Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1946)

MOTION PICTURE 'OL. 59. NO. 10 NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1946 TEN CENTS Will Unfreeze Film Money Held in France Franc Devaluation,Money Pact to Free $5,000,000 Devaluation of the French franc o 119 to the dollar from the form;r official rate of 50 to the dollar, :oupled with ratification of the Bretton Woods financial agreement by :he French government, foreshadows iquidation of the estimated 500,000,000 rancs accumulated in "frozen" funds >y U. S. film companies, foreign department film sources predict. Although the half-billion francs formerly represented a nominal value of $10,000,000, which now has been reduced at one stroke to less than $5,000,000, it is seen as at least being a preliminary to a financial agreement on unfreezing. Another important result of this :rom the point of view of the U. S. ilm industry will be the increasing /olume of foreign exchange made iivailable to France to help her repay oans and other indebtedness, it is un (Continued on page 11) Goldwyn to Make 4 Costing 10 Millions Samuel Goldwyn this year will double his production program, making four pictures on a budget total of 510,000,000, ompany sources here disclose. First for 1946 will be "Glory for Me," the Robert Sherwood screenplay of MacKinley Kantor's story, scheduled for February production, vvith William Wyler directing. This will be followed in April by the Danny Kaye musical in color, based on (Continued on page 11) Monogram First to Make Czech Deal Security In New TAG Group Seen By Charles Skouras Exhibition will be able to achieve national and local representation, presently inadequate, through the projected Theatre Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry, Charles Skouras, president of National Theatres, said in an interview by Motion Picture Daily here. Skouras is in New York from the Coast for several weeks to confer on plans for the year and to explore television possibilities. Although the projected organization will not "settle all the ills of the industry" it will give theatre owners a feeling of security against attacks (Continued on page 11) Monogram has concluded a deal with Miles Sherover, American business man representing Czech film interests, for the export of a number of Monogram films to Czechoslovakia, it is [understood. The company hereby becomes the first U. S. company to sell product to the Czechs since the gov (Continued on page 11) Charles Skouras Warners Meeting in Wilmington Feb. 19 Annual Warner stockholders' meeting has been set for Feb. 19 at Wilmington, with voting on the reelection of six directors, for two years, on the agenda. Nominees are : John E. Bierwirth, Waddill Catchings, Robert W. Perkins, Albert and Harry M. and Jack L. Warner. Holders of record Jan. 11 will be entitled to vote. The ^Continued on page 10) $852,500 for 'Bells' At Music Hall "The Bells of St. -Mary's," RKO, will roll up a new alltime Radio City Music Hall record of $852,500 by the time it completes its sixth week tomorrow night with an average weekly gross of $143,000, topping the previous single week record of "National Velvet," which drew $140,500 during New Year's week in 1945. "Bells" set a new all-time weekly high of $160,300 during New Year's week; it drew $138,500 in its first week, repeated this in the second week, drew $143,700 during the third (Christmas) week; fifth week's receipts were $138,500, with the sixth week's figure expected to be $133,000. N. Y. Grosses Holding Up New York's first-runs continue -to draw profitably this week but business generally has begun to drop from the nigh level of the past month. Holdovers currently predominate, with "A Walk in the Sun," which opened at the Victoria last Friday, being outstanding among new arrivals. Sensational business is still being recorded for "The Lost Weekend" at the Rivoli following the voting of the film as the best of the year by New York film critics. Business smashed through to a tremendous $67,500 last week, the sixth, to outdo the New Year's week takings of $67,300 and (Continued on page 10) "Tomorrow Is Forever llnternational-RKOI Hollyzvood, Jan. 14 AN INTERESTING and touchingly dramatic story, performances which run uniformly high, and sound and intelligent direction mesh effectively and smoothly in "Tomorrow Is Forever." Endowed with such fortunate assets, there is little wonder how and why International comes through with an attraction of box-office weight. The chances are this Enoch Arden-like drama will appeal more particularly to women than to men (who said that was bad?) but its effectiveness is on a level which suggests substantial support from any audience that appreciates a job well done. This one is very well done, it so happens. It tells of the marriage of Claudette Colbert and Orson Welles immediately prior to the outbreak of World War I and how he is so badly shot up and disfigured he determines to remain out of her life since he is officially reported missing in action anyway. While Miss Colbert reveres his memory and keeps his love alive, nevertheless, in due time she marries into wealth and (Continued on page 11) Arguments in Film Case in Court Today Final Step in N. Y. Case Before Judges Rule Oral arguments on briefs in the New York film anti-trust suit will get underway in U. S. District Court here this morning before Judges Augustus N. Hand, Henry W. Goddard and John Bright, with estimates of the extent of the open court arguments embodied in briefs, running from one to several days. Following the close of the arguments, th^> judges will then proceed to arrive st a d°cisi^n in the case, which has been in litigation since the government originally filed the »c+i->n on June 20, 1938. It is almost a foregone conclusion that, no matter what their decision is, (Continued on page 11) Theatres Aided By Ruling on Minors The more than 1,200 theatres in the State of New York, including New York City, are seen as being aided in ■omplying with the new state law ■egulating the hours of employment of ~ninors in theatres which went into effect Jan. 1 under an interpretation of the law by the State Labor Department for one of the major circuits, which has been revealed. According to the State Labor department, the former limitation on the (Continued on page 11) 'I A' Mid-winter Meet In Houston, Feb. 11 The IATSE executive committee will hold its Mid-winter meeting in Houston, starting Monday, Feb. 11, providing that travel arrangements can be made and hotel accommodations can be secured. Richard F. Walsh, TA" internation (Continued on page 10) In This Issue Besides "Tomorrow Is Forever," in adjoining columns. "Breakfast in Hollywood" is reviewed on page 7. Estimated key city grosses are on page 10.