Variety (May 1949)

PICTIJIIES Wednesday, May 4, ^$>49 COL MAPS SE(JUEl TO MLROOM’ PIC I • London; May 3, + HeiH^esentations made, to LJ SV Government from WAMimgton to the Board of Trade in London have urged in the strongest pos- sible terms that the present quotOi due to be shaved down from 45?b to 40% in October^ should be cut ■ drastically in the immediate fu-^^ .'.tore. Although the demarche from Washington to Whitehall gave no indication of the quota figure the U.S (jovernment had in mind, it is learned here oh highest, author- ity that the top percentage, fot first feature quota acceptable to the TJ S- authorities would be 25%, It’s, also advocated that the second feature quota, ,,:noW Standing at 25% should be scaled down to 20% for a trial period and if necessary ' •by ' a further'5%,''. While it ; is admitted in diplo- matic quarters here that reyisioh of the quota would, involve new parliamentary legislation, i t’S hoped that the eventual outcome of the Anglo^H.S. talks will enable the British government to put a compromise plan before the House of Conimons, • Gffleially there has been no reply from the British government to Washi ngtori, but at; the Board Of Trade in London it’s admitted that the protest has been received and is under cohslderation. Delay in drafting a reply.has been mainly due to the recent , absehce in France of Board of Trade prez j W^rold dyilsOn, but it’s ahtlcipated that: Cabinet approval would be' necessary for any COmmumobUon to,Washington. ' ■ Two'Categories Although detailed terms of the Washington demarche have not been made, known, it’s understood they conie under two distinct but interlocking categories. Firstly it was argued that the present high quota wa.s an unjustifiable discrim- ination against Yank product. Secondly it was pointed put that suggestions that a high qubta must be maintained to protect the bal- ance of -payments program was negated by the 1949 Anglo-Amer- ican filni agreement, which re- stricts the amount of exportable film earnings to a niaximum of ,$17,0p0;000 a year. It’s frankly admitted here thatv as a result of the quota, the earn^ ings ,of American companies, in London have dropped substantially frOm the peak 1946-47 period of 17,000,000 pounds sterling. Fur- thermore, there is little doubt that the operation of the unit plan ha's involved Anierican producers and distributors in a financial sacrifice, but they contend It is a worthwhile WBy O, Far Divvies Warner Bros, has declared a reg- ular quarterly dividend of 25c per share on outstanding common sfockj Meion will'be handed July E TiiUP ^ I 60. tic snares spoiiigni on WJPC, 5 to Stockholders of record June J,' jiveya-weeker with Jo Stafford and Columbia is mapping a sequel to ‘‘Make Believe Ballroom,'' Agen- cies here report they’re being ap- proached by Joriie 'Taps, , Col.’S music chief, on possibility of hsing radio, record and vaude talent in film to be tagged “Supper Club” or “Club 15.’' ' Whether Col,' could get Perry Como of “Supper Glub’k is ques- tionable since he’s. Metro-contract- ed. He shares spotlight on NBG Universal is paying q dividend , peggy Lee. Caimphell’s “15” show of ,$1.06 per share to holders oL us stays Bob Chosby, Margaret Whit- 4%'/(i PIjferred stock. Divvy will I jpg , pp^j^^ be distributed June 1 to stockhold-; stars from both shows Will be ers of record May 16. ParambuntlA, regular quarterly dividend of SOc. per share on com- mon stock was voted by the board yesterday (Tues.) at a special tneeting; Divvy will he paid June 24 to stockholders ol record June 3. inked., Documentary film bn Kingspoi't, Tenn., now in productions will be used by the State Dept.’s overseas division for distribution abroad as an example of