The Film Daily (1943)

DAILY Thursday, May 6, 194, MPTOA Will Avoid Sales Legislation (Continued from Page 1) profits are rising, the independents in many spots are suffering, according to reports at the meeting. It was contended that the major companies were boosting prices so that the distributors could pay the increased income taxes, but the independents are insisting that prices come down and that they be allowed to pay the taxes. Some effort may be made whereby a special committee or group in New York will function to settle individual complaints in the various territories. Cohen Sees No Cut In Pix Production (Continued from Page 1) conferring with studio and production heads. Cohen said he believed the producers were emerging from the earlier confusion caused by the war and that pictures were becoming bigger and better. Production costs are secondary, he said, and that the goal appears to be better pictures regardless of cost. If a product shortage is to come, it will be due only to the manpower situation, he said. Cohen implied that many exhibitors were facing a product shortage of their own creation, by playing cheaper pictures because in the present market in some localities any picture draws patronage. This causes a backlog of the bigger product and distributors hold back the release dates on those pictures. Cohen said that reports that the producers were holding back their pictures at the studios were not confirmed by his trip. Savini Acquiring Majors' Pix for Astor Re-issues R. M. Savini, who has been in Detroit supervising the reconstruction of the Downtown Theater for the advance price showing of Howard Hughes' "The Outlaw" has returned here to consummate several deals for new Astor product. In addition to "Romance and Riches," already acquired, Savini is negotiating deals for re-issue of several majors' pictures. Savini returns to Detroit at the end of the week-end to complete installation of equipment at the Downtown, where "The Outlaw" is expected to open the last week in May. Local B-51 Buys War Bonds Film Exchange Employes' Union, Local B-51, IATSE, has been authorized by its membership to purchase $2,000 in War Bonds. The money will come out of the union's treasury. The members of the union have contributed a total of $643 at the end of the third week of the 10-week Labor War Chest Drive. Each has pledged a full day's pay to the chest. "This is the Army" Set as Radio Series Irving Berlin's "This is the Army," with specially written material, will be broadcast in a series of four onehour Tuesday night programs over the CBS network starting May 18. Various members of the Warner film cast will appear in the radio series, with proceeds going to the Army Emergency Relief Fund. MPTOA Elects Levy As General Counsel (Continued from Page 1) position as Postmaster General, will be unable to give his time to the MPTOA activities. Walker remains, however, as vice-president. R. R. Biechele of Kansas City, Kans., was elected to the executive committee. Officers re-elected were Ed Kuykendall, Columbus, Miss., president; Frank Walker, Scranton; M. A. Lightman, Memphis; Mitchell Wolfson, Miami; E. C. Beatty, Detroit, and A. Julian Brylawsky, Washington, vice-presidents; Morris Loewenstein, Oklahoma City, secretary; Walter Vincent, New York, treasurer; George P. Aarons, Philadelphia, associate general counsel, and Fred Wehrenberg, St. Louis, chairman of the board. Executive committee includes Kuykendall, Loewenstein, Wehrenberg, H. V. Harvey, 0. C. Lam, Arthur Lockood, Lewen Pizor, Major L. E. Thompson. NationWide Ban On Pleasure Driving (Continued from Page 1) wide ban on pleasure driving was announced yesterday by OPA insofar as it burns the gas bought on B and C books. Motorists remain free to use their gasoline purchases through A books as they see fit. The same snooping which finally led to the "voluntary" system of gasoline conservation a few months ago will be invoked again, with Price Administrator Prentiss Brown calling for rigid enforcement of the ban. Only holders of A cards, in effect, will be free to use their cars to drive to places of amusement since B and C card holders will hardly be able to prove that they are using only gasoline which would come to them through A cards. Brown said, however, that cars would not be stopped on the highways. The new ban is nation-wide, whereas, the pleasure driving ban last Winter covered only the Eastern states. "Prelude" Prints Due May 17 Prints of "Prelude to War," will be completed and in the hands of the WAC on May 17, Lt. Col. Curtis Mitchell, Chief, Pictorial Branch of the War'Dept. Public Relations Division, has notified Francis S. Harmon. Picture will be released May 27. Trade in Canada Hit By Registration Order (Continued from Page 1) tion with the civilian selective service. Yesterday's new order will be carried out by starting with the lowest priorities and working up to the higher grades. While not listed in the first call for compulsory transfer of all employes, the film industry is mentioned as one in which all men designated under mobilization regulations are covered by the order, regardless of whether or not it is included in the first list of occupations affecting single men between 19 and 40 and married men between 19 and 25. The first list covers taverns, liquor, wine and beer stores, retail candy, tobacco, books and stationery stores and newsstands, barber shops and beauty parlors, retail and wholesale florists, gasoline service stations, retailers selling motor