The Film Daily (1939)

10 ; W^V DAILY Thursday, December 21, 1939 EQUITY SUIT GOING TO TRIAL-ARNOLD {Continued from Page 1) being circulated in the motion picture industry that the equity action of United States vs. Paramount Pictures Inc., et al., pending in the District Court for the Southern District of New York, will not go to trial," the statement declared. "These reports are being circulated notwithstanding the fact that it was stipulated by counsel for the Government and the defendants that the case will proceed to trial on May 1, 1940. "Any such reports as are being circulated to the above effect are utterly without foundation. The Department fully expects that the case will go to trial on that date. All necessary steps for preparation are being taken. "Through pre-trial conferences, to be held commencing March 1, 1940, it is hoped that the length of the trial may be materially shortened," the statement declared. Lucey's article said: "Justice Department officials charged today that attempts are being made from within the moving picture industry to sabotage government anti-trust suits brought against the industry to stop alleged illegal trade practices. "These officials struck at propaganda they said was being circulated to the effect that the anti-trust cases never would come to trial or that compromises would be reached on issues involved in the fight. . . . "Expressions of resentment at what they termed sabotage came from members of the Justice Department staff actually engaged in preparing the cases. "These officials said that while there has been talk of a revised code which would change some of the trade practices in the industry at which the government is striking, the industry has not come in with any concrete, written proposals. "They expressed the opinion that the government would never compromise on any proposed solution which fails to divorce the producing and distributing end of the motion picture business from exhibiting end." Questioned on the newspaper article, a Justice Dep't spokesman said the industry was committing "sabotage," not by taking definite steps to halt the trial, but by informing exhibitors and others that the case would never go to trial. The statement that the industry "has not come in with any concrete, written proposals" means no proposals acceptable to the Department have been brought in. It was explained, the Trade Practice Code was a definite proposal, but was rejected by Arnold. They Prefer Movies to Museums in Chi. Chicago — Chicagoans prefer films to visiting the city's museums at night, the City Council's Recreation Committee was told by the Art Institute's director at a hearing on a proposal to keep the 61 city museums open nightly for visitors. Exhibs. interests are opposing the plan. Midnight Frolics Become Night Scenes Too Dark, Toronto Exhibitor Problem! Detroit Exhib. Contends Toronto — Midnight frolics, staged by business men's and service clubs, are shaping up as an exhibitor problem here. Practice is for the clubs to take over theaters for the frolics which in some instances run three nights. Usual admission charge is 50 cents. Frequently, there are hundreds of turn-aways. Programs are largely "flesh" although occasionally a film is shown. While theaters get a flat rental, exhibitors are turning to the view that whatever is gained that way is more than offset by the loss in regular patronage. New Holt Vehicle West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Jack Holt's next starring picture will be "Passport to Altracez," featuring Noah Beery, Jr. Picture will be produced by Larry Darmour for Columbia release. Albert DeMond is doing the screenplay from his own original story. Picture will go into production, December 26th, under the direction of Lew Collins. Federer to Take Vaudeville Lincoln, Neb. — So successful was vaudeville at the Liberty theater here early this month, Howard Federer, general manager, announces himself as open for any and all bookings for three days or more each week. Vaude was scaled at 35c-55c, highest per person asked in seven years. Detroit — Dark films causing audience eyestrain and unsatisfactory screen reception are criticized by exhibitors here. Al Rupert, of the Rupert Theater, attacked present production practice in a statement, particularly claiming that night scenes should be filmed much lighter. Arthur Robinson, head of the Robinson Circuit, blamed much of the trouble on inadequate or infrequent cleaning of prints by both majors and independents, and called for a firm exhib. demand for clean prints. Baker Quits Affiliated Indianapolis — Tom Baker, vicepresident and general manager of Affiliated Theaters, Inc., has resigned his position and is succeeded by Joe Smith. Film Information Bureau Detroit — The Greater Detroit Motion Picture Council is planning to establish an information bureau on films in the public libraries of Detroit and suburbs. "Harvest" Set in Boston The French Cinema Center has set "Harvest" in Boston for its firstrun at the Fine Arts Theater early in 1940. Hibbert House Starts Williamina, Ore.— W. M. Hibbert's new house, replacing the Gem, closed, has opened. High Praise for GWTW From N. Y. Critics WORLD -TELEGRAM (William Boehnel) : Faced with a task almost as overwhelming as bringing Margaret Mitchell's fabulous novel to the screen, Miss Leigh does an exciting job — dazzling, inexhaustible, vibrant and vital. JOURNAL AND AMERICAN (Rose Pelswick) : Producer David O. Selznick has accomplished at one and the same time an engrossing entertainment, a spectacle of consummate artistry, and the definitely colossal job of trying to please all the sternly opinionated readers of the Mitchell best-seller. POST (Archer Winsten) : Let it suffice to say that whoever made "Gone With the Wind" and is responsible for its taste, beauty and magnificence, that person has raised a gigantic monument to himself in movie annals. SUN (Eileen Creelman) : Its popularity is assured and as solid as that of the novel from which it has sprung, live, breathless and magnificent. DAILY NEWS (Kate Cameron) : There never has been a picture like David O. Selznick's production of "Gone With the Wind." (Wanda Hale) : "Gone With the Wind" is the most magnificent motion picture of all times. TIMES (Frank S. Nugent): It is the greatest motion mural we have seen and the most ambitious film-making venture in Hollywood's spectacular history. HERALD TRIBUNE (Howard Barnes) : Without question it is destined to rank among the major history-making events of the cinema, for it is certain to smash all sorts of box office records. DAILY MIRROR (Bland Johaneson) : Vast in its sweep, alive in its color, vivid in its characterization, "Gone With the Wind" is one of those rare films which truly is big. WALL STREET JOURNAL (R.P.C.) : It is a gargantuan slice of Hollywood skill at its best, a fine American document and a living evidence of wholesale co-operation in the cinematic art. BROOKLYN EAGLE (Herbert Cohn) : A sensitive and intelligent photoplay that is by far the most beautiful sight in years, the most touching drama in months. SAG'S MORGAN FAVORS EASTERN PRODUCTION (Continued from Page 1) play, thereby closing the show and putting a number of people out of work. He pointed out that where f^fcre are director-producer units iraumig pictures, such as Frank Lloyd or Frank Capra, and the locale of the picture was in and around New York, production in New York should present no difficulties and help the producer. Kate Smith-Pix Tieup Twentieth Century-Fox has closed arrangements with General Foods whereby it will air a preview of Darryl Zanuck's "Swanee River" on the Kate Smith program, Dec. 29, at 8-9 p.m., over a Coast-to-Coast CBS network. Don Ameche, Al Jolson and Nancy Kelly will come to New York to take part in the broadcast. AFRA Readies Dance Johnny Green's orchestra has been signed for AFRA's first dance to be held Jan. 20 at the Hotel Plaza. Betty Garde, chairman of the entertainment committee, is arranging details of an hour floor show. Well-known radio, picture and stage stars will appear. Louisville's Ohio Passing Louisville, Ky.— The Ohio Theater, owned by the Settos chain of Indianapolis, will close after the last show Dec. 31. House will be razed. Roxy, Atlanta, Reopening Atlanta, Ga.— The Roxy Theater, closed since last summer, will reopen Sunday with a film-stage policy. CHRISTMAS SEALS Help to Protect Your Home from Tuberculosis