The Film Daily (1945)

Friday, August 17, 1945 IHfl DAILY 11 '106 Strategy Plan linvisionsStrilce : (Continued from Page 1) [^legotiations between the operators nd the film companies on new eon• racts covering circuit projectionists I nd those employed at home offices, xchanges and local studios. Hint of strike action should such measure be considered necessary ras contained in two resolutions laopted by the union's members. The rst called upon Richard F. Walsh, ead of the lATSE, to withdraw the po strike" pledge now that the war ras over. The other petitioned Walsh a authorize Herman Gelber, presient of Local 306, to call a meeting 0 vote on a strike against the afected exhibitors should a contract ail to be agreed upon by Sept. 1. If n agreement is not obtained by then he membership voted for a one-week acation for all men working in •roadway deluxe and semi-deluxe ouses, major circuit neighborhood ouses and at home offices, exhanges and local studios, with Sept. 8 as the designated week. Booth ,ien in the other neighborhood louses would get the week of Sept. 15. Another resolution stipulated that 11 vacation relief work be assigned rom the top of the list, with no reuests for vacation work by regulars eing honored. The union decided to "absolutely ibolish" the right of the circuits to equest a desired operator. This acion was assertedly taken when the mployers refused to accept a comromise proposal permitting them 0 turn down any projectionist from he union's unemployment list should e prove to be satisfactory after a reek's trial, with the privilege of laking as many rejections as they hose. Refusal of the companies to onsider the compromise has caused egotiations for new agreements for ome office, exchange and local studio rojectionists to bog down, the union eported yesterday. A second meeting with circuit eads in the office of Major Leslie -■"hompson of RKO is expected to be eic today or Monday. Negotiations etween Local 306 and the circuits pened at a meeting held on May 24. EXHIBS. RECOUP SURRENDER LOSSES Victory Celebrants Turn to Theaters for Amusement, Sending Tu 0-Day Holiday Biz Soaring — (Continued from Page I) — tween 5 and 7 o'clock Tuesday evening. The New York Picture In New York, attendance was off 15 per cent in the midtown theaters and 50 per cent in the neighborhoods Tuesday night, but bounded back in the two-day holiday period with a force that was reported to have more than made up for Tuesday night's losses. On the main stem, business was described as "sensational" on Wednesday. Yesterday, the Strand and Hollywood had lobby delays at 11:30 a.m. The Roxy summed up its business with "rushed to death," while the Capitol management reported business as "jammed, jammed, jammed." The Music Hall had a line that extended two blocks before the theater opened. Wednesday's attendance was 24,284 and bigger patronage was estimated for yesterday. Typical of reports from hinterland points last night were these from Film Daily staff correspondents: CHICAGO Chicago — Loop theaters did record business Wednesday and Thursday, while outlying theaters reported good business during the two-day celebration period. Film exchanges were closed Wednesday. Twentieth Century-Fox shuttered for the two days. , DENVER I Denver — Business was off 75 per jcent in first-runs Tuesday, but atI tendance snapped back Wednesday ! and yesterday. Very little damage ': by celebrating crowds. ST. LOUIS St. Louis — Following a 30-60 per ; cent slump in patronage Tuesday night, St. Louis theaters experienced good holiday business yestei*day and Wednesday. Four nabe houses closed i Tuesday night, but audiences in all i other theaters were orderly with no I trouble reported anywhere. lu PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh — Business in local theaters Wednesday and Thursday was tremendous" following Tuesday night's celebrations when theaters were almost deserted. Many out-oftown theaters closed down when the peace news was flashed. Skeleton crews manned the exchanges and there were few delayed shipments or missouts reported. Rowdyism and property damage were at a minimum. Salesmen T(h)anUful At Gasoline's Return Film industry salesmen yesterday were, to paraphrase a jive expression, "booking with gas," as the regulations on motor fuel were formally lifted by the Government. Banishing of gasoline rationing will effectuate closer personal links among pix salesmen and their customers. Exhibitors with oil heating plants in their theaters also got a real "break" as the Petroleum Administrator abolished curbs on fuel oil. CLEVELAND Cleveland — Theater managers reported practically no business