The Film Daily (1940)

n »3 r a u 4 T H ST N imate in Character emotional in Scope lependent in Thought N= FILE COPY DO NOT REMC The Daily Newspaper Oi Motion Pictures Twenty-Two Years Old 78, NO. 20 NEW YORK. MONDAY. JULY 29. 1940 TEN CENTS OV'T PLANNING HEARINGS ON DECREE xchange Biz in Gulf States Climbs 5 to 10 P. C. HE WEEK IN REVIEW •ttsent Decree Near? 2= By L. H. MITCHELL = VESTIC tUITY CASE: At week's start liovernment asked a trial period i possible consent decree, later ig that a "substantial agree" had been reached . . . The •le Three," however, stated they '■■i not accept a consent decree l demanded trial of the equity . . . Para, partners objected to onsent proposals, fearing a loss c tying power . . . SETOA in conen went on record as opposing (>lock of five pix plan . . . Four iits, Loew's, RKO, Warners and Dnal Theaters, were stated at -end not opposing a consent de ..OSINGS FEWER: Film Daily By revealed that closing of the for the Summer are fewer than ,39. Check-up showed 50 per cent 'r dark houses in the N. Y. terri ... In Northern Ohio but 2 per of theaters closed . . . Chicago, Xouis, Jacksonville, Cincy, St. Js, Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Des 5 es and other cities reported few osings. * * * IIS AND THAT: Action on <y bill at this session seen as » . . . Metro will retain code con -ons in its exhib. pacts . . . N. Y. d welcomed into the MPTOA by y Ed Kuykendall as unit begins ;ion of Northern N. J. . . . Sco y rep. announced that the Brit ele concern would open a branch le U. S. . . . DuMont and CBS assigned new tele channels by 3?CC . . . Pittsburgh exhibs. plan against coin-in-slot pix, as ly Roosevelt delivers 10 pix to Mills Novelty Co. . . . Ed Kuy 11 sees exemption on admission mder 21 cents near an end . . . olas M. Schenek asserts quality ire the need of the industry . . . reports 39-week net of $2,450, its program of top-budget pix y is put up to the exhibs. . . . d asks that buying of pix wait s survey of product . . . MPPDA d Wage-Hour Board for exemp (Continued on Page 8) Gain Over First Six Months Of 1939 Credited to Better Pix, Greater Attendance New Orleans — Business for exchanges in the Gulf States area for the first six months of 1940 is from five to 10 per cent better in comparisons with the same period in 1939, a check made here reveals. The increase in business which some exchanges attribute to better product and which others attribute to increased attendance, may not reflect altogether a clear view of the heater situation, however. Increased revenue on the whole (Continued on Page 4) Standard Shelves Hold-over Policy Oklahoma City, Okla. — New policies announced by Standard Theaters will provide Oklahoma City with six first-run theaters, five in the downtown sector, thus bringing new screen product here shortly after release dates. Second week (Continued on Page 4) 20th-Fox Renews Deal For Paul Terry Reels Although their present arrangement still has one year to go, 20thFox and Terry-Toons have signed a long term renewal contract for the distribution of Paul Terry's ani (Continued on Page 8) "See Slum* Twice," Bids B & K; Gets Biz Chicago — B & K in its special institutional newspaper display copy plugging its air-conditioned houses is urging patrons to "come early, stay late, bring the youngsters," with the added suggestion, "See the show twice if you like, then visit the spacious, inviting lounges and smoking rooms." Copy has materially boosted biz, the circuit reports. Dual Stage Bill Chicago's Latest Chicago — Now it's a double stage bill here. The Oriental theater on Monday nights and the State Lake theater on Wednesday nights are adding five acts of pro. vaudeville to the regular stage and screen programs. That means the bills on those two nights run from three to three and a half hours. Extra acts are advertised as "preview" vaude. Contempt Move Dismissal Asked by Omaha Exhibs. Lincoln, Neb. — Omaha's six exhibitors, mentioned in a recent Supreme Court order to show cause as to why they should not be cited for contempt of court for operation of Prosperity Clubs, filed for dismissal of the action here. Supreme Court took the stand (Continued on Page 9) ,rr Top Terms tor "Ramparts' Nothing Less Than "Snow White" Figures Warner Torrington House Goes to Brandt Sept. 1 Torrington, Conn. — Rayhope Theaters Corporation, a Harry Brandt company, will operate the 1247-seat Alhambra Theater, leased and darkened by Warner Bros, for many years, as of September 1st. Policy will be first-run and vaudeville. Warner's opened this house two years ago for a short period only, (Continued on Page 8) RKO district and branch managers have been instructed to sell "The Ramparts We Watch" at top terms for Class A theaters with preferred playing time and all necessary protections. The sales forces have been advised that nothing less than the terms asked for "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" will be acceptable. All contracts and playdates must be submitted to the home office for approval. Release date of the picture in each (Continued on Page 8) All Indie Units and Individual Exhibs. to Get Chance to Air Their Views All independent exhibitor associations as well as individual exhibitors will be allowed an opportunity to present their views on a consent decree in the Government's equity suit, it was revealed Friday by informed Government sources. The Government has not decided in what form these hearings will be held or whether they will be staged before the decree is submitted to Government officials in Washington. Before Submission to Court It was definitely stated, however, that exhibitors would be heard before the decree is presented to Federal (Continued on Page 7) Jt i. Sees "Monopoly1 in 5-Piclure Proposal Assertion by Government attorneys that exhibitors would welcome the right to buy pictures in blocks of five brought vehement denials from some independent theater and circuit operators over the week-end The five-picture clause in the proposed consent decree has been one of the principal points of controversy, (Continued on Page 8) No Restraint, Paramount Answers in Trendle Suit Answer was filed Friday by Paramount Pictures generally denying allegations in the suit of George W. Trendle against Paramount and John H. King, formerly known as John H. Kunsky. Paramount denied that a (Continued on Page 9) Metro Pays $20,000 For IMetv Bay Story Metro has purchased film rights to Lillian Pay's new book, "The Youngest Profession," which will be published Sept. 20 by Dcubleday Doran. Deal was set by Ann Elmo, literary agent, with purchase price reported at $20,000.