The Film Daily (1941)

DeSylva Named New THE Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought Executive Producer (See Column 2 Below) The Daily Newspaper Oi Motion Pictures Twenty-Two Years Old !QL. 79. NO. 25 NEW YORK. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 5. 1941 TEN CENTS ISO ARBITRATION DEMANDS IN PROSPECT Metro Completing Photo Record of U.S. Theaters Salesmen Making Pictorial (Survey, Taking Both Interior and Exterior Shots I M-G-M salesmen have been infracted to take pictures of the exeriors and interiors of every theJter in their territories so that the lome office and exchange managers Jan have a "visual" as well as a written record of their accounts. It \i understood that M-G-M intends to jiermit only theaters in good condiion to play its product. | Salesmen without cameras are being supplied with equipment. Copes of the photos will be filed in 'he home office and each exchange. Plan was put into operation about hree months ago and the job of kotographing the nation's theaters i nearing completion. Republic Buys Out Jnderwood-Ezell James R. Grainger announced on lis return from Dallas yesterday hat Republic Pictures Corp. had ompleted negotiations to purchase he interests of W. G. Underwood .nd C. C. Ezell in the Dallas franhise for the distribution of the (.Continued on Page 4) talaban Names Royster To Head Netco Theaters Harry Royster has been assigned o take charge of Paramount's uptate New York Netco Theaters idth headquarters in Poughkeepsie. (Continued on Page 4) Blumenfeld to Take Orpheum In Frisco? San Francisco — Joe Blumenfeld, of the Blumenfeld circuit, is reliably reported to be about to conclude negotiations to take over the local Orpheum Theater, a Fanchon & Marco house. The deal is said to have reached present stage as result of deliberations between Blumenfeld and Harry Arthur. "Arsenic and Old Lace" Reported Bought By Warners; Release Said Set for 1943 Purchase of Warners of "Arsenic And Old Lace," smash Broadway hit, for an undisclosed down payment and a percentage to the play's producers of the film earnings was reported yesterday by well informed Broadway sources. It was stated that terms of the contract stipulate that Warners cannot release the film version until after Jan. 1, 1943. Purchase is the third this season by Warners, with "George Washington Slept Here" at a reported $85,000 and "Old Acquaintance" at a reported $75,000, previously bought. Most spirited bidding for remaining hit shows is said to be for "My Sister Eileen," with RKO and Columbia reported interested. "Pal Joey" is also being sought by several companies, as is "Lady In The Dark," with a reported asking price of $250,000 on the latter. De Sylva Succeeds LeBaron At Para. West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — B. G. De Sylva yesterday was appointed executive producer at Paramount, effective May 1. By the app o i n tment, De Sylva will succeed Willi a m LeBaron, managing director of production, who has a n n o u need his intention t o produce pictures o f his own for Para mount release. D e Sylva became an associate producer at Paramount (Continued on Page 3) BUDDY DE SYLVA Pascal lo Do Eight Shaw Plays as Films Gabriel Pascal has selected eight of George Bernard Shaw's plays for screen material and plans to make two yearly, Pascal said yesterday, following; his arrival here from England. Pascal said that Shaw had become convinced that motion pictures was the true art of expression for his plays and that the playwright regretted that he had not become screen-conscious sooner. Pascal brought over a print of (Continued on Page 4) Japanese Diet to Get New Restrictive Bill A bill restricting disposal by foreigners of all investments, bank balances and credits in Japan will be presented to the Japanese Diet this (Continued on Page 6) S W Tries Higher Admissions Move Designed to Cash in at Peak Times Defense Tax Said Hurting In Some Indiana Towns Indianapolis — A report from the office of the ATOI shows an unfavorable reaction on the defense tax measure in some localities in the state, especially where there are no (Continued on Page 6) Philadelphia — Stanley-Warner is experimenting in this zone with a five-cent raise in admissions Saturdays and Sundays. The circuit is also eliminating balcony admissions and other lower scales where possible. This is not a blanket increase, but applies to some downtowns, neigh(Continued on Page 8) 25 Cases Expected to be Filed in N. Y. Territory; Forms Generally Asked Each of the 31 industry arbitration tribunals has given out one or more "demand for arbitration" application forms, although no cases had been officially filed up to late yesterday. The New York tribunal has received 25 requests for applications, indicating that number of eases are likely to be filed shortly in this territory alone. Lack of activity during the first few days in which arbitration has become operative is believed by ex(Continued on Page 6) Ascap Suit Move Is Expected Today Conflicting reports were in circulation late last night concerning the Ascap situation. The board, which was in session until 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, had decided to set up a Consent Decree Committee, comprised (Continued on Page 6) "Back Street" Has Strong B.O. Appeal Miami Beach, Fla. — All the requisites of a successful feature are present in "Back Street," and to the extent that it is geared to grace the screens of the best outlets on America's Main Streets, and carry fully as strong an appeal to the nation's nabes. Rich in entertainment value, and particularly in drama and human interest, this Bruce Manning production, given a dual world premiere here last night, is fine audience fare, plus having the ability to attract customers via two highly popular stars, Charles Boyer and Margaret Sullavan, — magnets de luxe on any marquee. (For full review, turn to Page 5. For premiere color story, see Along the Rialto, Page 3.) — MERSEREAU.