The Film Daily (1940)

Z ii W A A ST NYC W*\ DilLY Wednesday, June 12, IS 26 French Pictures Produced Since Jan. 1 ( C ,.l!.':<illi 1/ from /'lie/.' I I acquire French product for U. S. distribution. Quoting official fi|j:uies, Heymann said that four pictures weie completed in January, four in February, eight in March, foui in April and six in May. Approximately 35 pictures have been made in France since the outbreak of the war in September. Studio activities at Marseilles were expected to move to Southwestern France near the Spanish border in the event Italy entered the war, Heymann said, an event which already has taken place. Up to last week, Heymann continued, picture production was active to a limited degree and the French goveinment was encouraging the industry to keep operating in spite of the invasion. American pictures were being pationized more than French films in Paris, Heymann said, presumably because their themes permitted the people to get their minds off the war, temporarily at least. Theaters were remaining open until 8:30 P.M. but business was not good, he declared. Newsreel theaters were ordered to show features in addition to the news shots as a move towards easing the tension. While many of the pictures recently completed and now in work have war themes, others are of a lighter nature with no hint of the conflict in them, by order of the Government, Heymann said. One of the pictures just completed was "La Fille du Puisatier," which Heymann expects to release over here. In addition, Heymann acquired 10 French pictures, all of which were produced before the outbreak of the war and dating back to 1935. Amongothers, they include "Cesar," "L'Homme du Nijer," "Jafroi," "Marius," "Topaze," and "Le Chalund Qui Passe." By special permission, Heymann spent five days close to the front and witnessed the exodus of the refugpop from the war-torn areas. Astaire Stars in "Second Chorus" li,:<f Cnasf Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Fred Astaire will play the starring role in "Second Chorus" to be made by Boris Morros-Robert Stillman for Paramount release. HCLLrWOCI) SPEAKING' By RALPH WILK From THE FILM DAILY to Priscilla Lane Ann Rork William Austin HOLLYWOOD Hollywood fable— Once upon a time r;ORDON S. GRIFFITH has been i 'i star picked all his own stories and ^JJ . , , .. J, they were all swush hits. signed as production manager of " "Legacy," which Robert E. Sherwood Prod, will make under a one-picture deal for Columbia. Picture is scheduled to go into production about Aug. 30 ( n the Columbia lot under the direction of Gregory Ratoff, with Warner Baxter in the lead. Pressed for large quarters, the Allied Division of The British War Relief Association, headed by Benita Cclman and Pat Paterson, has moved to 8636 Sunset Blvd. Our Passing Show: — Charles R. ' Rogers. Sol Lesser, Sam Briskin, Hitch your wagon to a star. More Harry Rapf, Joe Schnitzer, George than one studio press agent uses this Raft, Irving Cummings, Gene Pallette, method to hold his job. Richard Flournoy watching the Hollywood and Portland baseball Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ward (Yola clwbs in action; D. A. Doran and D'Avril) are tossing a garden party i Oscar Serlin chatting on Gower for the benefit of Belgian civilians. Street; Harry Joe Brown has been Mickey Rooney will be chairman of down with the 'flu, but is back on the entertainment committee. the job. Nick, Weston Indicted Under Two Federal Laws (Continued from Page 1) Eleven counts of the indictment charge violation of the anti-racketeering law and one count charges violation of the anti-trust law. Federal Judge Charles B. Davis fixed bond at $15,000 for each defendant. They were expected to surrender last night. This is the first time the Federal Government has invoked the antii-acketeering act here. Conviction carries punishment of from one to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of $10,000 or both imprisonment and fine. The anti-trust law punishment is imprisonment up to one vear or a fine up to $5,000 or both. ' Warner Parley to Close With Party for Sears (Continued from Page 1) ner sales conventions will close formally, although district managers will hold individual meetings with their respective forces tomorrow on new product and sales policies. Approximately 300 exhibitors in this territory will attend the party for Sears as will local dignitaries and civic leaders, together with the assembled sales reps. Sales force yesterday heard telecrams from Sam E. Morris, Spyros Skouras and Frisch & Rinzler read by Sears, then saw ATAHT and later were advised of the company's sales policy on the pix. Sales reps, return to their respective headquarters tomorrow. Midwest vs. Mich. Co-op Trial Set for July 18 (Continued from Page 1) booking difficulties, has been set for trial July 18 by Federal Judge Ernest A. O'Brien. Importance of suit and effect it is likely to have in delaying picture buying in the complicated Woodward Avenue booking situation at the start of selling season were reasons given for seeking an early trial. ITOA Invites Indies To Trade Conference (Continued from Page 1) nesday, June 19. Luncheon at 1 o'clock will precede the meeting. Purpose of the meeting is to discuss sales policies, trade practices and other topics of interest to exhibition. Jack Bowen has accepted the invitation on behalf of the New York Film Board of Trade. Harry Brandt will preside. Chi. Contempt Report Hearing Next Monday (Ciinliiiucd from Page 1) month, found B & K and Paramount guilty of violating the 1932 consent decree, but cleared the other majors who had been named as defendants in the Government's action. Latter, however, are expected to be represented by counsel at next Monday's hearing, a preliminary to disposition of the action pending before Federal Judge Woodward. Future of MP Division Up to TMAT's Governors Saul Abraham, president of the TMAT, and all other officers were re-elected, and two constitutional amendments were approved at the union's meeting this week. An amendment empowering the Board of Governors of the parent body to eliminate the motion picture division, incorporate it or allow it to remain as an autonomous group was passed. Malvern to Do 6 for Mono. li'c-st Const Bureau of THE FILM D.4ILY Hollywood — Paul Malvern will produce four "Mister Wong" features and two Jack London stories for Monogram. Hope Grows for U. S, Suit Settlement (Continued from Pane 1) conferences under way here indicat last night that Federal Judge Hen W. Goddard would be asked tod to grant a further adjournment uri Monday. Originally, it is understood, cou sel planned to ask merely an/' ' tional 24 hours, but with th¥*,^ partment of Justice, presumal through Thurman Arnold, Assists Attorney General, flashing the gre light, the decision to ask for t longer postponement was reachec Neither Government attorneys n counsel for the majors yesterd would comment upon the scope the day's discussions, but the fa that Arnold, known to be fully a prised of the proposals advanc< was agreeable to their continuan was regarded as significant. Meanwhile, major attorneys a continuing to work on the case, pi paratory to resuming the trial, the event negotiations break dowr 40,000 Phonovision Sets Leased, Asserts Orsatti (Continued from Page 1) told The Film Daily yesterday. I also disclosed that they had leas the Edison studio here for produ tion. Saxe is now contacting all t "name" bands in the area, Orsal said. First public showing of t machine will be held next Mond; or Tuesday at Dempsey's restaurai it was learned. Orsatti said that he and Sa were conferring every day with t! 48 distributors who have contract for state rights throughout the cou try. State-right franchise holde are empowered to enfranchise age cies throughout their territory. Shuberts Seek Pix 'Name For "Rebecca" on Boards The Shuberts, having acquired S. rights to Daphne du Maurier dramatization of her own "R becca," are dickering for fil "names" to appear in an early AuJ ust Broadway production. Shuberts, it is understood, wou like to use several of the playe: who appeared in the Selznick fil version, cast of which was topped 1: Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontain, with George Sanders, Judith Ande' son and Nigel Bruce also prominei STORKS! Daughter was born to Moe lushi vitz, press representative for Loc! 306, and Mrs. lushevitz at Beth IsraJ Hospital yesterday.