Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1940)

Tuesday, March 5, 1940 Motion Picture Daily 5 Theatre and Personnel Notes Open on Long Island June 1 Morris Kutisker's new theatre, the f^yfair, under construction at 40th ]<Mz. and 10th St., Long Island City, is scheduled to open June 1. Amusement Supply Co. is equipping and furnishing the house. Joins Canadian Company Toronto, March 4. — W. Evan Jones, formerly with Technical Service Co., has become general manager of Canadian Sound Equipment, Toronto, which has taken over the former business following the retirement of Sam Goldhamer. The new company handles RCA special products and service for theatres. Sells Two Theatres Sr. Louis, March 4— Walter Light, owner of the Joy and Gem in Chester, III, has sold both to the Egyptian circuit. Rubinsky Takes House St. Claire, Pa., March 4.— Mark Rubinsky has taken over the operation of the Hollywood, making it his fifth house in this region. British Theatres Conquer War Emergency Obstacles By AUBREY FLANAGAN London, March 4. — An early stimulus to British production and the consequent improvement of film supplies is foreseen in the annual report of the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association, just made public. The report is largely concerned with exhibitor problems arising from the war emergency, including the dislocation of bookings, the abolition of low admission matinees, new safety regulations, and the effort to bring film employment activity within the classification of so-called "reserve occupations." The C.E.A. General Council compliments itself in the report on the organization's war-time achievements. Cited specifically are the development and maintenance of excellent relations with the Home Office of the Government, the settlement of booking disputes with distributors, and the "quick and effective work" on the reopening of theatres which were closed following the declaration of war in September. The blackout is described as the one remaining "unsurmountable" obstacle. The evacuation from London on the part of distributors shortly after the outbreak of war is criticized in the report as "not a model of organization." With reference to the pre-war period, the report claims credit for "some excellent accomplishments," notably the removal of the admission tax instituted by Sir John Simon, Chancellor of the Exchequer, an agreement to bringabout a reduction of Western Electric sound equipment service charges and the prevention of the institution of Bank Night in theatres throughout England. 30% of 'Wind' Houses Take 10% Guarantee Indicted with Nick, Brady Goes Free St. Louis, March 4. — State representative Edward M. Brady was freed today of a charge of extorting $10,000 from theater owners in 1936 when Circuit Attorney Franklin Miller dismissed the indictment at the suggestion of Circuit Judge Thomas J. Rose. Brady had been jointly indicted with John P. Nick, ousted czar of the Motion Picture Operators Union, Local 143, on a charge of extorting $10,000 from theatre owners in 1936 to forestall a wage increase demand by the operators. Nick was also freed after Judge Rowe directed a verdict of acquittal on Jan. 11. One other indictment remains as the result of a grand jury's investigation into Nick's affairs. This charges Nick and Clyde Weston, former business agent of the union, with extorting $6,500 from theatre owners in 1937. Roosevelt in Chicago Discusses 5c Films Chicago, March 4. — James Roosevelt is here for conferences with Mills Novelty Co. officials regarding nickel movie machines. Roosevelt said he would handle production of shorts to be used, but Mills would arrange locations and distribution. Roosevelt said that production of shorts would start late this Spring. Roosevelt also stated machines would not be competitive to theatres in any way. He will set up a special production department for shorts entirely disconnected from his feature production activities. Plans for nickel machines are looked upon with great interest by the local operators' union who, according to Business Manager John Smith, will try to arrange for union maintenance men to handle machines. Trust Suit Against B-K Starts Thursday Chicago, March 4. — Trial of the Gary Theatre Corporation suit against B. & K. and Warner Theatres and major companies will get started Thursday in Federal Court under Judge Holly. Attorneys for both sides refuse to disclose what witnesses they will call. It is understood that circuit executives will be called first. Zukor on Short Wave Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board of Paramount, spoke from Rio de Janeiro last night on a short wave broadcast, but the reception in New York City was marked by such severe static that it was impossible to