Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1939)

Thursday, August 3, 1939 Motion Picture Daily 21 Theatre, Personnel Notes SAG Officials IA 'Enemies', NLRB Hears (Continued from page 1) C.I.O. West Coast director, had pledged funds for U.S.T.G. use but -^Skat Los Angeles C.I.O. officials were ■^Taware of it. The inference was made that funds were coming from "questionable sources." When the U.S.T.G. filed its plea for certification as a bargaining agency for I. A. crafts on July 5, Saunders charges, it had only 25 paid-up members and the more than 1,000 pledges were not informed of the action until newspapers carried the story. Though not denying that the organization had received assistance from Montgomery, U.S.T.G. spokesmen today categorically refuted all other statements and charged that Saunders' statements were being used to "discredit the Guild." TMAT Group Fights Merger with IATSE Opposition to the proposed affiliation of Theatrical Managers, Agents and Treasurers Union with the I.A.T.S.E. will be voiced tonight by press agents who are against the merger. Special meeting will be held at the Capitol Hotel. Groups opposed to the affiliation favor a working agreement with the I.A. instead of outright merger of the groups. It is felt that some agreement similar to that between the I.A. and American Federation of Musicians is desirable. Sentiment among members of the Motion Picture Division, however, appears to be stronger for the affiliation, provided autonomy is guaranteed. Tonight's decision will guide discussions which will be held in Atlantic City Sunday between George E. Browne, I.A. president and T.M.A.T. representatives. Creditors to Get Orpheum Assets Federal Judge Murray Hulbert directed distribution yesterday of $28,516, the remaining assets in the estate of Orpheum Theatres Co., to creditors after payment of $4,054 as fees and commissions. Judge Hulbert confirmed a report of Referee in Bankruptcy Peter B. Olney and ordered closing of the bankruptcy proceeding after distribution of the assets. Creditors of Orpheum Theatres have claims totalling $1,425,335. Incorporations Dover, Del., Aug. 2. — Radio-KeithOrpheum Corporation was formed here to deal in places of amusement with a capital of $10,900. David A. Stretch and Walter E. Berr, Jr., of New York City, and Horace J. McAfee of Ardsley-on-Hudson, N. Y., were the incorporators. Iowa Midwest Motion Picture Studio Co., was incorporated to deal in films, listing a capital of $200,000 at par $50. J. Slaughter, S. L. Mackey, and H. Kennedy of Wilmington, were the incorporators. Reopen Montgomery Theatre Montgomery, Ala., Aug. 2. — The Strand has reopened after extensive remodelling. New seats will be installed within the next two weeks. Marvin Warren, a native of Alabama who has been with the Wilby Theatre, Chattanooga, is manager. State, Hartford, to Reopen Hartford, Aug. 2. — Harris Bros, will reopen their 4,000-seat State on a full-time schedule on Sept. 1, continuing the policy of name band attractions with pictures. Drummer Gene Krupa and his band will be the first billing. Others promised are Sammy Kaye, Blue Barron and Charlie Barnet. New Equipment for Three Houses Bridgeport, Aug. 2. — ■ The Rivoli, operated by Athan Prakas and the Brooklawn, operated by J. Dombi, have been equipped with General Electric air-conditioning systems. The Hippodrome, a Strand Amusement house, will be reseated and fitted with new booth equipment this month. Seating Order to American Thomaston, Conn., Aug. 2. — American Seating Co. has the contract to install 700 chairs in the Park, under construction by Robert Schwartz,_now operating the Paramount. On completion of the Park, Schwartz will close, the Paramount, which he has under lease. Equipment Orders Placed Jewett City, Conn., Aug. 2. — The new 750-seat Ritz, to be finished by Torans Amusement Corp. by Sept. 15, will have National Theatre Supply ALBANY Notes Albany, Aug. 2. — Delegation from Albany for the Schine golf tournament and party Thursday will include Louis R. Golding, district manager for Fabian Circuit, M. A. Silver, zone manager and Charles A. Smakwitz, district manager, Warner Brothers, and branch managers Bernard G. Kranze, Clayton Eastman, Ralph Pielow, Arthur Newmann, Joe Miller, Paul Krumenacker, Harry Berkson. Coincident with the week's run of "Goodbye Mr. Chips" at Fabian's Palace, the theatre had every public library in the city distributing book inserts plugging the picture and suggesting: readers pick up the book. State Department of Taxation, vested with the authority to collect the state's two cent tax on packages of cigarettes, reports receipts of $2,243,679 net or gross of $2,361,767 for the last ten days in Tune and the first half of July to the 15th. The law became operative July 1, but most dealers purchased the State stamps in advance. Yearly collection of $24,000,000 at stable rate of $2,000,000 monthly is the expected yield. The tax replaced Governor Lehman's suggestion of one per cent on real estate valuations, estimated to cost theatre property owners $1,500,000 yearly if it had become effective. Simplex sound and projection. American Seating will install the chairs. Acquire