The Film Daily (1948)

Wednesday, September 1, 1948 Youngsiein Attacks Lack of Showmanship (Continued from Page 1) exhibitors had convinced him that the decline in grosses had been definitely halted and that the curve had started upward. "But," he emphasized, "exhibitors and distributors must get behind pictures if the improvement is to continue. "There is less effort put forth to merchandise pictures today than ever Eagle Lion will step up its trade paper advertising on forthcoming pictures because of a conviction by Max E. Youngstein, v.-p. and ad chief, that the industry press "is the most important medium for selling pictures to the exhibitor." "Talks with theater owners from Coast to Coast have convinced me that 90 per cent of the information about this business in the minds of exhibitors is received from the trade press," Youngstein declared. before," Youngstein continued. "A distributor yells for shovi^manship, then cuts his field exploitation force and his advertising appropriations. At the same time, the exhibitor, also calling for showmanship, trims his house budget and refuses to go above arbitrarily fixed figures in cooperative promotions." Enthusiastic about the results achieved by the Heineman Drive to date, Youngstein said that quotas would be exceeded by every single E-L exchange. Set 28-DaY Availability For Minneapolis Theater (Continued from Page 1) with negotiation by Nate and Sol Fischer for 28-day availability of product for their Varsity, University of Minnesota campus area. Deal involved Warners, 20th-Fox exchanges. Some other exhibs. are reported still negotiating for earlier runs with dis tributors but nothing definite has materialized as of this date. Middlelown Leases Acquired Hartford, Conn. — Morris and Dan Pouzzner, operators of the Capitol and Middlesex Theaters at Middletown, have transferred leases on both theaters to Harold G. Eskin, New York. Pouzzners will retain ownership of the Middlesex Theater and the Middlesex Building. Sioux City Sets Com. To Revieiv Pix, BooUs Sioux City, la. — A committee of nine men and nine women to review questionable motion pictures or publications has been named by Mayor Dan J. Coniey. Naming of the committee followed the recent banning of three books by Chief of Police Julius Myron. The Mayor said the committee will act only after complaints have been received against films or books. Ban Anglo-American Duals Dhtribs. Won't Book After Oct. 1 (Continued ciple for those of its producers who are prepared to fall in. Johnston explained that the move was aimed to pro;,e2t American releases under the new quota and to prevent "A" films from being booked as second features to British films. Such a contemplated move by Rank's Circuit Management Association was one of the principal reasons Johnston made his trip to London. Informed sources indicate that Johnston had no hope of altering the 45 per cent quota laid down by the Board of Trade, but that American company presidents had given him full authority to break the planned CMA "squeeze" as evidently was done in yesterday's announcement. Same policy, Johnston announced applies to British films handled by U. S. distributors, with pictures produced in England by Americans to be considered British for distribution purposes. Johnston revealed that he had laid the proposal before Harold Wilson, president of the BOT; Ernest Bevin, from Page 1) U. K. Foreign Minister; and Rank, who Johnston said seemed favorable to the plan. CEA leaders who were apprised of the plan were reported by Johnston as "considered favorably impressed." Johnston had a stormy time at the press conference at which he made his announcements, with some press men accusing American distributors of starting a fight. "It is not a declaration of war," Johnston said. "It is an attempt to preven . what would have led to a fight. This is a protective measure to protect our own films in the British market." The MPAA president also announced that the Anglo-American Joint Council will meet in the U. S. in eai'ly November, with Rank, Sir Alexander Korda, and Sir Henry French, representing the British Film Producers Association. Further meetings of the Council are likely to follow, Johnston said. Yesterday Johnston met with Bevin and nine exhibitor toppers. He is to leave for the Continent today, accompanied by Joyce O'Hara, his executive assistant. Report "Twist" Test for Anti-Semitism Reaction (Continued from Page 1) the flames of anti-Semitism, it was learned yesterday. That the film posed a problem in this respect came to light last week when Albert Deutsch, in the New York Star, attacked the film on the specific grounds that the character of Fagin was a Jewish caricature that