Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1941)

Motion Picture daily 6 Start Talks on British Money Pact Renewal (Continued from page 1) agreement is expressly permitted within 90 days preceding the expiration date. The agreement provides for a reopening in the event the British dollar position is improved during its term, and overtures were reported to have been made by the companies following the passage of the American LeaseLend bill either for the increase of their authorized remittances or for the release of $12,000,000 to $20,000,000 of their "frozen" fund's here. Since no action was taken by the Government, it is believed that the American companies will make stronger representations in the course of the negotiation of the new agreement. This is strengthened by the prospects of a new Lease-Lend bill materializing simultaneously with the scheduled negotiations here. F.P.C. Seeks Writ On Odeon-Hanson (Continued from page 1) The statement also seeks an accounting of advances made by the defendants and of payments for the construction and equipping of the theatre, as well as an order vesting all outstanding shares in FPC with an accounting of Broadway Theatre shares. A temporary injunction restraining the defendants from transferring or disposing of shares until trial and for a mandatory order for delivery of those shares to FPC after trial is also demanded. The complaint asks damages and costs together with correction of the stock book to show FPC as owner of the stock. The place of trial was designated as Toronto. No defense has been filed yet. Japan Imposes More Film Restrictions (Continued from page 1) emphasize "cultural and instructive" themes in keeping with war conditions, the dispatches said. Reports that the Japanese Government will allow American companies to release an average of five pictures a month were scouted by film officials in New York, as this would represent an increase over the 40 films a year now permitted to be brought in to Japan. Film trade with Japan has virtually ceased because of the "freezing" of currency by Japanese and American governments, it was stated by home office officials recently. Hardwicke to W anger Hollywood, Aug. 19. — Walter Wanger has borrowed Sir Cedric Hardwicke from RKO for a featured role in "Sundown." Ford Directing Army Unit's Musical Show Washington, Aug. 19. — History repeats itself. In the World War days the 29th Division did a musical show, "Snap It Up." The Division is about to start rehearsals on the original production's successor, "Snap It Up Again." Gene Ford, manager of Loew's Capitol here, is directing, by special permission of J. R. Vogel, Loew's theatre executive. The 29th is at nearby Fort George G. Meade. "Snap It Up Again" is planned for a September premiere and is expected to tour Richmond, Baltimore, Washington and other cities. 15 Witnesses in Crescent Defense (Continued from page 1) witnesses. On cross-examination, they said they had been instructed by their district managers to testify for Crescent. William F. Bugie, Paramount salesman of Dallas and former Memphis manager for Paramount, said that in early 1939 he told J. D. Henry he thought it not good business to sell him second-run product for Union City, Tenn., where Crescent's "A" house exhibited first-run Paramount pictures. Louis Rosenbaum of Florence, Ala., manager and partner in Muscle Shoals Theatres and a defendant in the suit, testified that film franchises were good arrangements for both exhibitors and distributors, and not designed to eliminate competition. He said that in 1936, when he was negotiating a film deal with Paul Wilson, 20th Century-Fox district manager in Atlanta, Wilson asked his help in making a deal with Tony Sudekum, Crescent president. This he did, Rosenbaum said. To the best of his recollection, Rosenbaum testified, no Crescent official "ever bought a picture for me." Shift Warner Wis. Circuit Managers Sheboygan, Wis., Aug. 19. — Shifting of Marlowe Conner from manager of the Sheboygan here to Warners' Capitol in Madison has resulted in changes in managers of Warner houses here. J. C. Ebersberger, former manager of the Rex, succeeds Conner at the Sheboygan and Leo Schuesler, manager of the Majestic for the last eight years, is manager of the Rex. M. J. Gorman, Jr., former assistant manager of the Sheboygan, is now manager of the Majestic, and Hay Rackow has become assistant manager of the Sheboygan. Ralph Schallow, former doorman at the Majestic, has become assistant manager at the Rex. Sack-H off berg Deal Sack Amusement Enterprises of Dallas and Atlanta has renewed its contract with Hoffberg Productions, Inc., for the latter to continue the distribution of Sack Negro productions in New York State and northern New Jersey. Sacramento Houses Seen Hit by Cal. Fair Sacramento, Aug. 19. — Sacramento theatres normally expect a 40 per cent drop in receipts during the California State Fair, but exhibitors are worried