The Film Daily (1939)

Wednesday, June 7, 1939 m DAILY D OF G-FILM CONFAB AGAIN NEXT WEEK {Continued from Page 1) s-even-hour session, J. H. Hazen, executive vice-president of Warners, is remaining here as "contact" man for the industry, and he will confer further today with Commerce Dear T*nt officials. No official comment was forthcoming following the meeting from either industry execs, or government officials, but Will H. Hays revealed that block-booking was one I of the foremost questions tabled for . discussion earlier yesterday. Those present at yesterday's meeting included Will H. Hays, Nicholas M. Schenck, Harry M. Warner, 'George J. Schaefer and J. H. Hazen tor the film industry and Harry L. Hopkins, Nathan D. Golden, Ernest Tuffer and Dr. Willard Thorpe represented the Department of Commerce. Thorpe Only One to Comment Dr. Thorpe apparently served as official spokesman for the government bureau at the close of the meeting as no comment could be elicited from any other executive at the huddle. Thorpe said: "We are going to meet again tomorrow with J. H. Hazen of Warner Brothers in regard to the problems of the industry we discussed today." He added that the arbitration code matter had come up at conference, but it had not been discussed at any great length. In reply to questions regarding future action, Thorpe said: "There are no strings on us as to what we are going to do," with observers believing it was an indication of action on both Justice Department and Capitol Hill block-booking fronts. Hays did not return to the afternoon session following a noon-hour recess. Specific Problems Not Discussed Questioned by The Film Daily when he left the meeting at noon, Hays stated that a discussion of all problems in the industry which conferees thought of had been held, but that there had been no specific problem discussed literally as yet. Secretary Hopkins and his ranking aides were believed last night to oe studying a copy of the new trade practice code and proposed voluntary arbitration system. Commerce officials said last night that they exipected to delve into a vast mass of survey data on the industry covering all phases from block-booking to for3ign distribution at today's meeting with Hazen. Sidney R. Kent, 20th-Fox prexy, whose name was among those announced to participate in the conference, did not attend. It was explained that he was in South Amerca. Ben Cohen, Administration "brain iruster," created a flurry of excitement by appearing on the fifth floor Df the Commerce Building while the At Commerce Depths. Conference on Industry Problems The wide, wide range of problems today confronting the film industry was considered by these and other conferees who assembled in the V. S. Department of Commerce yesterday at the invitation of Secretary Harry Hopkins. WILL H. HAYS NICHOLAS M. SCHENCK HARRY M. WARNER GEORGE J. SCHAEFER NATHAN D. COLDEN Carolina Exhibs. Close Session with "Play Day" Myrtle Beach, S. C— Yesterday was "play day" for members and guests of the Theater Owners Ass'n of South Carolina holding their semi-annual convention at the Ocean Forest Hotel here. Approximately 200 were registered for the three-day meet, exceeding all former attendance records. conference was in session. It developed, however, that his interest was elsewhere — a parley on the extension of credit to small business, specifically. Cohen, credited with playing a major role in the evolution of the new policy, told The Film Daily that he knew nothing of the film parley. The conference came as a surprise to Rep. Andrew Edmiston, Democrat, W. Va., sponsor of the House anti-block-booking and blind-selling measure, companion to the Neely bill. He said he would confer with Senator Matthew M. Neely today and a statement might follow. Abram F. Myers, Allied board chairman and general counsel, was not available yesterday for a statement on Allied's position, deemed important in view of its support of Government litigation and regulatory legislation. D of J Plans Unchanged Thurman Arnold spent the day attending Temporary National Economic Committee meeting of which he is a member, but The Film Daily learned last night from another high ranking Justice Department official that the Commerce Department move will not in any way defer the filing of other suits against the industry by the Justice Department. "Oh, goodness no," was the exclamation of this executive when queried as to the possibility any change in D of J suit plans had been provoked by the Commerce conciliation movement. It is assumed that an official statement will be issued by the Commerce Department at conclusion of the conference. Union Walkout at Fair Looms After Royal Visit (Continued from Page 1) Trades Council will be ended at the conclusion of the visit to the Fair of the King and Queen of England unless "necessary" adjustments in conditions now said to be existent are made, it was learned last night. Unanimous vote on this action, which will mean a general walkout by these unions with a strong possibility that other unions will join the walkout in sympathy, was taken at a meeting of representatives of the Theatrical Trades Council unions, which include the musicians, operators, studio mechanics, American Federation of Actors, cameramen, stagehands and others. Action is said to be the result of continued difficulties encountered at the Fair by the operators' union and the actors' organization. Principal complaint has been jurisdictional encroachment by other unions, with wage scales, working conditions and other matters also not satisfactory in some cases, it has been charged by the Council. Negotiations will be continued with the Fair right to the deadline set by the Council and hope is held satisfactory adjustments can be made. A general walkout would virtually cripple the amusement area, it is believed. 8 TO 10 BRITISH FILMS FOR PARA. IN '39-40 (.Continued from Page 1) pix under the British Films Act has not been determined, Hicks said, the decision hinging upon stories and casts. Hicks, with Adolph Zukor, Para, board chairman, leaves for Australia shortly after the convention closes. They will return to the U. S. together and Hicks will leave for London in the Fall. Para, has no plans to produce "Down Under," according to Hicks. Speaking over a portable mike at the tiainside at Omaha, Prexy Barney Balaban told station KOIL listeners that the current run of "Union Pacific" at Paramount's Plaza in London is producing such large grosses that company representatives there feel the pix will have run of at least 16 weeks, playing until October. Balaban's mention of the British premiere was linked to Omaha's interest in the film which has its world premiere in that city. Da-Lite Under Code Chicago — Da-Lite Screen Co., Inc., has placed its products under Fair Trade regulations. "The XYZ has ancient sound, that's why it's in the red." Its owner sits wake all night with worry in the head." T "In the theatre down the street the business is terrific." For Better Box Office, Install Better Sound THE^RCflPH0T0PH0NE MAGIC VOICE of the SCREEN with Rotary Stabilizer— / plus SHOCK-PROOF DRIVE / Better sound means better box office— and RCA tubes mean better sound RCA Manufacturing Co., Inc. Camden, New Jersey • A Service of the Radio Corporation of America