The Film Daily (1945)

38 New Productions Diet* 21 St floor 44th York K St. V 'V DAiLY ; Wednesday, August 15, il Pix Seen as Tip-off On U. S. Biz Abroad (Continued from Page 1) feeling about trade with America, representatives of the House Committee on Post-War planning who left New York today for Europe will devote considerable time to a study of the pix marketing question, a committee member told The Film Daily yesterday. Dr. William Y. Elliott, who resigned last week as head of the OCR and will travel with the House group as an adviser, stressed the importance of the film trade in anoff-therecord meeting he had with the group last week. "The willingness of the Europeans to buy our films is symptomatic of their general attitude. The degree to which they will co-operate with American film men will probably be an important indication of the degree to which they will co-operate with other American exporters," Dr. Elliott said. Elliott pointed out that this was true normally, but that in addition films are the only major commodity in which foreig-n, trade can be immediately resumed on larg:e scale. "The success of the American companies in re-establishing their film trade is of great importance not only to the film people, but to all American business," he concluded. No formal agenda for the group has been drawn up. the committee member said. Neither did Elliott reveal that he has an extensive knowledge of the present situation in regard to the European film market for American distributors. The committee -comprises, in addition to Rep. Colmer and Dr. Elliott. Reps. Francis E. Walter, Pa.'; Jere Cooper, Tenn.: Charles A. Wolverton, N. J.; Clifford R. Hope, Kans.; Orville Zimmerman, Mo.; Jesse P. Wolcott and R. B. Folsom. — r Victory! WE, Bell Labs., RCA in Major Radar Contributions H^asliiiigton Bureau of THE FILM .DAILY Washington — ^Western Electric, the Bell Telephone Laboratories and RCA made extensive contributions to the development of radar, one of the scientific marvels which played such an important part in American prosecution of the war, it was disclosed officially yesterday when censorship was lifted. Western Electric, it was said, participated in the Government's radar program to the extent of $800,000,000, and Bell Labs, developed more than 100 diff'erent types of radars. Brig. Gen. David Sarnoff, RCA president, revealed that RCA's pioneer radar developments dated back to 1932, and that the Navy's first radar equipment, purchased in 193839, was of RCA origin. General Sarnoff said that radar techniques will "have a definite effect on the television industry." STORK REPORTS Harry Brandt became a grandfather for the first time on Monday, when his daughter, Mrs. Allan Livingston Fromme, gave birth to a baby girl who has been named Pamela Jane. MOO Cuban Theaters Shuttered Turmoil Prevails; Exhibs., Distribs. Held Havana (By Cable) — Turmoil resulted yesterday from the Presidential decree requiring theaters to present stage shows, with theaters now closed and exhibitors and distributors charged by actors and musicians with locking them out. Arrests of both exhibitors and distributors were reported. More than 100 theaters are dark and will remain shuttered until the decree is modified. Exhibitors say that they will have to liquidate their holdings, finding it impossible to pay 40 per cent for films and an equal amount for the stage attractions. At the same time, distributors were being accused of collusion and refusal to deliver pictures. Argentine Still Nixes Distribution of FWTBT (Continued from Page 1) production of "For Whom the Bell Tolls," it is learned. A similar request for the release of second American picture, "Hitler's Slaves," also was turned down by the Government. Paramount, it is understood, plans to press for a reconsideration, and is hopeful that an okay for FWTBT will eventually come through. Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — State Department action toward the lifting of the Argentine ban on Paramount's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is not regarded as likely here, since the Argentine censorship is regarded as a purely domestic matter. The Argentine Government has refused to permit the film to be shown because of the strong protests against it by the Spanish Government. When Paraguay recently lifted its ban on the film, Argentine was left the only Latin-American country where it may not be shown, George Canty, State Department pix officer, said yesterday. FWTBT is the only American film now banned. Canty believes, adding that he has not heard of the reported ban on "Hitler's Slaves." The censorship situation in Argentina is "greatly improved," he said, with showings during the past six months of such films as "The Great Dictator" and "Five Graves to Cairo." Victory! Los Angeles Theaters Fight 5% Ticket Tax (Continued from Page 1) Meade McClanahan is asking the City Council to levy on showcase operations here. John Bertero, general counsel for Fox West Coast, points out that the theater industry is already paying the highest retail license fee, $1.60 per $1,000 of any business in Los Angeles. Victory! Kelly-Chaplin Deal For "Streamliners" (Continued from Page 1) returned over the last week-end from a three-week stay on the Coast, said that the details of the new organization were being completed and that an announcement would be forthcoming in about a week. Until a month ago, Kelly was head of J. Arthur Rank's Eagle-Lion Films. RKO Television Readies 25 Package Shows (Continued from Page 1) six or eight months, RKO Television Corp. had been preparing the package shows. Some of them, he said, were live package shows, some were film productions, some single subjects and others in series of 13 or 26. He added that other shows were available in different markets under the auspices of sponsors, while some were intended for sponsors with nation wide aspirations. Austrian said negotiations were under way for a number of these properties, while others were being held for fxirther developments in transmission facilities. "These film series," Austrian said, "will enable alert sponsors to take to the air just as fast as television stations are placed in operation. It will enable them to preempt the most favorable time periods." The fact that many of these packages are on film, Austrian continued, will make it unnecessary to send production crews, etc., from city to city. A number of these properties may be expected to appear on the air before the first of next year. "We are ready," he said, "more than ready. We are well ahead of the parade and propose to remain there." Victory! Wage-Salary Control Relaxation Expected (Continued from Page 1) anxious to leave office, handing over his job to OWMR head John Snyder. At the same time, a fairly rapid relaxation of controls over wages and salaries is expected, although it is not likely such control will be immediately dropped. Although the President has not declared himself directly on this question, he has indicated agreement with his fiscal chiefs that the most effective way to prevent disastrous inflation is to speed the production of civilian goods. This does not mean taking off all controls and all allocation of materials, but it does mean relaxations fairly soon and sweeping — with all controls to be dropped as soon as possible. Victory! Walker on Bank's Board Grace National Bank has an' nounced election of former Postmaster General Frank C. Walker, of Scranton, Pa., president of Comerford-Publix Theaters Corp., as a director. AFL Orders Probe Of Studio Strike (Continued from Page 1) lATSE to revoke the charters tS they have issued to local unions] painters and carpenters and other charters that they have 1 legally issued which infringe u]| the jurisdiction of intei'natio \ unions." The council order further direcj that the lA "cease and desist fr| infringing upon the jurisdiction other international unions, withi n| days." "In the event they fail to carry J this directive of the American pl eration of Labor, the Executive Coil cil will decide what future steps f take," it was added. President William Green and otli officials left for their homes yestif day. WAC Prepared to Continil Handling OWL Army Filn| (Continued from Page 1) cause of the end of the war in tl Pacific. Under its pledge to the G(| ernment, the WAC will continue handle the reels until directed oth(| wise. On hand now are two short sil jects and one feature, the latter ll ing "True Glory." In preparatil are eight other short subjects ail unless indefinitely suspended, thj will be completed. As previously stated, the WI will continue operating until its sei ice to the Government is no long required. It is estimated that it w take months to wind up the vario details. Charles Hodkins Dead Chicago — Charles Hodkins, 80, ve eran theater man and former CI cago rep. of the Pantages circu died at the Oak Forest Infirmary. THEATER DEALS Beechers Sell the Kirkwood Klrkwood, Mo. — The Kirkwc Theater has been sold by Mr. ai Mrs. Edward Beecher to Theodoj Lending, who operates the theatl under a lease that was recently r newed for a long term. Howeve Lending stated that he simply to( title to the property in his name i "straw party" for other buyers. Clayburg's Dixie Sold Clayburg, Ind. — The Dixie here hi been sold to Clayborne Davenpoi The house was formerly operated li Danzel King. The transfer of tl property becomes effective Aug. 2 Heller Sells to Hirons Fremont, Ind. — J. W. Heller hi sold his Star here to John A. Hiroi of Ft. Wayne.