The Exhibitor (Jun-Nov 1944)

THE EXHIBITOR 9 NY, PHILLY EXCHANGES SEEK WLB APPROVAL New York — Applications of the New York and Philadelphia exchange union for WLB approval of a system of job classifi¬ cations with minimum and maximum wage scales and 10 per cent wage increases were signed last week by film company ex¬ change heads and representatives of the LATSE. This completes applications for white collar workers in all exchange cities with the exception of Los Angeles, where the workers are represented by an AFL union, which is not an IATSE affiliate. The WLB has already approved applications covering Albany and Buffalo workers. The Screen Office and Professional Employes Guild, Local 109, CIO, has contracts cov¬ ering the office workers in New York exchanges of Loew’s, 20th Century-Fox, UA, and Columbia, IATSE Local F-51 representing these workers in other ex¬ changes. Newsreel Stock Situation Set Washington — WAC newsreel coordina¬ tor Claude R. Collins stated last week that air priority for shipment of negative film stock to the newsreel pool correspondents in three major war theatres have been completed through arrangement with the Army. Weekly shipments will be made by Army plane to London, bi-weekly to Italy, and monthly to the China-Burma-India the¬ atre of war. There has been no difficulty in getting film to Hawaii for photograph¬ ers with the Pacific fleet, the Navy hand¬ ling this distribution. Cameramen assigned to Army activities in the Pacific are able to buy film in Australia and New Guinea. Robert Wetzel Promoted New York — Robert Wetzel, March of Time researcher, has been advanced to the script department, and with this pro¬ motion becomes a member of the editorial board of MOT, producer Richard de Rochemont announced last week. Wetzel, formerly with Mutual, CBS, and the Blue, and lecturer on radio writing at Univers¬ ity of New Hampshire and New York University, was for four years instructor in English at the University of Michigan. He has been with MOT since June, 1943. Anti-Trust Case Reported Settled East Orange, N. J. — The anti-trust ac¬ tion brought by the East Orange Amuse¬ ment Company against Warners and other distributors was reported settled last week, and the action discontinued with releases being exchanged. The defendants had at all times denied liability, and it is pointed out that the settlement is in no way an admission of any liability of wrong-doing. Yolen Rejoining WB New York — Will Yolen, who left War¬ ners last January on leave of absence to join OWI for an overseas assignment, has returned from London following com¬ pletion of that assignment, and will re¬ join the Warner publicity department in two weeks, it was announced last week by Mort Blumenstock, in charge of adver¬ tising and publicity in the east. THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY of motion pictures will be commemorated by the issuance by the Post Office Depart¬ ment of a special three-cent stamp, special delivery size, showing a group of servicemen viewing one of the industry 16mm. gift films overseas. The new stamps go on sale in Hollywood and New York on Oct 31 Stock Checking Group Dropped WASHINGTON— The plan of the Producers and Distributors Industry Advisory Committee to form a group to check Government film usage was dropped last week. Composite knowl¬ edge of requirements, demands, and needs will continue to be the function of the WPB office, headed by Lincoln V. Burrows. Industry representatives will continue to discuss raw stock mat¬ ters informally with various agencies. Projectionist Dies In Fire Portsmouth, Va. — Joe Hall, Negro, about 48, Lyric projectionist, was burned to death in a fire which destroyed the house on Oct. 10. The blaze, which assistant Fire Chief Stanley H. Hall said apparently broke out in the projection room, spread rapidly through the theatre. One woman patron said, she was among the last to leave the building, and expressed the belief all other patrons in the capacity crowd of approximately 300 had made their way to safety. Those on the scene said there was little disorder. When firemen found Hall’s body he still clung to a fire extinguisher. The fire practically destroyed the building, a brick structure. "Yanks" Premiere Clicks Hollywood — The G. I. premiere of Ed¬ ward Small’s “Abroad With Two Yanks,’’ at Grauman’s Chinese, for the benefit of Ann Lehr’s Hollywood Guild Canteen, proved one of the bright spots on the social calendar of the movie capital last week. Tickets sold at $5.50 each, and the entire proceeds, estimated at exceeding $7,500, were turned into the treasury of the Can¬ teen. V-Day Trailer Ready New York — National Screen Service’s special trailer department announced last week that a trailer, “A Prayer For V-Day,” had been prepared for use of theatres. WARNERS COMPLETE DUBBING ARRANGEMENTS Hollywood — Jack L. Warner, executive producer for Warner Brothers, announced last week that the arrangements made by the studio for “dubbing” in Spanish are so far advanced that the first one com¬ pletely “dubbed” in this language will be ready by next January. Initial picture is “My Reputation,” starring Barbara Stan¬ wyck. Warner stated that he had been able to acquire the services of the company’s technicians from Spain and France, who were noted for absolute perfection in “dubbing” technique, and that his studio had established a stock company of over 40 experienced Latin-American artists thoroughly familiar with this special work. Luis Bunuel, former producer and di¬ rector in studios of Spain, France, and other European countries, is in charge of all Warner “dubbing” in Spanish. Crescent Appeal Scheduled Washington — Argument on Crescent Amusement Company’s appeal from the Tennessee Circuit Court’s ruling was due this week in the Supreme Court. Crescent charges 26 errors in the Federal court decision, and asks that the entire verdict be set aside. The Government asks that the verdict be sustained and that it be strengthened by an injunction against further theatre acquisitions outside Nash¬ ville by Crescent, or other Sudekum-controlled circuits, without prior court ap¬ proval. Studio Club Re-elects Hollywood — Ed DePatie, general auditor Warner Brothers studio, was last week re-elected president of the Warner Club for the sixth consecutive year. Other officers who continue in office include Steve Trilling, Leon M. Combs, and George Penaga, vice-presidents, and Richard A. Pease, secretary-treasurer. Real Local Coverage Will Only Be Found In This Publication. October 18, 1944