The Film Daily (1948)

M* f. ProcitKJtion Diet. 28 W. 44th St. 31et floor Jte«r York M. Y. TW CBC Will Take Tele Action in Odober (Continued from Page 1) Oct. 1 has been set as a deadline for others. There are also two applications from Montreal and the same deadline prevails. A spokesman said there are a number of obstacles but it is quite possible that the first television stations will be operating in Canada within 18 months, or by the end of 1949. He thought it wise that Canada "marked time" while the U. S. passed through a costly, hit-and-miss infancy whose lessons and benefits will be helpful. Both Famous Players Canadian and Odeon Theaters are expected to quickly develop theater video once television stations are licensed and operating. Presumably, FPC would use the intermediate system perfected by Paramount, while Odeon would introduce the Baird British system controlled by J. Arthur Rank. Importation of receiving sets is banned currently under the austerity taxation law and a manufacturing industry would have to get started. There are indications that manufacturers have been awaiting the CBC's approval of stations before commencing. Canada at present is negotiating a bargain with the United States that will give her the right to certain television broadcasting channels along the border. She would also promise the Americans not to allow her stations to interfere in channels set aside for them. The pact would cover a belt 250 miles deep on each side of the boundary, thus involving virtually all major Canadian cities. The move is designed to hold open a fair share of wavelengths that Canadian stations must have if they are to function. It also would prevent the growing American industry from grabbing them off before the Canadian industry is born. There are only 12 channels to go around, but the brief television range makes the figures deceptive. Because the horizon is the broadcasting limit, it will be quite possible for more than one station to use the same wavelength within the 250mile belt. Thus stations in Rochester, N. Y., and Montreal may be on the same frequency but too far apart to bother one another. But the same would not do for Detroit and Windsor. Consequently, the stations must be staggered along the channels. That requires negotiations. STORKS A second daughter was born yesterday at Harkness Pavilion to Mrs. William B. Gullette, wife of the Preview Theater executive. Baby's name is Charlene Ann. DAILY Thursday, July 29, 1948! VOICE OF THE PRESS Opinions on Tax I HAVE GONE into the British tax situation pretty thoroughly and I was amazed to hear • three or four of the English newspapermen say what a bad thing it is for England. George Dobson, of the London Evening News, said: "Your Eric Johnston was given a very bad deal by Sir Stafford Cripps. This 45 per cent quota is much worse for England than for America, and the theater owners are trying to fight it as best they can. If Johnston had been wiser, this could have been avoided." Another reporter said: "J. Arthur Rank was very influential in bringing about the tax. He has agreed to turn over the 55 per cent of pictures necessary to make up the British quota." "Do you think he can do it?" 1 asked. "Most certainly not," said a young man from the Evening Standard. "I think our good English pictures are more artistic than most of your American ones, but the English people have been brought up on American pictures; they know the stars; they want to see them. If we make a lot of pictures, they are going to be inferior in quality — and the result will be empty theaters." Bad for All The quota is a bad thing, not only for the theater owners, but for the people. Rank owns a big percentage of the theaters, which he naturally will fill with his own pictures. But D. C. Walls, president of the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association, says: "Cinemagoers will insist on transferring their patronage to the nearest theater showing an American film. They will not accept inferior British pictures." That would seem to make Mr. Rank the loser, as well as the other theater owners. When Rank was in America and came to my house for tea, he stated he was oiit to offer competition to America. Well, he is keeping his word. While Rank will not admit that he, or any of his associates, had anything to do with the 75 per cent ad valorem duty on American films last year, I don't think they will deny that the 45 per cent quota imposed by the Government is of their invention. Rank believes he can make the necessary pictures but, if he can, will they be of the quality of "Hamlet" and "Oliver Twist," which are fine pictures and made with taste — but very expensive? I was surprised