Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1946)

Wednesday, November 13, 1946 Motion Picture Daily 7 Plan 'Stepping Up' Of Strike Tempo Hollywood, Nov. 12. — The strike outlook appeared worsening as the arbitration committee working on the plan for avoiding future conflicts prepared to hold a third meeting tomor■ row with nominated permanent chair"man Joseph Keenan, who conferred with CSU's president, Herbert K. I* |rell and other individuals today. fciU summoned all members of all tactions to a meeting Thursday morning, with attendance mandatory under penalty, with the declared intention to plan a "stepping up of the strike tempo." CSU's morning meeting will precede a night meeting of IATSE Local 705, (costumers), which has set that deadline for receipt of a new contract under a threat of calling its members off their jobs on Friday. IATSE's Roy M. Brewer notified 705 officials that he has made an appointment for its negotiators to meet the producers in contract session next Monday. Bu* the local's officers said this would not alter their plans. IATSE president Richard F. Walsh posted an offer of a $5,000 reward for the identity of the persons who early this morning bombed the home of Technicolor laboratory department manager, Norman Pottle, shattering windows and endangering the family. The incident climaxes a series of similar acts involving stench and acid bombs. Harriet Lubin Named To Century Position Harriet Lubin has been appointed head of Century Circuit's opinion research and survey department, by Fred J. Schwartz, vice-president of that Eastern theatre circuit. She was previously connected with the Department of Agriculture and the executive office of the Secretary of the Navy, both in Washington. Coming for 'Razor's Edge' Cleveland, Nov. 12. ■ — Harry Weiss, 20th-Fox exploiteer, will accompany a group of newspapermen and women to New York to attend the formal opening of "Razor's Edge," next Tuesday. The group will include W. Ward Marsh, Plain Dealer; Omar Ranney, Presd; Arthur Spaeth, News; Betty French, Akron Beacon Journal; Bill Fitzgerald, Youngstown Vindicator ; Mitch Woodbury, Toledo Blade. Rothenberg to Liberty Daniel A. Rothenberg has assumed duties as office manager and chief accountant of Liberty Films' New York office, it is announced by E. K. (Ted) O'Shea, general manager. Rothenberg was associated with Columbia Pictures, and until recently was with the accountancy firm of S. D. Leidesdorf and Co. Garden Schedule Holds The Winter Garden Theatre, here, will continue its "open 'till dawn" hours with J. Arthur Rank's "Notorious Gentleman," Universal-International release, which will open on Wednesday. Continuous shows are scheduled until three A. M. every day, and on Saturday the theatre will remain open until five A. M. Sunday. 35 Million Loew Service Admissions U. S. Armed Forces numbering 35,505,927 admissions attended Loew's Theatres at cut-rates between July, 1941 and August, 1946, according to a tabulation released by Harold J. Cleary, general auditor of Loew's Theatres. Over 11,000,000 were accounted for in New York City theatres, the remainder in Loew theatres located in other cities. US Films in Russia {Continued from page 1) vision, said today upon his return from Russia. Our Embassy in Moscow is showing British pictures every Sunday, DeWolf stated. He said that American films are not being shown at the private exhibitions because of a mixup caused by the Embassy failing to return prints to the U. S. companies who loaned them. "If we finally get pictures into Russia, we should start out by exporting Western films, which do not have too much glitter," DeWolf added. First Wedge The first wedge in getting our films into Russia is the American missions in that country, where weekly showings are held, he said. DeWolf cautioned that American companies must be careful what type of pictures are offered for exhibition in Russia "if and when" present barriers are lifted. Sophisticated pictures and those displaying capitalism will not be acceptable to the Russian high command, he said. Legion Ratings for Five More Features Four out of five films currently reviewed by the National Legion of Decency are given an A-I classification, including "Landrush," Columbia ; "The Mighty McGurk," M-G-M ; "Rainbow Over the Rockies" and "Song of the Sierras," both Monogram. The fifth, "Wanted for Murder," 20th Century-Fox (British), was classified A-II. Films at Ambassador On Nov. 26 the Amassador Theatre, here, will become a Broadway showcase for international films. As its first, the house will show the film version of "Carmen," with a French cast starring Viviane Romance and Jean Marais. It was produced in Italy. "Carmen" will be distributed in this country by Superfilm Distributing Corp., of which Marcello Girosi is president. English titles were done by Herman Weinberg. Wellsville Ban Repealed Wellsville, O., Nov. 12. — The Liberty, only motion picture theatre in this town, owned and operated by George Davis, was open on Sunday for the first time in its history, as a result of an election in which approval was given by a vote of 1,273 to 771 to repeal of a 32-year-old ban on Sunday shows and sports. Clark Calls Confab (Continued from page 1) Department and has pledged his support to the program. While the educational picture plan will not be directly tied with the youth delinquency problem, the 70 per cent increase in youth crime is believed to be an important factor in the Department's decision to call for assistance from the picture industry. Omaha Asks Astaire To Stay in Films Omaha, Nov. 12. — Mayor Leeman's formal resolution that actor Fred Astaire, a native of Omaha, reconsider his announced retirement from the screen was passed unanimously today by the Omaha City Council. The resolution asked that Astaire reconsider "for the benefit of all amusement lovers of these -United United States and for the citizens of Omaha who have taken Astaire to their hearts and hold him in their esteem." Mrs. R. J. Booth, 84 Kansas City, Nov. 12. — Mrs. Rolla J. Booth, who had operated the Booth Theatre and funeral home at Rich Hill, Mo., more than 40 years, died on Nov. 9, at 84. Her son, Shirley, helped with the theatre since the death of her husband. Funeral services will be held at Rich Hill tomorrow. Withhold Films (Continued front page 1) by owners. ' Michigan Allied also condemned the use of local checkers, saying that in . those cases where checkers are being used a checker from some other town should be hired. Indications are that Ray Branch, president of Michigan Allied for many years, will be reelected at tomorrow's election. In one proposed change to the constitution, which will be up for consideration tomorrow, circuit members of Michigan Allied, which now have one vote for each theatre, will be limited . to one vote for the entire circuit. Another proposed amendment involves a new method of electing a board of directors and officers. Under the new plan, 15 nominees receiving the highest number of votes will comprise the board of directors. The five highest vote-getters will each serve a three-year term, the next five highest will serve a two-year term, and the next five highest will serve a one-year term. The president and secretary-treasurer will be chosen from the 15-man board. Included among distributor representatives here are : Leon Bamberger, RKO Radio; H. M. Richey, MG-M ; Claude Lee, Paramount. Special cocktail parties for the exhibitors in attendance here are being held by United Artists, Paramount, RKO and 20th Century-Fox.