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10
THE EXHIBITOR
WPB Reveals Cuts in Films
Limitation Order Handed Down
Washington — Motion picture producers and distributors were told last week that allocation of 35 mm. film by the War Production Board would give them 10 to 24 per cent less film than they had available in 1941.
This was made clear in a statement of policy issued by Harold Hopper, Chief of the WPB Motion Picture and Photographic Section, on the administration of Order L-178 which froze all film stocks in the hands of manufacturers. The order provided that none of the film could be released without WPB authorization.
In issuing the policy declaration. Hopper said that there should be no change either in the quantity or length of films to be produced.
“Voluntary conservation measures put into effect by the motion picture industry should make possible the same production volume as we have been accustomed to,” Hopper said.
Cuts in the amount of film to be allocated to individual producers and distributors are based on the quantities of linear film consumed in 1941.
For example, those who used 150,000,000 linear feet or more in 1941 will be cut to 76 per cent of this figure for the coming year. On the other hand, those who used less than 75,000,000 linear feet will be cut to only 90 per cent. Reductions in film consumption of three other classes of producers and distributors are specified by the policy statement.
The statement also revealed that issuance of so-called “re-releases” (or revivals of old films) would be allowed only to the extent that film consumption for this purpose does not exceed that of 1941. In addition only the same number of films as were “re-released” in 1941 will be issued during the coming year, and only by the producers who were operating in the same field last year.
The statement declared there would be no allocation of film for the aiTned forces, for newsreels, for pictures approved by the Bureau of Motion Pictures, Office of War Information, and for essential scientific and research purposes.
The present policy for the administration of order L-178 for the allocation of 35 mm. motion picture film is as follows:
A. Film for armed services will be allowed.
B. Film for pictures approved by the Bureau of Motion Pictures will be allowed.
C. Film for essential scientific purposes and research will be allowed.
D. Film for newsreels will be allowed.
E. The producers and distributors of entertainment films for the theatres will be limited as to the over-all amount of positive film which they use as follows.
1. Those producers and/or distributors who used
150.000. 000 linear feet of 35 mm. film or over during the year 1941 will be cut to 76 per cent of this figure for the coming year.
2. Those producers and/or distributors who used
126.000. 000 to 150,000,000 linear feet of 35 mm. film during the year 1941 will be cut to 77% per cent of this figure for the coming year.
3. Those producers and/or distributors who used
100.000. 000 to 125.000.000 linear feet of 35 mm. film during the year 1941 will be cut to 80 per cent of this figure for the coming year.
4. Those producers and/or distributors who used
75.000. 000 to 100,000,000 linear feet of 35 mm. film during the year 1911 will be cut to
UA-PRC Protest
NEW YORK — United Artists and Producers Releasing Corporation were expected to protest the WPB print cut order at a Washington meeting scheduled this week. The WPB order is based on 1941 footage, and UA had its smallest program that year, while PRC was then only in its second year of operation, and had not expanded to its present scope of operation.
Universal Reveals Victory Policy
Reels To Be Sold At Regular Price
New York — Plans for the distribution of four single reel subjects to be known as “Victory Featurettes,” in conjunction with the Government’s Film Division, were announced by Bernard Kreisler, Universal’s featurette manager, last week.
First of these single reels, “Keeping Fit,” starring Robert Stack, Brod Crawford, Dick Foran, Andy Devine, Lon Chaney, Anne Gwynne, and Irene Hervey, has now been completed, and will be released on Oct. 26. In December, the second subject, “Arsenals Of Might,” showing the conversion of the automobile industry to armament production, will be released. The third subject, “Chaplains In the Service,” will be released in February, and the fourth subject, to be released in April, will be known as “The Will For Victory.”
In line with the general plan to get the best possible circulation for these subjects, a special Victory pledge agreement has been turned over to Universal’s sales representatives to emphasize the importance of getting these “Victory Featurettes” on every screen. Dominantly in the agreement is the phrase, “I pledge my screen to the showing of Victory Featurettes.” All profits derived from the sale of these subjects is to be given to a designated organization involved in the general war effort charity, and will be chosen from among such organizations as the USO and the American Red Cross. The Featurettes are being sold on the same scale as all other Universal single reel subjects.
