The Exhibitor (Jun-Nov 1944)

THE EXHIBITOR 29 Gov't Foreign Distrib. Seen Washington — Robert E. Sherwood, chief, OWI’s Overseas Bureau, predicted last week that the American, British, and Russian governments would be in control of film distribution in Germany for a long time to come. He said that he expects to see distribution turned over to the indus¬ try in France and other liberated areas shortly, with the exception of some gov¬ ernment distribution of documentary films non-theatrical in nature. Director Elmer Davis, with whom Sherwood conferred, said he has been informed the British have sent some films into southwestern France, but these are official British films. Griffis With Red Cross New York — Basil O’Connor, chairman, American Red Cross, last week announced the appointment of Stanton Griffis, chair¬ man, Paramount executive committee, to Red Cross Commissioner for the Pacific Islands. Griffis will leave for Hawaii to take up his duties shortly. He has served as chairman of the Navy Relief Society special events committee, has travelled in neutral European coun¬ tries as a representative of Gen. William Donovan and recently headed an economic mission to Sweden. WB Clevelandites Meet Cleveland — Nat Wolf, Warner zone man¬ ager, held a zone managers’ meeting here on Sept. 25-26. Wright On "Little Three" WASHINGTON— Robert L. Wright, special assistant to the Attorney Gen¬ eral, indicated last week that while only the “Big Five” among the distrib¬ utors are parties to the present consent decree, the Department of Justice has as its objective having “the Little Three”, Columbia, Universal, and United Artists, come under the same set of rules. V-Day Decisions Continue Baltimore — Because when V-Day comes, everybody will be downtown celebating, many Baltimore neighborhoods plan to close at that time, it was learned here last week. Downtown houses plan to remain open. Portsmouth, N. H. — Following Mayor Dale’s request last week for a quiet ob¬ servance of V-Day, theatres joined other businesses in an agreement to close down at that time. Dubbed Films 32 New York — It was announced last week that final arrangements for OWI distri¬ bution of 32 American-dubbed films, 16 in French and 16 in Italian, had been com¬ pleted. Each of the major companies has been limited to two films for the respective countries. Army Survey Completed Washington — Herman Wobber and Mor¬ ris Caplan, selected by the War Activities Committee, and whose services were loaned to the Army at the request of Army Pictorial Service, Signal Corps, by 20th Century-Fox, have just completed a six weeks’ swing around the country, the War Department announced last week. The purpose of this trip was to survey Army motion picture distribution methods, and first hand information was obtained by visiting Army Ground Force and Army Service Force posts, camps, and stations throughout the country. Wobber and Caplan, who served as spe¬ cial consultants to the Secretary of War, have returned to Washington, and have presented their completed report to the War Department, where it is presently under study. WE Promotes Peckham New York— David B. Peckham, comp¬ troller of sales, Western Electric Com¬ pany, has been appointed comptroller of manufacture, it was announced last week to fill the vacancy caused recently by the death of John M. Stahr. Clifford W. Smith will succeed Peckham as comptroller of sales. New Charlotte House Charlotte, N. C. — Plans and specifica¬ tions have been drawn for a new 2,500-seat first-run theatre to be built here by the Wilby-Kincey circuit as soon as materials are available, it was said last week. HAPPY WITH MONOGRAM’S NEW TRIPLE FUN TRIO L A commercial package that should bring a nice return." — DAILY VARIETY Good bet. Fresh comic trio puts over film." — HOLLYWOOD REPORTER A MONOGRAM PICTURE