a“model” U, S. town. Picture is being made by Krtick- erhocker Productions, a' New York outfit, under contract; with State. When cbmpleted in about six weghs- the print will probably run about ,25:"mlnutes.; ^ ^ Featurette, whose sound track will be dubbed into more than 17 languages, is being produced by Howard Lesser Who also Wrote the script. Victor SoloW is directing While cameraman is Richard Leacock who lensed Robert Flaherty’s '‘Louisiana Story.” Shooting began bh locatibn in Kingsport Monday (2). ; Budget is “under $50,000." : Knickerbocker also did another documenta^; for State taggbd “Hur- : Ticahe,’’ A director add veepee of the firm since its inGeption is Mary' Morrisey, wife of Leonard Case, veepee-treasurer for the Selziiick Releasing Org. She’s also a former secretary of Jock Whitney. Howard * Marizer is sec.-treaS. . Genl Precisioh Plan Stockholders of General, Pre- cision . Equipment,' Corp,, sUbSid Of 2oth-Fox. have okayed a plan sub- mitted:,hy mahagement;lor boost- ing the working capital of the , com- pany. Proposal . Calls: for the in- crease in capital stock from a cur- rent 800,000’ shares to 1,135,000 shares: divided, into three classes. Stock will be used in the future to iraise money. New stock will be 120,000 shares 1 of ' Friends’^SL), fin0*"$15,000!’“” yertible preferred; and 1,000,000 of | Shea’s (FPy (2 386- 40-70)—“i common. Besides using the stock for fund-raising, it will be made available to employees and officers under a plkh giving them the right to: purchase shares;; ' : ; Stockholders at the annual meet were told that earnings for the first quarter of ’49 were up to 21C per share of common against 18c. for the comparative per*p:a of last yean, (Continued ftbm page 8) and “Homicide” (WBL Lusty $12,500. Last week,“Shot Jesse Jamek’ (PC) and ‘'In This Corper” (EL), hefty $13,000. : ■ Imperial (FP) (3,373; 40-70)-^ “Canadian Pacific’’ (:20th). So-so $15,000. Last" week, ‘‘Don Juan” (WB) (2d wk),:Ugbt $11900, International (Taylor) (605; 48- 66)“‘Quartet” (EL) (5th wk). Still I'turnaway business at $4,100 after. LoeW’s (Loew) (2,096; 40-70)— “Bail Game” (M-G) (3d wk). Okay $12,500 after ■ second week’s big $17,000.:'' . Odeon (Rank) (2,390; 35-$I,20)-—. Tulsa” (EL). Disappointing $11,- Last week, “Passionate : Twentieth-Fox, continuing its' old-time ballyhooing, pulled another Stunt in Hbustqn last Week which paid off for the company’s ’‘Belve- dere.” Univ. of Houston coeds picketed the Majestic theatre during the film’s openipg, carrying banners cbmplaihing against Clifton Webb’s ' statement in the film that ebllege girls dress sloppily. Hbustbn PreSs: film: editor,; Paul Hochuli. tpached off the stunt when he referred to the Webb statement in his column and called upon the gals to “defend ’ their'',rights.’*, Picketing'was carried. On: for about an hour, after which the girls accepted an invitatibn to luneh'issued by A1 Lever, Interstate city , manager, Which brtricevup; the procession. Stunt was englnesred by : vet 20th field publicist: j[immie Gillespie, who is working in the com*- pany*s sbuthern divisibn. Faced with tlie: problem of giving “importance’’ to a pie entirely: without names,. “Home of the Brave,’’ Stanley Kramer’s Screen' Plays Corp. has been resorting to ingenuity, pirst .step in the process was release of prints to the“Bel Air . circuit"---the projeetion robms in the : homes of fiim biggies. While many producers refuse their prbduct to this tbughest of all audiences; Kranier ordered prints loaned to prac- tically anyone who asked. “ \ Aim was to get word-of-mouth. When it has beeii sufficiently built, SP announced a bne-iiight press preyiew-preem at the Garthay Circle (pic-woh’t actually open for some weeks). Invitations