The Film Daily (1948)

DilLY Monday, July 26, 1948 Broadway Pix Prices Assailed by Cliurcli First instance on record of a large New York church "suggesting" to its parishioners that they "steer clear of Broadway's giant movie houses" because of the price scales in vogue stirred New York exhibs. at the week-end. Congregation is that of the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Paul the Apostle at Ninth Ave. and 59th St., of which the Rev. Thomas G. MeMahon is pastor. It has several thousand parishioners, who read this paragraph in the weekly Paulist Calendar: "Wise moviegoers will steer clear of Broadway's giant movie houses. The other night we paid $3.60 for two tickets to the . The usher took us to the top of the house. We saw the palms and flowers that set off the back of the stage during the vaudeville acts, and when the featured picture came on, it was like looking at it through a glass of water. All distortion. We got owe money back. Never again, though: that's a Resolution. We make a suggestion that you do likewise. The prices they charge for the entertainment they give: oh, my!" Gamble Productions Plans Package Television Shows A series of package television shows is under production by Gamble Productions, Inc., now affiliated with Jack Davies and Louis L. Klotz. Company reveals a roster of headliners said to be committed for exclusive video representation, including Bert Wheeler, Frank Fay, Eddie Foy, Hank Ladd, Billy House, Dean Murphy, Lube Malina, Paul Draper, Jack Cole, Hal LeRoy, Sue Ryan, Ralph Dumke and Pat Barnes. Initial series is a Bert Wheeler package written by Nat Heikin. Send Slrtnday,^ Qr eel lng,A Vo — | July 26 :•: Virginia Gilmore Nat Levine H Beverly Loyd C. L. Yearsiey H July 27 :•: Joseph Quillan Albert Wetzel ♦•♦ Charles Vidor Lawrence Gray ♦•» Hank Kaufman Natalie Moorehead ••» Howard Levinson ♦'♦ July 28 ♦•♦ Edward Martindel Joe E. Brown j*j Skeets Gallagher Blanche Mehaffey ♦'; I Rudy Valee jjj ! Elaine Henno-Mestanza J*{ I July 29 :]: Dennis D. Carlin William Powell jjj Warren Douglas Clara Bow fi \ July 30 if Holmes Herbert Robert Bennett J.{ Duke Hickey !.« i July 31 J.J E. Gilbert Golden James Flood !.* Mack Stengler Fred C. Quimby ♦,♦ Louis J. Barbano *.« August 1 a Madge Evans Chester B, Bahn U Judith Wood Herman Gumbin ♦■* Jack Briggs William Orlamond «** Terry Turner Erie C. Kenton j'j WWV^V^ VV>V*« »V»»W»V*»*» *% ♦ *•.**.*♦.♦♦>••* THE RIALTO i • • • "FILM BUSINESS is everybody's business" You've heard that, read that, maybe said it yoursell, time and again And undoubtedly there's a deal of truth in it But, a switch, for a change, did you ever stop to ponder the intense interest iilm folks have in a V7ide vctriety of worthy causes, and the extent to which the success of those causes is due to the time, effort, thought and talent for leadership which fihn folk provide? It's a moot subject, Phil M. submits, in these days when industry public relations are under the microscope inside and outside the trade. ▼ ▼ T • • • TAKE, FOR INSTANCE, the current UJA drive, which is commanding not a little trade interest At the helm of the Grecrter New York amusement division is Si Fabian, head of the 45-theater Fabian circuit, who took the chairmanship at the request of Paramount's Barney Balabcm, the national chairman For the last three months, Fabian has been concentrating on the UJA ccmipodgn Only a few days ago, he completed a speaking tour of home offices, addressing executive groups Si's message — and his eloquence — convince, so much so that one exec, who contributed $2,500 to UJA last year, this year multiplied that sum ten times. ▼ T T • • • THE NEED, OF COURSE, is greater— far, far greater And the expanding program will require every penny of the national 3250,000,000 goal In passing, it might be noted that Fabian and his associate, Sam Rosen, this year have given the UJA $100,000 Needless to scry, such a contribution comes as much from capital as from income Fabian has cm. elite group of colleagues and aides in the drive The list is a long one The names include Emil Friedlander, William J. German, Sol Strausberg, Leonard Goldenson, Bob Weitmon, Arthur Israel, Jr., Scrm Schneider, Leopold Friedman, Malcolm