The Film Daily (1941)

DULY Monday, March 17, 1941 Expect Green Light For Commercial Tele (Continued from Page 1) the answer when it is developed as to whether or not an engineering: agreement satisfactory to both the industry and the Commission can be reached. The primary demand of the Commission at the hearing's will be that engineering standards be settled to the extent that sets will not become obsolete shortly after purchase by reason of new technical development. If commercialization is allowed, it is expected that a provision will bartechnical changes for two years that would make sets obsolete. See Majority for "Green Light" A favorable indication was noted at Chairman James L. Fly's last press conference following the trip of the Commissioners to television laboratories, when he reported that he saw a definite movement toward agreement by the engineers and was greatly impressed by television developments, particularly in color television. If this means the Chairman is ready to give television the "green light," it practically assures a majority vote by the Commission. Commissioner T. A. M. Craven is known to be favorable as well as Commissioner Case. At least one of the three remaining members — notably George H. Payne — is likely to go along with the favorable group. Ray C. Wakefield, recently appointed by President Roosevelt to fill the vacancy has not yet been confirmed by the Senate and is not likely to participate in the hearings or in the decision, inasmuch as he has not participated in the previous consideration of the matter. National Defense Problem Another problem mentioned by Chairman Fly when the NTSC recommendations were presented and even more acute now revolves around the national defense program. Fly expressed doubt that the manufacturing facilities could be found because of the defense program for production of television transmitters and receivers. Within the last few weeks, the Office of Production Management has placed aluminum — a vital metal in the manufacture of television and radio equipment — on a priority status. This means that all aluminum production must go first to national defense purposes. There is very little chance that the OPM would allow television to receive the metal in this classification. However, if the aluminum shortage clears up by midSummer or Fall as expected, the OPM might release enough to the television manufacturers to place production on a limited scale. While the FCC has promulgated a series of proposed rules and regulations— some of which are in the alternative — the prime purpose of the hearing is to have members of the industry comment upon and make suggestions for improvement Michigan Using Screens of State Theaters To Register Workers for Defense Program Detroit — The Michigan State Unemployment Office, in co-operation with national Defense Authorities, is using theater screens to reach the public quickly and thoroughly to compile a state-wide register of skilled and unskilled workers. Michigan, is regarded as the crucial industrial state in present defense activities. The screen was chosen as more effective than radio, billboard or other avenues of publicity available, according to Jack R. McPherson, National Screen Service manager, whose company is distributing the trailers to all theaters without cost. Theaters May Be Hit by City Gross Income Tax Ten Companies Join To Make Defense Films (Continued from Page 1) not in the exempted businesses. Bill, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Walter Mahoney, Buffalo, is permissive, giving cities same authority as New York now has but is in no sense a sales tax measure. The permissive, not mandatory, chai-acter, is the important part. Assemblyman Harold Ostertag, Wyoming County, introduced a bill changing licensing and reg-ulation provisions for employment agencies and appropriates $15,000. Holds 5% Gross Tax on Fights Also Applies to Their Films Albany — In a ruling made Friday by Attorney General John J. Bennett Jr., the five per cent tax on gross receipts at boxing exhibitions also applies to receipts from motion pictures of the fights, shown not only in New York State but in other states. The New York State Athletic Commission sought the ruling. Bennett's ruling stated that "there is nothing in the statute which would deprive the State Athletic Commission of the right to collect five per cent of the receipts as a result of the showing of the picture elsewhere than in New York State." It was further explained that the tax is upon the gross receipts from the exhibition, inclusive of the motion picture receipts. 