Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1941)

Motion Picture Daily Friday, October 3. 1941 N.E. Allied Ratifies Joint Industry Plan (Continued from page 1) unanimously approved the proposal yesterday, without reservation. Both organizations voted the national officers and board a vote of confidence. Eleven regional units have ratified the local conference plan to date, with only one, Allied Theatre Owners of Conecticut, voting in opposition. Five units are still to be heard from. Yamins vigorously attacked the plan at Allied's recent national convention in Philadelphia. He called it "poison," and particularly assailed Section 3 of the proposed resolution, looking toward a permanent committee, on the ground that the independent exhibitors would be outvoted by the groups representing other branches of the industry. Yamins is a former president of national Allied and now a member of the national board and chairman of New England Allied'." executive committee. Eastern Pennsylvania Allied also has rejected Section 3, while approving the resolution otherwise. Several Reopening In Rochester Area Rochester, Oct. 2.— New activity in the theatre business marks the Fall season in the Rochester area. The Majestic has been temporarily reopened one night a week. Later the house will be redecorated and operated on a double film policy. The Embassy, according to plans, will be used from time to time for special films. In nearby Trumansburg, work has started on a new theatre to be operated by Cornell Theatres, Inc. The new house, to be known as the Cayuga, will seat 400. The Clifton Springs Theatre in Clifton Springs has been leased and reopened by Schine, according to C. C. Young, Schine district manager. Robert Emory, formerly of the Riverside in Buffalo, is the new manager. Alterations have been made. Plan First Runs at Boston Repertory Boston, Oct. 2. — A contract has been signed between the M. & P. Metropolitan Theatre and the Repertory Theatre, by which the Repertory will show first run features day and date with the Metropolitan. The Metropolitan will change policy, featuring stage shows as well as first run pictures. Xavier Cugat and his orchestra will inaugurate the new policy on Nov. 14. The Repertory for the past few years has been used as a legitimate house and as a fourth run film theatre. The last play was "Life with Father" which ran about six months. Start Louisiana Theatre New Orleans, Oct. 2. — Construction of a new 1,100-seat theatre in Gretna, La., to cost an estimated $75,000, and to be operated by Berenson Theatres, Inc., began yesterday. Completion is expected by Feb. 15, 1942. 'Heaven 'Opens in Capital Picture Praised by Clergy (Continued from page 1) Senate subcommittee investigating the film industry, and two secretaries of Sen. D. Worth Clark, subcommittee chairman, were reported to have been among those present. Among representatives of the industry were Harry M. Warner, Joseph Bernhard and S. Charles Einfeld, as well as Martha Scott and Elizabeth Fraser of the picture's cast, and Irving Rapper, its director. The audience also included a group of trade press and newspapermen from New York. Acceptances to the preview also came from the Rev. Noble C. Powell, Episcopal dean of Washington ; Bishop A. W. Leonard and numerous other church leaders as well as military officials. The picture will open its regular run at the Earle tomorrow. File Song Suit Pleas Cross applications to dismiss the complaint and the answer in the $50, 000 damage suit of B. G. de Sylva and Joseph Meyer against M. Witmark and Sons, music publishers, were filed yesterday in N. Y. Supreme Court. The action charges sale of rights to the song, "California, Here 1 Come," for the 20th Century-Fox film, "Rose of Washington Square," at an inadequate price. (Continued from page 1 j million persons will see this picture," he declared. "We should do everything we can for it." Seated in the audience were two members of the Nye-Clark subcommittee^— Sen. Ernest W. McFarland of Arizona and Sen. C. Wayland Brooks of Illinois. Dr. Poling reviewed for the audience the manner of the making of the picture, and after introducing Florence Eldridge, wife of Fredric March ; Martha Scott and Elizabeth Fraser, the latter two of the film's cast, and the widow of the Rev. William A. Spence, Methodist minister whose life story is depicted in the film, he brought to the stage a surprise celebrity — none other than Harry M. Warner, president of Warner Bros. Pictures ; and the audience of ministers, Government officials, and society and civic personalities heard Warner say: "I am glad we made this picture. These are perilous times and Christianity is fighting to survive. I know that Christianity will survive, because Christianity is faith and faith is good. "It makes no difference what your faith is because every faith is good." The New York group of Warner executives and newspapermen who came here for the premiere will return to New York tomorrow. Mexican Industry Now Employs 12,300 Mexico City, Oct. 2.