drive.  Margaret  Chase  ^warfith 
wins  Senate  election.  Ground  broken  for 
UN  capital  in  New  York.  Oil-tank  explo- 
sion. "Mrs.  America."  Football.  Motor- 
cycle hill  climb. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  205 — 
Ground  broken  for  UN  home  in  New  York. 
Turmoil  in  Berlin.  Progress  rides  the  rails. 
Woman  wins  Senate  seat.  "Mrs.  America 
of  '48."  Fire  disaster.  "Youth  of  the 
Year."     Iron  horse  jockey. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  8— New 
20th  Century  Limited.  Election  in  Maine. 
Campaign  for  CARE  packages.  Ground 
broken  for  UN  capital.  "Youth  of  the 
Year."  Crisis  in  Berlin.  Funeral  of 
Benes. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  179— Re- 
ligion: 200,000  pay  homage  to  Pope.  News 
in  brief:  "Youth  of  the  Year";  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  award;  20th  Century  Lim- 
ited. Fire  in  Amsterdam.  Gay  Nineties 
festival.     "Mrs.  America."  Football. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  10 — 
Benes  dies.  Crisis  in  Berlin.  Fall  fash- 
ions. Boxing,  football.  Great  Americans: 
Samuel  Adams. 


Chi.  South  Side  Run 
By  Para.  Challenged 


Chicago,  Sept.  19. — Subsequent  run 
bidding  over  Paramount's  "A  Foreign 
Affair,"  raised  new  litigation  under  the 
Jackson  Park  decree  Friday  in  Judge 
Michael  J.  Igoe's  U.  S.  District  Court. 
The  legal  squabble  arose  when  Thom- 
as McConnell,  Jackson  Park  attorney, 
contended  that  the  company's  selling 
of  "Affair"  to  the  Balaban  and  Katz 
Tivoli  for  an  exclusive  South  Side 
showing  on  Sept.  24  constituted  con- 
tempt of  court. 

McConnell  asserted  that  no  South 
Side  theatre  is  entitled  to  an  exclusive 
run  as  long  as  a  competing  theatre 
meets  the  bid.  All  defendant  distrib- 
utors, he  said,  have  thus  far  offered 
films  strictly  on  a  non-exclusive  run 
basis,  but  Paramount  for  the  first  time 
offered  this  film  for  bidding  on  either 
a  non-exclusive  or  exclusive  run  basis. 

In  this  case,  the  Tivoli  won  the  bid 
for  25  per  cent  guarantee,  while  the 
Jackson  Park  offered  to  pay  35  per 
cent.  Paramount,  represented  by  at- 
torney Alfred  Teton,  in  turn,  filed  a 
petition  upholding  the  Tivoli's  right  to 
play  the  film  exclusively  so  long  as 
the  distributor  chooses  to  sell  it  that 
way. 

Hearings  on  the  issue  will  be  held 
Tuesday  in  Judge  Igoe's  court. 

L  ob  er  Will  Assist 
Hummel  in  Europe 

Lou  Lober,  who  has  been  with 
Loew's  International  for  20  years,  will 
join  Warner's  European  staff  on  Oct. 
1.  He  will  leave  on  Oct.  5  for  Paris 
to  become  assistant  to  Joseph  Hum- 
mel, Warner  International  vice-presi- 
dent in  charge  of  Europe,  Near  East, 
North  Africa  and  Middle  East,  in  a 
supervisory  capacity. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Bumup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  poet  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


bMUULU    bKINb    I  n  t  TMKCTCrn&A  L  rAIV3 

FLOCKING  TO  THE  BOX  OFFICE  AGAIN!' 

-Film  Dull 


4 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY 


Monday,  September  20,  1948 


Short 
Subject 


"10,000  Kids  and  a  Cop" 

(Abbott-Costello) 

Hollywood,  Sept.  19 
Bud  Abbott,  Lou  Costello,  William 
Bendix,  James  Stewart  and  Brenda 
Joyce  are  the  highly  exploitable  prin- 
cipals in  this  completely  commendable 
short  subject  showing  the  constructive 
approach  toward  prevention  of  juvenile 
delinquency  as  exemplified  in  the  es- 
tablishment and  operation  of  the  Lou 
Costello,  Jr.,  Youth  Foundation  in  Los 
Angeles.  In  12  tight  minutes  the  sub- 
ject, directed  by  Charles  Barton,  re- 
lates the  experience  of  Bendix,  as  the 
policeman  on  the  beat,  in  visiting  the 
Foundation  and  discovering  the  ruf- 
fianly juveniles  who  used  to  give  him 
trouble  now  engaged  in  wholesome 
sports  and  activities  furnished  them 
gratis  and  under  successful  self-super- 
vision. Abbott  and  Costello  contrib- 
ute two  humorous  interludes  to  punc- 
tuate the  otherwise  mainly  informa- 
tive and  stimulating  script,  which  in- 
cludes a  direct  address  to  civic  bodies 
by  Bendix  on.  the  value  of  such  youth 
installations  ,to  a  community.  Stewart 
sounds  a  similar  note  in  an  introduc- 
tory message.  The  subject  rates  ex- 
hibition in  every  city  and  town,  strict- 
ly on  its  merit,  and  appears  guaran- 
teed by  its  name  power  to  more  than 
earn  its  way. 

The  picture  is  available  to  exhibitors 
without  cost;  they  can,  however,  make 
a  donation  of  any  amount  to  the  Cos- 
tello Foundation. 


NLRB  Sets  Election 

{Continued  from  page  1) 

fessional  Employes  Guild  (CIO) 
in  seeking  to  have  her  name  in- 
cluded. 

Therefore,  on  Sept.  28,  in  the  first 
test,  UA's  150  "collarites"  will  vote 
on  whether  they  want  to  be  represent- 
ed by  AFL's  IATSE  Motion  Picture 
Home  Office  Employes  Local  No.  H- 
63,  or  whether  they  want  no  union 
representation.  . 


Blumberg,  Walsh  Enter  Talks 
To  Avert  Strike  at  U-I 

Nate  Blumberg  and  John  O'Connor, 
Universal-International  president  and 
vice-president,  respectively,  will  confer 
at  IATSE  headquarters  here  today 
with  "IA"  international  president 
Richard  F.  Walsh,  "IA"  Local  No. 
H-63  business  agent  Russell  Moss,  and 
others  from  the  union,  in  an  effort  to 
break  a  contract  negotiations  deadlock 
which  threatens  a  strike  by  U-I's  425 
home  office  "white  collar"  workers. 


Scully  to  Set 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

future  successful  course  of  operation 
in  the  industry  lies  in  mutual  coopera- 
tion between  distributors  and  exhibit- 
ors to  help  insure  the  continuance  of 
the  present  high  weekly  attendance 
level  at  the  nation's  theatres." 


RKO  to  Show  Fight  Film 

Starting  Wednesday  RKO  the- 
atres throughout  Metropolitan  New 
York  will  show  the  official  pictures 
of  the  Tony  Zale-Marcel  Cerdan  and 
Gus  Lesnevich-Jersey  Joe  Walcott 
bouts  which  will  be  held  in  Jersey 
City's  Roosevelt  Stadium  tomorrow 
night. 


Variety 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

exhibitor  members  of  Variety  to  work 
jointly  with  the  sales  managers  group 
on  working  out  fund-raising  and  oper- 
ating plans.  Variety  hopes  to  take 
over  around  the  first  of  the  year. 

O'Donnell  said  Variety  seeks  to 
raise  between  $200,000  and  $250,000  in 
each  of  the  first  five  years  of  its  oper- 
ation of  the  hospital,  in  order  to  build 
up  a  fund  to  keep  the  sanatorium  oper- 
ating another  five  years  if  hard  times 
should  come.  Annual  operating  costs 
are  estimated  at  $175,000. 

Present  Award  to  Marshall 

Secretary  of  State  George  C.  Mar- 
shall last  night  received  Variety's 
1947  Humanitarian  Award  "for  his 
measureless  service  rendered  in  behalf 
of  world-wide  peace." 

Gen.  Marshall,  ninth  recipient  of  the 
annual  award,  received  his  silver 
plaque,  scroll  and  $1,000  check  from 
O'Donnell  in  an  impressive  ceremony 
climaxing  the  club's  three-day  confer- 
ence. 

Presentation  was  made  at  a  dinner 
attended  by  approximately  600  guests, 
including  top  industry,  military,  diplo- 
matic, and  other  Government  officials. 
Among  those  lauding  the  Secretary  of 
State  at  the  dinner  were  O'Donnell, 
Supreme  Court  Justice  Robert  H. 
Jackson,  B.  M.  McKelway,  editor  of 
The  Washington  Star,  and  Albert 
Kennedy  Rowswell,  chairman  of 
Variety's  award  committee. 

In  a  telegram  which  explained  that 
his  absence  from  the  Capital  kept  him 
from  the  dinner,  President  Truman 
congratulated  Secretary  Marshall  as 
recipient  of  the  award  and  lauded 
Variety's  charitable  activities. 

Industry  leaders  on  the  guest  list 
included  Barney  Balaban,  Spyros  P. 
Skouras,  William  White,  George 
Skouras,  Charles  Reagan,  Leonard 
Goldenson,  William  F.  Rodgers,  Abe 
Montague,  Ben  Kalmenson,  Ned  E. 
Depinet,  Nate  J.  Blumberg,  George 
F.  Dembow,  Herman  Robbins,  Si 
Fabian,  Jay  Emanuel,  Tom  Connors, 
George  Schaefer,  James  R.  Grainger, 
Max  Cohen,  S.  Barret  McCormick, 
J.  Robert  Rubin,  Andy  W.  Smith,  Jo- 
seph Bernhard,  Earl  Sweigert,  Arthur 
Mayer,  and  Fred  Schwartz. 

Congressmen  Invited  to  Dais 

Among  those  invited  to  the  dais,  in 
addition  to  the  above,  were :  Admiral 
Louis  Denfield,  Gen.  Raymond  S.  Mc- 
Lain,  Senators  Elbert  D.  Thomas, 
J.  Howard  McGrath,  Joseph  C. 
O'Mahoney,  and  Herbert  R.  O'Con- 
nor, Gen.  Jacob  L.  Devers,  and  Senate 
Secretary  Carl  A.  Loeffler. 

Carter  T.  Barron,  Eastern  division 
manager  of  Loew's,  and  Commerce 
Film  Chief  Nathan  D.  Golden  were  in 
active  charge  of  the  event. 


New  England  Variety  Tent 
To  Receive  Top  Citation 

Boston,  Sept.  19. — Variety  Clubs' 
highest  award,  the  Charity  Citation, 
will  be  presented  to  the  Variety  Club 
of  New  England,  Tent  No.  23,  tomor- 
row evening  at  the  local  club's  annual 
banquet  at  the  Hotel  Statler.  At  the 
same  time,  the  New  England  tent  will 
present  its  own  citations  to  Lou 
Perini,  president  of  the  Boston 
Braves,  who  will  represent  the  base- 
ball club,  and  to  Jim  Britt,  Joseph  S. 
Cifre,  John  J.  Dervin,  Ralph  Edwards, 
William  H.  Sullivan,  Jr.,  and  George 
Swartz  for  their  aid  to  the  club's  fund 
for  cancer  research. 


Republic  Schedule 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

ly  in  addition  to  three  special  produc- 
tions, two  of  which  are  scheduled  for 
October  and  one  for  December. 

The  October  specials  will  he  "Moon- 
rise,"  starring  Dane  Clark,  Gail  Rus- 
sell and  Ethel  Barrymore,  with  Frank 
Borzage  directing,  and  "Macbeth," 
starring  Orson  Welles.  The  latter 
will  open  a  two-a-day  world  premiere 
engagement  on  Oct.  7  at  the  Esquire 
in  Boston. 

'Red  Pony'  for  December 

December's  special  is  Lewis  Mile- 
stone's production  of  John  Steinbeck's 
"The  Red  Pony,"  starring  Myrna  Loy 
and  Robert  Mitchum. 

The  other  releases  are:  "Drums 
Along  the  Amazon,"  starring  George 
Brent,  Vera  Ralston,  Brian  Aherne" 
and  Constance  Bennett;  "The  Plun- 
derers," starring  Rod  Cameron  and 
Ilona  Massey;  "Wake  of  the  Red 
Witch,"  starring  John  Wayne  and 
Gail  Russell;  "The  Missourians,"  star- 
ring William  Elliott;  "Montana  Belle," 
starring  George  Brent ;  Roy  ^Rogers' 
"Grand  Canyon  Trail"  and  "The  Far 
Frontier,"  both  in  Trucolor ;  four 
Rogers  re-releases,  "Shine  On  Har- 
vest Moon,"  "In  Old  Caliente,"  "Fron- 
tier Pony  Express,"  and  "Saga  of 
Death  Valley." 

Reissue  'Scatterbrain,'  'Yokel' 

Also,  "Code  of  Scotland  Yard," 
"Homicide  for  Three,"  "Rose  of  the 
Yukon,"  "Daughter  of  the  Jungle," 
"Duke  of  Chicago,"  "Hideout," 
"Streets  of  San  Francisco,"  and  the 
re-releases  "Scatterbrain"  and  "Yokel 
Boy." 

Also,  "Denver  Kid,"  "Sundown  in 
Santa  Fe,"  "Renegades  of  Sonora," 
"Sheriff  of  Wichita"  and  "Death  Val- 
ley Gunfighter,"  all  starring-  Alan 
Lane ;  "Angel  in  Exile,"  starring  John 
Carroll  and  Adele  Mara ;  "Nighttime 
in  Nevada,"  starring  Roy  Rogers ; 
"Sons  of  Adventure";  "Out  of  the 
Storm" ;  "Desperadoes  of  Dodge 
City,"  starring  Alan  Lane,  and  "Son 
of  God's  Country,"  starring  Monte 
Hale. 


U.  S.  Accuses 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


charges  and  extra  surcharges, 
and  established  various  methods 
for  detecting  deviations  from 
the  established  prices. 

They  also  designated  charges  made 
for  each  item  of  variation  in  "tailor- 
made"  special  tickets,  the  FTC  said. 
Other  Commission  findings  showed 
that  the  firms  standardized  products 
as  to  size,  style,  color,  weight  and 
quality.  The  FTC  declared  that  the 
six  trade  associations  were  organized 
as  "clearing  houses  or  central  agen- 
cies to  effectuate  the  conspiracy." 

All  of  these  things,  the  FTC  said, 
violated  the  anti-trust  laws,  and  the 
Commission  ordered  the  firms  and 
associations  from  entering  into  any 
further  conspiracy  to  fix  prices,  em- 
ploy any  central  agency  to  regulate 
prices,  exchange  price  lists,  exchange 
information  on  charges  for  tailor-made 
tickets,  adopting  uniform  standards  as 
to  style,  size,  or  color  of  tickets  or 
the  weight  and  quality  of  the  paper 
or  cardboard  in  the  tickets,  or  any  of 
the  other  practices  said  to  be  illegal. 

The  FTC  said  that  its  findings  were 
based  on  answers  filed  by  the  respond- 
ents, admitting  with  certain  qualifica- 
tions all  of  the  material  allegations 
of  the  complaint  and  waiving  all  hear- 
ings and  other  procedure. 


PCCITO  Urges  End 
Of  Sex,  Crime  Films 

Hollywood,  Sept.  19. — Demand  that 
the  Motion  Picture  Association  of 
America  "take  immediate  steps"  to 
eliminate  pictures  portraying  crime 
and  sex  themes  was  made  here  at  the 
weekend  by  trustees  of  the  Pacific 
Coast  Conference  of  Independent  The- 
tre  Owners,  citing  "Rope,"  "Canon 
City,"  "Sorry,  Wrong  Number"  and 
"Lulu  Belle"  as  cases  in  point. 

The  trustees  also  announced  <f. 
"the  PCClTO  has  repeatedly  req«  ^ 
ed  distributors  to  stop  the  unfair  trade 
practice  of  'commercialized  previews,' 
which  are  now  being  shown  in  all 
major  cities.  Eight  Western  states 
having  received  no  relief  from  this 
abuse,  the  trustees  of  the  PCCITO 
have  authorized  an  investigation  to  be 
immediately  made  on  the  legality  of 
this  practice." 

3  -  Film  Deal  Set  by 
Hughes  with  Banks 

Hollywood,  Sept.  19 — RKO  Radio's 
first  outside  production  deal  since 
Howard  Hughes  acquired  control  of 
the  company  has  been  signed  with 
Polan  Banks  Productions.  Banks  will 
produce  three  pictures  independently, 
starring  Ann  Sheridan,  within  two 
years.  He  will  also  write  the 
scenarios,  first  of  which,  entitled 
"Carriage  Entrance,"  will  start  in 
January. 

The  studio  said  Hughes  negotiated 
the  deal. 


Austrian  Resigns 
F.C.  &B.  Video  Post 

Ralph  B.  Austrian  has  resigned  as 
vice-president  in  charge  of  television 
for  Foote,  Cone  and  Belding,  effective 
last  Thursday,  he  announced  at  the 
weekend. 

Austrian,  who  formerly  was  presi- 
dent of  RKO  Television  Corp.,  said 
his  resignation  was  due  to '  "irreconT 
cilable  differences  of  opinion,"  par- 
ticularly on  programming  policies.  His 
future  plans  are  undecided  at  this 
time. 


City  Investing 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

will  also  make  available  to  Lopert 
additional  funds  in  return  for  the  is- 
suance of  10-year  debentures  which 
will  be  issued  to  City  and  existing 
stockholders.  The  new  funds  of  the 
corporation  will  provide  capital  for 
contemplated  expansion  in  the  "art 
cinema"  field,  both  in  distribution1  and 
exhibition. 

Although  a  full  agreement  ofl  the 
deal  has  been  reached,  a  contract  will 
not  be  signed  until  next  month  when 
I.  E.  Lopert,  president  of  the  company, 
returns  from  Rome,  where  he  is  now 
conferring  with  Roberto  Rossellini, 
Italian  producer-director. 

Lopert  plans  an  expanded  theatre 
circuit  on  a  national  basis  in  addition 
to  the  theatres  it  now  holds.  As  part 
of  the  City  deal,  Lopert  becomes  the 
operator  of  the  Bijou  Theatre  here. 

Robert  Goelet,  prominent  in  finan- 
cial and  real  estate  circles,  will  also 
acquire  a  stock  and  debenture  interest 
in  the  Lopert  company. 

The  deal  was  negotiated  by  Lopert 
and  Seymour  M.  Peiser  for  the  Lopert; 
group,  with  Robert  Dowling,  president | 
of  City  Investing.    Peiser,  a  member 
of  the  law  firm  of  Phillips,  Nizer, % 
Benjamin  and  Krim,  is  vice-president 
and  counsel  of  Lopert, 


SH0WN4ANSHIP 

SHOW  BUSINESS  I 
SHOWMANSHIP  can 

SHOW  business! 


Hie  motion  picture  good  enough  to 
sell  itself  has  not  yet  been  made" 


64.  NO.  57 


MOTION  PICT#ft£ 

DAILY 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  21,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Allied  to  Fight 
Decree  without 
Divorcement 


Myers  Says  Independents 
Would  Seek  Court  Aid 

Washington,  Sept.  20. —  Allied 
States  General  counsel  Abram  F. 
Myers  indicated  today  that  there 
would  be  prompt  court  action  by 


Commenting  on  earlier  oppo- 
sition by  SIMPP  to  a  possible 
consent  decree  in  the  industry 
anti-trust  suit,  Assistant  At- 
torney General  Robert  Wright 
told  Motion  Picture  Daily  in 
Washington  last  Thursday  that 
"there  are  no  consent  decree 
negotiations  going  on  now." 


independent  exhibitors  to  block  any 
consent  decree  settlement  to  the  Para- 
mount case  which  does  not  include 
complete  divestiture. 

Myers  said  he  is  not  too  wor- 
ried about  a  consent  decree 
settlement    of    the    case,  but 

{Continued  on  page  3) 


Scions  Get  Bid  for 
Divorcement  Statute 


Minneapolis,  Sept.  20. — A  plea  for 
legislation  that  would  completely  di- 
vorce production  and  exhibition  was 
made  here  today  before  a  House 
Small  Business  Committee. 

Testifying  before  the  committee, 
which  is  hearing  complaints  of  small 
business  men  throughout  the  nation, 
Stanley  D.  Kane,  counsel  for  North 
Central  Allied,  charged  that,  despite 
the  recent  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  deci- 
sion in  the  Paramount  case,  indepen- 
dent operators  in  this  territory  still 
are  being  forced  to  accept  tie-in  sales. 

"To  get  one  good  picture,  they  must 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Master  to  Decide 
On  Book  Auditing 

Chicago,  Sept.  20. — Examination  of 
the  text  of  the  memorandum  filed  on 
Friday  by  U.  S.  Judge  William 
Campbell  in  the  suits  filed  by  eight 
distributors  here  against  the  Alger  cir- 
cuit over  percentage  returns,  reveals 
the  plaintiffs  were  not  denied  the  right 
to  audit  the  circuit's  books,  as  previ- 
(Continued  on  page  3) 


New  Pictures 
Score  in  N.  Y. 


While  several  holdovers  at  New 
York  first  runs  are  showing  signs  of 
box-office  fatigue,  new  pictures  are 
lifting  the  overall  returns  to  a  good 
average.  Matinee  trade  during  the 
week  fell  off  with  the  reopening  of 
schools. 

"Good  Sam"  and  a  stage  show  at 
the  Music  Hall  is  in  solid  with  $138,- 
000  for  the  first  week.  "Luck  of  the 
Irish"  with  Ed  Sullivan's  "Harvest 
Moon"  stage  show  should  provide  the 
Roxy  with  a  strong  $108,000  in  an  in- 
itial week.  "Rachel  and  the  Stranger" 
will  give  the  Mayfair  a  substantial 
estimated  $40,000  in  its  opening  week, 
and  the  management  reports  no  inci- 
dents of  any  kind  stemming  from  the 
fact  that  the  picture  stars  Robert 
Mitchum  of  newspaper  headlines. 

The  Paramount  is  still  getting  big 
money,  on  $90,000  in  a  third  week, 
with  "Sorry,  Wrong  Number"  and  a 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Industry  Leaders  in 
Fabian  Tribute  Here 


Industry  leaders  and  civic  officials 
will  join  in  the  Cinema  Lodge,  B'nai 
B'rith  tribute  to  S.  H.  Fabian,  presi- 
dent of  Fabian  Theatres,  at  the  Hotel 
Astor  here  tonight.  Fabian  is  being 
honored  for  his  service  to  humanity. 

Among  those  invited  to  the  dais 
are :  Barney  Balaban,  Spyros  P.  Skou- 
ras,  George  Skouras,  Jack  Cohn,  Mal- 
colm Kingsberg,  Joseph  R.  Vogel, 
John  J.  O'Connor,  Leonard  Golden- 
son,  Harry  Brandt,  Abe  Montague, 
Samuel  Rinzler,  Samuel  Rosen,  David 
Weinstock,  Walter  Vincent,  Emil 
Friedlander.     Also,    Cinema  Lodge 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Nine  Companies  Sign 
Pact  with  Colosseum 

Chicago,  Sept.  20. — Nine 
distributor  negotiators  have 
signed  agreements  with  the 
Colosseum  of  Motion  Picture 
Salesmen  and  the  remaining 
two  are  expected  to  sign 
shortly.  Agreement  on  a 
union  contract  was  reached 
here  at  the  weekend.  Al- 
though the  amount  of  the 
wage  increase  involved  was 
not  disclosed — it  is  believed 
to  approximate  10  per  cent — 
an  agreement  has  been 
reached  on  automobile  mile- 
age allowance  amounting  to 
seven  and  one-half  cents  a 
mile. 

Meanwhile,  Frank  Flaherty. 
Columbia  salesman  and  presi- 
dent of  the  Chicago  lodge,  an- 
nounced that  the  organiza- 
tion's first  national  conven- 
tion will  be  held  here  Oct.  16- 
17  at  the  Sheraton  Hotel. 


ECA  Okays  MPEA 
German  Application 


Washington,  Sept.  20. — The  Eco- 
nomic Cooperation  Administration  has 
approved  the  Motion  Picture  Export 
Association's  application  for  a  guaran- 
tee of  convertibility  of  the  cost  of  dis- 
tributing films  to  occupied  Germany, 
and  now  awaits  only  a  "purely  for- 
mal" approval  from  Gen.  Lucius  D. 
Ciay,  U.  S.  military  governor  in 
Germany,  before  announcing  the  con- 
tract. 

ECA  officials  said  the  approval 
"might  come  any  minute  or  might  take 
a  week,  depending  on  how  soon  Gen. 
Clay  can  get  to  it."    But  the  details 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Wisconsin  Rules  Theatre  Checkers 
Must  Have  a  Detective's  License 

Milwaukee,  Sept.  20. — Several  years  of  sustained  effort  by  the 
Independent  Theatre  Owners  of  Wisconsin  and  Upper  Michigan, 
to  assure  members  that  box-office  checkers  "would  be  of  a  high 
type,"  was  culminated  with  an  opinion  by  Grover  L.  Broadfoot, 
attorney  general  of  Wisconsin,  interpreting  Sec.  175.07  of  the  Wis- 
consin statutes,  which  makes  it  mandatory  for  any  checker  agency 
and  employes  engaged  in  theatre  checking  to  be  licensed  as  private 
detectives.  In  addition,  the  checker  must  be  under  bond.  The 
ruling  was  said  to  pertain  to  blind  checking,  as  well  as  conven- 
tional confidential  checking. 

The  board  of  the  ITO  believes  that  if  the  checking  companies 
are  required  to  live  up  to  this  law,  the  caliber  of  checkers  "will  be 
tremendously  improved."  The  movement  to  obtain  this  opinion 
was  originally  motivated  by  Harold  Berkholtz,  an  exhibitor  from 
West  Bend,  Wis. 

Immediate  notification  has  been  sent  to  all  distributors,  advising 
them  of  the  opinion. 


Rumors  About 
Univ.  Spiked 
By  Blumberg 

Company  in  Good  Shape; 
Denies  Studio  Dissension 


Rumors  of  studio  executive 
changes  and  financial  problems 
within  Universal  during  the  past 
few  months  yesterday  were  branded 
by  Nate  J. 
Blumberg, 
p  r  e  s  ident,  as 
"vicious,  mali- 
cious and  with- 
out f  o  u  n  d  a- 
t  i  o  n."  At  a 
press  confer- 
ence at  his  of- 
fice, he  said 
"several  peo- 
ple" have  been 
"planting"  and 
spreading  fabri- 
cated stories 
about  a  possible 
sale  of  the  com- 
pany, about 
non-existent  financial  difficulties  and 
about  internal  differences  between  stu- 
dio executives. 

Blumberg  denied  specifically  reports 
that  William   Goetz  and  Leo  Spitz 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Nate  Blumberg; 


RKO  Clearances  in 
10  NY  Spots  Is  Out 

The  seven-day  clearance  which 
RKO  Theatres  had  over  10  indepen- 
dent circuit  houses  in  the  New  York 
area  has  been  eliminated  by  Universal- 
International,  Nate  J.  Blumberg,  pres- 
ident, reported  here  yesterday.  The 
circuits,  which  consequently  will  have 
some  of  their  houses  playing  day-and- 
date  with  RKO,  are  Century,  Rand- 
force  and  Skouras. 

Meanwhile,  it  is  learned  that  sales 
executives  of  several  film  companies 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


10  Cities  Get  SPG 
Management  Attack 

CIO's  Eastern  Screen  Publicists 
Guild  and  Screen  Office  and  Profes- 
sional Employes  Guild  will  extend  in- 
to 10  cities  their  New  York  propa- 
ganda campaign  against  distributors 
who  have  refused  to  negotiate  new 
contracts  with  the  guilds  because  they 
failed  to  comply  with  the  non-Com- 
(Continued  on  page  4) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  September  21,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


JOSEPH  H.  SEIDELMAN,  head 
•J  of  foreign  operations  for  Univer- 
sal-International, will  leave  here  this 
week  for  Europe. 

• 

Montague.  Salmon,  managing  di- 
rector of  the  Rivoli  Theatre  here, 
who  appeared  on  the  WEVD  discus- 
sion program  "I  Challenge  You"  at 
the  weekend,  has  been  scheduled  for 
a  reappearance. 

• 

Jack  Ellis,  United  Artists  New- 
York  district  manager,  and  James 
Winn,  Buffalo  branch  manager,  have 
returned  to  New  York  from  a  busi- 
ness trip  to  the  Kallet  Theatre  in 
Oneida,  N.  Y. 

• 

A.  J.  O'Keefe,  Universal-Interna- 
tional assistant  general  sales  mana- 
ger, has  returned  to  New  York  from 
Los  Angeles. 

• 

Edward  M.  Schnitzer,  United 
Artists  Eastern  and  Canadian  sales 
manager,  and  Abe  Dickstein,  his  as- 
sistant, left  here  yesterday  for  Glov- 
ersville,  N.  Y. 

Richard  Nasser  of  Nasser  Broth- 
ers Theatres  has  returned  to  San 
Francisco  from  a  trip  to  Honolulu, 
Manila,  Japan  and  China. 

• 

Jim  Daly,  Paul  Dawes,  Harold 
Williams    and    John  Youngblood 
have  been  added  to  the  Wil-Kin  The- 
atre Supply  sales  force  in  Atlanta. 
• 

Florence  Scully  Slater,  Univer- 
sal-International head  booker  in  Bos- 
ton and  sister  of  U-I  sales  vice-presi- 
dent William  A.  Scully,  is  ill. 
• 

Maurice  Bergman,  Universale 
Eastern  director  of  advertising,  is 
nursing  a  torn  leg  ligament  encoun- 
tered on  a  tennis  court. 

• 

Walter  Wanger  is  expected  back 
in  New  York  on  Oct.  4  from  Holly- 
wood. 

William  F.  Rodgers,  M-G-M 
sales  vice-president,  returned  here 
yesterday  from  Washington. 

• 

Norman  Elson,  Trans-Lux  vice- 
president,  will  be  in  Washington  to- 
morrow from  New  York. 

• 

James  R.  Grainger,  Republic  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  is  back  in 
New  York  from  the  Coast. 

Gilbert  Kurland,  producer,  is  here 
from  the  Coast. 


Show  'Secret  Land9 
From  All  Angles 

Washington,  Sept.  20. — M-G-M  is 
planning  press  previews  of  "The  Se- 
cret Land"  aboard  Navy  ships  and 
airplanes,  a  submarine  and  at  large 
Naval  installations  on  land  across  the 
country,  it  is  disclosed  here.  Sub- 
ject of  the  picture  is  the  Navy's  1946- 
'47  Antarctica  expedition. 


Long  Delay  Before 
'Frisco  Video  Ruling 


Washington,  Sept.  20. — It  will  be 
the  first  of  the  year  or  later  before 
the  Federal  Communications  Com- 
mission hands  down  its  decision  on 
the  controversial  San  Francisco  tele- 
vision allocations,  in  which  Para- 
mount and  20th  Century-Fox  are 
among  five  firms  jockeying  for  two 
open  channels. 

That  is  the  opinion  of  FCC  Exam- 
iner Jack  Blume,  who  is  handling 
the  case.  He  pointed  out  that  appli- 
cants have  until  Sept.  30  to  file  pro- 
posed findings  of  fact,  and  that  it  will 
take  him  six  weeks  to  two  months 
after  that  to  write  up  his  recommenda- 
tions. Then  more  time  will  elapse  be- 
fore the  Commission  acts  on  his 
findings. 

The  case  will  also  involve  a  finding 
on  whether  Paramount  controls  Du- 
mont.  If  the  FCC  says  it  does,  Para- 
mount will  be  automatically  barred 
from  the  race  on  the  ground  that  its 
subsidiaries  already  control  the  five- 
station  maximum  permitted  by  the 
FCC. 


Asks  FCC  Open  Ultra 
High  Frequencies 

Washington,  Sept.  20.  —  Dr. 
Thomas  S.  Goldsmith,  director  of  re- 
search for  Allen  B.  DuMont  Labora- 
tories, asked  the  Federal  Communica- 
tions Commission  to  open  the  ultra- 
high frequencies — between  485  and 
890  megacycles — immediately  for  ex- 
perimentation in  black  and  white  tele- 
vision. 

Goldsmith  declared  that  a  minimum 
of  28  additional  channels,  beyond  the 
present  12,  were  needed  to  satisfy  the 
demand  for  commercial  television 
broadcasting,  and  that  he  "could  see 
no  possibility"  of  getting  these  added 
channels  from  the  present  commercial 
VHF  band.  He  said  that  69  new 
channels,  six  megacycles  apart,  could 
be  obtained  by  expanding  into  the  up- 
per frequencies. 

The  DuMont  official  was  one  of 
several  witnesses  at  the  opening  ses 
sion  of  hearings  by  the  FCC  this 
week  on  the  need  for  allowing  video 
to  use  the  upper  frequencies. 


Eastern  SMPE  Will 
Meet  Here  Tomorrow 

First  meeting  of  the  fall-winter  ses 
sion  of  the  Atlantic  Coast  section  of 
the  Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engi- 
neers, which  will  be  held  here  tomor- 
row night,  will  feature  two  papers, 
one  by  Robert  M.  Frazer  of  National 
Broadcasting,  on  "Recording  of  Tele- 
vision Programs  on  Motion  Picture 
Films,"  the  other  by  Lorin  D.  Grig 
non    of    20th    Century-Fox's  studio 
sound  department,  on  "Flicker  in  Mo 
tion  Pictures." 


Roberts  Leaving  SRO 

Joseph  L.  Roberts,  Eastern  public 
relations  director  for  Vanguard  Films 
and  Selznick  Releasing  Organization 
has  resigned,  effective  Sept.  30.  Rob- 
erts joined  Selznick  Sept.  1,  -1944,  af 
ter  serving  as  publicity  director  for 
the  Center  Theatre  here  for  five  years 


RKO  Stockholders 
May  Meet  in  Nov. 

Hollywood,  Sept.  20.  —  No 
firm  date  has  been  set  yet  for 
the  annual  meeting  of  RKO 
stockholders  for  election  of 
directors  and  the  transaction 
of  other  business,  it  was 
stated  officially  here.  Previ- 
ous reports  that  the  meeting 
had  been  scheduled  for  Oct. 
19  were  in  error,  it  was  stated. 

Indications  are  that  the 
meeting,  customarily  held  in 
June,  but  delayed  following 
the  purchase  by  Howard 
Hughes  of  Atlas  Corp.'s  con- 
trolling stock  interest  in 
RKO,  will  not  be  held  before 
late  November,  at  the  ear- 
liest. 


$2.40  Top  for  'Joan' 
At  Victoria  in  N.  Y. 

Walter  Wanger's  "Joan  of  Arc'' 
will  make  its  debut  on  Nov.  11  at  the 
Victoria  here  with  admissions  •  rang- 
ing from  95  cents  to  $2.40  top,  the 
house  being  scaled  for  a  weekly  gross 
of  $75,000  with  seven  performances 
daily,  Maurice  Maurer,  who  operates 
the  theatre  for  City  Investing  Co., 
owner,  disclosed  here  yesterday.  He 
said  he  anticipates  a  run  of  between 
six  months  to  one  year. 

Weekday  admissions  will  be  95 
cents  from  the  nine  A.  M.  opening  to 
12  noon,  $1.20  from  12  to  five  P.  M., 
$1.50  from  five  to  seven,  and  $1.80  to 
closing.  Saturday  :  $1.20  in  the  morn- 
ing, $1.50  in  the  afternoon,  and  $2.40 
evenings.  •  Sunday:  $1.20  from  the 
noon  opening  to  one  P.  M.,  $1.80  from 
one  to  five,  and  $2.40  to  closing. 


Realart  Will  Release 
'Phantom*,  'Ali  Baba' 

Release  of  two  Technicolor  pictures, 
"Phantom  of  the  Opera"  and  "Ali 
Baba  and  the  40  Thieves"  as  Realart's 
"anniversary  specials"  was  announced 
here  yesterday  by  Budd  Rogers,  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  at  the  opening 
of  the  company's  first  annual  sales 
convention  at  the  Hotel  Warwick 
here. 

Other  features  to  be  released  are : 
"Saboteur,"  "I  Cover  the  War," 
"Crazy  House,"  "My  Little  Chick- 
adee," "Diamond  Frontier,"  "Fron- 
tier Badmen,"  "State  Police,"  "Ar- 
mored Car,"  "Give  Out,  Sisters," 
"Mr.  Big,"  "North  of  the  Klondike" 
and  "Ski  Patrol." 


25  Films  Scheduled 
By  Protestant  Unit 

Hollywood,  Sept.  20. — Protestant 
Film  Commission  will  produce  25 
films,  mostly  features,  under  the  pres- 
ent schedule,  with  those  among  them 
suitable  for  theatre  exhibition  going 
into  commercial  release  through  an 
undetermined  distributor,  PFC  ex- 
ecutive producer  Paul  F.  Heard  re- 
vealed here.  "Prejudice,"  first  fea- 
ture pointed  for  theatre  use,  was  com- 
pleted last  week  and  release  is  now 
being  negotiated. 


Charity  Unit  To  Meet 
Today  to  Plan  Drive 

Hollywood,  Sept.  20. — Permanent 
Charities  Committee  will  plan  the  1949 
campaign  for  its  united  appeal  at  a 
luncheon  tomorrow  at  the  Beverly 
Hills  Hotel,  with  Roy  M.  Brewer, 
chairman,  outlining  the  solicitation 
procedure  to  be  used  to  realize  the 
group's  quota  of  $1,303,720.  In  calling 
the  meeting,  Joseph  M.  Schenck,  who 
will  be  host  at  the  luncheon,  said :  "At 
this  difficult  time  it  is  more  thar|  '  t 
important  that  top  executives  ac 
participate  in  the  industry's  annual 
fund-raising  effort." 


'Red  Shoes'  at  National 

Washington,  Sept.  20.  —  The  Na- 
tional Theatre,  which  ended  its  career 
as  Washington's  only  legitimate  the- 
atre on  July  31  rather  than  give  in 
to  an  Equity  ultimatum  to  end  its  seg- 
regation policy,  will  reopen  in  mid-Oc- 
tober as  a  film  house  with  the  world 
premiere  of  J.  Arthur  Rank's  "The 
Red  Shoes."  The  film  will  be  shown 
at  advanced  prices  on  a  two-a-day  re- 
served-seat policy. 


Abner  Heads  MP  A  Group 

Ben  Abner  has  been  appointed  chair- 
man of  the  nominating  committee  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Associates,  New 
York.  Other  members  of  the  group 
are  David  Levy,  Maury  Miller,  Sey- 
mour Florin  and  Leon  J.  Bamberger. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


—  RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL  — s 

Rockefeller  Center 

GARY  COOPER  •  ANN  SHERIDAN 


in   LEO  McCAREY'S 

GOOD  SAM 


A  Rainbow  Productions,  Inc.  Picture 
Released   by  RKO   Radio  Pictures 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


Barbara  Stanwyck 
Burt  Lancaster 

'SORRY. 
WRONG  NUMBER" 

A  Paramount  Release 


ROSALIND  RUSSELL 

in 

"THE  VELVET  TOUCH" 

A    FREDERICK  BRISSON 
PRODUCTION 
Released    through  RKO 

B'way  &  49th  St. 


RIVOLI. 


RKO  presents 
LOR  ETTA    WILLIAM  ROBERT 
YOUNG     HOLDEN  MITCHUM 

'RACHEL  and  the  STRANGER' 
MAY  FAIR 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor:  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  -Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center.  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Qu*gpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann.  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau.  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau.  4  Golden  Sq..  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  po6t  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.  Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Tuesday,  September  21,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


TOA  Heads  Arrive 
For  Chicago  Meet 

Chicago,  Sept.  20. — Starting  today, 
officers  and  staff  members  of  Thea- 
tre Owners  of  America  will  con- 
verge on  Chicago  from  all  sections  of 
the  country  to  consult  with  John  Bala- 
ban,  chairman  and  Edward  Zorn,  vice- 
chairman  of  TOA's  national  conven- 
tion which  will  be  held  Sept.  24  and 
25  ^^he  Drake  Hotel,  here. 

\^  ;wing  today  from  Washington 
wilr  be  Gael  Sullivan,  executive 
director  of  the  TOA,  and  from  New 
York  will  come  Stanley  W.  Prenosil, 
assistant  executive  director  and  Henry 
Murdock,  of  the  public  relations  staff, 
j  Tuesday  arrivals  will  include  Ted  R. 
Gamble,  TOA  president,  arriving 
from  Portland ;  Robert  W.  Coyne, 
convention  consultant ;  Herman  Levy, 
general  counsel,  and  Henry  Ferber, 
comptroller,  all  from  New  York ; 
Charles  P.  Skouras,  treasurer ;  Spyros 
P.  Skouras  will  be  a  guest  speak- 
er. Thornton  Sargent  is  co-chairman 
of  publicity,  with  William  K.  Hol- 
lander. 

Fred  Wehrenberg,  chairman  of  the 
board  of  directors,  will  arrive  from 
St.  Louis  on  Wednesday,  and  so  will 
Mrs.  Sally  Meiselman  and  Sylvia  Ras- 
kin of  the  TOA  New  York  staff. 
Wednesday  arrivals  will  also  include 
S.  H.  Fabian,  chairman  of  the  execu- 
tive committee,  New  York ;  Leonard 
H.  Goldenson,  first  vice  president, 
New  York,  and  Morris  Lowenstein, 
Oklahoma  City. 


New  York  Grosses 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

stage  show  headed  by  Carmen  Caval- 
laro.  "Luxury  Liner"  with  Gene 
Krupa  on  stage  at  the  Capitol  is 
headed  for  a  second  week's  gross  of 
$64,000,  fair  enough,  after  an  initial 
week's  $81,000.  "Loves  of  Carmen" 
looks  like  $36,000,  which  is  good  for 
a  third  week  at  the  State.  About 
$30,000  is  indicated  for  the  fourth 
week  of  "Rope"  at  the  Globe,  no  com- 
plaints. 

Eighth  week  of  "Babe  Ruth  Story" 
at  the  Asto'r  will  gross  about  $16,000, 
which  is  not  too  good.  "Velvet  Touch" 
is  down  to  $17,000,  estimated,  in  a 
third  week  at  the  Rivoli ;  this  is  low. 
At  the  Criterion,  "Tap  Roots"  should 
do  an  unexciting  $17,000  in  a  fourth 
and  final  week  and  will  be  replaced  to- 
morrow by  "For  the  Love  of  Mary." 
"Two  Guys  from  Texas"  with  a  give- 
away stage  show  is  likely  to  give  the 
Strand  a  modest  $30,000  in  a  fourth 
week.  The  Winter  Garden  might  get 
$12,000,  which  is  not  much,  from  a 
third  week  of  "Larceny."  "Ruthless" 
is  headed  for  a  mild  $8,500  in  a  third 
and  final  week  at  the  Gotham ;  it  will 
be  replaced  on  Friday  by  "The  Olym- 
pic Games  of  1948." 


RKO  RADIO  PICTURES,  Inc. 

MEMPHIS 
TRADE  SHOWING 

of  Samuel  Gofdwyn's 

"A  SONG  IS  BORN 

CRITTENDEN  THEATRE 
WEST  MEMPHIS,  ARK. 

WED.,  SEPT.  29,  at  8:30  P.  M 


7? 


Allied  on  Decree 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


added  that  if  there  were  a  de- 
cree and  if  it  did  not  include 
divestiture,  he  did  not  think  it 
would  be  too  long  before  the 
Supreme  Court  would  be  asked 
to  rap  Attorney  General  Tom 
Clark  on  the  knuckles  for 
agreeing  to  such  a  settlement. 

"There  is  really  no  precedent  any- 
how for  a  consent  judgment  based  on 
a  Supreme  Court  mandate,"  Myers 
said.  "The  compromise  is  usually  be- 
fore the  case  goes  to  trial.  I  do  not 
think  there  is  any  discretion  left  to 
the  Attorney  General  to  give  away 
what  the  court  said  belonged  to  the 
independent  exhibitor.  I  can't  see  a 
consent  decree  unless,  the  other  side 
wants  to  give  in  and  agree  to  com- 
plete divestiture." 

Myers  cited  as  precedent  a  case  in- 
volving the  Reading  Co.  reorganiza- 
tion in  the  early  1920's,  in  which  the 
Attorney  General  did  not  insist  on 
Reading  giving  up  the  Continental 
Insurance  Co.,  after  the  Supreme  Court 
had  ruled  on  the  company's  general 
reorganization. 

A  suit  was  brought  by  some  of  the 
stockholders,  Myers  said,  and  "first 
thing  the  Attorney  General  knew,  he 
was  before  the  Supreme  Court  defend- 
ing himself,  and  got  very  soundly 
spanked  for  doing  less  than  the  Su- 
preme Court  had  ordered." 

Myers  said  that  if  a  consent  decree 
were  entered  into  and  proved  unsat- 
isfactory to  the  independents,  "there'd 
be  lots  of  ways  to  reopen  the  case  at 
the  Supreme  Court.  It  might  be  a 
new  suit,  we  might  file  an  informa- 
tion, or  the  court  might  reopen  it  on 
its  own." 


Allied  Calls  Off  Regular 
Summer  Meeting  of  Board 

Washington,  Sept.  20. — There  will 
be  no  meeting  of  the  Allied  States  As- 
sociation's board  of  directors  here  this 
month  as  originally  scheduled,  Allied 
counsel  Abram  F.  Myers  said  today. 

Allied  was  to  have  its  summer 
board  meeting  here,  but  members  de- 
cided to  pass  it  this  year,  Myers  said. 
Instead,  there  will  be  a  meeting  of 
the  executive  committee  next  month, 
probably  in  Washington,  and  then  the 
fall  board  meeting  in  New  Orleans  at 
the  end  of  November. 


Detroit  Council  Sets 
SIMPP  Suit  Replies 

Detroit,  Sept.  20. — Rockwell  Gust, 
Detroit  attorney,  who  has  been  Para- 
mount's  mainstay  in  litigation  here, 
has  been  retained  to  represent  United 
Detroit  Theatres'  in  the  anti-trust  suit 
action  filed  here  by  the  Society  of  In- 
dependent Motion  Picture  Producers 
against  UDT  and  Cooperative  The- 
atres of  Michigan. 

Gust  is  preparing  an  answer  to  the 
suit.  He  has  conferred  with  Mort 
Lan,  Paramount  home  office  legalite, 
who  made  a  trip  here  to  discuss  Para- 
mount's  defense. 


