The Film Daily (1948)

cW^ Thursday, September 2, 1948f Costs Hamper Kid Pix Library for Dominion (Continued from Page 1) difficulties in policing the use of prints. Policing, it is pointed out, is not difficult in the U. S., and would not be hard in Canada. One segment of distributor opinion, however, argues against dropping the barrier even to the Dominion, on the grounds that it would then be difficult to refuse pleas to extend the Library plan to other countries where, it is feared, exhibitors would be in a better position to screen the low rental films to general audiences, instead of restricting the films to children's shows. Meanwhile, a group of important Canadian organizations has showed interest in the special programs for children as evidenced by the roster of organizations at the National Film Society meeting. Representatives were in attendance from the Catholic Women's League of Canada, Canadian Federation of Home and School Clubs, Canadian Jewish Congress, Department of Christian Education, Canadian Council of Churches, Ontario Department of Education, Canadian Council of Girl Guides, and others. Michigan Allied Okays Reorganization Plan (Continued from Page 1) the annual convention to elect a board member and alternate to serve for one year. Convention will then elect one member-at-large and an alternate each year for three-year terms. Full board will elect officers prior to the close of the annual meeting. Accordingly, no elections were held at the meeting which closed yesterday. A schedule of district meetings is being set up, to start next week, for special elections of the first board under the new system. UJCDDinG B6LLS Kirsch-Rice Shirley Kirsch, daughter of Marvin Kirsch of Radio Daily, will be married Sept. 26 to David Rice of Pan American Airlines. Couple will make their home in Miami. McGinn-Goldsmith Providence, R. I. — Ida McGinn, treasurer of the Metropolitan Theater, was married to Hy Goldsmith, according to word received from the Coast. Kcrtz-Sokoler Bob Sokoler, editor of "Previews," house organ of the LaskerSchwartz buying and booking office, will marry Sarah Katz, a New York model, early next Spring. VKn^ <^^ PHIL M. DALY Thursday's Tidings • • • RCA's $50 MILLION plunge into television is outlined in the issue of Fortune published today Article briefs the company's background in radio manufacture and sales and speculates on the possibilities of recouping its large investment in the video field RCA's earlier merchandising problems are outlined, as well as its present sales viewpoint under Frank M. Folsom which, incidentally, has resulted in current sales of 5,000 RCA TV receivers a week Fortune speculates on the company's future in the highly competitive television field, seen as soon becoming RCA's largest single income source, taking its place ahead of radio sales, broadcasting, and the many other electronic devices marketed by the company. ▼ T T • • • SOME 300 civic and welfare representatives will meet Tuesday with Philadelphia's mayor in a campaign to build backing lor the area's Youth Month Observance Lewen Pizor of TOA, Sidney Samuelson of Allied, and major circuit representatives made preliminary arrangements. ... • Phil Krasne, now producing two "Cisco Kid" pix for UA, told how he got the idea for "Urubu" Seems he ran across a couple of ex-GI's, George Breakston and Yorke Coplen, vrhc had shot some footage of the Amazon aborigines Krasne backed them for a return tiip to shoot additional material. ... • Alliance Circuit, charging a nominal admission charge for kids at its Drive-Ins. makes it up by giving 'em comic books. ▼ T T • • • THE TEX McCRARYS (the Missus is linx Falkenburg, it you need to be reminded) were saying to Penny Stevens of the N. Y. Daily News the other day that movie stars are the worst to interview on the air "They come to the show so hedged in by press agent censors that they hesitate to comment on the time of the day Curiously, they show the most nervousness because they are afraid of offending someone," Penny reported That should be filed in the "Ain't-It-TheTiuth" Dep't There are plenty of exceptions, of course, but the average film player when subjected to an unrehearsed radio interview seems unable to come up with anything but inanities Moybe that's due to "press agent censors," as the McCrarys believe But whatever the cause, the result is the same: The listening audience lowers its estimation of the film player And that's not good for the player or the industry Incidentally, while we're on the subject of air appearances by film players, isn't it about time to call a halt on their introduction solely for product blurb purposes during commercials? ...... Phil M. knows pretty consistent radio ions who squirm on such occasions And not only squirm, but vow to skip the next film of the "guest artist." T T T • • • TODAY'S NEWSSTANDS look like a 20th-Fox 6-sheet The publicity department having set six of their stars on eight magazine covers all plugging 20th-Fox pictures Colleen Townsend, Life's current cover and profile girl, is featured in "Walls of Jericho" Betty "That Lady In Ermine" Grable appears on Screen Stories, Hollywood Family Album and of course, in Time (Aug. 19) Linda Darnell and Cornel Wilde ore featured by Movie Story Jeanne Crain on Movie Stars Parade and Film Album with a boost for the forthcoming "Apartment For Peggy" and Gregory Peck, in "Yellow Sky," the cover attraction for Movie Life. ... • Grant Theater in Eveleth, Minn, apparently isn't too sold on billing the titles of current pix or the stars in them as a means of pulling in business Current reading on the Grant's marquee is "HOT, SEASONED POPCORN ON SALE HERE." T ▼ T Favorabie Reception (Continued from Page 1) plated. Everything made in Hollywood will continue to be sent to England as heretofore, he said. Exhibitors were also told there ia no intention of increasing ' talg and there was virtual assura^ thai American distributors will book full programs on a single rental basis! Distributors are willing to set up joint machinery with CEA to consider mutual problems, Johnstor said. W. R. Fuller, general secretary oj CEA, commented that the MPAi^ plan is consistent with changes com-i ing in the film business. "We havd discussed rental for a full program with J. Arthur Rank," he pointeq out, "and now the Americans appar-j ently are ready to do likewise. Therd are no controversial or political angles from the proposal as we sed it." i Sir Alex King observed that th^ ban on mixed duals "simply mean^ more headaches and less revenue tq Scottish exhibitors. It has beeij caused by the stupid and ridiculously high quotas." Producer Sir Alexander Korda disJ missed the plan as "silly." AmericaJ companies, he claimed, "are fighting their best customers. British picture; do not need the support of U. S pictures in the British market." Johnston's announcement was reported fairly by the press and there was no adverse comment. Daily Express commented "There is nothing unreasonable in Johnston's demand On the contxary, it should be a chal lenge to British filmmakers. Th^ British industry has to stand on iti own feet, not on Johnston's." Th« Star observed "The quota and thi Johnston plan between them offer a: op^ening that we cannot afford t( miss." Buffalo and Albany Adde(j To E-L's N. E. District (Continued from Page 1) Heineman, vice-president in charg( of distribution. Already under Don aldson's wing are the Boston an( New Haven exchanges. HEUJ POSTS ( onager, Lee, Ne<i AL BURKS, public relations director, H Melselman Circuit, Charlotte. HAROLD BRANSTETTER London, Mo. JOE BOWLES, booker. Film Classics, St. Louis. CLIFF MANTLE, salesman. Film Clossics, S Louis. HENRY e'. CASEY, assistant, Hope, Provident R. I. VINCENT O'BRIEN, manager, E. M. Loew Center, Pawtucket, R. I. HAROLD LANG, training manager, Michiga Detroit CHARLES REEVE, training manager, Broadwa Capitol, Detroit. THOMAS J. KILBRIDE, manager. Globe, Detro REDRICK HAMER, manager, Wyandotte Theater Wyandotte, Mich. .' r