The Film Daily (1941)

Thursday, February 27, V. Anti-Ascap Measure In Maryland Senate (Continued from Page 1) could institute court action for the royalty collection. Fines for violation would range from $200 to $1,000 with provisos for jail sentence from 30 days to a year. Wanger to Have Three On 1941-42 UA Lineup (Continued from Page 1) ing the Summer and the third will be started late in the Fall. Titles of first two are "Sundown" and "The Eagle Squadron." Present plans call for product to be made on a more elaborate scale due to increased production facilities. Jack Moss, former Paramount producer, has been signed by Wanger as a production executive and a term contract has been handed to Henry Hathaway. Moss and Hathaway will join the Wanger studio next month. Merian C. Cooper will prepare "The Eagle Squadron" for early production. The third Wanger picture will be selected from three properties on hand. "So Gallantly Gleaming," previously announced for the new season, has been postponed. Sunday Night Blackouts Mean No Theater Loss Toronto — Ontario Theater managers are hoping all provincial practice blackouts will follow the plan of the city of Brantford, where a blackout as part of the war savings campaign was held on Sunday night. Sunday shows are not permitted in Ontario theaters. Bettigole Heads Fitzer Co. Syracuse, N. Y. — Effie Bettigole is now head of the Fitzer Amusement Co., Inc., operating the Rivoli. House is using $500 Bingo games on Monday and Saturday nights with 50 cents admission. Sunday policy is now vaudefilm. Subsequents Benefit From Better Films Detroit — "Box office value of pictures which have become available for neighborhoods and subsequent-runs generally has shown a marked increase in recent weeks," Carl R. Buermele, general manager of Cooperative Theaters, said in an interview. Buermele, whose organization books probably 50 per cent of important Detroit theaters, is in an excellent position to judge booking values. "Quality of pictures has improved, and prospects point to increased business as better pictures came into the neighborhoods, based upon the bookings we have set ahead for coming weeks," Buermele added. WHO'S WHO IN HOLLYWOOD Ik yJAURICE A. HANLINE, current head of Republic Pictures story department, '^'was born in Baltimore, Maryland, June 6, 1895. Completing his High School education in 1913, he entered into his father's business, the Hanline Bros. Paints and Varnish Mfg. Co., where he remained until 1924. Heeding the call of his literary ambitions, the young Hanline joined the organization of Horace Liveright, publishers, as chief editor where he remained until 1930. In 1928 he was sent to England as resident vice-president of the Horace Liveright Publishing Co., and purchased Continental material for American publication. In 1930 he was brought to Hollywood by Jesse L. Lasky as Paramount story advisor to B. P. Schulberg. Later, the same year, he returned to New York with Walter Wanger as story advisor at Astoria Paramount. In 1932 Hanline returned to Hollywood as assistant storyeditor to Walter MacEwen at Warner Bros. Dur , . ing 1933-34 he accepted writing assignments at Metro, Columbia, Universal and Warner Bros. From 1935, until December 1940, when he became story editor at Republic, Hanline was story editor for Pickford-Lasky, story editor for Jesse L. Lasky at RKO and under a writing assignment to Warner Bros. Hanline's writing credits include, k^^1 "Years of Indiscretion," a novel published in 1932, ■**^ "Lottery Lover," Fox, "One Rainy Afternoon," Pickford-Lasky, "It's Love I'm After," Warners, "Heart to Heart," Fox, "The Gang's All Here," Republic, and "Two On the Aisle," Republic. Iowa-Neb. Indies Will Meet on Adverse Bills (Continued from Page 1) ber of adverse bills in the legislature. However, it is believed by some that the proposed investigation of the Tri-States Theaters Corp. on anti-trust charges will come up for discussion. The convention will be addressed by H. M. Richey, assistant to W. F. Rodgers, general sales manager of M-G-M. "Fantasia" Pittsburgh Bow As Greek War Aid Benefit Pittsburgh — At two meetings of committees representing distributors and exhibitors in the Western Pennsylvania territory plans were completed for the campaign to be conducted to swell the Greek War Relief Fund, at which Harry M. Kalmine, division chairman, presided. The local premiere of Walt Disney "Fantasia," at the Fulton March 5 will be a benefit for the Greek War Relief Fund. Tentative plans also call for a post-premiere radio broadcast in which attending celebrities will participate. Arthur E. Braun is chairman of the local committee and Steve J. Contos is in charge of arrangements for the premiere. Hanna to PRC in Cleve. John P. Hanna, for nine years connected with M-G-M in the sales and auditing department, has joined the Cleveland exchange of Producers Releasing Corp. as salesman in northern Ohio. For Adjacent Parking Lots Oakland, Calif.