Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1943)

MO M p. PRODUCERS & _1STRIBUT0R5 OF AM 23 WEST 44TH ST . , NEW YORK, N. Y. DO N (J RE <2X (3 COPIE Rb-ivt W v Alert, InteUigen ana y to the^ jtion Picture Industry 54. NO. 39 NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1943 TEN CENTS ^5,714,392 W.B. Net for Nine Months Zarns $1.46 on Common, $57.49 on Preferred Net profit of $5,714,392 was rented yesterday by Warner Brothrs for the nine months ended May 29, 1043, after deducting all charges inuding amortization and depreciation id provision for Federal income and ecess profits taxes. This compares jfith a net of $5,371,875 for the corisponding 1942 period. During the nine months a provision $4,500,000 was made for net losses l fixed assets sold subsequent to May ', 1943. No provision for contingenes was required in respect of foreign isets during the nine months ended iay 29, 1943, whereas during the cor:sponding period last year a provi';on was made in the amount of $1, ;5,ooo. Provision for Federal income taxes {Continued on page 7) Sew York Theatres Ready for Bonds ( Film theatres of the New York etropolitan exchange area yesterday id cleared their decks to "back the Jctack" in the Third War Loan Drive fhich. starts Sept. 9. Various local committees of WAC =ive met with representatives of the . S. War Finance Committee and ans have been set for action camiigns in Greater New York, Westlester and New Jersey. All employees of the 1,200 theatres (Continued on page 7) Coast Flashes Hollywood, Aug. 24 PHE Screen Publicists Guild speA cial contract committee meets toght to review operation of its conact with producers for the past two iiars and prepare a report to the smbership on any recommended anges to be sought through negoition. • jSaril Goldwyn has announced that leresa Wright and Dana Andrews (Continued on page 7) Screen Broadcast Asks Dismissal of FTC Ad Film Order A petition for review and dismissal of the Federal Trade Commission order directing Screen Broadcast Corp. and Albert Fair, president, among eight respondents, to desist from acts alleged to restrain trade in the making, booking and distribution of advertising films for theatres was filed in the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals here yesterday by Screen Broadcast. The petition, filed by Willard S. McKay, counsel, contends that the FTC order of June 25 was based upon stipulations entered into by all respondents with the exception of Screen Broadcast at a hearing in Kansas City a year ago. It contends that it is not bound by the order because it was not a party to the stipulations. The petition enters sweeping denials of the FTC's report and findings, contending that no proof was adduced at the hear (Continued on page 7) Demand Protection Vs. Power Failure Murfreesboro, Tenn., Aug. 24. — Theatres and other electric power users here, in Lebanon, and in other towns in mid-Tennessee, are demanding of Tennessee Valley Authority that additional power feeder lines be afforded this section following two complete power failures on successive Saturday nights when theatres are at capacity. Patronage of soldiers now on man (Continucd on page 7) Disney, Ford Confer On Johnny Soy Bean Detroit, Aug. 24. — After a visit here, Walt Disney is en route back to his Hollywood studio with a portfolio of ideas fresh from Henry Ford. They are for a new Disney picture, to be titled "Johnny Soy Bean," culled from Ford and his Dearborn plant, where much has been done in developing beans for industrial purposes. Disney will leave Hollywood next Tuesday for Mexico to receive The Aztec Medal from President Avila Camacho. Louis Mayer, James FitzPatrick and Francis Alstock will be similarly honored. 'Army' Shown to Canadian Conferees Quebec, Aug. 24. — Ranking military officers relaxed here last night, for a few hours, from mapping war strategy in the Conference of Quebec, to see Irving Berlin's "This Is the Army," as guests of the United States Army, at a special showing at the Capitol Theatre. Among those present were Subaltern Mary S. Churchill, daughter of Winston Churchill, with 24 guests from the Citadel ; Lord and Lady Louis Mountbatten, First Lord of the Admiralty ; Admiral Ernest J. King, Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Fleet; Vice-Admiral Percy W. Nelles, Chief of Staff of the Royal (Continued on page 7) $2,000,000 in Bonds for a Seat to See Stars of Hollywood Cavalcade The U. S. Treasury Department and the film industry appear convinced that there are film fans with sufficient enthusiasm to pay $2,000,000, in War Bond purchases, for a box seat to see an extra special performance of two dozen Hollywood studios on one bill. The Hollywood Cavalcade of stars touring the country during the Third War Loan, will appear at Madison Square Garden, Saturday night, Sept. 11, sponsored by the industry, to help New York reach its campaign goal of $5,000,000. Admission will be through purchase of War Bonds only. There are 18,500 seats available and their sale will represent $86,000,000 in extra bonds. Since the Third Loan is expected to prompt the purchase of an extra $100 bond by every person in the country, the largest block, 10,000 seats, has been allocated to this price. There are 1,800 seats to be 'sold' for the purchase of a $25 war bond; 2,000 seats to go to $50 bond purchasers, and 2,000 tickets for buyers of $500 bonds. Wealthier fans will have the chance to see the all-film-star show from boxes to go for $2,000,000 each. Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau recently called the Hollywood Cavalcade stars "the most glamorous salesmen in America." During the three weeks of the $15,000,000,000 drive, the Cavalcade will visit 15 cities, travelling in a private train. Chicago WLB Bans Rise for Projectionists Rejects Exhibitor, Offer To Increase Pay Chicago, Aug. 24. — The Chicago Regional War Labor Board today rejected a voluntary proposal of local motion picture exhibitors and owners to raise the pay of their projectionists. Under an agreement made several months ago the men were to receive a five per cent raise for one year, retroactive to Sept. 1, 1942, and an additional three per cent the following year. Although the increase would have been allowable under the "Little Steel" formula, which permits payment of 15 per cent above the rate prevailing on Sept. 1, 1941, the board followed the principle set in a case involving Lester Bros. The steel formula was waived in this case be (Continucd on page 7) Rank Reported After More Key Houses London, Aug. 24. — J. Arthur Rank, Britain's No. 1 power in exhibition, is understood to be still seeking control of the many 'super cinemas' which his GB circuit operates, but does not own, this despite the official discouragement given to further Rank expansions by the British Board of Trade, which ordered that Rank is to make no further acquisitions without approval of the board. The new Rank movement, it appears, is in sequel to last week's purchase of 40 theatres from the Elock circuit, by Associated British-Warner (Continued on page 7) Prudential Circuit Buys 3 in New York Prudential Theatre Circuit yesterday confirmed the purchase of three theatres in the 34th St. area of New York, from the Yost Estate. Theatres are : the 34th St., Superior Theatre, at 31st St. and 3rd Ave., and the Regent, at 28th St. and 3rd Ave. Joseph Seider, head of the circuit, also confirmed the appointment of Louis Shaeffer as division manager in charge of Westchester County theatres owned by Prudential.