The Film Daily (1947)

: C/^V DAILY Wednesday, April 16, 1947 Rank-Ealing-Rydge London (By Air Mail) — A longterm plan for Anglo-Australian production, under which the Pagewood and Cinesound Studios in Sydney would be re-equipped for immediate use, has been decided upon at conferences between J. Arthur Rank and John Davis, for the Rank Organization; R. P. Baker and Michael Balcon, for Ealing Studios, and Ken Hall, acting for Norman Rydge, of Australia. Move is an interim measure as, when production is under way, it is proposed to build an up-to-date studio and laboratory to which the equipment would be transferred. Production activities will be based on a three-way arrangement between Rank, Ealing and Rydge. Studios will be staffed mainly with British producers and technicians, the former including Eric Williams as general manager; Harry Watt, to direct the first joint production, Leslie Norman, an associate producer, and Walter Greenwood, a writer. N. J. Tax Bill Re-passes; Exhibitors Call for Veto (Continued from Page 1) vigorous opposition of New Jersey exhibitor organizations, would enable the larger cities in the state's coastal counties to introduce local legislation taxing theater admissions as well as other amusements. Both the ATONJ and FNJTO have asked their members to wire the governor urging veto action. The ITOA yesterday directed a protest against the measure to Governor Driscoll, stressing that the bill was discriminatory and expressing serious doubt as to its constitutionality. It was further pointed out that children's admissions might be subject to a tax as high as 36 per cent. Govt. Could File Another Case Stay Does Not Legalize Trade Practices "Daughter" to Close Siritzky International's French importation, "The Well-Digger's Daughter," closes a 30-week run at the Avenue Playhouse on Sunday. Schrum Meter Stunt Aimed for Good Will Monroe Schram, manager of Century's Elm Theater, Brooklyn, suggests a good-will builder for theaters in areas where parking meters exist. Schram's thought is to drop coins in meters where cars are parked overtime and to leave a card with this copy: "Saved from an overtime parking summons. A coin has just been deposited in your parking meter by.courtesy of the Theater. We hope you have enjoyed your shopping chore and we know you will enjoy the picture at our theater." Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Although the drastic move is not now contemplated, the Government "at any time" until the U. S. Supreme Court hears the case can start a new anti-trust suit against the defendants in the New York equity case, sources close to the Department of Justice indicated over the week-end. In effect, the defendants run a double risk, since exhibitors can slap suits for triple damages on the defendants during the interim period. Sources close to the D of J pointed out that despite stays granted from the equity decree, defendants engaging in practices declared illegal by the Statutory Court do so "at their own risk." These sources emphasized that the stay orders signed by Supreme Court Justice Stanley Reed "do not legalize" practices declared unlawful by the New York Court. The Government can file suit against the defendants for engaging in any of these practices since the N. Y. decree was handed down. In addition, anti-trust suits could be filed by the Government in other jurisdictions. As a practical matter, nowever, the Government contemplates no such action unless there is undue delay in the Supreme Court's hearing on appeals in the case. It is now expected that the High Court $250,000 Ad Budget for £-L "Repeat Performance" (Continued from Page 1) $250,000 for the company's approaching release, "Repeat Performance." This figure represents the largest appropriation for any E-L release thus far and almost doubles the amount indicated for "Bedelia." Although newspapers, magazines, billboards and radio will be included in the campaign, it is indicated that the major portion of the promotional budget will be allocated to local cooperative advertising. Youngstein said that he will personally visit each of the company's 31 exchanges in order to meet with E-L field exploitation representatives and lay plans for regional efforts. Alfred W. Schwalberg, vice-president and sales manager, will accompany Youngstein in visits to many of the exchanges so that selling and promotion plans can be co-ordinated. Sack Amusement Buys Rights to Negro Pix Sack Amusement Enterprises, Dallas, Tex., have just bought the rights from Century Productions, to three Negro pictures: "Junction 88," "Murder With Music," and "Bob Howard's House Party," according to an announcement by Alfred Sack, president of Sack Amusement. will hear the appeals in the