Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1947)

Monday, March 31, 1947 Motion Picture Daily 3 Metropolitan Stock Suit Dismissed Suit by Metropolitan Playhouses against the Hanover Bank and Trust Co. for an accounting of funds it alleges are in the hands of the defendants was dismissed on Friday by New York Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Church, who ruled that the complaint, a>"lrawn, challenges the validity of i \ conferred upon the bank by a iWd Federal District Court decree re organizing Fox Metropolitan Playhouses under the U. S. Bankruptcy Act. The judge, however, granted the defendant leave to file an amended complaint within 20 days. Under the 1935 decree, stockholders were given the right to exchange each $1,000 worth of old stock for $550 worth of new Class B stock and $200 in cash. The plaintiff seeks to enjoin the bank from further requisitioning the Class B stock of Metropolitan, claiming a 10-year deadline on such transactions. Justice Church ruled that the state court lacks the authority to revise or alter the terms of a bankruptcy decree of the U. S. tribunal, which, he said, has complete power to protect decisions rendered by it. He left the way open, however, for a claim which might avoid attacking the validity of the decree. Wyler Film for AAF Released to Public Washington, March 30. — "Thunderbolt," a 45-minute film made by the Army Air Forces in the Meditteranean Theater during the war, under the direction of former Lt. Col. William Wyler, Hollywood director, has been approved for release to the public. Carl Krueger, independent producer, will release the picture through the facilities of Monogram Pictures. A percentage of the net profits will be paid to the U. S. Treasury and the Army Air Forces Aid Society. Public premiere of the film will be held at the Four-Star Theatre in Hollywood in May. Radio Group Begins FM Output Survey The Radio Manufacturers Association is querying members for information on actual and planned production for 1947 of FM and AM radio receivers and transmitters. The survey is being made to secure definite information in the face of conflicting predictions and estimates of FM production. Estimates have varied from 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 sets. Davie Heads RKO Vancouver Office James F. Davie has been appointed RKO Radio branch manager in Vancouver, Robert Mochrie, vice-president and general sales manager, disclosed here at the weekend. William S. Jones, former branch manager, will supervise the Vancouver exchange. College Award to ABC American Broadcasting is the winner of the City College of New York radio network award for 1946. Jack Banner and Edward Greif, publicists, were cited for the "most effective promotion of a sponsored regional program, 'Professor Quiz'." N. Y. Capitol Deal For 'Duel' in Work The Selznick Releasing Organization here and the New York Loew-Capitol theatre management are discussing a deal to place the local run of David O. Selznick's "Duel in the Sun" in the Capitol. Now being determined for possible consummation of a deal, besides terms, are an opening date, length of run, price scales and number of daily showings. 'Odd Man Out' Will Open Here Shortly "Odd Man Out," a Two Cities British film starring James Mason, will have its American premiere at Loew's Criterion, New York, between April 23 and May 7, William J. Heineman, general sales manager of the J. Arthur Rank division of Universal announces. A Universal-International release, the film was produced and directed by Carol Reed. An initial budget of $300,000 is being used by U-I to help launch the film, set for May release. The campaign will start April 12. Appoint Sally Perle To Broder Publicity Sally Perle has been appointed director of advertising-publicity for Broder Releasing Corp., by Paul Broder, president. At one time an assistant to Homer Harman at the Roxy Theatre, here, and later associated with PRC's advertising-publicity department, Miss Perle has operated her own agency during the past year. It will continue under her new assignment. Mexican Theatreman Plans Video Circuit Mexico City, March 30. — Ermlio Azcarraga, who has considerable interests in motion picture theatres and radio, is planning the establishment of a circuit of television stations here and in the provinces. Asserting that the lack of reeciving sets is the only item holding up video developments in Mexico, Azcarraga expects that this situation will be eased by the time his circuit begins operating. R. W. Hubbell Forms Television Company Cincinnati, March 30. — Richard W. Hubbell has resigned from the executive staff of Crosley Broadcasting to operate his own independent firm, Richard W. Hubbell and Associates, television, radio and film consultants. One-time director for the March of Time, Hubbell also has been associated with Columbia Broadcasting, WOR, WQXR and the N. W. Aver agency. FCC Approves Station Washington, March 30. — The Newark (N. J.) Broadcasting Corp. has been authorized by the Federal Communications Commission to operate a new radio station in that city. Application of Donald Flamm and the Metropolitan Broadcasting Service for a new New York station