Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1948)

2 motion Picture Daily Thursday, April 8, 1948 Put Off Ascap Suit, Coast ITO Is Urged San Francisco, April 7. — Recommendation that the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theatre Owners withhold further action on its contemplated suit to test the legality of Ascap's collection of music licensing fees was advanced today by Robert Graham, PCCITO attorney, at the annual convention here. The PCCITO is expected to approve the proposal. It is regarded as likely that PCCITO will proceed with its suit only if legislative attempts, such as the Lewis Bill to force producers to negotiate directly with Ascap, fail and if judicial decisions, such as the Ascap suit against Ben Berger in Minneapolis and by the New York ITOA against Ascap, are adverse. The con vention also is expected to re-affirm its support of the Lewis Bill. Personal Mention DuMont Aide Reports Coast Video Subpar Television programs in the Los Angeles area are not yet of a quality necessary for a stable market for receivers, says Ernest A. Marx, general manager of DuMont's television receiver division, who has returned to New York from the Coast. Additional stations are needed, he observed and predicted that "probably by fall" the Los Angeles area may be established as an important television market. A rmstrong A sks High Power Video Permit Washington, April 7. — Edwin H. Armstrong, FM inventor, has applied to the Federal Communications Commission for a construction permit for an experimental television station in Alpine, N. J., to develop a new high power transmission television system. Open N. Orleans Quarters New Orleans, April 7.— Inspection Service Corp. has opened new quarters here with Film Classics and Selznick Releasing Organization as its clients. Several independent exchanges will follow. Dan Brandon operates the plant and Mrs. Jack Auslet, formerly of Dixie Films, is office manager. The company is a subsidiary of Transway. Wald Deal Runs to '52 Hollywood, April 7. — Contrary to reports that Jerry Wald of Warner's producing staff is going into independent production or is making other deals, the studio announces that Wald is under exclusive contract to Warners until April, 1952. Lewis Bill Vetoed (Continued from page 1) sion, he believes the principle is right "and that this or something similar will eventually be the law." Opponents said they voted it down because it seemed to be entirely an intra-industry fight, there is little time for Congress to act this session, and because of a reluctance to upset a prevailing method of contract. NATE J. BLUMBERG, Universal president, will return to New York from the Coast at the weekend. Ed Hinchy, head of Warner's home office playdate department, left for New Haven yesterday, will go to Boston today, and return to New York tomorrow. Gregor Rabinovitch, Columbia producer, left aboard the SS. Queen Mary for Europe yesterday, where he will begin preparations for his next, "Faust," to be made in Italy. Ben Kalmenson, Warner distribution vice-president, and Norman Ayres, Southern division manager, left here yesterday for Philadelphia and Washington. • Joe Felder, Favorite Films vicepresident, has become a grandfather, Donna Sue having been born to his daughter, Mrs. Irving Klein, in Detroit. • Carl Dreyer, Danish director, will leave here for Hollywood next week, returning to New York shortly for the premiere of his "Day of Wrath." • Budd Rogers, distribution vice-president of Realart, and Joseph Harris, board chairman, have returned to New York from Midwest sales meetings. • Dan Brandon of Transway, New Orleans, is the father of a daughter, Dianne. • W. A. Prewitt, Jr., of Associated Theatres, New Orleans, is now a colonel in the local Civic Air Patrol. • Nat Liebeskind will sail tomorrow on the SS. Argentina for Buenos Aires, returning in two months. • A. A. Ward, Altec vice-president, is in New York from Hollywood. T EON J. BAMBERGER, RKO ■L/ Radio sales promotion manager, will address the annual convention of the Independent Theatre Owners of Arkansas in Little Rock on May 4. • Betty Bluffstone has resigned as Columbia assistant booker in Cleveland to become head booker for Film Classics there, succeeding David Gaffney, who resigned to manage Herbert Ochs' Ft. Wayne, Ind., drive-in. • Chatham Strode, British author and playwright, who has been at the M-G-M studios on a writing assignment, will leave Hollywood with his wife on April 23 and sail April 29 on the Queen Elisabeth for London. • Clement S. Crystal, Parmount International theatre department head, is back from Lima, Peru, where he attended the opening of Paramount's Tacna Theatre. • H. D. Hearn of Exhibitors Service, Charlotte, who recently purchased the New Theatre, Black Mountain, N. C, from A. J. Terrell, is hospitalized in Charlotte. • Oscar Morgan, Paramount short subjects sales manager, met irt Charotte