The Film Daily (1940)

HLL UUP1. DO NOT REVO' Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Twenty-One Years Old VOT 77, NO. 29 NEW YORK, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1940 TEN CENTS Turning Point in Italian Situation in Sight-Miggins EXHIB. LEADERS COOL TOJEELY AMENDMENT PLAN Radio Giveaway Complaints Referred to D of J by FCC Data on Pot o' Gold and "Mystery Women" Before Justice Dept. Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Exhibitor opposition to radio's giveaways on varying grounds, including the charge that lotteries were involved, resulted yesterday in the turning over by the FCC of data collected on the Horace Heidt Pot o' Gold and other programs to the Department of Justice. Figuring specifically in the transfer, it was learned, was information on the "Mystery Women" pro (Contimted on Page 8) hoover Confers here on finnish relief Expect Chicago to Get Allied Conclave National Allied's annual convention is expected to be held in Chicago instead of Detroit. Withdrawal by Michigan Allied as host to the annual conclave probably will throw the support of the directors to Jack Kirsch's Illinois unit, which made a bid for the convention at the national board meeting in Washington last month. Possibility of holding the convention in Atlantic City was said to have been eliminated and that only other possibilities are Indianapolis or Chicago, with the latter city favored. CONSPIRACY ACTION PLAYWRIGHTS IN MOVE DROPPED BY LENROSE FOR MAJOR TELE ROLE Herbert Hoover, chairman of the Finnish Eelief Fund, and Major Leslie E. Thompson, chairman of the drive's Motion Picture Division, conferred yesterday in the Waldorf-Astoria with publishers and editors of film trade publications on the twoday campaign which will be con (Continued on Page 5) Henry A. Lydecker, Oldest Member of NFCA, Dies at 53 Boston — Henry A. Lydecker, oldest member of the National Film Carriers Association, is dead here after a long illness at the age of 53. Lydecker, who operated the oldest film transportation company (Continued on Page 5) A stipulation discontinuing the suit of Lenrose Amusement Corp. against MPPDA and all major companies was filed yesterday in the Federal Court. Under the stipulation the plaintiff is barred from renewing the suit. Plaintiff filed suit claiming that the defendants in violation of anti-trust laws deprived its Newark Theater of product. Suit, which was filed last March, sought triple damages of 8150,000 (Continued on Page 5) British Malayan Theater Business Said Improved No restrictions exist in the British Malaya territory either on the importation of pictures or the export of money, and military concentrations coupled with a boom in the rubber and tin industries which has (Continued on Page 8) First concerted and pretentious move of legit, theater interests to assume a major role in television came yesterday with the announcement that Elmer Rice, S. N. Behrman, Maxwell Anderson, Robert E. Sherwood and the estate of Sidney Howard had formed the Playwrights' Radio Co. to function exclusively in tele and radio under the supervision of Henry Souvaine. The dramatists and producers named already are functioning as (Continued on Page 5) Mich. Co-op Proposals Seen as Meaning Greater Gov't Regulation By AL STEEN FILM DAILY Staff Writer Proposals of Co-operative Theaters of Michigan to embody trade reforms in amendments to the Neely bill were met with varied comments by exhibitor leaders yesterday. In a majority of the cases, the reaction was unfavorable, even by those who agreed with Co-operative in its stand against the block-booking measure. Co-operative Theaters of Michigan suggested to the Interstate Commerce Committee that the Neely bill be amended so as to make arbitra (Continucd on Page 8) ADV. ACCESSORIES IN COLUMBIA DEAL Committeeman Raps Dies for "Reds in Hollywood" Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Rep. Jerry Voorhis (D., Calif.) member of the Dies Committee yesterday denounced Chairman Martin Dies (D., Texas) for (Continued on Page 6) "Ehrlich" Gives Memphis House Best Biz in 7 Years Memphis — Paced by a test advertising-publicity campaign, Warners' "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet" drew the biggest opening day biz in seven years at its world premiere at the Warner theater here yesterday. Picture opens at the Virginian (Continued on Page 8) War -time Patronage of French Film Theaters Growing Steadily --Miggins Business Groups Launch Attack on Neely Measure Lexington, Ky. — Anticipated forerunner of similar action by other business men's organizations throughout the country, the local Board of Commerce has adopted a (Continued on Page 6) European governments look upon motion pictures as a necessity, not a luxury, during the present war and most governments are co-operating to the fullest with the industry in supplying their peoples with film entertainment. This observation was expressed yesterday by Ben Miggins, 20th Century-Fox's managing (Continued on Page 4) Columbia has joined Advertising Accessories, Inc., in the new centralized plan for the distribution of special accessories, it was announced yesterday by Charles Casanave, vicepresident of AA. Paramount and RKO started operating under the (Continued on Page 4) Censorship Fee Measure Reported Passed in Brazil Home offices of the majors reported yesterday receipt of advices from Brazil to the effect that censorship regulations have been passed there, attended by a boost in fees, and, further, that reciprocal turn (Continued on Page 6) Government Must Answer 50 Interrogatories by Mar. 1 The group of 50 interrogatories agreed upon by attorneys for the Government and the major company defendants in the equity suit were approved yesterday by Federal (Continued on Page 5)