Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1948)

4 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, April 7, 1948 Situation in Spain Worsens, Says U.S. Washington, April 6. — Situation for U. S. film companies in Spain has become "increasingly unsatisfactory," according to the Commerce Department. It says cost of import licenses and other expenses have risen considerably, fewer licenses are being granted and so fewer films can be imported that no provision has been made to remit profits to the U. S. Also, taxes have become more severe. Taxes on film company earnings may be as high as 80 per cent today. Changes in UA Home Office Press Staff Caswell Adams, who has been handling special events at the United Artists home office publicity department, has been promoted to the metropolitan newspaper desk, replacing Lawrence Beller, who has resigned to join the ' Motion Picture Association. Lew Barasch moves into the special events post, and Philip Cowan replaces Barasch as trade paper contact, all effective April 19. Cleveland Exhibitors Lukewarm to M. P. F. Cleveland, April 6. — Because heads of independent circuits in this area see no benefits to their employes from the Motion Picture Foundation, formation of a permanent Cleveland unit is doubtful. Harry H. Goldstein and Bert Lefkowich were named trustee and chairman, respectively, at an organization meeting here. 20th-Fox Employes Awarded Increases Salary increases of $5 to $10, affecting some 450 20th Century-Fox home office employes, have been granted in an arbitration award, the Screen Office and Professional Employes Guild has announced. The increases are retroactive to September 27, 1947. Home Named F. C. Foreign Manager David Horne, former assistant foreign sales head of Monogram, has joined Film Classics as foreign sales manager, it has been announced by B. G. Kranze, FC general sales manager. Town Bars 'Bank Night' Valparaiso, Ind., April 6. — Bank nights at theatres have been ordered eliminated by Elden Kuehl, new mayor of this city, who has declared war on all forms of gambling. Studio Employment Off in Jan. and Feb. Hollywood, April 6. — Studio employment hit a new low in February, according to the California Bureau of Labor Statistics. The index was at 79, compared with 95.3 for February, 1947, and 82.5 for January of this year. Legion of Decency Classifies 11 Films Films classified by the Legion of Decency this week include : Class A-I : "Berlin Express," RKO Radio ; "The Inside Story," Republic; "13 Lead Soldiers," 20th Century-Fox ; in Class A-II : "Another Part of the Forest," Universal-International ; "April Showers" and "Winter Meeting," Warners ; "Arthur Takes Over," 20th-Fox ; "The Lost One (La Traviata)," Columbia ; "Miracle in Harlem," Herald; "State of the Union," M-G-M. "Ruthless," Eagle-Lion, was placed in Class B. Show 'State' for Scribes Washington, April 6. — White House newspaper correspondents will sponsor a showing of M-G-M's "State of the Union" Wednesday evening at the Capitol Theatre here. Members of both Senate and House and the President's official family will be guests. Frank Capra, producer of the film, has arrived from the Coast to attend. Judging QP Awards Mel Gold, National Screen advertising manager ; Paul Ackerman, advertising manager for Paramount International, and Montague Salmon, managing director of the Rivoli Theatre, here, are judges in the first quarter of the Quigley Awards showmanship competition for 1948, results to be announced in the Motion Picture Herald on April 17. Testimonial for Vincent The industry and the Jewish Theatrical Guild will honor Walter Vincent with a testimonial dinner on May 2 in the Hotel Astor. Eddie Cantor and Si Fabian are co-chairmen ; George Jessel will be master-of-ceremonies. Bell & Howell Record Net Chicago, April 6. — Bell and Howell reports profits of $2,384,125 for 1947 on net sales of $18,083,325, compared with profits of $442,945 in 1946. Last year's sales were reported to be nearly twice those of the previous year. THE BANK OF THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY IBmtk of America NATIONAL savings ASSOCIATION MEMBER EEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION • MEMBER FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Key City Grosses TpOLLOWING are estimated picx ture grosses for current engagements in key cities as reported by Motion Picture Daily correspondents. CHICAGO "Fort Apache" will hit a new gross high, with a huge $43,000 or more. Weekend business was good after a weak start with "Saigon" and "Noose Hangs High." Holdovers are satisfactory. Estimated receipts for the week ending April 8 : CASS TIMBERLANE (M-G-M)— WOODS (1,080) 4th week. Gross: $26,000. (Average: $23,000) FORT APACHE (RKO-Radio)— PALACE (2,500). Gross: $43,000. (Average: $22,000) GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT (2»thFox) — APOLLO (1,200). Gross: $11,500. (Average: $17,000) SAIGON (Para.)