The Film Daily (1945)

Br Tuesday, July 17, 1'' N.Y. Theaters Sold $60,000,000jn 7lh (Continued from Page 1) drives, and is 64 per cent greater than the record sales of the Sixth War Loan. In releasing this information, Mr. Lesser issued the following statement: "With the splendid results in the Seventh War Loan for the New York area of a stupendous figure exceeding $60,000,000 in sales, I am impelled to congratulate and express my gratitude to the workers of the Seventh War Loan. This term workers is intended to include those who tirelessly performed the duties that amassed this staggering total — the theater managers and their extensive groups of subordinates and fellow workers; the members of the United Theatrical War Activities Committee, comprising the professional people of the screen, the stage, and radio, who, in conjunction with the members of the Hollywood Victory Committee, appeared in many hundreds of instances to entertain and to attract crowds; to the members of the unions affiliated with the industry; to the municipal employes who made possible our large gatherings and, of course, to the theater owners, whether they are independent or circuit owned, who contributed their facilities, their box office receipts, and the energies of their staffs making all of this possible. "I cannot praise too highly the energy and earnest application bringing about this magnificent result to the committee of volunteer workers in our New York area committee, headed by Morris Kinzler, the campaign director, nor to the national headquarters of the War Activities Committee, of which Sam Pinanski was chairman, and lastly, but certainly not least, the War Finance Committee for the State of New York, headed by Frederick, W. Gehle." WB Execs. Conferring In Philadelphia Today Mort Blumenstock, Harry Goldberg, Gil Golden and Will Yolen of the Warner Bros, home office go to Philadelphia today to confer with Ted Schlanger, Everett Callow and other local Warner theater executives on plans for the world premiere of "Pride of the Marines," scheduled to open Aug. 10 at the Mastbaum Theater there. SEnO BIRTHDflV GREETinCS TO: July 17 James Cagney John Carroll Herschel Stuart Samuel A. Shirley Frank Whitbeck Fred Armington Jack Conway Amelita Ward Al Bondy Irene Manning Helen Mason June Vincent Jean Reister 7TH SET NEW SPECIAL EVENTS MARKS 3,139 Bond Premieres, 1,888 Kid Shows, Free Movie Day Record Set as All Industry Branches Co-operate A 20.42 per cent increase in Bond Premieres, 114.78 per cent jump in children's shows, and 42.50 per cent more Free Movie Days marked the ^ _ .^« industry's parti ^ "fg^ cipation in the Seventh War Loan, it is revealed by the final report of Samuel Pinanski. national industry chairman. Drive, which exceeded m results the. achievements of! all former Bond campaigns, could not have been the success it was without the tre SAMUEL PINANSKI mendous co-operation of all elements of the industry — exhibitors, distributors, advertising and publicity and particularly the trade press, Pinanski commented. Noting that the industry worked as a team, Pinanski expressed his gratitude to all in the industry, commenting that he was convinced "that the results of the drive are a tribute to the fundamental scheme and idea of handling such a campaign on a 'grass roots' basis." Other factors highlighted in the national chairman's report was the co-operation across the country of State War Finance Committee chairmen and their associates, and the help and interest of Ted Gamble, national War Finance Division director. Activities of distributor chairmen in helping to line up Bond activities and maintaining the campaign was lauded, in addition to the handling of the logistics problem under Tom Connors, national distributor chairman. Praising the posters, 40 x 60's and trailers put out by the national advertising committee under John Hertz, Jr., Pinanski noted that for the first time they were practical and really utilized. "As magnificant as have been the results obtained," Pinanski commented, "they could not have been accomplished without the wonderful co-operation of the trade press — the background of the campaign." Campaign's "Buy a Bond" short was unanimously praised and should serve as a model for future drives, Pinanski said. One of the Drive features was the short subject, "AllStar Bond Rally," which played some 14,600 dates in the eight weeks preceding July 1 and some 1,123 dates after that date. Figures do not include repeat bookings, of which there were several hundred, or showings of 300 