The Film Daily (1940)

Vol. 78, No. 120 Thurs., Dec. 19, 1940 10 Cents JOHN W. ALICOATE DONALD M. MERSEREAU : Ceneral Manager CHESTER B. BAHN :::::: Editor Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays at 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y., by Wid's Films and Film Folk, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau, Secretary-Treasurer. Entered as second class matter, Sept. 8, 1938, at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage free) United States outside of Greater New York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3 months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscriber should remit with order. Address all communications to THE FILM DAILY, 1501 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone BRyant 9-7117, 9-7118, 9-7119, 9-7120, 9-7121. Cable address: Filmday, New York. Representatives: HOLLYWOOD, Calif.— Ralph Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd., Phone Granite 6607. LONDON— Ernest W. Fredman, The Film Renter, 127-133 Wardour St., W. I. PARIS— P. A. Harle, Le Film, 29 Rue Marsoulan (12). MEXICO CITY— MarcoAurelio Galindo, Depto. 215, Calle del Sindicalismo, 99, Tacubayo, D. F. riNVNCIAI (.Wednesday, Dec. 18) ; NEW YORK STOCK MARKET High Low Close Am. Seat 8'/2 8% 8l/2 — Col. Piers, vtc. (2'/2%) 53/4 5% 5% — Columbia Picts. pfd Con. Fm. Ind 9-16 9-16 9-16 . Con. Fm. Ind. pfd... 8 73/4 73/4 — Fast. Kodak 133% 133 133 — do pfd Gen. Th. Eq 11% 11% 11% + Loew's, Inc 343/8 33 y2 33 1/2 — do pfd 108 1/4 108 1/4 108 1/4 . Paramount 10% 10i/2 10% — Para. 1st pfd 97 96 Vi 96 Vi — Para. 2nd pfd 1 1 % 10% 10% — Pathe Film 93/4 9% 93/4 — RKO 31/2 31/2 31/2 . RKO $6 pfd 421/s 42 42 — 20th Century-Fox . . . 6I/4 6 6% — 20th Century-Fox pfd. 18i/2 I8I/4 18 1/4 — Univ. Pict. pfd 117 116 116 — Warner Bros 33/8 31/4 3 1/4 — do pfd 54 53i/2 531/2 — NEW YORK BOND MARKET Keith B. F. ref. 6s46 Loew's deb. 3i/2s46 Para. B'way 3s55... . 52 52 52 Para. Picts. cv. 3y4s47 95 94% 947/8 — Warner Bros.' dbs. 6s48 96% 96% 96% + NEW YORK CURB MARKET Monogram Picts Sonotone Corp 1% 1% 13^ . Technicolor 9 8% 8% — Trans-Lux Universal Corp. vtc... 51/2 5Vi 5Vi • Universal Picts U. S. Pix Into Ascot Ascot Theater, the Bronx, will reopen Christmas Day with a policy of American-made films. House was closed over the week-end for alterations. It formerly specialized in foreigns. BROADWAY N.Y.C. Cl«ci! 6-0081-2-3 HANOE DISTRIBUTION SETT Pix and Press Officials Hear Andy Roy Praised Albany — Seventy-five theater and exchange officials, managing editors of all papers, and broadcasters were present to hear Andy Roy, dean of Warner theater managers in this territory, acclaimed as an outstanding exploited and a credit to the biz in the film-civic relationship he established by Moe Silver, Warner zone head. The affair was held at Jack's restaurant here. Silver asserted Roy's promotion to the Stanley, Utica, largest Warner house in the territory, was richly deserved. Other speakers included Charlie Smakwitz, district manager; Max Friedman, zone booker; Jules Curley, Roy's successor at Strand Theater here, and Lou M. Golding, Fabian district manager. Chi. Reel Fellows Club Names Weinshenker Prexy Chicago— The Reel Fellows Club, has been organized by salesmen of the various Chicago Film Exchanges. W. E. Weinshenker of Universal has been elected president, Lou Goldberg of Paramount vice-president, in charge of public relations; A. M. Van Dyke of 20th Century-Fox, secretary and Robert Funk of Universal, treasurer. Perry Barr of the National Screen Service is sergeantat-arms. The new organization will hold a dinner dance in the Gold Room of the Congress Hotel Jan. 31. MP Associates Nominate Lee, Beier, Levy for Prexy At a luncheon meeting yesterday at the Astor the Motion Picture Associates nominated officers to be voted on in January. Jack Ellis, president, declined a nomination to run for a fourth term, and Joseph J. Lee, Fox. Nat Beier, UA, and David Levy, Universal, were nominated as candidates for president. James Frank and Jack Hattem were nominated for the first vice-presidency. Mathew Cahan, second v. -p., was renominated. "Neighbor" Doing NWMP Biz at New York Para. "Love Thy Neighbor" yesterday was reported running neck and neck with receipts accorded NWMP at the New York Paramount. Bob Weitman estimated the day's "take" at $9,500. "Neighbor" is playing at regular scale, while prices were tilted for NWMP. Jack Benny made another p. a. last night. Warner Theaters to Use Only Ascap Catalog Tunes Only Ascap tunes are to be played in Warner theaters, the circuit headquarters here has advised all managers. Thursday, December 19, 1940 [^ Loew's Bonus Going To 5,700 Workers Employes of Loew's, Inc., receiving less than $40 a week will receive a Christmas present of two weeks' salary, the bonus not to exceed $50. Those who have been with the company six months will receive one week's salary, not exceeding $25. A similar bonus was distributed last year. Bonus goes to 5,700 employes. 