Anthony  J.  Roman 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  20. — Funeral 
services  will  be  held  Wednesday  for 
Anthony  J.  Roman,  one  of  Albany's 
first  film  operators,  who  died  on  Sat- 
urday night  at  Memorial  Hospital, 
after  a  six  weeks'  illness.  Roman 
began  at  the  Comique,  converted  from 
a  store  into  a  nickelodeon.  The  wi- 
dow, a  brother,  Louis,  a  projectionist 
here,  and  a  sister  survive. 


Solons  Get  Bid 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


take  three  or  four  'dogs',"  Kane  testi- 
fied. He  cited  an  example  in  whicii 
a  Faribault,  Minn.,  operator,  Will  J. 
Glaser,  refused  to  buy  Paramount 
films  after  a  dispute  with  the 
company ;  then,  Kane  said,  Paramount 
"plastered  the  town"  with  hand-bills 
and  other  advertisements  of  its  latest 
pictures,  which  Glaser  refused  to  ex- 
hibit. 

A  complete  divorcement,  Kane  said, 
"would  make  a  free  and  open  market 
which  would  improve  the  quality  of 
the  product."  He  added  that  there  is 
a  scarcity  of  good  films  and  that  they 
are  being  "deliberately  restricted"  in 
Hollywood. 

Charges  Companies  Disobey 
Supreme  Court  Decision 

Omaha,  Sept.  20. — Independent  ex- 
hibitors charged  film  companies  are 
not  obeying  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court 
decision  in  the  New  York  Paramount 
case,  before  a  House  Small  Business 
Committee  hearing  here. 

Theatremen  told  the  committee, 
headed  by  Rep.  Ploeser  (Rep.  Mo.), 
that  they  often  lose  money  by  being 
forced  to  take  pictures  which  they  do 
not  want  in  order  to  play  one  that 
they  do  want. 

When  Vernon  Monjar,  Ocheydan, 
Iowa,  theatre-owner,  told  about  film 
firm  pressure-tactics  to  take  pictures, 
Ploeser  declared :  "You  have  the 
greatest  weapon  in  the  world,  your 
own  screen,  why  don't  you  tell  this 
story  on  your  screen  ?" 

"We  have  threatened  to  do  that," 
said  Alvin  C.  Myrick,  of  Lake  Park, 
president  of  the  Iowa-Nebraska  Al- 
lied Independent  Theatre  Owners 
Association. 

"Don't  just  threaten,"  retorted 
Ploeser,  "do  it." 


Book  Auditing 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


ously  believed  and  so  reported  in 
Motion  Picture  Daily  today. 

All  that  Judge  Campbell  did  was 
refer  the  cases  to  a  master  with  in- 
structions to  conduct  a  separate  trial 
on  the  issue  of  whether  illegality  in 
the  licensing  agreement  is  a  defense 
to  fraud  suits  and  for  him  to  decide 
the  distributors'  motion  for  inspection, 
the  exhibitors'  motion  for  particulars, 
and  any  other  motions  that  may  arise. 

According  to  industry  attorneys,  the 
judge  did  not  decide  whether  the  de- 
fense of  illegality  which  has  been  in- 
terposed in  many  other  cases  is  a  good 
defense.  They  say  the  only  novelty 
in  this  ruling  is  that  the  judge  re- 
ferred the  question  for  decision  to  a 
master  for  a  separate  trial  on  the  il- 
legality question. 


RKO  Clearances 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


still  are  engaged  in  discussions  of 
clearances  here  and  substantial  revi- 
sions are  expected.  Malcolm  Kings- 
berg,  president  of  RKO  Theatres,  de- 
clined to  comment  on  the  subject  yes- 
terday. 


Jacob  Hirsch  Services 

Funeral  services  were  held  here  at 
the  weekend  at  Park  West  Memorial 
Chapel  for  Jacob  Hirsch,  father  of 
Leonard  Hirsch,  home  office  assistant 
to  Rudy  Berger,  M-G-M  Southern 
sales  manager. 


Johnston  Reported 
Near  Russian  Deal 

Eric  A.  Johnston,  president  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Ameri- 
ca, told  a  news  conference  in  Moscow 
that  the  sale  of  10  American  films  to 
Russia  annually  is  in  view,  according 
to  press  association  reports  published 
here' yesterday.  "It  would  appear  that 
we  have  reached  a  meeting  of  minds 
on  the  sale  of  pictures  to  the  Soviet 
Union,"  Johnston  is  quoted  as  saying. 
He  said  that  the  Russians  would  buy 
U.  S.  product  from  a  list  which  "we 
submit  to  them." 


ECA  Approves 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


of  the  contract  have  now  been  worked 
out  and  put  in  writing,  they  stressed. 

The  amount  involved  is  about  $460,- 
000  on  an  annual  basis.  This  would 
be  the  first  contract  announced  under 
the  ECA  Act's  guarantee  of  distribu- 
tion cost  of  films,  books,  magazines 
and  other  media  in  Marshall  Plan 
nations. 

Gen.  Clay  announced  his  approval 
of  the  deal  in  general  some  weeks 
ago ;  it  is  his  approval  of  the  final 
detailed  contract  that  is  now  being 
awaited. 


Fabian  Tribute 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


past  presidents  Robert  M.  Weitman, 
Jack  Levin,  Albert  A.  Senft,  Adolph 
Schimel,  Irving  Greenfield,  Arthur 
Israel,  Jr.,  and  Alfred  W.  Schwal- 
berg. 

Civic  officials  will  include  Hugo 
Rogers,  who  will  induct  new  mem- 
bers ;  John  M.  Cannella,  New  York 
City  license  commissioner ;  Judges 
Henry  Clay  Greenberg  and  Benjamin 
Shalleck ;  James  Sauter  and  Maurice 
P.  Davidson.  Lucy  Monroe  and  Irv- 
ing Caesar  will  participate. 


New  Brandt  Department 

Setting  up  of  an  advertising-pub- 
licity department  under  the  supervi- 
sion of  Arthur  Rosoff  and  Henry  Yu- 
sen  has  been  announced  by  Brandt 
Theatres  here.  The  department  will 
coordinate  all  advertising  and  public- 
ity functions  of  the  circuit. 


Announcing:.. deluxe 
all-sleeper  service 

NEW  YORK 
PARIS 

every  Friday  4  P.  M.  EST 
starting  October  1 

Fly  on  world-proved.  TWA 
Constellations.  Cocktails, 
champagne,  vintage  wines. 
Filet  mignon  dinner.  Bed-size 
berths!  Hot  breakfast!  Call 
TWA  or  your  travel  agent. 


TRANS  WORLD  AIRLINE 
.S.A.  •  EUROPE  •  AFRICA  •  ASIA 

mi 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  September  21,  1948 


Blumberg 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

would  resign  and  that  the  two  were 
at  odds  on  policy  matters. 

"They  have  had  no  serious  differ- 
ences," Blumberg  declared,  and  re- 
minded that  their  contracts  have'  five 
years  from  Nov.  1  to  run.  "They 
are  doing  an  excellent  job,"  he  added. 

He  said  that  there  have  been  "no 
talks"  about  a  sale  of  the  company. 
He  pointed  out  that  of  the  952,000 
shares  of  common  stock  outstanding, 
450,000  shares  are  held  by  J.  Arthur 
Rank,  Spitz,  Goetz,  the  management, 
and  members  of  the  board  of  directors. 
Stock  control  would  have  to  be  pur- 
chased in  the  open  market,  he  declared. 

Cites  Untouched  Bank  Credit 

"There  is  no  truth  to  the  rumor 
that  we  are  in  financial  difficulty," 
Blumberg  stressed.  "The  company 
has  several  millions  of  dollars  in  bank 
credit  available  which  has  not  been 
taken  advantage  of,"  he  said.  Bankers 
have  placed  no  ceiling  on  the  com- 
pany's production  budget,  he  declared, 
adding  that  banking  interests  have 
complete  confidence  in  management 
and  have  no  voice  in  operation  of  the 
company.  He  branded  as  untrue  re- 
ports that  Joseph  P.  Kennedy  was 
acquiring  a  large  interest  in  the  com- 
pany. 

Blumberg  reported  that  Universal 
has  paid  $22,000,000  in  taxes  since 
1940.  A  substantial  tax  refund  claim 
by  the  company  is  now  awaiting  de- 
cision by  the  Government. 

The  company's  business  in  the  U.  S. 
and  Canada  has  increased  between  30 
and  35  per  cent  since  July  1  as  the 
result  of  a  "great  run  of  product," 
Blumberg  reported.  He  discussed 
with  enthusiasm  forthcoming  releases, 
describing  the  new  line-up  as  the  best 
in  the  country's  history.  He  said  that 
the  studio  will  resume  new  production 
activity  on  Oct  4,  with  30  pictures  on 
schedule  to  January,  1950.  He  said  16 
completed  films  have  yet  to  be  re- 
leased and  that  eight  others  are  cur- 
rently set. 

To  Release  24  of  Its  Own 

In  addition  to  its  own  24,  Universal 
will  have  for  release  during  the  next 
year  a  minimum  of  12  from  J.  Arthur 
Rank.  No  foreign  production  will  be 
undertaken  by  the  company,  he  said. 

In  discussing  the  "best  program  in 
our  history,"  Blumberg  reported  that 
two  films  due  shortly,  "You  Gotta 
Stay  Happy"  and  "Family  Honey- 
moon," will  go  into  Radio  City  Music 
Hall. 

Closing  foreign  markets  and  soar- 
ing negative  costs  prompted  the  com- 
pany to  suspend  new  production  at  the 
studio  during  the  summer  "so  that  we 
could  take  a  good  look  and  see  where 
we  were  going,  and  to  make  proper 


adjustments,"  Blumberg  said.  He 
added  that  production  costs  have  come 
down  somewhat  since  actors,  directors 
and  others  have  come  upon  the  reali- 
zation that  adjustments  are  needed. 
He  called  upon  exhibitors  to  "co- 
operate" with  distributors  if  the  form- 
er want  "quality  pictures." 

Blumberg  disclosed  that  executive 
employment  contracts  which  were  not 
renewed  by  the  company  upon  their 
expiration  last  year  have  been  contin- 
ued on  a  "year-to-year"  basis,  the  cur- 
rent pacts  running  to  Dec.  31,  1949. 

Universal,  he  said,  in  reply  to  a 
question,  is  interested  in  a  consent  de- 
cree in  the  industry  anti-trust  case 
"from  the  viewpoint  of  seeing  the  in- 
dustry suit  settled.  No  one  will  know 
where  we  are  until  that  case  is  ad- 
judicated," he  said. 

Canadian  Archbishop 
Sets  Film  'Clean-Up' 

Ottawa,  Sept.  20. — Aimed  at 
checking  the  "evil  influences  of  bad 
movies,"  a  one-day  "clean-up"  cam- 
paign on  Oct.  31  has  been  decreed  by 
Archbishop  Vachon  in  a  circular  let- 
ter read  from  all  Roman  Catholic 
pulpits. 

Condemning  motion  pictures  as  "of- 
ten extremely  objectionable"  from  the 
Christian  viewpoint,  he  emphasized 
that  "no  one  can  question  the  power 
of  movies  in  our  modern  life."  He 
also  referred  to  some  films  marked 
"adults  only"  as  being  unfit  even  for 
adults. 

Memphis  Censors 
Ban  Warner's  'Rope' 

Memphis,  Sept.  20. — "Rope,"  War- 
ner Brothers,  has  been  banned  by  the 
Memphis  censor  board,  chairman  Loyd 
P.  Binford  discloses  here.  "The  pic- 
ture is  too  reminiscent  of  a  brutal  and 
shocking  murder  of  a  youth  by  two 
self  -  styled  intellectuals,  committed 
several  years  ago  in  one  of  our  large 
cities,"  Binford  said. 

The  film  had  been  scheduled  to  start 
at  the  Warner  here  Thursday. 


SAG  Group  Here 

A  delegation  of  the  Screen  Actors 
Guild  arrived  here  yesterday  from  the 
Coast  to  discuss  with  Equity  and  the 
American  Federation  of  Radio  Artists 
problems  covering  television  and  a 
closer  working  agreement.  In  the 
group  are  Walter  Pidgeon,  George 
Chandler,  Lee  Bowman,  William 
Holden  and  Larry  Beilenson,  attorney. 


Kaiser  in  New  Ad  Post 

Sam  Kaiser  has  joined  Blaine- 
Thompson  advertising  agency  here  to 
head  its  newly-expanded  motion  pic- 
ture department.  He  was  last  asso- 
ciated with  Kayton-Spiero  on  the  20th 
Century-Fox  account. 


SPG  Attack 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

munist  affidavit  provisions  of  the  Taft- 
Hartley  Law. 

This  was  announced  here  yesterday 
jointly  by  SPG  president  Jeff  Living- 
ston and  SOPEG  president  Sidney 
Young.  They  said  the  extended  cam- 
paign will  begin  shortly  with  the  pass- 
ing out  of  leaflets  in  front  of  theatres 
playing  pictures  of  Paramount,  Co- 
lumbia, United  Artists,  M-G-M, 
RKO  Radio,  Republic,  20th-Fox,  Uni- 
versal-International and  Warner. 
Eagle-Lion  is  not  included  since  that 
company  has  agreed  to  negotiate. 

Appeal  for  Boycott  by  Labor 

The  unions'  presidents  disclosed  also 
that  they  have  sent  appeals  to  other 
unions  across  the  country,  both  AFL 
and  CIO,  urging  their  members  to 
boycott  the  films  of  the  nine  compa- 
nies. Additionally,  they  said,  the 
guilds  have  written  to  J.  Arthur  Rank 
in  London,  pointing  up  the  "intran- 
sigent position"  of  U-I  as  compared 
with  the  "fair  position"  of  E-L.  Rank 
was  warned,  Young  said,  that  U-I's 
Rank  product  may  be  subject  to  boy- 
cotts in  consequence.  Both  E-L  and 
U-I  distribute  for  Rank  in  the  U.  S. 

Although  "the  possibility  of  strike 
action  is  always  present,"  the  guilds 
plan  to  concentrate  for  a  "reasonable 
time"  on  "less  violent"  ways  of  at- 
tempting to  bring  about  reconciliations 
with  the  companies,  the  guilds'  presi- 
dents said. 

Livingston  announced  that  Leon 
Roth,  UA  publicist,  has  been  named 
chairman  of  an  SPG-SOPEG  commit- 
tee to  publicize  the  unions'  position. 
Roth  will  be  assisted  by  Phil  Cowan 
of  UA. 

Financial  Statements  Filed 

Young  announced  that  SOPEG  and 
its  parent  union,  United  Office  and 
Professional  Workers  of  America, 
have  now  filed  with  the  National  La- 
bor Relations  Board  financial  state- 
ments so  that  they  will  be  able  to 
make  a  court  test  of  the  constitution- 
ality of  the  Taft-Hartley  Law. 
Young  intimated  that  SOPEG  will 
make  its  first  move  by  applying  for  a 
court  injunction  to  challenge  the  hold- 
ing of  the  scheduled  shop  election  at 
UA  where  IATSE  Local  H-63  says 
it  has  won  "an  overwhelming  major- 
ity" of  employes  away  from  SOPEG. 


'IA'  Work  Stoppage  Faces 
Pathe  Today  as  'Pressure' 

With  Warners  and  Universal  com- 
mitted to  negotiate  a  new  union  con- 
tract covering  their  home  office  "white 
collar"  workers  with  IATSE  Home 
Office  Employes  Local  No.  H-63,  fol- 
lowing several  weeks  of  dispute,  the 
local  last  night  made  plans  to  secure 
a  similar  commitment  from  Pathe 
Laboratories  here.  A  work  stoppage, 
comparable  to  the  one  applied  against 
Universal  last  Thursday,  is  scheduled 
for  Pathe  this  morning. 

The  Pathe  work  stoppage  was  called 
by  H-63  business  agent  Russell  Moss 
in  telegrams  sent  last  evening  to  the 
employes,  who  were  requested  to  re- 
port at  Harlem  Terrace  here  this 
morning  for  a  discussion  of  "further 
action"  in  light  of  the  impasse  reached 
in  talks  with  Nick  Tronolone,  Pathe 
vice-president. 

Meanwhile,  according  to  an  "IA" 
international  headquarters  report 
"IA"  president  Richard  F.  Walsh  has 
named,  as  his  personal  representatives 
in  future  negotiations  with  Universal 
international  representative  Joseph  D. 
Basson  and  organizer  James  Rogers. 


Kronenberg  Golf  Winner 

Abe  Kronenberg,  head  of  Warners' 
promotion  department  here,  won  the 
low  gross  prize,' wh^ch  was  the  Albert 
Warner  trophy,  at  the  Warner  Club's 
golf  tournament  held  at  the  Vernon 
Hills  Country  Club,  Tuckahoe.  Other 
winners  were :  Harry  Rosenquest, 
Tony  Bills,  Joe  Goldstein,  Leonard 
Palumbo,  William  Cannon,  Bill 
Heineman,  Jack  Kingsley.  Best 
dressed  golfer  was  Nat  Fellman; 
booby,  prize  went  to  Hy  Blaustein. 

Har grave  Quits  U.S.  *  jt 

Washington,  Sept.  20.— Thomas  J. 
Hargrave  resigned  as  chairman  of 
the  Federal  Munitions  Board,  effec- 
tive tomorrow,  to  return  to  his  post 
as  president  of  Eastman  Kodak,  from 
which  he  has  been  on  leave  of  absence 
since  May,  1947. 


i  aaa  WANTED 

1,000  SHORT  SUBJECTS 

Single  Reels 

INTEREST— TRAVEL  -  SPORTS 
MUSICALS -CARTOONS  etc. 

Up -To -Date     —     Good  Qualify 
BRITISH  NEWSREELS  LTD. 
147  Wardour  Street  •  London,  Eng. 


UNITED 


Guess  I  have  the 
kind  of  job  that 
every  girl  dreams  about — stew- 
ardess on  United's  glamorous 
flight,  "the  Hollywood,"  the 
flight  so  many  Hollywood  stars 
and  other  famous  people  take! 


This  is  the  super 
de  luxe  DC-6  Main- 
liner  300  flight  that  leaves  New 
York  at  12  noon,  and  arrives 
in  Los  Angeles  at  8:10  p.m.  In 
other  words,  just  11  hours,  10 
minutes,  coast  to  coast. 


►Everything  on  "the 
Hollywood' '  is  tops 
in  luxury.  Thick  carpets.  Deep, 
soft  seats.  Powder  room  for  the 
ladies.  "Stroll-about  spacious- 
ness." Pressurized  cabin.  An 
observation  lounge.  And  those 
m-m-m  Mainliner  steak  dinners! 


►Even  if  you're  not 
a  celebrity,  travel- 
ing on  "the  Hollywood"  makes 
you  feel  like  one! 

United  Air  Lines  Stewardess  on 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOttavt 

go  WEST  44TH  ST., 
NEW  YORK.  18. 
Y. 


8 


r'U  COPY 

do  nqtp^;^ 


-1CTURE  ,,<T 


FIRST 

IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


NO.  58 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  22,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


PCA-Rejected 
Films  Banned 
By  NBC  Video 

Radio  -  Television  Code 
Is  Adopted  by  Network 

National  Broadcasting  Co.  has 
adopted  a  new  code  of  standards 
and  practices  for  both  radio  and 
television  which,  to  some  extent,  is 
claimed  to  be  more  demanding  than 
the  film  industry's  Production  Code. 
Ken  R.  Dyke,  administrative  vice- 
president,  said  that  any  motion  pic- 
ture rejected  by  the  Production  Code 
Administration  will  be  automatically 
barred  from  NBC's  television-radio 
network.  And,  going  further,  he  said 
that  films  dealing  with  crime  in  any 
form  will  not  be  telecast  before  9  :30 
P.M.  Eastern  time;  8:30  P.M.,  Cen- 
tral time,  and  9  P.M.  elsewhere. 

Decision  on  the  new  guide  was 
made  in  New  York  last  week  by 
Xiles  Trammell,  president  of  the  net- 
work, and  Dyke,  but  withheld  for 
publication  until  today  to  coincide  with 
NBC's  convention  in  Sun  Valley,  Ida- 

(Continued  on  page  5) 

Salesmen  to  Weigh 
Union  Pact  Oct.  16 


"With  nine  distribution  companies 
having  already  approved  terms  of 
the  union  contract  drawn  up  in  nego- 
tiation with  the  Colosseum  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Salesmen  of  America, 
final  ratification  by  the  first  conven- 
tion of  the  Colosseum  will  be  neces- 
sary before  the  agreement  is  operative, 
spokesmen  for  both  sides  indicated 
here  yesterday.  The  Colosseum  con- 
vention is  slated  for  Oct.  16-17  at  the 
Sheraton  Hotel.  Chicago. 

The  contract  was  described  as  "a 
complicated  document,"  but  reduced  to 
basic  essentials  it  is  understood  to 
provide  for  a  $10  weekly  pay  increase 
for  film  salesmen,  together  with  an 

(Continued  on  page  4) 

Exhibitor  Studies 
US  Video  for  India 


F.  H.  Sidhwa,  managing  director 
of  Globe  Theatres,  Ltd..  with  head- 
quarters at  Bombay,  India,  is  in  New 
York  in  the  course  of  a  visit  to  the 
United  States  to  acquaint  himself  with 
television  developments  and  produc- 
tion plans  of  Hollywood  studios. 

Visiting  the  office  of  Quigley  Pub- 
lications here  yesterday,  Sidhwa  said 
(Continued  on  page  5) 


UK  Industry 
Finance  Unit 
E  stablished 


London,  Sept.  21. — House  ot 
Commons  today  received  from 
British  Board  of  Trade  president 
Harold  Wilson  the  names  of  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  which  will  ful- 
fill the  functions  of  the  government- 
sponsored  Film  Finance  Corp.  pending 
formal  registration  of  the  corpora- 
tion. 

The  members  are :  J.  H.  Lawrie, 
chairman  and  managing  director ; 
Nicholas  Davenport,  economist  and 
financial  adviser  to  Sir  Alexander 
Korda ;  S.  J.  Pears,  accountant  and 
formerly  cost  controller  of  the  U.  K. 
Supply  Ministry ;  C.  H.  Scott,  indus- 
try attorney,  who  includes  J.  Arthur 
Rank  among  his  clients,  and  R.  J. 
Stopford,  formerly  finance  councillor 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


Realart  Rounds  Out 
Its  1948-49  Program 

Realart  Pictures,  in  the  second  ses- 
sion of  its  sales  convention  at  the 
Warwick  Hotel  here  yesterday,  ap- 
pointed a  committee  of  nine  of  its 
franchise-holders  to  select  the  final 
group  of  12  pictures  for  its  1948-49 
program,  and  Sherman  S.  Krellberg. 
chairman  of  the  committee,  announced 
the  following  title  selections : 

"Three  Smart  Girls,"  "It  Ain't 
Ha}-,"  "Who  Done  It."  "Sherlock 
Holmes  and  the  Secret  Weapon," 
"The  Scarlet  Claw,"  "Mutiny  in  the 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


File  Gov't  Findings 
In  N.  Y.  Case  Oct.  1 

Washington,  Sept.  21.— The 
Justice  Department's  pro- 
posed findings  and  proposed 
judgment  in  the  Paramount 
New  York  anti-trust  case  will 
be  filed  around  Oct.  1,  a  De- 
partment official  said. 

He  refused  to  discuss  any 
details  of  the  Government's 
proposed  findings  and  judg- 
ment in  the  Schine  case, 
which  will  probably  be  filed 
on  the  Oct.  15  deadline. 


Lockwood  as 
TO  A  President 
Seen  Assured 


4  Distributors  Cut 
RKO  NY  Clearance 


RKO  Radio,  20th  Century-Fox. 
Warners  and  Universal  have  elimin- 
ated the  seven-day  clearance  which 
RKO  theatres  have  had  over  10  me- 
tres in  the  New  York  exchange  area 
operated  by  Century,  Randforce  and 
Skouras  circuits.  Negotiations  for 
further  revision  of  the  clearance  sys- 
tem in  the  New  York  area  continue. 

The  day-and-date  availability  with 
RKO  went  into  effect  yesterday  at 
some  of  the  10  situations.  Earlier  this 
week  Universal  eliminated  clearance 
over  the  10.  A  spokesman  for  one  of 
the  independents  here  observed,  "the 
wall  is  beginning  to  crack"  in  refer- 
ence to  the  10  houses  brought  up  to 
date  with  RKO  on  openings. 

The  10  are  Century's  Sunnyside. 
Great  Neck  and  Lynbrook,  in  Long 
Island,  and  the  Midwood  and  Marine, 
Brooklyn ;  Skouras's  Embassy.  Port- 
chester ;  Tuxedo,  Bronx,  and  Boule- 
vard, Jackson  Heights ;  and  Rand- 
forces'  Walker  and  Marlboro,  in 
Brooklyn. 


Average  March -Aug.  Ticket 
Price  Was  About  50V2t 


New  Jackson  Park 
Decree  Test  Seen 

Chicago,  Sept.  21. — Possibility  of 
a  new  test  of  the  Jackson  Park  decree 
arose  today  when  Judge  Michael  Igoe 
in  U.  S.  District  Court  quashed  Para- 
mount's  petition  asking  him  to  uphold 
the  distributor's  interpretation  of  the 
decree  to  allow  them  to  play  "A  For- 
eign Affair"  at  the  Balaban  and  Katz 
Tivoli  Theatre  on  an  exclusive  run 
basis  starting  Friday. 

Judge  Igoe  told  the  court  that  play- 
ing the  film  on  the  South  Side  ex- 
clusively would  probably  mean  that 
Paramount  would  want  the  same  pri- 
(Continued  on  page  5) 


Princeton,  N.  J.,  Sept.  21. — Aver- 
age film  theatre  ticket  prices  in  the 
U.  S.  in  August  were  virtually  the 
same  as  in  March.  Average  adult 
price  paid  for  evening,  general  admis- 
sion tickets  was  50.S  cents,  a  survey 
just  completed  throughout  the  nation 
by  Audience  Research,  Inc.,  indicates. 
Last  March  the  comparable  figure  was 
50.4  cents.  These  figures  include 
state  and  local  taxes  as  well  as  Fed- 
eral admission  taxes. 

The  survey  included  a  cross-section 
of  all  motion  picture  theatres  and 
covered  towns  and  cities  of  all  sizes 
and  all  types  of  houses. 

Western  and  Eastern  states  showed 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


Gamble  Likely  to  Serve 
As  Chairman  of  Board 


Chicago.    Sept.    21. — Sentiment 
favoring  the  choice  of  Arthur  H. 
Lockwood,  veteran   New  England 
exhibitor,    for    the    presidency  of 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  appears 
to  be  crystallizing  here  and  should  be 
strong    enough    to    carry    a  "draft" 
movement  in  the  event  Lockwood  is 
not  inclined  to  accept  the  post  when 
the  TOA  national  convention  opens  at 
the  Drake  Hotel  here  on  Friday. 
Ted  R.  Gamble,  first  presi- 
dent of  the  TOA,  is  definitely 
unavailable   for   another  term 
and  indications  are  that  direc- 
tors  will   elect   him  chairman 
of  the  board,  a  post  which  it  is 
believed  he  would  accept,  inas- 
much as  it  would  place  lighter 
demands  on  his  time. 
Another  TOA  officer  who  has  defi- 
nitely   declined    a    second    term  is 
Charles    Skouras,   who   did   an  out- 
(Continued  on  page  5) 


TOA  Sets  Chicago 
ConventionProgram 

Chicago,  Sept.  21. — Theatre  Own- 
ers of  America  has  completed  the 
program  for  its  convention  at  the 
Drake  Hotel  here,  Thursday  through 
Sunday,  with  a  guest  list  including  U. 
S.  Attorney  General  Tom  Clark,  Mar- 
tin H.  Kennelly,  Mayor  of  Chicago ; 
Under-Secretary  of  the  Treasury  Ed- 
ward H.  Foley,  Jr. ;  Barney  Bala- 
ban. president  of  Paramount ;  Spyros 
Skouras,  president  of  20th  Century- 
Fox;  Robert  L.  Wright,  special  as- 
sistant to  the  Attorney  General ;  Rev. 
Preston  Bradley,  Peoples  Church. 
Chicago ;    Rabbi    Jacob  Weinstein, 

(Continued  on  page  5) 


John  R.  Dillon,  58, 
20th-Fox  Director 


John  R.  Dillon.  58.  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  20th  Century- 
Fox  and  National  Theatres,  died  Mon- 
day night  after  a  lingering  illness. 
The  remains  are  reposing  at  Camp- 
bell's Funeral  Parlor,  81st  and  Madi- 
son, New  York.  A  funeral  mass  will 
be  sung  tomorrow  at  St.  Patrick's. 

(Continued  on  page  4) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  22,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


AUL  RAIBOURN,  Paramount 
ice-president,  will  speak  on 
"The  Outlook  for  Entertainment  and 
Recreation"  at  the  round  table  meet- 
ing of  the  National  Industrial  Con- 
ference Board  tomorrow  at  the  Wal- 
dorf-Astoria here. 

• 

Arthur  Abeles,  Jr.,  newly-appoint- 
ed managing  director  of  Warner 
Brothers  Pictures,  Ltd.,  England,  ar- 
rived here  yesterday  on  the  SS  Nieu 
Amsterdam  for  home  office  confer- 
ences. He  will  then  go  to  the  Coast 
for  meetings  at  the  studio. 

• 

Gerald  Mayer,  managing  director 
of  Motion  Picture  Association's  in- 
ternational division,  arrived  here  yes- 
terday from  Paris  on  the  SS  Queen 
Elizabeth. 

• 

Bernard  Goodman,  supervisor  of 
Warner  exchanges,  left  here  yesterday 
for  Chicago ;  he  is  due  back  at  the 
end  of  the  week. 

• 

Leonide  Kipnis,  Westport  Inter- 
national president,  will  leave  here  to- 
morrow for  Europe  on  the  SS  Queen 
Elizabeth. 

o 

Harry  Fendrick,  associated  with 
M-G-M  in  Philadelphia  for  12  years, 
has  been  named  Warner  salesman  in 
Albany. 

e 

John  F.  Campbell  has  resigned  as 
vice-president  in  charge  of  manufac- 
turing at  International  Projector 
Corp. 

Tom  Donaldson,  Northeastern  di- 
vision sales  manager  for  Eagle-Lion, 
left  Boston  yesterday  for  Albany. 
• 

C.  J.  (Pat)  Scollard,  Paramount's 
labor  relations  director,  began  a  two- 
week  vacation  yesterday. 


Farnol  Names  Miles, 
Block  to  His  Staff 

The  New  York  publicity  office  of 
Samuel  Goldwyn  Productions  has 
been  reorganized,  with  Philip  Miles 
joining  the  staff  of  Lynn  Farnol  to 
handle  exploitation,  formerly  handled 
by  Bill  Ruder,  and  Arthur  Block  to 
handle  the  publicity  assignment  form- 
erly held  by  George  Weissman. 
Block  was  with  Universal-Interna- 
tional, while  Miles  was  with  Allan 
Meltzer  and  Co. 

Marion  Sawyer  will  be  publicity  as- 
sistant, and  Martin  Davis  will  hold 
the  No.  2  spot  in  exploitation.  Ruth 
Cosgrove  will  continue  on  radio  and 
music  exploitation  of  "A  Song  Is 
Born." 


Kaye  Film  Opens  Oct.  19 

The  new  Danny  Kaye  comedy,  "A 
Song  Is  Born,"  will  have  its  world 
premiere  at  the  Astor  Theatre,  New 
York,  on  Tuesday,  Oct.  19.  Virginia 
Mayo  is  co-starred  in  the  Samuel 
Goldwyn  Technicolor  production, 
which  is  Kaye's  fifth  and  final  one 
for  the  producer. 


Insider's  Outlook 


By  RED  KANN 


TT  has  been  seldom  custom  for 
*■  the  president  of  a  major 
company  to  hold  a  full-scale 
press  interview  for  the  express 
purpose  of  denying  a  welter  of 
rumors  regarding  the  internal 
status  of  his  corporation.  Rare- 
ly is  it  practice  for  Motion  Pic- 
ture Daily  to  refute  stories 
which  it  has  never  published. 
On  two  counts,  consequently, 
Nate  Blumberg's  office  at  Uni- 
versal-International was  the  fo- 
cal point  of  a  somewhat  .unusual 
circumstance  on  Monday. 

His  purpose  in  asking  the 
trade  press  to  foregather  was 
never  in  doubt.  Awaiting  no 
questions  from  reporters  as- 
sembled. Blumberg  took  note  of 
the  accelerating  series  of  printed 
reports  by  declaring  as  "vicious, 
malicious  and  without  founda- 
tion" unconfirmed  rumors  that 
[1]  Bill  Goetz  and  Leo  Spitz 
were  being  "pushed  out"  of  their 
executive  production  posts ;  [2] 
Goetz  and  Spitz  were  fighting 
one  another  with  the  inevitable 
corroding  effect  on  production 
and  [3]  Universal  was  for  sale, 
or  being  offered  for  sale. 
■ 

Frankness  marked  Blumberg's 
attitude.  In  fact,  he  went  fur- 
ther than  he  had  any  need  with 
such  voluntarily  proffered  in- 
formation as : 

A.  — Goetz  and  Spitz  have  five 
more  years  from  Nov.  1  under 
their  contracts.  Goetz  holds 
about  75,000  shares  of  company 
stock,  Spitz  about  62,500,  Ar- 
thur Rank,  132,000.  These 
three,  together  with  management 
and  the  directorate,  control  450,- 
000  shares  of  the  952,000  of 
common  outstanding.  Rank's  is 
the  largest  individual  block,  as 
it  has  been  for  some  years. 

B.  — Bill  and  Leo  have  had 
their  disagreements,  but  never 
more  serious  than  might  be  an- 
ticipated in  balancing  two  dif- 
ferent viewpoints.  One  story 
had  it  that  Spitz  opposed  such 
films  as  "Another  Part  of  the 
Forest,"  "All  My  Sons,"  "Dou- 
ble Life"  and  "Another  Act  of 
Murder"  as  contestable  box- 
office  attractions. 

■ 

It  seems  to  us  Blumberg  was 
being  consistent  and  fair  in 
pointing  out  that,  while  U-I  was 
not  for  sale  and  had  never  been 
approached  by  Joe  Kennedy  or 
any  other  individual  or  group, 
slightly  better  than  50  per  cent 
of  the  stock  was  scattered 
among  4,000  stockholders.  Thus  : 

"The  only  way  to  acquire  the 


company  is  to  buy  the  open  mar- 
ket stock  downtown."  He 
viewed  this  eventuality  as  en- 
tirely remote  and  impractical 
without  resort  to  one  or  more 
major  stockholders  who  evident- 
ly have  no  idea  of  being  resorted 
to. 

In  discussing  cessation  of  pro- 
duction, Blumberg  stressed  a 
very  major  problem  which  both- 
ers all  companies  in  the  field. 
This  has  to  do  with  the  reser- 
voir of  high  cost  negatives  made 
under  wartime,  or  immediate 
post-war  conditions,  and  the 
need  to  work  them  out  of  the 
corporate  system  in  a  declining 
domestic  and  severely  restricted 
foreign  market.  Unfortunately, 
there  is  nothing  that  can  be  done 
to  relieve  the  pain  inherent  in 
this  process. 

■ 

But  his  best  line,  and  also  h'is 
most  quotable  quote,  was  this : 
"We  are  not  optimists.  Nor  are 
we  pessimists.  We  are  realists." 
It  defines  the  business  philoso- 
phy which  may  be  expected  to 
govern  Universal's  thinking 
while  the  going  is  difficult. 
Blumberg  might  have  gone  one 
step  further.  In  discussing  the 
effort  at  reducing  negative  costs, 
he  declared  pictures  are  to  be 
made  at  a  price  allowing  the 
company  to  come  out  in  today's 
zuorld  markets. 

In  today's  home  market — al- 
ways the  best  market  of  them 
all — is  the  objective  most  de- 
voutly to  be  pursued. 

■  ■ 

Bill  Perlberg  and  George 
Seaton,  the  team  responsible  for 
the  memorable  "Miracle  on  34th 
Street,"  now  share  the  pleasant 
responsibility  for  another  one 
strongly  reminiscent  in  mood. 
Although  story  content  is  en- 
tirely different,  "Apartment  for 
Peggy"  again  has  Edmund 
Gwenn  in  a  delightful  charac- 
terization flowering  around  the 
love  interest  provided  by  Jeanne 
Crain  and  Bill  Holden.  Since 
pregnancy  is  an  established  and 
accepted  matter,  this  film  deals 
with,  and  talks  about,  it  for 
what  it  is — always  in  good  taste. 
"Peggy"  is  a  heart-warming 
film,  aimed  like  an  eager  arrow 
at  the  bull's  eye  of  audience 
acceptability. 

■  ■ 

Red  Skelton  at  Variety  Club's 
Humanitarian  Award  dinner  in 
Washington : 

"It's  a  pleasure  to  come  from 
Hollywood  to  Washington  with- 
out a  subpoena  in  your  hand." 


Newsreel 
Parade 


JDERN ADOTTE'S  assassination  as 

well  as  the  campaign  tours  of 
Truman  and  Dewey  are  current  news- 
reel  highlights.  Other  items  include 
Secretary  Marshall  receiving  the  Hu- 
manitarian Award,  and  assorted  sports 
and  human  interest  stories.  Complete 
contents  follow. 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  70— Truman 
and  Dewey  start  campaign  tours.  JBTVh 
Communist  demonstration  ends  in  riolj^y 
sassination  of  Bernadotte  shocks  the  . 
Marshall  given  Humanity  Award  by  Vari- 
ety Club.  Football,  Pendleton  roundup, 
tuna  fishing. 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAT,  No.  206— Ber- 

nadotte's  assassination.  Riots  mark  new 
crisis  in  France.  Humanitarian  Award  for 
Marshall.  Bathing  beauties.  New  tennis 
champs.  Football. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  9— Presi- 
dential race  quickens.  "Babes"  in  the  news. 
Marshall  has  busy  days.  Assassination  of 
Bernadotte.  Jet-plane  sets  world  speed 
mark. 

UNIVERSAL.  NEWS,  No.  180— Ber- 
nadotte slain  by  assassin.  Truman  and 
Dewey  on  campaign  roundup.  News  in 
brief:  Speed  record;  Marshall  gets  Vari- 
ety award.     Sports:  Tuna  fishing,  football. 

WARNER  PATHE  NEWS,  No.  11— 
Truman  and  Dewey  on  tour.  Bernadotte 
assassinated.  People  in  the  news:  Marshall, 
DeGaulle,  Stassen,  Air-Force  Day.  Sports: 
Football,  tennis,  joe  Louis  trains,  Pendle- 
ton roundup. 


Executive  Training 
Of  MGM  Men  Starts 


First  group  of  M-G-M  executive 
trainees,  consisting  of  six  men  select- 
ed from  the  company's  field  forces, 
began  their  four  weeks  home  office 
training  course  yesterday  with  an  in- 
troduction to  trade  press  representa- 
tives at  a  luncheon  at  the  Hotel  Astor. 

William  F.  Rodgers,  Loew's  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  said  the  first 
group  will  be  followed  by  other 
trainees  and  that  he  hopes  to  see  many 
future  M-G-M  executives  chosen  from 
among  their  number.  While  here  they 
will  meet  with  and  observe  the  daily 
work  of  58  key  Loew  executives  in 
distribution,  the  theatre  department, 
advertising-publicity,  M-G-M  records, 
radio  station  WMGM,  and  other  op- 
erations of  the  company. 

In  addition,  they  will  be  given  a 
course  in  public  speaking  at  Dale  Car- 
negie Institute,  will  visit  Motion  Pic- 
ture Association  of  America  offices 
here  and  will  learn  industry  as  well 
as  company  public  relations  work. 

In  the  first  group  of  trainees  are 
Michael  Ford,  Chicago;  A.  B.  Pad- 
gett, Atlanta;  Louis  J.  Weber,  Dal- 
las ;  Phil  Gravitz,  New  Haven ;  Louis 
Marks,  Cleveland ;  Russell  Gaus,  Los 
Angeles. 

Rodgers  pointed  out  that  the  exist- 
ence of  vital  industry  problems  today 
makes  this  an  important  period  in 
which  to  train  executives. 


CRI  Studies  Ruling 

Confidential  Reports,  Inc.  is  study- 
ing the  ruling  by  Grover  L.  Broadfoot, 
Wisconsin  attorney  general,  to  the  ef- 
fect that  theatre  checkers  must  be 
licensed  as  private  detectives,  in  order 
to  determine  whether  CRI  field  rep- 
resentatives are  subject  to  it,  an  or- 
ganization spokesman  declared  here 
yesterday. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center.  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  kann  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Then  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.    Urben  Farley,   Advertising  Representative-   Jimmy  Ascher 


3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  22,  1948 


Review 


"Road  House" 

{20th  Century-Fox) 

ANOTHER  forceful,  high-voltage  story  of  love  and  vengeance  comes 
from  the  20th-Fox  studios.  "Road  House"  is  a  highly  effective  melo- 
drama with  just  about  all  the  magic  ingredients  that  insure  success  at  the 
box-office.  The  imposing  cast  is  headed  by  Ida  Lupino,  Cornel  Wilde, 
Richard  Widmark  and  Celeste  Holm.  Direction  by  Jean  Negulesco  is  notable 
in  keeping  this  tale  of  criss-crossed  love  moving  fluently  and  engrossingly. 

A  mood  of  tenseness  and  expectancy  envelops  the  story  of  Miss  Lupino 
and  Wilde  who  have  fallen  in  love  to  the  resultant  displeasure  of  Widmark, 
owner  of  a  road  house  where  both  are  employed.  Widmark,  rebuffed  in 
his  love  for  Miss  Lupino,  sets  a  course  of  cunningly-devised  revenge.  He 
frames  Wilde  on  a  robbery  charge,  and  then,  through  manipulation,  has 
Wilde  paroled  in  his  custody. 

With  Wilde  thus  in  his  grip,  Widmark  proceeds  to  tighten  it  sadistically. 
Events  mount  to  a  powerful  climax  in  which  Wilde  and  Miss  Lupino  try 
to  escape  to  the  freedom  of  the  Canadian  border  with  Widmark  in  gun- 
crazed  pursuit.  In  a  final  melodramatic  burst,  Miss  Lupino  shoots  him  in 
self-defense. 

Outstanding  performances  are  turned  in  by  all.  Widmark  makes  a  spidery 
villain,  while  Wilde  is  attractive  in  his  more  conventional  role.  As  the  road 
house  entertainer,  Miss  Lupino  delivers  a  couple  of  songs  in  deep-throated 
style,  sporting  a  varied  array  of  gowns.  Miss  Holm  is  appealing  and  sympa- 
thetic as  the  other  woman  who  loves  and  nobly  loses  Wilde.  Edward 
Chodorov,  who  produced,  also  provided  the  neat  and  trim  screenplay. 

Running  time,  95  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  For  November 
release.  Mandel  Herbstman 


Auten  Cites  'Henry' 
Print  Conservation 


Conservation  measures  have  resulted 
in  United  Artists'  use  of  only  66 
prints  of  "Henry  V"  in  825  engage- 
ments varying  from  one  day  to  46 
weeks.  Of  the  66  prints,  44  are  now 
in  good  condition,  it  was  reported 
yesterday  by  Capt.  Harold  Auten, 
who  handles  the  picture  for  UA.  The 
picture  is  in  Technicolor. 

Constant  inspection  and  replacement 
of  worn  parts  in  each  print  from 
others  partly  unfit  for  exhibition  has 
resulted  in  what  Auten  claims  to  be 
a  record  in  conservation. 

The  film  so  far  has  grossed  $3,- 
000,000  with  a  net  profit  of  $1,625,000 
before  division  between  the  producer 
and  distributor,  Auten  said. 


Weitman  Again  Head 
Of  'Night  of  Stars' 

Robert  M.  Weitman,  managing  di- 
rector of  the  New  York  and  Brooklyn 
Paramount  theatres,  will  again  serve 
as  chairman  of  the  producing  com- 
mittee of  the  "Night  of  Stars,"  to  be 
held  this  year  at  Madison  Square 
Garden  on  Monday  evening,  Nov.  15. 
Nathan  Straus  will  be  general  chair- 
man. Proceeds  from  the  show  will  go 
to  the  United  Jewish  Appeal  of  Great- 
er New  York  to  help  further  the  work 
of  its  agencies  in  their  program  of  aid 
to  refugees  and  to  build  Israel. 

A  luncheon  in  honor  of  Weitman 
will  be  given  by  the  "Night  of  Stars" 
committee  next  Tuesday  at  the  Astor 
Hotel. 


Gen.  McClure  at  1st 
1948-49  AMP  A  Meet 

Brig.-Gen.  Robert  A.  McClure, 
USA,  chief  of  the  New  York  field 
office  of  the  Army's  Civil  Affairs 
Division,  will  be  guest  speaker  at  the 
first  1948-49  season  luncheon-opening 
of  the  Associated  Motion  Picture  Ad- 
vertisers, which  will  be  held  Sept.  30 
at  the  Hotel  Astor,  it  was  announced 
here  yesterday  by  AMPA  president 
Max  E.  Youngstein. 

Gen.  McClure  will  discuss  specific 
ways  in  which  films  are  used  in  the 
CAD's  work. 


Rogers  Files  Countersuit 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  21. — Producer 
Charles  R.  Rogers  has  filed  a  coun- 
ter-suit in  Superior  Court  here  seek- 
ing $47,185  in  alleged  damages  from 
Maria  Montez,  who  had  sued  him  for 
$100,000  for  alleged  breach  of  con- 
tract to  star  her  in  "Scarlet  Feath- 
ers." Rogers  contends  she  declined 
to  report  for  work  when  he  was  ready 
to  start  production. 


Realart  Program 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Arctic,"  "Bombay  Clipper,"  "The  In- 
visible Ray,"  "The  Invisible  Wo- 
man," "Frankenstein  Meets  the  Wolf 
Man,"  "The  Mad  Ghoul"  and  "You're 
a  Sweetheart." 

Realart's  23  branches  will  partici- 
pate in  a  sales  drive  to  be  known  as 
"The  Budd  Rogers  Silver  Jubilee 
Sales  Drive"  in  honor  of  its  distribu- 
tion vice-president,  it  was  also  an- 
nounced. The  campaign  will  start  on 
Oct.  4  and  will  end  on  Feb.  19. 