hear his words with any degree of clarity. Golden Resumes Tour Following four days of Coast conferences with W. Ray Johnston, president ; Scott R. Dunlap, production chief, and Howard Stubbins and Ray Olmstead, of the Los Angeles exchange, Edward A. Golden, Monogram sales manager, has resumed a tour of company exchanges. Golden expects to arrive at the home office on March 17. Goodman in Mexico Morris Goodman, Republic vicepresident in charge of foreign distribution, has arrived in Mexico City on the first lap of a four-month tour of Latin America. He will leave this week for Panama, following which he will visit Republic offices in Ecua dor, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Coast Flashes Hollywood, March 4. — Norman Moray, Vitaphone sales manager, arrived at the Warner studio today from San Francisco for conferences on the 1940-'41 short subjects program. He will remain about two weeks and will then go to Denver, Salt Lake City and Seattle before returning to New York. Only 30 per cent of exhibitors who have booked "Gone With the Wind" have taken advantage of the profit guarantee of 10 per cent of the gross offered by M-G-M when negotiating contracts for the film. This was said by William F. Rodgers, general sales manager of M-G-M, who returned yesterday from the studio. Rodgers said that about 70 per cent of the playdates were on a straight 70 per cent rental without a guarantee of profit. With regard to the guarantee, Rodgers said that the great majority of playdates has returned a profit to the theatre greater than 10 per cent, but that the company has had to make it up in a few cases. In one instance, said Rodgers, a theatre grossed as much on the opening day as it usually grosses in a week. While on the coast Rodgers ordered 50 additional prints from the color laboratories to meet the demand. These are expected in 30 days. Joseph Moskowitz, Twentieth Century-Fox studio representative in New York, arrived today for a story conference at the studio. Clarice Robins, Universal employe since 1912, first in New York and for the past 12 years as secretary to Maurice Pivar, studio head of the editorial (cutting) department, died suddenly at her home in Hollywood today. She was 48 years old and is survived by her sister. Same Film Delivery Next Year — Skouras Spyros Skouras, operating head of National Theatres, who returned yesterday from the Coast, reports that the major studios are planning to deliver next season about the same number of pictures as during the present one. Skouras and other executives of the circuit conferred with production heads at the studios. He says that from the information he obtained while there, exhibitors may expect "a fine crop of pictures" in the next few months. Files RKO Claim J. & W. Seligman & Co., depositary company for RKO debentures during reorganization proceedings, filed an application in U. S. District Court yesterday for a final allowance of $8,750. The company acted as depositary from 1935 to 1940. Samuel Marx Quits Columbia Story Post Hollywood, March 4. — Samuel Marx, for the past two years Columbia story editor, has resigned and plans to enter production. Marx has been a story editor for 10 years, having been with M-G-M for six and a half years and with Goldwyn for a year and a half. D. A. Doran, Columbia Eastern story editor, has been mentioned to succeed him, but no definite appointment has been made as yet. Marx may continue as a producer with Columbia. Marx also has written for the screen and acted as an associate producer. F. & M. Chief Testifies St. Louis, March 4. — Harry C. Arthur, vice-president of Fanchon & Marco, was the sole witness in F. & M.'s suit to recover $42,200 in legal fees from John S. Leahy and two associates today. Trust Suit Accuses Republic and Majors (Continued from page 1) to obtain any product except Warners and Columbia, which, he contends, was insufficient for the theatre. All other major company product and that of Republic was sold to Fox Midwest's Rivoli in the same town, according to the complaint. Flollingsworth asks $234,300 in triple damages. Among the defendants named are Fox Beatrice Theatres Corp., Fox Midwest, Elmer C. Rhoden, Loew's, Paramount, United Artists, RKO, Republic, Universal and 20th CenturyFox. France Halts Film Cash Withdrawals (Continued from page 1) $2,000,000 annually, according to the estimate of officials. Futhermore, the fact that only 175 American pictures were permitted entry into France by the Government also affected American revenue, as it cut down the possible distribution to each American company to only from 12 to 20 films annually. As the war menace grows, other countries abroad are expected to erect bars either limiting or altogether proI hibiting the withdrawal of funds.