Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1942)

6 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, February 25, 1942 U. S. Studies Allotment of Film Supply (Continued front page 1) merit of raw stock usage by the industry. Conservation orders also are expected to be issued for the curtailment of the use of steel, rubber, copper and other strategic materials. The industry's essential character in the war effort will be an important factor in any curtailment order, it was said, and assurances were given that studios would receive sufficient necessary materials to maintain the flow of films to exhibitors. It was explained that control of film industry needs, planned for several months as part of the program to reduce civilian consumption, has awaited the completion of studies under way in both Government and industry circles and just recently completed. The first draft of the official order, based on these studies, now is being written but it is expected several revisions will be necessary to deal with all problems before the formal order is given to the industry, it was indicated. Para. Theatre Total In 'Dimes' $200,000 (Continued from page 1) Interstate Circuit and Texas Consolidated Theatres, $8,876; Colorado and West Nebraska theatres, $6,398, and Augusta, Ga., theatres, $2,145, according to official announcement from headquarters. Nicholas M. Schenck, chairman of the industry committee, in this announcement stated that 50 per cent of the amount collected will go directly to national headquarters of the drive and 50 per cent will be turned over to the local community committees. NY Discrimination Bills Are Opposed Albany, Feb. 24. — The legislation committee of the Citizens Union, New York City reform group, has gone on record as opposed to two of Assemblyman William T. Andrews' bills concerning discrimination by businesses affected with a public interest. While approving in principle the intent of the legislation, the Citizens Union says the extension to "businesses affected with a public interest" is "too vague to have definite meaning and would lead to extensive litigation." Furthermore, it recommended that punishments by imprisonment be eliminated. The committee gave "strong approval" to the PhelpsEmma bill, strongly opposed by small exhibitors, to extend unemployment insurance benefits to employers of one or more persons instead of the present provisions which include these benefits for employers of four or more employes. John F. Cook Dies Indianapolis, Feb. 24. — John F. Cook, auditor and general manager of the Circle Theatre Co. here, died at his home last night following a heart attack. He was 67 years old. F & M Bond Drive Brings in $532,101 St. Louis, Feb. 24.— The defense bond drive in connection with the ceuemony at the re-naming of the Mikado Theatre here to the Victory Theatre netted $532,101, it is reported by Fanchon & Marco, which operates the house for the St. Louis Amusement Co. The drive extended for three weeks. Employes of the circuit conducted the drive, which culminated in the theatre ceremonies. Fox Is Named Aide To Nathan, Head of WPB Planning Unit (Continued from page 1) looked upon by observers as a tribute to the film industry with which Fox has been closely associated most of his life, with what is termed as unique and uncommon success. That Fox had gone to Washington to help the Government was revealed only last night through an announcement by Universal that he has been granted a leave of absence for the duration of the war. He began his duties about a week ago. Born in Racine, Wis., Feb. 4, 1911, Fox entered the motion picture business first in 1926 as a booker for Tiffany-Stahl, in Milwaukee. Later he became a theatre manager and for a time served as publicity man and assistant manager of the Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee. Was With Skouras He joined the Skouras Theatres staff in 1932, becoming manager of the Rivoli Theatre, Hempstead, L. I. In 1934 he was appointed' manager of the Academy of Music in New York by George Skouras. He became film buyer and assistant to Skouras in 1936, and in 1938, when Blumberg was named president of Universal, Fox joined that firm. Minn. Amusement Raises Price Scale Minneapolis, Feb. 24. — Minnesota Amusement Co., has announced price increases, "leveling off" admission prices at even figures, for 30 theatres in 11 cities in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. In one other instance, an admission price was reduced from 45 to 40 cents. Changes become effective this and next week. South Dakota theatres of the company were not affected. The change followed a similar move in 14 Minneapolis theatres of the company, after which, with f£w exceptions, Minneapolis independents increased prices to conform. 3 New Producers Are Signed by PRC Three new producers have been signed by Producers Releasing Corp., and their product will be included in the current season's list, Leon Fromfless, vice-president, declared on his return from the Coast. The producers are Atlantis Pictures, headed by P. R. Van Duinen ; Lester Cutler, and Dixon I Harwin. 