Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

Alert. Intelligent Picture Industry MOTION PICTURE DAILY and Impartial 44. NO. 2 NEW YORK, TUESDAY, JULY 5, 1938 TEN CENTS State Warners Will Join in Industry Move Point Out Albert Warner Was at White House W arners will support an industry trade practice reform program, it is learned from an authoritative source. The company's stand has been a matter for speculation for a long time. It was the only company which failed to reply to the M.P.T.O.A. 10-point program last year. Avoiding comment on any specific proposal, a spokesman declared that the fact Albert Warner attended the film executives' conference with President Roosevelt at the White House recently should be sufficient indication that Warners are going along with the other major distributors to arrive at a program of self-regulation. It is declared that Will H. Hays is taking a deep personal interest in the move and is urging quick action. It was because of his insistence on action that distributor opinion shaped up sufficiently to have a committee {Continued on page 7) Loew's Attacks Use Of Propaganda Film Loew's Circuit has voiced a policy in opposition to the use of the theatre screen for propaganda films, in an advertisement in the Catholic organ, The Tablet, which has criticized "Blockade" for being pro-Loyalist propaganda. "We do not believe the motion picture theatre is the place for political propaganda and we have carefully avoided showing pictures of the 'propaganda' type. We feel that as purveyors of popular entertainment, we (Continued on page 7) Mutual Reports 15% Gain for Half Year A 15.1 per cent increase in time billings for the first six months of 1938 is reported for the Mutual network in comparison with the same period last year. Cumulative billings this year are $1,342,182. For the first six months of 1937 they were $1,165,620. The total for June, 1938, was $202,412. For the same month last year they were $117,388. The percentage of increase for June, 1938, over June, 1937, is 72.4. More Radio— P. 10 Gain in Free Shows Stirs Up Exhibitors Midwest, South Portable Outfits Spreading Exhibitors' complaints regarding non-theatrical exhibitions put on by merchants in the midwest and south are increasing this summer and the distributors are on the lookout for copyright violations it was said by Jack Levin, head of the Copyright Protection Bureau. Exhibitors regard free shows sponsored by merchants in halls or outdoors as stiff competition, particularly since they are put on in or near small towns with a limited population draw. The distributors have received a number of complaints from exhibitors in the northwest and from the Independent Theatres Protective Association of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. While the distributors are blamed for permitting the spread of the practice, the home offices say that as a general policy the exchanges are not permitted to service non-theatrical (Continued on page 7) Compromise Studied On Ohio Relief Tax Columbus, July 4. — The House of Representatives is considering a compromise agreement for the financing of poor relief, which includes a proposal to extend the three per cent admissions tax through 1941. A deadlock was reached last week, when the Senate and House disagreed over the amount political subdivisions should be permitted to borrow on anticipated revenues from excise taxes. Leaders said the Senate will agree to a provision of the tax-extender bill which would permit political subdivisions to borrow up to 80 per cent on anticipated revenues, while the (Continued on page 7) French Triples Paris, July 4. — Three French theatres here have adopted a regular policy of triple bills, the three features shown for an admission of four francs (about 11 cents). A recent bill at one of the houses required four hours and 30 minutes. French trade organizations are considering methods of halting the practice. Japan Delays On Easing of Import Rules Little progress has been made in negotiations looking to a relaxation of the strict restrictions on the importation of American pictures into Japan and the embargo on the withdrawal of any money from that country, it was indicated yesterday in informed distributor circles here. The problem is scarcely nearer to a solution than it was many months ago, it was indicated, despite reports some time ago that the matter had been satisfactorily compromised and that American product once more would be able to enter Japan. The inactivity with reference to the problem is seen here as especially interesting in view of the three-cornered agreement among Germany, Italy and Japan, for the exchange of "cultural" films. The Foreign Office has concluded . the arrangement in cooperation with the Society for the Promotion of International Culture. Specific terms have been concluded already between Japan and Italy, and a detailed arrangement is expected to be worked out with Germany in the near future. It was pointed out that the recent Cabinet shakeup in Tokyo, which included the replacement of the Minister (Continued on page 2) Month ?8 Holdovers in Keys Reach Total of 650 Weeks A total of 24 leading features of major companies have played approximately 650 weeks of holdovers in _ the first run theatres of 23 key cities scattered about the country, according to a compilation from Motion Picture Daily's records of holdover attractions taken from its box-office reports. The period covered is from approximately the last week in May until July 1. The large totals are seen as indicative of two factors of importance in the current film situation. One, that the public will not fail to offer strong support at the box-office to strong attractions, and two, that im(Continued on page 2) Selznick-U.A. Talks Await Silverstone Negotiations Have Been Held via London A decision on David O. Selznick's future affiliation with United Artists will be reached following the return of Maurice Silverstone, U. A. general manager, from England next Monday. Negotiations are in progress for the release of a number of Selznick films through U. A. during 1938-'39, says George J. Schaefer, general distribution head. The probability that "Gone with the Wind" will be an M-G-M release will have no bearing on the renewal of the releasing agreement with U. A., it was said. Mr. Schaefer pointed out that the contract for the one picture has not been signed as yet with M-G-M. Though Mr. Silverstone is occupied with many other matters during his present stay in London, the Selznick deal is very much in his mind, it was said, and it is understood the negotiations have been proceeding from there. The U. A. directors' meeting which was scheduled for today, under the company's by-laws, will be deferred until Mr. Silverstone's return. The forthcoming meeting is to dispose of several important matters, including a new long term contract for Mr. (Continued on page 7) Paramount Favored Guild, Tally Shows Hollywood, July 4. — The Screen Writers Guild has received added strength in its fight to be named the collection bargaining agency for writers generally. With the clearing of challenged votes in the National Labor Relations Board poll of writers it is seen that the majority of ballots cast at the Paramount studios favored the guild over Screen Playwrights. The hearing on the challenged votes, which was held in the office of Dr. Towne Nylander, regional director of (Continued on page 10) Guild-IATSE Agree In Newsreel Field An agreement exists between the American Newspaper Guild, C. I. O. affiliate, and Local 702, Motion Picture Laboratory Technicians, A. F. of L. group, not to invade each other's jurisdiction in the newsreels. While the National Labor Relations Board has acknowledged jurisdiction of the guild over newsreels' (Continued from page 10)