The Film Daily (1948)

10 DAIl\ Wednesday, September 15, 1948 Cost Stabilization is Spur to Construction (Continued from Page 1) bids for potential theaters they would add 15-20 per cent to their estimates as a protection against further unexpected rises. "This rise has failed to materialize," Eberson continued, "and we are beginning to find here and there experienced contxactors willing to give firm bids, which while high compared to 1941, are closer to market values than was the case a year ago." As a result of this willingness on the part of contractors to commit themselves to specific and more equitable cost figures, theater owners have begun to evince renewed interest in building, Eberson said. Eberson himself will get a trio of projects under way within the next three weeks and has just received commissions for two more. He was cai-eful to point out, however, tJiat it was a bit too early to be assured that this was a real trend and not sporadic activity by a few exhibitors at the same time. In his opinion, however, the nadir of theater construction has already been seen. Bombay Censors Delete U.S. Drinking, Kissing Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — The Bombay Board of Film Censors reviewed 46 U. S. films among the 82 features it screened in April and May, the Department of Commerce reported this morning. Deletions were called for in 31 of the U. S. pix — mainly for drinking scenes — and from 17 of the 34 Indian features reviewed. Kissing scenes were cut from a trio of U. S. films, and one U. S. off'ering was found completely unacceptable. lU6DDlnG B(LLS Winston-Shelton West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — John Shelton, actorproducer, and Irene Winston, Broadway actress, were married at Las Vegas, Nev. McConnell-Wolf Chicago — Charlotte McConnell, the daughter of Thomas McConnell, theater attorney, was married to Dr. Charles Clyde Wolf, Jr., Saturday at the First Methodist Church at Evanston. Harris-Underwood Indianapolis — Donovan Underwood, 20th-Fox shipper, was married last week to Bess Louise Harris. Patrick-Crowell Charlotte, N. C. — Martha Ann Patrick, of the 20th-Fox exchange, was married to James Hudson Crowell. They will make their home in Raleigh, N. C. iVeav Attemyit to Be Made Friday to Wipe Out St» Louis Five Per Cent Ticket Tax St. Louis — Another attempt to repeal the five per cent amusement tax will be made by Alderman Herman Novak when the Board of Aidermen resume sessions Friday. Step is contemplated because of the municipal earnings and income tax now being levied, but action to kill the ticket tax will not be pressed until the validity of the earnings tax has been sustained in the State Supreme Court. Meanwhile, City Budget Director E. G. Schubkegal revealed the city's receipts from theaters during June and July. Theaters in June turned over $33,838, increased to $39,935 in July. Two Summer months indicate an annual return of over $443,000 but these are the poorest theater months of the year. Favor State B.O. Tax At Oliio ITO Meet (Continued from Page 1) being held here at the Deshler-Wallick Hotel. Majority opinion of those attending seemed to agree with the statement of Secretary P. J. Wood that "we are safer with the taxing power in the hands of the State." Wood said that 102 Ohio communities have enacted admissions taxes since repeal of the State tax a year ago. Last week's ruling of Judge Gunnar Nordbye in the Federal District Court at Minneapolis declaring performance fees illegal is an "overwhelming vindication of Allied policies relative to ASCAP," declared Abram F. Myers in his speech to convention delegates. Myers, in reviewing the past 20 years of Allied accomplishment, said that he "cannot see any reason why the film industry won't have its greatest period of prosperity in the immediate future, barring another war." Other speakers included William Ainsworth, president of National Allied, Trueman Rembusch, president of Allied of Indiana, and J. W. Spiselman, vice-president of Air Purification Service, Inc., of Newark, N. J. British Exhibs. to Co-op. On Fuel Conservation London (By Air Mail) — While theaters are outside the 20 per cent cut in power usage ordered by the Government for commercial users, exhibitors on Oct. 1 will cooperate with local committees set up to advise on general fuel economy. Discussions on steps to conserve fuel during the Winter are under way between CEA and the Ministry of Fuel and Power. While' all points have not been cleared, it is expected that exhibitors will be asked to observe the same economies as last year, including restricted lighting of house exteriors and interiors. Period of economy will extend through March 31, 1949. Bucyrus Mulls Building Code Bucyrus, O. — A proposal to renew study of a building