Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1948)

Rank-CEA Talk Halts at Demand Of Producers London Bureau J. Arthur Rank's independent negotiations on new rental terms with the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association have been stopped, for "a little while." in Mr. Rank's words, by the British Film Producers Association, which appears to have won its fight to keep Mr. Rank's negotiations within the BFPA framework. Last Monday the BFPA met in an emergency session called to consider the growing protests of a number of British distributors over Mr. Rank's proposed booking terms. That meeting was stormy, with even Mr. Rank's affiliated producers protesting he had no right to commit them to his proposed terms. Following the meeting, Mr. Rank wrote to Dennis C. Walls, CEA president, informing him that the BFPA had decided to set up a special committee "to consider the policy which producers should adopt in regard to the distribution of British films, more particularly having regard to the new exhibitors' quota which came into operation October I." Mr. Rank then pointed out that ''it will take a little while for this new committee to consider the important question which has been referred to it" and stated that "in these circumstances I have no alternative but to ask you to tell your members that the discussions which have been going on between them and me must be postponed for a little while." Proving that the BFPA has won out over Mr. Rank for concerted action, Mr. Rank wrote: "When I meet them (the CEA members) again I shall be accompanied by members of the executive council of the British Film Producers Association." Video Set Production Sets September High Production of television sets climbed to another monthly high, with 88,195 sets reported for September by the Radio Manufacturers Association in Washington, and total output by RMA members so far this year put at 488,133 sets as of September 30. Production of 673,180 sets by RMA members since the end of the war was announced, with over-all industry totals estimated at 725,000 sets. Average weekly production in the third quarter was declared 50 per cent greater than that during the first half of the year. B'nai B'rith Forms New Cinema Lodge on Coast Formation of a Cinema Lodge, in Hollywood, a new unit of the national B'nai B'rith was announced last week by Barney Balaban, Nate Blumberg, Henry Ginsberg, Sam Goldwyn, Joseph M. Schenck and John M. Stahl. The Lodge shortly will launch a campaign for the bettering of understanding and tolerance among all peoples. Albert S. Rogell has been named president protempore and he will also supervise the committee on charter memberships which will include leaders of the entire entertainment field. Famous Players Ask Video Permit Paving the way for theatre television in Canada, J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players Canadian Corporation, Toronto, this week applied to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for permission to build a television station. The company will hook up its television outlet with the show of the Imperial theatre in Toronto and will use the Victoria theatre to stage live talent presentations for television use. Famous Players expects to spend about $2,000,000 before the station shows profit and Mr. Fitzgibbons said CBC would be allowed to use the transmitter three hours a week for research and experimental purposes. He added that his company would not bar advertisements of film distributed by any company other than his own. Leonard Brockington, counsel for Odeon theatres and J. Arthur Rank, urged the board of governors of the CBC not to give theatres an exclusive right to pick up or rebroadcast telecast programs. In all there are six companies now seeking television station permits in Canada and no decisions by CBC are. expected before next week. Mr. Fitzgibbons in his application informed the CBC that the Canadian newsreel camera service would stand ready at all times to record events for later use on television stations or in the theatres. He further stated his conviction that television would not cut down attendance at theatres or at events being televised. Georgia House Opened The Judy-Ruth theatre, first and only motion picture house in Irwinton, Ga., has been opened. It seats 440, and is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lee Pennington, of Borden, Ga., and Mr. and Mrs. G. Fred Everett of Irwinton, Ga. FCC Conferences To Study Video Problems The Federal Communications Commission has scheduled a series of industry conferences on various television problems for November 30 through December 2. The commission had promised to hold such conferences, as the first step toward evolving a new television allocation policy, when it froze all television actions several weeks ago. The conferences will discuss tropospheric and terrain effects, .problems of directional antennas and power increases and other technical questions. you 6m MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 6, 1948 31