Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1940)

(t AAA to Handle AH Arbitration Issues New York — -Although all reference to "Administrator" has been eliminated from the Rules of Arbitration and Appeals, the term continues in the text of the decree proposals. According to a distributor spokesman, this means that the AAA shall administer everything having to do with arbitration. This has been the intention for some time, it is stated. VS Decree "Inadequate" Dr, Wilbur Charges San Francisco — Dr. Ray Lyman Wilbur, president of the M. P. Research Council, views the proposed consent decree as inadequate. He charges the proposed settlement demonstrates “the total inadequacy of our present Sherman anti-trust law to give local communities the power to select their own films.” He again urges enactment of the Neely bill. Patz to Des Moines New York — A1 Patz has been promoted to manager of National Screen’s Des Moines office, succeeding Chick Friedman, resigned. Patz was formerly head of the Milwaukee office which is now being operated by Johnny Mednikow, until recently city salesman in Chicago. Industry's Defense Aid Plans Are Completed New York — The industry’s plan to aid national defense is now completed. It will be through films, of course, and will proceed under the sponsorship of the heads of and operating heads of the various companies, including Barney Balaban, Paramount; Nate J. Blumberg, Universal; Jack Cohn, Columbia; Sidney R. Kent, 20thFox; George J. Schaefer, RKO; Nicholas M. Schenck, Loew’s; Murray Silverstone, UA and Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros. Under their general supervision a coordinating committee has been set up with Schaefer, as chairman, and with Joseph Hazen, William C. Michel, Robert B. Wilby, Balaban and Schenck as members. Francis S. Harmon of the Hays organization has been named coordinator. Additionally, a theatre committee has been named with Joseph Bernhard, Warner, as chairman and with the following members: A. H. Blank, Harry Brandt, Si H. Fabian, John H. Harris, E. L. Kuykendall, Charles C. Moskowitz, John J. O’Connor, R. J. O’Donnell, E. V. Richards, Spyros Skouras, Nathan Yamins and Wilby. In Hollywood, Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount, heads the studio production committee, but there also are a newsreel committee, headed by E. B. Hatrick; a short subjects committee, headed by William Clark; a distributors’ committee headed by William A. Scully and a theatre publicity committee, headed by Oscar A. Doob. 0 — ' .A Circles November 14 As "Oratory Day" New York — Many attorneys from all parts of the country, representing exhibitor interests, are expected to be on hand for the November 14 public hearing on the proposed consent decree before Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard. According to a distributor lawyer, "There will be a lot of oratory, but no one knows what it will mean." V. J "Dictator" Second Week Gross $9L400 at Two New York — “The Great Dictator” second week gross at the continuous-performance Capitol hit $71,400 and at the two-aday Astor, $20,000. This compares with $93,800 for the first full seven days, excluding a special single performance, at the Capitol, and $21,900 at the Astor. The fourth week at each house starts Wednesday. Soviet Films Back New York — Resumption of distribution of Soviet films in this country gets under way with “The Great Beginning” which opens at the Miami shortly. Others to be cleared here through Artkino, successor to Amkino, are “The Mannerheim Line,” “University of Life” and “Homecoming.” Life in a World-Famous Metropolis Under Attack From the Air — This is a file of highlights from "London Can Take It.” A one-reeler distributed by Warner, all rentals, without reductions of any description, go to British War Relief. Quentin Reynolds, war correspondent for “Collier’s,” is the narrator. This is his description, starting at the upper left, and then going right: “I’m speaking from London. It is late afternoon and the people of London are preparing for the night” . . .“and there is the wail of the banshee. The nightly siege of London has begun” . . . “in the shelters. Do you see any signs of fear on these faces?” . . . “not all the services run as they did yesterday, but London manages to get to work on time ...” BOXOFFICE :: November 2, 1940 N 19