Canadian Film Weekly (Mar 31, 1943)

ario Motion Picture Bureau, Nine Indicted In Film Fraud (Continued from Page 1) : last, business agent of the Newark local, had no connection with the others arrested, who inherited the Al Capone syndicate when the gang leader was sent to jail. Studios and the IATSE alike were victims of the mob. Two indictments, the result of three years of searching, charged that the mob collected more than $2,500,000 from the studios and the IATSE. It is said that gangsters gained control of the IATSE at the Louisville convention in 1934. The indictments arose from investigations in the trials of Joseph M. Schenck, former chairman of the board of 20th Century-Fox Film Corp., convicted of income tax fraud and perjury, and William Bioff, convicted panderer and West Coast representative of the IATSE, and George EH. Browne, IATSE president. Browne and Bioff are serving prison terms on charges of extorting more than $1,000,000,000 from the motion picture industry. Browne and Bioff appeared, however, to have been mere catspaws, though well paid, of the Capone mob. Schenck, his film com!'pany and three other film companies — Loew's, Paramount and Warner Brothers—were the principal victims. The Browne-Bioff trial disclosed that much of the extortion was accomplished under threats to harass the motion picture industry with strikes, through the union’s control of motion picture projection machine operators, The mail fraud was centered in a 2 per cent levy on the union’s 42,000 members, ostensibly to pay the salaries and expenses of 50 “figurehead” executives of the union. All but $250,000 of more than $1,500,000 thus collected, he asserted, went into the pockets of the Capone mob. The “executives’”’ were supposed to be paid $110 a week as international representatives of the union, but “kicked back” $100, keeping $10 for their work of signing the checks. AMAZING! *t. = % a “ —— , » Howa solitary white mae matched his wi 2 sitive against pa magic .his personal magnetism against savage jon. ..-one of the most 1 } exciting stories ever filmed EDGAR WALLACE'S shrilier a XK ALEXANDE pirected by ZOLTAN KORDA Producers Releasing Corporation LIMITED Executive Offices: 277 Victoria &t., Toronto, 2, Ont. Canadian FILM WEEKLY Ontario Bureau AsKs/BC Solons Urge Aid of Showmen A letter from O. J. Silverthorne, chairman of the Ont addressed to theatre owners, projectionists and film exchanges, asks co-operation in enforcing Section 5 (d) of laws governing Sunday shows, which states that “All licences shall be issued to the implied condition that no exhibition or performance shall be permitted to take place on Sunday.” Writes Mr. Silverthorne: “Many theatres throughout Ontario have been utilized on Sunday for various benefits. Motion picture film has also been used. In most instances the Department was duly informed. “In future this regulation will be more strictly enforced and we are requesting theatre owners, projectionists and film exchanges to assist in its enforcement. “In brief, the Department will not at any time permit the showings of commercial films on Sunday.” The action of the chairman of the Ontario Motion Picture Bureau did much to ease the lot of managers and exhibitors, who are constantly beset to obtain film and donate the theatre for worthy causes, only to find themselves the target of opposition groups. Film exchanges co-operated by ruling that no features will be issued for any kind of Sunday showing. The Lord’s Day Alliance has maintained a constant war against Sunday shows, no matter how worthy the cause, and the theatre has often been the target by implication. Form Script Pool In Great Britain A very novel scheme, a clearing house for film scripts, has been established in Great Britain. If the plan proves successful production interests will have to deal through this central agency in procuring new film scenarios. Emphasizing the fact that there is no intention of creating a monopoly of any sort, F. Del Giudice, managing director of Two Cities, British film company, and Arthur Rank, released details of the new company, Scenario Institute, whose main aim will be to conserve the best efforts of British writers for home producers. Through the control it hopes to obtain the Institute will be able to bargain and obtain reciprocal advantages for English producers from American interests. Scenario Institute is ready to match Hollywood for first offer scripts, giving a number of guarantees. March 81, 19438 Sunday Shows Sunday non-charity shows for servicemen and warworkers won the support of several members during this session of the British Columbia Legislature. The matter of such shows has received more discussion generally in the Vancouver area, a shipbuilding centre, than in any other parts of Canada. B.C. labor leaders and union members have gone on record in favor of Sunday shows. Suported by three members, Mrs. Dorothy G. Steeves (CCF) asked the house to do something about Sunday entertainment for soldiers and war workers whose hours make attendance at theatres during the usual time impossible. “Something ought to be done to facilitate the opening of the movies on Sunday for war workers and servicemen,” Mrs. Steeves told the house. “When you are in war work it sometimes appears that there is no other time for you to go to shows other than on Sundays. It is harmless entertainment and I would like to see something done about it.” Sunday shows would provide innocent amusement for men who will soon be fighting overseas for their country, in the opinion of Thomas Uphill (Labor) who said, “I believe they should be open all day Sunday, as they are in England and south of the border.” While Mrs. Nancy Hodges (Liberal) agreed in principle with this opinion, she said she would not suggest that moving picture shows should be open all day Sunday or indiscriminately. Lieut. Louis LeBourdais (Liberal) suggested that places of amusement be provided where men in the service might take their women friends, and women in the service their civilian friends. J. <A. Paton (Cons.) spoke against the suggestion. He believes that with the coming of spring and summer, servicemen should take more interest in outdoor activities. He suggested swimming and fishing. “I think the boys should show some initiative and learn to amuse themselves. They won't always have movies following them around wherever they go,” he said. Opposition to anything along the lines of the British Columbia proposal has been expressed by private citizens not connected with religious or civic groups. One Albertan, writing to a local paper, pointed out that ushers, cashiers, projectionists and other members of the theatre staff would lose their Sundays, Open theatres, he pointed out, demand more transportation and restaurant facilities and would affect the day of rest of people employed in these businesses. A