Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1946)

Tuesday, October 22, 1946 Motion Picture daily Court Asks (Continued from page 6) films. "If the defendants prefer competitive bidding to divestiture, then they should yield whatever is necessary to make it work," he declared. Judge Hand declined to hear a verbal statement on the Day company's auction plan but told Joseph Kenny, counsel for that petitioner, that a brief would be accepted for consideration, with today set as a d i -s^jie for filing the document. J^frings on the plaintiff's and defendants' final decree proposals are scheduled to begin this morning, and Wright indicated yesterday that they might consume only two days. Odeon Plans 64 (Continued from page 1) made on 15 theatres, including suburban units seating from 750 to 1,350. With reference to other Western developments, Davis announced that Rank plans his second visit to North America next spring. Regarding film distribution Davis said 35 British pictures from Rank's studios would be released in Canada next year, compared with 18 during the current season. Rank, Davis reported, is now exchanging six features a year with the Soviet Republic and Russian pictures are going over very well among some classes in England. There is little hope of constructing new theatres in England for another five to seven years because of the shortage of materials, he said. A total of 34 Odeon "movie clubs" for juveniles has already been established in Canada and the movement is constantly spreading, Davis said. 'Outlaw' Move (Continued from page 1) given attorney Dan Rosen, representing the, commissioner's office, by Judge Harold E. Walter when the hearing opened yesterday, and court was adjourned until today to permit preparation of the brief. Although New York State has [ granted a license for the film, the city J commissioner has said the license will [ be revoked if it is exhibited here. He has filed an application for review | with the Board of Regents, the director of the motion picture division of the State Department of Education and the state's attorney general, asking revocation "because of the nature of the advertising." UA president Edward C. Raftery, j representing UA, told the court yesterday his company brought the action to compel the theatres to fulfill their contract, entered into last Feb. 13. Arthur Sheinberg appeared for Brandt, who books for the three houses and is defendant in the case. ATO Hits (Continued from page 1) tures was opposed in an unanimous resolution adopted at the second of a series of regional meetings sponsored by the Associated Independent Theatre Owners. Resolution charges practice has the ji effect of creating and establishing "as (customary a uniform and unreasonable area for clearance and protection of as wide scope between non-competing towns where no such clearance and Arrivals from London (Continued from page 1) to begin work on the picture. Returning after having launched a promotional campaign for "The Jolson Story" in England, Nate B. Spingold, Columbia vice-president, vigorously denied that there is "any truth" to reports that the British press has been antagonistic in its reception of U. S. film products. "The papers there have been critical toward many British productions and have also received many American films with warm praise," he said. Spingold also disclosed that he will go on to Hollywood "in a few weeks." Russell Holman, Eastern production head of Paramount, was non-committal about his work and observations in London and Paris, asserting that he would submit his report first to Henry Ginsberg. He did say, however, that he had investigated the production prospects for the Hal Wallis picture, scheduled to start about June 1 at Denham Studios in England. The film is based on the story, "For Her to See," by Joseph Shearing. Yule, Goldstein, Goetz Lady Yule, who has extensive financial interests in British National Films, Ltd., and Anglo-American Film Co., Ltd., was reluctant to discuss the pyrpose of her visit further than the cryptic description, "business." Robert Goldstein, New York representative of Universal-International, said that he was returning after conducting a story and talent search in England, in addition to establishing a branch office in England. Ben Goetz, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer managing director in England, declared that he "had nothing to say" about the purpose of his trip. Sir Arthur Jarratt, managing director of British Lion, Korda distributing firm in England, and a member of the executive board of all Korda worldwide interests, brought with him the print of the French film, "Les Enfants du Paradis" ("Children of Paradise"), which will have its American premiere on the West Coast Nov. 15. The British executive, who is accompanied by Lady Jarratt, will depart for the Coast Nov. 4, and will probably consult on productions to be done in California. Sir Alexander Korda, it was further disclosed, is scheduled to come here Nov. 10, on the Queen Elisabeth's second voyage. Also among the arrivals was Ernest W. Fredman, publisher and editor of the Daily Film Renter, here on his first American visit in 14 years. He will spend about three weeks in New York, then go to Hollywood for a few weeks before taking a vacation in Palm Springs. The British publisher plans to return to New York for four days prior to sailing for London. Ben Henry, Universal-International general representative in Great Britain was also among the passengers. Henry will remain here several weeks for conferences with Joseph H. Seidelman, general manager of U-I's foreign department. protection ever existed." The resolution requests distributors to cease the practice immediately. High rentals, extended playing time, local checkers and Federal admission taxes also highlighted discussions at the meeting, which was presided over by Carl Mansfield of Schuyler, and attended by AITO president Howard Brookings. No Court Review (Continued from page 1) appeals board. "The decision," said the court, "was invoked by the moving party, which was in no wise required to submit its rights to the arbitration panel but, having invoked it, must accept the ruling as final." Harold L. Schliz, counsel for Lust, had argued that it was "contrary to equity for the court to establish an agency and then relinquish control over that agency." Judge Hand had replied that vacating the board's decision would mean "we would have to review everything that the court has done for the last five years." The appeals board had reversed a ruling of a Washington arbitrator who had held there was no competition between Lust's Kaywood Gardens Theatre in Mt. Rainer, Md., and the Village and Newton in downtown Washington, the latter two operated by Louis Bernheimer. Schliz said the clearance granted was relegating Lust to an inferior position and causing his theatre to operate at a loss. Leslie, Meredith to Curtiz Organization Hollywood, Oct. 21. — President Michael Curtiz of the newly-formed Michael Curtiz Productions, has announced appointment of the following officers : Jacques Leslie, vice-president, treasurer and general manager ; Bess Meredith, vice-president and story editor; Margaret Ettinger, secretary. Additional directors are Roy Obringer and Ed L. Depatio. Columbia Latin Meet (Continued from page 1) delegates from the various offices will meet for executive sessions in the discussion of new season distribution plans. The following members of Columbia International will be present from here : Arnold M. Picker, Bernard Zeeman, Sigwart Kusiel, David A. O'Malley, Ben Astor and Alexander Lapiner. Cuba will be represented by Ernesto P. Smith, Pedro Martinez and Carlos Perez. Edgar H. Kernef will be the delegate from Puerto Rico ; Harold Winston from Trinidad ; Alexander Stein and Francisco Urbina, Venezuela ; Enrique Davila, Miguel Bernal, Jorge Ogliastri Otero, Jose I. Castillo, Pelidero Aponte from Colombia. Harry B. Prosdocimi, Donald S. Rockwell and Bennett H. Berman will make up the Panama contingent ; Jorge Oiler will represent Peru. From the Mexico branch will be Charles Roberts, Sidney Bruckner, Sergio Kogan, Gustavo G. Samaniego and Valentin Poire Hernandez. Columbia agents in Mexico, Gaspar Pruneda, Alfonso Madrigal and Felipe J. Acosta will attend. Stars at Levey Premiere Hollywood, Oct. 21. — More than two dozen Hollywood stars will be guests of producer Jules Levey for the premiere of his forthcoming United Artists release, "New Orleans," when the film has its first opening in the Louisiana city early next year. Levey plans to fly the stars and members of the press to the premiere in two chartered airliners. Gov. James Davis of Louisiana will act as official host to the Hollywood delegation.