The Film Daily (1947)

DAILY Tuesday, January 7, 1947 Eugene Milliken Tops Senate Finance Group Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — With the makeup of House committees still uncertain, composition of Senate committees were generally indicated yesterday, despite the complaint by Sen. Alben Barkley, Democratic leader, against the ratios decided upon by the Republicans. Film industry interest appears to center on three of the new committees — the Finance, Interstate and Foreign Commerce, and the Labor and Public Welfare committees. Action on the President's proposal to continue the high war-time excise rates — including the 20 per cent admissions tax — for another fiscal year comes before the Finance Committee. It is recalled that this committee last year stopped the Houseapproved administration proposal to cut the excises back last July. Chairman is Sen. Eugene Milliken of Colorado, with Senators Taft of Ohio, Butler of Nebraska, Brewster of Maine, Bushfield of South Dakota, Hawkes of New Jersey and Martin of Pennsylvania completing the COP membership. Martin is the only newcomer on the committee. On the Democratic side are Senators George of Georgia, Barkley of Kentucky, Connally of Texas, Byrd of Virginia, Johnson of Colorado and Lucas of Illinois. Chairing the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, which is an expansion of the Interstate Commerce Committee which conducted the abortive propaganda investigation in 1941, is Sen. Wallace White of Maine. Republican members include Tobey of New Hampshire, Reed of Kansas, Brewster, Hawkes, Moore of Oklahoma and Capehart of Indiana. On the Democratic roster are Johnson of Colorado, Stewart of Tennessee, McFarland of Arizona, Magnuson of Washington, Myers of Pennsylvania, and McMahon of Connecticut. Sitting upon all-important labor legislation will be the Labor and Public Welfare Committee, headed by Senator Taft of Ohio. Other Republicans are Aiken of Vermont, Ball of Minnesota, Smith of New Jersey, Morse of Oregon, Donnell of Missouri, Jenner of Indiana and Ives of New York. Elbert Thomas of Utah heads the Democratic list, followed by Murray of Montana, Pepper of Florida, Ellender of Louisiana and Hill of Alabama. UJEDDinG BELLS White-McBryde Marriage of Barbara White, daughter of William A. White, of Skouras Theaters, to Lt. Thomas H. McBryde, USA, is announced by the bride's parents. WHO'S WHO IN HOLLYWOOD MICHEL KRAIKE. Producer. Born New York City, April 23, 1908 York public schools, New York University School of Journalis career on newspapers, then theatrical press agent. Began writing short stories for Liberty, Good Housekeeping, Pictorial Review, etc. in 1929. Published several novels. In 1932 went abroad as foreign correspondent for Seven Arts Feature Syndicate. Translated Felix Salten's novel, "Florian," which Winnie Sheehan later filmed. After several years in the Eastern story departments of RKO, Selznick International and Columbia, became Story Editor for Columbia in Hollywood in 1937. Went over to Paramount as a producer in 1941, making seven pictures including the Henry Aldrich series. Returned to Columbia in 1944 as a producer, winding up with "Renegades" in Technicolor. In 1946 joined RKO, currently preparing the Alexander Knox starrer, "Indian Summer." Stands 5, 7. Weights 140 pounds. Eyes, blue. Hair, brown. Educated m. Began IATSE Contracts Covering H. O. Operators Signed (Continued from Page 1) with the major producers employing projectionists in their New York home office for a two-year period, retroactive to Sept. 1, 1946. New agreement grants projectionists a 15 per cent increase, as of Sept. 1, and is the second 15 per cent raise they have received within a year. Companies Local 306 signed with include: Ace Film Labs; Columbia Pictures; Hearst Metrotone News; National Screen Service; Paramount Pictures; Pathe Industries; RKO Pathe; RKO Radio; Republic Pictures; 20th Century-Fox; United Artists; Universal Pictures, and Warner Brothers Pictures Distributing Corp. Rep.