The Film Daily (1939)

TO! 'flW DAILY Tuesday, September 12, 19391 NO WAR CURTAILMENT, MORE MAJORS PLEDGE (Continued from Page 1) Columbia prexy, announced that the studio contemplated no changes or lessening of any kind in its production activities. Single exception, said Cohn, was a 60-day temporary postponement of "Arizona." Columbia's exec, forecast a change in story trends, due to the war. In New York, Universale confidence was reflected both by statements made by Prexy Nate Blumberg and Cliff Work at a trade press luncheon West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — Even though America should ever become involved in the European war, Hollywood would make more than 500 features annually, said Will H. Hayes, MPPDA prexy at a luncheon given at the week-end by Louis B. Mayer in honor of the House Naval Affairs Committee which is here to inspect Coast naval bases. yesterday for the latter and in a letter sent to the company's stockholders last night by J. Cheever Cowdin, board chairman. Blumberg, speaking at the luncheon in the Rainbow Grill Lcunge, reiterated that Universal will deliver its announced program of 61 units without modification and without resort to cutting in production, to layoffs or to salary reductions. "Every picture scheduled to be delivered to our exhibitor customers will be delivered," he stated. Work, vice-prexy and studio general manager, disclosed that the company not only had a strong backlog of product at the present time but would have 43 of its 61 units finished by Dec. 15. Double production shifts are at work at the studio, Work also revealed. Cowdin's letter stressed the company's progress, mentioned principal factors in it and then turned to the situation presented by the war. Better American general business, due to the War, "might be expected to lead to an upturn in motion picture business than otherwise" it was stated. The letter pointed out that more than half of English theaters are again operating, and added that experience has been that war tenseness created an insistent demand for entertainment of all kinds. "U" has not operated in Germany and France has been a relatively unimportant market, the letter continued. Cowdin saw "some expansion" to be "reasonably anticipated" in Holland, Belgium, the Scandinavian countries as well as Latin America, Canada and the other British domin Ontario Houses Must Install Emergency Lighting Equipment by Censor's Orders Toronto — By order of 0. J. Silverthorne, chairman of the Motion Picture Censor Board, all theaters in Ontario must install emergency lighting systems by Sept. 30. Silverthorne states this order is to prevent the danger of panic ensuing if the regular lighting system should fail. Silverthorne warns failure to comply with the order will result in "drastic action." The new order will mean expenditure of thousands of dollars for new lighting equipment, there being several hundred theaters in Ontario. Calgary Branch Finishes First in Schaefer Drive Film Biz Goes On, Too Film biz, like the show, must go on. And so Joseph Seidlman, Universale foreign chief, yesterday had a cable from Budapest from Louis Foeldes, normally supervisor in "U's" Paris office. "Called to the colors and am now in uniform here but maintaining contact with all offices," Foeldes cabled in substance. (Continued from Page 1) Calgary, J. Sharkey at Detroit and C. Boasberg heads the Buffalo exchange staff. Thirteen branches crashed over quota to share in the rewards of those who reached 100 per cent or better. The quota reaching branches in the order of their standing, after Calgary, Detroit and Buffalo, are: Montreal (M. Plottel, manager); New York (Bob Wolff, manager); Washington (R. J. Folliard, manager); New Haven (B. Pitkin, manager); Albany (B. G. Kranze, manager) ; Toronto (J. F. Meyers, manager); Denver (J. H. Ashby, manager); Charlotte (Charlotte was piloted by J. B. Brecheen who has since been promoted to manager of Atlanta. N. J. Colquhoun, who is now manager at Charlotte, was one of the winning salesmen while at Memphis); Memphis (A. M. Avery, manager); Los Angeles (N. P. Jacobs, manager). San Francisco, G. Wm. Wolf manager, took first place in the "Fisherman's Wharf" contest. Cincinnati, under the leadership of Branch Manager Stanley Jacques and sparked by Ad Sales Manager Manny Trautenberg, was tops in the Ad Sales Bonus Plan. WCAU Applies for Television Transmitter in Philadelphia (Continued from Page 1) pick-up technique and other factors involved in successful television transmission. Only existent coaxial cable at the present time runs between New York and Philadelphia, with television station here of WCAU to be used in part for experimentation of transmission of New York programs by this means if license is granted. A station here would also allow experimentation over radio links of television stations in cities not over 100 miles apart. Station plans continuous experiments of various outdoor events and direct programs in