The Film Daily (1947)

"d'^ DAILY Wednesday, November 13, 1946 Loral Ticket Impost Advorated In Ohio Columbus, O. — State Treasurer Don H. Ebright, pointing out that the Ohio general fund had an anticipated surplus of over $80,000,000, has suggested that the State vacate certain fields of taxation — including the admissions tax — so that local governments needing revenues may levy those taxes. At present, the Ohio Tax Commission, at the request of the Legislature, is making a study of how municipal subdivisions in need of funds can obtain more revenue. Vault Space Shortage, Acute Capital Problem IVaskingfon Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — A solution to ease the acute shortage of vault space in the local film exchanges is under discussion between fire department officials and branch managers. "Vault space is at a premium with the addition of many Government films now being handled by the exchanges. Government restrictions on the proposed building programs of the major exchanges is causing serious concern among the managers and fire marshals who are governed by the ordinances of the District. Boston Tub Sets Schedule Boston — Boston Tub No. 1 of the Tub Thumpers of America will set aside the first Monday of each month for a luncheon meeting of all directors and charter members at Steuben's restaurant. On Dec. 18 there will be an evening meeting for the election of ofiicers. Jan. 2 is the date for the annual meeting and on Feb. 21, the birthday dinner, with the presentation of citations, will be held at the Copley Plaza Hotel. May Sell Edinburg Trio Edinburg, Tex.— Dr. L. J. Montague, owner and operator of the Juarez, Citrus and Aztec Theaters, is negotiating with C. A. Richter for the sale of the houses. Richter is owner and operator of several driveins, with headquarters in Corpus Christi. Egan Succeeds BcESsett Montreal — Fred G. Egan has been appointed manager of the commercial photographic department of Associated Screen News, Ltd. He succeeds the late Harvey Bassett. Schrodt Sells to Neitzke Ackley, la. — R. C. Schrodt, owner of the Strand Theater since 1938, has sold it to R. A. Neitzke, formerly of Longmont, Colo. WHO'S WHO IN HOLLYWOOD LJAL E. CHESTER. Producer. Born March 6, 1921, New York City. One of ' ' the youngest producers in Hollywood. Began theatrical career as actor at age of six when he appeared in biblical pageant presented at Lewischn Stadium. Served briefly as a runner on Wall Street before becoming an usher at Globe Theater, N. Y. Later moved into Lew Brandt's office as office boy. At age of 15, resumed acting career and appeared on Broadway in a number of plays, including "Dead End," which play resulted in his being signed by Warner Bros, for role in "Crime School." Went to Universal for "Little T;ugh Guy," Columbia for "Juvenile Court' and returned to Universal where he was under contract from 1938 to 1941. Did total of 22 pictures as an actor. Made extensive personal appearance tour throughout country making exhibitor contacts as well as appearing en stage. In 1945 signed a long-term contract with Monogram as a producer. Made deal with Ham Fisher to produce 'Joe Palooka" pictures. "Joe Palooka, Champ" and "Gentleman Joe Palooka " are now in release. Early in October Steve Broidy gave him new ccntract calling for two Lockwood and Gordon In Producing Companies Boston — Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises has formed two producing companies in association with Robert L. Lippert of San Francisco. One, Affiliated Productions, Inc., already has completed two pictures — "Rolling Home" and "Renegade Girl." The second Screenart Pictures, Inc., has completed its first, "Queen of the Amazons," and starts "Shoot to Kill" shortly. Eacn company will make a minimum of four pictures a year for release through Screen Guild Productions. Arthur Lockwood and Louis Gordon, heads of the circuit, will maKe several trips to the Coast each year. Canadian Audio Presses Work on Toronto Studio Toronto — With excavation work completed, construction on the onestory studio being built on Lakeshore Road, Etobicoke, for Audio Pictures, Ltd. and Film Laboratories of Canada. Plant, to contain studio and recording space, as well as laboratori s facilities and an office, is scheduled for May completion. Chi. Censor Pinked Three Chicago — The Chicago Censor Board reports the inspection of 112 films, including sixteen foreign productions, during the month of October. Two Mexican productions, "Broken Heart" and "Laiid of Passion," and Universal's "Brute Man," were pinked. Number of cuts totaled fourteen. New Southern Circuit Mobile, Ala. — Southern Theaters, organized te operate theaters with principal offices here, filed incorporation papers in Mobile probate court with $50,000 capital stock. Henry K. Weinacker and W. F. Chastain were listed as principal stockholders. Kaplan, Hey wood Named To NCA Advisory Group Minneapolis — Ben Berger, president of North Central Allied, has appointed A. A. Kaplan of St. Paul and Jack Heywood of New Richmond, Wis., to the advisory committee of the NCA board. They wall fill the position left vacant by the death of Al Steffes and the resignation of Ben Friedman. Springfield Group To Enter Production Springfield, Mass. — Film Group Inc., has been organized here to prduce, market and distribute publ: relations specials, educational sMT^ and television programs on filmx j' First year operating schedules cal for production of foui* films, with television shorts expected to be held off until 1948. Officers of the corporation are President, Edwin H. Kasper, president of Kasper-Gordon, Inc., Bostor. ! radio production and electrical transcription studios; secretary, James P. Moriarty; treasurer, Laurent A Angers, and assistant treasurer Kendall Brigham. j Directors include Kasper, Moriarty Angers, William Shearer, III, an: Eugene C. Zack. Executive producer is Haii-y BI:ven, associated for two years wit. Bay State Film Productions, Inc as production manager, director an' writer. Brigham has been appointe J production manager. Rifkin Buys Building Housing Hub Offices Of Course, Izvestia Could Not Be Just a Bit Biased! Boston — Majestic Enterprises Corp. of which Herman Rifkin is president, has purchased the property at 39 Church St. The Monogram exchange has been lessees of the property for nine years and the building also housed the Boston offices of the Rifkin Circuit. There will be no change of occupants. Mack Roberts, attorney, and .Joseph Lund of R. M. Bradlee Co., realtors, represented the buyer. Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAlLi _ Washington — Film critics "can ar! rive at one conclusion only — that j Soviet cinema art ranks first in im! portance and profoundness," Izvestia correspondent V. Poltoratsky wrote in a story of the recent Cannes Film Festival released here la^t week by the USSR Embassy. Praising the French films and the 'great craftsmanship of Disney's films," the Russian writer held that the impressive record of awards to Soviet films wajustified by their 'vitality, faith in the future and the struggle for it." New Film, Radio School Formation of the New Institute at 29 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, is announced with classes to be off'ered in film production, acting, radio, television and the dance. The faculty includes Paul Strand, Irving Lerner, Jean Oser, Boris D. Kaplan, Norman Rose, Albert Morgan, Peter Lvon. Malcolm Child. Screenplays in Novel Form to Hit Stands Terra Rim Transplanted West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Eric Morawsky, founder -of the original Terra Film Co. in Europe, has registered the trade name here, with plans to remake some of his more successful films. Bart House, Inc., subsidiary of MacFadden Publications, is preparing to issue 25 cent pocket-size editions of "The Film Hit Novel of the Month." Material will consist of a rewrite of film screenplays. An extensive advertising campaign is planned. First number will be "Mr. Ace." Barrymore Gets New Equip. .\lcester, S. D. — Jay Huisman has installed new booth and sound equipment in his Barrymore Theater. Mutuol's Forum on Tele Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAI' y Washington — First regularly televised forum will be telecast the first of the year from DuMont's stations WTTG (Washington) and WABD (New York). Mutual's "American Forum of the Air," oldest program of its type, will be televised each Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. from the Shoreham Hotel here.