Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1941)

4 Motion Picture Daily Monday, January 6, 1941 2,500 Theatres Join Film Committee to Aid Defense Weshner to UA as Exploitation Chief New Booking, Blind Buying Bill in House (.Continued from page 1) last year. But in contrast with previous sessions there was little legislation brought in relating to either films or radio, although it is probable that additional measures will be submitted as the session gets under way. Amendment of the Communications Act to prohibit excessive duplication of programs in any area and prevent monopoly is proposed in a bill introduced by Rep. J. Hardin Peter of Florida. ' Rep. J. William Ditter of Pennsylvania introduced a bill to amend the Act "to preserve and protect liberty of expression" in radio communication. Rep. Culkin also introduced a number of bills dealing with liquor, one of which would prohibit liquor advertising on the radio. Rep. James P. McGranery of Pennsylvania reintroduced his bill to establish a Bureau of Fine Arts in the Interior Department, which would set up a national theatre and other projects with Government subsidy. 4Big 5' Dismissed In Nashville Case (Continued from pane 1) upon stipulations of Government and defense's counsel. The same procedure was followed in dismissing the 'Big 5' from the Oklahoma City anti-trust suit against Griffith Amusement Co. last month. Judge Davies also approved an order directing that Paragraphs 50 to 53 inclusive in the Government's complaint be stricken from the bill. The parts removed related to alleged methods of film distribution by the five companies, Loew's, Paramount, RKO, 20th Century-Fox and Warners. The dismissals leave Columbia, United Artists and Universal as defendants with Crescent in the action here. A similar procedure is scheduled to be followed in eliminating the five consenting companies as defendants in the other remaining Government anti-trust suit, that against the Schine Circuit at Buffalo. 20th-Fox to Stress U.S. Themes: Zanuck (Continued from page 1) Zanuck said he believes the national defense program will aid theatre business materially. The company's production schedule and budget for 1941-'42 are being formulated at the studio now, he said. On his return there he will confer with Sidney R. Kent, president, on next season's program. The next picture to be put in work will be "The Great Broadcast." Zanuck, who arrived in New York Saturday, plans to leave for the Coast tonight by plane. (Continued from page 1) Ed Kuykendall, John J. O'Connor, Nathan Yamins. Sub-Committee for Field Organisation— John Balaban, E. C. Beatty, Carl Buermele, William F. Crockett, Jay Emanuel, Si Fabian, Harold Fitzgerald, John Friedl, Julius Gordon, L. C. Griffith, Jack Kirsch, Ed Kuykendall, Ike Libson, M. A. Lightman, Frank Newman, R. J. O'Donnell, Samuel Pinanski, Robert H. Poole, Elmer Rhoden, Rick Ricketson, Samuel Rinzler, John Rugar, Meyer Schine, Fred Schwartz, Mort Singer, William Skirball, Charles Skouras, Roy Walker. Philadelphia Exhibitors Meet Jan. 28 on Defense Philadelphia, Jan. 5. — Local exhibitors will meet Jan. 28 at the Broadwood Hotel to formulate local plans of the Motion Picture Committee Cooperating for National Defense. The local committee, headed byJay Emanuel, includes Sidney E. Samuelson, Ted Schlanger, Lewen Pizor, John Nolan, William Wilson, William Goldman, David Barrist and Samuel Barbalow. Harry Brandt, R. B. Wilby, Nathan Yamins and E. V. Richards of the national executive committee will address the meeting. W. B. Reading Houses Reverting to Schad Reading, Pa., Jan. 5. — Harry J. Schad will take over the active operation of the Astor, Strand and Santoy here on May 1, at which time the 10-year leases now held by Warner Theatres will expire. Negotiations for a renewal of the leases have failed. Schad, a member of the firm of Carr and Schad. builders and operators of houses in Reading in the early days of the screen industry, owns the three houses. When Carr died Schad continued the exhibition part of the firm's operation and 10 years ago houses in the Carr and Schad group were leased to the Warners. Improvements costing $75,000 will be made at the Astor and Strand, said Schad. The Santoy is dark. Janitors Picketing 3 Detroit Theatres Detroit, Jan. 5. — Pickets who started their march in front of three downtown theatres controlled by United Detroit Theatres on New Year's eve are continuing their parade. The Building Service Employes' union claims the management refused to recognize it pending arbitration of a contract. The union seeks a contract for 85 janitors and maintenance men employed by the circuit, which says it does not believe a majority are members of the union. Schenck Trial Feb. 10 U. S. Attorney John T. Cahill on Friday announced that trial of the Government suit against Joseph M. Schenck, chairman of the board of 20th Centurv-Fox Film Corp., will start Feb. 10". 