The Film Daily (1940)

Tuesday, February 6, 1940 ; CfHlSuLY: TWO POSTER FIRMS TAKEN OVER BY AA {Continued from Page 1) organization, will remain with the company in an important executive PfWn the New York office. Homer L. ^.iackwell, president of the Kansas City company, also will hold an exclusive position in the latter city. Both men have been in the poster business in their respective cities for 16 years. Casanave said yesterday that acquisition of the two poster companies was another step in a series of moves instituted by Herman Robbins, president of AA and National Screen. Bein predicted that the new setup would result in greater efficiency i and service than could be extended under strictly local operation. 20th-Fox Asking Extended Playing Time for "Grapes" (Continued from Page 1) ment for March 1 on "The Grapes Of Wrath," it was announced yesterday by Herman Wobber, general manager of distribution. Demand from exhibitors throughout the country for an early opportunity to play the picture determined this policy, Wobber said. Exhibs. who get the picture will be asked to play it as a single bill and a guarantee of extended playing time will also be requested. Company will put a special ad campaign behind "Grapes" and will ask exhibs. to increase their ad budgets for the engagement in conjunction with the company campaign. Companies Plan Exhibit at 1940 N. Y. World's Fair (Continued from Page 1) theater where a new picture would be previewed every day and would also house a comprehensive exhibit. Best wishts from THE FILM DAILY to the following on their birthdays : FEBRUARY 6 Joseph P. Kennedy Louis Nizer Ronald Reagan Russell Gleason Charles S. Goeti Ramon Novarro Ben Lyon Lupe Vele Marion Orth Jack Luden Wm. Cary Duncan with PHIL At. kDALTi ▼ T T • • • SIXTH Avenue which already boasts of the Radio City Music Hall makes another big bid for cinematic lame tomorrow night when Mister Walt Disney's "Pinocchio" rides triumphantly into the Center Theater for its world premiere and what is certain to be a very long tenancy at that house The debut's gonna be at least two things. — brilliant and jealousy-producing as far as Broadway is concerned for this is asserted to be the iirst gala opening on the new Sixth Avenue ...... new, because it has had its macadam face lifted and the "el" knocked out of it which is all for the best ▼ ▼ T • • • BEFORE the opus flashes on the Center's screen a mass of dinner parties will be afoot in local restaurants, hotels and night clubs and after the final fade-out of what is heralded as Waifs masterpiece "Pinocchio" parties will flare up again in the Rainbow Room, Stork Club and Hotel New Yorker At the premiere itself will be an array of notables including Gabriel Hess, Gus Eyssel, Jules Brulatour, Arthur Loew, Sam Dembow, John J. O'Connor, Carl E. Milliken Conde Nast, John Balaban, Harry Cohn, David Sarnoff, Richard C. Patterson, Jr., Phil Reisman, Cresson E. Smith W. H. Clark, Major Leslie E. Thompson, William Mallard, Harry Michalson, W. J. Merrill, Major Albert Warner, General James G, Harbord, Spyros Skouras, George Skouras, Charley Petti John Jimmy Grainger, W. Ray Johnston, Jack Cohn, Sidney Kent, George J. Schaefer, M. H. Aylesworth, Herbert Bayard Swope, Hal Home S. Barret McCormick, Andy Smith, Leon Goldberg, Fred Myers Stanton Griffis, Brian Aherne, Joan Fontaine, Walter Hampden, Edmond O'Brien Gosh!, the rest of the list is so long that we wonder how RKO Radio's gonna get all those celebs, in! Philly PTA Wants Killings Restricted to Two a Film (Continued from Page 1) launched a campaign to the slogan, of "not more than two people killed in any one picture, and indorsed ideal Saturday matinees" for children at neighborhood theaters. Ideal program, which also has been adopted by the County Federation of Women's Clubs as the motion picture project for 1940, recommends a two-hour show, rather than a three hour show, which will include one good, wholesome, family-time feature, one good comedy, one animated cartoon and one educational short. Both bodies also seek cutting or elimination of shooting scenes, morbid, tragic frightening sequences, modern war pictures, pointless noisy shorts. Film companies and exhibitors are being contacted now, with changes dseired when new season begins. Ken Boothman Dead Mingo Junction, O. — Ken Boothman, owner of the Auditorium, died suddenly of a heart attack. Neb. to Ask Rehearing of Anti-Ascap Action (Continued from Page 1) cree of the three judges who heard the case, which was handed down last week. Judges said the law was inoperative, made the temporary injunction permanent against enforcement of the Nebraska statute, freed Ascap agents to operate without restriction, and ordered the state to pay complainant costs. When the ruling was made a couple of months ago against the state's case, William J. Hotz, special defense attorney assigned to the case by the attorney general, said the ruling would be appealed to the U. S. Supreme court. Johnson, however, said this week it was undecided. It is known that the state's legal department had only a limited legislative appropriation to fight the antiAscap battle, which may be the current halting factor. Auto Hurts Kill Badger Portsmouth, N. H.— Walter A. Badger, former film theater owner here, and prominent in fraternal circles, died of a fractured skull, sustained in an auto accident. GOV'T WILL ANSWER 50 INTERROGATORIES (Continued from Page 1) agreed that in order to facilitate the preparation of the trial the government may furnish answers from time to time prior to March 1, and that the majors may move for furnishing of additional information if obtained by the government subsequent to the filing of the answers. The interrogatories refer to the charges in the complaint such as monopoly of first-run houses; coercive selling methods; division of territories; exchange of talent; and a number of other claims of conspiracy. In each instance the government will identify the person having knowledge of facts "tending to establish the charges" and itemize the nature of the activity, condition, complaint or charge which the witness has knowledge of, and to name the defendant affected thereby. A description of documents which establish a charge in whole or part must be set forth. Schaefer, O'Connor to Lead Catholic Charities Drive (Continued from Page 1) as chairman, and John A. Coleman as executive chairman. Meetings of the special gifts committee at which progress of the appeal is reported are held at 5 P.M. every Thursday in the Empire State Club. Stirn Re-hearing Motion Denied by Supreme Court Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — The U. S. Supreme Court yesterday denied the petition of Ernest W. Stirn for a rehearing in the RKO bankruptcy case. The high court had previously denied Stirn's request for a review on Jan. 2 along with H. Cassell Co. petition. D. J. Sullivan Dead Worcester, Mass. — Dennis J. Sullivan, 46, for the past five years connected with the management of the Plymouth Theater and formerly for four years manager of Dublin's famed Abbey Players during their appearances in this country, died at City Hospital. STORKS! Andy W. Smith, Jr., Eastern and Canadian sales manager of RKO, became the father of an 8Y2 pound baby boy Sunday morning. Event took place at the United Hospital, Port Chester. The arrival has been named Frank Clawson Smith. Chicago — A daughter was born at the St. Luke's hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Barthelstein of the Elm theater.