Separate  prizes  for  winner  and  run- 
ner-up of  each  of  the  three  divisions 
into  which  the  23  branches  have  been 
divided  as  well  as  a  special  individual 
exchange  prize  and  a  grand  prize  for 
the  over-all  winner  will  be  awarded. 


Altec  Merges  Branches 

Seattle,  Sept.  21. — The  Los  An- 
geles office  of  Altec  will  absorb  the 
Seattle  branch,  which  will  be  discon- 
tinued. Jack  Gregory,  Northwest  dis- 
trict manager,  will  go  to  Los  Angeles. 
Bruce  Mewborn,  Seattle  branch  man- 
ager, will  go  to  Cincinnati.  Change 
is  effective  Oct.  1. 


RKO  Board  Convenes 

Radio-Keith-Orpheum's  board  of  di- 
rectors met  here  yesterday  at  the 
downtown  office  of  Atlas  Corp.  to  con- 
sider what  were  later  described  as 
"routine  matters."  Board  chairman 
Floyd  B.  Odium  presided. 


Ticket  Prices 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

opposite  trends.  In  the  East  there 
was  a  one  and  a  third  cent  increase; 
Western  states  showed  nearly  a  two 
and  one-half  cent  decline. 

The  survey  covered  approximately 
150  cities,  and  is  described  by  Audi- 
ence as  being  the  latest  price  informa- 
tion available.  Until  now,  latest  price 
data  available  was  for  June.  A  U.  S. 
Bureau  of  Labor  and  Statistics  survey 
in  18  cities  indicated  a  price  drop  in 
those  cities  between  March  and  June. 

Figures  for  the  major  sections  of 
the  country  follow : 

August  March 

West    55.3c  57.7c 

East    54.1c  52.8c 

Mid-West    47.9c  47.8c 

South    44.7c  45.3c 

The  Nation    50.5c  50.4c 

The  price  increase  of  three-fourths 
of  a  cent  in  large  cities  was  offset  by 
a  comparable  drop  in  average  prices 
in  small  cities  and  towns. 

Cities  August  March 

Under  10,000    44.1c  44.7c 

10,000  to  100,000...  49.8c  50.9c 
100',000  to  500,000. .  54.9c  53.7c 
Over  500,000    59.8c  59.1c 


Salesmen  to  Weigh 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

allowance  of  one  cent  per  mile  addi- 
tional automobile  expense  to  bring  the 
total  for  car  allowance  to  approxi- 
mately six  cents  a  mile.  Distributor 
representatives  were  reluctant  to  de- 
tail the  contract  provisions,  maintain- 
ing that  it  would  be  premature  to  do 
so  since  there  is  always  the  possibil- 
ity that  the  agreement  will  not  be  ac- 
ceptable to  the  Colosseum  convention. 

_  Some  50  delegates  from  about  30 
cities  ar£  expected  to  attend  the  con- 
vention which  will  be  presided  over 
by  organization  president  A.  M.  Van 
Dyke. 


Seek  Variety  Trademark 

_  Washington,  Sept.  21. — Applica- 
tion to  trademark  the  barker  symbol 
of  Variety  Clubs  International  will 
be  made  this  week,  according  to  Vari- 
ety's Nate  Golden,  who  will  file  the 
application. 


Harry  G.  Kosch,  66, 
Pioneer  Film  Lawyer 

Services  were  held  here  at  the 
weekend  for  Harry  G.  Kosch,  66, 
pioneer  industry  lawyer,  whose  body 
was  found  by  police  in  the  Hudson 
River  near  Tarrytown,  N.  Y.  He  had 
been  ill  for  some  time. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  Kosch  was 
legally  representing  several  large  in- 
dustrial firms  and  still  represented 
motion  picture  interests.  In  the 
pioneering  days  of  the  film  busj(ty- 
he  was  among  its  top  lawyers,  reC*l.-' 
senting  Sawyer  and  Lubin,  and  others, 
for  many  years.  He  was  S.  and  L.'s 
lawyer  when  they  conceived,  built  and 
first  operated  the  Roxy  Theatre  here, 
before  its  sale  to  Fox  Film  Corp. 

Kosch  first  became  identified  with 
the  film  industry  as  co-owner  of  the 
old  Pilot  Studio  at  Yonkers,  produc- 
ing short  subjects  for  Mutual.  Among 
other  larger  companies  with  which  he 
had  been  associated  were  Educational 
and  Columbia.  He  was  an  incorporator 
and  member  of  the  first  law  committee 
of  the  Hays  Organization. 

The  widow  and  six  children  survive. 


Martin  Rogers,  Manager 

Baltimore,  Sept.  21.— Funeral 
services  were  held  here  yesterday  for 
Martin  H.  Rogers,  manager  of  the 
McHenry  Theatre,  who  died  last 
Thursday  after  a  heart  attack  in  his 
office  at  the  McHenry,  where  he  had 
been  stationed  for  the  past  12  years. 
He  was  previously  employed  in  a  sim- 
ilar capacity  at  the  Circle  at  Anna- 
polis, Md. 


John  R.  Dillon 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Cathedral  here  at  10:00  A.M.  Inter- 
ment will  follow  at  Gate  of  Heaven 
Cemetery,  Valhalla,  N.  Y. 

Surviving  are  his  widow,  Marie 
Treanor  Dillon;  a  daughter,  Mrs. 
Marjorie  Pinches,  and  a  son,  John, 
Jr. 

Dillon,  a  partner  in  Hayden,  Stone 
and  Co.,  prominent  for  years  in  20th- 
Fox  and  other  motion  picture  com- 
pany financing,  was  elected  to  the 
20th  Century  board  in  1935. 


Leo  White,  65 

Hollywood,  Sept.  21.— Funeral  ser- 
vices will  be  held  tomorrow  for  Leo 
White,  65,  Warner  contract  player 
for  the  last  13  years,  who  died  on 
Monday  following  a  heart  attack.  The 
widow,  a  daughter  and  two  sons  sur- 
vive. 


Killed  by  Thugs 

Detroit,  Sept.  21.— Francis  An- 
drews, 25,  husband  of  Mrs.  Davis 
Martin,  assistant  manager  of  the  Fish- 
er Theatre  here,  was  shot  to  death 
by  two  hold-up  men.  The  assailants 
were  apprehended. 


Joel  to  RKO  Post 

Appointment  of  Joe  Joel  as  RKO 
advertising-publicity  director  in  Aus- 
tralia, has  been  announced  by  Ralph 
Doyle,  RKO  managing  director  in 
Australia.  Joel,  who  will  headquarter 
in  Sydney,  succeeds  Eric  Collins. 


Guild  to  Produce 

Neptune  Films,  headed  by  Robert 
Montgomery,  and  the  Theatre  Guild, 
Inc.,  have  signed  an  agreement  to  pro- 
duce films.  Conferences  are  now  be- 
ing held  to  select  properties  for  the 
first  two  films. 


BANK  OF  THE 
MOTION  PICTURE 
INDUSTRY 


MEMBER  F.D.I.C. 


Hew  York  Representative,  44  Wall  St. 
Foreign  Brandies: 

London,  Manila,  and  Tokyo 


ISmtk  of 
America 

NATIONAL  J^iVgs  ASSOCIATION 
California's  Statewide  Bank 


Wednesday,  September  22,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


5 


RCA  Meeting  with 
TESMA'sinSt.Louis 

St.  Louis,  Sept.  21. — In  conjunc- 
tion with  the  annual  joint  convention 
of  the  Theatre  Equipment  and  Supply 
Manufacturers  Association  and  the 
Theatre  Equipment  Dealers  Protective 
Association,  the  theatre  equipment 
section  of  the  RCA  engineering  prod- 
ucts department  will  conduct  sales  ses- 
^<|'  for  all  sales  representatives  of 
ft  *H.  theatre  equipment  at  the  New 
Jefferson  Hotel,  St.  Louis,  Sept.  25-27. 

More  than  100  RCA  theatre  supply 
dealers,  district  sales  representatives, 
and  members  of  the  sales  division  in 
I  Camden,  will  participate  in  the  pro- 
gram. Barton  Kreuzer,  manager  of 
RCA  theatre  and  film  recording  ac- 
tivities, and  John  F.  O'Brien,  manager 
of  the  theatre  equipment  group,  will 
address  the  RCA  sessions. 

Among  guest  speakers  will  be :  D. 
H.  Dewey,  International  Seat ;  John 
Pollard,  Howard  D.  Wade  and  J. 
Archibald,  all  of  Mohawk  Carpet 
Co. ;  E.  Barrington,  Westinghouse 
Lamp ;  F.  L.  Slade,  Century  Electric, 
and  J.  H.  Kurlander,  Westinghouse 
Lamp. 

1st  Percentage  Suit 
In  K.  C.  Territory 

St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  Sept.  21. — James 
R.  Cook  has  been  named  defendant  in 
three  percentage  suits  filed  here  today 
in  U.  S.  District  Court.  Suits  were 
brought  by  Paramount,  20th  Century- 
Fox  and  Warner. 

The  complaints  are  similar  to  those 
filed  in  various  other  Federal  Courts 
throughout  the  country,  but  are  the 
first  filed  in  the  Kansas  City  exchange 
territory.  Involved  is  the  Missouri 
Theatre,  Maryville,  Mo. 

Attorneys  for  each  plaintiff  are 
Cooper,  Neel,  Sutherland  and  Rogers, 
Kansas  City,  with  Sargoy  and  Stein 
of  New  York  of  counsel. 


Video  for  India 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

there  is  little  prospect  of  television 
being  introduced  in  India  for  "several 
years,"  but  added  that  he  wished  to 
obtain  first-hand  knowledge  of  the 
new  medium  now  in  order  to  appraise 
its  possibilities  for  his  country. 

Sidhwa  is  a  pioneer  Indian  exhib- 
itor, having  opened  his  first  theatre  in 
Rangoon  in  1911,  a  house  which  he 
still  operates  along  with  two  theatres 
in  Bombay,  two  in  Madras,  and  one 
each  in  Calcutta  and  Bangalore.  Most 
of  his  clientele  is  cosmopolitan,  rather 
than  native,  he  said,  and  prefer  Amer- 
ican pictures.  His  theatres  devote 
about  35  weeks  annually  to  Hollywood 
pictures,  he  said,  and  about  17  to  Brit- 
ish films.  Only  one  of  his  theatres 
uses  native  Indian  product. 

Business  is  good  in  his  theatres, 
Sjdhwa  reported.  He  emphasized  that 
his  comparison  is  based  on  normal 
pre-war  business  levels,  rather  than 
the  inflated  attendance  of  wartime. 

"Business  is  better  now  than  before 
the  war,"  he  said. 


Harvey  Heads  Para.  Club 

George  Harvey,  Paramount  press 
book  editor,  has  been  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  Paramount  Pictures  Club 
for  1948-49,  succeeding  Monroe  Good- 
man, assistant  to  Oscar  Morgan,  short 
subject  sales  manager.  Other  officers 
elected  are  Albert  Deane,  vice-presi- 
dent ;  Raymond  Fisher,  treasurer,  and 
Beatrice  M.  Matal,  secretary. 


New  NBC  Code 


{Continued  from  page  1) 

ho,  where  it  will  be  submitted  to  af- 
filiated stations. 

While  the  new  code  concerns  radio 
practices  specifically,  the  spirit  of  the 
manual  will  govern  television  even 
where  the  letter  of  the  wording  does 
not  apply,  Trammell  asserted. 

Adheres  to  PCA  Principles 

Dyke  said  he  is  familiar  with  the 
Production  Code,  but  added  that  the 
NBC  document,  while  not  specifically 
patterned  after  it,  will  adhere  to  the 
same  principles.  The  restrictions  on 
crime  pictures  are  the  only  instance 
where  the  television  programming 
code  will  be  more  rigid  than  the  Pro- 
duction Code. 

Dykes  said  he  intends  to  be  particu- 
larly watchful  of  the  content  of  for- 
eign films,  and  especially  those  which 
are  not  submitted  for  the  PCA  seal. 
He  held  that  video  must  be  governed 
by  the  same  rules  of  "good  taste  and 
decency  that  apply  to  radio  and  mo- 
tion pictures." 

As  Trammell  put  it,  the  new  code 
"spells  out  in  positive  form"  a  large 
number  of  "good  taste"  measures 
which  have  always  been  the  policy  of 
NBC  and  which  were  formally  adopt- 
ed by  the  National  Association  of 
Broadcasters  last  year. 

Code  Effective  Jan.  1 

The  NBC  code,  which  is  to  become 
effective  Jan.  1, '  limits  commercial 
copy  to  about  one  minute,  roughly, 
for  every  five  minutes  of  a  program 
and  directs  that  no  commercials  are 
to  be  permitted  in  the  middle  of  any 
news  broadcast,  regardless  of  length. 
Objectionable  material  on  a  broadcast 
will  result  in  a  fade-out  of  30  seconds 
during  which  time  the  network  will 
explain  to  the  public  the  reason  for 
such  action.  Simulated  spot  announce- 
ments, such  as  those  following  the  ap- 
parent sign-off  of  a  program,  are 
banned.  No  new  giveaway  programs 
will  be  accepted  by  NBC  until  this 
subject  is  clarified  by  the  Federal 
Communications  Commission,  which 
has  voiced  objections  to  them. 

Trammell  said  that  the  NBC  affili- 
ates will  be  asked  to  adopt  the  code 
on  a  voluntary  basis,  that  it  is  not 
compulsory.  Both  he  and  Dyke,  how- 
ever, declared  that  advertisers,  agen- 
cies, performers  and  affiliates  all  have 
been  consulted  on  the  matter  and  all 
are  in  apparent  agreement  on  the  ad- 
visability of  its  adoption. 


'Loop'  Decree  Test 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

vileges  on  the  North  Side,  and  that 
this  seemed  to  him  a  deliberate  at- 
tempt to  circumvent  the  decree.  He 
told  Thomas  McConnell,  attorney  for 
the  Jackson  Park  Theatre,  that  he 
could  do  as  he  wished  insofar  as 
contempt  proceedings  were  concerned. 

McConnell  said  later  that  if  the 
picture  plays  on  Friday,  he  will  un- 
dertake contempt  proceedings.  The 
dispute  started  when  the  Tivoli  out- 
bid other  South  Side  houses  by  offer- 
ing a  $3,000  weekly  guarantee  as 
against  the  Jackson  Park's  flat  35  per 
cent  rental. 


B.  &  K.  Over-ruled 

Chicago,  Sept.  21. — Objections  to 
interrogatories  filed  by  Balaban  and 
Katz,  defendants  in  the  Monroe  The- 
atre's $1,050,000  anti-trust  suit  here, 
were  over-ruled  today  by  Judge  John 
T.  Barnes  in  U.  S.  District  Court. 


Meaty  Exploitation 
For  UA's  'Red  River9 

Good  taste  in  film  exploita- 
tion reached  a  new  high  yes- 
terday when  Howard  LeSieur, 
United  Artists  advertising- 
publicity  director,  and  Al  Ta- 
marin,  publicity  director,  sent 
choice  cuts  of  steak  to  press 
representatives  as  reminders 
of  the  opening  of  Howard 
Hawks'  "Red  River"  at  the 
Capitol  Theatre  here.  Steaks 
were  identified  as  "originally 
a  vital  part  of  the  cast  of  the 
film,"  feature  of  which  is  a 
cattle  drive  from  Texas  to 
Kansas. 


TOA  Election 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

standing  job  as  the  first  treasurer  of 
TOA.  He  put  the  organization  on  a 
firm  financial  footing  in  its  first  year 
and  was  instrumental  in  helping  to 
meet  one  of  the  largest  budgets  ever 
set  by  an  exhibitor  organization. 

Pre  -  convention  sentiment  here 
favors  the  election  of  either  Si  Fabian 
or  Samuel  Pinanski  to  the  treasurer's 
post. 

Still  another  officer  who  has  flatly 
declared  himself  unavailable  is  Fred 
Wehrenberg,  whose  post  as  chairman 
of  the  board  undoubtedly  will  go  to 
Gamble.  Wehrenberg  is  being  men- 
tioned for  the  post  of  chairman  of 
the  executive  committee,  now  held  by 
Fabian.  It  is  believed  Wehrenberg 
would  accept  the  latter  post,  particu- 
larly in  the  event  that  Fabian  is  elect- 
ed treasurer. 

Indications  are  that  most  other 
posts  will  be  filled  by  reelecting  pres- 
ent occupants.  It  appears  likely  that 
Leonard  Goldenson  will  be  reelected 
first  vice-president ;  that  Herman 
Levy  will  be  renamed  general  counsel, 
and  that  Gael  Sullivan  will  be  reap- 
pointed director. 

In  addition,  most  regional  vice-pres- 
idents and  members  of  the  board  are 
scheduled  to  be  reelected. 

Lockwood,  who  resides  in  Winsted, 
Conn.,  has  been  prominent  in  New 
England  exhibition  since  1922,  and  has 
been  continuously  active  in  exhibitor 
organization  affairs  there.  He  served 
as  president  of  the  MPTO  of  Con- 
necticut from  1926  to  1930,  and  was 
reelected  in  1939.  He  was  a  director 
and  member  of  the  executive  commit- 
tee of  the  former  MPTOA  and  is  a 
director  and  regional  vice-president  of 
the  TOA. 


TOA  Sets  Program 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

president  of  the  Chicago  Rabbinical 
Association,  and  Rev.  Leo  K.  Bishop, 
regional  director  of  the  National  Con- 
ference of  Christians  and  Jews. 

A  directors'  meeting  is  scheduled 
for  Thursday  afternoon  with  an  open 
business  session,  committee  meetings 
and  "TOA  Night"  at  the  Chicago 
Railroad  Fair  set  for  Friday.  A 
theatre  television  demonstration  at  the 
Esquire  Theatre  is  on  the  program  for 
Saturday,  followed  by  other  business 
sessions  throughout  the  remainder  of 
the  day,  to  be  capped  by  the  presi- 
dent's dinner  with  George  Jessel  as 
master  of  ceremonies. 

John  Balaban  is  general  chairman 
of  the  convention. 


UK  Finance  Unit 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

of  the  British  Embassy  in  Washing- 
ton and  later  economic  director  of  the 
British  War  Office. 

British  independent  producers  will 
meet  here  this  evening  under  the  chair- 
manship of  Maurice  Ostrer  prepara- 
tory to  meeting  tomorrow  with  Law- 
rie  to  discuss  financing  procedure. 

Meanwhile,  British-Lion  is  seeking 
authority  from  its  stockholders  to  bor- 
row 2,000,000  pounds  ($8,000,000) 
from  the  FFC.  The  government  plans 
to  advance  funds  only  to  those  pro- 
ducers whose  plans  are  approved  by 
the  FFC. 

Ostrer  was  pessimistic  about  financ- 
ing possibilities,  alleging  that  condi- 
tions, even  with  government  financing, 
forbid  profitable  independent  opera- 
tions. In  this  connection  he  cited  the 
asking  by  Rank,  Associated  British 
Pictures  Corp.,  and  other  organiza- 
tions, of  2,000  pounds  ($8,000)  week- 
ly studio  rent  against  the  prewar  fig- 
ure of  450  pounds  ($1,800).  He  cited 
also  increased  production  costs  in  gen- 
eral, and  said  it  will  be  necessary  for 
the  government  to  take  steps  to  re- 
duce working  costs  in  addition  to  ad- 
vancing funds. 

When  FFC  is  formally  registered 
its  members  will  become  its  directors. 

UA  Sets  3  Openings 
For  One  Week  Here 

For  the  first  time  in  the  company's 
history,  United  Artists  will  open  three 
new  films  in  the  Metropolitan  district 
here  in  one  week,  with  "An  Innocent 
Affair,"  "Red  River"  and  "Texas, 
Brooklyn  and  Heaven"  all  to  have  lo- 
cal premieres  here  next  week. 

"An  Innocent  Affair"  will  have  its 
premiere  at  the  Rivoli  on  Sept.  28; 
"Red  River"  will  begin  its  run  at  the 
Capitol  on  Sept.  30,  and  "Texas, 
Brooklyn  and  Heaven"  will  open  on 
Oct.  1  at  the  Brooklyn  Strand. 


Film  AAF  Vets'  Drive 

Launching  of  a  nation-wide  mem- 
bership drive  to  enlist  all  veterans  of 
the  Army  Air  Force,  now  associated 
with  the  film  and  allied  industries  has 
been  announced  here  by  the  Show 
Business  Squadron  of  the  Air  Forces 
Association. 


FIVE-STAR 

DC-6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

Zh  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices:  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •  Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


Dean  Spencer,  recordist,  operating  the "300 "System 
mounted  on  a  light  truck  in  the  field  in  Alaska. 


"HARPOON"  A  Danches  Bros.  Production 

Produced  and  Directed  by  Ewing  Scott 
Released  by  Screen  Guild  Production,  Inc. 
Recordist. .Dean  Spencer  Sound . .Western  Electric 


Sound  Problems  Licked  in  Alaska's  Arctic 
By  Western  Electric's  "ZOO"  System 


"Harpoon,"  a  Danches  Bros.  Production  made 
in  Alaska  and  at  sea  off  the  Aleutians,  pre- 
sented the  toughest  sort  of  on-the-spot  recording 
job. 

The  producers  flew  a  compact  Western  Electric 
"300"  System  to  Alaska,  mounted  it  on  the  deck 
of  a  small  whaler  for  sea-going  sequences,  in  the 
back  of  a  light  truck  for  on-shore  scenes.  The 
sturdy  equipment  took  in   stride  rough  seas. 


rigorous  climate,  rugged  transportation  facilities. 
From  Anchorage  to  Nome  to  Cape  Prince  of 
Wales  and  the  Bering  Sea  —  it  delivered  high 
quality  sound  tracks. 

Unqualified  success  on  assignments  like  this 
makes  the  "300"  Series  an  honored  companion  to 
Western  Electric's  "200"  Series  Newsreel  System 
and  the  famous  DeLuxe"400"  System. 

Write  today  for  full  information. 


Electrical  Research  Products  Division 


Of 


Western  Electric  Company 

INCORPORATED  F  * 

233  BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK  7,  N.  Y. 

Hollywood  office — 6601  Romaine  St. 


!   * 

Accurate 

M©3MON  PICr  RE 

FIRST 

Concise 

Tl  All 

IN 

IN 

and 

FILM 

Impartial 

 . — .  ^   Si! 

:  NEWS 

b 

^=^.64.  NO.  59 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  23,  1948 

TEN  CENTS 

Field  Grosses 
Hold  Up  At 
Key  Locations 

$14,621  Weekly  Average; 
Income  Pace  Is  Steady 

Theatre  grosses  continued  at  a 
more  or  less  even  keel  last  month, 
according  to  box-office  reports  on 
some  170  key  situations  received 
from  Motion  Picture  Daily  field 
correspondents.  Although  August 
business  was  very  slightly  under 
July's,  it  was  above  June's. 

Average  income  for  August 
was  $14,621,  compared  with 
$14,771  in  July  and  $14,210  in 
June.  Top  August  week  was 
the  second,  with  an  average  of 
$15,061.  Average  for  August, 
1947,  was  $16,752. 

A  record-breaking  heat  spell  which 
gripped  most  sections  of  the  country 
during  the  latter  part  of  last  month 
was  held  responsible  for  substantial 
drop-offs  in  grosses  at  many  key  cities. 
Competition  at  beaches  and  resorts,  on 
the  other  hand,  increased  considerably. 

"Easter  Parade"  and  "Key  Largo" 

{Continued  on  page  6) 


Fight  Films  Bring 
Increased  Business 


An  appreciable  increase  in  business 
was  reported  here  yesterday  at  Times 
Square  theatres  showing  the  blow-by- 
blow  pictures  of  the  Tony  Zale-Marcel 
Cerdan  middleweight  championship 
fight  Tuesday  night  at  the  Roosevelt 
Stadium  in  Jersey  City.  Crowds  be- 
gan congregating  in  front  of  the 
Trans-Lux  and  Palace  theatres  early 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


MPAA  Will  Survey 
Theatre  Bi-ennially 

A  census  of  motion  picture 
theatres  in  the  U.  S.  will  be 
made  bi-ennially  by  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of 
America,  it  was  announced 
here  yesterday  by  Robert  W. 
Chambers,  director  of  the  as- 
sociation's Department  of  Re- 
search. The  department,  which 
was  created  by  Eric  John- 
ston some  two  years  ago, 
made  public  its  first  survey 
of  theatres  earlier  this  year. 


Video  Losing  Money, 
Raibourn  Tells  FCC 


Washington,  Sept.  22.  —  Para- 
mount vice-president  Paul  Raibourn  to- 
day told  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission  that  television  broadcast- 
ers are  "losing  money  as  fast  as  it 
can  be  lost." 

Asked  later  by  reporters  whether 
this  included  television  stations  of 
Paramount  subsidiaries,  Raibourn 
laughingly  replied :  "You  don't  need 
to  exclude  anybody  from  that  state- 
ment." 

Raibourn  testified  at  the  third  day 
of  the  FCC's  hearings  on  possible  tele- 
vision expansion  into  the  upper  fre- 
quencies. His  testimony  was  a  slash- 
ing, forthright  attack  on  many  of  the 
"sacred  cows"  that  have  been  wor- 
shipped during  the  earlier  days  of  the 
hearings. 

For  instance,  he  warned  the  indus- 
try that  if  it  left  color  television  "to 
chance,"  as  it  seems  inclined,  "it  will 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


430  Involved  In 
Pathe  Strike  Threat 


A  threatening  strike  of  some  30 
"white  collarites"  at  Pathe  Labora- 
tories here  was  viewed  yesterday  as 
being  capable  of  bringing  about  a 
full-scale  work  stoppage  involving  400 
other  workers  at  the  plant.  A  dead- 
lock in  new  contract  negotiations  be- 
tween Pathe  vice-president  Nick  Tro- 
nolone  and  IATSE  Motion  Picture 
Home  Office  Employes  Local  No.  H- 
63  shows  no  signs  of  breaking. 

It  is  expected  that  if  the  30  business 
office  workers  walk  out,  400  labora- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Agnew  May  Handle 
Films  from  Abroad 

Neil  F.  Agnew,  former  pres- 
ident of  SRO,  who  is  expected 
to  return  from  France  short- 
ly, is  considering  entering 
distribution  on  his  own  with 
a  limited  number  of  imports. 
The  project  is  linked  to  his 
intention  of  spending  three 
or  four  months  a  year  in 
France. 


Companies  Lose  Move 
In  Alger  Circuit  Suit 

Chicago,  Sept.  22.— Federal  Judge 
William  Campbell  has  refused  to 
grant  oral  argument  to  the  eight  dis- 
tributor plaintiffs  in  the  Alger  Circuit 
percentage  suit.  The  distributors  had 
opposed  Judge  Campbell's  motion  of 
last  Friday  which  suspended  their  au- 
diting the  circuit's  books  until  a  sepa- 
rate hearing  is  granted.  The  case  was 
referred  to  master-in-chancery  Joseph 
Elward,  who  is  to  decide  on  the  matter 
of  contract  legality  in  licensing 
agreements. 


Won't  Seek  Reelection 
By  TO  A :  Goldenson 

Aboard  the  20th  Century  Lim- 
ited, Sept.  22. — Leonard  H.  Golden- 
son,  Paramount  executive  in  charge  of 
theatre  operations,  stated  tonight  he 
will  not  stand  for  reelection  as  first 
vice-president  of  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  because  of  the  pressure  of  his 
Paramount  duties. 

This  story  was  telephoned  tonight 
to  Motion  Picture  Daily  from  the 
20th  Century  Limited  West-bound  to 
Chicago  as  it  traveled  on  schedule  be- 
tween Little  Falls  and  Herkimer,  N.  Y. 


Salesmen  Win  $8-a-Day 
On-the-Road  Maintenance 


Increased  on-the-road  maintenance 
has  been  won  by  the  industry's  1,000 
film  salesmen  along  with  previously 
reported  salary  and  automobile  ex- 
pense gains,  it  was  learned  here  yester- 
day, in  the  contract  negotiations  be- 
tween 11  distributors  and  the  Colos- 
seum of  Motion  Picture  Salesmen  of 
America. 

Maintenance  has  been  increased 
from  seven  to  eight  dollars  a  day,  and 
is  to  become  effective  when  the  agree- 
ment is  ratified  by  the  Colesseum's 
first  national  convention  in  Chicago 
on  Oct.  16-17;  so  will  a  $10  weekly 
wage  increase  and  other  contract  pro- 
visions. Before  the  war  maintenance 
was  six  dollars  per  day;  the  com- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Clay  Hake  in  New 
Paramount  Post 

Clay  V.  Hake,  who  has  been  on 
special  assignments  overseas  for 
Paramount  International  for  several 
years,  has  been  appointed  special 
home  office  sales  representative  by 
distribution  vice-president  Charles  M. 
Reagan. 

Hake  entered  the  industry  in  1917 
with  Paramount  in  Salt  Lake  City  and 
since  then  he  has  also  held  executive 
positions  with  First  National  and 
20th  Century-Fox.  In  his  new  assign- 
ment, he  will  work  in  association  with 
E.  K.  O'Shea,  home  office  distribu- 
tion executive. 


To  Ask  Court 
Curb  Members 
OfAscaprfTOA 

Divest  Them  of  Current 
Rights,  Group  to  Propose 

Plaintiff  exhibitors  in  the  New 
York  anti-trust  suit  against  the 
American  Society  of  Composers, 
Authors  and  Publishers,  in  a  pro- 
posed decree  to  be  filed  Sept.  29,  will 
ask  the  New  York  Federal  Court  to 
order  that  Ascap  and  its  members  re- 
linquish all  theatre-licensing  rights  on 
music  already  synchronized  on  film. 

Attorneys  for  the  plaintiffs 
reported  yesterday  that  such  a 
decree  would  relieve  exhibitors 
of  any  possible  risk  of  copyright 
infringement  action  against 
them  while  not  paying  for  mu- 
sic rights  so  long  as  Ascap  is 
so  constituted  and  so  declared 
as  an  illegal  theatre  collecting 
agency  by  the  New  York  court. 

Approval  of  the  proposed  judgment 
by  the  court,  if  sustained  on  appeal, 
would  mean  that  non-paying  theatre- 
men  would  not  be  open  to  suits  by 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Realart  Plans  35 
Releases  Annually 

Realart  will  have  a  continuous  pro- 
gram of  35  or  36  releases  annually, 
Budd  Rogers,  vice-president  in  charge 
of  distribution,  said  yesterday  as  the 
company's  first  anniversary  sales 
meeting  was  concluded  at  the  Hotel 
Warwick  here. 

Programs  will  be  drawn  from  Real- 
art's  backlog  of  over  700  features 
which  it  has  acquired  for  re-release 
and  which  make  it  the  largest  dis- 
tributing organization  of  its  kind  in 
the  world,  Rogers  said.  In  its  first 
year  Realart  sold  its  top  releases  to 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Enterprise  to  Give 
Up  Studio  Oct.  3 

Hollywood,  Sept.  22.  —  Enterprise 
will  relinquish  possession  of  its  studio 
to  Harry  Sherman  on  Oct.  3  under 
a  settlement  reached  today  between 
the  company  and  Sherman,  owner  of 
the  studio  who  leased  it  at  the  time 
of  the  company's  formation.  The  lease 
had  eight  months  to  go  at  the  time 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  September  23,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

JOSEPH  SEIDELMAN,  Univer- 
sal-International foreign  operations 
head,  and  his  wife;  Victor  Saville, 
producer,  and  Chester  Morris  and 
his  wife  will  leave  here  today  for 
Europe  on  the  5\S"  Quern  Elisabeth. 

Phil  Reisman,  foreign  distribution 
vice-president  of  RKO,  has  accepted 
an  invitation  to  serve  on  the  commit- 
tee in  charge  of  the  Royal  Command 
Film  Performance  to  be  held  at  the 
Empire  Theatre  in  London  on  Nov. 
29. 

E.  O.  Wilschke,  operating  mana- 
ger ;  R.  Hilton,  Chicago  district 
manager,  and  Bert  Sanford,  theatri- 
cal sales  manager,  comprise  the  Altec 
contingent  to  the  TESMA  convention 
in  St.  Louis. 

J.  W.  Servtes,  National  Theatre 
Supply  district  supervisor,  and  Ar- 
thur Meyer,  manager  of  the  com- 
pany's projection  equipment  depart- 
ment, will  attend  the  TESMA  trade 
show  in  St.  Louis  next  week. 
• 

Charles  Skouras,  National  The- 
atres president,  his  assistant,  Tom 
Page,  and  Paul  William,  Southern 
California  TOA  counsel,  have  flown 
to  Chicago  from  the  Coast  for  the 
TOA  convention. 

• 

Jack  Bryson,  Dave  Palfreyman 
and  Edward  Cheyfitz,  all  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America, 
will  leave  Washington  today  for  the 
TOA  convention  in  Chicago. 
• 

H.  M.  Richey,  M-G-M  exhibitor 
relations  head,  left  here  yesterday  for 
Chicago  to  attend  the  TOA  conven- 
tion. 

David  Golding,  former  British  pub- 
licity representative  for  London  Films, 
has  returned  to  the  U.  S.  permanently, 
from  London. 

• 

Walter    Brecher,    son    of  Leo 
Brecher,  New  York  independent  ex- 
hibitor, and  Mrs.  Brecher,  have  be- 
come parents  of  their  third  child. 
• 

W.  E.  Green,  National  Theatre 
Supply  president,  has  returned  to  New 
York  from  the  Coast. 

• 

Harry  Gold,  Howard  Hughes  Pro- 
ductions executive,  arrived  here  yes- 
terday from  Hollywood. 

• 

Al  Zimbalist,  Film  Classics  ad- 
vertising-publicity   director,    has  re- 
turned to  New  York  from  Chicago. 
• 

George  Sidney,  M-G-M  director, 
and  his  wife  will  leave  here  tomor- 
row for  the  Coast. 

• 

William  D.  Kelly,  M-G-M  home 
office  executive,  will  return  to  New 
York  today  from  a  vacation. 

• 

Arthur  Jeffrey,  Eagle-Lion  ex- 
ploitation manager,  left  New  York 
yesterday  for  Texas. 


'Business  Approach' 
Urged  by  Smakwitz 


Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  22. — "A  busi- 
man's  approach"  in  theatre  operation 
is  necessary  today ;  "the  time  has  run 
out  for  theatres  to  be  operated  as 
stores.  The  wartime  opening-and- 
shutting-the-door  policy  is  through," 
Charles  A.  Smakwitz,  Warner  zone 
manager,  told  managers  of  26  WB  up- 
state houses  at  a  meeting  yesterday  at 
the  Hotel  Syracuse,  Syracuse. 

Managers  must  go  out  as  business- 
men, selling  their  pictures  and  mer- 
chandising their  theatres,  Smakwitz 
declared,  adding  that  the  "only  suc- 
cessful approach  is  one  of  advanced 
planning  for  dollar-getting  activities 
and  merchandising  screen  attractions." 
Fall  and  winter  product  and  condi- 
tions were  also  discussed. 

Other  speakers  were :  Ralph  Crabill, 
Western  district  manager,  James- 
town ;  Max  Friedman,  chief  buyer- 
booker;  James  P.  Faughnan,  contract 
manager ;  Joseph  Weinstein,  booker, 
and  Gerald  Atkin,  zone  advertising- 
publicity  director. 

Fennelly  Is  Named 
Monogram  Manager 

Des  Moines,  Sept.  19. — V.  M.  Fen- 
nelly has  been  named  successor  to 
Mayo  Beatty,  resigned,  as  manager  of 
the  Monogram  branch  here.  Fennelly, 
promoted  from  salesman,  was  associ- 
ated with  Tri-States  Theatres  and 
Screen  Guild  before  joining  Mono- 
gram. Kenneth  Weldon,  former  M- 
G-M  booker,  takes  over  Fennelly's 
former  selling  job. 


Fight  Pictures 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

yesterday  morning  long  before  doors 
were  opened.  Ringside  Pictures 
Corp.,  producer-distributor  of  the 
films,  yesterday  processed  hundreds  of 
prints  for  air  express  to  all  parts  of 
the  country. 

The  picture,  running  22  minutes,  is 
a  bruising  sport  spectacle.  Sharp  au- 
dience response  was  provoked.  Pho- 
tographers of  Ringside  Pictures  did 
an  excellent  job  as  their  cameras  re- 
corded the  cool  and  methodical  way  in 
which  Cerdan  swarmed  all  over  the 
spent  and  confused  Zale  until  the  lat- 
ter finally  collapsed  at  the  end  of  the 
11th  round. 

The  film  was  cut  and  edited  so  that 
the  rounds  roll  by  briskly.  The  final 
flurry  of  blows  that  sent  Zale  toppling 
are  shown  in  slow  as  well  as  standard 
motion.  The  subject  also  presents  some 
pre-battle  and  post-battle  color. 

M.  H. 

UJ.A.  To  Cite  Cantor 
On  CBS  Show  Sunday 

United  Jewish  Appeal's  1948  "Hu- 
manitarianism"  citation  will  be  pre- 
sented to  Eddie  Cantor,  who  has  just 
completed  a  tour  of  major  cities  in 
behalf  of  the  $250,000,000  campaign, 
during  a  special  broadcast  on  Sunday 
afternoon  over  CBS.  Samuel  Gold- 
wyn,  president  of  the  United  Jewish 
Welfare  Fund  of  Los  Angeles,  will 
I  make  the  presentation. 


Ascap  Members 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

composers  who,  by  the  simple  expedi- 
ent of  resigning  from  Ascap,  would 
be  free  to  file  infringement  action,  it 
is  understood. 

The  plaintiff  exhibitors  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  Association,  president  of 
which  is  Harry  Brandt.  Both  they 
and  Ascap  will  submit  separate  pro- 
posed decrees  to  the  court  on  Sept. 
29  which,  as  a  matter  of  legal  course, 
are  supposed  to  be  consistent  with  the 
opinion  and  findings  of  the  New  York 
court. 

It  is  known  that  scores  of  theatre- 
men  around  the  country  are  holding  in 
reserve  those  funds  which  ordinarily 
would  be  consigned  to  Ascap  until  the 
entire  issue  is  clarified  with  the  ob- 
ject in  mind  of  paying  the  rightful 
collector. 

Plaintiffs  in  the  New  York  case, 
according  to  their  attorneys,  contend 
that  no  one  is  to  be  paid  for  the  music 
licensed  by  Ascap  since  it  has  been 
declared  in  restraint  of  trade  by  the 
New  York  court  and  they  will  ask 
the  court  to  so  rule.  This  would  not 
involve  public  performing  rights  li- 
censing of  future  compositions  by 
those  now  represented  by  Ascap. 

The  plaintiffs  intend  to  ask  the 
court  to  order  Ascap  out  of  theatre 
collecting  permanently  and  to  set  dam- 
ages equivalent  to  all  money  paid  to 
Ascap  since  the  institution  of  the  suit 
in  1942,  totalling,  it  is  alleged,  $900,- 
000,  or  three  times  the  actual  alleged 
damages,  as  allowed  under  the  anti- 
trust laws. 


Salesmen  Win 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

panies  raised  it  a  dollar  during  the 
war. 

Meanwhile,  differences  over  one  is- 
sue— presumably  maintenance — are  ex- 
pected to  be  settled  in  Chicago  today 
with  Warner  and  Columbia.  The  two 
companies  are  the'  only  remaining  dis- 
tributors which  have  not  signed  a 
Colosseum  agreement. 


Penser  Names  Mayer,  Fellerman 

Lee  Mayer  and  Harry  Fellerman, 
salesmen  here  for  Warner  and  Uni- 
versal, respectively,  yesterday  were 
named  by  New  York  Colosseum  lodge 
chairman  Charles  Penser,  RKO  Ra- 
dio, to  serve  as  delegates  at  the  Oct. 
16-17  national  convention.  The  lodge 
held  a  luncheon-meeting  here  yester- 
day at  the  Times  Square  Hotel. 


Pathe  Strike  Threat 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

tory  workers  and  film  cutters,  who  are 
members  of  "IA"  locals  702  and  771, 
will  refrain  from  crossing  picket  lines. 

Among  companies  depending  regu- 
larly on  the  facilities  of  Pathe  Labo- 
ratories are  Universal,  Warner  Pathe 
News,  RKO  Radio  and  Hollywood 
producers  shooting  on  location  in  the 
East. 


SEG  Votes  Union  Shop 

Hollywood,  Sept.  22. — Screen  Ex- 
tras Guild  has  voted  2,160  to  62  to 
continue  a  union  shop.  The  ballot 
was  taken  in  a  mail  referendum  re- 
quired under  the  Taft-Hartley  Law. 


Edwards  to  Supervise 
'Macbeth*  Roadshows 

Appointment  of  Steve  Edwards,  Re- 
public's director  of  advertising,  pub- 
licity and  exploitation,  as  special 
representative  in  charge  of  roadshow 
engagements  of  Orson  Welles'  "Mac- 
beth" was  announced  here  yesterday 
by  James  R.  Grainger,  executive  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  distribution. 
While  Edwards  is  on  special  assign- 
ment, Milton  Silver,  his  executive  as- 
sistant, will  serve  as  acting  M 
director.  #  , 

Edwards  is  now  supervising*<:..e 
campaign  for  the  world  premiere  of 
"Macbeth,"  which  begins  its  Boston 
two-a-day  showing  on  Oct.  7  at  the 
Esquire  Theatre.  He  will  leave  today 
for  Boston,  to  remain  there  until  after 
the  premiere. 

Long  -  Service  E-K 
Employees  Honored 

Rochester,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  22. — Thir- 
ty-seven Eastman  Kodak  employes 
who  this  year  complete  25  or  more 
years  with  the  company  are  guests  of 
the  company  here  for  a  three-day  pro- 
gram which  will  wind  up  tomorrow. 
The  anniversary  dinner  was  held  to- 
night, with  Donald  McMaster,  Kodak 
vice-president,  as  principal  speaker. 
In  addition  to  the  37,  the  affair  paid 
tribute  to  the  26  employes  who  mark 
their  40th  year,  and  287  who  complete 
their  25th  year  with  E-K. 


Record  Business  for 
Past  Year:  Wolff 

London,  Sept.  22. — RKO  business 
for  the  past  12  months  "has  easily 
beaten"  record  figures  set  two  years 
ago,  Bob  Wolff,  U.  K.  managing  di- 
rector, told  an  RKO  sales  conference 
here  this  week. 

Wolff  detailed  the  company's  fu- 
ture policy  in  Britain.  He  reviewed 
RKO's  activities  since  the  ad  valorem 
tax  in  August,  1947,  and  declared  that 
imposition  of  the  tax  found  the  com- 
pany with  a  backlog  of  top  pictures. 

Picker  Shifts  Five 
Loew  N.  Y.  Managers 

Film  managerial  shifts  made  by 
Eugene  Picker,  in  charge  of  Loew 
New  York  theatres,  include  the  follow- 
ing: William  Carroll,  from  the  Ave- 
nue B  theatre,  to  Burland;  Buddy 
Neustein,  from  Brevoort  to  the  Bed- 
ford; John  O'Connor,  Bedford  to 
Woodside.  Larry  Stark,  acting  man- 
ager of  Loew's  Burland,  becomes  man- 
ager of  the  Brevoort,  Brooklyn,  and 
Joseph  Stica  moved  from  the  Wood- 
side  to  the  Avenue  B. 


Heads  Art  Directors 

Hollywood,  Sept.  22.  —  J.  Russell 
Spencer  has  been  elected  president  of 
the  Society  of  Motion  Picture  Art 
Directors,  succeeding  William  Ferrari 
who  was  named  to  the  board  of  di- 
rectors. 


Reelect  AFL  Unit  Officers 

Hollywood,  Sept.  22. — All  officers 
of  the  Hollywood  AFL  Film  Council 
have  been  reelected. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
Tames  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor-  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald''  Theatre  Sale's;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  poet  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3   1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


TOE 


DAILY 


Warners 


"Johnny  Belinda" 


102  Mins. 


RICH,  PROFOUNDLY  MOVING  DRAMA.  SHOULD  GO  TO  THE  TOP  OF  THE  LIST 
IN  '48  INDUSTRY  HONORS.  WILL  BE  A  LONG  REMEMBERED  FILM.  MAY  PROVE 
A  PHENOMENAL  TURNING  POINT  IN  ELIMINATING  CURRENT  TICKETBUYING 
LETHARGY. 

If  would  be  a  waste  of  type,  space  and  time  about  here  to  even  hazard  a  guess  at  the 
box  office  potential  of  "Johnny  Belinda/'  It  is  going  to  be  remembered  a  long  time  by 
both  patron  and  showman.  It's  going  to  be  brought  back  again  and  again,  too.  This  is 
one  picture  that  can  stand  many  viewings. 

It  is  rich,  profundly  moving  drama  that  has  been  fashioned  in  "Johnny  Belinda."  To 
watch  this  story  unfold  is  to  experience  a  series  of  keen  emotional  impacts.  A  superior 
example  of  the  craftsmanship  that  goes  into  making  fine  films,  it  may  be  said  for  this 
production  that  the  cinematic  medium  has  again  proved  itself  the  superior  of  the  theater. 
It  is  with  consummate  taste  and  execution  that  Producer  Jerry  Wald  and  Director  Jean 
Negulesco  have  brought  Elmer  Harris'  stage  play  to  the  screen. 

In  "Johnny  Belinda"  the  industry  can  take  a  long,  deserved  bow  for  an  achievement 

th 


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JANE  MAN  -  LEW  AYRES  .."JOHNNY  BELINDA". charies  mm 

AGNES  MOOREHEAD   •   STEPHEN  MCNALLY  •   directed  by  JEAN  NEGULESCO  •   produced  by  JERRY  WALD 

Screen  Play  by  Irmgard  Von  Cube  and  Allen  Vincent- From  the  Stage  Play  by  Elmer  Harris  •  Produced  by  Harry  Wagstaff  Gribble*  Music  by  MaxSteiner 


ien 


9TO 


DIRECTION?  Sunerb. 


PHOTOGRAPHY:  Brilliant. 


Qne  of  Me  mos 
flmaz/rtf /Icf/on 

eve? 


filmed/ 


sonny  TUFTS  BARBARA  BRITTO 

GEORGE  "GABBY"  HAYES 


EDGAR  BUCHANAN    WILLIAM  BISHOP 

Screenplay  by  Tom  Reed 

Based  upon  a  SATURDAY  EVENING  POST  »** a  m 

Directed  by  Produced  by 

CHARLES  LAMONT  •  HARRY  JOE  BROWN 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  September  23,  1948 


Production  Steady, 
With  28  Filming 

Hollywood,  Sept.  22. — The  produc- 
tion index  stands  at  28,  gaining  one 
from  last  week.  Work  started  on 
seven  new  films,  while  six  were  com- 
pleted. 

