The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

17 ORGANIZATIONS Allied Clears Up a Misunderstanding Chicago advices published in some tradepapers (not The Exhibitor) to the effect that an agreement between Allied representatives, distributor representatives in the industry parley had been reached were branded incorrect November 8 in an official statement from Allied headquarters. Allied pointed out that ( 1 ) a statement from Colonel H. A. Cole indicated "that the Allied committee had received from the distributors maximum concessions the latter felt they could yield and that these were being reduced to writing after which they would be reported to Allied Board of Directors for final action” (2) that Cole’s statement was not published in full (3) that definitely there had been no agreement (4) that two main planks in Allied’s platform, abolishment of block booking, blind selling; separation of production, distribution from exhibition, had not been considered in the negotiations. On the last, it was indicated that distributors’ committee had announced that it was not authorized to go any further on one than to offer a small cancellation privilege, with no authorization to act on the other problem at all. Allied further said that no merger action with the MPTOA is contemplated. PEOPLE H. M. Warner to Be Honored by Legion At a mass meeting of American Legionnaires, Disabled American Veterans of the World War, the American Educational League, to be held in Hollywood November 20, Harry M. Warner will be awarded a Legion citation for his outstanding contributions to Americanism. Warner recently made an address to the American Legion convention in Hollywood which was widely published, which struck a ringing note of strong patriotism, constructive Americanism. Changes in Personnel Yield Items During the week personnel connected with the following companies became newsworthy: Ross Federal. Thomas H. Ellsworth has been named to the advertising department. One of his chief duties will be the publishing of Service, the RFS house organ. R. W. Oudersluys has been assigned to the new credit promotion division. ERPI. Charles Olajos, formerly assistant treasurer, is now treasurer. He succeeds F. B. Foster who resigns the office. DISTRIBUTION Special Drive for Jules Levy As a special tribute to general sales manager Jules Levy, all RKO Radio district managers have designated special weeks in honor of the executive, it was announced last week. The purpose is to roll up above the normal standings in sales, playdates, billings in the respective territories. Republic Celebrates Grainger Selling Push Best known to the trade as Jimmy, Republic’s sales manager James R. Grainger is currently being honored with a drive for dates, business. All Republic ex Republic’s Grainger It’s for Jimmy changes throughout the country are plugging the James R. Grainger Drive, the expectation being that a new high for grosses will be set. World to Distribute 13 Importations The World Pictures Corporation last week announced a program of 1 3 foreign pictures, including the current "Grand Illusion,” this season. Featured players will include Harry Baur, Gesta Ekman, Eric von Stroheim, Will Fyffe, Alexander Brailewsky, Alfred Cortot, Gregor Piatagorsky, Elizabeth Schumann, Jacques Thibaud. INTERNATIONAL NOTES Czech-U. S. Pact Depends on Boundaries Whether the reciprocal trade agreement between the U. S., Czechoslovakia can be salvaged will depend on the outcome of conferences settling new boundaries, it appeared last week. Film industry representatives of both nations have been at a loss for a definition of the U. S. -Czech situation on this account. COURTS UA Will Fight Jury’s Award to Hart Counsel for United Artists last week announced that the company would seek an appeal from the jury verdict that gave one-time cinema cowboy William S. Hart, Mary Hart — doing business as the William Hart Company — damages of $276,965.04. EVENTS Pathe News, Trans-Radio Sign Deal While the press, radio have for years been at loggerheads over the broadcasting of news — spot or otherwise — such antagonism having resulted in the formation of Trans-Radio Press — no such partisanism obtains among the newsreelmen, for last week RKO-Pathe News signed a deal with TRP, providing for the checking of news rumors, the development of newsreel stories. CORPORATE Warners to Elect 5 Directors Five directors have been re-nominated for re-election for two more years to the November IS, 19) t ON YOUR DESK EVERY WEDNESDAY