The Film Daily (1939)

fuesday, April 4, 1939 11 SONDY CONFIRMS RKO REORGANIZATION PLAN {Continued from Page 1) earned, took place last Saturday. The decision, only 13 words in e^ZSi, was written on the reverse ;io.c of an affidavit concerning the notice of a former hearing, declared: "The plan of reorganization approved by the Court is hereby conirmed. Settle order." The 77-B proceedings date virtually from the inception of the rel;/ised bankruptcy laws of mid-1934. |The subsequent Chandler Act, enforced the latter part of 1938, was |ilso applied to the RKO matter in a number of respects. For some days prior to his decision on confirmation, it was known lhat Judge Bondy was delaying signature in order to gain exact knowledge of the affiliations of the suggested directors of the proposed new -ompany which, according to a provision of the plan, will be incorporated under the laws of Delaware. Order to be Noticed Today The order of settlement is exected to be noticed today. Therefore, the order will be ready on or Lbout Thursday of this week for formal execution, at which time RKO Corp. will be out of 77-B, with .he exception of the period of consummation which then lies ahead. Asked last night as to their intensions to consummate the plan or wait for appeals to be decided, proponent channels asserted that this point has not been definitely deternined, but will be a development within the next few days. The Court's conviction as to director affiliations conforming to the Statutes was evidenced by the large Lmount of information that was in :he files (not formally filed) yesterlay in Federal Court, — material bvhich resulted from a questionnaire [vhich Judge Bondy had sent to all proposed directors and officers of he new company. Latter are Floyd B. Odium, N. Peter Rathvon, Conde Nast, Frederick L. Ehrman, James p. Harbord, Lunsford P. Yandell, fohn E. Parsons, W. G. Van Schmus, rhomas P. Durell, George J. Schae;er, Ned E. Depinet, L. Lawrence Green and Raymond Bill. Latter was substituted for Ferdinand Eberstadt m insistence of independent stockholder groups. Officers are George J. Schaefer, president; Ned E. Depinet, vicepresident; and William Mallard as |-,ecretary and treasurer or assistant reasurer. Stockholders Relieved RKO stockholders yesterday voiced ■elief that the proceedings are ap Managers Get $2S-$40 for 80 Hours, And Operators $42.50 for 40 Hours Oklahoma City — Growing indignation against demands of local IATSE unions are being expressed by exhibs. throughout the state as contracts set forth pay for 40-hour weeks that in almost every instance is far in excess of that being drawn down by managers and exhibitors themselves for 80-hour weeks. Locally, average house manager is drawing from $25 to $40 while men in the booth without exception drawn $42.50 and in some cases slightly higher. Difference between hours worked also has much to do with protests. Anti-Giveaway Program Looming for Cleveland (.Continued from Page 1) away situation, general in local indie subsequents, at a meeting last week. The proposed plan will seek to eliminate theater premium advertisements from theater advertising, to seek agreement whereby premiums will be entirely eliminated upon expiration of present premium contracts, and to reduce duals to certain days of the week. A resolution re-affirming its endorsement of the Neely anti-block booking bill was unanimously passed by the CMPE last week. P. J. Wood, secretary of the ITO of Ohio told the members that while Gov. Bricker has declared there will be no additional taxes, there is danger of a proposed bill enabling cities to levy taxes for local relief. Passage of such a bill, Wood pointed out, could result in cities levying a 7 per cent local tax in admissions in addition to the present 3 per cent state tax. Ottawa — Organized opposition has been launched by the Independent Theaters Association of Ontario against giveaways which have been showing signs of becoming comparatively widespread once more. Chief objection is taken by the association to the practice of distributing gifts among women patrons without an additional charge on premium nights. The matter has been referred to the film distributors for action. "Money-Bach** Plan Oklahoma City— Henceforth all topnotch pictures shown in Criffith Amusement. Co. houses will receive personal endorsements of the local manager backed by an extensive "money-back guarantee" plan to be given its first test on Warner's "Dark Victory." parently being brought to a close. Under the plan stockholders receive one share of new common for six old, and debenture holders get money in full. Appeals from plan's fairness and feasibility are being taken by Ernest W. Stirn, of Milwaukee; H. Cassel & Co., stock brokers; Fabian Realty Corp. and Copia Realty. Stand of proponents is that the order of Jan. 17 was final on the most substantial points which