Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1945)

7riday, November 30, 1945 Motion Picture Daily 7 Rank's Low Budget Films in Deal Here London, Nov. 29. — Conversations ire now proceeding between J. Archur Rank representatives and Ameri;an distribution executives under which product of secondary importance from the programs of both principals will be given wider international distribution, particularly here ind in America. The American principal was not disclosed, pending the further advancement of present conversations. !| (Kenneth Young, representing controlling interests in PRC, of which his brother, Robert Young, is presi ;dent, told Motion Picture Daily in '■New York yesterday that there "is absolutely nothing to" published re ports that PRC is engaged in negotiations with Rank representatives here.) Meanwhile, plans are under discussion here between Rank and Sydney Box, producer, which may materialize early next week in an important production announcement which promises to be of interest to the American industry. Review Six Rank Films (Continued from page 1) "Sensation Hunters" (Monogram) QTANDARD melodrama, lightened in spots with a succession of songs and ^ dances pleasingly executed, "Sensation Hunters" concerns the misadventures of a sweet, wholesome girl who, forced to leave home by a sternly misguided father, allows herself to fall in love with a handsome scoundrel. Ably directed by Christy Cabanne, who elicited convincing performances from his cast, headed by Robert Lowry and Doris Merrick, the film does, provide an entertaining hour, particularly for those customers who are receptive to pictures wherein moralization occasionally comes to the fore. The plot carries several dramatic twists after the virtually homeless Miss Merrick obtains a job as an entertainer in a night club where her romance with Lowry begins. As the film moves on to a grim conclusion, a feeling of impending tragedy hovers over Miss Merrick as she realizes the worthlessness of the man with whom she has fallen in love. She finally brings his career of evil and deception to an end with a volley of bullets. Completing the cast are Eddie Quillan, Constance Worth, Isabel Jewell, Wanda McKay, Byron Foulger, Minerva Urecal, and others. Joseph Kaufman produced. Running time, 62 minutes. Adult audience classification. Aaron and Richey (Continued from page 1) of view of quality and budget, they would meet any competitive entertainment standard in the American market. 'We are releasing these pictures because we feel they will be commercially successful and will do well at any theatre's box office if they are properly promoted," Scully said. "It is our intention to assist exhibitors in •selling these pictures just as we do all our top pictures. We believe that in these pictures there are personalities who will immediately achieve great popularity in this country." The other pictures to be released are: "The Seventh Veil," "Madonna of the Seven Moons," Noel Coward's "Brief Encounter," "Wicked Lady" and "Caravan." A series of special sales meetings to formulate • plans for the distribution of these pictures will be announced in the next week or so. The meetings, according to Scully, are tentatively scheduled for New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and will be attended by branch and district managers. Managers Guild Files On Cinema Charges The Motion Picture Theatre Operating Managers and Assistant Managers Guild has filed affidavits in support of its charges that the Cinema Circuit Corp. and Inter-City Circuit, Inc., have participated in unfair labor practices in violation of the New York State Labor Relations Act. SLRB examiner Benjamin Wolf is examining the charges. An SLRB hearing on the union's petition to serve as collective bargaining agent for managers and assistants of Cinema Circuit was yesterday adjourned until Monday. Warner Drive (Continued from page 1) Citizens' Group Hits Gross Tax Proposal Los Angeles, Nov. 29. — The Los Angeles city council has again postponed action on a proposed five per cent tax on grosses, after receiving a report from a citizens' committee recommending that no additional taxes be levied. The measure is scheduled to come up before the council again on Monday. and exchange managers' sales contest were announced by Kalmenson. Sharing prizes, which amounted to $35,000 in Victory bonds, were: Ralph L. McCoy, Southeastern district, first ; Henry Herbel, West Coast, second, and Robert Smeltzer, Mid-Atlantic, third. The branch managers who led the field were John A. Bachman, Charlotte, first; F. J. Hannon, Omaha, second ; Fred Greenberg, Los Angeles, third, and several others in each class. Norman H. Moray, short subjects sales manager, was host to circuit bookers last night at dinner, which was followed by screenings of new two-reelers. Home office executives will return to New York Saturday, following the Jack Kirsch testimonial dinner tomorrow night at the Blackstone. Harmon Denies U. S. Firms Ignore Czechs Francis S. Harmon, vice-president of the Motion Picture Export Association, denied here yesterday that American film companies refuse to sell films in Czechoslovakia, as charged in a copyrighted, wirelessed dispatch appearing this week in the New York Herald Tribune. Said Harman : "It is an interesting story, but the facts are : "Hollywood