The Film Daily (1947)

Mr. Lester Thompson -^ M. P. Productions Dial?*, Kiryt 21st floor iitimate in Character itternational in Scope iidependent in Thought The Daily N Of Motion Twenty-Eight e wspaper Pictures Years Old FDAILY NEW YORK. WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 13. 1946 TEN CENTS HAPUN-PICKFORD TALKING SELZNICK SUIT I frobe Charges of Delays in Copyright Clearance fenate Group Told Combnies Plan to Cash in on ducational Pix Interest By MANNING CLAGETT 'ashington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — A Senate sub-comjittee is investigating charges that iPAA and the SIMPP are "delay g" copyright clearance of hun•eds of war-made films, it was larned yesterday. An authoritative source told The 'jtLM Daily that the surplus propty sub-committee of the Senate tilitary Affairs Committee was (Continued on Page 24) Vyier Urges Freer land for Director j Quality of Hollywood pictures buld be vastly improved if many lore directors were given a freer and in production, in the opinion tf William Wyler, who told The "ILM Daily yesterday that in the igood old days" the average director /as much more self-reliant. It sometimes happens, Wyler (Continued on Page 23) iVarners Denied Permit ["o Build Sydney House ' Sydney (By Air Mail) — NSW "ilms Commission has refused the pplication by Warner Bros, for pro ■isional approval to erect a theater li.ere. Warners purchased the site in j 942 and the decision is regarded by Ijilm executives as an indication that f (Continued on Page 24) Aiistrnlta Warns on "Quiclcies" for Quota Sydney (By Air Mail) — Under the N. S. W. Cinematograph Films (Australian Quota) Act, the Minister may refuse to register an Australianproduced film which, in the opinion of the Films Commission, does not make the grade. The Minister has just warned producers that substandard films will not be passed as suitable for the Quota. WARNS ON GOV'T INTERFERENCE Federal Commission on Motion Pictures Could Bring Chaos — Richey Detroit — Chaotic conditions that could arise from a Government commission on motion pictures were described by H. M. Richey in an address before the annual convention of Allied Theaters of Michigan. ( "Observe the chaos," the M-G-M ) exhibitor relations chief said, "that comes with Government interfer' enee, with control by the court and of exhibitor groups divided into half a dozen separate camps. There can | be no lasting benefit to exhibitor, | producer or distributor from con1 trols which are set upon the film industry by legislation or court action." Richey said that while a commission would be unbiased, it also would be strict in supervising the affaix's of all parties concerned in the transaction. Explaining that the Interstate Commerce Commission was formed to supervise railroads, Richey pointed out that ICC had a lot to say about wages and salaries. "Given a commission form of (Continued on Page 24) BIdg. Controls to Remain, is Report Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Fate of the Government's construction control program remained undecided yesterday. Reports persisted, however, that restrictions, which will keep down any (Continued on Page 23) 600 Reservations Already In for Balaban's Dinner Propose City Ticket Tax in Atlantic City Atlantic City, N. J. — The amusement and hotel industry of the resort, including theaters, will bear the brunt of a new revenue plan proposed by Mayor Joseph Altman to replace the now defunct sales tax, (Continued on Page 23) Post's Archer Winston Heads N. Y. Film Critics Industry leaders and celebrities of Archer Winston of the New York stage screen and radio head the , Post yesterday was elected chairlist of speakers who will pay tribute ; man of the New York Film Critics to Barney Balaban, Paramount presi dent, at the dinner in his honor, (Continued on Page 24) and Joe Pihodna of the Herald-Tribune was elected secretary at a meet( Continued on Page 23) New License Code in Spring Fieldins to Seek Full Co-op of Pix Groups "Night of Stars" Nets $110,000 for the UJA More than $110,000 was raised last night at the "Night of Stars," toward the $100,000,000-campaign of the United Jewish Appeal. Proceeds will be used to further the work of the Joint Distribution Committee, the United Palestine Appeal and the (Continued on Page 23) A "more comprehensive" motion picture license code for New York theaters is under study and will be completed next Spring, according to Benjamin Fielding, commissioner of Licenses. Fielding said yesterday he was working on the new code and had held conferences with interested parties, such as associations, circuit and independent theater operators. Fielding said he intended to obtain (Continued on Page 23) Will Recommend Selznick Ousting By UA Because Of RKO Releasing Deals By RALPH WILK West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — Attorneys for Charles Chaplin and Mary Pickford, United Artists stockholders have decided to institute an action against David 0. Selznick, Independent Producer, charging him with breach of contract. Chaplin and Pickford will also recommend to United Artists' board of directors that UA refuse to accept "Duel in the Sun" for distribution. The recommendation will also be made that court action be (Continued on Page 24) rriirr Merger Completed The merger of Universal Pictures Co., Inc., and International Pictures Co., Inc., was concluded yesterday with the signing of papers in New York and Hollywood. As a result of the merger, the combined companies hereafter will be known as Universal International Productions Co., (Continued on Page 23) 14 U. K. Theaters Figure In Deals by Four Circuits London (By Cable) — Two important theater deals were disclosed here yesterday. By one, Bernstein Theaters acquires six stands from London and District Cinemas. By the second. Moss' Empires, Ltd., , takes (Continued on Page 24) Johnston Returning On Elizabeth ISov. 22 London (By Cable) — Eric A. Johnston, MPAA-MPEA president, making a quick recovery from his pneumonia attack, expects to be out of bed tomorrow but will remain here until Nov. 22 when he will sail for New York on the Queen Elizabeth with his entourage. Johnston's visit to the Continent has been cancelled.