The Film Daily (1940)

I > I ' W I ) I > <5< I ) I S T H VN 4. AT H ST Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought fil£ copy no not remove: The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Twenty-One Years Old 1PMULY VGfc/77. NO. 24 NEW YORK. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1940 TEN CENTS Co-op. Theaters of Michigan Lashes at Neely Measure D OF J WOULD STRIKE JJEFENSE INTERROGATORIES U. S. Film Exports Slump Sharply, Brazil Best Market South American Republic Replaces UK as Latter Gets 50% Less Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Preliminary statistics of American motion picture film exports for 1939, made public here yesterday by Nathan D. Golden, chief of the motion picture division of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, presents these highlights: First, a decrease of 14.7 per cent in the positive and negative sound motion picture films exported to world markets, equiv{Continued on Page 9) GOVT MAKiNGMONEY ON TRUST SUIT DRIVE Ohio Pastor's Convention Hits Battle Night as "Definite Feeder of Gambling Mania" Columbus, 0. — At the annual Ohio pastors' convention, sessions of which closed yesterday, Bank Night was decried as "a definite feeder of the gambling mania'' and it was recommended that ministers of the state lose no opportunity to denounce it and similar "games of chance." Films also came in for clerical attention, the convention accusing the industry of "ignoring its social responsibility." Critical of the Hays organization, the convention nevertheless praised the accomplishments of Joseph I. Breen. Allied May Place Arbitration Stand Formally Before Major Distributors Chicago — The Department of Justice's anti-trust campaign against the film and other industries was pictured as a source of revenue for a Government in need of funds here yesterday by Thurman Arnold, Assistant Attorney General, and chief of the Department's Anti-Trust Division. Arnold was here to address the II (Continued on Page 6) Experimental Technique Seen Returning to Films "The return of purpose and passion to films, as exemplified by 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy' and 'The Grapes of Wrath' is causing a revival of experimental technique," Richard Griffith, of the Los Angeles {Continued on Page 12) Academy Music Nominations Selected by Studio Ballots West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Nominations for Academy awards for music achievements have been selected by the music departments of the various {Continued on Page 12) Allied's declaration in favor of arbitration may be submitted formally to the distributors when Abram F. Myers, general counsel, returns to his Washington headquarters from Hollywood. It is reported that the distributors have taken no action on Allied's arbitration proposals because they were not notified formally, receiving their information only from trade paper accounts of the recent Allied board meeting in Washington where the arbitration resolution was passed. Col. H. A. Cole, Allied president, said yesterday that he would advise Myers of the desirability of officially notifying the distributors of the organization's wishes. This action may start the ball rolling towards discussions on the subject, it was believed by some here yesterday. UA Board to Consider Korda's Shift to U. S. United Artists' board of directors is scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider several important issues. One point for discussion is expected to be Alexander Korda's proposed move {Continued on Page 12) Warner Execs. Leaving for Chi. Sales Parley Headed by Jack L. Warner, Grad L. Sears and Charles Einfeld, Warner execs, leave New York tonight for Chicago to participate in a threeday meeting of district and branch managers and field exploitation men {Continued on Page 5) Neely Bill Seen as Four -Fold Threat to Indies by Michigan Co-op Theaters Find Regimentation Menace Lurking in Neely Measure Portland, Ore.— Meeting here, the Oregon unit of the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theater Owners by resolution went on record as unalterably opposed to the {Continued on Page 5) By H. F. REVES FILM DAILY Staff Correspondent Detroit — Co-operative Theaters of Michigan, booking circuit embracing approximately 100 indie houses, unlimbered its heavy artillery and opened fire on the Neely bill yesterday. The booking circuit, acting through {Continued on Page 12) Gov't Surprise Move Viewed as Presaging a Knockdown Legal Fight An application to strike out all interrogatories of every defendant in the Equity suit with the exception of United Artists was filed by the Government yesterday. The Government's motion, which will be heard Tuesday, by Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard, is based on 12 objections, identical to those made in a similar move against Columbia. The notice states that although these objections are set forth in a single motion, the Government intends that the Court consider these as addressed to each separate set of interrogatories. Judge Goddard, who will hear the Government's mo(Continued on Page 4) FRIED PHILLTfRUST SUIT SAID SETTLED Philadelphia — Harry Fried's suit against Stanley-Warner and the majors has been settled, although no one will talk officially for the record. The settlement, it was learned yesterday, resulted from pressure of certain distributors to end the court case rather than enter (Continued on Page 4) Upholds Newsreel's Right to Record Rehearsing Ork Pathe News has won a long pending law suit involving the recording of music. Case was thrown out of court on Jan. 20 without having had {Continued on Page 9) Amkino Reported Closing After Drop in Business Early dissolution of Amkino Corp., distributor of Russian pictures in the U. S., was reliably reported here yesterday. N. Napoli, head of Amkino, re{Continued on Page 12)