600 to Attend Luncheon For O'Shea, Bowen Today Six hundred industry leaders and affiliates are expected to attend the testimonial luncheon for E. K. "Ted" O'Shea, Metro's new Central division manager, and John J. "Jack" Bowen, his successor as Metro district manager, in the Belvidere Room at the Hotel Astor this noon. Harry Brandt, chairman of the arrangements committee, will serve as toastmaster. Seated on the dais will be: William F. Rodgers, C. C. Moskowitz, Howard Dietz, George Skouras, John J. O'Connor, Sam Rinzler, Max A. Cohen, Walter Vincent, Leo Brecher, Louis Nizer, James J. Walker, Ed Saunders, Tom Connors, Jack Alicoate and Martin J. Quigley, in addition to the guests of honor. Luncheon's proceeds will go to the charity fund of the Motion Picture Associates. Top 20th-Fox Execs. Open Studio Meetings Jan. 15 West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Meeting of top 20thFox execs, will be held at the studio starting Jan. 15, with revision in personnel setups and production plans necessitated by the consent decree heading the agenda of business which will be discussed. Herman Wobber, sales chief, and S. R. Kent, prexy, are said to have advised the studio that the sales forces will have to be augmented. Further meetings will also be convened by Wobber with the sales forces in the field to discuss the consent decree and its relation and effect on their business. Portland Operators Win Wage Increase Portland, Ore. — Basil Gray, labor relations representative of the Seattle Theatrical Federation, announces the Seattle Theater Managers' Association and Local 154, Operators, have agreed on wages for operators during 1941. A wage increase of 12Y2 per cent for some operators is granted. "Sun Valley" in Color? West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Twentieth-Fox is considering Technicolor for "Sun Valley," Sonja Henie starrer, which will be produced next Summer. COminG and GOIflG ED KUYKENDALL, MPTOA prexy, returned yes terday to his home in Columbus, Miss, from Ne York. H. M. RICHEY, director of exhibitor relationlit! for M-G-M, returned yesterday from Kansa L, City and Oklahoma City. J. CHEEVER COWDIN, Universal board chaii L j man, arrived at the Coast by plane yesterdi for product conferences. J. CARLOS BAVETTA, Brazilian manager fc 20th-Fox, arrives here from Rio by plane ne» mt week. JOHN EBERSON, theater architect, left lasjfrjd night for Washington. BARRY FITZGERALD and MARCOT will arriv frl!1 from the Coast next week to start rehearsals Jack Kirkland's stage play, "Tanyard Street." JAMES K. McGUINNESS, M-G-M scenari: and producer, is stopping at the Sherry-Nether fc Tl joi, land. -fit !)rv: i PAT McMANN, new operator of the Stal lit Theater, New Britain, Conn., plans to go t I n to see the football match on New Year of his Alma Mater, Georgetown, and Michiga State EMIL STERN, Essaness prexy, and his fami have left Chicago for a Winter vacation Florida. BOB RUSSELL of the Loew-Poli, New Have is planning a New Year's trip to Atlantic Cit ADOLPH JOHNSON, of the Strand, Hamdei Conn., planning a Xmas trip to Miami Bead where his son Robert instructs in physical at MacFadd^n's Deauville Hotel. JOCK LAWRENCE, publicity director for th Producers Ass'n, is here from the Coast work on the Creek war charities campaign. SIDNEY SCHWARTZ, Metro rep. in Singapor. is here and stopping at the Warwick. Theater Biz in Orient Said Best in History Theater business in the Orient the best in history, according t Sidney Schwartz, traveling audito for M-G-M, who is in New Yorl Schwartz said that people in h territory, which includes most c Asia and the Philippines, are findin relief from the war tension by a tending motion picture theaters. H will return to the Orient after th holidays. Jules Chapman Resigns Jules K. Chapman, assistant t Harry Thomas, Monogram distric chief, has resigned and will announc a new affiliation shortly. FRIENDLY SERVICE! * Tostar Telegraph CHARGES FOR TELEGRAMS 'PHONED IN YOUR TELEPHONE BILL.