The Film Daily (1940)

is^ DiiLY Thursday, June 13, 1940 "Idea Pix" for Small Towns, Col. Plan (Conlinufd from Page 1) have found favor with small-town exhibs. and their patrons, Montague explained. Presentation to Jackter Surprise feature of yesterday's program was the presentation of a baby grand piano to Rube Jackter, assistant general sales manager, on behalf of the company's entire U. S. and Canadian sales force by Lou Weinberg, circuit sales supervisor. Convention yesterday heard talks by Jack Cohn, Joseph McConville, Joseph Friedman, Louis Astor, George Josephs, and Maurice Grad. Jackter announced the addition of five new men to Columbia's sales personnel. The men, who were introduced from the floor are: Carl Mishrow, Boston; Nat Marcus, Buffalo; M. Wilkes, Dallas; Sid Goldberg, Pittsburgh, and Joe Engel, Philadelphia. Yesterday's session culminated in a beefsteak dinner attended by all the sales delegates and a group of home office executives who arrived in the afternoon to attend the banquet. Among those who came in from New York to attend the dinner were : Leo Blancke, Hal Hode, John Kane, Jack Mvers, Max Seligman, Floyd Weber, C. Sharpe, R. Philpott, Max Cohn, Irving Moross, Leonard Picker, Harry Foster, H. Golden, B. Birnbaum, M. Brunet, Ben Morris, Harold Sachs, J. Agell, Larry Schneider, Nat Goldblatt, M. Melman, Herb Smith, Al Schwartz, Joe Levy. In addition, Ben K. Blake. Andre De La Varre and Emerson Yorke also attended the banquet. 5 French Pix for Leo Films Announcement was made yesterday by Leo Films, Inc., of the acquisition of five French films for distribution in this country. Deals were closed by Sylvia Sanders, who returned from Europe recently. Titles of the pictures are as follows: "From Mayerling To Sarajevo," "Serenade," "Musiciens du Ciel," "Les Jumeaux des Brighton," and "L'Ordination." Acquire Little. Baltimore Baltimore — A. M. Tolkins and Louis Miller of Washington have taken over the Little theater here from H. A. Blum. Maxwell Weinberg continues to manage. Smuggled Snahe Adds To Exhib.'s Woes New Albany, Ind. — Add woes of an exhib. Local femme has filed sut against a Louisville theater operator for $5,000 damages, claiming that she suffered a back injury and nervous shock when a snake crawled over her arm and shoulder while in a local theater controlled by the Kentucky firm. Snake, it seems, was smuggled into the house by a youngster imbued with the spirit of All Fool's Day. WHO'S WHO IN HOLLYWOOD • • • Introducing Interesting Personalities • • • CHEPARD TRAUBE. Bon ^ sylvania and New York University Maiden, Mass. Attended University of PennStarted his theatrical career as an actor. Later estabhshed a publicity office. Produced plays on Broadway for nine years. His initial play, "Precedent," which he co-produced, ran for eight months. It starred Jane Cowl. Among other plays he produced, starring Miss Cowl was "A Thousand Summers," in which Franchot Tone made his debut as an actor. Went into radio and helped form Air Features, Inc. Came to Hollywood in May, 1937 as an assistant to M. J. Siegel, at Republic. Wrote a book, "So You Want To Go Into The Theater," published by Little, Brown. Wrote a novel, "Glory Road." Directed and wrote for Majestic Pictures. Wrote Goose itep. ' Co-direcied "Ramparts We Watch," a feature, for March Of Time. Now directing for 20th Century-Fox. Hobby, athletics. New Brunswick Exhibs. Rap New Tax Ticket (Continued from Page 1) der-in-council passed by the Provincial Government at the instance of C. H. Bennett, chairman of the Board. Exhibitors believe great confusion will be caused by the lack of individualism— the tickets issued by the Board are all alike except in the serial number. Bennett contends the serial numbers will eliminate confusion, but the exhibitors vote contra. They maintain it will be possible for one to buy a ticket in one place of amusement, theater, fair, carnival, circus, dance hall, rink, etc., and use it in another. In a rush, it will be impossible for a theater doorman to check accurately on a serial number, theater men contend. Enforcement of use of the new ticket is delegated to the Censor Board. A fine can be imposed for refusal to abandon the individual theater ticket in favor of the new one supplied by the Board. Pittsburgh to Have First Stock Opposition in Years Pittsburgh — For the first time in many years, local exhibs. face dramatic stock opposition this summer. Company opens a 10 weeks' season June 25 at