Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1944)

Wednesday, December 6, 1944 Motion Picture Daily 7 More Independent Filming; Lasky (Continued from page 1) always kept a close watch on trends. The time is near when all production will be based on story value with small units producing the same as is done on Broadway," the producer said. "That is why I left Warner Bros., to set up my own company, ur settlement was most amicable, ut I want to be in on the trend of the times," he commented. Lasky said that he and Walter MacEwen, his associate, will spend a month in New York gathering material for production. He said he plans four features next year at a cost of $1,000,000 each as reported yesterday in Motion Picture Daily. Yesterday he closed a deal for his first property, "Thank God, I'll Take It from Here," by Jane Allen and Mae Livingston, for which he paid $75,000. Lasky stated that he will finance unproduced plays with film possibilities, instead of waiting until they have played Broadway and having to bid with other companies for film rights. His first picture will be started in April at a studio still to be engaged. He said he has had three offered him. Each guarantees complete financing as well as a release. Lasky will open offices in New York and have a representative here. During his stay he will see Broadway plays and buy material as well as arrange a releasing deal. He will soon join the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers. Industry Commitments Are Postwar Films Pacts Near Filled for the 6th De Mille to Leave Air Rather Than Pay $1 Hollywood, Dec. S. — Cecil B. De Mille, notified that he would be barred from the air beginning next Monday unless he pays, the $1 assessment of the _ American Federation of Radio Artists to oppose a proposed state law to ban the closed shop, said he would consider it a duty to forego his $5,000 weekly salary from the Lux Radio Theatre rather than pay "one single dollar in a political tribute which acknowledges that I am no longer a free man." Mrs. Emily Holt, Afra executive secretary, and George Heller, her associate, in an open letter to De Mille, today called upon him to be "a law-abiding member" and pay the dollar. They noted that he had failed to attend the meeting at which the assessment was voted. Feature Backlog of 130 Hits Reissues (Continued from page 1) "My Wild Irish Rose," in color, for a March 15 shooting date. He has also acquired an original by Harry Segall. author of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan." Budd Rogers, who is also American representative of Mayflower Productions, London, headed by Charles Laughton and Erich Pommer, which produced "The Beachcomber," "Jamaica Inn" and "Sidewalks of London," said that next month, distribution of Mayflower's pictures by Paramount, will end. Rogers also represents Walter Wanger, working on "Salome, Where She Danced." Wanger's "Night in Paradise" will start shooting Jan. 2 ; he releases through Universal. (Continued from page 1) it was said, "6,017 theatres were issuing agents. The industry is pledged to top that figure for the Sixth drive. The committee has received 343 newly-created issuing agents and 122 new sub-issuing agents in theatres. Final checkup on the number of issuing agent theatres participating in the Sixth War Loan Drive reveals 6,482, thus fulfilling that promise." During the Fifth War Loan drive, 8,061 theatres observed national "Free Movie Day." For the Sixth War Loan well over 10,000 theatres will hold "Free Movie Day" shows tomorrow. During the fifth, the industry obtained 5,032 Bond Premieres and 1,116 Children's Matinees. As of Dec. 4, the Sixth War Loan drive topped each, with 6,015 bond premieres and 1,137 Children's Matinees. Brandt in Nine-City Phone Conference . Harry Brandt, national chairman of the industry's Sixth War Loan, last night held a nine-city telephone conference with his co-chairmen in Los Angeles, Dallas, Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Des Moines and Boston, in connection with "Free Movie Day" and the nation's observance of Pearl Harbor Day tomorrow. He told his listening contemporaries that their efforts on behalf of the drive were more than gratifying — that to date it would seem they will beat previous campaign records. The chairman outlined the number of premieres set in various areas, and heard first-hand reports regarding projection room showings. Speaking in New York, in addition to Brandt, were Ned Depinet, Jay Emanuel, Max Cohen and John Hertz, Jr. Out-of-town chairman who participated in this telephone conference were Hugh Bruen in Los Angeles ; Henry Reeve in Dallas ; Al Steffes in Minneapolis ; Jack Kirsch in Chicago ; Fred Wehrenberg in St. Louis ; John Rugar in Salt Lake City; Leo Wolcott in Des Moines ; Nathan Yamins in Boston and Ted Lloyd in Hollywood. The 30-minute phone conference concluded with Brandt expressing his appreciation to each of the co-chairmen. He urged them to complete the requested list of persons in their territories who were rightfully entitled to be awarded the industry's "Medal of Honor." sentatives of the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faiths join with military leaders, officials of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and civic leaders in special ceremonies. Dr. Samuel H. Goldenson, PhD., D.H.L., Rabbi of Congregation Emanuel, will deliver the invocation, and participating in the services will be Dr. Eugene