The Exhibitor (Nov 1942-May 1943)

12 RECORD PRINTS MADE FOR UN DRIVE SUBJECT Meeting Held At Washington New York — A record number of 1,200 prints of the special United Nations Week short subject, “You, John Jones”, will be distributed throughout the country to the 16,000 motion picture theatres taking part in the observation of this week, it was announced last week. Methods of distribution, sUch as bi¬ cycling are being revived in an effort to get a maximum number of showings. One print of this picture, which government officials and film executives feel will bring home to the American public the poignant sufferings of the peoples of the Allied Nations now under the Axis heel, as nothing else can, will be made to do the work of 10 prints of an ordinary short subject. A special screening of this picture was held last week in Washington for leading exhibitors and representatives of the United Nations. The meeting was ad¬ dressed by Lowell Mellett, who gave praise to “You, John Jones”, and Harry Brandt and Francis Harmon, who out¬ lined the extensive activities of theatre operators in every state in the Union for United Nations Week. A. Julian Brylawski, head of the field committee, was toastmaster, attending were: John J. Payette, Warner theatres, co-chairman War Activities Committee; Frank Hornig, President, MPTO, of Mary¬ land; Sam Wheeler, chairman, War Ac¬ tivities Exchange Committee; Frank Lafalce, chairman, WAC Exchange Area Publicity; Herbert L. Willett, Jr., Director, Washington Community War Fund, Wash¬ ington exchange managers, and repre¬ sentatives of the United Nations. Who’s Screening Today? See the Territory Trade -Screening Guide. Theatres Not Preferred Washington — It was learned here last week that places of amusement, including theatres, were definitely not included on the list of 12 consumer groups entitled to fuel oil preference drawn up by the PAW. C. J. Dunphy, head of WPB’s amuse¬ ment section, said he had not been con¬ sulted on the matter but he had been promised that before any such decision was reached, it would be given a hearing. However, in view of the seriousness of the fuel oil situation, Dunphy said, such a decision would not surprise him. Buy United States War Bonds and Savings Stamps and Do Your Part In Helping Insure Victory. No WE Dividend New York — A special meeting of the board of directors of Western Electric Company was held last week to consider the final dividend for the year 1942. In view of the fact that the renegotiation of contracts covering business done with the government in 1942 has not been con¬ cluded, it was decided to declare no fur¬ ther dividend for 1942. THE EXHIBITOR OWI Intention Cleared WASHINGTON — Gardner Cowles, Jr., director of domestic operations, OWI, and Lowell Mellett, motion pic¬ ture chief, said last week that the question of how many features or shorts OWI may make is entirely de¬ pendent upon what the motion picture industry produces, and that OWI would prefer not to find it necessary to engage in any production at all. LYNCH OFFERS $100 IN COPPER COLLECTIONS Philadelphia — Robert Lynch, Metro branch manager and local distributors division chairman for the WAC, an¬ nounced last week that he is offering prizes totalling $100 to hasten the special copper matinees among the theatres. He is so enthused over the possibilities of the copper scrap drive, he declares, that he is offering $100 in prizes as fol¬ lows: $50, first; $30, second; $20, third, to the theatres collecting the most copper from patrons. The scrap copper must be weighed, and the weight verified by re¬ sponsible people. This applies only to the territory served out of local exchanges. WAC Aides Selected Atlanta, Ga. — WAC Public Relations chairman Harold Martin for the local area last week announced appointment of city publicity chairmen who will function in towns of 25,000 or more population as follows: Harold Martin, chairman; Richard M. Kennedy, Birmingham; Charles Amos, Nashville, Tenn.; Gene Street, Knoxville; William Wolfson, Montgomery, Ala.; John A. Cunningham, Savannah, Ga.; M. C. Moore, Jacksonville, Fla.; J. L. Cartwright, Tampa, Fla.; and Michael Wolfson, Miami, Fla. Wolff On Tour New York — Bob Wolff, captain of the Ned Depinet Drive for 1943, left last week for the first swing around the RKO ex¬ changes in the interest of the annual event. Wolff, RKO’s metropolitan district manager, was accompanied by Harry Gittleson, assistant to the western division sales manager. Sales meetings are sched¬ uled at all branches. The drive will last 15 weeks, from Feb. 5 to May 20. Durst Joins Altec-Lansing New York — J. F. Durst, formerly chief sound engineer of International Projector Corporation, and vice-president of Librascope, Inc., last week joined the war pro¬ duction engineering staff of Altec Lansing Corporation, Altec Service’s subsidiary at Los Angeles. D. C. SESSION HELD TO DISCUSS SALARIES Executives, Government Are Represented Washington — Industry representatives met last week with government legal and tax experts at a salary ceiling conference trying to work out a method of operation for the industry. Attending the meeting were Treasury Department officials, counsel for the In¬ ternal Revenue Department, heads of the salary stabilization unit, others. Representing the motion picture pro¬ ducers were Barney Balaban, Austin C. Keough, Y. Frank Freeman, Nicholas M. Schenck, Spyros Skouras, Ed Raftery, Joseph P Hazen, and Maurice Benjamin. Kenneth Thompson and William Berger, executive secretary and counsel, respec¬ tively, of the Screen Actors Guild, were present as was Adrian McGallman, repre¬ senting the Artist Managers Guild. J. P. McGowan and William M. Smith, Screen Directors Guild, also attended. Mary Mc¬ Call, representative of the Screen Writers Guild, was unable to attend, her plane be¬ ing grounded at Dallas. Para. Cartoon Branch Opens New York — Russell Holman, eastern production manager, Paramount, last week announced the opening of a branch of Famous Studios, which produces Paramounts “Popeye” and “Superman” car¬ toons, at 24 West 45th Street, where oper¬ ations began on Jan. 4. The Miami studio will continue oper¬ ations, on a reduced scale. Sam Buchwald, general manager, and producing directors I. Sparber and Dan Gordon prepared the New York studios and offices. Loftus For Jerauld Pittsfield, Mass. — Frank G. Loftus, for the past two years Altoona-Publix man¬ ager at Altoona, Pa., last fortnight suc¬ ceeded James M. Jerauld at the Capitol. Jerauld resigned to take a position in New York. George Laby, Palace, has been named regional director of civilian defense for amusement places. sddi uance Shots Features JOHNNY DOUGHBOY. Republic. 63m. Jane Withers, Henry Wilcoxon, Ruth Donnely. This is an entertaining comedy with music for the family trade and duallers. Shorts DESIGNED BY FANNIE HURST. Uni¬ versal — PersonOddities. 9m. Fair. Republic Story Head Named Hollywood — Frances Manson was named last week by Republic as story editor, succeeding Francis Langston, who is go¬ ing into the army. HIT TUNE JAMBOREE. Universal — Name Band Musicals. 15m. Fair. DON’T HOOK NOW. United Artists. 19m. Good. The Service Kit’s the Season’s Hit. January 6 , 1943