The Film Daily (1941)

2 I ST 2(3 W F L 44 TH S T Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought DO NOT REMOVE The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Twenty-Two Years Old iT~%-DAILY' X 80. NO. 25 NEW YORK. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5. 1941 TEN CENTS NATHANSON RUMORED FOR UA EXEC. POST Clark Asks Probe of Fix's "War Propaganda" Missouri Senator Expects Early Action as Wheeler Heads Com. Considering It Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Senator Champ Clark, (D., Mo.) yesterday introduced a bill in the Senate calling for an investigation into allegations that the motion picture and the radio industries have been conducting propaganda for this country to enter the European war. Senator Clark stated yesterday that he expects early committee action on his bill. Possibility that the bill (Continued on Page 10) Fix Clearance Based On Admission Prices Milwaukee — Evansville Theaters, Inc., operator of the Rex in Evansville, failed in its attempt to obtain equal clearance with the Jeffris in Janesville when Arbitrator Thomas P. Whelan ruled that the complainant had not proven a case for relief against Paramount under Article 9 of the consent decree. Finding, however, that the clear (Continued on Page 9) Palm Case in Philly Dismissed by Arbitrator Philadelphia— Arbitrator H. Evans Rhell not only handed down a decision against the complainant in the Palm theater case but commended the defendants for the way they acted. The Somersons, Samuel and Morris, had brought an ac ( Continued on Page 12) Japan Bars American Pix in Indo-China Japanese authorities are reported to have forbidden the showing of American and English pictures in Indo-China and all imports have been forbidden. It is said that the move is a retaliatory measure against Anglo-American opposition to Japan's expansion. Allied Starts Nation-wide Product Check To Determine Comparison of Block Terms Columbus — Nation-wide survey to determine what the five companies participating in the consent decree are charging for their first block-of-five will be started this week by Allied. A second phase of the study will reveal what non-consenting distributors are demanding in the way of rentals. All Allied regional units are sending out a form survey card on which exhibitors are to indicate rental charges. Will Not Release Rodgers— Schenck M-G-M will not release William F. Rodgers, general sales manager, from his contract to accept the presidency of UA, according to Nicholas M. Schenck, president. When asked if he had come to any decision on the Rodgers contract, Schenck replied: "What do you mean?" The question was rephrased as to whether Schenck would release Rodgers from his contract. "Certainly not," Schenck replied emphatically. Schenck also reaffirmed his state(Continued on Page 10) Court Asks 24 Hours More For Crescent Case Ruling Nashville— With defense attorneys submitting a brief quoting authorities against admitting in the Crescent circuit anti-trust hearing such confidential matter as the income tax reports of Tony Sudekum, K. C. (Continued on Page 9) M-G-M Moves Trade Shows lo Exchanges M-G-M will shift its trade showings of the second block-of-five from theaters to screening rooms. It is understood that showings formerly held in cities other than exchange centers will be eliminated. It is tentatively planned to begin the screenings of the second group on Aug. 25 and 26. This, however, will depend on the availability of several 20th Century-Fox screening rooms where the M-G-M showings will be held. Tradeshows will be held in 32 cities. Canadian Odeon Circuit Adding More Theaters Toronto— Odeon Theaters of Canada, Ltd., has acquired the Alexander Theater, in the Northern Quebec mining town of Rouyn, and the Alexander at Wallaceburg, Ont., from Tony Allevato, independent exhibitor. J. A. Giguerre, formerly (Continued on Page 9) Reviews Better Than Synopses Myers Lauds Sears for Tradeshow Stand 13 New Pictures Start In Hollywood Studios West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Thirteen new pictures are scheduled to go into production this week. At Columbia: Five shooting, including "The Lone Wolf's Doublecross," featuring Warren William (Continued on Page 11) Former FPC Prexy Said Talking Deal to Help in Financing UA Producers Developments surrounding the United Artists executive setup took a surprising turn late last night when it was disclosed that N. L. Nathanson, former^president of Famous Players Canadian, might assume a prominent role in the company's affairs. Nathanson, it is learned, is talking a deal with UA officials whereby he would participate in the financing of a majority of the company's producers. Contemplated setup would also give UA much desired theater outlets in Canada. Deal was discussed last week when Nathanson was in New York. Further conversations, it is understood, will be resumed late this week when the Canadian film executive returns here. McCarthy, Bergman Resign from 201h-Fox Resignations of Charles E. McCarthy, director of advertising and publicity for 20th Century-Fox, and Maurice Bergman, advertising manager, were announced yesterday. It was reported unofficially that Hal (Continued on Page 11) Fewer Closings Noted In Milwaukee Territory Milwaukee — A check-up reveals closings in this territory to be smaller this Summer than for several (Continued on Page 9) Trade paper reviews and reviewing committee reports now being supplied to exhibitors as soon as the pictures are tradeshown, and before they are licensed, constitute full and complete synopses even better than those contemplated by the Neely bill, according to a bulletin issued by Abram F. Myers* Allied general counsel. Myers expressed this opinion in (Continued on Page 8) Form Company for Television Films One of the first companies formed to produce pictures solely for television has been incorporated in Albany. Firm is Motion Picture Television Corp. which will make shorts for advertisers who plan to use television commercially. Temporary headquarters are at 10 Rockefeller Plaza.