might be involved by law, such as the fairness of the plan and practically all other phases upon which the Court must pass, as laid down in the statutes. The one outstanding topic not considered by the Jan. 17 order was the disclosure of the new directors' and officers' affiliations. Therefore, proceedings have been effectually concluded against any new objectors. The leading objectors, a checkup last night showed, agree with this interpretation of the proponents. O'Donnell to be Guest Speaker at Rep. Parley (Continued from Page 1) a meeting on Saturday morning. Conclave will be chairmaned by C. E. Hilgers, southern district sales manager, with Bob O'Donnell, viceprexy and general manager of Interstate Circuit, slated to be principal guest speaker. Addresses will be delivered by H. J. Yates, CFI president, who will talk on future of Republic; M. J. Siegel, Republic Productions' president, on production: William Saal, special representative, on the 193940 program; James R. Grainger, president of Republic Pictures Corp., on selling the program; and Al Adams, director of advertising-publicity, speaking on merchandising of the new season's lineup. Arthur Bromberg, William G. Underwood, Claude Ezell, Sol Davis, M. Lowenstein and B. F. Busby will also talk on company matters. Delegates are H. J. Yates, James R. Grainger, C. E. Hilgers, M. J. Siegel, William Saal, Ad Adams, home office; Arthur C. Bromberg, Carl Floyd, A. E. Rook, Sam Wilson, G. M. Jones, Jerry Spencer, Atlanta; J. H. Dillon, Jack London, Marsh Funderburk, R. H. Bradley, H. P. Rhodes, Charlotte; William M. Snelson, Llovd B. Miller, Memphis; B, F. Busby, K. W. Jones, Fred Lawrence, Little Rock. Henry Glover, H. G. Moore, Tampa; Leo Seicschnaydre, G. Y. Harrell, Jr., George Nungesser, Jack Duffy, New Orleans; W. S. Underwood, Claude Ezell, Lloyd Rust, D. Rathbone, Grover McDonnell, Russell I. Brown, M. Sexton, Dallas; and Sol Davis, M. Loewenstein, Glen Alt, Eddie Greggs, F. R. Moran, Miss Ono Johnson and T. B. Noble, Oklahoma City. UA TO FIGHT GOLDWYN WITHDRAWAL MOVE {Continued from Page 1) as saying that Goldwyn planned to withdraw from UA and that "he would not be left at the post" as to future distribution. In a prepared statement, Schwartz said in part: "Mr. Goldwyn and his company entered into a contract with United Artists for the exclusive distribution of all his pictures, which contract does not expire until Sept. 2, 1945. This company has lived up to the spirit and letter of this contract and expects Mr. Goldwyn to do likewise for the full balance of his term." Schwartz said that answers to Goldwyn's charges would be filed this week. He pointed out that even though Goldwyn stopped making pictures he would still be a member of the firm and be entitled to share in the profits along with the other owner-members, but he could not legally distribute through any other channel. Howells Funeral Held West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Funeral services were held here for David P. Howells, 56, who was a pioneer in film importing fields. He brought "Passion" and other important features to this country and was associated with old First National. "Passion" introduced Pola Negri to America and was directed by Ernst Lubitsch. Howells was a Bishop in Church of the Latter Day Saints. Edward Rose Dead Freemont, Wis. — Edward Everett Rose, 78, playwright who adapted to the stage many of the past generation's popular novels, is dead here. Surviving is his widow, the former Dorothy Stanton, actress. Okla. House Com. Favors Anti-Ascap Bill Passage {Continued from Page 1) quire Ascap to file a list of their copyrights with the Secretary of State and would void the Ascap system of collections. The bill calls for registration of all musical compositions or musical dramatic compositions with the Secretary of State, charging a two cent fee for the registration of each composition. It then makes violation of any provisions of the bill a misdemeanor after setting forth a paragraph stating that it shall be unlawful to charge a fee for use of a musical composition unless that composition is actually used on a program for which the charge is paid. Iowa-Nebraska Allied Unit To Study Draft April 17-18 Eldorado, la.— Leo F. Wolcott, head of Allied Independent Theater Owners of Iowa and Nebraska, stated yesterday that ratification or rejection of the trade practice draft would be placed before members and the board at a meeting to be held in Des Moines April 17 and 18. Horwitz Back on Job Cleveland — M. B. Horwitz, general manager of the Washington circuit, has returned from Miami Beach where he has been since before Christmas and just after a successful tussle with pneumonia. Lobby Ping Pong Chicago — Herbert Ellisburg, manager of the Essaness Sheridan theater has installed a ping pong table in the lobby for patrons' use while waiting for the next show to start.