The Film Daily (1947)

Delation t ee t w York CO NOT REMO\ Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Twenty-Nine Years Old VOL. 91. NO. 102 NEW YORK, MONDAY. MAY 26. 1947 TEN CENTS UmiKCLV FOR GCRmgn PIH TO RJBCH H€R€ Rank, Hanson Vie for Mono. Canada Franchise Broidy Due from Coast To Open Negotiations For Dominion Release West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Initial discussions on the future Canadian distribution of Allied Artists and Monogram product will be held in New York this week, it is learned, with the principal contenders for the valuable franchise said including J. Arthur Rank's Monogram Pictures of Canada, Ltd., and Oscar Hanson, the Canadian Monogram company's general manager. Steve Broidy, president of AA and Monogram, left for the East Friday (Continued on Page 3) Govt. Control Films Through Television! Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — NAB President Justin Miller warned over the week-end that concession of power to Government to control radio broadcasting "will be followed by a demand for Government control of the press and motion pictures." Speaking before the DAR conven(Continued on Page 3) Harold Field Elected MPF Chairman for Minn. Area Minneapolis — Harold Field, St. Louis Park Theater manager, was elected Minnesota Motion Picture . Foundation chairman at a luncheon(Continued on Page 8) Around Cloch Air Plugs for "34th St." Eleven top-flight radio program* on WOR-Mutual will salute "Miracle on 34th Street" when it opens June 3 at the Roxy. Radio promotion will commence at 6:45 a.m. and continue throughout the day. A letter contest has been promoted by the 34th Street Association and will be plugged continuously over the air. Department stores will take newspaper space for tune-in ads. Important WOR shows will emanate from the Herald Square area. RKO First Quarter Profit at $2,270,683, Down $1,405,271 from $3,075,954 Reported in 1946 RKO Corps consolidated net for the initial 1947 quarter! was off $1405,271 when compared with the first quarter of 1946, it was reported Saturday. Net was $2270683 for the past quarter, compared with $3,675,954 for the 1945 13 weeks. Earnings were equal to 58 cents per common share this year; 97 cents last year. Profit from operation was listed at $3,866,683.48 for the 1947 quarter, compared with $6,195,953.74. Estimated income tax provision was $1 596,000 this year; $2,500,OCO last year. Wilcox Deplores I). K. De Rochemont Pad Anti-U. S. Legislation With UW is Signed British film leaders who would legislate against American pictures are not only guilty of gross ingratitude but are also lacking in foresight, declared Producer Herbert Wilcox upon his arrival with Anna N eagle, his coproducer and actress-wife, last Friday, aboard the S.S. Queen Elizabeth. Wilcox pointed out that American films had built up the British industry, and deplored that many who had Herbert wilcox profited from American films are ready to "kick the American industry in the pants." The producer further explained that even if certain British interests were to push through "protec ( Continued on Page 6) Final contract with Louis de Rochemont and United World Films for a series of 86 geography shorts in color was signed late last week after two months of dickering on details since deal was first announced last March in The Film Daily. Set-up calls for an educational unit to be formed by de Rochemont to (Continued on Page 8) Johnston Fetes O'Brien; Union Tops, Solons Attend Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — AFL officials and congressional leaders attended a dinner given by MPAA President Eric Johnston in honor of Tom O'Brien, British M. P. and general secretary of the NATKE, over the week-end. Guests included Senators James E. Murray of Montana, Harry ,P. Cain of Washington, Scott W. Lucas of Illinois, Raymond Baldwin of Connecticut, and Alexander Wiley of (Continued on Page 6) Ban Would Be British 'Blunder7 O'Brien Warns English Want Better Films Gorham's Ritz Clearance Modified by Appeal Board The arbitration appeal board, in a decision filed at the week-end, modified the award of the Boston tribunal in a demand by the operator of the Ritz Theater in Gorham, Mass., (Continued on Page 6) Although a babel across the sea continues to vociferate against American films, the firm, friendly voice of Tom O'Brien, M. P. and general secretary of the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employes, not only spoke up in their favor, but also warned: "It would be a major blunder for the British gov(Continued on Page 6) Sec'y of War Sees Export Of "Acceptable" Pix Essential to German Status Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson has informed a Congressional leader that there is "little likelihood" of German-made films reaching this country "in the near future," The Film Daily learned over the week-end. This was learned on the eve of the expected arrival in this country of Eric Pommer, key figure in the controversy which has raged over the German film industry revival. In a letter to Rep. Gordon L. Mc( Continued on Page 6) $7,000,000 Stock in Boston — Terms of the deal for the purchase of United Artists which the Si H. Fabian group, with First National Bank of Boston backing, has submitted to Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin reportedly call for a cash payment of $5,000,000 plus a $7,000,000 preferred stock issue (Continued on Page 3) Congressional Bill Would Halt FCC Station Limit Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — The FCC regulation forbidding common ownership of more than five television stations would be outlawed under the terms of a bill introduced Friday by Sen. (Continued on Page 8) Second Minn. Auction For Disaster Victims Minneapolis — Despite the hugs success of the initial Texas City disaster benefit auction, so much merchandise was donated that a second auction was held at the .41vin Theater Saturday to sell another $5,000 worth of assorted items that included a complete house which went to the highest bidder. At the first session, a new car sold for upwards of $2,000.