Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1941)

2 Motion Picture Daily Thursday, May 15, 1941 Coast Flashes Hollywood, May 14 MJ. SIEGEL, Republic Produc ■ tions president, today an nounced the company plans to spend about $1,750,000 in new construction in the next two and a half years, $250,000 of which will be spent in the next four months. He said $750,000 has been invested in new construction since last Oct. 15. Contemplated are a new sound stage, property department, dressing rooms, business street set, restaurant, and permanent sets on the back lot. • The Screen Writers Guild is in charge of arrangements for the first national writers' conference at the University of California, Los Angeles, May 23 and 24. About 2,000 delegates are expected. "Economic and Creative Problems of the Writer" will be discussed. The Authors League of America, in collaboration with the screen, drama and radio writers and authors guilds will participate. • A deal with Warners' 17 Coast theatres for next season's program was set today by James R. Grainger, Republic president, and Francis Bateman, Los Angeles branch manager, with Lou Halper, the circuit's Coast manager, and Leo Miller, film buyer Clark Reelected to Head Film Carriers James P. Clark of Philadelphia was reelected -resident and treasurer of National Film Carriers, Inc., at the closing session yesterday of the association's convention at the Park Central Hotel. Thomas Gilboy of San Francisco, vice-president, and Clint Weyer, secretary, also were reelected. Appointed to the executive commit-* tee were Clark, George Callahan of Pittsburgh, Earl Jameson of Kansas City, Charles Trampe of Milwaukee and John Vickers of Charlotte. New safety regulations similar to those followed at the exchanges were adopted by the organization in the handling of films. W.B. Put Hess Fliaht Scene Into New Film Hollywood, May 14.— Warners announced yesterday that the flight of the Nazi leader, Rudolph Hess, from Germany to Scotland will be incorporated in the film, "Underground," recently completed picture of anti-Nazi activity in Germany. The release of the film will be advanced from July to June. 'Kane9 to Continue Chicago Roadshow Chicago, May 14. — "Citizen Kane" will close at the Palace Theatre next Monday following a two-week run and the house will resume the following day with its regular policy of double features. The Orson Welles picture will continue its roadshow engagement at the Woods Theatre indefinitely. Para, to Make 'Andrew' Hollywood, May 14. — "The Remarkable Andrew," Dalton Trumbo novel, will be made by Paramount with William Holden and Brian Donlew. Personal Mention HERMAN WOBBER, 20th Century-Fox general sales manager, and W. J. Kupper, Western division manager, have delayed their departure from the Coast to the home office for several days. • Moe Streimer, United Artists special representative, is recuperating from an illness. He is expected back at work in two weeks. • George Loukidjes of the Loew Theatre, Wilmington, flew to New Haven for a brief visit with his former associates in the Loew-Poli circuit. • Edna Jones of the Paramount Theatre staff, New Haven, is recuperating at St. Raphael's Hospital after an appendicitis operation. RR. (DICK) BIECHELE, Kan• sas City, Kan., exhibitor, was in New York yesterday en route to the Variety Club convention. • Louis Hyman, general manager for Sol Lesser, left here yesterday for Hollywood. • Charles E. McCarthy, 20th Century-Fox advertising director, and William C. Gehring, division manager, are due tomorrow from the Coast. • Elden D. Pollock, owner of the Lincoln Theatre, Mt. Vernon, Wash., is visiting here. • Walter Futter is in Washington today. W. B. Circuit Zone Meeting in Albany Albany, May 14. — Warner Theatre managers met here at the zone office at the call of M. A. Silver, zone manager, and Charles A. Smakwitz, district head, to discuss Spring and Summer policy and exploitation. Present were : Andy Roy, Stanley ; Jack Breslin, Utica, and Arnold Stoltz, Avon, from Utica ; Sid Sommer, Lincoln, Jack Swartout, American and Leo Rosen, Troy, from Troy ; Jules Curley, Strand, Al LaFlamme, Madison, Eddie Selette, Albany, and Mel Conheim, Ritz, from Albany. Bernhard Attends Meeting in Newark Joseph Bernhard, general manager of Warner Theatres, attended a meeting of managers of the New Jersey zone in Newark this week, to discuss Summer sales policies. Harry Goldberg, advertising manager of Warner Theatres, also addressed the managers. British Reservation Plea Weighed Again London, May 14. — The Ministry of Labor's committee considering the film industry's plea for the exemption of technical employes from military service met today. New members of the group are Fred Watts of Pathe, representing newsreels, and Bruce Woolfe of Gaumont British, representing short subject producers. The committee heard statistics supplied by 58 British producing companies, and was told of the needs and plans for British film exports. It was decided to hold further consultations with the Ministry of Information and the Board of Trade. The committee will meet again on May 21. Stagehands