The Film Daily (1945)

jday, July 27, 1945 iw DAILY , lay Admission Tax ifl;Fis(aiYearUp ''''■ I (Continued from Page 1) ivealed. Although this is indica ve of extremely healthy business, does not point to as strong a box fice showing as during the pre ous 12 months. With the old 10 per snt tax rate in force for 10 of those I months, the total collection was K 205,289,025.61. Figuring out just ow much of an increase should be lown in the collection because of the nposition of the heavier rate of one er cent on each five or major frac ons thereof is not possible here ithout detailed analysis of the pric ig policy of each theater. It is be eved, however, that the 1945 total -as collected on overall receipts, javing slightly less for exhibitors han was the case in the previous ear. It is generally accepted, how ver, that the falling off is only light. June collections from the third Jew York (Broadway) collection dis rict fell off considerably — from 4,571,570 to only $3,758,397.63. Thea er admissions in the district account or $3,388,450.03, compared with v3.999,344 a month earlier. June, 1945, collections were condderably better than those or June, L944, however. The total in that nonth was only $26,240,195, nearly f2,000,000 below the 1945 figure. The June, 1944, collection from Broadway vvas $500,000 smaller, $3,262,426, of ^vhich $2,711,638 represented theater admissions. Refuses to Order SOEG Men to Cross Picket Lines (Continued from Page 1) vote if they wished. Judge Wilson continued in effect a temporary order restraining union leaders from inciting or calling a strike or work stoppage and fi"om imposing upon employes in the form of fines or other penalties for continuing with their work. Mex. Exchange Workers Ask 40% Wage Increase Francis Alstock left yesterday for Mexico 'City to study the situation which has resulted from the threatened strike of exchange workers. The union which represents all exchange workers is asking for a 40 per cent increase in salaries of exchange employes. It is believed here that a walk-out will be ordered unless the demand is met. BRIEfinG THE DflV'S REUIS Acquires Williams Westerns Cincinnati — Lee Goldberg, of Popular Pictures Exchange, has acquired exclusive distribution lights for the Cincinnati territory to six "Big Boy" Williams Westerns, which Sack Amusement Enterprises of Dallas is re-issuing nationally. Photoplay Awards Aug. 1 Results of the first six months' findings of the Photoplay Magazine audience research poll to determine the most popular picture actress and actor of 1945 will be announced Aug. 1. Final winners of the poll will receive the Photoplay Gold Medal Awards eai-ly in 1946. Last year "Going My Way," Bing Crosby and Greer Garson received the awards as a result of the Gallup organization's findings. French Pic to Hoffberg J. H. Hoffberg has acquired the U. S. and Latin-American distribution rights to the French film "Tourbillon de Paris," ("Whirlwind of Paris"), from Ray Ventura, producer and musician, featured in the film. English titles are now being prepared by Herman Weinberg, and the film will be released to art theaters in the Fall, following a New York first-run. "Southerner" at Globe World premiere of UA's "The Southerner" will take place at the Globe Theater in New York City next Saturday. Following its world premiere, "The Southerner" will have a dual New England premiere on Aug. 1 at both the Tremont and Old South Theaters. "Cheaters" Holds Over "The Cheaters," a Republic picture, holds over at the Gotham Theater, where the film opened last Friday. Telenews Grand Slam The Telenews Theater in San Francisco has announced that it sold $109,230 in War Bonds during the Seventh War Loan Drive. Manager Charles E. Shutt reports this is almost double the amount of Bonds sold during the Sixth War Loan. The Telenews averaged 11 $25 Bonds for each of its 398 seats. 1.200 Book "Two Seconds" "Every Two Seconds," the documentary hospitalization film, has been booked into more than 1,200 theaters along the Atlantic seaboard, it was reported yesterday by Stanley Neal, producer of the short. Harrington to Sterling Longview, Wash. — The Longview, Columbia and Kelso Theaters, recently added to the Sterling Theater circuit, will be under the general management of Roy Harrington, who formerly operated theaters in the same area for the Fomian theater interests. Minimum Pay Increase Starting Aug. 1, the minimum pay rate for the Alexander Film Co. has been raised to fifty cents an hour. This will increase the payroll amount to the Alexander Film Co. members approximately $20,000 a year. Maine Svimmer Stock