— The City Council has passed an ordinance to permit location of parking lots adjacent to theaters in dwelling districts. Only Four French Pictures Started Since Armistice Vichy, France (By Air Mail) — Since the armistice with Germany but four motion pictures have been made or put into work in France. Fernand Rivers is producing "L'an 40" (The Year 1940) at Marcel Pagnal's studios in Marseilles with Cecile Sorel and Felicien Tranel. Maurice Cammage is making "Un Chapeau de Paille d'ltalie" (The Italian Straw Hat) with Fernandel. Abel Gance has just put into production "Venus Aveugle" (Blind Venus). Marc Allegret is ready to start work on "Parade en Sept Nuits" (Parade in Seven Nights). Marcel L'Herbier and the journalist, Gaston Thierry, expect to begin production activities at Nice as soon as the authorities have provided the necessary finances. Shortage of raw stock is holding up production. As soon as a supply is received, Maurice de Canonge and Greville will start new films. Forest Service Short Ready "Ocala," a one-reeler of "The Yearling" country, otherwise known as the Ocala National Forest in Florida, is being offered for free exhibition by the Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture. "Ocala" was directed by Charles McDonald, formerly first vice-president and general manager of Van Beuren Pictures. New Lichtman Company Richmond, Va. — The State Corporation Commission has issued a charter to the Republic Theater Corp., Norfolk. A. E. Lichtman is listed as president and maximum capital is $50,000. Shooting Rubber Co. Film Springer Pictures, Inc., is producing a second picture for the U. S. Rubber Co. at Fox Movietone. File Ascap Decree; Hearing on Monday! I (Continued from Page 1) Decree hearing is set for Monci The D of J issued a statement nouncing that Ascap has signet decree "in which it agreed to ce engaging in activities which thq paitment alleges constitute tion of the Sherman Act." The release further states, "1 decree brings to an end litigat started by the Government agai Ascap in 1935. In the opinion the Department, the decree pa the way for an immediate set ment of the difficulties betw Ascap and the broadcasters wh have resulted in the banning Ascap music from the air si Jan. 1, 1941. All objectionable pi tices have been resolved by the c sent decree. The only matter maining for adjustment is one price between Ascap and the brc casters." The D of J statement digests ] tinent provisions of the decree, points out that motion picture hibitors as well as radio stati and hotels "will be able to obt the right to perform any As compositions desired without be compelled to take the entire As catalogue." The statement is sig by Thurman W. Arnold, Assist Attorney General. Exhibitor interest yesterday ce ered especially in the decree's vision for licensing at the sou Asked whether the provision cc be interpreted as also applying producers and exhibitors, sour close to the Government insisted decree must speak for itself. Were the provision applied films, exhibitors might be relie of paying the direct Ascap fee, v it being met instead by the prodi who bought or originated the mi for a given picture. Some sources suggested that might be a matter for the courts determine. Victor O. Waters, special as; tant to the Attorney General sta yesterday that the decree with exception of slight changes in wc ing, is similar to one officially leased by Ascap last week. A let of Ascap to the D of J, which plained basis of compensation to paid by broadcasters was not eluded in the decree, he said, si the decree already covers th points. Waters left yesterday for Wa ington and will return to New Y on Monday for the hearing bef Federal Judge Henry W. Goddai Republic Signs Football Star West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DA. Hollywood — Sammy Baugh, fc ball star, has been signed by Rep lie to star in "King of the Te Rangers," a serial budgeted $900,000. It will be world premie; in four Texas cities simultaneo — Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston San Antonio.