Shooting  started  on  "When  a  Man's 
a  Man"  (Windsor),  Allied  Artists; 
"Air  Hostess"  and  "Desert  Vigilante," 
Columbia;  "File  649— State  Depart- 
ment" (Neufeld),  Film  Classics; 
"Headin'  for  Trouble,"  Monogram ; 
"Too  Late  for  Tears"  (Stromberg), 
United  Artists;  "Flamingo  Road," 
Warner. 

Shooting  finished  on  "Little  Wo- 
men" and  "Take  Me  Out  to  the 
Ball  Game,"  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ; 
"The  Heiress"  (Wyler),  Paramount; 
"Thunder  in  the  Pines"  (Lippert), 
Screen  Guild;  "Canadian  Pacific" 
(Nat  Holt),  20th  Century-Fox;  "Out- 
post in  Morocco"  (Moroccan),  United 
Artists. 


Astor  To  Produce  3 
Pictures  in  Italy 

Deal  for  the  production  of  three  pic- 
tures to  be  made  in  Italy  with  F.  H. 
Fodor  as  producer  was  completed  in 
Hollywood  with  Fodor  and  Dr.  Alexis 
Pantaleoni  by  Robert  M.  Savini,  As- 
tor Pictures  president,  it  was  an- 
nounced here  by  Savini.  "Children 
of  the  Sun,"  "Pocahontas"  and  "Dan- 
ger Point"  are  the  pictures  involved, 
according  to  Savini,  who  has  returned 
to  New  York  after  a  10-week  stay  on 
the  Coast.  In  addition,  a  deal  is  pend- 
ing to  acquire  the  screenplay  or  an 
original  opera  based  on  Shakespeare's 
"As  You  Like  It,"  which  would  be 
the  fourth  film  to  be  made  in  Italy, 
Savini  said.  American  casts  and  di- 
rectors will  be  used  in  the  films  to  be 
made  abroad,  he  added. 


'Miss  Tatlock*  Given 
iBy  Rating  by  Legion 

Paramount's  "Miss  Tatlock's  Mil- 
lions" was  given  a  "B"  classification 
by  the  National  Legion  of  Decency  in 
its  review  of  seven  more  pictures. 
Rated  A-I  were :  Screen  Guild's 
"Jungle  Goddess"  and  Columbia's 
"Walk  a  Crooked  Mile."  Classified 
A-II  were :  20th  Century-Fox's 
"Apartment  for  Peggy,"  Eagle-Lion's 
"Hollow  Triumph"  and  "Lady  at 
Midnight,"  and  Continental  Films' 
"Pagliacci"  (Italian). 


Field  Grosses  Holding  Up 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


stood  out  last  month  among  leading 
grossers.  Other  films  which  appeared 
frequently  as  better-than-average  per- 
formers were:  "The  Babe  Ruth 
Story,"  "Mr.  Blandings  Builds  His 
Dream  House,"  "The  Fuller  Brush 
Man,"  "So  Evil  My  Love,"  "Abbott 
and  Costello  Meet  Frankenstein," 
"The  Paradine  Case"  and  "Life  With 
Father." 

Registering  strongly  toward  the 
end  of  the  month  when  they  bowed 


into  a  number  of  key  houses  were : 
"Good  Sam,"  "Luxury  Liner"  and 
"Pitfall,"  while  coming  through  with 
good  performances  from  time  to  time 
during  the  month  were :  "Canon  City," 
"Melody  Time,"  "The  Best  Years  of 
Our  Lives,"  "The  Walls  of  Jericho" 
and  "The  Time  of  Your  Life." 

Composite  key  city  box-office  re- 
ports for  1948  to  date,  compared  with 
corresponding  weeks  of  last  year, 
follow : 


IMS 

Week 

Ending 


Jan. 
Tan. 
fan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Feb. 
Feb. 


3-  3  . 
9-10  . 
16-17 
23-24  . 
30-31  . 
6-  7  . 
13-14 
Feb.  20-21  . 
Feb.  27-28  . 
Mar.     5-  6 


Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
April 
April 
April 


12-13 
19-20 
26-27 
2-  3 
9-10 
16-17 


April  23-24 
April  30- M 
May  7-  8 
May  14-15 
May  21-22 
May  28-29 
June    4-  S 


ay  1 . 


June 
June 
June 
July 
July 


11-12 
18-19 

25-26 
2-  3  . 
9-10  . 


Tuly  16-17 
July  23-24  . 
July  30-31  . 
Aug.    6-  7 
Aug.  13-14 
Aug.  20-21 
Aug.  27-28 
Sept.    3-  4 


^Lverage 

No.  of 

Total 

Per 

Theatres  Gross 

Theatre 

179 

$3,406,600 

$19,031 

168 

3,112,700 

18.528 

168 

2,473,300 

14,722 

166 

2,419,000 

14,572 

166 

2,341,900 

14,108 

2,537,800 

15  196 

166 

2,381,500 

R546 

164 

2,316.500 

14.125 

167 

2.734,100 

16.372 

.  165 

2.372,700 

14,380 

.  165 

2,441,800 

14.799 

..  175 

2,626.800 

15.010 

.  162 

2,356,800 

14,548 

171 

2,953,500 

17,272 

.  169 

2,740,000 

16,213 

..  175 

2,493.600 

14,249 

167 

2,284,000 

13.677 

159 

2,232,300 

14,040 

167 

2,416,500 

14.470 

167 

2,301,200 

13,780 

149 

2,118,300 

14,217 

158 

2,241,100 

14,184 

166 

2,577.400 

15,527 

172 

2,287,800 

13,304 

176 

2,340,300 

13,297 

170 

2,396.500 

14.097 

167 

2,476,300 

14.828 

2,499,000 

15,522 

170 

2,418,900 

14,229 

,  172 

2,577,800 

14,987 

170 

2,438,600 

14.345 

. ,  173 

2,482,800 

14, 551 

..  171 

2,575,500 

15,061 

..  175 

2,577,800 

14,730 

..  166 

2,430,400 

14,641 

172 

2,463,500 

14,323 

1548 

Week 
Ending 

Tan.    3-  4 


Jan 
Tan. 
Tan. 
Tan. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
April 
April 


10-11  .  . 
17-18  ., 
24-25  .. 

3- Feb. 

7-  8  .. 
14-15  . 
21-22 
28-Mar. 
7-  8  . 

14-15 

21-22  . 

28-29  . 
4-  5  . 

11-12  . 


April  18-19 
April  25-26 
May    2-  3  . 
May    9-10  . 
May  16-17  . 
May  23-24  . 
May  30-31  . 
Tune    6-  7 
June  13-14 
June  20-21 
Tune  27-28 
July    4-  5 
July  11-12  . 
Tuly  18-19 
July  25-26  . 
Aug.     1-  2 
Aug.    8-  9 
Aug.  15-16 
Aug.  22-23 
Aug.  29-30 
Sept.    5-  6 


No.  of 

Total 

Per 

Theatres  Gross 

I  ti€3tr© 

167 

$3,678,100 

$22,024 

173 

3,363,200 

19,400 

..  173 

3,007  300 

17,383 

..  176 

3,043,700 

17,294 

.  181 

2,293,600 

18.197 

177 

3,089,600 

1 7  /IOC 

177 

2,767.900 

15,638 

.  182 

3,042,700 

16,718 

166 

2.800  300 

16,869 

178 

2,906,400 

16,328 

174 

2.890.300 

16,610 

..  173 

2,922.900 

16,895 

.  178 

3,069.500 

17,245 

179 

2,838,8C0 

15,859 

.  184 

2,233,500 

17,606 

177 

2,973,400 

16,798 

183 

2,917,900 

15,945 

177 

2,699,8C0 

15,253 

175 

2,578,100 

15,732 

176 

2,650,400 

15,059 

169 

2.369,100 

14,018 

173 

2,590,100 

14,972 

178 

2,834,800 

15,926 

.  165 

2,511.700 

15,222 

..  170 

2,579,400 

15,173 

174 

2,557,000 

14,695 

163 

2,507,300 

15,382 

169 

2,734,800 

16,182 

174 

2,555,900 

14,689 

156 

2,561,700 

16,421 

160 

2,511,500 

15,696 

..  166 

2,612,700 

15.742 

..  164 

2.622,300 

15,989 

..  170 

2,931,800 

17,246 

..  164 

2,786,700 

16,992 

159 

2,829,000 

17,792 

Realart  Plans 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Maria  Van  Slyke  to  E-L 

Appointment  of  Maria  Van  Slyke 
as  Eagle-Lion  national  magazine  con- 
tact was  announced  here  by  Max  E. 
Youngstein,  advertising  and  publicity 
vice-president.  Miss  Van  Slyke,  who 
replaces  Marie  Slate,  will  start  in  her 
new  post  on  Oct.  1.  She  previously 
was  associated  with  Paramount,  20th 
Century-Fox ,•  and  Universal-Interna- 
tional. 


A.A.  To  Host  Editors 

Lloyd  Nolan,  who  co-stars  with 
Audie  Murphy  in  "Bad  Boy,"  which 
is  being  sponsored  by  Variety  Clubs 
International,  will  be  guest  of  honor 
here  today  at  an  Allied  Artists'  recep- 
tion for  fan  magazine  editors. 


David  Bursten  Transfers 

David  Bursten,  iir'ustrv  attorney 
formerly  associated  with  the  law  of- 
fice of  William  B.  Jaffe,  has  joined 
the  legal  firm  of  Paine,  Kramer  and 
Marx,  New  York. 


as  many  as  6,000  to  7,000  theatres  and 
smaller  programs  to  between  4,000 
and  5,000  theatres,  according  to 
Rogers. 

The  sales  meeting  achieved  closer 
relations  between  Realart's  national 
coverage  through  its  22  franchise 
holders  and  effected  smoother  operat- 
ing plans,  Rogers  reported.  A  con- 
tinuous flow  of  releases  was  set  up, 
assuring  both  franchise  holders  and 
exhibitors  of  a  dependable  supply  of 
box-office  attractions,  the  release  of 
which  will  be  keyed  to  their  timeli- 
ness, he  said. 

A  permanent  advertising  budget  is 
under  consideration  by  the  company 
for  the  department  headed  by  William 
Schulman,  advertising-publicity  di- 
rector. 

S.  S.  Krellberg,  New  York-Buffalo- 
Albany  franchise  holder,  on  behalf  of 
the  meeting  presented  Rogers  with  a 
motion  picture  camera  at  a  luncheon 
yesterday,  attended  by  trade  press 
representatives. 


Psychology  Society 
Analyzes  Para.  Film 

Washington,  Sept.  22.  —  Para- 
mount's "The  Night  Has  a  Thousand 
Eyes,"  starring  Edward  G.  Robinson 
and  dealing  with  extra-sensory  per- 
ception, got  a  going-over  tonight  from 
experts.  A  Paramount  contingent, 
headed  by  vice-president  Paul  Rai- 
bourn,  gave  a  special  screening  of  the 
film  for  the  Para- Psychology  Society, 
local  group  devoted  to  the  study  of 
extra-sensory  perception.  The  show- 
ing of  the  film  was  followed  by  dis- 
cussion of  the  picture's  treatment  of 
the  new  science,  led  by  Dr.  J.  B. 
Rhine  of  Duke  University,  outstand 
ing  experimenter  in  the  field. 


20th  Asks  Ruling 
In  Walbrook  Suit 

Washington,  Sept.  22. — Twentieth 
Century-Fox  today  asked  Federal 
Court  here  for  a  summary  judgment 
or  dismissal  of  a  suit  by  the  Walbrook 
Theatre  of  Baltimore  to  keep  20th- 
Fox  from  giving  half  its  first  neigh- 
borhood run  product  to  the  competing 
Windsor  Theatre. 

Fox  agreed  to  do  this  in  an  out-of- 
court  settlement  of  a  treble-damage 
suit  by  the  Windsor  against  FoJ^  1 
other  distributors.  Walbrook's  re^,^X 
for  a  preliminary  injunction  to  block 
the  agreement  was  thrown  out  by 
Judge  Letts  last  week,  and  20th-Fox 
was  told  to  submit  proposed  findings 
and  order  on  the  matter  of  a  tempo- 
rary injunction. 

These  are  still  to  be  filed,  but  in 
the  meantime,  the  firm  came  through 
with  this  new  motion  for  dismissing 
the  suit  altogether,  and  possibly  even 
getting  a  summary  judgment  that  the 
agreement  does  not  violate  the  law, 
thus  removing  all  possible  future  suits. 


Jackson  Pk.  Granted 
Day -Date  on  'Affair9 

Chicago,  Sept.  22. — Paramount  to- 
day granted  the  Jackson  Park  Thea- 
tre day-and-date  playing  time,  starting 
Friday,  for  "A  Foreign  Affair,"  with 
the  Balaban  and  Katz  Tivoli. 

The  concession  was  granted  as  a  re- 
sult of  Judge  Igoe's  refusal  yesterday 
to  concede  to  Paramount's  motion  to 
play  the  film  at  the  Tivoli  for  an  ex- 
clusive South  Side  showing. 


Video  Losing  Money 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

wake  up  to  find  the  new  band  as 
crowded  as  the  present  one." 

He  said  he  thought  two  stations 
per  city  were  enough — one  in  the 
present  band,  one  in  the  ultra-high 
frequencies. 

Raibourn  insisted  that  the  need  for 
additional  channels  was  great  and 
pressing,  and  that  the  only  way  the 
need  could  be  met  was  by  using  the 
upper  frequencies,  and  declared  that 
all  properly  qualified  parties  should 
be  permitted  to  operate  stations  in 
both  the  present  band  and  the  upper 
band  "provided  there  is  no  uneco- 
nomic utilization  of  these  higher  bands 
through  a  duplication  of  the  same  pro- 
grams over  both  stations." 


Enterprise 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Enterprise  suspended  production  on 
Sept.  13. 

Enterprise,  whose  plans  for  resum- 
ing production  are  still  undecided, 
will  rent  office  space  at  the  studio. 

Expressing  satisfaction  with  the  set- 
tlement which  frees  him  of  a  com- 
mitment to  produce  for  Enterprise, 
Sherman  said  he  will  now  re-enter 
production  for  release  by  a  major 
company  to  be  announced  shortly. 


Stack  Promotes  Gill 

London,  Sept.  22.  —  William  Gill, 
Manchester  representative  for  Warner 
Brothers,  has  been  promoted  to  a  head 
office  post  here  by  Charles  P.  Stack, 
general  sales  manager.  Gill  will  be 
acting  London  branch  manager  while 
at  the  head  office. 


Capra  to  UNESCO  Meet 

Holly  woo,  Sept.  22.  —  Frank 
Capra,  Paramount  producer-director, 
will  leave  tomorrow  for  Boston  to 
attend  a  meeting  next  Sunday  and 
Monday  of  the  United  Nations  Edu- 
cational, Scientific  and  Cultural  Or- 
ganization. 


Col.,  Parks  in  Deal 

Hollywood,  Sept.  22.  —  Columbia 
and  Larry  Parks  have  signed  a  new 
contract  under  which  the  star  will 
appear  in  pictures  both  for  Columbia 
and  for  his  own  company.  Parks 
will  star  in  "Jolson  Sings  Again," 
which  will  go  into  production  on  Oct. 
18.  The  old  pact  had  been  the  subject 
of  litigation. 


Abbott,  Costello  Re-sign 

Hollywood,  Sept.  22.  —  William 
Goetz,  Universal-International  produc- 
tion executive,  has  announced  that  the 
company  has  exercised  a  term  option 
on  Abbott  and  Costello  for  the  com- 
edians to  appear  in  two  pictures  in 
the  coming  season,  their  ninth  year 
with  the  studio. 


Rebuilding  Omaha  House 

Omaha,  Sept.  22.  — ■  Closed  by  the 
Fire  Department,  the  Cass  Theatre 
here  will  be  rebuilt  and  reopened  by 
Donald  Herring  of  Paramount,  Cal. 
It  is  expeGted  to  open  this  fall. 


Nelson  in  Fruit  Business 

Hollywood,  Sept.  22. — Donald  Nel- 
son, former  president  of  the  Society 
of  Independent  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers, will  return  to  Los  Angeles 
Oct.  1  as  executive  vice-president  of 
Mission  Pact,  shipper  of  fruits. 


fi^T'ON  PI CTUIU  FIRST 

23  »Esr  44ti.  ^ # 


1:1 


64.  NO.  60 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  24,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Balaban  Flays 
SOPEG  On 
'Red9  Issue 


Challenges  Union  Heads 
To  Sign  Taft  Affidavits 

Barney  Balaban,  president  of 
Paramount,  yesterday  informed  the 
Screen  Office  and  Professional  Em- 
ployes Guild  (CIO)  in  a  strongly 
worded  letter  that  the  company  will 
maintain  its  position  against  dealing 
with  SOPEG,  "whatever  the  cost," 
until  the  union's  officers  swear  they 
are  not  Communists. 

Said  Balaban :  "We  shall  not  deal 
with  a  union  that  protects  those  who 
may  not  dare  to  run  the  risk  of  sign- 
ing a  non-Communist  affidavit."  Six 
other  distributors  have  taken  a  similar 
attitude  toward  SOPEG. 

Balaban's  letter,  which  he  termed 
"an  emphatic  reaffirmation  of  our  po- 
sition,"  was   addressed   to  SOPEG 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Boston  Trust 
Suit  Filed 


Boston,  Sept.  23. — Three  operators 
of  a  theatre  circuit  filed  a  $1,000,000 
damage  suit  in  U.  S.  District  Court 
here  today  against  19  distributors,  and 
others. 

The  plaintiffs,  Abraham  and  Samuel 
Garbose  of  Gardner,  and  Jacob  Gar- 
bose  of  Athol,  charged  the  companies 
with  violating  the  anti-trust  act  by  al- 
legedly preventing  them  from  exhibit- 
ing certain  films  until  a  considerable 
time  after  they  had  been  shown  at 
theatres  owned  or  operated  by  the  de- 
fendants. 

An  injunction  to  restrain  the  de- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Warner  Executives 
At  Coast  Meeting 

Hollywood,  Sept.  23. — A  product 
planning  session  of  top  Warner  execu- 
tives will  begin  Monday  at  the  com- 
pany's Burbank  studio  and  also  to 
blueprint  merchandising  of  new  pro- 
ductions. 

Albert  Warner,  Samuel  Schneider, 
Ben  Kalmenson,  general  sales  man- 
ager ;  Harry  Kalmine,  general  man- 
ager of  Warner  Theatres,  and  Mort 
Blumenstock,  advertising  -  publicity 
chief,  will  arrive  here  Monday  to  meet 
with  Harry  M.  and  Jack  L.  Warner. 


Martin  Quigley 's 
Third  of  a  Century 
Anniversary 

By  SHERWIN  KANE 

WITH  the  current  issue  of  Motion  Picture  Herald,  out 
today,  Martin  Quigley  completes  a  Third  of  a  Century 
as  editor  and  publisher  of  industry  journals.  The  Herald 
of  today,  elder  of  the  Quigley  Publications,  is  the  lineal  descendant 
of  that  first  journal  which  he  founded  in  Chicago  in  1915  and  named 
the  Exhibitors'  Herald. 

There  was  significance  in  the  name  he  gave  to  his  first  publication. 
The  nickelodeon  of  exhibition's  early  days  was  on  the  way  out, 
giving  way  to  the  more  comfortable  and  inviting  film  theatre. 
Meanwhile,  programs  of  one-  and  two-reel  films  were  being  chal- 
lenged by  the  still  unproved  feature-length  picture. 

In  that  period  of  change,  the  exhibitor  with  his  increasing  invest- 
ments in  the  new  type  family  theatre  and  the  type  of  program  it 
would  offer  had  need  of  and  warranted  a  more  authoritative  and 
effective  voice  in  the  industry  which  was  vitally  astir  and  growing. 

There  was"  too,  on  Quigley's  part  an  aware- 
ness of  the  gradually  emerging  industry  pattern 
of  an  interdependent  production,  distribution 
and  exhibition.  His  publication  was  to  serve 
that  integrated  industry  a-coming  as  well  as  to 
provide  a  proper  forum  for  the  theatre  owner 
whose  swiftly  developing  import  as  the  point  of 
contact  for  the  industry  with  the  public  and  as 
the  purchasing  agent  for  its  entertainment  was 
soon  to  become  a  fact  apparent  to  all. 

It  was  the  year  of  D.  W.  Griffith's  "Birth  of 
a  Nation". 

in  which  the  names  of  Cecil  B.  DeMille, 
Jesse  L.  Lasky,  Mary  Pickford  and  Charlie  Chaplin  were  establish- 
ing star  significance  in  production,  on  the  screen  and  in  the  minds 
of  the  ticket  buyers.  The  industry's  great  star  period  was  under  way. 

4^   j^l.   In  its  second  year,   1916,  Exhibitors'  Herald  ac- 
quired and  merged  Motography,  a  pioneer  weekly  of  the  industry. 

The  industry  press,  apart  from  The  Herald,  then  consisted  for 
the  most  part  of  the  Moving  Picture  World  and  Motion  Picture 
News,  neither  of  which  appeared  to  concede  at  the  time  that 
the  operators  of  converted  halls  and  stores,  or  even  the  builders 
of  the  first  motion  picture  theatres,  were  a  permanent,  integrated 
unit  of  the  swiftly  changing  industry. 

The  family  theatre  continued  to  become  more  numerous,  more 
comfortable,  even  luxurious.  Keeping  pace  with  the  trend,  Quigley 
inaugurated  Better  Theatres  in  1923.  It  was  a  special  section  pub- 
lished every  four  weeks,  devoted  exclusively  to  the  physical  theatre, 
its  design,  equipment  and  operation.    It  became  immediately  a 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Fabian  Bachrach 
MARTIN  QUIGLEY 


It 


time 


TOA  to  Leave 
Charity  Aid  to 
Unit  Decision 


Board  Nominates  Slate 
On  Eve  of  Convention 


By  RED  KANN 

Chicago,  Sept.  23.  —  Theatre 
Owners  of  America  today  turned 
its  back  on  national  charity  drives 
when  its  board  of  directors  decided 
it  will  be  up  to  local  units  to  par- 
ticipate on  a  territorial  basis  if  they 
so  elect.  However,  TOA's  screening 
committee,  which  passes  on  the  ac- 
ceptibility  of  films  for  charitable  pur- 
poses, was  maintained  and  will  rec- 
ommend such  films  for  showing  with- 
out further  commitment. 

The  directors,  who  will  resume  at 
eight  A.M.  tomorrow  on  the  head  of 
the  first  business  session,  tonight  also 
discussed  the  Ascap  situation,  which 
(Continued  on  page  6) 


/,  709,807 
U'  Deficit 


Consolidated  net  loss  of  $1,709,807 
for  the  nine  months  ended  July  31 
was  disclosed  here  yesterday  by  Uni- 
versal Pictures.  This  compares  with 
a  net  profit  of  $2,470,167  for  the  cor- 
responding period  of  the  preceding 
year.  Both  totals  are  after  all  charges 
including  Federal  income  taxes. 

At  the  same  time,  J.  Cheever  Cow- 
din,  chairman  of  the  board,  and  Nate 
J.  Blumberg,  president,  announced 
that  because  of  "unsettled  conditions" 
the  board  of  directors  has  decided  to 
omit  payment  of  the  regular  quarterly 
dividend  on  common  stock. 


Scully  Will  Preside 
At  U-I  Meet  Today 


The  single  national  sales  convention 
idea  can  no  longer  be  effective  because 
it  does  not  enable  sales  executives  to 
intimately  discuss  local  problems  with 
branch  managers  and  salesmen,  de- 
clared William  A.  Scully,  Universal- 
International  sales  vice-president,  here 
yesterday  on  the  eve  of  the  opening, 
today,  of  the  first  of  four  U-I  1948- 
49  regionals,  at  the  Hotel  Waldorf- 
Astoria.  Scully  will  preside.  Also 
attending  from  the  home  office  will  be 
A.  J.  O'Keefe,  E.  T.  Gomersall,  Fred 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  September  24,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

CHARLES  REAGAN,  Paramount 
distribution  vice-president,  was 
in  Chicago  yesterday  en  route  to 
South  Bend.  He  will  be  in  Indiana- 
polis Sunday  when  his  parents  ob- 
serve their  55th  wedding  anniversary. 
• 

Milton  Kusell,  Selznick  Releas- 
ing Organization  sales  vice-president, 
and  Paul  MacNamara,  Selznick  ad- 
vertising-publicity vice-president,  are 
in  Chicago  from  New  York  for  the 
TOA  convention. 

• 

Jack  Leewood,  Screen  Guild  adver- 
tising-publicity director,  who  was 
scheduled  to  leave  the  Coast  for  New 
York  this  week,  has  postponed  his  trip 
indefinitely. 

• 

Ben  Fish,  special  representative 
and  brother  of  Samuel  Goldwyn, 
was  in  Boston  yesterday  from  the 
Coast. 

• 

Jack  Granara,  RKO  Radio  studio 
representative,  was  in  Boston  yester- 
day from  Hollywood. 

• 

B.  G.  Kranze,  Film  Classics  sales 
vice-president,  returned  to  New  York 
yesterday  from  the  Coast. 

• 

Lewis    Blumberg,    assistant  sales 
manager  of  Prestige  Pictures,  is  on 
a  sales  trip  to  Chicago  and  Milwaukee. 
• 

Russell  Holman,  Paramount 
Eastern  production  head,  will  leave 
here  by  plane  Sunday  for  the  Coast. 


$499,000  Dividends 
Paid  by  Film  Firms 

Washington,  Sept.  23. — Publicly- 
reported  cash  dividends  of  film  firms 
totaled  $499,000  in  August,  compared 
to  $2,327,000  last  August,  the  Com- 
merce Department  reported  here  to- 
day. A  Commerce  official  said  the 
drop  was  due  to  the  fact  that  the  re- 
port showed  no  dividend  for  the  Stan- 
ley Co.  this  August ;  its  annual  divi- 
dend, usually  reported  in  August,  is 
about  $1,800,000.  Last  year  Com- 
merce reported  $541,000  in  August 
without  Stanley. 

Publicly-reported  cash  film,  divi- 
dends for  the  first  eight  months  to- 
taled $26,812,000,  compared  with  $33,- 
295,000  for  the  comparable  1947 
period. 


MPIC  Analyzes  Opinion 

Hollywood,  Sept.  23. — A  study  of 
how  people  form  opinions  about  the 
film  industry  and  what  can  be  done  to 
change  adverse  opinions  has  been 
completed  by  the  Motion  Picture  In- 
dustry Council.  Dore  Schary,  chair- 
man of  the  Council,  has  called  a  meet- 
ing of  the  organization  for  Sept.  28 
for  a  discussion  of  the  study. 


Rodeo  To  Fete  Press 

A  reception  for  the  trade  press  will 
be  held  at  Madison  Square  Garden 
here  on  Monday  afternoon  in  connec- 
tion with  the  annual  rodeo  which  will 
start  here  that  day  with  Gene  Autry 
as  top  star. 


Patronage  Cut  30% 
By  Video:  Raibourn 

Characterizing  television  as  "the 
greatest  cultural,  educational  and  en- 
tertainment medium  of  the  future," 
Paul  Raibourn,  Paramount  vice-presi- 
dent, declared  here  yesterday  that  film 
patronage  decreases  20  to  30  per  cent 
when  the  American  family  acquires  a 
television  receiver. 

Raibourn,  who  returned  to  New 
York  yesterday  from  Washington, 
spoke  at  a  round-table  meeting  of  the 
National  Industrial  Conference  Board 
at  the  Waldorf-Astoria. 

He  predicted  that  the  decline  in  de- 
mand for  motion  pictures  and  other 
entertainment  media  will  level  off  to 
show  only  an  eight  to  10  per  cent  de- 
crease after  five  years  when,  at  the 
current  rate  of  production  of  television 
sets,  the  "saturation"  point  for  video 
will  have  been  reached. 

Emphasizing  that  motion  pictures 
and  radio  are  "probably  closer  to  the 
ultimate  consumer  than  any  other  bus- 
iness represented  here,"  Raibourn  told 
the  National  Industrial  Conference 
Board  that  the  current  inflation  is  be- 
ginning to  cause  a  cessation  of  spend- 
ing in  these  low-priced  entertainment 
fields. 

"That  is  the  kind  of  effect  you 
would  expect  in  sensible  people,"  he 
declared.  "So  I  have  great  hopes  our 
inflation  is  going  to  be  managed  by 
the  people  more  perfectly  than  anyone 
in  Washington  would  be  able  to  man- 
age it." 


Boston  Trust  Suit 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


fendants  from  allegedly  engaging  in 
block  booking  and  blind  buying  prac- 
tices also  was  asked  by  the  plaintiffs. 

Defendants  named  were  Para- 
mount, Loew's,  20th  Century-Fox 
Film,  Warner,  RKO  Radio,  United 
Artists,  Universal,  Columbia,  Repub- 
lic, Monogram,  and  theatre-operating 
subsidiaries  in  New  England. 


Mass  for  Guild  Founder 

An  Anniversary  Mass  will  be  of- 
fered this  morning  at  10  o'clock  in  the 
Actors  Chapel  of  St.  Malachy's 
Church  here  in  commemoration  of  the 
25th  anniversary  of  the  death  of  the 
Reverend  John  Talbot  Smith,  who 
founded  the  Catholic  Actors  Guild. 
Father  de  Leon,  Guild  chaplain,  will 
celebrate  the  Mass. 


Film  Folk  at  Air  Meet 

Forty-two  Hollywood  personalities, 
including  Bob  Hope,  Jack  Warner, 
Hal  Roach,  Paul  Lukas,  Bebe  Dan- 
iels, Ben  Lyon,  Mark  Stevens  and 
Melvyn  Douglas,  arrived  here  last 
night  to  represent  the  film  industry  at 
the  three-day  Air  Force  reunion  and 
convention,  being  held  through  to- 
morrow. 


Johnston  at  SMPE  Meet 

Eric  Johnston,  president  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association  of  America, 
has  accepted  an  invitation  from  the 
Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engineers 
to  address  the  opening  luncheon  of  its 
semi-annual  convention  in  Washing- 
ton on  Oct.  25. 


Balaban  to  SOPEG 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

president  Sidney  Young  in  reply  to 
two  letters  in  which  the  latter  charged 
that  the  company  delivered  "an  ulti- 
matum that  compliance  with  Taft- 
Hartley  is  a  pre-condition  to  negotia- 
tions" and  that  management  was  rais- 
ing "red  herrings." 

"You  are  the  ones  who  draw  a  'red 
herring'  between  us  when  you  assert 
that  the  issue  is  your  demands,"  Bala- 
ban countered.  "If  ever  there  were  a 
time  for  each  of  us  to  stand  up  and  be 
counted,  this  is  it !  Why  should  any 
American  hesitate  to  stand  up  and 
state,  'I  am  not  a  member  of  the 
Communist  Party  and  I'm  glad  to 
swear  to  it!'  What  opprobrium  is 
there  involved  in  the  act  of  signing  an 
affidavit  that  one  is  not  an  agent  of  a 
foreign  government?  What  is  this 
incredible  attitude,"  Balaban  asked 
again,  "that  stills  the  tongue  and  stays 
the  hand  from  enlisting  on  the  side  of 
democracy  ? 

"The  Communist  Party  and  its  ad- 
herents are  bad  for  our  country  and 
bad  for  our  industry,"  Balaban  wrote, 
adding  that  "We  propose  to  exercise 
every  legal  right  to  keep  them  out  of 
our  affairs."  Balaban  concluded  his 
letter  with  an  expression  of  hope  that 
"through  the  democratic  process,  the 
members  of  SOPEG  will  exercise 
their  democratic  right  to  change  their 
minds  and  clear  the  way  for  amicable 
collective  bargaining  in  a  spirit  of 
mutual  confidence." 

SOPEG's  contracts  with  Para- 
mount and  the  six  other  distributors 
expire  on  Monday. 


W.B.,  Col.  Settle  on 
Pact  with  Colosseum 

Chicago,  Sept.  23. — Final  agree- 
ment was  reached  here  yesterday  by 
Warners  and  Columbia  with  the  Colos- 
seum of  Motion  Picture  Salesmen  at 
a  conference  to  iron  out  a  one-point 
difference.  Nine  other  distributors 
l^ad  previously  settled  upon  contract 
terms  with  the  Colosseum.  Ratifica- 
tion of  the  entire  contract  will  probab- 
ly be  effected  at  the  national  conven- 
tion of  the  Colosseum  Oct  16-17. 


U-I  Meeting  Today 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Meyers,  F.  J.  A.  McCarthy,  C.  J. 
Feldman,  Maurice  Bergman,  and 
others. 

Second  meeting  will  be  at  the  Ter- 
race Plaza  Hotel,  Cincinnati,  Tuesday 
and  Wednesday,  to  be  followed  by  a 
Chicago  meeting  at  the  Hotel  Black- 
stone,  next  Friday  and  Saturday,  and 
a  final  meeting  at  the  Fairmount  Ho- 
tel, San  Francisco,  Oct.  7-8. 


Seidelman  to  Conduct  U-I 
Branch  Meetings  in  Europe 

Regional  sales  meetings  will  be 
conducted  by  Universal-International 
foreign  operations  head  Joseph  H. 
Seidelman  in  Europe.  He  sailed  for 
the  Continent  yesterday. 

Additionally,  a  Latin  American  con- 
ference will  be  held  in  November. 
Robert  Lury,  Eastern  supervisor  for 
U-I,  will  come  to  New  York  from 
Singapore,  and  Herbert  Tonks,  Far 
Eastern  supervisor,  is  flying  to  Aus- 
tralia from  Manila  for  sales  talks. 


Industry  Joins  Drive 
For  Israel  Red  Cross 

Nine  industry  representatives  here 
attended  a  luncheon  yesterday  in  the 
Waldorf-Astoria  Hotel  to  arrange  for 
a  dinner  to  be  held  at  the  same  loca- 
tion on  Nov.  22  for  fund-raising  in  be- 
half of  Red  Mogen  David  (Palestine 
Red  Cross). 

Present  from  the  industry  were : 
Malcolm  Kingsberg,  Manny  Frisch, 
Sam  Rinzler,  Max  A.  Cohen,  Sam 
Rosen,  Fred  J.  Schwartz,  Sol  Sfc»ss- 
berg,  David  Weinstock  and  I^.j/.v 
Brandt.  SW 


Athletes  See  E-L  Film 

A  special  preview  of  Eagle-Lion's 
"The  Olympic  Games  of  1948"  was 
held  at  the  Gotham  Theatre  here  yes- 
terday for  70  Olympic  athletes.  Prior 
to  the  screening  a  ceremony  was  held 
at  Columbus  Circle,  where  they  were 
presented  with  scrolls  from  Manhat- 
tan borough  president  Hugh  Rogers. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL 

Rockefeller  Center 

•GARY COOPER* ANN  SHERIDAN! 


in    LEO  McCAREY'S 

GOOD  SAM 


A  Rainbow  Productions,  Inc.  Picture 
Released   by  RKO   Radio  Pictures 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


Barbara  Stanwyck 
Burt  Lancaster 

WRONG  NUMBER" 

A  Paramount  Release 


ROSALIND  RUSSELL 

in 

"THE  VELVET  TOUCH" 

A    FREDERICK  BRISSON 
PRODUCTION 
Released    through  RKO 

_R  I  VOL  I  B'wt,y&49thSt- 


RKO  presents 
LORETTA    WILLIAM  ROBERT 
YOUNG     HOLDEN  MITCHUM 

in 

'RACHEL  and  the  STRANGER' 

Brand,     MAYFA«  ^st 


TYRONE  POWER.  ANNE  BAXTER 

"THE  LUCK  OF  THE  IRISH" 

A   20th  Century-Fox  Picture 
ON    VARIETY  STAGE 
Ed  Sullivan  &   Harvest  Moon  Ball  Winners 
Joe  Howard    -    Al  Bernie    -    Illinois  Jacquet 
On    Ice  Stage  — "SYMPHONETTE  on  ICE" 
Starring  ARNOLD  SHODA 

=ROXY  thAv  t 


50th  St. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  poet  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  Marrh 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Friday,  September  24,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


Martin  Quigley's 
Third  of  a  Century 
Anniversary 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

for  exhibition,  not  to  mention  new  specialists  in  theatre 
BXfiitecture,  as  the  change-over  to  larger  and  better  theatres 
continued  apace,  carrying  with  it  new  problems,  new  discoveries 
and  the  identification,  through  experience,  of  mistakes  made  as 
the  way  was  being  charted. 

It  performed  an  equally  valuable  function  and  service  within  a 
few  years  thereafter  when  sound  displaced  the  silent  film  and 
again  the  physical  theatre  needed  to  be  re-adapted  along  still  other 
uncharted  lines. 

Jk.  jAl.   In    the    midst    of   that    period,    in    1928,  the 

Exhibitors'  Herald  acquired  and  merged  the  Moving  Picture  World, 
its  distinguished  contemporary  and  one  of  the  first  journals  of 
the  industry. 

The  Herald  thereupon  became  the  Exhibitors'  Herald-World. 

In  the  following  year,  1929,  Quigley  established  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Almanac,  today's  internationally  accepted  statistical  annual 
of  the  industry. 

In  1930,  Motion  Picture  Daily  came  into  being  through  the 
acquisition  by  Quigley  of  Exhibitors  Daily  Review  and  Motion  Pic- 
tures Today,  and  the  reconstitution  of  that  publication. 

Early  in  1931,  Quigley  acquired  a  third  pioneer  industry  weekly, 
Motion  Picture  News,  and  merged  it  with  Exhibitors'  Herald-World 
to  form  Motion  Picture  Herald. 

Fame,  the  statistical  talent  annual,  was  established  in  1933.  It 
appraises  from  year  to  year  the  leading  box  office  personalities 
of  motion  pictures,  radio  and  television.. 

In  1946  the  World  Market  section  of  The  Herald  was  founded  as 
an  annual  organ  of  service  to  international  distribution,  exhibition 
and  production,  confronted  with  their  vast,  new  problems  arising 
from  disordered  economics  left  in  the  wake  of  World  War  II. 

In  1947,  Theatre  Sales  was  established  as  a  special  monthly  sec- 
tion of  The  Herald  to  serve  the  expanding  refreshment  sales  opera- 
tions of  the  nation's  theatres. 

Over  the  Third  of  a  Century  since  the  appearance  in  1915  of 
that  first  Herald,  the  policy  and  purpose  of  Quigley  Publications 
have  continued  steadfastly. 

Quigley  espoused  at  the  outset  the  cause  of  morally  responsible 
entertainment  for  the  whole  family,  both  as  a  sound  business 
principle  for  motion  pictures  and  as  a  bulwark  against  censorship. 
He  also  opposed  use  of  the  screen  for  propaganda. 

It  is  of  interest  to  note  that  in  1915,  his  first  year  as  editor  and 
publisher  of  The  Herald,  Quigley  wrote: 

"The  public  mind  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
United  States  has  been  so  aroused  by  agitation  incident  to  the 
censorship  question  that  people  everywhere  who  are  interested  in 
the  motion  picture  either  as  a  business  or  as  a  form  of  pleasure  are 
increasingly  demanding  that  pictures  be  made  clean  and  wholesome 
to  the  last  detail.  ..." 

Over  the  intervening  Third  of  a  Century  since  that  first  appeared 
in  print,  the  columns  of  Quigley  Publications  have  repeated  it  with 
varying  forms  of  emphasis  and  address  related  to  the  particular 
problems  of  the  times. 

During  a  period  of  grave  potentialities  in  1929,  when  the 
industry  was  being  called  to  account  for  the  content  of  its  films, 
Quigley  originated  the  Production  Code  and  worked  ceaselessly 
for  its  adoption  by  the  organized  industry  in  Hollywood  and 
New  York. 

Testimonial  to  the  success  of  his  efforts  is  paid  in  the  Third  of  a 


Anniversary  Issue  of 
Motion  Picture  Herald 


The  current  issue  of  Motion  Picture  Herald  devotes  extensive 
attention  to  Martin  Quigley's  Third  of  a  Century  Anniversary. 
Highlights  of  the  period  from  1915  to  1948  are  recalled  in 
word  and  picture. 

Contents  of  the  section  include: 

A  chronicle  of  the  period  by  Terry  Ramsaye,  editor  of 
Motion  Picture  Herald,  with  introductory  note  by  Martin  Quigley; 

Pictures  from  the  Herald  files  of  a  Third  of  a  Century  ago 
and  through  the  intervening  years; 

Martin  Quigley's  selection  of  the  pictures  he  liked  best  from 
1915  to  1948,  chosen  year  by  year; 

Anniversary  messages  to  Quigley  from  various  sources. 
Excerpts  from  editorials  by  Quigley,  1915  to  1948; 
"In  Retrospect  —  1915  to  1948",  by  Martin  Quigley; 
"Martin  Quigley's  Third  of  a  Century",  editorial  by  Terry 
Ramsaye; 

What  today's  leaders  of  the  industry  were  doing  33  years  ago, 
by  Red  Kann; 

Branch  managers  and  salesmen  33  years  in  the  industry; 
A   chronology   of   Quigley   Publications,   their   origin  and 
development,  is  presented. 

"Exhibitor  Voices",  informal  messages  from  small  town  and 
neighborhood  exhibitors  with  special  address  to  The  Herald 
and  its  "What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me"  department,  have 
come  from  all  corners  of  the  country  to  the  pages  of  the 
Anniversary  issue. 

Resolutions  by  the  Motion  Picture  Association  of  America 
and  the  Association  of  Motion  Picture  Producers,  Hollywood, 
on  the  occasion  of  Martin  Quigley's  Third  of  a  Century  Anni- 
versary, are  published. 

And  special  articles  by  William  R.  Weaver,  Q.  P.  Hollywood 
editor;  George  Schutz,  editor  of  Better  Theatres;  Peter  Burnup, 
Q.  P.  London  editor,  and  Walter  Brooks,  director  of  the 
Managers'  Round  Table  section  of  Motion  Picture  Herald. 


Century  anniversary  issue  of  The  Herald  by  the  Motion  Picture 
Association  of  America  and  the  Motion  Picture  Producers 
Association. 

The  Code  Seal  on  the  screen  today  signalizes  the 
good  intent,  the  awareness  of  responsibility  and  accountability  to 
the  public  of  every  producer  whose  pictures  have  earned  it. 

Quigley's  assistance  in  the  drafting  of  the  industry  Advertising 
Code  likewise  has  been  recognized.  His  editorial  policy  did  not 
end  with  the  championing  of  decency  in  film  content.  It  called, 
as  well,  for  good  taste  and  honesty  in  advertising  the  picture  to 
the  public.  To  that  end,  the  Advertising  Code  and  its  enforce- 
ment are  applied  within  the  organized  industry. 

In  Martin  Quigley's  Third  of  a  Century  as  recorder,  observer 
and  adviser,  the  industry,  ever  changing  and  growing,  has  come 
to  maturity.  It  has  passed,  with  varying  experience,  through  two 
World  Wars,  a  bitter  world  depression,  through  physical  and 
technological  change,  the  competitive  awareness  of  new  entertain- 
ment forms,  a  decade  of  government  litigation  against  the  industry, 
up  to  today's  waning  period  of  internal  economic  readjustment 
and  reappraisal. 

The  policies  upon  which  The  Herald  was  founded  in  1915  have 
been  rigorously  pursued  all  the  while. 

They  are  as  pertinent  —  and  as  sound  —  today  as  then. 


2q 

CENTURY-FOX 


invites  the  entire  indus 


With  the  most  important  national  conve 
in  its  history  completed  .  .  .  the  entire  p 
sonnel  of  the  company  that  leads  the 
entire  industry ^is  ready  to  do 
the  most  important  job 
in  its  history! 


UNFAITHFULLY 
YOURS 


REX  HARRISON  •  LINDA  DARNELL 
RUDY  VALLEE  .  BARBARA  LAWRENCE 
in  "UNFAITHFULLY  YOURS"  with  Kurt 
Kreuger,  Lionel  Stander,  Edgar  Kennedy, 
Alan  Bridge,  Julius  Tannen,  Torben  Meyer 
An  Original  Screen  Play  Written,  Directed 
and  Produced  by  PRESTON  STURGES 


THE 
SNAKE  PIT 

Darryl  F.  Zahuck  Presents  OLIVIA 
de  HAVILLAND  in  "THE  SNAKE  PIT"  also 
Starring  MARK  STEVENS  and  LEO  GENN 
with  Celeste  Holm  *  Glenn  Langan  and 
Helen  Craig,  Leif  Erickson,  Beulah  Bondi 
Lee  Patrick,  Howard  Freeman,  Katherine 
Locke,  Natalie  Schafer,  Frank  Conroy, 
Ruth  Donnelly,  Minna  Gombell  •  Directed 
by  ANATOLE  LITVAK  •  Produced  by 
ANATOLE  LITVAK  and  ROBERT  BASSLER 
Screen  Play  by  Frank  Partos  and  Millen 
Brand  •  Based  on  the  Novel  by 
Mary  Jane  Ward 


WHEN  MY 
BABY  SMILES 
AT  ME 

Color  by  TECHNICOLOR 

BETTY  GRABLE  •  DAN  DAILEY  in  "WHEN 
MY  BABY  SMILES  AT  ME"  •  Color  by 
TECHNICOLOR  •  With  JACK  OAKIE, 
JUNE  HAVOC,  RICHARD  ARLEN,  JAMES 
GLEASON  •  Directed  by  WALTER  LANG 
Produced  by  GEORGE  JESSEL  •  Screen 
Play  by  LAMAR  TROTH  •  Adaptation  by 
Elizabeth  Reinhardt  •  From  a  Play  by 
George  Manker  Watters  and  Arthur  Hop- 
kins •  Lyrics  and  Music:  "By  The  Way" 
"What  Did  I  Do?"  by  Mack  Gordon  and 
Josef  Myrow  •  Dances  Staged  by  Sey- 
mour Felix  and  Kenny  Williams 


YELLOW 
SKY 

GREGORY  PECK  .  ANNE  BAXTER 
RICHARD  WIDMARK  in  "YELLOW  SKY" 
with  Robert  Arthur,  John  Russell,  Henry 
Morgan,  James  Barton,  Charles  Kemper 
Directed  by  WILLIAM  A.  WELLMAN 
Produced  by  LAMAR  TROTTI  •  Screenplay 
by  Lamar  Trotti  •  Based  on  a  Story  by 
W.  R.  Burnett 


More  Champions  than  any  other  company  on  Motion  Picture  Herald's  list  of  Boxoffice  Champions .  .  .  the  only 


CRY  OF 
THE  CITY 


"CRY  OF  THE  CITY"  Starring  VICTOR 
MATURE  •  RICHARD  CONTE  with  Fred 
Clark,  Shelley  Winters,  Betty  Garde,  Berry 
Kroeger,  Tommy  Cook,  Debra  Paget,  Hope 
Emerson,  Roland  Winters,  Walter  Baldwin 
Directed  by  ROBERT  SIODMAK  .  Pro- 
duced by  SOL  C.  SIEGEL  •  Screen  Play  by 
Richard  Murphy  •  From  a  Novel  by  Henry 
Edward  Helseth 


ROAD 
HOUSE 


IDA  LUPINO  •  CORNEL  WILDE  •  CELESTE 
HOLM  •  RICHARD  WIDMARK  in  "ROAD 
HOUSE"  with  O.  Z.  Whitehead,  Robert 
Karnes,  George  Beranger,  Ian  MacDonald 
Grandon  Rhodes  •  Directed  by  JEAN 
NEGULESCO  .  Produced  by  EDWARD 
CHODOROV  -  Screen  Play  by  Edward 
Chodorov  •  Story  by  Margaret  Gruen 
and  Oscar  Saul 


mpany  to  make  the  list  every  month  to  date  in  '48 .  .  .  more  hits  than  any  other  company  on  Variety's  Scoreboard! 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Friday,  September  24,  1948 


TOA 


Reviews 


"The  Return  of  Wildfire 

(Lippert-Screen  Guild) 

«*^p  HE  RETURN  OF  WILDFIRE"  is  a  better-than-average  Western 
A  despite  its  modest  budget.  Part  of  its  success  is  due  to  the  direction  of 
Ray  Taylor,  who  added  touches  of  romance  not  usually  found  in  this  type 
of  fare ;  part  is  due  to  the  cast,  which  includes  Richard  Arlen,  Patricia  Mori- 
son,  Mary  Beth  Hughes  and  Chris-Pin  Martin,  and  part  to  excellent  outdoor 
photography  by  Ernie  Miller.  It  was  produced  in  Sepiatone  by  Carl  K. 
Hittleman  for  Robert  L.  Lippert  Productions. 

