The Film Daily (1942)

Vtifa Friday, January 2, 1942 Kent Against Resort To Escape Clause i Continued from Page 1) it was a "little too early" to say whether the decree has or has not been a success. Kent, with his characteristic straightforward response to questions, attributed much of the discontent to exhibitors who are too prone to assay success by the selfish quotient of whether the decree affects them adversely for the moment, legardless of how it serves the public interest. According to Kent, those independent exhibitors, who have used block-booking to cry "wolf" are still operating theaters and their businesses are prosperous. He said those were the people who marshalled public opinion against block-booking and yet were responsible both for the Department of Justice taking action and such statutes as the Minnesota anti-five law. Kent pointed out that in spite of the fact pictures are now sold in blocks-of-five, and exhibitors can pass up any block, there is still dissatisfaction with the decree. "Give Decree a Better Trial" "I, personally, would like to give the decree a better trial," Kent declared. The 20th-Fox prexy stressed the fact that there had to be an over-all picture in which all industry elements had to fit as nearly as they can in a harmonious manner before any change should be made. Unless industry is careful, Kent warned, the problem will be taken out of its hands and there will not be any chance for "second guessing." He advised the industry to be careful before it went off half-cocked. Kent observed exhibs. are disposed to criticize the decree for the increased price of pictures. According to Kent, pictures are costing more and, he pointed out, that in comparison with other major industries, the proportionate increase has been less. Cites Higher Costs In the last five years, Kent pointed out, labor costs have risen 30 per cent and other production costs from 30 to 40 per cent. Kent said he did not think exhibs. are paying more for their product STORKS! Chicago — Harry Mintz, of Warners' Partheon Theater, Hammond, is the father of a baby boby. James Mahan, Vitagraph shipper, New Haven, is father of a baby girl, Marilyn, his third child. Frieda Hilfer of Metro's Story Department produced a son at the French Hospital Saturday. Subject has yet to be titled. Theater Ushers to Help Swell the Funds In the Industry's March of Dimes Drive Ushers in 10,000 theaters throughout the country are being enlisted in the industry's March of Dimes drive. Approximately 50,000 ushers and usherettes are being asked to solicit their friends outside the theater for dimes to fill up at least two of the birthday greeting coin cards, each card holding 20 dimes and representing a tribute to President Roosevelt's birthday. It is estimated that if each usher turns in $2, the total will reach $100,000. Nicholas M. Schenck, president of Loew's, Inc., will award a $100 defense bond to the usher who fills in the largest number of cards. Idea was tried successfully last year by Loew theater ushers who turned in several thousand dollars in extra collections. Dimes Drive Press Book Ready Goes to Exhibs. to Aid in Local Campaigns Oscar A. Doob, national public relations director for the motion picture March of Dimes committee, released to the trade on Wednesday copies of a 12-page press book, — the first such promotional accessory to be created and used for the great drive to fight infantile paralysis. The campaign book has red, white and blue cover bearing a picture of President Roosevelt, a boy and a girl who have been stricken by the dread disease, and a message from Nicholas M. Schenck, national chairman of the motion picture committee, urging every film theater owner in the nation to support the drive from Jan. 22-28, inclusive. Press book, designed to be read in 12 minutes, was prepared by Ernest Emerling, and its content is based on actual experience in previous campaigns. Exhibs. are given comprehensive plans for local parades and for various stunts designed to swell the collections. New York parade is tentatively set for Jan. 21; in line will be some 20 bands, 50-odd screen and stage "names," Powers beauties, ushers and a brigade of school children. Highlight of the March of Dimes drive will be President Roosevelt's Diamond Jubilee Birthday, on Jan. 30, and the campaign provides greeting cards to which dimes may be attached, each card containing the printed numerals "60" which age the President will have then attained. There are spaces for 10 dimes on the numerals, and the slogan printed on the greeting cards is "Fill This 60 With Dimes." First mailings of the 20,000 campaign books were made Wednesday. It is expected that more than 25,000,000 buttons will be used. Over 300,000 coin collection cans may be needed. Better than 100,000 miniature "wishing wells" coin collectors are ready. Some 200,000 President's Birthday coin cards will be provided for ushers, projectionists and other staff members. Ten thousand trailers are being printed on donated film and distribution will start next week through National Screen exchanges. All materials are furnished to the theaters gratis — to be paid for later by the National Motion Pictures Committee out of collections. Theaters are urged to order no more supplies than they feel sure they will need — order enough but avoid waste — so that the expense of the campaign may be held to a minimum. "Vanishing Virginian" In Lynchburg Opening "The Vanishing Virginian" will have its world premiere Jan. 23 at the Paramount Theater, Lynchburg, Va., Metro announces. and the answer to that can be found in the earnings of the theateroperating distribs. He said an examination of their financial statements show that they have made their profits from the theaters, and not from sales. "Surely," Kent declared, "distribs. cannot be accused of profiteering, especially when one considers the amount of money we risk on the production of pictures." Turning to the unity program recently adopted, Kent asserted he was "very hopeful." He emphasized that it was "the last chance." Kent said he hoped "the mistakes and lessons of the past will help us battle more sanely the problems of the present and the future." Arbitrator Will Inspect Parkside Case Houses Detroit — Evidence that a final decision in the important Parkside arbitration case has not been reached is seen in the request of ex-Gov. Wilbur M. Brucker, who has the case up for decision, as arbitrator, following the hearing concluded early in December, for a personal inspection tour. Arrangements are being made for a tour the first part of next week, at which time all the theaters involved in the controversy will be visited by Brucker and any other interested parties who choose to join the cavalcade. A decision is expected early in January in this case. Buffalo's CTE Dissolves Albany — Century Theatrical Enterprises, Inc., Buffalo, has been dissolved, according to the Secretary of State here. Papers were originally submitted by Samuel L. Yellen of Buffalo. European Shipments Stymied by Gov't (Continued from Page 1) routed by plane to Switzerland ami other points where companies continued to do business. Sweden was reached mainly by plane servl ■ from England. Academy Board Defers Action on Awards Banquel West Coast Bureau of THF. FILM DAILY Hollywood — Academy board of directors Tuesday deferred action on whether the annual awards banquet will be held, but indications are that it will be. In any event the organization will grant awards in some manner. Walter Wanger was unanimously elected president and George Stevens was added to list of vice-presidents. Will Test "Sweater Girl" Metro and 20th-Fox have scheduled screen tests for Margaret Landry, "Sweater Girl of 1941," upon her arrival here Jan. 10. C'est la Guerre! Milwaukee — Tire companies are co-operating with theaters in drives to collect worn tires by children. In Eau Claire, the Churchill Tire Co. gave free theater tickets to each boy or girl under 12 years who brought in a used automobile tire a ticket of admission to a matinees at the O'Klare Theater. In Antigo, the Lake Region Oil Co. gave a child's ticket for the Palace Theater to each youngster bringing tires to the company's stations. "Goose Step" will be re-released in New York State by PRC as "Hitler — Beast of Berlin." Freeland, Pa. — With new and old rubber becoming scarce, a garage in this area made a tie-up with the Refowich Theater and the Legion Theater in nearby White Haven whereby free tickets to the Saturday matinee performances were given to children bringing old tires to the garage. Tickets were later paid for by garage. Rochester — Local Schine houses are going to do their bit again to help the country's war effort. This time it's tires. Any youngster taking an old car or truck tire to a Schine theater tomorrow will be admitted free. Scranton, Pa. — All-expense trip to Hollywood for the 10 winners in the annual Comerford Theater Managers Drive has been called off and winning managers in the drive's six divisions as well as four district managers will receive three $100 Defense Bonds.