Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1944)

Monday, March 27, 1944 Motion Picture Daily n WAC Pledges Industry's Aid in Fifth Loan Drive (Continued from page 1) foreign managers division, replacing Philip Reisman. Fabian was unanimously reelected as chairman of the theatres division, and so were Schaefer and Francis S. Harmon, to the posts of chairman and executive vicechairman, respectively. Arthur L. Mayer, treasurer, resigned, nominating Herman Gluckman as his successor. Gluckman was appointed to the post without a dissenting vote. Speakers at the luncheon included Major General J. A. Ulio, adjutant general, and Major John W. Hubbell, chief of the Army's Overseas Motion Picture Service. Schaefer opened the luncheon meeting with a request for a silent tribute to the men in the industry now in service. Flinn and Doob Speak Following brief addresses by John Flinn, coordinator of the WAC Hollywood division, and Oscar A. Doob, public relations division chief, Schaefer introduced General Ulio. Stating that the Army has its own manpower problem, the general added that "increasing the enrollments in the Wac is vital to the successful prosecution of the war." He reviewed the industry's contribution toward the war effort and expressed confidence that the projected industry recruiting campaign in connection with the exhibition of the short subject, "This Is Your War, Too," would do much to boost Wac enlistments. Edward L. Alperson, chairman of the WAC special events committee, was asked to meet with his committee to prepare a national campaign in conjunction with the showing of the film. A resolution passed at the theatres division meeting : Resolved that the WAC theatres division express to the producers and distributors and to the WAC Hollywood division, its appreciation and admiration of the contribution they are making by the production and distribution of the OWI-WAC pledged short subjects and bulletins. At the joint meeting Fabian specified that the request to participate in the Fifth War Loan came direct from Ted R. Gamble, national War Finance Committee. Major Hubbell reviewed the industry's contribution to the Army, via its gift of 16mm prints of current films for free showing in combat areas, Red Cross hospitals and isolated outposts. Hubbell stated that many more shows were being given to a greater collective audience every day. He quoted from a report from Phil Reisman, former head of the foreign managers _ division, who stated that distribution in Britain "compared favorably to commercial circulation of films in that area." Praises Seidelman, Gluckman Harmon, in discussing films for American prisoners of war, paid tribute to Joseph Seidelman and Herman Gluckman, through whose aid additional projection equipment and product were being supplied. Those attending the joint session were Ned E. Depinet, Schaefer, Maj. Gen. Ulio, N. Peter Rathvon, Fabian, Barney Balaban, Gluckman, Joseph Bernhard, Alperson, Samuel Rinzler, Samuel Rosen, Charles Moskowitz, Ed Kuykendall, Bob Selig, Ed Schreiber, Walton C. Ament, Harry Brandt, McConville, Leonard Goldenson, Leon Bamberger, Nathan Yamins, Fred Schwartz, Charles Smakwitz, W. C. Michel, Dan Michalove, Vincent Trotta, Charles Skouras, Karl Hoblitzelle, Robert O'Donnell, R. B. Wilby, Walter Vincent, Joe Seidelman, Sam Morris, Harry Goldberg, Mayer, Oscar A. Doob, Joseph Hazen, Nate Blumberg, George Borthwick, Harry Lowenstein, Martin Quigley, Harry Buckley, Nicholas M. Schenck, Richard Walsh and Lou Brager. Warners Completes Canada Loan Film Hollywood, March 26. — "Shining Hour," War Activities Committee two-reeler, has been completed at the Warner studio for use in Canada's sixth war loan. Gordon Hollingshead produced, with Arnold Albert and Leroy Prinz as directors. Leo Forbstein handled musical direction. In addition to Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson and Irene Manning, the cast includes Cary Grant, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and others. Make-Up Artists Want 5% Increase (Continued from page 1) increase subject to War Labor Board approval as in the case of other IATSE locals which have made similar demands to be brought up to the 15 percent allowable under the "Little Steel" formula. Representing the make-up artists and hair stylists are aleorge Hayes, William Knight and Veggy Gray. The locals are understood to be asking for wage increases in practically s all job classifications where the workers have not received the allowable IS percent. In most cases this represents a five percent boost. The general feeling is that there will be no difficulty encountered in securing WLB approval if the matter goes before the board on the basis of conciliation and not as a wage dispute. Sound Men Heard Friday Friday's sessions between the producers' representatives and the IATSE were devoted to IATSE Sound Technicians, with the meetinglasting until a late hour. Delays were occasioned by further sessions with Studio Cameramen and Costumers locals, with the producers reaching accord with costumers on their proposals and believed to be near accord with the cameramen. Meetings last week at which the contract proposals of individual locals were heard were marked by considerably more harmony than those at which the general IATSE contract proposals were made. The producers are understood to be resisting the IATSE demand for a five percent producer levy on gross pay checks of members