Active Portland, Me. — Summer stock as a film competitor will be more noticeable this year than at any time since the war began. Four companies have opened, Ogunquit, Peaks Island, the Boothbay Playhouse, and Lakewood. The latter will have Louise Campbell of the films as a regular member of the cast. Globe Adds 300 Seats An additional 300 seats are being installed in Brandt's Globe theater on Broadway, bringing the capacity to a total of 1,700 seats. The house will remain open during current remodeling which is expected to be completed by Labor Day. Guadalcanal Vets In Rally More than 400 former members of the First Division of U. S. Marines, veterans of Guadalcanal, will hold their first anniversary rally on Aug. 7 in Philadelphia and other key cities, with a preview of the Warner Bros, production, "Pride of the Marines," as a highlight of the event. Photogs Talk Contract Chicago — Business agent at Stratford, Photographers' Union 666, is holding a series of conferences with Chicago and Detroit film studios for new contract, starting next month. The union wants the old contract renewed with adjustment provision in case the Little Steel formula is revised. Chi. Censor Bans "Ecstacy" Chicago — The censor board has banned the film "Ecstacy" from Herb Ellisburg's Loop Studio Theater. Lieut. Timothy Lynn, police censor, said the theater advertised the film as uncut and uncensored. Lynn said the film is not the same one the censor board examined and passed. Ellisburg denies this allegation and may take action to re-instate the picture. Zukor Speaker at Hub's Paramount Celebration Boston — Adolph Zukoi-, founder and chairman of the board of Paramount Pictures, and Ray Milland, Para, star, were given a rousing welcome here on Wednesday and many New England exhibitors who have been Paramount customers for 30 years or more were honored at a reception at the Copley Plaza Hotel signalizing the company's Third of a Century celebration. Others in the Para, group which came here for an exchange meeting and the exhibitor reception were Allen Usher, Para. Month co-captain; William Erbb, Eastern division manager; and Claude F. Lee, director of public relations. A. M. Kane, Boston district manager, arrived with this group fi'om Albany. Zukor addressed the exchange personnel on the family spirit that exists throughout the company. in Today; Decide Pix Post (Continued from Page 1) terday at which the Johnston matter and other vital issues were discussed. Johnston said in Hollywood earlier this week that he would make a decision on his acceptance of the MPPDA presidency later in the week. Reports Electronics Hit By Spanish Trade Policy (Continued from Page 1) rent article on Spain's electronic needs. There is no discussion of such industry commodities as raw film, projectors and others of a non-electronic nature, but there is a full discussion of sound equipment. Most of the theatrical sound systems have been imported from Germany, Holland or the U. S., with German and Dutch imports no longer available. Therefore, chief reliance now is on the U. S. Sound equipment is used in nearly all the 2,500 theaters in Spain. Two manufacturers do turn out "motion picture sound producing equipment," the author says, but he apparently refers to studio sound equipment rather than theater systems. "Protectionist" tendencies of Spain are threatening to choke off import of all film commodities from the United States, including finished films and other equipment, according to informed sources here. Details of the policy were outlined in yesterday's Film Daily. WPB Removes Restrictions On Electronic Equipment Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — In a step to speed up renewed production of electronic equipment, including theater sound systems, WPB yesterday reinoved restrictions on the production and sale of parts for both manufacture and repair. In addition, restriction on sale of equipment produced under spot authorization was announced. WPB warned, however, that it will not mean an immediate boost in production of sound equipment. The components, though they may be received without restriction, continue scarce. "G.I. Joe" in 40 Spots Over 40 key spots throughout the country have dated the Lester Cowan production of Ernie Pyle's "The Story of G.I. Joe," to be shown within the next three weeks, it was reported yesterday. Completion of negotiations for a Broadway showing is expected to be announced shortly. Joe Doetsch Dies Chicago — Joe Doetsch, veteran member of the local projectionists' union is dead. Burial takes place today in Rosehill Cemetery. His widow and a sister survive.