The Film Daily (1941)

DAILY Friday, February 7, IS) Minnesota Bill Hits At BMI and Ascap (Continued from Page 1) profit of then* compositions on a blanket royalty or fee cowering more than one or all of such compositions controlled by members of such association." A tax would be imposed on gross receipts of all sales of both Ascap and BMI within the state and both would be required to file with the secretary of state complete records of performing rights and a schedule of prices on all musical compositions each owns. Ascap-D of J Meeting In Washington Today Gene Buck, president of Ascap, issued the following statement last night in connection with the negotiations now under way with the Department of Justice: "The board of directors have met to discuss the general situation. The board has an appointment with the Department of Justice in Washington at 10 o'clock this morning." Copeland, Warner Theater Exec to Head Own Houses (Continued from Page 1) where he will operate his own theaters. Copeland has been in employ of Warner Bros, for the past 12 years and had only recently figured in the general agreement between the Warner group and the WeilandLewis group of theaters here in which the two rival outfits got together on a standard policy for both. Resignation of Copeland has caused some rearrangement in the local Stanley-Warner managerial setup. A. J. Vanni, who supervises the out-of-town S-W houses, will add the Atlantic City houses to his division, with the following city managers functioning: Joe Murdoch, Camden; Joe Bergin, Chester; Ray O'Connell, Lancaster; Lew Black, Wilmington; Paul Harvey, York. These men work under District Chiefs Jack Mulhall, Mort Lavine, and Eddie Moore in their respective areas. Vanni, who has been making his headquarters in Wilmington, is moving back into the 11th and Market Street headquarters. Ted Schlanger is the zone chief over the entire area. Apollo House to Ponsetto Apollo, Pa. — Louis Ponsetto, who takes over the Woodies here from ■Joseph Cipriany today, will rename the house the Warren. Dembow Returns Sam Dembow, Jr., Paramount Theater executive, will return to his desk at the company home office Monday. He was confined to his home for the past few months following an automobile accident. "Gone With the Wintl" Rounds Out First Year In London; 27th Week in "Air Raid Shelter" "Gone With the Wind," M-G-M's London office reports, hasn't been stopped by either air raids or blitzkriegs. This week the picture rounds out 52 consecutive weeks of playing time in bomb-blasted London. This engagement of a year includes successive runs in the Palace, Empire and Ritz Theaters. GWTW is now in its 27th week at the Ritz, which has an underground location, and is considered a virtual air-raid shelter. Confirm Settlement Arbitration Front Between UA, Goldwyn Stays "All Quiet" (Continued from Page 1) completed between Samuel Goldwyn and United Artists whereby United Artists has granted to Mr. Goldwyn his immediate release from his United Artists distributing contract. United Artists has also arranged for the purchase of Goldwyn's stock in United Artists Distributing Corp. Mr. Goldwyn's suit against United Artists will be immediately withdrawn." United Artists will buy the stock and it is believed will hold it until some outstanding producer is available to join United Artists' ownerpartners and the stock would then be offered for sale to him. Little credence is given to reports that Murray Silverstone desires to become a producer. In 1938 Goldwyn changed the name of United Artists Studios to Samuel Goldwyn Studios and he still holds a 99-year lease on the plant. During the differences with United Artists it was first believed he would release "The Westerner" through Paramount and it is now thought his future releasing arrangements will be with either Warner Bros, or Paramount. Warner Production Pace Hits New High Record (Continued from Page 1) duction schedule than at any time in its recent history. A total of 17 pictures have been completed under the direction of J. L. Warner, in charge of production, and Hal B. Wallis, executive producer, and are now being edited or ready for release. Two finished production at the studio Wednesday: "Shining Victory," featuring Geraldine Fitzgerald and James Stephenson; and "Thirty Days Hath September," with Jane Darwell, Eddie Albert and Joan Leslie. Three completed during the past week were: "Singapore Women," with Brenda Marshall, David Bruce and Virginia Field; "A Shot in the Dark," featuring Ricardo Cortez, Regis Toomey, Maris Wrixon and William Lundigan; and "Strang-e Alibi," with Joan Perry and Arthur Kennedy. To Direct "Miss Pinkerton" !i , i Coast B ' eau of THE VII M DAILY Hollywood — Noel Smith