The Film Daily (1943)

Friday, May 14, 1943 1NE< DAILY Walker to Wage ITOA Fight on Rentals (Continued from Page 1) the interest of film prices but that the over-all program called for the J ting up of a fair trade practice mula for the independents. The ITOA is doing something that one big national exhibitor organization could have accomplished if the theater owners of the country had joined forces, Brandt said. He added that the ITOA got tired of waiting for the other associations to do something concrete and constructive on the matter of film rentals, especially in view of the mounting net profits of the distributing companies; so there was nothing else to do but to tackle the problem itself. Walker and the resolutions committee will convene immediately to lay their plans. The manner in which the association and Walker will approach the situation has not been decided, but the members feel confident that they will get the relief they are seeking. Columbia Holds Over Chicago Sales Meet Chicago — Because of the pressure of business, Columbia will continue its annual sales convention through today, with A. Montague, general sales manager, presiding. Immediately after today's sessions are completed home office executives, headed by A. Montague will leave for New York. Returning will be: Rube Jackter, Lou Weinberg, Louis Astor, Max Weisfeldt, Leo Jaffe, Maurice Grad, George Josephs, Hank C. Kaufman, Bernie E. Zeeman, Vincent Borrelli, Seth Raisler, William Brennan, Joseph Freiberg, Al Seligman. Individual meetings were held yesterday and continue today with members of the Central, Southern and Mid-Western Divisions. Delegates from the following exchanges are in attendance: Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Memphis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Omaha. Out of town delegates will leave Chicago tonight. STORKS Omaha, Neb. — Charles Lieb, Metro salesman, and Mrs. Lieb are parents of a new daughter, Linda Lee. The Liebs have another child. Richmond — Mrs. Dorothy Shewbridge Smith, secretary to Sam Bendheim, Jr., general manager, Neighborhood Theaters, gave birth to an eight pound baby girl at Stuart Circle Hospital. WHO'S WHO IN HOLLYWOOD • • • Presenting Interesting Personalities • • • BINNIE BARNES. Born in London, of an English father and English-Italian mother, March 6, 1907. Educated at private schools in London and Paris. While dancing in London's Cosmo Club she joined Ted McLeod, a rope spinner, who taught her his tricks and dubbed her "Texas Binnie" Barnes. Was a terrific success, and stage and screen offers followed. First stage role with Charles Laughton and Una O'Connor in "Silver Tassie." Screen debut "Night in Montmartre" with Heather Angel. Made 26 comedies with Stanley Lupino. Was playing an important role in the original Drury Lane stage production of Noel Coward's "Cavalcade" which Alexander Xorda saw and signed her to a contract. She did sophisticated roles and became an immediate screen favorite. She did the memorable role of Catherine in Charles Laughton's international hit, "The Private Life of Henry VIII." Followed a part in Gregory Ratoff's "Forbidden Territory" and the feminine lead in Douglas Fairbanks' "Don Juan" and Hollywood beckoned. Since arriving here in May 1934, she has worked steadily. Films include: "The Adventures of Marco Polo," "Man About Town" and is currently making "The Man From Down Under" with Charles Laughton. She rides, swims, plays golf and tennis. Has an excellent singing voice. Married to Lieut. Mike Frankovich of the Ferry Command. Hair, red-gold. Eyes, dark brown. Stands, 5, 6. Weighs 122 pounds. Red Cross Presented $240,642 Benefit Net (Continued from Page 1) Madison Square Garden on April 5. The Paramount's prexy, in making the presentation, pointed out that the check represented the net returns on the benefit which grossed a total of $257,407. In accepting, Chester declared that the benefit had played an important part in the completion of the New York campaign which was oversubscribed by $600,000 on April 30 and which, it is anticipated, will exceed $14,000,000 when final returns are in. Present at the presentation with Balaban were Ed Sullivan, chairman of the show; Robert M. Weitman, manager of Paramount theater, cochairman, and Judge Benjamin Shalleck, executive chairman, in charge of the sale of tickets. Representing Chester's committee were John P. Stevens, Jr., and Ralph Tapscott. A summary of the receipts of New York's most successful benefit disclosed that $233,984 was received through the sale of tickets and boxes, $3,278 from the sale of programs, and $779 from the sale of flowers. Sale of programs and flowers was conducted by Red Cross Staff Assistants of the New York Chapter of the American Red Cross. All Theaters Operating In Arkansas Flood Area Memphis — All theaters are still operating in the Arkansas flood area. Film transit continues to make deliveries by difficult detours between Little Rock, Newport and Fort Smith The Malco circuit is most seriously affected. The Strand at Clarksville is operating with water at the front door. PRC Hikes Budgets For '43-44 Program (Continued from Page 1) plans to make approximately the same number of pictures announced for the 1942-43 lineup, or 42 productions. The budget, however, will be flexible so that a picture's cost will depend on the market's possibilities. It was pointed out by both Fromkess and Arthur Greenblatt, general sales manager, that a company trade mark no longer measure the type of playing time a picture will receive. If the quality is in evidence, a picture can get major outlets as has been proven by the "Corregidor" bookings, they said. Between four and six of next season's pictures will be musicals, Fromkess said, adding that 30 per cent of the program will be of a topical nature. The company, Fromkess stated, is going after "names" for the new season and the prospects are bright for top flight personalities in forthcoming PRC productions: Fromkess said that PRC shortly would announce the acquisition of its own studio, bringing all the production units under one roof instead of splitting the shooting among three different lots. Only two pictures are yet to be made for the 1942-43 program ; namely, "Jungle Fury" and "Career Girl." It was announced that Frank Buck had been signed by PRC to produce one picture for the new season. Title is "Tiger Fangs" which will star Buster Crabbe. Goldman Shifts Keith's, Philly, to Second-Run Philadelphia — K eith's which opened with double feature first-run last week under the William Goldman banner .shifts to second-run tomorrow with Metro's "Assignment in Brittany." This' is.4)elieved to indicate that he will get'~"Mef.ro second-runs down to a split with the local Arcadia which always had onehalf of Metro product. fW/d^wiW Wi