The Film Daily (1948)

DAILY Monday, September 13, 1948 Specifications Ready For Educationai Pix (Continued from Page 1) does not engage in film production activities, but hopes to interest established film producers in developing its specifications into classroom films. Commission was established by the American Council on Education in 1944 under a grant made by the MPAA. Purpose of the Commission, according to Dr. George F. Zook, president of the American Council, is to develop plans and specifications for films needed to meet the postwar challenges to American education. The Commission has worked closely with committees of educators representing the various subject matter fields, and with professional organizations such as the Music Educators National Conference and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. U. K. Video in Bid for ' Scandinavian Market (Continued from Page 1) scale demonstration at the British Industries Fair which opens here Sept. 18. In a move to introduce British TV equipment into Scandinavia, the Radio Industry Council of Great Britain, in association with the Danish State Radio, will demonstrate the type of television transmitters ! used in Britain by BBC and the latest in British receivers. Pye Radio will represent RIC in cameras and transmitting equipment, while receivers made by a number of British makers vidll be demonstrated. BBC has assigned three staff members to RIC for the duration of the exhibition to instruct Danish personnel in video technique. Initial transmission will be of the Fair's official opening ceremony, to 1 be followed by a Danish series of 10-minute programs. RCA recently made one of the first moves to demonstrate video equipment to the Continent when it showed the Spanish Government its latest in TV in a seven-week demonstration in Barcelona by an RCA jeep unit, similar to the one exhibited at the Milan Fair in Italy some months ago. It is considered significant that the RCA equipment , was left at Barcelona, presumably for continued use and experimentation by Government departments. N. E. Foreign Pix Outlet New Haven — Continental Films, Inc., has located at 185 Church St. here for distribution of foreign pix in New England. DCflTHS ALBERT B. KING, 58, assistant treasurer of the DuPont Co., from a heart attack in Wilmington, Del. Uruguay Restrictions Loom Dollar Reserves Drop to Dangerous Level (Continued from Page 1) dollar reserves dwindle, the threat becomes ever greater that restrictions will follow, unless constructive measures are taken to prevent such an outcome. Since the end of the war, Uruguay's theater grosses have increased by 40 per cent at the firstrun houses, and at least 25 per cent in the subsequent runs. Glucksmann and his six brothers pioneered the film business in Argentina and Uruguay, more than 30 years ago. Today, Bernardo heads Cinematographica Glucksmann, S.A., and United Cinema Ltd. His interests not only include 28 theaters in Montevideo and 14 more houses in the provinces, but he also represents RKO, UA and Republic, as well as Simplex, Ampro, Castle, Emerson and National Theater Supply. Import restrictions have held down his sale of 16 mm. projectors in Uruguay. Instead of 15, he could have sold 60 last year, he said. Sixteen mm. distribution is no threat in Uruguay, Glucksmann opined, since U. S. distribs. have made it a policy not to imperil the position of 35 mm. exhibs. Narrow gauge product, at present, he added, is confined strictly to non-theatrical situations, mostly in Montevideo itself. Though Italian and Argentinian films are increasing in favor, U. S. product still nabs at least 70 per cent of the movie money, according to Glucksmann. 16 mm. Distribs. to Meet on Price Cuts (Continued from Page 1) Hotel Astor is designed as a declaration of war against road showmen who are cutting prices of established 16 mm. schedules, Kopfstein declared. In addition to Astor, representatives of Commonwealth, United World, Film Highlights, Post and Pictorial have been invited to decide upon a course of action to combat price slashing and other violations of established dealings in the 16 mm. industry. Para. Hangs up Record Of 17,831 Bookings Paramount's current sales drive has broken all previous records for bookings in the company's history with 17,831 theaters having played at least one Paramount subject during Paramount Week. This achievement beats the former record made by the company last year when the Paramount trademark appeared on 17,009 of the nation's screens. Returns for the week ending Sept. 11 have not yet been tabulated but an