The Film Daily (1945)

'd^ DAILY Monday, August 13, Raw Stock Meeting Deferred By WPB (Continued from Page 1) immediate announcement of V-J Day can be expected to have on their plans, as well as to re-appraise their activities in the light of the responsibility for reconversion placed on the agency by President Truman in his letter to Chairman Krug Thursday. All divisions of WPB are taking the measure, says Adams, of their actions thus far and of those proposed for the future against the yardstick of the President's fivepoint program. It is generally felt in all Governmental departments that no decisions can be made now as to allocations and controls because of the unknown factor of military needs^ which, it is pointed out, will remain in full force on many items even after the cessation of hostilities. Loew Execs, at Boston "Ziegfeld Follies" Debut Boston — M-G-M's "Ziegfeld Follies" has its world premiere tonight with a gala opening at the Colonial Theater. Two-week two-a-day run opens with a special radio broadcast from the lobby with Judy Garland, one of "Follies" stars, and her husband, Vincente Minnelli, who directed the film, to make brief talks. Home office execs, on hand include Howard Dietz, vice-president in charge of advertising-publicity-exploitation; William F. Rodgers, vicepresident and general sales manager; Si Seadler, director of advertising; William R. Ferguson, director of exploitation; E. K. (Ted) O'Shea, .Eastern sales manager; Joseph R. Vogel, vice-president in charge of Loew's out-of-town theater operations, and Oscar Doob, publicity director. Local notables to attend include Gov. Maurice I. Tobin, Lt. Gov. Robert F. Bradford and Mayor John E. Kerrigan. R. I. Bond Sales In 7th Aggregated $1,306,039 Providence, R. I. — Rhode Island's theaters sold $1,306,039.75 worth of War Bonds during the Seventh War Loan campaign, Edward M. Fay, State chairman, has announced. Thirty-eight theaters reported with the Newport Opera House leading with $338,500. Leader in Providence was the Majestic with a total of $109,650. Pawtucket's leader was the Strand, with $32,350, while in Woonsocket the Bijou and New Park rolled up a total of $219,300 in Bond sales. WLB Slaps on Penalty Chicago — ^Area WLB has assessed Rushville Amusement Co., Rushville, Ind., $1,000 for a wage regulation violation. Jstp Oiter Cuis Theater Biz ^'Takes'^ in the Big Keys Go Down Sharply (Continued from Page 11 war, but also to the fact that clear weather and inviting temperatures sent countless people into the outdoors, after being badgered by stormy weather for the past several weeks. Business in the big keys, compilation of reports showed, was in many instances down sharply. Along Broadway, the big first-run and subsequent stands noticed the drop from the opening show onward. The Tokyo radio's announcement that the Japanese Government was ready to quit, if the sovereignty of the Emperor were guaranteed as the only exception to unconditional surrender, came early enough to keep first-show patronage down. Turnstiles tended to pick up somewhat as the day advanced and the public showed little inclination, to be caught again in a maze of suspense and uncertainty, as was the case before V-E Day. Ex'hibs. Use Air Reports Attitude of a large segment of the public Friday was: "When President Truman announces it officially, it will be time to celebrate." In many cities across the country there was wide use by theaters of spot radio announcements to keep audiences informed of the latest Jap developments. Some managers flashed the bulletins on the screen, still others used the theater sound systems to relay the bulletins. In Richmond, Va., several theaters had arranged direct wire connections with radio stations and stopped shows Friday for all important bulletins in addition to regular newscasts. VJ-Day policy plans varied widely. This was applicable to cities individually as well as to the country at large. In Oklahoma City, for in stance, Standard Theaters announced Friday that its group of 10 houses would close upon the receipt of the official announcement. In Detroit Friday, there was some discussion among civic officials concerning the advisability of askingtheaters to operate all night to keep late crowds off the streets. All bars in Michigan will close for 24 hours following V-J Day, thus decreasing the chances for house damage. B & K theaters Friday planned to keep open V-J Day with patriotic programs. The Great States Circuit will