Were sent out bn ' an RSVP basis, and demand. w'as doublelthe 70O seats set aside. This was the first Of these preview-preenis since the war and' it dtew a top- name list of players, execs and newspaper and mag writers. Continued from page J 20th'.s: ownership of an important chuhk of slock in Rank’s Gaumont-' British circuit, has always been more : sympathetically inclined toward the British than have the chief execs of other U. B. compa- nie.k It- is believed that it was principally at Skburas’ instigation that the unit plan was eased a couple months ago by the Yanks ceasing to insist that both ends of a twin-bilt had tb come from the same distrib, not ju-St from any AineriGan eompany. Fox, through ' a comblnatiori Of its ; G-B interest and : by making sacrifice as it has substantially j eveiy. effort to be friendly to Rank, ended the ijositioii in Whicb top I has been attempting to get an edge Yank prodbet ’ was given:- second J on tlie other twb of the Big Five feature billing to boost inferior British films. , Because of the restricted earn- ings by the American companies, thfe ambubt of frozen coin available companies that must depend on Hank’s houses for much of their British income. The other two are RKO and Paramount. . RKO has I remained pretty much on the side- Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 40-70)—“Con- necticut Yankee’’ (Per) (3d wk). Okay $8,500 after big $13,000 on second staiva. ; Towne (Taylor) ::(691; 60-$1.25)--^ “Concert Magic” (Indie) (2d wk). Diving to $,4,000 on limited appeal and high ’ prices after first week’s disappointing $5,000. University (FP) (1,556; 40-70)— “Dream Is Yours” (WB), :So-sp $8,500. Last week, “Mother Is Freshman” (20th) i2d wk), $5,000, , Uptown (Loew) (2,743 ; 40-70)— “Family Hoheymobn” (U) (3d wk), Good $9,000 after last week’s okay $ 11 , 000 . Victoria IFP) (1.260; 40-70)— “Congorilla” tlndie) and “Borneo” (Indie) (reissues). Okay $5,000. Last week. “Set-Up" (RKO) (2d Wk), fine $4,50O. PnTNSG;‘FlAMIN(M’ FAIRISH AT $15,000 Pittsburgh, May 3. Biz is off again this week al- though “Fiamingo Road” is fair at the Stanley and may move to the | Warner. “Knock On Door” at | Harris and “Portrait of Jennie” at i Penh shape disappointing. Estimates for This Week | Stanley IWB) (3.800; 45-80)—i “Flamingo Road” (WB). Doing fair $15,000. Last week, “Tulsa” (EL), $14,500. . Penn (Loew’s-UA) (3.300; 45-80) —“Portrait of Jennie” (SRO). Mild $13,500. Last week, “Little Women” (M-G) i2d wk), big $14,- 500. Harris (Harris) (2.200; 45-80) Knock On Door” (Col) Ben:'Washer, Paramount ad-publicity chief, and. Fred Lynch, Music Hall ad-publicity director, had a plan worked out for a special train to come from Connecticut on the New Haven raUibad for opening week of “Connecticut Yankee" at the Hall. Stunt Wak virtually set, with full co-op of the r.ri, when it Was discovered there were so many advance reservations for "Yankee” that it would be imposrible to offer enough reserved seats, key of the entire stunt. , : The Hall automatically sells out its reserved section for the Easter pageant. This year“Yankee” set a new high at the Hall on its second week, with the initial session also strong, despite Lent. Hollywood’s role of providing films‘as educational tools in the na- tion’s school system was Spotlighted in several huhdred daily news- papers recently as a resiilt of an Associated Press feature by John L. Springer. Written in line with the public irelations policy of the Motion Picture Assn, of America, article pointed out that the major film com- panies had turned loose about 500, feature classics and shorts for class- room use without any profit being made oh the deal. MPAA estimates that 10,000,000 school children