The Film Daily (1947)

Monday, July 7, 1947 ^ DAILY Authors League Finds Objection to AAA Plan (Continued from Page 1) ^proposed have already been accomplished. Others are established functions of the Authors League and of the ^.espective Guilds. The Committee str^J accomplishment of these objei /es belongs within the structure of the League. In its opinion, the Committee reported, the plan of the AAA presented an over-simplified approach to attainment of its ends. It found objectionable the diversified and, in many instances, vaguely outlined powers; control, purposes. AAA control over disposition of material assigned to it as trustee was a particular point of the Committee's objection to the plan. Necessity and workability of a rigid over-all seven-year limitation on the licensing of all rights, regardless of the method of compensation was found questionable by the Committee, which pointed out that in the various fields in which an author's rights are used varying procedures are called for. Acquisition by film companies of rights for unlimited duration and of 1 subsidiai'y rights outside their field is indefensible, the Committee de 1 cided. These abuses should be remedied, if possible, through negotiated [ agreements with the studios. If that end could not be accomplished, then the Authors League should use its unified strength to such ends. The Committee stated that further study of the problem of licensing and separation of rights will be made. It was indicated joint conferences with the SWG group are contemplated in the Fall. Sack Buys Rights to Two Chesterfield Pix Dallas — Sack Amusement Enterprises has acquired the original negatives and all rights to two of the last Chesterfield productions "Missing Girls" and "Red Lights Ahead." Both are exploitation pictures and national release on the states-right and foreign market as a double-feature action program is planned. R. F. Pinson of Astor Pictures in Charlotte, and Lee L. Goldberg of Popular Pictures, Cincinnati, have bought the subjects for their territories. Other exchange deals are pending. Sack will release the pictures through their own exchanges in Dallas and Atlanta. II J^end vSlrtkda :j Lj tee tinqs Uo ree tinas iji July 7 1$ George Cukor Raymond Hatton »| Jackie Searl Ricardo Cortez I*; Ruth Ford PHIL M. DALY ''Food Before Films";????? • • • "FOOD BEFORE FILMS," says Hugh Dalton, Chancellor of the British Exchequer in the Attlee Labor Government, in paving the way for a heavy excise duty, based on the earnings of U. S. pix in the U.K. It's a persuasive slogan And no one's going to challenge the fact that you gotta eat period But there are a couple of aspects of the Dolton move that should prove disquieting, to put it mildly, to a nation that has gone to considerable lengths to establish and protect the rights of the individual The estimable Chancellor seems to be talcing the position that Government in peace time as well as war time must tell the Briton to eat, and how much Nor is that all Inasmuch as it is freely admitted in the British trade that the Dalton plan undoubtedly will bring a shrinkage in the number of films imported — the U. S. now supplies pix for 80 per cent of British playing time — The Government is by way of telling the Briton just how many pictures he may see during the year And, indirectly, just what pictures Maybe that's over-simplification, but in essence that's what is happening As if the Briton were not fully capable of determining that for himself! Taken into consideration vrith the fact that one element in the Parliamentary Labor Party has been doggedly plugging for nationalization — wholly or in part — of the British film industry, you begin to wonder just what gives As Oliver Stanley, Conservative, former Colonial Secretary, reminded Commons before ihe Dalton empowering resolution was passed, the procedure not only "touches a great industry and the enjoyment of many millions in a wholly novel way," but is without precedent in British fiscal history T T ▼ • • • THERE'S PLENTY OF WISHFUL THINKING in those printed stories to the effect that from 12 to 50 per cent of Hollywood pix will be produced in New York in the foreseeable future Twelve per cent would be about 35, on the basis of 1946 Hollywood producticn Whereinhell are you going to make 'em here? ... • Certain New York film critics, recipients of air cushions from Lynn Fornol, Sam Goldwyn's ad-publicity director, may like to know their genesis Lynn bought 'em to add a bit of comfort on those canoe rides on Northem Ontario waters he anticipated this week Then, suddenly Thursday— the getaw^ay day — , the vacation jaunt was off It seems there's another Goldwyn pic, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," due for an early Augtist Chicago premiere, with New York to follow So, Lynn, ever-thoughtful, deemed the critical brethren might appreciate the pillows' use in projection rooms and such these July days. ... •Joseph Gotten will bend an elbow and hoist a friendly glass with the press Thursday at Moore's Alhambra bar, created at the RKO Pathe Studios as a set for SRO's "Portrait of Jennie". . . . • Aha, a merger! U-I and RKO are joining to host a cocktail party in the Hampshire House's Cottage Thursday for John Mills, star of "Great Expectations" and "So Well Remembered". ... • Metro's using a series of nine ads totaling 1,500 lines in key city dailies to herald the coming of "The Hucksters" Seventy-two radio stations are being utilized for spot announcements 325 times a week for two and three weeks T ▼ T • • • SRO'S MILTON KUSELL, 'tis said, has a nice, new SRO contract to go along with that Selznick vice-presidency. ... • Joe Conway, assistant general manager of the AITO of Eastern Penn., has something in that suggestion that vacationing exhibs. call on theater men in their chosen havens and talk shop to get the other chap's viewpoint. ... • J. Arthur Rank's N'Orleans speaking date is on the 11th: he leaves there the next morning for N'Yowk. ... •J. Arthur, by the way, had a vera interesting luncheon engagement in Hollywood yesterday. xtra RKO Prints to Be Stored by NFD (Continued from Page II tion of the fire laws by its branch offices. Branches will request film from the NFD vaults as the need arises. Iowa Houses Hit Hard By a Month of Floods (Continued from Page 1) Hit wei'e the Central States theaters and the Dodge and Park, while the new Malek in Independence is serviced by the same power plant. At Eddyville, Earl McConkey who had just purchased the Eddy Theater, had his house submerged three times and he now figures it will take six months to re-open. The Tri-States' Zephyr, located on the Southside of Ottumwa, was the hardest hit in that community with three floods rolling in. The Ottumwa, Rialto, Capital and Strand, located on the Main street, were also flooded and forced to close at times. Don Hick's Eldon Theater at Eldon, was also hard hit with the water reaching , eight feet in front of the screen. All the seats in the house were ruined. Hick leased the old opera house where he is operating temporarily. House's Petrillo Probe To Get Under Way Today (Continued from Page 1) leader's activities in the motion picture and television fields. The investigation-hearing will be conducted by a House Labor Committee subcommittee headed by Rep. Carroll D. Kearns (R., Pa.). Although other witnesses may be called, Petrillo is scheduled for a lone appearance before the committee today and tomorrow. Kearns said that following the Petrillo hearing he would return to California for further investigation of "racketeering" in the movie industry. He said the California hearing would last about three weeks. UJEDDinC BELLS Kalnienson-Levine Diana Rita Kalmenson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Kalmenson, was married yesterday in the Ambassador Hotel, New York, to Burton Saul Levine, son of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Levine of Mt. Vernon. The bride was escorted by her father, who is vice-president and general sales manager of Warners. Following a wedding trip to Lake George, the couple will reside in Mt. Vernon, where Kalmenson also has his residence.