Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1941)

Wednesday, January 29, 1941 Motion Picture daily 3 Decree Talks Are Resumed BylLS.,Ascap (Continued from page 1) described as "the basic differences in the two organizations." B.M.I., it was said, is not, like Ascap, an association copyright owners but is, rather, "a usic publishing organization." Conferences Expected To Start Today or Tomorrow Washington", Jan. 28. — Representatives of Ascap are expected to seek conferences with Department of Justice officials tomorrow or Thursday, it was indicated here today. It was stated, however, that it is extremely unlikely that any basis of agreement will be reached immediately. It is understood that the demands of the Department on Ascap go , further than those on B.M.I., and include a reorganization of the society itself to break the domination wielded by the allegedly self-perpetuating management now in control. Previous settlement negotiations between the Government and Ascap were halted late last month, largely as a result, it was said, of internal differences in the music society. 68 Critics, Editors To 'Street' Opening A delegation of 68 critics and film editors from 34 leading cities, newspaper columnists and syndicate writers, and trade paper and fan magazine representatives will attend the two-theatre premiere of Universal's "Back Street" in Miami next Tues) day. The Eastern delegation will , leave for Miami on Saturday. ] Trade press representatives will include : Sam Shain, Red Kann, Don Mersereau, Jay Emanuel, Pete Harrison, Charles E. Lewis, Moe Wax, Lionel Toll, Herb Stein and Arthur Ungar. Universal officials who will attend include : Charles D. Prutzman, vicepresident and general counsel ; Samuel Machnovitch, treasurer ; Peyton Gib . son, secretary ; J. H. Seidelman, vicepresident and foreign manager ; John Joseph, advertising and publicity director, and Lou Pollock, Eastern advertising and publicity manager. Others who will attend include : Deanna Durbin, Bruce Manning, producer of the picture; Robert Stevenson, director, and his wife, Anna Lee, and Felix Jackson, co-author of the 1 screenplay. 20th-Fox to Make No Sales Changes (Continued from page 1) they would be made at that time." The company expects to schedule ; approximately the same number of feai tures for production next season as in recent seasons, that is, 48 to 52. 1 The company's first block of five is J expected to be ready for trade showings about mid-Summer. Cinema Club to Elect Cincinnati, Jan. 28.— The Cincinnati Cinema Club will hold its annual election of officers Saturday. Value of Quigley Awards Is Lauded By Bernhard (Continued from page 1) Hall ; Tom Connors, Eastern and Canadian sales manager of M-G-M ; Louis W. Schine, vice-president of the Schine Enterprises, Inc; Alex Manta, president of the IndianaIllinois Theatres; Arthur Mayer, Rialto Theatre impressario ; Bob O'Donnell, executive operator of the Interstate Theatre Circuit, of Texas; Bob Wilby, of the Wilby-Kincey Theatres, North Carolina ; Ned Depinet, vice-president in charge of distribution of RKO ; Andy Smith, RKO sales manager ; Leonard Goldenson, Terry Ramsaye, editor of Motion Picture Herald; Colvin Brown, Leon Netter, Robert Gillham, Barret McCormick, Mort Blumenstock, Si Seadler, Harry Goldberg, Maurice Bergman, David Lipton, John O'Connor, vice-president and general manager of RKO Theatres ; C. J. Scollard and Harry Mandell. Bernhard praised the spirit and enthusiasm created by the Quigley Awards among the theatre men generally, not only in the field but in the home offices, also. This is one of the principal services rendered by the Awards, Bernhard stated, and for this Warner Bros. Theatres management is grateful. "Next year," said Mr. Bernhard, "under the consent decree, theatre managers will be called upon for greater showmanship than ever before demonstrated. Hitherto, we have always had our cupboards filled with product. Under the consent decree, when pictures will be sold in blockof-five, we will have to nurse the pictures and devise new and ingenious methods by which to realize their fullest box-office values. 'Must Sell Product' "We will have to sell product, irrespective of casts and names. It's easy to sell films with big names. Next year we will be called upon to demonstrate our showmanship with new faces, because Hollywood will have to get new faces. It will be impossible for Hollywood to earnon with the old faces at big salaries now that the foreign business lias been lost." Quigley Thanks Guests In opening the luncheon program, Quigley on behalf of himself and associates thanked the many distinguished guests for their attendance and gave praise to the theatre men in the field who have helped make the Quigley Awards the successful industry project which it is. The principal purpose of those who are responsible for the project is to provide a stimulus, guide and direction to those who are engaged in advertising and exploiting the pictures. R. J. O'Donnell lauded the Quigley Awards for the energy and efforts represented therein. A-Mike Vosrel, conductor of the Round Table Department