The Film Daily (1940)

DiiLY Monday, April 8, 19 FILM ALLIANCE WILL HANDLE 50 BRIT. PIX {Continued from Page 1) liance in a top spot among independent distributors of foreign and domestic product. Wachsberger brought back the distribution rights to 25 completed negatives from British studios and commitments involving 25 other stories to be made this year at the Denham, Elstree, Ealing and other studios. "Let George Do It," a popular anti-Nazi comedy, which Wachsberger said was the No. 1 hit in England, is considered the most important of the picture rights he brought over. Two important European producers are scheduled to arrive in the U, S. shortly to be associated with Film Alliance, Wachsberger said, adding that several French directors would join the studio setup. Wachsberger leaves later this week for the Coast to prepare for production. Norman Elson, sales manager, announced that in some cities Fine Arts would operate its own exchanges and in others the company would continue to distribute through franchise holders. Slot Ifiachine Ifiovies Face Chi. Censorship; Police Board to I^iove into H-IH mm. Field Chicago — Advent of nickcl-in-thc-slot films here will be the signal for the Police Censor Board to exercise its jurisdiction in the 8 and 16 mm. fields, it is learned. Board in the past has winked at both, although it is empowered to preview and censor all 8 and 16 mm. footage. Board's standard inspection fees will be imposed. De Luxe Would Oust Brown Will Rogers Theater Week As Educational's Trustee! Start Deferred to Apr. 25 I Continued from Page \) Brown as trustee of Educational Films Corp. of America. The hearing will be held Wednesday along with an application to vacate the designation of James R. Davidson as trustee of Educational Pictures, parent organization. Earle Hammons, president of both companies, was examined yesterday at a meeting of creditors of Educational Films. He testified as to the details of contracts which transferred the 35 mm. rights of Educational films to Grand National. GE Orders Up 12.2% Schenectady — GE first quarter orders totaled '$97,490,047 as against $86,882,953 in 1939, gain of 12.2 per cent. Film Carriers Comply Chicago — Checkup shows all film carriers operating out of here have complied with the new state motor law. DNi ©m m%%oum WEAVER BROTHERS and ELVIRY (.Continued from Page 1) is disclosed by Maj. L. E. Thompson, campaign chairman. Shift was to obtain the sei^vices of Bette Davis, Judy Garland and Kay Kyser for the campaign short, "If I Forget You," which takes its title from a number by Irving Caesar. Three companies, Warners, Fox Movietone and Metro donated the use of studios and equipment. Coast sequences were arranged for by Harold Rodner, vice-pres. of the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital. A. P. Waxman, director of campaign, handled all local production and arrangements. Burke Symon, 20th Century-Fox, directed the Kay Kyser sequence of the short. Preparations and settings were supervised by Steve Fitzgibbon of Fox Movietone. Eastman Kodak. Dupont-Pathe and Filmex-Gevaert have contributed raw stock for the short which will be distributed by National Screen Service. Nick Quits lATSE Post on Plea of "ill Health" wfj i voure sr>U aV.ve. \ .^^ )^/' JUNE STOREY MARJORIE GATESON THURSTON HALL THE HALL JOHNSON CHOIR DIRECTED BY FRANK McDONALD (Continued from Page 1) had accompanied George Browne, lATSE prexy, here. Disclosure of Nick's resignation came on the heels of the restoration by Browne of local autonomy to Local 143, operators, which in turn brought to a finale the 16 months' struggle that resulted in the ouster of Nick and Clyde A. Weston from the Local's management. Harry Barco and Robert Thomsen, leaders in the fight to oust Nick and Weston, have been elected prexy and business agent of the Local. Settlement of the F & M-Local 143 conti'oversy was indicated when pickets were withdrawn Friday from F & M and St. Louis Amusement Co. houses. Northern Ohio Picture Council to be Weighed Cleveland — Organization of a Northern Ohio Picture Council will be discussed and considered at a forum meeting at the Hotel Statler on May 2 in connection with the third Motion Picture Festival of the Cleveland Cinema Club. Festival is set for April 28-May 4. Mrs. William R. Thomas is Festival committee chairman, Mrs. Frank R. Anderson, prexy of the club. FDR at Para. Premiere? Albany, Ga.— FDR and the Governors of Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina have been invited to see Para.'s "The Biscuit Eater" bow in here Thursday. 23 STARS SLAP NEELY BILL IN JOINT LETTE (Continued from Page 1) first place, the 23 declare, "We a convinced that this bill is high harmful to the American screen ai against the best interests of t American public." Signers embrace Joan Crawfoi Fredric March, Edward G. PgVnso, Tyrone Power, Don Amecvin^Alil Faye, Ralph Morgan, Billie BurkI Conrad Nagel, Jean Hersholt, JoMcCrea, Madeleine Carroll, Bi Hope, Gary Cooper, Joan Blond Dick Powell, Eddie Cantor, Robi Taylor, Norma Shearer, Walla Beery, Ralph Bellamy, Jeffrey Lyi^ and Joan Bennett. Asking that their views be broug! to the committee's attention "at tJ proper time," the stars write, part : "Anyone acquainted with the mal ing of pictures knows that the ai vance synopsis section of the B: is an absurdity. It would build stone wall around production, d stroy the experimental progress ! vital to the development of tl screen and result in pictures heir turned out like automobiles on a assembly line. "The finest, most entertaining pi tures we have appeared in have bee the ones in which there has bee constant revision, gradual shapir of plot structure, compromises 1 strengthen storj' values — in otht words, exceptional pictures neve are cut to a pattern. Under tl: Neely bill every picture would t cut to a pattern. "Pictures are made to entertai the public. We do not believe th Congress of the United States woul wish to be responsible for the in: pairment of this service to all th people. In fairness to our industr — we have demonstrated that we ca produce, under present methods truly excellent pictures — the Neel bill should be defeated. We can' see why it was proposed in the firs, place." Majors Denied Dismissal of Vermont Trust Actioi (Continued from Page 1) hibitor, have been denied followinf federal court hearing at Burlingtor Vermont. Also denied was a motioi to void parts of original complain which was brought by Attorne: George S. Ryan. Schary on "Bolivar" Mission West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAM] HoUyAvood — Dore Schary left late last week for Washington, D. C., or a mission for M-G-M in connection with the proposed filming of "Thd Life of Simon Bolivar." The wi'itei will confer with the U. S. Cabinet officers and Ambassadors from Latin-i American countries on the approach to the subject matter. He will re-i turn to Hollywood in about tNVC| weeks.