The Film Daily (1939)

ISA** W *V DAILY Monday, July 10, 1939 Setting Up of State Code, Objective of N. Y. Allied Empowers Committee of Five to "Conclude" Satisfactory Document (Continued from Page 1) Max A. Cohen, unit's prexy, and covering the action taken behind closed doors the preceding day at a meeting in Syracuse attended by more than 100 exhibs. Distributor reaction to the unique move, which came as a distinct surprise, was not ascertainable at the week-end, while in Washington, Abram F. Myers, Allied's board chairman and general counsel, told The Film Daily: Only the Board of Directors can define national policies and no meeting is scheduled. However, I had supposed that there was nothing further to negotiate about at this time as Kent, Rodgers and others have taken the position that no further changes in the proposed Code will be made and that it will be put into effect regardless of action by exhibitor bodies." Myers added, "I hope you will be able to clear this up for the information of all concerned." The Code was withdrawn from Allied's consideration at the Minneapolis convention by W. F. Rodgers, acting for the Disributors' Committee, and it was stated at that time there would be no further negotiations with Allied as an organization. The New York unit is the first to withhold formal endorsement of the national convention's action in rejecting the Code. Empowered to "Conclude" Pact Keen interest was manifested in the fact that in disclosing the appointment of its own negotiators — Max A. Cohen, chairman; Rapp Merriman and Lionel Grossman, both of Syracuse; Mitchell Connery of Ravena and Ray Pashley of Interlaken, with H. Laurence of Cattarraugua as alternate — New York Allied stated they were empowered to "conclude" negotiations with the distribs. It was pointed out that this apparently precluded the reference to National Allied of any pact which might develop should the distributors accept the overtures. As phrased by the unit, the press release read: "At a state-wide meeting of New York Allied held at Syracuse, N. Y. July 6th, in view of the rejection of the proposed Fair Trade Practice Code by the National organization at Minneapolis, the members present All-Femme Theater Vidalia, La. — All-girl bands may be quite the thing, but an all-girl theater is something new this town can boast of. The Rendzvous here, owned by E. L. Morel of Natchez, Miss., across the river, has a woman ticket taker, women ushers, a woman manager and — a woman projectionist. This last is Mrs. W. L. Leigh, wife of a former tent film house operator. Twilight Horse Racing Worries Detroit Detroit— Twilight horse racing at the State Fair Grounds, five nights a week, fs cutting into early evening show business, especially up to the last show and, as a result exhibs. are worrying. Brooklyn Para, in Deal With WOR for Air Show (Continued from Page 1) program for the American Beverage Corp. (Cel-Ray) will air direct from the stage of the Paramount every Monday. Another radio show, "Amateur Hour," sponsored by Michael Brothers' department store, has been broadcast "over WMCA, New York, for the past four or five years from the stage of the Fox Theater. Venuta's first airing from the Paramount will take place tonight and continue for an indefinite period. Although 400 loge seats will be donated free to holders of tickets to the broadcast, it was said that Fabian expected to make up this loss through increased audiences in other parts of the house. Radio show ticket holders will be entitled to see the picture currently showing, while others will take in both stage and screen feature for the regular 50cent admission price. reaffirmed the New York unit's oft repeated policy of doing all within its power to keep negotiations alive and thus endeavor to eventually bring about proper and adequate regulation of the industry from within. "New York Allied feels this can and should be done, and, therefore, meeting resolved and directed that a committee of five be appointed to confer with the Distributors' Committee for the purpose of evolving a Fair Trade Practice Code for the State of New York. This committee was authorized and empowered to conclude negotiations with the Distributors in the event that a satisfactory document could be evolved which would embody with definite clarity the intent of the proposed code reached at Chicago. Cohen to Head Negotiators "The committee appointed consists of Max A. Cohen, chairman, Rapp Merriman and L. Grossman of Syracuse, Mitchell Connery of Ravena and Ray Pashley of Interlaken, with H. Laurence of Cattarraugua as alternate. "It was also resolved and ordered that membership books of the organization be officially closed as of September 1st, 1939 and that on and after that date any independent