Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1942)

Alert, InteiHgei away to the^ Gjtion Picture Industry MOTION PICTURE DAILY First In (jL. 51. NO. 83 NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1942 TEN CENTS CEILING PUT OVER FILM MATERIALS Everything But Rentals, Admissions, Labor Under Control By BERTRAM F. LINZ Washington, April 28. — Everything that goes into the production of motion pictures except labor and everything used in theatres except pictures was tonight placed under a price ceiling by Price Administrator Leon Henderson. Previously issued price orders will continue to apply but all commodities not heretofore covered are to have as a maximum price the highest price at which they were sold by manufacturer, distributor and retailer in March. The order becomes effective May 11 as to manufacturers' and wholesalers' prices and one week later on retail prices. Not affected by the general over-all ceiling orders are those commodities (Continued on page 4) Univ. Will Hold Sales Meet Here June 2-5 Universal's annual sales convention will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel here from June 2 through June 5, William A. Scully, vice-president and general sales manager, announced yesterday. The company's entire field sales force of approximately 250 district and branch managers, salesmen, bookers and office managers will attend the convention, and also home office, studio and Canadian sales officials. Universal is the first major company to announce annual convention plans. 'Moontide' Opens At Rivoli Tonight With the familiar klieg lights absent because of dimout regulations, the premiere of "Moontide," 20th Century-Fox film starring Jean Gabin, will be held at the Rivoli on Broadway tonight. Civic and society figures will attend and more than 200 members of the Free French movement are expected. The opening is sponsored by the American Theatre Wing, as is a supper following at the "21" Club at which Gabin will be guest of honor. Jewish Appeal Is Called Part Of War Effort That the United Jewish Appeal campaign this year is a definite part of the war effort was stressed at a luncheon meeting of the Amusement Division yesterday at the Hotel Astor. David Bernstein and Barney Balaban, co-chairmen with Major Albert Warner, declared that reports on the progress in connection with the industry drive luncheon at the Hotel Astor May 12 are highly encouraging. Bernstein pointed out that the United Jewish Appeal is concerned with the ultimate survival of the Jews, and cited President Roosevelt's declaration that this is a war of survival. Present at the luncheon were : Arthur Israel, Jr., Leonard Goldenson, Harold Rodner, Max Blackman, Samuel Schneider, Jack Bloom, Joseph Lee, Dan Michalson, Irving H. Greenfield, Leopold Friedman, Toby Gruen, Hyman Rachmil, Samuel Rinzler, Louis Frisch, Edward Rugoff, Joseph Seidelman, David Levy, Max Seligman, Nat Lefkowitz, John Schubert, Louis Nizer, Miss I. H. Garretson, Sam Forrest and Leo Brecher. THEATRES HIT BY 'DIMOUT' ORDERS Sales Heads Will Set Cancellations Under Umpi's Plan General sales managers of consenting companies are determining individual policies on cancellation to be offered by their companies under the proposed new sales plan of the United Motion Picture Industry. Indications are that several may liberalize the plan's provisions by permitting cancellation from among the five films which will be tradeshown, it was learned yesterday. The plan provides that cancellation need apply only to the seven uncompleted pictures in each block of 12 sold. Several distribution companies, it was indicated, will adhere to this formula, while others may make cancellation applicable to as many as 10 pictures in each block. A meeting of the Umpi finance committee will be held at the Astor Hotel today with H. M. Richey, chairman, presiding. Proposals for an Umpi budget and financing plan will be prepared for submission to the Umpi committee of the whole for approval at its next meeting early next month. Present indications are that the budget may be less than the $75,000 originally estimated but the subscription plan of financing reported earlier may be retained. FCC Permits Flexible Minimum Hours Schedule in Broadcasting Washington, April 28. — The Federal Communications Commission, in a move to aid broadcasters to meet the emergency situation created by the shortage of materials and manpower, today announced relaxation of the operating schedule requirements. The new rules, in effect, will permit licensees to maintain such minimum schedules of hours as are best suited to the needs of the area served by the station. By amendment to the existing rules, the new operating requirements call for operation during two-thirds of the authorized hours between 6 A.M. and midnight. The FCC believes that this will be of material assistance to licensees and operating personnel, and that it will also serve to extend the life of equipment and reduce maintenance requirements. Although the equipment shortage has not yet become acute, a real shortage of engineers is believed faced by the industry in the near future. The FCC ruling applies only to standard broadcast stations and does not change existing FM or television broadcast regulations. E. Coast 15 Miles Inland Affected; Specific Rules Awaited All marquee and other lighting on theatres which shines at an angle higher than the horizontal will have to be extinguished for the duration, in New York, New Jersey and Delaware coastal areas, according to official interpretations given yesterday by spokesmen for the Army command in the Second Corps Area and the Office of Civilian Defense. This ruling applies to all thetres in the 15-mile area extending from the coast as designated by Major Gen. Irving Phillipson, commander of the Second Corps Area, and will, of course, include the entire Times Square sector. The same interpretation is expected to extend to the entire coastal area from Maine to Florida, now under Army jurisdiction. Both Army and OCD officials stated that the enforcement of regulations would be left to local authorities at present. The New York police, up to a late hour yesterday, had not issued any specific rulings. Theatres actually on the coast line, will, of course, have to extinguish all lights visible at sea but the ruling is also directed at theatres at inland points up to 15 miles from the coast to reduce the glow that causes ships to be silhouetted against the shore. Lights directly under the marquees will be permitted to remain because they are shaded by the marquee itself and do not shine above the horizontal angle, but those on top of the marquee or alongside the wall of the theatre will have to be extinguished. The Army and OCD spokesmen emphasized that there was no objection to (Continued on page 4) Para. Common on $1 Dividend Basis Paramount's common stock was placed on a regular $1 dividend basis by the company yesterday when the board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of 25 cents a share, payable July 1 to holders of record June 15. The board also declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.50 a share on the first preferred stock, payable July 1 to holders of record June 17.