Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

tiesday, September 14, 1938 MOTION PICTURE DAILY ;nold Taking ■fidavits on Hied Charge (Continued rrom page 1) d Theatre Owners of New York, Utly sent a four-page questionto members, together with coprf the bill of complaint, asking inhibitors provide the necessary Station on which the Department jstice can base its application for lporary injunction. Similar quesaires have been received by Almembers throughout the coun Elisburg Peps Up Essaness Circuit's Theatre in Loop nit to Obtain Statements le bulletin states that Abram F. rs, national Allied general counnas asked the local unit to obtain gh statements of facts that mem: are willing to swear to." .'hese statements will be submitted he Department of Justice ; afrits in proper form will be prepared 'Vashington and sent back for exton," the New York members have informed. "These affidavits will lsed in contemplated preliminary eedings by the Government. the major defendants seem to be ■he opinion that this case will not ried for a year or so, and that in . meantime nothing will happen. It inticipated that this preliminary jn will bring to a head any plans majors may have for adjusting inkry differences." The preliminary -m referred to is the temporary nction applicaton planned by the ' -eminent. Government Desires Facts he questionnaire states that "the i -eminent desires the facts of bona complaints of the following prac6": The sale, lease or other disposia of theatres by independents to a i or company or its affiliate. . Conditions and limitations imed by the major companies upon ;pendent exhibitors to benefit comtive affiliated theatres. | Trade practices imposed on indeident exhibitors by the distribu#* Outline Enlarged Upon fhose are the broad headings of the stionnaire. Point No. 1 calls for '■Drmation on "coercive methods ere an independent has been forced sell or lease his theatre, or to sell interest therein, or enter into an 1 -rating agreement." The second part calls for data on assortment of preferences allegedigiven by the major distributors to ir own affiliated theatres, such as ;ective contracts, overbuying, the use double bills to consume excess prod:, refusal to license competitive the res, unreasonable clearance and zon ■;C, increasing the protection by exlding the local release date, refusal sell second or subsequent runs and t continuous first run, or "moveer," practice. Also asked for is information on ie imposition of provisions prohibit? the use of double bills by indendents," which "are not insisted upi in the contracts of the majors be'een themselves," the fixing of mini Chicago, Sept. 13. — The appointment of Herb Elisburg as manager of the Woods, Essaness circuit's first Loop theatre, has brought about several innovations in the Loop setup. Taking over the Woods last week, Mr. Elisburg, who is also the circuit's publicity director immediately set to work. He had the front of the theatre redecorated, the marquee repainted and changed and put a "barker" out in front. As a result business has been the best in months. Elisburg also made a canvass of all available product that had not been given Loop showings and as a result is now showing first run pictures that have been passed up by B. & K. and RKO. Showing more interest in years past in getting out and selling their product, Chicago independent exhibitors are making the most of the "Movie Quiz" contest. Aided by all sorts of special accessories from national headquarters and stirred by Chicago newspapers who are cooperating in the contest the local exhibitors are finding their efforts rewarded at the box-office. T John Mednikow, local representative for the Trailer-Made Co., plans a housewarming at his new offices at 1300 South Wabash. This location has been renovated and equipped to handle Mr. Mednikow's new trailer affiliation. T Henri Elman, Monogram franchise holder and president of the Capitol Film Exchange is getting serious about his political campaign. Already he has secured more than 100,000 names oh his petition for candidacy as Mayor of Chicago on the Republican ticket. The mayoralty election comes up next spring. T Norman Alexandroff, head of the Columbia College of Drama and Radio here, plans to establish a film department in his school. Film tests of likely screen material will be made and sent to Hollywood for consideration. Alexandroff recently returned from the coast, where he made arrangements for getting producers to see the tests he will make. He will also be affiliated with the Max Reinhardt school in Hollywood. Eugene Hopson, Stanley Lambert and Robert Busch, Warner theatre managers, have been transferred according to Charles Ryan, assistant zone manager. Mr. Hopson will go from the Oakland Square to the Shore, Mr. Lambert from the Shore to the Lexington and Mr. Busch from the Lexington to the Oakland Square. T John McGee, Federal Theater director for the Midwest, is seeking George Bancroft for the title role in "Ex-President," a forthcoming Federal Theater production. The play is by Emmett Lavery. mum admission prices and "film rentals which are unconscionable and