The Film Daily (1940)

Tuesday, October 1, 1940 Tffltk; Kaimann Wants U. S. Probe of Union Row (Continued from Page 1) night Ghost Show," which has been filling nabe dates here. C. Orville Newlin, secretary of S-ocal 6, told reporters that he had jrned Kaimann's request for the stagehands over to the union's negotiating committee, which he claimed tried to arrange a meeting with Kaimann to discuss the request but had not been able to do so. Newlin denied the union had refused to furnish stagehands. Kaimann is interested in a circuit of neighborhood and suburban theaters with Fred Wehrenberg, president of the MPTO of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. He was one of the Government's key'men against John P. Nick and Clyde A. Weston, former IATSE execs, here, recently convicted on Federal charges. At the Department of Justice in Washington yesterday, it was said that no complaint had been received from Kaimann. However, it was stated it might have been filed with the St. Louis office. MPTOA Will Go to Court II Decree is Accepted (Continued from Puge 1) contemplates filing amicus curiae j proceedings when the proposed consent decree is presented in the Fed j eral Court. He said this action would j be taken because the' exhibitors had t not been consulted. "I am not sure that the court will i grant us a hearing," he continued, 'but I do know that if the decree does go into effect, which at present has the objectionable five-picture blockoooking plan and the provision for i non-trade arbitration board, this fight is just beginning because it will destroy the small exhibitors, the very ones they pretend to protect." The meeting went on record as 3specially opposed to these two provision while recognizing the efforts }f the Department of Justice to elimnate some of the industry's chief problems. The gathering also passed resolutions opposing any change in T T T • • • PARAMOUNTS product-parade is currently going by and it's no mystery that the spectator-exhibitors who have bought the. line-up are glad that they decided to "go buy" Already have passed in review "Rhythm on the River," "I Want a Divorce" and "Rangers of Fortune" The first-mentioned had the power to do a big three weeks' at the B'way Paramount while the second which opens at that theater later this week is virtually certain to grab a husky-grossing fortnight of playing time "Rangers of Fortune" is now rounding out a two-week run at the house with fine audience reaction and attending "take" This trio of pictures is also scoring slickly 'round the country. . which means that the Para, clan and customers are in 100 p.c. cloverthus far this season. ., — and the season has only just begun T T ▼ • • • EVEN more impressive than the "is" is the "to be" jor a splendidly balanced quartette of features is scheduled for October release They comprise the pigskin opus "The Quarterback" (Oct. 4) Harry Sherman's "Cherokee Strip" (Oct. 11) "Moon Over Burma" (Oct. 18) and "Christmas in July" (Oct. 25) It is worth notation that a "Moon Over Burma" preview evoked more than 100 praisepacked preview cards handed invoy members of the audience Our Coast scouts aver that "The Quarterback" is not only exceptionally timely for Autumntide but is exceptionally entertaining. . . . , ."Cherokee Strip" is labeled\one of the very best outdoor dramas yet fabricated by Miiter Sherman and that "Christmas in July" will clearly fill the bill of the proudest stands. T T T • • • NOVEMBER is to bring "Dancing on a Dime," "Arise My Love," "Three Men. From Texas" (the initial Hopalong of 1940-41) and Cecil B. DeMille's "Northwest Mounted Police" which is touted as a powerhouse and patently overshadows the November Paramount release scene Crafty exhibs. will do well to file in cranium and booking archives that "Arise My Love" is a peach of an audience picture The December group consists of "A Night at Earl Carroll's," "Texas Rangers Ride Again" and "Love Thy Neighbor" — which, all in all, takes us up to 1941 Schenck Retains Corbin Harold H. Corbin, attorney of 15 Broad Street, was retained yesterday by Joseph M. Schenck to replace the late Max B. Steuer as counsel. THE DAILY to Alice Joyce Jack Mersereau G. Keva Maicus the existing clearance schedules and slot machine movies. Support was promised the American Red Cross roll call and the Government's national defense program. President Fred Wehrenberg and all other officers were re-elected, while Louis Ansell was named assistant to Louis Hahl, secretary and treasurer. Frank Speros, Maury Davis and Sidney Johnson, all of St. Louis, were added to the board of directors. All other directors were renamed. Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann and other city officials and officers of the Better Films Council of Greater St. Louis were other speakers at the dinner meeting. Report Sterling and FWC In Seattle Pooling Deal (Continued from Page 1) ing negotiations in New York last week. In the Eastern talks, Sterling was represented by William Forman, general manager, and Hamrick-Evergreen by Frank Newman. Sterling has the Palomar, Roosevelt, Colonial and Winter Garden in j addition to some third and fourthrun houses, plus a string of 12 suburban theaters. Only the first and second-runs, however, are said involved in the present deal. Hamrick-Evergreen houses reported involved include the Music Hall, Blue Mouse, Roxy and Orpheum, first-runs, and the Coliseum, secondrun. Danz recently gave up the Orpheum; house has just reopened after being dark 40 days. Decree Freezes Indie Evils— Mich. Co-op. (Continued from Page 1) able conditions the Neely Bill was expected to cure. We would appreciate your letting Messrs. Jackson and Arnold know how you feel toward this unjust procedure of not considering exhibitors in arriving at terms of a decree. We feel this assistance from you is a last straw to preserve our independent enterprises." Co-operative is also sending a letter to Thurman W. Arnold, Assistant Attorney-General, and filing objections with Judge Henry W. Goddard. Co-operative further says: "We are worse off under the terms of the decree than we ever were combatting the 'Big Eight' in open competition. Do not penalize the real independents in order to punish violating members of producing and affiliated groups. We independents prefer to continue the fight as in the past rather than be forced to buy under the terms of the decree. "While most offending producers and distributors could not survive very long under the terms of the decree the few surviving would have almost complete monopoly of production because of the rule of five. Should this well-financed firm spend enough money publicizing one or two in each block, exhibitors must buy all five in self-protection even though three or four may be bad pictures. "Answer to industry's problems is in recommendations of the House Committee at the Neely Bill hearings. "Sooner than have this decree we would prefer straight 20 to 25 per cent cancellation privilege on complete blocks of product so that we may be assured of continuous product throughout the year. Under blocks of five, new added costs will be passed on to the exhibitor and he will not be able to recoup his loss from his customers." Art Theater to Open Art Theater, Eighth St. and University Place, newest addition to the foreign film houses, will open Oct. 7 with "Whirlpool," French pix, which the New York Censor Board sought to ban. Irving Ludwig will manage the 550-seater designed by Thomas W. Lamb and built by Herman Weingarten. Griffith Firms Dissolve Dover, Del. — Griffith-Dickinson Theaters, Inc., and the Griffith-Dickinson Realty Co., have filed certificates of dissolution with the office of the Secretary of State. STORKS! Detroit — Henry Koppin, manager of the Mack Avenue Uptown Theater, is the father of an eight-pound boy.