Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1941)

Alert, to the fykuion Picture Industry MOTION PICTURE DAILY ' ]_ 50. NO. 62 NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 26, 1941 TEN CENTS Report Drive In Committee To Stop Probe Say Members Seeking to Quit Gracefully By SAM SHAIX Washington, Sept. 25. — It was reported in some circles here tonight that there is a split among the subcommittee investigating alleged film propaganda and that at least two of the five members are grumbling over the fact that they have been made to "carry the torch" for others. Darryl Zanuck will testify tomorrow morning and he is expected to occupy the witness stand only briefly. He will be followed by Barney Balaban, president of Paramount, who arrived here tonight, it was stated. Chairman D. W orth Clark of the subcommittee indicated today that (Continued on page 4) Three Col. Meets Set for Next Month Columbia will hold three regional sales meetings for branch managers and salesmen next month, the first to be held in Chicago, Oct. 3, 4 and 5. The meetings will mark the second sales convention conducted by Columbia for the new season, a convention of the company's division managers and home office sales executives having been held last May. In addition to Chicago, regional meetings are scheduled for New York, Oct. 10, 11 and 12, and for San Francisco, Oct. 24 and 25. Abe Montague, general sales manager, will preside at the three nieet(Continiied on page 8) Carnival for 'RAF' At Roxy Tonight With high-ranking officers of the Army and Navy, State and City officials, diplomats and a sizable section of the New York Social Register scheduled to attend, the premiere of the 20th Century-Fox film, "A Yankin the R.A.F." at the Roxy Theatre tonight, with its attendant ball and carnival, promises to be a big night on Broadway. The proceeds of the $10 reserved seat mezzanine performance of the (Continued on page 8) Warner Reveals Nye Endorsed 'Nazi Spy* Washington, Sept. 25. — Sen. Gerald Nye endorsed "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" after viewing it at a private showing in Washington on May 11, 1939, Harry M. Warner revealed at the Senate subcommittee hearing here today. Warner read a copy of a telegram at the hearing which reported Nye as having told a Warner advertising representative following the hearing that "I hope there may be more pictures of a kind dealing with propaganda emanating from all foreign lands. Anyone who truly appreciates the one great democracy upon this earth will appreciate this picture and feel a new allegiance to the democratic cause." "On this," Warner said, "I agree with Sen. Nye." WARNER DEFENDS PICTURE POLICY IA Studio Locals Present Demands For New Contracts Studio electricians, wardrobe workers and makeup artists met individually with Pat Casey, producers' labor representative, yesterday to present wage, hour and working conditions demands, as the IATSE studio locals continued their independent bargaining. Casey and studio labor representatives will meet today with property men and grips, in separate sessions, (Continued on page 8) Denies 'War Monger' Charges in Testimony At Inquiry; Says Films Are Accurate And Warners Will Not Alter Stand Washington, Sept. 25. — Vigorously denying the "reckless and unfounded charges" against the industry, his company and himself made by Senators Gerald P. Nye and Bennett C. Clark and other witnesses before the Senate subcommittee investigating alleged film propaganda, Harry M. Warner, president of Warner Bros., in a statement to the subcommittee today asserted that he is in accord with President Roosevelt's policies and pleaded guilty to being personally opposed to Nazism and of aiding the national defense effort. Accompanying his statement were case histories of four Warner productions which have been mentioned at the hearings as pro-war "propaganda"— "Sergeant York," "Confessions of a Nazi Spy," "Underground" and "International Squadron." Warner disavowed through the histories of the productions that they were anything but factual accounts of actual happenings or the product of a consistent company production policy of dramatizing topical events, which has been followed for many years. "After measuring my words and speaking with full sincerity," Warner said at the outset, "I want the record to show immediately that I deny, with all the strength I have, these reckless and unfounded charges. "At various points in the charges, Warner Bros, and I have been men (Continued on page 6) 50,000 Free Admissions to Soldiers Here The Defense Recreation Committee of New York City plans to double the distribution of free tickets to members of the armed forces in this area on Monday, stepping up the present rate of 20 to 25 thousand to 50,000 weekly, a committee spokesman said yesterday. Of the 50,000, approximately 15,000 will come from circuit and independent film houses, 3,000 from legitimate stage theatres, 10,000 from promoters of sports events and 15,000 from radio stations. In addition, arrangements (Continued on page 8) Weitman Urges Showmen To Use 'Insuremanship It is the job of the showman to sell his audiences on the show before they reach the theatre. Robert M. W eitman, managing director of the Paramount on Broadway, told about 200 members and guests at Ampa's first luncheon meeting of the season at the Hotel Edison yesterday. Weitman was guest of honor. "Barnum realized the value of the advance buildup," Weitman asserted. "The circus parade through the town prepared the audiences for the big show to come. Really, it's a kind of 'pre-conditioning.' In this business, (Continued on page 8) Dembow Honored At NSS Testimonial George Dembow, general sales manager of National Screen Service, was guest of honor last night at a surprise testimonial dinner at Toots Shor's Restaurant, given by the company's home office executives. Herman Robbins and Toby Gruen, president and vice-president, respectively, of the company, paid tribute to Dembow. He was presented a chest of sterling silver. Two Allied Groups Back 'Unity' Plan New Jersey Allied's directors, on behalf of the membership, has voted approval of national Allied's proposal for a joint industry committee to explore the possibilities of a permanent all-industry organization, the unit announced yesterday. Illinois Allied (Continued on page 8) Turn Clocks Back In returning to Standard Time at 2 A.M. Sunday, clocks will be pushed back one hour, thus retrieving the hour lost when Daylight Saving Time became effective for the Summer on the last Sunday in April.