The Film Daily (1939)

Wednesday, August 30, 1939 .W DAILY ACTORS-STAGEHANDS UNION WAR THREATENS {Continued from Page 1) cation of the action has already been made by the membership. Showdown will probably come on LaV~^ Day when Vinton Freedley ph " to reopen his show, in which Sophie Tucker was appearing. Suspended by Equity, she is automatically barred from the stage and the stagehands have threatened to strike the show in retaliation. Equity has demanded that if its some 70 members in the show are thrown out of work by a stagehands' strike that the SAG call a strike of actors on the Coast to retaliate against the stagehands, with both organizations certain to gather momentum in their reprisals if they reach this stage, it was believed last night. 4A's Three Rejected Points Proposal of the AAAA rejected by Browne embraced the following points: 1. That the IATSE withdraw from interfering in actors affairs. 2. That the variety field be administered by a non-partisan committee of 10 for 90 days. 3. That a fair election by the performers in the variety field be held to settle in all respects its final destiny. In addition to this the 4A's was equally adamant that Ralph Whitehead, executive secretary of the AFA, be barred from the acting field. To all these points Browne gave flat rejections and refused to desert either Whitehead or the AFA, which was chartered by the IATSE after the AAAA revoked its charter. In a statement from the AAAA last night it was asserted that it would never submit to jurisdiction by the IATSE, and that it had accepted the clear cut issue which confronted it. It was also stated that Browne had made clear his intention of gaining jurisdiction over the acting field at the meeting, and that the International Board of the 4A's and the entire membership were unanimously united in their determination to fight this threat to a finish. Possibility of a desertion of the A F of L by the AAAA loomed also last night, although it wras not expected it would make this move, if it does, until it presents its case before the A F of L convention this fall. Rumors that it might join the CIO have also been prevalent since the dispute started, but executives of the AAAA organization hotly deny this, stating that they would rather function as an autonomous and independent union without affiliation than join the CIO. It's Mediation or War Following yesterday's meeting there seemed to be no further possible chance of settling the row unless it can be mediated by some third party, and both organizations indicated that they were preparing to fight, but no information could be had as to what the initial action of either side would be. Ralph Morgan, Ken Thomson and Laurence Beilenson, who came here following preliminary negotiations Mayer Heads Charity Ball Game San Francisco — Louis B. Mayer, head of M-G-M, has accepted honorary chairmanship of annual charity baseball game of Hollywood stars to be played here Sept. 17 in Seals Stadium. Mayer said the event will bring a major part of Hollywood film colony to San Francisco. Before the game a pageant will present a spectacular array of Hollywood beauties, actors, bands and floats. It is the first time this annual game has been played outside Los Angeles, and will be for benefit of Christmas funds of San Francisco newspapers. Hearing on Mpls. Program Senator King Wants Further Length Regulation Heated Studies of Patent Law Issue (Continued from Page 1) the auspices of the Minneapolis ordinance and legislative committee. L. B. Schwartz, attorney for Northwest Allied, speaking in favor of the ordinance, cited facts to prove his contention that movie programs running longer than two hours and 15 minutes are detrimental to health. John F. Bonner, assistant city attorney, handed down his opinion, giving his reasons for considering the proposed ordinance invalid. Theodore Hayes and Lester Ludwig, representing the Minnesota Amusement Co., opposed the proposed ordinance on the grounds that it is an attempt to regulate the in | dustry. A. W. Steffes, president of the | Northwest Allied, declared that every independent is unanimously in favor of the proposed ordinance. He predicted that unless it is adopted the city within a very short time would be flooded vTith double and even triple bills. Further action was referred to the city ordinance and legislative committee. Columbia and Exhibitors Huddle on Product Policies (Continued from Page 1) production policy of the company through determining exhibitor needs. First huddle will be held tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock with Prexy Harry Cohn, Jack Cohn and Abe Montague, general sales manager, representing the company. Among the exhibs. who will attend are Si Fabian, Dave Chatkin, Charles Heyman and Izzy Rappapori. So. Calif. Commercial Preview Decision Sept. 8 West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — President Alfred A. Galston of the Independent Theater