view films as part of their studies. AP’s story Stemmed from a sugge.stion by Tom Waller, MPAA’s New York publicity director. _ Elaborate 12-page pressbook has been turned out by the Eagle Lion flackery to hypo the industry’s participation in the U. S. Savings Bond drive. Some 17,500 bf these books will be circularized in every U. S. theatre to help pu'sh the: May 15-June 30 campaign.' Book outlines a number of promotional angles which exhibs Can use plus publieity stunts, _ad mats and tieups. Maurice Bei-gman, Universal’s eastern ad- pub chief, heads the industry drive and Max E. Youngstein, EL’s ad-nub veepee, IS handling publicity. F&M Settles continued from page 5 5 Ky. Exliibs’Drive Bn 201 and 10% Taxes Louisville, May 3. Kentucky exhibitors are plan- to be invested in. British produc- [ hne.s. but Par prexy Barney Bala- tion is severely GUrtailed, and: ban has consistently opposed any consequently little has been done , oyeranxibusness to be “nice” to the in this direction, although there i British. have been some notable exceptions. J Metro and Warner Bros, usually i for'mod^atb $13,o6o.''‘Last'week’ iwill play at'the St Louis snd'Mi’s It IS argued, however, that the: are out of these battles altogether, ..Belvedere Goes College” (20th), sourL two of F&M’s L b. provision of a freer market for since they exhibit through the As-[(gd wk), fine $12,000 in 6 days. . par 'h-c ,.|n-pd t'L hi!' American product would-enable a I sociated British Circuit, of which 1 Warner (WB) 12,000; 45-80)— ..mnnertipi.t ■ ■ Of the Little r“Tui.sa’’ (EL) (m.o.i. Weak $5,000, !- Amu.sement Co. which operates a good number of the subsequent-; , . runs here. No deal has yet been ; bing a summer launching bf a film made with this circuit and the. propaganda drive urging repeal of company may continue selling : ^®<l6ral and state admission taxes, drive-ins in lieu of four-wall i One-minute trailer, produced by hquses until a deal is reached. j the Kentucky Assn, of Theatre , Seven of 20th’s releases, headed i ® farmer de- Heading i by “It Happens Every Soring” ' "V®r‘be « talk against admission ' taxes to a group of friends before a larger sum to be spent bii produc- j WB is part owner. tion in Britain and thus help to j Three, Universal does all right,' Last week, “Dream Is Yours” (WB) keep studlo)s occupied' and build I relatively, inasinuch ab Rank is bne i (nrp ), $8,500- the nucleiis of a stable production industry. British ; of its principal stockbblders and I Fultoii (Shea) (1;700; 45-80)—-1 mu j, . = . ^ 11..., — s c ui. r. , there’s a special tie between them, i Shuttered this week, arid will be I TjJ’bfsddy (5). Heals will not affect be moved from one tbeatre to^M- __ - • - “ . i'— . J i-..- « the showing nf Avai- iyf.her hv n mei:hnH fiitnilar in i Jones” and ''Streets of Laredo,' “Yankee” will have its first show- ing at the Ambassador, starting rural film house. Anti-tax clip will also warn that niunicipalities are moving to add another niP to the current 30% bite^ taken by state and Federal collectors. Limited number of prints will Leaser Distribs Co)iUiiiicd from page 5 , and Columbia how-i ^ closed two montbs for facelifting. 1 the showing of three other 6rst-! ethur by a metbod siiniier to that lilv no nlaving time . I.a)?t week, “Plunderers" (Rep), i ron Paramount, pix at The World, ' used in exhibiting a: recent trailer I United Artists i ever, get virtually no playing time i ..from either Rank’s Odeon and G-B I or: ABC."'' I Gbjective of the qnit plan; is to solid $4,000 in 5 days. smaii downtown house, that ,Started j’h behalf Of tbe state income tax, Friday (29) With “El Paso.” Drive is being primarily bimed at KANSAS eiTY (Conliuiied from page 9) Before the deal was