Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1939)

4 Motion Picture Daily Thursday, September 14, 1939 Banner Radio Lines By JACK BANNER SEEKING THE COLLECTIVE OPINION of New York's radio scribes about television, NBC-RCA summoned them to the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday afternoon to an informal luncheon. The consensus was that television, in its fourth month of regular operations, showed a vast improvement over what was transmitted at the beginning of the schedule. Continued improvement — perhaps at not such an accelerated pace as at the start — is anticipated. However, the radio editors handed out more than cream puffs and offered numerous criticisms and suggestions for improvement. Television production, it was their opinion, was far inferior to the technical standards achieved by the engineers ; camera technique could stand improvement, as could lighting and direction, and performance. A majority of the editors agreed that programs would show improvement if the companies would depend less upon the services of producers and directors from the stage, and in their stead import Hollywood producing and directing talent. The radio editors were in accord that the stage plays now being televised on a twice weekly schedule were merited efforts, but most of them stated that their chief pleasure was derived from witnessing feature motion pictures, liked for their smoothness and technical perfection. Television as a threat to the motion picture industry was an exaggeration, it was indicated. Frank Mullin, RCA vice-president, said that television would no more ruin the motion picture industry than did motion pictures kill the stage, or the inclusion of news on the air ruin the newspapers. FIRST EFFECT OF THE WAR on commercial programs is the two weeks' notice just given to Benay Venuta by her WOR sponsor, because the rising price of sugar caused the company to retrench. She had just received a 13-week renewal, but it had a two-week cancellation clause. YOUNG & RUBICAM is giving a special luncheon for Jack Benny this afternoon at Sardi's. Benny and Mary Livingstone arrived here quietly the other afternoon to spend some weeks in New York before resuming broadcasting. DICK MOONEY of the Earle Ferris office left New York yesterday on an exploitation and publicity tour of the New England states on Edward G. Robinson's "Big Town" program. GABRIEL HEATTER is to start a local commercial series Monday at 7 :30 A.M. on WEAF for Peter Paul Co. The show will be on the air Mondays through Saturdays, offering commentaries on news. Beware War Propaganda Films— ITOA A warning to exhibitors to keep foreign war propaganda off the screens is sounded by the I.T.O.A. "The screen is a great and lush spot for propaganda," says an organization statement. "It will not be long before theatre owners will be asked to show pictures which will purport to be nothing but entertainment but at the same time will propagate information highlighting points which the interested parties wish the American public to know. "The screen is no place for such stuff. Keep your screens free of anything that smacks of foreign propaganda. Play entertainment and entertainment only. You will have to watch carefully, for the best propaganda is most subtle." Salary Cut Fights Promised Studios (Continued from page 1) there is excellent prospect of increased box-office receipts and other revenues. Actual evidence will show which is to be the revenue trend." In its wire to the guilds, the I.T. O.A. cautioned against lowering of production quality or quantity and said that standards must be maintained even at the sacrifice of personal incomes and "Hollywood routine." The organization called for greater showmanship by exhibitors to maintain revenue levels and suggested joint conferences by producers, together with studio crafts, "to beat the war emergency." U. A. Seeking Delay In Trust Case Date United Artists yesterday filed with Federal Judge Knox an affidavit requesting that decision on the application by the Government for a preferred date in its anti-trust suit against the major companies be deferred until the date for answering the 68 Government interrogatories is decided. The affidavit of U. A. referred to another filed on Tuesday by John Caskey on behalf of the other major defendants and stated that for the same reason set forth in Caskey' s affidavit the date of preference should be postponed. AFL Rallies to Aid I A in Sept. 20 Ballot (Continued from page 1) U.S.T.G., admittedly ClO-financed, from winning the election. A letter from the S.A.G., pledging support to the A.F. of L., was cheered. Joseph M. Schenck, president of Motion Picture Producers Association, announced today that he will appoint a committee to discuss demands for a new bargaining contract of I.A.T.S.E. as requested by William Bioff, I.A.T.S.E. agent. Conferences between producers and I. A. leaders are expected over the weekend. Monogram in Deal On Anti-War Picture Monogram yesterday closed for world rights to "The Fight for Peace," anti-war film produced by Warwick Pictures. The picture will be released