Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1948)

no not remove: Tsi£%T mw p i CTURE MOTTO?; PICTURE ASSOC. OF AJIEKrCA, IMC. (CHAMBERS 28 WEST 44TH ST., NSs? YORK 18, N. Y. vorr-i <. no. 68 NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1948 TEN CENTS Hughes-RKO Deal Reported Near Closing Odium Statement Due Today or Tomorrow Reports that the negotiations for purchase by Howard Hughes of Atlas Corporation's controlling stock interest in RKO are nearing the closing stage were given some official credence here yesterday with the disclosure that Floyd B. Odium, Atlas president, is expected to issue a statement on the deal either today or tomorrow. Atlas officials, meanwhile, declined to comment either on the import of the expected statement by Odium or on the status of the negotiations beyond saying that the forthcoming Atlas statement will provide full "clarification." Hughes has not come to New York from the Coast yet and this was interpreted by some as an indication that actual closing of the deal is not near at hand. However, Lloyd Wright, Hollywood attorney for Hughes, is in daily contact here with Atlas Corp. and "undoubtedly is authorized to close for Hughes if and when an agreement is reached, it is believed. On the other hand, a report from the Coast yesterday claimed that the deal is off. All 'IA' Officers Up For Reelection All IATSE officers will be candiites for re-election at the Aug. 16 bi-annual convention in Cleveland, it was disclosed here by Richard F. Walsh, president. They are: Walsh, William P. Raoul, secretary-treasurer; Thomas J. Shea, assistant president ; vice-presidents Harland Holm(Continued on page 2) 'UV Quarter Net Down to $134,206 Universal's net for the 13 weeks ended January 31 aggregated $134,206, after all charges, including Federal taxes. This compares with $756,543 for the corresponding period of 1946-47. Britain to Debate Anti-Monopoly Bill London, April 7. — The Socialist government's Monopoly Control and Inquiry Bill is scheduled for early debate in the House of Commons and may be shaped into yet another scourge for J. Arthur Rank and his associates in vertically-integrated combines. Communist fellow-travelers are sure to join Socialists in support of the bill and they may be aided by the country's independent exhibitors, normally a sober, conservative congregation. If enacted, the law will set up a Monopoly Commission to investigate and report on monopolies and restrictive arrangements detrimental to the public interest. It will grant powers to the Board of Trade to declare unlawful or prohibit practices found detrimental. The country's film set-up has long been regarded unfavorably by Leftists. HOUSE UNIT AGAIN VETOES LEWIS BILL Enlist Sales, Press In Public Relations Invitations for distribution and trade press participation in the industry public relations program being advanced by the Theatre Owners of America were extended by Robert Coyne, executive director of the TOA, and Earl Hudson, chairman of the working committee, at a luncheon at the Hotel Astor here yesterday. The program will be coordinated with public relations activities of the Motion Picture Association, its Public Information Committee and with organizations and committees active or to be established in Hollywood. Tentative plans as set forth recently by Ted R. Gamble, TOA president, were presented at the luncheon-meeting yesterday and criticisms and suggestions were made by distribution executives and trade paper publishers and editors present. Hudson and Coyne emphasized that (Continued on page 2) 1 Application Flaws Delaying Exports Washington, April 7. — Licenses for film exports to Europe are being processed with a minimum time loss, but some delays are due to applications being incorrectly filled out, according to Commerce Department film consultant Nathan D. Golden. Golden said more common errors are not designating proper Schedule B Classifications, omitting Code Symbol Film-R or failing to show proper quantities of still-picture sensitized film, paper and plates. Fischer Is Named Republic Manager Chicago, April 7. — Abe Fischer has been appointed sales manager for Republic in Chicago, by E. L. Walton, distribution vice-president. Fischer, who recently resigned from United Artists here, will also serve as branch manager during William Baker's illness. Walton will return to New York next week. Ascap Plans Parleys With Stage Houses Ascap, it is understood, will call another meeting here with representatives of the stage show houses for further discussion of the theatres' refusal to pay 500 per cent in _ extra charges for the use of music in the society's catalogue. Ascap's annual banquet will be held in the Waldorf-Astoria, here, tonight, winding up the society's yearly membership meeting, which will get under way in the afternoon. Deems Taylor, Ascap president, will be toastmaster. N. Y. C. Bill Proposes New Film, Ad Censor Powers New York City License Commissioner Benjamin Fielding turned thumbs down yesterday on a proposed ordinance which would give him broadened censorship powers over motion pictures, plays and all advertising relating to them. However, although Fielding has indicated strong opposition to the measure on the ground that "there is sufficient statutory authority now," Councilman Edward A. Cunningham on Tuesday will ask the City Council to pass his bill to enable Fielding to "take immediate and proper steps in ridding this city of all offensive titles and advertising." Cunningham is reported to have said that other councilmen have assured him that "speedy action will be taken for immediate passage" of the bill. It provides that License Department inspectors investigate performances and related advertising and report on any offense "against morality, decency or public welfare." Vote Is 3 to 2; Lewis Predicts . Enactment of Similar Bill Eventually Washington, April 7. — A House judiciary sub-committee today voted 3-to-2 against the Lewis Bill, designed to force producers to acquire from Ascap public performing rights to music for films. The committee was reconsidering an earlier action by which the bill was defeated 5-to-l. Voting with Chairman Lewis in favor of the bill was Rep. Lane, who earlier voted against it. Opposed were Reps. Keating, Walter and Bryson. Though action by the full committee on a bill adversely reported by the sub-committee is unusual and unlikely, there is a slim possibility that this may happen, since committee Chairman Michener is reported favoring the measure. Lewis said, however, that "it seems foolish to ask for full committee action in view of the adverse report." He indicated that he did not favor such a step, but said that although the bill is apparently dead for this ses (Continued on page 2) Postpone Meeting Of MPAA Directors Motion Picture Association of America board of directors meeting, scheduled to be held here on Monday, has been postponed to the latter part of next week. Meeting has been delayed, it was said, because the MPAA committee of film company foreign executives who have been endeavoring to arrive at a formula for the British tax settlement dollar pool split, is not expected to complete its conclusions by Monday. Johnston Reports To Coast on Tax Hollywood, April 7. — Eric Johnston, Motion Picture Association of America president, who arrived here today, will meet studio executives tomorrow to report details of the British ad valorem pact settlement. He will confer Thursday evening with representatives of talent guilds and unions on their progress in planning a cross-industry public relations organization, and on Friday he will meet the press for a luncheon-conference.