The Film Daily (1944)

• • * NEW YORK. FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1944 • • * • COV'T SEEN SET TO OKAY MORE EQUIPMENT Needs of Exhibitors Revealed by NTS Survey PLAIN TALK . . . about equipment =^ hy GEORGE H. MORRIS ^===i Equipment Editor, THE FILM DAILY I N the light of official Washington's own principle and example with respect to the need for post-war planning, and the encouragement being given to civilian channels to emulate such action so that the transition into peacetime will bring the least chaos to our economy, it appears only proper to raise the question now as to what Uncle Sam intends doing about motion picture projectors, which will inevitably return to this country in the wake of our gallant fighting men whom they have served so well in mechanical purveying both instruction and screen entertainment. Understandably, the manufacturers of such projectors, along with their distribution agents, are disturbed over prospects that the units will find their way when all the shooting is over, into the hands of flyby-night vendors as was the case with much World War I material, and thus compete both cheaply and detrimentally against the first-hand products of the very organizations which made them. THIS problem's solution is not one which 1 ' can be loosely postponed or poohi poohed. It is one which calls for the apI plication of license and not liberty. It calls for a practical and not a theoretical answer. Many of the 16 mm. projectors I are taking a terrific physical beating in : their duties overseas. Conditions under which they are operating are extreme, and ; to the everlasting glory of their manufaci turers they are proving the rugged quality which has been built into them. Upon their homecoming, they will need careful rebuilding or reconditioning. This should be done by their original manufacturers, and not by anyone else. If they are rehabilitated by others, whose conscientiousness and particular skill, can be assumed logically to fall short of that possessed by the maker, considerable economic harm and injustice can result. There should be, — and this corner hopes there will be — , a constructive and immediate course set by proper Governmerit channels to liquidate current industry misfContinued on Page 10) Every Theater, Among the Thousands Queried, Says It Must Make Purchases Recently completed nation-wide survey conducted by National Theatre Supply Co. definitely indicates, it is reported by Walter E. Green, organization's president, that exhibitors' post-war equipment requirements will far exceed all predictions to date. As a result of the data compiled by company's representatives in personal interviews with thousands of independent theater owners and circuit executives, Green states, "we have been able to draw a very accurate 'blue print' showing (Continued on Page 10) Exhibs. Urged To Seek OCR Regional Counsel Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Representatives of the Office of Civilian Requirements are available in 13 regional WPB offices to assist exhibitors in maintaining their services, and George (Continued on Page 10) J. A. Ball Joins DuPont In Consultative Capacity Wilmington, Del. — Photo Products Department, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., announces the association of J. A. Ball as consultant. A (Continued on Page 10) SECOND "E" STAR GIVEN TO DEVRY Personnel Warmly Praised By Army-Navy for War Aid Chicago — A second white star for its Army-Navy "E" Flag, denoting continued production excellence for the war effort on the part of its personnel, has just been awarded to DeVry Corp. here. The organization i s the only one in the nation to be thus honored for the manufacture of motion picture sound equipment and secret elect r 0 n i c training devices incorporating motion picture projection prin (Continued on Page 11) WILLIAM C. DeVRY Building Code Inaction Sets Off Row in Toledo Toledo, O. — Slov^rness of City Council's citizens committee in recommending a new building code has aroused criticism of the Chamber of Commerce, which points out that two fires last January causing loss of $1,000,000, could have been pre(Continued on Page 11) Technicolor Eyeing Future Plans To More Than Double Its Facilities Three Notables Inducted By Projectionists' Club Allen G. Smith, WPB Theater Equipment Section's chief; William F. Canavan, a former president of lATSE and MPMO; and Thad Barrows, for nearly 30 years lA Local 182 president, Boston, were inducted as honorary members of the 25-30 (Continued on Page 10) West Coast Bujcau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Technicolor has in the foreground of its post-war plans, which may not have to wait until the actual end of hostilities if the Government decides to modify present building regulations, the construction of a new plant addition which will house the most modern equipment including mechanical and scientific advances made during the (Continued on Page 10) Substantial Boost Asked; Amount for First Quarter Disclosed as Increased Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — With official approval not expected for another week or two, WPB and OCR equipment officers are confident that their proposals for a substantial boost in production for civilian production for the rest of this year will be approved in their entirety or with only minor deletions. Although there is reason to believe the critical manpower situation is, in part at least, responsible for the delay, they do not expect their recommendations to be cut down at all sharply. In the meantime, it was learn(Continued on Page 11) Johnston Predids Vast Building Wave At least 1,000 new motion picture theaters will be built in the United States as soon as post-war conditions permit, according to information gathered by W. Ray Johnston, Monogram president, who returned (Continued on Page 10) General Aniline & Film Shows Larger Net in '43 General Aniline and Film Corp.'s 1943 report shows a net income of $3,624,800 after all charges, including $9,003,562 taxes and $1,000,000 (Continued on Page 11) "I/" Mahes It Easy To ''Follow the Boys" Universal has equipped itself with the largest sign in company's local promotional annals. The sign, located at Broadway and 47th St., clarions the New York engagement of "Follow the Boys" at the Criterion Theater. Area aggregates more than 1,500 sq. feet. Southern section of the sign measures 15 X 35!/4 feet, and that facing west fs 15 X 66 2/3 feet. 'i