The Film Daily (1939)

Tuesday, December 19, 1939 62V2% British Remittance is Foreseen by GB Executive Dixon Boardman to Confer with U. S. Companies on Baird Television (.Continued from Page 1) lent to 62% per cent. Boardman also stated that Gaumont British theaters were now operating only between 8 and 10 per cent below normal, with the attendance indice steadily rising. Boardman indicated that he would speak to top executives of both Metro and 20th-Fox while here regarding Baird Television, a subsidiary of GB, in which company the two American majors own approximately a 43 per cent stock interest jointly. He stated that it was completely indefinite at this time as to what Baird planned to do here. Possibility that some sort of licensing arrangement for the manufacture of equipment here had been considered, he indicated, if such plan was found feasible. He said that Baird would probably push its theater tele more than home sets if anything is done on this side. He disclosed that Gaumont British, itself as a producing organization, was not making any pictures at this time, with future plans indefinite, although Gainsborough, a GB subsidiary, was making pictures in conjunction with 20th-Fox and Genei'al Film Distributors, and had tentatively lined up one film in which Metro would be interested. It was learned that Fox may abandon its New World production company title in England for a 20thFox title, but that plans about this were still being worked on. Boardman said that there was no shortage of studio space, facilities for production or technicians; single problem was the threat of Nazi bombing. The deal under which 20th-Fox distributes GB product in this country may be discontinued if the company does not turn over pictures to be handled here, he said, adding that the arrangement had been entered into principally for the purpose of liquidating GB product already on hand here. He emphasized the fact, however, that close co-operation existed between the two companies and renewals or discontinuance of arrangements between them could al WEDDING BELLS Cincinnati — Miss Davira Libson, daughter of Isaac Libson, vice-president and general manager, RKO Midwest Corp., will be married Christmas Day at the Netherland Plaza Hotel at 12:30 p.m. to Junius Fisher, president of the General Display Co. A reception will follow. Milwaukee, Wis. — Miss Bernadine Ryan, former Fox Wisconsin Amusement Corp. employee here, was married to Vernon L. Olson in Dubuque, la. $20,000 Christmas Bonus by Robb~Roivley Dallas, Texas — Five hundred employes of the Robb & Rowley Theaters, scattered through the Southwest, will be given $20,000 in Christmas bonuses, H. 6. Robb, president, has announced. This will amount to about two weeks' salary for each. Six Weeks Before Any More N.Y.C. Houses Get "GWTW" Mass Meetings to Speed Ohio War on Air's "Turns'' (Continued from Page 1) in the Metropolitan area, indications are that it will not be done for at least six weeks. It has been reported unofficially that the picture would play the Valencia, Jamaica; Metropolitan, Brooklyn, and the Paradise, The Bronx, but to date the subject has not gone beyond the conversation stage among Loew executives. All three theaters are dated up with important product until the middle of January and it appears unlikely, according to one official, that these pictures will be pushed back to permit "Wind" to open within a six-week period. "Gone With the Wind" will probably not show in second and thirdrun houses before two years' time, David O. Selznick said yesterday. Stating that film will be released generally within a short time in key cities, probably by the end of January, he said that it would take two years before it reached second and third-run nabe houses. Adams, WB Controller London (By Cable) — Warners has appointed Keith E. Adams as circuits controller. ways be satisfactorily worked out. Boardman expressed the opinion that blocked currencies in England of American companies could be used for production purposes or purchasing theaters, materials or equipment without any interference from the Government, although no definite rulign has been handed down as yet. He also expressed the opinion that it was not likely any change would be made in the present quota provisions for the time being, although some modification might be effected if found absolutely necessary. When asked if any proposed credit bank plans, or other financing arrangements reportedly under discussion, might be effectuated, he said there was nothing that had transpired recently to give any indication of agreement on any financing plans for production. A hopeful note for a further gain in theater operations was sounded by Boardman, who said that getting away from the stagger system in London was under discussion now. with theater operators hopeful all houses would be allowed to remain open until 11 at night in the near future in London and also in other evacuation areas. (Continued from Page \) cording to Wood, each participating theater will be assessed three cents per seat; in event the award is paid out each house will be assessed their pro rata share of the prize money. Initial fund is merely to guarantee payment. When the campaign is ended, the money held in deposit will be returned to the contributing theaters. Three mass meetings have been called by Wood for this week, when final details will be worked out and a definite number of participating houses ascertained. Meetings scheduled are: Cincinnati, at the Variety Club tomorrow; Thursday, Cleveland, ITO offices in Film Bldg., and Friday, Columbus at the Variety Club. Wood stated that every effort will be made to assure the success of the campaign. Trailers, banners, one-sheets, throwaways and newspaper publicity are in the offing. Marcus Loew's Theaters Will Clean Up Arrears Montreal — Balance of arrears of dividend on the preferred stock of Marcus Loew's Theaters, Ltd.. will be paid off within two years, F. M. Kimbark, vice-president, told shareholders at the annual meeting. These arrears total $14 a share and have in recent years been reduced annually by payments of $7 a share, along with the regular dividends. Kimbark stated that earnings since the year ended Aug. 30 were about at the same level as in the previous year. Reports were approved and directors re-elected. Two Majors Said Talking Settlement of Ford Suit Chicago — Negotiations with two defendant companies looking to an out of court settlement of the pending anti-trust suit brought by Frank Ford, operating the Stadium theater, Evanston, are proceeding apace, it was learned last night. Identity of the two majors was not disclosed. RKO Sets Four Deals Four additional circuit deals for 1939-40 product were announced yesterday by Ned E. Depinet, RKO vicepresident. Pacts were signed with the Publix-Nace circuit of Arizona, Anderson circuit of Illinois, the Demordaunt-Drennent Circuit of Idaho and the Netco houses in upstate New York. EXCHANGE EMPLOYES NEW PACT SIGNED! (Continued from Page 1) ^W' Nov. 30, 1941. Joint committee representing the major companies and the union negotiated the pact in three meetings. No mention was made as to whether or not increases had been granted, but it was believed that an increase was put into effect. Briefs Ordered by Court in Westway Trust Action;, (Continued from Page 1) eral Judge W. Calvin Chestnut reserving decision. Terming the legal questions involved as "intricate," the Court stated that the case would require "a great deal of study" before decision could be announced. Defense attorneys, in their summation, told the judge that if he outlawed the agreements which the Durkee Enterprises has with the distributors, his decicion would upset the entire marketing machinery of the motion picture industry. In these agreements, it had been brought out in testimony, a Durkee theater was given the right to show pictures fourteen days before an independent theater in the same neighborhood. Attorneys for the owners of the Westway argued that the fourteenday "clearance" of the Durkee theater over the Westway was an unreasonable restraint of trade. The Westway owners are Leo H. Homand and J. Marsh Matthews. The distributors named in the complaint are Warner Brothers-Vitagraph, Inc., United Artists, Paramount, Loew's, Inc.; Universal, Columbia and Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation. DuPont Answer Contends Pathe Contract Illegal (Continued from Page 1) contract made Feb. 1925, and that it subsequently boosted the price. The answer denies that the contract is still in force and additionally claims that the Robinson-Patman Act prohibiting price discrimination made the contract illegal. Six Weeks for "Dr. IQ" Denver — "Doctor IQ," with Lew Valentine is playing a six weeks' engagement at the Denver theater. STORKS! Cincinnati — Carl Rohs, Cynthiana, Ky., exhib, is father of a new baby girl.