— CHICAGO (3,900). Gross: $32,000. (Average: $40,000.) SONG OF LOVE (M-G-M) — MONROE (953). Gross: $19,000. (Average: $12,000) TARZAN AND THE MERMAIDS (RKORadio) — GRAND (1,150) 8 days. THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER (RKO-Radio)— One day. Gross: $21,000. (Average: $20,000) THE NOOSE HANGS HIGH (Eagle Lion) —STATE LAKE (2,700) Stage: Skitch Henderson. Gross: $38,000. (Average: $35,000) THE SMUGGLERS (Eagle LionRank) UNITED ARTISTS (1,700) 6 days, 2nd week. AN IDEAL HUSBAND (20th.-Fox) —One day. Gross: $17,000. (Average: $25,500) THIS TIME FOR KEEPS (M-G-M) — ORIENTAL (3,300) 2nd week. Gross: $43,000. (Average: $45,000) CINCINNATI Although grosses still are spotty, they are somewhat ahead of the previous week. Weather is cool. Estimated receipts for the week ending April 7: ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (WB reissue) — RKO GRAND (1,500) (50c-55c60c-65c-7Oc-75c) 2nd week. Gross: $6,000. (Average: $5,000) APRIL SHOWERS (WB)-EKO PALACE (2,700) (50c-55c-6Oc-65c-70c-75c) 6 days. Gross: $13,000. (Average: $15,000) B. F.'S DAUGHTER (M-G-M) — RKO CAPITOL (2,000) (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c). Gross: $10,000. (Average: $10,000) I REMEMBER MAMA (RKO Radio)— RKO ALBEE (3,300) (50c-55c-6Oc-65c-70c75c). Gross: $19,000. (Average: $15,000) NAKED CITY (U-I) — KEITH'S (1,500) (50c-55c-60c-65c-75c). Gross: $12,000. (Average: $7,500) SCUDDA HOO! SCUD DA HAY! (20th Fox)— RKO LYRIC (1,400) (50c-55c-60c-65c70c-75c) 2nd week, on a moveover from the Albee. Gross: $5,000. (Average: $5,000) SITTING PRETTY (20th-Fox) —RKO SHUBERT (2,150) (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-7Sc) 2nd week, on a moveover from the Palace. Gross: $7,000. (Average: $5,000) BALTIMORE Heavy weekend business is giving box offices a boost. With scarcely any "openings" the substantial "send-off" is missing, except that "Naked City" is attracting tremendous crowds for its first week here. Estimated receipts for the week ending April 8 : APRIL SHOWERS (WB) — STANLEY (3,280) (29c-37c-50c-58c) 2nd week. Gross: $8,500. (Average: $14,500) GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT (20thFox) — NEW (1,800) (29c-40c-5Oc-56) 2nd week. Gross: $13,000. (Average: $11,750) I REMEMBER MAMA (RKO-Radio) — TOWN (1,450) (29c-37c-56c) 2nd week. Gross: $11,500. (Average: $11,000) NAKED CITY (U-I) — CENTURY (3,000) (29c-37c-45c-54c and 56c weekends). Gross: $18,000. (Average: $14,500) PHILADELPHIA STORY (M-G-M re-issue)— VALENCIA (1,466) (29c-37c-45c-54c and 56c weekends). Gross: $5,500. (Average: $5,000) SONG OF MY HEART (Allied Artists)— MAYFAIR (1,000) (21c-29c-54c). Gross: $6,000. (Average: $5,000) TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH (Col.) — HIPPODROME (2,205) (29c-37c-50c-58c) 2nd week, with a stage show. Gross: $17,000. (Average: $17,500) TAWNY PIPIT (U-I)— LITTLE (328) (29c37c-56c) 2nd week. Gross: $2,750. (Average: $3,000) UNCO'NQUERED (Para.) — KEITH'S (2,406) (1st time at regular prices of 25c37c-44c-54c and 56c weekends) 2nd week. Gross: $12,000. (Average: $12,000) ATLANTA Business locally is about average. Weather has been fair and cold. Estimated receipts for the week ending April 7: AN IDEAL HUSBAND (U-A) — PARAMOUNT (2,446) (12c-50c). Gross: $8,100. (Average: $8,000) GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT (ZflthFcx) ROXY (2.446) (2-week holdover from the Fox) (12c-50c). Gross: $5,800. (Average: $5,800) MIRACLE OF THE BELLS (Para.) — FOX (4,446) (12c-50c). Gross: $8,000. Only 3 days on account of Grand Opera in theatre. (Average: $14,000) THE NAKED CITY (U-I) — LOEWS GRAND (2,446) (14c-55c). Gross: $14,000. (Average: $14,000) Lewis Bill (Continued from page 1) stituted intra-industry politics in which "it assumes the committee does not want to take part." For the record, TOA said, its organization vested supreme power in a 27-man board of directors, of which only seven represented affiliated or partly-affiliated interests. Pointing out that the board elected TOA officers, the TOA statement said three of the officers were independents and only two affiliated. TOA still feels, it continued, that the Lewis Bill offers no relief for exhibitors, merely changes the collection agency for Ascap, and deprives theatre owners of the right to bargain for themselves. 38 NTS Drive-in Deals National Theatre Supply reports it closed contracts for equipment for 38 new drive-ins in a recent three-week period. T. O. A. Incorporates Albany, N. Y., April 6.— Theatre Owners of America has been incorporated here under the membership section of the state corporation law to promote the mutual interests of exhibitors. The incorporation was agreed upon at the recent meeting of the TOA board on the Coast. 'Apache' in Chicago Runs Chicago, April 6. — RKO Radio's "Fort Apache," which is reportedly breaking records in its first week at the Palace with $43,000, will play 20 outlying houses day and date on April 16, three days after close of the "Loop" run. 'Daughter' Back to B'way RKO Radio's "The Farmer's Daughter," which won Loretta Young the Academy Award for 'being the best actress in 1947, will start at the RKO Palace, here, on Saturday, to run indefinitely. The picture played originally on Broadway.