16 mm. prints of the subject in defense plants, schools and community centers. Pinanski praised the work of the Drive co-ordinators, naming Charles M. Thall, Dave Wallerstein, Eugene W. Street, Ted O'Shea, Barry Ballance, J. E. Flynn, Herman Wobber and Charles P. Skouras. He also thanked the state exhibitor, distributor and publicity chairmen, as well as Herman Gluckman, WAC treasurer. Special events highlights mentioned by the national chairmen included a new high of 5,159 Bond Premieres; a new record of 1,888 children's shows, and the largest number of Free Movie Day participants, 10,933. Radio's national spot announcement campaign prior to national Free Movie Day came in for commendation, as well as the Treasury Dept. identification cards issued by the national committee. Pinanski noted that the trade papers' emphasis on theatermen'^ Bond-selling activities impressed men in the field and that the field also appreciated the elimination of unnecessary reports and telegrams to the national committee. Grainger Opens Republic Meet in Chicago Today Company plans for added concentration on top-budget productions will be discussed by James R. Grainger, president and general sales manager of Republic, at the openingday session of a two-day sales meeting being held today and tomorrow at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. The current release of "The Cheaters," is to be followed by "Love, Honor and Goodbye," and by the Al Santell production, "Mexicana," an inter-American musical. Going into work soon are another Kane production, "Dakota," and the company's first Technicolor picture, "Concerto," which is Frank Borzage's initial production under his recent producing-directing pact. N. Y. State War Council In 1,100 Shows for 7th Albany — The Film Division of the New York State War Council arranged more than 1,100 War Bond showings of special 16 mm. sound motion pictures to as many audiences in New York State during the Seventh War Loan drive which ended June 30, Edward J. Mallin, film administrator, has reported. Incomplete reports from borrowers of these pictures indicate that the total attendance approached 1,400,000. When all reports are in, this figure is expected to exceed 1,500,000. The Division has distributed pictures to groups other than War Bond audiences. These groups are local war councils and their agencies, industries, schools, church groups, Auten Eagle Lion's Chief in the U. S. (Continued from Page 1) vice-president and a member of board. Other directors are Hugh! W. Ronalds and Ralph E. Reynoi the latter also serving as secretj of Eagle-Lion Films, Inc. Auten, who wears the Victo Cross, is now on duty with the Bi ish Royal Navy in the U. S., sails ! mediately for England where he due for retirement from active s vice. On retirement and return : the U. S., he will take up his dut as active head of Eagle-Lion, hei, quartering in New York. Until Auten's return. Col. J. B.! Lawrence, recently returned to ci^v ian status after serving on Gene: Dwight D. Eisenhower's Americ stafl" in England and France, will in charge of Eagle-Lion's affairs the U. S. William Burnside continues as t Hollywood representative for company. Cohn Dinner Spearheads Fund-Raising Campaign (Continued from Page 1) of the Anti-Defamation League a; the American Jewish Committee. Among those who will support ti event are Nicholas M. Schenck, Ba ney Balaban, Spyros Skouras, W H. Hays, David Bernstein, Malcol Kingsberg, Leonard Goldenson, Sai Dembow, Jr., Joseph Bernhard, aii J. Walter Rubin; also, J. M. Seide man, Charles Moskowitz, Al Schneider, Maurice Silverstone, A] Montague, B. S. Moss, Herman Rol bins, Samuel Rinzler, Marcus He man. Max Gordon, Jules Brulatou Max A. Cohen, Emil Friedlande Louis Bernstein, Red Kann, Chic Lewis, William Klein, Jack Mills, Lc Friedman, George F. Dembow, Bud Rogers, Manny S'achs, David Weii stock, and Al Senft for Cinem, Lodge of B'nai Brith. British Okay "Dillinger" "Dillinger," Monogram gangste drama produced by King Bros., ha been okayed by British censors, an is set for early release in the Britis. Isles, according to Steve Broidy, vice president in charge of operations. granges and agricultural organiza tions, colleges and other educationa institutions. (UEDDinC BELLS Chamich-Belnor Eleanore Chamich, of Astor Pic| tures bookkeeping department, wil; become the bride of Pfc. Hy Belnoi Rainer-Kniitel Luise Rainer, actress, was marriet here last week to Robert Knittel, ar editor of Creative Age Press, at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension