The Film Daily (1944)

jay, December 8, 1944 TW DAILY erim Decree Rests Divorcement Issue (Continued from Page 1) fed by Berge's predecessor, Tom piark, and Berge said yesterday : he would have to reject it, too, included the divorcement moraiim clause. eanwhile, discussion of an infill decree, to operate during the -|od of litigation on the anti-trust d has been suspended here pend\ final decision by the majors as Ivhether such a decree might be red. Berge said he was not .ning on an interim decree and it was not his practice to take J initiative in matters of this It's not appropriate," he said, \ us to put on any pressure for nterim decree when we're plan* a court fight for a permanent lenient," adding that he would 'Tbe averse to discussing with the (ors a temporary agreement to through the conclusion of the pent litigation. "They are prac |ly free of restriction now, since expiration date of the old de ," he said. "-udustry sources here were someIt mystified by the majors' offer an interim decree. The most oable explanation was that they JTed to have an efficiently funcLing distribution set-up and a thy competitive system to show court during the forthcoming rcement trial. It may be, it e said, that they figure the Gov nent case would be weakened if 7 could show that major com ints were already being remedied. jge appears to be aware of this nihility. Even if he does not win 'icement, he might well figure : the Government had won a ijtor victory if manv competitive etices to which the Government ects were ruled out by industry ■aement. r 1 Laurence Dead jaris, Tenn. — Hal Laurence, conned with local theaters for the J: 30 years as manager, died afla long period of ill health. New Theaters tor India 10,000 in Trade Expansion Seen by Fazalbhoy IN NEW POSTS (Continued from Page 1) WRD REHIA, manager, Merritt, Bridgeport, lConn. i-lUR KRASSELT, chief of service, Paramount, New Haven 30N PAGE, manager, Hazel Park Theater, Hazel Park, Mich. SS 0. KENT, salesman, 20th-Fox, Detroit. i HIMMELEIN, salesman, Paramount Pictures, Detroit. I J. LEWANDOWSKI, manager, Rex, Detroit. JS LOVE, assistant manager, Stanley, New 'York. IS WARNER, chief of service, Eckel, Syra rector of RCA Photophone Equipment, Ltd., of Bombay, told a press conference yesterday in the local Hotel Commodore. He recently arrived in the U. S. as a member of the India delegation to attend the International Business Conference in Rye, N. Y., and also to serve as special representative of the Indian film industry. Government regulation imposed upon the film trade in India has resulted paradoxically in "creating a new industry there," one in which Indian production has made strong gains and native product has advanced in popularity with entertainment-seekers. A quota now exists, based on past production records, whereby producers limit their features to 11,000 feet, which represents a slash from 14,000, and no shorts are turned out by studios for entertainment. Informative films are shown in all houses and at all performances up to a maximum of 2,J00 feet. Raw Stock Supply Critical The equipment and raw stock situations, he said, are "critical." Currently raw film comes from the U. 3., whereas prior to the war such stock was imported from German and Belgian sources predominantly. Some 70 per cent of the films on India's screens today are domestically made, and virtually all of the remaining 30 per cent are of U. S. origin, since British product is scarce. India's 390,000,000 men and women Rubin Names 30 to Willkie Memorial Luncheon Group are served by only 1,700 theaters, compared to the some 18,000 in the U. S. serving 135,000,000 people. In line with India's film house expansion, he said, are plans for increase of production to service these show places. It calls for the annual production of 300 features, 104 instructional shorts, and 52 weekly newsreels. To achieve this, India needs aid from the U. S. film industry, and especially needed is American training of more Indian technicians. Little Equipment Available Very little theater equipment is available during the war, he asserted, and admitted that one of the facets of his mission to the U. S. is to try to get from Washington an equipment quota for India which could operate as soon as possible. Seating capacity of Indian theaters averages about 800 currently; the educational field is yet "untouched"; sound and photography in studios are the equal of Hollywood standards; and, of the 1,700 theaters now in operation, only a very few are air-conditioned, and hence a huge market exists for such equipment in the post-war era, were other points of information furnished by him. THEATER DEALS Arnolds Park, la. — The theater building here has been purchased by Phil Marsh of Wayne, Neb. Remodeling is to precede reopening. Detroit — John C. Golden, who built and has operated the Irving in suburban Redford for about 15 years, is retiring, and is selling the house to Associated Theaters, which takes over Dec. 1. Minneapolis — Donald Guttman has acquired the local Alhambra and Northtown, the Roxy and the Arcade, St. Paul, and the Grand in Durand, Wis., from Harry Dickerman, who is retiring. Cedar Rapids, la. — G. F. Litts, formerly of Cedar Rapids and recently of Georgia, has purchased the Strand and will reopen it after redecorating. Litts will manage personally. Lost Nation, la. — The Urbana at Lost Nation has been purchased by Mr. Allen of Maquoketa from K. D. Sanders. Charlotte, N. C— Effective Dec. 3, H. H. Everett and Worth Stewart will assume ownership and management of the Sunrise theater in Southern Pines, N. C. William P. Benner is the present owner and manager. (Continued from Page 1) Willkie to be held at the Hotel Astor, Dec. 15. At the same time, Rubin named the committee of 30 who will work with Skouras on the memorial luncheon. They include Jack W. Alicoate, Barney Balaban, Harry Brandt, Leo Brecher, Jules E. Brulatour, Ned E. Depinet, Walter Green, Francis S. Harmon, Will H. Hays, Marcus Heiman, Joseph Hornstein, Malcolm Kingsberg, Edward J. Noble, John J. O'Connor, Charles L. O'Reilly, Brock Pemberton, Ralph I. Poucher, Martin Quigley, Herman Robbins, Jack Robbins, William F. Rodgers, David A. Ross, Gradwell L. Sears, Lee Shubert, Nate B. Spingold, Harry Thomas, Walter Vincent, Maj. Albert Warner, and David Weinstock. Memorial Services for Andrea Chicago — Memorial services for Joe Andrea of the Essaness circuit, who was killed in action overseas, will be held Saturday night at St. \ Charles Borromeo Church. 21 WORDS THAT SPELL CHRISTMAS BOND SALES! • PUT THIS MESSAGE IN YOUR 6th WAR LOAN LOBBY "The War Bonds You buy this Christinas Speed the Christmas when you may sayPeace on Earth, Good Will Towards Men" Ross Federal Service, Inc.