The Film Daily (1948)

Do if;!ir^ copy Iniimate in Character International in Scope Independent in Thought The Daily Newspaper Of Motion Pictures Now Thirty Years Old VC^4. NO. 20 NEW YORK, THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1948 TEN CENTS HinTU.K. TO BDJUST QUOTH HBRDSHIP CASES TO A Warns Against Music Copyriffht Violation Court Decision Does Not Change Requirement That Exhibitors Pay for Music Warning that the playing of musical compositions on the screen without license is a violation of the Federal Copyright Law, and that the money penalty for such violations can be great, TOA in a special bulletin from Gael Sullivan, executive director, cautions members to continue meeting their ASCAP obligations. Recent District Court decision, it (Continued on Page 6) Mass. Police Censors Reverses on 'Hamlel' Boston — Bowing before a storm of protest in the press, the Division of Inspection of the Massachusetts State Police has changed its mind about cuts in Sir Laurence Olivier's "Hamlet," and the J. Arthur Rank pic which U-I is distributing in the U. S., will open at the Astor Aug. 18 sans a single deletion. Bernard H. McLaughlin, who han(Confinued on Page 3) , "The Three Musketeers" j Next for Loew's State Metro's Teehnicolored "The Three Musketeers" will be the next ati traction at Loew's State, following j the current "The Easter Parade," it was learned yesterday. Just when the new pic will open, however, is still uncertain. It is expected that "Musketeers" will play at the scale in effect for "Parade." tf Plans to Revive USO Okayed hy Forrestal Washington Bur., THE FILM DAILY Washington — Defense Secretary James Forrestal yesterday approved a Civilian Advisory Committee's recommendation that USO be reconstituted in that it would meet a need created by expansion of the armed forces. USO will again provide clubs and shows for servicemen and is expected to be in full operation on January 1. Editorial U. K. Gov't Distribution ... ft shadow is cast before By CHESTER B. BAHN THE MORE YOU SCRUTINIZE and ponder the plan of the Labor Government of Prime ' Minister Clement Attlee to pour $20,000,000 of Bank of England money into the financing of British independent production, the more you are to be intrigued with the potentialities. In two preceding commentaries in this Page One space, certain aspects of the plan announced by Harold Wilson, president of the Board of Trade, have been brought into focus in the light of happenings dating back as far as December, 1946, as reported at the time by Your Favorite Industry Newspaper. Today, the spotlight swings to others, and, for a starter, this: It was back on January 30, 1947 that you read this headline on Page One of your FILM DAILY: "Propose U. K. Gov't Distribute in U. S." The story which followed began: "London (By Cable) — Establishment of a Films Bank, and of Government controlled distribution of U. K. indie pix here, in the U. S. and Canada are among the proposals submitted by the Screenwriters Association to the Board of Trade. The SA is one of the final bodies submitting observations on forthcoming legislation." The reference, of course, was to the so-called quota legislation, or Films Act, which finally was enacted this year, and under which Wilson, with the advice of a Films Council stripped of American representation, promulgated the 45 per cent exhibitors quota. (Continued on Page 6) Offer 23 Twin Cities Spots Earlier Runs Minneapolis — Both 20th-Fox and Metro have offered earlier runs to 23 Twin Cities theaters on a 28-day break, 42 and 49-day breaks. Up to now only Minnesota Amusement's Uptown stand had been offered a 28-day break. Terms are to be negotiated for the runs, as with all other advances in availability by both disti'ibutors. Twentieth-Fox offered the earlier 28-day run to three stands in Min(Continued on Page 8) Urges Industry Keep Pix on Czech Screen American distribs. and company toppers have been urged by Laurence A. Steinhardt, U. S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, who was guest of honor Tuesday at an industry luncheon at the Harvard Club, to keep American pix on that country's screen and accept virtually any deal which will make that possible, usually well informed sources reported yesterday. At the same time, Steinhardt is (Continued on Page 6) CBC Tele Action in October F/rsf Canadian Stations on Air by^49's End Allied Will Hold Summer Board Meet in Minneapolis Minneapolis — National AUied's board will hold a Summer meeting here in September, it is disclosed by Ben Berger, NCA prexy. The Fall meeting of the board, announced for Nov. 28-29 in New Orleans, stands. The Smith-Berger conciliation plan is expected to come under heavy de(Continued on Page 6) Montreal— The CBC at the first meeting of its Board of Governors after Oct. 1, will consider applications by private individuals for the right to open television stations. There are three channels available in Toronto and CBC has reserved one for its contemplated establishment of a national setup as soon as the necessary financing can be arranged. There are already two applications for the remaining two and (Continued on Page 8) British Trade Advisor in U.S. Seeking to Ascertain Cases and Report to Gov't By RALPH WILK Ifcst Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — First hint that Great Britain, faced with a rising tide of resentment both at home and in the United States, was prepared to retreat from her 45 per cent exhibitors quota position came here yesterday from Neville Blond, U. K. trade advisor in the U. S. Blond, visiting here, said Britain is interested in adjusting any "hardship cases," resulting from its quota system on Hollywood films. He de( Continued on Page 6) Would Move Caravan Quarters to Indiana French Lick, Ind. — An invitation to locate National Caravan headquarters in Indianapolis will be extended to National Allied as the result of a resolution approved by the board of Associated Theater Owners of (Continued on Page 3) TOA Develops Promotion For Youth Month Drive Fresh impetus for TOA's Youth Month drive has been received from several quarters, Charles P. Skouras, national chairman of the Youth (Continued on Page 8) Pix Hearings ]\ot Set in Thomas Plans Washington Bur., THE FILM D.4ILY Washington — Representative J. Parnell Thomas, chairman of the House Unamerican Activities Committee, said here yesterday that he had recommended the Committee start public hearings at the Capital Sept. 1. However, before the Committee resumes hearings into Hollywood red activities, Thomas said, it will concern itself with the Condon case first and secondly, with the Soviet espionage disclosed by a series of Federal Grand Jury indictments in New York.