the Fox Chapel Playhouse. Policy, unique, calls for concerts Monday nights, plays Tuesday through Saturday. Given Naval Appointment Clarence Hill Jr., son of Clarence Hill, assistant to Bill Sussman of 20th-Fox, has received an appointment to Annapolis. He expects to enter the Naval Academy shortly. B. C. Enlarges Simimer Camp Pittsburgh — Camp O'Connell, which is one of the chief charities of the local Variety Club, is being enlarged in size to accommodate approximately 20 more children per week this Summer. Sub-Committee Tackles Revamping Neely Bill (Continued from Page 1) ion will be redrafted if not stricken from the bill altogether. Off-the-record sentiment of subcommittee members is that the bill is highly impractical and unworkable. At the meeting today, it is believed, each of the seven members will offer several changes to clarify the measure, which may result in an entirely new bill. Particulars Bill Sought By Majors in N. J. Suit (Continued from Page 1) $150,000 damages brought by Batten Amusement Co. of Elizabeth. Suit accuses the majors of conspiring to furnish Cocalis Amusement Co. with first-run films, shutting out competition and creating monopoly. Defendants in the suit are Paramount Pictures, Vitagraph, Loew-'s, Inc., Columbia Pictures, 20th Century-Fox, RKO Radio, United Artists and Big "U" Film Exchange, Inc. SAG Class B Members Lose Fight for Vote IVest Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood— Court fight by 6,700 class B members of the SAG to have equal voting privileges with the 1,200 class A members ended yesterday in defeat. Superior Judge Charles D. Ballard rendered the decision, ruling that the B members had joined the organization willingly under the terms stipulated and that in his opinion they have not been deprived of any constitutional right. Arnold Joining in Setliement Parieys Herb Chotkin Joins Filmack Chicago — Herb Chatkin has just been appointed manager of the promotion department of Filmack Trailer Co. 1 "verv jctlbil (Continued from Page 1) nient in principle" arrived at the latter part of last week as the resulof meetings defendant counsel and D of J representatives is still "verv nebulous," both United Artists "^ Universal are reserving their ri|„, to act as they see fit with respect a consent decree settlement. The stand of both these companies since the suit's inception has been that their position in the action is particularly unique, inasmuch as they operate no theater circuits, and, therefore, are not linked with the questions arising out of theater divorcement, which issue is not only one of the cornerstones of the Government's alleged case, but one which patently will play a large role in anv settlement of the case. Columbia's Stand Co-operative Columbia, it is reported, while sharing the position of uniqueness with UA and Universal, appears to be assuming a more co-operative stand than heretofore in the matter of aiding, — or at least not hindering, — the so-called consolidated defendants in reaching an agreement with ' the Government. i Up until a few days ago, counsel ' representing UA, Universal and Co' lumbia had not been "invited" to , attend settlement conferences, but this tack was shifted by the consolidated defendants with the result that representatives of all three companies have been attending huddles. Trial of the equity action was postponed yesterday until Monday after Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard was told that the parties concerned are conferring "with a view to the possibility of adjusting the case through a consent decree." Judge Goddard asked that Special Assistant Attorney General Paul Williams, or his first assistant, James F. Hayes, advise him immediately upon the situation after the conference. Gov't Against Stipulation The Court was evidently anxious to turn its attention to other trial work if there is a likelihood that discussions will be prolonged. Sources close to the Government last night revealed that the D of J , is desirous that any settlement be put in the form of a consent decree and not through stipulations or informal agreements. Latter coui"se is said to be urged by the three companies without theater interests. W. Va. Exhih. Plans Recreational Center Buckhannon, W. Va. — Garland West, operator of the Colonial Theater here, is developing a recreational center which, in addition to a $35,000 swimming pool, just opened, will include tennis courts, dance hall and golf links. n