As  for  the  screenplay  itself,  written  by  Betty  Burbridge  and  Hittleman, 
it  has  been  treated  many  times.  Arlen  is  the  wandering  cowboy  who  arrives 
at  a  ranch  owned  by  two  pretty  sisters,  who  are  in  the  process  of  being 
swindled  by  Reed  Hadley,  an  unscrupulous  trader  trying  to  corner  a  horse 
market.  Eventually  he  and  his  cronies  are  exposed  and  the  ranch  is  saved 
for  the  girls. 

As  a  secondary  theme  there  is  "Wildfire,"  a  spirited  horse  who  leads  a 
wild  herd.  Ranchers  capture  him,  but  turn  him  loose  when  it  is  found  that 
he  cannot  be  tamed.   In  supporting  roles  are  James  Millican  and  Holly  Bane. 

Running  time,  80  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Sept.  27. 


"Moonrise" 

(Republic) 

DANE  CLARK,  Ethel  Barrymore  and  Gail  Russell  are  the  top  "names" 
in  a  competently-staged  story  about  a  young  man  in  the  Virginia  swamp 
country  who  detaches  himself  from  society  because  his  father  had  been  exe- 
cuted as  a  murderer.  The  "back-country"  settings  are  strikingly  effective  and 
each  character  blends  in  with  rare  accuracy. 

The  Frank  Borzage  production  is  a  "mood"  picture,  and  though  a  com- 
mendable departure  from  the  usual,  a  few  light  touches  might  have  registered 
with  effect.  It  is  relentlessly  somber,  generous  with  philosophical  conversa- 
tion. That  it  manages  to  unfold  at  a  fairly  lively  pace,  despite  its  heavy- 
weight dramatics,  is  indeed  a  tribute  to  Borzage's  direction.  Above  all, 
"Moonrise"  has  a  good  deal  of  interest. 

Clark,  victim  of  all  sorts  of  frustrations,  considers  himself  an  outsider,  is 
constantly  belligerent,  and  winds  up  murdering  an  antagonist.  His  love  for 
Miss  Russell,  and  his  grandmother's,  Miss  Barrymore's,  counsel  combine  to 
make  him  face  the  future  realistically,  and  he  surrenders  to  sheriff  Allyn 
Joslyn. 

Charles  Haas  produced  and  wrote  the  screenplay,  from  the  novel  by 
Theodore  Strauss.  David  Street  sings  "The  Moonrise  Song."  Others  in  the 
cast  are  Rex  Ingram,  Henry  Morgan,  Selena  Royle  and  Harry  Carey,  Jr. 

Running  time,  90  minutes.  General  audience  classification.  Release  date, 
Oct.  L  Gene  Arneel 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

will  now  go  to  the  TOA  legal  ad- 
visory council  for  study  and  submis- 
sion of  its  findings  to  the  convention 
on  Saturday. 

The  organization's  budget  for  next 
year  was  reviewed  but  not  completed. 
_  Paul  MacNamara,  Selznick  adver- 
tising and  publicity  director,  will  out- 
line a  public  relations  plan  to  the 
directors  tomorrow,  after  which  it  will 
be  referred  to  the  committee  on  public 
relations  and  may  eventually  reach  the 
convention  floor. 

Lockwood  to  Head  TOA 

Arthur  H.  Lockwood  of  Winsted, 
Conn.,  will  be  TOA's  new  president, 
succeeding  Ted  R.  Gamble  of  Port- 
land, Ore.,  who  will  become  chairman 
of  the  board.  Fred  Wehrenberg  of  St. 
Louis  will  be  named  honorary  chair- 
man of  the  board,  while  Nat  Wiliams 
of  Rome,  Ga.,  will  succeed  Leonard  H. 
Goldenson  of  New  York  as  first  vice- 
president.  Morris  Loewenstein  of 
Oklahoma  City  will  continue  as  secre- 
tary, Charles  P.  Skouras  as  treasurer, 
and  Herman  Levy  of  New  Haven  as 
general  counsel.  Once  again  S.  H. 
Fabian  of  New  York  will  head  the 
executive  committee,  the  personnel  of 
which  is  to  continue  unchanged. 

Returned  to  their  current  posts  as 
well  will  be  Sam  Pinanski  of  Boston 
and  J.  J.  O'Leary  of  Scranton  as 
heads  of  the  finance  committee.  All 
regional  vice-presidents  similarly  will 
continue,  except  Lockwood  who  will 
be  replaced  by  Albert  Pickus  of  Strat- 
ford, Conn. 

This  slate  was  determined  by  the 
board  of  directors  and,  while  the 
convention  itself  will  not  cast  its  vote 
until  Saturday,  the  line-up  will  stand. 

Balaban,  Skouras  to  Speak 

The  two-day  convention  officially 
gets  under  way  at  the  Drake  Hotel 
with  a  morning  session  tomorrow  to 
be  followed  by  lunch  at  which  Barney 
Balaban,  president  of  Paramount,  and 
Spyros  P.  Skouras,  president  of  20th 
Century- Fox,  will  speak.  Balaban  is 
due  by  plane  tomorrow  morning  while 
Skouras  arrived  from  New  York  to- 
night. 

There  will  be  no  general  session  in 
the  afternoon  when  six  committees 
which  have  been  assigned  their  topics 
will  meet  individually  and  prepare 
their  reports  for  the  consideration  of 
the  full  convention  Saturday  morning. 
On  the  theory  the  interest  of  the  at- 
tending exhibitors  will  be  the  better 
sustained,  no  single  convention  chair- 
man will  preside.  Thus,  Fabian  will 
be  chairman  at  one  session,  Claude 
Mundo  of  Arkansas  at  another,  Roy 
Cooper  of  San  Francisco  a  third,  Ed- 
ward Zorn  of  Illinois  a  fourth,  and 
probably  Myron  Blank  of  Des  Moines 
a  fifth.  Gael  Sullivan,  executive  di- 
rector of  TOA,  whose  first  convention 
this  is,  will  preside  at  a  sixth. 

Wright  Talk  Off-the-record 

The  Department  of  Justice's  views 
on  the  legality  of  booking  and  buying 
combines  is  expected  to  be  canvassed 
with  frankness  tomorrow  afternoon 
when  Robert  Wright,  Assistant  Attor- 
ney General,  who  has  been  prosecut- 
ing the  Government's  case  against  the 
majors,  will  talk  off-the-record  before 
attorneys  of  various  TOA  units.  The 
discussion  finds  its  genesis  in  the  So- 
ciety of  Independent  Motion  Picture 
Producers'  suit  against  Cooperative 
Theatres  of  Michigan  and  United  De- 
troit Theatres. 

Attorneys  of  various  TOA  territori- 


al units  are  banded  together  in  what 
is  known  as  the  legal  advisory  coun- 
cil. From  15  to  20  will  be  on  hand 
to  hear  Wright  and  to  seek  answers 
to  the  many  perplexing  questions  con- 
fronting them  relative  to  the  status  of 
booking  and  buying  combines  in  the 
Government's  view. 

Wright  will  also  address  the  gen- 
eral convention  on  Saturday  at  a 
closed  meeting. 

TOA  committees  and  their  chair- 
men are  as  follows :  Lockwood,  tele- 
vision ;  Blank,  16mm.  competition ; 
Earl  Hudson  of  Detroit,  public  rela- 
tions ;  A.  Julian  Brylawski  of  Wash- 
ington, legislation ;  Levy,  legal  as- 
pects ;  Paul  Williams  of  Los  Angeles, 
exhibitor-distributor  relations,  and 
Sullivan,  film  transportation. 

The  organization  reported  that 
"Youth  Month"  has  been  so  successful 
that  the  National  Conference  on 
Prevention  and  Control  of  Juvenile 
Delinquency  has  asked  it  to  consider 
establishing  the  movement  on  an  an- 
nual basis. 

Direct  reservations  clocked  by  TOA 
late  today  totaled  approximately  397 
without  counting  exhibitors  of  the 
Chicago  area.  Others  are  arriving 
hourly  for  what  TOA  officials  stated 
will  swell  the  final  figure  to  475  or, 
perhaps,   slightly  more. 


UTOI  Holds  Meeting  on 
Municipal  Tax  Action 

By  JIMMY  ASCHER 

Chicago,  Sept.  23. — Illinois  theatre- 
men,  in  town  for  the  Theatre  Owners 
of  America  convention,  met  today  to 
discuss  plans  for  proposed  action  they 


will  take  to  alleviate  the  burden  of 
municipal  taxes  on  theatres.  Edward 
Zorn,  president  of  United  Theatre 
Owners  of  Illinois,  asserted  that 
"something  must  be  done  about  these 
cities,  towns  and  villages"  which  feel 
they  can  tax  what  they  want. 

Anderson  Heads  ITO 
Caravan  Committee 

Columbus,  O.,  Sept.  23.  —  Allied 
Caravan  committee  of  the  Independent 
Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio  has  been  an- 
nounced by  P.  J.  Wood,  ITO  secre- 
tary, as  follows :  Chairman,  Urban 
Anderson,  owner  of  the  Ohio,  at  Uh- 
richsville ;  Jack  Armstrong,  Glazel 
Theatre,  Bowling  Green ;  Jerry  An- 
derson, Union,  Richwood ;  E.  L.  Big- 
gio,  Grand,  Steubenville ;  Frank  Sla- 
vik,  Capitol,  Mt.  Gilead;  H.  L.  Rus- 
sell, Russell,  Millersburg;  Leo  T. 
Jones,  Star  Theatre,  Upper  Sandusky. 


Extend  Deardourff  Area 

Cleveland,  Sept.  23.  —  Charles  C. 
Deardourff,  M-G-M  exploiteer  cover- 
ing Cleveland  and  Detroit,  has  taken 
over  Pittsburgh  as  added  territory,  re- 
lieving J.  E.  Watson  to  cover  Cincin- 
nati and  Indianapolis.  Harold  Mar- 
shall, former  Indianapolis  exploiteer, 
resigned. 


Edris  Sells  to  Newman 

Seattle,  Sept.  23.— William  Edris 
has  leased  the  Roxy  Theatre  in  Bal- 
lard to  Frank  L.  Newman,  Jr.,  for  19 
years.  Edris  acquired  the  Roxy  when 
he  took  over  the  Jensen  and  Von  Her- 
berg  interests. 


Films  Figure  in 
Berlin's  'Cold  War' 


By  H.  ZU  LOEWENSTEIN 

Berlin,  Sept.  16  (By  Airmail).— 
In  the  "cold  war"  here  between  the 
East  and  West  the  motion  picture  is 
assuming  increased  importance,  with 
the  Reds  especially  stressing  propa- 
ganda. 

Ilja  Trauberg,  the  Russian  disg^tor, 
has  been  elected  to  the  board  e^.j/Ve 
Soviet-licensed  DEFA,  producfti^^n 
the  Soviet  zone.  Although  the  title 
of  the  first  feature  which  he  will  pro- 
duce for  the  company  has  not  yet 
been  announced,  it  is  known  that  it 
will  deal  with  some  aspect  of  the  cur- 
rent political  situation. 

"A  Town  Helps  Itself"  is  the  title 
of  the  latest  DEFA  documentary.  It 
deals  with  the  reconstruction  of  Chem- 
nitz in  Saxony,  in  the  Soviet  zone. 
The  DEFA  documentary,  "Warning 
and  Obligation,"  is  dedicated  to  the 
"victims  of  fascism."  Again,  another 
propaganda  picture,  "Bridges  to  the 
Future,"  emphasizes  the  "unity  of 
Germany"    from    the    Soviet  angle. 

DEFA's  new  feature,  "Grube  Mor- 
genrot,"  is  pure  and  not  too  subtle 
Communist  propaganda.  It  deals  with 
the  life  of  a  coal  miner  and  advocates 
Socialism  as  the  cure  for  all  evils. 

'Latest  figures  show  that  13  produc- 
tion companies  have  been  licensed  in 
the  U.  S.  zone;  10  in  the  British; 
five  in  the  French,  and  two  in  the 
Russian. 

Norway  Reduces 
Theatre  Tax  5% 

Oslo,  Sept.  16  (By  Airmail).— The 
Norwegian  Congress  has  approved 
lower  taxes  for  cinemas  in  Norway. 
The  five  per  cent  drop  lowered  taxes 
from  40  per  cent  to  35  per  cent  (on 
foreign  films).  This  means  an  extra 
income  of  nearly  2,500,000  kroner 
(about  $500,000)  for  Norwegian  the- 
atres annually. 


Siritzky  Acquires  12 

Twelve  new  French  pictures  have 
been  acquired  for  release  here  this  year 
by  Siritzky  International.  Included  in 
the  group  are  :  Sacha  Guitry's  "Private 
Life  of  an  Actor,"  now  showing  at  the 
Elysee  Theatre  here;  Marcel  Pagnol's 
"Caesar"  and  "Angelo";  "Foolish 
Husbands"  and  "Angel  in  the  Night." 


Canadian  Exports  Rise 

Ottawa,  Sept.  23. — Exports  of  films 
from  Canada  increased  in  July  to 
$456,000  from  $339,000  in  July  a  year 
ago  and  advanced  to  $2,557,000  for  the 
first  seven  months  of  1948,  against 
$1,977,000  in  the  corresponding  period 
last  year,  it  is  reported. 


MEMBER    FEDERAL   DEPOSIT  INSURANCE  CORPORATION 


MOTION  PICTURE 


DAILY 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  27,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


'IP  to  Reduce 
Clearances, 
States  Scully 

Intended  to  Liquidate 
Product  More  Rapidly 

Contending-  that  the  play-off  of 
pictures  has  not  kept  pace  with  the 
drastic  changes  of  the  past  few  years 
in  production,  individual  picture 
costs  and  the  greater  inventories  re- 
quired by  changes  in  distribution 
methods,  William  A.  Scully,  sales 
vice-president  of  Universal  Pictures, 
announced  at  the  weekend  in  the  first 
of  a  series  of  regional  sales  meetings 
that  Universal  will  scrutinize  the  cur- 
rent clearance  patterns  and  move  for- 
ward on  a  plan  for  more  aggressive 
and  rapid  liquidation  of  pictures, 
shortening  clearances. 

The  meetings,  which  were  held  at 
the  Hotel  Waldorf-Astoria,  New 
York,  Friday  through  Sunday,  will  be 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


WB  Filming 
At  New  Peak 


Hollywood,  Sept.  26. — Prescribing 
"the  work  treatment"  as  the  only  pos- 
sible cure  for  the  American  industry's 
ailments,  executive  producer  Jack  L. 
Warner  today  announced  a  record 
fourth-quarter  filming  schedule  that 
will  give  Warner's  studios  a  1948  pro- 
duction total  25  per  cent  higher  than 
1947. 

Warner  said  he  has  assigned  eight 
producers  to  26  properties  for  early 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


NJ  Allied  to  Weigh 
Smith  Plan  Today 

New  Jersey  Allied's  board  of  di- 
rectors ■  will  take  the  20th  Century- 
Fox  Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  exhibitor- 
distributor  conciliation  plan  to  the  or- 
ganization's membership  at  a  special 
meeting  to  be  held  today  at  the  New- 
ark Athletic  Club,  Newark.  Since  the 
New  Jersey  board  has  approved  the 

(  Continued  on  page  3) 


Canadian  Building 
More  Than  Double 

Ottawa,  Sept.  26.  —  The 
Canadian  government  reports 
that  a  nationwide  survey 
shows  the  total  value  of 
theatre  construction  in  the 
past  year  advanced  sharply  to 
$9,005,355,  including  $8,150,823 
for  new  buildings  and  $854,532 
for  alterations,  compared  with 
total  of  $3,332,616  in  the 
previous  year. 


Columbia  Dividend 
Omitted  by  Board 

Columbia  Pictures  issued  the  follow- 
ing statement  on  Friday :  "The  board 
of  directors  announced  that  although 
tentative  figures  for  the  year  ended 
June  30  showed  a  net  profit,'  neverthe- 
less because  of  unsettled  conditions 
now  prevailing  in  the  industry,  par- 
ticularly with  respect  to  foreign  op- 
erations, it  has  deemed  it  desirable  to 
take  no  action  on  the  payment  of  a 
cash  dividend  on  its  common  stock  at 
this  time." 


FC's  Kranze  Elevates 
Abelson,  Rosenberg 

B.  G.  Kranze,  sales  vice-president 
of  Film  Classics,  has  promoted  Bob 
Abelson,  Los  Angeles  branch  mana- 
ger, to  district  manager  with  super- 
vision over  Los  Angeles,  San  Fran- 
cisco, Denver  and  Salt  Lake  City,  re- 
placing Sam  Wheeler,  who  resigned. 


1,000  HOUSES  FACE 
DIVESTING:  WRIGHT 


Para.,20th-Fox 
Set  Domestic 
Mart  as  Target 


By  JIMMY  ASCHER 

Chicago,  Sept.  26. — Paramount 
and  20th  Century-Fox  have  com- 
pletely discounted  the  European 
market  as  a  source  of  significant 
revenue  for  the  next  decade,  Spyros 
P.  Skouras  told  the  Theatre  Owners 
of  America  convention  on  Friday  fol- 
lowing an  address  in  which  Barney 
Balaban  painted  a  pessimistic  picture 
of  the  industry's  current  status  both 
domestically  and  overseas. 

"We're  not  going  to  regain  the 
European  market,"  added  Skouras, 
who  thereafter  struck  out  forcefully 
for  self-containment  within  United 
States  borders. 

The  20th-Fox  president  described 
Balaban's  analysis  as  "a  profound  sur- 
vey of  conditions  in  our  industry." 

The  day  has  passed  when  exhibitors 
can  isolate  themselves  from  the  prob- 
lems of  distributors,  and  vice  versa, 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


TESMA-TEDPA  Launch 
Biggest  Exhibit  Meeting 

{Convention  Program  and  Map  of  Exhibits  Appear  on  Page  4) 


St.  Louis,  Sept.  26. — The  third 
joint  convention  and  exhibit  of  the 
Theatre  Equipment  and  Supply  Man- 
ufacturers Association  and  the  Thea- 
tre Equipment  Dealers  Protective  As- 
sociation which  opens  at  the  Jefferson 
Hotel  here  tomorrow  promises,  to  be 
the  largest  in  attendance  and  exhibits 
and  of  the  greatest  interest  and  value 
to  exhibitors. 

In  addition  to  completely  new  equip- 
ment and  supplies  of  all  kinds  for  the 
modern  theatre,  exhibits  at  this  year's 
show  include  every  variety  of  drive- 
in  theatre  essentials,  large  screen  tele- 
vision, vending,  equipment  and  the  lat- 


est developments  in  a  wide  variety 
of  accessories  for  the  theatre. 

All  exhibition  space  for  the  show 
was  taken  several  weeks  ago,  and  Roy 
Boomer,  TESMA  secretary-treasur- 
er, said  that  exhibit  space  was  un- 
available for  more  than  15  firms  which 
had  applied  after  that  time. 

Boomer  pointed  out  that  the  record 
number  of  exhibits,  delegates  and 
visitors  at  this  year's  convention  is  a 
testimonial  to  the  growth  and  advance- 
ment of  TESMA  during  the  past  year. 

"Many    manufacturers    who  never 

served  the  industry  before  are  now 

(Continued  on  page  3) 


Tells  TO  A  Justice  Dept. 
Knows  No  Other  Way 
To  Restore  Competition 

By  RED  KANN 

Chicago,  Sept.  26.  —  Robert  L. 
Wright,  who  has  been  prosecuting 
the  Government  cases*  against  the 
industry  for  the  Department  of  Jus- 
tice, told  the  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  at  its  final  session  yesterday 
that  he  anticipates  the  major  defend- 
ants will  be  divested  of  1,000  theatres 
now  held  under  joint  ownership,  by 
the  time  the  long-standing  litigation 
is  cleared  up. 

"Divestiture  will  be  a  long,  difficult 
process.  If  anyone  knows  a  better  way 
of  increasing  competition,  we'd  like 
to  know  what  it  is.  So  far,  no  one 
has  offered  any  other  remedy  and  we 
know  of  no  other,"  he  declared. 

Wright,  here  by  TO  A  invitation, 
took  the  position  the  Supreme  Court 
decision  narrowed  down  essentially  to 
the  question  of  "How  much  theatre 
divestiture?"  and,  in  this  connection, 
gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  the  decision 
has  ordered  that  divorcement  be  wide. 
Even  on  the  basis  of  dissolution  to  the 
extent  of  1,000  houses,  however,  he 
added,  the  ensuing  problem  then  would 
be  how  to  restore  competition  in  the 
industry  because  after  divorcement  the 
"Big  Five"  would  continue  to  have 
the  largest  circuits. 

He  took  the  position  the  problem 
facing  the  Department  of  Justice  was 
how  to  create  competition  among  dis- 

(Continucd  on  page  2) 


$268,215  in  Dues 
Collected  by  TOA 

Chicago,  Sept.  26. — Twenty-eight 
exhibitor  associations  affiliated  with 
Theatre  Owners  of  America,  aggre- 
gating 3,944  theatres  seating  a  com- 
bined 3,205,502,  paid  $268,215  in  dues 
in  the  year  ending  Sept.  18,  1948,  ac- 
cording to  a  report  made  by  Charles 
P.  Skouras,  treasurer. 

The  Southern  California  Theatre 
Owners  Association  led  the  list  with 
$25,230  representing  282  theatres  seat- 
ing 272,568.  The  national  average  was 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  September  27,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

RUBE  JACKTER,  Columbia  assis- 
tant general  sales  manager,  re- 
turns to  New  York  today  following 
a  two-week  tour  of  company  ex- 
changes. 

Henderson   M.   Richey,  M-G-M 
exhibitor  relations  head,  will  visit  St. 
Louis  and  Kansas  City  this  week.  He 
returns  to  the  home  office  Oct.  1. 
• 

Frederick  Brisson,  executive  pro- 
ducer of  Independent  Artists,  arrived 
in  Hollywood  from  New  York  yes- 
terday. 

Fred  Hift  of  Motion  Picture  Her- 
ald editorial  staff,  left  here  at  the 
weekend  for  a  two-week  Hollywood 
vacation. 

Sid  Blumenstock,  20th  Century- 
Fox  assistant  exploitation  manager, 
left  here  yesterday  for  Detroit. 


Public  Relations 
Plan  Gets  TO  A  Nod 


Chicago,  Sept.  26. — An  industry- 
wide public  relations  plan  developed 
by  Paul  MacNamara,  Selznick  di- 
rector of  advertising  and  publicity, 
was  endorsed  by  TOA  Saturday.  It 
calls  for  formation  of  an  organization 
called  the  Office  of  Motion  Picture 
Information  and  Advertising  to  oper- 
ate on  an  annual  budget  of  $2,000,000 
which  MacNamara  figured  could  be 
raised  if  producers  and  exhibitors 
agreed  to  contribute  two  and  one-half 
per  cent  of  their  yearly  advertising 
expenditures,  estimated  by  him  at 
$80,000,000  to  $90,000,000. 

MacNamara  also  proposed  a  new 
code  governing  studio  publicity,  ruling 
out  references  to  multiple  marriages, 
gambling,  drinking  and  Communism, 
and  establishment  of  machinery  which 
would  quickly  and  systematically  pro- 
test harmful  references  to  the  industry. 


Wright  to  TOA 


(Continued  from  page  1) 


tributors,  and  described  as  "the  proper 
remedy"  the  establishment  of  processes 
which  would  set  up  competition 
among  distributors  as  well.  Wright 
saw  no  solution  to  the  problem  of 
high  film  rentals  unless  this  were  done 
and  thus  argued  divorcement  of  dis- 
tribution from  exhibition  was  required. 

On  a  question,  he  acknowledged 
circumstances  under  which  franchises 
would  be  admissible,  in  his  opinion, 
in  order  to  allow  an  independent  the- 
atre threatened  on  film  supplies  to  off- 
set a  competitor  who  has  an  assured 
supply  by  virtue  of  an  affiliation  with 
one  of  the  major  circuits  through 
joint  stock  ownership. 

Fred  Wehrenberg  inquired  about  the 
possibility  of  a  consent  decree.  "Trade 
press  talk,"  replied  Wright.  "I  know 


of  no  concrete  proposals  since  the  Su- 
preme Court  decision  was  handed 
down."  While  he  said  there  was  no 
injunction  specifically  prohibiting  ma- 
jor circuits  from  expanding  their  the- 
atre holdings,  the  Assistant  Attorney 
General  took  the  position  any  major 
would  be  "foolish"  to  do  so  until 
proper  provisions  in  this  connec- 
tion were  finally  drawn.  On  another 
question,  he  said  he  doubted  if  com- 
pulsory arbitration  was  possible  and 
reminded  that  the  courts  already  had 
suggested  a  method  of  voluntary  arbi- 
tration would  be  held  desirable. 

Urges  Planned  Tax  Fight 

Morris  Loewenstein,  in  reporting  on 
tax  problems,  urged  a  planned  op- 
p&sition  to  unfair  taxation  through  the 
political  awareness  on  the  part  of  ex- 
hibitors. 

Charles  P.  Skouras,  who  reported 
on  "Youth  Month"  activities,  also 
lined  up  behind  Barney  Balaban's  an- 
alysis of  industry  conditions  and  de- 
clared exhibitors  will  have  to  learn 
to  be  content  with  less  profits. 

Earl  J.  Hudson,  speaking  on  public 
relations,  recommended  expansion  of 
these  operations,  appointment  of  a 
permanent  director  and  continued 
showing  ■  of  films  supporting  local 
drives  as  a  public  service  function. 
The  organization  will  support  a  series 
of  12  one-reel  subjects  produced  by 
various  guilds  and  studios  on  a  small 
film  rental  basis  to  support  the  TOA 
treasury. 

Arthur  H.  Lockwood,  in  a  report 
on  television,  urged  establishment  of 
a  theatre  television  distribution  sys- 
tem to  make  available  to  theatres  ex- 
clusively special  events  of  wide  inter- 
est. This  might  take  the  form  of  a  co- 
operative or  private  corporation.  Ex- 
hibitors were  also  advised  to  consider 
entering  the  television  broadcasting 
station  business,  while  distributors 
will  be  urged  to  discontinue  releasing 
films  of  any  character  for  video 
broadcasts. 

A  system  of  conciliation  and  media- 
tion at  the  exchange  level  which,  it 
was  felt,  would  reduce  the  tide  of 
litigation,  was  recommended  by  Paul 
Williams  in  a  report  on  exhibitor- 
distributor  relations. 

Wayne  Coy,  chairman  of  the  Fed- 
eral Communications  Commission, 
pointed  out  that  exhibitors  were  get- 
ting a  break  on  television  in  that 
present  channel  allocations  are  limited. 
This,  he  said,  would  mean  fewer 
people  staying  at  home.  However,  he 
predicted  that  motion  pictures  brought 
into  the  home  on  a  wholesale  scale  by 
way  of  television  is  inevitable. 

Board's  Slate  Is  Elected 

The  slate  of  officers  for  TOA  as 
predetermined  by  the  board  of  direc- 
tors was  elected  formally  at  the  final 
session,  and  last  evening  was  marked 
by  the  concluding  dinner  at  which 
Lockwood,  newly  elected  president, 
struck  out  for  a  progressive,  affirma- 
tive trade  association. 

Joining  the  problems  of  producers 
and  distributors  with  those  of  ex- 
hibitors, Lockwood  asserted  they  must 
be  faced  and  met  jointly. 

He  favored  formation  of  an  industry 
tribunal  to  adjudicate  differences 
without  recourse  to  litigation  and 
urged  a  clearing-house  for  the  ex- 
change of  information  on  box-office 
performance  of  product  for  the  benefit 
of  the  TOA  membership. 


Domestic  Mart 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

Balaban  said.  Making  a  forceful  bid 
for  "One  Industry,"  paraphrastic  of 
Wendell  Willkie's  "One  World"  ap- 
peal, Balaban  presented  to  the  gath- 
ering a  comprehensive  analysis  of  the 
domestic  and  foreign  problems  which 
have  dogged  the  industry  in  recent 
years — problems  which,  he  pointed  out, 
have  "altered  the  very  nature  of  our 
business." 

The  time  has  come  when  the  prob- 
lems of  exhibitors  and  distributors 
have  serious  repercussions  on  each 
other,  Balaban  declared.  "We  delude 
ourselves,"  he  said,  "if  we  cling  to  the 
false  notion  that  the  other  man's  head- 
aches are  no  concern  of  ours." 

Repercussions  Affect  All 

Referrring  to  "the  wave  of  litiga- 
tion which  has  engulfed  us  in  recent 
years,"  and  the  changes  which  such 
court  actions  threaten,  Balaban  said : 
"You  can't  knock  the  props  out  from 
under  a  vital  segment  of  industry  and 
expect  it  to  be  the  same  as  it  always 
has  been.  Somewhere  along  the  line, 
people  are  going  to  get  hurt  if  it  col- 
lapses." 

"If  distribution  is  sick,  then 
exhibition  cannot  expect  to  re- 
main healthy.  Many  of  you  re- 
member the  days  when  most  of 
the  distribution  companies  were 
on  the  rocks  heading  for  disas- 
ter. There  were  plenty  of  exhib- 
itors who  were  rocking  in  the 
same  boat.  It  could  happen 
again,"  Balaban  admonished. 

He  reviewed  his  disappointments 
over  the  crises  which  faced  the  indus- 
try in  Britain.  "It  is  my  fervent  hope 
that  reason  will  triumph  over  nation- 
alist interests,"  he  added,  "and  that 
the  happy  relationship  which  has  ex- 
isted for  so  many  years  will  endure 
far  into  the  future." 

Swinging  from  foreign  to  domestic 
problems,  Skouras  scored  all  distrib- 
utors for  "their  laxity"  in  permitting 
drive-ins  to  buy  their  films  "for 
nothing." 

Foresees  Upswing  in  Grosses 

He  also  dealt  briefly  with  television, 
foreseeing  a  momentary  adjustment 
and  perhaps  a  radical  shock  for  the- 
atres which  are  caught  unprepared.  In 
the  long  view,  however,  he  forecast 
an  increase  in  theatre  grosses  of  two 
to  three  times  over  current  levels 
once  large-screen  television  is  in  na- 
tional operation. 

At  the  first  business  session 
Friday,  S.  H.  Fabian  of  New 
York .  made  the  flat  statement 
that  so  many  problems  now  be- 
devil the  industry  exhibitors 
may  find  this  their  last  conven- 
tion unless  they  genuinely  de- 
termine to  pull  together. 

Marcus  Cohn,  formerly  on  the  legal 
staff  of  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission,  charged  exhibitors  with 
"supreme  neglect"  in  failing  to  obtain 
their  share  of  the  limited  available 
television  outlets.  Only  15  per  cent 
of  the  applicants  seeking  channels  in- 
clude motion  picture  interests,  he  de- 
clared in  an  analysis  which  created 


Gamble  Urges  Code 
For  Industry  Unity 


Chicago,  Sept.  26.— Theatre  Own- 
ers of  America's  pledge  to  confer  and 
work  with  any  group  within  the  in- 
dustry in  the  direction  of  an  industry 
"code  of  fair  business  operation"  was 
vigorously  renewed  by  Ted  R. 
Gamble,  first  president  and  one  of  the 
prime  movers  in  the  formation  of  the 
organization,  at  the  convention  u°re 
at  the  weekend.  M>tor\ 

Discussing  the  Government's  ■En- 
trust suit  against  Paramount,  et  al., 
Gamble  warned  that  re-consideration 
of  the  case  in  New  York  Federal 
Court  may  result  "in  a  decree  present- 
ing new  problems  for  exhibition."  To 
this  he  added:  "Now  hopefully  it 
might  be  wished  that  another  -tre- 
mendous gamble  with  our  business  at 
pawn  might  be  averted  by  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  code  of  fair  business 
operation,  a  code  considering  the 
rights  of  all  and  subject  to  court  ap- 
proval and  to  amendment  and  modi- 
fication as  needed." 

He  placed  considerable  stress  on  the 
Ascap  situation  and  sought  to  make 
capital  of  the  switch  in  the  attitude  of 
New  York  ITOA  as  outlined  in 
Thursday's  airmail  edition  of  Motion 
Picture  Daily  which  reached  the 
convention  in  time  for  Gamble  to  note 
the  story  and  make  direct  reference 
to  it. 


$268,215  in  Dues 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

eight  and  seven-tenths  cents  per  seat. 

Disbursements  in  the  period  totaled 
$191,604,  leaving  a  balance  of  $76,611. 
Expense  incidental  to  the  organiza- 
tion's "Youth  Month"  campaign  ran 
to  $30,406.  Robert  W.  Coyne,  retired 
executive  director,  was  paid  $49,647 
and  Herman  M.  Levy,  general  coun- 
sel, $15,000.  Gael  Sullivan,  Coyne's 
successor,  was  paid  $6,250  for  June, 
July  and  August  which  sets  his  re- 
muneration at  approximately  $25,000 
annually. 

Cost  of  the  public  relations  cam- 
paign under  Earl  J.  Hudson  was 
$12,086. 


the  impression  he  believed  exhibition 
had  missed  the  bus. 

In  his  address,  Gael  Sullivan,  ex- 
ecutive director,  stressed  the  rising 
tide  of  video  by  pointing  out  RCA 
alone  is  manufacturing  receivers  at 
the  rate  of  50,000  monthly.  He  cited 
this  situation,  taxation,  censorship, 
public  relations  and  litigation  as  prob- 
lems emphasizing  exhibitor  need  for  a 
strong  national  organization. 

Guest  speaker  Edward  H.  Foley, 
Under-Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
lauded  the  cooperation  of  the  TOA 
membership  for  its  wartime  coopera- 
tion, characterizing  it  as  an  "indis- 
pensible  element"  in  the  success  of 
the  Government's  financial  operations. 

Discussing  such  present  problems  as 
inflation,  Foley  called  upon  TOA  as 
"a  sympathetic  and  influential  seg- 
ment of  industry"  to  help  us  "get  our 
story  across  to  the  public."  More  than 
any  other  group,  I  know  you  under- 
stand public  opinion — how  to  shape 
and  guide  it,"  he  added. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rgckefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley, .Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald.;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  poet  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  Marrh 
3,  1879,   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


.  Monday,  September  27,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


3 


They  Lead  Dealers 
And  Manufacturers 


Show  Over  100  Exhibits 
Of  Equipment,  Supplies 


Oscar  Neu  Ray  Colvin 

TESMA  President    TEDI'A  President 


TESMA-TEDPA 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


members  of  our  association,"  he  said. 
Boomer  expressed  appreciation  of  the 
cooperation  and  assistance  received 
from  convention  and  exhibit  commit- 
tees, from  the  trade  press  and  from 
Ray  Colvin,  TED  PA  president. 

In'  a  pre-convention  message,  Colvin 
also  expressed  his  appreciation  of  the 
assistance  given  by  the  convention 
committees,  the  equipment  dealers  and 
manufacturers  and  the  trade  press. 

"Such  teamwork,"  he  said,  "adds  up 
to  only  one  total,  a  bigger  and  better 
convention  than  ever  before."  • 

Oscar  F.  Neu,  TESMA  president, 
hailed  the  convention  as  "topping  any- 
thing we  have  ever  held  before  both 
for  the  attendance,  representative  of 
all  branches  of  our  industry  and  for 


Sopeg  Assails  Para. 
As  7  Pacts  Expire 


Holding  in  a  letter  addressed  at  the 
weekend  to  Paramount  president  Bar- 
ney Balaban  that  "the  law  gives  Para- 
mount no  right  to  refuse  to  negotiate 
with  our  union,"  Sidney  Young,  presi- 
dent of  Screen  Office  and  Profession- 
al Employes  Guild  (CIO),  reiterated 
his  earlier  charge  that  the  company 
is  "attempting  to  coerce  us  into  sub- 
verting (Constitutional)  rights"  by 
refusing  to  "do  business"  with 
SOPEG  until  its  officers  comply  with 
the  non-Communist  affidavit  provi- 
sions of  the  Taft-Hartley  Law. 

Young's  letter  was  sent  in  reply  to 
one  in  which  Balaban  took  a  dia- 
metrically opposite  view  of  the  situa- 
tion and  expressed  the  hope  that  the 
union's  officers  would  change  their 
minds  and  file  the  affidavit. 

Young  maintained  that  the  "issue 
is  not  Communism  but  plain  Ameri- 
canism." He  cited  SOPEG's  record 
"for  being  law-abiding,"  said  manage- 
ments in  other  industries  have  signed 
with  non-complying  unions,  called 
upon  the  company  "to  cease  seeking 
to  evade  your  obligation  to  meet  the 
pressing  economic  needs  of  Paramount 
employes  because  of  the  absence  of 
legal  compulsions  to  your  doing  so." 


SPG  Strategy  Parley 
Today;  Pacts  Expire 

Screen  Publicists  Guild  this  evening 
will  hold  its  first  full-scale  strategy 
meeting  in  connection  with  nine  dis- 
tributors' rejection  of  the  union  be- 
cause it  refused  to  comply  with  the 
non-Communist  affidavit  provisions  of 
the  Taft-Hartley  Law.  Meeting  will 
take  place  at  the  Holland  House  here. 


St.  Louis,  Sept.  26. — Final  touches 
have  been  put  on  the  big  exhibit  of 
motion  picture  theatre  equipment  and 
supplies  at  the  conventions  of  the 
Theatre  Equipment  and  Supply  Manu- 
facturers Association  and  Theatre 
Equipment  Dealers  Protective  Asso- 
ciation at  the  Hotel  Jefferson  here, 
starting  tomorrow. 

Ray  G.  Colvin  of  St.  Louis, 
TED  PA  president,  said  the  pageant 
of  1948-49  theatre  equipment  will  fill 
the  block-long  mezzanine  and  two 
other  rooms  of  the  Jefferson.  One 
hundred  manufacturers  are  on  the  ex- 
hibitors' list  which  was  prepared  at 
preliminary  meetings  attended  by  Col- 
vin and  Roy  Boomer,  Chicago, 
TESMA  secretary. 

The  trade  show  will  be  climaxed  by 

number  and  variety  of  manufacturers' 
products  displayed." 

Neu  said  that  $75,000,000  is  spent 
annually  for  the  equipping  and  mainte- 
nance of  the  nation's  16,880  theatres, 
apart  from  the  rapidly  growing  drive- 
in  field  with  its  hundreds  of  theatres. 
He  cautioned  exhibitors  to  consider 
placing  orders  for  needed  equipment 
now  to  avoid  the  consequences  of  ris- 
ing materials  and  labor  costs  to 
manufacturers. 

Neu  said  that  unavoidable  delays  in 
delivery  of  orders  by  manufacturers 
inevitably  can  be  traced  to  shortages 
of  steel  and  other  essentials,  but  that 
every  effort  is  made  to  overcome  such 
obstacles.     "Our   records   show,"  he 


To  Reduce  Clearances 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


followed  by  conferences  in  Cincinnati, 
Chicago  and  San  Francisco. 

In  advising  the  conference  of  Uni- 
versal's  new  policy,  Scully  states  that 
the  present  method  of  distributing  of 
the  past  30  years  "is  hampered  con- 
siderably by  clearance  and  availability, 
some  of  which  is  unreasonable,  but 
mostly  perpetuated  merely  by  custom," 
Scully  said. 

"Today  it  is  necessary  that  we  have 
our  pictures  played  in  all  important 
situations  as  early  as  possible.  We  do 
not  believe  it  should  be  necessary  for 
a  distributor  to  invest  $1,000,000  or 
$2,000,000  in  a  picture  and  have  to 
wait  two  years  to  realize  his  invest- 
ment. 

"The  clearance  and  availabil- 
ity of  pictures  is  ours  to  give 
and  not  the  exhibitor  to  tell  us 
what  he  wants. 

"It  is  our  problem  today  to  do 
everything  possible  to  eliminate  un- 
reasonable clearance  so  that  the  people 
of  America  will  be  able  to  see  our 
pictures  while  they  are  fresh  in  every- 
one's mind. 

"We  spend  a  great  deal  on  national 
advertising.  The  benefits  of  extensive 
advertising  and  exploitation  are  lost 
when  pictures  are  delayed  in  reaching 
the  public  because  of  improper  clear- 
ance and  availability. 

"Large  town  operations  have  clear- 
ance of  anywhere  from  30  to  60  days 
and  the  same  exhibitor,  operating  in 
one  large  town  of  500,000  population, 
would  have  a  30-day  clearance  over 
subsequent  theatres  and,  in  another 
large  town  of  the  same  population, 
this  exhibitor  would  have  only  a  14 
or  21-day  clearance. 

"How  many  times  in  this  business 


an  RCA  demonstration  of  large- 
screen  television,  and  the  world 
premiere  of  National  Carbon's  "Car- 
bon Arc  Projections,"  in  Technicolor. 
Both  are  scheduled  for  Thursday,  with 
RCA's  Barton  Kreuzer  and  C.  G. 
Ollinger,  National  Carbon  lecturer,  in 
attendance,  respectively. 

Oscar  S.  Neu,  TESMA  president, 
arrived  in  St.  Louis  before  con- 
vention registration  started  here  to- 
day. Mayor  Aloys  P.  Kaufmann  will 
extend  an  official  welcome  at  the  open- 
ing luncheon  Tuesday,  and  Joseph 
F.  Holland,  corporation  counsel,  will 
be  toastmaster.  A  special  party  and 
luncheon  for  visiting  ladies  and 
the  annual  banquet  and  dinner-dance 
sponsored  by  the  two  organizations 
will  be  held  Wednesday. 

said,  _  "that  few  important  theatre 
openings  have  ever  been  postponed  as 
a  result  of  such  delays.  In  fact,  any 
theatre  opening  receives  the  first  con- 
sideration of  our  members." 

William  A.  Gedris,  TESMA  vice- 
president,  and  J.  Eldon  Peek,  vice- 
president  of  TEDPA,  expressed  their 
gratification  over  both  the  record  at- 
tendance and  exhibits  and  the  efforts 
of  the  many  members  of  both  associa- 
tions which  made  them  possible. 

A  convention  registration  in  excess 
of  1,000  appeared  likely  today. 

Next  year's  convention  will  be  held 
at  the  Stevens  Hotel,  Chicago,  Sept. 
23-28.  Present  officers  of  both 
TESMA  and  TEDPA  will  continue 


have  certain  theatres  played  after  an- 
other, and  just  as  soon  as  that  certain 
theatre  has  been  purchased  by  an  ex- 
hibitor who  has  several  other  theatres, 
that  certain  theatre  is  moved  into  a 
different  playing  position ;  and  how 
many  times  have  availabilities  in  cer- 
tain theatres  been  changed  because  the 
exhibitor  who  has  had  clearance  over 
some  specified  theatre  obtained  some- 
thing he  wanted  for  waiving  this 
clearance,  which  is  nothing  more  than 
using  our  product  to  gain  something 
for  himself?"  Scully  declared. 


N  J  Allied,  Smith  Plan 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


plan,  it  is  expected  that  the  member- 
ship will  do  likewise ;  however,  the 
board's  decision  is  "not  irrevocable." 

If  the  membership  is  willing  to  "go 
along"  with  the  plan  for  settling  pos- 
sible differences  between  Jersey  Al- 
lied members  and  20th  Century-Fox, 
of  which  Smith  is  general  sales  man- 
ager, a  committee  to  supervise  a 
"survey  of  complaints"  will  be  named 
by  organization  president  Edward 
Lachman. 


Smith    Will    Discuss  Plan 
Before  ITOA  Board  Here 

Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  general  sales 
manager  of  20th  Century-Fox,  will 
discuss  the  details  of  the  20th  Cen- 
tury-Fox conciliation  plan  for  the  set- 
tlement of  exhibitor-distributor  dis- 
putes at  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  di- 
rectors of  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  Association  of  New  York  to 
be  held  on  Thursday  at  the  Hotel  As- 
tor  here.  The  ITOA  has  already  ex- 
pressed approval  of  the  principles  in- 
volved in  the  plan. 


TESMA  Mentors 
For  Third  Meeting 


W.  A.  Gedris  Roy  Boomer 

TESMA  Vice-Pres.  TESMA  Secw-Treas. 


in  office  until  then,  both  associations 
having  elected  their  slates  last  year 
for  two-year  terms.  Efforts  are  being 
made  to  get  a  national  exhibitor  or- 
ganization to  hold  its  1949  convention 
in  Chicago  concurrently. 

