Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1945)

12 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Thursday, January 4, 1945 Video in Theatres On Percentage Seen Sports promoters probably will make arrangements with exhibitors to supply television program material in exchange for a percentage of box office receipts, in the opinion of Samuel H. Cuff, general manager of DuMont television station WABD in New York. Cuff projected this idea in a talk on the subject "Television as a News Medium" before the Woman's Press Club of New York City at the Hotel Pennsylvania. Sports events would be broadcast or piped by special coaxial cables directly from stadium to theatre and never sent out as a radio signal, Cuff pointed out. The sports promoter in this manner would be able to increase his receipts beyond the capacity of the stadium, he pointed out. Supplement Newsreels "Theatre television will probably supplement, rather than replace newsreels," Cuff declared. "Within a few minutes of the time a motion picture is made, it is ready to be shown on the television screen," he said. Events can be filmed from a plane, processed while the plane is in flight to its base transmitter and the film negative can be reversed electronically and projected onto the theatre screen converting it into a televised film program, according to Cuff. Other speakers at the meeting included Paul White, CBS director of news broadcasts and Claude A. Jager, assistant general manager of the Associated Press. The meeting was devoted to a discussion of news in the postwar world. $18,300 Is Very Big For 'Frenchman' Toronto, Jan. 3. — "Frenchman's Creek" was flowing hightide at Shea's Theatre for an expected $18,300, although all kinds of weather was on tap. "Something for the Boys" held promise of $16,300 at the Imperial, and "Can't Help Singing" pointed to $13,800 at the Uptown. Second week of "Mrs. Parkington" will bring $14,300 to Loew's Theatre. Estimated receipts for the week ending Jan. 5 : "Tall in the Saddle" (RKO) EGLINTON — (1,086) (18c-30c-48c-fiOc) 6 days. Gross: $4,500. (Average: $4,000). "Something for the Boys" (20th-Fox) IMPERIAL — (3,373) (18c-30c-42c-60c-90c) 6 days. Gross: $16,300. (Average: $12,800). "Mrs. Parkington" (M-G-M) LOEW'S — (2,074) (18c-30c-42c-60c-78c) 6 days, 2nd week. Gross: $14,300. (Average: $11,200). "Frenchman's Creek" (Para.) SHEA'S— (2,480) (18c-30c-42c-60c-90c) 6 days. Gross: $18,300. (Average: $12,800). "Tall in the Saddle" (RKO) TTVOLI — (1,434) (12c-30c-48c) 6 days. Gross: $4,900. (Average: $4,400). "Can't Help Singing" (Univ.) UPTOWN— (2.761) (18c-30c-42c-60c-90c) 6 days. Gross: $13,800. (Average: $9,800). New Florida Theatre Carrabelle, Fla., Jan. 3. — George Stonoros has opened the Rex Theatre here. This city now has two theatres. WANTED ANIMATION -CAME RAMAN High Pay — Excellent Opportunity CINEFFECTS 1600 Broadway New York City Circle 6-6252 Sears Succeeds Depinet In War Activities Post {Continued from page 1) tributors, he called for a "rekindling of the spirit of patriotic service which has characterized the outstanding accomplishments of my predecessors and their area chairmen." He named E. M. Schnitzer of his company as his assistant, succeeding Leon J. Bamberger of RKO. Herman Gluckman will continue as assistant to the chairman of the distributor division at WAC headquarters in addition to his duties as national treasurer. "The war is not over and our job as volunteeers for war service is not finished until victory is won and peace brings back to our homes the men and women in uniform who carry the heaviest burden of all," said Sears. "I expect to use every facility of film distribution business to complete our part of the task voluntarily assumed for our government. With the help of the previous chairmen, Ned Depinet, Bill Rogers and Bill Scully, and the men and women in the exchanges throughout the country, I know our assignment will be done well." The committee voted to continue the plan to have district distributor chairmen with exchange area chairmen in each district as a general rule selected from the same company as district chairmen. The Chairmen WAC distribution district and area chairmen follow : Metropolitan New York — Milton Kusell, Paramount, district chairman; Henry Mandel, Paramount, New York City ; Ed Bell, Paramount, New Jersey. Northeast — Norman Ayres, Warners, New York, district chairman ; William Horan, Boston ; Carl Goe, New Haven, Ray Smith, Albany ; Al Herman, Buffalo, all Warners. East — Salem Applegate, Universal, Philadelphia, and Dave Miller, Universal, Cleveland, district co-chairmen; George Schwartz, Universal, Philadelphia ; John Allen, Loew's, Washington; Joe Krenitz, Universal, Cleveland ; Pete Dana, Universal, Pittsburgh. East— Carl Shalit, Columbia, Detroit, district chairman ; Alan Moritz, Cincinnati ; Joe Gins, Detroit ; W. Guy Craig, Indianapolis, all Columbia. Other Areas Southeast — Charles Kessnich, Loew's, Atlanta, district chairman; William Zoelner, Atlanta ; Ben Rosenwald, Charlotte, both Loew's ; Luke Conner, Warners, New Orleans. Southwest — Phil Longdon, 20thFox, Dallas, district chairman ; Cecil House, Dallas ; Tom Young, Memphis ; M. W. Osbourne, Oklahoma City, all 20th-Fox. Midwest — Allen Usher, Paramount, Chicago, district chairman ; J. Harold Stevens, Chicago ; Ben Blotchy, Minneapolis ; Harold Wirthwein, Milwaukee, all Paramount. Prairie District — Tommie Thompson, United Artists, Kansas City, district chairman; B. J. McCarthy, St. Louis ; Wm. E. Truog, Kansas City ; B. V. McLucas, Omaha, all United Artists ; Jack Kennedy, Des Moines, Loew's. Rocky Mountain — (No district chairman). Arthur Abeles, Denver; Charles Walker, Salt Lake City, both 20th-Fox. West Coast — Herbert Mclntyre, RKO, Los Angeles, district chairman ; Harry Cohen, Los