The Film Daily (1938)

d I Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Twenty Years Old V( >74, NO. 117 NEW YORK. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1938 TEN CENTS Ascop Granted Writ Blocking Tennessee's ' Anti" Low COLUMBJAJO ESTABLISH FRENCH DISTRIB. SETUP U. S. Urged to Effect Closer S. A. Relations via Films Interdepartmental Committee Recommends Appropriation of $176,500 Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — In a report just submitted to President Roosevelt by the Interdepartmental Committee, composed of representatives from 13 government departments and agencies (including Frank R. McNinch of the Federal Communications Commission), it is urged that the sum of $176,500 be made available for effectuating closer relationships between the U. S. and the South American republics through the medium of motion pictures. The report recommends that $30, (Continued on Page 3) BONDY'S RKO REORG. OPINION IMMINENT New York's Film Row was poised yesterday expecting that the written opinion of Judge William O. Bondy might then be filed in Federal Court, thus terminating the longdrawn-out proceedings attending the RKO reorganization. However, up (Continued on Page 2) Scophony U. S. Financing May be Set Next Week Negotiations with American banking interests to finance establishment of a division of Scophony Television in this country are expected to be closed sometime next week, it was (Continued on Page 3) More Reform Talks Industry attorneys yesterday were unable to complete the draft of the fair trade practice formula and will continue their deliberations today. Austin C. Keough, general counsel for Paramount, said last night that the attorneys were hopeful for a conclusion of the issue today. Warners Will Rush Nazi Spy Feature Warners is rushing "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" into production, with the expectation of having it ready for release early in 1939. Story is by Leon C. Turrou, ex-FBI agent who figured largely in the investigation which preceded the arrest and conviction of three Nazi spies here. Milton Krinz, Warner scenarist, and other WB production aides quietly attended the spy trial sessions. Turrou will go to the Coast later. 'One Big Union' of A AAA Affiliates Faces Delay, Says Thomson of SAG Consolidation of affiliated branches of the four A's into "one big union" is improbable for some time to come, due to numerous obstacles; however, a number of moves are slated which will strengthen the organization and help to reduce operating costs, Ken Thomson, executive-secretary of the Screen Actors Guild told The Film Daily yesterday. Thomson is here to confer with Mrs. Florence Marston, eastern head of SAG, and executives of the AAAA and other organizations. He expects to return to the Coast sometime next week. The SAG exec, stated that the union was in good shape financially, and that the new regulations were working out satisfactorily. New indie producers will (.Continued on Page 7) GFD Exec. Here to Talk "Mikado" Distrib. Deal Negotiations for the American release of the Technicolor feature, "The Mikado," will get under way this week via Joseph Somlo, associate producer of General Film Distributors, Ltd., who arrived in New York yesterday aboard the Queen Mary. Somlo declared that a major release for the production, which was made by Gilbert & Sullivan Films, Ltd., and produced by Geoffrey Toye and directed by Victor Schertzinger, is in the offing here and that the British premiere is slated to take place in London next month. He said the picture cost very close to $1,000,000 to make, and that it will be followed shortly by other (Continued on Page 3) U. S. Court's Writ Blocks Enforcement of Anti-Ascap Measure in Tennessee UA Closes Product Deals with B & K, Great States Product deals with B & K and Great States circuits in Chicago have been closed by United Artists for the 1938-39 season. Deal covers 75 (Continued on Page 3) Knoxville, Tenn. — Enforcement of Tennessee's anti-Ascap law, enacted in May, 1937, was blocked here yesterday when Federal Judge George C. Taylor and two associates, sitting as a Statutory Court, granted Ascap's application for an injunction. Writ enjoins the State's Attor (Continued on Page 3) A. Stein will Head Exchange System, Jack Cohn Announces Columbia is setting up some six offices in France for the distribution of product, with A. Stein in charge of operations there, and is also set to effectuate a new pact for British quota films, to fulfill its requirements, when Irving Asher arrives in New York next week on the same liner with Alexander Korda, it was declared last night by Jack Cohn, Columbia vice-president, upon his arrival from England aboard the Queen Mary. During his visit to France, Cohn said, he reached an agreement with four different French producers to supply Columbia with one film each (Continued on Page 7) DICKINSON APPOINTED PARA. U.K. SALES CHIEF London (By Cable) — C. J. Dickinson has been named Paramount's general sales manager for the United Kingdom, succeeding Montague Goldman who recently resigned. Appointment was made by (Continued on Page 3) Mandell to Succeed Dowd as RKO Theaters Ad Head John Dowd, director of publicity and advertising for RKO theaters, is leaving the company next Friday after 21 years of service with the Keith organization. Dowd will be (Continued on Page 3) 128,000 See "Angels" Warners' "Angels With Dirty Faces" and supporting stage show topped by Ted Lewis and ork chalked up more than 128,000 paid admissions rn the first week at the N. Y. Strand. WB home office reported yesterday. That's a new high for the combination policy there. Picture starts its second week today and is set for a third.