— The importance of the film industry to Mexican economy is indicated by figures released on the business. The industry directly supports 12,300 workers with an average annual payroll of about $2,225,000. Gross receipts of the 1,009 active theatres in the country average. $13,300,000 a year. Of the th/ atre total, 67 are in the Federal District, which includes Mexico Citv. Short Subject Reviews "A Letter from Home" {United Artists) A propaganda subject from England which approaches the war's effects on Britons at home in a calm and wholly impressive fashion, this is distinguished by the expert direction of Carol Reed, who has made the film move slowly, tensely and realistically. Its main concern is with the manner of living to which English women have adjusted themselves, only commenting casually when a siren whines, a bomb is dropped and a building shattered. It is to be distributed by United Artists on a non-profit basis. Running time, 17 mins. Release, Oct. 3, 1941. "Old MacDonald Duck" (Disney Cartoon) (RKO) The Walt Disney cartoon makers have taken a simple situation like Farmer Donald Duck milking Clementine Cow and have given it a clever treatment that is certain to have audiences laughing. Running time, 8 mins. Release, Sept. 12, 1941. "Pampas Paddock" ( Sportscope) (RKO-Pathe) This is an assortment of horsebreeding and racing scenes taken in Argentina and Chile and should be of special interest to devotees of the sport, since both republics are known for their fine stock. Running time, 9 mins. Release, Sept. 5, 1941. "Half Shot at Sunrise" (All Star Comedies) (Columbia) Roscoe Karns, a prankster in this little comedy, finds much to laugh at in his antics but they and the reactions of his victims may not be considered too funny by the audience in the theatre. The film uses the oldline situations — pie throwing and the like — in its effort to draw laughs. Running time, 16 mins. Release, Sept. 4, 1941. "Community Sing, No. 2" (Columbia) Here the audience is asked to accompany Lew White at the organ and the "Song Spinners," unseen choral group, in a few tunes, such as "Amapola," which by this time have lost some of their value. Where audiences have reacted favorably to such fare in the past, this should be appropriate. Running time. 10 mins. Release, Sept. 5. 1941. "Buenos Aires Today" (Columbia Tour) (Columbia) This is the usual type of travelogue, touring the Argentine capital with stopovers at big buildings, the subway and such. Also, it takes time out to look at the city's means of solving traffic problems, and the cattle industry. Color would have enhanced the film, but as it stands rates as fair entertainment. Running time, 10 mins. Release, Sept. 26, 1941. Companies to Stop Service to Mexico (Continued from page 1) day notice of cessation of film service last month in compliance with contract provisions. The 30-day period will expire Sunday. Meanwhile, home office foreign departments have been advised by their Mexico City offices that negotiations for a settlement of the strike are progressing satisfactorily, with Mexican government officials participating. Arthur Pratchett, Central American manager for Paramount, was called to Mexico City from Havana a few days ago to attend the settlement negotiations. New Film Regulations In Mexico Effective Mexico City, Oct. 2. — New regulations governing supervision of the picture industry have gone into effect. They regulate the commercial exhibition of films throughout Mexico and make national Federal approval or disapproval. Grade letters are assigned to pictures — "a," those suitable for children, adolescents and adults ; "b," for adolescents and adults ; "c," adults only, and "d," adults only under special authorization of the Federal Film Supervision and Censoring Department. Exhibitors must abide strictly by these letter gradings in all screenings and are liable to fines of from $22.50 to $225 for violations. FP Canadian Deny Hanson Affiliation (Continued from page 1) from other Nathanson companies, in which he held executive posts. It was declared there are no negotiations being conducted with a view to the appointment of Hanson to the Famous Players circuit. Hanson had operated the subsidiary Ontario group of theatres for some years until his resignation last Spring as president of which had been known as Hanson Theatres Corp. WB Salesman Resigns Philadelphia, Oct. 2. — Harry F. Bachman, local Warner salesman in the Scranton, Pa., territory, resigned today to return to Washington where he will manage the Circle Theatre. The vacancy will be filled by Ben Bache. Named PRC Salesman Albany, Oct. 2. — Sam Milberg. formerly a Republic salesman and now operating the Ritz, Scotia, has been appointed salesman for Producers Releasing Corp. and will travel out of Albanv.