TESMA's  membership  increased  to 
115  during  the  past  year  with  the  ad- 
dition of  20  new  members. 

Highlights  among  the  new  drive-in 
exhibits  is  the  first  model  of  a  con- 
cession car  on  wheels  for  drive-ins, 
designed  and  built  by  the  Calumet 
Coach  Co.,  Chicago.  Also  on  display 
is  a  new  drive-in  construction  design 
originated  by  Dr.  H.  P.  Ratoff  of 
Rialto,  Cal. 

Fred  Wehrenberg,  honorary  board 
chairman  of  Theatre  Owners  of 
America,  and  retiring  head  of  the 
MPTO  of  St.  Louis,  is  sponsoring  a 
luncheon  tomorrow  for  150  exhibitors 
in  attendance  at  the  convention  of  his 
organization,  also  in  session  here. 


WB  Filming 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

filming.  Nine  will  be  started  before 
Jan.  1. 

"Hollywood  has  been  suffering  from 
a  lot  of  mental  ills  caused  by  indeci- 
sion, inertia  and  plain  fear,"  said  War- 
ner. "The  work  treatment  is  the  only 
possible  cure.  It  can  be  as  effective 
as  industry  leaders  and  their  creative 
workers  want  to  make  it.  Most  of  the 
bugaboos  we  have  been  setting  up  are 
excuses  for  not  making  pictures.  We 
still  have  an  important  domestic  mar- 
ket, as  the  returns  for  good  pictures 
prove,"  and  "there  still  is  a  world 
market,  although  the  returns  have 
been  sharply  curtailed  by  the  tying  up 
of  our  dollars  in  many  foreign  coun- 
tries. 

"While  the  freezing  of  dollar 
assets  has  hit  the  industry 
hard,  I  believe  there  is  too 
much  talk  about  boycotts  and 
restrictions  and  not  enough 
energy  devoted  to  making  the 
kind  of  pictures  that  will  main- 
tain our  world  leadership.  The 
foreign  situation,"  Warner 
added,  "is  difficult,  but  the 
best  way  to  meet  it  is  to  in- 
crease the  quality  of  our  prod- 
uct to  the  point  where  it  out- 
distances competition." 
"We've  already  made  more  pictures 

in  1948  than  in  all  of  1947,"  Warner 

said. 


Warren  William,  53 

Hollywood,  Sept.  26. — Warren 
William,  53,  veteran  film  actor,  died 
here  Friday  after  an  illness  of  10 
months.  He  came  to  Hollywood  from 
the  stage  in  1932.  Surviving  is  the 
widow  Helen. 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Monday,  September  27,  1948 


EXHIBIT  DIRECTORY  OF  THE  1948  TESMA  TRADE  SHOW 

. . .  and  Program  of  the  Tesma-Tedpa  dual  convention  at  the  Jefferson  Hotel  in  St.  Louis 


Sunday,  September  26 

9:00  A.  M. — Registration  opens:  Mezzanine  floor. 

1:00  P.  M. — Radio  Corporation  of  America  meeting:  Room  I. 

Monday,  September  27 

9:00  A.  M. — Registration  continued:  Mezzanine  floor. 
MPTOA  meeting:  Gold  Room. 
RCA  Dealers  meeting:  Room  No.  I. 
12:30  P.  M.— MPTOA  luncheon:  Gold  Room. 

TESMA  Board  of  Directors  luncheon  and  meet- 
ing: Room  6. 

2:00  P.  M. — TEDPA  Board  of  Directors  meeting:  Room  4. 
7:00  P.  M.— MPTOA  Banquet:  Gold  Room. 

Tuesday,  September  28 

9:00  A.  M. — Registration  continued:  Mezzanine  floor. 
10:00  A.  M. — Exhibits  open:  Mezzanine  floor  and  Ivory  Room. 
12:30  P.  M. — Luncheon  and  Opening  Session:  Gold  Room. 

2:00  P.  M. — Exhibits  reopen. 

6:00  P.  M. — Ballantyne  Company  Reception  and  Dinner  for 

Dealers:  Rooms  8  and  9. 
6:30  P.  M. — Ideal  Seating  Dinner  for  Dealers:  Room  I. 
I  1 :00  P.  M. — Exhibits  close. 


Wednesday,  September  29 

10:00  A.  M. — Registration  continued:  Mezzanine' floor. 
10:30  A.  M.— TESMA  Annual  business  meeting:  Gold  Room. 

TEDPA  Annual  business  meeting:  Crystal  Room. 
11:15  A.  M. — Sightseeing  tour  and  luncheon  for  ladies,  buses 

leaving  from  Jefferson  Hotel.  ^pr); 
6:30  P.  M. — Cocktail  party;  host,  National  Carbon  Com- 
pany: Crystal  Room. 
7:30  P.  M. — Annual  Banquet:  Gold  Room. 

Thursday,  September  30 

10:00  A.M. — Registration  continued:  Mezzanine  floor. 
2:00  P.  M.— TESMA  Board  of  Directors  meeting: 
Room  No.  6. 

TEDPA  Board  of  Directors  meeting: 
Room  No.  4. 

Premiere  screening  of  Technficolor  picture, 
"Carbon  Arc  Projection";  C.  G.  Ollinger, 
assistant  advertising  manager,  National  Carbon 
Company,  lecturer. 

Address  by  Barton  Kreuzer,  RCA,  on  "Tele-  . 
vision  in  the  Theatre." 
I  1 :00  P.  M.— Exhibit  closes. 


EXHIBITORS  AND  BOOTH  NUMBERS  AS  SHOWN  ON  DIAGRAM 


Adler  Silhouette  Letter  Co.— 75-76 
Ashcraft  Manufacturing  Co. — 69 
Autocrat,  Inc. — 2 
Automatic  Devices,  Inc. — 38 
Auto-Vend,  Inc. —  1 1 
Baldor  Electric  Co. — 66 
Ballantyne  Co.— 70-71 
Bausch  &  Lomb  Optical  Co. — 3 
Brenkert  Light  Projection  Co.— 49 
Century  Projector  Corp. — 45 
Champion  Moulding  Mfg.  Co. — 44 
Coinometer  Corp. — 53 
C.  Cretors  &  Co.— 79 
Da-Lite  Screen  Co. — 29 
Dazians,  Inc. — 35 
Devry  Corp. — 58 
Drive-In  Theatre  Mfg.  Co. — 7 
Elizabeth  Iron  Works— 24 
Jay  Emanuel  Publications — 25 
Essannay  Electric  Mfg.  Co. — 41 
Forest  Electronic  Corp. — 8 
Forest  Manufacturing  Corp. — 8 
General  Register  Corp. — 36 
Globe  Ticket  Co.— 68 
Golde  Mfg.  Co.— 27 
Gordos  Corp. — 12 
Griggs  Equipment  Co. — 14 
Heywood-Wakefield  Co.— 61-62 
Ideal  Industries,  Inc. — 26 
Ideal  Seating  Co. — 72-73 
International  Seat  Corp. — 65 
Irwin  Seating  Co. — 30-31 
Kneisley  Electric  Co. — 10 
Knoxville   Scenic   Studios — 39 
Kollmorgen  Optical  Corp. — 74 
Krispy  Kist  Korn  Machine  Co. — 4-5 
Kroehler  Mfg.  Co.— 34 
LaVezzi  Machine  Works — 64 
Lawrence  Metal  Products,  Inc. — 28 
Thomas  L.  Leedom  Co. — 37 
Manley,  Inc. — 33 
Mohawk  Carpet  Mills— 50 
Motiograph,  Inc. — 42-43 
Motion  Picture  Machine  Co. — 40 
Murch  Electric  Corp. — 18 
National  Super  Service  Co. — 13 
Neumade  Products  Corp. — 59-60 
Poblocki  &  Sons — 6 
Pronto  Pop  Corn  Sales,  Inc. — 67 
Radiant  Lamp  Corp. — 63 
Radiant  Mfg.  Co.— 46 
Radio  Corp.  of  America — 49-50 
Raytone  Screen  Co. — 9 
Robin,  J.  E.,  Inc.— 51-52 


CRYSTAL  ROOM 

MEETING  ROOM 


REGISTRATION 


58 


59 


60 


i  t 


GOLD  ROOM 

MEETINGS  £j  BANQUET 


K3 — I 
) 


12 


15 


14 


TTT 


MEZZANINE  FLOOR 


IVORY  ROOM 


50 


61 

76 

62 

75 

63 

74 

64 

73 

65 

72 

66 

71 

67 

70 

68 

69 

49 

48 

42 
43 
44 


45 
46 

47 


LiMiliMikMiH 


17 


33  |  32  |  31  |  30 1  29  J  28  [  27  1  26 
37 1        [  56  |  55  1  54  1 


LADIES 
REST 
ROTJM 


CHECK  ROOM 


BAR 

■  ■ 

EAST  ROOM 


MEN'S  REST  ROOM 


Star  Mfg.  Co.— 23 
Strong  Electric  Corp. — 54 
Superior  Electric  Co. — 19-20-21 
Theater  Specialties,  Inc. — 55-56 


Theatrecraft  Mfg.  Corp. — 80 
Tol-Pak  Co.— 22 

Typhoon  Air-Cond.  Corp. — 77-78 
Universal  Corp. — 81 


Vallen.  Inc.— 57 

Wagner  Sign  Service,  Inc.— 47-48 
Wenzel  Projector  Co. —  I 
Edward  H.  Wolk  Co.— 32 


WELCOMI 

To  The 

THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  DE 
PROTECTIVE  ASSOCIA1 

And 

THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  AND  SUPPLY 
MANUFACTURERS'  ASSOCIATION 
ANNUAL  CONVENTION 
JEFFERSON  HOTEL,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  September  28 


s 

Mann 


its  section  appt 
omplete  list  of 


•xhibiliih 


my  of  the  ad  <rs  in  this  s  con 
to  the  motion  picture  theatre  trade,  and  we  t 


n  section  ar 
tlu  urge  uou 


EG     U  S     PAT  °FP 


PROJECTION  and  SOUND 


The  BIG  NEWS  of  the  Year 


AUTOMATIC  CONTROL  SYSTEMS 
— Ticket  Issuing .  Machines 
— Stub  Rod  Control  Boxes 
— Electric  Ticket  Choppers 

GENERAL  REGISTER  CORP.,  Long  Island  City,  N.  Y. 


is  at 

BOOTH  36 

TESMA  Show 


Announcing  the  new  IMPERIAL-FLEXO  the- 
atre chair.  See  our  distributor,  J.  E.  Robin,  Inc., 
at  TESMA  convention  in  Booth  No.  51  and  52. 

JOHN  L.  CABLE  CO.,  INC. 

JAMAICA  PLAINS,  MASS. 


Arthur  A.  Munsell 
President 


\roc'Slite 
Sound  Screen 

CRYSTAL  BEADED 


Phone 
Freeport 
9-2800 


PJiromolito 

\JSoutia 'Screen, 

Non-Glare  •  Diffusive 


VOCALITE  SCREEN  CORP..  ROOSEVELT,  N.  Y. 


The  ROBIN  Syncro-dynamic  sound  projector 
will  be  exhibited  by  our  exclusive  distributor, 
J.  E.  Robin,  Inc.,  in  their  booth  displays,  51 
and  52. 

WEBER  MACHINE  CORP. 


PRODUCTS  OF  THE  ABOVE  FIRMS  ARE  DISTRIBUTED 
THROUGH   DEALER-MEMBERS  OF  THE  T.  E.  D.  P.  A. 


u 

-  .  .      •  :.  ■  . 

There  is  Somethinq  BRAND  NEW 

To  See  in  Booths  #51-52 
Be  Sure  To  Visit  Us 

J.  E.  ROBIN,  INC 

EMIL  A.  KERN,  President 

BOOTH  35 

DAZIAN'S  INC.  ^ 

FABRICS  FOR  STAGE  CURTAINS, 
DRAPERIES,  WALL  COVERING 

DAZIAN'S,  INC.    •    Established  1842 

142  WEST  44th  STREET,  NEW  YORK 
125  NO.  WABASH  AVE.,  CHICAGO 

BOSTON            •            LOS  ANGELES           •           DETROIT  „ 

WE  ARE  SPECIALISTS  IN  THE  MANUFACTURE 

OF 

RUBBER  MATS  for  THEATRES 

Horratne  Rubber  engineering  Co., 

286  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  1,  N.  Y.                      Tel.  LA.  4-8650 

STANDEE  POSTS,  LOBBY  POSTS 

VELOUR  COVERED  ROPES  1 

APEX  BRASS  &  BRONZE  WORKS 

INCORPORATED 

118  WALKER  ST.,  NEW  YORK  13,  N.  Y.                 Tel.  CA  6-4487 

i  • 

ALEXANDER  SMITH 

CRESTW00D 

America's  Best  Known  Theatre  Carpet 

SEE  THE 

SUPER  -  SNAP  LITE 

f/1.9  PROJECTION  LENSES 

at  Booth  74 
• 

KOLLMORCEN  OPTICAL  CORPORATION 

2  FRANKLIN  AVENUE                                     BROOKLYN  11,  N.  Y. 

Now  in  Our  New  Building  —  840  BROADWAY  (Cor.  E.  73th  St.) 

For  over  90  years  a  dependable  source  of  supply  for 
attractive  and  long  wearing  uniforms  and  accessories. 

Send  for  Folder  D 
CORRECT    UNIFORMS    SINCE  1856 

WELCOME  TEDPA  Members 
Visit  Our  Exhibit  in  Booth  No.  41 

ESSANNAY  ELECTRIC  MANUFACTURING  CO. 

1438  N.  Clark  St.                 Chicago  10,  III. 

'  Zipper"  Changeovers               •  FILM-WELD 

FOREST  MANUFACTURING  CORP. 

and 

FOREST  ELECTRONIC  CO.,  INC. 

invite  you  to  visit  booth  No.  8  to  see  the  new  electronic 
control  projection  lamp  and  rectifiers. 

Greetings  to  TEDPA-TESMA  Members 

Goldberg  Brothers- 

3500  Walnut  Street             •             Denver,  Colorado 

REELS  —  CASES  —  REWINDERS 
Etc. 

PRODUCTS  OF  THE  ABOVE  FIRMS  ARE  DISTRIBUTED 
THROUGH  DEALER-MEMBERS  OF  THE  T  E  D  P  A. 


BOOTH  46 

PROJECTORS 

AND 

SOUND 
SYSTEMS 

'  "The  Projector  of  the  Century"    CENTURY    PROJECTOR  CORP. 

729  ■  7th  Avenue.  New  York,  N.  Y. 


THEATRICAL  FABRICS  for 

STAGE  CURTAINS,  THEATRE  DRAPERIES, 
WALL  COVERINGS,  LOBBIES 


The  House  of  Service" 


Chicago 


Los  Angeles 


6  E.  Lake  St.       130  WEST  46th  STREET.  N.  Y.    S.  Los  Angeles  St. 


HULETT  REEL  ALARM— HULETT  LENZ  ROUGE 

E.  W.  HULETT  MANUFACTURING  CO. 
4602  FINLEY  AVE.  LOS  ANGELES  27,  CALIF. 


CONVENTION  REPRESENTATIVE,  EDITH  HULETT 


WELCOME  TEDPA  MEMBERS 
VISIT  OUR  EXHIBIT  No.  29 

DA-LITE  SCREEN  COMPANY 

2711  N.  PULASKI  ROAD 

CHICAGO,  ILLINOIS 


Welcome  TESMA-TEDPA  Members 
Visit  Our  Exhibit  in  Booth  No.  79 

C.  CRETORS  &  COMPANY 

618  W.  CERMAK  RD.,  CHICAGO  16,  ILL. 
Manufacturers  of  POPCORN   MACHINES  Since  1885 


PERFO  Rubber  Theatre  Mats 

Individually  designed  to  meet  your  requirements.  Complete 
installations,   including   metal   dividing  strips. 

RUBBER  TILE  FLOORING  for  Smok;  ng  Lounges,  Fountain  Mats,  etc. 

Designs  and  quotations  on  request. 

PERFO  Mat  &  Rubber  Co.,  320  W.  56th  St.,  New  York  19,  N.  Y. 


SERVICING    THEATREMEN     FOR    THIRTY  YEARS 

Draperies 


Interior 
Decorations 


•  •    •  • 

^  Wall 
Coverings 

•  •    •  • 


n  DVHT-Y 

J  J  SCENIC  STUDIOS,  INC. 

32-34  W.  60TH  ST.,  New  York  23,  N.  Y. 


•    •    •  • 

Stage 
Settings 


DECORATORS        •        DESIGN  ARTISTS 
Murals  INQUIRIES  INVITED 


You  Cant  Miss  Our 

Display  in  Booth.  #47-48 

Come  over  and  say  HELLO! 

WAGNER  SIGN  SERVICE,  Inc. 


IF  IT'S  NEW— YOU'LL  FIND  IT 
IN  BOOTHS  70-71 

THE  BALLANTYNE  COMPANY 

OMAHA,  NEBRASKA 


Come  and  see  MOBILTONE,  the  most  de- 
pendable in-car  speaker  on  the  market.  Exhibit 
No.  80,  TESMA  convention. 

THEATRECRAFT  MANUFACTURING  CORP. 

CLEVELAND,  OHIO 


PRODUCTS  OF  THE  ABOVE  FIRMS  ARE  DISTRIBUTED 
THROUGH  DEALER-MEMBERS  OF  THE  T.  E.  D.  P.  A 


HERE'S  A  LINE  ON 


"Good  light  comedy.  An  enjoyable 
romp.  Should  have  audiences  laugh- 
ing regularly!"  -  independent 

"A  bang-up  job  readily  saleable  with 
popular  and  profitable  reception. 
Smartly  and  opulently  packaged!" 

-  BOXOFFICE 

"Bound  to  be  top  moneymaker.  Great 
word-of-mouth.  Strong  name  draw  " 

-  SHOWMEN'S 

"Showmen  here  have  saleable  mer- 
chandise. Two  fine  star  names,  slap- 
stick galore,  funny  story!" 

-  M  P.  HERALD 


]neof 


riots. 


"Gay,  light  farce.  Very  much  in  favor 
of  lucrative  returns!" 

-  HOLLYWOOD  REPORTER 

"Livened  by  slick  gags,  top  perform- 
ing, first  rate  production,  stands  to 
do  better  than  average  business!" 

-  FILM  DAILY 

"Bright  comedy  suffused  with  wit  and 
substance.  "  —  M.P.  DAILY 


'Keeps  the  midriff  pumping.  A  cinch 
for  every  type  audience.  Entire  cast 
tops.  Hilarious!"        -  daily  variety 


"An  4 
Innocent 


Watch  the 
Business  at  the 
Rivoli  Theatre 
New  York  City 


IT'S  RIGHT  FROM  UA 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTION  PICT#MlB 

DAILY 


>  "FIRST 
IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


■A 


V(J  j64.  no.  >i 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  28,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Business  Up 
15%,  U.  S.  Tax 
Reports  Show 

August  Tax  Collections 
Climb  to  $34  -Millions 

Washington,  Sept.  27. — Box- 
office  business  bounded  upwards  in 
July,  and  not  only  rang  up  the  top 
business  for  the  year  but  was  better 
than  IS  per  cent  ahead  of  July,  1947, 
according  to  August  tax  collection 
'figures  released  today  by  the  Bureau 
of  Internal  Revenue. 

General  admission  tax  collec- 
tions in  August,  reflecting  July 
box  -  office  business,  totalled 
$34,141,294,  compared  with  $29,- 
309,491  last  July.  Previous 
1948  monthly  high  was  in  July, 
reflecting  June  business,  when 

■I  collections  totaled  $33,054712. 
Collections  have  been  going  up 

(    steadily  since  May. 

The  big  jump  in  July  business,  com- 
y  pared  with  July  of  last  year,  put  the 
total  box-office  grosses  for  the  first 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


10%  Pay  Hike  Set 
For  WB  'Collarites' 


A  10  per  cent  flat  wage  increase  has 
been  won  by  IATSE  Motion  Picture 
Home  Office  Employes  Local  No.  H- 
63  for  all  619  Warner  home  office 
"white  collarites,"  it  was  announced 
here  jointly  yesterday  by  the  company 
and  the  union.  The  increase  will  be 
retroactive  to  June  1,  and  the  expira- 
tion date  of  the  contract  will  be  Aug. 
31,  1949.  The  local's  executive  board 
met  here  last  night  to  consider  the 
agreement,  and  it  is  expected  that 
Warner  employes  will  meet  this  week 
to  vote  on  it. 


U.S.  Demands  Action 
On  Scophony  Suit 

Washington,  Sept.  27.— The 
Justice  Department  is  trying 
to  "light  a  fire"  under  the 
defendants  in  the  Scophony 
anti-trust  suit,  having  told 
the  defendants  that  if  they 
intend  to  submit  a  proposed 
consent  decree,  they  had  bet- 
ter do  so  within  a  month  or 
else  the  Government  will  go 
to  trial. 

One  Department  spokesman 
said  that  he  understood  the 
defendants  had  come  "close 
to  working  out  terms  accept- 
able to  us." 


N.  Y.  lst-Run 
Grosses  Fair 


New  York's  first-run  grosses  this 
week  are  mostly  only  fair,  with  con- 
tinued warm  weather  apparently 
diverting  many  potential  theatre-goers 
to  outdoor  attractions.  The  boxscore : 

"Olympic  Games  of  1948,"  at  the 
Gotham,  in  its  first  week  is  good  at 
$14,000;  "Good  Sam,"  Music  Hall, 
with  a  stage  show,  second  week, 
$125,000,  good;  "Sorry,  Wrong  Num- 
ber," Paramount,  Carmen  Cavallaro 
on  stage,  fourth  week,  a  fairly  im- 
portant $75,000;  "Luck  of  the  Irish," 
Roxy,  Ed  Sullivan  and  an  ice  revue 
on  stage,  second  and  final  week,  ade- 
quate at  $80,000;  fourth  week  of 
"Loves  of  Carmen"  at  Loew's  State, 
a  tidy  $34,000;  fifth  week  of  "Rope" 
at  the  Globe,  profitable  at  $30,000. 

"Rachel  and  the  Stranger,"  May- 
fair,  second,  a  fairly  healthy  $28,000 ; 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


To  Free  Japanese 
Earnings  for  MPEA 
Property  Purchases 

All'  or  part  of  the  countless  yens 
which  American  distributors  have 
blocked  in  Japanese  banks  are  expect- 
ed to  be  released  in  about  six  weeks 
for  property  buying  in  that  country, 
it  was  disclosed  here  yesterday  by 
Charles  Mayer,  Motion  Picture  Ex- 
port Association's  managing  director 
of  Japan,  who  has  arrived  here  for  a 
series  of  headquarters  conferences. 

When  the  Japanese  earnings  are  re- 
leased MPEA  may  invest  in  theatre 
"showcases"  as  well  as  general  prop- 
erty there,  Mayer  said,  explaining  that 
the  properties  would  be  operated  by 
the  MPEA  until  after  the  U.  S.  occu- 
pation of  the  country  is  ended.  Then, 
he  said,  they  would  be  divided  propor- 
tionately among  MPEA  member  com- 
panies. U.  S.  military  authorities  in 
Japan  are  currently  fashioning  regu- 
lations which  will  govern  property  in- 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


Ascap  Change  Up  to 
Congress,  Levy  Says 

St.  Louis,  Sept.  27. — Any  basic 
modification  of  the  Ascap  problem 
will  have  to  come  from  Congress,  ac- 
cording to  Herman  Levy,  general 
counsel  for  Theatre  Owners  of  Amer- 
ica. Levy  was  featured  speaker  at 
a  luncheon  for  the  Motion  Picture 
Theatre  Owners  of  St.  Louis,  Eastern 
Missouri  and  Southern  Illinois  which 
held  its  convention  here  today. 

Levy  reviewed  the  recent  court 
record  of  the  Ascap  cases,  but  warned 
that  no  Ascap  decision  can  affect  an 
individual's  right  to  demand  a  fee  for 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


TOA  Unsure 
Of  Status  of 
Buying  Groups 

Views  Are  Linked  to 
D.  of  J.  Stand  on  Subject 

By  RED  KANN 

Chicago,  Sept.  27. — TOA  termi- 
nated its  annual  convention  with 
no  clear  definition  for  its  member- 
ship about  the  legality,  or  other- 
wise, of  buying  and  booking  com- 
bines. Herman  M.  Levy,  general 
counsel,  said  there  was  no  answer  be- 
cause "the  legal  patterns  and  limits 
of  activity  of  buying  and  booking  com- 
bines have  not  yet  been  determined." 

Under  competitive  bidding,  Levy  ob- 
served legality  was  in  doubt,  but  that 
when  the  Supreme  Court  discarded 
competitive  bidding,  the  situation  un- 
derwent still  another  change.  "The 
Supreme  Court  case  and  the  two 
Ascap  decisions  were  based  substan- 
tially on  the  philosophy  that  you  may 
not  condition  one  copyright  upon  an- 
other," TOA's  general  counsel  stated. 
"Without  all  of  the  facts  of  such  a 
buying  or  booking  combine,  it  is  not 
possible  to  determine  whether  it  will, 
or  will  not,  be  held  illegal.    And  even 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


Twin-City  Clearances  Are 
More  Muddled  Than  Ever 


Tenth  Anniversary 
Drive  for  Grainger 

In  observance  of  his  10th  anniver- 
sary with  Republic,  a  James  R.  Grain- 
ger "Anniversary  Drive"  was  inaugu- 
rated yesterday  and  will  continue 
through  Dec.  31,  it  was  announced  by 
co-captains  Edward  L.  Walton,  assist- 
ant general  sales  manager,  and  Wal- 
ter L.  Titus,  Jr.,  division  manager. 

Grainger,  executive  vice-president  in 
charge  of  sales,  joined  Republic  in 
May,  1938.  In  Jan.,  1946,  he  was 
elected  sales  vice-president  of  the  new 
Republic  Corp.,  formed  then  by  the 
merger  of  Republic,  Consolidated 
Film  Industries  and  Setay. 


Minneapolis,  Sept.  27. — Clearance 
in  the  Twin  Cities  became  more 
muddled  this  week  as  eight  Minne- 
apolis houses  swung  from  the  56-day 
slot  to  42  days  for  Metro's  "Easter 
Parade,"  and  the  Richfield  and  St. 
Louis  Park,  suburban  stands  remained 
in  the  slot  for  the  picture  under 
protest. 

In  St.  Paul  it  looks  like  no  clear- 
ance changes  as  the  West  Twins, 
independent,  turned  down  a  35-day 
availability,  and  the  Uptown  (Maco), 
after  setting  a  35-day  run,  cancelled 
it  out  and  remained  at  49  days  along 
with  the  West  Twins. 

Outcome  of  the  28-day  runs  at  the 
Varsity  and  Homewood  in  Minneap- 


olis was  reported  not  too  good,  as  the 
two  houses  could  not  satisfactorily 
figure  if  the  60  cent  admission  price 
for  the  earlier  run  on  "Easter 
Parade"  was  a  profitable  venture. 
They  are  carrying  on,  however,  with 
the  two  stands  using  a  joint  adver- 
tisement heralding  the  "first  neigh- 
borhood" showing.  Both  houses  this 
week  bought  "Tap  Roots"  from  Uni- 
versal on  28-day  availability.  The 
Homewood  and  Varsity  expect  the 
price  hike  on  their  patrons  to  ease  off, 
as  a  number  of  houses  go  to  42-day 
runs  at  55  cents. 

The  Richfield  has  asked  exchanges 
to  negotiate  on  a  28-day  run,  but  ex- 

(Continued  on  page  7) 


UA  May  Lose  12  NY 
Neighborhood  Runs 


United  Artists  is  faced  with  the 
possible  loss  of  12  important  revenue- 
producing  neighborhood  runs  in  the 
New  York  area  as  a  result  of  their 
moving  up  to  day-and-date  availability 
with  the  RKO  circuit,  it  was  disclosed 
here.  With  the  RKO  clearance  elimi- 
nated, the  houses  are  advertising  a 
"first-run"  policy,  meaning  first  in  the 
neighborhood.  UA  product  plays  the 
Loew  circuit,  then  the  independents  af- 
ter a  clearance  of  seven  days. 

The  12  situations  are  said  to  be  in- 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


Para.,  Windsor  Settle 
Suit  Out  of  Court 

Washington,  Sept.  27. — Another 
distributor  has  come  to  an  out-of- 
court  settlement  with  the  Windsor 
Theatre  of  Baltimore,  in  the  Wind- 
sor's treble-damage  anti-trust  suit 
against  six  major  distributors.  Para- 
mount, it  was  learned  today,  has 
agreed  to  split  its  first  neighborhood 
run  films  between  the  Windsor  and 
the  competing  Walbrook. 

A  similar  settlement  between  the 
Windsor  and  20th  Century-Fox  led 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Tuesday,  September  28,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 


A 


L  LICHTMAN  arrived  here  yes- 
terday from  Hollywood. 


Joseph  Hazen,  president  of  Hal 
Wallis  Productions,  accompanied  by 
Mrs.  Hazen  and  their  children,  have 
arrived  in  New  York  after  spending 
the  summer  in  Santa  Monica,  Cal. 
• 

Gene  Autry  arrived  here  by  plane 
yesterday  from  the  Coast  for  his  an- 
nual appearance  with  the  Rodeo  in 
Madison  Square  Garden. 

• 

Seymour  Brond  has  been  promoted 
from   assistant    manager   of  Loew's 
State  to  acting  manager  of  Loew's 
Post  Road,  both  in  New  York. 
• 

Dr.  Eric  G.  M.  Fletcher,  deputy 
chairman  of  Associated  British  Pic- 
tures  Corp.,   is  due  here  tomorrow 
from  London  on  the  .S'.S  Queen  Mary. 
• 

Robert  Fellows,  who  will  produce 
"Wings  of  the  Navy"  for  Paramount, 
will  leave  here  today  for  Washington, 
o 

Al  Zimbalist,  Film  Classics  adver- 
tising-publicity chief,  will  fly  to  Wash- 
ington today  from  New  York. 
• 

Arthur  H.  Lockwood,  president  of 
Theatre  Owners  of  America,  returned 
to  Boston  yesterday  from  Chicago. 
• 

Edward  Lachman,  president  of 
New  Jersey  Allied,  will  leave  here  to- 
day for  St.  Louis. 

• 

Harold  Mirisch  of  Allied  Artists 
has  arrived  here  from  the  Coast. 


Meet  on  Postponing 
N.Y.  Para.  Suit  Trial 

Film  company  attorneys  ,  at  a  meet- 
ing here  yesterday  held  their  first  dis- 
cussions on  a  brief  postponement  of 
the  trial  in  the  anti-trust  case  against 
Paramount,  et  al.,  because  it  conflicts 
with  the  observance  of  Yom  Kippur, 
Oct.  13.  Although  no  final  decision 
was  reached  a  spokesman  said  that  it 
is  likely  that  a  petition  for  a  post- 
ponement of  perhaps  two  days  will  be 
filed  in  New  York  Federal  court. 


Para.,  Windsor 

(Continued  from  Page  1) 


to  a  breach  of  contract  suit  by  the 
Walbrook  against  20th-Fox.  This 
suit  is  pending  in  District  Court  here. 
As  yet  no  suit  has  been  filed  against 
Paramount,  and  Walbrook  attorneys 
admit  that  the  situation  is  slightly  dif- 
ferent in  that  the  Walbrook  has  con- 
tracts with  20th-Fox,  United  Artists, 
Universal,  and  Warner,  while  it  had 
no  contract  with  M-G-M  and  Para- 
mount. 


Grant  DeLuxe  Extension 

Chicago,  Sept.  27. — An  extension 
for  the  filing  of  plaintiff's  briefs  in  the 
DeLuxe  Theatre  case  against  Balaban 
and  Katz  was  granted  until  Oct.  27 
in  Federal  Judge  William  Campbell's 
court,  here,  today. 


35mm.  'Non-Inflam' 
Film  Is  Ready  Now 

Eastman  Kodak  is  ready  for  an  im- 
mediate switch  to  limited  use  of  only 
non-inflammable  35  mm.  film  in  West 
Coast  studios. 

Edward  Peck  Curtis,  Kodak  vice- 
president,  announced  the  company's 
step  in  New  York.  Curtis  said  Kodak 
is  prepared  to  supply  the  industry 
with  a  new  type  of  35  mm.  safety  film 
for  daily  "rushes."  That  is  the  film 
used  in  printing  from  the  negative 
shot  in  studios,  as  distinguished  from 
release  films  distributed  to  theatres. 

He  said  the  company  is  working  on 
development  of  safety  film  for  release 
prints  also  but  that  is  "very  much  of 
a  future  operation." 

Curtis  said  other  manufacturers 
besides  Kodak  also  will  supply  non- 
inflammable  film  for  studios..  He 
stated  it  is  hoped  that  the  type  of 
safety  film  to  be  provided  on  the 
Coast  eventually  may  be  used  for  re- 
lease printing  for  theatre  projection. 


Claim  Process  Cuts 
Animated  Film  Cost 

Washington,  Sept.  27. — A  patent 
has  been  granted  Place  Process,  Inc., 
for  a  process  which  the  firm  claims 
will  cut  in  half  the  cost  of  producing 
animated  cartoons. 

Robert  Place,  inventor,  said  he  pro- 
poses to  license  the  patent  on  a  roy- 
alty basis.  Savings  are  achieved  by 
eliminating  many  artists  now  required 
and  using  mechanical  means  to  turn 
out  pictures  faster.  The  process  pho- 
tographically reproduces  the  artist's 
drawings  on  transparent  sheets  of  cel- 
luloid, and  dispenses  with  the  present 
step  of  hand  tracing  these  images  on 
the  cells  by  "inkers."  Opaquing  of  the 
images  on  the  transparent  cells  is  also 
simplied  and  expedited,  Place  claims. 


Industry  Fund  Sets 
51  Scholarships 

To  mark  the  opening  of  the  51st 
academic  year  at  Yeshiva  University 
here  the  Motion  Picture  Industry 
Scholarship  Fund  will  provide  51 
scholarships  for  needy  students  for 
1948-49,  it  was  announced  here  at  the 
weekend  by  G.  S.  Eyssell,  president  of 
Radio  City  Music  Hall,  chairman  of 
this  year's  industry  drive. 

Members  of  his  committee  were : 
Barney  Balaban,  Nate  Blumberg, 
Jules  W.  Catsiff,  Irving  H.  Green- 
field, Monroe  Greenthal,  Dan  Micha- 
love,  Charles  Moskowitz,  Charles  D. 
Prutzman,  Harold  Rodner,  Sam  Ros- 
en, Abe  Schneider,  George  P.  Skou- 
ras  and  George  J.  Schaefer,  honorary 
chairman. 


Para.  Relinquishes  House 

Paramount  will  relinquish  all  of  its 
interest  in  the  1,343-seat  Strand  The- 
atre, Yonkers,  effective  Sept.  30, 
Leonard  H.  Goldenson,  vice-president 
in  charge  of  theatre  operations,  dis- 
closed here  yesterday.  Paramount  has 
a  50  per  cent  interest  in  the  house, 
with  the  remaining  50  per  cent  owned 
by  W.  W.  Farley  and  the  George 
Walsh  Estate.  Paramount  has  oper- 
ated the  house  since  1925. 


Business  Up  15% 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


seven  months  of  1948  only  a  shade 
below  last  year's.  Until  the  August 
collection  figures  were  released,  it 
had  been  estimated  that  business  was 
off  slightly  more  than  one  per  cent. 
Collection  figures  for  the  February- 
through-August  period,  reflecting 
business  in  the  first  seven  months, 
now  show  total  collections  of  $214,- 
200,000  this  year,  compared  with 
$214,407,000  last  year— or  a  drop  of 
about  one-tenth  of  one  per  cent. 

In  three  months  this  year — March, 
June  and  August,  reflecting  February, 
May  and  July  business,  respectively, 
collections  exceeded  1947  figures.  In 
the  other  four  months,  1947  collections 
were  higher. 

The  general  admission  collections 
include  legitimate  theatres,  sports 
events  and  other  general  admission 
events  as  well  as  motion  picture  thea- 
tres, but  do  not  include  roof  garden 
and  cabaret  taxes  nor  taxes  on  various 
leases  or  overcharges.  Admission  tax 
collections  of  all  types  in  August 
totaled  $38,820,739,  compared  with 
$33,511,582  last  year. 


New  York  Grosses 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


"For  the  Love  of  Mary,"  Criterion, 
first  and  only  week,  $16,000,  sub-par; 
"Luxury  Liner,"  Capitol,  Gene  Krupa 
on  stage,  third  and  final,  $56,000, 
moderate;  "Velvet  Touch,"  Rivoli, 
fourth  and  final,  $15,000,  dull;  "Lar- 
ceny," Winter  Garden,  three  days  of 
the  fourth  week,  $8,000;  "Life  With 
Father,"  Strand,  Johnny  Long  on 
stage,  second  and  final  week,  a  light 
$32,000;  "Babe  Ruth  Story,"  Astor, 
ninth,  down  to  about  $14,000. 

New  pictures  due  this  week  follow : 
"An  Innocent  Affair"  at  the  Rivoli, 
today ;  "Saxon  Charm,"  Criterion, 
"Hamlet,"  Park,  and  "Cry  of  the 
City"  at  the  Roxy,  all  tomorrow; 
"Red  River"  at  the  Capitol  on  Thurs- 
day, and  "Johnny  Belinda"  at  the 
Strand  on  Friday. 

Winter  Garden  Bows  Out 
As  First-Run  for  Films 

The  Winter  Garden,  here,  which 
Universal-International  has  had  on 
lease  for  the  past  three  years,  and 
which  has  been  showing  "  first-run 
product  of  that  company,  closed  at 
the  weekend.  The  lease  will  expire 
on  Thursday  and  the  house  will  re- 
vert to  "legit"  productions. 


N.  J.  Allied  Meets  Today 

Newark,  Sept.  27. — New  Jersey 
Allied  will  hold  a  special  membership 
meeting  at  the  Newark  Athletic  Club 
tomorrow,  rather  than  today  as  previ- 
ously indicated,  to  consider  adoption  of 
the  20th-Fox  Andy  W.  Smith,  Jr., 
exhibitor-distributor  conciliation  plan. 
Jersey  Allied  president  Edward 
Lachman  will  conduct  the  meeting. 


Charles  Lyne  of  M-G-M 

Oklahoma  City,  Sept.  27  — 
Charles  D.  Lyne,  M-G-M  branch 
manager  here,  died  suddenly  Saturday 
night.  Ward  Royalty  temporarily  is 
taking  over  management  of  the  ex- 
change, until  a  successor  is  named  by 
William  F.  Rodgers,  sales  vice-presi- 
dent. 


Propose  Academy 
Awards  for  Video 


To  establish  higher  standards  and 
technical  effort  in  the  production  of 
films  for  television,  Jack  Glenn,  exi 
ecutive  director  of  The  March  of  Time 
and  chairman  of  the  production  com- 
mittee of  the  National  Television  Filmi 
Council,  has  given  to  Melvin  L.  Gold, 
NTFC  chairman,  a  recommendation 
from  his  committee  for  annual ^pr^jrds 
for  television  films,  to  be  sponsS-^f  by 
NTFC.  The  proposal  will  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  general  membership  at 
the  monthly  NTFC  meeting  at  Sardi's 
here  on  Thursday  evening. 

First  general  election  of  officers  of 
the  council  will  take  place  Thursday 
at  Sardi's.  Unopposed  nominees  for 
officers  are :  President,  Gold ;  vice- 
president,  Burt  Balaban;  secretary, 
Robert  M.  Wormhoudt ;  treasurer, 
Robert  W.  Paskow. 


UA  May  Lose 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


tent  on  playing  only  "first-run."  Ef- 
forts  to  solve  the  problem  will  be 
made  in  negotiations  with  the  theatres, 
including  Loew's,  it  is  understood. 
Some  of  the  12  houses  seat  over  2,000, 
with  admissions  scaled  up  to  80  cents 
top. 


NEW  YORK  THEATRES 


RADIO  CITY  MUSIC  HALL  — = 


Rockefeller  Center 


jGARY  COOPER  •  ANN  SHERIDAN! 


in    LEO  McCAREY'S 

GOOD  SAM 


A  Rainbow  Productions,  Inc.  Picture 
Released   by  RKO   Radio  Pictures 
SPECTACULAR  STAGE  PRESENTATION 


Barbara  Stanwyck 
Burt  Lancaster 

"SORRl 
WRONG  NUMBER' 

A  Paramount  Release 


RKO  presents 
LORETTA    WILLIAM  ROBERT 
YOUNG     HOLDEN  MITCHUM 

in 

'RACHEL  and  the  STRANGER' 

Brand,  MAYFAIR 


Doors  Opts 
»:30  A.  M. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Qhief  and  Publisher;  Sherwm  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Goiden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup! 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  'Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
.1    1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Gentl 


emen...it  s 


PARAMOUNT  magic  that 
now  conjures  up  for 
you  Hit  No.  3  in  that 
Autumn  Harvest  of  Hits 


WE  REPEAT: 

"One  of  the  Most  Unusual  Pictures 
Made  By  Paramount  in  the 
Past  36  Years"  is  this 

That  Explores  The  Fascinating 
Phenomena  The  Average  Man  Calls 
"Hunches"  and  "Premonitions" 


IT'S  AN  ADVENTURE  IN  TIME 

that  takes  the  spectator  thru  time's  purple 
veil  .  .  .  behind  which  the  past  merges  with 
the  present,  the  present  with  the  future  .  .  . 
on  a  menacing  night  when  the  stars  look  down. 


IT'S  AN  ADVENTURE  OF  A  MAN'S  SOUL 

.  .  of  "Triton,  The  Great" — the  man  who  can 
see  into  tomorrow.  Labeled  by  the  police  a  crimi- 
nal— by  psychic  scientists  an  "E.S.P.  Person," 
gifted  (or cursed)  with  "extra-sensory  perception." 


"I  see  a  crushed  flower,  a 
broken  vase  ...  a  curtain  blowing 
in  the  breeze.  Then  on  the  exact  stroke 
of  11 — she  will  meet  an  amazing 
and  inescapable  fate  . ...  " 


EDWARD  G. 


ROBINSON 


GAIL 


RUSSELL 


JOHN 


LUND 


IT'S  AN  ADVENTURE  OF  TWO  LOVERS 

with  your  meteoric  star,  John  ("Foreign  Affair") 
Lund  as  the  man  whose  arms  shield  a  beautiful 
girl  whom  a  predetermined,  little-comprehended 
destiny  has  marked  for  tragedy  .  .  . 


IT'S  AN  ADVENTURE  IN  BOXOFFICE  SELLING 

spearheaded  by  a  personal  appearance  tour  by 
Dr.  J.  B.  Rhine,  psychic  researcher  at  Duke  Uni- 
versity. Plus  national  magazine  ads  beamed  to 
the  feminine  intuition  of  66  million  women  .  .  . 


99 


with 

VIRGINIA  BRUCE-WILLIAM  DEMAREST 

produced  by  ENDRE  BOHEM  •  directed  by  JOHN  FARROW 

Screen  Play  by  Barre  Lyndon  and  Jonathan  Latimer 


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SPECIAL  EXPLOITATION  HUNCHES  TO  FOLLOW: 

Start  playing  extra  early  that  extra  ex- 
citing trailer  narrated  by  John  Lund... 

Start  local  disc -jockeys  playing  extra 
early  that  title-popularizing  ballad: 
"Night  Has  A  Thousand  Eyes." 


will  lengthen 
that  boxoffice 
line  from  now 
right  up  to  '491 


Tuesday,  September  28,  1948 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


7 


TOA  Unsure 


(Continued  from  page  1) 

knowing  the  facts  it  is  not  possible 
validly  to  predict  the  attitude  of  the 
courts  at  this  time." 

There  is  substantial  reason  to  be- 
lieve Levy's  viewpoint  accurately  re- 
flects the  thinking  of  Robert  L. 
Wright,  Assistant  Attorney  General, 
who  has  been  in  charge  of  the  Gov- 
,j  Jiment's  suit  against  Paramount,  et 
Hjjj  J  Wright  met  TOA's  legal  advisory 
""council  in  an  off-record  meeting  at 
which  this  position  is  understood  to 
have  been  propounded. 

Twenty  attorneys,  representing  vari- 
ous TOA  units,  in  a  majority  report 
on  Ascap,  recommended  that  those  ex- 
hibitors who  do  not  intend  continuing 
payments  to  Ascap  while  current  liti- 
gation continues  notify  Ascap  to  that 
effect  and  set  aside  their  fees  in  a 
special,  reserve  or  escrow  account. 
The  advice  is  optional,  of  course. 

United  Artists  was  held  to  be  the 
"greatest  violator"  on  16  mm.  dis- 
tribution. Discussions  with  the  com- 
pany were  determined  in  an  effort  to 
relieve  the  condition  as  charged.  While 
little  complaint  was  registered  against 
other  distributors,  the  committee  on 
16  mm.  films  suggested,  and  the  con- 
vention approved,  a  letter  to  all  35 
mm.  distributors,  foreign  and  domes- 
tic, asking  an  exposition  of  "exact 
policy"  on  16  mm.  distribution  in  the 
United  States. 

Gael  Sullivan,  executive  director,  is 
continuing  efforts  to  reduce  freight 
rates  on  transportation  of  prints.  Hen- 
ry Reeve,  of  Texas,  reporting  for  this 
committee,  revealed  no  detail,  but 
suggested  favorable  developments 
might  be  forthcoming  in  the  next  30 
days. 

Criticize  NSS  Policies 

William  Ruffin,  of  Covington,  •  Ky., 
criticized  National  Screen  Service  on 
its  service  and  prices.  Edward  G. 
Zorn,  president  of  United  Theatre 
Owners  of  Illinois,  backed  him  up. 
Charles  P.  Skouras  reported  com- 
plaints from  the  West  Coast,  and  Ted 
Gamble  from  the  Pacific  Northwest, 
but  in  less  harsh  terms  than  either 
Ruffin  or  Zorn,  who  emphasized  his 
feeling  that  the  trailer  situation  apply- 
ing to  all  companies  should  be  re- 
viewed.   It  was  determined  to  refer 


Announcing: ..deluxe 
all-sleeper  service 

NEW  YORK 
t.  PARIS 

every  Friday  4  P.  M.  EST 

Fly  on  world-proved  TWA 
Constellations.  Cocktails, 
champagne,  vintage  wines. 
Filet  mignon  dinner.  Bed-s'ze 
berths!  Hot  breakfast!  Call 
TWA  or  your  travel  agent. 

