Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1941)

r MOTION PICTURE DAILY 50. NO. 67 NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1941 TEN CENTS N.E. Allied Ratifies Joint Industry Plan Action Was Unexpected; Ohio Group Approves Allied's New England affiliate, Independent Exhibitors, Inc., meeting in Boston yesterday, unanimously approved Allied States' plan for an industry joint conference committee, rejecting, however, the proposal that the committee study the possibiilty of making its setup " more elaborate and enduring." This action, while approving the original proposal with a reservation, was unexpected in industry circles. It had been believed probable that since Nathan Yamins, chief opponent of the plan, is a leader in the New England unit, the meeting would reject the "unity" plan. Independent Theatres Owners of )hio, a leading Allied affiliate, also (.Continued on page 4) Ernst Warns FCC on Link of Press, Radio Washington, Oct. 2. — Morris L. Frnst. counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, today warned the ,FCC that newspaper-owned radio stations were a threat to freedom of speech, possibly leading to Government ownership. Appearing before the commission in his own behalf, Ernst was the sole ' witness as the commission reamed 'hearings on its inquiry into newspaper ownership of radio stations. Ernst told the committee that while he feared the dangers of newspaper con (Continued on paqe 8) Chicago Operators Get 5% Wage Rise \ Chicago, Oct. 2.— An over-all increase of 5 per cent was granted Chicago operators today following long negotiations on a union contract with circuits and independents. The increase is over the former liase rate of $2.10 to $3.09 per hour. It was a counter offer of Allied of I llinois, Balaban & Katz, Warners and the Schoenstadt circuit to the union's ■ riginal demand for a 10 per cent increase. The new contract will be for one year, retroactive to Sept. 1. 4 Yank In RAF' Leads With $78,500 Week; 'Dawn' Big at Para. Grosses on Broadway ranged from poor to "terrific" this week as the fair weather continued and the World Series stirred up tremendous excitement among New Yorkers. "A Yank in the R. A. F.," at the Roxy, led the Broadway parade. W ith a stage show including the Nicholas Brothers, the 20th Century-Fox film finished its first week last night with a smash gross estimated at $78,500. Similarly unaffected by the YankeeDodger fray at the Yankee Stadium was the Paramount which for Wednesday reported its third biggest opening day on record with "Hold Back the Dawn" and Xavier Cugat's orchestra on the stage. The first day's gross was estimated at S9,900. "Lydia" at the Radio City Music Hall, with the stage presentation continued strong through its second week, drawing an estimated $8 1,500. (Continued on page 5) FP Canadian Deny Hanson Affiliation Toronto, Oct. 2. — Denial was made today by Famous Players Canadian Corp. that Oscar Hanson would become identified with the company. The denial followed the announcement of Hanson's resignation as director of theatre operations for the N. L. Nathanson Odeon Circuit and withdrawal {Continued on page 4) MPTOA Meet With Wobber Is Delayed The scheduled meeting yesterday of the MPTOA sales policy committee with Herman Wobber, 20th CenturyFox general manager of distribution, was postponed to an indefinite date when Wobber was called to the Coast unexpectedly. No arrangements for other meetings have been completed by the committee, which is charged with discussing exhibitor complaints against new season sales policies with distribution executives. Majors Plan to Stop Mexico Service This Week If Peace Fails Film service to Mexican theatres will be halted this weekend by the three major distributors still operating there in the event that a settlement of the Mexican film workers' strike has not been reached by Sunday, it was stated here yesterday. The action would shut off all major company product from Mexican theatres. The three companies still unaffected by the strike are Universal, United Artists and 20th Century-Fox. The other five major distributors have been closed by the strike action. All distributors gave their accounts 30 (Continucd on page 4) 'Heaven 'Opens in Capital Picture Praised by Clergy By GERALD GROSS Washington, Oct. 2. — The most distinguished gathering for a motion picture this capital has witnessed in years attended the premiere at Warners' Earle Theatre tonight of "One Foot in Heaven." Thirteenth Street was choked with spectators straining for a peek at the celebrities. In the audience were Supreme Court Justices Murphy and Black, Attorney General Francis Biddie, Secretary of Agriculture Wickard, more than two score of Senators and numerous Congressmen, John D. Hertz, Edwin L. Weisl and Mrs. Helen Hertz Levy. Sen. Ernest W. McFaiiand and C. Wayland Brooks, members of the (Continued on page 4) By SAM SHAIN Washington, Oct. 2. — A first night audience in the nation's capital at the premiere of "One Foot in Heaven" at the Earle Theatre tonight heard Dr. Daniel A. Poling, editor of the Christian Herald and president of the international Christian Endeavor movement, who has just returned from London, declare that the making and showing of this picture marked a great day for Christianity. "It is a day which has been sought," he said. The picture, which he described as "an immortal epic," is indirect propaganda, he said, "for life and living with father and mother." "I hope that at least half a hundred (.Continued on page 4) Senate Probe Hearing May Be Postponed Tobey to Be Absent from Capital Next Week Washington, Oct. 2. — Possibilities that hearings of the Senate propaganda probe, scheduled for next Monday, may be postponed, were raised today when it became known that Senator Charles W. Tobey of New Hampshire would not be in Washington next week. Chairman D. Worth Clark of Idaho also is currently out of the city but is expected to return before the beginning of the week after a speech in Fort Wayne tomorrow night. It was made known definitely that Charles Chaplin, scheduled as a witness for next Monday, will not testify at that time and the committee has informed him that his appearance will be deferred. There was some doubt as to when Will Hays will be heard and the question of the examination of William Wilkerson also remains to be settled. No definite information of plans for Monday could be obtained from the committee, but it is probable that hearings will be postponed until Senator Tobey can be present. Johnston Reelected Monogram President Hollywood, Oct. 2. — The Monogram board of directors at its annual meeting here today reelected W. Ray Johnston president, elected other officers and announced that sales this year to date are $400,000 more than last year for the same period. Johnston announced that a loan for a substantial amount, which he did not disclose, was arranged with the Guaranty Trust Co. of New York. Officers named in addition to Johnston are : Trem Carr, executive director in charge of production ; Samuel Broidy, vice-president in charge of sales ; Herman Rifkin, vice-president ; Norton V. Ritchey, vice-president in charge of foreign sales ; J. P. Friedhoff, secretary and treasurer ; E. R. Mulchrone, and N. Witting, assistant secretaries, and C. Boyle, assistant treasurer. The new board is made up of Johnston, Carry, Broidy, Rifkin, John W. Mangham, Howard Stubbins, William Hurlbut, Charles Trampe and Alton A. Brody.