The Film Daily (1938)

Thursday, August 25, 1938 DAILY UPSWING IN CHICAGO BIZ SEEN BY BALABAN (Continued from Page 1 ) he has received from other sections of the country it is evident that larger grosses are setting in generally, warranting the opinion that the new season will be one of the mOk profitable in industry history, fo.Oproducer, distributor, exhibitor and public. Three principal factors, he declared, are certain to give unusually strong impetus to the trade. These are (a) the assurance of better quality picture coming from Hollywood's studios; (b) heightening of audience interest in films through the Motion Pictures' Greatest Year campaign; and (c) the spirit of cooperation which is being shown in all branches of the trade interested in the stimulation of business. Discussing the industry's promotional drive, Balaban characterized it as the most progressive step yet taken to make America thoroughly motion picture conscious, and said that its success to all concerned is a foregone conclusion. He pointed to the automotive industry as an example of what other big businesses have done so successfully to flag the public, and he expressed the belief that not even the promotion for ''knee-action" and other structural features in the realm of automobiling can compare potentially with the results to be achieved by appealing to the public via the Movie Quiz and correlated publicity, advertising and exploitation which the film drive is harnessing. Balaban said he saw no reason why the Motion Pictures' Greatest Year campaign should not be an annual channel of profit to the entire trade, from the largest theater to the smallest of houses. With an even perfected set-up for 1939-40, at lease equivalent benefits could be gained. When asked about developments in the Chicago clearance situation, Balaban said this is in status quo, no changes having been effectuated and no meetings definitely set. During the past few months, B & K has expended close to $100,000 on air conditioning units for some five of the circuit's nearly 50 houses, bringing the entire group of theaters to virtually 100 per cent air conditioning, — the largest percentage of any circuit in the U. S. Hollywood product, he stated, gives every promise of being abnormally strong, and to this he looks for a resurgence of attendance comparable with the best times the in1 dustry has enjoyed. Copyright of Personality is Proposed London (By Cable)— The VAF is urging that the variety artist's right to hit oar* personality should be included in the copyright laws. The VAF has sent i letter to the Industrial Property Department of the Board of Trade asking that this matter bt taken up at the international conference to be held at Brussels early next year, to consider and formulate new copyrights provisions. STORKS! Newark, N. J. — The cigars are on Sidney Franklin, managing director of the Little, downtown house. It's a girl, born at Beth Israel Hospital and named Rose Davida. FP-Canadian Mgrs. Told To Support Biz Campaign (Continued from Page 1) founder of the company, relayed his greetings from aboard the Empress of Britain on which he is returning from Europe. He will address the convention tomorrow. His son, Paul Nathanson, vice-president of Empire-Universal, spoke in his stead. C. Robson, eastern division manager, presided, and speakers included FitzGibbons, Morris Stein and R. Roddick, district managers; T. J. Bragg, secretary-treasurer; R. W. Golstead, comptroller, and D. Geldsaler, of the booking department. TMAT-IATSE Differences Withdrawn from the AF of L Atlantic City — Differences between the TMAT and IATSE were withdrawn from the schedule of the present executive council meeting of AF of L at the Ambassador Hotel, following a five hour conference in which solution to the problems were apparently achieved. Announcement of the withdrawal was made by President Green of AF of L last night. He stated he had thrown the matter back to the associations for additional conferences. Participating in yesterday's conference were Lodewick Vroom, president TMAT, G. A. Gerber, counsel, TMAT, Joseph Weber, AF of M and George E. Browne, president IATSE. It was further reported that TMAT would achieve an international status by the October convention of the AF of L and that membership had shown a decided increase. Contract has just been signed with the Lewisohn Stadium and TMAT is now working on the World's Fair. Mich. Booking Org. Quits; Co-op Now Alone in Field Detroit — Offices of American Theater Science, Inc., have folded up, leaving Co-operative Theaters of Michigan the only exhibitor's cooperative in the field. Frank Stuart, who was general manager, has taken over the job of booking for the Jacob Schreiber Circuit, replacing Lloyd Terrell who remains with the London theaters. Terrell's other duties as house manager of the Colonial revert to Bernard Samuels, general manager of the Schreiber circuit. Bookings for the former ATSI houses, all located upstate, and including some important theaters, remain uncertain, with Emil Beck, independent booker who was formerly with ATSI, making a bid for them. Rocky Mt. Exhibitors Pledge Drive Support; Elect Officers Denver — Enthusiasm at the convention of the Theater Owners and Managers of the Rocky Mountain Region for "The Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment" was at a high pitch. The members felt it was the most constructive move in industry ever conceived and voted unanimously to support it. Other resolutions were in favor of opposing churches and schools from entering showing of films for profit; asking that branch managers of exchanges be given more power in dealing with exhibitors; demanding that service charge of Ascap be reduced or abolished and that efforts be made to obtain a state law regulating the same; and that all studios be barred to tourists as well as to commentators who are derogatory in their comments on the industry and that copies of this resolution be sent to radio advertisers sponsoring any such. Officers elected are: President, Chas. R. Gilmour; Vice-Presidents, A. P. Archer, Mickey Gross and B. P. McCormick; Secretary A. G. Edwards, and Treasurer, E. P. Briggs. SHAW'S "PYGMALION" FOR M-6-M RELEASE (Continued from Page I) Disciple" and "Caesar and Cleopatra," following a screening of "Pygmalion" in London yesterday. Under present plans, picture will not be given nation-wide release but may be presented, city by city, somewhat in the manner of roadshowing a stage play. Robt. Montgomery Refuses SAG Prexy Nomination (Continued from Page 1) has been nominated for the presidency. James Cagney and Joan Crawford, first and second vicepresidents, will be up for re-election Sept. 18, while Edward Arnold is nominated for third vice-president. Other nominations are Paul Harvey for recording secretary and Porter Hall for treasurer. M-G-M Again May Release Harman-lsing Cartoons (Continued from Page 1) be set, Harman-lsing is scheduled to get under way immediately on a series of color subjects and possibly a feature-length cartoon. On returning to England I wish to thank, on behalf of Mr. Albert E. Newton and myself, our many American friends and acquaintances for the courtesies and assistance extended to us during our visit to Hollywood and New York. Ernest G. Roy, Managing Director. KAYS LABORATORIES, LTD. 22 Soho Square LONDON, W. C. 1