was denied. Bergman Calls U-I Ad Men to NY Meet Campaigns for forthcoming Universal-International releases will be the subject of talks to be held here next week between field advertising-publicity representatives and Maurice A. Bergman, Eastern advertising-publicity chief for U-I. Home office distribution and advertising and publicity executives will also participate in the discussions, which are to begin April 10 and continue for three days. U-I product as well as J. Arthur Rank productions being released by the company, including "The Egg and I," "Time Out of Mind," "Buck Privates Come Home," "Ivy," "Odd Man Out," "Stairway to Heaven" and "Great Expectations," will be discussed. All field exploitation representatives with headquarters East of the Rockies are expected to attend. Included among the conferring field executives will be William Schulman, Boston ; Ed Rosenbaum, Philadelphia; Harry Keller, Cincinnati; Ben Katz and Harold Butchin, Chicago ; Perry Spencer, Atlanta; Ralph Ober, Dallas. Monogram Appoints Brazil Branch Head Appointment of Joao Carralcasaz to head the San Paulo, Brazil, office of Monogram Pictures, recently established along with other branches in that country, under H. Alfredo Steinberg in Rio de Janeiro, has been announced here by Norton V. Ritchey, president of Monogram International. Carralcasaz was formerly with Paramount. Industry 'Aliens' in Mexico Face Ouster Mexico City, March 30. — The Ministry of the Interior here, which has jurisdiction over the amusement industry, has launched an investigation of all "foreigners" employed in the industry, following complaints by native unions that many who entered Mexico as tourists have taken jobs illegally, thereby displacing Mexicans. Fines and deportations face violators of the law, the Ministry has warned. 1948 Campaign To Be Televised: Trammell Atlanta, March 30. — National Broadcasting president Niles Trammell says that much of the 1948 Presidential campaign will be televised, indicating that successful candidates of the future will have to be good "actors" as well as good speakers. Trammell was here for a two-day regional meeting of the network. Says Gov't Films Needed Seattle, March 30. — ■ Discounting any propagandistic purpose for British government films, Thomas Baird, director of the British Information Service film division, who has arrived here from New York to survey local distribution of his government's product through the consulate office, has expressed the belief that government films arc essential. Few of the films deal with politics or current events, Baird pointed out. Most are technical and deal with every day life in England. Johnston's Annual MP A Report Today The election of officers and directors of the Motion Picture Association and the annual report by Eric A. Johnston, president, are on the agenda for the MPA meeting to begin here at 11 A.M. today. Kenneth Clark, director of public relations, and Joyce O'Hara, assistant to Johnston, will accompany the latter to New York from Washington. Warner Field Men To Meet Thursday Jules Lapidus, Eastern and Canadian division sales manager for Warner Brothers, will hold a meeting of branch managers and other Central district sales executives on Thursday at the Pittsburgh exchange. Among those attending will be Central district manager Charles Rich ; branch managers F. D. Moore, Pittsburgh; J. M. Wechsler, Cleveland; J. S. Abrose, Cincinnati ; C. W. McKean, Indianapolis, and W. W. Brumberg, manager of the field exploitation staff. Before the Pittsburgh session, Lapidus will visit the Cincinnati branch, arriving there tomorrow. Warner Studio Crew In Boston for Filming Boston, March 30. — A production group from the Warner studio, including Jerry Wald, producer ; Delmer Daves, director ; David Goodis, writer, and Al Alleborn, unit manager, arrived here over the weekend from the Coast to survey possibilities of filming "Up Until Now" in and around this city. Invitation to make a picture here was extended by Mayor James J. Curley to Jack L. Warner, executive producer of the Wrarner studio. The studio delegation will spend about two weeks here. Wald then plans to visit New York before returning to the Coast. WB Branch Head in Charlotte Feted Charlotte, March 30. — Employes of Warner Brothers branch here honored John A. Bachman, manager, with a farewell party Friday evening in connection with his resignation after nine years' service to become United Artists branch manager in Atlanta. New WB Phila.Exchange The new exchange being constructed by Warner Brothers in Philadelphia inearing completion and occupancy is expected to take place within the next month, the home office reports. Herman Goldberg, purchasing agent and supervisor of maintenance for Warner exchanges, will spend the next two weeks in Philadelphia to get the now quarters ready. Building Standards Set Tulare, Cal., March 30. — The Tulare Planning Commission has set up standards for rural building as a result of the Tulare Theatre Co.'s announcement that it will build a drive-in theatre. The commission emphasizes that it does not intend to prevent the theatre's const ruction, but that it wants to establish certain public safety standards.