Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1941)

6 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, September 24. 194 Columbia Gets $3,000,000 in New Financing (Continued from page 1) ings, and replaces short-term borrowings formerly utilized. The company's net profit of $552,743 for the fiscal year ended June 28, and reported earlier, includes $230,036 which is subject to currency restrictions in England and Australia, and $93,160 from operations in other foreign territories, the report states. However, $394,212 of gross income from Spain and Japan and $166,968 in expenses incident thereto are not included in the profit and loss statement. Assets of five subsidiaries operating in invaded countries and Japan and Spain have been written down to $1 each. Allocation of negative amortization is being continued by the company at 25 per cent to foreign revenue, the report states. "We are making every effort to increase the volume of our domestic business," Cohn says in his letter to stockholders. "Thus far in the new fiscal year the results have been encouraging and it is our belief, based on the heavy production program now actively under way and the increased purchasing power of the public that the total volume of sales for the new year, from this market, should be greatly improved in comparison with any previous year in the company's history." Reviews "Riders of the Timberline" {Sherman-Paramount — 1941 -'42 Release) THIS is a slam-bang Hopalong Cassidy film whose locale is the timber country, where a legitimately-operated logging camp trying to meet a contract is harassed by saboteurs, or as camp foreman Victor Jory describes them, "timber wolves." The film teems with action, the yarn is solid, though not altogether new, and with adequate performances and direction that places much emphasis on melodrama, it rates as satisfactory on all counts. Along with William Boyd as "Hoppie" are his two pals, Brad King and Andy Clyde; J. Farrell MacDonald, the camp owner; Eleanor Stewart, Anna J. Nilsson and a number of others. Harry Sherman produced and Leslie Selander directed. Running time, 59 minutes. "G."* Eugene Arneel See Mexico Getting Independent Films Clearance Dismissal Is Upheld on Appeal (Continued from page 1) missing clearance complaints against distributor defendants. The Westway Theatre, Baltimore, filed its complaint on Feb. 24 and the case was dismissed June 9 by Sefton Darr. arbitrator, following hearings at the Washington local board. The complaint sought a reduction of the 14 days' clearance of the Edgewood over the Westway. Darr found that "to allow a much smaller theatre, although modern and up-to-date in every respect (the Westway), to move into the area and not be subject to a clearance in favor of the larger and more modern theatre (the Edgewood), could and probably would produce bad results, not only for the theatre, but for the producers and distributors." Citing this conclusion, the appeals board, in acting upon the Westway's appeal, observed that "these findings are clear, comprehensive and, being amply supported by evidence, conclusive. The arbitrator's award is affirmed with costs." Prior appeals board decisions were in the Ken Theatre, Chicago, case, and the Frels, Dallas, case. Plainfield House Wins 9-Day Cut in Clearance A nine-day reduction of clearance was won by the Liberty Theatre, Plainfield, N. J., operated by Andora Amusement Corp., in a decision given at the local board here yesterday by James A. O'Gorman, Jr., arbitrator. The Andora sought a reduction of the 30-day clearance over the Liberty held by the Strand, Paramount and Oxford, in Plainfield, to 14 days "Stick to Your Guns" (Sherman-Paramount— 1941'42 Release) WHEN one of their former co-workers, now a ranch owner, sounds the distress call, all the old Bar-20 boys respond. Among them are Hopalong Cassidy and his two pals (William Boyd, Brad King and Andy Clyde). Boyd takes Clyde to join up with the rustlers while King rounds up the others for a direct attack on the hideout. There is plenty of shooting from that point. Boyd agrees to set up a smoke signal to lead King's men to the gang's headquarters but he is discovered and there is a bang-up gun battle to settle matters. Included are several tunes but they don't slow the action. It should please the Hopalong Cassidy fans. In the cast are Jacqueline Holt, Henry Hall, Joe Whitehead, Bob Card and a number of others. Harry Sherman produced with Lewis J. Rachmil as associate. Lesley Selander directed. Running time, 63 minutes. "G."* Edward Greif *"G" denotes general classification. Mexico City, Sept. 23. — .Mayo; Javier Rojo Gomez of Mexico City has announced that American independent companies have offered Mexican exhibitors a total of 2,080 features, and the exhibitors would acce "tr to keep their houses open in t; the American major companie1 servicing theatres on Oct. 2 The major distributors, invokflp n a strike called against them by the Mexican film workers union, already have advised Mexican theatre account;1 that service will cease on Oct. 2 if the strike is not settled satisfactorily b\ that date. Mayor Gomez has been at-! tempting to bring about a settlemen of the strike to prevent the closing o Mexican houses. The use of the independent produc would enable Mexican theatres to re main open indefinitely, the mayor said He plans an early meeting on th< emergency in the near future witl Mexican producers, with a view tc planning increased production and im proving the quality of Mexican prod uct. Stockholders j&ue to Halt RCA Settlemen Six RCA stockftoreers yesterda; filed an application in N. Y. Suprem Court to restrain the settlement of thj consolidated RCA stockholders' sui in a petition which described th $1,000,000 offer as "grossly made quate." The application asked th court to vacate a previous order whicl refers the entire question of the set tlement to Abraham J. Halprin a referee. NIB Votes to Break Away From NAB (Continued from page 1) NIB members to belong to the NAB. It was decided that a governingbody consisting of a representative for each state will meet before Nov. 15 to adopt a constitution and by-laws. Victor J. Waters of the U. S. Department of Justice explained the consent decree recently signed by Ascap and Broadcast Music, Inc., to the 200 delegates present at the concluding session of the two-day convention at the Palmer House here. John Paine, general manager of Ascap, explained what proposed Ascap contracts cover. after single feature bookings and seven days after double features. The arbitrator found the 30-day clearance "unreasonable" and reduced it to a uniform 21 days. The complaint named Paramount, RKO, 20th Century-Fox and Warners. Costs were divided among the parties. ■ St. Louis Clearance Hearing Set for Oct. 3 St. Louis, Sept. 23.— Hearing of the clearance complaint of Victor Thein, owner of the Palm, North St. Louis, has been set for Oct. 3 at the local board with J. Wesley McAfee, former circuit judge in St. Louis, as arbitrator. The complaint names Paramount and 20th Century-Fox. St. Louis Amusement Co., operator of the competing Aubert and Union, has intervened. RADIO'S MOST UNIQUE PERSONALITY NOW ON THE SCREEN! ED EAST Jovial comic and housewives' friend from coast to coast. ..with Polly in a novel quiz women* will go for ... in a big way! 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