The Film Daily (1940)

[Friday, February 9, 1940 V'A OAIIY • HOOVER CONFERS HERE ON FINNISH RELIEF (Continued from Page 1) ducted on Feb. 17 and 18 among motion picture theaters throughout the 7and in support of Finland's caff^ A*" short subject on Finland, it was disclosed, has been compiled by Emerson Yorke, prominent maker of informative film productions, for release shortly to the nation's theaters in connection with the drive. Mr. Hoover asserted that the Motion Picture Division's goal is a minimum of $300,000. Discussing Finland's heroic efforts for survival, he declared that the little nation is so organized today that were the U. S., with its vast population of some 120,000,000 people, proportionately regimented, it would mean that 26,000,000 Americans would actually be under arms on fighting fronts. He added his conviction that the film exhibitors of the nation would bend every effort to make the Feb. 17 and 18 dates, set for the industry's drive, a practical and patriotic success. Plans are being made for divisional chairmen of the Finnish Relief' Fund Drive to contact exhibitors, but because of the short period of time intervening between now and Feb. 17-18, all houses might not be able to be contacted. He urged, therefore, that exhibitors take the ' initiative on Feb. 17-18 and arrange collections from the public in their theater lobbies. Every film theater in the U. S., it is hoped, will cooperate. Special Matinees Boost Chi. Finnish Relief Fund Chicago — Glenda Farrell, Alan Dinehart, Lyle Talbot, Simone Simon, Mitzi Green, Jack Whiting, Mary Brian, Arthur Jarrett, Clifton Webb, Raymond Massey, all playing in Chicago at this time, will participate in special matinees for the benefit of the Finnish Relief Fund, according to announcement from Philip R. Clarke, chairman of the Chicago committee. Chicago has raised almost $110,000 for the fund, exceeding its $100,000 quota, with prospects for much larger receipts this month. Mrs. J. F. Sharkey Dead Detroit — Mrs. Agnes Sharkey, wife of James F. Sharkey, RKO branch manager, is dead after a lingering illness. Four children also survive. Lauyhton Will Play Capt. Kidd for RKO West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Charles Laughton is going back to the bounding main. RKO Radio announced yesterday it will produce "Captain Kidd," with Charles Laughton as 17th century pirate who finally hung. Billinys Records Brohen in Depinet Drive Billings records tor a single week were broken in the first week of the Ned Depinet Drive, RKO announced yesterday. With the New Haven, Montreal and Seattle branches in the lead, exchanges nationally were over their quota marks. Playwrights Group Moves Government Must Answer 50 for Major Role in Tele Interrogatories by Mar. 1 CONSPIRACY ACTION DROPPED BY LENROSE (Continued from Page 1) the Playwrights' Producing Co., Inc. Through the medium of the new venture, 60 plays written by the five playwrights will be made available immediately to radio and later, when the commercial stage is reached, to television. Plans of the new company, however, do not end there. It is proposed to invite J. P. McEvoy, Arch Oboler, Henry Robinson, Irwin Shaw, Irving Reiss, and others, additionally to write original material. A complete staff of radio producers, directors and adaptors has become associated with the company, including Dwight Cooke, Norman Corwin, Carlo DeAngelo, George Faulkner and Clyde North. Kurt Weill has been engaged as musical director. Behind the formation of the new company is said to be the playwrights' conviction that tele holds enormous potentialities, and that its ultimate effect upon the stage and films will be profound. Decline of the legit., it is pointed out, stemmed from its failure to comprehend the possibilities of the then struggling films. The dramatists do not propose to be caught napping the second time. Henry A. Lydecker, Oldest Member of NFCA, Dies at 53 (Continued from Page 1) in New England, will be buried tomorrow at St. Agnes Church in Arlington Center. Deceased was a member of the Boston Friars Club. He leaves his widow, one sister, a son and a daughter. Senator Kleinfeld Introduces Civil Rights Bill at Albany Albany, N. Y.— Senator Phil Kleinfeld of Brooklyn yesterday hoppered a civil rights bill which would entitle all persons, organizations, etc., to full and equal privilege in renting or leasing any place of public assembly. Theater ticket broker measure sponsored by Assemblyman MacNeil Mitchell is now scheduled for final lower house consideration Monday night. Rivoli, Ebensburg, Burns Pittsburgh — The Rivoli Theater, Ebensburg, which is part of the Rivoli Theater Circuit operated by R. Allison, was completely destroyed by fire. Work on reconstruction of the theater is to begin immediately and it is expected to reopen by the first of May. (Continued from Page 1) Judge Henry W. Goddard in an order filed in the Federal Court. The stipulation, confirmed by the Judge, calls for Government answers by March 1. The Government motion to be excused from answering separate interrogatories of Columbia, scheduled to be heard today, was postponed until Feb. 13 in a stipulation filed yesterday in the Federal Court. Mich.'s Co-op Theaters to Boost Capitalization Detroit — Co-operative Theaters of Michigan, booking combine with about 100 member theaters, is increasing capitalization from $50,000 to $60,000. President Fred DeLodder said that the action was being taken in order to act on new applications for membership, as all the older stock had been issued to present members. Minimum stock for each member is one share, at $100, DeLodder said. (Continued from Page 1) under the Sherman Act, charging conspiracy and restraint of trade. M-G-M Pictures Corp., M-G-M Distributing Corp., Columbia, Loew's, Inc., Paramount Pictures, Inc., Paramount Productions, Paramount Pictures Distributing Corp., United Artists, Universal, Big "U" Film Exchange, Warner's, Vitagraph, RKO Radio Pictures, RKO Distributing Corp., 20th-Fox and MPPDA were the original defendants in the suit. Pittsburgh Variety Club to Have Harris Memorial Pittsburgh — The local Variety Club is enlarging and renovating its quarters in the William Penn Hotel here at an expense of over $10,000. John H. Harris, national chief barker of the Variety Clubs of America, is donating and will completely furnish a library for the Pittsburgh Club in memory of his father, the late Senator John P. Harris, and his uncle, the late Harry Davis, who were the pioneers of motion picture theater operators in Western Pennsylvania, and the organizers of the Harris Theater Circuit.