immediately. Produced last year, the film is a preachment against dictators and a plea for peace, dramatized by shots of recent undeclared wars and invasions. It has been revised slightly and will be released in seven reels. Drive-In Verdict Due Milford, Conn., Sept. 13. — Indicating there was a strong possibility he would decide the 800-car Milford Drive-in Theatre was a public nuisance, as claimed by 12 Milford residents in a suit, Judge P. B. O' Sullivan of the Superior Court has asked attorneys for both sides to draw up a broad injunctive order that would abate the nuisance yet not deprive the corporation of the right to operate a theatre. Gets Republic Films Luis Lezama of Mexico City has been appointed exclusive Republic distributor in Mexico by Morris Goodman, Republic vice-president in charge of foreign distribution. The former distributor was Dada-Dada & Co. Lezama formerly was RKO manager in Mexico, resigning a year ago to produce in Mexico City. He will continue independent production. Metro Plea Fights Plagiarism Action An application was filed yesterday in U. S. District Court by M-G-M Pictures Corp., M-G-M Distributing Corp., Loew's Inc. and the Culver Export Corp. requesting dismissal of a $1,000,000 plagiarism suit brought by Delores Lacey Collins as administratrix of the estate of Jimmy Collins. The suit charges the defendants with plagiarizing Collins' book, "Test Pilot," in the motion picture of the same title. The application will be heard on September 19. Reissue 'Western Front' Trial run of "All Quiet on the Western Front" at the St. Louis Theatre, St. Louis, without benefit of even a normal opening campaign, resulted in the decision of Universal officials to reissue the picture, the company said yesterday. Rush orders for prints of the new "Uncensored V ersion," as the reissue will be billed, and for new press book, accessories and trailer have been made. Joins Brother's Firm Ann Rosenthal, formerly legal counsel for Grand National in New York, is now associated with her brother, Aaron S. Rosenthal, film tax consultant, at 721 Union Bank Building, Los Angeles. Miss Rosenthal will continue her legal practice for film clients. 'Women' Hits Good $21,000 In Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Sept. 13. — "The Women"s was good for $21,000 at Loew's Penn. "Golden Boy" at the Harris Alvin pulled a good $11, =£0, and the Stanley drew $10,500 \rm "In Name Only." Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 7 : "Golden Boy" (Col.) ALVIN— (1,900) (25c-35c-50c) 7 davs. Gross: $11,500. (Average, $7,000) "I Stole a Million" (Univ.) FULTON — (1,700) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $4,900. (Average. $5,000) "The Women" (M-G-M) LOEW'S PENN — (3,600) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $21,000. (Average, $13,000) "Coast Guard" (Col.) "Woman Judge" (Col.) SENATOR — (2,000) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $2,600. (Average. $3,500) "In Name Only" (RKO) STANLEY— (3,600) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $10,500. (Average, with stage show, $17,000) "Lady cf the Tropics" (M-G-M) WARNER— (2.000) (25c-35c-50c) 7 davs. 2nd week. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $5,000) "Hotel" Draws Big $21,000 in Buffalo Buffalo, Sept. 13. — "Hotel for Women" with Eddie Duchin's orchestra on the stage, drew a smash $21,000 at the Buffalo. "Golden Boy" and "Parents on Trial" accounted for a fine $11,300 at the Lafayette. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 9 : "Hotel for Women" (20th-Fox) BUFFALO — (3,000) (30c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $21,000. (Average, $12,000 "Beau Geste" (Para.) GREAT LAKES— (3,000) (30c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $10,200. (Average, $7,500) "Our Leading Citizen" (Para.) "Four Feathers" (U. A.) HIPPODROME— (2.500) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $4,200. (Average, $6,800) "Colorado Sunset" (Rep.) "Should Husbands Work?" (Rep.) TWENTIETH CENTURY— (3,000) (15c20c-25c) 7 days. Gross: $2,900. (Average, $5,200) "Golden Boy" (Col.) "Parents on Trial" (Col.) LAFAYETTE— (3,300) (25c) 7 days. Gross: $11,300. (Average, $6,300) Congress to Debate On War Profiteering Washington, Sept. 13. — Although President Roosevelt, in issuing a call today for a special session of Congress beginning Sept. 20, did not specify the nature of the business it will consider, it is believed probable that an attempt will be made to impose some control over industries to prevent war profiteering. Congress is also expected to take action on the neutrality law and American defense measures. Orders Bingo Case Quiz Milwaukee, Sept. 13. — Circuit Judge Gustave G. Gehrz has refused to suppress an adverse examination of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Zrinsek, operators of the Bahn Frei hall tavern but has limited questioning to the names of persons or groups that have held bingo games and the rental fee. The action is a step in the suit for an injunction by Charles W. Trampe, head of Flm Service, Inc., to restrain the Bahn Frei hall and tavern from conducting bingo.