The  only  Coast-to-Coast 
Constellations 


I' 


I 


TRANS  WORLD  AIRLINE 
U.S.A.  •  EUROPE  •  AFRICA  •  ASIA 


the  matter  to  the  board  of  directors. 

Guthrie  Crowe,  president  of  the 
Kentucky  Association  of  Theatre 
Owners,  commissioner  of  Kentucky 
state  police,  as  well  as  state  com- 
mander of  the  American  Legion,  out- 
lined a  general  plan  to  reduce  juve- 
nile delinquency  by  marshalling  the 
efforts  of  these  three  groups. 

What  develops  with  such  ideas  as 
a  code  of  fair  business  practices,  out- 
lined in  Gamble's  retiring  speech  as 
president ;  a  nation-wide  system  of 
conciliation  at  the  exchange  level,  a^ 
proposed  by  Paul  Williams'  commit- 
tee on  distributor-exhibitor  relations ; 
a  national  theatre  distribution  setup 
for  topical  and  special  events  in  tele- 
vision, advanced  by  Arthur  H.  Lock- 
wood  on  behalf  of  the  television  com- 
mittee, remains  to  be  seen.  Such  pro- 
grams are  up  to  the  board  of  direc- 
tors, which  remains  in  office  until 
a  new  one  is  elected  by  the  regional 
units.  Since  officers  are  ex-officio 
board  members,  Lockwood  no  longer 
is  eligible  as  director  from  Connecti- 
cut. All  other  incumbents,  however, 
can  be  re-elected  and  most  of  them 
will  be. 

1949  Convention  Site  Undecided 

No  decision  on  next  year's  conven- 
tion city  was  made,  but  again  it  will 
be  held  in  the  third  week  of  Septem- 
ber, when  ATA  and  MPTOA  merged 
as  TOA. 

At  the  banquet,  Gamble  was  pre- 
sented with  a  rack  of  pipes,  Fred 
Wehrenberg  of  St.  Louis  with  a  desk 
set,  and  Robert  W.  Coyne,  special 
TOA  adviser,  with  a  wrist  watch. 
Coyne,  incidentally,  continues  on  the 
executive  committee  for  another  year. 


Stritch  Urges  Exhibitors 
To  Raise  Show  Standards 

Chicago,  Sept.  27.  —  Higher  moral 
standards  in  selecting  films  will  help 
exhibitors  solve  many  of  their  eco- 
nomic ills  and  heighten  their  moral  re- 
sponsibility to  the  community,  Samuel 
Cardinal  Stritch  stated  at  the  conclud- 
ing banquet  of  the  TOA  convention. 

Acknowledging  contributions  made 
by  motion  pictures,  the  Cardinal  de- 
clared, "Sometimes  the  institution  of 
the  moving  picture  show  has  not  been 
conscious  of  its  high  social  and  moral 
obligation."  Later,  he  observed,  "It 
seems  to  me  that  the  development  of 
this  consciousness  (of  his  important 
civic  obligation  to  provide  wholesome 
amusement  to  the  public)  in  the  ex- 
hibitor will  do  very  much  more  for 
the  betterment  of  your  business  than 
any  code  of  standards." 

Early  Sunday  morning,  Ted  Gam- 
ble, TOA's  board  chairman,  replied, 
"The  exhibitors  were  encouraged  by 
Cardinal  Stritch's  remarks  because 
they  dovetailed  with  their  own  pro- 
gram to  be  of  greater  public  service 
and  to  encourage  the  production  and 
presentation  of  motion  pictures  which 
would_  more  completely  realize  the 
American  ideal  and  way  of  life." 


Kansas-Missouri  Owners 
To  Convene  in  K.C.  Today 

Kansas  City,  Sept.  27.— Board  of 
directors  of  the  Kansas-Missouri  The- 
atre Association  met  today  to  review 
plans  for  the  organization's  annual 
convention  which  will  open  tomorrow 
at  the  Muehlebach  Hotel  here. 

Principal  convention  speaker  will  be 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  executive 
director  Gael  Sullivan.  KMTA  is  a 
TOA  affiliate.  Other  speakers  will  be 
TOA  general  counsel  Herman  Levy, 
Attorney-General  Edward  Arn  of 
Kansas,  M-G-M's  H.  M.  Richey, 
RKO  Radio's  Leon  Bamberger,  Mo- 
tion Picture  Association's  Dave  Pal- 
freyman,  and  producer  Paul  Terry. 


French  Exhibitor  at 
TOA,  TESMA  Meets 

Chicago,  Sept.  27. — Pierre  Ratelet, 
secretary  of  the  National  Federation 
of  French  Exhibitors,  attended  the 
TOA  convention  en  route  to  the 
TESMA  convention  in  St.  Louis. 
Metropolitan  exhibitors  in  France  are 
not  keen  about  playing  terms  incor- 
porated in  the  new  four-year  agree- 
ment recently  consummated  between 
France  and  America,  although  in 
smaller  cities  French  exhibitors  look 
upon  it  with  favor,  he  reported. 
Ratelet  is  here  to  inspect  new  theatre 
equipment  and  developments  in  tele- 
vision on  behalf  of  the  French  asso- 
ciation. 


MPEA,  Japan 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


vestments,  Mayer  said.  Since  there  is 
at  present  no  dollar  exchange  for  yens, 
the  arrangement  is  viewed  as  a  desir- 
able one  by  Mayer. 

Recently,  Mayer  reported,  a  yen 
conversion  arrangement  was  adopted 
to  permit  U.  S.  film  companies  to  se- 
cure repayment  in  dollars  for  out-of- 
pocket  expenses  in  Japan.  It  will  be 
retroactive  to  last  July  1,  and  will  re- 
main in  effect  until  July  1,  1949,  he 
said. 

Some  84  U.  S.  features  will  be  re- 
leased this  year  in  Japan,  Mayer  said. 


Twin  City  Clearance 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


changes  apparently  are  stalling  for  a 
time  to  see  how  the  Varsity  and 
Homewood  make  out.  The  small  Loop 
Pix,  which  has  tried  nearly  every  kind 
of  operation  since  the  war  without 
much  success,  also  is  reportedly 
readying  a  demand  for  28-day  pic- 
tures. Meantime,  Paramount  has  sur- 
prised the  two  stands  by  offering  them 
two  pictures  available  for  28-days. 


Roundtree  Buys  Two 

Memphis,  Sept.  27. — Leon  Round- 
tree,  who  owns  and  operates  the  Holly 
Theatre  at  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  and 
the  Grand  at  Water  Valley,  Miss., 
has  purchased  the  Strand  and  Star 
Theatres  at  Lexington,  Miss.,  from 
Strand  Enterprises. 


Rosenberg  to  Classics 

Joseph  Rosenberg,  former  salesman 
under  Bob  Abelson,  has  been  named 
sales  supervisor  of  the  Los  Angeles 
exchange  of  Film  Classics. 


Olson  Buys  House 

Zillah,  Wash.,  Sept.  27. — John  E. 
Olson  has  purchased  the  Rose  Thea- 
tre here  from  Ray  Miller. 


India  Will  Develop 
Own  Film  Industry 

Washington,  Sept.  27. — The  Indian 
Motion  Picture  Producers  Association, 
in  Bombay,  has  urged  the  government 
to  set  up  a  committee  to  study  meth- 
ods of  developing  the  domestic  in- 
dustry, according  to  a  Commerce  De- 
partment report  by  Nathan  Golden. 

Golden  says  the  association  declared 
the  Indian  film  industry  ranks  second 
only  to  the  U.  S.  in  quantity  of  pic- 
tures produced,  but  has  lagged  far 
behind  many  countries  in  production 
technique,  color  and  cartoons.  More- 
over, according  to  the  association, 
theatre  facilities  are  inadequate,  cen- 
sorship has  been  severe,  and  taxation 
in  certain  provinces  is  too  high. 


Ascap  to  Congress 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


the  use  of  his  copyrighted  product  by 
producers  or  exhibitors. 

Predicting  that  television  will  be 
one  of  the  greatest  means  of  mass 
communication  ever  invented,  Gael 
Sullivan,  executive  director  of  The- 
atre Owners  of  America,  declared : 
"If  you  can't  lick  them,  join  them.  .  .  . 
We've  got  to  find  a  way  to  marry 
some  of  our  relations  with  the  swift 
advance  of  television." 

Sullivan,  who  spoke  last  night  at  the 
MPTO  banquet,  also  observed  that 
television,  discriminatory  legislation, 
litigation  and  public  relations  were 
matters  with  which  the  motion  pic- 
ture is  in  crisis,  but,  he  said,  the 
crisis  should  be  viewed  as  an  oppor- 
tunity for  improvement. 

The  MPTO  meeting  preceded  by 
one  day  the  opening  of  the  annual 
conventions  of  the  Theatre  Equip- 
ment and  Supply  Manufacturers  As- 
sociation and  Theatre  Equipment 
Dealers  Protective  Association.  The 
300  Missouri  and  Illinois  theatremen 
who  were  present  for  the  local  meet- 
ing toured  the  TESMA  exhibits  be- 
tween sessions  and  honored  Oscar 
Neu,  TESMA  president,  at  their 
luncheon. 

Other  luncheon  speakers  included 
Leon  Bamberger  of  RKO  Radio  and 
Henderson  Richey  of  M-G-M. 

Fred  Wehrenberg,  long-time  presi- 
dent of  the  MPTO  unit,  refused  to 
be  a  candidate  for  reelection  and  is 
succeeded  by  Tom  Edwards  of  Farm- 
ington,  Mo.  Wehrenberg  consented  to 
continue  in  the  new  post  of  chairman 
of  the  board.  Other  officers  are:  vice- 
presidents,  Clarence  '  Kaimann  and 
Carson  Rodgers ;  secretary,  A.  Mer- 
rier ;  treasurer,  Louis  A.  Ansell ; 
treasurer,  J.  C.  Ansell ;  and  recording 
secretary,  Lester  Kropp. 


1 


Not  since 
The  Road  to  Rio".. 

Not  since 
Bob  and  Bing... 
has  Dottie  been 
combined  with  a 
trio  more  sure 
of  that 
boxoffice  ZING! 


BENEDICT  BOGEAUS  preset 

DOROTHY  LAMOUR 
GEORGE  MONTGOMERY 
CHARLES  LA  UGH TON 

"The  GIRL  FROM 
MANHATTAN" 

with  ERNEST  TRUEX  •  HUGH  HERBERT 
WILLIAM  FRAWLEY  •  CONSTANCE  COLLIER 
SARA  ALLGOOD 

Directed  by  ALFRED  E.  GREEN 
Original  Story  and  Screenplay  by  Howard  Estabrook 
Produced  by  BENEDICT  BOGEAUS 


Accurate 

Concise 
and 

Impartial 




MOTION  PICTURE 

DAILY 

NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  29,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


\J     j  64.  NO.  63 

No  Further 
Remittance 
Cuts:  Cripps 

Expects  June,  1950,  Pact 
Review  Date  to  Stand 

Washington,  Sept.  28.  —  Sir 
Stafford  Cripps  said  today  he  did 
not  think  the  British  government 
would  make  any  move  to  further 
cut  dollar  remittances  by  U.  S.  film 
companies  before  the  present  agree- 
ment comes  up  for  review  in  June, 
1950. 

The  British  Chancellor  of  the  Ex- 
chequer, here  for  meetings  of  the  In- 
ternational Bank  and  Monetary  Funds, 
did  not  say  there  would  be  such  a 
move  in  1950,  merely  pointing  out  that 
the  agreement  comes  up  for  review 
then,  and  that  there  was  nothing  in 
the  works  to  do  anything  about  re- 
mittances before  then. 

Sir  Stafford,  asked  whether  there  is 
(.Continued  on  page  6) 

MPEA  Fears  Break 
With  Brazilians 

In  an  effort  to  avert  a  break  in  film 
relations  with  Brazil,  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Export  Association  has  directed 
Gerald  M.  Mayer,  managing  director 
of  the  international  division  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Association  of  Ameri- 
ca, to  confer  in  Brazil  with  officials 
of  the  Brazilian  government  and  mo- 
tion picture  representatives.  Mayer 
will  fly  on  Friday  to  begin  conferences 
in  Rio  de  Janeiro  over  the  weekend. 

The  MPEA  at  a  meeting  presided 
over  by  Francis  Harmon,  vice-presi- 
dent, decided  to  oppose  new  regula- 
tions  promulgated  by  the  Brazilian 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Buddy  Rogers  Will 
Produce  in  Rome 


As  the  result  of  a  survey  of  produc- 
tion conditions  abroad,  Charles  (Bud- 
dy) Rogers  intends  to  produce  at 
least  one  film  in  Rome,  where,  he  said, 
there  are  considerable  economic  and 
other  advantages. 

Rogers,  in  New  York  after  a  tour 
of  Europe,  pointed  to  available  studio 
space  in  the  Italian  capital  and  the  co- 
operative attitude  of  the  Italian  peo- 
ple as  having  influenced  his  decision 
to  produce  in  that  city.  He  said  he 
plans  to  employ  "very  few"  techni- 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Annual  Dinner  of 
Pioneers  Nov.  17 

Annual  dinner  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Pioneers  will  be 
held  on  November  17  in  the 
Hotel  Waldorf-Astoria  here. 
This  was  decided  at  a  meet- 
ing of  the  dinner  commit- 
tee yesterday.  Present  at  the 
meeting  were  Jack  Cohn, 
George  Jessel,  Hal  Home, 
Hal  Hode,  Gil  Josephson,  Mar- 
vin Kirsch,  Jack  Levin,  Harry 
Takiff,  Leon  Leonidoff  and 
Jack  Goldstein.  Home  pre- 
sided. 


N.J.  Allied  for 
Conciliation 


Newark,  Sept.  28. — Membership  of 
New  Jersey  Allied  today  unanimous- 
ly approved  the  exhibitor-distributor 
conciliation  plan  sponsored  by  Andy 
W.  Smith,  Jr.,  20th-Fox  general  sales 
manager.  It  was  the  second  exhibitor 
unit  to  formally  ratify  the  plan,  North 
Central  Allied  having  been  the  first 
some  time  ago.  Wisconsin  Allied's 
membership  is  expected  to  approve  it 
during  that  organization's  Oct.  14-15 
convention. 

It  was  disclosed  at  today's 
meeting  by  Jersey  Allied  presi- 
dent   Edward    Lachman  that 

(Continued  on  page  2) 


K-MTA  Meet  Opens; 
New  Vistas  Slated 


Kansas  City,  Sept.  28. — Trend  in- 
dicated in  today's  talks  and  discussions 
at  the  convention  of  the  Kansas-Mis- 
souri Theatre  Association  was  active 
following  up  of  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  policies,  further  cultivation 
of  public  relations,  both  generally  and 
on  the  local  community  level,  and  the 
cultivation  of  intra-industry  relations 

(Continued  on  page  2) 

Skouras,  Koegel  Quit 
N.  Y.  Circuit's  Board 

Spyros  P.  Skouras  and  Otto  Koe- 
gel, president  and  general  counsel,  re- 
spectively, of  20th  Century-Fox,  both 
have  resigned  as  board  members  of 
Skouras  Theatres  Corp.,  New  York, 
headed  by  George  Skouras. 

They  and  the  late  John  R.  Dillon 
have  been  replaced  by  James  M.  Lan- 
dis,  former  dean  of  Harvard  Law 
School ;  Spyros  S.  Skouras,  son  of 
Spyros  P.,  and  J.  W.  White,  head 
of  the  circuit's  accounting  depart- 
ment. 


4  Will  List 
Theatres  They 
Would  Give  Up 


Tentative  lists  of  theatre  holdings 
which  they  would  be  willing  to  re- 
linquish as  a  basis  for  a  consent  de- 
cree in  the  industry  anti-trust  suit 
will  be  furnished  to  the  Department  of 
Justice  by  Paramount,  Loew's,  Warners 
and  20th  Century-Fox,  with  RKO  tak- 
ing a  "different  approach,"  it  was  dis- 
closed here  yesterday.  At  RKO,  an 
official  acknowledged  the  split  on  stra- 
tegy, making  it  clear  that  the  company 
has  never  taken  part  in  any  general 
discussions  of  a  decree  in  the  case  and 
does  not  intend  to  become  a  party  to 
one. 

The  lists,  all  separately  compiled, 
of  course,  will  be  presented  to  the 

•  (Continued  on  page  6) 

I  A '  Wins  UA 
NLRB  Vote 

IATSE  won  a  sweeping  "white 
collarite"  shop  election  victory  at 
United  Artists'  home  office  yester- 
day, climaxing  12  weeks  of  jockey- 
ing for  jurisdictional  position  between 
"IA"  Motion  Picture  Home  Office 
Employes  Local  No.  H-63  (AFL) 
and  the  Screen  Office  and  Profession- 
al Employes  Guild  (CIO). 

Yesterday's  NLRB  election 
results  marked  "IA's"  first  suc- 
cessful invasion  of  a  SOPEG 
unit. 

SOPEG,  as  a  union  which  has  not 
complied  with  the  non-Communist  af- 
fidavit provisions  of  the  Taft-Hartley 

(Continued  on  page  2) 

1,200  On  Hand  for 
Tesma-Tedpa  Show 

St.  Louis,  Sept.  28. — The  Theatre 
Equipment  and  Supply  Manufacturers 
Association  and  the  Theatre  Equip- 
ment Dealers  Protective  Association 
opened  their  annual  meetings  at  the 
Hotel  Jefferson  here  today  amid  a 
block-long  array  of  exhibits  and  civic 
and  industrial  fanfare. 

Mayor  Aloys  P.  Kaufmann  wel- 
comed the  motion  picture  men  to  St. 
Louis  at  a  luncheon  inaugurating  the 
three-day  sessions.  The  toastmaster 
was  Joseph  M.  Holland,  corporation 
counsel.  About  400  attended  the 
luncheon  which  filled  the  Jefferson's 
Gold  Room. 

Officials   said  registration  for  the 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


ITOA  in  Move 
To  Void  All 
Ascap  Pacts 

Proposes  NY  Decree  to 
Bar  Infringement  Suits 

All  contract  provisions  between 
Ascap  and  film  producers,  and  be- 
tween distributors  and  exhibitors, 
which  set  forth  that  exhibitors  must 
clear  music  rights  through  Ascap, 
would  be  declared  "void,  illegal  and 
unenforceable,"  under  a  New  York 
Federal  Court  decree  to  be  proposed 
today  by  the  exhibitor  plaintiffs  in  the 
anti-trust  suit  against  the  society. 

The  proposed  judgment  is  intended 
to  convert  into  specific  law  the  opinion 
against  Ascap  handed  down  by  Judge 
Vincent  Liebell  last  July  19. 

Attorneys  Weisman,  Celler,  Quinn, 
Allan  and  Spett,  in  behalf  of  the  plain- 
tiffs, ask  the  court  to  perpetually  en- 
join Ascap  from  collecting  fees  from, 
or  from  having  music  dealings  of  any 
sort  with,  theatremen.    Plaintiffs  are 

(Continued  on  page  6) 


Other  Distributors 
May  Lose  N.  Y.  Runs 


Paramount,  M-G-M  and  Columbia, 
as  well  as  United  Artists,  the  latter 
as  reported  yesterday,  are  confronted 
with  the  possible  loss  of  12  New  York 
neighborhood  outlets  as  the  result  of 
clearance  revisions  in  the  area. 

The  four  distributors'  films  play  the 
Loew  circuit  here,  giving  it  a  seven- 
day  clearance  over  12  local  indepen- 
dents which  recently  moved  up  to  day- 
and-date  availability  with  RKO  thea- 
tres. The  12  now  are  said  to  be  dis- 
inclined to  take  the  product  of  the  dis- 
tributors except  on  a  neighborhood 
first-run  basis,  and  not  after  Loew. 


1st  FP-C  Regional  at 
Niagara  Oct  18-21 

Toronto,  Sept.  28. — With  discus- 
sion of  falling  attending  figures  and 
increased  theatre  competition  on  the 
agenda,  Famous  Players  Canadian  has 
issued  a  call  for  regional  conferences 
of  personnel  and  partners  at  Niagara 
Falls  Oct.  18-21.  Barney  Balaban, 
Paramount  president,  is  slated  to  ad- 
dress the  meeting.  Subsequent  two- 
day  meetings  are  to  be  held  at  Winni- 
peg and  Edmonton,  winding  up  with 
a  gathering  at  Vancouver  on  Nov.  16- 
17.  J.  J.  Fitzgibbons  and  other  home 
office  officials  are  scheduled  to  attend! 
all  of  the  conferences. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  29,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

FRANK  CAPRA,  Paramount  pro- 
ducer-director, is  due  here  today 
from  Boston. 

• 

John  Woolf,  joint  managing  direc- 
tor of  J.  Arthur  Rank's  General  Film 
Distributors  in  charge  of  Western 
Hemisphere  distribution,  who  was  in 
New  York,  left  yesterday  for  Toronto 
for  conferences  with  J.  Earl  Lawson, 
head  of  Rank  interests  in  Canada. 
• 

William  Ornstein,  M-G-M  publi- 
cist, has  been  cited  for  his  "distinc- 
tive" short  story,  "Ma  and  Mrs.  Rob- 
inson," in  a  special  listing  in  the 
newly  published  "Best  Short  Stories 
of  1948,"  by  Martha  Foley. 

• 

Budd  Getschal,  former  Paramount 
and  Warner  advertising  executive  and 
now  vice-president  and  partner  in 
Stuart  Bart,  Inc.,  advertising  agency, 
will  be  married  in  New  York  today 
to  Evelyne  Love  Cooper. 

• 

Arthur  Reiman,  head  of  Film 
Classics  contract  approval  department, 
and  Mrs.  Reiman  became  parents  of 
a  daughter  on  Sunday. 

• 

Walter  Branson,  RKO  Radio 
Western  division  manager,  will  re- 
turn to  New  York  from  Hollywood 
tomorrow. 

• 

Paul   MacNamara,   Selznick  ad- 
vertising-publicity director,  left  here 
yesterday  by  plane  for  the  Coast. 
• 

G.  L.  Carrington,  Altec  Service 
president,  is  in  New  York  from  the 
Coast. 

• 

Joel  Levy,  Loew's  out-of-town 
booker,  will  leave  here  today  for  At- 
lantic City  and  a  vacation. 


Name  Malcolm  Smith 
Hughes  Tool  Officer 

Hollywood,  Sept.  28. — Election  of 
Malcolm  Smith,  former  New  York 
investment  banker,  as  vice-president  of 
Hughes  Tool  Co.,  central  organization 
of  Howard  Hughes'  industrial  opera- 
tions, was  announced  here  today  by 
Hughes.  Hughes  said  Smith  will 
work  in  close  association  with  him 
and  executive  vice-president  Noah 
Dietrich. 

In  addition  to  RKO  Radio,  opera- 
tions covered  by  Hughes  Tool  Co., 
includes  TWA  and  Hughes  Aircraft. 


Goldstein  Opens  a 
Publicity  Office  Here 

Jack  Goldstein  has  opened  a  New 
York  office  for  advertising,  public  re- 
lations, exploitation  and  specialized 
services  in  the  motion  picture,  radio 
and  television  fields  and  has  completed 
arrangements  for  representation  in 
Hollywood,  London  and  Paris.  He 
still  maintains  an  interest  in  Sing-A- 
Tina  Studios. 


Honor  Weitman  at 
'Stars'  Luncheon 


Robert  M.  Weitman,  managing  di- 
rector of  the  New  York  and  Brooklyn 
Paramount  theatres,  was  feted  at  a 
luncheon  yesterday  at  the  Hotel  Astor 
by  leaders  of  the  United  Jewish  Ap- 
peal for  his  services  over  several  years 
for  the  annual  "Night  of  Stars." 
Weitman  is  again  this  year's  chair- 
man of  the  entertainment  committee 
for  the  15th  annual  "Night  of  Stars" 
which  will  be  held  at  Madison  Square 
Garden  here  on  Nov.  15. 

The  luncheon  marked  the  inaugura- 
tion of  the  campaign  for  the  show. 
Nathan  Strauss,  general  chairman  of 
the  campaign,  was  chairman  of  the 
luncheon. 

To  Stress  Territorial 
Premieres:  Scully 

Cincinnati,  Sept.  28. — Territorial 
world  premieres  in  this  and  other 
areas  to  coincide  with  saturation  pro- 
motional campaigns  and  in  line  with 
the  company's  newly-announced  policy 
on  reduced  clearances,  was  emphasized 
by  William  A.  Scully,  Universal  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  at  a  two-day 
meeting  which  opened  here  yesterday. 

In  addition  to  sales  personnel  from 
nine  cities,  home  office  executives  at- 
tending the  meeting  also  included :  A. 
J.  O'Keefe,  E.  T.  Gomersall,  F.  J.  A. 
McCarthy,  Maurice  Bergman,  G.  J. 
Malafronte,  James  J.  Jordan  and  L. 
J.  McGinley.  Similar  regional  meet- 
ings will  be  held  in  Chicago  on  Fri- 
day and  Saturday  and  in  San 
Francisco  Oct.  7-8. 

Drive  for  Warner 
Division  Managers 

Ben  Kalmenson,  Warner  general 
sales  manager,  has  set  October  as 
division  managers'  month  in  the  com- 
pany's current  sales  drive  which  be- 
gan in  May  and  will  last  through  Nov. 
13.  Division  managers  are :  Roy 
Haines,  Western ;  Jules  Lapidus, 
Eastern  and  Canada,  and  Norman 
Ayers,  Southern. 


K-MTA  Meet  Opens 

(Continued  from  Page  1) 

such  as  the  prospect  of  setting  up  of  a 
conciliation  committee.  A  keynote 
was  industrial  cooperation  for  solving 
exhibitors'  problems  and  cooperation 
continuously  with  public  agencies 
such  as  welfare  and  educational  for 
civic  and  social  advance  with  particu- 
lar emphasis  on  projects  that  benefit 
youth. 

Convention  opened  today  at  the 
Hotel  Muehlebach,  with  Homer  Stro- 
wig,  president,  presiding.  Secretary 
E.  C.  Cook  reviewed  the  year's  work, 
reporting  the  largest  active  member- 
ship in  the  association's  history. 

Gael  Sullivan,  TOA  executive  di- 
rector, spoke  briefly,  emphasizing  the 
public  relations  achievements  and  the 
program  of  the  TOA.  Herman  Levy, 
TOA  counsel,  said  he  would  talk 
Wednesday,  inviting  questions  for  dis- 
cussion in  the  convention  or  on  local 
matters  with  individuals. 


SAG-Producer  Talks 
To  Resume  in  Oct. 

Hollywood,  Sept.  28. — Screen  Act- 
ors Guild  will  resume  negotiations 
with  producers  early  next  month  on 
the  still  unresolved  issues  of  television 
films,  reissues,  re-use  of  stock  shots 
and  conditions  for  contract  players, 
according  to  an  intelligence  report 
mailed  to  the  guild  membership.  The 
report  also  disclosed  that  Ronald 
Reagan  has  been  nominated  for  re- 
election as  president  along  with  24 
other  candidates. 


IA  Wins  at  UA 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Law,  was  not  permitted  a  place  on  the 
UA  ballot;  hence,  the  UA  "collar- 
iets"  had  a  choice  between  H-63  or  no 
union  at  all.  The  National  Labor  Re- 
lations Board,  which  had  ordered  the 
UA  shop  election  following  an  unsuc- 
cessful attempt  by  a  UA  employe  to 
thwart  it,  is  expected  to  certify  H-63 
as  the  bargaining  agent  within  a  week. 

UA's  "white  collarites"  voted  109 
to  26  to  be  represented  hereafter  by 
H-63  for  collective  bargaining  pur- 
poses ;  up  to  last  June  the  shop  was 
SOPEG's. 

Russell  Moss,  H-63  business  agent, 
indicated  that  the  new  local  will  im- 
mediately set  up  a  negotiating  commit- 
tee to  confer  with  the  UA  manage- 
ment on  a  new  union  contract. 

H-63  represents  Warner  and  Uni- 
versal home  office  "white  collarites" 
as  well  as  those  of  UA  now. 


SPG  Declares  'Cold  Strike' 
Against  Nine  Distributors 

Screen  Publicists  Guild,  rejected  by 
virtually  all  distributors  for  not  hav- 
ing complied  with  the  non-Communist 
provisions  of  the  Taft-Hartley  Law, 
yesterday  declared  a  "cold  strike" 
against  Columbia,  M-G-M,  Para- 
mount, RKO  Radio,  Republic,  20th- 
Fox,  United  Artists,  Universal  and 
Warners.  SPG  public  relations  chair- 
man Leon  Roth  announced  the  "cold 
strike,"  explaining  it  would  be  mani- 
fested by  the  distribution  of  pamphlet? 
in  front  of  theatres. 


Jersey  Allied 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Newark  attorney  A.  L.  Abrams 
has  been  retained  by  the  or- 
ganization as  permanent  coun- 
sel for  the  purpose  of  "polic- 
ing" the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court's 
mandates  in  the  industry  anti- 
trust suit. 

In  connection  with  Jersey  Allied's 
acceptance  of  the  Smith  plan,  Irving 
Dollinger,  Lou  Gold  and  Wilbur 
Snaper  were  named  to  serve  as  a  com- 
mittee which  will  investigate  any  ex- 
hibitor complaints  in  dealings  with 
20th-Fox. 

The  Jersey  membership  also  voted 
to  hold  their  next  annual  convention 
at  Atlantic  City  on  Sept.  13-15,  1949. 


Lawrence  Kuh,  Exhibitor 

Corning,  la.,  Sept.  28. — Services 
were  held  here  for  Lawrence  Kuh, 
owner  of  the  local  American  Theatre 
and  the  Grand  at  Greenfield.  He  died 
following  a  heart  attack. 


Newsreel 
Parade 


THE  Berlin  crisis  and  the  Presi- 
dential campaign  mark  current 
newsreel  highlights.  The  Air  Force 
reunion,  sports  and  human  interest 
stories  round  out  the  reels.  Complete 
contents  follow : 

MOVIETONE  NEWS,  No.  78— Berlin 
crisis  turned  over  to  UN.  Presidential 
campaign  touring  California.  Air  ForcWre- 
union  in  New  York.  Football.  * 

NEWS  OF  THE  DAY,  No.  i"^— 
Greatest  UN  crisis  as  East- West  sprit  on 
Berlin  issue.  The  political  campaign  waxes 
hot  in  the  West.  Stars  shine  at  Air  Force 
show.  Football. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS,  No.  11— Air 
Force  reunion.  Last  rites  for  Bernadotte. 
Football. 

UNIVERSAL  NEWS,  No.  182 — Tru- 
man and  Dewey  tour  the  West  for  votes. 
Children's  hands  across  the  border.  Foot- 
ball. 

WARNER  PAT  HE  NEWS,  No.  13— 

Trurhan  and  Dewey.  UN:  Berlin.  Air 
Force  show.  Football. 

F.E.Adams,  70,  Was 
AFounderofP.C.T. 

London,  Sept.  28. — F.  E.  Adams, 
70,  veteran  of  the  British  film  indus- 
try, is  dead. 

Adams  had  a  considerable  hand  in 
the  formation  of  Provincial  Cinemato- 
graph Theatres,  one  of  the  principal 
groups  ultimately  absorbed  into  the 
present  Gaumont-British  combine.  He 
became  managing-director  of  PCT  in 
1918  and  remained  in  that  office  until 
1924,  when  he  resigned  due  to  ill 
health. 

Earlier  he  had  been  an  exporter  of 
films  to  America,  but  went  out  of 
that  business  in  the  exigencies  of 
World  War  f. 

Though  it  has  only  just  become 
known,  Adams'  death  occured  on  Sept. 
17  at  Matlock  Bath  Spa,  Derbyshire, 
where  he  had  lived  for  many  years. 


Gregg  Toland,  Noted 
Cameraman,  Is  Dead 

Hollywood,  Sept.  28. — Gregg  To- 
land, noted  cameraman  whose  work 
has  won  many  Academy  Awards,  died 
at  his  Beverly  Hills  home  today  of 
coronary  trombosis.  He  was  44  years 
old. 

Toland's  work  included  "Best  Years 
of  Our  Lives,"  "Wuthering  Heights," 
"Citizen  Kane,"  "Grapes  of  Wrath," 
"Intermezzo"  and  many  others.  He  is 
survived  by  his  widow,  Virginia 
Thorpe  Toland,  actress,  and  two  sons, 
Gregg,  Jr.,  aged  two,  and  Timothy, 
one  month  old.  He  served  in  the  Navy 
during  the  last  war  and  was  a  lieu- 
tenant commander.  He  was  a  stock- 
holder in  Samuel  Goldwyn  Produc- 
tions. 


TOA  Aids  Australian  Boy 

Los  Angeles,  Sept.  28. — A  six-year- 
old  Australian  boy  who  lost  his  speech 
four  years  ago  arrived  here  yesterday 
by  plane  from  his  country  en  route  to 
the  Institute  of  Logopedics  in  Wichi- 
ta, Kans.,  for  treatment  under  the 
sponsorship  of  the  Theatre  Owners  of 
America. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Goiden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


THE  PAWS 
THAT  REFRESH 
YOUR  BOX-OFFICE! 

M-G-M's  line-up  listed  below  is  the  Talk 
of  the  Industry!  Leo's  history -making 
Spring  and  Summer  record  continues 
unabated  into  the  Fall  and  Winter!  For 
that  golden  sparkle  at  the  Box-office 
take  Metro-Cola! 


GREER  GARSON,  WALTER  PIDGEON 
in  "JULIA  MISBEHAVES" 
PETER  LAWFORD,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 
CESAR  ROMERO,  Lucile  Watson,  Nigel 
Bruce,  Mary  Beland,  Reginald  Owen 

★  ★  ★ 

DANA  ANDREWS,  LILLI  PALMER 
and  LOUIS  JOURDAN  in 
"NO  MINOR  VICES" 
with  Jane  Wyalt 

★  ★  ★ 

"THE  SECRET  LAND"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

MEN  AND  SHIPS 
Of  The  U.  S.  NAVY 
Narration  By 

Comdr.  ROBERT  MONTGOMERY,  U.S.N.R. 
Lt.  ROBERT  TAYLOR,  U.S.N.R. 
Lt.  VAN  HEFLIN,  A.A.F.  (Ret.) 

★  *  ★ 
Alexandre  Dumas' 

"THE  THREE  MUSKETEERS"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

LANA  TURNER,  GENE  KELLY 
JUNE  ALLYSON,  VAN  HEFLIN 
ANGELA  LANSBURY 
Frank  Morgan,  Vincenf  Price,  Keenan 
Wynn,  John  Sutton,  Gig  Young 


"HILLS  OF  HOME"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

EDMUND  GWENN,  DONALD  CRISP 
TOM  DRAKE,  JANET  LEIGH 
and  LASSIE 

★  ★  ★ 

FRANK  SINATRA,  KATHRYN  GRAYSON 
in  "THE  KISSING  BANDIT  [Technicolor) 
J.  Carrol  Naish,  Mildred  Natwick 
Mikhail  Rasumny,  Billy  Gilbert 
Sono  Osato  with  Dance  Specialties  By 
Ricardo  Montalban,  Ann  Miller,  Cyd  Charisse 

★  ★  * 

John  Ford's 

"3  GODFATHERS"  (Technicolor) 

Presented  by  John  Ford  &  Merian  C.  Cooper 

Starring 

JOHN  WAYNE,  PEDRO  ARMENDARIZ 
And  Introducing  HARRY  CAREY,  Jr. 
with  Ward  Bond,  Mae  Marsh 
Jane  Darwell,  Ben  Johnson 

★  ★  ★ 
"WORDS  AND  MUSIC"  (Technicolor) 
Starring 

JUNE  ALLYSON,  PERRY  COMO 

JUDY  GARLAND,  LENA  HORNE 

GENE  KELLY,  MICKEY  ROONEY 

ANN  SOTHERN  with  Tom  Drake 

Cyd  Charisse,  Betty  Garrett,  Janet  Leigh 

Marshall  Thompson,  Mel  Torme,  Vera-Ellen 


CLARK  GABLE,  WALTER  PIDGEON 
VAN  JOHNSON,  BRIAN  DONLEVY 
Charles  Bickford,  John  Hodiak 
Edward  Arnold  in 
"COMMAND  DECISION" 
with  Marshall  Thompson,  Richard  Quine 
Cameron  Mitchell,  Clinton  Sundberg 
Ray  Collins 

★  *  ★ 
"LITTLE  WOMEN"  (TecfimcoM 
Starring 

JUNE  ALLYSON,  PETER  LAWFORD 
MARGARET  O'BRIEN,  ELIZABETH  TAYLOR 
JANET  LEIGH,  ROSSANO  BRAZZI 
MARY  ASTOR  with  Lucile  Watson 
C.  Aubrey  Smith,  Harry  Davenport 

★  ★  ★ 
ROBERT  TAYLOR 
AVA  GARDNER 
CHARLES  LAUGHTON 
VINCENT  PRICE 
JOHN  HODIAK  in 
"THE  BRIBE" 

★  ★  ★ 
"SUN  IN  THE  MORNING" 
(Technicolor)  Starring 
JEANETTE  MacDONALD 

LLOYD  NOLAN,  CLAUDE  JARMAN,  Jr. 
and  LASSIE 

with  Lewis  Stone,  Percy  Kilbride 


"ACT  OF  VIOLENCE" 
Starring 

VAN  HEFLIN,  ROBERT  RYAN 
with  Janet  Leigh,  Mary  Astor 
Phyllis  Thaxter 

★  ★  ★ 
SPENCER  TRACY 
DEBORAH  KERR 

in  "EDWARD,  MY  SON" 
with  Ian  Hunter 

★  ★  ★ 
JOHN  GARFIELD  in 

The  Roberts  Production  of 
"FORCE  OF  EVIL" 

with  Thomas  Gomez  and  Marie  Windsor 
And  Introducing  BEATRICE  PEARSON 

★  *  ★ 

FRED  ASTAIRE,  GINGER  ROGERS  in 
"THE  BARKLEYS  OF  BROADWAY" 
(Technicolor) 

with  Oscar  Levant,  Billie  Burke 
Gale  Robbins,  Jacques  Francois 

★  ★  * 
FRANK  SINATRA 

ESTHER  WILLIAMS,  GENE  KELLY  in 

"TAKE  ME  OUT  TO  THE  BALL  GAME" 

(Technicolor) 

with  Betty  Garrett 

Edward  Arnold,  Jules  Munshin 


SEE  FOR  YOURSELF!  TRADE  SHOWS  OF  "HILLS  OF  HOME"  OCT.  11th 
AND  "THE  THREE  MUSKETEERS"  OCT.  14th! 


ONE  OF  THE  YEAfi 


still 


HU<&  CROWDS.. ,v\  gala 

World  Premiere, Two  Paramounts, 
Hollywood  and  Downtown, 
Los  Angeles... and  still  they  come 
for  second  big  weekL 


X»  6*0SSlS 


CONTIN 


m. 


UNITED  ARTISTS, CHICAGO" 


SAENGER,  NEW  ORLEANS 4 


D  150  OTHER  BIG  DATES! 


S  SURPRISE  HITS! 


FRANK  NUKE'S 


PRODUCTION  OF 


oomtse 


starring 


DANE  CLARK  *  GAIL  RUSSEL 


ALLYN  JOSLYN  •  REX  INGRAM  •  HENRY  MORGAN 

and  DAVID  STREET  •  SELENA  ROYLE 
LLOYD  BRIDGES  •  LILA  LEEDS 


tjilllif 


Screen  Play  by  CHARLES  HAAS  •  Produced  by  CHARLES  HAAS 
Based  on  the  Novel  "MOONRISE"  by  THEODORE  STRAUSS 

Directed  by  FRANK  BORZAGE 
A  REPUBLIC  PRESENTATION 


6 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Wednesday,  September  29,  1948 


Para.  ExpandsVideo 
Recording:  Shupert 


Detroit,  Sept.  28. — Indicating  the 
"staggering  investment"  involved  in 
the  laying  of  a  national  network  of  co- 
axial television  cables,  George 
Shupert,  director  of  commercial 
operations  of  Paramount's  television 
division,  declared  here  today  that 
Paramount's  film  transcription  tech- 
nique has  proved  to  be  a  more  eco- 
nomical and  quicker  method  for 
relaying  video  shows.  He  predicted 
advertisers  will  probably  find  the  film 
recordings  as  practical  as  "live  shows" 
for  their  purposes,  in  an  address  at 
a  Television  Round  Table  luncheon 
meeting  at  the  Detroit  Leland  Hotel. 

Shupert  disclosed  that  duplicates  of 
Paramount's  New  York  recording 
system  will  be  installed  shortly  in 
Chicago  and  Los  Angeles  at  a  cost 
of  about  $35,000  each,  compared  with 
an  initial  investment  of  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  million  dollars.  He  also 
revealed  that  in  a  month  Paramount 
will  set  up  a  completely-equipped  tele- 
vision studio  in  New  York  to  record 
commercial  programs. 


Ask  F.C.C.  Action  on 
A.T.&T.  Video  Relay 

Washington,  Sept.  28.— DuMont, 
Philco  and  Western  Union  today 
asked  the  Federal  Communications 
Commission  to  require  American 
Telephone  and  Telegraph  to  relay 
telecasts  originated  by  or  going  to 
their  systems.  They  asked  the  FCC 
to  postpone  a  decision  on  proper  tele- 
vision relay  rates  until  it  rules  on 
whether  A.  T.  and  T.  is  properly 
interpreting  a  restriction  in  its  tar- 
iff on  integrating  its  video  channels 
with  those  of  other  carriers. 

The  tariff  hearings  opened  today. 

Colquhon  Succeeds 
Peckham  in  Dallas 

B.  G.  Kranze,  sales  vice-president 
of  Film  Classics,  has  appointed  Nor- 
man Colquhon  branch  manager  of  the 
Dallas  exchange.  Colquhon  replaces 
Ralph  Peckham,  who  has  resigned  to 
enter  business  for  himself. 


FIVE-STAR 

DC-6 

FLAGSHIPS 

LOS  ANGELES 

11  hours,  10  minutes 

CHICAGO 

Zh  hours 

Phone  HAvemeyer  6-5000 
or  your  travel  agent 

Ticket  Offices .-  Airlines  Terminal 
Rockefeller  Center  •  Hotel  New  Yorker 
120  Broadway  •   Hotel  St.  George 

AMERICAN 
AIRLINES 


TESMA - TEDPA 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


two  conventions,  which  has  been  go- 
ing on  since  Sunday,  has  topped  the 
1,200  mark.  Exhibits  of  the  big  trade 
show,  formally  opened  yesterday  after- 
noon, are  showing  on  a  daily  12-hour 
schedule. 

This  year's  trade  show  features  a 
number  of  new  exhibitors  who  are 
entering  the  drive-in  theatre  equip- 
ment field.  Side  by  side  with  exhibits 
of  past  years  which  are  household 
words  in  the  motion  picture  world, 
are  new  exhibits  and  panoramas 
showing  the  drive-in  theatre  of  today 
and  tomorrow. 

The  new  products  ranged  from  com- 
plete models  for  drive-ins  to  the  latest 
in  sales  equipment  for  drive-in  con- 
cessionaires. 

Besides  its  drink  dispenser  exhibit, 
Tol-Pak  of  St.  Louis  promised  visi- 
tors to  its  booth  a  new  32-pound  port- 
able dispenser  of  carbonated  drinks, 
holding  two  gallons,  and  available  for 
aisle  sales  in  a  drive-in.  Calumet 
Coach  Co.,  Chicago,  showed  a  mobile 
snackbar,  candy  stand  and  hot  dog 
cooker  units  which  can  be  moved  to 
any  part  of  a  drive-in  deemed  desir- 
able. 

Drive-in  Theatre  Manufacturing 
Co.,  Kansas  City,  showed  a  combina- 
tion ramp  identification  and  driveway 
flood  lamp  with  a  new  indicator  light 
which  shows  the  car  vacancies  on  a 
drive-in  ramp.  A  further  control  sys- 
tem will  tabulate  the  total  of  cars  in 
the  drive-in  and  show  the  results  at 
the  gate. 

An  "in-a-car"  sound  reception  ap- 
paratus with  heating  attachment  was 
exhibited  by  Theatrecraft  Manufac- 
turing Corp.,  Cleveland.  Along  the 
same  line  was  a  built-in  signal  on  the 
car  speaker  designed  to  summon  the 
concessionaire,  with  different  colors  to 
call  for  popcorn,  soft  drinks,  etc.  The 
exhibitor  was  Autocrat,  Inc.,  Dayton. 

The  second  day  of  the  convention 
will  be  devoted  to  the  TESMA  and 
TEDPA  annual  meetings  with  the  an- 
nual banquet  in  the  evening. 


Buddy  Rogers 

{Continued  from  page  1) 


cians  from  Hollywood,  plus  one  direc- 
tor and  perhaps  only  one  star  for  the 
project. 

Rogers  said  he  visted  several  prin- 
cipal cities  of  Germany  and  got  the 
impression  that  the  -people  of  that 
country  are  virtually  convinced  that 
there  are  only  three  types  of  Ameri- 
cans— millionaire  playboys,  gangsters 
and  Western  characters — this,  because 
of  the  kind  of  U.  S.  films  being  sent 
to  that  country.  He  suggested  more 
careful  screening  of  product. 

Rogers  and  Mary  Pickford,  his  wife, 
also  in  New  York,  plan  to  return  to 
the  Coast  at  the  end  of  this  week. 
His  latest  is  "High  Fury,"  awaiting 
release  by  United  Artists. 


MPEA  Fears  Break 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


Central  Price  Control  Commission. 
The  MPEA  directors  felt  that  these 
regulations  would  "severely  penalize" 
member  companies,  subjecting  them  to 
"harsh  business  conditions,  including 
film  rentals." 

Mayer  returned  last  week  from 
France,  where  he  spent  three  months 
as  consultant  to  the  American  Em- 
bassy on  the  French-American  film 
accord. 


ITOA  vs.  Ascap 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

members  of  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  Association,  New  York. 

They  ask  the  court  to  decree  that 
Ascap  members  hereafter  must  license 
public  performance  rights  of  their  mu- 
sic which  is  synchronized  on  films 
only  to  the  producers  of  the  films. 

The  theatremen  further  seek  to 
have  both  Ascap  and  its  members  per- 
manently enjoined  and  restrained  from 
suing  exhibitors  who  have  refused  and 
who  continue  to  refuse  to  pay  for  the 
performance  rights  of  music  which, 
in  a  separate  arrangement  with  the 
producer,  is  synchronized  on  film. 