exhibitor deserving admission to the organization would be obliged to pay an initiation fee of $50.00 per theater. "The meeting was highlighted by the unofficial visit of Fred Meyers of RKO and Meyer Schine who dropped in for an informal greeting." Survey Shows Pix Major Target for Censorship (Continued from Page 1) United States, which has just been published. "By far the most numerous instances of censorship during the year concerned motion pictures," according to the Union. "The films censored by the state boards in seven states, and by the police censorships in Chicago, Detroit and Madison, Wis., and by unofficial police censors elsewhere, were either foreign films or those independently produced in the United States." Among the films banned or cut were "Professor Mamlock," an antiNazi picture which ran into difficulties in many cities but was usually released after protest; the pro-labor "Millions of Us," ordered deleted in Ohio; "Birth of a Baby," barred in New York and Virginia; "Blockade," banned in many cities "under pressure of Catholic agencies," and the Russian film "Baltic Deputy" banned in Pennsylvania but later released. The showing of the French films, "Remous" and "The Puritan." were also prevented in New York. In Denver, an exhibitor was fined $1,400 and sentenced to 120 days in jail for showing the old film, "The Birth of a Nation." Poland Abrogates Film Treaty with Germany Warsaw (By Cable) — On the grounds that Germany failed to fulfill its film engagements with Poland, as specified in an understanding signed in December, 1937, the Polish Chamber Syndicate of Theaters has decided to abrogate the mutual Polish-German treaty. The Chamber has decreed that no theater may show a German feature or a picture with German dialogue under heavy penalty or permanent closing of the offending theater. The decision was taken because, during the past seven years, only seven Polish pictures were acquired by the Reich of which only one was shown, while Poland showed 51 German pictures. Dufaycolor Pix for GN London (By Cable) — The first feature picture to be made in Dufaycolor, "Sons of the Sea," which Maurice Elvey will direct for British Consolidated, will be distributed by Grand National. Leslie Banks is the star. British Admiralty is co-operating. Lincoln in the Lead Lincoln, Neb. — This town has more operating theaters in the downtown area than any other town in Nebraska. Seven out of eight houses are lighted. CHI. CONTEMPT SUIT TRIAL OFF TO SEPT. 5 (Continued from Page IV array of counsel, headed b), fecial Assistant Attorney General Robert Wright of Washington, D. C, sought to establish that various film companies controlling theaters in other key cities favored B & K, controlled by Paramount, because Paramount favored them similarly in those cities where the other companies were leaders. Defendants' attorneys, on Government request, had submitted list of theaters owned or controlled by their clients in other key cities. Wright contended this list proved the division of territory by the film companies and distributors. Frederick Burnham, appearing for Loew's, objected, contending the theater lists from other cities had no connection with the Chicago situation and, if permitted to be brought into case, would prolong it indefinitely as the defendants would seek to prove in each city, there was no connection. Eldredge said he would take matter under consideration and give his decision in about 10 days. Aaron Jones, Sr., on the stand Friday, submitted a list of films released by major companies during the past four years, and continued his testimony on the inability of Jones, Linick & Schaefer to secure suitable films for Jones Loop theaters, due to the alleged B & K domination. Jones said out of 356 films issued last year, 160 were of "A" quality. Gov't Attorneys Going to O. C. on Pending Anti-Trust Suit Oklahoma City — Robert Wright and Seymour Simon, special assistants to the U. S. Attorney General, arrive here early this week from Chicago in connection with the Government's pending anti-trust suit against the Griffith interests and the majors. Their advent strengthens the report that the Government proposes to press for trial without delay. Alger Using Gift Nights LaSalle, 111.— The E. E. Alger circuit is using Gift Nights twice a week. 'Shoot9 'Spy' Patrons London (By Cable) — Allegation that Germans were trying to get pictures of patrons attending "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" at the Warner Theater here was made by John Parker, M.P., in a question in the House of Commons put to Sir Samuel Hoare asking if he was aware of the incidents and whether the cinemagoers were refugees and whether such interference could be prevented as it was likely to lead to a breach of the peace.