The Film Daily (1941)

Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought OO NOT REMOVE =T— %-DAILY The Daily Newspaper Oi Motion Pictures Twenty-Two Years Old NO. 26 NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 6, 1941 TEN CENTS //If// U" DISMISSED AS CRESCENT DEFENDANT N.W. Allied Will Fight Attack on Anti-5 Law Suits Against Minnesota Law By Five Majors Comes Up in Dist. Court Friday By GEORGE E. GUISE d , FILM DAILY Staff Correspondent Minneapolis — Allied Theater Owners of the Northwest yesterday girded for their fight to save the Minnesota movie regulatory bill by approving action of their board of governors in defending the bill against the majors' court attacks, and by levying a fund to meet defense costs. Allied met in convention here, condensing its sessions into the one day. The suits by five majors seeking in (Continued on Page 3) Squire, Great Neck, Wins Clearance Case In a 21-page opinion, George Spiegelberg, arbitrator, decided that the 30-day clearance enjoyed by the Great Neck Playhouse, Great Neck, L. I., over the Squire Theater was unreasonable and ruled that the clearance should be cut to seven days. The arbitrator further ruled that the seven-day clearance grant(Continued on Page 3) Rodgers Silent on UA Deal; Leaves for Chi. Complete silence concerning the offer of the UA presidency was maintained by William F. Rodgers, general sales manager of M-G-M, as he (Continued on Page 3) "York" is Booked In 4 H"wood Houses West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Setting a Hollywood and industry precedent, Warner Bros, is planning to show "Sergeant York" in four theaters locally. The premiere at the four theaters will be at advanced prices, with opening date for the multiple opening to be set some time around Labor Day. Warner Bros. Downtown, Hollywood, Beverly Hills Theaters and the Wiltern are the houses where picture will open. PRESS OKAYS HAYS' PIX STAND Statement on Propaganda in Pictures Gets 20-1 Approval; No Opposition to Propaganda, Says Morale Committee Recent statement by Will H. Hays to the effect that propaganda should be kept out of motion pictures has been endorsed almost unanimously by newspapers which commented on his remarks. A checkup on the press reports reveal that the editorials in favor of Hays' stand outnumbered the op position by a ratio of 20 to 1. In fact, it was learned that only two large newspapers came out against the statement. Meanwhile, the Committee for National Morale reported yesterday that a nation-wide survey had revealed that the American public (Continued on Page 8) New Allied Unit Chartered in N. Y. Steered by an organization committee, Allied's newest link will be ready for operation by mid-Autumn. Application of the New York State Unit of National Allied has been approved for membership by the national organization's executive committee. Groundwork for the new unit was laid at a meeting in New York last January and a series of upstate meetings conducted by E. Thornton (Continued on Page 6) Browne and Bioff Trial Set to Start Aug. 18 Trial of George E. Browne and William Bioff for alleged extortion has been set for August 18 in the Federal Court by Federal Judge Edward A. Conger. The Court, however, (Continued on Page 8) Executives See Slim Chance for Shortage Because the consent decree does not require the consenting companies to make and deliver any definite number of pictures, exhibitors operating on a twice-a-week and thriceweekly change are beginning to worry about a product shortage when the new season gets well along. Reports from the field indicate that many smaller operators believe they will be faced with the task of (Continued on Page 7) Two Government Films For S. A. Distribution Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — As part of the widerange plan to combat Nazi propaganda activities in South America, two of the Federal Government's (Continued on Page 8) ''Let's Get Down to Business" That is Slogan of Annual Allied Convention Schine Announces Bonus And Profit-Sharing Plan Gloversville, N. Y. — Announcement of a new bonus and profit-sharing plan, as well as awards in the Schine 1941 Spring appreciation contest highlighted a crowded opening day as 200 managers gathered here for (Continued on Page 3) Philadelphia — Slogan for the national Allied convention which is to be held here next month will be "Let's Get Down to Business." This was announced yesterday as committee names for the 12th annual event were released by the general committee. A list of important topics for dis(Continued on Page 8) Judge Davies Allows Introduction of Balance Sheets as Evidence By P. R. RUSSELL FILM DAILY Staff Correspondent Nashville — • Universal Pictures, Inc., is the first of the "Little Three," distributor defendants in the Government's anti-trust suit against the Crescent Amusement Co., to be dismissed as a defendant. Dismissal came upon motion of Edward C. Raftery, counsel for Universal and United Artists. Robert L. Wright, special assistant to the Attorney General, in charge of the D of J counsel prosecuting the case, announced at 11:40 (Continued on Page 6) Sen. Connally Lauds Pix on Senate Floor Washington Bureau of THE' FILM DAILY Washington — Taking the opposite stand from that of some other Senators on the question of motion pictures, Senator Tom Connally of Texas yesterday incorporated a tribute to "the grand work being accom (Continued on Page 7) FPC Theaters to Keep Present Price Scales Toronto — Theaters of the Famous Players Canadian Corp. will not raise their admission prices but the (Continued on Page 8) Sen. Clark Heads Propaganda Probe Washington Bur., THE FILM DAILY Washington — Senator D. Worth Clark of Idaho yesterday was named chairman of a special sub-committee to consider the bill by Senator Clark of Missouri to investigate "war propaganda" by the movie and radio industries. Other members named to the sub-committee are Bone of Washington, McFarlane of Arizona, Tobey of New Hampshire and Brooks of Illinois.