Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1946)

10 Motion pic ture Daily Monday, March 18, 1946 Discuss Films' Aid To U. S. Programs Washington, March 17. — The cooperation of Hollywood producers in the making of information films on behalf of the Administration's wageprice policy has been offered to Economic Stabilization Director Chester Bowles, he announced following a conference at the White House, called to discuss the roles of motion pictures and other information media in the reconversion program. Top executive economists hope to have the public better acquainted with the government's program and aims. Industry representatives met recently with OWMR Director John W. Snyder and a meeting with reconversion officials is believed to be forthcoming. In a recent letter to Samuel Goldwyn, Bowles wrote of "the importance for creating in the minds of people everywhere the necessity of price controls and other government measures to avoid inflation." Goldwyn in turn is said to have volunteered his aid. Setay, CFI Profit (Continued from page 1) Pictures with Setay. Net income after taxes and other deductible items amounted to $1,725,099; $28,060 was charged to loss on sale of real estate, and $778,000 was listed as provision for negotiation of war contracts. Joseph E. McMahon, secretary, points out that a comparison with previous earnings could not be reached since Consolidated operated on a calendar year basis while Setay ended its fiscal year in October: A breakdown in the financial structure of the corporation at the time of the consolidation was sent to stockholders by Herbert J. Yates, president, at the weekend, along with the financial reports. The Consolidated and Setay earnings are estimated to be 31 cents per share on the outstanding common stock, after applying $400,000 on account to dividend requirements on outstanding preferred. This compares with 29 cents in 1944. For the period given, Setay's income from film rentals and royalties amounted to $16,062,348. Gross operating profit of $6,085,272 was reported. Consolidated had total sales of $10,106,141. Classics Holders (Continued from page 1) chise holder, and John Mangham. owner of both Atlanta and Memphis franchises and partner with E. C. Hilgers in the operation of the New Orleans exchange, will represent the entire group in deals with outside producers. Mangham will open a Memphis branch shortly. Also in the deal are John Franconi, who has the Film Classics outlet in Dallas, and Carr Scott, operating in Oklahoma City. Four Autry Rodeos Cleveland, March 17.— Gene Autry will present his new rodeo at the Arena May 3 for a nine day engagement, his first local personal appearance since 1942. His subsequent itinerary includes Toronto, May 13 ; Pittsburg, May 20 ; Providence, May 28 ; then back to Hollywood to make pictures. FCC Hearings (Continued from page 1) request changes in hearing dates, warning that such requests will result '.n cases being put off until the next quarter after July. Field Unit No. 1 will have the following schedule: March 1-16, Brockton, Mass.; March 18-21, Danbury, Conn.; March 22-23, Altoona, Pa.; March 25, Lexington, Ky. ; March 28-30, Knoxville, Tenn. and Detroit ; April 1, Middlesboro, Ky. ; April 215, Boston, Mass.; April 15-17, Harrisburg, Pa.; April 18-20, Lancaster, Pa. ; April 22-May 18, Cleveland and \kron, Ohio; May 20-June 1, Los Angeles ; June 1-5, Meridian, Philadelphia, Pa.; June 6-9, Shreveport, La.; June 10-13, Austin and San Antonio, Texas; June 14-15, Abilene, Tex.; June 17-19, Pueblo, Colo.; June 20-24, Ogden, Utah; June 25-26, Medford, Ore.; June 27-29, Portland and Oregon City; July 1-27, New York City. Second Unit Field Unit No. 2 will have the following schedule: March 1-9, Waterbury and Woonsocket, Conn. ; March 11-21, Wichita, Kan.; March 22-23, Sandusky, Ohio, and Little Rock, Ark.; March 25-28, Peoria, 111.; March 29-April 1, Madison, Wis. ; April 15-30, Pittsburgh, Pa. ; May 1-3, Elmira and Endicott, N. Y. ; May 6-10, Dayton and Springfield, Ohio; May 13.-22, Indianapolis, Ind.; May 23-25, Laurens and Newberry, S. C; May 27-29, Griffin, Ga. ; May 31June 1, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; June 1-24, Chicago, 111. ; June 24-26, Cleveland, Ohio; June 27-July 1, Ft. Wayne, Ind. ; July 1-2, Freeport, 111. ; July 3-11, Peoria, 111.; July 12-13, Danville, Ky. ; July 15-23, San Francisco. Atomic Bomb Film (Continued from page 1) productions into one picture, in which both companies will have a financial interest "was brought about by the mutual recognition that two pictures dealing with the story of the atomic bomb would necessarily involve duplication of scenes, personalities and episodes, with the consequent lessening of dramatic appeal of each," M-G-M said. Under the terms of the agreement, the film will be made at M-G-M's Coast studios and will be released by that company, which has assigned Sam Marx as producer and Norman Taurog as director. Wallis will consult and advise with M-G-M in various ohases of the production. Plans to expedite production have been arranged. Small in New Deal Hollywood, March 17. — Edward Small, who recently entered an arrangement with International to produce his "Bella Donna" for that company, will produce "Return of Monte Cristo," starring Louis Hayward, for Columbia under a similar arrangement. Roberts Rejoins WB Hollywood, March 17. — Following three and a half years in the Army Air Forces, Byron Roberts has