code is being considered by City Council. Code, with a budget of $1,120, would be designed to govern commercial and industrial properties, as well as residences. Gov't Stands Firm For Divorcement (Continued from Page 1) pix anti-trust matters, and was on Wright's desk last night. A Department spokesman said he believed SIMPP had been misled if it had any idea settlement on milder terms than complete divorcement was being considered by the Government. "We have always been willing to talk about a consent decree," he said. "The rub is that we insist any decree will have to be on terms which we find acceptable — and it has long been the position of the Department that nothing short of divorcement is acceptable." Theater Tele Display Set for TOA Convention Chicago — TOA has secured the Esquire Theater here for an elaborate theater television display Saturday morning, Sept. 25, just preceding the regular convention business session. Arrangements have also been made for several colorful programs for women guests at the conclave with the program prepared by the Women's Entertainment Committee which has Mrs. John Balaban as chairman, and Mrs. James E. Coston, Mrs. George Kerasotes, Mrs. Morris G. Leonard and Mrs. Edward Zorn as committee members. Already set are a luncheon and fashion show at Marshall Field's and a sight-seeing tour of the city. Convention treasurer C. L. Burndahl announced yesterday that M. M. Richardson, F. N. Weber, and Henry Ferber, TOA comptroller, had been added to his Finance Committee. Chicago Police Censor Eyes Stage Presentations Chicago — Police Censor here will look over stage shows before they are permitted to open in the Windy City. Police Commissioner Pendergast recently sent Captain Fulmer to Detroit to check "Mr. Roberts," with the result that some dialogue was eliminated prior to the Chicago premiere. Censor also is checking the script of "A Street Car Named Desire" for possible changes before its opening here. Fox Drive to Honor SI(ouras Anniversary (Continued from Page 1) i include the achieving of the greatest "pencil-in" result in 20th-Fox history, a record liquidation of backlog product, and the attainment of a new mark for volume of ^^re bookings in a 13-week period!^ / Highlight of the drive will 'oe a series of special weeks, climaxed by 20th-Fox anniversary week, Nov. 21-27, when it is planned to have the company trademark on the screen of every U. S. theater. ) An all-inclusive organization has: been set up within 20th-Fox, Smith said, ^o include every person in the] company's U. S. and Canadian! branches. Company's five sales divisions will have home office sponsors charged with stimulating results of their divisions. Latter include W. C. Michel, executive vice president, for the Western division; Joseph Moskowitz, vicepresident and Eastern studio rep., for the Eastern division; Donald A. Henderson, treasurer-secretary, for the Southern division; Wilfred J. Eadie, comptroller-assistant treasurer, for the Central division, and Otto Koegel, chief counsel, for the Canadian division. A special home office cabinet, with Smith as chairman, will coordinate campaigrn activity and sparls the drive. Servingr will be William C. Gehringr, assistant general sales manager; Martin Moskowitz, executive assistant to Smith; Peter Levathes, shorts sales manager; Clarence Hill, manager of branch operations; Charles Schlaifer, advertising-publicity director; Morris Caplan, Roger Ferri, Frank X. Carroll, Jack Bloom, Harry Mersay, Sam Fishman and Sam Shain, with the divisional sponsors as honorary members of the cabinet. Field activity will be supervised by a special committee comprising the five divi=;ional sales managers: R. E. Moon, East; J. H. Lorentz, Central: H. G. Ballanee, South; Herman Wobber, West; and Arthur Silverstone, Canada, with separate le?ders designated within each division, including the following assistant division sales managers: Howard Minsky, East; Harold L. Beecroft, Central; Paul S. Wilson, South; Bryan Stoner. West, and a Canadian leader to be announced by Silverstone. In addition, special leaders will be named in each exchange, with all branch activity during the drive under the supervision of these leaders. Urge Adult Showings For "Twist" in Canada Toronto — Rabbi Abraham L. Feinberg, of the Holy Blossom Temple here, has urged that showings of the J. Arthur Rank production, "Oliver Twist," be limited to adult audiences only, it was learned here yesterday. The Rabbi's suggestion is understood to have been made personally to Sydney Wynne and James Cowan, Rank] execs, here. FEmmE TOUCH JUANITA WEAVER, assistant manager. Iris, Houston, Tex. KATHLEEN HOUSTON, publicity chief. Iris, Uptown and Texan Theaters, Houston, Tex. BARBARA BRENNAN is cashier. Paramount and Eckel, Syracuse.