Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1945)

THE NEWS DIGEST (Continued from Page 18) (Continued from Page 17) West Coast, he had served six years as Eastern Advertising and Publicity head of Universal Pictures. Preceding his advent into the film industry, he was a newspaper man in Chicago. Pollock will shortly announce a new connection in the film advertising field. Meanwhile, the World Publishing Company this week announced the acceptance of his book, "Your Baby, Sir," for publication in the Fall. Plans are being made to have this hilarious story of an expectant father illustrated by one of the country's outstanding cartoonists. Several film producers have indicated their interest in the book. PRODUCTION STILL "ESSENTIAL" Film production was continued on the War Manpower Commission's list of essential activities as the WMC last week presented its revised schedule of critical and essential jobs in order to raise the 900,000 men called for the Armed Forces by July 1st. The revised list will serve as a guide for Selective Service officials in the drafting of men in the 26-29 age group. Technical, scientific and research workers in the picture industry retain their A-l priority. However, no specific jobs were mentioned in other categories. Called essential, but not critical, was the "production of motion pictures, including technical and vocational training films for the Army, the Navy and war production, film processing, newsreels and the development of sensitized film." According to the terms of the manpower priorities announced by OWM chief James Byrnes, industry workers in the 26-29 group in the above jobs will hold priorities 1, 2, 4 or 5. Hollywood considered the position precarious for actors under 30, since these were not considered irreplaceable. Technical men under 30 were also considered ripe material for Selective Service plucking. SELZNICK, GOLDWYN INTO ASTOR David O. Selznick and Samuel Goldwyn completed arrangements last week for the use of the Astor Theatre in New York as a first-run showcase for their independently-produced product under a 30 months' deal with the City Investing Co., owner of the Astor and other Broadway film houses. The Astor, which had been showing M-G-M pictures exclusively under a lease with Loew's which expired December 31, will alternate the Selznlick and Goldwyn product, with first film under the new arrangement Goldwyn's "The Princess and the Pirate" which will open February 9. Selznick's "Spellbound" will follow the Goldwyn film. "Meet Me in St. Louis," the current Astor offering, will continue until February 4, following which the theatre will undergo a modernization program, including the addition of some 200 seats. The house will be restaffed with Maurice Maurer taking over as manager under the new setup. James A. Mulvey, representing Goldwyn, and Neil Agnew for Selznick, jointly stated that the deal solved the problem of the Broadway Theatre shortage for the producers and indicated that similar arrangements may be made in other cities encountering similar problems. THANK YOU for your cooperation in the handling of film. It is working out swell. NOW SAVE PAPER This is an important War Effort. Return posters sent to you in error. Do not throw them aside. Return all posters properly marked, labeled and wrapped. Don't throw them loose in the lobby. YOU DO YOUR PART! WE'LL DO OURS! HIGHWAY EXPRESS LINES, INC. 236 N. 23rd St. 1239 Vine St. 1225 Vine St. Philadelphia 7, Penna. LOCust 4311 "WAY" TOPS FILM DAILY POLL Paramount's "Going My Way" topped The Film Daily's annual poll of critics from 384 newspapers, magazines, wire services, syndicates and radio commentators. The "Ten Best" in the poll were: "Going My Way," "Song of Bernadette" (20th-Fox); "Since You Went Away" (UA); "Madame Curie" (M-G-M); "Dragon Seed" (M-G-M) ; "White Cliffs of Dover" (M-G-M); "Gaslight" (M-G-M); "A Guy Named Joe" (M-G-M); "Story of Dr. Wassell" (Paramount), and "Lifeboat" (20th-Fox). Multiple credits were registered by Leo McCarey, who wrote, produced and directed "Going My Way," by David O. Selznick for screenplay and production of "SYWA" and by Cecil B. DeMille who directed and produced "Wassell," the last being the only one produced in Technicolor. Under the rules, only features released for exhibition between November 1, 1943 and October 31, 1944 were eligible. Pictures presented on a roadshow basis at advanced admissions and specially shown were not considered unless the respective distributors believe there had been sufficient playdates to insure a fair vote. CRESCENT APPEAL DENIED The U. S. Supreme Court denied the appeal of the Crescent Amusement Co. for a rehearing in the appeal from last year's Circuit Court ruling which upheld the Government's contentions in the anti-trust suit. Crescent filed a petition the week before for rehearing, alleging three errors of fact. The Court refused the petition and refused to offer any discussion. Since the original decision was by a 5-1 margin, it was considered substantial enough to refuse to grant a rehearing. FORM INDUSTRY WMC An industry war manpower committee to confer directly with Washington on the present critical labor shortage was formed by Si Fabian, chairman of the WAC theatres division. The new group will provide assistance and information to local committees whose problems are related to the national situation. Heading the committee is Harry Brandt and associates are:( Harry Kalmine, assistant general manager of Warner Theatres; Edward Rugoff of Rugoff and Becker; Jay Emanuel, exhibitor and publisher of The Exhibitor; and William Crockett, president of MPTO of Virginia. * * * * PEOPLE Hugh Owen resigned the post of general sales manager oi Vanguard Films, Inc., to return to Paramount as divisional sales manager of the newly-created New York and Southern Division: Harold LeSieur was appointed Advertising Manager of Unitec) Artists by Louis Pollock, before the latter's resignation as directoil of advertising and publicity for the company. Frank P. Rosenberg, director of ad-publicity for Columbia was elected chairman of the eastern division of the Public In formation Committee of the Motion Picture Industry. He sue ceeds Hal Home, 20th-Fox ad-publicity chief. Ray Wylie was promoted to branch manager at United Artist New Haven exchange. He was formerly salesman in the Buffal< territory. Wylie succeeds William S. Shartin who was trans ferred to the Pittsburgh territory. Jack Wrege was appointed assistant to J. J. Unger, Unitec Artists Western division manager. Ned E. Depinet and Leon J. Bamberger were presented witl plaques by the WAC motion pictures division in appreciation o their services with the distributors division. Presentations wer made by WAC Chairman George J. Schaefer. Bernard M. Kamber was appointed assistant chairman witl Edward M. Schnitzer to Gradwell L. Sears, WAC Distribute chairman. Reeves Espy, general manager of the Myron Selznick Agencj last week joined B. G. DeSylva Productions at Paramount a general manager. SIGN THAT PLEDGE! MARCH OF DIMES JAN. 25-31 NEW JERSEY MESSENGER SERVICE lllll>ll Nn.fl Film CUrlOl* 260 N. JUNIPER ST. Philadelphia, Pa. 24 FILM BULLET!