even higher figure is expected with five districts and 26 branches booked solid, assuring virtually 100 per cent national coverage. Paramount attributes the success to five major attractions: "The Emperor Waltz," "Dream * Girl," "So Evil, My Love," "Foreign Affair," and "Beyond Glory." Todd to Take Over B'way Winter Garden for Legit (Continued from Page 1 ) his new musical show which is scheduled to open late next month. Winter Garden was originally leased by J. Arthur Rank at a reported sum of $1,000 a day as a showcase for British product on Broadway. U-I later took over. ASCAP-Member Can't Sue Exhibitor— Myers (Continued from Page 1 ) counsel and board chairman, declared "Its obvious meaning is that a copyright ovimer cannot himself sue for public performing royalties so long as he is a member of ASCAP. This is the complete answer to those who have gratuitously advised exhibitors to pay ASCAP." Opinion of Federal Judge Nordbye is held here to be of greater importance than the Judge Leibell opinion in the New York trust action brought by the ITO group. In his defense of the suits brought by the music publishers, Berger claimed that he was unable to secure music licenses because ASCAP was a monopoly and the music companies were unable to license him because of their membership in ASCAP. "Food for Israel" Drive To Enlist Industry Aid (Continued from Page 1) by local theatermen and Zionist Organization of America officials. A "Philadelphia Plan," in which theaters along with other businesses and organizations would combine to send food to the new nation, will be submitted to the National Executive Committee of the ZOA in New York on Saturday. If the plan is approved as a basis for a national drive, prominent industry leaders would then be called upon to join other national figures in spearheading the campaign. Theatermen in the area who attended the luncheon were: Michael H. Egnal, also president, Philadelphia ZOA; Martin Ellis, A. M. Ellis Circuit; Harry Botwick, city manager, Paramount Theaters; Everett Callow, Stanley-Warner Theaters publicity head; Lewen Pizor, headUMPTO, and Mike Felt, Felt Circuit, and local Variety Club Chief Barker. Berger Wins Action Vs. ASCAP Members (Continued from Page 1) their copyright privileges beyond the limits of law. Nordbye reversed his decision, of July 10th, 1947, when he deme(jpr^ vger and Mrs. Jessie Jensen, iRJton Theater, White Bear, Minnesota, a motion for summary judgment against ASCAP-member companies who had initiated actions in 1946 claiming copyright infringement because Berger refused to pay ASCAP fees for his theaters. Actions, heard in Federal Court here in December, 1946, included those of M. Witmark & Sons vs. the Berger Amusement Co.; Santly-Joy^ Inc., vs. Hastings Theater Corp.; Witmark vs. Mrs. Jessie L. Jensen and Harms vs. Grand Theater Corp. The Judge said ASCAP has held a life and death decision over every independent theater in the United States by denying a music license or by charging a fee. In his lengthy decision he noted Judge Leibell had already clearly decided the anti-trust part of Berger's two-pointed plea and agreed with Berger's counsel that ASCAP illegally extended their copyrights. The Judge stated that recovery is prevented under Supreme Court decisions (which held that those who hold patents or copyrights and try to acquire additional benefits within monopoly of patent or copyiight have no right to enforce such patent) as ASCAP unlawfully extended their copyright on music to the entire film industry. The decision said that action was illegal where each ASCAP member, by permitting incorporation of his music in a film, enlarged his monopoly to his copyright to extend beyond the film which he did not own. Abram F. Myers, Allied general counsel, wired Berger's counsel, Louis Schwartz, "Decision doubly gratifying," following Schwartz's comments to Myer's that the decision virtually vn-ote finis to ASCAP's case with the theater owners. (ASCAP spokesmen on Friday had not received details of Judge Nordby's decision and had little comment to offer. It was pointed out that during the preliminary moves in the Berger actions. Judge Nordby had turned dovtoi a motion by Berger for a summary judgment, on the ground that the music publishers appeared to have a case. They were uncertain as to why the judge apparently reversed himself.) SICK LIST DICK MORGAN, in charge of the IRB ticket tax department for the Chicago area, is back at his desk after a long illness. ED DLOUGHY, manager of the B & K loop Apollo theater, is confined to his home with a serious muscle ailment.