of the 11 IATSE studio locals to finance a "retirement, vacation and health benefit fund." They are also understood to be resisting demands for vacation and sick leave with pay. Raw Stock Makers File Delay Actions (Continued from page 1) McNutt was set up by the WMC to study and pass along to Selective Service recommendations for special deferments of irreplaceable men in approved industries. The WPB, which would be concerned with possible deferments of "experts" within the industry, is among the Federal agencies represented on the committee. Deferment requests of the agencies comprising the new committee must be made by tomorrow. After study by the whole committee, recommendations will be made to Selective Service directors in the form of quotas and ultimate deferment decisions will be made within the states to which the quotas are assigned. Concurrently, five major rules were sent to state Selective Service directors by General Lewis B. Hershey for their guidance in inducting specialists under 26. The rules tend to hasten the calling up of men under 26, whereas the status of older registrants will remain unchanged while the pool of younger men is under examination. Cohen Back to 20th Charles Cohen has returned to his publicity post at 20th-Fox here after four weeks at the War Activities offices helping to promote the current Red Cross campaign. Univ. Debentures Are Called for April 24 Holders of Universal Pictures Co. 5% convertible debentures, due April 1, 1950, are being notified that these debentures are being called for redemption on April 24, 1944, at 102 and accrued interest at the Manufacturers Trust Company, New York. Interest shall cease to accrue from the redemption date. The debentures are convertible, to and including the redemption date, into voting trust certificates for common Stock on the basis of (a) 44.44 shares of common stock if converted before April 1, 1944, for each $1,000 principal amount of debentures, and (b) 40 shares of common stock if converted on or after April 1, 1944, and on or prior to the redemption date for each $1,000 principal amount of debentures. N. Y. Cracks Down on Scrap Accumulation (Continued from page 1) today to approve the program for a vault. The Fire Department had notified exchanges that fire regulations were being violated because salvage companies, which previously collected the scrap from exchanges at regular intervals in order to extract the silver nitrate content, ceased their collections with a consequent accumulation of the film cuttings. Manuel A. Mojarrieta, Fire Department inspector of combustibles, has informed Motion Picture Daily that the order will be complied with if scrap film is removed daily from the several exchange buildings and stored in a fireproof building such as the Film Exchange Center. May Request Exhibitors to Ease Demands (Continued from page 1) 45 minutes, canvassing the situation and the possibilities of a decree rather than a litigated disposition of the issues. Following the conference, Kuykendall said, "The Department is very friendly and very receptive to our opposition to present sales policies." "If the producer-distributor interest would go into the correction of these abuses in sales policies wholeheartedly and determinedly," Kuykendall added, "everybody in the industry would be better off, and it might save the companies from forced reform later." Firm on Cancellation While both Clark and Kuykendall said there had been no developments in the situation since their last meeting, March 21, it was indicated that the exhibitors would be receptive to a consent decree containing the proposals submitted by the distributors Jan. 21, amended to provide for an unrestricted cancellation privilege of 20 percent, regardless of the number of_ pictures involved; modified arbitration provisions that would reduce the cost to the exhibitor and provide for regional appeal boards ; the elimination of designated play dates, and the elimination from the distributors' proposal of the exemption of "showcases" and lock-out houses from the ban on circuit expansion. It is understood that Kuykendall told Clark that these, plus a requirement that percentage picures should be offered under separate contracts, are the main objectives of the exhibitors' drive. The inclusion of these provisions in any decree was represented as vital, but while there are other changes which the exhibitors also would like to see incorporated it was not unlikely that the theatre operators might forego some of them if to do so would pave the way for a final agreement. Must Move Slowly As he left the Department of Justice, Kuykendall said he did not expect that the controversy would be settled overnight, pointing out that Government agencies, of necessity, move slowly and that there were several avenues yet to be explored. Clark said that Assistant to the Attorney General Robert L. Wright still is engaged in his study of the proposals of the various exhibitor groups and indicated that several days would probably elapse before he completed his analysis, on the basis of which the Department will suggest a number of changes in the distributors' proposals. , He made it clear that the Department is not figuring on any quick settlement of the issues, indicating that the companies would be given time in which to study the suggestions he is to make and come back with such counter proposals as in their view might offer a satisfactory compromise.