'Tantasia" Cleveland Bow To Aid British War Relief Cleveland — "Fantasia" bows into the Hanna Theater, legitimate house, tomorrow. Opening performance will be sponsored bv the British War Relief with admissions ranging from $1.50 to $5.00 for the one performance only. Thereafter the scale will be 75 cents to $1.50 for matinees Monday through Friday; 75 cents to $1.65 for evenings and Saturday, Sunday and holiday matinees. of the proposed rules. All the rules will be open to criticism and full opportunity will be afforded for the proposing of new or different rules. Barring unforeseen complications commercialized television should see the "green light" this Summer on a limited basis, with full commercialization and full production being gradually reached in the unpredictable future. (Continued from Page 1) duction by the eight majors, Republic Pictures and Monogram of a minimum of one feature and one short, Schenck said. He outlined the films either in production or planned by each company, and asserted that he had found executives whole heartedly in support of the Government program. Concerning his own company, Schenck pointed out the position held by Darryl F. Zanuck as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve Corps. Twentieth-Fox production program calls for the filming of "Flight Surgeon," "Nazi Ace In The U. S." and a musical, "Pearl Of Pearl Harbor" during the comingseason. The company is now producing "A Yank In The RAF." Paramount, Schenck said, will make five features in line with the defense program as follows: "Caught In The Draft," "Power Dive," "Forced Landing," "Among The Living" and "Little Miss Muffet," with "I Wanted Wings" now completed and ready for release. Metro has made "Flight Command" and will produce several important features centering about the European War and the U. S. defense program, he added. Columbia plans to make a musical "He's My Uncle" and "Red, White And Blue." RKO is producing "Army Surgeon" and "Parachute Squadron " and is also releasing "A Guy, A Girl And A Gob" and "My Favorite Spy." United Artists has "Landfall," "The Eagle So.ua dron" and "The Battle Of Britain" projected. Universal will make a sequel to "Buck Privates." Warners has the largest prog-ram of all alon<? this line with "Sergeant York." "Eagle Escadrille." "Three Sons O' Guns." "I've Got Your Number." "Bomb Shelter," "Mother's Boy," "Dive Bomber" and "Parachute Jumpers." Monogram will make "Navy Bound" and Republic will produce "Rookies On Parade." Paramount Signs Judy Canova West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Paramount has signed Judy Canova to a five-year contract to make one picture annually. She will also continue her Republic contract. * SHORTS * "For The People" The Greater New York Fund 9 min Excellent Reel This expertly-produced and aj pealing one-reeler, aside from tr fact that it is a cinematic "angel c mercy" seeking support of fr" n nual drive about to be launcY b The Greater New York Fund in b( half of some 400 welfare and healt agencies, packs a great deal of hi man interest material. Both becaus of the message it carries, and th quality of the subject matter, th picture deserves, and should be a( corded, playing time on the scree of every motion picture theate within the Greater City. Last year1 drive brought forth the film, "Suj pose Nobody Cared," with commer tary by Burgess Meredith, which wa shown moi-e than 16,000 times, an hi hundreds of local outlets. The new picture, "For the Pec pie," has Raymond Massey of "Ab Lincoln In Illinois" fame as it commentator, — and his work, as we as the scenes depicted are touchin and inspiring. Footage delineate the immense problem which th people of New York City face i providing medical and sociologica help for the needy, and infirm, am how all monies contributed to th Fund are expended. Charity, yes and Americanism, are the dual com ponents of the picture, for, as Mas sey memorializes, the very essenc of democracy is that all men ar created equal, and. if in need, tha they should be assisted by their fel lew-men. Newspaper Guild Backinc SPG in Contract Efforts New York Newspaper Guild wil back the SPG in its efforts to secun collective bargaining contracts wit! the majors, Monroe Stern, the for mer's prexy, told the screen publicists organization at a meeting lasl week at which a negotiating com mittee of five was elected. Com mittee, unannounced as to person nel, will be supplemented by an un specified number of aides. NLRB hearings, conducted for sev eral weeks, on the SPG's petitions have closed, and transcripts of tes timony are now before the Board in Washington. Majors conceded that the publicity contact men, writers, exploitation men, press book writ ers, advertising production men and advertising copy writers were prop erly represented by the SPG. In the East Ballroom of the Hotel Astor on Friday afternoon, the Screen Publicists Guild held a cocktail reception which was attended by a large number of the organization's members, as well as by representatives of both the metropolitan daily newspapers and the trade press.