C Carder, general secretary of the Protestant Council of the City of New York, and the most Rev. J. Francis A. McIntyre, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of New York. The program, arranged jointly bv the War Finance, Motion Picture's War Activities and the United Theatrical War Activities committees, will be broadcast over WMCA between 2:15 and 2:45 p.m. Lower N. Y. Houses Show $10,242,544 in 1st Week v Sales of E bonds by theatres in lower New York state at the end of the first week of the Sixth War Loan totalled $10,242,544, as compared with $10,039,729 for the corresponding period in the Fifth War Loan, it was reported by Malcolm Kingsberg, general chairman for this area for the War Activities Committee. The total dollar amount is about two per cent ahead of sales for the last drive. Theatres have sold 100,549 bond . which represents an increase of over 500 above the 95,000 individual sales for the same period in the Fifth. Manhattan has registered the biggest sales increase, followed by the Bronx and Brooklyn. Held in Jeopardy (Continued from page 1) Texas, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his objections to the agreement and predicted that it would not be ratified. His statement has direct importance for the motion picture treaty, since the oil agreement is the blueprint on which will be patterned the film and many other agreements. Connally's position, supported by other Senate leaders, indicated also that industry will have a strong voice as to the content of the post-war treaties. The pending agreement has been bitterly opposed by the oil industry, of which Connally is a Congressional spokesmen, and the Administration already has recognized its opposition in a request that industry leaders prepare constructive suggestions for improvement of the pact. Since it is feared that failure to consummate the oil agreement, would influence foreign governments from attempting to enter into arrangements with respect to films and other commodities, the Administration is expected to make every effort to revamp the treaty so as to gain industry and Congressional approval. Services to Mark Pearl Harbor Day Tomorrow All-denomination religious services will mark Pearl Harbor Day at the Statue of Liberty in Times Square tomorrow at 2 :15 p. m., when repre 695 N. Y. Theatres Observe 'Movie Day' Tomorrow, Pearl Harbor Day, will be "Free Movie Day" in the 695 theatres in the metropolitan New York area. According to Malcolm Kingsberg, area chairman of the industry's participation in the Sixth War Loan, this is the greatest number of theatres to participate in "Free Movie Day" since that bond promotional stunt was initiated. "Free Movie Day" will be observed nationally tomorrow and bond sales in theatres are expected to break previous records for bond admissions. 20th-Fox Studio Buys $1,250,000 in Bonds Hollywood, Dec. 5. — The second studio to make a corporation buy in the Sixth War Loan drive, 20th-Fox, today bought $1,250,000 worth of bonds. Incomplete tally of agent purchases was highlighted by $100,000 from Jules Stein. Allied industries' total passed $300,000 during the first two weeks, with Technicolor listed as buying $150,000. De Rochemont Reception March of Time will give a press reception this afternoon for Richard De Rochemont, MOT producer, at the Hampshire House here. Selznick Signs Vidor Hollywood, Dec. 5. — David O. Selznick has signed King Vidor to direct "Duel in the Sun." Todd Sued on Plays Michael Todd will be examined before trial today in New York Supreme Court in connection with a $25,000 suit filed against him by Erwin Grayson, in which it is charged the producer failed to pay back monies loaned him in connection with the financing of some plays. Grayson lists all Todd plays in his complaint, some of which have film backing. Freeman Continues As Head of AMPP (Continued from page 1) next Spring ; but the action is construed as meaning; that the association, which has not been holding full scale sessions for some time, evidently is now reconstituting itself along more active and vigorous lines. Allen Wilson was elected to the board representing Republic Productions, and a resolution was passed expressing condolence to Watterson Rothacker, Quigley Publishing Co. vice-president and West Coast director of the Office of War Censorship, on the death of his wife last Fridav. The resignation of Warner Bros, as a member of the association was accepted effective May 30, 1945. The delayed date is in conformity with the by-laws, which stipulate that resignations cannot become effective under six months. Therefore, Warners had filed an amended letter to make the company's withdrawal conform to the by-law stipulations. Willkie Estate Left in Trust to Mrs. Willkie The estate of the late Wendell L. Willkie, 20th Century-Fox board chairman, formally valued at "more than $20,000," was left in trust for his widow, Mrs. Edith Willkie, in his will, which was filed for probate yesterday in Surrogate's Court, New York County. Upon her death, the estate shall be held in trust for the deceased's son, Philip Willkie, 24, until he attains the age of 30. RCA Has Rectifier Distribution of the Rect-O-Lite tube-type rectifier, manufactured by the Baldor Electric Co. of St. Louis, will be handled hereafter bv the Theatre Equipment Section of the RCA Victor Division, Radio Corp. of America, it is announced by G. A. Schock, head of the Apparatus Division of the Baldor firm.