of Motion Picture Herald, added a note of welcome to the guests. Quigley Awards Luncheon Guest & Following is the list of guests, including the judges, attending the Quigley Awards luncheon at the Astor Hotel yesterday : Martin Quigley, Terry Ramsaye, Joseph Bernhard, W arners ; R. J. O'Donnell, Interstate Circuit ; W. G. Van Schmus, Music Hall ; Alex Manta, Indiana-Illinois Theatres ; Ned E. Depinet, RKO; A. W. Smith, Jr., RKO; Robert M. Gillham, Paramount ; C. J. Scollard, Paramount ; Irving Lesser, Roxy Theatre ; Sam Shain ; Louis W. Schine, Schine Theatres ; Al Sindlinger, March of Time ; Leon J. Bamberger, RKO; F. J. A. McCarthy, Universal ; W. J. Heineman, Universal ; Mort Blumenstock, Warners ; Si Seadler, Loew's ; David E. Weshner, United Artists ; Nat Wolf, Warners ; Leonard Schlesinger, Warners ; James Cron. Richard M. Dobie, Editor & Publisher; Syd Carter, Printers Ink ; Ray Gallagher ; William R. Ferguson, Metro ; Charles Jones, Republic ; David Whalen, Republic ; Harry Goldberg, Warners ; Harry Mandel, RKO; J. J. O'Connor, RKO; Lou Goldberg, RKO; Sol Schwartz, RKO; Ted Sullivan; Martin Quigley, Jr. ; David Lipton, Columbia ; Arthur L. Mayer, Rialto ; Maurice Bergman, 20th Century-Fox ; Herb Fecke ; Leo Brady ; Gertrude Merriam ; Lou Preston, Endicott Theatres ; Leon Netter, Paramount ; Colvin W. Brown ; S. Barret McCormick, RKO ; T. J. Connors, Metro ; Edwin A. Aaron, Metro; Dick Stout, Interstate Circuit ; I. B. Adelman, Interstate Circuit ; Charles Casanave, National Screen Accessories; Harry Kirchgessner, National Screen Accessories ; Harry D. Buckley, United Artists ; E. C. Grainger, M. A. Shea Enterprises ; R. B. Wilby, Wilby-Kincey. Pittsburgh Shows Bring New Interest Pittsburgh, Jan. 28. — A business pickup at the Stanley, where vaudeville was resumed last week, and the Casino, where four vaudeville acts have been added to the standard burlesque unit, indicates a renewed public interest in live entertainment on theatre stages, according to house executives. Publicity Director Frank Shenkel of the Casino maintains that the burlesque circuit, with 14 theatres on the eastern wheel and 14 on the western, could become the nucleus of a circuit similar to the old Keith route. Occasional stage appearances of name bands and units at suburban theatres also draw bigger grosses than straight pictures. Para. Plans Three Blocks-of-5 Films Paramount plans to have three blocks of five features, each ready for selling by the start of the new season, the first block of five to be ready by early Summer, Neil Agnew, vice-president in charge of distribution, said yesterday. Agnew indicated that Paramount would increase its production schedule "considerably" for next season, and stated that every picture sold on the current season's schedule will be delivered "without any changes." Curtice Circuit Aide San Francisco, Jan. 28. — Fred Curtice, assistant manager of the Uptown Theatre, has been named assistant to Roy Cooper, division manager of the Golden State and San Francisco Theatres, Inc, Universal Shows $2,390,722 Profit, Increase of 107% (Continued from page 1) cash receipts by $2,602,535 to a total of $18,073,055 last year, the company is continuing its efforts to make itself completely independent of foreign business "and is hopeful that this may be accomplished this year." He reports that British business so far this year is well ahead of the same period last year and that gains in Canadian business have more than offset the decrease in Canadian exchange rates. The company's consolidated and working assets and other cash and accounts receivable, including restricted sterling amounted to $12,953,683, and current liabilities were $4,241,774. Net working capital of $6,823,563 compares with $5,512,194 the year before. Cash on hand as of Nov. 2 last was $1,428,283. Total assets are listed at $15,594,687. While the company provided for a special amortization reserve of $10,000 per week to cover foreign revenue losses last year, it actually used only $300,000 for this purpose. The company paid taxes of $1,210,648 during the year, which was equivalent, Cowdin said in his report to stockholders, to approximately 50 cents for every dollar of net profit. The report paid tribute to Nate J. Blumberg's four years of management with Cliff Work in charge of production, W. A. Scully in charge of sales and J. H. Seidelman in charge of foreign operations. It was pointed out that the company is farther advanced on its current production and release schedule now than it has been for many years past and that the pictures have been brought in under the total production budget set for them. It was also revealed that the company has retired or purchased for retirement 7,261 shares of its first preferred stock at an average price of $118.03 since the beginning of 1940. This includes 4,591 shares purchased last month in response to invitations from the company for tenders of shares, out of a fund of $1,000,000 borrowed for the purpose. Cowdin closes his report with a prediction of increased theatre attendance and consequent further improvement for the company this year.