Angeles ; Newton Jacobs, San Erancisco ; Mark Corey, Portland, all RKO; Maurice Saffle, Loew's, Seattle. $9,000 Jump for 'Thirty Seconds' Buffalo, Jan. 3. — Boxoffice receipts perked up here despite another crippling snowstorm. "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" appeared sure of the lead with about $26,400 at the Buffalo. Estimated receipts for the week ending Jan. 6 : "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" (M-G-M) BUFFALO— ,(3,489) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $26,400. (Average: $17,400). "Frenchman's Creek" (Para.) GREAT LAKES— (3,000) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $20,000. (Average: $16,200). "The Doughgirls" (WB) HIPPODROME — (2,100) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days, 2nd week, on a moveover. Gross: $9,000. (Average: $9,700'). "Experiment Perilous" (RKO) "Girl Rush" (RKO) TWENTIETH CENTURY— (3,000) (40c50c-60c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $21,000. (Average: $12,200). "Can't Help Singing" (Univ.) "Dead Man's Eyes" (Univ.) LAFAYETTE— (3,000) (40c -50c -60c -70c) 7 days. Gross: $19,000. (Average: $12,400). Screening for Editors "Resisting Enemy Interrogation," 57-minute Army Air Force film, will be shown to radio editors at noon today at the offices of Batton, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, ad agency. Film, which has William Holden in a featured part, will be dramatized on the "Cavalcade of America" radio show over station WEAF next Monday. Kansas City Thrives On Bitter Weather Kansas City, Jan. 3. — Violently cold weather ushered in the New Year in Kansas City, but in spite of that theatres had excellent crowds. The Esquire, Uptown and Fairway, with "Winged Victory," grossed around $29,000. The Midland, with "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," scored $22,500. Estimated receipts for the week ending Jan. 2-5 : "Winged Victory" (2ftth-Fox) ESQUIRE— (800) (45c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $16,500. (Average: $9,400). "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" (M-G-M) MIDLAND— (3,000) (40c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $22,500. (Average: $14,000). "And New Tomcrow" (Para.) NEWMAN— (1,900) (46c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $15,000. (Average: $10,000). "Experiment Perilous" (RKO) "Girl Rush" (RKO) ' ORPHEUM— (1,900) (45c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $14,000. (Average: $10,000). "Carolina Blues" (Col.) "When Strangers Marry" (Mono.) TOWER — (2,000) (39c-75c) 7 days. Stage revue. Gross: $12,000. (Average: $9,400). "Winded Victory" (Zflth-Fox) UPTOWN— (2,000) (45c-65c) 7 .days. Gross: $10,000. (Average: $5,600). FAIRWAY— (700) (45c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $2,500. (Average: $1,600). Allied Meeting Here A general membership meeting of Allied of New Jersev will be held on Monday, Jan. 8, at New York headquarters. A buffet luncheon will be served. Coast Sees WPB Cut. Cutting Film Totals (Continued from page 1) stock for use this quarter than it had in the last three months of 1944 was indicated in Washington Tuesday night by tentative figures reached b*y Lincoln V. Burrows, chief of the War Production Board photographic division. Whether the cut is to be applied equally among the companies or graded on their ability to bear a reduction will be worked out with the industry advisory committee when it meets with Burrows there tomorrow. Citing a typical case of release raw stock shortages, Monogram's Trem Carr said his company has ten finished pictures for which it is unable to make release prints, adding further cuts would be "disastrous." Similar situations prevail at most other companies, a check-up reveals. Insiders Apprehensive While awaiting the outcome of tomorrow's meeting in Washington, insiders here are likewise apprehensive that the WPB may revise the whole basis of the allocation system in use until now, as rumored under consideration. It is understood that one such revision under WPB study would apply a limitation to film used specifically for production, in contrast to the prevailing system which allows companies to use allotted raw stock for either production or release prints according to the decision of each. Since production-stock requirement is fractional as compared with distribution, studios have been able heretofore to maintain shooting schedules although often with a knowledge that pictures, when completed, would rest long in vaults awaiting the availability of stock for release prints. Production heads say any ruling modifying this arrangement would create innumerable problems all along the line from talent commitments to studio employment contracts, space rentals, and product announcements already made. Thalia Theatre Case On Trial in Chicago Chicago, Jan. 3. — The conspiracy case filed by Thomas Murray, local exhibitor, against the major distributors and local theatre circuits opened in Federal Court here today. Judge Howly heard preliminary matters. Murray charges that he was forced to sell his second floor Thalia Theatre on the South Side because of his inability to get a choice of product. Lester, son of the plaintiff, is his attorney. The suit asks $1,000,000 in damages. Samuel Halper Dies Chicago, Jan. 3. — Samuel Halper, one of the oldest neighborhood theatre operators here, died' of a heart attack today in a local gymnasium. He operated the Irving and Metro Theatres. He is survived by his widow and three children. Funeral services will be held here Friday. Frank Miller Dies Frank O. Miller, 70, head of CoNational Players, play brokers and authors' agents, died Tuesday in New York Hospital. Miller was in various phases of the entertainment industry for many years, and managed theatres here and in Cleveland.