worked but the. M% (riat® I membei's of the MPTOA of g. tax Passed in 1936, At that time, ; Louis, Eastern Missouri and South- J itiwas promised the tax would be tFL). Going : ®«_:™nois;aV ;a _^ m^^ i prevent low-grade British product ting the balance to Britain. R is J from getting bookings bn the charged by the MPAA that ail sorts i strength ' of American pix with "of : the Avenger” , wuig of sU.Spect deal.5 are being worked I which it might be duailed. . It has . strong on Joan Crawford name; big , adopted two e?soiutiohs against | to keep the dollar remittance fig- thtis served hot only to create ! $15,000 lodnis. Holds, Last Week, Paramourit’s ahnouheed s a 1 e s ' f*” ure oh an abnormally low leVel. : ' hardship ‘ oh exhibs, but oh pro-': ‘‘Adventure in Baltimore”; (RKO) J policy. The first ji’esolutioh Stated ' Y.® ■' 'd®*”'* Dollar reihittance total appliek ducei’s, Who formerly found one of ' and “Behind Locked Doors” (EL), that any' dislributdr that failed to ' “aiie"- to any British film hah(lled in the their low-budgeters possibiy play-. $12,000. |exhibit ilq product in an adequate D. S, dliring the 12-mohth period , ing percentage: at the top of a twin Paramouiit. (Par) (1,900; 45-65)-^ latest-run house Would weaken the regardless bf lioW old the pic h,ap-; bill, vv'lhie an important Yank pic, “Connecticut Yankee’^ _(Par) : h-b. value of a pictui'e througbout Last preem of “Younger Brothers” (WB) held today (Tues.) with p.a;’s by Bruce pens to be. For this reason, MPPA whieh was really bringihg in the wk-6 days). : Okay $7,500, nlu.st collate totals for reissues dis- audience, was billCd secohd and ' 'V®®ic- fahey $12,000. World tributed to'strictly minor outfits as gettihgiflat rental. . , Vn.mc-^r R.-r,th»rc (wr well as newly-released product. — Since the MPAA Pas uo way of Rank Won’t Talk enforcing its bookkeeping method.s , LohdOn,; May 3. on non-members, it is expected .T. Ailliur Hank on his return to that the wrangle will finally Wind London last night (Mohday) re- up in the ia r Of the British gov-: iuset! comment on the Anglo- erbment for its decision. On the Aniejlcaii Film Council talks the entire trade territory; This was aimed at The World, Which seats leSs than 450 persons; An D - -u- „ , adiiilsh sqale Of 50c-75e is bn Bennett, Wayne Morris, Alan Hale ffir “ei Paon" and James Brown, itoxy (DurwOOd) (900; 45-)65)—. “Untamed Breed’ (Col) and.(“Load- ed Pisiols’! i:Gol). ' Steady. Last week. ‘'Tulsa” lEL) (2d Wk), good $3,000. Tovver - Uptown - Fairway (Fox El Paso,” The second resOlu- Uoti protested the sales tactics of both distributing companies, Elmer C; Rhoden; prez of the; Fox Midwest Gii-euit, Who attended';Voe- the MPTOA meeting, cOnfirmedT Levey’s bookings Will be bandied reports that Fox Midwest pn advicb : by Liggelt-StiefeJ, New York. Gl ih- END NEWBURGH POOL Newburgh, N. Y., May 3. Paraniount WUl terminate its pool with the LCvey estate May 31. as a result of a court decision. Breakup leaves Pai-amount with the BroadWay first-run theatre While Levey is left Widf the Bitz, first-run and the Canieo,. second- .m other band, MPPA has had nb dif- Wa.shingtoh, ficulties m getting a satisfaetory He .said, however, that he may . Midwest i (2 100 2 043! 700; 45-65) bf coun.sel had notified various i ton Lake, Sr.J former city lUanagef count from both Universar and have a statement after talking with .4 —"Mother Is Freshmah" i20lh). film companies that it will decline' for the Parambuht-Levey , setup. Eagle Lion, co-diatribs of J. Arthur Harolil Wll.son, pvez of the Board . AVei age $14,000. Last week. ’’Red ' to bid further on pictures in cOm- , remains With : LCVey as general Bank's output.: . of Tra:de.“ . .tCaiij'on'' tU), $12,000. manager.