Tuesday night, but the crowds came back Wednesday and Thursday. Although Tuesday's celebration exceeded that of the 1918 armistice, there was no vandalism or theater damage of any kind. Exchanges were closed half day yesterday and Wednesday. SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco — Most of this city's theaters closed during the riotous celebration that followed the Tuesday surrender news. All moveable signs were locked indoors. Nevertheless, property damage was extensive. Business Wednesday and yesterday was well above normal, with holiday scales prevailing. OMAHA Omaha — Theaters here did capacity business yesterday and Wednesday following Tuesday night's festivities when grosses felt off. No. damage or accidents werereported in any theater. Throughout iowa, the crowds were described as being "very orderly" by Bill Miskell, Tri-State district manager. Admission prices remained the same, except that the deadline on matinee prices was advanced from 6 to 2 p.m. SAN ANTONIO San Antonio — There was no noticeable drop in business here Tuesday night as celebrants of the victory over Japan sought some form of ent:ertainment. Local theaters were ready for the announcement, with Interstate theaters instantly playing the circuit's special V-J • Victory film. Business during the two-day holiday period was heavy. DETROIT Detroit — Theaters here adopted holiday prices and policies during the two-day holiday. On Tuesday, local theaters were enjoying good business until the surrender flash came and then the bottom fell out. Patrons exited to join the celebration on the streets. Inside, however, the patrons were quiet with no disturbances reported anywhere. MEMPHIS Memphis — Theaters here reported a 60 per cent increase in business on Wednesday. Malco nabes and two Loop houses closed Tuesday night, while Loew's was open. All business was closed for two days. The town went wild, but no accidents or lootingwere_ reported. No Early Lowering of Admislt. Tax Liicely (Continued from Page II cent on a dime will be in effect before the end of the year. Best guess appears to be, hoyvever, that the present rate will remain in force at least through this year and possibly well into 1946. The law by which the present rate of one cent on five cents was established in April of 1944, carries the limitation clause which is found on a major part of our war legislation —that it is to apply for six months after the cessation of hostilities or until terminated by presidential or congressional action. The joker is that the cessation of hostilities has not yet legally arrived. After the first world war the nation was officially in a state of war for three years after armistice day. How soon the official proclamation will come this time it is too early to predict— although it is not likely that it will be delayed until the date of ratification of the peace treaty since no peace treaty with Germany may be ratified for five or more years. There is a real possibility, however, that the proclamation may be held off for a considerable period in order that the administration may retain wartime powers it feels are important for it to have during the reconversion period. Congressional action to declare the nation at peace is possible, but thus far there is no indication that such action will be taken. Neither is there any clear indication that congressional action scaling excise taxes to their peacetime level will be voted in the near future. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Walter George has indicated early action on business taxation, but the originating committee for tax legislation — the House Ways and Means Committee — is not in nearly so much of a hurry, judging from statements of Chair-man Robert Doughton. Treasury Secretary Fred M. Vinson, who is expected to retain his acknowledged influence on (Capitol Hill, has indicated that he will not seek immediate reduction of excise taxes. One reason for keeping them at their present level is obviously that this is considered an important part of the fight to prevent inflation. Gehring Back After Illness William C. Gehring, Western sales manager of 20th-Fox, has returned to his desk after a brief illness. Schmitl's Mother Dead Pittsburgh — The mother of Henry | Schmitt, who owns and operates the i Imperial Theater, Imperial, died at the Suburban General Hospital, Bel [ levue. Funeral services will be held at the Church of the Annunciation there tomorrow. STORK REPORTS Altoona, Pa. — It is a son, their first-born, for Mr. and Mrs. Victor Notopoulos. The new father assists his father, A. N. Notopoulos, in the operation of the Altoona Publix Theaters.