The Film Daily (1945)

INEI •^ DAILY Friday, September 21, 1945 Maas Sees Rosy Future For Pix in Cent. Amer. IRVING MAAS A rosy future faces the film business in Central America in the postwar world, Irving Maas, vice-president of the 20thFox International Corp., reported yesterday on the basis of observations made on an i extended tour of that area. Saying he saw no reason for I viewing c o n d i I tions in Central America with pessimism, Maas asserted that every where he went he encountered an optimistic 0 u t lo o k on business prospects. He discovered that more money was being invested in the film business and that everywhere plans seriously were under consideration for building, theater improvements and general expansion of the business. He disclosed that many new houses already were under construction. Among projected houses is a 9,000-seater in Mexico City. Maas said that especially in Mexico the industry hoped to benefit from an increased post-war trade with the United States. According to Maas, 20th-Fox has plans to consolidate its business in the Central American markets. He reported a great interest in pre-fabricated theaters in the territory. The foreign executive said that "Cantaclaro," the first Mexican film made for release by his company, had been completed in Mexico City, where he described the studios as being of the finest. Maas found the demand for American films "as big as ever." Bemhard, Sperling in New Production Firm West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Joseph Bernhard, who is an equal partner with Milton Sperling in United States Pictures, Inc., which will release through Warner Bros., is due here Oct. 3. His association with Sperling does not mean necessarily that he will leave his present post with Warner Bros. Sperling obtained his release from the U. S. Marine Corps a few days ago. Company's initial picture has not been determined. FOR SALE 35 MM. SOUND TRUCK UNLICENSED WRITE OR WIRE: BOX 700, FILM DAILY HOLLYWOOD 28, CALIFORNIA Johnston to Seek Gov^t Help Will Ask Full Support, Assistance Overseas (Continued from Page 1) formed sources declared here yesterday. At the same time, it was said that Johnston's conception of the motion picture's sphere is far broader than that which the MPPDA heretofore has held, and under the new president's direction, the association program will be concerned with far more chan the entertainment film. Johnston, it is understood, outlined the broader area he conceives at his first appearance before the MPPDA directorate yesterday, and the stemming developments, when they come, are almost certain to make headlines. This, it was said, was what was foremost in Johnston's mind when he told New York newspapermen that he thought "the Hays job has to be remodeled and changed." While the formal announcement made in New York yesterday said merely that Johnston would continue to serve out his term as president of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, it is not wholly unlikely that John O'Shea's Sons Leaving Army for College Return Corp. "Ted" O'Shea, Jr., youngest son of E. K. "Ted" O'Shea, M-G-M's Eastern sales manager, was honorably discharged from the U. S. Marine Corps yesterday after being in the service for two and a half years. He recently returned from Iwo Jima to attend OCS. He returns to the University of North Carolina in November and will again join the football team there, having played center before he joined the Marines. Capt. James H. O'Shea, AAF, oldest son of the M-G-M sales executive, is on terminal leave and is scheduled to retire as a reserve officer on Nov. 3. He has been in the service three and a half years and has among his honors the DEC with an oak leaf cluster, an Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters and a Presidential citation. His most recent assignment was pilot for Maj. Gen. Ralph Royce at the Louisville, Ky., AAB. He, likewise, will return to the University of North Carolina in November. UA Philly Branch Leads In Current Sears Drive United Artists' Philadelphia branch is in first place in the Grad Sears Drive, Edward M. Schnitzer, drive captain, announced yesterday. The 'Philadelphia exchange, under Manager Mort Magill, nosed out Detroit, the early pace setter, which is now in third place, with Buffalo in the second position. Among the districts, New England retains its August lead. Other branches in the first 10 spots are Omaha, New Haven, Kansas City, Dallas, Los Angeles, Boston and Washington, in that order. ston might be re-named to that post again next year. Johnston has indicated that he feels he can successfully fill both spots, and there is nothing in his MPPDA contract to bar him from continuing in the Chamber presidency should he so choose. Will H. Hays, as consultant to the MPPDA, will not maintain a suite of offices at the MPPDA headquarters here, it was learned yesterday. While he is expected to spend considerable time in the East, it is likely that he will be largely found in Sullivan, Ind., where his law practice is extensive. It is reported his new contract as consultant stipulates that he cannot represent a film company in any legal action. It is anticipated that Eric A. Johnston will eventually make some changes in MPPDA personnel, but these may not materialize for some time. It is more than likely that the new MPPDA head will concern himself for some time with moves he deems far more urgent. L. A. Labor Council Out Against Dual Unions JVest Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — The Los Angeles Central Labor Council has served notice on the Association of M. P. Producers that it will not tolerate formation of dual or substitute unions to replace established AFL unions whether they are on strike or not. It contends independent unions are being formed to solicit membership of employes doing work covered by agreements and within jurisdiction of SPG, SOEG and Building Service Employes Union. A group of war veterans charging they have been locked out of studio jobs for respecting picket lines announced they will form an organization to protect the interests of servicemen and women in the film industry. Robert Leicester is acting as secretary for the group. Major producers issued a statement denying Central Labor Council's charge that the producers association has been inspiring company unions and inviting "an investigation of our position in this matter by the NLRB or any other proper Governmental agency." The statement reiterated that producers are caught between the claims of various unions. Individual Meetings at Columbia Parley Today This morning's session of Columbia's three-day zone meeting at the Warwick Hotel will be devoted to a managers' meeting. The afternoon session will be occupied vnth. individual meetings of all the delegates from the eight branches attending. Johnston Viewpoint Fresli, Says Myers (Continued from Page 1) yesterday that "the outline indicates a fresh, vigorous point of view that should be welcomed by all." "If Johnston will accept sugges/j tions and advice from all quarters^ and disregard the politics and prejudices engendered in the past 20 years, he can make a notable contribution to motion pictures as a business as well as a state of the law," Myers continued. The Allied top exec, said that he deemed it advisable to withhold comment on the proposed Motion Picture Institute, envisioned by Johnston as an all-embracing trade organization, until he could see a blueprint. "Meantime, I offer Johnston my congratulations, best wishes and goodwill in the work he has undertaken," asserted Myers, "and that, I am sure, goes for every member of Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors." AMPA Assures Johnston Of Sincere Co-operation Advent of Eric A. Johnston as MPPDA's new president brought to him the following telegram yesterday from David A. Bader, president of AMPA, acting for the united membership of that organization. The message's text: "It is my proud privilege as president of AMPA to extend to you on behalf of our organization, which is comprised of the majority of publicity and advertising representatives of our business, our heartfelt felicitations upon your election as MPPDA president. We offer you the same sincere co-operation as we have given Mr. Will Hays, and feel that under your joint leadership the industry will reach new heights in its effort to 'promote peace and better living'." Gifts for Starr. Trotta Testimonial gifts were presented to Martin Starr and Vincent Trotta, past presidents of AMPA, by David A. Bader, the new head of the organization, at a closed luncheonmeeting in Ronnie's Steak House yesterday. Fifty members attended. STORK REPORTS Omaha — A 9% -pound boy, Ernest Foster, was born here to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Shwidelson. Father runs the Cass Theater. Chicago — Eddie Silverman, Essaness prexy, is the father of a baby girl named Susan Lynn, born at the Michael Reese Hospital. Stockton, Kans. — Mr. and Mrs. W. 0. Woody, operators of the Stockton Theater, are the parents of another boy, their second.