would do irreparable harm if shown to audiences here. It has been subsequently learned that both the Rank Organization and Eagle Lion, d-lstributors of the film in this country, have similarly recognized the problem, although they are at odds with the Deutsch attack in several important respects. "Twist" will be the subject of extensive conversations beginning early next week when Robert Benjamin, head of the Rank Organization in this countxy; Jock Lawrence, vicepresident, and Sydney Wynne, publicity chief, meet here with Max E. Youngstein, E-L vice-president and ad publicity exploitation d rector, and Bill Heineman, vice-president in charge of distribution. Will Buy. Sell Thealers Minneapolis — Newly formed Anderson-McCarthy Co. in theater construction field has established a special department to handle buying and selling of theaters as well as plans for "Theaters of Tomorrow" to include living quarters as optional feature. OK "Raw Deal" In ChL Chicago — Local censor board has lifted its adults only tab on "Raw Deal," Eagle Lion pic. Keach Planning Series Based on Texas Rangers Austin, Tex. — Stacy Keach, former RKO director and casting director, has announced plans for turning in dependent producer and is on a Texas survey trip looking for possible locations. Keach plans on making semi-documentary films based on the Texas Rangers with actual cases woven into the stories. He has obtained the full cooperation of the Ranger organization. Loew-Lasky to Operate Two in Charlestown Boston — E. M. Loew and Larry Lasky, owners of tJie building housing the Thompson Square Theater, Charlestown, are operating the theater. Jack Yonkers did not renew his lease. E. M. Loew and Lasky have also taken a long-term lease on the Hollywood Theater, also in Charlestown, for operation after Labor Day. Hymon to Gerlz Agency West Ccast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Mitchell Gertz Agency announces the affiliation of Arthur Hyman in the capacity of literary editor. Hyman formerly produced shorts and documentaries for M-G-M and the Army, and more recently was assistant to William Goetz at U-I. Bamberger Guest Speaker Leon J. Bamberger, RKO sales promotion rnanager, will be guest speaker at a luncheon meeting of the Hundred Million Club at the Town Hall Club on Sept. 9. Expect Mich. Move On Redistriding Today (Continued from Page 1) each director taking direct responsibility for section of field work. Abram F. Myers predicted a "nroduction spree" with the unleas' of showmanship and creative power by the freeing of screen markets to all producers. He predicted the television menace would disappear with video good only for special events, as Hollywood would not be so foolish as to put its own best product on television in competition with theaters. Myers suggested Judge Leibell may not enter an order as now anticipated or Appeal Court may modify it. Meanwhile, an exhibitor would be safe in not dealing with ASCAP; to deal with ASCAP might be condoning illegal act. Trueman Rembusch, president Indiana Allied, said that rural audiences do not go for television once the novelty wears off. He predicted movies on television may recapture some of fifty million non-moviegoers for theaters. There was considerable controversy over film carrier rates, with Gladys B.. Pike, president Film Trucking Service, claiming her organization was not a monopoly. Exhibitors are upset over charges of 10 cents per trailer shipped, with some pointing to flat weekly rates charged by two small carriers in specific sections of state. Rembusch suggested an examination of carriers financial statements filed with the Public Service Commission. On a move of Joseph P. Uvick, the convention voted a committee to contact state officials and legislature to seek an enabling act for Allied to buy its own trucking as a non-profit organization, avoiding thereby mileage tax on regular film carriers, and deliver film to its own members. Uvick attacked TOA as a mouthpiece and "troubadour of ASCAP" and proposed "repeal of all penalties arising out of performance rights when they arise out of use of another combined copyright that has been licensed as features are licensed to us." 1 Adams Leaving Thompson Co. Al Adams, in charge of film advertising in the local office of J. Walter Thompson Co., has resigned as of Sept. 15. Adams formerly was with RKO and Paramount. Ontario Sign Dimout Moved Up to Sept. 14 Toronto — Ontario theater signs and marquee lights will be dark starting Sept. 14, under an announcement by Robert Saunders, chairman of the Ontario Hydro Electric Commission. Growing concern over power shortages due to diminishing water supplies, caused the dimout to be moved up from Oct. 1.