Kingsberg, Dan Michalove, Jack Cohn, Abe Schneider, Max Seligman, Joseph Seidehnan, Edward Schnitzer, Edward Morey, Arthur Krim, Joseph Bemhard, Ralph Poucher, Harry Brandt, David Weinstock cmd A. P. Waxmcm To that roster could be added scores of other Industryites whose time, effort, thought cmd talent have been freely given once more to a worthy cause That's one facet of film biz which could stand a bit of emphasis, don't you think? T T ▼ • • • MIGHTY GOOD to see the energetic, able Charlie Smakwitz move up in the Warner Theater orgcmization to the Albany zone mctnagership. ... • Didja knew that 2,812 film theaters have played 80 second pix showing the new Ford? J. Walter Thompson agency produced and handled distribution arrcmgements. ... • After 11 years in films, Ian Keith will be back on Broadway this Fall in Ruth Gordon's "The Leading Lady." ... • Current issue of Satevepost carries first picture break ever accorded a UA film it's "Red River" of course. ... • Heard at Toots Shor's: "So you wcmna know why Leo Durocher went to the Gicmts? Easy, pal. He's gorma write a sequel to "The Dodgers cmd Me." ... • William (Metro) Omstein is represented in Decade, a quarterly literary mag., with a very readable contribution, "Be My Girl" Bill's story gets the lead-off position, no less. T T T • • • DIDJA KNOW that Britain's adoption of socialized medicine will cost Associated British Cinemas alone an estimated £80,000 annually? ... • UA's publicity gang still grabbing off the headlines This time watch for its hilarious take-off on movie publicity stunts A nation-wide search is under way to locate a suitable partner for Willie the Goldfish, featured in Craig Rice's "The Lucky Stiff," currently before the cameras. ... • RKO Empire, Syracuse, will have Frank Fay in "Harvey" for a three-day stand starting Labor Day Joe Shea will handle press for the company which will start the season with the Saline City engagement. MPRF Aided 7,924 At Cost of $789,319 irest Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Motion Picture Relief Fund provided aid for 7,924 cases during 1947, while total expeixaas of the Fund were $789,319. Growth of the Fund, now in its 25th year of incorporation and its 29th year of service, is traced by Jean Hersholt, just re-elected president. Facilities now include the Motion Picture Country House and 40room hospital at Woodland Hills, properties which soon will be worth HERSHOLT about $1,350,000. Hospital has five physicians and one dentist, with nu merous specialists on call. The Fund also holds in perpetuity 10 beds in Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. During 1947 the medical staff un der Dr. Francis E. Browne handled more than 5,600 cases, of which 246 were surgical, Hersholt revealed. Dental patients of Dr. Balfour D. Straith numbered 690. Since its dedication in April, the Country Hospital has cared for 71 patients for an average of 24 days each. Report of George Bagnall, the treasurer, showed that in spite of the largest case load in the organi zation's history, with increased costs all along the line, the Fund's expenses were met by additional income. From the motion picture industry's individual contributors, who pledge one-half of one per cent of their wages or salaries, $669,299 was received. Expenses exceeded this figure by $120,020. But the radio program and other sources of reve ; nue added $157,062 to give a net excess of income over expenses of $37,042 for the year. Work of the welfare department which has a staff of 27, increased during 1947 and averaged 660 cases per month. These included all forms of help — medical, dental, hospitali zation, maintenance, personal and counseling service. The Motion Picture Country House was filled to capacity, reported Hersholt, who of fered thanks to donors of film and musical programs, a television set and other gifts to the industry veterans living there. Hersholt also paid tribute to the Permanent Charities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry for its aid in the Relief Fund's member ship campaign. The drive resulted in 9,812 new contributors FEmmE TOUCH SYLVIA SLUTSKY, secretary, Wilmack Trailers, New York. GERRY McAULIFFE, secretary. United Artists, Omaha.