The Film Daily (1941)

Friday, August 8, 1941 Easing of Quota Restrictions Seen (Continued from Page 1) stars Robert Newton and Emlyn Williams. Film based on the A. J. Cronin novel will cost approximately $4^000 when completed and be a! )ble for domestic release early this Fall. Other Paramount property, "The Admirable Crichton," is being held up by casting difficulties. While in Hollywood for the past month, Rose attempted to get some names known in American market but to no avail. Leslie Howard and Clive Brook, now in London, are under consideration for the lead, he said. Rose believes British producers are now making finer pictures although handicapped by wartime conditions. Limited supply of directors, actors and facilities, he stated, are instrumental in making British producers concentrate on quality films rather than producing minor product. General observation made by Rose was that the British Government on the whole was pleased with efforts of the British colony in Hollywood with only few exceptions. He declared theater losses due to "blitzes" and restricted areas remain about 10 per cent but business is better than it has ever been. As a result of rationing of most products, Rose pointed out more money is in circulation. Rose estimated that curtailed British production had increased playing time of American product from about 70 to 90 per cent. Parting forecast made by Rose was to watch for newcomer James Mason who has a leading role in "Hatters' Castle." UA to Distribute Two French Pix in Lat.-Amer. (Continued from Page 1) selected Latin-American territories. Walter Gould, foreign manager, announced yesterday. Rights to "Pepe Le Moko" were acquired from Walter Wanger whose "Algiers" was based on the original French version. "Un Carnet de Bal" was acquired from the A.F.E. Corp. "Pepe" will be distributed by UA in Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay, Panama, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica. "Carnet" will be released in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, San Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras. Blumenstock Adds Another Mort Blumenstock, in charge of advertising and publicity for Warner Bros, in the East, is adding Helen Gwenn, well-known New York freelance publicity representative, to his staff effective Aug. 11. She will handle magazine exploitation under Mitchell Rawson, Eastern publicity manager. • • • EVER since Sir Isaac Newton enunciated the law oi gravitation you find folks parroting the maxim "that what goes up must come down" Alas!, what Phil M. contends is the most ingenious theater sign in all the annals of Broadway was being lowered yesterday from the facade of the Astor Theater We mean the magnificent "Sergeant York" sign designed by Warners' Mort Blumenstock For some six weeks it has made the Main Stem brighter and amusement-seeking hearts lighter and would be doing so for many, many weeks to come were the house available for an indefinite run Yes, it's a goshdarn shame that this electrical emperor — this "current" classic — is being dismantled Ah, but our scouts tell us that several other cities where "Sergeant York" opens soon are bidding for the sign with Chicago particularly anxious to have it T T ▼ • • • THAT aluminum collection drive which Paulette Goddard personally conducted netted 4,151 pieces of the metal for national defense The star offered a 45-second kiss to the gent contributing the most aluminum H. B. Clifford, Hollywood restaurant owner, went through his kitchen and donated 335 pots and pans.' The only pan he evidently retained is the one on which La Goddard will impart the coveted reward T T T • • • NEXT Tuesday in Toots Shor's Restaurant o'er on West 51st St the committees for the Motion Picture Theaters Drive, National USO Campaign will tender a luncheon to Chairman Joseph Bemhard Purpose of the function is to outline plans for participation of pic houses during USO Theater week. .... .which starts on Labor Day T ▼ T • • • BIGNESS of Radio City Music Hall exceeds not a whit the far-sightedness of Managing Director W. G. Van Schmus and Assistant Manager Gus Eyssell The latter visited the United Hospital of Portchester in midJuly to extend congrats upon the birth of Gail Melinda Smith there During the visit the keen-eyed Eyssell noted the infant's precision kick and suggested that the tot be given a contract by terms of which she would become a Rockette 'when she reaches the age of 17 That will be on July 12, 1958 On Monday, last, Mrs. A. W. Smith, Jr spouse of RKO Radio's A. W. (Andy) Smith signed the pact as Gail's guardian Phil M. predicts that the blue-eyed Gail's Music Hall debut will be a sensation Think of it!, 17 years for rehearsal! ▼ T ▼ • • • PARAMOUNT'S Damon and Pythias of the tennis courts — Arthur Israel and Manny Reiner — battered their way to victory in straight sets yes'day, 6-2; 6-3. . . .over Leo Lubin and Dick Alt shuler of CFI Venue was the Kelton Courts at 40th St. and 12th Ave. . . . .This blood doubles tilt was played on the lunch hour. . . .and we understand that at time the "service" was not so good. . . •As planned. Dr. William Moulton Marston formerly a lecturer at Columbia University and inventor of the "lie detector". .... .set himself and his apparatus up in the Astor Theater and tested which type of woman is most emotionally affected by Metro's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and most submissive to male aggressiveness In the latter respect it was found that blondes are and redheads least so Well, thanks for the info. Doc! Now if the Weather Bureau doesn't double-cross Phil M it should be a pretty fair week-end Kiesiing Sees B. 0. Boom Early in 1942 (Continued from Page 1) porting on a study he made in a cross-country tour which included Canada. The effect of the war effort already has upped theater receipts in the Dominion, where a 15 per cent increase was reported. The United States generally is following the same prosperity pattern trend as Canada and some of New England's industrial areas show theater receipts up as much as 28 per cent, he declared. The country as a whole may anticipate similar diversion of the worker's dollar to theaters after the first of the year. The Kiesiing survey, considered by theater managers and newspapermen as one of the most scientific and thorough conducted on this problem, gives this analysis of how and when the defense dollar gets into the ^theater till: With the rush of re-employment under way, workers begin paying old bills. Once these are out of the way there's a period of celebration, and the less expensive night spots clean up. Next clothing becomes a matter of importance. It is only when all these are out of the way that the theater type of amusement gets the attention of the defense worker. The country generally has reached the apparel buying stage and the theater manager's dream is in sight, he asserted. Studies show that picture trends, based on fan demand, are to comedies, musicals and thrillers, Kiesiing said. Polio Spread in Ontario Has Exhibitors Worried (Continued from Page 1) occurred five years ago. The appearance of cases in scattered sections has led to preliminary warnings to the public to keep juveniles away from crowded places and this is expected to hit theater attendance — on top of reduced patronage because of the Federal amusement tax. Decision in Two Columbus Cases Due in Five Weeks Columbus, O. — Decision in two clearance cases involving four Columbus theaters will be handed down in about five weeks. Hearings on the cases lasted two days. In each instance a shortening of the 21-day clearance was asked. Both actions were brought by Fred Rowlands of the Main Theater. In one he represented the Main Theater against J. Real Neth's Eastern Theater. In the other he acted for the Parsons Theater against Neth's Markham. P. J. Wood, secretary of the ITO of Ohio, testified in the Main case, explaining the physical characteristics of the theaters.