to find nine out of every ten persons to whom I talked in England are as bitterly opposed to the film tax as the American film industry. — LOUELLA 0. PARSONS, motion picture editor of the Hearst newspapers, in a London dispatch published m the N. Y. Journal American yesterday. TOA Develops Promotion For Youth Month Drive (Continued from Page 1) Month Committee, announced yesterday. Advertising Council, Inc., is preparing a special advertisement which will be distributed to newspapers throughout the nation and will further gear up its radio support through special handling. Also in the field of radio, "Dr. I. Q.", through the Grant Advertising Agency, will stress Youth Month in his September programs and the Ted MaloneWestinghouse program is making arrangements to salute the campaign on or about Sept. 20. More than 1,800 daily newspapers and 1,000 weeklies will be contacted next week by Buell Hudson, publisher of the Woonsocket, R. I., Call, and chairman of the press committee, to urge their cooperation with Youth Month and furnish background information. Sammy Kaye and his orchestra last week volunteered their services to score the Youth Month song, "I Am the YOU in the U. S. A." for the "Salute to Youth" trailer, 2,000 prints of which will be distributed free by National Screen Service on booking arrangements set up between exhibitors and their state chairman. All National Screen Service exchanges now have campaign books on hand and gratis lobby hangers will reach the same exchanges Aug. 9. Astor Acquires Rights to 8 Bill Elliott Westerns Reissue rights covering both 35 mm. and 16 mm. to a series of eight "Wild Bill" Elliott Westerns have been secured by Astor Pictures, R. M. "Bob" Savini, president, announced yesterday. Deal is for a seven-year period in the U. S., its possessions and Canada. Films will be put into general theatrical release beginning in September, Savini said. New press books, paper and an advertising schedule will be prepared by Cy Eichman, Astor advertising-publicity director. Release of 16 mm. rights will be handled by Jacques Kopfstein, executive vice-president. Titles of the eight Westerns, formerly released by Columbia, are: "Return of Daniel Boone," "Lone Star Pioneers," "In Early Arizona," "Frontier of '49," "Taming of the West," "Law Comes to Texas," "Man From Tumbleweeds" and "Pioneers of the Frontier." 3 Alliance Houses to Run Oregon Flood Benefits Chicago — Three Alliance Circuit houses in Washington will stage special advanced price premieres with receipts to go to the Red Cross for the relief of Oregon flood sufferers. Circuit will absorb all expenses of the premieres at its houses in Pasco, Kennewick and Richland. Offer 23 Twin Cities Spots Earlier Runs (Continued from Page II neapolis while M-G-M off'ered the same run to two houses while pen dering a third selection in ?rtl Minneapolis. ^ Availability was advanced by"^0th Fox to two St. Paul stands from 5( and 49 days to 35 days, while fiv( others got moved up from 56 to 4l days. St. Paul has no 28-day breaks In Minneapolis eight theaters wert offered the 42-day break, both indie, and MACO stands, while three other; will get 49-day' breaks over formei 56-day availability. Both Fox anc Metro will not disturb present 42-daj availability for suburban St._.^oui Park, Hopkins and Richfield Theaters. M-G-M will establish 10 42-da clearances when its new schedule icompleted to fall in line with the Fox policy. MACO, reportedly, ha been dissatisfied with the 28-da:, breaks which compete with theii Uptown but is expected to go along with watchful eye. Seek Separate Charter For Variety in Houston Houston, Tex. — Variety Tent No 34 has applied for a charter witP Variety Clubs International, in accordance with the decision that nc tent operate any branch tent. A tent has been operating here as a brand of Dallas Tent No. 17. Chief barker of the new tent i: John Paul Goodwin. Other petition ers are Lou C. Baxley, W. E. Bremei Fred Cannata, Robert Z. Glass, Jacl Groves, Al Lever, Mitchell M. Lewis Al Mortensen, B. F. Orr, Sid Suhlei and Frank Wilkie. Headquarters wil be in the Texas State Hotel. SG Franchise Holders to Meet Over the Weekend Screen Guild's new season product and company sales policy will be discussed Friday through Sunday a a meeting of Eastern region fran chise holders. Arthur Greenblatt wil preside at the Hotel Warwick ses sions. Franchise holders from Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Buffalc and Albany will attend. UlEDDinG BELLS Whitebloom-DoUinger Chicago — Norman Dollinger o:^ B & K's publicity department will be married soon to Irma Whitebloom; Weiss-Levy Sydelle Weiss of the UA home office will marry Bert Levy on Laboi Day.