Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1940)

DO NOT re VOL. 48. NO. 37 MOTION PIC1 DAI Li NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1940 First in TEN Protest Delay On Releases For Toronto Subsequent Runs Want Clearance Changed Toronto, Aug. 20. — Operators of subsequent run theatres in Toronto have been registering strong complaints over the continued delay in picture releases, claiming that a considerable number of features and shorts become obsolete before they are available to neighborhood houses. Pictures with stories or themes dealing with the war are said to be out of date before they reach the suburbs and cannot be played because of the quickly changing war scene in Europe. Other pictures featuring popular song hits are no longer attractive because the songs are not in public favor by the time that small independent theatres can play them. A considerable loss in receipts and prestige is claimed by the exhibitors and a loss is also sustained by the film exchanges on this account, it is argued. Organized independents contend that clearance now means a period of at least six months and a plea has been made for the completion of organization details of the new conciliation board plan in Canada, which has been approved by the independents, circuit and distributors, so that the release of all pictures can be speeded up. Some Toronto exhibitors cannot book more than one or two pictures ahead, it is declared, because of the scarcity of films, but an improvement is expected with the Fall releases. Zagrans, Braeunig Get New RKO Posts Charles Zagrans has been appointed branch manager at Philadelphia for RKO by Ned Depinet, vice-president in charge of distribution. Zagrans, who was office manager, succeeds F. L. McNamee. who resigned after 18 years with RKO to enter another business. Vincent O'Donnell, head booker in Philadelphia has been named to succeed Zagrans. The changes are effective next Monday. Adolph F. Braeunig, office manager in the RKO Cleveland branch, has been promoted to home office representative, filling: the ulace left vacant by the transfer of John A. Downing to Boston as office manager. Braeunig will cover Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. He has been succeeded in Cleveland by L. E. Blumenfeld. British Circuits Set Higher Price Scale With 9-Pence Base London, Aug. 20. — English theatre circuits today made known through the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association their agreement on a new scale of admissions, to become effective on Oct. 6. Opposition to the scales is expected from some independents. Substantiating forecasts of the new scale published recently in Motion Picture Daily, the minimum admission is disclosed at nine-pence, with one shilling, two-pence and one shilling, nine-pence as the chief prices in first run theatres. The scale also includes price of one shilling, one shilling, six-pence and two shillings, sixpence. Prices in individual situations are to be selected from this range of six different prices. Theatres now operating on a scale of six-pence, nine-pence and one shilling will operate under the new policy with eight-pence, one shilling, and one shilling, two-pence. Other areas now using a six-pence minimum will change to a minimum of eight-pence or nine-pence. Fund from U.S. Firms Is Given to Kennedy London, Aug. 20. — Headed by Fayette Allport, representative here of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, a deputation of American film men today presented to U. S. Ambassador to England Joseph P. Kennedy, a check for £16,000 ($64,000). The money, the contribution of American companies operating in England, will be used to assist organizations working to relieve and protect the English civilian population. 'Wind' Broadcasts On CBS Start Oct 1 "Gone With the Wind" will be broadcast in serial form over 70 CBS stations starting Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 9:30 P. M. and weekly thereafter for a half-hour show, according to Hal Kemp, radio director of Stack-Goble, advertising agency. Carlo D'Angelo will direct the series. The cast will be headed by Helen Claire, Don McLaughlin and Joan Banks. Vicks Chemical Co. purchased the radio rights from Edward Wolfe, an agent, who had previously negotiated a deal with Selznick International. Stress Showmanship At Midwest Meeting Kansas City, Aug. 20. — Showmanship and efficiency in operations will continue to be the general policies of Fox Midwest Theatres, operating more than 100 houses, according to discussions at the ninth annual convention of the circuit at the Hotel Muehlebach here. Spyros Skouras, head of National Theatres, parent circuit of the Midwest division, and Charles Skouras, manager of Fox West Coast, Los Angeles, are here for the meeting, which started today. Attending are 150 manger and executives from Kansas, Missouri, Southern Illinois and Iowa. Elmer C. Rhoden, Fox Midwest division manager, outlined plans for the coming year at the opening session this morning. Tomorrow's program will include district meetings, presentation of prizes in the Skouras Showmanship campaign and a golf tournament, followed by a steak dinner at Rhoden's Starlane estate. Hollywood Groups Press Cong. Dies For Hearing on Communism Charges Hollywood, Aug. 20. — Screen Actors Guild today telegraphed Congressman Martin Dies, who is in San Francisco, the complete texts of wires received from Lucille Ball, Frances Lederer, Lionel Stander and Jean Muir, who volunteer to testify in denial of charges of Communist affiliation, sympathies or contributions to the movement. Following the stand already taken by the actors' guild and the Producers' Association, the Screen Writers Guild, through its executive board, last night denounced "recent actions of State's Attorney Buron Fitts and Congressman Dies" in connection with Communism charges against Hollywood talent. San Francisco, Aug. 20. — Congressman Dies late today cleared James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March and Philip Dunne of Communist sympathies. The Congressman previously had conferred with Cagney. Compromise Weighed in 'Big 5' Peace But 20th-Fox Reasserts Escape Clause Stand Industry officials and Government authorities are studying the chances of compromising, at least in principle, with 20th Century-Fox and Paramount, following yesterday's mediation meeting of the Big 5, which was held at the Hays office. Twentieth Century-Fox reasserted its stand at yesterday's meeting for an absolute and automatic escape clause, and Paramount continues to study the situation. Should these two firms stick to their positions, Loew's, RKO and Warners may sign the Government's peace terms, anyway. At yesterday's meeting, the assenting companies made no counter offers of peace, and 20th Century-Fox and Paramount only stated their stands. Sidney R. Kent, Barney Balaban, Nicholas M. Schenck, George J. Schaefer and J. Robert Rubin were among those who attended yesterday's meeting. Until the session, the assenting companies' only information regard (Continucd on page 3) Kent, Wobber to 'Young' Premiere Sidney R. Kent, president of 20th Century-Fox, with Mrs. Kent, will head a delegation of company executives attending the world premiere of the company's film, "Brigham Young" in Salt Lake City on Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Kent left last night by train. Herman Wobber, general manager of distribution, will leave here by plane for Salt Lake City tomorrow with Walter J. Hutchinson, in charge of foreign sales. Darryl F. Zanuck, vice-president in charge of production ; Mrs. Zanuck, Mr. and Mrs. William F. Goetz, Jason Joy and Louis Bromfield will fly from Hollywood Friday morning to attend the opening. A group of Hollywood nlayers will attend, visiting each of the six Salt Lake City theatres in which the film will be shown simultaneously. A luncheon will be held Friday at the Lion House, former home of Brigham Young.