excessive." Under the heading of "trade practices imposed upon independent exhibitors" are listed block booking, the forcing of shorts and newsreels "in excess of the needs of the independent exhibitor," arbitrary playdates, clearance and zoning by which the exhibitor "is unable to exhibit feature photoplays until after their box-office value is practically exhausted," and "the imposition of film rentals and score charges which are burdensome and unreasonable." All of these points were condensed from the Government's complaint. Producers Get New SWG Contract Terms Hollywood, Sept. 13. — Under the provisions of the Screen Writers' Guild contract submitted to the producers' committee last night at the Roosevelt here, the employer would have the right to cancel the contract of any writer guilty of "wilful malingering" or employing a ghost writer or serving as a ghost writer. Also the failure of a free lance writer to deliver a script on or near the date fixed in the contract and for which partial payment has been made, would cancel the pact. A minimum salary of $125 per week for anyone employed as a writer for six consecutive months is provided. Darryl F. Zanuck was the chief spokesman for the producers at the meeting, with Leonard Tanofsky voicing the writer views. The meeting was adjourned until Sept. 19. Korda Flies West After One Day Here (Continued from page 1) tend a meeting of the board. However, it is said that the election of a president may not be held until the company's annual meeting early in November. Mr. Silverstone is understood to be slated for the presidency. Meanwhile, U. A. is making an intensive campaign on distribution for "Drums," Mr. Korda's color special, and the producer expects it to reach a record in the United States for his pictures. Most of the circuit deals on the film have been closed and the sales department is now working on secondary contracts, an official said. Korda at Studio Hollywood, Aug. 13. — Upon arriving here today, Alexander Korda went immediately to the United Artists studio. Officials said his visit is in behalf of promotion of his "Drums" and Sabu, boy star of the film, who is scheduled to arrive here shortly. He is said to be seeking talent. Sherwood Attacks Sell-out to Films (Continued from page 1) lenged the people responsible to take steps to remedy the situation, and expressed optimism concerning the future of the stage. Approximately 500 attended the luncheon and afternoon speaking program. Broadway cannot take credit for the revival of interest in the stage, he said. The people themselves are responsible. License Commissioner Paul Moss, representing Mayor LaGuardia at the luncheon, discussed the lessening of restrictions on legitimate theatre building in New York, and said he would seek legislation placing all ticket speculation under his jurisdiction. Brock Pemberton was toastmaster at the luncheon, George M. Cohan made the address of welcome, and other speakers were Laurette Taylor, James J. Brennan, for stagehands ; Fred Marshall, for the scenic artists. To Air Council Program The all-star entertainment and conference of the American Theatre Council will be carried exclusively by WMCA today. The first program will be broadcast from 2:45 to 3:15 P. M. with Frank Gillmore presiding. Other speakers at the afternoon conference will be Orson Welles, Nance O'Neill and Antoinette Perry. From 12:45 A. M. to 1.45 A. M. the all-star entertainment will be broadcast. Both broadcasts will emanate from the Belvedere Room of the Hotel Astor. Nebraska MPTO to Convene on Sept, 20 Omaha, Sept. 13.— The MPTO of Nebraska and Western Iowa will hold its annual fall meeting on Sept. 20 at the Hotel Loyal, association headquarters. President Charles E. Williams said the group will discuss the current nation-wide advertising campaign and other points of industry importance. Mr. Williams has served as president and secretary-treasurer for 19 years. Other officers are H. F. Kennedy, Broken Bow, Neb., and D. R. Goldie. Cherokee, la., vice-presidents. Para, to Start Short Paramount will begin tomorrow on the filming of the fifth of the series of two-reel Paramount Headliners at the Eastern Service Studios, Astoria. Aiken to Republic Sales Pittsburgh, Sept. 13. — Charles Aiken, one-time theatre manager in Atlanta, has joined the sales staff at the Republic exchange here. Guild Arbitration Starts on Coast (Continued from pane 1) laws of the guild, and Mr. Ringer will answer producer attorneys' questions of whether the bylaws were adopted legally, as shown by the minutes. Guild Attorney Barry Brannen opposed the producer demand for access to the guild minutes, declaring them confidential. J. P. MacGowan, executive secretary of the guild, told from the stand that many directors were delinquent in dues. The schedule of dues, he said, is $25 yearly for associate members ; $50 yearly for directors making up to $15,000 annually; $100 for those making up to $30,000 and $250 for those over $30,000. Roland Young Re-Signed Hollywood, Sept. 13. — Roland Young has been signed to a new long term contract by Hal Roach. Young is now at work in "Topper Takes a Trip."