It  is  asked  that  Ascap  and  its  mem- 
bers be  enjoined  from  any  agreement 
with  a  producer  under  which  the  lat- 
ter obtains  synchronization  rights  to 
musical  compositions  on  condition  that 
the  right  to  exhibit  his  film  be  limited 
to  theatres  "having  a  license  from 
Ascap,  the  copyright  proprietor  or  any 
agent,  licensee  or  assignee  of  the  copy- 
right proprietor." 

And,  governing  the  future  activities 
of  Ascap  members,  the  New  York 
court  is  asked  to  enjoin  them  from 
"combining  with  each  other  or  any 
other  copyright  proprietor  or  combin- 
ing through  any  agency  or  instrumen- 
tality with  relation  to  the  licensing  of 
the  right  of  public  performance  for 
profit  of  any  copyrighted  musical  com- 
position synchronized  with  motion  pic- 
ture film,  and  from  adopting  or  at- 
tempting to  adopt  any  uniform  plan  or 
practice  in  the  licensing  of  such  per- 
forming rights  and  from  pooling  the 
proceeds  derived  from  the  licensing  of 
any  such  rights." 

Ascap  will  present  its  proposal  of  a 
decree  in  the  case  today.  A  court 
hearing  is  scheduled  for  Oct.  6.  A 
postponement  from  Oct.  5  was  agreed 
upon  because  it  conflicted  with  the 
Jewish  holidays. 


U.  K.  Remittances 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

any  prospect  that  the  British  govern- 
ment might  decrease  the  amount  of 
dollars  which  American  film  compa- 
nies can  take  from  the  U.  K.,  replied : 
"Not  as  far  as  I  know."  He  recalled 
that  the  American  industry  had  an 
agreement  with  Sir  Harold  Wilson, 
head  of  the  British  Board  of  Trade, 
governing  remittances,  and  "there  is 
no  reason  to  think  this  agreement 
might  be  varied"  before  1950,  Cripps 
said,  "unless  our  American  friends 
want  it  changed"  (presumably  mean- 
ing reduced). 


Liberty,  Monroe  Suit 
Hearings  Are  Slated 

Chicago,  Sept.  28. — Hearings  in- 
volving the  two  remaining  defendants, 
Universal  and  Columba,  in  the  Liberty 
Amusement  Co.  case,  is  scheduled  for 
Nov.  2  in  Judge  John  Barnes'  U.  S. 
District  Court  here.  An  out-of-court 
agreement  has  been  reached  with  de- 
fendants Paramount,  Warner  and  Re- 
public, granting  the  Liberty  Theatre, 
Michigan  City,  operated  by  plaintiff 
Louis  Philon,  an  opportunity  to  £^>. 
pete  for  first  run  playing  -  - 
Representing  plaintiff  is  attorney  Sey- 
mour Simon. 

At  the  same  time,  Judge  Barnes  has 
set  trial  hearings  in  the  Monroe 
Amusement  Co.  anti-trust  suit  for 
April  4,  1949,  in  District  Court. 

Because  of  a  statement  made  last 
week  by  Judge  Michael  J.  Igoe  during 
hearings  on  "A  Foreign  Affair,"  to 
the  effect  that  his  court  does  not  have 
power  of  jurisdiction  to  modify  the 
Jackson  Park  decree,  Thomas  Mc- 
Connell,  Jackson  Park  attorney,  today 
entered  a  motion  with  the  Circuit 
Court  of  Appeals  to  dismiss  his  appeal 
in  opposition  to  Judge  Igoe's  granting 
of  extended  Loop  playing  time  for 
Paramount's  "Emperor  Waltz." 

U.A.,  Joining  Others, 
Settles  with  Harford 

Washington,  Sept.  28. — The  anti- 
trust case  instituted  over  two  years 
ago  by  the  Harford  Theatre  Co.  of 
Baltimore  against  major  distributors 
was  completely  closed  today  when 
United  Artists  agreed  to  settle  on  the 
same  terms  agreed  to  last  month  by 
the  other  seven  majors. 

Under  the  settlement,  Harford  gets 
a  better  break  on  playing  time  but 
none  of  the  damages  it  asked  for.  Now 
it  will  have  an  availability  of  seven 
days  frOm  the  Durkee  and  Rome  cir- 
cuits. Before,  the  Harford's  clearance 
was  tied  to  the  Durkee  and  Rome. 


4  Will  List  Theatres 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Justice  Department  before  the  case 
comes  to  trial  again  in  New  York 
Federal  Court  on  Oct.  13.  (Inci- 
dentally, a  brief  postponement  of  this 
date  because  it  conflicts  with  the  ob- 
servance of  Yom  Kippur  still  is  re- 
garded as  a  possibility). 

However,  doubt  that  the  presenta- 
tion of  the  lists  will  automatically 
mean  a  long  delay  in  the  trial  was 
expressed  here  by  Austin  Keough, 
vice-president  and  general  counsel  of 
Paramount. 


THERE 

IS 

A 


in 


Accurate 

Concise 

and 
Impartial 


MOTIG.V  PICTURE? 

mc       

DAILY 


T 


IN 
FILM 
NEWS 


VO      >.  NO.  64 


NEW  YORK,  U.S.A.,  THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  30,  1948 


TEN  CENTS 


Ascap  Out  To 
Modify  N.  Y. 
Court  Ruling 

To  Move  for  Amended 
Findings;  Files  Decree 

American  Society  of  Composers, 
Authors  and  Publishers,  in  a  move 
to  tone  down  the  language  used  by 
New  York  Federal  Court  Judge 
Vincent  L.  Leibell  in  his  decision 
against  the  society,  has  prepared  and 
served  upon  exhibitor  plaintiffs  in  the 
case  a  motion  to  amend  Leibell's  find- 
ings and  conclusions  of  law. 

Simultaneous  with  the  service  of 
the  motion  yesterday,  Ascap  also  sub- 
mitted to  the  clerk  of  the  New  York 
court  and  to  the  plaintiffs  its  proposed 
judgment  which  would  enjoin  it  from 
theatre  collections  only  on  U.  S.-made 
pictures  and  restrain  its  members 
from  collections  only  when  they  are 
"acting  in  concert." 

Ascap's  attempt  to  get  some  of  the 
more  sweeping  and  harsher  language 
of  Judge  Leibell's  decision  modified 
was  not  unanticipated. 

The  society's  strategy  in  the  case 
all  along  has  been  to  make  such  an 
effort  and,  should  it  succeed  to  the  de- 
gree hoped  for  by  Ascap,  the  society 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


Detroit  Hearings  of 
House  Group  Off 


Washington,  Sept.  29. — Michigan 
theatre  owners  who  had  hoped  to  tell 
their  trade  troubles  to  a  House  Small 
Business  Committee  at  hearings  sched- 
uled in  Detroit  Oct.  1-2  will  not  have 
a  chance  to  do  it. 

A  committee  aide  announced  here 
today  that  the  Detroit  hearings  had 
been  cancelled  because  Chairman 
Ploeser  had  not  been  able  to  work 
them  into  the  committee's  travel 
schedule.  Hearings  have  already 
been  held  in  eight  cities,  bringing  a 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


1,693  Canada  Houses; 
216  Opened  in  a  Year 

Toronto,  Sept.  29. — An  in- 
crease of  216  new  or  reopened 
theatres  last  year  throughout 
Canada  is  reported  by  the 
government  in  a  study  of  film 
industry  operations.  Total  ac- 
tive theatres  rose  to  1,693, 
from  1,477. 


FCC  to  Freeze 
New  Television 
Permits  3  Mos. 


Washington,  Sept.  29.  —  The 
Federal  Communications  Commis- 
sion is  expected  to  announce  to- 
morrow a  freeze  on  any  further 
television  applications  or  actions.  The 
purpose  is  to  let  the  Commission  di- 
gest the  outpourings  at  three  recent 
sets  of  television  hearings,  and  pos- 
sibly lay  down  some  new  basic  rules 
on  what  frequencies  and  allocations 
will  be  available  to  commercial  televi- 
sion broadcasters,  before  passing  on 
any  individual  applications. 

The  freeze,  which  is  expected  to  last 
for  three  months  or  more,  will 
probably  cover  both  further  hearings 
and  license  grants,  industry  observers 
feel.  Announcement  of  the  FCC  ac- 
tion is  expected  at  a  press  conference 
slated  for  tomorrow  morning  by  FCC 
chairman  Wayne  Coy,  where,  accord- 
ing to  advance  information,  he  will 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


Film  Stock  Trading 
Light,  SEC  Reports 

Washington,  Sept.  29. — Trading 
by  officers  and  directors  in  stocks  of 
their  companies  was  extremely  light 
during  the  month  ending  Sept.  10,  the 
latest  report  of  the  Securities  and  Ex- 
change Commission  reveals.  Only 
four  firms  listed  transactions,  and  all 
of  those  were  minor. 

At  Universal,  Daniel  M.  Sheaffer 
sold  2,940  shares  of  common  in  six 
transactions,  dropping  his  holdings  to 
2,367   shares.      Preston   Davie  sold 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


US  'SOFTENING'  ON 
A  CONSENT  DECREE 


TO  A  in  Albany  Area 
To  Elect  Officers 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  29.— A 
meeting  to  elect  officers  of 
the  Theatre  Owners  of  Amer- 
ica for  this  territory  will  be 
held  within  three  weeks,  said 
temporary  chairman  Harry 
Lamont.  A  date  will  be  fixed 
after  he  and  executive  secre- 
tary-counsel Leonard  Rosen- 
thal confer  with  TOA  na- 
tional officers  in  New  York. 
Three  additional  directors  are 
slated  to  be  chosen. 


K-MTA  Elects  Bills 
To  Succeed  Strowig 

Kansas,  City,  Sept.  29.  —  Elmer 
Bills  of  Salisbury,  Mo.,  was  elected 
president  of  Kansas-Missouri  Theatre 
Association,  succeeding  Homer  Stro- 
wig of  Abilene,  Kan.,  at  the  annual 
convention  held  here.  Dale  Danielson 
of  Russell,  Kan.,  was  elected  vice- 
president,  succeeding  Bills ;  J.  A. 
Becker  of  Independence  succeeds  C. 
E.  Cook  as  secretary,  and  Fred  Meyn 
of  Kansas  City  was  reelected  treasur- 
er. As  the  new  president,  Bills  was 
named  to  the  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  directorate,  with  R.  R.  Bie- 
chele  as  alternate. 

The  morning  session  was  devoted 
principally  to  a  talk  by  Herman  Levy, 
TOA  general  counsel,  followed  by 
discussion  of  specific  problems.  J.  A. 
Becker  spoke  on  public  relations,  and 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


Next  Two  Years  May  Be  Best 
For  Equipment  Field:  Golden 


St.  Louis,  Sept.  29.— As  TESMA's 
$100,000  trade  show  swung  into  its 
second  big  day,  Nathan  D.  Golden, 
chief  of  the  motion  picture  branch, 
office  of  international  trade,  Depart- 
ment of  Commerce,  predicted  the  next 
two  years  may  well  be  the  biggest  in 
the  motion  picture  theatre  equipment 
business. 

Whether  the  equipment  industry  ex- 
ceeds its  present  highs,  Golden  said, 
depends  on  the  allotment  of  building 
material  to  waiting  theatre  builders. 
Foreign  export  is  complicated  by  the 
dollar  scarcity,  but  Golden  was  opti- 


mistic about  a  rise  in  the  present 
$5,000,000  to  $10,000,000  in  exports. 

'American  manufacturers  have  the 
opportunity  of  a  lifetime  to  sell  their 
equipment,"  he  said.  "Despite  the 
dollar  problem,  no  manufacturer 
should  be  deterred  from  seeking  a 
market  wherever  he  can  make  sales." 

The  trade  exhibits,  this  year  all 
made  in  America,  were  a  hive  for  the 
more  than  a  thousand  manufacturers 
and  dealers  attending  the  TESMA 
and  TEDPA  annual  sessions.  There 
was  unanimous  agreement  the  show 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


Clark  Abandons  Stand  on 
'Complete  Divestiture' ; 
Byrnes   Resumes  Talks 

Washington,  Sept.  29. — Attor- 
ney General  Tom  Clark  said  here 
today  that  the  Government  would 
take  a  decree  "if  we  could  get  di- 
vestiture of  a  sufficient  number  of 
theatres." 

He  hastened  to  point  out  that  "our 
interpretation  of  sufficient  is  much 
stronger  than  that  of  the  companies," 
but  at  the  same  time  laid  much  stress 
on  how  a  consent  decree  settlement 
"would  be  a  big  saving  to  the  Gov- 
ernment, to  get  the  thing  out  of  the 
way.  More  than  likely  it'll  go  back 
to  the  Supreme  Court  if  it's  tried." 

Clark  left  no  doubt  that  the  Gov- 
ernment would  settle  for  quite  a  bit 
less  than  complete  divestiture.  He 
said  the  Department  of  Justice  would 
ask  for  complete  divorcement  in  the 
proceedings  opening  in  New  York 
District  Court  next  month,  but  de- 
clared that  he  doubted  that  "the  low- 
er court  would  go  that  far,  in  view 
of  the  Supreme  Court's  opinion." 

It  was  learned  from  trade  sources 
here  that  James  F.  Byrnes,  counsel 

{Continued  on  page  4) 


6 1  A' Wins  10%  Pay 
Hike  at  Universal 


A  10  per  cent  wage  increase  was 
won  yesterday  by  IATSE  Motion 
Picture  Home  Office  Employes  Local 
No.  H-63  for  all  425  home  office 
"white  collarites"  at  Universal-Inter- 
national, Universal  Newsreel  and  U-I 
affiliates  Castle  Films  and  United 
World  Films. 

The  increase  will  be  retroactive  to 
July  1,  and  the  expiration  date  of  the 
new  contract  will  be  Aug.  31,  1949. 
Earlier  this  week  H-63  won  a  similar 

{Continued  on  page  2) 


Extended  Deadline 
For  'Youth  Month' 

Tangible  evidence  that 
"Youth  Month"  will  be  main- 
tained far  beyond  its  Septem- 
ber deadline  was  received 
yesterday  at  Theatre  Owners 
of  America  headquarters  here 
with  reports  of  extensive  ac- 
tivities for  youths  throughout 
the  Midwest. 


2 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  September  30,  1948 


Personal 
Mention 

EJ.  MANNIX,  M-G-M  studio 
•  executive,  left  the  Coast  last 
night  for  New  York.  He  will  sail 
for  Europe  on  the  .JS  Queen  Mary 
tomorrow. 

• 

June  Schlossberg,  secretary  to 
Dan  S.  Terrell,  head  of  advertising- 
publicity  for  Loew's  out-of-town  the- 
atres, will  be  married  on  Saturday  to 
William  Smith. 

• 

Beaumont  Newhall,  former  cura- 
tor of  the  department  of  photography 
of  the  Museum  of  Modern  Arts  here, 
has  been  named  curator  of  George 
Eastman  House,  Inc. 

• 

L.  J.  McGinley,  Prestige  Pictures 
sales  manager,  is  attending  Univer- 
sal-International regional  sales  meet- 
ings at  Cincinnati,  Chicago  and  San 
Francisco. 

o 

John  B.  McCullough,  Motion  Pic- 
ture Association  of  America's  direc- 
tor of  conservation,  has  left  here  on 
an  inspection  tour  of  Midwest  ex- 
changes. 

• 

James  R.  Grainger,  Republic  dis- 
tribution vice-president,  and  Walter 
Titus,  Eastern  division  sales  mana- 
ger, have  returned  to  New  York  from 
Boston. 

e 

Hugh  McDonald,  M-G-M  booker 
in  Charlotte,  and  his  bride  are  honey- 
mooning here  and  will  visit  Chicago 
next  week  before  returning  home. 
• 

D.  C.  Collins,  manager  of  the 
Electrical  Research  Products  division 
of  Western  Electric,  will  leave  New 
York  today  for  the  Coast. 

« 

Boris  L.  Garner,  head  of  Vog  Film, 
will  arrive  at  LaGuardia  Airport 
next  Tuesday  from  Paris. 

• 

John  P.  Byrne,  M-G-M  Eastern 
sales  manager,  is  in  Boston  this  week 
from  New  York. 

• 

Richard  de  Rochemont,  March  of 
Time  producer,  is  due  here  today  from 
Europe  on  the  5\S"  Queen  Mary. 
• 

F.  A.  Bateman,  Screen  Guild  sales 
manager,    is   in   Kansas    City  from 
Hollywood  on  a  tour  of  exchanges. 
• 

Russ  Stewart,  M-G-M  home  of- 
fice publicist,  has  returned  here  from 
New  England. 

Benjamin  Joins  Astor 
As  'Frisco  Manager 

Elmer  Benjamin,  film  pioneer,  has 
joined  Astor  Pictures  as  manager  in 
San  Francisco,  it  has  been  announced 
here  by  R.  M.  Savini,  Astor  president. 
Benjamin,  who  will  function  under 
F.  L.  (Pat)  Patterson,  head  of  the 
Los  Angeles  and  San  Francisco  ex- 
changes, has  also  formed  Reel  Pic- 
tures, with  headquarters  in  Astor's  ex- 
change to  handle  new  films  as  well  as 
reissues. 


Oct  26  Set  by  FTC 
For  'Blimp*  Hearing 

Washington,  Sept.  29. — Hearings 
will  be  held  in  New  York  on  Oct.  26 
by  the  Federal  Trade  Commission  in 
connection  with  the  commission's 
complaint  against  United  Artists  on 
"Colonel  Blimp,"  an  FTC  attorney 
reported  here  today.  FTC  has  ac- 
cused the  company  of  misrepresenting 
the  picture  in  its  advertising. 


United  Artists  officials  in  New 
York  said  yesterday  that  no  word  has 
been  received  by  them  from  the  Fed- 
eral Trade  Commission  concerning  a 
hearing  date  on  the  "Colonel  Blimp" 
matter. 

Take  'Cur ley'  Suit 
To  Circuit  Court 

Memphis,  Sept.  29. — Suit  of  Unit- 
er  Artists  and  Hal  Roach  against  the 
Memphis  Board  of  Censors  in  connec- 
tion with  the  banning  from  Memphis 
screens  of  the  comedy,  "Curley,"  is  in 
process  of  being  transferred  from 
chancery  to  circuit  court. 

Two  motions,  scheduled  for  hearing 
before  Chancellor  Creson  yesterday, 
were  delayed  indefinitely  as  attorneys 
for  both  sides  agreed  to  transfer  the 
suit. 


Universal  Pay  Hike 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

blanket  increase  for  all  619  Warner 
home  office  "collarites." 

The  local's  executive  board  is 
scheduled  to  meet  here  today  to  con- 
sider the  increase  at  U-I,  et  al, 
and  it  is  expected  that  the  425  work- 
ers involved  will  meet  shortly  to  vote 
on  it. 


20th-Fox's  SPG  and  SOPEG 
Units  to  Plan  Moves  Today 

The  20th  Century-Fox  units  of 
Screen  Publicists  Guild  and  Screen 
Office  and  Professional  Employes 
Guild  will  hold  a  joint  strategy  meet- 
ing here  this  evening.  The  meeting- 
was  called  following  reports  that 
members  were  resigning  from  the 
units  because  the  company  has  refused 
to  negotiate  new  contracts  until  union 
officers  file  non-Communist  affidavits 
with  the  National  Labor  Relations 
Board  as  stipulated  in  the  Taft-Hart- 
ley Law. 


Golden  to  Tesma 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

pointed  to  bigger  and  better  theatre 
equipment,  and  theatres. 

E.  J.  Vallen  of  Akron,  dean  of  the 
manufacturers  in  attendance,  saw 
third-dimension,  electrically  operated 
contour  controls  with  color  lighting, 
curtain  of  spun  glass  and  like  mate- 
rials, as  new  subjects  likely  to  occupy 
manufacturers  in  the  next  year. 

Annual  business  sessions  of 
TESMA  and  TEDPA  were  held  this 
morning  at  closed  sessions.  Presidents 
Oscar  F.  Neu  and  Ray  G.  Colvin  said 
the  associations  would  release  reports 
on  the  business  sessions  at  the  con- 
vention's closing  sessions  tomorrow. 
Also  on  today's  program  were  the 
National  Carbon  Co.  reception  and 
the  annual  banquet. 


Ascap  Motion 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

then  would  dispense  with  an  appeal. 
If  the  move  fails  or  is  diluted  appreci- 
ably, Ascap  will  be  forced  to  appeal 
and  already  has  decided  to  do  so  in 
such  an  eventuality. 

See  Licensing  Setup  Jeopardized 

Feeling  within  Ascap  is  that  as 
Judge  Leibell's  decision  now  stands  its 
whole  licensing  structure  is  subject  to 
attack.  The  society's  present  move  is 
to  attempt  to  eliminate  reflections  on 
its  licensing  methods  in  performing 
rights  fields  outside  of  theatres,  and 
to  have  modified  some  of  the  language 
of  the  decision  applicable  to  its  thea- 
tre licensing  methods,  according  to 
observers. 

Ascap's  proposed  decree  would  re- 
strain it  and  its  members  from  "con- 
spiring" with  film  producers  for  the 
purpose  of  including  clauses  in  exhibi- 
tion contracts  directing  that  music 
rights  be  cleared  through  Ascap.  The 
society  asks  that  no  limit  be  placed 
on  its  or  its  members'  rights  to  ac- 
quire and  license  public  performance 
rights  to  exhibitors  of  music  syn- 
chronized with  films  produced  outside 
the  U.  S.  Ascap  also  seeks  to  have 
its  operations  outside  the  U.  S.  re- 
main unaffected  by  the  judgment. 
ITOA  Asks  Harsher  Terms 

Plaintiffs  in  the  suit,  all  of  them 
members  of  the  Independent  Theatre 
Owners  Association  of  New  York, 
have  a  vastly  different  opinion  of  what 
should  be  included  in  the  court's  de- 
cree. In  their  proposals  which  were 
reported  yesterday  in  Motion  Pic- 
ture Daily,  they  seek  to  enjoin  Ascap 
from  theatre  collections  entirely  and 
ask  the  court  to  direct  that  Ascap 
members  license  both  public  perform- 
ance and  synchronization  rights  of 
their  music  to  the  motion  picture  pro- 
ducer. Additionally,  they  submitted 
that  all  contracts  between  producers 
and  Ascap  and  between  distributors 
and  exhibitors  which  provided  that 
exhibitors  obtain  music  rights  through 
Ascap  be  declared  invalid. 


Film  Stock  Trading 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

1,800  shares,  leaving  him  with  3,409. 

N.  Peter  Rathvon  sold  500  shares 
of  RKO  common  during  the  period, 
making  his  total  sales  5,800  shares  in 
two  months,  leaving  him  with  14,200 
shares. 

Republic  president  Herbert  J. 
Yates  sold  all  of  the  900  shares  he 
held  of  his  firm's  $1  cumulative  pre- 
ferred. He  still  holds  73,687  shares 
of  50-cent  par  common  and  $25,000 
of  four  per  cent  cumulative  income 
debentures. 

Albert  Warner  acquired  700  shares 
of  Warner  common,  bringing  his  per- 
sonal holdings  to  435,200  shares ;  his 
trusts  hold  another  21,000  shares. 


Coyne  To  Address  AMP  A 

Robert  W.  Coyne,  executive  direc- 
tor of  the  Theatre  Owners  of  Amer- 
ica, will  speak  at  the  first  1948-49 
luncheon-meeting  of  Associated  Mo- 
tion Picture  Advertisers,  to  be  held 
today  at  the  Hotel  Astor.  Max  E. 
Youngstein  is  AMPA  president.  Gen. 
Robert  A.  McClure,  USA,  will  also 
be  a  speaker. 


Foreign  Films  Tip 
L.  of  D.  Ratings 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  29.— Notice- 
able trend  in  motion  pictures,  princi- 
pally foreign  importations,  is  the  in- 
creased number  rated  Class  "B" 
(adult  only)  and  Class  "C"  (con- 
demned) by  the  Legion  of  Decency, 
Most  Rev.  William  A.  Scully,  Coad- 
jutor Bishop  of  the  Albany  Diocese 
and  chairman  of  the  Bishops'  Com- 
mitte  on  Motion  Pictures  of  the 
American  Hierarchy,  said  here.  "^**« 

Bishop  Scully,  who  was  sup'  mto 
tendent  of  diocesan  schools  in  New 
York  before  his  appointment  to  his 
present  post,  stated  foreign  standards 
are  different  than  American,  which  is 
one  reason  for  the  number  in  "C" 
classification. 

Riskins  To  Produce 
Films  Independently 

Hollywood,  Sept.  29. — Everett  and 
Robert  Riskin  have  formed  Equitable 
Pictures  to  produce  independently  for 
major  release,  the  nature  of  which  is 
still  to  be  determined.  Everett  simul- 
taneously announced  he  is  leaving-  M- 
G-M  on  conclusion  of  his  contract. 
Robert's  RKO  deal  is  unaffected. 


Bills  Elected 

(Continued  from  page  1) 

Finton  Jones  on  fire  prevention. 
Parts  of  letters  from  the  superintend- 
ent of  schools  of  Kansas  City,  the  sec- 
retary of  the  Council  of  Churches  and 
the  head  of  the  city  welfare  depart- 
ment were  read  to  the  convention  by 
M.  D.  Cohn,  in  which  the  writers 
commended  exhibitors  for  their  coop- 
eration and  accomplishments  in 
"Youth  Month."  Senn  Lawler  point- 
ed out  that  the  Board  of  Education 
had  asked  for  a  conference  with  thea- 
tremen  for  the  purpose  of  working 
out  plans  for  "Education  Week." 

Elected  to  the  K-MTA  board  of  di- 
rectors are  the  following:  Ralph  Win- 
ship,  Beichele,  Strowig,  Gordon  Hol- 
lady,  and  K.  E.  Pennington,  all  from 
Kansas ;  and  C.  E.  Cook,  Glen  Hall, 
Virgil  Harbison,  Jay  Means  and 
Frank  Weary,  all  of  Missouri.  Also 
named  were  Frank  Plumlee  of  Theatre 
Enterprises,  Elmer  C.  Rhoden  of  Fox 
Midwest,  and  Clarence  A.  Schultz  of 
Commonwealth  Theatres. 


Detroit  Hearings  Off 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


steady  stream  of  testimony  from  ex- 
hibitors. Hearings  scheduled  for 
Louisville  on  Oct.  5,  Oklahoma  City, 
on  Oct.  8,  and  in  Houston  on  Oct.  11 
still  stand.  Committee  officials  have 
also  indicated  hopes  of  holding  hear- 
ings in  New  Orleans  at  the  end  of 
November  to  coincide  with  the  conven- 
tion of  Allied  States  Association. 


McCarey  Alters  Slate 

Hollywood,  Sept.  29. — Leo  Mc- 
Carey has  juggled  his  production 
schedule  to  make  his  own  original, 
"Adam  and  Eve,"  his  first  Rainbow 
production  under  the  Paramount  ban- 
ner. The  producer-director  is  work- 
ing on  another  story  idea  which  he 
will  film  as  his  last  for  RKO  Radio. 


MOTION  PICTURE  DAILY,  Martin  Quigley,  Editor-in-Chief  and  Publisher;  Sherwin  Kane,  Editor;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Associate  Editor.  Published  daily,  except  Saturdays, 
Sundays  and  holidays,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company,  Inc.,  1270  Sixth  Avenue,  Rockefeller  Center,  New  York  20,  N.  Y.  Telephone  Circle  7-3100.  Cable  address:  "Quigpubco, 
New  York."  Martin  Quigley,  President;  Red  Kann,  Vice-President;  Martin  Quigley,  Jr.,  Vice-President;  Theo  J.  Sullivan,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Leo  J.  Brady,  Secretary; 
James  P.  Cunningham,  News  Editor;  Herbert  V.  Fecke,  Advertising  Manager;  Gus  H.  Fausel,  Production  Manager;  David  Harris,  Circulation  Director;  Hollywood  Bureau,  Yucca- 
Vine  Building,  William  R.  Weaver,  Editor;  Chicago  Bureau,  120  South  La  Salle  Street,  Editorial  and  Advertising.  Urben  Farley,  Advertising  Representative;  Jimmy  Ascher, 
Editorial  Representative.  Washington,  J.  A.  Otten,  National  Press  Club,  Washington,  D.  C.  London  Bureau,  4  Golden  Sq.,  London  Wl.  Hope  Burnup,  Manager,  Peter  Burnup, 
Editor;  cable  address,  "Quigpubco,  London."  Other  Quigley  Publications:  Motion  Picture  Herald,  Better  Theatres,  published  every  fourth  week  as  a  section  of  Motion  Picture 
Herald;  Theatre  Sales;  International  Motion  Picture  Almanac,  Fame.  Entered  as  second  class  matter,  Sept.  23,  1938,  at  the  post  office  at  New  York,  N.  Y.,  under  the  act  of  March 
3,  1879.   Subscription  rates  per  year,  $6  in  the  Americas  and  $12  foreign;  single  copies,  10c. 


Johnny  Belinda 

(  Drama) 


WHEREVER  MOTION  PICTURES 


ARE  REVIEWED 


YOU'LL  BE  READING  A  RAVE  FOR 


WARNER  BROS! 


bhnny 


elin 


315  Ipso 


Atlantic  City,  Sept.  7. —"John- 
ny Belinda"  is  a  compelling,  adult 
drama,  told  with  sensitive  taste, 
A  story  of  a  tragedy  with  a 
happy  ending,  the  film  is  one  that 
piacks  a  boxoffice  wallop  and  can 
be  sold  for  big  returns. 

Jane  Wyman's  portrayal  is 
boff.  It's  a  compellingly  artistic 
display  of  talent,  demonstrating 
that  an  artist  can  project  emo- 
tions and  sway  an  audience  with- 
out a  spoken  word.  Of  equal 
worth  is'  Lew  Ayres'  co-starring 
performance.  There  are  few  who 
can  convey  the  sincerity  with 
which  he  endows  a  role  and  he 
makes  his  part  i.  sock  perform- 
ance. 

The  m  elodramatic  angles  will 
capture  fancy  .of  the  general  pub- 
tic,  particularly  the  femmes,  and 
there  is  a  strong  appeal  to  the 
class  trade  because  of  the  intelli- 
gent ■  interpretation  displayed  by 
script,   direction  and  playing. 

Jerry  Wald's  production  has 
missed  no  bets  in  presenting  it 
for  outstanding  attention.  He 
realizes  on  every  merit  of  the 
many  strong  points'  of  the  story 
and  has  given  the  film  sock  cast- 
ing, in  star  spots  and  right  on 
down  the  line. 

Plot  is  one  that,  in  less  adroit 
and    sympathetic    hands,  could 
have    been    a    highly  theatrical 
melodrama.    The    theatrics  are 
there  but  so  deftly  handled  in  the 
presentation    that    they    give  a 
solid   backing.   Jean  Negulesco's 
direction  guides  the  -development 
leisure'-    but  never  slowlv.  treat- 
ing the  plot  and  players  with  po- 
tent   understanding.     He  never 
overplays    the    heartstrings,  yet 
keeps  them  constantly  moved.  An 
example  of  the  deft  handling  is 
the    rape    scene.    It's   alive  and 
vivid,  but  never  becomes  a  ten- 
twent-thirt  meller  problem, 
•  There  are  commanding  perform- 
ances by  Charles  Bickford  as  Miss 
Wyman'-     father     and  Agnes 
Moorehead   as    her   aunt.  Bick- 
ford's  work  is  an  unusually  able 
realization  on  the  part's  demands. 
Stephen  McNally  is  excellent  as 
the  rapist  and   Jan   Sterling,  _  as 
the  village  belle  who  marries  him, 
also    comes     through  strongly. 
Rosalind  Ivan,  Mabel  Paige  and 
Ida  Moore  shine  as  thoughtless 
village  gossips.  Dan  Seymour  and 
others    in    the    large    cast  lend 
strong  support. 

Wald's  supervision  has  ac- 
counted for  top  work  in  technical 
assignments.  Ted  McCord's  pho- 
tography makes  a  picturesque  dis- 
play of  the  drab  Nova  Scotia 
background  and  the  tender,  mov- 
ing mood  of  the  film  is  height- 
ened by  Max  Steiner's  music 
score.  Set  decorations,  special  ef- 
fects, film  editing  and  all  other 
technical  aids  help  in  making  this 
a  class  feature. 

WARNERS  RELEASE.  Producer,  Jerry 
Wald.  Director,  Jean  Negalesco.  Screen 

pi..  '■'  "  ——Cube,  Allen  Vincent. 

Fi  ~"  "orris,  

V\       ...  JANE 

M       \tl\IH»MH        .  lew 

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Scree, 
f'Om  the 

Wig: 


"""BARD  VON  Clinr  ,^S^~ 
'<»»  Pl.„  by  Elm,,H"!^,"f*L'-EN  VINCENT  TU|r) 

CravenT  "nrem...   nHSv 

Joan  Winfield,  Ian  WoITeTTxvm.^.  .  s 
bert.  Jonathan  Hale,  Ray  Montgomery. 


4 


Motion  Picture  Daily 


Thursday,  September  30,  1948 


Review 


"Unfaithfully  Yours" 

(20th  Century-Fox) 

PRESTON  STURGES'  special  gift  for  daffy  comedy  achieves  hilarious 
expression  in  "Unfaithfully  Yours."  As  a  satire  about  the  revenge  fan- 
tasies of  a  symphony  conductor  who  thinks  his  wife  has  been  unfaithful,  the 
picture  has  spots  that  will  make  the  most  hardened  poker-face  concede  defeat 
and  break  into  helpless  laughter.  It  is  adult  fare  that  has  been  conditioned 
all  around  for  high  box-office  performance.  Much  of  the  credit  is  due  to  the 
talents  of  the  excellent  cast,  headed  by  Rex  Harrison,  Linda  Darnell,  Bar- 
bara Lawrence  and  Rudy  Vallee.  All  of  these  persuasive  assets,  however,  do 
not  free  the  picture  from  moments  when  the  running  time  of  105  minutes 
create  an  inflated  quality. 

Having  been  led  to  believe  of  his  wife's  infidelity,  Harrison,  in  the  middle 
of  a  symphony,  gets  carried  away  with  delusions  of  retribution.  In  one  epi- 
sode he  envisages  himself  murdering  his  wife  and  blaming  the  crime  on  her 
lover.  In  another  fantasy  he  gives  her  up  in  a  noble  gesture ;  and  finally 
he  pictures  himself  putting  a  gun  to  his  temple  with  a  cavalier  abandon. 
Sturges,  who  did  the  screenplay  as  well  as  the  direction  and  production, 
has  evolved  a  perfect  blending  of  mood,  music  and  photography,  giving  the 
narrative  a  pungent,  lasting  flavor. 

As  the  aloof  and  erratic  conductor  who  finds  that  all  of  his  suspicions  were 
a  witless  mistake,  Harrison  gives  an  exhilarating  performance.  Support  is  su- 
perb from  Miss  Darnell  as  his  wife ;  Vallee  as  a  befuddled  relative-in-law, 
and  Miss  Lawrence  as  Vallee's  bored  and  acid-tongued  wife.  Some  mem- 
orable characterizations  are  also  provided  by  Kurt  Kreuger,  Lionel  Stander 
and  Edgar  Kennedy. 

Three  high-brow  musical  selections  are  offered  from  the  works  of  Rossini, 
Wagner  and  Tchaikowsky. 

Running  time,  105  minutes.  Adult  audience  classification.  For  release  in 
December.  Mandel  Herbstman 


'Best  Actresses'  Are 
Invited  to  'Belinda' 


The  37  actresses  who  have  _  given 
the  finest  performances  of  all  time  in 
the  opinion  of  the  nation's  drama  edi- 
tors are  being  invited  to  the  premiere 
of  Warner's  "Johnny  Belinda"  on  Oct. 
14  at  Warner's  Hollywood  Theatre 
in  Hollywood.  A  poll  to  determine 
the  newsmen's  choices  was  conducted 
by  Warner  among  leading  newspa- 
pers. Forty-two  different  actresses 
were  named  in  the  poll ;  of  these,  five, 
Renee  Adoree,  Belle  Bennett,  Jeanne 
Eagles,  Carole  Lombard  and  Beryl 
Mercer,  are  deceased. 

Jane  Wyman,  who  co-stars  with 
Lew  Ayres  in  "Johnny  Belinda,"  is 
among  those  named  in  the  poll.  Miss 
Wyman,  now  on  a  10-city  press  tour, 
will  return  to  the  Coast  for  the  Hol- 
lywood premiere.  Bette  Davis  re- 
ceived the  greatest  number  of  votes. 

'Apartment'  Opens 
In  Detroit  Today 

Detroit,  Sept.  29. — A  delegation  of 
Hollywood  personalities  tomorrow 
will  touch  off  the  world  premiere  of 
20th  Century-Fox's  "Apartment  for 
Peggy"  at  the  Fox  Theatre  here.  At- 
tending will  be  William  Holden,  Ed- 
mund Gwenn,  George  Seaton  and  Col- 
leen Townsend.  Climaxing  civic  and 
social  events,  and  interviews,  they  will 
appear  at  three  shows  at  the  theatre 
during  the  first  day  of  the  run. 

The  premiere  activities  were  co- 
ordinated by  Dave  Idzal,  manager  of 
the  Fox,  and  Sid  Blumenstock,  20th- 
Fox  assistant  exploitation  manager. 

E-L  Preparing  for 
Premiere  in  Toronto 

Toronto,  Sept.  28. — Jerry  Pickman, 
Eagle-Lion  assistant  advertising-pub- 
licity director,  is  here  to  arrange  for 
the  world  premiere  of  "Let's  Live  a 
Little,"  which  will  inaugurate  Twen- 
tieth Century  Theatres'  new  Down- 
town on  Oct.  9.  Pickman  is  confer- 
ring with  Irving  Herman,  advertising- 
publicity  director  for  International 
Film  Distributors,  E-L  outlet  here. 

City  officials  have  relaxed  the  ban 
on  front  illumination,  imposed  because 
of  the  power  shortage,  for  the  event 
at  the  theatre. 


Toland  Rites  Today 

Hollywood,  Sept.  29.  —  Funeral 
services  for  Gregg  Toland,  Samuel 
Goldwyn  cinematographer,  who  died 
on  Tuesday,  will  be  held  tomorrow  af- 
ternoon at  Hollywood  Cemetery 
Chapel.  Toland  was  about  to  intro- 
duce his  new  "ultimate  focus"  camera 
technique  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


MEMBER   FEDERAL  DEPOSIT  INSURANCE  CORPORATION 


US  'Softens' 

(Continued  from  page  1) 


for  20th  Century-Fox  in  the  Para- 
mount case,  had  a  long  interview  with 
the  Attorney  General  last  week,  at 
which  Byrnes  told  Clark  that  the  film 
companies  were  still  spilt  on  terms  for 
a  proposed  consent  decree  but  that 
progress  was  being  made  in  working 
out  a  mutually-agreeable  formula  on 
what  theatres  must  be  sold. 

Motion  Picture  Daily  reported 
yesterday  that  four  of  the  theatre- 
owning  defendants  in  the  Paramount 
case  were  preparing  lists  of  their  the- 
atres which  they  regarded  as  "ex- 
pendable" in  a  consent  decree  settle- 
ment, and  which  they  would  divest 
themselves  of  voluntarily  should  a  de- 
cree agreement  be  reached. 

(RKO,  the  fifth  company,  said  it  was 
not  participating  in  consent  decree 
discussions  and  was  planning  to  make 
a  "different  approach."  Some  observ- 
ers have  interpreted  this  to  mean  that 
RKO  is  exploring  the  advisability  of 
disposing  of  its  theatres  as  a  matter 
of  business  rather  than  legal  strategy.) 

The  change  in  Government  attitude 
toward  a  consent  decree  has  been 
marked  over  the  past  six  months. 

After  the  Supreme  Court  decision 
last  spring,  Clark  said  the  Govern- 
ment would  get  complete  victory  "and 
not  by  the  consent  decree  route." 
Earlier  this  month,  he  said  the  door 
was  open  for  film  attorneys  to  come 
in  and  talk  over  a  consent  decree. 
Now,  apparently,  he  is  just  waiting 
for  the  proposal  in  order  to  get  down 
to   dollars-and-cents  bargaining. 


N.S.S.  Acquires  Space 

National  Screen  Service,  trailer  and 
accessories  manufacturers  and  distrib- 
utors, has  acquired  a  portion  of  the 
Street  and  Smith  Building  here  for 
storage  purposes,  George  Dembow, 
NSS  president,  reported  yesterday. 


New  Post  for  Weissman 

George  Weissman,  former  publicist 
for  Samuel  Goldwyn  Productions,  has 
joined  the  Benjamin  Sonnenberg  office 
here. 


Linet  To  Lecture  Here 

Henry  A.  (Hank)  Linet,  Universal- 
International  Eastern  advertising  man- 
ager, will  be  guest  lecturer  at  the 
American  Theatre  Wing  screen  semi- 
nar here  tonight.  His  subject  will 
be  the  organization  and  function  of 
a  film  company  advertising-publicity 
department. 


N.  T.  F.  C.  Elections 
To  Be  Held  Tonight 

Election  of  the  first  officers  for  the 
National  Television  Film  Council  will 
be  held  here  tonight  at  a  dinner-meet- 
ing at  Sardi's. 

A  proposed  standard  television  ex- 
hibition contract  will  be  discussed  and 
recommendations  heard.  Guest  speak- 
er will  be  Edward  Carroll,  manager 
of  DuMont's  telescription  department. 


FCC  to  Freeze  rtr 

(Continued  from  page  1)  ™ 

reveal  a  development  "of  major  im- 
portance to  television." 

Paramount,  20th-Fox,  Warner, 
DuMont,  and  many  firms  owned  all  or 
partly  by  local  circuits  and  other  thea- 
tre interests,  have  applications  pend- 
ing which  would  be  affected. 

Recent  hearings  which  the  FCC 
must  absorb  and  may  rule  on  before 
it  reopens  the  television  field  include 
those  on  expanding  into  upper  fre- 
quencies, reallocation  of  the  12  exist- 
ing channels,  and  reception  difficulties. 

The  commission's  calendar  of  hear- 
ings slated  during  the  next  three 
months,  released  today,  is  a  good  tip- 
off  to  the  commission  stand.  It  does 
not  list  a  single  television  hearing. 


Crosby  Plans  to  Set  Up 
3-Station  Video  Chain 

Tacoma,  Sept.  29. — Bing  Crosby 
has  applied  to  the  Federal  Communi- 
cations Commission  for  permission  to 
build  a  television  outlet  here,  his 
brother,  Everett,  told  the  Tacoma 
Chambers  of  Commerce  today.  He 
said  Bing  also  was  planning  to  set  up 
stations  in  Yakima  and  Spokane. 


TODAY 

AMPA'S 

FIRST  LUNCHEON-MEETING 
OF  THE  1948-49  SEASON! 

HEAR  BRIG.-GEN.  ROBERT  A.  McCLURE 
TALK  ON  THE  ARMY'S  USE  OF  FILMS 
FOR  PSYCHOLOGICAL  INDOCTRINATION 

ROBERT  W.  COYNE,  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR 
OF  T.O.A.  WILL  ALSO  SPEAK 
Send  or  call  in  your  reservation  now! 

THURSDAY,  SEPT.  30 

HOTEL  ASTOR— 12:30  O'CLOCK 

FOR  TICKETS,  TELEPHONE  ANY  OF  THE  FOLLOW- 
ING MEMBERS: 

CHARLES  ALICOATE   BR  9-7117 

CHET  FRIEDMAN   CO  5-6370 

HERMAN  SCHLEIER   CI  6-6460 

LIGE  BRIEN  PL  7-1600 


She  owes  her  "ripe  old  age"  to  him .  • . 


HOWEVER  skillfully  she  might  play 
her  part,  this  young  actress  would  still 
seem  more  girl  than  grandmother — 
save  for  the  creative  ingenuity  of  the 
make-up  man. 

By  deft  application  of  grease  paint 
and  putty,  he  has  added  years  to  her  ap- 
pearance . . .  and  conviction  to  her  role. 

This  is  but  one  instance  of  the  magic 
at  the  make-up  man's  command.  He 
does  as  much  and  more  for  film  folk 


who  must  be  transformed  to  Jekyll, 
Cyrano,  gnome,  or  Manchu. 

When  these  characterizations  reach 
audiences  successfully,  it  is  because  the 
make-up  man  combines  cosmetic  artist- 
ry with  full  knowledge  of  his  medium. 
And,  in  knowing  films,  he  is  aware  of 
what  is  done  to  help  his  work  by  the 
versatile  members  of  the  Eastman  mo- 
tion picture  family,  famous  films  for 
more  than  fifty  years. 


EASTMAN   KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER  4,  N.  Y. 

J.  E.  BRULATOUR,  INC.,  DISTRIBUTORS 
FORT   LEE    •    CHICAGO    •  HOLLYWOOD 


The  story  of  THE  LOVES  OF  CARMEN  can  best  be  told  by  this  adver- 
tisement inserted  by  the  RKO  Albee  Theatre  in  Cincinnati  newspapers. 


HELD  OVER! 
RKOflLBEE 

A  RARE  OCCASION  . . . 
THIS  IS  ONLY  THE  7th 

PICTURE  IN  10  YEARS  TO  BEHELD 
OVER  AT  THE  ALBEE  THEATRE! 

"CARMEN"  stays  because  it  is  one  of  the  most 
Tempestuous,  Sensational  Hits  to  come  out  of 
Hollywood!  Record  crowds  are  cheering  it .  • .  the 

critics  are  raving  over  it! 

COLUMBIA  PICTURES  pr«Mnfs 


HAYWORTH 


(2£emv 

FORD 


In 


COLUMBIA  PICTURES  presents 


^»  IWk.  ™  Ron  RAN  DELL  •  Victor  JORY*  Luther  ADLER 

VnMpf  Arnold  Moss  •  Joseph  Buloll -  Margaret  Wyehcrly 
 Screenplay  by  Helen  Deutscli 


HAYWORTH -FORD 


COIOK  BY 


Ron  RAN  DELL  •  Victor  JORY*  Luther  ADLER 
Arnold  Moss-Joseph  BulolU  Margaret  WychefJy 
Screenplay  by  Helen  Deutscli 

Directed  and  Produced  by  CHARLES  VI  DOR 
A  BECKWORTH  CORP  PRODUCTION 
COLOR.  BY 

*TlCHNlCOLOH,