vehicles and accessories and retailer of sport goods or musical instrummenf. The call for men designate under mobilization regulations includes (1) Waiters, taxi drivers, elevator operators, hotel bellboys and domestic servants. (2) Any occupation in or directly associated with entertainments, including but not restricted to theaters, film agencies, motion picture companies, clubs, bowling alleys or poolrooms. (3) Any occupation in or directly associated with dyeing and dry cleaning (but not including laundries), baths, guide service and and shoeshining. It is now obligatory for men in these classes, whether medically exempt or not to register personally at the nearest Selective Service Bureau not later than May 19. UA May Make New Offer for Korda Stock (Continued from Page 1) cently withdrew its offer of 125,000 pounds for the stock and it is believed the stockholders discussed the question of making a new offer. David O. Selznick's future plans were discussed as was the management committee's report, with no details made public. The meeting also considered distribution charges. Another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. Nine Interveners in Buffalo Rivoli Action Buffalo — Filing of an intervention notice on behalf of the Broadway and Roxy, both Basil Bros, houses, raises to nine the number of Buffalo East Side nabes mentioned as interested in issues of run and clearance raised by the arbitration demand filed by Stanley Kozanowski for his Rivoli under Sections VIII and X of the consent decree, naming the "Big Five" as defendants. Intervenors for the two Basil houses are Basil Bros. Theaters, a co-partnership, and Bro-Jeff Theaters, Inc., owners of the property Though not named in the demand, they intervened as exhibs. whose business and property may be affected by an award. The only previous intervenor was Broadrose Theater Corporation, lessee and operator of Shea's Roosevelt. Rivoli's petition asked restoration of its former run ahead of the Roosevelt, and as an alternative, reduction of present clearance of the Roosevelt over the Rivoli to one day. It mentioned as other theaters that may be affected by an award the Walden, Grand, Lovejoy. Avon and Sheldon. Any subsequent intervenors will have no voice in selection of an arbitrator, since the list is out and selection may be made by Saturday. HCLLyWCCD DIGEST ( SIGNED FELI FRANCHELLI, "Cry 'Havoc'," M-G-M. ' PEGGY ANN GARNER, termer, 20th-Fox. HENRY LEVIN, dialogue director, termer, C lumbia. LINDA GREY, "Forty Thieves," Harry Sherma^ United Artists. ARIEL HEATH, termer, Republic. CARLETON YOUNG, termer, 20th-Fox. FORREST ORR, termer, 20th-Fox. GLEN CRAY ORK, "Jam Session," Columbia. CHARLES FREEMAN, writer-director, M-G-M.Sf RICHARD BERGER, producer, 'M-G-M. ASSIGNMENTS ROY DEL iRUTH, director, "Up and Down Broa way," M-C-M. ALBERT J. COHEN, producer, "For Worn Only," Republic. RALPH SPENOE, screenplay "Show Business) RKO. DAVID LEWIS, producer, "Tomorrow's Harvest Paramount. LENORE COFFEE, screenplay, "Tomorrow's Hs vest," Paramount. LEONID MOGUY, director, "The Night is En ing," M-G-M. ANDRE -DAVEN, producer, "The Night is En ing," M-G-M. MILES WHITE, costumes, "Up In Arms," Samt Coldwyn, for RKO. BRADBURY FOOTE, original screenplay, "La< Let's Dance," Monogram. LEIGH JASON; director, "Restless Lady," C lumbia. DAVE OPPENHEIM and TED CROUYA, son, "Lady, Let's Dance," Monogram MAX KING, producer, "He Couldn't Take 11 Monogram. CHARLES R. MARION, screenplay, "He Could, Take It," Monogram. PATRICIA HARPER, screenplay, untitled "Loi Rider," PRC. HENRY LEVIN, dialogue director, "The Clo Struck Twelve," Columbia. JOHN MESCALL, cameraman, "Strange Musk Ripley-Monter for PRC. JOE SANTLEY, director, "Sleepy Lagoon," * public. SIDNEY SKOLSKY, screenplay, untitled life I Al Jolson, Columbia. WESLEY RUGGLES, director, "See Here, Priv; Hargrove," M-G-M. LEIGH JASON, director, "iRestless Lady," C lumbia. ARTHUR SCHWARTZ, producer, "Gone Are Days," Columbia. MONTE BRICE, screenplay, "When My 6, Smiles at Me," Columbia. ; CASTINGS RAY MILLAND, "Tomorrow's Harvest," Paii mount; PHILIP DORN, "The Night is Endini I 20th-Fox; NILS ASTHER, "The Hours Bef the Dawn," Paramount; J. CARROL NAI! ADELINE DE WALT REYNOLDS, GEORGE CIVC» ABNER BIBERMAN, CHESTER CAN and SAMI STEIN, "Behind the Rising Sun, RKO; T; RADIO ROGUES (JIMMY HOLLYWOOD, EDI BURTELL, SYD CHALTON), "Spotlight Revu Monogram; PRANK MORGAN, "White Cli; of Dover," M-G-M; KEENAN WYNN, Here, Private Hargrove," 'Paramount; GW KENYON, "Winter Time," 20th-Fox; EVEL KEYES, "Restless Lady," Columbia; NORM WILLIS, EDWIN STANLEY and JOHNNY WAL! "Johnny Come Lately," James Cagney-l BEN BLUE, "Up and Down 'Broadway," M-GWALLACE FORD, "A Thousand Shall Fall,'' G-M; FRANCIS LEDERER, J. CARROL NAI: EDWARD BROMBERC, "Strange Music," PI PHILIP TERRY, "Heavenly Body," M-CROBERT RYAN, "Behind the Rising Sun," Rr KIM HUNTER, "The Seventh Victim," RKO. JUDY CANOVA, "Sleepy Lagoon," Repub CARLTON YOUNG, "Guadalcanal Diary," 20' Fox KAY KYSER, JOAN DAVIS, 'MISCHA Al and MARCH McGUIRE, "Around the Worl RKO; CHILL WILLS, "See Here, 'Private H grove," M-C-M; 'RUSSELL WADE, "The I Major," RKO; FRiCK and FRACK, "Lady, Li Dance," Monogram; ROSEMARY BLONG, "Sp light Revue," Monogram; HENRY ROWLA and GEORGE LYNN, "Appointment in Berli Columbia ERIC ROLF and HUGO BORG. tack by Night," Columbia; BILLY BENEDI "Minesweeper," 'Pine-Thomas for Paramoii BETTY RHODES and JOHNNIE JOHNST "Mardi Cras," Technicolor two-reeler, f mount. DAN IS Hl^T M HZ 3N I V CI cl d W