does not refuse to do business with Czechoslovakia. American film distributors have set up the Motion Picture Export Association for the specific purpose of doing business with foreign film monopolies such as the Czech monopoly. "No approach whatever has been made to the association by any representative of the Czech film monopoly, and it is not yet feasible for representatives of the American motion picture industry to enter Czechoslovakia." manager and hereafter will be active in both exhibitor relations and sales promotion. Tyree Dillard, who returned to the company this week after three years in the Navy, will make his headquarters with the sales department, and, as previously reported, will serve as liaison between the legal and sales departments, working under Rodgers in his new assignment. Aaron's first job was with Metro Pictures, back in 1918, when he started as a cashier at the New York exchange, then a franchise holder for Metro. With the amalgamation of Metro with Goldwyn and Mayer, Aaron was promoted to road auditor. He made trips to all exchanges setting up systems of records and operations. He continued in that job for five years and then was promoted to head the contract department in the home office. Another promotion followed shortly thereafter when he was made assistant to Rodgers, then Eastern division manager. With Rodgers' elevation to general sales manager. Aaron was again promoted to handling special assignments for Rodgers, a post he has held until his latest appointment. In making the new appointments, Rodgers yesterday emphasized that the aim is for more efficiency in operations between the home office and the field. Far East Offices (Continued from page 1) Doob Cited (Continued from page 1) Brislin Services Today Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Nov. 29. — Funeral services for Mrs. Anna Lydon Brislin, wife of Tom Brislin, owner of the Crystal Theatre, here, who died at her home, here, today, after a long illness, will be held at St. Aloysisus Church, followed by interment at St. Mary's Cemetery. Other survivors are a daughter and three sons and two grandsons. Six Additional Films Get Legion Ratings The National Legion of Decency has given an A-I classification to "Hit the Hay," Columbia ; " "Johnny in the Clouds," Two Cities-United Artists, and "Navajo Kid," PRC. Classified A-II were "Cornered" and "Man Alive," both RKO-Radio, and "Prison Ship," Columbia. Odeon Post Still Open Toronto, Nov. 29. — Because of the indisposition of president Paul L. Nathanson there has been no election to the board of directors of Odeon Theatres of Canada, here, of a successor to the late R. V. LeSueur, who died last September a short time after his appointment to the directorate. hai; Chok Boon Kwee, former booker in UA's Singapore branch, has been named acting manager in the Straits Settlements. A new office has also been opened in Manila, jointly managed by Pedro O. Baesa, former booker, and Herminio O. Gutierrez, former chief accountant. Other appointments include : Adolfe Friedman, former manager in Cali, Colombia, as manager in Bogota, replacing W. F. Frohlich, resigned ; Arthur Behr, promoted from Bogota as manager to succeed Friedman in Cali ; Viggo Ellemann replaces Ingolf Madsen, resigned, as Copenhagen, Denmark, manager ; Albert V. Steinhardt has been named manager in Cairo, Egypt, replacing acting manager Michael A. Georgepoules, and in Australia, Clive Arnott has been named acting manager director to fill the vacancy created by the recent resignation of Sydney Albright. Doob and Francis Harmon, the latter stressing Doob's many contributions to the industry's war effort, and his accomplishments as Loew's theatre advertising-exploitation manager. Also honored at the luncheon were Ernest Emerling, who succeeded Doob as Loew's national director of theatre advertising and publicity, and Edward Dowden, who was named assistant to Emerling. For_ the guest of honor the luncheon marked a reunion with associates of his early days in the industry. Four of the guests, Lipton, John Joseph, William Pine and Ben Serkowich formerly worked with Doob in the Balaban and Katz offices in Chicago. Among others who attended the luncheon were : Hank Linet, Si Seadler, Herbert Crooker, William Ferguson, Paul Lazarus, Jr., Howard LeSieur, Curtis Mitchell, Stanley Shuford, Al Wilkie, Alec Moss, Rodney Bush, Earl Wingart, Gil Golden, Harry Goldberg, S. Barret McCormick, Harry Mandel, Walter Brown, Howard Strickling. Brown, Ellington in Victory Bond Show Joe E. Brown, Duke Ellington and his orchestra, Jerry Lester, Maurice Rocco and Gomez and Beatrice are among the latest additions to the entertainment program for the "All Star" Victory Bond show at Madison Square Garden Monday night, under the auspices of the New York War Activities Committee. WB to Get 30% Fee For 'Burma Victory' Hollywood, Nov. 29. — Warners will distribute "Burma Victory," British documentary, under an arrangement whereby they receive 30 per cent of the proceeds and the British treasury, 70 per cent, the latter paying for exploitation, Motion Picture Daily learns. Nasib Services Tomorrow Nasib Kopooshian, better known in the trade as Nasib, head of Ideal Studios, theatrical photographers, died yesterday after a long illness. Funeral services will be held tomorrow, at Holy Cross Church, here.