Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1943)

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Friday, January 8, 1943 Motion Picture daily 7 At Charities Federation Luncheon Barney Balaban, chairman of the luncheon, opens the speaking program with (left to right) Jack Benny, guest of honor; David Bernstein and Judge Joseph Proskauer on the dais. Worse Fuel Crisis Seen For Theatres (.Continued from page 1) part of the week, but the Government neither requires nor recommends any specific method. Much, it was said, will depend upon the weather locally. j^fcan official definition of "pleasure d "ylg," banned by an order issued ■"yesTerday, the OPA ruled that no basic ration may be used for driving for the purpose of attending places of amusement, such as theatres. It was warned that OPA inspectors, assisted by state and local law officers, have been ordered to check on the illegal presence of passenger cars at places of amusement. Loss of gasoline rations will be the penalty for violations. N. Y. Theatres Tell Patrons of Coal Heat Theatre circuits in the New York metropolitan area today started promotional campaigns to inform patrons that their houses are heated by coal. Possibilities of closing of houses due to fuel oil shortage is held slight, since about 80 per cent of the New York theatres are heated by coal, it was estimated. Loew's in its newspaper advertising, is advising patrons to turn down their furnaces at home and visit their theatres which are coal-heated. RKO inserted a line above its regular copy telling customers of coal heat. Skouras neighborhood theatres are expected to follow with a similar campaign. Downtown New York theatres are steam heated through a central plant and are not affected by fuel oil shortages. The Paramount theatre circuit in the East is entirely converted to coal heat, except theatres in Peekskill and Glens Falls, N. Y. The Warner circuit nationally is almost entirely converted, except for a few houses. In order to encourage continued patronage of theatres, the New York JournalAmerican today is printing an advertisement on its theatre page advising readers that theatres are warm, and that they are not threatened with lack of fuel. Post-War Europe Big Problem: Kane Hollywood, Jan. 7.— One of the greatest problems confronting film companies is a post-war distribution system in Europe, Robert T. Kane of 20th Century-Fox in Great Britain, said today upon arriving for studio conferences. Virtually every picture made here since September, 1939, will be material to show in Europe following a United Nations victory, he declared. Twentieth Century-Fox, for some months, has been discussing a plan for nost-war distribution of its product in France and other countries, he said. Price Change in Tulsa Tulsa, Okla., Jan. 7.— Talbot Theatres announced price changes at the first-run Orpheum and Ritz theatre1to do away with pennies and mills in change making as these coins become more and more scarce in this area. More N. E. Theatres Abandon Matinees Boston, Jan. 7. — Discontinuance of matinees in theatres throughout New England was accelerated this week in order to conserve available fuel supplies for evening and weekend performances as the prospects of improvement in the fuel situation grew steadily less. The fuel situation here was eased a bit, for essential users, at least, by the delivery of 30,000 gallons of a 1,000,000 gallon emergency allotment released to the city by Washington and due to be delivered in full by the end of the week. Theatres are not likely to benefit from the emergency ration as it is designed' primarily for home owners who are completely without fuel oil and who, otherwise, would have to be removed from their homes to emergency quarters provided by the city and state. The situation, grave as it is hereabouts, is regarded as even more serious in the Fall River area. Just how many theatres are affected by the fuel shortage in the area is uncertain. It is known that many, perhaps somewhere between 75 and 90 per cent of those in New England, either have converted from oil or are not dependent upon it for their heat. However, a shortage of anthracite also is in prospect here as a result of the "outlaw" strike of 12,000 miners in Pennsylvania, authorities state. 