300 at Presentation Of Critics' Awards (Continued from page 1) over WJZ and the Blue network of NBC from 6:05 to 6:30 P. M. Darryl F. Zanuck, vice-president in charge of production for 20th Century-Fox, came from the Coast and received the best picture of the year award for "The Grapes of Wrath." A broadcast from the Coast then featured the acceptance of an award for "Fantasia" by Walt Disney, and that of John Ford for the best direction. 'Grapes' Stars Heard NunnaHy Johnson, associate producer and scenarist on "The Grapes of Wrath," then introduced from the Coast Henry Fonda and Jane Darvvell, two of the film's stars, who presented a scene from the film. Katharine Hepburn, on tour with the play, "Philadelphia Story," offered a scene from the film adaptation of the play, for her performance in which she received the best actress award. She broadcast from Dallas. Robert Hak im, one of the Hakim Brothers, who distributed "The Baker's Wife" in France, received the best foreign film award on behalf of Marcel Pagnol, who produced the film in France. Chaplin Stays Away The failure of Charles Chaplin, whose performance in "The Great Dictator" was voted the best of the year by a male actor, to appear at the awards gathering left the critics obviously riled. A story in the Nezv York Times which appeared prior to the affair said that Chaplin had not acknowledged either the award or the invitation to attend the presentation and intimated that he was disturbed by some of the criticisms of "The Great Dictator" published in local papers. Two RKO Foreign Managers Shifted Dan Greenhouse, who has been here on a furlough for several weeks, left by plane late last week to take over the territory of Chile for RKO now managed by George Kallman. Greenhouse will maintain headquarters in Santiago. Kallman, following Greenhouse's arrival, will leave for the home office, and go from here to Manila via the Pacific Coast, to become manager in the Philippine Islands, the post formerly held by Greenhouse. The transfer was made by Phil Reisman, chief of RKO's foreign department. Grainger to Dallas For Sales Meeting Hollywood, Jan. 5. — James R. Grainger, president of Republic Pictures, left today for Dallas where he will preside at the first of a series of special sales meetings at which plans will be discussed for the merchandising of "Sis Hopkins," Judy Canova picture. Grainger has been on the coast since before the holidays. (Continued from page 1) ed to succeed Weshner. Gable has been with Warner Theatres in that city 10 years in a managerial capacity. Weshner's appointment is one of many which have been made or are still under contemplation since the appointment of Arthur W. Kelly as general sales manager of United Artists, and appointment of Monroe Greenthal as advertising and publicity director, succeeding Lynn Farnol, who is establishing his own business. Weshner's new post is one which has been handled by Greenthal, and he will work under Greenthal's direction. Other Changes Contemplated Since Kelly became head of sales, there have been several changes in distribution, notably the promotion of Haskell Masters, from Canadian district manager to that of Western division manager, succeeding Jack L. Schlaifer, who is now a special representative. Other changes are contemplated, one of which will be the appointment of a Hollywood contact for the home office department of advertising and publicity. Weshner served Warner Bros, for thirteen years, going from the advertising and publicity field into active theatre operation in 1933. Harry Tarente, manager of the Aldine, has been named manager of the Boyd in Philadelphia to succeed Gable. Connecticut Allied to Discuss Ascap Fight New Haven, Jan. 5— Allied Theatre Owners of Connecticut will meet Tuesday at the Hofbrau Haus Restaurant, with A. M. Schuman presiding. Lawrence C. Caplan, executive secretary, reports that discussion will be held on the recent Ascap developments and their effects on independent exhibitors, as well as on impending legislation in the coming session of the state legislature. A report of the current membership campaign also will be made. Selznick Completes New Organization (Continued from page 1) Daniel T. O'Shea, vice-president; E. L. Scanlon, treasurer ; Loyd Wright, secretary ; Charles E. Millikan and Katharine Brown, assistant secretaries. The directors include Selznick, O'Shea, Scanlon, Wright and Walter S. Orr. The new Selznick company took over Selznick International's releasing deal with United Artists which calls for two more pictures and all personal contracts from the old company, in which Selznick and John Hay Whitney were partners. Under contract to the new company are Vivien Leigh, Ingrid Bergman, Alfred Hitchcock. Joan Fontaine and Alan Marshall. Col. Buys Two Stories Columbia has acquired two story properties for early production, "Trinidad," an original by Cy Bartlett, and "Obituary" by Jerry Sackheim.