Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 6 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June 17, 1939 Here's the first group of Dallas youngsters who will spend two weeks as guests of the Dallas Variety Club at the R. E. Griffith Variety Club Boys camp at Belton, 140 miles south of Dallas. Pictured with the boys are the following barkers of the Dallas tent: — Frank 0. Starz, Brownie Akers, James 0. Cherry, Ray Beall, Director Brown, Herb Turpie, Asst. Dir. Hilgers, Jack Underwood, Burt King, Elmer Zrenner and R. E. Griffith. GOODMAN FETED AT TESTIMONIAL Affair Launches Amusement Division on Jewish Relief More than 300 members of the theatrical, motion picture and music world joined in a testimonial luncheon to Benny Goodman Monday at the Hotel Edison and clima.xed tributes to the popular orchestra leader by pledging their support to the campaign of the United Jewish Appeal for Refugees and Overseas Needs. Eddie Cantor was toastmaster. The ai¥air formally launched the effort of the Amusement Division in behalf of the emergency refugee appeal which > seekS'. funds to carry on the expanded 'relief program of the three majory J.^wiSh agencies helping refugees and other victims of .oppression overseas— the Joint'-Dis'tribution Committee, the United Palestine Appeal and the National Coordinating Committee. Heading the Amusement Division are David Bernstein, chairman; and Albert Warner, cochairman. Phil Baker served as vice-chairman of the dinner committee. Other committee leaders included Barney Balaban, Nate J. Blumberg, Jack Cohen, vice-chairmen; and William Morris, treasurer. S.O.S. TO AGNEW III. Allied Seeks Help On Duals Situation Chicago — Allied Theatres of Illinois, following a meeting here last week, sent a letter to Neil Agnew, Paramount's general sales manager, in which the organization pleaded for B & K's cooperation in establishing a single feature policy in this area. In the letter, signed by Jack Kirsch, it was pointed out that "your subsidiary, B & K, is the only stumbling block that prevents 95 p.c. of subsequent runs from operating in the black." RODGERS SPEECH URGED ADOPTION Words Backed Up by Action When He Withdrew Later Minneapolis — Although he admitted the trade practice code is not perfect but that it is wanted by the majority of exhibitors, William F. Rodgers, MGM sales chief and spokesman for the Distributors Negotiating Committee, asked Allied for cooperation in putting the plan into effect. He spoke at the second session of the national Allied convention at the Nicollet Hotel here. An indication that the plan would be put into effect whether approved by this association or not was voiced by Rodgers when he asserted that "with or without Allied" the distributors were "going forward" with its plan of procedure." "Of course, we want to see it adopted," he said, "but if in order to secure its adoption additional concessions are asked beyond those which may have already been agreed to, you may rest assured no distributor whether affiliated or otherwise, will Important Dates June 19-22: RKO Convention, Westchester Country Club, Rye. N. Y. June 19-22: National Conference on Visual Education, Francis W. v Parker School, Chicaj^o. Tune 22 : Film Daily Golf Tournament, Rye Country Club, Rye, N. Y. Oct. 15: Pittsburgh: Variety Club I^anquet, William Penn Hotel. agree to any expansion of its already broad policies." That he did not believe the proposed plan of voting on the suggested code was of any benefit was voiced by Rodgers because "you do not have the number of people here to register a national choice." The code was drawn up at the suggestion of organization leaders, he reminded Allied, and pointed out that it was publicily stated by Steffes a year ago that his organization would support a feasible plan if presented. That plan, he asserted, was now ready for operation and "is in your hands as to what you want to do." Tracing the development of the Code, and explaining the workings and provisions of the individual clauses, Rodgers said he would not plead for their adoption since he believed that the fact that the proposals are a great improvement over the existing unsatisfactory condition was understood by every clear-thinking man. Rodgers asked for earnest consideration of the plan in his closing remarks. "Your future is at stake in proportion to ours," he said, and added that "I have no patience with those who sit on the sidelines and constantly attempt to destroy the structure of an industry that is not only profit:ible to all, generally speaking, l)ut in addition, there is distinct public service to the entire nation. "I would not stand before you today and advocate the adoption of the Code if I did not think it would help solve your problems." Passes Repealer On Fight Pix Shipping Ban Washington — A bill introduced by Senator Barbour, Republican of N. J., to repeal the law forbidding interstate shipment of prize fight films was passed this week bv the Senate. It now goes to the House for action. NO RKO PIX FOR TELE-MERRILL Schaefer Assistant Assures New Jersey Allied New Jersey Allied's complaint against the reported availability of "Gunga Din" for television use was answered this week by W. J. Merrill, assistant to George J. Schaefer, RKO prexy, who wrote George Gold, Allied of N. J. prexy, that the "Gunga Din" picture used for Coast telecasts was merely a trailer. Stating that RKO had made no arrangements for the furnishing of films for television, although one or two short subjects had been used by special permission for experimental purposes, Merrill further said that his company is "fully conscious" of its obligation "to our exhibitors" and that the company's effort to keep abreas-t. -of developments in the field of television "are toward the protecting of our joint interests." NEW FINANCE PLAN Will Provide Funds for GN ; Alperson Sues Educational Pictures, Inc., and Grand National Pictures. Inc., have retained the firm of Felt & Co., 52 Wall St., to provide a plan of readjustment of the corporate and financial structure of these companies. New funds provided under the Felt plan will be for both production and working capital. Meanwhile, a suit asking damages of 135,644 and 10,000 shares of GN common was filed this week by Edward L. Alperson against GN, Educational Pictures, Inc., and E. W. Hammons. Breach of an employment contract made Oct. 1, 1938 and which was to run to Sept. 1, 1943, was charged by Alperson. FORUM CROWDED ALLIED PROGRAM (Continued from page 5) Certain groups were said to be strongly in favor of voting acceptance of its provisions with _ the proviso that nothing contained therein would detain the Government from prosecuting its New York equity suit. On the opposing side several Allied men were said to be unalterably opposed to any favorable action on the Code by the organization as a unit. Wednesday afternoon's session closed with speakers for and against still seemingly far apart on the subject that has dominated the convention — the Code. So much time and verbiage and energy had, by Wednesday night, gone into the discussion of the Code that by that time it seemed impossible to finish the business of the convention in the schedule^ closing sessions Thursday. Warner Bros. Theatres District Managers who met at the Home Office with Joseph Bernhard, General Manager of Warner Theatres. Front row (l.-r.) : Leonard Schlesinger, home office executive, Charley Dooley, Joseph Bernhard, Dick Wright and Charley Smakwitz. Second row (l.-r.l: Rudy Kuehn, Jack Keegan, Guy Barrett, Dick Hill, Max Melnicoff, Harry Turrell, Henry Needles, Ralph Crabill, Steve Barutio, Tony Williams, Lou Davidoff, Larry Graver, Frank Harpster, Paul Castello, Ray Brown. Standing (l.-r.): Dinty Moore, Stewart McDonald, home office executive, Sid Jacobs, C. J. Latta, Tom Fordham, Al Plough, Jack Mulhall, Ed Moore, Harry Goldberg of the home office, Dan Finn, Nat Classer, Charles Ryan, H. W. Wheeler, Harry Lohmeyer, Guy Wonders.