The Film Daily (1948)

Grl\ DAILY Tuesday, March 9, 194 Expert Tax Settlement To Be Readied Today (Continued from Page 1) the point where the British Government was prepared to retain only a small ad valorem impost. The American industry chief, however, was said to be standing firm against any retention of the duty as a matter of principle. Today's meeting between the two well may prove crucial, but the best versed observers last night were confident that a settlement would be worked out. (The Wall St. Journal in a London cable quoted Johnston's executive aide, Joyce O'Hara, as confirming that the talks did not contemplate a mere modification of the tax imposed last August, but at finding an outright substitute.) (The N. Y. Herald Tribune in a London copyright dispatch from its correspondent, Don Cook, said yesterday that there were hints from the British side that Britain was offering a quota of tax-free pictures, with 90 set as the minimum, adding that Johnston instead was working to find some sort of partial blocking of earnings.) Rites Tomorrow for Benas, Skouras Circuit Executive (Continued from Page 1) at the Greek Cathedral, 319 E. 74th St. Benas, who resided at 110 Riverside Dr., died Sunday in New York Hospital. He had been associated with the Skouras organization for ten years. Before that, he was film buyer for Rosenblatt and Welt. Until then, since 1918, he had been associated with his brother-in-law, Stephan Stephanidis, in operating the Black Hawk Steamship Line. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Corinne Stephanidis Benas; two daughters, Miss Flora Wanda Benas and Mrs. Virginia P. Constantine; his mother, Mrs. Virginia Benas, and a sister, Mrs. John Stephanidis. Reciprocal Agreements In Germany End April 1 Paris (By Air Mail) — AH reciprocal agreements between the U. .S. and French zones of occupation in Germany will be cancelled as of April 1, to be replaced with new agreements covering the free distribution of films between zones. "Pcriaan" Into World "Paisan" will follow "To Live In Peace" at the World Theater. 'x;.V. :'-•',-■.■*,■ « Send (Birthday.* | Qreeting,3 ZJt U March 9 M ♦,j Jess Smith Jimmy Durante & ♦.♦ Margaret Lee & J.J Marguerite Chapman t-J ALONG THE RIALTO A Triple Play • • • IF THERE'S ONE INDICTMENT of Hollywood frequently refumed by its critics, it's the charge that Hollywood is addicted to copy catitis And there's ground for it. of course But ever so often. nevertheless, Hollywood crashes through with a distinct novelty — a picture that dares to be different — a picture that is original in conception Phil M. saw one the other night in Republic's projection room — Ken Murray's "Bill and Coo," an all-bird novelty feature which will be enjoyed by the whole family, in big and small towns alike Phil M. saw the pic in company with a group of radio execs There have been a series of special previews for national heads of leading women's clubs, parent-teacher groups, etc., etc That's smart promotion, designed to give the pic's mass appeal added lift It follows that there'll be benefits in good community relations accruing That's of import to the entire industry "Bill and Coo," thus, as it goes out for initial Easter season release has a triple mission It will delight and entertain It will make money And it will cement relations with countless civic groups Smart "birds" across the country will take advantage of "Bill and Coo" It's different novel good A doff of the old chapeau to an old neighbor. Ken Murray, for producing it And to Herbert J. Yates, too, for making its production possible. T ▼ T • • • TF YOU STILL don't think that television can have film box office repercussions, consider this: Pulse, Inc., on the basis of surveys conducted in the 10 counties of the New York met. area, reports more than 40 per cent of all tele sets now in operation are owned by the lower middle class and poor families And it's from those families that the bulk of film attendance has been coming. ▼ ▼ ▼ • • • ADD CUTE GAGS: Those Baby Sitter Certificates which Charley Schlatter is circulating to further the interest in the hilarious "Sitting Pretty" As a Spring tonic, the pic beats sulphur and 'lasses all hollow. ... • Speaking of comedies, Norman Taurog, who has been visiting in our midst, opines that television won't be able to click with 'em "Comedies," observes Taurog, "especially must be presented before a mass audience to go over It's an axiom." . . . • That new Metro Coast FM station, revealed in Your Favorite Industry Newspaper on Friday, is accepted as a prelude to Leo's entry into tele. ... • The Hollywood grapevine hints Film Classics has a "sleeper" in "Money Madness." ... • It now develops that there'll be only New York location shooting next month for John Garfield's "Tucker's People." ... • Gilbert Miller office here is paging John Hoyt in Hollywood for a Broadway revival of "The Play's the Thing." ... • Look for fireworks very shortly as investigation into the release of the four Capone film extortionists is pressed home. ... • Hollywood fashion designer says that within five years men will be wearing tailored mink coats H'm, there's a nifty exhibitor side line Think of the lobby display possibilities. ... • Olin Downes is doing the English narration for that Italian opera film series headed for television. ... • Didja note that the U. S. Supreme Court yesterday ruled for the government in two important anti-trust actions. T T ▼ • • • ORSON WELLES had "MacBeth" footage shipped to him in Rome so he could cut it for Republic between his acting chores in "Cagliostro," which Gregory Ratoff is directing for Edward Small. ... O Overlooked when all the nice things were said about the tolerance tworeeler, "Make Way for Youth," was the neat directorial job by ex-G. I. Marvin Rothenberg. ... • Cinema Stamp Collectors at their Hotel Astor meeting tomorrow will hear Jack Hoffberg speak on Germany's war Press Attack Against N. Y. Fireman's ! (Continued from Page 1) lative leaders, said that the measu \ would mean unemployment fa stagehands and that the union . fk% upon the bill as unwarranted ai harmful. The union leader's message coupl* with an avalanche of protest by m tion picture and theatrical interes throughout the state has spearhead' a significant bloc of opposition the bill which is expected to rest1 in sending the issue back to coi mittee. Most observers believe th such action would, in effect, kill fcl proposal. The Legislature took no form action after discussions running w< into the night, but it is deemed lik ly that a vote will be demand sometime today. Met.T heater Owners Spear heal State-Wide Opposition to Bi Metropolitan theater owners to the lead in arousing statewide opp sition to the Fino-Clancy Bill, wi action first crystalizing at a prot€J meeting in the offices of Oscar Doob, MMPTA executive committ' chairman. As spokesman for the organi2 tions represented at the conferen< which included the ITOA, League New York Theaters, Carnegie He Metropolitan Opera Association, a the City Center, Doob attacked t bill as "only a device to obtt money for the pension funds of very limited class already providl for by law. It would ask many tl" ~ aters to pay out more than they ta in," he added. "This measure will at once more damage to the theaters of tl' state than any group of strategica placed atom bombs," declared Har Brandt, ITOA head. Brandt pointed to a recent survj j ] by his association which showed tl aters to be the "safest buildings i public assemblage." He said tr fire risk has been reduced to an &t solute minimum by vigilant exh itors complying strictly with ri^ jj building code and fire departme regulations. "If the Legislature of the state .' New York wishes to give the tl ater industry a death blow, the Fii Clancy Bill is the dagger with whi to do it," Brandt concluded. Beer — Dancing Girls! Miami, Fla. — A real pit barbecue,^ free beer for everybody, Hawaiian music, dancing girls, circus games and other entertainment will be features of the big South Sea Party at 1^ Biscayne Bay to be held April 14 **" during the 12th annual convention of Variety Clubs Int'i in Miami Beach April 12-17, according to Hal Pelton, party chairman, who heads the PepsiCola Co. in Miami.