Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1944)

MOTION PICTURE )L. 56. NO. 67 NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1944 TEN CENTS Grosses Still r Far Ahead Of Last Year September Included 2nd Highest Week in 1944 Although the opening of schools resulted in the usual annual drop in September box office receipts, the month's grosses at some 150 key first-run spots bettered those registered during August, and weekly averages per theatre continued to outstrip last year by about $2,000, according to Motion Picture Daily field correspondents' reports. The week ending Sept. 8-9 resulted in an average of $18,775, second highest of the year and the best since early January. Then, as schools got under way, the figure dropped to September's lowest, $16,697, but even this was more than the average taken in during two of August's four weeks. For the seven days ending Sept. 22-23, the figure climbed back to $17,164 and (Continued on page 7) 'i 4 Admits Attempt to Control' Situation Buffalo, Oct. 4— Trial of the Government anti-trust suit against the Schine Circuit in Federal District court here today was highlighted by an admission by a Government witness, Perce E. Essick, who with Myer S. Fine operates theatres in metropolitan Cleveland, that while he was building a theatre in Medina, O., he first endeavored to get that town's two theatres "together" so it would be easier to "control the situation." Essick's admission was elicited by Edward F. McClennen, Schine counsel, during cross examination of the (Continued on page 6) OWI Confirms Post For Armour Abroad Robert Riskin, director of the Office of War Information overseas film bureau, confirmed here yesterday the appointment of Reginald Armour, former RKO European manager, by the OWI to handle, an overseas film distribution assignment. Motion Picture Daily on Sept. 28 reported that Armour was slated for the post. Armour has not as yet been assigned a (Continued on page 7) Can File Orders Now for Postwar Washington, Oct. 4.— The War Production Board today flashed the green light for the placing and acceptance of orders for postwar delivery of materials and products now subject to priority restrictions or other controls. It was made clear that a manufacturer may not schedule such postwar orders for actual production, or usage, until after the applicable restriction is removed. Postwar orders, however, will require no priority or other ratings. British Aid Rebuilding London, Oct. 4. — The British Film Producers Association and the National Association of Theatrical and Kinematograph Employes have agreed with the request of the Ministry of Labor, to immediately release a first batch of studio carpenters, plasterers and painters to help repair devastation in London wrought by bombing. The men will start the job Oct. 16, with the Ministry giving assurance that the men will return to the studios as soon as repairs are sufficiently advanced, with producers undertaking to keep their jobs open. Motion Picture Daily reported on Aug. 17, in a cable from London, that the Labor Ministry had confronted the BFPA with a demand (Continued on page 6) Divorcement Won't Help Independents, Kuykendall Asserts Kansas City, Oct. 4. — Divorcement of affiliated theatres is a practically worthless aim insofar as independent interests are concerned, Ed Kuykendall, MPTOA president, told a convention o f the KansasMissouri Theatres Ass'n here today. He reviewed recent MPT OA statements, published earlier, on the Government's proposed new amen dments to the decree. Kuykendall expressed the opinion (Continued on page 7) Ed Kuykendall Film Extortionists' Appeal on Here Arguments in the appeals by six Chicagoans and Louis Kaufman, former business agent of Local 244, projectionists union of Newark, from convictions under the Federal AntiRacketeering Act conspiracy indictment which charged them with extorting more than $1,000,000 from the industry, began before the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals here yesterday. The arguments will be concluded (Continued on page 6) Fabian, Skouras, Griffith, O'Donnell in 6th Drive Starting a move to tap the fullest resources of the entire industry for war-bond-selling experience for the forthcoming drive, Harry Brandt, national chairman, yesterday announced the appointment of S. H. Fabian, L. C. Griffith, Charles Skouras, R. J. O'Donnell, all previous industry bond drive chairmen, to serve as honorary chairmen in the industry's participation in the drive, Nov. 20 to Dec. 16. The group will work with all of the various committees now nearing mobilization for the industry's campaign. Following discussions with the hon orary chairmen, the drive committee revealed that plans are now in motion for the awarding of 'Medals of Honos' to all exhibitors active in the approaching $14,000,000,000 drive. The five newsreels will again participate in the drive by maintaining steady coverage of national events focusing attention on the sixth campaign, and by running special bulletins playing up stars and war heroes appealing for the purchase of additional bonds. First in the series of special newsreel subjects, for release Oct. 19, will consist of a bulletin on the occasion (Continued on page 7) Canada Trade Establishes Conciliation Clearance, Premiums to Be Treated First Toronto, Oct. 4. — After an allday session behind closed doors an industry conference resulted today in the announcement that a conciliation code has been adopted for Canada but the intimation was forthcoming that further meetings are necessary to iron out many final details. According to an unofficial, yet reliable, source it was stated that a conciliation procedure has been agreed upon for clearance disputes and the question of premiums distributed by theatres, but one has not yet been adopted for rental prices, contract groupings or release priorities. It is also understood that a proposal for a trade appeal board in Toronto was not accepted, while the regional conciliation boards will function inde (Continued on page 6) RKO Theatre Union Bargaining Deferred N. Peter Rathvon, RKO president, said yesterday, "There will be a revision in the supervisory system for RKO theatres which will radically affect the responsibilities previously exercised by theatre managers." Rathvon's statement followed a meeting yesterday between company officials and representatives of Motion Picture Theatre Operating Managers and Assistant Managers Guild at (Continued on page 7) GriMs to Leave for Hawaii Tomorrow Stanton Griffis, chairman of Paramount's executive committee on leave of absence, will leave New York tomorrow for Hawaii. He will take over as commissioner of the Red Cross in the Pacific Islands. Griffis announced yesterday the appointment of A. Conger Goodyear and (Continued on page 7) Reviewed Today Review of "I'm From Arkansas," PRC, will be found on, page six.