The Film Daily (1939)

M 7 H I » 14 ! ) U I) I S T _yy_ AAXHST Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought I ILL UUP! DO NOT REMOVE The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Twenty-One Years Old VO r=J76, NO. 101 NEW YORE, WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 22, 1939 TEN CENTS Mexico Slashes Tariff on Imports of Argentine Films HEAR UJUILMS ACT INTUlL STANDS JTMARCH Premiums, Giveaways Acute Industry Problem in Ont. Circuits Now Using Premiums With Other Biz Stimulants in Demand Toronto — Use of premiums and giveaways, rapidly spreading through the province, is becoming an acute industry problem. Not only indie houses, but circuit theaters are employing dinner-ware, ovenware and silverware as premiums, while other exhibs. are using Foto Night, Treasure of Gold and Cash Quiz as biz stimulants. Famous Players Canadian and Associated are in the Foto-Night column. In some situations, the premium has eclipsed the film bill, being fea (Continued on Page 3) TO RESUME CANADIAN CLEARANCE PARLEYS Toronto — Efforts to reach an agreement on a clearance and priority plan for Canadian exhibitors will be resumed this week when representatives of the Anti-Protection League and major distributors are scheduled to meet. Exchange managers have been conferring among themselves and with their New York home offices by mail in order to hit on some plan that would be accepted mutually. There is also the expectation that (Continued on Page 7) RKO Holiday Period Policy Calls for Three Closings RKO circuit is closing three theaters and dropping vaudeville from two others under a holiday period policy, according to J. J. O'Connor, head of operations. The Grand Theater, Columbus, O., (Continued on Page 3) It's Thanksgiving In observance of Thanksgiving Day, Federal and State holiday, THE FILM DAILY will not be published tomorrow. Ontario IT A Pressing Drive to Organize Canadian Indies Into National Association Toronto — Drive to organize a national indie exhib. association is under way here under leadership of Harry Alexander, ITA of Ontario prexy. Plan calls for enrollment of associate members in the ITA at $5 per head. National body, according to Alexander, will have two purposes: "To protect indies' investments and to mass their strength for the purpose of lifting the indie theater business here out of the rut." October Admissions Tax Collections Below September, But Ahead of 1938 Washington Bureau, of THE FILM DAILY Washington—While October, 1939, admissions tax collections fell behind the September figure of $1,852,256.14, the total of $1,727,931.46 was substantially ahead of the October, 1938, aggregate of $1,596,367, the Internal Revenue Bureau reported yesterday. Broadway October figures show a slight drop compared to same month of last year and a substantial decrease compared to September, 1939, figures. Collection for Broadway area for October, 1939, was reported at $277,255.98 compared to $285,505.97 for same month of 1938, a drop of $8,249.99. October collection is $267,836.46 less than the $545,092.44 collection for September, 1939. Odeon to Operate Seven Para. Houses Under Deal London (By Cable) — Seven Paramount theaters here are expected to pass to Odeon operation today when it is understood that contracts are to be signed. Deal was set for closing at about the time the war broke out but was deferred. Odeon's operation of seven Para mount theaters in London rests entirely with the British circuit, it was said at the Paramount home office yesterday. The theaters will remain Paramount properties but will be operated by Odeon. It was said that Paramount had agreed to the deal and that it was up to Odeon to exercise it. Mexico Cuts Tariff on Argentine Pix to Less Than Half That Paid by U. S. Syracuse Unit of Allied Will Oppose Neely's Bill Syracuse — Local New York Allied unit yesterday went on record opposing the Neely Bill, voting to make every effort to defeat it at a meeting that was well attended. Rap Merriman presided, with Ed Souhami, counsel, attending. By MARCO-AUREJJO GALINDO FILM DAILY Staff Correspondent Mexico, D. F. — Distributors of Argentine films, in their present drive to capture part of the Mexican market at the expense of American companies, have won a sizeable tariff concession from the Mexican Government. As a resullt of negotiations just (Continued on Page 4) Stanley's Statement Due Today; Quotas Largely Met by U. S. Firms On the eve of a full statement on the British quota situation, which Oliver Stanley, head of the British Board of Trade, will make today, it was learned that practically every American film company has fulfilled its quota requirements until next March. The renters' year under the Films Act expires on Mar. 31. Stanley advised the Films Council, of which Sir Frederich Whyte is chairman, in London yesterday that he would make his quota report today. The Film Daily learned by cable that it was understood in London that the gist of Stanley's statement would indicate that the Films Act in its entirety would continue (Continued on Page 4) SUES cenuTrcuit, MAJORS AND 2 INDIES Anti-trust suit for $75,000 triple damages was filed yesterday in Federal Court by Mobeel Enterprises, Inc., operator of the Glenwood Theater, Brooklyn, against the Century Circuit, Inc., the eight majors, Mono (Continued on Page 3) 9-Theater, 6-City Debut for "Gone With the Wind" "Gone With the Wind" will make its debut in nine theaters in six cities, following its world premiere in Atlanta on Dec. 15, M-G-M an (Continued on Page 7) Sweet Charity Atlanta — World premiere of S-I's "Gone With the Wind" at Loew's Grand here on Dec. 15 will be a benefit for the Atlanta Community Fund. Straight $10 admission will prevail for the 2.051seat house. GWTW Ball at the 5,100se'at City Auditorium on the eve of the premiere also will be for sweet charity under Junior League sponsorship.