The Film Daily (1944)

Thursday, April 13, 1944 Crockett Urges New Attempt for Unity (Continued from Page 1) day between different branches of this industry cannot continue as it now is without many additional requests for both Federal and state control." Crockett said he felt that such control would be very harmful to the industry, but "with so many exhibitors only feeling what they consider unfair trade practices forced upon theni, such requests are bound to result." A consent decree, he continued, is necessary at this time to satisfy the Government and if a reasonably satisfactory decree were entered, it would restore the confidence of many exhibitors in their hope for an agreement setting forth fair trade practices. "Had unity's first effort been successful, the consent decree might have been abolished instead of renewed," Crockett said. "I believe the failure of unity's first effort was due to the fact that some participants at that time lacked the necessary faith or belief in the advantages to be derived from such a program by all branches of this industry." Commenting on W. F. Rodgers' recent statement regarding another unity attempt, Crockett said it not only reflected the tremendous amount of time and thought that he has given to the advantages of self-control of the industry, "but looks into the future with the foresight of how this industry will be crippled and eventually stifled if legislative or Government regulation is forced or permitted to control its operation." RKO Out in Force at Party For Departing Joan Davis RKO Radio hosted a party for Joan Davis in the Cottage Suite of the Hampshire House yesterday afternoon, prior to her return to Hollywood. Among those present from RKO were: Ralph B. Austrian, Edward Alperson, Charles Boasberg, Arthur Brilant, Walter Branson, Leon Bamberger, William H. Clark, Ned E. Depinet, Walter Derham, Frank Drumm, James Dunn, John Farmer, Harry Gittleson, Robert Hawkinson, Harold Hendee, Michael Hoffay, Malcolm Kingsberg, Harry Michaels, Harold Mirrick, S. Barret McCormick, Bob Mochrie, Rutgers Neilson, Frank Norman, Michael Pollet, Col. Richard Patterson, Jr., N. Peter Rathvon, A. A. Schubart, Sol Schwartz, Irving Shifrin, Terry Turner, Garrett Van Wagner, Arthur Wille, J. Miller Walker, Maj. Leslie E. Thompson, Gordon Youngman and Kenneth Umbreit. Jack Haley, Cy Wills, George Matthew Adams, Alton Cook, Burton Rascoe, A. 0. Dillenbeck, Otis Gurnsey, Jr., Lester Brody, Wanda Hale, Julia McCarthy, Jack Brian, L. L. Stevenson and Bill Vallee were among the other guests who also embraced editors and staffers of the industry press. • • • THE PERSONAL TOUCH: Damon Runyon's improving following an operation at Memorial Hospital. . . • Joe Shea's second bout with the surgeon was deferred 24 hours at Polyclinic. . . • Frank Rosenherg, Harry McWilliams and the Columbia exploiteers rate a doff of the lid for their "Cover Girl" job Latest feather in their cap is a nine-window display in a principal Kansas City dept. store, worked out with Loew's Midland . . • John H. Harris has been reappointed a member of the board of Western State Penitentiary by Gov. Edward Martin of Pennsylvania. . . • Jack K. Adams, founder of the Dallas exchange bearing his name, steps back into harness when his son and namesake dons a uniform. . . • Perc Westmore, turning author, is completing a book on the art of makeup. . . • Prexy Nicholas Napoli of Artkino has set "No Greater Love" for a tour of the RKO met. circuit. . . • That check which Bridgeport, Conn., friends presented Morris Rosenthal on his departure to pilot the New Haven Poli has gone to the Red Cross . . • Is it news thot Louis de Rochemont's first feature assigiunent at 20th-Fox is "Boomerang," South Paciiic naval thriller by Com. William Chambliss, erstwhile of the 20th-Fox exploitation dept.? ... • Add Alexis Smith to list of celebs, who will attend the May 3 local bow of Warners' "Adventures of Mark Twain" at the Hollywood. . . • N. Y. U., marks the 34th anniversary of Twain's death with Hall of Fame ceremonies on the 21st; Jesse L. Lasky and Fre.dric March will participate. • Phil Gravitz, New Haven Metro booker, is marking his I4th year with Leo the Lion. . . • Uncle Sam has tagged both Anthony and Donald Mungello who operate the Mary Ann in Burgettstown, Pa ▼ TV • • • AVENGE PEARL HARBOR! Eastman Gives 300 Silent School Pix to EB Films A gift of 300 silent classroom films by Eastman Kodak Co. and plans for expanded production facilities by Encyclopedia Britannica