has been assigned the direction of "The Retum of Miss Pinkerton," at Warner Km-,. Anthony Coldeway is doing the screenplay. (Continued from Page 1) this week, but none has been forthcoming. While functioning officially, several tribunal offices are not yet in readiness for routine business, due to painting and decorating of the various headquarters. Mex. Production Resumes After Labor Controversy (Continued from Page 1) ferences between the Mexican Association of Motion Picture Producers and Distributors and the Union of Motion Picture Studio Workers of Mexico, Section 2 of the all-inclusive Union of Workers of the Motion Picture Industry of Mexico, an understanding was finally reached whereby both parties agreed to reopen friendly relations and to resume work at once. It was decided by common agreement that a commission of three members each from the Association and the Union would be appointed to arbitrate any issue that may arise in the future between producers and the workers. While the Association dropped its demands for the exclusion from the workers' organization of Enrique Solis, secretary general of the Union, on charges of being the owner of film equipment and thereby an employer, the workers on their part agreed to drop theirs on the producers. Solis himself agreed to leave all producers free to use whatever equipment they chose as well as whichever Union technicians they preferred. All pictures which were ready to start shooting when the conflict arose a re being rushed into immediate production. To Halt Bingo Hackettstown, N. J. — Warren County this week was the second county in the state to act against Bingo within the past few days. Prosecutor Cook this week told police chiefs to halt commercial games throughout the county. Last week Hunterdon County authorities ordered the game banned. Midnight Show for Greek Aid Buffalo — Local Variety Club will snonsor a midnight variety show March 8 for the Greek War Relief Fund. Nicholas J. Basil, president and general manager of Basil circuit, is general chairman. \ -REVIEWS "Petticoat Politics" with Roscoe Karns, Ruth Donnelly, Speni Charters, George Ernest, Lois Ranson Republic 67 M GOOD HOKUM COMEDY WHI MOVES TO HUMOROUS, PEPPY CLIM> OKAY FOR RUN-OF-THE-MINE S* TIONS. y?ui Followers of the comical fortunes of Higgins Family will get better than av age satisfaction from "Petticoat Politi which has lots of laughs and wholes] hokum. It takes a bit of time to get screenplay into full swing, but when it di it moves rapidly. Hence the second half the feature is peppier than the first. Rosi Karns essays the role of Joe Higgins who saved up a nest-egg of a few thousands is happy in the thought of retiring from ll whirl of business. His wife, Ruth Donne is scared when an insurance salesman tt her that the mortality rate is exceedin high among retired business men, chiefly I cause they have no work to keep mind z body active. The good spouse engine matters so that her husband gets I mayoralty nomination on the reforms ticket, consisting mostly of straight-la club women. The crooked party in pov makes it hot for the reform nominee to ( point where his nervous system is a shattered by the anticipated strongarm t; tics of the gang. There are many amusi situations, — virtually all familiar to slapsti followers, — but they are well staged directed by Earle C. Kenton who makes t most of the script. Cast enters fullv ii •■he spirit of things, with Polly Moran a Paul Hurst contributing largely to the CO edy. Jack Marta's photography is efficie Average stands can use "Petticoat Politi to advantage, particularly now when patrt like to get away from the serious side life. CAST: Roscoe Karns, Ruth Donne Spencer Charters, George Ernest, Lois Ra) son, Polly Moran, Paul Hurst, Pierre Wi; kin, Alan Ladd, Harry Woods, Claire Car> ton, Jeff Corey, Charles Moore, Geoi Meader, Emmett Vogan, Pom Pom the Di CREDITS: Associate Producer, Rob North; Director, Erie C. Kenton; Origi Screenplay, Ewart Adamson, Taylor Cave Production Manager, Al Wilson; Director Photography, Jack Marta; Supervising El tor, Murray Seldeen; Film Editor, Edw«| Mann; Art Director, John Victor Mack, Musical Director, Cy Feuer; Wardrol Adele Palmer. DIRECTION, Skillful. PHOTOGR; Efficient. II Sweigert-Smith Testimonial Philadelphia— Earle W. Sweig* and Ulrik Smith will be honor gues at a testimonial dinner at the Wa wick here Feb. 21. Where's Elmer? Detroit — "Pastor Hall," booked into UDT's Annex, gave Detroit its first Gestapo victim, maybe. Elmer, otherwise a dummy used on front displays for sensational films regularly at the house for some years, just disappeared from the front. The management thinks some objectors to the film must have "done him in." il i