the building it would use. Experimental broadcasts have been under way by the station for the past two years over station W3XIR as a proving ground for measurements of field strength and sound transmission of television programs in this area. 65% OF PARIS HOUSES REPORTED OPERATING Eight New Features Going Before Hollywood Cameras West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Eight new pictures are scheduled to go into work this week. At Columbia, "His Girl Friday," no star announced. At RKO: "That's Right You're Wrong," starring Kay Kyser. The Carole Lombard picture, "Vigil in the Night," starts again. At 20th-Fox: "Daytime Wife," starring Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell; "Everything Happens at Night," with Sonja Henie and Ray Milland; "The City," featuring Donald Wood, C. Aubrey Smith; "The Adventurer" with Cesar Romero and Marjorie Weaver; "Man Who Wouldn't Talk." starring Lloyd Nolan and Jean Roberts. At Republic: "Rovin' Tumbleweeds," starring Gene Autry. "The Covered Trailer" starts Sept. 15. "Sudan" to Pam-O-Film Pan-O-Film Exchange, Inc., of Buffalo will distribute "Sudan" in the Buffalo and Albany territories as a result of a deal set with Eleanor M. Paradeis by Mitchell Leichter. Pix will be screened for the trade later in the month. NLRB Sets Sept. 20 for Vote on Studio Workers' Bargainer (Continued from Page 1) the IATSE or the United Studio Technicians' Guild is to be sole bargaining agent for them. Around 7,500 workers are eligible to vote. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight. 12 Hollywood Air Shows to Start Within 60 Days With radio programs to be started in the next 60 days hitting a new high of 58, a survey shows that 12 of the shows will originate in Hollywood. Data surveyed covers Columbia, NBC, and Mutual networks, includes new and renewal bookings. Programs, sponsors and starting dates are as follows: CBS— Lux Radio Theater (Lux Toilet Soap), last night; Star Theater (Texas Co.), Sept. 13; Silver Theater (International Silver Co.), Oct. 8; Big Town (Lever Bros.), Sept. 19; Burns and Allen (Hinds), Oct. 4; Jimmie Fidler (Drene), tonight; Hedda Hopper (Sunkist), Nov. 6; It Happened in Hollywood (Hormel), Oct. 9: Dr. Christian (<Cheseborough Mfgs.), Nov. 1. NBC— Bob Hope (Pepsodent), Sept. 26; Charles Boyer (Andrew Jergens), November. MBS— Let's Go Hollywood (Cooperative), Sept. 29. Schmidt Forms Company Detroit — Radiant Lights Co. has been organized by A. T. Schmidt, and will handle theatrical fluorescent lighting. Offices are at 7715 12th St. (Continued from Page 1) with shipping schedules and inter-] nal distribution in the country itself principal problems at present. " Offices here in a large part .havtj remained open. The RKO ( ff isl installed in the home of Reginald! Armour and the Fox Movietone NewJ staff is making its headquarters atl Russell Muth's suburban home.I Communication with most continen-I tal countries has been completely shut off, with film staffs here get-l ting their first-hand information by| cable from New York. Studios here are at a completel standstill, with little hope held that! any will be reopened until the end! of the war. It is expected that| some producers may attempt production on the Riviera, but nothing! definite has been planned along these j lines yet. Mobilization has called J technicians, players and a number* of producers to the colors. All French cameramen have beenf assigned to Army work, with the} Army issuing one lavender print! per week of activities to all news-j reels here. Department organized! bv the government is called Press! Filmee, and weekly issue has been] entitled Le Journal de la Guerre. Whether or not special cameramen! of newsreel organizations who are! not connected with the Army will be allowed to take any pictures of Army activities has not been an-| nounced as yet by the Government. Newsreel companies here yesterday stated that action similar to the move by the French government might be put into effect in England, although nothing has been done as yet to indicate England is considering organization of a "newsreel bureau" similar to the French department. The Clipper, arriving yesterday, brought shots of Athenia survivors and actual war preparations in England. Critics From 16 Georgia Towns At "CavelP Preview Atlanta — A representative of Governor Rivers and of Mayor Hatsfield of Atlanta were among those who met Herbert Wilcox and Anna Neagle, the producer and star of "Nurse Edith Cavell," upon their arrival here yesterday from Washington. Film critics and newspaper writers from 16 Georgia cities were present at press interviews preceding picture's preview last night at the Fox Theater, at which Wilcox and Miss Neagle spoke. Italian Calls Only Only European country with which American pix companies could communicate by transatlantic phone yesterday was Italy. Calls for England and France were not accepted, lines being open for government use only, foreign managers said.