The Film Daily (1940)

DAILY: Friday, June 14, 19' Settlement Tallcs To Continue Monday (Coiitiiuntl from Page 1) peared a determination among industry attorneys that they would not give up so much that they "would be giving up their business," as one of the counsel described it. If the Government demands more than the companies feel they can logically give, there can be no hope for a consent decree, it was said. Trial to be Further Adjourned Meanwhile, trial of the suit will be postponed on Monday for a short period of time and will continue to be postponed while the conferences proceed The Government has been represented at these conferences by Paul Williams, James Hayes, Robert L. Wright and Robert Sher, all special assistants to the Attorney General. The last named recently arrived from Washington to participate in the discussions. Thurman W. Arnold, Assistant Attorney General and head of the Anti-Trust Division of the D of J, who took part in Wednesday's conference, has returned to Washington. Among those representing the majors are John W. Davis, Judge Joseph Proskauer, Col. William J. Donovan, Judge Thomas D. Thacher, and John S. Caskey. Sources close to the defendants said yesterday that any Federal administration of a fair trade practice code, , as and when the latter is evolved, will not be a probationary matter, since that description implies that the film industry is guilty of Government charges, which, it is contended, is not the case. Outline Govt's Position The Government's position would be, it is explained, that of an observer wishing to determine whether trade practice formulae are working out in a practical and satisfactory manner. Indications are that if a settlement is reached in the equity action it will be forthcoming within the present month, or the first week in July at the latest. Betty Grable Replaces Alice Faye IVest Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Betty Grable has been assigned by 20th Century-Fox to play the role originally set for Alice Faye in "Down Argentine Way." 25th Anniversary of First Pix House Pittsburgh — Theaters of the Harris Amusement Companies, starting Sunday, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the world's first film house, opened here on June 19, 1905 by the late Sen. John P. Harris and his associate and brotherin-law, Harry Davis. Name for that first theater, the Nickelodeon, was coined by Eugene LeMoyne Connelly. First house had 96 seats, but its 12 to 20 minute film program and 8 a.m. to midnight operating period permitted the amazing average daily attendance of 7,000 patrons. Admission was a straight five cents. ,^ • WITH PHIL M. DALTi • TODAY is Flag Day and it Wjpgi.^^ is edifying to contemplate that Old Glory Vra^^^ will be flying over many a film studio, ex ll^^^^ change and theater Nevertheless, we pass '^ along a suggestion to every producing and distributing company head as 'well as to circuit chiefs and owners of individual houses that they issue an order today that the flags are to STAY UP so that our national colors may remain before the eyes of the American public EVERY DAY from sunrise to sunset in these critical times when our way of life is threotened by sinister and subversive forces • • • TODAY is Flag Day one day in a year of days devoted specifically to the paying of homage to the Stars and Stripes It is not enough In fact it wouldn't be enough if the custom were reversed and all hut one day devoted to honoring the flag With the world aflame as it currently is and with democracy's destruction the avowed objective of relentless and powerful foes it is little enough for this industry which owes to the America we know its traditional past its fortunate present and its yet more glorious future to fly the flag daily from all of its ramparts from coast to coast and border to border. • • • TODAY is Flag Day Tomorrow many of the banners will have been put awcry by those who feel that the purpose of Flag Day has been fulfilled II others in this land lack the initiative and the fervor to fly their flags then let the motion picture industry set the example It would be fitting that it should do so for patriotism cannot be permitted to remain latent It must be made acute and remain acute To accomplish this requires a special weapon which no other industry in the land has ever wielded with skill as greet as thot of filmland The weapon is SHOWMANSfflP Let us use it! ^ 1^ ^ • • • TODAY is Flag Day But, alas, look at the record! You'll not find it listed among the so-called "chief legal or public holidays" observed in the U.S.A Rather is it a sort of "also ran" That should not he It isn't so in two of our States Missouri and Pennsylvania There, Flag Day is accorded honor commensurate with that shown to other great days of the year Pennsylvania has a special reason for its full obeisance for it is pretty well established that Francis Hopkinson who was born in Philadelphia and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence designed the Stars and Stripes Further, he designed the first Great Seal of the United States and was the first native American composer of a secular song, — "My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free" • • • TODAY is Flag Day and flags will be flying in every State and in American possessions over the seas and on her merchant and war vessels on all seas At her embassies, legations, and consulates in many foreign lands it will also fly Let us of the motion picture industry resolve that Flag Day shall be every day and set the pre l^ffik^^ cedent for it by the issuance of immediate (^3^2^ l^S.^^ orders that the flags that are up today l^S.^^ Warners List 20 Percentage Pictures (Continued from Page 1) four features to be sold at 40 p cent; eight at 35 per cent; ai eight at 30 per cent. Each of the groups is subject to an "or betU percentage at the company's w cretion. H The balance of the program is be delivered on a flat rental basis, is said. Sales policy does not include tv specials, "The Man Who Came Dinner" and "The Life of John Doe both of which are to be sold se arately. Radio Coin Said to Aid Neb. Anti-Ascap Appeal Lincoln, Neb. — Contributors in t! war chest to see the anti-Ascs Nebraska law given a chance survive before the U. S. Supren Court so far have made it a poi: to stay in the background, but cor ing out in the open this week w; the Nebraska Broadcasters Associ tion. President-elect W. I. LeBarron, KGNF, North Platte, said the NR had voted to help the war chest wii funds from the association. Filing will be made late th month, appealing from a ruling unconstitutionality made by Federi Court here not long ago. House Considering Bill Repealing Fight Pix Ban Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAli Washington — The House Rulil Committee yesterday sent to ti floor of the House, a Senate bij sponsored by Sen. W. Warren Bai hour, (R., N. J.), repealing the exisi ing law banning shipment of pi'i; fight films in interstate commerc The bill leaves the films subject i the laws of any state into whic they may be taken. A F of M Tackles Radio Issues Indianapolis — Attention yesterdf of the A F of M, in annual convei tion here, was concentrated on rad? problems. Louis Levin Expires Chicago — Louis Levin, 55, forme owner of the Public Theater, is dead Free Dance to Mark Theater Anniversary Port St. Joe, Fla.— Roy E. Williams, manager of the Port Theater, is bringing Frank Lodwick and his 12-piece orchestra to the theater Sunday to help celebrate the second anniversary of the theater. Following tonight's performance a free Anniversary Dance for patrons of the theater will be held in the Centennial Building. Music will be furnished by Clen Brown and his orchestra, direct from the Belmont Club, Miami Beach.