Reelect Anstett as President Robert Anstett has been reelected president of Stagehands Union, Local 1, and George Fitzgerald has been named vice-president. John C. McDowell was unopposed for reelection as executive secretary as was John J. Garvey for the treasurer's post. Edward J. Mortimer was reelected sergeant-at-arms. Vincent Jacobi and Sol Pernick won in a three-cornered race for business agent. Trustees elected were James J_. Brennan, chairman, John F. Casey and Bernard Quadrochi. Thomas Maxwell and William Edwards were named as the relief committee. Hold Davenport Rites Philadelphia, May 14. — Funeral services were held today for Dr. Williams Davenport, pioneer film actor, who died Sunday at Philadelphia General Hospital at the age of 74. He was associated with the Edison, Lubin and Biograph companies years ago. His wife, a son and a daughter sur 20th-Fox Extends Pacts Hollywood, May 14. — Twentieth Century-Fox has extended the contracts of Don Ameche, John Loder, George Reeves and Janis Carter. Elect 12 20th-Fox Directors Today Stockholders of 20th Century-Fox are scheduled to elect 12 directors at their adjourned annual meeting to be held at the home office today. Directors scheduled for reelection are : H. Donald Campbell, John R. Dillon, Sidney R. Kent, W. J. Eadie, Daniel O. Hastings, Felix A. Jenkins, W. C. Michel, William P. Philips, Hermann G. Place, Seton Porter and Sydney Towell. E. P. Kilroe, who was elected to the board recently, is also scheduled for reelection. Leo Brady* s Mother Is Dead in Chicago Chicago, May 14. — Mrs. Nellie A. Brady, mother of Leo Brady of Quigley Publications, died at her home here last night following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held on Friday. Surviving are four sons and two daughters. Meeting to Discuss Earlier Previews Hollywood, May 14.— The Hollywood correspondents' committee headed by Douglas Churchill today announced that Y. Frank Freeman, president of the Producers' Association, and the studio publicity directors' committee have accepted a proposal to meet with them May ¥> to discusses changes in tj^ preview system. The eorrJ^ respondents meanwhile will discontinue covering "sneak" previews, pending outcome of the meeting, at which they hope to get an assurance on earlier press previews. All ITOA Officers Are Renominated Present officers of the ITOA here w^re nominated for reelection at a meeting of the organization at the Hotel Astor yesterday. The election will be held May 28. Nominations, which are equivalent to election, are as follows : Harry Brandt, president ; David Weinstock, first vice-president ; Stanley Lawton, second vice-president; Leon Rosenblatt, treasurer; Francis Bregman, secretary ; Jack Heyman, sergeant-atarms. Nominated to the board of directors were: Julius Joelson, Grant" Anson, S. Gottlieb, Hyman Rachmil, Abraham Shenk, Herman Eisenstadt, J. J. Goldberg, Gilbert Josephson, Abraham Leff, Bernard Brooks, Julius Charnow, W. French Githens, Samuel Strausberg, Jack Hattem, Rudolph Sanders, Emanuel Hertzig, Samuel Freedman, Leo Brecher, Samuel Seelen, Ray Rhonheimer. 3 Companies Formed Albany, May J. 4. — Three new companies incorporated here are: Mechanical Industries, Inc., by Rocco Camera, Anthony Strollo and William Smith, New York; Festival Films, Inc., by Irwin J. Sikwat, Louis Solomon and Jacob P. Poses, New York, and M. & M. Productions, Inc., by Saul P. Pryor, I. H. Block and Jean Muir. Houghton Service Held Hollywood, May 14. — Funeral services were held here today for William Oscar Houghton, character actor known as Ted Bennett. Bercovici Case Is Moved to U. S. Court Transfer to the U. S. District Court of the suit of Konrad Bercovici against United Artists and Charles Chaplin was effected yesterday. The suit, which seeks $5,000,000 damages, was originally filed in N. Y. Supreme Court and chacged the defendants with using Bercovici's idea for "The Great Dictator." Bercovici also sought damages for services which he claimed he rendered to Chaplin on story plots for other pictures. MOTION PICTURE DAILY (.Registered U. S. Patent Office) Published daily except Saturday, Sunday and holidays by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York City. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address, "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Colvin Brown, Vice-President and General Manager; Watterson R. Rothacker, VicePresident; Sam Shain, Editor; Alfred L. Finestone, Managing Editor; James A. Cron, Advertising Manager; Chicago Bureau, 624 South Michigan Avenue, C. B. O'Neill, Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Postal Union Life Building, William R. Weaver, Editor; Leon Friedman, Manager; London Bureau, 4 Golden Square, London Wl; Hope Williams, Manager, cable address "Quigpubco, London." All contents copyrighted 1941 by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc. Other Ouigley publications: Motion Picture Herald, Better Theatres, International Motion Picture Almanac and Fame. Entered as second class matter, Sept. 23, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign. Single copies 10c.