The Film Daily (1946)

^ DAILY Tuesday, September 3, 194€' CPA Approves 25-30% Cut in Construction (Continued from Page 1) the decision reached with Housing Expediter Wilson Wyatt to cut down commercial, industrial and institutional construction in favor of veterans' housing. Small ordered an immediate tightening of the criteria against which non housing construction applications are measured, and pointed out that a goal has been set for a national weekly quota as close to $35,000,000 per week as may be possible in place of the $48,000,000 weekly quota set up last May 31 when approvals were reduced by twothirds. At the same time, CPA amended its lumber production and distribution order to channel more lumber into homes for veterans. A new drastic hardwood flooring set-aside takes up the 25 per cent which until now has been available to persons without priorities. The expanded veterans' reserve also allows only 15 per cent of millwork and 20 per cent of construction lumber to go into the "free" market. Gomersail Returning To Universal Post (Continued from Page 1) vice president and general sales manager of Universal-International. It was stated that Gomersail returns to Universal-International unaer the terms of his contract. The distribution contract between Enterprise and Universal was amicably cancelled at the week-end. Cincinnati Film Exchange Opened by Ed. A. Wheeler A new film exchange will be opened at 1638 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, by Ed. A. Wheeler, vettran film exchange and theater operator in the Pittsburgh and Baltimore teritories. The Astor Pictures franchise consisting of a group of forty pictures and short subjects will be handled by the new setup under an organization to be called Astor Pictures Exchange of Cincinnati and a number of other independent product will be released under the banner of Wheeler Film Co. SEND BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO: Sept. 3 Steve Winston Mary Doran Major William A. Halpern CrosS'Selling ^^ Acceptable^ ''Surprise^' to D of J If Court Grants It (Continued from Page 1) acceptable "substitute" for divorcement. Whether granting of this "substitute" by the court will cancel the Government's previous plans to appeal to the Supreme Court "at least" on divorcement grounds has not been determined by top level officials. As matters now stand, however, the D of J probably will press for divorcement. Hopes Court Will Grant It Even though cross-selling was not contained in the court's opinion, department officials say the proposal is not without precedent and the Government "hopes" that the court will grant this relief. Officials admitted, however, that they will be ■'agreeably surprised" if the court grants cross-selling. Department officials also frankly admitted that up to now the Government and the defendants have been unable to reach an agreement on the auction-selling features of the court's opinion, although discussions are still going on. They stressed, however, that cross-selling is by no means to be regarded as a Government "substitute" for auction-selling of pix. Distribs.' Draft This Week Meanwhile, officials express the opinion that the defendants' proposals for a decree would probably reach the Department this week. In the meantime, the D of J was preparing a new draft of its findings of fact, with the likelihood that they may be submitted to the court within a few days. Brit. National Sets Canadian Distribution (Continued from Page 1) future pictures of British National Films, Ltd., and Anglo American Film Co., Ltd., London and New York. Contract is for a five year period. This was rated the most important Canadian deal for British product since Arthur Rank's entry of the Dominion with Eagle-Lion Films which is linked with Odeon Theaters of Canada and insures wide distribution of all British product. Taylor :hain which is third largest theater ■■ircuit in Canada is affiliated with Famous Players. Physical distribution of AngloAmerican has been arranged through Canadian PRC. Representing the British company in negotiations were Louis Jackson of London and Daniel Frankel of New York. Developments also are said to have prospective establishment of studio in Canada for British National films which could be classed as opposition to Rank's Queensway studios at Toronto. Ala. Free Shows Resume Despite Exhib. Protests Birmingham, Ala. — A series of free movies at Avondale Park under ?ponsoship of the South Avondale Civic Association will be continued after temporary suspension following protests of local motion picture theater owners and members of the motion picture operators union. When pastors, merchants, businessmen and the Junior Chamber appealed to the park board to allow the movies shown as a civic enterprise, the board ordered the free showings resumed under its policy of co-operating with civic organizations in programs of civic interest in their respective communities. MPTOAPollSliows Divorcement Trend (Continued from Page 1) mendation for arbitration increased hi the last tally to 137, compared with 121 the week before, while favorable reactions were indicated by 50 up to Friday, compared with the earlier count of 44. Nine voters did not answer the query. Total of 161 votes did not favor non-industry arbitrators, with 31 in favor and five not answering. Prior week listed 144, 27 and four. Theaters represented in the exhibitor opinions increased to 651, compared with 582, and 42 states are covered in the answers. Ends Half Rates on Returned Pix Shipments (Continued from Page 1) charge from 35 cents per hundred weight to 65 cents. Final hearing will be held in Washington on Sept. 15. Clyde B. Aitchison was chairman of the Chicago rate hearing. Other regional hearings were held in Salt Lake City, Atlanta, BuflFalo and Fort Worth, Tex. "Cloak and Dagger" Has Premiere in A. C. Thurs. "Cloak and Dagger," first United States Pictures release, will have its world premiere on Thursday at the Wai-ner Theater, Atlantic City. The initial production by the Joseph Bernhard-Milton Sperling unit at the Warner Bros. Studio has Gary Cooper, Lilli Palmer and Robert Alda in the top roles. New York opening will follow "The Big Sleep" at the Strand sometime next month. Court Hearing on Pix Bidding Fight Remote (Continued from Page 1) that it appeared unlikely that the court could give the time that would be required to hear the complaints. It was further pointed out that the court had given no indication th^ » would hear the exhibitors' objectio '^ Such a hearing would set a pre cedent under the circumstances, the authority said. All N. Y. Theaters Face Picket Threat by SPG (Continued from Page 1) strike move hinges on the outcome of the meeting. A special membership meetins: of SPG will be held Thursday. Pending the outcome of the Wednesday meeting the strike move will be initiated. The SPG will distribute leaflets in the Times Square area today. It is reliably reported that 1,000 picket signs are ready. Arrangements have been made to have every theater picketed. A sui^vey of participants in the strike has been made in the various home offices and exchanges. It is also said Local 16 of the United Office & Professional Workers of America will back the SPG with money and pickets. In addition 500,000 members of unions affiliated with the CIO. in the local area, have been informed of the move and are expected to lend their backing. If the strike is pulled overseas shipments of film are threatened with delay in handling due to reported arrangement with cargo handlers connected vdth the National Maritime Union. A spokesman for the SPG listed two main points that have been the chief causes of disagreement in the negotiations. They are revisions of contract terms agreed upon during the war years when a no strike clause was written into the agreement. The union seeks elimination of this clause and the setting up of either grievance machinery without a no strike clause to deal with grievances only or, arbitration with a no strike clause. One SPG official viewed the support of the entire union groups affiliated with the CIO in this current issue as one of increasing recognition of the film industry as a guide and basis for legal procedure, legislative planning and labor relations. Revere Joins D & C Tom Revere has joined Donahue & Coe, Inc. as vice-president and chairman of the plans board, it was announced Friday by E. J. Churchill, president of the agency. Revere was vice-president of Ted Bates, Inc., for the last four years, and prior to ' that was associated with Benton & j Bowles for 11 years as vice-president 1 in charge of radio.