-Autry Pact Calls For Eight, Says Yates West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Los Angeles — In order to clarify contract relationship between Republic and Gene Autry, Herbert J. Yates states that Autry is still under contract to Republic and that his contract with Republic recites that he will make eight pictures before Sept. 30, 1947. Two pictures have been completed, a third will start today and a fourth is now in preparation. Yates said these four are not affected by outcome of any litigation and that Autry will be required to make a series of eight pictures unless the Supreme Court of California renders a decision favorable to Autry in certain pending litigation between him and the studio. In the event the Supreme Court renders a decision in favor of Republic or until such time as it renders any decision, Autry will be required to continue to make pictures for Republic until the series of eight have been completed, Yates said. Conyer's Warner Opens Salem, Ky. — Warner, 300-seater, was opened by L. Conyer, Jan. 1. Lauier Joins Monogram Eastern Publicity Dep't Phil Laufer has joined Monogram's Eastern publicity department it was announced yesterday by Louis S. Lifton, national advertising and publicity director. Prior to joining Monogram, Laufer was with Universal for two years doing trade and newspaper publicity and was contact for the Winter Garden and Criterion Theaters. For the past few months he handled publicity for the Winter Garden exclusively. Laufer entered the industry with Vitagraph, subsequently joining Warners, where he did publicity for the Strand and Hollywood Theaters. In 1936, he became associated with the Macon Amusement Corp., (B. S. Moss and H. L. Charnas) who built, what is now Loew's Criterion, and after a few months became its publicity director. Moved to the Rivoli Theater after six years, transferred to United Artists in 1943, and after a year joined Universal, from where he resigned to join Monogram. Tele Competition Coming Soon, Ind. ATO Asserts Indianapolis, Ind. — Theater operators will face television competition sooner than many think, according to the ATO of Indiana. Unit's publication, Theater Facts, summarizes tele developments during the year in the latest issue, and makes the ''conservative' prediction that in four years, tele networks will be serving 80 per cent of the population. The first impact of this will be severe on the box office, because of the novelty factor, Theater Facts declares. Increase in sponsored programs will keep pace with the_^in-r crease in sets, it is pointed out. As "defense," the Indiana Allied paper recommends "an early investigation of receivers" and the encouragement of projectionists to learn about handling such equipment. Be On Guard Against Local Taxes— Myers (Continued from Page 1) bership, points out that the temptation to municipalities to do this will be very great "as they will figure that the imposition of a lo/C--* ^ax at the same time the Tedera/j. 1c is reduced will not be resented by the theatergoers since there will be no change in the amount of the total tax paid." Discussing the recent San Bernardino, Calif., municipal tax decision by the California Supreme Court, in which the tax was knocked out as discriminatory, Myers declared that exhibs. should take their stand on this proposition and "not allow legislatures and municipalities to put the movies in that class of business which is subject to taxation for reasons peculiar to themselves and without regard to taxes imposed on competitive amusement enterprises and other forms of enterprise." Sam Wood to Film Beach Tale in Alasku West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Sam Wood will fly to Alaska to scout location sites for "The World In His Arms," a forthcoming Interwood Production for Universal-International, on completion of his current Interwood project, "Ivy." "The World In His Arms," based on the last Rex Beach novel, is an adventure yarn about Alaska in the days previous to its sale by Russia to the U. S., and a check by Wood has failed to reveal any U. S. locations which command the vast snow vistas needed for the picture. Due to the inadequacies of Alaskan rail transportation, Wood expects to transport most of his troupe and all of his equipment via the Alcan Highway in mid-Summer. Riley Funeral Today Chicago — Funeral services will be held here today for Gordon E. Riley, RCA traffic manager. Surviving are his wife, Belda, and a daughter, Jean. STORK REPORTS West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY ; Hollywood — A seven-pound son, Samuel, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Howard at Queen of Angels Hospital. Father is president of : American Eagle Films. Glasco, Kas. — A son named Robert Rex has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morris V. Beisner. He is the operator of the Dream Theater here and the Delpheum in Delphus, Kas. Wakefield, Mass. — David Hodgdon, owner of the Princess, and Mrs, Hodgdon, are the parents of a boy. .'