The Film Daily (1940)

Tuesday, December 17, 1940 "Jfc U. S. Hints Ascap Consent Decree Near (Continued from Page 1) eludes a provision on clearance at the source whereby the chains would pay the Ascap fees on chain broadcasts instead of splitting the cost (among the stations that carry the program. Also understood that the decree, if it is signed, will call for Ascap admittance to membership of any writer who has written one or more songs and generally speaking, all \ songwriters will become eligible for membership. Licensing network programs at the source, as is already provided for in the proposed new Ascap contracts, is apparently contrary to the desire of the majority of stations and certainly not in accord with the desires of the chains. i As far as the AFM is concerned, "there is no Ascap situation," James C. Petrillo, AFM president stated (last night. Petrillo amplified his „ statement by explaining that his ad ej, ,vice or suggestions had not been asked by either faction. Hope for i„l | an early settlement of the dispute . J, was expressed, however, by the AFM executive. Schines Buy Out Kaplan Interests in Maysville j Cincinnati — Maysville's two movie theaters, the Russell and the Washington, were acquired by Schine Enterprises, Gloversville, N. Y., from Sam Kaplan. Schines have been part owners with Kaplan since 1938. Edward May, manager for Schine's 1 Paris, Ky., house, will manage the rtwo new acquisitions, succeeding . Jack Frisch, son-in-law of Kaplan, who goes on to manage Schine's Ada Meade Theater at Lexington. May was former manager at Corbin and Middlesboro, Ky. RKO Pathe News Party Set Members of RKO Pathe News will hold their annual holiday party on Friday, Dec. 27, in the Green Room of the Hotel Madison. General Manager Walton C. Ament is in charge of arrangements. Wilfred Lucas Dead West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Wilfred Lucas, actor and pioneer film director, died here following a six weeks' illness. TVeiv Year's Trailer On "Four Mothers" Special New Year's trailer is being prepared by Warners' trailer department on "Four Mothers," studio's first release of 1941. Subject will contain greetings from the industry and will utilize all members of the cast, including the Lane Sisters, Eddie Albert, Jeffrey Lynn, Claude Rains, Mae Robson and Frank McHugh. 16 Service Features in Cycle "Flight Command" First; Comedies on Draft (Continued f in Washington, Toronto, Mexico City j and Havana. Picture, directed by Frank Borzage, has a cast topped by Robert Taylor, Walter Pidgeon j and Ruth Hussey. Filmed in cooperation with the Navy, it depicts air maneuvers at sea with aircraft j carriers, battleships and squadrons of fighting planes engaged in every hazard of the service. In preparation also at Metro is "Combat Car," a story of the Tank Corps to star Wallace Beery. Other Service features planned follow: At Paramount: In production "I Wanted Wings," with Ray Milland, William Holden, Wayne Morris, Brian Donlevy, Veronica Lake, Constance Moore, Phil Brown and Harry Davenport. Being produced by Arthur Hornblow, Jr., with Mitchell Leisen directing. Filmed with cooperation of the United States Army Air Corps, a dramatic story of fledgling Americans taking to the air. In preparation, Buddy DeSylva's "Caught in the Draft," which will have Bob Hope and Dorothy Lam our in the leading roles. At RKO-Radio: "Parachute Squadron" in preparation. At 20th Century-Fox: "The Eagle Flies Again," an airplane story; "Rise and Shine," semi-musical conscription story and "Ten Gentlemen ■om Page 1) From West Point," all in preparation, with "The Eagle Flies Again" and "Rise and Shine" scheduled to go into production early in January. At Universal: In production "Buck Privates," conscription comedy with music featuring Abbott & Costello and the Andrews Sisters; and "Sky Raiders," a serial dealing with aerial defense and the training of youth in the air. At Warners: "Navy Blues," in preparation. Walter Wanger's "The Eagle Squadron" in preparation for United Artists release. At Columbia: "He's My Uncle," a conscription farce, and "Trinidad," a British Army Post story by Sy Bartlett, both on Sam Bischoffs' schedule, and "Pack Up Your Troubles," a comedy, to be produced by Robert Sparks. At Republic: "Rookie's Roost," a conscription comedy to go into production shortly. Gran Named Chief Barker By Milwaukee's V. C. Milwaukee — The local Variety tent has elected new officers as follows: L. F. Gran, Standard Theaters, chief barker; first assistant chief barker, Harold Fitzgerald, Fox-Wisconsin Amusement Corp.; second assistant, Alfred D. Kvool, Warner-Saxe Theaters; B. J. Miller secretary and A. N. Schmitz, RKO, treasurer. Newly elected to the board of governors are Fitzgerald, Gran, Kvool, H. J. Mirisch, George Fischer, Roy Pierce, Harry McDonald, Edward Alperson and Oscar J. Ruby. Holdover members are Oscar Olson, retiring chief barker, Sam Shurman, Edward Weisfeldt and Charles Trampe. Service Shorts to be Sold As Specials by Columbia "U. S. Military Academy" and "U. S. Naval Academy," shorts made by Government co-op, will be coupled and sold as specials by Columbia. Equity Boosts Dues To Limit Membership (Continued from Page 1) to $50, the Council has boosted the initiation fee to $109 and ruled that ail payments must be made in cash, no IOU's being acceptable. It is pointed out in an editorial in the Equity magazine that the profession is already overcrowded and that the new minimum wages were attracting a number of people who were more interested in the money than in the stage. Payment to Equity of initiation fees by managers is acceptable, it was said. Mount Vernon Memorial Said Leased to Schines Mount Vernon, O. — Memorial Theater closed as of Dec. 9. It is understood that the theater has been leased by Schines who now control the town. George Regas Stricken West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — George Regas, 50, stage and screen actor, died here. Harold Corbett Dead Worcester, Mass. — Harold Corbett, former manager of the Worcester Theater, died at Jersey City, N. J. O'Shea-Bowen Luncheon To Aid Charity Work Proceeds from the testimonial luncheon being tendered Thursday at the Astor to "Ted" O'Shea and Jack Bowen will be turned over to the Charity Fund of Motion Picture Associates through an arrangement made by William F. Rodgers and Harry Brandt, it was announced yesterday. Tickets at $5 per are obtainable from Joe Lee at the 20th-Fox exchange. BOB HAWK'S THE SENSATIONAL CBS COAST-TO -COAST NETWORK SMASH ISBIG NEWS AS A LAUGH-PACKET) REEL! Dayton's Amusus Now Dunbar Dayton, O. — Floyd Williamson has reopened The Amusus and renamed the house The Dunbar. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT" SIDNEY MEYER, president, Wometco Theatres, Miami Beach, sends word: "Audience reaction . . . audience comments — very, very favorable!" A COLUMBIA"QUIZ"REEL-NOW BOOKING