The Film Daily (1941)

Subpoena Radio Speakers in Propaganda Probe Intimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought (See Column 1 Below) The Daily Newspaper Oi Motion Pictures Twenty-Two Years Old -1FDAILY ), NO. 46— In Two Sections. Section 1 NEW YORK. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1941 TEN CENTS TAX JUMP "INJUSTICE", CONGRESS TOLD United Artists Weighs Two Easterners for Prexy Nathanson Negotiations Still Pending; May Head QIA New Finance Committee One of two Eastern men, whose identities are being kept in the closest secrecy, may be the next presiej dent of United Artists, it was learned inhere yesterday. The two men were ] considered at a meeting of UA stockII holders on the Coast Tuesday when 1 spokesmen expressed the hope that J lithe presidency would be filled by next month. It is known that negotiations are still pending with N. L. Nathanson, (Continued on Page 4) Clark to Subpoena Radio Commentators \: Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — The name of George j Fisher, radio commentator, was 'added yesterday by Senator D. Worth Clark of Idaho to those who have been subpoenaed to appear before (Continued on Page 4) Distribs. Crack Down On Preview Restoration West Coast Bureau oi THE FILM DAILY . Hollywood — Studio publicity directors' committee members yesterday informed L. D. Hotchkiss, managing (Continued on Page 4) Peah Attendance at Tradeshow in SticUs Detroit — Biggest turnout in the state since tradeshows became effective was registered in the little town of Prudenville where Paramount arranged a special showing for upstate exhibitors. Fifty-three exhibitors, many of whom rarely come to Detroit, attended the screenings of "Hold Back the Dawn" and "Nothing But the Truth." Event was handled by Jack Thompson, salesman. Paramount has agreed to stage special shows for exhibitors who cannot attend their exchange centers. Editorial The Critics Speak Out . . . on production, exhibition, publicity ==============^ By CHESTER B. BAHN KJOT the last intriguing aspect of the 1941 Critics Forum, a digest of which is found '^ in today's second section of THE FILM DAILY, is the striking critical and columnar insistence upon better story material and the elimination or reduction in double feature programs. In order of frequency, these recommendations topped the replies to the "If I Were a Producer" and "If I Were an Exhibitor" questions, respectively. Significantly and pointedly, much the same suggestions finished in the identical order in the last Forum, that of 1936. To be sure, the 1936 conclusions were differently worded, but the sense was the same. It would be splitting hairs to say that 1941's "Seek better story material" differed from (Continued on Page 10) Columnists Assail Propaganda Inquiry As preparation of the industry's "case" was pressed both East and West yesterday, trade interest in New York was centered largely on two stinging columnar attacks on the Senate Interstate Commerce subcommittee's investigation into alleged war propaganda films which starts in Washington next Tuesday. The attacks came, significantly, (Continued on Page 10) Selznick May Sign UA Contract Tomorrow West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood— Arthur W. Kelly, UA vice-prexy, planed to New York last evening and disclosed that final papers were drafted on the David (Continued on Page 4) Paramount Advances Common Div. to 25c Accelerated pace of Paramount's earnings was reflected yesterday when the board of directors declared a dividend of 25 cents on the common stock, an increase of 10 cents per share over the corresponding period last year. Board yesterday also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50 on its (Continued on Page 3) Five Film Stocks Reach, Two Maintain, New Highs Five film company stocks continued their upward climb on the Big Board yesterday, advancing to new 1941 highs. Gains, however, were sustained in only two instances, the (Continued on Page 3) Theater Biz Best Since '37 Spyros Skouras Forecasts 'Good Year' Ahead Theater business throughout the country is at its best since 1937, Spyros Skouras, head of National Theaters, told The Film Daily yesterday before leaving for Kansas City with his assistant, Eddie Zabel. Skouras said he is looking forward to a "good year" for the industry (.Continued on Page 3) Expect Award Today on Bids for Gov't Film Work Washi,,,,! on Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — The procurement division expects to have an announcement today on award of bids for the Office of Education film work. Con (Continucd on Page 2) Theaters Being Overloaded And in Effect Penalized For Patriotism — Wood Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Members of the Congress were warned yesterday that retention of the Senate Finance Committee's schedule of higher Federal admission taxes in the tax bill would perpetrate "a grave injustice" on a "patriotic and willing industry." The warning, received individually by all Senators and Representatives yesterday as the Senate opened debate on the bill, came from Pete J. Wood, secretary of the ITO of Ohio, who wrote, he said, "for the (Continued on Page 8) Philly Musicians, S-W Renew Contract Present contract between the Philadelphia local of the American Federation of Musicians and StanleyWarner, which was to have expired on Sept. 28, was renewed here yesterday for another year. James C. (Continued on Page 10) Capra Talking Another Warner Deal for One Pic Frank Capra and Warner Bros, are talking a deal for Capra to do the screen version of the George Kaufman and Moss Hart play, (Continued on Page 4) Wheat Fills Lobbies Of Wash. Pic Houses Seattle — So a Ketchikan, Alaska, theater dropped films temporarily to become a warehouse for canned salmon. So what? Theater lobbies in many situations in this state are now being used for storage of sacked wheat to meet the problem presented by a bumper crop which has filled elevators to overflowing.