3 Complaints Filed 2 Are Dismissed, One Appeal Taken Three new arbitration complaints, decisions dismissing two other complaints and one appeal were reported to American Arbitration Association headquarters here by local boards over the holiday weekend. The complaints dismissed were those of Joseph Shulman, operator of the Plaza Theatre, Windsor, Conn., and Julius D. London, operator of the Booth Theatre, Detroit. George P. Murdock, arbitrator in the Shulman case at the New Haven board, dismissed the clearance complaint against the consenting companies and the Windsor Theatre after holding that counsel for distributors "obstructed and delayed the presentation of evidence by the complainant during a portion of the proceedings and thereby made it necessary for the arbitrator to protect the complainant by allowing him somewhat greater latitude in admission of evidence than might otherwise have been justified." Costs were apportioned half to the complainant and half to the distributors. First Detroit Complaint The London case at Detroit was filed more than a year ago having been the first complaint received at the local board there. It was a clearance complaint and named Warners and Paramount. Costs were apportioned equally among the parties by the Jerome D. Thomas, arbitrator. The new complaints are as follows : Lyle Carisch and Raymond Lee of the Wayzata Theatre Co., Wayzata, Minn., charged in a clearance complaint at the Minneapolis board that the 56 days' clearance granted by Loew's to Minneapolis first runs over Wayzata and Excelsior, Minn., is unreasonable and ask that it be reduced. Springfield, Mass., Case At the Boston board, the Camelot Theatre Corp., Springfield, Mass., filed a some run complaint against Paramount, alleging that it was unable to obtain a run from that company for its Art Theatre, Springfield. The Olga Theatre Corp., operating the Rialto, Hannibal, Mo., filed a clearance complaint at the St. Louis board charging that Paramount, 20th Century-Fox and Warners have not set definite clearance for the Orpheum and Star, Hannibal, with the result that the Rialto cannot obtain availability dates and is forced to wait unreasonably long periods for pictures. At the Kansas City board, Fox Kansas City Corp. filed an appeal to the national appeals board from the recent award of W. H. Cloud, arbitrator, reducing the clearance of Kansas City first runs over the Dickinson Theatre, Mission, Kan., from 56 to 28 days. Warner Manager Dies Philadelphia, Feb. 24. — Harry Torrante, 35, manager of Warner's Boyd Theatre here, died today at Mount Sinai Hospital following an appendix operation. He had been with the Warner circuit a number of years. His widow and two children survive. W. F. Rodgers Seen Joining Whitney Unit (Continued from page 1) been asked to consider a post with the Whitney division of the Rockefeller office as advisor on distributio matters, particularly with relation problems and methods of distributing the South American films which the Rockefeller office intends to market in this country, as part of the goodwill program with the Latin-Americas. Rodgers, it is said, conferred on this proposal several weeks ago, coming up from Florida to meet Whitney in Washington. A formal announcement of the Rodgers' appointment, in the event that he accepts the Rockefeller suggestion, is expected to follow. It is understood that Rodgers will serve without pay, and that the work which he will undertake for the Rockefeller division will not impinge upon his duties at Loew's. FPC Victory Loan Total Over Million Toronto, Feb. 24. — Gross receipts of all Famous Players Canadian theatres in Canada for the six days ending Feb. 21, plus an addition from the home office, were devoted to the purchase of Victory Bonds as a feature of the current Government loan campaign and it is believed that, when final returns are compiled, the circuit's investment will exceed $1,000,000. Last year the company made a single purchase of bonds totaling $1,000,000. The total receipts of 35 theatres in the Allen circuit, the 25 houses in Greater Toronto of the B. & F. group and the theatres in Ontario owned and operated by 20th Century Theatres were also devoted to bond purchases as the circuits' share of support for Government loan financing. The theatres also cooperated with screen announcements, lobby displays and advertisements. National Theatres Concludes Meeting Hollywood, Feb. 24. — The annual meeting of executives of National Theatres was concluded here yesterday, with plans and policies formulated for the operation of theatres under war conditions. It is understood also that consideration was given to the replacement of drafted theatre employes with women, and the possibility of increasing admission prices. 'DeMille Week' on Coast March 15-21 (Continued from page 1) with Judge Harlan G. Palmer, chairman of the General Citizens Committee, in charge. Bob Hope will act as master of ceremonies. DeMille has accepted an invitation to present the Academy Award for the best film direction of 1941 to the winner at the annual dinner of the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Thursday.