1,500,000 Tickets Given Servicemen New York exhibitors have given more than 1,500,000 free tickets to servicemen since August, 1941, Harry Brandt, chairman of the committee of theatre men cooperating with Mayor LaGuardia's Recreation Committee, reported yesterday. These free admissions are available for all first-run houses. For men in uniform who do not receive tickets from the mayor's committee, Broadway theatres have a standard admission fee of 28 cents. Several hundred thousand of these reduced-rate admission tickets have been sold, it was said. Operators Get Jobs Back at Dark House (Continued from page 1) shall represent them, as well as payment of full salary to the two projectionists from the time of their discharge to their reinstatement. While admittedly none of the orders of the board can be realized, the Empire union regards the decision as a "moral victory" and officials said it would be a precedent for future actions of this kind. Empire obtained a contract from the Square Thetare Corp., operator of the house, on Feb. 19, 1942. Nine days later, it was charged, the theatre signed with Local 306 and the Empire men were discharged. Empire reported that the Century Circuit had turned over about $6,000 for distribution to members working for the circuit, representing a five per cent increase approved by the War Labor Board. It was also reported that Empire had signed the Belmont and Century theatres in Manhattan and the Elton in Brooklyn. These houses previously had been under contract to Local 306, it was said. Loew's Audit Staff Ends Meeting Here The annual meeting of the Loew's field auditing staff, which has been in session throughout the week at the Hotel Astor, will be concluded today and the delegates will return to their branches tonight. Alan F. Cummings, manager of exchange operations, presided at the meeting. Methods of simplifying branch operations to meet the manpower problem resulting from the loss of 800 field men to the armed services and their partial replacement by new employes was the principal topic of discussion. Single Films on Sunday Milwaukee, Jan. 7— Although the Fox _ circuit changed its policy of opening new shows at its Wisconsin, Palace and Strand theatres from Sunday to Thursday, it is continuing its policy of single features on Sundays, it was stated. Weekend business is heaviest here, exhibitors report. 800 Film Men HonorBenny at Charities Fete (Continued from page 1) industries have been enrolled in the Federation. it also was learned after the luncheon that the Amusement Division will raise a greater amount for the Federation this year than in 1941. This estimate by one of the leaders of the drive was based on estimates of the contributions already received. Last year, the amusement division raised about $150,000. Barney Balaban, president of Paramount Pictures, was chairman of the luncheon committee. Louis Nizer was master of ceremonies, replacing George Jessel, who it was stated could not attend because of illness. Benny, who is one of the substantial contributors to the Federation, was the hit of of the afternoon as he regaled the assembled guests with anectodes and funny stories. Adolph Zukor, chairman of Paramount, who yesterday celebrated his 70th birthday, was among those on the dais. Others included Mrs. Barney Balaban, Malcolm Kingsburg, Harry Brandt, William Klein, Herman Robbins, former Judge Joseph Proskauer, David Bernstein, vicepresident and treasurer of Loew's, and co-chairman of the amusement division of the drive, Jules M. Brulatour and Carl M. Loeb, Jr. Judge Proskauer, speaking on behalf of the directors of the drive, called for increased gifts this year to mark the 25th anniversary of the New York Federation. Proskauer, Barney Balaban and David Bernstein, made brief speeches explaining the purpose of the Federation, which supports 116 institutions. Governors to Attend 'Children' Openings (Continued from page 1) Schricker of Indiana will attend the performance at the Circle Theatre, Indianapolis, Jan. 16. The Cincinnati premiere will feature a stage show sponsored by radio station WLW, on which Gregor Ziemer, author of the book on which the picture is based, will speak. The progran^ will include broadcasts from the premieres being held simultaneously at Keith's, Dayton, and the Palace, Columbus. Bonita Granville and H. B. Wa rner, featured in the picture, will take part in the Cincinnati program and will make appearances at the Rialto. Louisville, the following night ; the Circle, Indianapolis, the 16th, both of which programs will be broadcast by WLW. Other appearances will be made at the Palace, Columbus ; Keith's Dayton ; Paramount, Fort Wayne, and other theatres. Gives Sign for Scrap Philadelphia. Jan. 7. — BHrno^t Theatre, operated bv the Benn interests, has contributed its vertical sign to the scrap metal drive. The house defrayed all costs involved in the dismantling of the large sign.