Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1941)

2 Motion Picture Daily Monday, October 13, 19 Selznick Arrives To Close UA Deal David O. Selznick confirmed the fact that his partnership production deal with United Artists has not been "completely closed," when he arrived here Friday from the Coast. The producer stated that the deal is in good order and that several phases of it already are closed, but that some papers remain to be signed. He said no complications have arisen and that final closing of the deal is expected during his two-week stay in New York. A decision on a new president for the company also is expected during that time. Selznick said that no formal board meetings of United Artists owners have been scheduled during his stay here and that his meetings with Mary Pickford, Alexander Korda, Edward C. Raftery and other United Artists officials will be of an "informal ' nature. Miss Pickford was scheduled to return here yesterday from a brief visit to the Coast. With Selznick on his arrival here were Laudy Lawrence, Selznick's newly appointed special representative, and Val Lewton, his story editor. Canadian Circuit's Managers Convene Toronto, Oct. 12. — Twentieth Century Theatres, new affiliate of Famous Players Canadian Corp., held its first annual convention of managers here over the weekend under the direction of N. A. Taylor, general manager ; Raoul Auerbach, executive assistant, and Lloyd M. Mills, general supervisor. The agenda included an outline and discussion on plans and policy of the circuit, with a get-together of the managers, many of whom were new to the organization. Albany Variety Club Holds Meeting Today Albany, Oct. 12. — Formation of the new local Variety Club is the order of business at tomorrow's gettogether in the Hotel Ten Eyck. The Ten Eyck is slated to be the headquarters of Tent No. 9, which recently got back its old charter from national headquarters in Pittsburgh. M. A. Silver, New York state zone manager of the Warner Circuit, will preside at tomorrow's gathering. Tunberg to 20th-Fox Hollywood, Oct. 12. — William Tunberg, formerly assistant in the 20th Century-Fox story department, has been appointed assistant to William Dozier, head of Paramount's story and writing departments. MITCHELL MAY, Jr. CO., INC. INSURANCE Specializing in requirements of the M otion Picture Industry 75 Maiden Lane, New York 510 W. 6th St. Los Angeles Personal Mention D R A. H. GIANNINI is in town from the Coast. James C. Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians, left for Chicago over the weekend by United Airlines. • Vic Carlson of the 20th CenturyFox branch in Chicago has been given an honorable discharge from the Army. • Joseph Bern hard and Harry Goldberg leave for Chicago tonight. JOHN JOSEPH, Universal advertising and publicity director, will leave for the Coast tomorrow following a home office visit of several weeks. • F. L. Harley, 20th Century-Fox managing director in England, is expected here in December. • Frank Woodruff, RKO director, was expected over the weekend from the Coast. • Edward L. Klein, executive of NuArt Films, was operated on Friday at Post Graduate Hospital. WB, RKO Ask Cut in N. Y. Tax Assessment Warner Bros. Pictures and subsidiaries, Stanley-Mark-Strand Corp. and Intrastate Theatre Corp., have filed five petitions in N. Y. Supreme Court against the New York City Tax Commission for the reduction of 1941 -'42 assessments. The petitioners asked that an assessment of $3,420,000 on the Strand Theatre be scaled down to $2,128,000; $1,125,000 against the Hollywood Theatre to $525,000; $1,210,000 on the exchange at 315 W. 44th St., to $885,000 ; $175,000 on the home office building, 309 W. 44th Street, to $150,000; and an assessment on a warehouse at 617 W. 54th St. of $976,000 be cut to $641,000. RKO Radio Pictures also filed a petition asking that the assessed valuation of $415,000 placed on the Pathe Building at 35 W. 45th Street be reduced to $250,000. RKO Closes 9 New Season Film Deals RKO has closed nine additional deals on new season product, Ned E. Depinet, distribution head, has announced. The deals have been set with : Florida State Theatres, 102 theatres ; Kincey Theatres, 86 houses ; Jefferson Amusement Co., and East Texas Theatres, 76 houses ; Lucas & Jenkins, 53 houses ; Everett Enterprises, 24 houses ; J. Real Neth Theatres, six houses ; Lam Amusement Co., 13 houses ; United Amusement Corp., Canada, 25 houses; Confederation Amusements, Ltd., Canada, seven houses. McGrann Leaves Col. Exploitation Post Frank McGrann, Columbia exploitation manager for the past seven years, has resigned to become vicepresident of Modern Merchandising Bureau, for which he will handle motion picture tieups. Frank