Autumn. From exhibitors, however, may come another answer. The threat of triple-damage suits by exhibitors exists until the Supreme Court takes over the case. If, for instance, a defendant company engages in practices declared "illegal" by the N. Y. Court, the exhib. may file suit for triple damages. In the event that the Supreme Court upholds the N. Y. Court in so far as the illegality of these acts is concerned, the company involved may find itself liable for damages. In effect, the stay orders only mean that the defendants cannot be held in contempt of court for engaging in practices covered by the stay orders. Thus the defendants still run the risk of suits filed by exhibitors, as The Film Daily has pointed out several times. Since the stay orders signed by Justice Reed include many major portions of the decree, including the fixing of minimum prices, competitive bidding and block booking, action by exhibitors could split the case wide open, assuming companies do engage in such "illegal" practices. As one source close to the Gov-> ernment said, "this case is not over until the Supreme Court hands down its decision. Until that time, the decree of the N. Y. Court is 'law' and defendants act in violation of the decree at their own risk." Schwartz, Coyne Going to Albany for Tax Talks (Continued from Page 1 ) lation empowering counties and six municipalities to levy local amusement taxes. Schwartz and Coyne will be joined by Charles Smakwitz of Warners in Albany and the three will explain to Commissioner Chapman the exhibitor's point of view regarding the "discriminatory" taxes. Chapman acts in an advisory capacity to local authorities and had previously invited the exhibitor organizations to send representatives to make Known their views. Mason's Counter Suit Goes to Federal Court Propose Anglo-Amer, Pic Trade Conference Attorneys for David Rose yesterday had James Mason's counter complaint against the producer removed from N. Y. Supreme Court to N. Y. Federal Court on diversity of citizenship grounds. Mason's action seeks a declaratory judgment to the effect that a preliminary memorandum for the actor's services was not a final and complete contract. Rose previously filed a contract breach action in California. Parr Pair to Everett Charlotte, N. C. — Everett Enterprises of Charlotte is taking over the Parr and Imperial Theaters at Lancaster, S. C. These have been operated by George Parr. (Continued from Page 1) vanced before but O'Brien, in a lette to Sir Stafford Cripps, head of th. Board of Trade, outlined a plan fo an early meeting between thj^ro ducers, CEA and KRS to civile inviting U. S. representatives to'th' proposed trade conference. Move O'Brien feels, should be initiated b; W. R. Fuller, general secretary of th' CEA, who, under the plan wouh approach J. Arthur Rank, Sir Alex ander Korda, Sir Henry French am the distributors to invite them to th< meeting. Proposed meeting would author An invitation to U. S. industry leaders to sit in on the projected Anglo-American film trade confer ence could be extended by J. Arthuj Rank during his planned trip U America, industry sources suggested While the 25th anniversary dinnei has been called off, Rank is to b( hosted at a dinner by MPAA topper! and that occasion might lead to the invitation, according to speculatioi along Wardour St. ize their officers to examine the con ference proposal jointly and decide how they could further it. O'Brien urged the industry not tc regard the suggestion as merely another proposal. He pointed out thai things are moving rapidly, econom ically, industrially and internationally, and "unless it is aware of these i trends, the industry will find it has been left behind." Admitting that there have beer no proposals for nationalization oJ the British film industry, O'Briei warned that "events may rapidlj compel them (the government) tc take an interest in the industry in £ manner which the industry may no like." He contended that it is vital foil industry leaders to bring about &r . international conference so thai : mutual problems may be solved bj democratic principles "rather thai: drifting and allowing themselves tc! be overtaken by events." O'Brien is due to go to the U. S shortly to discuss the setting up oi an international union with IATSE 'officials and to come to an agreement on the question of exchanging studic personnel between Hollywood anc England fEfflfllE TOUCH FAYE BOYD, Film Classics' secretary, Detroit. 'MARTHA CHANDLER, SRO booking department Atlanta. HELEN TOLONE, relief cashier. Paramount The ater, Syracuse. RHODA RICK, Eagle-Lion Films' home office publicity dept. RHODA RICH, from assistant publicity director Federal Films, to Eagle-Lion's home offic publicity department. :