The Film Daily (1940)

M P I' \<U ID A U I b I 2 n W U^T H ST Intim^i^e in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought DO NOT REMOVE The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Twenty-One Years Old ap rOL. 77. NO. 66 NEW YORK. WEDNESDAY. APRIL 3. 1940 TEN CENTS Mew England Exhibs. Take Stand Against Consent Plan CONGRElMAY GET REVlfD D OF C CONSENT PLAN Franchise Holders To Acquire $100,000 or Mono. Stock f. C. Davis Elected to Board; 26 Features, 24 Westerns for 1940-41 j Plan whereby Monogram franjhise holders will acquire stock in ;he company in excess of $100,000 vas disclosed yesterday by W. Ray 'Ifohnston, prexy, following a board Jneeting. It was also announced that the annual franchise holders' sales Ineeting would be held in Dallas ^A.pril 21-22 at the Baker Hotel following the Variety Club convention, ,«fith the contemplated program for itiext season to comprise 50 feature pictures. Col. T. C. Davis, an officer of (Continued on Page 7) ATLANTIC CITY MEET FOR "U" IN PROSPECT Atlantic City is favored as Universal's convention city, it was learned yesterday. Parley, it is understood, will open about May 15 if present plans carry. Definite decision and announce;ment awaits the return from the Coast of William A. Scully, sales chief. Floods Close Theaters in Three Penn, Towns Flood waters along the Susquehanna River yesterday caused theater business to be suspended in Sunbury, Plymouth and Kingston, Pa. Theaters were operating in Wilker-Barre and Scranton, although the situation was such that conditions might change during the night. Court Directs Dismissal of Lloyd Plagiarism Suit Dismissal of the infringement suit of William Jordan Rapp and Lowell Brentano against Harold Lloyd and Harold Lloyd Corp. was ordered yesterday by Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard after trial lasting several {Continued on Page 7) Missouri Supreme Court Denies Writ of Review in IVich and Weston Ouster St. Louis — Missouri Supreme Court en banc at Jefferson City yesterday denied last week's petition of John P. Nick, vice-president of the lATSE, and Clyde A. Weston, deposed business manager of local 143, operators union, for a writ of certiorari for review of the decision of the St. Louis Court of Appeals upholding their removal from control of union affairs. The review was sought on the ground that the ruling of the Appellate Court was in conflict with controlling decisions of the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals decision Feb. 6 affirmed a judgment by Circuit Judge Ernest F. Oakley ousting Nick and Weston and appointing temporary receivers for the union. Fly Defends FCC*s Order Rescinding Start of Commercial Tele in Fa Television officials were asked not to sell "this stripling — television — down the river" yesterday by FCC Commissioner James Lawrence Fly at an address given at the Advertising Club's radio luncheon. Fly made a vigorous defense of the FCC's recent action in rescinding its order regarding limited tele commercialization, basing the FCC's action on his belief that public interests were at stake. Stating that the FCC was charged with fostering research, {Continued on Page 6) Kurtzman and Raymond New Loew Div. Managers Joseph R. Vogel, Loew executive, yesterday made two appointments in his district manager staff. Charlie Kurtzman, Loew manager in Pittsburgh, was named as division manager with headquarters in Boston, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of H. M. Addison. In (.Continued on Page 7) Election of Davidson Faces Court Challenge Federal Judge Samuel Mandelbaum will be asked to vacate today the designation of James A. Davidson as trustee of Educational Pictures, Inc., on the ground that he was not properly elected by creditors of the company. The application, which is made by Harry G. (Continued on Page 7) Independent Exhibitors, Inc., Notifies Jackson It Opposes Any Consent Plan To Complete PCC Conclave Program at Meet Tomorrow IVest Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — ^Final meeting of the program committee for the first annual convention of the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theater Owners to be held at the Ambassador Hotel on May 8-10, has been (Continued on Page 6) Boston — The board of directors of Independent Exhibitors, Inc., yesterday presented a unanimous front against the granting of a consent decree in Government equity suit. The organization met on film row yesterday in company with a number of invited non-affiliated circuit representatives. Frank Lydon, president; Arthur K. Howard, executive secretary; and (Continued on Page 7) Commerce's Proposals Still in "Talking Stage," Says D of J B7 PRESCOTT DENNETT Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Further revision of the Department of Commerce proposals for out-ofcourt settlement of the New York equity suit against the majors and their submission to Congress looms as at least a possibility, it was learned last night. Such a move, of course, would tie in with House consideration of the Neely bill, and its possible (Continued on Page 6) METRO SALETPARLEY IN CHI. ON MAY 20? Metro's sales convention may open about May 20 in Chicago, scene of last year's parley, it was reported yesterday. Metro's branch managers in the East will convene today at the New York exchange to discuss GWTW from the subsequent-run standpoint. Industry Execs. Attend Louis Frisch Luncheon Testimonial luncheon was tendered yesterday to Louis Frisch at Dinty Moore's by a number of industry execs, upon the circuit exec's return from Florida. Arrangements for the luncheon were made by Edward Schnitzer and Roy Haines. Among those present were Samuel (Continued on Page 7) Central Casting Corporation Slated for Reorganization West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — ^Association of Motion Picture Producers will appoint a committee to reorganize Central Casting Corp. which has been severely criticized by the SAG. Association has arranged to place (Continued on Page 3)