The Film Daily (1948)

3IL.E. \sKJi — r >o NOT remove: HARMON STARTS CANADIAN PIK IMPORT TALKS &sk Studios Keep Stars Out ot Political Pix PCC, Rebuffed by Johnston, Carries Plea to Producers; j^risco Convention Starts San Francisco — Co-operation of (the studios in keeping their stars out of political propaganda films will be sought by the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theater Owners, (it was decided Monday by the Board [of Trustees at a meeting prior to the [opening of the PCCITO annual convention here yesterday. A request made to Eric A. Johnston for his co-operation in the matter brought a reply to the effect that (Continued on Page 7) Bryant Warns PCC On Anti Trust Suits San Francisco — Exhibitors must give more attention to the anti-trust suits now being^ filed by the Government and others against the distributors if theater men are to be in a position to benefit themselves, acjcording to W. Byron Bryant, industry attorney, who addressed yesterday's session of the PCC convention. The anti-trust suits, he said, are knocking out the foundations of the film industry and the very practices upon which it has been built, he said. (Continued on Page 3) National Sales Policies In Fadeout, TOA Unit Told Cairo, 111. — National sales policies insofar as major companies are concerned virtually are non-existent today, speakers declared at the regional meeting here of the MPTO of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. Fred Wehrenberg, unit's prexy and chairman of the TOA executive committee, presided. Speakers said that with the disap(Continued on Page 8) Indies May Pool For U. K. Production London (By Cable) — American indie producers are reported here planning to pool their resources in Britain and other sterling area countries for the making of films with unremittable earnings. Alabama's 2% Use Tax on Films, Trailers Upheld in Paramount-Richards Test Case Montgomery, Ala. — Theaters must pay the state 2 per cent use tax on films and trailers rented from producers outside the state for showing within the state, Judge Walter B. Jones ruled in Circuit Court. The case was appealed from a State Dep't of Revenue assessment of $10,455.54 for 1944-46 against ParamountRichards Theaters, Inc., Mobile. The plaintiff will also have to pay interest of $1,169.54. Production in Dominion Understood Important in Discussions on Dollars TOA and MPAA Set PR Program Co-op Co-operation between TOA and MPAA on an industry public relations program is assured. Earl Hudson, director of the exhibitor organization's campaign, said yesterday following a meeting with industry ad-publicity executives. Attending the session, which was "exploratory" in nature, were Sam Shain (National Theaters), Charles Schlaifer and Ulric Bell (20th-Fox), Stanley Shuford (Paramount) and Hank Linet (Universal). Group will continue meetings and it is expected that by next week a (Continued on Page 7) Ticket Price Fixing Charge is Filed by FTC Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — The Federal Trade Commission today charged the major ticket manufacturers of the nation with price fixing and conspiracy to eliminate competition. A complaint against "collusive practices" designed to keep prices for tickets at an arti(Continued on Page 3) Rep. to Show Profit In 1948, Says Yates Although economies in the amount of $3,000,000 had been effected during the past year, amortization of high cost properties in the face of a difficult and confused foreign situation has stood in the way of completely satisfactory operations for Republic Pictures, Herbert J. Yates, president, said yesterday following a meeting of stockholders. Yates predicted, however, that although it would be "close," the company would operate profitably in 1948. Republic has between 30 and 40 pictures ready for release in Eng(Continued on Page 8) Rank Pix Equal Hollywood Draw in Canada — Lawson Toronto — Odeon Theaters of Canada, which erected five houses in 1947, has opened four more since Jan. 1 and has 10 more under construction, President J. Earl Lawson of the J. Arthur Rank circuit has reported to stockholders. British equipment is (Continued on Page 8) Michener Presses Ascap Bill Wants Full House Judiciary Com. fo Vote ASCAP Doubts Long-Term Video Contracts in '48 Long term licensing contracts between ASCAP and video stations are hardly likely this year, according to a Society spokesman. As matters now stand, he explained, assignment of tele rights to the Society by the membership expires at the end of this year. Should the assignments (Continued on Page 8) West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Chairman Earl Michener of the House Judiciary Committee told The Film Daily yesterday he is very much in favor of the Lewis bill and determined to put it to a vote before his full committee. The bill would rule out the ASCAP seat tax on theaters, providing instead that producers clear all music rights for their films. The bill, voted down two weeks ago (Continued on Page 7) Ottawa — Francis S. Harmon, MPAA vice-president, heading an American deputation, yesterday was reported to have opened discussions with Canadian Government officials on the film import situation, with special reference to the Canadian dollars position. Harmon was accompanied here by J. J. Fitzgibbons, of Toronto, president of Famous Players-Canadian, who has been functioning as chatr(Continued on Page 7) Krim to Head Up E-L Studio; New Foy Co. West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Bryan Foy Pictures, Inc., has been formed by the producer and a new release contract signed with Eagle Lion Films under which he will produce four pictures a year for three years. Arthur B. Krim, E-L president, will act as execeutive head of the studio. Foy will produce with his own unit on the E-L lot. New setup will give Foy oppor(Continued on Page 8) Miss. Gets First Legal Sunday Afternoon Films Jackson, Miss. — Moviegoers in Mississippi saw their first Sunday film shows Sunday under the new state law which legalizes such performances from 1 to 6 p.m. Measure, first killed on the floor of the House, was revived when an opponent moved for reconsideration (Continued on Page 7) Thanh You With the settlement of the New York printers' strike, THE FILM DAILY today discards that "new look" and resumes normal format. To its readers and advertisers THE FILM DAILY extends not only its appreciation of their forbearance during the emergency period, but its sincere thanks for many thoughtful acts of assistance and expressions of support.