82V2 per cent of this figure for the coming year.
5. Those producers and/or distributors who used under 75,000,000 linear feet of 35 mm. film during the year 1941 will be cut to 90 per cent of this figure for the coming year.
0. Those producers and/or distributors who furnish prints to the theatres of the armed services will be allowed an additional allotment of 50 per cent of the film actually used in these theatres.
F. Film will be allowed in most instances to complete pictures of all types of production at the time L-178 became effective. By “in production” is meant that production negative on the picture has actually been photographed.
G. Re-releases will be allowed only to those producers and/or distributors who were active in the year 1941 and they will be allowed to rerelease only the same number of pictures which were re-released in 1941, and these producers and/or distributors will not be allowed to exceed in amount the total positive 35mm. footage useage in the year 1941.
H. Any cases of special hardship will be subject to review and reconsideration. Also, any films not falling in one of the four approved categories will be given consideration if the Bureau of Motion Pictures certifies that they have particular morale or propaganda value.
Mayer Tops In Salary List
Loew's, Inc., Exacutive Heads Country
Washington — In a report on individuals receiving compensation from corporations in excess of $75,000 issued by the Treasury Department la.?t week it was divulged that Louis B. Mayer, Loew’s, Inc., continues to be the greatest money-maker in the United States, with a salary and bonus for the year ended on Aug. 31, last, of $704,425.60, an increase of some $7,000 over the previous year, when he received $697,048.69.
Mayer’s compensation exceeded that of the next highest-paid executive by something over $158,000, according to the department’s report.
Second highest person in the film industry was James Cagney, who received $362,500 from Warners, with Clark Gable, Loew’s, receiving $357,500. Nicholas M. Schenck, president, Loew’s, received $334,204, and Bing Crosby, Paramount, was also in the $300,000 class. Many others in the motion picture industry had salary listings well above $75,000.
Another star, Irene Dunne, was the highest paid woman on the Treasury’s list. She received $362,500, but the amount was earned over a 22-month period from Jan. 1, 1940, to Oct. 31, 1941.
She received salaries from three different studios which submitted their reports to the Treasury on different fiscal year bases. Thus her total could not be compared with regular one-year salary figures.
The Treasury’s figures included salaries, bonuses and commissions for personal services.
Picture people following Mayer in order were:
Crosby, $302,315.81 from Paramount Pictures and $150,000 from Universal Pictures, Inc.
Cagney, Gable, and Schenck.
Miss Dunne’s $362,500 salary was the total reported from three different sudios, $90,000 from RKO, $135,000 from Columbia, and $137,500 from Universal.
Of the 62 persons receiving $200,000 or more 24 are in the motion picture industry.
Those reported receiving $200,000 or more:
Loew’s, Inc. — Stars Joan Crawford, $266,538; William Powell, $256,250; Ginger Rogers, $254,416; Wallace Beery, $251,250; Spencer Tracy, $247,383; Robert Montgomery, $211,416; Greta Garbo, $203,333. Also these executives: Hunt Stromberg, $297,409; E. J. Mannix, $230,575; Sam Katz, $277,979; B. H. Hymann, $268,989; A. L. Lichtman, $247,484; David Bernstein, $226,522; J. Robert Rubin, $204,308; Clarence Brown, $220,000; Robert Z. Leonard, $208,000; W. S. Van Dyke, $201,583.
Warners — Bette Davis, $271,083; Eri'ol Flynn, $240,000; H. B. Wallis, $260,000; Edward G. Robinson, $171,416, plus $100,000 from Loew’s making a total of $271,416.
Samuel Goldwyn, Inc. — Gary Cooper, $287,671.
Columbia— Cary Grant, $131,250, plus $125,000 from Loew’s, Inc., for a total of $256,250.
Universal — Deanna Dui’bin, $208,166.
Paramount — Fred MacMurray, $248,333.
September 23, 1942