The Film Daily (1939)

* f Oth Century -Fox to Broadcast Derby as Plug for Pix Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought r I L.E. COPY (See Column 1 Below) The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Twenty Years Old ( 1 75, NO. 67 NEW YORK, FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1939 TEN CENTS strike Action is Illegal, D of J Warns Execs, of 306 (ENT CALlS FOR "COMPLETE STUDY" OMNDUSTRY Minnesota heater Divorcement Measure Seen Doomed lo One Appeared Either for or Against Bill at Hearing St. Paul — With neither proponlts nor opponents putting in ap|;arances, hearing on the pending jieater divorcement measure in the innesota Legislature here yesterky was a dud. I It was announced by the commitje chairman that the bill would be ■ported out without recommendajon. With the present session due to id within 10 days, the divorcement ieasure to all appearances is dead. Northwest Allied, heretofore rong advocate of divorcement, has iven the bill the go-by. OTH-FOX WILL AIR DERBY TO PLUG PIX Twentieth Century-Fox set a Irecedent for pix exploitation yes|:rday when it purchased exclusive Sights to the broadcast of the 1939 lentucky Derby over a 90-station IBS network. Deal was closed jarough the Kayton-Spiero Co., New (Continued on Page 6) \0% Provision in Draft Meaningless, Mo. View St. Louis — While admitting that lie trade practice proposals offer lime measure of relief, exhibitors Jere are of the opinion that the new 13 per cent exclusion clause is mean|igless. It was pointed out follow (Continued on Page 7) [inyway, Albanian Situation |lNo Headache to U. S. Firms Evidently inured to big market >sses in Europe via Nazi and Fasst decrees and "grabs," New York eadquarters of major distribs. ouldn't get excited yesterday over (.Continued on Page 7) Kent, Rodgers Blast Neely's Bill Verbal blasts fired at the Neely bill by S. R. Kent, 20th-Fox prexy, and W. F. Rodgers, Metro's sales chief, at yesterday's Washington hearing follow: KENT "I say that if the majority of the independent exhibitors of the country were given a chance to vote on this bill they would reject it, but that is just a statement. However, it is entitled to just as much weight by your Committee as is the statements of any gentlemen on the other side who have said the opposite." "For 15 years I have waited in vain in spite of general charges, to see someone submit a list of the constantly talked of independents who have (Continued on Page 6) S. R KENT RODGERS "There is no single group of exhibitors favor of the Neely bill except Allied." * "Some of Allied's membership wanted trade practice program instead of Neely bill, despite AlI i e d Executive Committee action." * "Anti block booking won't cure taste of public." * "As drawn, the measure is not constructive." * W. F. RODGERS ". . . exhibitors do not want to abolish block-booking (Continued on Page 7) U. S. Interests Protest French Slap at Warners Paris (By Cable)— U. S. film representatives yesterday protested here the two months' ban placed on Warner films by the French Government as latter's rebuke to the (Continued on Page 7) Double Features Making Gains in Australian Field Chicago — Describing his trip to the U. S. as strictly a holiday, N. Bernard Freeman, managing director in Australia and New Zealand for Loew's, left for New York last (Continued on Page 7) Call Off Projectionists' Strike, Tip of Justice Department to Local 306 D of J Begins Examination of Muller in Equity Action Examination of Harry J. Muller, treasurer and comptroller of UA, by Robert L. Wright, special assistant to the U. S. Attorney General, in connection with equity action (.Continued on Page 7) Strike of Local 306 projectionists' union was. dealt what may prove to be a death blow yesterday when Berkley Henderson, Special Assistant to the U. S. Attorney General, told union officials that the action against film distribs. in this territory is illegal, not only in his opinion, but in that of the D of J., and (Continued on Page 7) Bring In All the Facts Before Legislating, Senate Com. Told By MILTON F. LUNCH Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Bitterly condemning the provisions of the pending Neely bill, Sidney R. Kent, president of 20th Century-Fox, yesterday told the Senate Interstate Commerce subcommittee considering the measure that "before legislation of this or any other type is adopted a thorough and complete study should be made by some agency that will bring in the facts from all parts of the industry and not just one." "We are certainly not opposing (Continued on Page 6) 60LDWYN WITHDRAWS UA SUIT: MAY REFILE Samuel Goldwyn, through his attorney, Max D. Steuer, yesterday voluntarily withdrew his suit against United Artists, but according to reliable reports, the suit will be refiled in Delaware. Dismissal of the action was pursuant to Rule 41A, Subdivision 1 of the new rules of Federal procedure (Continued on Page 7) British GN May Acquire Outside American Product Grand National Pictures, Ltd., may acquire several American independently produced pictures for distribution in England, Jeffrey Bernerd and Maurice Wilson, co-man (Continued on Page 7) Underwriting Agreement for RKO Asked of Atlas Nathan Rosenberg, of Kommel & Rosenberg, counsel for H. Cassell & Co., yesterday submitted a counter (Continued on Page 7)