returned to Warner Bros, as an assistant director. His first assignment is on "Cheyenne." TAC Meeting (Continued from page 1) actual participation in business meetings would have been limited to delegates, two to be chosen from each state. Motion Picture Daily revealed last Friday that all New York exhibitors were being invited by Joseph Vogel, interim area chairman, to attend the St. Louis convention. Approximately 700 letters of invitation went out to exhibitors in the state over the weekend. The same procedure is being followed in all states. The former exhibitor state chairmen of the industry War Activities Committee who originally were to have called state meetings to designate two delegates each to attend the St. Louis convention, instead, have been asked to issue blanket invitations to all exhibitors in their areas to attend the organizing meeting. The change in plans, according to report, resulted from delays in calling state meetings to designate delegates. Very few delegates were chosen in the prescribed manner, it is said, and with the convention only two weeks away, most of those who have been accredited to the convention thus far are identified as "observers" for state and regional exhibitor organizations, rather than official delegates named by state caucuses. Yates, Korda (Continued from page 1) quisition of a controlling interest in British-Lion. "Mention of other production and distribution potentialities took place," the studio statement affirmed, with Yates declaring, "these are to be considered as being in only their very early stages. Owing to the fluidity of world conditions today, discussions which took place outside of the actual distribution business at hand were of only a very general nature. Other meetings between Korda and myself will take place in the near future." The studio's statement indicated Yates and James R. Grainger, vice president of Republic, will visit Europe shortly to study production and distribution conditions. Religious Film Set Mexico City, March 17. — Prenarations are being made by Clasa Films for the production of a religious picture, "Felipe de Jesus," biography of the youthful Mexican missionary who was martyrized in Japan in the late 16th century. The picture, it is said, would cost $400,000. Mau Keep EST Columbus, March 17. — There is i possibility that Ohio may not revert to daylight saving time this year, since Gov. Frank T. Lausche has urged that the present Eastern standard time be retained, in the belief that a change would result in discomfort and confusion. Discuss 16mm. Short "Zach" Schwartz, president of United Productions, has arrived in New York from Hollvwood to consult with M. E. Youngstein, director of sales 3"d proration on worH premiere plans for "Brotherhood of Man", 16mm short subject sponsored by the UAW-CIO. New Zealand Wants 'Broader' U.S. Films Washington, March 17. — Despite the large number of films from the U. S. being shown currently in New Zealand — about four out of five pictures shown there originate in Hollywood — the fact that TJ. S. distributors persist in sending to New Zealand films intended primarily for U. S. domestic consumption does not enhance tha popularity of American-made picture^ among the people of New Zealand. So reports the motion picture section of the Department of Commerce on the basis of information received from New Zealand. New Zealanders prefer British films to those of other countries, but demand that such product be comparable in quality to non-British productions, the report continues. Furthermore, it states, there is one theatre to every 3,000 persons in New Zealand and one theatre seat to every six persons. A survey conducted by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research reveals that two-fifths of the -school children between the ages of 13 and 18 go to motion pictures once a week or more. Detroit Strike (Continued from page 1) claims the average wage of the strikers is 20 dollars a week. Negotiations between the union and the company negotiators, Clarence Hill of 20th Century-Fox and A. A. Schubart of RKO Radio, broke down two weeks ago over the proposed ratification clause in the contract. The union negotiators wanted to bring all proposals back to the union for a vote of the entire membership ; the company negotiators wanted the union negotiators to sign a final contract once a working agreement had been reached. The contract provides a 15% retroactive wage increase, already accepted j by locals in 17 other cities. Agree on Exchange Pact in 17th City Distributors have reached agreements with the IATSE "B" local in Boston, bringing to 17 the number of cities in which agreements have been reached for film shippers, poster clerks and inspectors. Terms of the Boston agreement are similar to those set with other locals granting 15 per cent retroactive wage increases and setting a 40-hour week with time off for extra hours worked on a sixth day. 'I A', 'IB' Compromise Compromise has been worked out between the IASE and the IBEW, both of the AFL which will permit 'IA' cameramen to appear on the Columbia Broadcasting show, "County Fair" aired from New York, to record some of the stunts on the show for the newsreels. The sponsor, Borden's, will have to pay standby charges to the IBEW, however. ABC Names Ray Diaz Ray Diaz has been named manager of the traffic department of American Broadcasting, according to John H. Norton, Jr., vice-president in charge of stations.