P. Rosenberg, assistant exploitation manager, has been named acting head of the department. Edington Reported Seeking Settlement Hollywood, Oct. 12. — It is reported that Harry Fdington, former RKO production chieftain, has asked to be relieved of his duties and a settlement of his contract. Edington has been engaged in special RKO production activity under Joseph I. Breen and Sol Lesser. M-G-M Launches New War Department Film Hollywood, Oct. 12. — Darryl F. Zanuck, chairman of the research council of the Academy of M. P. Arts & Sciences, today announced the start of another War Department training film, known as "Operation of a Reconnaissance Patrol at Night." The film, to be made by M-G-M, presents peculiar technical problems in that it must appear as having been photographed after dark and the faces of all principals must be darkened in accordance with usual military procedure to reduce possibilities of detection by the enemy. Reed Testimonial Set in New Haven New Haven, Oct. 12. — Joseph F. Reed, Connecticut exhibitor who was showing film in this city as far back as 1911, will be guest of honor at a 30th anniversary testimonial luncheon Tuesday at Ceriani's Restaurant. Dr. J. B. Fishman, Samuel Seletsky and Daniel Pouzzner are in charge of reservations for the event, which is sponsored by Allied Theatre Owners of Connecticut, of which Reed is chairman of the executive board. Harry F. Shaw, Loew-Poli division manager, will be master of ceremonies. W.B. Plan Premiere Of 'Target' Shortly Warners plan a world premiere of "Target for Tonight" at a first run house on Broadway within the next two weeks, officials of the company stated on Friday. The film was produced by a Crown film unit of the British Government, and is one of the first factual feature pictures of the RAF in action. Ask Only Exhibitors To' Valley9 Tradeshow Exhibitors are requested not to bring their friends to the trade screening of "How Green Was My Valley" at the 20th Century-Fox projection room at the New York exchange, Oct. 20, at 2 P. M. Limited accommodations in the projection room is the reason for the request. Open Krasna Play Nov. 4 The new play by Norman Krasna, "Fire Escape," produced by Frank Ross, will open at the Belasco Theatre here on Nov. 4. Obituaries Reno Exhibitor Killed Reno, Oct. 12.— J. Fred Miller,! manager of the Wigman Theatre, dj as a result of an automobile-truck d lision near Redwood City, Cal. q mother-in-law, Mrs. H. R. Hancj 67, of Santa Cruz, Calif., also \| killed, and his wife, Mildred, 43, injured. Iowa Exhibitor Dies fcvjj Iowa City, la., Oct. 12. — Chart V. Brown, owner of the Strand THj atre here, died late last week in Mel Hospital of a cerebral hemorrhag Brown was a veteran of theatre open tion in the state. Helen Morgan Rites Held Chicago, Oct. 12. — Funeral servia for Helen Morgan, former screen stl and theatrical entertainer, who dil here Wednesday, were held yesterdJ in a La Grange, III, chapel with bu| ial following in that town. Norman V. Norman Dies Norman V. Norman, 67, one Loudon's best known actor manage and former European manager the Shuberts, died in London on day, according to word reaching 1 Second Blackout in Ottawa October Ottawa, Oct. 12. — Ottawa's secol blackout is scheduled for Oct. 26. 11 first, which took place early in t| Summer, was only over a part of capital, while the forthcoming ol in addition to taking in outside lages, will include the entire city. Fourteen theatres are in the are and managers are instructing th( staffs in air raid precautions. T tentative time for the start of I blackout is 10:30 P.M. and it is i expected that theatre attendance \i be affected, owing to the lateness the blackout. May Resume Stage Shou Chicago, Oct. 12. — The Orient large Loop house, may return to sta shows about Oct. 31, Harold Costel executive of the company operatii the theatre, said here. If the poli is changed, Charles Hogan of Wa ners mav book the house. MOTION PICTURE (Registered U. S. Patent Office) Published daily except Saturday, Sunday a holidays by Quigley Publishing Compai Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Cent New York City. Telephone Circle 7-31 Cable address, "Quigpubco, New York." M tin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publish Colvin Brown, Vice-President and Gene Manager; Watterson R. Rothacker, Vi President; Sam Shain, Editor; Alfred Finestone, Managing Editor; James Cron, Advertising Manager; Chicago Burei 624 South Michigan Avenue, C. B. O'Ne: Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Postal Uni Life Building, William R. Weaver, Edit<. London Bureau, 4 Golden Square, Lond Wl, Hope Williams, Manager, cable addri "Quigpubco, London." 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