The Exhibitor (Jun-Nov 1944)

16 THE EXHIBITOR RAFTERY HOSTS EXECS, OTHERS AT DINNER New York — Edwai'd C. Raftery, presi¬ dent, United Artists Corporation, was host last week at a reception and dinner in honor of Barrington Gain and Dr. Alex¬ ander Galperson, representatives of J. Ar¬ thur Rank, now in New York. United Artists board members, execu¬ tives from other companies, and trade pa¬ per publishers attended. Among the com¬ pany executives present were: Joseph Vogel and Charles Moskowitz, Loew’s; Sam Dembow and Leonard Goldenson, Para¬ mount; Clayton Bond, Warners, and Har¬ old Mirisch, RKO. Also Harry Watkins and A. C. Abeel, Guarantee Trust; Alex Ardrey, Bankers Trust; Arthur Kelly, Captain Harold Auten, Maurice Leon, R. E. Reynolds, and U. N. W. Ronalds. Mary Pickford headed the United Ar¬ tists executive group, which consisted of Gradwell Sears, Neil Agnew, E. Blinn, E. C. Mills, Rex Dennant, George Bagnall, Sydney Chaplin, Carl Leserman, J. J. Un¬ ger, Harry Gold, Edward Schnitzer, Harry Buckley, Paul Lazarus, Sr., Sam Lefkowitz, Jack Ellis, Charles Steele, Walter Gould, H. Schroeder, T. P. Mulrooney, Sam Co¬ hen, H. J. Muller, Norris Wilcox, James Dunn, Rex Williams. Also Paul O’Brien, A. Driscoll, and T. Newman Lawler. Among the trade paper publishers at¬ tending were Jay Emanuel, Abel Green, Charles Lewis, William Formby, and Mar¬ tin Quigley. M. J. Mungovan Honored Rochester — One of the greatest tributes ever paid a union leader in Rochester was given Michael J. Mungovan, life business agent, Local 25, IATSE, at the 50th anni¬ versary dinner of the local in the Hotel Seneca on Sept. 12. Spontaneous applause repeatedly indi¬ cated the feelings of the more than 250 guests as local and international officials told of his effective work, fairness, and co¬ operation both in the Rochester and national field of union activities. Among those present who paid tribute were Richard F. Walsh, international president, IATSE; Louis Krouse, internat¬ ional secretary-treasurer; James A. Bren¬ nan, International vice-president; toast¬ master, Thomas Murtha, president, Central Trades, New York, and John C. McDowell, Herman Gilber, and Paul Shay. Kestenbaum Joins Columbia New York — The resignation of Sam Kestenbaum as exploitation head at PRC’s home office was announced last week. Kestenbaum joined Columbia’s exploi¬ tation department under Harry McWil¬ liams, it was announced by Frank P. Ros¬ enberg, director of advertising and pub¬ licity. R. O. Schoham Arrives Miami— “In San Juan, Clark Gable and Ginger Rogers remain the most popular of all stars,” said Robert O. Schoham, San Juan executive of MGM, who arrived last week. Tax Change Slow WASHINGTON— Robert Doughton, chairman. House Ways and Means Committee and chairman of the joint Congressional Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation, stated last week that any lowering of admission taxes would be slow in coming after the end of the war. MEETING ALL TRAINS New York — Robert S. Golden, producer of “The Master Race,” released by RKO, left Hollywood on Sept. 19 to coni r with Edward A. Golden here on the tr onerties the Goldens have acquired for futuie pro¬ duction. Quantico, Va. — Clifford B. Ross, son of Harry A. Ross, Ross Federal Service, re¬ ported to the Marine Barracks here last week. He is a second lieutenant, and was formerly vice-president of the company. New York — Louis Brager, WB home office real estate department, was off to Pittcburgh for a business trip last week. New York — Will H. Hays came back from the coast last week. New York — Larry Kent, 20th CenturyFox executive, also returned from the coast last week. Mechanics Elect Officers New York — At an election last week of Motion Picture Studio Mechanics, Local 52, IATSE, the following were elected: William J. Gerrity, re-elected president; William Callahan, vice-president; James A. Delaney, retained as general secretarytreasurer; S. J. Scoppa, re-elected for the 21st year as business manager; Herbert Mulligan, sergeant-at-arms; Edward Mul¬ ler, recording secretary, and Eliza Sukoff, chairman of the board of trustees. The new executive board consist? of Edward Gunn, Harold Vivian, William Doran, and Jack Dalton. Gluckman Returns East New York — Herman Gluckman, perma¬ nent volunteer on the War Activities Com¬ mittee executive staff, doubling as treas¬ urer of the organization and handling dis¬ tribution affairs, returned last week after a two-month sojourn in Hollywood. While on the coast, Gluckman conferred with Hollywood Division coordinator John C. Flinn on forthcoming War Information films. Two Named To UOPWA Philadelphia — At the annual convention of the United Office and Professional Work¬ ers of America last week Jonas Rosenfield, Jr., head, Screen Publicists Guild, New York, Local 114, CIO, and Sidney Young, president, Screen Office and Professional Employes Guild, Local 109, CIO, were named to the general executive board of the union. Lewis Merrill was re-elected UOPWA national president. Charles Dolde Killed Philadelphia — It was reported last week that Charles Dolde, for many years with Stanley-Warner as manager, had been killed by a hit and run driver. WLB REGIONAL OKAYS CLASSIFICATION Albany — The Regional War Labor Board last week authorized establishment of minimums and maximums in 18 job classi¬ fications for exchange office help sought by applications filed by IATSE front office locals. Approved scales run from $23 to $33 per week for file clerks and typists to $65 to $85 a week for head bookers in the larger centers and under that elsewhere. Those not already getting the minimum specified, or who do not stand to get a full 10 per cent increase in being advanced to the minimum, will be entitled to a flat 10 per cent increase. All increases are retro¬ active to Dec. 1, 1943. Employes at Para¬ mount, Warners, RKO, 20th Century-Fox, Loew’s, Columbia, Universal, and United Artists exchanges are involved. UA Board Convenes New York — The board of directors of the United Artists Corporation concluded its regular meeting at the home office here last week with several routine matters up for discussion. In addition, it was re¬ ported that an early settlement of any and all inter-company difficulties will be made shortly. The meeting was highlighted by the presence of Mary Pickford. In addition to Miss Pickford, directors present at the meeting were Edward C. Raftery, Charles P. Blinn, George Bagnall, Gradwell L. Sears, Neil Agnew, Rex Dennant, E. Claude Mills, and Sidney Chaplin. Alperson-20th-Fox Deal Set New York — Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation will distribute a program of feature productions to be made inde¬ pendently by Edward L. Alperson, former general manager, RKO Theatres, it was said last week. Alperson’s program calls for six pictures to be made over a period of three years. The first will be “Black Beauty.” De Titta To Paris Hollywood — Arthur De Titta was last week appointed Paris manager of Movie¬ tone News, with supervision over Spain, Italy, and Portugal, upon his honorable discharge from the Navy. De Titta had formerly been coast supervisor of the reel. Russell Muth, who has been foreign make¬ up editor, has been appointed European manager. Pittsburgh Combine Starts Pittsburgh — Pennsylvania Enterprises, Inc., is the name of the new booking or¬ ganization formed here last week. Offices will be opened in the Law and Finance Building on October 1. It is reported that 30 leading independent exhibitors and cir¬ cuits are members. Colonel Whitney Escapes New York — It was reported last week that Colonel John Hay Whitney, who had been captured by the Nazis in Europe, had escaped, and had returned to his head¬ quarters. September 20. 1944