Owners' Ass'n of Southern California and Arizona, announced yesterday that William F. Rodgers, chairman of Fair Trade Practice Code Committee, expects to have final decision of the committee on commercial previews and move over situation in this territory ready for submission to the association on Sept. 8. on the Coast, prepared to leave New York tonight for Hollywood, apparently convinced that they can do nothing more to settle the row. Thomson and Paul Dulzell, of Actors' Equity, represented the AAAA , at yesterday's meeting, with Browne and another IA representative present for the stagehands. No executive of the IA or AFA could be reached last night for any comment. (Continued from Page 1) "Not only is it premature, but it seems improper for the committee to recommend substantive changes in the patent law, as suggested by the Department of Justice, when the subject matter of the recommendations has not been fully studied by the committee." Recommendation which drew King's heaviest fire was the committee's suggestion that restrictive licenses should be outlawed. The Utah Senator quoted the Supreme Court decision of last term on General Talking Pictures vs. Western Electric upholding restrictive licenses involving use of amplifier tubes in theaters when outlawed in license granted to GTPC. "Under the decision the patentee can divide up his patent right, permitting the use of the device in some fields and prohibiting it in other fields," King declared. Pointing out that the high court disregarded the plea of the Justice Department in that case to rule such practice illegal, King said the effect of the committee recommendation would be to adopt the Justice Department view "and declare these restrictive licenses are not reasonably within the reward which the patentee is entitled to secure." Paramount Lays Plans for Speedy War News Coverage (Continued from Page 1) rutstripped all regular methods of delivery by a considerable length of time. Entire staff worked all day and night Sunday preparing it. A. J. Richard, Paramount News editor, yesterday stressed the importance of maintaining European new^s delivery schedules to this country as what happens in Europe has a direct bearing on the rest of the world. He said that the newsreel's European staff was geared for any emergency and was capable of covering all strategic scenes of action. Eight New Kentucky Houses Opened; Three Being Built {Continued from Page 1) Grayson, the Swan at Brownsville, the Grand at Owensboro, the Lyric at Beattyville, the Viv at Corbin, the Hi-Land in Louisville and the Alice at Sebree. Settos of Indianapolis is erecting a new house at St. Matthews. Ky., suburban Louisville; the Williston interests are building a new Negro theater here, and the Chickasaw Amusement Co. of Covington, Tenn., is building a new house at Benton, Ky. DEADLINE ON MOMAND ANSWERS THIS WEEK (Continued from Page \) started in Federal District Court here. It is understood that the trial may be started late in September if Judge A. P. Murrah's docket can be cleared to permit this procedure. Momand is seeking damages for alleged monopolistic practices against him by the Griffith Amusement Company and affiliated organizations as well as major producers and distributors. D of J Oklahoma Brief May Be Filed This Week Oklahoma City — Though not due until Sept. 5, it is understood that the Dept. of Justice memorandum brief in its anti-trust dissolution suit against the Griffith companies, may be filed in U. S. District court here this week. Briefs of defendants in substantiation of their motion asking that the government be forced to give more details, and a bill of particulars have already been filed. Following filing of the Government briefs, defense attorneys will then have another five days in which to file their answers. It is understood then that Judge Edgar S. Vaught, in whose court the trial is to be conducted, will then rule on the motions and order a pre-trial conference in order to get the actual trial itself under way during October. Expect RKO Hearing to be Postponed if Bondy Absent (Continued from Page 1) proceedings w*ill probably be adjourned to a later date. Another development yesterday anent the proposed issuance of the new RKO Corp. common stock was reported to be that the SEC does not intend to concern itself directly with the matter of price, but specifically with the economic background attending the issuance, although this could not be confirmed. Because of the continued international crisis, without much diminution of the threats of war, Wall Street channels were reluctant to give its viewys as to the effect hostilities, or the threat of them, would have on the underwriting of the new issue. Westway Trust Defendants Given More Time to Answer (Continued from Page 1) nut in the Federal District Court here. An order was given by the court extending the time to September 13 for filing answers to complaints and to the showr cause order.