that the curtailment will be even more drastic for this year's exhibition, Aug. 29 to Sept. 7. Secretary Manager Kenneth R. Hammaker said the Fair broke all attendance records last year with four bands, and he has virtually doubled the array of talent for this season. The outdoor headliners for this year's show were announced by Hammaker as follows : Aug. 29, 30 and 31 — Harriet Hilliard and Ozzie Nelson's band ; Sept. 1 — Abbott and Costello and Gene Krupa's band; Sept. 2 — Sacramento Symphony orchestra and Susanna Foster ; Sept. 3 — Orson Welles and Ray Noble's band; Sept. 4 — Gene Autry and Charlie Barnet's band; Sept. 5 — Vera Vague and Charlie Barnet's band ; Sept. 6 — Kay Kyser ; Sept. 7 — Tony Martin and Dave Rose's orchestra. Hope for Preventing Mexico Strike Fades (Continued from page 1) tors declared that they could not possibly accept the demand of the union that all their working personnel be regarded as veteran employes, an acknowledgement that would allow workers of only a few months' service as many cash rights and privileges as the veterans, which, it was said by officials would greatly increase the American companies' expenses. Mayor Rojo Gomez, however, has induced both parties to resume the conversations tomorrow. High praise has been officially given the Americans for their willingness to do everything possible to settle the conflict. Blame for preventing a settlement has been placed on the union. See Paralysis Ban Averted in Ontario Toronto, Aug. 19. — While there are few indications of infantile paralysis in Ontario, the Provincial Department of Health is keeping an eye on the spread of the disease in other parts of the Dominion with a view to precautionary measures, following the decision of authorities in Manitoba and Alberta to impose a ban on juvenile attendance at public gatherings, including theatres. A temporary cool wave is believed to have brought a halt to an immediate crisis in Ontario. A situation developed in northern Ontario and officials prepared' to put on restrictions, but it was found that the disease outbreak had occurred at a camp occupied by holiday-seekers from Manitoba and these were immediately returned to their homes under quarantine requirements. Exhibitors in Ontario, which has one-third of all theatres in the Dominion, are hopeful that a local ban has been averted. Perkins Altec Supervisor C. S. Perkins has been appointed Altec Service district supervisor in the Boston area, it was announced yesterday by L. W. Conrow, president. Wednesday, August 20, 194] 4 — : — : — \ W. B. Circuit j Files Appeal On Clearance (Continued from page 1) nies. Named as interested parties arc-! the Skouras Astoria theatres, the; Island Theatres Circuit, Loew's Tsi* boro and Skouras' Astoria. Mfe The Detroit board's third coifiplaint was reported to American Ar-j bitration Ass'n headquarters here yes-i terday. It was filed by William M.Harris, operator of the Drayton Theatre, Drayton Plains, Mich. A clearance complaint, it names the five con-i senting companies and five Butterfield Circuit houses in Pontiac. Asserting | that the Drayton now is required toi play a minimum of 67 days after Pon II tiac first runs, the complaint asks that a maximum of seven days' clearance be allowed such houses over the Drayton. Arbitration headquarters also re-'i ported the dismissal by Horace F. Baker, arbitrator, of the clearance, complaint brought by Frank BiordiJ operator of the Majestic, Elwood City, Pa., at the Pittsburgh localboard. The complaint named Paramount, RKO, 20th Century-Fox andWarners, and the Manos Theatre, E1-' wood City. British Operators j Face New War Call (Continued front page 1) citing the importance of the work of the usherettes. Women projectionists will not be called, nor those in train1 ing. The CEA declared officially that any further encroachments on the theatre personnel will bring a crisis, and the CEA then probably will demand of the Government a statement of its attitude toward the film industry and its role in aiding the prosecution of the war effort. The CEA today decided to grant abonus of \2y2 per cent to all theatreemployes throughout the country. ~ Those earning less than £3 weekly (approximately $12) will receive a IS,: per cent bonus. Mass. Circuit Opens Greenfield Meeting j Greenfield, Mass., Aug. 19. — The I Western Massachusetts Theatres, Inc., \l convention got under way this afternoon with a luncheon at the Hotel Weldon, a sports program at the Greenfield Country Club in the after i noon and an informal discussion of industry problems after dinner. Further informal discussions will take place tomorrow morning and the main business session will be held | Thursday. Sunday Issue on Ballot Lewistown, Pa., Aug. 19. ■ — The Sunday films issue, previously voted down here, will be placed on the ballots this Fall in the primary elections here. It is expected that local exhibitors will unite in a campaign to put over the measure.