Two Ohio Houses Columbus, O., Aug. 2. — Mr. and Mrs. John Robertson, who operate the Opera House, at Bainbridge, and the Vanard, at Osborn, have acquired the Linda, at Shawnee, and the Delwyn, at New Straitsville, from Elias Hattem and Christian Davey, respectively. The Linda will be renamed the Shawnee. Gets Madison Building Concession Madison, Aug. 2. — The common council here has approved an ordinance permitting the Fair Oaks Theatre Co., which is contemplating the erection of a new house, to build within four feet of the 12-foot alley running through the block. Theatre officials asked for this concession, maintaining that if the theatre had to be kept within the 15 foot limit, 50 front row seats would have to be eliminated. It was contended that elimination of the seats would prevent profitable operation of the theatre. Renew N. C. Lease Raleigh, N. C, Aug. 2. — North Carolina Theatres, Inc., have reached an agreement on renewal of a lease on the State theatre here and the house will be reopened, probably about Sept. 1. The State was closed about 60 days ago for the summer. It will be redecorated before reopening. To Renovate Conn. House Windsor, Conn., Aug. 2. — The Lampert Theatre of Windsor, Inc., a new corporation which has purchased and will operate the 500-seat Windsor Theatre, will close the house today for renovation. New Bridge Theatre Opened San Francico, Aug. 2. — The new $75,000 Bridge Theatre, in the Richmond district, was opened with celebrities from the exposition taking part in the ceremonies. Manuel Zerga is the manager. New House for San Francisco San Francico, Aug. 2. — Immediate construction of a 1,000-seat theatre in the Mission district, to cost $150,000, has been announced by Levin Enterprises, following negotiation of a 99-year lease involving more than $1,000,000. The theatre will be opened early in 1940. Seats and More Seats Columbus, Aug. 2. — Despite the fact that the city is regarded as seriously overseated in both the first and subsequent classifications, George E. and John Rappold, brothers, are building a 600-seat neighborhood house at a cost of $17,000, on Parsons Avenue, three squares from the Innis, which they also operate. Chesbrough Circuit Divided Columbus, Aug. 2. — Division of the 14 neighborhood houses comprising the Chesbrough circuit has been effected coincident with separation of William and Ethel Chesbrough, owners. Under terms of settlement, Mrs. Chesbrough will continue operation of the eight houses here and two in Dayton, while Mr. Chesbrough retains the local Empress, and the Classic, in Dayton. Film Actors Protest IA's Help to AFA (Continued from page 1) to state whether a meeting would be called before the petitions were received and examined. George E. Browne, I.A. president, could not be reached for comment yesterday on the statement issued Tuesday by S.A.G. that William Bioff was still connected with the I.A. in an executive capacity. Paul Dulzell, executive secretary of Actors Equity, reported that he was the recipient of an anonymous telephone call which threatened him with physical violence unless he withdrew from the controversy. Committee appointed by the 4-A international board to represent it officially at the A. F. of L. meeting is made up of Lawrence Tibbett, A.F.R.A. vice-president, Frank Gillmore, 4-A president, Kenneth Thomson, S.A.G. executive secretary, and Paul N. Turner, 4-A counsel. Mayer and Burstyn Import Eight Films Arthur Mayer and Joseph Burstyn have imported eight films which they will release in the United States during the 1939-40 season. The films are "Katie," directed by Maurice Tourner, with Danielle Darrieux and John Loder ; "Louise," an opera with Grace Moore ; "The Revolt of the Dead," an anti-war film directed by Abel Gance with Victor Francen in the lead; "Song of the Streets," with a cast headed by Jean Pierre-Aumont, Madeline Ozeray and Vladimir Sokoloff, and directed by Hans Eisler. "Whirlpool" (Remous), directed by Edward Greville and starring Jeanne Boitel, Francoise Rosay and Jean Galland. This film was banned by the N. Y. censors. "Shadows of the Past," a psychological study, directed by Werner Hochbaum. "Mozart," an English production, directed by Basil Dean with music by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. John Loder, Liane Hand and Stephan Haggard are in the leading roles. "Gulliver's Travels," produced with puppets and in an English version. Examination Ordered William Goldberg as treasurer of Europa Cinemas, Inc., was ordered yesterday by N. Y. Supreme Court Justice Edward J. McGoldrick to appear for examination before trial Aug. 16. Testimony will be taken in reference to the suit of Michael J. Levinson who asked $10,000 damages claiming that Europa breached a contract to exhibit "The Last of the Penitentes" in the Europa Theatre in Philadelphia. Code Report Due Special committee of Actors Equity will meet today to consider report of Alfred Harding on the ticket code situation. Harding has prepared a breakdown of all violations and the committee will make recommendations on next season's code, or, in the alternative, withdrawal of Equity from participation in further code activities.