this week with Henry Hass, branch manager, and the sales staff there. • R. A. McNeil, former partner in Golden State Theatres of San Francisco, will sail from New York on a South American cruise tomorrow. • Paul Wilson, 20th Century-Fox Southern district manager, is in Charlotte, for conferences with Hi Holston, branch manager. • _ Harry Rapf, M-G-M producer, and his wife will leave the Coast April 15 for New York. Proponents of Films Win in Sioux Center Sioux Center, la., April 7. — Apparently this town of 2,000 has changed its mind about the film ban voted last January, with a new City Council of five, three of whom favor motion pictures, having been elected without opposition, after the Ministerial Association and others opposing films were unable to organize a slate. Public Relations (Continued from page 1) the campaign is not being undertaken as a TOA endeavor, that it was urged upon the organization by exhibitors at the recent TOA meeting in Los Angeles as an immediate need for counteracting an accumulation of adverse publicity concerning the industry, its product and its people that has affected theatre attendance throughout the country. The program, they said, requires the cooperation of all industry members and its aim is to benefit the entire industry. Speakers at the meeting included Leonard Goldenson, William R. Rodgers, Robert Mochrie, Mort Blumenstock, Harry Goldberg, A. W. Smith, Jr., Chester Bahn, James Jerauld, Sherwin Kane, Red Kann, Ben Shlyen and Mort Sunshine. Warner Signs Edelman Hollywood, April 7. — Louis F. Edelman has been given a producer's contract by Jack L. Warner, WB production vice-president. Mo. Solons Recess; No Adverse Bills Washington, April 7.— Missouri's legislature has recessed until December 1. Only six legislatures are still in session, according to MPAA legislative representative Jack Bryson. No legislation harmful to the industry was offered in Missouri. Louisiana's legislature opens May 10, with no indication so far of any anti-industry bills. End of Ban Brf No New III. Theatres Chicago, April 7— Current theatre construction in Chicago and downstate Illinois is confined to three drive-ins. The city construction permit board reports that no applications have been received for new theatre buildings since the Federal curb was lifted last week. All Amusements In Rockford Are Taxed Chicago, April 7. — Three per cent tax on all amusements has been approved by the City Council in Rockford, after a four per cent tax on theatres only was defeated on the grounds it was discriminatory. Seek Gangster Film Ban in Columbus, O. Columbus, O., April 7. — Local mothers are seeking enactment of an ordinance to prevent children from seeing gangster films and also reinstatement of a 10 P. M. curfew for children to reduce delinquency. Directors Guild and AMPP In Pact Talks Hollywood, April 7. — Screen Directors Guild and the Association of Motion Picture Producers today opened negotiations for a new contract. Discussions, which are expected to continue for several weeks, are understood to be concerned principally with working conditions. Another meeting will be held tomorrow. 'IA' Elections (Continued from page 1) Senate Confirms Hoffman Washington, April 7.— The Senate today confirmed Paul G. Hoffman to administer the European Recovery Program. Hoffman is a friend and associate of Eric Johnston, MPAA president. Capital Power Shortage Washington, April 7.— Theatre owners in the Capitol district face drastic power curbs if the coal strike continues much longer. Some restrictions may be even more severe than during the war, it is said. den, William P. Covert, Floyd M. Billingsley, James J. Brennan, Roger M. Kennedy, Felix D. Snow, Carl G. Cooper, William C. Barrett, Louise Wright ; trustees R. E. Morris, George W. Brayfield, William C. Scanlan. Also, American Federation of Labor convention delegates Eugene Atkinson and Thomas V. Green, and delegate to the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada D. B. MacKenzie. To date, no opposition candidates have been announced. Sues Union Over 'Card' Hollywood, April 7. — Cameraman Curtis Courant has filed a Federal Court suit asking $975,000 from IATSE Local No. 659, asserting the union declines to accept him as a top cameraman despite 28 years in European production and on three pictures filmed here with a union member standing by. Editor; Chicago Bureau, 120 South La Salle Street, Editorial and Advertising. Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club Washington' D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden S'q., London Wl. Hope Burnup, Manager, Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications Motion Picture Herald, Better Theatres, published every fourth week as a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac, Fame. Entered as second class matter Sept 23, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign single copies 10c!