The Film Daily (1941)

2 I ST F L 2 1) W 44TH ST Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought OPY emove: ir^lFDAILY The Daily Newspaper Oi Motion Pictures Twenty-Two Years Old >: L. 80, NO. 34 NEW YORK, MONDAY, AUGUST 18. 1941 TEN CENTS MAJORSJENY REPORTS OF SLOWJELUNG Film Industry Escaped Adverse State Legislation THE WEEK IN REVIEW Film Profits Up == By L H. MITCHELL DOMESTIC FINANCIAL REPORTS: Eastman Kodak reported sales for six months up $16,509,534 in the Western hemisphere. Total world sales for the period were $73,525,058, with total in the U. S. at $63,728,339. ... Republic sales for the new season hit the $4,000,000 mark, Prexy James R. Grainger announced. . . . Twentieth Century-Fox reported a 26week net profit of $861,278 after provision for federal income tax and providing' a reserve for foreign assets of $1,500,000. . . . K-A-0 reported a 29-week profit of $213,440. CRESCENT TRIAL: Motion to dismiss Columbia from the Government's anti-trust suit against the Crescent Amusement Co., its affiliates and the "Little Three," was granted by Judge Elmer D. Davies in Nashville. One situation kept Universal Film Exchanges from being freed from the charge and Edward H. Raftery, counsel for "U" and UA, said he could clear that matter up shortly after defense begins to present its evidence. Charges were not dismissed as to UA nor Crescent although two Crescent affiliates were freed. Defense claims Government failed to sustain its charges in its five weeks of presenting evidence. The Government listed the seven points of relief prayed for against the defendants. . . . Dropping of the Government's New York case against the "Little Three" was seen as dependent upon the outcome of the Crescent anti-trust trial. ARBITRATION: Arbitration demands filed with arbitration tribunals now total 100. Abram F. Myers, Allied board chairman and general counsel, won clearance relief for L. W. Lea, Danville, Va., exhib., for whom he appeared before the Washington arbitration board. The Lawn Theater, Chicago, (Continued on Page 8) Minnesota Anti-Decree Law Was Only Serious Setback for Industry Legislative sessions concluded in 41 states have left the industry practically unmarred and untouched by adverse statutes, a survey revealed. A total of 1,343 bills were harvested by the state law-makers during the recent sessions of which approximately 245 were aimed directly at the industry. Most of these bills, according to the report, dealt with sales and admission taxes. The survey showed there was no (Continued on Page 4) Bingo Not to Escape New Proposed Taxes Bingo games, cabarets and even national parks will not escape the proposed new Federal admission taxes, a study of the measure reveals. Wording of the almission tax provisions is as follows: (a) Reduction of exemption. — Section 1700 . (a) (1) of the Internal (Continued on Page 7) RKO Again Extends Time For KAO Stock Purchase RKO Corp. has extended until Sept. 15 its offer to purchase the outstanding minority interest in the common stock of Keith-Albee-Or (Continued on Page 4) Lashy in Exclusive Deal With Warners Jesse L. Lasky has signed a longterm contract to produce exclusively for Warner Bros. Having made "Sergeant York" for Warners, Lasky recently signed a one-picture deal for "The Adventures of Mark Twain," which goes into production this Fall. Lasky also will make "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court." Columbia Release Dates Set lo Dec. Release dates for approximately six months in advance were announced at the week-end by Columbia Pictures. It was pointed out by Abe Montague, general sales manager, that production was so far ahead of schedule that the company was able to announce a six-month schedule for the first time in its history. The company's unprecedented offering of completed pictures novv (Continued on Page 7) PRC Completes Five Pix For New Season Program Dallas — Producers Releasing Corp. will have completed production of four features and one western on its 1941-42 • program by Sept. 1, according to Arthur Greenblatt, general sales manager, at the regional (Continued on Page 3) Crescent Case Re-Opens Bitter Fight Predicted on Franchise Issue Skouras Takes Stahl's Theaters in New Jersey Skouras Theaters Corp. has taken over the Rivoli Theater Rutheford, N. J., and the Regent, Kearney, N. J., from Maurie Stahl who will retain his interest in the houses. Skouras will operate the pair on a managerial deal. It is understood tht Stahl will (Continued on Page 4) By P. R. RUSSELL FILM DAILY Staff Correspondent Nashville — The Government's antitrust suit against Crescent Amusement Co. and affiliates, with Universal Pictures and United Artists also as defendants and the "Big Five" distributor group as "co-conspirators," re-opened Friday with defense counsel, headed by George H. Armistead, Jr., for Crescent and Ed(Continued on Page 4) Exhibitors Not Holding Back on Deals, Major Sales Chiefs Declare Despite reports that selling on new season product is slower than usual, major companies report that contracts are coming in at above normal speed even though the sales methods are radically different from those of former years with five companies. W. F. Rodgers, M-G-M general sales manager, said on Friday that the number of contracts received in the last 10 days on the first blockof-five were in excess of the number usually obtained in one month of selling at the beginning of previous seasons. While unable to estimate the increase in figures, Rodgers said (Continued on Page 3) To Use Kodachrome Shots of Parley Theaters were clamoring for the newsreel shots of the RooseveltChurchill parley over the week-end as newsreel companies labored to meet the demand. Shots made by navy photographers were reported to be unsatisfactory. Of the several thousand feet shot, only about 150 feet was re(Continued on Page 9) M-G-M to Pre-Release "Dr. Jekyll" This Month Special bookings for "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" are announced by M-G-M to start Aug. 28, 29 and 30 in 24 situations. This is the first of the company's new Fall season September pictures. Because of sea (Continued on Page 3) Recruiting Success West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Ensign Charles B. Carpenter, U.S.N.R., and Ship Fitter 2nd Class George Haven, who set up a recruiting booth in front of RKO Radio studio's commissary at nine Friday morning had eight applications by noon.