Films, Inc., were announced yesterday by Eastman and Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., following a meeting of the EB board. Robert M. Hutchins, president of the University of Chicago, accepted the gift and pledged the co-operation of the University to the film company. William Benton, chairman of the EB board, noted that Britannica Film Co. is now in a position to offer both silent and sound teaching motion pictures. He added that production facilities are being expanded and that Stephen M. Corey, professor of educational psychology of the University, is on leave for full time work on production plans. E. H. Powell, president of EB, announced that E. E. Shumaker will continue as president of the film company and that the encyclopedia's research facilities will be made available to the film company. The Eastman gift of its library of instruction films signalizes its retirement from the teaching film field, Adolph Stuber, vice-president, revealed. He called attention to the late George Eastman's interest in the field, dating back to 1923, and the production of the nearly 300 Name Charles McDonald Field Chief for Wac Drive WPB Deferment List "Minor" Pix VidorY (Continued from Page 1) and printing labs are included as "programs under WPB authority" on the new critical list released Tuesday. Inclusion on this list, however, is a minor victory. The important work must be done in the field, Burrows explained. It is there that Selective Service officials must be sold on the importance of the work done by these youngsters. WPB field men will countersign applications for deferment for these workers, but even there it is the judgment of state and local draft officials which matters most. This whole setup was discussed Tuesday by Burrows, a group of film manufacturers and WPB and Selective Service representatives. The technical phases of procedure to obtain deferment was outlined to the industry representatives. In the meantime, the serious manpower situation has caused some concern at WPB regarding the program for production of 35 mm. booth equipment. The ban on expansion of civilian production quotas in labor shortage areas, announced yesterday, will affect several manufacturers of this equipment. It is not believed that it will be serious enough to cause a cutback in the expanded program which WPB is expected to announce within another week for the remainder of 1944, but there is cause for concern. 11 lATSE Studio Unions Seek FiveYear Contract (Continued from Page 1) contact with state and area chairmen and has set up headquartei's at the War Activities Committee office in the Paramount Bldg. Eddie Dowden of Loew's publicity department will assume the role of public relations director in New York for the drive. Campaign is scheduled for May 11-17. Alperson met in Washington yesterday with Col. Oveta Gulp Hobby, director of the Women's Army Corps and worked out the details of the enrollment drive. Others attending the meeting were Col. Curtis Mitchell, Col. Jay Noel Macy, Harry Brandt and Harry Mandel. Arthur Pat West Dead West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Arthur Pat West, 55, veteran screen and vaudeville player, died in his home in Van Nuys. He leaves a widow and two daughters. subjects to test the educational value of motion pictures. "It can now quite safely be said that the place of motion pictures in the field of visual education is firmly established," he concludes, "and the Eastman Kodak Co. can bow out." (Continued from Page 1) with the film companies at the New York offices of Pat Casey, studio labor contact. The pact would replace that which expired on Jan. 1. The producer representatives are expected to submit their answer today. Accord was reached yesterday on the question of seniority. Other than contract length the only other important points still to be settled are group insurance and grievance machinery. The possibility was seen yesterday that the conference would wind up this week. Agnew Back Next Week To Wind Up Para. Biz Neil Agnew, recently named sales chief for David 0. Selznick will return from the Coast next week and spend several days at Paramount winding up several items of business which were unfinished when he stepped out as general sales manager. Charles Reagan will move into Agnew's office when the latter checks out. Dix in Columbia Series IVest Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Columbia will star Richard Dix in a series based upon radio's thrill show, "The Whistler."