allow managers to work with local authorities on keeping theaters open. Warner Theaters, H. E. Balaban Circuit, Essaness Theaters, and Allied Theaters in the Chicago territory planned to remain open, but the situation was subject to change as authorities ruled. Joy, but no Hysteria In Pittsburgh Friday, the announce! men Japan had offered to surrender was received joyfully but within an hour after the first report, everyone and everything had settled down to normal routine. Undoubtedly the latter reaction was due to the premature announcement of V-E Day, causing people to take news cautiously this time. Managers in many cities Friday reported keen interest in newsreels, inquiries centering largely upon the availability of reels showing the results of the first atomic bombing of Japan. Exchange operating policy for V-J Day was largely a matter for individual managerial determination. In some cities — Dallas, first instance — there was general agreement to close for the day except for one booker and the shipping crew in each branch. WAC Continuation Stiil Undetermined (Continued from Page 1) J. Schaefer, WAC chairman, said Friday. The WAC, it was pointed out, was created as a war emergency project and, as such, would terminate with the end of the war. Because of its services, however, there has been some sentiment expi'essed by industry leaders for the maintenance of the organization. One leader admitted that in the "pro and con" discussions, there were more "cons" than "pros." In any event, the vast details that would require attention would mean that the WAC would continue for several months after peace became an established fact Tom Hodge Coast-Bound Chicago — Tom Hodge of the British Film Services arrived here Saturday en route to the West Coast. Argentina Launclies Raw Steele Project (Continued from Page 1) Orzabal de la Quintana, Jose Cesar Guerrico, and Sr. Noizevx. They expect to start with a daily output of approximately 50,000 feet, raising the volume eventually to 100,000 feet per day. Owing to the shortage of raw film, Argentina's film production dropped from 56 films in 1942, to 35 in 1943, and only 24 in 1944. This year the drop will be to a mere 12 features, the lowest in the modern annals of local production. Mestanzas Open Offices H. Alban-iMestanza and Mrs. Elaine Mestanza, associate managing directors of Foreign Screen and Radio Service, greeted members of the press at a reception yesterday jn their new offices at 55 West 42nd St. ^ SHORTS 1 it "Barbershop Ballads" Warner Bros. 20 | Ace Musical % Gordon Hollingshead deserves^ of credit for turning out a featui that is ace musical entertain! dripping with nostalgia. The W a collection of American ballad^ have come down to us through years. Listed are "Moonight B "My Mother Was a Lady," "& Adeline," "Tenting Tonight" "' Down Yonder in the Cornfii "When You Were Sweet Sixte "The Band Played On," "When Ji ny Comes Marching Home," "On Banks of the Wabash," "Si Genevieve," "My Little Buckar "There's a Long, Long Trail," "^ for Me Mary," "Army Air Cor Each is staged in an appropriate ting. The vocalizing is by the L Killers' Quartet and the Main St Melody Makers. "Fresh Airdale" (Merrie Melodies) Warner Bros. Very Humorous Here is an extremely Technicolor cartoon about that lacks all the qualities that h won the dog the title of man's 1 friend. The canine of the story : mean, selfish, vicious type who le; poor innocent cat take all the bl; for wrongs committed by him, w he steals the glory for every g deed performed by the feline. A comedy booking. ami a U't ke i8 II, aei "Hare Conditioned" (Bugs Bunny) Warner Bros. 7 A Howl Once more Bugs Bunny is the c tral performer in a Technicolor sli that is excruciatingly funny, time the screwy rabbit tangles ■« a department store manager whc bent on stuffing him after his se ices as a demonstrator have b terminated. Of course. Bugs can off the victory. To say the pace furious is an understatement. A su fire laugh grabber. ita Col. Braham to Biarritz West Coast Bureau of THU FILM lUAl Hollywood — John Braham, who rected "Hangover Square," has tained a leave of absence from 20 Fox to take a post as a lecturer the stage and motion pictures at university which the Army is est lishing in Biarritz, France, for benefit of service men. Braham have the rank of colonel. THEATER DEALS Is llll til! Dan Goldman Buys Theater Chicago — Dan Goldman, forn Universal booker, has bought the J p Theater from the Christos circi