Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1948)

More TV Channels Sought by WB NLRB Upholds Paramount's Dismissal Of Trio for Not Paying Union Dues WASHINGTON— Warner Bros, asked the government to make available in Chicago additional television channels in a hearing before the Federal Communications commission. Paramount was scheduled to testify at the hearing, a preliminary meeting before the big one next week about use of the upstairs kilocycles for television, but declined at the last moment. Warner attorney Marcus Cohn described Chicago with seven channels and nine firms wanting them, as the most crowded city_ in the country as regards TV applicants and available channels. He asked the PCC, as it revamps the TV channel structure in the next months and years, to make available in Chicago “the ultimate, maximum number of TV stations.” The FCC, meanwhile, said there are seven TV channels in the city. Balaban and Katz and WGN-TV are operating on two of them. ABC and NBC radio networks have construction permits for two more. Five applicants, including Warners, but no other motion picture company, want the other three. Dr. Allen B. Du Mont of the company of that name, told the hearing that ultra high frequency can be used in some cities to complement very high frequency, thus making more channels available. He said it’s possible to build a TV receiver that will pick up programs sent out on both frequency ranges. He suggested a minimum of four TV channels in the first 140 cities in the U.S. in population. Roxy in New York to Start Video Programs on Screen WASHINGTON— The Roxy Theatre, New York, will begin showing television programs on its screen, picked up by a mobile unit operated by 20th Century-Fox, it was disclosed by Vincent Welch, Washington counsel for 20th-Fox. The FCC granted a 90day experimental license to 20th-Fox this week to operate the relay operation. The plan is to pick up scenes in the city, and then show them on the screen and its laboratories in New York. It’s experimental. Venice Award to 'Duel' NEW YORK — David O. Selznick’s “Duel in the Sun” was awarded the Cinecitta prize at the Venice Film Festival as “the world’s most efficiently produced picture of 1947.” Its first Italian showing will be this winter in Rome. 'Red River' Set for N. Y. NEW YORK — “Red River,” Howard Hawks’ production for United Artists release, will open at the Capitol September 30, following the current MGM film, “Luxury Liner.” Hoffberg Takes 'Thunder' NEW YORK — Hoffberg Productions has taken 35 and 16mm distribution rights, including television, to “Thunder in the City,” starring Edward G. Robinson. MPEA Remains in Hungary Despite New Film Buyer NEW YORK— Despite the Hollywood announcement by Cavalcade Pictures, foreign film purchasing agent, that Harvey Pergament has been named authorized agent to buy American product for Hungary, the MPEA will remain in the Hungarian film market, according to Irving Maas, vice-president and general manager. On his recent trip to Europe, Maas was unsuccessful in coming to terms with the National Film Bureau, Hungarian film monopoly, but the MPEA still has old films in circulation there. Although no licenses have been granted to American films for several months, the prints are in the customs house in Budapest. Cavalcade will seek to buy an estimated 200 features yearly, including both major and independent product, or showing in Hungary, the announcement said. New York Licensing Head Ask^ Give-Away Policy NEW YORK — License Commissioner John N. Cannella, who was appointed about two months ago, held an informal get-together meeting September 14 with representatives of the local theatre circuits to exchange views on a number of matters. One problem discussed was that of the use of giveaways, lotteries and prizes to stimulate theatre attendance. 'The commissioner expressed his belief that some giveaway programs do not violate any existing codes, while some are on the borderline. Lotteries, he said, are distinct violations. He urged theatre men to unite in determining a policy and take it up with him at another meeting. He denied he had definite plans to campaign against theatre giveaways. Beatrice Miller Is Named Censor Board Secretary PHILADELPHIA— Mrs. Beatrice Z. Miller of Germantown was named secretary of the state board of motion picture censors by Gov. James F. Duff. The job pays $4,500 annually. Mrs. Miller was sponsored by William F. Meade, chairman of the Philadelphia Republican committee. Mrs. Miller has been an employe of the board for nine years. She succeeds Mrs. Lucy H. Love of Johnstown who has resigned. Mrs. Edna R. Carroll of Philadelphia is chairman of the board. The other member and vice-chairman is John Clyde Fisher of Sharon. Purchase, Not a Sale NEW YORK — The SEC story in the September 11 issue of BOXOFFICE incorrectly represented Maj. Albert Warner as having sold 6,500 shares of Warner Bros. $5 par common stock during the month prior to August 10. Warner bought 6,500 shares. WASHINGTON— The National Labor Relations board ruled that Paramount acted properly in discharging three women employes September 9, 1946, when they failed to remain in good standing with their union. The board thus upheld its trial examiner. The action was upheld, too, in a brief to the board from the union, the Screen Office and Professional Employes Guild, Local 109, United Office and Professional Workers of America, CIO. The women — Elizabeth Whalen, Elizabeth Carberry and Eleanor Jackshies — had appealed the dismissal to the board. The board ruled that the women had been legal members of the union on May 10, 1943, when a maintenance of membership contract was signed between the union and the company; that they had subsequently refused to pay imion dues; that they thereby lost good standing with the union; that the contract provided that members not in good standing were to be dismissed by the company on the request of the union. The board counsel objected to the dismissals on the grounds that the women never had been legal members of the union. 'Snake Pit' Set to Open At Rivoli in November NEW YORK — Darryl F. Zanuck’s “The Snake Pit,” starring Olivia de Havilland, will open at the Rivoli Theatre November 4 as the first of three presentations on a “roadshow scale,” according to Andy W. Smith jr., 20th Century-Fox general sales manager. Distribution of the picture will be patterned after the prerelease engagements of “Gentleman’s Agreement” and there will be no advance in admission prices. Smith said. Following the New York opening, the picture will have prerelease engagements in Los Angeles and Chicago in November. Starting in January, the film will play in five key cities a week and, after each engagement, will be booked throughout the entire area. Advance screenings of “The Snake Pit” will start late in September to get national magazine, syndicate and newspaper publicity prior to the Rivoli opening. Denver U Scholarship Is Youth Month Prize NEW YORK — A four-year tuition scholarship to Denver university will be the grand prize in a nationwide essay contest for American youth to be conducted by NBC. It was an-anged by Robert W. Selig, Colorado exhibitor and state chairman of the Youth month committee, TOA reports. Details of the contest were to be announced Saturday (18) on NBC’s Frank Merriwell program. Essays will consist of 100 words or less. The theme is “What Youth Means to the Future of America.” Gulistcm Wilton Theatre Carpet JOE HORNSTEIN has it! BOXOFFICE : : September 18, 1948 58-C